Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17687, John Crane, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Orano, John
N o 17687
Letithea
Letitia or
D.L.Wt. 35-H-200-Lieut. Issued Mar. 1, 1790. No papers.
CONTENTS

Solitia Crane dec? widow of John Crane dec? who died in the month of November 1814 of New York in the State of N.Y. who was a Lieut in the Comp y commanded by Captain Stearns of the Regt, commanded by Col Smith in the M.S. time for 2 years Map
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 320 Dollars per per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1834 July 1830 pending the July 1838
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Oct. 1838 and sent to Farmer Sergeant New York N.Y.
Arrears to the 8th of July 1838 the } $643.33 day of her death Last annual allowance ending
Special act { Revolutionary Claim, Act July 7, 1838, Section the }
Recorded by Abel Adison Clerk, Book 4. Vol. 2 nd Page 107

State of New York } ss City & County of New York }
On this 10 th Day of June 1837 Personally appeared Before me Judah Hammond Justice of the Marine Court for the City & County of New York - Letitia Crane the widow of John Crane, a resident of the City of New York County & State aforesaid - aged Seventy Six years who being 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 John Crane who was a lieutenant in the Sixth - Massachusetts Regiment in the Army of the United States During a part of the Revolution as will ap- -pear by the Annexed Commission, and was in the actual Service under the command of General Mixon & Colonel Smith in Captain Sprins Company then Stationed on the lines in the town of Courtland County of westchester State of New York, and some part of the time at White Plains - and at West Point from the year 1780 until Peace took Place - and that She was then residing in the Village of Peekskill in the town of Courtlandt During that Period - and She further Declares that She was lawfully Married to the said John Crane on the 29 th Day of May in the year 1781 - by the Reverend Mr Sackett then a Pastor of the Church in the Village =

= of Yorktown in the County of Westchester and that her husband the said John Crane Dies During the month of November 1814 after a short and severe Illness - and that she has remained a widow ever since that Period as will more fully appear by Reference to the Proof hereto annexed - Sworn to. and Subscribed on the day and year above written Before me - Magine Goyt Sworn the 10 June 1837 Letitia Crane before me in Open Court J. H. Hammond of Marine Court
New York ss. Isaac Brown of the City of New York being first duly sworn saith that he is and for more than four years has been acquainted with Letitia Crane above named and that he believes the statement contained in her Declaration within mentioned and contrived to be true in substance and matter of fact Sworn the 10 June 1837 Isaac Brown before me Judah Hammond acting Marine Court

City & County of New York } ss
Martha Hoes a resident of the City of New York Being Duly Sworn before me Judah Hammond Justice of the Marine Court in and for the City of New York doth Depose and Say that she is well acquainted with Letitia Crane the widow of deceased John Crane who is applying for her husband's Pension - and that she was once the wife & widow of the said Letitia's Brother William Sergeant - and that she has known John Crane her husband since Peace took Place in the year 1783 till the year of his Death and that the said Letitia Crane has remained a widow ever since - and she has no doubt of the legality of their marriage, and of the Services performed by her husband John Crane in the war of the Revolution at the Periods as set forth in her Declaration and that the said Letitia has always borne a Respectable Character and that the matter contained in her Declaration is strictly true - and that she and the said Letitia have resided in the City of New York ever since the Evacuation by the British troops.
Sworn in open Court before me the 10th day of June 1837 J. Hammond Justice of the Marine Court.
Martha Hoes

County of Westchester Town of Cortlandt estate of Newhook
Sarah Strong being duly sworn before me Samuel Marks one of the Justices of the Peace for the Town of Cortlandt in said County, says that she was acquainted with Letitia Sargant when she resided in the village of Peekskill in the aforesaid Town, during a part of the Revolutionary War, and that she was publicly reputed to be the wife of an American Revolutionary officer then on duty, and that this period of her acquaintance was previous to the year 1783, and that the said Letitia was also publicly known and believed to be the wife of an American officer. And this deponent further says that the person said to be now applying for her husband's pension, she has no doubt is the same as the Letitia which she here represents as the wife of an American officer.
Sarah Strong
Subscribed and sworn before me this 2 d day of May, 1837
Sam d Marks Justice
This is to certify that Sarah Strong who made the above depositions is known by me and the inhabitants of Huston and County in general to be a lady of good character and reputation. Dated this 27 th day of July, 1837.
Sam d Marks Justice of the Peace

