Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,869, for Thomas Piper, New Hampshire

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental N.H.
Piper, Thomas Danovan, Hannah or Dunoven or Dunovan (Former Widow)
N 24,869
CONTENTS

Reported Dec. 23/48
2586. Name Hannah Donovan widow of Thomas Piper who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 35 day of Dec. 1848 and sent to
M rs Grace L. Lewiston Falls Maine
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 9 Vol. 1

See 8611
Hannah Duncanson formerly wife of Thomas Piper N.H.
Act 7 th July 38
Bidwell's Rgt 75 th pri. 6.17
Bundle 21. N o 6. 3 years.
adm d
2 yrs. pri
$80
also at March 43
$80
206798
Hon: F.A. Morse -
H.R.

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
Daniel G. Dorr
whose name is affixed to the annexed paper as
a Justice of the District Court
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.
For Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
SEAL of the
District Court for the county of Lincoln
Court this
twenty fifth day of August
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty three
Jacob Smith CLERK.

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of July, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
State of Maine.
Lincoln County ss. on the 26 th day of August 1843, personally appeared before the middle District Court of Maine, in open court. The same being a court of record the widow Hannah Donovan, a resident of Lewiston in said county of Lincoln, and State of Maine, aged eighty two, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July the 7 th 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows, and an act to amend the same approved August 23. 1842." That she is the widow of John Donovan deceased but formerly the widow of Thomas Piper deceased, who she has reason to believe, and does believe enlisted about the year 1776 or 7. as a private into the Revolutionary army, in Captains Gray's company, in Col. Poors Regiment, and actually served his country some three or four years, and that a part of said time he served as one of the life guards of General Washington, and until his discharge, which I have good reason to believe was in the year 1780. At the time of his enlistment he was a resident of the town of Wolfborough in the State of New Hampshire, that her maiden name was Hannah Harris of a place called the Great Andro-coggin Falls, now the town of Lewiston in the State of Maine, that her marriage with the said Thomas Piper was over

solemnized in the town of New Gloucester in the (District) now State of Maine, on the seventeenth day of October A D 1784, by the Rev Samuel Foxcroft. That after their marriage they moved to the town of Wolfborough in the State of New Hampshire where we continued to live, and had two children, and that her husband the aforesaid Thomas Piper died at said Wolfborough on the 3 day of January A D 1787. That she was not married to said Piper prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January 1794, viz. at the time above stated. I have been a widow more than twenty years, since the death of my last husband Donovan
(Attest) J Smith
Hannah her X Donovan mark
Signed &c.
District Court Middle District
August Term, 1843
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written,
Before me, Daniel Goodwin our Dist. Com. for State of Maine.

David Pipers Dept.

I David Piper of Wolfborough, State of New Hampshire, a Revolutionary Pensioner, do testify and say, that my late brother Thomas Piper was a soldier in the time of Revolution , that he enlisted and went into the service of his country in the year 1776 in what was called the Bare State Troops, he was afterwards in the year 1777 in the same company with me under Capt. Gray, Col. Lord's Regt. - He was afterwards, for two years or more engaged in the service, as one of the life guard of Gen. Washington, where I frequently saw him. -
He returned home from the service of his country in the spring of the year 1780. - He continued to live with his family in said Wolfborough until he died, which I think was in the spring of the year 1788. his wife after his death removed into the state of Maine.
David Piper
Stratford S.S. February 1 st 1840.
I was sworn and subscribed
Before me
Thomas Best Jus. Peace
I further certify that the said David Piper is a credible Witness
Thomas Best Jus. Peace

Joseph E. Hoxcroft Certificate
Joseph E. Hoxcroft Certificate

I Joseph E Foxcroft of New Gloucester in the County of Cumberland & State of Maine, aged Sixty Seven years, do hereby certify that my late Father Rev. Samuel Foxcroft was an ordained Minister of the Gospel in this Town and was duly qualified to solemnise marriages and that in his record of marriages by him solemnised I find the following record in his own hand writing "1784 Oct. 17 th joined in marriage Thomas Piper of Wolfborough to Hannah Harris of Lewiston" which figures in writing would read, one thousand seven hundred & eighty four, October seven- teen teenth. —
New Gloucester Feb. 15. 1841.
Joseph E. Foxcroft
State of Maine
Cumberland ss: February 15. 1841. Personally appeared Joseph E. Foxcroft and made oath to the truth of the above certificate by him signed
Before me
Samuel Foxcroft Just of the Peace

