Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 739, Providence Freeman, Conn.

Page 1

SERVICE
Conn.

Freeman, Providence Azuba

NUMBER
N. 739
B.L.Wt.31307-160-55

CONTENTS

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12.062 R

Connecticutt

Providence Freeman

of Colchester in the state of Connecticutt who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Durkee of the Connecticutt line, for the term of 3 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticutt at the rate of 8- Dollars per month, to commence on the 31st of March 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 18th of June 1819 and sent to Calvin Goddard Esquire
Chelsea Landing
Con:

Arrears to 4th Mar: 1819 11 mon 5/31 - 89..29
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sep: 1819 48..
$137..29

{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}

Continued Under law 1 May 1820

[A note written vertically n the adjoining page reads]:
Verification sent to Calvin Goddard
East Norwich, Connt  27 July, 1820

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[This page is divided into a left side and right side. The left side first]
                            1314
                     Connecticut 
=============================
                   Azuba Freeman
widow of Providence Freeman who served in the Revolutionary War, as a private
                         Cown Sine
==============================
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 96 Dollars
 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 3rd February 1833 [4th day of March, 1848 is crossed out]
________________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 15th day of August 1833 and sent to John Isham
                                Colchester County(?)
________________________________________________
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under 
[July 29,1818, is crossed out]  Page 59 Vol. a
 3rd February 185?
_____________________________________________
[Right hand page]
                   John Isham
                 Mch 23, 1857-
1884 Jany 29 [illegible] Samuel Pearce giving her a statement of the pension allowed, which exhausted all the provisions of the Pensions law set circular with paragraph (prior) No.3 -
[[a note written vertically reads]: Date of death not on A.B.

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142.095
                Act Mar. 3/53   cir J. Isham  Feby 22/56
                      May 21/53
________________________________________________
Azuba Freeman
Widow of 
Providence Freeman, Pvt
_________________________________________________
Revolutionary War
________________________________________________
Nee. Pension

Conn  Feby  53 -1314
_________________________________________________
Ord 160 acs July 4/56
                   Dodge

[illegible initials]
_______________________________________________
            Jno. Isham             Vol F  page 136
               Colshester
                         CT

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Certificate of marriage of Providence & Azuba Freeman, Sept 8, 1806

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"Providence Freeman and Azuba Ran were married together September twenty-second Anno domini one thousand eight hundred and six"
           by [Signature]Asa Woodworth
                                Justice of the Peace

The foregoing is a true copy of the Record with the exception of the date -  which is expressed on the Record in fair legible figures "September 22,? AD 1806 - 
              Attest [Signature] Gardner Avery
                                        Town Clerk

I Gardner Avery above named depose and say that I hold office of town Clerk in the town of Bozrah in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town, with the exception above named - 
                    As certified by me
                        Gardner Avery
                           Town Clerk of the 
                           Town aforesaid

Subscribed and sworn
this 15th day of August AD 1844 - 

              Before me
[Signature]    John W Haughton  Notary Public 
                                                and Sec

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Providence Freeman
March 31st 1818
______________________
      Private
Col Durkee Regiment
Connecticut line
1777 - 3 years
______________________

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To Calvin Goddard Esq one of the Judges of the Supr. Court in the State of Connecticut
           The Petition of Providence Freeman a resident Citizen of the Town of Colchester in New London County & State there in.
            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 hereby relinquishes all claim to any pension under any law of the United States excepting under an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States & to substantiate his claim to a pension under that Act he makes this application -  Dated at Colchester this 31st day of March AD 1818 - 
                                      his
[Signature] Providence   X   Freeman
                                    mark


State of Connecticut
          New London Ss.
       Be it remembered that on the thirty first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred eighteen before me Calvin Goddard one of the Judges of the Supr. Court in the State of Connecticut [inserted phrase reads "personally came Providence Freeman of [illegible]"] & made oath to the truth of the following declaration by him subscribed/viz  That he enlisted into the Army of the United States in the wat of the revolution upon [the word "the" is crossed out] continental establishment some time in the year AD 1777, for  the term of three years what time he [illegible] fully served for during the term for which he enlisted  That he

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enlisted into a company commanded by Capt Hammond and a Regiment commanded by Col John Durkee in the Connecticut line that at the expiration of said term of five years he was honourably discharged from Service  That he has never received any pension under any law & that he is by reason of his reduced circumstances in life in need of assistance from his Country for his support.                              
                                            his
       [Signature] Providence   X   Freeman
                                           mark

