Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22314, for Asahel Stearns, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Stearns, Asahel Captivity
W. 22 318
CONTENTS

1143. New York Albany. Captivity Steam widow of Asahel Stearns who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Reported
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of August 1848 and sent to
Curtis Moses Marcellus Onondaga Co. N.Y.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 185 Vol. 4.

Captivity Stearns Lucy Wakeley's Aft.
Soldier's death. Widowhood

I, Lucy Wakeley, of Wells, in the county of Rutland and State of Vermont, of lawful age being duly known, do depose and say, that I am the wife of John Wakeley, of said Wells, and the daughter of Asahel Stearns and of captivity, his wife. That the said Asahel died at Helderberg, in the State of New York on the 27 th day of May, A.D. 1815. And I further depose and say, that the said captivity has never been married since the release of the said Asahel, to my knowledge, information, or belief, and that the said captivity now lives with me and my husband.
Lucy Wakeley
Sworn to and subscribed the 1 st day of Oct 1839, before me. And I certify, that I am acquainted with the said Lucy Wakeley, and that she is a person of truth and veracity, and that her statements are entitled to full confidence and credit.
David B Lewis Justice from
STATE OF VERMONT. RUTLAND COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, ss.
I, Frederick W. Hopkins, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland, do certify that David B. Lewis was at the date of the certificate to which this is annexed a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned: that his commission is dated on the thirtieth day of October A. D. 1838, and will expire on the thirtieth day of November A. D. 1839; and I verily believe his signature to the same is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Rutland in said county this Eleventh day of October A. D. 1839. J. W. Hopkins

V62147 Captivity Stearns Declaration
G. W. Harman Agent Pawlet Rutland Co. Vermont at 7. July 38
m 81-
adm?
2 yrs pr
80 $
No deduction
G. W. Harman Pawlet vt

Declaration under act of July 7, 1838.
State of Vermont Rutland County } p
On this 3 rd day of October A. D. 1839, personally appeared before the Probate Court for the District of Fairhaven, in the county of Rutland, aforesaid, Captivity Stearns, a resident of the town of Wells, in the county of Rutland, aforesaid, aged seventy-five years, nearly, who, being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth, On her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July, 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of Asahel Stearns, who was a private soldier in the early part of the revolutionary war, and who in the year 1775, a short time before the battle of Bunker Hill, enlisted for three months, and marched from Brookfield, in the state of Massachusetts, where he then resided, to Bunker Hill, but did not arrive at that place until the battle was over - he served at that period, as a private, three months, and returned to his home in Jan'y. 1776. The names of none of the officers or of the corps in which he served, are remembered.
In the spring of the year 1776, the said Asahel Stearns, then residing at said Brookfield, enlisted for one year, as a private soldier, in the militia, or state troops; and this applicant thinks he went with the army to Long Island. She returned home at the end of the year for which he enlisted. The names of the officers and of the corps in which he served, are not remembered.

In the spring of the year 1777, the officers came to the grandfather of the said Asahel, with whom he then resided, at said Brookfield, and wanted to engage the young man to enter the military service again. His grandfather was unfavorable to this wish, but the officers said he was so good a soldier he must go. He then enlisted for three years, as a private soldier, and performed that period of service in the Continental troops. He marched through the country from New-York to Virginia, and was a part of the time, near the commander in chief, and repeatedly saw Washington and La Fayette. He was engaged in the battles of Stillwater, Monmouth and York Town. When the three years for which he had enlisted, were expired, he enlisted for the war, and served until its close, and was finally discharged at the southward. During this last period he was a corporal or a sergeant. He returned to his home in June, in the year 1783. He had a discharge which this deponent has frequently seen, and which was burned at the time his house was burned at Williamstown, in the state of Massachusetts. The deponent thinks said discharge specified, that the said Asahel had served five years, six months and eight days, and is confident that such was the duration of his last period of service. The deponent thinks the said Asahel belonged to the fourth Massachusetts regiment, and that his captain was named Adam Holden, or Allen, and his lieutenant was named White.

