Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31789, for Seth Kennedy, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Kennedy, Seth
S. 31789
Continental
Mass. and Navy.
CONTENTS

Georgia 30.578
Seth Kennedy dec d of Hancock Co in the State of Georgia who was a 2d Lieutenant in the Company commanded by Captain W. Atkins of the Reg t commanded by Col. Tallassee in the State line for 9 months service
12 th Maine Levies, Continental, Mass. and Navy
Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia at the rate of 70 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of March 1836 and sent Nov. 6. E. Maynes H. of Rep s
Arrears to the 4th of March 1835 $280.00 Emigrant allowance ending 1 st June 1835 day of his death $17.50 $297.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. H. Addison Clerk Book 6 Vol. 6 Page 95
Certificate issued in favor of Mary Kennedy widow of said dec d
Set to H. C. E. Mayne, Aug. 5. 1836 - do. to same & Pay t Sept. 1. 1836 -

State of Georgia Hancock County - Personally appeared before me James A. R. Kennedy a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Hancock Sith Kennedy who being duly sworn says in addition to his depositions heretofore made in relation to his services as soldier during the Revolutionary War - In explanation of his services on board the Confederacy, he states that after the ship Confederacy had been launched for the purpose of going out to sea and whilst lying at New Soudan deponent presented himself to Captain Sibley the Captain of the ship who commanded said ship and proposed to enter on board in the service of said ship, provided he could obtain some appointment above that of a marine; the Captain being desirous of getting a sufficient number manned this deponent an conditional proposal and agreed that the first vacancy which might happen, when it was believed that deponent could fill that appointment should receive such appointment - Deponent entered on board said ship and remained for about a month when the appointment of ship's corporal was given to deponent - The Confederacy lay at New Soudan about three months from this appointment as near as this deponent could state from his present recollection, being detained in preparation and for the want of men - The Captain was compelled to pass men for the purpose of taking the Confederacy to Philadelphia, she was carried round to Chester on the Delaware River after the Confederacy anchored at Chester, this deponent thinks that the vessel was reported

to Congress, The Confederacy had been intended to go out as a Cruiser for which purpose the deponent and others who had entered her service had intended to the service - proposals were made by Congress to change the nature of Captain Ward's services, the American Ambassador for France was to be carried to France and the French Ambassador then at Philadelphia was to return to France - The Confederacy was directed to carry them to France - from the change of service proposed for the Confederacy many of the 1 Sea 3 Capt 44 mariners 11-12 12- ships crew deserted her whilst lying in wait Mr Jay the American Ambassador, after arriving at Chester and after deponent had served as ships Corporal three months according to his present recollection - deponent was while lying at Chester appointed Master of Arms, Captain Harden in order to divert his men from withdrawing from a different service which many were unwilling to perform obtained leave to cruise make a short cruise whilst the American Ambassador and the French ambassador were preparing for their departure - The Confederacy made a cruise of three  three weeks and captured a British Schooner called the Ship Jane an English Schooner of 8 guns and an English Sloop of 8 guns and returned to Chester this deponent now thinks they arrived at Chester in the Spring of the year and his belief is that the Confederacy sailed for France about the month of November, that on her way to France and she was dismantled and after lying for some time at sea went into harbor at Martinique for the purpose of getting repaired this deponent served as Master of Arms from

month from his arrival at Chester until the Confederacy was dismantled the precise time he served as Master of Arms he cannot state, he is confident it was four months and upwards, after the Confederacy was dismantled there being many aboard crippled from the storm and a number sick, this deponent was appointed Surgeons mate on the interior of Doctor Gann - This deponent supposes that the reason of his appointment of Surgeons mate was the number of sick and want of assistance by Doctor Gann, this deponent served as Surgeons mate from that time during the time he served on board the Confederacy, he thinks they landed at Martinico in the month of December, it was accord- ing to his recollection the spring thereafter after the Confederacy was refitted so as to return to the United States - The American Consul having sailed for France in another ship from Martinico - this deponent acted on board after his arrival according to his recollection five or six weeks when a number of the ships crew who were sick was carried on board to the Hospital, this deponent was ordered to the hospital to attend on the American sick and this particular request, this deponent was left at Martinico by the Confederacy with about 20 Americans in the hospital which was according to his recollection a year from his entering on board the Confederacy at New Bedford, he states that he served during this time three months as ships Corporal, four as Master of Arms and four as Surgeons mate, he remained at Martinico until he got a passage to Philadelphia and arrived there he thinks in the spring thereafter about a year after the departure of the Confederacy from Hampton and about the close of the war, this deponent has stated time as far as he is able to do from the time life of memory; he may from the  the who reported

