June 1878: Letter of Instructions
from Pension Office to its agents in WI and NE
"For the guidance of the Special Agent in the investigation of the case of
Sally Mallory, No.3830, of Oxford, Boone County, State of Neb., in which charges
have been made that pensioner has re married since the death of the soldier. See
letter of the Department from Mr. L.A. Spalding of Lockport N. Y. marked "A"
herewith. The agent should procure ample testimony showing whether pensioner was
ever married to the man Hiram G. D. Squires by any ceremony, if so, endeavor to
obtain a transcript of the record showing the fact and date thereof. If she simply
cohabitated with him in the absence of a marriage ceremony take testimony showing
just what relations the parties maintained toward each other, how they were regarded
by the community, whether they ever openly avowed the relationship of husband
and wife and were so recognized by each other and by their neighbors and associates.
Enquire as to the fact of pensioner's marriage with Mallory and if she actually
married him. Ascertain whether there was any legal impediment to such marriage.
Had pensioner a husband living at the date of her alleged marriage with Mallory?
Investigate all points arising in the course of the enquiry having any bearing
on the merits of the claim... Your examination must be exhaustive, and your report
in detail."
10 February, 1879: L.
A. Spalding of Lock ort NY to. A. Bently
"I know Sally Mallory lived with Benajah Mallory as his wife while Mallory
had a wife living in Canada. Squires took care of Maj. Mallory while on his
death-bed & and became acquainted with Sally Mallory and subsequently after
Mallory's death, they were in my office and both represented they were man &
wife --They removed from this city to some Western State or Territory...and
afterwards visited this city moving & acting as man & wife. I have no
knowledge further of her marriage to Squires. It was said when she was living
with Mallory that she had a husband in State Prison & and that while Mallory
was in Prison he made his acquaintance & as Mallory's time was first out
he looked up Sally -I believe this to be true. I became personally acquainted
with Mallory in 1818 & knew him by reputation during the War of 1812."
note: Spalding's letter is marked three times with the letter "A".
This could be a later (or misdated) copy of the letter from Spalding Marked
"A" which was to instigate the Pension Office's inquest a few years
earlier.
23 February, 1854: Statement
of Sally Mallory of Lock ort NY
"...She further declares that she was married to the said Benajah Mallory
on the thirteenth day of May in the year eighteen hundred and fifty two. That
her said husband died on the ninth day of August in the year eighteen hundred
and fifty three...She further declares that she is now a widow & that she
constitutes Lyman A. Spalding of Lockport aforesaid her attorney in the matter."
note: Sally Mallory (nee
Wright) had been living with Major Benajah Mallory since before 1830, but the
couple could not n1arry until his estranged first wife died in 1852. Mr. Spalding
was a good friend of Mallory and his common law wife Sally for several years.
23 February, 1854,: Statement
of Myron H. Davis of Lockport, NY
"...he was present at the marriage of Benajah Mallory & Sally Mallory...that
he said Davis was then and now is a Justice of the peace duly authorized to
Solomize [sic] marriages and that he according to their request performed the
marriage ceremony."
27 February, 1854: L.
A. Spalding to the Commissioner of Pensions
"Will you inform why a Pension of $80. per year is given in this case instead
of $96. per year. It is understood that Mr. Mallory served more than two years
which would entitle him under law 1832 to his full pay ."
note: Benajah Mallory served
in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
6 July, 1869: Statement
of Sally Mallory of Sheboygan WI
"...having failed Since the 4th day of March 1865 by reason of being unable
to procure the assistance of a competent person to assist her without traveling
or Sending a long distance, She having resided in Delton, Delta County Michigan
in a new and Sparsely Settled country, to apply for the payment due in Said
certificate, and having thereby been deprived of the Same...that having changed
her residence to Sheboygan Wisconsin for the reason that her friends with whom
She does now and for a long time past has resided have changed their residence
thereto."
30 March, 1871: Statement
of Sally Mallory at Fort Howard, WI
"She resided at Gardone [Garden] Delta Co. Michigan for five years prior
to the month of July 1869, when She removed to the City of Sheboygan Wisconsin,
and Since then has been Spending considerable of her time among her friends
in different parts of the State of Wisconsin."
26 July, 1877: J.A. Bently,
Pension Commissioner to the Postmaster Ft. Howard WI
"It is respectfully requested that you furnish this office, by endorsement
hereon under cover of the enclosed envelope, any information you have, or may
readily obtain, as to the relations subsisting between a Mr. Hiram G.D. Squire
and a Mrs. Sally Mallory ...The parties are pensioners and there are reasons
for the belief that they are married. "
August, 1877: J.Taylor,
Postmaster Ft. Howard WI to Commissioner of Pensions
"I find on record the marriage of Hiram G.D. Squires to Sally Eggleston
Mar 13th 1843 recorded Feb 9th 1867. I also learn on inquiry that said Squires
had living with him here a woman that he called his adopted daughter but it
is said they lived together as man and wife. They kept bad company here."
