Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19,997, for Stephen Pratt, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Pratt, Stephen Hannah
W. 19,997.
CONTENTS

N o 18434 Vermont
Stephen Pratt
of Bennington Co. in the State of Vermont, who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Billings of the Reg't. commanded by Col. Larned in the Mass. Troops line for 2 years
Let. to Hon. H. Hall, Sept. 7, 1837.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30. day of August 1833 and sent to C. C. Merrill Bennington Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 160.00 Semest. allowance ending 4 Sep. 1833 40.00 $ 200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, book E. Vol. 3 Page 84

STATE OF VERMONT, 88.
County of Bennington.
On this 14 th day of August A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the Hon. the Court of Probate for the District of Bennington, now sitting, Stephen Pratt a resident of Wms. Town Massachusetts, a resident of but an inhabitant of Bennington in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont aged 82 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served therein stated.
That in May 1775, he enlisted in the town of Hardwick, Mass. in the Massachusetts line, for the period of eight months, in the company commanded by Capt. Billings in Col. Lar-ned's Regiment, and served for the period of eight months. Duties were performed in the vicinity of Roxbury and Cambridge Point, in said state.
That in July 1776, he enlisted for five months in the company commanded by Capt. Daniel Warner, in Col. Holman's Regiment - that he did duty in the city of New-York until the retreat of the American forces, and the taking possession of the city by the British troops - He was with the troops which after the retreat lay below and near Fort Washington and continued there until the appearance of British armed vessels - when we again retreated to what was called the mile square - after a few days we retired to White Plains, and was with the army there at the time of the battle of White Plains, but not in person actually engaged - We were afterwards marched to a place called Courtland or near to it where we lay about six weeks, and until dismissed, which was in December. I received no written discharge - While on this tour of duty I believe Gen. Washington commanded in person, I saw him often. I belonged as was called, to the new levies, I believe, that were attached to Gen. Fellows brigade.
That in the summer of 1777, I was drafted at Hardwick from the Massachusetts militia for three months, and arranged to the company commanded by Capt. Leonard, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Rice. We marched from Hardwick, and were on our way to Stillwater, and when we had reached the vicinity of Pittstown we received orders to return or change our line of march, as the British troops were marching or had marched upon Bennington, where we arrived after the battle of Bennington was over, we were then marched to Bennington village, and placed on guard duty over the stores there, and the prisoners taken in the battle - and here I did duty until I received a verbal discharge and returned to Hardwick.
In the year 1778, I was accepted and served ten months in the three years service as a substitute for Joseph Hunt, who is deceased, and answered to his name at roll-call, in the company commanded by Capt. Shays, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Sprout. - I did duty at various places - at West Point - Haverlaem heights - and at various points on the Hudson, and some parts of New Jersey. I was discharged at West Point, had a written discharge, but suppose it to be entirely lost.
In 1779, in the month of June or July, I enlisted in the nine months service in Hardwick, Mass. as I supposed in the continental line - marched to Leicester and was mustered there. - Superintendent Washburn sent me to the Conductor Ely at West Springfield. The Conductor made me a sergeant and gave me charge of 12 men, and directed our march, and according to orders we

over the stone wall, and the prisoners taken in the battle - and here I did duty until I received verbal discharge and returned to Hardwick.
In the year 1778, I was accepted and served ten months in the three years service as a substitute for Joseph Hunt, who is deceased, and answered to his name at roll-call, in the company commanded by Capt. Shays, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Sprout. - I did duty at various places - at West Point - Haverlaem heights - and at various points on the Hudson, and some parts of New Jersey. I was discharged at West Point, had a written discharge, but suppose it to be entirely lost. -
In 1779, in the month of June or July, I enlisted in the nine months service in Hardwick, Mass. as I supposed in the continental line - marched to Leicester and was mustered there. - Superintendent Washburn sent me to the Conductor Ely at West Springfield. The Conductor made me a sergeant and gave me charge of 12 men, and directed our march, and according to orders we marched to the place known then as Robinson's farms on the east bank of the Hudson, near West Point, and was joined to Capt. Smith's company in the Regiment commanded by Col. Sprout - I served my time out, and received a written honorable discharge at Poughkeepsie, which is lost or destroyed.
I was born in the year 1750, as I believe, in the town of Hardwick, Mass. and think I shall be 82 years of age the 11 th day of September, 1832. I do not know of any record of my birth, but think it probable it was recorded in the Clerk's office Hardwick, when called into service my home and residence was at Hardwick, Mass. Soon after the termination of my service in the revolution, and I think just before the peace, I removed to Bennington, Vermont, where I am still an inhabitant, for about 4 years since April he has resided at Williamstown, Mass. part of the time, and expects to live with or near his children who reside in Bennington - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on any pension roll of any agency of any state. He declares that he has no documentary evidence and knows of no person living who can testify to his service except what is annexed. -
Stephen Pratt
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Wm Haswell Register
We, Martin Norton residing in the town of Bennington aforesaid and William Parks residing in Woodford hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Stephen Pratt who has sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 82 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Martin Norton William Park
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Wm Haswell Register
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 Martin Norton who has signed the preceding certificate, is a credible person resident in the town of Bennington and that William Park who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Woodford and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
S. DeForest Kelly
I, WILLIAM HASWELL, Register of the court of Probate for the District of Bennington, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Stephen Pratt for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of day of August
A. D. 1832
office, this 14 th
Wm Haswell

Vermont 703
Cannah Pratt, of Bennington widow of Stephen Pratt, deceased
was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June 1832, and who died on the 20th December 1835, of Bennington in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Billings of the regiment commanded by Col Larned in the Massachusetts line for
2 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Burlington at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of Octr 1838, to Hon. Hildreth Hall, Bennington, Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1838 $ 200.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 39 40.00
240.00
{ Act July 7, 1838. }
by D. M. Lundy, Clerk Vol. 2, Page 52.
Dead — see letter 2 April 1839 to Hon. H. Hall —
Letter to 3 d Auditor 30 June 1840.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. April 1838 from 4 March 1836 to 11 th Jan'y 1839. the day of her death. — Aged notified 7. July 1840
Let to Wm. L. Hood Feb 27. '45 1874 Aug 31 Colo J E Pratt — when pension allowed rate & act

I hereby certify that in the Records of the Town of Hardswick Book 1 st page 51 st is the following entry among others of Publications of intentions of Marriage
"Stephen Pratt and Hannah Billing Both of Hardswick were Published in order for marriage January 30 th 1780."
I also certify that in the Records of the Church in said Hardswick, kept by Rev. David White, who was Pastor of said Church from Nov. 17 th 1736 till his death, on the 6 th of January 1784, which records are now in my care & possession, under the head of
"An account of Marriages in Hardswick," among them, is the following,
"Stephen Pratt & Hannah Billing February 3. 1780"
I also certify that the above extracts are copied truly from the originals now before me.
Hardswick } May 16 th 1837 }
Attest, Joseph Stone, Town Clerk.

