Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 11,310, for Reuben Shearman, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
R.I.
Vt


Shearman, Reuben
or
Sherman
Howard, Ruth E
(Former Widow)

NUMBER
W. 11.310
1888
B.L.W. 100785-160-55

CONTENTS
Page 2

3176
New Hampshire
Shearman
Reuben Sherman
of Lisbon in the State of N H
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain  of the regt commanded 
by Col Crary in the [ N.H.-crossed out]
line for 20 [pay or mos.?]
R.I. & Vt.

Inscribed on the Roll of N H
at the rate of 66 Dollars 66 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Decr
1832 and sent Ira 
Goodall Bath N. H. 

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832
$99.99 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33
$133.32
 
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by J F McBlair Clerk
Book D Vol. [1.25] Page 185

Let. R. J. Atkinson Feb. 1 ‘62
Page 3

Let. S.D. Stevens Feb. 18, 1862
1866 Aug 25 Pension Agent
1866 Aug 27 3d Auditor
1866 Aug 27 2d Comptroller

1872  June 25, Pen Agn’t
Removing Suspension

1873 Sept. 27. 3rd Auditor
as above Remove Suspension



No. 7087
New Hampshire Concord.
Ruth E. Howard, formerly
widow of Shearman
Reuben Sherman
who served in the Revolutionary
R.I. & Vt.
war, as a Private.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 66 Dollars 66 cents per annum,
 to commence on the 2 December 1861.

Certificate of Pension issued
8 day of Feb. 1862
and sent to J. D. Stevens
Concord, N. H.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act 
February 3, 1853, Page 160 Vol. H
Page 4

3117179 Act Mar 3/55
Feb 15/62

Ruth E. Howard
for wid of
Reuben Sherman Pri
Capt. A. Tartaulot
Col Crancy

R. I. Mil - Rev.

100.785 [?] March 6/[9]
Allowed
160. acres
L.M. Drury
Examiner

L. D. Stevens
Concord N.H.

Ed. Bulles
Page 5

No 5499
Reuben Sherman
Private 20 months
Adm

[next paragraph crossed out]
The Clergy Certificate must
be produce if
he cannot prove his
service by living witness

[Vide Seth?] 24 Oct 1832

$66.66

Ira Goodall Esq
Bath
N H
Page 6

BRIEF in the case of Reuben Sherman
of Lisbon in the State of New Hampshire (Act 7 June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 69

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period. - Enlisted In 1779 Apl 12
Duration of Service. - for 12 months  
Rank. - As a Private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. - Cap Tertaulet - Col Craney

1781 Apl. to December 1781 | Substitute for L. Richardson┃Cap Snell

5. In what battles was he engaged? none

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Glocester R. I.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence,
by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Sam J Potts
Examining Clerk
Page 7

[ribbon at top of page] 

The State of New Hampshire
Secretary's Office,
Concord, January 28. 1862
I Hereby Certify That at the date of the annexed
attestations N. W. Westgate was Judge of
Probate for the County of Grafton and
Daniel Patterson was a Justice of the
Peace for said County of Grafton
in the said State, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given,
in and out of Court and that their signatures thereto are
in my belief genuine.

In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto affixed
the Seal of the State, the date above written.
George H. Chandler
Deputy Secretary of State

[seal & ribbon at bottom of page]
Page 8

State of New Hampshire County of Grafton ss.
 On this twenty first day of Jan A.D. 1862 personally
 appeared before me Nathaniel W Westgate,
Judge of the Court of Probate of the State & County
 aforesaid in open Court at Littleton.
Ruth E. Howard a resident of Lisbon in the
County of Grafton and State aforesaid, aged
sixty four years, who first being duly sworn
according to law, doth, on her oath, make the
following declaration in order to obtain
the benefits of the provision made by the
Act of Congress passed on the 3d February
1853 granting pensions to widows of persons
who served during the revolutionary war;
that she was formerly the widow of Reuben
Sherman deceased, who was a Soldier in
the war of the Revolution and at the time
of his death was in receipt of a Pension from
the United States at the rate of sixty six
dollars and sixty six cents under the Act
June 7th 1832, and that his name was on
the Roll of the Concord N.H. Pension Agency.
That in her belief the said Reuben Sherman performed
 service for which he never received pension but
she has not as yet obtained proof thereof: that she
Page 9

was married to the said Reuben Sherman
in the town of Barnett in the County of Caledonia
and State of Vermont on the _____ dayof
October AD 1827 by a Justice of the
Peace whose name she is now unable to recollect:
that her said husband died on the third
day of May A.D. 1843 in the town of Lisbon aforesaid.
That she was again married to one Elijah
Howard in said Lisbon on the 8th day of October
A.D. 1848 and that the said Elijah Howard
died in said Lisbon on the first day of December
A.D. 1861, and that she is now a widow.
Ruth E Howard
Signed in presence of

John Farr
L C Morse

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year
above written, before me
N. W. Westgate Judge of Probate
Page 10

State of Vermont County of Caledonia ss
Town Clerk's Office Barnett
January thirteenth 1862
This certifies that I, the subscriber, hold the
 office of Town Clerk of said town of Barnett
& that the records of said town are in my possession. 
That I have carefully examined the record of marriages and 
cannot find thereon a record of the marriage of Reuben Sherman and Ruth E. Sherman.
Tho’s. Derdeville  Town Clerk

Sworn and subscribed on the day & year
above written before me
John Gilkerson
Justice of the Peace
Page 11

