Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,220, for James Stevens, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass. N.H.
Stevens, James
L 18220
Carded
CONTENTS

10599 New Hampshire
James Stevens of Concord in the State of New Hampshire who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Farnum of the Regt commanded by Col Fry in the New Hampshire line for 15 months all but one mo. in Mass
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 50 Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of April 1833 and sent to Master Huggins, New Hampshire
Arrears to the 4th of March 1835 $117.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept. 25.00 $125.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by A. H. Adams Clerk Book 2 Vol. 1st Page 118.

James Stevens N Hampshire
Print 15 Months
Atch
125 97
S. Cheshire
Isa Barker
Jaffrey 11/4

BRIEF in the case of James Stevens  Co of Cheshire  in the State of N.H.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 83  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     In 1775 volunteered continued and served as he thinks more than 11 private and carpenter Gen. Gage Col. Pickering   Decm 1776. mustered 3 Gen. Howe Col. Bellows   Sep. 1777. 1 3   on Roll of service  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? at Basington but too late for the battle at the surrender of Burgoyne  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Tadoussac Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional and living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George D. Haskell
Examining Clerk.

Declaration of James Stevens of Goffrey Cheshire Co. N.H.
12.597.

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, COUNTY OF CHESHIRE, ss.
On this fifth day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon. Aaron Mason , Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the said County of Cheshire ,
now sitting, James Stevens a resident of Jeffrey in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged 83 last July 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 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
1 st . That on the alarm of the battle of Lexington he marched to that place and arrived there the same day, while the dead were lying in the Meetinghouse, and thence followed the British to Cambridge; and afterwards served eight months in the Company of Capt Benjamin Forster, in Col. James Frye's Regiment of Massachusetts Militia - was stationed in Cambridge, all or nearly all the time - that he afterwards engaged and did stay till March following and did duty as a Carpenter or artificer and he thinks he was commanded by Lieut Eddy or Eder while he worked as a Carpenter - and he thinks he worked as a Carpenter the last part of the aforesaid eight months, but is not certain how long - that he served eleven months, or as he thinks a little more. 2 d . - That sometime in December 1776. he enlisted for three months in the Company of Capt Gage of Bradford in Col. Pickering's Regiment of Mass. Militia - that he went to the vicinity of Fort Independence in N.Y. which was then as he thinks occupied by the British - afterwards crossed the river and was at various places in New Jersey which he does not now recollect, till the expiration of said three months, when he was discharged at Bound Brook - But was the most of the time at said Bound Brook - 3 d . - That in the month of September 1777. he entered the service and marched to Saratoga, was there when Gen. Burgoyne surrendered, and having served one month was dismissed - that he served in the Company of Capt Daniel Round of Rindge and Col Bellows Regiment of N.H. Militia -
Was born in Andover Mass. in the year 1749 - thinks he has a record of his age, but it not certain, but there is one at Andover - lived at said Andover when he went into the service the two

first times, and at Jaffrey N.H. the last - has lived since the war & now lives at said Jaffrey - was a volunteer every time - Does not now recollect any officers or troops where he served except those before mentioned - thinks he never had any written discharge - Rev Laban Ainsworth and Deacon David Gilmore live near me and can testify as to my character for veracity and belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
James Stevens
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
We, Laban Ainsworth a Clergyman residing in the town of Jaffrey, and David Gilmore 2 d residing in the same town, etc.
hereby certify, that we are acquainted with James Stevens who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty three 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.
Laban Ainsworth David Gilmore 2 d
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
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 Laban Ainsworth who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Jaffrey aforesaid and that David Gilmore 2 d who has also signed the same is a resident of the same Jaffrey and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
I, Asa Parker Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Cheshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of James Stevens for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifth day of September A.D. 1832
Asa Parker Register of said Court of Probate

P 18220
INVALID.
File No. 18220
James Stevens
Dis Rec War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 363
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Jon a Robinson Affidavit
for J. Stevens

I Jonathan Robinson of Surry the County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire, aged seventy nine, make oath and say that in 1775 & 1776 I was well acquainted with James Stevens then of Andover in the State of Massachusetts, now of Jaffrey in the State of New Hamp- shire, and know that he served in the company of Capt. Benjamin Farnam of Andover Massachusetts Col. James Foss, Regiment for the term of eight months commencing 19 th April 1775. That I enlisted into the same company at the same time with him and roomed & messes with him during that period and at the expiration of that term we were requested and did remain in the service until the month of March next following, em- ployed as artificers under command of Capt. Eddy or Edie building forts barracks bridges &c in Cambridge Charleston & vicinity by order of Genl. Putnam.
That during the eight months next following our enlistment we were stationed at Cambridge Mass. further saith not — Jon a Robinson
State of New Hampshire.
Cheshire ss. August 9 th A.D. 1832.
Subscribed & sworn to before me
Nathan G. Babbitt Justice of the peace.
I certify that the of Jon a Robinson is a credible witness. N. G. Babbitt Jus. peace.

