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 Miller J. Blackly, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded him during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says:

I am 64 years old.  Occupation farming.  P.O. Rockford Mich.  I live adjoining farm to Mrs. Esther Pennington.  The house place 20 acres, 11 acres of it lake.  I should value at $600.

The 65 acres just across the road in Cannon would not bring more than $1000.  I don't think any man would pay more than that.

The 80 acres tract just east of me is very poor land.  Lots of it is blow sand.  I would value it at $1000.

The rental value of the 65 acre tract is not more than one dollar per acre and that would be about the same rental for the 80 acre tract.  The home place has but little tillable land.  There is an old orchard on it with with some few new trees but the income from it is very little.  I am sure that he has shipped no fruit from it.

He (the son) had a barrel of cider made from it.  I don't know if...

Mrs. Pennington has any other income aside from the farm.  I know that for many years before Mr. Pennington died his son Oliver worked the place and the old gentleman got nothing from it.

I don't know of any property that Mrs. Pennington has aside from her third interest in the farms.  I have heard this read and it is correct.

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

F G Sims, Special Examiner