Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18,273, John Wadsworth, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn
Wadsworth John Nela
H 18,273
CONTENTS

No 19.711
Connecticut
John Wadsworth
of Litchfield Co in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Gallup of the regiment commanded by Colonel Parsons in the Connecticut line, for the term of one year from January 1776 to January 1777
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 21 st day of December 1826
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th of Jan y 1827 and sent to W m M c Burrell Esq. South Canaan Court
Arrears to 4th of
Semi-annual account ending Mar: 1827 $ 19-87
$ 19-87
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Acts March 18, 1818, } { and May 1, 1820. }
See letter to Hon. E. Parsons, P. Gt. Dead. Cople. 22 d 1834

Connecticut - 5422
Nela Wadsworth, widow of John Wadsworth.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 Mar. 1818 and who died on the 10 th of March, 1834. of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut Conn who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Gallup of the Regt - commanded by Col. Parsons - in the Connecticut line for 12 mos. private
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per ann. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of May, 1840 and sent to Hon. Truman Smith, H. of Representatives.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1840 $160:00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th Feb - 20:00
$180:00
{ Act July 7, } 1838 }
Recorded by S. A. Elliot Book A Vol. 1 Page

V 5412 Nela Wadsworth
Con
act 7. July 38
m 82 d 34
adm 0 12mo fri 40 pp
No deduction
For Truman Smith H.R.

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield ss. I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original now on file in the Probate District of Sharon
On this 25th day of April 1839 personally appeared before the Court of Probate within & for the District of Sharon in the County & State aforesaid the same being a Court of Record & now sitting Nela Wadsworth a resident of said Connecticut in the County & State aforesaid & about fifty years of age who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows."
That she is the widow of John Wadsworth late of said Connecticut deceased who was a private soldier or artificer in the army of the Revolution that she is unable to state definitely in regard to the services performed by her said husband but she states that under the act of Congress of the year 1818 her said husband made an application for a pension which he obtained as a soldier or artificer in the Continental line of the Revolutionary army which pension he continued to draw till his death & that then she applied for & drew his arrear of pension & there surrendered his pension certificate. She therefore refers to said certificate application made by the said John Wadsworth to the proof thereof adduced in support thereof for evidence of the services performed by the said John Wadsworth which documents she supposes are on file in the war department.
She further declares that her maiden name was Nela Miller & that she was born & always has resided now in said Connecticut & that she was married to the said John Wadsworth on the 19th day of February (N.S.) 1822) Sixteen hundred & twenty two in the state of New York at a place now called North East

in the County of Dutchess about fifteen miles from her then residence in said Canaan by the Rev. Virmore Dohin who then was a settled minister & Elmer of the Baptist Church although lived in said town of North East but has long since deceased - there was no person present when we were married with whom we were acquainted as the marriage was without the knowledge or consent of any family - that her said husband died on the 10th day of March 1834 & she has remained a widow ever since - she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but that the marriage took place previous to the first of January fourteen hundred & thirty four - to wit - at the time above stated Given to subscribers on the day & year above written before Nela Wadsworth
me William M. Burrall Judge of Probate
At the same Court
The abovenamed declarant Nela Wadsworth presented the Dispositions of Silas Franklin Esq. and Olive Jackway sworn to and subscribed in open Court, and said Dispositions are ordered to be annexed to the foregoing Declaration of the said - Nela Wadsworth
William M. Burrall Judge of Probate
State of Connecticut } County of Litchfield } ss District of Sharon
At a Court of Probate held at Canaan within and for the District of Sharon in the County and State aforesaid on the sixth day of May A D 1839
Present William M. Burrall Judge Nela Wadsworth of said Canaan the declarant before named presented to this Court the Dispositions of

