Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 13,162, for John Ladd, Connecticut

SERVICE
Ladd, John Fish, Esther
NUMBER
W. 13162
B 2 9/15 8388-160-55
of former widow
CONTENTS

68.1161 Act. Mar. 3/55 Apl. 13/55
Esther Fish form. wid of John Ladd Jr.
Private
First Troops
Reconstruction War
Rev. Prisoner
Group. Def 48-5298.
Burgin
No. 160 and Oct 16/55
Esther Fish
Albert J. Laintor. Sec Map
Vol. L. 4. 100

57298. Massachusetts.
Esther Fish, formerly widow of John Ladd. Con n who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 25 Dollars —
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of Sep r 1847. and sent to
E. Stearns, Tolland, Connecticut.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 57 Vol. 2

FAMILY RECORD.
DEATHS
Franklin Sudd Died
Dec. 21 st 1809
Eliah Sudd Died
August 31 st 1824
John Sudd Died
Feb. 27 th 1827
Esther Sudd Stellin
Died May. 5 th 1830
Lebra Fish Sudd Jan- uary 7 th 1844

FAMILY RECORD.
BIRTHS.
© Nathan Sudd was Born May 26 th 1795 © Marsha Sudd was Born May 9 th 1797 © Eliab Sudd was Born Oct. 11 th 1799. © Lotthrop Sudd was Born November 6 th 1801 © Lois Sudd was Born June 18 th 1805 © Franklin Sudd was Born Dec 17 th 1809

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the third section of the act of Congress of the 7 th July 1838
State of Connecticut
District & County of Tolland - ss.
On this 9 th day of May 1848 personally appeared before me Elisha Stearns Judge of probate for said District of Tolland Esther Fish a resident of said County & District of Tolland aged 81 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 1838 and the act of 23 rd Aug. 1842 and March 3 1843 and if true 1744 granting pension to widows that she is the widow of John Ladd formerly an inhabitant of the town of Tolland in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut lately a resident of the town of Chester in the State of Massachusetts now deceased who was a private soldier in the revolutionary war and performed two terms of duty in said war to wit, one term of 8 months 14 days from the 1 st Aug t 1779 to the 15 th Nov r 1779 in the 2 nd Reg t of Connecticut militia called 8 months men. The other term of service was as the assistant commissary for the term of 4 months or more and was as she verily believes performed at New London but she is unable to state what year nor does her recollection allow her to be very particular in position respecting the time or place of service.
She also declares that she was married to the said John Ladd on the Eleventh day of December in the year One thousand eight hundred and eighty three that her husband the said John Ladd died on the 27 th day of Feb y 1827.
That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of Jan y Seventeen hundred and Ninety four which, at that time a new state. She further declares that after the death of her said husband she was married to Sabra Fish on or about the 10 th day of November 1831 that he the said Fish died on the 7 th day of November Jan y 1844 and that she is still a widow.
Sworn to and subscribed on this day & year aforesaid with her Esther Fish mark. Before me Elisha Stearns Judge of Probate.

John Ladd of Wallasey and Esther Wood Ladd were married December the eleventh day (in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three)
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the Memorial with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in your legible figures as follows "December the 11 th day 1783" Oliver H. Shumway Town Clerk
I Oliver H. Shumway do hereby certify that I hold the office of Town Clerk for the town of Wallasey in the County of Wallasey and State of Connecticut and that the above is a true copy from the records of said town with the exception of one word as certified by me Oliver H. Shumway Town Clerk
Sworn to & subscribed to May 10 1840 before me Elisha Stearns Judge of Probate for the District of Wallasey
I Daniel Benton of Wallasey County of Wallasey and State of Connecticut age 57 years do hereby depose and say that I am the son in law of Esther Ladd the within named defendant and that about twenty years ago my father in law the within named John Ladd came from Chester in the State of Massachusetts where he then resided to Wallasey for the purpose of inquiring respecting his getting a pension for revolutionary services and called on Simon Paull the then living in said Wallasey but since deceased who was in the army at the same time with said Ladd & knew of his being there. I heard the said Ladd at that time which was before my marriage, say that he had served 10 months or more in the revolutionary war & afterwards moved to Chester where I lived in a family with said Ladd about two years until his death on the 27 Feb 1827 & repeatedly heard him converse on the subject of his revolutionary services & he always claimed that he had served at least 10 months and ought to have a pension and the reason that he did not apply when he came to Wallasey was on account of the poverty he then possessed & probably also because his services were performed in the militia

