Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24939, for James Shepherd, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Shepherd, James Mary
N. 24939
CONTENTS

12,224
R
Haine
Ja. Shepherd
of _____ in the state of _____ who was a _____ in the regiment commanded by Colonel Briggs in the Mass. line, for the term of 3 years
scribed on the Roll of _____ at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 9 of May 1818
certificate of Pension issued the 15 of July 1819 and Sister Maria Haine Alma Haine
arrears to 4th of Mar 1819  78.96 emi-anl. all'ce ending 15 Sept 1818 9 27 35  $121.96
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
not stated
Lead
Letter to Mr. Webb & Auditor 30 Nov 1835
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 8 th April 1838 for the period from 9 th May 1818 to 24 July 1818 - ago notified 28 Nov 1838.

2. Maine
1384.
Mary Shepherd widow of James Shepherd who was a Private in the Mass line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of August, 1843 and sent to Parker McComb Esq. Wadsworth Maine
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 1 Page 9.
Rev Aug 6 5

James Shepherd of Jefferson in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine aged Forty three years do hereby depose and say that I have in my custody the family Register of Births & marriages kept by my late Father James Shepherd, deceased and that the following is a true & correct transcript from said Register of Births & marriages viz
James Shepherd and Mary Pressy was married November 23. 1780.
 Sydia Shepherd was born March the 8 day 1781.  Margaret Shepherd was born July the 1 day 1783.  Mary Shepherd was born August the 27 1785.  Matthew Shepherd was born March the 18 1790.  Elizabeth Shepherd was born May the 9 1793.  James Shepherd was born January the 15 on Friday 1796.  Nancy born June 29. 1802. 
James Shepherd
State of Maine
Lincoln Co.
On this 18 th day of June 1839 Personally appeared the abovenamed James Shepherd & caused the foregoing deposition to be read over to him and the same being read & understood by him, he signed the same thereto, & made solemn oath that the same is true in all its parts. Before the undersigned

the said James Shepherd whose name is appended to the foregoing deposition is a man of truth & veracity & that his statements made under oath are entitled to full credit & belief. I further certify that the said James Shepherd previous to executing the foregoing deposition exhibited for my inspection the Register of Births & marriages purporting to be the original records kept by his late Father James Shepherd & that the same had the appearance of being genuine.
DWY M c COBB Just Peace
State of Maine County of Lincoln B.
I do testify that Denny M c COBB abovenamed was on the day when the above acknowledgment was made a Justice of the Peace for the abovenamed County
I subscribe my name & affix my Notarial Seal this 10th day of June A D 1839 Denny M c COBB Jr Notary Public

James Shepherd.
Mass. line
13 Regt
Col. Wigglesworth
April 1777
April 1780 3 yrs
Corrected by
for all the Certificate,
see Case of
Col. Robinson
#

I James Shepherd, of Jefferson, in the County of Lincoln, and State of Massachusetts, aged fifty six years, a resident citizen of the United States, desiring to obtain the provision made by the law of the United Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons, engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war, and to be placed on the pension list for the District of Maine, do on oath testify and declare: That about March or April in the year 1777, at a place which is now the said Jefferson, I enlisted for three years as a private soldier for three years , on the continental establishment in the war of the revolutions, and joined the army, and served out my said term of enlistment in Capt. Alexander's company and Col. Wigglesworth's regiment, in the Massachusetts line; and about March or April, 1780, was discharged. My discharge has long been lost, and

is not to my knowledge in existence. By reason of my reduced circumstances in life I am in need of assistance from my country for support James Shepard
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Lincoln ss. On the ninth day of May, A.D. 1818, before me Josiah Stebbins, a Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Second East- ern Circuit, personally appeared James Shep- herd above named, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Declaration by him subscribed. Josiah Stebbins.

