Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22829, John Cook, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Continental
Cook, John
W 22 829
Mass
Lydia.
B. L. W. 1078-100
B. L. No. 166-60-55
CONTENTS

5105 Maine
Sydia Cook widow of John Cook who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Sergeant
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 120 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of Sept. 1849, and sent to Benjamin R Jones Deweyville Wash Co., Me
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 6 Vol. 1.

128.627 { Act. Mar. 3/55 May 18/55
Lydia Cook (wid of John Cook) (Bright. Mil; Map: Cont'd line. Revolutionary War. Map Mil.
Widow's pension, No. 5.105
Ad: 60 acres Feb: 8 th 756. me Ad: 1/2 Bldg etc.
R. B. N. Warmin Portland Maine

1078 Peleg Cook. (1078) Attest of John Cook. Mass. Line Warrant issued
No. 1078 ————— Mem: the Informality in the Procedure is that the Quality and Signature of the Magistrate before whom the orig: Power of Att: was executed, is not officially attested by the Secretary of the State, nor the Clerk of the County where said Magist: resides.
If Mr. Bulfinch can obtain a Certificate to that effect from any Mem: of Congress now at Washington, who w: add his Public Quality to his Signature, it will be admitted. Jan. 19. 24
January 30 th 1824

I know all men by these presents, that I Peleg Cook of Penn- hooke in the County of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts, before hand, for divers good causes & considerations me thereunto moving, make, constitute & appoint, and hereby make constitute & appoint Samuel Blagg of Boston in the County of Suffolk in the State of my attorney for me & in my name to make application to receive at the Land-Office of the United States at Washington, a Land-Warrant for one hundred acres of land, being the military bounty land coming to John Cook a private soldier in the 2 d Mass s Reg t in the Revolutionary War, deceased and from the said John Cook to his son & heir Thomas Cook, my late father deceased and from the said Thomas to me as heir at law to the said Thomas; & in receiving said warrant to give in my name the necessary receipts therefor. And I the said Peleg do further make authorise and em- power the said Blagg to make and substitute one or more attorneys under him my said attorney for the purposes aforesaid, & finally to do & transact every thing, which may be necessary to obtain the said warrant. In witness of all which, I the said Peleg have hereunto set my hand & seal this fifth day of October A. D. Eighteen Hundred & Twenty. Now-
Sealed, Sealed & delivered
in presence of — Ephraim Stetson
Aaron Hobart
Peleg Cook

Com memoranda of Depositions -
Plymouth J. Oct. 5. 1822
Then personally appeared the within named Peleg Cook and acknowledged the within instrument by him subscribed to be his free act. Before me.
Aaron Hobart Jr. Peace
Pembroke June 6th 1823 I hereby certify that the within instrument was acknowledged before me & that the above is my signature. House Rep't. Sept. 27. 1824. Aaron Hobart Jr. Peace
This may certify that according to the best of our information & belief that Peleg Cook of Pembroke in the County of Plymouth Lebanon is a lawful heir to John Cook late a soldier in the Second Massachusetts Regiment.
David Olsham Jr. } Selectmen Simon Chandler } of George Dorr } Pembroke
Know all men by these Presents. that I. Samuel Huggins made and constituted Attorney of Peleg Cook as appears in the foregoing letter of Attorney with power to sell & lease all lands transfer to & vest in George D. Bullock of the District of Columbia all the Power & Authority which is in me and which in & by the foregoing letter of Attorney to Solomon Huggins my father in law in the premises & do. Authority & empowered him to do every act & matter & thing which I could might transfer do or cause to be done in matter of the foregoing letter of Attorney In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand. Seal this twelfth day of Sept. 1823
Samuel Huggins Charles Hayward
Seal
Sealed & delivered in the presence of us this 12th day of Sept. 1823 Personally appeared Samuel Huggins & acknowledged the foregoing instrument by him subscribed to be his free act. Charles Hayward Aaron Hobart Jr. Peace

Stargaz Sydia Cook,
Adm o Acts 43 & 44 at $120 per annum, Adm o Act 7 Feb '48
Benjamin R. Jones, Harrisonville Washington Co. Me.

