Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17463, for Peter Lewis, Connecticut
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[First line]
SERVICE: Conn.
Lewis, Peter
NUMBER: w17463

[Second line]
SERVICE: Continental
Post, Patience (Former widow
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[Top right]  2,407

Patience Post, formerly widow of Peter Lewis [illegible] who died on the 24 Sept 1817 of Fairfield in the State of Con who was a Pv in the Confy commanded by Captain Granger of the Regt commanded by Webb in the [illegible] line for 2 years.

Conn.

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 dollars -- cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension ifsued the 30 day of Oct 38 are side to and David Brooks Statford, Con.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept - $600.00
Semi-annual allowance ending  40.00
[total]   $640.00

Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 [illegible]

Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk,
Book A Vol. 2 Page 74
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adend
2 years pri
80$
No deduction
ach. 4 July 36 of Joint u_
solution 17 July 38
David Brooks
Stratford
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This certifies that the bearer Peter Lewis soldier in the Corps of Invalids having been examined by me is found to be unfit for any further duty, either in the field or in garrison on account of a consumption and other infirmities which also appear by a certificate lodged in my office, signed by this Colored and the Surgeon of his Regiment. He is at his own request recommended to His Excellency the Commander in Chief for a discharge agreeable to a resolution of Congress of the twenty third of April 1782, given under my hand at Perplanks point this 15th day of Septem 1782.
-- Walter Stewart Col. Insp. North. Army

By HIs Excellency George Washington Esq, [illegible] Commander in chief of the forces of the United States of America.

Peter Lewis, soldier, in Invalids Corps being from various causes assigned in a certificate [added to sentence] under the hand of the Inspector of the Northern Army unfit for any further duty either in the field or in garrison, and having applied for a discharge, I do haeby discharge the said Peter Lewis of Connecticut from the service of the United States, and do certify that he is entitled to the provision of Congress of the 23 of April 1782.
Given under my hand and seal at HeadQuarters the 13th day of Septem 1782.

Go. Washington

By His Excellency, Command 
Jona Trumbull [illegible] Sar

Comptroller Office Septemr 23, 1788, Examined and compared with the original
Mr. Oliv Wolcott I. Compt.
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State of Connecticut Controllers Office
Hartford March 8 1819

This may certify that the [illegible] is a true copy of the original certificate of {word blacked out] Peter Lewis a pensioner of the United States on the same is Recorded in the Books of this Office

Certified by Elisha Colt Contr.
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[handwritten]

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County} ss.
On this 28th day of August 1838 personally appeared before the Court of [illegible] for the District of Thetford in the County of Fairfield sitting aforesaid Patience Post [illegible] a resident of the town of Thetford in Fairfield County that aforesaid, aged 81 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth make Oath [?] the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the Act of Congress passed July 4th 1834, and the joint resolution of Congress of July 7th 1838 entitled "an Act granting half pay to Widows or Orphans whom their husbands or fathers have died of wounds, [illegible] in the military service of the United ^[insert] States [illegible]" for the benefit of the provisions of the Act of Congress that may [illegible] effusing her here - That she was the widow of Peter Lewis of Thetford [illegible], who was a private in the army of the Revolution and served his Country during the principle part of the Revolutionary War and that he was [illegible] Pension of the United States [illegible] that he [illegible] Peter Lewis died in said Thetford of a Consumption on the 24th day of September 1817. That she was married to the said Peter Lewis by the [illegible] Minister of the [illegible] Church in Thetford in the [illegible] of the year of 1779. That she was the mother of eight children by the sd. Peter, six of whom are now dead, and one of the other two, by the name of Elizabeth, [illegible] the State of Massachusetts and the other, by the name of Mina resides in Fairfield in Sd. State of Massachusetts. The deponent further declares, that [illegible] on the 19th day of August 1792 had six of their Children baptized by the Revd. James Sayer, then Pastor of [?] church in said Thetford by the names following viz: -
Elizabeth Ann then twelve years old - John Peter 9 years old Elizabeth 8 years old [illegible] 6 years of age Zalmon - 3 - and Myra eight months. That the other two children were born after the above named was baptized, One a son whom they called George, and the last a daughter whom they called Julia. Both of which are now dead. She further declares that when a small child she went to live in the family of John Brooks [?] of sd. Thetford [?]; & that she lived in his family for upwards of twenty years, & that she was living in sd. Brooks family at the time of her marriage to the sd. Peter Lewis & that he made an entertainment for them on that occasion - That her first child a daughter by the sd. Peter, was born while she lived with the sd. John Brooks, & who was named Elizabeth Ann - after which the sd. Peter [illegible] to keeping home by themselves, & lived by then as man and wife for nearly forty years. She further declares that she has now in her possession a copy of a discharge [illegible] husband Peter Lewis by his Excellency George Washington Commander in Chief. Certifying that he was entitled to the Provision of Congress of the 23d of April 1782, which sd. document [illegible] by the Comptroller of the State of Connecticut, is herewith surrendered for the proof of the services rendered the United States by the sd. Peter Lewis, she would respectfully refer to the documents already in the Office at Washington. The deponent further declares that she was afterwards married in sd. Thetford by the [illegible] in the latter part of September 1818 to Samuel Post, a colored man, and lived together as man and wife for Eighteen years; that the said Samuel Post died in said Thetford of a Consumption on the 11th day of December 1836 and that she has not since married, but that she still remains his widow - That she is the identical
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[handwritten]

