Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 1388, John Bryant, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Bryant, John Tabitha
NUMBER _____
R 1388
CONTENTS

Act of July 7. 1838.
claim of Tabitha Bryant, widow of John Bryant N.H. =
Power of Atty.
(To examine claim)
Chas. L. Tucker Atty. Present -

Power of Attorney
Samuel T Bryant
January 22 d 1853 u

Power of Attorney.
Know all men by these presents, that I Samuel Flagg Bryant eldest Son and Heir of Deborah Bryant Widow of John Bryant late of Alstead NH deceased do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint CHAS. C. TUCKER, of Washington City, D. C. my true and lawful Agent and Attorney to prosecute the Claim of Widow Deborah Bryant for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of Pension that may be due under the provisions of the Act of July 7. 1838. — or any other Act or Resolution of Congress, and I hereby authorize the said Attorney to examine all papers and documents in relation to said Claim on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed: and to do all things that I might or could do, were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may lawfully do in the premises.
Witness my hand and seal this 22 d day of January 1853.
In presence of Austin Corbin } Samuel F. Bryant George W. Bryant }
STATE OF New Hampshire — COUNTY—ss. Sullivan
On this 22 d day of January 1853, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State above mentioned personally appeared Samuel Flagg Bryant aforesaid and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned.
Austin Corbin Justice of the Peace
STATE OF New Hampshire } ss. Sullivan COUNTY.
On this 22 d day of January 1853, before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Samuel F. Bryant a resident of said County, and made oath according to law that he is the identical Samuel F. Bryant who executed the foregoing power of Attorney, and that he is directly interested in said Claim, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my said Attorney may use in prosecuting said Claim.
Samuel F. Bryant
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written.
Austin Corbin Justice of Peace
STATE OF New Hampshire } COUNTY OF Sullivan } ss.
I J. M. Gilmore Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature do hereby certify that Austin Corbin Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgment were made and who has thereunto signed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal this 24 th day of January 1853.
J. M. Gilmore Clerk

I Lewis B. Allen of Somerset County of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire of lawful age do hereby Certify that the following is a true copy of the inscription on the Tomb Stone in the Grave Yard in the Town of Atwater in the County of Cheshire and State in said State to wit -
"Mr John Bryant died March 6 th 1814 in the 56 th year of his age"
Taken by me the said Lewis B Allen the 9 th day of February A.D. 1855 -
Lewis B Allen
State of New Hampshire Sullivan ss.
February 22 nd 1855. - Then the above named Lewis B Allen personally appeared before me and made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed is true -
(D) Daniel M c Smith Justice of Peace

State of North Carolina Sullivan Co.
I hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to Mr. J. M. Gilmore Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County and State aforesaid, by the testimony of James Gale, Mary Taylor and David B. Allen all of Simpson in said County, and as I believe credible witnesses, that John Bryant a Soldier of the Revolution died in March 1814. leaving a Widow named Tabitha Bryant who died in March 1850 at said Simpson, and that Samuel Hazz Bryant and Widow Bryant, residents of said Simpson are the only surviving children of the said Tabitha Bryant.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the seal of said Court. This 27 th day of Feb y A D 1855 J. M. Gilmore Clerk

Extracts from the Records of the Town of Rutland in the County of Worcester & State of Massachusetts
"John Bryant Jr & Talitha Moore both of Rutland were joined in Marriage May fifteenth seventeen hundred & eighty three" —
"The above marriages consummated by me J. Buckminster"
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows "May 15 th 1783"
Rufus Putnam clerk of the town of Rutland
I Rufus Putnam above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town of Rutland aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town, with the exception above named as certified by me — Rufus Putnam, Clerk of the town of Rutland
State of Massachusetts } ss. Worcester County }
I the undersigned a magistrate of said County do hereby certify that the said Deponent subscribed & made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me this eighth day of July 1839 — and I further certify that the said Deponent is a credible witness
Calvin How Justice of the peace

