Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,545, for Simeon Stevens, Vermont
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Service 
Stevens, Simeon
Number 8.22.545

Contents
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[verso] 

8511 8511
Vermont
Simeon Stevens of Rutland Co in the State of Vermont who was a private in the Comp'y commanded by Captain [blank] of the Reg't commanded by Col. Enos in the Vt ['line' crossed out] for 7 mo's.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of Apl. 1833 and sent to R. Temple Rutland
______
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833.  $46.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept  $11.66
______
$58.32
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk,
Book C Vol. 3. Page 90

[recto]

let to Pensioner 25 Feby 1835
['3d issued on May 26/56
let E. Lyman Sept. 5/56' crossed out]
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Simeon Stevens
Vermont

R. Temple
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office, 183

Sir,
The evidence in support of your claim under the act of June 7, 1822 has been and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed you will find marked in the margin with a brace (thus: } ). You will, when you will, by complying with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A statement, showing the Service of Simeon Stevens of [illegible]

Period when service was rendered: Enlisted '82
Duration of claimant's service: 7 months
Rank of the claimant: [illegible]
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: Col Enos Zeph. [illegible] Maj. Ormsbee 
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service: 70
Proof by which the declaration is supported: [Brady?]
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832

The following regulations have been adopted: 
The law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound in military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service
4. Indian Spies. 

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this lasw as officers, non-commissioned offices, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where each applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Cleark is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832
State, Territory, or District of }
County of} ss.

On this day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, pass June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following officers: [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers: the time he left the service: (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers:) the town and county and State in which he resided when he entered the service: the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. -> This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency for the State of 

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.

I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension. 
In testimony, whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.

If, an examination of the proper record, and the names of applicants, make such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions viz:
(k) We, A.B.. a Clergyman, residing in the and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 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 and subscribed the days and year aforesaid, 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Solder, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. and C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this day of &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the service of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence  or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispendable to a favorable action in his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be
attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute: And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.{To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an Officer.{Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are  requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the, declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties. which the Court is herein requested to perform;
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he most assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making au 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 than 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."
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 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 that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of 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 place 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.
[f]The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion or the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if he has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

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 papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.
[j] 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 the claimant's 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.
⇒The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
/s/W L Williams Esqr
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Simeon Stevens
7 months
2387

adm'd 7 mo pri/$23.33
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STATE OF VERMONT,
RUTLAND COUNTY, SS. } 
On this 14 day of March A. D. 1833 personally appeared before the Probate Court of the County of Rutland Simeon Stevens a resident of the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 70 years next May who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States, in the year 1782 and served in Maj Ormsbee's or Col. Enos: Regiment of the Vermont line under the following named officers'
In 1782 he lived in Manchester, Vt. and in April he enlisted into Capt. Comstock's company, Lt. Dimmick Maj. Ormsbee - there was no Field officer where he served except Maj: Ormsbee, but he understood it was Col. Enos: Reg't - he marched to Pittsford & served in the Fort there & in scouting until November when he was discharged having served seven months - he thinks there was no certain period, fixed in his enlistment, but that he enlisted for the season - of this however he is not certain - but he is certain that when he enlisted the snow was not all gone - & that when he was discharged cold weather had come on & snow had fallen, & that he served not less than seven months. - He does not remember the names of any other officers than those above mentioned - he thinks there were only about 100 men serving at Pittsford Port at the time, all under the same officers. He received no written discharge, & has no documentary evidence & knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services. He was born at Philipse Patent, Dutchess Co. NYork, in May 1763 - he has forgotten the day, - his age was recorded there as he understands, but he left there when a boy, & has forgotten his birth day. The spring of 1783 he removed with his father
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State of Vermont
Rutland ss } 
We Anthony C Rice a clergyman residing in Pittsford and Gordon Newell residing in Pittsford hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Simeon Stevens who has subscribed & sworn to this declaration - that we believe him to be near 70 years of age - & that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution - & that we concur in that opinion
/s/Gordon Newell
/s/Anthony C Rice
Sworn & subscribed the day & year afrs'd 
/s/F W Hopkins Reg.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State.
/s/Simeon Stevens
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid} 
/s/F W Hopkins Reg.

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by War. Dept. that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Anthony C. Rice who has signed the preceding certificate as a clergyman resident in Pittsford. & that Gordon Newell Esa who has also signed the same is a resident of Pittsford - & is a credible person, & that Rice's statement is entitled to credit.
/s/Frederick W. Hopkins Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Simeon Stevens for a pension.
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, at Rutland this 15th day of March A. D. 1833
/s/F W Hopkins, Register
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[typewritten letter]

January 18, 1937

xxxxxxxxxx

SIMEON STEVENS
S. 22545
BA-J/MLB

Mr. H. W. Jencks
Box 424
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your personal request of January 15, for the Revolutionary War record of Simeon Stevens (S. 22545).
The record of Simeon Stevens follows as found in pension claim S. 22545, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Simeon Stevens was born in May, 1763, in Philip's Patent, Dutchess County, New York, where his age is recorded. He moved from that place when a boy. The names of the parents are not given.
While residing in Manchester, Bennington County, Vermont, he enlisted in April, 1782, served as a private in Captain Comstock's company, under Colonel Enos, [handwritten correction: - and next he (meant for Colonel Enos) stationed at Pittsford Fort and was discharged in November following after having served a tour or seven months. 
In the spring of 1783, the soldier moved with his father to Pittsford, Rutland County, Vermont, where he lived until June, 1832, when he moved to Hubbardton, in the same county.
Simeon Stevens was allowed pension on his application executed March 15, 1833, while a resident of Hubbardton, Vermont.
It is not shown whether the soldier ever married.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date of death of this soldier, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: $23.33 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832. Vermont Agency. 

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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[handwritten letter]

Pittsford 20th February 1835

J L Edward

Sir The present is to advise you in relation to any pension in the last year of the revolutionary war I resided in the Town of Manchester in the County of Bennington Vermont and in that year I enlisted into the service for the term of six or nine months & served in the ['service' crossed out] army of the United States either six or nine months the next time I cannot recollect, Captain Comstock was my Captain, and Col. Enos was my Colonel and marched under Capt Comstock to the Fort in the Town of Pittsford, and when my time of service expired I with others went home to Manchester, without any compensation for the time I was out and the next spring I moved to the Tow of Pittsford where I have resided constantly until about the year next June I removed to Hubbardton in the County of Rutland. I ['next year' crossed out] shall be Seventy two years of age, in May next. I was placed on the Pension list roll to commence on the 4th of March AD 1831. and
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[handwritten letter]

I was sworn to the truth of my former statement before A L Brown Judge of the Court of Probate at Rutland. & Robert Temple Esq Justice of the Peace if I recollect correctly, and by my certificate was to receive timely five dollars & thirty three Cents pr. annum, and have received my regular pay up to the 4th day of September now last past, all which is as near the facts as I can now recollect. - Very respectfully & have the Honour to be your most obt serv't 
/s/Simeon Stevens

Simeon Stevens is this name [margin note: this is one of the Stevens who by the [illegible] Revolution]
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[illegible]
This letter from Elisha Lyman dated May 5, 1856 was in regard to Simeon Stevens, W. 20918, however, since the reply was based upon payments which had been made in this case & disbursements are on the jacket in this case, these four papers will have to remain on file in this case - MGB
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[handwritten letter]

Lancaster May 5th 1856

I am desirous to ascertain whether Simeon Stevens of Newbury Vt. obtained some 10 or 12 years since, & received money one account of his Father's (Simeon Stevens) services in the Rev. War, & if so, how much & as some of the sisters of his have nefer rec'd their share, they living at a distance, never heared of his having rec'd any thing 'till lately, and are inclined to think there has been from [illegible]. 
I have rec'd but one Land Warrant out of half a dozen sent at the same time - 
Respectfully yours &c
/s/Eliph't Lymans
Page 15

May 26/36
R. J. Atkinson
3rd aud
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[handwritten letter]

Pension Office,
May 26, 1836.

Sir:
I hereunto submit the papers a said Simeon Stevens was inscribed on the Vermont Roll under the Act of June 7, 1832 at the rate of $23:33 cs per annum, but will to oblige if you will state to what time his pension has been paid.
/s/R. J. Atkinson the 3d auditor }
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Treasury Department
Third Auditor's Office
May 31st 1836

Sirs
I herewith return the papers upon which Simeon Stevens was placed on the Rolls of Vt. under Act of 7 June 1832, at the rate of $23.33 per annum enclosed in your letter of the 26th inst received yesterday, & I reply have to inform you that his pension has been paid to 4 Sept'r 1834.
very Respectfully Your obt. Serv't
/s/Robt J Atkinson
Auditor

J. Minot Esq'r
Comm'r of Pensions
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E. Lyman
Lancaster NH
Page 19

[handwritten letter]

Pension Office
June 5, 1836

Sir,
In reply to your note of the 5th rct. you are informed that no payment has been made to Simeon Stevens, who was a pensioner on the Vermont Roll under the Act of June 7, 1832, at the rate of $23:33 cs per ann Inc. the 4th of Sept. 1834, and that this payment appears to have been made to him as payee or to his attorney. 
/s/Eliphalet Lyman Esq
Lancaster, New Hampshire
Page 20

[addressed envelope]

[illegible return address]  free

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
[illegible] City, Washington
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[verso]

1837. June. 15. Hist. to Mr. H. W. Jencks, MLB.

[recto]

22545
Revolution INVALID.
File No. 22,545
Simeon Stevens 
Pri. Rev War

Act: June 7" 32"
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 392
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 22

[illegible]

H. W. Glucks,
Box 424, Benj. Franklin Station, Wash. D.C.

1/15/37