Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16153, for John Stearns, New Hampshire

SERVICE
NUMBER
N 16
Stearns, John Sarah
W 16153
CONTENTS

New Hampshire
John Stearns
Deerfield in the State of N H who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain  of the Regt commanded by Col Peabody in the N H line for 2 Years from March 1778
Inscribed on the Roll of N Hampshire at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of October 1832 and sent to J. Clark Deerfield N H
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $120 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept 32 - 20
$140
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H.  Clerk. Book  Vol.  Page 184
W

N. Hampshire, Portsmouth
Rep.
Sarah Stearns
widow of John Stearns
who was a Private
N.H.
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of Nov. 1843 and sent to M. H. Sylvester, Present
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 1.
Vol. 1, Page 21.

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of New-Hampshire, } ss. County of Rockingham
On this eighteenth day of August A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Superior Court of Judicature , now sitting, John Stearns a resident of Dunfield in the County of Rockingham and State of N. H. aged 70 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated — that he was born at Epping in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire in the month of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty two  three — that he continued to reside in said Epping until he was about four  six years of age — that he then removed to Pittsfield in the County of Merrimack in said State of New Hampshire where he resided about sixteen years — and then removed to said Dunfield where he now resides and has resided ever since — that there is not any record of his age now in existence to his knowledge — that he enlisted as a volunteer and private soldier at said Epping sometime in the month of March in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight in Captain Simon Merriam's Company of Infantry in Colonel Leah Stearns Peabody's Regiment of New Hampshire State volunteers in service in the Army of the Revolution for the term of nine months and served in said Company the full term of nine months until he received a valid discharge sometime in the month of December in said year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight for the term of service in the State of Rhode Island — that he never received any written discharge from said service — that said Regiment was stationed a part of said term of nine months at Newport in said said State of Rhode Island and the remainder of said term at said Providence where he was discharged as aforesaid — that John Simpon was a Lieutenant in said Merriam's Company — that several other Regiments were stationed in the vicinity of said Peabody's Regiment but he does not know the names of the officers who commanded them — that Isaac Elliot now residing in the town of Charter in said County of Rockingham was a Lieutenant in Captain Daniel Russell's Company in said Peabody's Regiment during said term, and that Oliver Swain now residing in said Charter in said County of Rockingham was a private soldier in said Ezekiel Harkness's Company in said Regiment during said term, and were both knownto him, the said Stearns remain as aforesaid.
That he again joined the Army at Fairfield in the State of New York sometime in the month of July in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine as a private

That he again joined the Army at Fishkill in the State of New York sometime in the month of July in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy eighty him as a private soldier for the term of one year and served for himself as a private soldier during said year under the immediate command of Thomas Gannett then a Deputy Quartermaster in Colonel Loomis's Regiment of New Hampshire State volunteers, or militia in the Army of the Revolution - that he there during said term was assigned in  discharged  recalled and  recalled  and  recalled the Private until the Army  the Army went into winter quarters at Danbury in the State of Connecticut - that in the spring of the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty said Loomis's Regiment marched to West Point in the State of New York where it remained till sometime in the month of July following - that he continued with said Regiment till the said month of July last aforementioned where he received a verbal discharge, and that he never received any writ- ten discharge from said service - and that he afterwards served as a private soldier in said Loomis's Regiment at the above places as above stated for the term of one year - that a Regiment commanded by Colonel Gilley, together with other Reg- iments, was stationed and continued with said Loom- is's Regiment during said year - and that Shepherd Goff now residing in Andover in the County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire was a private soldier in Captain Amos Merrill's Company of Infantry in Colonel Joseph Gilley's Regiment during said year and knows that he the said Goff served as a private - that General Poor commanded the Brigade  Regiment to which said Loomis's Reg- iment belonged - that said Goff went from said Spring when he marched to said Fishkill as aforesaid.
That he again enlisted, at said Spring sometime the last of July or the first of August in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty, as a volunteer in Captain Daniel Gordon's Company of Infantry in Colonel Thomas Pratt's Regiment of New Hampshire State volunteers or militia in the Army of the Revolution for the term of three months and served for himself in said Company during said term of three months until

