Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File B.L.Wt. 625-150, for Ebenezer Stevens, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental (Conn.)
Stevens, Ebenezer
B.L.Wt. 625-150
CONTENTS

Ret. o
N o 625.
Vell. B. to
1927 Feb 24 14 col to Mrs John Morrissey.
Ebenezer Stevens jun. Esquire. L t Warner's Neg. P.
Warrant issued Jan. 12, 1814 to Adm Stevens & other heirs at law.
Warrant delivered to Benj. Tallmadge.
Noted on B. 4. Feb y 25. May } 1813. 20 Dec r

To all whom it may concern
These may certify that it appears from the Records of the Court of Probate in & for the District of Sharon in the State of Connecticut that Letters of Administration on the Estate of Ebenezer Steevens late of Salisbury in said District deceased was granted to his Father Ebenezer Steevens of Salisbury aforesaid on the twenty fifth day of April one thousand seven hundred & eighty one and that no further Proceedings were had regarding the Settlement of the Estate of said Ebenezer Steevens but for only the granting of Letters as aforesaid & that said Estate remains altogether unpartitioned and it also appears by the aforesaid Records that Ebenezer Steevens the father of said Ebenezer Jr. deceased died in the aforesaid Town of Salisbury & within the aforesaid Probate District of Sharon not a great while after the death of said Ebenezer Jr. and that Letters of Administration on the Estate of said Ebenezer Steevens were granted to Adah Steevens of said Salisbury who is Mother to said Ebenezer Jr. & Son to said Ebenezer and by the Laws of the State of Connecticut when the

said Ebenezer M c belonged when he died The Estate would descend to the Mother & Sisters & not go to the Father or Parents.
Certified by
Elisha Sterling Judge of Probate in upon the District of Sharon in the State of Connecticut
I certify from Elisha Sterling Judge of Probate in respect to the Estate of Ebenezer M c his Heirs & next of kin.
I certify that I am well acquainted with Elisha Sterling, the subscribing Authority to this Instrument & am fully satisfied that the same is his own hand writing. I further I know full well that he is a Judge of Probate for the District of Sharon, as above stated. Given under my hand in the City of Washington this 22 nd Day of January 1814 Benj m Tallmadge
Judge of Probate Certificate

Know all Men by these Presents That I Aden Stevens of Salisbury in the County of Litchfield & State of Conne- ticut have ordained constituted and appo- inted & by these Presents do ordain constitute & appoint the Hon. ble Benjamin Saltonstall Esquire of Litchfield in said County of Litchfield my true & lawful Attorney for me & in my Name & Behalf to apply to the Proper Office in the Govern- ment of the United States for the Purpose of obtaining the Lands that belong to the Estate of my Mother Ebenezer Stew- ens Jr. who was an Officer in the Revolu- tionary War & died while in the Army - and I do fully authorize and emp- ower my said Attorney to do all and singular the Acts & Deeds necessary to be done to obtain the Evidence of Title to said Lands for myself the Nests of the Heirs to my said Mother in as full sample a Manner as I could do were I personally Present - hereby ratifying & confirming whatever my said Atto- ney shall lawfully do in the Premises In witness whereof I have at Salisbury this 21 st Day of April 1813 set my Hand & Seal Aden Stevens
In Presence of Charles Johnston Elisha Sterling

State of Connecticut Litchfield County to Salisbury April 21 st A. D. 1813.
Personally appeared Mr. Alden Stevens Seigneur & Sealer of the within Letter of Attorney and acknowledged the same to be his free voluntary act & deed before me
Elisha Sterling Justice of Peace
Power of Attorney Alden Stevens to D. J. Saltonstall
Letter of Attorney -

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
February 24, 1927
Mrs. John Moses 239 W. State St Trenton, N. J.
Madam:
I have to advise you that this Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution, unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his services, and a careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file on account of the services of Ebenezer Stevens (Stephens) who was born July 4, 1713.
Ebenezer Stevens, Jr. (son of Ebenezer Stevens), both of Salisbury, Connecticut, who was corporal in Colonel Seth Warner's Regiment, 3-25-1779; Ensign, 8-7-1779; Quartermaster, 3-7-1780, died while in the service in prison in Canada. It is stated that this Ebenezer Stevens, Jr. died "a single man and left no children".
Warrant No. 625 for 150 acres of bounty land was

issued January 13, 1814 to Adin Stevens (brother of Ebenezer Stevens, Jr.) and other heirs at law, in full satisfaction for the services rendered by Ebenezer Stevens, Jr.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

