Morrison's Pensions

Pension Application for Peter Adley

W.5199 (Sally or Sarah)
B.L.Wt.6265-160-55
Rev. War and War of 1812.
Private from District of Maine, County of Kennebec, Farmington, in Colonel Gansevoort’s & Colonel Willett's Regiment, New York Line, 3 years.  1777 to 1779.
            I, Peter Adley of Plantation No 6, Oxford County, Maine do upon oath testify and declare that I enlisted in the War of the Revolution against the common enemy upon the continental establishment, the last of December 1776 or first of January 1777 for the period of three years & first joined Capt. Johnson’s Company and Colo. Gansevoort regiment in the New York Line, I served more immediately under Lt Colo Wittot [Willett], and was under him at the Battle of Johnstown.  I fully served the period of three years and was honorably discharged the last of December 1779 after serving the full term of three years my discharge I kept a number of years, when the same was burnt in, and with my house in Temple about six years ago.  I know of no person except Eleazer Ames, whose testimony is annexed to my deposition, who served with me now residing in this State, and being old & poor I am unable at the present time to Journey to New York and now of reason of my reduced circumstances in life I need the assistance of my country for support and I hereby relinquish all claim to any pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States if any and request to be placed upon the pension list of the District of Maine.  I was born in Albany in New York State and am now sixty three years of age.  (Signed with his mark)  Peter Adley
            Witness Geo. W. Morton (April 22, 1818)

State of Maine
Kennebec County SS.
            On this nineteenth day of June 1820 personally appeared in open court before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, being a Court of Record for said Counties, proceeding according to the course of the common law, having original jurisdiction, unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Peter Adley aged sixty four years, resident in Plantation No. 6 in the County of Somerset, now at Augusta within said Circuit, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz.  in the Company commanded by Captain Johnson and Regiment commanded by Colonel Gainesworth [Gansevoort] for the period of three years and was at the siege of Fort Stanwic.
            That his original declaration was made before Judge Stebbens on the twenty second day of April 1818; that he is now on the Maine Roll, and his pension certificate is numbered 17140.  And I, the said Peter Adley do further solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled, “An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War,” passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; not have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.  (Signed with his mark)  Peter Adley
            Witness N. Weston, Jr.
            The following is a schedule of my whole Estate and income, necessary clothing and bedding excepted, viz:  One cow of the value of fifteen dollars, one pig of the value of one dollar, old household stuff, besides necessary beding [sic], not exceeding five dollars in value, farming tools of the value of twelve dollars.  I have no debts due to me that can be collected, and I owe as much as forty dollars.  My income from the above property does not exceed five dollars a years.  I am by occupation a farmer, but from age, infirmity, and sickness am able to do very little labor, my family at home consists of myself, my wife, Sarah aged thirty seven, my son in law Jesse aged eighteen, my son in law Daniel aged thirteen, my son in law David aged six years, my son Peter aged four years, and my son John aged one year.
            Except the foregoing and my necessary clothing and beding, I have no property or income whatever.  (Signed with his mark)  Peter Adley
            Witness, N. Weston Jr.
            Subscribed, sworn to, and declared both the oath and schedule on the nineteenth day of June 1820, before me, Nathan Weston, Jr. C.J.C.C.C. Pleas.

Phillips Maine Jan 1, 1851.
Sir,
            One Mrs. Adley has made application to me to obtain the “Bounty Land” to which she may be entitled under the act passed Sept. 28, 1850.  The said Mrs. Adley is the widow of two husbands—her first husband Jesse Wright volunteered to serve in the last war with Great Britain—but died in the service, before completing the time of his enlistment.—Her second husband Peter Adley served from three to four years in the Revolutionary War, and through the whole campaign of the last war with Great Britain but did not marry the then Widow Wright till after the service—he received a pension forhis services in the Revolutionary War till he died which was some eight or nine years ago. There is issue from both marriages—all of which are in their majority.  [?]ill the widow draws “Bounty Land” from both husbands services in the “Last War with Great Britain and “back pension” for her second husband’s service in the Revolutionary War.
            I am aware sir, that you have numerous questions to decide relating to certain claims for “Bounty Land”, and it is with great delicacy I appeal to you for a decision in this instance.  I believe the case to be without precedent.
            Will you please to inform me of your decision the earliest moment practable.
            I am sir with high respect,
            Your Obt. Serv’t A. P. Whitney.
            To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.

State of Main, county of Frankling.  Town Clerk’s Office, Phillips.  September 17, 1853.
            “Return of Marriages by Jacob Whitney Esquire.  I joined in marriage myself.  Peter Adley and Sarah Wright of Number Six.  October twenty fifth, eighteen hundred and fifteen.  Jacob Whitney,Town Clerk.”

            In his file it is noted that Peter Adley served through the War of 1812, but dates of service and officers are not recorded.

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