Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31388, for James Stephenson, New Jersey

SERVICE
New Jersey
Stephenson, James
S. 31388
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

See letter to P. Ryts. Sept. 2 1835

13745
Kentucky
James Stephenson
Bombes in the State of Kentucky was a private in the company commanded by Captain McLaughlin of the company commanded in the New Jersey for Two years
scribed on the Roll of Kentucky the rate of 80 Dollars  Cents per annum, commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of June 1833 and with Hon W. M. Johnson
arrears to the 14th of March 160 00 mi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 40 00
$200 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
recorded by Darius Boyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 27

The deposition of aff. davit of Polly Stephenson aged Seventy seven years a resident of Boone County Kentucky taken before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in & for 5 th County of Boone the said Polly Stephenson being first duly sworn deposith & saith that she is the wife of James Stephenson who is aged between Seventy Eight & Seventy Nine years & who has within a few years past lost in a great measure his memo- ry or recollection which by Ann Lee Stephenson as his next friend is making an application to the U States for a pension for his services hereinafter as a militia man during the American revolution - this affiant now I State that she intermarried with the said James Stephenson in the year 1776 & has lived with him ever since as his wife. at the time of their marriage they lived in the County of Cumberland & State of New Jersey and she will recollect that her said husband did volunteer & join the army early in time of the American revolution as a private militia man, & that he did go into the army & serve various towns at different times & in different years - the number of towns, the year or particular time of his went in 5 th town or the precise length of the town she cannot precisely recollect - but among the many towns & the different officers he served. she will recollect his going the army & going & serving various towns under a Capt. M c Gloughlin & also Capt Townsend for 8 th Capt's lived in the same neighbourhood & she was acquainted with them - But she does know recollect that her 8 th husband did go out frequently & served other towns & under other officers - & she does know that he was much from home during the service in time of the revolution & she can without hesitation say that her said husband was out in the service & serving towns of duty at the time the following battles took place & engaged in the battle of Brandywine. Trenton. Red Bank. Red Bank. Elizabeth town & at a place called Mudfort Island & about Philadelphia at one time he was taken prisoner & taken to a prison ship on sea & by a dangerous exploit he & six or seven others made their escape & got to land & went to General Washington & gave him information concerning their escape & about the other prisoners left in the British prison ship and Genl. Washington gave them under his own hand a writing approbatory of their conduct & permitted them to go home. her said husband brought his said writing home with & she often saw it & it was noticed by many soldiers & officers highly regarded & pronounced to be General Washington's own hand writing. - She will recollect that her husband had his discharge which stated that he had honorably discharged her duty as a soldier & that he carefully kept it until the time they removed to the western country when his trunk, in which the discharge & other papers were in was knocked off of the boat into the Ohio river & sunk & the discharge & all his papers was lost. I never regained - She then affiant would state that the said James her 8 th husband must have served as a private soldier in the different towns he served at

least four years in the service of the United States in time of the American revolution and for which he claims a pension by the act of 1795 said John Stephens as his next friend. The two tours under Capt. McLaughlin & the two tours under Capt. Townsend were all for three months each. At the time he was taken prisoner on the prison ship he was some six months in the service.
In witness whereof the said Polly Stephens hereunto sets her hand this 22nd day of March 1833
Polly Stephens mark
Sworn to before me Robert B Vickers
Kentucky Boone County, ss
I Robert B Vickers a justice of the peace in & for said County of Boone do hereby certify that the foregoing depo s of Polly Stephens of the County of aged 76 years was taken subscribed & sworn to before me by said Polly Stephens. & I do further certify that she is of sound mind & good recollection for a person of her age. I do hereby certify that the credit is due to her & I do further certify that the said James Stephens resides in my neighbourhood. That it is generally believed in the neighbourhood where he resides that he was a soldier of the revolution. It is a fact generally believed and spoken of that he has been ever since the said James lived in the neighbourhood.
In witness my hand as aforesaid this 22nd day of March 1833
Robert B Vickers JP

James Stephenson
evidence not satisfactory
W. Stephenson
Chas. T. ... John ...
by request Col. Johnson
the ... the ... the ...

