Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,550, Daniel Curtis, Mass

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Service: Mass

Curtis, Daniel
Sally

Number
W. 14.550

Contents

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{18}57
Massachusetts

Sally Curtis
widow of Daniel Curtis
who served in the revolutionary war, as a private.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
41      Dollars      51
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 
8th day of Sept 1859 
and sent to
A Loring Cushing,
Randolph,
Mass.

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portion of
Simon Wild
Math or Sally Curtis
for a  pension

Postmark: Pension Office Aug 15 1859

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Deposition of Simon W. Wild

I Simon W Wild on oath depose & say as follows.  I am the son of Capt John Wild & Jemima Wild (Spear) & am the brother of Sally Curtis, (Wild) widow of Daniel Curtis a soldier in the war of the Revolution. I was born in Randolph in the county of Norfolk November of 1784. I was a little more than nine years of age when my sister Sally was married & have now a distinct recollection of the event. I recollect it more particularly because I thought my sister was indifferent to the marriage which my father urged it very strenuously. I recollect that it was in December as it occurred in the month following Thanksgiving which was in November as it always is in this Commonwealth. I recollect that the marriage took place in the year 1793 because it was in the latter part of the year previous to the birth of their oldest son Daniel, which I know took place in January 1794 because my first child was born on the same day of the same month in the year 1808, just twelve years after the birth of Daniel.

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I recollect very well that my father John 
Wild kept a record of the births & marriages of his children in an old book which formerly belonged to Jonathan Wild my grandfather & in which he also kept a family record. This book was the (Glasgow Ed. of the works of Rev John Flavel 1754) Two volumes bound in one. My father John Wild died August 20, 1831 aged 80 years, & I further depose & say that this collection is a correct copy of ancient family records in my father's hand writing entered upon a blank space on page 141 vol 1 [  ] of said Flavel's works to wit.
         "John Wild & Jemima Wild - Children
          Jemima Wild Born March 8th 1771
          Sally Wild Born      April 6th    1773
          Joshua Wild Born   June 10th  1775
          Betsy Wild Born November [ ]  1778
          Polly Wild Born  January 1st     1782
          Simon Willard Wild Born Nov 6th 1784
          Eunice Wild  Born November [ ] 1788
And I further depose & say that the following is a true & correct copy of ancient family records in my father's hand writing entered upon a blank space on page 250 vol 1 of said Flavel's works to wit -
    "John Wild & Jemima Wild - Children"
                                                           over

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"Jemima Wild married to Tomas Wild March 11, 1791
Sally Wild married to Daniel Curtis December 4, 1793
Joshua Wild married to Nancy Pope [  ] 1796
Polly Wild married Aaron Draper March 5 1804
Betsy Wild Ma Oliver Vinton April 15th 1795
Simon Willard Married Amy Belcher March 1805

I know because the book in which then ware
retained ever since we recorded any thing
Polly Wild was frequently called Mary and her first husband died in about a year after marriage
who afterwards married Thomas Edmon of Boston
Susan W Wild (signature)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk N. August 11th 1859

Then personally appeared the above named Simon Wild, who is known to me to be a man powering
a good character for truth & veracity & made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed
is true before me
A. Loring Cushing
Justice of the Peace,

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An inquisition taken at Stanstead on the
19th day of October 1833 in view of
the body of Daniel Carlis by Ichabod
Smith J. & Lucy therein Named
-
Copy

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Province of Canada
District of St. Francis

The undersigned one of His Majesty's Justice of the peace for the District of Saint Francis and
Province of Lower Canada, being called whom to view the body of the late Mr. Daniel Curtis deceased, found early in the morning of friday the 18th day of
October 1833 in the ditch or water course by the side of the road near the River William Aquiseston Stansted after being due diligence to procure the attendance of the Corner of said District did on the noon of Saturday the 19th of the month of October 1833 Summon of Jury of Inquest of [illegible] neighbours of said deceased who being duly sworn and making examination of the body of the said deceased and having such evidence as was thought necessary of the circumstances attending the death of the deceased, after due

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the deliberation do make our verdict
that the said Daniel Carlis came to
his death by falling into the
●
ditch or water course on the night
of their day or morning of day,
●
this being our unanimous opinion
the affix our names
1
Annes Culley
James Law
Ballard Clark
Agnes de
James Mullin
lized
Clark
Pike Burn
of
Daniel Banfor
Books G. Lee
Wells Welch
Grace Martin
Elias Souldof
Ichabod Smith.
certify that the above is a
true copy of the original
filed of

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record in the office of the Clerk of the Crown for this with district 

Cal Lannaneance 


Coroner of said District of St. Francis

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State of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk }ss

On this twenty ninth day of January in the year eighteen hundred and forty eight  personally appeared before the Honorable Sherman Leland Esquire, Judge of the Probate Court in and for the County of Norfolk in the State of Massachusetts at a probate Court now in session at Roxbury in said County Sally Curtis a resident of the town of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy five years who first being duly sworn according to said doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of of Congress passed July 1838 entitled an ""act granting half pay and Pensions to certain widows, and amended act act of August 23d 1842 & all other acts relating to the same That she is now the widow of Daniel Curtis formerly of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts Second who died at a place called Stansted in Canada. said Daniel Curtis was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and served according to the best of her knowledge, information and belief, as follows.
he enlisted from the town of Aguster of Winthrop in the now State of Maine and served several months in Captain Parker
Company, stationed on the sea coast in the year 1775. He also enlisted while he was a resident of the town of Stoughton and served from one to two months at Castle Island
in the Harbor of Boston in Captain Theophilus Lyons company who marched on to said Island in 1778, she has the fullest confidence and belief that her late husband Daniel
Curtis served over two years in the war of the Revolution as he was reputed to be by those old persons as well as the old soldiers who served with him out in almost all the war in different campaigns, but they are dead, and
She has not the means to prove all his services, but what may appear by documentary evidence on the Rolls of the
Revolutionary war. She further declares she was married to the said Daniel Curtis on the fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and
ninety three and that said Daniel Curtis Died in the month of October in the year eighteen hundred and thirty four. That she was not married to the said Daniel Curtis prior
to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January eighteen hundred and ninety four at the time above stated, that she has not been married &
since the death of the said Daniel Curtis, that she is now a widow residing in the above said town of Stoughton 
Saly Hill (signature)

Subscribed & sworn to in open Court on the day & year first above mentioned before me
Sherman Leland Judge of Probate (signature)

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss.
[seal]

I Jonathan H. Cobb Register of the Court
of Probate of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Sherman Leland is the Judge of the Court of Probate aforesaid duly  Commissioned and qualified and that his signature on this paper is genuine and true.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said Court to be affixed this twenty ninth day of January A.D. 1848.
Jonathan H Cobb (signature)
Register of Probate

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WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14550
Sally Curtis
Widow of
Daniel Curtis
Pri Rev War
Act:  Feb 29. 48
Index:--Vo. A, Page 161
Arrangement of 1870.

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May -14-1903
Winchester Fitch. NY.C

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13662
Sally Curtis
Daniels, Mags.
Hon A Hale May 18,1848
A Loring Cushing July 5, 1856
Same May 19, 1857
Same June 16/57
Same Apl 7, 1859 Same Aug., 17/59
Same Sept 7/59
act 7th July/1938

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J. L. Edwards, Esq. Comm. of Pensions

Sir, will you be so kind as soon as the inclosed papers of the will Sally Curtis are decided upon to direct to Benjamin Richards of Randolph, Massachusetts

Respectfully yours

Benjamin Richards

Feb 19th 1848

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]G.717]

Massachusetts

Sally Curtis

widow of Daniel
who was a Private
in the Revelution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of  41   Dollars   34
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843.

