Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15064, John Campbell, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Campbell, John Mason, Hannah (Former widow)
W. 15064
CONTENTS

10275.
Massachusetts.
Hannah Mason, dec. Widow of John Campbell (July) who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died in the year 1836 of Mass. in the State of Mass. who was a Priv. in the Comp. commanded by Captain Fox of the Regt. commanded by Col. Jackson, in the Mass. line for 2 years.
Payable to Hannah Campbell, Sally Arnold, James, Moses, Mary & Noah Mason, only children.
Rep.
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836, ending 1 st April 1839, when she died.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of May 1839 and sent to B. Gowen, Providence, R.I.
Total amount, $
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J. S. Wood Clerk, Book D. Vol. 1. Page 63.

Application of Sally Arnold & other children of Hannah Mason.

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence On this 18 day of May 1847 personally appeared in open court being the Municipal Court of the City of Providence a Court of Record Sally Arnold Moses Mason of the City of Providence Noah Mason of Mansfield Mary Mason of Attleborough Hannah Comstock of Seekonk who on their oaths declare that they together with James Mason of Attleborough in the State of Massachusetts are the only surviving children of Hannah Mason late of said Attleborough deceased formerly widow of John Comstock a soldier of the Revolution who served three years as they believe in Col. Jackson's regi- ment of Massachusetts Troops, the said Sally Arnold the said Hannah Comstock are children by the first husband the said Moses Mason Mary Mason James Mason & Noah Mason children of the second husband, & they make this declaration in order to obtain annuities of pension according to the provisions of the act of Congress of July 7 1838. That their mother died April 1 1839 but was married to her first husband John Comstock prior to the first of January A.D. 1794 wherefore they request that an order may be made that said annuities of pension may be paid to them as the only surviving

children surviving the said Mother aforesaid
All which facts will appear from the evidence now in the Road Department and they make this declaration in behalf of themselves & James Mason, who is not present
Sally Arnold Moses Mason Noah Mason Mary Mason Hannah Campbell
Municipal Court of the City of Providence, May 18 th A.D. 1847. Subscribed and sworn to by Sally Arnold, Moses Mason, Noah Mason, Mary Mason, and Hannah Campbell, in open court.
Albert Greene, Clerk.
And the Court hereby orders it to be certified, that said Sally Arnold, Moses Mason, Noah Mason, Mary Mason and Hannah Campbell are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
In attestation whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and have affixed the seal of said Court, this eighteenth day of

May, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty seven.
Albert Greene Clerk
[Faint, mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint, mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]

Town Clerk's Certificate

I Hartford Ide of Attleborough in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do certify that I am the Town Clerk of said town and by virtue virtue of my said office have the custody of the Records thereof And I further certify that it appears by said Records that John Gamble of Rehoboth in said County was Married to Hannah Richardson of said Attleborough on the twentieth day of January one thousand seven hundred & eighty four
The Record as it stands in the Record Book Number 4 Page 280 is as follows John Gamble of Rehoboth & Hannah Richardson of Attleborough were joined together in Marriage January ye 20 th 1784, By John Daggett Justice of the Peace
A True Copy of the Record
Attleborough October 16 th 1846
Attest Hartford Ide Town Clerk
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss Oct-16. 1846
Personally appeared before me the above named Hartford Ide, known to me as the Town Clerk of Attleborough, and made Oath to the above certificate by him signed.
Harry Claflin Justice of Peace

Joseph Shadams abt

I Joseph I Gardner of the City of Providence in the State of Rhode Island of lawful age, do testify & say that I recently examined the record of the Marriage of John Mason late of Seekonk to Hannah Campbell formerly the widow of John Campbell, which is recorded in the Bible of Noah Mason now resident in Mansfield in the County of Bristol & State of Massachusetts son of the said John Mason, and by said record it appears that said John Mason was married to the said Hannah Campbell on the Seventh day of May, Seventeen hundred and Ninety Five —
Joseph I. Gardner
Providence Ss. In Providence November 19 th 1846 personally appeared Joseph I Gardner above named and on oath testified to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed. before me. Franklin Green
James. Price
I further certify that he is a credible witness,
H Green James Price

13,198.
John Campbell children
Hannah Mason widow of John Campbell
July, 7 March 1838
admitted
2 yr. private
$80 per annum, from 4 March 1838 to 4 th March, 1840
Also Acts 43 & 44.
$88 per ann.
Benjamin Cowell, Esq. Providence R.I.

