Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8069, for Benjamin Luce, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Luce, Benjamin Damaris
N. 8069.
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

6874
Michigan District
Damaris Luce
widow of Benj h Luce,
Mass s who was a Private
in the Revolution
Shepherd
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 34 Dollars & Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 th day of May, 1843 and sent to A. M. Mason, Post Master, Michigan
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A & June 17. 1844.
Vol. 2 Page 240.

3120 Massachusetts
Benjamin Luce
of W. Vincant in the State of Mass who was a Pirate in the Company commanded by Captain Smith of the Pst commanded by Col in the Mass line for 2 Years
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of 50 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of Dec 1832 and drawn to James Darned Treasury Dept Wash
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $120.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Dec 33 40.00 $160.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. Addison Clerk, Book D Vol. 2 a Page 64

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss Pittsfield Sept r 25 th 1832
We hereby certify that we have been well acquainted with Mr Benjamin Luce, of said Pittsfield for more than thirty years. That he is a man of strict integrity and undoubted veracity. That any statements of his are entitled to the fullest credit
Joshua Danforth Phinehas Allen.
Berkshire ss September 25 th 1832
I the Subscribed Judge of the Court of Probate for said County certify that the above named Joshua Danforth & Phinehas Allen Esquires are resident in the town of Pittsfield in said County & that they are credible persons & their statement entitled to full credit. W. P. Walker Judge of Probate.

Commonwealth Massachusetts.
Berkshire ss. I. Peter Cottle of the Town of Coxsackie in the County of Greene & State of New York, being of lawful age do testify and say That I was born at Martha's Vineyard in the said State of Massachusetts, and in the County of Dukes, and resided there during the Revolutionary War, That I am intimately acquainted with Benjamin Luce of Pittsfield in the said County of Berkshire, the the said Luce was also born at said Martha's Vineyard and resided there during the Revolutionary War, That this deponent was a near neighbour of the said Luce, before & during said War. That he this deponent enlisted and served with him in the same Company under Captain Nathan Smith in Col. Basileah Bassetts Regiment That he is well knowing to the said Luce's entering entering into the Service of the United States in the Month of April immed- -iately after the Battle of Lexington as a Volunteer and which was attached to the Company Commanded by Captain Nathan Smith aforesaid who belonged to the State Troops. That he is well knowing to the said Luce's serving in S. Smith's Company from January 1776. to February Ad 1777. That this deponent served in said Smith's Company with said Luce That he is knowing and well recollects That the said Luce was frequently called

out on alarm in the years 1775- 1777 & in 1778 till the Month of Septem- -ber, when New Bedford in said State was burnt by the British. And he has no doubt but that the said Luce was Eight Months in the Service of the United States in the State Troops at said Martha's Vineyard, and in defence of the Country on these special occasions besides the Service he performed in Captain Smiths Company from January 1776 - to February 1777 as aforesaid as an enlisted Soldier - The said Luce having performed duty as a Volunteer Soldier excepting (for the term of said Enlistment) Pittsfield (Mass) August 11 th 1832
Peter Lott
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss. Pittsfield August 11 th 1832
Personally appeared Peter Lott and in my presence signed the above and foregoing Deposition, and also made Solemn Oath that the same was true & correct before me
Daniel B. Bush Justice of the Peace.

and Gorgona Deposition, and as Cl a n. m. H. B.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss. I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Daniel B. Bush Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition sworn taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twentieth day of September
A. D. 1832.
Henry W. Bishop - Register of Probate -

