Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19414, for William Stephenson, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental
Stephenson, William
N 19 414
Hannah
Mass. residence and Agency of widow
CONTENTS

224. Increase
Massachusetts.
Mannah Stephenson dec?
Widow of William Stephenson who was a pensioner under the Act of 16 th 1816, and who died on the November 16 th 1816, of Hampden in the State of Mass. who was a Conducter in the Revolution commanded by Captain of the the 9 th Mo. 17 line for in
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston at the rate of 325 Dollars 70 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of July 1850 and sent to Mrs. A. Fowler.
Increased from $283.26 Total amount,
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J. S. Chase Clerk, Book Vol. 1 Page 547
Payable to Jonathan Blake Esq. they being no surviving children
J. W. Crofts June 21 1851-
ct W. S. H

714
Hannah Stephenson
Wid of William
Mass.
Ad 7 July 1838
Maria July 1780
Died 1816
Conducts - Mil. Store
from Aug 1 1779 to May
17. 1780 -
9. mo 17 d. $ 196.66
14 - 13. Artificer 86.60
per ann. $ 283.26
In her account Stephenson was allowed $80 per mo. for a second paid interest!
Geo Cotton Esq. Syracuse Mass

This may certify that the following couples were joined in marriage at the several times hereafter mentioned viz:
Seventeen hundred & eighty, July ninth, J th Stephenson & Hannah White. [her follow- several other names]. "
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the Record of Marriages in the town of Springfield with the exception of the words included in brackets & with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in full legible figures, as follows: 1780. July 9 th —
Richard Bliss Town Clerk of Springfield —
I Richard Bliss above named depose & say: that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town of Springfield a state of Massachusetts, & that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me Richard Bliss Town Clerk of Springfield
Known before me
George Cotton Justice of the Peace —
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden County ss: I Justin Willard Clerk of the Probate Court within & for said County do hereby certify that George Cotton before whom the above deposition of Richard Bliss was signed, is a justice of the Peace within & for said County and that his signature above subscribed to the certificate thereof is genuine — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal affixed the seal of said Court this twenty third day of August A D 1838
Justin Willard Clerk

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th. July 1838. entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows -
State of Massachusetts Hampshire County ss - On this 23 d day of August A. D. 1838. personally appeared before me Oliver B Morris Esquire Judge of Probate within and for said County Hannah Stephenson a resident of Springfield in said County of Hampshire aged eighty eight 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 7. 1838. entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows - That she is the widow of William Stephenson who was in the service of the United States as an Artificer from Jan y . 1776. to the 28 th . of July 1779. as will appear by the certificate of the Officer under whom he served, which certificate is herunto annexed and marked No 1. A. said William Stephenson was also in the service of the United States in the war of the revolution as Conductor of Military Stores from about the first of August 1779. to the 17 th day of May 1780. as will appear by a number of letters and orders herunto annexed from No 2. B. to No 12. S. also from an account of said Stephenson against the United States No 13. etc. -
She further declares that she was married to the said William Stephenson July 9 th . 1780. as will appear by the certificate of the Clerk of the town of Springfield marked No 14. N. - That her husband the aforesaid William Stephenson died on the 16 th . day of November A. D. 1816. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of Jan y . A. D. 1794. in - at the time above stated - known to me subscribed the day and year above written, before
Hannah Stephenson

Hampden Co August 23 1830 subscribed and sworn to before me, and I certify that the said Hannah by reason of age and infirmity is unable to attend the court NATHAN MORRIS Judge of the court of Probate for said County
And now I the said Judge do declare my opinion after investigating the matter, that the said William Stephenson served in the army of the revolution as stated in the foregoing declaration, that he was married to the said Hannah on the ninth day of July AD 1780, that he died on the 16th day of November AD 1816 leaving the said Hannah his widow, and that she has ever since remained and now is the widow of said William Stephenson deceased
In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my name and cause the seal of said court to be hereunto affixed the day and year first above written
NATHAN MORRIS Judge of the court of Probate for said County

