Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,074, for Josiah Stearns, Massachusetts
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SERVICE Continental 
Massachusetts sesses CONTENTS 
Stearns, Josiah 
Sarah - 
NUMBER W. 20.074
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[Left side:]
1032
Massachusetts
Sarah Stearns
widow of Josiah
Massachusetts
who served in the Revolutionary war
as a private
Increased from $80
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 96 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence
on the 5th, 1848.
1st of July
Certificate of Pension issued
the 25th day of October 1837
and sent to
H. Woodman Esquire
Boston
Massachusetts
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 236 Volume 14

[Right side:]
Letter Mary Mills
April 16/[18]56
Page 3


1935
Massachusetts.
Josiah Stearns, 4
private
Massachusetts line [17]77- 3 years
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 8- Dollars per month, to commence on 
the 4th of April 1818.
ice of
Certificate of Pension issued the 27th July [18]18
and sent to Stephen Minot, Esquire
Haverhill Massachusetts
Arrears to 4th of September 1818
5 Months 1/30. $40.26.
Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818 }
Billerica, Middlesex County
Continental
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Notification sent October 26, 1820 to Abraham Bigelow Cambridge, Massachusetts
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I, Josiah Stearns of the age of 56 years, declare and say that
I am a resident Citizen of the United States; that I reside in and belong to Bellerica in the County of Middlesex, in the Middle Circuit, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; That in the year 1777 I inlisted for three years, as a private soldier into the Army of the Revolutionary War. I entered the service about the first of August 1777 in Captain Joseph Fox's company in Colonel Henry Jackson's regiment, of the Massachusetts line, and served therein accordingly, the three years out of war and was regularly
discharged near King's Ferry, about the 1st of August 1781, by Colonel H.
Jackson: I had a regular discharge; but my house has since been burnt the said discharge was burnt in it. I further say that I am, by
reason of my reduced circumstances in life, in need of instance from my country for support, and I never had any pension allowed me by the
laws of the United States
Josiah Stearns
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex April 4. 1818 Then the above
named Josiah Stearns made solemn oath that the above declaration is true
before me,
Stephen Minot,
Judge of of the Circuit Court
of Common Pleas for the
Middle Circuit
I, Asa Spaulding, depose and say that I know
the above named
Josiah Stearns, I was in the army with him and say that he inlisted and served and is needy as he above states
Asa Spaulding
Middlesex ss. April 4. 1818 Then the above named Asa Spaulding made
oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true, before me,
Stephen Minot, Judge of the Circuit Court, etc.
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Whereupon, it appearing to my satisfaction that the said Joseph Stearns
did serve in the Revolutionary war, as stated in his declaration aforesaid
against the common enemy, I now certify and transmit the testimony in
the case of the proceedings had thereon to the Secretary of the Department
of war
Stephen Minot
Judge of the Circuit Court
of Common Pleas for the Middle Circuit
I also certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the
said Joseph Stearns is in very reduced and
indigent circumstances and in need of assistance for support.
Stephen Minot, Judge as aforesaid
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Josiah Stearns
1435
July 1818
Residence
[illegible]
Page 8


Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
MIDDLESEX, ss.
At the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Middle Circuit, begun
and holden at Concord, within and for the County of Middlesex, on
the second Monday of June
A. D. 1820.
Before the Honorable SAMUEL DANA, Esquire, Chief Justice,
and
WILLIAM WETMORE, and STEPHEN MINOT, Esquires, Associate Justices of said Court.
In open Court here, being a Court of Record for said Circuit, proceeding according
to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in
point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings, and having the power
of fine and imprisonment, Josiah Stearns
resident
in said Circuit, who is named in Pension Certificate No. 1935
now in his possession, of which the following is a true copy, to wit,
"WAR DEPARTMENT REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
"I certify that, in conformity with the Law of the United States of the
18 March 1818, Josiah Stearns
late a
Private
in the army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the
"Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of eight
dollars per month, to commence on the fourth
day of
April
one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
"Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty seventh
L. S.
day of July
one thousand eight hundred and
eighteen
J. C. CALHOUN, Secretary of War,"
appears, and exhibits to the Court here a Schedule, subscribed by him, as
follows, to wit,
SCHEDULE,
containing his whole estate and income, his necessary clothing and bedding
excepted, to wit,
" Chairs valued at….$2,00
Table….,75
Iron ware….4,50
Crockery and Glass ware…2,50
Looking Glass….,75
Knives forks and spoons…1,50
Scythe, hoe and axe…1,00
Barrels….1,50
$13..50
The Declarants family consists of himself and wife
and one child, his age of sixty one her age sixty
his daughter age fifteen, the said Stearns further
declares that for four years past he has been
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troubled with a chronick [sic] affection in his right side
occasioned by a fall four years since, that his occupation
is that of a labourer, that he is also lame in his left arm
occasioned by its being broken in the year 1814
the said Stearns further states that he enlisted in
to the service during the Revolutionary war on the second
day of August AD 1776 to serve for one year and was
discharged a few days before the year elapsed in consequence of sickness, that he was attached to Captain
Farringtons company, Colonel Sargents Regiment. that he again
enlisted in the month of May or June AD 1777 for the term
of three months and served those three month, under
Captain Minot and was then discharged.
That he again enlisted on the second day of August
1777 to serve for three years, that he was attached to
Captain Joseph Fox's company the ninth Massachusetts
Regiment commanded by Colonel Henry Jackson, that
he served the said three years and was discharged
on the second day of August AD 1780
that he again enlisted in the Autumn of 1781 for the
term of three months was attached to Captain ___
Company in Colonel Sergeants Regiment that he served
the said three months and was honourably discharged
Josiah Stearns
Sworn to before Stephen Minot Judge of said Court "
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and at the same time he produces to the Court here the following Oath, taken
and subscribed by him, before the Honorable Stephen Minot 
a Judge of said Court as aforesaid, to wit,
I, Josiah Stearns, do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the
United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and
that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property
, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the
provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the
land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war,” passed on the eighteenth
day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, nor has any
person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I
any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.
So help me GOD.
Josiah Stearns
Middlesex ss. C.C.C.P. June Term, A. D. 1820
Then the above named Josiah Stearns
took and subscribed the aforewritten Oath before me,
Stephen Minot Judge of said Court.
I, ABRAHAM BIGLOW, Clerk of the Court aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the
foregoing Oath, and Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the
record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the
said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the
aforesaid Schedule is thirteen dollars and fifty cents.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed
the seal of the said Court, at Cambridge, in said County of
Middlesex, on this 20th day of July 1820
Attestor  Abraham Bigelow
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Deposition 
2818 
Sarah Stearns 
widow of Josiah 
Massachusetts 
Act 7 July[18]38 
83.31
Admitted
2 years private
$80
No deduction
Marshall Preston 
Billerica Massachusetts
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex County SS
On this fifteenth day of September in the year
of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty Eight, personally
appeared before the Honorable Judge of the Police Court of
The city of Lowell within said
County of Middlesex, Sarah Stearns, a resident of
Billerica in said County of Middlesex, aged Seventy
six 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 granted
half pay and pensions to certain widows, that she is the
widow of Josiah Stearns, who was a private soldier
in the army of the American Revolution, who enlisted at
Billerica on the 2nd day of August AD. 1777 to serve for three
years, that he was attached to Captain Joseph Fox's company
the ninth Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Colonel Henry Jackson, that he served the said three years and was
discharged on the 2nd day of August AD 1780 - In evidence
of the service of her said Husband, she refers to the record 
at the War Department and the evidence, accompanying
her said Husband’s claim for a pension, under the pension
Law of 1818. That the said Steams was a pensioner under the law. she further declares, that she was married to the
said Josiah Stearns in Concord in said County of Mid-
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-dlesex some time in the month of February, AD. 1783
That her husband the aforesaid Josiah Stearns, died
at said Billerica the twenty third day of March 1831 that
she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service
but the marriage took place previous to the first day
of January, Seventeen hundred and Ninety four, viz at the
time above stated.
Sarah Stearns X her mark
Attest M. Preston
Sworn to & subscribed on the day and year
above written before
Joseph Locke, Justice of the
Police Court of Lowell
J. Albert Locke Clerk of the
Police Court of Lowell in the County
of Middlesex and Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, hereby certify that
Joseph Locke Esquire, above named
is a justice of a court of record and that his
signature above is his genuine signature
In witness whereof I hereunto put my
name and the seal of said Court this fifteenth
day of September in the year eighteen hundred
and thirty eight December
Albert Locke Clerk Police Court of Lowell
L
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. I, Albert Locke Clerk of
the Police Court of Lowell in the County
aforesaid hereby certify that Marshall
Preston Esquire is a justice of the peace
within and for the County of Middlesex
aforesaid, and that his signature to the
certificate following annexed hereto
is genuine
In testimony whereof I hereunto put
my name and the seal of said Court
this twenty second day of October in the
year eighteen hundred and thirty eight
Albert Locke Clerk Police court Lowell
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I Mary Gerry of Billerica in the County
of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachussetts, of lawful age on oath depose and 
say that my father Josiah Stearns, late of Billerica 
aforesaid, and Husband of my mother, Sarah Stearns
now resident in said Billeica died or was buried
on or about the twenty fourth day of March in
the year 1831. - that my mother, the said Sarah
Stearns still remains the widow of my said Father
she never having married again.
Mary Gerry
Middlesex Ss. August 28th 1838. Then personally
appeared the above named Mary Gerry, with above
I am well acquainted and whose testimony in my
opinion is entitled to full credit and belief and made oath
to the truth of the statement by her above subscribed.
Before me Marshall Preston Justice of the peace
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I, Alice Stearns of Temple in the County
of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire
Widow of Samuel Stearns of said Temple
Deceased of the age of Sixty Eight years depose
and say that I was present and saw my Brother,
the late Josiah Stearns of Billerica in the County
of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts deceased
married to his late wife (then Sarah Davis) now Sarah
Stearns of said Billerica the present widow of my said
Brother-- The marriage took place at Concord in
said Middlesex County in the spring or summer
of the year 1783 the month I cannot distinctly state.
But the fact of the marriage I well recollect, and
that the said marriage was performed by Doctor Cummings then a Justice of the Peace for said County
Alice Stevens

