Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15953, for Isaac Stearns, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Stearns, Isaac Mary
W. 15953
CONTENTS

2940 New Hampshire
Mary Stearns widow of Isaac Stearns, deceased.
who died on the 1807 at Hillsboro (in the State of N. H.) who was a pr & Sergt in the Co commanded by Captain Woodbury of the 2nd reg t commanded by Col Mass in the Mass militia. time for 6 mos private 3 mos Sergt
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord at the rate of 35 Dollars 50 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of July 1839 & sent to and Lyman Woodbury, Arlington, N. Hampshire
Arrears to the 14th of Mar 1839 $281.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep '39 17.57 $298.57
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d }
Recorded by D. M. Curdy Clerk, Book A. Vol. 2, Page 31.

4260 Mary Stearns Wid of Isaac NH Ad July 4 1836

An extract from the Record of marriages for the Town of Billerica, County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
"Isaac Stearns Jun & Mary Crosby of Billerica married by Rev Henry Cummings, the eighteenth day of December, in the year, Seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven.
I the subscriber, Town Clerk of the said town of Billerica, hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the Record, with the exception of the date which is expressed on the Record, in fair, legiti- figures as follows viz - "Dec r 18. 1777."
Marshall Preston, Clerk of s d Town of Billerica
I, Marshall Preston, above named do hereby say that I hold the Office of Clerk in the said Town of Billerica, County and Commonwealth aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the Record of marriages of said Town, with exception above named as certified by me
Marshall Preston Town Clerk of said Billerica
Middlesex County, ss. November 30 th 1838
Sworn to before me
John Baldwin { Justice of the peace for s d County.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Sims. Apr. Dec. 6. 1890
I hereby certify that to within John Baldwin was a portion of the Pease for the cause of Micrology at the date of his within attestation
witness the Seal of the State
John P. Bigelow
Secy of the Committee

I, Abner Stearns of Billerica in the County of Middlesex and born in the township of Concord, New England, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two, do hereby certify that I will recollect the commencement of our Revolutionary war, the day of Concord Light, as it is called, at the time I was at that time but about nine years old. I further testify, that some time after the beginning of the war, my cousin, Isaac Stearns, of said Billerica (then living in Billerica, but afterwards removed to Ashburnham in this State) who was a daily playmate of mine, his father's house being within about one hundred rods distance from my father's, enlisted as a soldier to go to Concord, (or to Concord, as it was then called), - that I well remember, seeing the preparations made for him, previous to his leaving home, such as clothing &c, necessary for him in the army; that he went off & was gone in the army, but how long, I do not recollect, but I should think as much as six months - that I saw him after his return and he has frequently told me, about his service in the army; what he saw & heard &c, he was often telling what took place there -
Abner Stearns
Middlesex p. Nov. 2. 1838. Then personally appeared the above named Abner Stearns, (with whom I am well acquainted and whose testimony is entitled to full credit & belief) and being

duly cautioned to tell the whole truth, made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by her subscribed.
Before me Marshall Preston. Justice of the peace

We Jesse Stearns and Betsy Stearns of New Ipswich in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire do hereby say that our Father Isaac Stearns died at Ashburnham in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the twenty ninth day of April eighteen hundred and seven and that our mother Mary Stearns who was widow of said Isaac Stearns has never been married since the decease of her husband the said Isaac Stearns.
Jesse Stearns
Betsy Stearns
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss. Dec. 27. 1838 Known to me and subscribed before me -
Judge Woodbury Justice of the Peace
I certify that in my belief the aforesaid deponents are credible witnesses
Judge Woodbury Justice of the Peace
I Ruth Wetherbee of New Ipswich in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire do hereby say that I am in no way related to the family of Isaac Stearns formerly of Ashburnham in the County of Worcester, Massachusetts, deceased, but was well acquainted with said Isaac Stearns and am well acquainted with his widow Mary Stearns. I have no doubt the said Isaac Stearns died at said Ashburnham on the twenty ninth day of April 1807. I lived within about two miles of his residence at the time of his decease and was frequently at the place of his residence before and after his death. I also know that his widow the said Mary Stearns is now living and is a woman of good reputation, and that she has not been married since the decease of her husband the said Isaac Stearns.
RUTH WETHERBEE
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss. Dec. 27. 1838 Personally appeared the aforesaid Ruth Wetherbee who is in my belief a credible witness and made oath to the above affidavit by her subscribed before me.
Judge Woodbury Justice of the Peace

