Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,057, Moses Witham, Mass.
Page 1

Mass
Witham Moses Jane
W. 16057
Page 2

5917
Maine
Jane Witham
widow of Moses Witham 
[hard-to-read scrawl, possibly MA or Mr]
["who was a pensioner under the Act of" is stricken through] 
and who died on the 6th January 1820 of York Co in the State of Maine who was a Corporal in the Compy [Company] commanded by Captain Leighton of the Regt [Regiment] commanded by Col. Scammans in the Massachusts line for 7 mos and 16 days - increased from 24 dolls and 88 Cents -

Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 27 Dollars 62 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of May 1841 and sent to [here the word "and" is partially overwritten with the first two letters of the first name:] Jeremiah Goodwin
Springvale P.O, Sandford YCo [possibly meaning York County] Maine

Arrears to the 4th of March 1841. $ 138.10
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep '41 [1841] [$] 13. 81
_____________________________________________________________
$151.91
(Act July 7, 1838)
Recorded by Theo L Moody Clerk,
Book A Vol. 1 Page 27 

[On the right side of the record:]
See letter to A. Neuha_  [last letter or letters illegible at dark paper edge] 
Portland Maine. May 17 1841  Pension Agent

[There are two dark round impressions showing through from underneath another piece of paper which had been placed vertically over and near the right side of the paper edge, and a similar impression near the top of the paper.  These appear to be partial glimpses of wax seal impressions of a seal of office, apparently showing through from the other side of the paper.]
Page 3

2270
Me [probably meaning Maine]
act 7 July 38 [1838]

vol 15 p. 54- M  8 mo Corpl [Corporal] in 75 [1775]

admd [possibly meaning claim had been admitted]
8 mo Corpl [Corporal]
$29.33/100
no deduction

Jeremiah Goodwin
Alfred Me [Maine]
Page 4

[Near the top left corner of record, there is an octagonally-shaped piece of paper covering what looks like ribbons and a wax impression of a seal of office.]

State of Maine.

York, ss.-
I, JOHN SKEELE, Register of the Court of Probate, within and for the County of York, being a Court of Record, hereby certify that Willia A. Hayes is Judge of said Court of Probate and that Jeremiah Goodwin is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and that the signatures to the papers hereunto annexed and purporting to be theirs are genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this Second day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.
[Signature] John Skeele (Register of Probate 
(York County.

Alfred, Maine, Octr. 2, 1838.
Sir:
Herewith I forward the application of Mrs. Jane Witham, widow of late Moses Witham, for a pension under the law of July 7, 1838.
When the Pension Certificate is issued, please to send it to me. 
Respectfully yours,
Jeremiah Goodwin

J. L. Edwards, esqr.)
Commissioner of Pensions,)
Washington City.)
Page 5

[Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]
 
State of Maine.
County of York, ss.  On this twenty first day of September, eight hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared before William A. Hayes, Judge of the Court of Probate for said county of York, being a Court of Record, Mrs. Jane Witham, a resident of Sanford in said county of York, aged seventy nine years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oaths make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;" 

that she the said Jane Witham is the widow of Moses Witham, late of said Sanford, deceased; that he the said Moses Witham, her late husband, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War for the period of eight months, to the best of her knowledge and belief, that he enlisted at Kittery in said county, in the month of April, seventeen hundred and seventy five, (1775) as a private soldier in Captain Samuel Leighton's company, for the period of eight months, and served that period in said Capt. Leighton's company, in the regiment of Massachusetts Troops commanded by Col. James Scammans, at Cambridge in the vicinity of Boston - 

At the time of his enlistment as aforesaid, he lived at said Sanford, where the applicant then lived, and she distinctly
Page 6

[Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

distinctly recollects when it was reported he had enlisted as aforesaid, and knows he was absent from said Sanford during the residue of the year 1775, and she always understood from others, at the time, and from him afterwards, that he served said period in Leighton's company at Cambridge and the vicinity;  

she has frequently heard him say that he was confined by sickness on the day of the Bunker Hill battle, that he had frequently seen General Washington, who commanded the Army at Cambridge, and other facts and incidents while he was a soldier as aforesaid. 

She has no documentary evidence of his services, nor does she know of any person now alive, who served with him in said company:

She further declares, that she was married to said Moses Witham, at said Sanford, on the second day of February, seventeen hundred and eighty six, by Elder Tozier Lord, then a preacher in said Sanford, but there is not to be found on the town or parish Records, a record of their said marriage;

that said Elder Lord, and Mr. Francis Pugsley and his wife, and his sister, who were present when they were so married, are all dead:  that her said husband, the said Moses Witham, died at said Sanford, on the sixth day of January, 1820;  that she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service, but [here the word "said" has been added in, and it appears the possible word "pensioners" has been stricken through]
Page 7

said marriage took place previous to the first day of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, namely the 2d day of February, 1786 as aforesaid; and that she has not been married again since the death of her said husband, as aforesaid, but still remains the widow of said Moses Witham.

W [here the following surname is somewhat hard to read for certain:] Anes) 
Wm. A. Hayes)
Jeremiah Goodwin) 

Jane   her X Mark  Witham [Jane Whitham] 

Subscribed and Sworn to on the day and year above written
Before me Wm. A. Hayes  Judge of Probate, York County, Maine

I certify that the said Jane Witham by reason of her great age and bodily infirmity is unable to travel and attend Court
Wm A. Hayes  Judge of Probate
Page 8

[Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]

I [here the third letter in the given name is blotted by ink, but it appears to be an "e" as in:] Stephen Gowen of Sanford in the county of York and state of Maine, being duly sworn, do depose and say, that I am in [here the word "my" is stricken through] the eighty sixth [or ninth, as in eighty ninth] year of my age, that I was born in June, 1753, at Kittery in said county of York, and Lived there till January, 1772, when I removed to said Sanford where I have lived ever since.