John Harris deposition of the Marriage

I John Harris of Greene in the county of Kennebec, in the State of Maine, aged eighty, four, do testify and say on oath, that my sister Hannah Harris (now the widow Hannah Donovan, residing in Lewiston in the county of Lincoln) was married to John P. Piper of Wolfborough, in the Town of New Gloucester in the county of Cumberland about fifty eight or nine years ago, (for her first husband) by the Reverend Samuel Gove Jr. who was a minister of the Gospel in that town, at which wedding I was present and saw them married. Their marriage I remember perfectly well on account of Piper shifting his clothes, left his certificate in his pocket, and the company had to wait until it could be sent for. I further testify that Piper and his wife had two children, and lived together as husband & wife, until said Piper's death.
John Harris
Greene May 25 th 1843
State of Maine
Kennebec ss. May 25 th 1843 Personally appeared the above named John Harris and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Statement by him signed. Before me Augustus Sprague Justice of the Peace.
I hereby certify that said John Harris is a credible witness. Augustus Sprague

September 17, 1937
Thomas Piper W. 24869 BA-J/AWF
Mrs. William C. Langston 531 Roosevelt Avenue York, Pennsylvania
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Thomas Piper of Wolfeborough, New Hampshire, and wish to be advised if he had a daughter, Mary, who married John Shorey of said Wolfeborough.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, W. 24869, based upon the military service of Thomas Piper, in the War of the Revolution.
The date and place of birth of Thomas Piper were not given, nor were the names of his parents shown.
While a resident of Wolfeborough, New Hampshire, Thomas Piper, served in 1776 in the "Bay State troops", served as a private in 1777 in Captain James Gray's company and in Colonel Poor's New Hampshire regiment, and was one of the Life Guards of General Washington for about two years, and was discharged in the spring of 1780.
Thomas Piper married October 17, 1784 in New Gloucester, Cumberland County, District of Maine, Hannah Harris; he was then of Wolfeborough, New Hampshire, and she was of Lewiston, District of Maine. They resided in Wolfeborough until the death of the

soldier, Thomas Piper, January 3, 1787. The widow, Hannah Piper, shortly after his death returned to Maine.
She married the second time, name of this husband not shown, nor date of marriage or date of his death. She married John Dunovan of Hallowell, Maine, date of this marriage and date of his death were not stated.
The widow, Hannah Dunovan, was allowed pension on account of the service of her husband, Thomas Piper, on her application executed August 26, 1843, at which time she was living in Lewiston, Lincoln County, Maine, aged eighty-two years. The names of her parents were not given. The widow continued to live in Lewiston, in 1848.
It was stated that she had two children by her first husband, Thomas Piper; had children by her second husband; and no children by her third husband. Names of children not designated.
David Piper, brother of the soldier, Thomas Piper, was living in 1840 in Wolfeborough, New Hampshire, he was also a soldier in the Revolution. John Harris, brother of the widow, Hannah Dunovan, was eighty-four years of age in 1843, then living in Greene, Maine.
John Shorey of Wolfeborough, New Hampshire in 1843, then aged eighty-eight years, stated that he was one of Washington's Life Guards at the same time as Thomas Piper; and Lyford Shorey was of Wolfeborough in 1843. It was not stated that they were related to the family of Thomas Piper.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of the person paid, and possibly the date of death of the widow, Hannah Dunovan, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington,

D. C., and furnish the following data-
Hannah Danovan (as she was pensioned), widow of Thomas Piper Certificate # 2586 Issued December 23, 1848 Rate $80.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1848 Act of February 2, 1848 Maine Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

V Hannah Dunven 8611 Ms
Set to Hen. N. L. Littlefield July 9 '43.
Act 7 July 1843

V 8611. -
Hannah Donovan formerly wife of Thomas Piper
— N. St
Suspended
Letter to Hon. J. H. Moore 20 May 1844
Act 7 th July 38

1937 Sept. 17 - list to Mrs. Wm. C. Langston and
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24869
Hannah Donovan
Wid. of
Thomas Rife
Priv. Rev. War
Act Feb 2 d 1848
Index: Vol A , Page 190
[Arrangement of 1870.]

