Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 9445, Alexander Ford, Penn.

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Service Penn
Ford, Alexander
Martha
Number W9445

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[handwritten upper left corner] Agent notified

3638
Ohio, Pittsburgh Agency
Martha Ford
widow of Alexander Ford
who died in the year 1820 of Huron Co. in the State of Ohio who was a Pr. of Cavalry in the company by Captain Gill of the rest. by [blank] in the 4th Pa regt. time for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh at the rate of 100 Dollars [blank] [Cents crossed out] per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Nov. 1861 and sent to Wm Robinson E[illegible] Present [handwritten under the name Wm Robinson]

Arrears to the 4h of Sep. '41  $1050.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 6 Mar. '42  50.00
$ 1100.00 [total of the two numbers]

[In brackets] Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3.

Recorded by D. Brown   Clerk,
Book C. Vol. 1. Page 191

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5089
Martha Ford, widow
of Alexander
Ohio
Act 4 July 1836

page 54
on roll 4
Regt Pa Cavalry
for 1780 & 1781. paid to 1 Jan 1782 to Jan 1783. $100 to ^Jan 1783

page 138, pay to Nov 3, 1783 $50.75
" [page] 145 Gratuity $80

[handwritten sideways along the right side of the document] 5089

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State of Ohio Huron County [illegible]
On this 25th day of May one thousand Eight hundred and Forty personally appeared before the Court of C[illegible] Pleas ^in [illegible] C[illegible] - sitting in [word covered up] for said County in Norwalk in said County the Widow Martha Ford a Resident in Norwalk in said County of Huron and said State -- aged about ninety years, who being firstly duly sworn according to Law doth on her Oath makes the following declaration in  order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 1836 - That she is the widow of Alexander Ford deceased - a Revolutionary Soldier - That the said Alexander residing at the time in old Lancaster in the state of Pennsylvania enlisted as a Light horse on an or ^in the Calvary to a Company commanded by a Captain Gill -- She don't remember the names of the other officers of the Regiment in which he served --. That he had a right for Bounty Land ^for his service- that he got a [illegible]grant or a Patent for his land - that he delivered it to his Brother Christopher Ford who undertook to search ^for and locate the same [illegible]. Never saw him afterwards and never got his Land. That he had a discharge which she never can [illegible] to have [illegible] which has been lost- She believes she is as married to her Husband. Before the c[illegible] or comment ^or about the first of the. [illegible phrase] - They had two children during the war--[illegible] a Daughter Miss Margaret who must now be about sixty five years of age if living. And a son two years younger

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The Declarant was born at a place called Mill Creek Handied New Cattle County State of Delaware and was married to the said deceased husband Alexander Ford about the year 1774. She cannot recollect the day or month by the Reverend William McCamron a Presbyterian Minister of the same place and before the affirmation of her said husband’s service in said war.
She has no record of her age or marriage or of the death of said husband after the ending of the war and the (not legible) of her and her husband’s service she had by her said Husband had a son named Alexander (four words X’d out) and had another son named Alexander Thomas was in the late war with Great Britain under Commander Perry on Lake Erie and was wounded by a shot through his ankle and a splinter through the flesh under his arm afterwards he went to Missouri and she has not heard of him since. She afterwards had nine children by her said husband Sarah James and Uriah. James is now dead Sarah and Uriah are now living according to her last information but are at a great distance from her. That her said husband according to her last recollection about twenty years ago died has never been married since and is now his widow. and though from her extreme age and (not legible too light) of memory which has remained unusually good she cannot certify precisely her said husband’s service or his commanding officer. Yet she feels confident that she is earnest substantially in what she has in this declaration stated. Her X is shown between first and last name with mark written below it.
Sworn and subscribed in open court before this day and year aforesaid 
DL Quiggley Clerk and the Declarant further says this day that the reason why she said never said in his (continued on the next page)

