Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14013, for Ephraim Thayer, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Thayer, Ephraim Sarah
N. 14013
CONTENTS

Dear
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. April 1838 from 4 Sep 1838 to 11 Jan 1839. Age notified 25 Feb 1842.
2.233
Massachusetts
Sarah Thayer widow of Ephraim Thayer
who died on the 20th March 1829 at Worcester in the State of Mass. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Billings of the Reg t commanded by in the Mass. time for 2 years
Mass
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass a at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of Aug t 1838 and sent to Sarah Thayer Greenfield Mass. a
Arrears to the 14th of March 1838 $560.00 Semi-annual allowances ending 4 Sept r 40.00
$600.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d . }
Recorded by M c Adams Clerk, Book A Vol. I Page 68

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Jany 17 th , 1842.
Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The ad n  of Sarah Thayer, Acct., a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Eighty - Dollars and  Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th July 1836, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of Sept. 1838, to the 11 th Jany 1839.
Respectfully, yours,
Edward S. Parsons
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, ss.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester, do certify, that Rev. Barton is the Judge of said Court of Probate, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his name subscribed to the paper herunto annexed is his own genuine signature.
In testimony whereof, I do herunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, this seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.
Chas. G. Prentiss, Register.

I Elisha Sibley of Dana in the County of Worcester aged eighty years do depn and say that I was intimately acquainted with Ephraim Thayer late of Dana aforesaid, before during and since the Revolutionary war, and I know he was very fond of the Military Service, and in the service of his Country during that war a considerable part of his time while it lasted he had the name of a good Soldier I know he volunteered in the service in a company of Militia commanded by Capt Timothy Paige & Lieut. Joseph Robinson of Hardwick, Coln. Comd of Newbrantree. I volunteered with him at the same time in the Month of August I think, A.D. 1776, we marched in said company through Connecticut, to a place called Horseneck, in New Jersey as I think, stayed there a short time, then went up the North river in the State of New York, and served in various places near the river three months. Said Thayer and myself were at the Battle of White Plains, and after we had served three months we returned home to Hardwick the last part of November or fore part of December, I always heard said Thayer state when stating his services, that he was in the service at Roxbury eight months, at Rhode Island  at Rhode Island , two tours, in the State of New Jersey and New York three tours, and it was said was so believed by his Neighbors and friends, and that he was out three months at Rhode Island East Greenwich in 1780, and New Jersey six months

in 1881. I also understood that he was a sergeant some part of the time, he has been dead a number of years & his widow Sarah Thayer is still living and has never again married Bishop Sibley
Worcester ss. March 3 d 1838 before me the subscriber personally appeared the above named Elisha Sibley and made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed — and I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Sibley, and that he sustains a good character for truth Apollo Johnson Justice of the peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, ss. I, Joseph G. Kendall, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, for the said County of Worcester, do certify, that Apollo Johnson, Esquire, is a Justice of the peace, in and for said County, and that his signature to the certificate of the oath of Stephen Witt and Elisha Sibley, to the depositions hereto annexed, by them respectively subscribed, is in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof, I hereto set my name, and affix the seal of said Court at Worcester, this sixth day of March A.D. 1838.
J. G. Kendall Clerk

I Stephen Witt of Dana in the County of Norton aged Eighty three years, do testify and say, that I was a soldier in the war of the Revolution: and that I was well acquainted with Ephriam Thayer late of said Dana deceased. That he volunteered as a Sergeant in a company of Militia Commanded by Capt Francis Stone & Lieut Elisha Willings of Hardwick, and Coln Nathan Spearhawk, the said Thayer volunteered for three Months, and marched from said Hardwick the latter part of December A.D. 1776, Marched through Danbury, Ct. to Morristown & Bound Brook, in the State of New Jersey, served three Months in said service as a Sergeant, and returned home to said Hardwick in March 1777, said Thayer was fond of the service, and a good soldier, this was all I was out of him, but it was said by him and many others that he was in the service a great part of the Revolutionary war, both before and after the he was married, and I have no doubt of its being a fact, as I was then living near him and knew he was about a great part of the time during the war Stephen Witt
Norster Is. March 5th 1838
personally appeared before me the subscriber, the above named Stephen Witt and made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed, and I further testify that I am well acquainted with the said Stephen Witt, and that he sustains an undoubted good character for integrity. Abel Johnson justice of the peace

