Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,952, Gilliam Demerest, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Desmerest, Gilliam Bridget
H 16952
CONTENTS

Set to S. Hames Palm Decr 28 '45
" P.M. Irving Sep. 11. 44
Set C. A. Day, Sept. 2. 1846
Summ Accts. 2. 46.
" Nov. 18, 1846. - (4 years)
New York 3601
Bridget Kemnerest
of William Kemnerest, decd.
who died on the 23 rd December 1811. of New York in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp y . commanded by Captain Romany of the Reg t . commanded by Col l Kely. In the New Jersey line for Trenton & Red Bank
Inscribed on the Roll of New York City at the rate of 25 Dollars 50 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of Sept 1841 and sent Maria Page, Clarkstown N.Y.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1841 $268.27 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar '42. 12.77 $ 281.04
Revolutionary Claim Act July 4, 1836 Section the 8 th
Endorsed by M c Adams Clerk Vol. 1 st Page 112

No 5302.
Mar d Spring of 1782
Husb and 23 Dec 1811
Bridget Demarest
N.Y. Act 4 July, 1836.
m82 - d11 -
adm d Ymo. 20 days.
25. 33/100
Recap. Lemo. at florin in 79 No deduction
David Dye Dist. Clarkstown NY -

State of New York - ss:
Marine Court: In open Court:
On this twenty seventh day of January A. D. Eighteen hundred and forty one, personally appeared before the Judges of said Court, Bridget Demarest, a resident of the City of New York, aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4 th 1836.
That she is the widow of Gilliam Demarest, who was a soldier during the war of the American Revolution, and served, at different periods, from near the commencement of the war until the peace in 1783; that he served under Capt. Sam l Demarest (Company of Militia); also, under Capt. Elias Poinaine: Capt. Post: Capt. Outwater: under Maj. Couchie and Col. Dey - that he was, at one time, an orderly Serj t .
She further declares that she was married to the said Gilliam Demarest, on Easter Monday, or Tues, in the Spring of the year next following, the surrender of Cornwallis; and that her husband, the aforesaid Gilliam Demarest, died on the 23 rd day of December in the year 1811 -
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before
Bridget X Demarest
Sworn in Open Court Before Me the 27 Jan y 1841.
D. Standish. Clerk of the District of the Marine Court - City of New York

John Barberie Clerk of the Marine Court of the City of New York, do hereby certify that David Randle whose signature is affixed to the within Affidavit is one of the Justices of the said Court, and that the said Court is a Court of Record, and that the said signature is his genuine signature done in Open Court.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court this first day of February in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and forty One
John Barberie

State of New York Wayne County } ss
on this fifteenth day of June 1811- personally appeared before me James Edwards a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County -
Philip Demarest, a resident of the Town of Sodus in said County aged eighty years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say that he was well acquainted with Gilliam Demarest late the husband of the present widow Bridget Demarest, and knows that the said Gilliam Demarest did serve during the Revolution as follows: This deponent and the said Gilliam Demarest in the year 1777- was called out under Capt. Samuel Demarest in Col. Doyl's Regiment - under the Command of General Wayne, and served under them during that year four months or more, and that in the year 1778- this deponent and the aforesaid Gilliam Demarest was again called out, under Capt. Elias Romaine under the aforesaid General & Colonel - and served during that year four months or more - and in the year 1779- this deponent and the aforesaid Gilliam Demarest, was called out under the Command of Capt. John Miller, and served during the year aforesaid four months or more, and in the year 1780- this deponent and the aforesaid Gilliam Demarest was called out under Capt. James Edwards, and served three months or more - and in the year 1781- this deponent & the aforesaid Gilliam Demarest was again called out in the service under Capt. Samuel Demarest and that on or about the first of April in the year aforesaid this deponent & the aforesaid Gilliam Demarest at the new Wainwright's Bridge, while on duty was surprised and taken prisoners of War by

