Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22306, for Nehemiah Steere, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
RD
Steere, Nehemiah or Steer or Stear
W 22306
CONTENTS
Rachel

5441 Rhode Island.
Rachel Steere widow of Nehemiah Steere
Reported
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of May 1857 and sent to
Hon. John N. Clarke Senate U. States
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 21 Vol. 3

I Hereby Certify That Nehemiah Stear of Gloucester In the County of Providence Sun of Jonah Stear Esq. and Rachel Harris Daughter of Elisha Harris Esq. Was Lawfully joined together in Marriage on the fifteenth Day of November A 1787 By me the Subscriber ————— Philimon Himes Elder

• Rachel Skine

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
On this 16 day of January A D 1850 personally appeared before me George A. Brayton aforesaid Justice of the Supreme Court of said State Rachel Stone now resident in Gloucester in said County aged eighty four years, who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" & other acts of Congress to continue the benefits of said act to said widows in the acts of March 3 d 1843 June 17 1844 & February 2 1848 That she is the widow of Nehemiah Stone late of said Gloucester deceased who was a soldier of the Revolution and served as a private in various Companies and Regiments, He served she believes in Col Chas Brown's regiment also in Col Greene's regiment of Rhode Island Troops and in other regiments But she must depend on those who served with him or were known to him for the amount of service performed & for the names of his officers other than the above, She further declares that she was married to the said Nehemiah Stone on the fifteenth day of November A D 1787

as appears by the original Certificate her marriage hereto annexed, that her husband the said Asahel died on the 26 day of November A D 1812 & since that period she has remained a widow. She was not married to him prior to his leaving the services but the marriage took place previous previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four, to wit at the time above mentioned.
And she further declares that about ten years ago she made an attempt to obtain a pension but could not find sufficient evidence or any record of his services, that she had always understood he had performed sufficient service but was unable to obtain the evidence of it until lately.
Rachel her Steer mark
State of Rhode Island Kent ss. } on this 16 day of January A D 1850 Personally appeared before me the above named Rachel Steer and subscribed & made oath to the preceding declar- ation and I further certify that from old age and infir- mities she is unable to appear in court and that she is a credible person.
Geo A Brayton Associate justice of the Supreme Court

I Martha Stearns of Gloucester in said County aged fifty two years do testify & say that Rachel Stearns who has signed and sworn to the preceding declaration is my mother & the said Rachel Stearns there was my father. My father died in the month of November A.D. 1822 and since that period my mother has remained a widow I was with my father when he died Martha Stearns
Sub of Rachel Stearns &c
Providence R.I.
On the 16 th day of January A.D. 1850 Personally appeared before me the above named Martha Stearns & subscribed & made oath to the preceding deposition & I certify that the said Martha is a credible witness.
Geo. A. Brayton official justice of the Supreme Court

Rachel Stear, 14054
Michael Stear,
mother of
Nehemiah Stear
R.I.
July 7, 1838
Reuben Place was married for six months during the first term of 1830 under Col. Scamper has. act of June 32, No 2257.
L. Conner,
Providence
R.I.

I Reuben Place of Gloucester in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island in oath do testify and say, that I am now in my Eighty ninth year of my age that I well remember Nehemiah Stear formerly of said Gloucester a Soldier of the Revolution and where his widow now lives in said Gloucester I have a distinct recollection that said Nehemiah Stear served Six Months in Col. Greenes regiment was against in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty. Stationed on Rhode Island I was in that same regiment my self, this service was in the Summer and Autumn of that year the service was called the Short Service that is men were enlisted for Six Months to serve in said regiment I was in Capt. Coles Company, and the said Nehemiah Stear was in Lieutenant Burlingame's company. his Reuben Place mark
Attest Reuben Place Providence Providence ss in Smithfield this Second day of January A.D. Eighteen hundred and fifty. Then personally appeared before me Reuben Place Subscribed to the above deposition and after being sworn gave the same - which was by me written and read to him in his presence and by him Subscribed in my presence - I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Reuben Place and that he is a credible witness in the premises. Spencer Mowry Justice of the Peace