I was well acquainted with Moses Witham, late of said Sanford, deceased, more [here the word "than" is stricken through] seventy five years past, he was born and lived at said Kittery till about the year 1773 or 1774, when he removed to said Sanford, and lived a near neighbor to me till the time of his death, which happened on or about the sixth day of January, eighteen hundred and twenty-

At the time of said Moses Witham's death as aforesaid, he left a wife by the name of Jane Witham, who remains his widow and lives at said Sanford and is now personally present.  The said Jane Witham, the widow of said Moses Witham, - before her marriage to said Moses Witham, was Jane Gowen, my sister, and married to him at said Sanford by Elder Tosier Lord, in the month of February, 1786, to the best of my recollection, but I was not present when they
Page 9

[Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

they were married, yet rec_llect [here there is an ink-blotted missing letter, but the word appears to be "recollect"] the time, place and circumstance of their marriage perfectly well.  They ever after lived together as husband and wife from 1786 to time of his death in 1820, and I never heard it doubted that they were legally married.

I distinctly recollect that said Moses Witham, then living at said Sanford, in the month of April, 1775, or soon after the [here a stricken-through word appears to have been "Lexington"] Lexington battle on the 19th April, 1775, went to said Kittery and enlisted as a private soldier in Captain Samuel Leighton's company, and it is believed in Colonel James Scamman's regiment of the Massachusetts Troops, for the period of about eight months, as I then understood.

I well recollect that said Moses Witham was absent from said Sanford from about April or May, 1775 to late in the fall of that year; and it was always understood from him and others at the time, that said Moses Witham served as a private soldier in said Capt. Leighton's Company, at Cambridge and vicinity, till near the close of the year 1775, and probably about the period of eight months.  

Said Moses Witham, about the time and since, has frequently told
Page 10

[Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]

told me about his serving at Cambridge, in the vicinity of Boston, in Capt. Leighton's company, most of the year 1775, and I never doubted the fact of his so serving.  I know he was absent that year, and while so absent, it was said he was a soldier at Cambridge.

I recollect said Moses Witham [word stricken through, possibly "told"] has told me that he was sick in the hospital at Cambridge on the day of the Bunker hill battle on the 17th June, 1775, and I heard him tell of seeing Genl. Washington when he arrived at Cambridge to take the command of the Army, and many other incidents, while there.  [Signature] Stephen Gowen

Witness:)
Jeremiah Goodwin.)

State of Maine. York county, ss.  town of Sanford, September 17, 1838.  Then the aforenamed Stephen Gowen, the affiant, personally made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit, by him subscribed in my presence.  Before me, Jeremiah Goodwin, Justice of the Peace.

And I hereby certify that I have well known, for more than twenty five years past, the said Stephen Gowens, who is a reputable magistrate of the county, and a credible witness, whose testimony is entitled to the fullest confidence and belief.  Attest, Jeremiah Goodwin, Justice of the Peace.
Page 11

[Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

I Aaron Witham of Sanford in the county of York and state of Maine, being duly sworn, depose and say, that I am eighty eight years of age, that I was born at Kittery in said county of York, and lived there till the year 1819 [or 1809], when I removed to, and have since lived in said Sanford;

that Moses Witham, late of said Sanford, was my brother and older than I am, he died at said Sanford some time in the month of January, 1820, then leaving a widow by the name of Jane Witham, who still remains his widow, not having since been married, and now lives in said Sanford and is now personally present.

My late brother, the said Moses Witham was born and lived at said Kittery till he removed to Sanford about 1774, where he died in 1820, as aforesaid.

In the month of April, 1775, or in a few days after the Lexington battle, said Moses Witham came from Sanford to said Kittery (where I then lived) and enlisted as a soldier in Captain Samuel Leighton's Company, in Col. James Scamman's Regiment of the Massachusetts Troops, and it is believed for the period of eight months - Johnson Moulton of York, was the Lieut. Col. of Scamman's regiment. Said
Page 12

[Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Said Moses Witham marched from said Kittery with Captain Leighton's Company to Cambridge the last of April or first of May, 1775, and was absent there, or in the vicinity of Boston till about the close of the year 1775; and I always understood from my brother and others, at the time, that he said Moses Witham Served as a soldier in Capt. Leighton's Company about eight months in 1775.  

I have no doubt he served as aforesaid, having frequently heard him tell about many incidents which happened while he was at said Cambridge with the Army. 

Mrs. Jane Witham, now personally present; the widow of said Moses Witham, was always reputed to be the lawful wife of said Moses, and lived with him as such from 1786 to the time of his death in 1820 - 

I have always understood that said Moses and said Jane were legally married by Elder Tosier Lord, long since dead, and I never heard their marriage doubted.  [Signature] Aaron Witham [or Withem]

Witness:)
Jeremiah Goodwin)

State of Maine, County of York, ss. town of Sanford, September 17, 1838.  Then personally appeared the aforenamed Aaron Witham, the affiant, to me well
Page 13

well known, and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed in my presence
Before me, [signature] Jeremiah Goodwin, Justice of the Peace.

and I hereby certify, that I have long known the said Aaron Witham and believe him to be a credible witness, and that his testimony is entitled to belief. Attest, [signature] Jeremiah Goodwin, Justice of the Peace.
Page 14

[Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

I James Chadbourn of Sanford in the county of York and state of Maine, being duly sworn, depose and say, that I am eighty one years of age, and have always lived in said Sanford; that I well knew Moses Wentworth, [possibly meaning ? Witham] late of said Sanford, since about the year 1774, when he came to this town to reside from Kittery in said county of York, and continued to reside in said Sanford till the time of his death, which happened about November or December, 1820, as I attended his funeral.

At the time of his death a left a widow by the name of Jane Witham, who is still his widow and now living in said Sanford, that her name was Jane Gowen previous to her marriage to said Moses Witham, which marriage was at said Sanford in the winter of 1786;  

I was not present when they were married, but knew when they were to be married, and they were at my house together, the day after they were married, and it was reported that they were married by Elder Tosier Lord, who was then preaching in this town   said Eder [Elder] Lord afterwards removed to the Eastward, and long since died.  Having been well acquainted with said Moses Witham and
Page 15

[Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Jane Witham his wife ever since their reported marriage about 1786, and their having lived together as husband and wife from that time to the time of his death, I have no doubt of their being lawfully married, nor have I ever heard their lawful marriage doubted by any one.

