Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22304, for Stephen Stafford, Rhode Island
Page 1

(8 - 1776)
SERVICE
 R. I. [Rhode Island]

Stafford, Stephen
Abigail

NUMBER
 W.22304

CONTENTS [blank]
Page 2

5464.
Rhode Island.
Abigail Stafford deceased
who died on the 1st March 1839.
widow of Stephen Stafford deceased,
who was a pensionor [pensioner] under the Act of [illegible]
and who died on the 17 February 1824,
of Newport in the State of R.[Rhode] Island
who was a Priv [Private] & Sergt [Sergeant] in the compy [company] commanded
by Captain Cooke of the regt [regiment] commanded
Col Topham in the R. [Rhode] Island 
[illegible] for 3 mos [months] private & 12 mos [months] Sergt [Sergeant].

Inscribed on the Roll of R. [Rhode] Island
the rate of 70 Dollars [cents crossed out] per annum.
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836 & end
on the 1st March 1839.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of June
1840, O Sent and [written between and underneath] ti Asa Gray Esq.
Tiverton, R. [Rhode] Island

Arrears to the 1st of March 1839 $209.42
Payable to Lilly, Peleg, Patience and
Stephen Stafford; Hope Manchester [crossed out?], 
Prudence Claig, Sarah Ann Bliss
and Abby Watts, the {Act July 7,1838.}
children of the dead 
widow.

Recorded by D. McCurdy Clerk,
Book [illegible] J    Vol. 2   Page 23.
Page 3

State of Rhode Island Ver
County of Newport,
Town Clerk's Office, Tiverton January 21. 1839
I Asa Gray, Town Clerk of said town of Tiverton do
hereby certify that Stephen Stafford son of David
Stafford and Lydia Stafford his wife was born
July the nineteenth Seventeen hundred and fifty six
as appears of record in this office
I further depose, that upon diligent search in the
records of marriages in this office. I do not find the
marriage of Stephen Stafford and Abigail
Durfee there recorded.   Asa Gray Town Clerk
Subscribed and sworn to this
31st day of January 1839
Chas.. Durfee Justice of
the Peace

1
Page 4

State of Rhode Island &c[illegible]
County of Newport } SS.

At a Court of Probate holder within and for the town
of Tiverton in said County on the Sixth day of January
in the year 1840.
I Asa Gray Clerk of the said Court of Probate a
Court of Record, do hereby certify that Abigail 
Stafford of said Tiverton widow of Stephen Stafford an
Applicant for a Pension under the Act of July 7. 1838
died at said Tiverton on the thirty first day of March
One thousand eight hundred and thirty nine
And that Hope Manchester wife of David Manchester
Lilly Stafford, Peleg Stafford, Patience Stafford, Prudence
Claig wife of John Claig, Stephen Stafford Sarah Ann
Bliss wife of James Bliss and Abby Watts wife of Jefferson
Watts are the only living children of the said Abigail
Stafford.
And I further certify that the
evidence adduced as to the satisfaction of this Court

In testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand and affixed my
Seal of Office the Sixth day of
January in the year of our Lord
Eighteen hundred and forty.
Asa Gray Clerk of Court
of Probate
Page 5

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of July 1838
entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport  } S.S.

On this fourth day of February A.D. 1839 - personally appeared
before the Court of Probate of Tiverton in said County of Newport a Court
of record Abigail Stafford a resident of sd [said] Tiverton in sd [said] County of
Newport aged Seventy three years who being first duly sworn according 
to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to
obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed
July 7. 1838. Entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to 
certain widows:
That she is the widow of Stephen Stafford late of this town deceased
who was a private soldier in the war of the Revolution for were both
born and always lived in said Tiverton and no where else, when
the enemy came to Rhode Island in December 1776 he belonged to
the Second or North Company of Militia in this town commanded by
Capt Benjamin Borden in Col. John Cook's regiment, having the
preceeding spring returned from Boston where he had been a 
soldiering in Capt William Cooks Company in Col. Church's Regiment
I have often heard him relate of his soldiering to Boston and how
that he went for his Cousin Thomas Stafford who had enlisted and
then got sick of it, but I am unable to procure proof of this service.-
In the aforesaid Militia Company he served in this town taking his
regular tours of duty, and from his declaration in his life time I fully
believe he served as often as every alternate month, and that he
was in actual service in the war at least one month in December 1776
Six months in the year 1777, and one month in the first part of the year
1778- In March 1778 he enlisted at sd [said] Tiverton into Capt. Dyre's
Company in Cdr Topham's Regiment of Infantry in the Rhode Island
State service, and served the term of his enlistment in sd [said] Company
which was one year - When he was discharged from the State service
in March 1779 he went again into the aforesaid Militia Company
and continued in it through the remainder of the war, and from
March 1779 till the enemy left Rhode Island in the fall of this
year he served four tours of a month at a time in one of the divisions
of sd [said] Militia Company; she cannot tell the particular months in
which he was engaged in the militia services, but she believes
that he served his Country in the Revolutionary War, at least thirty
two months. by.  eight months at Boston in Capt. Cooks Company


