Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30135, for William Stearns, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Stearns, William
S. 30135
CONTENTS

6956 Massachusetts
William Stearns
Worcester in the State of Mass who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Hay of the Regt commanded by Col Ward in the Massachusetts for 14 months
Widow.
88 Widow
Enscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of March 1833 and sent to Hon Davis H of Reps.
Arrears to 14th of March 1833 93.32 Pension allowance ending 4 Sept 23.33 $116.65
Died Jan 10 1838
See Agency Book
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk, Book D Vol. 2 Page 98

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this thirtieth day of August in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two , personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate, within and for the County of Worcester, now sitting, — William Stearns — a resident of Worcester, in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged eighty seven years, who being first 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. As a Volunteer.
He enlisted into the militia in the month of April, 1775, as nearly as he can recollect, under the command of Capt. — Gay — and Lieut. Brown, and Col. — Ward, and served in that company for the term of eight months, being the term for which he enlisted, and was regularly discharged at Dorchester near Boston, in Massachusetts, in the month of December, 1775, as he believes. That he was stationed during a part of said service at fort No. 2 in Cambridge, and the remainder of said service in Dorchester aforesaid. That he resided in Sutton in said Worcester County, when he enlisted as aforesaid, and marched through Worcester, Shrewsbury, and other towns on the old Boston road to Cambridge, where he was during the first part of his service. Thence he marched with his company to Dorchester, and there completed his term of eight months service. — He then returned home to Sutton.
That he again enlisted into the militia for the term of three months, about the latter part of November, 1776, as nearly as he can recollect, in the company commanded by Capt. — Putnam, and Col. — Whitney, and continued in said service for the full term of said enlistment — and was regularly discharged at a place called Bridgewater, in the Jerseys, in March 1777, and returned home to said Sutton. That he resided in said Sutton at the time of his said second enlistment, and thence marched through Bedford, on to Hartford, to Danbury, Peekskill, & crossing over King's ferry, thence on to said Bridgewater, where he served the said term of his enlistment.
That he again enlisted into the militia for the term of three months, about the month of August, 1777, in the company commanded by Capt. — Hunt, and Lieut. Holbrook, and under Col. — Seth Bushing. That he resided in Sutton aforesaid, when he entered said service — thence marched through Brookfield, Springfield, Bennington, and other places, on to Stillwater, in New York State, about 8 miles from Albany, where he continued in the service for some time, until his said Lieut. Holbrook was taken sick, a short time before Genl. Burgoyne's army were taken; that he the said

Stearns left the company, as nurse or waiter to said Holbrook, and went with him to what was called the New City, now Louisbourg, where he remained as an attendant on said Holbrook until his death - that the said Stearns being there taken sick, was granted a furlough, by his commanding officer, in order to recruit his health, but did not regain it until his term of enlistment had expired, when he was dismissed, and returned home to said Sutton, where he resided at the time of each of his said enlistments. That he was not engaged in any battles during his said services, but was in several skirmishes, whilst in the Jerseys - That all his said services were under his enlistments as a Volunteer from said Sutton.
That he has no documentary evidence of his said services, and knows of no persons but Isaac Bradwick and Daniel Stearns who can testify as to any part of said service - and that he relies on their Depositions and the other evidence accompanying this Declaration, to substantiate his claim to a pension. That he removed from said Sutton to Worcester, in which latter town he has resided ever since the year 1778.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
William Stearns
That in answer to the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, the said William Stearns states, that he was born at  the year aforesaid born at Worcester aforesaid the year aforesaid on the 16 th day of October (old style) 1745. He has no record of his age. He was living in said Sutton (now Milbury) when he was first called into the service, and also at the time of said subsequent engagements or enlistments - and ever since the year 1778, he has lived in said Town of Worcester, where he continues to reside. All his engagements were as a Volunteer. He cannot now state the names of officers or other circumstances more particularly than is set forth in the foregoing declaration - He never received any written discharge from either of his said services - he had a permit when he was absent on furlough, but has lost the same - He refers to Capt. Simeon Duncan, Daniel Stearns, Deacon Nathl. Stowell, Fathers of said Worcester, as to character, &c.
William his Stearns mark
Witnesses -
W. Garrison
Aug. 30. 1832.
Since said Stearns wrote his name, as above, he has been taken sick, and was obliged to make his mark only to the latter part of his declaration, as above appears. William Garrison. (Turn over.)

I, Daniel Stearns of Worcester, within named County & State, aged 75 years, testify and say, that, being a Brother of the within named William Stearns, and intimately acquainted with his enlistments and engagements in the War of the Revolution, I have no doubt of the correctness of his statement within contained - and most of said engagements or enlistments I was knowing to, at the time they were made by him - I also know that he was away from home during most, if not all, of his said services - and particularly in relation to the first eight months within mentioned, and in relation to the three months service, commencing in or about the month of August, 1777, I do testify and say, that I know his declaration to be true , as I was in the service with him at those times.
Daniel Stearns
Worcester, J. August 17. 1832. Then the above named Daniel Stearns, to me well known, personally appeared, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition, by him signed. and I certify my belief that he is a man of truth and a credible witness.
William Garrison, Justice of the peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, fs. I, Abijah Bigelow, clerk of the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Worcester, do certify, that William Garrison, Esquire, before whom the annexed Depositions of Daniel Stearns and Isaac Bradwick were signed and sworn to, is a justice of the Peace in and for said County of Worcester - and that his signature to the certificate of the oaths of said Deponents appears to be in his own proper hand writing. In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand, and affix the County Seal, this seventh day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk
Wm. D. Dunning.