We David Parker and Sarah Parker
both residents of Lisbon in the County
of Grafton and State of New Hampshire of lawful age
testify and say that we are well acquainted with
Ruth E. Howard who is now making application for
pension as formerly widow of Reuben Sherman
deceased and have known her for the space thirty
Five years: that we also well knew the
said Reuben Sherman who was a Pensioner of the
United States and died in said Lisbon on the third
day of May 1843 and that the said Ruth E Howard
is the identical person who was formerly the
widow of the said Reuben Sherman, a pensioner of the
United States; that the said Ruth E. & Reuben Sherman
lived together as husband & wife till the death of the
said Reuben and were recognized by their friends and
acquaintances as husband & wife, and we never
heard the fact of their lawful marriage called in
question: That we were also acquainted with Elijah
Howard, the last husband of the said applicant and
know that he died in said Lisbon on the
first day of December AD 1861 leaving the said
applicant a widow, and that she still remains
a widow: that we have no interest in her claim.
David Parker
Sarah Parker
Subscribed & sworn to on this twenty first day of
Page 12

January A D 1862 before me; and I certify
that said affiants are known to me and are all
credible persons and that I have no interest
in this claim.
Dan’l Patterson Justice of the Peace
Page 13

[right margin-vertical]
Reuben Sherman
Declaration
R. I. & N. H. see letter
No. 5499

Grafton ss [District] Probate Court 1832
The said court hereby certify that it appears to them by Proof that the said Reuben Sherman [lives narrate] from any living
[effects] of his service, that he has long been [merchant] in the vicinity & does not know of anyone alive who can testify to his stated service. And that all the witnesses for him [produced or procured] by him {??] wholly.
That the said Ozias Savage is a Clergyman [resident in said Safford or Suffolk] is a disinterested [scrambler]. That the said General Moody Bedel [insert] whose affidavit is [illegible] sworn to in open court, is an [aged] Magistrate of this County & a revolutionary soldier & that Judge Jedediah Hibbard has [sustained] several important offices & is one of said Sherman’s nearest neighbors & that both are highly respectable men & full faith may be placed in their statements - Sworn in open Court this 20th Nov. 1832.
 [illegible signature-too faint to read]
Page 14

The State of New Hampshire County of Grafton ss
On this 14 day of August personally appeared in
open Court before the Judge of the Court of
Probate for said County now sitting Reuben Sherman
resident of Lisbon in said County & State aged
sixty nine years who being first duly sworn 
according to law doth on his oath makes the
following declaration in order to obtain the
benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers and served as
stated. On the 12 day of April 1779 at Gloucester
 in the State of Rhode Island he enlisted with Capt
Abraham Tartaulot in Col Crary’s Regt,
Lieutenant Mc Laughlin & Capt [Concanon’s] Company.
Officer Col Crary commanded the Regiment. I was 
then but 16 years old & I cannot remember distinctly
the other officers. Tartaulot for twelve months. I went
to [Servint’s] Point & mustered there & then i did duty
& went into winter quarters & the next spring when
the year was out I was dismissed & sent
home. James Peters, Jonathan Fairfield & John Turner
enlisted with me & were my messmates through
the war. We all lived before we enlisted near each
other. James Peters in Douglass in Massachusetts State
& the others in Gloucester R.I.  We went as volunteers, that
is we were not drafted nor substitutes. I have no knowledge
of either of these men for 30 years past. There was no battle; 
the British lay in Rhode Island & at Newport & we watched 
 them. They came off to take our guard in June & I was on sentry & I [fired five rounds], while [they were] retreating over a cornfield as I found. 
One of my company was bayonetted & they returned to their
boats after taking all our guard but me.
Page 15

I had a written discharge [and a] pass to go home when
I was dismissed & I kept them a spell but thought
them of no use & they are lost long ago. There is no
person now living who knows my service
that I know of except a brother of mine, Jonathan
Sherman, who knows I enlisted went off to the
service & was gone [untill? sometime?] the next year.
In 1781 in March I enlisted in Lisbon when
I now live & have lived ever since the revolutionary
war.  Luther Richardson was drafted for Eight
months service in the New Hampshire State Troops or Rangers to guard the frontiers & [range the former] to scout.
I became his substitute & entered the service under
Capt Nemiah Lovel of Newbury Vermont [in]
the first of April 1781. We went to Peacham
Vermont & were quartered there. [I or &] went round
during the [seasons?] scouting & fighting indians,
who hung round the frontiers - We crossed Lake
Champlain three times; went in sight of
St Johns in Canada; were in the woods
Sixteen days at [?] & almost [stationed].
In December we were marched back under
Capt Lovell & Lieutenant Mooney to Newbury
& there dismissed & sent home,  the latter part of
December I think. We had no written
discharges & I never had any pay for all
this campaign except what was given
by Richardson for my taking his place.
Lieutenant Mooney is still alive & lives in Oxfarm, N. H.
& will if necessary prove my service. I think I know
of no other who is living that can.  I was born
in Gloucester R.I. Feby 22, 1763 - I have no record of my age.
I [resided] in Gloucester R.I. before I enlisted [illegible]. Since the war, in [Peacham?] where I now live. I volunteered the first service & was a substitute in the second as above.  When I marched to Providence, I [several illegible words] two [journeys] to the Point. I then was in a Company of R.I. [?] Troops only I [?] after they [?ed] to a [R???]
Page 16

I Moody Bedel of Bath in the County of Grafton
State of New Hampshire hereby certify that I am
well acquainted with Reuben
Shearman who has sworn & subscribed to the
annexed declaration. That I believe him
to be sixty nine years of age. That he is
reputed & believed in his neighborhood where
he resides to have been a soldier
of the revolution & that I concur in that opinion.
And further depose say that I have personal knowledge
 of his entering the service, having myself seen him
while on his way to take his station with the troops
 with which he served.
Sworn and subscribed the day & year mentioned in his said declaration in open Court.
Moody Bedel
Page 17

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to
pension or annuity except the present & declare that his
name is not on the pension roll of any Agency in
any State
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Reuben Shearman