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Sally Curtis
Widow of Daniel
Norfolk Co. Massachusetts
Admitted Act July 7.1838
at rate of $41.54c per
annum, from 18th of 
March 1836 (excepting two years) _
Service 12 months and
16 days as private gifts
Pay widow_
Certificate to 
A Loring Cushing 
Randolph,
Massachusetts

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11.882
Massachusetts
Sally Curtis
widow of Daniel
who died on the
of        in the State of
who was a private in the       commanded
by Captain            of the        commanded
by                 in the Revolutionary War.
line for
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston
at the rate of 41 Dollars 54 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March,1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of
September 1859 and sent to
A. Loring Cushing
Arrears to the 4th of Randolph,
Semi-annual allowance ending Massa
Revolutionary Claim,
Act  July 7, 1838.
Recorded by G. T Getty   Clerk
Book H    Vol.      Page 153

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3622
Feby 23. 1848
Sally Curtis
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
wid of Daniel
xxxxxxxxx

Mass
Act July 1838

See cases of
Vinson Curtis
Mass - act '32

Rebecca Littlefield
Mass - act Jul 7 /38

Flavells works
proving date of Marriage
returned to
H. Loring Cushing
Sept. 7/59

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk Town of Randolph

I Eleazer Real Jun depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of said town of Randolph in the County and State aforesaid
I further state in said capacity that there is no regular records of marriages from March 9th 1793 to September 15th 1797 being a period of the four first years next following the incorporation of said town of Randolph
Eleazer Beal Jun (signature)
Town Clerk
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk County ss.

Subscribed and sworn to this eighth day February A.D. 1848
Before me Benjamin Richards Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk County ss. I Joshua Wild of Randolph in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being of lawful age do testify depose and say, that
I was present at the uniting in Marriage of Mr Daniel Curtis of Stoughton and Miss Sally Wild of Randolph, both of the County of Norfolk Massachusetts

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said Marriage was solemnized on the fourth Day of December in the year seventeen hundred and ninety three by the Rev. Jonathan Strong the then settled minister in Randolph at the residence of John Wild my father, the said Sally Curtis who is now a widow and a resident of said Stoughton and has not been married since the Death of said Daniel Curtis her late husband
she is my sister
Joshua Wild

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk County ss. February 16th 1848
Then the above named Joshua Wild personally appeared, and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed and further certify that the said Joshua Wild is a person of truth and veracity and his word may be depended
upon -
Before me Benjamin Richards Justice of the Peace

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston February 19th 1848

I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation, Benjamin Richards was a Justice of the Peace for this County of Norfolk in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and  constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the
Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W. B. Calhoun (signature)
Secretary of the Commonwealth

[faint seal]

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I Daniel Curtis of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being of Lawful age, depose, testify and say that I am the son of Daniel Curtis formerly of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts deceased who died at a place called Stansted in Canada who was reputed to be a soldier in the war of the revolution, said Daniel Curtis my father died in the month of October, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, the Widow of the said Daniel Curtis deceased, my mother, now resides in the said town of Stoughton, that she is now a widow and has not been married since the death of her husband, her maiden name before Marriage was Sally Wild, now Sally Curtis the widow of my said father
Daniel Curtis deceased -
Dan. Curtis (signature)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk County ss. February 15th 1848
Then personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Norfolk Daniel Curtis aforementioned and made Oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed   I certify that the said Daniel Curtis is well known to me, and he is reputed to be a man of truth and veracity -- the words Danl Curtis above named were underlined by me the said Justice before my placing my signature to the same
Benjamin Richards Justice of the Peace (signature)

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Randolph Mass. June 12, 1837

Yours of May 19 was duly recd, I am very greatly disappointed that the evidence which so clearly to my mind establishes the right of Sally Curtis to a pension, under the existing pension laws of the United States is viewed by you in any other light. You say in your letter above acknowledged. "I think it almost certain that the man with whom she (Sally Curtis) for a time cohabited was (served) in the revolutionary war". Where do you get the proof that she habited with any one except
from the evidence she has furnished & does not the same evidence show as conclusively that the person she cohabited with was Daniel Curtis. This being so one fact is fixed, to wit, that Sally Curtis the applicant cohabited "for a time" with Daniel Carter "who was (served) in the Revolutionary War." Now was Sally Curtis married to this Daniel Curtis
with whom she cohabited? The fact of cohabitation with us in Massachusetts is some evidence of marriage, & by our Statute, is made sufficient evidence in cases of divorce. But there is other evidence much stronger then this of

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their intermarriage. I might say conclusive, which
Pardon me if I suggest a year from the perusal of your letter, was overlooked at your office. I particularly refer to the testimony of Joshua Wild & Mary Codman the brother & sister of Sally Curtis, Joshua Wild the brother says, "I was present at the wedding of Daniel Curtis & Sally Wild, that the marriage took place at the house of John Wild her father in Randolph on the Fourth day of December A.D. 1793 & that they were married by Jonathan Strong then their settled minister in Randolph, Joshua Wild also make affidavit under oath to the same effect in form of a Marriage Certificate which is recorded in the book of records of marriage for the town of Randolph, Mary Codman sister of Sally Curtis says that she was present at
the wedding of the same parties & states all the
particulars as fully as does her brother Joshua
What stronger evidence of any fact can possibly
exist than this. Yet in your letter you state "neither
is the evidence as to the date of her marriage
satisfactory. If no record of it exists it must be proved by those who can show how they are able to "fix the time." Is it possible that the Depositions of Joshua Wild & Mary Codman were omitted by me in my last communication to you. These two persons fix the time December 4th 1793 because the marriage & the time of the marriage of their own sister was an event, not likely to be forgotten by them & they know she was married then to Daniel Carter the

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revolutionary soldier with whom you say it is "almost certain "she cohabited, because they were at the wedding; & this it would seem by your letter is all that is required in the absence of any other record of it saving the record before referred to & which is with you.
Having this by the best possible evidence proved that Sally Wild (now Curtis) on December 4th 1795 was married to Daniel Curtis at her father's house in Randolph by the Rev. Jona. [Jonathan] Strong, & it being admitted by you substantially that Daniel Curtis with whom as you say she for a time cohabited served in the Revolutionary War, what stronger evidence can extreme caution require that the husband of Sally Curtis the applicant for a pension was a Revolutionary soldier. You say "I cannot understand how her husband is identified by it - the additional evidence filed - with the service of record credited to a man of his name."  This is the man with whom you seem to admit she cohabited & to whom as I have already shown the evidence is conclusive that she was married December 4th 1793. Also in his application to the Secretary of our Commonwealth dated June 18. 1850 Daniel Curtis says that his
father, the husband of Sally Curtis enlisted in Augusta or Winthrop Maine & served several months in Captain Parker's Company, & by the certificate of the Secretary it appears that Daniel Curtis did serve in Captain Parker's Company