2 I, John Gorham of Hardwick in the County of Worcester & State of Massachusetts, aged 77 years, do testify and say that I have known Stephen Pratt from formerly of said Hardwick, from the earliest period of my recollection, but I became more particularly acquainted with him in the year 1776 when he served in the same company with me in the Revolutionary Army, in the vicinity of New York. In the early part of the year 1778 I enlisted in the Continental Army for during the war. On the 16 th of December 1779 I left West Point on a furlough and was at Hardwick two or three months before I rejoined the Army. During this visit at Hardwick, the matrimonial engagement between said Stephen Pratt & Hannah Billings, with whom I was also well acquainted, was a common topic of conversation. After I was discharged from the Army on the 10 th of June 1783, and returned home it was currently reported that said Stephen Pratt and Hannah Billings had been married & had removed to Bennington, Vermont. I have always been well acquainted with the inhabitants of Hardwick, but I never knew or heard of any other Stephen Pratt than the one above named.
In the year 1780 a number of men came from Hardwick and joined the Army then at West Point and its vicinity for the term of six months. I was then doing duty in the Light Infantry, and was usually detached from the main body. It is my belief that Stephen Pratt above named was one of this number, and while the impression is strong on my mind that this was the fact, I cannot state it positively.

and further this deponent saith not. ~ Dated at Lancaster this 18 th day of May A. 1837. ~
John Gorham
Worcester ss. May 18 th 1837. Personally appeared John Gorham above named and made oath that the above deposition, by him subscribed, is true.
Before me Joseph Stone, Justice of the Peace.
Worcester ss. May 18 th 1837. I hereby certify that John Gorham, above named is a credible Witness, - that he retains the exercise of both his bodily & mental faculties in an unusual degree, and that his character for integrity & veracity, where he is known, stands second to no man whatever. ~
Joseph Stone, Justice of the Peace.

5 Extract from the Records of the Town of Haverwick, Book 1 st page 414, 415, 416, & part of 417.
"Worcester fr. To either of the constables of the Town of Haverwick, Greeting, You are hereby Required forthwith to notify or warn all the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town aforesaid that they appear at the meetinghouse in sd Town on Tuesday the 20 th day of June Instant at 10 o'clock in the Forenoon 1 st to Chuse a Moderator for sd Meeting 2 d To hear & consider the orders lately Recd from the General Court for Raising men for six months to Reinforce the Continental Army and to act thereon as the Town shall think proper.
Whereof fail not and make Return of your Doings herein to us on or Before said Day given under our hands & seals this 15 day of June 1780.
In obedience to the within warrant I have notified the Inhabitants as within directed. Stearns Rice } Selectmen Tim o . Paige } John Hastings } Haverwick June 20 th 1780
Aaron Hunt, Constable.
June 20 th 1780, Agreeable to the foregoing Warrant the Town meet & choose Capt. Tim o . Paige Moderator Voted to choose a Committee to Determine what sum would be Proper for the Town to give the Soldiers as a Bounty for their serving in the Continental Army six months and choose Cpt. Mansell Dr. Joseph Allen Lieut. John Hastings, Col. Rice and Capt. Daniel Warner for sd Committee and to make report Immediately and Reported as Follows, viz that each man going into the public service and joining the Continental Army in Behalf of this Town six months.

1 b) Shall have as a Bounty for said service twelve pounds in silver money or the same value in Paper money and that if any Person should hire another person he shall relinquish any claim for said hire as mentioned in the General Laws Resolved and that the Town Pass a vote that the money expended in raising the men, after an Estimate is made of former services be levied on the Town & Credit given to each man for each months service since the war began including the present service) The Town accepted of the above Report and proceeded to choose a Committee to assist the Militia Officers in making a Levy agreeably to the above Report, and made choice of Daniel Warner, James Paige Jr, Col. Rice, Col. Eddy John Sellon & Abr. Knowlton, for said Committee, and afterwards released Capt. Warner & chose Esq. Wendell in his stead and then the meeting was dissolved by Timothy Paige Moderator
Warren Jr. To Either of the Constables of the Town of Hardwick Greeting in the Name of the Government & People of the State of Massachusetts Bay you are hereby Required forthwith to notify all the Freeholders and other inhabitants of sd Town qualified by Law to vote in Town Meetings that they assemble at the meeting house in said Town on Wednesday the 28 th day of June instant at 10 o'clock in the afternoon 1 st to choose a moderator for sd meeting 2 d to see what the Town will do to secure or pay the soldiers the Bounty voted to them the last meeting and to act any thing thereon that the Town shall think necessary Hereof Fail not and make Return of your doings herein to us or or before 3 d day

Given under our hands and seals this 23 d day of June 1780.
In obedience to the within warrant I have notified the Inhabitants as directed Hardwick June 28 th 1780
Stem Rice } Selectmen Simon Paige } of John Hastings } Hardwick
Aaron Hunt Constable
June 23 th 1780, agreeable to the above Warrant the Town meet and chose Deacon Paige Moderator, Voted that each man that shall engage in the Continental Army and continue therein the space of Six months agreeable to an act of Court Receiving £12 of the Town as a Bounty Equivalent to Silver shall be considered as doing their own turn and have credit for the same
Voted to give to Each Soldier £1000 which is Estimated Equivalent to £12 in Silver money, Voted that £300 be Paid to the Soldiers Before they March and the remaining part of £700 at a future time if paid in Continental money Voted that the Town be authorized for the above sum of £300 to each man Voted that the Town Treasurer hire or Borrow the money to pay the Soldiers in Behalf of the Town and that he take of the States money in the Constables hands for sd purpose Voted to indemnify the Constable for the cost of an Execution for sd money
Voted that the Constable pay unto the Town Treasurer all the States money on hand by the 4 th day of July next for the purpose of paying the Soldiers the their Bounty and be to act for the same
Voted that the remainder of the money in the Constables hands belonging to the State if not collected be paid to the State Treasurer as soon as may be and the

