Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8721, for John Sherman, Connecticut
Page 1

[First Column]
(3-1776)
SERVICE
Conn.

[Second Column]
Sherman, John
Nancy


[Third Column]
NUMBER
W8721
BL. Wt. 1962-200. Lieut
Issued Mar. 7, 1792 to 
Jonas Prentice, assignee
No papers


John Sherman
Nancy Sherman
Page 2

[left side]
July 27/93
Healing [illegible] & Letter to R. S Little

[right side]
25
Massachusetts
Nancy Sherman
widow of John, 
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Lt. Pay Master & Clothier
Increased from $560
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 600 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 22d day of Aug [illegible]
and sent to Thomas Campbell
Boston
Map

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under a
1848 Page 6
Page 3

State of Massachusetts 
County of Norfolk

On this seventh day of November in the year eighteen hundred and forty eight personally appeared before the Honorable Sherman Leland, Esquire, Judge of the Probate Court in and for the County of Norfolk in the state of Massachusetts aforesaid in open court Nancy Sherman,  a resident of the town of Canton in the County of Norfolk and state aforesaid, aged eighty-six years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 29th, 1848, granting half pay and pensions to certain widows that were married to Revolutionary officers and soldiers prior to the first day of January 1800.  That she is now the widow of John Sherman late of Canton in the Couty of Norfolk and state aforesaid, deceased, who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution and served according to the best of her knowledge as follows. He enlisted or entered the army in the Revolutionary War from the town of New Haven, in the state of Connecticut, in the year 1776 or 1777 and served several years, in Colonel Zebulon Butler's regiment as a Lieutenant and paymaster in said regiment under what captain in said regiment he served as Lieutenant I am unable now to state. Captain Potter, Captain Chamberlin, Captain Starr and others were the captains in said regiment. I think the services rendered by my late husband were in the continental army.  He was a native in the town of New Haven when he entered the service. He had a brevet commission as Captain at the close of the war, for his meritorious service in the same.  He removed from Connecticut to Canton in the state of Massachusetts previous to my marrying him, Canton was at that time a part of the town of Stoughton. He was the son of Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independance. I believe he served in the revolutionary war from its commencement to is close. all the grades he served in I am unable to state more fully than the above.  She further declares she was married to the said John Sherman on the fourth day of September, seventeen hundred and ninety-four by the Rev. Zachariah How and the then settled minister in Stoughton in that part now Canton and that the said John Sherman died the sixth of August A.D. 1802, that she was not married to the said John Sherman prior to his leaving the service but themarriage took place previous to the first day of January, eighteen hundred at the time above stated, that she has not been married since the death of the said John Sherman, that she is now a widow residing in the said town of Canton.

Nancy Sherman

Norfolk, subscribed and sworn to the day and year first above mentioned in open court. Befoer me, Sherman  Leland, Judge
Page 4

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of Norfolk

I Jonathan H. Cobb, Registrar of the Court of Probate of the County and state aforesaid do hereby certify that Sherman Leland, Esq. is the judge of the Court of Probate aforesaid duly commisioned and (unintelligible) and that the signature on this paper is genuine and true.  
In testimoney where of I hafe hereunto set my hand (unintelligible) the seal of said County to be afixed this seventh day of November, A.D. 1848.

Jonathan H. Cobb
Page 5

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office [illegible] November 9th 1848.

I hereby Certify, That at the dates of the annexed attestations Benjamin Richards 
was a Justice of the Peace for the 
county of Norfolk. 

in the said Commonwealth, duty commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written. 

[signed] William Tufts
Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

I Lucinda Littlefield of Randolph in the County of NOrfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being fifty two years of age do testify and say that I am the daughter of John Sherman, late of Canton in the County of Norfolk and state of Massachusetts, deceased.  That he died at Canton in the month of August 1802.  Canton was formerly a part of Stoughton, and I believe that when my father was married to Nancy Tucker, my mother, that what is now Canton was then Stoughton.  My mother, now Nancy Sherman, is now a widow residing in said Canton and has not been married since the death of my father John Sherman deceased. 

Lucinda Littlefield

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Norfolk, November 8th, 1848
Then the above-named Lucinda Littlefield personally appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by her ssubscribed.  I further more certify that the above said Lucinda Littlefield is personally known to me and is a person of truth and certatiny and is so considered by her neighbors. 

