Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18607, Joel Blair, Mass.

Page 1

Mass.
Blair, Joel
Polly
W.18607

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[left side of page]

Reported
Date of widow's death not on [ap?]


[right side of page]

774
New York, Albany
Polly Blair widow of Joel Blair [Mfy?] who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private 
Inscribed on the roll at the rate of 22 Dollars 78 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of July 1848 and sent to Polly Blair, Knowlesville  Orleanss Co, [county] NY.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 9, Vol. 4

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Joel Blair Born May 31st 1757

Mary Blair the wife of Joel Blair was born Dec 
[December] 24th 1762

[written on side:] Lives in Bridge[rest is missing] Ontario County
 
Annis Blair Born Dec 7th 1787
 
Mary Blair Born Sept [September] 7th 1789
  died May 13th 1790

Eli Blair Born March 29th 1791
  Abby Blair [Eli's wife?] April 28 1794

Sophia Blair Born May 15th 1794

Harrett [Harriett?] Blair Born June 22 1796

John Blair Born Sept 15th 1798

Asa Blair Born March 6th 1801

Fanny Blair Born June 21st 1803

Gale Blair Born 28th July 1806

[The rest is a page underneath that, I believe, has already been transcribed.]

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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832.

State of New York
County  of Ontario  ss.   Personally appeared on the 30th day of July 1845 before the Subscriber a Judge of the Courts in and for said County Polly Blair of Victor in said County aged Eighty two years last December, after being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that she is the widow of Joel Blair who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution and who died on the 21st day of February 1839 Eighteen hundred and Thirty nine.  This deponent doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832.  That her aforesaid late husband Joel Blair enlisted in the Service of the United States in the year 1776 under Captain Warner[,] was with General Washington when New York was taken[,] was present at the Battle of White Plains.  Served six months & was discharged - In 1777 Served three months in the place of his Father who was drafted, entered the Service the first of August - went to Saratoga - was present at the taking of Burgoin [Burgoyne] - do not know the officers he served under, except the first Sergeant whose name was William Brown.  In 1778 Served in the militia under Captain Reed - was stationed at Boston to guard Burgoins [Burgoyne's] men.  Served three months and was discharged in July 1778.  Enlisted at Western in 1779 or 1780.  Think he served at the time six or eight months.  In 1780 or 1781 he enlisted to go to Fort Stanwix marched to Albany remained there untill [until] discharged - was in the Service at this tour two months - do not recollect the officers names.  That the aforesaid Husband Joel Blair never drew a Pension  This deponent in the name of her deceased Husband Joel Blair makes the above application for the pension due her aforesaid Husband at the day of his death on February 21st 1839 as above set forth and that she is still a widow
[signed]  Polly Blair  X her mark

Subscribed and sworn before me the day and year first above written  
[signed]  John Lapham, Judge of Ontario County Courts

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[Top of page is another document, already transcribed, I believe]

I certify that the within named Polly Blair is a respectable person, that I consider her to be of the age represented by her.  That she cannot attend the Court to make this her Declaration on account of Bodily infirmity.  Dated July 30th 1845
[signed]  John Lapham, Judge of Ontario County Courts

State of New York
Ontario County Clark's Office  ss.   I hereby certify that John Lapham before whom the foregoing and annexed affidavits were subscribed and sworn was at the time of taking the same a Judge of Ontario County in and for said County duly commissioned sworn and authorized to act as such and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signatures to said affidavit and Certificates are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County at Canandaigua this 30th day of June 1845
[signed]  R Murray Jr [Junior]   Deputy Clerk

State of New York
Ontario County Clerks Office  ss.   I hereby certify that Russel B Johnson Esquire before whom the affidavit hereunto annexed (by Ribbon under the seal of this County) was subscribed and sworn[,] was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected sworn and authorized to act as such And further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signatures to said affidavits and Certificates to be genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County over said Ribbon this 30th day of June 1845 at Canandaigua 
[signed]  R Murray Jr   Deputy Clerk

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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of July 7th 1838 Entitles an act granting half pay and pensions to Certain Widows - and pf the act of Congress of 3rd March 1843 - and of June 17th 1844

State of New York
County of Ontario  ss.   Personally appeared on the 30th day of July 1845, before the Subscriber a Judge of the Courts in and for said County Polly Blair of Victor in said County aged Eighty two years last December - who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make  the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838, granting half pay and pensions to Certain widows - also of the act of Congress 3rd March 1843 and of the act of 17th June 1844.  That she is the widow of Joel Blair. who resided in the town of Western Worcester County in the State of Massachusetts - and who served in the war of the Revolution at different times.  That he Entered the Service of the United States in the year 1776, under the Command of Captain Warner - was with General Washington when New York was taken - was present at the Battle of White Plains. Served six months and was discharged.  In 1777, served three months in the place of his Father who was drafted. Entered the Service about the first of August - went to Saratoga - was present at the taking of Burgoin [Burgoyne] - do not know the officers names he served under except the first Serjent [Sergeant] whose name was William Brown.  In 1778 Served in the militia at Boston under Captain Reed, three months guarding Burgoin's [Burgoyne's] men and Public Stores - left the Service in July 1778.  Enlisted at Western in 1779 or 1780 in the month of June. Think he served under Captain Marshall and John Callister who was orderly Sergeant.  Served at this time Six or Eight Months.  In 1780 or 1781 Enlisted to go to fort Stanwick - went as far as Albany - remained there untill [until] he was discharged - was in Service two months and discharged - do not recollect the officers names.  This deponent declares that the above Statement of her husbands Services during the war of the Revolution are as stated by him and reduced to writing according to his directions, previous to his death, though he may have been mistaken in dates - yet she believes it to be substantially Correct.  She further declares that she was married to the said Joel Blair in the Spring of 1786 Seventeen hundred and eighty six.  That the said Joel Blair died on the 21st day of February 1839 - Eighteen hundred and thirty nine.  That she knows of no record of her marriage in existence.  That the attached family Record
[end of page]

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is a true Record of this deponent and her aforesaid husband's ages, and of the ages of their Children.  That it is in the hand writing of this deponents son Eli Blair and was made eighteen or twenty years since.  That it was sewed in to [into] a Book of Sermons and kept to refer too [to] as a true Record.  That this deponent still remains the widow of the said Joel Blair
[signed]  Polly Blair   X  her mark

