Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15632, Cornelius Cannon, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Cannon, Cornelius Mary
W 15632
CONTENTS

Massachusetts - 2073
Mary Cannon, widow of Cornelius Cannon, Decd.
who died on the 10 th of January, 1818; of Suffolk co. in the State of Mass'ts.
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain D. Shay of the reg't. commanded by Col. Putnam in the Mass'ts.
time for 17 mos. & 8 days private. [certificate in her name made pay- able to the heirs recited on the envelope.]
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 56 Dollars 66 Cents, per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831, & ter- minating February 15, 1837, the day of her death.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of May 1838 and sent to Judge Richd. Fletcher, Boston. N.R.
Amount to the 15th of Feb'y, 1837 = $393: 25 Semi-annual allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d }
Recorded by S. S. Elliot Clerk, Book 8, Vol. 2, Page 47.
Notification to Abt Pen. Agt Certificate made payable to Josiah W. Cannon Franklin Cannon Cornelius Cannon Fredrick E. Cannon, Mary Thayer & Sarah Holman, children of Mary Cannon deceased. late widow of Cor- nelius Cannon de- ceased.

V1441 Mary Cannon
on Roll Capt In
Granges Co 8 and for 26 Apr 1775 vol 15 p. 15
on rolls Capt Sheeps Co. Col Pat trans. Ret. from 7 June 1778 to 8 March 1779 - 9 mos 2.
adm d
17 mos. 2 days pri
56. 66 from 4 March 31 to 15 Feby 1837 - Certificate to Josiah W Banning Frank lin Cannon. Cornelius Cannon Frederick E. Cannon Mary Thayer & Sarah Holman Children of Mary Can- non dec? late widow of Cornelius Cannon dec? Judge D. O. Thatcher Boston

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Suffolk ss. On this Fifteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, personally appeared before the Honorable Peter O. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, Mary Cannon , a resident of that City, who first being duly sworn according to law, doth make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed July 4 th 1836:— That she is in the Seventy eighth year of her age , and is the widow of Cornelius Cannon , who was a soldier of the United States, and served in the Revolutionary War:— That said Cornelius Cannon entered the service of the United States in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five , and enlisted as a private soldier in Captain Granger's Company , but she doth not recollect in whose Regiment, went to Roxbury, and served for eight months :— In the month of June in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight , the said Cornelius Cannon again enlisted in the service in Captain Daniel Shay's Company , but she doth not recollect in whose Regiment, and went to New York, where he served for nine months , at the end of which term he was discharged; but she has no documents nor papers respecting his said service, other than those which shall accompany this Declaration. And said Mary Cannon saith, that she was married to the said Cornelius Cannon in New Braintree in the County of Worcester in the Commonwealth

aforesaid, on the tenth of April in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven, by the Rev. Benjamin Ruggles: that she lived with said Cornelius Cannon, her husband, until his death, which happened at Amherst in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth aforesaid, on the 10 th of January 1818, and she has continued his widow, and to her unmarried ever since. She further saith that she is not on the pension roll of this or of any of the United States, and she prays such pension to be granted to her as shall be conformable to law.
her
Peter A. Thacher, witness Subscribed and sworn to on the day and year aforesaid, 15 Feb y 1837,
Mary X Cannon mark
before me. Peter A. Thacher Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston
I hereby certify, that Mary Cannon is unable by reason of bodily infirmity, to attend personally in court and that I am satisfied, from the information of persons in whom I have confidence, that she is a credible person and that confidence may be reposed in her statements.
Peter A. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston
Boston, Feb y 15. 1837

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss
I, Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application of Mary Cannon, for a pension. Witness my hand & the seal of said Municipal Court hereto set this twenty seventh day of February A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty seven.
Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of said Municipal Court.