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for sea coast defence in Cumberland County from July 3, 1775 six months & 13 days. And further Daniel Curtis says in the same application that said Daniel Curtis afterwards enlisted in or near Stoughton, near Boston, into Capt. Lyon's company & served on Castle Island in the harbor of Boston & the Secretary of the Commonwealth in his certificate aforesaid states that Daniel Curtis did serve as a private in the Company of Capt. Lyons at
Castle Island 36 days from March 1778. What
identification under all the circumstance can be clearer than this.  Examine the two applications & certificates together & I think the most fastidious will be satisfied when the lapse of time since the services were rendered is taken into consideration. Is it necessary to fix the length of the service of Daniel Curtis to entitle his widow to a pension?
If the evidence proves any thing it proves he
served over a year, probably three years.
Towards the close of your communication you say "I can only admit it that the man whose service are given by the Secretary of the State of Mass. was her - Sally Curtis' - husband, upon the evidence of those who know of & can described the service rendered by him."
How can this prove that David Curtis was
the husband of Sally Curtis?  And if it could & was important, how could such evidence as you require be perceived at a period so remote from the time of service? Who could know & describe his services but those who knew the man & were with him

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at the time the services were rendered. There are but few Revolutionary soldiers living at the present time and probably more so, conversant with Daniel Curtis &
the character of his service. Death has rendered it impossible for Sally Curtis to comply with your requirements in this respect & is she thereby to suffer? If Sally Curtis were physically & pecuniary able, she would herself prosecute her just claim at Washington, but this she cannot do. I trust that I do not assume to much in assuring her, that this as well as previous communication will be carefully read by you & that if on for the consideration
you are not convinced of the justice of her
claim you will point out in what specific points
the evidence is insufficient, & awaiting your
reply I am Sir
Very Respectfully Yours
A. Loring Cushing (signature)
By W. P. Field

Randolph Mass June 12/37
Geo C Whitney Esq
Commissioner

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Mary Codman of Boston in the County of Suffolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of sound memory on oath depose & say in addition to the time heretofore by no me under oath in the matter of Sally Curtis Petitioner for a pension

I recollect perfectly were at this time the event of this marriage of my sister with Daniel Curtis 
There was some incident connected with the marriage in my recollection which was that of much moment & took in the stage at the time when the bridegroom Daniel Curtis handed the certificate required to [illegible] the minister had neglected to endorse the marriage for through mistake & the minister handed it back, with the remark that it was not properly stated at the same conclusion, the Bridegroom not then taken the hint with the money was enclosed & the ceremony was performed. I also recollect perfectly that I was greatly gratified in being the first to pass the cake to the married pair. I recollect having it taken to the bride first & after to the bridegroom. I know it was in the early part of the winter because I attended school at the time taught by a Mr. Harrett, about a nearby three miles from where I live so far off that 
I could not go after winter had surely commenced

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And I know that the marriage refered to took place on the fourth day of December 1793 because I recollect distinctly it took place a little more than a  month before the day upon which I was twenty years old. I was born January 14th 1782. I was twelve years old January 1741 I recollect perfectly well the time ericicts so clearly connected in point of time, & I further recollect  at the time of the marriage, I was talked with about my age & him then north of twelve years old

Mary Codman Her Mark X

Attest neaik of
Henry Anderson
Harriet M Lillie

Before me this January 25th 1854

Then personally appeared the above named Mary Codman who made oath that the above statement by her made & subscribed is true. before me 
Henry Wershire?
Justice of the Peace

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I Harriet M. Lillie of Boston in the County of Suffolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts on oath depose & say that Mary Codman, the before named deponent is my mother & although so reduced by sickness as to be unable to write her name, yet her mind & memory is perfectly good & clear & that the well & fully understands all the statements by her made before she offered her mark thereto & I further depose & say that repeatedly in her conversations with me about her early days she has made substantially the same statements
Harriet W Lillie (signature)


January 25th 1857
Then personally appeared the above named Harriet M. Lillie made oath the above statement by her subscribed as true
before me
A Loring Cushing (signature)
Justice of the Peace

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[seal]
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston
March 11, 1859.

I Hereby Certify, That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of
the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the names of Daniel Curtis and Nathaniel Littlefield are together borne upon a payroll of Capt. Benj. Beat's company, in Col. Jacob Gerrish's regiment of guards in and about Boston, Service as privates from July 5th, 1775, to the 13th of the December following - 5 months and of days, including 20 miles travel. 
I further certify that one name
has been lost from the roll by mutilation. of that document

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal
of the Commonwealth, the date above written
Oliver Warner (signature)
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

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Hon. J. Minot Pension Commissioner
In 1845 Mrs Sally Curtis as widow of Daniel Curtis a soldier in the war the Revolution
applied to your office for a pension under the laws of the United States. By a copy of a letter from the Pension office bearing date May 18th 1848 which I hereto annex you will perceive why the prayer of her petition was not granted then.  In this letter it will be seen what was satisfactorily proven & what was not; after this. I respectfully request you to turn to the accompanying documents & said the deficiency is supplied.
In the first place it is admitted that one Daniel Curtis served in the United States Army during the war of the revolution, at different times from July 3d 175 to July 5 1778-
The simple question then is whether the Daniel Curtis to serving at the time aforesaid was during his life time & prior to 1794 the husband of Sally Curtis the applicant. If so, more clearly his widow is entitled to her pension.
All the other questions, as to the town in which he lived at the time of his enlistment & are merely so many different methods of

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correctly [illegible] the great & only intestant
petition.
In the first place by the deposition of Enoch Penniman (Dec. 4) of Daniel Curtis lived in Stoughton in the County of Norfolk Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with his father until he was about sixteen years of age at which time he left Stoughton aforesaid & enlisted in the United States service. And here at me notice the chronological identification if I may so term it between the Daniel Curtis, Penniman mentions & the
Daniel Curtis husband of Sally Curtis spoken by her.  Penniman says (Dec.4)  that Daniel Curtis was about sixteen years of age when he enlisted as aforesaid. Sally Curtis in her application for a certificate (Dec.2) says that she is (March 1845) seventy seven years of age that Daniel Curtis her late husband was over twelve years older than she was consequently he was born in or about the year 1753, making him not nineteen years of age when he enlisted.
These separate statement of different witnesses, that of Penniman stating as as he could the age of Curtis' at the time of his enlistment & that of Mrs Sally Curtis from which we learn her husband's age at the time he enlisted in the service, settled.

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it seems to me very clearly that the Daniel Curtis mentioned in the Deposition of Enoch Penniman (Dec. 4,) & Daniel Curtis husband of Sally Curtis is identical. In  connection with this I would 
also call your attention to the deposition of Penniman (Dec. 4) & also that of John Packard (Dec. 10). 
Penniman says that Daniel Curtis after his
marriage went to & finally settled in Canada having lived previously in Vermont & then (in Canada) lived with & had children by another woman . That this Daniel Curtis had children in Stoughton aforesaid by his wife Sally Curtis  will be seen by referring to the deposition of Daniel Curtis (Dec. 11) Packard says that the Daniel outs he knew in Canada had a wife & children in said Stoughton, that he lived with another woman in Canada by whom he had children & that before moving to Canada he lived in Vermont. 
Nearly all the depositions in fact all in which the subject is referred to at all, state that there was but one Daniel Curtis living in Stoughton in or near 1775.
Can then be any doubt that the Daniel Curtis who lived in Canada, was the Daniel Curtis who lived in Stoughton & afterwards in Vermont? There is still stronger proof of this, if possible, in

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the fact, that the children of Daniel Curtis of Canada 
 have visited as near relatives the family & relatives of David Curtis of Stoughton since his said Curtis, decease & the relationship mutually recognized (Dec. 4 pages 2&3). 
This point then, that of identity, being settled beyond a  question; the next in order to be established is, did this Daniel Curtis serve in the United States army during the war of the Revolution -
Daniel Curtis in his application to the Secretary of this Commonwealth (Dec.1) says Daniel Curtis, his father, enlisted in Augusta or Winthrop (Maine) & served several months in Capt Parkers Company. The record from the Secretary's office (Dec. 11) shows that Daniel Curtis served in Capt. Parker's Company
as a private six months from July 5 1775 for seacoast defence in Cumberland Co, (Maine)
In (Dec, 1) it is also stated that Daniel Curtis afterwards enlisted in or near said Stoughton into Capt Theophilus Lyons Company & served on North Island, so says the record & after that other places, all which is verified by the Secretary's certificate. The same agreement of statement & proof occurs in (Dec. 2) between the facts stated in the application & of Sally Curtis & the Secretary's certificate thereon.

