Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6,676, Stephen Clapp, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
Continental Mass.
Clapp, Stephen Lydia
NUMBER
W. 6676 B.L.M. 7/205-160-55
CONTENTS
[Blank lined area for contents]
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8/128

2557
For correspondence see envelope
inside A.S. Clapp Nov: 4 th 1857
E. H. Clapp Oct 7. 1857
240.664
New York Albany Lydia Clapp widow of Stephen, Clapp Esq who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Lieut: of Artificers,
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 400, dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 20 th day of Oct r 1853. and sent to A. L. McDougall, Salem, Washington County N. York.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 70 Vol. 1

Jan'y 13/82 Let to Agent recalling warrant - title of warrant as lawful widow questionable - was a married woman at the time of her marriage to Capt. - see pension papers - Recat filed. - J.H. Mar. 10/87 - Lett. to Comr. M c L and Office. R.R.C. widow estm d to her right - see evidence in Pension papers. By order of Mr. Cole. Sep r 25/87 - Lett. to Comr. M c L and Office. R.R.C.
Vol 6-1-155
240.664.
Act of Mar. 3 6 55 16
Warrant assumed later
Lydia H. Clapp widow of Stephen Clapp Lt of Artillery
No 39491 - pension - widow - Stephen
Revolutionary War!
Rec Pension of $400. 2 d Section of the act of 3 d Feb y . 1853.
Feb 53 2557
Ad: Wall, Aug: 22, 86
Blyth
Samuel H. Marks
Albany. N.Y.

The within Subscribed and Sworn this 2 nd day of April 1818 before me
Asa Fitch One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Washington in the State of New York
I do hereby certify that from an intimate acquaintance with Stephen Clapp and Amhurst Wheeler for more than thirty years last past & knowing them to be Men of the strictest veracity am satisfied that the said Stephen Clapp did serve as an Officer in the Revolutionary war against the common Enemy from my knowledge of his reported Circumstances & absolutely read the Assistance of for the sum specified in the within affidavit and that he was entitled to relief under the Act to provide for certain Persons engaged in the Land & Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary war
Salem April 2 nd 1818
Asa Fitch One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Washington & State of New York
State of New York Washington County } ss } Daniel Shepherd Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Washington Do hereby certify that Asa Fitch Esq. is of the Judges of said County and that the name Asa Fitch Sub- scribed to the above is his hand writing and that he is now acting under the Authority of the said State In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court this 14 th day of April 1818 Daniel Shepherd Clerk

I Stephen Clapp of Salem in the County of Washington and State of New York hereby depose & swear that I entered the revolutionary service to fight against the common enemy of the then United Colonies of America in the year of Our Lord One thousand seven hundred and seventy five in the month of April in a Company called minute men commanded by Captain Ebenezer Webber of the Town of Worthington in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts bay remained in Webber's Company about seven months then enlisted into Captain Benjamin Bonney's Company in Colonel Samuel Brown's Regiment in the Massachusetts line on the Continental establishment where I served about four months I then enlisted under Captain John Wood during the war as an Artillerist in the Corps commanded by Major Painter under the direction & superintendence of General Greene & was transferred to a Company commanded by Captain William Lizer in Colonel Baldwin's Regiment where I was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant and remained in that Command under Captain Lizer until the year One thousand seven hundred and eighty one when I was on the recruiting service by the Orders of General Timothy Pickering I enlisted and marched fifty eight men to York Town in the State of Virginia and remained in the service against the common enemy until the month of April in the year One thousand seven hundred and eighty two which made the time of my service upwards of six years and was a commissioned officer one year and five months the last part of the time, I was then Honorably discharged by General Timothy Pickering & I further state that my Commission and other papers relating to the service are in the hands of John Savage Esquire one of the Representatives to Congress from the Eastern District of the State of New York and that I am in reduced circumstances and stand in need of assistance which I think myself entitled to by an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war, and further this deponent saith not
Stephen Clapp

State of New York County of Washington } Be it Known, that on this eleventh day of April A. D. Eighteen hundred and fifty three before me one of the Justices of the Supreme Court in and for the State of New York, personally appeared Sydia Clapp a resident of the town of Packson in said County, and made oath according to law, that she is the widow of Stephen Clapp, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States at the time of his death at the rate of four hundred dollars per annum, that she was married to the said Stephen Clapp on the fifteenth day of March eighteen hundred and fourteen, in the town of Hobson in said County of Washington & State of New York, that her said husband died on the third day of May eighteen hundred and twenty nine, that she makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining such a portion of pension as may be due under any of the laws, Regulations, or decisions that have been or may hereafter be adopted
The said Declarant Sydia Clapp further states that she has not intermarried, but continues to be a widow; that she now resides in the town of Packson in the said County of Washington & State of New York, and has resided there for the space of Twenty three years past, and that previous thereto she resided in the said town of Salem. & further that the said declarant has received no part of said pension as said widow
The said Declarant further states, that she hereby constitutes and appoints Archibald S. McDougall of the town of Salem in said County her true and lawful Attorney and agent to prosecute said claim, with power of substitution, to examine all papers and documents in relation to it, and to do all things

necessary and lawful in the premises, except drawing the money, which will be hereafter provided for. Sworn to and subscribed this 11th day of April of April 1853 before me
C. Allen
Justice of the Court
I Cornelius S Allen a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, do hereby certify that Lydia Clapp above named is a respectable resident of the County of Washington aforesaid, and that I am well acquainted with the said Lydia Clapp, and know her to be the same person she represents herself to be in the foregoing declaration. She has this day appeared before me and acknowledged the above power of Attorney to be her act and deed, and further certify that the said Lydia Clapp from infirm health is unable to attend in open Court and make this declaration, but that the same was made before me at her said residence dated 11 th April 1853.
C. Allen
Justice of the Court
State of New York County of Washington } Be it known that on this twenty ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three before me one of the Justices of the peace in and for the County of Washington aforesaid, personally appeared Phoebe Rogers, a resident of the town of Nelson in the County of Washington aforesaid, and made oath according to law, that she is aged seventy seven years, that

for the last forty years, she has resided in the said town of Hebron in said County of Washington, that she is now and has been for the last forty years personally acquainted with Lydia Clapp of the town of Jackson in said County, the above named applicant, that this deponent was acquainted with the late Stephen Clapp named in the foregoing affidavit in his lifetime, that she knows the said Lydia Clapp to be the widow of the said Stephen Clapp, that this deponent was present at the marriage of the said Stephen Clapp to the said Lydia Clapp in the town of Hebron in said County in March in the year A. D. 1814 - that Reverend Joel Boyington officiated as Clergyman at the time that the said Stephen Clapp departed this life in the year A. D. 1829 or thereabouts, that the said Lydia Clapp has not intermarried but continues to be a widow, and further this deponent says she has no interest in the foregoing application of the said Lydia Clapp & further says Not
Sworn & subscribed this 29 th day of April 1853 before & in presence of me by the said Phebe Rogers by Making her mark
her Phebe X Rogers mark
Joseph Crier Justice of the Peace

DECLARATION.
State of New York } ss. County of Washington }
On this 22 nd day of March A. D. 1856 before me, J. A. M c Intire a Justice of the Peace in and for the county and state aforesaid, personally appeared Lydia Clapp aged 88 years, a resident of the Town of Jackson in the State of New York who, being duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the Bounty Land to which she is entitled under the Act of Congress approved March 3d, 1855.
That she is the widow of Stephen Clapp — who was a Sgt. of Artificers in the Revolutionary War; that, on account of the services of her husband, the aforesaid Stephen Clapp — in said war, she now receives a Pension at the rate of $  four hundred Dollars per annum, under the 2 d Section of the act of 3 rd February 1853 as will more fully appear by reference to the evidence now on file in the Pension Office at Washington.
She further declares that she is now a widow; that she has never before applied for nor received any Bounty Land under this or any other Act of Congress.
Claimant's Signature.
Lydia Clapp
WE, James Cleveland and Henry Cleveland residents of Jackson in the State of New York — upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Lydia Clapp — in our presence, and that we know her to be the identical person she represents herself to be. and that she is now a widow
James Cleveland
Signature of Witnesses.
Henry Cleveland
The foregoing declaration and affidavits were sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Magistrate.
J. A. M c Intire Justice of the Peace

above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the identical
STATE OF NEW-YORK WASHINGTON COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, } ss.
I, NATHANIEL B. MILLIMAN, Clerk of said County, hereby certify that A. M. Harkness whose name is subscribed to the declaration & affidavit in writing hereto annexed, was, on the 23 rd day of March 185 6 a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly qualified by law to act as such Justice. He like said affidavit and that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of said Justice, and believe his signature subscribed thereto is genuine. WITNESS my hand and Official Seal this 31 st day of March 185 6
N B Milliman CLERK.
240. 664
DEEPWATER

Lydia Clapp wid of Stephen N.Y. Oct 1853, admitted
Evidence in support of Application to be reinstated on pension roll.
A. A. Combs

State of New York
County of Washington ss: A. Boardman Lambert, D.D., a resident of the Town of Salem, in said County, being duly sworn, says, that he is the resident pastor of the Presbyterian Church in said town, & has officiated in that capacity in said church for the term of thirteen years last past - That Lydia Clapp, the widow of Stephen Clapp deceased, has been a member of said church from before Deponent came to this place. That he is intimately acquainted with her, and from all that he has ever heard or known of the said Lydia, she is a person entirely above reproach.
That during the past winter, Deponent occasionally called on the family of Constant Clapp, who is a son of the said Stephen Clapp deceased, on which occasions the said Constant Clapp conversed with Deponent in relation to the efforts made by Ambrose S. Clapp, (a grand son of the said Stephen Clapp) to stop the pension allowed to the said Lydia Clapp, upon the ground, (as Deponent was informed) that at the time of the marriage to the said Stephen Clapp, the said Lydia had not positively heard of the death of her former husband, but that he had been absent so long a time, that it was fairly presumable that he was dead.
Deponent asked the said Constant whether the said Ambrose S. was expecting to make any money by stopping the old lady's pension, to which the said Constant replied, that he would not, that if the pension was stopped, it would fail altogether and that Ambrose S. & Melville must be of the same character of intermeddling, as he had shown by instituting suits against other parties in which, in some cases he has been paid for withdrawing suits. Deponent further saith that the above conversation took place in the presence of Alfred H. Clapp, (a son of the said Constant) in which he joined, and fully concurred.
Sworn to and subscribed on this 6th day of August A.D. 1857. before me -
A. Boardman Lambert
J. H. McFarland
Pastor of the Dea.
Certify that I am well acquainted with the Reverend A. Boardman Lambert above named, and that he is a credible Witness. J. H. McFarland Pastor of the Dea.

STATE OF NEW-YORK, WASHINGTON COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. } ss:
I, N. B. MILLIMAN, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that J. S. McFarland whose name is subscribed to the Certificates in writing hereto annexed, was, at the time of signing the same, a Justice of the Peace _____ in and for the County aforesaid, duly elected and qualified by law to act as such _____ and that his signature subscribed thereto is genuine.
WITNESS, my hand and official Seal, this Eighth day of August 185 7 H. B. Richardson DEPUTY CLERK.

East Salem Washington Co. New York Sept-30 th 1857.
Wm Lloyd Whiting,
Dear Sir I am informed by A. Spencer Clapp that he has been in communication with the Department respecting the Pension of the reputed widow of Stephen Clapp of the Navy Army.
That he has informed the Department that her Claims are illegal (in this) that she Lydia Clapp had a husband living at the time that my Father married her, and that James Cleveland is making or has made a strong effort to repudiate the statement of said A. S. Clapp, for the purpose of reinstating the said widow in the receipt of the Pension.
The facts set forth by said A. S. Clapp can be as I believe, fully substantiated by her own confession as well as by living witnesses. My wife has told me of late that she the widow Lydia Clapp, long ago intrusted the Secret to her, as well as to the all the members of the Brothers.
I intend to be at Washington before long and will confer personally with you on the subject as well as on some of my business with the department.
Very Respectfully Yours
E. M. Clapp

sion on file in this Bureau.
Stephen Clapp (Mds 6676)
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr 75 7 years Private Ebenezer Webber - Mass   " " " Benjamin Bonner Samuel Brewster "   " " Artillerist John Wood   Nov 12, 1779 to 1781 2 nd Lt Wm Dizer Jeduthan Baldwin   then on recruiting service by order of Gen. Clinton   and discharged in Apr. 1782 after having served upwards of 6 years  
Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, not stated
Date of application for pension, Apr 3 1818 Her claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Salem Washington Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, not stated She died May 3, 1829 -
Remarks: Sol. mrs. at Hebrew Wash. Co. N.Y. Mar. 18, 1814 Lydia - who had formerly mrs. 1 st - Shepard or Shepard, and 2 nd - Albra. She was at pns. on ap. etc. Apr 11, 1813 res. of Jackson Wash. Co. N.Y. ar. 86. Soldier's dower by a former wife, Constant and Spinner as referred to and Grandsons, Ambrose S. son of Spinner and Alfred F. the son of Constant.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
I did not refer to allegations against Widow no proof of previous marriages, nor did I mention her children, nor descendants of Stephen Clapp.

L. B. Jones had the canoe out May 10 - 54
2551 New York A.
Sydia Clapp widow of Stephen
to A. S. Clapp. cannot find Dec 10/55 same March 28/56 knows of cannot find A. S. Clapp May 26/55 S. H. Minter Oct. 22. 1856. A. S. Clapp Jan. 15. 1857 Same April 18/57 Same Aug 27/57 Sept 25. let to A. S. Clapp S. H. Minter
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Lieut. of Artificers.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 0. Dollars
its per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of October 1853 and sent to
A. S. McDougal Salem Washington Co N.Y.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853. Page 70. Vol. A.
47
(1828)
39491-76
1857 4
240664

New York
5,144
Stephen Clapp 4 Lieutenant
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War. Continental Mass.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 st of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th of Nov 1818 and sent Hon Mr Savage House of Representatives
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1818 5 m 30 102.00 emi-anl. all'ce ending 4 mar 1819 120.
Balduin 322.00
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
IV Salem 1775-79
Washington Co.

Statement of
Jane Clapp of Salem Washington County State of New York
Sayes that she is well acquainted with Lydia Clapp claiming to be the widow of Stephen Clapp deceased and have known her since the spring of 1874 which was the time I believe she married Stephen Clapp —
a few years after her marriage with Stephen Clapp she was inclined to Joine the Presbyterian Church (and being a daughter in law of Stephen Clapp) she Lydia Clapp came to me and consulted with me in regard to her Joining the Church in that conversation she divulged to me her fear of being rejected and told me her reasons. She then said Lydia said that she had been married to a man by the name of Albro and that she lived with him but a short time

and left him and she supposed him alive when she married Stephen Clapp (at least she had never heard of his death) and expected to meet with opposition in getting into the Church. Several times after that she made similar confusions in regard to her second husband Albion and I said in excuse for her doing as she had that Albion was a dissipated man and did not treat her well. She lived with Stephen Clapp about fifteen years and since his (Clapp's death) she has made it her home with her son in law by her James Cleveland who married a child of hers by her first husband a Mr. Shiphard. She Stephen Clapp married her with a short acquaintance of not over three weeks. She Lydia was recommended to him as the Widow Shiphard I believe he never knew of her second marriage.

She Lydia made similar confessions to two other persons (daughters in law of Stephen Clapp) as they have told me sworn before me      } Same Clapp May 19 th 1856 J. H. M. G. and Justice of the Peace

Statement of
Ambrose S. Clapp of Salem Washington County and State of New York —
Says that he is well acquainted with Lydia Clapp claiming to be the widow of Stephen Clapp deceased and also with James Cleveland his son in law they being both residents of the town of Jackson in the County and State aforesaid and I further say that soon after the passage of the act of 1853 for the benefit of widows of Revolutionary officers and soldiers this son in law of Lydia Clapp James Cleveland employed one A. L. McDougal to assist him in obtaining a pension for his mother in law as the widow of Stephen Clapp deceased that soon after these steps taken by said Cleveland and before he had drawn

any part of said pension (as hitherto acknowledged) I held a conversation with him in which he acknowledged and said that his mother in law had been lawfully married to one Mr Albro and that said Albro was a worthless dissipated man and that his mother in law would not live with him and that she left said Albro and after leaving him she made Stephen Clapp that she had been married three times but they were all dead —
Some time in the fall of 1853 I called on James Cleveland after he had commenced drawing the pension of Lydia Clapp and requested an interview with him and his mother in law he asked me if it was any thing in regard to her pension I told him it was and it was important.

to him and his both, that he should hear once he refused to said the whole thing was his that his mother in law Lydia Blapp had agreed to give all the interest she had as a pensioner as widow of Stephen Blapp and that he should hold no conversation with me on that subject and said at that time that she had nothing to do with it the pension
I said no more to him at that time on the first of Dec I call on him and told him that I had positive proof that his mother in law's second husband was living at the time (and long after) she the said Lydia Mariade Stephen Blapp and requested him to tell his mother in law what I said and also acknow- ledged the fact to your department and refund the money that he had

drawn unlawfully of Government he sayed he was able to refund the money he had drawn if they (the Government) could make it appear that it was drawn unlawfully. he then threatened me with prosecution if I made such statements to Your Department and at this time he he said She was married to Albro, but he defied me to prove that he said Albro was living when she married Clark
A. S. Clark
Washington County, ss.
I subscribe A. S. Clark of said County, being duly sworn, do the deposes and say that the matters stated in the above, by him subscribed, is in all respects true
A. S. Clark
Sworn before me, this 14 th day of May
1856 - Aaron Martin, Justice of the peace

I Constant Clapp say that I am a resident of Jackson Washington County and State of New York, and am the son of Stephen Clapp deceased, and I am well acquainted with Lydia Clapp and until within a short time I supposed her to be the lawful widow of my deceased Father. But becoming satisfied that she had a husband living at the time she married my Father I took the first opportunity to enquire of her and advise her in regard to the facts as I had them. This opportunity soon occurred at my House in the summer of 1836. She Lydia Clapp then and there acknowledged to my wife (now deceased) that she had a husband living or did not know of his death at the time she married Stephen Clapp and his name was Abner, that she lived with him but a short time and left him, and this deponent further says that he is well acquainted with one James Cleveland, a son in law of this reputed widow of Stephen Clapp deceased, with whom she Lydia resides and has since the death of my Father, and he the said James call at my House at this time for his mother in law to take her home. I feeling anxious to have him understand what conversation had taken place with me and my wife in regard to her having a husband living at the time of her marriage with Stephen Clapp, and commenced to tell him Cleveland and he refused to hear any thing said in regard to the matter and she the said Lydia asked her son in law James Cleveland to hear what run

I was a trying till him, and he refused me saying he knew all about that man Albig and that he had not been heard from for six ten or sometime years and he did not want me to meddle any more with his business, and buried his Mother in law away with him, and this deponent further says that late in the Fall of 1856 a Son of this Lydia Clapp by her first Husband (Whose name was Shiphard) this son now living in new England, came to my House in the Town of Jackson, and in a conversation with him I told him that there was a rumor that his Mother had a husband living at the time of her marriage with Stephen Clapp, his answer was that she his Mother (after his Fathers death) married a man by the name of Albig, that he knew very little about him, but his Brother George lived with his Mother after her second marriage, and that he knew that she his Mother left this said Albig and he never heard of his death, and this deponent believes the facts set forth in the above statement to be true dated at Salem Jan. 28 1857 soon before me January 28 th 1857 J. M. Garland Just Deem  Conradt Clapp
Salem Washington County N.Y. Jan. 29 th 1857
Before Enclosed is the Statement of Constant Clapp, and I may be able to get the affidavits of others which are stronger to the point than this, but you must be aware of the difficulty that I labour under, not having any power to compel those who know most to voluntarily give them affidavits. I have been prosecuted from the beginning by those in interest of James and charged with forcing the answers from my department (Clericland) he is a man of considerable property and has quite an influence with a certain class of people about him, and his last act in getting up the papers to obtain a Land Warrant for the benefit of this Widow Clapp can not be viewed in any other light than a fraud upon Government, I think if full power be conferred upon some one to demand the money he has drawn and concealed, to his own use, that he would refund it, certainly there would be no difficulty in collecting it.
I am very Respectfully Yours etc. etc. A. S. Clapp Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

