Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18927, John Colton, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
mass
bolton, John Hannah
W. 18927
CONTENTS

18793
Vermont John Cotton
of Orange Co in the State of Vermont who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Stetson of the Regt. commanded by Col. Sprout in the Mass. & Me. line for Vt.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of $40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of Oct 1833 and Seventh St. Johnsbury  Thetford
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 . $100.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 34 20.00
$120.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. Williams Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 58

616.
Vermont, Montpelier Hannah Cotton, widow of John Cotton, who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Reported
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 - day of July 1848. and sent to
S. G. Hemen Post Mills Vermont
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 47, Vol. 3.

John Colton
Application Certificate
10530
R

State of Vermont, Orange County, Probate District of Bradford p 3
On this 26 day of July AD 1832 - personally appeared in open Court, before the Probate Court for the District of Bradford aforesaid now sitting, being a court of records. John Bolton of resident of West Fairlee in the County of Orange & State of Vermont aged 76 years - who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States at Springfield in the State of Massachusetts about the middle of December 1775 as a private & volunteer in Capt. Robbins Company of militia & joined the regular army at Roxbury in the same State in the said month of December & was placed as he thinks in the Regiment of Col. Spence, & remained in said Company at Roxbury the term of four months, for which he first enlisted. & then enlisted into Capt. Houghtons Company of militia for the term of one month at said Roxbury & during the month went out to Dorchester Heights near Boston & assisted in erecting the fortifications, forts &c on the night when so much was done. & remained at said Dorchester Heights until the latter part of April fol- lowing when therefrom discharged from service, after com- pleting the period of his enlistment; having served in all at this time full five months. He also declares, that the first of May 1777, at Long Meadows

Then I have been in my foregoing declaration - I refer to the Rev. Timothy Spalding of Thetford & Hon. Elisha Thayer of West Fairlee both of Orange County Vermont, who will testify as to my character for veracity & their belief of my services in the revolution - John Cotton
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
We Timothy Spalding clergymen of Thetford & Elisha Thayer of West Fairlee both of Orange County Vermont hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Cotton who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 76 years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution; & that we concur in that opinion - Timothy Spalding Elisha Thayer
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid -
I Oliver Cotton of West Fairlee in the County of Orange State of Vermont of age 65 years, hereby certify, that I knew of my brother John Cotton who has subscribed the above declaration enlisting to go as a soldier to Roxbury Mass. the winter after the revolutionary war broke out, believe he was at that time as he started from Long Meadows for that purpose. I also knew of his enlisting to go to New London Ct. & the White Plains in New York as he has stated in his declaration that he was absent from home at those times as he stated. I knew that he volunteered in the service when Burgoyne was taken & was absent one month. Also that he started with other troops to go to Ticonderoga about I think 2 months; that I well recollect he was out five terms during the war & further say not - Oliver Cotton Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogations proposed by the war department that the claimant applied for as a revolutionary soldier as he states - And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Timothy Spalding who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergymen resident

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion of the matter after putting the interrogatories proposed by the court department that the claim named applied was a fraudulent claim as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Timothy Spalding who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in Telford aforesaid and that Elisha Thayer who has also signed the same is a resident of said West Friesland and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. The court further certify that Oliver Cotton who has known to and subscribed the foregoing certificate is a credible person and that he was duly known to the same in open Court.
Simon Root Clerk or Register of the Court of Probate aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Cotton for a pension.
In testimony whereof the undersigned has hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 26 day of July A D 1832.
Simon Root Clerk

2039 Hannah Gollon Declarations
at 7. July 38
In 86 d 33- Return to
M m Hutton
Port Mills - Bedford adm'd VT 12 mo pri
40 0
no deduction

State of Vermont Orange County ss On this 8 day of October 2 D 1838 - Personally appeared Before the Probate Court within & for said District of Bradford Hannah Cotton a res- ident of West Fairlee in said Orange County aged Seventy five 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 7 1838 entitled an act granting half pay & pension to certain widows. That she is the widow of John Cotton late of S d West Fairlee deceased who was a private in the Army of the revolution & who drew a pension of about forty Dollars per annum on account of his revolutionary services under the Act of 7 th June 1832 & she refers the Commission of Pensions of the war department to the documents & proofs heretofore furnished to the de- partment in the case of the application of the said John Cotton for a pension - as evidence of the service rendered by him -
She further declares that she was married to the said John Cotton at Hadley in the State of Mass- achusetts on the 16 th day of March Seventeen hundred & eighty six by Samuel Hoapkin Clergyman of said Hadley
That she was not married to him prior to leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred & ninety four - N o at the time above stated - and that her husband the said John Cotton died at his residence in S d

