Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4822, for Joseph Stearnes, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Stearnes, Joseph or Starnes
No. 4822.
Rhoda
CONTENTS

Sabry Stearns Jan 13/59
609 Pennsylvania
Rhoda Stearnes Stearns widow of Joseph Stearnes
who died on the 2 d June 1829 of Luzerne in the State of Pennsylvania who was a Cpl & Sgt in the Comp y command by Captain Richardson of the Reg t command by Col: _____ in the Massachusett time for 11 mths & 6 days.
Cpl 8 mths _____ $29.33 Sgt 3 mo 6 days _____ 16. $45.33
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 45 Dollars 33 Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of March 1837 _____ and sent to A.L. Post. Montrose P.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1837 $272. Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep 37 22.66
$294.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d }
Recorded by J. Allison Clerk Vol. 1 Page 175

Susquehanna County S.S. State of Pennsylvania ss.
On this twenty ninth day of November in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty six, personally appeared before the Honorable the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County now in session Rhoda - Stearns a resident of the Township of Harford in the County of Susquehanna and State of Pennsylvania aforesaid aged eighty one years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4, 1836: That she is the widow of Joseph Stearns who was a sergeant in the Revolution war in the service of the United States. That the said Joseph Stearns enlisted and was absent in service under Captain Caleb Richardson from about the nineteenth day of April Seventeen hundred and seventy five, to the last of December or the first of January following. That in July Seventeen hundred and seventy six. he enlisted for five months and left home for New-York where she believes he served his time out, under Captain Caleb Richardson . and Colonel Cady . That he came home in December where he staid but a short time when he was called out on an Alarm, and served in Captain Jacob Hyde's Company and Col. John Dazget's regiment as she thinks two or three months. He then returned and remained at home until August following, when she took him with a Carriage to the precinct of Attleborough where the soldiers were assembled under Captain Caleb Richardson . He remained and served in the company of the said Captain Richardson as she believes about three months. at the end of which time he returned home --

She does not know that he was in any actual engagement during the war. She has no documentary evidence of the service of the said Joseph Sterns saving what is connected herewith.
She further declares that she was married to the said Joseph Sterns on the first day of December seventeen hundred and seventy four; that he the said Joseph Sterns her husband, died on the second day of June AD eighteen hundred and twenty nine, aged as she believes seventy five years, at the township of Mount Pleasant Wayne County in the state of Pennsylvania; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period; as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. She further states that Joseph Sterns her said husband was a resident in Attleborough in the County of Bristol in the State of Massachusetts at the time of his enlistment herein before mentioned. And that the said township of Attleborough in the said County & State last aforesaid was his residence during the war. Sworn to and subscribed in open Court on this 29 th day of Novr 29. 1836 the addition in the last line being first made and the name altered from "Sterns" to "Stearnes"
Rhoda Stearnes
Gertrude Putnam

April 8, 1938
Joseph Stearnes W. 4822 BA-J/AWF
Mary L. Potter Jackson Pennsylvania
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Captain John Stearnes of Attleboro, Massachusetts, and of Joseph Stearnes of same place.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is not possible to comply in full with each request for records of soldiers of the War of the Revolution.
The record of Joseph Stearnes is furnished you herein as found in papers on file in pension claim, W. 4822, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. The name is shown, also, Starnes.
The date and place of birth of Joseph Stearnes were not given, nor were the names of his parents stated.
While a resident of Attleboro, Bristol County, Massachusetts, Joseph Stearnes enlisted May 1, 1775, served eight months as sergeant in Captain Caleb Richardson's company, Colonel Timothy Walker's Massachusetts regiment. He enlisted sometime in July, 1776, served in Captain Caleb Richardson's company, Colonel Cady's regiment, and in Captain Elisha May's company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's regiment, and was in the battle of White Plains, length

of service five months. He was at home only a short time, when called out on an alarm and served two or three months in Captain Jacob Ide's company, Colonel John Dagget's regiment. He enlisted sometime in August "following", and served three months in Captain Caleb Richardson's company. He enlisted sometime in July, 1780, served three months in Captain Caleb Richardson's company, Colonel Abiel Mitchell's regiment.
The soldier, Joseph Stearnes, married December 1, 1774, Rhoda Tingley. The date and place of her birth, and names of her parents were not given.
The soldier died June 2, 1829 in the Township of Mount Pleasant, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, aged at that time seventy-five years.
The widow, Rhoda Stearnes, was allowed pension on her application executed November 29, 1836, at which time she was living in Harford Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, aged eighty-one years. She died December 31, 1837.
Reference was made on January 3, 1859 to three surviving children of Joseph Stearnes and wife, Rhoda, only name given was Jabez Stearns (as his signature is shown), whose address was then, Eldred, Wayne County, Pennsylvania.
Elkanah Tingley, brother of the widow, was living in 1836 in Harford Township, Pennsylvania.
The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible data relative to family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

