Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 600, for Robert Steele, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Steele, Robert Lydia
N. 600. B.L.Wt 654-100 B.L.Wt 247-60-55
CONTENTS

State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk
On this eighth  fourth day of May in the year eighteen hundred and fifty three  three , personally appeared before me, Judge of Probate within and for said County, Lydia Steele a resident of Dedham in the County of Norfolk aged about seventy years, who, being 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 February 3, 1853: That she is the widow of Robert Steele who was a Brigadier General in the Company commanded by Captain Stokes and Moore in the Regiment commanded by Colonel  the  herd in the War of the Revolution, — that he enlisted at Boston on or about the sixth day of June 1775, for the term of eight months and continued in actual service for the term of eight years and upwards and was honorably discharged at New Windsor on or about the fourth day of November 1783, as will appear by reference to the rolls:
She further declares that she was married to the said Robert Steele on the thirteenth day of June A.D. 1806; that her husband, the aforesaid Robert Steele died on the twenty ninth day of June eighteen hundred and thirty three : She farther swears that she is now a widow, and that she has never before made an application for a pension; and she prays that her certificate may be sent for her to Eliza C. Baker Boston, Mass. : Lydia Steele
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year before written, (the word "fourth" erased and the word "eighth" substituted by me) before me in open court — P. Leavitt Judge of Probate.

Es 100-100 N o 154.
Robert Steel. Drum-Major. Massachusetts Line.
Warrant issued to Robert Steel under date 17 th April 1816. and delivered the same day to the hon. ble Nath l . Ruggles M. C.
Deposited by the Hon. N. Ruggles. M.C. Dec r 20 th 1816.

8,993
Massachusetts.
Robert Steele, of Dedham, in the state of Massach ts . who was a musician in the regiment commanded by Colonel Shepard, of the Massach ts lin, for the term of seven years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 7. of May, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5. of April 19, and sent to John Davis, judge, Boston, Massachusetts.
  Arrears to 4th of March, 1819...  $: 79.48    Rev. ann. all'ce ending 4. Sept 7  48.    29 } 1819. }  127.48    31. }   
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Discontinued
Certificate sent Oct. 20th 1820 to James Ware Esq. Wrentham, Mass.

✓ 1897 Massachusetts Lydia Steele widow of Robert Steele who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Drum Major Mass Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 108 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1815.
3 rd February 1833
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of Sept r 1853
and sent to
Geo Smith Boston Mass a
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act July 20, 1818 , Page 45 Vol. A
Entry 3 rd 1853
NO 400 - act 1828

17 1850 act Mar 3 June 1855
Lydia Steele, wid of Robert Steele and James Dinner Major Capt Moore
Eulog dis 1775- 1784
Rev Wai Re Pension Cert No 1897
W: 60 ac, p. 24/57 Blyth
Horatio Woodman Boston Mass

Pension Office August 24/53
Sir Please report time of last payment to or death of William named pension
Respectfully &c J. Burt Esq. J. C. Cole Bland for Commissioner Pension
Robert Steele; - act 15 th May, 1828 - $88. p. an. Died 29 th June 1833, Paid to his death.
H. Burt Acting

United States of America.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Boston, } ss. Suffolk, }
ON this second Day of April , in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen before me, William Stevenson , Notary Public, by le- gal authority admitted and sworn, and dwelling in Boston, aforesaid, and a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk, personally appeared Robert Steele and acknow- ledged the within Letter of Attorney to be his free act and deed - and made oath to the within affidavit by him subscribed, That also ap- peared Robert Williams Esq. and Henry Pur- kill and made oath to the within affidavit by them subscribed.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Notarial Seal, the day and year above written.
William Stevenson
} Notary Public, and Justice of Peace.

