Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18524, for Abner Morse, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Morse, Abner Betsey
N 18524
B.L.Wt. 11269-160-55.
CONTENTS
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5

3847 Vermont. Montpelier Betsey Morse widow of Abner Morse Mass who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 21 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 nd day of Jan y 1852 and sent to
Hon Mr. Hebard Hog R.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 68 Vol. 3 .

90,798 / Mch. 2/53-
Apr. 24/53- Betsey Morse wid. of Abner Morse
Betsey Morse wid. of Abner Private
Capt. Mass. State Troops, Col. 169
Oct. 26/53 Dis.
Revolutionary War Ad: 160 ac. Nov: 30-1855,
W. Feb 48- Abner Morse
(Morse)
Stephen Thomas West Fairlee Vt.
Vol M 2. page 90.

✓ No 14196.
Declaration of Betsey Morres Wid. of Abner
Act July 7. 1838.
Marr'd 1790 hus died 1813
Adm o (was 12 days) Fri. $21.33 per annum.
(Act)
38
487411
248
Montpelier
Wm M c Keand W of R

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the various acts of Congress for certain widows whose husbands served in the War of the Revolution
State of Vermont } On this first day of April A D 1850 personally appeared before District of Randolph } the Hon. the Probate Court within & for said District, sitting at Randolph, in said District Betsey Morse a resident of Randolph, in Orange County and State of Vermont aged Eighty-three 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 of certain acts of Congress granting pensions to certain widows whose husbands served in the War of the Revolution
That she is the widow of Abner Morse who a private in the Revolutionary war from the town of Holliston Mass. in Capt. Giffett's company. That his services were all previous to her marriage. That she was married to the aforesaid Abner Morse on the 10th. day of June One thousand eight  seventy hundred & ninety, and that her maiden name was Betsey Dymann. That her said husband Abner Morse died in Randolph Vermont on the 26th. day of April 1813.
That she is still a widow having never married since the death of her said husband the aforesaid Abner Morse. witness my hand & seal Betsey X Morse mark
Sworn & subscribed in open court the day and year above written before me.
J. B. Hutchinson, Register of Probate
I certify that the above named Declarant is well known to this court as a person of veracity & that due credit ought to be given to her statements. Given under my hand & seal of office the day & year above written
J. B. Hutchinson, Register of Probate

I Grace Morse of Randolph aged fifty seven years here present in Probate Court depose and say that the widow Betsey Morse here present & who has made the foregoing declaration, is my Mother and that I have resided with her generally since my birth, that I still reside with her, that my Father Abner Morse died on the 26th day of April 1813. that my said Mother still remains a widow having remained unmarried since the death of my said Father. That I have in my possession a Memorial of the Morses written by the Rev. Abner Morse, and upon the 48th page is the record of the birth of my late Father & upon the 54th page is the record of the marriage of my Mother - the time of the marriage June 10th 1790 - as also the death of my Father Ap. 26. 1813 - both of which agree with our record of those events Grace Morse
Sworn & subscribed in Probate Court this first day of April A.D. 1850 - I certify that Miss Grace Morse is well known as a person of truth & veracity, J. B. Hutchinson Register of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston :
March 21 18 50.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Homer Mearse is borne on a pay roll of Capt. Joseph Griffiths Co. Col. John Jacob's Regt. as a private of Holliston, from June 22, 1778. Six months & 12 days, including 3 days to return.
Also, (Mearse or Mearse) on monthly returns of Capt. Joseph Bates Co. Col. Brooks Regt. in Continental Service, from June 1781 to Jany 1782 inclusive. on the roll for June, his name is marked "joined from desertion. June 12." - on the Jany roll "discharged Jany 17, 1782." — enlisted for 3 years.

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth the date above written.
W. B. Calhoun, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Randolph Vt. March 11th 1850
To the Hon. the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Mass—
The undersigned Betsey Morse, widow of Abner Morse late of said Randolph, hereby makes application to the records in your office and to you for a certificate of the services of her late husband Abner Morse in the Revolutionary War in the Mass. line. It is believed his services were performed about the year 1780. The names of the officers are not known. It is supposed he belonged in the town of Holliston.
Witness J. H. Parish Almon Morse
her Betsey Morse Mark
The above application was made & signed the day & year above written before J. H. Parish Justice of the Peace
N.B. In case the service of the said Abner Morse is found upon the Rolls in your office please forward the certificate to the subscriber at Randolph Vt. J. H. Parish

Joseph Morse of Brookfield in the County of Orange & State of Vermont aged sixty-nine years do hereby say that to the best of my knowl- edge I was born in the Town of Hooliston Massachusetts and my Father Joseph Morse moved from there after I had become something of a boy to Fitzwilliam N.H. and from there to Brookfield Vt. where he died in 1833. My Father was a Revolutionary Prisoner & was on the bread list having been wounded. Abner Morse was a brother of my Father and resided in the same Hooliston Mass. He also went from there to Fitzwilliam N.H. and was married there to Betsey Byam as I well remember though I should think it was nearly sixty years ago, after they were married they moved to Randolph Vt. where my Uncle died, more than thirty years since After I married I moved to Brookfield where I now live and have often heard my Father talk about the Revolutionary war and have heard him speak of his Brother Abner my Uncle being in the service. Some, I can also distinctly remember of hearing my Uncle talk about his being out in the Revolutionary war though I think he was not out a great while, nor near as long as my Father. I have no knowledge of there being any other Abner Morse in Hooliston than my Uncle & am persuaded there was no other one who could have been in the Revolutionary service at the time my Father was & I still continue to be acquainted with my Aunt Betsey Morse, now residing in Randolph & who still remains the widow of my late Uncle Abner.
Witness J. H. Carlish Abner C. Dike
his Joseph L. Morse mark
Subscribed & sworn to before me J. B. Hutchinson Register Probate

Town Clerk's Office Fitz William N.H. Nov. 30, 1880.
This Certifies that under the head of "Marriages" &c. recorded in the Records of said town, is the following entry, to wit:-
"June 10 th 1790
Merride Abner Morse and Betty Bryan
Attest Benjamin Brigham Clerk"
I, J. J. Allen Jr. above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the town of Fitzwilliam aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records in my office.
J. J. Allen Jr.
Town Clerk of Fitzwilliam
State of New Hampshire
Cheshire ss
The above was subscribed and sworn to in my presence and before me, and I certify that the above named J. J. Allen Jr. is a person of truth & veracity.
John J. Allen Justice of the Peace

96,798
BOUNTY LAND.
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Betsey Morse
w of Abner Morse
Revolutionary War
Please to communicate with Stephen Thomas West Fairlee
Vt.

March 3, 1855. Declaration for Bounty Land. WIDOW.
BOUNTY LAND CLAIM.
(Printed at the Patriot Office Montpelier, Vt.)
Form of a Declaration to be made by the Widow of a deceased Officer or Soldier.
STATE OF Vermont ) On this 12 th day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, Albert G. Marsh a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Betsy Morse aged eighty eight years, a resident of Pittsfield in the State of Vermont who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Alma Morse who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain any rank in the Revolutionary war regiment of Great Britain commanded by the United Colonies of America on the 1 st July 1776 that her husband at
on or about the day of A.D. 1873 and continued in actual service in said war for the term of for the term of fourteen days , and was honorably discharged at the expiration of such period of service,
that she is now a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States for the service that her husband, as above stated, under the Act of Feb. 2 nd 1848 at the rate of twenty dollars and fifty cents per annum on the roll of the Vermont agency She refers to her declaration for proof of her marriage, husband's service and death
She further states that she was married to the said Alma Morse in Fittsfield on the tenth day of June A.D. 1840 by one Rev. Benjamin F. Brigham a Clergyman and that her name before said marriage was Betsy Brann that her husband died at Randolph on the 26 th day of April A.D. 1873 , and that she is now a widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the "act approved March 3, 1855." She also declares that neither herself nor her husband have ever applied for or received under this or any other act of Congress any bounty land warrant
Betsy M. Morse Morse
WE, Calvin Morse and Era Burbank , residents of Pittsfield in the State of Vermont upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Betsy Morse in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. And we know that she draws a pension for her husband
Calvin Morse Era Burbank
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me 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 this claim.
Albert G. Marsh Justice of Peace.
STATE OF VERMONT, } Norman Williams Clerk of the County Court for Windermere County, SS. } the County of Windermere in the State of Vermont, which is a Court of Record, hereby certify that Albert G. Marsh Esq., is an acting Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly qualified by the laws of this State to administer Oaths for general purposes; that I am acquainted with his hand-writing, and believe his signature to the foregoing to be genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereby set my hand and affix the seal of said County Court, at Waitsfield in said County, this 14 day of April A.D. 1855.
Norman Williams Clerk