old age and the distant periods have mistat- time but he feels confident he has not misstated facts. This deponent refers to the departure of Mr. Gay for the time when the Conspiracy started to France. This deponent does not claim any addition- al amount as ships cooperals, surgeons mats and Master of Arms from that of a marines, but has stated facts as they occurred and claims to be placed as a marines for the services performed Subscribed & sworn to before me this 22nd day of August 1834
James A. R. Kennedy
State of Georgia Hancock County Clerk's Office of the Inferior Court.
I certify that James A. R. Kennedy who has attested the above foregoing affida- vit is, an acting justice of the Peace in the said County, & State that he has been duly commissioned & qualified as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court this 25th day of August 1834
Henry Rogers Clerk Inf. Court H.C.
State of Georgia Hancock County.
I John S. Swinney one of the acting Justices of the Inferior Court of said County do hereby certify that Henry Rogers who has made the above certificate is and was at the time of executing the same the regular Clerk of the Inferior Court of said County duly Commissioned & qualified as such that due faith is due to & should be given to his official act as such.
Given under my hand and seal this 25 August 1834
John S. Swinney J.P.
I Henry Rogers Clerk of the Inferior Court of Hancock County State of Georgia do certify that John S. Swinney whose name appears subscribed to the foregoing certificate is one of the acting Justices of the Inferior Court for the County & State aforesaid duly Commissioned & quali- fied as such, that the signature purporting to be his is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 25th August 1834
Henry Rogers Clerk Inf. Court
this deponent

Hon. C. E. Haynes NR

Georgia
Heaneock County 11 th April 1836.
3
Inferior Court of Heaneock sitting for County Purposes Present
Joel Crawford Wilkins Smith & Justice John W. Rabun
Personally appeared in
open court Samuel M. Downey who being duly sworn deposes and saith that to the best of his knowledge and belief Peter Downey late of this County a revolutionary soldier who had applied for a pension under the act of Congress of June 1832, died on the 11 th day of June 1835. leaving a widow by the name of Mary who still survives.
Sworn to in open court. Samuel M. Downey
Attest
Wilkins Smith J.P.
John William Rabun J.P.
Georgia
Heaneock County ss. Henry Rogers Clerk of the Inferior Court of in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings of the Inferior Court of said sitting for County Purposes County and that full faith and credit are due to the same.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court this 11 th day of April 1836.
Henry Rogers CLK

Charlestown Mass. 9 4 April 1835.
My dear Sir,
I duly received Your favor of the 23 d ult. The day before yesterday. Enclosed You have a certificate from the Secretary of State of this Commonwealth, which purports to contain all the Evidence to be found in his Office, relative to Mr. Nath Kennedy's Service.—
I take the liberty to forward You a small pamphlet of my own, &, with my congratulations on Your return to Congress, I subscribe myself
Your friend
E. Everett.—

Sparta, Georgia, 18 th February, 1855.
James L. Edwards Esq.
Sir,
As it is proper that the enclosed should be accompanied by some explanatory observation, I proceed to make them. Some time in the month of November last, in a casual conversation with one of the sons of Doctor Kennedy, he informed me that his father had experienced much trouble & disappointment in his attempt to procure a pension under the act of 1832. Believing that difficulty had arisen more from the manner of stating his case than any thing else, I expressed the opinion that I could, under the statement of facts by him, draw up the declaration in such form as would be satisfactory at the department, and my willingness at some convenient time to do so. Having received a request from the Doctor who lives about eleven miles from this place, I went to his house last evening, and this morning, in his presence and under his direction, drew up the enclosed explanation in reply to your letter of the 10 th of September last, to which he attached his signature as is attested by me. I first knew the applicant about forty years ago when I was a small boy, and for more than twenty three years past we have lived in the same County within the distance above mentioned of each other. I have never heard his truth & honesty impeached, and believe that every one acquainted with him would cheerfully state that they are unimpeachable, nor have I the