Where all Men by these Presents, That I Robert Steele, now resid- ing in Dedham in the State of Massachusetts, a Genl. Major in the fourth Massachusetts Regiment, under the Command of Col. Henry Jackson, in the Revolutionary War. Have made, constituted and appointed, and by these Presents do make, constitute and appoint; Sa- thaniel Ruggles Esq. of Roxbury, Member of Congress, my true and lawful Attorney, for me, and in my name, and for my uses, to apply to the Secretary of War, or to any other Officer of the Government of the United States, or person designated by the said Government, for a Warrant for the Land which I am entitled to, and the Patent for the same; and then and there to receive such Warrant and Patent for me, and for my use, and also to choose the Lands, to which I am so entitled, in such Secretary as he may designate. — Giving and Granting unto my said Attorney, by these Presents, my full power in and about the pre- mises, and to give all such discharges as may be necessary, and generally to do and perform all matters which I could do, if personally present; hereby confirming all things which my said Attorney may do. —
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this second day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen. —
Signed, Sealed & Delivered
in presence of
Rob t Williams Geo rge Perkins
Robert Steele

I Robert Stule, now of Dedham, testify and say, that I served in the Massachusetts line of the U.S. Revolutionary Army, from the Battle of Bunker Hill, until the army was disbanded, at which time I was a Sturm Major in the 4 th Massachusetts Reg t . commanded by Col. Henry Parker on - that I have not had or received any part of the Bounty Lands claimable by Soldiers in said service, and have never sold or assigned in any manner, my title to such lands. Robert Stule
We Robert Williams, a Pay Master, in the Revolutionary Army & Henry Purkill D r . M. Serjeant 2 d Dragoons both of Boston in the State of Massachusetts, testify & say that we well knew the above named Robert Stule as a Sturm Major in said Army, and that he served in the fourth Massachusetts Regiment at the time the army was disbanded.
Rob t Williams Henry Purkill

State of Napaducut County of Nidbena Town of Newton
(a) Among "A return of Marriages solemnized by Rev. Samuel Kendall from June 3 d 1804 to April 30 th 1808 inclusive" I find the following June 30 Robert Eighteen Hundred and Six June thirtieth Robert Steel of Dedham & Lydia Williams of Weston
I CERTIFY that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures, as follows: —(b) 1806 " June 30 Robert Steel of Dedham & Lydia Williams of Weston, Nathan Hagar, Town Clerk
I, Nathan Hagar above named, depose and say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town, county, and state aforesaid, and that the above is a true copy from the records of said town, with the exception above named, as certified by me.
Nathan Hagar }
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me, this Eighteenth day of May A.D. 18 58
Benj. Dine Justice of the Peace.
(a) Here fill in an exact transcript of the record, except that, instead of copying the figures, the date must be written out in full. (b) Here give the date exactly as it is in the record.

APPLICATION OF
Widow of Robert Steele Revolutionary War
for a 160 acre warrant.
Act of March 3d, 1855.
171850
WARRANT TO BE SENT TO HORATIO WOODMAN, Boston, Mass. AS WITHIN REQUESTED.

State of Massachusetts County of Middlesex
On this Thirteenth day of June, A. D., 1855 - personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County,
Lydia Steele aged Twenty two years, a resident of Dedham in Massachusetts who being duly sworn according to law, declared that she is the widow of Robert Steele deceased, who was a Brigadier Major in the Company commanded by Captain Moore in the Revolutionary Army commanded by Genl Washington in the war with Great Britain, declared
by the United States, on the 18th day of June, 1819, that her said husband was drafted at enlisted in the service of on or about the 17th day of June A.D. 18 17 for the term of the war and continued in actual service in the said war for the term of during the war and was honorably discharged on on or about the Autumn of the
1784  1819 , as will appear by reference to the rolls, which  and his discharge which is on file in the Department at Washington,  received no pension or other benefit and that neither he nor she ever received or
applied for, or is entitled to bounty land for any other service, except that she received  for the same service, under the act of September 1850 a 40 acre warrant, No.
which she has legally sold and cannot return. That her said husband draws a Pension from Government for the same service when he was alive and that she now draws a Pension for the same service payable at Boston. Her Pension certificate is numbered 1897 & is recorded on R.L. of Pensions
She further states that she was married to the said Robert Steele in Westore on the thirtieth day of June 1806, by Rev Paul Kendall D.D. and that her name before her said marriage was Lydia Williams that her husband died at Dedham on the twenty fifth day of June 1833, proof of which will be found on file with her previous application, that she is still a widow, — that she makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act of Congress passed March 3, 1855, and that she prays that the certificate thereof may be sent for her to Horatio Woodman, Boston, Mass.
Lydia Steele
Subscribed and duly sworn to, the day and year first above written. I certify that she is the identical person above described. I have no interest in the case.
Eliza G. Wake Justice of the Peace
Ms. A. 9. 2. 45 unrec Nov 21 February 30 1853

