Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6185, for Forward Stevens, Connecticut

Comin.
Stevens, Howard Mary
N. 6185
CONTENTS

Department of War Mary Stevens widow of James Stevens who served in the Revolutionary
war, State of  Connecticut
subscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 dollars 09 cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of the issued 21st day of June 1853 and sent to
D. B. Smith Secretary of War
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 65 Vol. A.

Order to pay 28 Sept 1837.
17.876
Connecticut
Edward Stevens
Danbury in the State of Conn who was a Rec of Inv in the Conn commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt commanded by Col Wells in the Conn Troops time for 4 th Regt of Cavalry
6 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 40 Dollars 09 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Octob 1833 and sent Edward Taylor Danbury Ct
Arrears to the 14th of Sept. $ 100.22 Pension allowance ending Mar 14 - 20.04
$120.26
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. B. Willcock Clerk, Book 60 Vol. 3 Page 42

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss.
On this 24 th day of July 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury in the said State, & for the said District now sitting at Danbury, Edward Stevens a resident of said Danbury aged seventy 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 was born on the 1 st day of May 1762. and has his age recorded in his family Bible by himself after his marriage which record he has produced.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
In the year 1778, in the Spring of the year but in what month he does not precisely recollect he was drafted to serve in the Militia of the State of Connecticut, for the term of one month: he then resided in Danbury, was born there, and has since his whole life time resided there, excepting during the time he was absent in the service of his country as herein stated.
On being called into the service as aforesaid, he marched from said Danbury, through the Towns of Norwalk Reading & Stamford to Horseneck in the Town of Greenwich in said County of Fairfield; I served at said Horseneck the whole period. The duty of the Corps was to keep guard upon the shore of Long Island Sound. There were no regular Troops stationed there at that time; and but a small body of Militia.
I do not recollect the name of the Captain under whom I served. The Lieutenant of the Company was James Seely of said Danbury. The Ensign was—

Ezra Dibble of Brookfield; having served the said term for which he was drafted; the said Forward returned to his Father's house in said Danbury.
That in June 1779 or 1780, he believes in 1780, he was drafted as a Light horseman, for the term of one month; Of the Company to which I belonged Elisha Hoyt was the Captain. He then resided in said Danbury, and is now dead. He marched by the same route to Horseneck about the middle of said month of June, and were there stationed as a Guard. There were no Troops of the line there at the time but nearly a Regiment of Militia; The whole were under the command of Col Wells, who then resided in Fairfield in said County and who is now dead.
When his term of service had nearly expired to wit about the 10 th day of July in the same year, the said Forward Stevens was sent by his commanding Officer, with one Aaron Hoyt as a patrol to Byram River, and on their way thither and within about half a mile of said River, they were taken Prisoners by a party of seven men from Delancey's Corps; their horses were taken from them, and they, themselves carried to Delancey's quarters in Westchester in the State of New York. He, Delancey informed them, that he would have released them on their parole had not Colonel Wells refused it, to his Troops who had been taken Prisoners, by his the said Colonel Wells Troops. - And thereupon ordered them to be taken to the City of New York, where the said Stevens remained a Prisoner in close confinement as a Prisoner in the Sugar House in said City, expecting as hereinafter mentioned until about the 28 th day of December following when he was released; for the period of three weeks during his imprisonment he was permitted to go out of the prison to assist the British in procuring and drawing wood & provisions for the Prisoners. Through the interference in his behalf of

one John McNeil a Son who had been a Captain in the British service, and there had a Brother who was Major in the said service; but such liberty was only granted during the day time, and at night he was obliged to return to his confinement; and this indulgence as before stated was only granted for the brief period of three weeks. On being released the said Forward Steamer was landed at Elizabeth Town in the State of New Jersey wholly destitute of money and provision, and proceeded on foot to his Father's house, where he arrived on the 15 th day of January 1780 or 1781
Again in the Month of August following his imprisonment, one Nehemiah Barlow of Brookfield aforesaid, and who belonged to the Militia, was drafted to serve for the term of three months in the Army of the United States, and employed him, the said Stevens to serve as his Substitute as a private Soldier: On this term he served the full term of three months at West Point in the State of New York. The Regiment in which he served was commanded by Colonel Canfield then of New Milford in said State of Connecticut. The Officers of his Company were Captain Couch, Amos Hubbell Lieutenant, the name of the Ensign he does not recollect.
The Post of West Point was commanded during his term of service there by General Mc Dougall; but as his service was with his own Regiment, & his intercourse with the regular troops or their Officers was but slight, he does not remember the names of such officers. He served for three months as before stated at West Point, and at the expiration thereof - to wit about the middle of the Month of November he returned home 1781.
In the year 1779 in the month of

