Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6830, for Peter Maguira, Connecticut
Page 1

[printed card with handwriting]

SERVICE
Conn.
Maguira, Peter
or Magira
or McGuire
Ruth
NUMBER
R. 6830
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[printed form with handwriting]

Dead. See letter 28 Sept. 1829 to S. H. Parsons. do. to E Parsons 12 April 1830.
Notification sent to Thomas Chester Esqr 20 October 1820 Hartford Connecticut
Connecticut Roll.
File 47.478 
2080
Died 1827
Peter Maguira, 
Colo Sherman
Private
Connecticut line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 8 Dollars per month to commence on the 31. of March 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6. of Aug. 1818, and sent to C. Goddard, Esqr. Chelsea Landing, Conn.
Arrearages to 4. Sept. 1818. 
5 mo 1/31
4/30. $41.3[?]
{Revolutionary claims, Act 18th March, 1818,}
Continued
Colchester, New London
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[handwritten]

Connecticut
Peter Maguira
March 31. 1818
not on roles
See remarks in the case of [illegible lined out] Isaac Fox
war Dept
Pens. Office
21 May 1818
Admitted
.so
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[handwritten]

X To Calvin Goddard Esqr. one of the Judges of the Superior Court, in the State of Connecticut
The Petition of Peter Maguira, a resident Citizen of the United States, now in the Town of Colchester, New London County in said State - showeth, that he served more than nine months in the War of the Revolution, upon the Continental Establishment, as a private Soldier - That he is by reason of his reduced circumstances in life, in need of assistance from his Country for his support - that he hereby relinquishes all claim to any pension under any law of the United States excepting under "an act entitled an act to provide for certain Persons engaged in the Land & Naval Service of the United States, and to substantiate his claim to a pension under that act, he makes this application - Dated at Colchester this 31st Day of March AD 1818 -
Peter his X mark Maguira ['x' placed between names]

State of Connecticut,
New London County ss. -
Be it remembered, that on the 3rd day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred & eighteen, before me Calvin Goddard, one of the Judges of the Superior Court in the State of Connecticut, personally came Peter Maguira aforesaid, and made oath to the truth of the following declaration by him subscribed ri - That he enlisted into the Army of the United States in the War of the revolution upon the Continental Establishment, some time in the year 1780 for the term of three years - and that he faithfully served
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[handwritten]

the time for which he enlisted in the Highlands, at Westpoint [sic] , Fishkill, Peekskill, White plains & that he was in a Company commanded by Captain Benton, in the 5th Connecticut Regiment commanded by Colo. Isaac Sherman, and at the expiration of said three years, he was honourably discharged from said service - that he has never received any Pension under any law, and that he by reason of his reduced circumstances in life in need of assistance for ^[insert] his support from his Country
Sworn & subscribed before me the day & year aforesaid
Peter his X mark Maguira ['x' between first and last name]
Calvin Goddard Judge of Supr Ct

I John R Watsons, on oath, declare that I knew the above named Peter Maguira in the Revolutionary War, and verily believe that he served according to his deposition
John R Watsons
Sworn before Calvin Goddard Judge
I certify that the above named Peter Maguira is in indigent circumstances
Calvin Goddard
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[handwritten]

I Calvin Goddard Judge &c as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Peter Maguira did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy & I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me to the Secretary of the Department of War pursuant to the direction of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Dated at Norwich - Connecticut 31st March AD 1818
Calvin Goddard a Judge of Supr Ct
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[handwritten]

State of Connecticut}
County of Hartford} ss -
Personally appeared Edward G. McGuire, otherwise called "Magira" and being duly sworn declares that he is one of the children & heirs of Peter McGuire & Ruth McGuire otherwise called "Magira" - The said Peter having been a Revolutionary Pensioner at the time of his death, and the said Ruth as his widow having applied for a pension in her lifetime - that the said Ruth died March 1 1849 and while said application was pending -
And the said Edward McGuire alias Magira hereby constitutes and appoints F. E. Hassler Esqr of Washington D. C. his true & lawful attorney to examine the application of said Ruth & the papers filed in support thereof in the Pension office at Hartford, and also any application or papers which may have been filed by the heirs of said Ruth; and I do also authorize & empower him the said Hassler to prosecute the claim of the heirs of said Ruth for any pension or arrears of pension which may be due to us, or which may have been due to the said Ruth at the time of her decease - hereby revoking all former powers given to any person for the purposes aforesaid Witness my hand & seal this 13 May 1854
Edward G. McGuire [signature]
Subscribed sworn & acknowledged before me the day & year above written
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand & notarial seal at Hartford this 13th May 1834
Herman H Barbour Notary Public
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[handwritten]

