Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 25151, for Cyprian Sterry, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Continental 
R.I. 
Sterry, Cyprian 
Polly 
NUMBER 
W25151
CONTENTS
Page 2

Sterry, Cyprian
Cont. W25151

Cyprian Sterry
Present
Page 7

Cyprian Sterry 
Certificate
No. 2769
Continue
Page 9

I The Subscriber now resident in Providence in the State of Rhode 
Island on Oath declare That I was an Officer in the War of
the Revolution at the friends hereinafter mentioned & held the 
following named offices & From May 1775 to January 1777 I was 
in the Service & at the first mentioned friend I was appointed 
Quarter master to Col Daniel Hitchcock Regiment in General 
Nathaniel Greens Brigade in the Rhode Island line of the fair
Army & I was also Ensign in Capt. Christopher Hueys Company 
in the fame Regiment, Brigade and Line. In January 1776 I was 
appointed by Genl. Washington Quarter Master in the Regiment 
varied & commanded by the same Col Hitchcock in the Brigade 
aforesaid & line aforesaid. V I was also appointed Second 
Lieut. in Capt. Ephraim Bowers Company which was 
in the same Regiment, Brigade & Line. IN the December 
following I was appointed Brigade Major to General James 
M. Varmeer % in January following I was appointed a 
Captain in Col. Israel Angelli Regiment in the same 
line of the same army. Which stations I held tell the same 
year 1777 in June, when I resigned & left the Army & engaged  
in commercial pursuits in said Providence. For additional 
evidence I refer to the Commission now in my pos
session signed by John Hancock President of the Continental 
Congress appointing me served such in said Browers County 
and also refer to my Commission of Senator Martin issued by the 
authority of the State of Rhode Island. 
Cyprian Sterry
Page 10

State of Rhode Island & Providence 
Plantations ss. 
Be it remembered that on the thirteenth day of 
March AD 1818 Cyprian Sterry subscribed to the 
foregoing deposition subscribed the same in my 
presence & then & there made oath to the 
Truth of this county thereof in testimony to thereof 
I have hereunto set my name & offered 
title & affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial 
Court of this State. 
Tritaner Burges 
CJ S.J. Court 
And I further certify that on the seventh 
day of April AD 1818 the said Cyprian 
Sterry made oath before me that from his 
reduced circumstances he needs the assistance 
of his country for his support And I further 
certify that the enclosed Commission was by 
me red of the said Sterry as for our of New Town 
Memories referred to in his said deposition his tes. 
timony whereof That hereunto set my name 
official title & affixed the seal of the subscriber
Judicial Court of this state over which I  fund. 
Tritaner Burges C.J.S.J. 
Court
Page 12

State of Rhode Island ss
County of Providence ss
On this 15 day of September A.D. 1836 personally 
appeared before me Benjamin Cowell Chief Justice 
of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said 
County Polly Sterry a widow in the City of 
Providence aged 70 years who being first duly 
sworn according to law doth on her oath make 
the following declaration in order to obtain the 
benefit of the provision of the Act of Congress
papered July 4th. 1836. That she is the widow of 
Cyprian Sterry who was a Quartermaster Ensign 
Lieutenant & Captain in the Continental army 
of the United States from May 1775 to June 1777
in the Rhode Island Line & for these services his 
name was placed on the Pension Roll of the Rhode
Island Agency under the Act of March 18th. 1818 and 
which pension he drew until his death reference being 
had to the declaration on which said pension was 
granted for proof of his said services & she further 
declares that in August 1780 at the time of the general 
alarm when it was expected that an attack would be
recorded & the State again invited her said husband his services which were accepted & he was 
appointed a Quartermaster and acted as such during 
the time the Troops were ^at Bristol and the Island of Rhode 
Island that this Campaign lasted about a month 
as she believes & according to her best recollection 
her said husband served during this time & for proof of 
this she refers to the evidence herewith annexed. 
And she further declares that she was married to her 
said husband on the 28th day of May 1780 by President 
Manning as will appear by the original Certificate by 
him signed hereto annexed that the husband the said 
Cyprian died on the 1st day of September 1824 & that she 
has remained a widow ever since wherefore she requests
that the pension to which her said husband of living could 
have had under the Act of June 7th 1832 may be en-
trusted to her. 
Polly Sterry 
IN Providence Sept 15, 1836
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Sworn to & Subscribed before me And I forth 
certify said applicant by reason of age and 
infirmity is too feeble to appear in Court. 
Benja Cowell
CJ CC Pleas
Page 15