Constables to run their own Risk as to an Execution for said Remaining part Voted that the Continental men now to be raised have the same Bounty that the six months men have The meeting Deforemed by Wm Paige moderator
Worcester fr. To either of the constables of the Town of Hanover Greeting in of the Government & People of the Massachusetts Bay you are hereby required to warn all the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of sd Town Qualified to vote in Town meetings that they assemble at the meetinghouse in said Town on Monday the third day of July Instant at two o' Clock in the afternoon then to act upon the following articles 1st to choose a Moderator for said meeting 2dly to see what money the Town will think proper to raise as a Bounty or hire for the men that are to be Immediately Raised as Militia to Reinforce the Continental army 3 months and to pass such other votes respecting raising the men as the Town shall think proper.
Henceforth just not and make return of your doings herein to ourselves or before said time, Given under our hands this first day of July 1780.
In obedience to the within Warrant I have notified the Inhabitants of Hanover as within directed.
Stear Rice } Selectmen Timothy Paige } of John Hartness } Hanover
Hanover July 3 d 1780, Aaron Hunt constable.
July 3 d 1780 Agreeable to the foregoing warrant the Town met and proceeded as follows
 1 st choose Deacon Joseph Allen Moderator  2 d voted to each Soldier that will engage in the Continental army for three months the sum of Twenty Shillings per month Equal to silver as a Bounty Exclusion of their wages and be doing their own turn at the same time  voted that said men be paid one hundred Pounds in Paper money Before they march and choose a committee to hire the money to pay them and voted that the Town Treasurer give his security for the money so hired 

9 The Committee are as follows Dr William Paige Jones Warner Supt. Beale Capt Wheeler Enns Allen Seth Johnson Timo Weston, Thos. Robinson Ichabod Dexter John Haskell Israel Fay Seth Johnson Supt Hoagline & James Paige. Voted that said Committee make Report to the Town at the adjournment of this meeting. Voted to adjourn this meeting to Wednesday the 5 th of July instant at 10 o . clock in the morning at the meeting house in Housatonic and met accordingly and the above committee reported that they had procured a considerable part of the money But there not a sufficient number of men appearing to go into the army for the above Encouragement of Forty Shillings per month there was a motion made to make an addition of twenty Shillings per month to each man for each month and it was put to vote and Passed in the Negative it was afterwards put to vote and Passed in the affirmative and then the meeting was dissolved by Joseph Allen Moderator.
In the aforesaid Book of records page 439, in the Record of the Business, transacted under the Warrant for the annual meeting of the Town, held March 4 th 1782 is the following clause "Voted to adjourn to Monday the 19 th of June next at four o'clock afternoon and then meet and voted to adjourn to Monday the first day of July next at 4 o'clock afternoon and then meet and accept the Report of the Committee that settled with the Treasurer the year past which Report again will find beginning in Page 440." Said Report is commenced on said 440 th Page and continued to the close of the 444 th page, on the opposite page of this paper is copied the 444 th page of said record entire

"Credited by the selectmen's order to the six & three months men so called viz"
  By John Marsh £ 8, 8 Nathl Hatch £ 8, 8 16, 16, 0   Salmon Tuttle 8, 8 Ebenezer Washburn 8, 8 16, 16, 0   Remond Swift 8, 8 John Giffin 8, 8 16, 16, 0   Mark Ewell 8, 8 Joseph Robbins 8, 8 16, 16, 0   Ezra Doty 8, 8 Nathl Haskell 8, 8 16, 16, 0   Shimeon Crowell 8, 8 Ezra Hoadley 8, 8 16, 16, 0   Nathl Sprout 0, 12 Samuel Sprout 0, 12 1, 4, 0   Levi Wellman 4, 0 David Chamberlain 8, 8 12, 8, 0   Benj o Lemire 0 19 Jonas Stanwood 4, 1 5, 0, 0   Sam l Haskell 7, 19 John Merriam 8, 8 16, 7 0   John Hedges 3, 0, 11 Asa Hedges 1, 18 4, 18, 11   Stephen Pratt 8, 8 8, 8, 0 
The above are six months men.
  By Israel Lawton 7, 16 Israel Aiken 7, 16 15, 12, 0   Chathan Jessney 7, 16 Abel Warner 7, 16 15, 12, 0   Stear Gorham 7, 16 Sim o Hathaway 7, 16 15, 12, 0   Giles Newton 7, 16 John Dennis 7, 16 15, 12, 0   Isaiah Tower 7, 16 Ephraim Ruggles 7, 16 15, 12, 0   James Bingham 7, 16 Ebenezer Barlow 7, 16 15, 12, 0   Sam l Thayer 7, 16 John Thayer Jr. 7, 16 15, 12, 0   Levi Johnson 7, 16 Jacob Ferris 4, 19, 9 12, 15, 9   Aaron Barlow 7, 16 7, 16, 0   Sum Total £ 278, 17, 8 
Colonel Paige as Treasurer to the Town of Haverwick Dr for a hard money Tax for the purpose of paying the six & three months men so called in 1780 248, 1, 5
Credited by the selectmen's orders 278 17, 8
Balance Due in Favour of the Treasurer 30 16, 3
The Committee chosen to settle with the Town Treasurer make the above Report.
Haverwick June 17 th 1782.
Daniel Warner Ephraim Cleveland } Committee

11 Hardwick Mass., May 18 th 1837. I hereby certify that all of the foregoing which purports to be taken from the Records of said town, is copied literally and truly without omission or alteration,
Attest, Joseph Stone Clerk of said Hardwick
Worcester May 20 - 1837
I hereby certify that Joseph Stone Esq. of Hardwick in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a justice of the peace within & for the county of Worcester & from the evidence before me I should not hesitate to accredit him as the town clerk and legal recording officer of the town of Hardwick for the current year, who ex officio has custody of the records of the town. I also certify that the only modes of making proof of that fact known to me is either by his own certificate of the record or the testimony of some one who has examined the record. The record itself although made by the clerk himself is in our courts esteemed legal & conclusive evidence as he is ex officio sworn to the faithful discharge of his duties & the fact is proved by the production of the record itself.
John Davis Member of the U. States Senate

"Proceedings March 6 th 1837. The Town met in pursuance of the Warrant,
Joseph Knapp Esquire was chosen moderator,
Joseph Stone was chosen Clerk, and the oath of office was thereupon administered to him by J. Knapp Esq. the moderator."
A true Copy from the Records of the Town of Hardwick I also certify that I have personal knowledge that Joseph Stone Esq. is Town Clerk.
Gardner Ruggles Jus. Peace.
Worcester ss. i May 22 nd 1837. Then personally appeared before the Subscribers, a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Worcester do hereby certify that Gardner Ruggles, who has been sworn to me, has transcribed & certified the above record, being himself a magistrate, and made solemn oath that he faithfully copies the same from the original records of the Town of Hardwick, and that he is well knowing to the fact that Joseph Stone was duly chosen Town Clerk for the current year and was lawfully qualified to officiate as such. I also certify it is a true copy,
Joseph Stone, Justice of the Peace and Clerk of sd. Town of Hardwick.