Subscribed and sworn before me this day and year first above written
[signed]  John Lapham, Judge of Ontario County Courts

I certify that the above named widow Polly Blair is a Respectable person.  That I consider her to be of the age Represented by her.  That on account of Bodily infirmity she cannot attend the Court to make this declaration.  Dated July 30th 1845
[signed]  John Lapham, Judge of Ontario County Courts

State of New York
County of Ontario  ss.   Personally appeared before this Subscriber a Judge of the Courts in and for the County aforesaid Fanny Jones of East Bloomfield in said County aged Forty two years, after being duly sworn according to law; deposeth and saith Polly Blair who is applying for a Pension as the widow of Joel Blair who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution was this deponent's mother - and that the said Joel Blair was this deponent's father.  That her aforesaid parents had seven children older than this deponent all own Brothers and Sisters to this deponent.  That the attached Family Record is a true Record of the ages of this deponent's aforesaid Parents and of the ages of their Children.  That it was made Eighteen or twenty years since and was fastened in to a Book & kept to refer to as a true record of ages.  That it is in the hand writing of this deponent's Brother.  That this deponent's aforesaid father died on the 21 day of February 1839.  That her aforesaid Mother still remains a widow.
[signed]  Fanny Jones

Subscribed and sworn before me this 30th day of July - 1845
[signed]  John Lapham  Judge of Ontario County Courts

I certify that the above named Fanny Jones is a respectable person ans entitled to full credit  Dated July 30th 1845
[signed]  John Lapham

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State of New York
County of Ontario ss.   Personally appeared before this subscriber a Judge of the Courts aforesaid Gaylord Blair of Victor in said County aged thirty nine years after being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that the present applicant for a Pension Polly Blair widow of Joel Blair who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution is this deponent's Mother and the said Joel Blair was this deponent's Father.  That his said parents had eight children older than this deponent - all are brothers & sisters to this deponent - That the attached family Record has always been considered a true Record of the ages of this deponent's parents and the ages of their children.  That said Record was made by this deponent's Brother eighteen or twenty years since, and has been kept in the family as a true Record to refer to.  That this deponent's said Father died on the 21 day of February 1839 - That his said Mother is still a widow
[signed]  Gaylord Blair

Subscribed and sworn this 30th day of July 1845 before me John Lapham, Judge of Ontario County Courts

I hereby certify that the aforesaid Gaylord Blair is a person of respectability and entitled to full credit and belief.  Dated July 30th 1845
[signed]  John Lapham   Judge of Ontario County Courts

Answer to John F Curtis, Huron, Wayne Co.[county] NY [New York]

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State of New York
County of Ontario ss.  Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace of the County aforesaid James Blair of Canandaigua in the said County aged ninety years & after being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith - That for the last sixty five years he has been personally acquainted with Polly Blair who is applying for a pension as the widow of Joel Blair who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution - and that the said Joel Blair was this deponent's brother.  That the said Joel Blair resided during the War of the Revolution in the Town of Weston [Western] in the County of Worcester in the State of Massachusetts.  That that this deponent well recollects that his said Brother Joel Blair Enlisted the Service of the United States in the spring of the second year of the Revolutionary War under John Wood who was Lieutenant  and Major Seares and thinks the Colonel's name was [Lanard?], went to New York and served three months at that tour in 1777.  This said Brother took the place of hid father who a draftee for three months went to Saratoga was in the Battle when Burgoin [Burgoyne] was taken.  do not recollect who he served under.  That in 1778 he Enlisted and went to Boston to guard Burgoin's [Burgoyne's] Prisoners [.]  he was gone three months.  do not know who he served under.  That in 1780 he enlisted in Western for six months to fill up the vacancy in the Continental line  was gone six months  do not know who he served under.  That this deponent has often heard his Brother Joel say that he had served in the War of the Revolution twenty one months.  That this deponent was well acquainted in the town of Weston [Western] in Worcester County Massachusetts during the War of the Revolution and [no one?] knew any other Joel Blair in said town but his Brother the above named Joel Blair.  That his said Brother was said to have been married to the above named Polly Blair fifty nine or sixty years since.  This deponent was not at the wedding but will [well] recollects this time.  That the said parties have lived together as husband and wife to the knowledge of this deponent nearly sixty years  That their oldest child is now nearly fifty eight years old  That this present applicant for a pension Polly Blair is the same person that was the wife of Joel Blair during his lifetime and is now his widow  That this said Joel Blair died in 1839 - [signed]  James Blair

Subscribed and sworn before me this 30th day of July - 1845
[signed]  Russell B Johnson  Justice of the Peace in Ontario County NY [New York]

I certify that the above named James Blair is a highly respectable person and worthy of Credit
[signed]  Russell B Johnson Justice [of the] Peace

[written on the side]  12141

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Mr. Joel Blair was born at Western Worcester County Mass [Massachusetts] 31st May 1757
 1832 - 1757 = 75

1776  In June enlisted in the Militia in the Com [company] of Captain Warner, and was called to N.Y. [New York] and was there under the Command of Gen. [general] Washington where the City was taken and retreated with him out of the City to the White Plains - was not in the immediate battle being left in the tents as a cook that day - was in sight of the battle - went up to West Point and was dismissed there dismissed about the first of December  out 6 months

1777   Went in the place of his father who was drafted for three months - went to Saratoga and was there during the battle when Burgoyne was taken  Does not recollect any other officers but his first Sergeant William Brown   After Burgoyne was taken he marched to Albany, thence to White Plains when he was dismissed & returned home - out three months ---  Went about the 1st of August

1778   Went to Boston in the Militia in the company of Captain Reub. [Reuben] Reed for the
[end of page]

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Purpose of guarding Burgoyne's troops - to Roxbury after the troops left the vicinity of Boston and went to old Rutland, he went into the city of Boston and continued there till [until] the 3 months were expired guarding the Military stores - out 3 months - went in April & came home in July 

1779   Enlisted at Western in the spring, in May, (he thinks) and marched & joined the Continental Army in New York to fill up the vacancies in the army in the Company of Captain Marshall and the Regiment of Col [colonel] Marshall the brother of the captain as near as he recollects.  Continued in the Northern parts of New Jersey till [until] in the fall when the army marched into winter quarters at West Point where he was dismissed in the latter part of December or the first of January 1780 - out 8 months

