Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15619, for Abijah Richards, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Richards, Abijah Bullard, Abigail
N. 15619
Farmer widow
CONTENTS
This widow's second husband, Ephraim Bullard, also served in the Revolutionary war. See papers within.

Payable to Anna Hester, Abigail, Mary, Hannah, and Abigail, children of Abigail and Abigail, and Abigail, daughter of Abigail.
Report
81173
Massachusetts.
by Abigail Ballard the widow of Elijah Richards
who was a pensioner under the Act of _____ and who died on the _____ in 1789 of Norfolk Co in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Denson of the Regt commanded by Col Putnam in the Mass, line for Nov. 1884.
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston at the rate of 38 Dollars 68 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of June, 1844 and sent to Hon. E. Chas. Doolittle Mass.
Total amount, $193.40
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Thos. Sumner Clerk, Book Vol. 1. Page 53.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston September 14 th 1843
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the several attestations Sherman Seland was Judge of Probate and William Ellis was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to their 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 Commonwealth, the date above written.
Jno. A. Bolles Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Anna Felton's Application - in the Right of Abigail Bullard dec.
Please to report the result of this claim to the subscriber at Dedham Massachusetts.
Yours "Gellis"

State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss.
On this fifth day of September A.D. 1843. Personally appeared in Open Court, before Sherman Leland Esq. judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County, Anna Felton a resident of the town of Needham in said County of Norfolk, aged sixty one years, in behalf of herself, Abigail Parsons - Mary Hannevell and Abijah Richards, being all the surviving children of their mother, Abigail Bullard, late of said Needham dec.-who, first being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath; and in the right of her said deceased mother, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Acts of Congress passed July 7 th A.D. 1838, and August 23 A.D. 1842 -.
viz. I Anna Felton of Needham in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts widow, being sixty one years of age, hereby declare and say. That I am one of the children of Abigail Bullard late of said Needham dec. That myself - Abigail Parsons - Mary Hannevell - and Abijah Richards are all the surviving children of the said deceased. That said Abigail Bullard my late mother, died at Needham aforesaid on the twenty ninth day of August A.D. 1842. and at the time of her death, was the widow of Capt. Ephraim Bullard late of said Needham dec. that she, the said Abigail was lawfully married to said Capt. Ephraim Bullard (her second husband) on the first day of December A.D. 1823. and that the said Capt. Bullard died April 2 d A.D. 1826. She the said Abigail remaining his widow till her death. And I farther say, that my said mother, Abigail Bullard, previous to her marriage with said Capt. Ephraim Bullard, was the widow of Abijah Richards dec. her first husband whose place of Residence was the west Parish of Dedham, since incorporated into the town of Dover and who rendered military services to the United States in the Revolutionary war. That according to what I have heard related by my said mother some years before her death, and from other sources of information I have met with, - These military services of said Abijah Richards (the father of the aforesaid children) were performed in the capacity of Soldier or Private as follows - viz.
ten days service at the Lexington alarm in Capt. Ebenezer Battle's Company April 1775 -
Two months and four days service at Roxbury, & Dorchester Heights near Boston in Capt. Aaron Guild's Company, Col. Sam. Phillips Regt. This term of service ending near the first of April A.D. 1776 -
one month's service at Castle Island, in Capt. Eben. Battle's Company, in the months of May & June 1776 -
three months service at Sandy Hook in Capt. Saml. Cwell's Company Col. William's Regt. in the autumn of the year 1776 -
Six weeks service at Rhode Island, in Capt. Ebenezer Battle's Company Col. Benj. Haines Regiment in the Autumn of the year 1777 -
Two months service at Cambridge in the Company of Capt. Ezekiel Plimpton or that of Capt. Thomas Mayo guarding Genl. Burgoyne's Troops, Prisoners of war in the winter of the year 1778 -
Nine months service at West Point, White Plains - and State of New Jersey - in Capt. Josiah Bensen's Company, Col. Rufus Putnam's Regiment, that this term of service was rendered between the first of July - A.D. 1779, and the first of June, A.D. 1780 - and was Continental Service -
That said Abigail Bullard dec. was lawfully married to her first husband, the said Abijah Richards my late father dec. December 7 th A.D. 1780. and that said Abijah Richards died at Dover aforesaid, in the month of August or September, in the year 1789 - and said Abigail remained his widow till her marriage to Capt. Ephraim Bullard as above stated, that after the passage of the Acts of July 4 th 1836 and July 7 th 1838, for the relief of widows, my said mother, Abigail Bullard many times stated she had a just claim for a Pension under some of these Acts, as both her first and second husbands, had rendered considerable military service in the Revolutionary war, but on enquiry it was found she could not enter the pension list under the Act of July 4 th 1836, as no service was rendered by her first husband after marriage, also that she could not enter the list under the Act of July 7 th 1838, for services of her first husband, because she had been married to a second husband, etc. and that she could not enter the pension list, for the Revolutionary of Capt. Ephraim Bullard her second husband, because she happened to marry him after the first day of January A.D. 1794. That my said Mother Abigail Bullard was living and in comfortable health on the twenty third day of August A.D. 1842. the day the U.S. Act passed removing the second marriage restriction; and I claim that on that day, her right vested for a pension under the Act of July 7 th A.D. 1838, although she was suddenly taken ill and died August 29 th 1842, and was thus deprived the opportunity of making application in her own behalf. Therefore I claim in the right of said Abigail Bullard my said mother dec. for myself and the other children above named, the amount of Pension or arrearage of Pension lawfully due to said Abigail Bullard at the time of her death, under the U.S. Act of July 7 th 1838. And I herewith transmit the best proofs at my command, in aid of this claim -
That the aforesaid marriage of my father and mother, the said Abijah Richards & Abigail Bullard took place after Abijah Richards left the military service aforesaid, and prior to the first day of January A.D. 1794. viz. at the time above stated -
Sworn to, and subscribed on the day and year first above written Before me.
S. Leland
Anna Felton Judge of the Court of Probate

