John Massey Pension
 

On April 26, 1822, there appeared before the open court, John Massey at the age of 61 years, and a resident of Campbell County in the state of Kentucky. He stated and swore that he was in the regular service for a period of 3 years and 6 months. And he stated that after six months he enlisted to serve in the company under the command of Captain Bates in the 80th Regiment under the command of Colonel Michael Jackson.

(signed) John Massey
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The said applicant was born in the state of Massachusetts, and now stands much in need of the assistance of his country. This statement was declared before John Trimble on November 2, 1822.

James Taylor, clerk of the circuit court, hereby certifies that the foregoing declarations are truly copied from the record of the said court, and they do certify that the total amount is value in property of the said pensioner amounts to $115.
 
(signed) James Taylor
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Sir: I have taken the liberty to declare the honesty of John Massey. He is incapable of any enterprise and is to be trusted.

 (signed) William Wright Southgate
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State of Iowa, County of Des Moines: Personally appeared before me, the Justice of the Peace within and for the county of Des Moines, in the state of Iowa, Martha Phelps, resident of Burlington in the county of Des Moines, and the state of Iowa, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath declare that the following copy of the records of the marriage of John Massey in the state of Connecticut was copied and is a true record of the same.

(signed) Martha Phelps
Sworn and subscribed before D K Harris, Justice of the Peace
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John Massey and Martha Allen were married July 3, 1817 in Newport in the state of Kentucky

On October 6, 1856 Martha Phelps, a resident of Burlington City at the age of 78 years, having been first duly sown according to law, stated in open court that she is the widow of John Massy, a private in the Army of the Revolution. She also stated and swore that after his death, she was married to Josiah Phelps, August 1833. And she further stated that said Phelps died in June 1835. She further stated and declared that she was married to John Massey, July 3, 1817, and that the said husband died September 25, 1830. She stated that she was not married to him prior to January 2, 1800. And she concluded her statement saying that she still remained the widow and relic of the said pensioner, John Massey.

Sworn and subscribed: (signed) Martha Phelps Witness-D K Harris
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State of Indiana, Rush County-Personally appeared before me Justice of the Peace, within and for the aforesaid county and state, and having been duly sown according to law, states and swears that John Massey and Martha Allen were married in his house and in his presence in either the year 1816 or 1817. He further stated that she afterwards remained the widow of the said pensioner, John Massey.

(signed) Joseph McPike
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The following is from a letter dated at Pension Office, December 15, 1856

Sir: In respect to the claim for a pension under the Act of February 3, 1853, of Martha Phelps as being the former widow of John Massey, we state that the declaration of the claimant should be made before a judge or before a court of record, or it must be shown that she is unable to attend such a court. The affidavits now received are also defective. Also the Bible containing records of her marriage should be transmitted to this office, and it will be returned if desired. Respectfully, William Stickney, Commissioner

Widow, Martha Phelps, formerly the widow of John Massey who was a private in the War of the Revolution. The following letter was dated in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio January 11, 1845.

Sir; I send you an enclosed proof of Charles Massey of the State of Illinois being the only heir at law in fee of John Massey, late of Campbell County. It might be said that he should appoint an attorney in Washington City. We will consider the letter sufficient for such purpose as it was intended for. Very respectfully, H P Gaines
 

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