Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 27,780, for Benjamin Stevens, New Hampshire
Page 1

(3-1776)
[column headings: SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER|]
N.H.|Stevens, Benjamin|W.27.780|
[blank]|Tilton Abigail S. (Former Widow)|[blank]|
[end of columns]
CONTENTS
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Special Act. to change rate approved may-17-1882. 
2d Issue: Reissue V No. 7.452.
(Concord)
War of the Revolution
Abigal S. Tilton formerly Widow of Benjamin Stevens 
Rank Private
Company, Capt., Sam McConnell's.
Regiment Col. Stickney's 
N.H. Mil.
Rate per month $16.20
Commencing May-17-1882.
Ending [blank]
Certificate dated Aug-16-1882, and sent Aug 19 1882. 
Payable to Concord Agency. 
Act 14th July, 1862.
Book [blank] Vol. [blank] Page [blank]
[blank] Clerk. 
[9353-1,000.]
Page 3

1887 Aug't Pension Ag't reported paid to March 4-1887 & died March 25, 1887 (No address Northwood Ridge, Rockingham Co aged 95 years)
June 30/92 - To Hon C. W. Stomas to spl acts in this case. 
2 190/16
NH
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[3-405.]
(PENSIONER DROPPED.)
U.S. Pension Agency, 
Concord Mch 25", 1887.
[margin note: O.W. Wid File 27.780 A. Tilton]
Hon John C. Black
Commissioner of Pensions. 
[margin notes: 7452 wrong Not 1812 WLC]
I hereby report that the case of Abigail S. Tilton Widow of Benjamin Stevens, who was a pensioner on the rolls of this Agency, under Certificate No. 7452 and who was last paid at $16, to Mch 4" 1887, has been dropped because of death 
Very respectfully,
/s/W. H. D. Cochrane
Pension Agent. 
Every name dropped to be thus reported at once. 
[receipt stamp: O.W.&N. Apr 25 1887 RECEIVED]
[stamp: PLEASE GIVE CERTIFICATE NUMBER and return to ADMITTED FILES.]
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[receipt stamp: U.S. PENSION OFFICE MAR 28 1887 Special Exam'n Division.]
[receipt stamp: U S PENSION OFFICE A MAR 28 1887]
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No. 1
Record of marriage of Benjamin Stevens & Abigail Tilton, Town Records of Gilmanton N.H. 
[receipt stamp: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PENSION OFFICE MAR 20 1878]
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Benjamin Stevens and Abigail Tilton both of Gilmanton Married January 19th 1831 - by 
Phinehas Richardson
Belmont ss. N.H.
November 15, 1877}
I hereby certify that I have custody of the records of the Old town of Gilmanton and the above is a true copy of the Records
Attest /s/Chas. E. Clough, Town Clerk of Belmont N.H.
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U. WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
CLAIM OF WIDOW FOR SERVICE PENSION, 
Under the provisions of ['Sections 4736 to 4740, (inclusive,) Revised Statutes, and the' crossed out] special Act of March 3d, 1879.
N.B. - All the blank spaces in this form must be carefully filled up in accordance with the instructions on the back hereof; and from the best information possessed, or obtainable, by the applicant. 
State of New Hampshire
County of Rockingham,} ss:
ON this Tenth day of March, A.D. one thousand eight hundred seventy nine, personally appeared before me, Harry Knowlton, the same being a ['court of record within and' crossed out] Justice of the Peace for the county and State aforesaid, (1)Abigail S. Tilton. aged 87 years, a resident of Northwood, in the State of New Hampshire, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of (2)Benjamin Stevens deceased, who was the identical (3)Benjamin Stevens, who served uner the name of (4)Benjamin Stevens Jr. as a (5)private in the company commanded by Captain Samuel McConnell, in the [blank] Regiment ['of [blank]' crossed out] commanded by Colonel Thomas Stickney, in the war of ['1812' crossed out] the Revolution; that her said husband (6)enlisted at Pembroke N.H. on or about the eighteenth day of July, A.D. 1777, for the term of [blank], and continued in actual service in said war for the term of (7) sixty days, and whose services terminated, by reason of (8)honorable discharge, at Pembroke N.H., on the eighteenth day of September, A.D 1777. She further states that the following is a full description of her said husband at the time of his enlistment, viz: (9)[blank]
She further states that she was married to the said Benjamin Stevens, at the ['city (or' crossed out]town) of Gilmanton, in the county of Strafford, now Belknap, and in the State of New Hampshire, on the nineteenth day of January, A.D. 1831. by one (10)Phinehas Richardson, who was a (11)Baptist Clergeman.; and that her name before her said marriage was Abigail Tilton,; and she further states that (12)she had been previously married to David Tilton, who had been dead several years before her marriage to the said Benjamin Stevens. and that her said husband(13)Benjamin Stevens, died at Gilmanton, in the State of New Hampshire, on the Twenty fifth day of August, A.D. 1832. ['and that she has not again married;' crossed out] and she further declares that the following have been the place of residence of herself and her said husband since the date of his discharge from the Army, viz: (14)Gilmanton New Hampshire, where he lived and died. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the pension to which she may be entitled under ['Sections 4736 to 4740, (inclusive)' crossed out] Special Act of March 3d. 1879, and hereby appoints John B. Bachelder, of Chelsea Mass., her true and lawful attorney, to prosecute her claim; and she further declares that she has heretofore made an application for (15)pension under the general law. 
[overwritten: NO FEE TO BE ALLOWED IF THIS BLANK IS USED.]
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and that her residence is ['No. [blank] street, city' crossed out] the own) of Northwood, county of Rockingham, State of New Hampshire, and that her post-office address is Northwood Ridge, Rockingham, County. New Hampshire.
/s/Abigail S. Tilton (Signature of claimant.)
ATTEST: /s/Smith Knowles
/s/Byron W. Smith
ALSO personally appeared Smith Knowles, aged fifty nine years, residing at ['No.' crossed out] Northwood ['street, in [blank], and' crossed out] Byron W. Smith, aged thirty one years, residing at ['No.' crossed out] Northwood ['street, in [blank],' crossed out] persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they have known the said Abigail S. Tilton for two years and for twenty years, respectively; that they were present and saw her sign her name (or make her mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be; and they further say that they are able to identify her as the person who was the wife of the identical (16)Benjamin Stevens who rendered the service alleged in the above application (in the company of Captain Samuel McConnell in the regiment of Col. Thomas Stickney, in the war of the Revolution.) by the following named facts and circumstances, viz: viz: (17)Common report in Gilmanton, and further a daughter of Benjamin Stevens, recently deceased lived in this neighborhood and acknowledged the relationship. Also the general character of applicant. and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. And they further state that by reason great age and infirmity, and bad travelling: and the distance of the court (20 miles) she makes this application before a Justice of the Peace.
/s/Smith Knowles
/s/Byron W. Smith
(Signatures of witnesses.)
SWORN to and subscribed before me this Tenth day of March, A.D. 1879; and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, &c., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words [blank], erased, and the words [blank], added; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. 
/s/Henry Knowlton
(Official character) Justice of the Peace
[L.S.]
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(Official Signature of Magistrate.) /s/Henry Knowlton
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
ROCKINGHAM, SS.
I, [THOMAS LEAVITT,' crossed out] Woodbury M. Durgin Register of the Court of Probate of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Henry Knowlton is a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE  in and for said County, duly qualified to act as such; that his commission is dated the tenth day of November, in the year 1876, and will expire on the tenth day of November, in the year 1881, and that his signature above written is genuine. 
[court seal affixed] IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF,  I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 16th day of March, in the  year of our Lord 1878. 
/s/Woodbury M. Durgin Register.
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U.
Application for Service Pension.
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 
WIDOW OF Benjamin Stevens of Capt. Samuel McConnell's Co. Reg't of Col. Thos. Stickney New Hampshire Troops. 
Filed by [blank]
[receipt stamp: OLD WAR & NAVY [illegible] PENSION OFFICE MAR 19 1879]