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Twelve months in Capt Dyn's Company and twelve months
in said Militia Company in sd [Said] services in so Militia
were at the different guard stations in Tiverton at Howland's
ferry and Northerly on the shore - all the said Services
performed as a private Soldier and for which I claim a pension
She further declares that she was married to the said
Stephen Stafford on the fourteenth day of May Seventeen hundred
and eighty six. that her husband the aforesaid Stephen
Stafford died on the Seventeenth day of February in the year
Eighteen hundred and twenty four, that she was not married
to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place
previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety
four, viz at the time above stdted
and she declares that she was born on the twenty ninth day of
September Seventeen hundred and Sixty five, and that she was
the daughter of William Durfee, that her husband the sd [said] Stephen
Stafford was born on the nineteenth day of July Seventeen hundred
and fifty six.     that she has not married since his decease
that she has no documentary evidence of his aforesaid services
but she refers to the accompanying proofs.

            her
Abigail  X Stafford
            mark

Sworn and Subscribed the day
and year above written in Court
Asa Gray Prob. [Probate] Clerk

Signed in my presence
Moses Hart

And the Court certify that the above named Abigail
Stafford is the widow of the late Stephen Stafford a
Revolutionary Soldier of this town, that she is a person
of truth and that they believe the statement by her
made are true
I Asa Gray, Clerk of the 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
Abigail Stafford for a pension

In testimony whereof I have here.
unto set my hand and seal of Office
this fourth day of February in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty nine
Asa Gray Clerk of Court
of Probate
Page 7

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
EEL
May 24, 1930
Honorable Felix Hebert
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.

My dear Senator:

In response to your letter of May 21, 1930 requesting
information for Mrs. H. C. Durfee, Seapowet Avenue, Tiverton,
Rhode Island, I have the honor to advise you that from the
papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 22304, it
appears that Stephen Stafford, the son of David and Lydia,
was born July 19, 1756, at Tiverton, Rhode Island.

While residing at Tiverton, Rhode Island, he enlisted
and served eight months at Boston as a private in Captain
William Cook's Company, Colonel Church's Rhode Island Regiment
, exact dates if this service not shown.

He enlisted in December, 1776, and served every alternate
month until early in 1778, as a private in Captain
Benjamin Borden's Company, Colonel John Cooke's Rhode Island
Regiment, entire length of this service eight months.

He enlisted in March, 1778, served as a private in
Captain Dyer's Company, Colonel Topham's Rhode Island Regiment
, was in Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island, and was
discharged March 16, 1779.

Immediately after the expiration of this service, he
enlisted in March, 1775, and served in tours of one month
each until the close of the war as a private in Captains
Benjamin Borden and Richard Durfee's Company, Colonel Cook's
Rhode Island Regiment.

He died February 17, 1824. It is stated that his
death was caused by a tree falling on him while in the
woods.
Page 8

The soldier married May 14, 1786, Abigail, daughter
of William Durfee. She was born September 29, 1765.

Pension was allowed on her application executed February
4, 1839, while residing in Tiverton, Rhode Island.

She died March 1 or 31, 1839, at Tiverton.

The following children survived here Hope Manchester,
wife of David Manchester; Lilly Stafford, Peleg Stafford,
Patience Stafford; Prudence Claig, wife of John Claig;
Stephen Stafford; Sarah Ann Bliss, wife of 
James Bliss;
and Abby Watts, wife of Jefferson Watts.