Revolutionary
Power of Attorney
Case of 
Ruth Magira (or McGuire)
Connecticut Suspended.
Act 1838
Filed 15 May 1854
F. E. Hassler
Washington
Page 9

[handwritten]

I Emiline Maguira of the City of Hartford in the State of Connecticut do certify & say I am the daughter of Ruth Maguira the widow of my father Peter Maguira late of Hartford dec'd [deceased] who previous to his death was a pensioner of the roll of the Connecticut agency
I know that my mother was an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress of July 7 1838 and that she is now alive & resident of New Haven [underlined] in S'd [said] State of Connecticut and has remained unmarried since the death of my later father Peter Maguira. She is poor & unable to support herself & stands in need of a pension - I had a letter a few days ago ^[insert] from my sister in New Haven stating that my mother the said Ruth Maguira was well & residing with family in New Haven. 
Emeline Maguira [signature]
Hartford April 4. 1843.

State of Connecticut}
County of Hartford} &c. Hartford -
On this 4 day of April 1843 personally appeared the above named Emeline Maguira a credible person & made oath to the truth of the certificate signed by her - Before Samuel H. Parsons
Justice of the peace.
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[handwritten]

Isham the Justice who married these [illegible] in Commission at the time the marriage was [lined out] made [illegible]
[line]
The above endorsement made by Commissioner Waldo who was from Tolland County Con't (in 1853 & 1854)

Ruth Maguira Wid [widow] of Peter
Conn
Act July 7 1838
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[handwritten]

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th July 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.
[line]
State of Connecticut}
County of Hartford} ss Hartford
On this 8th day of October 1838, personally appeared before the Probate Court of the District of Hartford Ruth Maguira a resident of Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged Sixty four 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 7th 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" that she is the widow of Peter Maguira who was a private soldier in the Connecticut line of the Continental Army and a pensioner of the United States on the roll of the Connecticut Agency under the Act of March 18. 1818
She further declares that she was married to the s'd [said] Peter Maguira on the tenth day of November Seventeen hundred and ninety three at Colchester by a Justice of the Peace by the
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[handwritten]

name of John Isham who died many years ago but has left no record of the fact: She is therefore compelled to resort to the testimony of respectable persons who knew the fact especially to the testimony of an old ^[insert] widow lady now living at Marlborough who lived in the same place ^[insert] & was present when the ^[insert] s'd [said] Ruth was married & at that time had a child about a month old - Her name is Lemman Brine -
The said Ruth Maguira further declares that her husband the said Peter Maguira died at s'd [said] Hartford about the 10th day of April 1829 - & that he lived in Marlbrough about 23 years before he moved to Hartford - the amount of pension to March 4 1827 was paid to her s'd [said] husband, but the balance from that time to the day of his death was paid to the present applicant. 
She also declares that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January 1794 - viz. at the time above states.
[illegible] and Subscribed on the day & year above [illegible] In testimony whereof} 
Ruth Maguira [signature] 
I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Probate Court & Subscribed my name this 8th day of October 1838 - Seth Terry Judge
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[handwritten]