Beate Lord. Joseph Lawrance. and Isaac Fellows in support of her declaration and claim for a Pension. which depositions purport to have been taken subscribed. and sworn to, before John Elmore Junr. Esq: as a Justice of the Peace. And this Court hav- ing examined said depositions Doth hereby certify that the said John Elmore Junr. was was at the date of said Depositions and ever since has been a - Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Litchfield aforesaid, duly and legally appointed commissioned, and sworn, and that the signature to the certificate annexed to said Depositions is in the handwriting of said John Elmore Junr. Esq: and full faith and credence is to be given to the same. This Court doth thereupon direct said depositions to be annexed to the Declaration of said Nela Wadsworth And I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the aforesaid Nela Wadsworth and that she sustains a good character for truth and Integrity and is a credible witness
William M. Burrall Judge of Probate
I Edmund Belden Clerk of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Sharon in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut. Do hereby cer- tify, that the foregoing contains the original proceed- ings of the said Court. in the matter of the application of Nela Wadsworth for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and annexed thereunto the seal of said Court of Probate this 6 th day of May Anno Domini One Thousand Eight hundred and thirty nine
Edmund Belden Clerk

I Olive Jakway of Canaan in Litchfield County and State of Connecticut do depose and say that I am seventy seven years of age, and that I was born and have always resided in Canaan aforesaid, and that from my childhood I have been intimately acquainted with Mrs. Nela Wadsworth widow of John Wadsworth late of said Canaan deceased, who was at his decease a pensioner of the United States. The maiden name of the said Nela was Nela Miller, and in our youth we were play mates and school mates, she was courted by the said John Wadsworth, at the same time that I was by Daniel Jakway to whom I was afterwards married, and I perfectly well recollect that in the winter next previous to my marriage, in sleighing time, the said Nela and John Wadsworth invited the said Daniel Jakway and myself to accompany them to Sharon in said State which adjoins the state of New York at a place then called Nine Partners, being about twenty miles from where we then lived. We agreed to accompany them supposing that they were going to be married, as it was then and still is, customary for young people from this vicinity to go over into the state of New York to be married, as the ceremony could be performed there without previous publication of Banns, which was and is necessary in this state. We went from home on Saturday and staid over the Sabbath with some friends in said Sharon, and on Sabbath evening Mr. Wadsworth and the said Nela took the sleigh and horses and went away towards the state of New York, there supposed for the purpose of being married. The next morning they returned and informed us that they were married, and we all came home, and the friends of the said Nela were informed that she was married to said John Wadsworth, and they very soon commenced living together as man and wife, and so continued to live together, until the said John

Wadsworth died which was four years ago in March last and the said Stella has remained a widow from that time till the present. I never heard any one express a doubt that the said John and Stella were legally married, and I have no more doubt of it than I have of that fact that any of my neighbours were married. I was married to the said Daniel Larkway in June 1782 obee 8/22/2009
State of Connecticut }
County of Litchfield ss. Court of Probate, within and for the District of Sharon in open court.
The abovenamed Deponent Olive Larkway subscribed the foregoing Deposition and made oath to the truth of the same. And I further certify. That said Olive Larkway is personally known to this Court and that she is a woman of good character and a credible witness
William M. Burrall Judge of Probate

I Silas Franklin of Canaan in Litchfield County and State of Connecticut do depose and say that I am in the seventy fourth year of my age, and was born and have lived from my birth in said Canaan I have known Mrs Nela Wadsworth widow of John Wad- sworth late of Canaan deceased, from my childhood having always lived within one mile of her. I recollect that at about the close of the revolutionary war, the said John Wadsworth came to this neighbourhood before and was soon afterward said to be married to the said Nela whose maiden name was Nela Miller. I did not see them married, but have no reason to doubt that they were married, as it was so reported as is always cus- tomary in such cases, and they soon commenced living together as man and wife and so continued to live till the said John Wadsworth died which was four years ago, and from that time the said Nela has remained a widow. I was married in the year 1790, and at that time the said John and Nela Wadsworth were living together as man and wife and had one and I think two children then, I never heard any one express a doubt that they were lawfully married, and if they were I know it must have been previous to the year 1790. Silas Franklin
State of Connecticut }
County of Litchfield } ss Court of Probate within and for the District of Sharon, in open court
The above Deponent subscribed the foregoing Deposi- tion and made oath to the same, and I further certify that the abovenamed Deponent is personally known to this court, and that he is a man of good character and a credible witness William M. Burrall Judge of Probate

