Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14770, Edward Blake, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Blake, Edward
S.1H770
Vose, John Blake
D.S.No. 786-100-
CONTENTS

BLAKE, EDWARD (MASS.)
S 14 770

Connecticut 32.064
John Blake Vose of Fairfield Co: - in the State of Ct:
who was a private - in the company commanded by Captain Hoddard of the Regt: - commanded by Col: Vose - in the Massachusetts line for Lyman -
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut -
at the rate of 80 - Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the day of
August, 1843 - and sent to Hon. Osborne, Fairfield, Connecticut
Arrears to the 4th of March 1843 $96
Pemi=ant. allowance on line 4 Sept: - 46
$100.00.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by William Clerk, Book E. 2. Vol. 3 - Page 46

No. 786, for 100. acres issued the 16 th Apr. 1819 to Hepzibah V. Mann, daughter and only heir at law of Edward Blake, a private of the 1 st Mass s . Regt. —
Original Discharge of Edward Blake filed with the papers

Connecticut, 32.0624 32.0624
John Blake Vose alias Edward Blake of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Stoddard of the Reg't: commanded by Col: Vose — in the Massachusetts line for 2 years —
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 d day of August 1843 and sent to Hon. J. B. Witter Fairfield Connecticut
Arrears to the 14th of March 1843 359 60.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept: 47.00
$ 1000.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 1832. }
Recorded by William A. S. Clerk Book 5. 2 Vol. 3 — Page 46

DEPARTMENT OF WAR.
Regulations for the Officers and Soldiers of the Revolutionary War who acquired a right to Land from the United States, but have not received it.
By an Act of Congress, of the 16th September, 1776, it is provided, that the Officers and Soldiers who engaged for, and continued to serve, during the War, or until discharged by Congress, shall receive land in proportion to their rank.
N. B. Those who engaged for three years, or for any other period than during the war, are not entitled to land from the United States.
The following declaration must be filled up and sworn to by the claimant :
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield, ss. Bridgeport October 4 th 1843.
I, John Blake Rose (otherwise Edward Blake) aged 84 years, do upon oath testify and declare, that I entered the service of the United States on the day of the first of  the 10th of March in the year 1779, for the term of 12 months then and there required for the War, and that I served in the company commanded by Capt. James  William  Stoddard  Stoddard in the Regiment No 1, commanded by Col. Joseph Rose of the Continental Line, and was honorably discharged on the 8 day of June in the year 1783, from the Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Rose.
I Further declare, that I have never received a warrant for the Bounty Land promised to me on the part of the United States; nor have I ever assigned or transferred my claim in any manner whatsoever: therefore,
Know all men by these presents, that I, John Blake Rose (otherwise Edward Blake) aforesaid, do hereby constitute and appoint Isaac Sherman of Bridgeport to be my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States, a warrant for the quantity of Land due to me as aforesaid; and my said attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him for the special purposes above expressed.
Attest,
John Blake Rose other wise Edward Blake.
I, Smith Sweeney of Bridgeport aged 59 years do upon oath, declare that I have been long acquainted with John Blake Rose (otherwise Edward Blake) who has subscribed the above declaration in my presence, and well know that he is the identical person he therein represents himself to be; and further, I do believe, that he did perform the military service therein stated.
Attest,
Smith Sweeney
State of Connecticut ss. Bridgeport County of Fairfield, ss. Before me, on this day personally appeared the above named John Blake Rose (otherwise Edward Blake) subscriber to the foregoing declaration, and in my presence acknowledged the power of attorney thereto subjoined, to be his free act and deed; and, likewise, personally appeared Smith Sweeney who hath subscribed the above certificate of identity, both to me well known to be men of respectability and truth, and made solemn oath to the truth of the depositions by them respectively subscribed, this 4 th day of October 1843
Charles DeForest Justice of the Peace.
State of Connecticut ss. Bridgeport County of Fairfield ss. District of Gore County of Fairfield ss. State.
In testimony that the above-written Charles DeForest was a magistrate authorized to administer oaths, and take acknowledgments, &c., in the State of Connecticut at the above date, and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have hereunto affixed the county seal, and subscribed my name and quality, at Bridgeport this 4 th day of October 1843
Mark Moore Clerk, &c.

State of Conn t Fairfield County Bridgeport Octobr 7 th 1843
B. L. Edwards Esq. or Sec. of War & Bounty Land Office. —
Sir I send the application of John Blake Vose (otherwise Edward Blake) for his bounty Land. The circumstances of his case are peculiar and for any further proof than what is herewith furnished you will please refer to his application for a Pension, in 1843 under which he has been allowed a Pension at the rate of Eighty Dollars per Annum, (his Pension certificate was issued in August 1843) The deponent, certificate of Massachusetts that accompany his Pension papers will show his service in Col. Vose Regt. Also by reference to his Pension papers, it will be seen that his original name was Edward Blake of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk in the State of Massachusetts. That he was born in said Stoughton, enlisted there by that name, (in that part that has been set off & called Canton) That soon after the close of the Revolutionary War for reasons set forth in his Declarations for a Pension he left Massachusetts, changed his name to John Blake Vose and came into the State of New York and subsequently into the State of Connecticut where he has resided to this day.
That it appears by a letter from the Comm ee of Pensions to Hon. Thomas P. Osborne dated June 14 th 1843, (which letter is with his Pension papers) that B d Edward Blake has been taken to be the same as Ebenezer (Edward) Blake who is borne on the Rolls of B d Vose Regt. as having enlisted January 1 st 1777 and discharged in April following a deserter, which is a mistake supposing him to be the applicant and which appears to be the cause of said applicant having been kept out of his Pension ever since the year 1818 until this year and is the reason that he has not applied before for his bounty Land - as he supposed the objections to allowing him a Pension would also be made against his claim for Bounty Land. Also it appears by said letter that the children of B d Edward Blake has applied & rec d his bounty Land, & have returned his Discharge - now by referring to his additional Declaration for a Pension dated June 24 th 1843 all the circumstances relative to the application of his children is explained, & how they came by his Discharge — I am authorized by him to say that he feels very grateful to the Commission of Pensions & to the Secretary of War for the justice they have done him

by granting his Pension, which has rescued him from the Poor House and will make him comfortable for the remainder of his days and has also taken off the imputation that he has lain under as being a Disertor, by his having been taken to be the same as Ebenzer. — And if it is found that his daughter Nepsibah who married Isaac Man of said Canton has rec d as his Bounty land by representing him to be Dead and by that means has obtained what belongs to him — unlawfully; he trusts that justice will be now be done by granting him his Bounty land. And if she has obtained it lawfully, he would then say as Esau — said to his father Isaac hast thou but one blessing? bless me even me also. —
Yours Respectfully Isaac Sherman Attorney for J. B. Vose / otherwise Edward Blake
Nov 22 1843
Rec d Dec 14 th 1843
Isaac Sherman att y Nov 13 th 1843 1486 - 6 101 N 100

35-467
John B. Vose
ct.
act 7. June 32.
adm d.
2 yrs pri
80 $
Hon. J. B. Aborne.
Fairfield
Jan: Feb 1. 1843.

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss Brattleport On this 21 day of January A D 1843 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Brattleport in said County and State John Blake Vose otherwise Edward Blake of Monroe in said County and State aged (83.) Eighty Three Years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832: That he enlisted or was drafted in the early part of the War to keep Guard at Dorchester heights near Boston in Massachusetts. The Summer after the Battle removed Boston for about four months. which he does not claim as his future services is sufficient. To entitle him to a Pension — but claims for his last service. That after the aforesaid service was completed he enlisted in the Town of Stonington. County of Suffolk State of Massachusetts. at the solicitation of Lt Benjamin Tucker of said Town (a Militia officer) for the Continental Army for 9 Months or a year cannot remember what about 1777 remembers that Jedidiah Wentworth a neighbour of his enlisted with him & others whose names he does not now recollect. but himself with several others were sent on to join Col Joseph Vose Regiment of Continental Troops then Stationed at West Point in the

State of New York. That he joined Capt Orange Stodards Company in said Vose Regiment at S d West Point. which was the 1 st Company in S d Regiment. and S d Regiment belonged to the first Massachussetts Brigade commanded by Brigadier Genl. Gloucester remembering that Capt Stodard had a Son in his company. in S d Campaign but cannot recollect his given name said Regiment was infantry. That he served as a Private in said Company. Elijah Vose a brother of S d Joseph was the Lt. Colonel of S d Regiment.
That about the time his first term of service expired he enlisted again as a Private in the same Company and same Regiment during the War That Capt Noah Allen he before succeeded Capt Stodard in the command of said Company & Capt Nitchcock succeeded S d Allen in the command of S d Company. - remembering Those 3 Captains commanded said company during his service in it but may not be correct as to the order of time of their command That he remembers that said Regiment was in Winter quarters at the High Lands near West Point near Fort Constitution thinks that was the hard Winter of 1780 remembering they suffered for want of Provisions on account of the cold weather which prevented the Regiment from being supplied regularly with Provisions was in Winter quarters one Winter during said Service near Newburgh & West Point

Remembering that 6 th Regiment was in the State of New Jersey while he was in 6 th Service was at the Battle of Yorktown at the taking of the Army of under Lord Cornwallis in  with said Regiment. and belonged to the right Division of Massachusetts & Connecticut Continental Troops General Lafayette was in Command at said Battle Col. Joseph Rose commanded said Regiment during said Battle. General Washington was not in Command during said Battle & the Army was divided into 3 divisions. was besieged said Fort 19 days before Lord Cornwallis Surrendered. The French Army was on the left during said Siege. Right Rose the Regiment was Stationed on the Bank of Yorks River at said Battle and I remember that there was two French Ships lay near the Mouth of the River & that British Ships lay near the Point on which York Town was built. remembering that General Mullenburgh Quarters  lived in York Town and that his house was riddled by Shot which I saw after the Battle as I was one of the first of the Soldiers of the American Guard that march into the York Town after the surrender of the British Troops. remembering that after the Surrender of Lord Cornwallis the American Army was formed into two lines one each side of the road and the British Army march out.

between the two lines and laid down their Arms and then March back again between the two lines into York Town Then Lord Cornwallis followed out his Troops in them rear between the two lines at the time of said Surrender (Lord Cornwallis was called a man) I was at the Storming of one of the Redoubts in said Regiment. The siege was about 19 Days and the Cannonading continued after it commenced about 10 Days before the Surrender - remembers there were Negroes among the British after their capture which were said to be Virginia Negroes that had joined the British Army That he was with the Troops in Virginia all Summer previous to said Battle Genl. Lafayette was in command until Genl. Washington came in the fall before said Battle. Also remembers that said Capt. Mitchell was killed in a duel by Lieutenant Stone a Lieut of our company. Capt. Mitchell being then captain of the same as before mentioned believes this happened after the said Battle. it was caused as I understood by a Quarrel about some clothing for the Soldiers. understood they were bottled shot in said duel in their bowels that Capt. Mitchell died of said wounds but Lieut. Stone recovered and left the said company. The last Winter that he belonged to said Regiment he thinks they were in Winter quarters in the Woods near Newburgh in the State of New York.

That he was discharged from said Regiment as he believes on the 8 th Day of June 1783 had a written discharge from the same, which is lost after my discharge I crossed the North River at Freshkill and traveled home to D r Stoughton passed through Springfield in Massachusetts and stopped a day or two there to rest, cannot remember who signed his discharge - went he left with his mother after the war was lost.
That after the close of the War I went to work for Joshua Burston at a place called Pembroke in the State of Massachusetts where I got into a difficulty with a young Woman by the name of Susan Thomas who threatened to swear a child upon me -
I left the State of Massachusetts changed my name, when I was about 24 years of age on account of my difficulty with her and that is the true and only reason of my changing my name from Edward Blake to John B Vose. That I entered the aforesaid Service by the name of Edward Blake which was my true name. my father's name was Aaron Blake & my mother's name before she was married to him was Nepsebah Vose who both lived and died on D r Stoughton. (a part of D r Stoughton having since as I have been informed been set off & called Canton.) my father died when I was in Service. I was an only child my father had but one brother whose name was Stephen

Blake - thinks that the men that were sent on with him as aforesaid did not join Capt Stodards Company, but found Col Vose Regiment in other Companies —
That his service as aforesaid was performed as a private Soldier has no documentary evidence now in his possession nor does he know of any person now living by whom he can prove said service but refers to the Rolls of said Vose Regiment for proof of his said service. That he was paid for said service in Boston soon after the close of the Revolutionary War by a Man by the name of Eggleston who he thinks was paymaster of said Regiment; in said Soldiers Notes which he sold for half a Dollar on the Pound. That he makes the following statement of facts to shew the reasons that he has not obtained his Pension for said service. That soon after the Pension act of 1818 was passed he went to Stoughton for the purpose of obtaining testimony to prove his said service but could find no person then living by whom he could make the necessary proof he then came back again to his family in Connecticut and was told that it would not avail anything to apply for his Pension without living Witnesses to prove his service here the matter rested until about the year 1832 after the passage of Pension act of 1832 he was advised to apply to the War Department for proof of said service which he did through Mr Henry Dune of said Monroe and was met by it.

