Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6144, for Leonard Steever, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn
Steever, Leonard
S. 6144
carded.
CONTENTS

New York
14,528
Leonard Stever
of Erie in the State of N York who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Glusk — of the Reg t commanded by Col Elder — in the N York line for 6 Months 15 days
X Pa. Line. Major, Records corrected.
Inscribed on the Roll of N York. at the rate of 21. Dollars 66 — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28- day of May 1833. and sent to N H Hall Buffalo. N York.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833. $43.92 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sep 1833 — 10-83 $54.15
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 4 Page 17

20397
Leonard Steever
Erie county New York
N. K. Hall, Buffalo, N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Leonard Stearn, of Erie co N.Y.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Draft 1777-1778 4 private Capt. Clark Capt. Adams Col. Elder Phil. & Pa. 73 Leicester   next year 2 15 Capt. Adams Cherry Hill Bucks co. Chester Swords Fort 73 Leicester Witnesses two to one 48 to 1 in 183 months.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I, _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) 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 seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ 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 seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  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 services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  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. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 each 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 here or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

State of New York County of Erie Co.
On this 7 th day of December in the year 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Erie aforesaid, now sitting Philip Stearns of Amherst in said County of Erie, and being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath say: That he is 65 years of age and is brother to Leonard Stearns now residing in the Town of Amherst aforesaid, That he was living in the year 1777 and 1778 in the Town of Upper Paxton in the County of Lancaster in the State of Pennsylvania. That the said Leonard was drafted in the year 1777 or 1778 in Captain Clarke's Company of Lancaster, and he understands and believes and now believes for 4 months, and went from home, and was gone about that time in the service, and served the time out, as this deponent was informed and believes. And this deponent further says that after the above service the said Leonard was again drafted, and thinks it was the next year in Captain Adams Company of Lancaster, That said Leonard went from home and was gone as near as this deponent can remember three or four months. And this deponent was informed when he returned, that he had served his time out and was discharged. That the said Leonard was drafted again after the above terms of service and he thinks was gone from home 3 or 4 days and returned home sick. And he further says that he has seen both of the discharges which the said Leonard received when he was discharged from the service the two first times. And further this deponent says not.
Given in open Court this 7 th day of December A.D. 1832 by me - Walter R. Maysen clerk of said Common Pleas
his Philip X Stearns Mark

[Declaration of a Revolutionary Soldier who served in the MILITIA, to obtain a Pension under the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.]
State of New York, ) On this 7th day of December 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas now sitting at Buffalo, in said County, Leonard  Steever a resident of Conesville in the County of Erie and State of New York, aforesaid, aged 73 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 7, 1832, That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That in the year 1777 or 1778 and while the enemy were in Philadelphia he was drafted and entered the service of the United States in a company in which Samy Clark was Captain Philip Newbickie First & Barron Hill Ensign Joseph Rabe & Barron Hill a 1st of the Ensign and Sergeants. The Company belonged to a Regiment commanded by Col. Elder and First Col. Rogan was the Drill Col. General Hull & Ewing commanded the Brigade a detachment of which he thinks. That he was drafted at Upper Paxton in (then) Lehigh County Pennsylvania and entered the service of the United States as aforesaid the last of the summer and marched from thence to Lancaster and to Philadelphia and then to Bucks County, and then to Chester County guarding the Country and then back to Frankfort continuing in the service guarding the Country until about Christmas when he was discharged at a place called Peachtreehill. He then received a written discharge which was lost a long time since. Has not seen it for 10 or 11 years. This discharge

was signed by Captain Clark
At this term of service he served for the full period of four months. About one year after this was again drafted and joined his Company at Upton Paxton aforesaid under Capt Adams Lieut. Rosecruffs & Continued in Lancaster County Scouting on guard duty in the different towns in the County between two and three months in Capt Adams Company and Lieut. Rosecruffs and cannot remember any more of the officers names.
At this term of service he served not less than two months and fifteen days according to his best recollection, and received a written discharge which was also lost many years since.
And he further says he again entered the service on a furlough after but was obliged to return home on account of sickness.
And this deponent further states that he has no documentary evidence to prove his services above stated except the affidavit of his Brother who resides in the same town with this deponent.
And this deponent further says that he was born in Lancaster Township Lancaster County Pennsylvania on February 1759. Has a memorandum or record of his age at home.
That he lived in Upton Paxton Township when he entered the service and continued to reside there until about thirty years since when he removed into the town of Lancaster where he now resides.
Was drafted into the service every time that he was in the service. That the war of rebellion raised in Lancaster and Berks County which caused the said rebellion during the time he was discharged in the first service above stated at least till the commencement thereof.

That he received written discharges from the several Colonies during his Captain but they are both lost. That there is no clergyman living in his Town with whom he is acquainted that he could produce at Court to make the certificate required by the War Department without great inconvenience.
And this deponent further says that Abram Miller & Philip Sleeper are persons residing in his present neigh- borhood who can testify to as to his character for truth & veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
That he resides about ten miles from Buffalo when this Court is held and cannot without great trouble procure the attendance of any other witnesses to testify as to his character for truth and veracity and their belief of his services in the Revolution.
And this deponent further says that he was not in any battle during said term of service, excepting one at Chushill Hill near Philadelphia during his first term of service. And that owing to the lapse of time since his service and loss of memory he cannot state particularly with any more particularity and accuracy than what they are also set forth.
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.
Sworn and subscribed this 7th day of December 1832.
Worth P. Spayde Clerk of Dist. Comm. Pleas
Lunard H. Haver

We, Abraham Miller residing in the town of Amherst and County of Erie and Philip Stearns residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Leonard Sherer who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be 73 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Subscribed and Sworn, this 7th day of December 1832
Noah P. Sprague Clerk of our Common Pleas
Abraham Miller Philip Stearns marks
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 named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Abraham Miller who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident in the town of Amherst and county of Erie and that Philip Stearns who has signed the same, is a resident of the town of Amherst and county of Erie and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Noah P. Sprague, Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Leonard Sherer for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 7th day of December 1832 Noah P. Sprague Clerk of our Common Pleas

OW
Data from card M.B.H.
14528
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Please send record of
Leonard Sleever, of Erie Co. N.Y. in Pension List of 1831.
Kindly send this record
to Mrs. Henry A. Boyd, 2884 Main St.,
Buffalo, N.Y.

Revised
6/44
INVALID.
1906 Nov. 28 - History to Mrs. Henry A. Boyd. M. B. H.
File No. 6144
Leonard Stearns
Di. New York
Act: June 14 82
Index: -Vol. VI , Page 357
[Arrangement of 1870.]