The said Amos Paulk has since repeatedly said to me that he said that  declared he ought to have a pension & that he could testify to 10 months service as performed by the said Ladd performed by the said Ladd while being with him in the army. Upon being told that she had a second husband he said nothing else would prevent her from getting it. The last conversation with said Paulk on the subject was two years ago last fall at my house in Dulland he having called in as he returned from getting his pension money and said "what, I have selected a place." The said Paulk's now deceased husband died two years ago this spring therefore the death of the said Selma Fish - The record of the death of Selma Fish  Selma Fish which is here with transmitted I have seen in his family bible & know that it was taken from it and have no doubt that it states correctly the time of both of them death as I was informed of said Fish's his death about that time & then living in Dulland & he in Chester New Hampshire Massachusetts.
• In 1839 I inquired of Solomon Fenton of Milington in Dulland County who was a pensioner & was in company with the said Ladd in the army throughout the war  in the revolutionary war what he knew about said Ladd, service, and he informed me that he knew he performed ten months service - I also heard Jonathan Ladd a brother of said John Ladd say in August 1843 that his brother John Fenton served ten months in the revolutionary war. The said Jonathan died about two years ago and the said Jonathan Ladd died about two weeks after I had the above conversation with him - I have made inquiry for some person now living who can testify to the service of said John Ladd and can find no person who can swear that he was in the army. The said Esther Fish has ever since the death of the said Selma Fish been & now is a widow known to & subscribed May 30 1845.
Daniel Benton I Maria Benton wife of the above named Dan Benton & daughter of the said John Ladd aged 48 years testify that I am knowing to the facts stated in the above deposition by my husband & as far as I know that I have heard my father the said John Ladd converse about his revolutionary service from my

childhood and he uniformly stated that he had served in the Revolutionary War as much as ten months and have heard the said Asa Moore Paulk & Jonathan Ladd converse many times on the subject and they always said my mother the said Esther Ladd ought to have a pension and that the said John Ladd served at least ten months in the Revolutionary War, I also heard what the said Solomon Fisher said on the subject as stated to my husband & have no doubt that the said Deborah Fish died as stated in the foregoing declaration though I never met her at his funeral and that my mother has ever since remained and now is a widow & a member of the church in said Westhampton having lately come to reside in Oxford
D. Maria Denton
Sworn to & Submitted May 10 1845
Before me Elisha Stearns Judge of Probate and I certify that the said Daniel Denton & Maria Denton are respectable & credible witnesses. Elisha Stearns Judge of Probate

No 68461
Claim of Ester Fish Act of March 3 rd 1845

Widows Declaration.
State of Massachusetts } County of Berkshire }
On this thirteenth day of March 1855, personally appeared before me a justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Esther Fish aged 91 years, a resident of the County and State aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of John Ladd who was a Private in the War of the Revolution and for whose services in said war the said Esther Fish is now in the receipt of a pension from the United States as his widow and she refers to her declaration and the accompanying documents and proofs as evidence of his services; and continued in actual service in said War for at least 14 days and was honorably discharged.
She further states that she was married to the said John Ladd in the year seventeen eighty three on the 21 st day of December and that her name before her said marriage was Esther Weed that her said husband died at Chester (Mass) on the 27 th day of February 1827, and that she is now a widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land, in which she may be entitled under the Act passed March the 3 d 1855. She also declares that she has never received nor applied for Bounty Land under this or any other Act of Congress.
Albert J. Gaintor of Lee, Berkshire County Mass, is duly authorized to prosecute this my Claim and to receive any warrant which may be issued hereon.
here Esther X Fish March

