Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 23950, for Henry Stewart, Connecticut
Page 1

(8-1776) 

SERVICE 
[handwritten Conn]

[handwritten Stewart, Henry] 

NUMBER S23950

CONTENTS
Page 2

29795
New York
Henry Stewart
of Tompkins in the State of New York
who was a private in the com commanded 
by Captain Belt of the regt commanded 
by Col ---- in the Connecticut 
line for 7 months
Albany

Inscribed on the roll of New York
at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of pension issued the 24th day of Feby 
1835 and sent to
Hon N. Halsey HR
on the 4th of Sept

Arrears to the 4th of Sept    81.65
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 March  11.66
$93.31
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7 1832

Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk
Book E3 Vol. 4 Page 66
Page 3

No 14979
Henry Stewart
Tompkins Co.
NY

Admitted
Private 7 months
Hon N. Halsey
House Rep

[another name in Tompkins NY crossed out]
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Ofice,
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.

Statement, shewing the service of Henry Stuart Tompkins Co. NY

Period during which service was rendered
Subs 1782
enlisted June --
vol ---
substitute

Duration at the claimant's service.
2 months
5 months
3 months
1 months

Rank of the claimant
Boatsman
Private
--
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served
Captn Bell
Captn Fitch
Captn Ryder

Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers

Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
none

Country through which he marched
none

Place of abode when he entered the service and age at the present period
66 years
Connecticut East Hartford town

Evidence by which the declaration is supported
Traditionary
2 living witnesses stated for 5 or 6 months one time 2 months at the other


7 months only

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant

J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 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 [blank space] 
County of [blank space] 

On this [blank space] day of [blank space] personally appeared (a) before [blank space] 
A.B. a resident (b) of [blank space] in the county of [blank space] and State, Territory or District of [blank space] aged (c) [blank space] 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 provion 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 space], with [blank space] and served in the [blank space] (e) regiment of the [blank space] 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 enered 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 is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank space]
Sworn to 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 (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 

I [blank space] of the Court of [blank space] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank space] for a pension. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank space] day of [blank space] &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 [blank space] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank space], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank space] 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 space] who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the [blank space] and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank space] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

I [blank space] Clerk of the Court of [blank space] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation of [blank space] for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank space] day of [blank space] &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 (i) 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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8 

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 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 he answers to these questions as 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 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 persons 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 clamant 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 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 out 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: [blank space] For [blank space] year [blank space] months, and [blank space] days.  I served as a [blank space] For [blank space] months and [blank space] days, I served as a [blank space];  and for such service I claim a pension." 
It is important, in all cases, to determine with preciseness the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pensions be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about [illegible] or fewer months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions rely 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 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 their 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 magistrates 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 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.
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State of New York
County of Tompkins ⎬
On this 3rd day of August AD 1882 personally appeared
before the the [illegible] Court of Common Pleas in and for the County
of Tompkins State of New York now sitting Henry Stewart aged Sixty six
years a resident of the Town of Dryden in the County of
Tompkins and State aforesaid who being first duly sworn
according to Law doth on his oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of 
Congress passed June 7th 1832

That he was born in the town of Stamford in said State of
Connecticut and entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers and served as herein
Stated

He first entered the service in the beginning of
the year 1782 and did duty as a substitute for one Isaac 
Mead as a town guard for said town of Stanford and
served as such substitute for two months under Captain
Jesse Bell. In June or about that time in the same year
he enlisted in a company of which Jabez Fitch was Captain, 
Joseph Hull Lieutenant and Andrew Mead
Ensign; that he served in said Company five months on
board gun boats at Long Island Sound. After the expiration 
of this service he served for about three months as a 
volunteer in an Independent company of which Valentine
Ryder was Captain and after this service as a substitute
for one month on the frontier Henry Stewart
Sworn & subscribed
the day & year aforesaid
Saml Love Clerk

We Stuluy Carr a clergyman & Henry B. Ward
[illegible]
residing in the County of Tompkins hereby
certify that Henry Stewart who has subscribed and sworn
to the above declaration is a person with whom we are
well acquainted: that we believe him to be 66 years of
age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he
resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in
that opinion
Henry B. Weaver
Stuley Carr
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
and

Saml Love Clk
Page 8

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 him that Stuley Carr & Henry B Weaver 
who have signed the preceding
certificate are residents in the Town of Dryden County Tompkins
Stuley Carr being a clergyman therein and are credible persons 
and that their statement is entitled to credit
I Samuel Love Clerk of the Court of Oyer and
Terminer do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said
Court in the matter of Henry Stewart on his
application for a pension In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 1832
Saml Love Clk