"Married Mr Abijah Richards and Miss Abigail Mansall both of Dedham" - December seventh one thousand seven hundred and eighty - 9.
J. Ralph Sanger, of Dover (formerly part of Dedham) in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, Clerk, hereby certify, that the above extract, show- ing the marriage of Abijah Richards and Abigail Mansall, is a true copy thereof, on the Book of Church Records in my profession & keeping, with the exception of the date, which is impressed on the said record in fair, legible letters and figures as follows, viz, "December 7. 1780"
Attest, Ralph Sanger } Clergyman of Dover
I, Ralph Sanger, abovenamed, depose and say, that I now hold, & for thirty years last past, have held the office of Pastor or Clergyman over the first Church and Society in said town of Dover, and that the above is a true extract from the Clerical or Church Records of said Society, with the exception abovenamed, as certified by me. Ralph Sanger } Clergyman of Dover
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss
August 29 th A.D. 1843 - Then personally appeared the above named Ralph Sanger a respectable Clergyman of Dover Mass a a credible witness, and subscribed to, and made oath, that the matter by him certified and set forth in the foregoing statements by him so subscribed, is just and true.
Before me. Wm. Collins } Justice of the Peace

I Mary Battelle of Dover in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being Eighty one years of age hereby depone and say, that I was personally acquainted with Abijah Richards late of said Dover dec. during  the the war of the Revolution and afterwards till his death, that said Abijah Richards married my sister, Abigail Mansel in the year 1780, and according to my best recollection the said marriage took place near the last of autumn, or first part of winter of that year. That according to my best recollection and belief the said Abijah Richards served as Soldier two or more tours in the Revolutionary war, it occurs to mind that said Richards and the young men left Dover in the latter part of summer or Autumn of the year either 1776 or 1777, and went to the Westward towards Bennington Ticonderoga but have forgotten the particulars of the Campaign. That said Abijah Richards as I believe went into a nine months service as Soldier, at White Plains and the south, at the same time my late husband Hezekiah Battelle went as fifer under a Captain Benson Col. Rufus Putnam. Regiment, that this term of service began in the Summer or Autumn of 1779 and ended near the last of May 1780. That the said Abijah Richards my said Sisters husband died at Dover aforesaid according to my best remembrance, in the month of September or October in the year 1789. I certainly attended his funeral Ceremonies. And I further say, that my sister the widow of Abijah Richards dec. married a second husband by the name of Ephraim Bullard of Needham, who died near twenty years ago, and she the said Abigail remained the widow of said Ephraim Bullard till her death which took place at said Needham on or about the last day of August A.D. 1842. I attended her funeral.
Mary Battelle
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss.
September 4 th 1843. Then personally appeared the above named Mary Battelle known to the subscriber to be a credible witness, and subscribed to and made oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement by her so subscribed is true.
Before me — W m Gellis Justice of the Peace
Note, the words "during" and "but" interlined in the above description were inserted by me before the deponent signed the same.
W m Gellis

