Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17,313, Cato Black, Continental Mass.

Page 1

(3-1776)

Service: Continental Mass

Black, Cato
           Rebecca

Number: N. 17,313

Contents:

Page 2

[Left side]
[illegible] Letter to John T. Neely 26 May 1853

[Right side]
3701
Connecticut
Rebecca Black
widow of Cato Black
who was a Private Mass
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
11th day of Oct. 1843
and sent to
J. D. Wilcox
West Granby Conn.

[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 63.

Page 3

No. 6.912 A
Connecticut.
Cato Black,
of Hartford Co. in the state of Connecticut
who was a private in the regiment commanded by
Colonel H. Jackson, of the Mass. Line,
for the term of two years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut,
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 24th of May 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 12th of May 1820,
and sent to Jonathan Brace, judge,
Hartford, Connecticut.

Arrears to 4th of March 1820: $171.87
Semi-annual allowance ending 4th Sept: $48
2 mo. 15/31st 1820: $219.87

[Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.]

(Continued)

Right Page (written sideways):
"Pension sent to Horace Catto, 7th Oct 1820, Hartford Conn."

Page 4

3929
Rebecca Black
wid of Cato
Conn.
Ad July 7, 1835
Married 1790
died 1807
2/3 pr. $50 per An.

J.R. Jewett
Granby Conn.

Page 5

State of Connecticut
Hartford County ss Probate District of Granby
On this 22d day of November 1830, personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for the District of Granby, aforesaid Rebecca Black, a resident of the Town of Granby in the County State, aforesaid, aged Seventy, being who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7, 1830, entitled "An act granting half pay & pensions to certain Widows," that she is the widow of Cato Black, late of said Granby dec'd who was a Soldier of private in the army of the Revolution & who was a pensioner of the United States under the act of the 18th of March 1818, on the Roll of the Massachusetts agency & who, at the time of his death, received a pension of 96 dollars per annum, and also at the time of his death was a resident of the Town of Granby aforesaid — that she was lawfully married to the said Cato Black on the 5th day of February 1790 by Brian Pettetone Esq, then a Baptist teacher of the town of Hartford, District of who died in the year 1812. She left no record of her said marriage — that her husband the said Cato Black died in said Granby on Nov. 2d day of February 1829. That the said Rebecca Black further declares that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place prior to the first day of January 1794 viz, at the time above stated. And I further truly affirm by the present heirs present that she has not since married. That she knows of no record of her said husband's service in the War of the Revolution.

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Revolution the want respectfully the Hon Commisioner of Pensions with [illegible] testifies of the said Cato Black which the [illegible] an now in the office of N. War Department in Washington
Sworn & subscribed the day & signed aforsaid 
Joshua R. Jewett
Clarinda G. Holcomb
Witness

Rebecca her X mark Black
Thomas Holcomb Judge

I Joshua R. Jewett clerk of the court of Probate for the District of Granly do herby certify Mr. Thomas Holcomb is Judge of the Court of Probate for the district of Granby aforsaid duly appointed commision I sworn & that full faith & credit on who [illegible] to his offical act as such I  [illegible] that the signature line proporting to be his is his [illegible] signature In whintess whereof I have hereunto put my hand & seal of this the 22d day of November 1830
Joshua R Jewett, Clerk

I Joshua R Jewett cleark of this court of probate for the destrict of Granly do hereby certify then the forgoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Rebecca Black for a pension
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 22 day of November 1830
Joshua R Jewettt, Clerk

Page 7

5624
Cato Black
Hartford County, Cont.
4 May, 1818.
Col. Henry Jacksons
Regt. Massachusetts,
1782 & 1783.

Not found on rolls.
Service proved by two witnesses certified to be credible persons.

Admitted 

[this section written upside down to rest of text]
Cato Black, [illegible]
[illegible] Mass. Reg. 1781 to 1783
[end of upside down]

Jonathan Brace, judge,
Hartford, Connect.