4260 application 426.
Mary Sturges
wid of Isaac
Mar 1777 dec 1807
Then adds any communications in relation to the within application to me at Antrim N. Hampshire
Luke Woodbury
July 4, 1836
Allou 6 mo for 20
3 .. Sep 15
per ann 35
Map. Militia cap Cowden
Luke Woodbury Antrim N.H.

State of New Hampshire Office of Secretary of State Concord June 3. 1839
I hereby certify that Luke Woodbury is an acting Judge of the Court of Probate within & for the County of Hillsborough duly commissioned and qualified. That his commission was dated on the 1 st day of January 1836 to hold said commission until seventy years of age & that on the day of his appointment he was thirty five years & six days old.
I further certify that Luke Woodbury is an acting Justice of the Peace within for the County of Hillsborough duly commissioned and qualified. That his commission was dated on the 5 th day of December 1835 and will expire on the 5 th day of December 1840 and his signature to the annexed Instrument is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said State.
Jeremiah D. Dickey Secy of State

Application Mary Thomas

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough ss. On this twenty seventh day of December the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight at New Ipswich in said County of Hillsborough personally appeared before me Luke Woodbury Judge of the Court of Probate of Wills &c within and for said County of Hillsborough Mary Stearns a resident of New Ipswich in said County aged eighty four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4, 1836. That she is the widow of Isaac Stearns formerly of Ashburnham in the County of Worcester Massachusetts deceased, who was a private and sergeant in the Army of the Revolution That according to her best knowledge and belief, he first enlisted into the service at Billerica in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the term of six months in the year eighteen hundred and twenty six. She thinks it was sometime in the month of June or July that he left Billerica and returned sometime in the winter. She thinks in December or January, that she cannot ascertain the Captain's name under whom he served, but she thinks he served in Col. Rusk's Regiment and endured most of the service at Ticonderoga Crown Point and that vicinity. That he entered the service at this time as a volunteer. That she knows from her own personal knowledge, that he went into the service at this time and was absent she thinks six months or more. She was present and saw him short. There was an engagement of men near between him and her at that time, that he wrote to her several times during his absence and his letters were dated at

Tiencounga - Their letters however are lost or destroyed. She is not able to find them. She has no documentary evidence to prove this service, but has found among his papers a leaf from a diary which she has no doubt he wrote at the time or during the time of this service. She knows it is in his hand writing, and she thinks she has some of it, but this is all she can now find, which is hereto annexed. That she moved to Ashburnham in the County of Worcester Massachusetts with her husband the said Isaac Stearns in April Seventeen hundred and twenty eight that during this summer of Seventeen hundred and twenty eight her husband the said Isaac was "drafted" for three months service and went into the service accordingly in July of this year, he was about three months or more and ended his service as he informed her mostly at Rhode Island. She cannot tell the Captain's name under whom he served nor the Colonel and has no documentary evidence to prove this term of service. That in the year Seventeen hundred and twenty nine he again went into the service as a sergeant for the term of three months under Captain Thomas Cawdin. She recollects that he was about three months, that he went from Ashburnham at this time, she cannot tell whether he was drafted or volunteered. She recollects he left home to go into the service in the fall of the year. She thinks in October. She has no documentary evidence to prove this term of his service excepting a Company order found among his old papers and which is hereto annexed. She can give no further particulars in relation to this term of his service than is to be gathered from the annexed order. She further declares that she was

married to the said Isaac Stearns at said Billerica on the eighteenth day of December in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven; that her maiden name was Crosby; that her husband the aforesaid Isaac Stearns, died at said Ashburnham on the twenty ninth day of April eighteen hundred and seven; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Attest both U. H. C.
Mary for  X Stearns widow
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year before written before me
Luthe Woodbury Judge as aforesaid
I hereby certify that the aforesaid affiant is in my belief a credible witness; and that the cause of executing the aforesaid declaration at the present time, and of Court, is that said affiant is, in my belief, from bodily infirmities, unable to attend Court, without great inconvenience and expense of her health.
Luthe Woodbury Judge as aforesaid.