NOTES.
1. Here allege full name of applicant.
2. Here allege full name of soldier.
3. Here allege again the name of soldier.
4. Here allege the name under which the soldier served.
5. Here allege the rank under which the soldier served.
6. Here state "enlisted," "volunteered," or "was drafted," as the case may be.
7. Here state the number of days or months of service rendered by the soldier; fourteen days being the shortest period for which service pension is by law is allowed, unless the soldier was actually engaged in battle. If the claim is made for battle service the blank should be so varied as to allege such service in addition to the allegation of term of service. 
8. Here insert the words "an honorable discharge," or "death," as the case may be.
9. Here let a full description of soldier follow, giving age, occupation, birth-place, height, color of hair, eyes, and complexion, and any other particulars as to description. 
10. Here allege the name of the person who performed the ceremony, whether a minister of the gospel or a justice of the peace, &c.
11. Here state the official character of the person who performed the ceremony; i.e., whether a minister of the gospel or a justice of the peace, &c. 
12. Here state whether the claimant  or her husband (the soldier) had been previously married; and if either had, the names of the former husband or widow should be stated; and the date and place of the death of, or divorce from, the former consort should be alleged.
13. Here insert the name of the husband on account of whose service and death the claim is made.
14. Here state all the places of residence; if in a city, giving the street and number; and from and to what dates he resided at each place. 
15. If any application for bounty land or pension has previously been made, state the fact here, giving the date, and number if possible, and that act of Congress under which the claim was made; and designating whether it was a claim for bounty land or pension, and whether a warrant for the
land or certificate for the pension was ever issued.
16. Here insert the name of the soldier.
17. Here name all the facts and circumstances which enable the witnesses to swear, from a personal knowledge, that the claimant is the widow of the identical person who rendered the service alleged in the claim.
All services rendered by the soldier in the war for which claim is made, or in any other war, with the names of officers in each service, must be given in the application.
If this blank is used, it will be useless to fill the spaces relating to the appointment of attorneys.
If the service was rendered as a substitute, the name of the principal for whom the substitute served should be given.
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H.R. 1970.
A BILL Granting a pension to Abigail S. Tilton. 
DECEMBER 10, 1877. - Read twice, referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, and ordered to be printed.
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[Printer's No., 2039.
45TH CONGRESS,
2D SESSION. H.R. 1970. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
DECEMBER 10, 1877.
Read twice, referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, and ordered to be printed. 
Mr. FRANK JONES, on leave, introducted the following bill:
A BILL Granting a pension to Abigail S. Tilton.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
3 That the Secretary of the Interior be, and he is hereby,
4 authorized and directed to place on the pension-roll, subject
5 to the provisions and limitations of the pension-laws, the
6 name of Abigail S. Tilton, widow of Benjamin Stevens, late
7 of Gilmanton, New Hampshire, who was a soldier in the war
8 of the revolution, served in Captain Samuel McConnel's (McConnell) com-
9 pany, in General Stark's brigade.
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47TH CONGRESS, 1st Session.} HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. {REPORT-No. 1089.
ABAGAIL S. TILTON.
APRIL 20, 1882. -- Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed.
Mr. RAY, from the Committee on Invalid Pensions, submitted the following
REPORT:
[To accompany bill S. 108. ]
The Committee on Invalid Pensions, to whom was referred the bill S. 108, submit the following report:
The facts touching the case of Mrs. Tilton are correctly stated in House
Report No. 692, Forty-sixth Congress, as follows:
It is in evidence that the husband of the petitioner, Benjamin Stevens, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and was mustered into service on the 18th day of July, 1777, serving as a private in Capt. Samuel McConnell's company, of Col. Thomas Stickney's regiment, of the brigade commanded by General Stark, and was honorably discharged on the 18th day of September, 1777.
It is also in evidence that at the date of the petitioner's marriage with the said Benjamin Stevens she was the widow of David Tilton, and was married to said Stevens on the 31st day of January, 1831, and that they lived together until his death, which occurred on the 25th day of August, 1832; that she subsequently married Adoniram Paige, who died in 1848; that by special act of the New Hampshire legislature approved January 4, 1849, she was permitted to take the name of Abagail S. Tilton, and in which name she now petitions Congress for relief.
It is in evidence, by letter of the Commissioner of Pensions, that by the act of Congress approved February 3, 1853, she was entitled to have her name placed upon the pension roll at any time prior to June 2, 1874, at which date the aforesaid law was repealed.
It is also shown that it was through no fault of the petitioner that she did not avail thereof before its repeal. Living in a secluded country place, and knowing but little of the proper manner of making application for pension, she caused a petition to be drawn up setting forth in full the facts in her case, which was sent to the member of Congress from her district and by him was deposited in the petition box of the House June 8, 1868, as is shown by the journal. The petitioner was soon after informed by one she had reason to rely upon that she was not entitled to a pension, and therefore slept on her rights until informed of her error long after the repeal of the act of February 3, 1853.
It is also in evidence that since the death of her third husband, Adoniram Paige, she has lived with and been supported by Nathaniel D. Tilton, the son of her first husband, until about three years since, when he died, by which event she is now left childless and destitute; that she is now nearly ninety years of age, and in receipt of no means whatever to furnish food or clothing or medical attendance and nursing in her last years of life. In consideration of which, and in accordance with the spirit of the act approved March 11, 1878, granting pensions to widows of Revolutionary soldiers, the committee submit herewith a bill granting her a pension at the rate of $16 per month, believing that will meet her needs more fully than the provisions of the bill H. R. 3298, which provides for payment at the rate of $8 per month from 1854 to date of special act granting her a pension, March 3, 1879.
Your committee therefore report back the bill (HR 3298) with a substitute therefor, and recommend the adoption and passage thereof.
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2 ABAGAIL S. TILTON.
A similar bill for her relief passed the Senate and was favorably reported to the House in the Forty-sixth Congress, but failed to be considered for want of time. This aged lady is now in a helpless condition and dependent upon charity for support beyond the $8 per month she is now receiving pursuant to the special act for her benefit passed March 3, 1879.
The unfortunate delays which deprived her of a pension during so many years that she was clearly entitled to it under the law have also attended her efforts to get the relief which Congress has always been willing to bestow, and the bill introduced in the Senate this session provided that her increase from $8 to $16 per month should commence March 3, 1879, but it was amended before its passage by striking out the allowance of arrears, so that the increase should take effect only upon the passage of the act.
Your committee find by an examination of the Senate bill that the proviso - evidently referring to the arrears (which were stricken out on recommendation of the Senate Pension Committee), in the following words: "Provided, That all payments heretofore made shall be first deducted" - ought to be struck out also. Undoubtedly said proviso was retained through inadvertence in the Senate, and we recommend the passage of the bill after amending the same by striking out the proviso.
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Cl: 7.452
Old War
[PRIVATE - No. 72.]
AN ACT granting an increase of pension to Abagail S. Tilton. 
Be it enacted  by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembles, That the Secretary of the Interior be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to place on the pension-roll the name of  Abagail S. Tilton, at the rate of sixteen dollars per  month, to date from the passage of this act. 
Approved, May 17, 1882. 
A true copy
/s/J. M. Howell
Actg. Chief Clerk
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[receipt stamp: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PENSION OFFICE. MAR 20 1878]
No. 8 Petition of Mrs. Abagail S. Tilton
Page 18

