Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,700, for Stephen Shepard, Connecticut
Page 1

SERVICE
Conn.

Shepard, or Shephard, Stephen

NUMBER
S. 30,700
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15563
Massachusetts
Stephen Shephard of Hampshire in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Sedgwick of the Regt commanded by Col. Chester in the Conn line for 6 months

[illegible writing]

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 20 Dollars ~~ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 22d day of June 1833 and sent R. D. Morris, Springfield Mass.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $40.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept "" $10.00
________
$50.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk
Book E Vol 2a Page 78

See let Oct 7 1836 to Methl Wellston

82
Hampden
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PENSION ACT OF 1832.
Declaration of Stephen Shephard in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF Massachusetts
COUNTY OF Hampden} SS. [Westspringfield crossed out]
On this 13th day of December 1832, before the Probate Court holden at Springfield within & for the County of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, being a Court of Record, having by law a Clerk and Seal, personally appeared Stephen Shepard a resident of West Springfield in the County of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, aged eighty one years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States as a private in a company commanded by Captain Abraham Sedgewick, Lieutenant don't remember, and Ensign don't remember at West Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut on or about the month of July 1776; that said company belonged to a regiment of foot commanded by Colonel John Chester.
That he the deponent was enlisted for six months, and continued to serve in the said Corps, until on or about the month of January 1777 when he was dismissed from the service, at or near a place called Elizabethtown in the State of New Jersey; that when he entered the service, he resided in West Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut and was marched from thence to New York when he joined the Continental Army and was in the battle of Long Island in August 1776 and afterwards was marched to West Chester and various places in New Jersey. 
That he has no documentary evidence to prove his services and knows no person now alive who served with him in the same company. But is enabled to produce the affidavit of his sisters Hannah Stevens & Eunice Burr who testify that he entered the service, returned at the expiration
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of his term of enlistment. Also the certificate of the Reverend Nathan Perkins a clergyman who has preached more than sixty years in said town of Hartford and has known the deponent during that period.
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And in reply to certain interrogatories prescribed by the War Department and propounded by the Court, the deponent further declares,
1st. That he was born at West Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut on the 11th day of May 1761. O. S.

2d. That the day and year of his birth is recorded at West Hartford in the State of Connecticut as he believes, but is not confident.

3d and 4th. That when he was called into service, he resided at the places or towns as herein before stated; and served in the manner set forth in the preceding declaration.

5th. That the general circumstances of his service are detailed in the preceding declaration, and also the names of such officers, &c. as he distinctly recollects. 

6th That he never received a written discharge from the service.

7th That he is personally known to The Reverend Nathan Perkins of Church of Hartford Connt. & the Hon. Lamuel Lathorp [illegible] of Springfield among others & Josiah Johnson one of the selectmen of west Springfield who are respectable persons in the neighborhood where he now resides, and can testify as to his character for veracity, and also their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.

And the said Stephen Shepherd 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. } Stephen Sheperd

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 That the Reverend Nathan Perkins is a Clergyman in the town of Hartford Connt and Hannah Stevens & Eunice Burr and Joseph Johnson whose affidavits are hereto annexed are credible are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit.

Oliver B. Morris Judge of the Probate Court for said County of Hampton
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I, Josiah Johnson of West Springfield in the county of Hampton and Commonwealth of Massachusetts hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with Stephen Shepherd who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; and that I believe him to be eighty one 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 I concur in that opinion and I further certify that the said Stephen Shepherd is a Clergyman of the Baptist [illegible] but has been unable to preach for four or five years past on account of his age and bodily infirmities.
Josiah Johnson

Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.}

[illegible] 13th 1832 Personally appeared Josiah Johnson above named at a Probate Court holden at Springfield within aforesaid County of Hampden and made oath to the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. 
Before me
Oliver B. Morris Judge of said Court