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7 th 1832
State of Kentucky } Boone County. } Ss
On this 4 day of Feby in the year 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the Boone County Court it being a Court of Record, William Stephenson aged fifty four years who as the next friend of James Stephenson a resident of said County of Boone aged Seventy Eight years and who from age & infirmity & some unknown cause has lost his recollection & failed in his memory the said William Stephenson being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain for the said James Stephenson the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. — The said William  States Stephenson that he has been intimately acquainted with said James Stephenson & lived with & near him ever since he the said William can recollect. & has had a great many conversations with him the said James in relation to his service in the war of the revolution. From the uniform statement made by said James. He entered the service of the United States as a private volunteer militia soldier early in the time of the American revolution in the County of Cumberland State of New Jersey where he the said James Stephenson then lived. He served under a Captain McLaughlin & under a Capt in Towns and various other Captains whose names he has years ago heard the said James speak of but whose names he the said William does not now recollect the said James was much engaged as a soldier in the time of the revolution about Philadelphia, Penn a the country around it in New Jersey he was in several battles at Philadelphia. Elizabeth town. Brandywine, Red Bank, Red Bank & he was also at the Battle of Red Bank  Red Bank  Red Bank Hill — some other battles & skirmishes not now recollected. He was some where taken prisoner by the British & carried to sea in a British vessel where kept three months or more. & he the said James Stephenson with six other prisoners while it was very dark late at night secretly left the prison ship got into the British long boat made their escape & got safe to land. A man who was not far distant from where they landed for the reason of his being so near the water personally apprehended them & gave them for the reason of his being so near the water money to bear their own expence home

the said William Stephenson would further state that he has not only learned the foregoing facts & circumstances from the said James Stephenson but he has also learned them from various other persons who were engaged with said James in the different battles & tours of services - whose conversation with said James in relation to the services & events before related corresponded & coincided very well with the principal conversations here alluded to more in New Jersey before the removal of said James & his family to the Western Country. Yes some few since - but the persons whom he has thus heard converse with said James in relation to those events are all dead that he now recollects - He would also state that from the information of those persons the said James must have been an exceedingly active & diligent soldier & much concerned & engaged in the cause of the revolution & must have devoted at least five years or more in the service of the United States during the American revolution - he will not forbear mentioning one out of a number of heroic acts he has heard related as being performed by said James in the revolution which is this that on some severe action in which he was engaged all the men near him was shot down & also the Ensign who carried the Standard of Colours. When saw the American Eagle & Colours fall he sprang to them & hoisted & carried them during the remainder of the engagement.
The said William Stephenson would also state that said James Stephenson is in a helpless condition not being able from bodily infirmity to labour. From mental infirmity he is not capable to attend to business - He is in very indigent circumstances entirely dependent upon his friends for support he has no family except his wife who is seventy three years old & is very infirm & helpless condition also.
The said James Stephenson, nor him the said William Stephenson has no documentary evidence, and they know of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to the services of the said James Stephenson - and he hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that the name of the said James Stephenson is not on other pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn and subscribed to the day & year aforesaid James Stephenson by William Stephenson his next friend
Attest William Francis Clerk

We the James Finnell a clergyman residing in said County of Boon and State of Kentucky, and Abner Gaines residing in the same County and State do hereby declare Certify that we are well acquainted with James Stephenson who has lost his memory & recollection & who by his next friend William Stephenson has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and that we believe him the said James Stephenson to be seventy eight years of age and that he is reputed and believed to be in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid in Open Court
Attest
Willis Graves Clerk,
James Finnell
Abner Gaines
And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the clear department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary and served as is stated
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that James Finnell who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the said County of Boon and State of Kentucky - and that Abner Gaines who has also signed the same is a resident in the same County and State and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit
Willis Graves Clerk of the Boon County Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Stephenson by William Stephenson his next friend for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 4 th day of February 1833 and 4 th year of the Commonwealth Willis Graves Clerk

V. P. M. Rev. War Section.
April 7, 1916.
F. M. Ballard, 526 Montgomery Street, Covington, Kentucky.
Sir:-
In response to your letter dated the 27 th ultimo, you are advised in regard to the Revolutionary War pension claim S. F. No. 31,388, that on February 4, 1833, William Stephenson applied for pension in behalf of his father James Stephenson , of Boone County, Kentucky, aged about seventy-eight years, who had been mentally incapacitated several years.
In said claim it is stated that while residing in Cumberland County New Jersey, James Stephenson enlisted and served as follows: as a Private in Captain McGlaughlin's Company 3 months, and in Captain Townsend's Company 3 months, no dates are stated. He also served at various other times in the New Jersey Militia, officers not recollected, and at one time was taken prisoner and confined on a Prison Ship from which he escaped one dark night, and returned home.
He was in the battles of Trenton, Brandywine, Philadelphia, Mud Island Fort, Hattonfield, and Elizabethtown.
He married in 1776, Polly--- who was a resident