To the members of the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled. 
Your petitioner respectfully represents that she is the widow of Benjamin Stevens, late of Gilmanton New Hampshire (1-2) who was a soldier in the war of the revolution, in Captain Samuel McConnell's company, Colonel Thomas Stickney's regiment. General John Stark's brigade (3) 
And your petitioner further represents that she has been three times married. First to David Tilton, second to the said Benjamin Stevens, and third to Adoniram Paige, who died in the year 1848. since whose death she has lived with and been supported by her son Nathaniel D. Tilton until his death one year ago. That upon the death of the said Paige she petitioned the Legislature of New Hampshire and received permission to bear the name of Abigail S. Tilton (5) And your petitioner further represents that since the death of her son Nathaniel D. Tilton, one year ago she has been childless, and without the means of
Page 19

support. That she is not in the possession of one dollar, only as supplied by friends, nor has she the means of acquiring it. That from the death of her son to the present time private charities alone have kept her from public institutions. 
And your petitioner further represents that although eighty six years old her bodily health is good and her constitution strong, that she has not been previously ill requiring continued medical attendance for many years, giving strong presumption that she may yet live, entirely dependent for years to come. 
Your petitioner would further state that she is informed that she cannot obtain relief under the Revised Statutes of the United States, and is informed that her "only recourse seems to be to Congress for a Special Act." (See correspondence herewith submitted, marked (3&4) as the source of information) And your petitioner humbly prays your Honorable Bodies that her name be placed on the pension roll, and that she be allowed pension to date from the death of her third husband, Adoniram Paige. 
/s/Abigail S. Tilton
Northwood Ridge, N.H. 
November 28th 1877.
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[receipt stamp: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PENSION OFFICE. MAR 20 1878]
B. CLAIM OF WIDOW FOR ['BOUNTY LAND' crossed out] PENSION under the provisions of Acts 4736-4740 inclusive, Revised Statutes; and the Act approved March 1878. 
N.B. - All the blank spaces in this form must be carefully filled up in accordance with the instructions on the back hereof; and from the best information possessed, or obtainable, by the applicant.
State of New Hampshire
County of Rockingham}ss:
ON this twelvth day of March, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and seventy eight, personally appeared before me, Henry Knowlton, the same being a ['court' crossed out'] Justice of the Peace ['record within' crossed out] and for the county and State aforesaid, (1)Abigail S. Tilton aged 86, years, a resident of Northwood, in the State of New Hampshire, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of (2)Benjamin Stevens deceased, who was the identical (3)Benjamin Stevens, who served under the name of (4)Benjamin Stevens Jr. as a (5)private in the company commanded by Captain Samuel McConnell, in the -- regiment of New Hampshire, commanded by Col. Thomas Stickney, in the war of (6)the Revolution; that her said husband (7)enlisted at Pembroke N.H. on or about the eighteenth day of July, A.D. 1777, for the term of -- , and continued in actual service in said war for ['the' crossed out] (8)over sixty days, and whose services terminated, by reason of an (9)honorable discharge, at Pembroke N.H., on the eighteenth day of September, A.D. 1777. She further states that the following is a full description of her said husband at the time of his enlistment, viz: (10)[blank]
She further states that she was married to the said Benjamin Stevens, at the ['city (or' crossed out] town) of Gilmanton in the county of Belknap then Strafford, and in the State of New Hampshire, on the nineteenth day of January, A.D. 1831. by one (11)Phinehas Richardson, who was a (12)Baptist Clergyman; and that her name before her said marriage was Abigail Tilton; and she further states that (13)she had been previously married to David Tilton, who had been dead several years before her marriage to the said Benjamin Stevens, and that her said husband (14)Benjamin Stevens, died at Gilmanton, in the State of New Hampshire, on the twenty fifth day of August, A.D. 1832; and she further declares that the following have been the places of residence of herself and her said husband since the date of his discharge from the Army, viz: (15)Gilmanton N.H. Pittsfield N.H. Newbury port Mass. Manchester N.H. Biddeford Me. Watertown Mass and Auburn & Northwood N.H. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the ['bounty land (or the additional bounty land)' crossed out] PENSION to which she may be entitled under the ['act approved March 3, 1855' crossed out] Provisions of Acts 4736-4740 inclusive, Revised Statute and approved March 1873 and hereby appoints John B. Bachelder, of 135 Hawthorn St. Chelsea, Mass, her true and lawful attorney, without fee to prosecute her claim; and she further declares that she has heretofore made no application for a (16)pension
[overwritten: NO FEE TO BE ALLOWED IF THIS BLANK IS USED.]
Page 21

and that her residence is ['No. Northwood street, city (or' crossed out] town) of Northwood, county of Rockingham, State of New Hampshire, and that her post-office address is Northwood Ridge, Rockingham County New Hampshire.
/s/Abigail S. Tilton
ATTEST: /s/Alice F. Haley
/s/Byron W. Smith
ALSO personally appeared Alice F. Haley, aged sixty eight years, residing ['at No. [blank] street' crossed out] in Northwood, and Byron W. Smith, aged twenty eight years, residing ['at No. [blank], street' crossed out] in Northwood, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they have known the said Abigail S. Tilton for fifty years and for twenty years, respectively; that they were present and saw her sign her name (or make her mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be; and they further say that they are able to identify her as the person who was the wife of the identical (17)Benjamin Stevens, who rendered the service alleged in the above application (in the company of Captain Samuel McConnell, in the regiment of Col. Thomas Stickney, in the war of the Revolution) by the following named facts and circumstances, viz: (18)A daughter of Benjamin (recently decease) has live in the neighborhood, who has acknowledged the relationship, also general character of the applicant. and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. And they further state that by reason of great age and infirmaty of the claimant and the bad state of the traveling and the distance of the Court (20 miles) she makes this application before a Justice of the Peace. 
/s/Alice F. Haley
/s/Byron W. Smith
SWORN to and subscribed before me this 12th fay of March, A.D. 1878; and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, &c., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words [blank], erased, and the words [blank], added; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. 
/s/Henry Knowlton
(Official character.) Justice of the Peace
[L.S.]
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B. 
APPLICATION FOR [illegible]
WIDOW OF [blank]
of Capt. [blank] Co. Reg't of [blank]
Filed by [blank]
[receipt stamp: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PENSION OFFICE MAR 20 1879]

NOTES.
1. Here allege full name of applicant.
2. Here allege full name of soldier.
3. Here allege again the name of soldier.
4. Here allege the name under which the soldier served.
5. Here allege the rank under which the soldier served.
6. Here allege the war in which service was rendered.
7. Here state "enlisted," "volunteered," or "was drafted," as the case may be.
8. Here state the number of days or months of service rendered by the soldier; fourteen days being the shortest period for which service pension is by law is allowed, unless the soldier was actually engaged in battle. If the claim is made for battle service the blank should be so varied as to allege such service in addition to the allegation of term of service.
9. Here insert the words "an honorable discharge," or "death," as the case may be.
10. Here let a full description of soldier follow, giving age, occupation, birth-place, height, color of hair, eyes, and complexion, and any other particulars as to description.
11. Here allege the name of the person who performed the ceremony.
12. Here state the official character of the person who performed the ceremony; i.e., whether a minister of the gospel or a justice of the peace, &c.
13. Here state whether the claimant or her husband (the soldier) had been previously married; and if either had, the names of the former husband or widow should be stated; and the date and place of the death of, or divorce from, the former consort should be alleged.
14. Here insert the name of the husband on account of whose service and death the claim is made.
15. Here state all the places of residence; if in a city, giving the street and number; and from and to what dates he resided at each place.
15. If any application for bounty land or pension has previously been made, state the fact here, giving the date, and number if possible, and that act of Congress under which the claim was made; and designating whether it was a claim for bounty land or pension, and whether a warrant for the land or certificate for the pension was ever issued.
17. Here insert the name of the soldier.
18. Here name all the facts and circumstances which enable the witnesses to swear, from a personal knowledge, that the claimant is the widow of the identical person who rendered the service alleged in the claim.
All services rendered by the soldier in the war for which claim is made, or in any other war, with the names of officers in each service, must
be given in the application.
Page 23