Very truly yours

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
Page 9

I William Albert of Tiverton in the County of Newport
and State of Rhode Island aged Seventy seven years on
my oath do depose and say, that I was acquainted with
Stephen Stafford, late of this town, whose widow 
Abigail Stafford never married since his decease, is an
applicant for a pension. said Stafford was much older
than myself and was in the Service in Capt. Benjamin
Borden's Company of Militia in Tiverton, in Col. John Cook's
Regiment, previous to my being enrolled in the same Company
in 1777 in August. - said Stafford continued to
serve in said Company as often as every other month, in
actual military duty in said Tiverton till March 1778
when he entered into the Rhode Island State service
in Col Topham's Regiment and I think in Capt.
Dyre's Company. I saw him many times in 1778 while
he belonged to said Regiment, they were stationed
much of the time of said year near Howlands ferry
in Tiverton. I recollect that said Stafford was
discharged from Topham's Regiment just about the same
time that I enlisted into the same Regiment
which was on the Sixteenth of March 1779.
Signed in my presence
Elizabeth Gray

            his
William X Albert
          mark

State of Rhode Island, }
County of Newport     } S.S.
Be it known that on the twenty fifth day of February
1839 before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace, in
and for said County personally came William
Albert and subscribed his aforegoing Deposition and
made oath to the truth of the same, and I further
certify that said Deponent is a credible person
Before me Asa Gray Justice Peace
Page 10

I Elihu Gifford of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode
Island of lawful age.  having heretofore given my affidavit in the matter of the
application of Abigail Stafford, widow of Stephen Stafford for a Pension do
now testify and say further that said Stafford served with me in Capt.
Benj: [Benjamin] Borden's Company of Militia in Tiverton, in Col. John Cook's regiment -
said Stafford served one month of December 1776.  stationed at Howland's
ferry where the Bridge now is - in 1777 he served at least four months in tours
of a month at a time to roit one month in the winter at Anthony Wharf
one in the spring on Nannaquaket, one month in the Summer and
one in the fall, I think both at Howlands ferry, and in the first part of
the year 1778 one month at Quaket.  again in 1779 after he came
out of the State service, in the same Regiment in Capt R. Durfee Company,
 at least one month in the summer and one month in the fall
on the Shore North of Howland's ferry - Capt. Borden I think was
all the time present while he continued Capt of the Company - and
in 1779 Capt Durfee   under these Captains there were embodied
at a time about forty men, and they now under the field officers
of the Regiments - other Companies of our Regiment were encamped
at other places opposite Rhode Island, and there was of our Regiment
embodied from three to four hundred men. -  we were called into
the service by the State and were paid and subsisted by the State -
our magazine of provisions were kept at Howlands ferry.
we had our camp and were billetted at the farm houses near
by most of the time, and also at the barns and out buildings
said Stafford was about four miles from home when performing
said srvices.  I think said Stafford performed more services
that I have stated, but I cannot distinctly recollect more than the
above I cannot now recollect the particular months, owing to
the lapse of time and the circumstance of our serving so often
Elihu Gifford
Page 11

State of Rhode Island &c}
Newport County              } SS.
Be it known that on the twenty second day of February 1840
before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for said
County, personally came Elihu Gifford and subscribed
his within Deposition and made oath to the truth of
the same, and I further certify that said Elihu
Gifford is a credible person.

Before me, Asa Gray Justice Peace
Page 12

V  5498
Abigail Stafford
             du [followed by superscript 0 with slash ]
R.I. [Rhode Island]