I Ruth Lord of the Town of North East in the County of Dutches and State of New York of Lawfull Age. do depose and say that I am the Grand Daughter of Simon Dakin late of said North East deceased and the Daughter of Simon Dakin Jur. and that I am now of the age of fifty four years, that I well remember the said Simon Dakin my grand father and know that he was an Elder of the Baptist Church, and saw frequently attended Marriages celebrated by him as such Elder The said Simon the Elder died in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and one and that after his decease, the papers and records of my said Grandfather came in the hands and possession of my father the said Simon Jur. who died in July in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and thirty one and that since, the death of my grandfather and more especially since the death of my father the papers and Records so left by my grandfather have been mostly mutilated and destroyed. The deponent also deposes and says that all my grandfathers papers left in possession of my father after his death were placed in my custody and kept and that I verily believe after careful examination that there remains no certificate or Record of any marriage ever celebrated by him. The deponent also says that she verily believes that the said Simon Senior always resided in said North East, and also for a number of years discharged and exercised all the functions belonging to a Baptist Elder of celebrating marriages &c and that the said Simon Senior died at the advanced age of Eighty Three years And further the deponent saith not
Ruth Lord

Sturminster Newton Keyn Salisbury 20 th March 1839.
Personally appeared before me Ruth Lord signer of the within and foregoing deposition and after full information that she should tell the whole truth & nothing but the truth made solemn oath to the same and I also certify that I verily believe the said Ruth to be a person of good character & of strict integrity and that all she says is entitled to full credit.
Certified by
John Emor fr. Justice of Peace

I, Joseph Lawrence of Canaan in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut of lawful age do depose and say that I was born and have ever since resided in said Canaan and am now sixty six years of age and have also lived in the immediate neighborhood of John Wadsworth late of said Canaan deceased and I well remember of hearing that the said John and Nilla Wadsworth the widow of the said John went into the State of New York and were there married. The present year in which they were so married I can not tell but think it must have been about fifty years since. I know that the said John and Nilla immediately on their return from New York as of course commenced living together as husband and wife and continued so to live until the death of the said John which happened in 1834. The said John and Nilla raised a family one of their children now reside with the said Nilla in said Canaan - further deponent saith not.
Joseph Lawrence
Litchfield County ss. Canaan 2 nd day of Febry 1834
Personally appeared before me Joseph Lawrence the person of the foregoing deposition and after being cautioned to tell the whole truth made solemn oath to the truth of the same and of the justice of the

Peace also certify that I am well acquainted with the deponent & know that his character for truth and veracity - also for integrity is good - unimpeachable
Certified by John Brown Jr. father of Peace

I Isaac Fellows of Canaan in Litchfield County of lawful age do depose and say that I was born in the town of Canaan and have always resided there and am now almost eighty four years of age and have been acquainted with John Wadsworth late of the Canaan deceased for a great number of years and was also acquainted with Nilla Miller before her intermarriage with the said John and do now remember of being at the time of the death of the said John and Nilla going into the state of New York being then married the number of years since I do not recollect, but I do know that on their return from the state of New York they commenced house-keeping and lived together as husband and wife and so continued to live until the death of the said John which was in 1834. - The said John and Nilla raised a family and a son of the said John resides with the said Nilla in the Canaan and further the deponent saith not.
Isaac Fellows
Litchfield County ss. Canaan 2 d April AD 1839
Personally appeared before me Isaac Fellows signee of the foregoing deposition and after being cautioned to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth made solemn oath to the same also I certify that I am well acquainted with the deponent Isaac Fellows and that his character for probity honesty and truth is good and whole and inimitable.
John Sherman Justice of Peace

Original Claim.
Declaration, in order to be placed on the Pension List, under the Act of the 18th of March, 1818.
County of Litchfield ss. County Court - December Term, A.D. 1826.
On this 21 st day of December 1826, personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record for the County aforesaid, John Wassworth - resident in said County, aged _____ years; who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th of March, 1818, 1st of May, 1820, and 1st of March, 1823; and that the said John Wassworth enlisted for the term of One year - on the first day of January in the year 1776 in the State of Connecticut in the company commanded by captain Israel Gassop - in the regiment commanded by colonel Sam l Holden Parsons - in the line of the State of Connecticut on the continental establishment; that he continued to serve in said corps until the first day of Jan y 1777 when he was discharged from the service, in Orrem Pond, in the State of New York - that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, except the present; that his name is not on the roll of any State, except that of Connecticut, and that the following are the reasons for not making earlier application for a pension; viz t that he did make an application for a pension on the 19 th day of March A.D. 1819, & also on the 24 th day of August A.D. 1826, but could not obtain a pension, because I could not then obtain sufficient proof of my having performed the aforesaid service. -
And, in pursuance of the act of the 1st May, 1820, I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me: nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
That as it relates to my occupation, my ability to pursue it, the number and names of my family residing with me, their ages and their capacity to contribute to their support. I declare as follows, viz t . that I am a Blacksmith by trade, & that I have no family excepting a Wife who is sixty three years of age, & we are both so old & infirm that we are unable to do but little, if any, labour, & cannot earn any thing for our support -
The following schedule contains each article of real and personal estate now owned by the subscriber (except necessary clothing and bedding), viz t .
   1 Cow $9.00 one old Shovel & Pongs $0.50   1 Calf 1.25 one pail 0.25   5 Swine 9.00 4 tin pans 0.20   10 old Chains 3.33 1 wash tub 0.10   1 Chest with drawers 4.00 1 meat barrel & peg the barrel 0.25   10 Sheep 8.33 1 wooden block 1.00   1 square Table 1.25 The use of an old House 25.00   2 old Stands 0.25 two acres of land.   1 brass Kettle 1.50   2 old Pots 0.75   1 old Kettle 0.50   1 Cast Iron Fitch 0.10   6 Nails & Saw 0.12   6 Cast Iron Plates 0.18   1 do. bowl 0.06   1 half pint Tumbler 0.06   5 old Cedar Barrels 0.83   (Total) $49.16  
The above is a true copy of the original claim of John Wassworth, as shown to the Committee on Pensions, and approved by them, March 1827.

Since the 18th of March, 1818, the following changes have been made in my property.
   Description of property. Names of persons to whom disposed of. Time of sale. Amount of money or description of property received in return.      And that with regard to the property or estate I owned, or was possessed of on the 18 th of March 1818, I declare as follows. That I did not own any property or estate on the aforesaid 18 th of March 1818, & have not since owned any property, besides what is contained in the foregoing schedule, & that no changes have been made in the same, excepting that I have consumed the Sheep & Swine in my family, which I then owned, & raised others, & have, several times, exchanged a Cow for a younger one. —   
John Wadsworth.
Sworn to and declared, on the 21 st day of December 1826 before the County Court, held at Litchfield within & for the County of Litchfield, on the 3 rd Tuesday of December A. D. 1826.
F. Wolcott, Clerk. —
I Frederick Wolcott Clerk of the County Court in the county of Litchfield and state of Connecticut, do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court, that the said John Wadsworth — did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, under one engagement, on the continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Sixty nine dollars and 78 cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this
21 st day of December — A. D. 1826. —
Frederick Wolcott Clerk of County Court, or Court of Common Pleas, in Litchfield County in the State of Conn. —