I Zechariah Fuller of Needham in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being of lawful age hereby testify and say, that I lived a neighbor to, and was personally acquainted with Capt Ephraim Bullard late of said Needham dec; who died about seventeen years ago, and also was personally acquainted with Abigail Bullard his widow, and who remained his widow till her death, and I know the fact, that said Abigail Bullard died at said Needham on the twenty ninth day of August A.D. 1842, at the age of ninety years, and left four Children viz - Anna Felton, Abigail Parsons Mary Hemenwell and Abijah Prickards, who are all above the age of twenty one years -.
Zechariah Fuller
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss -
January 9 th A.D. 1843. - Personally appeared the above named Zechariah Fuller, a man of known respectability and a credible witness, and who subscribed to, and made Oath that the matter sets forth in the foregoing statement by him so subscribed, is true in every part thereof -.
Before me W m Ellis Justice of Peace

"Marriages" — top of Page
"Capt Ephraim Ballard of Needham & Mrs Abigail Richards of Dedham" one thousand eight hundred and three, December first —.
I Richard Ellis of Dedham in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts hereby certify that the above Extract showing the Marriage of Capt Ephraim Ballard and Mrs. Abigail Richards, is a true copy of the Record thereof, on the Book of Records in my possession with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the Record in fair legible letters and figures as follows, viz
"1803 Decem r 1"
Attest. Richard Ellis } Town Clerk of Dedham
I Richard Ellis above named, depose and say, that I now hold the Office of Town Clerk in the town, County and State aforesaid, and that the above extract is a true copy from the Records of said town of Dedham with the exception above named, as certified by me.
Richard Ellis
State of Massachusetts } County of Norfolk ss — September 12 th 1843. Then Personally appeared Richard Ellis above named, Clerk of the the Town of Dedham and credible Witness, and who subscribed to and made Oath that the matter by him certified and set forth in the foregoing statements by him subscribed, is just and true.
Before me, J. H. Ellis } Justice of Peace

I Asa Kingsbury of Needham in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, hereby depose and say, that I hold the office of town Clerk in said Needham at the present time, and have the custody and keeping of the Book of Records of Deaths and Births in said town, and on the Record of Deaths I find an Entry in the priuse words, figures, and form following, viz z — Capt. Ephraim Bullard Died April 2. 1826. Aged 78 years —.
And from my own knowledge, I know the fact, that Abigail Bullard, the widow of said Ephraim Bullard Dec d ; remained the widow of said Ephraim Bullard till her Death, which took place a few Months past.
Asa Kingsbury
State of Massachusetts } Norfolk County — SS — January 9 th A.D. 1843. Then personally appeared the above named Asa Kingsbury, the town Clerk of Needham a credible witness, and subscribed, and made Oath that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement, by him so made and subscribed, is true in every part thereof —.
Before me. W m Ellis Justice of the Peace
Note. The words "Died, remaining" in the second line from the bottom of the foregoing statement, were altered to the words "Dec d , remained" before said Kingsbury the Deponent signed or otherwise authenticated the same —
100
W m Ellis

I Nathaniel Guild of Dedham in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, Treasurer of said Town of Dedham, hereby certify, that I have the charge and keeping of sundry Books of Records pertaining to the Treasury department of said town, and that on one of said Books of record, I find two entries in the precise words, figures and form following — viz
"Paid" — top of Page
"August 10 th 1779"
50 Schabad Harrington & Abijah Richards, each of them Two Hundred and Forty Pounds advance Pay, they having engaged to Do Soldier Duty Nine months in the continental army —
$ 480 0 0
"Feb y 18 1782"
50 m c Abijah Richards Two Hundred and sixteen Pounds in full for his Doing Soldiers duty for said Town Nine months in the Continental army agreeable to a Resolve of Court June 9 th 1779 —
$ 216 0 0
Attest — Nath l Guild
Town Treasurer of Dedham
I Nathaniel Guild above named depose and say, that I now hold the office of Town Treasurer in the town, county, and state aforesaid, and that the above are true extracts from the Records of said town of Dedham above as certified by me.
Nath l Guild
State of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk ss
September 12 th 1843 Then personally appeared the above named Nathaniel Guild, Treasurer of the Town of Dedham a credible witness, and subscribed to, and made Oath, that the matter by him certified and set forth in the foregoing statements by him subscribed, is just and true —
Before me. W m Ellis Justice of the Peace
Note — the word "above" in the first space from the bottom of the above deposition was inserted by me before the deponent signed or acknowledged the same — W m Ellis

Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., Octo _____, 1893.
Sir
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Abijah Richards , a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in the application for pension on file in this Bureau. by his daughter in behalf of her former Widow Abigail Bullard
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     April 1775 10 days Priv Ebenezer Battle Mass   From Jan'y 1776 3 tours 6 months } do, do, Abijah & Covell Robinson & Hillard "   fall 1777 1 1/2 " " Ebenezer Battle Benjamin Hawes "   1778 2 " " Ezekiel Plimpton "   1779 9 " " Joshua Berson Rufus Putnam "  
Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Needham that part now Dover Mass
Date of application for pension, for widow Sep t 1843
Residence at date of application, Needham Mass
Age at date of application, of widow not stated. He married Dec 7. 1780 Abigail Mansell
Remarks: She died in Aug t or Sept 1789. She died Aug t 29. 1842. She had married a 2 d husband Ephraim Ballard Dec 1. 1813 who died April 2. 1825
Nathan Cook, Luke Dean, Thomas Larabee, Richard Farrington not on record as pensioners —
Very respectfully,
Mr. Frank Smith
West Dedham
Mass
Commissioner.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Widow's Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Abigail Bullard, deceased , late of Massachusetts, formerly widow of Abijah Richards, who was a Private in the Revolution, and died on the _____ day of _____ in 1789, was entitled to a pension is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Thirty eight dollars and Sixty eight cents per annum, commencing on the 4th of March, 1836, and terminating on the 4th of March, 1841, unless But having died on the 29 th of August 1842, the amount which was due to her the Pensioner married or died before the above mentioned date in which case is payable the pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death. Payable to Anna Fella Abigail Farny, Mary Farny & Abijah Richards, only surviving children of Abigail Bullard, deceased.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 11 th day of June, one thousand eight hundred and 42.

Map
Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15619 Abigail Ballard Widow of Abiah Richards 1805; New York
Act: July 1st 38
Index:—Vol. a , Page 104
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Nov. 9/93 Mil. Hist. to Frank Smith West Dedham, Mass.

V No 9663
Abigail Bullard
Dec 2 wid of Abigail Richardson
Mass s
Suspended
Let to Mr. Ellis Nov 21 1843
" " Ditto Feby 20 1844
" " Ditto Apr 19 1844
Act 7 th July '38

9662
Abigail Bullard Dedham Mass
Act 7 th July 3.
Ad d
11 m. 18 d.
prov
$38. 68 per An. 100
certificate to be issued in favor of Anna Follen Abigail Parsons Mary Hannawell and Abigail Richards the only surviv- ing children of Abigail Bullard. Abigail Bullard died on the 29 th August 1842
M m Ellis
Dedham Ms

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by A. E. P.
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Ephraim Bullard
Service Mass.
Additional Service Rev. war.
No _____ claim, State records _____, 191 _____
No claim, combination records _____, 191 _____
REMARKS:
No O.W. inv. rid. or rej. as above.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Jan 20/1813
By 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 Abijah Richards is borne upon the pay roll of Capt Aaron Build from Jan 30 to March 24 1778 upon the pay roll of Capt Eben Batch, from the 11th to the 20th of March 1778 & 2 days travel. There are no rolls of Capt Batch in Col Hawes regt in 1777.
1.27 19 2 218
Massachusetts.

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 which tend to satisfy me of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual who rendered the service.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
J. A. Bolles Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Pension Office, November 21. 1843.
Sir,
The papers in the case of Abigail Bullard, deceased, formerly widow of Abijah Richards, Claiming a pension under the act of July 7 th 1838, have been examined and filed. The proofs of the date of the Marriage and identity are sufficient. The name of Abijah Richards appears on the rolls in this Office for nine Months Service in Colonel Putnam's Regiment; but the certificate of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts should be produced to establish the other items for which an allowance is claimed. The death of Abigail Bullard having, as alleged, occurred within a few days after the passage of the act of August 23 rd 1842, by which her disability to claim was removed, the Department is induced to require the most specific proof of the precise date of the occurrence. The deposition of two respectable witnesses, whose credibility should be well attested, would be satisfactory.
I am very respectfully, Your obedient.
J. L. Edwards
William Ellis Esq. Deaham, Massachusetts.

