Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 9752, Levi Bridgwater, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Bridgewater, Levi " Bridgewater, Patience
N. 9752
CONTENTS

18.976. Indiana
Levi Briagwater
of Washington the State of Indiana who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Neil of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Burnside in the Virginia line, for the term of three years. on Rate
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 of March 1823
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 of May 1823 and Sent to John Depauw Esq Salem, Indiana
Arrears to 4th of March 1823 1 3 Semi anl. all'ce ending Sept 1823 48
$49. 3
{ Revolutionary claim, Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820. }
March 1. 1823

4764. Indiana, New Albany Patience Bridgewater widow of David Pa who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Reputed May 3/49
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of May 1849 and sent to W. Collins New Albany Indiana
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 323 Vol. 3,

18.829 Lewis Brizgwater Washington County Indiana
Rec May 20. 1893
m. Rose page 339
John D. Spawns Esq. Salem Indiana

District of Indiana ss Washington County
On this 27 th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court, being the Circuit Court of Washington County, and having unlimited jurisdiction in all cases as well civil as criminal, Levi Bridgewater aged sixty one years, resident in Washington County who being first sworn according to Law, doth on his Oath declare that he served in the revolutionary War as follows, that is, In Fayette County Pennsylvania, near Union Town he was enlisted by Capt. James Neill, That he was attached to and served in Capt. James Neill's Company of the 13 th Virginia Regiment commanded by Col. William Russell, That he enlisted for three years, That the Regiment was marched to Philadelphia under command of Col. Russell, That to the best of his recollection he enlisted on the 20 th day of Jan y 1776, That early in the Spring they marched down and joined Genl. Washington's Army at the Cross roads in Pennsylvania, That he served the whole three years out, in the said 13 th Regiment, but before his time was fully out his Capt. Resigned or left the Regiment, and the Company was then commanded by Capt. Uriah Springer, That he served three years and two months, And was discharged at Pittsburgh by Col. Richard Campbell, That his first declaration was made

in Shelby County Kentucky where he then lived. That it was sent on to the War department by a friend in Kentucky. That it has been lost or mislaid —
And I do solemnly swear that I was Resident Citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of May 1818. And that I have not since that time by gifts sales or in any manner disposed of my pro- perty or any parts thereof with an intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval service of the United States in the Re- volutionary War, passed on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, Nor have I any income other than is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me Subscribed, Viz,
One Horse 13 years old, Blind of one Eye Five Head of cattle Thirteen Head of Hogs Two Beds and clothing One Big Stettle, 2 Small pots One Oven, without a lid One plough (Bar shear) Two axes and Two Hoes
That I am a Farmer by occupation, en- joying reasonable health except Rheumatism, which disables me from Labour, or has done so for some time past, my wife Patience aged Forty three years of

weakly Constitution, has laboured under disease for a number of years, Elijah and Elisha, twins, 16 years old, tolerably stout and able to work, John 14 years of age enjoys reasonable health, Polly aged Twenty four years, single and healthy, but not under my controul —
his Levi Bridgewater (Mark)
Sworn to and subscribed in open before me this 27 th day of September 1822
Davis Floyd
Property valued by the Court at $79.00 —
State of Indiana Washington County
I John DePauw Clerk of the Wash- ington Circuit Court do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath and Schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the Records of the said Court, And I do further certify that it is the opinion of the Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is Seventy Nine dollars, and that a shroud and nothing else is recognized as the seal of the said Court —
Seal of Washington County
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court on the Second day of April 1823 —
John DePauw Clerk W.C.