I, Betsey Morse of Randolph in Orange County & State of Vermont aged eighty three years testify & say that I am the widow of Abner Morse who died in 1813. My said husband Abner Morse lived in Healdston Mass. until after the War of the Revolution as I have always understood from him & that he went from there to Libbyville N.H. when I married him in 1790 and lived with my said husband about two years & then removed to Randolph & have resided on the same farm ever since. My husband used to concern about being out in the Army some & almost invariably when his brother Joseph Morse visited him as he was wounded in the Army. I did not know how long he was out, but supposed not a full year. I testify that the reason I did not make application at an earlier day was that I was ignorant how I should proceed & did not know how I would prove the service but often talked about a pension & that I ought to have one as well as some other widows. I had told my children if they would do something about it I would get a pension but I never went to see what could be done till I applied to Mr. Perkins & told him my story. The best reason I could give for not applying sooner is I did not know what to do. I told Mr. Perkins I could not tell of any one alive who was out with my husband but he said if it was not on record there was no claim & I gave it up to him to manage. Betsey her Morse mark
Witness M. Perkins
Yester Morse - Subscribed & sworn to before me W. Hutchinson Register of Probate

I Grace Morse of Randolph Orle. Vt. aged fifty seven a single woman testify & say that I have always lived with my Mother widow Betsey Morse & still live with her that I was twenty years old when my Father Abner Morse died. I was the second child of my Father & was born in Randolph Vt. I had a brother my senior who died four days before my Father. I can remember of my Father telling the children about being in service in the war of the Revolution and also talking with others but I did not know the time he was out but understood it was not a long time he used to tell about my Uncle Joseph Morse being out & in hard fighting & got wounded - After the widows began to draw for services of their husbands my Mother said she supposed she could draw a Pension if she had somebody to look it up - She often talked about it, but she finally did nothing until she was advised to go to Mr. Parish & tell him how it was & see if he could do any thing for her C. Grace Morse
Subscribed & sworn to
Before me J. B. Hutchinson Register of Probate
State of Vermont De't of Randolph p. In Probate Court at Randolph this 23d day of November A.D. 1850. The foregoing depositions of Betsey Morse, Joseph Morse, & Grace Morse, were duly made & the said Betsey, Joseph, & Grace are well known as persons of truth & veracity - Witness my hand & seal of office the day & year above written J. B. Hutchinson Register Probate

Dear Sir I have no doubt of the former residence of Said Abner Morse, being hereabouts but the town records of Holliston show nothing - and, the only person that would be likely to identify him died before I rec d your letter. The present Abner Morse, the author and publisher of a vol of memories of the morses has him down in his book all right but the identity seems - difficult. Said Abner Morse the author when I last see him promised me some assistance but his many other engagements has probably caused him to forget it but I will if I can obtain any further information from him or any one else let you have it Yrs Respectfully
Wiram A Morse assistant L M Holliston # M Feb 4 th 1851.