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life time applied for a Pension was that he was able to support himself and that at his death she was left by him very little property and is now in indigent circumstances. Martha [x her mark] Ford
Sworn and subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid [signature] D Higgins Clerk
And the said Court do find and declare it as their opinion, after an investigation of the matter that the said Martha Ford who has subscribed and sworn to the within and foregoing declaration, is the widow of Alexander Ford deceased and that he was a Revolutionary Soldier, and that he served as therein stated in the Revolutionary War, that she is about ninety years of age and that her said husband died at the time therein stated and that said Martha is a credible person, and has never married since the death of her said husband.
[signature] O Bowen
Jus Judge
State of Ohio Huron County [illegible]
I David Higgins Clerk of the Courts of Common Pleas within and aforesaid County: do hereby certify that the within and aforegoing are the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the widow Martha Ford in her application for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have sent my hand and affixed my Seal of office in Norwalk in said County this 5th day of May, one thousand and Eight Hundred and forty. 
[signature] D Higgins Clerk
[Large seal affixed]

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[this is a scrap of paper with a list]
Ohio. Act 1836-89
Martha Ford
Alexander ---- tte
L.B. Sturgis 7 Aug 40
to 8 Oct 40
Let to do 26 April 1841
Let to do 25 May '41

Act 4 July 1836

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I enclose to you the Deposition of William [three illegible words crossed out] Robinson Esq testifying to the deaths of William Addy and Nelly Addy.
[no signature or date]

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Pension office
February 21 1844
Please state to what time and what amount has been paid to Martha Ford of Ohio under Act July 4, 1836, and oblige
Very Respectfully
[signature] N Ogden Niles

Paid at Peterburgh to 4 Sep 1841
At $100 per ann
[initials] JH

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I hereby certify that from any papers that have fallen into my hands belonging to the Revd William McKennan deceased of Little Creek Neck State of Del. There has been none to shew that he had ever kept a Record of marriages to [illegible] I have ever understood need had kept on. [signature] Thos Mc Kennan
Actioning Tues Dec 4th Novr/ 41

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To whom it may concern
This may certify that there is no record of marriages kept by the late Rev William McKennan (who was a pastor of churches in this neighborhood upwards of fifty years) now to be found
[signature] Thomas Love 
of Redilay Creek congregation in Mill Cree Hundred [illegible] Castle County Delaware

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Alex Ford a 1820
Martha m 1774
CapeGill Cavalry

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[letter]
Norwalk H C Ohio June 2nd 1840
J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir. I can forward to you the applications for Pensions of Reuben Cherry and the said no Mr and Mrs Ford
In the latter case you will permit once to enable a few remarks I am aware that you have adopted a rule that as to the  time of marriage an affirmative Certificate is required from the ministers or Town Clarks records of the time of marriage and if none such can be obtained, Now the next best Evidence will be admitted.
In this case you will observe that by her declaration she was married at a place called Mill Creek Hundred. Church Castle County State of Delaware - before or about the beginning of the Revolutionary War. 
The rule you have prescribed is very severe and cannot in many instances be complied with. In many of the States. I have found in several cases instance there are no records. You will recollect in the applications of Mrs Martha Barrat I ascert to New Jersey with much person informed as there were no records. And Also in the Wardon Cartright I sent to Connecticut 900 miles  & found the same no records... and also in the case of the widow Olive Shaw I can probably in both the two last instances have got Evidence of an inferance[?] nature which would have been satisfactory. Mrs Cartwright & Mrs Shaw have lately died [illegible ] Shaw can be some provision for them . Their great offence after so long a time must be for and the beneficent intention of the Government be defeated. 
My particular object in this Letter is to know from you whether inferior Evidence than record testimony of the marriage will not be admitted. I fully believe that I can from the ages of their eldest children promise