Act 7 July 38

Bundle 1. No 1. on Sergt 12 mo

Dead

Asa Gray esv
Tiverton
Page 13

I William Sherman of Tiverton in the County of Newport in the
State of Rhode Island, a revolutionary soldier of lawful age
on my oath do testify and say that I was acquainted with
Stephen Stafford of this town, who was killed by a tree in the woods
near fifteen years ago and whose widow Abigail Stafford who
has never been married since his decease, is an applicant for a 
pension. In the spring of 1777 I came from Rhode Island to
Tiverton, and served in the boat service that year and was
employed in the vicinity of Howland's ferry where the Stone Bridge
now is and had our head quarters there. I often saw said 
Stafford this year in actual military service in Capt. Borden's Company
of Militia in said Tiverton - I have seen him in the service at
Howlands Ferry and Northerly from it at the different guard
posts.  I do not know the particular months he served, but I
saw him in the service in said Company at many different times
and places in said Tiverton in 1777 and until the spring of
1778.  In the spring of 1778, the month I do not now recollect I
enlisted into Elliot's regiment of Artillery at Tiverton, and the said
Stafford enlisted near the same time, but whether a little before or
a little after I do not now recollect into Capt. Dyre's Company in
Col. Topham's regiment, we served in said regiments a year and
I saw said Stafford several times in said year -our Regiments
were frequently in the vicinity of each other. I saw him in said
regiment when we were on Rhode Island in Sullivans expedition
this year - from my recollection of his services I fully believe he
served out his full year in Capt Dyre's Company and that
he served at least six months from the spring of 1777 to the spring
of 1778 in the militia Company of Capt. Borden
signed in my presence
Eliza Baker

            his
William X  Sherman
           mark

State of Rhode Island}
County of Newport    }S.S. Be it known that on the
fifteenth day of January 1839 before the subscriber a
Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, personally
came William Sherman and subscribed his above
Deposition and made oath to the truth of the same and
I further certify that said Deponent is a credible person
Before me Asa Gray Justice Peace
Page 14

The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office of the Court of Probate for the town of
Tiverton in the County of Newport and State aforesaid
I Asa Gray Clerk of the aforesaid Court of Probate
a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Asa Gray is
a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of
Newport duly appointed commissioned and sworn
and fully authorized to act in his said capacity
And I further certify that the Signatures of his name
to the certificates in the annexed depositions of Elihu
Gifford and William Albert are his genuine Signatures
In testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand and affixed the
Seal of said Court this twenty fifth
day of February in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred
and forty.
Asa Gray, Clerk of Court of
Probate
Page 15

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office of the Court of Probate of the town of Tiverton
in the County of Newport and State aforesaid
I Asa Gray Clerk of said Court of Probate, a Court
of Record, do hereby certify that Asa Gray is a Justice of
the Peace within and for said County of Newport
duly appointed commissioned and sworn and fully
authorized to act in his said capacity and the signatures
of his name to the Depositions of William Albert, Elihu
Gifford, William Sherman and Joshua Pettey hereto
and Charles Durfee hereto annexed are his genuine
signatures -  I furthey certify that Charles Durfee
is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of
Newport duly appointed commissioned and sworn and
fully authorized to act in his said capacity and the
signature of his name to the certificate of the Town Clerk
of Tiverton hereto annexed is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal of
Office this tenth day of April in
the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and thirty nine
Asa Gray Clerk of Court
of Probate
Page 16

J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 17

Tiverton May 22. 1839
J. L. Edwards
Sir:
herewith are transmitted the
Declarations and other Documents of Abigail Stafford
Patience Perry and of Peace Taber for Pensions; they are
I believe all that will be sent from this town
The above named Abigail Stafford has died since
making her Declaration. she died on the thirty first
day of March last.    you are requested to send
their certificates when made out, to me
Your most Obedient &
Humble Servt [Servant]
Asa Gray
Page 18

I Joshua Pettey of Tiverton in the County of Newport and
State of Rhode Island a Revolutionary Pensioner of lawful
age do testify and say, that from a period previous to the
Revolution. I was acquainted with Stephen Stafford of
this town, whose widow Abigail Stafford is an applicant
for a Pension. In the year 1778 in March I enlisted into
the Rhode Island State service, and served a year in the
Company of Capt. Thomas in Col. Tophams Regiments the
said Stafford served in the same Regiment the same
year he was not in the same Company with me, but in the
Company of Capt. Dyre according to the best of my recollection,
we were stationed much of said year near Howland's
Ferry in Tiverton, and went on Rhode Island in 
Sullivans expedition and were discharged at Tiverton on the
16 March 1779. I remember said Stafford will and that
he was a good soldier and served out his year, he was
about my age and was killed about fourteen years ago
by the falling of a tree upon him in the woods.
Abigail Stafford of this town, his widow has never been
married since his decease, she was the daughter of 
William Durfee of this town-
Signed in my presence
           his   
Joshua  X Pettey
           mark
Phebe Petty

