Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31512, Stephen Adkins, Del.

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(8--1776)
SERVICE
Del.
Adkins, Stephen
NUMBER
S. 31512
CONTENTS

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rep
Dead
Letter to C. J. Jack
13th Nov. 1844
Paid at the Treasury under
the Act of 6. April 1838 from
4 Sep to the 25 Nov. 1841.
Agt notified 25 Jany 1845

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31840
Delaware
Stephen Adkins
of Kent Co in the State of Delaware
who was a private in the compy [company] comman[ded]
by Captain Perry of the Regt comman[ed]
by Col. in the Delaware
line for one year
Inscribed on the Roll of Delaware
at the rate of 40 Dollars   Cents per ann
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day Mar
1841 Sent to Thos. Stevenson
Dover, Deleware
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1941 $400.0
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep 1841 20.0
$420.0 [total]
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by D. M. Cindy, Cle [clerk?]
Book E2. Vol. 5. Page 76.

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[written on the side]
35007
Stephen Adkins
Delaware

State of Delaware Kent County SS }

On this first day of October A.D. 1840
personally appeared in open Court before the Orphans
Court of the State of Delaware, now sitting at Dover
in and for Kent County, Stephen Adkins a resident [ crossed out] of [crossed out] in the county of Kent and State of Delaware,
aged eighty four, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following
declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the
act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers, and served as herein
stated. The names of the Field officers, which he
recollects, were Colonel David Hall and Major
Henry Fisher, and the names of the officers in command of the company in which he served, were
Captain William Perry, 1st Lieutenant, John Wes-ley, 2nd lieutenant John Hazzard, Ensign, William Hall. That he entered the service on the 3.d. day of March A.D.1777 [insert]  as a private [end insert] and that he received his
discharge in the first week of the month of December 1788, that said discharge was given to him
by Capt. William Perry, and that he kept it until
some time during the next summer, when it was
destroyed by one of his small children. That [crossed out words] at the time when he entered the service, he resided in Angola Neck in the county of Sussex in the
state of Delaware.  That he was a volunteer in
the service, and that he was not engaged in any
battles, tho' a portion of Captain Perrys company consisting of himself and others, even at one time during
the first year of his service, fired upon at Cape Henlopen
by a tender of the British repel, the Roebuck, at that

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time anchored at the mouth of the Delaware Bay.
That the company of Captain William Perry in
which he served as aforesaid, was stationed at
Lewistown, Sussex County in the State of Delaware
aforesaid during the whole time of his service,
and that said Company was broken up at the turn
of his discharge. That the said Company was raised
as he understand from the captain himself, in the
following manner :- the inhabitants of Lewistown petitioned the Continental Congress at that time
in session in Philadelphia, that a Company might
be raised and supported for the protection of their
town which is situated in an exposed situation
at the month of the Delaware Bay, and they
received for answer that if they would select the officers, that body would give them commissions. The
officers above named were accordingly selected,
and received their commissions from Congress. That
the Captain of his company (William Perry) told him
that he was commissioned as Captain for two years,
but this declarant enlisted for one year, but the
Company was kept in the service for the period
before mentioned by him, at the expiration of which
he received his discharge as afo [aforementioned?]? The names of
the sergeants in Capt Perry's company, were William
Fraun, James Vent, Jesse Hall and William Hall;
and the names of the Corporals that he recollects
were Constant Mariner and John Cade. That
this declarant is a pauper and resides in the Poor
House of Kent County in the State of Delaware aforsaid. That he did not, until about ten years since, 
know that he was entitled to a pension, and has
not been able until lately by reason of his extreme
poverty to take any steps to procure his name to be
entered on the Pension Rolls.
He hereby relinquishes every claim

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whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any States, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of Delaware.
That the only documentary evidences he has of his service, are the two affadavits of Sarah or Sally Rodney, and Elizabeth Rowe, which have already been transmitted to Pension office at the city of Washington.

Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day and year first aforesaid.

Stephen Adkins (mark)

W. K. Lockwood, clerk of the Orphan Court

And the following interrogatories being [illegible] by the Court to the said Stephen Adkins, in his past said solemn oath, he answered the same as follows, to wit: as to the first interrogatory, when and in what year were you born? he answers, I was born on the 15 January in 1706 in Sussex County, Delaware.
2nd. To the same interrogatory, have you any record of your age and if so where is it?  his answer: there was a record of my age in a family bible; the last I heard of it, it was in the possession of one [illegible] Bowman, who lives in Rehoboth Neck, Sussex County [illegible].
To the 3rd, where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?  He answers:  I lived in Angola Neck near [illegible] Town, Sussex County [illegible] where I enlisted into the service as a volunteer; I have lived [illegible] since in Sussex and Kent Counties in Delaware; and I now live at the poor house in Kent County [illegible] having been an inmate of that establishment for near twelve years, and now nearly [illegible].
To the 4th, How were you called into service; were you  draughted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute; and if a substitute, for whom?  He answered:  he was not draughted into the service, nor was he the substitute of anyone, he volunteered.
To the 5th.  State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service; he answers The officers I recollect were Colonel Daniel Hall who was in the Continental Services, and frequently absent from Lewistown where deponent served; his family lived at Lewistown, and when the Colonel was at home, he was in command and when absent, Major Henry Fisher commanded; Captain William Terry, John Wesley 1st lieutenant, John Hazzard 2nd, William Hall Ensign, Sargeants, Wm Fraun, Isaac Vent, Jeps Hall & William Hall, & Corporals Constant Mussman & John Cade.  The names of the others I do not now recollect.  I was never in any battle but of often saw the enemy's ships, sometimes as many as nine at a time, ships and vessels; the Rock neck was taken then, and generally lay in the roads; on one occasion, a [illegible] from the Rockneck got aground on the cape in a storm, I was [illegible] ordered down to take possession of her - the crew got ashore and set her on fire, her guns were loaded, and

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the fine communicated half to them, and discharged them, or they [illegible] in a [illegible] discharged, establish one [illegible] on the beach; wee took them as prisoner , 22 men in all; 20 marines or privates, and two officers, they were sent off to Headquarters.

To the 6th. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by who was the [illegible] signed, and what has become of it? Answered - I received a printed discharge from the service, signed by Captain Perry, and I will remember, that it was destroyed by one of my little children, by accident.

To the 7th. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character, and [illegible] belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolution, He answered: I do not know any one in this neighborhood, that can testify to my having served in the Revolutionary War, but Mrs. Audrey and Mrs. Rowe and other old people about [illegible] town, could testify for it, if [illegible]. Mr. Rev. John Manlow and Thomas Stevenson Esquire, a [illegible] of the Poor of Kent County, and others who know me, can testify to my veracity.

Mr. John Manlow a clergyman residing in the town of [illegible], Kent County and State of Delaware, and Thomas Stevenson residing in [illegible] hereby  certify, that we are well acquainted with Stephen Adkins, who have subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to eighty four years of age; that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resided, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that [illegible] common in that opinion.

John Manlow
Thomas Stevenson

Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid }
W. H. Lockwood Clk,

And this said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department,  that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them, that John Manlow who has signed the proceeding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of of [illegible], Kent County of State of Delaware, and that Thomas Stevenson who has also signed this [illegible] is a resident in the same place, and and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

J. William K. Lockwood Clerk of the Orphan Court of the State of Delaware in and for Kent County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen Adkins for a pension.

In testimony whereof I now [illegible] set my hand and seal of office this first day of October A.D. 1840

William H. Lockwood
Clerk of the Orphan Court

State of Delaware SS. I Charles Marin Secretary of the State of Delaware, do hereby certify, that I have [illegible] diligent search to be made among the Revolutionary papers, on file in my office, and that I have not been able to discover any evidence of the service of the above named Stephen Adkins in the army of the Revolution.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, at [illegible] this first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty.