Recd. 10 Jany, 1820

Page 8

DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT -ss--- HARTFORD

On this 21st day of May 1818 , before me the subscriber, Judge of the County Court for the County of Hartford in said district, personally appeared Cato Black  aged sixty seven years resident in Granly in the said district, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late 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:" That he, said Cato Black on the 12th day of March 1781 enlisted in Kittery in the state of Massachusetts  in the company commanded by Captain Horth of the 9th Masstt Regt commanded by Col Henry Jackson ; that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States until  after the the [illegible] [illegible] in [illegible] 1783 , when he was discharged from service in West Point state of New York , that he was in the battles of voluation ; Hell [illegible] that his discharge was lost and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services. Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid.  Jonathan Brace Judge of the County, Court for the County of Hartford aforesaid  I,  Jona Brace  Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said  Cato Black did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.  Hartford May 21, 1818 .  Jonathan Brace Judge aforesaid May 21 1818 sealed with the seal of said Court by direction of the Honorable Jonathan Brace who is the Presiding Judge of said Court Thomas Chester Clerk

Page 9

State of Connecticut County of Hartford May the 21 - 1818.
I certify that it appears to my full satisfaction by the testimony under oath of Dan Dibble, who is a credible witness, that the within named Cato Black served in the army of the United States as stated in his affidavit. the said Dan Dibble testifies also that he was in the army with him & had personal knowledge of his [illegible]
Jonathan Brace Judge of the County Court for said County

State of Connecticut County of Hartford Jan the 5th 1820
I hereby verify that Elijah Sperry who made the annexed deposition is a credible witness and also verify that the within named Cato Black is in diminished circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support
Jonathan Brace Judge of the County Court for said County

Page 10

Elijah Sperry of Sandisfield in the county of Berkshire of Common Wealth of Massachusetts, being of Lawful age & deposeth & saith, that he served in the army of the United States in  the Revolutionary War from the months of August or September in the year 1782, & until the close of the war, and at his first joining the army belonged to a Regt commanded by Col Smith of the 6th Massachusetts Regt and afterwards Served in the Sundry Corps, and in the begining of the year 1783, & until his discharge served in a Regt commanded by the Col Sprout of the 2nd Massachusetts Regt and during his serving in the last mentioned Regt, he well knew Cato Black, who served in 3rd Regt, & belonged to the same company for a term more than nine months, in which the deponant served, & the deponant says that he then understood that the said Cato Black had served in the Regt commanded by Col Henry Jackson, prior to his having joined 3rd Sprouts Regt and was discharged at West Point in the State of New York, and the Deponant further says that he has, this 22nd Dec 1819 Seen & conversed with the said Cato Black at Granby State of Connecticut where he now resides, and well knows him to be the same person of whom he has testified as aboved, and that he now appears very aged, and poor, & decriped, and the Deponant further saith not.
Elijah Sperry
State of Connecticut Hartford county Granby, on the 22nd day of December 1819 personally appeared before me the subscribing authority the above named Elijah Sperry, and being duly cautioned to declare the truth & nothing but the truth, made oath to the foregoing declaration by him do described. Taken at the request of Cato Black & to be improved in Support of his application for a pension, before the Now Secretary for the War Department, in conformity to a late act of Congress, entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Services of the United States in the Revolutionary War.
Sworn before me James Dibble Justice Peace

Page 11

I Thomas Chester clerk of the County Court in the State of Connecticut certify that James Dibble Esq. on the 22 day of December 1819 was a Justice of the Peace insofar the County of Hartford & I believe that the signature of his name within is his signature I also that the signature below is his signature.
Hartford January 21, 1820.
Signed and sealed with the seal of said court. 
Thomas Chester Clerk

Granby Dec.r 22 1819 Upon due inquiry made I believe that Elijah Sherry is a man of truth veracity & a credible actions & disinterested
James Dibble Justice Peace

Page 12

Cato Black

16912
Sept 1820

Page 13

State of Connecticut, county of Hartford, 
ss. Special County Court, or Court of Common Pleas, holden by order of the Chief Judge of said Court, on the first Tuesday of August, 1820.