State of Rhode Island County of Providence
Personally appeared before me Sally Arnold now resident in the City of Providence who maketh oath that she & her sister Hannah Campbell of Seekonk in the County of Bristol & State of Massachusetts are the only children of John Campbell formerly of Rehoboth in said County of Bristol which he left by their mother Hannah Mason who after the death of their father married John Mason, & lived with him as his wife until his death. That their father John Campbell was a soldier of the Revolution & died when they were young - that their mother died April 1st 1839. That she was entitled to a pension under the act of July 7 1838, but died without obtaining it wherefore she requests that an order may be made that all arrears of pension may be paid to her sister the said Hannah Campbell, & to herself.
Sally Arnold

Providence Is. In Providence January 7th 1847.
Personally appeared the within named Sally Arnold and on oath testified to the truth of the within affidavit by her subscribed & I further certify that her statement is entitled to full credit.
Franklin Greene. Jus. Peace.

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence Ye.
Clerk's office, Court of Common Pleas.
I, John W. Smith clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Providence & State aforesaid, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Franklin Greene Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, is a Justice of the Peace for the City of Providence in said County, and in his said capacity is by law authorized and empowered to administer oaths & take depositions; and that the three signatures of said Greene aforesaid are genuine. In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of said Court at the City of Providence this seventh day of January A.D. 1847.
John W. Smith Clerk

I Joel Bowen of Seekonk in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts on oath do testify that I am now Eighty six years of age, and I further testify that I have a distinct recollection of John Campbell formerly of Rehoboth, in the time of the war of the Revolution, he lived in that part of Rehoboth which  is now Seekonk, there were three brothers, John, Thomas and James & all soldiers in the Continental army. I have a distinct recollection that John served in the three years service & after the war he married Hannah Richardson of Attleborough & a few years after he died, on the plain supposed to be chilled during the night. After his death his widow married John Nason of Attleborough, I recollect perfectly well when said John enlisted for three years, & when he returned, the said John served in Colonel Jackson's Regiment, said Regiment was stationed on Rhode Island in August 1778, I never knew any other John Campbell who was a soldier, Of the above facts I have distinct & perfect recollection
Joel Bowen
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss, February 17 - 1847.
Then personally appeared before me; the above named Joel Bowen and made oath to the truth to the above deposition by him signed, and I further certify that I have

known said Joel Bowen for forty years and his testimony is entitled to full credit, his mind and memory are good, and he is a creditable witness
Viall Medbury Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County ss. Be it remembered that on this fifth day of January eighteen hundred & forty seven satisfactory evidence is produced before me Oliver Prescott Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County, that John Campbell formerly of the Hobbs in said County, deceased, intermarried with Hannah Richardson of Attleborough in said County on the twentieth day of January Seventeen hundred and eighty four at said Attleborough — That the said John departed this life in the month of November Seventeen hundred & eighty six — That the said Hannah Campbell then lived a widow until she intermarried with John Mann on the seventh day of May Seventeen hundred and Ninety five; that the said John Mann lived until the twenty eighth day of November Eighteen hundred and thirty four, when he departed this life — That the said Hannah Mann then lived a widow until her death, that she departed this life on the first day of April Eighteen hundred and thirty nine — That the said John Campbell at the time of his death left two children only by his wife Hannah, Dwt, Hannah Campbell now of

Seekonk in said county of Bristol, and Sally Arnold wife of Amos Arnold now resident in the city of Providence, both of whom are still living —
And be it further remembered that satisfactory evidence is produced that the said John Campbell served in the war of the Revolution as a private in Col. Jackson's Regiment of Massachusetts Troops two years and upwards —
In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and caused the seal of said court to be hereto affixed the day and year first before mentioned —
Oliver Prescott

Mass.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15964
Hannah Nelson Former Widow of John Campbell Pre Rev War
Act: July 7 th 88
Index:—Vol. M , Page 8
[Arrangement of 1870.]

