Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8428, for Stephen Pratt, Vermont
Page 1

(3-1776)

SEVICE
Vt.

Pratt, Stephen
Rhoda

NUMBER
R. 8428

CONTENTS
Page 2

[left column]
14520
Michigan
Stephen Pratt
of Erie
in the State of N. York
who was a Private in the Compy commanded
by Captain --- of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Bronson in the Vt.
line for 12 mos
14520

Inscribed on the Roll of N. York
at the rate of 40 Dollars -- cent per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of May
1850 -and sent o S. Lake
Springville

Arrears to the 4th of Mar:'33 $80
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 20
$100 
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by G Stiles Clerk
Book E Vol. 4 Page 71

[right column]
Letter to Hon W. Woodbridge
30 March 1846
same person & Co to Pen Agt
29 April 1846
-
---
To Michigan from 4 March
1845. 6. May. 1846. Notification 
to Hon W. Woodbridge
Senate U.S.
Letter Wm S. Brown 29 Jan 1850
" Hon. Wm Sprague 18 Apl 1850

3 Aug. 1852-
Page 3

Stephen Pratt
 Revolutionary Claim
Page 4

Declaration of a Revolutionary Soldier who served in the Militia, to obtain a Pension under the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of New York, Erie County, ss.
On this fifth day of December 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting at Buffalo, in said County, Stephen Pratt a resident of Sardinia in the County of Erie and state of New York, aforesaid, aged 68 years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832, That he enlisted the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated that he enlisted for six months on May or June in the year 1781, then being a resident citizen of [illegible] now in the state of Vermont, under Captain William Hutching in a Regiment of Vermont troops commanded by Majr Ebenezer Allen. Served at Pittsford under the above named officers the principal part of the time, marched to Castleton Vermont and then discharged in December following having served the full period of six months, was in no battles. Then [illegible[ no continental troops at the places when the deponent served. Served as a guard and marched over only a small territory near their station. That in the year following 1782 he enlisted in May for six months at [illegible] Vermont (then also being a citizen of Pownal) under Capt or Lieutenant Dimich and was mustered in Capt. Hutchins company there were several companies stationed at Castleton in Vermont under Col. Bronson. Served the full period of his enlistment and was discharged late in the fall following at Binnington, cannot recollect the dates of the commencement of the service or of his discharge. There were no continental troops at that station during the above period of service that he was in no battles has no written discharge or evidence of his service other than the affidavit annexed of his tow brothers. That he received written discharge but that the same have been lost. That since the Revolution he resided in Massachusetts Connecticut and Vermont, and for the last thirty years in the state of New York. He hereby relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a Pension, or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, Stephen Pratt
Sworn and subscribed this 5th day of December 1832
Noah P. Sprague Clerk of Erie Common Pleas
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We Eliakim Vosburgh residing in the town of Sardnia & county of Erie and Isaac Could residing in the town of Eden and county of Erie hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Stephen Pratt who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be 68 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Isaac Gould
Eliakim Vosburgh
Subscribed and Sworn, this 5th day of December 1832
Noah P. Sprague Clerk of Erie Common Pleas
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them, that John Gould who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident in the town of Eden and county of Erie and that Eliakim Vosburgh who has signed the same, is a resident of the town of Sardinia and county of aforesaid and [illegible] persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Noah P. Sprague, Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Stephen Pratt for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifth day of December 1832
Noah P. Sprague, Clerk
Page 6

State of New York Monroe County
John Pratt of Bush in the county of Monroe and State of New York being duly sworn deposes and says he is aged as he verely believes sixty nine years that in the year of our Lord 1781 in the month of May or June this deponent enlisted as a soldier in the Army of the Revolution for six months under Captain Nathaniel Suly of Pownell in the county of Benington & now state of Vermont that he served under Captain Hutchins in a Regiment commanded by Major Ebanezer Allen that he served to the end of his term of enlistment when he was discharged in Castleton that he served the principal part of the time at Pittsford. And this deponent further says that Stephen Pratt the applicant for a Pension is a brother of this deponent next younger than this deponent and that during the time of service aforesaid under Captain Hutchins in the Regiment commanded by the said Major Ebanezar Allen the said Stephen Pratt enlisted and served with this deponent that during the whole of the time of service of six months as aforesaid this deponent and the said Stephen Pratt were mess mates & further says not
John Pratt
Sworn and subscribed before me this 21st day of July A.D. 1832 Peter Price
Judge of the County Court for Monroe County
I Peter Price one of the Judges of the county Court for Monroe County do certify that I have been personally acquainted with the foregoing deponent John Pratt for more than twenty years that he has resided in the neighborhood with me and know him to be a person of good moral character and aged person and has at all times been entitled to full credit
Peter Price July 21st 1832
Page 7

State of New York Monroe County
I certify that Peter Price Esquire before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Judge of the county courts of said county, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that his name subscribed to said affidavit is his proper hand writing and signature. In testimony where of I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of the court of common pleas or said county this twenty fifth day of July 1832.
Leonard Adams Clerk
Page 8

Stephen Pratt Rev. Claim for Pension
21352
Returns to be made to Samuel Lake Springville Erie Co. N.Y.
Page 9

State of New York Monroe County
Noah Pratt of Bush in the county of Monroe and state of New York being duly sworn deposes and says that in the year of our Lord1782 in the month of May at Benington in the now state of Vermont this deponent enlisted for the term of six months under Captain Dinick in a Regiment commanded by Colonel or General Bronson & which of the two officers this deponent does not distinctly recollect and that he served to the end of his enlistment and was discharged at Benington. and this deponent further says that Stephen Pratt the applicant for a pension is a brother of this deponent that he enlisted served and was discharged with him at the same time this deponent distinctly recollects the service of the said Stephen Pratt as he [illegible] with this deponent during the term of enlistment & he also distinctly recollects it was the year next after his brother John Pratt & Stephen Pratt had returned from their services under Major Allen and further says Not
Noah Pratt
Sworn and subscribed before me this 21st day of July AD 1832
Peter Price Judge of the County Court for Monroe County
State of New York Monroe County
I Peter Price one of the Judges of the County Court for Monroe County do certify that I am well acquainted with Noah Pratt the foregoing deponent and have been for more than twenty years that he has all this time been one of my nearest neighbors [illegible] and I do not hesitate in saying he is at all times entitled to full credit
Peter Price
Page 10

State of New York Monroe County
I certify that Peter Price Esquire before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same, a Judge of the county courts of said county, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that his name, subscribed to said affidavit, is his proper hand writing and signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal fo the court of common pleas of said county, this twenty fifth day of July 1832
Leonard Adams Clerk
Page 11

In matter of Claims
of Rhoda Pratt for
Pension under Act
March 3rd 1853
T. H. Hartwell
Detroit
Page 12

State of Michigan County of Allegan SS On this ninth day of July A.D. 1855 personally appeared before me Samuel D Foster a Justice of the Peace in and for the county and state aforesaid. Rhoda Pratt a resident of Otsego in the county of Allegan and state of Michigan aged eighty six 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
Page 13

3rd February 1853, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War; that she is the widow of Stephen Pratt who was a private in the Company commanded by Capt Hutchins attached to the Regiment of commanded by Ebenezer Allen. She further declares that she was married to the said Stephen Pratt on the 15 day of November 1786, and that her said husband died on the 3rd day of August in the year eighteen hundred and
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and fifty four. She further declares that she is now a widow. Sworn & subscribed before me this 9th day of July AD 1855
Rhoda Pratts
X Her Mark
Samuel D. Foster Justice of Peace County of Allegan Michigan
State of Michigan County of Allegan William White of Ostego
County of Allegan State of Michigan being duly sworn says that he is fifty four years
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of age and that he has known Rhoda Pratt for thirty two years; that he known Stephen Pratt for thirty two years prior to his death; that he well knows that Stephen and Rhoda Pratt lived together and were acknowledged by all as man and wife for thirty two years prior to the death of Stephen Pratt sworn & subscribed before me this 27th day of February AD 1855
WM White
Moses Norris Justice of the Peace
State of Michigan County of Allegan Phebe Ross, being duly sworn says that she resides in [illegible] County of Allegan State of Michigan that
Page 16

she well knows Rhoda Pratt the person who has signed the foregoing and prefixed declaration and well knew Stephen Pratt the husband of said Rhoda Pratt when he, said Stephen, was living; that she knows said Rhoda and Stephen Pratt lived together as man and wife for the period of 53 years and further saith Not.
Sworn subscribed before me this the 6th day of March AD 1855
Phebe Ross
X her mark
Wilson C. [illegible] Justice of the Peach Michigan
Page 17

Stephen Pratt born in Massachusetts Dec 17th 1764 Rhoda Pratt born Massachusetts August 20th 1770
Stephen and Rhoda Pratt married Nov 1786 Stephen Pratt died August 3rd 1854
State of Michigan County of Allegan
William White being duly sworn says that he is a resident of Ostego county of Allegan State of Michigan and that he knows of his own knowledge that the above is a true copy of the marriage record as taken from
Page 18

the family Bible of Stephen and Rhoda Pratt 
William White
Sworn and subscribed before me this 27th day of February AD 1855
Moses Norris Justice of the Peace County of Allegan State of Michigan
State of Michigan County of Allegan I clerk of the county of Allegan in said state do hereby certify that Samuel D. Foster, Wilson C. Edsell & Moses Norris each at the time of signing the [illegible] attached to the affidavit hereto
Page 19

prefixed is and was at the time of signing same a Justice of the Peace in aforesaid Co in said state duly elected and qualified and authorized by the laws of said state to administer on this and I do further certify that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Justices and do verily believe that the signatures affixed to each of the foregoing [illegible] is true and genuine. In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and have hereto affixed the seal of said County of Allegan this 9th day of July AD 1855
James P. Porter Clerk
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I certify that William White and Phebe Ross and are well known to me, and I do certify that they are credible and disinterested witnesses in the matter concerning which they testify in the foregoing and prefixed affidavits. Samuel D. Foster Justice of the Peace County of Allegan Michigan
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0.21.352
Stepen Pratt
Erie County N.Y.

admitted
12 mos Private

Samuel Lake   Agt
Springville P.O.
Erie County
New York
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

[bold]A Statement[end bold], shewing the Service of [handwritten]Stephen Pratt Erie County New York[end handwritten]
Period when the service was rendered.┃ Duration of the claimant's service. | Years. | Months. | Days. | Rank of the claimant. | Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. | Age at present, and place of abode
when he entered the service. | Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Enlisted 1781 |  |  | 6 |  | Guard | Major E. Allen | 68 years | Living Witnesses &
" 1782 |  |  | 6 |  | Private | Colonel Bronson | Pownal Vermont | Traditionary

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of
[curly brace]88.
On this   day of   personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of  in the county of   
and State, Territory or District of   aged (c) 
   years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)    , with     and served in the     (e) regiment of the
     line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his
officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. [hand with pointer finger out pointing to right] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.      A. B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I     of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of    for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this   day of   &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the   
and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with   , who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be    years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the   and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the   and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,   Clerk of the Court of    do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of   for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this    day of   & c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3 
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 1. Where and in what year were you born? 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live? 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 6. To a Soldier Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. {a] the declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rules laid down for his guidance [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county were he resides. If he should fail to do so he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. [c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. [d] the declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served [e] Every Continental officer or soldier must give the name of the colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every clamant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly worn, deposes and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the persons mentioned below, and in the following grades: For --- years ---- months, and -----days, I served as a . For months and days, I served as a ----- for ----- months ----days, I served as a ----- and for such service I claim a pension." it is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite , and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the miliia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority ; that was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit, [f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. [g] The opinion of the Court is always required. [h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. [i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which in can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. Mode of authenticating papers. in every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying once, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. Proof of Service. [j] in a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service and the time and manner of his leaving the same as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibly of the witnesses and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. the notes [a] to [i] are equally applicable to the cases of militia men, volunteers, and state troops The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. [k] This traditionary evidence is indispensible in militia cases [l] if a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration

Sam'l D Davidson Exam Clerk
Page 25

NO 5.896
Rhoda Pratt
Widow of Stephen
Mich
Thomas H Hartwell July 23/55
Same Oct 10 1856-
Same Oct 31" 1859.

8H28.