State of New York, County of Westchester ss. I John H. Smith Clerk of the said County Do hereby certify that Samuel Marks whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Certificate was on the day of the date of the same a Pastor of the Gospel in and for the said County duly commissioned and sworn. And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Sam- uel Marks and truly believe the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County the 29 th day of July 1837 John H. Smith Clk
Supreme Court
City of New York ss. Isaac Brown of the City of New York being duly sworn says that the name of Letitia Crane before her marriage with the said Lieut. John Crane was Letitia Sargeant and that he is well acquainted with Sarah Strong and Martha Hoes the deponents in the preceding affidavit named, and that he verily believes their said deposition is true in all its particulars in substance and matter of fact.
Isaac Brown  Sworn in Open Court June 10 1837 before me J. H. Hammond Justice Name Court  Isaac Brown my right a man ten years and never knew anything to his disadvantage - false New York 11 th 12 th June 1837 J. H. Hammond Justice Name Court
This is to certify, that so far as known to me, there are, in existence, no records of the First Presbyterian church of Yorktown Westchester County N.Y. of an earlier date than May 2 nd 1807. It is believed the records were lost or sup- pressed in consequence of a division of the church which took place anterior to the above date.
Yorktown N.Y. June 2 nd 1837.
H. G. Thompson Pastor 1 st Pres. church Yorktown N.Y.

2093
I, John Barberie Clerk of the Marine Court of the City of New York do hereby Certify Judah Hammond is one of the Judges of the said Court and that the said Court is a Court of Record and that the signature to the Certificate annexed is his genuine Signature.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the said Court this tenth day of June in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
John Barberie

To the Honorable the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress Assembled, —
Your Petitioner respectfully, &c. most humbly represents to your Honorable Bodies that she is the widow of John Crane who was a Lieut. in the War- =achusetts Line during the Revolutionary war, his Services Being duly recorded in the War Department and that she was lawfully married to the said John Crane in the year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty- one, while living at the town of Peekskill in the County of Westchester State of New York During said Period till Peace took Place — which will more fully appear by Reference to her Declaration and the list =many annexed thereto, with her Husband's commission =now now retained, in the hands of J. A. Edwards Esq t Commissioner of Pensions, to whom she has made due application for her Husband's Pension, and that she has not received any satisfactory from that Source, that in the Commissioners reply to her request he requires a certificate of their marriage or the tes- timony of a credible witness present at the time — which your Petitioner most humbly represents is impossible, for from causes beyond her control that the Church at which she was married at the Village of Yorktown has been Burned, and the reg- =isters lost or destroyed, and her friends who were present on that occasion are all dead and gone and it was not customary at that Period to give certificates of marriage, when previously Publis- =hed as she had been in the usual manner, she in this case received no certificate — in the absence of which, from these unforeseen events she has produced the testimony of Persons of the Most undoubted Credibility, which on examina- =tion it is believed will satisfy your Honorable = Bodies

Body or any Court of Equity where the full term one Common Pleas of the land are acknowledged — that she was legally married to the said Lieutenant John Crane two years or more Previous to her Service expires, and that the only relief she has retained as provided evidence is her Commission — and that ever since the death of her husband she has been poor and destitute, and at present dependent entirely upon informity on the Charity of her acquaint- ances and the Publick — and she feels that Confidence in appealing to your Honor as a Body to examine her claim, which are in the hands of the Commissioners of Pensions, that you will be pleased to grant the Prayer of your Humble Petition and that the same be entered to receive the At- tendant which is granted by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836 stipulated in the Preamble for the Relief of the widows of Deceased officers and soldiers of the Revolution — and she will ever pray New York January 2 nd 1838
July sworn before L. Nathan Crane me this 6 th day of January 1838
R. Dikes
Recorder of the City of New York —

Petition of Letitia Crane. — Widow of — Lient John Crane.
Resident of the City of New York.

War Department
Pension Office
July 14 th 1837
Sir the paper in the case of Mrs. Leticia Crane Widow of John Crane, deceased, are here with returned, that the credibility of the witnesses may be duly certified -
- The Service for which this claim is accrued is of record in this office, but the most satisfactory proof of marriage will be Required; if no entry of the marriage can be found, in the parish, town, or family register there may be some record of the birth of a child, or or some other family document which would show that they were recognized as husband and wife Prior to the termination of the Service -
I am respectfully your Ob d Serv t
J. L. Edwards
Grace Brown Esq r
Copy
No 44 Robinson St
New York

War Department
Pension office
Sept 7 th 1837-
Sir
The additional evidence in relation to the marriage of Letitia Crane widow of John Crane is not satisfactory. If as would appear from your statement no Record of it can be found, the testimony of a credible credible witness present on the occasion will be necessary—
I am very Respectfully your m c O bl S er
J. L. Edwards -
Grace Brown Esq re 44 Robinson street New York