I Samuel S. Watson of Rutland in the County of Worcester & State of Massachusetts aged seventy six years depose and say, that I was well acquainted with the Rev. Joseph Buckminster, a former ordained Minister of said town of Rutland, that he officiated as the Minister of said Rutland some years before and after the 15 th of May 1783, and that I always understood that he was regularly ordained, & often have saw him officiate as Minister at the solemnization of marriages, especially, he officiated at the solemnization of my own Marriage in the year 1785. Sam l . S. Watson
State of Massachusetts } ss. Worcester County
I the subscriber, a magistrate of said County, do hereby certify that the said deponent subscribed & made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me, this eighth day of July 1839. and I further certify that the said deponent is a credible witness. Rufus Putnam Justice of the peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, ss.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do certify, that Calvin Hoar and Rufus Putnam are Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified - and that the foregoing signatures of their names are genuine.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this ninth day of July, one thousand, eight hundred and thirty-nine.
Chas. G. Prentiss, Register

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress,—passed July 7, 1838.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, } S. S. County of Sullivan,
On this 20th day of August 1839, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judge of the Court of Probate, now sitting, Sarah Bryant a resident of Lempster in the County of Sullivan and State of N. H. aged 78 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled, "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows;" That she is the widow of John Bryant Jr who was a
Soldier in the revolution who enlisted on the first day of April 1776, or within a few days of that time, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Hutchinson, of which Benja. Holden was Lieutenant Colonel, in the Massachusetts troops, & served therein, until the month of October 1776 when he was taken prisoner at the capture of Fort Washington by the British. He continued a prisoner two or three years on Long Island.
She further declares that she was married to the said John Bryant on the fifteenth day of May A. D. 1783 that her husband the aforesaid John Bryant died on the fourth day of March A. D. 1814 that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, A. D. 1794, viz. at the time above stated.
Sworn to and subscribed, the days years  Sarah Bryant John L. Putnam Judge Prob. I, P. P. Gleason Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original Declaration of Sarah Bryant for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Twentieth day of August  1839 John James Gleason Reg Probate.

J. J. Gilchrist
Nov 22 1843

Gen H, Nov. 22 L 3
(ii)
In reply to your enquiry in the case of Tabitha Bryant I would inform you that the proof of the alleged date of the marriage is satisfactory but the service of her late husband is neither set forth nor established as the rules require - Her statement of the enlistment of her husband in Hutchinson's Regt in ap l 76 - his capture at Fort Washington on 16 Nov. of that year & 2 or 3 years detention as a prisoner of war on Long Island is not supported by any evidence -
J. J. Gilchrist Esq. Charlestown N.H.

J. P. Bigelow
27. Nov. 1841
GL
[Faint mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]

Penion Office Nov 27. 1841
Sir
Will you please to inform me whether you have in your Office any evidence of the surrender of the Mass. troops, and of their captivity, who were made prisoners at the surrender of Fort Washington in Oct 1776.
Mr Bryant Dr. a soldier on Col o Hatchinson's Reg t is said to have been one of that number.
Yours
J. P. Bigelow Esq Secretary of State Boston Mass.

Nov 21. 43
11
Lab Bryant Oct 1838
J. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Customs Washington. D.C.

Charlestown N.H. Novr 17, 1843
Sir,
Will you be good enough to inform me whether there are, in your office any papers relating to the application of Tabitha Bryant for a Pension, under the Act granting a Pension for four years to certain Widows. — She is said to have made her Declaration in the year 1839 in Septm, and I have an impression that I forwarded the papers to your office. but I have no distinct recollection on the subject. It is desired now to ascertain where the papers are, and as I do not find them in my possession you will confer a favor upon me by informing me, if they have ever been received at your office —
I am, respectfully Yours —
J. J. Gilchrist
James L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington
Please address your answer to Daniel M. Smith. Lempster
N Hamp.