Stephen Pratt Bennington 6" Nov 23. 1854
his name is written on the register of claims among rejected pa- per of 1818-20. Will Mr. Stewart ascertain if there be papers rejected under the act of 1818 in this case?
Yrs i. f. 2 yrs $1.80-
C. C. Merrill Bennington Vt.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
18 June 1833 3
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Stephen Pratt
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     May 1775 3 - Private Capt. Billings Col. Learned Basing 32 years Fractia up   July 1776 5 - " Capt. Warner Col. Holman Oriskany Warwick   Summer 1777 3 - " Capt. Leonard Col. Nice Monmouth Woga   1778 10 - " Capt. Hays Col. M'Intosh Fort "   Substitute Capt. Smith Col. M'Intosh Horridick   1779 9 - Sergt. St. Lucia  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
It cannot be readily admitted that the above service is insufficient of proof in addition to that heretofore furnished with the declaration. The regulations require applicants to produce the best in their power.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; 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 that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

James Stephen Pratts
134
Declaration of
as guardian of
Hannah Pratts

State of Vermont Barnington Probate District ss } On the 25 th day of August AD 1837 personally appeared before the Probate Court for the District afore- said Stephen Pratt a resident of Barnington in said district, aged 51 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the fol- lowing declaration, in order to obtain for his mother Hannah Pratt the benefit of the provisions of the act of July 4, 1836, the said Hannah Pratt having by inquisition been found Non Compos mentis , & the said Stephen Pratt having been duly appointed her guardian — That the said Hannah Pratt is a resident of Barnington aforesaid, aged 79 years, & is the widow of Stephen Pratt who was a private in the army of the revolution, & a pensioner under the act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832, & the declaration refers to the declaration & evidence of the said Stephen on file in the Pension office for a par- ticular account of his services — He further declares that the said Hannah Pratt, formerly Hannah Billings was married to the said Stephen Pratt on the 30 th day of January, AD 1780, that the said Stephen Pratt died at Williamstown Massachusetts on the 20 th day of December 1835 in the 87 th year of his age, & was buried at

Brimington aforesaid, that the said Hannah Pratt has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof herein annexed. — The said Stephen Pratt further says he has been informed that the said Stephen Pratt in his declaration has state not stated any service of his in the Army to have been after the year 1779, & the said Stephen says if such is the case he is satisfied his father was mistaken, & that he either made a mistake in the date of his last service, or that he omitted to state, from want of recollection, the service which he performed in 1780. — The declarant is satisfied that his father did perform at least six months service in 1780 not only from testimony herewith transmitted, but from the repeated declarations of his mother made to him during his childhood, of the absence of his father in the army since since his marriage with him, & that he has also often heard his father speak of being in the army since his mar- riage. —
Stephen Pratt
Sworn to, & subscribed, on this day. Syrus also written, before Aaron Robinson Judge of Probate

William Haswell Register of Probate for the District of Bennington I William Haswell, Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Bennington, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen Pratt, as Guardian of Hannah Pratt for a pension. — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 25 th day of August, A. D. 1837 W m Haswell

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 30 th 1840.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Administrator of Hannah Pratt, dec d . a Pensioner on the Roll of the Vermont Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars and  Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th July 1838, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March 1836, to the 16 th January 1839, the day of her death.
Respectfully yours,
William B. Parsons Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Hannah Pratt, widow of Stephen
$80 per am
act 7 July, 1838
Send cut: to Hon. Hiland Hale, Bennington, Vt.
Burlington Agency

I Stephen Dewey of Bennington in the county of Bennington State of Vermont aged 59 years do hereby say that I have lived a neighbor to & have been well acquainted with Stephen Pratt since deceased, & with Hannah Pratt his wife for about forty years the said parties living together as man & wife during all of said time. I further say that I attended the funeral of the said Stephen Pratt at said Ben- nington about one year ago last December as I think, tho' I cannot be very confident as to the precise time - the said Stephen having died in Williamstown & the corps having been brought here for burial - The said Hannah Pratt is still living his widow, having never since been remarried - Stephen Dewey
State of Vermont } Bennington Aug. 12. 1837 Bennington County } Personally appeared Stephen Dewey Esq. who fully acknowledged the foregoing affidavit, & who I certify to be a credible witness, & made solemn oath to the truth of the same, before Wm. L. Southworth Justice of the Peace

I John Norton of Bennington in the county of Bennington in the county of Bennington State of Vermont, aged fifty years testify & say that I have been acquainted with Stephen Pratt (now deceased) & his wife Hannah Pratt his wife for about 30 years, during all of which time, until the decease of the said Stephen Pratt they lived together as man & wife — I was not present at the funeral of said Stephen Pratt, but I think he died about December 1835 as I was at the time informed — The said Hannah Pratt is now living the widow having of the said Stephen, she having not since been married —
John Norton
State of Vermont } Bennington Bennington County } Aug. 26. 1887
Personally appeared John Norton Esq. who subscribed the foregoing affidavit & made solemn oath to the truth of the same, before me,
Wm. S. Southworth Justice of the Peace

I certify that John Norton Ely who subscribed the foregoing affidavit & made oath to the same is a credible witness
Wm. L. Southworth Justice of the Peace
Stephen Dewey John Norton
Ely
I certify that Mrs. Southworth whose official signature to me well known appears three times on this paper is an acting justice of Peace for the county of Pennsylvania
Herland Hall W.C.

Thankful Ellwood

I Thankful Elinell of Shaftsbury, in the county of Bennington State of Vermont aged eighty five years testify & say that during the revolutionary war I resided in Hardwick in the state of Massachusetts, except some of the last years of the war, that she was a neighbor to & well acquainted with Hannah Billings then a resident of said town, & remembers her being married to Stephen Pratt also of said town, tho' the deponent did not attend the wedding, that some nearly forty years ago when the deponent came to reside in the vicinity of Bennington she found the said Stephen Pratt his wife residing in said town, & has been acquainted with the said Mrs Pratt ever since, & with the said Stephen Pratt until the time of his death — She further says that the said Hannah Pratt, formerly Hannah Billings still remains the widow of the said Stephen Pratt — I further say not.
Thankful her K Elinell mark
Witnesses Hiland Hall Daniel Meling

State of Vermont Bennington County ss } Shaftsbury Aug. 22. 1837
Personally appeared Thank- ful Belwell who subscribed the foregoing affidavit, & who I certify to be a credible witness, & made solemn oath that the same contains the truth & nothing but the truth,
before me Daniel Huling Justice of Peace
I certify that Daniel Huling whose official signature, to me well known appears above is a justice of Peace for the county of Bennington,
Woland Hall M.C.