1 Where and in what year were you born
in the town of Stanford State of Connecticut in 17?5
2 Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it
Has a record in Stanford
3 Where were you living when called into service; when
have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where
do you now live?
In the town of Stanford in said State and lived in various
places but for the last thirty years has resided in Dryden formerly
in the County of Cayuga  now the County of Tompkins
and State of New York
Page 9

4 How were you called into service; were you drafter
did you volunteer or were you a substitute? And if
a substitute for whom
Entered first as a substitute in the militia for one Isaac Means 2nd Enlisted 
for 5 months under Captain Fitch Joseph Miller Lieutenant A Mead Ensign 3 again 
as a substitute for [illegible] for four weeks as a private in what was called the independent 
troops licensed by the state of Connecticut
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 service
knew Colonel Canfield at Stanford fort knew General Waterbury
five months service was under Capt Jabez Fitch business was to [illegible]
after enemy and carry provisions - helped take Captain Titus at Norwalk
who had been [illegible] with the enemy and whose boat was [illegible]
[illegible] also he help take 2 boats from Captain who was a British cruiser
Gentleman who was a blemised
6. Did you receive a discharge from the service; and if
so by whom was it given, and what has become of it
Never received any written discharge
7.  State the names of persons to whom you are known in
your present neighbourhood and who can testify as to
your character for veracity and their belief of your services 
as a soldier of the Revolution
John Smith Henry B Weaver Elder Mc Arthur Rice [illegible]
All which the court do hereby certify
Saml Love Clk
Page 10

Supplemental Declaration
County ss. Henry Stewart of the Town of Dryden in the County of
Tompkins and State of New York being further duly sworn depose and
says that he entered the service as in his original declaration
mentioned as a private in the State service and not as one of the
continental line and that all his further service continued
in the same capacity. His employment in the boat Service was 
to convey provisions to the American army on the lines at Stamford 
for then under the command of Colonel Canfield and in
which those employed were also paid by the State of Connecticut
And the said Henry Stewart hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 
to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that
his name is not on the pension roll or agency of any state. And
further this deponent says not 
Henry Stewart
Subsribed and sworn this 18
May 1833 before me
Saml. Love Clerk of Tompkins, County

I Samuel Love Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
of said County do hereby further certify that I am
well acquainted with the above named
Henry Stewart who has subscribed and sworn to
before me the foregoing supplemental declaration
That he is a person of credibility and that his
Statement is entitled to credit. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
my official seal at Ithaca this 18 day of May
1833.
Saml. Love Clerk
Page 11

Henry Stewart's
Application for Pension
14979
Page 12

State of New York
County of Cayuga ⎬
Be it known that on the 20th day of September 1832
before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for
the said county, personally appeared Charles Stuart
and made oath in due form of law, that he is now
personally acquainted with Henry Stewart & has been
so acquainted ever since the days of said Henry's
childhood.

And this Deponent further saith that he the said Henry
enlisted into the service of the United States in the
Connecticut line, as a Boatman, & served as such in
the year 1782, for the time of five or six month, which
service was on Long Island Sound principally; he
enlisted & so served under Capt. Fitch

And this Deponent further says that he & the said Henry 
remain the same town (Stamford Connecticut) during 
the principal part of the revolutionary war &
knows that it was generally understood in the 
neighborhood of the said Henry that he was one of the town
guard in said Stamford, under Capt. Jesse Ball for
the term of two months.

And this Deponent further says that he the said
Henry Stewart is a person of fair reputation, and
has ever maintained the character of a person of
truth and veracity
Charles Stuart 
Sworn and subscribed
on the date first above
mentioned before me
S.M. Croft Justice of the Peace

I Samuel M. Croft  
the Justice before whom the foregoing affidavit was
sworn do further certify that I am acquainted with the
above named Charles Stuart that he is a person of credibility
at his statement is entitled to credit. J. M. Croft
Page 13

State of New York  I Michael S Myers Clerk of said County
Cayuga County    ⎬do certify that Samuel M. Croft Esq before
whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn
was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace
in and for said County. And that I am acquainted 
with his hand writing and verily believe his
name subscribed to said affidavit to be his proper hand writing
and signature. Witness my hand and seal of office this Twenty
Ninth day of September 1832 M.P. Myers Clerk
Page 14

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section

February 1, 1924

E.R. Dusenbury,
721 N. 3d Ave.,
Tucson, Ariz.