State of New York, County of Washington } ss - Be it known that on this Second sixth day of May  April A.D. 1853. before me one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Washington aforesaid personally appeared Joseph Grozier, a resident of the town of Hebron in the County aforesaid and made oaths according to law, that he is aged forty two years, that for the last fifteen years he has resided in the said town of Hebron, & that he is now and has been for the last fifteen years acquainted with the foregoing named deponent Phebe Rogers, & that the general reputation of the said Phebe Rogers is good, and a competent & credible witness fully entitled to credit & belief & further that deponent says that he has no interest in the foregoing application of the said Lydia Clapp & further says not Sworn & subscribed this 2 nd day of May 1853 before & in presence of me Joseph Grozier me George C. Ashley. Justice

State of New York County of Washington
Be it known that on this seventh day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three before me one of the Justices of the peace in and for the County of Washington aforesaid, personally appeared William McCollister, a resident of the town of Salem in the County aforesaid, and made oath according to law, that he is aged sixty years, that he has ever resided in said town of Salem that he is now and has been for the last thirty nine years or thereabouts personally acquainted with Lydia Clapp of the town of Jackson in said County the above named applicant and declarant, that this deponent was acquainted with the late Stephen Clapp named in the foregoing affidavit of said Lydia Clapp on his lifetime, that he knows the said Lydia Clapp to be the widow of the said Stephen Clapp, that this deponent always during the lifetime of this deponent until the death of said Stephen Clapp resided within about one mile of said Stephen Clapp and in the same town and knows that from about the year of our Lord 1814 until the death of said Stephen Clapp in the year 1829 the said Lydia Clapp lived with the said Stephen Clapp as his wife, and was so reputed to be, that the said Stephen Clapp departed this life in the year A. D. 1829 or thereabouts, that the said Lydia Clapp has not intermarried but continues to be a widow and further this deponent says he has no interest in the foregoing application of the said Lydia Clapp, this deponent further says that he has heard read the foregoing affidavit of said Lydia Clapp & believes the same to be true & further says not
Sworn & subscribed this 7th day of May 1853 before me in my presence
Wm McCollister
J. A. M c Farland Justice of the Peace

State of New York } ss } Nathaniel B Milliman Clerk of the Washington County } County of Washington Clerk of the Supreme & County Courts in & for said County, both being Courts of Record having Common Law Jurisdiction & a clerk & seal do certify that Joseph Crosier, George Ashley & J A McFarland Esquires whose names are subscribed to the several Jurats and Certificates hereto annexed & before whom the annexed affidavits were severally and respectively taken & sworn, were severally and respectively Justices of the peace in & for said County at the times when they each of subscribed their name & names to the said Jurat & Jurats so subscribed by them & that they & each of them were at said several times duly Elected sworn and qualified by law to take affidavits to be read in all the Courts of this State & to administer oaths in general & to take proof & acknowledgements of Deeds & other Conveyances. And that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Joseph Crosier, George Ashley & J A McFarland & each of them & that the signature of said Joseph Crosier, George Ashley & J A McFarland to the said Jurat by them respectively subscribed is & each is genuine. And I further certify that C S Allen Esquire whose name is subscribed to the Jurat and also to the Certificate hereto annexed was at the date thereof a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York duly Elected commissioned sworn & qualified by law to act & do the duties of such Justice & that his signature subscribed to said Jurat & to said Certificate are both genuine.
In the matter of Lydia Clapp Widow of Stephen Clapp for a pension
In Witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said County & of said Courts. this 26th day of August A D 1853
N B Milliman Clerk

Act of 1855
240.664
Lydia Clapp, wid: of Stephen Clapp, Decd Lt. of Artif.
Revolutionary War.
Adm d - 160 duc
J. J. Coombs Present.
71.205 Found Sept. 23 rd 1857
Oct. 3 rd 57 - Sept. to Jan. 58. Made - Albany - New York. Information of voice and direction of movement.
Vol. C. - 165.
MS. B. 6

71.205
C
160. Ac.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
To Stephen Clap Esquire
Greeting We, Reposing special trust
and confidence in your Patriotism, Valor, Conduct, and Fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you, to be a Second Lieutenant in the Connecticut Regiment of Artillery, commanded by Colonel Walbridge in the Army of the United States, to take rank as such in said Regiment from the 12 th day of November 1778. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a Second Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of things thereinunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers, under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as unto a Second 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 to continue in force until revoked by this, or a future Congress, the Committee of Congress forementioned, or a Committee of the States.
Entered in the War Office and examined by the Board
Attest
Ben: Fish Secretary of the Board of War
Witness His Excellency Samuel Huntington Esq d President of the Congress of the United States of America, at Philadelphia the 17 th day of February 1782, and in the Fourth Year of our Independence.
Sam l Huntington President

No. of Original Payment 906
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
23 Dec 1828
Stephen Clapp of Salem in the County of Washington in the State of New York has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he was as an officer on the Continental line, and served as such to the end of the war,
at which period he was a acting as Captain of Artillery Artificers Lieutenant in Col Baldwin's regiment of the line; and that he received does not recollect when commutation certificates for the five years full pay granted by the resolve of 22 March, 1783; and, further, that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing. dollars, paid to him by the agent in the State of
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far these several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary F. D. Dickins
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
24 th December 1828
does not It appears by the records in this office, that final settlement certificates have been issued for the commutation of five years full pay to Stephen Clapp - Lieutenant in the Col. Baldwin's Artillery, mounting to dollars.
It further appears that Stephen Clapp - not is now on the pension list of the any - - - - - agency, and has been since the 3 d March 1826 at the rate of per month.
It appears that a certificate for $285 44 / 100 was issued in favor of Lieutenant Stephen Clapp on the 1 st March 1784, which appears by the Agent's receipt to have been for said Clapp's pay and subsistence to the 1 st June 1781, beyond which time there is no record of his services - Baldwin's Corps of Artificers was dispa-

ved by the Resolution of Congress of the 29 th March 1781, one company only being retained, the officers of which appears to have been Captain Patten and Lieutenants Sears, Wright and Thorp-
Robert Hargraves And

Salem Sept. 4 th 1857
To
Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir Yours of the 2 d of August is before me, I am at a loss to know what personal motive I can have other than the one set forth in my affidavit, in the matter of Mrs Lydia Albro claiming to be the widow of Lieut. Stephen Albro, and I beg of You to give me at Your convenience Copies of the affidavits reflecting on me or contradicting any of the affidavits furnished Your department by me
I shall take steps as fast as circumstances will permit me to get further testimony in regard to his Albro, living in Williams Town and also where he went from that place. I have this day ascertained that a person by the name of Ichabod Brown now living in Western N.Y. that was intimate with Mr. Albro & worked with him when in Williams Town. I am also informed this day that that Andrew Thompson, now residing in Walke Shaw County, Wisconsin, heard all or a great part of the conversation as between James Cleveland and my self as set forth in my affidavit

there are near by me, other persons besides those who have made affidavits Who has heard this said Lydia Clapp say both before and since she has been in receipt of this pension, that she had a husband living, when she was married to Stephen Clapp, which I shall take early steps to get their affidavits there are plenty of others who are important witnesses in this case, but refuse to make an affidavit. Saw Charles Williams.
Yesterday and he says that during the conversation, refused to in his affidavit with Lydia Clapp that she said she knew that the man he described as being in Williams Town, was her husband and she then acknowledged that it was after she was married to Stephen Clapp
You will find in the affidavits in your possession that she Lydia, acknowledged in three of them that she had a husband living after she married Stephen Clapp, altho' hastily drawn up I would beg of you to examine again. I shall expect to hear from you as soon as you can make it convenient, in the mean time I shall inform you of my progress in this matter, it is not easy to get affidavits in a matter of this kind, without any power of

hastily drawn up (I would) beg of you to examine again. I shall expect to hear from you as soon as you can make it convenient, in the mean time I shall inform you of my progress in this matter, it is not easy to get affidavits in a matter of this kind, without any power of compulsion, I have to take what is willing, as I have no way to compel them as you must know, you will find in constant lapses affidavit, that he engaged in the presence of this reputed widow & her son in law, to understand that she had acknowledged the existence of her second husband after her third marriage and she joined with him in this request and he Cleveland totally refused and hurried her away
I am Sir Respectfully Yours A. S. Clapp

Stephen Bluff Lieutenant
Artillery
Baldwins - Map Corps Reg
1775, to 1782
Admitted

The enclosed commission is that alluded by Stephen Clapp in the annexed affidavit - John Savage

I Amhurst Wheeler of Salem in the County of Washington & State of New York do hereby say that I have been acquainted with Lieutenant Stephen Clapp for more than thirty years and believe him to be a man of strict truth & veracity and by reason of his reduced circumstances think him authorized to call for a pension under the Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War
Amhurst Wheeler

Not 1828 Settled at Treasury Cons d with Widow file #6676

22 Dec 1828
Ithaca, Washington County N. Y. December 15. 1828
Sir,
Sometime during the last summer, Mr. Stephen Clapp of this place, forwarded to the Navy department, an application for a pension under the late act of Congress. As he has heard nothing on the subject since, he has requested me to make the inquiry whether the papers came to hand, and what has been your decision.
I have the honor to be Sir,
Your Obedient Servant,
Hon. Richard Rush
John Willard

For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of an act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Army of the revolution" approved on the 15 th of May 1828 I Stephen Clapp of the town of Salem in the County of Washington & State of New York do hereby declare that I was an officer in the Continental line of the army of the revolution and served as such to the end of the war, at which period I was acting as captain, with a Lieutenant's commission in the Regiment of Artillery artificers commanded by Col. Nathaniel Baldwin & was discharged in April 1782.
And I also declare that I do not recollect whether I afterwards received a certificate commonly called a commutation certificate for a sum equal to the amount of five years full pay; which sum was offered by the resolve of Congress of the 22 d of March 1783 instead of the half pay for life, to which I was entitled under the resolve of the 21 st of October 1780.
And I do further declare that I have received of the United States, as a pensioner, since the 3 d day of March 1826, no money. Given under my hand this 21 st day of June 1828.
Stephen Clapp
Before me John Willard first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas — of the County of Washington & State of New York personally appeared this day Andrew Freeman and Asa Fitch of the said County who did severally make oath that Stephen Clapp by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been an officer in the army of the revolution in manner as therein stated. Witness my hand this 27 day of June 1828.
John Willard - first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Washington

I hope S. Leigh Clerk of the Court of the County of Washington in the State of New York do hereby certify that John Willard before whom the foregoing af- fidavits were sworn was at the time first made of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County and duly empowered to administer oaths -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this tenth day of July one thousand eight hundred & twenty eight.
D. S. Leigh Clerk

