Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6212, for John Staples, Pennsylvania
Page 1

SERVICE: Continental (Conn or Pa)
Staples, John (Lydia)
NUMBER: W.6212
Page 2

361 Pennsylvania
Lydia Staples, widow of
John Staples
of Susquehanna Co in the State of Pennsylvania
who was a private of Dragoons in the Compy commanded
by Captain [blank] of the regt commanded
by Col. Sheldon in the Connecticut line
for 1 yr. 5 months & 7 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania
at the rate of 71 Dollars 80 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 3d day of January 1837
and sent to Frank[lin?] Lusk Esqr. Montrose.

Arrears to the 4th of Septr 1836 $394.90
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March '37. 35.90
[=] $430.80

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act 4 July 1836}
Recorded by Wm J Allison Clerk,
Book [blank] Vol. 1 Page [torn- 175?]

Right side:
Dead
Letter to Pension Agent ? Feby 1843
1874 March 6. Rev'd[?] Jno B. McClary that pay't made to administrator 1st ? 1843 to July 1, 1847.
Date of death not on AB
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State of Connecticut 
Windham County ss. Windham Decr 6. 1836 
This May Certify that I have examined the records of the church in the sd Ecclesiastical Society of said Windham, and there find recorded the Marriage of John Staples to Lydia Jennings on the 8th day of February AD 1767 by the Revd Ebenezer Devotion first pastor of said church and Society in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 
[Signed] Benjamin Webb 

State of Connecticut }
County of Windham } ss. Windham Probate District 
Be It Known that Benjamin Webb Esq personally appeared before me Jael W White Judge of Probate within and for the district of Windham, and in my presence signed the annexed certificate, and made solemn oath to the truth of the statements therein contained, Also said Benjamin Webb is a Respectable man being one of the said Magistrates of this town and County and his statements are entitled to full credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand officially and affixed my Seal of office and directed the Same to be countersigned by the clerk of Probate.
[SEAL]
[Signed] Socrates Balcam Clerk
[Signed] Jael W White Judge
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Declaration of Lydia Staples
Page 5

Great Bend Pa.
Oct 13
Free [postage]
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Crosswise:
No 373 Oct 18 [?]
Lydia Staples
Pennsylvania

Upside down:
admitted 1 yr 5 m & 7 days, dragoons
71.80

Declaration of Lydia Staples
Page 6

State of Pennsylvania, Susquehanna County ss. 
On this twenty fourth day of September 1836. Before me William Thomson one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County aforesaid; personally came Lydia Staples a Resident of Great Bend township in said County aged 87 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her Oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision by the act of Congress passed July 3d 1836. That she is the widow of John Staples was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution in the Regiment of Light-horse or Dragoons raised in the State of Connecticut in the year 1777 and Commanded by Colonel Elisha Sheldon of Salisbury in Litchfield County in Connecticut. The deponent further declareth and saith that she the said deponent was legally married to the said John Staples at Windham in the State of Connecticut aforesaid by the Reverend Ebenezer Devotion, about the year 1767, (she thinks in the month ^of January 1767) at which time she was about 18 years of Age, she continued to reside at said Windham with her said husband about seven years after their marriage during which time they had one child born named Clarissa, which died in the third year of her age, & then when the Deponent was 25 years of Age she moved with her husband to Wyoming in Pennsylvania where they resided until the year 1777 when her said Husband enlisted in the troop of Lighthorse aforesaid, joined the continental army and served in said Troop until after the Indian Battle and Massacre at Wyoming in the year 1778. The deponent further saith that James Staples the father of her husband, and Joseph Staples, the brother of her said husband with their respective familys were resident at Wyoming at the time of said Massacree, that Joseph Staples was killed in said Battle, but his father James Staples escaped with both of their families with great loss
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of property and almost unparalled [sic] suffering, under which circumstances her said Husband with several officers and soldiers belonging to the Army were then permitted by the Commander in chief to return to Wyoming for the protection and relief of their distressed families
After the close of the Revolutionary war my Said Husband resided with his family several years in Orange County (in the State of New york) but for the most part of his life at Wyoming in Pennsylvania, but the last few years of his life in Lawville in Susquehanna ^County, Pennsylvania, where he died of a Diarhoea after a very long and distressing illness, aged seventy five years, leaving his widow aged sixty seven years, Sept. 11th 1816.
The Deponent further deposeth and saith, that being old and decrepit, without children or near relations, she has remained a widow ever Since the death of her Said husband and unable to look for ancient witnesses of her husbands military service, or the record of her Marriage and of her Age. She nevertheless knows that her Husband served as a Light-horseman for several years in the Army of the Revolution while she was his lawful Wife and that she never had any husband but the said John Staples and that she lived with him and nursed him to the last hour of his life - and can only refer to the rolls of the aforesaid Regiment of Light-horse which she hopes may be preserved in the War office
The Deponent recollects several Officers of said Regiment B. Talmadge E. Sheldon E. Wadsworth J Shethar, Bull &c but they are not living. And further the Deponent saith not
[Signed] Lydia Staples
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year first before written. Witness my hand and seal. I also hereby certify that Lydia Staples the above deponent & applicant is unable to appear before the Court by reason of bodily infirmity. Also that she is entitled to Credibility. [Signed] William Thomson [SEAL]
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State of Pennsylvania}
Susquehanna County} ss.
I, Geo. Walker, Prothonotary, of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for said ^county, do certify, that the Hon. William Thomson, before whom the foregoing acknowledgement purports to have taken, was at the date thereof, and yet is one of the Judges of said Court, and that the foregoing Signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal of Office at Montrose, the twenty-ninth day of September A.D. 1836.
[SEAL]
[Signed] Geo. Walker Proto.
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October 31, 1933 
XXXXXXX 
BA-J/EEL 
John Staples - W.6212