3 Feb 1853
Page 26

Michigan
Rhoda Pratt
Rev. Pension
wants the bible.
Send it to Thomas H. Hartwell,
Detroit Michigan
Page 27

Beebe

[stamp]
US PENSION OFFICE
O MAR 10 1917
Page 28

Revo. Sec. TNM
Ostego, Michigan March 7, 1917
Mr. G.M. Saltzgaben, Commissioner, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: Mrs. Tripp of Allegan has turned over to me your letter of December 11, 1916, regarding Stephen Pratt a Revolutionary soldier. I learned from the grandson the following data: Stephen Pratt was born February 13, 1762, and died August 17, 1854 at the age of 92 years. He is buried here in the Otsego (Allegan County) cematary. I could not obtain the names of the officers under whom he served, but it is supposed that he enlisted from New York, and that he lived in Genessee County, New York after service until about 1843 where he came to Ohio. In 1845 Stephen Pratt came to Allegan County, Michigan, as a Baptist minister, and he received a pension for his service in the Revolutionary War. His wife Roda Sherwood Pratt survived him by about four years, and also received the pension during that time. The children of Stephen and Roda Pratt were Milton, Stephen, John, Jerrod, and Katie. Trusting that this information will aid in obtaining the war record of this soldier I am, Respectfully yours, Mabel Runyan Beebe
Address: Mrs. R.C. Beebe 211 Kalamazoo Street Ostego, Michigan
Page 29

1913 Mch. 18. History to Mrs. E.S. REed Letter [illegible] Cl. of John Rancier S.F. 43884. Rev. War
1917 Mch. 2d. Hist to Mrs. R.C. Beebe
1923 Dec 19. Hon. Daniel A. REed given date of death letter & carbon in Nathan Hatch S21798
8428
Rhonda Pratt
Rejected
Page 30

Detroit Sept 23 1856
Hon. J Minot Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C
Dear Sir, the bible record of Rhoda Pratt's marriage to Stephen Pratt has been exhibited to me and I am satisfied upon examination of the same that it is of a recent date. The bible itself printed in 1830 hence would not furnish strong [illegible] proof of the said marriage. I shall not therefore send it to you. In the absence of a bible record what sort of evidence will be satisfactory? I presume that there is no such thing as a Public Record of the marriage, and I presume further that there is no one living who witnessed the marriage.
Please let me hear from you at an early day as the old lady I understand is very much in need of aid and if entitled to anything would like to secure it as soon as possible. I remain very Respectfully Your Obt Servt TH Hartwell
Page 31

Stephen Pratt [illegible] 3 Aug 1854
Rhoda Pratt Nov 1786
Wm White Phebe Ross
[illegible]
Page 32

Detroit July 18 1855
[illegible] Waldo
Sir Enclosed I send you the Declaration and proof of Rhoda Pratt widow of Stephen Pratt for pension under Act of March 3rd 1853.
If a certificate is awarded Mrs. Pratt please forward same to me & oblige
Yours Respectfully
Tho H Hartwell
Page 33

State of Michigan County of Wayne SS, Samuel D. Foster of Ostego Allegan County, State of Michigan, being duly sworn says that he was well acquainted with Stephen Pratt during his life time and often had conversations with him [illegible] his private affairs, that on one occasion he, said Stephen Pratt, informed this deponent that the record ho his marriage to Rhoda Pratt in the small family bible which is now in the possession of said Rhoda Pratt was made by him said Stephen Pratt. Deponent further says that said Rhoda Pratt is wholly confined to her house because of age and physical and physical infirmity, that he has made frequent efforts to get the Judge of Probate of said county to go to her house and take her affidavit as required by letter from the Department dated July 23rd 1855 but has never succeeded
Page 34

by reason of the great distance of her place of residence from the county seat of said county where said Judge of Probate resides he being the nearest Judge of a court of Record of said County. The circuit Judge of said county residing a distance of forty five miles from said Rhoda Pratt whom deponent thinks could not be reduced to visit said Rhoda Pratt and if so, only at great expense to said Rhoda Pratt. Samuel D. Foster
Sworn & subscribed before me this 27th day of September AD 1855 
Tho. H. Hartwell Notary Public Wayne Co Mich
Page 35

Detroit Sept 22nd 1856
Hon J. [illegible] Comm. of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir, Enclosed is an affidavit in the case of Rhoda Pratt an applicant for pension as widow of Stephen Pratt Revy soldier (I believe). The Bible will soon be forwarded per Express. Please inform me what other evidence will be needed & perfect her claim & oblige
Very Respty Your Obd't serv't T.H. Hartwell
Page 36

May 5, 1846
Time to which
Stephen Pratt
was paid
Page 37

MECHANICS' & FARMERS' BANK,
Albany Pension Agency
May 1st 1846

James L. Edwards, Esquire,
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 29th [illegible] I have to state that Stephen Pratt a Pensioner under the Act of 7 June 1832 at forty Dollars per annum was last paid to the 4 day of March 1845.
I am, Sir,
Very Respectfully
Your d't serv't,
Thomas Blott {handwritten signature}