The outset of the Examination of the Records of 5 th Vosey Regiment, as being recorded a deserter, and as he believes no further examination of 5 th Records has ever been had to remove that objection.
That in the year 1833 he again renewed his request through James Hawley Esq, for the re-examination of 5 th Records when he was again met by the same objection as will appear by the letter and memorandum of J. L. Edwards Esq, to James Hawley Esq, hereto attach.
That about the year 1833 Cyrus H. Bradsby Esq of 5 th Monroe brought a Petition to Congress for one for 5 th services which was presented as I was informed to the Senate by the Hon. Gideon Tomlinson, but was lost with the unfinished business of the Senate, or rejected in consequence of the Record of said desertion.
That he now brings his application before the commission of Pensions earnestly soliciting that it may have a full investigation and fully confident that no such Record as being a deserter ought to stand in his way of his Pension that he knows of no reason of said entry being against him, as he served faithfully during the War and had an honorable discharge as before stated, cannot conceive how such a Record should have been made against him, that he was frequently sent out from 5 th Regiment with a small detachment near the

enemies lines thinks s d entry might have been made against him when absent in one of s d Detachments but what was the cause of making s d Record he feels that it was unjustly made. That he never was absent from s d Regiment during s d service except in s d detach d service but once during the whole service and that was in the hard Winter so called which I believe was in 1780 I then had a furlough for 50 Days to go home. but owing to the extreme weather I over staid my time a few days but explaining the cause to the officer when I got back it was satisfactory & I returned to my duty in s d Regiment.
That he entered s d . Service by the name of Edward Blake and was discharged & paid off by that name. That he is the identical Edward Blake who entered said Service in said Regiment and that he never knew any other person of that name.
That he was born in said Town of Stoughton June 24 th 1759. has no Record of his birth resided there until after the Revolutionary War. and after I was about 24 years of age as before mentioned I went into the State of New York and Work for Peter Underhill at Phillips Manns called from there went to live with Isaac Norton in s d State at Morisena after living in the State of New York 3 or 4 years I came into the State of

Connecticut where I have lived in different places to this day. was Married in the Town of Huntington in D Hampshire County to Sarah Sharp by the Rev Doctor David Ely about the year 1789. Feb 5. (has no Record of it) where I then lived; in the year 1808 I removed to Bridgeport in D County where I resided several years and I have resided in said Monroe for the last 12 years Ezekiel Curtis & the Rev. Nathaniel Ruggles can testify as to my character. John B Vose Sworn to & subscribed the day otherwise & year aforesaid.
Attest. Mark Moore Clerk Edward Blake The said John B Vose (otherwise Smith Edward Blake) hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a Pension or annuity, except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State - John B Vose Sworn to and subscribed the day otherwise the day and year aforesaid Edward Blake Attest Mark Moore Clerk
That we Ezekiel Curtis residing in the Town of Monroe in said County & State and Nathaniel Ruggles residing in Bridgeport in said County (as Clergymen of the Methodist Church) do hereby certify that we are acquainted with John B Vose. who has made has made the above Declaration; and that we believe him to be 83 years of age and who is reputed to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that -

we concur in that opinion. Sworn and Subscribed to Ezekiel Curtis. The day & year above written. Nathaniel Ruggles Attest. Mark Moore Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states —
And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Nathaniel Ruggles who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Bridgeport and that Ezekiel B. Curtis who has signed the same is a resident of the Town of Monroe and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. —
Attest. Smith Smiley Judge Mark Moore Clerk
I Mark Moore Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John B Rose (otherwise) Edward Blake for a Pension. —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 21 st Day of January A D 1843.
Attest Mark Moore Clerk

J L Edward Commissioner of Customs
FREE
James Harlay Esq. Huntington Connecticut
James

War Department Pension Office Sept 30 th 1835
Sir
In reply to yours of the 23 rd inst accompanying a statement of Edward Blake respecting his revolutionary service I have to inform you, that, it is established by the rolls of Bock's regiment that he was enlisted on the 1 st Jany 1777 and deserted 9 th April '77. No parol testimony can be received to impugn that record without violating the fixed rules of evidence. It does not appear that he has ever made a declaration under any pension law, and until he does, make one no benefit can result from a correspondence.
I am Respectfully
Your O bt Servant
(L. Edward)
James Hawley Esq Huntington Connecticut

Edward Blake's Statement agreeable to list of his services in the Revolutionary Services to wit I was born in the Town then called Hotten now called Canton in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1759 June 24th in the year 1775 I believe in the first part of the season was enlisted by Lieut. Benjamin Dake of the Militia who had orders to enlist men for the defence of our country I believe for the term of a month I enlisted. I cannot identify my services by day & date as I cannot ascertain them my first services were in quite the first part of the war on Dorchester heights a little south of Boston & keeping guard a few months after that I was enlisted by Lieut. Benjamin Dake a Militia Officer who had orders to enlist soldiers for the defence of our country in the Town of Boston now called Canton in the State of Massachusetts I believe for the term of nine months & myself with a number of others were sent on to West Point to join & joined Col. Vose's Regiment & there I served in said Regiment the term of said enlistment at which time I enlisted again in said Regiment during the war in the company of Capt. Bringe's Standard in Vose's Regiment which then commanded the Company but others commanded the company after that when in said Regiment I continued to serve personally until I believe the 26th of Decr 1780 when I set out from the Highlands of West Point for home on furlough as my Mother had written to me of the death of my Father & that she was in a very low state of health & left destitute & wished me to return for her relief if it could be cons. I accordingly I excused myself to gratify her request & discharge the duty of a child I went home & found as she had written the winter was uncommonly severe & cold the roads were all blocked up with snow & almost impassable so that one week of my furlough was relapsed in a severe storm of snow that was impassable in one place & after that the roads were so blocked up that I could not get but a little distance in a day & after getting home I found that my assistance was really necessary for the comfort of my mother & I stayed with her until the winter broke & the roads become passable & then returned to my duty in said Regiment I cannot ascertain whether they were at the same place where I left them or not, but I was kindly & cordially received without any reprimand more than to inquire the cause of my staying or being absent so long which I readily informed them & returned to my duty & I never had any knowledge of being entered or returned as a deserter until his honor J. L. Edwards Esq. narrated it in his return to me of my enquiry after that I served in said Regiment until the close of the said war I was through the siege of taking Cornwallis under the command of Col. Joseph Vose & in Capt. Heath's company & commanded by General Lafayette throughout the siege until General Washington came & after the taking of Cornwallis was on the 19th of Oct the British came back for winter quarters & encamped in the woods about two miles westerly of Newburg Station where we continued until discharged from service which was I believe on the 8th day of June 1783 which discharge I have left in New in payment for my services in part continental bills & the remainder soldiers notes & small settlement notes paid in the city of Boston by Mr. Eggleston paymaster in cash notes which I sold for half a dollar per pound, it is or will be two years this fall since I made out my application & declaration together with other documents & gave them to Gideon Darrinson Esq. to act for me in my behalf for the purpose of obtaining my pension which I really need being destitute of any property or means of support except what myself & wife are able to earn in our daily labour, myself in my 77 year of age & my wife in her 75th year no delays from Government or Darrinson that can be any way satisfactory that their rather than proper attention paid to my application I have now applied to James Hawley Esq. of Huntington Connecticut to transact said business for me & in my behalf.
Yours

Huntingdon, Fairfield Co Connecticut Dear Sir with due respect to your honor
After my best respects to you, I beg leave to solicit your immediate attention as soon as may be to the application of Pardon Blake for a pension for his services in the Revolutionary War as a private soldier, in Col d Vose's Regiment, in the Massachusetts line, who now is a resident in the Town of Monroe, Fairfield county, State of Connecticut; together with a narrative or detail of his services in said war, as he cannot procure any proof of his services from any living testimony, except from the Records of the War department, all those of his acquaintance that were with him in said war are dead, or cannot be found by him, therefore we could wish to solicit your honor's particular attention to the Records, of said Regiment, as to the returns of the rolls of the men's names, at different times, & even to the close of the war, to see if his name was not existing there with the others on the rolls at that time - also the paymaster's of said Regiment's returns of payment to said Regiment & individuals of said Regiment at the close of the war, - if the different branches can explain in the duty of their several officers in their returns I shall be confident that his name will be found existing after in said service after his entering into said service from his father, which appears from your honor's information to him that he was entered or returned a deserter, - I expect that might all take place with a degree of probability, I had the knowledge of its being the common custom or practice while in the service myself, of their giving furloughs to men to be absent for a certain number of days, & if they did not return to their duty in twice that number of days, they were considered as deserters & entered as returned as such unless they had knowledge from the of some reasonable cause.
I shall also present to your honor a short narrative or detail of his birth services in the Revolutionary war & present situation.

We, the Select men of the Town of Monroe in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut do certify that Edward Blake has for many years past resided in this Town that his age is, according to our belief 84 years — that he has always sustained a good character and that his statements, and, as we verily believe, entitled to full credit. Data at Monroe this 16 th day of Jan y 1843.
Levi Edwards — William Beach
{ Select men of Monroe Fairfield County Connecticut
Fairfield County ss. Monroe January 21 st 1843 Personally appeared Levi Edwards & W m Beach and made solemn oath that the above certificate by them subscribed is true before me.
Cyrus H t Beach Justice of Peace
We the Subscribers as Judges and Clerk of the aforesaid Court do hereby certify that we are personally acquainted with Levi Edwards Esq. & W m Beach who has subscribed the foregoing article as Select men of the Town of Monroe That they are men of the first respectability whose testimony is entitled to full credit Bridgeport January 21 st 1843.
Abt Mark Moore Clerk of said Court
Smith Inverness Judge of said Probate Court

Ezekiel Curtis of The Town of Monroe in The County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut. aged 64 years now The Postmaster of The United States at Hoar Bridge so called in said County. & State Do Depose and say That I have been personally acquainted with John B Vose of S d Monroe for 10 years past & have known him as a regular member of The Methodist Church in said Monroe of which Church I am a member and that I should have full confidence in any declaration he should make relative to his service in The Revolution. for a Pension and that I fully believe he is entitled to a Pension for his services in The Revolution. and that I believe him to be now about 83 years of age. —
Ezekiel Curtis.
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss. Bridgeport Januy 25 1843 personally appeared Ezekiel Curtis who subscribed & made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me who I certify is a witness of the first respectability. well known to me
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield } ss Bridgeport I Mark Moore Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Bridgeport in the County of Fairfield & State aforesaid do hereby certify that Cyrus H. Beard & Isaac Sherman Esquires are both Justices of the Peace in and for said County of Fairfield duly commissioned and qualified; that their signatures to the Depositions of Love Edwards, William DeForest & Heavens  Isaac William DeForest hereto annexed are genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this 24 day of January A 1843.
Attest Mark Moore Clerk
And I further certify that the following words in the foregoing declaration of John B Rose was interlined before execution viz commanded in right on the residence was near the by a Quard which is lost changed my name not and a memorandum of his services by James Hawly Esq  containing the words of the Also in the above certificate the name of Ezekiel Curtis was interlined before execution. January 24 1843
Attest Mark Moore Clerk

William DeForest of the Town of Hampden County of Hampden & State of Connecticut. 69. years of age. Depose and saith that he is well acquainted with John Blake Vose of Monroe who is now applying for a Pension that his acquaintance with said Vose has been continuous since about the year 1789. That Vose at that time lived with his father Nehemiah DeForest in said Huntington in said County. When said Vose was married to Sarah Sharp & Huntington and the reason that he knows that said Vose was married about the year 1789 is that he was as he thinks about 15 or 16 years old when said marriage took place as he left his father's house when he was 20 years old and remembers that Vose was married as aforesaid 3 or 4 years before he left home, to Sarah Sharp & who had lived in his father's family previous to her marriage to him. I should judge said Vose was about 30 years of age at the time of his marriage to said Sarah. I always considered him to be a man of good moral character and a man of truth & veracity.
William DeForest
State of Connecticut
Hampden County ss — Bridgeport January 24. 1843 Personally appeared William DeForest who subscribed & made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me who I certify is a Man of the first respectability as a witness.
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Peter C Pixlee of the Town of Bridgeport in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged 45 Years deposeth and saith that he resided in the Town of Stratford in the County formerly and at the time that John Blake Vose (otherwise Edward Blake) resided in the Town of Stratford and I remember that said Vose went away from here as I understood to visit his friends near Boston in Massachusetts and I remember when he returned from said visit he was much better clothed than he had been accustomed to be had a Watch in his Pocket and a new Umbrella and said that he had recovered some property and as I understood at the time from some relation that had died in his native Town that he had been to visit. I know that he made said visit more than 20 Years ago for this reason I was married 21 Years ago and I remember perfectly well that said Vose made said visit before I was married.
Peter C Pixlee
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield } ss, Bridgeport April 1, 1843 Personally appeared Peter C Pixlee and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition before me who I certify as a credible Witness well known to me. —
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

John Bartlett of the Town of Bridport in the County of Franklin and State of Connecticut 60 years of age Deposition and Saith that he has been intimately acquainted with John Blake Vose who is now applying for a Pension for more than 35 years past and that they both resided in the Town of Stratford in said County during the years 1808 to 1824 inclusive and that about the year 1819 or 20 said Vose left home as I understood at the time to go to Boston in Massachusetts or some Town near there to visit his native Town and was gone from home a few weeks and when he returned he was well clothed and had a Watch in his pocket and brought home money with him as I understood about 200 Dollars which he said he had recd for a claim he had on some property in his native place and I remember that he immediately on his return paid off with the money all his debts - and I remember this circumstance that took place at that time I met S d Vose one day with a Barrel of flour and he remarked to me that he should not have to bring home his flour by the pail full - as he had formerly done. and I remember that said Vose procured a paper from the Selectmen to show that any assistance that he might require to travel on the road in his contemplated journey would be properly applied remained and I

hearing him tell about being in the Service in the Revolutionary War nearly 30 years ago and as I understood him his Service was in the Continental Army. Also I remember that Johnson Puttle a Neighbour of mine now dec d . carried on the Goosewing business at the time D r Vose made D r visit and D r Vose then work for D r Puttle as a Journeman Goose and I remember at the time he returned from said visit D r Puttle told me that D r Vose had another name and often heard D r Puttle say that his true name was Blake and that he had altered it to John Blake Vose — said Vose has allways been a poor labouring man but a man of good character for Truth and Veracity and as I believe a very honest, sober and Industrious man has brought up a large family of children —
John Bartlett
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss. Bridgeport April 7 th 1843 personally appeared John Bartlett and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Proposition before me who I certify is a credible witness well known to me — Dear Sherman Justice of Peace

* John G Rose of The Town of Bridgewater in The County of Hampden & State of Connecticut 42 years of age Deposeth and saith that he is the 4 th child of John Blake Rose of The Town of Monroe who is now applying for a Pension. That he remembers that when he was a Minor and lived at home with his father the said John B Rose in The Town of Stratford in said County. his father left home as he said for the purpose of locating his friends in his native place in some place near Boston in Massachusetts and as I believe his object in said visit was to obtain proof of his service in the Revolution he was gone from home on said visit as much as 6 Weeks & when he returned he had a good suit of clothes on and a Watch in his pocket and a Bag with Shirts in it & also had a Roll of bills and bought new clothes for my self & mother & youngest Sister with some of the money - he had previous to that been in indigent circumstances & unable to clothe his family or himself with good clothes. Also as long ago as I can remember my father was often telling about his being in the Revolutionary War

and how much he suffered during the War and I remember that soon after he returned from S. West he went as I understood to Hampshire an adjoining Town to S. Stratford to take some measures to get a Pension and I know that he has been talking about getting a Pension ever since and has made several attempts to do so. I believe my father to be now 83 or 84 years old. Also I remember that when he returned from S. West that he said had recovered some property in his native Town which he had sold and the money he then had was paid to him for it. I never knew him to visit his native place at any other time than the one mentioned. John G. Vose
State of Connecticut County of Hampshire ss. Bridgeport March 27 th 1843 personally appeared John G. Vose and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition before me who certify is a credible witness well known to me to be the son of John B. Vose (Elias, Edward Blake) who is applying for a Pension. Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

I Gershon Edubull of the Town of Bridgeport in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut 53 years of age Depose and say that I have been intimately acquainted with Mr John B Rose for more than 30 years who is a man that has sustained a good character and generally worked at the coopering business has brought up a family decently but has always been in low circumstances as to property and I remember that about the year 1819 or 20 I was Master of a Vessel & employed in carrying Grain to Boston to sell and while lying there for the purpose of selling out my cargo I was surprised one day to see said Rose in Boston on board of my Vessel as we both resided at that time when at home in the Town of Stratford in said County. I then conversed with him and inquired the reason of his coming to Boston. and he said he had been visiting his native place which was as I understood some Town near Boston. He then told me had recovered some property and as I understood from his father's Estate he was rigged out in a better suit of clothes than common & with a Silver Watch in his Pocket. & I remember he said he had given $15 for the watch. and told me had got his money for his property. cannot remember the amount of money he said he had but my impression is

That it was about 200 or 250 Dollars I remember advising him to be careful of his money, and lay it out to the best advantage. — understood he came then to Boston by Land & went back the same way —
Gershon D ly Hubbard
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield } ss Bridgeport March 29 th 1843. Personally appeared Capt Gershon E. Hubbard and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition before one who is well known to me to be a credible witness Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace.

I Edward Blake of the Town of Monroe in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut. 83 Years of age having heard that one of my old companions in Arms that enlisted and served in the Continental Army in Col Vose Regiment is now living in the Town of Stoughton County of Norfolk State of Massachusetts by the name of Asa Waters. now for the purpose of proving my identity as being the same Edward Blake that was in service in said Regiment. it being out of my power to go to see him I make the following Statement relative to said service and propose Questions for him to answer as follows viz— my name is Edward Blake. only son of Aaron Blake & my mother's name was Nepsibah Vose I was born in said Town of Stoughton and was Enlisted in said Stoughton by Lieut. Benjamin Tucker a Militia Officer who was employed to Enlist men for the Continental Army I enlisted for 9 months service the beginning of the year 1777 There was 14 men enlisted for said Service said Lt Tucker lived at that time in said Stoughton where I enlisted. the said 14 men were part enlisted in said Stoughton and the others in the neighbouring Towns. I remember Jedediah Wentworth was one of said 14 men and lived at the time in said Stoughton within about a mile of said Aaron Blake. I remember I marched

To West Point on The North River and Stoped at Springfield in Massachusetts on the way. and  with saw 14 men, there found the Continental Army some as I believe in one company and some in another I cannot now recollect the names of any of the 14 except D r Wentworth although I think I have some recollection of D r Asa Waters, - being so many years ago I cannot call their names to mind but the number being 14 I recollect distinctly the following questions I propose to D r Asa Waters to be answered by her under oath.
1 st Do you remember Edward Blake of D r Stoughton a Son of Aaron Blake (familiarly called Ned Blake)
2 nd do you know that D r Edward Blake was enlisted for the Continental Service in D r Stoughton by Lieut. Col. Tucker for 9 months service about the year 1777 and was your self D r Blake of the number of D r 14 men before mention by Blake - and do you remember that saw 14 March from Massachusetts through Springfield to West Point in the State of New York
and do you remember that after D r 9 months service that I enlisted during the War in Col. Bose Regiment. Continental Troops do you remember whether Capt. Orange Stodard, or Capt. Noah Allen or Capt. Nitschick commanded the company during saw 9 months service. I believe it was Stodard. but as they each of them were captains of D r Co. at different periods of the War while I belonged to it I do not now recollect which commanded during D r 9 months

but I remember that Capt. Stoddardson was a private or corporal in a company - in my father's.
3 Do you remember the circumstance of my drawing a new Uniform coat of blue cloth and of my selling my old Uniform blue coat. To some one of us 14 men. The coat I drew was blue coat faced with red or white and the one I sold was also a blue coat and I believe was faced with red I think the facings of our coats was changed during service from red to white as I recollect we used to get pipe clay to rub on them to clean them up - and the new coat that I drew as aforesaid had pewter Buttons on it with the letters U.S.A. stamped on them. Do you remember that we drew provisions at Springfield when going on to join the Army as aforesaid - Do you remember where we were supplied with muskets. I think we had no muskets until after we arrived at West Point.
Did you know my Uncle Stephen Blake my father's brother of Stoughton and did Stephen Blake's sons, by the names of Stephen and Phineas - and did you ever know any other Edward or Ned Blake of Stoughton during the Revolutionary War. than the one of 14 men - and did you know my father W. D. Aaron Blake and do you know that Aaron died during the War at Stoughton and what do you know about said Edward Blake generally Can you give a description of his person as near as you can recollect at the time of service.

In particular his height, complexion &c. Also whether you recollect or know any thing of said Edward Blake having been an apprentice to Nathaniel Coverly of Boston at the printing business before he enlisted in said service — And as you know that my father the D r Aaron Blake owned a farm of about 40 acres, with a Dwelling House & Barn on the same in D r Stoughton and that my mother Deborah was his widow. Please State date in your Deposition in answer to this when you first became acquainted with D r Edward Blake and where you resided at that time & since up to this time and what knowledge you have of his family —
Edward Blake
Sworn to in open court before me at Bridgewater in D r County & State this 13 th Day of April A D 1843.
Albert Mark Moore Clerk Smith Tweedy Judge of Probate
State of Connecticut
County of Hartford ss Bridgewater May 4 th 1843 I Mark Moore Clerk of the Court of Probate within & for the District of Bridgewater in D r County do hereby certify that D r Smith Tweedy Esq r is Judge of said Court duly commissioned and qualified as such That his signatures to the Deposition of Edward Blake & Philo Wood Esq r are all his genuine signatures That Isaac Sherman is a Justice of the peace for D r County and that his signatures to the Depositions of Gershon E. Hubbell, John G. Vose, John Bartlett & Peter C. Pivete are all genuine hand & seal of D r Court.
Albert Mark Moore Clerk

The undersigned Select Men of the town of Canton, County of Norfolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Hereby represent and certify, that Edward Blake was the son of Aaron Blake & Hephzibah his wife, that said Edward was born in Houghton (now Canton) and is long since deceased - He served in the revolutionary Army, but under whom or for what term do not undertake to state, not having made the necessary enquiries for such purpose. The aforesaid Edward deceased as aforesaid married a woman about thirtythree years since, bearing the name of Thomas by this marriage the said Edward had one daughter only and no other child, his Widow is now living in the town of Paris, County of Oxford and Commonwealth aforesaid. His said Edward's daughter given name is Hephzibah Vose - is now married, living in this town, her husband's name is Isaac Mann - Are in indigent circumstances and have a family of small children - Not a doubt next with us, but that said Hephzibah Mann wife of said Isaac Mann is sole Heir to all and the whole of the estate of every description whatever, of which the said Edward Blake may have died seized.
Canton 10 th April 1818-
Joseph Brainerd Ezra Tilden Jr
I hereby certify that the facts as above stated are in my opinion correct
Thomas French Jr

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County April 13 th 1850. I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the within named Solomon of Canton and full of faith and trust in the genuineness of the certificate as within contained and am convinced that the same has been granted on the estate of the within named Solomon Blake deceased and I certify that the within named Hannah P. Blake is by the laws of this Commonwealth the sole heir to said deceased and entitled to said lands and said deceased has the undivided and there is no real and or personal property probate department by law - I therefore hand it my hand and seal this thirteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty and of the independence of the United States the seventy-fourth Arthur D. Morris Judge of Probate for Norfolk County

KNOW all Men by these Presents,
That I Hephzibah Vose Mann  of Canton formerly H.V. Blake only child of Edward Blake deceased who was a Soldier in the first Massachusetts Regt. have constituted, ordained and made, and in my stead and place put, and by these presents do constitute, ordain and make, and in my stead and place put John Lewis of Boston, County of Suffolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Broker to be my true, sufficient and lawful attorney for me and in my name and stead, to my use to ask for, and to receive of the United States, a Warrant of One Hundred Acres of Land granted to the said Edward Blake, deceased, for enlisting to serve, and serving, the Term of During the Revolutionary War, in the Massachusetts Line of the American Army & the first Regiment. — and now due to me, as his sole heir.
Giving and hereby granting unto my said attorney full power and authority in and about the premises; and to use all due means, course and process in the law for the full, effectual and complete execution of the business afore described; and in my name to make and execute due acquittance and discharge; and for the premises to appear, and the person of me the constituent to represent before any governor, judges, justices, officers and ministers of the law whatsoever, in any court or courts of judicature, and there, on my behalf, to answer, defend and reply unto all actions, causes, matters and things whatsoever, relating to the premises. Also to submit any matter in dispute, respecting the premises, to arbitration or otherwise: with full power to make and substitute, for the purposes aforesaid, one or more attorneys under my said attorney and the same again at pleasure to revoke. And generally to say, do, act, transact, determine, accomplish, and finish all matters and things whatsoever, relating to the premises, as fully, amply and effectually, to all intents and purposes, as I the said constituent, if present, ought or might personally, although the matter should require more special authority than is herein comprised I the said constituent ratifying, allowing and holding firm and valid all and whatsoever my said attorney or his substitutes shall lawfully do, or cause to be done, in and about the premises, by virtue of these presents.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24 th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen.
Signed, sealed, and delivered, in Presence of us,  W Stevenson  Isaac Mann
Hephzibah V. Mann
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Boston, Suffolk, ff.
BE IT KNOWN, That on the twenty sixth Day of February One thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me, WILLIAM STEVENSON , Notary Public, by legal Authority admitted and sworn, and dwelling in Boston aforesaid, and a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk, personally came Hephzibah Vose Mann above named, and acknowledged the above Letter of Attorney to be her Act and Deed.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed my Notarial Seal the Day and Year last aforesaid.
William Stevenson
Notary Public and Just. of Peace.

Edward NA Blake Mass. Sire.
Suffolk ss Boston Feb 26. 1818 Personally appeared Isaac Mann and made oath that he will know Hephzibah Ose Mann, by whom the within Power is signed, to be the identical person therein represented.
before William Stevenson Just Peace

February 3, 1934.
Mrs. George W. Carey 3115 Main Street Stratford, Connecticut.
BA-J/ILL Edward Blake S. 14770
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of John Blake Vose, Ephraim Wheeler and James Clark.
A search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no claim for pension or bounty land made to the United States found based upon service of an Ephraim Wheeler. In order to identify the record of the particular soldier with name James Clark in whom you are interested, as much as possible of the following information is essential: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service, and given name of widow. The record of Edward Blake, alias John Blake Vose, has been found and is furnished herein as shown in the papers on file in his pension claim, S. 14770, based upon service in the Revolutionary War.
Edward Blake was born June 24, 1759, in Stoughton (the part which was later called Canton), Norfolk County, Massachusetts. He was the only child of Aaron Blake and Hephzibah Vose Blake, both of Stoughton, Massachusetts; Aaron Blake died there November 12, 1779, and his widow lived there as late as 1818, the date of her death not shown.
Edward Blake served about four months as a guard at Dorchester Heights after the evacuation of Boston by the British, specific date not shown. He enlisted September 24, 1779, served as private in Captains Orange Stoddard's, Noah Allen's, and Hitchcock's companies, Colonel Joseph Vose's 1 st Massachusetts regiment, and was discharged June 8, 1783.