Since Moses Witham was a soldier at Cambridge in the year 1775, and it is believed for the term of eight months, but in what Company or Regiment he served is not known.  I have frequently heard said Witham speak of his being a soldier at Cambridge, and I never doubted of his having served in the first eight months in 1775.  [Signature] James Chadbourn

Witness: Jeremiah Goodwin)

York county, state of Maine, town of Sanford, Septemr [September] 7th. Then the aforesaid James Chadbourn, the affiant, personally made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed in my presence.
Before me.  Jeremiah Goodwin, Justice of the Peace.

And I hereby certify that said James Chadbourn is well known to me as a person of much respectability and a credible witness, whose testimony is entitled to the fullest belief.  Attest, [signature] Jeremiah Goodwin, Justice of the Peace.
Page 16

[Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

I Timothy Shaw of Sanford in the county of York and State of Maine, on oath depose and say, that I am the town clerk of said Sanford, and have in my possession the Records of said town;  that I have searched said Records from 1777 to 1800 for the record of the marriage of the late Moses Witham of said Sanford, deceased, to his present widow, Jane Witham, now of said Sanford, but cannot find any record of their marriage.

From 1777 to [here the last digit of the following year has been overwritten, so the year could be read as 1795 or possibly 1790] 1795 there is no record of marriages; previously and subsequently there are some recorded marriages, but the Records previous to 1800 are incomplete.
Witness: J. Goodwin.)
[Signature] Timothy Shaw

State of Maine.
County of York, ss.  October 1, 1838. Then the above named Timothy Shaw made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed in my presence.
And I hereby certify that said Timothy Shaw is a credible witness. Jeremiah Goodwin, Justice of the Peace for said county of York.
Page 17

[Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

I Jane Witham of Sanford in the county of York and State of Maine, widow, being duly sworn, do, on oath, depose and say, that I am eighty one years of age; that I am the widow of the late Moses Witham, who died at said Sanford, on the sixth day of January, 1820; that I was lawfully married to said Moses Witham, at said Sanford, by Elder Tozier Lord, [or Lords], a minister of the Gospel, on the second day of February in the year seventeen hundred and eighty six, and from that time lived with him as his lawful wife, till his death in 1820, as aforesaid.

I have never had any children, and of course have never had any family records of birth and death of children; nor have I any family record of the marriage, or death of my husband, and yet I recollect the period of both events.  At the time of my marriage, as aforesaid, I lived in the family of my brother, Stephen Gowen at said Sanford, and I distinctly recollect that his daughter, Polly Gowen, now personally present, whom I nursed when an infant, was a few days short of a year old when I was married as aforesaid; and said Polly Gowen was born, (as appears by Stephen Gowen's family record, now exhibited to me and the magistrate) Feby 7, 1785.

As I have no family record of my marriage, and as there is town, county, or church record thereof; I herewith send an official copy of my late husband's Will, made in 1807, and the proof of it in the
Page 18

[Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]

the Probate Court in 1820, to prove that I am the lawful widow of said Moses Witham.  Said will, and the probate of it, is the only Record evidence known to exist of my being the lawful wife and widow of said Moses Witham.
Jane her X mark Witham [Jane Witham] 

Witness: [signature] Jeremiah Goodwin,)
[signature] Stephen Gowen
[signature] John St. C. Paine. [or Laine.] 
[signature] Walter Gowen.

State of Maine.
County of York, ss.
Sanford, November 16, 1840.

Then the aforenamed Jane Witham personally appeared before me, and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit, by her Subscribed in my presence, and the presence of the other three Subscribing witnesses.

And I hereby certify, that said Jane Witham, to the best of my knowledge and belief, is a persons of strict integrity and veracity, and entitled to full credit and belief - and she has, for an old lady, a remarkably clear recollection of past events, of near seventy years standing.

And I further certify, that the family record of Stephen Gowen, esqr. to which she refers, as to the birth of his daughter Polly Gowen, has been examined by me this day, and the same is correctly stated therein.  

And I further certify, that the copy of her late husband's Will, and the probate of it, to which she also refers, and to be herewith forwarded to the Pension Office, are genuine official copies from the Probate Court, bearing date March 20, 1820

Attest, Jeremiah Goodwin,
Justice of the Peace within and for said county of York.
Page 19

[Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

I Stephen Gowen of Sanford in the county of York and state of Maine, being duly sworn, do, on oath, depose and say, that I am eighty seven years of age; that I have lived in said Sanford since 1772, and previously at Kittery in said county; 

that while I lived at said Kittery, I was well acquainted with Moses Witham, then living there, and who, in the early part of the year 1776, removed to and settled in said Sanford, within one mile of my residence, and there continued to live till his death in the early part of the month of January 1820, then leaving his widow Jane Witham, who is still living at said Sanford.

Said widow Jane Witham, formerly James Gowen, my sister, was married to said Moses Witham, at said Sanford by Elder Tozier Lord, in the winter of the year seventeen hundred and eighty six 

I was not present when they were married, but knew of their intention of being married, and on the same evening after they were married I learned the fact from them.  I have never doubted the fact of their legal marriage, nor have I ever heard others express [illegible word, possibly no] doubt of it.  

From the winter of 1786 they continued to live together as husband and wife, till his death in 1820, as aforesaid.  They never had any children.  On examination of a copy of his Will, and the probate of it in 1820, now before me, I conclude said Witham died a short time previous to the 24th day of January, 1820.

Said Moses Witham was a Soldier for the period of eight months in the year 1775, in Capt. [?] Saml. Leighton's company
Page 20

[Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]

Company and Col. James Scamman's Regiment, at Cambridge and vicinity, as I always understood from said Witham and others, at that time and since.

Why I am positive that said Moses and Jane were married in the winter of 1786, is because she lived in my family and nursed my late wife at the birth of my daughter Polly, who was born February 7, 1785, as appears by my family record, which record I have shown to J. Goodwin, the magistrate who takes this testimony; and I distinctly recollect that they were married when my said daughter was about a year old, and I think in the month of February, 1786.  I was eighty seven years old the seventeenth day of last June.  [Signature] Stephen Gowen

Witness: Jere. Goodwin,)
John St. C. Paine [or John H. C. Paine.)