State of Rhode Island,
County of Newport } S.S.
Be it known: that on the first day of November 1838.
before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for
said County, personally came Joshua Petty and subscribed
his above Deposition and made oath to the truth of the 
same and I further certify that said Pettey is a credible
person;
Before me,    Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 19

I William Albert of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode
Island of lawful age having heretofore given evidence as to the services
of Stephen Stafford in the Revolutionary War do now further depose
and say, that said Stafford's services in the militia were 
military services, they were performed in Tiverton, in Capt. Borden's
Company and in Capt Richard Durfee's Company, in Col. Cook's
regiment - in December 1776 he served one month stationed at
Howland ferry, in the winter of 1767-7- one month about a
mile north of Howlands ferry, and again in the year 1777 in the
Spring one month, in the summer one month and in the fall
one month, a part of the time in these three last named months
he was stationed at Howland's ferry and a part North of it -
the winter of the first part of the year 1778 he served one month
at Nanaquaket  and about this time he enlisted into the State
service, in all these services he was paid and subsisted by the
State, and was called into the service by the State. he was
from three to five miles from home, we were in regular
Military encampments It may be called garrison service. we
were usually billetted at the farm houses nearest to our encampment.
the encampments of our Regiment were at different
places near the shore, and some one of the field officers of the
Regiment visited the encampment. I think nearly every day, especially
Col. Cook and Lieu Col. Gray, the whole number of our
Regiment embodied I think was more than three hundred men
there were embodied under Capt. Borden at each of the terms
of service of said Stafford as many as forty men, and they with
the other companies at the other encampments were under said
field officers, and over all most of the time was Gen. Cornell.
Signed in my presence            his
Susan Gray                  William X Albert
                                              mark
State of Rhode Island &c  }
County of Newport           }SS.

Be it known that on the twenty fourth day of February 1840 before the
Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for said County personally came
William Albert and subscribed and made oath to the truth of his approving
Deposition, and I further certify that said deponent is a credible person
Before me,
Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 20

I Elihu Gifford of Tiverton in the County of Newport
and State of Rhode Island aged Seventy nine years
do depose and say, that from our boyhood to the time of
his death. I was well acquainted with Stephen Stafford
of this town at the time of the Revolutionary war we
both belonged to the Second or Middle Company of Militia
in said Tiverton in the Regiment of Col. John Cook, said
Company was commanded by Capt Benjamin Borden &
after him by Capt Richard Durfee and all the time the
enemy held Rhode Island from December 1776 till November 
1779 was put into two divisions, and the one or the other
of said divisions was continually on duty in actual 
military service on the shores in Tiverton opposite Rhode Island
each division served a month at a time. I remember
that said Stafford was in actual service in said
Company in 1776. in 1777 - in 1778 up to the time of his
entering into the State services he was stationed a part of
the time on Nanaquaket and a part at Howland's
ferry where the Stone Bridge now is and at places
North of it in said Tiverton - after he was discharged
from the State service in the spring of 1779 he agained
served in said Militia Company D from the best of my
recollection said Stafford was in actual service in sd [said]
Militia Company in December 1776 one month, in 1777
Six months, in 1778 at least one month, and in 1779 serve
months all in tours of a month at a time said Stafford
was killed many years ago and Abigail Stafford of
this town is his widow
Elihu Gifford

State of Rhode Island
        Newport County    ⎬ ss.    Be it known that on
the twenty sixth day of January 1839 before the
subscriber a Justice of the Peace, within and for
said County, personally came Elihu Gifford and subscribed
his above Deposition and made oath to the truth of
the same and I further certify that said Deponent is
a credible person. Before me, Asa Gray Justice Peace
Page 21

1930 - May 24, 1 dist. to
Hon Felix Heburt for
Mrs H.C. Durfee     EEeh


WIDOW, &c.

