Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4884, for Paul Stewart, Massachusetts
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Mass.
CONTENTS
Stewart, Paul
NUMBER
S. 4884.
Carded
Page 2

2473
Massachusetts
Paul Stewart
of Hampden in the State of Mass
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain of the Reg't commanded
by Col Sprout in the Mass
line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of Nov
1832 and sent George
Colton Springfield Mass
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $120--
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33 40--
$160--
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by I H Blair Clerk,
Book D. Vol. 2 Page 83.

1885 Aug 25 G M Stewart for more
data to identify  Prior
1885 Sept 3 G M Stewart with
history Prior
Page 3

Paul Stewart.
Declaration
 and deposition
of Alvin [illegible]
Page 4

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Hampden County } Ss.

On this 24th day of April 1818 personally came & appeared before Samuel Putnam Esquire one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth, Paul Stewart a Citizen of the United States now resident in South Brimfield in said County of Hampden, who being duly sworn deposeth [???] - that during the first of March 1781, he enlisted into the United States army then called the Continental Army, into Capt Sewall's Company, as it was called, though the Company was under the immediate Command of Lieutenant Whiting, in Col. Ebenezer Sprouts Regiment in the 2d Brigade Commanded by Genl Patterson in the Massachusetts line, as a Common Soldier, for the term of three years - that he served until the latter part of December 1783, at which time the Army was generally disbanded & this Deponent received an honorable discharge  under Genl Washington's hand - at West Point in the State of New York - which discharge he gave to Col. David Morgan about twenty years since, for the purpose of procuring thereby Some[?] arrearages of payment - that the said Morgan never returned it to this Deponent - & that the said Morgan, if living resides in the Western part of the State of New York - & by reason thereof this Deponent is unable to procure said discharge.  And this Deponent further saith that he is in  [???] circumstances in life [???] consequence thereof Stands in need of his County's assistance for support. -  He is fifty three years of age - And he relinquishes any Pension to wh. [WHICH] he might have been entitled by any Law of the U.S. }  Paul Stewart
Page 5

Hampden Ss.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

On this 28 day of April 1818, personally appeared Paul Stewart within named, before me Samuel Putnam one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth & in my presence subscribed & made oath to the beforegoing declaration by him made - & it appears to my satisfaction that the said Paul Stewart served for the term of more than nine months - to wit from April 1, A.D. 1781. until December 1, 1783. At one period of this was of the Revolution of the Continental Establishment against the Common Enemy  I hereby certify the testimony in the Case & this proceeding, had therein to the Secretary of the Department of War.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 28th day of April 1818. 

S. Putnam Just. S. J. Court of Massts [MASSACHUSETTS]
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Hampden Ss.  I, John Ingersoll, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts of said Commonwealth for the County of Hampden aforesaid do certify that Samuel Putnam Esquire is a Judge of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth, that the above signature is his proper handwriting & that the seal hereto affixed is the seal of said Court --- 

April 28th 1818 

Att. John Ingersoll Clerk
Page 6

I Alvin Needham of South Brimfield in the County of Hampden so testify that I am well acquainted with the said Paul Stewart - that he is a man of good character for truth - and in every respect of good reputation -  Apl [APRIL] 29, 1818

Alvin Needham

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Hampden Ss.

Apl [APRIL] 29, 1818  Then the said Alvin Needham made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed before me

S. Putnam Just [JUSTICE]
S. J Court of Massts [MASSACHUSETTS] }
Page 7

August 6, 1832
Pension
Office
Pension papers
Hon. Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington
D.