Cornelius Cannon of the city of Boston in the County of Suffolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Laborer, declares on oath, that he is now in the fifty first year of his age; that his father Cornelius Cannon was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army and died at Amherst in the Commonwealth aforesaid, about the year eighteen hundred and nineteen, leaving a widow, Mary Cannon, the mother of this Deponent; that said Mary Cannon continued for sole and unmarried and departed this life in February or March last and shortly after she had made her Declaration of claim for a pension under the laws of the United States. This Deponent removed to the said city of Boston thirty two years ago. His mother the said Mary came to live with him in Boston aforesaid, and remained in his family till she died.
He deposes that there is no record of the marriages and deaths in his family now remaining. He remembers, while he lived with his said father, there was a record kept in an old family Bible of the births and deaths of the family. On his death, all the personal property of his father went into the hands of Benjamin Power, who married his sister Rhoda Cannon, the eldest and first born of the children. said Benjamin & Rhoda lived at Greenwich in said Commonwealth until their death, which happened some years ago. After his said Power's death, all his personal effects were sold to pay his debts; and the family Bible which contained the said record, & had been kept by said Rhoda Power was lost. The Deponent hath made diligent enquiry to find the said Bible but hath been wholly unable to find it, and he verily believes that it is not in existence. Nor hath he been able to find among the members of the family any books, papers or other property which belonged to his father. His father Cornelius Cannon had thirteen children, nine of whom were living at his death, and three of them have died since that time. The eldest of the children was the said Rhoda Power. Had she lived, she would have been fifty nine years old in March last. The oldest son of the family is the Rev. Josiah Weeks Cannon, who is now living in the town of Gill in this Commonwealth, his name having been changed by an act of the Legislature. The said Rev. Josiah W. Cannon is now in his fifty eighth year. The Deponent always was informed by his father and mother, and it was always so reputed and believed

in their family, that they were married at New Braintree in the fall of the year seventeen hundred & twenty seven, and they lived together as man and wife and was so qualified and by my said Mother always so regarded in their and the Deponent fully believes that the marriage was solemnized by the Rev Mr Ruggles, who was at that time Pastor of the Church in Braintree. He further saith that he has made diligent inquiry to obtain documentary evidence of the said marriage, but from all that he can learn believes, that either the said Rev Mr Ruggles neglected to make due record of the same, or that the record in which it was made, is lost.
Cornelius Cannon
Subscribed & sworn to, on this twenty fifth of October, 1837, by the said Cornelius Cannon, before me
Peter A. Thacher } Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston.
I certify that Cornelius Cannon is personally known to me, that he is a person of truth & veracity, and that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed, & by him sworn to, is worthy of credit.
I further certify that the Hon. Samuel May, who has verified the second deposition of Amos Bigelow hereto annexed, is a justice of the Peace of Massachusetts throughout the Commonwealth & that full faith is due to his attestation. Said Samuel May has also verified other documents accompanying hereto annexed: having given his own addi- tional affidavit, I further certify that he worthy of credit & his depositions are entitled to be believed.
Peter A. Thacher Judge of the Mu- nicipal Court of the City of Boston.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
ss. Suffolk ss;
I, Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, the same being a court of record, hereby certify that Peter A. Shaker Esquire its sole judge of said Municipal Court; that the signatures on these papers, purporting to be his, are genuine: I also certify that Samuel Mixter Esquire is a justice of the Peace through the Commonwealth, that the signatures on these papers purporting to be his, are genuine.
Witness my hand & the seal of said Municipal Court hereto set this second day of November A.D. Eighteen hundred & thirty Seven.
Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of said Municipal Court

I Cornelius Cannon of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say, that I am the son of Cornelius Cannon late of Amherst in the County of Hampshire, deceas'd, and that my Mother, Mary Cannon, wife of said Cornelius Cannon deceas'd, has remain'd a Widow ever since the decease of the said Cornelius, and for several years past she has lived in my family in Boston.
Cornelius Cannon
Suffolk ss. February 15 th 1837. Personally appeared the above named Cornelius Cannon and made oath, that the above declaration by him subscribed is true.
Before me Peter O Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston.
And I hereby certify that the above named Cornelius Cannon is known to me as a man of truth & veracity.
Peter O Thacher. Judge

Rev Map WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15632
Mary Cannon Widow of Cornelius Cannon Pri Rev War
Act: July 4 th 36
Index:—Vol. a , Page 119
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Mary Cannon Massachusetts
Suspended.
See letter 25 May 37
Peter O. Thacher.
let. to Hon. R. Fletcher, Sept. 30, 1837.
let 22 Dec 37 p.
O. Thacher, W Hon P O Thacher Jan'y 16 1838
\begin{array}{r} 56.66 \\ 22 \\ \hline .88 \end{array}

