Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 13,161, Sylvanus Fish, Mass.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Mass

Fish, Sylvanus 
Lucretia
NUMBER
W.13.161
B. W. 53679-160-55-
Page 2

Massachusetts- 31,599

Sylvanus Fish,
Barnstable in the State of Massths -
he was a private in the compy commanded
Captain Hunter of the Regt commanded
Col. The Marshall in the Massths
for 6 mos 2 dys corpl

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
the rate of 22 Dollars 24 Cents per annum,
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

the Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of March, 1839 - and sent to Hon Jno. Reed, Yarmouth Port Massts

Arrears to the 4th of March 1839 $177.92
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept
11.12
$189.04

,
⎬
⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by S A. Elliot Clerk
Book A, Vol. 2, Page 26

Saml Bonry Mch 3 1854
Form of Dearborn sent)
July 1884
1841

Wm Brazer Duggan '17/.56
(illegible) 836
Page 3

6403
Massachusetts
Lucretia Fish
widow of
Maj Sylvanus Fish
who served in the Revolutionary war
as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
22 Dollars 24 Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
18th day of Novr 1856
and sent to
W. B. Duggan
Quincy Mass
-
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 268 Vol. H
Page 4

252.602 acct Mar 3/55
268.173 Oct 1/
Lucetta Fish
Cinsd M
Lucretia Fish via
hold
Sylvanus Fish dead 
Priv
Capt Hamlin

536799 (illegible)
Ma.....Lelry 48-6403
Rev. War
1160 Janry: 8/57
A (illegible)
H Woodman
Bost Mass. 

Each P

Vol. F: 57
Page 5

State of Massachusetts County of Barnstable
On this twenty fourth day of December, A.D. 1855.
personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County,
Lucretia Fish aged ninety six years, a resident of Sandwich in County of Barnstable who being duly sworn according to law,
declared that she is the widow of Sylvanus Fish deceased, who
was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Hamkin in the Revolutionary War
commanded by [blank]
in the war with Great Britain, declared
by the United States, [crossed out " on the 1ith day of June 1812,"] that her said husband was drafted at [blank] on or about the [blank] day of [blank]
for the term of [blank] and continued in actual service in the said
war for the term of [blank] and was honorably
discharged at [blank] on or about the [blank] day
of [blank] A.D. 18 [blank],  as will appear by reference to the rolls, that he
received no printed or written discharge, and that neither he nor she ever received or
applied for, or is entitled to bounty land for any other service, [crosse out "except that she received for the same service, under the act of September 1850, 40 are warrant No.
when she has legally sold and cannot return."]

She further states that she was married to the said Sylvanus Fish
in Sandwich on the [blank] day of October
1776, by Revd Mr William Sandwich and that her name before
her said marriage was Lucretia Fish and that her husband died
at Falmouth on the sixth day of July 1842, proof of which will be found on file with her previous application, that she is still a widow, --
that she makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which
she may be entitled under the act of Congress passed March 3, 1855, and that she prays
that the certificate thereof may be sent for her to Horatio Woodman, Boston, Mass.
Attest [illegible, best guess "Jtth F. Ngy"]
           her
Lucretia X Fish
          Mark
Subscribed and duly sworn to, the day and year first above written. I certify
that she is the identical person above described. I have no interest in the case.
[illegible, best guess "Jtth F. Ngy"]
Justice of
the Peace.
Page 6

A
Post Office Sandwich, County of Barnstable Mass June 18th 1877

Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir I have made inquiry relative to
the descendants of Lucretia Fish to whom you refer in your letter to me of the 12th (illegible)  and am able to send you the following information. Abigail Wilmarth who now resides in New Bedford Mass, is a Grand Daughter and is the person who she was living with at the time of her death in Sandwich. There is also living two other Grand Children, Ainsworth Hamblin, and Susan Hamblin his wife, Ainsworth & Susan were cousins at the time of their marriage and now live in Wagnoit Mass. 
Very truly yours
Frederic S Pope, P M.
Page 7

Family Record
Sylvanus Fish born 175-
Lucretia " Apl 5. 1761
Dilla " Feby 9. 1778
Ceoulent Fish May 3. 1780
Bethany Fish Nov 22. 1783
Dolli born Dec 8 1785
Thos Fish Apl 3 1782
Joseph " born " 1 1790.
Thankful May 4. 1792.
Simeon Fish June 3.  1794
Cloe " July 1799
Sylvanus " - 1799
Answorth " "- 1801
Page 8

N O.W. & B.L. D
W.B. E.

Department of the Interior
Pension Office.

Washington, D.C. June 12th 1877
Dear Sir
Please furnish this office with
the names and
P. O. Address of some of the
descendants of Lucretia Fish Widow of
Sylvanus Fish late a Private in the Rev. War
and who formerly resided in or contiguous to the town. Application for pension was made
by the Widow in 1842. she was then 97 yrs of age
Bible, containing a family record, was filed in
evidence. It is now desired to return said Bible
to the family
Please return this letter with your reply
To the
Post Master
Sandwich
Barnstable Co.
Mass

Very respectfully 
J A Bentley
Commissioner
pnitins
Page 9

[left page]

John Reed

Hon. J Reed
HR

[right page]
31.599 
Sylvanus Fish
Mass.
act 7 June 32

aome
6 mo. 2ds Corps
$22:24
Hon Jn. Reed
Yarmouth Port
Page 10

That he also enlisted in September 1779 under Capt Simeon Fish as
[illegible], and marched from Sandwich to Falmouth as a alarm
being given and found the enemy off Falmouth [illegible] to land
that in firing to keep them off a gun split and Blew off a part
of his left hand the cost of which are contracted by reason of the wound
and has been a serving in any to me ever since served ten days and
south the Colonel was [illegible] Sandwich before not taken
Also that he was a marine on board the Brig Wilkes John
Foster Williams commanded for two months when she was taken
by the enemy and burnt but knows not whither she was in the
United States or States service or not we ran into a British fleet
in the night time off Cate Cod and be private being taken nor the brig on 
shore on Eastham beach and the British ^[illegible]^ Minerds burnt her there. This service
was previous to my services in Simeon Fish's company aforesaid but I cannot
state the precise time.
I cannot state more particularly thou I have above stated the proven begining
and ending of my several services aforesaid but I am sure I served for the periods
following. Two months under Capt Basset six months under Capt Hamlin, three weeks
in the whole under Simeon Fish, and he thinks more and two months in the Big Wilkes
and he thinks more, and claims a pension accordingly he thinks all his services under Capt
Hamlin were under one enlistment though he is not perfectly certain but is certain that
he served six months on the whole in said Hamlins company

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his
name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Silvanus Fish

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
Abner Davis Regr of Prob.

I Stanton C Fisher residing in the Town of Falmouth
hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Silvanus Fish who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that I believe him to be Seventy Six
years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the revolution, and that I concur in that opinion. Stanton C Fisher

Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.
Abner Davis Regr of Prob.