That he again enlisted, at said Epping sometime the last of July in the first of August in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty, as a volunteer in Captain Daniel Gordon's Company of Infantry in Colonel Stearns' Regiment of New Hampshire State volunteers or militia in the Army of the Revolution for the term of three months and served for himself in said Company during said term of three months until he received a verbal discharge at Fort Point in said New York where said Regiment was stationed the whole of said term of three months, and that he never received any written discharge from said service - that he was discharged as aforesaid sometime the last of October or the first of November in the year last aforesaid - that Minhas Leman of Concord, New Hampshire was a private soldier in Captain Henry Butler's Company in said Bartlett's Regiment during the whole of said term of three months and knows that he, the said Stearns served as aforesaid - and that Robert Clark now of New Market in said County of Rockingham was Lieutenant in said Gordon's Company during said term, and knows that he, the said Stearns, served as aforesaid - that Ira H. Blair a Councilor at Law and Horatio G. Gilley Esquire both reside in the neighborhood of him the said Stearns and can testify to his character for veracity, and that he is reputed in his neighborhood to have served in the Army of the Revolution -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State,
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid John Stearns
We, Ira H. Blair a Councilor at Law residing in said Concord and Horatio G. Gilley Esquire residing in said Concord hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Stearns, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 70 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 Ira H. Blair H. G. Gilley
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 certifies, that it appears to them that Ira H. Blair , who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Councilor at Law residing in the town of Concord and that Horatio G. Gilley Esquire , who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Concord and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Peter Blacksmith Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Stearns for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this eleventh day of August A.D. 1832
Richard Blacksmith Clerk of the Court Rockingham County

Application 20 John Stearns Swan.
N o 5493.

5493
John Stearns
Private
2 years
on Roll of Capt Gordin
Company Col Bartlett's Regt
3 Months
on Roll of Capt Mans-
ton's Company Col Pea-
body Regt 30 Apr 1778
discharged 4 Jan 1779
on Roll 12 Aug 1779-
1 year
Adm d
J L E
Gen. St. Clair's Eng Company
Deerfield
N H

BRIEF in the case of  John Stearns -  of Deerfield — in the State of  New Hampshire —  (Act 7 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? 70 —  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.     In 1778 March — 9 — — Private Col Peabody —   1779 July 1 — — — — Col Scammon.   1780 July or Augt 8 — 3. — — Col Th. Battler   2 years  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none —  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Epping N.H.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Proven by witnesses certified to be credible — neither of them a cliff-gymnast —  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Saml Potts Examining Clerk

State of New Hampshire
Rockingham ss. I, Nathl B. Heitt Clerk of the Judicial Courts within and for the County of said, certify that Henry F. French Esquire is an acting justice of the Peace within and for said County duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission is dated the seventeenth day of January 1842, and will expire on the seventeenth day of January 1847. and that the signatures purporting to be his on the annexed papers are in his own hand writing and genuine —
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Superior Court of Judicature this twenty third day of May Anno Domini 1843.
N. B. Heitt Clerk

Yours truly cert e .
Sarah Stearns cerde,

State of New Hampshire Rockingham County ss. Town clerk's office at Epping May 30th AD 1845.
"John Stearns and Sarah Lane were mar- ried October fifteenth Seventeen hundred and eighty three."
I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in plain leg- ible figures as follows. Oct r 15. 1783
Allut
John Jay Plummer, Town clerk
I John J. Plummer above named do hereby and say that I hold the office of Town clerk of Epping in the County and State aforesaid That the above is a true extract from the records of said town, with the exception above named as certified by me. The record of which the above is an extract, is apparently an ancient record, and to the best of my knowledge, information and belief a general record made at the time of the marriage above named, or at about that time.
John Jay Plummer, clerk

Rockingham May 20 1805. Subscribed and sworn to by said John J. Plumer whom I certify to be a person of credibility Before me Henry French

Gift of Sarah Stearns.
Sarah Stearns case.

I Samuel Stearns of Deerfield county of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire do testify and say that I was present when my father John Stearns died. He died the twenty third day of January last past, and was at the time of his death a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States - I am forty seven years of age and have had two sisters older than myself who are both dead, the oldest of whom would have been fifty nine years old if living.
My mother Sarah Stearns, is still living, and I have always understood that she was married to my father John Stearns aforesaid in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, and they have always as long as I can remember lived together as husband and wife - my mother is still a widow. Deerfield May 12. 1843. Samuel Stearns
Rockingham May 12. 1843.
Subscribed and sworn to by said Samuel Stearns whom I certify to be a person of credibility -
Before Henry French Justice of the Peace