6521.
See letter to P. Agt. 24 Dec. 1841
Maria
Hannah Timmerman, formerly widow of Thomas Lopez, who was a Private in the 1st N. Line.
2 Certs "38 1/3 3/4" Repo.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of December 1842 and sent to Hon. J. H. Moore H. C. P. Representative
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 1 Vol. 2 Page 2

8958
Maine
Hannah Dunoven, for widow of Thomas Piper, who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 3 Jany. 1787 of Lincoln in the State of Maine who was a Pri in the Company of the commanded by Captain reg commanded by Buel in the V.A. line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Decr 1844 and sent to Hon J H Morse. No of Rep.
Total amount, $
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by
J. S. Swann, Clerk,
Book
Vol.
1
Page
2

Leavistone August 28 th 1840 James R. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Enclosed I send to your office The declaration of Hannah (Dunovan the widow of Thomas Dyer) and the certificates thereof hoping that the same are in accordance with the law of the 2 d of Febry 1840 providing for Widows who claim pension under the Act of the 1 st of June 1844. Hoping the same may be attended to some as practicable and when the necessary papers shall be made out, ask you to direct them to William Garcelon Leavistone Falls Me and in case the papers enclosed are not in ac- cordance with the law of the 2 d of Febry and more papers take made out please send me a set of said Act and your regulations under the same and much oblige your pay Humble Servant. William Garcelon

Pension Office, May 20, A.D.
Sir
The papers in the case of Hannah Donovan formerly widow of Thomas Piper claiming a pension under the Act of July 7 th 1838 have been examined and filed. There is satisfactory no evidence of the service which can be established by the rolls of the State of New Hampshire certified by the Secretary thereof. Further the death of the second husband should be certified by the Court under seal and the marriage with Thomas Piper should be proved by the Town record or other record or documentary proof either of a public or private character. The Church record mentioned should be submitted to the Court and a certificate

frate of its genuineness undated forwarded to this Office
Mem. Dr. M. Morse 20 May 1844
Hon. F. H. Morse H. of R.
8611. Act July 7 th 38

Hon A S Putneyfield July 9 1843

Pen H
July 9 th 43
Sir
I have the honor to return you the informal & unauthenticated papers in the case of Hannah Denson who claims for the services of her late  first husband Thomas Denson & to refer you to the accompanying regulations for her guidance in preparing her claim - The claim is for service in the life guard of the Commander in Chief & John Shorey asserts in his deposition that he served with him - In his narrative of his own service in 1819 he made no allusion to it - His deposition should be taken in detail showing the names of the officers & the incidents of the service - The guards were enlisted men transferred from the second state lines of the Continental army and it should therefore be stated where & when & under what officer he was enlisted -
Genl. N. S. Littlefield H.R.

2 1/2 Lewiston Me April 12 th
free
Hon. Freeman H. Moore. House of Representatives Washington, D.C.

Leicester April 11 th 1844.
Freeman H. Morse Esq.
Dear Sir
Some five or six weeks ago, I enclosed to your care, papers of Widow Hannah Dunovan of this town, to be laid before the pension commissioners, in order to obtain a pension on account of the services of her husband Thomas Piper , not hearing any thing from you, has led me to conclude that the papers may have miscarried. If you have received them, you will much oblige me by dropping me a line to that effect - or any other information you may have on that subject - as the widow is anxious to learn her fate -
I am your very Respectfully
William Garelous
AT

Portland Nov 28 1844
Sir
I enclose to you proof authentic both in relation to the will of Thomas Piper & the death of John Donovan the second husband of Hannah Donovan who makes application for the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838. The declaration and some depositions have been on file two or three years and I believe you have heretofore rendered Mrs. Garellyn some assistance. My request is that you peruse these papers & ask the immediate attention of the Comm ee to the case and obtain a certificate without delay if possible. The widow stands in need of it, very much I apprehend that there is a clerical error in the certificate of the judge of Probate. It should have been Hannah Donovan and not Hannah Piper. This however can be of no consequence as the Certificate certifies the death of Donovan & for that object it was taken. When you obtain the certificate you may forward it to William Garellyn Esq. of Lewiston.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Freeman Bradford
Hon. H. H. Morse
U.S.
Washington D.C.