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the
interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and
served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Stanton C. Fisher
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a [blank] resident in the Town of Falmouth
and is a credible person; and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Nymphas Marston - Judge of Probate

I Abner Davis, Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of
Silvanus Fish for a pension.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Abner Davis
Page 11

County of Barnstable ss.     On this twentieth day of May
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, personally appeared in open court before the
Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Barnstable
in and for said County, Silvanus Fish a resident of Falmouth in 
said County, aged seventy six years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath
make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th, A. D. 1832.

THAT he was born at Sandwich in said County
on the 24th day of January A. D. 1758, and that there
is a record of his birth in Sandwich as he purports: that he was in the United States
service from the Forth day of December A. D. 1775, to the last day of January
A.D. 1776 as a private soldier in the Militia of Massachusetts
: that he was residing at Sandwich aforesaid
when he entered the service; that he enlisted for two months
and served for the period aforesaid under the
command of Barachiah Basset Captain John Tobey first lieutenant and
Thomas Bourn second lieutenant, [illegible] does not recollect the 
name of the Colonel: that he marched from Sandwich to Cambridge in [illegible]
churches, while the British had possession of Boston
: that he served with a member of Regiments
of the regular troops; and General Putnam one of the regular officers
was known to him: that he was in no battle but was one of the Company that burnt a number
of houses near & under Bunker Hill, under the command of Genl Putnam to drive the
enemy off the hill helped build a part
in [illegible] point under Genl Putnam
[illegible]
and at the end of his service received no discharge
: that he left the service on the last of January as aforesaid
and that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Sandwich [illegible] as 
aforesaid

ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the 12th or 13th
day of June A. D. 1776, to the 12th or 13th day of December A. D. 1776
as a Corporal in the Militia of Massachusetts
that he was residing at Sandwich aforesaid
when he entered the service; that he enlisted for six months
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Mariah
Hamlin Daniel Basset first lieutenant and Malachi Ellis
second Lieut : that he marched from said Sandwich to Boston where he
was quartered in the Barrack the enemy had left for a time, and then removed to
long island in  Boston harbour where he was stationed for the defence of the town
: that he served with none of the regular troops; and
recollects no Colonel of the Militia or any of the field officers and
no regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle
that at the end of his service he received no discharge as he recollects and left
the service on the expiration of the period he entered for

ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the fifteenth
day of September A.D. 1775, to the last day of September A.D. 1778
as a private in the Militia of Massachusetts
that he was residing at Sandwich
when he entered the service; that he enlisted as an alarm being given
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Simeon Fish
Capt and does not recollect any other officers
: that he marched from Sandwich to Falmouth, does not
recollect with certainty who the Colonel was but thinks it was Col Freeman
: that he served with none of the regular troops; and
no regular officers were known to him; that he was in no battle
that at the end of his service he received no discharge that he recollects and left
the service on the alarm being over
Page 12

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress the 7th of July 1838, entitled, "An act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows"
State of Massachusetts
County of Barnstable SS:
On this twenty seventh day of September in the year eighteen hundred & fifty six
personally appeared before me George Marston Judge Probate in the said County of Barnstable, Lucretia Fish a resident of Sandwick
in said County of Barnstable, aged ninety seven 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7. 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"
That she is the widow of Silvanus Fish who was a private soldier in the said the Revolution and served for the time of about seven months at Long Island & elsewhere, under Col. Bassett
of Falmouth, & under Micajah Hamblen who
said she does not remember, and she thinks
she has heard her husband name some other
of the officers under whom he served, but she
does not now recollect them-- that said service was performed as nearly as she can remember in the year 1775, and the early part of 1776 that her said husband was a pensioner of the United States on account of said services as to his death, but the rate of his pension she does not now remember & cannot state and she refers to the evidence upon which said pension was granted for proof of the service of her said husband, which she supposes is on file in the pension office at Washington, and prays that examination thereof may be made therefor
She further declares
Page 13

that she was married to the said Silvanus Fish in the month of October A.D. 1776, that he
husband died on the sixth day of July A.D. 1841 that she was not married to him prior
to leaving the service, but the marriage took
place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four to wit: in the month of October, seventeen hundred & seventy six, and after her said husband left the service of the United States in said war. She further swears that she is now a widow, & has been since the death of her said husband, and that she has not before made any application for a pension, except that some papers have
recently been sent to the pension office for her
within a declaration by her made & except
that she once before made a declaration which
she is informed was, for some reason, never
sent to Washington - And she further add, &
declares that her said husband, died at the time above named at Falmouth in said County where he then resided
Witness
Calvin Crowell
her
Lucretia x Fish
Mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Barnstable ss: Subscribed by said Lucretia fish with her mark, she being unable from age & infirmity to wit, on this twenty seventh day of September, 1856, before me, at her residence, she being unable from physical weakness to appear in open Court, & I attended at her place of abode for this purpose & sworn to by her as true. And I certify that I have no interest in the claim of said Lucretia for a pension.
Geo Marston, Judge of Probate
Barnstable Co. Mass
Page 14

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office Boston 29th October 1856

I Hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestations hereunto annexed
George Marston was Judge and R. D. Pope
Register of Probate
[crossed out Justice of the Peace] for the County of Barnstable
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that
to their acts and attestations, as such full faith and credit are and
ought to be given in and out of Court
In Testimony of Which, I have hereunto affixed the SEAL OF THE
COMMONWEALTH, the date above written
J. D. Will
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 15

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Barnstable ss:

I Rufus S. Pope, Register of the
Court of Probate in & for said County, hereby certify
that George Marston, is the Judge of said first
and that the signature on the preceding page
purporting to be made by him is his genuine
signature
In witness whereof I have hereto
set my hand & the seal of said
Court this twenty seventh day of
September in the year Eighteen
hundred & fifty six
R. S. Pope
Register of Probate
Page 16

Recd 
WIDOW, &c.

No. 13161
Lucretia Fish
Widow of
Sylvanus Bush

Pri Rev War
Act: Feb 24 48
Index: - Vol. A, Page 238
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 17

53.679
S
No Any
Page 18

No 15. 409
Lucretia Fish
Widow of Sylvanus
Mass.
of
W. Broge Duggan April 17/56
same August 14/56
July 7, 1838
Page 19

Op 180/12
       65

12) 22 / 1.80
      12/10/12 5/6 Set6 Hon Jn. Reed
                             2 March '39
16
  1
_
80

18
  6
_
102
 96
      1.
Page 20

Lucretia Fish
Widow of Sylvan
admd 3 Mch 1843 4c
$22.24 a year from
? 5  1843 when
her husband died

berl to
Wm Brazer Duggan
Quincy Mass
Page 21

9.667
Massachusetts
Lucretia Fish
widow of Sylvanus
who was a private
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 22 Dollars 24 Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843.
5th day of July 1843
Certificate of Pension issued
the
18th day of Aug 1836
and sent to
W B Duggan
in Quincy Mass

[Acts of March 3, 1843, and
June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book H
Vol 6 Page 231
Page 22

Hon. George C Whiting
Commissioner of Pensions

Washington
D. C

[stamp in upper right corner reads "BOSTON MASS 20 JAN"]
Page 23

258.602
FREE
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

[stamp is illegible]
Page 24

[two panel page; left panel below]

268.173 Act Mar 3.
Feb 2. '57
Ansid M

Lucretia Fish wid.
Sylvanus Fish pri.

