Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 9095, for James Mc Donald, Connecticut

SERVICE
Conn.
McDonald, James Russell, Abigail
R 9095
(Former widow)
CONTENTS

State of New York County of Greene ss. 3
On this 11 th day of December A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and fifty, personally appeared before Heathbone Watson Esquire a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, in and for the County and State aforesaid. Sally Hill , a resident of the town of Cairo, in said County, aged 65 years, and she being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the acts of Congress - ss. passed June 7 th 1832. The act of July 4, 1836. The act of July 7, 1838. The act of March 3, 1837, and also all or any other acts or supplemental acts of Congress, granting pay & pensions to the soldiers of the Revolutionary War, or to their widows, under which she may be entitled, for herself and for her sister, Polly McDonald , (Now Mrs. Polly Williams) The only children of Abigail Russell , formerly widow of James McDonald , deceased, & in behalf of said Widow, Abigail Russell , now deceased.
That this declarant is unable of her own personal knowledge to give a specification of the particular times & services of her father the said James McDonald , in the Revolutionary War, but, says she firmly & sincerely believes that her said father was a soldier & served as such in said War five or six years, and till the close of said War in the year 1783, & that amongst other reasons for such belief, she has been frequently told by her mother the said Abigail in her life time, & which this declarant verily

believe to be true, That her former husband the said James Mc Donald , was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and served as such 5 or 6 years, or during nearly the whole of said War. That her mother the said Abigail , also further informed this declarant that her former husband the said James Mc Donald , served in said war both before & after their marriage which took place on or about the 10 th day of August 1782, and that her former husband the said Mc Donald was, a Scotchman by birth & nativity and was a Sailor by trade and occupation. That he first entered the service of the United States in said war as a Volunteer in the year 1777, or 1778, in the Connecticut State line of troops or militia, and served afterwards as aforesaid in a Col Dunkus Regiment & also in a Col Swifts Regiment (as she was informed by her said Mother.) That this declarant does not now recollect, If she was ever informed, the day or Month, or place her father the said James Mc Donald , first entered the said service, or the place where he resided at the time, nor the length of time he engaged to serve, nor the particular Marches he performed, or if he was ever engaged in any battles, nor the names of any officers under whom he served except those above named, And this declarant further states that she was further informed by her said Mother, that her former husband, the said James Mc Donald in his life time, told her said mother, that he the said Mc Donald served as a soldier in the State of Connecticut and also in the State of New York , or at or near the City of New York , in said war. But she does not now recollect If she ever was informed, the particular place or period of time of such service nor the particular Corps in which he served in the said War. But has been frequently told by her said Mother that her said Father James Mc Donald , served in all, 5 or 6 Years, under different enlistments. That she was further informed by her Mother, the said Abigail , in her life time,

of which she verily believes to be true, That her said father, James McDonald, was lawfully married, (prior to his discharge from the said War,) to her said mother, whose maiden name was Abigail Ward, at Hamden, County of New Haven & State of Connecticut, on or about the 15 th day of August, in the year one Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty two, [1782] By Basil Henson Esquire a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State last aforesaid, That shortly after their said Marriage, the said James McDonald, left home at Hamden aforesaid and again entered the service of the United States, in said War, and continued therein till the close thereof, and was honorably discharged therefrom in the year 1783, That her father the said James McDonald returned to Hamden aforesaid from the said service at or about the close of the war in 1783, in company with one Ezra Munson who was reputed a soldier in said War in Colonel Heights Regiment, That the said Ezra Munson was a son of the said Basil Henson Esquire Justice as aforesaid, and after the close of said War lived a near neighbor with his said father, to the said James McDonald & his (then) wife the said Abigail at Hamden aforesaid, And this declarant further says that she was further informed by her said mother in her life time, That she the said Abigail, had frequently heard her husband the said James McDonald & the said Ezra Munson in their life time, converse together after the close of the said War, in relation to the services each had performed in the Revolutionary War, and the hardships they had severally undergone, That this declarant does not now remember if she was ever informed, of the place, corps or the name of any of the officers under whom her

said father & the said Ezra Munson served in said War, but has some indistinct recollection of hearing that they served under, or was acquainted with a Captain Munson , in the war, in the Con- necticut State Troops, and that her said father was acquainted with one Titus Munson also in the said War. And this declarant further states that she is informed and nearly believes that the said Ezra Munson & the said Titus Munson have been dead forty years or thereabouts, and she further says that she does not know or recollect of her said Father having any written discharge from the said service if she was ever informed, But as a reason why she believes her father the said McDonald was a Soldier in the Revolution as aforesaid and that he was honorably discharged therefrom at the close of said War, is from the knowledge she has derived from her said Mother, while living that her said father, James McDonald , received 100 acres (or there- abouts) bounty lands from the United States for his said Revolutionary services, and that the land- warrant was issued to one Seth as his assignee.
And she further declares that the said Basil Munson Esquire by whom her said father & Mother were married as aforesaid, has been dead 40 years or thereabouts, and that after a diligent and faithful search in the proper offices, she is unable to find any records proof of the time & place of the marriage of her father the said James McDon- ald to her said Mother, or evidence of the same except what is contained in the affidavit of Mrs Abigail B. Bradley , herunto annexed, That this declarant well recollects the said Abigail B. Bradley , that she was the daughter of the said Basil Munson Esquire , and resided with her father near the residence

of this declarant at Hamden aforesaid, and that she and the said Abigail B. Bradley, (who was then Abigail B. Munson,) were frequently together in their childhood, when they were children.
And this declarant further declares that her father the said James Mc Donald, departed this life at Hamden, County of New Haven & State of Connecticut, on or about the month of November 1788. That she is unable after a diligent and faithful search, to find any record proof, of the time of the decease of her said father, except what is contained in the affidavit of the said Abigail B. Bradley, and the affidavit of one Diadate Pratt Jones , herewith annexed. And also that this declarant well remembers the place and the death of her father the said Mc Donald, that she was at home at the time and saw her father after he was dead, & saw his coffin brought into their home and carried away to the burying ground at Hamden aforesaid & that no tomb stone or other monument was ever erected over his grave.
And this declarant further states, that her mother the said Abigail Mc Donald, was afterwards to wit, on or about the 15 th day of April — 1820, married to one John Russell, and that her second husband the said John Russell, departed this life on or about the 10 th day of January — 1828, as will appear by the proof annexed. That the said Abigail Russell, formerly widow of the said James Mc Donald, deceased, departed this life at the town of Waterbury, State of Connecticut, on the 27 th day of July 1841, aged 91 years or thereabouts. That her said mother, Abigail Russell, formerly widow of the said James Mc Donald, left surviving her the follow-

ing named Children who are the only children heirs at Law and next of Kin, of her the said Abig- ail, and who are all of lawful age, to wit Polly McDonald (now Mrs Polly Williams) wife of Charles Williams of New Hartford & State of Connecticut, aged 64 years or thereabouts, and Sally McDonald aged 65 years, widow of Harry Hill deceased, (now Mrs Sally Hill,) a resident of the town of Coeymans, Columbia County & State of New York. And that her said Mother, widow Abigail Russell, had formerly widow of her father the said McDon- ald, remained a widow , from the date & time of the decease of her second husband, John Russell, aforesaid, to wit: on or about the 10 th day of January - 1828 till the time of her death which took place, as aforesaid on the 27 th day of July 1841, and that her said mother died a Widow as aforesaid.
And this declarant further states, that herself and her said Sister now Mrs Polly Williams, are the same identical Children of her father the said James McDonald, and her Mother the said Abigail, mentioned & named in the Affidavit, and proof of the said Abigail B. Bradley, herunto annexed. And she further declares that she has no documentary or other evidence of her said Father's service in the Revolutionary war except as herein stated, and the affidavit of one Diodate Pratt Jones , and other documents or certificates which are also annexed. And she further states that she well remem- bers the said Ezra Munson , aforesaid, that aft- er the decease of her said father as aforesaid, her said Mother lived in a House, owned or possessed by the said Ezra Munson , at Hamden aforesaid and during their residence there

this declarant was severely burned by fire and that while suffering from said injury, the said Ezra Munson, often came and cared & took care of her, and that then & there the said Ezra and her said mother frequently conversed together, about the services of himself & her said father in the Revolutionary war, and that her said father served in said war as aforesaid, before and after his marriage to her mother as before stated, What she cannot now recollect, If she was ever informed where or at what time the said Ezra Munson & her said father first became acquainted with each other, but has always understood from her mother and the said Ezra that it was while they were in the service together as aforesaid, And that she has heard the said Ezra Munson and her said mother often say that her father was in the said war as aforesaid, And she further states, that neither her said mother, nor herself nor her said sister, Miss Polly Williams ever before made application for pension, or pay in the account of the Revolutionary services of her said father.
Sally Hill
Given & Subscribed & sworn to before me this 11 th day of Decr. 1850 in open Court Eli Watson Sup. Court Justice
STATE OF NEW YORK, } ss. Greene County Clerk's Office.
I, JACOB VAN ORDEN, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Mallie Watson before whom the annexed
deposition was made, and whose name is thereto subscribed, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Superior Court of the State of New York in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same, and that the signature thereto subscribed is genuine.
WITNESS my hand and official seal, at Catskill, this 9 th day of
January 1851 J. Van Orden, Clerk