smallest doubt that he served the country faithfully during the revolutionary war, and that his statement is strictly correct, so far as his memory would enable him to make it. So much for him - One word for myself. I have no pecuniary interest whatever in the transaction. I never have received, and I never intend to receive any compensation for any services which I have rendered, or expect to render in such a case. Although opposed to a system of pensions so extensive, I yet think, that the present generation owe to the men of the revolution a debt of gratitude which it can never dis- charge, & so far as I am able, I am willing to pay what I can of my portion by any little service of this kind which I may be able to render to the men who achieved my country's independence. If doubts exist as to the genuineness of this communication, I presume they may be instantly solved by referring it to the Secretary of War, and especially to the Secretary of State, to whom, but particularly the latter, my hand writing must be known.
Respectfully
your obt. Serv. C. C. Haynes

Georgia James L. R. Kennedy Hancock County, by a Justice of the peace personally appeared Samuel H. Patterson in and for said County, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that the follow- ing statement is substantially what has been stated to me by Seth Kennedy touching his revolutionary services, and which statement he has repeated fre- quently to deponent for the last thirty years, long before he could have expected to derive any benefit from it from the government of the United States. That said Kennedy marched from Vir- mont or the Green mountains to Bos- ton in the spring of 1775 under the command of Captain Cady - That after reaching Boston on the forma- tion of regiments he placed under the command of Colonel Patterson That he remained during the campaign in the neighborhood of Boston and witnessed the battle of Bunker's hill - That after remaining about one year in the commissary's ser- vice with Colonel Champion he returned to his family and his bro- ther being drafted took his place and performed a tour of duty in the neighborhood of White Plains not far from the city of New York - That becoming tired of land service he went to New London and entered on board the United States private Confede- racy Captain Harding Commander That he remained until the ship

was ready for sea and sailed in her to the Capes of Delaware Bay and up the Bay and river to Chester - That while the ship remained there Congress determined to send her to France with Mr. Jay and the old French minister Gerard - That the crew had entered the ship for the purpose of cruising for prizes and being dispatched with a direct voyage to France. Captain Harding obtained permission to make a short cruise while Mr. Jay and Mr. Gerard were preparing for the voyage - That the ship made a cruise of a few weeks and captured several prizes - This satisfied the men and when Jay and Gerard were ready the ship sailed for France - That somewhere about the Banks of Newfoundland she lost her masts, bowprit in a storm, and a few days afterwards lost her rudder - That after attempting to return to America under jury masts and losing them in a gale, a second set was rigged after which falling in with a French frigate they were convoyed by her to the island of Martinique - That he successfully served as Corporal, Master at arms, and although he had not studied medicine, as surgeon's mate - That he was sent on shore in the last capacity of surgeon's mate to attend the american sick as they preferred

a countryman to the French doctors, that the ship remained at Martinique during the winter and was repaired, and that he returned in her to the United States, when he left her - that about a year after leaving the ship he went to Philadelphia and was paid off -
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13 th May 1835.
Ell. Reverey
James A. R. Kennedy J.P.
Georgia Hanes County } I James A. R. Kennedy a Justice of the peace for said County do hereby certify that Sam- uel Ch. Berrens Esquire who has made & signed the foregoing affidavit is a- mong the oldest and most respectable citizens of said County, and that he has repeatedly represented said County in the Legislature of Georgia - Given under my hand & private seal this 13 th May, 1835.
James A. R. Kennedy J.P.

Georgia I Henry Rogers Clerk of the Hancock County Superior Court for said County do hereby certify that James L. R. Kennedy who has attested the within & foregoing affidavit & certificate is a justice of the Peace in and for said County and full faith & credit are due to his official acts.
Given under my hand & seal of office at office this 13th day of May, 1835.
Henry Rogers Clerk

Re-Issue.
No. 30578
Georgia
Name: Seth Kennedy  dec
Rank: Private Comp'y: Capt Mathews
Reg't: Commanded by Col Patterson RSN War
Georgia (OV) } Agency.
RATE PER MONTH, AND DATE OF COMMENCEMENT.
  1st  {  _____  Comm'g  _____    Issue.  _____   _____    2d  {  _____  Comm'g  _____    Issue.  _____   _____    3d  {  _____  Comm'g  _____    Issue.  _____   _____  

INVALID.
WIDOW, &c.
Mary
File No. — 31789
Rev War
Seth Kennedy Private capt. Watkins col. Patterson's Regt
Act _____
Index: Vol _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