I Amasa Bigelow of New Braintree in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do testify & say, that I am Clerk of said town of New Braintree, and I have been for many years past, and the Book which contains the earliest Records of said Town was begun in 1750, and that Book contains all the Records of the town Meetings, Marriages, Births & Deaths &c. until the year 1799 - In consequence of use, the Book has become much worn & impaired - the leaves are mostly loose in the cover, and it has been kept together since I knew it by having the string tied around it. - I have examined with care, and I cannot find any record of the Marriage of Cornelius Cannon, (who I am told was married by Rev. Benjamin Ruggles in 1777) - The Record of Marriages in said Book by said Ruggles are signed by him and appear to have been recorded & each one signed by him - The last Marriage recorded by him is dated June 27 - 1776 - and there is no record of any Marriage in the year 1777 - The next Marriage recorded was solemnized by Percival Hall Esquire in 1778 - and the Records in said Book show that the Rev. Daniel Hooster was settled as colleague with Mr Ruggles in the Autumn of 1778 - and it is my decided opinion, that in consequence of the feeble health of Mr Ruggles, he made no Records in the year 1777, as he had done in former years - Amasa Bigelow New Braintree Oct. 17 - 1837 - Personally appeared Amasa Bigelow above named, and made oath, that the above declaration by him subscribed is true Before me Samuel Knight, Just. of the Peace Throughout the Commonwealth

I Pilatiah Hawes of Hardswick in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on oath do testify and say, that I am a Pensioner under the Act of 1818, that I was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution for more than seven years. I was in Capt. Granger's Company at Roxbury in 1775 with Cornelius Cannon, who was a soldier in said company. I was at my home in Dedham in the summer of 1777. In the spring following I enlisted and went to West Point, which was in 1778. Cornelius Cannon came to us in force and had enlisted for Nine Months and served in the Company with me. Said Cannon was married sometime during the fall or winter of 1777, which was before we went to New York. I recollect his being married about this time in consequence of my having borrowed some money of him, and sometime before Christmas, in 1777, I went to pay it, and I recollect he went to his Wife and got the key and went to his chest and got the Note, and I paid him; this was in the winter before we were soldiers together in New York.
Pilatiah Hawes
September 8-1837-
Personally appeared the above named Pilatiah Hawes and made oath, that the above declaration by him subscribed is true
Before me Samuel Chester Justice of the Peace throughout the Commonwealth.
And I further certify, that the said Pilatiah Hawes is a man of truth & veracity, that I have been acquainted with him for more than thirty years, and I am acquainted with his receiving money as a Pensioner since 1818.
Samuel Chester

I, Petalick Hawes of Hardwick in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on oath do testify and say, that I am a Pensioner under the Act of 1818, that I was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution for more than seven years; - I was in Capt. Granger's company at Roxbury in 1775 with Cornelius Cannon, who was a soldier in said company - I was at my home in New Braintree in the summer of 1777 - In the Spring following I enlisted and went to West Point, which was in 1778 - Cornelius Cannon came to us in force and had enlisted for Nine Months and served in the company with me - said Cannon was married sometime during the fall or winter of 1777, which was before we went to New York - I recollect his being married about this time in consequence of my having borrowed some money of him, and sometime before Christmas, in 1777, I went to pay it, and I recollect he went to his wife and got the key and went to his chest and got the Note, and I paid him; this was in the winter before we were soldiers together in New York -
Petalick Hawes
September 8-1837-
Personally appeared the above named Petalick Hawes and made oath, that the above declaration by him subscribed is true
Before me Samuel Chester Justice of the Peace Throughout the Commonwealth -
And I further certify, that the said Petalick Hawes is a man of truth & veracity, that I have been acquainted with him for more than thirty years, and I am acquainted with his receiving money as a Pensioner since 1818 -
Samuel Chester

I Jonas Bigelow of North Brookfield in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say, that I enlisted as a soldier in the Army of the Revolution several times during the war - In the year 1777 I was an enlisted soldier at the taking of Burgoyne, and I returned home to Durdentown in the County of said when my time of service had expired which was in the fall of the year 1777 - and while I was at home after this term of service I was present at the wedding of Cornelius Cannon - He was married at the house of Rev. Benjamin Ruggles, who was then the Minister in Durdentown - One circumstance strengthens my recollection of the time of the above marriage - In the Spring 1778, I enlisted for Nine Months and went to Providence, I was at home on a furlough in the fall following and attended the Ordination of the Rev. Daniel Foster, who was settled in Durdentown as colleague with the Rev. Benjamin Ruggles of said - Jonas Bigelow
Samuel Minter
William A. Minter
Worster ss August 15 - 1837 - Personally appeared the above named Jonas Bigelow and made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true - And I hereby certify that he is a man of truth and veracity -
Before me Samuel Minter Justiciary Throughout the Commonwealth