Cheshire J. Aug. 10. 1832
I Salma Hale clerk of the Judicial Courts in said County certify that Nathan G. Babbitt is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County - and that the fore- going is his signature. - In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of our Superior Court of Judicature S. Hale Clerk

I Benjamin Harrison of Andover in the County of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the 86 th year of my age Depose & say. That James Stevens now of Jeffrey in the County of Cheshire, state of New Hampshire, but formerly of Andover aforesaid, distinguished as a minute man , in the winter of 1774 & 1775, and met with others of my company every week for military duty, and on the 19 th day of April 1775, he marched for Concord in the company under my command, on account of the alarm at that place, but not being in season to be useful there, was marched thro Lexington to Cam- bridge. He then enlisted in my company, in Col. Hovey's Regiment of Militia, for the term of eight months he was a good soldier, and served his time out faithfully, and was discharged at Cambridge in the month of Dec r 1775, or in Jan y 1776. Benjamin Harrison
Given this 11 th day of Aug t 1832 Then the above named Benj o Harrison made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed Before me H. Swift, Just Peace
I certify that the Dependent above named is a credible witness, and a worthy old Veteran
H. Swift, Just Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Essex ss.
I John Prince jr. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas being a Court of Record in said County do hereby certify that N. Swift is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County & that I believe his signature within is genuine.
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court at Salem
Sept. 13. 1832
John Prince Jr. Clk.
Benj. Farnum Affidavit
for Jan
for Farnum

Enos Lake #0 Affidavit
for J. Stevens
Enos Lake Deposition

I Enos Lake, of Rindge in the County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire, being over Seventy five years of age, do testify & say that I am well acquainted with James Stevens of Jaffrey in said County of Cheshire who is now present that in the month of September 1777 said Stevens Stevens entered the Service of his country as a private soldier in the Company Com- -manded by Capt. Daniel Rand, and in Col. Bellows Regiment, and marched to Saratoga, was present at the Surrender of Burgoyne the following month, and was immediately after, dismissed, being in said Service one month. that I belonged to the same Company and was with him during said term Enos Lake
State of New Hampshire } August 16 th 1832 Cheshire ss. } Then the above named Enos Lake personally appearing made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed before me. Joshua Converse-Justice Peace

Cherhiep. Sept 6. 1032
I Salma Hale, clerk of the Judicial Court in said county certify that Joshua Con- verse is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, and I believe that the foregoing is his signature. In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of our Superior Court of Judicature
S. Hale Clerk

Thomas Goodridge, Affidavit
for J. Stevens

I Thomas Goodridge of Westmoreland in the County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire aged seventy four years, depose and say, that some time in April 1775, I left my home, which was then in Buxford in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Mass. and marched to Concord, and from there to Cambridge, and joined the army there - that I belonged to the Company commanded by by Capt William Perley - Lieut John Rob- inson - Ensign Benj co Perley in the Mass. Militia, in the Regiment of James Frye, St. Col. Brackett - Maj Thomas Poor - that I was well acquainted with James Stevens then of Andover Mass. but now of Effingham County of Cheshire aforesaid - that said Stevens served in the Company of Benjamin Towne in said Frye's Regiment - that said Stevens and myself served eleven months - the last part of which, we served as Artificers or Carpenters - that we enlisted at first for eight months and stayed afterwards because so many were leaving the camp - while said Stevens and myself served as artificers, we were I think under the command of Lieut Edm of Capt Pollards Company - and further saith not - Thomas Goodridge
State of New Hampshire Cheshire County ss -
Be it remembered that on this ninth day of August 1832. before me Nathl Parker a justice of the Peace in and for the County of Cheshire aforesaid, personally appeared the before named Thomas Goodridge and made

oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed, contains the truth and nothing but the truth — and I hereby certify that the said Thomas Goodridge is known to me and is a credible witness
Sworn and subscribed Before me
Asa Parker Justice of the Peace
Cheshire. Aug. 15. 1832
I Salma Hale, Clerk of the Judicial Courts in said county certify that Asa Parker is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county and that the foregoing is his signature. In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of our Superior Court of Judicature
S. Hale, Clerk

Moody Spofford's Affidavit
for James Stevens

I Moody Spofford of Andover in the country of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the 78 th year of my age Depose & say, That James Stevens, of Jeffrey in the county of Gloucester North of Northamptonshire, but formerly of Andover aforesaid, enlisted about the 15 th day of Dec r 1776, for the term of three months, in Capt n Gage's company of Bradford in said county, of Essex, in Col. Pickering's Regiment of Militia & was in the same company and he served his time out, and was discharged at a place called Round Brook in the state of New Jersey about the 15 th of March 1777.
his Moody X Spofford mark
Essex ss Aug st 15 th 1832. Then the above named Moody Spofford made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed-
Before me H. Swift Justice of Peace
I certify that the Deposition above named is a credible witness,
H. Swift Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Essex ss. John Prince Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, being a Court of Record certify that Nathaniel Swift Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for said County & that his within signature is genuine. —
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court at Salem this 16 th day of August A.D. 1852
John Prince Clerk
50/w p.

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

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

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
☞ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.