Canz Oct 6 Letitia Crane Ny.
Letitia Crane New York Oct 6

J. L. O'Connell Esq
Sir
We the undersigned lawful Heirs of Letitia Crane (Deceased & late widow of Lt. John Crane of the Revolutionary Army of the United States Do hereby authorize Aaron Sargent of the City of New York, and administrator of the Estate of said Letitia Crane, to receive the amount due by the late act of Congress as compensation to said Letitia Crane for the said Aaron Sargent has given good security for the true performance of said administration New York 3 rd Oct. 1838.
and further We the said Heirs do state that the said Letitia Crane — Died —

Without Children of that we are the Lawful heirs which has appeared to the Satisfaction of James Campbell Esq D Mayor of the City of New York whose administration papers were taken out by an Consent by Aaron Sargent of the this City N York 3 rd Oct 1838 -
Sarah Finch A. Brown Elizabeth H. Jenkins Maria Rogers Caroline Gortony Nann Sargent Leatitia Davenport
Sir
I have obtained all the heirs consent & forward you the certificate of Mrs J Brown & myself that both I presume is complying with your request
Yours Affectionately A. Sargent

July 23
Dear Letitia Crane Adm. of Sp. ad.
Franklin
J. S. Stevens Esq.
Sanborn Office
City Washington
D.C.

Stephen Jr
New York 20 July 1838
I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 17 th inst and beg leave to say My Aunt Letitia Crane, the One the act was passed for was my own Aunt she departed this life the 8 th day of July 1838 and I am the proper representative the last Eldest Male heir Mr Isaac Brown's power died with her; I shall take out Administration papers immediately if I need that the power of the act I could write to Postmaster Hobbie who would send one but for I assure you I state facts & if any of her representatives are entitled to a copy of the act I am according to our Laws I am the only one who can act please favour me with a copy of the act
Very Resp ly J. Sargent

As I shall confer with the family on the subject who are as much interested as I am I presume the record of marking said till what Regiment Lt. Crane served in I have had he was at the Battle of Trenton he was at Storming of Stony Point on the Hudson River he was with Washington's Army at the time of Andries the Spy was taken the Army lie at Tappan Rockland Co. N. York. I recalled all this from my father who was in all these Battles as I trust for you will aid us in forwarding the act and such instructions which you deem necessary Wm. K. Coffin A. S.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17687
Letitia Crane
Wid. of John Crane
Lieut. Rev. War
Act: July 7, 1838
Index:—Vol. 87 Page 155-
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New York City & County of New York New York
Seal Brown Being Subscribed before me Richard Riker Recorder of the City and County of New York Doth depose and say that he has taken much pains to collect & ascertain the best information that the nature of the case will admit, to substantiate the claim of Letitia Brane the widow of John Brane in order that she may obtain the Pension for which she is here apply- ing — First he doth depose and say that he has called on Mr. R. G. Thompson the Present Pastor of the Church in Poughkeepsie where the said Letitia declares she was married to her John Brane — and he finds that the Books and Records of the Church at that Period are lost or destroyed as will appear by the Certificate of Mr. Thompson hereto annexed — and that he has questioned the Elders & Officers of the Church and they confirm the same report — and that all the old inhabitants of her acquaintance in that Neighborhood are Dead and gone — and further that Deponent says that Sarah Strang whose Certificate is hereto annexed, her age being twenty seven years, is the only living witness to her marriage who was living in the Village of Poughkeepsie at that Period and who knew of the said Letitia being Publickly Recognized as being married to an American officer. She also admits verballly that she has some recollection of the officer her husband, but not knowing his Name. She was too scrupulous being under oath to have the name of John Brane inserted in her affidavit, yet she thinks and believes that there is no reason to suppose it was any other Person — and the Deponent believes Mr. Strang to be a Person of strict Veracity —
Continued Over —

and this Deponent further says that he has been and conversed with Samuel Young Esqr, a few days since - who now resides at Samson town in Westches- ster county State of New York - and he Mr Young says very freely that he was well acquainted with John Crane a friend in the Massachusetts line and also with James Sargeant, and that they were all stationed together, and doing duty on the lines near each other - and that he knew the said John Crane from the year 1779 till the close of the war and that he had often heard the said Crane say that he was married during that period, and that his wife lived at Petherskill - and that he often went there to see her, but does not recollect that the said Crane ever told him what his wife's name was, and Deponent further says that Mr Young informed him that James Sargeant had often spoken of friend Crane as being married and recognizing him as his Brother in law - long before Crane took place, and that he has no doubt of Letitia Crane, who he now understands was the sister of James Sargeant as being the widow of John Crane - although he cannot make oath to the fact - and this Deponent further says that he has known the said Letitia Crane for twenty six years past - and also her mother and family con- nexions while they were living - and that the said Letitia is now the only survivor of all the family - and further that the said Deponent has been married to Catherine Sargeant the niece of the said Letitia and daughter of her Brother James Sargeant since the month of December in the year 1810 Continued over