After his service in the war, Edward Blake worked in Pembroke, a town adjoining Stoughton, Massachusetts, and married there about the year 1785, Susan Thomas; they lived on his father's farm in Stoughton and, after a short time, the soldier deserted his wife, went from Massachusetts about the year 1786 to New York State, and changed his name to John Blake Vose. Their daughter, Hephzibah Vose Blake, was born after her father's departure. In 1818, in Stoughton and the vicinity, said Susan was referred to as the widow of Edward Blake; it was believed then that Edward Blake was deceased. In 1818, Susan resided in Paris, Oxford County, Massachusetts; their daughter, Hephzibah was then the wife of Isaac Mann and they lived on the farm in Canton with their family of small children; in 1819, or 1819, they moved to Maine. It was stated that Hephzibah Blake, the soldier's mother, moved with them.
Edward Blake, alias John Blake Vose, lived in Philipse Manor, New York, afterwards, in Morrisania, New York, after that moved to Huntington, Fairfield County, Connecticut, where he resided in 1789. He married on February 5, 1789, in Huntington, Connecticut, Sarah Sharp. They had a large family of children; the only name shown is that of John G. Vose, their fourth child; there was a daughter younger than said John. In 1843, this son, John G. Vose, was a resident of Bridgeport, Fairfield, Connecticut, aged forty-two years. The soldier and his family moved about the year 1808 to Bridgeport, Connecticut, and after a few years, moved to Startford, Fairfield, County, and later to Trumbull, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 21, 1843, at which time he resided in Monroe, Fairfield County, Connecticut, where he had resided about twelve years. His wife was then about seventy-five years of age.
Stephen Blake, soldier's uncle, was a resident of Stoughton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts; his wife was Cloe; the names of his sons were Stephen and Phineas. Stephen Blake, Senior, died in Stoughton in 1822 or 1823; Stephen Blake, Junior, was living in said Stoughton in 1843, aged sixty years. Another uncle of the soldier was Nathan Vose; he resided in Milton, Massachusetts, in 1819, at which time he had a daughter, Polly; the name of his wife was not stated.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of the pensioner, Edward Blake, alias John Blake Vose, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing the following:
John Blake Vose Certificate 32064 Issued August 23, 1843 Rate of $80 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831. Act of June 7, 1832. Connecticut Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK ss.
Ernest Thompson I, JAIRUS WARE , Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby Certify that Thomas French Esquire,
is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said of- fice, and that his signature to the annexed Certificate is genuine and true.
In Witness Whereof, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth hereunto at Dedham, this twenty eighth day of April A. D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty  sixty three Ernest Thompson Clerk

I Benjamin Hutton of Canton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts Minister of the first Congregational Society at South Scituate Canton, formerly the first Congregational Society of Scituate in the County before the division of the Town of Scituate 50 years of age. I do hereby certify that I have in my possession a copy of the original Record of the first Congregational Society of Scituate that now Canton. I find from said Record that the Rev. Samuel Duncan was a Minister of the first Congregational Society of Scituate from the year 1727 until the year 1783 making 56 years, and that during his ministry as Minister of said Society I find from the copy of his Record that Stephen Blake his wife's Close was admitted to the Covenant of the Church in 1769 and that in the year 1767 Stephen Blake was admitted a Communicant of said Church. And that from said Record I find the Record of the funeral of Aaron Blake of Scituate Nov. 12 th 1779. The above Record was kept by the Rev. Samuel Duncan during his ministry over said Society. I do not find from the Registry of said Society which I have made of said Record the name of Edward Blake as having been admitted in said Society in Infancy.  Benjamin Hutton.
State of Massachusetts. County of Norfolk ss. (Canton 28 th April 1843 Personally appeared the Rev. Benjamin Hutton of said Canton and subscribed the foregoing attestation to the truth of the foregoing Disposition before me I here certify is a Credible Witness for the same Thomas French Justice of the Peace

I Stephen Blake of the Town of Stoneham in the County of Norfolk State of Massachusetts do hereby of age Depose & say, that I am the son of Stephen Blake late of Stoneham - Who died in the year 1822 or 1823 - That my father the said Stephen Blake had a Brother as I understand by the name of Aaron Blake who died as I believe during the Revolution and left a widow by the name of Deborah and a son by the name of Edward Blake as I have since found and believe said Edward left said Stoneham soon after the close of the Revolution and was young at the time many years say about 30 years or more but about the year 1819 I remember hearing of one Edward Blake from Connecticut visiting said Stoneham and as I understood visited my father who was related to Edward Blake and that when Edward came back the people thought he was an impostor but at length he proved himself to be Edward Blake and relating the circumstances of his youth and many incidents of early life that led them to think that he was the identical Edward Blake formerly a Resident of Stoneham and I am confident that my father was perfectly satisfied

That said Edward was his Eclectical Nip. The son of his B r Brother Aaron Bluff The Reason I Remember the S d Edward visit his native town about the year 1819 is is that my father spoke of him frequently and also said that after S d Edward's visit to S d Stoughton - and I never heard or heard of any other person in S d Town of Stoughton or Canton by the name of Edward Bluff except the S d Edward the son of S d Aaron Bluff and from what I have heard from my father & other Relation to S d Edward Bluff I firmly believe that the man by that name that visited S d Stoughton as a friend and was my own Blood Cousin and I fully believe that S d Edward is more than 80 years of age - the S d Edward while on said visit claimed his father's Estate consisting of a small farm & dwelling house and sold the same to Samuel Davis Jewett - other facts about him have been lost I understand that said Edward Bluff left Stoughton probably and I never heard where he had gone to but

The Cause of his sudden disappearance I do not need resort to have traced
Stephen Blake
On this on behalf of the said Charles County of Norfolk — 2 nd Stoughton 27 th April 1843
Personally appeared before me Stephen Blake of Stoughton and being in law and under solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition before me Who I certify is a credible witness well known to me
Thomas French Justice of the Peace

I William Tucker of the Town of Canton County of Norfolk and state of Massachusetts 53 years of age, Depose and say that I am the son of John Tucker who resided in the Town of Hingham until the division of the Town after which he resided until the time of his death which was in the year of 1826 in that part which was set off and called Canton. That William father was living and I should think in about the year 1819 or 1820 I saw a person at my father's house in Canton by the name of Edward Blake which I understood from my father and others was a son of Aaron Blake and who had been absent from his native town for many years and so long that many of his former friends and acquaintances did not recognize him at first but my father said he knew him immediately on conversation as Edward Blake or as he more familiarly called Ned Blake. On his return in 1819 or 1820 both his father Aaron Blake (Bleaker) and his mother (his mother) were dead, and had been for many years, and the property left by his father consisted of a few acres of land and a dwelling house thereon standing was claimed by Edward

Blake and sold and had claimed his interest in his father's Estate to Benjamin Frank Samuel Davis Jenkins as I believe for the sum of Two Hundred Dollars That an aunt very fond of Edward. That a few days after the death of his Father I was in the City of Boston and on Board of a Coasting Vessel from Bridgewater Connecticut, The Name of the Captain of said Vessel I do not know precisely, and while on Board of said Vessel the said Edward Blake came on Board, and the Captain of said Vessel shook hands with him and called him Rose. and I called him Mr. Blake and told the Captain that he was mistaken in the person that his name was Blake and then upon the said Blake explained in the presence of the Captain of said Vessel that after he left Stoughton he changed his name to that of John B Rose which name he had also ago going by since he left Stoughton and during his residence in Connecticut and that he changed his name in consequence of a difficulty which he had with a female - I always understood from my father and others that the cause of Edward Blake leaving Stoughton his native town was in consequence of a difficulty which he got into with a female in some of the adjoining towns

Who had a Child Reputed to be Edward Bleeker Child - I have always understood from my father - that Edward Bleeker left It ought to be soon after the close of the Revolutionary War had been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was some many years old 30 years or more and it was supposed that he was dead as nothing had been heard of him in more than 30 years - from my recollection of the person of Edward Bleeker I should say that he was about 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high light of color complexion, light brown hair, light eyes, light eye brows, and good proportion - and I never heard of any other person in the town of Slaughter or Canton by the name of Edward Bleeker except the son of Aaron Bleeker and I firmly believe that the person by that name that visited Slaughter as aforesaid was Edward Bleeker the son of Aaron Bleeker and is now more than 80 years of age - and further the drop on next sheet -
William Tucker
State of the association,
County of Norfolk
Canton 27 th Sept 1843
The above extract of Benjamin Tucker's name was read before the Association sitting December Thomas Francis Grafton

State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss (Anton 27) Ap. 1 1843 Personally appeared Benjamin William Perkins of said Canton and declares he had and made solemn oath to the truth of foregoing Deposition before me when I certify it is a credible witness well known to me.
Thomas French Justice of the Peace

I Jeremiah Drown of the Town of Canton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts 58 years of age (Depose & say that I am the son of Supt Benj & Luther who lived the north house to Aaron Blake the father of Edward Blake & not more than 40 Rods distant, for as much as 60 years, That my father is dead and that he died in the year 1833. 1834 in that about the year 1819 or 1820 I was a person at my father's house in C o , Canton who my father informed me was Edward Blake son of P o , Aaron & Hannah Blake "The father of P o , Blake died during the Revolution as I have been informed and the mother of P o , Blake is dead, and when the P o , Blake came back to Canton he claimed the property left by his father consisting of from 50 to 60 acres of land and a small dwelling I was then standing and during his stay in Canton he sold & conveyed all his interest in P o , Estate of Aaron Blake to Samuel Drown & Luther & paid up to Benj & Luther for which they paid P o , Edward Blake Two Hundred Dollars P o , Edward had been absent from his native town about many years and when he returned he may did not recognize him, since Blake left his native town in consequence of a difficulty with a woman who resided I think in Pembroke, I think I understood that he had changed his name after he left though he was although I said Edward Blake had been absent more than 30 years yet my father recognized him and had no doubt that the person that visited P o , Canton as a friend was Edward

Blake the son of Aaron Blake I hope a better Blake and that, I have never heard of any other person in the town of Stoughton or Canton by the name of Edward Blake Except the son of said Aaron Blake and I firmly believe that the man by that name who visited Stoughton Canton in 1819 or 1820 as a person was none other than the said Edward the son of said Aaron Blake and that said Edward is about 80 years of age as I nearly present at my father's house and heard the Bengais and conversation between Edward Blake & his son Samuel Blake and I know my father Benjamin Blake in the last of said land which was left to said Edward by his father Aaron Blake Jeremiah Tucker
(Commonwealth of Massachusetts) County of Norfolk. — To (Canton 27 th April 1843) Personally appeared Jeremiah Tucker of said Canton and subscribed and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing disposition before him Who I certify is a credible witness known to me
Thomas French Justice of the Peace

I Allee Waters of Stoneham - County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, 83 years of age Depose and say that I knew Edward Blake of Stoneham and suppose a son of Aaron Blake and that his mother was Deborah Dose, and that S d Blake enlisted in S d Stoneham but by what officer or person I do not recollect we were enlisted for the Continental Army for 9 months service, there were 14 men enlisted for S d service a part from Stoneham and part from the adjoining towns, of the 14 men then enlisted I can recollect that there was John Syon, Eliot Syon, Christopher Morrill, Jonathan Curtis, Jacob French, William Morrison, Ebenezer Hayden, Joseph Puffer, Edward Blake, Jonathan Billings, Samuel Smith & myself the others I do not now recollect, we were ordered to West Point on the North River and on our way stop at Springfield in Massachusetts - S d 14 men then joined the Continental Army, some in our company and some in our other - the number of 14 men were enlisted as aforesaid. I well recollect as in answer to the questions propounded by said Edward Blake in a deposition sworn to by Samuel Smith Second Judge of Probate who presided in the County of Fairfield and State of Conn. the 13 day of Apr 1823. I recollect that at S d time Edward Blake of Stoneham I think son of Aaron Blake and formerly called S d Blake
2 d I do know that he enlisted for the Continental service in S d Stoneham for 9 months service but by whom I do not recollect S d Blake may be one of the number of 14 men mentioned by S d Blake I do remember that S d 14 men were ordered as aforesaid to West Point in State New York
3 d I do remember that after S d 9 months service that S d Blake enlisted during the war in Col. Dose Regiment Continental Troops, I recollect that Capt Orange Stadard commanded the company during S d 9 months service I do recollect that Capt Stadard had a son in S d company under him either as a private or under officer

4. I do Remmember the circumstances of Edw and Blake Drawing a handkerchief coat of Blue Cloth, and of Mr Edw and Blake selling his old coat to me, the new coat which Blake drew was a Blue Coat and with White with Black trim or pocket Buttons, with Buttons, it was for me There were Buttons, they were I do not Recollect. The Coat I purchased of S r Blake was an old Blue Coat and with White, I kept the old coat for a number of years and used to wear it occasionally I Recollect that he drew provision and trunk at S r . Spring field when he was going to join the army as a volunteer 5. I knew Stephen Blake of S r Houghton the uncle of S r Edw and I knew his two sons by the name of Stephen & William and I never knew any other Edw and or New Blake in S r Houghton or Canton or in the army during the Revolutionary War. Then the one named in the S r H. was 6. I knew that Aaron Blake the father of S r Edw and did a great many years since I cannot say how many I was not very much acquainted with S r Edw as he lived in a very remote corner of the Town. 7. Of the persons of Edw and Blake I recollect very few My Recollection of him that he was when in the army about 5 feet 10 inches Slight Complexion - Slight Blue Eye, Slightish Hair and Stout build 8. I do not Recollect S r Blake being an apprentice in Boston. I do not know much about the said Aaron Blake, father or Grandfather I knew Hepsibah born who married Edw Blake  she before Edw was married 9. I do not Recollect of much of any acquaintance with Edw and Blake until the time of our enlistment I have always Resided in the South West corner of Houghton and S r Blake Resided in the North East corner of S r Houghton being Remote I have Recd and Enquired of Stephen Blake a great many years since what had become of New Blake and he said he had gone off some where and supposed that he was dead and never heard to the Country