Commonwealth, of Massachusetts } Berkshire ss.
I Susanna Cottle of Coxsackie in the County of Greene and State of New York, being of Lawful age do testify and say, That I was born at Martha's Vineyard, in the said Commonwealth of Mass- achusetts. That I resided there during the Revolutionary War, and that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Luce of Pittsfield in said County of Berkshire That the said Luce was born at said Martha's Vineyard and resided there during the said War that the said Benjamin -in and myself, lived in the same house & family. — That I was well acquainted with Captain Nathan Smith who belong- -ed to Col. Baskkiah Bassetts Regiment of State Troops. That the said Luce enlisted & served as a Soldier in the Company and under the said Captain Nathan Smith — about a year. That he was frequently called out on alarms, and served at different times until the Month of September AD 1778 — Further the Deponent saith not. Pittsfield August 11 th 1832 Susanna Cottle
Commonwealth, of Massachusetts } Berkshire ss: September Pittsfield August 11 th 1832
Then personally appeared Susanna Cottle & in my presence signed the above written Deposition & also made solemn that the Same was true & correct
Before me Daniel B. Bush Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss November 6 th AD 1832 I hereby certify that Peter Cottle and Susannah Cottle, whose Depositions are herewith annexed and were taken by & before me on the 11 th day of August AD 1832 to be used by Benjamin Luce in his application for a Pension under the act of Congress of June 7 th 1832 are credible persons and their Statements entitled to Credit. Daniel B. Bush Justice of the Peace
I certify that Danl. B. Bush whose signature is affixed to the above instrument. I have personally known for a number of years and to my knowledge a Magistrate or justice of the peace I have no doubt he was at the time he signed the above - on the 6. Nov. 1832 before the signature to the foregoing - James Larant 14 Dec. 1832

Benjamin Luce Petersville, Va. Papers of Mr. Luce for sale Sept. 25, 1832.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Ben Luce
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker J. Probate
We Robert Green a Clergyman, residing in the Town of Pittsfield in County of Berkshire and Reuben Brooks residing in Pittsfield hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Luce who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 75 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Robert Green
Reuben Brooks
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker Judge of Probate
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 the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Robert Green who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that Reuben Brooks who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. P. Walker J. Probate
I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Benjamin Luce for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this twenty fifth day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Henry W. Bishop - Register of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this twenty fifth day of September A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting.
Benjamin Luce a resident of the town of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy five 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 act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That he was born at Martha's Vineyard in the County of Dukes and State of Massachusetts on the fourth day of October 1756 in where he resided until after the Revolutionary War. From thence he removed to the Town of Pittsfield aforesaid where he has ever since & now resides
That in the Month of April 1775 immediately after the Lexington Battle he entered into the service of the United States as a Volunteer and joined a Militia Company Commanded by Captain Nathan Smith at Martha's Vineyard aforesaid & continued to serve in said Company as a Volunteer until the Month of January at  at  the  in 1776 - when he enlisted as a Soldier at said Martha's Vineyard in said Company Commanded by Captain Nathan Smith aforesaid in Col Barakiah Bassetts Regiment for the Term of one year. That he continued to serve in said Smith's Company until sometime in the Month of

February 1777. when this deponent was honorably discharged as was the also the whole Company, that at the time this deponent was in the Service aforesaid a Company of Massachusetts State Troops— Commanded by Captain Church was also Stationed at Martha's Vineyard and was discharged at the same time that the Company to which the deponent belonged was discharged as aforesaid That from sometime in the month of  the February 1777— until sometime in the Summer of 1778—
He was repeatedly called out on alarms— the precise time & length of time he this deponent is unable to state but he has no doubt & verily believes he served at least six months on these special occasions this deponent did not receive a written discharge from any of the foregoing terms of service to his knowledge or recollection & if so the same is lost— The whole services performed by
Said Luce were performed on S t Martha's Vineyard
  1 st Term of Service —  9 Months    2 d do — do —  13½ Months    On Special occasions & Alarms —  6 Months     28½  

Pittsfield Ms. Nov. 15. 1839
Sir,
Herewith you will receive the application of Damaris Luce, Widow of Benjamin Luce late of Pittsfield Ms. a revolutionary pensioner, under the act of June 7 1832 - for a pension under the act of July 7th 1838 - I trust the accompanying papers are sufficient to entitle her to receive a certificate - if so please forward the certificate to me - Should there be any deficiency, in the papers please advise me -
Mrs Luce is about to remove to the state of Michigan & desires that her pension may be made payable at the Michigan agency.
Respectfully Your Obed Servt Ez R Root.
J. L. Edwards Esq Comm d of Pensions, Washington City.