9 John Ames Chenango Co NY Jeremiah Evett Columbia Co NY John Simons " Andrew Palmer Ontario John Gardner Suffolk David Fathill "

12 mo marine
h 70 per Inst Map. 25
3 cont. terms
21 mo. . $70 per ann.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, April 3 d 1836
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Seth Kennedy, as a private, is borne on a Muster roll of Capt. Nathan Watkins' Company, in Col. Patterson's Regt. where he is allowed from May 10 th to the 1 st of August 1775, for services and travel, two Months and twenty seven days. ————— 2-27
The roll of the Company under the above mentioned Officers is not found in this Office, after the 1 st of August in 1775.
Edward D. Bangs. Ly
The above is all the evidence of the services of Seth Kennedy which after a careful examination can be found. The rolls for the 8 months service (so called) of 1775, can rarely be found in this office, subsequent to August 1. 1775.
Edward D. Bangs Ly

P.S. Pai. F.
[Stylized monogram or signature]
Hon. Mahlon Dickerson Secretary of the Navy, Washington City.
Inverness, N.S.
State. — Mar. 30 — 1883.

Sparta, Georgia, 23 d March, 1835.
Hon. Mahlon Dickerson,
Sir,
Seth Kennedy, a revolutionary veteran, who has been known to me from my boyhood as a worthy & respectable citizen, has applied for a pension under the act of June 1832, and his claim disallowed for want of sufficient proof. Part of the service alleged to have been performed by him was rendered in the years 1779, & 1780, on board the United States frigate Confederacy , Jasper Harding Commander, which was dismasted on the voyage to France, having on board Mr. Jay & Monsieur Gerard, & went into Chantiniague for repairs. The narrative of Mr. Kennedy is fully borne out by the despatches of Mr. Jay written at St. Pierre's, Chantiniague, and bearing date the 20 th & 24 th of December 1779, addressed to the President of Congress, & to which despatches I am confident Mr. R. has never had access, & of the existence of which he is in all probability entirely ignorant. Will you have the kindness

to cause the books of the Confederacy, presumed to be in the department, examined, & furnish me with such evidence as the may afford of the service of Mr. R as one of her company? Your compliance will confer an important favor on a worthy old man, & oblige
Your obt. Serv.
C. H. Haynes
P.S. Mr. Kennedy informs me that he was paid off at Philadelphia on his return from Martinique. I do not recollect the precise period, but think it was either in 1781 or 2, as the ship left him at the island, where he remained several months.
C. H.

Yours sincerely, L. Rose
C. L. Roach

John Morris — BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? no

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

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

War Department.
3rd. April 1835.
Sir,
The enclosed letter from C. C. Maynes Esq. is respectfully referred to the War Deptmt.
I am very respfy. &c.
M. Dickerson.
Hon. Lewis Cass.
Secy. of War.

Sparta, Georgia, 27 th March, 1835.
Hon. Mahlon Dickerson,
Sir,
In the communica- tion which I addressed to you a few days ago I believe I made a mis- take in the christian name of the Commander of the Confederacy - I think I stated it to have been Jasper Harding - on further reflec- tion, I now believe, but not having the journals of the old Congress before me can not say positively, that his name was Seth.
Very respectfully,
Your obt. Serv t
C. H. Haynes

Sparta, Georgia, July 24, 1836. James L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir,
Be pleased to in- form me whether the name of Buller Claiborne appears upon the Virginia continental roll in your office, & if it does, what rank he held in the revo- lutionary army - I have been informed that he served at the South as aid to General Lincoln & that his grade was that of Major - Also, whether in the legislation of Congress within the last few years in favor of any class of the Vir- ginia continental line, the case of the heirs of Buller Clai- borne is included - You will find on reference to the roll that some time last winter or spring a pension certificate was issued to the widow of Seth Kennedy of this state.
Be pleased to send me a form by which her power of attorney may be drawn up

as to enable her to obtain her pension at the agency at Sarawak nat.
Very respectfully,
Your H. Serv.
C. E. Hazeld

