Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,104, for Elisha Steer, Rhode Island

SERVICE
R. J.
Steer, Elisha Lois
NUMBER _____
R 10.104
CONTENTS

granbery January 14 1794 anna Star was Born november first 1789 Abel Star was Born April 28 1791 mary Star was Born September 4 1792 Elisha Star junior was Born may 4 1794 john Steer was Born december 1 1795 Surrenda and Surrena Star was Born march the 17 1797 Sarah Star was Born februa- ry 9 1799 Ruth Star was Born June 26 1802 Richard Star was Born november 4 1800 Felix Star was Born January 24 1804

leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And, when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book. Worship God.
10 And saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And behold, I come quickly;
and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel, to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, say, Come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
F I N I S.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th of July 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
State of Massachusetts
Hampden County
On this 6 th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the County of Hampden Lois Steer a resident of Southwick in the said County of Hampden aged seventy 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 th 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows." That she is the widow of Elisha Steer who was a private in the Army of the Revolution; that she knew of his going into the Army which was before her marriage with him, but she had no personal knowledge of his services while in the Army and she has no documentary evidence of said service.
She further declares that she was married to the said Elisha Steer on the 9 th day of December in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety that her husband the aforesaid Elisha Steer died

on the 24th 24th day of August, eighteen  eighteen hundred thirty one that she was not married to him prior to his having the marriage service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January eighteen hundred ninety four, six at the time above stated Lois her  to Steer sworn and subscribed on the mark day and year above written before
Wm Morris Judge of Probate
And the said Court after investigating the matter & after putting the interrogations referred to the case hereby declare their opinion, that the above named Eliza Steer was a Revolutionary widow & widow as such as above stated - that the said Lois Steer was married to said Eliza on the 9 th day of Nov. 1790 & that said Eliza Steer died on the 24 th day of August in the year eighteen hundred & thirty one and that she has not since intermarried with any one
I Justin Willard Clerk of said Probate Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Lois Steer for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office at New Bedford this sixteenth day of Nov 1838 Justin Willard Clerk

I Lydia Enos of Southwick in the county of Hampden and commonwealth of Massachusetts being first duly sworn according to law do testify and say that I am a sister of Lois Stee and was present when she was married to Elisha Stee and knows that it was some time in the fall of the year seventeen hundred and ninety and that the marriage took place in Smithfield in the State of Rhode Island.
I do further testify that the said Elisha Stee died in the summer of eighteen hundred thirty- one.
Lydia Enos Hampden J. Sworn and subscribed this second day of December 1838 Before me Amasa Holcomb Justice of the Peace
I Elisha Stee of Southwick in the county of Hampden and commonwealth of Massachusetts being first duly sworn do testify and say that my Father Elisha Stee died the 24 th day of August 1831 and that my mother Lois Stee has not since been married.
Elisha Stee
Hampden J. December 2 d 1838 Sworn and subscribed before me and I do hereby certify that Elisha Stee and Lydia Enos who are well known to me are persons of respectability and entitled to credit
Amasa Holcomb Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden. I John Ingersoll Clerk, of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Hampden do certify that Amasa Holcomb Esq. whose signature is affixed to the within Certificate was at the date thereof one of the Justices of the Peace within said County duly Commission- ed acting under the Authority of this Com- monwealth and that full faith & credit ought to be given to his Acts & Attestations done in that capacity that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Amasa Holcomb & believe his signature to said Certificate is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas at Springfield on this sixth day of November A.D. 1830
John Ingersoll Clerk

I Lydia Enos of Southwick in the County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged sixty three years after having been duly sworn do testify and say that I am a Sister of Lois Steu Widow of Elisha Steu, that she was his second wife and that Anna Steu who is first mentioned on the Family record is not a daughter of Lois Steu but was the daughter of Elisha Steu by his first wife - The record of Lois Steus children begins with Abel Steu who was her oldest child Lydia her + Enos mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss - Southwick July 1 st 1839. Then personally appeared before me the above named Lydia Enos who subscribed the foregoing Deposition by making her mark and made solemn oath to the truth of the statements therein contained, and I do hereby certify that the said Lydia Enos who is well known to me is a person of good character and entitled to credit. Amasa Holcomb Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss.
I Justin Williams Clerk of the Probate Court within & for said county do hereby certify that Ansel Holcomb Esq. before shown the within deposition of Lydia Cros reports to have been verbal or a portion of the same within & for said County - that I believe his original subscribed to the within certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Springfield this second day of July A.D. 1839
Justin Williams

July 31. 52 additional evidence of Lois Stey, widow of Elisha Stey, of Mass. Revolutionary Service.
Oliver Phelps Jr atty, Washington, D.C.