State of Indiana } Washington County } ss.
On this twenty second day of November in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-nine, before me Samuel Peck, the Judge of the Washington Probate Court, it being a Court of Record, personally appeared Patience Bridgewater a resident of the said State of Indiana, in the said County of Washington, aged Seventy years on the twenty first day of August last past, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7 th , 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows". That she is the widow of a certain Levi Bridgewater, late of said county deceased, who was a private in the Revolutionary army of the United States, and was a pensioner until his decease. —
She further declares that she was married to the said Levi Bridgewater some time during the month of June in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty-five, but does not know of any record testimony of her said marriage, that her husband the aforesaid Levi Bridgewater died on the last day of September, eighteen hundred and thirty-one; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, Seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz; at the time above stated.
Patience her Bridgewater mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me; And I hereby certify that the aforesaid Patience Bridgewater

cannot, from her bodily infirmity, attend the said court. -
Sam l Peck } Judge of } Probate
The deposition of Abigail Stillwell who being first being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath depose and say, that she is in the seventy fifth year of her age, and that she was present at the time when a certain Levi Bridgwaters and Patience Stillwell were, as she verily believes legally married and joined together in wedlock, and that to the best of her knowledge and recollection the said marriage took place some time during the Summer of the year Seventeen hundred and eighty five, and further this deponent saith not. - Abigail her Stillwells mark
The deposition of Solomon Bridgwaters of lawful age, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath depose and say, that he was present when a certain Levi Bridgwaters died, and that his said death took place on the last day of September in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty one, and further this deponent saith not. -
Solomon Bridgwaters
The deposition of Elijah Bridgwaters of lawful age, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, depose and say, that he was present when a certain Levi Bridgwaters died, and that his said death took place on the last day of the month of September in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty one, and further this deponent saith not. - Elijah his Bridgwaters mark

State of Indiana } Washington County } ss.
I Henry W. Hackett a master in Chancery in and for said County, authorized by Statute of said State to administer oaths and affirmations generally, and to take depositions, do hereby certify that the three foregoing depositions of Abigail Stillwell, Solomon Bridgewater, and Elijah Bridgewater were taken, subscribed, and sworn to before me this day in the aforesaid County.
And I further certify that the said Abigail Stillwell, Solomon Bridgewater, and Elijah Bridgewater are all personally known to me, and that each of them are persons of credibility and ought to be believed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal officially on this twenty third day of November, eighteen hundred and thirty nine.
Henry W. Hackett Seal as a mast. in ch y as afo re .
State of Indiana } Washington County } ss.
I Eli M c Malott Clerk of the Probate Court of the County of Washington within the State of Indiana, certify that Samuel Peck is Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and was at the time of subscribing the foregoing certificate of affidavit, and that full faith and credit are due and of right ought to be given to all his official acts as such Judge, and that the foregoing signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my name and affix the seal of the said Court at Salem this 27 th day of November 1839.
Eli M c Malott Clerk

State of Indiana
Washington County ss Set
I Eli W Mallett clerk of the Washington Circuit Court within the second Judicial Circuit of the State of Indiana, certify that Henry W Hacket whose signature is subscribed to the foregoing certificate of the taking of the foregoing Depositions of Abigail Stewart, Solomon Bruggs Matus, and Elijah Bruggs is an acting master in chancery in for said County of Washington, and at the time of taking and certifying the same, duly appointed and qualified according to Law, and that full faith and credit are due and of right ought to be given to all his official acts as such and that the foregoing signature is genuine.
Hon. Professor H.R.
Recorded 6573 acknowledged
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and here to office the seal of said court at Salem this 27 th day of November 1839.
Eli W Mallett clerk

State of Indiana Washington County, to wit:
On this first day of July 1842 personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, Patience Bridgewater who being by me duly sworn says, the paper is hereto sealed marked "A" are the original family record of the births of her children by Levi Bridgewater her deceased husband that said record during the life of her said husband was kept by him and this affiant in their own family and never has been out of their possession or undergoing alteration since the original entries that since her husband's death the same has remained in her own custody - And the "Prayer Book" out of which the same was taken this day is still in her possession. She also states that the entries of the names of Elias Bridgewater, Eleanor Bridgewater & Isaac Bridgewater are in the handwriting of William Lent - and the entries of the other names of the children were made by James Smith, Deborah Emory & Daniel Still-pole.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this first day of July 1842
Jacob M. Simon J.P.
State of Indiana, Washington County S.S.
On this first day of July 1842 before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared Isaac Bridgewater who is known to me to be a respectable person, and being me duly sworn says the above leaves marked "A" with all the writing which appears upon them was this day in his presence and under his eye taken from the family Prayer book of the late Levi Bridgewater dec'd and that the same constitutes a portion of the original family Record of said Levi Bridgewater dec'd - And the said Isaac Bridgewater further states that he believes the foregoing statement of Mrs. Bridgewater, the widow of said Levi, to be