July the British troops landed at Fairfield and burnt that Town - and the Town of Nor- -walk. There was at that time an alarm made in said Danbury; and the said Isaac Stevens volunteered on a term of service to join the American troops collected to repel their invasion. On this term he served in the company com- -manded by Captain Richard Shute of the Conn- -ecticut Militia, and was engaged in several skirmishes, with the British troops both at Fair- -field and Norwalk - and assisted in taking Prisoners two British soldiers. He continued in the said service two weeks; the said Isaac Stevens at each of said terms of service served as a private soldier, and never had any discharges; he knows of no witness by whom he can prove his service at West Point excepting Francis Knapp of Canaan in the County of Litchfield in said State of Connec- -cut but whether he will recollect it, the said Stevens does not know.
Isaac Stevens

The said Howard Stevens 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 to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. in open Court Howard Stevens
We, Levi Osborn a clergyman, residing in the town of Danbury & Fairfield and Daniel B. Cooke residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Howard Stevens who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood 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 in open Court Levi Osborn Daniel B. Cooke
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Rev. Levi Osborn who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Danbury and that Daniel B. Cooke who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Danbury and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
I, Edward Taylor Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Howard Stevens for a Pension. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my Office, this 15th day of July 1832.
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk

State of Connecticut, Fairfield County ss.
I Stephen Booth of Danbury in the said County of Fairfield Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury in the said State do hereby certify to all whom it may concern that David Taylor Esquire who hereto signed and certified the foregoing proceedings of the said Court is Clerk of the said Court of Probate, and was Clerk as aforesaid at the time of signing and certifying the same - and that the said signatures above written pur- porting to be the signatures of the said Edward Ray or are without his hand writing. and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such Clerk.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in Danbury aforesaid this 24 th day of July 1832 -
Stephen Booth Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury in Connecticut

I Ebenezer Nichols of Danbury in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy four years, being duly sworn do depose and say, that I have known and been acquainted with Howard Stevens of said Danbury, who hath applied for a Pension for Revolutionary services ever since he was a boy.
That he has always resided in said Danbury, and that said Howard in the month of May 1778, was drafted to serve in the Militia in the service of the United States. That he proceeded to Horseneck in said County of Fairfield and served as a Militia man at said Station for the term of one month, the period for which he was drafted. The Company in which he served, was commanded by an officer from Newtown, whose name in Deposition has forgotten. James Keay of said Danbury was the Lieutenant and Ezra Dibble of Brookfield was the Ensign. At the expiration of his service he returned home to his Father's house. I had knowledge of these facts, for I served in the same Company with him at the same time. He was a Private Soldier.
Ebenezer Nichols
I further depose and say, that in the month of July 1779, the said Howard Stevens served as a Private in the Connecticut Militia, at Norwalk and Fairfield when those two towns were burned by the British in the Company commanded by Captain Richard Nutt. He was out in the said service two weeks.
Ebenezer Nichols

July 24 th 1832 - Sworn and subscribed in open court. And the said Court of Probate certified that the Respondent the said Ebenezer Nichols has been a good character for truth, and in all his walks -
Albert Sedgwick Payson Clerk

