Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19356, for Stephen Shearman, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE  NUMBER
Shearman, Stephen
or 
Sherman
Rebecca
CONTENTS
Page 2

24.068
New York
Stephen Sherman 
& Shearman
of Montgomery in the State of new York
who was a Private in the Cause commanded by Captain Reed of the Regt, commanded by Coe, Ellis in the new York line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of new York
At the rate of 80 Dollars – Cents per annum.
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Oct: 1833
And Sent to G.I. Ferguson Johnstown
Arrears to the 4th of issue $200
Semi-an. allowance ending [illegible]  40
$240
{Revolutionary Claim, pct June  7, 1832}
Recorded by G. C. Stiles Clerk,
Book E. Vol 4. Page 121.
Page 3

3/53
Ln to T. I. [illegible] 
Came May 16, 49
Reported
Feby [February] 3/49
New York Albany
Rebecca Sherman
Widow of Stephen Sherman
N.Y.
Who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private;
Inscribed on the Roll at a rate of 80 Dollars ~
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March,  1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3, day of feby 1849
And sent to 
J. J. Shew
Broadalbin
N.Y.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioers under act February 2, 1848, Page 187, Vol. 4
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20291
Stephen Sherman
Montgomery to N. York
Admitted 
Private 2 years
George D. Ferguson
Johnstown
New York
Page 5

WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, had be 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 regulations will  show what is necessary to be done.   These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace (thus: } ). You will, when you return your paper to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of Stephen Sherman Montgomery les. N Y –

[table with the following column headings]
Period when the service was entered.
Duration of the claimant’s service. [subheadings] Years. Months. Days.
Rank of the claimant.
Names and Rang of the Company officers under whom he served.
Names and Rank of the General and Field offices.
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Country through which he marched.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
[rows of table as follows]
1776 | |3 | | pr. |Capt. Reed| Col. Hathaway| |RR | 71 Freetown R Island |
Bel -March 1777 | |13 | | “ | Cap Gills | Col. Tepping | | 
May 1778 | | 11 | | “ |  Cat. Adams - |  Col Elert | 
 | 2 |3|
To Aditionary L. Witness

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 obtains the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory or District of
County of} ss.
On this    day of    personally appeared (a) before   A.B. a resident (b) of   in the county of    and State, Territory or District of   aged (c)   years, who being first duly sworn, in according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)   , with   and served in the   (e) regiment of the   line, under the following named officers:  
[Here set for 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 rand and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [arrow to right]This form is to be carried so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, nave, &c.]
He hereby  relinquishes every flame (f) whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of   
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,  A.B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I   of the Court of   do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Said Court I the matter of the application of   for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office 9i) this   day of   &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman residing in the   and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with   , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be   years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court futrher certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.    who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the   and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the    and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. I,   Clerk of the Court of    do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation of   for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this   day of   &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party with so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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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 are 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 periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental office or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the 
claim cannot be had. Every claimant 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, sate 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 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:--For---year months, and days, I served as a __ . For  ___ months and __ days, I served as a  __; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about area or four months
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely 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 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 late service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the services 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
the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[arrow pointing right] 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 to 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.

[signed] R Newman
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8827
Rebecca Sherman
N. York
Act 7th July  '38
Admitted
2 years
priv
$80 per an
Charles E Jenkins
Johnstown
N. York
Page 9

State of New York
County of Fulton} ss:
On this twenty first day of March
in the year one thousand Eight hundred and forty three
personally appeared before me Joseph Blair a Judge of
the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Fulton (the same
being a Court of record) Rebecca Sherman a resident
of the town of Broadalbin in the County aforesaid aged
Seventy seven 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 7th 1838 entitled
“An act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows”
That she is the widow of Stephen Sherman, who was a
soldier in the revolutionary Army, and was a Pensioner
under the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
She further declares that she was married to the said
Stephen Sherman in the month of December in the year one
thousand Seven hundred and Eighty seven, that her husband the
aforesaid Stephen Sherman died on the twenty second day of January
Eighteen hundred and forty one -
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 stated- She further states that her
Surname previous to her marriage was Dunfee and that she
was married in Tiverton State of Rhode Island - and
owing to infirmity cannot write her name-
Sworn to & Subscribed on
the day & year above written
before me}