State of Massachusetts County of Middlesex
We Ebenezer C. Baker and Adeline A. Baker having been duly sworn, depose and say, that we well know Lydia Steele and always have understood & firmly believe her to be the widow of Robert Steele who was a soldier whose widow now applies for bounty land,—that we knew him for more than years before his death, which occurred at about years ago,—that we know that he died about that time because in the Revolutionary War. We very know her to be the identical person who now receives a pension for his services that we are residents of Middlesex for nine years that we have known his said widow from his death to this time, that she has remained unmarried,—that her declaration was signed and acknowledged by her in our presence,—that she is the identical person she represents herself to be,—and that we are disinterested.
Ebenezer C. Baker Adeline A. Baker
Subscribed, and duly sworn to before me, this Twentieth day of June , A.D. 185 5 ,
S. W. Hathaway } Justice of the Peace.
It is hereby certified that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, by the affidavits of Ebenezer C. Baker and Adeline A. Baker of the said county and state, who are personally known to me, who are entitled to credit, and who swear that they have no pecuniary interest in the result of the above application; that Lydia Steele is the widow, remaining unmarried of the late Robert Steele who was a soldier in the Rev. — Revolutionary War and that the said Robert Steele died at Scituate, Massachusetts on or about the Twentyfifth day of June A.D. 183 3 ,
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this Twentieth day of June 185 5 I have no interest in this case.
S. W. Hathaway Justice of the Peace.
* "We attended his funeral," or "were in the neighborhood at the time," or some equally good reason.

Copy Schedule &c of Robert Steele
8793
April 1819
[Faint, illegible handwriting]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NORFOLK, ss.—CIRCUIT COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, SPECIAL SESSION, JULY 17, 1820.
On this seventeenth day of July 1820 personally appeared, in open Court, being a Court of Record for said County, proceeding according to the course of the Common Law, with a jurisdiction un- limited in point of amount, keeping a Record of its proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Robert Steele, Pump-maker , aged fifty nine years, resident in Dedham in said County, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows: I enlisted in
Seventeen days previous to the Battle of Bunker Hill as a Drummer in Col. Doolittle's Regiment under Major Moore who was killed in said Battle. I served eight months in this Regiment and there enlisted into Col. Grenadiers Regiment for a year, and before that year had expired I enlisted during the war and served till the war ended I was a Drum major five years of the war was honorably discharged by Col. Henry Jackson, I was in the following engagements—Bunker Hill, Long Island, Eastchester White Plains, Kings Bridge, Taking of Burgoyne, Monmouth and Trenton. For which services a pension was granted me under a certificate issued April 3 rd 1819 number 3903.
And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons, engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Robert Steele
Sworn to and declared, on the seventeenth day of July A. D. 1820 before
James Ward Judge of C. C. Pleas Norfolk Co. Circuit.
I, Horatio Townsend Clerk of the said Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule hereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value, of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is
Eight hundred and sixty dollars and seventy six cents. The debt is not considered.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twentieth day of July 1820
Horatio Townsend Clerk.

A Schedule of the property of Robert Steele, of Dedham in the County of Norfolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, an application for a pension under the Act of May 1 st 1840, necessary wearing apparel, beds and bedding, excepted.
Real Estate.
A small house and barn and about 14 acres of land mostly poor and dry $800.00
Personal Estate
One Cow 15.00 One Swine 2.75 A lot of pumps bearing tools 2.00 Household furniture 21.01
$844.76
I the said Robert Steele am by occupation a pump and block maker but am so feeble and infirm that I am unable to perform any business or earn any thing by my labor. I have a wife aged thirty nine years have no children and my wife is so feeble and out of health that I am obliged to keep an assistant in my house. I have a note due of four hundred dollars which it is doubtful whether I get, and owe about two hundred dollars.
Robert Steele

No 5574 Robert Steele musician Shipwrecked Mass Reg't 76 Penna Vols May 7 1868
See also Index Yankee Admittance of  the  same of  the  same of  the  same O.W.R.