State of Maine.
County of York, ss. Sanford, November 16, 1840.  Then and there personally appeared before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace within and for said county, the aforenamed Stephen Gowen, esquire, to me well known for thirty years past, and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit, by him subscribed in my Presence.

And I hereby certify, that said Stephen Gowen, esquire, has this day exhibited to me his family record, as to birth of his daughter Polly Gowen, and that the same is correctly stated in his affidavit.  And I do further certify that said Stephen Gowen is a highly respectable man and a magistrate of the county, and that his testimony is entitled to [illegible word] fullest credibility.  Attest, Jeremiah Goodwin, Justice of the Peace and of the [?] Quorum, within and for each County throughout the State of Maine.
Page 21

Moses Witham's Will Copy
and [illegible ink-blotted word, possibly letters] testamentary thereon
20, March, 1820

John Powers
John Pasel [or Pasil]
Eber. [or Eben.] Nowell

Sanford Corner

Fees 4.30 pd
Page 22

[Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]

In the Name of God amen I Moses Witham of Sanford in the county of York and Commonwealth of Massachusetts yeoman, being weak in [here the following word is partially in-blotted, but appears to be:] body but sound in mind and memory; blessed be Almighty God for the same; do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following.

First I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Jane Witham one half of all my freehold estate lying in Sanford aforesaid, to hold the same during the period of her widowhood.

I do also give and bequeath unto my nephew Joshua Witham of said Sanford, his heirs and assigns, all my freehold estate lying in said Sanford, the one half being under the incumbrance of the said Jane during her widowhood; to hold the same to him the said Joshua Witham his heirs and assigns forever.

I ^do also give and bequeath unto the said Joshua Witham my house and barn, together with all my [illegible stricken through word, possibly utensils] male Stock of What Kind soever, and all my utensils of husbandry, the house and barn incumbered as hereafter described.

I do likewise give and bequeath unto my beloved wife aforesaid, one half of my house and barn; to her use and behoof during her widowhood.  

And lastly, as to all the rest, residue and remainder of all my personal estate, goods and chattels of what kind and nature soever; I give and bequeath the same to my beloved wife Jane Witham, whom I hereby appoint sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all Wills by me made. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty ninth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven.  Moses Witham [Seal]

Signed, sealed and published and declared by the above named Moses Witham to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our names in the presence of the Testator [_]

Daniel Gowen)
Jacob Witham [there are some stray ink marks following this name, which possibly be read as jr, but it's not clear for certain])
Pelatiah Witham)

A copy of the original. Attn.. [Attention] Daniel Sewall, Regr [Registrar]
Page 23

YORK, SS.  BY THE COURT OF PROBATE FOR THE COUNTY OF YORK.
To all unto whom these presents shall come, GREETING.

WHEREAS on the 24th of January, 1820, the foregoing instrument, purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Moses Witham, late of Sanford in the county aforesaid, yeoman, deceased, was presented for probate; and now Daniel Gowen and Pelatiah Witham subscribing witnesses thereto, personally appear, and make solemn oath that they saw the said Moses Witham the testator sign, and heard him declare the said instrument to be his last will and testament;  that he was then of a sound mind and memory, according to their best judgment; and that they subscribed their names as witnesses to the said instrument, in presence of the said testator; together with Jacob Witham jur [Junior] the other subscribing witness.  

And notice having been ordered and given to the interested persons,

And No objection being made against the said instrument: - This Court does now approve and allow of the same as the last Will and Testament of the said Moses Witham deceased.  And Jane Witham executrix therein names, is hereby ordered and directed to make known her appointment, by posting up notifications thereof in some public places in the town where the said deceased last [partially ink=blotted word, dwel-, probably meaning:] dwelt, and in the two next adjoining towns; all within three months. 

And well and faithfully to execute the said will and testament, and to administer the estate of the said deceased according thereunto.  And also to render a plain and true account of her said administration, upon oath, when lawfully thereunto required.

In testimony whereof, the signature and seal of the said Court of Probate are hereunto affixed.  Dated at Wells the twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty.

Daniel Sewall, Regr [Registrar]       Jonas Clark, Judge.

[There is a faint imprint near the lower left page margin, opposite the preceding paragraph, which appears to be the impression of a wax seal of the court of probate, showing through from the other side of the page.]
Page 24

Revy [Revolutionary] WIDOW, &c. [and etcetera.]

File No. 26,057
Jane Witham
Wid. [Widow] of Moses Witham
Corpl. [Corporal] Rev. War. 

Act July 7th. 1838.
Index: Vol W, Page 346

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 25

5917.
Maine
Jane Witham
widow of Moses Witham
who was a pensioner under the Act of [crossed out]
and who died on the 6th January 1820
of York in the State of Maine
who was a private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Leighton of the Regt commanded
by Col. Seammans in the Masstts.
line for 7 mos: & 16 days
-
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine
at the rate of 24 Dollars 88 - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
-
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of Nov
1840, & sent to Perem Goodwin
Springvale P.O. Sanford, York Co. Maine
-
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1840 $111.96
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar: 41 12:44
---
$124.40
Act July 7,
1838.
Recorded by Wm C. Lansinger Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 1 -- Page 27
Page 26

[Near the left top corner, there is what looks like either a large check mark, or a large V.] 2270
Me [Maine]

^[a small check mark] Let. to Jeremiah Goodwin Sept: [September] 18, 1840.

Act 7. July '38 [1838]
Page 27

Jane Witham.
Payment to be made at Portland, by A. Newhall, Esq: Agent for paying pensioners, in the Agency of Maine.
Payable on the 4th March and 4th September in each year.

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A. Vol. 1. Page 2 by Wm. C. Lantzinger, Clerk.

[There is the word "Cancelled" written in large script, almost perpendicularly, over most of this record's text.]
Page 28

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Five years' Pension.

I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Jane Witham, widow of Moses Witham, who was a Private in the Revolution, and died on the Sixth day of January 1820, is entitled to receive a pension at the rate of Twenty four dollars and Eighty eight cents per annum, commencing on the Fourth day of March 1836; and in case of the death of marriage of said widow before the 4th of March, 1841, the pension will cease on the day of such marriage or death.

Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty fourth, day of November, one thousand eight hundred and Forty.  

[There is a serrated-edge piece of paper on the left side of this page, opposite the preceding paragraph.  The paper appears to cover a wax impression of a seal of office.]  

J [or I] R Poinsett
Secretary of War. 

Examined and Countersigned.)   J. L. Edwards  Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 29

[Near the top left corner of the page, there is an extremely faint, barely visible round impression of an what appears to be an unreadable seal of office.]

[Illegible scrawl]

[Faint image of a round postmark, with town name hard to read...] OCT 24 M_

Jeremiah Goodwin Esq
Springvale P.O. (Sandfour)
Maine
Page 30

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, October 23d. 1840.

I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Moses Witham, is borne on a Roll of Captain Samuel Leighton's Company, Colonel James Scammon's [or Scamman's] Regiment as a Corporal from Kittery: [-] that he enlisted May 14th 1775, and the Roll bears date October 3d. 1775.

The name of Moses Witham appears also Among twenty five others, signed to an order, to the Committe of Cloathing, dated October 28th. for money due them for coats, and certified by the Captain as belong to the last above Named Company.

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

John P. Bigelow
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 31

[There is what looks like a large check mark near the upper left portion of the record.]  No 2270. [or No 2240, but it looks most likely to be No 2270.] 

Jane Witham's Pension Papers. Sanford, Maine, Springvale post office. 
act 7. July '38 [1838]
Vol. 15. 54 on Corpl. [Corporal] 14 May '75 [1775]

[Hand-drawn rendering of a pointing hand] Pension Certificate to be sent to Jeremiah Goodwin, at Springvale Post office, (town of Sanford,), county of York, Maine.

[There's a large amount of ink script visible from the other side of the page, and near the lower left corner, a faint image of what appears to be a small round stamped impression.]

[Appearing perpendicularly, on the right side of the record:] 
11. 16
15-54 Corpl 14 [or 16]  May - 2.22 days
Page 32

[Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]

[There is a large dark ribbon running perpendicularly on the left side of the record near the margin.]

Declaration of Jane Witham, widow of late Moses Witham, for half-pay Pension, under the Act of Congress of the 7th July 1838.

State of Maine
County of York, ss.  

On this seventh day of September, 1840, personally appeared before William A. Hayes, Judge of the Court of Probate for said county, being a Court of Record, and now sitting at Alfred in said county, Jane Witham, a resident of Sanford in said county of York, aged eighty one years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provission made by the Act of Congress, passed the 7th. July, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows:"

that she is the widow of the late Moses Witham of said Sanford, who was a private Soldier in Captain Samuel Leighton's company in Colo. [Colonel] James Scamman's regiment, of the Massachusetts troops, in the Revolutionary War, for the period of eight months, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five, (1775;)  that he, said Moses, lived and enlisted at Kittery in said county, about the month of April or May, A.D. 1775, and served at Cambridge, near Boston, in that year the period of eight months, as she has frequently heard him say; 

that she was acquainted with him before his enlistment, and saw him in April or May, in 1775, and learned from
Page 33

[Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]

from him that he had so enlisted in Captain Saml. Leighton's company, and was then about to march to Cambridge; that she had since frequently heard him say, that he was sick in the hospital at Cambridge at the time of the Bunker Hill battle in June, 1775, and that he had frequently seen Genl. Washington, who commanded the Army at Cambridge in the latter part of the summer and fall of 1775, after the Bunker Hills battle.  

That said Moses Witham, after he served as aforesaid, came to reside at said Sanford, about the beginning of the year 1776, where [illegible ink blot] she then resided.

And she further declares, that she was lawfully married to the said Moses Witham, at said Sanford; on the second day of February, seventeen hundred and eighty six, (1786.) by Elder Tozier Lord, who died about thirty years ago;  that her husband, the aforenamed Moses Witham, died at said Sanford, on [here it appears "the" had been stricken through] on about sixth day of January, eighteen hundred and twenty, (1820;)  that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, namely, at the time above stated, in 1786.

There is no record to be found of her marriage, nor is there any person now alive who was present when she was married as aforesaid; deacon James Chadbourn was present at her marriage, but he died at said Sanford in May or June, of the past year. 

And she further declares, that she has not intermarried since
Page 34

Since the deaths of said Moses, but she still remains his widow; and that she has no documentary evidence of his services.

Witness - James Witham
[illegible]
Wm A. Hayes
Walter Gowen
Subscribed of servants by the said James Witham on the day of the year aforesaid in open court
Before me Wm A. Hayes, Judge of Probate

State of Maine
York County Js.
I Wm Cutter Allen, Register of the Court of Probate of the county and state aforesaid, hereby certify that the Hon. Wm. A. Hayes is the judge of said Court of probate and that his signatures hereunto annexed are his genuine signatures.

Given under my hand and the seal of said Court this seventh day of September, 1840.
Wm. Cutter Allen, Reg. Probate
York County
Page 35

[Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

I Aaron Witham of the town of Sanford in the county of York and state of Maine on oath, depose and say, that I am in the nintieth [ninetieth] year of my age; that I was born in and lived at Kittery in said county till about twenty years past, when I removed to said Sanford.

And I further depose that I had a brother by the name of Moses Witham, late of said Sanford, who died at said Sanford sometime in the month of January, eighteen hundred and twenty, leaving a widow by the name of Jane Witham, now personally present, living in said Sanford.

My late brother Moses Witham was about seven years older than I am, was born and lived at said Kittery till sometime in the year 1776, when he removed to said Sanford.  Said Moses Witham enlisted as a pri. ["pri." is at page margin edge, and probably meant private] soldier at said Kittery, for the period of eight months, in the month of April, in the year of seventeen hundred and seventy five, in Capt. Samuel Leighton's company, in Col. James Seamman's Regiment of the Massachusetts line [or lines.]