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the fourth of July A.D. 1835.
State of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss on this sixteenth twenty of January in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before me the Bachelor, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester. Sarah Thayer a resident in Dana in said County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, aged Seventy seven years last past 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 4 th in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty six.
That she is the widow of Ephraim Thayer who was a Soldier in a part of the  length of  the War of the Revolution: That the said Ephraim Thayer volunteered as a Soldier in said War on or about the last of April or first of May in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and seventy five: That he then lived in the Town of Handwick in said County of Worcester and marched from said Handwick under the command of Capt Samuel Billings & Lt Asahel Billings of said Handwick (as she believes) to the Town of Roxbury near the City of Boston in said State where he served as a private in the militia (as she thinks) the full term of eight weeks man th's and at the end of said term he returned to his friends in Handwick.
And the said Sarah Thayer on her oath further testifies and says: That afterwards and according to her best knowledge and belief on or about the last part of August 1776: the said Ephraim Thayer again volunteered as a Soldier in a Company of militia commanded

by Capt. Timothy Paige Lt. Joseph Robinson of said Handwick and Col. Benjamin of New Hampshire, was his Col. that he then marched through the State of Connecticut to the State of New York and New Jersey and served as a Soldier some part of the time at a place called Horse Neck in New Jersey and at part of the time near the Hudson River in the State of New York. That he was at the Battle of the White Plains, in September of that year; and returned home to said Handwick the latter part of November after the Battle at White Plains, and that he served that Term the full Term of three months as he believes
And the said Sarah Thayer on her oath further testifies and says, that according to her best knowledge and belief, that the said Ephraim Thayer afterwards volunteered as a Soldier in the Service of the United States in or about the latter part of the month of December of the year 1776 for the Term of three months, and then marched from said Handwick under Capt. Francis Hine of Manchester and Lt. Elisha Billings of Handwick, Col. Nathan Sparkman, and marched through Connecticut to the State of New Jersey and there served in the militia at a place called Brandy Wood. The full term of three months and returned home to Handwick on or about the first of April 1777 as he believes.
And the said Sarah Thayer on her oath further testifies and says; that afterwards according to her best knowledge and belief some time on or about the first of May 1778, the said Ephraim Thayer again volunteered as a Soldier in the militia in a Company of which Capt. Samuel Dexter of said Handwick was the Capt. and Col. Keyes of Western New Jersey (as she believes), and then marched from said Handwick to New Port in the State of Rhode Island, and there served in the militia the Term of six months, and then returned home to Handwick. During the foregoing service it was a near night both Thayer and his wife were together, hence that is the reason of the absence of their names which were before in marriage. And the said Sarah Thayer on her oath further testifies and says that her husband the said Ephraim Thayer according to her best knowledge and belief some time on or about the first of September 1780 again volunteered and served as a Soldier in the militia and marched to East Greenwich in the State of Rhode Island

and served there in a company of militia commanded by Capt. Luther of Lyndonfield. They were encamped at Handwick near the way (as she believes.) Served there the full term of three months, and then returned home to her in said Handwick. —
And the said Sarah Thayer in her oath further testifies and says, that afterwards, and on or about the 21st of April or the first of May A.D. 1781 the her said husband Ephraim Thayer again volunteered as a soldier in the militia, and then marched from said Handwick, to the State of New Jersey through Danbury in the State of Connecticut, and was stationed a part of the time at a place called Solomon and a part of the time at Chastleton in New Jersey; and a part of the time at Peachy Hills and Colchester in New York State; and served at these places the full term of six months; and in a company of which a Capt. Gyles was the Capt. (as she believes); and the testifies, the said Ephraim returned home to her in said Handwick on or about the first of November of A.D. 1781. She is assisted in giving this service by the fact; that she knows that her oldest child Sarah Johnson, was born in June 1780 and was one year old the June after her said husband went to New Jersey in the service some few weeks before: she will remember, that her said husband, that Spring before he went needed his farm, and shares, for that year to his brother Samuel Thayer, and in the fall following he returned home to Handwick, about the time that Samuel was threshing his winter grain, and dividing it — and she thinks this is the last service in the Revolutionary War, and she further testifies that she is informed that all of said officers are now deceased, except Lt. Asahel Billings, who is almost entirely superannuated, as she is informed; she further testifies and says that she cannot find any documentary evidence, or any discharge preserved by said Ephraim. That before her marriage to said Ephraim her name was Sarah Stetson, and that she was married to the said Ephraim Thayer at said Handwick by the Rev. David White then the settled minister in said Handwick: on the twenty ninth day of April A.D. 1779 and that she lived with him