We Jonathan Sherman residing in the Town of Lisbon
in said Grafton County and Samuel Sherman residing
 in the said Town of Lisbon hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Sherman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Sixty nine years of age; that he  is reputed & believed in the Neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. We are
Brothers of said Reuben. [During] the war we know he went off into the the [service] twice & came home on a furlough, but had no other personal knowledge of his service.
Sworn to & subscribed the day year aforesaid.
Jonathan Sherman his mark
Samuel Sherman his mark

attest Ira Godall
Edward Webber

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the 
interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the
above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he states. And the Court for then certifies that it appears to them that Jonathan Sherman who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the said Town of Lisbon
and that Samuel Sherman who has also signed the same
is a resident in said Lisbon and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Edward Webber Judge of Probate

I Moses Dow Register of the Court of Probate
do hereby certify that the foregoing are the
original proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application of Reuben Sherman
for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court
 & of Office this 14th day of August 1832-
Moses Dow
Page 18

[Top fold]

We Ozias Savage a Clergyman residing in Lisbon in
said County and Dyer Hibbard of said Lisbon, formerly a Judge, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with 
Reuben Sherman who has subscribed sworn to the within
declaration & the amendment thereof hereon: that we
believe him to be sixty nine years of age. That he is
reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to
have been a Soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in
in that opinion .
Sworn & subscribed the day year aforesaid.
Ozias Savage
Dyer Hibbard

[Middle fold - vertical notes] 

Reuben Sherman
Declaration
R. I. & N. H. see letter
No. 5499

[Middle fold - horizontal text] 

Grafton ss [District or Norton] Probate Court 1832
The said court hereby certify that it appears to them by Proof that the said Reuben Sherman [lives narrate] from any living
[effects] of his service, that he has long been [merchant] in the vicinity & does not know of anyone alive who can testify to his stated service. And that all the witnesses for him [produced or procured] by him {??] wholly.
That the said Ozias Savage is a Clergyman [resident in said Safford or Suffolk] is a disinterested [scrambler]. That the said General Moody Bedel [insert] whose affidavit is [illegible] sworn to in open court, is an [aged] Magistrate of this County & a revolutionary soldier & that Judge Jedediah Hibbard has [sustained] several important offices & is one of said Sherman’s nearest neighbors & that both are highly respectable men & full faith may be placed in their statements - Sworn in open Court this 20th Nov. 1832.
[Bottom fold - horizontal text]

Grafton ss, State of New Hampshire
On this 20th day of November AD 1832 personally appeared
in open Court before the Judge of the Court of Probate
in the County of Grafton & State of New Hampshire, the
said Reuben Sherman the within declarant & further says
that to the first service in Rhode Island he performed
as within. He has no living witness that he knows of that
he performed it all as stated. That Sergeant Strong and
the orderly Sergeant of his company during that year’s
service, before they went to the Point. they crossed Howlands
[Ferry] & then [illegible] & then marched down to the Point.
There was no other regiment stationed there but theirs.
They had to boil salt for use & for three weeks in that [illegible] he states they had no bread. In the last service, he understood no [illegible] were necessary. He says no Clergyman lives in his vicinity and has knowledge of his services. He states that in the last service under Cap Lovell, he was out one day in the forest & heard a slight noise. He looked and saw an Indian [bent] behind a tree. He did the same & [illegible] saw the Indian [peep] out from behind the tree. He fired & killed him by shooting him through the head.
He refers to Genl Moody Bedel for evidence of his last service, also & to [him] Judge Hibbard for persons who have known him a great many years & will vouch for his veracity & their belief of his services as he states.
Sworn and subscribed in open Court the day & year aforesaid.
Reuben Shearman

[Bottom fold - vertical text]

I Moses Dow Register of the Probate Court aforesaid 
do hereby certify that the [minutes, names & papers] are the [evidence & ??] in the case of Reuben Sherman
for a Pension as within. In witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and the seal of Office this 20th day of Nov. 1832-
Moses Dow
Page 19

Private
Capt A Tartaulot
Col Crany
R. I. Mil.

See papers in application
 for pension, Act 3d Feb ‘83

Rev.

317179
Rec’d No. 9
Feb 5/61

L D Stevens
Concord, N H

[shield stamp]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
JAN 31 1833
[illegible-too faint]
Page 20

State of New Hampshire
County of Grafton SS. On this twenty first
day of January A.D. 1862 personally appeared
before me, a Justice of the Peace, within and
for the County and State aforesaid Ruith
E. Howard aged sixty four years, a
resident of Lisbon in the State of New Hampshire
who being duly sworn according to law, declares
that she is the widow of Elijah Howard deceased,
and was formerly the widow of Reuben
Sherman deceased who was a Pensioner
of the United States at the rate of Sixty Six dollars
and sixty six cents per annum under the
Act of June 7, 1832 and that his name
was on the Roll of the Concord N.H. Pension
Agency. That she was married to the said
Reuben Sherman in the town of Barnett in
the County of Caledonia State of Vermont in the
month of October A.D. 1827. That her said
husband died in said town of Lisbon on the
third day of May 1843. That she was afterward
married to the said Elijah Howard in said
Lisbon on the Eighth day of October 1848.
That he died in said Lisbon on the first
day of December A.D. 1861, and that she is
now a widow. That she thinks there is no private
or public record of her marriage to the said
Reuben Sherman.
[signature is cut off-appears to be witness Sarah Parker]
Page 21

She makes this declaration for the purpose of
obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may
be entitled under the Act of March 3d 1885
and she further declares that she has not received
or applied for bounty land heretofore under any the
above or any other Act of Congress.
Ruth E Howard

David Parker
Sarah Parker

We,  David Parker and Sarah Parker residents of Lisbon
 in the State of New Hampshire upon our oaths declare
 that the foregoing declaration was signed and 
acknowledged by the said Ruth E. Howard in our presence
and that from our personal acquaintance
with said declarant and from her statements
we know her to be the identical person she represents
 herself to be in the foregoing declaration and that we are disinterested.
David Parker
Sarah Parker

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were
sworn to and subscribed before me on the
day and year above written and I certify that
Page 22

I know the affiants to be credible persons;
that the claimant is the person she represents
herself to be, and that I have no interest in this
claim
Dan'l Patterson
Justice of the Peace
Page 23

State of New Hampshire County of Grafton ss 
We David Parker and Sarah Parker both of Lisbon
 in the State & County aforesaid, of lawful age, testify and say
that we were well acquainted with Reuben Sherman &
Ruth E Sherman his wife.  That we lived near
neighbors to them for fifteen years before the
death of the said Reuben Sherman and know
that they lived together & cohabited as husband
and wife and to be so reputed. That the said
Reuben Sherman died at said Lisbon
on or about the 3 day of May AD 1843. That
we attended his funeral and that he left
his widow Ruth E Sherman, who afterwards
married Elijah Howard of said Lisbon
and that the said Elijah Howard died
at said Lisbon on the first day of Dec
AD 1861 & that we attended his funeral. That
he left his widow Ruth E Howard who
is now a widow, and that she is the
identical person she represents herself
to be and that we have no interest in her
claim for Bounty land.
David Parker
Sarah E Parker

Grafton ss Jany 21 1842 Subscribed &
to before me & I certify that I have
no interest in this Claim
Dan’l Patterson Justice of the Peace
Page 24

Aug                         
Rev. and 1812 Ware Section.
March 10, 1924.
Abbie V. Smart,
Lakeport, R. 5,
N.H.

Madam;

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 11310, it appears that Reuben Sherman (Pensioned Shearmen) was born in Gloucester, Rhode Island, July 22, 1763 and resided before enlistment at Douglass, Massachusetts.
He enlisted at Gloucester, Rhode Island, April 12, 1779 and served as a private one year in captain Carr's Company, Colonel Crary's Rhode Island Regiment. 
He enlisted in 1781 and served in Captain Nehemiah Lovell's Vermont Company until the latter part of December 1781.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 14, 1832, while a resident of Lisbon, Grafton County, New Hampshire, and he died there May 3, 1843.
Soldier married in Barnes [should be Barnett], Caledonia County, Vermont,
Page 25

October 1827, Ruth E., widow of Reuben Sherman Jr., son
of soldier, who died in 1823. She married Elijah Howard
October 8, 1848 and he died December 1, 1861. She was
allowed pension on the services of Reuben
Sherman Sr., on her application executed January 21, 1862,
while a resident of Lisbon, New Hampshire, aged sixty four
years.
Children of Reuben Sherman Sr., and his widow Ruth
are referred to, no names stated.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 26

1872 Apl 19 Hen M. Hibbard
[do.] June 20. Pen Agt. (Removing
suspension
July 6/72. Hon [L] D. Stevens
Mch. 3/69 Mrs Ellen A.
Nas Chelsea Mars histy
AMJ
1909 July 17 Hist to Mrs
Clinton Eastman VLM
1911 Apr. 21. Hist to Mr.
Frank Dempster Sherman
1924 Mch 10- Hist to Abbie V.
Smart AWS

Rev WIDOW, &c.
Cert No. 7187
File No. 11310
Ruth C. Howard
Wid of
Reuben Sherman
Pri Rev War
Concord N.H. Agency
Act: Feby 3. 1853.
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 344
{Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 27

100.785
160 acres
Page 28

No. 7630.
Ruth E. Howard
formerly widow of
Reuben Sherman
New Hampshire
3rd Aud 1 Feby 62
Same 11, Feb. '62
Act 3d February 1853
Page 29

Act 3 February 1853
Ruth E. Howard
formerly widow of
Reuben Sherman
Grafton County
New Hampshire
Allowed, at the rate of
6.66. per ann. as the widow
of Reuben Sherman, a Private
of infantry in the revolutionary
war
Certificate to be sent to
L. D. Stevens, Esq.
Concord.
N. H
Page 30


State of New Hampshire.
Merrimack County.
I, ISAAC A. HILL, Register of the Court of Probate for said
County, hereby certify and attest that Daniel Patterson
of Bath in the County of Grafton before whom the annexed
affidavit was sworn to and who has subscribed his
name to the certificate thereof, was, at the time of so doing, a
Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn,
and duly authorized to administer oath and take the acknowledgement of deeds
& c., that his signature thereunto is in my belief genuine.

Given under my hand and the seal of said Court, at Concord, in said County,
this 15th day of March A.D. 1872
Isaac A. Hill
Register of the Court of Probate,
Merrimack County.
Page 31

State of New Hampshire
County of Grafton
March 9 1872
I David Parker
of Lisbon in said County of
Grafton, Certify and say that
I am Seventy seven years
old next June, and that I
was near neighbor of
Reuben Sherman Jr. late of
said Lisbon, now deceased.
That said Ruben Sherman Jr.
died in said Lisbon
in 1823 and that I attended
his funeral and that he
left his widow Ruth &
Sherman and some 3 
or 4 years after, said
Ruth married Reuben
Sherman Senior, and that
said Reuben Sherman Senior
died about the year 1849
 
over
Page 32


and that after his death the said Ruth Married
Elijah Howard of said Lisbon and that the said
Elijah Howard died some 14 or 15 years since, and
that the said Ruth E Howard now remains
a widow and that I have no interest in this Claim
David Parker