I Amaziah Neatherhead of Cumberland in 
the County of Providence being now upon 79
years of age on oath do testify & say that I 
was well acquainted with Cyprian Sterry 
formerly of Providence, now deceased
well recollect that in the month of August 
1780 at the time when it was expected that 
an attack was going to be made by the 
enemy the Militia were called out in 
Rhode Island & was ordered to march 
to Newport. I was then in Col Greenes 
regiment & was stationed on Rhode Island 
and I well remember of seeing said 
Cyprian on duty during said expedition 
at this distant friend I cannot remember
to what Company he belonged but according
to my best recollection he was  Quarter Master
His very impostion was either either Quarter
=Master or Company or he was there 
about a month in said capacity I 
think the expedition lasted about
Page 16

that length of time before the alarm 
was over. And according to my best rec-
=ollection the militia was drafted for a 
month & I have no doubt said Sterry 
served that term of time. 
Amaziah Weatherhead 
In Providence Sept 10 1836
Personally appeared before me the above named 
Amaziah Weatherhead & made oath to the 
truth of this proceeding deposition Cyprian 
signed & I further certify that said 
deponent is a credible witness in the 
services. 
Benja Cowell 
CJ CC Pleas
Page 19

with our spel proceeded to the
Eastward & we saw no more of them I
rement one fact in reference to said
expedition that is two thousand troops
X
ordered to Rhode Iland & full
that number were marched to the land
of Rhode Island. This expedition according
recollection lasted about a monthhe
death of the militia were for a month
I have not the least doubt said Lyon
as Quarter Master for that length
of time in that occasion, Barnard Eddy
1
Providence In Providence Sept 13 1836
Personally appeared before me the above
named Barnard Eddy & made
oath to the above deposition by
in signed & further certify said
deponent is well known to me she is a
credible witness & his statements
entitled to Credit
Benja Cowell
C.C. Pleas
Page 20

S
On this seventeenth day
State of Rhode Island
Providence County.
of October 1842 personally appeared before
me Henry Bowen
a Justice of the Peacein

and the County afresaid or any
unsence who being duly sworn according to
law doth on her oath state that she is one of the
surviving childer of the late Polly Starr, who
unto the day of her death was a pensioner of the
United States, under act July 4, 1836 at the rate
of $345. for any of the Rhode Iland
roll, as the widow to the late Corian Stern, who
was a Quarter Master commit in the War
of the revolution, and that her mother Polly Stery
died on the May 1839 leaving the following named
children Saratery May ten Dana R. Goodwin, Louise Steen
her, Oba R Mauran
on the object of this declaration being made
as one of the here in the name of the whole is in
order to obtain through our agent Mr Abson
day of Washington, and increased rate of pension
at the rate of 50 W. Mr. On our decd mothers late
pension under act 1835, and the parent of
the difference thereon from the 4 March 1831 up to the
day of her death
Sworn and subscribed to
Elias Henry
on the day and year above written
before me
wife
J.F.
Page 21

'---
1
State of Rhode Island & Sentence Pemberton
R
sentence
Clerks Office Supreme Judicial
Court October 17th AD 1842
I Walter Pine a Clerk of the
Supreme Judicial Court of said State
for the County of Providence, do hereby certify that Henry L
Bowen is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly
commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated
on the 9th day of May 1842 and will expire on the first
Wednesday of May 1843 and that his signature on the
other side of this sheet written is genuine
Given under my hand and the seal
of said Court the day and year above
written
Walter Pine a Clerk
4
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79
Polly Perry
---
of Pundecin the State of R.I.
who was a
.
in the
commanded
by Captain
of the
commanded
by
in the
widow of Cyprian
Sterry decd late a Commissary
& Captain
Inscribed on the Roll of R. I
at the rate of 34 Dollars 67 Cents per annum
mence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of Jan
1837 and on
Burges Residence R.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1832 $190.18
Semiannl. allowance ending May 1783
E
$201401
⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832 ⎬
Recorded Orson Clerk
Book Vol.
Page 117
L. A. Ray Nov.
-
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I William Potter of Cranston in the County 
of Providence being now 85 years of age 
on oath do testify & say that I was well 
acquainted with Cyprian Sterry formerly of 
said Providence & remember him well
when he belonged to Col. Hitchcocks regiment 
in 1775 I was then a Lieutenant he was 
an officer in said regiment. I also well 
remember said Cyprian during the gen=
=eral Alarm in August 1780 when on 
attack was expected to come about by the 
enemy on Rhode Island. During that 
alarm which lasted about a month 
I remember of seen said Sterry & he 
was then, according to my best recollection 
a Quarter Master to some troops which 
was there. I remember of seeing him in 
Bristol acting in said Capacity during 
said Alarm where some of the troops were
stationed 
William Potter
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Providence Sept 15 1836
Personally appeared before me the above
named William Potter & made oath 
to the truth of the proceeding deposition 
by him signed and I further certify 
said deponent is well known to me 
& he is a credible witness in the presence
Benja Cowell 
CJ C.C. Pleas
Page 25