She deponent has no documentary evidence of the services of her deceased husband - but she has been informed, that one W. G. Angell, Esq. formerly made a search of the records of the War Department, and there found enrolled, the name of the said Asahel.
She further declares that she was married to the said Asahel Stearns, on the first day of January, in the year seventeen hundred and eighty four; that her husband, the aforesaid Asahel Stearns died on the twenty seventh day of May in the year 1815; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz, at the time above stated. She declarant once had a family record, which has been long since destroyed by accident.
Captivity of her Stearns
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before.
Almon Warner Judge
State of Vermont District of Fairhaven
I Benjamin S. Langdon Register of the Probate Court for the district aforesaid in the County of Rutland do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of captivity Stearns for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 3 rd day of October A.D. 1839 B S Langdon Register

Application for a Transfer
County of Onondaga } On this Twenty Fifth
day of August 1840 before me, the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Onondaga personally appeared Captivity Stearns who on her oath declared that she is the Widow of the late Sahel Stearns Deceased who was a private in the Revolution and Died on the Twenty Seventh day of May 1815 and that she is entitled to receive five years pension at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum commencing on the Fourth day of March 1836 and that her name was placed on the pension Roll of the State of Vermont from whence she has lately removed and that she now resides in the State of New York where she intends to remain and wishes her pension to be there payable in future the following are her reasons for removing from Vermont to the State of New York She has a Son living in the Town and County of Onondaga with whom she wishes to reside
her Captivity X Stearns mark
Sworn and Subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid
Myron L Mills Justice of the Peace
I certify that the reason why the above named Captivity Stearns makes her signature by mark is, that she is illiterate and unable to write
Myron L Mills Justice of the Peace

State of New York Onondaga County } ss
On this Twenty Fifth day of August 1840 before me the Subscribers Justice of the Peace of the said County of Onondaga personally appeared Levi Adams of the Town and County of Onondaga aged fifty years who on his oath declared and says that he is well acquainted with Mrs. Captivity Sturms and that she is the identical person described in and who has made the foregoing Affidavit and application of transfer of her Pension payments
Levi Adams
Subscribed and sworn before me the day and year aforesaid
Myron L. Mills Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with Levi Adams who has made and sworn to the above affidavit and that he is a man of good character is a person of truth and veracity and that his testimony can be relied on
Myron L. Mills Justice of the Peace
State of New York Onondaga County } Clerk's Office
ss. I William M. Clarke Deputy Clerk of said County do certify that Myron L. Mills before whom the two preceding affidavits purport to have been sworn, was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and justly believe his signature to the said affidavits and the two preceding certificates to be his genuine hand writing and signature In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 28th day of August 1840
W. M. Clarke Dep. Clerk

Captivity Stems Jacob Allen & 2 Mary Allen } 1802 Marriage
new Packet Vernon
1/2

State of New York - 3 Washington County } ss.
Be it known, that before me, the undersigned, Sam l Standish Br. a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the county aforesaid personally appeared Jacob Allen, of Granville in the County of Washington, aforesaid, aged seventy eight years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say, that he was acquainted with Asahel Stearns and Captivity Smith, in the state of Massachusetts, previous to, and after the year seventeen hundred and eighty four; that in the year seventeen hundred and eighty four, about the first day of January, the said Asahel Stearns was legally married to the said Captivity Smith, by Ebenezer Craft Esquire, a Justice of the Peace, and that the said marriage took place at a dwelling house on the farm where his deponent then resided, in the town of Stockbridge, in the County of Worcester, in the state of Massachusetts, and that deponent was present on the occasion, and saw and heard the marriage ceremony performed by the above named Justice, at the time and place aforesaid.
Sworn and subscribed the 6 th day of Augt 1839 } before me
Samuel Standish Just. Commissioner of Deeds, etc
And I, the above named Samuel Standish Br. do hereby certify, that Sam personally acquainted with the deponent Jacob Allen, above named, and believe him to be a person of truth and veracity, and that his statements are entitled to full confidence and credit.
Samuel Standish In Commissioner of Deeds