State of New Hampshire
County of Grafton
March 9 1872
Personally appeared the above named
Daniel Parker and made oath that the above statement
Signed by him is true, before me & I certify that I am 
disinterested in this claim.
Dan’l Patterson Jus of the Peace
Page 33

House of Reps. Apl. 9, 1872
Dear Sir
I have examined the Vt. Statutes
in the Congressional Library, and I find that
prior to 1839 a woman was not prohibited
from marrying her husband’s father.
An early statute (1797) contained a list
of relationships between whom marriages were
prohibited, but this was not among them.
In 1839. there was a general revision of
the Statutes of the State, & then the list of
prohibitions was much enlarged & made to
include the relationship above named.
There had been no change before that year,
so that a woman might lawfully marry
her husband’s father in Vt. any time prior
 to 1839-
Yours very truly
L. P. Poland

Col J. H. Baker
Com’r of Pensions
Page 34

Washington March 3”

Here is another affidavit
in the case of Ruth E
Howard for restoration
of pension
E A Hibbard
Page 35

State of New Hampshire  County of Grafton ss
March 25 1872. I,  Anna Bishop of Lisbon
in said County of Grafton certify and say that I am
Seventy four years old next April and that I was near
neighbor of Reuben Sherman Jr.  [insert] of said Lisbon.
That said Reuben Sherman Jr. died in Feby 1823 and
left his widow Ruth E Sherman. And that some 3 or 4 years
of the said Ruth E. married Reuben Sherman Senior
and that the said Reuben Sherman Senior died some twenty years since, and after the death of the said Reuben Senior
the said Ruth E married
Page 36

Elijah Howard and that said
Elijah Howard died some
10 or 15 years since. And that the
said Ruth now remains a
widow. And that I have
no interest in this claim.
Anna Bishop

State of New Hampshire County of Grafton ss
March 25 1872 Personally appeared Anna Bishop and
made oath that the above affidavit by her signed is
true before me, and I certify that I am disinterested in
this Claim & that the words ‘of said Lisbon’ interlined before signing.
Dan’l Patterson Jus of the Peace
Page 37

Wells River Vt.
Jany 25. 1872
Hon Daniel Patterson
Bath, N. H. 
D Sir 
 I have as you requested Examined
the old Statutes of Vermont
& find that in 1797 Feby 28
the legislative passed an
act stating who might be
married. That by that act a 
Woman could Marry her
husband’s father, after her
husband’s death - And I do not
find that that law was repealed & the marriage
prohibited till Revised Statutes of 1839-40. The act of 1797
will be found in Slades
Page 38

Laws of Vt Published in
1824, Page 360-
The act of 1797 was Repealed
by Revised Stat. of 1839-40. See
page 517. So as I understand
a woman was not prohibited in 
Vt from Marrying
her husband’s father
from 1797 to 1839 or 1 Jany 1840
Yours truly
C. B. Leslie
Page 39

Concord N.H.
Jany 29. 1872
Hon. E. A Hibbard
My Dr Sir
Your favor
of the 15th inst. relative to the
claim of Mr Sherman came
duly to hand. I now enclose
a letter from C.B. Leslie to
Mr Patterson which will direct
 you to the law of Vt.
making this marriage
legal.
I also enclose Mr Patterson’s
reply to mine, thinking
his suggestions might aid
you. I suppose the evidence
of the marriage now on file
in the case, is satisfactory &
when it is made to appear
Page 40

that the Statutes of Vt. at the date
of the marriage sanctioned it,
I cannot see why the pension should
not be restored to this widow.
Truly Yours
L D Stevens
Page 41

Bath N. H. Jany 26/72
L D Stevens Esq
Dear Sir
On my return home
Wednesday, found your
letter & E A Hibbert’s to [?].
I went yesterday down to
Mills River, Vt. to see
C. B. Leslie, one of the best
Lawyers in Vermont & spent
most of the day [?]. And Sir 
what he says from the
enclosed letters, I think
the case is a good one
and want to put the thing
through; I went to Lisbon
to day to see the old Lady
Sherman. Was not at home;
had gone to Littleton. Will
see her Monday next.
Page 42

Found out there was no
doubt in regard to the
time of marriage by the old
Lady’s son (adopted son) that
they were married somewhere
 from 1825 to 30, as their
oldest child after marriage
is 41 [and] years old. So you
will see the marriage was 
legal by the laws of Vermont
at the time [of] the marriage.
If so, [north many?] shall
be [same] about 1 week. If
any thing you want done
write me so I can get it
on my return home. Shall
be at Concord in about
2 weeks. Should you write 
to Washington before I see
you, say to Mr Hibbard if he 
would like to call on 
Judge Poland who is
Page 43

Member from Vermont, and
a friend of mine, and would
be glad to do all he could
for me. Hibbard could
say he called by my
request, & Judge Poland would
assist him in
looking up the law &c. 
I did not know but you 
would like to keep Hibbard’s
letters & I return some.
Will see you when in Concord
next time.
Truly,
D. Patterson
her application for Pension
is on file. He can look if
that will give time of marriage.
D P
Page 44

[Col Trask?]
Page 45

Concord N.H.
Sept 2 1871
Sir
Enclosed I send you a power of Atty
authorizing me to present the claim
of Ruth E. Howard formerly widow
of Reuben Sherman a soldier in
the war of the Revolution [for] restoration to the Roll.
The statement inclosed explains the case.
The only question in this - the legality of
the marriage. The marriage took
place in the State of Vermont and
by the laws of Vt., the marriage
was legal. The position taken
on the part of claimant is that if 
the marriage was legal in the place
of its occurrence,  it is legal

over
Page 46

in all other places.
This is a legal position
which is sound and tenable-
I respectfully request that this case
may be re-examined.
Very Respectfully
L D Stevens

Hon J. H. Baker
Comm’r of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 47

