Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2269, for Lemuel Stocking, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Stocking, Lemuel Ruth
W 2269 B.L.W. 8149-160-55
CONTENTS

Massachusetts 152 63
Samuel Stocking decd?
of Berkshire in the State of Mass ts who was a Pri: in the company commanded by Captain Tyler of the Reg t commanded by Col. Huntington in the Connecticut line for 1 year and 9 months - certificate issued in favour of Ruth Stocking 5 June 1833 -
610 5 Aug - 1828 74
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5. day of June '33 and sent H. W. Bishop Senax. Mass:
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 - 126. 66 Pension allowance ending 4 Sept " 31. 66 1/2
$1 58. 32 1/2
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 77

Commonwealth, Massachusetts Woburn ss.
On this Sixth day of November A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Hon. William P. Waldo Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at least within the said County of Woburn. Martha Spearling a resident of Woburn in the County of Middlesex, aged Sixty four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of the Legislature passed March 7. 1832. for the service of the United States during the war, as a resident of said Woburn, deposes to wit that she the said Martha Spearling is the widow of said deceased and that her said husband died on the fifth day of August last past, aged Seventy four years.
That in joined the service of the United States with the following named Officers & Servants under her station as appears by the Dispositions of Joseph Shepard, Eben D. Dyer, & John Bryant which are hereto annexed. to wit that she was mustered in January 1846, in the Company raised at and by Colonel Sylvester D. Dyer in the Regular Army and mustered by Colonel Dyer at Hartford Huntington that he continued to serve in the same Company in the service of the United States until the month of January 1847 including the time of the battle of Cerro Gordo was discharged from service at Crossroads in the State of New York. That during the time of his service in the service of the United States he was in the County of New York, Long Island. — he resided at Chatham in the County of Middlesex in the State of Connecticut, where he then resided.

that she doth not know that he received a written Discharge - also, the same is lost or destroyed. - That he the said Samuel Stocking some time in the month of July 1780, enlisted at Middlesex County (then part of Hampshire County) in the State of Massachusetts, in the service of the United States for the term of six months & about the 21 st of the same month passed muster at Springfield, Mass. & marched to West Point in the State of New York & from thence to Kingsbridge & then joined Col. Jackson's Regiment & marched to Orange town & did duty there & in that vicinity until until after the evacuation of New York & then marched to West Point & there did duty in 8 th Regiment during the remainder of said term of six months & then was discharged. That in the year 1781 he enlisted in 8 th Regiment in the force sent out of said State in a company of militia commanded by Captain Benjamin Phillips & marched to a place called Morris Creek on the Hudson River & there joined the Regiment commanded by Col. Woodbridge, from thence the 8 th Company proceeded to Stillwater where he was discharged after having performed duty for the term of about fifteen days.
The said Samuel Stocking was born in S th Chatham in Connecticut on the year twenty day of August 1748. as appears to the said Rev. the undersigned.
She has no record of his age. At the time of his first enlistment he

resided in S t Chatham - he removed to S t Asaph in the year 1777, or about that time, & there lived at the time of his other terms of enlistment & continued to reside there until about the year 1800, when he removed to S t David- Leboy, where he resided until the time of his death in August last. —
Does not appear that he ever rec d a written Discharge of so. it is lost or destroyed The said Arneil, in his life time was known to Rev d Samuel Shepard & Ed- mund Dewey & Joseph Snapp of said Leboy, who can testify as to his character & their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution. — She refers to the annexed Depositions of Joseph Shepard & Isaac Selden & John Brant for proof of his said services. Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid } Ruth Stocking
W m B. Baker S. Roberts
We Samuel Shepard a Clergyman residing in said Leboy, and Edmund Dewey & Joseph Snapp both residing in said Leboy, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ruth Stocking, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that she is the Widow of Arneil Stocking late of said Leboy, deceased, who died at said Leboy on

the 5th day of August last - that we are believed him to have been at the time of his decease seventy years of age; that he is reported & believed in the neighborhood where he for many years resided to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion - Samuel Shepard soon & subscribed the Edward Harvey day & year aforesaid J. S. Cuthbert
W.P. Walker J. P. B. S. Cuthbert
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter & after putting the same in writing, presented by the War Department, that the above named General Stocking died at said Army on the 5th day of August last, that the above named Ruth Stocking is the Widow of said Deceased - that the said General Stocking was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as then stated. A. And the Court further certifies, that it has been to them that Sam. Shepard, who signed the pre- ceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the town of Haverhill in the County of Bristol & Co. Massachusetts & that Edmund Grady & Joseph Fletcher, who have also signed the same, are residents in said Army & are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit.
W.P. Walker J. P. B. S. Cuthbert
A. So far as the same is proved by the affidavits annexed - W.P.W.