I the undersigned of Danbury in the County of Fair- -field and State of Connecticut being duly sworn do depose and say, that I well know and am acquainted with Howard Stevens of said Danbury and have known and been acquainted with him, ever since he was a boy — about In the month of June 1780, the said Howard Stevens belonged to the Cavalry in the Militia of said State of Connecticut, and was then drafted into the service of the United States for the term of one month in the Regiment com- =manded by Col. Wells, in the company com- =manded by Captain Elijah Houst — He proceeded in said Regiment to Horshack in the county of Greenwich in said State of Connecticut; and there served in the said Corps, until some time in the month of July, and until the term for which he was drafted had nearly expired; when he was taken Prisoner, by a detach- =ment from DeLancey's Corps, and carried to New York — Where he was detained a Prisoner about six months — He did not return to Danbury from said imprisonment until some time in the following winter — I was not present when he was taken Prisoner — but it was generally understood that he was taken by a detachment from DeLancey's Corps, a report stated — I was drafted to serve in the same company with said Stevens at the same time — and served the same term of one month at said Horshack, and have knowledge of his returning as aforesaid — I am now of the age of twenty six years — said Howard Stevens served as a Private soldier as far as I recd

July 24 th 1832. Sworn and subscribed in open court. And the said Court of Probate certify that the foregoing is the said lease. Witness my hand and seal and sustain a good character for truth - Attest Edward Fay in Clerk

No 1.093 Mary Stevens widow of Zerward Connecticut Act 3 Feb. 53
did 1 Sept. 47 - A.unt of aud. confirm
11.0.09 Comm. l. Feb 1859
D. B. Booth Danking Ct.

State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } ss.
On this 12 th day of April A.D. 1853, personally appeared before me David B. Rootes Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury. Mary Stevens a resident of Danbury County and State of Connecticut aged 82 years, who being first duly sworn ac- cording to Law, clothed on her oath made the follow- ing declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Law of the United States passed February 3, A.D. 1853. That she is the widow of Thomas Stevens who was a Revolution- ary pensioner of the United States, and paid at the Connecticut Agency at the rate of $40 per an- num. She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Stevens or about the on the 25 th day of October one thousand eight hundred and twenty three and that her husband in April 1847 1847 Thomas Stevens died on the 1 st day of the September, she further declares that she is now a widow, and that she has never heretofore applied for a pension. Mary Stevens
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written David B. Rootes Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury

State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } ss
Be it known that before me David B. Booth Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury — duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appear at Levi S. Benedict and Mary G. Benedict of Danbury, County and State aforesaid, and made oath in due form of law, that Mary Stevens who signed the foregoing declaration in their presence, is personally known to them, that she is now the widow of Thomas Stevens — who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, and that she is the same person she represents herself to be — Levi S. Benedict Mary G. Benedict
Sworn to and subscribed this 12 th day of April 24, 1853.
Before me —
David B. Booth, Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury —

"Married by Nathan Bulkley Forman Stevens to Mary Benedict, both of Danbury — October twenty eighth eighteen hundred and twenty three" —
"A true record of the original — Recorded Nov. eighteenth eighteen hundred and twenty three P. Darius Starr Town Clerk"
I Walter F. Olmstead of Danbury in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut being duly sworn do depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in said Town — and that the above is a true copy from the records of said Town, with the exception of the dates which which are expressed in the record in fair legible figures as follows — "October 28 th 1823" & "Nov. 18 th 1823"
Walter F. Olmstead
State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } ss. Subscribed and sworn to this 12 th day of April 1853 —
David B. Root Judge of the Court of for the District of Danbury

We Desire Givony, and Mary G. Benedict of Danbury in the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut being duly sworn do depose and say that we were present at the marriage of Thomas Stevens and Mary Givony - the name of the said Mary at the time of said marriage was Mary Benedict. They were married in said Danbury in the latter part of October 1823 - at the residence of the said Mary by Rev. Nathan Bulkley, who was at that time a Baptist Minister, preaching in the 1 st Baptist Church in said Town. - And we further depose that we were acquainted with said Thomas from the time of said marriage to the time of his death which occurred on the 1 st day of September 1847, and we have ever since been acquainted with the said Mary, who is still living and the widow of said Thomas -
Desire Givony
Mary G. Benedict
Subscribed and sworn to this 12 th day of April 1853 before me
David R. Boalt Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury -

State of Connecticut } Fairfield County } ss.
I William P. Stevens, Clerk of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Danbury in said County and State and Keeper of the seal thereof do hereby certify that David B. Booth before whom the foregoing proceedings were had, was at the time of the execution of the same Judge of said Court of Probate duly elected, commissioned and sworn and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine - and that the said David B. Booth, as said Judge is duly authorized by law to administer oaths - And I do further certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court that Thomas Stevens was at the time of his death a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States - that he died in said Danbury on the 1 st day of September 1847 and that then he left a widow who is now living and whose name is Mary Stevens -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Danbury in said County and State this 12 th day of April A.D. 1853 - Wm Stevens Clerk of the Court Probate for the District of Danbury

November 1, 1928
Mary F. Call 607 University Avenue Syracuse, New York
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 6185 , it appears that Forward Stevens was born May 1, 1762, at Danbury, Connecticut.
While residing at said Danbury, he enlisted and served as a private with the Connecticut Troops as follows:
In the spring of 1778, one month, captain's name not stated; in July 1779, two weeks in Captain Richard Shute's Company, and was out when Fairfield and Norwalk were burned; from June 1780, in Captain Elijah Hoyt's Company, Colonel Wells' Regiment; was taken prisoner, July 10, 1780, carried to New York and held in the Sugar House until December 28, 1780, when he was released and reached home January 15, 1781; from August 15, 1781, three months in Captain Ebenezer Couch's Company, Colonel Samuel Canfield's Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 24, 1832, at which time he was living at Danbury,

Connecticut. He died there September 1, 1847.
The soldier married, October 28, 1823, Mary Benedict, they were both then of said Danbury.
She was allowed pension on her application executed April 12, 1853, at which time she was living at Danbury, Connecticut, aged eighty-two years.
There are no data relative to children.
The above noted Forward Stevens, all spellings of the name searched, is the only soldier of that name that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

1928-Nov. 1. Hist. R. Mary 3. Call awg.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 6185
Mary Stevens Wid.
Edward Stevens Prts Resi. War
Act: Feb. 3, 1853
Index:—Vol. 66 , Page 241
[Arrangement of 1870.]

607 University Ave. Syracuse, N.Y.
January 26, 1928
Commissioner of pensions; Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Application papers made out on the service of Forward Stevens b. Danbury Conn. wife Rachel Knapp have been destroyed in a fire. He was a pensioner according to Connecticut in the Revolution. Will you please send record of service and family data.
Thanking you, Very sincerely,
Mary F. Call
Registrar General Asa Danforth Chapter D.A.R.

Darby April 15, 1853 -
Dear Sir -
I herewith enclose the application of Mary Stevens for a pension - also the supplemental declaration of Oliver J. Benedict for homestead lands -
Any communication relative to either of them may be addressed to me
Truly Yours
Dr B Root
Wm L. P. Waldo
Comm r of Pensions
Charge to Walcom Apr 18/53

Howard Stevens
24954
Please direct to Edward Taylor Esq

State of Connecticut, Hartford County. } On this eleventh day of April Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred & thirty three, person- ally appeared before me James W. Parker Esq. the judge of the Court of Probate, within for the District of Bristol in the aforesaid County of Hartford, in said State, the said Court being a Court of Record having a black & seal; Austin Bishop , of Bristol in the aforesaid County of Hartford, and who being duly sworn according to law doth depose & say, that he is now of the age of sixty nine years, & that in the year A. D. 1781, & for several years before & after said year, he resided in the town of Dumbarton the County of Fairfield, in Connecticut, and that while he resided in Dumbarton aforesaid, he was well acquainted with Forward Stevens , then now of the aforesaid town of Dumbarton - That in the month of August in said year 1781, was called into the service of the United States, as a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and was assigned to the Company of Capt. Cook

which Company constituted & formed a part of the Regiment commanded by Col Gunsfield, who commanded a Regiment of Connecticut Militia, & that said Samuel Stearns served, as a private soldier in said Company & Regiment, for three months, in the service of the United States, & that said Stearns & the Deponent were both members of the aforesaid Company & Regiment, & that said Company, having said Stearns & as a private member were stationed on duty in the service of the United States at a place called West Point, on the Hudson River in the State of New York, at which place & its vicinity said Samuel Stearns remained in said service for three full months commencing in the month of August 1781, & ending in the month of November of the same year, - And the Deponent says that he well knew the said Stearns & was with him in said service & a member of the same said Company during the said three months, & that he well remembers that during said three months the news arrived in Camp, of the surren- der of Lord Cornwallis, at the South, & that on the occasion there was firing of