I William Shepherd of Jefferson, in Massachusetts, testify and say, that I am the brother of James Shepherd the declarant aforesaid: that I lived in my father's family, when the said James was absent, and said to be in the army. I have seen a furlough and a discharge from him: and, from my best recollection, I have no doubt he was in the service three years. I know that was the term which then was considered as the time of his service. William Shepherd
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Lincoln ss. On the ninth day of May, A.D. 1818, before me Josiah Stebbins, a Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Second Eastern Circuit, personally appeared William Shepherd above named, and made oath to the truth of the aforesaid affidavit by him signed.
Josiah Stebbins.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
To the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War of the United States.
I the subscriber, being a Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, comprising the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, do hereby certify to your Honor, that James Shepherd , a citizen of the United States, now resident in Jefferson , in the said County of Lincoln , in the District of Maine, on the ninth day of May , A. D. 1818, made application to me to receive his declaration under oath, and such other evidence, as was in his power to produce; and to transmit the same, and the proceedings had thereon, to your Honor; that he might be placed on the pension list of the United States, agreeably to the provisions of an Act, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war," passed March 18, A. D. 1818, which declaration, and the other evidence produced by said applicant are hereunto annexed.
And I do further certify to your Honor, that after a full examination of the said applicant, and a careful consideration of the evidence in the case, it appears to me that the said applicant did serve as a private soldier in the war of the revolution, against the common enemy, upon the continental establishment, for more than nine months, as stated in his declaration aforesaid; and that from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his country for his support.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of the said Court to be hereunto affixed, this ninth day of May , in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
Josiah Stebbins.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
LINCOLN, ss.
I THE Subscriber, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held within the said County of Lincoln, hereby certify that the Honorable JOSIAH STEBBINS , Esquire, before whom the annexed proceedings were held, is a Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, comprising the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset; and that by the direction of the said Judge, I have affixed unto this certificate bearing his signature, the seal of the said Court in which he presides.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand:—Dated at Wiscasset, in said County of Lincoln, this day of _____ in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and

Mar
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT, May 29 181 9
BY THIS I CERTIFY, That it appears by public, official documents remaining in this Department, that James Shepard served as a Soldier in Capt. Major's Company, and Col. Smith's Regiment, (being one of the Regiments in the Massachusetts Line, and on the Continental Establishment,) in the American Army, in the War of the Revolution, from Feb 8 th 1777 to Feb 7, 8 th 1780, being Three years and  months.
Holden Bradford
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

3699 V Declaration
Mary Shepherd Jefferson Aug 6 1835.
at 7. July 35
Adm 138 2 yrs pri 804
No deduction
Dunn, N. H. Agent Waldoboro Maine

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th July 1832 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain soldiers.
State of Maine Lincoln ss. In this Sixth day of November 1832 personally appeared before me Henry Nathaniel Foster Judge of Probate, southern and for the County of Lincoln and State of Maine as a Probate Court of Waldo County. Mary Shepherd a resident of Jefferson in the County of Lincoln aged Seventy six years who being first duly sworn according to law doth in her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7. 1832 entitled an Act granting half pay and pensions to certain soldiers that she is the widow of James Shepherd who was a private in the army of the Revolution that the time of his enlistment into the service the name of the Company of the Company and Company of the Regiment in which he served is unknown to your applicant but is particularly described only set forth as she believes in his original declaration made under the act of 1816 and on file in the War Office and in which said declaration his certificate of Pension number 64 18224 and dated on the 13 th day of July 1822 was granted and a copy of which she hereto annexes the original having been forwarded to the Pension Agency at Portland to obtain the allowances of Pension due her, and to all which she respectfully refers. She further in both declares that she was married to her said husband James Shepherd by Benjamin Woodbridge Esq a Justice of the Peace at a place

called Rev. Wilson now Alsea in the County and State aforesaid in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty on the twenty third day of November. She further declares that her maiden name was Mary Pressey and that she has never intermarried with any other person but James Shepherd and is now his Widow.
She further declares that the only persons now living whom she remembers were present at her marriage are Samuel Carlton and Sarah Carlton whose depositions touching said marriage are herewith annexed and to which she now refers as support of her claim to the benefit of the provisions of the aforesaid Act.
She further declares that she was married to the said James Shepherd on the twenty third day of November in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty that her husband aforesaid James Shepherd died at Jefferson on the twenty fourth day of July A.D. 1882 that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place pursuant to the first of January Sixteen hundred and Ninety four at the time above stated.
Mary Pressey
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before Nellie Foster Judge of Probate