Sir;

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 23950, it appears that henry Stewart was born in 1765 in Stamford, Connecticut, and was residing there when he enlisted in the War of the Revolution.

He was allowed pension, for seven months service as a private in the Connecticut troops, on his application executed October 3, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York.

There is no data on file as to his family.

The Revolutionary War record of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to any Henry Dusenbury.

Respectfully,

Commissioner
Page 15

721 No. 3rd. Ave, Tucson, Ariz.
Jan. 3rd, 1924.

The U. S. Pension Office,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:--

I am trying hard to get data about the Rev. lines of
two of my Great Grand fathers. Am a long way off, but can you help?
of the record of Henry Stewart I know this: --
was born in N. Y. City -- Don't know the date
Lived at Genoa, N.Y. in 1808 and later
  "    " Dryden, Thompkins County, N.Y. where he died Dec. 26, 1851
Buried at Etna, N. Y. and monument reads "A Soldier of the Revolution
My Grandmother said he was a very young boy and his service was
carrying supplies across a stream during the Revolution, and though he drew
a pension, it was only enough for tobacco.
I wish I knew his middle name, but think he is the Henry Stewart on
page 251 of N.Y. in Rev. from 6th Regt, Dutchess County, N.Y. Militia.

Also if you have any record of Henry Dusenbury (think Middle initial
was "G") he was a Capt. of Militia and drilled soldiers before any West
Point, and at one time lived at Nassau, Rensselaer County, N. Y. when my 
Grandfather was born.
The N.Y. records show one in the 77th Regt, Dutchess County, and one
in the end. Middle Regt. of Westchester County, N.Y. 1775.
will be greatly thankful for all the information you may give me.
I am
Respectfully yours,
C. R. Dusenbury
791 No. 3rd. Ave,
Tucson, Ariz.
Page 16

RECORD DIVISION    8 -- 525
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION
AW   DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
S 23950  BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C. -----, 19 --

In reply to your request of  ----- received -----
a statement of the military history of Henry Stewart
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF           LENGTH OF    RANK.OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   STATE
ENLISTMENT OR SERVICE.                         CAPTAIN        COLONEL.
APPOINTMENT.
2  1782    2 months   Pvt   Jesse Bell   Conn
1  June 1782  5 "   Jabez Fitch
3   # " Valentine Ryder

Battles engaged in  ------
Residence of soldier at enlistment,  Stamford Connecticut
Date of application for pension, October 3 1832 [illegible]
Residence at date of application, Dryden Thompkins Co NY
Age at date of application, B. Stamford Con in 1765
Remarks: No fair dates

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 17

23.950
INVALID.
Revolution
File No. 23950
Henry Stewart
Pri Rev War
Act : June  7thJune 32.
Index: - Vol. 9 Page 393
(Arrangement of 1870.)

[right column]
1923 May 17 Hist to
Mr. H.R. Aldrich
1924. Feb 1 hist to E.R.
Page 18

N. Huntington
Jan. 24
No.  29

[upside down]
Free
Nicoll Halsey Esq
House of Representatives
Washington City
Page 19

State of Connecticut
Comptroller's Office
Hartford
26th January 1835

Nicoll Halsey Esq.

Sir

Yours of the 24th came to hand this morning, there is no evidence on the books here that Captain Valentine Ryder was in service during the war of the Revolution.

Yours with respect,

Roger Huntington
Comptroller of Public Account
Page 20

New York March 13th 1929
to. S. Pension Office
Washington D.C>

Dear Sir-

Will you kindly send me the pension record of my ancestor Henry Stewart a soldier of the Revolution who died Dec 26, 1851 and buried in Elsia N.Y. (Thompkins Co.). I am told that he did draw a small pension.

I have another Rev. ancestor Capt. Henry Dusenbury & he trained soldiers at home. He lived in Genoa N.Y. in 1808 he may
Page 21

have drawn a pension but I am not able to state. Will you kindly see if he did, and any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated. I would appreciate an early reply.