State of Pennsylvania Susquehanna County ss.
Before me the subscriber one of the justices of the peace in and for said County on this ninth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, person- ally came Elkanah Tingley of the Township of Harford in said County a credible witness , who being duly sworn - according to law, doth on his solemn oath depose and say that he was well acquainted with Joseph Stearns and al- so with Rhoda Tingley now Rhoda Stearns widow of the said Joseph Stearns that he was acquainted with the said Joseph and Rhoda from his youth that the said Rhoda is his sister, that he the deponent was present, and saw them married; in the year seventeen hundred and seventy four (1774) or sixteen hundred seventy five (1775) that he well remembers that the said Joseph was in the revolutionary service at Roxbury Massachusetts eight months after he the said Joseph was married to the said Rhoda - Deponent saith he was acquainted with the said Joseph and Rhoda until he, the said Joseph died in the year eighteen hundred and twenty nine (1829), and that they the said Joseph and Rhoda lived together as man and wife from the year seventeen hundred and seventy four (1774) to the time of the said Joseph's death which took place in June in the year eighteen

hundred and twenty nine (1829) Deponent further saith that the said Joseph Stearns died in Mount Pleasant Township County of Wayne and State of Pennsylvania and that the said Rhoda Stearns still remains the widow of him the said Joseph Stearns deceased, Sworn and subscribed This ninth day of December
Elkanah Tingley
D 1836
There was on the other side made before signing —
Before me - Joab Tyler JP

State of Pennsylvania Susquehanna County ss.
Before me the subscriber one of the justices of the peace in and for the said County on this eighth day of Decem- ber in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six personally appeared Caleb Richardson of the Township of Haysford in said County a credible witness who being duly sworn according to law doth on his solemn oath depose and say that he was well acquainted with Joseph Stearns that he first knew him about the year seventeen hun- dred and seventy five (1775) and continued to be acquainted with him until the year eighteen hundred and six (1806) that the said Joseph Stearns served in the war of the revolution as follows, He enlisted on the first day of May seventeen hundred and seventy five (1775) into Captain Caleb Richardson's Company and Colonel Timothy Walker's Reg. - he served eight months and was regularly discharged on or about the first day of January of the year seventeen hundred and seventy six (1776) and he the said Caleb Richardson does not of his own knowledge know of his serving afterwards, but remembers of hearing at the time that he did serve afterwards and verily believes that he the said Joseph Stearns did serve in the war of the revolution after that time sworn and subscribed before me me the 8 th day of December 1836 Isaac Taylor J.P.

907. 3. sec,
Rhoda Stearns Pennsylvania
8 mo. 75 cents  cents  in  cents  cents  cents  cents  cents 3 mo 6 days cents  cents  cents  cents  cents  cents  cents  cents Cats. cents  cents  cents  cents  cents  cents  cents  cents page 155.
a copy of the record showing the period of Rhoda Stearns marriage to have been 1 Dec 1774 filed with Anna Tiffey's papers. The copy of the record of her marriage is that of Mrs Stearns being in the same sheet of paper
allow for 8 mo cable + 3 mo 6 days cents  cents 8 mo cable. 29. 33 3 mo. 6 days cents  cents 16. — $ 45. 33