State of New York County of Greene ss. 3
I Malbone Watson Supreme Court Justice do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Sally Hill, the above declarant, and that full confidence and reliance may and can be placed in her statements as above contained.
M. Watson
December 11 th 1858.
Sup. Court Justice
STATE OF NEW YORK, Greene County Clerk's Office. } ss.
I, JACOB VAN ORDEN, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Malbone Watson the person subscribing before whom the annexed Certificate was made, and whose name is thereto subscribed, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York in and for said County, duly authorized to give the same, and that the signature thereto subscribed is genuine.
WITNESS my hand and official seal, at Catskill, this 9 th day of January 1859
H. Van Buren, Clerk

State of New York } County of Greene ss. } Supreme Court
I, Malbone Watson , a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been produced before said Court, to prove that Abigail Russell former widow of James McDonald deceased, departed this life on the 27th day of July in the year One Thousand eight hundred, and forty one, aged 91 years or thereabouts. That the said James McDonald , her first husband was reputed a Revolutionary Soldier, and that he died on or about the 27th day of November 1788, at Hamden New Haven County & State of Connecticut, and that the said Abigail McDonald , widow of James McDonald aforesaid, was afterwards to wit: on or about the 15th day of April, 1820. Married to John Russell , & that her second husband, the said John Russell , departed this life, on or about the 10th day of January, 1828. That the said Abigail Russell , (formerly widow of the said James McDonald ), left surviving her the following named children, who are the only children, heirs at law, and next of kin of her the said Abigail who are all of lawful age, to wit: Polly McDonald , now Mrs Polly Williams , wife of Charles Williams of New Hartford & State of Connecticut, aged 67 years or thereabouts. And Sally McDonald , now Mrs Sally Hill , widow of Harry Hill , deceased aged 65 years, of Crim. County of Greene & State of New York. That the said Abigail Russell (former widow of the said James McDonald deceased) remained a Widow, from the time of the decease of her second husband, John Russell aforesaid

to wit, on or about the 10 th day of January 1828, till the time of her death, which took place as afore said on the 27 th day of July, 1841.
STATE OF NEW YORK, } ss, Greene County Clerk's Office.
I, JACOB VAN ORDEN, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that
M rs Anne Watson the person subscribing before whom the annexed Certificate was made, and whose name is thereto subscribed, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York in and for said County, duly authorized to sign the same, and that the signature thereto subscribed is genuine.
WITNESS my hand and official seal, at Catskill, this 9 th day of January 1856
Jacob Van Orden, Clerk
Ms. A. 9. 2. 22. 1

To wit, on or about the 10 th day of January 1828, till the time of her death, which took place as afore said on the 27 th day of July, 1841.
Catskill December 11 th 1850
M. Watson
Sup. Court Justice

State of Connecticut
Hartford County ss. To wit: Southington
On this 30 th day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty, personally appeared before me — Mansfield Merrimac a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid. Abigail B. Bradley a resident of Southington in said County, aged 78 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say that she was personally acquainted with James McDonald , and Abigail McDonald , his wife, that this deponent was present, and witnessed the marriage ceremony of the said James McDonald, & Abigail Ward, on or about the 15 th day of August in the year 1782, at Hamden in the County of New Haven and State aforesaid. That the said marriage ceremony of the said McDonald to the said Abigail Ward, was performed at the time aforesaid, by Basil Munson Esquire a Justice of the Peace, of the said County of New Haven, and State aforesaid. That the said McDonald and his said wife Abigail did live together afterwards as husband and wife and had two children, (daughters) one named, Polly and the other named Sally . That the said McDonald was a foreigner and a Scotchman by birth, and was a Tailor by trade and occupation, and lived near the residence of the said Basil Munson Esq Justice as aforesaid the said Basil Munson Esq. being the father of this deponent, at Hamden aforesaid. That this

Deponent resided with her father the said Basil Munson Esq. at the time of said marriage and afterwards, and well remembers the time & place of said marriage as aforesaid. That about the time of the close of the revolutionary War, the said McDonald, came to Hamden aforesaid in said County of New Haven, in company with one Ezra Munson, a half brother of this depon- -ent, who was a soldier in the revolutionary War in Colonel Meigs Regiment as this deponent is inf- -ormed and verily believing to be true. And this deponent further says that the said McDonald died at Hamden aforesaid in the County of New Haven, on or about the year 1788, or 1789, as this deponent is informed and verily believing to be true, and that her father the said Basil Munson Esq. and her said half Brother Ezra Munson have both been dead about 40 years and deponent further saith that she never knew any other person or persons residing or living at Hamden aforesaid by the name of McDonald, other than the same herein mentioned. Abigail B. Bradley Witness L. S. Hill. Mark Mansfield Morrison  Subscribed and sworn before me the 31 st day of November 1850.
Mansfield Morrison Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut
New Bedford County ss. 3 I Mansfield Morrison Justice of the peace in and for said County, & State do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Abigail B. Bradley the above deponent and that full confidence & reliance may & can be placed in her statements as above, contained
Dated at New Bedford Nov. 31 st 1850
Mansfield Morrison Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut } County of Hartford }
I Nathl Eaton Clerk
of the County Court for Hartford County hereby certify that Mansfield Merriam Esq is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned, sworn and qualified to administer oaths, and the signature within purporting to be his, I believe to be his genuine official signature
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hands and affix the seal of said County Court this 30 th day of November A.D. 1850
Nathl Eaton Clerk
to take the same, and that the signature thereto subscribed is genuine. WITNESS my hand and official seal, at Catskill, this 9 th day of
January
1851
John Brown Clerk

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1870.
9095. ✓
P. 1-0  Aggie Russell ✓ S. widow James McDonald ✓  1-0
Exempt: _____, 18 .
Discharged: REJECTED _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Admitted: _____ _____
Rejected: _____ _____
Accepted: _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 . .

No 7.089
Abigail Russell decd formerly wid: of Thos McDonald
N. Y.
Act of 4 th of July 1836.
Letter to Francis H. Hall Esq
Apr 25-1851.
Same. Aug 19/51.
" Nov 14/51
B. B. French. July 19/52.
act 4 th July 1836

7689
Abigail Russell
Wife of Thos. D. Don-
NY-
Lucas I. H. Apr 25
1851 - Same Aug 19
1851 - Same Nov 14 1851-
B. B French July 19 1852-
Lucas I. H. Apr 24 1856-
1095
1856

Washington Ap. 20. 1852.
Com. of Pensions,
I have the honor to enclose the deposition of Mansfield Merriman, duly authenticated, as additional evidence in the application of Abigail Russell formerly widow of Jas. McDonald, & her children Sally Hall and Polly Williams.
Respectfully
C. J. Welch
of late firm of French & Sylvester

State of Connecticut
New Haven County ff. Town of Hamden
On this 18 th day of November in the year One Thousand eight Hundred & fifty personally appeared before me Eli Dickerman a Justice of the peace in and for the County & state aforesaid, Diodate Pratt. Bones. who being duly sworn according to law. Doth depose and say that he is a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States that he was personally acquainted with one James Mc c Donald a Scotchman or Irishman by birth. who was a private in the Revolutionary War. That this deponent first became acquainted with the said James Mc c Donald in the year 1778. That the said Mc c Donald was doing duty as a private on guard with this deponent, in the Connecticut State line of Troops, in the year 1778, as aforesaid That this deponent cannot now recollect the day or month, nor the particular place where he saw the said Mc c Donald doing duty on guard as aforesaid in said War nor the name of the commanding officer nor the particular Corps in which the said Mc c Donald served. But will remember the said James Mc c Donald being a private in the Revolutionary War, in the year 1778, and of this deponent being on guard duty, and conversing with the said James Mc c Donald and that deponent & the said Mc c Donald then belonged to the Connecticut State line of troops And this deponent further saith that he will recollect that

the said James McDonald settled and lived at Hamden in the County & State aforesaid after the Revolutionary War and that he was a Sailor by Trade, and this deponent further saith that he never knew or was acquainted with any other person by the name of James McDonald than the said James McDonald herein mentioned. That this Deponent has lived in the said town of Hamden ever since the close of the Revolutionary War. And deponent further saith that he is informed that the said McDonald died at Hamden in said County, about sixty years ago.
Witness.
L. S. Hill.
Siodate Pratt his X Jones Mark.
Clerk's Certificate.
Sold by Skinner & Sperry, 154 Chapel Street, New Haven.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN, COUNTY COURT, CLERK'S OFFICE.
88.
I, Robert H. Osborne Clerk,
of the County Court, within and for New Haven County, and keeper of the Seal thereof, and of the Commission of Justices of the Peace for said County, hereby certify:—THAT,
Eli Dickinson
Esquire
was on the 13 th day of November 1850 and now is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, having full power and authority by the laws of this State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds and other instruments, and to certify the same; also to administer Oaths, to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; that full faith and credit may, and ought to be given to his official acts, and attestations; that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and that the signature to the instrument hereto annexed purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature; and that said instrument is executed, acknowledged and duly authenticated according to the laws of this State.
In Testimony Whereof, I hereunto set my hand, and affix the Seal of said Court at the City of New Haven, in said County, and State, on this 14 th day of November A. D. 1850.
Robert H. Osborne
Clerk.

