Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4887, for John Stearns, Massachusetts
Page 1

Mass.                   Stearns, John           S4887
(8 - 1776 )
SERVICE
CONTENTS
NUMBER
S.4887

Carded
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13102
Ohio Pittsburgh
John Stearns
of Mednia [Medina] C in the State of Ohio
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain King of the Redd[illegible] commanded by Col Limmny[illegible] in the Mass. line for 7 months
23 33/100 
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio Pittsb 
at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence of the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of May '33. and sent to Timothy Hudson. Medina. Ohio. C of B 
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 46.66
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept. 33 11.66
$58,,32
======
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Aci[illegible] June 7, 1832.}
recorded by Wm R Palmer Clerk,
Book G. Vol. 8. Page 127.
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Declaration of John Stearns a revolutionary soldier in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832, entitled an act supplementary to an act for the relief of the surviving officers and soldiers of the revolution.
The State of Ohio Medina County Supreme Court --- A.D. 1832

On this 31st day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before Joshua Collett and Ebenezer Lane judges (of ) the supreme court of said state.    now sitting in and for said court John Stearns a resident of the township of Brunswick in the county of Medina in the state of Ohio aged eighty one years who being first duly sworn according to law, both on his same oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7, 1832 entitled “an act supplementary to an act for the relief of the surviving officers and soldiers of the revolution”.