of Boone County Kentucky, in 1833, aged 77 years. Sons are referred to but no names are stated other than the above mentioned William Stephenson, to whom the pension was allowed. He was a resident of Boone County Kentucky in 1833, aged 54 years.
You are also advised that the records of this Bureau fail to show a Revolutionary War claim on file for any soldier named Levi Stevenson, Stephenson, or Sevanson. One Levi Swanson ( S. F. 38,412 ) a resident of Morgan County, Kentucky, is presumably the person incorrectly quoted in the Census of 1840 as Levi Sevanson. If he is the subject of your inquiry, a history of his services will be forwarded upon your application for the same, quoting the above file number.
Very respectfully,
A handwritten signature in cursive, appearing to read "J. M. Salzbauer".
Commissioner.
Stephenson (2)

I send you a case of great interest. I have known several of the witnesses 20 years & can testify to their credibility. It is very natural that the witnesses should in some respects be confused as to length & periods of service & kind of service but they all abundantly prove that the applicant served more than 2 years some of  the facts show of Bunkers Hill Battle. It is pro- bably this is a mistake. Also I think the applicant must have served in the state troops of N. Jersey. It is your duty to look at all the facts for the man is insane to judge in the case. I do so not hesitate to say that he ought to have a full pension. There are few cases so deserving. The Pension is a kind of charity & no one can doubt the service yours
Richd. Johnson

102, 103, 104
Get in the world I can sent you jobber Phil

Kentucky Campbell County Set I Rev. B Northcutt a Justice of the peace in and for said County Do hereby certify that the within Deposition of Jas Callahan who is aged about sixty eight years & a man of good credit & veracity was this day signed and duly sworn to before me By S d Jas Callahan given under my hand and seal this 21 st of May 1833 Rev. B Northcutt JNC
Kentucky Campbell County Set I M c Taliferro Clerk of the County Court of said County of Campbell Do hereby do certify that the above named Rev. B Northcutt is a Justice of the peace duly appointed & commissioned in & for said County & as such full faith & credit is due to all his official acts

The Deposition of Jas Callahan who is aged about sixty eight years & a Citizen of Campbell County Ky. taken before me Wm B Northcutt a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Campbell the said Jas Callahan being first duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with James Stephenson who resides in Boon County Ky who has to a considerable extent lost his memory & recollection within in a few years past & who by his son William Stephenson as his next friend in making an application for for a pension for said James Stephenson for his services per- formed in time of the American Revolution this Deponent has been well acquainted with said Jas Stephenson for near forty years during which period he has often heard said James Stephenson speak of his being in the Revolutionary war & of his being in various Battles or engagements with the Enemy & from his acquaintance with said James Stephenson and in his knowledge of him & his veracity he the said Jas Callahan this Deponent feels confident that he the said James must have been for a considerable part of his time during the American Revolution engaged in the service as a Soldier of the United States in testimony whereof the said James Callahan hath hereunto set his hand and seal this 21 st of May 1822
James Callahan
Sworn to & subscribed before me Wm B Northcutt

The deposition of Zebulon Alphin affidavit is aged about sixty eight years & a citizen of Campbell County Kentucky taken before me J. M. B. Northcutt a justice of the peace in & for said County of Campbell, the said Zebulon Alphin being first duly sworn, deponeth & saith that he has  has been acquainted with James Stephenson who resides in Boone County Kentucky who has to a considerable extent lost his memory & recollection within a few years past. Who by his son William Stephenson as his next friend is making an application for a pension for said James Stephenson for his services performed in time of the American revolution. This deponent has been well acquainted with said James Stephenson for near forty years during which period he has often heard said James Stephenson speak of his being in the revolutionary war & of his being in various battles or engagements with the enemy. & from his acquaintance with said James & his knowledge of him & his veracity he the said Z. Alphin this deponent feels confident that he the said James must have been for a considerable part of his time during the American revolution engaged as a soldier in the service of the United States. In testimony whereof the said Z. Alphin hath hereunto set his hand & seal this 21 st day of May 1833
Sworn to subscribed before me
J. M. B. Northcutt J.P.R.C.
Zebulon Alphin

Kentucky Campbell County ss
I Wm Northcutt justice of the peace in & for said county of Campbell do hereby certify that the within deposition of Zebulon Alphin who is aged about Fifty Eight years & a man of good credit & veracity was this day signed and duly sworn to before me by said Z Alphin Given under my hand as aforesaid 21 st day of May 1833
Wm Northcutt J.P.
Kentucky Campbell County ss
I J. M. Taliferro Clerk of the County Court of said county of Camp- bell do hereby certify that the above na- med Wm Northcutt is a justice of the peace duly appointed & commissioned in & for said County, & as such full faith & credit is due to all his official acts
In Testimony whereof I do here- unto affix the seal of my said office & set my name as aforesaid this 21 st day of May 1833 & 41 year of the common wealth
J. M. Taliferro clk Campbell county court -