Until quite recently, Edw and Bluff was about my age 83 years no Bluff and my self belonged to the same Company under Capt. Wood and our Regiment was commanded by Col. Vose or Col. Joseph Vose. Regiment of Connecticut Troops. Brigadier General Glover had the Command of our Brigade and from him down the chain of command to us Asa Waters
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Suffolk ss I, Stoughton 27 April 1843 Personally appeared before me Asa Waters of said Stoughton, and acknowledged and made solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition before me Who I certify is a credible witness well known to me
Thomas French Justice of the Peace

_____ _____ N. Y. April 14. 1889
W. to issue to Hepzibah V. Mann, only daughter & heir at law of Edw. Blake priv 18th Mass Ave W. ipd N. 785

Bridgewater July 19 th 1843
To The Commission of Pensions, in examining the claim of Edward Blake of Monroe formerly of Stoughton (now Canton) in Massachusetts for a Pension I would Respectfully submit the following propositions viz. That Ebenezer Blake (Edward) mentioned in your letter under date of June 14 th 1843, is not the claimant. Edward Blake of Monroe & formerly of said Stoughton - And in support of that, proposition please refer to your letter dated Sept 30 th 1833 which accompanies S d Blake's 1 st Declaration for a Pension dated July 21 st 1843. & to your letter of 14 th June 1843, accompanying his 2 d declaration and you will see that said first letter was the cause of S d Blake stating in S d 1 st Declaration that he entered S d Service about the year 1777. Then examine his Statement and reasons in his 2 d Declaration dated June 24 th 1843 for correcting his first statement as to the time he entered the service, now claiming that it was in 1779 he first enlisted. The facts stated in your last letter having led him to review that subject, & bear in mind that this 2 d Declaration was made June 24 th 1843 and the certificate from the Secretary at Boston was made on the 14 th of July 1843 so that said Blake had no knowledge of what the Record would show relative to his service and when it is borne in mind that all his statements connected with the subject, have been made from memory the proof produced that goes to corroborate his

his statements is deserving of full credit. And in further proof of this position I wish you to refer to the deposition of Asa Waters (that accompanies said Blake's applications made in April 1843) who states that himself & said Blake both enlisted with 12 others and joined Col. Vose Regiment. now this may be made a test. To show that said Edward first enlisted in 1779. by referring to the Pension application of said Waters or any of the others of the 14 mentioned by him in his said deposition or to the Records of said Vose Regiment. and if it is found that said Asa Waters or any of the said 14 men enlisted in 1779. said Edwards declaration will thereby be fully confirmed.
Then refer to the certificate of the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts towards sent you that will establish the fact that said Edward did not join said Vose Regiment until 1779.
Now the fact being established that Edward Blake of Stoughton did not join Col. Vose Regiment until 1779 clearly shows that he is not the same person referred to as Blake Ebenizer (Edward) as said Ebenizer belonged to Capt. Niles Company. as mentioned in your letter. now it is clearly shown that said Edward belonged to Capt. Orange Stodards Company. sucided in his company by Capt. Noah Allen, as will appear by the said Secretaries certificate.

And for further proof that said claimant is the Identical Edward Blake of Canton formerly Stoughton. The Depositions of E. Curtis, W. Dyer, certificate of the Selectmen of Dillonroe, P. Hurd, P. C. Pierce, John Bartlett, J. G. Vose 1 st & 2 nd Depositions of Capt G. E. Habbell of Bridgewater, Col. Elijah & Middlebrook of Framburg.
Asa Waters of Stoughton, (who served with said Edward) Stephen Blake of Stoughton. William Tucker of Canton 1 st & 2 nd Deposition, Jeremiah Tucker of Canton.
Also to said Claimant's Interrogations to said Asa Waters, to his first & 2 nd Declaration & application to the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts - to his Deed dated at Canton May 23 1818. Also to the Deed of Isaac & Nepsibah Man (a copy of which is attached to his Pension papers) please compare said Edward Blake's signatures to his said Pension papers with his signature to his said Deed of his property in said Canton, aforesaid.
Also please refer to the Claimant's application & grant of his County Land and see if it is not his daughter Nepsibah Man & her husband Isaac Man who are the persons who have his & said his County Land and have returned said Edward's Discharge. if so found then see then and before mentioned and compare the date of the Certificate of the Clerk with the date of said Edward's Declaration and it will appear that said Declaration was made the 24 th of June 1843 & said certificate of said Deed was made about the 10 th of July 1843 as will appear by the 2 nd Deposition of William Tucker attached to the same. (There being no date to said certificate)

The object of producing the copy of said Man & wife Deed is to show that they are the persons who claimed said Edwards Estate owing to his long absence from Canton as his children and if it is found that they are the children of said Edward who have claimed his Estate & got his country land it will establish the fact. (with the other corroborating testimony connected with said Edwards Deed of the same property) of the said claimant being the identical Edward Blake of Stoughton as referred to in the certificate of the Sec. of Massachusetts aforesaid, Thus the identity of the claimant Edward Blake is fully & completely proved to be the Edward Blake of Stoughton who enlisted at first in said Stoughton in 1779 it is also fully proved by the Depositions of Asa Water, Stephen Blake, Jeremiah Tucker & William Tucker that there was no other person by the name of Edward Blake of said Stoughton or Canton. but the son of Aaron Blake the said claimant who sold an Estate in said Canton and gave said Deed for about 200 Pounds it is also fully proved by the Depositions of John Bartlett, Gershom E. Nubell & Elijah Middlebrook that said claimant was known in Connecticut as Edward Blake formerly of Massachusetts who had changed his name to John Blake Rose. — more than 20 years ago.
Yours Respectfully Isaac Sherman

1843 March 3
John B. Vose New Jersey
let to Hon J. B. Osborne 3 d March 1843. —
867 1977 3815
35.467
John B. Vose et.
let to Hon J. B. Osborne. June 14. 1843
Act 7 June 1832

In. file 14770 Rev. War Pension
No 786
Edward Blake
priv:
1 st Mass: Regiment
H. V. Mann, daughter H. M.
Warrant issued April 16 th
1879
John Coates - attorney

4th
Ellenagar Blake Bose Reg't. Mass Line is he returned as entitled to Land? -
Edward Blake " " " " do - ? 2nd Line in Mass Reg't
Edward Blake and 1st Mass Reg't Bose.

Pension Office,
June 14 th 1843.
Sir,
In the Case of John B. Bose I have the honor to inform you that the additional evidence has been examined and filed. In Bosc's Regiment there is an entry of "Blake Ebenezer (Edward) enlisted 1 st January 1777 into Hild's Company for the War, deserted 9 th April 1777." In the same Regiment under the Second organization is this entry, "Blake Ebenezer enlisted 24 th July 1779 for nine months, re-enlisted for the War 24 September 1779. There is no Ebenezer Blake of that Regiment returned as entitled to Bounty land, and but one Edward Blake. Bounty Land has been given to the Children of Edward Blake of Bosc's Regiment, who produced the original discharge of their father, signed by Genl. Washington in 1783, for four years Service, clearly showing that the Ebenezer on the rolls is the Edward Blake thereby discharged. In the previous Examination it was not discerned that the Edward Blake who was returned for Bounty Land was the Ebenezer Blake enlisted in 1779, and, therefore, that return was taken as evidence that the Ebenezer (Edward) Blake who enlisted and deserted in 1778 had returned and fulfilled his enlistment for the War. It is now perfectly clear that he is not entitled. The rolls having been returned to the Office of Secretary of State at Boston, the above Conclusion may be tested

by ascertaining whether the Claimant, a native of Houghton, is, or is not, the individual who enlisted in 1777 for the War; and also whether there is not a Niece Manda Mann in the same regiment in 1779 entitled by the Town of Canton. There is but one Edward Blake entitled to Pensions land for enlisting and serving for the War, and his Claim has been satisfied upon the production of the highest evidence, and he belonged to Canton.
I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Yours Obediently J. B. Edwards
Hon. J. B. Osborne Fairfield, Connecticut.

Three P. B. Borne W.C.
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.
July 27, 1845 Old Mr. Lee's case of Mrs. B. Lee;

Hanfield July 25 1893
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions
Sir - I enclose the Deposition of Abigail Wentworth & also a letter or statement from the Judge of Probate at Bridgewater in relation to the case of John B Nourse & Thomas Edward Blake - I refer you to my previous letter for the reasons why this case should have an early & favorable consideration - The doubts as to the identity of the Petitioner with the Edward Blake who served, are I trust all satisfactorily cleared up and I cannot help again urging this case upon your attention as one of great hardship as well as great merit -
with high respect Your Obedt Servt Thomas B Blosome
I forwarded a few days since a copy of additional evidence in this case which has, I trust been received -

J. S. Edwards Esq Comm r of Pensions Washington City.

State of Connecticut. Newport July 24 1843.
De Edwards Esq Com't of Pensions
Dear Sir please excuse my addressing you on the subject of John B. Vose (otherwise Edward Blake) for a Pension. having been informed by him that his identity is questioned I would respectfully say that I have been personally acquainted with him for the last 25 years and I consider him a conscientious inoffensive man and since his making a Declaration before the Court of Probate of which I am Judge, from what I know of the man & of the facts connected with his application for a Pension I have been led to the full belief that he is the true Edward Blake of Stoughton, now Canton of the County of Norfolk & State of Massachusetts. that enlisted in 1779 into Col. J. Vose Regiment as he has stated in his additional declaration and feeling that he has an honest & just claim

I do most earnestly request your immediate and candid examination of his claim; and if you shall be satisfied, of the justice of his claim as I believe you will that . I have no doubt, it will give you pleasure. To grant him a Pension: I know that Pensions are not granted on the ground of sympathy, but the applicant is old & Pineyless and is at present, visiting among his friends who are not able to support him. waiting anxiously your decision and if decided against him his only alternative is to go to the Poor House on Monroe. for his remaining days, which after having served his country several years faithfully he feels it is extremely hard. That circumstances have been such that he has not been able to obtain his Pension at the time he was first by the Law of 1818 entitled.
Yours very Respectfully
Smith Friday Judge of Probate for the District of Bridgeport

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions

Fairfield July 20. 1843
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions -
Sir
I have the honor to enclose herewith additional testimony in the case of John B. Vose's application for a Pension. The original deed is again attached and I have again to ask that it may be returned - You will find a Certificate on the former papers in this case that Thomas French is a Justice of the Peace. Isaac Sherman Esquire who has assisted the Petitioner in taking the evidence has in his letter stated some views to which I refer you.
I have recently seen the Petitioner & questioned him with great particularity in relation to all the facts in his case & I cannot entertain a particle of doubt of the truth of his story & the justice of his claim. The only objection

to its allowance seems to grow out of the fact of the issuing of the bounty land warrant to his children, as stated in your last Letter. He has of course no knowledge in regard to this warrant. If it was issued to his daughter, the wife of Man, it would seem to place the case free & clear of all doubt - This fact would of itself, be conclusive evidence of the Petitioner's services. However that may be, I think, upon a careful examination of all the testimony, you will be entirely satisfied that the Petitioner is the identical Edward Blake who served in Vose's Regiment. His statements have  been made without any knowledge of what the records would show or the witnesses prove have in all cases been remarkably confirmed & he is esteemed here by all who know him to be a conscientious & honest man - allow me to ask your very early attention

to this case - It has lain a great while and the Petitioner by a succession of unfortunate occurrences has been prevented from obtaining his pension & I therefore take the liberty of asking that it may be treated with all the favor, at least in regard to time, with which you can consistently give to it.
I have the honor to be with great respect Your Obedt Servt Thomas B Osborne

Fairfield June 9. 1843
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Sir -
I have been requested to ask the attention of your Department to the case of John B. Vose, in which I forwarded additional evidence some weeks since - The only point in question was the identity of the applicant and the additional evidence alluded to, was, I believe, most abundant in that respect - The applicant is old & very poor and as his case has unfortunately thro' mistake lain until this late period, he would be very glad to have his pension, if you deem the evidence now furnished satisfactory, as I trust it will be - may I ask you to give it an early examination -
with much respect Your Obedt Servt
Thomas Blobsome

Fairfield May 5. 1843
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner Pensions, Dear Sir
I herewith enclose a mass of evidence to be used in the case of Edward Blake otherwise John Blake Vose's application for a pension. You will recollect I had conversations with you during the late session of Congress in relation to this case - The only point regarding  is regarding the identity of the applicant - By reference to your Letter to me of March 3. 1843, (herewith enclosed) you will see that the intrinsic proof of identity, was, regarded by you as very strong - The applicant is old & poor and the enclosed proof has been obtained by the volunteer services of those who took an interest in an honest but unfortunate man - I think you can have no hesitation upon the evidence now produced, which is enough to convict a man in a capital trial - Philo Hurd Esquire whose deposition is enclosed & who went to Massachusetts is one of the most intelligent & respectable men in the City of Bridgewater & a man of the highest character for truth & integrity - You will see that the deed enclosed was obtained by Mr Hurd under a promise to return it & under these circumstances you will see the necessity

he is subjected to of fulfilling this promise - The other evidence is, I think, abundantly sufficient - There is however a most striking similarity between Blake's signature to the Deposition on the 13 th of April & the signature to the deed executed by him 25 years before -
I hope you will give this case your very early attention - Please enclose the Certificate to me at Fairfield, Con- necticut, together with the deed -
I have the honor to be with great respect
Your Obedt Servt
Thomas B. Arbome