Sparta, Georgia, 16 th April, 1855. James L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir,
You will receive herewith a letter from the Hon. Edward Everett enclosing a certificate of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts touching the application of Seth Kennedy for a pension. I have never examined Kennedy's statement heretofore forwarded to you, and cannot, therefore, comment very correctly on its details - But, I may be permitted to remark, that the certificate of Mr Bangs, particularly when taken in connexion with the postscript, goes far to shew the correctness of Kennedy's statement for at least eight months service. When I addressed the Secretary of the Navy some weeks ago, it must be obvious, that I did not rely on the reference of my letter alone to the Secretary of War, but expected Mr Dickenson would cause such examination to be made of the records & files of his office as would bring to light additional evidence of Kennedy's service on both sides of the Confederacy - That examination seems not to have been made - I must, however, differ in opinion with you, that my communication contains "no new

evidence" in the case. The reference made in my letter to the Secretary of the Army to the correspondence of Mr. Day, a correspondence of which I am confident Mr. Kennedy has no knowledge, furnishes strong corroborative evidence that Mr. Kennedy did serve on board the Confederaeraz. It is very unfortunate for applicants for pensions that when they refer to documents which ought to be in possession of a department at Washington, they can not procure the necessary examination to be made by the proper officer on the spot.
Respectfully,
Your obt. serv.
C. H. Haynes

James L. Edwards Esq. Commisioner of Pensions Washington City.

Howech County, Georgia, 18 th Feb y 1835
James L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir,
Your communication of the 10 th of September last presents three several exceptions to my declarations seeking a pension under the act of Congress of 7 th June 1832 - 1 st the variance between my 1 st & 2 d declaration - 2 d my being left at Chartines - and 3 d my not having claimed a pension under the act of 1818. To the 1 st exception it is sufficient to answer that after the lapse of so long a period as fifty or sixty years the memory can not retain a very distinct and accurate impression of events so long elapsed - further, that so far as variation can go, nothing intentional can be imputed to me as no man would wilfully contradict his own statement when the person to whom that statement was made had the means of detection in his own hands - and might be reasonably supposed to have the inclination to use them - To the 2 d exception I offer this explanation - It will be remembered that I have heretofore stated the manner in which I was attached to the medical department of the Confederacy - after the arrival of that ship at Chartines the smallpox broke out among the ship's company & on board of other american vessels at the island - a number of americans were carried on shore and

placed in the french hospital - That hospital was under the direction of french surgeons and physicians - It was thought advisable by the american officers that their sick should have the assistance of their own countrymen, and they determined to ballot for such assistants - In consequence of my having been placed in the medical service by Doctor Garner I was one of the number balloted for and was drawn and in this manner was separated from the ship but still considered myself as belonging to her as I had been detached from her by the act of her officers - In the 3 rd exception I am sure that I had always understood that no persons were entitled to pensions under the pension act of 1818 but paupers, or at least such as could swear that they had not the means of maintaining themselves - This was not then, nor is it now, my condition - I had the means of supporting myself then, and have them now - But when Congress has passed an act designed to promote the comfort of the remnant of the revolutionary band in their declining years, having served

my country faithfully, I thought, and still think myself entitled to what the justice or liberality of my coun- try intended for one of her early defenders - If doubts still exist in your mind, I beg to refer you for further information as to my charac- ter to Samuel M. Dement Esquire formerly Senator from this County in the Legislature of the State, and to Charles C. Haynes Esquire, formerly a member, and lately elect- ed again a member of Congress from this State.
Respectfully
your obt. serv. Seth P. Hemenway
Signed in presence of C. C. Haynes

Sparta, Georgia, 16 th April, 1898.
James L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir,
I write to you this morning enclosing a communication from the Hon. Edward Everett & a certificate of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts on the subject of Col. Kennedy's application for a pension. Since writing, I have conversed with Samuel M. Davenport Esq. whose name has, I believe, been given to you as a respectable neighbor of Mr. Kennedy who could bear testimony to the credibility of his statement. Mr. Davenport has represented the County (Hancock) in each branch of the Legislature of Georgia, and is among its oldest & most respectable citizens. In my conversation with him to day, he informed me that Mr. Kennedy had substantially given him the same account of his revolutionary services which he now gives. Will the Department cause his testimony to be taken, or advise me in what manner it shall be done for Mr. K. to avail himself of its benefit?
Respectfully,
Your obt. serv. C. E. Haynes

Sparta, Georgia, 14 th May, 1835.
James L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir,
I herewith> I herewith transmit to you the explanatory affidavit of Seth Kennedy, & the affidavit of Samuel M. Darceneux, with the certificate of the magistrate relating to his character. If further evidence is required to sustain the respectability of Mr. Darceneux, you are respectfully referred to the Hon. John Forsyth.
Respectfully,
your obt. serv t
C. C. Haynes

