Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 2267, for John Stagg, New York
Page 1

(3-1776)
Service
New Jersey 
New York. 
Stagg, John
  Martha.     

Number
B.L.Wt. 8166.160-55
Contents
Page 2

1390
Indiana Madison
Martha Stagg
widow of John Stagg
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private
NJ Line
Inscribed on the roll at the rate
of 80 dollars 00
cents per annum, to commence
on the 3d February 1833
Certificate of pension issued
the 18th day of Aug/53
and sent to E. Easton
Cincinnati, Ohio
Recorded on roll of Pensioners under act
February 3/53 Page 190 Vol 10
1832
[words crossed out on right side]
Page 3

66.544 Act March 3/55
April 12/55
Martha Stagg, widow of John Stagg, private Revolution
Capt N J Contl line
Col. __
N. J. Mil
Ent _ day of _
Dis _ day of _
War Rev
Now a Pensioner of the U. States
Inda [?] 53-1390
Ad: 160 Acres Oct 11 1855
 Boynton

Richard Hill agt
Cincinnati
Vol. S2- 64

[?] No 8166 iss [issued] Oct 13 55
Page 4

2287.-
Indiana
-
John Stagg
Jennings in the State of Indiana
who was a Private in the Comp'y commanded
by Captain Bell in the Regt. commanded
by Col Shreves in the 2d Jersey Reg
for 2 years enlisted from
1776-
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana
the rate of 80 - Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Nov 1832 - and sent to SS Harding Versailles 
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 --  120
Semi-annl allowance ending 4 Mar "33 -- 40
$160 [total]
---
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk,
Book D vol 9 Page 195
E.2.8.


Let. to S. Allison
Sept 13/50
Page 5

State of Indiana
Jennings County
To any person legally authorized to solemnize the Rite of Matrimony
These are to authorize you to join in the
holy state of Matrimony John Stagg to
Martha Phillips. And this shall be
your sufficient Warrant for the same.
In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & seal of office at
Vernon, this 31st day of January 1833.
John Walker Clk

I, David Elliott, a Justice of the Peace do
certify that I solemnized the Rite of Matrimony
between John Stagg & Martha Phillip on
the 2nd day of Feby 1833, David Elliott, JP

State of Indiana
Jennings County ⎬ I, William P. Shields Clerk
of the circuit court of said County do hereby
Certify that the forgoing is a correct and
Complete transcript of the Record, now in
my office of the License issued to and the
Certificate of the Marriage of John Stagg and
Martha Phillips. And I further certify
that David Elliott Esq. at the time of solemnizing
said marriage was an acting Justice of the Peace
in and for said County, duly commissioned & qualified,
and as such duly authorized by the land of said
State to solemnize matrimony according to law.
In testimony whereof I hereto set my
hand and the seal of said Court at Vernon
this 8th day of February 1851
Wm S Shields Clerk
By "James" M Hill  Depy
Page 6

State of Indiana
Jennings County } ss
I Adam Brower Justice of the peace
of said County do certify that the within named
Martha Stagg the Widow of the within
named John Stagg of Jennings County
Deceased is still living in
this County & the said John Stagg drawed pension
Giving under my hand and seal
This Third day of March 1853
Adam Brower JP

State of Indiana
Jennings County } ss  
I James M. Hill Clerk of the Circuit
Court of said County do here certify that
Adam Bower Esquire whose name appears to
the above certificate in his own hand writing is
now and was on the date of the above certificate
an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said
county of Jennings duly commissioned and qualified, and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such-
In testimony whereof I hereto set my
hand and the seal of said Court, at
Vernon on the 3d day of March 1853.
James M. Hill Clerk
Page 7

Dated 22nd March 1853
2nd Section Act 3d Feby 1853.
Application of Martha Stagg widow of John Stagg Late Pensioner of Jennings County Oh for services in New Jersey State Troops in war of Revolution

Original Pension Certificate Surrendered by widow in Sept 1846 when Balance of Pension
paid
E. Easton 
Cincinnati Ohio
Page 8