Feb 25. 1779 Enter d Service - in rank of Corporal served in that capacity until August 6 th 1779 - 5.12 - August 7 th 1779 promoted to an Ensign -
Balance due to him for Service at the End of the Year 1779 — was — — — — — £36.12.3 from Jan y 1 st 1780 untill October 11 th 1780 September 7 th 1780 - he served also as Ensign, and from said September 7 th untill October 11 th following he served as Ensign and Quarter Master, & drew pay in both capacities - The whole Balance due to him for Service in the Year 1780 was £55.7.10 —
£36.12.3 was paid in July 12 th 1780
55.7.10 was paid May 21 st 1783 -
Thos. Fullman P. Master.

These Certify that Ebenezer Stevens, Junr. was an Ensign, in the Regiment Commanded by Col. Seth Warner & in Capt. Bates's Company, and died in force some time in the Month of December 1780 also that he belonged to the Town of Salisbury in the State of Connecticut —
Salisbury 31 st Dec r . 1794
To whom it may concern
Adonai Strong Jun. Pa t Col. Norton Just Peace

The subscribers certify that they have never known any Ebenezer Stevens in the town of Salisbury except the within mentioned Ebenezer Stevens Junr. & his father who is administrator on his sd. deceased sons Estate Salisbury - 31 st Oct. 1794
Benijah Strong Jus. Peace Lot Horton Jus. Peace
Ebenezer Stevens Certified

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
To Ebenezer Stevens Esq.
Greeting. We, Reposing especial trust
and confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct, and Fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to be an Ensign in the Regiment commanded by Col. Seth Warner in the Army of the United States, to take rank as such from the 7 th day of August 1779. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of an Ensign by doing and performing all manner of things thereinunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers, under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as given. And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time, as you shall receive from this, or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress for that purpose appointed, a Committee of the States, or Commander in chief for the time being of the Army of the United States, or any other your Superior Officer, according to the rules and discipline of War, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in force until revoked by this, or a future Congress, the Committee of Congress before mentioned, or a Committee of the States.
Entered in the War Office and examined by the Board
Attest
Ben Stockton. Secretary of the Board of War
Witness His Excellency Sam l Huntington Esq. President of the Congress of the United States of America, at Philadelphia the 12 th day of November 1779, and in the fourth Year of our Independence.
Sam l Huntington President

Deposition of Simo. Chittenden relative to Aden Stevens, as one of the Heirs of Eniga Chas. Stevens jr.
A. B.

I Timothy Chittenden late of Salisbury in the County of Litchfield State of Connecticut do hereby say that I was well acquainted with Ebenezer Stevens late of Salisbury who in his lifetime who was reputed to be an Ensign in Col. Seth Warner's Regt. in the Revolutionary War. and I firmly believe he was an Ensign in said Regiment & that he was taken & carried into Canada & there died while he was a Prisoner & before his Term of Service expired and I further say that I did not know any other Man by the name of Ebenezer Stevens late either in said Regt. or in Salisbury after I was well acquainted with said Ebenezer late Father who resided in his lifetime in Salisbury after his name was Ebenezer Stevens. I also am acquainted with Mr. Eben Stevens of same Salisbury who is Brother to said Ebenezer late and I also say that I firmly believe that said Ebenezer late died a single Man & left no Children or Heirs of his Body
Timothy Chittenden
Litchfield County ss. Salisbury March 20 th 1843 Personally appeared Timothy Chittenden late of said Litchfield to me known to be the person made solemn deposition to the truth of the same before me
Elipha Sturdivant Justice of Peace