Benj Luce
Joseph Sternick Pittsburgh Map

BRIEF in the case of  Benj Lucas  of Pittsburg in the State of Ky.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 75 Years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     April In 17 75 " " Private Genl. A. Smith 6th Battery   May 76 1 15 " " do do   Feb 77 at least 6 mo says " officers not stated  
5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Matthias Vineyard
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses & oral tradition.  - any evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? defective  not properly attested  papers not  properly authenticated
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. R. Adair Examining Clerk.

6360 Damaris Luce Mass.
Act 7 July '38
m 83a 34
Notes. 10mo. eds. pri acord 10mo. 60s pri $34.
No deduction
Ez R Bolt esq. Pittsfield Mass.

Declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of July, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"
State of Massachusetts County of Berkshire ss.
On this second day of November 1839 personally appeared before Charles H. Warren Presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas Damaris Luce, a resident of Pittsfield in the county of Berkshire, aged Seventy five 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 provisions made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838 - entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of Benjamin Luce late of said Pittsfield, deceased, who was a private in the Revolutionary army and a Revolutionary pensioner, under the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832 - at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum - which pension was paid by the Agent of the United States, for paying pensions, in Massachusetts Boston - as will appear from the records of the War department.
She further declares that she was lawfully married to the said Benjamin Luce Tisbury on at Martha's Vineyard in the State of Massachusetts, by the Rev d Zachariah Mayhew on the tenth day of October fifteen hundred eighty three - That the annexed record was taken from the Family Bible and has been in her possession from thirty five to forty years - That Benjamin Allen, whom affidavit is also annexed was present at said marriage - That her husband, the aforesaid Benjamin Luce, died on the twelfth day of November 1834 - as will also appear by documents in the War department - That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January fifteen hundred & ninety four, viz at the time above stated. the words "Massachusetts" & "Tisbury on" interlined before signing
Damaris Luce
Sworn & subscribed to the day and year above written.
Before
C. H. Warren
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss.
Court of Common Pleas October Term 1839
I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Court aforesaid do certify that the Hon Charles H. Warren before whom the foregoing Declaration of Damaris Luce was signed & sworn to in open Court by Prending Judge of said Court & one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the Commonwealth aforesaid That the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this second day of November 1839
C. Sedgwick Clerk

FAMILY RECORD of MARRIAGE, and BIRTHS of CHILDREN.
Benjamin Luce son of Hezekiah & Thankful Luce of Tisbury was married to Damaris Allen daughter of Benjamin & Eleanor Allen of Tisbury on the 10th day of October, in the year 1783 The Time of the Births of their Children, and their Names are as follow, viz.
   Jashub Bourne Luce  born December 13, 1784    Bartlet Allen Luce  born May 9, 1788    Henry Luce  born February 28, 1797    Charles Frederick Luce  born July 28, 1801   

FAMILY RECORD of DEATHS.
Isaac Bourne Luce died April 19 th 1810 Charles Frederick Luce. died Sept 30 th 1827. Benjamin Luce father of the above children died Nov 12 th 1834.

Benjamin Allen of Tisbury Dukes County and commonwealth of Mass. Lawfull age Testify and says that Benjamin Lee and Damaris Allen were Joined in Wedlock sometime in the Month of October in the year of our Lord Seven hundred and Eighty Three by the Revd Lechariah Mayhew who was as the Deponent believes a Regular ordained Minister over the Colored Population in this County there was no settled Minister at that time in Tisbury and for the Deponent saith that -
Benjamin Allen -
Question by Willard Lee was you an eye witness to the above named marriage Ceremony? Ans. Yes.
Dukes County ss. Tisbury Oct. 22. 1839. then personally appeared the above named Benjamin Allen (a man of credibility) and made Oath to the above Testimony as just and true before me
William A. Mayhew Jus. of Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Dukes County ss.
I. Daniel Fellow, Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County of Dukes County, hereby certify that William A. Mayhew is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, that his signature above written is genuine, that full faith & credit ought to be given to all his Official Acts & Doings -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, this twenty fifth day of October Eighteen hundred and thirty Nine.
Daniel Fellow - Clerk

