Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,124, for Joseph Stafford, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3─1776)

SERVICE
RI 

Stafford, Joseph  

NUMBER
S. 17.124
carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

New York N. 24,950
====================
Joseph Stafford 
of Essex Co. in the State of N. York 
who was a Private in the [blank] commanded 
by Captain [blank] of the Regt commanded 
by Col. Brown in the R. Island troops 
line for 2 years
====================
Inscribed on the Roll of New York 
at the rate of 80 dollars ["Cents" lined thru] per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
====================
Certificate of Pension issues the 25 day of March 
1836 and sent to Hon. R. 
Whallon H.R.
====================
Arrears to the 4th of March 1836 240.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending to Sept 1836 40.00
=====
$280.00
=====
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832 }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 4 Page 123

[left side]
Date of death not on AB
Page 3

13,785
Joseph Stafford. Essex County New york
Adm'd [Admitted] 24 mo pri [months private] 80$ 
Mr Whallon
Page 4

WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, 183
Sir: The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a 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. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of Joseph Stafford
[eleven column table follows with the following column headings]
Period when service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service. Years.
Duration of the claimant's service. Months.
Duration of the claimant's service. Days.
Rank of the claimant.
Names and Rank of the Company officers. under whom he served.
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Country through which he marched.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
Evidence by which the declaration is supported

[presenting table data in a narrative format]

Volunteered in 1775 for 3 months as a Private under Capt. Greene and Col. Brown, was in no battles, marched through Greenwick, lived in Kent County R. Island, evidence of service is Living & Traditionary.

Was a substitute in 1776 for 1 year as a private under Capts. Colvins, Thielson, Ray, & Weaver and Col. Castle and Genl. Spencer, was in no battles, marched from Greenwick to Levy Town, Aged 73 yrs, evidence of service is Living and Traditionary.

Was a substitute in 1777 for 4 months as a private under Capt Colvin, General and field officers not stated, was in no battles, march through Greenwick & North Kingston, place of abode and age not stated, evidence of service Living & Traditionary.

Entered service in 1778 for 2 months as a private under Capt Colvin, names of General and field officers not stated, was in no battles, marched through Greenwick.

Entered service in 1779 for 2 months as a private, under Capt Weaver, names of General and Field officers not stated, was in no battles, marched through Greenwick.

Entered service in 1780 for 2 months as a private, under Capt Weaver, names of General and Field officers not stated, was in no battles, marched through Greenwick.

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 5

2

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted: 
This 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 to military service but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon 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 law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians, 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 such applicant resides. And every Court having a seal and Clerk 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 [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A.B., a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named 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 or 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 militias, volunteers, navy, &c.] 

He hereby relinquishes ever claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [blank] 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 [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &c. 

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making 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 and State Troops of Virginia will make and subscribe a declaration to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: 

(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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 day 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, 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 A.B. [blank] who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C.D. who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blan] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank] of office, this day of [blank] &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 services 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
Page 6

3

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon 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 live now? 
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? 
6 { 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 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 must 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 war when he served. 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. 
[e] 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 what amount of pension he is entitled. 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 than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For [blank] years [blank] months, and [blank] days. I served as a [blank] For [blank] month and [days], I served as a [blank] 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 pensions 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, &c 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required. 
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case, 
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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. 

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 must 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 the affidavits the time of 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 in note [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.
Page 7

13785
Joseph Stafford
Application for a Pension

Ammended by Certificate of
the Credibility of the Witnesses
and Affidavit of Applicant
to Ammend

