Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19,091, for Samuel Stearns, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
Stearns, Samuel Alice
NUMBER
W. 19.091
CONTENTS
2

10.054 1 New Hampshire Sam e Stearns of Ample in the State of New Hamp who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Minot of the Reg t commanded by Col Made in the New Hamp line for 12 Months Mass.
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of March 1833 and Sub d  40 E. Parker
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $ 80.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept r '33  20.00 $100.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. C. Adams Clerk. Book 6 Vol. 1 st Page 118

(12) Massachusetts, 5502
Alice Sterns
widow of Samuel Sterns
N. H.
who was a private
in the Mass Hampshire line
and Jan. 11. 08
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 11 day of Decr 1843 and sent to Paul Wells
Northampton
Mass.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 — Page 53 —
Hon W. A. Sackett Sep 13 '52
" Secy Interior Oct 22 1852
Let to A. Joy 4 Feb 1853

To what time was Samuel Stearns paid under the act of 7. Jan. 1832 at the New Hampshire agency?
E.W.G.
12 Oct. 1835
He died on the 11 th Nov 1833 & was joined to their town

Alice Steamer Wid of Samuel — He was poisoned of N. H. & the of Mass
I wish to see the papers on fill Jan. 26. 52
From Abad Joy
W Cole

State of Massachusetts COUNTY OF Hampshire } ss. Isaac Stearns _____ being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is a child of Alice & Samuel Stearns _____ deceased, to whom a pension was probably due, & who was _____ an applicant for a pension from the State of N. H. & Mass — that this deponent is directly interested as one of the claimants in said claim. The said parties both rec d pensions, may be an
Sworn and subscribed before me this 23 rd day of December 1851 and I do hereby certify that the said Isaac Stearns _____ is a respectable person, and that I have full faith in the truth of the above statement sworn to by him as being directly interested in said claim.
Joseph Cummings Jus. Peace
Know all Men by these Presents, That Isaac Stearns a child of Alice Stearns _____ deceased, to whom a pension was probably due, & who was an applicant for a pension from the State of N. H. & Mass — do hereby constitute and appoint ARAD JOY, of Ovid, N. Y., my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name as one directly and personally interested, as also for and in behalf of all others interested in the claim or application for a pension as above mentioned.
Witness my hand and seal, this 23 rd day of December 1851
SEALED AND DELIVERED IN THE PRESENCE OF {
Isaac Stearns
STATE OF Massachusetts County of Hampshire } Be it known that on the 23 rd day of December 1851 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, duly authorized by law to administer oaths and take acknowledgements, personally appeared Isaac Stearns — above named, and duly acknowledged the above Power of Attorney and affidavits to be his act and deed.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand the day and date above mentioned.
Joseph Cummings Jus. Peace

N o 3. 13 635 Samuel Stearns Temple
Militia.
Private 12 months Adm'd
Send to E. Parker Amhurst

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
County of Hillsborough, ss.
On this fourteenth 27 th day of August A.D. 1832. I personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate, now sitting a within and for the County of Hillsborough, in the State aforesaid,
Samuel Stearns of Temple in said county aged 70 years Who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say, that in the month of January in the year 1778 at Billerica in Massachusetts he enlisted in Capt. Edward Farmer's Company of Massachusetts militia for three months - marched to Boston and was there attached to Col. Symmes' regim- ent and marched to Dorchester heights, soon after which a part of the company of which he was one, were sent to Governor's Island, where he served out said time.
Second - In the month of June 1778 he enlisted at said Billerica, in Capt. Minot's Company of Mas- sachusetts State troops for six months - marched to Providence in Rhode Island and there joined Col. Wade's regiment. From Providence marched to the Island of Rhode Island where the company was uni- ted to that of Capt. Joseph Boynton, under whom he served out said time, and was then discharged. After Gen. Sullivan retreated from the Island they went to East Greenwich & North Kingston, where he served his time out and was discharged.
Third - In the month of August 1780 he enlisted in Capt. Amos Foster's Company in Col. Howes' regiment of Massachusetts militia for three months - marched to Providence, and from thence to the

Island of Rhode-Island where he served his time out.
BLISSMAN-WHITNEY ESTATE
That he was born in Tewksbury, County of Middlesex Massachusetts in 1762 - lived in Billerica during the war, and came to Temple in 1792 where he has since resided - never had a written discharge.
I further say that there is no Blissman residing in Temple, who is acquainted with me - He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Samuel Stearns Sworn to
Edmund Parker, Judge of Probate -
We Daniel Searle Esquire residing in the town of Temple in the county of Hillsborough aforesaid, and Dea. Silas Heyes - residing in Temple - aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Stearns who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be 70 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, - Daniel Searle Silas Heyes
Edmund Parker, Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that Daniel Searle Esquire who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Esquire resident in the town of Temple and that Dea. Silas Heyes who has signed the same, is a resident in the town of Temple and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And further that there is no Blissman in Temple excepting one preaching there a short time as a candidate. Edmund Parker Judge of Probate for said County of Hillsborough.
I CHARLES H. ATHERTON, Register of the court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court, this day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two. twenty seventh
C. H. Atherton
Register of Probate, for said county of Hillsborough.