2 mem. Capt. Anton Guita 1776 " " " " 1777

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston December 15 th 1843
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation William Ellis was a Justice of the Peace for the county of Norfolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; 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 Commonwealth, the date above written.
Wm. A. BULL
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I George Smith of Needham in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being seventy three years of age, hereby depose and say - that I resided a near neighbor to, and was personally acquainted with - Mrs Abigail Bullard, the widow of the late Capt Ephraim Ballard dec. for several years before her death, that I well know and recollect the fact, that said Abigail Ballard died on Monday the twenty ninth day of August A.D. 1842, and that I attended the funeral ceremonies at her interment, on the thirty first day of August, or first day of September A.D. 1842.
George Smith
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss. December 11 th 1843 - Then personally appeared Capt. George Smith the above named deponent, who has heretofore been and is at the present time, the Representative of said town of Needham at the Legislature of Mass ts - and is a credible Witness, and also at the date aforesaid, subscribed to, and made Oath that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement by him so subscribed, is true -.
Before me, W m G. Ellis } Justice of the Peace

I Solomon F. Smith of Needham in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being forty two years of Age hereby depose and say, that I resided near to and was personally acquainted with Abigail Bullard when she was the wife of Capt Ephraim Bullard late of said Needham dec, and also while she remained the widow of said Ephraim Bullard till her death. That I recollect that said Abigail Bullard died at said Needham, on Monday the twenty ninth day of August A.D. 1842, and that I attended her funeral on the second or third day after her death —.
Solomon F. Smith
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss
December 11 th 1843. Then personally appeared the above named Solomon F. Smith a man of known respectability and a credible Witness, and subscribed to, and made Oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement by him so subscribed, is true —.
Before me, W. G. Ellis Justice of the Peace
Note. The interlined words, "near" and "with" in the above deposition, were inserted by me before the same was authenticated —. W. G. Ellis

Jane L. Edwards Esq—
Washington City

Dedham September 13 th 1843.
Mr Edwards
Sir
Herewith is transmitted the Application of Anna Felton in the right of Abigail Ballard her late mother dec. which I deem to be a just and lawful claim. The Claimant has procured the best evidence in her power to establish this claim, and there are many respectable people who well remember Abijah Richards and his marriage to Abigail Mansell, the same person who was afterwards Abigail Ballard above mentioned, but no one has yet been found who served with said Abijah Richards in the Revolutionary war to testify to this service. It is known to me and many others that said Abigail Ballard was a woman of much respectability and said much about claiming for a Pension for the Revolutionary service of said Abijah Richards her first husband dec. at the time the Act of July 4 th 1836 - and the Act of July 1838 - passed - but could not enter the pension list under either acts, for reasons set forth in the Claimant's declaration. The Proof of two months and four days service of said Abijah Richards, can be found on an Original Roll of Capt. Aaron Guild I suppose now on your files, I certainly forwarded this original Roll of Capt. Aaron Guild Col. Lem c . Robinson Regiment to your Department, in the case of Anna Guild & Sarah Guild , April 13 th - 1839 - whatever further explanations may be found requisite to aid this claim will be promptly furnished when made known to the subscriber.
James S. Edwards Esq. Washington City
I am Sir, very Respectfully your Obedient Servant
Wm. G. Ellis

9662
Abigail Bullard Dec d wid. of Asaph Bullard Mass s
Act 7 th 1838

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF NORFOLK, ss.
I, SHERMAN LELAND, Judge of the Court of Probate, in and for said County, hereby certify, that satisfactory evidence has been adduced to me to prove that Abigail Bullard of Needham, in said County, widow of Capt Ephraim Bullard late of said Needham, deceased, and formerly widow of Abijah Richards formerly of said Dover in said County, deceased, died at said Needham on the twenty ninth day of August One thousand eight hundred and forty two, and that she left Anna Felton, Abigail Parsons, Mary Hannand, and Abijah Richards her only surviving children, who are still living, and all over twenty one years of age. And that the said Abijah Richards, the first husband of the said Abigail Bullard, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the said Judge, have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, this fourteenth day of September one thousand eight hundred and forty three .
S Leland