State of New York County of Washington ss: Lydia Clapp, a resident of the Town of Jackson, in the county & State aforesaid being duly sworn according to law, deposes that She is Ninety years old, That She is the Widow of Stephen Clapp late of the Town of Salem, in said County deceased, and the identical Lydia Clapp to whom a pension certificate was issued under the 2 d Section of the act of 3 rd July 1853, and bearing date Boston 20 th 1853. She now saith, that She was married to John Albro in the summer of the year 1803, and lived with him until the winter of 1805.
That the said Albro became a confirmed drunkard, and treated this Deponent in a most brutal and inhuman manner, and neglected to provide for her, the necessary comforts of life until his ill treatment became intolerable, and compelled Deponent to take refuge among her friends. — That the said Albro followed Deponent to the residence of Charles Shepard (a Brother in law of Deponent) where She (Deponent) told him that his conduct towards her had been such that She could live with him no longer. Upon which he left (as Deponent was informed) went to William- stown and married another wife, the fall after he left Deponent, after which Deponent never heard from the said Albro until the year 1814, just previous to her marriage to the said Stephen Clapp. She was informed by a Mr. Parker from the state of Vermont, that the said Albro was dead. —
Deponent further saith, that from the time she was informed of the said Albro's death as aforesaid, she has never heard, or had the least intimation that the said Albro was living — nor has she ever told the wife of Constant Clapp, or any other person, that the said Albro was living at the time of her marriage to the said Stephen Clapp — and she further saith that since she was informed, in the fall of the year 1805, that the said Albro had married another wife, She has never heard, or known any thing of, or from him, with the exception of the report from Mr. Parker as aforesaid, that he was dead until she was informed of the suspension of her pension and, called upon by her Agent Mr. Matthews, to return her Bounty Land Warrant for cancellation.
She further saith, that she has been informed that affidavits have been filed in the Pension Office at Washington, by Constant Clapp, a son of her late husband, aged by Stephen S. Clapp, a grand son and by Charles Williams, selling forth, that the Deponent had a husband living at the time of her

said Marriage to Stephen Clapp, and that Deponent know the fact, and had admitted it to the wife of Constant Clapp aforesaid, who is now dead. All of which Deponent declares to be untrue, and as she now believes has no foundation in fact.
Deponent further saith, that in the latter part of March or for part of April last, the said Constant Clapp admitted to her, in the presence of the family of James Cleveland (where Deponent resides) that he never knew or heard, that Deponent had a clandestine living at the time she married her husband, until he was told of it by Stephen S. Clapp, some nine months since and that his wife never had said, that Mrs. Clapp had told or admitted to her, that such was the case.
And the said Constant Clapp further said (in that conversation) that he never should have sent his affidavit to Washington, to that effect, or have done any thing about it, if he had not considered that she (Deponent) was infringing on his father's rights, in her efforts to procure a back Pension and Bounty land. And Deponent further saith that she now believes, that the efforts made by the said Constant Clapp, Stephen S. Clapp and Charles Williams to procure the sur- -pension of her Pension Claim, have originated in a feeling of malice towards her, save in her James Cleveland, with whom Deponent resides.
Subscribed and sworn to on this 6 th day of August } Lydia Clapp A.D. 1887, before me J. M. Hartwell Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Mrs. Lydia Clapp the above named Deponent, and have been personally acquainted with her for a great number of years, that she is possessed of extraordinary mental and physical faculties, and is a person of high standing for integrity and respectability. And her statements are entitled to the fullest credit.
J. M. Hartwell Justice of the Peace

State of New York County of Washington ss: Mary Ann Gardner, a resident of the Town of Pockahon, in the county aforesaid, being duly sworn, according to law, Says, that she is Eighteen years old; That she was residing with the family of James Cleveland in said town of Pockahon in the months of March, and April last past, - That some time in the latter part of March, or former part of April aforesaid, one Constant Clapp, came to the house of the said James Cleveland, and staid there two nights, as he was then making arrangements to move West, & had broken up house keeping - That on the first night that he staid at Mr Cleveland's, a conversation arose between him and the said James Cleveland in relation to the Suspension of Mrs Lydia Clapp's pension (Mrs Clapp being then present) - Mr Cleveland asked Mr Clapp why it was that himself and Nathan S. Clapp should have taken measures to stop Mrs Clapp's pension - the said Constant Clapp replied, that there never would have been anything done about it, if about five hundred dollars of the money could have gone into the Clapp family - he (the said Clapp) further stated that he had been cautioned before he came there, not to concern himself on this subject: - he said that Spencer Clapp had been at him a great many times to get him to assist him in stopping Mrs Clapp's Pension, as he thought she had drawn money wrong - and the said Constant further stated that he never intended to have anything to do with it, and should not, but he thought the old lady was infringing upon his father's rights, in trying to get the back pension - The said Constant Clapp further stated, that he never knew, or heard that Mrs Lydia Clapp had a husband living at the time she married his father, until about nine months previous to this time, and that he was then informed of it by Spencer Clapp - he further stated that his wife never told of it, that it all originated in an old grudge existing between Spencer (Amos S.) Clapp's father, and the father of James Cleveland, in relation to a law suit which took place a great many years ago - The said Constant further said that Spencer could go to Washington and have all made right, if Mrs Clapp would pay him five hundred dollars - and he further stated he never should have sent any affidavit to Washington on this subject had he not have considered that she was infringing on his father's rights - Deponent further says, that at

the commencement of the conversation, the said Constant remarked, that if Deponent & Harvey Cleveland would leave the room, he would then talk upon the subject, — to which Mr Cleveland replied, that there was nothing private about it, & nothing but what he was willing to have talked before all present.  Subscribed and sworn to on this 1 st day of August A.D. 1887, before me J. F. M c Farland Justice of the Peace  Mary Ann Harden
I certify that I am well acquainted with Mary Ann Harden, the Deponent above named is known to me and that she is a credible witness, and I further certify that I have no interest in the claim to which this affidavit relates.  I am erasing upon the first line of this affidavit and the words "is known to me," on the 3 rd line now done by my direction, as I could not certify that "I was well acquainted" with Miss Harden.  J. F. M c Farland Justice of the Peace

State of New York } County of Washington } ss: James H. Cleveland a resident of the Town of Jackson in said county being duly sworn, says, that he was present at the conversation narrated by Mary Ann Ward in the affidavit hereto annexed, and heard all that passed between the said James Cleveland, and Constant Clapp, relating to the suspension of the Pension of Mrs. Lydia Clapp. And that all the statements of the said Mary A. Ward in her said affidavit are true and correct to his personal knowledge. Sworn to and subscribed on this 6 th day of August A.D. 1857. Before me J. M. Parkhurst Justice of the Peace } James H. Cleveland
I certify that I am well acquainted with James H. Cleveland the Deponent above named, and that his statements are entitled to full credit. J. M. Parkhurst Justice of the Peace

State of New York } County of Washington } ss.
John G. Steele, a resident of the town of Salem, in the county and State aforesaid being duly sworn says, that he is sixty years old, that he has always resided in said Town of Salem. That ever since his boyhood, he has been well acquainted with Mrs Lydia Clapp, the widow of the late Stephen Clapp deceased. That to his knowledge before her marriage to the said Stephen Clapp, that he has known her well, ever since said marriage — Deposition further saith, that the said Lydia Clapp is a person of high standing for character and integrity — that her character is entirely above reproach, and is highly respected by all who know her, throughout the community — Deposition further saith, that about two years since, Stephen S. Clapp called on deposition and inquired of him whether he did not know that the said Lydia Clapp had a husband living at the time she was married to the said Stephen Clapp, remarking at the same time that it was his object to prevent her obtaining a pension, to which he Clapp thought the Clapp family better entitled to than the said Lydia. — Deposition further saith, that he told the said Stephen S. that he had always known her, but he never knew, or heard it intimated that the said Lydia had a husband at the time of her marriage to Clapp —
Deposition now saith, that from his intimate acquaintance with the said Stephen and Lydia Clapp he very firmly believes that if the said Lydia had ever had a husband living at the time of said marriage, he (deposition) would have heard of it, — That from the high standing and respectability of both the said Stephen and Lydia Clapp, he does not, and cannot believe, that such was the case —
Subscribed and sworn to this 6 th day of August A.D. 1857 before me J. H. M. Garland Justice of the Peace
John Steele
I certify that I am well acquainted with John G. Steele the above named deposition, and that he is a credible witness
J. H. M. Garland
Justice of the Peace
and by Charles M. Williams, acting forth, that the deposition had a husband living at the time of her

State of Massachusetts County of Berkshire ss: Thomas Bingham a resident of the Town of Williamstown in the County and State aforesaid, being duly sworn according to law, Deparths, and Saith, that he is eighty-eight years old, That he has resided in Said Town, for the space of sixty one years last past, That he was formerly a Cooper by trade, and carried on business in Said Town, That a man by the name of John Albro (a cooper by occupation) worked for Deponent several years previous to the seventeenth day of December in the year One thousand Eight hundred and Twelve, as shown by Deponents account kept with Said Albro, The last entry upon said account being "2/8 for Victuals to carry him away" Deponent further Saith that at the date above mentioned the Said Albro left Williamstown Saying that he was going to Pownal Vt. to see a friend - That in about two weeks from the time he left as aforesaid, he returned and borrowed of Deponent Five Dollars. to carry him to Rhode Island, where he said he originally belonged, and the said Albro immediately left Town, Since which Time Deponent has never seen, nor heard from him - Deponent further Saith, that the said John Albro was at the time he worked for him as aforesaid about Sixty years of age, a man of very dissipated habits - That the said Albro soon after he came to Williamstown married a Widow Woman by the name of Thomas, with whom he lived in the capacity of Husband and Wife, for some time, when they separated, on account of the mistreatment of the said Albro, who represented to this Deponent

When he first came to work for him, that he had once had a wife who was now dead.
Deponent further Saith that he is positive that the said Abner never worked for him, nor resided in the said Town of Williamstown on the said 17 th day of December Eighteen hundred and Twenty, with the exception of his returning from Pownal at the time he borrowed the five dollars of Deponent as aforesaid nor does he believe that the said Abner was ever heard from by any person in said Town asking them. at the time aforesaid.
Deponent further Saith that his memory is good, and he distinctly recollects the facts set forth in the foregoing affidavit, and by reference to his Books of account kept with the said John Abner, he finds his statements as to the time of his leaving, fully corroborated.
Thomas B. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. August 26 th A D 1857
Then personally appeared Thomas Brigham signer of the above declaration to me well known to be a man of sound memory & judgment, & made oath that the statements in the above declaration are true -
Before me -
Daniel Davis Justice of the Peace
(over)
Lydia Clapton of Mass. Act 1853 Adell evidenced in support of claim to be reinstated on the Pension roll.
J. J. Coombs

I certify that I know Bingham (the above named deponent) is well known to me, that he is a man of sound mind and memory, and is a credible witness — And I further certify that I am in no way interested in the matter to which said affidavit relates.
Daniel Denny Justice of the Peace
PERMIT NO. 22
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
BERKSHIRE SS.
I, Henry W. Taft Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Berkshire, do certify that Darius Derry 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 are 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 Darius Derry and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said Commonwealth, this twenty ninth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven
Henry W. Taft CLERK.

