Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,686, for Benjamin Thompson, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Thompson Benjamin
N. 26,686
Thomson
Johnson
Rhoda
(Former Widow)
{ B.L.W. 2168-200 Lieut. Issued May 10, 1799 to Marble Turner assignee No papers.
CONTENTS

11178 William Rhodes (Whelan) widow of William Hughes who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Lieutenant
Reported
Inscribed on the Roll of the rate of 328 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of August 1848 and sent to J. M. Martin Augusta Ga
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 19, Vol. 1,

May 3, 1906
W. H. G.

Thompson, Benj.
His name appears on a list of applicants for invalid pension returned by the District Court for the District of Maine, submitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War on April 25, 1794, and printed in the American State Papers, class 9, page 86.
Rank: Lieutenant
Regt: Colonel Brewer's
Disability: Labors under a rheumatic and bilious complaint which originated while in the service of the United States, and renders him incapable of pursuing the business of a blacksmith, which he follows for a livelihood.
When Disabled: 1777
Residence: Topsham
Monthly allowance: $8.89
Arrearages: $300
Remarks: Commissioned November 6, 1776, supernumerary January 16, 1779.
Evidence incomplete, viz: Disability not proved to have arisen from known wounds.

Mar. 26, 1906
aw sp. sp.

Thompson, Benjamin
His name appears on a list of invalid pensioners returned by the Circuit Court for the district of Maine, submitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War on Dec. 14, 1792, and printed in the American State Papers, class 9, page 60.
Rank : Lieutenant
Regt : Col. Brewer
Disability : Contracted rheumatism and bilious rhind, when retreating from Ticonderoga, in 1777.
Date of commencement : June 22, 1792
Monthly allowance : $ 8.88 2 / 3
Arrears due : $ 300.00

10165 Rhoda Johnson formerly the widow of Benja Thompson who was a Lieutenant in the army of the Revolution.
m 82 d 94 -
Rolls
Adm
2 yrs Lieut Capt Watkins Col Brewer Mass
320 $
Geo W Marston Augusta Maine.

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows," and an Act to amend the same, approved August 23, 1842.
STATE OF MAINE.
Lincoln County, ss.
A. D., 18 43
On this twenty third day of March personally appeared before the Court of Probate for said County of Lincoln in open Court, it being a Court of Record, Rhoda Johnson widow a resident of Topsham in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine, aged seventy eight years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 7th, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;" That she is the widow of and an Act to Amend the same passed August 23, 1842. That she was the widow of Benjamin Thompson who was a Lieutenant in Col. Drown's, afterwards Col. Sprague's, Regiment of the Mass. Line, that he was the identical person named in the Commission dated at Boston the first day of January 1777, (and signed by John Hancock) which accompanies this declaration; that she believes he served upwards of three years, under the said Commission, (and she refers to the rolls of the Army for the length of his service); - that she was married to him and had five children by him, that he died in the town of Topsham in the then District of Maine on the ninth day of February A.D. 1793 that she remained unmarried after his death till the ninth day of October A.D. 1794 when she intermarried with Isaac Johnson who died in the month of December in the year A.D. 1813 since which time, she has remained unmarried.
She further declares, that she was married to the said Benjamin Thompson on the early part of day of September in the year seventeen hundred and eighty two ; that her husband, the aforesaid Benjamin Thompson died on the ninth day of February A.D. 1793. (as mentioned above); that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz. at the time above stated, that her maiden name was Rhoda Hance and that she was married to the said Benjamin Thompson in Wat, Maine by the Rev. Mr. Winter.
Witnesses: John H. Thompson Francis J. Brannen Nathaniel G. Grooton
Rhoda Johnson Mark
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me
Nathaniel Grooton Judge of Probate for