Person that was married to the said Peter Lewis as set forth in this her Declaration and that at the time of her marriage she was called Patience Brooks, and with this her declaration and the documents accompanying the same, she would respectfully submit her case -
Patience her X mark Post
Sworn to and subscribed on this day and year first above written -
Before me Alanson Hamlin Judge

And the said court does hereby declare their opinion, after investigating the matter that the above name Patience Post, was the widow of Peter Lewis a Revolutionary Soldier and Pensioner of the United States as set forth in this Declaration -
Alanson Hamlin Judge

I Ira Sherman Clerk of the Court aforesaid do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of this application of the widow Patience Post for a Pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 28th day of August 1838
Ira Sherman Clerk

[large ink spot]
I certify that Ira Sherman is Clerk of said Court, & that his signature to the above Declaration with the seal of said Court thereto annexed is genuine. 
Alanson Hamlin Judge

State of Connecticut}
County of Fairfield} ss. Bridgeport August 28th 1838
I Ira Sherman Clerk of the Probate Court aforesaid hereby certify that David Brooks is a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and Qualified that his commission will expire in June 1839 and that his signatures to the Declaration of John Brooks, Dorothy Benjamin & other accompanying the within Declaration of Patience Post are genuine -
Given under my hand & seal of sd. Court this 28th day of August 1838 -
Ira Sherman C Clerk
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State of Connecticut
Fairfield County
SS. Stratford August 20 1838

I Lewis H Russell of the Town in the County and State afore said, do certify that I have carefully examined the records of said Town of Stratford of which I have the custody and do not find recorded therein the marriage of Peter Lewis, a colored man, to Patience Brooks (a colored woman)

I Lewis H Russell above named [illegible] and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the County, town and State aforesaid and that I do not find the marriage of the above named persons in the records of said Town.

Certified by me
Lewis H Russel
Clerk of the Town of Stratford aforesaid

Sworn and subscribed before me David Brooks Justice of Peace

I Certify that Lewis H Russell who signed the above Certificate is the Clerk of the Town of Stratford and a person of visibility
David Brooks Justice of Peace
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I hereby certify that there is no mention of the marriage of Peter Lewis a colored man to Patience Brooks (so called in the records of the Congregational Church of Stratford Connecticut there being no marriage recorded by the Pastor of said Church the Rev Izraiah Wetmore from the year 1755 to the year 1784

Stratford August 20th 1838
Frederich W Chapman, Pastor of the Congregation Church of Stratford

Sworn and subscribed before me David Brooks, Justice of Peace

I hereby certify that Frederich W. Chapman who signs the above certificate is a [illegible] 
David Brooks, Justice of Peace
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[handwritten]

