Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24698, James Blake, Navy (Mass)

SERVICE
Navy (Mass)
Blake, James Mary
NUMBER
N. 24698.
CONTENTS
This woman's former husband, William Cook, also served in the Revolutionary War.

Reported
56. Maine.
Mary Blake widow of James Blake who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private Seaman for 6 mo. & 11 days
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 25 Dollars 45
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of Dec r 1857 and sent to
Dickens & Coomb Present
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 4 Vol. 1

District of Maine ss. On this 18 th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven personally appeared before the Hon. Asahel Ware Judge of the U.S. for the District of Maine Mary Blake a resident of Portland within said District aged 85 years who being first sworn doth upon oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Acts of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 March 3 rd 1843 Jan y 19 1844.
And this declarant states that she is the widow of James Blake late of Portland and has remained a widow since the 19 th May 1802 & that her said husband James Blake was drowned in Portland Harbor at one time. She also states that her said husband was a native of Gloucester Massachusetts and was a resident of that town in the time of the Revolution. This declarant was also a resident of said Gloucester in the time of the war aforesaid & was acquainted with her said husband from her youth. This declarant has heard her said husband say that he was in the service both as a soldier and seaman during the Revolutionary war, and that he was at one time taken prisoner. This declarant believes that her husband James Blake served on board

the Ship Protector as a seaman as is set forth in the Certificate of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts, for she has frequently heard him speak of his naval service and particularly of his captivity. This applicant claims a pension for 6 years and 11 days as a seaman.
And this declarant further states that she was left by her husband without property and that she has been aided for many years past by the charitable contributions of the Church of which she is a member, receiving relief also from the Masonic Lodge in Portland from time to time as her necessities have required. This declarant further states, that although she knew that certain widows were entitled to pensions on account of the Revolutionary services of their husbands yet she has always understood till a short time past, that those widows only could claim pensions who were married before the war.
And this declarant further states that she was married to James Blake in Gloucester on or about the middle of December 1785 and at the time of her marriage she was the widow of William Cook that her husband the said Blake died on the 19th day 1802 and that she has remained a widow ever since as will appear by the testimony annexed. This declarant states that she has no

record of the Date of the marriage but knows that her said husband James Blake sailed for Bilbao on Christmas day and that she was married ten days or a fortnight before he sailed.
17th Aug
Alma Wane
Mary of  in B. Cooke Mistle
No. 1247 Signed & sworn before me A. M. Warren
United States Maine District
Franklin Court Clerk's Office
I hereby certify that the Honorable Ashur Ware before whom the foregoing proceedings were had is Judge of the United States in and for Maine District and that the signatures thereto hereto subjoined are genuine.
And I further certify that Freeman Brad- ford Esquire is a Magistrate duly author- ized and commissioned that full faith & credit are due to his official attestations.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this twenty second day of February A.D. eighteen hundred and forty seven.
John Nusslee U.S. Clerk - Main District

I William Rowe of Gloucester, in the County of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on oath depose & say, that I am eighty five years old, & was born in Gloucester, the Town where I now reside & have lived in said Town, ever since I was born; I was well acquainted with James Blake, in the time of the Revolution; the same person was married to Mary Cook, widow of William Cook; I knew that the same James Blake was in the Naval service, in the time of the War, but I do not know the name of the vessel he was upon; to have been a Seaman in the Revolutionary War; this James Blake was a year or two older than myself, his fathers name was James & at least twenty years older than himself James; James Blake senior, was some time of an Officer in the time of the Revolution, he was not in the Naval service as a Seaman. This James Blake was a seafaring man after the War, and removed to Portland & there died, more than forty years ago, as I should judge; The maiden name of James Blake's wife was Mary Gardner; she first married William Cook with whom she lived a short time. After the death, she was married to James Blake as above stated.
William Rowe —
Exh. 10. B. 1. 1847
Then appeared William Rowe, known to me as a man of truth & integrity & whose statements full credit should be given to and who was called to be & with & keeping a single eye and by him signed.
My name William Rowe

at Gloucester Rowe, Wife of William Rowe of Gloucester, State of Massachusetts, on oath upon & say, that I am eighty two years of age, was born & have always lived in this town. I was well acquainted with James Blake, who married the widow of William Cook, for who I became surety at the time and that the said James Blake was taken in the High Peter River in the Revolutionary War and that I was well acquainted with Mary G. and her husband before the marriage of William Cook.
Mary Rowe
Essex Jan. February 11 th 1847
Then appeared Mary Rowe, known to me as a woman of truth & integrity, and upon whose statements full credit should be given, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit, by her signed
Before me -
William Saville Justice of the Peace