[signed] Joseph Blair
one of the Judges
George Sherman
of Fulton County
Courts

Rebecca Sherman  her mark X
Witness [signed] George Sherman
Page 10

I, Joseph Blair a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of
Fulton County do hereby certify that the within named
declarant is aged and infirm and in my opinion unable
to attend Court - Broadablin Mch 21, 1843
[signed] Joseph Blair 
One of the Judges of Fulton County Courts-

State of New York,
Fulton County } ss
George Sherman of the town of Broadalbin County aforesaid aged forty seven years being duly
sworn deposes & says that he is the son of Stephen Sherman
late a Pensioner of the United States -  that his Father the
aforesaid Stephen Sherman died on the twenty second day
of January Eighteen hundred & forty one and that his
Mother Rebecca Sherman the within named applicant
has remained a widow ever since the death of Stephen
Sherman aforesaid –
[signed] George Sherman

Sworn to & subscribed this
21st day of March 1843
before Joseph me}
[signed] Joseph Blair
one of the Judges of Fulton County Courts-

I certify that I am well acquainted with the
above named deponent & that he is a credible witness
Broadalbin March 21. 1843
[signed] Joseph Blair
one of the Judges of Fulton County Courts-
Page 11

State of New York
Fuller County Clerk’s office} ss.
I Stephen Wait Clerk of Fulton County
do hereby certify that Joseph Blair
the person before whom the above and
foregoing affidavit of Rebecca Sherman
purports to have been taken on the twenty first day of
March instant, and the affidavit of George Sherman
also, and who subscribed the certificates accompanying the
said affidavits, was at the date and time of taking
the same a Judge of the County Court of the said
County of Fulton commissioned and sworn and by
the laws of the State of New York duly authorized to
to take the same, and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and verily believe that his name subscribed as Judge to the said
affidavit and certificate is his genuine signature
I’ve testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name
and affixed the seal of said County this 22d day
of March AD 1843
[signed] Stephen Wait Clerk
Page 12

State of New York
Montgomery County} ss
On this seventeenth
day of September in the year of our Lord
one thousand ^(eight hundred &) thirty two personally
appeared in open before the
court of Common Please of the County
of Montgomery was sitting Stephen
Sherman a resident of the town of
Broadalbin in the County of Montgomery
aged seventy [illegible] The fourth day of October
in the year 1831 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 seventeenth one
thousand eight hundred and thirty five
that he [] the service of the United States
under the following named officers and served as
herein stated that he lived in the Town of
Tivertown in Bristol County and State of Rhode I
during the war of the revolution. In the
year of 1776 he entered the service of the United States
as a substitute for Nathan Bowen who
was drafted as a malitia [militia] men to serve for
three months - Marched to Howlands Ferry
where he continued three months and was discharged about the first of March served three
months. Oliver Reed was captain of said company
 Ensign & Lieutenant not recollected Col
Hathaway commanded regiment does not
recollect the name of Lieut. Colonel or []
No regiment where he was then stationed. Company was taken from Regiment commanded by
Colonel Hathaway. In the month of March
1777 volunteered in the fifteen months service in
Page 14

discharge. Has no documentary evidence of his
services.  Was born in Poughkeepsie in the County
of Dutchess & State of New York on the tenth
day of October 1760, Has no record of his age
except what is in his family bible. Lived in the place first
aforesaid when called into service where he
[“has” crossed out] continued to live till he moved to Broadalbin
aforesaid where he now resides and has resided
for 37 years past - heart unto service as aforesaid
stated - has stated the names of officers to the
best of his present recollection. Never received
any discharges. That he is known to the
Reverend William Grover and Richard Betts
who reside in his neighborhood and who can testify
to his character for veracity and their belief of his
services as a solder of the revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to
a pension or annuity except the present and
that his name is not on the pension roll of
the agency of any State
[signed] Stephen Shearman
Sworn to & subscribed in open court
September 20th 1832
[signed] Geo: D. Ferguson Clerk

We William Groom a Clergyman residing in Broadalbin
aforesaid and Richard Betts of the same place hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with Stephen Sherman
who subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him
to be seventy one years of age & that he is reputed and believed
in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of
the revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to & subscribed in open part
this 20th September 1832,
[signed] Wm Groom
[signed] Geo. D. Ferguson Clerk
[signed] Richard Betts
Page 15



And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department, that the above
named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, & served as he
stated. And the Court further certifies that it appears
to them that William Groom who has signed the preceding
certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Broadalbin
in Montgomery County aforesaid, and that Richard Betts who
has also signed the same is a resident of the same town, & is a
credible person, and that their statement is entitled and