I Lois Stee of Southwick in the County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty four years the twenty third day of May 1852, depose and say that I am the Widow of Elisha Stee late of said Southwick, deceased, that we were married in Smithfield in the state of Rhode Island and I believe in the year Seventeen hundred and ninety, by Benjamin Sheldon a Justice of the Peace, that at the time of our marriage we resided in said Smithfield, that we removed from the state of Rhode Island to said Southwick in or about the year Seventeen hundred and ninety five, and that my said husband died at said Southwick on the twenty fourth day of August in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty one, I further depose and say that my said husband previous to our marriage was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, but the length of time he served or the officers nor am I able to procure any record evidencing of such service and believe there is none remains under whom he served, I do not remember, and I also depose and say that I still remain the widow of the said Elisha Stee - Lois Stee
State of Massachusetts,
Hampden County - ss. On this fourteenth day of June 1852 Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, the above named Lois Stee and made Oath in due form of law to the truth of the above deposition by her subscribed, and I also certify that I have been personally acquainted with the above named deponent for more than fifty years past, and that she is a reputable and credible person. Jos. M. Forward Justice of the Peace.

I Lydia Enos of Southwick in the County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy six years dispose and say that I am the sister of the Widow Lois Stur of said Southwick that we were the daughters of Stephen Aldrick, who resided in Smithfield in the state of Rhode Island from my earliest recollection until about sixty years since when he removed to Southwick Massachusetts, that I was well acquainted with Elisha Stur late of Southwick, deceased, from the time I was a small girl to the time of his decease, that he was married to my sister Lois Aldrick at my father's house in said Smithfield by Benjamin Sheldon a justice of the Peace about the year seventeen hundred and ninety, and that I was present at the wedding and saw them married, that from the time of their marriage to the time of his decease, about twenty years since, they lived together as husband and wife, and that she still remains his widow. Lydia Enos
State of Massachusetts Hampden County - ss.
On this fourteenth day of June AD 1852, before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace within and for said County, Personally appeared the above named Lydia Enos and made oaths in due form of law, to the truth of the foregoing deposition by her subscribed, and I also certify that the above named deponent is to me personally known and has been for more than fifty years and that she a reputable and credible person,
Jos. M. Forward Justice of the Peace

I Anna Steu of Southwick in the county of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged sixty three years before and say that I am the daughter of Elisha Steu late of said Southwick deceased, by his first wife, that a number of years previous to my father's decease I looked over a great number of his old papers which at that time were supposed to be of no value, and burned them up - that among other papers so destroyed was a paper or papers relative to his being a soldier in the Rev- olutionary war, and I believe it was his discharge from the service, it was signed by an officer. I objected to destroying it as it might enable him to get a pension as others did, his answer was that he should not draw a Pension as he never should swear that he had not got any property.
Anna Steu
State of Massachusetts,
Hampden County - { ss.
On this fourteenth day of June 1852 Before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, Personally appeared the above named Anna Steu and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the foregoing deposition by her subscribed, and I also certify that the above named deponent is to me personally known and that she is a reputable and credible person -
Jos. H. Fowle Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPDEN, ss.
Geo. H. Morris Clerk Newton
I, RICHARD BLISS , Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampden, do certify, that Jos. M. Howard 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 Jos. M. Howard 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 Eighteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two
Geo. H. Morris
Clerk.
Newton

Feb: 7 th 1852 Louis Steer, widow of Elisha Steer , Revolutionary since
Oliver Phelps Jr., Washington city, D.C.