and that the said James Seargant was on the list of Prisoners some years Prisoners to his Death - and further that he has often heard his father in law relate the dangers & Perils that he and his mother's family experienced during the war, of their being driven from New York and taking refuge in Poughkeepsie till the close of the war when they again returned to New York - and he has often heard Mr Seargant speak of his sister Letitia being married to Lieut. Crane while they were living at Poughkeepsie before the close of the revolutionary war - and also has heard the said Letitia when speaking formerly fifteen or twenty years ago about their marriage, when her Mother was yet living - how they went seven miles to Goshen to be Published as they would have had all the Officers of the Regiment to their wedding if they had been Published in Poughkeepsie and married there, and she said more was the joke they afterwards had with her husband & comrades about giving them the slip to get married and the Deponent further says that he is well convinced that all these family scenes could not have been connected with other information he has witnessed have occurred in years so long past and gone without being realized - and further that he has always understood from her and her family connections that she never gave birth to any children - and this Deponent further says that whatever the said Letitia Crane has set forth in her declaration and the addition thereto he believes is substantially true and matter of fact - and he knows her since his first acquaintance in the family to have sustained a good character and a person of good credibility. Sworn before me in the City Hall of the City of New York this 5th day of August 1837 Isaac Brown J. P. Pickett Recorder of the City of New York

The City of New York City & County of New York
Martha Hays being duly sworn Before me Richard Riker record.
I of the City of New York - do hereby depose and say in addition to her former deposition in relation to Letitia Crane the widow of John Crane who in affidavits for her husband's pension, that she knew John Crane was recognized as her lawful husband Publickly, and lived together as man and wife, ever since her first knowledge of them, and that the period of her first knowledge was soon after Peace took Place. As they had then removed from Puckkill to the City of New York - and further that she soon after became very intimate in the family, which resulted in her marriage with William Soperant one of the Brothers sons of the said Letitia Crane - and she the deponent with further say that she has often heard it mentioned in the family, and so understood, that the said Letitia was married to John Crane during the war, and while the family was living at Puckkill - and so generally understood by all their acquaintance - and that she has never heard of their marriage being questioned or disputed - and further this deponent doth firmly believe that their marriage did take Place before the close of the war, and at the period the said Letitia Crane has described, and that there can be no reasonable doubt of the fact - and the deponent with further say that the said Letitia, to the best of her knowledge has always been a respectable character - and a woman of good creditability.
Sworn before me in the City Hall of the City of New York this 5th day of August 1837
Martha Hays J. P. D. D. Recorder of the City of New York

I Richard Piter Recorder of the City of New York do hereby certify that the before named Deponents Isaac Brown & Martha Hoss are both personally known to me - They are both respectable, and entitled to full Credit - and I further certify that Robert Perine, and James Ward the former being known to me, did several- -ly make oath before me that they had known the applicant Letitia Crane for about thirty five years - that she is an exemplary Woman, of strict veracity - and I further certify that I have entire confidence in the oaths of the said Robert Perine & James Ward. City Hall of the City of New York fifth day of August 1837. R Piter.

City & County } ss of New York } 2
Personally appeared Before me.
Richard Riker Recorder of the City of New York — Letitia Crane the widow of John Crane who being Duly Sworn soth on her oath make the following Declaration in addition to her annexed affirmation in regard to her marriage with John Crane, and says the Banns of their Marriage was Published in the usual Manner at the Presby- terian Church in the Village of Yorktown three Sabbaths Previous to their Marriage taking Place according to the custom of those Days — and that their marriage was regularly Recorded in the Church Register — and that it was not frequent to give certificates in such cases unless Particularly Requested — and that Joseph Travis was the Bridgroom and Catharine Merservie was her Bride Maid, — both Residents in the Town of PEEKSKILL at that Period and are now Dead and gone —
Suborn before me Mrs. Letitia Crane — 5 th day of August 1837 in the City Hall of the City of New York. R. Riker
Recorder of the City of New York —

STATE OF NEW-YORK, City and County of New-York, } ss.
I, THOMAS JEREMIAH, Clerk of the City and County of New-York, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, Do hereby Certify, THAT Richard Ritten Esquire before whom the annexed Affidavits were taken was at the time of taking the same Recorder, and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of New-York duly appointed & sworn and I further Certify that the signature of the said Richard Ritten thereunto subscribed is genuine
In Testimony whereof, the said Court and County, the
I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of
5 day of August 1837 Thos D. Lawrence Clerk.
The City of New York