true in substance and in fact - Sworn and subscribed to by Isaac his Bridgewater before me this first day of July 1842
Isaac M. Simon Esq.
State of Indiana Washington County
I Eli W. Matott Clerk of the Circuit Court in said County & in this the Second Judicial Circuit of said State do Certify that Jacob M. Simon Esq. whose official Signature appears to the above & foregoing is and was at the time of taking said Affidavit an acting justice of the peace in & for said County duly Commissioned & Qualified and that full faith & credit is given to all his official acts as such & that his signature is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I hereunto Subscribe my name and affix the Seal of said Court at Salem the 1 st day of July A.D. 1842.
Eli W. Matott CLK -111-

Solomon Brid water was born the 24 Day of Disember in the year of our lord 1803
Alijah Bridg water was born the 22 Day of September in the year of our lord 1805
Joseph Bridgewater was born in the Yr. of our lord 1800 June 9 th
John Bridg water was born the 11 of November in the year 1807

Solomon Brid water was born the 24 Day of Disember in the year of our lord 1803
Alijah Bridgwater was born the 22 Day of September in the year of our lord 1805
Joseph Bridgewater was born in the year of our lord 1800 June 9 th
John Bridgewater was born the 11 of November in the year 1804

Jack Bridg Watters Born March the 11. 1778 Dannil Bridg Watters Born September the 1792 Dolly Bridg Watters Born December the 1792
Eliza Son of Levi Bridgewater and Patience his wife was born Sep r 28 1785 Elihu was born August 20 th 1787 Isaac was born March 11. 1790

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
Ally Am
April 14, 1936
Nannie E. Marshall 605 W. Market St - Salem, Ind.
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 9752 , it appears that Levi Bridgwater (Bridgewater, Bridgwaters) enlisted in 1778 and served three years and two months in Captains James Neal's and Uriah Springer's Company, Colonel William Russell's Virginia Regiment.
He was allowed pension. In 1833, he was living in Washington County, Indiana, aged sixty-one years, and stated that before moving to Washington County, Indiana, he had lived in Shelby County, Kentucky. He died September 30, 1831.
Soldier married in 1783 or 1785 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Patience Stillwell or Stilwell, who was born August 21, 1769. She was allowed

pension on her application executed November 22, 1839, while a resident of Washington County, Indiana. In 1849, she was living in Orange County, Indiana.
Their children-
   Elias  born  September  26, 1785    Elleanor or       Ellnor  "  August  20, 1787.    Jack  "  March  11, 1789.    Isaac  "  March  11, 1790.    Daniel  "  September  1, 1792.    Polly  "  December  11, 1794.    Rebecca  "  April  23, 1797.    Joseph  "  June  9, 1800.    Solomon  "  December  24, 1803.    (Elijah &  "      (Elisha twins  "  September  22, 1805.    John  "  November  11, 1807.   
Owing to a lack of clerical force available for the purpose, only two histories are furnished each inquirer.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
This child's name is in family record - but not on widow's list - I used it as it came in sequence -

1926-Apr 14-Hist to Nannie E. Marshall- See letter in William Grace N. 10067 awf.
Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 94/52
Patience Bridgewater Wid. of Levi Bridgewater Pvt Rev War
Act: Feb. 27/48
Index:—Vol. A , Page 85
[Arrangement of 1870.]