State of Maine Lincoln ss.
I Jacob Smith, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Lin- coln do hereby certify that Nathaniel Grew is the Judge of Probate for the County of Lincoln, and that his signature on the matters is genuine
In witness whereof my hand and seal of said Court this 10 th day of November A.D. 1835.
Jacob Smith, Clerk.

James Shepherd of Jefferson in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine aged Sixty Five years in both wishes and says that Sam. made acquaintance with Mary Shepherd the mother of James Shepherd late a Revolutionary Soldier & Pensioner of the United States that he died on the twelfth gentle day of July Eighteen hundred and eighteen, and that his said mother Mary Shepherd has not since his death intermarried with any other person, but is now his widow.
James Shepherd
State of Maine County of Lincoln ss. On this Sixth day of September 1835 personally appeared the above named James Shepherd and caused the foregoing Deposition to be reduced to writing & having the same read and understood by him, he subscribed his name thereto and made solemn oath that the same is true in all its parts; I further certify that the said James Shepherd is a man of truth & veracity and that his statements made under oath are entitled to full credit & belief.
DWIGHT M. COBB for Deac

I Sarah Carlton of Whitefield in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine aged Eighty four years do hereby depose and say that I was several years ago well acquainted with Mary Shepherd who is now about seventy years of age. Her maiden name was Mary Passy . Of late years I have not seen so much of her as when living several miles distant from each other. I recollect in the month of March or April 1780 — the precise day I do not remember I was present at the wedding House of Joseph Carlton in the Bedford Parish Church & State agreed and witnessed her marriage with James Shepherd by Reverend Murdock D.D. a Justice of the Peace then residing at a place called New Bedford since changed to the Alma. After this marriage she lived with said James Shepherd as his wife and they were of age a family of children. I have always understood that the said James Shepherd was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution. I understand the said Mary Shepherd his widow is now living & has never intermarried with any other person.
Which I swear Eliza Carlton
Sarah Carlton

State of Maine County of Lincoln ss
On this second day of October A.D. 1833 Personally appeared to me the above named Sarah Caleb who avers that the foregoing deposition to be reduced to writing and having the same read and understood by her she subscribed her name thereto and made solemn oath that the same was true. I further certify that the said Sarah Caleb is a person of truth and veracity and that her statements made under oath are entitled to full credit and belief.
DWIGHT M c COBB
State of Maine.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
LINCOLN, ss—I JACOB SMITH, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that Dwight M c COBB Esq. whose name is affixed to the annexed paper, as a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE is legally commissioned and duly qualified to act as such, and that the name so affixed is his own proper signature, to me well known.
IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this 10 th day of November A. D. 183
Jacob Smith CLERK.

Deposition of Samuel Carlton
I Samuel Carlton of Whitfield in the County of Lincoln State of Maine age Eighty Six years on oath affirm and say that I was personally acquainted with James Sheppard and Mary Pease many years before they were married. That some time in the Month of November seventeen hundred and eighty I was present at the wedding of Joseph Carlton at a Place called New Milford Now called Alma, in the County and State aforesaid and then saw the said James Sheppard and Mary Pease joined together in Marriage by Benjamin Woodbury Esq then a Justice of the Peace for said Lincoln County. I have been acquainted with the said James Sheppard and Mary his wife since their Marriage and that they lived together as man and wife until the day of his death which was some time in the Month of July 1818. Said Mary Sheppard is now living in Jefferson in said County, and has never been married to any other person. Said James Sheppard was a soldier of the Revolution and was placed on the Pension Roll of the Revolutionary Pensioners May 9 1819. Said Benjamin Woodbury was not an inhabitant of New Milford at the time of said Marriage. I do not recollect when he lived at that time he has been dead many years. Samuel Carlton
State of Maine County of Lincoln ss
(On this Second day of October A.D. 1835 Personally appeared Samuel Carlton who being sworn, deposes and says that the foregoing deposition is true to the best of his knowledge, information and belief. Subscribed and sworn to before me this Second day of October A.D. 1835 Dwight M. Dorr Judge of Probate
Dwight M. Dorr Judge of Probate