I Abigail Wentworth of Canton in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Widow, do on oath testify and say, that, I am eighty the two years of age, that I knew Edward Blake well, attended school with him, remember that he was a poor scholar, I also knew his father Aron Blake. S. was born and brought up within three fourths of a mile of the family. I don't recollect the maiden name of Edwards Blake's wife, but know that said Edward & wife had a daughter Nehemiah who married Isaac Mann, I also know that said Edward & wife lived on his father Aron Blake's farm. After said Edward left Canton, then Stoughton, his wife and daughter Nehemiah lived on the same farm a short time. subsequently said Nehemiah married Isaac Mann and said Mann & wife occupied the same farm as their own and finally sold it as such, and moved to the state of Maine. I know that said Edward left his wife & child and was gone many years was thought to be dead, did not see sister lost in Canton. I never knew any person by the name of Ebenezer Blake either in Stoughton or Canton, and further say not.
Witness
Abigail Wentworth.
Abigail Wentworth

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worsth ss. July 21. 1843. Then personally appeared the within named Abigail Wentworth and made solemn oath that the within Deposition by her subscribed is true
Before me
Thomas French Justice of the Peace
N.B. I hereby certify that the within named Abigail Wentworth is a person well known to me, & that her testimony is entitled to full full credit. —
Thomas French
My commission will expire with the sitting of the court on the 10th day of 1843. Thomas French Justice of the Peace and Thomas French whose name he said the court is entitled to give him an account of his

Deed Blake to Sutchin
Re May 28 1818 and recorded with Norfolk Deeds Book 50 page 120 and ex- amined by James Gooding

KNOW all Men by these Presents,
That Edward Blake of Stratford in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut - Cooper
in Consideration of Two Hundred Dollars
to me paid by Samuel Tucker Jr and David Tucker both of Canton in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts - House Carpenters
the Receipt whereof do hereby acknowledge, have remised, released, and forever quit-claimed, and do, for my self and my Heirs, by these Presents, remise, release, and forever quit-claim unto the said Samuel Tucker Jr and David Tucker and their Heirs and Assigns , all the right, title and interest which I now have or ever have tofore had in, and to, the following described Premises lying in the town of Canton, and in two separate pieces, the first piece contains thirty acres be the same more or less - with a small dwelling house & barn thereon, and is bounded as follows Vis: Easterly from the corner of Samuel Tucker land on York Road to Benjamin Tucker corner on said road near his house Southerly in part on the line of said Benjamin Tucker land partly on a brook at land of Stephen Blake, or other owner is, till it comes to the corner of Samuel Tucker land - Westerly on said Samuel Tucker land - Northerly on the line of Samuel Tucker former Tucker land - And otherwise on said Samuel Tucker land till it comes to the corner of his land on s. York road first mentioned - The second piece contains by estimation six acres be the same more or less - is Meadow and Upland lying in said Canton and back of land of s. Stephen Blake or other owners, is bounded Northerly on Pequit brook as called - Northeasterly on Samuel Tucker meadow - Westerly in part on Seth Tarnes land partly on Drakes land till it comes to a corner of land of s. Stephen Blake or other owner and on said land till it comes to said Pequit brook first mentioned - Or however otherwise bounded or referred to be bounded the aforesaid Acquittance is meant by me the said Edward Blake to embrace all the land or Real estate devised to me by the last Will and Testament of the late Aaron Blake my deceased father, whither the same is my good and lawful estate in right of occupancy on this day - Or whether my right of occupancy may be suspended & delayed untill the decease of my aged mother Deborah Blake whose right it is so to improve during her natural life, at which time the same reverts to me as a good and lawful estate forever
To HAVE and to HOLD the afore-mentioned Premises, with all the Privileges and Appurtenances thereunto belonging, to them the said Samuel Tucker & David Tucker and their Heirs and Assigns forever; so that neither the said Edward Blake nor my Heirs, or any other Person or Persons claiming from or under me or them, or in the Name, Right or Stead of me or them, shall or will, by any Way or Means, have, claim, or demand any Right or Title to the aforesaid Premises, or their Appurtenances, or to any Part or Parcel thereof, forever.
In Witness whereof, I the said Edward Blake
have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this twenty third Day of May in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighteen
Signed, sealed, and delivered, in Presence of us, Joseph Morris Lucy Fisher
}
Edward Blake
Norfolk St. Canton 23 rd May - 1818. Then the above-named Edward Blake acknowledged the above Instrument to be his free Act and Deed - before me, Joseph Morris Just. of Peace.

know all Men by these Presents, that we Isaac Mann yeoman, and Hepsibah his wife of said Isaac and in my own lawful right both of Canton in the County of Norfolk, and Com- monwealth of Massachusetts, in consideration of seven hundred and twenty five dollars to us in hand paid in equal halves by Samuel Tucker Jr and David Tucker both of said Town, County and Commonwealth aforesaid Have, Carpenter the release whereof we do hereby acknowledge do hereby give, grant bargain, sell and convey unto them the said Isaac Tucker Jr and David Tucker their heirs and assigns in equal shares the following de- scribed premises lying in Canton aforesaid is in two distinct lots, the first piece is our homestead with a house and barn thereon, contains by estimation twenty seven acres more or less and is bounded following viz, easterly on York road as called southerly in part on the line of Dea r Benjamin Tucker's land, and partly on land now owned by Phinehas and Amariah Blake, westerly on the line of Samuel Tucker's heirs land, and northerly in part on the line of James Tucker's land, and partly on said Samuel Tucker's land till it comes to said York road first mentioned. The second piece is called Beecher meadow contains eight acres as estimated be the same more or less, and is bounded northeasterly on Tiquit brook as called, easterly on the line of Blake's land and southerly on said Blake's land, in part on Seth Turner Esq r . land and partly on Dyer & Gage's land, and the said Isaac Mann and Hepsibah his wife hereby make known that there are now in force and in full force and effect on said premises, viz, a mortgage and made and executed by said Isaac & Hepsibah unto Dea r Benjamin Tucker dated the tenth day of April AD 1845 and the amount thereof on this tenth day of April 1848 is five hundred and fifty dollars and sixty two cents. Also one other incumbrance lain on the aforesaid premises and is the right of the aged Heps- ibah Blake in the improvement of about twenty five acres of the first described lot, and also the right of the improvement of one half of the last described lot, and such right of improve- ment is to extend for and during the term of her the said Hepsibah's natural life. also is lain on said first described premises one other incumbrance being the right of James Tucker to the priv- ilege of a leading or drift way which extends to said James and his heirs and is on the northerly side bounded on Samuel Tucker's land and it is alway to be remembered that the abovenamed incumbrance lain on said premises and in favor of said Dea r Benjamin Tucker is considered by said grantors and also by said grantees as so much being paid by said grantees in part of the aforesaid consideration, and said grantees are always to indemnify and bare harmless that said Isaac Mann and Hepsibah his wife and their heirs being the aforesaid grantors and it is expressly on such condition that this present instru- ment of conveyance is made, that the said grantors are alway to be indemnified and bare harmless against all the aforesaid incumbrances particularly described as abovenamed.
To have and to hold all the above granted premises to them the said Samuel Tucker Jr and to their heirs & assigns

and to their several uses and behoof forever with the exception of the right of improvement of the widow Hopeful Blake for and during the term aforesaid at which period said improvement reverts to said grantee and their heirs forever. And we do covenant with the said Samuel Tucker Jr and David Tucker and their heirs and assigns forever, that we are lawfully seized in fee of the aforesaid premises, other than the aforesaid incumbrances, that they are free of all incumbrances excepting as aforesaid that we have good right to sell and convey these same premises to them the said Samuel Tucker Jr and David Tucker and to their heirs &c and that we will warrant and defend these same premises to them the said Samuel Tucker Jr and David Tucker and to their heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of all persons excepting as is herein before excepted.
In witness whereof we the said Isaac Mann and Rebekah Mann in my own legal right being the wife of said Isaac have hereunto set our hands and seals this ninth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
Isaac Mann (seal) Rebekah Mann (seal)
Signed sealed & delivered in presence of Joseph Benis Oliver Tucker
Norfolk Co. Cantor 9. April 1818 Then the above named Isaac Mann and Rebekah Mann wife of said Isaac appeared before me & acknowledged the foregoing instrument as their free act and deed.
before me Joseph Benis Esq. of Peace
April 12 - 1818 Received Entered & Examined by James Foote Reg.
Copied from Norfolk Deeds Lib. 58 fol. 92
Mr. Enoch Foote Reg.

Dear Sophie Warmly to Sacha
see
they sent some
D. 1898

I William Tucker of Canton in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts 53 years of age before me say, that I make this further and additional Deposition regarding identity and claim of Edward Blake to a Pension, than that given by me dated about the 27 day of April 1843. That I reside in Canton aforesaid and have from my youth, that a woman called or reputed to be the wife of Edward Blake lived in Canton when I was but a youth, with a child, a daughter who was the reputed daughter of sd Edward Blake, that they lived on the property, or estate known as the Aron Blake farm who was the father of said Edward Blake and used and occupied the same as the wife and daughter of said Edward and claimed it as such, that the daughter subsequently married a person by the name of Isaac Mann who moved on to said property consisting of a small farm house & barn situated in said Canton and there resided for many years, until about the year 1819 or 1820 when they sold said property and removed to the state of Maine. That while in possession of sd property they used and occupied it as their own and held it as heirs of Edward Blake, who from his long absence was supposed to be dead, and therefore the sd wife and child claimed and possessed said property until they sold and removed to the state of Maine as aforesaid. I never knew of any other daughter of sd Edward, (so far as he had none) except the daughter above described whose name before marriage was Hepzibah Blake. I never have known of any other person in sd Canton or Houghton by the name of Edward Blake, and there is not at this time, nor was there ever any person in sd Canton or Houghton by the name of Ebenezer Blake to my knowledge. William Tucker
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss - Canton July 10. 1843 Personally appeared before me William Tucker of sd Canton and subscribed and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition who I certify is a credible witness well known to me
Thomas Simonds Justice of the Peace

I Gershon C Nubbell of the Town of Stratford in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, do make this Deposition in addition to one I made in the case of John B Rose on the Spring of 1843. viz.
That said John B Rose is a cooper by trade and was such on & before the year 1818.
That since giving said Deposition I have seen a Deed signed by said Rose by the name of Edward Blake dated May 23 1818 conveying his Estate in Canton, and from other circumstances and recollections on the subject. I am satisfied that it was, on or about June 1818 that said Rose came on board of my vessel in Boston as I have stated in said Deposition. That I am acquainted with the Signature and hand writing of said Rose (otherwise Edward Blake) and fully satisfied that his Signature to said Deed by the name of Edward Blake is his genuine Signature. Also that I am now fully satisfied that Rose true name is Edward Blake and that his native place I fully believe was Canton formerly a part of the Town of Scituate near Boston Massachusetts.
and Deposition further testifying and Says that since giving his former Dep. he has heard a Deposition read that was given relative to the identity of Blake in April 1843 by William

Tucker of S d Canton in which he mentions Depositions The fact of his meeting said Vose otherwise Edward Blake in Boston on board of a Bridport Vessel. That I now remember that it was in May or June 1818 That said Tucker met S d Blake on board of my Vessel as he has stated and that I now remember the circumstance he relates relative to my addressing S d Blake as Mr Vose and of S d Tucker telling me that I was mistaken in the man that his name was not Vose but Blake that I replied I was not mistaken for that I had known Mr Vose for many years and that he lived in the Town of Stratford in Connecticut where I then lived — That S d Vose then said in the presence of S d Tucker & Defendant. That his true name was Edward Blake and that he had changed his name at the time he left his native place on account of a difficulty he had with a Woman. — And further now recollect. That S d Vose told me at the time he came on board of my Vessel as aforesaid that he had been to his native place to get testimony to enable him to get a Pension.
State of Connecticut } Jerusha E w Hubbard County of Fairfield } On this 7 th Day of July A D 1843 Personally appeared Jerusha E w Hubbard and subscribed & made oath to the truth of this additional Deposition before me who certify as a credible Witness. — Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Elijah Medillbrook of the Town of Franklin in Hampshire County State of Connecticut aged 53 years Deposeth & saith that he has been a practicing Physician in said Town since the year 1811. To this Day, and that in April 1820 I commenced Doctoring in the family of John Blake Vose (otherwise Edward Blake) of Monroe in said County & is now applying for a Pension and continued to Doctor himself & family until January 1826 which facts I know to be true by referring to my Books —
That during that time said Vose resided in said Franklin and I know that he has been a cooper by trade ever since my acquaintance with him Deponent further testifies and says that at some period during the time of his Doctoring in said Vose family as above mentioned he remembers perfectly well that said Vose applied to him to assist him to get a Pension established for him under Act of 1818 and that he told me at that time that he had done as much service as most any of them and that he ought to have it, but remarked that he was very Poor which was true and his proof must be got from Massachusetts, which he could not obtain without some one would assist him — and I distinctly remember that he told me at that time that if he got a Pension it must be by the name of Edward Blake

as that was his true name That after the War he got into a difficulty with a female in Massachusetts he left there and changed his name to John Blake Rose and the reason he said that he took the name of Rose was because his mother's name was Rose —
but having business of my own as much as I could attend to I did not think proper to assist him to make an application for a Pension as I supposed it was attended with trouble & expense —
I have been acquainted with said Rose since 1840 to this day and know that he has allways been poor and has had a good deal of sickness in his family That he has been an honest industrious man and is now I should judge a year or 80 years of age & as I believe as much as 84 years of age retains his faculties well — and I recollect perfectly well the reason said Rose told me that his name was Edward Blake. I was Quarter a Man in Asford by the name of Rose about the year 1820 and I asked him if Rose if he was a my Relation to that Rose when he smiled & said no and he then told me that his name was not John Blake Rose but his real name was Edward Blake and gave the name as a reason for changing his name — I remember of asking him at