REV. WAR. ACT March 9/78
WIDOW'S BRIEF No. 2
A.
Claim No. 12.436 (WAR OF 1812 No's)
Soldier, Benjamin Stevens
Lewis C. White, Ex'r
N.O.W and B.S. 
March 21 1878
Immediate cause of death, [blank]
Remote cause, [blank]
[blank] Medical Reviewer
[blank], 187[blank].
Page 24

WAR OF ['THE REBELLION' crossed out] THE REVOLUTION ACT March 9 1878. Act of July 14,, 1862, and subsequent acts.
WIDOW'S PENSION. 
(ORIGINAL WITH INCREASE.)
Abigail S. Tilton FORMER, widow of Benjamin Stevens {Rank, Private. Company of Sam. McConnell Regiment of Col. Stickney, REV. WAR.
Residence of claimant, Rockingham County, and State of N.H. 
Post Office, Northwood Ridge Rockingham Co. N.H.
Attorney, John B. Bachelder, Chelsea, Mass. Acts as friend. 
No Fee $[blank]. Articles of Agreement, -- having been filed --
Rate of pension, $Eight per month, commencing March 9", 1878, the date of passage of act., ['and two dollars per month additional for each child, as follows:' crossed out]
My former marriage {None. {Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].}Commencing [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].}  "  [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].}  "  [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].}  "   [blank], 18[blank].
My last marriage {None. {Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].}  "   [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].}  "   [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].}  "   [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].}  "   [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].}  "   [blank], 18[blank].
Payment on all former certificate covering any portion of the same time to be deducted.
Rejected ['APPROVED' crossed out], March 28th, 1878. /s/Lewis C. White, Examiner.
APPROVED, March 28, 1878. /s/L. Holtzlander, Reviewer.
DATES SHOWN BY PAPERS.
Enlistment, July 18, 1777. Right accrued, March 9, 1878.
Muster into pensionable rank,  "  , 18[blank]. Claim completed, March 21, 1878.
Discharge, Sept. 18, 1777 Former marriage of soldier, [blank],  ['18[blank].' crossed out]
Death, August 25, 1832 Death of former wife, [blank], ['18[blank].' crossed out]
Invalid app. filed, [blank], ['18[blank].' crossed out] Claimant marriage to soldier, Jan. 19, 1831.
Invalid last paid to [blank], ['18[blank].' crossed out]  "  marriage to PAGE, (Paige) 18[blank].
Widow's app. filed, March 20, 1878. Death of Paige in winter of 1848
CAUSE OF DEATH, Not stated. PLACE OF DEATH. Gilmanton N.H.
Rejected as there is no law under which it can be allowed. Mr. Bachelder informer.
Page 25

INCIDENTAL MATTER.
No Dif.
Page 26

ALLEGATIONS OF CLAIMANT.
Other children of soldier by former wife, None.
Other children of soldier by claimant,  "  
Loyalty of claimant, Alleged, 
SUMMARY OF PROOF.
No FORMER MARRIAGE BY SOLDIER. 
The marriage of [blank] to [blank] is shown by [blank]
No DEATH OF FORMER WIFE. 
MARRIAGE OF SOLDIER TO CLAIMANT. 
The marriage of Benjamin to Abigail Tilton ['is shown by' crossed out] January 19, 1831 show by sworn copy of Town Record 
marriage of claimant to Adoniram Paige and Death of Paige shown by credible witnesses. Paige died in 1848 ['or 1849' crossed out]
['DATES OF BIRTH OF CHILDREN' crossed out]
Name of claimant changed from Paige to Tilton by special Act of Legislature January 4 1849. 
DATES OF DEATH OF CHILDREN. 
None
CUSTODY OF CHILDREN BY FORMER MARRIAGE. 
None.
Page 27

PROOF AS TO SERVICE.
The Adjutant General U.S.A. reports the military history of soldier as follows: [blank]
PROOF AS TO DEATH.
1st. Report of Adjutant General.  5th. Testimony of Officers. 
2d. Report of Surgeon General.  6th. Testimony of Fellow Soldiers. 
3d. Certificate of Disability.  7th. Testimony of Attending Physician. 
4th. Testimony of Army Surgeon.  8th. Other Testimony. 
DATE OF FILING. The copy of the records on file in this office from the Secretary of State of N.H. Vol. 1, rolls of service of Militia of New Hampshire shows that, Benjamin Stevens J. served in the War of the Revolution in the company of Capt. Samuel McConnell in Col. Stickney's Regiment in Gen. Stark's Brigade for two months from July 18, 1877 and march from Pembroke N.H. in July 1877 and joined the Northern Continental Army at Bennington and Stillwater.
Page 28

[duplicate of p 23]
REV. WAR. ACT March 9/78
WIDOW'S BRIEF No. 2
A.
Claim No. 12.436 (WAR OF 1812 No's)
Soldier, Benjamin Stevens
Lewis C. White, Ex'r
N.O.W and B.S.
March 21 1878
Immediate cause of death, [blank]
Remote cause, [blank]
[blank] Medical Reviewer
[blank], 187[blank].
Page 29

46TH CONGRESS.} S. 205.
A BILL Granting arrears of pension to Abigail S. Tilton. 
1879-MARCH 26. - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. 
[receipt stamp: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PENSION OFFICE. MAY 14 1880]
Page 30

46TH CONGRESS, 1ST SESSION. S. 205. 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
MARCH 26, 1879 
Mr. ROLLINS asked and, by unanimous consent, obtained leave to bring in the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. 
A BILL Granting arrears of pension to Abigail S. Tilton. 
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 That the Secretary of the Interior be, and he is hereby, au-
4 thorized and directed to pay to Abigail S. Tilton, widow of 
5 the late Benjamin Stevens, private in Colonel Thomas Stick-
6 ney's regiment, General Stark's brigade, in the war of the 
7 Revolution, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise
8 appropriated, a sum equal to eight dollars per month from the 
9 fifth day of August, eighteen hundred and fifty-four, the date
10 of the act allowing pensions to widows of Revolutionary sol-
11 diers who may have married again, to March third, eighteen
12 hundred and seventy-nine, the time of commencement of the
13 pension given her by special act of Congress.
Page 31

A. WIDOW'S BRIEF.
Review & change rate 
Rev. War Cert ['Claim' crossed out] No 7.452 Former Wid
Soldier, Benjamin Stevens
Lewis C. White, Ex'r.
O.W. and N.
Ad. ['July 31' crossed out] Aug.  "  /82. 
Immediate cause of death, [blank]
Remote cause, [blank]
[blank] Medical Reviewer.
[blank], 188[blank].
Page 32

