Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 43179, for Joseph Stearnes, New Hampshire

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
N. H.
Stearnes, Joseph or Stearns
S. 43179
CONTENTS

Certification sent to Genl. H. Smith Amherst N.H. July 19. 1820
15 645  New Hampshire
Joseph Stearns
of Hollis in the state of New Hampshire who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Colley of the New Hampshire Line, for the term of one year
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 st of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th of Oct r 1819 and sent to Benjamin H. Parley Esq r Agent, Hollis, New Hampshire
  Arrears to 4th of Sep r 1819 -  $ 137.06    Semi-ann. all ce ending Nov r 1820 -  48.    17 mo 4/30  $ 185.16  
{ Revolutionary claim, { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued

Joseph Stearnes (Hollis)
[Faint, illegible handwriting]
Inadmissible
[Faint, illegible handwriting]
Adm d (on the testimony of Lt. Col. Wilkins)
Adm d (on the testimony of Lt. Col. Wilkins)
Rejection of evidence from usual source

I, Joseph Stearnes of Hollis in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire - Salomon - depose - That in the Summer of A.D. 1776 I enlisted into Capt. Emerson's company in Col. Verrin's Regiment in the New Hampshire line in the Continental Service; and there served against the common enemy about five months: That in July A.D. 1777 I again enlisted as a private soldier into Capt. Goss' company in Col. Nichols' Regiment and there served as above about two months: That the ensuing year I enlisted again into Colonel Cilley's Regiment, to the best of my remembrance; and there served as above as a common soldier one year, when I was honourably discharged.
I further depose, that I never received any Pension from the United States; that I am now eighty seven years old, very infirm and poor, having no property. From my reduced circumstances I, therefore, need assistance from my country for support.
April 1st. 1818
Joseph his X Stearnes mark
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss. April, 1. 1818. Then personally appearing the above named Joseph Stearnes made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed by his mark before me
Levi Woodbury Asso. Jus. Sup. Ct. (N.H.)

I, Jacob Hobart of Hollis in the County of Hillsboro in the County of Hillsborough & State of New Hamp- shire, depose that I have been long acquainted with Joseph Stearns of P. Hollis, man, & well remember that P. Stearns in May or June 1797 enlisted as a private soldier into Capt.  Hawkins' com- pany in a Regiment commanded by Col. Scammon for one year , for the New Hamp- shire line in the continental service, for one year, & that P. Stearns continued to serve in P. Company against the common ene- my for P. term - When he was honorably discharged - I know that P. Stearns served as above stated, because I enlisted at the same time into the same company for the same term, & served with him during the same period -
his Jacob X Hobart mark

Phinehas Handy of Hollis (N. H.) depose, that I am well acquainted with Joseph Stearnes of sd. Hollis; that during the Revolutionary War I well remember that sd. Stearnes enlisted as a Private Soldier into the New-Hampshire line in the Continental Service; in Col. Cilley's Regiment to the best of my recollection; and that he was absent in said service at one period, about one year and certainly over ten months -
I further depose, that said Stearnes is in very indigent circumstances and needs assistance from his country for support - Phinehas Handy
April 1st. 1818
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss. April 1. 1818. Then personally appearing the above Phinehas Handy made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed before me
Levi Woodbury, Atty. Gen. Sup. Ct. (N. H.)
I, Phinehas Handy above named further depose, that on recollection the service of sd. Stearnes must have been in Seammell's Regiment instead of Cilley's - Said Stearnes memory is very frail and my own is imperfect on this subject - July 12. 1819 Phinehas Handy

State of New Hampshire.
Hillsborough ss. April, 1. 1810. I hereby certify that the within declarations of Joseph Stearns and Plincha Hardy sworn to before me have fully satisfied me that the within Joseph Stearns served against the common enemy during our Revolutionary War in the New Hampshire line in the Continental Service As a Private Soldier longer than nine months: and from his reduced circumstances needs assistance from his country for support -
Levi Woodbury, Atty. Genl. Sup. Ct. (N.H.)
Hillsborough ss. Janry. 12th. 1819 From the within Jacob Holcomb and Plincha Hardy made oath to the truth of the within affidavits by them subscribed before me and they are credible witnesses - The service was probably in Scammon's Regiment -
Levi Woodbury Atty. Genl. Sup. Ct.

Copy
1234
Joseph Stearns
15.645
(March 1820.)
E.
Continue

And the said Joseph Stearns he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows, viz.
doth here in Court further declare on oath, that
I served in capt Hawkins' company in Col. Seamans Regiment in the N Hampshire line for the term of one year in 1779 & 1780 as near as I can recollect being very forgetful
That the date of his original declaration in order to obtain a pension is 1 st of April 1818 And the number of his pension certificate is — That his occupation is that of a laborer
That the number and names of his family residing with him, and their ages and capacities to contribute to their support, are as follows, viz.
wife aged Wife Abigail - aged about seventy unable to perform much labor
Joseph Stearns his mark
Wherefore he prays the opinion of the said Court as to the value of the property contained in the said Schedule and that the same together with a copy of the premises be duly certified, to the Secretary of War.
Sworn and declared before the Hon. Joshua Darling & J. H. Smith Justices of S d Court the 5 th day of July 1820
N Eastman Clerk
Hillsborough ss.] Court of Common Pleas. July 5
1820
The aforesaid Schedule and oath, and the above declaration, duly subscribed and sworn by the said Stearns having been by him exhibited in person and presented to the Court, and the same being seen and considered:
It is the opinion of said Court, that the value of the property, contained in said Schedule is $ 300 66
Wherefore the Court order that a copy of the premises with the proceedings thereon, be duly certified, to the Secretary of War.
Attest,
N Eastman
Clerk.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
Hillsborough ss.] I N Eastman Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the said County of Hillsborough being a Court of record, do certify, That the foregoing Schedule and oath and the declaration annexed, with the proceedings and opinion of the Court thereon, are truly copied from the records and files of said Court.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the fifth
day of July 1820
N Eastman
Clerk.