State of Maine County of Lincoln ss
In a Probate Court holding at Waltham in and for said County on the fifth day of November A.D. 1855 personally appeared in open Court the same being a Court of record - Mary Shepherd above named and the same declaration being read and understood by her she subscribed her name thereto and made oath that the same is true. In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of said Court to be affixed and the same is here counterseal by the Deputies of said Court and subscribed my name the day and year above mentioned.
William G. Dyer Judge of Probate.
Attest W. Shaw Esq.

Ref
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24939
Mary Shepherd Wid of James Shephard New Mass line
Act Mar 3rd 1843
Index : Vol 2 , Page 209
[Arrangement of 1870.]

V 3699
Lot. bunny Mcbott, May 21-39
act 7. July 38.

Mahe - 3832
Mary Shepherd, widow of James Shepherd,
who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 th Dec r 18 th and who died on the 24 th July 1818 of Scituate in the State of Maine who was a Pen. in the Army commanded by Captain  of the Reg t commanded by Brig d General  in the Mass s line for 2 yrs
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of Aug t '39, and sent to Mary McCobb Walobec, Me
Arrears to the 4 th of March - $ 240.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 40.00 $ 280.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by R. Bussey Clerk. Book A Vol. 15 Page 30

Mar. 8. 1839
FREE
The Rev. John D. Sleeper Commissioner of the Gospel Washington D.C.

Wadsworth March 2 1839
Dear James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
I enclose you the certificate of the Town Clerk of Wadsworth certifying the marriage of Mary Shepherd to an applicant for Pensions under the act of July 6th 1838, and whose declaration of marriage was at some time since transmitted to your department. I might thank you to file the enclosure with the papers in her case.
I have the honor to be Sir Very Respectfully &c. Miss A. H. Stewart D.W.W. 1839

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
December 15 th , 1838.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The Widow of James Shepherd, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Portland, Maine, Agency, at the rate of Eight — Dollars and — Cents per month  annum , under the law of the 18 th March, 1818, has been paid at this Department, from the 9 th of May, 1818, to the 24 th July, 1818, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
Wilson H. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

I Nathaniel Dole of Alna in the County of Penobscot, and State of Maine do hereby certify that I hold the office of Town Clerk and have in my possession the records of the town of Alna and that after a careful examination, the marriage or intention of marriage of James Shepherd and Mary Pressy does not appear on the records of marriages and publications for the town of Alna. Further certify that the said town of Alna was formerly called & known by the name of New Bedford.
Alna February 13 th 1839.
N. Dole
State of Maine County of Penobscot ss
On this 13 th day of February A.D. 1839, personally appeared Nathaniel Dole, Clerk, acknowledged and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him signed. Further certify that I have personally acquainted with the said Nathaniel Dole - that he is a man of truth & veracity, and that his statement made under oath and in the affairs of the town is true.
Before me Warren Roundlett Just of Peace

State of Maine.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
LINCOLN, ss—I JACOB SMITH, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that Alpheus Root Esq. whose name is affixed to the annexed paper, as a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE is legally commissioned and duly qualified to act as such, and that the name so affixed is his own proper signature, to me well known.
IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this
25 th day of February
A. D. 1839
Jacob Smith CLERK.