United States of America
State of Massachusetts suff. ss. Boston
May 8 th 1818. I Robert Steele of D. I have a citizen of the United States now residing in said D. I have in the County of Norfolk in the State aforesaid, do on oath declare that I served, in the war of the revolution, the full term of time required by a law of the United States made and passed in the month of March A. D. 1818 entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war, as requisite to entitle me to be placed on the pension list of the said United States having entered the land service of the said United States on the continental establishment I served as Drum Major against the common enemy, from about 1776 to September 1786 to the full end & term of said Revolutionary war, in the fourth Regiment commanded by Col. Shephard, a part of the time I also in Col. Jackson's Regiment being about seven years when I was honorably discharged which discharge is now at the war office in Washington as I verily believe, And I hereby relinquish all claim to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the said United States, if any may be or hath been so allowed. And I further declare that by reason of my reduced circumstances in life I need the assistance of my country for support. I am now fifty nine years of age
Robert Steele

Mass s Dist. Ct. May 7. 1818
Be it remembered that on this eighth day of May 1818 Pursuant to a law of the United States entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval services of the United States in the Revolutionary War," made & passed on the 18th March A. D. 1818 personally appeared before me the above named Robert Steel and after due examination & caution to testify & declare the whole truth, he maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid, & subscribes the same in my presence
W. Davis Dist. Judge Mass. Dist.
Fuller Russell

