Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 766, for Stephen Jones, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass Navy
Jones, Stephen Meritable
No. 766
CONTENTS
b. Apr. 6, 1762 in Berwick Fork Co. Me. & res. there until in 1832 res. of Watbury, Washington Co. Vt. d. Mar. 1, 1846

2211
Vermont
Stephen Jones
Waterbury in the State of Vermont who was a priv. & Seaman in the comp. & repel commanded by Captain Goodwin & Kimball of the reg t commanded by Col. Little in the No. 16 militia line for 13 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of $3 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21. day of November 1832 and sent to P. Dillingham Waterbury Vermont
  Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832  64.99    Pension allowance ending 4. Mch 1833  21.66     $86.65  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. McCaffie Clerk Book 2 Vol. 4 Page 64
E. 23-

St Paul, Delaware 13 th Sept 1853.
1854 Concord, New Hampshire Widow of Stephen Jones
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a 11 mo Private 13 mo Maine & N. H. Line described on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars 00
cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1853. 31 st January 1853 Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of Aug/53 and sent to Pensioner Watertown Washington Co.
Entered on Roll of Pensioners under act 19 th Feb 1853 1832

No 2644
Private Leaman For 13. months. $43.33.
Claims 24. months.
7 months on board Alexander deducted 4 months on board Ranger deducted it appearing he claims more now than in 1849.
Paul Dillingham

BRIEF in the case of  Stephen Jones  of Waterbury in the State of Vermont  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
In the County Court.
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?
70 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of Generals and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years. Months. Days.     In 1779 Apr 6 privates Capt. Goodwin Col. Little   1781 7 Teamster Capt. Simpson 1st Regt. Alexander   1779 Oct. 11 " Ranger Capt. Simpson   24   11 deduct   13 months.  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Berwick, Maine.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
By tradition
except the last for which service he was paid in the receipt of a pension.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Correct
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
M. Duffield
Examining Clerk.

State of Vermont, Washington County & District, ss.
On this 26. day of May A.D. One Thousand Eight hundred and fifty three, personally appeared me Joseph Poland Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for the District & County of Washington and State of Vermont, Notitable forms, a resident of Waterbury in the County of Washington, in State aforesaid; aged 78 Years, who first being duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by act of Congress, passed on the 3 d February 1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War; That she is the widow of Stephen Jones late of Waterbury deceased, who was a seaman, & a private in the Navy & Navy of the United States during the War of the revolution. That he served there or more years as she believes, in the Navy of the United States, as stated, & served, in his declaration made in April 1818. to obtain the benefits of the act of March 18. 1818. which declaration she refers. That he also served about eleven months as a private, as stated, & served, in his declaration made in the year 1832, to obtain the benefits of the provisions of the act of 7. June 1832, under each of which acts her said husband was granted a pension but was deprived of the first, because he was not at the time, a pensioner or beggar. She further declares that she was married to the said Stephen Jones on the tenth day of February A.D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty one; and that her said husband died on the first day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty six; that she was not married to him from the second of January eighteen hundred, but at the time when she states (Over)

She further declares that she is now a widow
Hannah Jones
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me
Joseph Poland. { Judge of Probate for Washington District Co.
State of Vermont, Washington District & County ss.
I Joseph Poland Judge of Probate in and for the County of Washington District of Vermont & State of Vermont; do hereby certify that the above named Elizabeth Jones by reason of age & infirmity of body, being unable to appear personally in said Court, I on the 26 th day of May 1853, personally waited upon her at Washington in said District, where she made subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration as above stated.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and hereunto the seal of said Court to be hereunto affixed and the same countersigned by the Register of said Court
Joseph Poland. Judge of Court
Done in Court the day and year above written
Attest Charles Root Register

Scituate force Deborah Johnson undated 3rd July 1853

I Isaac Gubtail of Watbury in Washington and State of Vermont, aged sixty two years do here and say, that I married one of the daughters of the late Stephen Jones of Watbury, who was a United States pensioner and I also know that Stephen Jones died on the first day of March A.D. 1846. I attended his funeral, at which there was whose name is attached to the other side of this sheet as applicant for a pension is his widow. She has since married since his death.
Isaac Gubtail
Subscribed & sworn to this 26 th day of May A.D. 1853 before me - and I also certify that I am personally acquainted with Isaac Gubtail who signed the above affidavit, & that he is a credible witness Paul Dillingham Justice of Peace
State of Vermont } I Luther Newcomb Deputy Clerk of the Washington County } County Court of the County of Washington in the State of Vermont which is a Court of record, do hereby certify that Paul Dillingham Esqr was on the 26 th day of May A.D. 1853 and still is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified that his signature to the foregoing is genuine and that he is duly qualified by the laws of this State to administer oaths for general purposes & to take depositions. —
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court this 27 th day of May A.D. 1853.
Luther Newcomb Deputy Clerk