The State of Indiana. Orange County
Be it remembered that on the 13th day May A.D. 1842 personally appeared before me Leonard Goss a Justice of the peace within & for said County & State of Indiana, Abigail Silville who being duly sworn according to law deponeth and saith as words and figures following. viz That she was personally acquainted with Levi Bridgewater and Patience Bridgewater formerly Patience Silville early in life that she was present at their Marriage and States that the said Levi Bridgewater & Patience Bridgewater were married in the County of Fayette in the State of Pennsylvania, between four or five Miles from Uniontown, now called Uniontown, between the years Seventeen hundred & eighty two and Seventeen hundred & eighty five. She is not certain as to the precise year but States with certainty that they were married between the periods above mentioned. That it was not customary in those days for persons to procure license, but that a publication was made three weeks previous to the Marriage in the Church by a Minister of the Gospel that Isaac Sutton was at the name of the Minister who Married said Levi Bridgewater and Patience Bridgewater and that he belonged to the Baptist Church that the said Abigail Silville knows that the said Levi Bridgewater & Patience Bridgewater were united husband & wife that they removed from Pennsylvania some five or six years after their Marriage and located in the State of Kentucky in Nelson County. That they had two Children born previous to their

removal from Pennsylvania, whose names were Elias & Eleanor that Elias was born the 28th day of September 1785 - that the said affiant believes the said Elias & Patience Bridgewater removed to the State of Indiana about the year 1817 or 1818, and located in Orange County. That Elias Bridgewater has been deceased some ten or eleven years, and that Patience Bridgewater is still living in the County of Washington Indiana. The said affiant states her age to be 77 years the 18th day of last December and she believes Patience Bridgewater to be something like four years younger, which would make her about 74 years of age at this time - that the said affiant is not able to state with certainly as to there being any family record of the marriage of the said Elias & Patience Bridgewater, that there were no license used when they were married and that they were united husband and wife as to the death of the said Elias Bridgewater, and for the single life. Abigail Stillwell maker
Subscribed and sworn to before me the 13th day of May 1812 Leonard Grant Sp. Com.
The State of Indiana Orange County ss. I Leonard Grant the Justice of the Peace before whom the foregoing affidavit made & sworn to, do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Abigail Stillwell the individual who swore to the above or foregoing affidavit for some eight or ten years past that she

is a woman of credit and respectability, and that her Statements under oath are entitled due weight and consideration. Given under my hand and seal the day and date aforesaid. Leonard Grant Jr (Seal)
The State of Indiana Orange County ss
Personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the peace within said County of Orange Indiana Isaac Bridgewater & Jane Hoglewood who make oath that they have been acquainted with Abagail Stillwell something like thirty years, and that they have always known her to be a woman of truth and veracity, and further that she is a woman of strictly moral character, and further we would believe her upon oath, and for she saith not.
Isaac his Bridgewater mark
Jane her Hoglewood mark
Subscribed and sworn to before me the 13th day of May 1842 Given under my hand and seal the day & date aforesaid Leonard Grant Jr (Seal)
The state of Indiana Orange County set
I Thomas W Thornton Clerk of the Orange Circuit Court Certify that Leonard Grant whose cer- tificates appear above was at the date thereof an acting justice of the peace of said County duly commissioned and qualified and that his official acts in that capacity are entitled

to full faith and Credit in any Point of Justice in this State or thereout. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Padi the 16 th day of May 1842.
Thos. Thornton CLK
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]