I Samuel Minter of Braintree in the County of Norfolk, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on oath, do testify & say, that I have, more than once, carefully examined all the Records of Marriages in the said town of Braintree, which were kept previous to the year 1780; and I cannot find any Record of the Marriage of Cornelius Cannon, although I am fully satisfied from the information I have received from several people, who cannot swear positively, that the said Cornelius Cannon was married by the Rev. Benjamin Ruggles at his house in Braintree in the year 1777 - and I find by the Records of said town that Daniel Lestus was settled as Colleague to Mr Ruggles in the year 1778 - and previous to that time the Records appear to have been kept with very little care -
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk ss.
Samuel Minter
On this fifth day of September, 1837, the Honorable Samuel Minter personally appeared before me & made oath to the truth of the contents of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed: and further certify, that the said Samuel Minter is a person of good character, and that his testimony is worthy of credit.
Peter O. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston -

I Amasa Bigelow of Newtonville in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on oath do testify and say, that I am the Clerk of said Town of Newtonville and have been for several years past; that I have examined the Records of the Marriages during the time of the Revolution, and I have not found any record of the Marriage of Cornelius Cannon, and I have reason to think the Records of Marriages, and other records were not very accurately kept at that time —
Amasa Bigelow
Worcester ss Sept. 9-1837 —
Personally appeared Amasa Bigelow above named and made oath, that the above declaration by him subscribed is true
Before me Samuel Minter Justice of the Peace Throughout the Commonwealth
And I hereby certify, that the said Amasa Bigelow is a man well known to me, as a man of strict truth & veracity —
Samuel Minter

I Asahel Thayer of Amherst in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being of lawful age do testify and say that Cornelius Cannon formerly of Newbraintree in the County of Worcester, after the war of the Revolution settled in Greenwich in our County. was the husband of (Molly) or Mary Cannon now residing in Boston, and that he died at my house in Amherst aforesaid on the tenth day of January AD one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, being sixty nine years of age the time previous to his death, and I further say I was intimately acquainted with the aforesaid Cornelius & Mary Cannon, they being residents in my family for several years, I arrive at the knowledge of his age by by information from himself & his wife and Family
Asahel Thayer
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire County ss. January 24, 1837. Then personally appeared Asahel Thayer who subscribed the above affidavit and made oath to the truth of the same -
Before me Jonathan Cook Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the aforesaid deponent, and that he is a man of truth and a credible witness -
Jonathan Cook Justice of the Peace

I Nathan Perkins Jr. of Amherst in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a Clergymen and minister of the Second Parish in said Town, of lawfull age, do testify and say, that I was acquainted with Mr. Cornelius Cannon and his wife Mary while they resided in Dea. Thayer's family, that said Cannon died on the tenth of Jany, A.D. 1818 and I attended his funeral, - I further say that I should judge from the appearance of Mr. Cannon that he was about seventy years of age when he died
Nathan Perkins Jr
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire County ss. January 24, 1837. Then personally appeared Rev. Nathan Perkins Jr. who submitted the above affidavit and made oath to the truth of the same -
Before me Jonathan Cook Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the Rev. Nathan Perkins Jr. and that he is a man of truth and a credible witness -
Jonathan Cook Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire ss.
I, Solomon Stoddard Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampshire, do certify that Nathaniel Conkey Esquire whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificates, was at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth - and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity. And that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Nathaniel Conkey, and believe his signatures aforesaid to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth this twenty fifth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
S. Stoddard Clerk

I Robert Hoyt of New Braintree in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on oath, do testify and say, that I am Eighty three years of age, and I am a Pensioner under the Act of 1818. — In the Month of April 1775, I enlisted for eight Months as a private soldier in a company commanded by Captain John Granger, in the Army of the Revolution. — I went to Roxbury in this state and there served my time out. — When I arrived at Roxbury, I saw Cornelius Cannon of New Braintree aforesaid, and he had enlisted for eight Months in said Granger's company, and he served said term at Roxbury with me; I was well acquainted with said Cannon before he enlisted in said company, and I saw him frequently in New Braintree after we returned from Roxbury. —
On the last of May or the first of June 1778, I enlisted for Nine Months, as a private soldier in Captain Daniel Hays' company, and in Col. Rufus Putnam's Regiment, we went to New York, and wintered at a place called "Soldiers Fortune" East of Hudson river, I served until my time was out — Cornelius Cannon, above named, enlisted at the same time for Nine Months in the same company with me, and served his time out with me — I think he lived in New Braintree some years after this; but I do not distinctly recollect — and further your deponent saith not
Robert Hoyt.
New Braintree } January 25-1837 }