1780  In October enlisted to go to Fort Stanwick for three months.  Marched to Albany where the Company tarried a few weeks till [until] they were dismissed at Albany.  John Callister was orderly Sergeant.  Don't recollect any other officers - was a volunteer - was out two months - as near as he recollects

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State of New York
County of Oneida ss.   Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, Sarah Brigham of Augusta in said County aged seventy Seven years - after being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that from the earliest period of her recollection she has been personally acquainted with Polly Blair, widow of Joel Blair, who is reputed to have been a soldier in the War of the Revolution.  That for the last sixty two or three years she has been well; acquainted with the said Joel Blair up to the time of his death which took place about Seven years past.  That when young this deponent was on intimate terms with the present widow Polly Blair whose maiden name was Lawson.  That the said Polly Lawson was said to have been married to the said Joel Blair about fifty nine years since.  That this deponent went to live with the said Joel Blair fifty five years since.  That the said Joel Blair and the present widow Polly Blair were then living together as husband and wife and had children.  That about one year after this deponent went to live with the said Blair she this deponent was married.  That her marriage took place at the house of the said Joel Blair.  That this deponent was married in the month of February 1792 Seventeen hundred & ninety two.  That she thinks she cannot be mistaken about the date of her own marriage because she establishes that date by a family register and that she is shure [sure] that at the time this deponent was married, the said Polly & Joel Blair was was [sic] living together as husband and wife & had children.  That the present applicant for a pension, Polly Blair is the identicle [identical] person that was living with the said Joel Blair as his lawful wife at the time this deponent was married and is now his widow.
[signed]  Sarah Brigham
Subscribed and sworn before me this 2nd day of April 1846
[signed] James B Mackey  Justice of the peace

I certify that the above named Sarah Brigham is a respectable person and worthy of full credit.
[signed]  James B Mackey

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STATE OF NEW YORK
CLERK'S OFFICE, ONEIDA COUNTY, ss.
I Delos Dewolf, Clerk of the County of Oneida, do hereby certify, that James B Mackey Esquire, was on the 2nd day of April A.D. 1846, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county of Oneida, duly authorized to act as such, and that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said county this 3rd day of April A.D. 1846
[signed] Delos Dewolf, Clerk.

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JOEL BLAIR  W.18607   HA-J/MLB

Miss Isabel E. Myrth
1908 Second Street
Washington, D. C.

Dear Madam;
Reference is made to your letter of recent date, in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Joel Blair, of Massachusetts, and later of Oneida County, New York, where he died.

The record of Joel Blair follows as found in pension claim, W. 18607, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Joel Blair was born May 31, 1757, in Western, Worcester County, Massachusetts.  The names of his parents are not shown.

While residing in Western, Massachusetts, Joel Blair enlisted in June, 1776, served as private in Captain Warner's Massachusetts company, was called to New York and was there when the city was taken, was in the retreat and discharged about December 1, 1776.  He enlisted about August 1, 1777, as a substitute for his father, served three months under First Sergeant William Brown in the Massachusetts troops, no other names of officers given, and was at the battle of Saratoga when General Burgoyne was taken.  He enlisted April 1, 1778, served as private in Captain Reub. [Reuben] Reed's Massachusetts company, stationed at Boston guarding Burgoyne's men who were prisoners, from that place to Roxbury, and was discharged in July, 1778.  He enlisted in May or June, 1779, served as private in Captain Marshall's company, Colonel Marshall's regiment, and was discharged in the latter part of December, 1779, or first part of January, 1780.  He volunteered in October, 1780, under Sergeant John Callister to go to Fort Stanwix, marched to Albany, New York where he served two months and was then discharged, no other officers on this tour given.

The soldier died February 21, 1839, in Bridgewater, Oneida County, New York.

Joel Blair married in the spring of 1788 in Ware, Massachusetts, Mary or Polly Lawson who was born December 24, 1768, place not stated, nor names of parents given.  At the time of their marriage, they were

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both residents of Western which later became Warren in Worcester County, Massachusetts, and was six miles from the Town of Ware.

In March, 1845, Polly Blair was living in East Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts.  She was allowed pension on her application executed July 30, 1845, at which time she was a resident of Victor, Ontario County, New York, and still living in Ontario County the following year, but in 1848 she was a resident of Gaines, Orleans County, New York.

The following names of the children of Joel Blair and his wife, Mary or Polly, are shown in the claim:
   Annis Blair, born December 7, 1787
   Mary, born September 7, 1789; died May 13, 1790
   Eli, born March 29, 1791
   Sophia, born May 15, 1794
   Harrett [Harriett?], born June 22, 1796
   John, born September 15, 1798
   Asa, born March 6, 1801
   Fanny, born June 21, 1805; married John S, Jones, and in 1845, living in East Bloomfield, Ontario County, N.Y., when he was aged forty-one years.
    Gaylord or Gale, born July 28, 1806; and in 1845, living in Victor, Ontario County, N.Y.

The following item of family data is shown on the list of children after the name of soldier's child, Eli Blair, with no explanation of the relationship to the family:  "Abby Blair April 28, 1794".

In 1845, Joel Blair's brother, James Blair, then aged ninety years, was living in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York.  In the same year, one William Blair, age not stated, was a resident of Madison, Madison County, New York, his relationship to the family not shown.  In 1846, one Seth Blair, aged eighty-five years was residing in Madison, New York, and stated that, while he had known the soldier, Joel Blair, from his earliest recollections and had lived in the same Town of Western as he, he did not know that they were related.  In that year. also, one Sarah Brigham, aged seventy-seven years and of Augusta, Oneida County, New York, stated that she had lived with Joel Blair and his wife, Polly, and was married in their home in February, 1798.  She did not state the place in which she was married, nor give the name of her husband or state whether

[Page] 2

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she were related to the soldier or his wife, Polly Blair.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of soldier's widow, Polly, you should write to the comptroller general, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:  Polly Blair, widow of Joel Blair, certificate #774, issued July 18, 1848, rate $22.78 per annum, commenced March 4th, 1848, Act of February 8, 1848, New York (Albany) Agency.

The record furnished you herein is that of the only Joel Blair found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.