A journal of my march to Ticonderogg

thirds day went on duty tho' I felt very poorly having of the fever & ague I thought to work till a day but found I could not was forced to quit before noon Friday the articles of war were Read I was still poorly not with standing I turned out to hear orders & prayers Saturday I went on guard but finding myself not able to do duty I got dismissed: September 8: I lay by not a Saturday I lay by was unfit for duty officers as well as privates were called on to work for the gen l had heard that the Regulators were a coming: m r On me son preached a short sermon to those that were left.

Q112 W.15953
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Isaac Stearns a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1778 8 mos Pvt ✓ Reed Mass   July 1778 3 mos Pvt. ✓ ✓   Fall 1779 3 mos. Sgt Thomas Bowdin John Rand  
Battles engaged in, none stated Residence of soldier at enlistment, Billerica, Mass Date of application for pension, Dec. 27, 1838. Her claim was allowed Residence at date of application, New Ipswich, Hillsborough Co. N.H. Age at date of application, 84 years
Remarks: He died at Ashburnham, Mass. Apr. 29, 1807. Soldier married at Billerica, Mass. Dec. 18, 1777 Mary Crosby. Children - Jesse & Betsy Stearns were living in New Ipswich, N.H. in 1838. There is no other family data on file.  Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Isaac Stearns wid Mary
Mass. W. 15953
Col. John Rand's order to Sgt. Isaac Stearns to march the men raised in Ashburnham to Point E orits at Westminster, dated Fitchburg, Oct. 30, 1779, and signed Thos. Cowdin, Capt. This paper has been re- moved from the claim to be forwarded to the War Dept.
S. C. A.
March 10, 1911
Sent to War Dept Jan. 16, 1913

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, June 24 th 1839.
I hereby Certify, That at the dates of their several attestations Silas Willard and Joseph Jewett were Justices of the Peace for the County of Worcester,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John D. Sleeper
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Ashburnham Nov 30 th 1838
I David Clark of Ashburnham in the County of Worcester M. S. being 81 years of age depose and say that I resided in said Ashb tn at the time the revolutionary war commenced and that I well knew Isaac Stearns who moved into said Ashb tn about that time and in Nov 9 th 1779 I and the said Isaac Stearns marched with other men raised in Ashb tn to Lieut Evits in Westminster, under Sergeant Stearns and from there we marched under the command of Capt Thomas Lowden of Fitzburg for Claverick on the Hudson river. This was three months service. I also recollect hearing the said Stearns tell of being at Secondburg and other places.
David Clark
Worcester ss Nov 30 1838
Personally appeared the within named David Clark made oath to the above before me Silas Willard Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the above-named David Clark is a person of veracity and is competent as a witness Ashb tn Dec 1 1838 Jos Jewett Just of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, fs. I, Joseph G. Kendall, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Worcester, do certify that Silas Willard, Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and was such Justice on the 30th day of November last - and that his signature to the certificate by him made, on the other side of this paper, appears to be in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof, I hereto set my name, and affix the seal of said Court, at Worcester, this second day of January, 1839. —
Joseph G. Kendall

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, ss. I, Joseph G. Kendall, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for said County of Worcester, do certify, that Joseph Jewett Esquire, within named, is a justice of the peace, in and for said County, and that his signature to the annexed certificates, is in his own proper hand writing. In testimony whereof, I hereto set my name, and affix the Seal of said Court, at Worcester, this twelfth day of December in the year 1838.
_____ Jos. G. Kendall, Clk.