On this 2nd day of August, 1820, personally appeared in open Court, the same Court being a Court of record for said County, having the power of fine and imprisonment, Cato Black aged seventy one years, resident in Granby in the County of Hartford, State of Connecticut who being first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows: I enlisted the 19th day of March 1781 & joined the 9th Massachusettes Reg.t commanded by Col.o Harddly Jackson 2nd Company commanded by Cap North when I served about two years, I then was trasferred into the 2nd Massachusets Reg.t commanded by Col.o Sprout the company commanded by Capt. Jackson served in the Reg.t till I was  discharged on North Point in the state of New York I enlisted for three years & served two years & ten months. 
"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 provision 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 to 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." to wit
1 bible....75
1 pot 125 1 kettle 75....7.9
4 btl chairs 1.67 2 pails 50...1.17
1 large wheel 100 - 5 Plates....25
6 cups & saucers .....17
I pint cup 3 [guns] ....58
1 junk bottle 12  - 1half pint bottle ..18
1 hat .... 50
$4.69

Cato Black is a farmer by occupation and by Rea of old age and being decrepid in his hips is totally unable to then farm any labour or to walk without two [illegible] his family consist of a wife four children under the age of twenty one years.

Page 14

Amount of Property bought up - $4.69
One old house standing in the Public
Highway appraised - 10/$14.69
Pension to commence May 21st day 1818
No Certificate 16,912
Cato Black

Sworn to and declared by said Cato Black on the 2d day of August, 1820, before said Court, and it is the opinion of said Court that the total amount in vlaue of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is fourteen dollars and sixty nine cents.
I, Thomas Chester Clerk of the County Court or Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Hartford aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the record of said Court. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 10 day of August 1820
Th Chester Cleark of the County Court or Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Hartford.

Page 15

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
No. 17313 Rebecca Black widow of Cato Black Pri Rev War
Act: March 30 43
ex: - Vol. 1 , Page 68
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 16

Jan. 17 1853
Power of Atty in case of Rebecca Black dec.d widow of Cato.

Ino.y Neely Present

Page 17

Cato Black Conn AI 1818 da 1807

Died 2 Feb 1827 p. 7 that pend

Page 18

3009 Rev
Connecticut
Rebecca Black.
widow of Cato Black, Decd: 
who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 Mar. 1818 and who died on the 2. February, 1827
of Hartford Co in the State of Connecticut
who was a private in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt: [blank] commanded by Col. H. Jackson in the Mass. line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of May 1839 and sent to J. R. Jewett, Granby, CT.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1839 $240.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. 40.00
$280.00
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by WM Stewart
Clerk,
Book A Vol, 1 Page 167

Page 19

Granly, Con Dec. 12 1836

Sir - 
Enclosed is the affidavit of Rebecca Black any & all communications respecting it was [illegible] with undersign as Granly Hartford county, Con. 

I am so very respectfully 
your most Ob Servt
Joshua R. Jewett

Hon. J. E. Edwards

Page 20

3517 Sept 6143
Rebecca Black
March 9th 1843
Conn.

$80 per an

J.D. Wilcox
West Granby
con.


[written horizontally over the above] 
West Granby 
Sept. 4th 

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of pensions
City of Washington

Page 21

I herewith enclose the application of Rebecca Black for a pension under the act of March 3rd 1843
She having recd a pension under the act of July 4th 1836, & was not deemed necessary to go through with all the preliminary proof of her first application. there appeared some doubt whither her age was 79 or 80 - her sister, whose memory appears rather the most clean, called her age 80, which she herself was of opinion that 79 was her age.
I have forwarded the certificate of the clerk of the Probate Court respecting my own official signature, and make further reference to my signature attached to the former applications of Mary Holcomb Hannah Hayes of said Country & Mary Fuller of Frankfort, Herkimer County & State of New York, as well as to the [illegible] papers of Dudley Hayes, John Godan, Ephrain Gillet, [illegible] & several other pensioners of this town for several years past.
Please address Justice D. Wilcox
West Granby Ct

Page 22

Area for 
Rev. Pension of 
Rebecca Black
wid of
Cato Black
State of Conn.