Very truly yours,

A. D. Hiller 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator


{page] 3

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New York
Polly Blair, widow of Joel Blair who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832, and who died on the 21st Feby. [February] 1839, of Ontario Co. [county] in the State of N [New] York who was a Pri [private] in the Compy [company] commanded by Captain Wood of the Regt. [regiment] commanded by Col. [colonel] Gernard in the Revolution line for 6 months 25 days

Inscribed on the roll of Albany, N.Y. at the rate of 22 Dollars 78 Cents per annum, to commence on the 21st Feby 1839

Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd day of Sept. 1846 and sent to J. F. Curtis, Huron, N.Y.

Total amount, $113.90
Act July 7, 1838
Recorded by D. Henry Wood   Clerk
Book D   Vol. 1   Page 529

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New York
Joel Blair, deceased. of Ontario Co. [county] in the state of N. [New] York who was a private in the Co. [company] commanded by Captain Wood in the Reg [regiment] commanded by Col. [colonel] Gernard in the Revolution line for 6 mo [months], 25 days.

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany, N.Y. at the rate of 22 Dollars 78 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831, & end 21st February 1839.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd day of Sept. 1846 and sent to J. F. Curtis, Huron, N.Y.

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by D. H. Wood   Clerk,
Book E.2  Vol. 4  Page 8

Payable to his widow, Polly Blair

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[left side of page]  

Rev?

3[?]  Cetfs [certificates], 1832, 1838, 1843, &'44

Let [letter] to Hon [honorable] W. Hunt
Feb 3, '47



[right side of page]

7959
New York
Polly Blair widow of Joel Blair who was a private in the Revolution.  Husb. [husband] died 21st Feby [February] 1839

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 22 Dollars and 78 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd day of Sept. 1846 and sent to John F. Curtis, Esq [esquire]  Huron, New York

Acts of March 3, 1843 and June 7, 1844
Recorded in Book A, Vol. 7, Page 72
 [illegible signature]

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John F. Curtis

Feb 1, '46

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Pension Office
February 16 1846
  The certificates of the Town Clerk and the register of the Church of Ware forwarded by you in the case of Polly Blair afford no evidence of her marriage with Joel Blair; the testimony before the Department at the time of my report of the 17 Sep [September] 1845 was made [something illegible is written below], you were [informed?], was not satisfactory.  The witnesses did not state by what means they are enabled to swear that that marriage took place prior to January 1794.  The testimony of persens [persons] having [unknown] with the family would be more satisfactory  
[signed]  John F Curtis Esq [esquire]
Huron
Wayne Co. NY

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[written sideways on left:]
John F Curtis Esq [esquire]
Huron NY


[written sideways on right:]
Case of Polly Blair

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Ware Dec. 4, 1845
Mr J F Curtis
Sir - According to your request I have examined the records of marriages kept in this town.  And I do truly certify that I do not find the marriage of Joel Blair to Polly Lawson recorded in said town.  The town of Warren in Worcester County, formerly called Western, is six miles from this place.
[signed]  Lewis Desmond  Town Clerk of Ware


I David N. Coburn Pastor of the First Congregational Church in the town of Ware, Hampshire County in the state of Massachusetts it being the only church organised [organized] in said town in the year 1787 - That I have examined the records of said church and do not find the marriage of Joel Blair to Polly Lawson recorded in said church records.
[signed]  David N. Coburn
Pastor of the First Cong [Congregational] Church in Ware

PS  There are no marriages recorded on the church records from about 1775 to 1787
[signed] DNC

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Warren, Sept. 29th 1845
John F. Curtis Esq. [esquire]
Sir, I have made diligent search of our town records agreeably to your request, and am not able to find any record, either among the records of publishments or marriages, during the years 1786, 1787 or 1788, nor, in 
fine, any any record at all of the marriage of Joel Blair to Polly Lawson; 
I state further, that this town at the time of which you write was called Western, but has since been changed to Warren.
[signed]  L. Warriner - Tn [town] Clerk of Warren Worcester County, Mass. [Massachusetts]

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Pension Office  September 17, 1848
Sir,  The papers in the case of Polly Blair under the act of 7 July 1838, and of Joel Blair deceased her husband, under the act of 7 June 1832 have been examined and filed.
The service of claimant's husband, as shown by the Certificate of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts for 6 mo [months] 15 days is satisfactory.  But some better evidence of the alleged tour in 1776 should be produced; the memorandum left by Blair if sent to this office, may affirm the proof required.  The service in 1777 as a substitute for his father and in 1781 at Albany should be found upon the record of Massachusetts, and unless [established?] by said record will not be allowed.
Before the testimony of individuals can be received as proof of the date of the marriage, the Certificates of the Town Clerk of Western and of Ware and also the register of the church under charge of the minister at the time, who performed the ceremony must be produced.  If they affirm no evidence of 
[end of page]

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the date of this event.  The witnesses who testify showed state such facts connected with this marriage as is calculated to fix and render their recollections thereof certain.
The paper purporting to be a marriage record does not bear these evidences of age that would make it proof of a distant date.

[signed]  John F. Curtis, Esq. [esquire]
Huron
Wayne Co. NY


[written on the side] 
John F. Curtis
17 Sept 1845

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State of New York
County of Ontario ss.     Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid John S. Jones of East Bloomfield in said County aged forty four years, who after being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that Joel Blair deceased, who was reputed to have been a soldier in the War of the Revolution was this deposeth's Father-in-law, and that Polly Blair who is applying for a Pension as the widow of the said Joel Blair, is this deposeth's Mother-in-law.   That the said Joel Blair died on the 21st day of February, 1839 (Eighteen hundred & Thirty nine), leaving the said Polly Blair his widow who still remains his widow.
[signed]  John S Jones

Subscribed & Sworn before me this 31st day of July, 1846
[signed]  L C Aylworth  Justice of the Peace

I certify that John S. Jones who has subscribed the foregoing affadavit [affidavit] is a person of unquestionable veracity whose statements are entitled to the fullest credit
[signed]  L C Aylworth  Justice of the Peace

State of New York
County of Ontario ss.   Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Fanny Jones of East Bloomfield aged forty two years, who after being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that Joel Blair deceased was her Father, and that Polly Blair an applicant for a Pension as the widow of the said Joel Blair is her Mother.  That her said Father died on the 21st day of February, 1839 (Eighteen hundred & Thirty nine) leaving the said Mother Polly Blair his widow who is still his widow.
[signed]  Fanny Jones