Affidavit of two Witnesses
Personally Came Daniel Earnes and Warren Lucee residents of the County of Berkshire in the State aforesaid, who upon oath declare that they are personally well acquainted with Mrs Esther Fish and saw her sign or make her mark to the foregoing declaration that they know her to be the identical person therein represented and that she is now a widow and that we have no interest in this Claim
Daniel Earnes Warren Lucee
Magistrates Certificate
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me this 30 th day of March 1855, and I certify that I believe the claimant to be the identical person she represents herself to be that I know the witnesses are credible persons, and that I have no interest in this Claim. —
Theodore Burrows, Justice of the Peace
State of Massachusetts } County of Berkshire } ss
I hereby certify that Theodore Burrows Esq, before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit were made, is, and was at the time of taking the same, an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid duly Commissioned and qualified and that his signature above is genuine —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of my office this tenth day of April 1855.
Chas Sedgwick Clerk

I Heruhiah Dye of Tolland in Tolland County and State of Connecticut Aged 83 Years Testify that I was acquainted with the following named persons in the time of the Revolutionary war whose names are on the annexed roll of the B Company of the 3 d Regiment raised by order of the General Assembly of Connecticut In 1775 all of whom (Then) resided in the Town of Tolland to wit John Ladd Joseph Southrop John Peck John Peck John Elliott Peter, Noah Unnec, Amos Ballou on Droll Amos Dui The s d Peter & Unnec and Amos were causered men The s d Ladd & Unnec and Peter were out in the revolutionary war in the service as was also the s d Peck all of which I distinctly recollect I also have some recollection of Peter's being out in the room of his Master Deacon Kingsbury The s d John Abbot had a son by the name of John who was out in the service in another Company
Heruhiah Dye
Personally appeared Heruhiah Dye the above named deponent and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed And I certify that he is a credible witness before me Chauncy Griggs Justice of Peace Tolland County Tolland Connecticut May 18 th 1849

7 I Samuel Reed of Tolland in Tolland County and State of Connecticut Aged 88 years Testify that I am a revolutionary Pensioner and that I was acquainted with the following named persons and that they lived in Tolland John Ladd Joseph Lathrop John Abbot Peter & Amos Ballou or D. Ballou (lived in Tolland) and John Ashbough and that they lived in Tolland at the time of the Revolutionary war I also understood at the time and firmly believe that Johnathan D. Dyer, Isaac Dyer were also that there were persons residing in Tolland at that time I knew that Amos Ballou was out in the army called Amos Dyer on the Roll And that the D. Dyer and Dyer and Dyer and Dyer were all colored men And further that the above named John Abbot had a son by the name of John who also resided in Tolland at that time of the Revolutionary war
Tolland County ss Tolland County May 25th 1849 Personally appeared Samuel Reed the above named Depositor and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition My Commission expires and I certify that he is a credible witness Before me Chauncy Griggs Justice of Peace

I Sally Bliss of Tolland in Tolland County and 3 State of Connecticut Aged 68 years. Testify that the names of my father and my Grand fathers also the name of my Great Grand father was all of them of the name of John Abbot and that they all lived in Tolland at the commencement of the Revolutionary War and that my Grandfather died in the year 1826 and that my Great grandfather died in 1780 that my Mother now draws a Pension for services since performed at the commencement of the war by the name of Sarah being her second husband She now residing in Westfield in the State of Massachusetts
Tolland County ss. I, Clerk Tolland County. Sally Bliss on the 15th day of January personally appeared Sally Bliss the above named Deponent and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by her subscribed. and I certify that she is a credible witness before me Chauncy Gage Justice of Peace