Before me, 
Benjamin Richards, Justice of the Peace in and fore said county of Norfolk
Page 7

W 33
Nancy Sherman
hw of John
Map
aet 29 July 1848
married 1794
died 1802

John Sherman 
Serve Capt Potter [from other records] 
Company Nov 1776
Paymaster Sept 7
1778, Col [illegible]
on role Sept 1780
Admin  2 yr Sent Paymaster [?]
$560 12 mon
from 4 March 1848
Hon A. Hale 
House of Reps
Page 8

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

County of Norfolk Town of Stoughton P. Married by the Rev. Zachariah Howard. John Sherman and Nancy Tucker both of Stoughton. September fourth, Seventeen hundred and ninety four. 

The above is a true copy from the record of marriages in the Town of Stoughton with the exception of the date which is expressed in the record in fair legible figures as follows.

Sept. 4, 1794
Attest Jabez Talbot Jr Town Clerk of Stoughton

I Jabez Talbot Jr above named depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk of the Town of Stoughton above said, in the County and State foresaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town of Stoughton with the exception above named as certified by me.
Jabez Talbot Jr Town Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk County ss. November 2, 1848
Subscribed and Sworn to by the above said Jabez Talbot Jr. Town Clerk of Stoughton
Page 9

Aeneas Munson of the town of New Haven in the county of New Haven and the State of Connecticut aged eighty five years being duly cautioned and sworn according to law, do upon oath declare and say, I knew and was very well acquainted with John Sherman late Paymaster in Colonel Zebulon Butler’s regiment in the Revolutionary army. 
He resided in said town of New Haven during the Revolutionary war and ever since I knew him. I knew its said John Sherman as early as the year 1774. He enlisted and entered its service in the pre-revolutionary army either in the year 1776 or 1777 according to the best of my recollection. I am rather of the opinion it was in the year 1776. At the time of his entering the service he resided in said town of New Haven. He was a Lieutenant and also a Paymaster in the Revolutionary Army.  I think he was Lieutenant from the time of his entering the service.  I entered the service in the year 1780 and knew that the said John Sherman was Pay master from that time during all the time I was in the service. I continued in the service until the close of the war and said John Sherman was Paymaster and Lieutenant during all of the time I was in the service until the close of the war. I have often directed soldiers who enquired after him to his office in said New Haven to receive their pay.  I knew all the Captains of that regiment, but do not recollect which was the Captain of the company to which said Lieutenant Sherman belonged. Captain Potter, Captain Chamberlain, Captain Starr, and then belonged to the Regiment. I belonged to the same regiment as assistant Surgeon during part of the year 1781 and some time afterward. During this time I hutted with the said John Sherman
Page 10

In the Highlands opposite West Point during one winter and the rain John Sherman to my knowledge continues in the service as Lieutenant from the time he entered it until the close of the war.  
He was always with this Regiment in all the service they performed during the several campaigns of the war.  He was a son of the late Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, he removed some time after the war to the state of Massachusett [sp] but at what time and where I do not know and further the Deponent saith not. Dated at said town of New Haven on the eighteenth day of October AD 1848. 

Aeneas Munson [signed]

State of Connecticut
County of New Haven [ss] New Haven on this eighteenth day of October AD 1848 personally appeared before one Henry White a Justice of the Peace written and for said County of New Haven Aeneas Munson the subscriber to the foregoing affidavit and deposition to me personally well known, and read a solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit and deposition by him subscribed and I further certify that the said Aeneas Munson is a person of credibility and that in my opinion the statement of the said Aeneas Munson are entitled to full faith and credit. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

Henry White 
Justice of the Peace for
Said County of New Haven
Page 11

I Roger Sherman, of the town of New Haven in the county of New Haven and state of Connecticut, aged eighty five years, being duly cautioned and sworn according to law, do depose and say as follows. 
That I was a brother of John Sherman, late Lieutenant and paymaster in the Revolutionary War. He said John Sherman was born in the town of New Milford in the state of Connecticut, and was the eldest son of the late Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and at the time of his death, a senator in the Congress of the United States. The said John Sherman resided in said town of New Haven from the year 1760 until sometime after the Revolutionary war when he removed to Massachusetts.  He entered the service in the army of the United States in the early part of the Revolutionary war and continued in the service until the close of the war.  He entered the service a Lieutenant and continued to hold that rank until the close of the war.  He was also paymaster for some years until the close of the war, but I do not know at what time he was appointed paymaster.  He was with the army (unintelligible)payers of the war until its close. He left New Haven and removed to Massachusetts after the year 1790 but I do not remember the year.  I visited his family in the town of Canton Massachusetts in the year 1801 where he then resided. He was married in Massachusetts after he left New Haven, but I do not now in what yar.  In 1801, when I visited him in Canton, he had two daughters the years of
Page 12

marriage, and further the deponent saith (unintelligible). Dated at said town of New Haven on the 18th day of October A.D. 1848
Roger Sherman