I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas of Montgomery County aforesaid, do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the application of
Stephen Sherman for a pension

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & affixed
the seal of my office this 20th
September 1832
[signed] Geo: D. Ferguson
Page 16


State of New York
Montgomery County ss}
 Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a justice of the peace of the town of
Broadalbin in the said County of Montgomery Stephen
Sherman of said Town a revolutionary soldier who
on being duly sworn deposeth and saith in addition to
his declaration made under the
act of Congress passed June 7 1832 for obtaining
a pension under said act, that about the first
day of December 1776 he entered the service of the
United States as the substitute of said Bowen as mentioned in his said declaration and that he served till the first of March following, that he actually
served three months before he was discharged
that soon after (and only a few days after the expiration
of his service aforesaid which was in
March 1777 he volunteered in the 15 months
Service State Troops) went into service in March not
far from the middle of the Month and contined
untill about the middle of April 1778. That
he was in actual service this time not less then
thirteen months. Marched to Howland Ferry upon
going into service at this time immediately after he
volunteered and there remained all the time except
about one month at Fogland Ferry which was the
latter part of September and the fore part of October
In the month of [“May” crossed out] April ^(soon after his discharged) 1778 about the middle
volunteered into the twelve months service in the States troops
Page 17

Went in [] into service. went into service
about the middle of May and continued eleven
months in said service and was discharged
about the middle of [“April”crossed out] March in the year 1779
Volunteered at Howland Ferry and went into service at
that place and there remained until he was discharged
excepting that he marched with ^(a part of) his company of
Artillery to Fall River and there remained about one
month which was in September or October and excepting
the time that he was in Sullivan's expedition at Mitchells
Woods in the month of August about one week and
Butts hill about one week and [illegible]  some few days
in [illegible] and retreating from the enemy during
the expedition - That he served this time not
less than eleven months. And this deponent saith
that all his aforesaid sources were in the fort
or garrison while at Howlands Ferry that his
other services were in the field when not at
Howlands Ferry, that he served with an embedded
corps ^(called into serve by competent authority)
that he was daily under the command
of his officers that his name was called every day
and that he done duty every day during his
said service as a soldier of the revolutionary
army and as a private in said service and for
the time during which the service was performed
he was not employed in any civil pursuit
and he further saith that by reason of old age
and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear
positively to the precise day of entering said service
Page 18

and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear
positively to the precise day of entering said service
or being discharged from the same but that he
knows that he served not less than the periods
aforesaid which make in the whole two years
and three months that he served as a private
and for such service he claims a pension
The words called into service by competent authority; “a part of”
interlined before oath made also the words “March”
& April soon after he was discharged also interlined
The words "April" "May” erased before named
[signed] Stephen Shearman

Broadalbin ss. Personally appeared before me Allen
Burr a justice of the peace of the town of Broadalbin
in the County of Montgomery Stephen Sherman of
said Town and known to me by reputation as
a soldier of the revolution who on being duly
sworn did depose and say that the foregoing
affidavit by him subscribed had been read
to him and that the same is true and I
further certify that the said Stephen Sherman is a credible person and that his statement is entitled
to full credit and belief and that he so appeared
before me as apforesaid this 24th day of June
1833.
[signed] Allen Burr Justice of the Peace of Broadalbin in the County  of Montgomery
Page 19

State of New York
Montgomery County
Clerk's office, ss:

I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk
of the Court of Common pleas of
Montgomery County, do hereby certify
that Allen Burr before whom the
annexed supplemental declaration of
Stephen Shearman purports to have been
sworn, was on the date thereof a Justice of
the peace of the said County; & that I am
well acquainted with his hand writing and
Verily believe that his name subscribed the
said affidavit is Genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & seal of Office this 3d day of
July 1833
[signed] Geo: D. Ferguson