State of New Hampshire Sullivan County
On this 2 d day of March 1834 before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State personally appeared Joseph Ball aged 63 years Thomas Ball aged 62 years Edward Savage aged 61 years all of Alstead and Silas Newton aged 60 years resident of Alstead all of said County of Sullivan all to me well known as credible witnesses who being duly sworn accor- ding to law, declare that they are personally acquainted with Samuel Flagg Bryant who prefers a claim for a Pension for the services of John Bryant in the war between Great Britain and the United States called the War of the Revolution and that they were acquainted from their boyhood to the day of his death acquainted with John Bryant Father of said Samuel Flagg Bryant and Dabitha Bryant Widow of said John Bryant and applicant formerly for a pension for the services of her husband the said John, that they always lived reputedly together as Man and Wife and that the above named Samuel Flagg Bryant is the oldest Child of the said John and Dabitha Bryant aforesaid. And they further declare that said John Bryant was a shoemaker and that when they were boys they while waiting for their shoes or boots to be mended or made have often heard the said John Bryant relate his adventures in said Revolutionary War there and at other times and places have heard him speak of serving in said War and of being taken prisoner at Fort Washington. * (Alstead is in the County of Cheshire) (over)

of the hardships endured while a prisoner. They further declare that said John Bryant aforesaid was considered a man of truth and veracity. They further declare that they verily believe the above named John Bryant to be the identical John Bryant who served in the Revolutionary War between Great Britain and America and who was taken at Fort Washington No 16, 1776 and that they are disinterested
Joseph Ball Thomas Ball Edward Leverage Silas Newton
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written and I certify that I am not interested in said claim Austin Corbin Justice Peace
I certify that I have searched the family Record entered upon the family Bible of the Bryants and find the name of John Bryant born December 21st 1758 Tabitha his wife born Feb 13th 1761 to whom the following children were born Samuel Flagg born 1783 Luke Moore born Sept 26th 1786 Susannah born Feb 1. 1790. Annie born March 25. 1794. John born June 29th 1797. Winslow born June 11th 1805 and that I am not interested in the above claim
D B Corbin
1854 March 3rd Then the above named D B Corbin personally appearing made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed was true
Austin Corbin Justice of the Peace And I certify that the above D B Corbin is a credible witness whose testimony would be good in any Court of Law and that I believe him in no way interested in the above claim for services of John Bryant Austin Corbin Justice of the Peace

State of Massachusetts County of Sullivan Is. } 3
I J. M. Gilmore Clerk of the Superior Court of Sullivan in and for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Austin Corbin Esq., before whom the within instrument was made and who has thereto signed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit.
Given under My Hand and the Seal of the Court the 4th day of April A.D. 1854 J. M. Gilmore Clerk

8083 N. Hampshire Tabitha Bryant Letter to J. P. Bigelow 37. Nov. 1841 " " J. J. Gilchrist Nov 22 1843 " to Priscilla Cooper Oct 25 44 " to William Wilson Feb 19 49 C. C. Tucker 29 June 1854.
Act. 1838

Jabitha Bryant
(wid)
John
N.H. - Mar 1838
Rev. Hanson Office
Hon. J. P. Waldo.
Councilman of Penobscot
Washington
P.E.

Tabitha Bryant
A H Mr 38
Rev. Pension Claim. Act of 1830.
Hon. L. P. Waldo. Commissioner of Pensions. Washington, D.C.

8082
Jabitha Bryant widow of John N.H.
J. P. Bigelow 27 Nov 1841 J. D. Gilchrist Nov 22 1843 Pearson Coggeswell Apr 25 1844 Hon. Jas. Wilson Feb 19 1849 Colo. Tucker 29 June 1853 " " Apr. 21 1853 C. L. Tucker Feb 4/56
1388
July 7 1838

1388
P. O. William Bryant
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: List of suspended claims printed in 1852, shows cause
Re-enlisted: of suspension as follows: Suspended for further proof of specification. Nov. 22, 1843- J. J. Gilchrist.
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Pension Office April 21 1855-
Sir
The affidavits relating to the date of the death of Ta- bitha Bryant and who are her surviving children have been received and filed with her papers,
I can not admit the case until the length of her husband's imprisonment is shown,
Colo Mckerling Present

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston :
Aug 9. 1853.
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 John Bryant is borne on roll of Capt James Noble's Comp. Lieut Joel Dikenson & Lieut John Hitchcock who Engaged in Col. Eaton's Regt. and Marched To Canada and served from May 10. to Dec. 30 1775 33 weeks 4 days.
Also from the "Ordinary Book of the late Col. Israel Hutchinson of the 27. Regt. of the Continental Army for the year 1776." Records in this office. "John Bryant one of the prisoners taken at Fort Washington Nov. 16. 1776. and belonging to Capt. Peter's Comp."