State of Maine.
(County of Lincoln) ss. At a Probate Court Held at Topsham in said County on this 23 rd day of March A. D. 1843
Personally appeared in open Court the same being a Court of record Rhoda Johnson widow - who is named in the fore- going declaration & directed the same to be reduced to writing. and when the same was so reduced to writing the whole was read to her and she being unable to write her name. She made her mark to said declaration in the presence of three witnesses - and then made solemn oath that the same is true.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & caused the seal of said Court to be affixed the day & year above written
Nathan G. Folsom
Judge of said Court

STATE OF MAINE.
ss.
I the subscriber That were had, is I also CERTIFY, That the the said
hereby CERTIFY, before whom the proceedings
contains the original proceedings of in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this of A. D., 18

EDWARD KAVANAGH, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MAINE. To all who shall see these Presents,
GREETING.
Know ye, That Schuyler Thompson , of Uptonham , was on the twenty-sixth day of January, A.D. 1843, appointed and commissioned, and on the fourth day of February, A.D. 1843, duly qualified as a Justice of the Peace for the County of Lincoln . That Nathaniel Green , of Bath , was on the ele- venth day of March, A.D. 1842, appointed and com- missioned, and on the twenty-second day of March A.D. 1842, duly qualified as Judge of Probate for Lincoln County and that their signatures to the papers herunto annexed are genuine, and that they Edward Kavanagh will continue to hold their offices. and that to their Acts and Attestations, as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court.
In testimony whereof, I have caused the Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed. GIVEN under my hand at AUGUSTA, this fifteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-three and in the sixty- seventh year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By the Governor.
P. C. Johnson , Secretary of State.

Affidavit of David Shaw Clerk of the town of Bath

I David Shaw of Bath, County of Lincoln & State of Maine, in the Seventy ninth year of my age, depose and say, that I well remember Benjamin Thompson of Brunswick, and that he went into the Army in the American Revolution, and I understood was a Lieutenant, how long he served I cannot say; he married Rhoda Ham of this Town, and as I understood was married by Rev. Francis Winter, who was a settled Minister in said Town of Bath at that time; I was well acquainted with Mr. Hams Family from my earliest days to the present time, how long the said Thompson has been dead I cannot say, but the said Rhoda Ham is now a widow, and in very low circumstances, and as I have had re- course to the Town Books ever since the year 1803, and am now Town Clerk, my impression is that said marriage of Benjamin Thompson to Rhoda Ham was Recorded in this Town, but as our Records and papers of every description were destroyed by Fire in February 1838, there is now not any Record of said marriage to be found; the Records of Mr. Winter having been kept in a very loose manner, and part of them, as I have been told were burnt, thinking them to be of no value. Bath March 13. 1843.
David Shaw } Town Clerk of Bath
State of Maine County of Lincoln } ss. Dist. Known that on this 13 th day of March A.D. 1843. at Bath in said County person- ally appeared David Shaw Esq. who is Clerk of said town, and exhibited the above certificate to me written & signed by himself, and made vol- untary oath that the same is true. I further certify that said Shaw is well known to me and that his statements under oath, are entitled to full credit & belief in a Court of Law
Witness my hand
Abel Grotton Judge of Probate for the County of Lincoln

Lieut Benj. Thompson of Brunswick and Mrs Rhoda Hahn of Bath intend Marriage Augt. third one thousand seven hundred and eighty two
I certify the above is a true copy of the record of the Publication of Lieut Benj. Thompson of Brunswick and Mrs Rhoda Hahn of Bath, from the records of the town of Brunswick in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows viz. "Lieut Benj. Thompson of Brunswick and Mrs. Rhoda Hahn of Bath intend Marriage Augt. 3. 1782" Nathaniel Badger Town Clerk
I Nathaniel Badger, above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the town of Brunswick in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine and the above is a true extract from the records of the said town with the exception above named as certified by me Nathaniel Badger Town Clerk
State of Maine.
County of Lincoln Lincoln S.S. on the tenth day of June 1843 Personally appeared Nathaniel Badger above named and made oath to the truth of the above certificate by him sub- scribed. Before me John H. Thompson, Justice of the peace