Subscribed & Sworn before me this 31st day of July 1846
[signed]  L C Aylworth  Justice of the Peace

I certify that Fanny Jones who has subscribed the foregoing affadavit [affidavit] is a lady of [intelligence?] and of the first respectability whose statements are entitled to unhesitating belief.
[signed]  L C Aylworth  Justice of the Peace

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State of New York
Ontario County Clerks Office
Canandaigua/ August 1846    I hereby certify that Levi C Aylworth whose name is subscribed to the four within Certificates was at the time said Certificates purport to have been subscribed a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected sworn and authorized to act as such  And further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his signatures to said Certificates are genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said County at the time and place to this Certificate above written,
[signed]  Reuben Murray  Jr
Deputy Clerk

Page 29

State of New York
Wayne County SS.    I, Hiram Gray, presiding Officer of the Circuit Court holder of [Lyous?] in said County on the on the 8th day of September 1846, do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence was [adduced?] to the Court in open court, that Joel Blair, who is reputed to have been a soldier in the war of the Revolution, died on the 21st day of February Eighteen hundred and thirty-nine, leaving his widow, Polly Blair, who is still his widow.  Thus it appeared to the satisfaction of the Court from the attached testimony of John S. Jones and Fanny Jones whose affidavits were duly executed and examined
[signed]  Hiram Gray

Page 30

State of New York 
County of Wayne SS.
   I, Alexander B. Williams, Clerk of the Courts in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Hiram Gray was the presiding Officer of the Circuit Court, holder of [unknown] in said County on the 8th day of September 1846, and that the [adjoining?] Certificate to which the Presiding Officer has affixed his name was signed by him in Open Court and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
   In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 8th day of September 1846.
[signed]  Alexr. B. Williams
Clerk of Wayne Co.



[at bottom of page, upside down]
Answer to John F. Curtis 
Huron Wayne Co, N. Y.

Page 31

Payment to be made at Albany by T. W. Olcott

Agent for paying Pensioners in the Agency of New York

Duplicate

Recorded in the Pension Office, Book E.2, Vol. 4, Page 8 by [signed] D. H. Wood, Clerk

Page 32

WAR DEPARTMENT
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM
   I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th of June, 1832, Joel Blair, deceased, late of New York, who was a Private in the Revolution, and who died on the 21st of February, 1839, was entitled to receive Twenty-Two dollars and seventy-eight cents per annum [section crossed out] commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and [section crossed out] ending 21st February, 1839.  
   Given at the War Office of the United States this 23rd day of September, one thousand eight hundred and forty-six.
   The amount due on this certificate is payable to his widow Polly Blair

Page 33

Joel Blair
1776  11 mo  Capt Warner
1777  3 mo  as a substitute, officers not [unknown]
1778  3 mo  Capt Rudd
1779 or 80  11 mo  Capt Marshall
1780 or 81  2 mo  to 8 [illegible] Fort Stanwix, remained at Albany

Page 34

(copy)
Payment to be made Albany - by T.W. Olcott Esq [esquire] Agent for paying Pensions in the agency of New York 
Payable on the 4th day of September and 4th of March

Recorded in the Pension office in Book A Vol. 2, Page 72
[signed] D H Wood   Clerk

Page 35

(copy)
 War Department
Widdows [widow's] Pension


    I certify that in conformity with the acts of 3 March 1843 and June 17th 1844 Polly Blair widdow [widow] of Joel Blair who was a Private in the revolution and died on the 21st day of February, 1839, is is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Twenty Two dollars and Seventy Eight cents per annum commencing on the 4th of March 1843 and terminating on the 4th of March 1848 unless the Pensioner shall marry or die before the last mentioned date; in which case this Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death.
    Given at the War office of the United States this 23rd day of September one thousand eight hundred and Forty six.
[signed]  W. S. Marcy

[place for a seal]

examined and countersigned (signed), Secretary of war   [signed]   J S Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

(copy)

Page 36

No. 37390
Joel Blair dece[deceased]
NY
Act 7 June 1832
[admi?] 6 mo [months] 25 ds [days] [unknown]
$22.78 per annum from 4 March 1831 to 21st Feby [February] 1839 the day of his death, payable to his widow Polly Blair

No. 12141     905-6
Polly Blair     1224

[admi?] act 7 July 1838
$22.78 per annum from 21st Feby [February] 1839 to 4 March 1841
Also acts 3 March 1843 and 17 June 1844 $22.78 [per annum?]

John F. Curtis Esq.[esquire]
Huron NY

Page 37

NY  

Polly Blair for Pension

admitted

Sent to Pensioner
Knowlesville NY

[signed]  D [I?] J Bishop


[written on the side]
I have [illegible] that I am well acquainted with Polly Blair the

Page 38

State of New York ss.

On this tenth day of June 1848 personally appeared before Darius W Cole a justice of the peace of the County of Orleans, Polly Blair a resident of the town of Gaines in said County of Orleans, aged eighty three years who first being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 2nd February 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war.  That she is the widow of Joel Blair who was a private in the army [unknown] the annual amount of which she received under the act of 17th June 1844 is twenty two dollars and seventy-eight cents  She further declares that she is still a widow.

Polly Blair   X her mark

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me

[printed document below]
State of New York
Orleans County Clerk's Office, ss.    I hereby certify that Darius W. Cole Esq, [esquire] whose name is subscribed to the annexed proof, or affidavit was, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and duly authorized to take the same, and that his term of office commenced on the first day of January 1848 and will expire on the Thirty first day of December 1851 and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his signature subscribed to the same is genuine.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and impressed my Official Seal this Nineteenth day of June, 1848
[signed]  Ed Y Strong, Deputy Clerk of said County

Page 39

State of New York ss.
  On this tenth day of June 1848 personally appeared before Darius W Cole a justice of the peace of the County of Orleans, Polly Blair a resident of the town of Gaines in said County of Orleans, aged eighty three years who first being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 2nd February 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war.  That she is the widow of Joel Blair who was a private in the army [unknown] the annual amount of the pension which she received under the act of 17th June 1844 is twenty two dollars and seventy eight cents.   She further declares that she is still a widow.
Polly Blair   X her mark

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
[signed]  Darius W Cole a justice of the Peace in and for the County of Orleans

Page 40

J L Edwards, Esq. [esquire]
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City  DC



[written on ths side]
Ed Y Strong Deputy Clerk of said County

Page 41

   I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Polly Blair the applicant within named, that she is the identical person named in the within application, that she is the widow of Joel Blair, and that she is a resident of the town of Gaines in the County of Orleans
Dated July 5 1848.
[signed] Darius W Cole  a Justice of the Peace of said County


Please direct your communications to Polly Blair  Knowlesville  Orleans County  N.Y.