Adm'd [Admitted]
24 mo. pri. [months private]
80$
Page 8

State of New York
Essex County } ss.
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid one Joseph Stafford to me known as the Claimant for a Pension named in the Declaration hereunto annexed, who being duly sworn Deposeth and saith that from old age and consequent loss of  memory and from not having any documentary evidence of his service in his possession that he is unable and cannot Swear by the precise length of his service as to days, but according to the best of his recollection he had not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following order.
1. In three months in the summer and fall of 1775 while under Colonel Brown I served as a Corporal.
2. For one year from January 1776 to January 1777 I served as a private under Colonel Castle, Colonel Waterman and Colonel Low.
3. For four Months from January 1777 to May same year I served  as a private, being a substitute.
4. For two months in the Summer of 1778 I served as a corporal.
5th. For two months in the Spring of 1779.I served as a corporal.
6th. For two months in the summer of 1780 I served as a Corporal
And that for said services I claim a Pension
That for the third period of his services-being in 1777 four months in Captain Colvins Company and that also the fourth period of his services in 1778-two months in said Captain Colvin’s company-he believes Colonel Richard Fry of East Greenwich Rhode Island was the Colonel Commanding the troops & under whom he served and that for the five last periods being the months in 1779 and the months in the year 1780 Colonel Castle Commanded & was the Colonel
Page 9

under whom he served but cannot swear positively to the last period that at the last period of his service he was not in any Battles & was in only One Battle during all his periods of service which was on New Port Island in Sullivans Expedition. While out in his second period of service which he thot he had mentioned in his former declaration. That I always served with an Embodied Corps or Regiment and that the troops with which I served were called into service by order of the Governor of the State of Rhode Island as he was informed & believed. that all his service was performed in the field or Camp never having been stationed in any fort or Garrison.
and that during the time which his service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit Except three days that he with others, assisted in Reaping for a Person near theire station at Hanuk by leave of the Captain of the Company to which he belonged.
[signature] Joseph Stafford
 Subscribed and Sworn to before me this 22d day of May
in the year 1833 Essex Essex County New York
[signature] Edwin Cayler Just Peace

I, Edwin S. Cayler the justice of the peace before whom the foregoing affidavit and Ammended by the annexed Declaration was Subscribed and sworn to do hereby declare [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] of the legality of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department and the above [illegible] applicant was a [illegible] person and [illegible] served as he stated
Page 10

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
At Essex this 22nd day of May 1833.
Edwin S. Caylor
Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Essex county
Clerks office-I, Percival Morse deputy Clerk of the county
Of Essex do hereby certify that Edwin Caylor whose name appears is a justice of the peace for the affidavit and amendment of the annexed declaration of Joseph Stafford and before whom the same purports to have been sworn
was at the date then a justice of the peace in and for the county of Essex duly qualified and authorised according to law to administer Oaths and that I am acquainted with the hand
Writing  of the said Justice and in his signature to the same I believe his true and genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal of office this 20th
Day of the year 1833
Percival Morse Deputy  Clerk
Page 11

State of New York
County of Essex

On this twentieth day of September in the year one thousand Eight hundred and Thirty two personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Essex now sitting Joseph
Stafford a resident of Wellsborough in the County of Essex and State of New York aged Seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his said 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. In the month of August in the year 1775, he volunteered for three months in the Rhode Island Militia under Captain Benjamile Green of Coventry, and Lieutenant Weaver and served 
in Colonel Nathaniel Browns Regiment he joined the company and Regiment at East Greenwich Rhode Island and were stationed there during the three months for which he entered the service and was employed during the whole time in helping Guard at Pitawoon Neck, to Prevent the British from Landing from their vessels and plundering the Inhabitants of Greenwich, he was discharged in November 1775 and returned home having served there months and was not in any Battle during this term of service and not a [illegible] a written discharge.