I Daniel Patterson of Bath County of
Grafton and State of New Hampshire
Depose and say that I was connected
with L D Stevens of Concord [Vt or N.H]  in procuring
pensions & land warrants in fall & winter of
1861 & 1862, and that Leonard Elms [of Lisbon, Vt.]
came to me in the fall of 1861 and wished [in]
to [Mrs? or Ser] Ruth E Howard formerly widow of
Reuben Sherman who then lived in
said Lisbon, saying that she was entitled
to a pension, on account of said Sherman
who was a Private in the Revolution war. 
I agreed to see her, and did so, and from
her statement, thought she was entitled to
a pension. Said she was married to the
said Reuben Sherman in the town of Barret
Caledonia County and State of Vermont.
Took the evidence in the case, and the
said Ruth E Howard obtained her pension
certificate, and drew her pension.
Soon after the said Leonard Elms
came to me and said he had a claim
against Elijah Howard who was the husband
of the said Ruth E Howard and could not
Collect it of the said Elijah Howard before
his death. And [asked] me to ask Mrs Howard
to pay it out of her pension. I did so, she
declined to pay it, she being very poor &
the pension barely kept her off the [town]. 
I told said Elms what Mrs Howard said.
He Elms said if she did not pay him
he would get some one to write and stop
her pension. I told him that would not
[bark? or bode ] well as he was the one who first
Page 48

spoke to me about the case. He said he’d
be damned if he did not stop her pension
unless she would pay him that debt against
Elijah Howard and this was the last
word I heard about it untill A P Carpenter, of Bath 
aforesaid, told me that the said
Leonard Elms had been down & he had
written a letter by Said Elms request to
the pension department and had stopped
the pension, as I understand him, on the
Ground, that the marriage of Reuben Sherman
to the said Ruth E. was not legal by the
laws of the State of New Hampshire. I told him
that had nothing to do with it as they were
married in Barret Vermont where
the marriage was legal. That
they lived together as man & wife about 40 years, 
raised up a large family and furnished 3 Good Soldiers for the
last war of 1861.
Bath N. H. August 28/71
D Pattterson

State of New Hampshire
County of Grafton August 28 1841
personally appeared the above named
David Patterson  and made oath that the
foregoing statement by him signed is
in his belief true.
Before me Isaac Patterson
Justice of the Peace
Page 49

[oval stamp- mostly illegible]

SEP 6 1871
Page 50

Know all men by these Presents
That I Ruth E. Howard, formerly widow of
Reuben Sherman a Private in the Revolutionary War, 
and a pensioner of the United States
under the Act of February 3d 1853, and
enrolled at the Concord N.H. Pension Agency
do hereby constitute and appoint L.D. Stevens
of Concord N.H. My true and lawful attorney
for me and in my name to procure the restoration
of my name to the Pension list the same
having been dropped without sufficient
cause and I fully authorize and empower my said attorney to do all things necessary for the proper & speedy prosecution of my said claim.
Witness my hand and seal the twenty Eight day of August 1871
Ruth E Howard
Dan’l Patterson
R S Sherman


State of New Hampshire
County of Grafton on this Twenty Eighth day
of August 1871 personally appeared
Ruth E Howard above named and
acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney
to be her act and deed.
Before me Dan’l Patterson Jus of Peace
Page 51

Concord NC
Jany 11 1872
Hon H Hubbard
Dr Sir.
At the request
of our mutual friend
Daniel Patterson Esq of Bath
N.H. I send you the enclosed
Pension Certificate of
Ruth E. Howard with request
that you will call at the Pension
Office & look the case up.
Mrs Howard was formerly the
widow of Reuben Sherman
a soldier in the war of the Rev.
& a pensioner - prior to her marriage
to said Sherman she was the wife
of his son after her first husband’s
death she married his father.
Reuben Sherman. They lived in
the State of N H at the time of
Page 52

their marriage, but they were married
in the State of Vermont. A few years
ago one of Mrs. H’s neighbors got offended
 with her & wrote to the pension
Office, stating that her marriage to
Sherman was illegal. & on
the strength of that letter the pension
was stopped. Patterson contends
that the marriage was legal under the
statute of Vt. and consequently
valid altho forbidden by the
laws of N.H.
I inclose Patterson's letter and
also one from Gen Bedel
touching this case - I have no
doubt the pension should be restored
to this widow-
Very Truly Yours
L D Stevens
Page 53

Jay [illegible] wrote LDS if Vt. law 
authorized at it is all [enough] but
Not so RS [Revised Statutes] 1839. Cohabitation doesn’t
seem to be sufficient as they can’t
lawfully marry
Page 54

Concord N H
Jany 20, 1866

Hon J H Barrett
Comm. of Pension
The enclosed
letter written to
me by Mr Carpenter,
 our County
solicitor brings to
light a peculiar
case. A case in
which crime is
made profitable
by persistent perjury.
Mr Carpenter
Page 55

is perfectly reliable.
If you think
best to pursue
the case I shall
 be glad to aid 
you in any way
in which I can
be of service.
Very respectfully &c
J W Patterson
Page 56

[blank page-reverse side of prior scan]
Page 57

7087

Bath New Hamp
Aug. 16. 1866
Hon J W Patterson
Hammer N.H.
My Dear Sir
A Mr Leonard Elms
communicates to me the facts stated
on the next page. I know Mr Elms to be a 
thoroughly reliable man, who has had
opportunity & knows the matters whereof he
speaks, & that he fully believes the
facts to be as he states them. If
you agree with me that the information
is of sufficient importance & sufficiently
reliable to warrant its communication
to your officials that they may
investigate the matter if they see
fit, I will thank you to forward it
(with your indorsement to that
effect) to the proper officer.
I remain very truly
Respectfully yours,
A. P. Carpenter
Page 58

