Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21883, for Stephen Thayer, Massachusetts
Page 1

SERVICE
Mass

Thayer, Stephen
Otis, Anna

NUMBER
W. 21883
B.L.Wt. 5171-100
Former widow Issued Jan. 27, 1797
Page 2

5489
New York Albany
Anna Otis
widow of Stephen Thayer
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars
per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the
3rd day of August 1850
and sent to Jay Hathaway Esq.
Rome N.Y.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under
February 2, 1848, Page 163, Vol. 4




Date of widows death 
not on AB
Page 3

Elery Thayer was born
Jan. [ ] 1797 on [illegible]

Sharon Thayer was born
January 25 1799

Olive Thayer was born
November 22 nd 1800 and
died August 9th aged eight
months and 23 days.

Nancey Thayer was born May 11
1802 on [illegible]

Nathan Thayer was born
May 29th 1804 on [illegible]

Elmiria Thayer was born
 June 8th  1806 on [illegible]
Page 4

[name smudged and illegible] was
born in [illegible............]
December in the year 1766

Anna Thayer was born
in Milford in February
[illegible] in the year 1770
and was married to [illegible]
Thayer in May 12th 1787

Simon Elanjon Thayer
was born June 7th 1790
on [illegible]

[illegible] Thayer was born
October 25th 1791 on [illegible]

Anna Thayer bas born July
3rd 1793 on Tuesday

[illegible] Thayer [faded] was born
October 9 1794 on [illegible]
Page 5

WAR DEPARTMENT

Section of Bounty Lands.

By Records in this Office it appears that a Warrant for
one hundred acres of Land Military Bounty of the United
States, was issued in [illegible] of Stephen Thayer, who was a soldier in the Massachusetts Line of the Revolutionary Army of the United States to Josiah Nelson under the number "5171"
dated Jany 27th 1707
Nat. Cutting.


See final settlement certificate No. 53,034, Vol. 3, P. 50
bring the gratuity to Stephen Thayer a private of the 8th
Mass. Regt.
Page 6

2061
Anna Thayer,
widow
of
Stephen Thayer
Drummer
att. 1838

Admitted
Private 2 years
B.P. Johnson
Rome N.Y.
Page 7

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th July 1833 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.
STATE OF NEW YORK,
COUNTY OF ONE4IDA
On this 11th day of September 1838 personally appeared before
the Court of Common Pleas, of said county, Anna Thayer a resident
of Rome, in the county aforesaid, aged 68 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 made by the Act of
 Congress, passed July 7, 1838, that she is the widow of Stephen Thayer
late of said Rome, who was a Revolutionary Soldier
of the United States, and who served according to the best of
her information and belief as follows.  In the month of October
or Nov. 1779 he enlisted [illegible] during the war & served from
that time until the end of the war, the latter part of the time as a
drummer.-- That he was enlisted in company of Capt. James Fairlie
& was afterwards transferred into Capt. James Carr's co. afterwards
Capt. Stephen Abbot's Co. in the 8th Massachusetts Regt.
and continued there until 13 June 1783 when having
Honorably discharged at New [illegible] State of New York
having served 3 years & 5 months or thereabouts.  That 
the annexed certificate from his [illegible] Col James Mellin
was found among his papers--also the annexed certificate
from the Bounty Land office  also the note
[illegible] Aaron Davis and the certificate of Saml. Armstrong
late agent & Paymaster 8th Massachusetts Regt.

She further declares that she was married to the said Stephen Thayer
on the 12th day of May in the 
year seventeen hundred and eighty seven that her husband the aforesaid
Stephen Thayer died on the last day of August 1821.
That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service
but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, 1794 viz; at
time above stated.  That the annexed record is in the handwriting of
said Stephen Thayer and was taken
from the Book in which the same
was enlisted
(mark of Anna Thayer)
Sworn to and subscribed on
the day and year above written
J. Dean (or Denn), Clk.
Page 8

Oneida County S.s.  Benjamin Johnson being duly sworn
deposes and says that he is well
acquainted with Anna Thayer widow of
Stephen Thayer deceased--and that Stephen Thayer
died  on or about the last day of August 1821--
and that the said Anna Thayer has remained
his widow ever since.
(signature of B. Johnson)
sworn before me in
open court the day and
year aforesaid.
(signature of J. Denn. Clk)