I Tamir Hathaway aged Sixty two years, a resident in Hartford, County of Hartford & State of Connecticut depose & say, That I am the sister of Ruth Maguira who is the lawful widow of Peter Maguira late a pensioner of the United States & who died at the house of Titus Thomas in Hartford in April 1827 or possibly 1828. I was present when he died & saw him after his death & attended his funeral & know that my said Sister has not since married but remains the widow of s'd [said] Peter Maguira - 
I further testify that said Peter was married to my said Sister, at Colchester on the 10th day of November 1793 by John Isham Esq'r who was then living & a Justice of the peace, at the House of Rodney Glasco a coloured person, then living in said Colchester, but has been dead many years ago.
I was invited to the wedding but Mr. Young of Tolland with whom I lived at the time & was bound in service to him until I should be 18 years old would not let me go, his wife being then sick . . & I so informed Titus Thomas when he came for me. - but I well remember that it was in November or Fall of 1793. . & that I had a years service to perform (being at the time only 17 years old) under my indentures. . Mr. Young & his wife died many years ago.
I visited my Sister a few weeks after her said marriage in s'd [said] Colchester, being about 10 or 12 miles distant from Tolland
I did not see them married, but I always understood & believed they were married as beforementioned -& further the deponent saith not. -
Dated at Hartford this 11th day of October 1838.
Tamar Hathaway [signature]
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[handwritten]

State of Connecticut}
Hartford County} ss. October 11th 1838.
Then & there personally appeared Mrs. Tamir Hathaway of said Hartford, the signer of the within deposition, & to me well known to be a credible person, . . & made oath to the truth of the facts therein contained
Before me Wm Hayden Justice of the peace
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[handwritten]

I Titus Thomas, aged Sixty four years, a resident in Hartford, County of Hartford & State of Connecticut, .. depose & say, 
that in the year 1793 & several years before & after that period, I was well acquainted with Ruth Quashy & Peter Maguira ... & I know they were married by Esq'r John Isham of Colchester late in the Fall of 1793... I frequently visited them after their marriage... at Marlborough where they lived after removing from Colchester. -
Mr Maguira died in the Spring of 1827 or 1828 & was then a pensioner of the U. States..
I was invited to their wedding, & was to wait on her sister Tamer, .. who then lived with Mr. Young in Tolland near Colchester, .. but as she could not go, .. I concluded not to go myself [underlined] & therefore, was not present at the wedding.. but I always understood they were married at the time & place above stated & I never heard a doubt upon the subject, expressed by anybody. -
I have known Mrs Ruth Maguira ever since the death of her said husband ^[insert] which occured [sic] at my house in s'd [said] Hartford she sustains a good character, - now resides in Hartford - & has not married since the death of her s'd [said] husband but remains his lawful widow. -
Dated at Hartford this 9th day of October 1838 -
Titus Thomas [signature]
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[handwritten]

State of Connecticut}
Hartford County} ss: .. October 9th 1838 -
Then & there personally appeared Titus Thomas of s'd [said] Hartford, the signer of the within deposition. . . & to me well known to be a reputable & credible person, & made oath to the truth of the facts therein contained
Before Me
Wm Hayden Justise [sic] of Peace
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[printed form with handwriting]

I, ROYAL R. HINMAN, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
THAT William Hayden Esqr is and for more than ten months last past, has been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Hartford - in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds and to certify the same; also to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said Hayden in Court and Country.
In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the nineteenth - day of June - in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and 39 - And I certify that the signature of said Hayden hereunto annexed is genuine.
R R Hinman [signature] Secretary.
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[handwritten]

Peter Mag^[insert] uira
2080
Sept 1818
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[printed form with handwriting]

STATE OF CONNECTICUT, County of HARTFORD, ss. Special County Court, or Court of Common Pleas, holden by order of the Chief Judge of said Court, on the first Tuesday of August, 1820.
ON this 1st day of August, 1820, personally appeared in open Court, the same Court being a Court of record for said County, having the power of fine and imprisonment, Peter Magira aged 74 years, resident in the town of Marlborough in the County of [lined out] Hartford County who being first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows: viz in the 5th regt under the command of Colo Sherman & in the company commanded by Capt Benton that he inlisted [sic] for three years & served his full term of inlistment [sic] & that his original declaration was made on the 31st day of March 1818 & that his former pension certificate is numbered 2080
"And I do solemnly swear, [blank] that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any ^[insert] other person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule here ^[insert] in to annexed, and by me subscribed."
22 acres land @ $7 per acre - $154
1 cow - 12
2 swine - 5
1 pot - 0.75
1 dish kettle - 1
crockery - 1
old tub pails chairs 4 table - 1.25
shovel & tongs andirons - 1
ax scythe & hoe - 1.50
whole amount of property $177.50
The following is a list of debts due from the subscriber to sundry persons to wit
[column 1]
To John Richmond $25.13 Amount lent up - 99.19
" David Buell &c. 13.50 
"John Sherman - 4 
" Russell Bigelow - 8 
" Abner Bigelow -0.92 
" Gersham Law - 4.25 
" Belsey Bigelow - 3.34 
" Lazarus Watsons - 1 
" Ormal Bigelow - 3
" Elijah Williams - 17.35 
" Betsey Gascon - 1.70
" Henry Strong - 9.50
" Stephen Bigelow - 7.
" Samuel Loomis - 40 [underlined]
99.09
[column 2]
due Roger Fivle - 8.66
David Skinner - 62
Enus Brown - 1.
Elisha Law - 0.75
W B Bowman &c. 15.57
Oliver Lord 8.49
Ishmael Maguira 69.80 [underlined]
$204.08
whole amount of debt due -
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[handwritten and printed]