The deposition or affidavit of William Stephen son aged fifty four years taken before me Robert Bickers a Justice of the peace in & for the County of Boon & State of Kentucky who being first duly sworn deposes & states that he is the son & acting as the next friend of James Stephenson of said County of Boon who is aged seventy eight years & an applicant for a pension for revolutionary service. & who has within a few years past lost his recollection & memory the applicant would state by way of Explan- ation & in addition to the statements already made by him in the original declaration in this case - that he will recollect to have seen & often noticed the said James Stephenson's discharge, which he received when he left the service of the United States - it certifies that he had hon- orably discharged his duty as a private soldier & was honorably discharged which discharge & other papers and effects of said James or James was carefully put away in a trunk, which was torn from the top of the boat on the Ohio river in which said James & his family was descending or river in as they moved to the western country & said discharge & papers were lost & never regained

This affiant recollects that his said father had very cautiously preserved his said discharge & prized it very highly indeed. At Occasionaly show d it to his family & others - it was prized the higher as the name of Genl. Washington was on it - in his own hand writing as was said & as this affiant verily believes - this affiant was too young in time of the revolution to recollect the services of his said father. but he verily believes from Circumstances that has come to his knowledge that the said James did serve as a soldier in the declaration & affidavits herewith transmitted for which he is conscious the said James should be allowed a pension for which it is claimed
In witness whereof the said W m Stephenson doth hereunto set his hand Seal this 22 nd of March 1833 Genl. & Wm Stephenson Winton N.Y. 3 William D. Stephenson mark Robert B. Hickey

Kentucky Boone County Set
I Robt B Vickers a justice of the peace for said County do hereby certify that the within deposition of William Stephenson was taken subscribed & sworn to before me this 22 nd of March 1833 by the said William Stephenson and I do further certify that the said William Stephenson is a man of veracity of full faith is due & should be given to his testimony. Given under my hand as aforesaid.
Robert B Vickers JP
Kentucky Boone County Set
I Willis Graves Clerk of the Boone County Court do hereby certify that Robt B Vickers whose genuine signature is to the above Certificate before whom the within deposition was taken as well as the within deposition of said William Stephenson is a justice of the peace of said County & is a justice of a court of Record & that full faith is due & should be given to all his official acts as such
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 22 nd of March 1833 & 41 year of the Commonwealth

The Deposition of Abner Gains Esq. of Boone County Kentucky taken before me the Subscribed justice of the Peace for the said County. Who being of lawful age and first duly sworn, deposes and saith that he has been acquainted with James Stephenson Sen r of said County of Boone. Who has lost his recollections, to a considerable extent his mental faculties within a few years past. Who by his son Wm Stephenson his son & most friend is making applica- tion for a pension from the United States for revolutionary services, and that he has also for many years been acquaint- ed with said Wm Stephenson & the wife of said James Stephenson each of whom have deposed or given their depositions in behalf of said James. & of his services - this deponent does state from his acquaintance with said James who must now be near Eighty years of age. & from other circumstances, he is convinced that s d James was a soldier of the revolution & did much service. He also states that the utmost credit & reliance can be placed & ought to be given to the depositions of said Wm Stephenson & his mother the wife of s d James as they are persons who are of good repute. & to be believed. This deponent verily believes that said James' claim for services is a bona fide claim - & that there is no fiction: or impropriety in the claim or in the evidence substantiating it - and he also states that said James is in extreme indigence at present circumstances & unable to perform any services after which he has obtained a support. He is entirely dependent upon his sons who are poor for his support. He is of his age and wife. & further this deponent saith not. & herein to sets his hand & seal this the 15 th of May 1833
Abner Gains Esq
Boone County ss The above Deposition of Abner Gains was taken Subscribed & sworn to before me the Subscribed justice of the Peace for said County this 15 th of May 1833
W Calvert J.P. B.C.