 Sworn & declared the day & year aforesaid before me   [Signature]Calvin Goddard a Judge 
                                      of Supr Court

I a Clerk of Colchester declares on oath that in the year 1778 he well knew & now perfectly recollects Providence Freeman whose name is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit & saw him in the Army & verily believe that he lived as above stated  Dated this 31st day of March 1818                          Erni  [illegible]

Sworn before Calvin Goddard Judge of Supr Ct I John Isham on oath declare that the above named Providence Freeman is indigent & very poor            [Signature] John Isham

Sworn before [Signature] C Goddard Judge

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I Calvin Goddard Judge & as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Providence Freeman did serve in the war of the revolution as stated in the preceeding declaration against the common enemy & I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the direction of the aforementioned act of Congress
Dated at Norwich  March 31st 1818
[Signature]  Calvin Goddard Judge of Supr Ct

I certify that the aforesaid Providence Freeman is in indigent circumstances
[Signature] Calvin Goddard

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Providence Freeman

12062

     Colchester

June 1 [illegible]

Page 12

State and District of Connecticut, ss.

On this 30th day of June 1820 personally appeared in open Court, before the County Court holden within and for the County of New London in said State, on the 30the day of June 1820, the same being a court of record, proceeding according to the course of common law, with a jurisdiction  unlimited in point of amount, keeping record of its proceedings, and having power of fine and imprisonment, Providence Freeman aged about eighty years, resident in the town of Colchester in __County in said State, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows: [many terms not requiring a response are crossed out] in the company commanded by Captain Hammond in the regiment commanded by Colonel Durkee in the line of the State of Connecticut [additional terms which do not require a response are crossed out]  That he made a declaration to obtain a pension under the law of the 18th of March 1818 [terms are crossed out] on the 31st day of March 1818; and had transmitted to him a certificate for a pension from the Secretary for the Department of War, No.12062. 
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 the 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;" and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts of debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.
That I [redacted] have been a laborer, but am wholly unable to work by reason of a very bad rupture in my body & other bodily infirmities - that I have a wife named Azuba, aged thirty two, and a daughter, by name of Leuba, aged six years - that I have not any property real or personal except the following - & had been supported wholly by public charity, for several years before I obtained my pension certificate

viz - 2 old chairs $0.25  - 1 small dish kettle .50
3 knives and forks  .17  -  1 groom table  .17
1 [illegible]  .54                         $1.45
                                       his       
[Signature]  Providence   X   Freeman
                                       mark

Signed, Sworn to and declared on the 5th day of June 1820 before [illegible] County [illegible]  Charles Lathrop, Charles Lathrop Clerk of the County Court for New London 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 further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is one dollar and forty three cents.  
 In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this 30th day of June 1820 
                     [Signature] Charles Lathrop
    Clerk of the County Court for the County of New London

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State of Connecticut  Ss.
On this 14th day of February 1853 personally appeared before the Court of Probate of the District of Colchester Azuba Freeman a resident of Salem County of New London aged 74 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the acts of Congress passed from July 1836 to February 3, 1853 granting pensions to the widows of persons, who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Providence Freeman of Colchester deceased, who was a private in the Revolutionary War and a pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of March 1818 - reference being had to his application for a pension under said act, on which he received a Certificate for ninety six dollars a year until his death, that he the said Providence Freeman died at Colchester aforesaid on the 2nd day of March 1824. - That she has remained  ever since, and still a widow.
                                          her
            [Signature] Azuba   X   Freeman 
                                         mark 

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
[Signature]   Alfred B Pierce Judge of Probate

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Court of Probate Ss. Colchester  July 14th AD 1853
          Satisfactory evidence appearance before this Court that Providence Freeman of Colchester  deceased was a private in the Revolutionary War, & a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of March 1818, and that he the said Providence Freeman died at said Colchester on the 2nd day of March AD 1824, and also, that the within named Azuba Freeman is now the widow of the within named Providence Freeman

                [Signature] Alfred B Pierce  Judge of 
Seal                           Probate in the District of 
                                  Colchester

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                                           142,095
Azuba Freeman
application for a 
Bounty Land
Warrant