No 4252
Page 8

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden Ss. July 24, 1832

Personally appeared before me George Colton one of the Justices of the peace for said County Paul Stewart of Wales formerly South Brimfield a revolutionary Soldier aged Sixty seven years and made solemn oath that he is the identical Paul Stewart mentioned in the papers and declarations herewith enclosed that he served in the Continental army two and an half years in a Company under the command of Lieut. Whiting about 1 1/2 years and the residue of the time under the Command of Capt. Smith, the regiment was Commanded by Col. Eben. Sprout Majors Maxwell and Gibbs were attached to the same regiment, that the regt. was stationed one winter at Newburgh and one winter at West point, that he had a regular discharge given him by Genl. Washington which he placed in the hands of Col. David Morgan in order  to obtain his arrearages of pay and that it was not returned to him and this deponent further saith after his papers and declaration were made out and ready to be forwarded that he was informed that it would be useless to forward them as he was in possession of an estate which afforded him a comfortable support and that he now make this statement in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 --
Paul Stewart 

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid ~
George Colton Justice of the Peace
Page 9

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden ss I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas
Court being a Court of Record in the County of Hampden
do hereby certify that George Colton Esqr before whom
the within affidavit was executed is a Justice of the Peace
for the County of Hampden and that his name thereto
subscribed is his true & proper signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the Seal of the said Common Pleas Court
at Springfield on this thirtieth day of July in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred &
thirty two
John Ingersoll Clerk
Page 10

Springfield July 30th, 1832.
Hon Lewis Cass
Secy. of War

Dr Sir I have enclosed Paul Stewarts
Declaration and evidence of service in the Continental
Army. The declaration was made some years ago
and has been retained on account of his having more estate
than the law allowed to pensioners. The certificate
of the Paymaster of the Regt. was given last month.
Mr. Stewart's deposition is attached to this that in which
he requests to be placed on the pension list under the Act
June 7, 1832. If anything further should be wanted
in this case will thank you for the necessary directions
With much respect
your friend
George Colton
ommand
●
Page 11

No. 4252
Paul Stewart
Private
2 years
Col Sprout's Regt Mass
Adm
$80-
George Colton Esq
Springfield
Mass
Page 12

Old Case
BRIEF in the case of Paul Stewart of the County
of Hampden in the State of Mass.
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 67 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
In 1781 Apr 1st
to 1st Dec. 1783
Duration of Service.
Years, months, Days.
2  8  -
Rank.
As a
Private
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen.
Col. Sprout, Capts. Sewall &
Smith-- Lieut. Whiting
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
Levi Belt
Examining Clerk.
Page 13

Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
Ira Bliss Stewart,
295 Broadway,
New York City.
Sir:
April 6, 1928.
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim, S. 4884, it appears that Paul Stewart enlisted March 1, 1781, place not stated, and served until December
1783, as a private in Captains Sewall's and Smith's
Companies, in Colonel Ebenezer Sprout's Massachusetts Regiment.
In 1818 he was living in South Brimfield, Hampden
County, Massachusetts.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July
24, 1832 at which time he was sixty-seven years of age and
was living in Wales, Hampden County, Massachusetts.
There are no data on file relative to his wife and children.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 14

O. W. and N. Division.
File 4884
Rev. War

3 -- 525.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.,  Aug. 15, 1907

Madam:
In reply to your request of Aug. 10 , received Aug. 13th
for a statement of the military history of a Paul 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
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
Mar 1, 1781
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
Dec. 1783
RANK.
Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Sewell
Smith
COLONEL.
Ebenezer Sprout
STATE.
Mass.
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Date of application for pension, Apr. 28, 1818 Claim allowed
Residence at date of application, South Brimfield, Hampden Co. Mass.
Age at date of application, 53 years
Remarks: No data as to family
Very respectfully,
Miss Mary F. Potter
Conn.
27225b3m1 - 07
Commissioner.
Page 15