[written along left edge of paper]
Stephen Sherman
Page 20

I, Richard Dunfee of Tiverton in the County of
Newport and State of Rhode Island, do hereby certify and an
oath say, that I am now eighty years of age - that I am
well acquainted with Rebecca Shearman of Broadalbin in the
County of Montgomery and State of New York. that she is my
Sister - that I was well acquainted with her husband, Stephen
Sherman - and that it is more than fifty years since I
first became acquainted with him. And I do hereby
further certify and on oath say, that the said Stephen Shearman
was married to my said Sister Rebecca (then Rebecca Dunfee [underlined]
now Rebecca Shearman) at my house in said Tiverton some
time in the year 1785, 1786, or 1787 - But in which of said
years I cannot positively now say-- I think in 1787. That
it was in one of those years above named that they were married, I recollect from my own marriage and from other
circumstances distinctly within my recollection. The
said Stephen and Rebecca were married by the late Hon.
Thomas Durfee of said Tiverton - I have made search
for, but can find no record of their marriage. Our
vicinity had been for many years previous to their marriage,
a camp ground for our army - and there were no parish
or church records with us in those days-- My said
sister Rebecca lived in my family at the time of her
marriage to the said Stephen Shearman, and for some
time afterwards-
[signed] Richard Dunfee
State of Massachusetts
Bristol County ss.
Fall River March 11th 1843 on this eleventh
Page 21

day of March A.D. 1843, personally appeared the
above named Richard Dunfee, a highly respectable old
gentleman and a credible witness, and made oath
that the foregoing statement by him made
and subscribed is true-
Before me [signed] James Ford Justice of the Peace


Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol Ss. I James Sproat, Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas for said County of Bristol
do hereby certify that James Ford Esq whose
Signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate is
a Justice of the peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly
ified to administer oaths ~
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this thirteenth
of March in the year Eighteen hundred & forth three
[signed] J. Sproat
Page 22

Rev WIDOW, &c.

File No. 1935 6
Rebecca Sherman
Widow of
Stephen Sherman
Pri Rev War
-
Act: Feb 2d 48
Index: -- Vol. M, Page 218
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 23

New-York-7217
Rebecca Sherman
Widow of Stephen Sherman
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June  ‘32
and who died on the 22d January 1841 -
of Fulton Co in the State of New -York
who was a private in the company
commanded by Captain Reed
of the
Regt commanded by Col. Ellis in
the New York line for 2 years-

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 80 - Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day
of March, 1836.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of
May 1843 and sent to Chs. E. Jenkins, Johnstown, N.Yk.
---
Arrears to the 4th of
Semi annual allowance ending
-
$400.00-
(Act July 7, 1838.)
Recorded by HeMStewart
Book A No. 2 - Page 103
Ref May 14
Page 24

1104
New York Albany ┃
Rebecca Sherman
widow of Stephen Sherman
who was a Private
in the New York line
for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars -
Cents per annum, to commence of
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
25th day of July, 1843.
and sent to
Ch. E. Jenkins
Johnstown
N. Y.

(Act of March 3, 1843.)
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 113.
Page 25

State of Rhode Island &c
County of Newport} ss.
Town Clerks Office. Tiverton March 6th 1843
I Asa Gray, Town Clerk of the town of Tiverton in the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that I have
the keeping of the records of births and marriages in the
said town, and I have diligently searched the said
Records of Marriages and cannot find a record of the marriage of Stephen Shearman and Rebecca Dunfee thereon
[signed] Asa Gray Town Clerk
Page 26

[illegible] Nov 17
James L. Edwards Esq.
Com. of Pensions
Washington by D.C.
Page 27

Broadalbin, Fulton County. N.Y
Nov. 16th 1848

Sir,
Please examine the enclosed declaration of Elizabeth Brown
widow of Joseph Brown and, also that of Rebeca Sherman, widow of
Stephen Sherman, applicants for a pension under the act of Congress
of Feby. 2d 1848, and communicate to me your most favorable
decision in each case
Respectfully &c,
[signed] John J. Shew

N. B. In July or August last I forwarded to the Pension Office
two claims under the above recited act to wit: Elizabeth Perry
widow of Almon Perry & that of Eve Bush, widow of John Bush
and have not, as yet, heard from them. Have they been read
at the Pension Office? If they have, please re-examine the claim of
Eve Bush from the fact that on the 1st July 1848 Congress passed "A joint Resolution relative to evidence in application for pensions,” which allows to Eve Bush a full Pension if I mistake not. Please examine & see, & then communicate to me the result of your conclusions.
Respectfully &c
[signed] John J. Shew