State of Pennsylvania,
Susquehanna County ss.
Before the subscriber one of the justices of the peace in and for the said County on this eighth day of December A. one thousand eight hundred and thirty six personally appeared John Watcher of the Township of Harford, in said County a credible witness , who being duly sworn according to law doth on his solemn oath depose and say that he was well acquainted with Joseph Stearns, that he first knew him about the year seventeen hundred and sixty four (1764) and continued to be acquainted with him until the year eighteen hundred and twenty nine (1829) about which time he died — That the said Joseph Stearns served in the war of the Revolution as follows. He enlisted sometime in August in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six (1776) into Captain Elisha May's Company under Colonel Thomas Carpenter and Brigadier General Benjamin Lincoln, who was Major General Aforementioned doth not remember, the terms of enlistment were that the said Joseph Stearns should serve two months after he arrived in Camp. The Company to which he and myself belonged started sometime in August of the year aforesaid and went to New Haven stayed a few days there, then to Fairfield then to Horse Neck and stayed a fortnight then went into Camp somewhere in the state of New York after which he served two months, was at the battle of White Plains and was discharged at Ossory Hill in the state of New York after his term of service was fully expired.

The next term of service which I can remember of his performing he enlisted sometime in July in the year seventeen hundred and eighty (1750) under Captain Caleb Richardson and Colonel Mott. He with the regiment to Rhode Island and served three months and was discharged at the expiration of his term of three months.
Deponent further saith that he was well acquainted with Rhoda Gingley, now Rhoda Stearns and widow of said Joseph Stearns that he was not at the wedding of the said Joseph Stearns and Rhoda Gingley, but believed that they were married sometime in the year seventeen hundred and seventy four (1774) and at the time of the said Joseph Stearns service in the revolutionary war he knows by common reputation that the said Rhoda was married to the said Joseph Stearns and continued to live with him until his death which took place in the Township of Mount Pleasant County of Wayne and State of Pennsylvania in the year eighteen hundred and twenty nine.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 8 th day of December 1836
Before me Joel Tyler J.P.
John Thacher

State of Pennsylvania Susquehanna County ss
I George Walker. Prothonotary of the court of common pleas of the county aforesaid do certify, that Joab Syler Esq. before whom the foregoing depositions were taken, is an acting Justice of the peace duly appointed and commissioned as appears of Record; and that the signatures purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said County at Montrose, the twenty first day of Decr. A. D. 1846.
For George Walker Proth
H. Finch - Deputy

1910 Apr. 1. Ethelbert Williams last. res. 1930 - Oct. 23 - High to Mrs. Thomas screen acts. 1937 - June 2 - lieth to Harry G. Stearns my 1937 - July 14 - " " Ethel Stearns my 1937 - Sept. 16 - " " Geo. Stearns  my 1938 - Apr. 8 - " " Mary G. Potter my 
Rev WIDOW, &c.
4822
File No.
Rhoda Stearned Wid.
Joseph Stearned Sergt. Rev. War
Act: July 4 th 86, dec. 3 rd
Index: Vol. Me , Page 240

Oct. 8. 1930
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington. D. C.
gentlemen.
Will you please give me a Verified Record of Joseph Stearns , he was a plowing in the field when the battle of Lexington was announced; left his team and started, but it was war before he reached there. Two of the eight men killed that day were his cousins; he helped sink the British ship, Roeback, at Hellgate.
He was the son of Capt. John and Rebecca

Dean Stearns of Dedham Massachusetts, later moving to Attleboro, Massachusetts.
Capt John Stearns, held a commission in Colonial times, but was too old to enlist in the Revolutionary War. He told his son Joseph to serve the country and he would care for the soldier's family. He also loaned the Government Two Thousand dollars and took Continental money in return; after the war was ended, at a Thanksgiving family gathering he burned the Continental money. before them all, saying "There is money the best invested of any I have ever spent for you".

Thanking you in advance, for an early reply.
I remain.
Mildred Sterns (Stearns) Green, (Mrs Thomas Green) 404 Pavone Ave., Bautas Harbor, Michigan.

80 Bernis Court
Grand Rapids, Mich.
March 17, 1910.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir, —
I think my ancestor Joseph Stearns (1751-1837) of Attleboro, Mass., who moved to Pleasant Mt. Penn. in 1794, was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War. Will you find his record of service, and send to me a copy of his Pension Certificate or that

of his widow, Rhoda Stearns. I have it that Joseph Stearns was the son of Capt. John Stearns of Middleboro, Mass. Please give also the latter's war service.
I wish this information that I may join the Daughters of the American Revolution, and will greatly appreciate a very prompt reply.
Respectfully yours, (Miss) Ethelberta Williams.
MAR 30 1910
MAR 22 1910