V
13198
John Campbell's Children
Wannah Mason
R.I.
Set to Bury's Corral Jan'y 20. 47
same, March 19, 1847.
same, April 30th. 1847
15th June
act 7th July 1838

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston February 15 th 1847.
I hereby Certify, That on the twenty fourth day of March eighteen hundred and fifty three, Nathl. Medbury was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the term of Seven years for the County of Bristol.
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Palfrey, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Providence Jan'y 7 1847
Sir
I herewith enclose the application of the Children of John Campbell first husband Hannah Mason deceased for a claim of arrears of pension under the act of July 7 1838 for the services of said John during the war of the Revolution
I am respectfully yours Benjamin Russell
J. L. Edwards Esq

Providence May 18 1847
Sir
I received your letter of April 30 th relative to the claim of Hannah Mason formerly widow of John Campbelle in which you informed me, in answer to my enquiry, that whatever arrears of pension there were would be paid to all the children by both husbands & you further observed that certificates would issue when the objection as to identity raised in your letter of Jan y 20 was decided & the children make an application "before a list of Record" — On the 4 th May following I partly answered this letter stating that I had previously discovered my mistake as to whom arrears in such cases were payable but expressed an apprehension that no little evidence would be produced to remove the objection as to identity — But I now enclose two affidavits one of Joel Ellis & the other of Joseph Whelan which must remove all doubts upon this point Both of these witnesses served with him altho in different regiments & different times & were acquainted with his history. I also enclose an application

before a Court of Record, of the children by both husbands as you directed. Before I had received your letter of 30 th of April I had sent to your Department the Certificate of the Physician as to the time of their mother's death and also the further Certificate of the Court of Probate certifying the names &c of all the children by both husbands as directed in your letter of March 19.
I believe the claimants have now complied with all your directions, & made out their case. There was but one John Campbell of Rehoboth who was a soldier of the Revolution and the History of that town (referred to in my previous letter) the affidavits of Joel Bower Joseph Whalen & Joel Ellis prove that that John Campbell served three years & after the war married Hannah Henson. The records of the town Clerk's Certificate of the marriage also shows that he belonged to Rehoboth. I hope therefore the certificates will now be granted. I am respectfully Yours obedt Servt Benja Conner
J. S. Edwards Esq

I Joseph Whalan of Seekonk in the county of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts on oath do testify & say that I am now eighty nine years of age. That in the early part of the year 1777 I enlisted as a drummer in the army of the United States, in Col. Jackson's Regiment of Massachusetts Troops, and served in said regiment upwards of seven years as a drummer & private, and I further testify that I have a distinct recollection of John Campbell formerly of Rehoboth but of that part of said town now called Seekonk. He enlisted for three years as a private and he served out his time. We were in different companies, but I was acquainted with him during all the time he was in the regiment. There was no other man by that name in the regiment from Rehoboth I was as well acquainted with John Campbell as with any man in the regiment.
Attest Geo H Wheaton
Joseph his X Whalan mark
Bristol, Se. Seekonk, May 10 th 1847 personally appeared before me the above named Joseph Whalan and made oath to the above affidavit by him signed and I further certify that he is personally known to me and he is a credible witness.
Geo H Wheaton Justice Peace

I Joel Ellis of Attleboro' in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts and aged eighty seven years in oath do testify & say that in the year 1776 I served about four months in Capt Isaac Hodge's Company and Col Francis Regiment stationed at Dorchester I have a distinct recollection that that John Campbell of Rehoboth served with us in the same Company. after the war the same John Campbell married Hannah Richardson of this Town and after his death she married John Mason both now are dead the said John Campbell died on Sackville plain he was found dead I remember the fact well after the above service I believe said Campbell served in the Continental army but I did not serve with him
Joel Ellis
Bristol ss Attleboro May 13 th 1847. personally appeared before me the above named Joel Ellis and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed and I further certify that he is well known to me & he is a credible witness
Samuel May Jr. of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston May 14 th 1847.
I hereby Certify, That on the first day of February eighteen hundred and forty two, Samuel May was appointed for the term of seven years, a Justice of the Peace and Quorum for all the Counties, - and on the twenty third day of February eighteen hundred and forty three, George H. Wheaton was appointed for the term of seven years a Justice of the Peace for the County of Bristol, _____ in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Sleeper,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Col Jackson
James Munn, Mary and Noah Munn - Hannah Campbell Sally Arnold