Ruth Sherman (or Ruth Howard) of
Lisbon is drawing a pension as the widow
of Reuben Sherman (Sen) a revolutionary
pensioner although she is not in fact
his widow.
She married Reuben Sherman Jr.
who deserted from the service in the war of
1812 & died some 40 years ago. After his
death she lived with said Reuben (Sen)
the father of Reuben Jr. as his wife
& has children to him, but in fact
never was, nor could be legally
married to him, being his son’s
widow. Vid N.H. Comp. Stats.
ch 156. 51. (or Rev. Statts. ch. 147)
After the death of said Reuben
Sen. she was legally married to
Elijah Howard with whom she
lived until his death some
6 to 8 years ago.
Page 59

(Copy)
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
PENSION OFFICE
Washington, DC. August 27" 1866
Sir 
The pension of Ruth E. Howard formerly
widow of Reuben Sherman a pensioner on the Concord
roll. Act Feby 3. 1863 has been suspended.
Respectfully
(Signed) Jos. H Barrett
Commissioner

Mr John Wilson
3’ Auditor.
Page 60

[oval stamp- mostly illegible]

APRIL 4 1871
Page 61

Copy
Department of the Interior
Pension Office
Augt. 25, 1866

Sir
Ruth E. Howard widow of Reuben Sherman at $66.66
under 2d Sect. Feby 3, 1853, on your roll is suspended.
It seems that she was the widow of Reuben Jr. and after his
death lived with his father as as his wife-- claiming a marriage
by a magistrate, but what one was not shown in the parole
evidence (in 1827). As the laws of your State forbids such
marriages, the presumption is that it never took place as alleged.
L. D. Stevens was the attorney, and will you make suitable
enquires as to the probability of any attempt to recover the money already paid & inform me thereof.

Respectfully
(Signed )
Jos. H. Barrett
Comm’r.

David Cross Esq
Pension Agent
Concord, N. H. 

J.N.P. V. 7 P. 159
Page 62

(Copy)
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
PENSION OFFICE
Washington, DC. August 27" 1866
Sir 
The pension of Ruth E. Howard formerly
widow of Reuben Sherman a pensioner on the Concord
roll. Act Feby 3. 1863 has been suspended.
Respectfully
(Signed) Jos. H Barrett
Commissioner

J. W. Broadhead Esq
2nd Comptroller
Page 63

[blank page-reverse side of prior scan]
Page 64

Concord N.H. Jany 28th 1862
Sir
I herewith transmit evidence in support of the
claim of Ruth E.Howard, formerly widow of Ruben Shearman,
a pensioner under the Act of June 7th 1832
at the rate of $66.66 per an. for
pension and for increase of her
said husband’s pension.
The widow states that her husband always
declared that he served long enough
to entitle him to a full pension and
that he ought to have had it. I understand
from her that her husband made such
claim when he applied for pension.
In support of this claim for increase
permit me to call your attention to 
a book entitled “Spirit of 1776 in
Rhode Island  by Benja Cowell, published
in 1850. This book I presume to be in
the possession of the Pension Office, and
referred to as good authority in the
decision of pension claims.
On the 34th page you will find the
Page 65

name of Reuben Sherman on a Pay Abstract
of Capt Peck’s Co in Col Lippett.s Regt Sept 1776.
Also on Page 95 the name of Reuben Shearman
is found. Amount of depreciation due him
#20. 12s. 3d. Also on page 117 sixth name from
the top his name again occurs, Amount
depreciation due him #5. 6s. 10d.
On page 120 you will find among
other important statements the following: 
Near the close of the 2d paragraph,
“They (referring to the soldiers whose names appear
on preceding pages) were raised not only
with the full approbation, but at the Earnest
Solicitation of Congress, were taken into 
Continental Pay, placed under continental officers,
were actually in service three years and
three months.”
On page 64 near the bottom
of the page the written account for the last
of the Roll showing the service of the men
among whose names is found that of
Reuben Sherman. Upon the examination
of the book above referred to I
cannot doubt that you will find
Page 66

abundant evidence
to warrant the increase
of Reuben
Sherman's pension
as desired by the applicant.

I am very Respectfully
Your Obt Sert
L. D. Stevens

Jos. H Barrett
Comr of Pensions
Washington D.C.

N. B. A claim for Bounty Land is also forwarded
with the claim for Pension
Page 67

BRIEF in the case of Ruth E. Howard formerly widow of Reuben Sherman
Grafton County and State of New Hampshire
a Private of the revolution
Act February 3d 1852

Claim, (original, or for increase)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.

Claimant’s former husband, Reuben Sherman was a
Pensioner at the rate of 66.66. per ann.
Marriage proven by the testimony of respectable witnesses
(on proof that no record evidence is to be found.) who [swore]
[testimony], to the relation of husband & wife between the

(If for increase.)
Has addition be admission of the claim? If so, what?

parties- that they were recognized as such and the reputation
of lawful marriage was free from doubt.
Marriage to Reuben Sherman occurred in 1827.  He died in May 3d 1843, and the vouchers in the third Auditor
office show that payment was of the balance of pension
was made to applicant, as his widow.
Death of last husband & present widowhood proven by
testimony of respectable witnesses. Date of last husband’s death 1st of December 1861 - Allowed at the rate of $66.66 per annum to Commence 2d December 1861.
L.M. Drury
Examining Clerk.