134 Aug 20. Inn at Vt.
Orall
inlet,
Col J. L. Edwards
FREE
Cannr of Pensions
Washington

Bermingham Aug 7. 1838
Sir
I enclose the application of Hannah Pratt for a Pension under the Act of July '38 — An early return on the case is desired —
very respectfully
Yr Obs. Servt. W. Heath
Genl L Edwards

Rev  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19297 Hannah Pratt Widow of Stephen Pratt Prv. Rev. War
Act July 7 1838
Index: Vol. III , Page VII
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Department of the Interior PENSION OFFICE.
Washington, D.C. Aug 29 th 1874
Com te Pension
Sir Sir.
I wish to ascertain if my grandfather Stephen Pratt was a pensioner from services rendered during the revolutionary war. if so please state the apt and amount of pension.
I am Sir with much Resp Your Obt Servt J.E. Pratt Late Col
Mail Letter to Bennington Vt

22
Oct 19.
Com
Mrs - Pratt
J. L. Edmonds Esq
Court of Pensions Washington
22

Berminstow Oct. 8. 1838
Dr Sir,
In reference to the application in behalf of the Widow of Stephen Pratt, in reply to yours of the 24 th Augt, will you allow me to make one or two suggestions.
You will perceive that the declaration is made by the guardian of the widow a person not cognizant at all of the services of the soldier or of the actual time of marriage of his own knowledge, & therefore whatever he declares of either must be matter of opinion gathered from evidence — The soldier is dead, & the widow non-compos from palsy — From the Hardwick town record, & the testimony of Gorham & Lewton the Guardian did believe the marriage happened before the last term of service. I believed so myself until

I examined the rolls showing the names of the persons belonging to the 6 mo men from Hardwick in 1780 - That Mr Pratt was paid the bounty by the town for that service the record shows - It might be he was a signer of some soldier, & thus received the bounty - But whatever was the fact the rolls must govern, & it appears from them that he did not serve that 6 mo, or at least such is the effect of the evidence of the roll upon the judgment of the Court.
What then follows? Why, if he was not married before the expiration of the last term of service, he was married afterwards. - As the date of the Marriage appears by the record to have been before '94, & after the last term of service claimed, how can the pension under the act of '38 be refused? -

I think the Guardian in his last declaration admits & declares the last service to have been before the marriage, & I trust on reconsideration you will perceive the propriety of granting the pension —
The "incongruity" which you speak of in applying for a pension under each act appears to me overthrown by the fact of the application being by guardian & the circumstances attending the case before stated —
As I will only add that I have long been well acquainted with the family of Mr Pratt, I have every reason to believe the case can have no merit now and very unprofitably so — Hiland Hall

James L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Alleged sum as Sergeant's allowance.

Bennington, June 29, 1833.
Sir,
Herewith I enclose the returned case of Stephen Pratt for pension. I have received some additional testimony, and I presume a satisfactory authentication of his papers. If I may presume to give an opinion, I should say his case is as clear as it can be, for we cannot ascertain that any others are living who had any cognizance of the facts. I know that great care has been taken to present a fair and correct view of it. — His two first tours of service I think proved by respectable witnesses. His 3 months tour with the corroborating testimony of Gen. Robinson, who is of the first respectability, I think must be reasonably certain as an ancient matter may be where deaths and infirmity have now nearly destroyed this distinguished generation. Mr. Pratt's testimony is by the most respectable testimony proved to be entitled to credit. The clergymen of the vicinity are young men, and have but recently been settled in the midst of us — the evidence of this fact of Mr. Pratt's credit, is thought here to be better proved, than it would be, by the affidavits of our clergymen whose testimony must be mere hearsay, for but a few days since, and they were strangers.
The 10 months service of Mr. Pratt as a substitute I trust is satisfactorily established by the judicial act of Judge Robinson in 1819; and notwithstanding the omission of authenticating the testimony of Reuben  now  Ed , the circumstances under which his evidence is sustained & accompanied, by Gen. Robinson, & by Judge Stephen Robinson I think will give it with you a good deal of weight — the testimony of Mr. Glazier of a traditional character, and the declarations of Joseph Hunt will have weight, I presume. — Perhaps not the same weight on your mind it has on mine, for I have in years past, heard Mr. Hunt the principal & Mr. Pratt the substitute converse upon it. —

As to the 9 months service - the testimony of Mr. Glazier in addition to Mr. Pratt's declaration upon oath - and R. Aed's mention of it in corroboration - I think will be received by you as satisfactory evidence of the fact that Mr. Pratt did faithfully perform the service as he has stated.
I would not, Mr. Edwards, presume too much, but from duty to Mr. Pratt, who is infirm, and hencefore been unfortunate in his application, probably from the inability and infirmity upon him - I would submit to your consideration my opinion, that under the last law I think him entitled to a full pension as a ser grant, etc. I think further, that from his declaration of 1819, and the endorsements of the department, which is forwarded with the other papers, that he is equitably at least, entitled, to draw pension from the date of his said first declaration . By examining the whole case it will appear that in February 1819, his case was adjudicated upon here, that it was received at the department, and returned for further facts, that these facts, under the forms of the new law & rules are substantially furnished at this time. The case is complete under the law of 1818 to my understanding - in the 10 & 9 months service he was of the continental establishment as it is thought - he was poor at the time of his application, was then & is now supported by his children, was then & is now infirm from age, in his senses of seeing & hearing, and rheumatic in body. - He wishes this much may be stated, and that you would consider his case in reference to the law of 1818, as well as in reference to the law of 1832. If he is entitled under his first declaration of 1819, he desires to be placed there - if, in your opinion he must rely upon the law of 1832, so, he is aware it must be -
Mr. Edwards, cannot you consistently act upon his case, so that for whatever he may be entitled to receive, he may be placed on the September rolls for payment. - His dependent state as to property, and that he may know & live to receive the bounty of his government, and perhaps enjoy it for a little time before he is called hence - is the motive for this request. With much respect & esteem,
James L. Edwards, Esq. Commissioner of Pensions. -
Yours, &c.
O. C. Merrill.