Deposition of Mr. Rachel Wilson
I Rachel Wilson of Topsham in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine aged Seventy Seven Years on Oath depose and say that I am well acquainted with the widow Rhody Johnson who now lives in Topsham in said County her maiden name was Rhoda Ham and was the daughter of Benjamin Ham late of Bath Deceased I have known her as long ago as Sixty-five years it being before she was married to Lieutenant Benjamin Thompson then of the Town of Brunswick and of whom I was well acquainted with before and after he was married to the said Rhoda which was rather more than one year before I was married and I was married in March after Peace took place in 1783 & I have frequently at his house in his lifetime I have seen them living together as husband & Wife and they had five living Children & they lived together as husband & Wife untill the Death of said Thompson who died with a Consumption about fifty years ago and about Eleven years after their marriage I new that the said Thompson was in the revolutionary war as a lieutenant for I have seen him ware his uniform a number of times as I have seen him havit on at my fathers he was boarding at my fathers at the time he went in to the Army. And after the Death of the said Benjamin Thompson his widow now Rhoda Johnson married Isaac Johnson then living at Topsham about two years after the Death of her first husband Benjamin Thompson. Said Johnson went in to the Last war and never returned having
(Turnover)

deed their as I understand and believe to be the fact. They had two children Signed in presence of Francis J. Reimert Adah Wilson John H. Thompson
State of Maine
County of Lincoln S.S.
On this twenty third day of March in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three Personally appeared the above and within named Rachel Wilson and being first sworn to testify the truth and nothing but the truth directed the forgoing and within Deposition to be reduced to writing by me and the same being read to her she signed her name thereto and made solemn oath that the same is true & further certify that I am acquainted with the said Wilson and that her statements under oath are entitled to full credit. Witness my hand the day and year above written John H. Thompson, Justice of the Peace

Deposition of Isaac Whitney
I Isaac Whitney of Lisbon in the County of Lincoln & State of Maine aged Eighty five years & a Soldier of the revolutionary war & now drawing a pension as such. On Oath depose and say That I was well acquainted with Lieutenant Benjamin Thompson of Brunswick in said State, and after words of Topsham in his lifetime before and after the revolutionary war & that I have heard him say that he was in the revolutionary war as a Lieutenant and I was am well acquainted with his wife who had a whose maiden name was Rhoda Harn & then I believe to be the daughter of Benjamin Harn late of Bath Deceased as she was so called & as I have seen her at said Harns house in Bath before her marriage with said Thompson and after words at the house of said Thompson as his wife as I have frequently worked for said Thompson in his lifetime at his house making shoes for his family & I also now said Thompsons health was very poor after he left the service for several years & I believe he must have died - According to the best of my recollection about 1793 & I know by report that after his death his widow now the widow Rhody Johnson of Topsham married Isaac Johnson of Topsham who I was well acquainted with & who died in the service of his country in the last war as by report and of which I have no doubt of the facts of the same.
Isaac his Whitney mark
Signed in presence of John H. Thompson Francis J. Quinton Ann Whitney

State of Maine
County of Lincoln ss. On this Sixteenth day of March in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and forty three Personally appeared the within named Isaac Whitney and being first sworn to testify the truth and nothing but the truth directed the foregoing or within deposition to be reduced to writing by me and the same being read to him he being unable to sign his name made his mark thereto and made solemn Oath that the same is true I further testify that I am acquainted with the said Whitney and that his statements under oath are entitled to full credit. Witness my hand the day & year above written.
John H. Thompson, Justice of the Peace