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evidnce of ses who will now testify that they knew them to live tpgether as Husband and wife and that they were always considered as such The birth of their eldest children from which it will follow. that they were married before the beginning or about the commencement of the Revolutionary War. I wish if possible to save to the poor woman the experience and trouble of sending a person to the County of New Castle in Delaware if it can be avoided.
I wish also to be informed if satisfactory evidence short of Record Evidence shall be obtained in the cases of Mrs Mary Cartwright and Mrs Olive Shaw until the time of their marriage an allowance can be made to their legal heirs?
You will please to excuse the trouble I now give you
I am very respectfully 
Your Obd Servt
Lewis B Sturges
In the case of Mrs Ford on the question put to you I wish you to answer me as soon as possible
These old widows are generally very infirm & derelict and are liable to sudden death and are  defeated in consequence of the delay ascertained by sending to search great distances nearly all of them are Immigrants from the New England States.

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5089
Martha Ford
Of Alexander
Ohio
Admitted
Private Cavalry 2 years $100
Cap Gill 4th Pa sef
died 1820
Act 4th July 1836

Wm Robinson, Present

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Martha Ford, widow of Alexander Ford,
a claimant for a pension, state that her late husband in @ Bounty Sand for services in the Penn line Is such the fact? She says he was a private of Cavalry
[signature of initials]
HHL
Pen. Off Aug 4 1840
W Gordon Esq
Bounty Land Off
[now in lighter writing below]
I find but one "Alexander Ford" returned in the Pennsylvania line, and he it appears, was a Private of "Maryland Dragoons" His claim to land bounty was satisfied in July 1793 by the pers of a Warrant to his Assigned Francis Kirkpatrick
W Gordon
Aug 4 1840

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[typewritten letter]
December 2, 1910
Mr Collin Ford, 
Commercial Tribune Building
Cincinnati, Ohio
Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 25th and received the 28th ultimo, you are advised that in the claim of Martha, widow of Alexander Ford, WID. File No. 9445, Rev. War, it appears that the solder was a native of Delaware, the date of his birth is not stated. 
Very respectfully, 
Commissioner, 
[no signature evident]

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[typewritten letter]
Mr. Collin Ford, 
Aetna Life Insurance Co.
Commercial Tribune Building
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 13th and received the 15th instant, you are advised that owing to a lack of clerical force available for such a purpose this Bureau is unable to furnish a full copy of papers on file in the Revolutionary War pension claim of Martha, widow of Alexander Ford, Wid. File No. 9,445, but any person designated by you will be allowed to examine and copy the said papers.
Very Respectfully, 

Acting Commissioner. 
[no signature evident]

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MORGAN G. BULKELEY, President
Aetna Life Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn
Collin Ford & Sons, Managers
Collin Ford
William Ford   Allen H. Ford  Cincinnait, Ohio
Commercial Tribune Building
Telephone, Canal 3489       Nov. 25, 1910.
Pension Office, 
Washington, D. C. 
Gentleman:-
My grandfather, Alexander Ford, as I learn by tradition, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War; that his widow, Martha Ford, received a pension for his services. He enlisted either at Old Hundred, Delaware, or Pittsburg, Pa.  I wish to ascertain if her application showed to what Nationality he belonged.
Ifyou can give me this information, it will greatly oblige
Yours very truly,
Collin Ford

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MORGAN G. BULKELEY, President
Aetna Life Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn
Collin Ford & Sons, Managers,
Collin Ford. William Ford. Allen H Ford
Commercial Tribune Building
Cincinnatti, Ohio
Telephone. Canal 3489
The Pension Office,
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:- My grandfather, Alexander Ford, as I learn by tradition, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War; that his widow, Martha Ford, received a pension on account of his services.  I would like, if possible, a copy of my grand mother's application [word application underlines] for this pension, as it would probably give me more in detail the information respecting my grand-father's services [word services underlined], which I am very desirous of obtaining.  If consistent with the rules of the office, will you kindly furnish me such copy, and greatly oblige
Yours truly
Celius Ford [first name of signature difficult to decipher]

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Form 175
J. L. ENGLISH. Sec'y
G. E. GILBERT, Ass't Sec'Y