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County} ss. Bridgeport Augt. 21 1838
Personally appeared before me David Brooks a Justice of the Peace and for Fairfield County & State aforesaid, John Brooks a resident of the town of Bridgeport and Fairfield County & State aforesaid, aged 74 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath testify and say, that he was well acquainted with Peter Lewis, a colored man (both of the town of Thetford in Sd. Fairfield County [?]). That the sd. Peter was a private in the Army of the Revolution & served the greater part of the Revolutionary War and was afterwards an Invalid Pensioner of the United States. That he also is well acquainted with Patience Post, a colored Woman, and a widow. That the said Patience was brought up in the family of John Brooks Esq both of sd. Thetford [?] & lived in the family for upwards of twenty years & that she went by the name of Patience Brooks. That in the Fall of the Year 1779 the said Peter Lewis, and Patience were married by the Revd. Azariah Wetmore then Pastor of the Congregational Church in said Thetford, and that he well remembers, that his father made an entertainment for them on that occasion, that the said Patience continued to live in his fathers house for some years after her marriage, & that her first child, by the Sd Peter Lewis, was born in his fathers house, - That afterwards the sd. Peter & Patience kept house by themselves & lived together as man & wife for about forty years, and had eight children born unto them. That the sd. Peter Lewis died in sd. Thetford of a Consumption in the year 1817 and that his Widow afterwards married Samuel Post, a Colored Man who died in the year 1836 in Thetford - That the said Patience has not since married, but still remains his widow. This deponent further testifies that he resided in his father house in sd. Thetford untill [sic] he was 28 years of age, that he then came to live in the place he now occupies, which was formerly a part of the town of sd. Thetford, but now in the town of Bridgeport - That he has been well acquainted with the sd. Peter Lewis, now decd. and Patience Post, from his [?] up, & knows that the said Patience Post now the widow of Samuel Post decd. is the Identical person that was married to the said Peter Lewis as set forth in this deposition - John Brooks [signature]

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County} Bridgeport August 21 1838}
Personally appeared John Brooks who signed the above Declaration and made Oath to the truth of the same - Before Me David Brooks Justice of Peace
I Certify that John Brooks who signed the above Deposition in my presence, is a person of credibility whose testimony is entitled to full credit -
David Brooks Justice of Peace
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[handwritten]

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County} ss. Thetford August 21st 1838
Personally appeared before Mr David Brooks a Justice of the Peace in and for Fairfield County & State aforesaid Dorothy Benjamin a resident of said town of Thetford aged 70 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath testify & say that she well knew Peter Lewis a Colored Man late of sd. Thetford decd. That he was a private soldier in the Revolutionary War and an Invalid Pensioner of the United States, that previous to the termination of the Revolutionary War & while he was in the Service of his Country, the said Peter Lewis was married to Patience, a Colored Woman, then being with this deponents father (John Brooks Esq. late of sd. Thetford decd.) That Patience came to live in her fathers family when a child, & lived in sd. family, for upwards of twenty years, and that she went by the name of Patience Brooks - That the said Peter and Patience, were married the fall of the year 1779 by the Revd. Azariah Wetmore then pastor of the Congregational Church in sd. Thetford, and that her father made an entertainment for them on that occasion. That Patience continued to live in her father s family for some time after her marriage, and that her first child by the sd. Peter was born in her fathers house - after which she with her husband went to keeping house by themselves, & lived together as man and wife for about forty years, and had eight children born unto them - That the said Peter Lewis died in Thetford of a Consumption in the month of September 1817 - And that afterwards Patience his widow, was married to Samuel Post a colored man by the Revd. Ashbell Baldwin in the Fall of the Year 1818, & that they lived together as man & wife for about 18 years - That her second husband, the said Samuel Post died in Thetford, the latter part of the year 1836 - and that the said Patience is now living and still remains his widow - That this deponent is well acquainted with [?] the facts above stated, and knows that the said Patience now the widow of Samuel Post, to be the Identical person that was married to the said Peter Lewis a Revolutionary soldier as above stated - this deponent further testifies that she had often heard her husband A[?] Benjamin decd. (who was a Lieutenant and Adjutant in the Revolutionary Army) speak of the Bravery and Soldier like conduct of the sd. Peter Lewis, while in the Army of the Revolution, & that his name has become proverbed as Continental Peter - & that he went by that name to the day of his death - 
Dorothy Benjamin
Sworn and Subscribed Before me David Brooks Justice of Peace 
I certify that Dorothy Benjamin who subscribed the above deposition is a person of respectability & her testimony entitled to full credit -
David Brooks Justice of Peace
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[handwritten]

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County} ss. Thetford August 20th 1838
I hereby certify that I have been in the habit of keeping a Record of all the deaths that occurred in said town of Thetford for thirty years last past and that I find therein recorded the death of Peter Lewis a colored man who died by Consumption September 24th 1817
Phebe Carter
Sworn and subscribed Before Me}
David Brooks Justice of Peace}

I certify that Phebe Carter who signed the above certificate & made oath to the same in my presence is a person of respectability & whose testimony can be relied upon -
David Brooks Justice of Peace
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[handwritten]