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough Ss.
August 10th 1838 Then personally
appeared the above named Alice Stearns who
Is well known to me and who is a credible witness
and made oath to the truth of the above deposition
by her subscribed
Before me
Benjamin Russell, justice of the peace
I, Andrew Wallace Clerk of the Superior Court
of judicature for the County of Hillsborough in
State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that
Benjamin Russell above named is a Justice
the Peace for said County of Hillsborough
above, and that the foregoing signature
purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
affixed the seal of said Court and
subscribed my name at Amherst
in said County, this eighth day
of September Anno Domini 1838
A. Wallace Clerk
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An Extract from the Town Records for the Town of
Carlisle, County of Middlesex and Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
The names of Josiah Stearns of Billerica and
Sarah Davis of Carlisle and their intentions of marriage
was entered January the 30: 1783 and their names and
such their intention was publickly declared at the Meeting
hun in said Carlisle the Sabbath day following
I, Calvin Heald of Carlisle, County and Commonwealth
aforesaid, depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk
in the said Town of Carlisle and that the above is a
true extract from the Records of marriages of said Town
and I further depose and say that dilligent [sic] search has
been made in said Records and no record of the marriage
of said Josiah and Sarah can be found in said Records
Calvin Heald
Town Clerk
Carlisle
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex Ss. August 7th 1839
Sworn to before me
Marshall Preston
Justice of the Peace
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D.C.
In reply to your request of___
for a statement of the military history of Josiah Stearns
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[Table of five columns, headed:]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. || LENGTH OF SERVICE. || RANK.|| OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. || STATE
CAPTAIN.
August 20, 1776 ||1 year || Private || Captain Farrington ||Colonel  Sargent || Massachusetts.
May 1777 || 3 months || Private || Captain Minot, Colonel Sargent  || Massachusetts.
August 2, 1777 ||3 years || Private || Captain Joseph Fox ||Colonel Henry Jackson || Massachusetts.
Fall 1781 || 3 months || Private || Captain Joseph Fox || Colonel Sargent || Massachusetts.
Battles engaged in, None stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted at Billerica Middlesex County Massachusetts
Date of application for pension, April 4, 1818. His certificate received July 27, 1818.
Residence at date of application, Billerica Massachusetts
Age at date of application, 56 years. Date and place of birth not stated.
Remarks: Soldier married in February 1783 at Concord Middlesex Massachusetts, Sarah Davis, Carlisle Massachusetts. He died March 23 1831 at Billerica Massachusetts and she was allowed pension on her application on September 15, 1838 at which time she was 76 years old and resided in Billerica Massachusetts. She died in 1832. A daughter, Mary Gerry resided in Billerica until 1838. In 1856 there five surviving children; Mary Mills, Timothy, John, Elizabeth Coggshall and Asenalte Shed.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
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Brief in the case of Sarah Stearns, widow of Josiah Stearns Middlesex County and State of Massachusetts 
Act 2 February 1848 
Claim, (for increase.) 
Proof exhibited, (if original.) 
Is it documentary, tractionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. 
(If for increase.) Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? 
Increased under the Joint Resolution of July 1, 1848 from $80 to $96 per annum 
Name and residence of Agent. 
N. Woodman 
Boston Massachusetts
S. Cole 
Examining Clerk
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WAR DEPARTMENT. WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2, 1848, Sarah Steams 
widow of Josiah Stearns 
who was a private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum, commencing on the 4th of March, 1848, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage 
Given at the War Office of the United States this 31st day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty eight. 
W. L. Marcy Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned 
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions. 
By F. S. Evans
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Boston, Mass. October 13. 1851 
Sir,
I send herewith the original pension certificate of Sarah Stearns, widow Jonial Stearns, a private in the Revolutionary War , dated July 1, 1848, for eighty dollars per annum,- together with her application for an increase of her pension from eighty dollars per annum, to ninety six dollars per annum, and also for arrearages of the deficiency during the time she has been receiving the said pension. 
I am, respectfully your obedient servant
Horatio Woodman, 
By W. R. 
James E. Heath Esquire 
Commissioner of Pension 
Washington City
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Billerica April 14, 1843. 
To the Commissioner of Pensions 
Dear Sir 
Enclosed I send you the application of Sarah Stearns for a renewal of her pension as the widow of Josiah Stearns a Revolutionary soldier. I have prepared the papers with as much accuracy as I could, not having yet seen the Law.-- I wish you would have the goodness to send me a set of instructions if my present application does not conform.
 Respectfully your Obedient Servant 
Marshall Preston. Present 
Billerica Massachusetts
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Billerica July 22. 1848 
J. L. Edwards Esquire 
Dear Sir 
I herewith enclose to you the application of Sarah Stearns, Hannah Sandman alias Wright, and Hannah Farmer for a renewal of their pensions, under the late Law in the subject of Widows Pensions
Respectfully your Obedient Servant 
Marshall Preston . 
P.S. Will Mr Edwards be kind enough to inform me, what the enclosed Blanks, cost, as I am charged one dollar a piece for them at the Pension Office Boston Massachusetts
Page 24