"June 10 th 1790
Maria Hoven Moore and Betty Byam Attest
Benjamin Brigham Clerk
This Certifies that the foregoing is a true extract from a book of Records of Births, Marriages and Deaths for the town of Fitzwilliam in the county of Cheshire and state of New-Hampshire - and that the record has the appearance of having been entered upon the book at or near the time of the date thereof
Attest
Fitzwilliam Apr. 8. 1830.
John S. Allen Jr. Town Clerk
/ see over /

FREE
Mr. Allen The Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Randolph Vt. Aug. 29. 50
Hon Com d of Pensions,
Sir.
I forwarded to the Department some months since an application for Pension of the widow Betsey Morse, together with a certificate of the Secretary of State of Mass, showing the service of her late husband Abner Morse in the Revolutionary War.
I would now respectfully enquire if the Department have m d the papers and are ready to act upon the application which I considered as without any intricate whatever. -
Yours Obed Serv t
J. R. Parish

Peter Morse

Brief in the case of Betsey Morse, widow of Abner Morse Orange County and State of Vermont act 7 July 1838/89
Claim, ("original," or " for increase. ")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Record Proof of service & marriage
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent
Hon Wm Hebard H of R
S. C. C. Examining Clerk.

Dec-7/50 Addl end Can Triplett Betsy Moore under Abner
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Randolph Vt. December 4, 1850
Sir,
As required by your letter of the 4th, Sept. last, I now enclose the "certificate of the Town Clerk of Fitzwilliam, under oath before a Justice of the Peace stating the marriage of Betsey Morse, widow of Abner Morse." I have also procured a statement from the widow Morse under oath, as well as that of the daughter Grace Morse 57 yrs. old besides Joseph Morse about seventy years of age a nephew which I think will be satisfactory as to the identity of Abner Morse the late husband of the widow Betsey Morse with the one named in the certificate of the Secy. of State of Mass. and also containing sufficient reason the application was not sooner made -
I have been absent or should have forwarded these papers earlier -
I have written to Holliston Mass. to obtain if I can something from that town, but in case the family have been absent for 60 years or more I think it may be somewhat doubtful of getting any thing very definite - It seems to me that with such facts as will be in possession of the Department upon the receipt of those now sent, the case is quite as plain as could be expected from the lapse of time since the service - In this town in a population of between 2500 & 3000 I think there are less than a half doz. Pensioners male & female of the Revolutionary class - A notice of this case is respectfully solicited as soon as constituted - yours J. R. Parish Commissioner Pensions -

March 31-1857
Rel: to claim of Betsey Morse
Capt. Parish Randolph Vt
Genl. - J. S. Pierce Washington D. C.
Q

Randolph Vt. March 26. 1851.
Sir,
I have just recd. your letter of the 21st. March inst. in relation to Betsey Morse.
You say "the identity of the soldier Morse with her husband is by no means satisfactorily established."
In my own mind there is no doubt but that Abner Morse the person certified by the Secy. of State of Mass. as serving the short period is the identical soldier husband of Betsey Morse. I come to that conclusion from the fact that Mrs. Morse made her statement before the Certificate of the Secy. was obtained - & she then intimated that her husband served more than a year and probably less -
Besides if I remember aright the Secy. was not at all certain the other service was performed by Abner Morse but some such name -
Will the department inform me what proof will answer for the identity of the Abner Morse above named - The difficulty in identifying is difficult as the soldier was young when in service, left early for Salisbury Plain N.H. & before 1790 or about that time moved to Vt. & died about 1813 -
Your Obedt Servt J. H. Parish