I hereby certify that the annexed paper purporting to be the original family record of James Shepherd, late of Pepper in the County of Lincoln & State of Maine, deceased, is the same paper from which a copy was made in the month of July 1839 and shown to, by James Shepherd son of James & Mary Shepherd, as being a copy of the original family record of the said James & Mary Shepherd then in his possession, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County & State for the purpose of being transmitted to the Pension Office at Washington to be used as evidence in the case of the application of Mary Shepherd for a Pension under the Act of 7 th July 1836; and which said paper purporting to be the original family record of the said James & Mary his wife hereto annexed, has been in my possession since the period above mentioned. I further certify that the annexed paper is the only paper ever exhibited to me at any time by the said James son afterwards, or any other person as the original family record of the said James & Mary Shepherd.
DWIGHT H. COBB Jur. Peace
Subscribed & sworn to this sixteenth day of August A.D. 1839
Before me
Parker McCall Notary Public

book of Richard Shepherd Lydia Shepherd was born March the 8 Day 1981 Margaret Shepherd was born July the 1 Day 1983 Mary Shepherd was born August the 27 1985 Matthew Shepherd was born March the 18 1990 Elizabeth Shepherd was born May the 9 1993 James Shepherd was born January the 15 1995 Nancy born June 29 1812
James Shepherd Monday of Tuesday was married November 23 1980

March the 6 - 1807 James Kavenen Deto me for - one tun of english hay twenty five Dollars Delivered to minister Nicholas Powers
November the 6 1806 Nicholas Powers Dto for grain What two bushels and half - 4.25
for thirty two Cask Staves 1807 69 by a order from Calveron Shephard Jan 7.5 by a order from Calveron Shephard July 24 Calveron Shephard - 58
Richard Power Dto James Shephard March the 6 - 1807 for one tun of hay - 2.50 March the 18 1808 for half 1.00 of hay - 1.50
1.00 7.5

State of Maine County of Lincoln D.S.
I testify that Lemmy M c Clain whose name is subscrib- ed to the annexed deposition was on the day when the acknowledg- ment was made a Justice of the Peace for the abovementioned County, and that his signature is genuine.
Subcribe my name and affix my notarial seal this Twentieth day of June A.D. 1839
Isaac W. Bliss Jr. Asbury Russell

I William Day of Jefferson in the County of Seneca and State of Illinois aged sixty  seventy one years, do hereby depose and say that I am well acquainted with Mary Shepherd who is now about seventy six years and have known her personally & intimately for more than fifty years last past. Her maiden name was Mary Pressey  Pressey known by the said Mary Pressey & James Shepherd, her late husband living together as man & wife from the year Seventeen hundred & eighty three to the year Eighteen Hundred & Eighty eight the year of his death. Also was well acquainted with the said James Shepherd in his life time having lived in the same neighborhood with him for a num- ber of years. During all the time just above referred to viz from 1783 to 1818 the said Mary & James lived together as man & wife and were always respected & reputed as such in the town & neighborhood where they resided and I never heard any doubt or inter- ation from any person or source that they sustained during his life time any other or different relation toward each other than man & wife. I am also knowing to their raising up a family of children The names of those with unknown
Wm Day

I am acquainted with one now living are Lydia, Margaret, Mary & Elizabeth & James
I further depose and say that the said Mary Shepherd is now living. The widow of James Shepherd of aforesaid & has not inter- married with any other person.
William Day.
State of Maine
County of Lincoln ss Personally appeared on this fourteenth day of June A.D. 1885 William Day above named & read of the foregoing deposition to be reduced to writing and the same being under- taken by him & read he signed his name thereto & Made solemn oath that the same is true in all its parts. I further certify that the said William Day is a man of truth & veracity and that his state- ments made under oath are entitled to full credit & belief.
D. M. [unclear] 1885

433 Orleans Mary Shepherd
$80 per ann
Parker New York N. S. Shepard Maine

STATE OF MAINE.
LINCOLN, ss.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
I, Jacob Smith, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts
within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby CERTIFY that
William Dary Esq.
whose name is affixed to the annexed paper as
as a Justice of the Peace
is legally commissioned and duly qualified to act as such; and that the name, so
affixed is his own proper signature, to me well known.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
SEAL of the District Court for the Middle District
Court this twenty third day of May
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty three
Jacob Smith CLERK.