Revy. war
Pensioned Feby 48-6403
Mass
Special by Chief Clerk
S Cole Feb. 5. '57
C.C

Wm. B. Duggan.
Quincy.
Mass,

[right panel below]

Set Wm B. Duggan Feb: 16/57
Page 25

3d Auditors Office
Nov. 18, 1836

Sirs
Sylvanus Fish
[illegible]
24 per annum
to [illegible]
4 [illegible]
Very Respy
[illegible]
under
C. Whiting Esq
Commr of Pensions
Page 26

Pen Off NW 12 1856

Sir
Please inform me when Sylvanus Fish of Mass was last paid at $22.24 a year.
RJ Atkinson In
Barnstable 

Respectfully
State
Wishlett Chf Clk
Page 27

Quincy Massachusetts March 15, 1856
To Hon Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
Dear Sir

I have the honor to pension 
you herewith the application and proofs of
Mrs Lucretia Fish for arrears of Pension
due her as the widow of Sylvanus Fish
a Revolutionary pensioner who died in 1842
Through the politeness of Col. Barnes
pension agent at Boston. I have seen that
Fish's name enrolled on the Pension Books
in Boston. I think receiving in his life time
$42 per annum, Proof of which you have
in your Department. I believe I have
forwarded all necessary papers. Mrs Fish
has relatives in Quincy the place of
my residence which is the reason the
case was placed in my hand
According to the arrangement and request
of the parties, you will please forward to
Pension Certificate to me if you pass
Page 28

favorably on her case or give the same
to Hon William S Darrell M.C.  to whom
I have written on the subject

I am yours Respectfully
Your Obt Sert
Wm Brazer Duggan , M.D
Quincy, Massachusetts
Page 29

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston
March 11th 1856.
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 Silvanus Fish is borne on pay
Roll of Capt. Mirah Hamlin's Comp. Col.
Thomas Marshall's Regt. from June 13
1776 1 month 19 days as private from Sandwich.
Also in same Comp, same Col. for the month
of Nov. 1776.
Also on pay roll of Capt. Simeon Fish's
Comp. on the alarm at Falmouth from
Sept. 11. 1779. 5 days Roll dated Sandwich
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
F. De Witt
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 30

State of Massachusetts
County of Barnstable
I Lucretia Fish having been duly sworn, depose and
say, that I am the widow of Sylvanus Fish who
was a Revolutionary soldier,--that he is believed to have enlisted at or near [blank]
that the names of some of his officers are believed
to have been Capt Coltheah[?] Hamlin of Col. Thomas Marshall
Regiment that he is believed to have been in the battles of [blank]
that he is supposed to have served for [blank]
and that I pray to receive from the Secretary
of State a certificate from the rolls in his office of the service of the said soldier.
the said Sylvanus Fish at the time of his death
July 6. 1842 at Falmouth in said County was a
revolutionary Pensioner as appears on the
Pension Rolls in Boston
-
Attest
John A Holisay
her
Gith F. Ngy

Lucretia Fish
her mark X
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this twenty first day of February A.D. 1856
Lith. F Ngy} Justice of the Peace.
Page 31

This may certify that I am Clerk of the
town of Sandwich, and that I have exam
ined the records of said town, and say that the
birth of Sylvanus Pink now of Falmouth 
and formerly of Sandwich, is not to be
found on the records of said town, [can't make out crossed out line except for "from 1774 to 1784"]
Attest William J. Freeman Town Clerk
Sandwich January 30. 1839
Barnstable ss January 30th 1839
Personally appeared the above named Wm
J Freeman and made oath that the above
Statement by him made is just & true
Before me 
Elisha Pope {Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Barnstable Feb.  23d 1839
I Timothy Teed Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas in & for the said County, hereby certify that
Elisha Pope Esquire is a Justice of the Peace in and for
said County duly commissioned and qualified
and was soon the 30th is past and that I
believe the above signature purporting to her
be made by him to be his genuine signed
Witness my hand & the seal of
such Court the day & year above
written Timothy Reed Clerk
Page 32

Lucretia Fish represents, that she was mar-
sed to Sylvanus Fish Octr 1776 day of the
week Sunday Day of the month not remembered
Married by the Rev. Abraham Williams who was
the minister in Sandwich at that time
Neither Church nor Town Record contains an
account of the marriage. The Town Record book
got worn until some leaves were scattered out and
lost years ago what remained not less than
20 years since were collected and rebound this
volume contains the record of no marriage after the
26th of Decr 1775 till 26 Apr. 1779. Thus the record proves
nothing more than it would to find that a marriage which
must have taken place in the last century was not recorded
in a book designed only for @ record of those of the present
Circumstantial evidence The couple are known to have lived
together as man and wife until the death of the husband
which took place according to the record in an old family
Bible the 6th July 1843 The event of the marriage is remem-
bered by wit-less than 3 persons who are yet living and were
old enough to remember what transpired at the time not
indeed as we know things which transpire under our
immediate observation but as we know things which occur
about the neighborhood where we reside (This information I am informed has been forwarded)
The couple were the common parents of 11 children whose
names and ages are all entered in the Old Bible above
refered to and all except the youngest with dates corresponding
to those in the Bible are entered in an old account Book
and 5 of the 11 beginning, with 6th and ending with the 10th
dates to match are on the Town Record the names of the
11 can be identified by a multitude of witnesses who
knew the family when together as the names of
children of Sylvanus & Lucretia Fish or Fisher
as the name is sometimes written as certainly
Page 33

as any of us know to whom the children
of our next door neighbor belong
The Eldest
child was a daughter born 9-Feb. 1778 Name
Delia or as spelled 'Dille'
I have formed these facts as they have been
elicited by my Examination I know they
are informal and not in shape to be made
available Please present them for examination
to your council and if he finds any thing away
there more than he has before received and
forwarded which can be made servicable let
him point them out and they shall be put
in shape forthwith
Yours Edw W Ewn
To Samuel R. Edwards
Barnstable S.S. June 30th 1856. Then personally appeared the above name Edw W Ewin and made at the above hereto subscribed by him in
his letter to Samuel R Edwards above written, as
time. That he has no interest in the case, and
have him to be a person of good credible
character
I have no interest in the case
Seth F Ngy
Justice of the Peace
Page 34