Common law, & many other demonstrations of rejoinders. Can all further the Deponent sitter not. . . . .
State of Connecticut } Hartford County } on this eleventh day of April A.D. 1833, Personally appeared Austin Bishop, to me well acquainted, & known to be a man of good standing for truth honesty & credible witness subscribed the foregoing affidavit & made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me,
Jared W Durdle Judge of Probate for the District of Bristol and County
I Tracy Peck, Clerk of the Court of Probate within & for the District of Bristol in the County of Hartford, in the State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that Jared W. Durdle, who has affixed his name to his own proper hand writing to the above deposition, is Judge of Probate for the District of Bristol, in Connecticut. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this eleventh day of April A.D. 1833, Tracy Peck Clerk of Probate

State of Connecticut, Fairfield County } ss. } ss.
On this 20 th day of July 1833, personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury in the said County of Fairfield the above being a Court of Record and having sitting at Danbury in and for the said District Howard Stevens a resident of said Danbury aged seventy years who being first duly sworn according to law to the on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed Jan y 1832, - And for the purpose of setting forth more definitely than he has hitherto done, the terms of his service as Prisoner of War. That he was taken a Prisoner of War on the 10 th day of July 1780, and was detained & kept by the enemy as a Prisoner of War until the latter part of the month of December in the same year. He cannot definitely fix the day of his liberation, but he well recollects it was after Christmas, and before New Year's day, or the 1 st of January 1781. He can state positively, therefore, that it was as late as the 26 th of December - And that he did not reach his father's house until the 15 th of January 1781 - From the time of his capture to the day of his liberation, he was a Prisoner at least five months and sixteen days.
Howard Stevens
Sworn and subscribed in Open Court Edward Layton Clerk

I Edward Taylor - Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings had been in the matter of the application of Thomas Stevens for a Pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 20th day of July 1833. Attest - Edward Taylor Clerk
I Stephen Root, Judge of Probate in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that Edward Taylor, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury in the said State do hereby certify that Edward Taylor Esq. the late signed and attested the foregoing proceedings of said Court, which are true & full copies of the original records, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is the genuine hand writing of the said Edward Taylor - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of July 1833 -
Stephen Root, Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury Conn.

State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss.
On this 13 th day of April
1888, personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury in the County and State the same being a Court of Record, and now sitting at Danbury in and for the said a Citizen, Howard Stevens a resident of said Danbury aged seventy years, who being first strictly sworn under the law, both on his oath to make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th , 1832, Supplemental to his original declaration, made for the said object before said Court on the 24 th day of July 1832 -
I that in the terms of his first stated in his declaration, the company in which he served as he now recollects, was commanded by Colonel
Colonel # That he also, now recollects that on his second term of service as stated in his said declaration - he entered the service in the month of June 1780, and on or about the 15 th of said month. And that at Poughkeepsie where he was stationed on each of said terms of service, an embodied corps was established and maintained during the whole of the Revolutionary War, by authority of the United States - It was a Garrison or Military Post, and being near the enemy's lines, was eminently remarkable in checking sudden incursions of the enemy. And the said Garrison was ordinarily supplied with troops by drafts from the Militia of the State of Con- necticut, receiving in said terms of service - and that on each of said terms, he was drafted by the authority aforesaid - ## He also saith, that at the time of making his said original declaration he could not recollect any person now living by whom

