Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23419, for Benjamin Stevens, Vermont
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(3-1776)
Service Vt.
Stevens, Benjamin
Allen, Lydia
Number W. 23419
[arrow pointing from "His" to "Allen"]
His name was Ezra    Former Widow
Contents
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[verso]

Poult'y
Vermont. 8186.
Lydia Allen, for'ly [formerly] widow of Benj'n  [Benjamin] Stevens who was a Private in the Vermont Line.
Husb'd [husband] died 18th June 1815
______
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of June 1847. and sent to W. G. Wade, Rose, N.Y.
[Act of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2. Page 60

[recto]

2 Certfs. [certificates]
1838 &c. 
Rev'd [received]
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THE NEW TESTAMENT OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, TRANSLATED OUT OF THE ORIGINAL GREEK:
AND WITH THE FORMER TRANSLATIONS DILIGENTLY COMPARED AND REVISED.

New York:
PRINTED BY M. L. & W. A. DAVIS, 
For Gaine & Ten Eyck, S. Campbell, John Reid, John Broome & Son, E. Dayckinck, T. & J. Swords, T. S. Arden, P. A. Mesier, S. Stephens, and T. B. Jansen & Co.
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['Cornwall' crossed out] Benjamin Stevens was Married to Lydia Field the 4 Day of march, AD 1784 in Pittsford - Mr. Father Field Died in Cornwall January 18. 1791 aged 72 - Mother Died February 17, 1809 - aged 80. 
Father Stevens Died in Pittsford 9 of June 1803 Aged 70 - 
Mother Stevens died in Cornwall October 14 AD 1809. Aged 76 - 
Benjamin Stevens Died in Cornwall 18 of June 1815 aged 54 
Lydia Stevens of Cornwall was Married to Ezra Allen of Whiting October 23, 1815 - 
Ezra Allen Died in Whiting December 23th 1827 Aged 70 years
John Douglas Was married to Jinny Baker in the year of our Lord 1799
Sammy Douglass Died in Cornwall June the 18.  in the year of our Lord 1809 -
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by acts of Congress of 7th July 1838, 3d of March 1843 & 17th of June 1844 - and the supplementary of act of 23 of August 1844
State of Vermont
District of Addison} ss On this 14th day of January 1846 before the ['Justice of the' crossed out] Probate Court for the district of Addison im said State personally appeared Lydia Allen of Cornwall in said county, aged 86 years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the acts above named, That she was formerly the widow of Benjamin Stevens, who was formerly a resident of Cornwall im the county of Addison and State of Vermont, and who was taken prisoner at or near a place called Split Rock,  on Lake Champlain, during the war of the Revolution, which engaged in the service in the United States - and taken to Canada and there detained, for three years or upwards, as he often stated that he saw three "new years day" in one room, - that he was taken prisoner very soon after he entered the service, there were others taken with him, one by the name of Ephraim Stevens, and one by the name of Hopkins, - that the amount of service he performed before he was taken prisoner or the officers names, is not recollected. 
That this deponent was married to said Benjamin Stevens in Pittsford Vermont, on the 4th day of March (1784) seventeen hundred and eighty four as shown by the record which is annexed unto this declaration -
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which is the old original record, which has been in use, as the true record. - (and which is a true record of the marriage and other events recorded therein) for more than forty years. that her said husband, Benjamin Stevens, died in the year 1815 June 18th, that she was again married to Ezra Allen on the 23d of october 1815. that said Ezra Allen died on the 23d December 1829, that she has not intermarried since his death but still remains his widow, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed, 
/s/Lydia Allen
Sworn and subscribed before me this day & year herein written in open Court, /s/Silas H. Jenison Judge
I certify that the above named affiant is a credible person, ['and unable to attend court on account of age and infirmity' crossed out]
/s/Silas H. Jenison Judge
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State of Vermont
Addison District } ss. Personally appeared before the ['subscriber a Judge of the' crossed out] Probate Court for the said District.
['in the State of Vermont' crossed out] Elisha Field of Cornwall in the county and state aforesaid, aged Eighty three years, & upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he was personally acquainted with Benjamin Stevens, formerly a resident of Pittsford County of Rutland in the State of Vermont and that he became acquainted with said Benjamin Stevens, more than Sixty years since, and that from his acquaintance with him, he learned that he had been taken a prisoner while in the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution, taken to Canada and there detained per three years, before he was exchanged, that he wa intimately acquainted with him, and has heard him speak many times of his imprisonment, that the Officers however with whom he was engaged in service, deponent does not recollect, - but he always stated that he was taken at or near a place called Split Rock, on Lake Champlain, soon after he had entered the service of the United States,
That this deponent has full confidence in the old record hereto annexed, as being the true record of the marriage of said Benjamin Stevens & Lydia Field, now Lydia Allen the applicant for a pension - as deponent ws present and saw them when married, and knows it was the year of the close of the Revolutionary War, that the said Benjamin Stevens died in June 1815, in Cornwall Vermont, and that his widow married Ezra Allen in
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in October 1815, and that said Ezra Allen died in the year 1829 leaving said Lydia Allen formerly wife, and afterwards - widow of Benjamin Stevens, a widow who has not intermarried but still remains his widow, and that she the said Lydia Allen the applicant for a pension, is the identical person who was formerly, wife - and widow - of Benjamin Stevens who was taken prisoner in the war of the Revolution, taken to Canada and there detained for three years, as before set forth 
/s/Elisha Field
Sworn and subscribed before me this 14th day of January 1847 by Elisha Field who I certify is a credible witness. - 
Sworn and subscribed in open Court, this 14th day of January 1847. 
/s/Silas H. Jenison Judge
I certify that the before named affiant Elisha Field is a credible witness
/s/Silas H. Jenison Judge
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State of Vermont
Addison District } ss. Personally appeared before the ['Justice of the peace' crossed out] Probate courts for District of of Addison in said State, Eli Stevens, of Cornwall of said State aged sixty three years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith that he was personally acquainted with Benjamin Stevens, formerly, husband of Lydia Allen, an applicant for a pension, and that he has been personally acquainted with him for more than fifty five years, and that he always understood, and believed that said Benjamin Stevens had been taken prisoner in the War of the Revolution, taken to Canada and there detained for some three years, that said Stevens often stated that he had spent three "New Years day" in one room, while a prisoner in Canada, that, he has full confidence in the old record of the marriage of said Benjamin Stevens, & Lydia Fields now Lydia Allen, - as deponent, knows it had been in use many years from personal knowledge, that said Stevens died in June 1815, & in October following his widow married Ezra Allen, who died in 1829, and that since his death she has not intermarried but still remains his widow,
And that Lydia Allen the applicant for a pension is the identical person whose maiden   name was Lydia Fields, and who was the wife of Benjamin Stevens who was taken prisoner as above stated,
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/s/Eli Stevens
Sworn and subscribed before me this [blank] day of [blank] 1847 by Eli Stevens who I certify is a credible witness. - 
Sworn and Subscribed in open Court this 14th day of January 1847 /s/Silas H. Jenison Judge
I certify that the before named affiant Eli Stevens is a credible witness
/s/Silas H. Jenison Judge