State of Connecticut
County of New Haven on this eighteenth day of October AD 1848, before me Henry White a Justice of the Peace within and for said county of New Haven duly sworn and witnessed and (unintelligible, personally appeared Roger Sherman the subscriber to the previous affidavit and description, to me personally well-known and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition and affidavit by him subscribed.  And I further certify that the said Sherman is a man of credibility and that in my opinion, his statement are(unintelligible) and credit.  As witnessed, whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 
Henry White
Justice of the peace per said County of New haven
Page 13

[Left Side]
State of Connecticut
County of New Haven      }SS.
County Court, Clerk’s Office

[Right Side]
I, Henry G Lewis Esq., Clerk of the County Court, within and for the County of New Haven and keeper of the seal thereof, and of the Commission of the Justices of Peace for said County, hereby Certify: - That, Henry White Esquire was on the 18th day of October 1848
And now is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, with power by the laws of this State, to administer OATHS, and take the acknowledgment of DEEDS and other instruments; that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and that the signatures to the instruments hereto annexed, purporting to be his, are his genuine official signatures. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereto set my hand and seal of the said Courth this 18th day of October 1848.  

[Signed]
Henry G Lewis
Clerk.
Page 14

June 6, 1934.

XXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/ady
John Sherman
W.8721

Mr. Henry S. Newman
4230 N. E. 42nd Avenue
Portland, Oregon

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter relative to John Sherman, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, W.8721, based upon his military service in that war.

John Sherman was born in New Milford, Connecticut, date not stated. He was the oldest son of Roger Sherman one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. At the time of Roger Sherman’s death he was a senator in the Congress of the United States.  The name of John Sherman’s mother is not given.

John Sherman while a resident of New Haven, Connecticut, where he had lived from 1760, entered the service January 1, 1777, served as lieutenant in Captain Potter’s Connecticut Company, and as lieutenant and paymaster in Colonel Zebulon Butler’s Connecticut Regiment and served to the close of the war.  On February 23, 1784 he was appointed to rank as a captain, by brevet, in the Army of the United States. 

He died August 6, 1802 in Canton, Massachusetts. 

Soldier married September 4, 1794 in Stoughton, that part which was later Canton, Massachusetts, Nancy Tucker. They were both residents of said Stoughton.  

Soldier’s widow, Nancy Sherman, was allowed pension on her application executed November 7, 1848 at which time she was aged eighty-six years and a resident of Canton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. 

She died December 7, 1858, place not stated.

On AB
Page 15

In 1848 Lucinda Littlefield, a daughter of soldier and his wife, Nancy, was aged fifty-two years and living in Randolph, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. In 1801 soldier and his wife, Nancy, had two daughters, the name of the one daughter not stated, in the original papers on file in this pension claim. 

Roger Sherman a brother of the soldier was aged eighty years and living in New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut, in 1848. 

Very truly yours, 

A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 16

[Left Side]
Mch 28/96 Soldier pensioned
Chas. G. Mackintosh. [illegible]
Ms FM Smith
New London, Conn.
Oct. 28/98
Hon. Geo. F. Hoar
Worcester, Mass.
1899 July 16 Commission of John Sherman as Capt in UNA handed to Secy. of Sen. Geo. F. Hoar [illegible]
`1918 Feb 11. Letter to Mr. Matthew Henman. Sec Claim. W.F.21.504
David Judson. M.B.H.
1934 June 6. Hist. to 
Henry s. Newman. AD.Y.

[Right Side]
Revolution Connecticut
Widow, 7c.
File No. 8121
Nancy Sherman
Wid
John Sherman
Pay Master Rev
Act: July 29' 1848
Index: - Vol: M, Page 206
Arrangement of 1870.
Page 17

[Left Side]
[illegible]
May 20/56
July 3/56
July 24/56

[Right Side]
Massachusetts
Nancy Sherman
widow of John Sherman
Who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a Lieut. + Pay Master
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 560 Dollars --
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. 