Name and residence of Agent
L. D. Stevens, Esq
Concord N.H
Page 68

Old war
7089
Ruth E. Howard
File
11310
Page 69

[oval stamp]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
PENSION OFFICE
NOV 20 1878

(PENSIONER DROPPED.)
U S Pension Agency
Concord N. H.
Nov 16, 1878

Com. J A. Bentley
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I hereby report that the name of Ruth E. Howard, widow 
Reuben Sherman who was a pensioner on the rolls
of this Agency, under Certificate No. 7087, and who was
last paid at $66.66 per annum to 4 June, 1875, has
has dropped, because of failure to claim for
three years. (Formerly Concor Roll)
Very respectfully,
E G Whitford
Pension Agent
Every name dropped to be thus reported at once.
Page 70

7087
Ruth E. Howard
Concord, N. H.
Roll
Act Feby 3. 53
9.27.73
Page 71

W
All Official Letters to the Office must be addressed to the "Third Auditor of the Treasury,” and in replying to
Letters from this Office the initials on the upper left hand corner should be referred to.
Treasury Department,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
Washington, D.C. Sept. 24, 1873

Sir:
Has the suspension in the
case of Ruth E Howard, Concord roll,
 act February 3rd 1853,
been removed?
The agent paid her pension
 in July 1872, from March 4 
1866. Certificate #7087.
Very respectfully
Allan Rutherford
Auditor
per W

Hon. Comr of Pensions.

Jos  C Faust
Page 72

[oval stamp]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
PENSION OFFICE
JUL 5 1872
Page 73

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
PENSION OFFICE
J.S.
S.S.D.
Washington, D.C. June 25 1872

Hon E. A. Hibbard
Laconia N.H.
Sir
In reply to yours
of the 22d inst. I have to inform you
that an order for the removal of
suspension of payment in case
of Ruth E. Howard, widow of Reuben
Sherman, was issued on the 19 of
April last and the Pension Agent
at Concord authorized to resume
payment.
As the Pension Agent has not
received the order a duplicate

H. 
(over)
Page 74

has this day been issued.
Very respectfully
C W Seaton
Acting Commissioner
Page 75

CVW
Remove suspension
JWS
Jun 25/72

The original of this
order was late with the
case while in transit to
this Division from O W & N.
Case was found in the files
this day and the
within is copy of original
order as taken from [master]
Copy.
JWS
Jun 25/72
Page 76

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
PENSION OFFICE

S.S.D.
Washington, D.C. Apl 19th 1872

Remove suspension in case of Ruth
E. Howard formerly widow of Reuben Sherman
No. 7087. Concord N. H. Agency; the legality of
Marriage having been established by the
Statute of 1797 and by general revision
1839 State of Vermont.
See letter of Senator Poland dated
Apl 9. 1872.
Ten dollars Attorney fee due
L. D. Stephens, Concord N.H.
(Signed )
J. H. Baker
Commissioner

To
Finance Division
Page 77

Pension Agency
Concord NH
April 2, 1872,

Sir,
In compliance with your request of the
30th ult, I herewith furnish a copy of a letter from
your office dated Aug. 25. 1866, relative to Ruth E
Howard
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Danl Cross
Pen. Agt

J. H. Baker
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 78

[circle stamp]
PENSION OFFICE U S 
FEB 7 1895

[rectangle stamp]
OLD WAR AND 
NAVY DIVISION
U S P B
FEB 9 1895
Page 79

O W & N / W
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
Will you kindly
send to me the Military
Record of Reuben Sherman
of Lisbon N.H. - Grafton
County - If you will
also send the bill. for
what this will cost, I
Will forward the money.
Sincerely
Mrs. Ellen H. Nash
2 Franklin Ave
Chelsea, Mass

Feb. 6. 99
Page 80

O W & N
Pension Office Washington

Gentlemen
Some time ago
I wrote asking for the
military record of
Reuben Sherman
was a pensioner and
we think of the Revolutionary
 war. We also think he was in the
Rhode Island troops-
Will you kindly
Page 81

communicate with
me as early as
convenient.
Sincerely

E. H. Nash
2 Franklin Ave
Chelsea, Mass

[circle stamp]
PENSION OFFICE U S 
FEB 21 1899
Page 82

Mechanicsville N. Y.
July 10-09
Pension Office
Washington DC.
Sirs
I am trying to obtain a record
as a revolutionary soldier of my
grand father. His name was
Reuben Sherman and he lived in
Lisbon, New Hampshire. I’m
positive that he drew a pension and 
that after his death that
his wife, whose name was Ruth
 (Smith)  Sherman drew
a pension. She died thirty nine
years ago. I have already
 written to the Adjutant General’s 
Office at Concord N.H., but was
unable to obtain any information
there. I thought that the name
Would be on the pension roll
of this Office. If so or you
can give me any information
will you please advise me
How to obtain a record of
the same. 
Very truly Yours,
Mrs. Clinton Eastman
126 & Third St
Mechanicsville  N.Y.
Page 83

[circle stamp-mostly illegible]
JUL 13 1909
Page 84

[circle stamp]
PENSION OFFICE U S 
FEB 6 1924
Page 85

Feb 2 -1924
Pension Dept.
Gentlemen: I am
looking for proof of marriage of
Reuben Sherman and Ruth Smith
so that their daughter now living in
Laconia N.H. can be proved a
real daughter of the Revolution
Reuben Sherman was placed on
pension rolls in Jan 17 - 1832.
commencement of pension Mar 4 1831
aged 71.
Sometime in the 30’s, I judge, he
married his brother’s Widow Ruth Smith
Sherman (so I am informed) and
died around 1893.

[circle stamp]
PENSION OFFICE U S
FEB 6 1924
Page 86

Their daughter, now living, feels sure
that her mother drew a pension
as his widow after this date.
can you give me proof that she
did? If I can have this proof
it is all I need to complete my
investigations and town records
of that period are very incomplete.
Thanking you in advance and
if there is a charge please
send me the amount.
Very truly yours
(Mrs) Abbie V Smart
Regent Mary Butler Chap. D.A.R.
R 5 Lakeport N.H.