Affidavit of Benny Velez
Case of Sarah Stearns

I Bening Vesey of Deerfield County of Rock- ingham and State of New Hampshire aged fifty one years do testify and say that I was well acquainted with John Stearns late of Deerfield deceased, and know that he was at the time of his death a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States. The said Stearns died on the twenty third day of January last past and I attended his funeral -
I know Sarah Stearns the widow of the said John Stearns, and know that she still remains his widow and resides in said Deerfield I know that the said John and Sarah Stearns lived together as man and wife for forty years or more, and that they were always reputed to be man and wife. When I first knew them they had children older than myself -
Deerfield May 12. 1843
Bening Vesey
Rockingham May 12. 1843
Subscribed & sworn to by said Bening Vesey whom I certify to be a per- son of credibility.
Before me
Henry W French Justice of the Peace

10046 Declaration of Sarah Stearns
NH
m 83d 43-
July 7 1838
adm
2 yrs pri
80 $
Henry F. French Exeter NH

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of July, 1838, entitled "An Act granting Half Pay and Pensions to certain Widows."
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, County of Rockingham ss. }
On this 22 nd day of May A. D. 1843, personally appeared before Bradbury Bartlett Esquire, one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas for said County Sarah Stearns a resident of Deerfield in the County aforesaid, aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Con- gress, passed July 7th, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows,"—that she is the widow of John Stearns who was a Private in the Revolutionary War and a pensioner, (evidence of his rank and services being in the Pension Office at Washington.)
She further declares that she was married to the said John Stearns on or about the thirteenth day of October seventeen hundred and eighty three and that her husband, the aforesaid John Stearns died on the twenty third day of January eighteen hundred and forty three that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz: at the time above stated.
Sarah Stearns
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written by the above named Sarah Stearns at the place of her residence in said Deerfield —, she being unable from bodily infirmity to attend Court.
Before me,
Bradbury Bartlett
Justice of the Court of Com- mon Pleas for said County.

State of New Hampshire
Rockingham ss I Ira B. Hoitt Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, certify that the Hon. Bradbury Bartlett who has subscribed his name to the annexed certificate is one of the Justices of said Court duly commissioned and qualified; that full faith and credit should be given to all his official acts as such, and that the same is in his own hand writing and genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this twenty third day of May Anno Domini 1843
I. B. Hoitt Clerk

July 25, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. C.D. Hayden 2020 Blaisdell Avenue Minneapolis, Minnesota
RA-J/EEL
Moses Hayden -S.33288
John Stearns -W.16153
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the records of Caleb Dayton, of Arlington, Vermont; Moses Hayden, of Stoughton, Massachusetts; and John Stearns, of Deerfield, New Hampshire, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no record found of a claim for pension or bounty land having been made to the United States based upon the military service in that war of Caleb Dayton. Such claims are the source of the data furnished by this office.
The records of Moses Hayden and John Stearns are furnished you herein.
Moses Hayden S. 33288
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.33288, based upon the military service of Moses Hayden in that war.
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Moses Hayden are not shown.
Moses Hayden enlisted, place not shown, in April, 1775, and served eight months as a private in Captain Josiah Hayden's (no relationship shown) Company, Colonel Bailey's Massachusetts Regiment; a few days after the expiration of this term of service, he again enlisted and served as a private in Captain Frederick Pope's Company, Colonel Sargent's Massachusetts Regiment; length of this service, one year.

Stoughton, Norfolk Co. Mass. Moses Hayden S. 33238
John Stearns - A. 16153 Moses Hayden - S. 33238 B-1/287
Moses Hayden was allowed pension on his application executed April 11, 1818, at which time he was aged sixty-four years and resided in Stoughton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
In 1820, soldier stated that he had no family residing with him, but lived at the home of a son, then aged about thirty-three years, who had a large family of his own. The names of the son and of the members of said son's family are not shown nor is the name of soldier's wife or the date of their marriage stated.
Moses Hayden died April 4, 1827, place not shown.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension and the name and address of person paid in the case of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Moses Hayden (S. 33238), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Moses Hayden, Certificate No. 6633, issued February 4, 1819, rate $8 per month, commenced April 11, 1818, Act of March 18, 1818, Massachusetts Agency.
*** **
John Stearns W. 16153
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 16153, based upon the military service in that war of John Stearns.
John Stearns was born in January, 1762, at Epping, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. The names of his parents are not shown.
While residing at said Epping, John Stearns volunteered in March, 1778, served as a private in Captain Simon Marston's Company, Colonel Stephen Peabody's New Hampshire Regiment and was discharged about January, 1779, having served about nine months; during this tour, he was stationed at Newport and Providence, Rhode Island; he enlisted in July, 1779, served under Captain Thomas Cogswell, deputy quartermaster in Colonel Scamell's New Hampshire Regiment and was
Found sol. in A H book in first last service Could not find Capt Thomas Cogswell under same roll

(Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page)
(Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page)
employed in chopping wood and doing guard duty until the brigade to which he was attached returned from the Indian country under General Sullivan; soldier then went with Colonel Scamell's Regiment to Reading, Connecticut, and went into winter quarters; in the spring, he marched to West Point, where he was discharged in July following; He again enlisted about August 1, 1780, and served three months in Captain Daniel Gordon's Company, Colonel Thomas Bartlett's New Hampshire Regiment.
John Stearns continued to reside at Epping, New Hampshire, until he was twenty-two years of age, then moved to Pittsfield, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, where he resided for sixteen years; then moved to Deerfield, New Hampshire.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 8, 1832, while residing in Deerfield, Rockingham County, New Hampshire.
He died January 23, 1843, place not stated.
The soldier married Sarah Lane on October 13, 1783, as stated by the widow, or October 15, 1783, as shown by a copy of the record of the town clerk of Epping, New Hampshire.
Soldier's widow, Sarah, was allowed pension on her application executed May 22, 1843, at which time she was aged seventy-eight years and resided in Deerfield, New Hampshire. The date and place of birth of Sarah Lane Stearns and the names of her parents are not shown.
In 1843, Samuel Stearns aged forty-seven years and a resident of Deerfield, New Hampshire, stated that he was a son of the soldier, John Stearns and his wife, Sarah, and that he had two sisters older than himself, both then deceased, the older of whom would have been fifty-nine years of age, if living. He did not give the names of his sisters and no other names of children are designated. In 1843, one Mary J. Stearns was aged forty-five years and lived in Deerfield, New Hampshire; her relationship to the family was not stated.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Sarah Stearns, widow of John Stearns (W.16153) you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

(Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page)
Sarah Stearns, widow of John Stearns, Certificate No. 7428, issued July 14, 1843, rate $80 per annum, commenced March 4, 1836, Act of July 7, 1838, New Hampshire Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

2697
Sarah Stearns
Sarah Stearns
N.H.
act 9 March 43
80 A
A.A. Lydon

State of New Hampshire Rockingham County p.
On this sixteenth day of August One thousand eight hundred and forty three, personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, Sarah Stearns a resident of Deerfield in the County of Rockingham aged seventy eight 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 on the 3 d March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of John Stearns who was a private in the war of the Revolution, the evidence of whose service is now in the pension office at Washington, and that she received eighty dollars per year under the act of July 7. 1838.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sarah Stearns
Sworn to, and subscribed before me on the day and year above written before me, and I certify that the declarant is personally known to me -
David Currier Justice Peace

State of New Hampshire Rockingham County ss
I John B. Keitt Clerk of the Judicial Courts within and for said County certify that David Currier Esq is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County. duly com- missioned and qualified; that his commission is dated on the ninth day of January A D 1843. and will expire in five years from that date and that his signatures on the within and annexed papers are in his own hand writing and genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of our Supe- rior Court of Judicature this 13th day of September Anno Domini 1843.
J. B. Keitt Clerk

I Samuel Stearns of Dunfield County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire aged forty eight years do testify and say that I am acquainted with Sarah Stearns the declarant. She is the widow of John Stearns late of said Dunfield and is still living, and a pensioner under the act of July 7. 1838. Dunfield August 16. 1843 Samuel Stearns
State of New Hampshire Rockingham County ss. August 16. 1843.
Sworn to before me and I hereby certify that Samuel Stearns above mentioned is a person of credibility - David Currie Justice Peace
I Mary J. Stearns of Dunfield County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire, aged forty five years do testify and say that Sarah Stearns the declarant is the widow of John Stearns late of said Dunfield. She is still living and still continues his widow, and was a pensioner under the act of July 7. 1838. August 16. 1843. Mary J. Stearns.
State of New Hampshire Rockingham County ss. August 16. 1843
Sworn to before me and I hereby certify that Mary J. Stearns above mentioned is a credible person - David Currie Justice Peace

Free
Ms. 5453.
N # Secretary of War, Crimins Office, Washington City
Ex. 1
Deputy Secy of War August 2nd
Hon. Lewis A. Aug. P.S.