File No. 22,304
Abigail Stafford
Widow of 
Stephen Stafford
Sergt [Sergeant] Rev. War

Act July 7 1838
Index: Vol.   6  , Page 248

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 22

Abigail Stafford RI du
wid  of Stephen, dec
Married 1786. died 1824
Ad July 7. 1838
Issue certificate to
Hope Manchester, wife
of David Manchester,
Lilly Stafford,
Peter Stafford
Patience Stafford
Prudence Claig wife
of Jno [short for John] Claig
Stephen Stafford,
Sarah Ann Bliss, wife
of Jas [short for James] Bliss, and
Abby Watts, wife of
Jefferson Watts, the
children of said du who
died March 1, 1839
12mo  Sergeant & 3 mo pri
$70 per ann
Page 23

See Letter [illegible]
Asa Gray Mar
12 1840

Send certificate to
Asa Gray Esq [Esquire]
Tiverton RI [Rhode Island]
Page 24

V 5498
Let Asa Gray, Augt 2n.
'39 - same May 12, 1840
Act 7 July 38
Page 25

GEORGE W. NORRIS, NEBR., CHAIRMAN
WILLIAM E. BORAH, IDAHO        LEE S. OVERMAN, N. C.
CHARLES S. DENEEN, ILL.            HENRY F. ASHURST, ARIZ.
FREDERICK H. GILLETT, MASS.    THOMAS J. WALSH, MONT.
ARTHUR R. ROBINSON, IND.       THADDEUS H. CARAWAY, ARK.
JOHN J. BLAINE, WIS.                  WILLIAM H. KING, UTAH
FREDERICK STESWER, OREG.       AMENT D. STEPHENS, MISS.
CHARLES W. WATERMAN COLO.  C. C. DILL, WASH.
DANIEL O. HASTINGS, DEL.
FELIX HEBERT, R.I.

JOHN P. ROBERTSON, CLERK

United States Senate
COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

May 21, 1930.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.,

Dear Sir:

A constituent of mine, Mrs. H. C. Durfee,
Seapowet Avenue, Tiverton, Rhode Island, is anxious to
secure information concerning an ancestor of hers,
one Stephen Stafford, of Tiverton, Rhode Island.

The records in the file of the War Department
show that Stephen Stafford, sergeant, Captain
Christopher Dye's Company, Cononel John Topham's Regiment,
Rhode Island State Troops, (engaged for twelve months
from March 16, 1778 to March 16, 1779), was enlisted
June 9, 1778, and his name is borne on various rolls
dated Tiverton, to February 20, 1779. On the last named
roll he is shown " On Command." The records also show
that he was reduced to private December 1, 1778.

I would appreciate any information you may
be able to give me relative to this Revolutionary soldier
so that I may furnish the same to my constituent.

Very truly yours,
Felix Hebert
Page 26

I Chas [Charles] Durfee one of of the children and Representative
of the late Hon. Thomas Durfee of Tiverton in the County of
Newport deceased, who am also a resident of the same
Town of Tiverton, do testify and declare, that I am
in possession of many of the official reports kept by the said
Thomas particularly of such kept by him when acting
as a justice of the Peace in and for the County of
Newport - That upon examination, of such his records
of Marriages, I find as follows "Seventeen Hundred
and Eighty six - May the fourteenth - Then Married
Stephen Stafford son of David To Abigail Durfee
daughter of William signed  "Thom..[Thomas] Durfee Just [Justice] Peace
which is a true copy of the original Record excepting the
Date, which is expressed in the margin of the same in
fare legible figures as follows 1786 May the 14th
Chas [Charles] Durfee

State of Rhode Island,
County of Newport      ⎬ SS.
Be it known that on the 1st day of March 1839 before
the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for said
County, personally came Charles Durfee and made oath to
the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed, and
I further certify that said Charles Durfee is a credible
person.
Before me, Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 27

War Department.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that in conformity with the act of the 7th
of July 1838. Abigail Stafford decd late of Rhode Island
widow of Stephen Stafford, decd who was a private and
Sergeant in the Revolution, and died on the 17 Feby 1824,
was entitled to receiveSeventy Dollars per ann. commencing
on the 1st day of March 1836 & ending on the 1st
day of March 1839; [line through] (and that having died on) the day
of her death; and that the amount due is payable
to Lilly, Pileg, Patience and Stephen Stafford, - Hope
Manchester, Prudence Claig, Sarah Ann Bliss and
by Watts, the children of the deceased widow.
Given at the War Office of the U.S
this first day of June 1840.
Secretary of War.
Examined and
Countersigned
Com of Pensions