To the Commissioner
of Pensions
on the duly authoryed
agent of the heirs of
Polly Sterry widow
of Cyprin of R. T.
I filed a letter giving
authority to
act in the case
same we age
as an absent from
Washington I have to
request that D.
Addison be allowed
to act in my stead
M. Thayer
Boston Jan'y 25th 1851
Page 26

Providence, R. I. 22, July. 1851.
To the Commissioner 
of Pensions, 
Washington City. 
Sir:
Please examine my 
claim for Increase of Pension line my Mother, Mrs. Polly 
Sterry, Widow of Cyprian Sterry a Captain and Commissary, 
under Act of 4. July 1836.
She died 31. May 1839, and her death was 
proven when the last payment was made. 
Some of the children reside at remote
distances, and on behalf of myself and them, my 
Brother-in law Doctor Mauran will administer on 
the Estate and I will thank you to make the 
Certificate for the Increase to be payable to the said 
Doctor Joseph Mauran, as Administrator. 
Very Respectfully, 
Eliza Sterry
Page 27

Juniah Lippitt, of Providence, in the State of Rhode
Island, do certify, that I am well acquainted with
the peceing circumstances of Mr. Cypan Sterry of said
Providence. That he is destitute of property has a family
dependant on him for support, and that he stands in
need of the support and assistance provided in the late act of
A
Congress relative to the officers & soldiers of the Revolutionary
Anny
Providence April 7, 1818.
for Sissett
State of Rhode Island &
Providence Plantations
In Providence on this 8th day
April AD 1818 personally appeared
1
Jeremiah Leppeth Esqr Subscribed
to the foregoing Deposition & made oath
to the truth thereof before me
Wistam Brugs J S
Court
Page 28

Ray
a
Providence Jany 3
to your letter of
the 20th at me to say
from the some observed by
you need we had reason
& did undude ye presentment of
farm handful
and thought upon to give us the
information. An application
of
to know therefore land
corded in his hands for he Sayer
That order is now called and I
hereby request you to conduce the
burned to favorably comment
.
you will do me the favor to
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2
attention both there & seer, have hitherto pre
vented my discharge of this engagement of any
thing unfavourable to Mr Sterry's case is subsisted
to your mind from this delay; I pray of you not
to permit her claim to suffer for this seeming
procrastination, which has all been occasioned by
one not by her or her agents who have and
all possible diligence to answer the requirements
of your Letter to Judge Camell I pray you also
to bear in mind the difficulties which surround
Mrs Sterry from the mercantile misfortune which
seallanced up the wealth of her family from
the sale or in proven January 1800 which
consumed all which in small frequenty writ
might have been saved together with all books
papers in memorandes of former transactions
Another event, well known here, but doubtless
unknown to you, has meand Wife difficulty
After the commissioned, appointed to rece
adjudicate on the claims of the state against this
Rates for services & supplies furnished during the
revolutionary war, had left this state with
out finding that business; the men then
●
in parter in R Island, gathered up all the
papers respecting the claims of individuals
Page 32

well as of the State, together with all records
seph the records of the General Assembly while
in session, & some satting papers relative
to the doings of the council of war; & having had
then accounts documents & papers up in boxes
sent them on to the war department of the
States. I should be remembered that the men
who did this were opposed to the assumption
by the U States of the debts due to or by the
several states; & it is believed that the Island
by this at last many hundred thousand dollars
. It was own to this unauthorized deed
that the deprecation in their pay due to the
R Island troops was never bequidated or paid
a very large amount as you will see by the
report made by me on that subject the
last seller of Congress in which I served these
papers to such to the War Department, were
all consumed in the fire which distroyed their
repository at Washington. You will the perthat the
movements of arbitary men
the accidents of time, misfortune, & fire have
all united to render it nearly as possible for
Mrs Stury to comply literally with the requirements
Page 33

H
of your letter to Judge Cawell.
I pray of you, my dear sir, after all your deages
, which I know is is unting, in examing
the law granting pensions to widows, once more
●
to consider that part of the law which requires milita
by service by the husband after marriage with the
woman who as his widow apply for a pension.
what was the object of this provision in the law
All than who have known the history of the pen
sion system can only answer this question remember
well all the objections and against
granting pensions to widows of revolutionary
office a soldiers. There was but one. It was this
that many women had of late years married
their men to share in the benefit of the persions
, without ever having suffered any thing
on the account in the revolutionary war
the law therefore was tended to benefit all who
by their early marriage or by marriage engage
●
ments with officer or soldiers, had, on account
1
of thou meritorious men, endured, who those
women only could endum, who had staked there
whole earthly hope on the success & safety.
of those gallant men who were engaged in
the perilous defence of the country. The wife
Page 34

●
5
wife who such her husband to the battle field
could not suffer more from fear for his safety
have
than the betrothed maiden must endure
who had sent her lover to the same field &
who, from a wish to render himself
more acceptable to his promnd bride, words
in country the quatest perils & most adden
tureous service, in defence of his country.
Ancient nations, as you will know, exected
than from the war who had been recently
1
married, but it was well known that
their anxiety for then absent wides, would
render them contions of encountering my
extraordinary peril; while young men, whose
promised bride had backed the spurs on
their heels, placed the sword in their
hands, would dare the most hoslands
interpurs of war, that they might grace
their expected nuptials with the spoils
of perilous victory. the law, then, was
not intended to exclude the betrothed
Page 35

C
●
maden from any benefits to be received
by the married wife; & it was doubtless
expected, by those who enacted it, the provision
requiring military order, after
marriage, by the husband, would exclude
no widow, who were mand during the
war, & presence the widows only
from me a pension, who at a very
late period had married offers solders,
for the sole purpose of getting one
All who married, as Mrs Sterry did, during the
war, are by the equity of the law
entitled to a pension, & if the husband had
before his death, been entitled to a pension
for military sum the exact termination
of which, is not defined, & the marriage
was solemnized before the close of the war
it should be presumed that the said
note terminate till after the marriage
repeal it, that the great purpose of the
Page 36

the provision in the law, requir military
&
see after the marriage, was to exclude
from the benefit of the pension listen
1
than willows only, who had never
shoud in the toils, parts, & annuity of
that war, which originated the pension
system. This construction would not exclude
M Sterry. The marriage was solemnized
during the war, & the attachment, which he
minated in that marriage, doubtless were
mind, before, or during the time of the
military Sume of our late husband both
before, & after this marriage, Mr Sterry was
from the portion condition of R Island, liable
to be called at any time, into situal military
serves. It is proved, beyond all question,
that he was so called out; it is admitted,
that this was done after the marriage,
that he was at Bruled in Island, on the
occasion of the quat alarm in the sum
mer of 1780, & continued there in military
service untill the militia were disbanded & returned
4
Page 37

home. It is also proved, & admitted, that he
acted, during all that true, as a quarter
master to the militia, of which he was, by
the laws of the State, one. He could not therefore
have acted in a civil capacity oas a
were contractor, unless he had been related from
his obligations as one of the militia. Being one of the
militia, it much be admitted, that his
service as a Quarter master was military, & not
all, unlefich can be shown that he was
and from his military obligations, permitted
to out, & appointed to act, in a civil capacity
as a mere contractor. It is well known, &
the proof is abundant, that all who could bear army
were wound, called out, actually went on
that great alarm the has always been called
to encounter, repell the survey so true as
this that the council of war at Providence
at that time, in order to provision the army
assessed each town the amount of con
cattle, which they must ferish; & because
there were do men left in those town to
contract for press, the Commisary his
Page 38

assistants, were ordered to take from each
town its quota of com cattle; & have a
●
or families
recept for the same with the persons from
whom they loved the provisions. I have
now before me a letter of Mr Charles Lippett the
are assistant Commissary which states these facts
I pray of you then, My Dear Sir, to consider
whether the presumption is not violent that
Mr Sterry acted, during the Gual Alarm of
1880, in a military capacity as Quarter Master
of the Militia, & that before it can he believed
that he was a mere civil contractor, some
evidence of his appointment as such, as
be shewn to rebut this presumption, Why
should the lack of a commission to prove
his military character, have more weight
than the lack of a record of his appointing
to prove his evil character? Merforties, for
length of time, have destroyed all power to
produce records or papers, commissions or
appointments, & we are compelled to premis
that as every citizen there acted as a soldier
Sterry could not have acted as a mere entire
in discharging the duty of a quarter Master to
Page 39