Deposition of Marshall Preston, to be used in the case
of Sarah Steams widow of the late Josiah Stearns, applicant
for a pension under the first section of the act of July
7th 1838-
I, Marshall Preston of Billerica in the County
of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts
lawful age, on oath depose and say, that I have
made diligent search for a record of the marriage of
said Sarah and Josiah, upon the Town Clerk’s Records
of the Town of Concord in said County, where the
magistrate, Doctor Cumings, lived at the time he solemnized
the said Marriage, also the Town Clerk's Record of the
Town of Carlisle in said County when the said Sarah
lived at the time of her marriage, and upon neither of
those Records, can I find any record of her marriage,
I also further depose and say that I have searched
the Town Clerk's Records of the Town of Billerica, now
under my care, where the said Josiah lived at the time
of his marriage, and that I cannot any record of the
said marriage on
the Town Clerk's record of said Carlisle
I found the Record of the publication of the banns of Matrimony
between the said Josiah and Sarah. I have known the said
Sarah and Josiah for about twenty years and that during
that time, until his death they lived together as man
wife and have a large family of children,
Marshall Preston
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County, Ss.
Be it known that on this fifteenth
day of May in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred
Thirty nine personally appeared before the subscriber
a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Middlesex
Marshall Preston, and made oath to the truth of the Deposition by him above subscribed.
John A. Knowles Justice of the Peace.
Page 25

