Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File B. L. Wt. 90014-160-55, Stephen Ward, Mass.
Page 1

Mass.  Ward, Stephen 

Martha

B.L.t.9.0014-160-55
Page 2

[Left side of page]

W.H. Ward- Mch: 14/59
Edd Butts

Let to Mr. W. H. Ward

May 5, /60 W.H.W.

Aug. 26 1889 W.H. Ward that Secretary of Mass Certificate of service is not on file , it having been sent with her petition to Congress for Sp. act-no claim for pay can be allowed Prior

Vol [illegible] page 52

[Right side of page]

297.960 / Act Mar 3/55
Rec'd Feby 14/59

[written very faintly diagonally across the words immediately below:  90.014 issu (issued?) Sept 26,th, 59]

Martha Ward
widow of
Stephen Ward, dec'd

[following two names have been crossed out]

Capt. John Nichols
Col. Jonathan Holman

Revo War.

Ad: 160ac Sept 14,/59
Boynton
{crossed out]:  Ent Sept. 27/77
[crossed out}:  Dischd
Illegible
Wm H. Ward, Auburn
Page 3

United States Hotel Boston Mass
14th June 1859

To the Commissioner of Pensions

Sir:

Herewith I send you further testimony in the matter and claim of Martha, Patience or "Patience Martha" Ward"- the Widow of "Stephen" --the chain is now perfect and complete.

The testimony of one of the most respectable and honorable of the public men of North Oxford who has lived a long life time almost in sight of Charlton and for 20 years within two to 3 miles of the Ward family & that of said "Stephen" who was personally acquainted with him and his family-also that of his brother Elisha both of whom married sisters daughters of Robt Cook of Oxford-can anything be plainer.

Mr. Barton also knew Stephen's son, "Waterman" please see Mr. Keefer's Letter, and you find that "Waterman was my "fathers " brother" and that they were Stephen's Sons. Can anything be more complete. See the Hon. Alex'd DeWitts certificate for the standing of Capt. Barton -and let the "Bounty Land Warrant Issue immediately, as the case has stood a long time, & send to my address at Auburn,  Cayuga County, New York.  I have the honor to be your most [illegible] W.H. Ward.
Page 4

County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts ss

On this 13th day of June A.D. 1859 personally appeared before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid, Stephen Barton who is a native of Oxford, and is now eighty four years of age and of a sound mind and body, and has always lived in said town of oxford, not exceeding five miles from the town of Charlton in the county and state aforesaid-that he became acquainted with [crossed out] said Stephen Ward and his brother Elisha and knew their wives and elder children [illegible cross out] both of whom married sisters, daughters of Robert Cook of Oxford in the county aforesaid (who was a Tory.)

He further deposes and saith, that to his knowledge there was no other family of Wards in either Charlton or Oxford capable of bearing arms in the War of Revolution whose names were Stephen and Elisha respectively  and who married Miss Cooks-Said Stephen and Elisha had a  brother who served with him Them in the War of Revolution, with whom he had no acquaintance.  

He further deposes and says that had there of (sic) been any other family of Wards in the town of Charlton capable of bearing arms in the War of Revolution he would of (sic) known of them.

He further deposes and says, that  said Stephen Ward lived here with his wife and family and that he has heard the name of said Stephens wife called "Patience Martha" or "Martha Patience" and [crossed out]: other at times singly , and knew them to be man and wife-also knew their elder son Waterman, who was quite a lad in his teens before said Stephen with his family moved from here, to the state of New York.  

[Signature]: Stephen Barton

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year first above written and I also know the affiant to be a man of exceeding good standing and respectability-

Jonathan P. Dana, J.P. for county aforesaid
Page 5

This may certify that I been (sic)  acquainted with Capt. Stephen Barton the within named affiant for more that thirty years as one of most respectable and substantial citizens & of standing integrity .

Oxford June 13th 1869

[signature]: Alex DeWitt
Member 33 & 34 
Calvary or  Company{?