Joshua Porter Deposition

I Joshua Porter of Salisbury in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut do testify & say that I was acquainted with Ebenezer Stevens Jr. of Salisbury afo d who was I believe the son of Ebenezer Stevens who lived in said Salisbury. the said Ebenezer Jr. was as I verily believe an ensign in the Revolutionary Army & died while he was in the Army. and I also say that I am acquainted with Mr. Aden Stevens who now lives in said Salisbury & I verily believe him to be the mother of the said Ebenezer Jr. & the son of the said Ebenezer. and I also say that the said Ebenezer the Father died some years since in the afo d Town of Salisbury. and I also testify & say that at the time of the death of the said Ebenezer Jr. by the Laws of the State of Connecticut, his estate would descend to his Mother & Sister & would not go to his Parent or Parents and further the deponent saith not
Joshua Porter.

State of Connecticut Litchfield County ss Salisbury April 28 th 1813.
Personally appeared Joshua Porter Esquire Subscriber to the within Deposition & made solemn Oath to the truth of the same before
me Elisha Stearns Justice of Peace
Deposition of Joshua Porter relative to Adam Stearns as one of the Heirs of Elisha Stearns junr.

Adin Stevens, papers to obtain a Land Warrant
Hon. Mr. Saltonstall
Noted on H. 25. May 1813

Washington Feb. 11. 1813
Sir
I enclose your papers & the Instructions necessary to enable you to obtain the Land Warrant.
This Day a Bill has been reported to Congress, to extend the time for issuing Land Warrants to the 1 st of March 1816, & I have no doubt the same will pass.
I am your Obedt Servt.

I want you to send the commission & warrant & certificate to Genl. Salmond & request him to go to the war office & get me a land warrant for as much land as he is entitled to & send it to me or bring it when he returns & I will settle with him for his trouble & expense the business must be done previous to the first day of March or it is outlawed it must be done in my name as it was set of to me in the distribution of the estate.
Adm. Rivers
If he should send it direct to be left at the post office Salisbury
Salisbury Janry 19 th 1812

The Hon ble
Benjamin Tallmadge. (M. C.)
War Department.
Section of M t B y Lands & Pensions.
February 10 th 1813.
Sir,
The documents which you were pleased to transmit me on the 4 th inst. relative to a claim for U. S. Military Bounty Land in right of Ensign Ebenezer Stevens, have been carefully examined. — It is observable that in some pieces "junior" is added to the name: were there two of that name in service? — If but one, these documents are doubtless authentic, and the claim good. — It remains for the legitimate Representative of the original Claimant to identify himself; — and, for his government, I enclose you herewith a printed sketch of the Rules & Regulations adopted by the late Secretary of War to substantiate Claims to such Bounty Land; the 3 d article more particularly regards the point in question. —
In conformity with your request, all the aforesaid Documents are returned you herewith. —
I have the honor to be, Sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient Servant,
J. Nat. Cutting.

Deposition of Steph: Cverts relative to Aden Stevens, as one of the Heirs of Ensign Eben: Stevens Jr.

I Stephen Evans of Salisbury in the County of Litchfield State of Connecticut do hereby say that I was well acquainted with Ebenezer Stevens Jr. of the same Salisbury from his youth unto the time of his death having lived a Neighbour to him while he lived in the same Salisbury. I was a Soldier in Colonel Seth Warner's Regiment in the Revolutionary War in which they fought Ebenezer Stevens an Ensign in Capt. John Chapman's Company I was well acquainted with said Ebenezer Stevens Jr. while he was an Ensign as also as I served in the same Company as a Wagoner to him & I know there was no other Ensign in said Company or Regiment by that name. I left the Service before said Stevens died but have no doubt but that he died in the said Service while he was a Prisoner in Canada. I have been since I was a boy acquainted with the Family of the said Ebenezer Stevens Jr. until his death. I knew his Father who lived in Salisbury also whose name was Ebenezer Stevens & I also am well acquainted with Mr. Asa Stevens who is the Brother of said Ebenezer Jr. & who resides in the same Salisbury & that said Ebenezer Jr. died a single man left no Children or Heirs of his Body - and I further testify & say that I only believe