State of Vermont
District of Addison ss.
I, Jedidiah J. Bushnell Register of the Probate Court for the District of Addison do hereby certify that the within and foregoing are the original proceedings of the probate Court aforesaid in the matter of the application of Lydia Allen for a pension 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Probate Court this 15th day of January A.D. 1847.
/s/Jed S. Bushnell
[margin note: 13250 Lydia Allen]
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[verso]

Rep'd

[recto]

10,289.
Vermont.
Lydia Allen, for'ly Widow of Benjamin Stevens who was a pensioner under the Act of [blank] and who died on the 18th June 1815 - of Addison in the State of Vermont who was a Pri. in the Comp'y commanded by Captain Sawyer of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the Verm't line for 2 years.
______
Inscribed on the Roll of Poultney at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of June 1867 and sent to W. G. Wade, Esq. Rose, N. York.
______
Total amount, $400. - 
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded D. G C. Wood Clerk, 
Book D. vol. 1. Page 123.
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[handwritten letter]

Rose New York
January 20/48

Sir,
I have the honor to present the enclosed application of Lydia Allen, an applicant for a pension, on account of the Revolutionary services, of her former husband Benjamin Stevens, - 
I am Respectfully, Your Obt Serv't
/s/W. G. Wade

Hon J. L. Edwards
Com'r of Pensions
Washington D. C.
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Lydia Allen
aws
widow Stevens

Addison Vt. 
d. June 18, 1815 - 
Capt. George -
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State of Vermont

Secretary of State's Office
Burlington February 27 - 1847

I J. McM Shafter Secretary of State of Vermont hereby certify that there is upon record in this office an original document & paper, formerly belonging to the Treasurers office and removed to and recorded in this office by virtue of a Resolution of the General Assembly, to the term following viz. 
" State of Vermont. Clarenden Aug. 14th 1783 "
" To the Pay Table.
This is to certify that Benj'n Stevens" "and Eben'r Hopkins were taken prisoners when" "in the state service upon Lake Champlain, on" "the 12th of May AD 1779. & carried to Canada, with" "Ephraim Stevens, and at the time cost" "their guns and accoutrements - were exchanged" 9th of June last." 
Thos Sawyer, Capt. - "
"Bennington Aug. 17th 1782."
"This may certify that the within" "named prisoners were exchanged on or about" "the 9th of June as mentioned within."
"Jos. Fay, C.J.P."
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"State of Vermont."
"State of lt. Jo Eben'r Hopkins. Benja'n Stevens, soldier" "in Capt Thos Sawyers company sta'd at Rutland." Dr
"To their wages when prisoners from the 12th of" "May 1779. up to June 9th 1782. as s'd certificate" "from Capt. Sawyer & Com'r Gen'l of "36 months & 28 days each at 40/ pr month"
 £147.14.8"
"Benj'n Stevens "
"Eben'r Hopkins "

"Pay Table Office
"Bennington Aug 17. 1782 } The above aa's being approved" "of the Treasurer is directed to pay unto Eben'r" "Hopkins & Benj'n Stevens or their order, one" "hundred and forty seven pounds fourteen" "shillings and eight pence. it being £73.17.4" "£147.14.8
Isaac Tichenor,
Nath'l Brush } Com'ee

"Treasurers Office
"Sunderland Aug 1782} Rec'd of the Treasurer, the" "contents of the within order, being one "hundred "and forty seven pounds, fourteen" "shillings and eight pence."
"£147.14.8
Nehemiah Hopkins "
for Eben Hopkins "
Benjamin Stevens "
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[official seal affixed] In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the seal of this office
/s/J. McM Shafter
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4294
No. 13250 1445 - 
Lydia Allen formerly widow of Benjamin Stevens Vt
act 7 July 1838
adm'd - 
2 years pri
$80.
also Acts 43. & 44
$80

W. G. Wade Esqr
Rose N. Y.
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Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 23419
Lydia Allen formerly Wid of Benjamin Stevens
Priv Vt Line
Act Mar 3rd 1843
June 17th 1844
Index: Vol. A, Page 11
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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[handwritten letter]

Rose New York
March 8th 1849

Sir, 
Herewith is forwarded the certificate of the Secretary of the State of Vermont, as to the imprisonment of Benj'n Stevens, late the husband of Lydia Allen an applicant for pension from Vermont under act of 7th July 1838.
I have omitted to forward any further proof of the marriage - believing it must have been an error in stating that the proof upon this point was insufficient. If a record which is proven by two or three witnesses, to have been the case for more than forty years. - full substantiated by [illegible] testimony as to the date of the marriage, - by a highly respectable person who was present, at the marriage is not satisfactory, to the Hon. Com'r of Pensions. - the claim will [illegible] be laid before the Sec'y of War, 
I am very Respectfully, your Obt. Serv't
/s/W. G. Wade