State of Indiana
Jennings County
On this 22nd day of March 1853
before me personally appeared Ezekiel
Lewis and Samuel Arbuckle persons
of Lawful age, and well entitled to Credit
who being duly sworn according to Law
declare-
---
that they were intimate with
the present Martha Stagg (who made the
foregoing declaration, and her deceased husband
John Stagg for 5 years previous to his
death which took place to the knowledge
of deponents on the 9th day of July
1846. That they always represented themselves
to be man & wife, and lived together as
such, and were so reputed. and further
that the said John Stagg was a Pensioner
of the United States for Revolutionary
services and that they are disinterested
Witnesses.
Ezekiel Lewis
Samuel Arbuckle X his mark
Sworn to and Subscribed before
me the day & year first above
written as witness my hand
Adam Brower
J.P.
Page 9

State of Indiana
Jennings County
I James M. Hill Clerk of the
Circuit Court within & for said
County Certify that Adam Brower Esq
before whom the within affidavit was made
was at the same time an acting Justice of
the Peace within & for Said County and that the
signature attached to same is genuine
& his proper name & handwriting.
In testimony whereof I have
Hereunto set my Hand and
affixed the seal of said
Court this 23rd day of
March 1853
James M. Hill Clerk
Page 10

3654
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, State of Indiana, Jennings County} To wit
On this 20th day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Honorable of the Judges of the Jennings circuit court now siting John Stagg a resident of the county of Jennings, State of Indiana aged 72 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 act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832; That he entered the Service of the United States & served as herein stated under the following named officers (To wit) Major Van Houton, Capt Abraham Underdunk & Lieutenant Talmage; that he entered the service of the United States some time in the month of August in the year 1776 as a volunteer for the length of five months & served under the officers aforesaid; that he left the service about the fifth day of January 1777. He then volunteered the second time & served under Capt. John Bell & sergeant Abraham Conklin for nine months, the particular time when he entered & left the service no now remembered. He then volunteered the third time for 6 months & served in the second Jersey Regiment under Col. Shreves, having entered the service sometime in the month of September in the year 1780 a few days previous to the execution of Major Andre; that he entered again the fourth time as a volunteer sometime in the year 1783 & served for like a short time before peace was restored making the term of seventeen months
Page 11

Which added to the then former tours of service will make two years & eight months. He resided during his first & second terms of service not far from Hempstead in the State of New York. He then removed to Bergen County New Jersey where he resided when he entered upon his third Term of service. During his fourth term of service he served under the following named officers (to wit) Capt. Peter Ward & Ensign Van Brack. During his first tour he marched from Haverstraw to Peaks Kill [Peekskill] New York, then he assisted to errect red hook fort. Here he remained till his first term of service expired. During his 2 term of service he marched from Tappan to Kings ferry where he cross the ferry & marched to the White Plains where he remained a short time with Gen’l Washington’s Army. From White Plains he marched back to Kings ferry & from thence back to Tappan & he remained untill(sic) he was discharged. In his third tour he marched from Tappan to West Point. There he continued till late in the fall, when he marched to Pompton in New Jersey & took up winter quarters where he remained till he was discharged by Col. Shrieves. In his fourth tour he joined the company of Capt. Ward at Hackensack where he continued for twelve months engaged occasionally in scouting parties along the line when he was discharged by Capt. Ward. He recollects no regular officers by name, only Gen’l Washington who he well recollects serving while at the White Plains. His discharges have all long since been lost or misplaced. That he has no documentary evidence & that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can
Page 12

who can testify to his services except one John Post who if living now resides in New Jersey and Albert Wilson who if living now resides in the City of New York and whose affidavits are now on file in the War Department as this deponent is informed. Testifying that this deponent’s several months in the United States service during the War of the Revolution he hereby relinquished his every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
John his x mark Stagg
We Philip Connell a clergyman residing in the County of Jennings and State of Indiana and William Elliot residing in the County and State aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said John Stagg who has sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy two 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 to and subscribed the day and Year aforesaid, Philip Connell, William Elliott
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 has stated and the Court herein certifies that the affiant [illegible] that Philip Connell who has signed the preceding affidavit is a clergyman resident in the County of Jennings and State of Indiana and that William Elliot who has also signed the same is a resident in the County and State aforesaid is a credible person and that their statements are entitled to credit.
M.C. Eggleston, First Judge
Ezra F. Pabody Associate Judge
Samuel Fimia Associate Judge
Page 13

I John Walker Clerk of the Jennings Circuit Court do hereby certify that he foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Stagg for a pension.

The testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 11 August 1832--John Walker Clk, J.C.C.

Questions prescribed by the War department propounded to the within named applicant of the Court aforesaid-
Answer to Question 1:  I was born in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey.
Answer to Question 2:  I have a record of my age at home in the family Bible.
Answer to Question 3:  I was living when called into the service near Haverstraw in the State of New York. I have lived since the Revolution in Bergen County New Jersey, in the City of New York in the Genesee County in New York in the State of Ohio from there I removed to my present place of residence, which is in Jennings County Indiana.
Answer to Question 4:  I was a volunteer at all the times of my entering the service.
Answer to 5th Question: I cannot now recollect the names of any of the regular officers or the regiments only I well remember General Washington whilst I was lying at the White Plains and Colonel Shrieves of the 2nd Jersey Regiment. The general circumstances of my service are contained in the [illegible] of the above declaration. I was mostly engaged in scouting parties along the lines and stationed at Red hook fort, at Tappan, the White Plains & at Hackensack, West Point &c.
Answer to Question 6: I received at the end of my several terms of service discharged from the following officers under whom I served, 1st under Capt. Onderdontz - Capt. John Bell, Colonel Shrieves & Capt. Peter Ward, the discharges have long since been lost or mislaid.
Answer to Question 7th:  In my neighborhood I can refer you to William Hanley, David Elliot, Esqr., John Walker Esqr., Wm A Bullock, Esqr. & John Canton late marshal of the district of Indiana and many others.
Page 14

66.544
Act 3rd March 1855
2nd Sect
Martha Stagg
Widow of John
Stagg Pvt of New Jersey State
Troops - Revolution
Page 15

STATE OF Indiana, COUNTY OF Jennings}
On this third day of March 1855, Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, Martha Stagg, age 66 years, a resident of said County who being duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of provision made by the 1st section of the Act of Congress, approved March 3rd 1855
That she is the widow of John Stagg, dec’d late of Jennings County In who was a Private of New Jersey state troops in the war of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States at $80 per annum under Act of Congress of 7th June 1832, that she was married to him in Jennings County In on 2nd February 1833, that her name before her said Marriage was Phillips & that her said husband died on the 9th day of July 1846, she further declares that she is a pensioner of the United States at the Madison Indiana Agency at the rate of $80 per annum as such widow under Act of Congress of 3rd February 1855 2nd Section & she further declares that she has not again married and is still a widow.
That she constitutes and appoints Richard Hill  as her Attorney in the premises and I receive her Warrant.
Attest Martha (her x mark) Stagg
Samuel (his x mark) [Arbuckle?]
Renson Redman
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written, before me and I certify that the said Martha Stagg is known to me and is the identical person she represents herself to be, that I have no interest in her claim.
Adam Brewer Justice (seal)
Page 16

Mr Reason Redman and Samuel Arbuckle
Residents of Jennings County in the state of Indiana
upon oath declare that the within declaration
was signed & acknowledged by: Martha Stagg
in our presence. that her husband the
within named John Stagg died from [illegible]
on 9th July 1846 - we further declare that
from our intimacy with her we know that she
has not again Married but is now a widow.
and further that she is a pensioner of the
United States at $80 per annum at the
Madison Ia [Indiana] Agency as widow of the said John Stagg for his service in the war
of the Revolution, we also declare that
we are disinterested Witnesses.
Samuel Arbuckle X his mark
Reason Redman
Sworn and subscribed before
me the day and year first
within written, and I [oath?]
that the deponents are credible
persons.
Adam Brower Justice
Page 17