5358. 5360.
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 within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W. H. D. D. D. Secretary of the Commonwealth.

State of New Hampshire. Sullivan County.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to forward to Austin Colbin Sr. Esq. of Newport N.H. a Certificate showing the evidence that appears on the records of his office, of the services of my father John Bryant Sr in the War of the Revolution.
He was a resident of the town of Rutland in Worcester County, and State of Massachusetts, and about April 1, 1776 he enlisted in the Regiment of Massachusetts troops commanded by Col. Hutchinson and Lieut. Col. Benjamin Holden and served until October 1776, when he was taken prisoner at the Capture of Fort Washington and taken to Long Island where he was kept a prisoner several years.
The above is all the knowledge I now possess of the services.
Samuel Bryant
Signed before me a Justice of the Peace this 26 day of July A.D. 1853.
Daniel W. Smith, Justice of Peace

State of Northampton Sullivan County ss.
I. McGehee Clerk of the Superior Court of Indiana within and for the County and State aforesaid. do hereby certify that Daniel M. Smith before whom the within instrument was subscribed and sworn to, was at the date thereof an Acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned & qualified to administer Oaths &c and that the written signature of said Justice is genuine
Given under my hand & the seal of the Court the 15th day of August A D 1853 J. McGehee Clerk

COPY.
Pension Office.
Feby. 19th, 1849.
Sir:
I have the honor to inform you * * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
Since my letter to Mr. Bryant of 24 Feby, 1846, the decision then communicated to him, we are constrained to adhere to
The enclosed copy of my letter to J. J. Gilchrist of 23d Nov., 1843, will furnish you with objections to the admission of Tabitha Bryant's claim. No additional evidence in support of her application has been received since the date of that report.
Hon. Jas. Wilson, House of Reps.

W. L. Lucker June 29/84

488 Pension Office. 29 th June 1854.
Sir,
The additional evidence in the case of Tabitha Bryant dec. d widow of John of New Hampshire, has been received.
John has not been identified with the soldier who according to the Certificate of the Secretary of Massachusetts, served under Capt. Noble in Col. Eaton's Regiment. No such service has been asserted. It appears, however in accordance with the Declaration that he was one of the prisoners captured at Fort Washington in 1776, but the length of his imprisonment and services have not been established. The date of John's and Tabitha's death, and the names and number of their surviving children have not been proved.
C. C. Tucker Esq.
Present.

Washington D.C. June 23. 1854.
Hon. Loren P. Waldo. Commissioner of Pensions. Sir.
I send enclosed additional evidence for the Revolutionary Pension claim under the Act of July 7. 1838. of Tabitha Bryant widow of John of New Hampshire. —
The claimant in her declaration made in 1839. stated that her husband served in Col. Hutchinson's Regiment of which Benjamin Holden was Lieut. Col. and was taken prisoner at the Capture of Fort Washington. in 1776.
Her statement of the service and of the fact of her husband having been captured at Fort Washington. will be found corroborated by the Certificate from the Secretary of Massachusetts given in August last. — Holden was Lieut. Col. of Col. Hutchinson's Regt. appears by a return of Officers of the Regiment dated Oct. 5. 1776. which will be found on page 902. Vol. 2. 5 th Series of American Archives.
There is also presented the testimony of four credible witnesses between the ages of 60 and 67 years all of whom were acquainted with the soldier from their boyhood until his death. who testify to his reputation as a soldier