I Isaac Blake of New-Gloucester in the County of Cumberland & State of Maine on oath depose and say, that I am eighty years old and am a native of Gloucester Mass. I had a half brother by the name of James Blake who if living would be eighty seven years of age - My Brother James was in the Naval service to my own knowledge in the Revolutionary War - The first time that he was out was in the Ship Hancock with my father which Ship came into Cape Ann and took in water - She was one of the largest frigates in the Navy and was built at Newburyport and my father helped build her - After she started on her cruise she had a bloody engagement with the British frigate called the Fox, on the Banks of Newfoundland in which engagement my brother has often told me that they lost thirteen men - The Fox was captured but was afterwards retaken with the Hancock and sent into Halifax where my brother remained until exchanged.
My Brother James was also in the Ship Protector one cruise and was out six months or more and returned in said Ship - She sailed from Boston and returned to the same port after her cruise.
I was myself in the privateer service in the time of the Revolutionary War and in one cruise I served on board the Ship Tiger Capt. John Tucker in which we took a prize and were retaken after two months and carried into St. Johns. we were exchanged and returned to Boston near the close of the war.

My brother James and myself frequently talked with each other in relation to our services and he has frequently detailed to me the incidents of his services on board the vessels I have named.
After the close of the war my brother James married Mary Cook the widow of William Cook at Cape Ann & lived with her till the time of his death.
A few years before his death he moved to Portland and was drowned in Portland Harbor about forty years ago. His widow Mary is still living and has remained a widow ever since. My brother followed the sea after the war and at the time of his death was owner and Master of a coasting vessel. Isaac Blake
Cumberland Is New Gloucester November 17 th 1847
Then the above named Isaac Blake appeared and made oath to the truth of the forgoing affidavit by him signed - I further certify that I have known the said Isaac Blake for more than forty years, that he has always sustained an irreproachable character and is a man of truth and integrity he is in full possession of his mental faculties and very intelligent and is entitled to full faith and credit.
Thomas Johnson Just of the Peace.

I Richard Blake of New-Gloucester in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine on oath depose and say that I am seventy three years old and am a native of Gloucester Mass. I had a half brother by the name of James Blake who if living would be about eighty seven or eight years old - I have often heard my brother James say that he was in the Naval service in the time of the revolutionary war and has told me that he served on board the Ship Hancock and also on board the ship Protector, that he had been in a number of engagements and had been taken prisoner and been carried to Halifax and was after some time exchanged. After the war was over my brother James married the widow Mary Cook of Cape Ann and lived with her till his death, he was drowned in Portland Harbor about forty years since - His Widow Mary is still living and has remained a widow ever since. My brother followed the sea after the war to the time of his death. Richard Blake
Cumberland ss. New Gloucester Nov. 17, 1847
Then appeared the above named Richard Blake and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed. I further certify that I have known the said Richard Blake more than thirty years and that he is a man of good reputation for truth & veracity and sustains a good moral character, has full possession of his intellectual faculties and is entitled to full credit & belief - Thomas Johnson Just. of the Peace

State of Maine
On this first day of February in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty eight personally appeared before the Hon: Ashur Ware judge of the United States for the District of Maine Mary Blake a resident of Portland in said State who being first sworn doth upon her oath make the following supplemental declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed on & since the seventh day of July 1838.
And this declarant states that she was a native of Gloucester Massachusetts and resided in said town in the time of the Revolutionary war and that she is now eighty six years of age and upwards. She further states that she is the same person who made a declaration some months ago before judge Ware at her own residence she being then and now unable to attend court to make a declaration by reason of bodily infirmity.
And this declarant states that she has heard her said husband James Blake say that he was in the naval service in the time of the Revolutionary war and that he was taken prisoner one time while in the service. She has heard him talk with others of his service and knows that he was reputed to have been a seaman on board some ship of war in the Revolution. She has often heard him speak of being taken a prisoner. She has no doubt but her husband served in the Frigate Hancock as stated by the testimony of Isaac & Richard Blake and that it was in that vessel he was taken prisoner. She also believes that he served in the ship Protection as stated by Isaac Blake and as

set forth in the certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For the evidence of the marriage and the time of her husband's death she refers to her former declaration and accompanying papers.
Witness
Mary
X Blake Mark
Ashe Warr
Signed & sworn to before me this
first day of February 1848.
Ashe Warr
I Ashe Warr hereby certify that Mary Blake above named has already obtained before me on the day a year above named a subscription & made oath to the truth of the facts stated in the foregoing declaration in my presence, and I further certify that in my opinion the above declaration is untrue & absurd & make her declaration in court by reason of bodily infirmity, & the above proceedings were had at her residence in Portland
Feb. 1. 1848
Ashe Warr

We the undersigned, members of the second Congregational Church in this City, hereby Certify, that we have been long acquainted with Mrs Mary Blake, an aged lady, & the reputed widow of James Blake. - We believe her to be Eighty Six years of age, as she has stated in her declaration; and know that she sustains a good character, - and we believe that her statements are entitled to full credit & belief. - She has been, for many years, a member of said Church, and has always maintained the character of a truthful and humble christian.
Lorillard Febry 17. 1848.
Leviathan Royal Lincoln Wm Swan William Lord Deacons Members of 2nd Church
Cumtland St. Febry 17. 1848 Sworn & Subscribed, by the above named L. Cattle, W. Swan, R. Lincoln & Wm Lord the day & year aforesaid - Before me Joseph Wibley Justice of the Peace

United States
Maine District. Circuit Court Clerk's Office
I hereby certify that the Honorable Ashur Ware before whom the foregoing proceedings were had, is Judge of the United States in and for Maine District and that the signature thereto, is his genuine signature.
And I further certify that Joseph Holley Dymon is a Magistrate duly authorized and commissioned and that full faith and credit are due to his official attestations —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said Circuit Court and subscribed my name this eighteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight.
John Mussey Clerk U.S. Circuit Court

11018.
Maine.
Mary Blake
Widow of James Blake
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 17 May 1842
of in the State of
who was a fu. Seaman in the
commanded by Captain
of the
commanded by
in
the
line for 6 mos & 11 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Portland
at the rate of 25 Dollars 45.
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of
Dec r . 1850 and sent to Dickins & Fernald, present.
Total amount,
$
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by
Book
Vol.
Page
Clerk,
23

A. Bradford Portland Maine

STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND, ss:
CLERK'S OFFICE, JUDICIAL COURTS, }
Portland, January 13 th A. D. 1848. }
I, Chas C. Harmon
Protem CLERK of all the
JUDICIAL COURTS in and for said COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND,
certify that Thomas Johnson is an acting Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Cumberland as appears by the paper hereto annexed; that he is
Duly qualified to act as such; that the Commission of the said Johnson is dated Nov. 20 th  is dated A. D. 1846, and will expire Nov. 20 th A. D. 1853.
and that the following his are Genuine.
SIGNATURE purporting to be
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said State, the day and year first above written.
Chas C. Harmon CLERK. Protem

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston February 17 th 1847
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation William Trow and William Saville were Justices of the Peace for the County of Essex,
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.

I William Saville Town Clerk of Gloucester in the State of Massachusetts on oath depose and say that I have in my possession the Books of said Town and in one of them purporting to contain the Records of intention of Marriage is the following entry to wit.
"The James Blake jun r & Miss Polly Cook both of this Town their intention of Marriage enter- ed December Third one thousand seven hundred and eighty five"
The above is a true transcript from the records in my possession with the exception of the date which is expressed in fair legible figures thus "Dec r 3 d 1785." I find no record of the marriage of James Blake jun r & Polly Cook in the Books in my possession. William Saville Town Clerk
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex Ys. Dec r 16, 1846.
Then personally appeared before me William Saville Town Clerk of Gloucester and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me,
William Ferson Justice of the Peace

8919 Maine.
Mary Blake. widow of James Blake who was a private Seaman in the Revolution for 6 mo & 11 days
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 25 Dollars 45 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of Dec r 1857 and sent to
Dickinson & Coombs Barnes
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 1

Portland Feb. 19. 1848
Sir
I herewith transmit an additional declaration of Mary Blake on which is the certificate of Judge Ware that she is in his opinion unable to attend court by reason of bodily infirmity. Attached to the declaration are the affidavits of two of James Blake's sisters establishing his identity as the seaman on the roll of the Protector and that he also performed another service in the U.S. Ship Hancock. As the rolls of the U.S. vessels are not found among the naval rolls of Mass: the length of his service is not given.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt: Servt:
H. Bradford
J. D. Edwards Commdr of Pension Washington D.C.

Mary Blake, wid. of James W Me -
As 7 th July, 1838 -
Ad. 6 mo 11 d
Pri. ha mor $28.48 - per ann - from 4 th
Feb 1836 (except
2 yrs)
Curr. ann to Dickins & Coombs Present -

Do the Act of 7 th June, 1832, and the widow's Acts based upon it, require that the connection of the officer or soldier with the mili- tary

Ref
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24698
Mary Blake
wid of
James Blake
Brn Rev 1842
Act: Feb: 20  1/48
Index:--Vol. A , Page 69
[Arrangement of 1870.]

V 13276 Mary Blake Me
Set to H. Bradford March 23:47 Set to same Sept 14:48 Set to same April 13:49 Dichins & Coomb 30 Nov 1850
Act of the July, 1838.

To the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Mass:
The undersigned Mary Blake widow of James Blake and formerly the widow of William Cook requests the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to furnish from the rolls and Documents relating to Military services in the war of the revolution the evidence of the service of William Cook and of James Blake.
And this applicant states that her husbands above named were residents of Gloucester commonly called Cape Ann in the time of the war of the Revolution and she has heard her husbands say that they served in the war. She can recollect that her said husband James Blake was employed in ordinary soldier and has heard him state that he was in the service but in what capacity this applicant is unable to state. She is not able to state in what capacity her said husband William Cook served but she believes that both husbands were in the land and Naval forces during the war. This applicant is now eighty five years of age and her recollection is much impaired. She is unable to state under what officers her said husband

Served on the length of their respective services. I believe that James Blake was taken prisoner at one time during the war and that William Cook was with him. Her last husband died in 1802 and she has remained a widow ever since that time. And for the purpose of this application I hereby appoint Freeman Bradford of Portland my Attorney in the premises.  Witness Mary Blake
7445 7446
Miss Sarah Blake
State of Maine
Cumberland ss. Sept 30th 1846 Then appeared Mary Blake and signed the foregoing application before me F. Bradford J.P.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
October 31 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 James Blake, is borne upon a Pay Roll of the Ship Pro- tection, as a Seaman from March 6, 1780 to March 11 days: Also upon a list of Captive Seamen, but dated.
The above, is all the evidence of service of any one of the name. Shown by the Naval rolls in this office.
No evidence of service of any one of the name upon land, which can be identified with the individual, described in the annexed application.
[Handwritten signature]
see claim of James Blake. B341037 cont (Mass) Navy he alleged service on this ship also

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 G. Parsons,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston; Oct 3 d 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 there is no evidence of service of any one of the name of William Cook, which can be identified with the individual described in the annexed application. Not upon Naval Rolls, or upon any roll with that of James Blake.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Parsons, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Addendum Mary Blake and Thomas

Washington 3 d Sept. 1850.
Sir,
Enclosed we have the honor to present to you further evidence in support of the claim of Mary Blake widow of James Blake dec d . for a pension under the acts of 7 July 1838, 3 March 1843 & 17 June 1844. - which evidence we have no doubt will prove satisfactory.
Yours very respectfully Dickins & Coombs
James B Edwards Esq Comm r of Pensions.

STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND, SS.
Probate Office,
PORTLAND,
Dec. 6, 1850
A. D. 1850
I,
Freeman Bradford
REGISTER OF PROBATE,
In and for said COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, certify that
Zebulon K. Harmon is an
Acting Justice of the Peace,
within and for the County of (Cumberland) as appears by the paper hereto annexed, that he is DULY QUALIFIED TO ACT as such; that the
COMMISSION of the said
Harmon
is dated
November 23 d
A. D. 1850 and will expire
November 23
A. D. 1851
and that the following SIGNATURE, purporting to be his are genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal official of said Court, the day and year first above written.
Freeman Bradford Register.

State of Maine Cumberland ss.
On this 6 th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and and fifty personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and the County and State aforesaid Mary Blake a resident of Portland in said County aged 89 years who on oath states that she is the identical Mary Blake who made a declaration for a pension before the Hon. Asahel Ware in the month of February 1847 as she believes and that her claim has been pending before the Commissioner of Pensions from that time to this. She states that her husband was a native of Cape Ann Massachusetts that he was a seaman and served on board the Hancock Frigate and the Ship Protector in the war of the Revolution, that she was married to her late husband James Blake or about on the 3 rd December 1785, that her said husband was drowned in Portland Harbor as stated in her former declarations. She now claims a pension under the acts of July 7 th 1838, March 3 rd 1843, June 17 th 1844 and February 2 nd 1848 and in proof of service she refers to her papers now on

file in the Office at Washington.
Witness Z. H. Harmon
Mary her Blake mark
Cumberland ss. Then personally appeared on the day and year first above written Mary Blake above named whom I know  believe to be the identical person she represents herself to be and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by her signed
Before me Z. H. Harmon Justice of Peace
I Freeman Bradford on oath certify that Mary Blake the above named declarant is the identi- cal person who made a declaration for a pen- sion about four years ago before the Hon. Asahel Ware and who has proven herself to be the widow of James Blake late of Portland de- ceased and that she is this day living
Portland Dec 6 th 1850 Freeman Bradford
Cumberland ss. Dec 6. 1850 Subscribed & sworn before me
Z. H. Harmon
J.P.

STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND, SS.
Clerk's Office, Judicial Courts, PORTLAND, August 23rd A. D 1850.
I, Charles C. Harmon, CLERK OF ALL THE JUDICIAL COURTS,
In and for said COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, certify that
Freeman Bradford is an
Acting Justice of the Peace,
within and for the County of Cumberland, as appears by the paper hereto annexed; that he is DULY QUALIFIED TO ACT as such; that the
COMMISSION of the said Bradford is dated May 28th A. D. 1846 and will expire May 28th A. D. 1853.
and that the following SIGNATURE, purporting to be his , is Genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court, for said State, the day and year first above written.
Chas. C. Harmon, CLERK.

I Nathanial Haskell now a resident of Portland but a native of Cape Ann Massachusetts aged eighty four years on oath depose and say that I was formerly well acquainted with James Blake of said Cape Ann. I went to school with said Blake when we were young and recollect with great distinctness the following. The ship Hancock one of the first ships of the American Navy in the Revolution was built in Newburyport and previous to her first cruise came into Cape Ann for men. When she entered the Harbor of Cape Ann Blake and myself were at the same school and the teacher gave the scholars liberty to go to see her. Blake was at that time a stout young man and about four or five years older than myself. Said Blake shipped on board the Hancock for that cruise and went in the ship. The Hancock was captured and her crew was taken into Halifax. My impression is that said Blake after he was exchanged sailed in the ship Protector from Boston, but I did not see him only occasionally at Cape Ann dur- ing the Revolution. James Blake married Mary Cook the widow of William Cook after the revolution, and from that time

followed the coasting trade and died many years ago in Portland and that he was drowned as the report has always been.
Nathl Haskell
Cumberland Gs. August 5th 1850 Then personally appeared the above named Nathaniel Haskell well known to me and to the community as a man of truth and made oath that the above statement by him subscribed is true. Before me Freeman J. Bradford Jus: Peace

13,276
Mary Blake
Me
Act 7. July 38.
H. Bradford Portland Maine

I Elias M Plimpton of Portland in the County of Cumberland on oath depose and say that I am Secretary of Portland Lodge and have in my possession all the Books of Record belonging thereto. In one of the six Books of Record I find under date of May 19 th 1802 the following among the records of the doings of a meeting of that date, to wit
" Contribution for the relief of our late Br. Blake was made, and collected . . . . . $ 16. 48 Voted That the Treasurer pay out of the funds of the Lodge $ 8.52 to make a sum of twenty five dollars with what was collected by contribution.
Voted Brother Treasurer be a committee to present the above twenty five dollars to Mrs Blake 20
The above are true extracts from the Records of said Lodge. I further testify that Mrs Mary Blake an old lady now residing in Portland has from time to time for many years received donations in charity from the several Masonic bodies in this City
Elias M Plimpton
State of Maine
Cumberland ss. February 20 th 1849 Then personally appeared Elias M Plimpton known to me as Secretary of Portland Lodge and a person of truth & integrity and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed
Before me Freeman Bradford Jus: Peace

I John Mc Lellan of Portland in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine on oath depose and say that I am 81 years of age and have resided in Portland for more than 50 years last past. I am acquainted with Mary Blake of Portland a very aged person and the widow of James Blake who was a Mason. James Blake the husband of Mary Blake was drowned in Portland Harbor about forty years ago or more. I recollect the circumstance well. His widow has resided in Portland ever since that time and is now a very aged person. She has never been married since the death of her husband aforesaid. James Blake her husband was a seafaring man and at the time of his death was master of a coasting vessel and his vessel belonged in the this place at that time. I do not know where said Blake moved from when he came to Portland. I had known him for a year or two only before his death. I have an impression that he did not originate in Portland or vicinity.
Witness
John Mc Lellan his mark
Mary E Small
State of Maine
Cumberland ss. February 20 th 1849 Then personally appeared the above named John Mc Lellan known to me to be a man of truth & veracity and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed.
Before me Freeman Bradford Justice of the Peace