Oneida County S.s. Aaron Thayer of Rome
was duly sworn deposes and says that he
is the son of Stephen & Anna Thayer, and that
the annexed family record marked E.
is in the hand writing of the said Stephen
Thayer and was taken from the Bible belonging
to him from which the same was taken
from in open court
[smudged]  day & ear aforesaid.
(signature of J. Denn, clk)
Page 9

State of New York
Oneida County S.s. ,  Elisha Niles of Lee in said
county a Revolutionary pensioner of the
United States aged seventy year being duly
sworn  deposed and says that he was
well acquainted with Stephen Thayer
formerly of Rome in said county deceased--
that this deponent belonged to the 8th 
Massachusetts Regt. and was a fifer in the same--
and that said Stephen Thayer was a drummer
in same regiment and  often played together.
that Thayer was enlisted for during the
war and served at the close of the
war in 1783 for more than two years
and this deponent was a three years
man.  Farther says not.
(signature of Elisha Niles)
Sworn before me this
8th day of Sept. 1838
& I certify that the
said Elisha Niles is a
man of credibility
with veracity
Illegible signature] J. Peace

Clerks office
Oneida County S.s.  I James Dean clerk of said
county do hereby certify that
foregoing proceedings were had in open court
and that Simon N. Eames before whom
annexed affidavit was taken is a Justice of the 
Peace of said county.  That I am acquainted
with his hand writing & foregoing signature is genuine.
Witness my hand and seal of office
the 13th day of September 1838.
(signature of James Dean Clk.)
Page 10

The National Archives 
Form VAN-51
12-5-41

Bounty Land warrant Record Card*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives 

Name, Thayer, Stephen
Grade Private 
Line Massachusetts 

Warrant Number 5171 
Acreage 100
Issued Jan. 27, 1797
to Josiah Nelson
Page 11

March 16, 1940
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

STEPHEN THAYER
W. 21883
BA-J/MLB

Mr. E. B. Thayer, Junior
The Pilot Printing & Publishing Company
Wausau, Wisconsin

11.
my
&

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Stephen Thayer who, you state, was born December 29, 1765, in Mendon, Massachusetts, enlisted at Hopkinton, that state, in the Revolutionary War, and died in Rome, New York, March 3, 1819.

A careful search of the Revolutionary War records of this office has been made and no claim for pension or bounty land found, based upon service in that war of a Stephen Thayer, which was identical with your description of that soldier, however, one has been found of a Stephen Thayer who served from Massachusetts, whose birthplace was Mendon, that state, and who later resided in Rome, New York, where he died. That record follows as found in the papers of the claims for pension and bounty land under File No. W. 21883, based upon service in the Revolutionary War.

Stephen Thayer was born in Mendon, Massachusetts, in December, 1766; the names of his parents were not given.  

He enlisted in October or November, 1779, for the term of the Revolutionary War, served as private and drummer under Captains James Fairlie, Carr, and Stephen Abbott, in Colonel Michael Jackson's 8th Massachusetts Regiment, and continued to serve until June 13, 1783, when he was discharged at Newburgh, New York. 

On account of his service, Stephen Thayer was granted one hundred acres of bounty land on Warrant No. 5171, which was issued January 27, 1777. He was awarded a badge of merit, also, by Lieutenant Colonel James Mellen, in December, 1804, at Mendon, Massachusetts, for three years five months faithful service. He died the last day of August, 1821, in Rome, Oneida County, New York. For information relative to the location of the bounty land granted the soldier, you should apply
to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, this city, and furnish the number of the warrant, the acreage and date of Issuance, and the name of the assignee.

for service of

to one Josiah Nelson. It is assumed that Stephen Thayer assigned his warrant to said
Nelson, as many soldiers disposed of the grants in that way.

Note: May 16, 1940 Mars. Harthanway said this land was located in US Mil. Dist, in Ohio but their's books with this warrant was burned & they did not barn the sol's named.
Page 12

Stephen Thayer married May 12, 1787, place not stated, Anna (only surname given for her was Thayer), who was born February 2, 1770, in Milford Massachusetts, names of her parents not shown.