In the fore part of January in the year 1776, his father Thomas Stafford was drafted three months service in the Rhode Island Militia and  he took his fathers place as a substitute in Captain Benedict Colvins Company, in Colonel Castles Regiment Rhode Island Militia.  Joined on  company and Regiment at East Greenwich and was stationed there during the whole time for which he Entered the service doing the same duty as on the former tours and  Immediately on being discharged he volunteered in the same Regiment and continued to serve in the said Regiment
under Colonel Castle. Under the different Captains who relieved
such other at the Expiration of each tour to wit Captain Weaver
Page 12

Captain Colvin the second time, Captain Hudson, Capt. Ray and Captain Colvin the third time and he continued in the service in said Regiment at Greenwich until some time in the month of September in the year 1776. When a draft of one half of the Troops then stationed at Greenwich was made for the purpose
of joining General Spencers expedition to Newport. He went as a substitute for one Stephen Green. They marched from Greenwich by Warwick, Providence River crossed over to Barrington, continued on by Warren, Swansea, down [illegible] and living there where they landed & remained a long time, and
finally the expedition being attacked they marched back by way of Taunton & Fall River, Swansea, & Providence to Greenwich where he 
remained until discharge in the month of January 1777 having served continually on that tour for one year. and [illegible] about ten days. when on a furlough to go home after close [illegible] when they marched from Greenwich to King Town. They were in Company with several other Regiments, some of which he believes were  continental Troops recollects that General Cornwall had 
command until they go to Troy Town also recollect that Colonel Waterman and Lieutenant Colonel South were the field officers of the Regiment to which he belonged. after taking the place of the said Stephen Green as a substitute.
In January 1777, and immediately after being discharged at Greenwich he was again entered the service as a substitute for a person who was drafted for four months. I cannot
recollect his name he served in Captain Colvins Company of Militia and was stationed at Greenwich part of the time and part of the time at North Kingston. His duty was principally keeping guard during the whole four
Months and he was discharged at Greenwich some time in the month of May 1777. Directly after the French fleet arrived at Rhode Island he cannot recollect the names of any other of his Officers during this period of Service
Page 13

that again some time in the summer of the year 1778 he again entered the service Under Capt Colvin and marched to Greenwich 
was stationed there for two month as formerly keeping guard at which time the British armed Ship called the Flora lay in the Harbor and it was expected they would land the troops which they had on board and plunder or burn the place, he was stationed at Greenwich during the whole two months and was discharged the the End of the time and Returned home.
3-In the Spring of the year 1779 he again entered the service under Captain Weaver and marched to Greenwich and was stationed there at Bristol
Alternately for two months Keeping guard and
doing camp duty during the whole time he was out and was not in any action or skirmish 
during the time. The principal duty and has to keep guard and Occasionally scout and reconnoiter to prevent depredations from being committed by tories and the enemy.After serving out his two months,
he was discharged and returned home.
In the year 1780 he again entered the service and was out for two months under Captain Weaver and was
again stationed at Bristol and Greenwich keeping Guard as before does not recollect any other of the Officers except the Captain, was stationed about half of the time at Bristol 
and the other half at Greenwich which place they were called out to protect a family from the depredations of the Enemy and was discharged at Greenwich, not receiving a written discharge from any of the periods of services.
He was out in the service several times after this before the close of the war for short periods of which he cannot distinctly recollect. That he never received a written discharge at any of his terms of service, and not recollect any more of his Officers, Except these named in the foregoing declaration. That he  was born at Coventry in the County of Kent in the State of Rhode Island the 25th of April in the year 1759 that his birth is on record in the Clerks Office in said Country as he has been told by his Father has no other record of it. that he resided in Coventry after the War
Page 14