My occupation is that of a farmer & am wholly unable to labor in consequence of losing the use of both hands together with other infirmities of old age my family consists of eight 6 of which are children the oldest 14 years second 12 third 9 fourth 6 the two youngest are twins aged 2 years Ruth Maguira my wife is 40 years of age - my land which I have set forth in my schedule is poor & unproductive & previous  to receiving my pension I suffered generally of being wholly unable to labor & supported myself & my large family almost entirely by begging & if my pension ceases I shall be obliged to throw myself & family on the town
Marlborough Augt 2nd 1820
Peter his X mark Maguira ['x' between first and last names]

Sworn to and declared by said Peter Maguira on the 2nd day of August, 1820, before said Court, and it is the opinion of said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is One hundred seventy seven dollars and fifty cents. 
I, Thomas Chester Clerk of the County Court or Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Hartford aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the record of said Court. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 26 day of August 1820
Th Chester
Clerk of the County Court or Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Hartford.
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[handwritten and printed form]

1882 Sept 8. A. [?] Hatheway - that no pension has been allowed to the widow or in due to her children - the widow dying without establishing her right to the same - sent circular refering [sic] to act April 2. 1862
1884 May 6 Mrs Emmeline Brewster that no arrears or pension can ^[insert] not [lined out] be paid the claim
Sent circular of law of April 2 1862
1887 Dec 10 D A Ricker Stating the law for widow's claim & that her death presented soon after her application from establishing the same or satisfactorily exploring conflicting statements (relating to marriage & commissioner Waldo's pencil endorsement that Isham was not a Justice of Peace at time of marriage)
Copy of letter inside that was sent 

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873. [lined out]
6830
Ruth Maguira
wid. Peter
REJECTED [ink stamp]
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[handwritten]

The deposition of Samuel Loomis of Colchester County of New London State of Connecticut is as follows viz / 
That I personally knew and was well acquainted with Peter Maguira of Colchester ^[insert] a Private Soldier who belonged to the 5th Connecticut Regt. Commanded by Colo Isaac Sherman in the Army of the Revolution I dont [sic] recollect the Company, as he was not int he same Regt. with me but was in the same Brigade, and knew him to have serv'd [served] against the Common enemy for more than two years before I receiv'd [received] my discharge, which was in June 1783 at which time I left the Army, and left him in service - I always consider'd [considered] the s'd [said] Peter a good faithful soldier and have not the least doubt but that he serv'd [served] his time out faithfully and receiv'd [received] an honuorable [honorable] discharge 
I now live near him and know him to be very poor and destitute and stand in need of assistance from his country for his support - Sam Loomis [signature]

New London County ss Colchester July 20th 1818
Personally appear'd [appeared] Sam'l [Samuel] Loomis signer of the foregoing deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same as therein states -
before - John Isham Jun [Junior] Justice of Peace
I certify that it is [?] that the above named Samuel Loomis is a credible person
Calvin Goddard
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[handwritten]

New London County ss
I certify that John Isham Jnr of Colchester in the County of New London, Esquire is, and for more than twelve months last past, hath been a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly appointed, and acting under the authority of the State of Connecticut, as appears by the original Commissions of the Justices of said County, now deposited in my office
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in Norwich in said County this 27th day of July A [D] 1818- and have affixed the Seal of the County Court for said New London County
Charles Lathrop Clerk of the County Court for New London County
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[handwritten]

