Martinsburg Gazette

Among the mass of Private Bills acted on in the House of Representatives on Saturday the 26th of May, was one for the relief of Benjamin Gannett, which presents the following curious case:

The claimant is represented as the surviving husband of Deborah Gannett, to whom he was lawfully married on the 7th day of April, 1784; that she died on the 29th of April 1827. In the early part of her life the said Deborah enlisted as a soldier in the army of the Revolution, under the assumed name of Robert Shurtleff, where she faithfully served her country three years, and was honorably discharged in November, 1783. On account of a wound received in the service, she received a pension as an invalid until the passage of the act of 18th of March, 1818, and received a full pension under the act until her decease. The effects of the wound which she received followed her through life, and probably hastened her death. The petitioner is represented to be eighty-three years of age, infirm in health, and in indigent circumstances. He had two daughters dependent on charity for support. He claims that he may receive the amount of the pension of his wife from the time of her decease, and that it may be continued to him until his death. The claim is sustained by good evidence, and Mr. Hastings represented that the claimant is dead, and moved an amendment, whereby the children of the claimant may receive the pension.

The amendment was adopted in committee, and the bill ordered to be reported.