26 June, 1878: Statement
of Elizabeth Gillman of Newman's Grove NE
"...She became acquainted with Mrs. Sally Mallory in the Summer of 1870
and has known her ever since. She [Mallory], as affiant has been informed by
her, was married to a man by the name of Jeffrey and had a son William who was
drowned. Her husband Jeffrey died soon after their marriage and she afterwards
married Major Mallory. After her second marriage her son William died and they
came across Hiram Squire, who looked so much like the lost son, that they adopted
him and he lived with them and took care of Major Mallory till he died, and
has lived with his adopted mother ever since. She is a very old lady -at least
looks old - almost old enough to be his grand mother. Before affiant knew Squire
he had been married and had one child. His wife was insane and in an asylum...Squires
had again married and gone to live near Neligh City [NE] leaving Mrs. Mallory
in the homestead in Boone Co. [NE]."
27 June, 1878: Statement
of Mrs. W .T. Searles of Newman's Grove NE
"...she became acquainted with Hiram G. D. Squires when he first came to
this state about seven years ago...Squires came to this state with Mrs. Sally
Mallory whom he claimed was his adopted mother. She was an old lady and quite
feeble then. [She] Appeared to be twenty or more years older than Squires. C.
W. Williams and Elizabeth Gillman came from same place -Greenbay Wis. and affiant
has often heard Mrs. Gillman say that Squires and Mrs. Mallory were husband
and wife -but this was at times when they would be quarrelling among themselves.
They are all of such bad characters for truth, no one can put much reliance
in the story from her statement. Mrs. Mallory always appeared to be a quiet,
respectable, feeble old lady who was completely under the control of Squires.
Affiant was often in their home. They had but one room, and one long bed across
the end of the house. The bed so arranged that their feet came together. It
was called two beds by them, but the sheets and bed coverings for both beds
were in one piece, but of double length. The old lady said it was so convenient-
as one flat iron would warm the feet of both. Affiant often made up the bed
for the old lady, but always found both ends of the bed tumbled, as if occupied
the night before."
29 June, 1878: Statement
of Sally Mallory of Oxford NE aged 78 years
"...affiant was married to Major Mallory in Lockport N. Y. when 26 years
of age...she lived with him thirty years before he died. She first married Wm.
Jefferson who died about three years after their marriage, leaving one child
William who was afterwards drowned in New York Bay. After Major Mallory's death
affiant lived in Lockport about two years and then went to Bay de Noquet, Wis.
[Garden, MI] with her adopted son Hiram Squires. Hiram was brought up by Maj.
Mallory whose [Hiram's] father was a neighbor and friend of his. He visited
Maj. Mallory now and then before the Major had a stroke of paralysis, and when
he heard that Maj. Mallory was sick he came and stayed till he died. He desired
Hiram to take care of affiant. Together they came to Wis. -lived at Bay de Noquet
Wis. [MI] then moved to Green Bay [WI] and lived there two years till they came
to Platte Co. [NE] about seven years ago... While Hiram was in the Army [Civil
War] affiant lived with his son Hiram [at Garden, MI] whose wife affiant brought
up."
29 June, 1878: Statement
of Mrs. Brierly of Oxford NE
"...she has been acquainted with Hiram G. D. Squires and his so called
adopted mother for the past four years...for a time saw the old lady quite frequently
-but has not seen her so much lately...thinks that Squires has forbidden his
mother ? going to the neighbors. She is quite old and feeble in body and mind
and might talk too much. Affiant passed their house some time ago and Mrs. Mallory
came out and walked along with affiant quite a distance and in leaving her affiant
asked her why she had not called, and in reply Mrs. Mallory took her hand -burst
into tears -and said with emphasis "I will come and see you." But
she has not. She would not dare do any thing that that Hiram -as she calls her
adopted son -would not approve of. She is completely under his control. Affiant
cannot understand the relationship existing. Mrs. Mallory has had some kind
of fits at times and when she is subject to them they have some young person
stay with the old lady while he is away. Affiant and other neighbors have been
called in at such times and if Squires came home before she past needing assistance,
he would take right hold and the ladies would be obliged to stand back and smother
their indignation to see him do what they thought it was their business to do.
He would unloose her clothes and rub her lower limbs and do such things as those
present thought their professed relationship did not justify. And what was more
singular, Mrs. Mallory seemed to prefer that he should wait on her instead of
the ladies present. They always have two beds -one on each side of a small room.
Mrs. Mallory looks to be a good many years older than Squires. He is a dangerous
man -travels a good deal at night!"
* Agent's note: "Mrs. Brierly is quite an intelligent English woman who
said... she would say nothing about the parties because she feared Squires.
She however said what is written above, but would not sign."
29 June, 1878: Statement
of Celistia and G. R. Martin of Oxford, NE
"They have been acquainted with Hiram G. D. Squires for the past four years...his
[Squires'] nieces told affiants that they were to call her [Sally Mallory]aunt
Sally till they came here and then, when uncle Hiram was moving them up from
Columbus [NE] he told them to call her grandmother hereafter, and they had always
done so."