Pres't and Pension Agent.
per L Jankins {handwritten}
Page 38

Stephen Pratt
Papers for an increase of Pension

Care 
Wm Sprague [illegible]
[illegible]
Page 39

Otsego 7th of December 47
Mon William Sprague
You will find inclosed three affidavits of the condition of one of the Soldiers of the
Revolution he is in the most miserable situation that can be imagined. With only forty dollars
which he draws as a pension to
support himself and wife, both
being unable to work, and it is
the request of the sitizens of Otsego and Allegan County generally that
you will take the affidavits and
quit his pension raise to 96 dollar per
annum, the man his son in law
with whom he lives is most miserable
[illegible], he has preached the gospel for many years. Will you do what can be done in
this case and have his pension raised as soon as possible
Will you be so kind as to answer
this upon the receipt of these and let
me know the prospects together with
your opinion

John, H. Larrar


Pensioner: Rhoda Pratt. Veteran's Service: Vt.
Page 40

Washington City
Decr 1st 1849
Hon JL  Edwards
Comm Pensions

Sir
I have the
honor to enclose herewith the papers
of Christiana Weber praying for a
Pension & also the papers of
Stephen Pratt asking for an
increase of Pension, which 
I trust will be acted on at
the earliest monent consistent
with the public service
I have the honor to be
your obt svt
Mr S. Brown
Page 41

Senate Chamber
Apl. 27- 1846
James L. Edwards Esq.

Sir,
I have the hon to enclose herewith
the renewed application of Stephen Pratt for
transfer of his pension pay from Albany to Michigan
I hope the application may now be found in form &
that the object sought after may be attained

In behalf of my correspondent (H.S. Jennings Esq.)
may I be permitted to request that you send to me for
transmission to him a printed copy of "Instructions"
relative to application for pensions

In order to anticipate any possible ambiguity which
may appear in the matter of this application I ask
leave to enclose Mr. Jennings letter to me, requesting
that it may be returned to me, when you should
have acted upon the subject & remain very respectfully
your obt svt
[illegible]
Page 42

In reply to your request of _____, received _____
for a statement of the military history of Stephen Pratt
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau. R.F. 8428.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
May or June 1781
May, 1782

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
6 mos
6 "

RANK.
Pri

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Wm. Hutchins
Wm. Hutchin
COLONEL.
Major Ebenezer Allen
Col. Bronson

STATE.
Vt.

Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Pownal, Vt.
Date of application for pension, Dec. 5, 1832. His cl. was al
Residence at date of application, Sardinia, Erie Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, B. Dec. 17, 1764, in Mass
Remarks: Soldier mar. Nov. 1786, Rhoda ___, who was
born Aug 29, 1770, in Mass. He died Aug. 3, 1854.
In 1849, they resided with a son-in-law, William White,
in Barry Co, Mich. (name of daughter not stated)
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
6 -- 2856
Page 43

John L Larrer of lawful age being duly
Sworn according to law deposes and says
that he is acquainted with Stephen
Pratt that the the said Stephen Pratt
is now a resident of the County of
Allegan and State of Michigan
and that he is the same person
mentioned in this claim a copy
of which is here copied and which 
I certify to be a true Copy

War Department
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with the
law of the United States of the 7th of June
1243 Stephen Pratt of the State of New York
who was a private in the Revolutionary
Army is entitled to receive forty dollars
per annum during his natural
life commencing on the fourth of March
1834 and payable semi annually on the 4 of
March and 4 of September in every year
given at the War office of the United States
this 24 day of May one thousand Eight
hundred and thirty three
Examined and countersigned
Lewis Cass
Secretary of War

JL Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
and this deponant further says that
he has seen and compare this Copy
of the claim with the original and
find it a true copy of the original
Page 44

Revolutionary Claim belonging to said Pratt
and signed by Lewis Cass on this deponent
further say that he has this day visiteth
said Stephen Pratt and found him in
entirely blind and sick and this deponent
further less that he has no friends
or relatives that are able to take care
of the old soldier, or him and his wife
he is 85 the 73 years and both of
them helpless and this deponent verily
believes the said Stephen Pratt and his
wife to be in a pitiful condition
as the forty dollars per annum which
he draw, as a Pension would not keep
them or him from dying for want of the
necessaries of life, and his relatives
are miserly pour, and he prays
for enough to make his old age
comfortable and has no other means
than that of having his Pension
raised 
John L Farror
Sworn and Subscribed
before me this 3 day of Decenter
A D 1849 Orsamus Eaton
Notary Pub
for Allegan County
Page 45