J.L. Edwards Esq Com. of Pensions
Page 28

I, Isaac Negus of Tiverton in the County of
Newport and state of Rhode Island do certify on oath
and say that I am in my eighty ninth year of age that
I am well acquainted with Rebecca Sherman of
the town of Broadalbin in the County of Montgomery
and State of New York, the widow of Stephen Sherman
late of said Broadalbin, deceased. that I was well acquainted with her ^(late) husband, the said Stephen Sherman, I knew the said Stephen Sherman and the said Rebecca
before they were married & when her name was Rebecca
Dunfee. They lived in said town of Tiverton before
and during the Revolutionary War- The said Rebecca
Sherman then lived with her brother Richard Dunfee
They were married a few years after peace was declared
at the house of said Richard Dunfee. They were
married either in the year 1785-1786- on 1787, but
I am not able to say now in which of those years they
were married-
(signed) Isaac Negus

State of Massachusetts
County of Bristol Ss. Fall River March 1st 1843. Personally
appeared the above named Isaac Negus, a very respectable
old gentleman and a credible witness, and made oath that the
foregoing statement or affidavit by him made and
subscribed, is true
Before me [signed] James Ford Jus. of Peace
Page 29

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss.
I, James Sproat, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that James Ford Esquire, whose signatures is affixed to the foregoing certificate is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths. ~

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Taunton, this twenty first day of June, in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two –
[signed] J.L. Sproat
Page 30

I, Joseph Cook of Tiverton in the County
of Newport and State of Rhode Island, on oath do
certify and say that I am well acquainted with Rebecca
Sherman of Bradalbin [Broadalbin], County of Montgomery and State of New York, widow of Stephen Sherman, late of said Broadalbin, deceased - that I was
well acquainted with and lived a near neighbor
to the said Stephen Sherman & Rebecca Sherman
both before and after they were married-
The said Rebecca lived in the family with her brother, Richard Dunfee, for some time previous to her marriage, at the time of her marriage, and for
some time after her marriage to the said Stephen Sherman – 

The exact year in which the said Stephen
Sherman was married to the said Rebecca Dunfee,
I do not distinctly recollect. But from circumstances within my recollection & about which I cannot be mistaken, I am positive that they were married between the years 1785 and 1790-
the year when they removed from this state, I
do not remember, but it was not until several
years after they were married - I am now seventy
six years of age-
[signed] Joseph Cook
State of Massachusetts
Bristol County ss.
On this twenty eighth day of
February A.D. 1843 personally appeared the above named
Page 31

Joseph Cook, a respectable citizen, and a credible
witness and made oath that the foregoing statement
& certificate by him made & subscribed is true
Before me [signed] James Ford Jus. of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol Ss.
I, James Sproat, Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify
the James Ford Esq. whose signature is
affixed to the forgoing certificate is a Justice of the peace in &
for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
seal of said Court, this thirteenth day of
March in the year Eighteen hundred & forty three.
[signed] J. L. Sproat
Page 32

I, John Manchester of Tiverton in the State of Rhode
Island, of lawful age to give evidence, do testify and
say, that in the month of June in the year of our
Lord seventeen hundred and seventy eight, I enlisted
in the service of my country, that when I enlisted in
that service, I found Stephen Shearman, then of said
Tiverton, but now of Broad Albin in the County of
Montgomery and State of New York, in the service
of his country, in the Revolutionary war, in the State
service, so called, in Captain Adams' company
of artillery, in Colonel Eliot's Regiment, stationed at 
Howland’s Ferry, so called, in said Tiverton and that the
said Stephen Shearman continued to serve in
said Adam's company nine months, from said
June seventeen hundred and seventy eight to March
Seventeen hundred and seventy nine, when the
said Stephen Shearman was regularly discharged- And further the deponent saith not
[signed] John Manchester
Bristol ss May June 18th 1839,
Then personally appeared the above named John Manchester ^(a disinterested and credible Person) and made oath that the above statement by him made and
subscribed is just and true in all its parts
Peace
Before me [signed] James Ford Justice of the Peace
Page 33

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss.
I, James Sproat, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that James Ford Esquire, whose signatures is affixed to the foregoing certificate is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths. ~

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Taunton, this twenty first day of June, in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two –
[signed] J.L. Sproat
Page 34

I, Thomas Butts of Troy in the County of Bristol
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful
age to give evidence, do testify and say, that Stephen
Shearman now living in Broad Albion in the County of 
Montgomery and State of New-York was with me in
the service of our country in the Revolutionary war
in Capt Oliver Reed’s company of Infantry, stationed at and
near Howlands Ferry in Tiverton in the State of
Rhode Island, stationed as a guard at that place, and
that the said Shearman served in said Company, in
the state service, so called, from the first of December
in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and
seventy six to the first of March following, being
three months - And further the deponent saith not
[signed] Thomas Butts