M.G BULKELEY, Pres't

H. W. ST. JOHN. Actuary
W. C. FAXON, Ass't Sec'y Accident Dept.

Life Department
Aetna Life Insurance Company
of Hartford, Conn.

rubber stamped 
US PENSION OFFICE NOV 0 1900
rubber stamp 
O. W. & N. DIVISION
NOV 12 1900
RECEIVED

Agency at Cincinnati Ohio
Nov 7th 1900

The Pension Office
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:
I have learned by tradition that my Grand Father Alexander Ford was a soldier in the American revolution, and that on account of such service my Grand Mother received a Pension. Her name was Martha Ford.
A part of Grand Fathers service was in Capt. Gills Co 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry. I would like a certified copy of his declaration on which Pension was granted. And of possible I want to learn my ancestors nationality-Hoping for reply 
I am 
Yours Respectfully
Collin Ford

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Penn. Ford, Alexander, W.9445
                   Martha

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Norwalk Ohio 12 September 1840
I L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions   
I now send the annexed deposition of Wm
Robinson, which I think finally complies with your
one question in your letter to me of August 7, 1840. in the care of the widow Martha Ford widow of Alexander Ford a Revolutionary Soldier.
____ it me to add that I am well acquainted  with  the Diplomat and today I consider him an intelligent honest man. And that he is a respectable justice of the peace in this Huron county.
Yours very respecfully, 
Lewis B, Sturgis

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State of Ohio xxxx County xxxx
Personally appeared before me Timothy Baker xxxx of the xxxx Judges of the Court of Common Pleas. 
xxxx xxx County

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The State of Ohio
This
Numan County:
I P Alluid Clerk of the Courts of
Common Plea in and for said County of
Huron do Certify that Timothy Poker
Esqu is a lawful magistrate as above and
that the foregoing Signatures purporting to be
his are genuine. In testimony whenof
I hereby Subscribe my name and affix the
Seal of Said Court at Forward this 12th
day of September AD 1840 . 
P. Alluig Clerk H.C.P

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Penn     Ford, Alexander    W.9445
                      Martha

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State of Ohio Guernsey County [illegible]
Be it known that on the 13th day of March. A. D. 1841 before me Aaron Hedge A Justice of the peace in and for said County personally [illegible] and William Addy sen of Knox township in said County now aged about sixty years who was born in Newcastle County, State of Delaware on the 14th day of August et.D. 1780 and being duly sworn on his oath declares [illegible] says that he was well acquainted with John Ford A son of Alex Ford [illegible] and Martha Ford his wife, that His said son is some older than this defenant if he is now living,, he the defenant knew the said Alex,, Martha Ford lived together and were considered by all persons to be husband and wife the defenant knew the [illegible] John Ford to be the second child of the said Alex [illegible] Martha Ford from his Infancy till he was about thirteen years of age and further this defenant [illegible] not - William Addy [illegible]
Sworn to and Subscribed this 13th day of March
And [illegible] before me     A,, Hedge, Justice of the peace

State of Ohio Guernsey County March the 13th, 1841 the above deposition was subscribed and sworn to before me, and I further certify that the said William Addy  [illegible] the defenant is creditable and a person of truth and veracity
A Hedge, Justice of the peace of the State of Ohio Guernsey County 
I Moses Sarchet Clerk of the Court of Common pleas within and for said county hereby certify that Aaron Hedge [illegible], [illegible], was at the time of taking the above affidavit a Justice of the peace in and for said county duly elected [illegible] [illegible] and sworn, and duly authorized to administer [illegible] to whose acts full faith and credits are due - and I [illegible] [illegible] certify that his [illegible] above written are genuine. 
Given under my home & [illegible] of Office this 15th day of March A.D. 1841.

