Deposition A
Case of Esther M. Pennington     No. 803367
On this 26 day of Sept 1904, at Rockford, County of Kent,
State of Mich, before me, F G Sims a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared Esther M. Pennington, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to her during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension deposes and says:  I am 69 years of age; my post-office address is R.F.D. 28.  Rockford Mich.  Occupation - housekeeping.

I am an applicant for pension as the widow of James Pennington who served in Co. G 9 NY Cav and died Nov. 24, 1903.  I have by Mr. Pennington 6 living children.

When my husband died he owned this home place of 20 acres in Courtland twp and on this place is a lake of about 11 acres and just across the road from this house is 65 acres of land and one mile east of here in Courtland twp is 80 acres.  The place (65 acres) across the road here is in Cannon twp.  The entire land holdings of my husband were 165 acres including the lake. 

We live about 4 miles east of Rockford.  He had in money when he died $800.  He had no stocks, bonds, mortgages, or other valuable securities.

He had no money on interest.  He had no debt.  He left no will and the estate was settled in the Probate Court but the final accounts have not been filed and there has been no assignment and allotment of the property.

Of the stock on the place and the tools, that was to go to our son Oliver who had worked the place for 10 or 11 years.  I knew of the understanding between them during my husband's lifetime.  There were three horses but two of them were bought & owned by our son Oliver and all of the tools and stock were owned by Oliver and they were not included in the schedule to the Probate Court.

The only property given in to the Probate Court was the land and $810 in money.  He had no life insurance.

My son Oliver here present had worked the farm and supported the family and kept what he could make from the place.  This has been the understanding for a good many years and he ought to have had the crops for the place is light and the crops are light.

There are just the two children at home.  Oliver is single but my daughter is married and she was paid for her...

labor.  She is a teacher but had to quit and come home and care for us and the Probate Court allowed her claim for $390 for taking care of us.

I was unable to work and my husband was sickly.  It is understood among the heirs that my son Oliver is to continue this year working the place just as he had done before but this is the last year that he will do it. 

He pays my daughter two dollars per week for staying here and doing the housework.  I just get my living, that is all.  There is no accounting done.  I do not know what is raised on the place and I know nothing about the expense of the place.

My son Oliver is the administrator.  I can't tell about the valuation of the farms.  My memory is too poor.  I got from my husband $800, the sum of $200, and besides that I would get our third of what was left over after the expense is paid but...

I understand that there will be nothing left after paying for the monument and other expenses.

Besides this $200, I have three hundred dollars I got from my brother's estate and that is all the money I have.  This five hundred dollars is in the Old National Bank Grand Rapids Mich and draws 3% interest. 

I have no other income of any kind or from any source.  The word "not" was interlined before signing.  And further, the daughter who is here at home with me is single.  I have heard this read and it is correct.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of Sept 1904 and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing.

F G Sims, Special Examiner