4 July 1878: A. W. Fisher
Special Agent at Omaha NE to Commissioner of Pensions
"The old lady is feeble in body and mind and seemed to grieve that Hiram
had married- which he has done lately -but tried to persuade herself that he
would be back soon to take care of her...I should not expect her to adopt a
course of conduct that would shock the moral sense of the community, hence there
is the greater probability of her marriage with Squires -who is an unmitigated
rascal. Major Mallory was a prominent citizen and soldier in Western New York
and she has still a few relicts showing that she has seen better days. She stated
several times that she was married to Maj. Mallory when 26 years of age and
lived with him thirty years. In her pension claim filed in '54 she says she
was married to the Major in 1852... The people generally believe that Squires
has some hold on her by which she is completely in his power and has become
entirely broken down. Pensioner and her adopted son are within five years of
being the same age -she the older -but he is twenty years the younger looking
as I am told. I failed to see him as he had gone."
9 August, 1878: J.A.
Bently to William Mallory of Batavia NY
The Commissioner of Pensions sent a letter to Major Benajah Mallory's son requesting
any information he could offer regarding Sally Mallory (his step-mother) and
Hiram Squires, William Mallory died within days of the receipt of said letter,
a second copy of which was forwarded to
Judge Herbert Stone Mc Donald of Canada,
a nephew of William and grandson of Major Mallory. (See Mc Donald letters to
follow.) Sally Mallory furnished the Pension office with William Mallory's address.
19 February, (1879?)
: A. Delvine, Postmaster at Garden, MI to J. A. Bently
"... Yes this Sally Mallory has passed her self as H. D. Squirs' wife &
has lived here some time as man and wife & has signed a deed at Fayette
as his wife. This information came from an old settler who knew them well here."
note: Hiram G. D. Squires'
son Hiram G. was married to a woman named "Sally" and they lived at
Garden, MI. This could be the couple in the deed.
12 February, 1897: Herbert
Mc Donald of Brockville, ON to J. A. Bently
"…I have an aged aunt with whom I propose to communicate. She now
lives in Canada but formerly lived at or near Batavia, and I have heard some
story of a man whose name, -I think, -was said to be Squires trying to induce
her, (my aunt,) to apply for a pension."
18 February, 1879: Herbert
Mc Donald to J. A. Bentley
"...I have received a letter from my aunt referred to in my letter. She
says Squires (I do not know whether it is the same man,) did offer to get her
a pension as an officer's widow, -Mr. Baker who was her first husband. She repudiated
him and he said he had got for many a one -his own mother with others who was
married before he was born, and was not a widow. My aunt further adds 'the woman
he uses as a cat's paw goes by the name of Sarah or Sally Mallory , -a foolish
imbecile. Sometimes he represents her as his mother, sometimes his friend, then
his wife.'
24 February, 1872: Herbert
Mc Donald to J. A. Bentley
"...I must request that my name shall not in any way appear...I do not
think my relatives in Canada would care to have their names mentioned in connection
with the matter."
note: Major Benajah Mallory's
family from his first wife were very prominent individuals who chose to disassociate
themselves from Mallory's widow Sally and Hiram Squires. Major Mallory had been
a member of the Canadian government prior to the War of 1812, at which time
he crossed sides and fought against his own country. Because of his traitorous
activity his large estate was confiscated. He also spent most of his fortune
raising, clothing, feeding, and arming a regiment of Canadian refugees known
as the "Canadian Volunteers" who, like Mallory, wanted to see Canada
annexed to the United States. His first wife (Abia Dayton) joined her husband
in New York State after the war, but returned to Canada with a few of their
children in 1826, having discovered her husband's infidelity with another woman.
According to Sally Mallory, she met the Major in 1826, so it is possible she
was that very women.
28 July, 1881: Statement
of Sally Mallory of Valley Co., NE
"...She resided in the following places, In Lockport NY to 1855-from the
year 1855 to 1860 in houston Co. Minesota -from 1860 to 1870 or 1871 on the
Shores of Greenbay -it would bee imposible to Give dates of all the Places I
lived for I lived in a Good many Places -my adopted Son H. G. D. Squire was
a mill rite and allso followed Lumbering and fishing where him and his family
went I went with them viz Minomenee Sercer river Escanabe Washington Isle Summer
Isle Mich a Goodeal at Sheboygan wis. Manisteak mich ...as the grounds for dropping
my name from the Rolls of Revolutionary Pensions; that I was married about the
1866 to one Squires, is not true, and those who gave such information to the
Pension office, are either mistaken in the person, the facts, or are guilty
of wilful and deliberate pergery ...in the year 1867 and 1866 and 1868, [I]
resided at I think at Menominee the most of 1866 and then at Sturegunbay 1867
at Sheboygan my any [?Charles?]Williams built a mill theire then they went to
Greenbay village and then to Seader river I think it was in 1868 we mooved to
Seeder River "
note: Italicized words are
in Hiram G. D. Squires hand. No attempt has been made on my part to correct
his spelling or grammar, rendering the text almost as unintelligible as it must
have been to the Pension Commissioner. I have figured out the real names and
locations of the places mentioned. He seems to have been a clever man, but had
very poor grammatical skills.