Deposition of Benjamin Ham
I Benjamin Ham of Lisbon in the County of Lincoln & State of Maine aged Seventy two Years On Oath - depose and say that I am well acquainted with the widow Rhoda Johnson who now lives in Topsham in said County her Maiden name was Rhoda - Ham my sister & the daughter of Benjamin Ham of Bath deceased I have known her as long as I can remember any one sixty years ago Last September as I verily believe and during the latter part of the Revolutionary war I was Present at the marriage of the above named Rhoda Ham now the widow Johnson with Lieutenant Benjamin Thompson then of the Town of Brunswick the marriage was at the house of my Father Benjamin Ham in Bath and the marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev d Francis Winter who was then the regular clergyman in Bath I saw the ceremony performed & I was a witness to the same I knew Lieutenant Benjamin Thompson before he was married for then was I understood to believe a Lieutenant in the American war and she the said Rhoda lived with him as her husband till his death they had five living children he died with a consumption about Eleven years after their marriage I was absent from home at the time of his death and according to the best of my recollection it was about fifty years ago And after the death of the said Benjamin Thompson his widow now Rhoda Johnson married Isaac Johnson then living at Topsham about two years after the death of her first husband Benjamin Thompson Rhoda & Isaac Johnson lived together as husband and wife till the last war. Had two children

He went into the Army and never returned having died there as I under stood & believe to be the fact And his wife is now a widow & about Six Years Older than Sam Benjamin Ham Signed in presence of John H. Thompson Francis J. Puniton
State of Maine County of Lincoln ss.
On this Sixteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three Per- -sonally appeared the above and within named Ben- -jamin Ham and being first sworn to testify the truth and nothing but the truth directed the foregoing & within deposition to be reduced to writing by me -- and the same being read to him He signed his na- me thereto and made solemn Oath that the same is true I further testify that I am acquainted with the said Ham and that his statements made under Oath are entitled to full credit.
Witness My hand the day and year above written John H. Thompson Justice of the Peace

Married by Rev. Jonathan Ellis. October ninth seventeen hundred & ninety four. Isaac Johnson and Phoebe Thompson of Topsham.
I certify the above is a true copy of the record of the marriage of Isaac Johnson and Phoebe Thompson from the records of the town of Topsham, in the County of Lincoln, and State of Maine, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows viz. "Married by Rev. Jonathan Ellis. October 9. 1794. Isaac Johnson and Phoebe Thompson of Topsham." B. T. Bicknell, Town Clerk
I B. T. Bicknell, above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk for the town of Topsham, in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine, and that the above is a true extract from the records of the said Town, with the exception above named, as certified by me.
B. T. Bicknell, Town Clerk
State of Maine.
County of Lincoln, ss. On the tenth day of June 1843
Personally appeared B. T. Bicknell, above named and made Oath to the truth of the above certificate, by him subscribed.
Before me. John H. Thompson Justice of the Peace.

Deposition of Sarah Edgecomb I Sarah Edgecomb of Bath in the County of Lincoln, aged Seventy six years, on oath depose and say, that I am well acquainted with the widow Rhoda Johnson, who now lives in Topsham in said County, her maiden name was Rhoda Hane. I have known her as long as I can remember any one - Sixty years ago last September, as I verily believe and during the latter part of the Revolutionary war, I was present at the marriage of the above named Rhoda Hane, now the widow Johnson with Lieutenant Benjamin Thompson then of the town of Brunswick. The marriage was at the house of Benjamin Hane in Bath, and the marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev d . Francis Winter, who then was the regular clergyman in Bath. I saw the ceremony performed & was a witness to the same. I knew Lieut. Benja. Thompson before he was married. He then was, as I understood & believe, a Lieutenant in the American war and at home. I have seen him wear the uniform of an officer at or about that time. He lived with her as her husband till his death; they had five living children - he died with a consumption about eleven years after their marriage.