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Again Enoch Penniman says in Dec 4 that Daniel Curtis served in the war three years. This agrees with the secretary's certificate in Dec. 1.
The testimony of most respectable witnesses establishes beyond a possibility of a doubt that Daniel Curtis who left Stoughton in 1775 is the same Daniel Curtis who served in war of the revolution for seacoast defence in Cumberland County (Me) afterwards in Capt Lyons Company North Island (Boston Harbor) & after this in & around Boston is a private.   If follows therefore irresistibly that Daniel Curtis left Stoughton in the County of Norfolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts &  enlisted in the United States army as aforesaid, & by the testimony of Enoch Penniman (Dec. 4) he lived in Stoughton during the war, or had his residence there, visiting his parents residing there from time to time during his service as aforesaid,
This fully answers the objections & requirements contained in the letter from the Pension office refered to in the first part of this communication. Again the description of Daniel Curtis
of Stoughton given by Enoch Penniman (Dec. 4 page 1) is the same as that of Daniel Curtis of Canada given by John Packard (Dec. 10 page 2)

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must refer to the same person. His description will also serve to identify the Daniel Curtis mentioned in (Dec. 11) if a description of Daniel Curtis was taken by the receiving officer at the time of his enlistment & recorded & preserved.
Enoch Penniman also states in his deposition (Dec. 4 page 2.) that Daniel Curtis related to him when at home in Stoughton aforesaid the sufferings he endured while wintering at White Plains, the sufferings of that part of the army encamping
there is a matter of history, & the army records will, I doubt not, show that Daniel Curtis suffered there with his compatriots.
The next question is, did this Daniel Curtis marry Sally Wild now Sally Curtis prior to 1774. 
to this point the certificate of the Clerk of the town of Randolph (Dec. 8) the deposition of Enoch Penniman (Dec. 4) that of Mary Codman sister of Sally Curtis (Dec. 5) that of Jonathan Wild brother of Sally (Dec. 6), that of William Curtis (Doc. 8) & the
statement of Sally Curtis herself (Dec. 2) is most conclusive. The fact of his having had children by her has already been commented upon.  Passing(?) over the fact that the Sally Curtis who is applying for a pension is the Sally Wild who intermarried with Daniel Curtis in 1790 as most clearly established, the next question to be settled in the death of Daniel Curtis

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her late husband.
In proof of this we have the statement of
Mary Codman (Dec. 5) who said the said Daniel removed to Canada & died there at the town called Stanstead. In corroboration of this statement bide (Dec. 11 & 12) By his death his wife Sally Curtis became his widow - & has 
remained so ever since & now applies for a pension under the laws of the United States so far withheld.
What stronger evidence that she is entitled to it can be obtained? All this evidence has
been obtained since the date of the letter from the Pension office before referred to, & in consequence of this delay on her part has been [illegible] to her extreme old age & poverty of the applicant.
Of course, in this communication I have touched only upon the most prominent portions of the testimony upon the careful perusal of which other suggestions will undoubtedly remit themselves 
to your mind.

If a [illegible] under the Pension laws during the most careful & the same time prompt consideration this is one & I most earnestly hope it will receive such at your hands
The amount due Sally Curtis under the Pension acts I am not able to State, but if

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she is entitled to receive anything, I feel sure  that a grateful government will be happy to allow her all she is entitled to under whatever form it may become her due.
I am very respectfully
A Loring Cushing (signature)
Atty for Sally Curtis

Massachusetts
Randolph Sept. 11th 1839
Please find on the next page a true copy of the letters referred to in this communication

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Copy of Letter referred to in the foregoing
Communication
Pension Office May 18th 1848
Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that the papers transmitted in February last by Benjamin Richards in the case  of Sally Curtis widow of Daniel Curtis have been examined & filed under the act of 7th July 1838. 
It appears from Mrs Curtis application to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts that a previous search for evidence of her husband's service had been made. The application upon which that such was predicated & the Secretary's reply thereto should be filed with her papers now presented,
The evidence now adduced is not at all satisfactory to identify Mrs Curtis' husband as the soldier of Capt Perkins (Packard) in Capt Lyons Company, nor to establish their marriage prior to 1794. The town to which her husband belonged during the Revolutionary war should be clearly shown, & it should be made to appear also to what town the soldier hearing his name credited with service under Capt Perkins (Parker) & Lyons belonged, & the date of the marriage of the parties should be proven by record or documentary evidence, of the

Page 43

testimony of respectable & intelligent witnesses based upon record proof.
We cannot grant a pension upon the evidence now presented by Mrs Curtis.

I have the honor to be very respectfully your Obt Sert
F. S. Evans  (signature)
for Com of Pensions
Hon A. Hale (signature)
House of Representatives

Page 44

To the Hon Commissioner Pensions.

I over time since -- I addressed a communication
to your Department, commenting when the testimony offered by Sally Curtis, widow of Daniel Curtis being of the County of Norfolk  and from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, deceased, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution & whose [illegible] relied on a pension under the act set forth in the petition.   In reply I recd information that to
important point we left not sufficiently clear by the evidence, to wit -  the actual  date of the marriage of Daniel Curtis with Sally Wild, (now Curtis) & the date of the Daniel Curtis  whose name appears upon the rolls of those who served in the war of the revolution.
Records in the office of the Secretary of this Commonwealth  with the Daniel Curtis who is alleged to have enlisted from Stoughton aforesaid.
Herewith  [illegible] such additional testimony, as I hope & trust will clear all doubts upon these two points & all obstacles to the attainment by Sally Cutis her just due under said act.
First as to the marriage, the additional deposition of Mary Codman is very well, giving the

Page 45

date of the marriage & her reasons for recollecting the same, Mary Codman is now very old & generally infirm, to as to be unable to sign her deposition except by her cross, but her mind seems clear & strong. When taking the deposition I was very careful to put down what she said & must generally sure her own language -
After hers was taken, I read it to her directly after writing to her at each point if it was right, to which she assented & at the core signed as before stated 

To this declaration I have affixed a certificate under oath of Harriet, her daughter, as you will see -

Upon the question of identity - by refering to the deposition of Enoch Penniman taken Dec 1st 1838,
with a [illegible] that Nathaniel Littlefield  & Vincent Curtis enlisted at the same time with Daniel & from the same place  & returned home 
together with him. About a fortnight ago, after
casting in vain tor other evidence of identity, it
occured to me, that the strongest testimony bearing on the question of  identity I could get [illegible] consist in connecting the three together in the war. I immediately turned to the Secretary's office then found on the rolls, what appears by the account herein certified - from the Secretary
of this Commonwealth.
This certificate directing the fae - tue  Nathaniel

Page 46

Littlefield is on the same pay roll, & that one name has been lost by mutilation, which we are bound to believe was the name of Vincent Curtis, the third person testified to by Penniman & that the three left the service at the same time corroborates the testimony of Enoch Penniman, given without any deference to this coincidence & settles in my mind beyond a doubt the question of identity.
As to the length of such service, the certificate just refered to states that Daniel Curtis served nine months & nine days, which time is very much extended by the other certificates now on file in your department. 
I have not affixed to the deposition of Sally Codman  the certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth that was Justice of the Peace at the time [phrase too faint to read], a similar certificate being affixed to the writing in your possession. 
If you wish it, however, I could send it on with this additional testimony- hoping that Sally Curtis, the widow of the soldier of the revolution may at last receive what our government has generously provided for her -
I remain very respectfully yours
[illegible signature]

Randall JL
March 25 1859.