[the following is written in a different hand very faintly below the above]

Was a member of 33 + 34 [illegible]

Stamp on bottom of this document:

Pension Office June 17 1859.
Page 6

Brief this case
[illegible]

Feb 15/ 59

[illegible] Wm. H Ward

Auburn, N.Y.
Page 7

Know all men by these presents, that I Martha Ward, of Franklin, in the County of Deleware (sic) and State of New York, widow, have made and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint my Grandson, William Henry Ward of Auburn, in the County of Cayuga and State aforesaid my true and lawful attorney, in my place and stead, for him to present my claims for pension and bounty land to the Commissioner of Pensions or any other of the proper government bureaus company [?] and for him the said William Henry Ward to receive such pension, and bounty land warrants or other value that may be granted me, for services rendered by my late husband Stephen Ward, of Charlton in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts in the war of revolution and for him the said William Henry Ward to sign my name and receipts [?] for , or execute any voucher that may in any way be necessary for me to execute to the United States in any way and manner to all intents and purposes.

Given under my hand and seal this 9th day of February A.D. 1859
[signature]

Martha Ward
Page 8

State of New York
County of Deleware ss (sic)

On this 9th day of February, 1859 personally appears before me, Martha Ward, who is known to me, and I do hereby certify that the signature to the foregoing instrument of rinting (sic) is of her own act and free will.  

Given under my hand at Franklin the day and year above mentioned.  Earl F. Bartlett, Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid.
Page 9

State of New York
County of Deleware, (sic) ss

On this 9th day of February A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, personally appears before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county and state aforesaid, Martha Ward, aged ninety-five years a resident of Franklin in the aforesaid county and state, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Stephen Ward of Charlton, in the county of Worcester and state of Massachusetts, deceased, who was a private in the company of captain John Nichols in the regiment of Col Jonathan Holman, which marched from Charlton in said state of Massachusetts on the 27day of September 1777 in the war of revolution to reinforce the Continental Army under the command of Genl Gates and continued in such service for thirty days, and that the said Stephen Ward served in said war of revolution at different times subsequent to September, 1777.

She further states that she was married to the said Stephen Ward during said War of Revolution on the 4th day of November 1780 by Edward Davis Esq. and that her name was Martha Patience Cook, daughter of Robert Cook and that she has ever since her marriage went by the name of Martha Ward, that her husband, the said Stephen Ward died at Hamden in the [continued on next page]
Page 10

county of Deleware (sic) and State of New York, in the month of October, A.D. 1810 and that she is now and has from that time remained a widow.

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the "act approved March 3, 1855". And she further declares that she has not received or applied for bounty land under this or any other act of congress.

[signature]  Martha Ward

Witness [signatures]
Earl F. Barlett
Pamelia A. Case

We, Dwight Mitchel [sic] and Ralph Daniels residents of Franklin in the county of Deleware [sic] and State of New York upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Marth Ward in our presence; and that we believe, and know that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that she is still and has been a widow, since the death of the before mentioned Stephen Ward, and that she is his widow.

[signatures]:

Dwight Mitchell
Ralph Daniels
Page 11

State of New York
Country of Deleware (sic) ss


On this 9th day of February A.D. 1859 personally appears before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county and state aforesaid, Pamelia Case, wife of Roger Case Esquire of the county and state aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, upon her oath declares that she is the second daughter of the aforesaid Stephen Ward deceased and that the foregoing applicant Martha Ward is her mother and the widow of said Stephen Ward who did service in the 'war of Revolution and that she had five brothers older than herself, all of whom were the children of the aforesaid Stephen and Martha Ward.

She further states that from her early recollections, there was no other Stephen Ward in Charlton, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts other than her father the said Stephen Ward who was a brother to Elijah, Elisha and Jonas Ward of the aforesaid Charlton, the latter of whom were uncles of herself on her fathers side and by her acknowledged as such.

She further states that she recollects of seeing the marriage certificate of her said father and mother and that it agreed with the family register, and that they were married on the fourth day of November 1780 by one Edward Davis Esq. as set forth in the foregoing declaration of the aforesaid applicant, and said marriage certificate [continued on next page]
Page 12

She further states that she was living with her father and mother who were living together as man and wife, the aforesaid Stephen and Martha Ward at the time of his (her father's) death and was present at his burial in aforesaid month of October 1810 as set forth in the foregoing declaration of the aforesaid applicant.  Martha Ward, and that her mother the aforesaid Martha Ward has from that time remained a widow and is the widow of the foresaid Stephen Ward of Charlton in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, who served in the war of revolution.