I Joshua B Wheeler depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town of Colchester New London County and State of Connecticut, that I have held said office since the first day of October AD. 1838, that I have diligently examined the records & files of said Town of Colchester for the marriage of Peter Maguira & Ruth Quashey and have not been able to find such a record, and further that I have not found a register of birth that recognizes their relation of Husband and wife and I do further depose and say that the record of marriages prior [underlined] to the year 1800 is very irregular and imperfect
Joshua B. Wheeler [signature]
Colchester Sept. 5th 1839

State of Connecticut New London County ss Colchester Sept 5. AD 1839
Personally appeared Joshua B. Wheeler and made oath before me to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed -
Avery Morgan Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut}
New London County} ss I John DeWitt clerk of the County Court in and for said New London County do hereby Certify that Avery Morgan Esqr before whom the above the above [repetitive] certificate of Joshua B Wheeler was sworn was on s'd [said] 5th day of September 1839 & still is a Justice of the Peace for s'd [said] New London County & that his signature above written I believe genuine. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of s'd [said] County this 7th day September A D 1839 -
John DeWitt Clerk
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[handwritten]

The Deposition of Cesar Beeman of Colchester in the County of New London, State of Connecticut is as follows - viz
That I was a Soldier in the Army of ^[insert] the Revolution, and in the 5th Connecticut Regiment, commanded by Colo. Isaac Sherman - that I well knew Peter Maguira, who enlisted as a Soldier from the Town of Colchester aforesaid and joined the Army at the Highlands, on the North River, near West point, State of New York, in the month of April 1780, and that he served in said Regiment for three years - the last part of the time he was in a company ^[insert] with me commanded by Captain Elias Stilwell - and was honourably [honorably] discharged at West point - (according to my best recollection) in October 1783 - I am now acquainted with the said Peter Maguira -  and know him to be very poor and needy - and to stand in need of support from his Country -
Cesar his X mark Beeman ['x' between first and last names]
New London County ss Colchester July 20th 1818
Personally appeared Cesar Beaman signer of the foregoing deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same as therein states -
before - John Isham Jun [Jr] Justice of Peace
I certify that it is [?] to my satisfaction that the aforesaid Cesar Beaman is a credible person 
Calvin Goddard
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[handwritten]

Hartford. Conn. Nov 29th 1887
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Hon - Sir
By the earnest request of an old Lady living in this City, I adress [sic] you at this time - She claims to be the daughter of Peter Magugy [sic] a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution - and Says after her Fathers death - her Mother made application for Pension under the Administration of Franklin Pierce and said application was herd [sic] by the Pension Department - Pension was granted the necessary Papers were made and sent to her Mother granting her a Pension and further says the papers were lost or stolen before any payment was ever made
She seemed very sincere in the matter Her request is that you look the matter up and inform her through me Mrs June Addams She came with Emaline Maguiry Says She saw the papers and read
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[handwritten]

them She further says she wishes this to come under the head of an application for her Fathers Pension Which belongs to her 
I know nothing about this case any further than what the 2 old Ladys [sic] say, I told her if her statement was correct there must be a record of her mothers application for Pension in existence at the Department at Washington and if it should appear would show the truthfulness of her Statement My adress [sic] 215 Wethersfield Ave Hartford Conn
Very Respectfully Yours
Danville A. Ricker
[ink stamp] US PENSION OFFICE DEC 3 1887
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[handwritten]

R 6830
Hartford May 2. 1824
Mr Dudley,
I would Like to know if you can give me any information in regards to the Pension of Peter and Ruth Magira my father, Peter Magira Served in the Revolutionly [sic] war 
I have been told by several. I could get it as you know the facts of it I would Like to have you tell me what you think of it
Page 29

[handwritten]

it has been granted to my mother in President Perices [Pierce] time if I And my Heirs which is a Brother Can get it I would Like it as I am in need of it I Paid Mr Hathaway 10 Dollars to see about it almost a year a go [sic]. but I have heard nothing from it. now I would Like to have you inform me as soon as Possible whether I can get it or not.
Very Refuly [respectfully]
Mrs Emeline Brewster
No 83. Green St
Hartford CT
Page 30

[handwritten]

rec'd Augt 30 1882
answered Sept 8 1832

Harford Connecticut Aug 29 1882
Hon Commissioner of U. S. Pensions
Dear Sir
Ruth McGira Widow of Peter McGira of Colchester in this State - a Soldier of the Revolution more than 25 years ago was granted a pension from the United States She died however before the Certificate for the same reached her. Mrs Emiline McGira (married name Brewster) daughter of said Peter and Ruth desires to make application for the pension due her as heir at law
May hers be sent to me [underlined] the proper flank [underlined] & instructions [underlined] for that purpose. I have reason to believe [underlined] that some relative of said Soldier - not next of kin [underlined] without making said Emiline a party has made application for said pension & that it is now pending
Very respectfully
Albert Hatheway
Attorney for Emiline McGira - Brewster
Page 31

[handwritten]

Town Clerks Office ss}
Colchester Conn May 25 1843}
I have examined the records in this office and find no mention of the marriage of Mr. Peter Maguira and Miss Ruth Quashy I have also made inquiries of some of our oldest citizens and have found no evidence of their marriage. I find that a man by that name once lived in town. Should I find evidence of their marriage I will forward it to the Pension Office.
Very Respectfully &c
A. R. Park
Town Clerk
To J. L. Edwards Esq}
Washington D. C.}
Page 32

[handwritten]

Feb. 13. 1840
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of pensions
Washington
Page 33

[handwritten]

Hartford February 8th. 1840.
Sir,
In reply to your letter of 17th September last, I herewith enclose the affidavit of Titus Thomas, by which it appears that no reliance whatever can be placed upon the Statement of Peter Maguira in 1820, that his wife Ruth Maguira was then only 40 years old, in as much as he was totally ignorant of numbers & did not know his own age nor the age of his children.
Thomas (the affiant) is an intelligent person, reads & writes well - and, as appears by the accompanying certificate from very respectable persons sustains an excellent character.
He swears that he is 64 years old, and that Ruth Maguira (the present applicant for a pension) is older than himself - that he has known her from the age of ten years, having resided within 4 miles of her fathers residence until after her marriage - and distinctly recollects the period from the circumstance of inviting her sister to attend the wedding. It is also to be presumed that Ruth must have been more than 13 years old at the time of her marriage as she was then [underlined] the mother [underlined] of an illegitimate [underlined] child.
Although the absence of record evidence of marriage may in some cases raise a pre-
Page 34

[handwritten]

[pre]sumption against applications under this law yet in the case of Negroes [underlined] who were married and unmarried without much ceremony [underlined], it cannot be supposed that the parties would be very particular in causing a record of the fact to be made - more especially in this case, where the husband was an ignorant African who could not have appreciated its importance nor have anticipated that it's Omission would at some future period, deprive his beloved Spouse of the benefit of his Services as a Soldier of the revolution.
The applicant being very poor & unable to incur much expence [sic] in looking up further testimony, and the witnesses already adduced being certified to be respectable. I hope she may soon receive the pension to which she is most undoubtedly entitled.
Very Respectfully
Yr. Ob. St. [your obedient servant]
Samuel H. Parsons

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington.
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[handwritten]

P. S. On the 7th of last December I enclosed to you an application for a pension in favor of Eunice Kilbourn the widow of Simon Kilbourn dec'd [deceased] a pensioner under act of June 7 1832. and have not yet rec'd [received] a certificate.
Res'y [respectfully] &c SHP [Samuel H Parsons]
Page 36

[handwritten]

Hartford Ct June 29th 1839
Sir,
I herewith return the papers of Ruth Maguira, an applicant for a pension under the act of July 7 1838 -
The official character & signature of the magistrate is certified by the proper officer -
Peter Maguira was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 & was married to the present applicant on the 10th of November 1793, as appears from the affidavits of Tamar Hathaway & Titus Thomas whose credibility is certified by the magistrate.
It is hoped the accompanying evidence will be deemed satisfactory, as it is out of the power of the applicant to obtain further proof-.
Very respectfully
I am Sir yobst [your obedient servant]
Samuel H. Parsons
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of pensions
Washington
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[handwritten]