The Enemy and taken from him to the City of New York and Conference in the Stuyvesant House & this deponent remained there six Months & was then exchanged and this deponent further says when he left for home the aforesaid William Demarest yet remained there as a Prisoner of War & further this deponent saith that
Subscribed & sworn Philip Demarest June 15 th 1811 before me
James Edwards Justice of the Peace
This May Certify, That I have been acquainted with Phillip Demarest fifteen years or more & that he is a Man of Second Merit, in good standing in Society and a Man of Truth & veracity
James Edwards J P
State of New York Wayne County ss: I hereby certify that James Edwards Esquire was at the time at which the above deposition purports to have been taken a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected and sworn and authorized to act as such. And further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe, and know his said signature to be genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 16 th day of June 1841.
Edm d Griswold dep Clerk

State of New Jersey.
Bergen County - } On this fourth day of June, 1841, personally appeared before me Robert S Gould, a judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, in and for said County. Peter D Demarest, a resident of the township of Hackensack, in said County aged Seventy six years, who being first Duly Sworn doth depose and say, that he was personally acquainted with Guillian Demarest during the Revolutionary Demarest , and knows that the said Demarest did serve under Capt Samuel Demarest and Capt Elias Romine during said War at Different times, but how many or at what times his service commenced or ended he at this late period he cannot say but being well acquainted with the inhabitants of the said County who served under the different Captains in Col. Dey's Regiment knows that that there was no other person by the name of Guillian Demarest that served except the late husband of Bridget Demarest.
Sworn to and subscribed } the day and year aforesaid } before me.
Peter D Demarest
Robt. S. Gould Judge
I do hereby certify that I know Peter D. Demarest the above opponent whose depositions may be relied on for truth and veracity and that the interlineations were made upon signing the above affidavit.
Robt. S. Gould Judge
June 4 th 1841
I Peter
I John H Berry Clerk of the County of Bergen Do hereby certify that Robert S Gould Esq. is a judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County and that the above signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said County this fourth day of June 1841
John H. Berry Clerk

This is a true extract of the records of Baptism of the Dutch Church at Scralenburgh as follows August 8 th 1784 Gilliam Jemant & Briget Brower his wife appeared and had their child Baptised by the name of Janette March 5 th 1786 Gilliam Jemant & Briget Brower his wife appeared and had their child Baptised by the name of John
Albert W Panvoorhis Clerk
On the 7 th day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty one Albert W Panvoorhis personally appeared before me and was duly sworn doth testify to the above extract as a true extract of the records of the Baptism of the Dutch church at Scralenburgh
Abraham Fielding Justice of the Peace
New Jersey Bergen County ss. I John H. Berry, Clerk of the Superior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Bergen, do hereby certify that Abraham Fielding, who has signed his name to the above Jurat is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature as aforesaid is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court of Common Pleas, this seventh day of July A.D. Eighteen hundred and forty one.
John H. Berry Clerk

State of New York City & County of } ss: New York
John Brower of Utica, in said State, being duly sworn according to Law, says, that he was present when Bridget Brower was married to Guilliam Demarest; that said marriage took place at the house of deponent's father, at Hackensack New Bridge, New Jersey, on Easter Monday, or Paus, in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty two, and the marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev. a Romaine, dec d . That deponent is now sixty nine years of age; that he has a perfect recollection of the marriage aforesaid; that it was on Paus, in the spring, next after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis: that deponent is the brother of Bridget Demarest: that the family record of the marriages and deaths in his father's family is lost: further deponent saith not -
John Brower
Sworn and subscribed } this 27 th day of  } January 1841 before me
Comr. of Decs City of New York
(over)

This is to certify that when I resided at Utica from 1821 to 1828. I was acquainted with Mr. John Brown of that place & knew him to be of a sober moral & industrious character bearing the reputation of a good citizen.
It. New York January 26. 1841
Henry Anthon.
Rector of St Marks Church New York

June 24, 1935.
William A. Higgins The Adjutant General of New Jersey Trenton, New Jersey.
BA-3/ILL
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the names of the parents of six Revolutionary War soldiers, if such are shown in the pension claims cited by you.
The pension claims have been examined with the following result:
letter - 1. William Demarest or Demarest , W. 18822, was the son of David, name of mother not shown. 2. John Demarest, W. 485, names of parents not shown. 3. John Demarest, R. 2880, names of parents not shown. 4. Peter Demarest, W. 27879, names of parents not shown. 5. Peter B. Demarest, S. 980, names of parents not shown. 6. Philip Demarest, S. 28114, was the son of James, name of mother not shown.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HELLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

IN REPLY REFER TO NO.
STATE OF NEW JERSEY OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
TRENTON
June 11, 1935
Veteran's Administration, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
It is requested that a search be made of your files for the pension applications of the following Revolutionary War Veterans, to determine if possible, the names of the parents of each one.
1. Gilliam Demarest, Widow No. 16952. 2. John Demarest, Widow No. 455. 3. John Demarest, Rejected No. 2860. 4. Peter Demarest, Widow No. 27879. 5. Peter D. Demarest, Invalid No. 990. 6. Philip Demarest, Invalid No. 29114.
This information is needed for the completion of the records of this office.
Very truly yours,
William A. Higgins William A. Higgins, The Adjutant General. Per: GH
H:h

1935-June 24 - Wm A. Higgins advised regarding parents of 6 soldiers - 222
Re WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16,952 Bridget Demerest Widow of William Demerest Prin. Ber. War
Act: July 4 th 1836
Index: Vol. a , Page 176
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

M.Y. 5302 V Let. to J. L. Kibbee, March 23, 1841. Act 4 July 36

Clerkstown July 16 th 1841
Hon'd Sir
In your letter of the 23 d of March last directed to J L Tibbe Esq r of the City of New York respecting the paper of Bridget Demarest, widow of Guillian Demarest, it is stated that "The proof of the date of the claimants marriage is insufficient — Also respecting the Baptism of the claimants eldest children — That the duration of each term of actual service, the names of the officers and the period, should be specified — and that it appears from the Certificate of the Treasurer of New Jersey, that a soldier of the name of Guillian Demarest was allowed for seven months and twenty days service, but whether the individual thus described was the claimants husband or not, cannot from the evidence produced be determined —
The letter above alluded to and a very short sketch of what had been done by Esq r Tibbe (Now confined to his bed and room and unable to attend to any business) was placed in my hands about two months since by the claimant with a request that such other testimony as could be obtained should be taken and forwarded but from the small minute kept by M c Tibbe or the claimant I am unable to find out what the contents of the papers now on file (further than the statement in your letter) contain
By the annexed Affidavit of Philip Demarest it is therein set forth that Gilliam Demarest late the husband of the present widows Bridget Demarest (The draughtsman of the affidavit left out the u in the name of Guillian) did serve four months or more under different capt s in each of the years 1777, 1778, 1779 1780, and in 1781, was while on actual duty taken prisoner and confined with him six months and remained a prisoner when the defendant left, which must satisfy your Hon d . that the said Demarest did serve twelve months besides being a prisoner nine months, making in all twenty five months, for "by the resolution of Congress of the 14 th of July 1832, the time of imprisonment as a prisoner of war shall be taken and computed as a part of the period of service, in the execution of the act of June 7, 1832 — The annexed affidavit shows that there was during the said war no other person by the name of Guillian Demarest that served in Col d Dey's Regiment, and the affidavit of Albert Van Oort shows that Gilliam Demarest and Bridget Brower his wife at two different times presented their child and had it baptised, and your Hon d well knows that the Dutch Church would not baptise a child until the consistory thereof was well satisfied that the parents was lawfully —

married—
I therefore now, as the agent of the claimant enclose the additional testimony, expecting that you will now allow the widow a pension for Two  One years and since  the services fully specified by the affidavit of M c Demarest in corroboration of the testimony of M c Romine formerly sent and in part by Peter D Demarest—
I remain Hon d Sir
Your Hum d Serv t
David Pyle
Hon d James L Edwards

New York 19 March 1844
Sir
In a letter to the Hon. Moses G. Demond in relation to an increase of pension to Mrs. Bridget Demond, it was suggested by you that additional evidence of her husband's service might be obtained from the office of the Secretary of State of New Jersey. An application to that office has resulted in the enclosed certificate which I transmit at her request as the basis of a claim for an augmentation of her present allowance. She is now a pensioner on the Books of the New York City Asylum at the rate of Twenty Five (25) Dollars per annum , under act of 4 th July, 1836.
I am
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
Dime McLaughlin 15 p Wall Street
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

3601, 35-43
Aug 8, 1846
Rev. J. S.
Dr. Budget & demand
J. Edwards Bureau of Customs Washington D.C.

New York August 6, 1846
Sir,
The children of Bridget Denaust, widow of Gilliam, who was a pensioner per act of 4 th July, 1836, on the New York City Rolls desire to know if she received a pension for six months service in 1779, in the New Jersey State Regiment. The information is asked for, for the reason that documentary evidence of his service has lately been discovered of that service, and the children desire to make applications for it if the widow did not receive a pension for it.
I am very respectfully your obedt Servt C. A. Gay
J. L. Edwards Esq rs Comt of Pensions

Hackensack N o 20 th July 1779
Sir.
On demand be pleased to pay unto the following persons or their order the sums annex to their respective names being so much due to them for bounty and subsistence allowed by an Act of Assembly passed at Trenton on the Second Ann. Dan. 1779 To Mr. Cornelius Haring appointed by law to pay the above order.
Theunis Dey Col. Peter R. Hill Lt. Col.
No. 1.
   Names of men entitled to receive bounty & subsistence Bounty Subsistence Total of We whose names are hereunto subscribed do certify that we have received of Cornelius Haring the bounty and subsistence due to us as per the above account being in full. Hackensack July 1779.   Due Due bounty & subsistence and     Gillian Demarest 50 4 2 / 3 54 2 / 3 Gillian Demarest  
No. 2.
Abstract of Payrolls discharged by Joseph Lewis Paymaster to the Militia of the Counties of Morris, Sussex & Bergen.
   No. Date Regiment Officers names Where served Under whom Amount     378 Sep. 30 1779 Finlinghuyse Brig Lieut. Post. Hackensack Lt. Col. P. R. Hill 332. 0. 0   380 Oct. 16 " Seeley's Morris Do Do Col. Seeley 409. 2. 4   Bounty.   264 Sep. 30 " Finlinghuyse " Lieut. Post Bergen Lt. Col. P. R. Hill 348. 13. 0   266 Oct. 16 " Seeley's " Do Hackensack Col. Seeley 824. 10. 0  
State of New Jersey
I Charles G. McChesney Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing marked No 1. is a true extract from a paper headed as therein mentioned, and that No 2 is a true extract from Book B of Auditor's Account pages 64 & 67 as

taken from and compared with the originals, now on file in my office. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Menton this fourteenth day of November A.D. One thousand eight hundred and forty six.
Charles G. McChesney Secy of State

Receipts for Cash paid ————— years' interest on Notes given by the Commissioners of the several Counties for Militia Services.
   No. of Voucher. No. of Certif. Date. SIGNED BY. PAYABLE TO. Amount. 1 y's int.     16 43 May 10. 1784 Peter Wilson Guilliam Demarest £ 1.0 19.4.7  
STATE OF NEW JERSEY:
I, CHARLES G. McCHESNEY, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true abstract from a Book, headed as above, as taken from, and compared with the original, now remaining in my office.—And I do further certify, that Peter Wilson ————— was, by an Act, passed by the Legislature of this State, December 20, 1783, entitled “An Act to procure an estimate of the sums due to the Militia and Troops who have been raised for the defence of the frontiers of the State, and to provide for the settlement of the same,” appointed a Commissioner for the County of Bergen ————— for the purpose of settling and adjusting the pay rolls of the Militia and Troops of this State, as aforesaid, and also for signing and delivering out to each and every person a note for the payment of what may be justly due.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, at Trenton, in said State, this Nineteenth day of January A. D. one thousand eight hundred and forty- Four
Charles G. McChesney Secretary of State.

V. A. Luy, Sept. 2 o . 1846.

Pension Office Septm r 2 o 1846
Sir,
Before a satisfactory reply can be made to the enquiry contained in your letter of the 1 st Ult o in the case of Bridget O'Neenest widow of William O'Neenest the names of the officers under whom the alleged service of her husband in 1779 was performed must be given.
C. A. Lay Esq r New York

C. A. Gay Oct 2 1846
Mr. ... Oct 6 1846
[Faint mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]

Sir
18 Yrs off Oct 2. 46
In reply to yours of 13 ult in the case of Bridget Demarest you are informed that no information can with propriety be furnished to agents respecting the proofs on file in any case which has been adjusted with a view of making an applica- -tion for increase of pension. A formal application setting forth the whole grounds of the claim should precede the reopen- -ing of the case.
In the case of Jane Rutan die d you have been duly advised
C. H. Jay Esq New York

Benj. Normaine City and County of New York
The undersigned does hereby depose and say that he was well acquainted with Gilliam Demarest during the Revolutionary war, that I have perfect knowledge of his military services in his country cause during that war, my parents residing next house to his, near New bridge, about two years - and he in Captain Samuel Demarest Company of militia and also his services of arms in my brother Elias Normaine company in actual service both as a substitute for others, and his own periodical drafts of duty in Genl. Keys Regiment of Bergen County New Jersey. That the said Gilliam Demarest - father David Demarest deserted his country cause, and eloped to the enemy services to the City of New York, and remained there during the war, - and his farm was confiscated, when he went to New York. - The said father repeatedly requested, and demanded his said son Gilliam to join him in New York, but the son held to his integrity to the end of the war. - that he was taken a prisoner, - and exchanged, nevertheless his father's commands - and again went into military service - was severely wounded in an individual contest, in the hand in a personal contest with an enemy refugee, who sought to capture him, As I have full and satisfactory information. - That from my own military services - he must have full two years in full military service. - I have no accurate knowledge of the time of his enlistment, nor of his several discharges, - at that day these things were little attended to. My deceased friend has left, a widow, with a family, - is now an aged woman, and maintained by her children who are all in poor circumstances, so said to be.
Marine Court Stern in open court January 4. 1848 before me See date here recorded per me. By Benj. Normaine

city of New York p.
His within affidavit of Benjamin Romaine is satisfactory evidence to me of the truth of the matters therein stated: he having been well known to me for the period of forty years —
January 4, 1842 — Judah Hammond — Justice Marine Court.
I, John Barbaree Clerk of the Marine Court of the City of New York do hereby certify that Judah Hammond is one of the Justices of the said Court and Justice of the peace in & for the city & County of New York And that the said Court is a court of record, In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court this Fourth day of January 1840
John Barbaree

Sept-16. 1846
Mr. Rees
Le Bureau
of Pensions
J. L. Edwards 5682
Washington D.C.

New York September 13. 1846
Sir,
I have received your letter of the 2 nd instant, in answer to mine, "enquiring if the Dep t had allowed Mel Bridget Demarest, widow of Gilliam Demarest for six months service in 1779, as private, rendered pursuant to an Act of the the Legislature of New Jersey of 2 nd of June of that year," by which I am informed that before a satisfactory answer can be given the names of the Officers under whom the alleged service was performed must be given.
In reply I have to state that there was three Companies of Detachments of that Reg t Stationed in Bergen County. One Company was Commanded by Capt s Thomas Blanch, and was Stationed on the extreme frontier of the County. — Another Detachment was Commanded by Lieutenant Post, and was Stationed at Hackensack and New Bridge. Another Detachment was Commanded by Lieutenant Goutcheff and was Stationed at Closter in that County, the whole of which was under the command of Major Goutcheff. The above Battalion of Troops was raised in the Counties of Essex, Somerset, Morris, and Bergen County. The evidence we are prepared to adduce shews that Gilliam Demarest was regularly enlisted in that service for Bergen County, without shewing what Officer was in Command, but it has been stated to me by men that was in that service that the Bergen County quota of men was divided, and was in all of the above detachments, on account of their knowledge of that section of the Country. I hope the above will enable the Dept t to give the desired information.
Very Respectfully Your Obed t Serv t C. H. Lay
J. L. Edwards Esq r } Commit ee of Pensions }

State of New Jersey
I. Isaac Southard Treasurer of the State of New Jersey, do hereby Certify that the following extract is truly taken and copied from the original margin of Certificate issued to the Militia of the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey at the close of the Revolutionary war for the Amount due to them for their services to wit.
No. 43] Guillian Demarest, $19 11 4 3 7. . . b.
Which said Margin is now on file in my Office In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. (Having no seal of Office) this Twenty second day of January A.D. 1841.
Isaac Southard
£14.4.9 - $57. 14 - 7 3 20 days

Feb 5. 1841. No 5302
July 4. 1832
Bridget Semant
Hon. Secretary of War Pension Office Washington City D. C.

New York Feb. 2 d 1841.
Sir
Enclosed are the papers of Mrs. Bridget Demarest, widow of Guillian Demarest, sec d She claims a pension under the act of 1836, in right of the services of her said husband in the Revolutionary war:
1 st Her declaration 2 d afft. of Mr. Geo. Brown, with certif. 3 d Certif. of Treasurer of N. Jersey 4 th Certif. of the now minister at Hackensack 5 th afft. of Benj m Romaine (who was an ensign in the Rev. war) as to military services of Demarest.
Very Respectfully Yr. Ob t . Serv t Isaac L. Tiffie
For Jas. L. Edwards Com r . of Pensions

This may certify that I have searched the marriage records of the church at Hackensack, for a record of the marriage of Guilbiam Demaret and Bridget Brouwer; but can not find any record of the same; and it is also certified that no record of marriages was kept during the war of the Revolution to the best of my knowledge & belief.
Alexander H. Warner Minister of the Gospel and Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church at Hackensack
Given at Hackensack County of Bergen and State of New Jersey this the seventh day of January A. D. 1841.
Subscribed & sworn before me this 7 th day of January A. D. 1841.
Abraham Westervelt, Justice of the Peace, Bergen County, N. Jersey -
I John H. Berry Clerk of the County of Bergen do certify that Abraham Westervelt, who has signed his name to the above Jurat is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County, and that his signature as aforesaid is genuine. Given under my hand and the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County this 7 th day of January A. D. Eighteen hundred and forty one.
John H. Berry Clerk

Remarke -
Entitled to Cmo in 79 in addition to present pension but not under act of 36. Vide let of 18 Nov. to Mr. Lay.
C. A. Lay.

Washington Nov. 17, 1848
Sir,
The enclosed evidence is in support of the claim of Bridget Demarest, widow of Gilliam Demarest, for increase of her pension. It is relied on to establish a term of six months service, in 1779 in addition to the service for which she was formally allowed, inasmuch as she appears to have been allowed that alone on a certificate of pay due her husband after 1779. The pay rolls for this service up to Dec-16. 1779, will be seen to have been discharged by the Pay Master, and could not have been included in the balance of pay due him at the close of the war
Very respectfully Your most obedt Servt G. O. Lay
J. L. Edwards, Esq. present.

New York City pension agency August 25 th 1847
Sir-
In reply to your letter of inquiry of the 23 rd inst. desiring to be informed to what time the pension of Bridget Demarest, at the rate of Thirty Dollars per annum, under the Acts of 7 th July, 1838, and 3 rd March, 1843, was paid previous to your letter of the 17 th ultimo, I have to state that no payment has been made to her at that rate, or under either of those Acts. — Her name is inscribed on the roll of this agency only under the Act of 4 th July, 1836, and at the rate of $25. (55) per annum, at which rate she has been paid to 4 th September, 1845. It appears by the books she died in December, 1845.
Very respectfully
Your obedient servant
Mich. G. G. G.
Rev d Agt
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.

July 22(47) Buddy Demarest
Edward Esquire Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington D.C.

New York
July 20th 1847.
Sir,
In the Case of Bridget Demarest referred to in your letter of the 17th Inst. I am instructed to say that an adjustment of her claim under the act of July 7. 1838 agreeable to the decision of the 18th of Nov. last will be accepted. We however think it unfair in fixing the time of the commencement of her increased pension at the time she was last paid as that would be deducting more than she has received, when I understand the practice of the Office is to make no deduction from a pension due and payable, of any monies that have (as in this case) been paid in error. The Department would confer a favor by re-considering that part of the decision as to its commencement. Mr. Attorney General Butler's decision while Acting Secretary of War, which I understand to be still adhered to, has a direct bearing on the case.
I am very respectfully Your Obet Servt
L A Lay
J L Edwards Esqr Commrs of Pensions.

New York July 6 th 1847—
Sir.
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2 nd inst. in the case of Bridget Demanote. It fails to afford an answer to my note of the 22 nd ult. simply enquiring under what Act you intended to allow her the increased pension referred to in your letter of the 18 th of November last, without any pre-requisite or condition precedent, other than the return of her Certificate. Now to adjust her claim under the act of 7 th July 1838, you require an other important pre-requisite in addition to the one required, in your letter of the 18 th of Nov. last, viz. that she should apply for the benefits of that Act before she can be inscribed on the Roll under it. That is a condition always required, and your omission to require it in your letter of the 18 th of Nov. last was one of the reasons that led me to construe that letter into an admission of her right to continue to receive her pension under the Act of July 4 th 1836, and for doing which the Chief Clerk made the very serious charge against me in his letter in this case of the 14 th ult. of an attempt to prevent the recorded official correspondence in this case. As the letter containing that charge is a matter of record on file in the Office I feel it due to myself and character to furnish an answer to it by assigning my reasons for putting such a construction on it. The letter of the 18 th of November assumes that she had been improperly allowed under the act of 1836, and that remark it would seem as "as it since appears" that I was to understand as denying her right to a pension under that Act. Now had she not been on the Roll of pensioners under that act at that time I should have understood it to mean that she could not be allowed under that act upon the present proof. But she was on the Roll then and is still, and as he decided in a similar case that it was the duty of the Office to shew that a widow had no right to her pension before it could be stopped led me to infer of course that he applied the same principle in this case as there is certainly presumptive evidence that she is within the Act of 4 th July 1836, altho I am free to admit that if her case was before me for adjustment for the first time

and there was no other evidence of the date of the marriage other than was examined by me when it was present I should not feel myself warranted in allowing it under that act. A further reason is that he never said a word to my revettations about changing her to any other Act. to receive the increased pension. nor did he verbally re- quire any other pre-requisite other than the return of her certificate And as a further, and in itself must be regarded as a sufficient one is "she was not stopped from receiving her pension," nor was she required to furnish any additional proof which would have been the proper course for the department to have pursued had it intended that to be understood as deciding not to continue her under the same Act. She is now, "as was a short time since" as I learnt at the Agency here, be-ame on the Roll of Pensioners still, under the act of July 4th 1836. which presents the very singular spectacle of her "being entitled  to receiving a pension for seven months and 20. days & services under the Act of 4th July 1836. And the Department at the same time contending that she has no right to receive a pension for six months more under the same Act when it admits that so much more service is satis- factorily proven. I very much regret that the Chief Clerk should have so far misconstrued my letter as to lead him to make the charge above referred to against me, as I entertain for him the kindest feelings for his many courtesies and favors which he has shown me during the many years that I have been engaged in business with the Office, and I take this occasion to disavow any intention what ever to prevent the facts in this or any other case
It is hardly necessary for me to say that your late propo- sitions to adjust this case will not be accepted as it is much more to her advantage to remain as she is.
If the Certificate is in the Office it is desired that it may be returned, unless a more liberal adjustment of her claim can be made.
I am Very Respectfully Your Obedt Servt
C. A. Day
J. G. Edwards Esq r
Commrs. of Pensions.

New York June 22 d 1847.
Sir,
I would feel obliged to the Chief Clerk, or the Department to indorse on the back of the enclosed letter, the Act under which it was contemplated to place her, upon the return of her certificate with the increased payments to commence at the time she was last paid, under Act of 4 th July 1836. and return it to me again.
I am very respectfully
Your obed Servt
C. A. Gay
C. L. Edwards Esq r Comm r of Pensions.

Nov 3 rd 47. Respectfully Bridget O'Connell
A. S. Edwards Esq r Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.

New York June 1. 1847.
Sir.
I have received your letter of 29th Ult. in the case of Mrs. Bridget Demarest, referring me to your letter of the 18th Nov. last, which was drafted by the Chief Clerk when I was present. By reference to that letter it will be seen that her right to her pension under the act of 1836, is expressly recognized, notwithstanding the doubts therein expressed as to the propriety of the former decision which placed her on the Roll of Pensioners under that Act , It is true as stated that I coincided in opinion with the Chief Clerk as to the evidence not being sufficient, (as existed on file) when I was there, to justify the Dept. in placing her on the pension Roll under that Act, but there must have been other evidence which was probably withdrawn. But as all these matters was definitely settled at that time it is of course unnecessary for me to go over the ground again. You will see by reference to the decision referred to, that she is entitled to a pension for 13. months and 20 days service (which is an increase of 6 months service) and she was required to return her Certificate that she might receive ONE for the increased rate, to commence from the date of the last payment. I again request that her claim may be adjusted in conformity with that decision, with the exception of the time when the increased payment is to take effect. That part of the decision we object to, as the Department has no legal right to fix the period of the commencement of her pension, (or her increased pension,) at any time other than is prescribed by law.
I am very respectfully Your most obedt Servt A. A. Lay
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr. of Pensions Washington D.C.

May 10 th 1847
Rev. Gen. of Bureau of Pensions
L. Edwards Esq.
Washington D.C.

Sir,
New York May 8. 1847
When I was last in Washington, the Chief Clerk decided that the additional evidence that I then presented in the case of Mrs. Bridget Demarest, widow of William Demarest for an increase of her pension under the Act of July 4. 1836, was sufficient to establish six months more service than she had been allowed for, but as I did not have her original Pension certificate with me, to surrender, her allowance was not adjusted. Upon my return in Nov. last, I transmitted her Certificate to Messrs. J. L. & Thos. Smith, of Washington, who informed me that they had attended to the case and that her Certificate had been ordered to be issued. Since which time, I have heard nothing further on the subject. My understanding of the matter is that the Certificate was left at the Office by one of the firm, and so the case stands unadjusted.
The Department will confer a favor by adjusting her claim agreeable to its decision and transmit the Certificate
I am very respectfully Your Most obedt Servt C. A. Day
J. L. Edwards Esq n Commrs of Pensions }