The State of Indiana
County of Jennings

I, James S. Hill, Clerk of circuit court of the
aforesaid County Certify that Adam Brower
Esq before whom the foregoing affidavits were made and whose genuine signature appears thereto was at the same time an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County [and that the signature - crossed out]
duly Commissioned & qualified as such.
In testimony thereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the
seal of said Court the 4th day of
April 1855.
James M. Hill
Clerk
Page 18

State of Indiana
Jennings County}
"on this 22nd day of March 1853 before me a a Justice of the Peace within and for said County personally appeared Martha Staff aged sixty four years a Resident of said County, who being duly sworn according to Law, makes the following declaration for the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the 2nd section of the Act of Congress passed 3rd February 1853 -
____ That she is the widow of John Stagg late of said County, who was a Private Soldier of the New Jersey State Troops in the War of the Revolution, and afterwards a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of eighty dollars per Annum under Act of congress of 7th June 1832 -
 ___ That his Pension Certificate was issues from the War office of the United States on or about the 25th day of November 1832 and was payable at the Indiana Agency.
 ___ That she was married there in said County of Jennings on the 2nd day of February 1835 by one David Elliott a Justice of the Peace and she further declares that her said husband died on the 9th day of July 1846 that she is still his widow and that her name before her said Marriage was Martha Phillips -
 ___ That she nominates, and appoints Eliphalet Easton of Cincinnati Ohio her Attorney in the premisses with Power of substitution, and to Receive her
Page 19

her Pension Certificate to be payable at the
Madison, IN. Agency
Martha Stagg X her mark

Sworn to and Subscribed before me
the day and year first before written
and I Certify that the said Martha
Stagg is well known to me that she
is the widow of the said John
Stagg who was to my knowledge
a Pensioner of the U. States for
Revolutionary Services, and that
I am disinterested in the result
of this application
Adam Brower JP seal
Page 20

5654
John Stagg
Indiana

for 1776 private
2 yrs + 8 months
$80
on N.J. Roll
Page 21

5654.
Brief in the case of John Stagg of Jennings County in the State of Indiana
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? 72 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 

[BEGIN TABLE]
Period.   |   Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days.  |  Rank.  As a  |  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Gen.  |
Volunteered some time in August In 1776  |  left the service about the first day of Jan 1777  |    |  Major Van Houton Capt Abraham Underdunk Lieut. Talmage  |
Volunteered again  |  for 9 Months  |    |  Capt John Bell  |
Volunteered again in 1780 Sept 5  |  for 6 Months  |    |  Colo. Shreves 2d Jersey Regt.  |
1782 -  |  Served 12 Months Which will make in all 2 years & 8 months  |    |    |
[END OF TABLE]

5. In what battles was he engaged? 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Haver straw New York
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary incidental evidence, or by the rolls? by traditionary evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned
Examining Clerk.
Page 22

March 16, 1927
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
John Stagg. 2267
FA*J/ECS

Mrs. D. Q. Brown
912 Fifth Avenue
New York City

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for information in regard to John Stagg, a Revolutionary soldier who served in the Orange County, New York militia.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, W.2267, based upon the military service of the only John Stagg who served with New York troops that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.

John Stagg was born in Bergen County, New Jersey. The date of his birth and the names of his parents were not given.

While living near Haverstraw, New York, he enlisted in August, 1776, and served five months as private in Captain Abraham Onderdonck's New York company. He next enlisted, date not given, and served nine months as private in Captain John Bell's New York company. While living in Bergen County, New Jersey, he enlisted in September, 1780, and served six months as private in Colonel Shreve's New Jersey regiment. He enlisted in 1782 and served twelve months as private in Captain Peter Ward's New Jersey company and was engaged in scouting.

After the Revolution he lived in Bergen County, New Jersey, in New York City, in Genesee County, New York, and in Ohio from which state he moved to Jennings County, Indiana.