Ashburnham Dec 1 st 1838
I Lemuel Stimson of Ashburnham in the County of Worcester U.S. being 81 years of age depose and say that in 1776 I entered into service of the revolutionary war and in July marched for Tienderoga and while at said Tienderoga I very often saw Isaac Stearn who entered from Billerica and was there in the service and I think and am quite certain the said Stearn was in Col. Reed's Regiment in which I was as I saw him so frequently. I also say that after the war closed I often heard the said Stearn tell of being out in the war at other times. Lemuel Stimson
Worcester Dec 1 st 1838 Then the above named Lemuel Stimson appeared and made oath that the above statement by him subscribed is true
Before me Jos. Jewett Just of the Peace
I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with the above said Deposition for more than forty years and that he is a person of veracity and is competent as a witness. Ashb h Dec 1 st 1838 Jos. Jewett Just of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, November 9 th 1838.
I hereby Certify, That at the date of his attestation, Marshall Preston Esq r was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, _____ in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John P. Bigelow
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Job Hill of Billerica in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts of Eighty four years of age on oath depon & say, that at the commencement of the Revolutionary war, I was well acquainted with one Isaac Stearns Jr., then a near neighbor of mine, and a play mate, - I well recollect that in the summer of 1775, some time after the Concord Fight, there was a call for so many men, to enlist into the 8 months service to go to Concord Concord & Secondserga that the mode taken to make the draft, was when our training band, was called together, they would beat up, for volunteers, - and on this occasion I well recollect that the said Isaac volunteered in said service and went off and was gone in said service, the said eight months.
I further depon & say that the said Stearns, married one Mary Brosby, and after found moved to the Town of Ashburnham, in this State, where he was residing at the time of his death, & that he left the said Mary his, widow.
Question by the Magistrate 3
Did you ever hear the said Stearns speak of being in any battles? 3. Answer No. I believe there was no fighting at the North

during the said Eight months, in particular as I recollect. — I do not recollect now, there was any battles during that year, excepting the Lexington, Concord & Bunker Hill affairs — but I am very certain about this — Job Hill
Middlesex p. October, 25 th A.D. 1838. — Then personally appeared the above named Job Hill, (with whom I am well acquainted & whose testimony is entitled to full credit & belief) and after being duly sworn, to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth, made solemn oath that the above deposition by him above subscribed was true
Before me Marshall Preston. Iss. of the Peace
* The Deponent is probably mistaken as to the year it was probably 1776, instead of 1775, — and I queried with him, but it was his impression, that it was, the same season of Bunker Hill.
Marshall Preston { Iss. of the Peace { Clerk.

Isaac Stearns. M o 1777 due 1800 June 1776 + 6 mo. from Billings M o s 1778 3 " 1779 + 3 " S g . Capt Bowdin Not at least Stockner, all f 1775 (Billings)
+ Dana Clark Stearns & May May allow 6 mo for 20 3 " by (15) $35

Dear Friend N.H.
Dear James L. Edwards Cams. of Pines Washington City

Antwerp March 8. 1839
Hon. James L. Edwards
Sir
In the month of August 1838 I forwarded to the Pension Department an application of Mrs. Mary Burrick for a Pension under the act of July 1838. Inasmuch as Noor. I received an answer that her application was suspended and requiring further evidence. A supplementary affidavit from her was furnished. I have since ascertained that her application should have been made under the act of 1836. I hope the evidence accompanying her application will be satisfactory. Senator Pires informed me that he thought it would be amply sufficient to authorize a certificate under the act of 1836. I hope, as it is a suspended case & has long been before the Department that it will receive immediate attention.
In the case of Mrs. Mary Stearns widow of Israel Stearns A.D. (Yrs. of Lely. 8. informs me that she is entitled to a Certificate & may be allowed for 6 Mos.

as a private & 3 Mos. as a sergeant. She is not able at present to furnish proof of more service and will take her Certificate, if the Department pleases, for the time provided viz 6 Mos. as a private and 3 as a sergeant. Your communication in relation to Mrs. Thomas was addressed to Hon. F. Pierce Senator &c. States. An early attention to this case is respectfully requested.
I am Very Respectfully Mr. Col. Smith L. D. Wardlaw
An answer may be addressed to me at Austin Northamptonshire - L. D. Wardlaw

134 Lyndale Ave. North,
Minneapolis, Minn. June 1, 1892, Commissioner Green B. Raum, Dear Sir;
Will you kindly send me the record of the services rendered in the Revolutionary War by Isaac Stearns who enlisted from Billerica Mass and was engaged in the Battle of Bunker Hill according to record in the Ashburnham, Mass. Vitality. His widow drew a pension while living in Ashburnham, Mass where Isaac Stearns removed in 1778 or about that time. All information gratefully received. Respectfully Miss E. S. Harkness.