Copy of A Pay Roll of the 3 rd Co. 3 rd Regt. raised for ordn Genl. Assembly of Connecticut 1775
   John Durker Maj. & Lieut. Col. John Lee Isaac Sabin   Joshua Huntington 1 st Lieut. Wm Manning Thos. Huntley   Samuel Bringham 2 d " Maj d Stoddard Sam l Pettee   Beniah Brin Ensign Elias Maas Seth Perry   Nathaniel Clark Lieut. Maj. John Copelin Isaac Simons   John Waterman 2 d M. Lieut. Jas. Armstrong Wm Armstrong   Jon d Woodworth 1 st Lieut. Jesse Squire Abiather Bebee   John Hazar 2 d " Jon d Occum Simeon Chickroy   Silas Goodell 3 d " Olias Perry Is d Sathrow   Reuben Pride 4 th " Simon Lord Dan l Tracy   Jas. Carr 5 th " John Wells Jedediah Leach   Wm Huntington Clerk Roger Packard Thos. Trapp   Andrew Griswold " Ebenezer Griswold Reuben Huntington   Vance Hinckley " Joseph Waterman Roger Edgcomb   Enoch Baker " Thos. Patten John Giffing   Roger Manning Drum r Jon d Rhode David Gardner   Sol m Goodrich Fifer Sam l Ashbo Phineas Knight   Shnias Durker " Nathan Hazen Joshua Yeoman   Simeon Thomas Nathan Hatching Cornelius Savage   Chas Avery John Ladd John Pick   Sam l Spier Wm Fisher Jasper Bebe   Asahel Williams Amos Tanner Abner Pitcher   John Durkack Is d Tanner Jon d Smith   Aaron Pease Ebenezer Waterman David Hiddon  

Comptroller's Office Hartford May 11 th 1849
Eliza Stearns Esq.
Dear Sir
Your favor of Apr 16 th was duly recd. & I should have replied to it sooner, but a press of office business has prevented my doing so. I now enclose a copy of the Roll of the 3 d Geo 3 d Regt. in 1775, and hope you may from it, be able to find the proof wanted to establish the claim for Pension in the case of John Ladd's widow.
The usual fee for furnishing a copy of Roll of a Co. is $2.00 which you can remit by mail, if convenient.
I am very respectfully yours.
A. Callin Comp. by Geo Robbins Clk

Comptroller's Office Hartford May 10 th 1849
Eliza Stearns Esq.
Dear Sir
Your favor of Feb 16 th was duly recd. & I should have replied to it sooner, but a press of Office business has prevented my doing so. I now enclose a copy of the Roll of the 3 d Geo 3 d Regt. in 1775, and hope you may from it, be able to find the proof wanted to establish the claim for Pension in the case of John Laddus widow.
The usual fee for furnishing a copy of Roll of a B. is $2.00 which you can remit by mail if convenient.
I am very respectfully yours.
A. Callin Comp. by Geo Robbins Clerk

State of Connecticut County of Tolland } ss County Clerk's office
I Jeremiah Parish Clerk of the County & Superior Courts and for the County of Tolland aforesaid
Do hereby certify that Chauncy Guggs Esq of Tolland is a Justice of the Peace within & for so County duly appoint- ed by the Legislature of this State, & commissioned by the Gov- ernor thereof, sworn into so office and acting in so Capacity with power to take the acknowledgement or proof of deeds of land to administer oaths &c — That on the 15 th day of May 1849 he was a lawful Justice of the Peace with the power aforesaid — and that the accompanying Depositions of Heinrich Rye, Samuel Reed & Sally Bliss are duly proven before so Justice Guggs — I also certify that they are all three well known to me and are all credible witnesses — and I also certify that the commission of so Justice Guggs is now in this office dated the 20 th day of June A D 1848 & will continue until the 20 th day of June 1849 —
I also certify that the signatures to the three certificates accompanying the within three depositions purporting to be the official signatures of so Justice Guggs are all genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of so Court at Tolland this 15 th day of May A D 1849
Jeremiah Parish Clerk of Tolland

10735
Massachusetts.
Esther Fish, formerly
Widow of John Ladd
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 27th February 1827 of in the State of who was a Private in the commanded by Captain of the the line for
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston Mass at the rate of 25 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 1th day March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day Sep r 1849 and sent to E. Stearns, Dollars, Cents
Total amount, $
[Act July 7, 1838]
Recorded by J. P. Chase Clerk Book D Vol. 1 Page 57

8650 Massachusetts.
Esther Fish, formerly widow of John Ladd who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 25 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of Sep r . 1842, and sent to
E. Hearn, Holland, Conn.
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book  11 Vol.  2  Page  29

No. 68461
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Apr. 13, 1855
John Ladd Rev. War
Debit 8388-16055
Albert J. Eainter Lee Mass