Anna Thayer was allowed pension on account of the service of her husband, Stephen, on her application executed September 11, 1836, at which time she was a resident of Rome, Oneida County, New York.

Soldier's window, Anna Thayer, remarried, date not given, one Joseph Otis who died in Rome, New York, March 22, 1850, on account of which marriage her name was dropped from the pension roll, but after the death of her second husband, Joseph Otis, her name was restored to the pension roll as the former window of Stephen Thayer. 

The following family data are shown in the claims:

Simon Klanson Thayer, born, January 7, 1790
Luciadia "  " October 25, 1792
Anna   "  " July 30, 1793
Stephen, Jr.  "  " October 31, 1794
Elery  "  " June 1, 1797
Aaron  "  " January 25, 1799, in 1838 of Rome, N .Y.
Olive  "  " November 22, 1800, died August 9
Nancey  "  " May 11, 1802
Nathan  "  " May 29, 1804
Elimria  "  " June 2, 1805

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of Anna Otis, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:  Anna Otis, former widow of Stephen Thayer, certificate 5489, issued August 3, 1950, rate $80 per annum, commenced March 4, 1848, Act of February 2, 1848, Albany, New York Agency. 

Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 13

Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No. 21883
Anna Otis
formerly widow of
Stephen Thayer
Pri Rev War

Act: Feb. 2d 48
Index:-- Vol. M, Page 105
Page 14

[illegible text]

Thayer, Stephen 
Mass W21883
Page 15

This may certify that Aaron Davis Rec.d order
from Stephen Thayer in final settlement three
hundred & two Dollars & 44/90----
Saml. Armstrong late agent
& P Master Genl . 8th Mass. Regt.
Boston 14th June 1792To whom it may concern
Page 16

[crossed out, smudged]  Milford  March 15th 1791
For [illegible] Reid I promise to pay unto Stephen
Thayer as [illegible] the sum of three hundred& two
dollars & 44/90.  Written four years from this date with
[illegible] for the same Witness my hand.
(signature of Aaron Davis)
Attest (Levi Hayward)
Page 17

[illegible text]
Thayer, Stephen 
Mass W21883
Page 18

Thayer, Stephen
Mass. W21883
Page 19

[illegible image]
Page 20

Albany 1179

Anna Thayer
widow of Stephen Thayer
who was a pensioner under the Act of_____________
and who died on the 30 April 1821
of Oneida Co. in the State of N.York
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Fanlie of the Reg.t commanded
by_________________in the Mas.
line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 80 Dollars per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March. 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of Nov.
1838 and sent to B.P. Johnson
Rome, N.Y.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep.38       200.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar '37   $40.00
 Total                                              $240.00

Act July 7, 1838
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book A.  Vol. 2  Page 106
Page 21

8867
New York, Albany
Anna Otis formerly
widow of Stephen Thayer
who was a private 
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars
per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of August 1850
and sent to Jay Hathaway Esq.
Rome N.Y.

Acts of March 3, 1843, and June
17, 1844.
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2, Page 81
Page 22

Albany N.Y. Roll, Act 7 July 1838.
Anna Thayer, widow of Stephen, Pri. $80 per annum.
To what time paid?  March 4, 1839
Page 23

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Com. Pensions
Washington
Page 24

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Com.
Sir
I send enclosed papers
in case of Anna Otis widow, formerly
widow of Stephen Thayer, & was N.S. Pens. for his
services, at the time she man. marrd. Otis now
dead.--  She asks to be restored to the
Pension list----  I am well acquainted
with her, & was so with Mr. Thayer, & Otis,
--her claim is without a shade of doubt---
Please when you [illegible], send me
the [illegible]
I am respectfully
yr. ob.  svt.
Jay Hathaway
Rome N.Y.
July [illegible]
Page 25

Rome Onaingo N.Y.
[illegible]  1838

Hon. J.L. Edwards
[illegible]
Enclosed are the papers
of Anna Thayer widow of Stephen
Thayer. For a pension under Law,
of 1838.--
Stephen Thayer was a
(word crossed out) during the War man
Entered 1779
8th Massachusetts, Regt.
Served till 13 June 1783.
3 yr 5 months-- as a Drummer
See certificate Col. James Mellin
marked it. and [illegible]
Elisha Niles. Annexed.
Return are respectfully requested
to the subscriber Rome NY
I am very respectfully
Your obt. sevt.
(signature of Benj. P Johnson)
Page 26