I, Joseph Shepard of Buckland, in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age do testify and say, that I was knowing that Lemuel Stocking late of Lenox in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth aforesaid deceased, enlisted under Lieut Aaron Hale, in Capt Abraham Tyler's Company, that he then resided in Chatham, in the State of Connecticut, and entered the Continental Service in January, 1776. in the Regiment commanded by Col. Jedediah Huntington; that he continued to serve in the same corps, or in the service of the United States until January 1777. making a term of one year, when he was discharged from service in the town of Grafton, in the State of New York - That he was in the Battle of or near Flat Bush Long Island.
Buckland September 23. 1832. Joseph Shepard
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss. Buckland September 23. 18
The above named Joseph Shepard personally appeared and made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true, he being known to me as a person of reputed truth and veracity.
Before me Joseph Griswold justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the county of Franklin do certify that Joseph Griswold Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to be verified is a Justice of the Peace of said county, and as such is duly qualified to administer oaths and take affidavits. And I believe his name above subscribed to be his true and proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Greenfield, on the first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
E. Alvord clerk

Asa Seldens Affidavit

I Asa Selden of Ashfield in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being twenty two years of age do testify and say that I have been well acquainted with Lemuel Stocking late of Lenox in the County of Berkshire and Common- wealth aforesaid, and formerly of Ashfield aforesaid that the said Lemuel Stocking at said Ashfield some time in the month of July in the year of our Lord 1780 in- listed into the Service of the United States, for the term of six months and on the twenty first of the same July passed muster at Springfield at Springfield in the Commonwealth aforesaid, and marched to West Point in the state of New York and from thence to Kingsberg and there joined Col. Jackson's regiment, and marched to Brangitown and there, and in the vicinity did duty un- til after the execution of Major Andre, and then march- ed to West Point and there did duty in said regiment during the remainder of the said six months and then was dis- charged. The means of my knowing that the above service was performed is that I enlisted at the same time, went to the same place, did duty in the same regiment, though in the same company. Sept 28. 1832 Asa Selden
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin County ss On the twenty eighth day of September in the year of our Lord 1832 personally appeared before me Elijah Praine Esq. One of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Franklin aforesaid, Asa Selden subscribed to the above affidavit and after being duly sworn made solemn Oath that the same is true; and I hereby certify that the said Asa is known to me to be a credible witness.
Elijah Praine Justice of the Peace

I John Bement of Ashfield in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being seventy one years of age do testify and say that I have been well acquainted with Lemuel Stocking late of Lenox in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Mass, and formerly of Ashfield, that the said Lemuel Stocking at Ashfield for the fore part of July in the year of our Lord 1779 entered into the service of the United States in a company of Militia commanded by Captain Benjamin Phillips and marched to a place called Moses Creek situated on the Hudson river, and there joined a regiment commanded by Col. Woodbridge. From there the said company retreated by slow marches to Still Water at which place the said Lemuel was dismissed after having performed duty during the term of about six weeks. My means of knowing the above facts arises from my serving in the same company for the same period.
Again some time in the month of July in the year of our Lord 1780 at Ashfield said the said Lemuel Stocking enlisted as a private into the service of the United States for six months and on the twenty first day of the same month of July passed muster at Springfield in the Commonwealth of Mass, and marched to West Point in the State of New York and from there to Ring's Ferry, and there joined Col. Jackson's regiment which marched to Poughkeepsie and there and vicinity did duty until after the execution of Major Andre and then marched back to West Point and there did duty in said regiment during the remainder of said term and then was discharged. My means of knowing that the last mentioned service was performed, is that I enlisted at the same time passed muster at the same place did duty in the same regiment tho' not in the same company, I was in Captain Hobbie's company.
Sept 28-1832
John Bement
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin County ss.
On the twenty eighth of September in the year of

our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before me Elijah Paine Esq. one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Franklin, Francis, John Bennett subscriber to the within affidavit, and first being duly sworn according to law made solemn oath that the same is true, and I hereby certify that the deponent is known to me to be a credible witness
Elijah Paine Justice of the Peace
James Sheffield John Bennett Francis H. Linsley Oct 14 1832
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the County of Franklin, do hereby certify that the within named Elijah Paine Esq. before whom the within and annexed depositions were verified is a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Franklin, and qualified as such to take affidavits and depositions within said county. And his name subscribed to the respective affidavit certificates of caption thereof is known to me to be his true and proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Greenfield on the first day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
E. Alvord Clerk
John Bennett James Sheffield

1875 Samuel Stocking Senior Ass Application for Pension Nov 14 1832

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss-ss. Henry W. Bishop, Register of the Court of Probate within & for said county of Berkshire, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ruth Stocking for a pension on account of the revolutionary services of her deceased husband.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this sixth day of December A.D. 1832. Henry W. Bishop. Register of Probate.

1439 Massachusetts Ruth Stocking widow of Lemuel Stocking who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private Ct Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 63 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1833.
3 rd February 1833 Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of Aug st 33 and sent to
Eli Tainton Lee Massa
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 24th 1833 Page 15 Vol. A
3153
1832

State of Massachusetts County of Berkshire ss. } On this twenty eighth day of April A.D. 1853, Personally appeared before me Henry W. Bishop Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the State aforesaid at her dwelling house in Lenox County and State aforesaid She being unable by reason of bodily infirmity to appear in open Court Ruth Stocking, a resident of the town of Lenox aforesaid aged 84 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by act of Congress passed February 3 d 1853, that she is the widow of Lemuel Stocking dec d who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and a pensioner of the United States upon the Massachusetts agency at the rate of Sixty three dollars and thirty three cents per annum under the act of Congress passed in 1831, and she further declares that she was married to the said Lemuel Stocking dec d on the 5 th day of May 1811, by the Rev d Samuel Shepard dec d of Said Lenox, That her late husband the said Lemuel Stocking died on the 6 th day of August 1832, - That she was his widow on the 3 d day of February 1853, and still remains his widow.
For proof of her claim she refers to the accompanying papers and to the papers of her late husband Lemuel Stocking, now filed in the Pension Office at Washington
her
Ruth Stocking mark
Subscribed and sworn to the day & year aforesaid before me
Henry W. Bishop Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the state aforesaid

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss. I hereby certify that Henry W. Bishop Esquire before whom the foregoing declaration and annexed Certificate was made and who has thereunto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the State aforesaid duly commissioned & sworn. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court as Clerk of said Court this twenty eighth day of April 1853. Charles G. Wilkins

I William S. Tucker Town Clerk of the town of Lanes in the county of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts, do hereby certify to the following to wit,
Marriage Solemnized by the Subscriber in Mr Samuel Stocking to Miss Ruth Ford May fifth eighteen hundred and eleven. Samuel Shepard.
The above is a true copy of the Records of said Town of Lanes with the exception of the date, which date expressed on the Records is fair legible figures as follows May 5 th 1811.
Wm S. Tucker Town Clerk
I William S. Tucker above named do here by say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the town of Lanes County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts & that the foregoing is a true extract from the records of said Town with the exceptions as certified by me - and I do here by say that I was well acquainted with the Rev. Samuel Shepard late of said Lanes deceased and that he was for many years Pastor of the Congregational Society in said Lanes & was such Pastor on the 5 th May 1811.
William S. Tucker Town Clerk of said town of Lanes

State of Massachusetts County of Berkshire On this twenty seventh day of April 1853. Personally appeared William S. Tucker to me known to be Clerk of the Town of Lenox and made oath to the above affidavit by him subscribed as true.
I further certify that I have no interest in the result of the case, and am not con- cerned in the prosecution of the same.
Chas Sedgwick Justice of the Peace "Church" admitted before me. Chas Sedgwick J.P.

POWER OF ATTORNEY — Revolutionary Pension Claims.
Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Ruth Stocking of Lenox in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts
hereby constitute and appoint Eli Tainter of Lee Massachusetts my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the Claim of Myself for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or Increase of Pension, that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, which Certificate I wish made payable to said Ruth Stocking
to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
WITNESS my hand and Seal this 28 th day of April
A. D. 1853.
Ruth Stocking mark
Signed and Sealed in the presence of Henry W. Bishop Mrs Stocking signing by her crop
STATE OF Massachusetts COUNTY OF Berkshire
ss. Lenox April 28 th 1853.
On this Twenty Eighth day of April A. D. 1853. before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Ruth Stocking and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be her act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand, the day and year aforesaid.
Henry W. Bishop
Justice Peace.