I John Stearns a revolutionary soldier being of lawful age and duly sworn do on my said oath deport and say according to my family record contained in a Bible which my mother gave me and which I have no doubt is true, I was born in Mendon in Massachusetts on the 11th day of April A.D. 1751. The said record in said Bible is now lost and destroyed but I copied it off into another Bible which I have.  When I was called into the revolutionary service I lived in the town of Tyringham county of Berkshire and state of Massachusetts.   Since the revolutionary war I lived in Tyringham about 10 years.  I then moved to the town of Lee in said Berkshire county.  I lived in Lee about 25 or 26 years, then I moved to my present place of residence in the township of Brunswick, county of Medina and the state of Ohio.  
In the year 1776 I was called to the military
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service of the United States as near as I can recollect the latter part of August in the year.  Orders came for one fourth --- of the company to which I belonged to turn out.  From --- these orders came whether from General Washington or the Generals --- I did not know nor never knew, but I turned out as a volunteer and I think the greatest part did, I was merely a militia man.  We --- at New Marlborough.  We formed a pretty large company.  Our captain was George King of New Marlborough, our lieutenant was William Brenson of Alfred, our ensign was --- Bird his Christian name I have forgotten.  John Brewer was one of the sergeants but whether he was the orderly sergeant or not I do not remember.  One of the corporal’s name was Frensdahl from Great Barrington.  The names of the non-commissioned officers I have forgotten.  We belonged to Col. Simonds regiment.  His Christian name I have forgotten if I ever knew, which I do not regretfully.  ---ever knew if our lieutenant colonel was Giles Jackson – our Majors’ name I have forgotten. Our chaplain was priest Allan from Pittsfield.  We marched from New Marlborough through New Milford to Fairfield in Connecticut.  We marched from there to Horse Neck.  From Horse Neck we marched to Valentine’s Hill where we began to build a fort but we were taken off before it was finished and put under the command of Gen. McDougal.  Gen. McDougal marched us to a place called Lucky Hoe or Lucky Hole.  I do not recollect which.  From there he led us to White Plains where we met with the rest of the regiment.  After the second or third night after we got to White Plains the court house, ---, dwelling house, barns all the other houses in the village were burnt  I and other conjectured because Gen Washington did not want the enemy --- them.  After this the second or third day we had a battle.  In the first place we were ordered to lay --- in the --- on the ground.  Then --- were --- for us to dig with --- we dug a trench in which we kept till night.  The British fired upon us at a distance of about half a mile all
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day.  A day or two after the British retreated and went back I expect to New York.  We followed them.  We did not --- my ---.  We – them nor did we overtake them.  We had no fighting after this.  I can recollect but about the 1st of November I returned home.  Gen Washington was commander in chief – Gen Lee was next in command as I understood. I --- them both the day of the battle or officers said to be them.  Col. Hamilton was aid to Gen. Washington as I understood and rode with him.  Gen Lincoln was there too, and afterwards governor of Massachusetts. Gen McDougal was a --- officer as I judge from his days as commander --- of northern troops, but whether from Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland or some other southern state I know not.  I knew his men to be southern troops by their speech which was different from that of the Yankees and by their not knowing how to drive oxen.  We had no discharges in writing when we returned home but simply dismissed by whose orders I do not know but I expect they were from Gen Washington as the British had retreated to New York.  When I got home there was some snow on the ground.  All this took place in the year 1776. At the commencement of the war all who were able to do military duty were ordered to be ready to march at a minutes warning.  Whether these orders were kept up all the time during the war I do not know but we always were ready.
The next year 1777 orders came for us to turn out again --- to the northern to stop Burgoyne.  Out whole company turn out even the --- men equally turned out.  Our company was from Tyringham in Massachusetts.  We started from Esq. Chadwicks’ tavern in Tyringham and marched to --- Stockbridge, from there through Lenox, Pittsfield and Lanesborough.  From here we turned to the left and went to York state to Fort Edward on the North River.  We started with for days provisions as near as I can recollect the last of May or the first of June.  I had finished my planting before I started.  We were stationed for some time at a place above Fort Edward which I think was called Queensbury.  There we built some board structures.  We lay at Queensbury a considerable time.  Then back to Fort Edward.
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Then to Fort Ann. We were sent to Fort Ann in scouting parties to see if the British and Indians had got there.  Col John Ashley of Sheffield commanded the regiment.  I cannot recollect --- Lieut. Col or Major but I think – Ropiter was one of them.  When we lay at Queensbury Gen Nixon was our general.  Ezikial --- or Martin was or captain.  I have forgotten the names of our Lieut. or ensign but it seems to me that one of them was Joseph Nelson.  Solomon Garfield was one of our sergeants.  Finding the British and Indians at Fort Ann we hastened back to Fort Edward as fast as we could.  A few days after this a part of our regiment was sent with axes to fell trees into Wood Creek to prevent the British from navigating it.  The rest of the regiment, myself among them, were sent to protect them.  After this I was sent among others under a captain Brown to guard wagons from Fort Edward to Fort George after stores as the Indian had cut of some wagons.  Several other companies were employed in the same services at the same time.  After that we did but little except stand picket guard.  We were however sent out under Maj. Ropiter to tear up and destroy a long causeway made of black ash logs.  I think it was as much as a mile long.  We piled up the logs and burnt them.  This was done to stop the British as much as possible.  Gen Schuyler commander in chief till Gen. Gates arrived.  He was chiefly employed in getting down stores from Fort George to Fort Edward.  I think it was about 14 miles between those places.  We had a good deal of skirmishing with the British and the Indians.  After this till I was discharged we did little except stand guard, turn out on alarms.  As soon as the continental troops and the militia from New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut arrived order were sent that one half of the troops who had been there so long even since the beginning of summer should be sent home to secure the crops.   We drew lots.  It fell to myself to go home, but I lost my crops pretty much that year.  I arrived home about the last of August or first of September.  After this I was never ordered out again during the year except once on an alarm and then we were gone but two or three days.  In the year 1778 or 1779 all of us who were able to bear arms were --- by threes so that one of each three was required to  -- either for three years or during the ---.  Benjamin Heath, Samuel Graves and myself fell into a loop.  We --- Elijah Sperry as our substitute as he was a young man without any family and we all three had families.
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families. I had no written discharge the last or any tour.  I do not know that any of the militia had written discharges but so far as I know and believe were simply discharged by word of mouth.  I do not know who in --- discharged – except our captain informed us orders were sent that we might go.  There was at least one continental regiment at Fort Edward while I was there commanded by Col. Samuel  Brewer, his lieut.Col was one Carlton ------- captains.  I have forgotten the major’s name.  There were some other regular troops but I do not know who commanded them.  Some of them as I understand were from Ticonderoga after the place was evacuated.  I think Col. Brewer’s regiment was from that place.
With respect to those who know of my military services, almost the whole of them are dead.  Mr. John Hulet whose deposition I shall take in this case knows of my expedition to the northern in 1777 as I have stated --- belonged to the same company.  Deacon Justus Battles of Wellington, Lorain county in this state knows of my going to the south in 1776 as I have stated though he belonged to the continental troops as he --- at Valentine’s Hill as did my brother Alijah at Horse Neck who was killed a few days later in a skirmish.  I do not know of anybody else by whom I can prove my services.  Among those who live in my present neighborhood who can testify to my character for truth and veracity and their own behalf of my services as a soldier of the revolution I will mention the rev --- --- our Methodist minister, Col. John Freese fort ---, Mr. Solomon Dening a revolutionary soldier, Maj. Andrew Dening, Mr. Abraham Frees and Mr Bill W. Freese.  Perhaps I ought to state (what I have forgotten) that I once in the fore part of the war, but the year I have forgotten turned out under alarm to quell the Tories at Stockbridge.  I was gone at this time but 1 or 2 days.  My whole revolutionary services amount, as near as I can recollect, to a little more than 7 months but I hereby relinquish every claim whether to any pension or annuity except the present and further disclose that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state or country whatever.
In testimony where I have hereunto let my hand under the seal of the Supreme Court of the state of Ohio sitting in and for the county of Medina in state prefixed to this declaration in
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open court this 31st day of August A.D. 1832
							John Stearns

Deposition of John Hulet a revolutionary soldier touching the matter of the application and declaration above mentioned of John Stearns a revolutionary soldier in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed Jun 7th 1832 entitled an act supplementary to an act for the relief of the surviving officers and soldiers of the revolution.
I John Hulet a revolutionary soldier being of lawful age and duly sworn do on my said oath depose and say, that with respect to my personal knowledge of the parts stated in the --- declaration of John Stearns, I will state that he and I both lived in Tyringham, Massachusetts during the revolutionary war except when out on service; that we both belonged to the same company which marched to the northern against Burgoyne in the year 1777 and that he served with me and others in that company during that campaign in the --- he has stated in his said declaration and that the parts therein stated by him with respect to his services in that campaign I know to be true and for a more --- account of my knowledge of the events of that campaign I refer to my own declaration filed to obtain the benefit of the act --- all the statements in which are strictly true as my memory services.  I was not with Capt. Stearns at the southward but have no doubt but that he was there and served as he states.  I will furthermore state that I have been well acquainted with him for more than sixty years.  That ever since the revolutionary war he has been generally reputed and believed among his acquaintances wherever he has lived to have been a revolutionary war soldier and to
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vied [illegible] the services [illegible] he has stated; I never heard it devised or disputed, that he is a man of good character in all aspects, and that I have no doubt whatever but that all facts stated in his said declaration are true and that he is of the age he represents.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand under the seal of the Supreme Court of Ohio sitting in and for the County of Medina in said State presented to said declaration in open court this 31st day of August A.D. 1832.
     John his X mark Hulet
Sworn & Subscribed to before me, this 31 day of Aug A.D. 10. 1832
Timothy Hudson Clk. S. C.
Deposition of Jacob Ward a Methodist preacher touching the aforesaid matter.
Jacob Ward a preacher of the Gospel of the Methodist conversion residing in Brunswick, Medina Co. Ohio and in the immediate vicinity of the aforesaid applicant John Stearns, being of lawful age and duly sworn do on my said oath depose and say that I have been well acquainted with said applicant for about 16 years. That I believe he is of the age he represents in his aforesaid declaration. That he has always been reputed in the neighborhood  to have been a revolutionary soldier. I never heard it denied or questioned and fully concur in that opinion. That he is a man of good character in all respects and that I have no doubt but that the facts he has stated in said declaration are strictly true.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand under the seal of the Supreme Court of the state of Ohio sitting in and for the county of Medina in said state prefixed [illegible] to said declaration, in open court this 31st day of August A.D. 1832,
Jacob Ward
Sworn & Subscribed to before me this 31st day of August A.D. 1832
Timothy Hudson Clerk S. C.
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Deposition of Bill W. Freese
touching the aforesaid matter

I Bill W. Freese a resident of Brunswick the
and lodged and living in the same shall be
nity of the aforesaid applicant John
being of lawful age and duly sworn on
doth depose and say that I am
well acquainted with said applicant
years, that I have no doubt
but that he is of the age he represents in his
the
aforesaid declaration in the
time of my acquaintance with him belies
the
been generally reputed and seven
been a revolutionary soldier and to have perfor
in the services he has stated in said dec
ation never heard it devised or disputed and fully
myself
that belief-- that he is a man
of good character in all respects and that I have
no doubt whatever but that the fact he has stated
in said declaration are shirt by the
In testimony
hereof I have her
unto set my hand and the seal of the prem
count of the State of Ohio sitting in and for the
County of Medina in said state refixed to and
declaration in open court this 31st day of
A D. 1832,
1
Bill W. Freer
subscribed to before me this 31st day of August
H
Clk
Agent
Sworn
AD. 1832
1
office
Page 11