Providence Feb 19 1847
Sir
In answer to your letter of 20 ult o respecting the claim of Hannah Mason formerly the widow of John Campbell I herewith enclose further evidence showing that her first husband the said John was the identical person who underwent the service set forth in the Sundry Certificates and as certified by the Probate Judge. I also take the liberty to refer you to the "History of Rehoboth" a Book I left in the Pension office a few years ago. In that Book page 156 is a list of those men who enlisted into the Continental service "from Rehoboth" and among them will be found the name of "John Campbell". The evidence also shows that there never was but one John Campbell in Rehoboth who was a soldier of the Revolution. I have reason to believe that the evidence of identity is now sufficient & hope the claim will be allowed.
Respectfully yours Benj. Russell
J. L. Edwards Esq

James French

I Jacob Cushing of Seekonk in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged sixty three years on Oath do testify and say that in September last I went with Hannah Campbell of Rehoboth in said County to the town of Attleborough in said County to ascertain the time of the death of John Mason and Hannah Mason his wife. It appears by the gravestones that John Mason died November 28 - 1834, and that Hannah Mason died on the first day of April 1839. The said Hannah Campbell who went with me to Attleborough is the reputed daughter of John Campbell deceased, formerly of said Rehoboth and the first husband of said Mason. The said John Campbell was as I have under- -stood a soldier of the Revolution. Jacob Cushing
Bristol ss. November 24th. 1846 Then Jacob Cushing made Oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed was true in all its parts according to the best of his recollection. And I consider him a competent witness.
Before me James Blanding Justice of the Peace

I James French of Seekonk in the county of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Eighty one years do on Oath testify and say that I was well acquainted with John Cambell formerly of Rehoboth in said county the first husband of Hannah Mason wife of John Mason — according to my best recollection said John Cambell died in November 1786 the said Hannah Cambell then lived a widow until she married John Mason both of whom are now dead
James French
Bristol ss. November 21st. 1846 Then James French made Oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed was true in all its parts according to the best of his recollection. — And I consider him a competent witness
Before me James Blanding Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston January 6 th 1847
I hereby Certify, That Oliver Prescott was appointed judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Bristol, during good behavior on the 20 th of March 1835 - and James Blanding on the 25 th of February 1842 and Harvey Claflin on the 1 st of March 1845, were appointed Justices of the Peace for the term of seven years for the said County of Bristol, in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Palfrey,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Capt. Hoag Col. Jackson

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
Sally Arnold & Moses Mason now resident in the City of Providence on oath declare & say that they are the children of Hannah Mason late of Littleborough Massachusetts deceased the said Sally by her Mother's first husband John Campbell a soldier of the Revolution and the said Moses by his Mother's second husband John Mason late of said Littleborough deceased and they further declare that their Mother the said Hannah departed this life April 1 st 1839, that at the time of her death she was entitled to a pension under the several acts of Congress, wherefore they pray for themselves and in behalf of the other children whose names are duly certified by the Court of Probate, that an order may be made, that they said children, or such of them as are entitled by law, may be paid all arrear of pension due their Mother at the time of her death —
Sally Arnold Moses Mason

Providence Is. In Providence this sixth day of April 1849. Personally appeared the within named Sally Arnold and Mary Mason. And on oath testified to the truth of the within affidavit by them subscribed & I further certify their statement is entitled to full credit Franklin Greene Justice of the Peace
State of Rhode-Island & Providence Plantations,
Providence, ss
I, Albert G. Greene, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the city of Providence in said State, do hereby certify that Franklin Greene who has signed the foregoing certification, is a Justice of the Peace within and for said city of Providence, duly elected, in attestation whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and have affixed the seal of said Court, this 12 th day of April, A.D. 1849.
Albert G. Greene, Clerk.

John Lambuth child w

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
October. 2. 1846.
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 Campbell, is borne upon an Account in Army Books as a private in Lt Infantry Company Col H Jackson's Regt, and credited by his services, from August 31 1777 to Decem- ber 31 1779, is 28 Months, at 40¢ per Month. and charged to a Bounty of £20, paid him by the town of Rehoboth, September, 1777. — Upon another account in said Books, as a private of Rehoboth, in Capt Fox's Company Col H Jackson's regt, and then credited by his service from January 1 to September, 1780, 8 Months, at 40¢ per Month. — Not upon rolls of Capt James Hill.