CLAIM OF Ruth Stocking ACT OF Congress passed February 3 d 1853
STATE OF Massachusetts COUNTY of Berkshire } ss.
Be it known, That on this twenty eighth day of April A. D. eighteen hundred and fifty three , before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Ruth Stocking a resident of Lenox in said County, and made oath according to law that she is the widow of Samuel Stocking late of said Lenox
who was a Revolutionary Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency
at the rate of Sixty three dollars thirty three cents  per annum ; that she has been informed that the said Pension ought to be increased ; that she is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, before me. Henry W. Bishop J. Peace.
Ruth Stocking mark
I, Henry W. Bishop Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, do hereby certify that Ruth Stocking who executed the foregoing paper is a respectable resident of this County, and is, I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth.
Henry W. Bishop J. Peace.
I, Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Common Pleas Court in the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Charles Sedgwick Henry W. Bishop before whom the foregoing papers were executed, were at the date of the same, Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and the name thereunto subscribed, is a true signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official Seal this 28 th day of April A. D. 1853.
Charles Sedgwick Clerk.

STATE OF Massachusetts COUNTY OF Berkshire } ss.
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me Henry H. Bishop a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Massachusetts that Samuel Stockbridge was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $ 100.00 per annum and that he died on the sixth day of August eighteen hundred and fifty two leaving surviving Ruth Stockbridge his widow and that
the only surviving child of the aforesaid.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this Twenty Eighth day of April one thousand eight hundred and fifty three
Henry H. Bishop of the Court of Common Pleas Place in the county of Berkshire

65871 } See March 3/55 Office 15/55
Ruth Stocking, wife of Leonard Stocking, Jr., General
Map: Oct 13/55
Revolutionary War
Rev Prisoner
Map Feb 22-1937
W. Wall (Oct) 11/1855
Myr.
Eli Saindon See Map
Vol. S. 64.

No. 63871
Claim of Ruth Stocking
Act of March 3 d 1855.
War of _____
_____ Filed by _____

DECLARATION FOR WIDOW
Who has heretofore received Bounty Land less than one hundred and sixty acres.
STATE OF Massachusetts } ss. COUNTY OF Berkshire }
On this twenty ninth day of March 1853, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid, Ruth Stocking aged 86- years, a resident of the County and State aforesaid, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Samuel Stocking...
She further states that she was married to the said Samuel Stocking in Lenox on the fifth day of June A.D. 1810. and that her name before her said marriage was Ruth Hall...
She further declares that she has heretofore made application for bounty land under the act approved September 28, 1850, (to which she now refers for the particulars of her said husband's service, and for proof of her marriage,) upon which she obtained a warrant for acres, No. which she has legally disposed of, and cannot now retain it.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled, under the Act passed the 3d day of March, 1855. She also declares that she has never received nor applied for Bounty Land under this or any other act of Congress, except as above stated. Eli CHARLES STEARNS of Springfield, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, is duly authorized to prosecute this my claim, and to receive any warrant which may be issued hereon.
Ruth Stocking mark [Seal]
AFFIDAVIT OF TWO WITNESSES.
Personally came Harriet H. Gales and William A. Gales both of Lenox residents of the County of Berkshire in the State aforesaid, who upon oath declare, that they are personally well acquainted with Mrs. Ruth Stocking and saw her sign (or make her mark) to the foregoing declaration, that they know her to be the identical person therein represented, and that she is now a widow, and that we have no interest in this claim.
Harriet H. Gales [SEAL.] William A. Gales [SEAL.]
MAGISTRATE'S CERTIFICATE.
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me, this twenty ninth day of March 1853; and I certify that I believe the claimant to be the identical person she represents herself to be, that I know the witnesses are credible persons, and that I have no interest in this claim.
STATE OF Massachusetts } ss. COUNTY OF Berkshire }
I hereby certify that John Branning Esq., before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit were made, is and was, at the time of taking the same, an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signature above is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office, this thirteenth day of March 1853
Ant Sedgwick Clerk
Handwritten notes at the bottom of the page, likely corrections or additional information regarding the claim and service details.

18/57 Lomace Stocking by Mrs. Wiacko Ruth Stocking Map
in the sale for bms. Almost 19 th mo or pounds $ 68.33 Leant to be issued to the Museum - up to Aug. 5. 1832

BRIEF in the case of  Samuel Stocking by his Widow Ruth Stocking  Co of Durham  in the State of Md  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74 when he died The Widow 64  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     July In 1776 entered 1 Private Genl Tyler Col Huntingdon   July 25 th 1780 " 6 " Col Johnson   July 1779 " about 1 6 " Col Philips Col Woodbridge  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Battle of Flat bush L.S.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cathiam - Middlesex County,  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary three Living Witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

No. 65871
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Apr. 13, 1855.
Samuel Stocking Rev. Mass
Warrant 8/49-160-55
Eli Dainter Lee Mass