I cannot tell the precise time of his death tho' I was at his funeral, and saw him after he was dead, he staid in the house where his body was the night before he was buried after the death of said Bezza. Thompson his widow, now Rhoda Johnson married Isaac Johnson, then living at Topsham, about two years after the death of her first husband Bezza. Thompson - I was present at this wedding and, witnessed the marriage between them I think the Rev. Mr Ellis then minister of Topsham performed the marriage ceremony. Rhoda & Isaac Johnson lived together as husband & wife till the last war, had two children - he went into the army and never returned - and his wife is now a widow, about two years older than I am, as I have always understood. At the wedding between Isaac Johnson and widow Thompson I Widow Sarah Purinton of Topsham, then a girl, by the name of Sarah Emery was present, and she is the only person now living that I can recollect as being present.
signed in presence of
Nath Groteng
Francis J. Purinton
Mary Edgcomb
Sarah her Edgcomb mark

State of Maine.
County of Lincoln ss. Be it known that on this 12 th day of March. A. D 1843. Personally appeared Sarah Edgecomb the deponent named in the foregoing deposi- tion, and being duly sworn to testify the truth & the whole truth relative to the subject matter therein contained: she dis- tated the said deposition and directed me to write out the same: and when so written out I read the same to her as written and she being unable to write her name, subscribed her mark thereto - in the presence of three witnesses, and made solemn oath that the same & every part thereof is true. I further certify that this depo- nent is a person of truth and that her statements under oath are entitled to full credit in a Court of Law.
In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name as Judge of Prob- ate for the County of Lincoln & affixed the seal official of said Court to be affixed to Nathl Grooton Judge of Probate

Recd 26686 WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26,686 Rhoda Johnson formerly Wife of Benjamin Thompson Deceased
Act: Feb 2nd 1848
Index:—Vol. A Page 382
[Arrangement of 1870.]

IN CONGRESS.
The DELEGATES of the UNITED STATES of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New-Castle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, TO
Benjamin Wilson Esquire
WE, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be
Lieutenant in the Regiment of Foot whereof Samuel Bowdoin Esquire is Colonel
in the Army of the United States, raised for the Defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile Invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of Things thereinunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as Lieutenant. And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to Time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress, for that Purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Army of the United States, or any other your superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by this or a future Congress.
Dated at Boston the first Day of January Anno Domini 1776
By Order of the Congress,
John Hancock
PRESIDENT.
ATTEST. William Mundy

Paper of G. D. Root find law Agent of Maine, Apr 5 th 45
Apr 28 Dec 1843
41030
Maine
Rhoda Johnson formerly widow of Benjamin Thompson who was a Lieutenant in the Massachusetts line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 320 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of December 1843 and sent to Geo. W. Morton.
Augusta Maine,
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 1. Page 1

75 25
Pension erroneously sent to B Corwell. Ret'd by him & enclosed to G W Norton Aug 28 1843.
Maine.
Rhoda Johnson formerly widow of Benj. Thompson who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 9th Feb. 1793, of Vincow in the State of Maine who was a Lieut in the Company commanded by Captain Witting of the Regt commanded by Col. Brewer in the Mass. line for 2 years Lieut
Rep Aug 21.
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 320 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of August, 1843 and sent to Geo. W. Norton, August 21st.
Whole amount due $1600.
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Thomas Swain, Clerk, Book A. Vol. 1. Page 12.

Augusta, Maine
June 13. 1843
Sir
I herewith enclose papers of Mrs. Rhoda Johnson, who was formerly the widow of Lieutenant Benjamin Thompson, for the purpose of establishing her claim to a pension under the Acts of July 7. 1838 and Augt 23. 1842 to which she is entitled on account of the service of her first husband (Benjamin Thompson) in the war of the Revolution as a Lieutenant, should the declaration and papers be deemed sufficient to allow her claim. I would respectfully request you to transmit me, for her, a certificate
Very respectfully
Your Abt Servt
Geo. W. Morton
James L. Edwards Esq Commr of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Providence Aug 25 1843
Sir
I read the enclosed certificate this morning which I presume was sent me by mistake. It is possible that the certificate of Jemima Lapham, whose name was sent to the Agent of this State for paying pensions this morning, was sent to the prison for whom this was intended instead of being sent to me. This however is only my impression.
I am respectfully your obed Servt Benja Lowell
J. L. Edwards, Esq