Moses Sarchet [illegible]

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State of Ohio, Huron County be it known that on the 15th day of May A.D. 1841 before one Samuel Preston, a justice of the peace within and for a __

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State of Ohio Huron County ss 15th May 1841
I Samuel Preston Justice of Peace within and for said County certify [illegible] that William Robinson the Deponant the signer of the within and foregoing deposition is aged about sixty years and is a person of truth and veracity

Samuel Preston Jus. Peace [signature with flourishes underneath]

The State of Ohio
Huron County ss}   
I Roswell Gibbs Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Please in and for said County of Huron do certify that Samuel Preston was on the 15th day of May inst a lawful, Justice of the Peace, duly elected Commissioned and Sworn as such and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his as genuine
In testimony, whereof hereunto subscribe my Name and affix the Seal of Said Court at Norwalk this 15 day of May A.D. 1841.

Roswell Gibbs Dep. Clk. N.C.P [signature]

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State of Ohio Coshoctin County, ss
Be it known that on the seventeenth day of March AD 1841 before me James Jones an acting Justice of the peace in and for said county, personally appeared Martha Jones of Adams Township in said County now aged about sixtynine years who was born in Newcastle County State of Delaware, on the 30th day of July AD 1772.  Who being by me duly sworn according to laws deposeth and saith, that she was well acquainted with Alexander Ford deceased and Martha Ford his wife, and that said Alexander Ford left his wife and it was said that he had joined the army in the time of the Revolutionary War.  The date of the year not recolected, and said Martha Ford sent [scratched out - to Lancaster] for her Brother James Robinson to come and bring her home, and that said Martha then had two children, and afterwards removed to the house of said depanants Father, and was living there when said Alexander returned from the army, and they the said Alexander Ford and Martha his wife lived together afterwards, and that they were considered by all persons to be Husband and Wife,  and said depanant further saith that she heard her Father and Mother say they were at the Marriage of the said Alexander and Martha and said dep. further saith that said Alexander and his wife Martha, lived at the time said Alexander enlisted in Lancaster Pennsylvania and that it was at the time of the Revolutionary War that the said Martha Ford was brought home by her Brother James from Lancaster, and further said deponant saith not
Martha Jones
x her mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written
Jas. Jones J.P.  ss [hand drawn box around the letters ss]
I do certify that the above witness is a person of credibility and that her testimony can be relied on as true
========
The State of Ohio, Coshocton county, ss.
I, Alexander M’Gowan, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the county of Coshocton aforesaid, hereby certify that James Jones before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken, was at the time of executing same, an acting Justice of the Peace within and for said county, duly elected, commissioned and qualified.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Coshocton, this 18 day of March A.D. 1841.
A. M,Gowan [signature] Clerk.

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State of Ohio Coshocton County, SS
Be it known that on the seventeenth day of March AD 1841 before me James Jones an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County, personally appeared Martha Jones of Adams Township in said County now aged about sixty nine years who was born in Newcastle County State of Delaware, on the 30th day of July AD 1772, who being by me duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith, that she was well acquainted with Alexander Ford deceased and Martha Ford his wife, and that said Alexander Ford left his wife and it was said that he had Joined the army, in the time of the Revolutionary War. The date of the year not recollected, and that said Martha Ford sent (two words crossed off unreadable) for her Brother James Robinson to come and bring her home, and that said Martha then had two children, and afterwards removed to the house of said deponents Father, and was living there when said Alexander returned from the army, and they the Said Alexander Ford and Martha his wife lived together afterwards, and that they were considered by all persons to be Husband and Wife, and said deponent further saith that she heard her Father and Mother say they were at the Marriage of the said Alexander and Martha and said (??) further saith that Said Alexander and his wife Martha, lived at there time Said Alexander enlisted in Lancaster Pennsylvania and that it was at the time of the Revolutionary War that the said Martha Ford was brought home by her Brother James from Lancaster, and further said deponent saith not. 
Martha  her X mark  Jones
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written
J. L. Jones J. P. LS boxed next to signature
I do certify that the above witness is a person of credibility and that her testimony can be relied on as true.
James Jones J. P.