Samuel L Foster being duly sworn saith that
he is acquainted with Stephen Pratt and know
that he is entirely blind and sick the most
of the time and that he is in a pitiful
condition and in great need of help
and that he is the same Stephen Pratt
who is spoken of in a Revolutionary
Clam set forth and copied in the
affidavit of John L Farrar and attached
to this also, he the said Pratt is 85 years 
oldand helpless his wife allso living is
73 years all and also helpless and they have
no Relations able to support them
Wm White
Sworn and subscribed 
this 3rd day of Decr AD 1848
Orsamus Eaton
Notary Public for Allegan County
Page 46

William White of lawful age being
duly sworn according to law deposes
and say that he is the son in law of
Stephen Pratt, the said Stephen Pratt
the same person who has a Revolutionary
claim of forty dollars per annum and
this deponent further says that the said
Stephen Pratt has made his house his 
home also the wife of the said Stephen
Pratt at the house of this deponent and
this deponent further says that he this
deponent is a poor man, with a
family of his own and that the said
Stephen Pratt is Eighty five years old
his wife 73 and both of them
helpless, the said Stephen Pratt being
entirely blind, and sick the most
of the time and forty dollars which
is allowed them, would not keep the
from living with want - did not this
deponent take the means which his
own family shall have to make
them comfortable and give it to
the poor and destitute soldier, and his
wife and this deponent further says
that if it is deemed expedient to
allow the said Stephen Pratt ninety six
dollars a year that that will make
him comfortable and he prays that
for the sake of the Poor man an Soldier
his pension may be raised
Sworn and subscribed this
third day of December 1849
before me
Page 47

Application for transfer
State of Michigan
County of Barry
On this 16th day of April
in the year of our Lord
one thousand Eight Hundred
and forty six before me
Justice of the Peace in for
said County personally came
Stephen Pratt who being
by me duly sworn doth depose
and say that he was in the militia service
of the United States during two years
of the revolutionary war do called 
which were the years 1781 & 1782
that he belonged to the Company
commanded by Captain William Hutch
in the Regiment commanded by
Ebenezer Allen. that his name was
enrolled upon the pension list
of the State of New York when he later
removed, and that he now resides
in the State of Michigan where he lately
removed. And that he wishes his
pension hereafter to be paid in the
said State of Michigan - that the
following are his reasons for removing to Michigan [illegible] his son in
law with whom he resides immigrated
to Michigan and he came with him

Subscribed & sworn before
this day and year above written

Stephen Pratt

H. S. Jennings
Justice of the Peace
Page 48

State of Michigan
Countyof Barry
I Henry S. Jennings a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Barry do hereby
certify that William White the person
who subscribed and made oath
to the annexed affidavit is a person
of good moral character and truth and veracity and that I am well acquainted with said
William White and have the
means of knowing his character for truth.

In witness whereof I have
hereunto set hand this 16th
day of April A.D. 1846
H. S. Jennings
Justice of the Peace
Page 49

State of Michigan
County of Barry 
William White of said County being
duly sworn doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with
Stephen Pratt that he has known
the Stephen Pratt for sixteen years
that he knows his name was enrolled
upon the pension list in the
State of New York & that this
deponent has frequently obtained
the pension of the said Stephen
Pratt and that he this deponent
knows that the person named
in and who subscribed and
swore to the annexed affidavit
is the same man which he purports to be in said affidavit

Subscribed and sworn to
before me this 16th day of April 1846
William White

H. S. Jennings
Justice of the Peace
Page 50

State of Michigan
County of Barry
I Isaac A Holbrook Clerk
of said County of Barry do
hereby certify that Henry S.
Jennings is a Justice of the peace
in and for said county of Barry
duly Sworn and qualified
and that I am well acquainted
with the hand writing of said
Henry S. Jennings and believe all
the signatures purporting to
be his to the annexed affidavits
and also to the certificate are
his true and genuine signatures
In witness whereof I have
hereto set my hand and
caused this the seal of said
County to be hereunto affixed
this 18th day of Apr
A.D. 1846
J.A. Holbrook Clerk