The following reference in  Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution Volume 2 page 874, appears to refer to the same individual: "Burnham, David, Ipswich. Return of men raised agreeable to resolve of Dec. 2, 1780; enlisted March 16, 1781; enlistment, 3 years; also, Private, Capt. John Pray's co., Col. Joseph Vose's (1st) regt.; muster roll for May, 1781, dated West Point; also, muster roll for June, 1781, dated Phillipsburgh; reported on command at Verplanck's Point; also, muster roll for July, 1781, dated Phillipsburgh; reported on command at New Windsor; also, muster roll for Aug., 1781; also, muster roll for Oct. and Nov., 1781, dated York Huts; also, muster rolls for Jan. and Feb., 1782, dated Huts, 1st Brigade, and sworn to at West Point."

War Department
         Pension Office
          August 25 1838

Sir,

I have examined  the claim of Mrs Martha Burnham widow of David Burnham, deceased, and have placed her papers upon our files.  It appears that David Burnham, her late husband, served three years in Col. Vose's Regiment from March 1780.

 The proof as to the marriage is not satisfactory, and for this reason, I cannot admit the claim.

        I am, respectfully,
         Your obt servant
          J L Edwards

William Fenson Esq
 Gloucester,
  Massachusetts

I hereby certify that David Burnham and Martha Perkins both of Ipswich, were joined in Marriage by the Reverend John Cleaveland then of Ipswich, February 7th 1788 as appears by the records of Marriages in the town of Ipswich.

      Ebenezer Burnham Town Clerk of Ipswich

Envelope postmarked Gloucester and addressed to:  
   Hon. John P. Bigelow
    Secretary of the Commonwealth
      Boston.
 

We Aaron Day and GeorgeClark Junr of Gloucester in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age  depose and say, That we were well acquainted with David Burnham, a Revolutionary pensioner, who resided in said Gloucester in 1829 and 1830; and died here on the 16th day of September in the year 1830, leaving a widow named Martha Burnham who has remained a widow ever since the death of her said husband, David Burnham, and has not since intermarried (?).

         Aaron Day
         George Clark - jr

Essex, ?? September 24th, 1838.

Then Aaron Day and George Clark made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by them subscribed.   I certify that I knew David Burnham above named; was his Attorney in 1829 and 1830 to receive his pension money; and have knowledge that the above deposition is true; and that he was a native of Ipswich in this County.

      William Fenson, Justice of Peace

Gloucester, 24th September, 1838

Hon. John P. Bigelow
 Secretary for this Commonwealth

Sir,

 Enclosed are the documents to prove the claim of Martha, widow of David Burnham, who served 3 years from 1780 in Capts. Pray + Bensons companies in Col. Joseph Voses Regiment, for $50 agreeably to Resolve of the Legislature of March 1838 and 1835.  If her afidavit is required, please return the papers for that purpose.

 J.L. Edwards says, "The proof as to the marriage is not satisfactory".  This is one of the vexatious whims of the Pension Office:  I first proved the marriage from a Family record which was "not satisfactory"; and have since proved it by the Town Clerk, which is satisfactory.

       Respectfully your ob. serv.
       William Ferson
 

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