Sir
Yours of the 29th was received requesting on behalf of a daughter of Peter Maguira ^[insert] who was a Revolutionary Soldier from Cont. information relative to an application for a pension by her mother the widow of said Soldier
While the acts of Congress have provided for the payments of Pensions to Revy Soldiers ^[insert] to his surviving widow during their respective live [sic] time, there is no provision in those laws for the reversion of a pension ^[insert] to be paid to their children, Even if both the Soldier & his widow, or either of them, was entitled, but failed to establish their title to one pension in their lifetimes their [sic] is no law existing which will ^[insert] give to their children or other heirs, the right to claim the same after their decease
It was a number of years after Peter Magure death before a law was passed granting pension to the widows of Revolutionary Soldiers, & before Ruth his widow filed her applicate [sic], but her decease soon after it was filed [lined out] prevented her ^[insert] from establishing her Claim or to satisfactorily explain the conflicting statements ^[insert] there in -
^[insert] Well known attorney Isham who claim for pension to ^[insert] [?] of her is due to [?] which the child or heir are entitled well
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[handwritten]

[ink stamp] 
US PENSION OFFICE
MAR 27 1888

[ink stamp]
US O. W. & N.
MAR 29 1888
RECEIVED

R files 6830
Ruth Maguire
file this in the case [underlined]
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[handwritten]

establishing her claim, or satisfactorily explaining the conflicting statements in the papers -
Two attorneys in this city, were authorized to examine and prosecute the claim, but it appears that after they made the examination, the further prosecution was abandoned -
The children, or other heirs, are not entitled to pension, or arrears of pension, either in their own right, or as heirs of the Soldier, or of his widow - 
Very respectfully
Wm E. McLean
actg [acting] Commissioner

Mr Danville A Ricker
215 Wethersfield Ave
Hartford, Conn
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Old War Dev.
J. N. B. Ex'r.
Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Return this letter with your reply.
Washington, D. C. December 12th, 1887
Sir,
Your communication of the 29th is received requesting in behalf of a daughter of Peter Maguira who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution from Connecticut, information relative to an application for a pension, by her mother, the widow of said soldier ~
While the acts of Congress, provided for the payment of a pension to a Revolutionary soldier, and to his surviving widow, during their respective life-time, there is no provision in those laws for the benefit of their children -
Even if both the soldier, and his widow, or either of them was entitled to a pension, but neglected, or failed to establish their title to it in their life-time, there is no law existing which will give to their children, or other heirs, the right to claim the same after their decease -
It was a number of years after the death of Peter Maguira, before a law was passed granting pensions to the widows of Revolutionary Soldiers, and before Ruth, his widow, filed her application, but her decease very soon after, prevented her from
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Hartford, Conn, March, 20th, 1888
To the Hon Commissioner of Pensions 
Sir, allow me to say, In answer to the within communication I am not surprised at the result, for I was aware the manner in which business was done in Washington the mistake would fall upon her own head, yet so positive as she was after being questioned I [?] to write the Department, and find out the facts of her case Mrs. Addams is being positive that the Law those papers but Miss Maguire I said nothing to her, as she is very much out of Health
The only Point in this ^[insert] 'case' is I am sorry I took any notice of them at all - And I hope you will pardon me, 
Respectfully yours
Danville A. Ricker

[ink stamp]
US PENSION OFFICE
MAR 27 1888

[ink stamp]
US O. W. & N.
MAR 29 1888
RECEIVED
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[handwritten]

2711
See V Circular to Town clerk of Colchester ct. Aug 26 39
to Sam'l H. Parsons, 17th Sep. '39 ~ same ~ May 2nd '40
Let to D & S & Sylvester May 3rd 1843
" " " ' " July 24 "
F. E. Hassler May 18, 1854
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Hartford January 13th 1840
We the subscribers do hereby certify that for several years past we have been acquainted with Titus Thomas, a Coloured man, living in this Town, and believed that he sustains the character of an honest man & that full confidence can be placed in his statements.
Wm. Hayden
Thos Roberts
Nathan Johnson