untill the year 1804 when he removed to Hillsborough
Essex County in the State of New York and has
resided there ever since & still resides there that
he has no documentary evidence of his service and
Knows of no person in whose testimony he can procure
who can testify to his service own except those who have
made their affidavits which are herewith sealed that
James Long one of the Witnesses to his service could not
be proved to appear in Court here on account as he
said of the distance from his residence & his having to
attend the Court in his own County in the said Month
he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension
or annuity except the present, and declares that his name
is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid | Joseph Stafford
Leonard Show Clerk
Essex County ss. On this Twenty Sixth day of September
in the year 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Essex
Benjamin Stafford who being duly sworn according to Law do the
on his oath depose & say that he resided in Coventry in the County
of Kent & State of Rhode Island, previous to and at the Command
& during the Revolutionary War, that he was acquainted with Joseph
Stafford the person who has subscribed & Sworn to the foregoing declaration
that he knows that the said Joseph Stafford show as a soldier in
the Rhode Island Militia during the Revolutionary war as a member 
of different periods of Service he served in Captain Weavers Company
with him for two months in 1780 at Bristol & Greenwich in Captain Colvins
Company two months in 1777 at Greenwich And deponent being
the Brother to said Joseph Stafford was frequently at home during
the war, while the said Joseph was out in the service - at Providence
Newport Island Greenwich & Bristol of & he is confident in
his belief that the said Joseph Stafford - was in the service of the
United States in all his persons of service during the Revolutionary
war for more than two years. Benj Stafford
Subscribed & Sworn the day & year aforesaid
before me Leonard Snow Clerk
Page 15

State of New York
Essex County SS
On this 11th day of August in the year of
Our Lord 1832 Personally appeared before me Edward M. Coughlin a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Essex residing in the town of Essex, James Corey a resident of Madrid
in the County of St. Lawrence in the State of New York
aged 70 years who being first duly sworn according to
law upon his said oath doth depose and say that
he resided in the town of Coventry in the County of
Kent and State of Rhode Island in the year 1775
That he was well acquainted with Joseph Stafford, then
a resident in the said Town of Coventry and knew
that the said Joseph Stafford was a Revolutionary Soldier
in the service of the United States at a number of
different periods or times during the year 1776 and 1777
in the Rhode Island Militia and this deponent was
himself a Fifer in the Militia and was out on several occasions
on alarms and recollects seeing the said Joseph
Stafford doing duty as a soldier once at Greenwich
Rhode Island one other time at Newport Island in
General Sullivans Expedition and one other time at North
Kingston in Rhode Island that he was intimately acquainted
with the said Joseph Staffords father Thomas Stafford
of Coventry aforesaid and all the members of his family
was frequently there during the war of the Revolution and
Immediately ,after and knows that it was comonlly [sic] aserted [sic] both by the said family and the neighborhood that the said
Joseph Stafford had served as a revolutionary soldier
for a considerable length time and that he has no
Doubt but what the said Joseph Stafford did serve
for more than two men that from my acquaintance
with him I believe him to be Seventy three years of age and
that I have been acquainted with the said Joseph Stafford
ever see that time and that he has always had a good
Character as to truth and Veracity - and further this deponent
says that he now resides in the Town of Madrid
in the County of St Lawrence in the State of
New York and that the distance from his residence
to the Court House in the County of Essex is about
One Hundred and forty miles and that it would
Page 16

be a matter of Great inconvenience for deponent to attend
the Court as a witness for the said Joseph Stafford having
be present himself of the Court of Common Pleas of the
County of St. Lawrence at their Session in September next
& further this deponent saith not
his
Subscribed & Sworn to this | James Corey 
10th day of Augt 1832 before | mark
Me
Edwd S Couglan Just Peace
We Elijah Benedict a Clergyman residing in the Town of
Essex in the County of Essex and State of New York and
Thomas Storer, resding in Wellsborough do hereby certify
that we are well acquaint with Joseph Stafford who
has subscribed and sworn that the foregoing Declaration
that we believe him to be Seventy three years of age
that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he
resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we do
Concur in that Opinion | E. Benedict
Sworn to & subscribed the | Thos. Storer
day & year aforesaid
in open Court 
Leonard Storer Clerk of Essex
Common Pleas
And the said Court do hereby declare these Opinion
after investigation of the matter save after putting the
Interogatories presented by the War Department, that
the above named Applicant was a revolutionary Soldier
and served as he States, and the Court for the Certified
that it appears to them that Elijah Benedict who has
signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the
Town of Essex and that Hon Thomas Storer who has
also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Wellsborough &
is a credible person and there statement is entitled to
Credit -- and also that Benjamin Stafford who appears
as a witness is a resident in Essex aforesaid & is a credible
person & that his statement is entitled to credit
Signed by order of the Court
Page 17