10
to those soldiers. Besides there was no evil
authority then in action in R Island to ap-
Parich Mr Sterry as an army contractor the
Give Assembly which alone could make evil
appointments was not in session. Nather
the Council of War nor the Militia could
make any other than military appointment
. Mr Sterry mark have been called to
act as quarter master, by one or the other
of these, & his appointment much, therefore,
have been military as his service was
unquestionably of that character
I pray of you not to regard the last of a
commission, or a word of Mr Stery appoint
much as a Military Laster Martin, as fatal
to the petition of his widow, consider the
occasion. I was an alarm, a call in Masse
of a whole community. There was no timefor

new appointments. Every man rushed
into the service & took the station which
he held in the militia. Mr Berry was
known & had by have known as a
Quarter Master. He had and a commission
Page 40

11 ┃
as Quarter Master. He had done the duty
of that office efferently & acceptably, & when
called out on this great alarm, nothing
could be more natural them that he
should by the commanding office be order
to that station. He took the felled it
He was Quarter Master de fats either as a
volunteer or by the appointment of the
General; & heard he had been quarter
Marter & still held a commission, no
new commission might be decreed nessay
or if he me one, it is lost.
Mr Sterry served in the Revolutionary war
so as to be entitled to I did num a pension
to entitle his widow to a pension, the law
requires that the last period of his sum
should have been after her marreage
the last period of his term was in
August 1780 during the great alarm the
length of that period of sum is matinal
Mr Sterry is admitted to have been such
a period as the law requires. M. Starr was
one
Page 41

12
of the Militia. He was called out as one of the
Militia, as such he went out, as such
he served, & had he not acted as Quarter as
ter then conto have been no question in
regard to the Military character of his sum
as his acting in that capacity charge him
from a solder to a man citizen. He acted
as Quarter Master by virtue of his old or a
new appointent & under his old or a new
commission; for the fact of his having
in each done the duties of Quarter Mass
ter is fully proved. He could not have left
the ranks without the permission of the
commander of the troops & the preshear
was equal to an appointment the
fact of his having left the ranks is proved by
his having acted as Quarter Master, & his so
acting therefore proved his appoint
pointment
Do, my dear Sir, pardon my real & carnet
ness in the house of Mr Sterry, they are not
pressed into her service, by me, because I
expect
Page 42

4th
13
expect, by them, to make any impression
on your calm a rational consideration of the
ments of her revolutionary claim, but because
it has so long been my habitual course, that it
has become a part of my nature, to feel & exeruse
seal & earnestness in the cause of those of
full & soldiers whose tone & blood purchased
our country; in the cause of their widows
who, during that war, did, by a deep & anxi
our sympathy, those in the perils & private
one of those meritorious men, & also because
when I call to mind the pretence & de
pendence of the meridian like of this most
estimable woman, & know what gloomy
lands have gathered around her course
darkened the approaching series of her day,
I feel an inexpressable desire, that she should
see, at last, one little lame of prosperous
light to gladden her lost hour.
for this, I now the more confidently
4
hope, when I consider that the law was
undoubtedly
Page 43

14
intended to benefit all those patriotic women
who, while the war was flagrout, united the
fortunes & hopes of their lives with revolutionary
officer or soldiers, & that without the service of
Mr Sterry during the great law, the
claim of his widow, is secured by the equity
the Spirit & purpose of that law; while this last
period of service, subsequent as was
to her marriage, fill up all the requirements
of a most rigid, & literal construction of this
Statute. Nor can I apprehend, that when Mr
Stery performed, during this alarm, all the
duties military of a quartermaker, any presum
ption can arise, that these duties were done
in a civil character, when, at the same
4
time, every man in the State, able bear arms
●
was in fact a soldier in actual service. He
who had been appointed a quarters
, who had read a commission held
under that commission, could, on this
cution
Page 44