and this Deponent further says that he has seen and conversed with Samuel Young Esq, a few days since - who now resides at Farmtown in westches- ter county state of New York - and he Mr Young says very freely that he was well acquainted with John Crane a hint in the massachusetts line and also with James Sargeant, and that they were all stationed together, and doing duty on the lines near each other - and that he knew the said John Crane from the year 1779 till the close of the war and that he had often heard the said Crane say that he was married during that period, and that his wife lived at Puckskill - and that he often went there to see her, but does not recollect that the said Crane ever told him what his wife's name was, and Deponent further says that Mr Young informed since that James Sargeant had often spoken of hint Crane as being married and recognizing him as his Brother in law - long before Crane took place, and that he has no doubt of Letitia Crane, who he now understands was the Sister of James Sargeant as being the widow of John Crane - although he cannot make oath to the fact - and this Deponent further says that he has known the said Letitia Crane for twenty six years past - and also her mother and family con- nexions while they were living - and that the said Letitia is now the only survivor of all the family - and further that the said Deponent has been married to Catharine Sargeant the niece of the said Letitia and daughter of her Brother James Sargeant since the month of December in the year 1810
Constrained Over

Letitia Crane Dec. Wm.
12 1/2
12 1/2
—

No 150
25th CONGRESS, 2d Session.
H. R. 603.
( No Report. )
MARCH 3, 1838.
Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.
Mr. MORGAN, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, re- ported the following bill :
See Act  A BILL
For the relief of Letitia Crane.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, authorized to place the name of Letitia Crane on the roll of revolutionary pen- sioners, and pay her the full pension to which her deceased husband would be entitled for his services as a lieutenant in the army of the Revolution, to commence and be computed from the fourth of July, eighteen hundred and thirty-six.
Approved July 7 th 1838.
A true copy compared with the Roll in this Office.
Dept. of State, July 12 th 1838.
Kane Chief Clerk

The People of the State of New-York,
BY THE GRACE OF GOD, FREE AND INDEPENDENT:
To all to whom these Presents shall come, or may concern. SEND GREETING:
KNOW YE, That at the City and County of New-York, on the day of the date hereof, by JAMES CAMPBELL, Esq. Surrogate of our said County, Letters of Administration of all and singular the Goods, Chattels, and Credits, which were of
Sextilia Crane
late of the City and County aforesaid, Widow deceased, were granted and committed unto
Aaron Sargant of said City
In Testimony Whereof, We have caused the Seal of Office of our said Surrogate, to be hereunto affixed.
WITNESS, JAMES CAMPBELL, Esq. Surrogate of our said County, at the City of New-York, the 28th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight and of our Independence, the fifty third .
James Campbell

17 Marine Court of the City of New York
City and County of New York ss: Isaac Brown and Aaron Sergeant, being duly sworn say that they were personally acquainted with Sarah Cramer of Widow of Lieutenant John Cramer of the United States Revolutionary Army, and first the said Isaac Brown for himself saith that he has known her for about 27 years, and the said Aaron Sergeant for himself saith that he has known her for about 40 years, and that she died on the 8 th day of July 1838 leaving no children, and that to the best of their knowledge information and belief, as long as they have known her that she never had any children.
Sworn before me this 4 th day October 1838
John M c Donough Judge of the Marine Court
Isaac Brown Aaron Sergeant

I John Barberie Clerk of the Marine Court of the City of New York do hereby certify that Wm H Scott is one of the Justices of the said Court and that the said Court is a Court of Record and that the within signature is his genuine signature
In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said Court this fourth day of October in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty eight
John Barberie

Oct 1. Com.
Letitia Stone
James L. Edwards Esq. Chairman of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Respectfully
New York 28 Sept 1858
Enclosed is the Certificate of our Surrogate which I presume is suffi- cient for me to draw the money due to by the State act of Congress. So my Aunt Letitia (now deceased) mother of Mrs. Jane Luce is the Centennial a Revolutionary Army. Please at your earliest convenience forward me the necessary Certificate to draw the amount due her. As the pension agent is this City
Very Respectfully
Samuel D. D. D.

Con Con Sept 26
Leticia Crane N.Y. 1 th 1836
General Gage Washington D.C. Washington City

New York Sept 22-1838
Dear Sir -
I wish to inform you that in consequence of the death of the widow Letitia Crane - that although I had sufficient testamentary papers from her to administer in the opinion of the Surrogate of this City but as Mr. Aaron Sargeant one of the legatees has made his objection to me - I have concurred with others of the legatees that he may administer on being duly appointed and receive the certificate to have the money paid through the office in this City by the Agent here, and on no other condition - I therefore have deemed it proper to notify you of this arrangement as Mr. Sargeant is a very crafty man, and some of them are doubtful of his correct intentions - and intended to proceed to Washington and obtain the money that is due to the widow there he might get it improperly and thereby deprive them of their just rights - I therefore humbly request in behalf of the claimants & legatees to the estate as well as myself as I have claims against it - that you will cause the amount due to her to be paid to proper administrators through the office in this City on your Certificate for - recorded here -
I remain Most Respectfully J. V. Edwards Esq. { your Obedt Servt
YRB.
Please favor me with your Reply -
A. D. Moore 44 Nostrand St

J. L. Edwards Esq Coun of Paris

Washington
17 Jan'y 1838
Sir,
You will oblige me by sending me the papers of relating to the application of Letitia Crane for a pension as I wish to present her petition to the House -
Very respects
C. P. Cabaniss
J. L. Edwards Esq Com. of Pensions
P.S. You can send them by the bearer -

In - at - Jan 15 - NY
J. L. Edwards Esq Comr of Pensions
Hon. C.C. Cambreleng ARR

Colo. Edwards will oblige Mr. Cumberland by informing him whether an application to Congress is necessary in the enclosed case -
Wash 13 Jan 1838

Lot 11 th July 3, Span-Brown

New York August 5 th 1837
Dear Sir -
I have herewith forwarded for your re-examination the Papers of Letitia Crane with such additional proofs and information as I have been able to procure in proof of her marriage - and John Crane after Peace took Place, coming out of the Army, with a little continental money he always remained Poor and having no Children, consequently there is no family records to refer to, as the widow Crane informs me -
I hope notwithstanding you will find her Papers Satisfactory, the Certificate of the widow Thang, who is about the same age as the widow Crane - together with the Statement of Samuel Young Esquire to me of his knowledge of John Crane Letitia's Husband. Shows very clearly to my mind that they were married During the war - I therefore submit the case to your early Decision with the hope it will not require as much Delay, as if they had not before been Examined - you will Please Direct me an answer as soon as possible at 44 Robinson St -
Yours very Respectfully A Brown
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions

1118 603 Letitia Crane
Widow of John Crane Revolutionary Army—
Jan. 29. 1838 Appt to Com. on Rev. Pensions Mar. 3. 1838 Bill No 603.
Letter to a Sergeant and J. Brown, July 17. 1838
Bill for 2 years from 4 th July 1836
July 17
Rev. Pensions

War Department,
Pensino Office,
January 16, 1838.
Sir,
I have the honor to return you the petition of M rs Letitia Crane, and in reply to your enquiry to state, the Department cannot extend to her the benefit of the Act of 4 July, 1836, upon the evidence adduced of the date of her marriage.
The relation of husband and wife is so generally a matter susceptible of documentary or record proof, that, in the first instance, proof of that grade is expected; but if it be shewn that under the particular circumstances it was improbable that any record was ever made of it, parol testimony of credible persons, founded on their own personal knowledge, is received as satisfactory. In this case, no record evidence is adduced; and that of the witnesses is vague, inferential, and unsatisfactory.
If you should desire to have her papers, they will be forwarded to you upon your receipt therefor.
I have the honor to be,
very respectfully, yr. obt. servt.
J. L. Edwards
Hon. E. Cambreleng, House of Reps.

Lolita back
adm of Ms
Responde
file
Geo. H. Denny Acting Comdr of Navy
J. Brown Esq New York
Ms
4

War Department Pension Office October 23 d 1837
Sir
In answer to yours respecting the case of Mrs. Solitia Crane, widow of John Crane, deceased, I have to inform you that I cannot consistently with the rules of the Department accede to your request to have her papers returned to you.
I do not agree with you that the requirements of the Department as to proof of marriage will deprive numerous or any claimants of their just claims under the Act of 4 th July 1836, considering how universally the relation of husband and wife is susceptible of record or documentary proof, it would be perfectly consistent with the established rules of evidence if the Department required that grade of evidence. If in this case any family register or other papers showing the birth of a child before the termination of the service or any letter from the late husband

while absent from her in the service could be produced it would be satisfactory. The recollection of date so far back must be very uncertain unless fortified by memorandum or other contemporaneous writing or associated with some event in the life of the deponent so important as to be indelibly impressed upon the memory. The personal testimony in this case is not thus fortified and the presumption is that an officer in the line would not have contracted marriage at that period of the war.
I am Very Respectfully Your O be Servant Geo. W m Brump
J. Brown Esq New York

Concord Sept d 11 th 1837
Dear Sir, Your letter of the 9 th inst t is received in which you state that the additional evidence in relation to the marriage of Letitia Crane widow of John Crane is not satisfactory and that the testimony is a credible witness present on the occasion will be necessary to permit me to keep my prize and reject that common obstacle which in the way of awarding the just dues to the widows of Deceased Revolutionary Patriots, provided by the acts of Congress, in the supplemental act of 1832 Sec d 3 d - and of the registration act of 1836 Sec d 3 d - where the Law of the United States that if the widow is living at the time those acts were passed she shall be entitled to receive the benefits therein mentioned in your former letter the services of the deceased husband is admitted to record in the war Department - and the widows declaration clearly sets forth the time she was legally married to John Crane - the affidavit of Sarah Strong Plainly shows that she was acquainted with Letitia before she was -