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New Castle County
State of Delaware} SS
Personally appeared before me Samuel James one of the Justices of the Peace for the County Aforesaid William Foote and upon his Solemn Affirmation did Say that he was Personally acquainted with Alexander and Martha Ford whose Maiden Name was Martha Robinson being well acquainted with her before her Marriage which was previous to the Revolutionary War they had children before the enlistment of said Alexander Ford after they were Married they lived in a house in Mile Creek Hundred on what is called & is now the lime stone road in County & state aforesaid at the time of the War Alexander Ford and Family fled to Lancaster in the State of Pennsylvania when he enlisted he also remembers their marriage by Rev. William McCannon he was not at their wedding but knows from their visiting at his Fathers House a few days after their being married, the wife of Alexander Ford removed from this place about Thirty five years ago with William Robinson to the Sate of Ohio the deponent was born Sept. the sixth seventeen hundred and sixty six (1766) is now in his seventy sixth year also remembers after the termination of the war of Alexander Fords Return and living with his wife Martha in Mile Creek Hundred County County and State aforesaid
William Foote
Affirmed before me at my office in New Port
Nov 4th 1841
Samuel James JP
I certify that the said named William Foote is a man of standing Respectability & fortitude & Veracity.
Samuel James J. P. 
New Castle County
State of Delaware SS

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State of Delaware
New Castle County} SS

I James C. Mansfield Prothonotary of the Superior Court of the State of Delaware in and for the County of New Castle hereby Certify that Samuel James Esquire before whom the within attestation was taken and who hath attested the Same by his proper Signature was as the date of the Said Attestation and now is a justice of the Peace of the Said State in and for the Said County duly Commissioned and qualified and that the Signature there is his genuine Signature
In Testimony where of I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Superior County at New Castle the Ninth day of November AD 1841
James C Mansfield Proty.

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Newcastle County:
in State of Delaware: SS.  before me A. Bradley  one of the Justices of the Peace for the County [illegible] personally appeared William Bracken and upon his solemn oath did say that he was personally acquainted with Alexander Ford and Martha Ford his wife whose maiden name was Martha Robinson was acquainted with her before and after her marriage with Alexander Ford, which marriage was previous to the revolutionary war that they were  married by the Rev. William M. Cannon was not at the wedding but well recollecting of taking the said Alexander Ford by the hand and wishing him much joy the next day after their marriage that afterwards they lived in a house near the limestones road in Mill Creek  [illegible] County of New Castle and State of Delaware that they had children whilst they lived in said [illegible]. At the time of the wars, the said Alexander Ford and family fled to Lancaster in the State of Pennsylvania where he enlisted in the United States Services. After the enlistment of the said Alexander Ford, his wife the said Martha, returned to Millcreek [illegible] afs* tat after the termination of the war Alexander Ford also returned to the [illegible] aforesaid and there lived with his wife the said Martha having with them their children. Also recollects of the said Martha Ford remaining from this county upwards of thirty ears ago with William Robinson to the State of Ohio this aforementioned is now being aged seventy-five years nine months and sixteen days.
Sworn and subscribed at my
offices in Newark Nov. 6 1841 William Brackin
before A. Bradley, J.P.

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Penn Ford, Alexander W.9445
Martha

Page 36

District of Columbia
Washington County, {Set _ On this 12th day of November 1841, before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County, personally appeared William Robinson of the county Huron in the State of Ohio, And being sworn on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God, deposeth and saith as follows, That he is well with Martha Ford a resident of the county and State aforesaid Widow of Alexander Ford a Revolutionary Soldier of New Castle County in the State of Delaware, that he has known her for something like fifty years last [post or past], that the said Martha lived with her said husband the said Alexander Ford in New Castle County, in the State of Delaware when this deponent first became acquainted with them. That the said Martha moved from Delaware to the State of Ohio something like thirty five years ago, leaving her husband the said Alexander Ford behind to settle up his business with a promise to follow his family to Ohio so soon as he should get his business settled, that this deponent drove the team and moved the said Martha from Delaware to the State of Ohio, and that to this deponent's knowledge the said Martha Ford has resided in the State of Ohio ever since and still resides in Huron County in the State of Ohio. that her husband the said Alexander Ford never did come to Ohio to his family but resided in the State of Delaware until his death which took place to the best of the deponent's recollection upwards of twenty years ago. That the said Martha has not since intermarried but continues the widow of the above named Alexander Ford and that deponent knows her to be the identical Martha Ford who resided in Delaware with the said Alexander Ford as his lawful wife and has no doubt at all but she was his  lawful married wife never having hea[r]d it doubted and having known

