Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30717, for John Stinson, Maryland
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SERVICE- Md.
Stinson, John or Stevenson
NUMBER S30717
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22.308
Kentucky 
John Stinson
of Clark Co. in the State of Kentucky who was an En + Pri in the comm commanded by Captain little of the Regt commanded by Col Booth in the Maryland line for 4 month Private 21 Months Ensign
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Centers per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of Oct 1833 and Samuel M Taylor Winchester
Arrears to the 4th Sept 1833    $83.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March $16.60
$99.98
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk
Book 6 Vol 7 Page 28
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State of Kentucky
Clark County Lib
On this 3rd day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the circuit court of the county aforesaid now sitting, it being a court or record John Stinson a resident of Clarke County and State aforesaid, aged 77 years the 6th day of July last who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, three tours , each time two months. 
The first tour he entered the service in the company of Capt Peter Little, in the Linganore Battalion of Maryland Militia.  He is not now able to state the time when he entered said service, that tis the day or the month.  He at that time resided in Frederick County Maryland.  He was a volunteer and was in actual service during that tour, two months .  He was not in any engagement during that time, it was in the winter and he was in winter quarters first in Lancaster and then in Philadelphia, it was the winter after the British left Philadelphia as well is he can recollect
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COl Bruce commanded the regiment in which he belonged and Major Shields was under him.  The second tour he served in the company of Capt Michael McGuire in the same Battalion of Maryland Militia.  He was in actual service in this tour during two months.  He still resided in the same place with his father, who being drafted, he volunteered as a substitute in the place of his father.  He was in the battle of Germantown during this tour.  He was in the Maryland division  commanded by General Smallwood the Lents were named Johnson and Beckwith.  After his return come he was commissioned an ensign by the State of Maryland of Capt Barres' Company in the Linganore battalion of Militia and he still has said Commission in his possession and it is herewith transmitted to the war office. 
The third tour he served was in the year 1781.  It was late in the fall of that year some short time before Christmas that he entered the service.  He was in Capt Gobbles Company.  He acted as Lieutenant although he was only commissioned as Ensign.  The Company he was in Marched to Fredericktown in the State of Maryland and remained there in service upward of two months, guarding the British
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prisoners taken at the surrender of Cornwallis.  If he got discharged at the end of either of said tours he has lost them.  The brother Isaac Stinson who lives in Clarke County can testify to his service in the revolutionary war and his brother William Stinson who was in Indiana.  
He states that he was born the 6th of July 1755 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  He has not at this time any record of his age. But his father had  record of it, which he often saw.  His father moved to the State of Maryland about nine years after he was born.  In the year1783 he moved to Virginia leaving his father in Maryland.  In 1793 he removed to the State of Kentucky and settled on the place where he now resides in the County of Clarke.  He believes that his whole neighborhood will testify as to his character  for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except to present and declares that his names is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
John Stevenson
(illegible) M Taylor Clk

I Isaac Stinson residing in the County and State aforesaid hereby certify that the said
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John Stinson who has subscribed and sworn to the above and foregoing declaration is my brother that he is seventy seven years of age, arguably to the account of his age in the family, and will recollect that my brother the said John Stinson was a soldier of the revolution, and went out three times into service during the said war. 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  
Isaac Stinson
At Sam M Taylor Clk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that the said John Stinson and Isaac Stinson are residents of said County of Clarke and State aforesaid are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
State of Kentucky Clarke Circuit and County Sep
Samuel M Taylor Clerk of the Circuit Court of the County aforesaid do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of said John Stinson for pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court this 3rd day of October 1832.  
Sam M Taylor