MASSACHUSETTS DISTRICT, ss.
~~~~~ 10 March 1819.
I AM satisfied that the above named, Robert Steele by reason of his reduced circumstances in life, is in need of assistance from his Country for support.
J. D. Duer
{ District Judge U. S. Massachusetts Dist.
TO THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR.

MASSACHUSETTS DISTRICT, ss.
Boston June 16
A. D. 1818
Robert Steele
IT appearing to my satisfaction, that subscriber to the annexed declaration, sworn to before me, did serve in the revolutionary war against the common enemy, as stated in said declaration, I now transmit the testimony in the case, with the proceedings had thereon, to the Secretary of the department of war, pursuant to the directions of the Act entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war;" the testimony and proceedings in the premises being the declaration aforesaid, with the accompanying documents marked 1 together with this certificate.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the District Court of the United States for this District to be hereunto affixed.
M. Davis
} Judge of the District Court U. S. Massachusetts District.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
211.94 May 21, 1925.
Elizabeth R. Humphreys Assistant Librarian, Dedham Historical Society Dedham, Massachusetts.
Madam:
I have to advise you that, from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W-600, it appears that Robert Steele of Boston, Massachusetts, enlisted June 6, 1775 and served for eight months as a drummer in Captain Abel Wilder's Company, Colonel Ephraim Doolittle's Massachusetts Regiment and then enlisted for one year in Colonel Learned's Massachusetts Regiment, but before the year was out enlisted January 1, 1777 and served as Drum Major in Captains Moore's and Pope's Companies, Colonels Shepard's and Henry Jackson's Fourth Massachusetts Regiment, until discharged, June 8, 1783.
He was in the engagements at Bunker Hill, Long Island, East Chester, White Plains, Trenton, King's Bridge, at the capture of Burgoyne and Monmouth.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 8, 1818, while residing at Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts aged fifty-six years. Date and place of birth not on record. He died at Dedham, Massachusetts, June 29 1833.

He married June 30, 1806 at Weston, Massachusetts, Lydia Williams, of that place.
She was allowed pension on her application executed, May 28, 1853, while a resident of Dedham, Massachusetts, aged seventy years.
There is no further data on file as to family.
Respectfully,
WILDER S METCALF, Commissioner.

HEAD-QUARTERS. June 8. 1803.
THE within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace; previous to which Time, and until Proclamation thereof shall be made, He is to be considered as being on
Furlough.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Secretarys Office June 25 th 1802 This Certify that Robert Steel has received the benefit of the Provisions of the two branches of the regulations of this Commonwealth passed the 11 th March & 19 th June 1801 and this discharge is delivered up by their direction. — John D. Sleeper
Robert Steel by himself May 5 Election Cash
Robert Steel Box 654-100 Mass.
AM BT

By His EXCELLENCY GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq; General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America.
THESE are to CERTIFY that the Bearer hereof Robert Steel Drum Major in the Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, having faithful- ly served the United States eight years and 8 months and being enlisted for the War only, is hereby DISCHARGED from the American Army.
GIVEN at HEAD-QUARTERS the — 8 th June 1783
By His EXCELLENCY
Command,
Thunbull
REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment,
Adjutant.
THE above has been honored with the LADGE OF MERIT for Six Years Six Years faithful Service.
Robert Steel Drum Major Thunbull

400 Massachusetts
Robert Steele decd. of _____ in the State of Mass a who was a Drum Major in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the _____ for two years
Inscribed from A88
Inscribed on the Roll of _____ Boston, at the rate of 108 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 1st day of March, 1826. 3 rd " " " 1826
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of April 1833 and sent to Geo: Sweet
Arrears to the 4th of _____ Boston Mass a Pension allowance ending Eug 29 th June 1833
Recorded by _____ { Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832 } 15 May 1828 Book _____ Vol. 1 Page _____ Clerk.
Attest 15 th May 1828

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of _____ a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 6 1776 8 mos. Drummer Abel Hildreth Stephen Dootittle Mass.   1776 Leonard   Aug 1 1777 Drummer Moses & Tipton Shepard   Henry Jackson   discharged June 8 1783  
Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill, Saratoga, Bennington, Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Plattsburgh, Fort Ticonderoga, Fort Crown Point, Fort St. Johns, Fort Duane, Fort Niagara, Fort Oswego, Fort Bull, Fort Nipissing, Fort St. David, Fort Mifflin, Fort Red Bank, Fort Cloud, Fort St. George, Fort St. Patrick, Fort St. Regis, Fort St. Pierre, Fort St. Raphael, Fort St. Vincent, Fort St. William, Fort St. Xavier, Fort St. Ygnatius, Fort St. Zeno Residence of soldier at enlistment, Horton, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. Date of application for pension, _____ Residence at date of application, _____ Age at date of application, _____