of whom that time until his natural expiration and that he died on the twentieth day of March A.D. 1829 aged seventy four years wanting four days - and that She has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof documents annexed. I swear to and subscribe on the day and year written above -
Before me
Sarah H. Thayer
mark
See Boston property of the estate of Deborah for some history of her mother

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire ss.
I, Samuel Wells, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampshire, do certify, that Laban Warey Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificates on the papers hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Laban Warey and believe his signature to said certificates is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this Second day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight
S. Wells
Clerk.
Certificate 50 th

I Hosea Thayer of Danne in the County of Worcester, testify and say that I am the son of Ephraim Thayer late of Danne deceased: and that my said father Ephraim Thayer died at my house in said Danne on the twentieth day of March in 1829, aged near eighty four years: that his widow Sarah Thayer now lives with me, and has never since remarried: I further testify, and say that my said father often stated to me his services in the War of the Revolution, eight months in 1775 at Roxbury near Boston, two Terms of three months each in 1776 in Jersey & New York, that he was in the Battle of the White Plains and six months in 1781 in Jersey & New York State. I have heard him name various places in these States in which he served such as Wormsloe, Savannah, Oconee, Kings Hill, Glouster, and things in New Jersey. I have also heard him state of living in the State of New Jersey in the State of Rhode Island, and at New Port, and at East Greenwich and that he was a volunteer in the militia generally. I think he stated he enlisted eight months at Roxbury. I have heard him state he was not in the Continental line but eight months and gave this as a reason that he did not apply for a pension under the first Law, and having properly used a pension and gave into the reason he did not apply -
Hosea Thayer
Hampshire County ss January 20th 1838
Then the above named Hosea Thayer personally appeared before me the subscribers one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed
And further certify, that I am acquainted with the said Hosea Thayer, and that he sustains a good character for truth and veracity, Sarah Mary Justice of the Peace

I, Abigail Thayer of Framingham in the County of Hampshire aged seventy four years do hereby and say, that in October 1780 I was married to John Thayer a brother of Ephraim Thayer late of Dana in the County of Worcester deceased: that said John is now deceased; that in the month of February after I married I and my husband moved into the house with the said Ephraim Thayer and his wife in Hampshire in the County of Worcester aforesaid and lived there in said Ephraim's house the ensuing year: at that time they had a daughter Sarah (now Sarah Johnson) born the June before and an or about the first of May of that year the said Ephraim volunteered as a soldier in the militia and went into the service during the Revolutionary War in Hampshire to the State of New York and there served as a soldier in the said service and was captured by his brother Samuel Thayer and offered to take his mother's life unless he gave her his parole that year was engaged by said Ephraim and did carry on his farm that year I well remember that the said Ephraim was absent that time and did not notice until some time the next fall and the time when said Samuel was taken prisoner by the British and the British produced and said from the Department; I further testify that the said Ephraim died in March 1829 and that Sarah Thayer his widow is now living and has never remarried since said Ephraim deceased. said Ephraim appeared fond of being in the military service of his country and always understood he was out in the service a great part of the time during the Revolutionary War. I understand he was at Bunker Hill and at the Battle of Bunker Hill - and I do not know the part of my own knowledge.
Abigail Thayer
Hampshire County Jan 20th 1838
Then the above named Abigail Thayer personally appeared before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County and made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by her the said Abigail and that the facts are a good, true and correct statement of the facts.  Samuel May Justice of the Peace