Page 42

No 12141

Polly Blair

widow of Joel

NY

Act 7 July 1838

married 1786

husband died 21st July 1839

Page 43

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 Joel Blair is borne as a private upon a pay roll of Captain Joseph Richardson, Col. [colonel] Samuel Denny, for service at [Claveric?] from Oct. 19 to Nov. 23, 1770, including 7 days allowed for travel, 1 month, 12 days; roll sworn to in Worcester County; Upon an abstract of the men raised by the town of Western, to serve in the Continental Army for the term of 6 months in 1780, served from July 6 to Dec. 12, including allowance for 140 miles travel, 5 months, 13 days; said Blair arrived at Springfield July 6th in company with the other 6 months men from various towns, belonging to the 7th division under the care of Captain Dix, and marched thence on the same day.  John Callister was with him during the above periods, and was a sergeant in the first named service under Captain Richardson.  It does not appear from any rolls, under what officers the
[end of page]


[written on the side]  
X 1.12
X 5.13 [underlined]
   6,25

Page 44

service in 1780 was performed, but his name is not found upon any of the command of Captains Reed or Warner, or of Captain or Col [colonel] Marshall, and the preceding is all the evidence of service in the case, shown by any of the words in this office.



And I further certify, that, before search made for evidence of 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 hereunto affixed the seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
[signed] John [E?] [Peckey?]
Secretary of the Commonwealth

Page 45

Application for Certificate of Revolutionary Services by the Widow

State of New York
County of Ontario   The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the rolls in his office of the Revolutionary Services of my late husband - Joel Blair - For a particular description of his services.  I refer you to the enclosed Document; it being copyed [copied] from his own [unknown] of his services made by himself during his lifetime.  I am now Eighty-three years old.  I reside in the town of East Bloomfield.  And I do surely empower John F. Foote of Huron Wayne County New York, to act in this business as my attorney.
Witness my hand this 5th day of March 1845
[signed]  Polly Blair

Signed in my presence by the said Polly Blair
[signed]  Nath [Nathan?] Campbell  
Justice of the Peace 
in and for the said County

Page 46

Mrs. Annie P Corson
Framingham, Massachusetts

JOEL BLAIR   W. 18607   BA-J/ MLB

Dear Madam:   Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Joel Blair, born May 31, 1757, in Warren, Massachusetts, married Polly Lawson (Loasson) and died in 1839 in Oenida County, New York, also, Jonathan Boyden, born February 24, 1737, in Walpole, Massachusetts, married Freelove Smith, July 9, 1757.

There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of Jonathan Boyden as described by you; such claims are the source of data furnished by this office in regard to soldiers of the Revolution.  The record was found of only one Joel Blair and it is given herein as shown in the papers on file in pension claims, W. 18607, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Joel Blair was born May 31, 1757, in Western, Worcester County, Massachusetts; the names of his parents are not given.

While residing in Western, Massachusetts, the soldier enlisted in June, 1776, served as private in Captain Warner's Massachusetts company, was called to New York and was there when the city was taken, was in the retreat [with General Washington's army--crossed out] and was discharged about December 1, 1776.  He enlisted about August 1, 1777, as a substitute for his father, served three months under 1" [1st?] sergeant William Brown in the Massachusetts troops, no other names of officers stated, was at the battle of Saratoga when General Burgoyne was taken.   He enlisted in April, 1778, served as private in Captain Reub. [Reuben] Reed's Massachusetts company, stationed at Boston guarding Burgoyne's men who were prisoners from that place to Roxbury, and was discharged in July, 1778.  He enlisted in May or June, 1779, served as private in Captain [illegible] company, Colonel Marshall's regiment and was discharged the latter part of December, 1779, or first part of January, 1780.  He volunteered in October, 1780, under Sergeant John Callister to go to Fort Stanwix, marched to Albany, New York,

Page 47

where he served two months and was then discharged, no other officers on this tour given.

The soldier died February 21, 1839, in Bridgewater, Oenida County, New York.

Joel Blair married in the spring of 1786 in Ware, Massachusetts, Mary or Polly Lawson who was born December 24, 1762, place not given, nor names of her parents stated.  At the time of their marriage, they were both residents of Western which later became Warren, Worcester County, Massachusetts, and was six miles from the Town of Ware.

In March, 1845, Polly Blair was living in East Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts.

Joel Blair's widow, Polly, was allowed pension on her application executed July 30, 1845, at which time she was living in Victor, Ontario County, New York, and was still living in Ontario County, the following year.  In 1848, Polly was a resident of Gaines, Orleans County, New York.

The names of the following children of Joel Blair and his wife, Mary or Polly, are shown in the claim:

Annis Blair, born December 7, 1787

Mary  born September 7 1789, died May 13, 1790

Eli  born March 29, 1791

Sophia  born May 15, 1794

Harrett  born June 22, 1796 [Harriett?]

John  born September 15, 1798

Asa  born March 6, 1801

Fanny  born June 21, 1803
     married John S. Jones, and in 1845 living in East Bloomfield, Ontario County, N.Y., which was still their residence in 18[48?], when he was aged forth-one years.

Gaylord or Gale  born July 28, 1806   and in 1845 living in Victor, Ontario County, New York.



[page] 2

Page 48

The following item of family data is shown on the list of children after the name of soldier's child, Eli Blair, with no explanation of the relationship to family:  "Abby Blair April 28, 1794".

In 1845, Joel Blair's brother, James Blair, then aged ninety years, was living in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York.  In the same year. one William Blair, age not stated, was a resident of Madison, Madison County, New York, his relationship to the family not shown.