Page 37

them both well for a number of years before the said Martha went to the State of Ohio and deponent also knows that the said Martha is the Identical Martha Ford who has filed her application in the Pension office of the United States for the purpose of trying to get a pension allowed her for her husband's service in the Revolutionary War and in whose favour the depositions of William [Hoots] and William Bracken was taken and which are filed in the Pension office with her said application. 
William Robinson
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid.
D. K. Morsell
Justice of the peace

Page 38

[illegible] Ohio 17 May 1841
Sir
I have rec your Letter of April 26, 1841 relative to the case of Mrs. Martha Ford widow of Alexander Ford on or some time since yours relative to the case of Martha Burrell.
As to the former you in your letter of August 7, 1840 say "Further proof of the date of the marriage [illegible]". If no record proof can be found any documentary evidence showing that they lived together as husband and wife at some period prior to Nov 3 1783 will be deemed satisfactory". If I understand the meaning of the term "Documentary" as distinguished from Record Proof, it is some genuine legally authenticated written Evidence - for instance written evidence - an affidavit  or Deposition taken before a legal authority - J. Hi____ J.P and lately sent to you such Documentary Evidence [illegible] the deposition of Mrs. Martha Jones, who says she knows that Alexander and Martha Ford at the time required lived together as husband and wife. She mentions the names of [illegible] different Children their different ages at the forementioned time from which it appears they must have been married before this time as required "prior to [illegible] 1783" and consequently the marriage undoubtedly took place prior to that time. and besides Mrs. Jones who says that she heard her Father and Mother say William Addy and Nell Addy, who was now dead, in their lifetime say that they were at the marriage and saw them married. I respectfully submit to you [illegible] the declarations of old respectable declarations such as  Mr. and Mrs. Addy

Page 39

Service
Penn
Ford, Alexander, Martha
W. 9445

Understand what you mean by "sufficient age" in ____. Do you prefer to ___ ages of William Addy & Nelly Addy onto the age of Martha Jones I think there can't be any question as to competency in again each in detailing swearing to the facts they have.  The foregoing observations will I think apply in full force to the case of the widow Martha Murrell.  Her having been allowed a Pension under the law of 1835 I presume will be no bar to an increase under the law of 1836 if originally she was ____under the latter.
I will serve further that I was not before aware that there was a difference in the nature of the proof required to sub stantiate the mere facts of marriage or service under the two Laws of 1836 & 1835
In the latter case of Mrs. Burrely - if I've called right - Mrs. Mary Groves where deposition was taken under the inspection of D__ conduct testified most explicitly to her knowledge of the marriage of Martha to Zacchariah Burrele and before he left the service.
There old ladies are each about 90 years of age and are miserably poor and destitute & have incurred much expence & trouble in sending to New Jersey.  Pen--- for records --- and in failure of records have procured the next best evidence which they supposed you required  It will be truly distressing to them if they know do not succeed after so much expenses    I am very respectfully Your Ob^t Serv^t  (Obedient Servant) Lewis B Sturgis
One item of Mrs. Burwell's expense is sending an agent to N. Jersey which amounts to more than $40

J L Edwards Esq.
 Commissioners
If I don't much mistake if you will open to your files you will find applications, where I was the agent, allowed upon evidence, not record, similar to what I rely upon - The allowance to the heirs of Mary Cartright after her decease was not upon record Evidence but in depoisition or "documentary" - at your direction to me in various letters, if I do not misconstrue them, were of the same natures you will excuse me for my troubling you so much.
L.BS.