JUN 7 1892
15553 6117
P

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O. W. & N. Div.
MEMORANDA.
Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.
Full name of soldier:
Isaac Stearns
Place of residence before service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Billerica, Mass
Place of residence after service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Same as above.
Date of death (as near as possible):
About 1808
Christian name of widow:
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
Remarks:
Second choice
Your name and address:
Mr L. Boygs. Lafayette Indiana

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O. W. & N. Div.
MEMORANDA.
Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.
not w
Full name of soldier:
Timothy Stearns
Place of residence before service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Billerica Mass.
Place of residence after service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Same as above
Date of death (as near as possible):
about 1816
Christian name of widow:
Sarah Lane
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
Remarks:
Your name and address:
DUE L. BOYGS Lafayette Indiana

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O. W. & N. Div.
MEMORANDA.
Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below. not 9.
Full name of soldier:
Capt. John Boggs
Place of residence before service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Penn. or Virginia.
Place of residence after service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Pickaway Co. Ohio
Date of death (as near as possible):
About 1819
Christian name of widow:
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
Remarks:
Capt. Boggs is my first choice
Your name and address:
Mrs. L. Boggs Lafayette Indiana.

O. W. & N. Div.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C. Mch. 27 1895.
Respectfully returned to
Miss Mae L. Boggs,
West LaFayette,
Indiana,
with the information that the courtesy of furnishing the military history of Revolutionary soldiers is extended by this Bureau when the same is desired by descendants for historical and genealogical purposes only, and then only when the soldier or his widow applied for pension, their papers being the principal source from which data is collected for a report. The history of not more than two soldiers can be furnished to each applicant because of the large number of such requests and the time and labor it is necessary to expend upon each report.
For purposes of identification the soldier's full name should be furnished, his place of residence before and after service (town, county, and State, if possible), and the christian name of his widow, if one survived him.
Please return all papers with your reply.
Commissioner.

708 East 19th St.
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Nov. 11, 1922
Hon. Washington Gardner, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: I shall be greatly obliged if you can assist me in securing information as indicated below, which I am hoping your files may contain. Of the two men named did they, Or either of them serve as soldiers in the Revolutionary War? Did they or either of them, or their widows ever receive pensions? Are my facts concerning them correct?
Isaac Stearns of Billerica, Mass.
Born June 13, 1750; died April 29, 1807.
Married Dec. 18, 1777, to Mary Crosby, born May 6, 1754.
Moved to Ashburnham, Mass. in 1778.
Probably served in Capt. Solomon Pollard's Co. from Billerica, at Cambridge, Mass. in 1775.
Abijah Whitney, born Sept. 6, 1744; died in 1829.
Married June 12, 1783, to Lydia Stearns, who was born in 1759, and died in 1786, (or in 1795)
Lived in Waltham, and in Weston, Mass.
Probably served in Capt. John Hartwell's Co. of Col. Nicholas Dike's regiment, 1776-1777.
An early reply to these questions will be most highly appreciated, as I am anxious to complete records relating to family history. If there are fees or costs in the matter please advise me and I will remit at once.
Very respectfully,
Frank E. Thorpe

1893 - Jan. 19. Hist. to Miss C. S. Hartwell, Minneapolis, Minn. A.S.
Apr. 27, 1922, Dtd. Dist. Minn. Louis L. Rogers, Lafayette, Ind., m. el. 1922 Dec. 7 - Hist. to Frank S. Thayer
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15953
Mary Stearns Wid of Isaac Stearns Sergt Rev War
Act July 4 th 1886
Index: Vol. M , Page 2115
[Arrangement of 1870.]