13.762
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State of Kentucky
Clarke County Sit
On this 29th day of July 1833 personally appeared in Open Court before the Justices of the Clarke County Circuit Court, John Stivson a resident of Clarke County, who being first duly sworn according to law made the following additional statement to his foregoing original declaration for obtaining the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That the whole term of his service during the revolutionary war was six months,  being three tours, each two months, that he acted as Lieutenant in the manner stated in his original declaration although he was only commissioned as Ensign.
That in his present neighborhood he is known to John Ramsey, William Ramsey, Thornton Wills, David Brandenburgh, John Ruparts, George Forysen and Rev Joseph Levitt, and Janis Ramsey who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.  Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
John Stinson
We Joseph Levitt, a clergyman residing in the County of Clarke and James Ramsey residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Stinson who has subscribed and sworn to the forgoing original declaration and additional statement thereto, that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood in which 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. 
Joseph Sewell
James Ramsey
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and the court hereby certifies that the said Joseph Sewell is a clergyman resident in Clarke County and the said James Ramsey is a credible person and resident of the same county and that their statement is entitled to credit
Clark County Let
I James P Bullock Clerk of the Clarke County Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the whole of the additional proceedings in the matter of the application of John Stinson for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 22nd day of (illegible) 1833.
J P Bullock CCCC
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13762
John Stinson
from private
and ensign 6 months
Private 4 months $13..
Ensign 2 months $20
      $33.33/100

Sam M Taylor
Ninckster
K
Page 10

15762
BRIEF in the case of John Stinson
County of Clarke in the State of Tennessee
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 77.
4. State his service as directed in the form annexed.
Period in 17  
Duration- 2 months Rank As a private 
names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen Capt P Little, COl Booth 
2 months- Capt M Gune, Cols Johnson Beckwith
2 months Ensign and Lieutenant Capt Barriss Capt Gobble. 
3. In what battles was he engaged? Germantown
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Frederick Co. Md.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by inceidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Documentary and witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authorization?  And if so, in what respect?  The official character of the Magistrate before whom any of the witnesses deposed is not certified, otherwise correct.
x Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
F Waugh Examining Clerk.
Feb. 18 1835
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

November 10, 1926

Dr. George F. Doyle
Winchester, Ky. 

Sir: 
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S.30717 it appears that John Stinson, or Stevenson, was born July 6, 1755 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
While a resident of Frederick County, Maryland, he enlisted, year not stated, and served two months as a private in Captain Peter LIttle's Company, Colonel Bruce's Maryland Regiment.
He enlisted the second time, served two months as a private in Captain Michael McGuire's Company, Colonels Johnson and Beckwith's Maryland Regiment and was in the battle of Germantown.
He was commissioned June 22, 1778 Ensign of Captain Barr's Company in the Linganore Battalion of Militia in Frederick County.  He served two months beginning late in fall of 1781 in Captain Cobble's Maryland Company, at which time he was Ensign.
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In 1783 he moved to Virginia leaving his father, whose name is not given, in Maryland, and in 1793 he moved to Clarke County, Kentucky where he was allowed pension on his application executed October 3, 1832.
It is not stated whether he was ever married. 
Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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3-871.
RECORD DIVISION.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.

Briefed by L D L 
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier  John Stinson
Service Md.
Additional Service: Rev. War
No--- claim, State records__, 190
No claim, combination records   190
REMARKS:
no claim except invd.  #30717
Page 14

Left Side Page

30717
Revy INVALID

File No 30717
John Stinson
Ensign Rev War

Act: June 7th '32
Index Vol 2 Page 396

[Arrangement of 1870.]

Right Side Page

1905 Dec 22 - History to F.M. Ballard M.B.H.
1908 Oct 12 - Hist to Mrs. Jas Lewis
1915 Apr 7 - To Miss Ruther Beall
1926 Nov 10 - Hist to Dr. Geo F Doyle
Page 15

In reply to your request of blank received blank for a statement of the military history of John Stinson a soldier of the Revolutionary War you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.

Following Categories contain information that is too light to read:

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment
Length of Service
Rank
Officer Under Whom Service Was Rendered
Captain
Colonel
State

The following contains information that is too light to transcribe:

Battles engaged in
Residence of soldier at enlistment
Date of application for pension - Oct
Residence at date of application
Age at date of application
Remarks:
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Denver, Colo
Sept 29, 1908

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:

In a list of revolutionary pensioners [illegible] in a [illegible] of [illegible] Revolution [illegible] appears the name of John Stinson [illegible] he Maryland Militia who [illegible] Clark County. Please write me when you can a record as shows or [illegible]
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of his death etc.