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Benjamin Luce Red File P069
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 1775 Aug. 1776 Pvt. Stephen Smith Mass.   Jan'y 1776 Feb'y 1777 Stephen Smith Benjamin Bassett   Feb'y 1777 6 mos. on alarms                                            
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Martha's Vineyard, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 23, 1832. The cl. was d.
Residence at date of application, Pittsfield Berkshire Co. Mass.
Age at date of application, Born at Martha's Vineyard, Dec. 1756. Died Nov. 12, 1834.
Remarks: Soldier son of Abraham and Sarah Luce was married at Tishygon Martha's Vineyard Mass. Oct. 10, 1783 to Deborah, daughter of Benjamin and Eleanor Allen. She was allowed pension on an application executed Nov. 2, 1839 while a resident of Pittsfield Mass. aged 75 years. Children: Sarah Bourns, b. Dec. 13, 1784; Bartlet Allen, b. July 9, 1788; Henry V. Feb'y 28, 1797; Charles Frederick July 28, 1801. (died Apr. 19, 1810)
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Jan 17 '45
Hon. Mr. Meigs
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

8047 Detroit Mich. Jan'y. 8. 1845
Dear Sir,
I write in behalf of Mrs. Damaris Luce, formerly of Pittsfield Mass. now of Port Huron St. Clair County Michigan - She is the widow of Benjamin Luce late of said Pittsfield deceased -
Benjamin Luce was a Revolution- ary pensioner - Mrs. Damaris, as widow of Benjamin Luce, was En- -titled to & received a pension under a law existing previous to the act of March 1843 - Mr. Saml. Cott of Pittsfield, acted as her agent, and on the expiration of the law, he returned as he was required to do, her pension Certificate to the War Department -
Mrs. Luce thinks she is entitled to the same pension (I think $31. per year) thru' she formerly received from the time

of her last payment - The amt. due her, or the amt she formerly drew, can be ascertained from her ac- -lificate which was Rec d to Washington -
You will confer a great favor on a very old lady if you will inform me what amt. is due Mrs Luce & what steps she must take to obtain it - She was not included on the pension list under the Act of 1843 - but I suppose was entitled to be - She has removed from Mass. to Mich. - What will be the ne- -cessary evidence of her identity?
You will please direct to this place & oblige
Yr Abt Servt
W. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
L. M. Manno

5047
Massachusetts
Marahus Luce
widow of Benjamin Luce deceased
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 12th November 1834 of Berkshire in the State of W.
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt. commanded by Col. _____ in the Mass. line for 10 months, 26 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of 34 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Feb. 1840 and sent C. S. C. S. to Hillsdale Me.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1839 $119:00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 March 1840 17:00
$136:00
Act July 7, 1838.
Recorded by N. Addison Clerk Book 4. Vol. 95 e Page 104
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of April 6 th 1838 from 4 th March 1840 to 4 th March 1841 Ag t notified June 3 rd 1842
Sgt V. M. Mann Pay 25th 1845

208 Mar 20 - Fish's No. Geo. R. Nicholson - B.M.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 8069
Damaris Luce Widow Benj n Luce Part Rev. War
Act: Mch. 31/43, June 1/1941
Index: - Vol. 12 , Page 446
[Arrangement of 1870.]

CHIEF CLERK. MAR 20 1908 WAR DEPT.
March 18-1908
KN
Chief-
Army and Navy Dept. Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly send me record and any data you can concerning the pension of Benjamin Luce of Chilmark, Dukes County, Mass. who did service in a Military company known as the Coast Guard for the protection of Martha's Vineyard during the Revolutionary war and was pensioned about the year 1830. I am a descendant of Benjamin

since and need this record in order to establish another reason why I should be a member of the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
If you cannot send me a copy of the record will you kindly tell me how I can obtain one?
Yours very truly
Mrs. George P. Nicholson 11402 Belftown Road Cleveland Ohio

Benjamin Luce died in Pittsfield, Mass. in 1834.