15
do the duties of that office, if so ordered by
the General in command, without any
●
new appointment or new commission.
He might have had both; but accidents,
misforting, fires, & the all consuming
current of time, have devoured them
with thousand of other memorial
of human transactions of infinity
more value
The Military service of Mr Sterry
1
was done, after the marriage, the law
requires no more. The perishable paper,
containing the appointment & com
mission, cannot now, after the lapse
of alman sixty years, he found
when all circumstanes conspin
to raise & establish the mak violent
presumption
Page 45

16
that this serven was military could
not have been civil, I pray of you,
---
not to permit my amiable & esteemed
friend to suffer for the lack of cer-
&
cumstan, a mere paper commission,
which even the letter of the law does
not require exact.
I have the honor to be
My dear Sir,
with the highest respect
Your
of his
Wistan Burges
Page 46

BY HIS EXCELLENCY, 
John Brown Francis 
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-
Island and Providence Plantations. 
BE IT KNOWN, that the name "HENRY BOWEN" to the afore-
written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, 
who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, 
duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation 
full faith and credit are to be rendered . 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and 
caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Provi-
dence, this Nineteenth 
day of September in the year of our 
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six 
and of Independence the sixty-four 
John Brown Francis 
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND. 
Henry Bowen Seary
Page 47

State of Rhode Iland and
Providence Plantations
Secretarys office Sept 16. AD 1836
I certify that at the session of the General
1
assembly of said State in May last
Benjamin Cowell was ruled Chief Justice of
the Court of Common Pleas within the County of
Providence of the term of one year and has been
commissioned accordingly as appear of record in
this office. The matures Benja Cowell are
son
Winess Henry Bowen Secry
Page 48

Rev. WIDOW, &C. 
File No. 25151
Polly Sterry 
Widow of 
Cyprian Sterry 
Capt. Rev War
Act July 4th 1836
Index: Vol S, Page 250
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 49

May 12 Hist. to John
line, New York
1906 June 15. History to
John Detaisabon C
1912 Mch. 22. Photos to Mrs D.J.
Damser. F.
1921, July 8 Letter to May
S. J. Bumper Notturse to
same person - -
they his
┃ M. M.
Page 51

James L Edwards E
Com of Pension
S
Washington
Nov 9. 1850
be the year the said
application in behalf of the suring children of
Polly Sterry decd late a pensioner on the Rhode
Island roll under act 4 July 1806
in your letter address to me in the
age, of Nov 3. 1882; you state her pension was
allowed for 12 mo servis as Lew & Dr Marter no 2
1 day as Captain and one month as a commission
and that the pension was computed of the pay
in Captain. He also served as an Ensign
since your letter was written in this
case, it has been decided, and is on the rule of
order that the price of Lieut an I later at the same
time, entitle the claimant to a pension
at the rate of Cook Jr. Ann.
I now even the application in
right of the widow and in behalf of the children
the survive her to a pension at the rate of or in
the service of Polly Sterry husband served as a
- hath for 12 he
I remain may spents
you on to Alex. Ray
Page 52

Rev. War Section. 
July 8, 1921.
Mrs. D.J. Dumser, 
316 South State Street, 
Elgin, Illinois. 
Madam:
In response to your letter dated June 24, 1921 you are 
are advised that you were furnished the history of Cyprian 
Sterry, W. File No. 25151, March 28, 1919, and of Stephen Hull, 
Corporal , March 14, 1919, Revolutionary War pensioners. It is not 
the practise of this Bureau to send the same record twice to any 
person, owing to a lack of clerical force available for such a 
purpose. The records of this Bureau fail to afford any infor-
mation in regards to Stephen Hull, Sergeant and Ensign. 
Very respectfully, 
Commissioner
Page 53

Polly Sterry R. At 4
$34567. To what
July 1836.
7
time paid
of the names of the
on in your
Viving
ied not
pleas give them-
F. C.
Pension
ile
King
●
31. 1851
Died May 31 1839
in the
Son
Mass
son
Roman
in the
in
by
J. S. Gallaher
And
Page 54

240
100.6
2.845
Cyprian Sterry
allow as Captain
for 17 months 1 day
and one month as Commissary
$5 (Argiana
Page 55

172835
172.83
190,1.18
Page 56

JOHN DUFAIS.
ARCHITECT.
337 FOURTH AVENUE.
NEW YORK.
Honorable Commissioner of
Pension of one
May 14 1895.
United States
Dr Sir
I mote several days ago enquiring
whether there is on record in your files the
application on which on stems of
Providence R.I. a major of the Revolutionary
was obtained a pension from the son
ment
an answer to this query will
yours truly
greatly oblige
339. Fourth
or Calumet
Jno. Duis
herine
Clerk
New York
Page 57