Also does the name of David Haggard of Virginia appear on your list of revolutionary pensioners and what do they show.

Respectfully

Mrs. Eunice Lewis
Box 1453
Denver, Colo

US PENSION OFFICE STAMP - xxx 2 1908
Page 18

Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

In your report of the military history of John Stinson you failed to state when he came to Ky. Please tell me the year he came to Ky if you have a statement of it.

Very Respect
Miss Ruth Beall

Winchester, Ky
May 8, 1915

US PENSION OFFICE STAMP - May 11 1915
Page 19

Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sirs;

Please send me Revolutionary War record of John Stinson (Stevenson) who settled in Ky before 1800.

And Oblige

Miss Ruth Beall
Winchester, Ky

March 31, 1915
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Brief objections to the admission of pension claim of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Stinson which require further proof or explanation.

I. 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? - BLANK

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? - YES

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 amount 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
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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? - No - crossed out

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reasons assigned for not obtaining it? - No - crossed outtttttt

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? - BLANK

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? YES
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? - NO

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? - YES

XVI. 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 s not so answered? - 7

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, etc. 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 than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For blank year, blank months and blank days, I served as a blank for blank months and blank days I served as a blank; and for such service I claim a pension."
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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, etc. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served, the duration of each term of engagement, the particular place or places where the service was performed, that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority, that he was either in the field or in garrison, and for the time during which the service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

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 matter 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 authenticates 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 ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer so as to prevent any paper form being improperly attached to the certificate.

In every case where the clerk of the court or other certifying officer has no public seal of office the certificate of a member of congress proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer should accompany the papers.
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Rev. War Section

March 19, 1915

Mrs. Jennie C. Lewis
753 Milwaukee Street
Denver, Colorado

Madam:

In response to your updated letter received the eighth instant, you are advised that the history of John Stinson or Stevenson Surv. File No 30,717 Rev. War was furnished you under date of October 12, 1908 and it is not the practice of this Bureau to furnish more than one such statement to the same person.

Very respectfully

Commissioner
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Rev War Section

May 13, 19xx

Miss Ruth Beall
Winchester, Ky

Madam:

In response to your letter dated the xx instant relative to John Stinson (a pensioner) Surv File No 30717 Rev War you are advised that in his application papers it appears that he was born in Bucks County Pennsylvania in 1755, removed to Maryland about nine years afterwards to Virginia then to Clarke County, Kentucky in 1795.

Very Respectfully

Y.M. Saltzgaber

Commissioner.
Page 25

In reply to your request of blank received blank for a statement of the military history of John Stinson a soldier of the Revolutionary War you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.

Following Categories contain information that is too light to transcribe:

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment
Length of Service
Rank
Officer Under Whom Service Was Rendered
Captain
Colonel
State

The following contains information that is too light to transcribe:

Battles engaged in
Residence of soldier at enlistment
Date of application for pension - Oct
Residence at date of application
Age at date of application
Remarks:



Edit transcription
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Revolutionary War Records Section

3-525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C. Mch 19, 1915

S. File 30,717
Rev War

Mrs. James C. Lewis
753 Milwaukee St. Denver, Colo.

Madam:

In reply to your request of (checkmark) received Mch 8 for a statement of the military history of John Stinson or Stevenson (pensioned as Stinson) a soldier of the revolutionary war you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this bureau.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment
1. Winter
2. Winter
3. June 22, 1778
4. Late fall 1781

Length of Service
1. 2 Mos.
2. 2 Mos.
3. 2 Mos.
4. 2 Mos.