Affidavit Robert Black Bare of John Stearns -

I Robert Clark of Newmarket in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire Aged Seventy six years do testify and declare that I was acquainted with John Stearns then of Epping but now of Deerfield in said County and State before mentioned in the year 1780 at West Point in the State of New York said Stearns was a private soldier in Capt. Daniel Gordons company and Col Thomas Bartletts Regiment of New Hampshire State volunteers or militia three months in the Revolutionary Army
I was a Lieutenant the same term of time in Capt. Daniel Gordons Company and Col Thomas Bartletts Regiment of New Hampshire State volunteers or militia at West Point in the state of New York three months we were there at the time of Arnolds treachery and the Capture of Andre and there remained until discharged
Robert Clark
State of New Hampshire } Rockingham ss
Newmarket August 8 th 1832
Then personally appeared the above named Robert Clark and made solemn Oath that the above deposition by him subscribed in my presence is just and true
James B. Crighton Jus. Peace
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Robert Clark and that he is a credible Witness and entitled to belief
James B. Crighton —

I Peter Chadwick Clerk of the Inferior Court of Jurisdiction for the County of Rockingham in the State of New Hampshire do hereby certify that James W. Crighton before whom the within offered not was sworn to a false the Peace within the County of Rockingham and that I believe the signatures to this certificate are in his own hand writing
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this eighth day of August Anno Domini 1832
P. Chadwick Clerk of the Court Rockingham County
281 8 August 1832
When personally appeared the above named Robert Clark and made known that the above application of him interested in any business is just and true Given under my hand this 28th day of August 1832 I hereby certify that personally appeared the above named Robert Clark and that he is a credible person and entitled to belief Given under my hand

Samuel Dinsmore
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS.
KNOW YE, THAT
Samuel Dinsmore and  GREETING. Horatio G. Gillette, within named an Justice of the Peace for our County of Rockingham and the within named Samuel Butterfield is a Justice of the Peace for our County of Merrimack, and I have no doubt but their signatures are genuine.
in the said STATE, duly Constituted and Sworn, and that to their ACTS and ATTESTATIONS, as such, full FAITH and CREDIT are and ought to be given, in and out of COURT, within and out of the STATE.
IN TESTIMONY Whereof, I have caused the Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed.
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND, at CONCORD, this first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- two and in the fifty-seventh year of the Independence of the United States of America.
Samuel Dinsmore
BY THE GOVERNOR.
Nathaniel Metcalf Secretary of State.

I Phenikas Swain of Candia in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire Aged about Seventy years do testify and declare that I was acquainted with John Stearns then of Effingham but now of Deerfield in said County and State as above In Rhode Island at Providence and Newport in the spring of the year 1778 said Stearns was a private Soldier in Capt Simon Marstons Company of New Hampshire State volunteers or militia and served Nine months from enlistment in Col Stephen Peabodys Regiment of New Hampshire State volunteers or militia I was a private Soldier in Capt Ezechiel Worthens company of New Hampshire State volunteers or militia and in the Regiment commanded by Col Stephen Peabody the same term of time Nine month from my enlistment then we were discharged at Providence in January 1779 About 112 miles from home
I Phenikas Swain do also testify and declare that I was with the said John Stearns at West Point in the year 1780 In New York State at the time of Arnolds treachery and was a private Soldier in Capt Henry Muller Company of State volunteers or militia and in the Regiment commanded by Col Thomas Bartlett of State volunteers or militia the full term of my enlistment three months and that said Stearns was a private Soldier in Capt Daniel Gordons Company and in Col Thomas Bartletts regiment of New Hampshire State volunteers or militia at West Point in the State of New York the same term of three months and then were discharged
State of New Hampshire } Rockingham ss } Deerfield Aug 10 1832
Then personally appeared the above named Phenikas Swain made solemn Oath that the above deposition by him subscribed in my presence is just and true Before me
Horatio G. Cilly Jr Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Phenikas Swain and that he is a credible witness and entitled to belief
Horatio G. Cilly Jr Justice of the Peace