Bristol Ss. Troy June 18th 1832 - Personally appeared
the above named Thomas Butts ^(a disinterested and credible person) and made oath that the
above statement by him made and subscribed is just
and true in all its parts
Before me [signed]  James Ford Justice of the Peace
Page 35

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss.
I, James Sproat, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that James Ford Esquire, whose signatures is affixed to the foregoing certificate is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths. ~

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Taunton, this twenty first day of June, in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two –
[signed] J.L. Sproat
Page 36



I William Barden of Tiverton in the State of
Rhode Island, of lawful age to give evidence
do testify and say, that in the month of March
in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and
seventy seven, Stephen Shearman, then living in said
Tiverton, now of Broad Albin in the County of Montgomery and State of New-York, joined a company of
Infantry commanded by Capt Abel Gibbs in the war
of the Revolution, in Colonel Toppin's Regiment
in the State service, so called, stationed at Howland’s
Ferry in said Tiverton, and that he continued in
the service of his country, in said Gibb's company
until some time in the month of April in the
year of our Lord seventeen hundred and seventy
eight, about thirteen months, when he was regularly discharged-
I further testify and say, that the said Stephen
Shearman enlisted again in the service of his
country, in the Revolutionary war, in the month
of April in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred
and seventy eight, in the company commanded
by Capt. Adams, a company of Artillary, and in Colonel
Elliot's Regiment - Said Shearman was stationed
at Howlands Ferry in Tiverton aforesaid, in the
State service, so called, and continued to serve in said
company, in said State service in the war of the
Revolution until the March following, which was
in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and
seventy nine, being eleven months, when he was
regularly discharged. And further the deponent saith not.
[signed] William Barden
Bristol ss Troy June 18th 1832 - Personally appeared
the above named William Barden ^( a disinterested and credible person)
and made oath that the
above statement by him made and subscribed is just and
true in all parts -
Before me [signed] James Ford Justice of the peace
Page 37

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss.
I, James Sproat, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that James Ford Esquire, whose signatures is affixed to the foregoing certificate is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths. ~

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Taunton, this twenty first day of June, in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two –
[signed] J.L. Sproat
Page 38

I, Jeremiah Dwelly of Tiverton in the state of Rhode Island of lawful age to give evidence, do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Stephen Shearman in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and seventy seven that he then lived in Tiverton aforesaid, that during the greater part of that year the said Shearman was in the service of his country in the War of the Revolution, that he was in the company commanded by Capt. Abel Gibbs, a company of Infantry, and in Col. Toppins Regiment, stationed at Howland’s Ferry – and that he continued in said Gibbs ^ (company) during the early part of the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight – but the exact time when the said Shearman enlisted in said Gibb’s company, on the particular month when he was discharged is not recollected by me the said deponent – 
I further testify and say that the said Stephen Shearman was in the service of his country in the Revolutionary war, in the states service, so called, in a company of artillery commanded by Capt. Adams and I Colonel Eliot’s Regiment, stationed at Howland Ferry in said Tiverton during most of the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight and a part of the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine- but at what particular day or month, the said Sharman enlisted or was discharged is not recalled by me the said deponent – and further the deponent saith not.
[signed] Jeramiah Dwelly

Bristol ss. [illegible] June 18th 1832 – Personally appeared the above named Jeremiah Dwelly ^(a disinterested and [illegible] person) and made oath that the above statement by him made and subscribed is just and true in all its parts.
Before me [signed] James Ford Justice of the peace
Page 39

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss.
I James Sproat, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify, that James Ford Esquire whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certification is a Justice of the Peace, in & for said County of Bristol and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court at Taunton , this Twenty first day of June, in the year of our Lord, Eighteen Hundred and Thirty two.
[signed] Jas Sproat
Page 40

 I, Hanna Wrightington of Fall River in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, widow, do hereby certify and an oath say  that I am seventy nine year of age, that I am well acquainted with Rebecca Shearmen of Broadalbin in the county of Montgomery and State of New-York and have been acquainted with her for more than fifty years. I was well acquainted with Stephen Shearman, the late husband of said Rebecca Shearman – I knew them both before they were married – I very well remember that they were married at the house of Deacon Richard Dunfee in Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island – They were married in 1786 or in 1787  -  think in the latter year – I am the more convinced that it was in 1787, because I am satisfied that my oldest son was born the same year in which they were married – The said Stephen and Rebecca were married by the Hon. Thomas Dunfee of Tiverton aforesaid – I was present and say them married -  [signed] Hannah Wrightington