State of Massachusetts County of Barnstable
On this fifteenth day of December AD 1856 Personally
appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said 
County of Barnstable Lucretia Fish aged [blank] years 
who being duly sworn recording to law, declare that she 
is the widow of Sylvanus Five deceased late of Sandwich 
in the aforesaid County of Barnstable, a Revolutionary Pensioner
That she is the identical Lucretia Fish, who received 
two Pension Certificates, dated November 18, 1856 of which the 
following are true Copies. Vir:
[diagonally in left margin: Copy]
Department of the Interior
Widows Pension
I certify that in conformity with the acts of March 3d 
1843 and June 17 1844. Lucretia Fish widow of Sylvanus Fish 
who was a private in the Revolutionary War and died on the
fifth day of July 1843 is inscribed on the Pension list at the note 
of twenty two Dollars and twenty four cents per annum, commencing 
on the 5th July 1843 and terminating on the 4th March 1848 
unless the [crossed out: pensioner marries or died before the last mentioned date 
in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such 
marriage or death]
Given at the department of the Interior
this Eighteenth day of November one thousand 
Eight hundred and Fifty Six
Seal
R. McClelland
Secretary of the Interior
[illegible]
Geo C. Whiting
Commissioner of Pensions
(Numbered on the Second page) 9.667
(Endorsed as follows)
Payment to be made at Boston by J.O. Barnes Esq. 
Agent for paying Pensioners with agency of Massachusetts
Payable on the 26th, September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension Office in Book H. Vol l. page 231
G T Getty Clerk
[diagonally in left margin: Copy]
Department of the Interior
Widow's Pension
I certify that in Conformity with the Act of February 
2. 1848. Lucretia Fish widow of Sylvanus Fish, who was a private 
in the revolutionary war is inscribed on the Pension list at the rate 
of twenty two Dollars and twenty four cents per annum commencing 
on the 4th of March 1848, and continuing for life unless she should again
Page 35

marry, in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such
marriage.
Given at the Department of the Interior this Eighteenth
day of November one thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Six.
Rolla Clellan
Secretary of the Interior

Pensions and [illegible]
Geo C Whiting
Commissioner of Pensions

numbers in [illegible] page) 6.403
Endorsed as follows:
Payment to be made at Boston by J O Barnes Esq. agency for paying
Pensions in the agency of Massachusetts.
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension office on the Roll of Pensions
under the act of February 2. 1848 Page 268 Vol. H
GD Getty Clerk

That she the said Lucretia Fish, is still a widow
and submitting the Proof above, makes application herewith
for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land (she never having
received any) of 160 acres to which she is entitled under the
act of Congress passed March 3d 1855 and that she prays that
the certificate of Land Bounty may be sent for her to Horatio
Woodman Esq. Boston Masstes. through whom an application 
for land Bounty was made for her now on [illegible] of
which she never had any returns. Lucretia x^her mark^ Fish
Joseph Chase
Sumner Edwards

Subscribed and duly sworn to, the day and year first
above written. I certify that the above name Lucrecia
Fish is the identical person above described. I have no interest
in the case. 
Charles B Hall } Justice of the Peace

State of Massachusetts County of Barnstable December 15. 1856
We Joseph Chase and Sumner Edwards
of Sandwich in the County of Barnstable state of Massachusetts
Having been duly sworn depose and say that the above named
Lucretia Fish who now applies for Bounty Land is the widow
of Sylvanus Fish, late of Sandwich in said County of Barnstable deceased
who died on or about July 5. 1843, a Revolutionary Pensioner. That we are
residents of said Sandwich where the said Lucretia Fish now
resides among us. That she is the identical person who received
two Pension Certificates from the Pension Department dated each
November 18th 1856, of which the above are Copies. That her
Page 36

declaration was signed and acknowledged by her in our presence
That we have known the said Lucretia Fish as the widow
of the aforesaid Sylvanus Fish to this time, that [illegible]
remained unmarried. That she is the identical person
she represents herself to be. - that we are disinterested
Witness
Charles B. Hall   Sumner Edwards
Louisa Edward   [illegible]
Joseph Chase

Sworn and subscribed before me
this fifteenth day of December AD 1856
Charles B Hall } Justice of the Peace

It is hereby certified that satisfactory proof has been exhibited
before me, the undersigned a Justice of the Peace by the affidavits
of Joseph Chase and Sumner Edwards
of the said County and State who are personally known to me,
who are entitled to credit and who swear that they have
no personal interest in the result of the above application
that Lucentia Fish is the widow still of Sylvanus Fish
deceased as above set forth and that the said Sylvanus Fish
died on or about July 5th 1843

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand this fifteenth day of December AD 1856.
I have no interest in the case.
Charles B Hall Justice of the Peace
Page 37

[Page in background reads as follows]
declaration was signed and as I knew her by her in our presence
That we have known the said Lucretia Fish as the widow
of the [illegible ] Sylvanus Fish to this time that she has remained unmarried. That she is the identical person 
she represents hereof to be. that we are disinterested [illegible]
Witness

Charles B. Hall
[illegible line under name]

Sumner Edwards
Joseph Chase

Signed and subscribed before me
this fifteenth of December 1856

[text on the right side of the top page, from the page underneath reads as follows]

of the Peace
four has been [illegible]
by the affidavit
deceased
known to me
that they have
be a our affected
of Sylvanus Fish
[illegible] Sylvanus Fish

[2 illegible lines]

the Peace.


[Page lying on top of page in background reads as follows]
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Secretary's Office, Boston January 29 1857

I Hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestation hereunto annexed,
Chas R Hall was a 
Justice of the Peace for the County of Barnstable
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that
to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and
ought to be given, in and out of Court
In Testimony of which, I have hereunto affixed the SEAL OF THE
COMMONWEALTH, the date above written.

[illegible signature]
Secretary of the Commonwealth

of the Peace
four has next
by the under
lands
known to me
that they have
one
Sylvanus Per
Fish
in that
D 1856.
the Peace
Page 38

[this page is a duplicate of scan 36 of this set]
Page 39

[letterhead]
Post Office
THOMAS COGGESHALL, P.M.
New Bedford, Bristol County, Mass

Aug 22nd 1877
Sir
I have a letter from the Dept of the Interior, making enquiry for , Abigail Willmarth.
I understand she has removed to Providence R.I. that & no I cannot ascertain,
Can you inform me?
It involves the delivery of a valuable package
Your Respectfully
Thomas Coghill PM
[illegible] Brayton Rm
Providence RI

[written down left side of letter]  112 Clifford
Page 40

[black oval stamp, top right: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
AUG 27 187
PENSION OFFICE]

DO
[illegible]
Aug 23/77

Sir
I find on our
Directory the name of
Mrs Abagail Wilmot at
112 Clifford St, a "widow"
also Mr Barton Wilmouth
at same Street & number.
I infer this is the pension you
Seek.
Respectf Yr
GR Buyton 
[illegible]

Pm
New Bedford Mass
Page 41

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable County SS
John Swift ss resident of Falmouth in said County hereby certify on oath that I am well acquainted with Silvanus Fish of said Falmouth, who, as I am informed by the Judge of Probate, has in Probate Court heretofore made declaration of his service in the war of the Revolution in order to obtain a pension, that I believe him to be now eighty one years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the war of the Revolution and that I fully concur in that opinion
John Swift SS
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable ss. On the 30th day 
of January A.D. 1839 Before me the subscriber Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Barnstable personally appeared the above named John Swift SS and made oath to the
truth of the foregoing certificate by him subscribed in my presence, and I further certify that the said Swift is a resident in the town
of Falmouth in said County and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit and that he resides in said Fishing neighborhood.
In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand the
day and year aforesaid.
Nymphas Marston Judge of Probate
I further certify that the above deposition is taken, because when the declaration was made, there was but one person in Court who resided near the said Silvanus Fish, and that there was not then and is not now any Clergyman residing in that part of Falmouth where said Fish resides.
Nymphas Marston J. Probate.
Page 42

Commonweath of Massachusetts, Barnstable, [illegible].

I Timothy Reed, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Barnstable, hereby certify that Nymphas Marston is Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Barnstable, and that the signatures purporting to be his on the other side of this paper are his genuine signatures.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my and affixed the seal of said Court this twenty third day of February in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty nine.

Timothy Reed Reg Prob
Page 43

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable
I Zacheus Fuller of Barnstable in the said County of Barnstable, aged seventy nine
years, on oath testify and say that I was a
soldier in the war of the Revolution and
that besides other services I served one
period of six weeks or more at Cambridge in
Massachusetts in a company of Militia
commanded by Capt. Barachiah Bassett
this service was in the sun of the year 1775 & beginning of the year 1776. and I further testify that I well know Silvanus Fish now of Falmouth in said County and have known him for more than sixty four, years and that he was a soldier with me in Capt. Barachial Bassett's company at the time aforesaid and served with me at Cambridge during the period of my said service, which was six week or two months-- I am not sure which-- It was as long as six weeks
Zacheus fuller
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable SS
On this 20th day of February A.D. 1839
before me the subscriber Judge of the Court of
Probate of said County, personally appeared
the above named Zacheus Fuller and
made oath in due form of law to the
truth of the foregoing deposition by him
subscribed in my presence and I further certify that said Fuller is well known to me and is a man of truth and a credible witness - In witness whereof thereunto set my hand the day and year aforesaid.
Nymphas Marston Judge of Probate
Page 44

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Barnstable, [illegible].

I Timothy Reed Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Barnstable hereby certify that Nymphas Marston is Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Barnstable and that the signatures purporting to be his on the other side of this leaf is his genuine signature.

In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twenty third day of February in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty nine.

Timothy Reed Reg Prob
Page 45

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable ss
I Nymphas Marston, Judge of the
Court of Probate for the County of Barnstable
hereby certify that Silvanus Fish, who on the 20th day of May A.D. 1834, in Court, made
the declaration to which this is annexed
is still alive and resident at Falmouth
in said County
Witness my hand
this twentieth day of February in the year 1839.
Nymphas Marston - Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable County SS
File 20th 1839
I Timothy Reed Register of the Court of
Probate in aforesaid County hereby certify
that the [ ? ] Nymphas Marston is the
Judge of said Court and that the above
signature purporting to have been made by him is his genuine signature
witness my hand and the
seal of said Court the day
& year above written
Timothy Reed Ry Phola
Page 46

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Secretary's Office, January 24, 1834

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 Silvenas Fish, as a Corporal, is borne on an Abstract of the Company of Capt. Micah Hamlen, in Col. Thomas Marshall's Regt where he is allowed from August 1st to Nov. 1st, 1775 m. d. three months,  
Silvanus Fish's name, as a Corporal, is borne on an Abstract of Capt. Mic
Page 47

[illegible in upper left corner]

where he is allowed, from Sept, 1778, eight days.--------- = 8
Silvanus Fish's name is found on a Pay Roll of Capt Simeon's Fish's Company, where he is allowed from Sept 11th to the 15th 1779, five days.---.---.--- =5
Silvanus Fish claims for services under Capt. Barachiah Basset, in 1776, the rolls of which are not found in this Office, except about one half of one for Milage to and from Camp at Cambridge, on which half the name of Silvanus Fish is not borne.
Silvanus Fish also claims for services on board the Brig Wilkes, commanded by John Foster Williams, in 1779. Evidence of the said Brig, being in the States service is not found in this Office.

Edward Bang[illegible]
Page 48

Post Office
THOMAS COGGESHALL, P. M.
New Bedford, Bristol County, Mass.
Aug. 24th, 1877
Sir,
Referring to my letter of 22nd inst. of
now enclosing on a letter from [ ? ] at
Providence R I touching the matter of
present residence of Abigail Wilmort
Yours Respectfully
Thomas Coggeshall
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C
Page 49

We Ansel Fish, James Chadwick, Margaret
Chadwick & Braddock Fish

Being al inhabitants of
the Town of Sandwich in the County of Barnstable
and State of Massachusetts testify and declare that
we well know Lucretia Fish of said Sandwich
widow of Sylvanus Fish, who at the time of his
decease was a Revolutionary Pensioner, and whose
widow the said Lucretia Fish, is now a claimant
for a Pension, proof of which have been forwarded
to the Pension Department at Washington by
Doctor William B. Duggan of Quincy in said
Massachusetts by the authority and at the request
of her the said Lucretia Fish. To the best of our
knowledge and belief we depose and declare that
she was legally married to the said Sylvanus Fish
of a Sabbath day in October 1776 by the
Revd. Abraham Williams who was the minister
in said Sandwich at the time of the marriage. That 
the Town record Book of marriages, of this period became
worn or mutilated, until many leaves were
scattered out and lost. That what remained not
less than twenty years since, were collected and
rebound. This volume contains the record of no
Page 50

marriages after the 26th day of December 1775 until
April 26th 1779. Furthermore we depose that the
said Sylvanus Fish and Lucretia Fish lived together
as man and wife until the death of the husband
which took place according to the record of an old
family bible which we have seen and read July
6th 1843. That the said Couple were the
common parents of Eleven Children whose
names and ages are all entered in the old Bible
referred to and all except the youngest with
dates corresponding to those in the Bible are
entered in an old account Book and five
of the Eleven beginning with sixth and ending
with the tenth dates to match, are on the town
records of said Sandwich. That the oldest child
of the said Lucretia Fish and Sylvanus Fish was a
daughter born February 9. 1778, named Delia, or
as it is spelled "Dille" We further testify
that the said Lucretia Fish from the time of the
death of her said husband Sylvanus Fish to
the present has remained, and is his widow, and 
that we are all disinterested
Ansel Fish
James Chadwick & wife Margaret Chadwick
Braddock Fish
Page 51

The foregoing affidavit was subscribed and
duly sworn to before me this 4th
day of August AD 1856

Seth F Nye Justice of the Peace

It is hereby certified that satisfactory proof
has been exhibited to me the undersigned a Justice
of the Peace by the officiants of Ansel Fish, James
Chadwick, Margaret Chadwick & Braddock
Fish of the said County of Barnstable
and state of Massachusetts who are all personally
known to me and are persons of good moral character
and who swear that they have no pecuniary interest
in the result of the foregoing statement; that the
same is true. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand this fourth day of 
August AD 1856 I have no interest in this case.
Seth F Nye Justice of the Peace
Page 52

Quincy, Mass. January 27. 1857
Hon. George C Whiting Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of two Pension Certificates as expressed in the accompanying communication and gave them to the attorney of Mrs. Lucretia Fish. As she is entitled to the land County under an Act of Congress passed March 3. 1855
I herewith forward the evidence of her claim deeming that a reference in full to her Pension Certificate, as set forth, would be satisfactory to you.
I am very respectfully
Your Obt Servt.
Wm B. Duggan
Page 53

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Secretary's Office, Boston, [handwritten] July 31, 1856 [end of handwriting]

I Hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestation hereunto appeared,

[handwritten] Mason White was a [end of handwriting]
Justice of the Peace for the County of [handwritten]  Barnstable [end of handwriting]

in the said Commonwealth, duly commifsioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, so such, full faith and credit are and out to be given, in and out of Court.