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.
John C. Cary.
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Mary Mason

I Mary Mason of the City of Providence and State of Rhode Island, aged forty eight years, do testify and say that I am the second child of John Mason and Hannah Mason both deceased. My mother when my father married her was the widow of John Campbell family of Rehoboth & who was as I have always understood a soldier of the Revolution. My mother had two children by the said John Campbell & two only both of whom are now living, to wit: Hannah Campbell now of Seekonk in the State of Massachusetts & Sally Arnold, wife of James Arnold who is now residing in the City of Providence. My mother died on the first day of April 1839 I was with her when she died she died in the town of Attleborough where she was buried. Her name before her marriage to John Campbell was Hannah Richardson. Mary Mason
Providence Ss. On Providence the 7th day of Decem 1846 personally appeared before me the above named Hannah Mason and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by her signed and I further certify that she is a credible witness. Franklin Greene Justice of the Peace

No 13198
Hannah Mann ad formerly widow of John Campbell
Married
act 7 July 1838
Married 1784
husband died 1786
widow died 12 th April 1839
Adm d . 2 years in
$80 00 per ann
from 4 March 1836 to 12 th April 1839 the day of her death, payable to Hannah Campbell, Sally Armed, James Mason Morr Mason, Mary Mason and Noah Mason only surviving Children of Hannah Mason deceased
B. Lowell Purdue, Ind.

I Phineas Savery of Attleborough in the County of Bristol Commonwealth of Massachusetts Do testify and say that I am a Physician that in said capacity I attended Hannah Mason late of said town widow of John Mason. I attended her as her physician in her last sickness and it appears from my Books that said Hannah died on the first day of April A d eighteen Hundred and thirty nine
And I further testify and say that at the of her death she left four children by said Mason, to wit: James Mason of said Attleborough Moses Mason & Mary Mason resident of Providence Rhode Island and Noah Mason of Mansfield in said County of Bristol. — The above are all the children said Hannah left by her last husband the said John Mason. — She left two children by her first husband John Campbell, to wit: Hannah Campbell of Seekonk in said County, Sally Arnold of Seekonk said Providence. — All of the above children are now over twenty one years & I am acquainted with the whole family and have been their physician for the last eighteen years or for the greater part of them when resident of said Attleborough
Phineas Savery

Bristol Is Attestborough March Thirteenth 1847 personally appeared before me the within named Phinneas Savoy and made oath to the truth of the within affidavit by him signed and I further certify that he is a credible witness
Geo W Wheaton Pastor of Ream
Bristol Is April 6 th 1847
Certify
O Prescott
Judge of Probate
Prescott

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Mistil County ss. I Amos Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in for said County, do hereby certify, that, at a court of Probate held at Mendon in and for said County on the sixth day of April Eighteen hundred and forty seven, it was satis- =factorily proved to said court, that Hannah Mason late of Attleborough in said County, (widow of John Mason) died on the first day of April Eighteen hundred and thirty nine - That at the time of her death, she left four children by said Mason viz. James Mason of said Attleborough, Mrs. Mason & Mary Mason , resident of Providence, Rhode Island and Noah Mason of Mansfield in said County of Mistil - Also she left two children by her first husband John Campbell viz. Hannah Campbell of Seekonk in said County, Sally Arnold of said Providence. And that all of said children are over twenty one years of age - The above facts were proved by the affidavit of Doct. Phineas Savary of said Attleborough -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court this sixth day of April 1847 - A. Bassett

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston April 9 th 1847
I hereby Certify, That on the twentieth of March eighteen hundred and thirty five, Oliver Prescott was appointed "during good behavior" judge of the Court of Probate; and on the twenty third of February eighteen hundred and forty three George H. Wheaton was appointed for the term of seven years a justice of the Peace, both for the County of Bristol, in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Sleeper,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Providence March 30 1847
Sir
I received your letter of 19 inst respecting the claim of Hannah Mason formerly the widow of John Campbelle or rather the claim of her children by said John. But before any further proceedings are taken I take the liberty to request information upon one point that I may impart correct advice to others — You state in your letter, "before any certificates can issue it must be shown by a certificate of a Court of Record how many children survived her, as well as their names and plans of residence. The certificate of Judge Prescott going only to show the number & names of the children of John Campbelle". I had always thought, but I suppose I am mistaken, that the children of the "soldier" were entitled to the arms of pension in such cases as the present, and not the children of the widow by any other husband agreeably to the decision of the Attorney General B. H. Butler Esq. April 15 1839. Supposing this to be rule, proof of the names & residence of the first husband only (the soldier who did the service) was produced before the Probate Judge — The Probate Judge certified that Hannah Campbelle & Sally Arnold were the only surviving children which the widow had by John Campbelle . The reason why he did not certify the names