✓ 8885
160 acres

N o 11.915
Esther Fish, formerly widow of John Sadal Con.
Let to E. Stearns July 12. 1845 " " Hon J. Smith May 12 th 1846 " " E. Stearns Sept 5 " " " " Same Dec 1 " " " do Nov 6 1847 " " Hon R.S. Donnell Dec 25/47 " " " " Aug 16 th 1848 " " E. Stearns Sept 30 1849 " " A Ray " 19 th 1849
Act 7 th July 1838

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 13162
Esther Fish
Widow of
John Ladd
1851 Dec-1862
Act: Nov 2d 4/8
Index:—Vol. a , Page 238
[Arrangement of 1870.]

(Copy 1)
Pension Office, November 6. 1847
Sir
The evidence on file in the case of Esther Fish, formerly the widow of John Ladd, is not at all satisfactory to identify her husband with the soldier bearing his name who served in the 3 d Company of the 3 d Regiment of Connecticut, in 1775, as certified by the Comptroller of that State. Before she can receive the benefit of that service, it must be shown that that soldier was enlisted from Tolland, or that the company to which he was attached was composed of persons belonging to that town. And there is no proof now before the Dept t showing that John Ladd, detached from the Militia under the command of Lieut. Dey) in 1777, rendered any service in the Line of that state. The pay rolls of that line, in this office, for that period of the war, does not bear the name of John Ladd. Mrs. Fish cannot be allowed a pension upon the proof now filed.
Elisha Stearns Esq., Tolland Connecticut
I am respectfully Your obedient Servant J. L. Edwards

State of Connecticut
Comptroller's Office
Hartford 8 Oct. 1817.
I certify that in application by Elisha Hearn, Esq. in behalf of the widow Esther Fish, for evidence of the service of John Ladd in the war of the Revolution, I have re-examined the books and papers remaining in this Office relating to that war, and in addition to evidence certified by a former Comptroller, find a document headed
"A Pay Roll of the 3 d Company 3 d Regiment, raised under General Assembly Connecticut 1778," in which John Ladd's name appears, as having enlisted on the 8 th of May, and being discharged July 9 th and as serving 2 Months & 1 day as a Private.
Also, a writing as follows, —
To the Honorable General Assembly of the state of Connecticut now sitting at Hartford: —
By special order received from his Honour the Governor and his Excellency the Council of Safety, bearing date the 12 th day of April 8 th last, directing or ordering me to draft or detach the quota of men belonging to my company — This may certify that the following persons hereafter named are those that are draughted or detach d from the 7 th Company of Militia in the 22 d Regiment in the State of Connecticut to serve in the Continental Army until the first day of January next. —
Tolland May 1 st 1777, (signed) Stephen Day, Lieutenant. — In the list of names which follow, is that of John Ladd.
Abijah Gatsing, Comptroller

Talladega Leon Oct 9 1847
J. L. Edwards Esq Com r of Pensions
Dear Sir
I have at length succeded in obtaining evidence of further service in addition to what has been allowed on the application of Esther Fish for the revolutionary service of her first husband John Sineo showing two terms of duty performed by him besides the 5 m th & 14 days to wit, one of 2 m st of 2 m th 1 day in 1778 - one of 9 m th in 1779 and I trust the evidence will be satisfactory & hope for a speedy decision
Very Respectfully Your obed. Serv t Elisha Stevens

Tolland, Conn, Sept 3 1849
J. L. Edwards Esq Comr. &c
Sir
I forwarded to you on the 16 th of May last further evidence on the petition of the widow Esther Fish claiming a pension for the service of her first husband John Ladd. The marriage & 18 m th 14 days service having been allowed. Two months more was previously sworn to by Mr. Derby the sister of John Ladd and his name was also failed on a company Roll for 2 m th & 1 day as certified by our State Comptroller. — All that was wanted for the allowance of this service was to prove identity. — The evidence last sent you was a copy of the company Roll for this service & the depositions of Samuel Dyer & Hephzibah Vose two old inhabitants of this town whose evidence has been several times improved in pension applications who testified to the names of nine individuals including John Ladd as being the names of men who lived in Tolland about the time the service was performed & some of whom besides John Ladd they knew to be such in the service some of whom they both agreed & knew to have been such & others they knew to be separately. — I received this to be such strong proof that the poor widow would not have to wait in poverty any longer. More than 3 months have elapsed and I hide nothing respecting the status of the claim altho' I have written the Department since requesting information. The witnesses may soon be dead, any further proof to them became impossible. May the widow herself may be on the way of all the earth & lose entirely the benefit of her just claim. — I beg in her behalf that particular may be speedily done her at least that she may be informed what is the state of the application.
With Much Respect Your Obed t Serv t Elisha H. Clegg