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
County of Hillsborough, SS.
At the Court aforesaid, On the application aforesaid, the following interrogatories were propounded to the said Samuel Thomas and the following answers given on oath to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer, I was born in Tewksbury, Co. of Middlesex Massachusetts July 21. 1762 -
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer, I have no record of my age -
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Answer, I lived in Tewksbury  Billerica during the war,
and afterwards until 1792 when I came to live in Temple N.H. where I have ever since resided.
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom? Answer, I enlisted or volunteered. -
5. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
Answer, I have stated the names of the officers in my declaration.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? Answer, I never had a written discharge.
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution?
Answer, Daniel Scarles - Dea. Nathan Wheeler - Dea. Sylvanus Keyes. -
Certified by
C. H. Atherton
Register.

The following is a Transcript of the Record of Marriages for the Town of Billerica, in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
"Samuel Stearns Junr. and Alice Stearns both of Billerica, were married by the Rev. Henry Cummings," the second day of June in the year of Our Lord, Seventeen Hundred and Eighty five."
J. Marshall Preston, Town Clerk of the Town of Billerica aforesaid hereby certify that the above transcript 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, viz "June 2. 1785."
Marshall Preston Town Clerk of P. Billerica
J. Marshall Preston, above named doth say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the said Town, County & State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Billerica, with the exception above named, as certified by me
Marshall Preston Town Clerk of P. Billerica
Middlesex ss. August 17 th A.D. 1838 Sworn to before me
John Baldwin Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex Vs. I Elias Pruey clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts do certify for the County of Middlesex do certify that John Baldwin Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within and of said County of Middlesex, and that his name sub- scribed to the within certificate is his genuine signature. —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court the twenty second day of August 1838. —
E. Pruey, fl.

Dedication 962 Alice Tharns 2
act 7 July 38
I am requested to forward the enclosed papers. Please address any communications respecting same to me at Antonia County of Hillsborough New Hampshire
Luther Woodbury
adm d 2 yrs pri 80%
No deduction

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough ss. At a Court of Probate held at Temple within and for the County of Hillsborough on this eighteenth day of August One Thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared in open Court Alice Stearns as resident of Temple aforesaid aged sixty nine 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 Samuel Stearns late of said Temple deceased, that he was a pensioner under the act of Congress of June 7. 1832 that he received his pension from the New Hampshire agency that the records evidence of his service is supposed to be in the War Department. She further declares that she was married to the said Samuel Stearns on the second day June, she thinks, in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty five; that her husband the aforesaid Samuel Stearns died on the sixteenth day of November eighteen hundred and thirty three; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January nineteen hundred and thirty four viz. at the time above stated. and that she has remained a widow ever since the decease of her husband aforesaid.
Alice Stearns
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year - as above written.
Lester Woodbury Judge of Probate Court.
Hillsborough ss. August 8. 1838 I do hereby certify that the aforesaid deposition is in my belief a credible witness.
Lester Woodbury Judge as aforesaid
+ The above was true and attested from four to five made at the request of the deponent L. Woodbury Judge as aforesaid

I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court of Jurisdiction for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that Luke Woodbury within named is Judge of the Probate of Wills &c. in and for said County of Hillsborough as before mentioned, and that the foregoing signatures (two in number) purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affix- ed the Seal of said Court, and subscribed my name at Anhurst in said County, this Tenth day of August A.D. 1838.
A. Wallace Clerk

Stearns, Samuel Mass. W19091
3754 Sept. 4/43.
Cl of Naomi Shuckland, & Alice Stearns March 5/43.
S. Edward Elyne Commissioner of Probate Wright St.
Stearns, Samuel Mass. W19091
5

Northampton Mass. Aug. 29. 1843
Mr J. G. Edwards Comr of Pensions Washington D.C.
Sir At the request of Israel Phelps Esq. of New Village in this County I enclose to you two affidavits with my signature & seal & a certificate that he is a Justice of the peace.
If any returns are to be made please make them to him and oblige
Yours very respectfully Samuel Wells