Given to me, subscribed, on this Fifteenth day of May A.D. 1883
Before me
William Day Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the declarant is personally known to me to have been questioned under the act of July 1878 and is the widow of James Shepherd deceased and has remained unmarried ever since his death. Minister of Justice of Peace, Sheffield. William Day Justice of the Peace Bonariah Benjamin Elisabeth Benjamin

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 24 March 1838, granting Pensions for no years to certain Widows who have received Pensions under the Act of July 7. 1835.
State of Maine County of Lincoln ss
On this Twelfth day of May A.D. 1838 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine, Mary Shepherd, a resident of Jefferson in the County of Lincoln aged Eighty Two years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, with me her oath, made the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 24 March 1838, granting Pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is widow of James Shepherd who was a Private during the Revolutionary War that she was pensioned as the Widow of the said James Shepherd at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum, under the Act of July 7. 1835, which was paid to her at the Agency in Portland in the State of Maine. She further declares that she is still the Widow of the said James Shepherd having remained unmarried since his death.
Mary Shepherd

Wadsworth May 26 1843
Dear James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Sir
Enclosed I have the honor to transmit you for examination & decision the Declaration & evidence of the following persons applicants for the benefit of the act of Congress of 3 rd March 1831 viz
Eliza Hays Mary Merrett Abigail Thompson Mary Hooper Mary E. Cole Mary Shepherd Mary Melvin
In haste Your most obedt Servt Parker Meigs Secy

Walden June 21. 1839
Mr. James P. Cabot, Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir,
I have the honor to transmit you herewith additional evidence establishing the date of Mrs. Mary Shepherd's marriage which I presume will be satisfactory.
I forwarded some time since to your office certificate of Sarah Clerk of Alma (former), New Milford & Hinton that the town records afforded no evidence of the marriage of James Shepherd & Mary Shepherd.
I am Yours Respectfully Your most Obedt Servt D. May N. 6586

Waldoboro August 6. 1839
Rev James L. Edmonds, Commissioner of Pensions, Sir;
It appearing by letter from your department that copies of private records while the originals are in existence will not be deemed admissible evidence of the date of the marriage, and that the originals must be transmitted before favorable action can be had in case of application of widows for pensions under the Act of 7 th June 1838. I herewith transmit you the original records in the case of the application of Mrs Mary Shepherd without waiting to be advised on this point from your department, and thereby avoid unnecessary delay in the decision on her claim. It may be proper for me to add that a copy of the paper now transmitted was forwarded to your department on the 10 th of June last.
Several Certificates of Pensions having been issued in cases where copies only of the original family records had been transmitted, it was supposed the transmission of the original records would be unnecessary.
In haste Very Respectfully Your Most obedt Servt D. W. D. D. D.

Mrs Mary Shepherd
Payment to be made at Portland, by A. Newhall, Esq., Agent for paying pension- ers, in the Agency of Maine
Payable on the 4th March and 4th September in each year.
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A Vol. 15 Page 30 ly
R. Bendire Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Five years' Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838. Mary Shepherd, of Maine, widow of James Shepherd, deceased, who was a Private in the Revolution, and died on the twenty fourth day of July 1818, is entitled to receive five years' pension at the rate of eighty dollars and  cents per annum, commencing on the fourth day of March, 1836; and in case of the death or marriage of said widow before the expiration of said five years, the pension will cease on the day of such marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this  day of  one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine
S. Kaspar. Acting Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. } W. V. [unintelligible]
J. S. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