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. District of Lowell 
I, Albert Locke Clerk of the Police Court of Lowell in said County, hereby certify that John A. Knowles Esquire. is a Justice of the peace within and for said County duly commissioned and acting as such, and that his signature within is his genuine signature
In witness whereof I hereto put my name and the seal of said Court this fifteenth day of May in the year 1839 Albert Locke Clerk Police court of Lowell
Page 26

I, Job Hill of Billerica in the County of
Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of
eighty five years of age, on oath depose and say that
I have been acquainted with one Josiah
Stearns, who died at Billerica a few years since
an United States Pensioner - that said Steams immediately
after the Revolutionary War, moved
into a house that I owned in my immediate
neighborhood, having first the married his wife
the present widow Sarah Stearns of Billerica that
she came either from Concord or Carlisle, I do not
recollect which. that said Stearns continued to
live several years in my neighborhood and in the
vicinity and had a number of children, that
I continued to know him until his death, and
never heard the least suspicion, that he was not
truly married; he and the said Widow Sarah
Stearns continued to live together as man and wife
until his death and brought up a large family
of children - I well recollect the birth of their
first child as I assisted in collecting the women
to attend in the occasion
Job Hill

Middlesex August 16th 1839-
Sworn to before me
Marshall Preston Justice of the Peace
Page 27

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss.
District of Lowell
I, Albert Locke Clerk of the police
Court of Lowell aforesaid in the County
aforesaid, hereby certify that Marshall
Preston Esquire above named, whose attestations
preceding, dated August 7th August 15th August 16th
instant to the depositions of Calvin Heald,
Nehemiah Ball, and Job Hill is and
was at said times a justice of the peace
within and for said County of Middlesex
duly commissioned and acting, that his
Commission is dated January 5. 1836 and
will expire January 5, 1843 and that his
signatures three times herein before are
genuine
In witness whereof I do
hereto put my name and
the seal of said Police
Court this nineteenth day
of August in the year of
our Lord 1839
Albert Locke Clerk
Page 28

I, Nehemiah Ball of Concord in the County of Middlesex
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age or
oath, depose and say, that I am Town Clerk of the Town of
Concord, and have held that office for nearly four
years last past that I have diligently searched the
Record of Marriages of said Town, now in my possession
from the year 1775 to 1800. that I find entries upon
said Record of marriages solemnized by John Cumings
Esquire during that time, but none in 1783, and but two in 1782
but in other years a member. that I do not find any
any of the marriage of Josiah Steams, that it appears
by said Record, that the magistrates and ministers, were
not in the habit of returning their marriages, annually
but only occasionally, and then embracing their marriages
for a number of years at a time-- that I should not
that the not finding any entry of a Marriage, upon our
Record, solemnized by said Cumings, could rain much of
presumption against the marriage, because I have
had many applications for certificate of marriages
solemnized by him, which cannot be found upon Record
and because them seems but very few marriage, recorded
by him about the year 1783.
Nehemiah Ball
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. August 13th 1839. Then personally appeared
the one named Nehemiah Ball and made solemn
oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed
Before me
Marshall Preston Justice of the Peace
Page 29