the said James McDonald settled and lived at Hamden in the County & State aforesaid after the Revolutionary War and that he was a Tailor by Trade, and this Deponent further saith that he never knew or was acquainted with any other person by the name of James McDonald than the said James McDonald herein mentioned. That this Deponent has lived in the said town of Hamden ever since the close of the Revolutionary War. And deponent further saith that he is informed that the said McDonald died at Hamden in said County, about sixty years ago.
Witness.
L. S. Hill,
Siodate Pratt his X Jones Mark
Sworne and subscribed before me — this 13 th Day of November A D 1850
Eli D. Sherman Justice Peace
ment hereto annexed purporting ture ; and that said instrument is executed, acknowledged, authenticated according to the laws of this State.
In Testimony Whereof, I hereunto set my hand, and affix the Seal of said Court at the City of New Haven, in said County, and State, on this 14 th day of November A. D. 1850
Robert H. Osborne
Clerk.

No. 7-089
Sully
Abijah Russell, family will of Farms see 2 vols
A. G.
Nov 4 July 1856.

State of Connecticut Comptroller's Office Hartford Dec. 12 th 1880
I certify that on application for evidence of the service of James Mc Donald in the War of the Revolution, I have examined the books and documents remaining in this office, and find the name of the said James Mc Donald in a pay roll under the following heading, "Settlement with the 4 th Connecticut Regiment, John Durkee Esq., Colonel before January 1 st 1780," and opposite his name are the following entries viz: Rank, Private; Commencement of service Jan. 1 st 1779; Time of this settlement Jan. 1 st 1780; Term 3 years; Amt. of Wages £72.1. Money due for Blankets £2.14. Value of M o & W o for clothing & ref d £22. Value of Money paid for supplies to families £1.0.11 Amt. of Debt £77.16.11 Value of money rec d on acct. of wages £14.11.3 Value of money rec d from U.S. Comm. and Towns £0.10.1 Amt. of supplies to families £23.15.3 Value of clothing & refreshments supplied £10.3.1.1 Amt. of Blankets supplied £0.19.6 Amt. of Credit £49.19.1 Balance £27.17.10.
R. G. Pinney Comptroller by Geo. Robinson Clerk

State of Connecticut Comptrollers Office Hartford Dec 13 th 1850
I certify that on application for evidence of the service of James McDonald in the war of the Revolution, I have examined the books & documents relating to that war, remaining within office, and find the name of the said James McDonald in a Pay Roll under the following heading, "Settlement with the 2 d Connecticut Regiment, Human Swift Esq. Colonel for the year 1781," and opposite said name are the following entries, viz, I have Private Commencement of service Jan 4 th 1781 | Expiration of service Dec. 31 st 1781 | Term 12 months | Amt. of Wages £24. | Amt of Retained Rations and money due for Blankets £0. 18. | Amt of Debt £24. 18. | Money for Wages £4. | Clothing & Refreshments supplied £0. 8 | Amt. of Credit £6. 8. | Balance £18. 10.
R. G. Parney Comptroller by Geo. Robinson Clerk

Cairo Wayne Co. N.Y. Aug 21. 1857.
Sir: I inclose for the consideration of your Honor, some additional evidence in the claim of the heirs of James M c Donald dec d for Rev y services.
The evidence herein contained against the supposition that the Declaration in regard to service in both Dutcher & Swift Regts. was made to conform to the Records or Certificates, is respectfully submitted.
A paper bearing date Dec 9. 1807, purporting to be an agreement between one Reuben Wetler & the Declarant, in sign g to her right Villeta & bounty lands supposed to be due her as heir to her father dec d M c Donald for Rev y services is also respectfully submitted. It shows that her father Jan M c Donald was reputed a Revolutionary soldier and entitled to bounty lands 44 years ago. The antiquity of her agreement I trust will have its due weight in a fair investigation of the claim.
In relation to the proof of marriage of M c Donald to Abigail Ward the Mother of Declarant. The Witness of the marriage Mrs. Abigail B. Bradly is unable to remember any material fact or circumstance only she placed the time (Aug 15 1782) as the time, only that she was 11 years old at the time, or thereabouts, and that she and another girl by the name of Dudley went barefoot to see the marriage it was hot weather and she therefore placed the time the middle of August 1782, and also the time and year of the birth of the eldest child (Mrs Polly Williams) in 1784 & with whom Mr Bradly was well acquainted.
If an affidavit from Mrs Bradly containing an explanation of the circumstances as above why she was enabled to fix the time of the marriage will be necessary the Declarant will endeavor to obtain it and

forward it to the Dept. But she says she is unable to bear any needless expense in presenting her said claim.
Please annex if an affidavit explanatory of the time she placed the marriage is required by the Dept.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt.
J. D. Hill for the Declarant.

Cairo Greene Co. N.Y. } May 19. 1851. }
Sir:
I am favored with an opinion or decision of H. S. Grant Esquire, of the Pension Department in regard to the Rev. claim of Abigail Russell, decd. formerly widow of James McDonald, and I respectfully beg leave to say, that after a careful examination & consideration of his decision I am unable to agree with that gentleman in his theory of the rules of evidence or with his principles of the law and regulations as heretofore entertained by the Department in such cases, nor can I believe there is a Judge of any court of records, or a Justice of the Peace in the United States, or a jury of intelligent men, who would coincide in detail with that gentleman. And it seems to me that the gentleman has overlooked a proper and liberal construction of the facts and circumstances, of the case, by reaching after technicalities & making insinuations undeserved & uncalled for.
In the first place the gentleman says in substance, that he is not satisfied with the evidence of Mrs Bradley in relation to the marriage, and that her evidence is not credible . Because she swore (to the best of her recollection) to the August & year McDonald was married to his said wife, without stating other contemporaneous circumstances to enable her to remember the time &c. and also because she, [Mrs Bradley] was but 10 years old when she saw the parties married.
Now Your Honor Mrs Bradley, states that she was present, and Witnessed the marriage in Aug 1792 and that her father, Basil Munson, a Justice of the Peace,

* Being the second child born in 1794 as will appear by the probate.
Peace married McDonald, the Declarant's mother, that she (Witness) lived at home with her father at the time, and knew that McDonald and his said wife lived together afterwards as husband and wife and had two children (daughters) Polly & Sally. That McDonald was a Scotchman and a Tailor by trade, and lived a near neighbor to her father. Now these statements are sustained by the oath of the Declarant, who swears, that she was told the same, (in substance) by her mother the wife of McDonald, and which she believed to be true, and still Mr Evans discredits her evidence because Mrs Bradley was but 10 years old when she saw them married. Now can there be any thing inconsistent or irreconcilable to the mind but that Mrs Bradley did witness the marriage at that time,? [in Aug 1827] she being then 10 years old and surely old enough to remember an event of the kind as being done by her father, and probably the first marriage she ever witnessed. She also well knew McDonald & his wife lived together afterwards as husband & wife and had two daughters, and that the family lived a near neighbor to her father's, and in fact was familiarly acquainted with McDonald's family, as they grew up, and also identifies the circumstances of McDonald's being a Scotchman and a Tailor by trade. In these two latter statements of McDonald's foreign origin, and trade, Mrs Bradley is not only corroborated by the statements of the Declarant, who swears her mother told her so in her life time, but also by the statement of one Diodate Pratt Jones , a Rev pensioner who testifies he knew McDonald while in the service and that he was an Irishman or Scotchman and after the war lived at Hamden and was a Tailor by trade.
Now your Honor, I should think here was facts.

and circumstances enough stated to satisfy the Dept or any other tribunal that she will know the time, place and circumstances of the marriage. She doubtless will remember her age at the time, and from her present age of her age now , could have no manner of difficulty in locating the time. It occurs almost daily that we hear very aged persons state with remarkable precision events that occurred when they were even younger than Mrs Bradley at that time. Mrs Bradley is certified by the magistrate as a person of truth and veracity and that full confidence may be put in her statements, and yet Mr O'Grady discredits her statements, and seems to find fault, because she did swear to more facts and circumstances in order to impeach herself still further, and if the gentleman does not credit the witness as to the time and place of the marriage, could or would he credit her. If she had sworn to any other contemporaneous circumstances to enable her fix the hour, day and year of the marriage? In short, if Mrs Bradley, has testified wrongfully as to the time of the marriage &c, how many more such statements, must or can she make to entitle her to belief? Again if the certificate of the magistrate who certifies to her credibility has no weight in considering her evidence then the certificate as well as her evidence is but a mere sham and she as also the magistrate must be considered as attempting a fraud on the Department.
Mr O'Grady has also been pleased to insinuate that the Declarant framed her evidence and statements to exactly meet and correspond with the Records & certificates of Mr Donalds services in the war. Such an assertion I must be permitted to say is entirely erroneous , and I think facts and circumstances can & may be produced to satisfy the Dept, that the insinuation is unfounded. The Declarant

statements as are now before the Department, were drawn up by her agent and attorney some 3 months or more before she or her attorney knew or was aware that there was any records, or that any certificates could be procured of her father's services in the revolution. The declaration was made as she stated the facts and circumstances of her father's services as related to her by her mother in her life time, and from her best recollection of what her mother had told her and which she believed to be true, the declaration was carefully read to her, and by reason of indisposition, she was unable to appear in Court, and swear to the statements & facts therein, till the time & date of the declaration, and then the same was read to her by the court, & sworn and certified to, neither the declarant nor her attorney knew at that time what the records or certificates of service would specify nor more than they then received. If the declarant was mistaken in the allegation that her father served in Drake's Regiment and also in Swift's Regiment, it was by what she remembered of hearing her mother say, while speaking about those regiments in connection with her father and other soldiers services in the Revolution, and believed her father did or might have served in both those regiments and hence her statements connecting the services in both regiments to enable the Department to fairly investigate the claim, and if when in fact, the certificates of services in those regiments were obtained and they showed or made a clash in the periods or manner of service, I cannot see why the mere allegation of service in both regiments, based entirely on information derived in that manner from her mother, can rightfully or properly defeat any just claim her mother has or had at any time, for the services of her husband (M c Donald).

And the remarks forces itself on me to say, that the insinuation of Mr Evans that the Declaration, was made and framed to meet the certificates of service, complete by itself , for had there been, or was there, a fraud intended, or attempted on the Department, how, much more easily & successfully could it have been practiced, by withholding the certificates and not have sent them to the Department , and also that the Declaration and certificates do not agree with each other . For had there actually fraud attempted in this case, it would have served such purposes much better, to have first procured a certificate of service of Mr Donald, who enlisted for and served during the war and then framed a Declaration to meet that case, and remained silent as to any other service, and not have got two certificates of services to perplex and destroy the claim. But both certificates were obtained and sent to the Department with no other intent but to enable the Dept to facilitate an investigation, of what I truly believe a just claim.
There is also another reason assigned by the gentleman against the claim. He says that I have argued to the Dept, "That to require from applicants positive proof of service from contemporary survivors, would after a lapse of years deprive many of the benefits of the law, by reason of the death of most all the revolutionary soldiers, &c"
To this, the gentleman is pleased to say that, "This was not the case when the Act of July 4, 1836, was passed, and parties cannot be permitted to wait until who were cognizant of the services of that period are removed, and then plead their own negligence as a reason for dispensing with the production of testimony"

Now in answer to this, I respectfully beg leave to inquire of the gentleman, If he knows, of any single individual living, on the 4 th day of July 1836, who could give evidence of the Rev. services of James McDonald in question, other than what has been produced, or If the gentleman is aware that any such evidence was known to the Declarant or her attorney or could be produced on the 4 th July 1836, or subsequent thereto (except her mother) other than which has been already produced?
It certainly was not aware of any rule or regulation that where parties delayed a claim for the want of necessary proof, or for other good causes, that it could or would work prejudice to their claims. But that claims might at any time be presented with proofs for the favorable consideration of the Department and that their "negligence" to do so, (for causes and reasons) would be no bar to their rights, so far as established rules of the Dept entitled them, nor can I believe your Honor will so consider it. Two reasons for the delay of this claim I am desired to state, and one is, the want of pecuniary means, by the claimants, to pay expenses to look for and procure the proper proofs, and another that the claimants would not bargain away all their claims to pension agents to procure it, for them.
Again the character of the Declarant for truth and veracity has been fully certified to by a Judge of the Supreme Court of this state, and is entitled to its weight in considering her claim, and the insinuation of Mr Evans of fraud, is hardly sustained in the face of such a certificate. But as Mr Evans is pleased to state, if the Declaration is entitled to no credit , then it also follows, that the Judges certificate is not entitled to credit.
I respectfully beg leave to say that I have not the least pecuniary

pecuniary interest in the result of this claim and only desire to see justice done in the premises and to that end have full confidence in the ability and intent of your Honor, and shall at a proper time, present such other proofs as may be procured to enable the Department to investigate the claim, and when it does not appear to be a valid claim, from a fair, reasonable, & charitable construction of law & evidence then of course it must be disallowed, But as yet I cannot entertain a sin- gle doubt of the justice of the claim,
I respectfully complain to your Honor that some time months ago I forwarded to the Department a certain document or paper, as evidence calculated and inten- ded, to throw light, to investigate this claim, the paper alluded to was of a traditional character, and which I thought was somewhat important as forming a chain of evidence in the matter, and as the agent of the applicant requested it might be filed in the Dept. with other proofs in the case, But the paper in question has been subsequently returned to me without giving any reason for its rejection, and I should be much favored to know if the Dept will rec- eive it, and file it with the declaration and other proofs in this claim,
I am Sir:
Very respectfully, Your o.b.t. servant, Levius A. Hill,
The Honorable James O. Heath Post Master, Washington

Additional Proof.
In the matter of Abigail Russell dec d widow of James Mc Donald, dec d under the Act of July 4. 1836.
State of New York County of Greene } ss.
On this 31 st day of May — A.D. one Thousand. Eight hundred and fifty one, personally appeared before me Joseph H. Bowman a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Lucius D. Hill, aged forty one years, a resident of the town of Cairo in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath depose and say, that he has been requested to state on his oath the facts of his personal acquaintance with Abigail Rus- sell dec d and reputed former widow of James Mc d onald dec d and also what he recollects of hearing the said widow Abigail Russell, in her life time say in relation to the services of her said husband James Mc d onald, in the Revolutionary war. And this deponent states that he was well intimately acquainted with the said widow Abigail Russell dec d widow of John Russell, and the reputed widow of James Mc d onald, dec d and that he well knew the said Widow Abigail, for the space of twenty five years or thereabouts, that the said widow Abigail Russell, both before and after her marriage to the said John Russell named in the declaration and proof, of Mrs Sally Hill lived a near neighbor for several years to deponent in the State of Connecticut, and after- wards boarded in the same family with deponent in the state of New York. And deponent says that the causes and reasons of his belief that the said widow Abigail Russell, was the former widow of James Mc d onald

to that she has often told deponent the time and place of her marriage to the said Mr Donald, and also who it was that performed her said marriage, and also of circumstances of the death of her said former husband, and says he well knows, she was always esteemed and respected among her neighbors and acquaintances as the widow of one James McDonald, who died at Hamden New Haven Co., Connecticut. And deponent says that the said Widow Abigail was always respected and considered a person of truth and veracity by her neighbors and acquaintances and that he has frequently heard her spoken of as a person worthy of credit and full con- fidence, and that deponent never knew or heard any thing against her reputation, for truth and veracity. And deponent further says that he has frequ- -ently heard the said Widow Abigail in her life time speak of the Revolutionary services of her former husband the said James McDonald , and that she has frequently shown this deponent a pair of Silver Sleeve Buttons , which she told deponent that her said former husband told her he wore through the revolutionary war, and that she took the said Sleeve Buttons from the wristbands of her said former husband after his decease, and saved them in remembrance of him, and while showing the said Buttons & speaking of his services used language regretting that her said husband could not have lived to draw pension from the United States for his said services, and that as she stated there was then no law allowing her (his widow) pension. And deponent further states, that the said Widow Abigail while speaking of the said ser- vice of her husband her language and narrative of his services was invariably the same, and in substance as near as deponent can now recolle- -ct as follows, to wit: That her said former husband

Told her in his life time that he served as a soldier in the revolutionary war, some five years or thereabouts and till the close of the war. That he was a foreigner by birth and a Scotsman . that shortly after he landed in the united states, he enlisted or volunteered in the service in the State of Connecticut and served in the Connecticut line of troops, or militia that he was discharged at the close of the war, and that he had got or should get bounty lands for his services, and that afterwards he told her he had sold his lands, or could or should sell his lands. [Which of these terms she used deponent cannot now remember]. But deponent still remembers the said Abigail saying her said husband told her a short time before his death, about his bounty lands as above, and the said widow Abigail said her former husband also told her in his life time that he became acquainted or knew in the war, soldiers by the name of Ezra Manson, Titus Manson, and a Captain Manson and to the best of deponent recollection the said Abigail said a Jonathan Manson and also a soldier by the name of Brackett or Brackett, and that her said husband came home to Hamden aforesaid at the close of the war with one Ezra Manson and that she was well acquainted with the said Ezra Manson after the war & heard him & her husband converse together of their services in the war. Deponent says he cannot swear positively that he was ever informed by the said widow Abigail that her said husband told her the names of any of the officers under whom he served in said war, nor the particular time or place he first entered the service in Connecticut or where he performed all of his services, But deponent says he has a strong impression and belief she stated her said husband served a part of the time in Connecticut and a part in the state of New York, and deponent further states that he

was informed by the said Widow Abigail, to the best of deponent's recollection, that her said husband served in more than one Regiment or Company, or was transferred from one Company or Regiment to another, and that he was once out of the service a short time on leave or on a furlough, the particulars of which deponent cannot now swear positively. This deponent further states that he has also heard the said Abigail frequently while relating to him the service of her said former husband & also the Mansons & Brackets, or Brockett, mention the names of Dunker's regiment and Swift's , regt, and deponent thinks she also mentioned Meigs regiment and Sheldon's regiment. But deponent says he cannot swear positively that the said Widow Abigail ever informed him her husband told her he served in either of those regiments, but well remembers that when speaking of her said husband services she always used the names of Dunker's regt & also Swift's regiment in connection with his services, and used the names of Meigs regt (and to the best of deponent's recollection) Sheldon's regt, in connection with the Mansons & Brockett's services, and deponent states that from these facts and circumstances he was induced to believe and does still believe that the said Widow Abigail meant & intended to convey the idea and impression that her said husband did or might have served in one or both Dunker's or Swift's regiment, & that he has now, no recollection of hearing her say her husband did or did not serve in any other regiment. And deponent further says that he has also heard the said Widow Abigail Russell in her life time say that she was married to her said former husband James McDonald , at Norwalk , New Haven County, Connecticut about one year before his discharge from the service. Deponent cannot now recollect the
I L.S from the

from the service. Deponent cannot now recollect the
day or month, nor positively the year, but from the fact of her saying she was married about one year before his discharge from the service (meaning the close of the war,) deponent says he places the year of her marriage in 1782. She also stated to deponent that she was married to the said Samuel McDonald by Basil Munson a Justice of the Peace in Hamden aforesaid and that previous to her said marriage she resided in the family of the said Basil Munson Esq. and that Abigail B. Munson , (now Mrs Abigail B. Bradley ) was the daughter of the said Basil Munson Esq. and was present and saw her married to the said McDonald , and that she afterwards for many years lived a near neighbor to the said Basil Munson and his family, and that she and the said Abigail B. Munson , (now Mrs Bradley ) had frequently conversed together about her said marriage and also of the circumstances of the death of her husband the said McDonald .
Deponent also says he well remembers of the said Abigail Russell , saying her said former husband was a Tailor by trade and that he worked at his trade at Hamden aforesaid after the war, and she also spoke of the expeditious manner in which he performed his work, and also of the prices he was paid for cutting and making garments, and she has also frequently stated to deponent and in his hearing to others that her said former husband died at Hamden, suddenly by the rupture of a blood vessel, some 5 or 6 years after the war. deponent says he cannot now swear if he was ever informed by the said Widow Abigail Russell , of the day, month or year he died, deponent says he distinctly remembers she stated her said former husband was building a fire in the fire place in their home in the fall of the year and while stooping over the fire, the blood came suddenly

was informed by the said widow Abigail, to the best of deponent's knowledge, that he spoke but once afterwards and died immediately. That she was present and witnessed the cause and manner of his death, as aforesaid. And Deponent further says he well knows of his own knowledge that the Declarant Mrs. Sally Hill, and her said sister [now Mrs. Polly Williams] are the reputed children of the said widow Abigail Russell deceased, and the said James Mc Donald dec'd, and that the said children or persons have always to the knowledge or belief of deponent claimed the said widow Abigail Russell, and the said James Mc Donald, as their parents, and that the said widow has always claimed and owned the said Mrs. Hill & Mrs. Williams as hers and the said Mc Donald's children, and which deponent never has heard questioned nor disputed.
And Deponent further says that on or about the 13th day of November last, he did as the agent and by the request of the said Declarant, in said claim make a personal & diligent search, of the town Records of the said Town of Hamden, assisted by Levett Hitchcock, town clerk of said town, for a Record of the marriage of the said James Mc Donald to Abigail Ward, and also for the Record of the death of said Mc Donald. That after such search no Record could be found in said office or in the keeping of said town clerk of said marriage or death, and deponent says he is fully satisfied that no such records exists or can be found in said town clerk's office. That subsequently deponent sent to the said Levett Hitchcock clerk, as aforesaid for another search and for a certificate from him as to the result of another search, & which said certificate herunto annexed was received by mail by deponent and which he hereby believes to be genuine.
Deponent further states that he has acted as

the agent and attorney, for the Declarant and others in their claim for pay or pension and in behalf of the said Widow Abigail Russell dec d and that the statements contained in the Declaration of Mrs Sally Hill, now before the Commissioners of Pensions of the United States, in relation to the supposed services of her father the said James Mc Donald, in Drake's Regiment and also in Swift's Regt were made by the Declarant to Deponent, and by Deponent carefully noted down about 3 Months or more, previous to the Declarant appearing in Court and swearing to the same, and that the cause and rea- son of the delay in not sooner swearing to the said Declaration was in consequence of the indisposition and the bodily infirmity of the Declarant, as Deponent was informed & believes to be true. That the statements of the decla- rant in said Declaration was not altered to the recollection or belief of deponent, from the time it was first written down and read to Declarant and when afterwards she swore to the same in open Court. That the time Declarant first stated to deponent her recollection of what her said Mother told her in relation to Dr ake's regiment & Swift's , regiment in speaking to her of her said father's revolutionary services, this deponent was not aware that there was any Record of the said service of her said father, or that any certi- ficates, of such service could be procured, nor does he know or believes that the Declarant knew of any such Records, and deponent says he is confident that the first knowledge he or Declarant had in relation to the supposed service of said Mc Donald in said reg- -iments was by the impressions of the fact derived from the said Widow Abigail Russell, dec d as above stated and deponent says to the best of his recollection and belief the said Declarant did not see said Certificates

of services was now the informed of the contents of the same at the time she made the said declaration and that the said declaration was made in good faith and according to the best recollection and belief of the declarant from what her said mother had in her life time told her in the way of separate knowledge and belief. Deponent says that he has frequently heard the said widow Abigail Russell in her life time while spe- aking of the said revolutionary services of her said former husband, to her daughter the said declarant, use the same or similar language - in substance and mean- ing as near as deponent can now remember as are contained in her said declaration and as is stated above, and deponent says that he well rem- -embers that he and the declarant has had several years since and again near one year since, frequent conversations in relation to the supposed re- volutionary services of her said father, and that the declarant has always spoke of her impressions and belief, derived from what her said mother had told her, that her said father was a soldier in Jerks or Swifts regiment and perhaps in both and also spoke of her said mother mentioning these names in connection with her said services. Deponent says he has some recollection of hearing the said Widow Abigail, the mother of the declarant, speak of his being in the service after their marriage for she spoke of his coming home , to Harden , with the said Ozra Manson. The particulars of his being in the service after their said marriage as related by her, deponent says he cannot now distinctly remember, but deponent says he is strongly impressed from the best of his remem- -brance of the idea she intended to convey, that their marriage took place, while the said McDonald

was out of the service on leave of absence, or on a short furlough, deponent thinks she stated her said husband was in the service twice, but can not say positively.
And this deponent further says that before and at the time the declarant had made her said declaration and obtained her proofs as are now before said Commission of Pensions he was requested by the declarant to make affidavit of such facts and circumstances as he recollected of hearing her mother in her life time say about the Revolutionary services of her father the said McDonald, as proofs in said claim. And that this deponent then objected and wished to be excused for the only cause and reason that deponent thought his evidence as above was unnecessary, and also because deponent was acting as the agent and attorney of the claimants. Deponent further states that he has no pecuniary interest whatever in the result of the said claim and that he will not in his knowledge or expectation gain or lose any pecuniary sum or amount of money or thing, in the event of its being allowed or disallowed, and deponent says that the matters and things above stated by him are true, according to the best of his knowledge, recollection, information and belief.
Lucius D. Hill,
Sworn & subscribed before me this day and year first above written & I hereby certify that I am persona
STATE OF NEW YORK, } ss. Greene County Clerk's Office. }
I, JACOB VAN ORDEN, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Joseph H. Brown before whom the annexed Deposition was made, and whose name is thereto subscribed, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same, and that the signature thereto subscribed is genuine.
WITNESS my hand and official seal, at Catskill, this 16 day of Augt 1851 J. W. Van Orden CLK

was out of the service on leave of absence , or on a short furlough . Deponent thinks she stated her said husband was in the service twice , but can not say positively.
And this Deponent further says that before and the time the declarant had made her said declaration and obtained her proofs as are now before said Commission of Pensions, he was requested by the declarant to make affidavit of such facts and circumstances as he recollects of hearing her mother in her life time say about the Revolutionary services of her father the said McDonald, as proofs in said claim. And that this deponent then objected and wished to be excused for the only cause and reason that deponent thought his evidence as above was unnecessary , and also because deponent was acting as the agent and attorney of the claimant. Deponent further states that he has no pecuniary interest whatever in the result of the said claim and that he will not to his knowledge or expectation, gain or lose any pecuniary sum or amount of money or thing, in the event of its being allowed or disallowed, and deponent says that the matters and things above stated by him are true, according to the best of his knowledge, recollection, information and belief.
Lucius D. Hill,
Sworn & subscribed before me the day and year first above written & I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above deponent & that he is credible as a Witness.
J. H. Bowman Justice of the peace

Town Clerk's Office } Hamden May 7 th 1851. }
I hereby certify that I am the Town Clerk of the Town of Hamden, in the County of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, legally appointed and sworn, And I further certify that I have in my official custody the Records of said Town of Hamden, including the Record of Marriages, Births, and Deaths, And further that I have carefully examined the record of Marriages, and cannot find therein any record of the Marriage of James McDonald to Abigail Ward, And that I have also carefully examined the Record of Deaths, and cannot find therein any Record of the Death of said James McDonald.
Attest, Sewell Hitchcock Town Clerk

State of Connecticut Hartford County } J. S. Town of Southington
On this 7 th day of February A.D. 1852, personally appeared before me Levi B. Bradley — a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Mansfield Merriman, personally known to me, who being duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oaths depose and say that he was personally well acquainted with Abigail B. Bradley, now deceased, and that deponent was a Justice of the Peace of the aforesaid County and took the affidavit of the said Abigail B. Bradley, at the town and County aforesaid on or about the 30 th day of November 1850, where and wherein she swore to her knowledge & recollection of the time & place of the marriage of James McDonald, to Abigail Ward, by Basil Henson a Justice of the Peace at Hamden, New Haven County and State aforesaid, And deponent further states that some time in the month of May 1851, he was requested by letter from G. D. Hill, of Canaan Grange Co. N.Y. acting as the Agent for the claimants for Pension for the revolutionary services of the said James McDonald, to call on the said Abigail B. Bradley, and inquire of her what facts and circumstances she knew or recollected further which enabled her to remember the time & place of the marriage of the said James McDonald, to the said Abigail Ward, That this deponent did afterwards in the month of June, 1851, go and have a personal interview with the said Abigail B. Bradley, in relation to what she further recollected about the marriage of said McDonald, That she could or would testify to, That the said Abigail B. Bradley on being questioned by deponent as to her knowledge and recollection about said Marriage, did then & there tell deponent, in language and substance as near as deponent can

remember as follows to wit: "That the said Sarah Mrs. Donald was married to the said Abigail Ward , by her father Basil Munson who was a Justice of the Peace, that she was present at the wedding and that the said Mrs. Donald was married at Hamden aforesaid, at the home of an Irishman by the name of George Dudley that the marriage must have been in the summer of that year for she was certain she went to the wedding barefoot in company with an intimate playmate of hers by the name of Mary Roberts the said Mary Roberts being at the time two years and nine months older than she was, and that George Dudley , the place of the wedding, lived about 100 Rods from her father's. And deponent further states that he did afterwards communicate the above facts derived from the said Mrs. Bradley to the said L. D. Hill by letter and that afterwards he received a letter from said Hill requesting deponent to go and take the affidavit of the said Abigail B. Bradley , of the said facts she had stated in relation to said marriage. That deponent being then a Justice of the Peace as aforesaid and is still, did go to the place of residence of the said Mrs. Bradley , on or about the 6 th or 7 th day of October 1851, to take her affidavit of said facts of said marriage that when he arrived at her residence, he was informed by those taking care of the said Mrs. Bradley that she ( Mrs. Bradley ) was sick and not then able to converse with any one, and deponent believing the said Mrs. Bradley entirely unfit to make her affidavit by reason of said sickness did not swear her as to said facts. That deponent has several times afterwards visited the place of residence of the said Mrs. Bradley for the purpose of taking her affidavit as aforesaid, but always afterwards found she was too feeble in body and in mind to make her said statements, or take her oath of said facts. And that for said

cause and reason only, deponent was prevented from obtaining her testimony of said marriage facts.
And deponent further says that at the time he had the personal interview with the said Abigail B. Bradley at the time & place aforesaid, and when she stated to dep- -onent the further facts in relation to said wedding as aforesaid the said Abigail B. Bradley , was in her usual health of body and mind, and competent to make her said statements and to take her oath of the same, and deponent says he has no doubts but that the said Mrs Bradley would then & there have sworn to the further facts of her remembrance of the time & circumstances of the said marriage as then & there related by her to deponent, and as herein before stated by the deponent. And deponent further states that the said Abigail B. Bradley , to his personal knowledge lived at the said town of Southington in said County on or about the 4th day of January 1852. And deponent says that he is a disinterested witness.
Mansfield Merriman
Sworn & subscribed before me, the day and year first above mentioned. And I do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Mansfield Merriman the above deponent, and that he is credible as a witness and that full confidence can be put in his statements. And that the said Abigail B. Bradley departed this life as aforesaid.
David L. Hagar
Justiciary of the Peace

State of Connecticut, } County of Hartford. } I, Chauncey Howard, Clerk of the County Court within and for said County, (said Court being a Court of Record, having a Seal) do hereby certify, that Levi B. Bradley is, and was, on the 7 th day of February A.D. 1852, a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned, and qualified by Law, to administer oaths, - that his official Acts, as such Justice of the Peace, are entitled to full credit; that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice, and that I believe the signature within to be genuine. -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto sub- scribed my name, and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Hartford in said County, this Sixth day of April A.D. 1852. -
Chauncey Howard, Clerk.

Sally Hill, S Sally Williams, daugh ter Algae Rupa ar' song mid 1 Jo P. L. Donatell
W7 Stupendous
Oct 32 ->
for for
Reuben H. L.

Power of Attorney.
Know all men by these presents that I Sally Hill , of the town of Cairo, County of Greene and State of New York Do hereby make, constitute, & appoint Messrs. French & Sylvester of the city of Washington, D.C. my true and lawful Attorneys & Agents for me in my name to demand and receive from the Department of the Interior of the United States, the pay, or pension certificate or Warrant to which I may be entitled for myself and for my sister, Mrs. Polly Williams , child rearing heirs at law, & next of kin of Widow Abigail Russell , dec d former widow of James McDonald dec d , and on the account of the Revolutionary Services of the said James McDonald , deceased, and in behalf of the said widow Abigail Russell dec d .
And I do hereby Respectfully request and solicit that the Department of the Interior, The Commissioner of Pensions, will be pleased to let my aforesaid Agents and Attorneys for me & in name, & behalf, and in the behalf of my said sister, & in behalf of the said widow Abigail Russell dec d examine my declaration and all the proofs now on file in said Departments, in reference to said claim.
Provided always, that my said agents and attorneys shall faithfully & as expeditiously as the nature of the case will admit, attend to the said claim and communicate the result thereof, to G. A. Hill , for me at Cairo aforesaid. In testimony whereof, Witness my Hand and Seal, this 9th day of March 1852.
Signed & sealed in presence of G. A. Hill of Cairo Greene Co. N.Y.
Sally Hill

Amended Declaration.
In the matter of Abigail Russell dec d widow, of James McDonald, dec d under the Act of Congress. passed July 4, 1836.
State of New York } County of Greene } S.S.
On this 31. day of May A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and fifty one, Personally appeared before me Joseph H. Bowman a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Sally Hill , a resident of the town of Cairo, in said County who being duly sworn, according to law, Doth on her oath make the following Declaration, that she is the same and identical Sally Hill , named and mentioned in her declaration and proofs, now before the Commission of Pensions of the United States, for pay or pension for herself and for her sister, now Mrs Polly Williams, chil- dren of widow Abigail Russell dec d and James Mc- Donald deceased, and in behalf of said Widow Abigail Russell. And she further declares that the matters and things as stated in her said declaration as of her own personal knowledge and also of information & belief, was stated by her to her agent and attorney, Lucius D. Hill , and by him written down and read over to her in her presence and hearing, about 3 months prior to her appear- ing in Open Court, and swearing to the same, Declaration that the cause and reason of the delay in not sooner swearing to the statements in said declaration was by reason of the indisposition and bodily infirmity of the declarant. That the said decla- -ration was not altered to her knowledge or belief, from the time it was first written as aforesaid.
She further declares that her statements in said former declarati- on, relating the revolutionary services of her said father James McDonald , in DeRuyter Regiment, and also in Swifts Regt.

was made wholly and entirely from information and belief derived from her said Mother in her life time, that her said Mother frequently conversed with said declarant about the revolutionary services of her former husband the said James McDonald , and often spoke of his drawing bounty lands from the United States for his revolutionary services, and that her said Mother in speaking of her father's services and also on Titus Munsow, & Ezra Munsow, & others, in said war, mentioned to this declarant, the names of Durkee's regiment, & also Swift's regiment, the names of these regiments or officers, were often used by her said Mother in conversation, while relating the services of her father and the said Munsows, and from the latter fact & circumstances this declarant says she obtained the impression & belief from her Mother that her father, did or might have served in one or both of these regiments, She states that she cannot now swear positively that her said Mother, did say that her said father served in one or both of said regiments but that this declarant has ever since been strongly impressed with the fact and belief that he did from the facts & circumstances aforesaid and also of not forgetting of hearing her Mother mention particularly and so often, in speaking of the service the names of any other regiments, as the name Durkee & Swift and hence the supposition & belief as aforesaid.
And she further declares, that at the time she first stated to her agent and attorney as aforesaid the names, of Durkee's regiment, and Swift's regiments as contained in her said declaration, she did not know, nor was she informed by any person or persons whatever that the name of her father, James McDonald could or would be found on any record or pay roll, of said war or that any certificate of his service could or would be procured.

red nor did she see said certificates nor was informed of their contents, till after she had sworn & subscribed said declaration.
And she further states that she has also heard her said Mother in her life time, frequently speak of the time & place of her marriage to her father the said James McDonald, as contained in her said declaration, and that her Mother told her that Abigail B. Munson, (now Mrs Abigail B. Bradley) daughter of Basil Munson of Hamden was present and saw her married to the said McDonald, and that her said Mother further told her a few years before she died, that she did not know of any person living who was then present and saw her married to her said father, but the said Abigail B. Bradley.
She further states that in her childhood she first became acquainted with the aforesaid Abigail B. Munson, (now Mrs Bradley), and continued afterwards to live near her residence in Hamden for several several years, and continued their acquaintance and associations together as stated in her former declaration that the (then) said Abigail B. Munson was some 12 years older than the declarant, to the best of her recollection & belief, and that what she stated in her former declaration, "That she and the said Abigail B. Munson (now Mrs Bradley) were children together," she did not mean nor intend to say that they were of ages the same, but that they associated with each other then, and that the said Abigail B. Munson, was older than the declarant as above stated.
And she further declares that when she was some 10 or 12 years of age and she thinks previous to that time and also since, she was of the age above stated she has heard the said Abigail B. Munson and her said Mother conversed together about the time

place of her said mother's marriage to her said father, and both said and admitted in each other's presence that the said Abigail B. Munson was present and witnessed said marriage and that it was performed by her father the said Basil Munson Esqr. and that this declarant always afterwards understood it was so, and never has had any doubts to the contrary. She also further states that she will remember of hearing the said Abigail B. Munson , now Mrs Bradley , when she was 20 years old or thereabouts tell her said mother, in language as near as she can now remember, that she the said Abigail B. Munson , had seen her (her said mother) married and that she might live to see her daughters married, too, [meaning this declarant and her said sister, now Mrs Polly Williams ]
And Deponent further states that she will remember that said, that her said mother had and kept for a great number of years a pair of Silver Sleeve Buttons , which her said mother told her belonged to her father the said James M c Donald and said her father said he wore the said sleeve buttons while he was in the Revolutionary war, and that she further understood from her said mother and believed that her said father died at the time & place stated in her said declaration by reason and cause of the rupture of a Blood vessel , while making a fire in their house.
Jeddy Hill
Sworn & Subscribed before me the day &
STATE OF NEW YORK, } ss. Greene County Clerk's Office.
I, JACOB VAN ORDEN, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Joseph W. Munson before whom the annexed Deposition was made, and whose name is thereto subscribed, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same, and that the signature thereto subscribed is genuine.
WITNESS my hand and official seal, at Catskill, this 16 day of
April
1851
J. W. Munson

place of her said mother's marriage to her said father, and both said and admitted in each other's presence that the said Abigail B. Munson was present and witnessed said marriage and that it was performed by her father the said Basil Munson Esqr. and that this declarant always afterwards understood it was so, and never has had any doubts to the contrary. She also further states that she will remember of hearing the said Abigail B. Munson, now Mrs. Bradley , when she was 20 years old or thereabouts tell her said mother, in language as near as he can now remember, that she the said Abigail B. Munson , had seen her (her said mother) married and that she might live to see her daughters married, too, [meaning this declarant and her sister, now Mrs. Polly Williams.]
And Deponent further states that she will remember that said, that her said mother had and kept for a great number of years a pair of Silver Sleeve Buttons , which her said mother told her belonged to her father the said James M c Donald and said her father said he wore the said sleeve buttons while he was in the Revolutionary war, and that she further understood from her said mother and believed that her said father died at the time & place stated in her said declaration by reason and cause of the rupture of a Blood vessel , while making a fire in their house.
July 4 th 1811
Sworn & subscribed before me the day & year first above written
J. H. Bowne Esqr. of the peace

Rev. Morton agreement with Sally McDonald
of her father, the said James McDonald

State of New York } County of Greene } ss.
On this 18 th day of March, in the year, One Thousand Eight hundred and fifty one, Person-ally appeared before me Augustus Hill a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid, Sally Hill , a resident of the town of Cairo, in said county, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath depose and say that, she is the same, and identical Sally McDonald , named and mentioned, in the same article of agreement herunto annexed purporting to have been executed by one Reuben Webster , of the town & County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut and dated at Waterbury the 9 th day of December 1807, and bearing the names of J. M. S. Scovill & Jas Scovill as Witnesses to this Deponent for the purposes therein stated, and that she is informed and verily believes that the said Reuben Webster , and one or both of the said Witnesses, have all been dead, several years, And deponent further saith, that she is the same and identical, Sally McDonald , mentioned in said agreement and the daughter of the same identical James McDonald also therein named as entitled to bounty lands for his revolutionary services, and that the said James McDonald is the same identical James McDonald and former husband of Abigail Russell deceased and both parents of this deponent as named and mentioned in Deponents Declaration & proofs now before the Department of the Interior of the United States, claiming pay & pension for herself & her Sister Mrs Polly Williams , on the account of the said revolutionary

services of her father, the said James McDonald, And deponent further states that she never knew or was informed if the said Webster did obtain said lands, But that she was, subsequently informed that her father the said James McDonald had just previous to his decease, sold or assigned his said Bounty lands, to another person.
And Deponent further says that she now makes this statement and offers the aforesaid agreement, as further evidence in her said cla- -im for pay or pension on the account of the said services of her father, the said James McDonald. She further states that she cannot without a great deal of trouble & expense, prove the signatures to the said agreement to be genuine but that the same was delivered to her as a valid instrument, and that she has alw- -ays considered it so, and has no doubt to the contrary.
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year first above written and I hereby certify that I am acquainted
STATE OF NEW YORK, } ss. Greene County Clerk's Office. }
I, JACOB VAN ORDEN, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that before whom the annexed deposition was made, and whose name is thereto subscribed, was at the date thereof a Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same, and that the signature thereto subscribed is genuine.
WITNESS my hand and official seal, at Catskill, this
16
day of
1851
Jacob Van Orden

services of her father, the said James McDonald, And deponent further states that she never knew or was informed if the said Webster did obtain said lands. But that she was, subsequently informed that her father the said James McDonald had just previous to his death, sold or assigned his said Bounty lands to another person.
And deponent further says that she now makes this statement and offers the aforesaid agreement as further evidence in her said claim - for pay or pension on the account of the said services of her father, the said James McDonald. She further states that she cannot without a great deal of trouble & expense, prove the signatures to the said agreement to be genuine but that the same was delivered to her as a valid instrument, and that she has alw- -ays considered it so, and has no doubt to the contrary.
Sally Hill
Sworn and subscribed before
me the day and year first above written and I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Sally Hill the above named deponent & that she is entitled to full credit as a
Augustus Hill
Justice of the Peace in & for said County

Know all men by these presents that I Reuben Webster of the Town & County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut am Bound & obligated unto Sally Mc Donald in the sum of three Dollars to which payment well & truly to be made & done I bind myself & my heirs firmly by these presents
The conditions of the above obligation is such that whereas the said Sally Mc Donald has this day conveyed by Deed to the said Reuben Webster all the right title or interest that she the said Sally has or ought to have in or unto any Lands being or lying in the State of Ohio to which she may be entitled as heir to her Father James Mc Donald Deceased who was a Soldier during the late Revolutionary war between the United States & Great Britain - now if the said Webster shall obtain by virtue of the deed Received of the said Sally one Hundred acres of Land in the State of Ohio then the said Webster is to either Pay the said Sally the above mentioned sum or the said Sally shall pay to the said Webster the Expenses of obtaining & locating the said Land which shall be as the said Webster shall choose
witness my hand at Waterbury this 4th day of December 1807 Reuben Webster Attest Seal For Service

Caiero. Greene Co. N.Y. January 11 th 1851.
Sir: I inclose for the favorable consideration of your Honor, the Declaration of Mrs Sally Hill, made in open Court before Hon. Malbone Watson Cagiano a Justice of the Supreme Court, of this State, and other proofs, in claim for pension for herself & her sister now Mrs Polly Williams and in behalf of her mother widow Abigail Russell, deceased formerly widow of James Mc Donald, deceased, who was a soldier of the Revolution and father of the said Mrs Sally Hill.
In the first place I have the honor to submit the affidavit of Theodore Pratt Jones, who was himself a soldier and a revolutionary pensioner and knew the said James Mc Donald, while they were in the service together, which establishes a portion of Mc Donalds services in 1778. And in addition to which your Honor is respectfully referred to the Certificate of the Comptroller of the State of Connecticut for further proof of service, and also to the statements of the Declarant, for facts, derived from her said mother in her lifetime in relation to the services of her first husband the said James Mc Donald, which was communicated to her by her said husband. Also the alleged fact that a County land warrant, for 100 acres, was issued by the united states to the said Mc Donald or to his assignee, for his revolutionary services, which latter allegation if true, is evidence that Mc Donald, served nearly the whole of the war & was honorably discharged in 1783. The claim is also for pension or pay for service, rendered in the said war both before & after the marriage of Mc Donald to her mother, in the year 1782, in proof of which your Honor is respectfully referred to the proof of the said Jones, of service in 1778, and other proofs, and for proof of service after the marriage of the said

McDonald, to the mother of the Declarant. To the affidavit of Mrs Abigail B. Bradley. She testifies that after the marriage in 1782, McDonald came home to Hamden after the close of the war, in company with Ezra Munson her half brother, who was reputed a soldier of the Revolution, Declarant also states under oath, that after the death of her father (the said McDonald) that she has frequently heard her said Mother & the said Ezra Munson conversed together in relation to the revolutionary services each had performed in the war, &c. That she also understands the said Ezra Munson & her father came out of the service and came home to Hamden together, at the close of the war. Also in addition (if it be so) that a bounty land war- rant was issued to McDonald, for his services, I trust that it is satisfactory evidence, that McDonald was not discharged, from the service till in the year 1783, or at the close of the war, and not till after his said marriage. 2nd For the proof & evidence of the marriage of the said McDonald, to Abigail Ward the mother of the Declarant, and her said sister, Your Honor is also respectfully referred to the evidence of the said Mrs Abigail B. Bradley, who testifies she was present & witnessed the same, and was the daughter of Basil Munson Esq, the magistrate who performed the marriage ceremony, that she lived at home with her father, and was a near neighbor afterwards to the said James McDonald & his wife, and knew their children had two daughters one named Polly & the other named Sally, which is the declarant. Third In relation to the death of the said James McDonald, Your Honor will please notice the evidence of the said James, the said Abigail B. Bradley, and also the statements of the Declarant and other proof annexed. Fourth For evidence in relation to the marriage,

afterwards of Mr. Donald, widow to John Russell, in the year 1820. The time of the decease of her second & last husband the said John Russell, in 1828, and also of the time of the decease, of his widow the said Abigail Russell in July 1841, and of the said Abigail Russell, remaining a widow , from 1828, till the time of her death in 1841. Your Honor is further respectfully referred to the proof, taken in open Court before the Supreme Court, of this State which also annexed.
Fifth For the proof & evidence that the declarant, the said Mrs. Sally Hill, & her sister the said Mrs. Polly Williams are the only children living at law & next of kin of the said Abigail Russell, deceased & former widow of the said Mr. Donald; Your Honor is again respectfully referred to testimony of the said Mrs. Bradley, the statements of declarant and also the proof before referred to, taken before the Supreme Court. Sixth , For any further evidence of identity of the said James McDonald, who served in the revolution as aforesaid, Your Honor will please notice the affidavits of the said Diadate Pratt Jones , and the said Mrs. Bradley, and also of the declarant, that the said Mr. Donald, was a scotoman by nationality, and a Tailor by trade, and lived at Hambleton New Haven Co., Connecticut, after the revolutionary war and till he died in 1758, and that they never knew or heard of any other James McDonald living at Hambleton except the one herein mentioned,
In conclusion I respectfully beg leave to state to your Honor, that it is not entirely a possible thing in a claim for pension or pay for Revolutionary services, to procure evidence of such service (in all cases) to a positive and particular certainty, as to the time, place & date, of the service, From the fact, that the out of the great number of men who served their country in the

near of the revolution, but very few now remain, or care to give a history of their own services or of the services of others, and of the few who are now alive shattered & staggering with disease and old age, it is not at all singular that their recollection of those with whom they were associated in the service in the days of their boyhood, should wander from a minute and detailed statement of every particular time & place of service, or a remembrance of those with whom they were once familiar. The diffi- culty from these causes to establish meritorious claims for Revolutionary services is becoming greater every day and claimants must, in a measure rely on the liberality of the Department and a charitable investigation of claims. — In the present claim before your Honor, the Early dece- ase of the soldier McDonald , (more than sixty years since ) and the great delay by Congress to pass any laws for the benefit of surviving widows of deceased soldiers throws this claim beyond the track of evidence which doubtless might have been obtained had the soldier McDonald survived to claim his country's bounty himself, for his services. But I trust your Honor will hardly entertain, a doubt but that the said McDonald did actually serve in the revolution as stated, in proof, and I. Confidently submit the investigation of this claim for pay or pension under some of the several acts of Congress, and particularly the act of 1831, claiming pension or pay from March 1831, till the 27th day of July 1841, the time of the decease of the widow, Abigail Russell , formerly widow of the said James Mc Donald , and both the parents of the Declarant.
Respectfully submitted
Lucius D. Hill,
for Mrs Sally Hill.
Declarant.
Rev James C. Heath Comm Pension Washington

Cairo, Greene Co. N.Y. April 24. 1856
Sir,
In the year 1854-2, as the duly authorized agent and Attorney of Mrs. Sally Hill , of this place, I forwarded to the Commissioner of Pensions, her "Declaration" & proofs for pension pay, for the services of her father, James McDonald , a soldier of the revolution, in the Connecticut state line of troops.
The receipt of the declaration & proofs, was afterwards duly acknowledged to me, by the Commissioner of Pensions, and that they were placed on file in your Department under the act of July 4, 1836 .
I was subsequently informed by Mr. Heath, (then) Commissioner, that this claim was suspended for want of further proof. These communications by Mr. Heath to me, announcing the receipt of the declaration and proofs, in the case, I have lost or mislaid, and therefore cannot have recourse to them, to furnish the Department the perusal or their dates.
Some few months since Mrs. Sally Hill , wishing to introduce further testimony and to have her claim reconsidered, sent by another agent, to the Department making inquiry for her declaration & proofs, in the case. She has recently been informed by the Dept. that her declaration and proofs in her said claim is not on file, nor any where to be found in the Dept.
Therefore Mrs. Hill has requested me to make a statement of the facts to your Honor, and also to request your Honor to cause a further search for the papers in question.

The Declaration in this case was made by "Sally Hill," in 1850-1, as an heir at law and next of kin, of "Abigail Russell" deceased, former widow of "James McDonald" deceased, a private in the war of the revolution, in the Connecticut line of Troops.
I respectfully beg leave to add, that I feel very confident the "Declaration" and proofs in Mrs Hill's claim must now be on file in the Department , and that they have been overlooked in the recent search for them,
I cannot well, with the knowledge I have of their being received, and placed on file in the Department , reconcile the idea that they (the papers) have all been lost or destroyed , and that no Rec- ord or memorandum can be found concerning them, nor can I think such a disposition of official papers, to be the rule and system adopted by the Department in such cases,
In justice to myself, and by the request of Mrs Hill, I respectfully solicit your Honor to cause further search and inquiry for the papers in question, and that your Honor afterwards info- rm me the result. I am Sir,
Very respectfully, Your obt servt.
L. D. Hill, for the aforesaid Sally Hill.
To Hon Commissioner Pensions, Washington City, D. C.