Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 825, for Joshua Thornton, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass. N.H.
Thornton, Joshua Sarah C.
N. 825 B.L.Wt. 31327-160-55
CONTENTS

1003
New Hampshire Joshua Thornton
of Lyman in the State of N H who was a Fifer in the company commanded by Captain Gray. of the Reg t commanded by Col. Seamans in the N H Vols line for 2 years from 1777.
Inscribed on the Roll of N H at the rate of 88 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 24th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of October 1832 and sent to Woodale Park N H
Arrears to 24th of Sep r 1832 $132 -- Semi-annual allowance ending 24th Mar 1832 45 -- $176
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. F. Gilman Clerk. Book D Vol. 1 st Page 18 th

188.153 Act (Mar 3)
July 12 '65
Sarah C. Thornton, widow of Joshua Thornton
Bapt
Col
Ent
Secy
War of Revolution
Pensioner Act - June 1832 & Feb. 1843
July 53 - 2137
Ad: Noble, July 2, 1856 B. Thornton
L. D. Stevens Concord N.H.
Vol. I. 65. - 2

S. Stevens, Aug: 24/58
2137 New Hampshire, Concord Sarah C. Thornton widow of Joshua Thornton who served in the Revolutionary N H Vols war, as a fifer
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 88 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
3 rd February 1853 Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of Sept r 53 and sent to
L. D. Stevens Concord N.H.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2-1848 , Page 22 Vol. A 3 rd /53
Reg's mar 55-188152
1832

No 5496
Joshua Thornton
Fife & Fife Major
enlisted 26 March 1777 - Fife promoted to Fife Major 20 Augt 1778. Discharged 30 May 1780 - as per rolls of sum of Colonel Scammons Regt
2 Years
Fife Major
$88 per annum
ADN LE
Ira Goodall En Bath N H

BRIEF in the case of Joshua Thornton of Lyman in the State of New Hampshire (Act 7 June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 68  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.     In 1777 March 3. Fifer 4 Fife May 8 Gen. Poor - Gates - Col Gray - Col Scamnel -   1775 Ap. 8. Col Wymen - Col Patterson  
states that he served ten months in addition to the above, as a substitute for Sgt. Currier -
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Fort Anne - Stillwater - Saratoga  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Uxbridge Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witness - not certified to be credible -  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct - 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Sam Potts Examining Clerk.

Joshua Thornton regular trader
N o 5496

State of New Hampshire County of Grafton } ss
on this 14 day of August
AD 1832 personally appeared before the Hon. Edward Shebley Judge of the Court of Probate in & for said County in open Court now sitting Joshua Thornton Esq. a resident of Symmes in said County of Grafton said State of New Hampshire aged sixty eight 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 provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 - That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1777 in March with Lieutenant Pinneman served in Captain James Gray's Company in Col Alexander Scamell's Regiment (the State State) in the Northern Theater and under the following named officers in the several campaigns he performed all as follows in his narrative him following, viz - In 1775 I lived in Nashua in Manchester County in Massachusetts then enlisted into a company of minutemen immediately after Lexington Battle in April 1775. I marched with said Company to Charlestown Mass. where I enlisted for eight months service into Capt. Wymen's Co in Col Patterson's Regiment served at out we were stationed near Lechman Point since in no battles we guarded a Redoubt between Brinker Hill & Bunker Hill - I was then very young but belonged to the music (was a fifer) to the Company it was Capt. Wymen's also - The first part of Winter I was discharged my time being out & returned to Nashua to my home - That year in December or Jany 1776 we moved to W Manchesterborough in New Hampshire - and in March 1777 the 19th I think I enlisted with Lieutenant Pinneman with whom I lived into Capt. James Gray's Company in Col Alex Scamell's Regiment Jonathan Culp (Father of the Secretary of War Israel Culp) was our Ensign & Col. Colburn Selby H. Dearborn was our field officer - I enlisted as a fifer for three years - I joined the Army at Ticonderoga having gone with Genl. Pinneman there - Our Company were sent to Skeneateles NY to guard Stone's & Forest's communications since there when our troops evacuated Ticonderoga - The main Army retreated by land through on my own route Hubbardston we went to Fort Ann & then to Fort Edward - then to Fort Miller where we united with the main Army - Genl. Schuyler ordered us to half moon near the mouth of the Mohawk soon after Genl. Gates who took the command marched us back to Prins Bridge or Stillwater & then to Saratoga we had two battles with Burgoyne's Army for St. L. Col was killed Col Scamell was wounded after the captain of our Regiment & others marched down to the Mohawk River & stationed at near the Cohoes falls a few weeks & then we marched to P'keepsie