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County} ss. Thetford August 20th 1838
I hereby Certify that it appears from the Records of Christ Church in the town of Thetford, County of Fairfield & State aforesaid, of which I have the Custody - That Peter Lewis and Patience his Wife, Free Negroes, had the following number of these children Baptized on the 19th day of August 1792 - by the Revd. James Sayer then Pastor of said Church Viz: -
Elizabeth Ann about 12 years old
John Peter about 9 years old
Elizabeth about 8 years old
Hezekiah about 6 years old
Zalmon 3 years 
Myra 8 months
The above is a true extract from the Records of sd. Church as Certified By Me
George C. Shepard, Rector of Christ Church
Subscribed and sworn Before Me David Brooks Justice of Peace}
I Certify that George C Shepard who signed the above Certified in my presence is a Credible Witness -
David Brooks Justice of Peace
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[handwritten]

On this 27th day of August 1838 personally appeared before me David Brooks a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut Albert B. Curtis, a resident of the town of Thetford in Sd. Fairfield County & State aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his Oath depose and say that he well knew Saml. Post a colored Man late of sd. Thetford decd. and also that he knows Patience Post his Widow, and has ever known her from a child, and that the sd. Samuel Post and Patience Lewis, wo was the Widow of Peter Lewis a Revolutionary Soldier & Pensioner of the United States were married by the Revd. Ashbell Baldwin in sd. Thetford on or about the 1st day of October 1818. That he was present at this marriage, and knows that the sd. Patience Post is the Identical person formerly the wife of Peter Lewis, [?]
Albert B Curtis
Sworn and Subscribed before me David Brooks Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County} ss. Thetford August 27 1838
Personally appeared the above named Albert B. Curtis who signed the above deposition & made oath to the same whereof
I Certify to be a credible Witness
David Brooks Justice of Peace
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[handwritten]

On this 27th day of August 1838, Personally appeared before me David Brooks a Justice of the Peace in & for Fairfield County & State of Connecticut John C. Fairchild a resident of the town of Thetford in sd. Fairfield County & state aforesaid aged 33 years and made oath in due form of Law that he well knew Samuel Post a Colored Man late of sd. Thetford decd. & that he also well knows Patience Post, his widow, and that the sd. Samuel Post and Patience Lewis, then the widow of Peter Lewis, were married in the latter part of the month of September or First of October 1818, by the Revd. Ashbell Baldwin; that he was present when they were married, but cannot recollect the precise day but knows it to be early in the Fall of 1818 -
John C Fairchild
Sworn and Subscribed before me
David Brooks Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County} ss.} Thetford August 27 1838
I Certify that John C. Fairchild who signed the above deposition is a person well known to me & is a credible witness -
David Brooks Justice of Peace
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[handwritten]

On this 27th day of August 1838 Personally appeared Ned Birdseye a resident of the town of Thetford in Fairfield County & State of Connecticut Aged 47 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath testify and say that he well knew Samuel Post late of sd. Thetford decd. & also knows Patience Post his Widow and that the sd. Patience Post was the Widow of Peter Lewis a Revolutionary Soldier late of sd. Thetford decd. That the said Samuel Post and Patience Lewis were married, by the Revd. Ashbell Baldwin on or about the 1st of October 1818. That he was at the wedding & saw the ceremony performed & that he knows the sd. Patience is now living and still remains his Widow. And also that he well knows the said Patience to be the same person that was formerly the Wife of Peter Lewis late of sd. Thetford decd. who was a Revolutionary Soldier & Pensioner of the United States -
Ned Birdseye [signature]
Sworn and Subscribed Before Me} David Brooks Justice of Peace
S
State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County} ss. Thetford August 27 1838
I Certify that Ned Birdseye who signed the above deposition is well known to me & is a credible witness -
David Brooks Justice of Peace
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[handwritten]

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County} ss. Thetford August 20 1838
I John Goulding of the town of Thetford aforesaid Certify that I have kept a record of the deaths that have occurred in sd. town of Thetford for the last seven years and that I find recorded therein the death of Samuel Post a Colored Man who died in sd. town of Thetford December 11th 1838 of Consumption that [?] attacked him in his last sickness as his Physician -
John Goulding
Sworn before me}
David Brooks Justice of Peace}

I Certify that John Goulding who subscribed the above certificate in my presence is a practicing Physician in the town of Thetford & has been for a number of years past, & that he is credible witness
David Brooks Justice of Peace
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                                                 Feb. 17, 1917.