4 August, 1881: Statement
of Elizabeth Gillman of Platte Co., NE, aged 52 years
"...she is personally and intimately acquainted with the said Sally Mallory
...has known her ever since 1855...in the year 1855 the said Sally Mallory moved
from Lockport New York to Houston County Minnesota...in the year 1860 the affiant
moved to Green Bay Michigan [WI]...Sally Mallory also moved to the same place
in the same year with her adopted son H. G. D. Squire...lived in the same neighborhood
of the said affiant at Green Bay mich ti11 1871...[when affiant, Mallory, and
Squires moved to Platte County , NE]...and lived in same neighborhood near neighbors
upto the year 1875...it would have been impossible for the said Sally Mallory
to have been married to one Squires or to anyone else and I not know about it...Sally
Mallory has always been a respected and reputed person...her reputation for
virtue and charity was never questioned."
4 August, 1881: Statement
of Charles W. Williams of Platte Co., NE aged 72 rears
"...he has known her for 30 or 40 years -long before the death of the said
Benajah Mallory ..."
note: Williams' statement
contains the same information as Elizabeth Gillman's and is similar word-for-word
except for the above passage. It appears the two lived as husband and wife.
Both of their statements were sworn to, signed before, and sent in by Ephriam
M, Squire, J .P. of Madison County, NE, and also the younger brother of Hiram
--how convenient.
5 August, 1881: Statement
of S. P. Bollman of Boone Co., NE
"...made the acquaintance of Sally Mallory in the month of April 1872 at
the residence of H. G. D. Squire's son, Shell Creek, Platte County Nebraska…I
was at that time Paster in charge of Albion Nebraska...Meth E. Church...and
knew her as a member of the Shell Creek Class...In 1875 she having made a declaratory
statement on a tract of land in Boone County Nebraska H. G. D. Squires moved
with her on to said land upon which they resided until fall of 1879 when they
moved to Fort Hartsuff- she selling her right or interest in said claim for
a trifle as the land was comparatively worthless...have known her as quite an
invalid at times very helpless...I am fully satisfied in my own mind that she
is the indenticle person she represents herself to be."
6 August, 1881: Statement
of Stephen D. Avery of Boone Co., NE
"...Squires has from that time 1872 [when Avery met them] to the present
time cared for provided for and treated the said Sally Mallory as his mother
and has been vary [sic] kind and tender to the infirm old lady."
9 August, 1881: Statement
of W. J. Nelson of Boone Co. NE
"In the year 1875 she [Mallory] moved into Boone County Nebraska and made
a declaratory Statement on a tract of land and the family of H. G. D. Squires
moved on the same and cultivated it for her until 1879 -late in the fall of
that year (1879) said Squires moved to Ft. Hartsuff Neb...Sally Mallory sold
her claim for a very nominal Sum- the land having been found to be very Sandy
and of inferior Quality -and She moved to Ft. Hartsuff also...I am well aquainted
with said tract of land and know of it selling for the Sum of Fifteen Dollars...I
also know H. G. D. Squires...to be a man of moderate means and has plenty to
do to Support his own family."
note: The above three statements
all contain several passages declaring Sally Mallory to have been a "good
Christian woman" and of worthy reputation. They were all associated in
some way with the M. E. Church. Ephriam Squire was not the J. P. who reviewed
and signed their statements, which lends a feeling of legitimacy.
15 August, 1881: Statement
of D. P. Davis, J.P. for Valley County, NE
"...I came to Nebraska in the month of September AD 1875 and settled first
about forty rods from the aforesaid Sally Mallory's house. I became acquainted
with her about the first person in Nebraska and have resided near neighbors
of her ever since and have been very intimate friends both with her and also
with the family of H. G. D. Squires. Mrs. Sally Mallory has often visited to
my house in fact some times has stayed for a week or more. Mr. Squires wife
and daughters have also visited at my house...H. G. D. Squires has always since
I knew him and previously by reputation treated her as a mother and is kind
and tender toward her and was his utmost endevor to make her comfortable."
note: D. P. Davis may have
been a relation of Hiram Squires, whose mother was a Davis.
15 August, 1881: Statement
of Hiram G. D. Squire of Calamus, Valley Co., NE
"I am the adopted son of Benajah Mallory aforesaid, was adopted during
the war of 1812 I think it was December it was a few dayes after the Burn of
Buffilow NY, made it my home with the aforesaid Mallory untill I was of age
and from that on untill he died allwayes cauled it going home when I went there
on visits or buisness. When the aforesaid Mallory was taken with A Shock of
Palzy in 1852 I believe in November I was Sent for: I lived then on the Shores
of Grenbay and followed fishing. I left my family in as comfortable Sircumstances
as I could and went home. I Stayed until March and took the general caire of
my father, as I had allwayes had caire of him, until March 1853, when I returned
to my family at Greenbay, remained on the fishing grounds untill the last of
June or first of July I returned home to father Mallory. I remained with him
and had the Sole caire and managent of him and his buisness untill he died the
9th of August 1853 at the age of 96 years 4 months 2 days. I was one of the
administraters and his wife was one under the will. I Pleged myself to him my
father that I would allwayes be kind to mother, take caire of her in Sickness
and helth that She Should allwayes find a home with me in all the rough and
ruged rodes of life and by the help of the great Architect of heven I have allwayes
tride to doo it allthoug it has come hard on me here in Nebraska Since her Pension
was Stoped and Stoped So rongfulley to. In 1855 I took my mother the aforesaid
Sally Mallory from Lockport NY with my own family and in Company with Some other
friends moved to houston Co Minesota followed fishing untill 1860 I removed
back to Greenbay worked at fishing Lumbering and millrite work lived in Several
different Places in Greenbay vis Greenbay City Sturgeon Bay _____ (?) Menominy,
Cerder River, Summer isle, Manitu Mitch [MI] and Sheboygan Wis in fact I Cant
very well tell all the Places I lived for A fisherman will moove his rig acording
to the Season Spring Summer and fall each on different grounds [.] In the fall
of 1864 I went to the Army listed in 14th Mich vol mooved my family to Sheboygan
Wis while gone, returnted in 1865 was not able to work did not go into and buisness
for about 3 years Stayed around the water for my helth Stayed a while in Mackamac
in 1866 and back to Green Bay Stayed a while in Sheboygan Mich 1867 and back
to my friends in Greenbay and in nearly all these Shifts my wife and my mother
was allwayes with me and that was about the tener of my life untill the Spring
of 1870 or 1871 I have forgotten which, have nothing at hand to refresh my memory.