TO the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting at Annhust of Nillsborough and State of New-Hampshire.
within and for the County
July 5 th 1820
Joseph Starns aged Seventy Seven resident in Hollis in said County, comes into Court, and, in pursuance of an Act of Congress, passed on the 1st day of May, 1820, brings with him, and in his proper person, exhibits to said Court a Schedule by him subscribed, containing his whole estate, and income, (his necessary clothing and bedding excepted) as follows:
 2 Old Chests — 1 50  1 Old Table — — 40  4 Old Chairs — — 25  Iron ware — 2 —  1 Pr Bellows — — 20  Crockery Ware — — 50  Pewter Ware — — 60  Tin Ware — — 20  1 Milk Pan — — 16  1 Pr Cotton Boards — — 75  2 Tubbs & 2 Pails — 1 —  1 Cow Stalf — 18 —  Old loom & apparatus — 5 00  $30 66 
Joseph his Starns mark
And the said Joseph Starns in pursuance as aforesaid, produceth to said Court the following oath, by him duly taken and subscribed, viz:
I Joseph Starns do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th 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: with my mark
Joseph his Starns mark

Occay.
Hon. J. C. Calhoun, Secy of War - City of Washington

Wales Oct. 31. 1819
Hon. J. C. Calhoun -
The enclosed papers, it will be per- ceived, are forwarded for the purpose of ob- taining a pension certificate for Jas. Stearns - There can remain no doubt of his having performed the service to entitle him to a pension, altho' through misattention, he did not state exactly the Regiment, in which he served - Stearns is far advanced in life, & his mind is very much impaired - He is very poor, & depend- ant on his neighbors for support, not being able to labor at all - at his request, & from feelings of hu- manity for his distressed condition, I make this statement -
with great respect Yours, &
B. M. Farley
N. B. Two additional affidavits are enclosed -

I Robert B. Wilkins of Concord in the County of Rockingham in the State of New Hampshire, on oath declare, that I was a Lieutenant in the 2 d New Hampshire Regiment Commanded by Col l George Reid in the Continental Revolutionary Army, but was an Ensign in the 3 d New Hampshire Reg t Commanded by Col l Alexander Scamell in the year 1780 - the New Hampshire line was Detached about the 1 st of May 1779 and Marched from Fish Kill, Under the Command of Maj r General Sullivan on an Indian expedition but Lieut t George P r Frost was left at Fish Kill, by order of Gen l Enoch Poor, who was commander of the New Hampshire Brigade, to receive recruits that should be sent on from the State of New Hampshire to discipline them and put them on duty there, until the Brigade should return which did not take place until November of said year 1779, and when the 3 d Brigade returned we found considerable of a number of recruits from New Hampshire under the command of said Frost which were annexed to different companies in said line, and Joseph Stearns one of said recruits was annexed to and joined Col l William A. Hawkins's Company of the said 3 d New Hampshire Reg t Commanded Col l Scamell as said, where he continued faithfully to serve as a soldier until June 1780, and I am positive that some day in said June 1780 he was honorably discharged for I saw it, it expressed that he had served one year being the term of his enlistment - and was signed by the commanding officer of said 3 d Reg t and Joseph Stearns now of Holles is the man which did the service above stated. Rob t B. Wilkins

State of New Hampshire } Concord Augt 25 th 1819 Rockingham ss.
Be it known that on this twenty fifth day of August A.D. 1819 personally appeared Robert B. Wilkins & made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is just & true.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & was affixed my Notarial Seal at Concord in the County & State aforesaid on the day aforesaid. Joseph Law Notary Public.
I certify that the above named Robert B. Wilkins is a credible being person. Joseph Law Not. Pub.

I, Simeon Foster of Saint Albans in the State of Ver- mont, formerly of Hollis in the County of Hillsbo- rough & State of New-Hampshire, depose that I have been acquainted with Joseph Stearns of said Hollis ever since his childhood, and well remember of said Stearns' enlistment, as a private soldier, in May or June A.D. 1879 with Capt Hawkins' company in a Regiment com- manded by Col. Hammett in the conti- nental service for one year, and that said Stearns continued to serve in the same company for the term of one year, when he was honorably discharged - I know that said Stearns enlisted & served as above stated, because I enlisted at the same time into the same company & served with him dur- ing the same period -
Simeon Foster
State of New-Hampshire
Hillsborough ss. October 4. 1819 - Then person- ally appeared before me the subscriber the a- bove named Simeon Foster & made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true - I hereby certify that the above deposi- tion named Simeon Foster is a credible witness
Ben. M. Farley Jus. Peace

State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss
In testimony that Benjamin M. Farley Esquire is an acting Justice of the Peace for & within said county & the name Benj m M. Farley subscribed to the within certificate is his signature & hand writing I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Superior Court of Judicature of the State of New Hampshire of which I am Clerk for said county this ninth day of October Anno Domini 1819
J. French

43179 Rev. INVALID.
File No. 43. 179
Joseph Stearns Rev Rev. Rev.
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 490
[Arrangement of 1870.]