Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22891, for Allen Matteson, Rhode Island

SERVICE
R.J.
Matteson, Allen
NUMBER
S. 22891
CONTENTS

31. 470
Albany New York
Allen Matteson
Rensselaer in the State of N. Y.
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Whitman of the Regt. commanded by Col. Cook in the R. G. A. time for 11 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 36 Dollars 67 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 th day of June 1838 and sent Hon. W. Vail Hoo. of Reps.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1838 $226.69
Pemi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833 18.33
$245.02
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by N. H. Addison Clerk.
in 02 Vol. 4 Page 116

In the Matter of { Allen Matterson }
Application for a Pension
14541
✓

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7, 1832.
Form for State Troops, &c.
Printed & Sold by Kemble & Hooper, 8 State-st. Troy, N.Y.
State of New York, } ss. County of Rensselaer }
On this ninth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judge of the Court of  Troy Mayor's Court now sitting, Allen Matheson a resident of Pelkie county of Rensselaer and State of New York, aged twenty seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That in the year 1775 he resided in the town of Coventry in the State of Rhode Island. That at the time of the Battle of Lexington in this year he volunteered to go into the service and was engaged in the service a few days. That in 1776 in the month of September at Coventry aforesaid he enlisted into the Rhode Island Troops for three months under Captain Whitman in Colonel Cook's Regiment and marched to Newport when he was stationed until the British drove them off at what was called How-lands Ferry when he remained till his term of enlistment expired when he was discharged. He remained at home three days and then volunteered into Captain William Ray's Company and joined the company at East Greenwich and was engaged in guarding the shore during that winter for a term of two months . That in the year 1777 he volunteered under Captain William Ray to go into General Spencer's expedition against New York that he was engaged in this service about one month and that he was otherwise engaged in guarding the shore during this year one month more as a

lands ferry when he remained till his term of enlistment expired when he was discharged - he remained at home thru days and then volunteered into Captain William Reys Company and joined the company at East Greenwich and was engaged in guarding the shore during that winter for a term of two months - That in the year 1777 he volunteered under Captain William Reys to go in to General Spenser's expe- dition against New York that he was engaged in this service about one month and that he was otherwise engaged in guarding the shore during this year one month more as a volunteer - That in 1778 he was engaged in Sullivan's ex- pedition under Captain Brant Brant and served as an ensign for about a month and that he was otherwise engaged in guarding the shore during this year one other month - That during all the service above mentioned he served as as a noncommissioned officer excepting the time he served as an ensign in Sullivan's expedition as aforesaid - That in 1779 he entered into a company called the alarm list under Captain Abel Brant as an orderly sergeant and in that year as such did two months service in guarding the shore one month of which was at Bristol in said state - That his whole service as above stated amounted certainly eleven months or more
That he has no documentary evidence of his services and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can conveniently procure who can testify to his services except what is herunto annexed -
To the foregoing Interrogatories put by the Court he answers -
1. He was born in the town of Coventry aforesaid in the year 1755

2. Then is a record of his age in the town clerk's office in said town of Coventry.
3. He resided in said town of Coventry until the year 1789 when he removed to the State of New York and now resides in the Town of Berlin County of Rensselaer & State of New York where he has resided for the last 42 years.
4 & 5. For answer to this interrogatory he refers to the above statements.
b. He never had a commission while in the above service nor never received a written discharge.
7. He is known in his present neighborhood to Breton Hammond Esq. & John Pierce Esq. who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
He hereby acknowledges that the foregoing is true to the best of his knowledge and belief and that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid - Archibald Dull Clerk Allen Matteson
James Green Rensselaer County ss. Heir Stearns of Berlin County & State last aforesaid being duly sworn deposes that he was well acquainted with the Allen Matteson during the war of the Revolution that he knows that he was engaged there and served in Spencer's expedition in 1777 and in Sullivan's expedition in 1778 both of the above expeditions against Rhode Island that he has no doubt the whole of the said Allen's statement above given is true - and further says not
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid James Greene
Archibald Dull Clerk
I hereby certify that James Greene the above deponent is entitled to full faith and credit and that his character for truth and veracity is reputed to be good. Archibald Dull
State of New York Rensselaer County ss.
I claim that the above deponent being duly sworn deposes & saith that the services he rendered as set forth in the above application he served in the following graded viz. for one month he served as a private and for three months as a corporal and for seven months as an orderly sergeant for which he claims a pension - that at the time he served as an orderly sergeant he did that duty he had no commission as such - and further says not sworn & subscribed
Given under my hand this 16th day of May 1834. S. H. Hammond Clerk of Court
Allen Matteson