I Justin Wellard Clerk of or Register of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen Shepard for a pension and I further certify that Oliver B. Morris who has subscribed the preceding certificate is the judge of said court & that his name thereto subscribed is his genuine signature. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and and affixed the seal of said court this thirteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
Justin Welland
Register of Probate
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State of Connecticut
County of Hartford} Ss. Hartford
On this 9th day of July AD 1832, before me the subscriber, presiding Judge of the County Court for the County of Hartford in said State of Connecticut, personally appeared Stephen Shepherd, resident of West Springfield in the County of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, now visiting his friends in West Hartford County of Hartford & state of Connecticut - aged eighty one 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 7, 1832. That he the said Stephen Shepherd enlisted at said (West) Hartford in the state of Connecticut, on or about the month of July 1776, in the company commanded by Captain Abraham Sedgewick of the regiment commanded by Colonel John Chester of Wethersfield for the term of six months. That immediately after his enlistment he went to New York and there joined the Continental Army, was in the battle on Long Island & afterwards to West Chester and to various places in New Jersey. That he continued to serve in the said corps, during the whole term of six months, [illegible]
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whole regiment was discharged on or about the month of January 1777, at or near Elizabethtown in the state of New Jersey, (according to his best recollection), and he immediately returned to West Hartford his native place. 
That 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.
And the said Stephen Shepherd in support of his own declaration and has introduced the affidavit of his sister Eunice Burr stating that she saw him at the time of his enlistment and recollects his returning home in West Hartford, at the close of his term of service, on or about the month of January 1777.
Also the affidavit of his sister Hannah Stevens, concurring with Mrs. Eunice Burr as to the fact of enlistment.
He has also introduced the certificate of the Reverend Nathan Perkins of said West Hartford (an aged & distinguished clergyman) as to the good character of said Eunice Burr & Hannah Stevens, and that he the said Stephen Shepherd is generally reputed & believed to have been a soldier of the revolution. Which certificate & affidavits are hereto annexed.
Stephen Sheperd

Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Thomas Day, Presiding Judge of County Court
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I, Thomas Day, Judge of the County Court as aforesaid, do hereby declare my opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
Thomas Day, Presiding Judge of the County Court & for Hartford County

I, Jared Griswold, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Hartford do hereby certify that the Honorable Thomas Day, before whom the preceding declaration & affidavit of Stephen Shepherd was made, is the Presiding Judge of said County Court as aforesaid. And that the signature purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 9th day of July 1832.
Jared Griswold Clerk of County Court Hartford County Cont.
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I, Thomas Day, Presiding Judge of the County Court for the County of Hartford do hereby certify that Stephen Shepherd who subscribed and made oath to the preceding declaration on the 9th day of July 1832 appeared to be laboring under the infirmities of age, and in such feeble health, that it was deemed advisable and expedient to hear his application at that time instead of delaying until the regular session of the Court.
Thomas Day Ch Judge Co C. Hartford
Hartford August 6 1832

State of Massachusetts
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I Eunice Burr of Hartford (West division) in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged sixty eight years do depose & say that I am the sister of Stephen Shepherd of West Springfield in the state of Massachusetts, and know that he enlisted to serve six months in the company commanded by Captain Sedgwick of (West) Hartford, (who died many years ago) on or about the month of July 1776. That I saw him at the time he left West Hartford (his native place & place of enlistment) to join the army at New York and recollect his returning home on or about the month of January 1777. During the absence of said Stephen he wrote several letters home describing the battle of Long Island in which he said he was engaged.
And further the deponent saith not.
Eunice Burr

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford} Ss. Hartford
On this 7th day of July 1832 personally appeared Eunice Burr the signer of the preceding affidavit who is a person of veracity, and made oath to the truth of the same.
Before me'
Samuel H. Parsons
Notary Public
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State of Connecticut
County of Hartford} Ss.
I, Nathan Perkins a Clergyman residing in the town of (West) Hartford in said county do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the two sisters of Stephen Shepherd vis Eunice Burr & Hannah Stephens whose names are subscribed tot he annexed affidavits, and consider them as women of strict veracity and of good character. And I am also able to certify that said Stephen Shepherd whom I have known many years is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the revolution under Captain Abraham Sedgewick in 1776.
Nathan Perkins
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I, Hannah Stevens of (West) Hartford in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged sixty three years do depose & say that I am the sister of Stephen Shepherd of West Springfield in the state of Massachusetts and recollect his enlisting in the Continental company commanded by Captain Sedgewick of West Hartford in or about the month of July 1776, to go to New York and that he left West Hartford with his knapsack on his back about that time. [illegible smudge] not particularly remember about his return. I further depose & say that said Stephen Shepherd is generally reputed & believed to have served in the army of the United States about 6 months.
Hannah Stevens