Israel Lawton's Affe

I Israel Lawton of Wilmington Windham County Vermont of lawful age do testify and say that I was born in the town of Hardwick Worcester County Massachusetts That I was well acquainted in early life with one Stephen Pratt also with one Hannah Billings both of said Hardwick I think they intermarried about the year 1780 after their intermarriage I well recollect the said Stephen Pratt entered the Revolutionary Army as a private and I think he served six months or rather he enlisted as a six months man. he might have served longer for ought that I can recollect. after the close of the Revolutionary War the said Stephen Pratt with his wife the aforesaid Hannah Billings removed to Bennington in this state where he resided until his decease with the exception of a short period while he resided in the town of Pownal as this Deponent hath been informed - And further this Deponent saith not - Wilmington July 6 th 1837. Israel Lawton
State of Vermont { Wilmington July 6 th 1837 Windham County } Personally appeared Israel Lawton and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit by him subscribed Before me Charles R. Field Justice of the Peace I hereby certify that the aforesaid Israel Lawton who hath subscribed the foregoing affidavit is of sound mind & hath ever sustained an unblemished reputation for integrity & veracity - Wilmington July 6 th 1837 Chas R Field Justice of Peace

I certify that Charles V. Field, whose signature, to me well known, appears on the within is an acting justice of peace of the county of Windham, Vermont, Richard Hall M.D. Bennington Aug t 22. 1837

State of Vermont District of Bennington ss. }
I William Haswell, Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Bennington, here by certify that Stephen Pratt was duly appointed Guardian to his mother, Hannah Pratt, widow of Stephen Pratt late of Bennington deceased, and late a Revolutionary of the United States, the said Hannah Pratt having been adjudged by the Civil Authority of the Town of Bennington to be non compos mentis .
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office. Wm Haswell

Brief of case

Brief in Hannah Pratt's case
1. The service of the husband Stephen Pratt is shown by his Pension papers in file in the Pension Office.
2. The Marriage is proved by the town records of Hardwick Mass. — see Manuscript page 1 —
Marriage Feby 3. 1780
3. The death of Stephen Pratt by the widow's bond of Hannah Pratt by the testimony of
Thankful Edwell Stephen Denny John Norlan,
5. That Stephen Pratt served for at least 6 months after his Marriage is proved —
1. By the declaration of his son in regard to the uniform statements of both his father & mother, when there could be no motive on the part of either to misstate the facts.
2. By the testimony of John Gorham — see Manuscript page 2.
3. By the testimony of Israel Lawton
4. Conclusively, by the town records of Hardwick, —
It appears from those records, (see Manuscript p. 5) that on the 20. June 1780 the town voted a bounty of £12 to each man who should serve 6 months in conformity with

a requisition then just made for troops of that character.
At a meeting held June 28. 1780 "to see what the town would do to secure or pay the soldiers the county voted then the last meeting" it was voted "to give each soldier £1000 = £12 in silver money" — £300 to be paid the soldiers before they marched, & the residue at a future time. [Pages 6 & 7 Mss.]
Supposing Stephen Pratt to have been paid his £300 continental currency before his march, there would be due him on his return of the county £700 — or in silver £8. 8s. — the said £8. 8s. being equal to 7/10 of £12 —
Accordingly it is found that in a settlement afterwards made with the town treasurer for paying these men there was paid to Stephen Pratt for the sum remaining due him for this 6 Mo. service — £8. 8s. —
[See Mss. p. 9 & 10]
It is believed there can be no doubt but that the said Stephen Pratt served the above 6 Mo. after 1780 after his marriage & consequently that his widow is entitled to his pension
Heiland Hall

I Stephen Robinson of Bennington county of Bennington and State of Vermont, of Lawful age testify and say that the annexed statements of Benjamin Glazier & Ruben Ned I fully believe were subscribed & sworn to before me and were taken into consideration as testimony by me on February 19. AD 1819 while acting in my then official capacity as assistant judge of the County court, in the case of Stephen Pratt. But wherefore my signature & certificate are not affixed I cannot distinctly say. but was either omitted through mistake, or it was not thought necessary, considering that my certificate & attestation under seal of the County would be sufficient, and was the essential matter to be forwarded. I presume I satisfied myself at the time that they were upon a par with mankind for truth —
Bennington June 29. 1833
Stephen Robinson
Sworn to and subscribed in Probate Court this 29 th day of June, A D. 1833.
Wm Haswell, Register

I Reuben Ned of Dover in the State of Vermont testify and say that I have been acquainted with Stephen Pratt of Bennington for more than sixty years - we were playmates together at Hardwick, Mass. We were in the service together - I know that in the spring of the year 1778 he went into the service as a substitute for one Joseph Hunt in Capt Shays company - 8th Sprouts regiment - I saw said Pratt at White Plains doing duty for said Hunt - I was at the same time under Gen l Lamb - I understand that he served his time out as a good soldier - I also know that said Hunt was a soldier in the three years service - as he lived within a few rods of the place where I lived - - - I also understand that Pratt went from Hardwick into the nine months service - but into what company I do not now recollect -
Reuben his Ned mark -

I Benjamin Glazier of the county of Bennington of State of Vermont testify and say that I am well acquainted with Stephen Pratt of Bennington; we were playmates together in our youth in the town of Hardwick - we were soldiers together in the same company & Regiments - in the campaigns of 75 & 76. In 77- I enlisted into the three years service - during this service - I saw said Pratt in Col d Sprouts Regiment and I then together understood that it was in the nine months service - and after the war, when we were at home together I understood from general conversation that he served faithfully -
Benje Glazier

I Stephen Pratt resident of Bennington in the State of Vermont aged 67- testify and say that in 175 I enlisted for eight months in Capt Billings company. Col d Learned's Reg t Mass. I served my time out In 75. Served the campaign at New York and at White Plains in Col d Holmes Reg t In 77- Was at Bennington on a tour for three months In 78. I served ten months in the three years service as a substitute for Joseph Hunt, who is deceased. I answered to his name at roll call - In 79 in the month of June or July I enlisted in the 9 month in Hardwick Mass - marched to Leicester & was mustered there. - Washburn the Superintendent sent me to the Conductors at West Springfield - The Conductors gave me charge of 12 men & we marched to the Robinson's farm near West Point - and joined Capt Smith's company. Col d Sprague's Regiment Massachusetts line - served my time out & was honorsably discharged at Peekskill -
I further testify that I have been in affluent circumstances & by reason of being bail & other mis- fortunes have been obliged to sell my farm - I am reduced to one cow. & but for the assistance of my children - myself & wife - would be a town charge if we were taken sick -
Stephen Pratt