Gloucester ss. January 25-1837 - Personally appeared the within named Robert Hoyt, and made oath, that the within declaration by him subscribed is true.
Before me Samuel Minter, Just of the Peace And I hereby certify, that I am personally acquainted with the said Robert Hoyt, and have been for more than twenty years, and he is a man of truth and veracity - Sam. Minter Just of the Peace
Suffolk ss. I hereby certify, that the Honorable Samuel Minter; one of the Honorable Council of the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts, is personally known to me, and that he is a justice of the Peace throughout the said Commonwealth.
Boston Feb 15 th 1837 Peter E. Thacher Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston.

I Robert Hoyt of New Braintree in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on Oath do testify and say, that I have lived in New Braintree for sixty three years past. - I went into the Army of the Revolution in 1775. - I was Married May 17-1778. - I went into the Army with Cornelius Cannon, and served my first engagement with him. - I was acquainted with said Cannon for several years before we went into the Army. - I know he was Married before, I was Married; but I cannot say how long - I think he was Married, as much as, three years before I was, but cannot recollect for certainty. - He Cannon was Married in New Braintree, and I was well acquainted with his wife before she was Married, and with him also. - Robert Hoyt
Worcester ss January 28-1837. - Personally appeared the above named Robert Hoyt, and made oath, that the above declaration by him subscribed is true. -
Before me Samuel Chester Just. of the Peace And I hereby certify, that I have been long been acquainted with Robert Hoyt aforesaid, and he has the reputation of being a man of truth
Samuel Chester Just. Peace

Rev. John Friski's Affidavit 1837

I John Friske of New Braintree in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts an Oath do testify and say, that I have been the settled Minister in said New Braintree more than forty years past. I have examined the Records of Marriages kept by my predecessors, Daniel Foster and Benjamin Ruggles, and can find no record of the marriage of Cornelius Cannon who it is said was married by Rev. Benjamin Ruggles. There were no Records of Marriages kept before the year 1780, that have come into my possession - and I have reason to believe, that Cornelius Cannon was married before that time in this town; but do not know the fact. John Friske.
Worcester Jan y 28 - 1837. Personally appeared the above named John Friske and made Oath, that the above declaration by him subscribed is true -
Before me Samuel Atkinson Just of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Jonas Bigelow of North Brookfield in the county of Worcester and Commonwealth aforesaid do on Oath testify and declare, that I was present at the Marriage or Wedding of Cornelius Cannon and Miss (Not being certain as to the given Name) Weeks of New Braintree in D o county - that it must have been a Number of years prior to My own Marriage which took place in 1785 - that I attended upon a sister of Miss Weeks or Mrs Cannon at the performance of the ceremony - That Rev. Benjamin Ruggles then a Minister of the Gospel in New Braintree performed the ceremony at his own house And, that, with My own hand, I presented to Rev. Mr. Ruggles - a certificate from the Town clerk of their Publication Jonas Bigelow
Worcester ss Febry 9. 1837
Then Personally appeared the above named Jonas Bigelow, and made Oath that the above declaration by him made and subscribed is true -
Before me
Jonathan Cary Justice of the Peace
I have been for a Number of years, personally acquainted with the Deponent - and, hesitate not to say, that he is a Gentleman of undoubted truth and veracity -
Jonathan Cary Justice of the Peace

In witness whereof I certify, that the within named Jonathan Cary is known to me as a justice of the Peace within and for the County of Worcester in this Commonwealth. Boston Feby 15 th 1839. Peter O. Thacher, Judge The Municipal Court

I ask your attention to the case of Mary Cannon's application for a pension -
It was presented a year ago, since which she has deceased. Mr Edwards informed me, that the pension certificate would be issued in favor of her surviving children. I sent to him a certificate in usual form, containing the names of the children. But one of them had, by an act of the legislature, changed his name from Josiah Weeks Cannon to Josiah Weeks Canning .
Mr Edwards apprehensive of a mistake, wrote to me for an explanation. In my letter to him of July 27. last I sent him an extract from the Act of 1831. showing the change of name, and as he had the certificate of a board of record containing the names of the children & duly attested & I presumed them still living, it would be satisfactory.
I take the liberty to solicit your interest in behalf of this claim, which has to be considered Mr Edwards petition, & my own.