In Testimony of Which, I have hereunto affixed the SEAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH, the date above written.

[handwritten] Frances D. Witt [end of handwriting]
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 54

State of Massachusetts County of Barnstable
I, David C. Freeman, having been duly sworn, depose and say, that I am the Clerk of the Town of Sandwich in the said County,
and have in my official custody the records of marriages of the said town, and that I have
carefully examined them and cannot find therein any record of the marriage of
Sylvanus Fish and
Lucretia Fish
David C. Freeman Town Clerk
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this 29th day of July
A. D. 1856. I have no interest.
Mason White
Justice of the Peace
Page 55

APPLICATION OF
Lucretia wid of Sylvanus Fish
[illegible] Met= Rev. War
for a 160 acre warrant.
Act of March 3d, 1855,


WARRANT TO BE SENT TO
HORATIO WOODMAN, Boston, Mass.
AS WITHIN REQUESTED.
Page 56

[letterhead] Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston

[handwritten]January 23rd 1856.

[form letter] 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

[handwritten] the name of Silvanus Fish is borne on pay all of Capt. Micah Hamlin's Comp. Col. Thomas Marshalls Regt. from June 13. 1776. 1 month 19 days as private, from Sandwich.

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

[handwritten] Francis DeWitt

[form letter] Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 57

[form letter] State of 
[handwritten] Massachusetts
[form letter] County of 
[handwritten] Barnstable
[form letter] I
[handwritten] Lucretia Fish
[form letter] having been duly sworn, depose and say, that I am the 
[handwritten] widow
[form letter] of
[handwritten] Sylvanus Fish
[form letter] who was a Revolutionary soldier,--that he is believed to have enlisted at or near 
that the names of some of his officers are believed to have been
that he is believed to have been in the battles of
that he is supposed to have served for
and that I pray to receive from the Secretary of State a certificate from the rolls in his office of the service of the said soldier.
[handwritten] my said husband at the time of his death was a Revolutionary Pensioner

Attest Seth F. Nye

her  X mark
Lucretia Fish

[form letter] Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this 
[handwritten] twenty fourth 
[form letter] day of
[handwritten] December 
[form letter] A.D. 1855

[handwritten] Seth F. Nye
[form letter] Justice of the Peace.
Page 58

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Secretary's Office, Boston. Sept 26th 185

I Hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestation hereunto annexed
Seth F Nye was a 
Justice of the Peace for the County of Barnstable
in the said Commonwealth duly commissioned and constituted: and that
to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and
ought to be given, in and out of Court.

In Testimony of which, I have hereunto affixed the SEAL OF THE
COMMONWEALTH, the date above written.

F De Witt
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 59

State of Massachusetts County of Barnstable

W, Barton Wilmouth and Samuel R. Edwards
having been duly sworn, depose and say, that we well knew 
Sylvanus Fish who was a Massachusetts Militia man in the war to the Revolution with
Great Britain, whose widow now applies for bounty land, - that we knew him for more than fourteen
years before his death, which occurred at Falmouth about
thirteen years ago, - that we know that he died at about that time because
we were told of his death
that we have known his said widow from his death to this time, that she has remained unmarried, and that we are
disinterested. 
Barton Wilmouth
Samuel R Edwards

Subscribed, and duly sworn to before me, this twenty fourth day of December
A.D. 1855.
Seth F Nye Justice of the Peace.

It is hereby certified that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the
Peace, by the affidavits of Barton Wilmouth and Samuel R Edwards
of the said county and state, who are personally known to me, who are entitled to credit, and who swear that
they have no pecuniary interest in the result of the above application; that Lucretia Fish
is the widow remaining unmarried, 
of the late Sulvanus Fish who was a Massachusetts Militia man in the war of the Revolution with
Great Britain, and that the said Sulvanus Fish died at Falmouth
on or about the sixth day of July A.D. 1842

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty fourth day
of December 1855.
Seth F Nye Justice of the Peace.

"We attended his funeral," or "were in the neighborhood at the time," or some equally good reason.
Page 60

File No 13.161.
Lucretia Fish
Wid of Sylvanus
Letters &c to be filed

[diagonally at bottom of the page, follows]
1812
Reld dead
Page 61

Post Office
THOMAS COGGESHALL, P. M.
New Bedford, Bristol County, Mass.
Aug 22nd 1877

Sir
I have made diligent inquiry for
my Abigail Wilmarth, and had so
learned (by accompanying letter
from PM at Sandwich Mass), that
she now resides at Providence R.I.
I have today written the PM at
Providence RI, making enquiry
& should I obtain from him, or the
PM Sandwich [illegible] any information I
will at once communicate it to you.

As it is evident that Mrs Wilmarth
does not reside here. I return the package
containing the family Bible under cover
to your address
Young Respectfully
Thomas Coggeshall PM

To [illegible]
Commissioner of Pension
Page 62

SANDWICH POST OFFICE
Frederic S. Pope, Postmaster,
BARNSTABLE COUNTY.
Sandwich, Mass
Aug 21st 1877
Coggeshall P M

Dear Sir - Yours of 15th also 21st before
me, I have been trying to learn where you
could now find Mrs Abigail Wilmarth
and have this day learned that she
now resides in Providence, having left
New Bedford, the party from whom I
obtain this information thinks a letter
[illegible] to her Providence R I will be
received by her, the street I
cannot learn.
Very truly yours
PS
F.S. Pope, PM
PS If I can give you further information
in a few days will do so as I am making
inquiry as opportunity offers.
Page 63

NOW.
& B.L.F. Dir
Evans

Department of the Interior
PENSION OFFICE

Washington, D.C. August 27. 1877

Dear Sir
You will please find enclosed two
letters, one from Post Master at Sandwich and
the other from the Post Master at New Bedford Mass.
Please inform this office whether you can
deliver a large family Bible to Mrs Abigail
Wilmarth - now of your Town - if forwarded
to your office:
Please return this letter with your
reply in the enclosed envelope.

Very respectfully
OPG Clarke
Acting Commissioner 
[illegible]

Post Master
Providence
R.I.

[oval black stamp over the last line and signature above: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
SEP 4 1877
PENSION OFFICE]
Page 64

B.L. Div     "B"     File No 13,161. Pension
Evans

Department of the Interior
PENSION OFFICE.

Washington, D.C. June 25th 1877.

Dear Madam
I herewith transmit to your 
address the family Bible belonging to your
Grandparents - Sylvanus and Lucretia Fish
J it was sent to this office in 1842 to be
filed in evidence in the application of Lucretia
Fish for pension
You will please acknowledge the receipt
of the Bible on the back of this letter and return
it to this office in the enclosed envelope.
[vertically in left margin: Bible published 1815.]