Hon J L Edwards,
Com'r of Pensions,
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Caleb Hendee Esqr
in case of Lydia Allen, was Fields
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State of Vermont
County of Rutland} ss Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace, in and for the county aforesaid. Lucretia Kellogg of Pittsford in said county aged Eighty years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith, that she has been a resident of the aforesaid town & county, from December, Seventeen hundred & eighty two (viz)
That she was personally acquainted with Benjamin Stevens, who was a resident of said town of Pittsford, and who, as deponent then understood and always firmly believed was married to Lydia Fields in said town of Pittsford, some two to four years, after this deponent became a resident of said Town.
That deponent did not see them married, but understand at the time, that they were married and that she well knows that they resided in said town of Pittsford - and lived together as man and wife for several years. before said Benjamin Stevens, sold the farm in which he resided, to Daniel Stevens at which time said Benjamin Stevens and his wife, whose maiden name was Lydia Fields, - removed to the town of Cornwall, in the aforesaid state of Vermont, & thereafter his death said Lydia Stevens was married to one Ezra Allen. 
/s/X her mark Lucretia Kellogg
Sworn and subscribed before me this 19th day of April 1847 by Lucretia Kellogg who I certify to be a credible person } /s/Sam'l H Kellogg
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State of Vermont
County of Rutland ss Personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said county, Caleb Hendee, of Pittsford in the County and State aforesaid aged Seventy Eight years the 21st day of October 1846, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith that he has been a resident of the said town of Pittsford for upwards of Seventy years.
That he distinctly recollects, Benjamin Stevens, who was formerly a resident of said town, and who was taken prisoner by the Indians and taken to Canada and detained for some three years, and this deponent distinctly recollects Lydia Fields, who said Benjamin Stevens married soon after the close of the Revolutionary war, the exact date deponent is unable to state, but well knows it was several years previous to (1794) Seventeen hundred and ninety four, from the facts hereafter mentioned, and of which is, that he distinctly recollects, that he surveyed a lot of land which said Benjamin Stevens sold, which was in the year (1793) Seventeen hundred and ninety three, which by reference to deponents account book appears to have been there in the month of September 1793, that the charge for service in surveying for said Benjamin Stevens, was made at the time the labor was performed, which was as above stated, in the month of September 1793, and deponent knows that said Benjamin Stevens, and Lydia Stevens, his wife, whose maiden name was Lydia Fields, had resided as man and wife, upon said farm (which deponent surveyed as above stated in 1793) - for quite a number of years. - and further deponent would state that he is positive that they were married soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, from the fact that they were married some years before this deponent, which was as appears from an old original record in deponents possession was on the 14th day of January (1789.) Seventeen hundred and Eighty nine.
And further deponent would add, that from his personal acquaintance with said Benjamin Stevens, and his wife, Lydia, he should have the most implicit confidence in any old record which they or either of them should apart contained a true record of the date of their marriage, - as they always have been, considered respectable people, above statements are worthy of credit & belief.
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And further deponent saith that he was appointed town Clerk of said town of Pittsford, about the year 1800, which office he held for over twenty years, and that deponent well knows there were no records of marriages in the town Clerks office, which was solemnized at as early a date as 1784. 
/s/Caleb Hendee
Sworn and subscribed before me this 12th day of April 1847 by Caleb Hendee Esqr who I certify is a credible witness, and further certify that I have examined the records refered to in the foregoing affidavit of the marriage of said Caleb Hendee, - and a charge upon his account book, against Benjamin Stevens, for service in surveying, the date of marriage appears to have been as stated on the 14th January 1789. the date of the above for surveying, as in September 1793. in both of which records, I have full confidence.
The word "book," written above the margins of the foregoing affidavit, and the words. "in deponents possession was" and the words, "or either of them", interlined before executing the foregoing affidavit. 
/s/Sam'l H Kellogg Justice Peace

STATE OF VERMONT,
RUTLAND COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. }
I, Frederick W. Hopkins, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland, do certify that Samuel H. Kellogg Esquire was, at the date of the Certificate to which this is attached, a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified [blank] and that I verily believe his signature to the same is genuine.
[court seal affixed] In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of court, at Rutland in said County, this thirteenth day of April Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and forty seven. 
/s/F. W. Hopkins
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I Sam'l H. Kellogg Clerk of the Town of Pittsford Rutland County Vermont do certify that I have this day inspected the records of Marriages of this Town now in my office & I do not find there recorded the marriage of Benjamin Stevens to Lydia Field, and further, I find no record of Marriages of an earlier date than seventeen hundred & ninety one in my office, Pittsford April 12, 1847 
/s/Sam'l H Kellogg Town Clerk
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[addressed envelope]

Rose N.Y.
April 16
[margin note: May 1, 1847 Add'l to case Lydia Allen]
['20' crossed out]

Hon J. L. Edwards
Com'r of Pensions
Washington D. C.
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[handwritten letter]

Rose, New York,
April 24th 1847.

Sir, 
I have the honor to transmit herewith, additional proof of the marriage of Lydia Allen (was Stevens) an applicant for a pension under the act of 7th July 1838. from Vermont, which with the proof now filed I doubt not will be satisfactory.
I, may have to refer you to the old record on file in your Office, which some three persons [illegible] has been in use over forty years with the affidavits herewith enclosed. - Caleb Hendee Esqr - has been a long time surveyor General of the state, Judge of the Cir Courts, &c. and is, as well as the other witnesses, - a person of high standing in society, - - and the data by which he is guided one such that he cannot be mistaken, 
I have Respectfully, Your Obt Serv't, 
/s/W. G. Wade

Hon J L Edwards
Com'r of Pensions,
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V No 13250
Lydia Allen Vt
Let to W. G. Wade Feb 13th '47
letter to same Nov 19, 1857

act 7 July 1838