Jno.s Neely

Page 23

Washington DC
June 15 1853
Com Pension
Sir The Heirs state that their mother Rebecca Black widow of Cato Black of Conn only [illegible] pension of her half of that of her Husband which was $96 per annum They ocsin to know if they cannot draw the offer to which was hto the ammount granted to the parents
[illebible]
Jno S Neely

Page 24

Edward Blacke 
Power of Atty

Page 25

Know all men by these presents That I Edward Black of the town of Granby in the County of Hartford + state of Connecticut + one of the children and Legal Representatives of Cato Black a Revolution army soldier and Rebecca Black his wife who is now deceased do hereby irrevocably constitute + appoint John S Neely of the city of Washington in the district of Columbia true + lawful attorney for + in name to examine into + prosecute any claim that may be found to be due the children + legal representatives of Cato Black and Rebecca Black in question of said Military Service in the Revolutionary War and the several Acts of Resolutions of Congress relative thereto and that might have accrued to either of said parties and not drawn during life time and now due to their legal representation and to receive the certificate of pension where issued by the department

Page 26

I hereby confirming whatsoever
My said attorney may do or cause to be legally done either in person or my substitution in the prosecution of said Claim except drawing money
Thereon, I revoking any other authority I may have given to any other person or persons in the premises whatsoever
In writing whereof I have hereunto set my hand + seal this 3rd day of January A.D. 1853
Signed in presence of
AB Halcomb
Edmund Halcomb
Edward his X mark Black

State of Connecticut
Hartford County, On this 3rd day of January A.D. 1853 Personally appeared before me Edward Black & acknowledged the forgoing power of Attorney to be his free act & deed
Ardon B Halcomb Notary Public

Page 27

State of Connecticut
Hartford County 
Probate district of Granby
On this 2nd day of September A. 1843 Personally appeared in open court before the court of probate for the district of Granby now sitting Rebecca Black a resident of said town of Granby aged Eighty years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oat make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the Act of Congress passed + approved March 3rd 1843. That she was lawfully married to Cato Black of said Granby before the first day of January 1794 + continued to live with and was the wife of said Cato until his decease, and has ever since, and now remaining his widow. That the said Cato Black served as a private in the revolutionary war not less than two years for which service he received a pension of Ninety Six dollars per annum until his decease. What after his decease, she herself applied for a pension and obtained and of Eighty dollars per annum under the Act of Congress passed + approved July 4th A. 1836 which pension she continued to receive until the expiration of the five years

Page 28

agreeably to the provisions of the act and for proof of the services of said Cato Black reference is made to the original documents accompanying the application of said Cato Black. for proof of my own marriage with said Cato and of his decease reference is made to the documents accompanying my own application, which may be found at the war department.
She further declares that she knows of no other evidence either parole or documentary concerning her application but what is hereunto appended, or been heretofore forwarded to the department.
She further declares this to be her first application for a pension under the act of March 3rd A. 1843. Rebecca Black X her mark
Justus D Wilcox
Joel C Holcomb
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written
Before me
Joel C Halcomb Judge of Probate

Page 29

I Ardon B Halcomb Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Granby aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Rebecca Black for a pension, under the act of Congress of March 3rd A. 1843.
In writing whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day and year of aforesaid
Ardon B Halcomb Clerk