Very respectfully
JA Bentley
Commissioner 
pensions

To Mrs Abagail Wilmarth
New Bedford 
Mass.
Page 65

Widows
File No 13,161.

Lucrsaia Fish
Wid of
Silvanus Fish
Pr. Rev. War.
Receipts for Bible are enclosed.
To be filed in Jacket of above No.

Sept. 4, 1877
Page 66

Providence Aug. 31st, 1877
Bible received today, thanks for the same
Respectfully Yours
Mrs. Abigail C. Wilmarth
Department of the Interior
Sept. 3, 1877
Pension Office
Page 67

N.O.W BSD
Evans

Depart of the Interior
Pension Office
Washington, D.C._______________18__

Dear Madam
I herewith transmit to 
your address the family Bible which 
was sent to this office in 1852 to be filed in 
evidence in the case of Mrs. Lucretia Fish when 
she made application for pension.

Please acknowledge the receipt of the Bible on 
the back of this letter and return it (the letter) to 
this office in the enclosed envelope.

Very respectfully
JA Bentley
Commissioner 
[illegible]

Mrs. Abagail Wilmaith
or Wilmarth
care of Barton Wilmarth
No. 112. Clifford Street
Providence C.O.
R.I.
Page 68

Department of the Interior
Pension Office
Washington, D.C. Aug. 4th. 1877

Dear Sir
The Enclosed letters marked "A" and "B" will explain themselves.

Having obtained the information contained in letter marked "A" from P.M. at Sandwich, the letter marked "B". and a family Bible was forwarded to your office both being addressed to Mrs. Abigal Wilmarth.  If she is dead please deliver the Bible to the nearest relative , taking a receipt for the same on the back of this letter and returning it, and the letters enclosed to-  this office in the enclosed envelope.

Ver respectfully
O.P.G Clarke
Acting Commissioner

Post Master
New Bedford
Mass
Page 69

Quincy Mass. August 1856
To Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington
Dear Sir,
I have the honor of forwarding
to you herewith additional proofs in regard to
the claims of Mrs. Lucretia Fish of Sandwich
Mass. for arrears of Pension due her as the
widow of Sylvanus Fish who at the time of his death July 6. 1843 was a Revolutionary
Pensioner, as will appear by her application
of proofs I forwarded to your Department. I
then last spring and presented through the
Hon William S. Dannell M.C. myself
acting as attorney for Mrs. Lucretia Fish aforesaid and to whom I wish you at the request of the parties to Daniel her Certificate as a revolutionary pension to me in the event
of your issuing one
I beg leave to call your attention to those documents, I forwarded last spring in her case which I flattered myself at the time would be
conclusive. But I received a reply from the Pension Department in a letter dated April 17. 1856 from S. Cole Esquire which he suggests to me, that "She must
Page 70

establish the date of her marriage by
private or public record, or by the record
of the births of her children, or show that
no evidence of that grade exists, when
she must prove the date by witnesses, who
can show how they are able to fix the time
She must show where her husband died
and prove at least by two credible witnesses that she is the widow of the pensioner of her husbands name
In obedience to these instructions from
Mr. Cole, I have after some action and much
delay obtained these further proofs as to her
identity, her marriage with Mr. Fish, the
time of his death and that she [ ? ? ] and
continues to be his widow since his decease
If any thing more is required as proof in
this case, please inform me as early as it
may suit your convenience
I have the honor to be
bear respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
Wm Brazer Duggan
Page 71

Quincy Mass. May 3. 1856.
S. Cole Esq.

Dear Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of our favor [illegible] for further proof
in regard to the claim of Mrs Lucretia Fish of
Sandwich, Mass. for arrears of Pension as the widow of
Sylvanus Fish, who died I think in 1842 a
Revolutionary Pensioner. Upon a re-examination of the
papers in her case, you will discover conforing with
the suggestions of your favor herewith enclosed, that the
proof as suggested in the last four lines of your letter
are submitted. I yesterday conferred with the relatives
of Mrs Fish and learned that she was the mother of
nine children by Sylvanus Fish all of whom are
deceased. - also, that the records of Marriages on
the Town Clerks book at Sandwich are missing or 
were not kept for a period of years, about the beginning
of the Revolutionary War with Great Britian, [Britain] including
the time, the marriage of Mr Fish to the said widow
occurred. The points in the case I deem to be these
the legality of the Marriage and the identity of the
widow. This former cannot be proved by such records
for the reason that such record, were imperfectly kept
Page 72

in those days. The births of her children, and the
fact of cohabitation for nearly half a century with
Mr Fish as his wife as well as her identity
I will endeavor to show . And I shall
immediately communicate with Sandwich on
both matters. Having obtained these proofs I
will forward them to your Department. For
reference I take the liberty to suggest the
name of the Hon Mr Damrell M.C. from this
Congressional District.

I am very Respectfully
Your Obt Sert
Wm Braser Duggan
Page 73

New Bedford July 23, 1854
Hon Loren P Waldo
Comm. Pensions
Sir Mrs. Lucretia Fish Widow of the Late Sylvanus Fish of Sandwich Mass. who was a pensioner up to about 1842 when he died
wishes to know if she is not entitled to a
pension on her late Husband's Service in the
Revolution that she says she was married to Mr. Fish about the year 1750 & has been his
Widow since about 1842 or 1841 he died on July 5th one of those years and is his widow now & Is 92 years old be so kind as to write me if she is Entitled & If so please send me a blank Application as I have no forms & no Experience In making one for a pensioner & very much oblige
Your Friend & Tenant
Samuel Bonney
Page 74

Quincy Mass. November 1. 1856.
To Hon. Commissioner of Pensions. Washington D.C.

Dear Sir
I have the honor herewith
of forwarding additional Proofs, to others heretofore
sent by me to you, and now on your files
which I beg leave to refer you, in behalf
of the claims of Mrs Lucretia Fish for Pension
and arrears of Pension as the widow of Mr
Sylvanus Fish of Sandwich in Massachusetts
who died as set forth in the accompanying
declaration of Mrs Fish, a Revolutionary Pensioner.
I have been at much labor to collect these
Proofs, and trust when all the papers which
I have sent from time to time the last eight
months to your department in her case are
examined, a Pension Certificate will be
issued for her, directed as the parties request
to my address. As was suggested by Mr
Cole of your department in his last letter to me,
I have procured and now forwarded to Washington
the family Bible of Mrs Lucretia Fish as
proofs of the births of her children by the Sylvanius
Fish.  I have the honor to be
very Respectfully Your
Obt Set.
William Brazer Duggan
of Quincy, Massachusetts
Page 75