(3-128.)
Review to change rate under Special Act May 17, 1882
WAR OF THE ['REBELLION' crossed out] THE REVOLUTION Act of July 14,1862, and subsequent acts. [margin note: Cert. 7.452 N.H. Concord]
WIDOW'S PENSION.
(ORIGINAL WITH INCREASE.)
Abigail S. Tilton, Former widow of Benjamin Stevens {Rank, Private. Company of Sam. McConnell Regiment of Col. Stickney, N.H. Mil.
Residence of claimant, Rockingham County, and State of N.H.
Post Office, Northwood Ridge Rockingham Co. N.H.
No Attorney, Agent will not pay fee.
Fee $[blank]. Articles of Agreement, -- having been filed --
Rate of pension, $sixteen per month, commencing May 17, 1882, the date of approval of Act, ['and two dollars per month additional for each child, as follows:' crossed out]
My former marriage {None. {Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].}Commencing [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].} " [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].} " [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].} " [blank], 18[blank].
My last marriage {None. {Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].} " [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].} " [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].} " [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].} " [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].} " [blank], 18[blank].
Payment on all former certificate covering any portion of the same time to be deducted.
sub ['AD' crossed out] MITTED, for allowance AUG. 1, 1882. /s/Lewis C. White, Examiner.
APPROVED, August 11th, 1882. /s/JCD Betron
DATES SHOWN BY PAPERS.
Enlistment, July 18, 1777. Right accrued, May 17, 1882.
Muster into pensionable rank, [blank, 18[blank]. Claim completed, July 21, 1882.
Discharge, Sept. 18, 1777 Former marriage of soldier, [blank], ['18[blank].' crossed out]
Death, August 25, 1832 Death of former wife, [blank], ['18[blank].' crossed out]
Invalid app. filed, [blank], ['18[blank].' crossed out] Claimant marriage to soldier, Jan. 19, 1831.
Invalid last paid to [blank], ['18[blank].' crossed out] last husband died in, 1848
Widow's app. filed, March 20, 1878. Pensioned at $8 by Special Act March 3/79
CAUSE OF DEATH, Not stated. PLACE OF DEATH. Gilmanton N.H.
Page 33

ALLEGATIONS OF CLAIMANT. 
Other children of soldier by former wife, [blank]
Other children of soldier by claimant, [blank]
Loyalty of claimant, [blank]
[PRIVATE - No. 72.]
AN ACT granting an increase of pension to Abagail S. Tilton.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to place on the pension-roll the name of Abagail S. Tilton, at the rate of sixteen dollars per month, to date from the passage of this act.
Approved, May 17, 1882. 
A true copy
/s/A. W. Fisher
Chief Clerk
Page 34

ALLEGATIONS OF CLAIMANT. 
Other children of soldier by former wife, [blank]
Other children of soldier by claimant, [blank]
Loyalty of claimant, [blank]
47th CONGRESS, 1st Session.} SENATE {REPORT No 384
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
APRIL 4, 1882. - Ordered to be printed.
Mr. BLAIR, from the Committee on Pensions, submitted the following
REPORT
[to accompany bill S.108.]
The Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred bill (S.108) granting increase of pension to Abagail S. Tilton, widow of a soldier of the revolutionary war, report that, having considered the same, the committee recommend the passage of the bill after amending by striking out the words "March third, eighteen hundred and seventy-nine," in the 6th line, and inserting "the passage of this act."
The facts are stated in House report No. 692 of the Forty sixth Congress
as follows:
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 3298) granting arrears of pension to Abagail S. Tilton, having had the same under consideration, beg leave to submit the following report:
It is in evidence that the husband of the petitioner, Benjamin Stevens, was a soldier
of the revolutionary war, and was mustered into service on the 18th day of July, 1777,
serving as a private in Capt. Samuel McConnell's company, of Col. Thomas Stickney's
regiment, of the brigade commanded by General Stark, and was honorably discharged on the 18th day of September, 1777.
It is also in evidence that at the date of the petitioner's marriage with the said Benjamin Stevens she was the widow of David Tilton, and was married to said Stevens on the 31st day of January, 1831, and that they lived together until his death, which occurred on the 25th day of August, 1832; that she subsequently married Adoniram Paige, who died in 1848; that by special act of the New Hampshire legislature, approved January 4, 1849, she was permitted to take the name of Abagail S. Tilton, and in which name she now petitions Congress for relief.
It is in evidence, by letter of the Commissioner of Pensions, that by the act of Congress approved February 3, 1853, she was entitled to have her name placed upon the pension-rolls at any time prior to June 22, 1874, at which date the aforesaid law was repealed.
It is also shown that it was through no fault of the petitioner that she did not avail herself of the provisions thereof before its repeal. Living in a secluded country place, and knowing but little of the proper manner of making application for pension, she caused a petition to be drawn up setting forth in full the facts in her case, which was sent to the member of Congress from her district, and by him was deposited in the petition box of the House June 8, 1868, as is shown by the journal. The petitioner was soon after informed by one he had reason to rely upon that she was not entitled to a pension, and therefore slept on her rights until informed of her error long after the repeal of the act of February 3, 1853.
It is also in evidence that since the death of her third husband, Adoniram Paige, she has lived with and been supported by Nathaniel D. Tilton, the son of her first husband, until about three years since, when he died, by which event she is now left childless and destitute; that she is now over ninety years of age, and in receipt of no means whatever to furnish food or clothing or medical attendance and nursing in her last years of life. In consideration of which, and in accordance with the spirit of the act approved March 11, 1878, granting pensions to widows of revolutionary soldiers, the committee submit herewith a bill granting her a pension at the rate of $16 per
Page 35

[verso]
2 ABAGAIL S. TILTON.
The unfortunate delays which deprived her of a pension during so many years when she was clearly entitled to receive it under the law, have failed to puruse her efforts to get the relief which Congress has always been willing to bestow, and the bill which gave her the increase from March 3, 1879, the date when it should have commenced at the rate of $16 per month, as she was really helpless, has been amended by your committee so that in no event can she receive arrears. Meanwhile her days are rapidly passing. It is impossible to compare her case with any other and the committee recommend this slight increase for the remainder of her lifetime. 

[recto]
45TH CONGRESS, 2D Session.} HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. {REPORT No. 495.
ABAGAIL S. TILTON. 
APRIL 16, 1878 - Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed. 
Mr. MACKEY, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, submitted the following
REPORT:
[To accompany bill H.R. 1970.]
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 1970) granting a pension to Abagail S. Tilton, beg leave to submit the following report:
It is in evidence that the husband of the petitioner, Benjamin Stevens, was a soldier of the revolutionary war, and was mustered into service on the 18th day of July, 1777, serving as a private in Capt. Samuel McConnell's company, of Col. Thomas Stickney's regiment, of the brigade commanded by General Stark, and was honorably discharged on the 18th day of September, 1777.
It is also in evidence that at the date of the petitioner's marriage with the said Benjamin Stevens, she was the widow of David Tilton, and was married to said Stevens on the 31st day of January, 1831, and that they lived together until his death, which occurred on the 25th day of August, 1832; that she subsequently married Adoniram Paige, who died in 1848; that by special act of the New Hampshire legislature, approved January 4, 1849, she was permitted to take the name of Abagail S. Tilton, and in which name she now petitions Congress for relief.
It is in evidence, by letter of the Commissioner of Pensions, that by the act of Congress approved February 3, 1853, she was entitled to have her name placed upon the pension rolls at any time prior to June 22, 1874, at which date the aforesaid law was repealed. 
It is also in evidence that since the death of her third husband, Adoniram Paige, she has lived with and been supported by Nathaniel D. Tilton, the son of her first husband, until about one year since, when he died, by which event she is now left childless and destitute; that she is now over eighty-six years of age, and in receipt of no means whatever to furnish food or clothing or medical attendance and nursing in her last years of life. In consideration of which, and in accordance with the spirit of the act approved March 11, 1878, granting pensions to widows of revolutionary soldiers, the committee return the bill to the House and recommend the granting of the pension, and that the date of commencement of the same shall be June 22, 1874, the date of repeal of the
act allowing pensions to revolutionary soldiers and their widows.
Page 36