Augusta, Maine
July 27th 1848.
Sir,
I herewith transmit the applications of of the following named widows, to be allowed a pension under the Act of Feb. 2. 1848. viz,
Lydia Bragg Mary Hamlen Loana Coombs Lydia Howards Hannah Chandler Rhoda Johnson Elizabeth Cole Hannah Kenney Jane Coonan Mary Ridley Desire Chase Elizabeth Rollings Hannah Cutter Nancy Smith Lucretia Eaton Abiah Stinson Mary Hinkley Martha Wing
and respectfully request you to send me, as their agent Pension certificates, for them,
Very Respectfully Your Obedt Servt Geo. W. Morton
James L. Edwards Esq Commr of Pensions Washington City,

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3d March, 1843, granting Pensions for one year to certain Widows who have received Pensions under the Act of July 7, 1838.
STATE OF MAINE, }
County of Lincoln ss. }
On this Second day of October
A. D. 1843, personally appeared, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine, Rhoda Johnson
a resident of Nisham in the County of Lincoln aged Seventy seven years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 3d March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Benjamin Thompson who was a Lieutenant during the Revolutionary War; that she was pensioned as the widow of the said Benjamin Thompson at the rate of three hundred and twenty dollars and _____ cents per annum, under the Act of July 7, 1838, which was paid to her at the agency in Portland in the State of Maine
She further declares that she is still the widow of the said _____ having
remained unmarried ever since the death of her second husband Joan Johnson who died in the month of December 1813. that she refers to a declaration made by her in March 1843 on which her pension under Acts of July 7, 1838 and Aug 23, 1842 was allowed
Witness John H. Thompson  Rhoda Johnson Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, Frank
Before me, John H. Thompson Justice of the Peace.
I certify that the declarant is personally known to me to have been pensioned under the Act of July 7, 1838, and is the reputed widow of Benjamin Thompson deceased, and has remained unmarried ever since his death. the death of a second husband named Joan Johnson who has been dead many years
John H. Thompson Justice of the Peace.

State of Maine.
Penobscot County ss.
I the subscription clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held for and within the said County of Penobscot do hereby certify that John H. Thompson is a Justice of the Peace as within State and that the within signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
Witness my hand and the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine the fifth day of October A. D. 1843.
J. R. Nichols.

Thos. Johnson
4030
admitted
X
Geo. W. Merriam Augusta Maine.
State of Maine Penobscot County (ss.)
I, William M. Stratton, Clerk of the Court in Penobscot County, certify, that John R. Thompson is a Magistrate as within, and that the within signatures purporting to be his, are genuine.
Witness my hand and the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine, this 26th day of July A.D. 1848. W. M. Stratton

State of Maine
Penobscot County (ss.)
I William M. Stratton, Clerk of the courts in Penobscot county, certify, that John H. Thompson is a Magistrate as within, and that the within signatures purporting to be his, are genuine.
Witness my hand and the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine, this 26th day of July A. D. 1848.
W. M. Stratton

Declaration. In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of February 2, 1848, entitled "An act making further provision for surviving widows of the soldiers of the Revolution".
State of Maine,
Lincoln County S.S. On the Twentieth day of July A. D. 1848, personally appeared before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, for the said County of Lincoln, Rhoda Johnson , a resident of Tappan in said County of Lincoln and State of Maine aged Eighty four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 2 d of February, 1848, granting pension to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War, that she is the widow of Benjamin Thompson who was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, that she was pensioned on account of the Revolutionary services of her late husband the said Benjamin Thompson at the rate of Three hundred and twenty dollars per annum under the Act of Congress of June 17, 1844, her pension was paid to her at the Agency in Portland, in the State of Maine. She further declares that she is still a widow.
Witness. Clara Whittmore Rhoda her  X Johnson John H. Thompson marks
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written. Before me
John H. Thompson , Justice of the Peace
I certify, That the above named official is personally known to me, and that she is the same individual who drew a Pension as stated by her in the foregoing declaration and that she remains a widow
John H. Thompson Justice of the Peace