State of Vermont, } Stowe Town Clerk, Lamoille County } office from 10. 1855. The foregoing is a true copy of a record of Marriages as as appears from the records of Marriages in this office
11 State of Vermont } 12 Washington County } Be it Remembered that at 13 Stowe in Washington County on the tenth day of February 14 A.D. One thousand Eight hundred and twenty One 15 Stephen Jones of Waterbury and Mehitable Moody 16 of Stowe in said Washington County were duly 17 joined in Marriage By Me
Daniel Woodley Clerk of Peace
18 Received and Recorded
19 March A.D. 1821 Attest R. Camp; T. Clerk
Attest J. H. Bennett } Town Clerk
I Joseph H Bennett of Stowe in Lamoille County & State of Vermont, of lawful age, do hereby certify that I am now the Town Clerk of Stowe and that the foregoing, a true copy of the record of the marriage of Stephen Jones to Mehitable Moody, with the exception that in the said extract the date is written out in words at length, while in the original record they are expressed in figures as follows "on the 10th day of Feby A.D. 1821" And further I do say that
Stowe May 10th 1853
J. H. Bennett
Sworn to before Me H. H. Thomas } Clerk of the Peace

State of Vermont } I hereby certify that N. H. Lamoille County p. } Thomas of Stone, in Lamoille County before me, the foregoing affidavit of J. H. Bennett was subscribed and sworn to. He is at the time and still is, a Justice of the Peace within and for the county of Lamoille duly qual- ified and commissioned; and that his signature thereto is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my official hands and affixed the seal of Lamoille County Court, at Hyde Park this 23 rd day of June A. D. 1853.
Carlos S. Noyes, Clerk

Stephen Lewis 1861 Declaration of Statements
No 2 644

State of Vermont. On this 7 th day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared Washington County ss in open Court before the County Court within & for the County of Washington, now sitting, Stephen Jones a resident of Washington in the County of Washington and State of Vermont, aged seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration and statement, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That in the month of April 1779 he lived in, and was an inhabitant of the town of Berwick, in the County of York, (then province, now State of Maine). That in the latter part of that same April, at a training of the Militia Com- =pany in said Berwick to which the said Stephen belonged or else were recd by their Capt. for furnishing by draft, volunteering or enlistment a complement of six men from said Company to serve as Militia for the term of six months. That on the drill, calling for volunteers for that service he & 5 others, turned out, & were returned for that service. That the Militia thus drafted, or volunteering, were formed into companies and in their organization he was attached to a company commanded by Capt. John Goodwin of the same York County, who had under him Lieut. Thomas Abbot of said Berwick, & Ensign Joshua Davis. That he together with Capt. Goodwin's Company were marched to Portland in the province (now State of Maine) and were there attached to Col. Little's Regiment, which Regiment afterwards joined in the Expedition that went against the enemy at the mouth of Penobscot River. That after remaining some time at Portland, he with his Company & Regt. together with other forces, were embarked aboard a fleet consisting of above thirty sail of vessels in all & bound for Penobscot River. Genl. Doyel commanded the troops embarked on this Expedition. That said fleet arrived at Penobscot some- time in July, when he and the other troops were disembarked, and commenced immediate operations against the British force stationed on that River who were constructing fortifications. That he believes they staid at Penobscot 3 or 4 weeks. That during that time a detachment from his Regt. of which he was one, was engaged with a detachment of English troops who attacked them in the woods. That he was much on fatigue duty while he staid in that service. That when the American troops were landing on their first arrival, Major Sawyer of his Regiment was in a boat that was upset by a shot from the enemy's works, and was either killed or drowned, as he was never seen afterwards. That sometime in August 1779 a large & superior British fleet made