25
Page 58

not I
Apr 25th 1895.
CALUMETCLUS
Hon
267 FIFTH AVENUE.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:
Cyprian Sterry
Will you kindly in
from me whether the record
of Major Cyprian Henry
R
officer of the Revolutionary
par and a pensioner of
the us forment
exists
among the papers of the
Also whether
Secon
his record as a portions
man would be likely to
on record
or whether the
pension is duly pr
service
prelitary and of
by respectfully
and Dis -
Page 59

F
V
Page 60

Incun
Polly Sterry did
R
I
Act 4 July 1836
And the Cons $25.00
15275
in
400
per an from 4 Mar
1831 to 31 May 1837, when
son
Payette
cry, May
Larson
Surry,
Stenham
Anna
C. Good
Sophia R. Marian
her only surviving
children
Corton
to
Eliza
Henry
Providence
R. J.
Page 61

To Hon J. E. Heath
Poor
Cover 3 /51
Carter
in,
Haun
had the honor to recind the day
they
the witness of an article
fund and Greene contin
to him of 26th State then the
claim of the being of the late
Polly Sterry force of pension
would be allowed "on the reception
of evidence as to the nation of
children now survin. In the
per to enclose an affidavit
them that are now survive who
lived when her late pension way
. Trusting that the act
account may be satisfactory in
the premsey June spell &
Suth
P. Marrow,
Page 62

Dept of Interior
Dear his
June 8th 1906
Bureau of Pensions
Owen Sir
Waship his
5
1
Will you kindly inform me
whether in the application for
pension of
Maj. Lyman Sterry
of
Providence at
11
made
Mar 20th 1818
1906
he mentions the names of
his
father or his mother
and Wife
Yours to
Mo. Davis
333
4th Anne
New York
17
Page 64

commencement of Pension March 20. 1818
What
age - Deed Sept 1-1824. I would like
rel
all the information you have on record
of Captain Cyprian Sterry or Stary)
Thanking you in advance
Yours truly
Marietta P. Lumber
Mrs D.J.
-
Page 65

Providence, R.I. 
16. Dec. 1850.
Hon. J.E. Heath, 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Sir:
Please allow my 
Agent, John M. Thayer Esq. to examine the papers 
on your files, on which my Mother was admitted 
to a Pension, viz:
Cyprian Sterry, Captain & Commissary, Act 1818.
Polly Sterry, his widow, Act 4. July 1836
with a view of obtaining an Increase of said Pension. 
Respectfully Yours, 
Eliza Sterry
Page 66

Polly Sterry 
Wid. of Cyprian 
4th July 1836
R.I. 
Mr. Cole
Page 67

Jas L.
Edward E
Com of Pension
Sir
Washington
Nov. 22. 1850
since my letter to
you of the 9th in the case of Polly Sterry decd late of
Providence Rhode Island. I find on examination that the
husband was appointed an Ensign in May 1775
and in Sept boleming was promoted to a Lee & Was
ter, and subscriently thereto a Commissary
deed it & stated in your letter to me
in this case 3 Nov 42. that she was pensioned as in
Ensign and Qr Master, Lieut & 2 Marter & Captain and
1
as Commissary
to the claim to not made for
4 mo service as Ensign & as Ensign Qr Master
12 in as Last 25
300
" 18 a Captin
2
100.65
1 Mr. as Commissary
25
---
-
the Amencon Archie Vol 2 Page 114
show the way as Ensign May 1813
Present, power to its find the
eviden of his (her husband service or be
I reman In more
Alex Ray
Page 68

Prudence Sept 16 1836
Sir
J
am requested to inclose the
papers in the claim of Mrs King
widow of Cyprian thy for a
pension under 3d Section of act
the
of July 4
1836
I have
the have to be
yes
Beyer Cone
Edwards Esq
Page 69