Some time after he removed from St. Ives to Dillonroe whether he he had ever got his Pension yet, and the answer that he gave was, no that he was too poor to do much about it)
Said Rose is an inoffensive man of easy disposition and I believe that to be the true reason together with his Poverty. That he has not got his Pension established.
Elijah Middlebrook
State of Connecticut
County of Hartford ss. Simsbury July 15. 1843.
Personally appeared Doctor Elijah Middlebrook and Subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition before before me who testify is a credible Witness.
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, July 11 1843
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Edward Blake of Hingham is borne in from the books of Col J Webb's regiment as a private in Capt. A. Stoddard's company, and is credited by his services, from Sept 24. 1779 to Dec 31. 1780. The name of Edward Blake is also borne in from the rolls of Capt. Noah Allen's company in Col J Webb's regiment, from Jan 1. 1781 to Dec 1. 1782. There are no rolls in this office that show any further service in regard to said Blake.
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.
Jno A. Bolles Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Isaac Sherman Esq. Bridgeport
81

1 Know all men by these presents, that I Edward Blake of Monroe in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut, do hereby constitute and appoint Isaac Sherman of Bridgeport in said County my true & lawful attorney to collect testimony & proof of my services in the Army of the Revolutionary War, & to present the same to the commission of Pensions and to do all matters & things for me necessary & proper for the purpose of getting my Pensions Established for my services in said War
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal this 7 th Day of July 1843
Edward Blake
Subscribed & acknowledged before me this 7 th day of July 1843 Elijah Middlebrook
State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield ss. Bridgeport personally appeared Edward Blake who subscribed & acknowledged the foregoing Power to be his act & did before me, & I further certify that the above signature of Edward Blake is genuine. Elijah Middlebrook Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss. Bridgewater Mark Moore Clerk of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Bridgewater in said County & State do hereby certify that Elijah Middlebrook is a Justice of the Peace in and for said Fairfield County duly commissioned and qualified as such and that his signatures to this Power of Attorney & to the application for Secret of Records hereto annexed of Edward Hake are the true and genuine signatures of said Middlebrook. Given under my hand and Seal of Office this 7 th day of July A D 1843.
Attest Mark Moore Clerk

To John A. Bolles Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at Boston The undersigned Edward Blake respectfully request that you will examine the Pension Papers in your office Relative to my service in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. The following are the facts and circumstances connected with my said service to wit— That at the commencement of the Revolutionary War I resided with my father Aaron Blake at the time of my enlistment into said Army previous after mentioned in the Town of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk in the State of Massachusetts. in that part of said Town that has since the Revolutionary War been set off to be a Town that is now called Canton.
At some time between the first of January 1779. & the 1 st of January 1780. and (as I believe in the year 1779) I enlisted in said Stoughton at the Solicitation of Lt. Benjamin Tucker of said Stoughton who was a Militia officer of said Town authorize to Enlist men for the Continental Army. That I enlisted & served as a private

Soldier and was sent on with several others to West Point in the State of New York. Soon on our March we Stopt at Springfield in Massachusetts and when we arrived at West Point we joined Col. Bove Regiment as I believe some time in one company & some in another - That I joined the first company in the first Regiment of Infantry of Continental Troops in the Massachusetts line. in Col. Joseph Bove Regiment. His brother the Elyah Bove was the Lt Col. of said Regiment which Regiment at the time I entered said service belonged to Brigadier General Glorys Brigade I enlisted as aforesaid at first for 9 months or a year I cannot remember which as I believe as a private and that after my first term of service had expired I again enlisted for the War in the same company & same Regiment. as a private! That during my service in said Regiment which I believe was about 4 years. I was in the Battle at York Town. while in said service and there was 3 different Captains that commanded said company during the time I belonged to it. To wit. Capt. Orange Stodard (who had a son in said company at the time I served in it.

who was a private or a petty officer.) Capt Noah Allen & Capt. Hitchcock, whether they commanded D Co in succession or the order that I have named them I am not certain but think they did. I remember that Capt Hitchcock was killed in a duel while in command of D Co, by Lt Stone, a Lt of D Company. That Lt was discharged from D Company near St Newburgh in June 1783 and as I believe on the 8 day of that month. Which discharge I believe was signed by Gen. Geo. Washington. which discharge I left with my mother in some Stoughton and have not been able to find it since — Also soon after said discharge I was paid for D Service in Boston in Solday Notes by a man by the name of the given name of  Stoughton  Stoughton who I believe was the Paymaster of D Regiment. I have made several attempts to get my Pension since 1818. but have been met with the objection that I was entered as a Deserted during my first term of service. I have lately made an application for my Pension on the ground that if there was such a Record against me during the first term. I enlisted again & served during that War — now after getting objection removed a new one is stated that there is an entry of Blake Ebenezer (Edward) Enlisted 1 st July 1777 into Hills Company for the War. deserted 9 April 1777 in the in the Sash Regiment. under the organization of this entry, Blake Ebenezer enlisted 24 July 1779 for 9 months re-enlisted for the war 24 September 1779. This is taken from J. L. Edwards Esq. letter of June 14 1843. now the Com te claims that I am the same as Ebenezer. Therefore it has become necessary to show from the Records of D Regiment the Service of myself

As Elbinson, now I want to show that I am the identical Edward Blake of Stoughton who was discharged as aforesaid and paid as aforesaid and if you can find my signature in any part of the Records, I wish you to certify your opinion as to the identity of such signature with my signature to this application also from any other source that will show my identity. I therefore therefore Give the subject a full & careful examination as I am now 84 years of age & in indigent circumstances and as I believe through a misapprehension in regard to the Records of Col. Vose Regiment in my case. — I have been kept out of my just rights for a Pension. In presence of Edward Blake
Respectfully Elijah Middlebrook
State of Connecticut County of Hartford ss. Bridgeport July 7 th 1843 Personally appeared Edward Blake signer of the above instrument and acknowledged the same to be his act & deed before me, and I further certify that the above signature of Edward Blake is his genuine signature.
Elijah Middlebrook, Justice of the Peace.

Barnesport July 7 th 1843
Sir I have Rec d your printed circular containing Rules adopted Relative to Search of Records for Revolutionary Service which rules I should have complied with, had I known of their existence — This is a peculiarly hard case and said Blake has been kept out of his Pension since 1818. in consequence as I now believe by the circumstance of his name being entangled with Ebenezer therefore it has become necessary to show up the service of both. and if you have a list Pensioners for the State of Massachusetts I wish you would examine that to see if d o Ebenezer has not been Pensioned for his service or had or has been intitled to Bounty land perhaps you can find Edward Blake's Right to Unpaid Eggleston on receiving his pay also his signature will compare with his present signature (Identity of Edward Blake the applicant with the Edward Blake that enlisted in Stoughton Massachusetts. is the only Point. to establish) The circumstance of Capt the Hetchcock being killed in a Duel he informs me that took place after the Battle of York Town

which Battle said that Edward Blake was in if a Record of that fact is found it would go to confirm his Statement — I enclose $1. which added to the $2. before enclosed to you will make up the bus for searching Records — Respectfully Yours very Isaac Sherman  J. A. Ballou Sec. of Mass.
37 1/2 PAID
No. A. Ballou Esq. Secretary of the State of Massachusetts at Boston

Pension Office March 3 d 1843.
Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that the claim of John B. Vose founded on the service credited to Edward Blake in the 1 st Regiment of the Massachusetts line has been examined and his paper filed. The minute detail of the service, the perseverance in asserting his claim after the entry of desertion against Edward Blake's name was made known to him and the character which the Selectmen and Churchmen of the Town accord to him certainly present a very strong chain of circumstantial proof that claimant is the soldier known on the rolls as Edward Blake. But there must be persons in Massachusetts who are able to identify him as a native of Houghton, who moved to Connecticut at the time and for the reason stated. Upon the present exhibits the Department is constrained to ask some further proof of identity.
I have the honor to be Very respectfully Your obt. servant. J. L. Edwards
Am T. B. Osborne House of Representatives.

ist. to ther room.
Rev. M...
14770 INVALID.
1894. Jan. 4 th to Mr. Philip L. Ho Bridgport 1934. Feb. 3. Hist. to Mrs. George N. Carey, LLC.
File No. 14770
John Blake Vose alias Edward Blagge Irae Reer War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: —Vol. 1, Page 448
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Rev. Bously Land. Wt. 786.

HEAD-QUARTERS, June 8 th 1783.
THE within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace; previous to which Time, and until Proclamation thereof shall be made, He is to be considered as being on Furlough.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Edward Blake
Edward Blake also John Blake Mass. S. 14/7/83 B. S. N. 786-100

By His Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq; General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America.
THESE are to CERTIFY that the Bearer hereof Edward Blake Soldier in the First Massachusetts Regiment, having faith- ly served the United States four years - and being inlisted for the War only, is hereby DISCHARGED from the American Army.
GIVEN at HEAD-QUARTERS the 8th
June 1703. -
G. Washington
By His Excellency's
Command,
J. Humboldt Secy
REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment,
Ralph H. Bowles Adjutant.
THE above Edward Blake has been honored with the BADGE of MERIT for three Years faithful Service.
Joseph Vose Col.

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss. Bridgeport On this 24 th Day of June A D 1843 Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Bridgeport in said County, John Blake Vose (otherwise Edward Blake,) of Monroe in said County and makes this additional Declaration & Explanation Relative to his Service in the Revolutionary War as an appendix to his Declaration that he has made before said Court on the 21 st Day of January A D 1843.
That in his said former declaration he stated that he enlisted for 9 months or a year about the year 1777, and the reason - that he stated that he entered said Service about 1777 was, that he had a letter from the Comr. of Pensions dated Sept 30 th 1833 stating that Edward Blake entered the service in Col Vose Regiment 1 st of January 1777, and having no record himself to guide his memory he took it for granted that must be the true time of enlistment, but since making said declaration and reflecting on the subject, he cannot reconcile that time as being the true time of his enlistment, and he thinks there must be a mistake in considering him to be the same person as Ebenezer Blake, for the following reasons viz That I was born in the Town of Houghton State of Massachusetts in that part of said Town that has since been set off & called Canton

on the 24 th of June 1759 and as near as I can recollect I was, about 20 Years, of age when I first entered said Service Also for a further reason as near as I can recollect It does not appear to me that I served in D r Vose Regiment but about 4 Years, and I know certainly that I was discharged in the Month of June 1785 and as I believe on the 8 th Day of that month at New Burgh. and Also for another reason that it appears that Ebenezer Blake (Edward) Enlisted January 1 st 1777 and deserted April 9 th 1777, now I know that I never deserted from D r Service which I consider another reason why I believe there is a mistake in considering me to be the same person that is, called Ebenezer Blake (Edward) and another reason is That it appears that D r Ebenezer Blake (Edward) belonged to Capt Nils Co in D r Col. Vose Regiment. now I have no recollection of such a Capt. as Nils in D r Service The Company that I served in was Infantry The 1 st Company of the Regiment. Massachusetts Continental Troops Elyah Vose Col. Joseph Vose Col Col Genl Glover was the Brigadier Genl of the Brigade to which D r Regiment belonged at the time I entered said Service, I first enlisted for 9 Months or a year and as it appears to me it must have been in the Summer or fall of 1777 that I first joined said Regt at West Point. The above are the reasons for that conclusion but would refer to the Rolls & Records of

saw Regiment To Shew the true time That I entered said service.
Also I stated in my former declaration that a man by the name of Eggleston paid me for my service in Boston soon after the peace in Solders Notes, whose first name I believe was Uriah and as I believe was the paymaster of said Regiment; now if his accounts with said Regiment beforehand they might Shew the time I entered the service and when I was discharged
in the Comt. Letter under date of June 14 th 1843 it is stated that the children of Edward Blake had surrendered my discharge and had obtained my Wounty Land. —
now all I can say in relation to my discharge is that I had a discharge from said service at Newburgh or near there dated June 1783 and as I believe the said discharge was as I verily believe said discharge was Signed by Genl. Geo. Washington, which discharge I think I left with my mother in Canton the place where I was born as aforesaid, at the time I left that place soon after the War — as stated in my former declaration and when I returned to Canton in 1818 after an absence of about 34 years I found my mother had removed from there with daughter & her husband hereafter mentioned to the room in which and that I could find nothing of my said discharge at Canton & have considered

lost ever since and the notice of my D o Discharge by the Com t . in his letter of the 14 th of June 1843. is the first information that I have had that D o Discharge was in existence.
By referring to my first declaration it will be seen that I stated as a Reason for leaving my native place that I had a difficulty with a young Woman by the name of Susan Thomas - I would now State further that I Married Said Susan Thomas who was with child by me at the time of said marriage that I lived with her a few months after our marriage and found her to be of so bad a disposition that I could not live with her in any peace & returned on leaving her which I did before said child was born. I then left Massachusetts about the year 1786 and went to the State of New York & from there to Connecticut as before stated in my Declaration which is the only reason of my changing my name from Edward Blake to John Blake Rose.
That when I returned to Canton (formerly a part of Stoughton) in the year 1818. I was informed by my relations there that S d Susan had a daughter by me who had married a person whose name I think they told me was Maw. and that she & her husband had claimed the House and Land in S d Canton that was given to me & my mother in my father Aaron Blake's Will and had sold it to Samuel

Jeremiah & David Tucker (Supposing that I was dead) and had removed with my mother to the Province of Maine (now the State of Maine) cannot say what I owned being the same property which I then claimed and for $200. I agreed with so Tuckers to Quitclaim my right to them which will clearly show by the Deed dated at Canton May 23 1818 hereto annexed, and which is the same Deed which has been sent with his former papers and was returned with the same. Letter of the 14 th June 1843.
now I Suppose that said Child & her husband Man must have obtained my Discharge from my Mother through the means of which they obtained my bounty land on the ground of my long absence from Canton on the presumption that I was dead, and if any other persons has obtained my bounty Land claiming to be my children it is a fraud. I have never made any claim for bounty Land for the reason that I Supposed if my Pension was withheld my Land would be too. — and to prove that I am the identical Edward Blake of Canton who was entitled to bounty land I beg leave to refer to the Depositions of the following persons residents of said Canton viz. William Tucker Jeremiah Tucker & Stephen Blake of said Stoughton & Asa Waters also of said Stoughton. Also to said Deed which together with sundry other Depositions prove my identity.