7111 act 44.554
Damaris Luce of the State of Michigan.
Act 3 d March, 1843
pay June, 1844. Name to be placed on Michigan Pension roll
Amount: $32 per ann:
L. M. Mason, Esq: Post-Huron, Michigan. —

State of Michigan St. Clair County ss On this first day of April in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and forty five personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the peace within and for the County of St. Clair aforesaid Damaris Luce a resident of Port Huron St. Clair County State of Michigan formerly of Pittsfield Berkshire County Massachusetts aged Eighty three years who being 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 3 rd day of March AD 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Benjamin Luce, who served as a private in the militia in the Revolutionary war under Captain Nathaniel Smith at Martha's Vineyard. The annual amount of the pension which she received under the act of July 7 th 1838 was Thirty one dollars.
She further declares that she is still a widow Damaris Luce Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me J. P. Miller Justice of the peace St. Clair County Michigan

I certify that the above named affiant Damaris Luco is personally known to me, and that she now resides in the township of Port Huron St. Clair County Michigan
J. P. Minnie
Justice of the Peace St. Clair County Michigan
Clerks Office St. Clair County, ss. J. Charles Kimball Clerk of the County of St. Clair and Clerk of the Circuit Court, in and for said County, do certify that Joseph P. Minnie before whom the foregoing affidavit was subscribed & sworn to, was at the time thereof and the time of taking the same a justice of the peace, in and for said County and duly authorized by the laws of this state to take the same. That I am acquainted with the hand writing of said justice and verify also in that his signature to the Certificate above is genuine and of the proper hand writing of said justice.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court & subscribed my name hereat at St. Clair this 7. day of April 1840.
Chas. Kimball
Clerk

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
May 28 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,"
Damaris Luce,
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Thirty four Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th July 1838 , has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1840 , to the 4 th March 1841 .
Respectfully, yours,
William L. Harris
COMPTROLLER.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

J. L. Edwards Esq. Com d of Pens ns Washington City D.C.
Received of J. L. Edwards Esq. March 20 1883. April 14 1883.

Port Simon Mich April 9 th 1845
Dear Sir
Yours of 25 th Jan y . last directed to Deborah is Rec d .
I enclose the declaration of Mrs. Damary Luce, of this Village for a pension - She has stated all she can remem- -ber of the facts required - All the Evidence of the service of her husband Mr. Burya. Miss Luce, is at Washington her Certificate, upon which she drew under the act of 1838 - was returned by Ezekiel Colt Esq r of Pittsfield Mass - who was her former agent - Her husband died 1896 - her pay - but for some reason her's was reduced to less than half - She thinks

Thirty one dollars the amt of annual pay d but as the whole amt of five yrs. pension was paid at two payments. she may possibly be mistaken, to Mr. Cott says this is the exact amt -
Respectfully
Yrs
L. M. Mason
to J. L. Edwards Esq Comm r of Pensions Washington DC

6360
Lt. to E. R. Colt, January 30, '40.
Act 7. July 38

75- Nathan Smith - 36-256 Martha's Vineyard 9 mo - Benjamin Luce -
  36.256 -  from 1 sep. 21 nov.  2 mo 20  } an apical from 15 Jany 76 to 21 Nov say 100.6 days    257 -  1 march 1 June  3 —    259 -  15 Jany 1 march  1.15    261 -  1 June 1 seple  3 —    262 - Past Smith com. service Oct 3/75 - not on -

Miss J. L. Edwards Esq Accd. of Pensions Washington City

Pittsfield Oct. 3. 1840
J. L. Edwards Esq Com d of Pensions &c Sir,
I have rec d . your favor of the 30 th . ulto. - in relation to the application of Mrs. Damaris Luce d application for a pension, as the widow of Benjamin Luce dec d . - Mrs Luce has removed from this place to Michigam - I cannot therefore consult with her - but presume she has no proof as to the services of her late husband, except what is already in your office - On that evidence, I suppose she will be entitled to a pension in proportion to the time of service rendered which you state to have been ten months & six days - If I am correct in this supposition, please send me a certificate for the pension that she is entitled to.
Very Respectfully Your Obed t Serv t , J. G. Babb -