its appearance in the mouth of Penobscot River, and the American force, he among the rest, were immediately embarked aboard the shipping for the purpose of making their escape up the River - That three armed American ships attempted to escape, through the English fleet, one of which he understood succeeded, the others did not - That when night came on the troops from the transports were landed, he was aboard a transport lower down the River than many others, when he was landed, the transport abandoned which he was, as the last boat left her, was set fire to and burned down, as were many others during that night - That after landing he, and his associates proceeded up the River till morning for the purpose of uniting with others that landed above them - That the largest American ship, which he thinks carried thirty guns, ascended the River to the falls - That in the morning, after his night march, he saw her crew landed & she set fire to - That they left her burning, her guns continually discharging from the heat, and that before they got so far into the woods as to lose sight of her she blew up, the fire having reached the Magazine - he with all the troops that got on shore commenced their march through woods to get back to Portland, that on their way they suffered much from fatigue & want of food - That while on their way through the wilderness for the space of three days they never saw a human dwelling - That they finally reached Portland, where, after his six months were expired, he was dismissed and then returned to Bangor, from whence he started -
That in July 1781 he enlisted as a seaman under Capt. Thomas Simpson for seven months, & shipped on board the armed ship Alexander, belonging to the United States, carrying twenty guns, that the Alexander had been recently built at Bangor & had just come to Portsmouth Harbor to receive her rigging, armament & provisions for a cruise when he enlisted & went aboard - That Capt. Simpson had under him Lieut. Hall & Mathewson - That the crew were employed in fitting of said ship for sea, from the time he joined her till fall - That some time about the last of Oct or 1 st Nov. 1781 she sailed on a cruise, he being aboard, & being stationed at the Brown Point buoy in the light boat - That the Alexander cruise continued below there

and four months. three months & three days of which they occur saw land. The oration however, did not result in any fortunate adventures. That the Alexander returned to Portsmouth from that cruise the fore part of February 1782. And at said Ports- mouth at the expiration of his 7 months he was discharged, and returned to Berwick. That he has no discharge & does not think he ever had any. nor has he any documentary evidence showing his services now in his possession; nor does he now know of a person that is living who served with & knew him, in either of said terms of duty. That he was born in said Berwick April 6th A.D. 1762. That from the close of the Revolutionary war, he resided in said Berwick till 1791 when he removed to Waterville where he gave notice And the said Stephen Stokes, that in addition to the aforesaid services, he served
Eleven months, as a mariner under the command of the aforesaid Thomas Simpson as capt in the United States Ship Ranger. Enlisted as he thinks in Oct. 1779. was with his officers & ship's crew & ship included in the capitulation & surrender of Chastleton, S. Carolina in May 1780. remained a prisoner till Dec. of that year when he was exchanged at Philadelphia, returned home & was discharged. That under the act of Congress of 18 March 1818. he made a declaration setting out fully said Eleven months service, and was placed on the Pension List Roll, Vermont agency. his pension certificate was dated Sept 10. 1819. pension commenced July 29. 1819. at the rate of eight dollars per month. that after having one years pension, he was dropped or struck from the Pension Roll, on account of his property & has never been reinstated. That when he made that declaration, to obtain a pension, he resided in Waterville, Washington County, Vermont where he now resides, & where he has resided for the last forty years. he has now in his possession his original pension certificate ready to be surrendered if necessary. —
That he knows George Seagel who on his neighborhood and will testify to their belief of his age, that he is infatigable & diligent in his neighborhood there being a relation of the Revolution & that they concur in that belief. 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, or only on that of the agency of the state of Vermont. Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. — Stephen Jones

We George Seage & Asaph Allen residing in the town of Watkins, County of Washington and State of Vermont, hereby certify that we are acquainted with Stephen Jones of said Watkins who has subscribed hereto to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy six years of age; that he is respected and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a sol- dier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
George Seage
Asaph Allen
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
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 George Seage who signed the foregoing certificates is a resident in the said town of Watkins, and that Asaph Allen who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said town of Watkins, and an credible person, and that this Statement is entitled to credit.
Attest Joshua W. Vail Clerk
I Joshua W. Vail Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Washington, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proce- edings of the said Court, in the matter of the Application of Stephen Jones for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and seal of Office this eighth day of August A.D. 1852
Attest Joshua W. Vail Clerk