State of Maine } ss. County of Washington
On this Fourth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and Forty nine, personally appeared before the subscriber, one of the Justices of the peace in and for the county of Washington, Lydia Cook, a resident of Marion, in the county of Washington aforesaid, aged seventy five years, and being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the acts of Congress passed on the third day of March, Eighteen hundred and Forty three, the seventeenth day of June, eighteen hundred and Forty four, and the second day of February Eighteen hundred and Forty eight, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war.
That she is the Widow of John Cook, who was a Sergeant in the Revolutionary War, and that she fully believes that he served during the most of said War, as testified to by Christopher Benner and others, in the Affidavits accompanying her former declaration, which was made in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of July the Seventh, eighteen hundred and thirty eight, under which act she received a pension of one hundred and twenty dollars per Annum, commencing on the fourth day of March eighteen hundred and thirty six. She further declares that she is still a Widow. She further declares that she received one hundred and twenty dollars per annum under the Act of July 7 th 1838, for Five years , and surrendered her pension certificate at the time of receiving her last payment.
Lydia her R. Cook mark
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year above written, before Witness to Lydia Cook's Signing Stephen H. Lewis
Benjamin R. Jones.
Justice of the Peace
I certify, that the above named affiant is personally known to me, and that she is the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing Affidavit.
Benjamin R. Jones
Justice of the Peace

State of Maine.
County of Washington ss.
On this Twenty fourth day of April A. D. 1855 personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, Lydia Cook a resident of Marion in said County and State, aged 82 years, who being duly sworn, doth on oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain Bounty Land, under the Act of Congress passed March, 3d, A. D. 1855.
And your declarant further states that she is the widow of John Cook late of Pembroke in the State of Maine that her said husband John Cook was a Soldier of the Revolution, and served as a Sergeant in said war on con- tinental establishment, and was honorable discharge after the revolution war. He resided in Plantation No 2 - now called the Town of Pembroke where he died on the tenth day of December or thereabouts, 1811. but never received a Pension

YOUR DECLARANT FURTHER STATES, that she was married to the said John Cook in on the the fall Whilings of the year of A. D. 1793, at Plantation No 12 now in said State, and that her name before marriage was Lydia Garnett .
And your declarant further states, that after the passage of the Act of Congress of Febz. 2 d 1818 she made application for a Pension, on which application a pension was granted her at the rate of One hundred & twenty dollars per annum, as will appear by her Pension Certificate, dated Twenty fourth day of September A. D. 1849 No. 5,105.
For proof of marriage, her husband's service in the Revolutionary War, and his death, and of your declarant's identity, she refers to her declaration and proof for a Pension, now on file in the Department of the Interior, at Washington.
She therefore claims Bounty Land under the act aforesaid, and states that she is still a widow.
And for the purpose of this application, I hereby appoint Z. K. Warren of Portland my true and lawful Attorney in the premises.
Attest,
Aaron Hobart Henry Garnett
her Lydia X Cook Mark
Sworn to and subscribed, before me, the day and year first above written, and in my presence acknowledged
the Power of Attorney thereto subjoined, for the purposes above mentioned. And I hereby certify that I believe
the said Lydia Cook is the identical  her to be the person who performed
the military service aforesaid, and to be of the age above stated. son she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim
Aaron Hobart Justice of the Peace.

We Henry Gornett and Eliza Ann Jones both residents of Union in the Coun- ty of Washington & State of Maine, on oath dispose and say that we are personally acquainted with Mrs. Lydia Cook of this town. She is the widow of John Cook de- ceased and is a Revolutionary Pensioner of the the United States, and the identical person she repre- sents herself to be in her declara- tion for Bounty Land, which Declaration she has signed & acknowledged this day in our presence. We have no interest whatever in the claim that the said Lydia Cook may have to Bounty Land.
Henry Gornett Eliza Ann Jones
Washington ss: April 24 th 1855. Then personally appeared the above named Henry Gornett and Eliza Ann Jones who are persons of truth & integrity, and made oath to the truth of the forego- ing affidavit by them signed. Before me. Aaron Hobart Justice of the Peace

I Theodore Lincoln of Dennysville in the County of Washington and State of Maine aged Seventy Six years, do depose and say, That John Cook came to this place from Hington (Massachusetts) about the year seventeen hundred and ninety and made his home in that part of the Township then settled by Daniel Garnett and others from Hington vicinity; that two or three years afterwards I understood that he was married to a daughter of said Garnett, that he died about the year eighteen hundred and twelve in the same neighborhood which is about five miles from my place of Residence and was then a part of the Town of Dennysville but has since been set off by the name of Pembroke.
That his widow & some of his children were afterwards supported in whole or in part by the Towns of Dennysville & Pembroke as paupers for several years, that his widow now lives in Marion about six miles from this place.
I have known something of her situation from the time of her husband's death to the present time and have never heard of her having been since married but have always known her as the widow of John Cook.
I knew John Cook for many years, have frequently employed him as a Labourer, and have always supposed him from general reports and from his own conversation to have served in the Army of the Revolution during the most of the war. I have never heard his services doubted or disputed.
I further testify that I was perfectly personally acquainted with the late Lemuel Prescott Esq r (who was a Major in the Revolutionary war, and Collector of the Port of Pappanaguaddy during the late war with Great Britain) am well acquainted with his handwriting, and with the fact that he resided in the year 1793, on that branch of the Pappanaguaddy bay then called Orange town (now Whiting) I have examined a paper herunto annexed, purporting to be a certificate of the marriage of John Cook and Lydia Garnett, dated April 15 th 1793 and signed by him, and I have no doubt, that the same was wholly written and signed by the said Lemuel Prescott, and that he was then a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned. I further testify that Christopher Benner, Christopher now a Revolutionary pensioner came to Pappanaguaddy with me in 1786, and has resided in the same town ever since. I had laboured for me many years, I always understood that he was an old revolutionary comrade of John Cook, and believe that his testimony with regard to Cook's Revolutionary services is worthy of credit.
Theodore Lincoln
State of Maine
Washington County ss. I hereby certify that, on the 21 st day of February, A. D. 1840. Before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Washington, personally appeared the Honorable Theodore Lincoln above named, and a credible witness, and made oath in due form of law, to the truth of the above deposition, by him subscribed in my presence.
Benjamin R. Lemen, Justice of the Peace
Feb 26

I Hannah Garnett of Marion in the County of Washington and State of Maine, on oath upon and say, that the paper herunto annexed purporting to be a certificate of the marriage of John Cook and Lydia Garnett signed by Lemuel Prescott, was given to me by the said Lydia, with the and has been in my possession more than twenty five years, John Cook was my Uncle, I can well remember when he came home from the Army at the close of the Revolutionary War, I am now in my sixty fifth year, I knew said John and Lydia living together as husband and wife forty six years ago, I have known the said Lydia ever since the death of her husband which was twenty eight years ago last December, and do know that she has remained unmarried , and is now the widow of my Uncle John Cook. Lydia Cook has lived with me about five years and six months since she has been a widow, and now lives with me.
Witness D C MacLachlan
her Hannah X Garnett mark
State of Maine.
Washington County ss. I hereby certify that on the 26 th day of February A.D. 1848 Personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for said County, Hannah Garnett above named, a credible witness, and made oath in due form of law, to the truth of the above deposition, by her subscribed in my presence.
Benjamin A. Jones, Justice of the Peace.

This may certify that I have this day legally & lawfully performed the rites of marriage between John Cook and Lydia Gannett & that they are legally & lawfully married Leon Prescott Justice Peace
Adrian Favon April 18 th 1799

166
Coacres

State of Maine } Washington County } ss.
On this eighteenth day of February A.D. 1840 personally appeared before the Hon. L. C. Tabbet Judge of Probate in the County of Washington aforesaid Lydia Cook, a resident of Marion in said County aged sixty four years who being 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 July 7 th 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows." That she is widow of John Cook late of Township Number two (since called Dennyville and Pembroke) in said County, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and the same person whose service is proved by the deposition of Christopher Benner dated the 24 th day of February 1840.
She further declares that she was married to the said John Cook on the eighteenth day of April in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and ninety three, that her husband the said John Cook died in the year eighteen hundred and twelve; 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 at the time above stated & that she has not been married since the decease of the said John Cook.
Her Lydia X Cook mark
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year first aforesaid
Before me
L. C. Tabbet Judge of Probate

I Christopher Benner of Pennysville in the County of Washington State of Maine, a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, aged eighty four years on oath depose and say - That I resided in Abington in the State of Massachusetts from the time I was eight years of age until May 1786 - Since which time I have resided in Passamaquoddy I was well acquainted with John Cook from my first residence in Abington until Cook's Death.
I knew Cook as a soldier at Roxbury in the year 1775 we both served in Colonel Baileys Regiment (2) Cook belonged to Captain Hamiltons Company - at the close of the 8 months service we both enlisted for one year, at Roxbury under the same officers. We marched from Roxbury to Providence and thence to New London and there we took water passage to New York. at the close of the year's service John Cook enlisted for "during the War", I went home for a few weeks, and soon afterwards I enlisted for nine months and joined the same Regiment (Colonel Baileys) at West Point. I found John Cook there and served in the same Regiment with him, during the whole term of my enlistment. In 1777 I enlisted in a Militia regiment at Weymouth Massachusetts, in Captain Wildes Company and marched to Stillwater near Saratoga; I saw John Cook in the army there; Cook was in the Battle of the 7th of October, 1777; the company I belonged to was stationed at an alarm post, I saw John Cook march to the battle ground and I saw him the day after the Battle - at this time Colonel Sprout had the command of the 2 d Regiment - formerly commanded by Col. Bailey.
After the Surrender of Burgoyne I served two terms of nine months each, during both of which terms John Cook belonged to the same Brigade and we frequently saw each other; we were very intimate; Cook was always called a first rate soldier.
In 1780 I enlisted for three years - and was stationed at West Point. John Cook was at the same place part of the time; he was detached at West Point to serve under the Marquis La Fayette and was as much as nine months under his command, off about Virginia, and was at the taking of Cornwallis.
I saw John Cook discharged near West Point, with the other During war soldiers, I had to stay longer as my three years were not out.
John Cook always acted as Sergeant after he enlisted for during the war, he was Quarter master sergeant while he was with the Marquis' men.
John Cook returned to Abington at the close of the War, and as I understood served several years as a Guard on Castle Island in Boston Harbour, he came to Passamaquoddy about the year 1790 where he resided until his death; the most of the time he lived within half a mile of my house. John Cook was said to be married to Lydia Gannett about 3 years after he came here, he went in a boat to Orange town with his girl, and two of my neighbours who are since dead; and, as I understood at the time, was married by Major Prescott; as there was then no person authorized to marry living nearer - I never heard any doubt of their marriage from any one, they lived together as husband and wife till Cook's death, which took place about the year 1812 - his widow lives in Marion.
I cannot recollect with certainty the name of the Captain of the company to which Cook properly belonged. Cook was frequently detached & I have seen him in service under many Captains. I think he belonged to Captain Dews company, or Captain Bradford's, During the War.
Witness John Farley
his Christopher X Benner mark
State of Maine
Washington County ss. Pennysville Feb y 24 th 1840. Then personally appeared the abovenamed Christopher Benner and made solemn oath that the above deposition, distinctly read in his presence and by him subscribed, is true before me.
Benjamin R. Jones
Justice of the Peace

I, Ebenezer C. Wilder of Pennysville in the County of Washington and State of Maine Aged Sixty eight years, on oath depose and say, That I came to this place, (then called by the general name of Passamaquoddy) with my Father's family, in the year 1786 previous to which I had always resided in Hingham Massachusetts.
I knew John Cook during the Revolutionary War, have seen him on Furlough, his parents and brother lived in Hingham, John Cook was brought up in the adjoining town of Hington, I commonly heard him called Serjeant Cook, my Father Theophilus Wilder commanded a Company of Militia during the war, and was at Saratoga at the capture of Burgoyne John Cook came to Passamaquoddy about the year 1790. I knew him well from that time till his death , which took place about the year 1812. Cook lived within two or three miles of my Father's residence. I have frequently heard Cook talking with my Father, and others, about the events of the War, and have often heard my Father and others speak of Cook's activity and good soldiery, and I have never had a doubt myself, or heard a doubt expressed by any one, that John Cook was a Soldier in actual service during most of the war; there were several old Soldiers and others, from Hington, in this neighborhood, prior to John Cook's death, who frequently mentioned his services in the Revolutionary War, but there is no one now alive of sufficient age to give positive evidence of his services except Christopher Bennet. I heard of John Cook's marriage to Lydia Garnett, and saw them often together as husband & wife till his death; never heard their marriage doubted. I have known the Widow most of the time since Cook's death, she received assistance from this Town and Pembroke several years; at present she resides with Widow Lydia Garnett in Marion, six miles from this place, and subsists, in part, by private charity; I have always known her, since John Cook's death, as his Widow; and have never heard of her marriage to any other person -
Ebenezer C. Wilder
State of Maine
Washington County ss. I hereby certify that on the 27 th day of February A.D. 1840 Before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Ebenezer C. Wilder Esquire above named, a credible witness and made oath, in due form of law, to the truth of the above deposition, by him subscribed in my presence.
Benjamin R. Jones, Justice of the Peace
State of Maine
I Albert G. Lane Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Washington in said State of Maine do hereby certify that the foregoing contains all the proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Lydia Cook for a pension. — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day & year first-aforsaid. Albert G. Lane

Benjamin R. Jones
State of Maine
Washington County ss. I Albert Pillsbury Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the County & State afore- -said, do hereby certify that Benjamin R. Jones is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 26th day of May A.D. 1849 and will expire on the 26th day of May A.D. 1856, and that his signature above written is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said County this 4th day of June A.D. 1849.
Albert Pillsbury Clerk

Widow box Dated
18 Dumfries N.E. 2 April 20 Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Dennysville April 19 th 1849 Washington County Maine
Honorable J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir.
I have observed in several late Newspapers, short Abstracts of the Pension Act, passed the last session of Congress; and in others, the brief notice that "All widows of Revolutionary soldiers are now entitled to a pension," as I cannot procure a copy of the last Document containing the last pension act, in this district which is said to contain "many technical regulations" and have had no occasion for any new Pension law since 1840, I am at a loss how to answer those widows who enquire of me, whether they are entitled to a pension by the late Laws or not -
Under these circumstances, I hope you will excuse the liberty I take in requesting you to send me the Document containing the last Pension Act , by mail; which I have no doubt, will enable me to answer many applications, without troubling you further.
I have now before me your Printed circular of March 9 th , 48 containing the Act of Feb y 2 1848, which I saw, for the first time, this morning. As this Act refers to several acts, which are not within my reach, I cannot determine, whether it makes the Widow Cook a pensioner or not, and beg leave to state the facts in her case, to you, & ask your directions - Sergeant John Cook served during, nearly or quite, during the whole Revolutionary War, he was married to Lydia Gannett in 1793 proved by Original Magistrate's Certificate, he died in 1812 - before any Pension Act was passed, all required was satisfactorily proved, to the Dept.
"Lydia Cook, the widow of John Cook, who was a Sergeant in the Revolution," received through my hands, a Certificate from the War department, entitling her to receive "(in conformity with the Act of July 7 th 1838)" $120 per annum, for five years, if she lived so long a widow. The Five year pension was all duly paid through my hands, & the certificate surrendered at the receipt of the last payment; Mrs Cook is still alive, & John Cook's widow, Sick & poor but not yet a pauper. will you have the goodness to inform me if you consider her case embraced in the Act of Feb y 2 d 1848, or if she is excluded by any "Conditions."

"Conditions" referred to in the Acts which I have not seen —
There are several Widows of Soldiers of the War of 1812 who are told the by their neighbors, that they are entitled to Pensions by the last Act. They will be much benefited by having their anxiety allayed, whether favorably or not, by the examination of the document.
I am, Sir, with gratitude for favors
Very Respectfully,
Your most obedient Servant
Benjamin R. Jones
Widow Cook's certificate for $400 pension is N o 5248 Dated 6 th April 1840, I kept a copy,

Honorable J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.

Dennysville, Maine, March 9 th 1840
Honorable J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I enclose the Declaration of the Widow of John Cook, together with such evidences as could be procured in this country of the services of the said Cook, his marriage with the applicant and her subsequent & continued widowhood, and hope they will prove satisfactory.
To account for the absence of Record evidence it may be proper to state the fact, that previous to the year 1798 there was no incorporated Town between Machias and the Northeastern boundary of the United States, nor any Record of births marriages or deaths kept by any Town, except Eastport, until after Cook's death. The magistrate who solemnised their marriage died as much as fifteen years ago, leaving no child, and his executor died two or three years ago. I have not been able to find his old books, and have some doubts of his having preserved the Record of his doings as a Magistrate at that early date, as there were then very few inhabitants in his neighbourhood and it is not probable that he acted in that capacity five times in a year.
I have requested the Hon. Joshua D. Lowell Member of Congress from this District, to call at your office and state the credibility of some of the evidences, who are personally known to him, his residence since he has been in Maine, being about thirty miles from this place, it is not probable he knows any thing of the applicant.
The persons who went with Cook and his bride to the magistrate were both well known to me, and have been dead more than ten years.
Should you think evidence of any other facts can be procured by me, or that further confirmation of the general opinion of Cook's services, or of the Magistrate's hand writing are necessary, I will attend to any suggestion with promptness.
I am most respectfully
Your most Obedient Servant
Benjamin R. Jones

Certificate  for  B.R. Jones
25¢

Benjamin R. Jones
State of Maine
Washington County ss.
I Aaron L. Raymond, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held within the County, and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Benjamin R. Jones, of Dennysville in said County Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace and Quorum , in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, that his Commission was dated on the twenty fifth day of March A.D. 1835, and will expire on the twenty fifth day of March A.D. 1842, and that his signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have affixed the seal of the District Court, for the Eastern District, and subscribed my name this twenty eighth day of February in the Year of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and forty.
A. L. Raymond Clerk as aforesaid

Benj R. Jones March 9th 1840
Cook
Relative to Mrs Cook's claim for a Pension.
Mar. R. 1840
Springville Me. March 10
Honable Joshua A. Lowell
Member of Congress
Washington City
D.C.

Dennysville March 9 th 1870-
Hon ble Joshua A. Lowell
Dear Sir
Widow Cook, now living in Marion, among the Gannetts, is certainly entitled to 5 years pensions by the Law of Congress passed in 1838 her husband John Cook did serve, very actively and faithfully, during the whole war and she was married to him by the late Major Prescott, at a place then called by him, Orangetown on the 18 th of April 1793, of all this and has never been married since, of all this I am as certain as I am that Major General Benjamin Lincoln, purchased the present towns of Dennysville and Pemaquid & Penobscot from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by that his son the present Judge Lincoln came here, with others from Hingham & Abington, and settled the said lands in 1786 -
But - John Cook died in 1812 before the first pension act - and there is but one person now living who personally knew of his services - Cook died a miserable inebriate, having a few years before, sold his discharge to a speculator for a trifle - his wife now 64 years old is as ignorant of every thing, out of the immediate line of eating drinking and working, as a vegetable, she applied more than a year ago to Mr Granger but as she could find no evidence of her husband's service and Mr Granger knew not where to look for it, it remained in statu quo till last summer
I called on Oldner an old pensioner and found that he had been a comrade of Cook during most of the war, I then wrote to the Commissioner of Pensions, stating what Oldner would testify, after receiving an answer of making some further statements from Oldner, I was informed by the Commissioner that Cook's name was found on the Rolls of the War department, I have now to prove the marriage, within the time, and the negative of any subsequent marriage by "Record evidence if possible if not by the best evidence the nature of the case will admit"
I have sent this day the Original certificate of the marriage to written on a piece of paper which was evidently torn from a sheet partly written on before , written and signed by Lemuel Prescott, dated as above, attached to this is a certificate deposition of Hannah Gannett who testifies "that paper was given to her by the widow soon after her husband's death and has been in her possession more than 25 years; and also the deposition of Theodore Lincoln who testifying to his knowledge of Cook, his reputation as a soldier &c and "that he was personally acquainted with Major Prescott, knew his handwriting well, has no doubt of the genuineness of the paper &c, always has known the widow, as a town pauper, as living on private charity &c, has never heard of her subsequent marriage &c, this is good evidence enough for us, but I fear they will expect Record evidence. You know, my dear Sir, that Major Prescott is dead, that his principal executor, J. D. Weston, is dead, you also are fully informed, and I know, that in 1793 there was not even a horse path between Machias & the N. E. boundary of the U. S. That the whole eastern part of the County had not one incorporated town, and I know that there was not a Justice of the peace in the U. S. north or East of Machias except Col. John Crane & Major Prescott until 1796 You also know the character of Judge Lincoln and E. C. Wilder Esq., and I cannot doubt that if their characters were as well known to the Commissioner, he would consider the evidence sufficient which will be sent to his office, at the same time with this - After this long story you will readily see that I am about to draw on your benevolence - Will you have the goodness to step into the pension office, and say that you know some of the witnesses in the case of Widow Cook, and offer some explanation if necessary with respect to the names of places and circumstances of the petition about Grady as you understand them to have been 45 years ago -
After stating that the Widow Cook is very poor & very ignorant, and not vicious, I know not how to apologise for the trouble I give you on her account, but shall venture without waiting for your answer to refer Mr Edwards to you, and inform him that I have requested you to see him I think the evidence sent to day is sufficient to procure a certificate for Mrs Cook, but it is of such a nature as to depend much on the character of those who make the statements, and that a few words from you will be of great importance, and I think I can say with Young Normal
"There's something in my breast that makes me bold"
"To say, that (thou) I shall never shame your favor"
Respectfully & truly
Yours At Service
J. B. R. Jones
Mr Wilder has testified to Cook's general reputation as a sergeant during most of the war, & negatively, to his widow's remaining unmarried

Honorable J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Dennysville Washington Co. Maine June 6 th 1849
Honorable J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I herewith enclose the Declaration of the Widow Lydia Cook, in order to obtain for her, the benefits of the several acts of Congress "for the benefit of certain widows" which have first come to her knowledge, through the documents which you were kind enough to send me a few weeks since, it is hoped the declaration is made as nearly according "to the form enclosed (to me) directs" as will be required; as that Sergeant Cook Died in 1812 he was not a Pensioner; the declarant was married to him in 1793, with not more than two or three years previous acquaintance, she cannot from personal knowledge, testify to his Revolutionary service, I therefore took the liberty to advise that the widow should declare what she knew to be true , and refer to the evidence by which she received her five years pension certificate in April 1840, Mr Benner, Cooks comrade, is the only evidence of the details of his revolutionary service, died several years ago; I have an original Deposition of Benner, taken a few days before Mrs Cook made her first declaration in 1840, which is, I presume, essentially the same, as that which was attached to her Declaration, duly authenticated, which I will enclose to you, if required. If other papers or evidence is required from Mrs Cook or myself, which can be procured under the circumstances of her case, I will do any thing in my power consistent with truth & duty, that you shall direct.
If the declaration is correct; I hope you excuse the trouble my (perhaps unnecessary) remarks have given you, and send me such papers as will enable Mrs Cook to procure the arrearage of Pension due last March, and secure a more comfortable living for the probably short period she may yet live, with a gratefully sense of past attentions, and much Respect, I am, Sir,
Your most obedient servant
Benjamin R Jones

rep'd.
July 26/49
Lydia Cook.
5105-48, Market St.
Honorable J. L. Church
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.

Dennysville } July 19 th 1849 Washington Co. Maine
Honorable J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
About the 20 th of April last, I took the liberty to apply by letter to your office in behalf of the widow Lydia Cook, who had, in the year 1840, Cook in the  the  war (by producing satisfactory evidence of the services of Sergeant John Cook in the revolutionary war, her marriage to him in 1793, his death in 1812, and her present widowhood) obtained a Certificate from the War department entitling her to a pension $120 per annum, for five years, commencing on the 4 th of March 1836. (in conformity with the Act of July 7 th 1833.) which pension was fully paid to her, and her certificate surrendered; the Certificate was N o 5248 dated 6 th of April 1840.
You kindly & promptly answered my letter, enclosing a blank form of a certificate Declaration, which would be necessary for her to make before she can be placed on the roll. I also received from your office a Copy of the Document containing all Pension Law now in force (which I had never seen before, for which I feel highly grateful)
About the 6 th of June ult o . M rs Cook made her Declaration before me, the blanks were filled by me in her presence, in such a manner as I supposed the law to require, in her case; which declaration was immediately enclosed by me to your address and put in United States Mail; with a request that if the papers were not satisfactory, I might be informed, & I would endeavor that the documents as far as they are now attainable by her, should be forwarded. -
Having received no notice of the receipt of M rs Cook declaration & application I have some apprehension that it has been mislaid or mislaid, and therefore beg the favor of an answer as soon as convenient; that I may relieve the anxiety of the widow, and be informed what other acts, of hers or mine, are necessary to perform, if any; that she may be enabled to receive the continuation of her pension, or arrearages of pensions & now due
I am very respectfully, Your Obedient Servant Benjamin R. Jones

Dennysville, Washington County, Me. September 10. 1849
To the Honorable - Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Sir, Having seen in the public papers, last Spring short Abstracts of a Document which had been published in February last, stating that, "All surviving Widows of Revolutionary Soldiers are now entitled to a pension for life" I wrote to your Office requesting information in the case of Mrs Lydia Cook, for whom I had obtained a pension certificate, (Dated 6 th April 1840. N o 5248) entitling her to a five years pension at 125 $ per annum, Under the act of July 7 th 1838 which pension was all duly paid to her, & her certificate surrendered, at the last term of Payment. In due course of Mail I received an answer of which the following is a copy - "Pension Office April 28 th 1849" In answer to your letter respecting the case of Mrs Lydia Cook, widow of John Cook, I have to inform you that, if living, she is entitled "to a continuation of Pension under the Acts of March 3 rd 1843; 17 th June 1844 and 2 nd February 1848, but before "she can be placed on the Roll, she must make a declaration as the enclosed form directs"
Signed, J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions"
The "enclosed form" was a printed sheet, containing the Act of March 3 rd 1843 and a printed blank form of the declaration prescribed under that Act, with the words and figures "17 th June 1844, & 2 nd Feb. 1848" interlined with a pen, after "3 rd March, 1843" in the 6 th line from the bottom. I visited Mrs Cook, as soon as I was properly authorized to Authenticate her papers, and took her declaration according to the directions (as I understood them) and enclosed it, with the certificate of the Clerk of our Court, by Mail to your Office, about the 6 th of June last; as I have received no notice that Mrs Cook's declaration has been received, I am led to fear that my communication has failed to reach the pension Office, or that I have so far mistaken the instructions of the Department, that her declaration cannot be attended to; - in the latter case, I hope it will be received as some apology, that, there was no other widows within my knowledge, who received a pension under the act of July 7 th 1838 under similar circumstances, her husband died in 1812 consequently was not a Pensioner, no other vicinity widow in this I was lived to claim the benefit of the Act of March 3 rd 1843, - and in all my enquiries respecting that Act which I have seen informed that it did not include Mrs Cook's case, and the first copy of that act of March 3 rd 1843, was that which I received from your Office dated 28 th April 1849, above alluded to -
I dare not trespass longer on your patience with explanations, which perhaps are not necessary, and will by your department only respectfully beg the favor of a short answer, that I may be able to allay the anxiety of the widow, and take such measures as are required to obtain such pension as she is entitled to by law, or assist in procuring making such other provision for her, & her children as the State allows, as she is now without sufficient resources to support herself in her present state of health - I am, with due respect & consideration
Your most obedient Servant Benjamin R. Jones

Sydney Cook Lord of Johns
Me
Ad July 7 1838
Mammal 1793
due 1872
Allow. $120 per ann
Superior Dy. Mass
time. ba. Baily
Cap Drew
Hon J. A. Lowell
HR.

M c Leods, bap d Febr 9. 77. rec d Apr 29. 78
bap d 79
Suzannah. Apr 17 80
Col Parly. bap d  Stew

John Cook a 1817
Sydia m 1793
Chris Berra m
1775 8 Hamilton Co.
1776 12
1777 Hugh Milian
sub 21 st g m. ca
1780 — Cook a W.P. 1000 Seng. of Abbeyston

McCook coar At Hunt, Rose 4/16/77 dis 1/16/86 a. Capt. Feb 1977 Mar - mid 29 Apr '78 - prom Capt '79. Sergeant 1 Apr 1980 Bailey Drive
McCook Pillsbury 3rd Mgt - 18 Mar '77 dis 28 Mar.

Rep
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 22,829
Lydia Cook Wid of John Cook Sergt Rev War
Act: Feb 2nd 1828
Index:—Vol. A , Page 451
[Arrangement of 1870.]

8652. Maine
Sydia Cook widow of John Cook who was a Sergeant in the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 120 ~ Dollars ~ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th ~ day of September 49 and sent to
Benjamin R Jones Dennysville Washington Co. Maine
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A, Vol. 2 ~ Page 10.

Set 4 B.R. June April 28. 1849
Maine 5248
Sydia Cook widow of John Cook, dec d
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 1812 of Washington in the State of Maine who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Drew of the reg t commanded by Col. Bailey in the Mass t . line for 2 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 126 Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of April 1840, to Senator Hon. J. H. Love House of Rep s .
Arrears to the 4th of March 1840, $480.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept r 40 60.00
$540.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by S. M. Burdy, Clerk. Book A, Vol. 1, Page 5.

128629
Claim of Sydia Cook
To Bounty Land.
Act of March 3, 1855.
WAR OF the Revolution
Z. H. Harmon
PORTLAND,
Maine.

State of Maine.
CUMBERLAND, ss.
Clerk's Office, Supreme Judicial Court,
PORTLAND, May 7th 185 21
I, OBADIAH G. COOK,
Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court,
for said County of Cumberland, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that
Naron Hobart Esq.
is, and at the date of his Certificate to the paper hereto annexed was, an
ACTING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE,
within and for _____ the County of Washington as appears by the paper hereto annexed; that he is DULY COMMISSIONED and qualified to administer Oaths and take Acknowledgments of Deeds and other instruments in writing, in the County aforesaid,—and that the following Signature purporting to be his are GENUINE.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Supreme Judicial Court, for said State, the day and year first above written.
O. G. Cook CLERK.

Certif d Kinship: Deleg Cook,
My Cook
Oct. 22 d 1823.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth. Probate office for the said County of Plymouth September 2. 1823.
This certifies that satisfactory evidence has been produced to me that Pileg Cook of Pembroke in the County of Plymouth aforesaid is an lawful heir at law of John Cook late of said Pembroke deceased a Soldier in Revolutionary war of the United States of America. — Witness my hand and seal of office the day and year above written. —
Wilkes Wood J. Probate

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Cook, John GRADE Private LINE Delaware
WARRANT NUMBER 10730 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Date not shown — To — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Cook, John GRADE Private LINE Delaware
WARRANT NUMBER 10734 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED September 2, 1789 to - not shown -
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.