Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,491, for Selah Stedman, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Stedman, Selah
S 11491
carded
CONTENTS

New York
Isaac Stedman
Switzer in the State of N. York who was a Private in the Corp. commanded by Captain Bacchus of the Regt. commanded by Col. Mays on the Scout line for 2 Years
Agency Bank Aug 20-1844
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 80 Dollars and Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of Sep 1833 and sent to L. Gibbs Livonia
Arrears to the 14th Sept 33 $ 200 Pension allowance ending March 34 40 $ 240
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. W. L. W. Clerk
Recorded by Book 6, Vol. 4, Page 61

21464 Isaac Steadman N.Y.
on roll,
Schmidt
Powell 2 years sup wards - $80-
Leman Gibley Livonia Livingston County New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjjoined 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. These 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 Selah Stedman Livingston as Col. N.Y.
   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.     7th Reg't N.Y. Inf. One line { 3 Capt. Backus Lt. Col. [?] Genl. Pearson Col. [?] N.Y. N.J. W. Haven Con. None if not on Rolls —  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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 the 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 from 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 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 [j] 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.
Robt L. Williams Esq.

Selah Stedman, Declaration.
27464
Direct to Leman Gibbs Livonia Livingston Co. N.Y.

State of New York County of Livingston } On this twenty seventh day of Sept ember 1832 personally appeared before the County Court of Livingston County aforesaid Selah Stud man a resident of the town of Livonia in the County of Livingston aforesaid aged seventy years who first being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following de claration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed the 7 th June 1832 — That he enlisted in the Army of the United States on the 7 th day of May in the year 1777 and served in the Regiment Command ed by Lieutenant Jonathan Meigs in a Brigade Commanded by General — Parsons of the Connecticut Line in a company Commanded by Captain Samuel Backus — Enlisted for three years and served until the 27 th day of April 1780 on which day he was discharged — That he resi ded at the time he enlisted as aforesaid in the town of Wallingford County of New Haven and State of Connecticut — was born in the year 1762 — — That in the year 1777 was at Peks kill in the state of New York and in an alarm marched with his regiment into New Jersey as far as Quibble Town and joined the Army with General Washington at the time of the Battle of Scotch Plains after the Battle Marched back to Peks kill — and from thence to White Plains to watch the enemy and annoy the refugees and Cow Boys went into winter quarters at Fishkill and had the small Pox — Had a furlough & went home and in the month of March 1778 joined the Army at Robinson two miles below West point on the East side of the North River where the Brigade remained the forepart of the summer then marched to White Plains and there stand

until time to go into Winter quarters and for that purpose Marched into the State of Connecticut and there Continued until the Spring of 1779- and Marched back to the Robinson House near the North River at which place the Regi- ment &c. until the Continued during the summer of 1779 & until time to repair to Winter quarters and for that purpose Marched to Morristown in New Jersey and there Continued until the Spring of 1780 and from there Marched to a town called Red Bank  Watford in New Jersey and was discharged by Colo Meigs on the day above named (to wit) the 27 day of April 1780. dit -Charge lost-
He hereby relinquish every claim whatsoever to a pension or an annuity except the present and declar that my name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any state
Selah Stedman
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the abovenamed ap- -plicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states
I Chauncy R. Bond clerk of Livingston Court of Common Pleas do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Selah Stedman for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office Oct. 31 st 1832 C. R. Bond Clerk by S. G. Haven Deputy

January 19, 1931
Mrs. L. A. Dorn 31 S. William Street Johnstown, New York
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section AWF:MLB
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 11491 , that Selah Stedman was born in 1762, place not stated.
While residing in Wallingford, Connecticut, he enlisted in May, 1777 and served in Captain Samuel Backus' company, Colonel Jonathan Meigs' Connecticut regiment, and was discharged April 27, 1780.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 27, 1832, at which time he was living in Livonia, Livingston County, New York.
He died August 20, 1844.
Agency Book. So did not use son's indefinite statement as to age.
A son, Selah, in 1852 was aged sixty-three years and residing in Livingston County, New York, and stated that his mother, Mary, died January, year not given.
further There is no reference to children.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner

Revolutionary
pow. of atty of Yelah Stedman N. York
adm 1832
Nov 18 - 1852
Ex 3 J. E. Hapler

Sela Stedman
areas of Persian 1832

POWER OF ATTORNEY
For ascertaining whether any increase or arrears of Pension are due the Widow or heirs of Revolutionary Pensioners, etc.*
State of New York
County of Livingston
Seth N. Chamberlin — a Justice of the Peace personally appeared Selah M. Stedman aged 63 the 18th years, who being duly cautioned and then sworn in due form of law, states that he is the Son of Selah Stedman who was a Revolutionary Soldier, or Pensioner of the State of New York and that he died on the 15th day of August 184 3 and that his mother, named Mary Stedman died on the 15th day of January 18 48 and that they were married on the 15th day of January in the year 17 88 and that they were residents of New Haven Co in the State of Connecticut and that they resided there 5 years, and that he resides in Livingston Co NY
And that furthermore he BY THESE PRESENTS, constitutes, appoints and fully empowers and authorizes irrevocably and with powers of substitution H. E. Hessler of Washington City DC of Livingston County, NY , as his true and lawful Attorney for him and in his name and stead, to examine into, to prosecute, to demand, and to receive from the United States Government Officers his rights in all and in any manner of claim for increase or arrears of Pension or Land, that may be due him as Son of Selah Stedman who died leaving the same undrawn, as in right of law, custom, or equity he is or may be entitled, and for good and sufficient reasons do hereby revoke and countermand any and all other Powers of Attorney or other authority that may have been heretofore given by me on Ennis others
IN WITNESS WHEREOF he has on this 15th day of August 185 2 hereunto signed his name and affixed his seal.
Witness: Stephen H. B. Russell  Selah Stedman (L. S.)
Witness: Sodacy Powell  Seth N. Chamberlin (L. S.)
Signed, sealed, acknowledged and sworn to before me, on this 15th day of August 185 2 Seth N. Chamberlin J. P. (L. S.)
At the same time personally appeared before me Seth N. Chamberlin two credible and disinterested witnesses named Stephen H. B. Russell and Sodacy Powell residents of the aforesaid County and State, who having been by me cautioned and then duly sworn according to law, do depose and say each for himself that Seth N. Chamberlin has always heard it said and it is generally believed by the community that Selah Stedman was a Revolutionary Soldier and that Mary Stedman was by him always treated as and is by the witnesses believed to be the Widow of the said Revolutionary Soldier.
Sworn to before me the day and year first above written.
J. P. (L. S.)
(L. S.)
(L. S.)
*If a Widow applies state "the date of marriage and date of death of her husband."

Rev. War
11491 INVALID.
File No. 11491
Selah Steadman
Priv. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 360
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1931-Jan. 19-Mrs. & Miss P. & D. Womans

DEC 20 1880 OFFICE
Johnstown N.Y. Dec. 17 / 80.
Department of the Interior, Washington D.C.
Gentlemen, -
I would like the record of "Deleah Steadman" that served in the Rev. war from Conn. Did he have a son Timothy, that served in the Rev.? Please send me all the data you have on his family. Most Gratefully Yours,

Mrs L. A. Dorn 81 S. William St. Johnstown. N.Y.