Said Wort Fairlee on the 21 st day of April A D 1833 and she further declares, that the pension certificate of her husband was forwarded to the pension agent for the purpose of drawing the arrears of pension due her, at the decease of her husband
Hannah Foster
Sworn to & subscribed on the the day & year above written before the Probate Court aforesaid.
In testimony whereof I J. W. D. Parker Clerk of said Court have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court the day & year aforesaid.
J. W. D. Parker Register
Seal of the Probate Court
probate

We Ebenezer P. Cotton and Hannah Cotton the younger both of West Fairlee in the County of Orange & State of Vermont of full age do testify and say that we are well acquainted with Hannah Cotton who has subscribed the foregoing declaration for a pension that she is the widow of John Cotton named in said declaration and has remained unmarried since the death of the said John Cotton who died in P. West Fairlee on the 21 st day of April A. D. 1833 - and who was before his death a pensioner of the United States
E. P. Cotton
Hannah Cotton the younger
Sworn to and subscribed this 8 th day of October A.D. 1838 Before the Hon. the probate Court for the District of Bradford & State of Vermont and the Court certifies that the said Ebenezer P. Cotton & Hannah Cotton are credible witnesses - In testimony whereof J. W. D. Parker the Clerk & register of said Court have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court the day and year first said
J. W. D. Parker Register

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire ss.
I, Samuel Wells, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampshire, do certify, that Moses Porter Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Moses Porter and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this Eighteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.
Wells
Clerk.

Hadley Mass. Aug. 15. 1838
I hereby certify that the following record is a true copy from the Records of this town, viz. "March 16. th 1786. Mr John Bolton and Miss Hannah Pomeroy were married"
Dudley Smith Town Clerk
State of Massachusetts } ss Hampshire County }
on the 15 th Day of August 1838
Dudley Smith, Clerk of the Town of Hadley, appeared before me and made Oath to the truth of the above record testified by him, and that the said Dudley Smith is a credible witness, Moses Porter. Justice Peace

16. 5 30
John Bolton Orange Co Vermont
Admit- 1 year
S. Short Esq. (Shelburne) Vt

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 31. 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Colton
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Middey Dec r 1775- 4 Private Capt Stebbins Col t Sprout 76 years Springfield Tractation evy a clergyman Living Witness   May 1777 1 " Capt Houghton 76 years   Sept. 1776- 2 " Capt Chapin Col t Hales or Concord   1778 2 " Capt Bent Col t Hawes   Octob 1777- 1 " Capt Burt Col t Porter   1 " Capt Shaw Col t Hales   1 2  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. □ This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I, _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform. and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
□ The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
msk June 24, 1925
Mrs. George A. Lubbe Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois.
Madam:
I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W-18927, it appears that John Colton was born in 1756 at Long Meadows, Massachusetts.
While residing there he enlisted about the middle of December 1775 and served four months as a private in Captain Stebbins' Company, Colonel Sprout's Massachusetts Regiment and then enlisted and served one month in Captain Stoughton's Massachusetts Company
He enlisted in September 1776 and served two months in Captain Burt's Company, Colonel Hawes' Massachusetts Regiment and was in the battle of White Plains.
He enlisted May 1, 1777 and served two months in Captain Chapin's Company, Colonel Hale' and Leonard's Massachusetts Regiment and was in the retreat from Ticonderoga.
He enlisted in October 1777 and served one month in Captain Shaw's Company, Colonel Hale's Massachusetts Regiment and was at the taking of Burgoyne.

He enlisted in the summer of 1778 and served two months in Captain Burt's Company, Colonel Porter's Massachusetts Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 26, 1832 while residing at West Fairlee, Orange County, Vermont and he died there April 21, 1833.
He married at Hadley, Massachusetts, March 16, 1786 Hannah Pomeroy. She was allowed pension on her application executed October 8, 1838 while residing at West Fairlee, Vermont, aged seventy-five years.
It is not stated whether they had children.
At the time of his enlistment he was John Colton, Jr.
The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to John Colton who was born in 1729.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

1925-June 34. Hist b. Mrs George A. Libbie. m. def
Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 18927 Hannah Colton widow of John Colton Dr. Rev. Was
Act: Feb 2d. 48
Index:—Vol. 24 , Page 15-6
[Arrangement of 1870.]

2112.
Vermont Montpelier
Hannah Coetow
widow of John Coetow
who was a Private
in the Vermont line
for 12 months
Pvt Sept 29
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
40 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 th day of Sept. 1843 and sent to
J. G. Weston
Post Mills Vt.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book  2 Vol.  1.  Page  25.

See letter to S.C. Heaton 19 June 1843-
Vermont - 2,509 -
Hannah Colton, widow of John Colton,
who was a pensioner under the Act of June 7, '32 and who died on the 21 st April 1833, of her age in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Stebbins of the Reg't commanded by Sprague in the Vermont line for 12 months,
Inscribed on the Roll of Pensions falls at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th day of April 29, and sent to Wm Heaton, Grafton, Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of March - $120.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 20.00
$140.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by R Burdick Clerk, Book A Vol. 2 - Page 36 -

29 Stamp Adkins
Kauvov.
Hancock Co., See.
April 20 - 1925
Pension Officer Washington D. C.
I had two ancestors by name of John Cotton who were in the Revolution. John 4 b. Feby 21-1729 m Nov 22 1749 Penelope Wolcott d. April 21 st - 1833 son John Cotton 5 b. at Longmeadow, Mass Jan 9 th 1754 died at West Fairlee Vt. —, m. Hannah dau of Ebenezer and Mindwell (Lyman) Pomeroy. b. 1763 d. Dec 20 - 1849 One of above ancestors was a Prisoner and I would like a statement of his pension and such information as you

have regarding John Cotton I believe it is said he served in four enlistments, and as a Minute Man in the alarm of April 21 st 1775.
Thanking you.
Very Sincerely -
Wm George A. Dugbe
(see Augusta Kimball 9 ). - Phineas 8 Phineas 7 & Abigail Cotton, Phineas 6 & Mary Craig, Anns 5 . Thomas 4 Thomas 3 - Thomas 2 . Richard Kimball 1

Declaration of Hannah Cotton for the Benefit of the Act of Congress of the 2 nd February 1848 granting Pensions to widows
Admitted
S. G. Newton Post Mills N.Y.

State of Vermont } On this Twenty first day of County of Bennington } June 1848 Personally appeared before the subscribing authority a Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid Hannah Cotton a resident of West Fairlee in the State and County aforesaid Age Eighty five Years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oaths make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Pension made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3 rd day of February 1848 regarding Pensions to widows of Persons who served during the revolutionary war. That she is the widow of John Cotton who was a Private in the army of the Revolution but cannot state as to what Regiment or Corps he belonged but refers to Evidence now in the War Department that she receives under the Act of 17 th June 1844 Forty Dollars per annum She further declares that she is still a widow

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and Year last before written
Before me J. G. Hutton Justice Peace
I hereby further certify that the foregoing declaration is personally known to me and that she is the same individual that made a declaration under the Act of 17 June 1844 as stated by her in the foregoing declaration
J. G. Hutton Justice Peace

STATE OF VERMONT, ORANGE COUNTY, ss.
I, Calvin Prodytt Clerk of the County Court of the County of Orange in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that
S. G. Hester Esq.
is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the first day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven and will expire the thirtieth day of November next, and that his signature here to affixed is genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said County Court, this 23 rd day of June A. D. 1848
Calvin Prodytt
Clerk.

Tracy C. Jones Clerk
1951 : Declaration of Hannah Cotton " " " "
$40 per ann
Heaton J. G. Hutton Post Mills Vt.

State of Vermont On this Eleventh day of April Eighteen hundred Forty Three personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the State and knowing aforesaid Hannah Colton a resident of West Fairlee in the County of Orange and state aforesaid to be right Yours 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 the third of March Eighteen hundred Forty Three granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war That she is the widow of John Colton who was a Private in the war of the Revolution That she cannot tell the Regiment - or Company in which he served but would refer to the records now in the war department That she was a pensioner under the act of Seventh July Eighteen hundred Thirty eight - which she receives at the rate of Forty dollars per annum She further declares that she is still a widow Subscribed in presence of S. G. Hutton William Hutton
Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written
Before me S. G. Hutton Justice Peace
Thereby certify that Hannah Colton the above declarant - is personally known to me
S. G. Hutton Justice Peace

State of Vermont } Orange County ss } I. Purley C. Jones Clerk of the County Court of the County of Orange in the State of Vermont - do hereby certify that G. G. Horton is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified that his commission was dated on the 9 th day of November in the Year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred forty two and will expire the thirtieth day of November next and that his signatures written in the within declaration are genuine
Given under my hand and the Seal of said County Court this 26 th day of June A.D. 1843
Purley C. Jones Clerk