Clk: Marin
Secretary of the State of Delaware

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In the case of the application of Stephen Adkins for a pension

Additional affidavit - 

State of Delaware Kent County SS }

Personally appear before the subscriber one of the justice of the Peace of the State of Delaware in and for the County of Kent. Stephen Adkins who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that at the time of his enlistment in Captain William Perry's Company during the Revolutionary War, he understood that the said company was raised for one year only, but that his recollection is perfect that he served in the said company not less than the period mentioned below and in the following grade: For one year and eight months, he served as a private: and for such service he claims a pension. That [illegible] it was understood at the time of his said enlistment, that the said company was raised for one year only; yet he perfectly well remembers that about the end of the year for which he enlisted, and at a time when Captain Perry dismissed his said company, in order that they might return to their homes when a temporary leave of absence, the said Captain [illegible] informed them that they must hold themselves in readiness to return to duty at a moments warning. That a short time after the said temporary discharge, they were called into service by the said Captain William Perry, and that this deponent served in the company after that time. For a period of eighteen months as above stated. That he cannot procure any record proof to show that he performed more than one years service, and that he does not believe any such proof is in existance - 

Sworn and subscribed the first day of March A.D. 1841 before Joseph Green J. Pear

Stephen Adkins [his mark]

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State of Delaware Kent County SS } I John H. Eccleston [illegible] of the Superior Court of the State of Delaware in and for Kent County, hereby certify that Joseph Green Esquire, before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken was at the time and is now, our of the [illegible] of the [illegible] of the [illegible] State of Delaware in and for Kent County aforesaid, and in whom official acts as such [illegible] full faith and credit [illegible] and ought to be given.

In testimony whereof I [illegible] hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office at [illegible] the fifth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty one

John H. Eccleston [illegible]

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TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE
30th Nov: 1844

Sir:

Under the Act of the 6th of April, 1828, entitled "An Act Directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which Pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, the 2 children of Stephen Adkins a Pensioner on the Roll of the Delware Agency, at the rate of forty dollars and ----- Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1802 has been paid at this Department, from the 3 of September to the 25 Nov. 1841.

Respectfully, yours,

Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

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31572
Recy INVALID

File No. 31512
Stephen Adkins
In Rev War

Act: June 7th 32
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 3

[Arrangement of 1870]

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Stephen Adkins
Delaware
Suspended

Docket: 18 May, 1840
Hon: J. Clayton
let: 21 Oct: 40 t
Thos. Stevenson

Act of Judge 1832

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35007
Stephen Adkins
Delaware

admitted for 1 yr: Private $40.00
Cap: Perry. Dela

Act of June 1832

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35007
Stephen Adkins
Delaware

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Hon. T. Clayton
[illegible] W

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Deposition of Sarah Rodney wife of Daniel Rodney Esq of [illegible], in the County of Sussex State of Delaware, aged about seventy three years who being duly sworn in deposeth and saith that she is a daughter of the late Major Henry Fisher who took an active part in the revolutionary war and whose family resided in Lewes during the whole of the time of the said war, this deponent says that she was well acquainted with Stephen Adkins who was a private in the Company commanded by Capt. William Perry from March 3rd 1877 until the end of the year 1778, and after his discharge he resided in Sussex County [illegible] within three of four miles of Lewes, for many years - and further this deponent saith not.

Sarah F. Rodney

Sussex County SS

Personally came before the subscribed one of the justices of the Peace for said County Sarah Rodney who being first duly sworn subscribed the above deposition the 13th day of April 1840

John M West [illegible]

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State of Delaware Sussex County } S.S.