= Married, During the war and also after it. being announced as being married to an Amer- =ican Officer and Publicly known and understood as being married, and then living at Rockhill pre- vious to Peace taking place - and the testimony of Martha Hoes states explicitly that she was mar- =ried to William Haggard the Brother of Abigail soon after Peace took place and that it was well known and understood by all their associates and acquaintance then living that about =in 1815 - If I have a right construction of the rules governing the testimony where there is no Documentary proof - traditional evi- =dence will be deemed useful in every such case. if no case is not made out where is the possibility of establishing one case in 1000 - had the Applicant not associates of her own age at the ceremony it would be 1000 chances to one to find one living witness now to testify in her behalf - at that Period it was seldom that a certificate of marriage was asked for or given at the Presbyterian Chur- =ches and in particular case the Church at which she was married has since been burned and Previous to 1807 - therefore the Docum- =ents of the Church is lost

= at the time Judge Riker took Depositions in this case - after examining the papers and certifying to the credibility of the affiants with whom he had long been personally acquainted - he then freely expressed himself that he thought their evidence sufficient, and that he had no doubt the worth thereof - and where is the Court or Jury in a case at common Law where a poor and aged widow whose credibility is substantiated with her husband's Commission in her hand comes before the Judge and swears that she was the lawful wife of such Officer, married at such a period and that her husband had since died leaving her a widow could he object to her Declaration - when supported with circum- =stantial and credible testimony of other wit- =nesses - - It would seem that by the revision of the rules prescribed for the granting of Pensions that it requires more positive proof than is ne- =cessary to convict a Criminal of arson or fel- =ony - to enable the claimant to obtain their stipend granted under the various Acts of Congress - I have only to add if as you say that her papers are not satisfactory they can be of no use to the Department and I am instructed to request you to return

them forthwith, that She may be enabled to make some further efforts if possible to re- tain the relief She seems so justly entitled to as She is entirely destitute and at al- most helpless—
Most Respectfully your Humble Servt
E. Brown
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commission of Pensions.

Honorable = C. C. Cambell Member of Congress Washington City

New York Jan. 15 th 1838
Dr Sir —
I received your note of the 13 th inst — in which you express your readiness to give the widow Coates case your best attention, which is duly acknowledged —
I have thought since forwarding to you her Petition that it might not be amiss — to state to you precisely all the papers as presented to Mr Edwards, that there may be no mistake when called for — first her Declaration — Second a Certificate of Rev d Mr Thompson Third Deposition of Sarah Coates — Fourth Deposition of Martha Coates — Fifth her Deposition & Statement — forwarded to the Department in July — last — in addition on the 3 rd of October the commission of her John Coates the husband — with the affirmation of Catharine Ward — and another Deposition of my own — it won't be very gratifying to the old lady, (as her health is precarious) if you can give it as early attention as practicable — I noticed your Resolution last month which was adopted as well as one by Mr Talmage in the Senate, to allow the widows of Deceased officers & soldiers to receive the Pensions due to their husbands though married after Peace took place — will you please to

inform me if there is a prospect of its pass- ing for their relief —
I remain very Respectfully
Yours &c
AB Brown
44 Robinson St
Honorable C.C. Cambellings Member of Congress.

2093
Letitia Crane.
W. June 1848 N.Y.
Isaac Brown, Esq. Pres.
Isaac Brown

City & County of New York } ss
Personally appeared before me - Richard Riker Recorder of the City of New York Catharine Ward, now Being Seventy Six years of age Doth Affirm and say that she is well ac- quainted with Catharine Crane widow of deceased John Crane who is now applying for her Husband's Pension, and that she has known her as being the wife of the said John Crane fifty two years ago or more, and that they were then living together and recognized as man and wife, at that Period, and Publicly - Reported, and believed, to have been law- fully Married During the revolutionary war, while living at Peekskill - and she fully believes that their being so married, is true and matter of fact, and that they were Esteemed as Persons of Respectable Character -
her Duly affirmed this 25 th day of September 1837 before me in the City of New York & I further certify that Catharine Ward above named is a respectable woman & entitled to full credit
R. Riker Recorder of the City of New York

STATE OF NEW-YORK, CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, } ss.
I, Thomas Jeremiah , Clerk of the City and County of New-York, and also Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That
Richard Riker Esq before whom the annexed affidavit was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, Recorder of the City of New York in and for said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature thereto subscribed is genuine, as I verily believe, and authorized to administer oaths.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, the 25 th day of Sept 183 7
Thos Jeremiah Clerk.
There being so to facts Persons here the X Ward mark further above than Dikeman of the City of New York