I Jonathan Gillett of Canaan in the county of Litchfield and State of Connecticut and now Seventy Eighth years of age do depose & say that about fifty seven years last past I came into the town of Canaan having been previously then employed in Lenox in Berkshire county and Commonwealth of Massachusetts upon my return to New Britain in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut the place of my nativity and in passing through the town of Canaan I accidentally met Benjamin Willet the father of Nela Wadsworth and after some conversation he found out that I was a joiner & could make household furniture he then said that his daughter recently married to Mr. Wadsworth was in want of furniture and he was desirous of employing some one to make it & would employ me if we could agree. He did agree I made various articles of furniture which immediately passed into the family of Mr. Wadsworth some of which Mrs. Wadsworth now retains after making the furniture I commenced my residence in the town of Canaan and ever lived there since the deposition also states that ever since he has been well acquainted with John Wadsworth until his death in 1834 & his wife Nela Wadsworth to this time and for several years lived in the immediate neighborhood in which they resided & know that they had several children one of which now lives with Mr. Wadsworth - They were always reputed as married & so considered by the friends of Mr. & Mrs. Wadsworth as well as the community at large further the deponent saith not
Attest H. B. Brainerd Clerk
Jonathan Gillett

Litchfield County ss. January 18 th April 1840 Personally appeared before me Jonathan Gillett signer of the within deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same. I also certify that I have been for a number of years well acquainted with the deponent and that his character for truth and integrity is good and cannot be questioned in this community.
John Elmore Jr. Justice of Peace
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, } ss. Litchfield. LITCHFIELD COUNTY, }
I Origen S. Seymour.
Clerk
of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that
John Elmore Esquire is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and by Law authorized to administer Oaths and to take the acknowledgment of Deeds. And that his commission was dated on the 27 th day of May — A.D. 1839 and will expire on the 20 th day of June, A.D. 1840. And that the foregoing signature which purports to be his, is the genuine handwriting of said Justice.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court this
6 th day of May A.D. 1840
Origen S. Seymour Clerk

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section. Ans
December 15, 1937
H. G. Otis, City Manager Rocky Mount N. C.
Sir:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 18373, it appears that John Wadsworth enlisted January 1, 1776 and served one year as a private and artificer in Captain Israel Gallup's Company, Colonel Samuel Holden Parsons Connecticut Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed December 21, 1826, while a resident of Litchfield County, Connecticut. He died March 10, 1834. The date and place of his birth are not given.
He married February 19, 1783 in North East, Dutchess County, New York, Nela, daughter of Benjamin Miller.
She was allowed pension on her application

executed April 25, 1839, while a resident of Canaan, Litchfield County, Connecticut, aged seventy-five years. It is stated that she was born and raised in said Canaan.
They had children, but no names are given.
The above noted John Wadsworth is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau, who served in the Connecticut Troops; and said records fail to afford any data to a soldier named John Noyes Wadsworth or to one named Noyes Wadsworth.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
Letter sent to Record Div. for reply to Civil War inquiry Aug See further correspondence in Rev. pen. cl. W 7781 - Ebenezer Hopkins
Dec 15-27

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 18273 Sela Wadsworth Wid. of John Wadsworth Priv. Rev. War
Act: July 7, 1838
Index:—Vol. M , Page 3117
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1924 Dec. 15: Hist. to N. H. Obs. Letter sent to Rec. Div. for reply to civil War inquiry

✓ 5412 -
See Wm. M. Burral, Jr.
July 27-39.
Act 7. July 38

duvif urpha
5A 122 May 13 th 7 July 1838
Adela Madam and John
I see
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City L.....a

South Canaan Post Office Ct. May 13 th 1839.
J. L. Edwards Esq t Commissioner of Pensions
Sir. I enclose the application of Mrs. Nela Wadsworth of this place for a Pension and if a pension is granted her. she wishes her Certificate sent to me, Directed to me as Post Master South Canaan Connecticut.
As I have often sent you papers of this description, I suppose a reference will not be necessary in this case. but if it should be. I would refer you to H. L. Ellsworth Esq t Superintendent of the Patent Office with whom I am personally acquainted
I am Respectfully Yours or
William M. Burrall

20,093
John Wadsworth, Cabin City Wm M. Barrall South Canaan, Co. Pa. Recd 5 Jan 1827
Edward Pension Office Washington City
To. Canaan Nov. 28.
J. L.
Recd Jan 5 1827

South Canaan Ct. Dec. 28 th 1826
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir I rec d your letter of the 23 d of Sept. last, & also the pension papers of John Wadsworth. You mention that no further proof of his service would be required, but that he must make a new declaration of his service, & prove his situation with regard to his property, on the 18 th of March 1818. & the several changes that have taken place respecting it since.
I immediately communicated your letter to Wadsworth, & at the first Court thereafter, he made his declaration, & has procured the other proof required, which I now enclose.
Mr. Wadsworth made a declaration in 1819. & also one in August 1826. & if the law will permit, I think he ought to be have a Certificate of an earlier date than the papers enclosed & if it can be done I hope it may be.
If his Certificate is now given him, please to enclose it, directed to me as Post Master - South Canaan Connecticut
I am Respectfully &c
Yrs M. Burrall

Nathaniel Stevens Esquire of Canaan in the County of Litchfield State of Connecticut deposeth & saith that for fifteen or twenty years last past he hath resided within a few rods of the dwelling of John Wardworth in said Canaan & during said period of time he hath had every opportunity to become intimately acquainted with the pecuniary situation of the said John And the said Nathaniel saith that during said period of time the said John hath apparently been a man destitute of property unless it were a cow & some few trifling articles of household furniture the said John the deponent saith is the same John Wardworth who is now making application to be placed on the pension list of the United States. The deponent also saith that the pecuniary affairs of that the said John for the period aforesaid have apparently been in in the same situation in which they now are, & the deponent believeth the said John by reason of his age infirmities & poverty is unable to support himself & wife without the aid of charity. further the deponent saith that Nathl. Stevens

State of Connecticut } J. Garaan County of Litchfield }
On this 15 th day of December A D 1826. Personally appeared before me, the within named Nathaniel Stevens Esq. and subscribed the within disposition and made solemn Oath that the same contains the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and I hereby certify that the said Nathaniel Stevens Esq. is a credible, and disinterested witness
Yours M. Burrall Justice of the Peace

I William Hingsbury of Canaan in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, of lawful age, depose and say, that I have resided in the immediate neighborhood of Mr. John Wadsworth in said Canaan for ten years last past, and have been during the time aforesaid, well acquainted with the said Wadsworth & with his situation regarding his property, and I know him to be the same John Wadsworth who is making an application to be placed on the pension list, as a revolutionary pensioner, and I further depose and say that the said Wadsworth, has, apparently for the said ten years last past, been very poor, and has had no property within my knowledge, excepting a cow, & the use of an old decayed house, & two acres of land, & some few articles of household furniture & I know of no alteration in his circumstances in any other particular, excepting that his age & infirmities have rendered him less able to labor for his support. And I believe that the said Wadsworth is unable to support himself & wife without the aid of public or private charity and further the Deponent saith not.
William Hingsbury
State of Connecticut County of Litchfield
On the 14 th day of November A.D. 1826 Personally appeared Mr. Hingsbury & subscribed the foregoing Deposition & made solemn oath that the said Deposition contains the truth & nothing but the truth before me, and I further certify that the said Hingsbury is a credible witness. Certified and signed per me M. Burroll Justice of the Peace

We the subscribers the Civil Authority and Select Men and Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Canaan in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut do hereby certify. That we have been well acquainted with Mr. John Wadsworth of said Canaan for a great number of years past past. and that the said Wadsworth on and before the 18 th day of March A D 1818. was apparently very poor. and had no property in his possession excepting an old decayed house and about two acres of land of which we have always understood he was only entitled to the use during his life. and also a Cow & some few articles of poor-household furniture. And We further certify that We have not known of any alteration in his circumstances excepting. the natural decay of his property The said Wadsworth is a Blacksmith by trade. and has heretofore procured a support for himself & wife without the aid of the Town. but from his age & infirmities We are of opinion that he is unable at this time & will be in future to procure a living without the aid of public or private charity. We also certify that he is the same John Wadsworth who is making application for a Revolutionary Pension Canaan December 14 th 1826.
  Jonathan Daboll  Select  Wm M. Burrall  Civil    Harvey Partridge  Samuel Church    Rufus Dutcher  Men  James Farn  Authority    Henry Post  Joshua Arnewell    I hereby certify that Jonathan Daboll Harvey Partridge Rufus Dutcher & Henry Post are Select Men & Overseers of the Poor for the Town of Canaan. Canaan December 15 th 1826. Benajah Douglas Town Clerk & Register

I Frederick Wolcott, Clerk of the County Court, or Court of Common Pleas, within & for the County of Rutland in the State of Vermont, certify that William M. Burrall, Leman Church, James Fenn and Joshua Cornwall, Esquires, now and for more than one year last past have been Justices of the Peace within & for said County legally commissioned and qualified, that I am well acquainted with their handwriting, & that their respective signatures to the within instruments are as I believe genuine, & that full faith & credit may & ought to be given to their said certificates & acts.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the Seal of said Court at Rutland in said County, this 28 th day of December A.D. 1826.
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk

St. Canaan 67 May 11 th — }
Free
Hon. Truman Smith Member of Congress Washington City b..... a
Mr. H. H.

Canaan May 11 th 1840
Truman Smith Esq c
Dear Sir
I sent about a year since the papers and application for a Pension of a M rs Wadsworth of this town a widow. to the Commissioner of Pensions J. L. Edwards Esq c ; and several months afterwards I had a notice from him that the evidence concerning regarding the marriage was not considered sufficient.
Two things only, are necessary to be proved in an application by a Widow for a pension. (To wit) The services of the Husband during the revolutionary war. and the marriage. In this case John Wadsworth the husband applied for a a pension for his services during his life. The evidence therefore of his services are on file in the office of the Commissioner & are satisfactory as they have been passed upon & allowed. The evidence of the marriage is as follows.
The declaration & Oath of the Widow (whose maiden name was Nela Miller) that she was married to John Wadsworth her late Husband in the State of New York by Eldad Dakin a Baptist minister.
The Disposition of one of Dakins sons. that he is deceased & left no records.
The Disposition of our Town Clerk that there is no record in his office.
The Disposition of a M rs Packway. that I think in the winter of 1793 she & her late husband Dan t Packway dur d went to Sharon on a visit & for a sleigh ride. & that John Wadsworth & Nela Miller went with them. that they staid with a relative on Saturday night & all went to meeting on the sabbath. & that on Sabbath evening - Wadsworth & Miss Miller took the sleigh & horses & said they were going into the State of N. York. to be married. that they returned late in the evening & said they were married & that they have ever since. lived together & been reputed to be husband & wife untill his death seven or eight years since.
The Dispositions of several of our most respectable citizens.

of their personal acquaintance with them, & that they have ever since lived together a man reputed to be husband & wife, & no doubt ever been suggested to the contrary, have a family of children
Mr. Elmore was employed by the widow to get her pension & I told him I believed the widow was abundantly sufficient but it seems that it was not, and he has now brought me another deposition of a Mr. Gilt one of our most respectable inhabitants a father of Col. Gilt with whom you are acquainted.
Now we wish you to send call at the Pension office & give the deposition to Mr. Edwards & examine the papers & see if you can satisfy him that the Pension ought be granted. I think there can be no question but that the widow is sufficient & entirely within the rules established by the Commissioners. Mr. Elmore said he should write you himself & I hope he has. & if you will take the trouble to give your attention to this concern, you will much oblige him & myself & the widow.
If a Certificate is granted Please ask the Commissioners to have it sent me
I am very Respectfully Yours &c
William M. Burrall
Mr. Smith is so much engaged in the discharge of his duties as a member of the Committee on Election that it is almost for him to call at the Pension office in company with the members of Judge Burrall - he however respectfully requests a re-examination after Subpoena by Mr. Edwards, until the belief that whatever doubt he may have had as to the sufficiency of the

proof will be entirely removed by the deposition of Mr Gillet - The fact of the marriage must be I think considered established by the depositions and documents just mentioned by that deponent