of the Revolution and that he frequently spoke of the fact of having been captured at Fort Washington. It will be seen that the soldier died long before the passage of any of the Revolutionary Pension Laws and he could therefore derive no pecuniary benefit from his statements.
In the regulations for the preparation of Revolutionary Pension Claims issued from your Office, it is required that where the soldier's name is found upon the rolls, the declaration must be supported by traditional evidence given by two witnesses. In this claim there is presented traditional evidence by four witnesses.
The testimony of a surviving comrade of the soldier cannot be obtained, but from the regulations above referred to it is to be presumed that such testimony is not indispensable. On page 97 of "Pension Laws," edition of 1849, under the head of Rules of evidence under act of June 7, 1832 appear the following.
"To require from the applicants positive proof of service from a cotemporary survivor, would after the lapse of so many years, be to deprive many of them of the benefit of the law; and as no presumption is raised against the militia, by the existence of rolls in the Department there is no good reason why this requisition should be extended to them. "
The above refers more directly to services in the militia where the rolls are in your Office, but must certainly apply to claims for services in the Continental Line. In fact the rules applying to the preparation of Claims for services in

the Continental Line are much less stringent than the rules applying to the preparation of Claims for services in the Militia the rolls of which are in your office.
There is also presented a certified copy of a family record containing the date of the soldier's birth showing that he was born in 1758 and therefore about eighteen years of age at the time of the service. An age at which he was liable to military duty, and most likely to perform it.
Very respectfully Your Obt. Servt.
Chas. Tucker. —

Feb. 11, 1856,

Tenure Office, Feb 4. 1856.
Sir,
The evidence of the Secretary of Agriculture, which accompanied your letter of the 28 th ult., does not remove the main difficulty in the case of Solomon Bryant, as also not the widow of John; for even if we admit that he himself was, the evidence of his name also was attached to Capt. Porter's Company, of Col. Hutchinson's Reg't, Mass. Troops, and captured at Fort Washington, Nov. 16. 1856, we must be furnished with some dates by which to determine when he entered the service, & when the troops marched for Washington, for that point before we can reject the claim.
It is possible that a list of the Fort Washington Prisoners may be found in the office of the Secretary of War.
C. C. Tucker, Esq.
Respect.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
Aug. 27 th 1855.
Sir:
Yours of Aug. 21 is received and has been examined. I do not think I can give you a certificate that will be proof positive in the case of John Bryant. I find there are several of that name. One from Pittsfield; one from Cape Elizabeth, and one or two others.
The service of the John Bryant in Capt. James Noble's Comp. was from Pittsfield, I find by another inscription.
Where the John Bryant belonged, who was taken prisoner in Capt. Peter's or (more probably) Porter's Comp. (the record being so blotted that it is not possible to determine,) does not appear.
No doubt in my mind they were in Col. Hutchinson's Regt. for the year 1776. Continental Service; and had served to the time of their being taken prisoners, but we have no regular Continental service in this office for the year 1776, it having been destroyed. The record says, "Extract from the orderly book of the late Col. Israel Hutchinson of the 27 th Regt."

of the Continental Army for the year 1776."
In enrolling the list of officers for the 27 Regt. the name of "Capt. Porter" appears, so that the John Bryant was in Capt. Porter's Comp. rather than Capt. Fitch's. I find Billy Porter of Wrentham was made or commissioned Capt. Jan'y. 1. 1776. Col. Hutchinson resided in the town of Danvers adjoining.
17:493 Also John Bryant is borne on pay roll of Capt David Bent's Comp. Col. Nathan Spinkhawk's Regt. who marched from Rutland to Bennington Aug 20. 1777. 11 days service and 226 miles both ways. making 11 or 12 days more.
18:953 Also on pay roll of Capt. Courtney's Comp. Col. Jacob Gerick Regt. from July 2 to 18. 1778. 17 days travel included.
The above is all the information I can give you in relation to John Bryant, unless he be located in some other place.
Should you want a certificate, you will please return the above for my reference.
I am most cordially
Charles C. Tucker Esq. Washington City.
your obt. servt.
N. Symon Strong Clerk of Pension

Washington D.C. Jan. 28 th 1856.
Hon. J. Minot Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir..
I have now in your office the claim for a pension under the Act of July 7. 1838. of Tabitha Bryant deceased. of N Hampshire widow of John. and said claim was suspended for proof of the length of the soldier's imprisonment. Such proof I am unable to obtain.
I therefore respectfully ask that the claim may be admitted for the service up to the date of the capture. He was in service for the year 1776 and was captured at Fort Washington Nov 16. 1776
A letter from the Secretary of Massachusetts in reference to the service is enclosed.
Very Respectfully Your Ob t Servt.
Chas. C. Tucker.
Encl.

