Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6176, for Charles Stearns, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn
Stearns, Charles or Starns.
N. 6176.
Sarah
CONTENTS

17,025 Massachusetts
Charles Stearns
of Lyndon in the state of Vt. who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Ward of the Connecticut line, for the term of 1776 - one year.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 28 of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 of May 1820 and sent to the Hon Sam: C. Allen Greenfield Mass
Arrears to 4th of Mar: 1820. 177-83
Semi-ann. all'ce ending Sep 1820. 48-00
22 mo 3/30 4/30 $225.83
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Discontinued
see letter to Hon. J. C. Allen H.R. 7th March 1828.
30 27 3/30 4/30
22 8 176 80 1 3
179 83
Application sent to Pensions by Col. Allen

Ohio P 2702
let 5 June 1839 to C. Stearns. let 13 Jan 1840 to 76- J. R. Giddings
Sarah Stearns widow of Charles Stearns, Dec Con n who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 19 Mar 1829 at Ashtabula in the State of Ohio who was a private in the Co commanded by Captain Prior of the reg t command d by Col Ward in the Conn t Militia line for 1 year
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio Pittsburgh at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 5th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of May 1839 and sent to Hon J. R. Giddings, Jefferson, Ohio.
Arrears to the 5th of Mar 1839 $120.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep 39 20.00
$140.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by J. M. Curdy Clerk, Book A Vol. 2. Page 219.

The following is a record of the births of the family of Mr Charles Stearns and Mrs Sarah Stearns who formerly resided in the town of Lyndon County of Franklin and State of Massachusetts
Sally Stearns daughter of Mr Charles and Mrs Sarah Stearns born July 27 th 1784 David Stearns son of Mr Charles and Mrs Sarah Stearns born Oct. 28 th 1786 Morris Stearns son of Mr Charles and Mrs Sarah Stearns born Jan. 12 1789 Samuel Stearns son of Mr Charles and Mrs Sarah Stearns born Jan 29. 1791 Clarissa Stearns daughter of Mr Charles Stearns and Mrs Sarah Stearns born Aug 9 th 1793 Laury Stearns daughter daughter of Mr Charles Stearns and Mrs Sarah Stearns born Feb. 16 th 1796 Charles Stearns Jun. Son of Mr Charles Stearns and Mrs Sarah Stearns born Oct. 6 th 1799- Ruby Stearns daughter of Mr Charles Stearns and Mrs Sarah Stearns born March 18 th 1802 Eunice Stearns daughter of Mr Charles Stearns and Mrs Sarah Stearns born Oct. 7 th 1804 Caroline Matilda Stearns daughter of Mr Charles Stearns and Mrs Sarah Stearns born November 18 th 1806-
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of record
Attest Willard A. Wilkins 3 Town Clerk 3 Lyndon
State of Massachusetts
Franklin County Town of Lyndon March 5 th 1839
Then Personally appeared the above named Willard A. Wilkins and made solemn oath to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed
Before Me George Mowry Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss
I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that George Morry George Morry Esq. is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county; and that the within signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court this seventh day of March A.D. 1839
E. Alvord Clerk

Present Sec No 34/75
Affidavit
of Ohio
Sarah Stearns
widow of Charles
act 1838
admitted
P 172 #40
Her
died 19 Mar 1829
From J. R. Giddings Jefferson Ohio

The State of Ohio
Ashtabula County ss } On this nineteenth day of April in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine. Personally appeared before me one of the Associate Judges for the County of Ashtabula and State of Ohio Sarah Stearns a resident of the Township of Hayes Hudson County of Ashtabula and State of Ohio aged seventy three years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following de- claration in order to obtain the benefit of the pro- vision made by act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled An act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows that she is the Widow of Charles Stearns who was a private and served in the war of the Revolution at the time and manner as follows (Viz) He served as she is informed & verily believes one year in the Connecticut Militia in the company of Capt Abner Prior of the Regiment commanded by Col Andrew Ward and afterward served about two years in the continental service upon the sea as well as land. Also he entered the service in the month of June Year 1776 in the Militia at Tolland Connecticut and continued in service until honorably discharged at Chatham she further declares that she was married to the said Charles Stearns on the twenty third day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty three it being after he the said Charles had left service & that her husband the aforesaid Charles Stearns died the nineteenth day of March in the year Eighteen hundred twenty nine. That she was not married prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January 1794 and at the time above stated and that she was never afterwards married
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me she the said Sarah Stearns having great bodily infirmity and unable to attend Court Jonathan Warner SS one of the Associate Judges Ashtabula County