Dec 1. 46
Mr 21
10
J. S. Canards Esq Com d of Peninsular Washington
Esther Fish ct no way 46

Tolland Conn, April 27 1846
J L Edwards Esq Dear Sir,
Since May I request the attention of the department to the application of the widow Esther Fish of this town for a pension. The last evidence was sent 31 of July
Very Respectfully Your Obedt Servt Clement Stearns

Tolland Conn, Sept 17 1849
Rev Edward, Esq Dear Sir
Your favour of the 3 rd inst was duly rec d and herewith I send you the cert t  you you require. You will perceive the Widow Fish has changed her residence from this place to South- Hampton Mass, and as she may continue to reside there it may be best, encourage her to draw her pension at Springfield Mass, & I hope I have no doubt that the pension certificate will be forwarded without any delay & her nice thing relieved from an anxiety which she has felt for four years and that the short space of life which remains to her may be spent in comparative ease and independence. In this capitulation I have agreed to meet her with the certificate at an early day.
Very Respectfully Your Old Friend, Elisha Stearns

Tolland Conn May 15 1849
J L Edmonds Esq Comm r of Pensions, Dear Sir
Although unsuccessful as to the claim of Esther Fish the widow of John Ladd for a pension before Congress, you must I think be satisfied at once that in consequence of the Comptroller sending me a copy of the company Roll the identity of the claimant's husband John Ladd with that name on the company Roll is fully proved and therefore that she must be allowed the two months service in 1775 certified to by the Comptroller in addition to the 5 months and 14 days which was allowed by you -
The application having been long pending & the applicant being near the close of her earthly pilgrimage she hopes for a speedy & favorable decision
Very Respectfully Your obed Servt Elisha Ladd

H. of Rep Dec 20 th 47
Dear Sir
The Committee on Revolutionary pensions to whom has been referred a petition of Esther Lick, widow of John Ladd, for a Pension respectfully request that you furnish them with a copy of the proof in your office, as also the grounds upon which her claim was rejected
being respectfully,
Your obedt servt R. J. Donnell
W. L. Edwards
Chair m of Pensions

Ms Pae P. O. Box 311 New Bedford
J. L. Edwards Esq Commr of Pensions Washington City

Tolland, Conn, May 28 1849
J. S. Edwards Esq Com d of Pensions Dear Sir
Will you be so good as to send me a copy of the pension laws relating to pensions for Revolutionary services passed by the last Congress.
May I be permitted to call your attention to the pension application of Esther Fish the widow of John Ladd and to the additional evidence sent you some days - I am sensible the department must have much business on hand but I should hope that widows who had been so unfortunate as not to perfect their proof till very near the close of life would have a preference as to a hearing and decision - And suffer me to say that the evidence in this case is such as was required in your last communication to me on the subject & such as has heretofore been deemed satisfactory - It proves the identity of the claimant's husband with the John Ladd on the Company Roll for two months, receives the marriage and 5 months & 14 days being previously proved and allowed.
Unless the pension can be soon obtained it can never be of any benefit to the claimant. This case may perhaps close my long correspondence with you.
I am believe me Sir with Great Respect Yours Obed Servant Elizabeth Ladd

Patent Office,
December 23. 1847
Sir,
Enclosed herewith are the original papers numbered from one to three, inclusive, in support of the claim of Esther Fish, formerly the widow of John Ladd. I also enclose a copy of a letter addressed to Mr Elisha Stearns, on the 6 th ult o shewing why the claim cannot be admitted on the evidence furnished.
Be pleased to acknowledge the receipt of the papers.
I have the Honor to be, Very respectfully, Your Ob t Servant, J L Edwards
Hon R. S. Donnell, House of Representatives,