I George R. Fisher, probationary of the Superior Court of the State of Delaware in and for Sussex County, do hereby certify, that, the before going written John M. West before whom the foregoing affidavit appear to have been taken, was at the date of the taking thereof and now is a Justice of the Peace of the said State in and for Sussex County aforesaid, duly commissioned, qualified and accredited, and by the Laws of the said State is duly authorized to take affidavits [illegible] and the signatures before written purporting to be his, is his usual signature, and I believe the same to be in his own proper handwriting. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, at Georgetown, the fourth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty

George R. Fisher Prothy.

Seal $0.25 paid

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Deposition of Eliza Rowe, widow of Lewes in the County of Sussex State of Delaware aged about Eighty one years who being duly sworn deposeth and says that she has resided in Lewes from her infancy, then she is one of the daughters of the late [insert] [illegible] [end insert] Henry Fisher who took a very active part in the revolutionary war, this deponent says she was well acquainted with Stephen Adkins who was a private in the Company commanded by Capt. William Perry and that since Stephen Adkins was attached to said company, in the year 1777 and 1778 [illegible] he was discharged about the month of December 1778, after his discharge he resided near Lewes in Sussex County for many years, and further this deponent saith not.

Eliza F. Rowe

Sussex County:

Personally came before the subscriber one of the justices of the Peace for Sussex county [illegible] Eliza F. Rowe who being first duly sworn subscribed the above deposition this thirteenth day of April 1840.

John M. West

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May 26. 1841
St. Adkins

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J. L. Edwards Esq.

Honored [illegible] Stephen Adkins who's application for a pension as a soldier in the Revolutionary War together with the depositions, have been sent on to the proper officer. the old man upon all occasions [illegible] I am [illegible] he is calls on me and wishes me to proceed in trying to procure a pension for him and if any thing further is necessary, as far as it can be done, will with pleasure be done as far as in our power your compliance in giving further instructions as clearly as possible will confer a favour on your humble and ardent servant [illegible] 23rd March 1841

Thos Stevenson

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Dear Sir

The children of the late Stephen Adkins are not able to take any letters of administration from the [illegible] I had [illegible] paper [illegible] of which the [illegible] to pay the balance due of the time of the deceased [illegible] 2 months 21 days and they entitled to land?

[illegible]
C.J. Jack

Philadelphia [illegible] 11. 1844 }

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Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commission of Pensions
Washington D.C.

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Dover 2nd Oct. 1860

To the Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions, respecting [illegible] Sir in May last I sent a letter to the Hon. T. Clayton containing two affidavits stating the case of Stephen Adkins as a soldier in the Revolution in answer to the inquiries he sent word that the affidavits were filed with the six hundred cases in the office. And accompanying the same, a blank form or forms and interrogatories to be answered. As far as they are understood they have been complied with, should anything further be necessary your honor will oblige by giving the necessary information - yours with due respect

Thos. Stevenson

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J. L. Edwards Esq.
Com. of Pensions

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Senate Chamber 18 May 1840

Sir,

I [illegible} given the endorsed affidavit, for the purpose of obtaining a pension for Stephen Adkins, a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

I have known Mrs. Rodney from very early life, and I take pleasure in saying that full faith and credit ought to be given to her. She is the wife of David Rodney [illegible] Governor of the State of Delaware, and also a member of the Senate of the United States from that State, and I know no lady to whose word or oath I would give greater credit.

It may be stated that my information is that this old soldier is at this time and inmate of the Poor House of Kent County, as that he has been there for some time past.

Very Respectfully
T. Clayton

J. L. Edward Esq.
Common of Pensions

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J. L. Edwards Esq.
Pension Agent
Washington D.C.

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J. L. Edwards Esq.

Honda. Sir I have procured the certificate of Stephen Adkins accompanied by his oath in regard to his services in the Revolution War which I have enclosed. As it [illegible] and record Proof I believe it will be impossible to procure it. And as it regards the certificate of the Secretary of State he the said Secretary is at this time residing in Sussex County and I think the Secretary certificate did accompany the last documents which were sent to you. At least I understood it so. Your very humble and obedient servant.

Thos. Stevenson

[illegible] 5th March 1841