Worcester, fs. August 30, 1832.
We Lewis Barnard  of residing in the town of Worcester, and Samuel Graves residing in the same town, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Stearns who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty seven years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion, as nothing mentioned may be relied on as true.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Before Nathl Prine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Lewis Barnard Sam l Graves
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Capt. Lewis Barnard who signed the preceding certificate, is a resident resident in the town of Worcester, — and that major Samuel Graves who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town of Worcester, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. See Depositions. annexed of Nathl Prine Judge of Probate Isaac Charnick & Daniel Shaw for the County of Worcester —
Theophilus Wheeler , Register of of the Court of Probate aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Stearns for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this thirteenth day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Theoph l Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts
Worcester, fs. September 7, 1832.
I, Aaron Bancroft , D. D. pastor of one of the churches in Worcester, aforesaid, testify and say, that I have been acquainted with the within named William Stearns for about forty years, and concur in the opinion expressed in the above deposition of Lewis Barnard and Samuel Graves .
Before Nathl Prine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Aaron Bancroft
10.499 William Stearns Worcester County, Mass.
Worcester fs.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that at the time of making my above certificate, it was not known by me that the papers were to be connected by tape or ribbon under the Seal of the Court. I now connect the papers, containing the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of William Stearns for a Pension, by a narrow ribbon under the Seal of said Probate Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this seventh day of February in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty three —
Theoph l Wheeler Reg t of said Court

Worcester, ss.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I, Shephard Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that, at the time of making my above certificate, it was not known by me that the papers were to be connected by tape or ribbon under the Seal of the Court. I now connect the papers, containing the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of William Stearns for a Pension, by a narrow ribbon, under the Seal of said Probate Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this seventh day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty three.
Shephard Wheeler Reg of said Court
I, Isaac Chadwick , of Worcester, in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy three years, do testify and say, that I enlisted for the term of three months, in the War of the Revolution, on the continental establishment, in the month of August, 1777, under the command of Capt. Samuel Hubbard, in Col. Seth Cushing's Regiment - that I enlisted in this town, and served for said period of three months, in said company, and was discharged at the end of my said service, at a place called Scarsdale, the near the White Plains, in the State of New York, - that I was present at the surrender of Burgoyne and his army, on the 17th of October, 1777, -
And I further testify and say, that William Stearns of said Worcester, enlisted at the same time with me, into the same company, and served for some time in said company, having marched to Bemis's Heights, above Albany, in the State of New York, with said company - that said William Stearns left said company in capacity of nurse, or waiter, to Lieut. Abel Holbrook of said company, who came away a short time before Burgoyne and his army were taken, on account of sickness - and I cannot, for this reason, state how much longer said William continued in the service of his country. He was in the company with me not far from a month, but the precise time I cannot state.
See Daniel Stearns' Deposition on the back of said William Stearns' Declaration in this case, and hereto annexed.
Witness, W. Garrison
Isaac Chadwick his mark
Worcester, ss. August 1. 1832. The above named Chadwick , who is a person of truth, personally appeared, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition. Before me, William Garrison , Justice of the peace.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
MCS/HMM
September 18, 1929.
Mrs. Clarence F. R. Jenne 254 Ashley Street Hartford Connecticut.
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 30135, it appears that William Stearns was born October 16, 1745 (old style) at Worcester, Massachusetts.
While a resident of Sutton (which was later Millbury) Worcester County, Massachusetts, he enlisted and served as a private with the Massachusetts Troops as follows:
From April 1775, eight months in Captain Fay's Company in Colonel Ward's Regiment; from November 1776, three months in Captain Putnam's Company in Colonel Whitney's Regiment; from August 1777, three months in Captain Samuel Hubbard's Company in Colonel Seth Cushing's Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 30, 1832, at which time he was living in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where he had moved in 1778.
There are no data relative to wife and children.
William Stearns died January 10, 1838.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

30135 Rec'd INVALID.
1929. Sept. 15 hist. to Mrs. Clarence F. C. Jenne? Mrs.
File No. 30135
William Stearns
His Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 896
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 10449 Wm Stearns
Private
14 Months
$46.66
Hon. Mr. Davis

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Stearns which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
• QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: “Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
†QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

IN REPLY REFER TO
3-2562
Rev. and 1812 Wars Section. MCS/eel
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF PENSIONS WASHINGTON
August 15, 1929
Mrs. Clarence F.R. Jenne 254 Ashley Street Hartford, Connecticut
Dear Madam:
I advise you that the data furnished by you are not sufficient to enable this bureau to make intelligent reply to the queries contained in your letter.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below, as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this bureau.
First name of widow Mary Stearns — Polly —  Something called Full name of soldier William Stearns, Residence of soldier at enlistment Braton Mass. Residence of soldier after service Worcester Mass Name of state from which he enlisted Massachusetts Approximate date of birth Born in Worcester Mass Oct 16. 1745 Approximate date of death January 10. 1838 (ae 92) Worcester Mass.
Kindly return attached letter with your reply.
Respectfully,
Earl D. Church
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

254.Ashley Street Hartford Conn
May 24, 1929.
To the Pension Office Washington D.C.
Gentlemen:
I would like to ask if there is any War Service(Revolutionary) credited to William Stearns .
I think there is, for I have record that he made on his Horn Bottle that he carried in the War, which states that he made the same in Bridgewater in the "ew Jarsey March ye 7.1777"
Did this William Stearns have a pension, and if so I should like a copy of the same and certified proof of same.
Thanking you for this favor
I am sincerely yours
Ida Thurman Enne Mrs. Clarence F. P.

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