Rehrang
WIDOW, &c.
File No.
2269
Ruth Stocking
Widow
Samuel Stocking
Par. Rev. Word
Act.
Feb. 3. 1858.
Index:—Vol.
M,
Page
238.
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Pension Office August 13/53
Sir Please report time of last payment to, or death of William named pensioner
Respectfully &c.
To B. L. C. (Secy) for Comm. Blair Present
Lemuel Stocking, decd. $63.33 p. an. — Died 5 th August 1832, Paid to his death.
F. B. 1832 Auditor. "

May 31. 1853
No. 1944 App d of Ruth
Stocking widow of Samuel.
15263 mfs:  P. 863.33
Act 3 d Feby 1853
Rev:
Allowed $63 \frac{33}{100}  in Com. Feb. 3. 1853
Eli Saintor
See mfs: 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, PENSION OFFICE, OFFICIAL JOURNAL

Brief in the case of Ruth Stocking widow of Lemuel Berkshire County and State of Mass act of Feb 3 rd 1853
Claim. ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband a pensioner under act of 1832 at $63 \frac{33}{100} per annum
Private
(If for increase.) Marriage sheun, church record Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Death, Auds report
Identity certificate of Subscribing Magistrate
Name and residence of Agent
Eli Taintor Esqr Lee Mass.
Examining Clerk.
W. H. Gray

Washington Mar 3 rd 1853
Sir I herewith enclose you the papers of Ruth Stocking the Widow of Lemuel Stocking for a pension under the Act of Congress passed February 3 rd 1853 please to communicate the result to me at Lee Massachusetts
Eli Faint
L. P. Waldo Com r P

See July 11, 1853
Sir
I herein enclose to you additional evidence in the Pension Case of Ruth Stocking the Widow of Samuel Stocking decd under the act of Febry 3 d 1853.
Yours respectfully Eli Tainlor
L. P. Waldo Commission of Pension

Russia
Adolf Escher
WB
J. P. Walke
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
15 FEB 1875

1845
Samuel Stocking by Ruth Stocking

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Samuel Stocking by his Widow Ruth Stocking  which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yy V. * Has he mentioned 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? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yy

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yy XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yy Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yy XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yy XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yy XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yy
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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.
QUERÉ XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
QUERÉ XVI. 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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

State of Massachusetts,
Berkshire County p. Personally appeared Before the Subscribed a Justice of the peace in & for s d county of Berkshire duly authorized by Law to ad- minister oaths. Origen Sabin a resident of the Town of Lenox in s d county of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts aged Eighty one years who being first duly sworn according to Law deposes and saith he is personally acquainted with Ruth Stocking whose application for a pension as the widow of Lemuel Stocking late a pensioner of the united States hath been forwarded to the Department that Deponent was personally acq- uainted with the s d Lemuel Stocking late her hus- -band and has been personally acquainted with s d widow & her late husband from the year 1815 and knows they lived together as man and wife and were so reputed and believed to be where they resided that he knows the s d Lemuel Stocking died about the sixth day of August August 1832 and that he left Ruth Stocking the applicant for a pension his widow who has not intermarried since his death but still remains his widow Sworn & Subscribed Before me } Origen Sabin this 8 th day of July A.D. 1853 }
Franklin Sturges Just Peace
I also certify that Origen Sabin who executed the above affidavit is a credible witness & that I am not an agent in this claim and have no interest therein
Franklin Sturges Justice of the peace

State of Massachusetts
Berkshire County ss. Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Berkshire duly authorized by law to administer oaths Robert Worthington a resident of the Town of Lenox in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts aged sixty two years who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith he is personally acquainted with Ruth Stocking whose application for a pension as the widow of Samuel Stocking late a pensioner of the United States hath been forwarded to the department that Deponent was personally ac- quainted with the said Samuel Stocking late her husband and has been personally acquainted with the widow and her late husband from the year 1815 and knows they lived together as man and wife and were so reputed and believed to be where they resided that he knows the said Samuel Stocking died about the 16 th day of August 1832 and that he left Ruth Stocking the applicant for a pension his wid- ow who has not intermarried since his death but still remains his widow —
Sworn and subscribed before me this 8 th day of July A.D. 1853. Rob t Worthington Franklin Story's Just here }
I further certify that Robert Worthington who executed the above affidavit is a credible witness and that I am not an agent in this claim and have no interest therein
Franklin Story is Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss.
I, Charles Sedgwick, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Berkshire, do certify that Franklin Sturgis Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth.
and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Franklin Sturgis and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this 22 nd day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three .
Chas Sedgwick Clerk.

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