To J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner in Cause of the Hon R d Fletcher Washington

Boston, Sept. 13 th 1837.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, &c.
Sir,
Your favor of the 25 th of May last informed me, that the papers in the case of Mary Cannon, widow of Cornelius Cannon, were filed among suspended cases, for further proof of the marriage. As there was not produced a certificate of the marriage, such document was necessary, unless it could be shown, that no record existed, in which case there must be proof of such defect by the affidavit of the proper officer.
I have now the honor to enclose 1. the affidavit of Amasa Bigelow, the town Clerk of New Braintree in this Commonwealth, shewing that no record could be found by him after examination of the marriage of Cornelius Cannon, and that he had reason to believe, that the Records of marriages, & other records of that time were not accurately kept during the time of the Revolution.
I also enclose the affidavit of Petaliah Hawes to show, for the reasons therein stated, that Cornelius Cannon was married in the fall or winter of 1777. I hope that these affidavits, which are authenticated by the Honorable Samuel Minton respecting whom you have already a certificate, that he is a member of the Executive Council of the

Commonwealth, and a Justice of the Peace, will supply the defect of proof, and that the claim of Mrs Cannon will be allowed. I shall enclose this to the care of the Hon. Richard Fletcher M.P. that we may enjoy the preference which is granted by the courtesy & usage of the Office to Members of Congress. And asking your favorable attention,
I am, Sir, most respectfully, Your obed Servt
Peter O. Thacher
3 P.S. I also inclose the affidavit of Mr Samuel Chester, verified before me, which shews that he has thoroughly examined all the records of marriages in the town of New Braintree; that he can find no record of the marriage of Cornelius Cannon; that he is full- ly satisfied that said Cannon was married in 1777 and that the records of that town, previous to the settlement of Rev Daniel Foster in 1778, were kept with very little care. "And further, I inclose the affidavit of Jonas Bigelow, who testifies that he was actually present at the marriage of said Cannon in the fall of 1777 at the house of the Rev Benjamin Ruggles who was then the minister of New Braintree. These two last documents have been

in my possession for a few days, waiting for the evidence of the Town Clerk.

Boston, Feby. 27 th 1837.
To J. L. Edmonds Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, & Washington,
Sir, I have the honor to inclose the Declaration for a pension of Mrs Mary Cannon, widow of Samuel Cannon; and to request you to return to me the Certificate of any inquiries respecting the same, which may hereafter be desired.
I thank you for your favor of Feb y 21 st .
And am most respectfully, your Obed Servt
Peter O. Thacher

Stora Im ab-
ms.
J. L. Pounds Esquire
Commission of the Peace
Mark Fletcher JR
Washington

House of Rep. Sept. 27 th 1837.
J. L. Canard Esq,
Dear Sir,
I inclosed some papers forwarded to me by Judge Nathan of Boston - to which I would beg leave to solicit your attention as very soon as may be practicable -
very respectfully
Richard Fletcher

To J. L. Edwards Esq, Commissioner of Pensions, War Department, Washington

Boston Nov. 2 d 1837
J. L. Edwards Esq r Commissioner of Pensions &c
Sir,
I have the honor to inclose sundry papers, relative to the application of the widow Mary Cannon for a pension. Part of these papers were sent back to me by Hon Richard Fletcher, with your letter of Sept. 30 to be duly authenticated. There are two other Depositions added: viz. That of Amasa Bigelow to shew the state of the Records of New Bedford and that between June 1776 & 1778 there is no record of any marriage solemnized, which is considered to have arisen from the neglect of Rev. Mr. Ruggles, upon the loss of part of the records which are in a dilapidated state. The other is an additional deposition of Cornelius Cannon, to prove the loss of the old family bible, in which the births, deaths, and marriages of the family were kept. We have, we think, supplied the loss of these by the testimony of Jonas Bigelow, who says he was present at the marriage of Cornelius Cannon in the fall of the year 1777. I will not trouble you with a repetition of the corroborating testimony of other Dependants, as to the marriage which I now send, & some of which are already in your possession; and will only ask you patiently to revise the same, not doubting but that they will satisfy you, that the marriage was solemnized by Rev. Mr. Ruggles in the fall of 1777; that they lived together in honorable matrimony for many years; that they had thirteen children, the eldest of whom, Rhoda, afterwards the wife of Benjamin Power, was born in 1778. that but both she & her husband have now been dead for many years.
The old lady, Mary, the applicant, died the last spring, after