Page 47

I Ebenezer Alden of Randolph in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, under oath do testify and say, that I am by profession a physician and in the seventy second year of my age: that the said Randolph is the place of my nativity; that with the exception of a few years while pursuing collegiate and professional studies. I have resided here constantly; that I was well acquainted with Captain John Wild and with his wife Jemima Wild, that having a taste for such inquiries I have turned my attention to the history and genealogy of the early families in this town, and that I have published some account of these families in a Newspaper printed here called the Randolph Transcript.  I further testify that since the year 1819 I have been Clerk of the Church in this place, of which Jonathan Wild, father of the said Capt. John Wild was for many years one of the Deacons. and that I have paid more attention to the history of the descendants of the said Deacon Jonathan Wild from the fact that he married Hannah Buss, an Aunt of my mother.
From boyhood I have known though my mother and others, that several copies of Flavels works were purchased here at an early day, one of which was in possession of Deacon Jonathan Wild and descended from him to his son Captain John Wild.

Page 48

that Book is preserved and contains what Imports to be a record or a copy of or record of the family of Deacon Samuel Buss, whose daughter Hannah married the said Deacon Wild.  It may be found on page 2 vol. 2 of that Book, and corresponds with the record of the family & learned from other sources.
On page 141 Vol 1 of the same Book may be found a record of the births of the children of the said last John Wild and his wife Jemima in the hand writing of the said John Will, and corresponds with my minutes of the births of the children of said family obtained from other sources. An abstract of which I published in the aforesaid Newspaper before said Flavels works came into my possession. I have no doubt therefore
that it is a true record of the births of the children of the said John Wild, made by himself.

On page 230 of vol. 2 of said Book the marriages of said children are recorded in what appears to be the hand writing of their Father, and among them the marriage of Sally Wild  December 4th 1793 to Daniel Curtis.
I further certify that on the Books of the aforesaid Church no marriages were recorded until AD 1801 after which date they were regularly entered.
As I find by comparing the records of the families contained in the aforesaid volumes

Page 49

of Havels works with other accounts collected by me, that they agree substantially, and being acquainted with the hand writing of the said Capt. John Wild, I have no doubt of the truthfulness and genuineness of said records; and that the said Sally Will was married to the said Daniel Curtis Dec. 4. 1793, and is record of said marriage made by her Father in said Havels works as who are described.
I further certify that the writing on page 223 of Vol. 2 of said Book appears to have been made by the said John Wild.
 Eben. Alden (signature)

Randolph Mass. Aug 24. 1859


Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Norfolk ss. Aug. 18th 1859
Then personally appeared the above named Ebenezer Alder who is personally known to me to be a man of truth & veracity & made oath that the foregoing statement by him to & subscribed are true. 
before me
A Loring Cushing
Justice of the Peace

Page 50

Randolph May. 20 1839
Sir, 
I now forward you the depositions of Hannah Thayer & Ebenezer Alden, both of whom are of the highest
character & respectability in this town - the latter being a leading citizen & extensively known as a man & a Physician - I send you the volume containing the records of the Wild family by express.
The family of concern desires its return at the [illegible] time, addressed if you [illegible] to me. 
 I have not made the book a part of the depositions by annexing it to them, but the description of it by the deponents [illegible] Wild & Alden - the references by them to the pages upon which the records are made clearly identify the book  I send with the [illegible]  refered to by them.  
Having these, as I trust, satisfactorily complied with the requirements from your office,  I cannot close without again expressing hope that Sally Curtis may at last be cheered by a favorable answer to her petition.

Very Respectfully
A Loring Cushing

Hon, Geo Colliery

Page 51

To the Com [Commissioner] of Pensions

Will you have the kindness inform me what papers if any are on file in the Pension office in the matter of Sally Curtis' petition for a pension.
Application was made by her under the act of July 7 1838. The subject will again be presented to the Pension office with additional Evidence. It is important therefore to know what papers are on file before again presenting the matter to 
your notice. As I do not find the original petition of Sally Curtis among the papers handed to me by her, I conclude is on file in your office. 
Sally Curtis is widow of Daniel  Curtis of the Revolutionary army - deceased
Please let me hear from you at your earliest convenience-
Very Respectfully 
A Loring Cushing

Randolph June 23d 1838-

Page 52

Hon. Geo. C. Whitney

Partial postmark:
Pension Office  Aug 15, 1859

Page 53

Hon Geo. C. Wild
Commissioner p
Sir,
I take great pleasure in being able to inform you that after much labor. I have at last been fortunate enough to find the old records of the
family of John Wild. When John died in 1831 he left them with his oldest son Joshua & subsequently they came into the possession of his youngest son [illegible] Willard Wild, from whom I procured them;-- they are found in "Flavels work," (Glasgow Ed. 1754) as set forth in the definition of [illegible] by Wild; which I now have before me, & should like very much to submit to your inspection. 
Mary Codman (Polly Wild) is now dead
By inspecting the copy of the records you will
see she was right in stating her age with this
Exception: by the record she was born Jany 1 
instead of 14th 1782, so that she was 10 years of age Jany 1st 1852. Now which is most reasonable, that Mrs Codman might honestly consider she was in her seventieth

Page 54

year till January 1st 1853 or until the was
seventy one, or that she is now taken materially
as to her own age & the records & all collateral
evidence deceptive, I know it may be said
there is now a difference of half a month
between the record evidence & her own statement: this may be true & yet of no importance, as there is no disagreement as to the month or year of her birth.
Relative to the birth of Daniel Curtis, the pensioners oldest son, the deposition of his to [illegible] fixes the date. & corroborates the  statement of Daniel himself- & [illegible] from also with the same as his [illegible] -
It is a fact known to those among the neighbors of his parents at the time his birth, that Daniel was born but a little more than a month after their marriage, and there is an old lady, who lives but a short distance out of this village, who knew  Sally Curtiss (Wild) when she was married, the date of this marriage she did not recollect; but she recently stated to me, that, at the time Sally was married. it was the common talk among the neighbors, that it was high time she (Sally) was married. 
This old lady's name is Hannah Thayer, &

Page 55

I will have her direction taken to others, print & transmit it if you desire it.
Doctor Ebenezer Alden of this town who is now
absent upon business connected with the affairs
of Amherst College, he being on of the Trustees. His being, for a few years back, engaged to some extent in researching the ancient records of the
of the inhabitants of this town. He is or connected
with the wild family by marriage
he has the records refered to & his depostion
can be taken, if you wish to correcttestimony

of Simon W Wild as to their
dignity
with this under prove of all the material
each. work mice here, Mrs
Curtis may not
what has lay in her & house
he remaining days may be most compet
, she is now be literacy
may secret, that if this is not
a morning can, should not have be
the trount I have, in premby if you
d
Taneyby

them in

Page 56

I Hannah Thayer on oath depose & say that I am seventy eight years of age. That in my younger days & when she was married to Daniel Curtis I knew Sally Wild & I distinctly recollect that at the time of her marriage with Daniel Cutis  she was so far advanced in pregnancy, that her condition as a topic of common conversation among the neighbors by whom it was generally said that it was high time she was married.
Hannah Thayer (signature)


Norfolk ss. August 15th 1859
Subscribed & sworn to by the above named Hannah Thayer who is personally known to me to be a woman of truth & veracity.
this day before me - 
A Loring Cushing
Justice of the Peace.