Hampden Co. Aug. 23. 1838. I George Cotton of Springfield in said County, do testify and say that I have been for many years well acquainted with Hannah Stephenson widow of William Stephenson deceased, that she is the widow of William Stephenson named in the foregoing declaration and has not been married since the decease of said William Stephenson - I further testify that I was well acquainted with said William Stephenson and that he died at or near the time stated in the foregoing declaration - known and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
George Cotton
Subscribed and sworn to before me the day & year above written before me, and I certify that the said deponent is a credible witness NIBB MORRIS Judge of Probate for the County of Hampden
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Hampden ss.
I Justin Willard Clerk of the Probate Court within & for said County do hereby certify that the Hon. Oliver B. Morris is the judge of said court before whom the foregoing Declaration of Hannah Stephenson was made & sworn to & before whom the foregoing deposition of George Cotton was verified, is the judge of said court, & that his signature subscribed to the foregoing certificate thereof is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said court this twenty third day of August A.D. 1838
Justin Willard Clerk

William Stephenson (Continental) Mass. W. 19414
An order of instructions for Mr. Stephenson signed Saml Hodgdon, D. C. M. S., dated Chester, Aug. 8, 1779 and
An order of instructions for Mr. Stephenson signed Saml Hodgdon, D. C. M. S., dated Chester, Aug. 16, 1779 and
An order of instructions for Mr. Stephenson cond d M. Stores, signed Saml Hodgdon D. C. M. S. dated Chester, Aug. 31, 1779 and
An order of instructions for Mr. Stephenson signed Saml Hodgdon D. C. M. S., dated Chester Sept. 9, 1779 and
An invoice of stores sent to West Point by Mr. Stephenson from Phila. Sept. 23, 1779, signed Saml Hodgdon D. C. M. S., and
An order of instructions for Mr. Stephenson signed Saml Hodgdon, D. C. M. S., dated Chester, Sept. 23, 1779 and
An order of instructions for Mr. Stephenson signed Saml Hodgdon, D. C. M. S., dated Chester (over)

Oct. 1, 1779 and ✓
An order of instructions for Mr. Stephenson signed Samuel Hodgdon, I. C. M. S. dated Chester Nov. 22, 1779 and ✓
An order of instructions for Mr. Stephenson signed Sam'l Hodgdon, I. C. M. S., dated Tuckersunna, Jan. 11, 1780 and ✓
An order of instructions for Mr. Stephenson signed S. Shaw, A. D. Camp, Park of Art. dated Feb. 6, 1780 and ✓
An order to Mr. Church, keeper of the horse yard, to furnish Mr. Stephenson with a horse, by order of Gen. Greene, signed Geo. Olney dated West Point, Oct. 16, 1779, countersigned Richard Claiborne, D. Q. M. G. dated Oct. 29, 1779
have been removed from this claim to be sent to the War Dept. Sent to War Dept. Jan. 16, 1913 29 April 6, 1911

William Stephenson (Continued) W. 19414

No. 1. A.
Springfield 31 July. 1779
This may Certify all whom it may Concern that W m Stephenson has ben in the Service of the United States as an Artificer from January. 1776 to the 28 July. 1779.
With me
Joseph Ely Maj of Art

Copy of Account Sent Mr Frothingham D F & M. Shaw
20 17 6 1 5 0 21 22 6

United States
No 13. ch -
To W m Stephens 6 th M c Lanes (P o )
To my pay for the months of Feb y and March at 80 Doll s Dollars P r Month - - - - - 160
To my subsistence for the above months - - - - - at 100 Dollars P r Month - 200
To my pay for the month of April and seventeen Days in the month of May at 80 P r Month 125. 1/3
To my subsistence for the above time at 100 Dollars P r Month - - - 156 2/3
Morris Town 1780
629