State of New York } Washington County } P.
Be it known, that before me, the undersigned, Samuel Standish Esq. a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the county aforesaid personally appeared Mary Allen, wife of Jacob Allen, of the town of Granville, in said county, aged seventy six years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say, that she was present, when, on, or about the 1 st day of January, 1784, Asahel Stearns and Captivity Smith, were joined together in marriage, and that the circumstances and facts, relative to said marriage, contained in the within affidavit made by her husband, Jacob Allen, are true, and that the said Asahel Stearns and Captivity resided together, as husband and wife, from the said 1 st day of January, 1784, until their removal from said Stockbridge.
Sworn and Subscribed the 6 th day of Augt 1839 before me
Samuel Standish Esq. Commissioner of Deeds
Mary Allen
And the aforesaid Saml Standish Esq. doth hereby certify, that I am personally acquainted with the deponent Mary Allen, above named, that her character for truth is fair, and that she is a credible witness.
State of New York } County of Washington } ss
Saml Standish Esq. Commissioner of Deeds
Edward Dodd clerk of the said county hereby certify that Samuel Standish Esquire is a commissioner of deeds as above and within and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
Given under my hand and official seal October 3 rd 1839 —
Fearful
Edward Dodd Clerk

Copy.
Pension Agency
Burlington Sep 23 1840
Captivity Stearns paid to 4 th March 1840.
Signed A. Larray Pen left.

Asahel Stearns - Mass. Line - did he get Bounty Land?
G. M. C.
A Warrant for 100. acres of land issued the 1 st April 1790. to Asahel Stearns, a Private of the 6 th Mass s Reg t , at the close of the war) • N.Y.

Declaration 2358
Captivity Stamps
$80 per ann.
Curtis Moses Marcellus N.Y.N.E.

State of New-York Onondaga County } ss.
On this 23 rd day of June in the Year 1843 personally appeared before me Curtis Moses a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the County aforesaid Captivity Strams a Resident of the town of Onondaga in the County of Onondaga aged Seventy-eight years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed the 3 rd day of March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolution - viz. That she is the Widow of Daniel Strams who was a Private in the 4 th Regiment of the Revolutionary Army. (Does not recollect the Corps in which he served). That she receives a Pension of Eighty Dollars per Annum under the Act of July 7. 1838. She further declares that she is still a Widow.
Sworn to and subscribed on this day and year above written before me Curtis Moses Commissioner of Deeds
Captivity Strams Mark Signed in presence of Curtis Moses John R. Strams
I certify that Captivity Strams the above named declarant is personally known to me and that she has drawn a Pension under the act of July 7. 1838 Curtis Moses Commissioner of Deeds
State of New-York, Onondaga County, } ss. Clerk's Office, -
I certify that Curtis Moses Esquire before whom the foregoing declaration purports to have been sworn to, was at the date of the same a Commissioner of Deeds in and for said County and as such duly authorized to administer Oaths and take affidavits, and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that the signature to the jurat to said affidavit is genuine, given under my hand and the seal of said County, at Syracuse, this 26 th day of June A.D. 1843.
Chas. T. Nichols Clerk.

I certify that the Mother named Captivity Stearns subscribed to the petition declaration by making her mark (+) and further that she is incompetent to write by reason of a defective education. She needs having (as she says) learned to write Cecilia Moss Commission of Oaths

2564 New York Albany
Captivity Stearns widow of Asahel Stearns who was a Private in the Mass line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of Nov. 1843 and sent to Curtis Moser Marcellus A. Lake
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1. Page 114.
Page No. 1

Albany. New York. Vermont B 4852
Captivity Stearns, widow of Daniel Stearns, Deed.
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 27 th May, 1815 of Rutland co. in the State of Vermont who was a private in the _____ command by Captain _____ of the 6 th reg t command by _____ in the Massachusetts line for 2 years private.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 80 Dollars _____ Cents per annum to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of January 1840 and sent to G. W. Stearns, Pawlet, Vermont.
Arrears to the 4 th of March, 1840, $320.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. 40 40.00
$360.00
} Act July 7, 1838.
Recorded by S. A. Elliot Clerk Book A. Vol. 2 Page 56

Lt G. W. Harman Feb 21. 1840 " to Curtis Moses 17. Aug 1840. bid to Pen agt 1. Sep 1840 da da 16. Sep 1840
To Albany N. Y. from Lt March 1840 - 3 d Oct 1840. Notification to Curtis Moses Esq Marshall N. Y.
let: to Curtis Moses October 21. 1843 -

I can find no record of the marriage of Asahel Stearns & Captivity Smith on the Town records of Sturbridge The "intention of marriage between Asahel Stearns and Captivity Smith both of Sturbridge" was entered Decr 22. 1783 on record Jacob Coney Town Clerk of Sturbridge Sturbridge May. 13. 1839.

ad
2564
admitted
Curtis Moses Marcellus N.Y.

Declaration of Captivity Starns widow of Asahel Starns, in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 2 nd February 1848 entitled "An act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution."
State of New York } ss. Onondaga County }
# "Regiment of "Baker's and "that he served in the 4 th Regiment" interview before signing
On the 19 th day of July 1848, personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Onondaga, Captivity Starns a resident of Camillus in the County of Onondaga (Agree) Eighty-three years, who being first duly sworn according to law and on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 2 nd February 1848, granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the Widow of Asahel Starns who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, that he served in the 4 th Regiment # but cannot say in what Regiment & Corps he served.
And that she received a pension of Eighty Dollars per Annum under the Act of 17 th June 1844. She further declares that she is still a Widow.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me Eliakim Dorchester Justice of the Peace
Captivity her mark Starns Signed in presence of Gurton Moses Eliakim Dorchester
Eliakim Dorchester Justice of the Peace

I certify that Captivity Streams the within named declarant is personally known to me, and that she is the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the within declaration. I further certify that she subscribed to the within declaration by making her (+) mark she being unable to write.
Eliakim Dorchester Justice of the Peace
State of New York, Onondaga County, } ss: Clerk's Office, -
I certify that Eliakim Dorchester Esquire was at the date of the foregoing Declaration and Certificate a Justice of the Peace, in and for the said County, duly elected and sworn, that the foregoing his signatures purporting to be his are genuine. Given under my hand & the seal of said County at Syracuse this 22 nd day of July 1848.
V. M. Smith, Clerk.

Marcellus Onondaga County N. York July 24. 1848
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
I herewith send you Captivity Stearns & Lucy Patch's Declarations in order that they may the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 2 nd February 1848.
In cases of this kind we find it some what difficult to obtain information from Widows in relation to the Regiments, Coats etc in which their husbands served in consequence of a failure of Memory.
Very Respectfully Yours Curtis Wood

Feb 20 th 1842 N.Y. 12 th
Free.
Captain Stearns F.M.
J. L. Edwards Esq Comr of Pensions Washington D.C.

Pawlet Vt Feby 12 th 1840.
J. L. Edwards Esq
I have rec d . a letter from A. Clark & the pension agent for this state, say- ing, that he has not rec d . directions to place the name of Captivity Stearns on his roll.
I hope he will receive such directions before the 4 th March -
Respy
Y. M. Heman.

Aug t 14, 1840
Mr. Edwards
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Marcellus August 10. 1840
My Dear Sir
Captivity Stearns a Widow-Pensioner has changed her residence from the State of Vermont to this neighborhood and is wishing to have arrangements made so that she may hereafter draw her Pension in the City of Albany. Please direct me to the proper course for her to pursue in order to effect such arrangement.
Most Respectfully Yours
Obedient Servant
Curtis Moses
J. L. Edwaras Esq.

Pension Agency
Burlington Vt Sep 6 1840
Sir
In reply to your favor of 1 st inst I have the honor to state that Captivity Stevens under act of 7 th July 1838 has been paid to the 4 th Mar 1840
I am
Very respectfully
Yr obed Servt
McSorley Pmmt Agt
B Chas H Warner
J S Edwards Esq
Commrs of Pensions
Washington

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 22,314
Capitula Stearns widow of Isabel Stearns Dei New York
Act: Feb 29 48
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]