I moved to Platte Co. Nebraska Stayed in Plat Co. till 1875 I beleve when I
removed to Boon Co. Neb remained in Boon Co. till 1879 have followed farming
Since I came to Neb untill 1879 when I removed to Fort Hartsif and went into
________(?) for A living. When I took my wife home - the one that was alive
when mother came to live with us- [it] Was in1847 and She lived till 1863. I
then mairried again in October 1864 She lived with me untill 1869 Both of whom
was allwayes very kind to my mother aforesaid Sally Mallory I then went single
untill 1877 when mairried again. I cant Say that this last mairriag has been
So Plesant for my mother or myself. My mother has no meens of her own and depends
entirely on me for her Suport and my meens is barely enoug for my dayly bread
and it is utterly impossible for me to make her as comfortable as She ought
to be at her great age which is 83 past and is very feeble and subject to fits
and cant be left alone. She has allwayes been under my controle Since father
died and I am Positive that She has never remmairried Since the deth of her
Late Husband Benajah Malloy and that She Still remains his widow. I am 76 years
ould and Post Office adress is Calamus Vally Co. Neb... "
note: With the exception
of the J. P.'s signature (D. P. Davis), this document is entirely in Hiram Squire's
hand. Normally a clerk or the officer himself would transcribe the statement.
Squire's was often assisted by friends or relations in producing quasi-legal
documents, Benajah Mallory himself was adept in the art of forgery and deception.
August, 1881: Statement
of E. M. Squire of Newman's Grove Madison Co. NE
"...I, E.M. Squire, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Madison
and State of Nebraska do hereby certify on my official oath... That I am brother
of H. G. D. Squire the adopted son of the late Benajah Mallory, deceased...That
I am personally and intimately acquainted with Sally Mallory and have been since
some time before the death of Benajah Malloy her husband in 1853... That the
said Sally Mallory is still unmarried and...in destitute circumstances and must
suffer if not restored to the pension Roll."
20 August, 1881: W. A.
Coulter Attorney in Washington D.C. to W. W. Dudley
"I have the honor to transmit herewith Seven affidavits and a letter in
the claim of Mrs. Sally Mallory...for restoration to the Pension Rolls. From
the strong testimony contained within these affidavits, and the high character
of the witnesses as appears therein as well as the extreme old age and irreproachable
character of Mrs. Mallory it is a matter of surprise and indignation to many
reputable citizens that she should have been so unfairly dropped from the rolls.
The harsh and arbitrary rules of your immediate investigation, it is evident
in this case, has deprived this venerable relict of an old Revolutionary Soldier
of her only support in the last few remaining days left of her life. As she
is almost 90 and in feeble health there is great and urgent necessity for prompt
and favorable action in her case."
23 August, 1881: W. W.
Dudley to W. A. Coulter
"...Hiram G. D. Squires, who alleges that he has taken care of claimant
since 1855, should state the date of each of his three marriages, giving the
full name of each wife and the date of death of the first two. It appears from
evidence in the claim that Squires and claimant executed a number of deeds and
mortgages during 1866 and claimant signed her name as wife of Squires. If claimant
has not remarried, the above mentioned transactions should be fully explained…"
5 September, 1881: Statement
of Hiram G. D. Squire "taken" in Madison Co., NE
"...I was mairried to Philena Preston October 12th 1847 in the city of
Lockport State of New York Said Philena lived with me as my wife untill August
20eth 1863 I next mairried November 12th 1864 Sally Smith in the city of Jackson
State of Michigan after I Joined the US army She lived as my wife and lived
with me untill December 15th 1869 I next mairried Nancy M Hand June 12th 1877
in Oakdale Nebraskey which mairriege has not Prooved So Plesant for my mother
as the former ones nor for myself for which I now have to hier my mothers Board
to her great disadvantage and discomfort as for my mother Signing any Deeds
or other land contracts in my opinion She has never don any thing of the Kind
for Since She Sold her hous and lot in Lockport New York in 1857 except her
Premtion claim here in Nebraska She has never owned any Real estate and theire
has not been any reason for her Signing any land contracts of any kind and further
that I myself have allway don all her buisnes of every Kind Sence She came under
my control as much as if She was a childe of eight years ould She is not a person
fit for any thing of the Kind any thing more than a Child of eigt years ould.
She is a feeble both in body and mind and Subject to fits and not fit to be
left alone and I am very cairfull about leveing her alone as mutch as I would
a child of four years y ould and Positive from all these facts that She has
never Signed any land contracts or represented her Self of being my wife or
any other mans wife except her late husband Benajah Mallory."
5 September, 1881: Statement
of E. M. Squire for J. P. for Madison Co., NE
"…on my official oath certify that I have read the Statement of Hiram
G. D. Squire…a part of which from my own personal knowledge I know to be
true…and I further certify that the said Hiram G. D. Squire lost by fire,
in 1876, his family records and many papers and documents depriving him of valuable
reference in regard to dates."
17 September, 1881: W.
A. Coulter to the Pension Commissioner
"It will be seen by the enclosed affidavits that the signing of deeds and
mortgages is denied by those who would know if such a thing had been done. We
will be charitable enough to believe that the witnesses who said she did were
not guilty of purgery but mistaken in the identity of the person. It appears
that her adopted son married a lady named Sally Smith, and that she was living
as his wife in 1866."
13 December, 1881: Senator
A. Saunders at Washington D.C. to W. W. Dudley
"I enclose to you a letter of H. G. D. Squire in relation to pension claim
of Mrs. Mallory, a widow of 84 years of age. If the statements of this letter
are fats, I think you will thank me for calling your attention to an outrage,
which I do not believe you will for one moment tolerate. In spite of 10 or 12
affidavits to the contrary, it is asserted that this old woman has been dropped
from the pension role on the charge of having remarried. If Loren Clark Special
Agent of the Rev. Dept. has testified in Mrs. Mallory's favor, you can place
entire confidence in his testimony."
Note: W. A. Coulter, Sally
Mallory's attorney in Washington, D.C. must have solicited the help of the Senate
and House to place her back on the pension roles. Just which one of Hiram Squire's
letters Saunders is referring to is unsure, as is the testimony of Lauren Clark.
15 March, 1883: Sally
Mallory (Hiram Squire) of Ainsworth NE to W. W. Dudley
" Hon Sir I am an ould Lady 89 years ould today I am Sally Mallory widow
of Benajah Mallory Privt in the Revolution war now draw a Pension of $8 Per
month. I am told that I am intitled to more I am very needdy in fact in want
for the nessessaries of life My Pension does not Keep me from want allthough
it is A grate help for which I thank you if it was not for A few Freemasons
I Should Starve out rite now in my helpless Condition if my Pension Can be rased
will you bee good a nuff to enform me and enstruct me what Corse to take Please
Send me the Propper Blanks I no if this reaches you that you will hear and answer
the Preyor of A feeble ould woman Freyternallil yours Sally Mallory"
24 April, 1884: Report
of the 48th Congress, 1st Session, House of Representatives
"The Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred Senate bill granting a
pension to Sally Mallory, have examined the same, and report That Sally Mallory
has been for many years, and is now, on the pension list, receiving $8 per month,
as widow of Benajah Mallory, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, in which he
served three years; that he also served during the war of 1812, and was under
Scott at Lundy's Lane She is now over ninety years of age, and has been for
a long time supported by an adopted son who is over seventy years of age, and
has in fact not the means to furnish her such support as her age requires."
Note: The above text was
printed on order of the whole House, and Sally Mallory's pension was increased
to $30 per month. It is interesting to think that an entire branch of the United
Stat' government was made aware of her situation, and moved to act in her favor.
Hiram Squire's schemes had certainly reached a distinguished audience.
4 August, 1884: Anonymous
(Squire) Meadville, NE to the Pension Commissioner
"…the undersigned Mrs. Sally Mallory…having received A note from
A Congrass man Stating that her Pension is increased [to] $30 per month She
wished to no what she must do to obtain the increase She is very needy and it
would be A very great favour to her to receive her increase as soon as Possible
Frayternally yours A friend for the needy Sally Mallory [her signature] PS Mrs.
Mallory was 100 years ould the 15th of March last Signed her name herself"
3 May, 1889: Agend C.
S. Lake of Des Moines, IO to the new Pension Commissioner
"As a matter of considerable interest I have the honor to make a special
report of the death of Sally Mallory…[who] was the last Revolutionary widow
pensioner upon the rolls of this agency, and I believe at her death she was
the oldest of said widows. She was last paid March 18th 1899 and died April
10, 1889, aged 106 yrs. She signed her own vouchers and drew her pension in
person up to about the last of 1887 since which time a guardian has been paid.
I enclose a letter from her late guardian, and also a sketch from a St. Louis
paper showing a picture of her. It will be noted that the writer of the sketch
misspells her name as Malloy."
Excerpts from the Civil War Pension File of Hiram G. D. Squire
1864/1865: Rolls of the
United States War Department regarding H. G. D. Squire
"Height- 6 ft. 1 in.; Complexion- dark; Eye- black; Hair- black; Born -N.
Y."
13 August 1877: H. G.
D. Squire of Oxford, NE to the Commissioner of Pensions
"...in act 1859 I was in Lockport Niagra Co NY. My ocupation in NY. Steady
Some of the time at Carpenter work and at Some times at farming and and hon
laber laber that offerd a living then May I think of 1860 I went back to Sheboygan
Wisconcin where I had formaly lived I then followed fishing and farming Carpenter
work till I listed I did not Stay all the time in Sheboygan but was mostly theire
and betwen theire and Greenbay Wisconcin the above is the Best I can doo for
that Part for the Presant...Some time in the Summer the later Part I went to
Baydenoquette in delta Co Mich where I owned a Small piees of ground and A fishery
I did not laber any that Summer nor that winter for I was not able the following
year (66) I tried to laber a very little in the garden Still living in the Same
Place the following winter traded some that is Sold Small trinkets at home and
bought Some fur and Sold again Sold out my Place i think in the winter of 1867
bought me Some timber land and tried to lumber on a Small Scale untill the fall
of 1868 I gave that up and went to Greenbay Wis...at 5 Oc AM. the Battle with
whood [name of a Confederate officer?] Commenced and it kept up all day !vith
terible Slawter I was in the Charge made and Broke my sward and received A Sever
Bayenat thutst in my left side but did not leve the field of battle I allso
received Sever wound over the left iey that has neerly disabled the iey...it
had rained and Snowed all day and Still rained all nite and we Stayed on the
Battle ground all nite in the rain without even A Blanket to Cover us with and
the mud ancle deep in the dryest Place sould be found….here I am Just So
as to Craul around I have not been able to as Much as Chop my own wood for A
long time back and expect to ever be able to do any more laber and the Deseas
was taken Dewring that offulll battle at Nashvill…"
18 June, 1878: Marriage
License of Hiram Squires and Nancy Hand (copied in 1902)
"...H. G. D. Squires, Groom; Age 72; Born N. Y.; Residence, Holt Co. [NE];
Father's name, E. H. Squires; Mother's maiden name, S. Davis. Nancy M. Hand,
Bride; Age 49; Born Indiana; Residence, Holt Co. [NE]; Father's name, A. Spicklemire;
Mother's maiden name, Jane Dolerhide..." [married 18 June, 1878, Oakdale,
Antelope Co., NE]
11 January, 1901: General
Affidavit of Nancy M. Squire of Brown Co., NE
"...he [Hiram G. D. Squire] told her that he was never married before he
married her, and that she knows nothing regarding the times of his service as
a soldier...she first became acquainted with him about Jany 1878, about 6 months
before they were married. "
note: If Squire neglected
to tell her these basic facts of his history, he probably did have the ulterior
motives stated in several of the affidavits (i.e. to get her money or land.)
1 March, 1901: Nancy
M. Squire's "Declaration for Widow's Pension
"...aged 70 years...resident of the town of Ainsworth County of Brown,
State of Nebr…she was married John Hand who died 1867 and again to Adam
Roach from whom she was divorced in 1877 taking her former name of "Hand"..."
9 July, 1901: General
Affidavit of Commandant A. V. Cole of Grand Island NE
"...[Hiram Squire] died in the Home Hospital [Grand Island Soldiers and
Sailors Home] September 15th 1893 of Rheumatism and old age and that he was
buried in the Home Cemetery. "
note: His obituary says
that his death resulted from a fall off the back of a hay wagon.
4 April, 1902: General
Affidavit of Robert and Martha Wilber of Ainsworth, NE
"...That we know that claimant [Nancy Squire] lived with soldier for about
one year after their marriage, then they disagreed somewhat about the children
by former marriage of claimant...Claimant lived in Iowa, Oregon and Holt County
Nebr at different times and was in the Insane Asylum at Norfolk Nebr for about
one year and half."
24 October, 1902: Deposition
of Martha A. Wilbert of Ainsworth NE
" ...I am a niece of Nancy M. Squires...I did not know Hiram G. D. Squires
at all before they were married. I had just seen him. He came as a pension attorney
to see my mother about a pension claim. He had some papers there which he claimed
were his own pension papers and he was reading them to mother to explain what
she had to do. After we came here along in 1881 he came to see if I knew where
auntie was and if I thought there was any hope that they would ever be able
to live together again. He said "I haven't much. My pension has been cut
down to $4.00 a month and that won't buy the cream for my coffee."...I
was at her house when she went away to be married [to Squire]. She had 3 children
living there I remember she was down to his place 2 or 3 times. Squires tried
to get money that was coming to aunt and her daughters. He had been living down
in Boone Co. and she at Padduck, Holt Co. Nebr. I understood that all arrangements
had been made for him to come to her place and bring this Mrs. Mallory with
him, and when he couldn't get this money, he just went away and never came back…Il
never heard any talk of her [Mallory] being Squires' wife… He made this
application for divorce [from Nancy Hand] for the purpose of marrying another
woman, but didn't…I can't think of this woman's name."