5 5 5

Grove City Pa Oct 9-1930
Department of the Interior
Am writing for the data concerning Revolutionary services. the family in what part of Mercer Co he lived and when he died Martin Carringer Mercer Co. Pa. belonged to Private Pa Malitia. Pension granted June 19. 1824. age 75-years. also that of Christian Orwig Mercer Co. Pa. 1 st Penn'a continentab line resided in Mercer Co 1820 Did he received a pension and if so please give of his services in Revolutionary war and information of his family and in what part of Mercer Co. Pa. he lived and when he died.
Thanking you in advance I am Respectfully Malinda S. Whieldon 419 Stewart Ave Grove City Pa

BOARD OF EDUCATION
WOODBURY, N. J.
HARRY L. STEARNS, SUPERINTENDENT
May 7, 1937.
United States Pension Bureau, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
I am interested in identifying the Revolutionary War record of my ancestor Joseph Stearns .
There is some confusion in the records of the State of Massachusetts, due to the fact that a number of men of this name served in the Revolution. It occurs to me that through the records of pensions you may assist me in identifying the individual who is my ancestor. att 4 OK
Joseph Stearns, who is my ancestor, was born in Attleborough, Massachusetts, October 7, 1751, and died at Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, on June 2, 1829. Rhoda Tingley Stearns, his wife, no doubt received pensions at Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, to the time of her death on December 21, 1837.
The Archives Division of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts reports to me that at the time of the Revolutionary War there were two enlistments from Attleborough by the name of Joseph Stearns. One was listed as a sergeant in 1775. The other was listed as a private and served one month in 1777. There is also a possibility that a corporal of this same name served two months in 1776 under Captain Elisha May.
I shall appreciate any assistance you can give me in identifying the service record of Joseph Stearns of Attleborough who later resided at Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania or Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania.
Sincerely yours,
Harry L. Stearns
Harry L. Stearns.
D

213 First Avenue, North Mount Vernon, Iowa July 1, 1937
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Would you please send me an official copy of Joseph Stearns, Revolutionary soldier - a pensioner of Revolutionary War?
He was Sergeant in Captain Caleb Richardson's Company--Colonel Tymothy Walker's Regiment--returned October 5, 1775. Reference in Massachusett Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolution, page 882, volume 14. "Joseph Stearns", born October 7, 1751--he married Rhoda Tingley December 1, 1774--moved from Attleboro, Massachusetts to Tolland, Connecticut, 1783--in 1793 to Mount Pleasant, Wayne County, Pennsylvania. He died June 2, 1829.
The Soldier's children--Lucy, John(born March 18, 1777--married Polly Thompson, September 8, 1801 settled in Preston, Pennsylvania--died September 3, 1849), James, Phebe, Otis, Rhoda, Joseph, Ira, Jabez, Ashbil(born September 24, 1795--married February 21, 1819, Sophia Hare, born in Ellington, Connecticut, April 17, 1799--settled first in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania and in about 1830 went to Clinton, Pennsylvania).
I desire this information for D. A. R. purposes.
Sincerely,
Opal Stearns

118 North 26th St., Camp Hill, Pa., September 7, 1937.
United States Pension Bureau, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
I have a statement that Joseph Stearns , born at Attleboro, Mass., August 17, 1755, "was a soldier and pensioner of the Revolution". He died at Pleasant Mt., Wayne Co. Pa. in 1837. He lived at the latter place more than 30 years, and would have received his pension at that address.
Do you have a record of his service which gives his regiment or regiments if more than one enlistment? The Massachusetts records give enlistments of three of that name from Attleboro. I am interested to learn if possible if the three may be one and the same person.
Appreciating any information in this matter I am,
Very truly yours,
G W A
Geo. A. Stearns.
Geo. A. Stearns.