In 1846, one Seth Blair, aged eighty-five years, was residing in Madison, New York, and stated that while he had known the soldier, Joel Blair, from his earliest recollections, and had lived in the same town of Western as he, he did not know that they were related.

In 1846, one Sarah Brigham, aged seventy-seven years, of Augusta, Oenida County, New York, stated that she had lived with the soldier, Joel Blair, and his wife Polly, in whose home she was married in February 1792.  She did not state the place in which she was married, the name of her husband, nor whether she was related to either the soldier or his wife, Polly.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Page 49

Washington DC
August 13, 1938

Veterans Administration
Bureau of Old Pensions
Revolutionary War,

I am trying to trace family history of Joel Blair of Massachusetts.  He is listed in Mass. Soldiers & Sailors Rev. War. from Western [underlined], Mass.  I believe that he is the same Joel Blair, who is listed in N.A.R. lineage books under No. 12652 as enlisted from Weston[underlined], Mass. and is said to have drawn pension for 2 yrs. active service and died in Oneida Co. N.Y. in 1834; born in 1756.  
Durants History of Oenida Co. N.Y. mentions among early settlers of New Hartford, one Joel Blair.
If you have a Joel Blair who was on pension list of Oenida County anytime for Rev. War service

[initials MLB are written near the side]

Page 50

will you please give me as much family data as is contained in his pension application?  I would like the place and date of his final pension payment, in fact anything of record concerning him.  It is possible that he is listed among Massachusetts pensions.
Sincerely yours,
[signed]  (Miss) Isabel E. Myrth
1908 Second Street, N.E.

Page 51

Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C.

[Stamped "Received Aug 5, 1935"]

Page 52

Aug. 3, 1935
Dear Sir:  If the following men applied for Pension, in the Revolutionary War, will you please send me data appearing on such application.

Joel Blair, b. [born] May 31, 1757, Warren, Mass [Massachusetts] mar. [married] Polly Lawson (Loasson) and d. [died] in 1839 in Oneida Co.[county] N.Y. [New York]

Jonathan Boyden b. Feb. 24, 1737  Walpole, Mass., married Freelove Smith, July 9, 1757.

Thanking you, I am Very truly yours,
[signed] (Mrs.) Annie P Corson
Framingham, Mass

 [The words "only one" is written above both men's names]

Page 53

[left side of page]  

1935, Aug 15, sent to Mrs. Annie P. Corson   --  MLB
1938, Sept. 14 - Hist. to Miss Isabel E Myrth     MLB





[right side of page]

Revy[revolutionary] IDOW, &c.

File No. 18607
Polly Blair
widow of Joel Blair 
Pri [private]    Rev [revolutionary] War

Act:  Feb 2nd, '48
Index: --Vol. A, Page 68

Arrangement of 1870

Page 54

No 12141
Polly Blair  
NY

[4 lines crossed out but can discern the names of J L Curtis, J S Edwards and J Bishop]

Act 7 July 1838

Page 55

[ many numbers, nothing identified wtitin at bottom is backwards]

Page 56

State of New York
Madison County  ss.     William Blair of Madison in the County of Madison aforesaid being duly sworn before John Foote a Justice of the peace in and for said County doth depose and say that he has been well acquainted with Polly Blair widow of Joel Blair Dec.[deceased] who died in Bridgewater  Onieda  a County from his childhood and that said Joel Blair married the said Polly whose maiden name was Polly Lawson That said Joel & Polly at the time of their marriage resided in the then town of Western, now Warren, in the County of Worcester & State of Massachusetts, and that the said Joel & Polly were married in the town of Ware which joined the same town of Western, and that a regularly authorized minister of the Gospel performed the marriage ceremony but his name this deponent hath forgotten and that this deponent was present at said marriage as a witness to the same & that he this deponent has forgotten also the exact year in which they were married, but this deponent remembers that it was after the expiration of the last [month?] of his service in the war of the revolution & before the first day of January 1794 & this deponent further saith that he this deponent resided in the same town with the said Joel & knows that during the war of the Revolution the said Joel was absent from said town & it was then said that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary army & that after his return the said Joel & this deponent had frequent conversations about what transpired while he was in the Service as [unknown].  The said Joel stated that he was [engaged?] in the Service in New York when the British took [possession?] there & was at West Point & was present when Burgoyne was taken & [unknown] which the deponent verily believes that said Joel did serve in   
[end of page]

Page 57

the Revolutionary war and this deponent further saith that the reason why said Joel & Polly were not married in the town where they resided was that there was no minister of the Gospel residing nearer to the [residence?] of said parties than the one who married them as aforesaid.  [signed]  Wm. Blair

State of New York
Madison County   I certify that on the 8th day of June 1844 William Blair above named personally appeared before me the duly [acting?] Justice of the Peace in and for said County & subscribed the [forgoing?] affidavit & was by me duly sworn to the truth of his content therein-- & that I am well acquainted with him & consider him a credible witness.  [signed]  John Foote    J. P.

State of New York
Madison County Clerk's Office    I, Zadock T. Bentley clerk of said County hereby certify that John Foote Esqr, [esquire] whose name is subscribed to the certificate Jurat of the foregoing affadavit [affidavit] was at the time the same bears date a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected and qualified And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Justice and verily believe that his said signature is genuine.  In testimony whereof I I have herewith set my hand and seal of office this 12th day of August 1845.
[signed]  Z. T. Bentley   Clerk

Page 58

State of New York
County of Madison
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Seth Blair of Madison in said County aged Eighty-five years & after being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that from his earliest recollection he has been personally acquainted with Joel Blair up to the time of his death.  That this deponent and the said Joel Blair formerly lived in the town of Western, now Warren, [in] Worcester County in the State of Massachusetts.  That this deponent does not believe that he is any connection to the said Joel Blair, if any, it is very distant.  That the said Joel Blair was said to have been married in the spring of 1787 --Seventeen Hundred and eighty-seven.  This deponent is sure they were living together as husband and wife and had the reputation of being such in the fall of that year from the fact that he, the deponent was married in October 1787 -- seventeen hundred and eighty-seven  and at that time the said Joel Blair was married to Polly Lawson, that they were then living together as husband and wife.  That the said Polly, whose maiden name was Lawson, to whom the said Joel Blair was said to have been married  in 1787, is the identicle [identical] person and widow of the said Joel Blair who is now applying for a Pension.  That this deponent was well acquainted with the present widow, Polly Blair who is the widow of Joel Blair, before her marriage to the said Blair and since.  That this deponent established the date of his own marriage by a record of the births of his children.
[signed] Seth Blair

Subscribed and sworn before me this 1st day of April 1846
[signed]  Samuel Dunham  J.P.