Amendment to the declaration of John Stearns a revolutionary soldier
April Seven 1833
Page 12

An amendment to the “Declaration of John Stearns a revolutionary soldier in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 1832 entitled an act supplementary to an act for the relief of the surviving officers and soldiers of the revolution:.
The State of Ohio 		Court of Common Pleas
Medina County			April Seven A.D. 1833
On this 11th day of April 1833 personally appeared in open court being a court of record before the Hon. Matthew Birchard president judge and Reuben Smith, John Newton and Allen P-- Esq associate judges of said court now sitting in said court, John Stearns a resident of the town of Brunswick, county of Medina and the state of Ohio aged 82 years, this day who being first duly sworn according to law doth in his said oath make the following amendment to his service declaration agreeably to the requistion and directions of the War Department of the United States.
I John Stearns a revolutionary soldier being of lawful age and duly sworn do on my said oath declare and say in addition to the statements in my said declaration that during the first period of my military services in the revolutionary war from August 1776 till late in the fall or commencement of winter season of that year as stated in my said declaration I served as a private soldier as therein stated not less than 3 months.
That during my second term of service in the summer of 1777 as stated in said declaration, I served as a private soldier not less than 3 months.
The amount of my other occasional military services as therein stated was not less than 1 month.  I served as a private merely and never had any military office during the revolutionary war.  I was employed on no civil pursuit while I was in the service.  I cannot but reason of old age and loss of memory state exactly how long I served, though I can very near and the whole time was certainly not less than 7 months.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in said court now sitting in and for said county this 11th day of April A.D. 1833.
                                           John Stearns
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Service    Number
Mass.  Stearns, John  S4887
Contents Barded
Page 14

Medina Sup. Court
Aug. Term 1832
Interrogatories put to John Stearns a revolutionary soldier
10.051
Page 15

The State of Ohio s.s.
Medina County }
Supreme Court
August [illegible] 1832
Interrogatories put by said court to John Stearns
A revolutionary soldier making his declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the [illegible] passed June 7 - 1832
entitled an act supplemented to [illegible] 
by officers and soldiers of the revolution.
Interrogator 1st Where and in what year were you 
born? -
Ans,- In the town of [illegible], in Massachusetts April
11th 1751,-
Int 2 - Have you any record [illegible] 
where is it?
Ans,- I have a copy of an old bible record
Int 3,- Where were you living when called into [illegible]
mia, where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where
do you now live.
Ans,- When first called into service I lived in [illegible]
law, Berkshire Co. Massachusetts. Since the revolution I
lived in [illegible]. Then in Maryland state [sp.?] Then in Bruns
wick, Medina Co. Ohio, where I now live.
Int 4th, How were you called into service 
war you
depend, and [illegible] were you a substitute? and you
substituted for whom?
Ans,- I may went when rolls came and then [illegible] and
a [illegible]
Int 5,- State the reason [sp.?] of the [illegible] where 
you served; your intended and within regiment as you can
recount and the several counties of your service.
Ans,- I do not know the names of many regiments
In [illegible] Gen. Washington, Gen. Leohn, Gen. M Leyand [sp.?]
Int 6,- Did you ever receive a discharge from the army
mia: and if so by whom was it, when and what has become of it.
Ans,- I never received a written discharge
Int 7,- Have the names of persons to whom you are
[illegible] in your present reparations, and who can testify as to 
your character for [illegible], and why of [illegible] as a soldier 
of the revolution
Ans,- Jared Ward, John Freese, Roland Daniel, [Illegible]
Graham Freese, Bill W. Freese, and Peter [Illegible].
John Stearns
Sworn and subscribed to before me
This 31st day of August, A.D. 1832 Tim Hudson Clerk
Sup. Court
Page 16

And the said Court do thereby declare their opinion that after
a full investigation of the matter aforesaid, and after putting the said
terrogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named
applicant John Stearns was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he 
states - And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that
the said John Stearns who has signed said declaration is a resident 
of Brunswick Merdina County Ohio and that the aforesaid [illegible] ward
who had signed his deposition aforesaid is a Clergyman [illegible]
as he states, and that the said ward, and Bill W. Hunt and John Holt
who have signed and their respective depositions are credible persons and
that their statement is entitled to credit, and further that they are
residents of Brunswick Medina County, Ohio - 
The state of Ohio
Medina County } s.s.
I Timothy Hudson Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas within and for the 
said County of Medina do hereby certify, 
that the foregoing contains the original two
ceedings of the said Court in the matter of the 
application of John Stearns of a pension
In testimony whereof I hereunto sign my
name, and affix this seal of said court, at
Medina, this 5th day of Sept. 1832
Tim Huson Clerk
Said Court
Page 17

13.102.
10.051
John Stearns
Ohio
Return 5.16.
Amended declaration now admitted for 7 months from 1776.

Timothy Hudson
Clerk of the Court
Medina, Ohio
Page 18

Brief in the case of John Stearns in the County
of Medina in the state of Ohio
(Act 7th June, 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? Eighty one
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. Duration of service. Rank. Names of General and Field officers under whom he served.
Aug in 1776
1777
1778 and 1779
Years, months, days
}Altogether
a little more
than 7 months
As a 
private
in the
militia
Gen. Washington
Coln. Simmons, Lt. Col. Jackson
Capt. Geo. King
Lieut. Wm. Brenson
Gens. McDougall & Nixon
Col. John Arley. Mgi Rossiter
|Ezekiel Herrick or Martin
|Landon Capt.|
5. In what battles was he engaged? White plains
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Berkshire, Massachusetts.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, 
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? a living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
X Certify that the forecoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned. 
J M Duncan
Examining Clerk
Page 19

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section

May 5, 1925.

Mrs. George H. Barrows
Monmouth Hotel,
Washington, D.C.

Madam:
I have to advise you, that, from papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S 4887, it appears that John Stearns was born in Mendon, Massachusetts, April 11, 1751. 
While residing in Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, he enlisted in August, 1776 and served three months as a private in Captain George King's Company, Colonel Simons; Massachusetts Regiment, and was in the battle of White Plains.
He enlisted in June, 1777 and served three months in Captain Ezekiel Hearick's Company, Colonel John Ashley's Massachusetts Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application, executed August 31, 1832 while a resident of Brunswick Township, Medina County, Ohio.
In 1778 he had a family, no names stated. Pension was not claimed by either widow or heirs.
Respectfully,
Wilder S. Metcalf,
Commissioner
Page 20

The State of Ohio
Merdine County ss. 
I Timothy Hudson Clerk
of the Supreme Court of said State
when held within and for said County
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application of John
Stearns for a Pension - In certain
whereof, I hereunto sign my name
and affix the seal of said Court, at
Merdine, this 12th day of Apr. 1833. Tim Hudson Clerk
Page 21

Rev War
4887
INVALID.
File No. 4887
John Stearns
Print Rev War
Act: June 7" 1/32
Index: - Vol. M, Page 35 - 7
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 22

June 1/95
2/87
Hist to Miss Helen Stearns
Euclid Ave, Cleveland, O. [illegible]
June 13 ' 99
Mary A Pepper
Colonial Hotel
Car -
1917 Mch 8. History to
Maud Wheelcock Fw.
1918 Nov. 6. Hist to William K. Stearns
1923 - Feb. 2. Hist to Daniel B. Stearns.
Page 23

Monmouth Hotel, Apt. 802,
Washington, D.C.,
March 11, 1925.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

My dear Mr. Commissioner:
Will you kindly favor me with a copy of the Revolutionary Pension and Service Record of my forebear:
John Stearns born Mendon, Massachusetts on the 11th day of April 1751, died in Brunswick, Ohio on the 25th day of December, 1841.
Pension was dated August 31, 1832.
His wife was Lucy Merril. Did she draw the pension after his death in 1841? I have not the date of her death.
An early reply will be very greatly appreciated.
Very truly
Marion Stearns Barrows
(Mrs. Geo. H. Barrows)
Page 24

January 29, 1923.

The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear sir:- I would like to get the Revolutionary War record of John Stearns who served in the battle of White Plains, N.Y. and who was pensioned under the act of 1832, being a resident of Brunswick, Ohio at that time.
Very respectfully yours,
D.C. Stearns(?)
Page 25

[illegible]
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir. Kindly send me the pension record of John Stearns who was pensioned under the Act of 1832 a resident of Brunswick Medina Co. Ohio. He was a revolutionary soldier
Miriam Keokee Stearns
70771 St. Clair St.
Pittsburgh
PA
10-31-1918
Page 26

534 5th St., Boone Ia

Dept. of Interior Bureau of Pensions.

Dear Sir,

Will you kindly send me all the information possible in regard to Capt. John Stearns who fought in the Revolutionary war. He was born in 1751 at Milford, Mass. and died at Brunswick, Ohio in 1841. At the time of his death, he was
Page 27

receiving a pension from the U.S. govt.

I wish to join the D.A.R. organization and need this information. I should especially like to know the number of his regiment. In fact. Any information would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanking you, I am very truly yours
Maud Wheelock
Page 28

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O. W. & N. DIV.
MEMORANDA.
Please supply as much as possible of the
data called for below.
S. + J.
Full name of soldier:
William Torrey
Place of Residence before service:
(Town, county, and state, if possible.)
Lebanon, Conn.
Place of residence after service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Lebanon, Conn.
Date of death (as near as possible):
Oct. 11. 1783
Christian name of widow:
Mary Gillett
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
Remarks:
Died and buried
at Hayti N. R.
Your name and address:
Miss Helen Stearns
2187 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, Ohio
Page 29

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE
O. W. & N. DIV.
MEMORANDA

I?
[illegible] wid. as capt.

Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.

not I as Capt

Full name of solider:
Captain John Stearns

Place of residence before service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Lee, Mass.

Place of residence after service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Lee, Mass.

Date of death (as near as possible):
Dec. 25, 1841

Christian name of widow:
Lucy Merrell

Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
He was predeceased - but he left no [illegible]

Remarks:
Capt Stearns is buried Brunswick Medina Co. Ohio

Your name and address:
Miss Helen Stearns
2187 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio
6--870
Page 30

(8--1776)
Service
Mass.
Stearns, John
Number
S4887
Cardid
Page 31

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
D. W. & N. Div.
MEMORANDA.
Please supply as much as possible of the
data called for below.
Full name of soldier:
Capt John Stearns
Place of residence before service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Tyringham & Lee Mass
Place of residence after service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.) 1816
Brunswick Medina Co Ohio
Date of death (as near as possible):
Died in Brunswick CO
Dec 25 - 1841 - Aged 90 -
Christian name of widow:
Miss Lucy Merrill Hartford Corin
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
He received a Pension
Remarks: Was in Revolution.
at the battle of White Plains
but do not know what
regiment or where enlisted -
served seven years -
Your name and address:
Mary Armstrong Pepper
Hotel Beer
Saint Louis Mo -
at present - Colonial Hotel
Washington D.C.
Page 32

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

[Postmark:
PENSION
MAR
5
1895
U.S.
OFFICE]

Qu: For the purpose 
of becoming a menber of
"The Daughters of the 
Revolution" - I should
like the military
history of Capt. John
Stearns of Mass. and
of William Terry of Conn. 
who was employed
by Gov. Trumbull in some
Page 33

Military capacity during the war.

I am not certain that this is the correct dept. to apply to. but think the widows of both men were [illegible].

Kindly let me know if this is not the case and where I would be likely to get the desired information.

Respectfully,
Helen J Stearns
1253 Sherman Avenue
Denver, Colo. Feb 25 1895
Page 34

PENSION
MAY
22
1895
U.S.
OFFICE

OLD WAR & NAVY
MAY 25 1895
FILES

PENSION
MAR
5
1895
U.S. 
OFFICE
Page 35

HOTEL COLONIAL,
Formerly "WORMLEY'S"

Corner H and 15th Streets N.W.
AMERICAN PLAN. ELEVATOR. STEAM HEAT. SANITARY PLUMBING, 
CENTRALLY LOCATED.
Within Two Minutes' Walk of the White House, Corcoran Art Gallery, Treasury, State, War, and Navy Departments.
Washington, D.C. 1899.
Please send a copy of the record in Pension Office -
[illegible] (_E_Vol 8. Page 127 _ NO _13.102_
Page 36

Brief objections to the admission of pension claims, of which these
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of 
John Stearns which require
further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes.
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the country where he resides? Yes.
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? not definitely
V. *Has he mentioned 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? No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832? Yes.
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes.
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes.
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal? Yes.
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to 
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolu-
tionary service? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain-
ing it? 
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service? 
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? 
The clerk of the court admin
and the court certified the
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of any such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which one of them is not so answered? Yes
Explanatory Notes.
*QUERE V. 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 sworn, deposeth 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 recol-
lection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _
year _ months, and _ days, I served as a _ For _ months
and _ days, I served as a _; and for such service I claim a pension.
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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 in-
definite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the 
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objection-
able. It must in ever 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 he was either
in the field or in the garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not em-
ployed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magis-
trate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal or office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In ever 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 paper authenticated, the cer-
tificate 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 officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
Entered the oath
credibility of witness}
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.