Leonard Snow Clerk 
I Leonard Snow Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
of the County of Essex do hereby Certify that the foregoing
Contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the the Application of Joseph Stafford for a
Pension. And I further Certify that Edward S. Coughan
Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit of James S Corey
was taken was alas thus certified when the said purports to
have been taken a Justice of the Peace in and for the
County of Essex duly qualified to act as such and that
I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and
believe his signature to the same to be his qualified Signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and Seal of Office this 26th day
of September 1832
Leonard Snow clerk
Page 18

this certifies that by reputation James Corey
late of the County of Essex and now of Madrid
in the County of St Lawrence and is
credible for truth and veracity
March 22d 1834
Steven Whallon
Page 19

JOSEPH STAFFORD S. 17124 BA-J/MLB
Mrs. Fred M McCaddon 209 Flora Avenue, Peoria, Illinois. Dear Madam: Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Joseph Stafford, who was born April 25 1759, Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, served under General Greene and married Orpha Sweet, and Joseph Streeter, born July 5, 1719 in Massachusetts, married Mary Inman in 1752 in Cumberland, Rhode Island, and died August 8, 1778.

There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolution of a Joseph Streeter, under any spelling. Such claims are the source of Revolutionary War data furnished by this office. The record has been found of Joseph Stafford which is given herein as obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.17124, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Joseph Stafford, son of Thomas, was born April 25, 1759, in Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, the name of his mother was not stated. His birth was recorded in the Town Clerk's Office of Coventry.
While a resident of Coventry, Rhode Island, Joseph Stafford volunteered in August, 1775 served as corporal in Captain Benjamin Greene's company, Colonel Nathaniel Brown's Rhode Island regiment and was discharged in November, 1775. He volunteered in East Greenwich early in January, 1776, as a substitute for his father, and served three months as private in Captain Benedict Colvin's company, Colonel Castle's Rhode Island regiment; immediately after being discharged, he again enlisted and served under Captains Weaver, Colvin, Hudson and Ray, and Colonels Castle and Waterman, in Rhode Island troops, and was discharged in January 1777. He immediately enlisted in January, 1777, served as private in Captain Colvin's Rhode Island company, and was discharged in May, 1777. He enlisted sometime in the summer of
Page 20

1778 and served two months as corporal in Captain Colvin's company, Colonel Richard Fry's Rhode Island regiment as guard at Greenwich. He enlisted in August, 1779, and served two months as private in Captain Weaver's company, Colonel Castle's Rhode Island regiment, stationed alternately at Bristol and Greenwich. He enlisted in the summer of 1780, and served two months, as before, guard in Captain Weaver's company, Colonel Castle's Rhode Island regiment. He served several times after this before the close of the war, no further details of which were given. During his service he was in General Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island and in the battle of Newport. 
After the war the soldier continued to reside in Coventry, Rhode Island, until 1804 when he moved to Willsborough, Essex County, New York. Joseph Stafford was allowed pension on his application executed September 25, 1832, while a resident of Willsborough, Essex County, New York. No reference was made in the claim to wife or children of Joseph Stafford. In 1832, soldier's brother, Benjamin Stafford, then residing in Essex, Essex County, New York, made affidavit that during the Revolutionary War he was a resident of Coventry, Rhode Island, and served under Joseph under Captains Colvin and Weaver in the Rhode Island militia. In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid, and possibly the date of death of Joseph Stafford, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following: Joseph Stafford, Certificate #24950, Issued March 25, 1834, Rate, $80 per annum, Commenced March 4, 1831, Acr June 7, 1832, New York Agency. Very truly yours, A.D. Hiller Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 21

Peoria Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, Peoria, Illinois. May 29, 1936. Veterans Administration A.D. Hiller, Executive Assistant to the Administrator. Dear Sir: Do you have a pension or other record 1. of Joseph Stafford b. Apr. 25, 1759 in Coventry Kent Co R.I. and who was married to Orpha Sweet served under Gen. Greene. 2. Lieut. Joseph Streeter b. July 5, 1719 in Mass. died Aug, 8, 1778 married 1752 in Cumberland R.I. to Mary Inman. Thank you for your reply a former letter. Madge E. McCaddon, Registar D.A.R. Mrs. Fred M. McCaddon, 209 Flora Ave, Peoria, Ill.
Page 22

1:15
Received
Jun 3 1936
Mail Sub-Div
Vets Adm
Bureau 38
Page 23

Department of Interior Washington, D.C.
Page 24

2-26-1920. Dear Sir: Will you please send me the Revolutionary Record of Joseph Stafford who served from Rhode Island. He died between 1850 & 60 in Essex Co. New York, Sincerely, Almeda B. Harpel, 1126-21st
Page 25

Department of Interior, Revolutionary Section, Washington D. C. Please send me the Revolutionary service for Joseph Stafford who served from Rhode Island. He was pensioned while living in Essex Co. N.Y. Sincerely Yours, Grace S. Harsch

Received A.G.O Aug 20, 1920. Recd O.R. Div. 7th & F Sts. Aug 21 1920
Page 26

WAR DEPARTMENT, The Adjutant General's Office, Washington, August 23, 1920. Respectfully transmitted to the Commissioner of Pensions, to whose office the subject appears to pertain. No records have been found in this office of the service of a soldier named Joseph Stafford in a New York or Rhode Island organization in the Revolutionary War. P. C. Harris The Adjutant General.
Page 27

Decatur Ill. Apr 21, 1912 888 West north street
Commissioner of Pensions - Washington D.C.-
Dear Sir - I am trying to find records of ancestor's services in the War of American Revolution - (1) Have you any record of Mr. Joseph Stafford  services (or of one for Thomas Stafford). He is supposed to have enlisted from Coventry Kent Co. R.I. and served (under his relative Gen. Greene - Soon after the close of war he moved to Essex Co. N.Y.
Page 28

(2) Have you any record of one Benjamin Sweet - Revolutionary soldier from Kent Co R.I.
Thanking you for your attention and hoping you may be able to give me these records - I am respectfully yours, Mrs Jas. K. Stafford 888 West North, Decatur Ill.
Page 29

INVALID
File No. 17124 Joseph Stafford
Act [illegible] Index:-Vol. [illegible], Page 362
(Arrangement of 1870.)
1912 Apr. 30 Hist to Mrs. Jas. K Stafford
1920 March 16 Hist to Almeda B. Harpel
1920 Oct. 1 Hist to Grace B. Harsh
1936 June 11 Hist to Mrs. Fred M. McCaddon
Page 30

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
Joseph Stafford S.F. 17124 

Dates of enlistment or appointment | Length of service | Rank | Officers under whom service was rendered
Captain. / Colonel. | State

Aug. 1775 | 3 mos. | Corpl. | Capt. Benjamin Greene / Col. Nathaniel Brown | R.I.
*Jany 1776 | 1 yr | Pvt | Bene de of Capt. Colvin, Weaver, Hudson + Ray / Col. Castle, Col. Waterman
Jany 1777 | 4 mos. | Pvt. | Capt. Colvin / Col. Richard Fry
Summer 1778 | 2 mos. | Capt. Colvin / Col. Richard Fry
Spring 1779 | 2 mos. | Capt. Weaver / Col. Castle
Summer 1780 | 2 mos. | Capt. Weaver / Col. Castle

Battles engaged in, Newport R.I.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [illegible] R.I.
Date of application for pension, Sept 25 1832 [illegible]
Residence at date of application, Willsborough, Essex Co. N.Y. Service 18 Oct
Age at date of application, born in Coventry R.I. Apr 25 1759
Remarks: [Illegible] Thomas and Soldier [illegible] 1776.