Page 57

Secretary's Office, Boston:
June 27 1850.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Daniel Curtis is borne on a muster roll of Capt. Benjamin Parker's Co. for seacoast defence in Cumberland Co. as a private from July 3. 1775. 6 mo. 13 days.-

On a pay roll of Capt. Theophilus Lyon's in Col Pieces Regt. at Castle Island as a private from March 1778. 36 days

In a pay abstract of Capt Benjn. Beals Co. Col. Gerrish's Regt. of guards in & around Boston, as a private from July 5 1778. 5 mos. 9 days. 20 miles from home.

Page 58

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears;  that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case. 

In testimony Whereof, I have [herounto] affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth the date above written.

Page 59

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk County.
I, Daniel Curtis, having been duly sworn, depose and say that I am the son of Daniel Curtis, who was in the war of the revolution. - that so far as I remember and can learn he enlisted in Augusta or Winthrop (Maine) and served several months in Capt. Parker's Company, that he also afterwards enlisted in or near Stoughton, Mass., to Capt Theophilus Lyon's Company, and served on Castle Island in the harbor of Boston, and that he served, as I fully believed, under other enlistment, [obscured] unknown in detail
and that I pray to be informed through Horatio Woodman, of Boston, of such facts relative to his service as may enable his heirs to prosecute their claims against government.
Danl Curtis (signature)

Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this Eighteenth day of June, A.D. 1850.--
Horatio Woodman
Justice of the Peace.

Page 60

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, February 4th 1857
I Hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestations hereunto annexed, C. Beal Jr ; A.L. Cushing ; Robert Seaver, Benjamin Richards ; and Clifford Keith were Justices of the peace for the County of Suffolk
Wm. Hobbs Jr, a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk -
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted: and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court
In Testimony of which I have hereunto affixed the SEAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH, the date above written.
[seal]
F. DeWitt (Signature)
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Page 61

Norfolk Co. Mass - several [illegible]
Nathl Littlefield & Vincent Curtis
Daniel Curtis from Capn Lyons - Col Pierce
from March 1- to Apr 3, 78 -- 36 days
at Castle Island
[illegible] in Clapp Pope in Briggs' Falls - (L31 Dec 75 - 5 Nov 79) - 6 mo. 13 days
from Jul 3, 1775 -
Crabb Parker Co. Cumberland Ga.
from July 5, 1778 ---- 5 mo. 9 days
in Carter Beach Co about [illegible]
20 miles from home.



[illegible, M, W?] #
1.3
5.9
6.13
12.25

March 1 to Apr 5 1778 = 1.6
from 3 July 1775 - for 6, 13-- 1.6
3 to 31 Dec - 5.29 -X 5.29

Page 62

11
Province of Canada
District of H [illegible]
We, the undersigned Residents in the township of Hanstead, in the District aforesaid, do hereby testify and say, that we are acquainted with Daniel Curtis, during many of the last years of his life - that he resided in Hanstead for more than 20 years and that he died, according to the best of our recollection, some time in the month of November, A.D. 1833. He had, for many years, been addicted to the extensive use of spirituous liquor, and he was found the morning after a mighty [illegible], dead in a Ditch or Gutter, about half a mile north of Hanstead Main. The undersigned were present at his Funeral and saw the Body of said Daniel Curtis duly interred, or buried.
Given under our hands, at Hanstead, this 23rd day of January, A.D. 1854.
[signatures]
Sarah Pomny of [illegible]
Amos Amsden

Page 63

Brief in the case of Sally Curtis, widow of Daniel Curtis -
Norfolk County and State of Massachusetts
act July 7. 1838-

Claim, (original)
Proof exhibited, (if original)
is documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state substance
     Certificate of Secretary of State of  Massachusetts show an aggregate service of Daniel Curtis of 12 months and 14 days, who is identified as the husband of claimant by affidavits of several witnesses, who also prove that he served part of the time with Vinson Curtis and Nathaniel Littlefield, who were pensioners, and whose declarations of service correspond so far as they are applicable with that cuffing in the present case. 

Marriage, on the 4th December, 1793, proved by satisfactorily verified private record. 
Death of claimants husband in 1833 proved by pacol.
Allowance accordingly - upon advice of Commissioner

Name and residence of Agent
A. Loring Cushing Esq (signature)
Randolph, Massachusetts.

R. Geddes
Examining Clerk.
Sept. 7. 1859

Page 64

Randolph, May 11th, 1848
Dear Sir:
I received your favors of the 25th Apr 1848 in which is accompanied [by] the commissioner of pensions' reply to the inquiry made by me relative to the papers of the widow Sally Curtis who is the widow of Daniel Curtis deceased, in his reply the commissioner says there is no paper on file nor does it appear that any papers of Sally Curtis claiming a pension are on file in his office or that any has been received. I sent the said Widow Sally Curtis' papers claiming a pension by mail directed to the commissioner of Pensions at the City of Washing DC same time in the month of February or beginning of March 1848. I did not make any record of the particular day or date, but I believe some time in the month of February or beginning of March as I have stated the said Sally Curtis resides in the town of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk, Massachusetts. Her late husband, Daniel Curtis, did not receive a pension in his lifetime, I believe; She claims under the Act of Congress of 1838 and the subsequent acts of 1842 and 4. I am sorry to make yours the trouble or the the Commissioner of Pensions any extra trouble, respecting the papers not being found in his office, but I also believe her deserving the pension both in Justice and Law or I would not [have] given her my aid in the case.  I want to thank you to lend me some assistance which will be very acceptable to the old lady in her obtaining her pension and write me by return mail, direct to East Stoughton Post office, Massachusetts; The probability is the papers may yet be found in the office or some circumstances attending to their loss or mis-conveyance. 
Your respectfully, Benjamin Richards, 
Hon. Artemas Hale
Representative at Congress, (Ms)

Page 65

House of Reps
Washington, DC May 15, 1848
Sir:
Herewith I forward you a letter addressed to my by Benj Richards Esq of Randolph Mass. in relation to papers forwarded by him to your office for obtaining the Pension of Sally Curtis. 
Please have the goodness to cause further search to be made for them and communicate to me the result.
J. S. Edwards, Esq.

Page 66

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston
January 14, 1848
I hereby certify, that, from an examination of the books and documents relating to military services in War of the Revolution, which remain in this department, it appears that the name of Daniel Curtis is borne upon a Master Roll of Capt Benjamin Parker's Company stationed on the Sea Coast of the County of Cumberland as a private from July 3 to December 31 a775; 5 months and 29 days. Upon a Pay Roll of Capt. Theophilus Lyon's Company that marched to Castle Island under Command of Lt. Col. Pierce, as a private, from March 1 to April 5, 1778, 36 days. The service of Daniel Curtis in said Capt Parker's Company is all the evidence of service of anyone of the name at the Eastwards, shown by the military records in this department. Not upon rolls of Captain Timothy Foster, John Blunt, or Major William Lithgow. The roll of officer Lischo...