Mr. Harry Taylor,
2507 Palmyra St.
New Orleans, La.

Sir:
      In reply to your letter of the 5" instant, you are advised, that the records of this Bureau show that Peter Lewis, a colored man, served as a Private in Capt. Granger's Co. Col. Webb's Regt. from Conn. and was discharged from the Corps of Invalids on Sept. 15, 1782, on account of consumption. There are no further details given as to his service.  He was allowed pension on account of said disease from Sept. 16, 1782.

     He married at Stratford, Fairfield Co. Conn. in the fall of 1779, Patience Brooks, a colored woman and he died there Sept. 24, 1817.  She married at Stratford, Conn. late in Sept. 1818, Samuel Rost, a colored man, said he died at that place, Dec. 11, 1836.  She was allowed pension as the former widow of Peter Lewis, on her application executed Aug. 8, 1838, at which time she lived in Stratford, Conn. was eighty-one years old and stated that she and Peter Lewis had eight children, all then dead, except Elizabeth who lived in Boston, Mass. and Myra who lived in Springfield, Mass.  She also stated that six of their children were baptized in Stratford on Aug. 19, 1798, namely: Elizabeth Ann then twelve, John Peter nine years, Elizabeth eight years, Hezekiah six years, Zalmon three years and Myra eight weeks old and that their other children George and Julia were born after that date. 

                 Very respectfully,
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[handwritten]

Thetford Ct.}
Oct 24}
Free
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of [Pensions]
Washing[ton]

[written vertically]
1037 64
31 Aug
Act 1836
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[handwritten]

Hon J. L. Edwards
Hartford Ct. Oct. 24th 1838
D Sir, 
I am sensible that I ought to apologize for the liberty I take, in making the enquiry whether there has been any decision had, in the case of Patience Poste application for a pension on the ground of services rendered by her first husband Peter Lewis [underlined] - In exam for so doing, I would remark that she has heretofore been supported in part by the Town & it is the [?] of the Select men to provide for the support of the poor for the ensuing fear in the [?] of the next month, should her claim be such as to entitle her to a pension she would be enabled to provide for herself more comfortably than she would be perhaps by the Town - [?] to the part set forth in her declaration there is no doubt -
I am Sir very Respectfully
Your Ob Serv -
David Brooks
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[handwritten]

3764
Aug 31
Ct
4 July 1836 &
Jonit Reso
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[handwritten]

Thetford Ct. August 28, 1838
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Sir, 
Enclosed is the declaration of Patience Post Claiming a Pension, & is the [illegible] wrote you on the 2 [illegible] movement relative to her claim, and also herewith forwarded. I am [illegible] that I am personally acquainted with the facts set forth in this case which if they are such as to establish this claim [illegible] please forward her certificate to this office to me -
[illegible] Sir very Respectfully Yours
[illegible]
David Brooks
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New Orleans, La
Feb 5th 1917

Gentlemen-
Kindly let me know if you have any further record of Peter Lewis of Stamford Conn. who served during The Revolutionary War than that I have. That he enlisted May 7th year not stated, That he was a member of Samuel Granger's Co. 2nd Conn. Regiment, commanded by Col. Charles Webb. Was transferred to Capt. Alden's Co. 3rd Conn. Regiment. Was transferred to the Invalid Corps June 1st 1782. And oblige
Yours Truly,
Harry Taylor
His Great Grand Son
2507 Palmyra St
N. O. La.
Page 24

STRATFORD 16 MAR
Q.W.&N. DIVISION
MAR 21 1901

POSTAL CARD  ONE CENT.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
THIS SIDE IS FOR THE ADDRESS ONLY

 Pensions Department
Washington D C
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In the Pension list of 1840 Conn - County of Fairfield - Town of Stratford is Patience Lewis aged 89 years - therefore being born 1751 - On what statement of service was her pension obtained? Please send a pension statement to 
Mrs. David B Bunnell
Stratford Conn
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[printed form with handwriting]

Rev
WIDOW, &C.
File No. 17463
Patience Post
Former Widow of Peter Lewis
Pri Rev War
Act: July 4th 36
Index: - Vol. M, Page 137
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Apl 2 1901
Mr. David B Bunnell
Stratford Conn

1917 Feb. 17. Heist to Harry Taylor au.