I perceive by reading one of the reports of Mr Edwards that he objects to the affidavits of Joseph E. Foxcroft Esq who testifies as to his father's record of marriages. These kind of certif- icates of Mr Foxcroft have been allowed in other cases & you can refer the Commons if he still objects to the case of Anna Cole - widow of Samuel Cole whose marriage was proved by the certif- icate of Mr Foxcroft. Regarding the proof as complete I hope there may be no more delay.

State of Maine
At a Court of Probate held at Augusta in and for the County of Kennebec on Monday the twenty fifth day of November A D 1844.
Be it known, that in open Court being a Court of Record, it was made to appear satisfactorily to the Court, that John Dunavan late of Hallowell in said County, who was proved to have lived with the now Hannah Piper of Lewiston in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine, as her lawful husband, is dead, and his death is hereby declared and certified to all whom it may concern.
In witness whereof I have caused the seal of the said Probate Court to be hereunto affixed, and given the same under my hand the day and year above written.
William Common Judge
Attest Francis Davis Register

House of Reps - April 17 th 1846.
Sir
Will you inform me whether the papers referred to in the accompanying letter have been read at your office & if so what is the result of their examination
Most respectfully your obedt servant
H. H. Morris H. R.
Hon J. L. Edwards Comm Pension

8611
Hannah Dunooen
M o
abt 7. July 38.

House of Representatives January 31. 1843.
I transmit herewith certain papers relating to an application for a pension. Your decision in the case may be communicated to me.
Yours respectfully
M. H. Littlefield
W. Edwards Esq. Comm. Pension.

10
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.

1 Lewiston October 2 d 1840
James P. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington
Sir,
I enclosed to your office on or about the 25 th of August last the declaration of the Widow Hannah Donovan of Lewiston, County of Lincoln & State of Maine, with the accompanying certificate duly authenticated (As I supposed) in order for her to receive her certificate for a pension under the act of the 2 d day of February A D 1840. And have been anxiously waiting for a certificate or some dis information thereon but have not heard anything about it. I write this in order to obtain some information on the subject or whether it has been recd or not, and or what is the cause of the delay.
Please to give the desired information or send the certificate to the subscriber at Lewiston Falls. Me.
William Garelson for Hannah Donovan

STATE OF MAINE.
EDWARD KAVANAGH, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MAINE.
To all who shall see these Presents,
GREETING.
Know ye, That Augustus Sprague of Perne in the County of Penobscot Esquire, was, on the sixteenth day of February A. D. 1841 appointed and Commissioned, and on the thirteenth day of December , A. D. 1842 qualified as a Justice of the Peace within and for our said County of Penobscot that he still continues to hold said office: Edward Kavanagh
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 caused the Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed.
Given under my hand at AUGUSTA, this twenty eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty- three and in the sixty- eighth year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By the Governor.
Wm. D. Caldwell . D. D. D. Secretary of State.

I John Shory of Wolfborough State of New- Hampshire aged eighty eight years do testify and say that I enlisted in the service of my country near the commencement of the revolutionary War under Capt Hubbard, afterwards under Capt Nowell, afterwards under Capt Pillsbury, who I believe was my Captain when I was transferred to the life guards of Gen Washington which was as near as I can recollect in the spring of the year 1779 or it might be in 1778, one of my Lieutenants Col name was Colleyax and Major Gibbs was also an Officer in the guards, I also state that I was in the service of my country as a soldier for five years or more & that when in the guards Thomas Piper of said Wolfborough was in the same service with me during two years or more and most of the time was in the same mess with me that said Pipe returned with me from the service to Wolfborough in the spring of 1780 when he died about the year 1787 or 1788 - that since he died his widow & family have resided in the State of Maine, I further state that after our return from the service said Piper went into the State of Maine, and was married there and returned to Wolfborough when he died as before stated
Witness before Shory
his John Y Shory mark

State of New Hampshire } Oct 12 1843 Carroll ss }
Personally appeared John Shorey within named and made oath that the within declaration by him subscribed is true.
Before me
Thomas Priest Justice Peace
I certify that, I am personally acquainted with the said John Shorey, that he is a credible witness.
Thomas Priest Jus Peace

State of New Hampshire.
Office of Secretary of State.
I, Thomas P. Treadwell, Secretary of the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Thomas Rust is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of Carroll duly commissioned and qualified: that his Commission was dated on the 4 th day of Jany. 1841 and will expire on the 4 th day of Febr'y. 1846 and that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said State this 23 rd day of Jannuary — 1841
Thomas P. Treadwell Secretary of State.