In accordance with your request of the 28 ult for information of
your grand father, Paul Stewart who served in the war of the
Revolution from Massachusetts, the following Statement is taken
from his declaration for a pension & from the affidavits of his witnesses
as to his military service, which you desire for a family record & to
make an appropriate inscription upon his memorial stone. He
prepared an application for a pension in 1818 under the act of March 13, 1818  the
provisions of which were combined to the officers and soldiers who served under one enlistment 9 months in
the Continental army & were in indigent circumstance, but on account of
the mention as to property, he would not, he stated, be entitled to a
pension, therefore it was not forwarded until after the passage of a [illegible]
general act in 1832 when he made a new declaration & transmitted
both to this office-
In April 1818 he was residing in South Brimfield Mass aged 53 years
In July 1832 he states that he was living in Wales formerly South
Brimfield Mass aged 67 year & that in March 1781 he enlisted for 3 yrs
in the Continental army, joining the company of Capt Sewall, but under the
immediate command of Lieut Whiting who continued for 1 1/2 years, then
succeeded by Capt Smith, in the 2d Mass regt Colo Ebenezer Sprouts &
[illegible] of Mass
was discharged at West point in Dec 1783 at which time (immediately after the
evacuation of NY City) all of the army was disbanded-
He does not state that he was in any battle or give any other incidents of his
service, nor does he state the
town where he enlisted or give the place & date of his birth
The above Capt Sewall is Capt Henry Sewall on 
Mass & in the disposition of the army Augt 1 1781
the Com of the right wing of the American Army & Lord Sterling of
the left Wing & with the French army, in which appears the 2d regt Colo Sprout
in Genl Patterson Brigade
S
Page 16

Old war

Department of the Interior
PENSION OFFICE
Washington D.C. August 25th, 1885

Sir,
Yours of the 17th inst is received requesting information of your
grand father, Paul Stewart, who enlisted at Braintree, Mass in the
war of the Revolution, but this data is insufficient to identify him
with the only pensioner of that name in that State and who gives no
place when enlisting or states he ever was at Braintree-
It is necessary for identification that you should give for the one of
your enquiry; his residence after the war, the names of any line or field
Officers under whom he served, so far as may be known, the year and
duration of his service, and, either the names of his brothers or if any
one of them lived in the State of N.Y and his residence, as the one who was a
pensioner from Mass may have had a brother who was a witness in 1818-9
Should farther information be desired be pleased to state the object of
the enquiry and use will be made of the information
Page 17

Stamp Enclose
Stamp Enclosed
IRA BLISS STEWART,
ATTORNEY COUNSELLOR AT LAW,
295 BROADWAY, NEW YORK.

April 4, 1928
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D. C.

Dear Sir:
I wrote you on March 13, 1928 for any record
you may have of the services of Paul Stewart, who enlisted
on March 10, 1781, in the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment of
Infantry, but I am without reply. If you have any such
record kindly let me know cost of certificate and I will
send you same.
Respectfully yours,
Ira Stewart

PENSION
U.S. APR 5 1928
OFFICE
Page 18

IRA BLISS STEWART.
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW,
295 BROADWAY, NEW YORK.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
March 13, 1928
Will you kindly give me the book and page
of your records in which I can find out about the services
of Paul Stewart, private soldier in the 2nd
Massachusetts Regiment of revolutionary infantry. He
was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, in 1765, and
served in the Revolutionary War for two years and nine
months.
Thanking you in advance, I beg to remain
Yours very truly,
Ira Stewart

PENSION
F
U.S. MAR 14 1928
OFFICE
Page 19

Department of the Interior
Pension Office
Washington, D.C.
Messrs.-
Will you please look up the
record of Paul Stewart, a soldier
of the war of the Revolution, from
Massachusetts. He went in
1781 Joining the Company
called Capt Sewalls in the
2d Mass. Reg.
Perhaps this is not the
mode of procedure to get
Page 20

the proofs of my Revolutionary
ancestor's services. If not
please inform me, and
I will take the proper steps
under your advice.
I am preparing my
proofs, so that I may some
time become a Daughter
of the Revolution, and am
just now looking up the Stewart
line. This Paul Stewart
drew a pension in his later
life, and know the
Page 21

proofs must be in the Pension 
office. Any reply or informa-
tion indicating a way in which
to procure the proofs desired
will be gratefully received
Very respectfully.
Mary F. Potter
North Woodstock
August the 10th 1907.
Connecticut
Page 22