Dr. L.
I enclose you the papers in the case of Esther Fisk which I got early in the session from the Pension Office
Very Respectfully
R. D. L.

ap 284
Hon Freeman Smith Rep. in Congress Washington

Tolland, Conn, April 22 1846
Hon. Truman Smith
Dear Sir
I regret to tax your time and attention during this important session and hope not to do it further to much extent. I presented about a year ago the application of Esther Fish for a pension for the services of a former husband, John Ladd, and proved her marriage and 5 mo & 14 days service to the acceptance of the department. There were two men who were out with him in another tour of about 5 months making 10 months, in the whole who would have sworn directly to that service performed by her husband, John Ladd, which they both did just before the death of her second husband Mr Fish. The character of these two men was established beyond all question by the testimony of the best men among us. Such as our minister of the gospel, the present & present Sheriff, the State Atty, Clerk of the Court, Justices of the peace &c. The men had been particularly inquired of in their life time respecting their knowledge of the latter service performed by John Ladd, & had as often declared they were ready to swear to it. After much inquiry I am satisfied that no other person is now living or to be found who can swear to that service, of course it is the best evidence the nature of the case admits of, which is one rule in the regulations of the department. Now is there any documentary evidence the service is supposed to have been performed at New London in the militia, the rolls of which are mostly destroyed. As living witnesses of Revolutionary

service are hardly now to be expected in any case certainly not much longer, if such evidence is required it must do great injustice to many widows who are prevented by their second marriage from applying at an earlier period. If the government is satisfied from the facts here stated that a pension would have been granted on the testimony of these witnesses their death should not prevent it,
Any thing you can say or testify to the commissioner in favor of the justice or慷慨 of this claim will very much oblige a poor widow.
Yours Truly
Elisha Stearns
How Mr Edwards
Sir, I dare not venture to say to you that Elisha Stearns Esq the writer of the foregoing letter is a gentleman of high respectability and that in my judgment you can in the consideration of the case of Mrs. Fisk upon entire credence in the veracity of his representations I have the honor to be with the sentiment of high respect truly your friend J. Smith

Washington Aug. 2. 1849.
James L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions Sir:
Enclosed you will find a letter to me, from Elisha Stearns Esq. of Connecticut in the case of the widow of John Ladd an applicant for a pension under 1836 & 1838 of Connecticut.
Will you be pleased to inform me, what I shall say to Mr Stearns.
I remain your most respectfully Alex. N. Vay
Note
The additional evidence in the case now presented } the 16 th or 17 th June last.

Con'n, Tuesday May 21 1845 J. L. Edwards Esq. Commission of Pension
Sir
Herewith I send you the application of Esther Fish the widow of John Ladd for a pension for his services - For one term of duty this is required by the provisions of God to hear say evidence & she furnishes such as the nature of the case admits of which also if I mistake not is agreeable to your instructions & forms his a safe ground of the grant - The evidence of that term may be on the rolls in your office as the rolls relating to the New London term were undeniably transferred from an Comptroller's office to Washington. May I request you to examine them for the evidence of the services
Very Respectfully
Yours Elisha H. Dyer

11915 Esther Fish formerly widow of John Lada St. Mary 23 1845. Oct Map.
act 5 May 1838 M 83 C 27
Elisha Stearns Esq 5th 16 7th 15-2 No 2 Holland
admitted P. 7 on 15 days $25.- P. am. Cov 4 March 1836 to 4 March 1841, under act 3 March 1843 & 17 June 44. for P. am. 1843 to 4 March 1848,
St. Mary's Holland Con