That said Benjamin Stevens Jr o was after I left the Service have joined to the Company of Capt s & M rs in the age d Reg t & that Capt s John Chipman was promoted to the Office of a Major & that said Benjamin Stevens Jr o was taken & carried into Canada & that he died while a captive in Canada & that during the Service in which he was engaged and further the Deponent saith not — Stephen Coverts
State of Connecticut - Litchfield County ss. Salisbury March 20 th 1813 Personally appeared Mr s Stephen Coverts Signer & Subscribed to the foregoing Deposition & made solemn Oath to the Truth of the same before me
Elisha Sturdivant Justice of Peace

129- Mr. State Sec Fenton, N.H. Jan 3. 1927
Pension Bureau Gentlemen -
Please send me - at your earliest convenience & let me know what you may have.
Relative to Ebenezer Stevens , of Salisbury Conn - b. 4. 4. 1713: { m. 12. 3. 1742 - } { Mary Griswold d. 1811.
Yours -

Elmer Street - Copral in Col. Seth Nauman's Regiment 1. 25. 1779 - Ensign - 8. 7. 1779 - Lieutenant - 9. 7. 1780.
When did he die?
Names of his children
If there was a pension they would probably be named —
Please address —
Mrs. John Mose — 229 - W. State St. — Frontier W. Va.

V. B. The first and second informally with their Resolutions shall be considered by the House in the House Department. The Warrant will be issued through delay. equivalent authority. To substantiate a Claim to the United States' Military Bounty Land.
1st—Proof must be adduced that the ORIGINAL CLAIMANT “ enlisted to serve during the War and did actually serve to the end of it ” ; unless “ slain ” by the enemy : if so “ slain ”, authentic evidence must be adduced of the time when and place where it happened .
The best proof of the enlistment and service is held to be the original discharge : in default of this , proof is required of its loss, and likewise the affidavit of a commissioned Officer under whose command the claimant served, stating the Company and Regiment, or Corps, in which he enlisted and served as aforesaid : if this evidence cannot be obtained, a similar statement must be attested by the affidavits of two non-commissioned officers or privates who served in the same Regiment or Corps, and whose credibility the Magistrate , before whom the affidavits are made, will certify ; and the signature of the said Magistrate must be officially certified by the County Clerk or a Notary Public of the district where he resides.
2d—If the original claimant does not personally apply for the Land-Warrant, he must prove his Identity before a Magistrate and execute a power of attorney, authenticated as above directed for affidavits, to whoever applies for it in his behalf : or an assignment, properly authenticated, will answer the same purpose.
N. B. This power of attorney has been sometimes dispensed with and a simple letter of order admitted in lieu of it when presented by a member of Congress who would give his own receipt for the warrant.
3d—In case the original claimant is dead and his heirs apply in his right, they must produce legal certificates from the competent authorities to prove that they are the legitimate and only heirs : A Land-Warrant will not be issued to an Executor or Administrator , without special authorization from the heir or heirs for that purpose.
* It has recently been decided that a Warrant may issue to one of the Heirs whose title may have been duly authenticated, expressing therein that it is for the Heir at Law generally. Mr. App. January 1848.

☞ IT is presumed that every COMMISSIONED Officer who would substantiate a Claim to United States Bounty Land has preserved HIS COMMISSION ; and can prove by THAT or some other authentic document, officially attested by some known public character or authority, the LINE , CORPS and GRADE in which he served:—it is also requisite that he adduce similar proof of his having SERVED TO THE END OF THE WAR —or that he was deranged by some special Act of Congress and borne on the roll of SUPERNUMERARY OFFICERS during the same period.

John Warner Esq r Colonel
To Ebenezer Stevens Esq r Greeting
Reposing especial trust and Confidence in your Patriotism Capacity and Good Conduct by virtue of the Power and Authority invested in me by the honorable the Congress of the United States of America do by these Presents constitute and appoint you to be Quarter Master to my Regiment You are therefore carefully to conduct take the care of and Discharge all and every Matters that relate to me in your Station and demean Yourself as a Faithfull Servant of the Publick for which this shall be your Sufficient Warrant
Given under my hand and Seal at Fort George this Seventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty
J. H. Warner Col l

House of Reps. Dec. 26 th . 1813
Col. Tallmadge encloses an additional claim for a Land Warrant, that Mr. Cutting may examine the same