PROOF AS TO SERVICE. 
The Adjutant General U.S.A. reports the military history of the soldier as follows: [blank]
PROOF AT TO DEATH.
1st. Report of Adjutant General.  5th Testimony of Officers. 
2d. Report of Surgeon General. 6th Testimony of Fellow Soldiers. 
3d. Certificate of Disability. 7th. Testimony of Attending Physician. 
4th. Testimony of Army Surgeon. 8th Other Testimony. 
DATE OF FILING.
Page 37

Admitted March 19 '77 Holtzlander
A. WIDOW'S BRIEF. No. 2. 
Rev. War
Claim No. [blank]
Soldier, Benjamin Stevens 
Lewis C. White, Ex'r
N.O.W. and B.S.
Ad. March 19 1879. 
Immediate cause of death, [blank]
Remote cause, [blank]
[blank] Medical Reviewer
[blank], 187[blank].
Page 38

Special Act March 3d 1879
WAR OF THE ['REBELLION' crossed out] Revolution. Act of July 14,1862, and subsequent acts. [margin note: Concord 7.452]
WIDOW'S PENSION.
(ORIGINAL WITH INCREASE.)
Abigail S. Tilton, FORMER widow of Benjamin Stevens {Rank, Private. Company of Sam. McConnell Regiment of Col. Stickney, Rev War (N. Hampshire mil. Gen'l Stark's Brigade
Residence of claimant, Rockingham County, and State of N.H. 
Post Office, Northwood Ridge Rockingham Co. N.H.
Attorney, John B. Bachelder Chelsea, Mass. acts as friend.
Fee $[blank]. Articles of Agreement, [blank] having been filed [blank]
Rate of pension, $Eight per month, commencing March 3d, 1879, the date of passage of act, ['and two dollars per month additional for each child, as follows:' crossed out]
My former marriage {None. {Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].}Commencing [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].} " [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].} " [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].} " [blank], 18[blank].
My last marriage {None. {Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].} " [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].} " [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].} " [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].} " [blank], 18[blank].
{Born, [blank], 18[blank.]}
{Sixteen, [blank] 18[blank].} " [blank], 18[blank].
Payment on all former certificate covering any portion of the same time to be deducted.
ADMITTED, March 19", 1879. /s/Lewis C. White, Examiner.
APPROVED, March 19th, 1879. /s/L. Holtzlander, Reviewer. 
DATES SHOWN BY PAPERS.
Enlistment, July, 1777. Right accrued, March, 1879.
Muster into pensionable rank, [blank, 18[blank]. Claim completed, March 19, 1879.
Discharge, Sept. 18, 1777 Former marriage of soldier, [blank], ['18[blank].' crossed out]
Death, August 25, 1832. Death of former wife, [blank], ['18[blank].' crossed out]
Invalid app. filed, [blank], ['18[blank].' crossed out] Claimant marriage to soldier, Jan. 19, 1831.
Invalid last paid to [blank], ['18[blank].'  "  "  to Page (Paige), 18[blank].
Widow's app. filed, March 20, 1878. Death of Page (Paige) in 1848
CAUSE OF DEATH, Not stated. PLACE OF DEATH. Gilmanton N.H.
Page 39

INCIDENTAL MATTER. 
see Rejected claim No. 12.406 Act. March 9 1878
Page 40

PRIVATE -- No. 72.
AN ACT granting an increase of pension to Abagail S. Tilton.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to place on the
pension-roll the name of Abagail S. Tilton, at the rate of sixteen dollars per month, to date from the passage of this act. 
Approved, May 17, 1882.
Page 41

ABAGAIL S. TILTON.
APRIL 16, 1787. - Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed. 
Mr. MACKEY, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, submitted the following
REPORT:
To accompany bill H. R. 1970.
It is in evidence that the husband of the petitioner, Benjamin Stevens, was a soldier of the revolutionary war, and was mustered into service on the 18th day of July, 1777, serving as a private in Capt. Samuel McConnell's company, of Col. Thomas Stickney's regiment, of the brigade commanded by General Stark, and was honorably discharged on the 18th day of September, 1777.
It is also in evidence that at the date of the petitioner's marriage with the said Benjamin Stevens, she was the widow of David Tilton, and was married to said Stevens on the 31st day of January, 1831, and that they lived together until his death, which occurred on the 25th day of August. 1832; that she subsequently married Adoniram Paige, who died in 1848; that by special act of the New Hampshire legislature, approved January 4, 1849, she was permitted to take the name of Abagail S. Tilton, and in which name she now petitions Congress for relief.
It is in evidence, by letter of the Commissioner of Pensions, that by the act of Congress approved February 3, 1853, she was entitled to
have her name placed upon the pension-rolls at any time prior to June 22, 1874, at which date the aforesaid law was repealed.
It is also in evidence that since the death of her third husband, Adoniram Paige, she has lived with and been supported by Nathaniel D. Tilton, the son of her first husband, until about one year since, when he died, by which event she is now left childless and destitute; that she is now over eighty-six years of age, and in receipt of no means whatever to furnish food or clothing or medical attendance and nursing in her last years of life. In consideration of which, and in accordance with the spirit of the act approved March 1, 1878, granting pensions to widows of revolutionary soldiers, the committee return the bill to the House and recommend the granting of the pension, and that the date of commencement of the same shall be June 22, 1874, the date of repeal of the act allowing pensions to revolutionary soldiers and their widows.
Page 42

ALLEGATIONS OF CLAIMANT. 
Other children of soldier by former wife, [blank]
Other children of soldier by claimant, [blank]
Loyalty of claimant, [blank]
SUMMARY OF PROOF. 
[PRIVATE - No. 132.]
AN ACT granting a pension to Abigail S. Tilton. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior be, and is hereby, authorized and directed to place on the pension-roll, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension-laws, the name of Abigail S. Tilton, widow of Benjamin Stevens, late of Gilmanton, New Hampshire, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, served in Captain Samuel McConnel's (McConnell) company, in General Stark's brigade. 
Approved, March 3, 1879.
Department of State, March 19, 1879
A true copy 
/s/Sadloub Brown
Chief Clerk.
Page 43

ALLEGATIONS OF CLAIMANT. 
Other children of soldier by former wife, [blank]
Other children of soldier by claimant, [blank]
Loyalty of claimant, [blank]
SUMMARY OF PROOF. 
DEATH OF FORMER WIFE.
MARRIAGE OF SOLDIER TO CLAIMANT. 
The marriage of Benjamin Stevens to to Abigail Tilton ['is shown by' crossed out] Jany 19 1831 Shown by Town Record.
Marriage to Page, Death of Page in 1848 and change of claimant's name back to Tilton by act of Legislature shown by proper proof
['DATES OF BIRTH OF CHILDREN.' crossed out]
['DATES OF DEATH OF CHILDREN.' crossed out]
None 
CUSTODY OF CHILDREN BY FORMER MARRIAGE.
None
Page 44

PROOF AS TO SERVICE.
The Adjutant General U.S.A. reports the military history of the soldier as follows: [blank]
PROOF AT TO DEATH.
1st. Report of Adjutant General. 5th Testimony of Officers.
2d. Report of Surgeon General. 6th Testimony of Fellow Soldiers.
3d. Certificate of Disability. 7th. Testimony of Attending Physician.
4th. Testimony of Army Surgeon. 8th Other Testimony.
DATE OF FILING. Report from rolls of New Hampshire show service of Benjamin Stevens in Capt. McConnell's company of Col. Stickney regiment from July 1777 to Sept. 1777 and joined the Northern Continental Army at Bennington Vermont
Page 45

J. A. Bentley
Jany 27, 1880
Page 46

Department of the Interior. 
PENSION OFFICE.
Washington, D.C. Jan. 27th 1880.