Donovan
Hon. J. H. Morse WOL

Application of Hannah Dunovan formerly widow of Thomas Piper who rendered service in the Revolutionary War,
State of Maine County of Lincoln Town of Lewiston.
The Secretary of the State of New Hampshire is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his Office of the Service of Thomas Piper in the War of the Revolution.
I believe that my late husband Thomas Piper lately in the Town of Wolfborough in the State of New Hampshire sometime in the year 1776 or 7 as a Private in the Continental Army, in Captain Gray Company in Col. Pease's Reg- iment, and actually served his entire time there in from years, and that he served a part of the time as one of the life guards of Gen. Washington, and until his discharge which I have good reason to believe was in the year of 1780. I am now 53 years of age. I was married at New Gloucester, Maine, in the year 1784. He knows that David Piper a brother of Thomas Piper served with his husband. His husband died at Wolfborough, New Hampshire, on Jan'y 3 rd 1787.
She requests that a full examination of the Rolls be made as she may not have stated correctly the time of his entering the service. Hannah X Dunovan mark
Witness Alonzo Dorrance
And I do hereby constitute Joseph H. Day of Waterville my Attorney in the premises.
Witness my hand this 24 th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty four Signed by Hannah Dunovan in the presence of
Alonzo Dorrance
William G. Dorrance Justice of the Peace

Luun 5

State of Maine
Lincoln County, ss. On the fourteenth day of August, A.D. 1848. Personally appeared before me the subscriber William Garcelon a justice of the peace. Hannah Duncane a resident of Litchfield in said county of Lincoln aged eighty seven, who being first duly sworn according to law, with me her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by an act, passed on the second day of February A.D. 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served in the Revolutionary war. That she is the Widow of Thomas Piper who was a private and soldier in the Army of the Revolution. She cannot now recollect the name of the number of the Regiment in which he served, or the name of the officers under whom he served, that she drew a pension under the act of the fourteenth of June A.D. 1844, at the rate of eighty dollars per annum, she further declares that she is still a Widow.
Hannah her  X Duncane
Witness William Garcelon
Mary Garcelon
Sworn & subscribed on the fourteenth day of August, A.D. 1848, as above written.
Before me William Garcelon Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that the above named William Garrison is personally known to me and has been for many years, and is the same person who drew a pension up to the 4th of March 1848.
William Garrison Justice of the Peace
State of Maine.
Lincoln ss. At a Probate Court held at Topsham on the 22 nd day of August 1848. The same being a Court of Record. Be it known that it is this day satisfactorily & fully proved in Court that William Garrison of Freeport in said County, is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly com- missioned & qualified. That his commission is pro- duced in Court and bears date March 10 th 1842 and expires on or about the tenth day of March 1849. and that his signature to the foregoing paper in true places as a Justice of the Peace is made by his own hand.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & sealed the seal of said Probate Court to be affixed the day & year first above written.
John G. Foster Judge of said Court.

531 Roosevelt Ave.,
York, Pa.
Sept. 8, 1937
Veterans Bureau
Pension Dept. Washington D.C. Gentlemen.
Sept 19 H
Can you tell me if Thomas Piper who came from Stratham N.H. to Wolfborough N.H. was a pensioner in the Revolutionary War? I shall be glad to get any information you can give me. Was his wife's name Abigail? Are his children listed? Does he have a daughter Mary who married a John Shorey from Wolfborough who was also a Revolutionary Soldier?
Can you give me any dates concerning

Thomas Piper or any of his children?
Thank you very much for an early reply. I am trying to work out some D.A.R. papers and I will appreciate your cooperation.
Yours sincerely
Aileen Langston Regent Yorktown Chapter D.A.R.
Mrs. Wm C. Langston 531 Roosevelt Ave., York, Pa.