The State of Indiana, Orange County, ss.
On this nineteenth day of April 1849, personally appeared before me, Richard D. Walker , a justice of the peace in & for said County of Orange, Patience Bridgewater, a resident of said Orange County, and personally known to me, aged eighty one years, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2 d February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Levi Bridgewater who was a private in the army of the Revolution in the Regiment commanded by Colonel
She further declares that she is the a widow. That as such widow of said Levi Bridgewater she has drawn a pension of eighty dollars per annum up to the 4 th day of March 1848, inclusive.
Wm Reed Elizabeth M c Grew } Witnesses
Patience her Bridgewater mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me by said Patience Bridgewater, who is the person she represents herself in the foregoing affidavit, and who is now a widow.
Richard D. Walker, J.P.
The State of Indiana, Orange County, ss.
I, Jeremiah Wilson, Clerk of the Circuit Court, in & for the County of Orange aforesaid, do hereby certify that Richard D. Walker was, at the date of the foregoing affidavit, and now is, a justice of peace in & for said County of Orange, duly Commissioned and qualified, and that his signature thereto is genuine.
Witness my hand and the seal of said Court, hereunto affixed by me at my office in Paoli, in said County, this 20 th day of April 1849.
Jeremiah Wilson Clerk

Patience Bridgwater of Levi Indiana
Rejected
See let 26 Dec 39
Hon John Carr,
let 25 March 1842
Hon. A. S. White
let. to same 31 May '42
let. to same 18 June 1842,
married after Jan 1794
let 21 June 42 Hon. A. S. White.
Act 7 July 1838,

Senate Chamber Washg. Mar 24. 1842
Sir: Please inform me of the practicability of the enclosed case; and if necessary, accompany y. letter with instructions
very resp ly Yours &c
A. W. J. White
J. L. Edwards Esq Dept. of Pensions

Senate Chambers
Washington May 30. 1842
Sir - Herewith I transmit to you supplemental papers in support of the claims of Patience Bridgewater for a pension (whose case I presented a few weeks ago, but it was disallowed on account of a presumption against a marriage sufficiently early) - That presumption I think is abundantly rebutted by the proofs now furnished - I trust that all obstacles will now be removed to the granting the old lady's application
With Mr. Collins (whose letter I also send you) who is the Atty. of the Petitioner, I am well acquainted - He is a gentleman of high standing & consideration in the State of Indiana, & I have the fullest confidence that he would not urge an application devoid of merit J. L. Edwards Esq. Comtee } very resply &c } Alb. J. White

6513 Patience Bridgewater of Levi Indiana
Admitted
Private 2 yrs - $80 Capt Neil Col Russell, Va
died 30 Sept 1831
Act 7 July 1838,
Hon: A. S. White S. M. S.

Senate Chamber
Wash. July 15. 1842
Sir -
I have the pleasure to acknowl- edge the rec d from you of a certificate to Mrs. Patience Bridgewater for 5 years pension at $80 per annum, commencing on the 4 th of Mar. 1836
Be pleased to inform me whether she can draw this pension at the Agency in Indiana - or whether I can draw it here upon the strength of Mr. Collins' (her atty) letters requesting my attention to her case, but not containing, as I now recollect, any express authority to draw the money - I will assume however to rec d as the agent of Mrs. B.
very reply &c
J. L. Edwards Esq Comt. of Pensions
Alb. J. White

Return with your certificate.
Dear A. J. White
And knave.

New Albany, July 2. 1842
My Dear Sir,
I have just received returns from Washington Co supplying the defect in Mrs Bridgewater's amended declaration, supported by the note from the Commr. which you did me the favor to send me. This I believe perfects the proofs under the rules of the Department. Will you do me the further favor to lay the accompanying affidavits before the Commr. and if no further objection presents itself, request a Certificate to be issued and which may be sent to me or to Mrs Bridgewater to my care at this place —
Mrs Bridgewater and her friends express themselves under obligations to you for the very prompt attention you give this matter and request me to thank you for the kindness manifested in your last letter.
I remain Your friend L D
Dear Collins

Senate Chamber
Wash ng July 9. 1842
Sir,
In compliance with the suggestion of your letter of the 21 st June I herewith send you the supplementary & complete proofs in the case of Mrs Patience Bridgewater, being leaves from the "Family Prayer book" authenticated as containing the record of the births of her children - which I accompany by the letter of Mr Collins covering the papers - Please send her certificate of Pension to me
Yours ob t serv t
A. W. J. White
J. L. Edwards Esq. } Comm ee of Pensions }

Senate Chamber Washington June 17. 1842
Sir - I transmit herewith a supplemental affidavit of Mrs. Patience Bridgewater for a pension, in conformity with the suggestions in your letter to me of the 31 st of May last - accompanied by a letter from James Collins Jr. Esq -
I hope the evidence will now be deemed sufficient to allow Mrs. B. her pension
An answer is requested
Very respect
Yours &
Alb. J. White
J. L. Edwards Esq Com r of Pensions

6512 6513 Dec 26
July 7. 1838
General J. P. Kirtland
Esq.
Comt of Pension
Hon. J. P. Kirtland No 2
Washington City D.C.

Washington City Dec 25 1839
James L Edwards Esq Com. of Pensions
Sir enclosed you will find the declarations of two widows asking pensions under the act of 1838. I also send you the letter of the Hon. Henry W. Hackett at present a senator in our State Legis- lature. whose statements may be relied upon.
Very respectfully your att servt John Carr

Mary Ann Bridgwater Affidavit

State of Indiana Scott County Set Willis L. Taylor Clerk of the Circuit Court of said County of Scott do hereby Certify that John Harrod Esq. before whom the within Affidavits were made & who has Cert- ified the same and whose Signature is thereto Attached was at the time of Signing & Certifying the same and Still is an acting Justice of the Peace and Still is an acting Justice of the Peace and State in and for said County duly Elected Commissioned and qualified and that full faith and Credit are due and ought to be given to all his official acts as such as well in Courts of Justice as thereout and that the Signature purporting to be his is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & affixed the seal of said County at Linton this 6 day of May 1862
Willis L. Taylor Clerk

New Albany 27 th April 1849
Col. Edwards,
Sir - I send the application of Patience Bridgewater, an old lady of Orange County, for a certificate under the pension law of 1848. She has drawn a pension without a certificate for several years, under the laws regarding widows, which expired in March 1848. I wish you would send her a certificate under the last law, to me at New Albany
Yours respectfully H. Collins

895-
May 6 1843
Dear
Inda
Mar 3 rd 1843
Patricia Bradshaw
$80 per am
James Collins, Jr.
New Albany Indiana
FREE
Edward
Union Agent
17 Ashbury St
Boston

New Albany In. Apr 29 1843
J. L. Edwards Esq, Dear Sir,
The inclosed application has been sent to me to be forwarded to you - As there are no forms furnished for the peculiar circumstances of this case, I have made out the best statement of the facts I could for the applicant & hope they may be deemed sufficient -
If the papers are sufficient I will thank you to transmit to me at this place a certificate, or if deemed insufficient please to suggest to me where the difficulty lies -
I will, if deemed necessary, refer you to Col. Blake of the General Land office & to Mr. H. Goods a clerk in the Land Dept. for information respecting myself -
I am personally acquainted with Isaac Ridgwater who is an honest man & worthy of full credit -
Very Respectfully James Collins

Senate Chamber
June 20. 1842
Sir -
Yours of the 18 th in reference to Mrs. Patience Bridgewater's (of Indiana) claim for a pension, has been rec d . - in which you say - - "the original family record of the births of the children, a copy of which is embodied in the declaration, should be sent to this office as required in note C. in the printed regulations"
It does not occur to me whether in Mrs. B's supplemental aff t mentioned in yr. letter, reference is made to an existing record for the births of the children, but if so I presume it is a family bible, which you will perceive an opportunity would hardly offer to send from the interior of the State of Indiana, not to speak of the harshness of requiring a surrender of such sacred relics.