Mrs. F. Richard Finch 
1619 S. University Avenue 
Ann Arbor, Michigan 

Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to John Staples, who served in Colonel Elisha Sheldon's Regiment, Dragoons, War of the Revolution. 
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 6212, based upon the military service of John Staples in that war. 
John Staples was the son of James. The date and place of John's birth and the name of his mother are not shown in the papers in the pension claim. 
About the year, 1774, he moved from Windham, Connecticut, where he was then residing, to Wyoming, Pennsylvania, where his father and brother, Joseph, with their families were then living. 
He enlisted at Wyoming, Pennsylvania, sometime in 1777, served in Colonel Elisha Sheldon's Regiment of Dragoons until after the massacre at Wyoming, when he was permitted to return home to protect his family: the length of his service is not given. Soldier's brother, Joseph, was killed at Wyoming but soldier's family and that of his father escaped after "almost unparalled suffering." 
After the Revolution, he resided for a time in Orange County, New York, but the last years of his life he spent at Lawville, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, where he died "aged seventy-five years, leaving his widow, aged sixty-seven years, September 11, 1816."
The soldier married February 8, 1767, in Windham, Connecticut, Lydia Staples. 
Soldier's widow, Lydia, was allowed pension on her application executed September 24, 1836, while residing in Great Bend Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, and aged eighty-seven years.
Page 10

While John Staples and his wife, Lydia, resided in Windham, Connecticut, a daughter, Clarissa, was born. She died in her third year; the dates of her birth and death are not shown, and no other names of children appear. In 1836, the widow stated that she had no children. 
In 1836, one Asa Adams, a resident of Great Bend Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, stated that his wife, her name not shown, was a niece of Lydia Staples. 
There are no further family data. 
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Lydia Staples, widow of John Staples (W.6212), you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing the following data: 
Lydia Staples, widow of John Staples, Certificate No. 361, issued January 3, 1837, rate $71.80 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of July 4, 1836, Pennsylvania Agency. 
Very truly yours 
A. D. HILLER 
Assistant to Administrator.
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Philad'a Bank
Jany 27 1843

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensions

Sir
I enclose for your Examination and approval the papers in the Case of Lydia Staples deceased which wants the Oath of the Administrator as to his identity- &c
Respectfully
Saml F. Smith
Pension Agt
[for?] Chas. W. Bacon
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Montrose Susq'a Co. Pa. Decr 20th 1836
J.L. Edwards Esq. 
Dear Sir, 
I send to you Enclosed Evidence touching the Application of Mrs Lydia Staples for a "Widow's pension." I had Concluded, After tolerably thorough Enquiry, that I should be unable to find a "Parish Record" of her marriage. I had supposed that Town Clerks Kept such Record; but after having that although they keep it, such Record was formerly kept by Clergymen, I have been able to discover and obtain a certificate of her marriage from an Ecclesiastical or pastoral record in Connecticut. Before Receiving such Certificate (authenticated) I had resorted to what I supposed was the best Evidence of which the nature of the Case would permit. I now forward the whole, together with proof that she has never intermarried since the death of her former Husband John Staples deceased. Considering the advanced age of the Applicant &c I take the liberty I pray your attention to her Claim soon as may be consistent with your numerous and pressing duties of Office- 
Your obt. Servt 
[Signed] Franklin Lusk 

To J.L. Edwards Esq.

