Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. F. 26460, for Israel Shelden, Massachusetts

Mass. Israel Sheldon or Sheldon W.F. 26460
Discharge of.

Mary Sheldon Bnd. of Vermont Jan '38 old case of mine

To what time was Israel Sheldon of Rutland Co. Vt. paid under the Act of March 18 1818 ~ (S. H. S.)
Since 11 th May 1829 paid to that period J. H.

Memoranda
1874
1875

Mail Mr. Edwards evening
This case for his Oct. Jack
Horace Allen
Burlington Oct 24. 1857

August 24th 1846
Sir I have to say to you that the Minister that preached Miss Sheldon funeral for men never saw it nor neither Dead nor alive and has since moved away Sir you will see by reading the other paper there was no time to call in a physician at all I see you did not answer me about the Land if I have not done so I will to you where my mistake is also if you want witness swear to I wish you to file file to me soon at court and here are the names of the Children of the Deceased Mrs. Mary Sheldon as she died Sunday Nov 23 1845
  * 1  Mary Brown Richmond    2  Abigail Doverick Richmond    3  Thankfull Maria Mary Founty    4  Priscilla Priscilla  
Chittenden County Vt

Ovid Augt 14th 1847
Sir
To day I have again rec d a letter from Mrs Thankful M Mon, the daughter of Mary Sheldon of Vermont, urging me about the payment of her share - I beg leave respectfully, to say that on the 15th of April, I enclosed, as I suppose sufficient proof to remove all objection to the payment of her share, the vouchers are in the hands of Hon P. Wagner, the other children having been paid, if you are satisfied with the proof will you not at once, please inform Mr Clark of West Poultney Vt the agent, to pay the due share - I beg you will pardon me for writing this urgent letter -
Respectfully Your Obed Servt Isaac Ives
Hon J L Edwards, Comt. of Pensions
Pension under same of 1838 to the children of Mary Sheldon of Vermont

State of Vermont Chittenden county ss) I, Mrs. Andrew appeared before me, & I certify that she is a highly respectable person, after being duly sworn according to law deposes and says that Mary Sheldon of said county who applied for a pension as the widow of Israel Sheldon, at her death left the following named children, her surviving, to wit: Mary Brown, Abigail Ferriss, Thankful Maria, Hepsibah, & Jerusha Newcomb. That the name Thankful Maria Hepsibah is only one name there being four children in all Subscribed & sworn to before me this 9 th day of April A.D. 1847
W m H. C. Armstrong Justice of the Peace.

Overd April 15th '47
Dear Sir
I enclose affidavit as required by yours of the 20th March last, in the case of Mary Sheldon, I judge the Clerks Certificate of Authentication is already on file, I beg leave to refer you to the vouchers in the 3 d Auditor's Office, as I am informed by Mr. Clark Esq. of West Poultry W d that he has forwarded the Vouchers to the 3 d Auditor
Respectfully Your Ob d Servt Abad Joy
Hon J L Edwards, Clerk of Pensions Washington DC

Wed. N.Y. 10 Oct. 47
Read story autobiography of Mary Sheldon
Recd 14 Oct. 47
Ans. 15 Oct.
O. H. Chapman Dear Ladies Washington D.C.
Referring to the last of October by last day as informed at 3 Washington Ave. October 15 1847.
W. Randall

Wed. Nov. 10th. 47 Hand copy autograph of Mary Sheldon
Recd 14 Oct. 47 Am'd 15th
Hon. O. Haggan Chair Auditor Washington D.C.
Mary Sheldon,
Respectfully referred to the Comtee of Auditors by Mr. Day as informed at 3 Auditor's Off. Oct. 18 1847. W. Randall
Respectfully referred to the 3 d Auditor with the proof refund to Pension Office 3 Oct 19 1847. 3

Sims Oct 16th 1847
Dear Sir
Under date of March 20th last, I have a letter from the Com d of Pensions relating to the case of Mary Sheldon of Vermont - this case has been promised to her 4 surviving children 3 of them have long since been paid, but the 4th and last rejected - the letter reads, "Mary Sheldon deceased, I have to inform you that the Vouchers should be returned to this office, accompanied by a list of the names of the children written in a hand so legible as to prevent any mistake" In April I procured further proof that there was but 4 surviving children & on the 15th April I mailed that proof to the Com d of Pensions, referring him to the Vouchers in your hands for the balance, but up to this time, now 6 months wanting 5 days, not one word have I heard in relation to the case, I write at this time to beg leave most respectfully to ask you to please forward the Vouchers in your hands to the Com d of Pensions, that his attention may at once be called to it, as the one child is waiting with great anxiety for her portion.
Most Respectfully Your Ob d Serv t Brad Lee
Hon P. Wagon

Ovid N.Y. May 21. 1847
Sir
I beg leave most respectfully to say that I am quite anxious to get your reply to mine of the 15 th April in the case of Mary Sheldon of Vermont, to whose children a pension has been granted - mine was with its enclosures int do to explain the case - The one child not paid is urging me, pardon me therefore for making this request
Respectfully Your Ob l Serv t Trad Low
Hon S L Edwards Comm. of Pensions Washington D.C.