Washington City, April, 18, 1836.
James L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir,
Enclosed you will receive the proceedings of Stoveck Inferior Court, Georgia, identifying the widow of Seth Kennedy deceased, late an applicant for a pension under the act of June 1832, with the testimony of a respectable witness testifying to the time of his death. I will take great pleasure in forwarding the pension certificate to Mrs Kennedy.
Very respectfully
Your obed. Servt.
C. E. Hazell

Sparta, Georgia, Aug. 24, 1856.
James L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir,
As you will perceive, the enclosed papers of Mary Kennedy are drawn up in strict conformity with the forms you sent me, except the attorney's receipt & certificate which he would add upon the receipt of the money - But instead of paying it to the attorney as he should have done, your agent at Savannah sends me an entire new form & requires it to be complied with - Be pleased to inform me whether I am yet to give Mr. Kennedy the trouble to make out a new set of papers, after having complied with your requisitions or not - An early answer, returning the papers, will greatly oblige
Your obedt. Servt.
C. E. Hays

Sparta, Georgia, 2 nd June, 1835.
James L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir,
It is very certain that the pension department must act on uniform general principles, and that great caution must be exercised in the adjudication of claims presented for its consideration. But is there no danger, in exercising caution for the prevention of frauds, of running to the opposite extreme of injustice to the applicant? To a disinterested mind this seems quite possible.
Your communication of the 22 nd ult. in reply to mine of the 14 th is now before me, nor would an answer be necessary, if it was not probable that silence might be construed into acquiescence in your conclusions. Not having been concerned in preparing Dr Kennedy's declarations, so far as I recollect, I am unable to offer such explanations as might be acceptable to you, or satisfactory to myself. But, I may be permitted to say, that I have little doubt that the discrepancy between the names Corg and Cadz must have arisen either from the mistake of the individual who drafted the declaration, or from the character of the handwriting being such as to cause on your part the mistake of the one name for the other.
In Dr Kennedy's explanatory statement which I forwarded with Mr Deveney's deposition, Kennedy does not state that Cadz ever commanded a company in Patterson's regi-

ment - He states that Cady was a major of militia at home & that the volunteers selected him to command them on their march to Boston - That he, Cady, continued in the service during the campaign, but he does not state in what capacity, nor, if I am not mistaken, does he any where say that he belonged at all to Patterson's regiment - If Cady commanded him on the march, and if Cady belonged to Gageborough, there is no discrepancy on this point - and there is no evidence so far as I am informed, contradicting these statements - Dr Kennedy further states in his explanatory affidavit that he was engaged generally as an attendant about the officers quar- ters, and does not recollect in what company he was enrolled after Patterson's regiment was organized - He as expressly states that he was commanded by Cady on the march , and before Patter- son's regiment was formed.
As it regards Dr K's statement of his services on board the Confederacy, I think it is substantially this - That he entered on board that ship either at Norwich or at London without any specific character, or particular rate of compensation - That he remained on board for a considerable time before the ship was ready for sea - That she first sailed for the Cape of the Delaware and passing up the

Below are given some remained at anchor for some time in the neighborhood of Chester - That the ship's company became dissatisfied with a direct voyage to Europe when they understood that the Confederacy was ordered to carry Mrs. Gerard & Mr. Jay to France, and were permitted to make a short cruise, - That on her return trip Gerard & Jay were received on board and she departed on her destination to France - was dismasted, and bore away to Martinique where she was refitted & returned to the United States in the following spring - That the Sur- geon left her, and on the recommend- ation of the original mate, he, K- was balloted as Surgeo's mate and sent on shore to attend the American sick, and that he returned in the ship to the United States - For my own part I can not perceive the slightest obscurity in any part of this state- ment, nor do I know of what conse- quence it can be to any one whether his authority to act in a medical capacity was conferred by Writings or parole - Nor is there any obscurity in what he says of the amount of his pay, with respect to which he states that he has now no recollection.
By referring to the journals of Con- gress it appears that the Confedera- cy was nearly ready to be launched, and that Harding appointed to com- mand her on the 25 th Sept. 1778 - and that she was building at Nor- wich Connecticut. It also appears from the journals above quoted that Mr. Jay's appointment as minister to Spain is quoted in the proceedings of the 28 th September 1779, and at