William Fernald of said Kittery was Lieutenant in Capt. Leighton's company, and Johnson Moulton of York, was the Lieutenant Colonel of said Regiment, all of whom I personally knew.  I very well recollect when said Captain Leighton's company marched from said Kittery, perhaps
Page 36

[Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

in the month of May, 1775, for Cambridge in the vicinity of Boston, Massachusetts, and that my said brother, Moses Witham, marched away with said company and I always understood from said Moses that he served out the period of his enlistment of eight months at said Cambridge and vicinity, and I have no doubt of the fact, as he was absent from home in 1775 from six to eight months.

I have frequently heard my brother Moses say, that he was sick in the hospital at Cambridge, at the time of the Bunker-Hill battle on the 17th day of June, 1775.  I have also frequently heard my said brother say, that he often saw General Washington after he took command of the Army at Cambridge in the summer of 1775;  that he heard Genl. Putnam propose to Genl. Washington to attack the British in Boston, which Washington did not approve of.

From all these circumstances, and other facts understood at the time and afterwards, I have never doubted the fact that my said brother, Moses Witham, served as a soldier in 1775 and 1776, as herein before stated.

Mrs. Jane Witham, the widow of said Moses Witham, was married to him at said Sanford, nearly sixty years ago, by one Elder Tosier Lord, who has been dead about thirty years; I was not present when they were married, but always understood they were so married,
Page 37

as they lived together as husband and wife, and always reputed to be legally married, of which I never had any doubt.
[Signature] Aaron Witham

Witness: Jeremiah Goodwin
Walter [?] Gowen

State of Maine.
County of York, ss.  Sanford, July 18, 1840.  Then the aforenamed Aaron Witham personally appeared before me, the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in said county, and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed in my presence.

And I hereby certify that I have known the said Aaron Witham over thirty years, and believe him to be a credible witness.

Attest, Jeremiah Goodwin, 
Justice of the Peace within aforesaid county.
Page 38

[Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]

I Stephen Gowen of Sanford in the county of York and state of Maine, on oath, depose and say, that I am now in the eighty eighth year of my age; that I was born in Kittery in said county of York, and lived there till 1772, when I removed to and have since lived in said Sanford.

I very well knew the late Moses Witham, who died at said Sanford about the month of January, 1820.  I knew said Moses Witham in Kittery previous to 1772, and in the fall of the year 1774, he came to Sanford and commenced clearing a piece of land for a farm, within a mile of where I lived. 

In the year seventeen hundred and seventy five, said Moses Witham was absent from said Sanford, and returned here again in 1776, and worked upon his farm, on which he lived till the time of his death in 1820.

While absent from Sanford in 1775, I saw him about April, 1775, when he told me he had enlisted as a soldier in Capt. Samuel Leighton's company, in Col. James Seamman's Regiment, for the period of eight months, and was going to Cambridge; he was absent during the year [here the last number of the following year is ink-blotted, but appears to be the 5 in:] 1775, and it was then understood he was a soldier at Cambridge.  

After said Moses Witham returned to said Sanford, in 1776, I always understood from him and others
Page 39

[Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

that he served as a soldier in Capt. Leighton's company at Cambridge for the period of eight months, and I never doubted the fact.  I have frequently heard him relate many incidents which happened while at Cambridge in 1775; that he frequently saw Genl. Washington after he took command of the Army at Cambridge; that he the said Moses was sick in the hospital at Cambridge on the day of the Bunker Hill battle, etc.

From these and other facts and circumstances always satisfied my mind that said Moses Witham served as a soldier for the period of eight months, as herein before stated.  I never heard the fact doubted.

Said Moses Witham, when he died in 1820, left a widow by the name of Jane Witham, who is now present, and lives in said Sanford.  Said Jane Witham is my sister, and was married to said Moses Witham by Elder Tozier Lord, at said Sanford, about the year 1786;

I was not present when they were married, but recollect the time and circumstances of it very well; and they [here at least four words which look to be "-- after his ----" are stricken through] came to my house and staid the night after they were married; and they ever afterwards lived together as husband and wife, within one mile of my residence, till his death in 1820.  There is no doubt of their being legally married, as herein stated.

[Signature] Stephen Gowen

Witness. Jeremiah Goodwin)
Page 40

State of Maine.

County of York, ss. Sanford, this eighteenth day of July, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty.  Then personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in said county, the aforenamed Stephen Gowen, esquire, and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed in my presence.  

Jeremiah Goodwin,
Justice of the Peace.

And I hereby certify, that I have been well acquainted with the aforenamed Stephen Gowen, esqr. for about thirty years past, that he is a highly reputable citizen, and a magistrate of the county, and that I believe his testimony entitled to full credibility.

Attest, Jeremiah Goodwin,
Justice of the Peace within and for said county.
Page 41

[Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]

I Jeremiah Goodwin of Sanford in the county of York and state of Maine, late of Alfred in ["the" is stricken through] said county, on oath, depose and say, that from said Alfred, on the second day of October, in the year 1838, mostly two years since, I forwarded by mail to the Pension Office at the city of Washington, the application, made in a Court of Records, of Mrs. Jane Witham of said Sanford, widow of late Moses Witham, of said Sanford, deceased, for a pension on account of her late husband's Revolutionary services, and the evidence to support said claim.

It appears by the letter of J. L. Edwards, esqr. [or esq] Commissioner of Pensions, now before me, dated June 29, 1840, and addressed to "Hon. Nathan Clifford, House of Representatives," that the papers in the case of Jane Witham, widow of Moses Witham, were received at the Pension Office, in October, 1838, "but what actions ^was had on them does not appear from our" (office) "books"; and that laborious search has been made, and that "the papers cannot be found."

And I further testify and say, that sometime in the month of September, 1838, as a Justice of the Peace of York county, I took the affidavits of several witnesses, which were sent with said application, to prove that said late Moses Witham, deceased, served [illegible ink-blotted word, probably "as"] a Revolutionary soldier in 1775 and 1776, before the period of eight months at Cambridge, and also to prove
Page 42

[Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]

that said Jane Witham was the widow of said Moses Witham, that she was legally married to him in the winter of seventeen hundred and eighty six, (1786.)  And among the affidavits so taken and forwarded by me, was one given by deacon James Chadbourn of said Sanford, then about eighty years of age, who has since, in 1839, died.  