John Stagg was allowed pension on his application executed August 26, 1832, at which time he was seventy-two years of age and was living in Jennings County, Indiana.
Page 23

John Stagg died July 9, 1846, in Jennings County, Indiana.

This soldier married in Jennings County, Indiana, February 2, 1833, Martha Phillips.

As the widow of John Stagg, Martha Stagg was allowed pension on her application executed March 22, 1853, at which time she was sixty-
four years of age and was living in Jennings County, Indiana.

In 1850 it was stated that Mrs. Sarah Sloat, the widow of Philip Sloat, was the only surviving daughter and heir at law of John Stagg
and that she was also the legal heir of Paul Stagg, relationship not shown.

The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to the family of John Stagg.
Very truly yours
A.D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 24

Dayton Sept 4th 1850.
JL Edwards Esq.
Sir, I wish to be
informed whether the claim of Mrs
Sarah Sloat as the widow of Philip
Sloat has been presented for pension
or lands within the last three years
and if so, by whom, and what disposition 
has been made of the case.
Mrs. Sloat is clearly entitled to both
pension and land, to pension as the
widow of Philip Sloat and also to land
in the same character. Philip Sloat
Stands regularly enrolled on the pension
list as you can see - Mrs Sloat is
entitled also, to land as the only surviving
daughter and heir at law of John
Stagg, and also as the legal heir of
Paul Stagg. The name of John Stagg
you will find on the pension list also
Mrs Sloat placed her claims in the hands
of Lewis Kall within the time named
and the said Kall has eloped and has
not given any satisfaction respecting the
matter whatever, and it is supposed
that he has appropriated all his own use.
you will please therefore, to give the
Page 25

information desired as speedily as you
can, the old lady is very solicitous, and
is worthy.
Respectfully,
S.S. Allison

J L Edwards Esqr


Address, S S Allison Dayton Montgomery
County Ohio
Page 26

Appl. of Martha Stagg
widow of John
 Jennings Co Indiana

Act 3d Feby 1853
$80.00 Per Annum
Jennings  Feby 3d 1853
 Revy

E Easton
Cincinnati  Ohio

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Pension Office, Official Business
Page 27

Versailles Indiana August 29th 1832
Sir
 As I am the Attorney for the within named John Stagg & William Hamlett who are applicants for Pensions You will be so good as to direct your communications to me at
 Versailles Indiana
 Yours &c &c
  Stephen S. Harding
Page 28

Brief in the case of Martha Stagg widow of John
Jennings County and State of Indiana
 act 3d Feby 1853

Claim ("original," [other word crossed out} )
Proof exhibited (if original)
 Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
  Husband was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June 1832.
 Record evidence & proof of Marriage

(If for increase.)
 Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim?  If so, what?

Eliphalet Easton Esqr.
Cincinnati  Ohio
 Name and residence of Agent

S.C. Boynton
Examining Clerk
Page 29

Act 3rd Feb 1853
2nd Section

Supplementary Declaration
of Martha widow of Jno
Stagg late Revolutionary
Pensioner of Jennings Co
Indiana -

For Pension
Original papers filed March
1853

Geddes

E Easton
Cincinnati Ohio
Page 30

State of Indiana
County of Jennings}
 On this 24th day of June 1853 Personally appeared before the undersigned Judge of the ^ Court of Common Pleas within and for said county, Martha Stagg aged 64 years, a resident of said County, and State, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of provision made by the 2nd section of the Act of congress, passed February 3d, 1853.
 That she is the widow of John Stagg who was a Private of the N.J. State Troops in the war of the Revolution, and afterwards a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of eighty dollars per annum under Act of 7th June 1832, which pension he drew at the Indiana Agency - that she was married to him in said County on 22 February 1833, that he died on 9th July 1846, and she further declares that she has not intermarried but still remains a widow, that her name before her said marriage was Phillips, and that she has heretofore applied through E. Easton of Cincinnati for pension as said widow - 

 That she constitutes and appoints Eliphalet Easton of Cincinnati Ohio her Attorney in the premises, with power of substitution, and to receive her Pension Certificate, which she request to be made  payable at the Madison Ia Agency, for paying pensions.
  Martha Stagg