P. S. Please direct to me at this place 
Yours &c F.L.
Page 13

State of Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County ss. 
Asa Adams of the Township of Great Bend in said County and State being duly sworn before me deposes and says - That he was acquainted with John Staples and Lydia Staples his wife before the death of the said Staples. That the said Lydia Staples is well Known to him, And that he has well Known her Ever since the death of her Husband - That she has not married to any other man since the Death of the said John Staples and that she still continues to be the widow of the said John Staples deceased. That the said Lydia Staples is the Aunt of this Deponent's wife, and that the said Lydia has lived with him considerably since her Husbands Death. That the said John Staples & Lydia lived together as Husband & wife in the House of this Deponent, And the legality of their marriage or that they were legally married was never to his Knowledge doubted. And further this deponent saith not- 
[Signed] Asa Adams
Sworn & subscribed before me 
this fourteenth day of Decr A.D. 1836 
[Signed] Abraham DuBois Justice of the Peace

State of Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County ss. 
I Geo Walker Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for said County do certify that Abraham Du Bois Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace as above and that the foregoing Signature purporting to be his, is genuine. 
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office at Montrose this nineteenth day of December A.D. 1836. 
[SEAL]
[Signed] Geo. Walker Proto.

Crosswise, left:
I do certify that Asa Adams the foregoing affiant is a man of high standing for integrity and of [un]impeachable character for truth and veracity. [Signed] Abraham DuBois JP
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State of Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County ss. 
Davis Dimock one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas General Quarter Sessions &c in and for said County being duly sworn deposes and says - That he knew John Staples and Lydia his wife many years before the Death of the said John. That the said Lydia Staples has since lived in the same County with this Deponent. And has been known by the name of Lydia Stapes, And as this Deponent believes, has not intermarried since the Death of her Deceased Husband the said John Stapes - And further this Deponent saith not.
[Signed] Davis Dimock
Sworn & Subscribed Before me Decemr 20, 1836
[Signed] Joshua W Raynsford J.Peace

I certify that Davis Dimock the above named affiant is a gentleman of the highest respectability and sustains an unexceptionable character for truth and integrity.
[Signed] Joshua W. Raynsford

State of Pennsylvania
Susquehanna County ss.
I Geo. Walker, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do certify that Joshua W Raynsford Esquire, before whom the above deposition was taken is a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of Susquehanna, And that the above Signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office at Montrose this 20th day of December A.D. 1836.
[SEAL]
 [Signed] Geo. Walker Proto.
Page 15

State of Pennsylvania 
Luzerne County ss. 
Gen. William Ross of Wilkes Barre Township in said County and State being duly sworn deposes & says
That he is upwards of seventy five years of age - That he has resided in said Township sixty two years last October - That he was well acquainted with John Staples and Lydia Staples formerly of said Township - That prior to the Indian Battle in the Wyoming Valley of 1778  - The said John and the said Lydia lived together as Husband & wife and were reputed to have been married before they came into this part of the Country - That the said John & Lydia lived together, both before & after the war & that no one to his knowledge ever doubted that they had been legally married.
[Signed] Wm Ross
Sworn & subscribed this 9th Day
of Decr. 1836 before me
[Signed] David Scott Prest. }
11th Jud'l Dist of Penn'a }

I certify that Gen'l William Ross, the above named deponent, is a gentleman of the highest respectability, & sustain an unexceptionable character for truth & integrity
[SEAL]
[Signed] David Scott Prest. 
11th Jud'l Dist of Penn'a
Page 16

State of Pennsylvania }
Luzerne County ss. }
I John Smith Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Luzerne do certify that the within named David Scott is a President Judge of the 11th Judicial district & further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said David Scott & I believe it to be his genuine signature & also that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the within named James Stock and believe it to be genuine & that he is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & sworn and that his acts are entitled to credit as such. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & seal of Office at Wilkes Barre the ninth day of December AD 1836
[SEAL]
[Signed] John Smith Prot.
Pr Lyman E D Wolf
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State of Pennsylvania -
Luzerne County ss. -
Thomas Williams being duly sworn deposes &says - That he has been a resident of Wilkes Barre Township for nearly sixty one years passed - That he still continues to reside in said Township and is something more than Eighty years of age - That he was well acquainted with John Staples & Lydia his wife before the said John went into his country's service - That  before the said John went into the service, he & the said Lydia cohabited as Husband & wife & were reputed to have been married before they came into this part of the Country - That they were really Husband & wife was never to my knowledge doubted by anyone -
[Signed] Thomas Williams
Sworn and Subscribed before me this Eighth day of December Eighteen hundred and thirty six
[Signed] James Starth [?] Justice peace
I hereby certify that Thomas Williams the above named affiant is a man of good repute for veracity and worthy of belief
[Signed] James Starth aforesaid
Page 18