in New York State on North River Steam station and thru a few weeks while we lay there - a mutiny in our Regiment took place & Capt Bral was killed by a soldier of our Company one Sanders who went from Moultonborough NY & Bral killed him too.
Then we went to the woods in Valley Forge & made our huts & situated them in the front line - Then I had the small Pox many others & only in June we attacked without tents or baggage to Monmouth & there fought a battle on a very hot day we were detached to the left to get round the British to their rear - our army shrunk each plain for the night some of our regts fired on each other by mistake & produced much confusion for a few moments: on the 24 day of July we were at Bruns- wick & celebrated the Day for the first time - Then we went across North River to White Plains & then to Reading to winter when we built huts & situated - in the Spring of 1779 we moved the North river went into Pennsylvania to Easton on the Delaware - Then to Wyoming & then up the Susquehanna about one hundred & ten miles & then crossed over to Ti- ga Point between Chemung River & East branch we moved all night up the Chemung River to discover a party of Indians lying at a place called Chemung - we got there just daylight the Indian dogs began to bark - The Indians fled & we took their tracks about four miles above the Penn- sylvania Brigade under Genl. Hand to fell into an ambush & had several killed & wounded - we returned to Chemung Tioga Point - Then we built a Redoubt left our invalids & heavy baggage & went into the Indian Country North west up Chemung  down the Chemung River to a place called Newtown & there had a general battle with the Indians - The Indians lay in ambush & some Indians discovered it & gave us notice in an open field the wood before & behind us - we retreated back to the woods we had left & then our Brig was ordered to go to the left of the Indians to get into their rear & as the river was on their right to have them in - The battle began before we had reached their entire rear & some escaped between us & the river from between our Regiments some were killed and captured - then of  one of Brigadier was killed & some others - Then we moved the Brigade  army down the Susquehanna & destroyed all the Indian Towns to Gnadenhütten so called the name of the place  the name of the place for all the front men almost seem to be paid for it but never were - We returned to Tioga Point - Then in boats down the Susquehanna to Wyoming & then back to our winter quarters at Reading or Newtown in Connecticut & then returned in the Spring & moved to West Point by New York & Goldensfort

and there on the dark day I was discharged in May 1780 the 19th I think - Col. Deacon signed it I think I kept it seven years it was an honorable discharge - I was made five Major I had a warrant from the Col for near two years by the several I have lost that too - I never saw Capt Gray after our stay at Shrewsbury or at Fort Anne where we had a battle Lieutenant Parnum was our Commander after that I became Capt Lieutenant to our company Genl. Poor was our Brigadier Genl. Lieutenant Capt in the Indian Country after a battle found a large Indian wounded, with a tomahawk in his hand I was near them - The Indian said Sazangh - Capt wanted the tomahawk from him & killed him - I served in all this time three years & two months the last three months for Sargent's services where I took by the Officers promotions - I cannot say just how long I was five years but think it about two years - There are very few of my Company alive from that I know of now but there are several of the same Regiment Major Preston then Sargent Purton of Renny NY was out all the three years also Sweet of Renny & Hays of Plymouth the other became of Bath all of the same Regt. - Indians are living still so they never is not found for all the years I can prove it by them I think - I was appointed five Major when we lay at Valley Forge in the beginning of 1778. I have found an old paper that the Lieutenant of our Company gave me to show what pay he had drawn for me I truly saw it also the testimony of Thomas Currier he being present in Court He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pen- sion or an annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any army in any state
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid Joshua Thornton
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - Edward Webbs Judge of Probate I have been Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joshua Thornton for a Pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 14th day of August 1832. Moses Dorr

Joshua Thornton, Tifer, Depreciation
1701 April 1703 Jan y
Lieut. Adna Pennymann drew — £ 59 11 0 Lieut. Anna Pennymann drew — 13 5 9
and union Soldiers state humble enough Joshua unto sit >
Interest from Jan y 1. 1780 ditto Jan y 1. 1781