I Joshua Crosby of Anfield in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts aged seventy seven years last July:
Do testify and say that I lived in the Town of Hanover in the County of Worcester and State aforesaid from the time I was eight years old, until I was twenty eight years old. When I settled as a minister of the Gospel in the said Town of Anfield, where I have remained since. I was much in the service of the War of the Revolution, and served the most of the time during the War.
I was at that time, and ever since acquainted with Mr Ephraim Thayer late of Dana in the County of Worcester deceased, until the time he deceased some years since. I testify and say that said Thayer served in the militia under Capt Samuel Dexter late of said Hanover in the State of Rhode Island at various places about six months in the year of 1778.
I saw and knew him in that service Col. Roger of Wester in said County was the Col. - I further testify and say that I knew said Ephraim Thayer served in the militia in a company commanded by Capt Tyler about six months in the Spring Summer and Fall of the year 1781 and at various places in the State of New Jersey and near the Hudson River in the State of New York. The Army was not stationed long in any place but moved around. He was a true and faithful soldier in New Jersey at a place called Tottenville. I saw him in said service very frequently.
I do not know of any other knowledge any other service of said Thayer tho' I do know it was well understood he was in the United States service the most part of the time from the commencement of the War to the end of it, and had the name of being a good soldier. I understand he was in the Eighteenth Service at Morristown in 1775 but I did not know it by service time there.
Joshua Crosby
Hampshire County To January 10th 1838 Then the Reverend Joshua Crosby above named personally appeared before me the Subscribed one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County and made solemn oath to the truth of the same affidavit by him subscribed and further certify that I am acquainted with said Crosby and that he has been a good and useful minister of the Gospel. I have the say justice of the Peace and for truth & veracity.

David Whipple of Greenwich in the County of Hampshire aged seventy eight years the contents of his will do not say that I lived in the Township of Sandwich in the County of Worcester from the time I was born till about two years since and always lived within one mile of the Ephraim Thayer lots of Duns in said County until he deceased in March 1829. That I was intimately acquainted with him at that time I know he was very fond of military service I know as well as I ever knew any thing I did not see he was out in the service as a soldier in the American Service. and generally a volunteer in the militia the greatest part of the war; he was a sergeant some part of the time I remember he was said to be in the battle of Bunker Hill at Roxbury in 1775 several times in the battle of Bunker Hill and several times in the State of New Jersey & New York I understand I have served there in a company of militia on or about the last of August 1780 and marched from Sandwich through Rehoboth and was there in Barnstable. I was at Barnstable a short time and then marched to the north bridge over the Severn and Bridge River and at the Battle of the White Plains in said New York. I served with said Thayer in these places the space of three months and then returned to Sandwich Capt. Timothy Paige Lt. Joseph Robinson of Sandwich were and Capt. Gore was of New Britain where our officers at that time - I was knowing to said Thayer's being in the service twice after he was married once in the State of Rhode Island in 1780 three months and six months in the Jersey in 1781. This fact I only know from his own account of it and his absence from his wife and family and what was always well understood in that place.

In April 1879 I was at said Thayer's wedding, and saw the Rev. Mr. H. H. H. The ordained minister of said Thayer's joined the said Thayer in marriage with Sarah Storer, and I know they always after that lived together as husband and wife to the time he died. They had a large family of children, and that said Sarah is now living and has never married since said Thayer died. I have heard said officers are all deceased. David Whipple
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

I Benjamin Thayer of Haddwick in the County of Worcester aged Seventy Three years last August, on oath do testify and say, that Ephraim Thayer late of Barre in said County deceased, was my Brother; that he died on the twentieth day of March 1829 aged Seventy four years wanting four days; That soon after the Battle at Lexington and Concord on the first of April or first of May 1775, orders came for Volunteers to turn out in defence of his Country to go to Boston, and Roxbury near Boston in the State of Massachusetts my said Brother Ephraim then living in said Haddwick Volunteered and marched as a Soldier in a Company of militia commanded by Capt Samuel Billings of Haddwick both of said Haddwick and immediately marched to Roxbury aforesaid, and there served as a Sergeant the full term of eight months, and I was at said Roxbury at that time and went to carry my said Brother some provisions and necessaries stayed there for some days this time, and saw my said Brother at duty as a Sergeant, and the my said Brother first volunteered in the militia I think he enlisted after he went to Roxbury for the eight months list of that fact I am not positive I know he returned home to my father after his eight months service -
And the said Benjamin on his oath further testifies and says, that afterwards on or about the first of May 1778 his said Brother Ephraim Thayer again volunteered as a Soldier in the American Service in a Company of militia commanded by Capt Samuel Dexter of said Haddwick for the term of six months, then marched to New Port in the State of Rhode Island, and there served in said Company the full term of six months and returned home to his father in said Haddwick in the month of October & he thinks Col. Hayes was his Col. this time.