Crosswise, left margin:
1923 May 8 - Tombstone dates to Mrs Homer B. Johnson m.m.h.f.
1933 - Oct 31 - Hist to Mrs. F.Q. Finch - e.e.l.

Right:
Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 6212
Lydia Staples
Wid.
John Staples
Priv. Conn. line
Act: July 4th/36
Index:-Vol. M, Page 242
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 19

Lydia Staples
Pennsylvania

Suspended
let. 27 Octr 1836
George Walker.
Page 20

Mrs. F. Richard Finch
1619 S. University Avenue
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: -
I am interested in establishing the record of my revolutionary ancestor one John Staples who enlisted as a private in Captain Josiah Stoddard's Company, Col. Elisha Sheldon's second Regiment, Dragoons, Continental Army, January 20, 1777. Is there any record in your office of a later record or application for pension?
Very Truly -
[Signed] Mrs. F. Richard Finch
(address above)
Stamp encl.
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RECEIVED OCT 26 1933
Page 22

Pen'a Staples Betsey John Y22
Con -- Lydia " 62/2
FINANCE DIVISION PENSION OFFICE [stamp]

Name of Soldier, John Staples
Lieut. Conn. Light Horse 1812 (?)
Name of Heir, Lydia (Wid)
died & paid to July 1, 1842 in 1st qr 1843 to Adm'r

Widow died a pensioner at $8. in 1841 - was payt Made of arrears from last payt to her to death. If so to whom ^and how much  
An Atty named Fitch was entrusted with collection and heirs are of the opinion that they were cheated. Inform Rev. J.B. McCleary Q.M. Gen office
C.W.
Page 23

Rev Sec
Susquehanna County
Historical Society and Free
Library Association
Montrose, Pa. Jan 12, 192[3?]

Pension Bureau
Washington D.C.
Sirs, Can your department assist me in procuring Rev. War record of John Fletcher [inserted: asked for date & place of b. & d. & res. at enlistment], [illegible] of Columbus, Oneida Co., Mass? and of Joseph Bitton, Springhill, Susquehanna Co. Pennsylvania. The latter we know was a pensioner.
Any information will be greatly appreciated.
very truly yours,
Mrs. Homer B. Johnson
Montrose Pa.
U.S. Pension Office MAR 6 1923 [Receipt mark]

NOTE [?] Should read Joseph Button.
We have no data concerning this record other than the pensioners list I mention in the enclosed letter
Page 24

3-049.
Ex. EW Div. Rev. War
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C. Jan. 30, 1923

The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.

1" name of widow __________
Name of soldier, Jos. Button [Britton is stricken]
address of Soldier at enlistment & after service, Springville, Pa.
Company _________
Regiment __________
State where enlisted ___________
Date of birth _________
Date of death __________
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.

Return attached letter with reply.
Commissioner.
Page 25

3 F.H.E. [?]
MONTROSE CHAPTER
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
MONTROSE, PENNSYLVANIA 
March 5, 1923

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,
Montrose Chapter D.A.R. are planning to place Fallen dedicated to the memory of the Revolutionary soldier, who settled Susquehanna County. As their Historian I am striving to verify the list of 171 names, compiled from various sources.
In an early history of the county I find the name of ___ Staples, First name unknown. In a list of Revolutionary pensioners as returned by the marshalls of the several judicial districts in 1840 I find accredited to the township of Great Bend, in Susquehanna Co. Penn, he name of Lydia Staples, aged 95 years. Supposedly the widow. Can your department give information concerning the soldier.
In the same list I find Joseph Button, accredited to Springville township same county and state His age given as 80.
Thanking You,
Very truly yours,
Mrs. Homer B. Johnson
Montrose R.D.I.
Susq Co. Pennsylvania

[Receipt mark] U.S. Pension Office MAR 6 1923