Page 67

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexd was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case. 

In Tesitmony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

H. B. Calhoun

Page 68

To the Honorable Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
You are requested to cause a search to be made from the wills of the soldiers of the Revolutionary war, deposited in your office in order to find the name of Daniel Curtis deceased (who was the husband of Sally Curtis of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts) and who was in the War of the Revolution and the subscriber now residing in Stoughton, his widow, wants, [to] respectfully state that she has had the rolls once before searched and that since some additional testimony has been made to her that he was in the service several months under Captain Timothy Foster and Captain John Blunt, Major William Lischo was in Command that she believes he resided in the town of Hollowell in the now state of Maine and in the town of Winthrop, a part of the time, he served in what was called Penobscot expedition, said Curtis my husband, resided at the time of the war in several places in Massachusetts, a part of the time he resided in Stoughton, and other parts of the time in several towns in the now state of Maine; The recent wish that a general search may be made if consistent for the name of Daniel Curtis who was reputed to be a soldier in the War of the Revolution and served in a number of campaigns during the war.
January 11, 1848 
Sally Curtis
This may certify that the above named Sally Curtis subscribed her name to the above statements in my presence. Benjamin Richards, Justice of the Peace

Page 69

2
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston:
May 2, 1845
I hereby certify, that, from an examination of the books and documents relating military services in War of the Revolution, which remain in this department, it appears that the name of Daniel Curtis is borne as a private upon a pay roll of Capt. Theophilus Lyon's Company, marched to Castle Island under the command of Lt. Col., Samuel Pierce, from March 1st to April 5, 1778; 36 days. No one of the name is found upon rolls of Captain Clapp, Pope or Briggs, and the above is all the evidence of service of any one of the name who can be identified with the individual described in the annexed declaration.

Page 70

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the applicaition hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowlege, pertaining to the case.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

John G. Palfrey
Secretary of the Commonwealth

Page 71

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES, MADE BY THE WIDOW OF THE PARTY WHO RENDERED THE SERVICE.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of my late husband, Daniel Curtis in the war of the Revolution. He was a native of the Town of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts. He enlisted from the Town of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts in several tours from the year 1775 to 1783 in the Company commanded by Captain Clapp of Dorchester in Massachusetts and under, as she believes, Capt. Frederick Pope several months and in Captain William Briggs Company several months, she further states that she does not now recollect if she has been informed where he served and under whom, or all the particulars on account of her advanced age and loss of memory. She has heard him speak of Captain Lyon and many other officers in the County of Norfolk; her husband, she believes served under one or two Captains in the State of Maine and that he did reside there a short time in the war. She believes and has no doubt he served several years in the war, as she has learned by some of the aged people; they are now almost of them dead, she believes he served one term on the Castle, and one in Bristol County Rhode Island, the Captain's name she does not remember but thinks he lived in Bristol County near Rhode Island.  I am now 77 years old, and my memory does not enable me to state my husband's services more fully than above stated. My late husband was over twelve years older than my self. Witness my hand at Stoughton this 26th day of March AD 1845
Signed by said Sally Curtis in my presence
Benjamin Richards, Justice of the Peace 

Sally Curtis

Page 72

3
Randolph, June 24th, 1847
I hereby certify that i was present at the uniting in marriage of Mr. Daniel Curtis of Stoughton and Miss Sally Wild of Randolph of Massachusetts, said marriage was solemnized on the fourth day of December in the year of our Lord, Seventeen Hundred and Ninety three (1793) by Rev. Jonathan Strong at the residence of Captain John Wild of said Randolph. Joshua Wild
Norfolk, Randolph, June 24th 1747
Then personally appeared the above named Joshua Wild and made oath that the above certificate signed by him was true.
Before me, Eleazor Beal, Justice of the Peace
Randolph, June 24th, 1847
Rec'd and Recorded in the Book of Record of marriages.
Attest E. Beal, Town Clerk

Page 73

4
I, Enoch Penniman of Randolph in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, yeoman, being of legal age and ability to give evidence in any court of law in this commonwealth on oath depose and say that I lived in the Town of Stoughton and County of Norfolk and Commonwealth aforesaid from the time I was six years of age, till I was twenty two years of age, that when I first commenced living in Stoughton aforesaid, I became acquainted with Daniel Curtis who at that time was six or seven years my senior, I should think. He then lived with his father principally and did so up to the time he enlisted in the United States service at which time he was about sixteen years of age, two cousins, Nathaniel Littlefield and Vincent Curtis enlisted at the same time. Daniel Curtis at the time of his enlistment was about five feet two inches in height, neither very stocky nor very slim, face pretty pale, of fair complexion, brown hair and eyes between a blue and hazel color. I think he was absent in the United States service altogether about three years. When he returned to Stoughton aforesaid, with his two cousins, Vincent Curtis and Nathaniel Littlefield both of whom received pensions from the United States Government. They returned in the fall of the year and Daniel Curtis remained in Stoughton through that winter and

Page 74

went to Vermont in the following summer and lived in Stoughton in the winter and in Vermont during the summers until he finally sold and went to Canada. About two years after he returned from the United States service he married Sarah or Sally Wild, daughter of Captain John Wild in Randolph in said County of Norfolk by whom he had children. Directly after said marriage, he went to Vermont. After a little time from this his wife, not satisfied to live in Vermont, returned to her father's in Randolph and Daniel Curtis went to Canada where he died as I have been informed. After he returned from the Army and while he lived in Stoughton, he, Daniel Curtis, would often come over to my father's where I lived and spend the evenings in narrating the events of the war. I particularly remember hearing him recount his sufferings while wintering at the White Plains, suffering from the want of shoes, stockings, blankets and provisions. After Daniel Curtis went to Canada he had children by another woman who have been in Randolph recently and visited the surviving relatives of Daniel Curtis as their relatives and were received as such. I also say that I know the widow of Daniel Curtis, now living with her son in law at Stoughton and that she is the same person, daughter of John Wild aforesaid, whom Daniel Curtis, married as I have before stated. I further depose and say that at the time of the [illegible] of said Daniel Curtis, as aforesaid, all the Curtises who lived

Page 75

in Stoughton aforesaid were brothers or near relations and that they lived in that part of said Stoughton called Stoughton Corner and that there was no Daniel Curtis living in said Stoughton during the time I lived there excepting the one concerning whom I have spoken. I further depose and say that I am now eighty one years of age and reside in Randolph near Stoughton Corner and adjoining thereto, where I have lived for the last fifty years, that I am perfectly familiar with all things stated in this deposition and have no doubt whatever that Sally Curtis, the applicant is the widow of Daniel Curtis; whom I knew when a boy in Stoughton who enlisted in the United States service during the Revolutionary War who afterwards returned to Stoughton and soon after married said Sally Curtis who then went to [illegible] (his wife returning to her fathers in Randolph) who afterwards went to Canada where he died and where children by another woman in Canada after his said, Daniel Curtis', decease came to Stoughton claiming relationship to said Daniel Curtis' relations and had their claims allowed. Enoch Penniman
Norfolk, Mass. April 1st, 1868
Then personally appeared the above named Enoch Penniman and made oath that the above statements by him made and subscribed are true, before me. A. Loring Cushing, Justice of the Peace

Page 76

I hereby certify that I am acquainted personally with the within named Enoch Penniman and know him to be of good character and a man of veracity.
A Loring Cushing, Justice of the Peace