Comptroller Office Connecticut Hartford May 12 1821
On application for evidence of the service of John Ladd in the war of the revolution, I certify that I have examined the documents remaining in this office relating to said war and find a paper headed "Return of the 8th month men that belonged to the 2 Connecticut Regt commanded by" - on which appears the name of John Ladd as follows Name John Ladd commencement of service August 14 Expiration of service January 15 - months 3 days, 5 months and 14 days. said Ladd is entered as belonging to the Town & County of Tolland in this state
A. Carrington, Comptroller
I Abram Marsh Pastor of the Congregational Church in the town of Tolland in the County of Tolland & State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the above-mentioned Daniel Denton & Maria Denton are members of said Church in regular standing as was also the above mentioned Annie Paulk in his life time and that they all attested said Daniel & Maria as long as I have been acquainted with them and the said Paulk in his life and were credible witnesses to their declarations though not under oath are intitled to full credence Subscribed & sworn to before me Eliza Stearns Clerk of Tolland Congregational Church Tolland Conn Abram Marsh Pastor of the Congregational Church Tolland Conn

We the undersigned concur with the Rev Mr Hawk in the foregoing Certificate by him subscribed and further say that we have acquainted with Mr Solomon Denton late of Wilington in Tolland County deceased and that he sustained a fair moral character and that his resolution of faith is entitled to full credence (Solomon Denton) late
Senator of the United States Novatus Chapman Sheriff of Tolland County
John R. Flynt Clerk, Probate Court
John P. Waldo State
Attorney for Tolland County Jeremiah Parish Clerk
Subscribed and sworn to of the County, Superior & Supreme Court of Errors for Tolland County by the several individuals whose names are annexed to the foregoing Certificate this 19th day of May 1845 before me Solomon D. Gage Sheriff Elect of Tolland County Chas. H. Hemenway Judge of Probate
I at St. Gervase's (Clerk of probate for the District of Tolland) certify that Chas. Hemenway is Judge of probate for said District and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are his proper hand writing In testimony whereof I have set my name hereunto and also affixed my official seal this 20th day of May A.D. 1845.
W. H. Grimaldi Clerk

Esther Field Can Map.
from a March 1848,
Elisha Stearns Tolland Co.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of 2 nd Feb. 1848 entitled "An act making further provision for surviving widows and soldiers of the Revolution"
State of Massachusetts
Hampden County 5 th Sept 1849
On the 14 th day of Sept 1849 personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut now a resident of Southampton
of State of Massachusetts aged eighty five years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 2 nd Feb 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war That she is the widow of John Ladd who was a private soldier and served 5 mo 14 days in the 2 nd Connecticut Regiment and 2 mo 1 day in the 3 rd Comp y 3 rd Reg t of Connecticut Militia in the Revolutionary war
She further declares that she is still a widow Sworn to and subscribed
on the day and year abovenwritten
Before me
Esther Fish
Esther Willard Boston of the County of Hampden

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPDEN, ss.
I, RICHARD BLISS, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampden, do certify, that Justice Willard Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Willard and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this fourteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine
Rich d Bliss Clerk.

Aug 3. 1846. July 30 Adams St. conc Little Falls
11
Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pension Washington
No 1.

I, Ruth (Darby formerly of Tolland in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut), now residing in Somers in said County, aged seventy nine years, depose and say that I am the sister of John Ladd formerly of Tolland aforesaid now deceased, who was the first husband of the widow Esther Fish now residing in said Tolland, who has an application now pending at Washington for a pension for the services of her said first husband in the Revolutionary war. My said Brother John was drafted to perform the service of a soldier in the war aforesaid for the term of two months and he went into the war and performed service as a private for the period of two months. I very well recollect of his telling of his suffering very much in that service for the want of the comforts of life, and that continental money had become nearly worthless at the time of his return. I do not recollect who was with him, or who his officers were. When he went into the service he went from his Father, and when he returned he returned to his Father. I was living at my Father's at the time.
Ruth Darby

State of Connecticut } County of Tolland } ss Tolland July 29 th 1846
Then personally appeared the within named Ruth Darby and subscribed and swore to the truth of the within deposition before me. And I hereby certify that the within named Ruth Darby is a credible witness.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Notarial seal T. A. Storrs
Public Notary

Tullahoma July 30 1876
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm ee of Pension
Sir
I send you this disposition for Mrs Esthon Fish on her application for a pension for the services of her first husband John Ladd which she has just been fortunate enough to obtain
Very respectfully Yours Also Sub Elizabeth Fish