I Simeon Bowen of Gloucester, in the county of Providence, & State of Rhode Island, do hereby certify and say, that I am in the eighty first year of my age. I was well acquainted with Nehemiah Steer, formerly of said Gloucester, and the husband of Rachel Steer, now his widow, and residing in said Gloucester. In the year 1778, in the month of August, in Sullivan's expedition, we both served together as privates, for one month, in Capt. John Eddy's company, in Col. Chad Brown's Regiment, stationed on Rhode Island. Towards the last of said August, he was taken sick with the camp disorder, and I well remember assisting in taking him to the Hospital, by order of the Captain. The above is the only time of duty, that I know of said Steer serving, but I believe he always did his duty in turn as the Militia were called upon. The Militia were divided into three parts, one third at a time being called upon at a time  alternately and in this way performed service for several years and I believe he always served in his turn. Simeon Bowen

State of Rhode Island
Providence R.I. In Gloucester Jan. 18. 1839
Then the within named Simon Bowen subscribed and made oath to the within. And I further certify that said Simon is a credible witness.
William Aplin
Public Notary
Simon Bowen

I Esrah Burlingame of Gloucester in the County of Providence and State of Rhode-Island on oath do testify and say that I am now Eighty-Six years of age and that I have a distinct recollection that Nehemiah Steere formerly of said Gloucester a soldier of the revolution I distinctly recollect that he enlisted as a privet soldier in Colonel Greens regiment and lieutenant Burlingames Company in the Summer and Autumn of Seventeen hundred and Eighty and was Stationed on Rhode-Island. This service was called the short service Men were enlisted for Six Months in said regiment the said Nehemiah Steere died about Twenty years ago and left a widow Rachael Steere and shee is still his widow and lives in said Gloucester I lived in the neighborhood in the time of this War with the said Nehemiah Steere and worked for his Father Jonah Steere when he did this service Ys Esrah Burlingame
State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations Providence ss Gloucester January 18 th AD 1850
Then personally appeared the above named Esrah Burlingame and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit then subscribed in my presence. I further certify that the said Esrah Burlingame is well known to me and his statements are entitled to full faith and credit.
before me
Ezra Hawkins Justice of the Peace

Plantations
State of Rhode Island & Providence
Secretary of State's Office, January 21 st A.D. 1850.
I certify, that George A. Brayton, whose signature is affixed to the certificate attached to the annexed deposition of Martha Steene, is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of this State, authorized by law to take depositions and to administer oaths and affirmations, and that he was duly elected and commissioned Associate Justice aforesaid, as appears of record in this office.
I further certify, that Ezra Hawkins, whose signature is affixed to the certificate attached to the annexed deposition of Dick Burlingame, is a Justice of the Peace in the town of Gloucester, county of Providence in said State, duly elected and commissioned and authorized to take depositions, and to administer oaths and affirmations, as appears of record in this office.
I further certify, that Spencer Mowry, whose signature is affixed to the certificate attached to the annexed deposition of Reuben Place, is a Justice of the Peace in the town of Smithfield, county of Providence, in the State aforesaid, duly elected and commissioned, and authorized by law to take depositions and to administer oaths and affirmations, as appears of record in this office.
I further certify, that William Apple, whose signature is affixed to the certificate attached to the annexed deposition of Simeon Bowen, was, at the date of said certificate a Public Notary for the county of Providence, in the State aforesaid, duly elected and commissioned, and authorized by law to take depositions and to administer oaths and affirmations, as appears of record in this office.
In testimony of all which facts, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said State, the day and year before written.
Chas. B. Robbins, Secy of State

10913.
Rhode Island.
Rachel Steero
Widow of Nehemiah Steero who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died in the year 1822 of Providence in the State of R.I. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain of the Reg t commanded by Col. Brown in the line for
Inscribed on the Roll of Providence at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of May 1838 and sent to Hon John H. Clarke S. U. S.
Total amount, $
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J. P. Chase Clerk. Book 2 Vol. 1 Page 115 .

8828. Rhode Island
Rachel Steere widow of Nehemiah Steere who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of May 1857 and sent to
Mrs. John H. Clarke Seneca U. States
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 47

No 14054 Rachel Sterne wid of Nehemiah R.I.
act 7 May 1838
Mamma. m 1787 husband died 1822
Adm 6 mo per $20 00 p m In 4 March 36 to 4 March 41 adv act 4 3 4 4 5 $20 00 p m In 4 March 4 3
Heir John H Clarke Senah W Stacy