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford} Ss. Hartford
On this 7th day of July 1832 personally appeared Hannah Stevens, a person of veracity signer of the preceding affidavit and made oath to the truth [illegible].
Before me
Samuel H. Parsons
Notary Public
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State of Connecticut
Hartford County} Ss. Hartford
I, Samuel H. Parsons a Notary Public for Hartford County in said State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the Reverend Nathan Perkins whose certificate is hereto annexed is a clergyman residing in the town of Hartford aforesaid and that his statements are entitled to complete faith.
Witness my hand &c this 26th day of November 1832.
Saml H. Parsons
Notary Public

Stephen Shepherd
20695
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20690
Stephen Shephard
Mass
Private 6 months

R. D. Morris
Springfield Mass
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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. 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 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, shewing the Service of Stephen Shephard  Hampshire, Mass
Period when the service was [illegible]. Enlist 1776
Duration of the claimant's service.  6 months
Rank of the claimant. [illegible]
Name and Rank of the Company Offices under whom he served. [illegible] Sedgwick
Name and Rank of the General and Field officers. Col Chester
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Long Island
Country through which he marched. Connecticut, New York
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. 87 y. [illegible] Hartford Connecticut, New Jersey
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. traditionary and Living Witnesses
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, J.L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE, 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 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 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 by law 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 __________
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, passed 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 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 militia, volunteers, navy, &c.
He hereby relinquishes every claim: (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name in not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in 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, 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 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 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. _______ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____
and that 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 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
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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 ture, or ot 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 Voluneers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virigina.
     1. Where and in what year where 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 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 whatr 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 he answers to the questions are emobied 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 muh expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinty of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance wih 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 exectue 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 acty 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 Rerritory, 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 genuione 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 deceaded, 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.
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                               June 6, 1928.
Mrs. J.V.W. Miller,
79 Prospect Street,
Glovereville, New York

Madam:
     I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 30700, it appears that Stephen Shepard or Shephard was born May 11, 1751 (old style) at West Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut.
      While a resident at said place, he enlisted in July 1776, and served six months as private in Captain Abraham Sedgwick's Company, Colonel John Chester's Connecticut Regiment, and was in the battle of Long Island.
    He was allowed pension on his application executed July 9, 1832, while a resident of West Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.
     It is not stated that soldier was married.
     The above noted Stephen Shepard (all spellings of the name searched) is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau who served with the Connecticut Troops.
Respectfully,
Winfield Scott,
Commissioner.
COPIED BY ADY
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30700
INVALID.
Revy
File No. 30,700
Stephen Shephard
Pri  Rev  War
Act:  Jan 7th 32
Index: Vol. 8, Page 366
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1928 June 6  Hist to Mrs JVW Miller Aug
Page 21

Stephen Shepherd pri 20$/ per anm.
To what time pd. at Mass agency Act 7. June ?
GWC
6 Dec 1836

{Illegible} to the 4 Sep 1835. 3rd Jn 1836 not issued
JH
Page 22

To the Honble Secretary of War Pension Office Washington City D. C
Page 23

Springfield Dec. 14. 18 
to the Honorable Secretary of War 
Sir enclosed the application and declaration of Stephen Shepherd for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832 The applicant made his first declaration in Hartford Connecticut on the 9th day of July last while on a visit to Connecticut which has been returned. He appeared in court in the County and made out a new declaration which is inclosed also annexed thereto the declaration which was made in Connecticut which was returned and also the Depositions annexed. The whole of the papers have bene handed me by Mr Shepherd with a desire that I should forward the to the Department, and a request that if they are now found to be sufficient and a certificate should be granted that it may be sent to one and if any thing further is accompany for
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the applicant to do, that it may be communicated to me 
I am very respectfully yours to Richard Morris 

Pete 
I find by reference to the Letter of Mr Edwards to Mr Parsons (the person who sent the first application) that the papers were returned on the 16th day of August

Rr Morris
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MRS. J. V. W. MILLER 
79 PROSPECT STREET 
GLOVERSVILLE, N. Y. 
AUGUST 22 1927. 
Com. of Pensions 
Washington, D. C. 
Will you kindly send me any records of Rev. service of Stephen Shepherd of Hartford, Conn or of record of pension, if any, to his wife - Susan Blanchard?
Thank You 
Sincerely Yours 
(Mrs. J. V. W.) Mary G. Miller

only 
one of comm
all spellings