Sir:
In compliance with your request, I have the honor to transmit herewith, the papers in the following cases. 
No. 7.432 Abigail S. Tilton
  "  31.492 Stanton Burdick.
Very respectfully, 
/s/[illegible] 
Act'g Commissioner
Hon. John Whiteaker.
Chairman com. on Rev. Pens. and War of 1812.
House of Representatives.
Page 47

No 5
Proof of the death of Benjamin Stevens. 2d husband of the claimant. 
H.R. 1970
[receipt stamp: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PENSION OFFICE. MAR 20 1878]
Page 48

We Deborah Gilman and Alice F. Haley of Northwood County of Rockingham & State of New Hampshire being of lawful age depose and say that we were acquainted with Benjamin Stevens late of Gilmanton and his wife Abigail Tilton, and we do further depose and say that the said Benjamin Stevens died in said Gilman on or about the 25th day of August 1832 - 
/s/Deborah Gilman
/s/Alice F. Haley 
Witness /s/Benjamin W. Clark
  "  /s/Byron W. Smith 
State of New Hampshire
Rockingham SS. November 29th 1877. 
Then personally appeared before me the said Deborah Gilman and Allice F. Haley to me known to be persons of good repute for veracity and made oath that the foregoing statement by them signed is true
Before me /s/Henry Knowlton Justice of the Peace
Page 49

No. 2. 
Affidavit of Mary Gilman to the marriage of Benjamin Stevens and Abigail Tilton. 
Before: Tyler G. Tilton Justice of the Peace
Page 50

I, Mary Gilman of the town of Gilmanton County of Belknap & state of New Hampshire, being of lawful age depose & say that I was acquainted with Benjamin Stevens who was a soldier in the company of Captain Samuel McConnell. Col. Thomas Stickney's regiment of Gen'l John Stark's brigade of infantry in the war of the Revolution. I also knew Abagail Tilton of the same Gilmanton who was the wife of the said Stevens. I was present at and witnessed their marriage which took place at said Gilmanton at the former homestead of his father, on or about the nineteenth day of January in the year A.D. 1831. 
The ceremony of marriage was performed by the Rev. Phinehas Richardson, a Calvin Baptist Clergyman then resident & preaching the Gospel in that Town. I knew also personally that they lived and cohabited  together as husband & wife from their said intermarriage until his death which occurred on the
Page 51

twenty fifth day of August A.D. 1832. - 
I have no interest in the claim - 
/s/X her mark Mary Gilman
Witness /s/H. Hovey
State of New Hampshire, Belknap ss. 
November 17th 1877 - Then personally appeared the said Mary Gilman to me known as a person of good repute for veracity and made oath that the foregoing statement by him signed is true - and I have no interest in this claim.
/s/Tyler G. Tilton Justice of the Peace,
[receipt stamp: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PENSION OFFICE MAR 20 1878]
Page 52

27780 FILE No. 7452
PENSION CERTIFICATE OF Abigail S. Tilton
Payable Quarterly on the 4th of March, June, September & December, of each year, by the U.S. Pension Agent at Concord N.H. 
TRANSFERRED TO [blank] Agency. from [blank]
[blank] Commissioner. 
TRANSFERRED TO [blank] Agency. from [blank]
[blank] Commissioner. 
NOTE - No sale, or transfer of any kind, of the whole or any part of the Pension payable by virtue of this Certificate is of any legal or binding force against either the Pensioner or the United States.
['[illegible]' crossed out] Reissue
Newton, Clerk.
Page 53

[initials: W.C.]
No. 7.452 Revolutionary War
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR
[logo] Bureau, Engraving & Printing.
PENSION BUREAU
It is hereby certified That in conformity with the laws of the United States Abigail S. Tilton former Widow of Benjamin Stevens who was a Private Capt. S. McConnell's Co. Gen. Stark's Brigade is entitled to a pension at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on the third day of March 1879 and to continue during her  widowhood. 
Special Act approved March 3d 1879. 
Given at the Department of the Interior this Twenty fourth day of March one thousand eight  hundred and seventy nine and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and third. 
/s/A. Bell
Acting Secretary of the Interior. 
Countersigned /s/J. W. Burtt
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 54

Affidavit of Col. Bachelder 
No. 10.
Page 55

Washington D.C. February 5th 1880.
I, John B. Bachelder of Chelsea, Suffolk co. Massachusetts depose and say, that I have well known Mrs. Abigail S. Tilton, formerly of Gilmanton, and now of Northwood N.H. for a period of fifty years, having resided in the same town. I knew her as the wife of Benjamin Stevens; knew of his death, and of her subsequent marriage to Adoniram Paige, and of his death: after which, hearing that she was entitled to a pension as the former widow of Benjamin Stevens, she made such effort to secure it as a woman of her age and circumstances would naturally make, sending to the State agency &c, But residing in a retired rural community, with out opportunity for legal advice her efforts were fruitless. But when the Hon. Aaron F. Stevens was elected to Congress from New Hampshire she commissioned me to consult him upon the subject and place the matter in his hands, which I did.
Acting under his advice she presented a petition to Congress, which was referred to the Committee on Revolutionary pensions. On General Stevens return to New Hampshire he informed me that Mrs. Tilton was not entitled to a pension, which I communicated to her. Whereupon, considering this statement the final decision, the subject slumbered until 1879, when it was ascertained from the Commissioner of Pensions that at the time she filed her
Page 56

cated to her. Whereupon, considering this statement the final decision, the subject slumbered until 1879, when it was ascertained from the Commissioner of Pensions that at the time she filed her petition she was by law, in fact entitled to a pension. But as the Act entitling her to a pension was dropped when the Statutes were revised, she was informed her only remedy was by a Special Act of Congress.
Although Mrs. Tilton is now nearly ninety years of age, having always lived an abstemious, active life, with a naturally strong constitution, it is probable that she will yet continue for years. But for an erysipelas sore on the leg, which incapacitates her from taking care of herself, she would enjoy comparatively good health; yet she lives upon the bounty of those who knew her in better days. She is herself, homeless and childless, without one dollar in the world (except the two dollars per week allowed by government) with which to buy food, clothing, medical attendance, medicines, nursing, and those little delicacies which her age requires. 
/s/John B. Bachelder
District of Columbia
County of Washington} on this the 6th day of February 1880, Personally came John B. Bachelder and made oath to the truth of the foregoing statement by him signed.
/s/John Bailey, Notary Public
Page 57

No. 9. 
Affidavit of John B. Bachelder concerning destitute condition of the claimant 
[receipt stamp: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PENSION OFFICE. MAR 20 1878]
Page 58

County of Washington
Dist of Columbia} ss
On this thirteenth day of March A.D. 1878, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Washington & Dist. of Columbia, personally appeared John B. Bachelder, of Chelsea, Mass. who being duly sworn according to law deposes and says - That he is acquainted Abigail S. Tilton of Northwood N.H. a widow of a Revolutionary soldier and an applicant for pension; And that he knows her to be entirely destitute; that she  is homeless and childless, and although over eighty six years of age she has not one dollar to feed and cloth herself, to furnish nursing or medical attendance during her declining years.
/s/John B. Bachelder
Subscribed and sworn
Before me /s/John Bailey Justice of the Peace.}
Page 59

[receipt stamp: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PENSION OFFICE. MAR 20 1878]
Proof of the death of Adoniram Paige. 3d husband of the claimant.
Page 60

Pittsfield
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack County }ss. 
Be it known that before me John T. Hill Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared John Clark and made oath in due form of law that he was acquainted with the late Adoniram Paige of Pittsfield in the county and State aforesaid; and that the said Paige is now dead, having died on or about the year 1848 or 9; and that he has no interest in the prosecution of this claim. 
/s/John Clark
Sworn to and subscribed before me this fifth day of January A.D. 1878, and I hereby certify that I know the above witness to be respectable and entitled to credit; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. /s/John T. Hill Justice of the Peace 
Justice & Clerk of Police Court
Page 61

No. 6. 
Proof of identity of the claimant, Abigail S. Tilton and of the death of her 3d husband Adoniram Paige
[receipt stamp: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PENSION OFFICE. MAR 20 1878]
Page 62

Pittsfield
State of New Hampshire
County of Merrimack, ss:
On this fifth day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and seventy eight Benjamin Emerson personally appeared before me John T. Hill Justice of the Peace in and for the county and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law says that he is personally acquainted with Abigail S. Tilton; that he knew her as the widow of Benjamin Stevens before her marriage to the late Adoniram Paige; that the said Paige died;  many years ago; and that he knows the claimant, Abigail S. Tilton, to be the identical person she represents herself to be, and that he has no interest in the prosecution of this claim. 
/s/Benjamin Emerson
Sworn to and subscribed before me this fifth day of January A.D. 1878. And I hereby certify that the above witness is a respectable person, and entitled to credit, and that I have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. 
/s/John T. Hill Justice of the Peace
Justice & Clerk of Police Court
Page 63

[receipt stamp: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PENSION OFFICE. MAR 20 1878]
['No. 5.' crossed out] No 7
Certificate of change of name 
Secretary of State of New Hampshire
Page 64

State of New Hampshire. 
SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
Concord, November 21 1877.
[state seal affixed]
I hereby certify that by an act of the Legislature of said State of New Hampshire, approved on the 4th day of January A.D. 1849 Abigail S. Paige of Gilmanton was authorized to take the name of Abigail S. Tilton. 
In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my official signature and affidavit, the seal of the State, the day first above written.
[seal affixed] /s/A. B. Thompson
Secretary of State
Page 65

File in FN 27.780
Rev. war widow
Cert 7452
Page 66

[initials: O.W. and N. L.C.W]
Department of the Interior, 
PENSION OFFICE.
Washington D.C. March 21", 1882. 

Sir:
In response to your request for a report of service of Benjamin Stevens Jr. of the Revolutionary Army you are informed that it appears from the records of the New Hampshire Levies and Militia Volume 10" war of 1776, that Benjamin Stevens Jr. served in the war of the Revolution in the company of Captain Samuel McConnell in General Stark's Brigade raised out of the Regiment of New Hampshire Militia, Col. Thomas Stickney, from July 19th 1777 to September 18" 1777 when discharged.
The company marched from Pembroke New Hampshire in July 1777 and joined the Northern Continental Army at Bennington and Stillwater. 
The title of Mrs. Tilton to a pension prior to April 4" 1862 was governed by the provisions of the act of February 3d 1853 and other acts which provided a pension to the widow of a Revolutionary soldier, if a service of, at the least six months had been established
Page 67

J. A. Bentley
March 29, 1878.
Page 68

[initials: RN]
Department of the Interior.
PENSION OFFICE.
Washington, D.C. March 29th 1878.

Sir:
Pursuant to request of the 28th inst., I have the honor to transmit herewith, the papers in the case of Abigail S. Tilton, widow of Benjamin Stevens, War of the Revolution. 
No. 12.436.
Very respectfully, 
/s/J. A. Bentley
Commissioner. 
Hon. J. W. Johnston
Chairman Comm Rev. Claims.
U.S. Senate
Page 69

Proof of the death of Adoniram Paige. 
[receipt stamp: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PENSION OFFICE. MAR 20 1878]
Page 70

I Alice F. Haley of Northwood in the county of Rockingham State of New Hampshire being of lawful age depose and say that I was well acquainted with Adoniram Page (Paige) late of Pittsfield in said State deceased. That said Adoniram Page (Paige) died in said Pittsfield some time in the Winter season of the year eighteen hundred and forty eight 
/s/Alice F. Haley
Witness /s/John L. French
/s/Byron W. Smith
Sate of New Hampshire - Rockingham ss. Nov 27, 1877. 
Then personally appeared before me the said Alice F. Haley, known to me to a person of good repute for veracity and made oath that the foregoing statement by her signed is true
Before me - /s/Henry Knowlton Justice of the Peace
Page 71

Brief of Papers in the case of Abigail S. Tilton
Page 72

List of papers in the case of application for pension by Abigail S. Tilton
No. 1 Record of marriage of Abigail Tilton and Benjamin Stevens
No 2 Affidavit of Mary Gilman to the marriage of Abigail Tilton and Benjamin Stevens.
No 3- Letter of John B. Bachelder addressed to the Commissioner of Pensions asking whether Abigail S. Tilton was entitled to a pension
No. 4 Letter of the Commissioner of Pensions. Establishing the service and honorable discharge of Benjamin Stevens, but that Mrs. Tilton must go to Congress for relief under existing laws. 
No 5 Proof of death of Benjamin Stevens
No. 6. Proof of the identity of the claimant Abigail S. Tilton, and of the death of Adoniram Paige, the husband she married after the death of the soldier Benjamin Stevens and that she is now a widow
Page 73

No 7. Certificate of the Secretary of State of New Hampshire, granting Abigail S. Paige permission to take the name of Abigail S. Tilton. 
No. 8 Petition of Abigail S. Tilton to have her name placed on the pension rolls. 
No 9&10 Affidavit of John B. Bachelder regarding the destitute circumstances of the claimant Abigail S. Tilton
['No 10' crossed out] Affidavit
Page 74

Revolutionary War No. 7.452 [margin note: file 27.780]
New Hampshire
Abigail S. Tilton former Widow of Benjamin Stevens 
Rank Private
Company Capt. S. McConnell
Regiment Gen'l Stark's Brigade
Rate per month $8.
Commencing 3" March 1870
Ending [blank]
Certificate dated 24" March 1879, and sent 28  "  18 " .
Payable at Concord Agency. 
[blank] Attorney. 
Special Act March 3" 1879
Act 14th July, 1862. 
Book [blank], Vol. [blank] Page [blank]
F. Walker Clerk.
Page 75

Ret'd from Rev. Com. 4/2.80.
Page 76

WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 27.780
Abiga(i)l S. Tilton 
Widow Benjamin Stevens
Stark's Brigade 
Rev War
Act [blank]
Index: Vol. [blank], Page [blank]
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 77

7.452
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
No. 12.436
Acts of ['July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.' crossed out] March 9" 1878
Abigail S. Tilton former widow of Benjamin Stevens
Private in Capt. Sam. McConnell's Co. Col. Stickney's Co. Stark's Brigade
Died Aug. 25 1832
[blank] other claim. 
Rejected March 28/78
[blank], 187[blank]. [blank] Clerk. 
Application filed: March 20, 1878. 
Attorney: John B. Bachelder
P.O. 135 Hamilton Street 
Chelsea Mass.
Page 78

March 28/78 Rejected as there is no law under which the case can be allowed. Atty informed.
Ret'd from O.W.C. Mch. 5, 1879.