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written, before me, Ezra F. Pabody judge of the Court of Common Pleas, as aforesaid, and I certify that Martha Stagg the above named claimant was & is by reason of bodily infirmity incapable of appearing in open court, and I believe her statements in the above declaration are true
 Ezra Pabody
 Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
Page 31

At same time and place personally appeared Ezekiel Lewis and Obadiah W. Dolen of Lawful Age, Residents of said County, and persons who are well entitled to credit, who being duly sworn according to law declare - that they  were intimate with the present Martha and her deceased husband John Stagg for 4 years previous to his decease which took place to the knowledge of deponents on 9th day of July 1846 - that they acknowledge themselves and were reported  man and wife - that the said John was a Pensioner of the United States for Revolutionary Services - and having been intimate with the said Martha before his decease they know that she has not intermarried, but is still a widow, and that they are disinterested witnesses
  Ezekiel Lewis
 Obadiah W Dolen
Sworn to and Subscribed before me the day and year first within written as witness by hand.
  Ezra F. Pabody  Judge
 Court Comm Pleas

State of Indiana
Jennings County  I James M. Hill clerk of Common Pleas within and for said County Certify that Ezra Pabody before whom the within and foregoing affidavits are made was at the same time the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County, and that the signature attached to same ^ respectively is genuine and has proper name and handwriting and [that do - crossed out]] said Court is a Court of Record having General Consideration
 In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 24th day of June 1853 -
 James M. Hill
 Clerk
Page 32

Cincinnati Ohio
4th July 1853
The Commis. of Pensions
Sir, 
In compliance with your letter of 30th May last, I send you supplementary declaration of Martha Stagg, which I presume and addition to the proofs filed by me in a blank
Last Clearly establishes her claim.
E. Easton
Page 33

[Typewritten questions with handwritten answers]
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
John Stagg which require further proof or explanation.

1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [space left blank]
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? in part
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled? no
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes & has a device
Page 34

2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason for not obtaining it?

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes

XIV. [t] If the applicant has produced a witness as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. [t] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes

---------------------------------------------

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

QUERE V. 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 old 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 that 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."
Page 35

8

   It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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. 

QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
   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 claimants 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. 

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
   In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
Page 36

[illegible] B. Indiana
[remainder of page is illegible]
Page 37

It is believed that a roll of the persons in service under Commodore John Paul Jones
Page 38

1927, Mar. 16 hist to Mrs D. Q. Brown M.C.S.

Rev War  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 2267
Martha Stagg
Widow
John Stagg
Pens. Rev. War
Act Feb. 3. 1853.
Index:-Vol. M. Page 238
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 39

[Stamp]: RECEIVED FEB 18 1937  MAIL SUB.DIV. VETS ADM 5               
912 Fifth Avenue
New York City
Feb-16-1937.

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen-
   My ancestor, a private John Stagg, served in Orange County, N.Y. Militia 2nd Regiment, Colonel Amos Hawk Hay, Captain Jacob Onderdonk's Company. I would like to know if he applied for a pension or his widow Sarah Turner Stagg received a pension. 
    Any information you can
Page 40

give me I'd appreciatte.
Tappan where he enlisted from was then in Orange Co and now is Rockland Co.
Very truly
Marion B. Brown
(Mrs D.Q.)
Page 41

66.544 2
Hon the Commissioner
of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

[stamp] CINCINNATI O. APR 11 FREE
Page 42

8166
[Neb acres]?
Page 43

No 744
Martha Stagg
widow of John
Indiana
Let to E. Easton
May 30 / 53
Act Feby 3 /53
Page 44

No. 66544
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Apr. 12, 1855.
John Stagg
Rev. War
Warrant 8166 - 160 - 55 [160 acres]
Richard Hill
Cincinnati Ohio
Page 45

Col. Oliver Spencer's Regiment
Stagg, John, Jr.
B.L. Wt. 1982 - 200 - Lieut. 
Issued July 9, 1790
No papers