Nov. 27, 1841.
Sir,
Mary Sheldon, of Vermont, widow of Josiah Sheldon, made her declaration for a pension under the act of July 4, 1836, setting forth that her husband performed service in the Vt. militia after their marriage, but her claim was disallowed for the alleged reason that the records did not show any service performed after the marriage. After the passage of the act of July, 1838, she made another declaration and forwarded it, in August, 1838, asking for a pension under the latter act, but her claim was rejected for the reason that her first declaration alleged a service after the marriage. As the rule has since been adopted by the Secy of War that, where an applicant cannot prove a service that would entitle her under the act of '36, but makes out a good case under the act of '38, she may have a pension under the latter act, I request that you would issue a certificate to her under the last mentioned act.
I am very respectfully Your obed servt Wm Weston.
James L Edwards Esq Comm of Pensions

Overd N.Y. Jan. 19. '47
Sir
I have to day rec d a purported copy of your letter of the 4 th to Hon Peter Hagun Third Auditor, in the case of Mary Sheldon — I do not seem to have a copy of the proof, nor the Certificate of the court, but I think I may have written all, I know I intended to write them plain & distinct and to express your children only, I enclose the names of the children, upon which authority I must have wrote the proof, or not as I intended the proof to read one name, you seem to read as 2 nd names if I wrote the Court Certificate, I wrote it as to the children from the enclosed, the name "Thankful Maria Mores," is but one name, it may have been written Thankful Maria Moses, or Mores, as it is not plain, as you can see — on comparing the papers the proof & the Certificate of the court, with the enclosed letter, (which was my authority) you may think proper to direct Mr Clark of N.Y.

to pay it upon the power of attorney in his hands executed & sworn to, by Thankful Maria or Mary Mores.
I know the Certificate of the Court of Lampkins Co. was intended to express 4 children only - what shall be done -
Respectfully Your Obedt Servt Abad Joy
Hon J L Edwards Cust. of Pensions

Over N.Y. Oct 19 th 46
Dear Sir
In cases, that correspond with the case of Mary Sheldon, mentioned in yours of the 12 th , if I understand your rule, and your former decisions & requisitions, all of them have been complied with, Mrs Sheldon in her life time had filed her declaration & acceptance of a pension under the law of July 1838, her marriage to come within that law, I suppose is not disputed, if I am correct, all that is now required is the proof of her death & the number & residence of her surviving children, all of which having been done, cannot the pension certificate be issued without a formal declaration to be filed by the children - if I am not correct, please direct definitely what I am required to do & how I must proceed
Respectfully Your Ob d Servt Brad Joy
Hon J L Edwards Com d . of Pensions

Ovid N.Y. Nov 16 th 46
Sir
Following out the rule, that I have at all times taken as my guide, both in relation to my deal with the Government, & all men, I return the Pension Certificate, for the reason, that it calls for (as I think) two years more pay than I have a right to take, you can return the certificate, when corrected
Respectfully Yours Ob c Servt Abad Joy
Hon J L Edwards Board of Pensions Washington DC

Washington July 9. '66
Sir
I have been requested to submit the enclosed papers to you, same
Yours respectfully
Geo P. Marsh Indio Commr of Pensions

Over N.Y. Feb 22 d 1847
Dear Sir
On the 19 th Inst. I enclosed to you a letter in the case of Mary Sheldon of Vermont to whom you had recently granted a pension, the letter was to explain as to the children &c. not having heard from you in relation to it I beg leave very respectfully to call your attention to it; I take it for granted, it will not take five minutes to answer my enquiries -
Respectfully Your Ob d Servt Brad Lays
Hon J L Edwards Com d of Pensions Washington DC

WAR DEPARTMENT.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Mary Sheldon, dec d , late of Vermont, widow of Israel Sheldon who was a Private in the Mass. Line and died on the 11 th day of May 1829 is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty dollars and _____ cents per annum, commencing on the 4 th March 1836, and terminating on the 4 th of March, 1841, unless the Pensioner married or died before the above mentioned date; in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Ninth day of November one thousand eight hundred and Forty Six.
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. S
Commissioner of Pensions
Duplicate.

Burlington Vermont Aug t 11. 1838
Sir,
I forward herewith the applications of Elizabeth Durand and Mary Sheldon, for pensions under the late law of Congress
Not having seen your instructions, relating to the form of the declaration, under the late law I have used the form prescribed under the law of July 1836, varying it so as to meet the provisions of the late law.
If the proof is satisfactory - I hope that any trifling variation in the declaration from the prescribed form, will not be considered fatal.
Be pleased to enclose to me the certificates in case the claims should be allowed, also the form adopted under the late law, that I may have the benefit of it hereafter.
I am very respectfully
Your H on Serv t
W m Weston
J. L. Edwards Esq Comm r of Pensions Washington D. C.