DESCENDENTS OF CAPTAIN JOSEPH (1759-1835) and LOIS GUERNSEY (1762-1824) POTTER. Noer (1779-1847) and Lorinda Tiffany (1780-1832) Potter. John (1782-1854) and Polly Washburn ( ) Potter. Alcy (1785-1855) Potter and Newton (1788-1852) Hawley. Lois (1788-1869) Potter and Otis (1783-1858) Stearns. Lucretia (1790-1866) Potter and Dalton (1791-1867) Tiffany. Eda (1793-1859) Potter and Daniel (1791-1853) Tingley. Parley (1796-1856) and Philena Norton ( ) Potter. Amanda (1798-1835) Potter and Wheeler (1794-1870) Lyon. Cynthia (1803-1890) Potter and Franklin (1806-1892) Finn.
FAMILY REUNION.
Arthur E. Potter, President. 7 DeForest St. Binghamton, N.Y. Osmond Washburn, Vice President. Chenango Forks, N.Y. Mary L. Potter, Secretary and Treasurer, Jackson, Pa.
NEAT REUNION, AUGUST 18, 1938 AT THE GRANGE HALL, GELATT, PA.
Jackson, Pa. Mar. 18, 1938
Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Will you please give me the war record and any other information which you may have concerning the following:
Captain John Stearns who lived at Attleboro, Mass. and married Rebecca Dean. This is all I know about them.
Joseph Stearns who was born Oct. 7, 1751 at Attleboro, Mass. died June 2, 1829. Married Dec. 1, 1774 Rhoda Tingley, daughter of Thomas and Martha (Robinson) Tingley, born Aug. 17, 1755 at Attleboro, Mass. died Dec. 21, 1837 at Pleasant Mount, Pa. Mr. Stearns was a soldier in the Revolution War. He lived in Tolland County Ct. in 1783, in Harford, Pa. in 1792 and he settled in Pleasant Mount, Pa. in 1794.
Thanking you,
Mary L. Potter Mary L. Potter Jackson, Pa. Susq. Co.

September 16, 1937
Joseph Stearnes W. 4822 BA-J/AWF
Mr. George A. Stearns 118 North 26th Street Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Joseph Stearns, born August 17, 1755 at Attleboro, Massachusetts, and died in Wayne County, Pennsylvania.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, W. 4822, based upon the military service of Joseph Stearnes or Starnes in the War of the Revolution.
The date and place of birth of this soldier were not given, nor were the names of his parents stated.
While a resident of Attleboro, Bristol County, Massachusetts, Joseph Stearnes enlisted May 1, 1775, served eight months as sergeant in Captain Caleb Richardson's company, Colonel Timothy Walker's Massachusetts regiment. He enlisted sometime in July, 1776, served in Captain Caleb Richardson's company, Colonel Cady's regiment, and in Captain Elisha May's company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's regiment, and was in the battle of White Plains, length of service five months. He was at home only a short time, when called out an alarm and served two or three months in Captain Jacob Ide's company, Colonel John Dagget's regiment. He enlisted sometime in August following, and served three months in Captain Caleb Richardson's company. He enlisted

sometime in July, 1780, served three months in Captain Caleb Richardson's company, Colonel Abiel Mitchell's regiment.
The soldier, Joseph Stearnes married December 1, 1774, Rhoda Tingley. The date and place of her birth and names of her parents were not given.
Joseph Stearnes died June 2, 1829 in the Township of Mount Pleasant, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, aged at that time seventy-five years.
The widow, Rhoda Stearnes, was allowed pension on her application executed November 29, 1836, then eighty-one years of age and living in Harford Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. She died December 31, 1837.
Reference was made on January 3, 1859 to three surviving children, only name given was Jabez Stearns (as his signature is shown), whose address was then, Eldred, Wayne County, Pennsylvania.
Elkanah Tingley, brother of the widow, was living in 1836 in Harford Township, Pennsylvania.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

July 14, 1937
Joseph Stearnes W. 4822 BA-J/AWF
Opal Stearns 213 First Avenue, North Mount Vernon, Iowa
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Joseph Stearns of Attleboro, Massachusetts, died June 2, 1829 in Wayne County, Pennsylvania.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, W. 4822, based upon the service of Joseph Stearnes (Starnes) in the War of the Revolution.
The date and place of birth of this soldier were not given, nor were the names of his parents stated.
ref. ok on orig While a resident of Attleboro, Bristol County, Massachusetts, Joseph Stearnes enlisted May 1, 1775, served as sergeant eight months in Captain Caleb Richardson's company, Colonel Timothy Walker's Massachusetts. He enlisted sometime in July, 1776, served in Captain Caleb Richardson's company, Colonel Cady's regiment, and in Captain Elisha May's company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's regiment, was in the battle of White Plains, length of service five months. He was at home only a short time, when called out on an alarm and served two or three months in Captain Jacob Ide's company, Colonel John Dagget's regiment. He enlisted sometime in August, following and served three months in Captain Caleb Richardson's company. He enlisted sometime in July, 1780, served three months in Captain Caleb Richardson's company, Colonel Abiel Mitchell's regiment.
Joseph Stearnes married December 1, 1774, Rhoda