PAD
10
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
6521 Mc Mrs. Cole

Sec 11 8611
Name
July 7 1838
Hannah Donovan
Lewiston Me Feb 14th
free
Hon. Freeman H. Morse Esq.
62 30 10
member of the House of Rep. in Congress D. C.
Hon. F. A. Morse H2

Lewiston, February 10 th 1844.
Hon. Freeman H. Morse
Dear Sir,
Enclosed are papers of Widow Hannah Duncanson of this town, she claims a pension from Government under acts of Congress passed July 1836 & 1838 and amended in August 1842, allowing pensions to certain Widows. This widow claims a pension in consequence of the services of Thomas Piper of Wolfborough N.H. a revolutionary soldier deceased, who was this widows first husband, her marriage she proves.
The Deposition of John Thonis duly authenticated, and the certificate of S. S. Litchfield showing the time the marriage took place, corroborating am. Dept. but there is no record on the town books, therefore we have to take this as it is and for what it is worth. so much for the marriage
As to the Declaration in open court we believe it has been complied with according to the directions sent us last winter from the Pension office by N. S. Litchfield Esq.
As to the death of Piper, we rely on the Deposition of John Thonis and others certifying of his death about the year 1787 or 8, and the widows statement given in open court where she has in her pension that belonged to her husband Piper, and in case the Commissioner on pensions is not satisfied as to Pipers death, we can send the leaf in the bld. Ms. to you. There is no town record in Wolfborough of Piper's death.
As proof of service of Piper, we rely on the deposition of John Thonis and David Piper - and if they should object to this evidence, I request you to say to them, that there is an official Roll of Capt. Grays company now filed in the pension office, on which is entered the said Piper for 3 years service. This Roll I am informed by Thomas Rust Esq. of Wolfborough was filed by Rev. M. C. Russell in 1842 in the claim of Widow Hase formerly Wid. of John Morrison. I am also informed by my friend T. Rust that if you will call on Hon. L. D. Hale at Washington that he can satisfy the Commissioner on pensions of the fact. - if not, and you shall fail in obtaining evidence on file, if you will write to Thomas Rust Esq. of Wolfborough N.H. and he will obtain one from their records, but it would seem to put us to an unnecessary expense, and I am yet to believe that they will be so ungenerous.

My Dear Sir,
I have now attended to all the evidence in the case, so far as I have been able to collect it, which has been done at considerable trouble & expense, on account of the long time elapsed, and on account of the service being done at a remote distance from us in a mother state, and all the proof of service being in N. H. Therefore I have engaged since Rust to communicate with you on any evidence as to the service of Piper, if you shall find it necessary, and will apprise him of it by letter.
I will now, in behalf of the applicant request, that you will give this subject so much of your attention, as will secure to her her and not interfere with your other important business, and I ought to stop here but I want to give you a short history of Widow Dunoven.
See N 8611
And I will begin by saying she has been married three times, she had 2 children by her first husband Piper, she had a child by her second, & none by her last. She has been a widow over 20 years. She is poor, and has no visible means of support, only from her friends & neighbors. She is in the 84 year of her age, and uncommonly smart & intelligent (for one of her age) she has a small house & lives alone in her room. she has no children able to help her, and says she had rather live alone & support herself as she always has done. Therefore she is anxious about her pension as she calls it, they she shall get through this troublesome world without being obliged to go to the Almshouse. You will confer a favor on a friend and an aged widow who will suitable reward you for your trouble in case she succeeds in obtaining a pension, if she does not I trust you will have her prayers - If you will give this subject early attention, and apprise me of the case, as circumstances may require
I remain your very humble Servant William Garcelon
N.B. I sent papers in this case last winter to our Rep. The Hon. N. S. Littlefield, but they were not properly authenticated, he immediately laid them before the Genl on pension, and N.S.L. returned the papers to me, with a printed sheet of directions how to proceed, and I have endeavored to conform with the directions in every particular as far as I have been able to procure evidence - except sending the sheet from the old manuscript, I think the evidence so clear it cannot be over