No 4)
I Rebecca Tobey of Sandwich in the
County of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts
aged ninety one years, do, testify and say,
that I well knew Lucretia Fish of said
Sandwich widow of Sylvanus Fish a
Revolutionary Pensioner deceased. I further
say I well remember when Sylvanus Fish
was married to said Lucretia Fish. I think
it was in the Fall of the year, Seventeen
hundred and Seventy Six. I further say
the said Lucretia Fish is now the widow
of said Sylvanus Fish; that she has not
been married since the death of the said
Sylvanus Fish & that she is still a widow
I further say that the said Sylvanus Fish
died at Falmouth in said County in AD. 1842
Rebecca x^her mark^ Tobey
Attest
Ellen M Tobey
Seth F Nye

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Barnstable S.S
February 21st 1856. Then personally appeared
before me Seth F Nye a Justice of the Peace in and
for said County of Barnstable, the above named
Rebecca Tobey and made oath to the above
declaration subscribed by her, and acknowledged
the same to be her free act and Deed. I certify
that she is a person of good credible character.
Seth F Nye Justice of the Peace
Page 76

[illegible] papers
to wit
Page 77

Pension Office
April 17. 1856
Sir,
I enclose a form for a declaration for pension to be used by Mrs. Lucretia the widow of Sylvanus of Mass.-
She must establish the date of her marriage
by private or public record or by record of the
births of her children, or show that no evidence of that grade exists, when she must prove the date by witnesses who can show how they are able to fix the time.
She must show when her husband died
and prove by at least two credible witnesses
that she is the widow of the pensioner of her
husband's name.
Respectfully,
S. Cole
[ ? ]
Wm Brazer Duggar Esq.
Quincy
Mass.
Page 78

No 2
State of Massachusetts County of Barnstable
We Ansel Fish & Bethany Fish
having been duly sworn, depose and say, that we well knew
Sylvanus Fish who was a soldier and a pensioner
in the War of the Revolution with Great Britain
whose widow now applies for bounty land, - that we knew him for more than fourteen years
years before his death, which occurred at Falmouth in said County about
thirteen years years ago, - that we know that he died about that time because
we were told of his death
the we are residents of Sandwich County of Barnstable
that we have known his said widow from his death to this time, that she has remained unmarried,-that her
declaration was signed and acknowledged by her in our presence,- that she is the identical person she
represents herself to be, - and that we are disinterested.

Lydia A Fish Ansel x^his mark^ Fish
Seth F Nye Bethany x^her mark^ Fish

Subscribed, and duly sworn to before me, this twenty five day of February
A.D. 1856.

Seth F Nye Justice of the Peace

It is hereby certified that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me, the undersigned, a Justice of
the Peace, by the affidavits of Ansel Fish and Bethany Fish
of the said county and state, who are personally known to me, who are entitled to credit, and who swear that
they have no pecuniary interest in the result of the above application; that Lucretia Fish
is the widow, remaining unmarried
of the late Sylvanus Fish who was a soldier for Pensioner
in the war of the Revolution with Great Britian [Britain]
and that the said Sylvanus Fish died at Falmouth
on or about the sixth day of July A.D. 1842

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty first day
of February 1856, I have no interest in this case.

Seth F Nye Justice of the Peace.
"We attended his funeral," or "were in the neighborhood at the time," or some equally good reason.
Page 79

H. Rep
March 2d. 1839
Sir
I have received your letter of this day, in which you state that you can grant a Pension to Silvanus Fish for 6 mo & 2 days it it be desired disallowing his claim in part.  I wish you to issue this pension certificate & send it to me as soon as possible. Then has been great delay in the case & allow me to express my particular thanks for the promise attention you have given it
With Respect
J. L. Edwards Esq.
John Reed
Page 80

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston June 20th, 1856
I Hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestation hereunto annexed
Seth F Nye
was a
Justice of the Peace for the County of Barnstable in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony of [ ? ], I have hereunto affixed the SEAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH, the date above written.
Chas W Lovett
[ ? ]
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 81

I Rebecca Tobey of Sandwich in the County
of Barnstable State of Massachusetts aged ninety
one years do testify and say that I well know
Lucretia Fish of said Sandwich widow of
Sylvanus Fish deceased - I further say
that I well remember when Sylvanus Fish
was married to Lucretia Fish I think it
was in the fall of theyear seventeen
hundred and seventy six I further say
that said Lucretia Fish is now the wodow
of said Sylvanus Fish that she has not been
married since the death of said Sylvanus
Fish and is still a widow. I further say
that Sylvanus Fish died in the year eighteen
hundred and forty two.
Attest
Seth F Nye
Rebecca +^her mark^ Tobey

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable Ss. December 24th 1855 Then
personally appeared before me Seth F.
Nye one of the Justices of the Peace within
and for the County of Barnstable
Rebecca Tobey above named and made
oath to the truth of the above declaration
by her subscribed
Seth F Nye Justice of the Peace
Page 82

We Ansel Fish and Bethany Fish both of Sandwich in
the County of Barnstable State of Massachusetts

Do testify and say, that we have been well
acquainted with Lucretia Fish of Sandwich
in the County of Barnstable, for more than
sixty five years. She is the widow of Sylvanus
Fish a revolutionary pensioner, who died in 
Falmouth July 6, 1842, and that she never married
again but continues to be his widow. It is
well known here that she was the lawful
husband of the said Sylvanus Fish and lived
together as man and wife over sixty years. They had
eleven children
The records of marriages in Sandwich for 1776
the year of her marriage are lost or mislaid

Attest
Lydia A Fish
Seth F. Nye

Ansel x^his mark^ Fish
Bethany x^her mark^ Fish

Subscribed and duly sworn before me this
twenty first day of February AD 1856 and I hereby
certify that the above named Ansel Fish and
Bethany Fish are persons of credible character.

Seth F. Nye Justice of the Peace
Page 83

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston, March 15 1856
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestation hereunto annexed,
Seth F. Nye
Justice of the Peace for the County of Barnstable
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his
acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court
Testimony of Which, I have hereunto affixed the SEAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH, the date above written
Chas W. Lovett
Dept Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 84

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston August 9th
1856
I Hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestationshereunto annexed.
Seth F. Nye
Justice of the Peace for the County of Barnstable
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his
acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and
ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony of Which, I have hereunto affixed the SEAL OF THE
COMMONWEALTH, the date above written.
F. De Witt
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 85

Post Office,
C. R. BRAYTON, P. M.
Providence, R.I. Sept 1 1877
Postmaster
Sir,
I have the pleasure
to inform you that the Mrs Wilmarth
(112 Clifford St) received her "Bible
as stated in inclosed letter, yesterday
Aug 31st though this office
Yours Respectfully
Wm H. Richardson
Supt. of James
4
Page 86

Brief in the case of Lucretia Fish widow of
Sylvanus of Mass under Acts March 3
1843 &c.

Her husband was pensioner under the Act of June 7 1832
at $22.24 a year and died July 15 1743

Marriage before 1794 established by the production of
a Family Record showing births of children long before
that period as 1778, 1781, 1783, &c&c- Which children
are shown to be hers by the above named pensioner

Cohabitation, general reputation of marriage, her identity
as the pensioners widow, his death & her present widow
[illegible]

Wm Brazer Duggan
agent
Quincy Mass

Thornton Triplett
Examiner