Said deacon James Chadbourn, on the 17th. September, 1838, then a credible witness, stated that he was personally present in the winter of 1786, when said Jane Witham, then named Jane Gowen, was married to said Moses Witham at Sanford, by Elder Tozier Lord, a preacher of the Gospel, and who died some thirty years ago;

that said Moses Witham died at said Sanford about the year 1820; and that he had heard said Moses Witham say, frequently, that he was a soldier at Cambridge, in 1775, and it was generally believed and reported said Moses Witham had been a Revolutionary soldier.

The substance of Deaon James Chadbourn's testimony is from my recollection and my minutes made when I forwarded the papers, and is now given, because there is no living witness to prove the marriage, and there is no record of the marriage on the town records of Sanford, of which want of record I sent the affidavit of Col. Timothy Shaw, the town clerk.

Jeremiah Goodwin
Page 43

State of Maine.

York County SS.

On this 31st. day of August, 1840, personally appeared, Jeremiah Goodwin, Esq. whom I hereby certify to be a person of the highest credibility, and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit, by him subscribed, before me,

Wm. C. Allen  Justice of the Peace for the county of York and Regr. [Register] of Probate for said county.

State of Maine
York County SS. 

I Wm. [William] A. Hayes, Judge of the Court of Probate for the county of York, hereby certify that Wm. C. Allen is a Justice of the Peace for the county of York and Regr. [Register] of Probate for said county, and that his signature hereunto annexed is his genuine Signature.

[Near the lower left page corner, there is a diamond-shaped piece of paper which appears to possibly be covering a wax impression of a seal.] 

[To the right of the paper shape, there is this:]  In testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said Court this 7th. day of September, 1840.  [The last number in the preceding year, has been overwritten, but it appears to have been 0, as in 1840.]  

[Signature]  Wm. A. Hayes   Judge of Probate
Page 44

[Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]

I Timothy Shaw, junr., of Sanford in the county of York and State of Maine, on oath, depose and say, that I am the Town Clerk of said Sanford, and as such have charge of the Town Records;  that I have searched said Records from 1780 to 1794, for the record of the marriage of the late Moses Witham of said Sanford, to his present widow Jane Witham, but find no such record.  The Records from 1775 to 1794 are very imperfect, and during said period very few marriages are recorded.

Timothy Shaw, Jr.  Town Clerk

State of Maine.

County of York, ss. Sanford, August 31, 1840.  Then personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for said county, the aforenamed Timothy Shaw, junr.  the Town Clerk of said Sanford, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him Subscribed in my presence.

And I hereby certify that said Timothy Shaw, junr. is believed to be a credible witness.

Jeremiah Goodwin, Justice of Peace.
Page 45

Jeremiah Goodwin, Justice of Peace.

State of Maine
York County SS. 

I Wm [William] Cutter [or C Utter] Allen, 

I Wm. Cutter Allen [or William Cutter Allen, or William C Utter Allen] 
Register of the Court of Probate of the county and state aforesaid, hereby certify that Jeremiah Goodwin, Esq. is a Justice of the Peace within and for Said County of York, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the seventh day of February, 1839, and will expire on the 7th. day of February, 1846, and that his Signature, above written and his Signatures hereunto annexed are his Genuine Signatures. 

[Near the lower left corner of the record, there is a small diamond shaped piece of paper, covering what appears to be a roughly round wax impression of a seal of office.   Slightly above, and to the right, there is:] Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court this Seventh day of September, 1840.

Wm. Cutter Allen, [or Wm C Utter Allen] 
Regr. [Register] Prob. [Probate of] York County [Maine]
Page 46

[Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Springvale, P.O. (town of Sanford,)
county of York, Maine, Novemr [November] 17, [or 7] 1840.

J. L. Edwards, esqr. [esquire] Commr. [Commissioner] of Pensions,)
Washington City.)

Sir, 
Your letter of the 18th September past, acknowledging the receipt of the application and evidence of Mrs. Jane Witham for pension under the act of 7th July, 1838, and asking for further evidence of the marriage and the services of her late husband, Moses Witham, was duly received.

I herewith send further evidence in relation to both points - first, the certificate of the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts, that said Moses Witham was a Corporal in Capt. Saml. [Samuel] Leighton's company from May 14, 1775 _ This certificate does not show when he left the service, for want of evidence of that fact, but proves he was in the service on the 28th. October,1775.

This in connection with the testimony of Mrs. Witham, Stephen Gowen, esqr. and others already forwarded, can leave little or no doubt that he served for the period of eight months as Corporal.  

Second, as to the marriage there is no public record of it _   I send the official certificate of the County Clerk, that there is no record in the County, and Mrs. Jane Witham's and Stephen Gowen's affidavits, proving conclusively why they know the marriage took place in the month of February, 1786, and also proving that said Jane Witham never had any children, and has no family record _ and I also send an official copy from the Probate Court, of the Will of late Moses Witham, made in 1807, and
Page 47

and proved, approved and allowed by the Probate Court; in 1820, as his last Will, in which said Jane is recognized as his lawful wife, and made executrix thereof.

I know of no other species of Record evidence on the points at issue, and trust that what is now transmitted will be sufficient to establish her claim, in connection with the former evidence forwarded with her declaration. Please to send her pension certificate to me here.

Respectfully yr. ob. servt. [your obedient servant] 
Jeremiah Goodwin, late Treasurer of Maine.
Page 48

Jane Witham
Wid [Widow] of Moses 
Me [Maine]
Act July 7 1838 

Increased from pay of private to that of Corporal 7 mo [or ms]  16 ds [7 months 16 days]
$27.62 per anm [per annum] 

Jeremiah Goodwin Esq
Springvale P.O.
York Co [County] 
Me [Maine]
Page 49

State of Maine
County of York SS

I Jeremiah Bradbury, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts in said County of York do hereby certify, that prior to the year 1828 there are no records of marriages [here the following two words are partially ink-blotted, but appear to be:] in the Records of this County, that before that time the law required returns of Marriages to be made [to] the town Clerks of the respective towns and not to the County Clerk. 

[Halfway down the page, near the left margin, there is a small piece of paper covering what appears to be a wax impression of a seal of office.  To the right, there is the following:]

Given under my hand and official Seal this Sixth day of November in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty.
Jere. [Jeremiah] Bradbury, Clerk
Jud. [Judicial] Courts York County
Page 50

Moses Witham d 1820
Jane M [possibly meaning Married] 1786
75   7 mo 16 ds [7 months 16 days] on roll 

2333
  155
______
2468
Page 51

Jane Witham
Wid of Moses [Whitham]
Me [Maine]

Act July 7 1838
Married 1786
died 1820

Allow 7 mo 16 ds [7 months 16 days]
[?] per Capt. Leighton
Mass Militia - on roll. $24.88 per anm [per annum.] 

Jeremiah Goodwin Esq
Springvale P.O.
Sanford
York Co., [County] 
Me [Maine]
Page 52

Springvale, Maine)
Sept. 11, 1840.)    Free.

[Near the left margin, perpendicularly, appears:] 
Rev. entd
See No. 2270   Sept 15. 1840
Maine
Jane Witham
Act 1838

Hon. James L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions,
U.S. War Department,
Washington City.
Page 53

Springvale P.O. (town of Sanford,) county of York, Maine; September 10, 1840.

James L. Edwards, Esquire)
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington City)

Sir, 
Herewith I forward the application of Jane Witham, widow of late Moses Witham, of said Sanford, for five years pension, under the law of July 7th, 1838, with the accompanying affidavits to establish the claim.

It will be perceived by my affidavit, that a similar application was made in October, 1838, and that the papers have been lost or mislaid in your office, before any decision was had thereon.  I would, therefore, respectfully call your early attention to this second application.

There is no documentary evidence to prove the service of said Moses Witham; but the declaration of the widow, and the affidavits of Stephen Gowen, Esqr. and Aaron Witham, old and respectable men, clearly prove his service for eight months in 1775.  There is no record evidence of the marriage - in 1838, deacon James Chadbourn swore positively as to the marriage in 1786, but he has since died, as will be seen by my affidavit.

Please to send the Pension Certificate to me at this post office, (Springvale, Maine.)

Under the law of July 7, 1838, is the widow of a Revolutionary Soldier who died in 1815, and who were married previous to 1794, but whose widow was remarried in 1825 and her second husband died in 1828, entitled to a pension?  Will you please to answer this question?  and much oblige your obedient servant,
Jeremiah Goodwin
Page 54

James L. Edwards, Esqr.
Commission [Commissioner] of Pensions,
Washington City.
Page 55

Springvale P.O. York county,
Maine, May 4, 1841.

John L. Edwards, esqr. [esquire])
Commissioner of Pensions.)

Sir,

On the 24th. Novemr [November] 1840, a certificate of five years' pension, No. 5,907, under the law of 7th July, 1838, was issued to Jane Witham of Sanford, widow of Moses Witham, a Soldier of the Revolution, allowing said Widow twenty four dollars and eighty eight cents per annum, which sum is less than she was entitled to.  I therefore return the Certificate, that a further allowance may be granted her.

Moses Witham, in the certificate, is styled a "private", whereas he served as "Corporal" for the period of eight months, as will be observed by the proof filed in the case.  Please to furnish me such evidence as shall entitle her to draw the deficiency of her pension.  The sum allowed by the certificate, has been drawn.  

Respectfully your obt. [obedient] servant, 
Jeremiah Goodwin
Page 56

Sanford Aug 17

[On the right side of the record:] ["DC" is stricken through]
[Upside down script:] Jane Witham
Not yet recd. [received]

Hon J R Poinsett
War Department
Washington City, D.C.

[Upside down script:] 3 August 21
Caveat
W245.
Aug 24, 1840
Pension Office
Page 57

3 Augst 21.
Caveat
W245
Aug 24, 1840:
Pension Office.

[Upside down:] Hon J R Poinsett
War Department
Washington City D.C.

Jane Witham
not yet recd [received] 

[Upside down:] Sanford Aug 17
Page 58

[Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text easier to read.]

Mr Poinsett
Sir

No doubt that before this reaches you that you have recd [received] An applycation [application] to grant a pinsion to Jane Witham of Sanford [in] York County Maine in consequence of her Husband Moses Witham Serving in the army of the united States in the revolutionary War.  

Beleaving that many such Claims are made wrongfully And being satisfied that the sd [said] Jane Witham Clams [or Clam] ought not to Be granted I take the liberty to in form [to inform] you of the fact

It is true that the sd [said] moses Witham did inlist [enlist] in the town of kittery for the turm [term] of six or nine months and that he went to Cambridge as a soldier and in a few days was taken sick and staid in the ospitle [hospital] About two months and got some better but not fit for duty and got A furlow [furlough] home till his health should improve so that he Could Do duty 

and he returned home and remained in a lou [low] state of health for a long time and never Joind [Joined] the army after that [?] but recd [received] pay of the united States for the time inlisted [enlisted] for. 

this is as I have Recd [Received] from the mouth of the above named Moses Witham when living 
And having talked with him many a time on this Subject. he being  My own uncklie [uncle] I do know. that he never Considered or thought that he did a soldiers duty two months in all his life.  

And one other Reason why this pinsion [pension] ought not to be granted in my view is that When the above named Moses Witham Died 15 or 20 years ago. he left A good farm Bilding [or Bildings, meaning either a Building or Buildings] and stock.  one half of all to be the property of Jane Witham during her life.  the other half to an adopted son As he never had any issue.

the income of sd [said] farm is sufficien [sufficient] for the support of the said Jane Witham and She would be no better provided for by all the mony [money] in the united states than she is now for She has enough for her.  And this Clame [Claim] is got up By some one not for the good of Jane Witham.  But more for the good of their own interest. 

These are facks [facts] that I thought my duty to make known to you.  You will act on them as you think proper.  You are welcom [welcome] to Make use of my name in reply to her Clames [Claims] and I do this beleaving [believing] it to be no more than my duty.  Yours Respectfully
Elijah Witham  
Sanford [in York County, Maine] Aug. 17th. AD 1840  To the secatara [secretary] of War