State of Massachusetts County of Hampden
On this 31 st day of January A.D. 1852 personally ap- peared before me Lois Stear of the County and State aforesaid aged eighty three years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the follow- ing declaration to obtain the benefit of the provision of Act of Congress passed 7 th July 1838.
That she is the widow of Elisha Stear who died in August 22 nd 1831 who was a Private in the Revolu- tionary War who enlisted in Captain Benjamin Whipple's Company for nine (9) months under Col. Tappan and Genl. Israel Putnam's Regiment, also re-enlisted in Lt Stephen Wilson's Company to serve in Providence Rhode Island, as will more fully appear in my Declara- tion and certificates filed before the Pension Office in 1839. She further declares that she was married to the said Elisha Stear on the 9 th day of November 1790, and that she further swears she is now a widow and has never received any Annuity of Pension due her in right of her said husband deceased.
Lois Stear
Witness B. W. Chapman
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me.
Jos. M. Forward Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPDEN ss.  J Geo B Morris Clerk Newton I, RICHARD BLISS, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampden, do certify, that Joseph M. Fowle 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 Joseph M. Fowle 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 Second day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty Two
J Geo B Morris Clerk. Newton

V 3146
Lois Steer Massachusetts. 1878.
ad 7. July 38.

I Joseph Placed of Gloucester in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged Eighty one years be- ing firstly engaged according to law do testify and say that I was a Soldier of the revolution and am now a pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. I further say that I was well acquainted with Elisha Stone formerly of said Gloucester now deceased, the said Stone and myself were near neighbors to one another. In the year 1777 the said Elisha Stone and myself served one month in Providence R.I. in the company commanded by Captain Ben- jah Whipple, we were both drafted for said ser- vice and served as aforesaid, I cannot recollect the month - it was however in the fall of said year Stephen Winsor was the Lieutenant of said company In the year 1778 said Stone and myself enlisted into Captain William Whipple's company for nine months we enlisted in the month of May or June in said last mentioned year - we were enlisted by Captain William Waterman to serve in said Whipple's com- pany, we marched to East Greenwich where we were stationed but a short time (not more than a month) when we were ordered to Tiverton on the other side of the Bay - we remained at said Tiverton, and on the Island of Rhode Island until our time expired, which was on the sixteenth of the succeed- ing March - said Whipple's company belonged to Colonel Asaph  Topham's Regiment - Ezekiel Cornell of Scituate was the General and and were on the Island aforesaid at the time of the engagement near Battle Hill - and were both engaged in said Battle The said Elisha Stone married for his second wife Lois Aldrich the daughter of Stephen Aldrich of Smithfield in said County - They were married at the house of said Stephen Aldrich in said Smith- field by John Sayles Esq. of said Smithfield I was present at the time of the marriage but cannot recollect with sufficient accuracy to

State the precise time of the marriage — The said Elisha Steere moved from this part of the country some forty years ago, since which time I do not recollect to have seen him Attest J. S. Tourtellot Joseph his + Place mark
State of Rhode Island re Providence to Gloucester October 11 th 1838 Then Personally appeared the above named Joseph Place who subscribed the foregoing deposition by ma- king his mark and made solemn oath to the truth of the statements therein contained before me And I certify that the said Joseph Place who is well known to me is a credible person and that his statements are entitled to credit — Hiram Baker justice peace
David Kelley of Burrillville in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged Eighty five years being firstly engaged accor- ding to law do testify and say that I was a soldier of the revolution and am now a pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. I further say that I was well acquainted with Elisha Steere formerly of Gloucester in said County — In the year 1776 I was stationed at Bristol R. I. one month (the latter part of November & fore part of December) in Capt. Timothy Wilmouth's Com- pany in Col. Chad Brown's regiment, the said Eli- sha Steere was the said Elisha Steere belonged in said Regiment at this time and served one month at Bristol as aforesaid. I believe that Steere at this time belonged to Captain Benajah Whipple's Company — not were called down to Bristol at this time on an alarm — some time during said

mouth while we were stationed at Bristol there was thirty five men drawn out of said regiment to chop wood on Mount Hope and the said Stone and myself were drawn for that service — my duty at this time was to measure the wood & draw the provision for the cut of choppers — I recollect to have seen said Elisha Stone on the Island of Rhode Island in Sullivan's expe- dition in the month of August a few days before the Battle near Bunker Hill, my time expired a few days before the Battle when I left the Island and came home — the said Stone did not belong to the same company with me at this time
Attest J. S. Townshend David his Kelley mark
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plan- tations Providence ss. Gloucester October 11 th 1838 Then personally appeared before me the afore- named David Kelley who signed the foregoing deposition by making his mark and made solemn oaths to the truth of the statements therein contained, and I certify that the said David Kelley who is well known to me is a credible person and that his statements are entitled to credit Abram Baker justice peace