Palm Washington County
Dec 6 th 1855
To
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
When it appears that the reputed Widow of Lieut. Stephen Clapp is in receipt of a pension of $400. and has enjoyed it since March 53/ and is now claiming an amount of land & five years back pay - this widow has had 3 husbands her second was alive when she married Lieut. Stephen Clapp - she lives with her son in law by her first husband he is the man that controls her I have held several conversations with him the last was this day he threatened me with prosecution if I exposed him or to that effect - he is able & to pay the money back that he has drawn from Government on this reputed widow's app
This is written in haste write me by return mail and I will give you all the information to show the above fact
Yours Truly
A. S. Clapp

Act of 1835 ✓
240.664
Lydia Clapp, wid. Of Stephen Clapp, dec'd Lt. of Artif.
Revolutionary War.
— ✓ Warrant 39.491 for 160 acres cancelled - widow restored to her right, and No. 71.205 for 160 sub- stituted.
Sep 5 25/57
P.D.C.
Vol. 6-1 M.
P-153-

Albany Sept n 29, 1857.
Geo. C. Whiting Esq Commissioner of Pensions Sir,
I forwarded to you the Land Warrant N o 39,491. for 160 acres issued to Mrs Lydia Clapp, under act 3 rd March 1855, for cancellation . in compliance with your request of January 15 th on account of the pension claim of the said Lydia having been suspended —
As she is now restored to the Pension Roll I have to request the reissue of said Land Warrant, or one in lieu thereof. and will consider it a favour if the Mother may receive early attention I am Sir,
Your Obedient Servt.
Saml. H. Weeks.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  Bounty Land  160 ACRES (of the Interior)  Department  OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS
It is hereby Certified, that under the Act of March 3 rd 1855, Chap. 79, in addition to certain Acts granting Bounty Land to certain persons and soldiers who have been engaged in the Military Service of the United States, Special Agent  for  the widow of Stephen H. Hays, Lieutenant Revolutionary War;  Canceled
is entitled to locate ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY ACRES , at any Land Office of the United States, in one body, and in conformity to the legal divisions of the public lands, upon any of the public lands subject to sale at either the minimum or lower graduated prices. Given under my hand and the Seal of the Department, this 1 st day of September 1856
D. O. Harkness  Resident Wright Hotel, New York
John P. Loring Co.
Note You can locate this Certificate at any of the United States Land Offices, or it will be located for you by the General Land Office on the return of it with your request to that effect endorsed thereon, specifying the State and Land District in which you wish the location made. If you locate it, fill up and sign the following application.
To the Register of the Land Office at _____  I locate this Certificate, in the _____ quarter of section _____ in Township _____ of Range _____  at _____  18____  Attest _____ Register.

240.664,

Albany April 1 st 1856.
J. Minot Esq. Coecunt of Pensions
Sir,
I herewith enclose the application of Mrs Lydia Clapp a pension of the U.S. under the 2 nd Sec., Act 3 rd February 1833 for Bounty Land under act of 3 rd March 1855,
I am Sir
With much respect Your Obedient Servt.
Samuel H. Perkins

Albany February 16 th 1857.
Geo. C. Whiting Esq. Account of Pensions, Sir,
Immediately upon the receipt of your letter of the 15 th Jany., requiring the return of Land Warrant N o 39,491. issued to Lydia Clapp under act of 3 rd March 1855, 160 acres. I enclosed to her said letter (preserving copy thereof) and advised her immediately to comply with your request. Return said Warrant, for the reasons set forth in your said letter - but as yet I have recd. no response from her - I have written her again today, urgently requiring the return of said Warrant.
I deem it due to myself, as well as to your office, to inform you of my action in this matter, and can assure you, that notwithstanding my zeal in securing the just rights of Claimants, I am ardently opposed to, I cannot countenance the least attempt at fraud - Mrs. C. may have disposed of her Warrant, & is therefore unable to return it. If not, it shall be returned - When I hear further from her I will advise you.
Yours Most Truly
Sam l . H. Clarke.

Albany February 24 th 1857.
Geo. C. Whiting Esq. Commr of Pensions Sir,
In conformity with the requirement of your letter of the 15 th ult. relating to the return of Land Warrant N o 39,491, for 160 acres, issued to Lydia Clapp, act at 3 rd March 1855, "I herewith return the same - And as the atty., of Mrs Clapp I have to request you (if compatible with the rules of your office) to furnish me a transcript of the evidence filed in your office, invalidating the Claim of Mrs Clapp to a Pension & Bounty land, to which you refer in your said letter of the 15 th (Jan y ) last -
If this request cannot be complied with, will you please furnish me the names, or names, of your informants, or witnesses in this case,
It is confidently believed that this attempt to defeat the Claim of Mrs Clapp has originated in a most unworthy source, & from a most contemptible, malicious spirit - Mrs C. is a lady who is not only entitled to, but enjoys the confidence & respect of all good citizens - I trust it will not be long ere she shall be restored to her just rights
I am Sir, Your obedient Servt.
Sam l . H. Marks
(over)

P.S. An early reply to this Letter will greatly oblige me — S. H. Upp.

Hist. to Mrs. S. E. - Batavia, N.Y.
Dec-9/97 north-
Rey WIDOW, &c.
July 20/99 John H. Derby Sandy Hill NY.
File No. 6676
Sydia Clapp Widow
Stephen Clapp Lieut. Rev. War
1907 Oct. 13. Hist. to Carl D. Clapp, au. 1910 Jan. 11. Hist. to C. A. Clapp (S), P.S.M. 1919 Apr. 6. Hist. to Helen Clapp & also adu. of recd. copy of com. 1919 May 8. Certified photo of copy of com. mis. mailed to Helen Clapp of West Union, Iowa. 1920 Dec. 10. Hist. to Grace Rockefeller, au.
Act: July 29/53
Index: Vol. 14 , Page 115
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rev Sec
244 South River St. Wilkes-Barre Pa. Dec. 4, 1920.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you please tell me what is recorded in your office concerning Stephen Clapp of Worthington Mass. who served during the Revolutionary War in Capt. Ebenezer Webber's Co., Col. John Fellow's regt.; also in Capt. Wm. Sizer's Co., Col. Jeduthan Baldwin's Regt.
Thanking you for the favor Yours truly (Miss) Grace F. Rockefeller.

244 South River St. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
November 13 - 1920.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear sir:-
Will you please tell me what is recorded in your office concerning Stephen Clapp of Worthington, Mass. who served in the Massachusetts Line during the Revolutionary War. He was placed on the pension roll of Washington Co., New York in 1818 He served under Col. John Fellows - Capt. Ebenezer Webber's Co. etc.
I shall greatly appreciate your favor.
Yours very truly -
(Miss) Grace F. Rockafellow.

Pension Dept Washington D.C. Dear Sir:-
If possible I would like 2 copies of the record in the Revolutionary War of Stephen Clapp. He enlisted in Mass & drew a pension later.
I would also like the record of Colonel Bonney under whom I think Stephen Clapp served.
Yours O A Clapp Adrian Michigan 23 Dennis St.
was not Col. Bonney but Captain, Va. Statement of military service in claim.

West Union, Iowa April 18th, 1919
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
If the records of the Revolutionary War show the marriage date of Stephen Clapp, who enlisted for service about 1777 at Worthington, Mass., and who was a Major at the time of his discharge, I shall be glad to have you forward same to me; also any further information which may be of record, such as the date of his commission as Major, and the date of his discharge.
If it is possible to obtain a copy of a commission of that period, please include same with such other records as you may be able to furnish.
If you will send statement of the expense of the search, I shall be glad to remit promptly.
Respectfully,
(Miss)
Helen Clapp
I am sending W6676. sir reply to this - though he was not a Major because the Mass Archives credit the service in this claim to a Worthington Mass.

P.O. Money order 40 c ✓ J.C.
For'd. to Law @LW
April Twenty-sixth Nineteen Nineteen
G. M. Saltzgeber, Commissioner of Pensions, Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C.
Sir:
Enclosed find money order to the Secretary of the Interior for forty cents. Please send me photostat copy of the commission as Lieutenant of Stephen Clapp who served in the Revolutionary War, his original enlistment being in April 1775.
Respectfully yours,
(Miss)
Helen Clapp Helen Clapp
West Union,
Iowa
Photostat Copy of Com. mailed to above on May 8, 1919

3
BUREAU OF PENSIONS Finance Division
APR 28 1919 191_
Chief of Land Division Sir:
I have this day received from Helen Sapp  draft No. 108,003 for $ 40 / 100 requesting post office addresses as per letter herewith.
Land Div. not of mailing copy not of photostat copy
Very respectfully, W. Campbell Chief of Division.
Name Stephen Clapp Date May 5 1919 No M. 514 6676 Rev. War  Photographic copies wanted of 1 pieces, consisting of 1 pages.  Remarks: Certified  J.S.C. Ext. 0.5 Wilson Chief Rev. War Div  APPROVED: J.S. Deane  Serial No. 2046 LEW. CL. TR.

aw Rev. War Section.
April 24, 1919.
Miss Helen Clapp, West Union, Iowa.
Madam:
In reply to your letters of the 18 th instant, you are advised that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to Ephraim Wheeler and you are herewith furnished the history of the only Stephen Clapp found on said records. If you desire a photo-stat copy of his commission as Lieutenant the same will be furnished you under the provisions of the Act of August 24, 1912, for fifteen cents with twenty-five cents extra for certification if that is desired. The proper amount should be forwarded to this Bureau by money order made to the order of the Secretary of the Interior.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

To Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir,
I was informed this morning that James Waverland, says that he is still in receipt of the pension granted to the reputed widow of Stephen Wapp deceased, and that he was prosecuting her claims for land and some $2000 dollars Back pay and he proclaims openly that your department has never had notice that his mother in law was not the lawful widow of Stephen Wapp. will you be kind enough to inform me at an early day as to the amount if the pension granted under the act 1853 to Lydia Wapp is still paid to her son in law over

and also if her claim for Money and lands has been granted or any part of it there is any amount of testimony to had of the facts stated by me to your department.
Her sons by her first husband, by the name of Stephen were residing in Connecticut acknowledged to Constant Clapp of this County that their mother had a husband living at the time that she was married to Stephen Clapp and this reputed Widow acknowledged to said Constant and his wife (now dead) that she knew Albro was living after her marriage with Stephen Clapp Most Respectfully Yours A. S. Clapp

Salem Oct 24 th 1857
To Commissioner of Pensions My Dear Sir I wrote You soon after I received Your letter stating that Mrs Lydia Albro had made a new application in the name of Lydia Clapp to be restored to her pension but have as yet received no answer from Your department, and in the mean time have call on some Witnesses in this matter and among the rest Mrs Rogers the Witness to Mrs Albro's marriage to Stephen Clapp. She says that the said Lydia told her at the time of her marriage that Albro had made

an other woman she did not think it wrong to get married, and that she understood that Albro was alive long after the said Lydia married the said Stephen. She Mrs. Royes a subscribing witness to the said Lydia's first application is very friendly with Mrs. Albro but is willing to tell what she knows when the government call on her
Mr Charles Williams has returned from Williams town and say they that knew Mr Albro when living there are willing to state facts in regard to this matter when compelled to, there has been persons there a tampering with those who knew the Albro and some of the
circumstances connected with this case and they refuse to make any affidavits except to government or one empowered to take the same
I have an aunt that knew from Lydia's own mouth that her husband Albro was alive when she married Stephen Clapp that refuses to make her affidavit except she is compelled to and then she will tell all she knows
now I know that all that is wanting in this matter to make a final end of it is a personal interview with you that her husband was alive at her marriage with Clapp is beyond all question. (please answer)
Yours A. S. Clapp

Copy of letter dated Pension Office Nov. 14, 1857
Sir In reply to your letter of the 2d ult. You are inform- ed that we have not the power to make the persons to whom you allude make affidavits to the state- ments you make.
If affidavits are procured by you and filed in support of your position in relation to the marriage of Lydia Clapp they will receive proper at- tention.
I must decline giving copies of affidavits filed in the case of Lydia Clapp as the widow of Stephen
To A. S. Clapp Esq Salem
NY
Over

Copy of letter dated Pension Office Oct. 7, 1857.
Sir:
In answer to your letter of the 30 th ult. I have to state that Sydia Clapp has been restored to the rolls as a pensioner.
The payment of her allowance was suspended in March 1855 at the instance of A. S. Clapp who has failed to sustain his allegations by proof although repeatedly requested to do so.
A due regard therefore to the rights of the pensioner would not permit the office longer to delay final action in the premises.
E. W. Clapp Esq. East Salem Washington Co. N.Y.
Yrs

Pension Office. 15 th Oct. 1853.
Sir,
Please certify the time to which the within name pensioner was first on the date of his death, Very Respectfully,
D. Males
Commissioner. Stephen Clapp, at 15 th May 1828, Died 3 rd May 1829, Paid to his death,
F. Burr Auditor.
Francis R. A. Esq., Thos. Auderton, Treasr.

Commencement of Pensions
I enclosed an the Statements of Charles Williams Yarde Clapp and My Self and I room to one of the pension refund to by Jane Clapp as having heard this widow Clapp acknowledge that she had a husband living at the time She married Stephen Clapp died on the 6 th of this month the day before she died, I called on her and she told me that Lydia Clapp had acknowledged on the fore part of April  last that the report that she had a husband living at the time she married Stephen Clapp was true and said many other things in regard to her husband Albro but this

person wished me not to take her deposition but said what she had told me was true - You must know it is difficult to take testimony -ory without being clothed with some legal authority - he James Cleveland boasts of his being able to draw her pension notwithstanding you have had notice of the franchise You will please answer me on receipt of this and say if the enclosed is sufficient (You can enforce any amount of testimony) I am Yours A. S. Stalick

Salem Harbor Co. Me. Sept 9. 1853.
Ab. M c Dougall
In the matter of Lucia Clapp widow of Stephen application for a Pension Enclosed further proof.
Respectfully referred to the Commr of Pensions Dept. Int..
Sept 14/53 A. A. White. A. L. Litchfield, Clk.
Oct 11/53

Salem Washington County N.Y. Sept 9. 1853
Hon Robt McClellan Secretary of the Interior
Dear Sir
I enclose you some proofs, to procure such portion of pension as Mrs Lydia Clapp may be entitled to, as the Widow of Stephen Clapp a revolutionary soldier - If the papers are in any respect defective, I would like to be informed wherein, so that I may rectify them - Will you be so good as to acknowledge the receipt of them - We are not able to obtain the Warrant held by Mr Clapp - It is probably in the hands of some of the relatives, but we have not yet been able to ascertain where
Very Respectfully Your most Obed Servant A. S. Mc Dougall

CARL D. CLAPP, D. O. SUITE 22-23-24 EVANS BLDG. 188 GENESSEE STREET, UTICA, N. Y.
GRADUATE OF THE AMERICAN SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHY, KIRKVILLE, MO.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
I am trying to find the record of Stephen Clapp in the Revolutionary war. I believe he drew a pension & ranked as Major. He probably enlisted in Mass. but moved to New Salem N.Y. or Clapp's Mills N.Y. & I think drew a pension when living there. If you can give me any record of the above I will appreciate it. Respectfully Yours Carl D. Clapp

7 Commissioner of Pensions
Sir: -
Will you kindly tell me if on your records the name of (Major) Stephen Clapp appears? He died Mar 3, 1829 and is buried at

Salmon Washington C. N. J. His second wife, Phoebe or Polly, drew a pension after his death. He did not care for it; and was not a pensioner on that account. His papers were burned at the fire

in Washington I think in 1812. If you cannot give me any information will you tell me where I will be likely to find it, I have not been able to find out his war records published? &c. I wish

Recd in full from J. H. North No. 29 1897 D. B. RECEIVED Mt. & N. RECORDS. DEC 2 1897 Mrs. J. H. North Some my only Com M. G. North
address
Mrs. J. H. North 13 Summit St - Batavia, Genesee Co N.Y. Nov 26 1897 PENSION OFFICE. U.S.

Brief in the case of Sydia Clapp, Widow of Stephen Washington County and State of N.Y. act 3 d Febr y 1853,
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the act of 15 th May, 1828.
Marriage proven by Phoebe Rogers, who was present, & Wm M c Collister, of Salem in D t Co: who testif s to the reputation of Marriage & Cohabitation.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
A. S. M c Dougall Esq., Salem,
Name and residence of Agent
Washington Co's
J. C. Boynton, Examining Clerk. N.Y.

A. S. Clapp Salem ny
Nov 4

Indian Office. Nov: 4 th 1857.
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 24 th Ultimo, You are informed, that we have not the power to make the persons, to whom you allude, make affidavit to the statements you make.
Affidavits are procured by You I file in support of Your position in relation to the matter of Lydia Clapp, they will receive proper attention.
I must decline giving copies of affidavits filed in the case of Lydia Clapp, as the widow of Stephen. As to the letter which Mr. Healy to the Hon. Samuel D. Webb, is attributed to you, & affidavits upon which he filed
Wunde:
A. S. Clapp, Esq., Salem, New York.

Pension Office, October 7, 1857.
Sir,
In answer to your letter of the 30 th ultimo I have to state that Lydia Clapp, has been restored to the rolls as a pensioner. The payment of her allowance was suspended in March 1855, at the instance of A. S. Clapp, who at has failed by part to sustain his obligations, although repeatedly requested to do so. In due regard, therefore to the rights of the pensioner would not permit the office longer to delay final action in the premises.
E. W. Clapp Esq East Salem, Washington Co New York

J. L. Gornly Sept. 25 th 1877.

Pension Office.
Sept 25, 1857.
The Suspension in the case of Lydia Clapp, widow of Stephen Clapp, has this day been removed and the Agent directed to pay her from the date of her last payment.
Coombs, Esq. Insert
Rev

Pension Office, Aug. 27, 1837
Sir,
A new application for the restoration of Lydia Clapp to the pension rolls has been made, and evidence adduced, in a paper defence of which will constrain this office to grant the application unless proof be furnished in a reasonable time, clearly showing that the "Albro" who is represented as residing in Williamstown in 1815, was the "John Albro" who was the husband of the present Claimant, and that he was alive at the time the alleged marriage of said Claimant to Stephen Clapp took place. If the date of Albro's death can be shown (as it probably can) by record evidence, it must must be done in that way.
It is proper to state that the evidence now adduced on the part of Mrs. Clapp alleges motives for

Your course in this matter other than those dictated by a mere regard for the public good,
A. S. Clapp Esq. Salem Washington Co. New York August 27. 1857
A. S. Clapp Esq. Salem, Washington County N.Y.

A. S. Clapp Apl 18/57

Pension Office,
April 18. 1857.
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 14 th instant, I can only say that this office has already done all within  its power in the case of Lydia Clapp, which the facts before it would justify . There is no evidence that Cleveland received any part of the money awarded - He did not act as the agent in the case, and the pension was ordered & he paid to Lydia Clapp.
The payment of the pension will not, however, be resumed, nor the land patent ordered & he issued, without giving you an opportunity fully to investigate the matter.
Your suggestions respecting the Post Office at Salem, should be addressed to the Post Master General,
Very resp'y YC!
A. S. Clapp Esq Salem, Washington New York

A. S. Clapp
Jan 15 1857.

Pension Office, Jan. 15, 1857.
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 31 st ultimo. I have to state that the payment of the pension of Lydia Clapp has  not been resumed . A bounty land warrant for 160 acres has, however, (through inadvertence) has been issued to her, but as a caveat has this day been entered at the General Land Office to prevent the issuance of the patent, and the agent of Mrs. Clapp informed thereof.
Please transmit the proof you speak of as soon as your convenience will permit.
Very respectfully,
Yc
A. S. Clapp Esq. Salem, Washington Co. New York
See Patent Land case 39.491 and consider produce in relation thereto.

Sp Gen. Off. Oct. 22 d , '46
Sir,
In reply to your inquiry of the 16 inst. , you are informed that Mrs Lydia Clapp's pension was suspended, upon information to the Office that at the time of her alleged marriage to Stephen Clapp, she had a husband living & consequently did not become his legal wife - therefore is not now his widow.
We shall be willing to receive & consider any testimony which may contradict this information.
In the present state of the case, she cannot be continued on the roll.
Yours Ob t S er .
Mr Sam l H arvey Marks } for Comm e . Albany, N.Y. }
Oct 3 d Feb. 33.. 2557

1 136 A. S. Clapp Salem 183 (Ms)

Pension Office May 26 1830
Sir
I have directed the Pension Agent not to make any further payment in the case of Lydia Clapp under the Act of 1833.
833/ The affidavits now which you enclose have been filed with her papers, and I shall wait for any subsequent dis- closures which she may attempt to make.
A. S. Clapp Esq Salem N York

Pension Office March 28/36,
Sir,
I have this day instructed the Pension Agent at Albany, N.Y., to suspend the payment of the Pension of Lydia Clapp, widow of Stephen Clapp.
In the mean time if you can furnish affidavits of respectable persons who know the truth of the statement made by you, the alleged fraud will be fully investigated.
A. S. Clapp, Esq Salem, Washington Co., N.Y.
10153 Rev

(Albany) Oct. 16 th 1856.
J. Minot Esq. Comm r of Pensions Sir,
The Pension allowed Mrs Lydia Clapp, under the 2 d Sec n act 3 d Feb y . 1853, was suspended by letter, on the 28 th day of March last -
Mrs Clapp requests me, as her Agent, to inquire of you the cause of her said suspension.
I am Sir,
With much respect Your Obedient Servt. Sam l H. Morrs

Washington, Aug. 9, 1857.
Sir:
Enclosed I have the honor to present additional evidence in support of the claim of Lydia Clapp, to be restored to the pension roll, under act of 3 rd Feby. 1853.
By an examination of the evidence upon which her pension was suspended, it will be found that only one witness (Charles Williams) pretends to have ever known any thing about her first husband (Albro). He testifies that he knew Albro, in Williamstown, Mass. where he was at work as a Cooper, in 1816.
I now present the deposition of Mr. Thomas Bingham, of Williamstown, Mass. the very man for whom Albro worked , showing clearly, that Albro left Williamstown in December 1812 , since which time he has never been seen or heard of in

in said Town. This entirely rebuts and discredits the testimony of said Charles Williams, and leaves the case without a particle of testimony tending to prove that Albro was living at the time of the Claimant's marriage to Clapp.
I cannot entertain a doubt that this evidence will be entirely satisfactory, and insure the prompt restoration  reinstatement of Mrs. Clapp's name to the Seweroll roll.
Very Respectfully Your obt servt A. J. Coombs
Geo. C. Whiting Esq Chairman of Penury

Salem Washington Co. N York Dec 17 th 1833
My Dear Sir
Your answer is before me asking for further information - there is three persons living in this vicinity that this said Lydia Clapp told thing she had such a husband soon after her marriage with said Clapp and hesitated to join the church in consequence of the fear of opposition -
Soon after the death of Stephen Clapp this widow went to live with her son in law James Cleveland - and in that neighbourhood lived a man by the name of Charles Williams formerly from Williams Town Mass. this widow after ascertaining that he was from Williams Town Enquired of him if he knew such a man as Mr. Albee - he described him to her - and she then told him & his wife that he was her husband. this said Williams then told her at that time that her husband was alive at a time after her marriage with Clapp as he was well acquainted with all the parties
My own testimony with one other person will convict James Cleveland of a knowledge of all the facts in this fraud. I believe he is perfectly able to pay back the money he has drawn from Government. Said Cleveland has had this widow sign papers for her land and $2000. back pay and they are evidently in Washington at this time - there are many things that will have to be explained to you personally over

in order that You should get a perfect understanding of this matter and in view of connecting this said Cleveland so as to make him refund the money and if necessary punish him You can in Your answer give me so much as You see fit the course You willy pursue. and thus I shall better understand what You want. but a personal explanation of the whole matter will be needed by You or Your agents
I am Yours Respectfully
A. S. Clapp

Statement of
Charles Williams (formerly of Williams Town Mass) and now a resident of Jackson Washington County N.Y. —
Says I left Williams Town in Nov. 1875 and have been a resident of this vicinity since the above date —
I am well acquainted with Lydia Clapp Widow of Stephen Clapp deceased and knew them both when they lived together as man and wife and have known the said Lydia since the death of Stephen Clapp to the present time and I further say that soon after the said Lydia became a Widow she came to live with her son in law James Cleveland who then joined lands with me soon after she came to live in my neighbourhood She became intimate in my family in one of her visits at my House The Lydia Clapp enquired of me if I ever

knew a man in Williams Town by the name of Albrow by trade a cooper - I answered that I did that he was at work at the time I left Nov. 1815 for a Mr Bingham in Williams Town Mass. - She then requested of me to describe him said Albrow particularly the color of his hair, eyes, complexion and also his habits and height. Which I did. She then said Lydia then told me and my family that this man Albrow was her husband. She then enquired of me when I last saw said Albrow I told her in Nov. 1815. She then acknowledged to me that she knew of his residence in Williams Town. This conversation took place soon after the death of Stephen Clapp and I further say that I was well acquainted with this man that
that she acknowledged to be her husband and knew that he was alive in Nov. 1815.
Charles, William,
Subscribed and sworn to, this 13 th day of May, 1856, before me Adron Martin, Justice of the peace.

Washington County N.Y.
Salem March 23 d 1856
Committee of Pensions.
Dear Sir I was informed Yesterday by Charles Williams - that the son in law of the reputed widow of Lieut n Stephen Clapp (James Cleveland) that he said J.C. had been to Albany and had received his mother in law's pension without being questioned as to its legality
You will see by reference that Charles Williams is the man that was well acquainted with Lydia Clapp's second husband and knew him after she married Stephen Clapp - and she the widow had this knowledge from Williams - and at that time acknowledged to have been married to Mr Albro The fact of her having a husband living at the time of her marriage with Stephen Clapp can be shown by her own statements - and the testimony of several witnesses that can be found all question - Now if this man Cleveland has not received the march installment as he says it is another evidence of his guilt and his knowledge of the fraud - will You be kind enough to answer this
Very Respectfully A. S. Clapp

Salem January 18 1856
25
Correspondence of Pensions
Since I wrote You soon after the receipt of Your answer to my first letter to You in regard to the refuted widow of Stephen Clapp as a pensioner having received no answer I fear it might have never reached Your hand - In said letter I gave You some of the facts - reserving some as being too length- ly to put in a hasty note - Since I wrote I have obtained some new and a confirmation of old facts in this case - this widow has within the last few months and since she has been in receipt of a pension acknowledged to an aunt of mine that she had such a husband when she married Stephen Clapp - further she said Charles Williams that I have mentioned in my 2 d letter to You in a conversation since said letter is clear and positive that said Albro was a living long after Lydia the widow married Stephen Clapp - please answer on rec d and say if You want more - etc
The former letters have been charged to the Chief Clerk
Adams

and what it is and of an interview with you will be necessary
I am Yours with much
Respect S. S. Clapp

Salem April 14 th 1857
Commissioner of Pensions Sir Your note of the 15 th January in reply to mine requesting me to forward to your Department the additional infor- mation in the case of Lydia Clapp pensioner in your department, was done in the form of an affidavit of Constant Clapp. It seems that this reputed widow of Stephen Clapp deceased, has stated to her friends that her pension was stopped & that she said she told her son in law James Cleveland (which you will find a full history of in my former correspondence) all about this second marriage and his answer was it is no matter they are all dead now, and this said Cleveland, is now boasting that he has copies of all my correspondence with your department and has managed to get the Post office removed into a grocery store where his son is proprietor and acts as deputy (both Black Republicans) and he cheated me with that bangle that wealth and the  course course he has taken in plundering your department, of the $1400. dollars a land warrant for 160. acres, and had his papers all ready for a claim of $2000. dollars in the name of this reputed widow of Stephen Clapp deceased (an officer of the Revolution — over

I have before reverted to many things connected with this fraud, and have recommended a personal interview with You on a some pension in Your department every day strengthens my opinion that it should be done at Your earliest convenience. If my humble efforts has been sufficient to check the payment of a pension of $400 per mo and the use of a land warrant already issued, it ought to be sufficient to recover back all the money paid on such fraudulent papers (if not to punish such felony). I shall be glad to hear from You at Your convenience, and should come to Your place if required. You will discover by referring to my affidavit that this Glenland claimed in the beginning all of this widows interest as his , but since the pension has stopped and the land warrant made a blank in his hands, he has boasted of the claim as his own , also that You can not make him refund any money as he was nothing but an agent. He is able and good for the whole principal and interest and all costs, and deserves the full penalty attached to the such fraud.
I am Yours &c A. S. Clapp

Lydia Clapp wid of Stephen
N.Y. Oct 1853
Application to be restored to pen- sion roll.
J. J. Coombs

Washington, Aug. 13 th 1857.
Sir:
Enclosed I respectfully present evidence in the case of Lydia Clapp, widow of Stephen, of New York, whose pension under the 2 d section of the act of Feb. 3 d 1853, has been suspended; upon which I ask for a reinstatement of her name upon the pension roll.
Her pension was suspended because of a suggestion that she was never legally married to said Stephen Clapp, she having, (as was alleged,) another husband living at the time of said marriage.
Her marriage ( in fact ) to the said Stephen Clapp, having been proved, it is a well settled principle of law that said marriage must be treated as a good and valid marriage, till the contrary is clearly shown by competent evidence. The onus of proving that said marriage was invalid , lies upon the party making the charge. It is not sufficient that he bring forward evidence sufficient to cast

doubt upon its validity: he must prove, by affirmative evidence, that it was invalid. Any other rule than this, would enable any mischievous person to annul  invalidate the marriage of any man or woman, whose fate it had been to remove to a great distance from the place of his or her residence in early life.
It will not do to charge a married woman with having another husband living, being forward ex parte evidence sufficient to raise a bare suspicion that the charge may be true, and then call upon her to prove the negative, or submit to all the infamy and penalties, of the crime of bigamy. If such were the rule of law, few married persons would be safe.
If Mrs Clapp has been guilty of the crime of bigamy, that fact is susceptible of proof by those who allege it, and it should be fully and clearly proved, before any of its consequences are visited upon her.