Page 16

State of Connecticut}
New London}  S.S. Town of Salem
                  On this 15th day of May AD 1835 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Azuba Freeman aged 79 years a resident of the Town of Salem in the County of New London and State aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Providence Freeman late of Salem deceased who served as a Private under the command of Captain [blank] in the Regiment of [blank] Commanded by [blank] in the War of the Revolution that her said husband entered the army at [blank] in the County of [blank] and state of [blank] in or about the year AD 17[blank] and was in actual service in the army in said Revolutionary War for the term of one year and more and was honorably discharged (as the facts will fully appear from the application and declaration of the said Azuba Freeman to obtain a Pension for the service of her said husband in said war and her proof

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accompanying the same now on file in the Pension office at Washington and that she the said Azuba Freeman now holds a certificate of Pension for the services of her said husband for the sum of ninety six dollars per year granted to her by the Pension Commission under the act of Congress passed February 3rd AD 1833 which said certificate bears date August 16th AD 1833 She further states that she was married to the said Providence Freeman at Bozrah in the County of New London and State of Connecticut on the twenty second (22) day of September AD 1806 by our Asa Woodworth a Justice of the Peace and that her name before her said marriage was Azuba Ran that her said husband died at Colchester in the County of New London and state of Connecticut on the 1st day of March [March is inserted from above] AD 1824 and that she is now a widow - 
she makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the act of Congress approved March 3rd AD 1833 - She also declares that she has not received a Warrant for bounty land

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under this or any other act of Congress nor made any other application herefore
                                       her
         [Signature] Azuba   X   Freeman
                                     mark

We Henry G Holmes and Lucy Holmes reside in Salem in the state of Connecticut upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by the said Azuba Freeman in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be
           [Signature]  Henry G Holmes
            [Signature] Lucy Holmes
This foregoing declaration and affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me on this 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 witness in this claim - 
                      [Signature] Seagrave Smith
                                         Justice of the Peace

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State of Connecticut,}
County of New London,}  ss.
             I, JAMES STEDMAN, Clerk of the County Court in and for said County, do hereby Certify that Seagrave Smith whose name, in his own proper hand writing, is subscribed to the Certificate or [illegible] on the Instrument attached, was at the date of said Certificate or [illegible] a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, [blank] duly empowered to take acknowledgments of Deeds and other writings, administer Oaths, take Depositions, &c.

Seal

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Norwich, in said County, on this 18th day of May, A.D. 1855.

              [Signature] James Stedman Clerk

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          Office of Secretary of State

                         Hartford, Conn  6th July 1853

Sir:

       The date of the certificate of Mr Haughton is 15th Aug 1844; I cannot find any record of his appointment at that time.  There is a record of his appointment June 1 184__ and again May 26th 1846.  The term of office is two years.  There may have been an omission in the Record, as Mr Haughton may have forgotten that his time had expired, which sometimes happens.  I return the papers and the [illegible].
                        Yours respectfully
[Signature] Jno P.C.Masten

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[There are two documents on this page, one on the left page and one on the right hand. The left hand page is transcribed first.]

31,307



[illegible]

[Right hand page]
No/"  1021
Azuba Freeman
Widow of Providence co[illegible]
                              Ct.

Let to.  Jno Ishaim
         14' June /53
         24    "       "

Act Feby 3/53

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[illegible]      WIDOW, &c.   
                            [initials written vertically] am

File No. 739
Azuba Freeman.
Widow
Providence Freeman
priv. Rev. War.
____________________

Act: Feb. 8. 1853.
Index:-- Vol.  A,   Page  252

[Arrangement of 1870]

Page 23

State of Connecticut Ss -
On this Seventh Day of April 1817. before me Jeremiah Brainard One of the Judges of the Superior Court of said State of Connecticut - personally appears Cornelius Coningham -   a Past Surgeon in the Army of the United states - now living and residing in New London in said State of Connecticut -  who being by me First duly sworn according to Law - doth on his Oath depose - declare and say -  that in the year 1778 -  he belonged to the Hospital Department of the Army of the United States and was [illegible] to the Hospital of the Continental Army at Danbury in  the State of Connecticut - that he has at that time as his Servant or Waiter a black man of the Name Providence - He was a small man - and was a Soldier in Colonel John Durkee's Regiment of the [crossout] Connecticut Line of the Continental Army - That the said Providence lived and continued within the Department as  his Servant or Waiter Nine of Ten Months -  after that he was sent back to and rejoined his Regiment 
[Signature] Corn Coningham P.S.U.S.A
Sworn before me[initial "C" above me]}
Day and year of [illegible]}
 [Signature] Jeremiah Brainard a Judge of Sup Court
                 State of Connecticut