Kentucky Boon County Set
I Willis Brown clerk of the County Court in & for said County Do hereby certify that Willis Calvert whose signature is  signature is to the within Certificate is a Justice of the peace in & for said County and a Justice of the Boon County Court which is a court of Record and as such full faith & credit is due and should be given to all his official acts.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 15 th of May 1833 and 41 year of my Commonwealth
Willis Brown clerk

The deposition of Mary Stephenson aged seventy five years and who is a resident of the County of Boon & State of Kentucky & who being duly sworn according to law upon her Oath states that she lived in the County of Cumberland & State of New Jersey during the time of the war of the American revolution & that she was well acquainted with James Stephenson who then lived in said County of Cumberland & State of New Jersey and who now lives in Boon County Ky & who is now making application for a pension for his Military services performed for the U States in the time of the revolution by him Stephenson his next friend, the said James having lost his memory & recollection. The affiant would state that she recollects that said James Stephenson did serve as a private soldier in the  the Militia of the U. States in the time of the revolution a number of hours of duty under differ- ent officers - she recollects he served under Capt McLaughlin & Capt Townsend, several others whose names are not recalled that he was much engaged for a considerable time about Phil- adelphia, the said James was in several battles to wit at Philadelphia or near it at Elizabeth Town, Brandy Wine at a place called Red Bank fort - and at the Battle of Trenton, at Hattenfield and at Bunker hill & at others not recollected the said James in all his services was from home the the service of the United States at least five years or upwards and performed much arduous service on one occasion said James was taken prisoner & carried to a British Prison ship on sea & kept there more than three and more than six months when by a stratagem he made his escape & got home.
Taken & sign d & sworn to before me 2 nd of February 1833.
her Mary Stephenson mark

State of Kentucky 3 rd Sett. County of Boone
I Robert B Vickers a Justice of the peace in & for said County of Boone do hereby Certify that the within deposition of Mary Stephenson Stephenson was taken sworn & subscribed before me this 3 rd day of February 1833 - I do further Certify that the said Mary Stephenson appears to be Seventy five years old & is a Credible person that her statement is entitled to Credit Given under my hand as afo d day of year afo d
Robert B Vickers
Kentucky Boone County Feb
I Willis Graves Clerk of the County Court of said County of Boone do hereby Certify that Robt. B Vickers whose genuine signature is to the above certificate is one of the Commissioners the Justices of the peace in & for said County duly appointed Commissioned & qualified and he is also a Justice of the Boone County Court which is a court of Record, and that full faith & Credit is due to all his official acts as such. Given under my hand as afo d day 4 th of July 1833 41 st year of the Commonwealth
Willis Graves, Clk

Boon County Ky. Feby 2 nd 1833
The deposition of Mary Garrison aged 84 five years a resident of said County of Boon who being duly sworn deposes & states that she lived in the County of Cumberland & State of New Jersey during the time of the revolutionary war. Was acquainted with James Stephenson who then resided in said County of Cumberland State of New Jersey & who is now a resident of said County of Boon & State of Ky. & who is an appli- cant for a pension for revolutionary services. Her William Stephenson his next friend. The said James Stephenson lost his memory & recollection. The affiant well recollects that said James Stephenson did join the Army of the revolution & served several terms of duty under different officers of the New Jersey line in the service of the United States as a private soldier. In all he the best of the affiant's recollection must have served five years or more in the service of the United States at the different times he was out in the Army. Service of the United
Given in my hand this day & year of
Mary Garrison Mark
and

State of Kentucky 3/11/33
Boone County
I Robert B. Vickers a Justice of the Peace in the said County of Boone do hereby certify that the within deposition of Mary Garrison was this day taken before me. & I do further certify that said Mary Garrison appears to be near seventy years of age & is a credible person & her statement is entitled to credit. Given under my hand this 2nd of July 1833
Robert B. Vickers J.P.
Boone County, Kentucky Set
I Willis Graves clerk of the Boone County Court do hereby certify that Robert B. Vickers Esq whose genuine signature is to the above certificate is one of the Common Pleas Justices of the peace in the said County duly appointed commissioned & qualified there in a Justice of the Boone County Court which is a court of Record. Witness my hand this 4th of July 1833
Willis Graves Clerk
Willis Graves

Rev. Sec H
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
You will kindly oblige me with the
✓ Revolutionary record of the
following pensioners.
James Stephenson- private- New Jersey Line- pensioned from Boone county Ky
Levi Stevenson- living in Morgan county, Ky, in 1840-
Respectfully,
F. M. Barrard
#526 Montgomery Street.
Covington, Kentucky-
March 27th, 1916.

31 388
1916 Apr. 7 Hist. to F. H. Bellon
Rev INVALID.
File No. 31, 388
James Stephenson His Rev was
Act. June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 396
[Arrangement of 1870.]