State of New Hampshire County of Grafton ss -
At a Court of Probate held on August 14 1832 ordered that the Deposition of Thomas Curran sworn to in Open Court & ap- propriating to her evidence of her decrees be annexed to the Declaration of Joshua Thornton Esq. - Attest - Moses Dow Reg d
I Thomas Curran of Bath N.H. aged 76 years a pensioner of the United States hereby depose I say that I was a soldier in the revolutionary war seven years & six months in all part I served in Col. Hale's Regt in Col. Reed's Regt to N.H. line - during the years 1777 1778 & 1779 I knew Joshua Thornton a fifer in Col. Gannett's Regiment in Capt. Gove's Company he served the campaigns with us I continued as he states with our Regiment each of the winters of those years In this deply subscribed made oath to the within declaration It is the same person; I knew long here now here I was a fifer I was fife major which brought us often together I know he served three years as above - he was a good soldier & fifer he was dischar- ged in 1780 I was for during the war I continued - he was fife major for about two years of the time I elected the major of our Regiment the two last years I had a Brother Sergeant Curran in his Company now dead He took my Brother's place two months after his time was out I served it over his three years for my Brother who went home - Sworn to & subscribed in Open Court Thomas Curran the day & year within stated - Attest to above - by the Register

State of New Hampshire.
Secretary's Office, Concord.
June 23, 1853.
I hereby certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Andrew S. Woods was a Judge of the Superior Court of Judicature
in the said State, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court, and that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the State, the date above written.
John L. Wheelwright Secretary of State.

Sarah C. Thornton declaration
28 March, 1891 to the Hon. the Attorney General

State of New Hampshire.
Secretary's Office, Concord.
June 23, 1838.
I hereby certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Chester C. Hutchinson was a Justice of the Peace for the county of Grafton
in the said State, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the State, the date above written.
John L. Hadley Secretary of State.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed February 3 d 1853.
State of New Hampshire County of Grafton ss. 3
On this 25 th day of April A.D. 1853 personally appeared before me Andrew S. Woods, Judge of the Superior Court of Judicature in and for said State Sarah C. Thornton a resident of Orford in said County, aged Fifty nine years, who being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth on her Oath make the following declaration, to obtain the benefit of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to continue half pay to certain Widows and Orphans" passed February 3 d . 1853. That she is the widow of John Thornton and has been his Widow ever since he died that he was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, & served as a Fifer in the Army: that up to the time of his death, he was in the receipt of a Pension from the United States, at the rate of Eighty Eight  Dollars per Annum, & that his name was on the roll of the Concord N.H. Agency for paying Pensions in New Hampshire - She further declares that she was married to the said John Thornton by Amos Pater  of Grafton on the 1 st day of February A.D. 1830, that her said husband died on the 27 day of July A.D. 1843. That she was married to him at the time above stated - She further swears, that she was a Widow at the time of the passage of the said Act, and is still a Widow, and that her name before her marriage aforesaid was Sarah Gournse and that she has not applied for a Pension before.
Sarah C Thornton
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before the Judge of the Superior Court of Judicature for the State aforesaid - I certify that I believe the said affiant to be the identical person she represents herself to be in the foregoing affidavit - And I further certify that this declaration is made before me for the reason that the declarant is unable to appear in open Court by reason of bodily infirmity.
Andrew S. Woods

Know all men by these Presents. —
That I Sarah C. Thornton of Orford in the County of Grafton and State of New-Hampshire, Widow of Joshua Thornton do hereby irrevocably constitute & appoint L. D. Stevens my true and lawful Attorney, for me & in my name to prosecute my claim to a Pension, & I hereby give my said Attorney full power to do all things necessary for the prosecution of my said claim.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 25 th day of April A.D. 1853. —
Signed, Sealed, and delivered
in presence of us. —
Sarah C. Thornton
Andrew S. Woods
G. G. Waterston
State of New-Hampshire — Grafton County ss —
On this 25 th day of April 1853 Personally appeared the above named Sarah C. Thornton and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be her act and deed —
Before me. Andrew S. Woods Justice of the Peace

We the subscribers hereby certify that we were personally acquainted with Joshua Thornton of Lyman in the County of Grafton and State of New- Hampshire, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner, and that he died at said Lyman on the 27 th day of July 1843. And up to the time of his death he was in receipt of Eighty eight dollars per Annum from the United States - that he left a widow whose name is Sarah C. Thornton
Pliny Bartlett
Stella Bartlett
State of New Hampshire. Grafton ss.
On this 18 th day of June 1853. Personally appeared the above named Pliny Bartlett & Stella Bartlett and made Oath that the foregoing affidavit by them subscribed is true - and I certify that they are credible witnesses
Before me
Chas. C. Hutchinson
Notary Public