and the said Deposition further testifies and says that afterwards on or about the first of September 1840. his said Brother Ephraim Thayer again volunteered as a soldier in said service in the militia and served the full time of three months that he marched from said Haverwick through Worcester to the State of Rhode Island and to a place there called East Greenwich and returned home to his wife in said Haverwick some time in the month of December following as he believes and that a Capt. Lutter of Provost filed in said County was his Capt. Major as was in all of said Haverwick was his major. He remembers his said Mother had a nephew in said Haverwick this time.
And the said Deposition further testifies and says that afterwards on or about the last of April or first of May 1841 his said Brother Ephraim Thayer again volunteered as a soldier in the militia and marched from said Haverwick where he then heard through the State of Connecticut to the State of Virginia and served at Washington and Potomac in said Virginia and at Park's Hill and Gloucester in the State of Virginia the term of six months and a Capt. Tyler was his Capt. as he understood and he remembers said Ephraim was gone this time from the Spring until some time in the November following and then returned home to his wife and family in said Haverwick.
He says he well remembers that the said Ephraim rented his farm in Haverwick this year to his other Brother Samuel Thayer and that said Ephraim's oldest daughter was at this time about one year old. next Spring.
He further testifies that he believes that all of said officers are now deceased except said Asahel Billings who has lost his reason and recollection. He testifies that said Ephraim married Sarah Stetson of Haverwick in April 1819 and that he lived with her until he died in March 1829 and that they had ten children and that said Sarah is now living and has never again married.

and that said Ephraim was very fond of living in the military Service, and was in it a great part of the time during said War, and had the name of being a good soldier. that he believes his said Brother was a dog and wasted all of his time in that Service that he never applied for a Pension in his lifetime as he believes on account that he never was in the Continental line for nine months and that he had property to the time he died
Benjamin Thayer
Hampshire Jd January 20 th 1838
Then the above named Benjamin Thayer personally appeared before me the Subscribed one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is just & true -
And further testify I am acquainted with the said Benjamin Thayer, and that he sustains a good moral character for truth & veracity Law and Mary Justice of the Peace

3347
75 77
Sarah Thayer wid of Eph m Mass.
Marr d 1779 died 1829
Allow 2 d a pr. $80 pr. ann no deduction
Mr Laban Marcy Greenwich Mass

I Mary Shaw of Northampton in the County of Hampshire aged Eighty four years last December, do testify and say that Ephraim Thayer late of Danvers in the County of Worcester deceased was my Mother. That some time in the Spring of the year 1775 my said Mother Ephraim Thayer enlisted as a Soldier in the War of the Revolution for eight months, and that she with my brother John Thayer marched to Roxbury near the City of Boston and there said Ephraim served as a Soldier or Sergeant eight months as was said and as I believe. I know he was absent from my father's that length of time, and afterwards he returned to his father's which I take kind I further testify and say that afterwards, and as I write he lived in the year 1778 my said Mother Ephraim volunteered as a Soldier in said Service of the Revolutionary War and as I understood in the militia, and marched to the State of Rhode Island and served at New Port in said State and near there six months. He at this time made his home with my father which I loved, and I was knowing to his going & returning after an absence of that time and he said he served three times & I place are his returns, and I have no doubt of the fact.
I further testify that my brother Ephraim again volunteered to go in a company of volunteers in said Revolution and served to go to Rhode Island, and went and was absent three months this time and he said he served three times at least once in said State and was absent three months this time but I am not exactly certain what year this was but should think it 1780.
I further testify and say that after my said Brother Ephraim was married I know he volunteered as a Soldier in the militia to go to New Jersey, and went State for six months, and this was as I believe in the Summer and fall of 1781 at this time his oldest child Sarah was near one year old, and this I ascertain by the age of my son Eli. He was absent this time six months or more, and I was knowing of his going & returning after such absence. Another brother Samuel Thayer took charge of Ephraim's farm in Hampshire this year so that he could go into the Service, and I know he did not return until the weather was quite cold. I heard near him this time in Hampshire I could not tell his story how he and the army suffered this time, and his return, and that he came at Jersey, and near the north River in the Service. I have the impression that Capt. Warren was his Capt. but am not positive as to that. I heard him say that some times his officers were changed in the Service. I understand he was a Sergeant some part of the time in said Service, and have no doubt of it. He was out a good part of the War & was very fond of the Service.
Mary Shaw her mark
Witness my hand this 7th day of February 1838 Then the above named Mary Shaw personally appeared and made affidavit to the truth of this affidavit by her subscription, and I further testify that she sustains a good character for truth, and is known to me as a person of good character.
Before me Joshua of the Peace