I Ardon B Halcomb Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Granby aforesaid do hereby certify that Joel C. Halcomb Esq is Judge of Probate for the district of Granby aforesaid duly appointed commissioned + sworn + that full faith and credit are to be given to his official acts as such + further that the signature hereon purporting to be his, is his genuine signature. I further certify that Justus D. Wilcox Esq is a Justce of the Peace for the County of Hartford aforesaid duly appointed commissioned + sworn, + that full faith + credit are to be given to his official acts as such + further that the signature herein purporting to be his is his genuine signature
Ardon B Halcomb Clerk

Page 30

State of Connecticut Hartford County Granby Sept 2 1843 I James Lewis of said Granby County & State aforesaid after being duly cautioned examined & sworn depose and say that I have personally acquainted with Rebecca Black of said Granby widow of Cato Black and according to my best knowledge and belief that she still remains a widow and has never been married since the decease of said Cato and that she was a pensioner under the act of Congress of July 4th AD. 1836 James Lewis

State of Connecticut Hartford County Granby Sept 2 1843 I Charles Holcomb 2nd of said Granby County & State aforsaid after being duly cautioned examined & sworn depos & say that I make solemn oath to all and every part of the deposition of James Lewis as above written & subscribed Charles Holcomb

State of Connecticut Harford County Granby Sept 2nd 1843 personally appeared James Lewis and Charles Holcomb 2nd whose names are appended to the forgoing depositions and each of them made solemn oath to the truth of the same and I certify that I am personally acquinted with each of them, they are credible winesses and their statements may be relied on. Justus D. Wilcox Just of the Peace

Page 31

Jane Jewett

Page 32

I Jane Jewett of Granty in Harford County & State of Conneticut aged Seventy one years depose & say that I have known & have been aquinted with Cato Black & his wife Rebecca for about fifty years that they lived together as man & wife and [illegible] of a large family of children and I have always understood that they were married by my father the late Oscar Pettibone [illegible] who died in September 1812 and has left no known of them [illegible] that I am knowing to The said Rebecca is still living in this town & Remains the Widow of Cato Black
Jane Jewett

Harford County Granty November 22 1830 Personally appeared the above named Jane Jewett is [illegible] personnally known who is a reputable & credible witness & [illegible] [illegible] oth to the truth of the above deposition by the subject before me Joshua R Jewett Justice of the Peace

Page 33

J. Halcomb

Page 34

I Joel Holcomb of Granly in Hartford County & State of Conneticut [illegible] [illegible] Judge of the County Court for Harford County depose & say that I herran known and have been well acquinted with Cato Black & his wife Rebecca for about fifty years That the said Cato Black & his wife Rebecca lived & cohabitted together as man & wife for a great many years & until his Death about [illegible] year ago & that they had  brought up a large Family of children - it is has always been reported that the were married by Oscar Pettibone Esq then a Justice of the Peace for this county and I am knowing that they were married in the early part of the year 1790 but or what particular day I cannot say The said Rebecca the widow of said Cato now lives in this town & has not again married since the death of her said husband Joel Holcomb

Harford County Granly December 3rd 1830 Personally appeared the above named Joel Holcomb to me personally known & who is a respectable & credible witness & made solumn oath to the [illegible] of the above application by him subscribed before me Joshua R Jewett Justice of Peace

Page 35

J. Dibble

Page 36

I James Dibble of Granly in Hartferd county & state of Conneticut [illegible] a truth of the person for [illegible] depose & say that I have known & have been [illegible] acquinted with Cato Black & his wife Rebecca from about the year 1790 up to the time of his death about ten years ago that Cato Black & his wife Rebecca lived & cohabitted together as man & wife & brought up a large family of children it has been always reported that they were married by Oscar Pettibone Esq sho was [illegible] a Justice of Peace for this county who died in the year 1812 I should think they wed about the year 1790 and I have no doubt about the [illegible] made by the said Rebecca is correct as it respects the time of the marriage I further say that they said Rebecca now remains the widow of the said Cato Black & has not [illegible] time of death & now resides in [illegible] of Ganly James Dibble