Would it not do to authenticate the existence of such record, and the apparent genuineness of the entries therein before some officer, say the County Clerk or a judge of the Circuit Court, and to produce such evidence at yr. office?
The Act must certainly leave so much respecting evidence to the discretion of the Dept. who will hardly require stricter proof than Courts of Justice have immemorally done
Your usual promptness hardly renders it necessary for me to request an early answer
very Respectfully
Yr ob servt
Abt. J. White
J. L. Edwards Esq Comm. of Pensions

Indiana 6702
Reported to Agent Let. to Hon. A. S. White July 15. 1842
Patience Bridgewater widow of Levi Bridgewater
who was a pensioner under the Act of March 1818 and who died on the 30. Sep. 1831 of Washington Co. in the State of Indiana who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Neil — of the regt. commanded by Col. Ruseell in the V. a line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of New Albany Ind. a at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of July 1842 and sent to Hon A. S. White, Senate U.S.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $ 4 00 — Semi-annual allowance ending
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book A. Vol. 2, Page 220

1207. Indiana A. A.
Patience Bridgewater widow of Levi Bridgewater who was a Private in the Illa. line
for 2 Years
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of July, 1843 and sent to
James Collins, Jr. New Albany Indiana.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 1. Page 176.

Commonwealth of Kentucky Washington County to wit
This day Captain Lewis Thomas formerly of the United States Revolutionary Army, appeared before me Lloyd Ray one of the Commonwealth's Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid, and made oath that Levi Bridgewater of the same Army entered the service of the United States as a Soldier on the 19 th day of December in the year 1776 in the Company of Captain James Bal then of the 13 th Virginia Regiment, which was afterwards reduced to the 9 th and again afterwards to the 7 th Regiment, at which time he the said Thomas was Lieutenant of the said Company, that he the said Bridgewater served three years as a Soldier, at the end of which time he was honourably discharged. Given under my hand and seal as Justice as aforesaid the 5 th day of November 1822 and in the 31 st year of the Commonwealth aforesaid
Lloyd Ray J.P.M.
Kentucky Washington County let
I John Hughes Jr Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Lloyd Ray Esquire whose signature is above affixed is now a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and sworn for the said County of Washington and that full faith & credit is due to all his official acts as such as well within County Court as thereout
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County Court of Washington this 5 th day of November 1822 and in the 31 st year of the Commonwealth
John Hughes Jr Clerk
Kentucky Washington County let
Thomas Cull Clerk and presiding Justice of the Washington County Court do hereby certify that John Hughes Jr whose signature is above affixed is the Clerk of the said County Court duly appointed from that his said Certificate is in due form of law Given under my hand & seal this 5 th day of November 1822 in the 31 st year of the Commonwealth
Thomas Cull Clerk

State of Indiana & personally appeared before Leah L. County Clerk & gave the undersigned a justice of the peace in & for the County of State of Indiana and Michael Swoope & Jane Swoope and being leg- ally duly sworn according to Law, etc. 1 st Michael Swoope states that he has been acquainted with Mary Ann Bridgewater about thirty years and he has always known her to be a woman of strict truth and veracity and that she is a woman of good morals honest and further the Defendant said and also Jane Swoope states that she has been acquainted with Mary Ann Bridgewater for 30 years and she considered her as a woman of truth and good morals and further the Defendant said and
Signed
Michael Swoope Jane Swoope
Sworn to and Subscribed before me the under- Signed this 5 th day of May 1842
Given under my hand and seal this 5 th day of May 1842 John Harnad J.P. Clerk
I the undersigned Justice of the peace in & for the State of Indiana South County do certify that Michael Swoope & Jane Swoope are each person of good morals and good morals and person of truth and veracity
Given under my hand and seal this 5 th day of May 1842 John Harnad J.P. Clerk

State of Indiana & Before me the undersigned Scott County Court the Justice of the peace in and for the Township of Vienna and State of County of said County appeared Mary Ann Bridgewater and being by me duly sworn according to Law. etc.
States on her oath
1st that she was personally acquainted with Bridgewater & Daniel Stillwell before they were married
2nd that she was present when they were married
3rd that they were married in the State of Pennsylvania near in Fayette County near Beaverstown a 4th and that they were married in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty three or in 1763
5th that she knows that they were reputed as husband & wife from the time of marriage till said Love Bridgewater's death and further the Deponent saith not
Signed
Mary Ann her Bridgewater mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 5th day of May 1844
Given under my hand and seal this 5th day of May 1844
John Harrod J.P. Clerk

