Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23008, for Benjamin Stage, New York
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Service  Number
New York. Stage, Benjamin  S.23008
Contents
Page 2

No.11721
Pennsylvania
Benjamin Stage
of Lycoming Co, in the State of Penn.a
who was a {illegible} Private in the company commanded by Captain Smith of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the N. York Militia for 10 months  [illegible] 12 days, Private $34.60

I awarded on the [illegible] of Pennsylvania at the rate of 34 Dollars  60 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension [illegible] the 10th day of June 1833 and sent to Jos. Wood.
Williamsport, Pa.

[illegible] to the 4th of March 1833  69.20
[illegible] allowance ending [illegible] Sep. 1833 17.30
$ 86.50

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book E.  Vol. 5  Page 53
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Benjamin Stages
Application for a Pension under act of June 7. 1832
25187
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State of Pennsylvania County of Lycoming
On this fourteenth day of February in the year eighteen hundred and thirty three, personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Lycoming now sitting, Benjamin Stages a resident of Hepburn Township in the county of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, aged sixty seven years last June, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th AD 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States and served as herein stated under the following named officers. I was residing near Shongum in the State of New York when I was drafted as a Militia man and entered the service of my Country in the Spring of the year 1781. I was drafted in the [] under the command of Captain Smith in the month of March and about the first of April of that year we march'd to Mamacotten (Mamakating) fort in the State of New York & I went under the command of Lieutenant Johnson to the same fort and remained there in the fort & did duty as a Soldier in guarding the frontier from the inroads & excursions of the Indians, till between Christmas & New Year following which was within a few days of nine months. We then marched to Warsick where we were discharged by our officers & I returned home. The next Spring my father was drafted & went a tour under Captain Smith to the fort at
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Lurenkiln in the month of June he became unwell and I went to the fort and took his place as a soldier and remained at the Lurenkiln fort six weeks when my father returned & I came home. after which time I did no further service for my Country although I enlisted under Lieutenant Vancurah at Shongum in the service of the United States shortly before the close of the War, but as peace was shortly after that time, concluded I never entered the service under my enlistment
I never was in any battle or engagement, nor did I serve with any other companies; Lieutenant Johnson had a brother Colonel Johnson had command of the Regiments . I do not know any other officers personally.  I have no documentary evidence and I know of no person whose testimony I can procure who can testify to my service. 
To the answers proposed by the Court I answer as follows viz:
1st I was born at Shongum in the State of New York in June 1765.
2d I have no record of my age in Pennsylvania. It was left at Shongum where I was born & baptized
3d I was living when called into the Service, near Shongum Since the Revolutionary War I lived at Pequest Sussex County New Jersey from the year 1786 till the year 1807 when I removed to the County of Lycoming in Pennsylvania where I have resided since that time & do now reside.
I was drafted in the militia as a common soldier or private & served for nine months as above stated in the year 1781; & in the year 1782 I served six weeks as above stated as a substitute for my father.
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5th I cannot State the names of any other regular officers than those above mentioned viz: captain Smith Lieutenant Johnson & Colonel Johnson. I was nearly the whole time doing duty in the fort & did not become acquainted with officers Our business was to protect the frontier from the hostile Indians & their allies.
6th I never received a written discharge from the service We were all dismissed verbally.  I never received any commission.
7 I am well acquainted with Jonathan Willson, Serg Elihu Willson & the Reverend John Thomas all of Lycoming County & residents in my neighborhood & they can testify as to my character for veracity & their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution.
And the said Benjamin Stage doth hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State to the best of his knowledge
Sworn & subscribed in open Court of common Pleas this 14th day of February AD 1833 J Woods 
Benjamin Stage  his mark B
We John Thomas a Clergyman residing in the County of Lycoming aforesaid and Jonathan Willson Esquire, and Elihu Willson residing in the same County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Stage who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration & that we believe him to be upwards of sixty seven years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & Subscribed in open Court of Common Pleas this fourteenth day of February AD 1833 
J Wood []
Elihu Willson 
Jon Willson
John Thomas
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 Also the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John Thomas who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County of Lycoming and that Jonathan Willson & Elihu Willson who have also signed the same are residents in the county of Lycoming and are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit.  
[Leth or Seth] Chapman
H David Lane
Lycoming County I Joseph Wood Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Stage for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this fourteenth Day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty three (1833)
J Wood  [othy]
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No 25167
Benjamin Stage, Lycoming County Pennsylvania 

Admitted
10 mo. 12 days Private
$36.60


Jos Wood pro Lycoming County
Penn.  Williamsport
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WAR DEPARTMENT. 
Pension Office, 
183

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, shewing the service of Benjamin Stage Lycoming County Pennsylvania

[BEGIN TABLE]
Period when the service was rendered  |  Duration of the service Years. Months. Days.  |  Rank of the claimant.  |  Names and Rank of the Field officers under whom he served.  |  Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.  |  Proof by which the declaration is supported.  |
Drafted Sprg. 1781  |  9 Months.  |  private  |  Cap Smith  |  67 years Shongum [Shawangunk] New York  |  Traditionary evidence – paper correct -  |
Sub Sprg. 1782  |  1 Month 12 Days.  |  private  |    |    |    |
[END TABLE]

I am, respectfully 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2 
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. 
The following regulations have been adopted: 
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. 
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 
1. The Regular Troops. 
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 
3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 
4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. 
DECLARATION. 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. 
State, Territory or District of County } ss.
On this ___ day of ___ personally appeared (a) before __ A.B. a resident (b) of ___ in the county of ___  and State, territory or District of ___  ages (c) ___ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ___  , with ___ and served in the ___ (e) regiment of the ___ line, under the following named officers: 
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which marched. [ ]This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of ___
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. ____ A. B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I _____ of the Court of ____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of ___for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ___ day of ___&c. 
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
 (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the ___ and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ___ , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ___ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. ___ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the ___ and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ___ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I ___Clerk of the Court of ___ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation of ___ for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this ___ day of ___&c. 
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3 
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6.  {To a Soldier} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?}
6. {To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?}
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. 
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
[d] The declarant must in the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For __ year ___ months , and ___ days I served as a ___. For ___ months and ___days, I served as a ___; and for such service I claim a pension." 
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.   Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority;  that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required. 
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 
Proof of Service. 
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant’s entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[ ] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j] applies in continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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July 6, 1932
BA-J/KCS
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Benjamin Stage
S. 23008

H. Pauline Woodward
El Dorado
Kansas

Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your letter requesting information in regard to Benjamin Stage, a soldier of the Revolution. 
 The data furnished herein were obtained from the original papers on file in the pension claim, S. 23008, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Benjamin Stage. 
 He was born in June, 1765, at Shongum, New York. 
 While living there he enlisted in March, 1781, and served nine months as private in colonel Johnson's New York Regiment, was first in Captain Smith's Company and later was stationed at "Mamacotten" Fort, New York, under the command of Lieutenant Johnson.  In the spring of 1782 he enlisted as substitute for his father, whose name was not given, and served six weeks as private in Captain Smith's New York Company. 
He lived at Pequest, Sussex County, New Jersey, from 1786 until 1807 when he moved to Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.
 He was allowed pension on his application executed February 14, 1833, at which time he was living is Hepburn Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. 
 There are no data relative to wife and children.
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In order to obtains the date of last payment of pension of Benjamin Stage and possible the date of his death it is suggested that you address  The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., citing the following data:  Benjamin Stage, Certificate 11721, issued June 10, 1833, rate $34.60 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Pennsylvania Agency. 
Very truly yours,
A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator

Death  not on Agency Book
Page 14

23008
Revolution

iNVALID.

File No. 23.008

Benjamin Stage

Pri. Rev War

Act: June 7 '32

Index - Vol 2, Page 312

(Arrangement of 1870)
Page 15

Aug 27 ‘96
sold period
to Mrs C E Jewell
Seneca Falls N.Y.  [illegible]

1908 Apl. 2, History to W C. Gilmore ¢
1932 July 5 – hist to H. Pauline Woodward  M.C.S.
Page 16

H & S
Seneca Falls N.Y.
Aug 20 1896
Pension Office:
Washington D. C.
I am trying to trace the record of some of my ancestors whom we think were soldiers in the Revolutionary War.  As they lived in Pennsylvania after about the period of the War.  I wrote to the Adj. Gen of Pa. He referred me to the State Librarian & he in turn to the Pension Office at Washington - Some of my friends have had no difficulty in finding the record of their Ancestors.  Who lived in New Jersey. As the Adj. Genl of that State seems to have complete records fiving names of Rev. Soldiers _ County. Company officers &c. date of enlistment, time of service &c - Is there such a list in the state of Pa_ & to whom could I apply to gain information?
My great grandfather, John
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Hughes was born in 1741. but I cannot be positive as to his birthplace - In 1774 at the time of his marriage - to Catherine Bergenhoff, he was in Pa - Williamsport was always spoken of as his home. & he removed from Lycoming Co. to Ohio in 1819 - Prior to the Revolution the early history says Lycoming Co. was a part of Northumberland Co. Another Great G- father was Benjamin Stage whom we also think was in the Revolution- Will you please write me whether these names John Hughe & Benjamin Stage of Northumberland or Lycoming Co- Penn. appear on your list of Rev- soldiers & what was their record in the Army? A number of us are deeply interested in writing a family history & also in finding if we are eligible to membership in Soc. of Sons & daughters of American Rev. Any information you can give us will be most highly appreciated - Very Respectfully
Mrs. C. E. Jewell
295 Fall St. Seneca Falls
New York
Page 18