page 169 of the 7 th volume of Diplomatic correspondence edited by Sparks, you will find the first introduction of Congress to him under date of 29 th September 1779, and at page 174 of the same volume Mr. Jay's account of the dismastment of the ship and her subsequent arrival at Martinique, agreeing substantially with Dr Kennedy's statement. Holding a position entirely free from the suspicion which may suggest themselves to the mind of the commissioner of pensions, & equally free from a disposition to promote the accomplishment of fraud upon the government, I think I perceive much in the testimony furnished by the applicant in this case calculated to establish the truth & honesty of his application. I shall say nothing of K's service in the Connecticut militia, intending to send your letter to him tomorrow, when he will be able to offer his own explanation.
Respectfully,
Your opt. serv.
C. H. Haynes

Recd 25th
Sparta, Georgia, 18 th February, 1835.
Hon. Lewis Cass, Sir,
I have just enclosed to the Commissioner of pensions an explanatory statement from Seth Kennedy, senior of this county, accompanied by a letter from myself, to which I respectfully request your attention. The applicant has been known to me for many years, and I have the most implicit reliance on his integrity & truth. I am not ignorant of the laborious duties devolving on you, but I feel so much solicitous for the success of a meritorious old man, who, I have no doubt served his country faithfully in the hour of her adversity, that I trust you will excuse me for thus trespassing on you. Will you do me the favor to examine all the papers connected with this application? In calling it a favor to myself, I mean nothing more than that my feelings will be gratified by your doing so. I have no other possible concern with the matter. If it is not asking too much, may I request a communication from you as soon as your convenience will permit.
With best wishes for your personal welfare, and the success of the administration with which you are connected,
I have the honor to be, with highest respect, your obt. serv.
C. H. A. ynes

James Thomas agt for Seth Kennedy -
25.147-
in order of an Capt Dary in Col Palleman Regiment.
Sparta Ga

25.147 State of Georgia S County of Hancock } ss. On this day of September 1883 personally appeared in open Court before them known
Eugene Justice of the Inferior Court of said County at an adjourned term of said Inferior Court. Seth Kennedy of Hancock County and said state aged thirty three years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
At the commencement of the war, does not recollect the date, he was at the time a citizen of Gazeborough in the state of Massachusetts  Vermont , when he volunteered and served the term of six months, was called into service this term under Captain Cory from the same Township afterwards Major Cory, was also under the command of that term of service under the command of Colonel Patterson, and First Col. Seth Reed, Col. Patterson Regiment was called the "Green Mountain Boys"
He marched from home in Col. Patterson's Regiment to Cambridge then a village 3 or 4 miles from Boston Col. Patterson's men took quarters in the vacant houses which the citizens of Cambridge had abandoned, remained there he supposes 3 or 4 weeks before the American army was collected, then marched with Col. Patterson's Regiment to Prostrate Hill where he joined the American Army commanded by Genl. Washington, Sir Putnam perhaps Sir was not present, thinks he was, he was

with Colo Patterson's regiment taken as a Picket between the British army & American Army Colo. Patterson was stationed on a salt marsh about half way between Prostrate Hill & Boston built during the time of Picket Guard a Fort called Fort No 3 - There was stationed at this place he thinks a Rifle Regiment Commanded he thinks by Colo. Mifflin, there were with the Rifle Regiment about 150 Stockbridge Indians - The Picket guard of Colo. Patterson's Regiment was kept at Sitchemore's Point in sight of Boston, during the time Colo Patterson was stationed at Fort No 3 the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought within view of the Fort, also the Battle of Sitchemore Point was in the Battle at Sitchemore's Point, second through this campaign was discharged with Colo. Patterson Regiment does not remember whether he received a written discharge or not.
He was next in service under Colonel Champion who was commissary to the American Army - Colo Champion, as duties as commissary were principally performed by his son Reuben Champion, he was employed by Reuben Champion to act as assistant commissary for Israel in this capacity either six or twelve months cannot state positively which he cannot at this time state with precision the date he entered into this service as related
after this time his brother Asa Kennedy was called on to serve in the militia in Captain Hooper's company Captain Hooper was from Farmington State of Connecticut where his father had moved during the war he took his brother's place and served a six months campaign. Supt Root also served in this company - he cannot state positively at this length of time whether Root or Hooper was Captain but can state one was Captain & the other Lieutenant was stationed at the White Plains about 15 miles