New Han
WIDOW, &c.
File No.
766
Whitaker Jones widow
Stephen Jones Rel. Rev. War
Act:
Feb. 3, 1863
Index:
Vol.
A
Page
876
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No. 135 Vermont
Stephen Jones
of Washington Co. in the state of Vermont who was a Marine Ship Ranger in the regiment commanded by Colonel Capt Simpson of the line, for the term of 9 months
Inscribed on the roll of Vermont at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 29 of July 1819
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 of Sep 1819 and sent to George Dick Engr agent, Montpelier, Vt.
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1819. 1 \text{ mo } \frac{3}{30} \frac{4}{30} \$ 9.83 semi-ann. all'g ending April 1820. 48
$ 57.83
{ Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. }
10

Pension Office, 26 August, 1852
Sir, Be pleased to inform me to what time the within pension was paid, on the date of his death.
Yours Respectfully,
J. Cole Actg. Commr.
Stephen Jones, Act 32, $43.33 per annum. Died 1 st March 1846, Paid to his death.
L. Birch Auditor.
Francis Root. Esq., Ship Auditor. Treasury.

Supern Jones. —
Payable semi-annually. The first payment on this Certificate will be made on the 4th of March next, in Burlington, Vt.
by Heman Allen Esq.
Agent
16/519
Recorded

War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818,
Stephen Jones  late a  Marine in the Army  Navy of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Vermont Agency, at the rate of Eight dollars per month, to com- mence on the twenty ninth day of July — one thousand eight hundred and nineteen
GIVEN at the War Office of the United
States, this tenth day of
September one thousand eight
hundred and nineteen
J. C. Calhoun Secretary of War.

Watkins Aug 2 nd 1853
Dear L. P. Moldo Com. Comm.
Sir
I forward an additional affidavit of identity in the case of Abchitla Jones for a pension under the act of 3 rd March, now lying in your office & not yet acted on.
It was sent in June last - & your new rule requiring two affidavits to the identity of the pensioner, may require the aid of the affidavit now sent.
Yours Respectfully
Paul Dillingham
Original Case recd June 16 th Adams

Brief in the case of Mehitable Jones, Widow of Stephen Washington County and State of Vermont, act 3 rd Febry. 1853.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a Pensioner, under the Act of June, 1832, Record evidence of marriage.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Claimant. Waterbury. Washington Co. Vt. Name and residence of Agent
S. C. Boynton, Examining Clerk.

Watertown Ct, 7 Sept 1853
Dear Dr. Waldo Comr. of Pensions
Sir
Will you read this letter personally? Its object is to call your attention to the case of Widow Abigail Jones, widow of Stephen Jones, deceased. I just now received her Certificate, much to my surprise, & to her manifest injury for only $20. per annum, when her husband died in the receipt of a pension of over $43.00 per annum under the act of June 1832
Stephen Jones the deceased pensioner, was placed on the Pension list at $96.00 per annum, under the act of 18. March 1818. but was soon suspended til he could prove his poverty, or in other words the ownership of property only to an amount less than $96. He had a little farm worth a $1000 & some stock & being so honest to give it away & suffer to utter poverty, he still suspended & never became acquainted with the subsequent construction of the order under which his pension was suspended - which made his yearly income, not one-tenth of his property, the limit

which was to determine his rights to receive his pension. In 1832, he relinquished his pension under the act of 1818, & made a new declaration for other "Revolutionary services," but not "Continental" ones & furnished such proof that he had his pension allowed under that act at $43. 00 per annum - Now if his relinquishment of his first pension, should have the widow - which I trust it does not why is she not allowed such sum as he was in receipt of when he died?
As early as 1835, Stephen Jones by name of being, became bound with an unfortunate son, lost all his property & so continued poor & died, not a worth any property to his old widow, now tottering over the grave should by no means be cut down from her just rights -
Her declaration substantially states all these facts - And I want you personally to examine it , and inform me if she may not entitle her to the full benefit of her pension for the sum, at least, her husband drew while living! Your Sincere friend Paul D. Kingham

- Affidavit in cause of McKittelle Jones for land under the Act of 3rd July 1853 Original Declaration forwarded in June 1853 Nugent Russell Bilbrough

I Maddens Clough of Watertown in the County of Washington & State of Vermont, of lawful age do hereby say that I have lived in Watertown Vermont, for the last eighteen years. That I well knew Stephen Jones his wife & his wife Rachel Noble Jones for kind neighbors from the time I moved into said town till he died, which was six or seven years ago last spring. Rachel Jones his widow has continued in said town in the same place where her husband lived & died. She is now alive & has never married since her said husbands decease.
Maddens Clough
Sworn & subscribed August 15, 1853 Before me Paul Dillinger Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with Maddens Clough who signed above & that she is a person of good character, and that she is a credible witness.
Paul Dillinger Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Washington County
ss
I Sherbuel Wheeler Clerk of the County Court for the County of Washington and State of Vermont,
which is a Court of Record having a Clerk Who, hereby certify that Paul Dillingham Esq. is on this 15 th day of August 1853 an acting Justice of the Peace for said County of Washington, duly commissioned and qualified by the Laws of this State to administer Oaths for general purposes; and that his signature to the foregoing Certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the Seal of said County Court, at Montpelier in said County, this 15 th day of August A.D. 1853.
Sherbuel Wheeler Clerk

I Joseph Ricker of Bittow in Chittenden County & State of Vermont, of lawful age do now and say, that in the year 1781 I resided with my father in Berwick, York County, Maine, was then 12 years old, was at that time well acquainted with Stephen Jones, of the same Berwick who was some years older than myself & who now resides in Watbury Vermont, & is still well known to me - sometimes in the spring of 1781. I know that said Stephen Jones entered or engaged as a seaman to go on board the ship Alexander to be fitted out as a private armed ship at Portsmouth N. Hampshire. I know that said Jones went away, as he had previously worked for my father a few months, and all the people in the neighborhood said he had gone to sea in the Alexander, a ship that I then had about, asking that season built said Jones was gone. Seven or eight months from then I never knew or heard his absence accounted for, in any other way, but his being gone to sea.
I will mention, that said Jones returned to Berwick in the fall of 1780, after having, as was said, been a prisoner, in Carolina on board a Prison Ship. I had a Brother, Noah Ricker, with him as prisoner returned home with said Jones in the fall of 1780. Joseph Ricker
State of Vermont Washington County ss
Sworn and Subscribed July 23 rd A.D. 1852. before me Paul Dillingham Jr. Justice of Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with Joseph Ricker, who subscribed the foregoing affidavit, and that he is a credible witness. Paul Dillingham Jr. Justice of Peace

State of Vermont } Washington County } I Joshua W. Vail clerk of Washington County Court, do hereby certify that Paul Dillingham Jr. who has affixed his name to the within, is a Magistrate duly qualified, and that I believe the same to be his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Montpelier in said County, this 8 th day of August A.D. 1852. Attest Joshua W. Vail Clerk
Joseph Peckin Affidavit for Stephen Jones

Stephen Jones 4541 Declaration ✓
Geo. Rich age } 9 Montpelier, VT } 0 recd Aug 9. 1819 }
Mariner on board the Ship Ranger October 1799 July 1800
On Board board

State of Vermont, ss. On this 29 th day of July A.D. 1819, before me the Washington p. 3 subscription one of the Judges of Washington County Court aforesaid, Personally appears Stephen Jones of Waterbury in the County aforesaid of the age of sixty years, who being duly sworn according to law deposes & says that about the first of October 1779 he enlisted as a marine on board the Ship Ranger then lying at Portsmouth New Hampshire, under the command of Capt. Thomas Simpson, in the continen- tal service - That the Ranger sailed from Portsmouth in November next after his enlistment, in company with the ships Warren, Providence and one other, and after cruising some time entered the port of Charles Town South Carolina where they were captured by the British Fleet about the first of May 1780. - This deponent was put on board a British prison ship and kept until about the first of July of that year when this deponent was with the other prisoners on board the ship, sent to Philadelphia and soon after exchanged, and was then permitted to return home, having been in service at that time about ten months. That he has ever since been a cit- izen of the United States; and that by reason of his reduced circumstances stands in need of assistance from his country for support. - And that he has now no evidence of his services now in his power.
Stephen Jones
Sworn & declared the day and year aforesaid?
Joseph Howes Assistant Judge P.M.
State of Vermont, Washington - I Joseph Howes one of the Judges of Washington County aforesaid do hereby certify that it appears from my notes of fact that the said Stephen Jones did serve in the Revolu- tionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy - and I have transcribed the proceedings taken by me before me to the Secretary of the Department of War, pursuant to the provisions of the act of the 8 th March 1818. - and I further certify that the said Jones is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of assistance from his country for support. Witness my hand this 29 th day of July A.D. 1819. Joseph Howes Judge of Court