Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6,694, Samuel Cluff, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Cluff, Samuel Abigail
NUMBER
W.6694
B.L.Wt. 40935-160-55
CONTENTS
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Blk. ss.
State of Maine.
Clerks Office Supreme Judicial Court Alfred. December 3. 1836.
I W. C. Pitre Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court within and for said County of York. do hereby certify that
Hon Daniel Gaudenau.
before whom the following declaration of Abigail Cluff. was made is now and was on the day of the date of said declaration a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court: within and for said State duly Commissioned and qualified to act as such: and that the following signature, purporting to be his, is genuine. And I further certify that the following, contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abigail Cluff for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have thereunto set my hand and seal of Office the day and year first above written.
W. C. Pitre. Clerk.

Yorks ss.
State of Maine.
Town Clerks Office Alfred
November 1. 1856.
I Edward Chase hereby certify that I hold the office of Clerk of the town of Alfred, in the County and State aforesaid, and am the keeper of the Registry of Marriages of said town, and that it appears by the registry thereof that Samuel Cluff and Abigail Noble were married November 30, 1820.
The record of which is in the words and figures following viz:
   Date of Marriage Names of the persons Married Residence By whom Married     November 30-1820 Samuel Cluff and Abigail Noble Alfred By Elder Henry Smith  
State of Maine } November 1st. A.D. 1856 County of York ss. } Then personally appeared the above named Edward Chase to me known to be the person who subscribed the foregoing certificate and made oath to the truth of the same, and I certify that he is Town Clerk of the town of Alfred in said County duly elected and qualified and that he has in his possession the Records of said town and that due credit is to be given to his acts as Town Clerk as aforesaid — Before me. John Shaw Jr. Justice of the Peace,

State of Maine } York County } ss On this second day of December 1856 personally appeared before Daniel Goodwin, a Justice of the Supreme Judi- cial Court of said State of Maine, being a Court of Record
Abigail Cluff a resident of the Town of Parsonsfield in said County of York aged eighty nine years who being first sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Acts of Congress of June 7 th 1832, of July 4 th 1836, & of the 3 rd of February 1853, and any & all other Acts of Congress on the same subject granting pensions to widows of persons who served the United States in the Revolutionary War — That she said Abigail is the widow of Samuel Cluff late of Alfred in said County of York deceased who was a Corporal in Captain Joshua Bragdon's Company in Col. James Seamus's Regiment of Massachusetts Militia in the United States Service in the Revolu- tionary War and served therein eight months as appears in the Roll of said Company in the Secretary's office of said State of Massachusetts dated Nov. 4 th 1775 for which service of said Samuel Cluff the said Abigail as his widow has received a land warrant N o 40,935 dated the 13 th of Sept. 1856 but she has not received any pension nor did Samuel Cluff receive any to her knowledge: That said Samuel Cluff when he entered into & performed the services aforesaid was a resident of Sanford in said County which Town then embraced the Territory which has since become the Town of Alfred. And the said Abigail Cluff further declares that she by the name of Abigail Noble at said Alfred on the 30 th day of November 1820 was married by Elder Henry Smith to said Samuel Cluff with whom she lived as his wife till his death on or about the 28 th day of May 1828: That she still remains his widow, not having since been married. That she was not married to him prior to the second of January, eighteen hundred, but at the time above stated.
Witnesses M r W. Whitten Hiram Billings
Abigail her mark Noble Cluff
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before Daniel Goodwin. Jus. S.J. Court of State of Maine

On this second day of December Eighteen hundred and fifty six, the said Abigail Cluff was sworn to make a true declaration as before stated and subscri- bed the same in my presence, and I knew her to be the widow of said Samuel Cluff deceased as she represents herself to be, and that the witnesses William W. Whitten and Hinam Billings are credible witnesses residing in said town of Parsons field, and that they have this day made oath before me, that they have no interest in this ap- plication for a pension, but are wholly disinterested; and they subscribed their names as witnesses in my presence, and in presence of said Abigail Cluff, that the name of Abble was first written by me, and erased, and the name of "Cluff" written against the mark of the said Abigail. And I further certify that the said Abigail Cluff by reason of her age and bodily infirmity is unable to attend court. No. of her land Daniel Goodwin Justice of the Warrant is 40935. Supreme Judicial Court of the State of Maine.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, Oct. 2 nd 1856.
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 Samuel Cluff is borne on return of Capt. Joshua Braydon's Comp. Col. James Scammon's Regt. of 8 mos. service — Name borne on Coat Roll — dated Nov. 4 th 1778, as Corporal, from Sanford.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Francis D. Witt
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Paromfied, Me, Sept 23 d 1856
To the Secretary of State Commonwealth of Massachusetts Sir
In order to find one dollar for which you will please to examine the books and documents relating to Military services in the war of the Revolution in your department & make out under the seal of the Commonwealth duly attested a certificate stating the military services as full & complete as possible of Samuel Cluff of Sanford Corp in Capt Joshua Bragdon's company Col James Scamman's Reg't.
I have some reason to believe that Capt. Bragdon's company might have been broken up & the men transferred to other companies towards the close of the year 1775 - you will please examine so far as to ascertain if this be the case and if so embrace the additional service in your certificate.

You will please to state as explicitly as possible the time of Bluff's entering & leaving the service.
You will please to forward the certificate to me by mail.
With much respect,
I am &c.
Gilman L. Brannan
Francis D. Mitchell
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

State of Maine.
YORK, ss.
Clerk's Office, Supreme Judicial Court,
Alfred, November 1
A. D. 18 56 }
I, James O. McIntire,
CLERK OF THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT,
In and for said COUNTY OF YORK, certify that
Dorothy Shaw Dr. Log is an
Acting Justice of the Peace,
within and for
the County of
York
as appears by
the paper hereto annexed,
that he is
DULY QUALIFIED
TO ACT as such; that his Commis-
sion is dated
January 16
A. D. 18 57 and will expire
January 16
A. D. 18 57
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.
James O. McIntire
Clerk.

218.522
Mar 3/55
Oct 11/55
Shore Cluff May Samuel Cluff Carpent
Capt John Bragdon Cpt James Scamar
3 May 1775
Rev. War Private Major Miles
Ad. 16 Dec 18 Sept 10/56 Dodge
Rufus M c Intire Parsonsfield Kee
Vol. C=1=156

6.0000 125 Albaine,
Abigail Cluff widow of Samuel Cluff Maj, who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Corporal.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 28. dollars 66. cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 19 th day of Dec r 1856. and sent to
Daniel Goodnow Alfred Albaine
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 112 Vol. 26.

State of Maine.
YORK, ss.
Clerk's Office, Supreme Judicial Court,
Alfred, October 10
A. D. 18 52
I, James O. McIntire,
CLERK OF THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT,
In and for said COUNTY OF YORK, certify that
Gilman S. Bennett. Isaac Merrill. & Silver Dake are
Acting Justices of the Peace,
within and for the County of York as appears by the paper hereto annexed; that they are DULY QUALIFIED TO ACT as such; that his COMMISSION is dated May 8th A. D. 1849 and will expire
May 8th A. D. 1850.
That said Merrill's commission is dated June 12th A.D. 1849 and will expire June 12th A.D. 1850 and that said Dake's commission is dated November 10th A.D. 1857 and will expire November 10th A.D. 1858
and that the following SIGNATURES purporting to be theirs are 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.
James O. McIntire Clerk.

Town Clerks Office Alfred Nov. 10. 1853
State of Maine York ss
I Augustus O. Clarke hereby certify that I am Clerk of said Town of Alfred and as such have in my keeping and under my charge the Records of said Town, and that upon the first Book of said Records is the following entry under "Record of Marriages" "Samuel Cluff } Alfred - By Elder Henry Smith and Abigail Noble } Nov 30. 1820
Attest
The above is a true Copy of Record
Attest
Aug. O. Clarke Town Clerk
York ss. Nov: 10. 1853. Personally appeared Augustus O. Clarke Town Clerk of Alfred & made oath, that the foregoing, is a true copy of the original record -
Before me, Isaac Merrill, Jus. of the Peace

I John Emerson, resident of Alfred in the county of York and State of Maine: having been duly sworn, depose and say that I am sixty six years of age - that I well knew Samuel Cluff of Alfred aforesaid, and his wife Abigail Cluff during the life time of the said Samuel - that the said Samuel Cluff died about May 1827 - that he was reputed to have been a soldier of the Revolution - I have frequently heard him relate his Revolutionary services - that the towns of Alfred and Sanford, prior to 1808 constituted one town by the name of Sanford, and that no person of the name of Samuel Cluff has ever resided in Alfred or Sanford, other than the one referred to, who was of sufficient age to have been a soldier on the war of the Revolution or who was reputed to be such. That I am disinterested.
John Emerson
Witness Almus Dake
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this tenth day of October A.D. 1855 and I certify that the said John Emerson is a credible & respectable citizen.
Almus Dake
Justice of the Peace.
I hereby certify that I am not in any way interested in the result of this claim or employed in its prosecution.
Oct 10 1855
Almus Dake

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, May 14 th 1855.
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 Samuel Cluff is borne on return of Capt. Joshua Bragdon's Comp. Col. James Scammon's Regt. P Mts Service in 1775. Name borne on Enlistment dated Nov. 1. 1775, as Corporal, from Sanford. Samuel Cluff enlisted May 3. 1775, as Corporal, from Sanford in Capt. Bragdon's Comp. I can show no date of his discharge.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

State of Maine.
YORK, ss.
Clerk's Office, Supreme Judicial Court,
Alfred,
October 10
A. D. 18
I, James O. McIntire,
CLERK OF THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT,
In and for said COUNTY OF YORK, certify that
Gilmour S. Bennett, Isaac McNeill, & Silver Dake are
Acting Justices of the Peace,
within and for
the County of
York
as appears by
the paper hereto annexed; that they are DULY QUALIFIED TO ACT as such; that his  said Bennett's Commission is dated
May 8th
A. D. 1849 and will expire
May 8th A. D. 1850.
That said McNeill's commission is dated June 12th A.D. 1849 and will expire June 12th A.D. 1850 and that said Dake's commission is dated November 10th A.D. 1857 and will expire November 10th A.D. 1858.
and that the following SIGNATURES purporting to be
Theirs are
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.
James O. McIntire
Clerk.

BOUNTY LAND CLAIM.
FORM OF DECLARATION FOR WIDOW OF A DECEASED OFFICER OR SOLDIER.
State of Maine. County of Yorke } ss.
On this twenty first day of September A. D., one thousand eight hundred and fifty- five personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Abigail Cluff aged Eighty seven years, a resident of Parsonsfield in the State of Maine , who being duly sworn according to law, declares, that she is the widow of Samuel Cluff , deceased, who was a corporal in the company commanded by Captain Joshua Bragdon in the Regiment of commanded by Colonel James Seamon in the war of the Revolution
That her said husband enlisted at Sanford on or about the third day of May A. D., 1875 for the term of eight months and continued in actual service in said war for the term of Six months and was honorably discharged at
on or about the day of November A. D., 18 75 as will appear by the rolls of said Company as appears also by a certificate of the Secretary of State of Maine She further states that she was married to the said Samuel Cluff in Alfred on the thirtieth day of November A. D., 18 28 by one Eldon Henry Smith, a minister and that her name before her said marriage was Abigail Noble that her said husband died at Alfred on the twenty eighth day of May A. D., 18 28 and that she is a widow at the date of executing this her declaration; and having declined a Bounty Land warrant under act of , for which , which she has legally transferred and disposed of
and not within her power to return, she refers to said declaration for evidence of
her husband's services and her marriage, &c.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under act ap- proved March 3d, 1855. She also declares that she has never received nor applied for Bounty Land under this or any other act of Congress, except as above stated.
Abigail  in  Cluff mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written; and I certify that I believe the claimant to be the identical person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in said claim.
W. H. Brunt Justice of the Peace
AFFIDAVIT OF WITNESSES.
STATE OF MAINE. COUNTY OF Yorke } ss.
On this twenty first day of September A. D., one thousand eight hundred and fifty- five personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Simon Hanes and Hannah Hanes residents of the State of Maine and County of Yorke who being duly sworn according to law, declare that they are personally and well acquainted with Mrs. Abigail Cluff who saw her sign her name (or made her mark) to the foregoing declaration, that they know her to be the identical person therein represented and that she is now a widow; and they swear they are disinterested witnesses.
Simon Hanes
Hannah Hanes
Sworn to and subscribed before me this twenty first day of September A. D. 1855; and I certify that the said Simon Hanes and Hannah Hanes are credible and respectable citizens.
W. H. Brunt Justice of the Peace

POWER OF ATTORNEY.
Know all men by these presents, That I, Abigail Colbaff of the County of Worse and State of Maine, and the widow of Samuel Colbaff deceased who was a soldier in the service of the United States do hereby constitute and appoint Rufus McIntire of Parsonfield, Me my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name, to prosecute and receive from the United States the Bounty Land certificate, or warrant, due me by virtue of my deceased husband's service in the United States under existing laws granting Bounty Lands to the officers and soldiers, or their widows and minor heirs, for services rendered in the different wars, and generally to do all lawful acts and things whatsoever touching the premises, an attorney, or attorneys under him, for the purpose aforesaid, to make, and at his pleasure to revoke, hereby confirming all and whatsoever my said attorney shall in my name legally do or cause to be done in and about the premises, as much so as if present myself.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty  first day of September 185 5
Abigail Colbaff
Acknowledged and subscribed before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Worse and State of Maine, IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this twenty first day of September 185 5
W. H. Cummings Justice of the Peace
STATE OF MAINE. COUNTY OF Worse } ss.
I, _____ Clerk of the County Court, in and for the County and State above mentioned, do hereby certify, that _____ whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing declaration, affidavit, and power of attorney, is, and was at the time of signing the same, a _____ in and for the county and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn; that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid County Court is a Court of Record, having general jurisdiction.
GIVEN under my hand and Seal of Office, at _____ this _____ day of _____
A. D., 185 _____
CLERK.
Claim of _____
TO BOUNTY LAND.
Act of March 3, 1855.
War of _____

P 40.935
J Nov 1911

2/8 500
PAID
To the Commission of Consols. Washington D.C.

Chy  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 6694
Abigail Cluff
Wed.
Samuel Cluff
Coupl. Rev War
Act: Feb. 3 d  1853
Index: — Vol. A , Page 115
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 11.588 Abijah Cuff M c q u am, Me
3 Feb 1853

Abigail Cluff Widow of Samuel Maine
adm. 3 Feb 1853 8 mo. Ap. $28 66 2/3
A year from the property of the estate
Letter
Dear Governor Alfred

Brief in the case of Abigail Cluff widow of James of Maine under the Act of Feb 3 1853 -
Her claim for Bounty Land under the Act of March 3 1855 was, on the 10 th of September last, allowed by this office for the service for which she now claims a pension. The evidence in support of which is Record, with which her husband is identified by the testimony of those who knew his reputation of having served, and by the fact that no other man of his name ever lived in the town from which the soldier is shown to have enlisted except her husband,
Record of marriage -
Cohabitation, general reputation of marriage, her husband's death in 1827, her identity as the soldier's widow, and her present widowhood proved by credible witnesses,
Dan Goodnow Esq
Alfred Me
Agent
Thomas D. Plitt Examining Clerk

Alfred, Maine, Dec. 3. 1856
To the Hon. Comt. of Pensions.
Sir,
I have been requested by Widow Abigail Cluff to enclose her application for a Pension to you. It was prepared by Hon. Rufus McIntire, many years a mem- ber of Congress and now Surveyor of the Port at Portland, Maine, & I presume it is substantially correct. I have seen her land Warrant. I know Elder Hovey Smith was duly authorized to solemnize Marriages, at the time of the alleged marriage, and that her husband died about the time alleged in her declaration. She is entirely dependant on others for support, and hopes her case will have your early attention. If you please, you may send her Pension Certi- ficate to me, when granted - very respectfully yours - Daniel Goodwin