She further states that she lived with her mother the aforesaid widow, till her marriage with her present husband, since which time, her mother, the aforesaid widow and applicant has lived with, and made her home with [crossed out word:   them] us, myself and husband. 

She further states that she was fourteen year of age at the time of her fathers discease (sic) that she is now sixty-two (62)
[signature]:  Pamelia Case.
Page 13

State of New York
County of Deleware (sic) ss

On this 9th day of February A.D. 1859, personally appears before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid, Roger Case Esquire of the aforesaid county and state who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the husband of the aforesaid affiant, Pamelia Case and that he is now eighty years of age that he married his present wife, the aforesaid Pamelia Case in August 1826 and from his personal knowledge of the family of the widow Martha Ward, his mother-in-law declares that the foregoing declaration of the aforesaid widow and the affidavit of his wife Pamelia, hereto annexed is true in every particular, to the best of his knowledge and belief and that the aforesaid widow, his motherinlaw (sic) is the person she represents herself to be and is now a widow living with himself, wife and family.

[signature]:  Roger Case
Page 14

State of New York
County of Deleware (sic) ss

I hereby certify, that the foregoing affidavits hereto annexed were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written respectively; and I further certify that I know the affiants to be highly credible persons, that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and is still a widow; and that I have no interest in this claim whatever.

Earl F. Bartlett
Justice of the Peace and for the county and state aforesaid.
Page 15

Auburn, N.Y.
May 1st, 1860

To the Honorble (sic) Commissioner,
of Pensions, 
Washington City D. Co.

Dear Sir

Will you have the goodness to send me a copy of the testimony and services of Stephen Ward, who served in the War of Revolution, for which services the Commissioner granted Bounty Lands to the Widow Martha Ward.  The warrant being dated 26th day of September 1859, No. 90014.  The papers relating to this case were in my husband's (Mr. W.H. Ward's) traveling bag that was taken from his seat in the rail road cars at Utica, while at dinner on the 7th June 1859. 
[continued on next page]
Page 16

and that the office will please furnish such copies as early as possible, as I desire to lay them before Congress.

The old lady still lives.  My husband is in Europe and I am acting in his place and stead for the Widow's benefit who is greatly in need of it.  You will thereby confer a favor and oblige.

Mrs. W.H. Ward.
Page 17

[The following is a newspaper clipping, referred to in the body of this letter and attached to it]:

"Commissioner Tanner, continuing, said his attention had been called to Senator Mauderson's case by accident.  He looked up the records, went over the examiner's reports, and found that the Senator was not receiving his due.  This and this only, was the cause of the increase."

[The following is a description of the printed letterhead on which this letter was written]:

Ward Axle, Brake & Coupling Company's Works.
General Office at the Works
Incorporated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

W.J. Ward, President, Treasure and General Manager
T.H. Baird, Secretary

Capital Stock $4 [obscured by above described newspaper clipping]

Monongahela City,  Penn'a 15 August 1889

[the following is the body of the letter, in handwriting]

625 Monongahela CIty

The Honorable, the Commissioner of Pensions:  Washington D.C.

Sir:  

The hereto annexed cliping (sic) was cut from yesterdays "Pigh-Com. Gazzette" and is sent you with a request.  That you may cause a search in your office for some papers filed by me in the early part of the year 1859.  In the case of Martha Patientce (sic) Ward widow of Stephen Ward- who served in the war of revolution as is certified to by the Secretary of State for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in A.D. 1858 or 1859 and must remain in your office-said certificate shows services rendered without pay-also that of marching etc.   Now that the government is rich-do you not think it fair and honest that, a debt of such value, and merit, should be paid- [continued on next page]
Page 18

[continued from previous page]
If so, please then cause an investigation to be made, and a reexamination had of the case on its own merits, and let me learn your conclusions with reference thereto--and much oblige your humble servant-  

[signature]:  W.H. Ward

Note:  My father served in the War of 1812-14 and myself at the Washington arsenal, during the war with Mexico--and in addition thereto--I was the sole owner of all patents for making leaden bullets by compressing machines from cold lead--during the late Civil War--and was out of pocket in consequence in the sum of $70000 to July 10, 1874 and to this day, the Government has not paid me--one cent--thus constituting me one of the greatest benefactors the Government had in its time of need--why?  because if It had not been for these bullet making machines-it would have required an Army of Bullet Makers at home to supply an equal number in the field of action--this being the facts in the case--and now in my time of need the Government does not seem or wish to know me-is this right?  W.W. Ward
Page 19

Auburn, N.Y. Aug. 31st, 1859

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

Sir

Will you please inform me the result of Martha Ward's petition for bounty land.  The widow of Stephen, for Revolutionary Services.  I sent you additional testimony in June and felt quite assured that would prove amply sufficient from what i was told in your office having amply supplied the requirements asked for by the office.  May I not look for a favorable reply for the widow.

I am sir, your most obt S for L A W. 

[signature] W.H. Ward
Page 20

[The following is a printed letterhead]
Jacob Keefer
Clerk Fifth Division Court
Commissioner  in the Queens Bench
Notary Public & Post Master
Agent for the Sale of Marriage Licenses

[the following is the handwritten portion of this letter]:

Thorold C.U. June 4, 1859

Mr. W. H. Ward
My Dear Sir:

Your mother has just brought me the family Bible, and I am sorry to say that the record does not contain the particulars you require.

I recognize your father's hand writing There is no reference to your grandfather's marriage and I only find in your father's writing, under the head of Deaths, "Father Stephen Ward, 1810-Oct 18."  Your father's death is entered as on "Jany (?) 19, 1840, Sunday, Aged 44 years, 4 months, & 22 days.  All the rest of the entries relate to yr father's brothers' marriages & their children's marriages and the births and deaths of the family [illegible] the deaths of yr Uncles "Waterman", Carleton, Willard and Dexter Ward.

I lose no time in mentioning this and you will judge whether it can be of any use.  If you think it will can copy this whole part for you. My Dear Sir, Your very true [illegible] J. Keefer
Page 21

[There is handwriting in two directions on this page]

Horizontal:

Martha Ward
Widow of Stephen 
N.Y. (?) Original
See B.L. papers [bounty land?]
with the application for a pension

Vertical written across the face of the horizontal portion:

The Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington City DC

[Stamp:]

Pension Office
June 17, 1859
Page 22

90,014  

{160 acres}
Page 23

In answer to your statement of the 2th inst relative to a certificate by the Secy of the State of Mass filed in 1859 herein by Martha Ward with her application for Bounty Land as the widow of Stephen Ward a Revy Soldier, certifying to services without pay, I have to state that the above mentioned certificate is not at the present time in file with her Bounty Land Papers.

From a memorandum in her case it is very probable that the said certificate was received but as the length of her husband (sic) service was not sufficient to entitle her to a pension under the existing laws it accompanied her petition to Congress for a Special Act in her favor.

When the above Secretary of State furnished certificates of Service to parties to obtain a pension or bounty land, it was not necessary, & so far as is known he did not add that the service was "without pay"

The service of Stephan Ward appears to have been only a few days of two alarms & it was customary for the soldier on their return from such tours of duty to either [continued on next page]
Page 24

[continued from previous page]

receive their pay from the town or through their Captain from the state and [crossed out:  they] were not paid by Paymaster in the regular army.

[Stamp;]

Pension Office US
June 1 1889
Page 25

Pen Off Feb 15, 1859

The certificate of State of Mass which accompanied appl for a petition (?) to Congress [illegible]  Stephen, [illegible] & Elisha [illegible] 30 days (?) in 1777(?) from Charlton Mass Also [illegible] in 79 26 dys (?) Also Stephen [illegible] ser:  15 dy in '81. from Charlton.


Jones Elisha

[illegible] Elisha/ Elijah/ [illegible] brothers (?) of Stephen. 

If [illegible] a Pub: Cert to transcript of  service

Rev of Margaret Ward(?)  rel. to MA.  NO:  upon this [illegible]  

Com? of Notary Name Jacob Keefer

[illegible signature]