Randolph Vt. April 2d 1850
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm. of Pensions,
Sir,
I have send the application of the widow Betsey Morse to be placed on the Pension Roll - for the services of her late husband Abner Morse in the Revolutionary War - She never understood as she tells me that her husband performed but a short tour of service so that the continental service she does not claim as performed by her husband - The 6 mos & 12 days is probably all -
I do not know that the Department will be satisfied with the proof of the marriage - The deposition of the daughter Grace Morse who is 57 yrs. old I obtained & might also have taken the same from other members, younger
The application has been made for a copy of the record from Fitzwilliam N.H.
If I can obtain it I shall forward it duly - Otherwise I suppose the case is a plain one -
An early attention is respectfully solicited -
Yours most Respectfully
J. K. Parish

April 26 1830
Add: Revd.:
Lucy Moore, (wid. Hon. Betsy)
Hway
J. Edwards Comm. of Pensions. Washington City D.C.
75 3/4 6 3/4
30.
106.66 3/4 13.33 1/3

Randolph Vt. April 18th 1850.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm. of Pensions, Sir,
I herewith forward the certificate of the marriage of Mrs. Betsey Morse, widow of the late Hon. H. Morse. I do not know that the certificate of the Clerk of the town of Fitz William is exactly formal in its authentication yet I believe this together with the declaration of the widow & the deposition of the daughter, Grace Morse aged some 17 years will be sufficient to establish the fact beyond a doubt.
I am Mr. Obedt. Servt.
J. K. Parish

11.253
Vermont, Montpelier Betsey Morse widow of Abner Morse who died in the year 1803 of Orange in the State of Vt. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt commanded by Col [blank] in the Revolution for 6 mo: 21 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Montpelier at the rate of 21 Dollars 33 1/3 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 nd day of Aug 1852 and sent to Hon Mr. Hebard Arrears to the 4th of Semi-annual allowance ending No 1 R
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 7, 1838. Recorded by [blank] Clerk, Book [blank] Vol. 1. Page 33

9146 Vermont, Montpelier Betsey Morse widow of Abner who was a pirate in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 21. Dollars 33, Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 d day of Jany 1852 and sent to
Hon Mr. Gebard Hop R
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book Vol. 2
Page 65
28 Feb 48 - 5843

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 18524
Betsey Morse widow of Abner Morse Pris New-Has
Act: Feb 29. 48
Index:—Vol. Mr , Page 64
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 14196 Betsey Morse Vermont
Let J. W. Parrish 4 th Sept 1850
Sam 21 March 57
Sam 27 June 57
ent 7 May 1838

May 2. 2/1857
Rec: to Sparkhurst circumstances of Mrs Belsey Morse
back
Prof. PRIDE Hebard, M.D.
J. E. Heath. Court of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

March 7 th 1857
Adal. Ev. in case
Rev. J. B. Hester wid: A. Hester
Dr $40 38
J. W. Parish
J. Randolph J. L.
Commissioners of Pensions
Washington
D. C.

Ph: act 2, #86, 48, 84:
Poplar

West Fairlee Vt Apr 21 st 3
A
B
Hon: L. P. Waldo Clerk of Pensioners Washington

5 M.269
5
Nov Aug

No. 95-798
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Apr. 24, 1876.
Abner Morse (Rev. Sec- Mass. State Sen. Rev. War
11269-160-55-
Stephen Thomas West Fairlee Vt.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
March 29. 1851.
Sir :
Yours of March 26. resp y a certificate of the service of Alner Morse has been received.
I am desirous of communicating any desired information in such cases, but in this it appears that you ask respecting facts which were explicitly stated in the certificate. The first service was stated to have been for 6 mo. 12 d. in 1778. as a private of Holliston , the place where the application stated the soldier to be from, in the 2 d the place was not given - if the widow believes he did not do that service, it can be disclaimed - certainly the first term is plainly set forth.
Very Respectfully
Your Ob t Serv t
Thomas Campbell for the Secy
J. H. Parris Esq.