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Cap. [illegible] Robert Hallam
Deposition
___________________

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State of Connecticut [initial "c"] Ss.
On this Seventh Day of April 1819 before me  Jeremiah Brainard One of the Judges of the Superior Court of said State of Connecticut personally appears Robert Hallam residing in New London in said State of Connecticut and being by me duly sworn according to Law on his Oath doth depose -  declare and say - that in the Course of the War of the Devolution he was a Captain in Colonel John Durkee's Regiment in the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army - That while he belonged to said Regiment he well knew a black man by the Name of Providence to be a Soldier in said Regiment that the Reason why he recollects him in particular is - that he the deposant when a Boy knew the said Providence at New London then a Servant in the Family of Mr Hulbbat of said Town - How long Providence continued in the Regiment the deposant cannot say he thinks he recollects his being with it at Valley [insert]Forge during the Winter of 1777=8 - he recollects his being honorably discharged  on August(?) of a [illegible] - but at what time he cannot say - neither can he say by what Name Providence enlisted nor by what name he was known of [illegible] on the Rolls -  But That he recollects that Providence belonged to the Regiment a considerable Time but [illegible] as  before stated he cannot say 
             [Signature] Rob't Hallam [Redaction]
Sworn before me the Day}
and year of above said}
[Signature] Jeremiah Brainard a Judge of Sup. Court 
                     State of Connecticut

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Hon. S. Cole}           Colchester March 15.th 1857
Pension Office}
City Washington}     Dear Sir -  I am informed that  Congress has lately passed an act allowing widows of Revolutionary Soldiers [illegible initials inserted] in certain cases an increase [insert] or arrears of Pension. Azuba Freeman Widow of Providence Freeman deceased recommending that she is entitled to an arrears, sent me last Saturday her application for 8d(?) increase together with her power of atty -  requesting me to forward the same to the Hon. [illegible] Pension Department City Washington, I accordingly inclose the same with a request that your Hon..[illegible] will place the same on file to be taken up soon as Congress having made this necessary of appropriation to carry[illegible] act into effect
             Very Respectfully your [illegible]
              Servant
                       [Signature] John Isham
NB I do not know who the Com.[insert] of} Pensions is your having [illegible] P. Office} have directed it to you - }
                                         [Initials] J.I

Page 27

Hon. L.P. Waldo}
Com.[illegible superscript] of Pensions}    
                                  Hartford July 25 th 1853
Sir - I am happy in being in a situation to inform you, that I have at this moment succeeded in obtaining a Certificate from the Secretary of State, which [blot] herein inform(?), that J.W.Haughton Esq. of Bozrah was a regular appointed & sworn Notary Public on the 15th day of August 1844 the day he administer the Oath as Notary to Gardner Avery Esq. Town Clerk, Town of Bozrah in the case of Marriage of Providence Freeman  & Azuba Ran by Asa Woodworth Esq. a Justice of the Peace for said Town of Bozrah, and I sincerely hope that this will remove all further difficulties and that Azuba will soon receive a Certificate from the Hon. department for a good Pension, the fear that she would be cast off eventually it having lain ever since Feby, has made her quite miserable this added to her poverty and old age has been very troublesome to her
                  Very respectfully your[illegible]
                      [Signature] John Isham
NB.  in your last you refer to a Town Clerk not being under Oath, I have always been taught that it was the duty of a Town Clerk to be sworn soon as chosen into Office, and of course is under Oath in the transaction of his official acts as Town Clerk as long as he hold said Office - }                [initials]J.I
I may have been in the wrong}
NB  Asa Woodworth Esq a Justice of the Peace & Gardner Avery Esq. Town Clerk of the Town of Bozrah for the year 1844 [illegible] both [illegible]             [initials] J.I

