Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,589, for Samuel Stow, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass,
Stow Samuel
1/4 5-89
Cardinal
CONTENTS

141183
21674 New York
Samuel Hester
of Schenectady Co in the State of New York who was a Sergeant Major in the Continental Army by Captain Ballard of the 2nd Regt. commanded by Col. Whitecomb in the New York line for 8 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of May 1833 and sent to N. Hacey Oxford
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $80 00 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept 20 00
$100 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book C Vol. 4 Page 77
Revolutionary Pension

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832. State of New York } County of Chenango } ss:
On this 24 th day of December 1832, personally appeared before me John Tracy first Judge of the Courts of Chenango County Samuel Stow a resident of Oxford in Chenango County aforesaid aged ninety 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 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
He lived in Sherburne Suffolk County State of Massachusetts near Boston, and in the year 1775 enlisted into a company of minute men of which Captain Bullard was Captain, the first Lieutenant name was Gardner, the Ensign he does not recollect neither does he recollect the time, but it was previous to the battle of Bunker hill. The Colonel of the Regiment was Whitecomb of the Massachusetts Troops. On the Alarm that British were coming out of Boston, the company to which he belonged were called out went upon Bunker hill in which Battle he was engaged. After said Battle of Bunker hill he this deponent, in the company and Regiment aforesaid, marched to Cambridge where he this deponent staid in actual service eight months. During this term eight months he this deponent acted as acting sergeant major of the Regiment. Having been a soldier of the old French war of 1756 he was appointed to this birth. He was at Cambridge when General Washington came and took the command, General Ward had previously been commander in chief. He was sent with a letter by General Washington to General Ward who came to General Washington's Headquarters

and General Washington thinking the discipline of the troops not so correct as it ought to be, this applicant heard him say to General Ward that he had been examining his orders and found them generally good, and they must and should be obeyed.
This applicant has no documentary evidence and knows of no person, whose testimony he can prove, who can testify to his service.
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.
Same, Stated
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
John Bray first Judge of Chautauqua County State of New York

Interrogatories by the Judge.
1 Where and in what year were you born? Answer. In Grafton in Massachusetts April 17 th 1745 old style.
2. Have you any record of your age if so where is it? Answer. I have in my pocket book at Oxford which I used
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
Answer. I lived at Sherburne Massachusetts till about 17 years ago, when I removed to Calmar, Madison County State of New York, lived there about ten years, since which time I have lived in Oxford Chenango County.
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom?
Answer. I enlisted for a single man, went on Bunker Hill and after the Battle went to Cambridge and staid eight months. Believe there was no further enlistment but that we were considered as volunteer militia.
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 service. Answer. I cannot recollect any of the Officers except General Washington, General Ward, General Putnam, and Col. Whitcomb.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer. I never received a written discharge as I recollect.
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Answer. John Tracy Postmaster, Eli Tracy, Daniel Tucker, David P. Judson, Jonathan Baldwin.
Subscribed & sworn Dec 24. 1832 John Tracy first Judge of Chautauqua Co. N. York

We Several Brethren & Congregational ministers residing in Oxford in the County of Chenango and State of New York do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Stow, who has known to and subscribed the foregoing declaration, and that we believe him to be seventy years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he lives or resided, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Unto this Seventh 13th
And the said John Henry first Judge of Chenango County aforesaid doth hereby declare his opinion, after investigating 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 said Judge further certifies that he knows Several Brethren who has signed the preceding Certificate to be a Congregational of the Protestant Episcopal Church, resident in Oxford, aforesaid, and that the John Henry who has also signed the same is a resident in Oxford aforesaid and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Doth hereby certify that from the said Judge Doth hereby certify that from his old age and bodily infirmity it appears that the foregoing applicant cannot attend the Court to make his declaration.
John Henry first Judge of Chenango County fourth State of New York

State of Vermont Chenango County } ss
I, Henry W. Nye, a Notary Public, in and for the County of Chenango and State of Vermont, do hereby certify, that John Tracy is just Judge of Chenango County Court, and that I know the signature above, purported to be his, are genuine
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this December 23 rd 1832.
Henry W. Nye a Notary Public: in & for the County of Chenango and State of Vermont

Sum. How
21/4/79

21079. Sam. Stow N.Y.
admitted 8mo 27th major #
W. Tracy Cooper? Chenango Co N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show 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, showing the Service of Samuel Stow  Chenango 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.     175 8 Adj Major Col. Ballou Br. Genl. H. L. Clark Bunker Hill Mass. Chenango Trady  
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 three 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.
[1] 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.
[2] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [1] applies to continental troops only.
[3] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[4] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[5] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
W. L. Wells and Co. att.

April 10, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Samuel Stow, S.14589
Mrs. Emil O. Sandburg 130 Wright Street Corry, Pennsylvania
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Samuel Stow, a Revolutionary War soldier who was pensioned while living in Oxford, Chenango County, New York.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.14589, based on the military service of Samuel Stow.
He was born April 17, 1742 (old style) in Grafton, Massachusetts. The names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Sherburne, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, he enlisted in 1775, before the battle of Bunker Hill, and served eight months as sergeant major in Captain Bullard's company in Colonel Whitcomb's Massachusetts regiment. He was in the battle of Bunker Hill.
He stated that he also served in 1756 during the French and Indian War.
About 1815 he moved to Eaton, Madison County, New York, and about 1825 he moved to Oxford, Chenango County, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed December 24, 1832, at which time he was living in Oxford, New York.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to soldier's family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

MRS. G. RAY WELLS 69 WEST MAIN STREET NORWICH, NEW YORK
March 25 '31
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D. C.
Dear Sir:
Would you kindly send me the war record of Sergeant-Major Samuel Stow which according to his Rev. War claim is recorded in Book E Vol 4, Page 77.
Also an Isaac Wells who received a pension while living in Lyford, Chenango Co. at the

Home of Daniel Hall.
Truly yours
Mrs. G. R. Wells

1931 May 6 - hist to Mrs. J. Ray Wells, M.C. 1939, Apr. 10 - hist to Mrs. Emil O. Sandberg, M.C.
Reborn
14589 INVALID.
File No. 14589
Samuel Stone
Sergt. Maj. Rev. War
Act: June 7 1932
Index: - Vol. 1 , Page 361
[Arrangement of 1870]

Mrs. Emil O. Sandburg 130 Wright Street Corry, Pennsylvania
Feb. 23, 1939.
Veterans Administration, Washington D. C.
Gentlemen:- If possible, will you give me the revolutionary service of Samuel Stowe , who served in Mass. and received a pension while living in O. and Chenango Co. N.Y. This information will be much appreciated.
Very sincerely,
Mrs. Emil O. Sandburg

May 6, 1931
Mrs. G. Ray Wells 69 West Main Street Norwich, New York
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section MOS:MLB
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 14589, that Samuel Stow was born April 17, 1742 (old style), in Grafton, Massachusetts.
While a resident of Sherburne, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, he enlisted in 1775, before the battle of Bunker Hill, and served eight months as sergeant major in Captain Bullard's company, Colonel Whitcomb's Massachusetts regiment. He was in the battle of Bunker Hill.
He stated that he also served in 1756 during the French and Indian War.
About 1815 he moved to Eaton, Madison County, New York, and about 1825 he moved to Oxford, Chenango County, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed December 24, 1832, at which time he was living in Oxford, New York.
The papers in this pension claim contain no data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner