Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10274, for John Strong, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn ? ? Mass.
Strong, John Martha
R. 10274
CONTENTS
Blank lined area for contents.
Blank lined area for contents.

N. York Martha Strong. Sept 2.
See letter to Hon. J. Y. Lansing
14 Dec. 1830
" " to same 13. Feb. 1831
" " " " 24 " "
" " Martha Strong, 4 th May 1832
" " Hon. A. J. Parker 22 Dec 1837
1 st July '36.

Important index attached -

10 2711  cur
P. O. _____
Maria Strong Service: wid. of John
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

House of Rep's Dec 18. 1837
Sir,
Will you do me the favor to send me a copy of all the affidavits & other papers in your office relating to the application for a pension of Martha Strong widow of Capt John Strong that may lay the same before Congress.
Very Resp'tly
Yours &
Amasa J. Parker
H. Edmund Esq. Clerk of Pensions

Albany Dec 5 th 1835
While your Honor be so good as to do me the favor to present the inclosed Pension Papers (on behalf of my Mother) to James S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions at as early a day as your convenience will permit. — I have written to my friend A. Vanderpoel Esq. & requested him to join you in the service. I have inclosed some papers to him which may be read to corroborate the declaration of the Claimant, but they cannot be filed with her Pension papers in that Office as they are to be used on an application to Congress on a different subject. — It may not be amiss for me to say, that the clouds of misfortune have lowered upon our House, during & since the Revolutionary War, consequently the Claimant is in needy circumstances & destitute of property & could she be placed upon the Pension Roll with but a pittance from the Government it will be a comfort to her through the few remaining days which may yet be allotted to her and might help her to forget the evil days which she has seen & which have not been few. —
Her Claim comes under the act of 4 th July 1835 3 d Section & the act of 1832 a very few I think can avail themselves of the liberality intended to be shown by Congress as it is almost impossible to procure the evidence required by the law and the regulations of the Department — however in her case, the best possible evidence has been procured. All the Company with its Officers as far as I can learn are all dead, except one man who trained in the Company commanded by the Claimant's husband, I therefore trust a liberal construction will be given in her case showing at least, that the Officers of our free Republic are not ungrateful. — The Claimant was a Patriot of 1775 & can testify that she had appropriated her apparel in the sacred cause. the People of Connecticut having resolved not to purchase the British goods seized it was difficult to procure them, she then appropriated her apparel — one garment in particular, of nine yards

of which duty for rest and parades to complete their eldest Brothers uniform, which I rather helped to strike the "death blow" to tyranny in North America he having been engaged with Capt John Chester uniform company of Volunteers from Conn t at Bladensburg, which company, was said to have been the last which left the intrenchments.
Please excuse my long and rough address, I am unused to this business, having been but a Farmer. Therefore be pleased not to expect this communication to the size of any one except yourself & my friend St. Landerhard Esq. And oblige your very humble servant
Isaac Strang
P.S. the papers are enclosed in two & one other letter.

Albany Feb 4 th 1837.
Dear Sir Permit me again to thank you with the presentation of the enclosed to Mr. Edwards Compt. & We have failed to produce the record of the marriage as required by the Department, but I believe the Certificates enclosed will satisfactorily explain the cause why the marriage was omitted to be recorded. We have sent Mr. Allen to Pittsfield & much pains have been taken to ascertain whether any of the Officers or privates Composing my Father's Company in the year 1777 are yet living but have been un- successful, it is believed by many persons in Pittsfield who knew most of the Company, that they are all dead; the Claimant therefore will have to rest her Claim on the Evidence heretofore transmitted - It recited the old Lady a little that there should have been any doubt as to her marriage, she having lived with her husband half a century. Mr. Massie in these hard times and the delay & trouble in procuring the Certificates from Connecticut has produced some impatience & has in a measure tended to impair her health. We had to write to Connecticut three times before we could get the enclosed Certificates. Have the goodness to ask a speedy decision on her case and oblige truly your very humble Servt
Joseph Strong
Hon. G. G. Lansing

James L Edwards Esq
Albany March 27 th 1837
Respected Sir - Some weeks ago I received your letter to Mr Lansing on the subject of my claim for a pension in which you say my husband's services must be clearly proved or my claim cannot be allowed -
I am very sorry that at this late day and my extreme age and want I am disappointed however I am prepared to submit, it is not so great a trial as I have experienced at a time that tried men's souls I have made greater exertions and been at an expense which I was illly able to bear to obtain the evidence required but without success - the actors in those scenes are all gone to that bourne from which no traveller returns - I cannot call them up to testify in my case - therefore I had well hoped that on the evidence sent by me under the Law of Congress, it might be inferred that the services were rendered - I know my husband's services were meritorious from the very first of the War he was a man of property and a warm Whig - he did not value time or money he furnished his company with arms & expended a great deal of time in the service and I do think I ought to be allowed a years service on my claim. I believe Congress would have allowed me a pension many years ago if I had applied, I was an only sister who was left by two only Brothers the (Stay of the family with an aged Mother who was supported by me and after the war closed - at the moment when my Brothers left
that their Country was in Danger from an invading foe they left their home their all to defend that Country and volunteered their services and equipped themselves in uniform at their own expense - in May 1775 I saw my eldest Brother who was the bravest of the brave march from his own native Village as a Clerk & Sergeant in a company of one hundred and ten Volunteers in uniform under Capt John Chester - he expended all his ammunition in the battle on Bunker Hill, afterwards and before returning to his family marched through a Wilderness amidst innumerable toils difficulties and dangers to Quebec, the disastrous catastrophe which awaited that expedition we all know - I am unable to dwell upon the privations and sufferings which he sustained (sufferings which he forbore to detail to his Wife) in that expedition and while in captivity at Halifax - History has recorded the manner which the enemy treated their prisoners in the early part of the revolution war - he was captured with the Hancock and her Prize after fight of three hours and after his exchange midway the contest in which was engaged his earthly career was terminated while in the service

of his country. — His career was distinguished by dangerous and arduous services, alike honorable and patriotic and his memory will be cherished to the latest hour by an only sister who best knew but knew his many Christian virtues. — unyielding integrity and unconquerable zeal for his country's independence. — I am now in want a few short years, perhaps days will place me in the land where the weary are at rest, but during the few remaining days of my pilgrimage on earth, may I not humbly trust and hope that my path may in some measure be deprived of the thorns and briars which surrounded it by the kindness and bounty of my country — — — In case my claim should be disallowed I shall be very thankful to have my papers returned free of postage I am not able to pay, and if my life should be spared I will apply to the next congress — — — I am a widow — by often coming perhaps I may succeed as did the widow of old.
With much respect I am your obedient humble servant Martha Strong