Page 77

5
I, Mary Codman of New Roxbury in the County of Norfolk and state of Massachusetts being in my seventieth year of my age do testify and declare that I was at the wedding of Daniel Curtis and Sally Wild, the said Sally was my sister, the marriage took place at said Randolph at the house of my father John Wild on the fourth day of December AD 1793. They were married by Jonathan Strong the then settled minister in Randolph. The said Daniel removed to Canada and died there at the town called Stanstead; he was reputed to be a soldier in the war of the Revolution; Sally, the wife of said Daniel, who's now a widow resided at Stoughton at the time in the county of Norfolk and state of Massachusetts. She was older than myself and my sister was interviewed before signing. R. Learer, J. Peace
Mary Codman
State of Massachusetts, Norfolk County, December 2, 1852.
Then the above named Mary Codman personally appeared and made oath to the truths of the above affidavit by her subscribed.
Before me, Robert Learer, Justice of the Peace
I furthermore certify that the above said Mary Codman the deponent is reputed to be a person of veracity and truth in the neighborhood where she resides. 
[illegible] Dec 1852 Robert Lemon, Justice of the Peace

Page 78

8
I, Joshua Wild of Randolph in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being in my seventy eighth year of my age, do testify and declare that I was at the wedding of Daniel Curtis and Sally Wild the said Sally was my sister, the marriage took place at said Randolph at the house of my father, John Wild on the fourth day of December AD 1793. They were married by Jonathan Strong the then settled minister in Randolph, the said Daniel removed to Canada and died there at the town called Stanstead. He was reputed to be a soldier in the war of the revolution; Sally the wife of said Daniel, who is now a widow, resides at Stoughton at this time, in the state of Massachusetts; she was older than myself. 
Joshua Wild
State of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss
November 27th 1852. Then the above named Joshua Wild personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed.
Before me, Benjamin Richards, Justice of the Peace
I further more certify that the above said Joshua Wild the deponent is reputed to be a person of veracity and truth in the neighborhood where he resides. 
Benjamin Richards, Justice of the Peace

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7
I, Cyrus Porter of Stoughton, in the county of Norfolk and commonwealth of Massachusetts, depose and say that I am eighty years of age and that I well knew Daniel Curtis of Stoughton, that he was called a revolutionary soldier, that I have often heard him speak of being in the army and the circumstances of his service while there that he was the only person bearing that name in the Town of Stoughton and I further say that I knew Sally Curtis the widow of said Daniel as his wife after his reported marriage but was not at his wedding. Cyrus Porter
Witness James Wait
Norfolk January 27th 1855 Personally appeared the above named Cyrus Porter and made oath to the truth of the foregoing statement by him subscribed.
Before me Clifford Keith, Justice of the Peace

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6
I, William Curtis of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, depose and say that I well knew Daniel Curtis of Stoughton and his widow, Sally Curtis, who now applies for a pension; that I knew the said Sally as his wife by report and by his visiting at my Father's in company with her as his wife and I further depose and say that the said Daniel Curtis was reported to have been in the revolutionary service and that he was the only person bearing that name in the Town of Stoughton at that time. Wm Curtis

Norfolk January 12th 1835 personally appeared the above named William Curtis and made oath that the foregoing statement by him subscribed was in all respects just and true before me. 
Clifford Kieth, Justice of the Peace

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of Suffolk. 
I, Daniel Curtis, of Stoughton in the said Commonwealth, having been duly sworn, depose and say, that I am the oldest son of Daniel Curtis, a Revolutionary soldier whose widow and my mother, Sally Curtis, now resides in Stoughton and who has remained a widow since the death of the said Daniel, my father, that I was sixty years old last January, that I can barely remember my father in my early boyhood in Randolph, the next town to the said Stoughton where I was born and where the said Daniel and Sally, my parents, lived, that my father bought a place in my boyhood in Newbury, Vermont, then almost a wilderness, that he took my mother and me for my said boyhood there to live, that my mother, then young, greatly disliked living in Newbury, refused to remain, and my father brought her back to Randolph, where her father took her and myself and my sister, and supported us and brought myself and my sister up; that my father then went back to Newbury and after remaining there a short time went to Canada whence he never returned; that we used to hear from relatives in Canada that he lived in Stanstead; that it was well known in the family as it was that he lived with another woman there and had children there; that news of his death by accident was brought to us by a cousin of my father shortly after it occurred at Stanstead and that I am disinterested.
Dan Curtis

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Subscribed and duly sworn before me this twenty third day of September 1854. I have not interest. The deponent is credible.
Wm E. Hobbs, Esq. Justice of the Peace

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10
I, John Packard of North Bridgewater in the county of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Gentleman of legal age and ability to testify in any court of law in this commonwealth on oath depose and say that I reside in said North Bridgewater a town next & south of and adjoining to Stoughton that I am now seventy-four years of age, that I spent the most of the years 1807-18829 in Canada    within two or three months after I first went to Canada I became acquainted with Daniel Curtis upon learning from him and others that he was from that part of Stoughton called Stoughton Corner where the Curtis family with whom I was acquainted, resided. Of their family Daniel Curtis was a member. It was on account of this circumstance I was both coming from the same state and vicinity that I became acquainted with him. After I had been acquainted with him some little time, I had boarded with him about then days. I spoke their about coming up to see my friends in North Bridgewater [illegible] he shed tears and said he would like to come up with me to Stoughton to see his relatives and particularly his wife, of whom he spoke in the warmest of terms and seemed very fond but he said she did not feel like living in Canada with him and so that he had since he had been in Canada lived

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with another woman. He also spoke of having lived in Vermont from which place he went to Canada which he, Daniel Curtis, lived in Canada he carried on farming.
Of the facts and the statements here made I have at this time a perfect recollection. I have no doubt whatever from impressions made refer my mind at the time now entirely strong by facts and conversations with Daniel Curtis at the time in Canada, the particulars of which I have now forgotten other that Daniel Curtis whom I knew in Canada came there originally from Stoughton Corner aforesaid from thence to Vermont and from Vermont to Canada leaving his wife and relatives in said Stoughton Corner and living in Canada with another woman by whom he children. Daniel Curtis knew my folks at home very well. Daniel Curtis was in person about five feet ten inches in height, stocky though not gross of complexion rather light boarding in for the dark of eyes between dark bleu and hazel. and hair rather dark inter-mixed with grey. 
John Packard
Wafold St. April 9th 1836
There personally appeared the above named John Packard and under oath that the above statements by him made and subscribed are true before me.
A. Loring Cushing
Justice of the Peach
I certify that I am acquainted with the aforenamed John Packard and know him to be a highly respected citizen of North Bridgewater and a man of truth. 
A. Loring Cushing Justice of the Peace

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II
Province of Canada
District of St. Francis
We, the undersigned residents in the township of Stanstead, in the District aforesaid, do hereby testify and say, that we were acquainted with Daniel Curtis, during many of the last years of his life— that he resided in Stanstead, for more than twenty years and that he died according to the best of our recollection, some time in the mid of November, A.D. 1833. He had, for many years, been addicted to the expensive use of spiritous liquors and he was found on the morning after a nightly walk, dead in a ditch or gutter about half a mile north of Stanstead Plain. The undersigned were present at his funeral and saw the body of the said Daniel Curtis duly interred or buried. 
Given under our hands at Hamstead, this 23rd day of January A.D. 1854. 
Isaiah Pomeroy J.P.
Amos Anderson