Hannah Stephenson wife of William Stephenson Map act 7 July 1838. p/ 283 26
To what time was he last paid?
Pension Office July 13 1830
Ms. A P. to 4 th March 1841 W.L.B.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
No.
19414
Hannah Stephenson
Widow of
William Stephenson
Conductor of Mil. N. & W. R.
Act:
July 7 th 1838
Box: Vol.
m, Page 247
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Waverly May 36 New England
Aug 2-24
Askins to see papers
Rev. J. S. Evans
Am. July 1835
Present
at 100 Marlinton Aug 22/31

Washington July 14 1887
Dr. Mr.
I have respectfully to ask permission to refer to the papers of Mrs Nancy Stacy widow of John Stacy Act 1838 Map: roll - on file in your office - Also the papers of Mrs Hannah Stephenson widow of William, Act 1838, Map: roll -
Authority for me to act in these cases is on file with the papers
I am very respectfully Moorhouse D. D. Addison
Rev F. S. Evans Chief Clerk Pension Office

News of Rep.:
Washington June 12 - 1850
Hon. J. L. Edwards - Commissioner of Pension —
Sir Herewith I forward the application of Jonathan Blake of Springfield, Mass. Executor of the Last Will and Testament of Han- nah Stephenson - for an increase of pension - in the case of late Mrs. Stephenson - her husband -
Mr. Henderson was allowed for nine months and 17 days as Conductor of Military Stores - and fourteen months and 13 days as Artificer -
On the time as Conductor he was allowed 196 dol. and sixty

six cents.
On this part of the ser- vice an increase is dem- and -- A conductor of Military Stores receives eighty dollars a month. Of course for nine months and 17 days there is a claim to two hundred and thirty-nine Dols & 16/100, instead of one hundred and ninety-six Dols and 66/100.
An early decision is re- spectfully solicited -- Most Respectfully Yours Olin Howler

H.R. Washington March 25. 1850
Mr Edwards Sir,
Mrs Hannah Stephenson of Springfield, Hampden County, Mass, was a Pensioner & died about two years since. Her husband was, I think, commissary in the Revolutionary Army.
Her friends have, in some way, been led to imagine either that she did not receive the full amount of the Pension that was allowed her, or that it was not rated as high as it should have been; & they have written to me for information upon the subject.
As your Office will probably afford the information, I beg you to give me such as may be in your power.
Yours Truly &c; Geo; A. Ashmun
L. Edwards Esq. Com de

J L Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Springfield Aug. 23, 1888
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comt. of Pensions
Sir
I herewith enclose the declaration of Hannah Stephenson with the evidence of William Stephenson's service in the Army of the revolution and evidence of marriage &c. - Also the declaration of Elizabeth Moore widow of Joshua Moore late a pensioner of the U. States as the evidence of marriage &c. is now on your file in your office I concluded that it would not be necessary to take the depositions of the same persons again but only to refer to them as being already in your department. I hope the evidence in these cases will prove satisfactory, and if so, you will have the goodness to forward their certificates to me.
With much respect Your friend Geo. Colton
111 111 111 9
  20 $180  14  2  /173.20  /86.60    10  12   8     11.66  168   13     91.66  6   12     42.  174   12     12.00  50        173.20     

See letter Hon. J. C. Bates, Dec. 27. 1843,
Letter Hon. Geo. Ashmun 30 th Mar 1830
224
Massachusetts
Hannah Stephenson widow of William Stephenson dec d .
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 16 th November 1816 of Hampden in the State of Me. who was an Alipede in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Me. time for 9 mos 17 days Conducted mil. Store, 14 " 13 " Artificer
Inscribed on the Roll of Mesa at the rate of 283 Dollars 26 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1834
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of Sept. 1838, and said Geo. Colton Springfield Me.
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept 1838 $208.26 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th March 141.63
$844.89
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by H. H. Addington Clerk Book 4. Vol. 2 Page 129

Springfield Jan. 25. 1857
Sir.
I have that recent query of the 27 th inst. just as I am leaving for Boston & cannot give the details of my last letter from your Department in relation to the Kenneth Stephenson claim for an inuendo of perjury; and can only say that I have for several years been prosecuting this claim & have strong evidence which I shall offer in the case. Within a few weeks I have learnt for the first time that some other individual has authority to ask for the inuendo. This I know from the Executor, but he does not remember the name.
I shall call on you in a few days in reference to this & other claims -
Yours Very Respectfully G. A. Blackwell
J. C. Keith Esq. Comm. of Pensions
Edward Brooks Tr.