The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Town Clerk's Office Gloucester October 11 th 1838.
I Morris H. Brown Town Clerk of said town of Gloucester in the County of Providence & State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that I have carefully examined the Record of Marriages &c. in this Office, & do not find the marriage of Elisha Stone to Lois Marsh therein recorded.
I further certify from my own knowledge that a great many marriages have been solemnized in said town, of which no record has been made.
Morris H. Brown Town Clerk.
Providence R.I. In Gloucester Oct. 11. 1838.
Then Morris H. Brown Town Clerk as aforesaid, personally appeared, & was duly engaged to the truth of the foregoing certificate by him subscribed, before me
Job Armstrong Just C.C. Dist.

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Providence Sc. I, John W. Smith Clerk, of the Court of Common Pleas, within & for the County of Providence in said State, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Job Armstrong Esquire before whom one of the annexed affidavits was sworn is one of the Justices of our said Court of Common Pleas; — that Abram T. Baker Esquire before whom the other two annexed affidavits were sworn is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Gloucester in said County; that by law said Job and Abram respectively, are authorized and qualified to administer oaths and take depositions; — (and that their respective signatures aforewritten are genuine.)
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand (and affixed the seal of our said Court, at the City of Providence, this twelfth day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred & thirty eight.)
John W. Smith Clerk
(H)

Lois Steer
Mass
Jan'y 5.
Oliver Phelps Jr., at the Washington, D.C.,

Know all men by these presents that I Lois Steer widow of Elisha Steer a Revolutionary Soldier, of Yorrick in the State of Massachusetts, do hereby Con- stitute and appoint Oliver Phelps Esq. Esqr of Washing- ton Dist. of Columbia My true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to prosecute a claim for a Pension supposed to be due me from the Government of the United States, on account of the service of my late husband Elisha Steer in the Revolutionary War, and by virtue of my widowhood aforesaid, and for that purpose to examine a declaration made by me and other papers forwarded to the Pension Office at said Washington in support of an application for such pension made by me sometime in the years 1838 or 1839, which application has since been suspended, and also to receive any amount due me as pension in the relation aforesaid & receipt for the same, and gen- erally to do all things necessary to the successful prosecution of said claim the same as I myself could do.
In witness whereof I have unto set my hand & seal this twenty ninth day of December A.D. 1831
Signed in presence of Amasa Holcomb
Sarah Jane Holcomb State of Massachusetts
County of Hampden
On this 29th day of December A.D. 1831 personally appeared Lois Steer and ac- knowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her act & deed Before me Amasa Holcomb Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPDEN SS.
George Morris Clerk pro tempore I, RICHARD BLISS, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampden, do certify, that Amasa Holcomb 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
Amasa Holcomb 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 twelfth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one
George Morris Clerk.
pro tempore

Amended Declaration of Mrs Lois Steer Widow of Elisha Steer late of Southwick dec d . in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of July 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden p.
On this second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the county of Hampden Lois Steer a resident of Southwick in the said county of Hampden aged seventy 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 th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows. That she is the widow of Elisha Steer who was a private in the army of the revolution. That she knows of his going into the army which was before her marriage with him. That according to the testimony of David Kelly he served one month in Bristol R. I. in the latter part of November and forepart of December 1776 in Col d Benajah Whipple's company in Col d Chad Brown's

Regiment. That he was called down to Bristol at that time on an alarm. That sometime during that time he was one of thirtyfive that were drawn from said Regiment to chop wood on mount Hope. That according to the testimony of Joseph Place he was drafted in the fall of 1777 and served one month in Providence R. I. in the company of Be- najah Whipple, and Stephen Windsor was Lieuten- ant. That in May or June 1778 he enlisted for nine months to serve in Col' Williams Whipple's company in Col' Crary's Regiment. Ezekiel Cornet of Situate was the General. That he marched to East Greenwich where he was stationed but a short time (not more than a month) when he was ordered to Swanton on the other side of the Bay. He remained at said Swanton and on the Island of Rhode Island untill his time expired, which was on the sixteenth of the succeeding March. That he was on the Island at the time of the Battle near Bulls hill and engaged in said battle. She further declares that she has no documentary evidence of said service. She further declares that she was married to the said Elisha Steer on the ninth day of November in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety. That her husband the aforesaid Elisha Steer died on the 24 th day of August eighteen hundred thirtyone. That she was not married to him prior to his having the same but the marriage took place pre-

views to the first of January seventeen hundred ninety four, etc, at the time above stated
Lois her  the mark
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before M rs B Morris Judge of probate court
I Justin Willard Clerk of said Probate Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the last amendment declaration of Lois the  the No. 111111 for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said Court at New Bedford this second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine J. Willard

3146 Lois Hester Massachusetts
Washington City Commonwealth of Virginia Edward Egan Esq.
Office
Southwick Mr Edw. Egan Esq. Frank Mass.
3146
Dear
Lois Hester

Massachusetts
Southwick June 4 th 1839
Sir
Your letter of May 14 th directed to Joseph M. Forward Esq. relative to the case of Mrs. Lois Stee widow of Elisha Stee decd. has just been put into my hands. As I wrote Mrs Stee declaration and was the Magistrate before whom some of the Depositions were taken, Mrs Stee has requested me to write to you on the subject. In your letter you say "the claimant should set forth in her declaration the terms of service for which she claims a Pension." Mrs. Stee has no personal knowledge of the military services of her deceased husband. She knows that he went professionally to join the Army but this is all, and she thought she could not make oath to services of which she had no knowledge. She has instructed me to say that she asks for pay, only for the service proved by the Depositions taken at Rhode Island. If it is necessary for her to describe that service in her declaration, it will be necessary to return the depositions referred to, or a copy of the service described in them, as no copies were taken here, and she can refer to nothing but the description then given. Perhaps this part of the Rule issued by the War Department was not exactly understood at the time of writing her declaration. She is willing to say under oath that

she believes the depositions sent to the war department with her declaration contain the truth, but she does not see how that she can say more. The remainder of your letter reads thus "If there be a family record of her marriage or of the births of her children, it should be exhibited, and if there be none she should state the fact under oath." There is a record in a family bible of the births of her children but it contains none of her marriage. The following is a copy
Abel Steer was Born April 28 1791 Mary Steer was Born September 4 1792 Elisha Steer Junr was Born May 4 1794 John Steer was Born December 1 1795 Susannah and Susanna Steer was Born March the 17 1797 Sarah Steer was Born February 9 1799 Beth Steer was Born June 25 1802 Richard Steer was Born November 4 1800 Felix Steer was Born January 24 1804
Lois Steer widow of Elisha Steer doth depose and say that the family record of which the above is a copy gives the correct times of the births of my children and that there is no other record within my knowledge, and further that I believe that the depositions taken at Rhode Island and sent to the war department with my declaration contain the truth.
Lois Steer
Hampden J. Southwick June 4 th 1839 Personally

appeared Lois Shaw and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate by her subscribed before me, and I do hereby certify that she sustains a fair character and is entitled to the fullest credit
Amasa Holcomb Justice of the Peace
I have been acquainted with the family about forty years. Most of the children are settled in my immediate neighborhood, and the oldest ones were my schoolmates. The widow and her children are every way respectable
Yours Respectfully
Amasa Holcomb
Rev. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
PS If there is still a defect in any of the papers relative to the particulars referred to in your letter will you have the goodness to point it out at as early a day as convenient,

I Lydia Enns of Southwick in the county of Hampden and commonwealth of Massachusetts depose and say that I am sister to Lois Stur, - and was acquainted with the first wife of Elisha Stur late of Southwick deceased. She died in consequence of her confinement by the birth of Anna the eldest child of said Elisha Stur - Anna was but a few days old when her mother died Lydia her X Enns mark
Hampden ss October 21 st 1839 Then Lydia Enns personally appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of the above Deposition by her subscribed before me and I do hereby certify that the said Lydia Enns is a person of good character and entitled to credit.
Anna Holcomb Justice of the Peace