Remarks: The original pension on an app. of May 28, 1812, was a pension of $10 per month. The date of application was June 28, 1812. The soldier was then 70 years of age. The data was furnished to the family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Baton May 4 1818
This certifies that the bearer Robert Steel serv'd in the revolutionary War as a Drum Major in the 4 th Mass ts Regiment. Commanded by Col s Henry Jackson of which I was a Lieut n . and at the close of it; was honorably Discharged The having entered early into the service of his Country, & enlisted for the War —
Rob t Williams
To whom it may concern

to obtain his warrant for land

Boston May 14 th 1811
This Certifies that Robert Steele served as a Soldier during the Revolutionary War, in the 4 th Mass ts Regiment commanded by Col: Henry Jackson Eight Years & Eleven Months; Faithfully
Rob t Williams then Paymaster of said Reg t

No of orig Pay 400. REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
July 30. 1828.
Robert Steele — of Dedham, — in the County of Norfolk — in the State of Massachusetts, has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a Musician — in captain 's company, in the 4th regiment of the Massachusetts line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing.
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary, A. Dickinson.
15593
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
Aug. 1. 1828
It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to Robert Steele in the Mass. Line
It further appears that Robert Steele — is now on the pension list of the any — agency, and has been so since the 3d March 1826 at the rate of  dollars per month.
John H. Agamemnon
General

Act 1828 Settled at Treasury
Counsel with Widow's file # 600

Revolutionary Claims.
[ B. ]
Form of a Declaration to be made by the Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians, and Privates.
For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828, I, Robert Steele of Dedham in the county of Norfolk in the State of Massachusetts do hereby declare, that I enlisted in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued in its service until its termination; at which period, I was a * Musician in Captain Lawrence Company, in the Fourth Regiment, of the Massachusetts Line. And, I also declare, that I afterwards received certificates for the reward of eighty dollars; to which I was entitled, under a resolve of Congress, passed the 15th of May, 1778.
And I further declare, that I was not, on the fifteenth day of May, 1828, on the Pension List of the United States.†
Robert Steele
Witness my hand, this twentylifth day of June in the year eighteen hundred & twenty eight
Sworn before me
William Stevenson Justice of the Peace
Robert Steele
Before me,‡ William Stevenson a Justice of the Peace in the county of Suffolk in the State of Massachusetts personally appeared, this day, Henry Purbill and Samuel Hobbs of the said county, who did severally make oath that Robert Steele by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, in manner as therein stated.
Witness my hand, this 25 th day of June in the year 1828
William Stevenson Justice of the Peace
I, John Stickney , Clerk of the Court of the County of Suffolk , in the State of Massachusetts , do hereby certify, that William Stevenson, Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was, at the time, a § Justice of the Peace, and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, this 25 th day of June A.D. 1828 .
J. Stickney, Clk.
Corporal, Musician, or Private, as the case may be. That, though not on the pension list on the 15th May, 1828, may have been on the list on or since March, 1826, and afterwards stricken off: if so, he will add, and that I have received of the United States a pensioner, since the 3d of March, 1826, the sum of _____ dollars, paid to me by the Age. & for paying pensions in the State of _____
† Here insert a Justice of the Peace, or other Magistrate duly empowered to administer oaths.
§ Justice of the Peace, or otherwise, as the case may be.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston :
May 16 1852.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name Robert Steele is borne on rolls of 8 mos. service in 1775. Capt. Abel Wilder's Co., Col. Eph. Doolittle's Regt. as Drummer of Boston, from June 6. signed Coat roll. Oct. 28. 1775.
On Army books, 4 th Regt. Col. Sheppard's Capt. Murr + Pope's Co. as Drum Majr. from Jan'y. 1. 1777 to Dec. 31 1780. 48 mos. enlisted for during war.
On monthly muster rolls of Capt. Pope's Co., Col. Sheppard's Regt. from May to Dec. 1781. inclusive, and Jan'y + Feby. 1782. as Drum Majr.
Final settlement certificates Nos. 15533 + 15899 were issued to him in the 4 th Regt. (then comd. by Col. H. Jackson) becoming due November 4. 1783.

2266 And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Wingate Secretary of the Commonwealth.

State of Napaquet County of Norfolk