29 October, 1902: Deposition
of H. W. Morrow, Special Examiner for Holt Lo. NE
"...on the 11 day of June, 1880, Nancy M. Squires swore to a petition in
an application for divorce from Hiram G. D. Squires alleging that she married
said Hiram G. D. Squires June 18, 1878, in Antelope County, Nebraska… She
further alleges that said Hiram G. D. Squires has lived with a woman named Mallory
in Antelope Co., Nebr, and at various times has been guilty of adultery with
her...She also alleges gross neglect and asks for divorce and such other relief
as she may be entitled to. "
30 October, 1902: Deposition
of E. M. Squire of Neligh, Antelope Co., NE, age 73
"I am a brother of Hiram G. D. Squire. He was 12 years older than I to
the best of my knowledge. He claimed to be much older than that. I have a sister
living at Escanaba, Mich., Eunice A. Stoddard (widow). She is 5 years older
than I. [Q.=when/ where was H. G. D. married?] We were in Canada and in Wisconsin.
It was about 1843, at Cheboygan [Sheboygan] Wisc. and his wife died then. I
never saw her. Her name was Sarah and she was the widow of a man named Eggleston.
Her maiden name was Palmer…Along about 1850 he lived with a man named Benajah
Mallory, Maj. of a regiment raised in Canada of the War of 1812, and his wife
Sally or Sarah Mallory at Lockport, N. Y. Then he came west with this Mrs. Mallory
-her husband having died. He married a woman in Lockport N. Y. all this was
after the death of his first wife, who died within 3 years after marriage. This
second wife was a widow too. They came west about 1849. Oh yes I was acquainted
with this wife. They parted in Delta Co., Mich. I have seen her since in Fon
du Lac, Wisc. He separated from her probably in 1850. He said he got a divorce
but I never believed it. Her name was Preston or Prescott. Her maiden name was
Weaver...Philena was her given name…Then he went back to Lockport and about
1850 or 1851 he came back to Minnesota with this Mrs. Mallory and lived with
her afterward till her death ostensibly as mother and son adopted. It was about
20 miles west of La Crosse, Wisc. They with the son Hiram out there with them.
Hiram [Jr.] is at Delta Co., Mich, Badenoch (French name). He must have been
old enough to give a history of their wanderings. He was 14 years old when we
went to Kansas in 1856. It was 1857 or 1858 that he took the Mallory Woman to
Minn. If he was married to the Mallory woman at all it was at Lockport, N.Y….Her
pension was stopped on grounds that she was married to H. G. D. Squire. He admitted
to me that her pension was stopped on account of marriage to him, but he claimed
to me that while he was in the South, in the army, he married a Sarah Mallory
but that it was not this woman at all…From this the Pension Office must
have claimed evidence that he married a Sarah Mallory. He must have been married
to the Preston or Prescott woman about 1848 or 1849. I never believed that he
got a divorce from her...She was about my age and not a very strong woman…He
went from Minnesota to Mich., Delta Co...It was a wilderness. He was there when
he enlisted…After he came to Nebraska, he lived first at Newman's Grove,
Madison Co., Nebr. right in line of Platte Co., Nebr. I should say he lived
there 4 years -1871-5 about. He then went to Boone Co., Nebr. - up Beam from
Albion 18 miles...He lived there 3 or 4 years. I think he then went to Loup
Co. It was near Ft. Hartsuff, Ord P .O. I think. He was there probably 3 or
4 years. I saw him only once a year or so. He then went to near Long Pine, Brown
Co., Nebr. He went there when the Garrison was broken up in Ord and moved to
Long Pine. He then lived near Meadville, Brown Co., Nebr. Then must be when
Mrs. Mallory died. I think he did not go to Ainsworth till after her death…My
father knew [Major Benajah] Mallory in War of 1812…He did say he married
a woman named Mallory. I went to see them once when they lived at Bay de Noc.
I think they lived as man and wife. He told me also that there has been a record
of his having married Sally Mallory. They, this Mallory woman and he, passed
as man and wife and lived as man and wife until they came to Nebraska, and it
was the general opinion at Newman's Grove that they were man and wife and set
up this claim of adopted mother to get her pension though I believe they were
married. He said he married Sally Mallory in Tennessee, P .O. unknown…No,
I do not know anyone who knew them in New York. The son was never back there,
but he knows they lived as man and wife all right. I don't know whether he would
tell it or not."
30 October, 1902: Deposition
of Eva P. Squire of Neligh, Antelope Co., NE
"I am the wife of E. M. Squire...He [Hiram] had two children, one Caroline
was gone away and I know nothing about her. The oldest, Hiram G. I knew. He
is in Michigan...He [Hiram Sr.] had an old lady that he always lived with, called
her mother. He brought her and his son's wife too when his people were at Sheboygan,
Wisc. This old lady's name was Mallory ...Oh yes, she was considerable older
that he. She would now be 102 years old, was born in 1800. She has been dead
12 or 13 years…He had a woman that he claimed to be married to but I didn't
know that he was…When we were living at Newman's Grove, Neb. H. G. D. Squire
brought a young girl to our place named Pheobe Hand, and told us he had married
her mother I heard they had parted. I had doubts of their marriage. I think
the trouble was that this Mrs. Hand had some property and he tried to get it
and couldn't and didn't care anything for the woman so they parted."