State of Indiana, Washington County, to wit
Before the undersigned the justice of the Peace in and for the said County, this day personally came Patience Bridgewater, widow of Levi Bridgewater dec d and being by me duly sworn on her corporal oath deposes and says That she knows of no family Register in which was or has been kept any Record of her marriage with her late husband Levi Bridgewater deceased Nor does she know of any documentary evidence by which she can prove the time of the same. She further says, there has been kept a Record of the births of her children as follows:
Elias Bridgewater was born September 26 th 1785 Eleanor Bridgewater was born August 20 th 1787 Isaac Bridgewater was born March 11 th 1790 Daniel Bridgewater was born September 1 st 1792 Polly Bridgewater was born December 11 th 1794 Rebecca Bridgewater was born April 28 th 1797 Joseph Bridgewater was born June 9 th 1800 Solomon Bridgewater was born December 24 th 1803 Elijah Bridgewater & Elisha Bridgewater (twins) were born September 22 nd 1805 John Bridgewater was born November 11 th 1807 She also states that it is not possible for her to produce or exhibit any record or documentary proof of the time of her intermarriage with the said Levi
Patience her Bridgewater mark
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 9 th day of June 1842
Isaac M. Lerson J.P.

State of Indiana Washington County
I Eli W. Moats Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for said County and within said State & in the Second Judicial Circuit of said State do hereby certify that Jacob M c Leary whose official signature appears to the within and foregoing affidavit as the person before whom the same was sworn and subscribed to, is and was at the time of taking the same an acting = Justice of the peace in and for said = County duly commissioned & qualified and that full faith and credit is due and given to all his official acts as such
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at the Court house in Posey County and State aforesaid June 9 th A D 1842
Eli W. Moats C. R. 11

State of Indiana, Orange County - ss.
On this 28 th day of April 1843 personally appeared before me Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Patience Bridgewater a resident of said County of Orange but recently of Washington County in said State, aged seventy four years, who being by me duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 rd March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That She is the widow of Levi Bridgewater who was a soldier in the revolutionary war but his rank she does not recollect nor does she know the regiment or corps to which he belonged but he was in the army. Her said husband drew a pension from the United States until he died - He drew as well as she recollects $96 a year. She further states that she drew Four hundred Dollars for five years pension by virtue of a certificate which issued to her & which she surrendered to the pension agent at New Albany, where she drew her pension.

Some time last Summer - She further states that She is the identical person named in the pension certificate last referred to which issued to her under the act of Congress of July 7. 1838 1838
She further states that she is still a widow. I the said Justice do further certify that the said Patience Bridgewater is personally known to me & is worthy of credit Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above { Patience Bridgewater written before me
William G. Taylor
Justice of the Peace Orange County Indiana
State of Indiana, Orange County - 55-
Before me a justice of the peace in and for said County, this day personally came Isaac Bridgewater, who being by me duly sworn on his oath states that he is well acquainted and has been for years with Patience Bridgewater the foregoing declarant, and he knows her to be the identical person who drew four years pension by virtue of a certificate issued to her amounting to Four hundred Dollars - That said sum was drawn at the pension agency at New Albany Indiana and her certificate was surrendered to the agent

at the time the pension was paid last summer.
I the said Justice also certify that said Isaac Briggwater is well known to me and that his foregoing statement is entitled to full faith and credit.
Sworn to and { Isaac Briggwater } Subscribed before me this 27 th day of April 1843 -
William G. Taylor Clerk
Justice of the Peace of Orange County Indiana
State of Indiana Orange County ss. I Thomas W. Thornton clerk of the Circuit Court of said County certify that William G. Taylor (Clerk) before whom the foregoing whereof signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate, is and was at the date thereof, an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his official acts in that capacity are entitled to full faith and credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court, at Paoli, the 28 th day of April 1843. Thos. W. Thornton CLK