April 4. 1857
Respecting claim of Hannah Stephen- son's heirs
Jas W Crooks Springfield Mass Health Commission of Pensions Washington D.C.

Springfield Mo. March 31. 1887
Sir -
The heirs &c of Hannoh Stephenson Widow of William Stephenson, Conducted Military Store, &c. have long endeavored to obtain considerable amount & interest of pension. The late Commission several years since made me & others, refusing further or increased pension; but if there is more really due, I would respectfully ask that the matter may be re-examined as has been the case heretofore; and inasmuch as Mr Edw. D. letter to me on the matter misstated only on abstract is present, I would be glad to ask that copies of Mr Edw. D. letter & his reasons given for refusing the payment of arrears, or an increase may be furnished me. I wish to reply fully to these reasons which I would not do, if I was not convinced that justice required further investigation, which I have good reason to believe will be granted to me.
I ask this favor on the ground that several persons have been hurt by the present rule H.C.
The find will leave lay before you a full view of this case.
Yours S. E. Keeth.
Very Respectfully Your Ob. Servt. James W. Cook

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden ss
I hereby certify that Jonathan Blake of Springfield in said County was on the first Tuesday of May A.D. 1841 appointed Executor of the last Will & Testament of Hannah Stephenson late of said Springfield dec'd, by the Judge of Probate for said County & accepted said Trust & gave bonds as the law requires. & that said Jonathan Blake is still invested with that Trust.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Probate Court for said County at Springfield this fourteenth day of May A.D. 1850
Walter Willard Register of Probate for County of Hampden
Washington June 8 th 1850
I hereby certify that the above named Justice Willard is the Register of Probate for the County of Hampden in Mass — Orin Fowler - Member of Congress

Private Advertisement
Dec r 20 th 1843.
My dear Sir,
I am made such a go-ber- -tween that I must ask you to pardon me for the trouble I give y r office. I do not know how to answer them enough. Will you do the needful? Y r obed t Serv t . &c.
J. H. Bates
J. S. Edwards Esq. Am d Dec r .

Increase Hannah Stephensen Morn of William Map act 7 May 1848
Ad m o 9 mo 17 days Com. m. due $239.16 14 " 13 " Arrears, 86.60 $325.76
From 4 March 1836 to 4 March 1841, Payable to Jonathan Blake Executor of Han- nah Stephens in due time having left no children Mrs. Stephensen died in May 1841 deducting what has been paid at the rate of $283.26 per annum - At the same time John A. Fowler Daniel Rebo

State of Massachusetts ss County of Hampden ss 33.
On this fourteenth day of May A.D. 1850 before the subscribers a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, personally appeared Jonathan Blake of Springfield in said County and made oath in due form of law that he is executor of the last will & testament of Hannah Stephenson late of said Springfield, a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the rate of about $283 per annum at the time of her death - that she died on the nineteenth day of March in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & forty one - that she was the widow of William Stephenson who was a Lieutenant of Artillery & conductor of Military Stores in the Revolutionary war as he the deponent has understood, & that for the services of William Stephenson he as Executor aforesaid asks for any increase of Pension that may be found due in the case of the said Hannah Stephenson. Jonathan Blake Subscribed before me the day & year above written Justin Willgra
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPDEN ss.
I, RICHARD BLISS, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampden, do certify, that Justice Willard Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Justice Willard and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this fifteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty
Richd Bliss
Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden B.S.
I Justus Willard Register of Probate in & for said County do hereby certify that I was well acquainted with Hannah Stephenson late of Springfield in said County die a Citizen of the United States at the time of her decease. That I never knew or heard that she had any children. & from the fact that she makes no mention of children in her will - also from general reputation & acquaintance, I have no doubt that she left no children at her decease.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this thirty first day of May. A.D. 1850
Justus Willard