City & County of New York } 88
Personally appeared before me Richard Riker Recorder of the City of New York Isaac Brown, who being Duly Sworn, took an Oath and said that he was well acquainted with Catharine (Sergeant) the Mother of Letitia Crane (widow of Lieut. John Crane (who is now applying for her Husband's Pension) from the year 1811 to the time of her death which occurred in the year 1818 - and he has during that Period, repeatedly heard her said mother say that her Daughter Letitia was lawfully married to the said John Crane in the twenty first year of her age while she and her family were living at Peekskill during the revolutionary war - and he said further before said Oath that he was well acquainted with James Sergeant the Brother of Letitia Crane for twenty three years previous to his death in the year 1832 - and that he has often heard the said James Sergeant say that his Sister Letitia was lawfully married to Lieut. John Crane - During the Revolutionary war - and that his Sister Letitia was then living with his Mother's family at Peekskill - and that he and the said John Crane were after their marriage stationed near each other on the lines in Westchester County and Dover Dutch till the close of the war in 1783 when they all returned to the City of New York in the month of December that year -
Isaac Brown
25. Febry 1837 I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original now on file in my office.

I certify that Isaac Brown within named is well known to me & is entitled to full credit.
R. Barker
Recorder of the City of New York
New York 25 th day of Sept r 1837

War Department
Pension Office,
February 22. 1838.
Sir,
The commission of Lieut. John Crane is herewith returned, and in reply to the enquiry contained in your letter I have to inform you that the records of the 6 th Massachusetts Regiment in this office do not show at what period he left the service. We have, however, a complete list of the officers of that regiment who served till the end of the war, and Lieut. Crane's name does not appear thereon.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obed. Servt.
J. G. Edwards
Hon. W. S. Morgan, House of Representatives.

Payment to be made at by Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of
Send cut: to Aaron Sergeant Enf New York
(among cut 4 July, 36 Pensioners)
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book Vol. Page by
Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the section of the law of the United States, of the 7th July, 1838, Letitia Crane late of New York widow of John Crane who was a Lieutenant of the Revolutionary Army was entitled to receive pay at the rate of Three Hundred and Twenty dollars and  July  cents per annum, commencing on the 4th of March , 1836 and terminating on the having died day of on the 8 th July last past, 183 , the day of the death and the amount due up to the day of her death is payable to her administrator.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this eighth day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned
Commissioner of Pensions

Jas K Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

New York July 20 th 1834
Dear Sir, I received your communication under date of the 17 th inst in which you inform me that several persons have applied for the certificate of Letticia Crane to whom a pension has been granted by a special act of Congress. I feel greatly obliged to you for this information and would consider it a special favor if you will furnish me with the names of the persons who have made such application and through what agent it is asked for with her name, and I also request that you will not transmit the certificate to any other person than myself. I have herewith enclosed a Power of Attorney from Mrs. Crane, as well as a letter of yours, to me when the application was first made by me for her Pension at your Department and also a part of the correspondence from Mr. Cambell to me on the subject of the application to Congress and the passage of the act for her relief, as through him her Petition was presented. I presume the enclosed papers will convince you that I am the sole authorized agent of the widow Letticia Crane. I am as ever - you

That no other person or persons have ever been authorized by her to make any application in her behalf in any instance, and I can only express my astonishment at the temerity of the persons who have dared to make such application — the act for her relief passed the Senate on Saturday the 7 th of July Instant and she is the identical person named in said act — you will have the goodness to return me the enclosed papers as they may be of further use to me — and at the same time forward me her Certificate if you are satisfied — I had requested Mr Cambaching to call on you for her Certificate before he left Washington but he had not time —
I am Most Respectfully your Obedt Servant
J. A. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
AB Brown
44 Robinson St.
PS
Please answer me as soon as Practical yours — J. A.
AB

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
For John Brancourt and confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct, and Fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to be a Lieutenant in the 12th Massachusetts Regiment in the Army of the United States, to take rank as of April 1779. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of things therein belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers, under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as a Lieutenant. And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time, as you shall receive from this, or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress for that purpose appointed, a Committee of the States, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the Army of the United States, or any other your Superior Officer, according to the rules and discipline of War, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This Commission is continue in force until revoked by this, or a future Congress, the Committee of Congress before mentioned, or a Committee of the States.
Entered in the War Office and examined by the Board
Attest. Ben. Hall
Secretary of the Board of War
Witness John Hancock Esq. President of the Congress of the United States of America. Given under my hand this 17th day of October 1779, and in the fourth year of our Independence.
Sam. Huntington President
Asst. to Brancourt