Rank
1. Private
2. Private
3. Ensign
4. Ensign

Officers under whom service was rendered
1. Capt. Peter Little and Colonel Bruce 
2. Capt. Michael McGuire and Col. Johnson Beckwith
3. Captain Barr
4. Capt. Gobble

State
1 thru 4 = MD

Battles engaged in - Germantown
Residence of soldier at enlistment - Frederick Co, MD
Date of application for pension - Oct 3, 1832 His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application - Clark Co, Ky
Age at date of application - Born July 6, 1755 in Bucks Co Penn
Remarks - For the date of last payment of pension and name of person to whom it was made, apply to the Auditor for the Interior Dept, US Treasury Dept, giving him all of the following data.

Respectfully

Commissioner
Page 27

MAIL STAMP - Dec 7, 1905

Dec 4, 1905

Dear Sir,

Please furnish me with a statement from your records as to the service and history of John Stinson (Stevenson) a revolutionary soldier pensioned in Oct 1833 from Clark County, Ky.

Will thank you to give me as full and complete copies as your rules and regulations will permit.

Yours very truly

F.M. Ballard
526 Montgomery St
Covington, KY

TO the
Hon'ble Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

US PENSION OFFICE STAMP - Dec 6, 1905
Page 28

Rev Section

753 Milwaukee St
Denver, Colo

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir

Please to write me what is on record concerning John Stinson (Stevenson) who appears for pension for rev services under act of 1832 Lexington, Ky agency.

And oblige

Mrs. Janice C Lewis
Page 29

US PENSION OFFICE STAMP - Mar 8, 1915
Page 30

Clark County Historical Society
Incorporated
Winchester, Kentucky

office of the Secretary
Dr. George F. Doyle

November 6, 1926

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

Will you kindly send us a copy of any records you may have in your office referring to one John Stevenson (also spelled Stephenson) of Virginia who is supposed to have served in the Revolutionary Army and afterwards removed to Clark County, Kentucky, where he is buried.

We would also like to have a copy of any records you may have in your office referring to one William Burgess Kidd of Virginia who is supposed to have served both in the revolutionary War and the War of 1812. He also later removed to Clark County, Kentucky.

Thanking you i advance for this information, I am

Very truly yours,

George F. Doyle
Secretary

US PENSION OFFICE STAMP - Nov 8, 1926
None in Rev & no found in 1812
Page 31

State of Indiana
Hendricks County

This day William Stinson appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said county and made oath that his brother John Stinson now a resident of Clark County Kentucky was a soldier in the revolutionary war and he well recollects that his rother the said John Stinson was out three tours during said war and he was along with him one of said tours to wit, the one at Frederick Town, Maryland guarding the British prisoners taken at the surrender of Cornwallis - and his said brother is seventy-seven years of age and acted as Lieutenant in Captain Gibbles company during said tour which was in the latter part of the year 1781 and the beginning of the year 1782 although he was only commissioned as Ensign.

Sworn and subscribed this 18th day of June 1833

Wm Stinson - SEAL
His X Mark

And I do hereby certify that the foregoing statement was subscribed and sworn to by William Stinson this day and that said William Stinson is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit. Witness my hand as Justice of the Peace aforesaid the 18th day of June 1833.

Wm Faught - SEAL
Justice of the Peace

I Simon T Hadley clerk of the Court for county aforesaid do hereby certify that the above-named William Faught is and was at the date of signing an active justice of the peace in and for said county. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 18th day of June 1833.

S T Hadley - Clerk
Page 32

Page too light to transcribe

John Stinson
S.F. 30717
Page 33

The State of Maryland
To John Stinson Gentleman Greeting

Be it know that reposing special trust and confidence in your fidelity, courage, good conduct and attachment to the liberties and independence of America, you are by these present constituted and appoint Ensign of Captain Barr's Company in the [illegible] Battalion of Militia in Frederick County.

You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the trust reposed in you by disciplining all officers and soldiers under your command; and they are hereby strictly enjoined and required to obey you as their Ensign.

And you are to observe and follow all such orders and directions as you shall from time to time receive according to the laws and constitution of this state and the rules and regulations which under the authority thereof are or may be established. This commission to be in force until lawfully revoked.

Given at Annapolis this twenty-second day of June Anno Domini, 1778

[illegible]