Charlotte May 4 th 1891
Dear Sir
Isaac Sheldon of Charlotte this day called on me to know if I had recd answer to the letter which I wrote you some time since concerning his pension - his poverty is so great you must not blame him for his anxiety you will be so good as to send me an answer as soon as convenient
Yours truly and sincere
J. H. Edwards Esq. Esq. Sheldon

V294
Mary Sheldon doc. widow of Israel
Vt 9104 1268
act 7 July 38
5 years
. 23 Nov. 45- m before 94- a 27- adm. a 2 years pri
80
also act 43044 To 23 Nov. 45-
To Mary Beorch-Abi- gail Deveria- Frank Jul Maria Moses Jerusha Ranslow
Huffington Est
And Burlington Vid 294

State of Vermont District of Chittenden ss
On this twenty sixth day of July A.D. 1838. personally appeared before the Hon. the Probate Court within and for the Chittenden District of Chittenden and State of Vermont, present the Hon Charles Russell Judge of said court. Mary Sheldon, a resident of Charlotte in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, aged seventy eight years and ten months 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 in the month of July, 1835.
That she is the widow of Israel Sheldon who was a private in Col Grayson's regiment in the Massachusetts line in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary wars , but the particular period of his service she cannot state definitely - nor the officers names under whom he served, that he was a pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress of the 18 th of March 1818 - and inscribed upon the roll of the Vermont agency and for a full statement of his services during the period aforesaid she begs leave to refer to the original declaration of the said Israel - and the proofs accompanying the same, now on file in the pension department at Washington.
She further declares that she was married to the said Israel Sheldon on the fifteenth day of April 1782 at Danby in the State of Vermont - by Thomas Rowlee a Justice of the Peace, that her name prior to her marriage was Mary Day - that at the time of her marriage she took from the said Justice Rowlee a certificate of her marriage, under his hand, which certificate she, from the time of her marriage until July or August 1837 - kept in her possession; that in July or August 1837 - she appeared before this court and made a declaration in

open court, for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of July 4. 1836 - and that she forwarded, by her agent, the said declaration, together with the said certificate of her marriage and other proofs - to the pension office and that her claim was disallowed - for the reason as stated by Mr. Edwards the Com r . of Pensions - that her marriage did not take place until after the last period of her husband's services in the Continental Army - that the said certificate of her marriage is in the words and figures following - to wit.
"State of Vermont Danby 15 th April 1782
"These may Certify that on the Day aforesaid, Israel Sheldon of Rutland and Mary Day of Danby were joined together in the Honorable State of Marriage by me
Thomas Rowley Justice Peace"
that said certificate with the said declaration and other proofs were retained on file in the pension office, and to which she also refers to prove her marriage - that her husband, the aforesaid Israel Sheldon, died on the eleventh day of May - 1829, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period - as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. the word "Chittenden" erased, and the words "the" and "was" interlined on the first page before signing.
Mary Sheldon
Sworn to, and subscribed, on the day and year above written before me, and I hereby certify that the said Mary Sheldon is a person of truth and veracity.
Charles Russell Judge

I, Thankful M. Miller of Charlotte in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, aged thirty nine years do depose, testify and say that I am the daughter of Mary Sheldon, who has made the foregoing declaration and subscribed her name thereto: that my father Israel Sheldon died at Huntington in the said County of Chittenden on the eleventh day of May - 1829, and that my mother the said Mary Sheldon has never intermarried, since the death of my father, the said Israel, but has always remained and still is his widow.
Thankful M. Miller
Sworn to and subscribed this 26 th day of July 1838. before me, and I certify that the said affiant is a person of truth and credibility.
Wm Weston Justice Peace
I, Samuel Mills of Shelburne in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, aged seventy four years - do depose and say that I have been personally acquainted with Mary Sheldon - an applicant for a pension under the act of June 1838 - for forty right years or more - and that I was acquainted with her late husband from the time he came to reside in Charlotte some forty eight years since or more, until he died in the year 1829, that since his death the said Mary Sheldon has ever remained, and still is, the widow of the said Israel Sheldon deceased, that the said Israel was a pensioner of the United States under the act of March 18, 1818, and was inscribed upon the Vermont roll - and further say not.
Samuel Mills
Sworn to and subscribed this 26 th day of July A.D. 1838 - before me, and I certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Samuel Mills - and know him to be a man of truth and veracity.
Wm Weston Justice Peace

State of Vermont District of Chittenden ss
I William Weston Register of the Probate Court for the District of Chittenden and State of Vermont do hereby certify that Charles Russell before whom the foregoing attestation of Mary Holden was taken and sworn to was at the time of taking the same and still is Judge of said Probate Court, and that the Signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine.
I also certify that William Weston, before the foregoing dispositions were taken and sworn, was at the time of taking the same and still is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned & sworn and that the signatures thereto purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto affix the seal of said Court and subscribe my name at Burlington in said District this 28 th day of July A.D. 1838.
W m Weston Register " " "