To the Honourable John C. Calhoun Secretary of War
On the 19 th day of July A.D. 1819 before me the Subscriber one of the Judges of the County Court within & for the County of Bennington and State of Vermont - Personally appeared Stephen Pratt who being duly sworn according to Law on his oath did make the foregoing declaration in his affidavit by him subscribed, in order to obtain the provision made by the late 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" -
Therefore I Stephen Robinson one of the Judges of the County Court as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Stephen Pratt did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the Common enemy - and that he is in reduced circumstances And I now transmit the proceedings & testimony, taken & had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War. In testimony whereof I have affixed the seal of my office. Bennington July 19 th 1819 -
Stephen Robinson asst. judge C. Court

Stephen Pratt's declaration. —
Company, Regiment and Line must be mentioned, date of enlistment &c

I Benjamin Glazier of Sunderland, in the county of Bennington and state of Vermont, aged 79 years, testify and say that I am well acquainted with Stephen Pratt of Bennington in said county. — We were playmates together in our youth in the town of Hardwick, Massachusetts. We were soldiers together in the same company and Regiment in the year 1775, we enlisted, I believe in some of the first days of April, or first days of May, for the period of eight months, in the company commanded by Capt. Billings, in Col. Larned's Regt. we served the whole time out, and I think one month over, before we were dismissed, making 9 months — Mr. Pratt was a faithful & good soldier.
In 1776 Mr. Pratt and myself enlisted for five months, I cannot be positive as to the date of enlistment but according to my recollection it was in the month of July, in the company commanded by Capt. Daniel Warner, in the Regt. commanded by Col. Holman. Mr. Pratt I know served the full period of five months the period of his enlistment out as a faithful and attentive soldier, and I believe never lost one tour of duty, for he enjoyed good health, I remember this the more particularly, because my own health was more feeble this campaign.
In the year 1777 I enlisted into the three years service — during this service I saw Mr. Pratt in Col. Sprout's Regt. I then belonged to another Regt. but attached to the same brigade. I often saw Mr. Pratt, and I then understood that it was in the

nine months service. It has always been my understanding, and after the war, when we were at home together, I understood from general conversation that Mr Pratt served faithfully, and the full period of his enlistment.
I further depose and say that from repeated and general conversation I was informed that Mr Pratt served about 9 or 10 months in the continental establishment as a substitute for Joseph Hunt, this has always been understood from general conversation, and I believe repeatedly from Mr Hunt himself.
I further depose and say, that Mr Pratt was esteemed as a good, & very hardy & efficient soldier. I have also considered Mr Pratt a man of truth & veracity, and that his statements are entitled to credit. Further saith not. — Benjamin Glazier
State of Vermont } Personally appeared this 26 th Bennington County } day of June, A. D. 1833, Benja
min Glazier, who subscribed the above deposition, and by me was sworn, and testified on his oath that the facts stated therein are true according to his best recollection and belief. And I certify that he is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to credit.
State of Vermont —
C. C. Merrill Justice of the Peace. I Henry Robinson Clerk of Bennington County Court do hereby certify that Ordinance C Merrill D.P. whose signature appears above was at the date thereof a Justice of the peace for said County duly qualified by Law to act as such & that I believe his signature to be genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set

Set my name & affixed the Seal of Our said County at Manchester this 27 th day of June A.D. 1833. 56 years Independence of the United States, the 57 th —
Henry Robinson
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]

Additional Declaration.
STATE OF VERMONT, } ss. County of Bennington. }
On this 28 th day of June A. D. 1833 personally appeared in open court, before the Hon. the Court of Probate for the District of Bennington, now sitting, Stephen Pratt a resident of Bennington in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont aged 83 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.—That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated, and as stated in first declaration.
—That by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, as well as the long lapse of time since the events of his revolutionary service transpired, he cannot remember the precise days of enlistments & engagements—from the recollections he yet has, it is his belief—
—That he enlisted early in May 1775 into the company commanded by Capt. Billings, and Col. Larned's Regt. for the period of 8 months—that he was embodied in a corps called out by competent authority, that he was held in service and unemployed in any civil pursuit, for more than 8 months. — Verbally discharged. —
—That in 1776, he enlisted for the period of five months in the company commanded by Capt. Warner, in Col. Holman's Regt. as he believes in the month of July 1776. — I was regularly embodied — and continued embodied doing the duties of a soldier, and unemployed in any civil pursuit, for the entire period of his enlistment for 5 months. — Verbally discharged. —
—That in 1777, he was drafted for three months. The alarm for Burgoyne's march was the cause assigned for our being drafted. And as we arrived

at Bennington the night after the battle, I must have been drafted on the 12 th or 13 th day of August 1777, as we were hurried in our preparations, and commenced our march the next day after we were drafted, and by forced marches reached Bennington on the 3 d day's march, which was the evening of the 16 th of August 1777, I know I served my time fully out, and was discharged verbally as late in the fall of the year as the 12 th day of November 1777, and that during the said 3 months I was not engaged in any civil pursuit. —
— That in 1778, I believe that in the month of April I engaged as a substitute for Joseph Hunt, for 10 months, it being the close of the said Hunt's term of enlistment in the three years service — I know I served the entire 10 months — and according to my best recollection returned home in February 1779.
— That in my first declaration I stated, as I now think erroneously, that in June or July 1779 I enlisted for 9 months but from occurrences since brought to recollection I believe I entered into this engagement in the month of April , and that my 9 months tour ended in January 1780. I know that I served for the full entire period of 9 months as a sergeant , that I was on public duty the whole 9 months and not employed in any civil pursuit. —
I am inform by reason of years, and memory is not as faithful as it was, my hearing is also infirm, having been injured by the firing of the heavy cannon during my revolutionary services, and all together render it difficult for me, if not utterly impossible, for me to recollect, or collect any further facts. Most of my associates have passed away, I know of no evidence, or documents but such as I here submit.

Statement showing service, etc.
   Period when my service was rendered. — Months duration. Rank Names & Rank of Comp. 3 of fiers under whom I served. — Names & Rank of General & Field Officers under whom I served — Evidence by which declaration is supported The following are some of the General Officers & Field I knew while in service. —     May 1775 — 8 Private Capt. Billings Lt. Sears Col. Larned Gen. Thomas Positive testimony David Weeks and Benjamin Glazier — Gen. Washington Gen. Putnam — Gen. Fellows Baron Steuben Col. Hamilton   July 1776 — 5 " Capt. Warner Lt. Warham Warner Lt. Dinsmore — Col. Holman Positive, David Weeks & B. Glazier —   August 1777 — 3 " Capt. Leonard Col. Rice Traditional — and seen and known in this service — see Gen. David Robinson's deposition. —   April 1778 substitute 10 " Capt. Shays Col. Sprout Traditional — & from declaration of Joseph Hunt, vide B. Glazier's deposition — See also Reuben Sbed's authenticated statement. —   April 1779 9 Serjeant Capt. Smith Col. Sprout Traditional — and seen & known doing duty in Col. Sprouts Regt. by Benj. Glazier — And by declarant's oath of full service as stated. —  
Having served two years and 11 months for this I claim pension. —