Southwick October 22 d 1839
Sir
I received your letter relative to the case of Mr Lois Stev. You say record proof should be exhibited showing when the first wife of the claimants husband died. No such record can be found. There is however proof of the fact, and the Deposition of Mrs Gros- relative to that point.
You further say that the Affidavit of the town Clerk of Smithfield should be exhibited showing what proof of the marriage of the claimant the records afford.
The following explanation I think will be satisfactory. The town of Gloucester has been divided into three towns, a part of it is still called Gloucester a part - Smithfield & a part I believe Burrelville. The marriage is said to have taken place in that part that is now called Smithfield but it was Gloucester until long after the marriage took place, therefore no records are to be found in Smithfield but those of a comparatively recent date. (That is) until since it became a town. The affidavit of the Town Clerk of Gloucester is among the papers of the

of the claimant at the War Department. I do not recollect precisely what it contains as I had nothing to do with procuring the evidence. I have no interest either in the Pension being granted or withheld but from my knowledge of the parties I have no doubt but the facts are as stated by the claimant and Mrs. Ennis.
Yours very Respectfully
Amos A. Phelps
I believe you are Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir
Southwick July 2 nd 1839
I received sometime since the papers returned to me from the war Department relative to the claims of Mrs Steer for a Pension. I now return them to the war Department with the amended Declaration of Mrs Steer. Also the family record with the Deposition of Mrs Ennis explaining it. The first name on the record does not belong to Mrs Steer family. I thought it necessary to show this fact, otherwise the copy sent to the war Department sometime since would not appear correct. It is as it professes to be a correct copy of the record of the births of her children. The record is dated in Granby. In explanation of this it is only necessary to say that that part of Southwick in which Mrs Steer lives was a part of Granby Connecticut until the establishment of the State line in 1804.
Yours very Respectfully
Amasa Holcomb

Southwick Massachusetts January 11 th 1854
Dear Sir
About fifteen years ago Widow Lois Starr of this town applied for a Pension, for services of her deceased husband, Elisha Starr in the army of the revolution. The evidence was then considered insufficient. The papers are now in the Pension Office at Washington. She has lately been informed that Elisha Starr's name is on the Muster rolls in Boston. She wishes me to request you to send the papers, or if there is objection to that, then to send from the papers such extracts as will show the Regiment and Company in which Mr Starr was said to have served and also his officers. All that is wanted is some guide to the Secretary at Boston where to look for the name. No copies were kept of the papers and

I know not whether the witnesses are now living as they belonged in Rhode Island which was E. Sturtevant's place
Yours very Respectfully - Amasa Wheeler

Southwick Nov 20th 1837
Sir
I received your letter of Nov 2 d informing me that the rolls of Captain William Whipple of Col. Folsom's Regiment in 1778 do not bear the name of Elisha Steer, and that it is not found on the rolls of any company of that Regiment for that year, and that there must be some mistake in the testimony of Deborah Steer. Mrs Steer has requested me to write to ask whether there is evidence at the War Department from the rolls of Mr Steer's service for any other year. It would seem that if the service was actually rendered, a mistake of the witness as to the name or the company ought not to bar the claim. If it is consistent with your rules (as I believe it is) will you have the goodness to inform me whether such evidence is known to exist. If it does not Mrs Steer wishes the papers in her case returned if consistent with your practice. She has an impression

That Mr. Hester served also in a Captain May's Company. She can however have no personal knowledge of his service at all - I know nothing about the character of the witnesses who testified of the service of Mr. Hester. It would seem strange if Mr. Hester was entirely mistaken respecting Mr. Hester's service.
Yours very Respectfully,
Annissa Hobson
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions

Southwick Mass. Nov. 8. 1838
Sir enclosed I forward to your Department Lois Sturgis papers relative to a Pension. Should the evidence be sufficient and a Pension Certificate be granted her, please forward it to me at this place -
Yours Respectfully J. M. Howland

Place. Witness
77 fall Rev. B. Whipple Providence 1 m. 78 may Wm Whipple Joseph Cray - Tiverton &c 9-
Kelly -
76 Rev. Bengt Whipple Bristol 1.

Lois Steer widow of Elisha Maf
J. M. Forward May 14 1839
A. Holcomb June 11 1839
Same Aug 29 1839
Same Nov 2 1839
Same Nov 26 1839
Oliver Phelps Jr May 25 1832
Same Oct 8 1832
A. Holcomb 19 th Jan y : 1854
10104
Act July 7 1838

Lois Steen of Elisha Massachusetts.
Suspended
Sub let 14 th May 1839 J. M. Howard let 11 June 39 At. Holcomb. let to dr. 29 Augt '39 to do. Nov. 2, 1839 to Holcomb. Nov. 26, 1839. Sel O. Phelps Jr. May 25. 1852.
At 7 July 1838

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
10,194
P. O.
Lois Steer
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .