Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2432, Abner Bivins, Continental Mass. R.I.

Page 1

Service
Continental
Mass.
R.I.

Bivins, Abner
Hannah

Number
N. 2432
B.L. Wt 3759-1000 issued 1798 no papers
B.L. Wt. 277-60-55

Page 2

(2593)
New York Roll --

Abner Bivins,
Private,
Massachusetts line. '77 - 6 years
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on
the 31st of March 1810

Certificate of Pension issued the 21st of Sept 1819
and Sent to A.W. Odell Esq.
Ballston Spa N. York

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818. 6 [illegible] 4/30 49-6
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4th March 1819 48
$97-6
Wigglesworth
Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818

Continue under 
law 1st May 1820
[Malta?] Saratoga

[remainder of page perpendicular to original record]

Continued Notification sent to
John Grover Esq. Auburn New York
29 July 1820

May 24 33 -- wrote to the agent at Utica to pay
him, and that the name is not Birnes but Bivins
Same day wrote to M L Salisbury of Clyde N.Y.

Page 3

1614
[Indiana?] Madison
Hannah Bivins
widow of Abner Bivins
who served in the Revolutionary
R.I. [4 Mafe?]
war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
96 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the [crossed out: 4th day of March, 1848]
3d February 1833

Certificate of Pension issued the
30th day of Aug/33
and sent to
John T. Nelly
present

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February [crossed out: 2, 1848] 3753
Page 188 vol. a

1818

Page 4

[written vertically across rest of text: 277 Aug 4th 1856]

Mon 3
206057 Aug  29/55

Hannah Bivins
Wid of
Abner [crossed out: Andrew] Bivins

Hannah wid. of Abner Bivins
Pn'r

En 1777
Dis 1778
Revolutionary War
Pen. Cert Aug 30 1853
Act of Feb 3 1853
[illegible] Leg 53-1614
[illegible] 60 [illegible] 11/56
[B. Upton?]
Jos. J. Stevens,
Present

[crossed out: G. B. Adams Washington D.C.]

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Abner Bivins

[Galen?] Cayuga C N.Y.

2593
21 Sept 1818
C

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State of New York,
Cayuga County
On this 6th day of July 1820, personally appeared, in open court, being a court of record for the said county, in the July Term of Com. Pleas, Abner Bivins, age 63 years, resident in the town of Palen in said county, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows: a private in Capt Mason Wattles Company in the Sixth Regt in the Massachusetts line of the army of the United States commanded by Col Calvin Smith, reference being had to his first declaration dated March 1818 will now particularly show the number of his certificate 2.593

And I do solemnly swear 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 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 hereto annexed, and by me subscribed

Real Estate none
Personal Property
1 Cow 14.00
1 Calf 2.00
1 Close Stove + pipes 5.00
1 Shovel & Tongs 1.50
1 pr Andirons 75
1 Table 1.50
1 ax 1.00
1 Chest 75
5 Chairs 1.25
______________
27.75

The residue of his personal property consists of utensils for Cooking + furnishing
The Table -- 27.75
Two Pots 2.00
1 Spider 75
1 Skillet 50
1 [Tramet] 75
dishes + crockery 2.50
______________________
$34.25
Abner Bivins

Sworn to, and declared, on the 6th day of July, 1820, before me
Rufus Sheldon Judge
of Cayuga Com Pleas

I, James Glover, clerk of Cayuga County do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said court, and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is 34 dollars and 25 cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this 6th day of July 1820.
James Glover
Clerk of the Court for the County of Cayuga

Page 7

Abner Bivins in Continuation
debts due to declarant -- none

Persons & the several accounts
Henry B Davis of Albany 30.50
Thaddeus DeWolf and Co Saratoga Co 53.00
Daniel Gumsey, do, 11.00
Andrew Collimore, do, 8.00

His occupation is shoe making his ability to pursue it are as good as most people of his age dim sight and other appendages to age render him unable to perform one half the labor he could when in the prime of life

His family consists of himself his Wife Mary aged 5[8?] able to do the cooking for ourselves but no spinning or much of anything else she being debilitated
Abner Bivins

Page 8

State of Indiana
St Joseph County [illegible]

On this Fourteenth day of May AD eighteen hundred and fifty three personally appeared before the undersigned Judge of the Circuit Court within and for the County of St Joseph in the State of Indiana Hannah Bivins a resident of said County of St Joseph in the State of Indiana aged seventy four years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the "Act of Congress passed 3d Febry 1853.

That she is the Widow of Abner Bivins who was a pensioner of the United States; that he drew a Pension of Ninety Six dollars per annum, that he resided at the township of Savannah in the County of Wayne in the State of New York, and that he drew his pension (as she believes) at Utica in the State of New York.

She further declares that she was married to the said Abner Bivins on the twelfth day of June in the year eighteen hundred and thirty one in the said County of Wayne in the State of New York by one Revd [Ira Woodworth?],  that her husband the aforesaid Abner Bivins died in the aforesaid County of Wayne in the State of New York on the fifth day of November eighteen hundred and thirty three, that she was married to him at the time above state.

She further swears that she was a widow at the passage

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of the act and is still a widow and that she has never before made application for a pension.

She further declares that she has no record in her Bible nor has she any written record elsewhere of her said marriage or of the death of her husband; that from old age & bodily infirmity she is unable to endure any fatigue or but very little bodily exercise

Hannah Bivins her mark

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me. And I hereby certify the above named Hannah Bivins is unable to appear in open court from old age and bodily infirmity.

Thos S Stanfield
Judge of the 9th Judicial Circuit
Court of the State of Indiana

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Act 30 March 1855
Mrs Hannah Bivins
widow of Abner Bivins
Bounty Land
2060517

C.B. Adams, Atty
Washington DC

Page 11

State of Indiana, County of St. Joseph, Ss.

On this Eleventh (11th) day of August 1855, before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace duly authorized by law to administer oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Mrs. Hannah Bivins aged 77 years, a resident of South Bend in the county of St Joseph and State of Indiana; who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Abner Bivins deceased, who was a      in the company      commanded by Captain      in the      regiment      commanded by      in the war with Great Britain commonly called the Revolutionary was in which the United States achieved their independence

That her said husband enlisted or entered the service at       about the     day of 1[8 crossed out]77 ; for the term of the war and continued in actual service in said war for the term of over Six years and was honorably discharged at    on the    day of    1[8 crossed out]78

That her said husband Abner Bivins on the   day of   obtained a Pension on account of said Service which he enjoyed during his lifetime and which has been renewed to her as below stated since his death--

She further states that she was married to the said Abner Bivins in the town of Savanah, Wayne County, New York State on the Fifth (5th) day of November 1833 and that she is now a widow and has remained such ever since his said death --
[Crossed out: She further declares that she has heretofore made application for Bounty Land, under the act of  185  and received a Land Warrant, No.  for  acres which she has since legally disposed of, and cannot now return] that she has never applied for nor received any Bounty Land Warrant on account of said services so rendered by her said husband, before this time
That She has been placed on the Pension list on account of said services so rendered by her said husband - her Certificate bears date Aug 30th 1853, Act of Februay 3d 1853  That there is no public or private Record of her said Marriage with said Abner Bivins none having been made to her knowledge.

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land, to which she may be entitled under the Act approved the 3d day of March, 1855. And she hereby appoints C. B. Adams of Washington D.C. her true and lawful Attorney, with power of Substitution, to present this her claim for land, to receive the Warrant when issued, and to do all other acts and things necessary and proper to be done in the premises--
Hannah Bivins X her mark
We, Alvin S Dunbar and Mary A Holland, residents of South Bend in the County of St Joseph and State of Indiana, being duly sworn, do, upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Hannah Bivins in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statement of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
Alvin S. Dunbar
Mary A Holland

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year above written. And I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Charles M. Heaton J.P. [handwritten wavy circle around the word "Seal"]

State of Indiana, County of St. Joseph, Ss.
I hereby certify, that Charles M. Heaton Esq., before whom the foregoing Declaration was made and acknowledged, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature thereto is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Circuit Court for the County aforesaid this Eleventh day of August 1855
Sam'l M. Chord
Clerk of St Joseph Circuit Court

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State of Indiana
St Joseph County ss

On this 11th day of August AD 1855 personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of hte Peace in the said County Thomas S Walterhouse and Jesse L Walterhouse, who are to me well known, and who are credible witnesses, and who being by me duly Sworn, depose and say, that they are each well acquainted with Mrs Hannah Bivins the above applicant for Bounty Land -- that they have known her for each of their respective lives to wit, the said Thomas S for forty four years and the said Jesse L for thirty four years, [illegible] that she is their mother by a former husband Elkana Walterhouse deceased - That they were acquainted with Abner Bivins, her late husband, having known him for two years previous to his death, that they the said witnesses were present and saw the said Abner Bivins and their said mother Hannah Bivins married - that afterwards said Abner and Hannah lived together as husband and wife [written under line: until the death of said Abner], and win reported so to be - that the deponents never heard the fact of their marriage disputed or questioned - That the said Abner Bivins died on the 5th day of November 1833, and the said Hannah Bivins has never married since her said husband's death, and still is his widow - and that her said husband was the identical man mentioned as a Soldier as Stated in her declaration above, and further that they were present and saw the said Hannah Bivins execute the fore-going application and affidavit by affixing her mark to the same, and making oath thereto in due form of law, and further that they the deponents do reside in St Joseph County Indiana [illegible]
Thomas S Walterhouse
Jesse L Walterhouse
Witness
Just C M Heaton JP

Page 13

The forgoing Affidavit of Thomas S + Jesse L Walterhouse Sworn to and Subscribed by them before me this 11th day of August AD 1885
Charles M Heaton
Justice of the Peace [wavy circle drawn around the word "Seal"]

State of Indiana
St Joseph County ss
I Samuel M. Chord clerk of the St Joseph Circuit Court - hereby certify that Charles M Heaton Esqr. before whom the foregoing Application and Affidavits were made and Sworn to, and who has thereunto Subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in + for the County aforesaid, duly Commissioned and Sworn, and that his Signatures thereto are genuine --
[circular wax seal mark]
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Circuit Court of [crossed out: Saint] St Joseph County this 11th day of August AD 1855
Sam'l M Chord
Clerk

Page 14

The National Archives
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives


NAME Bivins, Abner
GRADE Private
LINE Massachusetts

WARRANT NUMBER 3759 and 277-60-55
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED Mar. 11, 1791 
Ht. 3759 to Jesse Bronson, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.

Page 15

State of New York
Saratoga County

Be it remembered that on the nineteenth day of August 1818 personally appeared before me James Thompson first judge of the Court of common Pleas of Saratoga County. John Johnson, when being by me first duly sworn, declared that he served in the war of the revolution, that he is acquainted with Abner Bivins of the Town of Matta in the County of Saratoga, that he well knew the same Abner Bivins in the war of the revolution from the Spring of the year 1781 to June 1783, that during all that time the same Abner Bivins served as a Sergent in the sixth Regiment in the Massachusetts line commanded by Colonel Calvin Smith in Captain Wattles' company, that he Allways understood the same Abner Bivins was a faithful Soldier - that near Lewburgh at a place called snakehill the same Abner Bivins when the rest of the Army was disbanded, received his discharge. this Deponent understood and verily believes
John Johnson
Sworn the 19th day of August 1818
below me James Thompson first
Judge of Saratoga County

Page 16

State of New York
Saratoga County 
Benjamin Fletcher aged sixty three years sworn says that he this deponent was a soldier in the Regular Army [superscript: of the United States] in the Massachusetts line from the year 1777 to the year 1779 both inclusive, in a Regiment commanded by Col Wigglesworth - that during the whole of the said time he this Deponent was well acquainted with Abner Bivins who served as a serjeant in the same Regiment during that time,

Benjamin Fletcher X his mark
Sworn this eighteenth day of August 1818 before me
James THOMPSON [paraph surrounding signature]
First Judge of Saratoga County

Page 17

State of New York
Saratoga County Clerks office Ss
I Thomas Palmer Clerk of the County of Saratoga in said State DO certify that James Thompson whose name appears subscribed to the within affidavits is First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County, acting under the authority of this State duly commissioned and sworn, and that the within are his signatures

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the County Seal this nine=teenth day of August in this Year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred + Eighteen

Thomas Palmer Clerk
[seal mark]

Page 18

Pa: Pa: Ma: death, 1833. Nov: 5th
"Boynton"

Page 19

Pension Office
27th Aug 1853

Sir.
Be pleased to inform me of the time to which the within named [illegible] was paid. or the date of his death,
Very Respy:
S. Cole
Act.g: Commissioner
Abner Bivins, Act 1818
$8 p m -- Paid to 4th Sept 1833 -- no date of death on our Books. --

F. Burt
Auditor

Francis Burt Esqr
Third Auditor [illegible]

Page 20

Brief in the case of Hannah Bivins, widow of Abner 
St Josephs County and State of Indiana
act 3d Feby: 1853

Claim, ("original," [crossed out: or "for increase."])

Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the Act of 18th March 1818 + Contd.
Parole proof of marriage

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

Jno. T. Neely, Esqr.
Present
Name and residence of Agent

S.C. Boynton,
Examining Clerk

Page 21

State of New York
Saratoga County  ss

Be it remembered that on the thirty-first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen appeared before me -- Thomas Dibble -- one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Saratoga and State of New York Abner Bivins in the Town of Matta in the county and State aforesaid who being by me duly sworn declared that he served in the war of the Revolution against the common enemy for more than seven years, that in the forepart of the month of July 1775 he Enlisted at Gloucester in the State of Rhode Island in a company of Continental troops commanded by Captain James Williams in Colonel Hichcocks Regiment, Rhode Island troops. That he served the said Eight months faithfully, and at the expiration of the said Eight months at Prospect Hill, near Boston Enlisted in Captain Aaron Haynes company Col Whitcomb's Regiment Massachusetts line for the period of one year that he served the said year faithfully. That on or about the first day of January 1777 at Ticonderoga in the State of New York he Enlisted in Captain John Kilby Smiths company in the thirteenth Regiment Massachusetts line commanded by Colonel Wigglesworth for during the war, that he served faithfully till the third of June 1782 + on that day near Lewburgh State of Newyork received an honorable discharge.

Page 22

signed by George Washington Commander in Chief that the said discharge stated that he served faithfully for seven years Eleven months and twenty one days, that he is Sixty years of Age, in Indigent circumstances & in need of assistance from his country for Support, that he believes his discharge is now in the war office having forwarded it some years since to obtain his bounty Land, this deponent further saith that towards the close of the war the forces were consolidated and he was attached to the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Lieut. Colonel Smith and in Capt Mason Wattles [company?]
Sworn & Subscribed 
Before me this
31st day of March
1818 Thomas Dibble
one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Saratoga & state of New York

State of New York &
County of Saratoga ss

Be it Remembered that on the 31st day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen appeared before me, Thomas Dibble one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County Dean Chase a person to me well known and known to be a person of truth and veracity who being by me duly sworn deposeth and saith that he well

Page 23

knows Abner Bivins the person named in the foregoing affidavit and believes him to be a man who can be depended upon when under oath and further the said Dean Chase upon his oath aforesaid saith that he well knows the said Abner Bivins to be a poor man and believes that he needs the assistance of his country for his support and further the said Dean Chase saith that he hath seen the said Bivins discharge and from the best of his recollection believes it to be an honorable one and for serving the war. 
Dean Chase 
[round seal mark]
Sworn and Subscribed this 31st day of March 1818 before me Thomas Dibble one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Saratoga & State of New-York

To the Honorable the Secretary of War
I Thomas Dibble one of the Judges of the Court of common Pleas in & for the county of Saratoga & State of New York do certify that I am satisfied that the facts set forth in the foregoing affidavits are true
Thomas Dibble

Page 24

State of New York 
Saratoga County ss
[outline of seal mark]
In testimony that the within named Thomas Dibble is a Judge of the Court of common pleas in & for the County of Saratoga and State aforesaid and that the within is his signature I subscribe my name and affix the seal of the said County this 25th day of April in the year of our Lord 1818
Wm Stillwell Clerk

[Perpendicular to previous text:]
Abner Bivins papers
Admitted
A.W. Odell Esp
Ballston Spa NY

[Opposite direction from above text:]
Ballston Springs  [illegible]
NY 29 April
The Hon the Secretary of War
Washington

Page 25

WIDOW, &c.
Reg

File No. 2432
Hannah Bivins
Widow,
Abner Bivins,
Priv. Rev. War.

Act: Feb. 3, 1853
Index: -- Vol. a, Page 62

[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 26

June 21, 1853
No. 2125
App of Hannah Bivins widow of Abner Bivins

St Joseph Co, Ind [crossed out: Indiana]
$96.00 per an
com - Feb 3. 7853
act 3d Feby 1853

Rev:
Jno J. Neely
Present

[Stationery: Department of the Interior; Pension office, Official Business]

Page 27

[erased: illegible, R.I. & Mass.]
[illegible]

[60 acre?]

Page 28

206057

[Postmark: Colebrook N.H. Aug 25]

[illegible] Official Business
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

Page 29

Washington City DC
June 20 1853

Sir
Enclosed please find the Declaration of Ms Bivins widow of Abner Bivins who was a Pensioner at $96 pr annum, for a Pension under the [illegible] Section act 3d February 1853

To the Commissioner of Pensions

Yours Very Respectfully
Jno. T. Neely

Page 30

State of Indiana
St Joseph County ss

On this 14th day of May AD 1853 personally appeared before the undersigned judge of the circuit court within and for said county of St Joseph in the state of Indiana Jesse L Walterhouse a resident of said county of St Joseph aforesaid aged 32 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he is well acquainted with Hannah Bivins widow of Abner Bivins deceased, that he was also well acquainted with the said Abner Bivins in his lifetime who was a Pensioner as he believes; that the said Hannah Bivins and the said Abner Bivins was married on the 12th day of June AD 1831 in Wayne County in the State of New York and the said Abner Bivins died in the said County of Wayne in the state of New York on the 5th day of Nov 1833. That he the said Jesse L Walterhouse was present at the marriage of the said Hannah Bivens & Abner Bivins & was also present at the Death & Burial of said Abner Bivins & knows the above facts from personal knowledge Jesse L Walterhouse

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day & year above written
Thos S Stanfield Judge of the 9th Judicial Cit Court of the State of Indiana

Thomas Walterhouse a resident of St Joseph County Indiana aged forty one years being duly sworn according to Law declares that he has read the above affidavit of Jesse L Walterhouse & that the matters therein contained

Page 31

in relation to the marriage of Hannah Bivins & Abner Bivins is true that he was present at the marriage & saw them married & that he [illegible] believes that the said Abner died on the day & year as there stated, but that he was not present at his death or funeral.
Thomas Walterhouse

Subscribed & sworn to before me this 14th day of May AD 1853
Thos S Stanfield
Judge 9th Judicial Cir C

I also further certify that the above named Thomas and Jesse L Waterhouse are  credible and reputable [superscript: & disinterested] persons and that I have known them as such for several years.
Thos. S. Stanfield

State of Indiana 
St Joseph County ss
I Samuel M. Chord Clerk of the St Joseph Circuit Court, hereby certify the Honorable Thomas S Stanfield whose name is above subscribed, is Judge of the 9th Judicial Circuit of said State & ex officio Judge of the said St Joseph Circuit Court [seal mark] that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe the above to be genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at South Bend this [19?] day of May AD 1853
Saml M Chord

Page 32

J C Stevens
Washington DC
Power Atty

206057 Hannah Bivins

Boynton Ex April 15/60
LJ

Page 33

Power of Attorney to be acknowledged before a J.P. or other Magistrate.

Know all men by these presents, That I C. B. Adams of Washington County of [crossed out: and State of] D.C. have constituted and appointed, and by these presents do hereby constitute and appoint Joseph T. Stevens, of Washington D.C., my true and lawful Attorney, with power of substitution, in my name, place, and stead, to prosecute [crossed out: my] the claim for Bounty Land of Hannah Bivins Widow of No. 206.057 Act 3d March 1855 
to examine any and all papers on file in the Pension Office in relation to such claim or claims, and to say and do all things relative thereto, as amply as I might do, were I personally present; hereby ratifying all that my said Attorney, or his substitute may lawfully do in the premises. Also, revoking all other powers of Attorney heretofore given by me, in relation to said claim or claims.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 5th day of July A.D. 1856

C.B. Adams [seal mark]
Present

Page 34

Additional Evidence
No. 206.057

Washington DC 
July 5, 1856

Sir

I have the honor to enclose my authority to act as attorney in the Bounty Land claim of Hannah Bivins widow of No. 206.057 under act of 3 March 1856.
Will you please inform me the present state of the claim.

Very Respectfully,
J.T. Stevens

Hon. J. Minot
Comm of Pensions
Present