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.
In answer to the interrogatories propounded by the Court the applicant declares,
1st. That he was born at Hardwick Massachusetts in 1750
2d. That he has no record of his age, had in family bible, was not at last sup- posed his birth recorded in town records Hardwick
3d. That he lived in Hardwick, Mass. when called into service, that soon after his services ended, he married before peace , removed to Bennington, Vermont , where he has been been an inhabitant ever since.
4th. That he was in 1775 & 1776 enlisted, in 1777 drafted - 1778 a sub stitute - 1779 enlisted -
5th. That among the regular officers who were with the troops where he served, he recollects (see previous statement) -
6th. That he 3 verbal & 2 received 1 written discharge 3 - written discharges now lost. -
7th. That he is known to Gen. David Robinson residing in Bennington and Stephen Dewey residing in Bennington who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Stephen Pratt Wm Haswell, Register We, David Robinson residing in the town of Bennington and Stephen Dewey residing in Bennington hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Stephen Pratt who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be as he has stated 83 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
David Robinson Stephen Dewey Wm Haswell, Register 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 appli- cant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them, that David Robinson who has signed the preceding certificate, is a credible person resident in the town of Bennington and that Stephen Dewey who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Bennington and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Wm Haswell, Register
I, WILLIAM HASWELL, Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Bennington, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the mat- ter of the application of Stephen Pratt for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 29th day of June
A. D. 1833
Wm Haswell

I David Robinson of Bennington, county of Bennington and state of Vermont, aged 78 years, depose and say that in the year 1777, and previous, I was an inhabitant of Bennington, and was in the battle of the 16 th of August 1777. I further say, that soon after the battle I became acquainted with Stephen Pratt, and knew him as a soldier, and I should say he was a soldier in Capt. Leonard's company. I clearly remember that Capt. Leonard was here with his command, as he was related to me, my mother being an Aunt of his. — I remember very near the spot or place where I had conversation with said Stephen Pratt, about Hardwick affairs in said year. Being a native of Hardwick, these particulars of my knowing Mr. Pratt, are probably more distinct in recollection on that account. Some few years after this my knowledge of Mr. Pratt in 1777, he removed to this town, and I have known him ever since.
I further depose, (on enquiry,) that I was acquainted with Reuben Hild in his life time, and considered him a man of truth. I believe also, that I so testified before Judge Stephen Robinson, a number of years since, while said Hild was under examination as to his knowledge of Stephen Pratt's service in the revolutionary war. David Robinson
sworn to and subscribed Probate Court June 28. A.D. 1833.
I do hereby certify that David Robinson is a credible person. Wm Haswell Register. Wm Haswell, Register.

I David Weeks of Bennington, county of Bennington and state of Vermont, that I have aged 78 years, testify and say that I have from early life been acquainted with Stephen Pratt - that in 1775 I knew him an enlisted soldier in the eight months service Massachusetts line in Capt. Billings company, in Col. Larned's Regiment, that I belonged to said company and regiment, and did duty with him for the full period of eight months in Roxbury at & Dorchester Point. - That in 1776, I knew him in the five months service in the company commanded by Capt. Daniel Warner, in Col. Holman's Regt. that I belonged to the same company and Regiment, we marched together from Haverwick at the time of the company's marching, and did service together and near each other during the whole of this five months campaign.
And further say that said Stephen Pratt is a man of truth and veracity, and his statements are to be accredited as true. -
David Weeks
Sworn to, and subscribed in Probate Court, this 14 th day of August, A.D. 1832,
Wm Haswell, Register
I certify that David Weeks is a credible person.
Wm Haswell, Register

State of Vermont } Bennington County } ss
On this first day of August AD 1838 personally appeared before the Probate Court for the district of Bennington in the county of Bennington of our said, Stephen Pratt a resident of said Bennington, aged 52 years, guardian of Hannah Pratt also a resident of said Bennington aged 80 years; and the said Stephen Pratt being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain for his said Ward, the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay pensions to certain widows" — That the said Hannah Pratt is the widow of Stephen Pratt late of said Bennington who was a private in the Army of the revolution, & a pensioner of the United States under the act of June 7. 1832, that the said Stephen Pratt in the belief of the declarant served as stated by him in his declaration made under the act of the 7 th of June 1832 aforesaid, & the declarant refers to said declaration

& the evidence in support of the same now on file in the pension office, as proof of the services performed by the deceased—
The said Stephen as guardian as aforesaid, further declares that the said Hannah Pratt was married to the said Stephen deceased on the thirtieth day of January in the year One thousand eight hundred & thirty, & that her husband, the said Stephen died on the 20 th day of December AD 1835 & that the said Hannah yet remains his widow—
The said Stephen further declares that believing that the marriage of the said Stephen & the said Hannah had taken place prior to the expiration of his last term of service, he applied on her behalf for a pension under the act of July 4. 1836, which application was unsuccessful, for the reason that it appeared by the declaration made by the said Stephen deceased that his last term of service was prior to the date of his marriage; & the de- clarant not being able to prove any error or mistake in the said state- ment of the said deceased, or to

show to the satisfaction of the com- missioners of pensions that the said deceased performed revolutionary services after the date of the marriage aforesaid, is now compelled to take it for granted, In order to obtain for his said ward the benefit of the act of July 7, 1838, does admit that she was not married to the said Stephen deceased prior to his leaving the service, but that the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, Seventeen hun- dred, & ninety four, viz, at the town above stated. And the said Stephen refers to the declaration made by himself under the act of July 4 1836, & the evidence accompanying the same now on file in the Pension office for the proof of the marriage & other facts herein stated. Stephen Pratt Sworn to & subscribed, on the day & year above written, before
Wm Haswell, Register.

State of Vermont } Bennington County, ss. }
I William Haswell, Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Bennington, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen Pratt, as Guardian of Hannah Pratt for a pension. — And I further certify that satisfactory evidence has been adduced to this Court, that Hannah Pratt the widow of Stephen Pratt late a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States inscribed on the Pension List Roll of the Vermont Agency under the Act of 7th June, 1832, is still living, unmarried, and still remains the widow of the said Stephen Pratt, and that Stephen Pratt, the son, was duly appointed and still is the Guardian of the said Hannah Pratt. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 1 st day of August, A.D. 1838.
William Haswell
V134
Hannah Pratt widow of Stephen
Pratt
act. 7 July '38