Rev WIDOW, &c.
own
No. 14013
Sarah Thayer Widow of Ephraim Thayer Pri Rev War
Act: July 4 th 36
Index:—Vol. M , Page 271
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Eph Thayer died 1829
Sarah Th m 79
v 75 8 m 80 on roll 7 m 26
76 3 Paige 1 0
Dec 76 3 Stone 2 Supt. 0
May 78 6. Drexler 0
80 3. Cutler
81 6 Tyler (3)
Aug 77 10 d. Tini Paige Capl on
1 Sibley
2 Hitt
3 Crosby

Groton with Mrs. Phelps April 21
Mass. Add: Miss Sarah Thayer
3347
June 21st
Mass.
L Mary P. M. Free
James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Grenwich (N o 10) April 20 th 1838
Hon J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Hon Sir I had the Honor to forward to your Department I am sure in as much past, the Petition (with such evidence as she could then obtain) of Mrs Sarah Thayer Widow of Mr Ephraim Thayer deceased, in order to obtain a Pension under the provisions of the act of July 1836; Since which time she has obtained the affidavit of Mr Oldfield in Mr John Harris: which I at her request also forwarded She thinks Mr Harris has mistaken the year 1780 for 1781 having as he says found three times in list of that transcript you are the proper Judge. The old soldiers having mostly deceased she finds it difficult to find many who can corroborate the Service very particularly She has now sent you all the evidence she knows of please advise her the result of your decision.
She is in very feeble health, and rather destitute consequently is anxious to know your decision
Please write me on the subject as soon as convenient and oblige a poor Widow
I am your very humble Servt John H. Tracy
PS an old Church record has been found naming her marriage to have been on the 29 th April 1779 if necessary that can be forwarded Yours &c

I John Harris of Springfield in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged seventy nine years, depose, testify and say, that I was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution and am now a pensioner. I further say that I was well acquainted with one Ephraim Thayer in Hardwick in the State of Massachusetts, his father lived in Hardwick Mass. a near neighbor to my father, - their lands joined. I well remember that the said Ephraim Thayer volun- teered in the militia and marched and served in the Revolutionary war at Rhode Island, how long I cannot recollect, but should think it was six months or more - I distinctly recollect his jumping up and slap- ping his feet with his hands at the time he volunteered, in high spirits - I cannot recollect the time of this service.
I also remember that he volunteered again in 1780 and marched & served some part of his time in New Jersey.
I remember playing ball with him there - I belonged to the Continental army - I cannot remember the officers under whom he served, or how long he served - but I saw him frequently in the service in the Jerseys, while

I served there - The term that I served was first an enlistment for eight months, & a little before that expired I enlisted again for twelve months and served the whole term -
I further remember that said Thayer was married to Sally Studson, I think in 1779 - it was before he served his last term in the Forneys, in 1780 - John Harris
State of Vermont, } At Springfield in said Windsor County ss. } County, on the Tenth day of April A. D. 1838. John Harris of said Springfield, personally appeared and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed, contains the whole truth & nothing but the truth -
Before me, Nicholas Cobb Just. Peace
I also certify that the said John Harris is to me known, to be a credible witness.
Nicholas Cobb Justice Peace.
State of Vermont Windsor County ss.
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court do hereby Certify that Nicholas Cobb is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned & qualified, and that his Signatures above written are genuine -
Given under my hand and the Seal of said County Court this Thirteenth day of April A D 1838 -
Benj Swan Clerk