To the Honorable Jefferson Davis, Secretary of War.
The Petition of Mary Wills of Billerica in
the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts
Humbly Sheweth.
That Josiah Stearns of Billerica aforesaid
was a Revolutionary Pensioner and died in
March 1831, And that Sarah Stearns his
wife became a pensioner, under the five
years Act in 1839. That the said Sarah died
in 1851, not having received her full pension
your petitioner thinks that record will show
that some years she received no pension and
in some other years she received but Eighty
dollars when she was justly entitled to ninety 
six dollars.-- Your petition would also
State that five children of the aforesaid
Josiah and Sarah Steams are now living viz.
Mary Mills aforesaid and Timothy D Stearns of 
Billerica, John Stearns of Manchester New Hampshire
Elizabeth Coggshall and Asenath Shed of Lowell
Massachusetts-- Your petitioner would also State
that a few months since she executed a
petition for the above arrearages which was
forwarded to her above named brothers and
Sisters, from which she received no return.
it is under the act of Congress of 1855 that you
Page 30

Petition claims arrearages. And she
respectfully requests immediate information
respecting her future course relative to
the same
Mary Mills
Billerica March 27th 1856.
Middler S.
Billerica March 27th 1855
Personally appeared before me the above
Signed Mary Mills and made Oath to the
truth of the statements and facts contained
in the within petition
Amos Spalding Justice of
the Peace
Page 31

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, October 13 1851
I, hereby Certify. That at the date of the
annexed attestation John Baldwin, Jr. was a
Justice of the Peace for the
County of Middlesex
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and qualified;
and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and
credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the
Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Amara Walker
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 32

Due to $96 deducting $80
Commencing 1 July 1848
H. Woodman
Boston Massachusetts

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of
I, Sarah Stearns, having been duly sworn,
depose and say, that I am the identical Sarah Stearns,
mentioned in the accompanying pension certificate for
eighty dollars per annum, dated the thirty first day ┃
of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty Eight,
and numbered 1032, granted to me as the widow of
Josiah Stearns, who was a private in the revolutionary war, and that I am, and have been since said date
entitled to a pension at the rate of ninety six dollars
per annum; wherefore I pray that the said certificate
may be altered to ninety six dollars per annum
and arrearages, and that the same may be sent
to Horatio Woodman, Boston, Massachusetts
Sarah Stearns X her mark
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me,
this fourth day of October A.D. 1851
John Baldwin Jr. Justice of the Peace
Page 33

Admitted 
Marshall Preston 
Bellerica Massachusetts
Page 34

In order to obtain the benefits of the act of congress of the 2nd February 1848entitled “an act making further provision for surviving widows and soldiers of the revolution.”
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County Ss.
On this fifteenth day of July 1848 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid Sarah Stearns a resident of Billerica Massachusetts aged eighty seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath makes 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 pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Josiah Stearns who was a resident of Billerica aforesaid and who was a private in the army of the revolution and is the identical person who drew a pension under the act of 17th June 1844 on account of the revolutionary services go her late husband aforesaid at the rate of eight dollars and __cents per annum.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sarah Stearns X her mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me in presence of Mary Mills
Marshall Preston 
Marshall Preston justice of the peace
I certify that the declarant is personally known to me, a widow and a pensioner, as she declares. Marshall Preston justice of the peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County Ss.
I, Elias Phinney clerk of the supreme judicial court of the county and state aforesaid do hereby certify that Marshall Preston, Esquire is a justice of the peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; and that his signature, above written, is genuine.
Given under my hand, and the seal of said court this twenty second day of July 1848.
E. Phinney, Clerk
Page 35

[Duplicate of Image 34]
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of congress of the 2nd February 1848entitled “an act making further provision for surviving widows and soldiers of the revolution.”
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County Ss.
On this fifteenth day of July 1848 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid Sarah Stearns a resident of Billerica Massachusetts aged eighty seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath makes 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 pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Josiah Stearns who was a resident of Billerica aforesaid and who was a private in the army of the revolution and is the identical person who drew a pension under the act of 17th June 1844 on account of the revolutionary services go her late husband aforesaid at the rate of eight dollars and __cents per annum.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sarah Stearns X her mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me in presence of Mary Mills
Marshall Preston 
Marshall Preston justice of the peace
I certify that the declarant is personally known to me, a widow and a pensioner, as she declares. Marshall Preston justice of the peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County Ss.
I, Elias Phinney clerk of the supreme judicial court of the county and state aforesaid do hereby certify that Marshall Preston, Esquire is a justice of the peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; and that his signature, above written, is genuine.
Given under my hand, and the seal of said court this twenty second day of July 1848.
E. Phinney, Clerk
Page 36