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol County SS. – On this eleventh day of March A. D. 1943, personally appeared the above named Hannah Wrightington and made oath that the foregoing statement by her made & subscribed is true
Before me [signed] James Ford Just of Peace
Page 41

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss.
I James Sproat, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol do hereby certify that James Ford Esq whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate, is a Justice of the peace, in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this thirteenth day of March  in the year of our Lord, Eighteen Hundred & forty three.
[signed] Jas. Sproat
Page 42

State of New York
County of Fulton} ss: On this 13th day of November 1848, Personally appeared before me, Alvah Hill a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Rebecca Sherman, A resident of the town of Broadalbin, in said County of Fulton, aged Eighty-two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 2nd February 1848, granting pension to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Stephen Sherman, who was a pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832, at the rate of Eight dollars per annum, who was a resident of the said town of Broadalbin at the time he was a pensioner, and that under the Act of 17th June 1844.  She received a pension at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum by virtue of the services rendered to the United States during the Revolutionary war.  She, therefore, hereby claims a pension by virtue of the first above recited act of Congress.
She further declares that she is still the widow of Stephen Sherman aforesaid.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written before me}
[signed]Alvah Hill Justice peace.
Rebecca Sherman X her mark
I certify that by reason of an advanced age, the above named Rebecca Sherman cannot write, therefore made her mark above in my presence, and that I am well acquainted with her, and that she is the widow of Stephen Sherman above named, and that she is the same individual who received a pension under the Act of Congress of June 17th 1844, as stated by her in the foregoing declaration.
[signed] Alvah Hill Justice of the peace
Page 43

State of New York
Fulton County Clerks office}
I Stephen Wait Clerk of said County do
hereby certify that Alvah Hill Esqr before
whom the within and foregoing Declaration
of Rebecca Sherman was made & taken
was at the date & time of taking the same, a Justice of
the peace in & for said County, dwelling in said
County & duly & legally authorized to take the same
and further that I am well acquainted with the
hand writing of said Justice, and verily believe his
name subscribed to the fact at of said Declaration &
to the certificate following said declaration are his
genuine Signature
In testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal
of said County the 15th day of November AD 1848
[signed] S. Wait Clerk
Page 44

1267
Rebecca Sherman
$80 her a

Ch, E. Jenkins
Johnstown
N. York
Page 45

STATE OF NEW-YORK
County of Fulton }ss.
On this 13 day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred forty-three before the subscriber, a Justice of the peace in the & for the County aforesaid personally appeared Rebecca Sherman a resident of the town of Broadalbin in said county, ages Seventy seven years who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3d of March  1843, granting pension to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war:
That she is the widow of Stephen Sherman who was a private in the revolutionary war.  That she is unable to State the name of the regiment in which he served but refers to part of the same to the papers next to the {] office by him when he applied for a pension under act of June 7, 1832.

She further declares that she was a Pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, and that the annual amount of the pension which she received under the said act was Eighty Dollars.
She further declares that she is still a widow.  & owing to infirmity cannot write
Rebecca Sherman X her mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written}
Allen Burr Justice of the Peace
 Chas. E  Jenkins
* Certify that the above declarant is personally known to me.
Allen Burr Justice of the Peace
State of New-York, County of Fulton }ss.
I, Stephen Wait clerk of said county, do hereby certify that Allen Burr was on the day of the date of the above jurat and certificate, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, duly appointed and qualified, and that the signature above, purporting to be his  is genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name, this 13th day of May 1843.
Stephen Wait Clerk
Page 46

James S Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
War Dept
Washington
Page 47

Johnstown Mch 22. 1843
James L. Edwards Esq
Commission of Pensions
Sir,
I herewith transmit to you the application of Mrs. Rebecca Sherman, for a pension un der the Act of July 7. 1838, with the proofs in support of her claim –
I wrote you sine time since from Albany, requesting you to send me the a copy of the act passed Mch 3, 1843, with the regulations proscribed under the same. If you have not  already sent them to me at Albany, please enclose them to me at this place and also any other papers or documents which you may transmit to me for the future.
I am Sir Your obt Servt,
[signed] Chas E Jenkins