The State of Ohio Ashtabula County ss
I Sam l Hendry Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for said County do hereby certify that Jonathan Warner Esq. whose name appears subscribed within in his own proper hand writing, (to me well known) is and was at the time of his subscribing the same, one of the Associate Judges of our said Court, duly commissioned and sworn in conformity with the Laws of the State of Ohio — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Affixed the Seal of said Court at Jefferson the 20th day of April A.D. 1839.
Sam l Hendry Clerk

Charles Stearns of Leyden Private Com. 28. ap 1818 Wards Rest 1776 one year
Inutto Hon Sam l C. Allen Greenfield Mass s admitted

District of Massachusetts, ss. Town of Green- field in the County of Franklin
ON this Twenty eighth day of April - 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Western Circuit in the State of Massachusetts, which Circuit includes the Counties of Worcester, Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Berkshire, personally appears Charles Stearns a citizen of the United States, aged fifty eight years, resident in the Town of Leyden in the County of Franklin
in the said District, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war:" That he the said Charles Stearns enlisted in June or July 1776 in the state of Connecticut in the company commanded by captain Prison of the regiment of Col. Ward of the Connecticut Lines
that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States, until the about the middle of June 1777, when he was discharged from service in Chat- ham, in the state of New-Jersey - that after- wards he served about two months at the taking of Burgoyne and also the principal part of a year in the Fort at Red Bank, un- der Lieut. Col. Brock. His Maj:esty and - that he was that he was in the battles of in the battle at Greenbank, & also in the action here at the taking of Burgoyne,
and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services. And no pension has ever been allowed him by the laws of the United States. Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid.
John L. O'Sullivan
To the Secretary of the Department of War.
I, Isaac Lewis , Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Charles Hearn did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy: and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court aforesaid, this twenty eighth day of April A. D. 1818.
Dear Sir,

17.025
Charles Stearns
Not M.W.
Sept. 1920.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN ss.
At a Special Session of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Western Circuit, began and holden at Greenfield, within and for the County of Franklin, on Monday the tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty, et de die in diem to the fifteenth day of the same month,
P ERSONALLY appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record, within and for said County of Franklin, established as such by the Constitution and Laws of said Commonwealth, Charles Stearns aged sixty years, resident in Seyden in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows:
I entered the service in month of June A. D. 1776, in the Company commanded by Capt Prior in the Regiment commanded by Col. Andrew Ward, in the Connecticut line, for the term of one year, and served in the same until my term of enlistment had expired, and was discharged at Chatham near Morristown in the State of New Jersey.
My certificate is dated the twentieth day of May A. D. 1820, the pension to commence on the twenty eighth day of April A. D. 1818 and is numbered 17.025.
I am by occupation a husbandman, which I am unable to pursue much of the time by a very troublesome breach.
My family consists of myself, my wife, aged 55, my Charles aged 20 who will leave me in September next, Ruby aged 16, Eunice aged 14, Caro-line aged 12 and John Field, a grand son aged 10, who are now all entirely dependent upon me for support and subsistence,

and I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818 ; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818 ; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Charles Stearns
Sworn to and declared, on the tenth day of July A. D. 1820, before the said Court.
Attest, E. Alvord CLERK.
I ELIJAH ALVORD, Clerk of the aforesaid Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court ; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid
nine hundred twenty eight dollars and seventy five cents
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this fifteenth day of July, 1820.
E. Alvord CLERK.
Schedule of the estate of Charles Stearns of Leyden in the County of Franklin & Commonwealth of Massa.

chussets, applicant for a pension under of Congress May 1. 1820.
   A lot of land containing 62 1/2 acres, about one third part of it very rough & unimprovable with buildings thereon valued at  700.00    one yoke of Oxen 45, - one bow & calf 22,  67.00    one old Mare and bolt  25.00    1 two year old colt & 1 yearling colt  40.00    2 yearling hogs & 2 pigs  18.00    Seven Sheep and eight Lambs  12.00    1 old Cart & 1 Harrow 11, - 1 old Plough & 1 Draft Chain 3,  14.00    Old Hoes, old Pitchforks, old Rakes &c  2.00    Old Horse Chains & broken Chains  2.00    1 old Clock & Case 10, - 2 old tables & candlestand 2,  12.00    5 old chairs & 3 old Chests  3.00    1 old fire shovel, tongs & andirons  3.00    a few old cider casks, old tubs & pails  5.00    1 old five pail kettle with one leg broke out  75    Iron pot with holes in it, spider & dishkettle  1.00    Crockery ware, knives & forks & spoons  2.00    1 old one horse waggon & cutter & harness  20.00    2 old tow wheels, quilt wheel & reel  2.00     $928.75   
Charles Stearns
Schedule of debts owing from me.
Benj. Bullock $58, John Mory 9, Rufus Shattuck 21, Reuben Shelden 12, John Wild 10, Harliam Waterhouse 53. Benj Ball 70, David Carpenter 35, - Sylvanus Allen 143, Franklin Ripley, 43 John E. Hall 12, Lyman Kendal 40, Sever & Williams 16, Samuel Willard 8, - William Chandler 45, Nathan Draper 10, Jesse Henry & his father 20, Oliver Wilkinson 16, Martindale (Clothier) 10, Eber Nash 25, Luther Graves 45, Thomas Ripley 14. Jenny Strong 18, Total $835, 00
Charles Stearns

Charles Stearns Pension papers.
Sarah Stearns Application for Pension

State of New York } County of Jefferson } On the 7 th day of September 1836 personally appeared in the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Jefferson and by a law of the State of New York a Court of Records, Charles Stearns aged Sixty Seven years and a resident of said County who first being duly sworn, in open Court according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions of the acts of Congress of the 18 th March 1818. and the 1 st of May 1820, that he the said Charles Stearns served in the war of the revolution in the Company Commanded by Capt. Abner Prior of the Regiment Commanded by Col. Andrew Ward in the Connecticut line for the term of one year in the Continental Service, and about two years besides by land and Sea, that he entered the Service in the month of June in the year 1776. as a private at Tolland Connecticut and that he was honorably disch- arged at Chatham in the month of June 1777. that he served against the then common enemy the British that he is Sixty Seven years of age is very infirm has a wife aged Sixty years that he has no property of any description whatever except as set forth in the following inventory or Schedule, nor has he disposed of Sold or transferred his property or any portion thereof with the view to obtain a pension but that he is honestly poor,

destitute and infirm and as such craves assistance of his Country for support. Charles Starnes
Schedule
One 3 year old heifer $ 10. two old chairs " 50 Two Do Chest, 1.00 One " Hoe , 50 one " Axe 1,00 one " light Stand , 75 one " Table 1,50 one " Chain 3,00 one pr. " Andirons 1,25 one pr. " Tongs 1,00 one " Spider , 75 one " dish Kettle 1,00 one " Linnen Wheel 2,00 one Set " Drag teeth 4,00 28,25
Charles Starnes
and in pursuance of the act of the 1 st of may 1820 I Charles Starnes do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the Eighteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner whatever disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval services of the

United States, in the revolutionary war passed on the Eighteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities Contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.
Charles Stearns
Sworn and declared in open Court the day and year above written
H. H. Sherwood Clerk
Filed Sept 7. 1826. 3
I Henry H. Sherwood Clerk of the County of Jefferson do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that the said Charles Stearns did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the Common Enemy for the terms above stated, on the Continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule are truly copied from the records of the said Court, and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is twenty eight dollars & twenty five cents.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County aforesaid this 9 th day of September 1826.
H. H. Sherwood

Hartgrove Ashtetuta Ga Fri May 24 th 1889 Wm. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir I write you under the impression that there is a mistake in the pension certificates granted to Sarah Stearns whether the mistake is with us in making the application or with the department I cannot say Charles Stearns drew a pension under the act of 1888 and drew full pay for the same services which I think were proven in the application of Sarah Stearns which you will find on records of Pensions granted in 1888 or 19 the services which we thought we proved were one year service in the continental army the first troops that were raised by enlistments and other services in the militia but not having the acts I do not know the amount of service to entitle her to full pay under the act. She draws but forty dollars per annum whereas Reliance Barnard & Elizabeth Brown draw eighty a year My father Charles Stearns deceased was in the service more than Moses Barnard which I thought we proved though perhaps did not will you have the goodness to examine Simon Loonis affidavit and see if there has been no mistake and to inform me of the result and also of the proof necessary to entitle to full pay as I am sure there can be proof obtained of all his services but supposing one year was sufficient we relied upon that. Please answer this and you will confer a favor on your obedient servant Charles Stearns Howe J. L. Edwards Esq. P.S. {Direct as above}

Ms. A. 9. 2. 10 v. 1, p. 133
From M rs S. Ohio
Paid 25
J. L. Edwards Correspondent of Washington Ct. D. C.

I Elijah Chapman of Tolland in the County of Tolland & State of Connecticut depose & say that in the year A.D. 1776 I was appointed a Second Lieutenant in the Army of the United States and received a Commission as 2 d Lt. which Commission was dated the 10 th day of June in said year and was signed by John Hancock then President of the United States and that I was soon after annexed to Capt. Abner Priors Company in Col. Andrew Ward's Regiment (they both belonging to the State of Connecticut) and that soon after my appointment as aforesaid I did enlist Charles Stearns then of Tolland aforesaid now of Lynden in the County of Franklin & State of Massachusetts, to serve as a Private Soldier in the Revolutionary Army of the United States for the term of one year from & after the said 10 th day of June and that the s d Charles Stearns did march with me from s d Tolland to Hartford in Connecticut in the forepart of August following the s d 10 th day of June where we joined Capt. A. Prior & his Company & from thence we took a water passage to New York where we joined Col. Ward & the residue of his Regiment and that the s d Charles Stearns faithfully served out the time for which he enlisted & at the end of s d time he was honorably discharged from the Revolutionary Army, and that the Commission above described under which the said Charles was enlisted was left by the deponent with Silvester Gilbert Esq. when he the deponent made application for before him for his Pension in the month of May 1818 for the purpose of being transmitted by him with other Commissions & papers to the office of the Secretary of War where it may probably be found at this time - & for this the Deponent saith not - Elijah Chapman
Tolland County ss. Tolland June 3 rd A.D. 1819 - Personally appeared Gen l Elijah Chapman & made solemn oath that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed, contains the truth the whole truth & nothing but the truth - before me  Jonathan Barnes Justice of Peace
I further certify that the s d Chapman sustains the general reputation & in my opinion is a gentleman of Integrity & veracity Gen l Barnes Justice of Peace

State of Louisiana 8th District Court I Elisha Stearns Clerk of the Court do hereby certify that the within is a true and correct copy of the original whereof the said Jonathan Darnes is a Justice of the peace for said County and that the within purporting to be his signature is his proper hand writing In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court this 5 day of June A.D. 1819 Elisha Stearns Clerk

Payable on the 4th March and 4th September of each year,
by the Pres t of the B d B d U.S. in Boston, Massachusetts.
No pension is payable until the arrival of one or the other of the above dates, after the issue of a Certificate.
Payable to the 4 th of March 1820, but thereafter no payment can be made before exhibiting a sche- dule of property.
Registered, by
J. H. Henshaw Clerk, in book B, volume 2
page 178

War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th March, 1818,
Charles Stearns late a private in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts. Agency, at the rate of eight dollars per month, to com- mence on the 28 th day of April — one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this twentieth day of May — one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
J C Calhoun Secretary of War.

John L Edwards Esq

J L Edwards Esqr.
(Mass)
Greenfield June 25. 1819.
Sir, I enclose you the papers in the case of Charles Stearns containing the deposition of Gen l Elijah Chapman - Gen l Chapman has obtained a pension & I suppose the Commission to which he refers in his deposition may be found in the office - Lucas Howes of Windham in Connecticut and Robert McKee of Hartford have obtained their pensions for the same service & so have others - You will please to examine the case and let me hear from you as soon as convenient
Respectfully, yours &c
PS.
Sam l C Allon
The Commission I presume will be found to be signed by John Hancock Pres t of Congress

Sarak Stearns Pinto paper.

State of New York Dompshire County
Be it known That on the thirteenth day of February 1839 - Before me the undersigned A. Marsh a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Simon Loomis, a resident of the town of Norton in said County, aged eighty years and upwards, who first being duly sworn according to Law, makes oath and says that he was personally acquainted with Charles Stearns. That he the said Stearns enlisted with this deponent in the War of the Revolution in the town of Polland State of Connecticut in the month of May 1776, for one year. That the said Stearns served in the same company with this deponent for one year. Was engaged in the battle of Trenton and was honorably discharged at the close of his year's services also that this deponent was drafted to go north against Burgoyne in the year 1777, and thinks the said Stearns was drafted at the same time and went also but cannot distinctly recollect whether he did or not - Also that this deponent was present and saw Charles Stearns married to Sarah Norris he thinks in the year 1782, but of that can't be positive they were married in the town of Polland State of Connecticut all which this deponent believes to be true and further saith not -
Sworn & Subscribed this 13 th day of February 1839 before me A. Marsh, Clerk Justice of the Peace
Simon Loomis
State of New York Dompshire County
I certify that I am personally well acquainted with the above affiant Simon Loomis and know that he is a man of strict integrity & truth and that his statements are to be relied on as his character is unimpeachable
Norton Feby 13 th 1839 -
A. Marsh Justice

State of Penn Dorchester County ss I, W. J. Armstrong Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that J. G. Marsh Esquire whose name is subscribed to the within affidavit and certificate, was at the date thereof a Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly qualified and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice, and verify herein his signature to be genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my Seal of said County this fifteenth day of February, 1839.
W. J. Armstrong Clerk.
-for bond

Affidavit of Mrs. Stearns Marriage

The State of Ohio Ashtabula County
I Reliance Barner of lawful age being duly sworn say that I was present at the marriage of Mrs Sarah Sturms with her late husband Charles Sturms in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three That I acted as Bridesmaid, and that the marriage ceremony was performed in the usual form, and as nearly as I can now recollect on the day & year set forth in the application of Sarah Sturms for a pension this day made before the Hon d Brother Spelman, that I have been acquainted with said Sarah Sturms since that period that I know her to be the widow of said Charles Sturms as set forth in her said application -
Witness Present
Reliance Barner mark
W. L. Brown
Sworn to & subscribed
this 25 th day of October A.D. 1838
Luther Spelman Associate Judge Comm. Pleas -
State of Ohio Ashtabula County
I Sam l Hendry Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Ashtabula do hereby certify that Luther Spelman who has name subscribed & attested above in his own proper hand-writing to me well known is, and was at the time of his sub- scribing the same one of the Associate Judges of said Court of Common Pleas duly commissioned and sworn agreeable to the laws of the State of Ohio -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Jefferson this 26 th day of October A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight - Sam Hendry Clerk

Washington City
Aug 11. 1840
Sir I have this day recd the enclosed papers in regard to Mr. Sturges' Pension. Will you be so kind as to inform me on the subject.
Yours with much respect J. H. Washington

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 6176
Sarah Stearns
Wid.
Charles Stearns
Port. Conn., Milford
Act: July 10/38
Index:—Vol. 116 , Page 240
[Arrangement of 1870.]