and the said Allen Matteson hereby relinquishes all claim whatever to a pension for any services above the rank of orderly sergeant - witness my hand & seal this 16 th day of May 1834 - Allen Matteson In presence of A. G. Hammond } State of New York Rensselaer County ss. Before me on the 16 th day of May 1834 personally appeared Allen Matteson to me known to be same person described in & who executed the above relinquishment and acknowledged that he executed the same for the uses and purposes therein mentioned
State of New York } Rensselaer County ss. I, Mary A. Smith Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Alvah G. Hammond Esq. to me known to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing affidavit and that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original thereof and that I am well acquainted with his hand and seal and believe his signature above subscribed is genuine. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 16 th day of May 1834. Mary A. Smith Clerk By J. Howard Junr. Deputy
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State, or (if any,) only on that of the agency of the State of Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
We, William Satterlee a Clergyman, residing in the town of Berlin and Alvah G. Hammond residing in Berlin hereby certify that we are acquainted with Allen Matteson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy Seven years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Wm Satterlee
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Archibald Bull Clerk A. G. Hammond
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier , and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that William Satterlee who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Berlin and that Alvah G. Hammond who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Berlin and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Archibald Bull Clerk of the Court of Pensions do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Allen Matteson for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this ninth day of August 1832.
Archibald Bull
such was

14641
Allen Watson
Rensselaer county
New York
Suspended for more specific information of grade of Ensign.
Allow 11 mth pri $33.33
Mr. Ann
14-16 ob
May 6 th 1833
P. 376
Hon Henry Vail H.R.
W. G. Harriman Berlin New York

BRIEF in the case of  Allen Matteson  of  Tompkins  in the State of  New York  Rensselaer county  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 77  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Enlisted In 1776 3 As a Private Gen. Capt Whitman, Col Cook   Volunteer 2 Capt Roy   do 1777 1 do   1778 1 Ensign Capt. Bennett   1779 2 Then com S.D. sergeant Capt Bennett  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Coventry, Rhode Island  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witness & tradition  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not connected as required 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
A. W. Bradford Examining Clerk.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
MCS:MLB
October 8, 1930
Mr. Harold Mattison Box 27 Richmondville, New York
Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 22891 , that Allen Matteson was born in 1755 at Coventry, Rhode Island.
While a resident of Coventry, Rhode Island, he enlisted and served with the Rhode Island troops, as follows:
In 1775, a few days as private at the time of the battle of Lexington, names of officers not given; from September 30, 1776, three months as corporal in Captain Reuben Whitman's company in Colonel Cook's regiment; three days after the expiration of this service, he served two months as orderly sergeant in Captain William Roy's company; from some time in 1777, about one month as orderly sergeant in Captain William Roy's company; later in 1777, one month as orderly sergeant and was engaged in guarding the shores of Rhode Island, names of officers not given; in 1778, about one month in Captain Aseph Bennit's company, and was in General Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island; later in 1778, about one month as orderly sergeant, names of officers not given, and was engaged in guarding the shores of Rhode Island; in 1779, two months as orderly sergeant in Captain Abel Bennit's company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 9, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Berlin, Rensselaer County, New York.
There are no data relative to the soldier's family.
Did not mention being in Very truly yours, Spencer's Rhode Island expedition as they did not complete the exp.
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner

New York Revo.
Allen Mattison Suspended
let to A. G. Hammond
July 14 th 1834
See Caveat in John Green's file No. 20.552 on New York roll.
Let. to A. G. Hammond 6. May 36

No 14641 New York Rev:
Allen Matteson Suspended
let. A. G. Hammond 21 Sep 1833 - Jany. 7. 34. Papers enclosed to A. G. Ham- mond. 8 ap. 34. See his letter with.
Act. 7 June 32

Rooters
22891 INVALID.
File No. 22,891
Allen Matteson
Phila Pa.
Act: June 7 th 82
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 253
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Aug. 2/94 Miller Dist. Co David E. Snyder, 27 Home Ave, Ladysville, Ind, C 1909 Mar. 26: Hist. & Mrs. A. Watson Brown. A.E.P. 1912 Feb. 14 Hist. Co Mrs. George E. Wessinger 1918 Nov. 23. Mrs. Geo. D. Lapham. P 1930 Oct. 8. Hist. Socy. Harold Mattison (M.C.)

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Allen Matteson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S. 22,891
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1775 1 mo. Private Volunteered at the time of the Lexington alarm ✓ ✓   Sept 30 1776 3 mos. Corporal Reuben Whiteman Cook R. I.   1777 3 mos. Orderly Sergeant William Roy ✓   1778 1 mo. " Ralph Bennett ✓   1 mo. " Guarded shore of Rhode Island   1779 2 mos. " Abel Bennett ✓  
Battles engaged in, Spencer's & Sullivan's expeditions to Rhode Is.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Courtesy, Kent Co., Rhode Is.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 9, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Berlin, Rensselaer Co., New York.
Age at date of application, born in 1755 at Courtesy, R. I.
Remarks: date of his death not shown. No family data on file.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev War mth
19 Worthington St Pittsfield Mass Nov. 19, 1918.
Bureau of Pensions Washington.
See Mss. A. 1. 1. v. 27, p. 193.
Have found that the Allen Mattison of whom I wrote several months ago, spelled his name Mathewson B. 22.891 or Matteson. He lived in Coventry R.D. was born Jan 20, 1755, died in Berlin N.Y. July 9, 1839. His wife was Jemima Johnson B 1760 D 18 - She, I understand received a pension.
Would also like the war

record of Ebenezer Johnson of Coventry R. I.
In a letter, dated Mar. 30, 1836 written by a Providence lawyer, to Allen Matteson, he says = "I have obtained a small pension for Ebenezer Johnson deceased - In consequence of his death it is payable to his children"
He had a son Ebenezer and a daughter Jerimiah mentioned above - probably others.
Thanking you in advance also for past favors -
Very respectfully (Mrs George D.) Alice C. Lapham

Fountain Street Baptist Church Grand Rapids, Michigan Alfred M. Wishart, Minister A. Watson Brown, Associate
Department of Interior Bureau of Pensions Wash. D.C. Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir!
Will you kindly send me the military history of Allen Mattison, died July 9, 1839 of Rhode Island or later, of Ebenezer Johnson of Rhode Island or later, of James Greene of Rhode Island or New York. soldiers in the Revolutionary War
Very respectfully
Mrs. H. Watson Brown 177 N. Groesbet St., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Box 27, Richmondville, N.Y., September 8, 1930.
United States Pension Bureau Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:
I would appreciate it very much if you would send me a copy of the war record of Allen Matteson .
He lived in Coventry, Rhode Island and served in the Revolutionary War.
Thanking you in advance for any information you can send me I remain,
Very truly yours,
Harold Wattison Harold Mattison

INDIANA SOCIETY
PRESIDENT MAHLON D. MANSON
VICE-PRESIDENT WILL E. ENGLISH
TREASURER CINCINNATUS H. McDOWELL
SECRETARY CHARLES W. MOORE
OFFICE OF DAVID E. SNYDER, REGISTRAR
27 HOME AVENUE, INDIANAPOLIS
July 13-1894
Hon. The Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Sir -
Will you please give me the service of Allen Mattison of New York State, private in the War of the Revolution?
I understand he was granted a pension from March 4. 1831 - according to YR Poinsett Secty of war under date of July 7th 1894
Very Resp'tly David E Snyder Registrar Indiana Socy S of the A.R.

✓ Allen Watson
11-16.
apt. disclaiming intention of claiming as a Com Gt. Ensign in a later dated 11 Nov '33. G.M.L.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Allen Matteson of Tompkins county N.Y. which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No — 1) Amended
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No — * Amended
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? all answered
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

State of New York - Newpuler County Berlin Feb. 20. 1834
Sir
Herewith is inclosed the papers of Asa Maxson with the requisites certificate.
In your communication to me of the 10 th ult. You say "the papers of Allen Mattison are herewith returned that the witness may be cer- tified credible by the proper officers." I did not receive them with that communication nor have I since received them, I have thought it possible that through mistake they were omitted to be sent from the department - if sent they have miscarried -
Very Respectfully
Yours &c.
C. G. Hammond
J. S. Edwards Esq.

War Department Pension Office July 14 th 1834
Sir
The papers of Allen Mattison have again been examined, the applicant should before any satisfactory examination of his claim be required to specify the duration of each term of actual service the names of his officers as well as the place or places where such term was performed. His statements in regard to having served as an Ensign are calculated to discredit his declarations generally, the term of service otherwise in the Rhode Island Militia was not so long, in 1776 1777 & 1779 as is there claimed. Some further evidence in order to a favorable decision in this case should be produced.
The papers are returned on file
Respectfully
Your Obedt Servt
Wm Lloyd Luce, CLK
Commissioner of Pensions
A. G. Hazzard Esq. Berlin - Co. of Rensselaer New York for his behalf of the

State of New York } Rensselaer County } ss.
Gary Briggs of Stephentown in said county aged 84 years being duly sworn says that he was acquainted with Allen Matteson during the war of the Revolution - that he knows that the said Allen Matteson was a soldier of the said Revolution - that he served three months in the year 1776 commencing on or about the last day of September & ending on the last day of December in said year - that during said three months the said Matteson was stationed most of the time at Newport in the State of Rhode Island in the Rhode Island State service under command of Captain Reuben Whitman Lieutenant Joseph Kingon 2 nd Lieutenant Benjamin Gorton Ensign Michael Spencer in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Cook - what grade the said Matteson served in this department does not recollect - That in 1777 he knows that the said Matteson was in the service and served at Warwick New York but was stationed at Greenwich but under what officer he then served or in what grade or how long this deponent does not recollect - That in 1778 this deponent says the said Matteson was again in the service and was in Sullivan's Expedition but in what grade or how long he served or under what officer he then served can not recollect - Committed this says he -
Subscribed & sworn - before me this 1 st day of December 1835 A. G. Van Ammera Commissioner of Deeds
Gary Briggs
I certify that I am well acquainted with Gary Briggs the above deponent and that he is a man of truth & veracity & entitled to full credit -
A. G. Van Ammera Comm. of Deeds

I am acquainted with the signature of Alonzo G. Hammond, and believe the signature to written affidavit to be his. I also know that Mr. Hammond acts as a Commissioner in the County of Phippsburg to take affidavits & I have no doubt is fully authorized by Law so to do - and full power & authority may be given to his acts -
May 4 th 1836 -
H. P. Hunt Member Conf. New York

Dr Sir -
Matthew Glen-water of our town about 20 years since made an application for a pension as a revolutionary soldier - Owing to some defect in the papers they were sent back about six months ago - the defect was supplied - the papers returned immediately - Since which time he has heard nothing about his claim - (except one message to (a letter of mine which stated that his case would be heard in turn) -
Will you be so good as to inquire at the Pension Office - see what is the matter - The old man is becoming quite anxious - is fearful that the papers have miscarried or that something else is wrong -
By giving this early attention you will confer a favor on -
Yours Respectfully
J. Crisp
for J. W. Brown -
No 21,422 Walden Dec. 23 1893
sent to clerk of County of Montgomery - May 28. 93 by Mr Stiles

Berlin New York
December 11. 1833
Sir
✓ In the pension application of Isaiah Hall on file you observe that in his supplemental affidavit he asserts a claim for a grade not alluded to by himself or witnesses in the original proceedings - he has no evidence of his services other than as a private and is too old & infirm to make a new application and desires to be inserted upon the pension list as a private only for the time that he served
✓ In the case of Rufus Parks a supplemental affidavit is herewith inclosed which it will be seen is all that he can do - there is no doubt of his services as he has alledged & that he was a good soldier
✓ In the case of John Wilcox whose papers as well as Parks' are on file additional testimony supposed to be sufficient is also herewith inclosed
✓ In the case of Joseph Allen you observe that he "alleges 18 Mo. service as 2 nd master sergeant in Crampton's Regiment which is not supported by the rolls" about this there is some mistake some when for he now says that he does not allege that he was a 2 nd Master serg. in Crampton's regiment or that he served in Crampton's reg. but that he served in Col. Carpenter's reg. he says he had a brother Jonathan that served in Crampton's reg. and might have served as 2 nd master serg. he also says if Gallup (his witness) has stated that he served as 2 nd Master serg. he is mistaken for he served in no other grade than as a private except that while at West Point being a carpenter he was taken out and worked a space at his trade but he claims as a private only - his papers are also on file -
✓ In the case of Allen Matteson whose papers are also on file who you observe "alleges to have served as Ensign but it does not appear by what authority he claims that grade" he did not expect to receive pay as an Ensign he merely mentioned incidentally that he performed that duty - the facts in his case were he was elected an Ensign before he entered the service and served as such but did not receive his

commission until after he came home out of the service.
✓ In the case of Darius Fuller his papers are herewith returned and it is believed made to conform to the requirements of the department.
✓ In the case of Asa Mason his papers are also herewith returned together with the Certificate of the Secretary of State of the State of Rhode Island - it will be seen in this case that the time in his statement does not exactly correspond with the certificate, and he has made an explanatory supplemental affidavit - that affidavit is taken before me as a commissioner and I have just observed lacks the certificate of the Clerk that I am such officer, I am 20 miles from the Clerk's office & suppose that the Clerk's certificate in this respect in the case of Rufus Parks herewith inclosed might be satisfactory as there is but a few days difference in the dates of the two affidavits and the fact is I have been such commissioner by continued appointments for many years and am still such officer -
I furnished among my original applications the application of Nathan Warner about which I have as yet heard nothing -
Very Respectfully Yours Obedient Servant
A. G. Hammond
J. L. Edwards Esq.

James P. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.