She had completed her application, & had verified it before me. That the small sum which may be allowed to her, will be acceptable to her children, who are now in straitened circumstances.
Again requesting your patience in the examination of this case, which is one of the most commendable virtues in public men; I am Sir, with great respect, Your obed t Servt.
Peter O. Thacher
P.S. I have forwarded these papers, & the former ones in this case, to you, at the request of my friend Mr. Myrtle; and hope you will excuse the interest which I take in the case. If I can hear from you before the next session I shall be glad; inasmuch as I know that the Members have a Lien on your time, as is proposed by the lawyers, and a preference —.

J. L. Edwards Esq. Cambridge Washington D.C.

Boston Jan'y 27 th 1838
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington.
Sir,
I return the certificate relating to the heirs of Mrs Mary Cannon, having delayed for a few days, that I might see one of her sons. By an act of the Legislature of this State, passed March 9. 1831. entitled, act of 1831. ch. 76 - "to change the names of persons therein mentioned", it appears, "that Josiah Weeks Cannon of Williamstown may take the name of Josiah Weeks Cannon". Since that change of name, he has removed to the town of Gill, and is there settled as the Pastor of a church. I believe you will find in the deposition of Cornelius Cannon, a copy of my letter to you, that I mentioned the fact of this change of name; and I therefore satisfied myself in making out the Certificate with respect to finding him by his present name. The present form of the Certificate being an act of a Court of Record, under its seal, is of the highest evidence in law - and I hope that this explanation will be satisfactory. With respect, I am your Obedt.
Peter A. Thacher

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Suffolk ss. At the Municipal Court of the City of Boston begun & held in the said City on the first Monday of December A.D. 1837, continued, by adjourn- ment, to the 29 th day of the said month.
I hereby certify, that on the 29 th day of December A.D. 1837, satisfactory proof was given to me, in open Court, that Mary Cannon of the City of Boston, widow of Cornelius Cannon, a Soldier of the Revolutionary Army of the United States, died at the City of Boston, where she was then residing, on the fifteenth day of February A.D. 1837, or about that time; and that the heirs of the said Mary Cannon are the Reverend Josiah W. Cannon of Gill, - Mary Thayer, wife of Asahel Thayer, of Amherst, Merchant - Sarah Holman, wife of Reverend David Holman of Douglas, - Franklin Cannon, of New Salem, Blacksmith, and Cornelius Cannon of the City of Boston, all in the Commonwealth aforesaid and the Reverend Frederick E. Cannon of Potsdam in the State of New York = also that Pamela Smith, Lou- isa Hobbs and Amanda Powers, and Herman Powers, all of Greenfield in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

the children of Rhoda Powers, who was a daughter of said Mary Cannon, & died before her said Mother, are entitled in the right of their said Mother, Rhoda, to one share in her property — and lastly, that Erastus Thayer, Lewis Thayer and Edward Thayer of Springfield in the State of Illinois, are also entitled to one share in the property of the said Mary Cannon, as children & representatives of Susannah Thayer, the wife of Joseph Thayer of Springfield aforesaid, who also died before her said Mother Mary Cannon — and that the several persons herein before designated are the heirs of said Mary Cannon deceased, according to the Laws of this Commonwealth. Peter A. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk ss
I, Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of the heirs of Mary Cannon for a pension. Witness my hand & the seal of said Municipal Court hereunto set this fourth day of January A.D. eighteen hundred thirty eight. Thomas W Phillips, Clerk

May 30.
The case has been admitted - G. M. C.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington Maryland do.

Hovey J. Rep. May 29. 1838
Dear Sir,
I beg leave to ask your attention to the inclosed extract of a communication from Judah Wheeler, of Boston, to me -
Very respectfully
Your Obedt Servt
Richard Fletcher
J. L. Parsons Esq.