And if any further proof is wanting to show that I am the true Edward Blake of Canton it is clearly shown in the fact that I am a Cooper by Trade & was at the time of executing said Deed and my signature to said Deed and my signatures to said Declarations for a Pensions are both my identical Signatures. Also the Dispositions of Philo Ward Esq., Peter G. Dexter John Bartlett, & Gershom E. Hubbard, & all the Testimony accompanying my declarations are carefully & candidly examined the evidence of my being the identical Edward Blake of Stoughton (otherwise Canton) will be found to be conclusive.
That said Canton my native place has been set off as a Separate Town from Stoughton at some time between the time I left Stoughton in about 1786. & the year 1818 at the time I made a visit to said Canton & gave said Deed. my said daughter's husband's name I have stated from memory to be Man . as I was informed. my said daughter's given name I do not recollect and I may not be correct as to her husband's name.
John B Vose otherwise Edward Blake.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me.
Smith Inverness Judge Attest Mark Moore Clerk of said Probate Court

I Mark Moore Clerk of The Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the proceedings of said Court in the second and additional Declaration of John B. Vos otherwise Edward Stokes for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and Seal of Office this 24 th Day of June A.D. 1843.
Attest Mark Moore Clerk
State of Connecticut } ss I Mark Moore Clerk of The Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the Isaac Sherman is a justice of the Peace within and for said Fairfield County duly commissioned and qualified and his signatures to the Depositions of Gershon E. Nubell & Elyah Middlebrook hereto attached are genuine.
Given under my hand and Seal of Office this 18 th Day of July A.D. 1843
Attest Mark Moore Clerk

I Reside here of Bridgport in the County of Fairfield and State of Conn. at 48 years of age, I do hereby say that I am personally acquainted with Edward Blake otherwise John Blake born of the Town of Monroe in said County who is now an applicant for a Pension. That on the 13 th day of April 1843 said Blake came to my office in Bridgport and stated that in relation to his pension he was required to obtain proof of his identity from persons living in his native town of Stoughton Massachusetts near Boston, and directed me to go to New Bedford to obtain testimony to prove his identity as being the same Edward Blake who served in the Revolution in Col. Dosey's Regt. Continental Troops Which Service I agreed to perform, and to enable me to accomplish the object he made the following statement to me of facts & circumstances that occurred at the time he visited his native state about the year 1818 or 1819. As he supposed which were as follows, viz: That he went to Stoughton and Canton in the County of Norfolk State of Mass. on a visit about the year 1818 or 1819 - and and his uncle Stephen Blake in Canton and there found an old acquaintance by the name of Billings who he remembers was of the same age of S. Blake and recognized him after his long absence from that town & that he recollects that he Billings talked over the circumstances of their being both of an age, then about 58 years old. He also visited at that time Lieut. Briggs' Tree of Canton, the same man that enlisted him for the Continental Army and lived the next house to the residence of his late father Aaron Blake He also visited John Tucker of Canton, he also visited his uncle Nathan Dosey and his daughter

Polly Lewis rose a decision all three of Milton in S. County State, She all recognized before as the same Edward Blake a natural of S. Canton or Houghton and as the son of Aaron Blake due to S. Canton but formerly Houghton, The Town of Houghton has been divided into many years since the division of S. Aaron Blake father to Edward and his share part of S. Jordan which was set off to Salem Canton - That the S. John's had given him his father's will, which he brought to Connecticut but has since been lost and S. Tucker told him that by the will he had a claim to his father's estate, but the estate in his long absence of more than 30 years had passed into the hands of S. Nims by the name of S. Nims who was in possession of S. property and he made claim to S. property and that the S. Nims at the Dwelling House of S. Nims, Benjamin Tucker and then transferred all his interest in his father's estate, and gave S. Nims a Deed of it, which deed was executed at the House of S. Nims, Benjamin Tucker and the action on judgment taken by Esquire Benjamin S. Canton for which the S. Nims paid him five hundred Dollars for his interest in S. estate. That soon after this S. Nims conveyed all of his interest in his father's estate he went to the City of Boston and there saw Capt. Linscomb & Hubbard of Bridgewater Connecticut who was a Master of a Counting House running in the grain trade between S. Boston & Bridgewater. He told Capt. Hubbard that he had sold an interest which he had in his father's estate for two hundred Dollars and he further informed him that he had heard that

a few days previous that an old soldier who lived and served with him was still living in Stoughton and from whom information could be obtained by the name of Asa Waterbury. That the Rev. Mr. Dinsmore was formerly a minister of the Congregational Society of Stoughton and that his father Aaron Blake and his mother Deborah belonged to the Congregational Society. That he had a difficulty with a female at Pembroke by the name of Susan Thomas which caused him to leave his native town and to change his name which he did. That he had a cousin in Stoughton by the name of Stephen Blake son of his uncle Stephen. And many other incidents which he related for the purpose of enabling me to find out the origin and list the correctness of his statement, and the strength of his memory. I then upon on the 25 th day of April 1843 started and went to Milton in the County of Norfolk State of Massachusetts and on inquiry found that Nathan Dose his daughter Polly Dose spoke of her Edward Blake were all dead and none of their children living in Milton. I then went to Canton and found that John Tucker Stephen Blake & Mr. Billings. Saint Benjamin Tucker Ezra Beman were all dead being the only spoken of by her Edward Blake before I left for Canton. I found a Mr. Tucker son of John Tucker esq. from whom I obtained a disposition which will account for any this disposition. I then went to the late residence of Saint Benjamin Tucker and found his son Jeremiah Tucker whom I obtained a disposition. I then went to Stephen Blake son of Stephen Blake esq. who resides in Stoughton and took his disposition. I then went to the residence of Asa Waterbury esq.

Stoughton and found him in health and is an intelligent man, when after stating to him the object of my visiting him, he in- dicated that he knew Mr Blake and related many incidents which took place when they were fellow soldiers together, and I then proceeded to take the deposition of Mr Blake, and read to him the deposition contained in a deposition signed by Edward Blake and sworn to before Smith Tuesday Judge of Probate at Bangor put the 13 th day of April 1843 - which said deposition was and was by me as you will find in his deposition dated 27 th day of April 1843. I then called on the Rev Benjamin Hunt on a minute of the Congregational Church of Clinton and addressed in a history of the administration of the copy of the original records of said church kept by the Rev Samuel Dyer from 1727 to 1783 - and found the records as stated in the deposition of the Rev Benjamin Hunt, which together with all the other depositions will accompany this deposition (as I suppose) amongst my examinations from plants placed kept up an inquiry and examination after the died which was given by the P. Edward Blake to the said Locks of his interest in his father's estate in the year 1818 or 1819 as stated by Blake but one of the said grants of land and viz said Locks was dead and I call on his widow who made search for the original and from Blake but could not find said due and the other grants viz said Locks had moved off many years since, after which examination after the original was found

not find it I repaired to the office of the County Clerk for the County of Norfolk where the Records of Land for said County were kept for the purpose of obtaining a copy of the said Deed from said Edward Blake to the Revd. David Lacey, and while at said office the Clerk there found the original Deed from said Blake to said Lacey on file in said Office which Deed appear had been recorded and never taken up from said Office, and on examination of said Deed, the description of said Blake his occupation as The description of said premises conveyed and the signature of said Blake when compared with a signature of his recently made to the above named Disposition and Interrogatory under date of the 13 th Apr. 1843. I was fully convinced with the belief that the said Deed was a full and sufficient dispo- -sition of the person of Edward Blake otherwise called John Blake Bore, or that the said Edward Blake who signed said Deed was none other than the person of John Blake Bore who is now making said application for a pension and I therefor obtained the permission of the Clerk to take the original Deed from the office with the privilege of sending it to the City of Washington with the other pension papers of said Edward Blake to be used by the Pension Department, with an agreement on my part to return the said Deed as soon as might be practicable. said Deed is dated 28 th day of May 1818, and witnessed by Joseph Davis Henry Fisher. I further state that from the information which I obtained from people in Stoughton Hanson relative to said Blake, and the corroborating circumstances attending almost every inquiry which I made, with his friends statements to me, I satisfy me fully that

To Edward Blake who indicated as a friend in the the identical person known in Connecticut as John the Blake voice & I have been acquainted with him or John V. Vose for 12 or 15 years and know nothing about what he is doing, a good General Character St White left Connecticut from New Haven about the side with that when Edward Blake was in Connecticut in Connecticut in 1888 his principal object appeared to give testimony to establish a person and that he was originally to that effect until he found that he had an interest in his father's estate & false estate that the money for the same and that app came into his hands, so that he pursued a inquiry for a person to do that but lost his money and soon left for Connecticut I would further state the conclusion that no such a mind could prove the identification of Stoughton & Stanton which I have heard and seen in the papers testimony together with his statement but what could fully believe that Edward Blake when indicated Stoughton as one of the persons spoken of is the identical person known to as John Blake voice and whom is now asking for a pardon and further the same Smith hat
  Milo Pierce
State of Connecticut, Fairfield County ss Personally appeared before me this 3rd day of May 1848 Court Milo Pierce of St. Joseph's Street New Bedford which I made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition before me "Who I certify is a credible witness for the reason to him Smith January 1848 Albert Alunh Moore

State House of Burgess in the County of Henrico and State of Virginia 48 years of age Depose I say (in addition to a Deposition which I made & executed the 3 rd day of May 1823) that by Request I measured the Height and examined the person of Edward Black or John Black born and found his Height 5 feet 9 inches - Slight florid complexion - Slight Brown Hair, Slight Eyes Slight Eye Brows, good proportions, Stout Built, and find the description of his person to compare with the description given of him in the Deposition taken in (Antonia Stoughton (as named in my other Deposition, of Ascentrate + McTear) To arrive at a conclusion as to the Height of O'Blane the O'Water, said that said Black was a trifle taller than himself and we measured O'Water, found him 5 feet 8 inches high and he supposed from that fact that O'Blane was 5 feet 9 inches, being about one inch taller than himself
Thirteenth
State of Connecticut Henrico County - { p Burgess 11 th May 1823 Personally appeared before me in Open Court Thirteenth of Burgess and acknowledged Made solemn Oath to the truth of the above Deposition before me - Who I certify is a Credible Witness well known to me
Attest Mark Mrs. Mark Smith Foreman Judge of Probate

3115 Main St. Stratford Conn., Jan. 17. 1934.
Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Please send me a statement of the military history of John Blake Vose a soldier of the Revolutionary War also a statement of Ephraim Wheeler a Revolutionary War soldier also a statement of James Clark a Revolutionary War soldier. I am asking this favor

for purposes of D. A. R. eligibility.
Most respectfully yours.
Bertha Clark Carey.
Mrs George W. Carey. 3115 Main St. Stratford Conn.

File
14770 Inv.
J. B. Voss

JAMES STAPLES & CO. Bankers and Brokers, REAL ESTATE & INSURANCE. SAFE DEPOSIT VAULTS.
JAMES STAPLES. P. L. HOLZER. F. T. STAPLES.
109 STATE ST. COR. COURT,
BRIDGEPORT, CONN.
Jan 8 th 1895
Hon. William Lochner, Commissioner of Pensions Department of the Interior Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Your favor of the 4 th inst. informing me of the military history of John B. Vose a soldier of the Revolutionary War is received.
Please accept the sincere thanks of myself and my wife for whom this information was asked for your kindness in furnishing it.
Very truly yours Philip L. Holzer.

INSURANCE BANKING AND REAL ESTATE.
James Staples & Co.
W.H.H.P.
109 STATE STREET COR. COURT.
SAFE DEPOSIT VAULTS.
Bridgeport, Ct. Dec 10 th 1894
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions. Washington D. C.
Dear Sir:
By the books of the late Isaac Sherwan Esq. an U. S. pension Atty or Solicitor of this city, John Blake Vose, then a resident of Stratford, Conn. received on Sept 4 th 1843 his first payment on a pension for services in the War of the Revolution , amounting with accumulations from the date of Act to $1000. and subsequently for several years semi annual payments of $40. each.
In behalf of my wife a descendant of the above named John Blake Vose will you kindly furnish me a copy of his declaration of service on which his application for a pension was based.
I shall be pleased to remit to you any customary or required fee for this service.
Awaiting the honor of a reply at your early convenience I am
very respectfully yours
Philip L. Holzer.
109 State St.
Bridgeport Conn.