of the children by the second husband, was because it was thought they were not entitled to any portion of the pension & therefore it was unnecessary. If however, any mistake of the law has been made, a supplemental certificate of the Probate Judge can & will be obtained certifying the names & residences of all the children by both husbands. My only object in now writing is to be made acquainted with the rule of the Department in such cases, that future mistakes may be avoided. The information I request is the children of the widow by both husbands in such cases, entitled to claim the amount of pension?
You observed in your letter that "no declaration is made in the name of any one of the children claiming the pension I believe you will find among the papers a declaration's claim by Sally Arnold for herself & sister Hannah Campbell, of which may be their claim if however the pension belongs to all the children of both husbands another declaration can be made
I am respectfully your afft son Benjamin Lawrence
Ed. Lawrence Esq.

Providence April 12 1847
Sir
Agréably to the directions in your letter of 19 th ult. respecting the claim of Hannah Mason's children, I herewith enclose the affidavit of her Physician as to the time of her death also the claim of two of the children for themselves & in behalf of the others, also a further certificate of the Court of Probate of the names & places of residence of all the children by both husbands. The reason why the names of the children by her last husband was not certified in the first Probate Certificate was, that it was supposed the children of John Campbell only were entitled to the arrears of pension he being the soldier by whom the service was performed. It was a mistake of mine which I have had now corrected & I believe now every direction has been complied with & hope the pension may be allowed.
J. L. Edwards Esq
I am respectfully your obedt Servt Benja Lowell

Providence May 4 th 1847
Sir
I received your letter of the 30 th ult o respecting the claim of Hannah Mason formerly the widow of John Campbelle in reference to this claim I wish to call your attention to the following facts, I transmitted the papers in January last. On the 20 th of that month you wrote me that the claim had been received examined & filed, but as the name of John Campbelle was a common name you required further proof of identity. This was all the objection then made as appears from that letter. On the 19 th of February I sent you the affidavit of Joel Bower a very respectable old gentleman of Seekonk which was formerly a part of the town of Rehoboth, who was a neighbor of the Campbelle family & knew them all well during the war of the Revolution He testified there were three brothers John Thomas & James all soldiers that he had a distinct recollection of them all, that John enlisted for three years & served out his time, he knew when he enlisted & when he returned and after the war married Hannah Richwood as far as I remember rightly, he also testified he once saw him on duty in Col. Jackson's regiment

when that regiment was stationed on Rhode Island. He had therefore a "personal knowledge" of his service clearly & distinctly as much so as if he had belonged to same Regt. He also testified there was no other John Campbell of Rehoboth who was a soldier. I also referred you to the "History of Rehoboth" a book I sent to your office in another case. In this book page 156 you will see that John Campbell, name is among who enlisted for "three years" who belonged to Rehoboth. It is difficult to conceive what better evidence could be produced to prove identity, unless one of his company rose from the dead (for they are all deceased) to testify to the fact. On the 19 th of March you answered my letter saying the additional papers had been examined & filed, and no objection whatever was made to the sufficiency of the proof of identity. I took it therefore for granted that this objection had been removed but you required the affidavit of the Minister, Physician or undertaker to show the time of her death & also a further Probate Certificate, certifying all the names of the children by both husbands. In consequence of this I wrote you on 22 nd of March asking for information whether the children of the soldier were not entitled in preference to the children of another husband. In reading, however, the opinion of the Attorney General

of January 25 /40 I found I was mistaken & on the 12 th I transmitted to you the further certificate of the Probate Court of the names &c of the children of both husbands, also the affidavit of her Physician showing the time of her death also the application of two of the children (a child by each husband) for the annuities of pension, made for themselves & the other children. The receipt of these documents has not been acknowledged. Perhaps further proof may be obtained of identity but I am confident no better can be. The affidavit of Joel Bowen & the History of Rehoboth are the best evidences that can be obtained. The History of Rehoboth shows that there was but one John Comstock belonging to that town who was a Continental soldier & the affidavit of Joel Bowen proves that that John Comstock was Hannah Mason's first husband ought I not to hope & expect that after the introduction of such testimony, that no further objection would be made -
I am very Respectfully Yours S ir Sent Betsy Cowell
J. L. Edwards Esq