NEW
LUNE.
Bain's Electro-Chemical Telegraph,
PATE
TED BY
THE UN
TED STATES,
National Hotel, Cor. Pennsylvania Avenue and Sixth St.
---
---
The public are respectfully informed that the NEW LINE OF TELEGRAPH connecting
Washington, Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia and New York.
the WILL ACROSS THE NORTH RIVER, UNDEE WATER, to the office,
NEW YORK, making the one and we he
NORTHERN, EASTERN, SOUTHERN AND WESTERN CITIES.
Despatches for Boston, Providence and intermediate stations,
Are forwarded by the NEW LANE from their office in New York; and those for
Pittsburg, Wheeling, Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, New Orleans,
HENRY ROGERS, Gen'l Sur'.
intestate are in connection with the REILLY WESTERN NES
---
Dated Providence June 28 1850.
For
Sir
Suspend all action
in the case of Polly
Sterry widow of
until
Eliza
you hear from
Stery & do not
deliver the certificate to
any person whatever
Eliza
Sterry
by her all or may
M. Thayer
Page 70

'---
By the Honorable the GENERAL ASSEMILY of the English
Colony of RHODE ISLAND, and PROVIDENCE PLAN-
TATIONS, in New England, in America.
To Cyprian Sterry Gentleman Greeting.
THEREAS for the Preservation of the Rights and Liberties of His Majesty'
W
loyal and faithful Subjects, in this Colony and America, the aforesaid GENERAL
Assgusty have ordered Fifteen Hundred Men to be enlisted, and embodied into an
army of the said Cyprian Sterry Quarter Master
-
-
-
of the Regiment to be raised in the County
Providence. You are therefore hereby, in His Majesty's Name, GEORGE
Third, by the Grace of GOD, King of Great-Britain, C. authorized, empowered,
and commissioned, to have, take, and exercise, the Office of Quarter Master
---
---
the Regiment aforesaid; and to command, guide and conduct the
time, or any Part thereof. And in Case of an Invasion or Assault of a common Enemy, to
inet or disturb this or any other of His Majesty's Colonies in America, you are to alarm and
either together the Regiment under your Command, or any part thereof, as you shall deem sufcient
, and therewith, to the utmost of your Skill and Ability, you are to Resist, Expel, Kill and
Destroy them, in order to preserve the Interest of His Majesty, and His good Subjects, in these
parts. You are also to follow fuel instructions, Directions and Orders, as shall from Time to
time be given forth, either by the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of your superior Officers. And for
your so doing this Commission shall be your sufficient Warrant.
By virtue of 2 A of the said GENERAL ASSELY, I Henry Ward Esquire
Secretary of the said Colony
, have hereunto set my Hand, and the public seal of the said Colony, this we
Day of May
A.D. 1775, and in the Fifteenth year. This said Majesty's Reign.
Henry Ward
-
Page 71

To
Providence of 6th 1851
James E. Heath
Pension Commissioned
Rejected Sir
Having learned though
letter from Mr Ray, that the case of pension
of my late father now (in the 21st attom) an
allowed by the department, is that myself, & sisters
(three of whom are in extremely straightened circum
stances have been most wantonly treated by the
conflicting claims of so called agent indent
-
---
Washington, in not having ye receive what
has been adjudged is due to us from the department
seeing our peculiar situation, I might
nance, have unfortunately brought about by entrusting
the affair to too many agents cannot you Dear Sir
abrogate their claims and send the certificate directly
to thousan administrator on my late mothers
estate, who will forward the proper amount to
each of the survivor. It appears to me a shame
that Agents propering to be gentlemen should be
permitted thus to ponder upon the small pullance
of the widow & aged by their exorbitant demands of
twenty five and thirty three per cent for service of 20
trifling a nature
Page 72

By rending the certificate to the administratordirect

you will very much oblige
be applied
Eliza Terry
the amount understand is from God to
$1100-
Page 73

I requisite I hereby rear all
appointment, herefore made by me in
this business being wearied by receiving this
ty of promise
Eliza Lee
Page 74

Second
Master &
IN CO
N GRE SS.
The DELEGATES of the United Colonies
of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Iland, Connecticut
New-York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the
Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and suffe on Delaware, Maryland
, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, to Cyprian Terry et
WE reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, Valour, conduct and fidelity, Do by
these presents constitute and appoint you to be Second Linterant of Captain
Chaim Bowen's Company in the eleventh Regiment of 100
commanded by Colonel Daniel Hitchcock, & quarter Master of the same
in the army of the United Colonies, raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every
hostile invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of the Master &
rant by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly
charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as
Second Lieutenant And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from
time to time as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of
●
Congress, for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the army of the United
Colonies, or any other your superior of according to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of the
trust reposed in you. This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress.
the first January 1776
Attest Chas Thomson S.
cock President