Randolph Vt. April 7. 1857
Comm. of Pensions
Sir,
After receiving your last letter stating you must require a more definite identity of the late Abner Morse to establish the claim of the Widow Betsy Morse to a Pension. I therefore wrote again to the Secretary of Mass. to examine the records & determine the location of Mr. Morse I therefore send the Department the reply from the Secretary.
I have not recd. any farther reply as yet from Holliston. I wish the Department would again review the case of the Widow Morse and it seems to me that from the declaration of the widow together with Secretary of State of Mass. Cert. & indeed all the papers in the case, that there can be no doubt but that the Abner Morse of Holliston Mass. who served 6 mos. & 12 days was the husband of the Widow Betsy Morse the applicant, and that the other person alluded to in the Sec'y. Cert. is not the Abner Morse & probably not any Morse but some other person.
I am sure the widow claiming never had any idea or intimation that her husband was ever in service for more if as much as one year.
I am Sir Your Obedt Servt J. K. Parris

Chelsea Vt April 24, 1851.
Hon. Jas. E. Heath, Govt of Vermont.
Dear Sir,
Hon. Jacob
H. Parish, who is acting as the Atty and Agent of Widow Betsey Morse of Randolph in the County of Orange and State of Vermont in obtaining a Pension for her, has called upon me, knowing that I was well acquainted with the family, and requested me to make a Statement of the Character and Circum- stances of the family and particularly of Mrs Morse. — I have known Mrs Morse from my earliest recollection. — I resided in the same town till five years ago, — and a large portion of the time in the same neighborhood. — I knew her hus- band Deacon Almon Morse, at the time of his death, although I was young. — He had the reputation and character of being a perfectly honest and upright man, — and his family have earned or inherited from him the same character. — Mrs Morse is regarded as a woman of unblemished Character, and whatever she may

State will be entitled to the fullest credit. —
I do not know her age, but from her appearance, think that she is between Eighty and Ninety. — From my knowledge of her character and that of her husband and family I have no doubt that she is entitled to the Pension she claims. —
I am truly Your H on . Servant
Wm. H. Ashland. —

Comm. of Pensions
Sir,
It having occurred to me that heretofore the Hon. W m Heckard was well acquainted with Mrs. Betsy Morse & family I desired him to so certify to the department I respectfully desire the Comm. to review this case again -
Yr Old Serv.
J. H. Parish

Washington Jan. 21. 1852.
Hon. J. E. Heath Court of Pensions, Sir,
You are requested to review the Case of Betsy Morse of Randolph Vermont, an Applicant for a Revolutionary Pension, among others, for the following reasons, — 1 st The Certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Mass. creates no suspicion that her husband Almon Morse was a deserter, —
His service was for six months and twelve days from June 1778, — under Capt. Joseph Giffett, — in Col. John Jacobs Regiment, —
The other person who was a deserter is not certified to be Morse , — but if his name is Morse , it is not certified to be Almon Morse , and his service is certified to have commenced 3 years after, to wit, — June 1781, — he was in another Company, and another Regiment, to wit, — Capt. Joseph Bates Company, and Col. Brooks Regiment, —
I submit that this does not, prima facie raise a suspicion , much less a presumption that they are the same person, —
If Almon Morse had enlisted under Capt. Giffett, and deserted, when he returned there

three years afterwards, he would not have returned Capt. Bates Company, and another Regiment.
2. But if there is any presumption that they are the same person, the man in under Capt. Bates must have been a separate and distinct man, and if he deserted, it would not affect the man in under Capt. Griffith three years before that time.
But the presumption as well as the facts, go to establish a contrary conclusion.
Very Respectfully, Your Hb. Servant,
Wm. Hebard.

Randolph Vt. Feb. 24, 1857
Comm ee of Pensions Sir,
It is now a long time since application for a pension for the widow Betsy Morse was made to the Department on account of the services of Abner Morse , her late husband, in the War of the Revolution. I have endeavored to send such facts as I thought would be satisfactory. I wrote to Holliston Mass. where he resided in the time of the Revolution & have obtained the paper enclosed which, with those before sent I think will satisfy the Department fully of the identity of the late Abner Morse & of his widow the present applicant. An early notice of this case is desired.
Yr. Obed t Servant
J. H. Parish