Needham Mass ts December 18 th 1843 -
Mr Edwards
Sir
Agreeable to the suggestions in your Letter of November 21 st I have procured from the Secretary of War ts a Certificate, the result of a search of the Rolls in his Department for the Revolutionary Services of Abijah Richards and the former husband of Abigail Bullard deceased and for which services, Anna Felton forwarded a claim to your Department, in the right of said Abigail Bullard her late mother deceased , near four months ago, - and I herewith transmit the See d Certificate above mentioned -
Also your last letter requests two more depositions from "Respectable Witnesses" to establish the fact of the day of said Abigail Richards' decease, which are herewith transmitted. I had supposed that Anna Felton, well knowing the day of her mother's death, and clearly stating that day in her sworn declaration, with Judge Leland's Official Certificate of the same fact, and also the Deposition of Mr Fuller to the same fact, who who sustains and undoubted character for veracity, and was the Sexton who had charge of the interment; and the fact stated in the Deposition of Mary Battle sister of said Abigail deceased - would, all together have established the precise time of said Abigail Bullard's death beyond doubt - But Sir I am aware that the proofs above mentioned may have been mislaid or over look'd - and hope the testimony herewith transmitted will be satisfactory -
James L. Edwards Esq. Washington City
I am Sir very Respectfully Your Obe t Servant

Dedham Mass. 11, April 9 th 1844
Mr. Edwards
Sir.
On the 23 rd or 24 th of February last, I received a letter from Geo. Wm Crump of your Department dated "Pension Office Feb y 20 th 1844," professedly in answer to a previous letter of mine to you, making a simple inquiry as to the decision of the Pension claims of Deborah Ware - Jane Partridge, and Anna Felton, in the right of Abigail Ballard, her late mother dec. but answers only in general terms that "these claims have been regularly attended to in their turn" - and instead of a simple yes or no requested, answers , by forwarding to me certified copies of four letters from you to me in relation to the three claims aforesaid, some of which dated as far back as July 15 th 1843, and which, had all been promptly answered by me at the times received, it was certainly unnecessary labor, to transcribe and transmit these copies, when I had the originals or copies of the originals on file before me at the same time, nor did Mr Crump assign any cause to be served, on any end to be met by this circumstance in his accompanying letter of Feb y 20 th 1844; but in the same letter used the word "result" in such connection, as rendered its interpretation doubtful.
Under these circumstances Sir, it seems necessary briefly to state, that when your four letters (above refer'd to) were received by me, I directly complied with their requisitions, by procuring and sending to your Department the required certificates from the Secretary of Massachusetts, and furthermore at the same time, I forwarded in each case with these certificates from our Secretary of State, sundry Explanations; illustrations and some affidavits, solely with a view to aid and facilitate the examination and decision of the three claims in question; but know not whether these certificates were ever received at your Department; Mr Crump makes no mention of them in his letter above refer'd to. Therefore, wishing for something reasonable to meet the enquiries of the claimants, I would hereby respectfully ask the favor to be inform'd as soon as convenient, whether the several certificates from our Secretary of State (required by the four letters aforesaid) and the explanations, illustrations and Depositions accompanying, were duly received at your Department? If they were not received or have been overlooked, it will account for the circumstances above recited. If they were duly received and nothing alledged either for or against them for months afterwards, I shall then be able to decide more correctly, whether I am or am not, to regard the word "result" in Mr Crump's letter of Feb y 20 th 44, as the sermo ni Ultimatum of said three claims, by your Department.
I am Sir, very Respectfully Your obed t Servant
James L. Edwards (sec.) Washington City.
W. Ellis

Dover, Mass.
Oct. 12 th 1883.
Commissioner of the Department of the Interior,
Dear Sir: I am writing the history of this town and desire to give the record of Revolutionary soldiers with fullness. Will you see if the following persons applied for a pension, if so kindly give me their military history Nathan Cook, not found Luke Dean, not found Thomas Larabee, not found Abijah wid 1869 Rickards, Ichabod not found Farrington.
Dover was at this time a part of Dedham. Yours truly,
P. O. Address, Frank Smith West Dedham, Mass.