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex Ss.
On this Eleventh day of April A.D. 1843
personally appeared before the subscriber, a justice of
the Peace in and for said County of Middlesex, Sarah
Stearns, a resident of Billerica in the County of
Middlesex aforesaid, aged Eighty__ 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 act of Congress passed on the 3rd of March
1843, granting pensions to widows of persons, who
served during the Revolutionary War
That she is the widow of Josiah Stearns
who was a private soldier, in the Revolutionary war, and served three years, in Captain Fox's Company
Colonel Henry Jackson's Regiment, and the annual
amount of pension which she receive under the act of
July 7, 1838 was Eighty Dollars. She further declares
that she is still a widow.
Sarah Stearns X her mark
Attest
Catharine Cowdrey
Marshall Preston
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year
first above written before me and I hereby certify
that the said Declarant is personally known to me
Marshall Preston Justice of the Peace
Page 37

Commonwealth of Mass
Middlesex SS. I, Elias Phinney Clerk of the Supreme
Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
for the County of Middlesex, do certify that
Marshall Preston Esquire is a Justice of the
Peace within and for said County of Middlesex
duly commissioned and qualified, and that
his name subscribed to the within certificate
is his genuine signature.-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the
seal of said Court, the thirteenth
day of April 1843.-
E. Phinney
Page 38

To the Secretary of the Department of War,
Sir, please to transmit the Certificate of allowance of my Pension under the late law to Stephen Minot Esquire of Haverhill Massachusetts who will forward it to me. Billerica April 4. 1818 Josiah Stearns
Page 39

[Letterhead of South Carolina Historical Society with its seal, list of officers and curators…NOT transcribed]
Charleston South Carolina
March 22, 1919
U. S. Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs;
Can you give me any pension record of Josiah Stearns,
of the Massachusetts line, who seems to have been placed on the pension rolls July 27, 1818; also of Jonathan Stearns, who seems to have been pensioned in April, 1832.
Oblige, yours very truly,
this is not correct
Mabel L. Webber

called on for
more data-this is not correct
(3 of Massachusetts
one April 1818
One Apr 1820
And other much later
see carbon in
Miscellaneous under W
And see her letter of March 28, 1919 in reply
Mr. Jonathan Stearns S33741 Massachusetts
The one she wants
[stamp] US Pension Office K
March 24 1919
Page 40

Letter Marshall Preston May 11 1849-Same August 1st [18]39
Page 41

[Left side:]
Reported

[Right side:]
1032
Massachusetts
Sarah Stearns
widow of Josiah Stearns
who served in the Revolutionary war
as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars__Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
31. Day of July 1848
and sent to
Marshall Preston
Billerica
Massachusetts
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 134 volume 2
Page 42

140
Massachusetts
Sarah Stearns
widow of Josiah Stearns
who was a private
in the Massachusetts line
for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars___Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the
19th day of May 1843 and sent to
Marshall Preston
Billerica
Massachusetts
Act of March 3, 1843.)
Recorded in Book A
Volume 1 Page 53
Page 43

Massachusetts 4207
Sarah Stearns,
Widow of Josial Stearns,
who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 Mar. 18[18]
and who died on the 3rd March 1831
of Middlesex in the State of Massachusetts
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Fox of the Regiment commanded
by H. Jackson in the Massachusetts
line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 80 Dollars__ Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of September
[18]39 and sent to Marshall Preston,
Billerica, Massachusetts
---
Arrears to the 4th of September - $280 00
Semiannual allowance ending 40.00
$320.00
{Act July 7,
1838.
Recorded by R. [illegible] Clerk.
Book A Volume 1 Page 131.
Page 44

Revolutionary WIDOW, etc
Number 20074 
Sarah Stearns 
Widow of Josiah Stearns 
Private Revolutionary War 
Act: February 2nd [18]48 
Index: -- Volume M, Page 248 Arrangement of 1870.} 1

919 Mar 26 History to Mabel L. Webber [illegible]