I Titus Thomas of Hartford within State of Connecticut do testify and say that I was born in Tolland in said State in the year 1776, being now sixty four [underlined] years old - I removed to Willington at the age of five years & lived there until [?] 1800 when I removed to Hartford where I have resided from that period - 
When I resided in Willington I became acquainted with a Ruth Quashy who afterwards married one Peter Maguira an African. -I have known her since the age of ten years she lived about four miles from my fathers residence when I lived in Willington until November 1793 when she married Peter Maguira and removed to Colchester the residence of her husband - who was a slave before the war.
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She was married in Colchester in November 1793 - & was older than myself. I think at least two years - & had a son born before her marriage, a mulatto - by the name of Lucius Evans - I recollect the time of the Wedding distinctly, as I called upon her sister Tamar Hathaway, to go to the Wedding, but her mistress being sick she could ^[insert] not attend - Tamra now lives in New Haven & is the wife of Cyrus Hathaway - She was younger than Ruth - Peter Maguira was born in Africa & never learnt to read nor write - he could not count & was ignorant of figures & knew not his own age - nor the age of his wife - being totally ignorant of the meaning of figures or numbers - & neither could he speak the English language So as to be understood except by those well acquainted with him - I have often tried to learn him to count, but he could never repeat over ten - he called himself 100 years old sometimes 10 years & less - He was many years older than his wife when he was married. He could not tell the ages of his children - but would answer yes to any number that was told him. being a very old & ignorant African - no reliance could be placed upon his statements, in relation to numbers & the ages of his wife or children or his own age - He was a soldier in the revolutionary war & afterwards obtained a pension - & died several years ago in Hartford at my house - His wife drew the balance of pension to the time of his death -
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and is now an applicant for a pension under the act of 1836 - 
As to my character for veracity I can refer to several gentlemen in Hartford where I have lived nearly 40 years among them I would name Colonel Thomas Roberts & Generals William Hayden & Nathan Johnson whose names are signed to the preceding certificate - as to the character & standing of these Gentlemen I would refer to other of the members of Congress from Connecticut - & to Senator Smith or to the governer [sic] of the State of Connecticut - 
Sworn to & subscribed this 7th day of February 1840}
Titus Thomas
Before me Samuel H. Parsons
Notary Public
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[handwritten]

Ruth Maguire
Widow of Peter
Rev. Cl - Con't
P. A. by Edward Maguire (Son)
L. B. True
Attorney &c
Washington D. C.
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[handwritten]

susp'd [suspended] for proof of marriage from some private record no public one to be found.
p. 91 - Con 38
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[POWER OF ATTORNEY.]
Know all men by these presents, That I Edward Maguire of Connecticut, forward in consideration of [lined out], one of the heirs of Ruth Maguire deceased who was widow of Peter Maguire ^[insert] a Revolutionary soldier do hereby make, constitute, and appoint, L. BLANCHARD TRUE, of Washington City, D. C., true and lawful Attorney, for me and in my name, to examine all papers filed in any Department or Office of Government, upon which a Pension was granted to Peter Maguire on account of the services of said Peter - & the application of said Ruth as the widow of said Peter for a pension, which is now suspended and to obtain, by all lawful means, any and all additional amounts that may be due from the United States to said Peter, or said Ruth, by virtue of said services, as private in the company of Capt. Wentworth Stewart Company in the Regiment of Col. Edward Phinney and in the Mass'ts [Massachusetts]Continental line of the forces of said State in Rev. War. And for good and sufficient reasons I do hereby REVOKE and CANCEL any and all other Powers of Attorney and authority which I may at any former time have given to any person or persons for the above specified purposes; and I do hereby vest the same irrevocably in My said Attorney herein appointed, said L. Blanchard True.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventh day of April, in the year A. D. 1854
H H Barborn
Edward Magura
[printed boxes where seal would be placed]

State of Connecticut}
County of Hartford} ss.
On this seventh day of April in the year A. D. 1854 personally appeared before me a notary public within & for s'd [said] county duly authorized by law to administer oaths and take acknowledgments in and for the county aforesaid Edward Maguire subscriber to the above, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his free act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned; and made oath, in due form of law, that he is personally interested as one of the children & heirs at law of said Peter & said Ruth in said claim. And I further certify that he is personally known to me to be the identical individual represented.
H H Barborn Notary Public