William Livingston Disposition

I William Livingston of Sharon in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire, aged Seventy one years, depose and say that in the year 1778, in January, I think, I enlisted for three months, in Capt Edward Farners Company and marched from Billerica to Boston, when I think we were attached to Col Lyons Regiment, from thence we went to the Dorchester heights, & remained at different posts in the vicinity of Boston during the whole of the term of our enlistment - I further depose & say that Samuel Stearns now of Temple in the County of Hillsborough aforesaid enlisted at the time I did, and we served together in said Company during said three months & were discharged together - In June 1778 I again enlisted in Capt Minots Company, in Col Mades Regiment for six months and marched from Billerica to Providence in Rhode Island From Providence we went to the Island called Rhode Island After we arrived at the Island our Company was united with the Company of Capt. Joseph Boynton - and we served the remainder of our time under Capt Boynton. After the retreat of Gen Sullivan we went to Greenwich & thence to North Kingston, and were there discharged - The above named Samuel Stearns enlisted at the same time I did, and we served said six months together & were discharged together In 1780 about the first of August said Samuel Stearns and I again enlisted together in Billerica in the Company of Capt Amos Foster, in Col Howes Regiment for three months and marched to Providence, and thence again to Rhode Island where we continued during our whole term, and we were there discharged together William Livingston
State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough ss. Be it remembered that on the 21 st day of August 1832 before me John Preston a justice of the peace in & for said County of Hillsborough, personally appeared the before named William Livingston, and made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth, and that the said William Livingston is well known to me and is a credible witness. Sworn, subscribed, & certified by & before me John Preston Justice of the Peace

I Andrew Wallau, clerk of the Superior court of Jurisdiction for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, certify that John Preston within named is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough, and that I have no doubt that the within signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office, and subscribed my name, this fifth day of October in the year of our Lord 1832.
A. Wallau clerk

15
Alma N.Y. Sept 23. 1852.
Andr. Foy. Appeal Relative to the case of Alice Stearns -
Kirby Sep 25/52
(9)
Ref to the Commissioner of Pensions for a Report Dept Int 2 Sept 25/52 3
C Recd Sept 25. 1852

Ovid Sept 23. 1852
Dear Sir
we should have recd a pension by certificate, in place of this refusal — I am obliged to appeal from the decision of the Hon Com d of Pensions, in the case of "Alice Stearnes" per his of the 13 th This is another of those cases where the examining Clerk, could not have read fully the papers before him; so I judge at least He refuses an increase of pension to the widow, we dont ask any, this was no part of our claim — Her husband rec d a pension of $40 only, the widow rec d all she could claim $80 and so we stated, but we ask the increase due him when he died of $40 per annum from 4 March '31 to Nov 6 th '33 when he died, This is of course justly her due & is explained upon the same paper that drew out the report — Why is this, why must my clients meet with such delays, the Courts certificate & all explanation & all that can be lawfully required is on file — I believe I am entirely correct in what I have stated, (if not I beg pardon)
Your Ob d Serv t Abad Joy
Hon Alex e H. H. Stewart

3754 3
Alice Stern
Sept 11 -
$80
3502
Sam Wells Northampton Mass.

Commonwealth of } Massachusetts } Hampshire ss. On this E- leventh day of August A.D. 1843 personally appeared before the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace of the County of Hampshire, - Alice Stearns a resident of Ware in said County of Hampshire, aged Seventy three years on the 4 th of March last past, who being first duly sworn, according to law doth on her oath make the following declara- tion in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 rd of March A.D. 1833, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war; That she is the widow of Samuel Stearns, who resided in Temple in the State of New Hampshire for the space of forty four or forty five years, and who there died in A.D. 1833 - and who while there residing received for a portion of the time aforesaid a pension from the United States. Said Alice Stearns also declares that, under the act of July 7. 1838 she received annually for the sum of eighty dollars

as pension money from the United States; That she has given up her certificate. That her memory is poor from ad- vanced age, - and therefore that she is not able to state whether her husband, the said Samuel Stearns, was an officer or private in the Army of the United States, or what regiment he served in.
She further declares that she is still a widow, that under the act of July 7 1838, - she received her pension at Sharon in the State of New Hampshire, and that her first application for a pension was made by Judge L. Woodbury at Temple aforesaid and sworn to before him.
Alice Stearns
Hampshire ss. Aug. 11 th 1842. - Then the above named Alice Stearns who is personally known to me, subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration.
Before me
Abel Phelps Jr. Justice of the Peace

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire ss.
I, Samuel Wells, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampshire, do certify, that Israel Phelps 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 is 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 Israel Phelps and believe his signature to said certificate to be genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said Commonwealth, this Twenty ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three.
Samuel Wells
Clerk.

Jonathan Searles Jr Deposition

I Jonathan Searle of Temple in the County of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire of the age of fifty three years testify and say that I live a nigh neighbour to Alice Stearns of said Temple widow of Samuel Stearns late of said Temple deceased that the said Samuel Stearns was a Pensioner of the United States, that the said Samuel Stearns died at said Temple on the sixth day of November in the year 1833 and that the reason that I have for stating this Death so particularly is that on the day of said Death I was sent for to assist in laying out said Stearns and that I have been in a habit of recording all Deaths in this Town that have come to my knowledge for upward of twenty years past I further state that the said Alice Stearns has not intermarried since the Death of the said Samuel Stearns
Jonathan Searle
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss August 10 th 1838 then personally appeared the above named Jonathan Searle who is well known to me and who is a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed.
Before me Benja Russell Justice of the Peace
I Andrew Wallace Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire do hereby certify that Benjamin Russell is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough as above and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court and subscribed my name at Amherst in said County, this twenty second day of August Anno Domini 1838.
A. Wallace Clerk

Declaration
State of Massachusetts
County of Hampshire } ss
On the 23 d day of April 1852 personally appeared before the subscriber Probate Judge of said county & district Isaac Stearns, in behalf of his late mother Alice Stearns deceased, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath for and in the name of Alice Stearns make the following declaration in order to obtain the increase of pension due to the late husband of the said Alice Stearns, to wit Samuel Stearns under the act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832 - To wit the said Samuel Stearns was a pensioner of the State of New Hampshire under the law of the 7. June 1832 at the rate of forty dollars per year; that the increase from the 4 th of March 1831 to the 6 th November 1833 when the said Samuel Stearns died, is the claim set up in this declaration - Reference is here made to the list of pensioners, & for the date of the death of the said Samuel Stearns which took place on the 6 th November 1833, that he left the above named Alice Stearns his widow who remained his widow till her death
All of the above statements are true according to the best understanding & belief of this deponent Subscribed & sworn before me this 23 d day of April 1852 Isaac Stearns Isaac Stearns is a respectable person
Jonathan Loring Judge of Probate

State of Massachusetts
County of Hampshire ss
The probate Judge of the said county and district do hereby certify, that at a Probate court held before me in my office in Amherst satisfactory evidence was then and there exhibited to said court that Alice Stearns was a pensioner, a resident of said county & died in said county on the 8th day of September 1843 and died a widow, that she was the widow of Samuel Stearns late a pensioner of the State of New Hampshire, that the said widow left at her death the following named children her surviving, and who still survive her, being her only children her surviving, & that each of them is over the age of twenty one years, to wit Isaac Stearns, and William Stearns.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my official Seal this 23 d day of April 1852
Abraham Lordey Judge of Probate

Declaration
State of Massachusetts.
County of Hampshire ss On this 23 d day of April 1852 personally appeared before the subscriber Probate Judge of said county and district Isaac Stearns, in behalf of Alice Stearns deceased, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath for & in the name of Alice Stearns, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 d March 1843 granting one years pension to certain widows, who had received a pension under the act of 7 th July 1838
That this deponents mother, the said Alice Stearns was the widow of Samuel Stearns late a pensioner, and who was also her self a pensioner under the act of Congress of the 7 th July 1838
He further declares that the said Alice Stearns remained a widow and did a widow on the 8 th of September 1843 Isaac Stearns Sworn & subscribed before me this 23 d day of April 1852
William Lockey Judge of Probate
I certify that the above statements I believe to be the truth, and that full faith and credit is due to it & that the said Isaac Stearns is a respectable person
William Lockey Judge of Probate

16 Revolutionary Claim State of Massachusetts For Increase of Pension Alice Stearns Isaac Stearns Both Pensioners
This claim is for widows pension as per the declaration, from 4 March 43 - to 8th September 1843
Also for increase of husbands pension from $40 to $84 per annum from 4 March '31 to 6 November 1833, all will at once be admitted, the papers are ample and complete
Answer to the Massachusetts
Alice Stearns No 6

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No.
19091
Alice Sterns
Widow of
Samuel Sterns
Priv. Rev. War
Act:
Mar 3 rd 1873
Index:—Vol.
M
Page
246
[Arrangement of 1870.]

(11) 1052 New Hampshire.
Alice Stern widow of Samuel Stern, deceased who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 th Mar. '18 and who died on the 6 th Nov. 1822 of Haverboro in the State of N. H. who was a P er in the Comp y commanded by Captain  of the R gt commanded by Brig de Gen l   in the N. H. line for 2 years Mass
Inscribed on the Roll of Com rs 2 at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1838
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of Nov. 1838 and due to and for the widow, Alice Stern, N. H.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept r - $200.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 42.00 $240.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by R. Bangs Clerk, Book A - Vol. 1 Page 54

FREE
(14)
Hon Alex e H. H. Stuart Secy. of the Interior Washington DC

Feby 3/53
Compliments of the Coast

Department of the Interior Washington February 2 d : 1853.
Sir,
I have examined the case of Alice Stearns an applicant for a pension under the act of March 3 d : 1843, and have affirmed your decision therein of which you will please advise the claimants attorney. The papers in the case are herewith returned.
I am very respectfully Your obedient servant Alex d H. H. Stuart Secretary.
James E. Heath Esq. Commissioner Of Pensions.