[stamp] U.S. Pension Office AUG 22 1896

[stamp] Old War & Navy Files AUG 25 1896
Page 19

Law Offices of W.C. Gilmore    
Over West Branch National Bank
Williamsport, PA Mar. 23, 1908

United States Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Please inform me whether or not among the records of your office can be found the name of a Revolutionary pensioner from the Central part of Pennsylvania, either from Northumberland or Lycoming County, one Benjamin Stage. My information is that he was an officer in the Revolutionary War.  If you have such a record, I would be pleased to receive the same.
Very truly yours,
W.C. Gilmore

HN 
Pension Office U. S. Mar 24 1908
Page 20

3-595.

Record Division 
Department of the Interior.
Bureau of Pensions

March 26, 1908

Searched by S. D. Lamparter

Original No.

Certificate No.

Claimant

Soldier Benjamin State

Servie Rev. War

Remarks:  no such claim
Try 23008
Page 21

O. W. & N. Div.
I 23008
L. W. B. 
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C. August 27, 1896.
Madam:
Replying to your request for information concerning the military records of Bejamin Stage and John Hughes, supposed to have been soldiers in the Revolutionary War, you are advised as follows:
Benjamin Stage made application for pension on February 14, 1833, at which time he was residing in Hepburn, Pa., and 67 years of age, and his pension was allowed for ten months' and twelve days' actual service as a private in the New York troops, Revolutionary War; a part of the time he served under Capt. Smith.  He enlisted at Shongum, N.Y.
A very careful search has been made and from the data given the name of John Hughes has not been found upon the Revolutionary pension records on file in this Bureau. Much of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in possession of the Government are on file in the record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
Very respectfully,
Mrs. C. E. Jewell, Seneca Falls, N.Y. Commissioner.
295 Fall St.
Page 22

A.L.L. Hamilton
Late Judge 26th Judicial District
R. C. Woodward
Hamilton & Woodward
Attorneys and Counsellors at Law
El Dorado, Kansas
June 3, 1932
Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C.
Attention:  Mr. A.D. Hiller
Dear Sir:
I would like to have any information that may be contained in the application for Pension made by one Benjamin Stage of Lycoming Co. Pa on service rendered in N.Y. during the Revolutionary War. I am interested in the date of birth and where, date of marriage and where Name of wife and any dates concerning her, Dates death and the place he lived during the Rev. War.
I have this information
N.Y. in the Rev. 2nd Ed.
Page 86 - Benjamin Stagh Page 86 The Levies (Pawling) 
Senate Documents - Pension Roll
1st Session, 23rd Cong. Vol. 2 (Pa.)
Name - Benjamin Stage
rank - Private
arn. all - 34.60
Sums rec - 103.80
Desc of serv- N.Y. Militia
When placed on Pen roll - June 11, 1833
Commencement of Pen. March 4, 1831 Do age - 69
Thanking you for an early reply. I am
Most Sincerely
H. Pauline Woodward
Page 23

In reply to your request of ___ received ___ for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Stage a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
Sur File 23008
[BEGIN TABLE]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  |   LENGTH OF SERVICE.   |   RANK.   |  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN.   |   COLONEL.   |   STATE.  |
Mch. 1781  |  9 mos.  |  pri  |  Smith  |  Johnson  |  N.Y.  |
[illegible] 1782  |  [illegible]  |    |    |    |    |
[END TABLE]

Battles engaged in, none
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [illegible]
Date of application for pension, July 14, 1833
Residence at date of application, [illegible]
Age at date of application, [illegible] 1765 [illegible]
Remarks: [illegible]

[Remainder of page is illegible, but the following is the standard ending for this form]

Respectfully, 
Commissioner.

3-2856