Anna Otis, formerly
widow of Stephen Thayer
NY
Acts 43 & 44
Page 27

State of New York
County of Oneida S.S.
I Othmiel  S. Williams Smogate of
said county, do hereby certify that at a Surrogate court
held in & for said county at Rome, on the 2d day of April
1850, it was proved by the deduction of testimony 
satisfactory to the said court, that Joseph Otis late of said
town county aforesaid, died on the 22nd day of March
1850, that at the time of his death he was the husband
of Anna Otis, late widow Anna Thayer, formerly
wife of Stephen Thayer, a soldier of the Revolution,
& for when services the said Anna was placed on the pension list of the U. S.  That she is now a
resident of the county of Niagara, & widow of said
Joseph, as deponents have heard & believe & that they
have no interest in her application to be restored to the
pension list.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto subscribed my name and
affixed the seal of the said court,
this 5 day of April AD. 1858. 
word :Otis" above, on erasure.
Othmil S. Williams
Smogate
Page 28

State of New York
County of Niagara S.s.
On this 24th day of June 1850
before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace authorized
to administer oaths in said county. personally came
Anna Otis of said county aged 77 years, who being duly
sworn according to law testifies & says, that she was lately
a resident of Oneida County N.Y. & now of Pendleten in
the county of Niagara, & that she has lately heard of
the death of her husband Joseph Otis of Rome Oneida
county,--that, she was the widow of Stephen
Thayer, who was a soldier of the U.S. in the Revolutionary
war, & for when services she was placed on the
list of pensioners, that she subsequently married
said Joseph Otis, in the month of November 1842
whereupon her said pension [illegible], that she now
makes this declaration, & asks to be restored to said
list, she being now a widow, & claims the benefit
of the pension act, in such case made & provided.
That her original pension certificate is lost, (having
been left in the hands of an agent who absconded), 
& has not been found after due inquiry.---That she
has not intermarried, but is now the widow of Joseph
Otis as aforesaid: & has lived in Pendleton seven months 
last part of the truth of which statements, I am fully satisfied.
(mark of Anna Otis)
Sworn & subscribed the day &
year first above written, 
said Anna made her mark
hereto, as she cannot write.
before me.
(signature of Thomas Leonard)  Just. Peace
Witness (signature of Nathan Thayer)
Page 29

State of New York
Niagara County 
Clerks Office
I certify that Thomas
Leonard whose name is
subscribed to the annexed affidavit
was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace
in and for the said county duly qualified and
authorized, by the laws of this to administer oaths &
affirmations and that i am well acquainted with, his
hand writing and verily believe his signature there to is
genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my name and
affixed the seal of said County this 3rd day of July 1850
(signature of George W. Gage)
Clerk
Page 30

Printers since 1865
The Pilot Printing & Publishing Co.
324-236 Scott Street 
Wausau, Wisconsin 

Publishers of The Wausau Pilot E. B. Thayer, Jr. Manager 

April 18, 1940.

Re - Stephen Thayer 
W 21883. BA-J/MLB

United States Veterans Bureau, 
Washington, D.C. 

Gentlemen:

I am most appreciative for the information sent to me March 16th relative to Stephen Thayer, Revolutionary war solider, the pension records of whom contained certain family data.  This was the correct Stephen about whom I sought information.  Only obvious error was the name of the first child which was Lyman instead of Simon but which was probably misread if in writing and had been written old style, Limon. 

Following your suggestion I wrote to the commissioner of the General Land Office, Washington, for location of the bounty land (100 acres).  The answer stated that Warrant No. 5171 as given to me by your office, showed no Stephen Thayer receiving the grant.  U.S. Warrant 5171 and Virginia Warrant 5171 were the Land office checked. 

In addition to the United States and Virginia Warrants, could Warrant 5171 apply to any other?  Stephen Thayer's bounty land was doubtless in the state of New York to which he moved upon its receipt.  I believe that through the location of the l will be able to locate his grave which is now in question. 