PENSION
A 
U.S. AUG 13 1907
OFFICE

AUG 14 1907
FILES
Page 23

vs.
PENSION
B .S. SEP 1 1885
OFFICE

G. M. STEWART.
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW,
203 NORTH THIRD STREET
St. Louis, Aug 28th 1885.

Hon John C. Black
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir: Your favor of the
15th inst. replying to a letter from
us of the 17th inst. seeking information respecting my grandfather
Paul Stewart. Responding to your
suggestions I have to say that my
understanding is that when my
grand father was discharged
from the army, he settled in the
town of Brimfield, Hampden
Co. Mass. The portion of this
town in which he settled and
afterwards lived until his death
Page 24

(2
vs.
PENSION
B U.S. SEP 1 1885 
OFFICE

ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW
203 NORTH THIRD STREET
G. M. STEWART.
St. Louis, 188
was subsequently called Wales and
is now known by that name.
It is my understanding that his
father had removed from Braintree
after the enlistment of Paul Stewart
to Brimfield and
was living there when my grand
father was discharged.
I am not able to state the names
of the line or field officers under
whom my grand father served.
as all the papers which have been
in our family showing any of these
facts are missing. My parents
are dead and I have no data
to guide us in pursuing this
Page 25

(3)
vs.
PENSION OFFICE
B U.S. SEP 1 1885

G. M. STEWART.
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW.
203 NORTH THIRD STREET
St. Louis, 188
inquiries on my own recollections
of what was told me by my
grand father, when I was a boy.
The only knowledge I have of a
brother of my grand father ever
having lived in New York is
what I remember to have been
told me by my grand father
and my father. I have heard
them state such to be the fact
but my recollection is that he
died before I was born, and
I do not now remember his
Christian name. I cannot
give you the date of his enlist
Page 26

(4 )
vs.
PENSION OFFICE
B SEP 1 1885

ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW
203 NORTH THIRD STREET
G. M. STEWART.
St. Louis, 188

ment or the duration of his service
with any degree of accuracy.
My recollection is that he was
about sixteen years old when
he enlisted and that he served
until the end of the war which
included a period of three or
three and one half years.
The purpose of my inquiries
is to procure and preserve a
family record of his soldier
service and to make some
appropriate inscription
upon the memorial stone
and I am having placed
Page 27

(51
vs.
G. M. STEWART.
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW,
203 NORTH THIRD STREET.
St. Louis, 188
at his grave.
I trust the facts
which I have given you meager
as they are, may enable you
to furnish us the information
I am seeking.
My respectfully yours
G. M. Stewart
Page 28

PENSION OFFICE
US B SEP 1 1885

PENSION OFFICE
US B SEP 1 1885
Page 29

PENSION OFFICE 
US B AUG 20 1885

PENSION OFFICE 
US B AUG 20 1885

Paul Stewart
Mass
4884
Page 30

vs.
1832
67
1765
16
1781 Enlisting

G. M. STEWART.
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW,
203 NORTH THIRD STREET.
St. Louis, August 10 1885
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
For several months
I have been attempting to learn some facts with respect of my
grand-father, Paul Stewart, who was a soldier in the Continental service and who died Feby. 22nd 1861 at the age of eighty
seven years.
I first wrote the War Department, but no record of his
service could be found there, and I was then referred to the
State Department, and with the result shows by the enclosed
letter.
I know that he drew a pension as such soldier up to the
time of his death. He often told me that he enlisted from New
Braintree, Mass. (I think) at the age of sixteen and served
to the end of the war and was discharged when the army was
disbanded.
It seems to me that some department in Washington must
have some record of him and I am referred to you. I respectfully request that you have your records examined and that
Page 31

vs.
(2)
G. M. STEWART.
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW,
203 NORTH THIRD STREET,
St. Louis, 188
you send me such facts as they may contain concerning his
service as a soldier.
Respectfully yours,
G.M. Stewart
Page 32