Certificate of Pension issued
29th day of Dec
and sent to 
Hon. A. Hale
House of Rep [from other records]

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under a 
29th July 1848, Page 69 Vol.
[illegible]
Page 18

Nancy Sherman
Widow of John
[majs]
Inch. July 29, 1848
2yrs Lt. Pay master + Clothier
$600 a year from 
4 March 1848 [illegible] December 
$569 a year, 
[illegible]
Thomas Campbell
Boston Mass
Page 19

Boston Ms. August 18th 1856

Sir
I have received your letter of the [illegible] in relation to the application of Ms. Nancy Sherman for increase of Revolutionary pension and enclose the certificate of pension, according to the request therein contained. 

Very Respectfully,
Your Obt. Servant
Thomas Campbell
Atty.
Page 20

In response to your request for the conf of Capt. John Sherman a Rev officer from Conn. You are advised that the only one on file with the application of his widow for pensions issued to him as [illegible] Caption [illegible] the application for it should be distinctly made by a descendent who is the surviving nearest of kin to the officer.
Page 21

Boston Mass. July 18, 1856

Sir.

I have received your letter of July 3, 1856 in the case of Mrs. Nancy Sherman, wid. Of John Sherman, who applies for an increase of revolutionary pension. 

I enclose you the certificate of Comptroller of Conn. required in your letter, which it is hoped will be found satisfactory.  I will only add that as a reference for the resolves, particularly that of March 23, 1779 will show that Paymasters were Clothiers. Ex officio in all cases.  So that the fact of being Pay Master includes all of the rest. 

Very Respectfully
You Obt. Servt.
Thomas Campbell
Atty.
Page 22

Boston Ms. May 2. 1856
Sir. 
I herewith present the claim of Mrs. Nancy Sherman a revolutionary pensioner in this state under act of July 1, 1848, for the correction of an error in estimating the rate of pension to which she is entitled. 
The claimant now receives $560 per annum, while her husband John Sherman served for more than two years as a Lt. + Pay Master in the Conn. Line, which service according to the establishment of Congress and the practice of the pension office in similar cases entitles his widow to a pension of $600 per annum, his pay as a Pay Master having been $30 per mo. In addition to his pay in the Line.

I therefore respectfully ask that Mrs. Nancy Sherman May be placed on the rate at the rate of $600 per annum. 
Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servant
Thomas Campbell.
Atty

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 23

Additional Evidence
Revolutionary Pension
Page 24

Boston Mass. June 13th 1856.

Sir.

I have received your letter of May 3, 1856, respecting the application of Nancy Sherman, widow of John, a revolutionary pensioner for an increase of the pension.

I enclose a certificate of so much of John Sherman’s service as appears on the books of the Comptroller of Conn, which although not all his service, is ample for the present purpose. This shows his service as a Lieut. and Paymaster from Sept 1, 1778 to Jan 1, 1782. If the records were complete would show his service to the end of the war. 

The Comptroller has not specified the rate for month which he received, but it may be readily calculated from the aggregate for each pediod specified and will be found to compound with the rates established by Congress.

The duties of Regimental Paymaster were much increased by the reform in the Clothiers department and Congress provided March 23, 1779 that the office of regimental clothier should always be executed by them and on Apr 5, 1779 they should have therefor $30 per month “in addition to their present apportionment.”

The resolve of Jan 12, 1781 provided the rate at which the staff officers should be paid in the new currency; regulating the pay for service done, as well as that to be done. For so much of the resolve as it relates to Regimental Pay Master. I [continued on next page]

Com. Of Pensions
Page 25

[continued from previous page] beg leave to call your particular Attention, as it covers the whole ground, it is as follows. 

“That the pay of a Regimental Paymaster + Clothier in addition to his pay as an officer of the Line be $30 per month in bills of the new emission, an that several states in making up the depreciation of such officer from the time of their respective appointments, calculate upon additional pay as being $30 per month in the specie.”

The indisputable facts in the case are that pay masters have been paid first $20 then $50 per month in addition to their pay in the line. The resolve in question provides that in the new currency equivalent to the specie it should be reckoned at $30 per month and for the service previously performed they should be paid at the rate of $30 per month in specie. That is that they should be paid in real money $30 per month for additional pay for the time they had been in service, no matter what the nominal rate of their pay at the time, deducting of course the specie value of what they had received. 

It seems scarcely possible that language could be more explicit than the terms of the resolve, or that any argument should be necessary on a principle long since admitted and practiced often in the pension office.  If however any evidence is required that the understanding of the provisions of the resolve at the time by the states themselves, was that above stated, and that pay was made good accordingly [continued on next page]
Page 26

At the rate of $30 per month in specie, deducting only the real value of what has been paid, it can be furnished in abundance.

Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servant
Thomas Campbell
Atty.
Page 27

State of Connecticut
Comptrollers Office
Hartford. July 15th 1856

I certify, that on application for additional evidence relating to the service of John Sherman, in Col. Butler’s Regiment in the year 1781. I have examined the documents in the office, and find that the pay credited to the said Sherman for his services in the year 1781 is £204, vis as a Lieutenant, £96, and for service in other capacities £108, or at the rate of $30 per month. 

I also find on an examination of the receipts given by Mr. Sherman for the balances due to him on the settlements January 1st 1780 + 1781 that they are given for his services as Lieutenant and Pay Master, his service as Clothier not being mentioned in the Receipt. 

I also further certify, that I do not find any credit for service as a clothier, on the Pay Roles of the Connecticut Line in the year 1781. 

Edward Prentis Compt [comptroller]
By Ja. [James] Robinson Clerk
Page 28

Brief in the case of Nancy Sherman Widow of John 
County and State of Massachusetts
act July 29, 1848

Claim (“for increase.”)

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionally, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. 

Her husband was Lieutenant + Pay Master over 2 years. She was pensioned under the Act of July 29, 1848 at $560 a year for his services.

The Resolve of January 12, 1781 gave to Paymasters $30 in addition to their line pay. 

His line pay was $26.66 a month, he therefore received over $50 a month and she should have been allowed $600 a year instead of $560. She has returned her Certificate of Pension at the rate of $560. 

[left side]
Name and residence of Agent
Thomas Campbell Esq
Boston Mass

[right side]
Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk
Page 29

[Calculations]
Page 30

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Secretary's Office Boston, May 1, 1856

I Hereby Certify That the date of the attestation hereunto annexed, 

[hand signed] Charles Charlott [/hand signed] was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk

in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.

In Testimony of Which, I have hereunto affixed the SEAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH, the date above written. 

F. DeWitt [hand signed] 
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 31

Know all men by these Presents that I Nancy Sherman a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, do hereby authorize constitute and appoint Thomas Campbell of Boston to be my sole true and lawful attorney for the
purpose of prosecuting any claim I may have on the government of the United States for an increase or arrears of said pension.  And the said Thomas Campbell is hereby authorized to take all necessary legal and proper steps in
the prosecution of the said claim in the same manner that I might do for myself.

Witness my hand and seal this Eighteenth day of April 1856.
Nancy Sherman [signature]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Norfolk County

On this Eighteenth day of April 1856. personally appeared before me Nancy Sherman, and acknowledged the foregoing
power of Attorney by her subscribed to be her free act and deed.
Chas. Endicott Justice of the Peace
Page 32

State of Connecticut
Comptrollers Office
Hartford May 30th 1856

I certify that on application for the evidence of the service of John Sherman in the war of the Revolution as Lieutenant, Pay Master
and Clothier, I have examined the documents
remaining in this office and find the name of
John Sherman, on a Pay Roll under the following heading viz. Settlement with the 6th Connecticut "Regt, Return J. Meigs Esq.  Colonel, before January 1780," where the said John Sherman is credited with service as Pay Master from Jany 1st 1777 to Sept 1st
1778  = 1 year 8 mos. Also with service as Lieutenant and Pay Master from Sept 1st 1778 to Jany 1st 1780.  1 year 4 mos. Also with service as Clothier from April 5th 1779 to Jany 1st 1780 - 8 months 26 days

In another Settlement with Col. Meig's Regt., 
for the year 1780, I also find the name of
John Sherman where he is credited with
service as Lieutenant, Clothier & Paymaster, of war Jany 1st 1780 to Jany 1st 1781 1 year.

In a settlement with the 4th Connecticut  Regt under the Reorganization of the
Connecticut Line of the Continental Army,
Page 33

"for the year 1781" which Regiment was commanded by Col. Zebulon Butler, I also
find the name of John Sherman, where
he is credited with service as Lieutenant and
Pay Master, from Jany 1 1781 to Dec. 31st
1781 - 1 year

Edward Prentis Comp.
by Geo. Robinson Clerk

I also further certify, that the payments made to John Sherman, for the services rendered, as stated in the foregoing certificate were as follows, viz.

As Pay Master Jany 1st 1777 to Sept 1st 1778,  1 year 8 mos.  $160.00

As Lieut & Pay Master Sept 1st 1778 to Jany 1st 1780, 1 year 4 months $225.12

As Clothier April 5th 1779 to Jany 1st 1780,
8 mos 26 days $79.16

As Lieut. Clothier & Pay Master Jany 1st 1780 to Jany 1st 1781, 1 year. $277.4

As Lieutenant & Pay Master Jan. 1st 1781 to Dec 31 1781, 1 year $204.0

The Pay Rolls of the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army in this office extend only to the 1st of January 1782

Edward Prentis Comp.
by Geo Robinson Clerk
Page 34

War Department.
Widow's Pension

I certify that in conformity with the act of July 29th, 1848, Nancy Sherman of Massachusetts widow of John Sherman, a Lieut. & Pay Master is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Five hundred and sixty dollars per annum, commencing on the 4th March 1848. The pension will continue during her widowhood.

Given at the War Office of the United States
this 29th day of December one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.

W.L. Marcy
Secretary of War.

Countersigned
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 35

Benjin Richards
Dec 7. 1848
Page 36

Randolph Sept December 7th 1848

Hon Artemas Hale

Sir I sent to the pension office at Washington, the papers of Nancy Sherman in Nov. 1848 [Nov 25, 48], claiming a pension under the
of act of July 1848, in consequence of her late Husband John Sherman late of Canton in
the County of Norfolk (Mass) deceased
being a Lieutenant & paymaster in the
Revolutionary War and perhaps in other Grades in said war - and I think there will be no doubt of the soundness of her claim - he was the son of Roger Sherman who was one of the Signer of the declaration of the Independence of the United States, and
served all the time the war lasted.

His widow is I believe between eighty & ninety years of age, is feeble and if any pension is to be granted her it is desirable she may have the benefit of soon as it is not likely she will survive long - in such case as this perhaps the Commissioner of Pensions would give her case immediate attention.  If you will attend to it and write me if anything is wanting in proof of her claim more than she has made of granted please send me the certificate and in so doing you will greatly oblige the old lady.

Yours respectfully
Benjamin Richards

Dec'r 11th 1848 Dr. Sir I have just received
the above, and will thank you to give me the information asked for & in case the certificate is granted to Mrs Sherman to forward it to me. 

Respectfully yours 
Artemas Hale

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Page 37

The original of this goes to Senator Hoar -
on his committee request.  H. Clay Evans
Comm.
IN PURSUANCE
of an ACT of
CONGRESS
of the Thirtieth Day of SEPTEMBER.
A. D. 1783,
JOHN SHERMAN, ESQUIRE,
is to rank as a Captain, by Brevet, in the ARMY
of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
(SEAL)
Given under my Hand, at Annapolis,
the 23rd day of February, 1784.
( Signed ) Thomas Mifflin
Recorded in the War Office.
( Signed ) Jos. Cashtor (?)
Secy.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Washington, D.C., Feb. 11, 1899.
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a paper filed in this office in pension case of Nancy Sherman, widow of John Sherman, Paymaster Revolutionary War, File No. 1721.
H Clay Evans
Commissioner
Page 38

7 [Handwritten in top right corner]

No 4 North Main St
New London Conn 
June 7 1898 

Will you send to me the Rev. war record of John Sherman Paymaster of Conn enlisted at New Haven - also if possible the date of his death-

Address - 

Mrs F. M. Smith. -
Page 39

[ineligible] WAR & NAVY JUN 24 1898 FILES [Stamped in faded black ink]

U. S. PENSION OFFICE JUNE 21 1898 
[Circular stamp in faded black ink. Inside the inked circle: 'U.' and 'S.' on the left and right side, respectively, 'PENSION' and 'OFFICE' are on the top and bottom. A small stamp-inked circle is located under the word 'PENSION' and the date is below it in the center of the circle]
Page 40

RECIEVED MAY 25 1934 
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS. ADM READER [ineligible] 20 
[Words encompassed in circular stamp in faded black ink. Surrounding the circle are numbers 1-12 separated by line ticks, similar in appearance to that found on a ruler or clock. Needle head depicted above the word "RECIEVED" pointing to a line in the middle of '11' and '12']

U.S. Pension Bureau
Washington D. C. 

Dear Sir: 

Will you kindly give me any information possible of descendants of John Sherman (eldest of Roger) who was Lieut + Paymaster of the 4th Conn Line, 1777 to 1783. [Black checkmark in between the first and last name.] ["Sherman" is underlined in black pencil]

He died in 1802.

I think he had a daughter Jane, who was my great grandmother. Any information will be greatly appreciated. 

Yours very truly, 
Henry S. Newman.

4230 N. E. of 2nd Ave., 
Portland, Oregon.
May 21, '34

Reference: Genl Charles H. Martin.
Page 41

Read the within
named commission
for Senator G F Hoar
Feb. 16 1899
Edw C Goodwin
Secy

FEB 16 1899
COMMISSIONER
Page 42

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY.
UNITED STATES SENATE,
WASHINGTON, D. C. February 11, 1899.
My Dear Sir:
There is on the file of the Pension Office, among
the papers relating to the application for a pension for
the widow of John Sherman of the Revolutionary Army, a commission of John Sherman to be Captain by brevet, which I should be very glad to possess.
Captain John Sherman was my mother's Brother, and I
am his nearest relative now living, except Mr. William M.
Evarts of New York, who is very old and who has given up his interest in all the concerns of life; and a lady
living in California. They are Cousins of mine, and
are, respectively, Nephew and niece of Captain Sherman.
I am very sure neither of them would care for the document.  If the rules of your Department will permit, I
shall be glad to have the paper, and will return it if
the original should ever be in demand.
I am faithfully yours,
Geo F Hoar
The Honorable
H. Clay Evans,
Commissioner of Pensions, etc., etc., etc.

EST DEPUTY
FEB 16 1899
COMMISSIONER
Page 43

O. W. & N. DIV.
F. S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
WASHINGTON, D. C., August 17, 1893.
Sir:-
Referring to your several requests for the commission as
Brevet Captain of your ancestor John Sherman, an officer of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that it cannot be surrendered to you unless you can place on file with this Bureau an affidavit setting forth that you are the nearest surving kin to the officer mentioned, or, if nearer of kin are living, you should furnish a statement from each one signifying his or her willingness for you
to receive the commission in question, together with a statement from yourself agreeing to return the said commission to the Bureau of Pen if called for
at any time by a nearer relative.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Copy
Roger S. Littlefield of Esq.,
Page 44

AUG 15 1898
Bandon Or. August 6th 1893
Hon Wm Lochren.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of
a statement giving the military history of
John Sherman of the war of the Revolution, so
far as records in your Dept. show also
to thank you for a copy of same Regarding
my request for the commission of the said
John Sherman, my ancestor as Brent Captain in
that war. I have to repeat that I must
be as near of kin to this officer, who died
91 years ago this day, as any desendant, though
there are several quite as near.
Very respectfully,
R. S. Littlefield
Page 45

PENSION
AUG
14
1893
OFFICE

OLD WAR AND NAVY
AUG 16 1893
FILES
Page 46

Bandon O.r June 11th 1893
Hon. Wm Lochren
U.S. Commissioner of Pensins
Sir:
In response to your letter of 25th ult
advising that the application for the
commission of John Sherman, Brevit Captain
war of the Revolution should be distinctly
"made by a descendant who is the most
surviving kin of the officer" I have the
honor to submit that it is not clearly
understood what is meant by the most
Survivor
John Sherman by a second Marriage
with Anne Tuder of Canton, Mass, had
two childred Nancy and Lucinda
Sherman the last named was my
mother,Nancy married Gideon
Mackintosh, whose children consequently
Page 47

                                      (2)
stand in like degree of kin with the
grandfather, John Sherman, that my
fathers do. I have three older brothers
living, but am the only one of both
familes who served in the war, 61 to 65, in
which case I was wounded in two
different engagements and was promoted
through the grades Private to Captain,
also was endorsed by regt, brigade & division
comdrs to a higher level promotion, so that
perhaps I may claim a kinship nearer
akin in patriotic feeling to John Sherman
and his illustrious father, than any
representative of these two families.
The descendants by John Sherman's first
marriage I know nothing about, but it is
very unlikely that there is now any survivor of
the first degree in descent, so that for the
reasons above given, I would hereby distinctly
make application for the commission of John
Sherman Bvt Captain, of Connecticut
by respectfully, Roger S. Littlefield
Page 48

PENSION
JUN
22
1893
OFFICE
Page 49

Bandon, Oregon
May 7th 1893
The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.C.
Air:
as a member of the Oregon Washington
Society, sons of the American Revolution, I am
desirous to have sent me the commission of
my grandfather Captain John Sherman War of
the Revolution, which was filed in the Pension
Burean in the 40's, I think, as evidence in a
claim for pension on behalf of my Grandmother
Anne Sherman of Canton Mass.
Any information of the special branch of the
service my grandfather was identified with would
be gratefully received. I quote from a letter
received from Colonel F.C. Ainsworth Chief Record
& Pension Office, xxx " it is also probable thatt your
grandfathers commission can be obtained from the
Pension Office if it was filed therein with his pension
claim" when a boy I often saw the
Commission which had been carefully
Page 50

                           (2)
preserved by my mother and I know the
document went to the bureau prove
up the claim of my grandmother, as
above
Very respectfully,
Your or servt
R. S. Littlefield
Page 51

                          S



PENSION
MAY
16
1893
OFFICE
Page 52

L. W. B.
W. 5721
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON D. C.
O. W. & N. DIV
REVOLUTIONARY
October 28, 1898.
Sir:-
In compliance with your recent communication, addressed to Edward C Goodwin Esq., and referred to this Bueau for reply, I have the honor to advise you as follows:
Nancy Sherman, widow of John Sherman, made an application for pension on November 7th 1848 at which time she was 55 years of age and resided at Canton, Mass., and her pension was allowed for the service of her husband as a lieutenant, paymaster and clothier in the Revolutionary war, for a period of about six years.
Papers on file in the claim show that John Sherman was born at New Haven, Conn. from which place he entered the service, and was a son of Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was married to Nancy Tucker at Stoughton, Mass., September 4th, 1794, by the Rev. Zachariah Howard, and died August 6th, 1802.
His service is shown as a Paymaster January 1st, 1777 to September 1st, 1778; as Lieutenant and Paymaster September 1st, 1778 to January 1st, 1780; (as clothier April 5th, 1779 to January 1st, 1780); as Lieutenant, Clothier and Paymaster, January 1st, 1780 to January 1st, 1781; as Lieutenant and Paymaster, January 1st, 1781 to January 1st, 1783. and was appointed to rank as a Captain by Brevet February 23, 1784.

This Bureau can furnish the military
record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as
were pensioned or whose Widows were pensioned
for their services.
Most of the original muster and pay rolls 
of the Revolutionary War and the war
of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the ??? and Pension Office War Department. Original rolls and other records appertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
Page 53

Except in letter of R S Littlefield June 11 1893 it is
stated that John Sherman by a second marriage
with Ann Tucker had two children Nancy & Lucinda"
While in active service it appears that he served in the Conn. troops under Colonels Meigs and Butler.
In an affidavit on file in the claim, signed by Roger Sherman, a brother of the above named John Sherman, it is alleged that he, Roger, visited his brother, John, in 1861, at which time he states there were two daughters as the issue of his marriage to Nancy Tucker, but in none of the papers is there mention made of a former marriage, as
indicated in your letter. An affidavit, dated November 6th, 1845. Randolph, Mass., is signed by Lucinda Littlefield as one of the daughters of John Sherman, but no mention is made as to the other daughter's name.
No further information can be furnished by this Bureau concerning the above named soldier, but a full statement of his services can probably be obtained upon application to the Chief of the Record and Pension Office, War Department, as all the original muster and pay-rolls
of the Revolutionary war, now in the possession of the Government, are on file in that office.
Very respectfully,
Page 54

ghter's name.

No further information can be furnished by this Bureau concerning
the above named soldier, but a full statement of his services can probably
be obtained upon application to the Chief of the Record and Pension
Office, War Department, as all the original muster and pay-rolls
of the Revolutionary war, now in the possession of the Government, are
that office.

Very respectfully, 
Acting Commissioner

Hon. George F. Hoar,
Worcester, Mass.