Know all men by these Presents that I James Shepherd of Jefferson in the County of Lincoln and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Birmas, In consideration of One Hundred dollars to me paid by James Shepherd Jr of Jefferson aforesaid Receipt thereof I do hereby acknow- ledge, have remised released, sold and forever quit claimed and do by these presents for myself and my heirs remise, release, sell & forever quit claim unto him the said James Shepherd for his heirs and assigns forever a certain piece of Land situated in said Jefferson being the South Eastern part or half of the lot on which I now live or my house with the line of division running as follows viz Beginning at a small Birch tree which on David Hopkins northern line from thence running North thirty six degrees East Seventy one pole, to a Stake & Stone, thence South fifty three degrees East Eighty pole, to the highway to the centre of a Gateway said South Eastern half being bounded on the South Western side by lands of David Hopkins; on the South Eastern side by lands of Nathl Bryant; and North Easterly on lands of Nathl Bryant containing thirty acres more or less. To have & to hold the aforesaid premises with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging to him the said James his heirs and assigns forever so that neither I the said James Shepherd nor my heirs or assigns nor any other person or persons holding or claiming from or under me or them shall or will by any way or means whatever have claim or demand any right or title to the aforesaid premises or to any part or parcel thereof forever. In witness whereof

I do hereunto set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of us
James Shepherd
Francis Shepherd Oct 21. 1817
Then the within named James Shepherd Ceallan Shepherd acknowledged the within instrument by him signed to be his free act & deed before me John Mumpsey Justice of Peace
State of Maine County of Lincoln ss
I, John M c Lean
Notary Public for the County & State aforesaid hereby certify that the foregoing is a true & correct copy from the original in the possession of James Shepherd
In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name & affixed my Notarial Seal this seventeenth day of June A.D. 1833
John M c Lean Jr
Notary Public

Know all men by these presents that I Widow Mary Shephard of Jefferson in the County of Lincoln Spinster in consideration of five hundred Dollars to me paid by James Shephard of said Jefferson Yeoman the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have remised released & forever quit claimed & do for myself & my heirs by these presents remise release & forever quit claim unto the said James Shephard his heirs & assigns certain tract of land situated in said Jefferson bounded as follows viz, beginning at a small birch tree or bush on David Hopkins North line; thence running South thirty six degrees East seventy one poles to a stake & stones; thence South fifty three degrees East eighty poles to the highway; thence by the highway to Dover Shephard line; thence North sixty four degrees West over lines runs to said Hopkins line; thence as said Hopkins line runs to the first bound mentioned. Also one other lot bounded as follows beginning at N o 11 hills South west corner running North seven degrees West forty five poles to a maple tree; thence South eighty degrees West twenty two poles to a maple tree; thence South seven degrees East fifty three poles to a stake; thence South sixty two degrees East twenty two poles to the first bound mentioned. To have and to hold the above mentioned premises with all the privi- leges & appurtenances thereto belonging to him the said James Shephard or his heirs & assigns forever. So that neither I the said Mary Shephard nor my heirs or any other person or persons claiming from or under me or them for in the name right or title of me for them shall or will by any way or means have claim or demand any right or title to the above said premises or their appurtenances or to any part or parcel thereof forever.
In

In witness whereof I the said Mary Shephard have hereunto set my hand & seal this third day of December in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & nineteen
Signed, sealed & delivered Mary Shephard & a seal
in presence of
John Murphy
Lincoln Ills December 3. 1819. Then the above named Mary Shephard acknowledged this instrument by her subscribed to be her free act & deed before me John Murphy Justice Peace. Recd April 28, 1838, & entered & examined by Warren Rice Regr.
Lincoln Ills June 18, 1839. Copy from the Records for Deeds for said County vol 169, page 490 See 75 Warren Rice Regr.
State of Illinois
County of Lincoln ss. In testimony that Warren Rice above named was on the day when the foregoing certif- icate was made Register of Deeds for the above mentioned County and that his signature thereto is genuine Subcribe my name and affix my notarial seal this fourth tenth day of June A.D. 1839
Walker (M c Kinley) Notary Public