Page 28

Court of Probate   New London County State of Connecticut, Ss  Colchester  June 18th 1853.
       On the trial of the application of Azuba Freeman for a pension satisfactory evidence was exhibited to this court that Azuba Ran (now Azuba Freeman) was married on the 22nd day of February AD one thousand eight hundred and six to Providence Freeman a Revolutionary Pensioner under the Act of Congress of March (1818) One thousand eight -hundred eighteen
    [Signature] Alfred B Pierce Judge of Probate
                                for District of Colchester
Seal
         We John Isham and Alfred B. Pierce of the town of Colchester, county of New London and State of Connecticut being of Lawful age Do depose & say that we saw Azuba Freeman sign her application for a pension in February last, and said signature is true and correct and that the said Azuba is the Widow of the identical Providence Freeman who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United states under the act of 1818.
Colchester  June 18th AD 1853
                          [Signature]   John Isham
                          [Signature]   Alfred B Pierce
I hereby certify that John Isham Esq signer of the above certificate is a credible witness
[Signature]  Alfred B Pierce Judge of Probate
Colchester.  June 18th 1853

Page 29

Hon. L.P.Waldo}
Comm[superscript 'n'] of Pensions
                              Colchester  June 18..th 1853
         Dear Sir -  Your favor of the 14th..th instant in reply to one of mine of the 14..th Feb'y last, respecting the application of Azuba Freeman for a Pension, Widow of Providence Freeman I rec'd last evening, from which it appear that the department are not satisfied with the proceedings in her case for a Pension  I have therefore obtain a certificate of Judge Pierce as to the Marriage of the said Azuba to Providence together with a certificate of her identity which is herewith forwarded, and I forwarded with her application in Feby last, to the case of J.E Neath Esq then acting Com..[superscript 'n'] of Pensions the Certificate of Gardner Avery Esq Town Clerk of the Town of Bozrah of the marriage of the said Azuba to Providence Freeman, by Asa Woodworth Esq a Justice of the Peace for said Town of Bozrah, and sworn to before J.W.Haughton a Notary Public - I have always, [illegible] from a Town Clerk sufficient to favour without the act of a Notary any Town Record which may have been [illegible] on the Record of said Town of which the aforesaid marriage was only possibly I have been mistaken, I hope the Hon. department will be satisfied with the additional testimony if not do have good as to return the papers to me with further directions, I likewise inclos. the 15.th Feby to the case of J.E. Heath Esq the application of Betty Underwood Widow of Thomas Underwood for a Pension,have not heard from the same those two widows are very poor & destitute, you Sir will confer a great favor on them by having their claims attended to - the [inserted 'original'] certificate of Esq Avery of the Marriage of Azuba to Providence was forwarded in July last with her application - shall be glad to hear from you soon as convenient
              Very respectfully yours
             [Signature] John Isham

Page 30

State of Connecticut.
By his Excellency Thomas H. Seymour, Governor of said State.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Know ye, that [handwritten: John W. Haughton was on the 22nd day of May, AD1844, for the term of two years, appointed a Notary Public]
in the said State, duly constituted and commissioned, and that to his acts and attestations as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court: [crossed out: that the within attestation is in due form and by that proper officer, and that I believe the signatures of said John W Haughton thereto, to be genuine]
[handwritten: Tho. W. Seymour]

SEAL

In testimony whereof, I have caused the public Seal of the State affixed this [handwritten: 25th] day of [July] A.D. [1853] and in the seventy [eighth] year of the Independence of the United States of America.

By his Excellency the Governor
[handwritten: Tho. P. B. Mather]
Secretary of State

Page 31

[There is a ribbon atop this document]

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year first above mentioned and I hereby certify that I know the said deponent Azuba Freeman and believe her to be as is above stated and that she is of the age above stated and further that I am not interested in this her claim as attorney of otherwise
    
            Witness my hand and Seal of said Court 
SEAL     affixed by order ofsaid Court now in 
             session - 

[Signature] Albert B. Isham
                            Judge

Page 32

To the Commission of Pensions
               Washington,
                        D.C.
State of Connecticut}
New London County} Ss.  Probate District of 
                                    Colchester March 14. 1857

Present Albert B. Isham Judge On this 14th day of March 1857 before the Court of Probate for the District of Colchester held within and for the District of Colchester in the County of New London and State aforesaid 
     Personally appeared Azuba Freeman aged eighty one years a resident of Salem in the County of New London and State of Connecticut: who being 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 on the 3rd February 1853 granting pensions to Widows of Persons who served during the Revolutionary War That she is the Widow of Providence Freeman deceased who was a Private in the Company of Infantry belonging to the Continental Army in the War of the Revolution  To the best of her information in belief her Husband entered in service in said War during its continuance and continue in actual service in said War for the term of about six years and was honorably discharged  that her said Husband was a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of 1818 -  at the rate of a verity six Dollars per Annum which was paid to him at the Agency in Middletown in the State of Connecticut.  She further states that she was Married to the said Providence Freeman in the Town of Bozrah County of New London & State of Connecticut on the 22nd day of September AD 1806