We hereby certify that we were personally acquainted with Joshua Thornton, and Sarah Thornton his wife, for the term of twelve or thirteen years previous and until his decease in July 1843. That they lived in the town of Lyman in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire as man and wife during said term and that she was his lawful wife - And that the said Joshua Thornton was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, in the New Hampshire Agency at the rate of Eighty eight dollars per Annum - They were married February 1 st 1830, by Ambrose Porter Glazier but there is no record of it to be found - Pliny Bartlett said Glazier has been dead several years -
Stella Bartlett
All Had, after an oath administered in above affidavit after being signed by course of signature in my presence
Attest C. C. Hutchinson Just. Peace
State of New Hampshire Grafton ss.
On this 18 th day of June 1853. Personally appeared Pliny Bartlett & Stella Bartlett and made oath that the foregoing Affidavit by them subscribed is in their belief true; and certify that they are credible witnesses -
Before me Chester C. Hutchinson Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire.
Secretary's Office, Concord.
June 23. 1838.
I hereby certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Chester C. Hutchinson was a Justice of the Peace for the county of Grafton
in the said State, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the State, the date above written.
John L. Hadley Secretary of State.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed February 3 d 1853.
State of New-Hampshire County of Grafton ss. 3
On this 25 th day of April A.D. 1853 personally appeared before me Andrew S. Woods, Judge of the Superior Court of Judicature in and for said State Sarah C. Thornton a resident of Oxford in said County, aged Fifty nine years, who being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth on her Oath make the following declaration, to obtain the benefit of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to continue half pay to certain Widows and Orphans" passed February 3 d . 1853. That she is the widow of John Thornton and has been his Widow ever since he died that he was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, & served as a Fifer in the Army: that up to the time of his death, he was in the receipt of a Pension from the United States, at the rate of Dollars Eighty Eight per Annum, & that his name was on the roll of the Concord N.H. Agency for paying Pensions in New-Hampshire - She further declares that she was married to the said John Thornton by Andrew  Pater  of Grafton on the 1 st day of February A.D. 1830, that her said husband died on the 27 day of July A.D. 1843. that she was married to him at the time above stated - She further swears, that she was a Widow at the time of the passage of the said Act, and is still a Widow, and that her name before her marriage aforesaid was Sarah Cournse and that she has not applied for a Pension before.
Sarah C Thornton
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before the Judge of the Superior Court of Judicature for the State aforesaid - & I certify that I believe the said affiant to be the identical person she represents herself to be in the foregoing affidavit - And I further certify that this declaration is made before me for the reason that the declarant is unable, to appear in open Court by reason of bodily infirmity.
Andrew S. Woods

Know all men by these Presents. —
That I Sarah C. Thornton of Oxford in the County of Grafton and State of New-Hampshire, Widow of Joshua Thornton do hereby irrevocably constitute & appoint L. D. Stevens my true and lawful Attorney, for me & in my name to prosecute my claim to a Pension, & I hereby give my said Attorney full power to do all things necessary for the prosecution of my said claim.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 25 th day of April A.D. 1853. —
Signed, Sealed, and delivered
in presence of us. — Sarah C. Thornton
Andrew S. Woods
G. G. Hutchinson
State of New-Hampshire — Grafton County ss.
On this 25 th day of April 1853 Personally appeared the above named Sarah C. Thornton and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be her act and deed —
Before me. Andrew S. Woods Justice of the Peace

188.152 Dorothy Thornton decoration

State of New Hampshire County of Grafton ss on this seventh day of July AD 1855 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the State and County aforesaid Sarah C Thornton aged sixty two years a resident of Orford in said State who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Joshua Thornton who was a Soldier, or servant in the war of the Revolution and a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of eighty eight dollars per annum under the Act of June AD 1832 that she is in receipt of a Pension from the United States under the Act of February 3 AD 1853 at the same rate per annum that her husband drew, and that her name is on the Roll of the Concord N.H. Agency, She further declares that she was married to the said Joshua Thornton in the town of Lyman in said State in February AD 1830, that her said husband died on the twenty seventh day of July AD 1843 that her name before her said marriage was Sarah Canverse and that she still remains a widow, She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtain- ing the Baccy Land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved March 3 AD 1855
Sarah C. Thornton
attest
Betsy Thornton Stella J. Burdett

We Betsy Thornton and Stella J Brantley residents of Lyman in said State of New Hampshire upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed in our presence by the said Sarah C Thornton and that we believe from the statements and appearances of the declarant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be
Betsy Thornton Stella J Brantley
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were signed and sworn to on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the Claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in her claim
John Patterson Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire.
Secretary's Office, Concord,
July 9 th 1855
I hereby certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation, Daniel Patterson was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Grafton
in the said State, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the State, the date above written.
Levi N. Patten
Secretary of State.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 825
Sarah G. Thornton, Widow.
Joshua Thornton Life Rev. War.
Act. Feb. 3. 1833.
Index:—Vol. 9. Page 268
[Arrangement of 1870.]