from New York was in no action during this term of service
After this time he entered the ship of the U.S. Confederacy of 36 guns commanded by Captain Seth Hardin , he entered as a private under a promise he was to receive some appointment the first vacancy we entered to sea and in the space of three weeks captured three of the enemy's craft to wit Ship Gun 26 guns, a Schooner of 8 and a Sloop 8 guns - they landed with their prizes about 18 miles below Philadelphia at Chester on the Delaware River whilst at Chester the Ship Confederacy was chosen to transport John Jay the American Ambassador to France and Sherid the French Ambassador to France , when near Newfoundland as late Johns the Ship Confederacy was dismasted and denmasted of her rigging, which happened ten or 12 days after leaving Chester, whilst in this helpless condition occasioned by storm, the ship was fortunately taken and conveyed into the West Indies by a French Frigate and landed on the Island of Martinico where the Confederacy underwent repairs, about a month after he entered service on the Confederacy he was appointed to Ship's Corporal in which capacity he served 2 or 3 months when he was appointed Master of Arms, he served as master of arms a few months when he was appointed Second Surgeon's mate of the Ship under
Doctor Gann who was first mate Surgeon's mate, he served the space of two years during the war at sea besides his land service under Captain Hardin in the Confederacy, and until the close of the war when he returned to Philadelphia, he cannot state positively whether he was returned by Captain Hardin as Ship's Corporal, Master of Arms or Second Surgeon's mate;

He was born in Preston County State of Connecticut in 1749 or 1750 Has no record of his age
was living in Gazebo in Vermont when called into service and after the war closed in Farmington State of Connecticut, lived ten years at Guilford Conn since then in Georgia
He first volunteered and was one of the number called the Green Mountain Boys, he was afterwards a substitute for his brother on the of Europe Was under the command of Washington at Prospect Hill near Cambridge, also Putnam & I don't remember the names of Continental Regiments - was commanded by Col. Patterson, First Colonel and by Major Cury
He now received a written dis charge
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not to be found on the pension roll of any agency in any state Sworn to & subscribed in open Court
Seth Kennedy
Henry Rogers Clerk
We James S Daniel a clergyman residing in Amherst County & said state and Charles E. Hays residing in said County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Seth Kennedy who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty three years of age, that he is reputed & believed to be in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to & subscribed the days & year aforesaid
James S. Daniel
Henry Rogers Clerk
C. E. Hays

And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And that the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that James L. Daniel who has signed the preceding Certificate is a clergyman, resident in Hancock County and that the Honorable Charles E. Haynes who has also signed the same is a resident of Sparta in said County of Hancock State of Georgia and is a credible person and that every of their Statements are entitled to credit
I Henry Rogers Clerk of the Inferior Court of Hancock County State of Georgia do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original procee- dings of the said Court in the matter of the appli- cation of Seth Kennady for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Office this 2 nd day of September 1833.
Henry Rogers Clk

Georgia } Before me James A. R. Kenne Hancock County } dy a justice of the peace in and for said County personally appeared Seth Kennedy a revolutionary soldier who being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that when he marched to Boston in May 1775 he was commanded by Captain  Cady, and not Corey or Carey as stated by the Commissioners of Pensions in his letter of the 25th of April last to Charles C. Haynes. That before embark- ing for the purpose of marching to Boston Cady was a Major and was selected by the volunteers as their Captain to command them on the expedition. That after their arrival at Boston the troops that were there assembled were formed into regiments and that deponent was attached to Colonel Patterson's regiment. That he was taken from the line to wait on the officers and not being re- quired to perform regular duty in the company he is unable to state because he does not remember what Captain commanded the company in which he was enrolled. For is he able to state whether Cady acted in the capacity of Major or Captain after they reached Boston. Although he does recollect that he remained with the troops and did duty until the close of the cam- paign.
Seth Kennedy
Sworn to & subscribed } before me this 13th } May 1835. } James A. R. Kennedy J.P.

Georgia. I Henry Rogers Clerk of the Macon County Inferior Court for said County do hereby certify that James A. R. Kennedy who has attested the within & foregoing af- fidavit is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County and full faith and credit are due to his official acts.
Given under my hand & seal of office at office this 13th day of May, 1835.
Henry Rogers Clk.