Very resp.,

Mrs. F. B. Aldrich
318 West 70th St
New York City
Page 22

Henry Stewart
Support, & Decla
Page 23

Supplemental Declaration 
State of New York
Tompkins County ss ⎬ Personally appeared before
William [illegible]  a commissioner of deeds in & for said
County  Henry Stewart, who being duly sworn
Saith that he served in the army of the Revolution
in the manner as stated and set forth in his former 
declaration and that by reason of old age and
the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear
positively as to the precise time that he entered
the service under Captain Jabez Fitch, but
according to the best of his recollection he served
not less than the periods mentioned below and
in the following grades, namely, For five months
as a volunteer in a company commanded by
the said Jabez Fitch in 1781 or 1782. he cannot
swear positively which year, but for his best
recollection, he believes that it may be in 1781
in that of 1782, as formerly stated by him

That he served in the Gun Boat Service at Long Island 
Sound in a company of Volunteer raised
by the said Jabez Fitch in pursuant to a law of the
State of Connecticut The Gun Boat upon which be
served for the term aforesaid was manned by
twenty men carrying a four pounder in her
bow two swivels  on her Stern each
man provided himself with a gun, Bayonet and
Cartridge Box. The said Boat had Sails with
Sixteen oars to be used by hand as circumstances 
might require: The said Jabez Fitch had
[illegible] the gun boat above mentioned some two
or three whale boats under his command which
were manned by some eight or twelve men
each with from seven to ten oars fastened
to each Boat, and whose Special duty was made
by law to annoy the enemy  & to guard the Coast
and more especially to use their best exertion
7 prevent all illicit  trade with the enemy
and this declarant further Saith according to
his best recollection, that he served in the
year1783 for two months in Captain Jesse
Bells company of town Guards of the town of
Stamford in the said State of Connecticut which
company was raised according to law of the
said [illegible] authoring the said town to keep
Page 24

sea Coast Guards. And this declarant
further saith that he served for the 3 months
in the State service of the said State of Connecticut
but on board a whale Boat under the
command of Captain Valentine Ryder This
boat was manned by twelve then and
Carried four [illegible] two on her bow
two on her stern with ten oars. That the said
Ryder during the time this declarant served 
aforesaid had under his command two boats
of the like kind and manned in the same
manner as before stated on shore duty it was to
guard the coast on Long Island Sound and
to fall upon the British by surprise and
annoy them and to prevent any unlawful
trade with them.  And also this
declarant further says that he served for one
month at the time and in the manner as
stated in his former declaration under Capt.
Amos Smith and for such service as he
as formerly and above specified be claims
a pension
Henry Stewart
Subscribed and sworn this
10 day of February 
1835 before me
Wm Linn Clk

State of New York
Tompkins County
Clerks office
I certify that William
Linn Esqr before whom the
foregoing affidavit purports to have been
Sworn was at the date of the same a
commissioner of deeds in & for said
County duly qualified, and that his
signature above written is genuine
Given under my hand and and seal of
office at this the 10 day of February 1835
A. L. Johnson Clerk
Page 25

Henry Stewart
Page 26

Dryden Tompkins Co Oct 12th 1833
Honored sir your letter of the 19th of August was duly received, stating
that my claim for a pension was not allow as the law did not provide
for Town guard nor transport Boats the town guard was on the lines in
one side on the other side was the sound to be guarded. Capt Jesse Bell was
authorized; to inlist a company to guard the shore I served two months
a substitute we were under pay and had to attend role call and mount
guard every other day Capt Bell did pay me wages for the same
--
as to transport Boats, I do not know how my paper states that but
I do not think it can come under that head Capt Fitch  was authorized by the
State to enlist a company for to serve in a gun boat and whale boats
I did enlist for five months and served the whole time yet Fitch did
pay me my wages in broadcloth and give me a certificate to 
carry the same twenty miles back into the country and stated
that it was imported in the Brig: [illegible]
as to my service in sd boats we did capture two armed boats command
by Joseph Hoyt a Brittish [illegible] also one whale boat commanded
by John Spicer and did take a sloop from let Hallick he
belonged at stony brook long island we did capture  a sloop
and schooner at citty island we did burn a sloop in East
Chester with which belong to Capt Dennis who commanded 
a Brittish privateer --  in volunteer boats we didid
take a sloop at Citty island that did belong to Capt Fowler 
of the same place.
My name is for eleven months 
in shore guard  2 months
in boats  5
in volunteer boats 3
under Capt Smith 1
Henry Stewart


 I have inserted the names that  served in all boats
Capt Fitch
Lieutenant Hull  [illegible]
Ensign Mead [illegible]
Sergt Cool
[illegible]
[illegible]
Jedidiah Turner and son
Craw
Ives
Brooks
Austin
Gates
Pritchet
Clark
[illegible] he deserted