he could prove his service at West Point. He entertained the hope that Francis Knapp of Canaan in the County of Litchfield might recollect his said service - but on application to said Knapp he was disappointed. Within a few weeks past, while making enquiries on the subject, he learned that Colonel Arthur Bishop whom he supposed to be dead was now living at Bristol in this State, and he has made a journey thither, and procured his testimony which he now exhibits in support of his claim of service. There may be other persons living by whom said service can be proved but he knows of none, excepting Dea. Hamilton who formerly resided in the State of Ohio, and to whom he addressed a letter in September last at the town of Medina in the County of Medina supposing from the information he received that he resided there and requesting him to send him his affidavit, but has received no answer.
The Regiment in which he served at West Point was commanded by Colonel Mansfield, as stated in his original declaration as a Regiment of Connecticut Militia, and was called into the service by authority of the State of Connecticut upon the requisition of the United States Authorities. He engaged to serve and entered the service in said Regiment as the substitute of Nehemiah Burrows who is now dead. That he entered the said service and joined said Regiment at West Point on the 15th day of August 1781, and was dismissed verbaliter by his commanding officer on the 15th day of November following -

When he entered the said service, the said Regiment had already marched to Red Point, and he with about 12 or 15 other soldiers were marched from said Red Point in said County of Fairfield to said West Point under the command of one Ensign Beardsley of the Connecticut Militia, but he belonged to another Regiment.
And having now supplied the defects mentioned in the letter of Genl. S. Edwards Esq. of the 24th August 1832, he prays that this his supplementary declaration may be annexed to & made a part of his said original declaration.
Sworn and subscribed
in Open Court —
Howard Stevens
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
I Edward Taylor Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury in the State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Howard Stevens for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 13th day of April 1833 —
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk

Heuben Booth of Danbury in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Danbury, in said County and State, do hereby certify that Edward Taylor Esq. who hath signed and certified the foregoing proceedings of said Court of Probate and the caption of the annexed Depositions, is also in spirit and duly appointed, and was when he took the oaths at the time the same proper to have been signed and certified by him, duly appointed & known - That the signatures subscribed to the foregoing proceedings, and the caption of the annexed Depositions purporting to be the signatures of the said Edward Taylor, are in his proper hand writing -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 13 th day of April 1833 - Heuben Booth Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury Conn.

I Phineas Taylor of Danbury Fairfield County and state of Connecticut aged 78 years being duly sworn do depose and say, that at the time of the Revolutionary war after the British troops took possession of City of New York which was in the year 1776 there was a Military Post established at Harnack in the State of Connecticut, by authority of the United States. The garrison was generally supplied with troops, by drafts from the Militia in the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut - said Post being near the enemies lines was eminently serviceable in checking sudden incursions of the enemy I served at and in the vicinity of said Post about three years, and am well knowing that said Post was continued at Harnack & at Stamford until the end of the war - Phineas Taylor
State of Connecticut
Fairfield County ss
on this 13 th day of April 1833
Personally appeared in open court the above named deponent, a subscribed and made oath to the above Deposition, & the said court of Probate certifies that the Deponent sustains a good character for truth and is a credible witness Attest Edward Taylor clerk

24 6574
Finn and Stevens
4.16 per bush
6 m o per bush
 20.40  22 6.66  73.54  1.25  1.59  24.10  45.01 
Edward Taylor Clerk of the Court of Probate Sunbury County

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
June 24 1833
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 Howard Stevens
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
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)                      , who has 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 days 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 _____; 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.
[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 in note [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.
The term declarant alleges, he was a prisoner not definitely set forth

additional proof
Forrad Stevens
C.F.
No 17, 875
add 41655-20 741
This was found amongst a mass of old papers in Room No 103 C.H.O.
Oct 22/57
103 C.H.O.

I Eden Hamilton of the township, County and State aforesaid of lawful age being duly sworn, on my said oath depose and say, that in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and eighty one while I was stationed at West Point as a Revolutionary Soldier, (as a drummer) in a militia company, commanded by Captain Ebenezer Couch, and Captain James H. H. H. H. attached to a Regiment commanded by one Colonel Samuel Canfield, which Regiment was formed a part of a Brigade commanded by General M c Dougall the above named Howard Stevens came to West Point as a revolutionary soldier and joined the above named militia company and served in the same company with me until I was discharged which was a few days before the Stevens time expired - The term of duty performed by the said Stevens at this time was three months - I was well acquainted with the said Stevens from childhood up to the time of his entering the service as a soldier of the Revolution as aforesaid, he was born and raised in the Town of Danbury, in Fairfield Connecticut with me, and I have known him well up to the present time - The said Howard Stevens also

previous to the time of rendering the services aforesaid left the said Town of Danbury as a private soldier in a Cavalry Company to Join the Army of the Revolution and was absent several months and it was reported and believed that he was taken prisoner by the British and taken to the city of New York and there kept a prisoner of War for several months. The time he left and returned I cannot now recollect precisely, but the facts last above stated were well known by many at the time.
S
Ebenezer Hamilton
State of Ohio } I Thomas Conger Master Com- Medina County } missioner in Chancery in and for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that the above named Ebenezer Hamilton was by me sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and that the deposition by him subscribed was reduced to writing by me and taken according to Law and also that said Hamilton is a man of respectable standing - Protestation of which I certify. Let my hand this 3 rd day of January A.D. 1833 Thomas Conger
Master Commission In Chancery in and for Medina County in the State of Ohio

The State of Ohio Medina County ss
I Timothy Hudson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County, do hereby certify that Thomas Conger Esq: whose name in his own proper hand writing is subscribed to the foregoing certificate, is the acting Commissioner in Chancery, within and for said County, and who is duly authorized according to the laws of said State to take and certify depositions. In testimony whereof I hereunto sign my name and affix the seal of said Court at Medina, this third day of January A.D. 1833 - H. Timothy Hudson Clerk.
State of Ohio Medina County ss
I Matthew Birchard Pres. Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the 3 d Circuit do hereby certify that Timothy Hudson who signed the above attes- tation as Clerk, is Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said Medina County and was at the time of signing the above, and that the said attes- tation is in due form of law. M. Birchard
January 28 th A.D. 1833
President 3 d Circuit Court

74! Connecticut Mary Stevens widow of Howard Stevens who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 24 Dollars 09 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. 3 February 1853
Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of June 1853 and sent to S. J. Booth Esq Danbury Ct.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under Act July 22, 1848 , Page 65 Vol. 4 , 14 Feb 1853

May 25
Amos Stevens att. proof
3466
Howard Stevens
Commit
Unscd.
Re: D. J. ... between J. ...
... with ... of ... Washington
True

Franklin 6 th May 13 th 1833
James L. Richards Esq. Commr. misprision of Pension
Sir Mr. Howard Stevens of this Town who was Applicant for a Pension under the Act of Congress of June 1832, has received the enclosed Affidavit of Rev. Saml. H. Smith since he forwarded his paper to the Department on the 15 th ultimo. And by his request I transmit the same to you. Very Respectfully Yours Abel Root Nelson County Judge of Probate

Brief in the case of Mary Fleming widow of Howard, of Fairfield County and State of Connecticut act 3 February 1853
Claim, ("original," or "for increase" )
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband deceased Act of June 1832. Marriage proved from town record - Death of husband Simon to be testified to, & confirmed by B. and C. Certificate - Identity of claimant as the widow proved by witnesses.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent
J. P. Booth Dubuque, Corral.
W. R. Examining Clerk.

Prison Office June 15. 1853
Sir,
Be pleased to say when, as it appears from your record Forward Stevens, prisoner at No. 09th ann. under Act of June 1832, Connecticut roll, died -
Very Resp Your ob. Servt.
L. H. Waldo Commissioner
First Ex } Died 1 st Sept. 1847, Paris D. and P. } to his death F. Burch Scribent. "

War Department Pension Office August 24 th 1832
Sir
Your letter accompanying the evidence in support of the claim of Forward Stevens to a pension under the Act of 7 th June 1832 has been received.
The testimony is insufficient, if not appearing by what authority Mr Stevens was called into service at the several short periods stated by him in his declaration. The statement of service at West Point is defective, as it is not set forth when he entered and left the service. General statements of the term of service without this detail cannot avail the claimant.
The papers are herewith returned to you
I am respectfully your obedient serv t
J. L. Edwards
Edward Layler Esq. Danbury Conn.