Providence May 14 1880
Sir
In answer to your letter of 2 d inst respecting the claim of Rachel Stone widow of Nehemiah Stone I have to say, that you are mistaken in saying that the "witnesses themselves are not Revolutionary pensioners." One of the witnesses Ruben Plan was a Revolutionary soldier & served with Nehemiah Stone in the same Regiment & has received a pension for his services. The other witness, Altho' he did not serve with him yet had a perfect recollection of the time, Stone enlisted and I think was present - You observe further that "Nehemiah Stone's name does not appear upon the Roll of Col. Greene's Regiment." There are no Rolls of this portion of Col. Greene's regiment in existence. These men were raised for six months only in 1780, & were placed under Col. Greene during their enlistment. The French Army, and Allies were then on the Island of Rhode Island and an attack was expected from the British and this corps of "Short Levers" as they were

called were raised by an General Assembly, to aid the forces American & French then on the Island, — I have myself the Rolls of Col Greens Regiment, those which were raised for "3 years or the war " but I never yet saw any Roll of the "Short Service" & the Secretary has certified that there are none in his Office. This was a separate Corps. They did not properly belong to Col Greens Regiment but merely placed under him during their enlistment. The Certificate of the Secretary is herewith enclosed. Hoping this explanation and Certificate will be satisfactory. I have to request that his claim will be allowed.
I am very Respectfully Your obed Servt Benja Cowell
J. L. Edwards Esq

An act for raising and sending into the field six hundred and ten men to recruit the Continental battalions raised by this State, under the command of Colonel Christopher Greene and Colonel Israel Angell.
Whereas the exigence of the public affairs requires, that a formidable efficient force be raised, and sent into the field, as soon as possible: And whereas this State is called upon by Congress and the Commander in chief of the forces of the United States, to recruit the Continental battalions of this State with six hundred and ten men: In order therefore to comply with the said requisitions, and to give as far as possible stability and success to the public measures,
Be it enacted by this General Assembly, and by the authority thereof, it is enacted, that six hundred and ten able bodied effective men be raised as soon as possible, to recruit the said battalions: that they rendezvous at Providence by the first day of July next, and continue in service until the first day of January next, unless sooner discharged: and that each soldier so raised sign the enlistment, and take the oath directed by Congress, mutatis mutandis .
x x x x x x x x x x x x x
It is further enacted, that the Honorable Jake Bowen Esq. and James Mitchell Varnum and Ezek Hopkins Esquires, be and they are hereby appointed a committee to wait upon the Honorable Major General Heath, and request him to

cause the privates in Colonel Christopher Greene's regi- ment to be incorporated into the regiment commanded by Colonel Israel Angell, or otherwise disposed of for the best good of the service: And that Colonel Greene and his officers be appointed to command the men ordered to be raised by this act, in a corps separate and entire.
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Secretary of State's office, May 15. A.D. 1850.
I certify, that the title, preamble and sections next preceding are true copies of the title, preamble, and first and ninth sections of an act passed by the General Assem- bly of this State, at its June session, held by adjournment at South Kingston in this State, on the second Monday of June, in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty, as appears of record in this office.
I further certify, that no rolls or lists of officers or men, appointed or enlisted under the aforesaid act are to be found in this office.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and the seal of said State this day and year before written.
Chris t B. Robbins Secretary of State.

Sir
Providence Jan 21 1850
I herewith enclose the application of Mrs. Rachel Stone widow of Jeremiah Stone, for a pension under the act of Congress of July 7 1838 & other acts in addition. Mrs. Stone made an attempt to obtain a pension several years ago to obtain a pension but not finding sufficient testimony she did not proceed with it, - The affidavit of Simon Bemen was taken at that time. He has since deceased. His affidavit therefore could not be retaken.
I am very Respectfully Yours all but Benja Cowell
W. Edwards Esq

Washington May 17 th 1850
My Dear Sir,
I have the honor to transmit to you the accompanying letter from Judge Powell of Rhode Island, relating to a pension claimed by W m Rachel Steer. Also an authenticated Copy of portion of an act passed by our Legislature in 1780 - authorizing the enlistment of troops for the purpose therein named.
I have of course no knowledge about the merits of this claim - but the zeal and readiness with which R. Island put forth her entire population in that dark hour of our Country's struggle, induces me to believe that the services of the husband of the claimant must have been rendered in some form - probably in the manner stated.
May I beg the favor of an early consideration of the claim.
With renewed assurance of great respect - Very truly
Yrs John H. Clarke
H. L. Edwards Esq.

14054
Rachel Steere
R. I.
Let R. Comer, April May 2/1882
July 7. 1838.

Reg
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 22,376
Rachel Stevens wid of Reuben Stevens Prin Rec. War
Act: Feb. 28  1888
Index:—Vol. 16 , Page 248
[Arrangement of 1870.]