Tingley; the date and place of her birth and names of parents were not shown.
Joseph Stearnes died June 2, 1829 in the Township of Mount Pleasant, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, aged at that time seventy-five years.
The widow, Rhoda Stearnes, was allowed pension on her application executed November 29, 1836, at which time she was eighty-one years of age and a resident of Harford Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. She died December 31, 1837.
Reference was made on January 3, 1859 to three surviving children, only name shown was Jabez Stearns (as his signature is shown), whose address was then, Eldred, Wayne County, Pennsylvania.
Elkanah Tingley, brother of the widow, was living in 1836 in Harford Township, Pennsylvania.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

June 3, 1937
Joseph Stearnes W. 4822 BA-J/AWF
Mr. Harry L. Stearns Woodbury New Jersey
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Joseph Stearns of Attleborough, Massachusetts, died June 2, 1829 in Pennsylvania.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, W. 4822, based upon the service of Joseph Stearnes (Starnes) in the War of the Revolution.
The date and place of birth of this soldier were not given, nor were the names of his parents stated.
While a resident of Attleborough, Bristol County, Massachusetts, Joseph Stearnes enlisted May 1, 1775, served as sergeant eight months in Captain Caleb Richardson's company, Colonel Timothy Walker's Massachusetts regiment. He enlisted sometime in July, 1776, served in Captain Caleb Richardson's company, Colonel Cady's regiment, and in Captain Elisha May's company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's regiment, was in the battle of White Plains, length of service five months. He was only home a short time, when called out on alarm and served two or three months in Captain Jacob Ide's company, Colonel John Dagget's regiment. He enlisted sometime in August, following and served three months in Captain Caleb Richardson's company. He enlisted sometime in July, 1780, served three months

in Captain Caleb Richardson's company in Colonel Abiel Mitchell's regiment.
The soldier, Joseph Stearnes, married December 1, 1774, Rhoda Tingley. He died June 2, 1829 in the Township of Mount Pleasant, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, aged at that time seventy-five years.
The widow, Rhoda Stearnes, was allowed pension on her application executed November 29, 1836, at which time she was eighty-one years old, and living in Harford Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. She died December 31, 1837.
Reference was made on January 3, 1859 to three surviving children, only name given was Jabez Stearnes (as his signature is known), whose address was then, Eldred, Wayne County, Pennsylvania.
Elkanah Tingley, brother of the widow, in 1836 was living in Harford Township, Pennsylvania.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

In reply to your request of _____, received for a statement of the military history of
Rev. and 1812 REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find Wars Section AWF:MLB as contained in his _____
October 23, 1930
Mrs. Thomas Green 404 Pavone Avenue Benton Harbor, Michigan
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 4822, that Joseph Stearnes, while residing in Attleboro, Bristol County, Massachusetts, enlisted and served as sergeant with the Massachusetts troops, as follows:
From in April or May, 1775, eight months in Captain Caleb Richardson's company in Colonel Timothy Walker's regiment; from in July, 1776, five months in Captains Caleb Richardson's and Elisha May's companies in Colonels Cady's and Thomas Carpenter's regiments, was in the battle of White Plains; a little later, two or three months in Captain Jacob Ide's company in Colonel John Dagget's regiment; from August, 1777, three months in Captain Richardson's company; from July, 1780, three months in Captain Caleb Richardson's company in Colonel Abiel Mitchell's regiment.
He died June 2, 1829 in Mount Pleasant Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, aged seventy-five years.
The soldier married December 1, 1774, Rhoda Tingley.
She was allowed pension on her application executed November 29, 1836, at which time she was living in Harford, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, aged eighty-one years.
She died December 21, 1837, leaving three children, Jabez being the only name stated.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner

Rev. Nov. 1832 New Series 1832
_____, received copy of _____ WAR, you will find below the desired ed in his (or his widow's) application for pen- in this Bureau. W. 4822
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     a m - y Apr 19. 1775 8 mos. Sgt Caleb Richardson Timothy Walker Mass   July 76. 5 mos. ✓ " Brady   2 or 3 " " Jacob Hyde Ide John Dagget ✓   Aug 77 3 " " Caleb Richardson ✓   July 80 3 mos Caleb Richardson Abiel N. Tuttle    (I did not put in witnesses statements because they are not proved -)
Battles engaged in, ✓ White Plains Residence of soldier at enlistment, Attleborough Bristol Co. Mass. Date of application for pension, Nov. 29. 1836 New Bedford Residence at date of application, Hartford Connecticut Co. Pa. Age at date of application, 81-
Remarks: Col. Mass. Dec. 1. 1774 Israel Tinkham, He died at the age of 75 in Mt Pleasant Twp. Wayne Co. Pa. on June 2. 1829 and his wife died Dec. 21. 1837 leaving 3 children. Sarah, the only name stated.
Very respectfully

ANTIOCH Mar 4
1200 pkts
Oct 1836
Rhoda Stearns
Deffens
Edwards
Yes
600 per annum Washington City D.C.

Penne. L. S. L. E.
Monmouth Feb 27. 1837.
J. S. Edwards Esq
Dear Sir
Yours of Jan 5. 1837. in due time came to hand. I have been able to obtain the necessary certificates of marriage in the cases of Rhoda Stearns & Anna Tiffany which are here inclosed.
In the case of Anna Tiffany widow of Hosea Tiffany you say an allowance can be had only for one year six months & eight days. I think her declaration defined the time of her of her husband's service & that for which he obtained a pension. We supposed an allowance would be made for the same time, as his name was on the pension list. If this is our mistake why of course so be it.
In the case of Rhoda Stearns we do not see how the discrepancy you referred to can be corrected at present if ever. The old lady is a very conscientious woman, a member of the Baptist Church, and from some memorandums she has thinks she can not in the main be incorrect. She thinks that she was correct in stating that her husband enlisted for 5 months in 1776 under Capt. Caleb Richardson as she stated & that Mr. Thatcher is partly mistaken from this fact, that they were in Camp Dexter one under our Captain & the other under the other. Both from the same town. Joseph Stearns enlisted 3 months before Thatcher. Does not the apparent discrepancy

make it if possible more evident that the service was performed? If however she can not  she can not obtain an allowance on this part of her husband's service (at for two months) as testified to by Mr. Thatcher she will most gratefully receive, for that time and for the term of 8 months service in 1775 under Capt. C. Richardson, which is substantiated by the Mass. Militia Roll, performed as a corporal. That amount will aid in making the last days of the old lady comfortable. I am confident that if any one ought to have an allowance she ought.
Chants will be well bestowed upon both Applicants. Please inform me of the result or conclusion from the additional evidence &c. &c. Yours truly A. S. Pae 6-

Eldred Wayne County Penn. Jan'y, 3 rd 1859
To the Commissioners of Pensions, Sir:
I am in- formed that the children of Revolution- ary Soldiers are entitled to all the pen- sion that their parents could have drawn but died without receiving. My father was a Revolutionary Soldier. I can tes- tify to having heard him say that he was in the battles of "Lexington" "Bunker Hill" and at the sinking of the Roe- Buck at Horngat's near N.Y. City. Also that he served twenty-one months, during the war. He never petitioned for a pen- sion and died June 2 nd 1829. My Mother petitioned under the act of July 4 th 1836 and she received annually the sum of forty five dollars and thirty three cts. from March 4 th 1831 to Sept. 4 th 1837. and her certificate is recorded in the

Pension Office Book Vol. 1 st page 178 th by W m Alison. Given at the war office Dep. of the W. S. A. March 16 th 1837. My Mother Rhoda Stearns only wife of Joseph Stearns died Dec. 21 st 1837. Can you sir from the in- -formation I have given you, inform me what -or under any existing law the three surviving children of the said Joseph Stearns can, receive the Pension which Joseph Stearns would have received had he petitioned, also how much may be obtained, and how I must proceed to obtain it, and if a Grand Warrant is obtainable. Please write without delay for if it is necessary for us to appear in court to prove that we are the children of Joseph Stearns we wish to do so at the next term which sits the 1 st Monday in February.
Respectfully Yours, Jabez Stearns.