1907 Aug. 15 History to Mary
F. Potter, S.L.M.
1928, Apr. 6 hist. to
Ira B. Stewart
W.C.

4884
RevWar
INVALID.
File No. 4884
Paul Stewart
Privt Rev War
Act: June 7" 183
Index:- Vol. M, Page 357
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 33

Pittsfield June 26 1832
I do hereby certify that Paul Stewart
was a soldier during the year 1783, in the
2nd Massachusetts Regiment commanded by
Col Ebenezer Sprout - Said Regiment was
on the Continental establishment. Being
Paymaster of said regiment for 1783 & having
the Books, in my possession, I find said Stewarts
name enrolled on the same. In the year
1784 I paid him the balance owe to him
for his service, in final settlement notes
and have his receipt for the same.
Joshua Danforth late
Paymaster to the 2nd
Massachusetts Regt.
Page 34

Silas Stewart of Franklin in the County of [illegible]
and State of New York deposeth and says that Paul Stewart
of South Brimfield in the County of Hampden and
Commonwealth of Massachusetts was inlisted into
the United States army in the Massachusetts line of
troops in the month of March A.D. 1781 for the
term of three years and that the said Paul Stewart
was out and served in said army about two years and
nine months at one time
South Brimfield
⎬
November 23d 1817)
Silas Stewart

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
[illegible] South November 23d 1818 then personally
appeard Silas Stewart subscriber to the above deposition and
make oath to the truth of the same
before me
James L Wales Justice of the peace
this may certify that I have formerly been aquainted with
the above deponant Silas Stewart and consider him
a credable witness
James L. Wales Justice of the peace
Page 35

Hampden ss

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I John Ingersoll Clerk of the Judicial Courts
within & for the County of Hampden do
certify
that James L. Wales Esq. was on the twenty third
day of November in the year our Lord
thousand eight hundred & eighteen a
Justice of the Peace within & of the County
of Hampden & that full faith & Credit are & ought
to be given to all acts done by him in said 
capacity & that the signature within of James L.
Wales I believe to be his genuine hand writing
In testimony whereof I have my 
hand & affixed the seal of the Court of [illegible]
[illegible] County of Hampden this twenty eighth
day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
John Ingersoll Clerk
Page 36

Eliphalet Worthington of West Springfield in the County
of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts
deposeth and says that Paul Stewart of South Brimfield
in said Hampden County and Commonwealth aforesaid
was a common soldier in the United States army in the
Massachusetts line of troops that he belongs to the
second Ridgimen commanded by Colonel Ebenezer
Sprout, the sixth company command by Capt
Sewall, and after under the immediate command
of Lieut Whiting and at the close of the war said
Company was commanded by Capt Smith
to which Regiment I was a common soldier
and that he the said Paul Stewart was out and
served in said army almost three year at one
time of servis and until the close of the war
and that I was personally aquainted with said
Stewart and knowing to his doing the servis above
stated and that he the said Stewart Received an
honourable discharge at the close of said war
Eliphalet Worthington

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden B. South Brimfield March 6th 1820
then personally appearing Eliphalet Worthington
Subscriber to the above deposition and
made oath
to the truth of the same
Before me
James L. Wales
Justice of the peace
Hampden County
Page 37

Commonwealth of
Massachusetts
Hampden County
I John Ingersoll Clerk of the Judicial Court
within & for the County of Hampden do certify that
James L. Wales Esqr. was on the tenth day of March
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
twenty a Justice of the Peace within & for said County
of Hampden and that full faith and credit are & ought
to be given to all acts done by him in said capacity and
that the written signature of James L. Wales I
believe to be his personal hand writing- 
In testimony which I have hereunto
set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court
of Common Pleas for said County this twenty
eighth day of June in the year of our Lord
one thousand Eight Hundred & thirty two
John Ingersoll Clerk