of its consequences , are visited upon her,
It may be right and proper, when a suggestion is made to the Pension Office, that a widow was never legally married to the husband under whom she has been allowed a pension, to suspend her pension, until the person making the charge shall have sufficient time to substantiate it by evidence. That has been done in this case. The party alleging the illegality of the claimant's marriage to Glasp, has had ample time to prove the charge, if true. And having wholly failed to prove the charge by any competent evidence, I claim that it is now time that the suspension should be removed, even if no rebutting evidence were presented.
But I now present evidence of highly respectable witnesses, showing clearly that the charge was made against Mrs. Glasp for the mere purpose of extorting money from her. And this being the case, I claim that the ex parte evidence gotten up to sustain the charge, by its author , ought to be received

and weighed with very great caution.
It is perfectly apparent, from the testimony of the Rev. Dr. Boardman, and others, which I now present, that this charge was gotten up by Ambrose S. Clapp , (a person notorious for getting up groundless suits, in order to be paid for withdrawing them) for the purpose of extorting money from Mrs. Clapp; and, perhaps, for the further purpose of gratifying his malicious feelings towards her.
It will be observed that all the affidavits in support of the charge, are in his  hand-writing , and all, (with one exception) are made by his near relatives .
Making due allowance for the motives which prompted this charge, and for the fact that all the ex parte affidavits in support of it are drawn up by the very man who was actuated by these base motives in making the charge, I do not think the testimony raises even a well grounded suspicion against the validity of the marriage. But, making no allowance whatever on that account,

of our marriage, was, many no allowance whatever on that account,
I insist that the testimony falls far short of proving the charge.
In order to substantiate the charge, it is necessary not only to prove that Mrs. Clapp's former husband, Albion, was living when she married Clapp, but also, that she knew the fact - or at least that she had good reason to believe it. Albion having been absent more than seven years, she was justified in presuming that he was dead, unless she knew, or had some good reason to believe the contrary.
In the first place, I claim that there is no satisfactory evidence that her first husband, Albion was living at the time of her marriage with Clapp. There is only one witness (Charles Williams) who pretends to have ever seen or known any thing about Albion. And what does his testimony amount to?
Simply, that in Nov. 1815, he seen a man  by the name of Albion , in Williams Town, Massachusetts. He did not know, or pretend to know, that this man Albion was the former husband of Mrs. Clapp. In fact he does not ap-

pear to have then known of the existence of such a woman as Mrs. Clapp. He does not even give the Christian name of the man Albrow, whom he knew. His testimo- ny therefore, so far as based upon his own knowledge, goes no further than to prove, that after the claimant's mar- riage to Clapp, there was a man living  who bore the same sur-name as her  former husband. It is true he says, that on giving a description of this man to Mrs. Clapp, she admitted that he was her husband. But it is impos- sible that she could have known from a mere description of his person, after the lapse of so many years, whether he was in fact her husband or not. Even, therefore, if she did make such an admission, (which she denies, and which is very improbable) it by no means amounts to proof of the fact. Her admission of a fact which from the circumstances she could not  know to be true , amounts to nothing.  Witnesses from their nature, have or, to say the least, it does not amount to af- firmative evidence of the existence of

such fact.
But waiving this point (for the sake of the argument) and admitting that the testimony of Williams proves that her former husband, Albro, was living in Williamstown in Nov. 1885, it does not make out the case; because he does not pretend to prove that she knew he was living, when she married Clapp. He says, it is true, that she "acknowledged that she knew of his residence in Williamstown." Knew of it when? At the time of her marriage to Clapp? He does not say so. His testimony, giving it the broadest scope possible, proves only that she at one time knew of Albro's residence in Williamstown. And this is consistent with her own statement. She alleges that in the Fall of 1806 Albro went to Williamstown , and married another woman, after which she never heard of him again, till she heard of his death in 1814. Her admission therefore, (if she ever made it) that she knew of Albro's residence in Williamstown, amounts to nothing at all. It does not, in the slightest degree .

tend to prove that she knew  he  was  leaving  when  she  married  Clapp .
[I am advised that this man Williams, sustains a bad character for truth, and is a mere instrument in the hands of A. S. Clapp; but until he testifies more to the point than he has done, it can scarcely be necessary to offer evidence impeaching his character for veracity.]
I next notice the affidavit of Am-  brose S. Clapp , the author of this in- famous charge against the Plaintiff. His testimony is confined, exclusively, to the detailing of pretended conversa- tions with Mrs. Cleveland . It is unnecessary for me to say, that there is not one word of competent evidence in his affidavit. If Mrs. Cleveland knows anything in relation to the case, it should be proved by her own affidavit , and not come through this corrupt channel . The man who is attempting to extort money by branding his venerable female relative with an infamous crime , cannot be permitted to testify for other persons in support

his charges. James Cleveland is not only living, but is a man of high and unimpeachable character, and if it is supposed that he knows any thing in relation to the case, his testimony can easily be procured.
I next notice the deposition of Constant Clapp, a son of Stephen Clapp, and by a former wife, and, as it appears, a (somewhat reluctant) co-conspirator with said Ambrose S. Clapp, against the Plaintiff. His testimony consists mainly of statements of conversations with said James Cleveland, and a man by the name of Shepherd - all of which, not being competent evidence, I pass over without further notice.
He however testifies to a conversation which he and his wife (now deceased) once had with Mrs. Clapp (the Plaintiff) in the statement of which the draftsman (Ambrose S. Clapp) has by an ingenious trick endeavored to make it appear that the Plaintiff acknowledged that her former husband, Albion, was living when she married Clapp. Mark the peculiar phraseology. "She, Sybilla

Clapp, then and there acknowledged to my wife (now deceased) that she had a husband living or did not know of his death at the time she married Stephen Clapp, and his name was Albro." The fact admitted by Mrs. Clapp, viz. that she did not positively know of Albro's death, is perfectly consistent with her present statement, and with the truth. The inference drawn from that admission, by the witness, viz, that she did know that he was living , is altogether illegitimate and illogical , taking, therefore, the mere statement of Mrs. Clapp's admission, without the unauthorized inference drawn from it by the witness, and it amounts to just nothing at all.
The only remaining affidavit in the case, is that of Anne Clapp, the wife of one of said Stephen Clapp's sons, by a former wife marriage.
She undertakes to detail a conversation which she had with Lydia Clapp (the claimant) some forty years ago . And here, again, the ingenious plotter, Ambrose S. Clapp, has artfully at-

tempted to coupling give a false coloring to the testimony, by coupling the illegitimate inference , with the statement of a fact . The witness says, that shortly after the marriage of the Claimant with Stephen Clapp, she held a conversation with her in regard to an application (by the Claimant) to join the Presbyterian Church, in which the Claimant acknowledged that she had been married to a man by the name of Albro, and that they separated in a short time afterwards, and she supposed him alive when she married Stephen Clapp. ( at least she never had heard of his death ) &c. It is evident, from the qual- ification thrown into this statement by way of parenthesis, that the witness (although evidently a swift one,) could not be quite brought up to the scratch of swearing that the Claimant had acknowledged that she supposed Albro to be living when she married Clapp. Yet the draughtsman has artfully endeavored to give her After the lapse of forty years, it will not be pretended that she was able to give the exact words of the Claimant, in said conver- sation, if, in fact any conversation ever
her language the appearance of amounting to that.

occurred between them on this subject. If the claimant's  her admission was, that she did not know of Albion's death when she married Clapp, it was perfectly consistent with the truth.
But there are inconsistencies in the statement  testimony of this witness, which utterly discredit her whole testimony.
According to one part of her statement, Stephen Clapp married the said Lydia as the widow  Shepherd , and never knew that she had ever been married to Albion. And yet the witness would have us believe, that the woman who had so artfully concealed her former history, that even her husband had never found out that she had ever been married to Albion, shortly after her marriage to Clapp, when she wanted to join the church, and feared that her marriage to Albion might be brought up against her, voluntarily acknowledged said marriage, and her belief that said Albion was still living. If she really feared that said marriage to Albion would be

brought up against her, all she had to do, was simply to remain silent on the subject. If she was artful enough to conceal the fact from her husband, she would not, certainly, have voluntarily disclosed it, on another occasion, when it was equally her interest to conceal it.
Another inconsistency in the testimony is this: According to the testimony of Constant Clapp, "until within a short time " he supposed Lydia Clapp to be the lawful widow of his deceased father, (Stephen Clapp). He never suspected any thing wrong, until about the time she applied for her pension. And yet, according to the testimony of Jane Clapp (who was either his wife or the wife of one of his brothers,) she knew all about the matter forty years ago . If she kept the secret from ever her immediate family connections for so long a time, she has certainly done much to vindicate her sex from a charge frequently made against them , of long standing against them.
I trust I have said enough to show that this testimony, taken as it was, with-

out notice to the party interested, and gotten up, as it was, by a man actuated by the basest motives , falls very far short, of proving, either that Mrs. Clapp's former husband, Albro, was living when she married Clapp, or that she had any good reason to believe that he was living.
If I am right in this position a case has not yet been made against her, in which she can reasonably be called upon to prove any thing .
And yet I know present, first, the statement of Sybil  Sydney Clapp herself, under oath, utterly and positively denying that she ever made any such admissions and acknowledgements as the witnesses allege against her; & unerring that at the time of her marriage to Clapp, Albro had been absent more than seven years, during which time the only thing she ever heard about him was a report of his death, the truth of which report she has never to this day had any reason to doubt. [I do not pretend to give her words, but this is, in brief, the substance

of her statements.]
2 o . I present the testimony of her neighbors, as to her high moral character,
3 o I present evidence showing conclusively, that this charge originated in a feeling on the part of Olap's heirs, that they were better entitled to the pension granted on account of their father's services, than his widow was; and is a base and infamous attempt on the part of Ambrose S. Clapp, the prime mover, to extort money from her.
I respectfully submit the case under the confident expectation, that the name of Virginia Clapp will be promptly restored to the pension roll, and her character vindicated from the foul aspersions which a mercenary knave has cast upon it.
I am, very respectfully Your obed Servt J. L. Coombs
Sec. C. Whiting Esq Commr of Pensions