Mary Taylor, Contipicula
# Interline before signed D. M. Smith Justice of Peace

I Mary Taylor of Dunepstor, county of Sullivan - and State of New Hampshire, of lawful age knowingly and that I was well acquainted with Mr John Bryant of Alstead, County of Cheshire in said State, a Soldier of the Revolution, and his wife Tabitha Bryant previous to the year 1800, having worked for them as a Tailress in their house, at several different times previous to the year last above named, In Oct of that year, (1800) I was married and lived within one mile of said Bryant for more than fifteen years, and recollect distinctly, the mournful event of his death in March 1814. Since which time, I have been intimately acquainted with his Widow, the above named Tabitha Bryant until her decease, which occurred in Dunepstor on the 16 th of March 1850. and I know she was never married after the death of her husband the said John Bryant, and all her children now living, are Mr Samuel F. Bryant and Mr Winslow Bryant both of this town (Dunepstor)
State of New Hampshire Sullivan ss
Mary Taylor
February 22. 1855 - Then the above named Mary Taylor - Personally appeared and made oath, that the above certificate by her subscribed is true, - Before me
* Interlined before signed
Daniel M Smith Justice of Peace

Washington D.C. April 18. 1855.
Hon Loren P. Waldo. Commisioner of Pensions. Sir.
I send herewith a certificate of proof of heirship for the Claim under the Act of July 7. 1838 of Tabitha Bryant widow of John of New Hampshire. The affidavits upon which the Certificate was issued have been sent to me, and are enclosed.
I beg leave to suggest in behalf of the Claimants, that if it does not appear by the records in your Office, how long those captured at Fort Washington remained in captivity, that a service of one year be admitted. As the service was in the Continental line, it is not probable that it was less than one year, and the name may be found upon the records in your Office. -
Very respectfully Your Obt Servt
Chas. Tucker. -

Mar 11. 1844
Major James P. Kennedy Esq.
FREE
L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

George Town D.C. March 9 th 1844
James L. Edwards Esq. Sir,
I send the enclosed to you which is from a Respectable Lawyer in Boston and ask of you an answer to its Contents as soon as possibly convenient to me at this Town
Yours Very Respectfully Pearson Cogswell
P. S. - Not having finished my business as yet so as to leave for New Hampshire but shall in a Very few days I feel Very desirous to have the result of the Widow Drew Alias Lois. Mc. Duffie Case as I wrote you on the 2 nd Inst.
P. C. -

James Gale Certificate
Section of the Past

I James Gale of Sunpester County of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, of lawful age, hereby certify, that I was well acquainted with Mr John Bryant of Alstead, County of Cheshire and State aforesaid, a Revolutionary Soldier, more than twenty years before his death, which event occurred in March 1814, was present at his funeral. I then resided but a short distance from him, and well recollect of having said Bryant speak of his trials & privations while in the service of the United States, and particularly after he was taken prisoner, that for two days together, he & other prisoners were without provision of any kind, confined I think in some publick building in New York, — I have also been well acquainted with his wife, Tabitha Bryant from the time of her marriage with said Bryant, till the time of her death, which happened in March the 16 th 1850, in the town of Sunpester, not more than thirty rods from my residence. She had resided in S d Sunpester more than fifteen years, next previous to her death, more than seven years of which time, she was a member of my family — I know that said Tabitha Bryant was never married after the death of her husband the said John Bryant. Sunpester Feby. 22. 1855
James Gale
State of New Hampshire
Sullivan ss
February 22. 1855 — Then the said
James Gale personally appeared and made oath that the above certificate by him subscri- bed is true — Before me
Daniel M. Smith Justice of the Peace