✓ 31.327
S
Mo Aug

No. 2323
Sarah Thornton, wid. of Joshua Thornton Let. to A. S. Woods (enclosing declaration and papers proofs Sept 8/53 (Rb) Dec. &c returned Sept. 22/53
Rev.
Act 3 rd Feb. 1853

Pension office Sept. 22/53.
Sir,
Please certify the time to which the within named pension was paid; and (if in your power) the date of his death.
Very respectfully Your Obt Servt
J. M'aulay Commissioner
H. Burt Esq. 3d Auditor Present
Joshua Thornton, Act 1832 $88. p. an. — Died 27 th July 1843 — Paid to his death.
J. Burt Auditor

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, PENSION OFFICE, OFFICIAL BUSINESS
D. P. Waldo Commissioner.
Hon. Andrew S. Woods, Judge Superior Court, Bath, Oxford Grafton Co., N. H.

June 27, 188
App. of Sarah C. Thornton widow of Joshua Grafton Co
N. H. $88 1003
Act 3d Feby 1853
Rev:
Adm d $88 per annum commencing 3d Feby 1853 L. D. Stevens Concord N. H.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official Register
S. C. of Paul bates age 27 Feb 42

Post Office Aspinwall N.H. Sep 13. 1883
Hon. A. S. Wood:
The accompanying packet having been in this Office some days, and not being called for I concluded there was a mistake in the direction and take liberty unauthorised to forward it to Rath, which please oblige
Respectfully, Yours Henry H. Howard Post

Bath Sept r 16. 1853
Sir,
Your letter of the 8 th inst came to hand last evening. It was addressed to me at Oxford and after some delay the Postmaster sent it to me at this place. I will reply to your enquiry & state the facts according to my recollection. I cannot now state with certainty what portion of the certificate was written when I wrote my name. My belief is that it had proceeded as far as the word affidavit at the end of the fourth line. The declaration had been drawn up and I presume the certificate to that extent before I saw either. Being at the time in some haste to start for the place

of a court the term of which I was then holding I left the further certificate as to the health of Mr Thornton to be made afterwards. I think it was suggested that Genl John Willson who had written the declaration mainly, and the certificate would write the further certificate. I then undoubtedly supposed that it would be written below the signature which I had written & that I should sign my name again - Chester C. Hutchinson Esquire who was with Mr Thornton & took the declaration away now informs me that he caused Mr Willson to interline the certificate by inserting what appears in the 5 th & 6 th lines and that he showed the

same to me and that I approved of it. It is probable that the fact is as he states it to be since the certificate is now substantially according to the facts as I believed them.
Very respectfully Andrew S. Woods
Hon. L. P. Waldo Commission of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Concord N.H. June 23 d 1853.
Sir
I herewith forward you the application of Sarah C. Thornton widow of Cashue Thornton for Pension under the Act of Feb 3 1853.
Very Respectfully Your O ff Clerk L. D. Stevens.
Hon L. P. Waldo Comm r of Pensions Washington D.C.

Thorton

Brief in the case of Sarah C. Thornton, widow of Joshua Grafton County and State of New Hampshire act 3 d February 1853.
Claim, ("original," or for increase )
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the act of June 7. 1832
Marriage proved by parol evidence certified to be entitled
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
L. D. Stevens Esq. Concord
Name and residence of Agent W. H.
R. Giddings Examining Clerk.

Sarah C. Thornton
My dear friend, I have been thinking of you and your kindly words. I am well at present and hope you are the same. I have not much news to write at present. I have been very busy lately. I hope to hear from you soon. I am, Your friend, Sarah C. Thornton

State of New Hampshire County of Grafton ss
On this sixth day of July A.D. 1858 before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the State and County aforesaid personally appeared Sarah B. Thornton and made oath in due form of law, that she is the widow of Joshua Thornton who was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion and that she is now receiving from the United States a pension at the rate of Eighty Eight Dollars per annum under the 2 d section of the act of February 3. 1853, that she asks for such arrears of her pension as she may be found entitled to under any and all acts and provisions of Congress applicable to her case that she is now a resident of Oxford in said State and remains a widow —
Witness C.B. Wentworth
Sarah B. Thornton
I swear to and subscribe on the day and year above written before me, and I certify that the said officer is the identical person who represents herself to be in the foregoing affidavit
Stephen C. Hutchinson } Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire.
Secretary's Office, Concord, July 10 th 1858.
I hereby certify That, at the date of the annexed attestation Chester C. Hutchins was a justice of the Peace for the County of Grafton
in the said State, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of the State, the date above written.
Allen Ferry  Dep. Secretary of State.