Page 33

by one Asa Woodworth a Justice of the peace and that her name before said Marriage was Azuba Ran and that her Husband died at Colchester on the 2nd day of March 1824.  That she was not married to him prior to the 2nd of January 1800.  but at the time above stated and she further states that there is a public record of her Marriage in said Town of Bozrah and that there is no private record of her Marriage to her Knowledge  that she cannot file him with his certificate of discharge for the reason that she has it not.  and further she declares that she is now a widow and she further states that soon after the passage of the act of Feby 3.rd 1853 entitled an Act to continue half pay to certain widows and orphans she applied the Pension department for a pension at the rate of Ninety Six dollars annum and was allowed a pension at said rate of Ninety Six Dollars per annum commencing on the 3rd day of February 1853.  She now alledges that ['that' is crossed out] - she is entitled to the arrears of Pension at the rate of Ninety Six Dollars per annum from the 4th day of March 1848 to the 3rd day of February 1853. and Makes this application to your Honor.[superscript illegible] Department to obtain the same
The hereby appoints Colo John Isham of Colchester in the County of New London and State aforesaid her true and Lawful Attorney with power of substitution to prosecute this her clam for a Pension to receive the certificate when issued,  and he do all other acts necessary and proper in the  [illegible]

In presence of                                    
[Signature] John R Harvey  
[Signature] Albert B. Isham 

                                                     her
                       [Signature] Azuba   X   Freeman
                                                  mark

Page 34

Brief in the case of [handwritten: Azuba Freeman, widow of 
Providence {New London County and State of Connecticut
act [handwritten: 3rd February. 1853]

Claim, ("original" [crossed out: or for [illegible]]
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.

[handwritten: Husband was a pensioner, under the Act of 18th March, 1818 & Cont.d 
Record
evidence of marriage]

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since admission of the claim? If so, what?
[handwritten: John Isham Esq 
Colchester CT]
Name and residence of Agent

S. C. Boynton
Examining Clerk.

Page 35

Hartford Jan 29th 1884
Mr Dudley 
Sir
Will you please in
form me concerning my Fathers Pension Providence Freeman who was in War of 1812 and during his life draw a Pension I Mrs Rosanna Pierce was his daughter and the only surviving member of the family I send to you more than a year ago but have not received any answer My Mother received a Pension after my Fathers Death and my mother Died in the Autumn and I received from that time

Page 36

untill March that is the last I have over heard from it that is ever heard from it that is over 20 years ago My Father was from Colchester town and thee I was Born

Will you please answer as soon as possible
                                   and oblige
                 [Signature] Mew Samuel

Plarce  18 Fairmont St
               Hartford 
                       conn

Page 37

142093  Content Bridges         [Initials?]Leg
               Samuel Bridges  deux
_____________________________________________
142095 Azuba Freeman
             Providence Freeman   deux  
                                               [Initials?]Ley
                                               [illegible]  1133

[There is a stamp placed vertically on the left of the page which reads 'FRH.E]

                Boynton

[Across the right of the page are three lines written vertically]
Hon. J Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington  

[There is a circular stamp which reads]
Cholchester [illegible] 
May 5

Page 38

Hon. J Minot}      
 Com.[superscript illegible] of Pensions}

Colchester Conn [superscript illegible] May 1st 1856

      Dear Sir - It appears by a notice in my paper of 23rd April last, that Congress have repealed. that part of the Pension Act that required a Certificate from Record, of the  service of the Husband of the Widow, making application for Bounty Land under the 3rd March 1855 - that being the case, I take it for granted that there will be no[insert]thing other in the way of your Honn[superscript illegible] department granting a Certificate for the Bounty Land due Mrs Content Bridges Widow of Land Bridges ducas [superscript illegible] No. 142,093 and Azuba Freeman Widow of Providence Freeman ducas [superscript illegible] No 142,0,95 if so you are requested to forward thus Land Warrants soon as convenient, and much obliged not only them but your Humble servant
                               [Signature] John Isham  
PS it wants but 13 Days of a year since the above application was forwarded, and for two pensions who have been confirmed a greater part of the time with sworn witness it has been very trying to them -     [initials] J.I