I Lydia Steele having been duly sworn, depose and say, that I am the widow of Robert Steele who was a Revolutionary soldier, — that he is believed to have enlisted at or near Boston that the names of some of his officers are believed to have been Col. Scott , Major Moore , Col. Larned , Col. Hapgood , Col. Henry Jackson that he is believed to have been in the battles of Bunker's Hill , Long Island , East Chester , White Plains , Kings Bridge , Monmouth , Trenton and others that he is supposed to have served for the entire war of the Revolution ,
and that I pray to receive from the Secretary of State a certificate from the rolls in his office of the service of the said soldier.
Suffolk ss  Lydia Steele Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this ninth day of May A.D. 185. 3
George Root Justice of the Peace.
E. C. Baker 293 Marlinton St Boston

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, Jan y 11 th 1855
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestation hereunto annexed, Ebenezer D. Baker and Richard A. K. Hathaway were Justices of the peace for the County of Middlesex
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to their 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.
E. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Joshua P. Thompson of Dedham in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on oath depose and say - That I was for many years personally acquainted with Robert Steele of said Dedham and with his wife Sydia Steele; that the said Robert and Sydia Steele lived together as man and wife in said Dedham for about twenty seven years; and during all that time were known and reputed as man and wife. - And I further depose and say that the said Robert Steele died in said Dedham on or about the twenty - ninth day of June in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty three - And that his widow -
(Over)

The said Lydia Steele has been ever since that time and now is a resident of the said town of Dedham and that she is still living unmarried and is the widow of the said Robert Steele -
J. P. Thompson Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Suffolk ss. May 27th. 1853. Then personally appeared the above named Lydia P. Thompson and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true according to his best knowledge and belief.
Before me George Lunt J. P. Thompson

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk. ss.
It is hereby certified That it has been satisfactorily proved before me Judge of Probate for said County that Lydia Steele is the widow remaining unmarried of Robert Steele, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner in the year eighteen hundred and thirty three
Witness my Hand the Seal of said Court this twenty eighth day of May A.D. 1843
J Seland Judge of Probate

Boston. June 9 th 1853.
L. P. Waldo Esq Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir.
I have the honor to forward you, herewith enclosed, the application of Mrs Lydia Steele, widow of Robert Steele, late of Dedham, in the State of Massachusetts, a drum major in the Army of the Revolution, for her pension under the provisions of the Act of Congress, of Feb. 9. 1853.
1. With this will be found an exemplification of the records of the State Department of this Commonwealth, showing that Mr Steele enlisted on the 1st of June 1775, and that he served as drum major, from Jan 1. 1777, during the war. 2. The certificate of the Town-Clerk of Newton, as to the marriage of the parties.

3. The certificate of the Judge of Probate of Norfolk County, in which it is stated that Lydia Steele is the widow remaining unmarried of the same Robert Steele together with the evidence in fact upon which his certificate is based.
I have also in my possession, the certificate of the War Department, dated April 5th 1819. of Steele's inscription on the Pension list.
and also -
The certificate of the Treasury Department, dated August 3rd 1839. of the Steele's title to his pension, under the act of May 15. 1828.
also -
The certificate of Nathl. Ruggles, dated May 7th 1818. stating that he had deposited on file, in the War office the Steele's certificate of service as Drum Major and of honorable discharge.
I beg leave to suggest upon this

that, probably, owing to ignorance of the law, Mr Steele does not appear to have received the full pension & which he was entitled as Drun Major. that is $108- per annum , but only the pension of a musician or common soldier merely, that is $88- per annum - and that Mrs Steele therefore, is now entitled to the actual pension due her late husband and also to the difference between what he actually received during his life and the amount to which he was entitled. I have written to the kind Auditor, on this latter point, but beg your early attention to the whole subject.
I am Sir, Very Respectfully, Your obedt. servt. George Root

Boston June 9 th /33.

Yoston June 28 1853
To the Chief Auditor of the Treasury,
Sir. I have this day, forwarded to the Comptroller of Pensions, the application of Mrs Lydia Steele widow of Robert Steele late of Dedham in this State, and long a revolutionary pensioner, for her pension under the act of Feb 3 d 1853. Upon examining the papers, I find that Mr Steele received, I suppose through ignorance of the law in himself or his agents, only the pension of a musician or common soldier, whereas he served from Jan 1. 1777 to the end of the war, as Drum- Major: and that the difference in his pension is 20 $ per annum, or 88 $ instead of 88 $ which was actually paid him. I have nothing to give, therefore,

as to the office, whom I conceive to be the proper authority, in order that the papers of Mr Steele, at the War Office and the office of the Commissioner of Pensions may be examined, and that Mrs Steele may receive the difference to which she is entitled between the annual sum actually paid her husband and that which was really due, namely 20 £ per year.
May I beg your early attention to this subject.
Very respectfully your obedt. Servt. Greville
Secy War. June 11 th 53

X
Boston June 9 th /33.
George Lunt
Recd June 11 th /33.
Ins. 14 F —
Copy returned to the Comt. of resignation of Lunt & Co. in
resignation 3 rd Jubilee of June 14 th 1853.
F. Root 3 rd Jubilee
Mr Randall

Special

Brief in the case of Robert Steele, dea Wadsworth County and State of Mass act 15, May 1828
Claim, ( "original" or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Originally allowed as "Arrears" at $88 per annum. Proof shows that he was Second Major & should have rec d $1188 per annum.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent
Geo Sargent Boston Mass
S. E. L. Examining Clerk.

Steele

Brief in the case of Sydia Steele widow of Robert Middlen County and State of Massachusetts act of Feb 3 - 1853
Claim. ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband a pensioner under act of 1828 at $88 per annum but was entitled to receive as drum Major instead of Musician $108 per annum
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Marriage proof - public rec. Death. Aud. rep. Identity cert. of (co)
Name and residence of Agent
Geo. Lunt Boston Mass.
Examining Clerk.
J. H. Gray

No 2100
Robert Steele, dec d Mass
Oct 15 May 1828
Able 2 yrs from this due to $118 per an- nually 88 " "
Comm 3 March 1826
End 29 June 1837.
Payable to his widow
Sylvia Steele
Geo Lunt Boston Mass

Morning Sun D.
June 10 - 1922
Mr Washington Gardner
Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
Replying to your letter of June 6. I thank you for your interest and will give what information I have concerning Samuel and Robert Steele.
I am a descendant of Samuel Steele and am trying to establish his Rev. record, that his descendants may be

Samuel Steele
eligible to the D. A. R. His grace has been decorated as a Rev. soldier for years but the men who could have given information are dead and gone.
The record on the Tombstone is Samuel Steele died Oct 27/1833 aged 78 yrs.
[must have been born in 1745 presumably in Ireland. His wife's maiden name was Knox. probably Jemmet or Jane - as a book among the relics - belonged to Jemmet Knox. Some think her name was Mary - may have been Mary Jane -

Samuel Steele
However she died long before he did, He lived in South Carolina at the time of enlistment some think Newberry Co - others say the place was known as Blueberry moved to Buncomb Co N. Carolina in 1806 - to Preble Co O. 1818 - and died in Union Co Ind 1833, at the home of his daugh d . Sarah wife of J. S. Elliott - their address would be either Cottage Grove Ind - or College Corner Ohio or Ind, it is on the State line.

4 Samuel Steele,
He was a paralytic for a good many years - and for that reason he thought he may have drawn a pension. There is a story handed down of his being captured by Tories and his wife liberating him - His wife died on the journey to Ohio.
If you can tell me any place where I might get more information would be very thankful -

5- Robert Steele,
thought to be a brother of Samuels - All the record I have is Robert Steele, Mass, 41 Reg died Jan 28, 1783 wife Lydia Steele, was a pensioner. Any other record of this family you may have would be glad to have as I want - to trace the family
Yours Very Truly Mrs Leila R. Lemen Morning Sun Ohio,

1711 E. Paso
Oklahoma City October 16, 1921
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
My dear Sir:-
I wish to secure some information concerning a Robert Steele.
Would you kindly send me a statement of the military history of Robert Steele, a soldier of the Revolution.
Robert Steele's pension was paid to Lydia Steele. He died in Ohio.

Would you kindly send this information to
(Miss) C. S. Farrell
201 West Fourteenth St
Oklahoma City, Okla.

247 Coacoy

DEDHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS
May 14, 1925
Pension Office Washington, D.C. Division of Records- Revolutionary War service
Gentlemen:
I would like to secure information regarding Robert Steele, buried in the Third Parish cemetery, Dedham Mass. now Westwood.
He was a soldier(drummer)of the Revolutionary War and his name is on the list of Mass. pensioners. Bearing in mind that his application for pension must state certain facts I am writing to ask if you would kindly send a copy of the statements appearing on said application. Place of birth, parents names etc
Thanking you in advance, I am
Very truly yours
Elizabeth R. Humphreys
Asst. Lib.

Invalid file # 33,740 1921 Nov. 8 Heir to Mark G. Gann 1922 Jan. 31 Heir to Mrs. Lila R. Gann 1925 May 21 - Heir to Elizabeth R. Humphreys - m 24
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 600  Cydia Steele,  Widow,  Robert Steele,  Drum Major Rev. War.  Act: Feb. 3, 1853.  Index: — Vol. M. , Page 238
[Arrangement of 1870.]