Hartford County Granly November 22 1830 Personally appeared the above named James Dibble to me personally known & who is a resputable & credible witness & made sworn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed
Before me Joshua R Jewett Justice of Peace

Page 37

C Dibble

Page 38

I Calvin Dibble of Granly in Harford County & State of Conneticut of lawful age depose & say that I have known & have been Well acquinted with Cato Black & his wife Rebecca for a great many years That I Cato Black & the Rebecca lived & cohabitted together as man & wife & brought up a large family of chidren The said Cato died about eleven years ago & his widow the said Rebecca now resides in this neighborhood & still remains unmarried [illegible] it is generally understood & believed that they were married by Orias Pettibone Esq & in the year 1790 and I have no doubt that they were so married I do not know of [illegible] of the marriage nor do I believe there is any such [illegible] but they have always [illegible] [illegible] as man & wife & I fully believe they were Calvin Dibble

Hartford County Granly November 29 1830 Personally appeared the avove named Calvin Dibble to me personally known & who is a reputable & credible witness & much [illegible] oath in the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed
Before me Joshual R Jewett Justice of Peace

Page 39

F E Hocomb

Page 40

I Elihu E Holcomb of Granly in Harford county & State of conneticut of lawful age depose & say that I have known Cato Black of this town for about fifty years such That he married a woman by the name of Rebecca Wallace with whom he lived until his death about Eleven years ago the Cato Black & his wife Rebecca had & brought up a large family of children [illegible] it has always been reported that the said Cato & Rebecca wre true & wife &  that they were married by Orias Pettibone Esq in about the year 1790 and I have no doubt but they wre so married Elihu E Holcumb

Hartford County Granly November 28 1830 Personally appeared the above named Elihu E Holcamb to me personally known & who is a reputable & credible witness & made [illegible] oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed
Before me Joshua R Jewett Justice of Peace

Page 41

Alonzo Phelp

Page 42

I Alonzo Phelps of Granly in Hartford county & State of Conneticut of lawful age depose & say that my father Isaac Phelps my brother Azariah & myself were in trade as merchants in this village for a number of years before &  about 1824 and I find by a [illegible] [illegible] around [illegible] a charge to the [illegibel] of Cato Black for paying [illegible] LW Adams for making a coffin for Cato Black which charge is under the date of February 3d 1829 from which circustances I have no doubt that Cato Black died on the 2d day of Febraruary 1829 the said Cato had lived & cohabitted with his wife Rebecca for a great many of years and that Rebecca is now living in his farm & now remains the widow of Cato
Alonzo Phelps

Hartford County Granly November 22 1830 Personally appeared the above named Alonzo Phelps to me personally known & who is a reputable & credible witness & made [illegible] oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed
Before me Joshua R Jewett Justice of Peace

Page 43

I. Porter

Page 44

I Isaac Porter late Paster of the church in  Granly in Harford county & State of Connecticut depose & say that ever since my Settlement in this Parish I have known  Cato Black & his wife Rebecca - that they have lived & cohabitted together as man & wife & have brought up a large family of children & that they have always been reported as man & wife & I verifly believe they were so - I was settled in this Parish in the year 1793 _ I believe my were married in the year 1790 _
I further say that said REbecca the widow of said Cato Black now lives in this Parish and was again married time the death of [illegible] [illegible
Isaac Porter

Hartford County Granly December 10 1830 Personally appeared the above named Isaac Porter to me personally known as late Paster of the Church in this town & made [illegible] oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed
Before me Joshua R Jewett Justice of Peace

Page 45

I, ROYAL R. HINMAN, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern, THAT Joshua R. Jewett Esquire IS and for more than three months last past, has been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of  Hartford in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds and certify the same ; also to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof ; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said Jewett in Court and Country. In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as foresaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the 10th day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight And I certify that the signature of said hereunto annexed genuine.
Royal R Hinman
Secretary.