Very truly yours, 
E.B. Thayer, Jr.
Page 31

Printers since 1865
The Pilot Printing & Publishing Co. 
324-326 Scott Street 
Wausau, Wisconsin 

Arrived by letter of 3/14/40

Publishers of The Wausau Pilot E.B. Thayer, Jr. Manager 

March 7, 1940.

United States Veterans Bureau, 
Department of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C. 

Gentlemen:

I will appreciate very much the pension record of (Capt.) Stephen Thayer, born on December 29, 1765, at Mendon, Mass., who is recorded as having enlisted in the Rev. war at Hopkinton, Mass., and served through 1780 as well as a subsequent enlistment.  He died at Rome, N.Y. on March 3, 1819.

We are quite certain that the pension was granted and received by Stephen Thayer until his death.  I believe that Stephen was cited by Capt. Avery in Mass. in 1803 as "belonging to Vermont" where he was located until 1810 then going to Rome, New York. Late his widow, Anna (Twitchell) Thayer was remarried, lost the pension, but upon the death of her second husband, there was a resumption of the pension which continued to be paid to her until her death in 1851 in New York state.  Anna Thayer received back pay when the pension was reinstated and at that time was residing with her son, Nathan Thayer, probably at Rome, N.Y.

Very truly yours, 
Eugene B. Thayer, Jr.
Page 32

The Pilot Printing & Publishing Co.
312-314 Scott Street
Wausau, Wisconsin 

Publisher of The Wausau Pilot E.B. Thayer, Jr., Manager

February 21, 1940 

Veterans Administration, 
Washington, D.C. 

Gentlemen:

For purposes of family record, I am anxious to establish the identity of a certain Stephen Thayer born in Mendon, Mass. and enlisted at Hopkinton, Mass., in the Continental Army.  He is listed in Mass. Rev. Services as a private in Col. James Wesson's 9th Mass. Reg. receiving pay from Jan. 1, 1780 to Dec. 31, 1780.  In1903 a list dated Boston, Jan. 28, returned John Avery lists him as entitled to gratuities made under Resolves of March 4, 1801 and June 19, 1801 of the 9th Mass. Regiment. At the same time Stephen Thayer is listed as "belonging to Vermont". 

If the pension records of the Veterans Administration give any evidence of a gratuity or pension to this Stephen Thayer, I shall very much appreciate having the record. If there were any such gratuity that might have been sent to this Stephen Thayer at Stratham, Vermont, or at Rome, New York, at any time before March 3, 1819, the date of his death which occurred at Tome, it would establish conclusively the genealogical record of the family.

Mendon Vital Statistics give the date of birth of the above Stephen as Dec. 29, 1765.

Your assistance in establishing the above will be very much appreciated. 

Very truly yours,
E.B. Thayer, Jr.
Page 33

May 17, 1940
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Stephen Thayer 
W. 31883
BA-J/MHF:MLB
our 

Mr. E.B. Thayer, Junior 
The Pilot Printing & Publishing Company 
324-325 Scott Street
Wausau, Wisconsin 

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you state that the record of Stephen Thayer, W. 21885, which was furnished you March 16, 1940, is that of the Revolutionary War soldier in whom you are interested.  You state that the name of the first child was Lyman instead of Simon as shown in the report to you.  You state, also, that the General Land Office reported that Warrant No. 5171 was not issued to Stephen Thayer and you would like to know whether or not the land could have been located in New York State. 

Upon reexamination of the papers in the pension claim cited above, the name of the first child of this soldier is found recorded as Limon instead of Simon.

In regard to the bounty land warrant, the records of this office show, as previously stated, that the Warrant No. 5171 was issued for service of Stephen Thayer as a private in the Massachusetts line.  It was issued to one Josiah Nelson to whom, it is evident, the soldier assigned it.  Many Revolutionary War soldiers disposed of their warranties that way.  It is believed that with the name of the assignee, the location of the land might be obtained from the General Land Office.  This was a United States warrant, therefore, would not have been located within the territorial limits of New York State, but in some United States military district. 

Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller 
Executive Assistance to the Administrator 

Located in Ohio (illegible)