Page 39

Hon. L.P Waldo
Com[superscript illegible] of Pensions
__________________________________________
                                     Colchester July 6th 1853
Dear Sir - I have only time to say that yours of the 24th June was duly receiv[superscript illegible]. it appears that the department are not satisfied with the Proof in the application of Azuba Freeman Widow of the late Providence Freeman, and I have [a series of words crossed out]sent to Hartford three times calculating that I shou[superscript illegible] be able to process a Certificate from the Secretary of State that J.W.Haughton was duly appointed a Notary Public further and held the office in 1844 I have the moment rec[superscript illegible] from Secretary Mather his reply which I herein inclose to you. and from which I hope that your department will be satisfied that all is right, and will issue poor Azuba Certificate I likewise inclose you my affidavit and the affidavit of my son AB Isham as to the identy of Azuba and to our knowlege of her continuing to be the Widow of the said Providence Freeman ducas[superscript illegible]. who was a Pensioner of the United States under the act of 1818 I hope Sir that your pardon me for giving you this extra trouble, as I do not recollect a requirement ever having been made of the kind before, however in case there can be anything done, if your have the goodness to point it out it shall be duly attended to by your obed[superscript illegible]. Serv[superscript illegible]. & friend
                       [Signature] John Isham

Page 40

I John Isham of Colchester County of New London State of Connecticut aged seventy nine years 24th Feby last depose & say on oath that I was born in said Town of Colchester & have always resided here that I was well acquainted with Providence Freeman a Color[superscript illegible] Man who belonged to the Continental Army having assisted him in Making out his claim for a Pension under the act of March1818 on which claim he rec[superscript illegible] a certificate for $96.. - a year which he continued to draw until his Death - I was also well acquainted with his Wife Azuba Freeman now his Widow and do Know that she has remained ever since & still is his Widow. and is the identical Azuba Freeman who was the said Providence Freeman, Widow on the 3rd day of February 1853 the day on which Congress pass [superscript illegible] an act for the benefit of Widows of Revolutionary Officers & Soldiers
                          [Signature] John Isham
Subscribe & sworn to this 
1st day of July AD} 1853}
Before me [Signature] Alfred B. Pierce Judge of  
                       Probate for District of Colchester

Probate Office for Colchester July, 1st 1853
                              I hereby certify that I am well acquainted [insert] with the above named deponent & that he is a credible witness
[Signature] Alfred B Pierce Judge of Probate

Page 41

I Albert B. Isham of Colchester County of New London State of Connecticut aged Forty seven years depose and say on oath that I was born in said Town of Colchester aforesaid & have resided here ever since and that I have been well acquainted with Azuba Freeman widow of Providence Freeman who was a Revolutionary Pensioner under the Act 1818 & since I was ten or eleven years of age I was in the habit of carrying good necessaries for the Family to the S. Freeman & his wife Azuba who liv[superscript illegible] about four miles south of the center of this Town.  & I have [illegible] been well acquainted with Azuba Freeman & Know her to be the identical Widow of Providence Feeman & that she has remain[superscript illegible] & still is the Widow of the s[superscript illegible] Providence Freeman who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States under the Act of March 1818
Sworn to and Subscribed this}
1st Day July 1853}  [Signature] Albert B. Isham
Before me
[Signature] Alfred B Pierce  Judge of Probate
for district of Colchester
        Probate Office Ss Colchester July 1st 1853
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named deponent and that he is a 
Credible Witness
   [Signature] Alfred B Pierce  Judge of Probate

Page 42

JE Heath Esq
Co of Pensions

Colchester Conn, July 14, 1853

Sir having assisted Providence Freeman ducas[superscript illegible] in making out his claim for a pension under the act of Congress March 1818 and by request of his Widow Aruba Freeman have this day made out her application for a Pension under the late Act of Congress I herein inclose the same which I hope will prove correct, and if so youll please forward her certificate to my care Aruba is very poor and destitute and it will be of very great relief to her if granted. 
Respectfully your Obed[superscript illegible] Servant, 
John Isham
*NB  I likewise inclose you
the Certificate of the Town 
Clerk of Borzah of the Marriage of Providence and Zuba by
 Asa Woodworth Esq.