I further certify that I know the said Seth Blair and have done for the last ten years, and he is a highly respectable inhabitant, that his mind appears to be nearly unimpaired by age and that any statement he may make should be relied on as correct.
[signed]  Samuel Dunham  J.P.

Page 59

State of New York
Madison County Clerk's Office
I, Zadock [?] T. Bentley Clerk of said county hereby certify that Samuel Dunham Esq. [esquire] whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Jurat of affidavit and certificate was at the time of same bear[?] date a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Madison duly selected and qualified and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the same to be his genuine signature.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 3rd day of April 1846

[signed]  Z. T. Bentley   Clerk

Page 60

2 V

April 14, 1846

detail to case Polly Blair




[written sideways]

Huron N.Y.
Apl [April] 9

Hon. [honorable] J S Edwards
Washington DC

Page 61

Huron   Wayne Co. [County] N.Y.  April 9th 1846
Hon. [honorable] J. S. Edwards,

Sir,    Enclosed additional Proof in the case of Polly Blair, widow of Joel Blair, whose papers [were?] forwarded to your office in August last.  Widow's residence, Ontario County, New York.
Respectfully Yours,
[signed] John F. Curtis

Page 62

Jn [John] F. Curtis
June 24, 46

Page 63

Pension Office
June 24, 46
Sir,    The additional testimony furnished by you in the case of Mrs. Polly Blair has been examined and filed.
A thorough examination of the evidence presented in support of this claim establishes no more than 5 months and 13 days service, the remaining allegations being utterly discredited.  The original minutes of claimant's husband are born out in but one instance (and then not fully), while their allegations are disproved in five; we say disproved because it is well known that rolls exist in the office of the Secretary of State at Boston which would show his service if performed as alleged.
Neither is the date of the marriage established as it should be.  If the witnesses who attempt to fix the date by reference to their own family records will furnish those records they may remove the objections which exist upon that point.

Page 64

J.F. Curtis
17 July 1846

Page 65

Pension Office
July 17, 1846
Sir
In In reply to your letter of the 2nd last I have to inform you that the evidence in the case of Joel Blair decd. {deceased] and of his widow Polly Blair is deemed satisfactory to establish the date of their marriage before 1794 and his service for 6 months 25 days as a private.  But before a certificate can be made payable to Mrs Blair for the amount due her husband at his death, the Certificate of a Court of Record showing the day in which he died and that she is his widow must be produced



John F, Curtis  Esq
Huron, Wayne Co. [County]
N [New] York

Page 66

Huron W.S.                  July 7 46
July 2
NY

Hon. [honorable] J. S. Edwards
Washington D.C.

Page 67

Huron  Wayne County N.Y.   July 2, 1846
Hon. [honorable] J. S. Edwards
Sir,   Knowing something of the [pressure?] of your business and its perplexing nature, I have hitherto refrained as much as possible from making to you special communications and hope you will pardon the liberty I take at this time of asking your personal attention to the claim of widow Polly Blair of New York.  Your report of June 24th on his case has been received, in which it is stated that "the evidence produced in support of this claim established no more than 8 months and 13 days served," and that "the date of marriage is not established as it should be -- but if the witnesses who attempt to fix the date by reference to their own Family Records, will furnish those records, they may  remove the objections."  Judging from established rules that have hitherto governed your office in deciding on the proof of service and marriage, I did suppose, and still do, that the case was fully made out and therefore am constrained to believe that the examination of Proof, upon which your last report was based, must have been made by some other person besides yourself -- and that but for this fact, the result would have been different.

Page 68

I therefore respectfully solicit your personal attention to said Proof, and upon the wisdom and equity of your decision, I am willing to rely.  In your report on this case of Sept. 17th 1845, you say "the service of Claimant's husband, as shown by the Certificate of the [infantry?] of Massachusetts for 6 months and 15 days is satisfactory".  It appears that upon the last examination an item of 28 days service was disallowed on account of a discrepancy, which is alleged to exist between the memorandum left by Joel Blair, and the records of Mass [Massachusetts].  This discrepancy I think would not be [declared?] by you a sufficient reason for withholding a Pension for services, which are shown by the records of said State to have been performed by Mr. Blair but a short time before his death, when his faculties were much impaired by age and infirmity, and it is not therefore remarkable that it should not be found strictly in accordance with facts.
I do believe that if you examine the Proof of service yourself, together with the corroborating circumstances, you will see that the conclusion arrived at on the first examination of the case is fully sustained, and the proof of marriage, you will [end of page]

Page 69

[regard?] as abundantly sufficient to show that Event occurred prior to 1794.  If I am not mistaken it is a new requirement to ask multiple witnesses to forward their family records.  Should they refuse to [spare?] them --- would it be satisfactory for a Justice of the Peace to certify to their appearance and authenticity?
Very Respectfully Yours
[signed] John F Curtis

Page 70

Huron "Wayne Co. NY-Oct.13th 45
Hon. [honorable] J.S. Edwards
Sir,
Enclosed are three negati[ve?] certificates in relation to the marriage
of Polly Blair, who is claiming a Pension as 
the widow of Joel Blair- The parties lived 
when married in the Town of Western--(now Warren) and were married in the town of Ware. According to the Requisitions of your Report of Sept 17th 1845 I have caused search to be made in the above towns, and in the only Church that was organised in the Town of Ware in 1787, for a Record of the Marriage of the above named parties of which the Enclosed is the Result.  I hope the truth
Proof Already on file will be satisfactory to
establish the said marriage as it may be impossible to obtain any additional proof in regards to it.
You say that the memorandum left by Blair
if sent to your office may afford the Requisite proof to establish the alleged term of service in 1776. That memorandum was affixed to the Widow's application for a search of Records at Boston, for service, and is now attached to the certificate of service from the Secretary of State now on file.

Page 71

in Your Office- It was made
according to the directions of Mr
Blair a short time previous to his 
death for the purpose of applying
for a Pension-
Respectfully Yours
John F Curtis