Affidavit Michael Leavitt Son of John Leavitt
in the State of New Hampshire the name John Leavitt deceased. John Leavitt was in the town of Nashua on the 10th day of and that said John Leavitt was a native of the town of Nashua and was at the time of his death the owner of and entitled to all certain described real estate situated in the town of Nashua State of New Hampshire and that said John Leavitt at the time of his death was the owner of and entitled to all certain described real estate situated in the town of Nashua and that at the time of his death he was the owner of and entitled to all certain described real estate situated in the town of Nashua
and that said John Leavitt at the time of his death was the owner of and entitled to all certain described real estate situated in the town of Nashua and that at the time of his death he was the owner of and entitled to all certain described real estate situated in the town of Nashua and that at the time of his death he was the owner of and entitled to all certain described real estate situated in the town of Nashua and that said John Leavitt at the time of his death was the owner of and entitled to all certain described real estate situated in the town of Nashua and that at the time of his death he was the owner of and entitled to all certain described real estate situated in the town of Nashua

Affidavit Jacob Elliott Care of John Hearn

I Jacob Elliot of Chester in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire aged seventy-six years last November do testify and declare that I was personally acquainted with John Stearns of Epping in said County and State, who was a Revolutionary soldier in the Army of the Revolution in the year 1778. - said John Stearns now resides in the town of Deerfield in said County of Rockingham. he served as a private soldier in the company commanded by Captain Simon Merston and Colonel Stephen Peabody's New Hampshire Regiment for the term of nine months at Rhode Island in the year 1778. commencing in the month of March 1778. and ending about the last of December 1778 or the first of January 1779. our Regiment were considered at the time New Hampshire State Volunteers - I further declare that I was a Lieutenant in said Colonel Stephen Peabody's Regiment and Captain Daniel Russell's company and served at the same time in the Army with the aforesaid John Stearns and know that he was a faithful soldier and that he served out his enlistment for nine months as aforesaid and was honorably discharged at Providence in said Rhode Island about one hundred and twelve miles from home - said John Stearns is now present and well known to me. - Captain Simon Merston under whom said John Stearns served as aforesaid was then of said Deerfield and now deceased. Chester July 30, 1832. Jacob Elliot
State of New Hampshire Rockingham County ss. } Chester July 30 th 1832.
Then personally appearing the abovenamed Jacob Elliot made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is just and true
Before me Samuel Aiken Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am personally acquainted with the abovenamed Jacob Elliot and that he is a credible witness and his statement is entitled to belief
Samuel Aiken Jus. Peace

Affidavit. Stephen Cope Care of John Hearn
Stephen Cope Deposition 1833

I Theophilus Cops of Anderson in the County of Mennimack and State of New Hampshire aged twenty six years the eighteenth day of March last do testify and declare that I was acquainted with John Stearns then of Epping and now of Dunfield in the County of Rakingham and State of Pennsau from July 1779 to July 1780. Said Stearns was a private soldier during said time and came to Fishkill and there remained under the command of Thomas Bagwell a Deputy quarter- master, choping wood and guarding the Puerat till the Brigade returned from the Indian country with Gen. Sullivan. Said Stearns then join- ed Gen Poons Brigade & Col Scammells Regiment and went on to winter quarters at Reading near Danbury in Connecticut and remained in that Brigade and Regiment until discharged in 1780 at West-Paint after serving one year. I was a Soldier in Capt Amas Mannills company in Col Joseph Gilleys Regiment the same year but was drafted out as a mechanick and did not go into the Indian country but remained at Fishkill until-

Gen. Sullivan returned and then went to winter quarters with them at Reading in the State of Pennsylvania
Theophilus Leaf
State of New Hampshire
Mennack L. S. Andover July 26. 1832
Then personally appearing the above named Theophilus Leaf made solemn oath that the above Deposition by him subscribed in my presence is just and true
Before me Samuel Prettyfield Jus Peace
I hereby certify that I am personally acquaint- ed with the above named Theophilus Leaf and that he is a credible witness and in- titled to belief
Samuel Prettyfield Jus Peace

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16153 Sarah Stearns Widow of John Stearns Pris New Mar
Act March 8 th 48
Index: Vol. M , Page 245
[Arrangement of 1870.]

May 10, 1905-
Sarah P. Dimond
1935-July 23-Last
to Mrs. C. D. Hayden
Letter in case
of Moses Hayden
N. 33288-81
Wills to
Franklin and

16153
3-068.
Bureau of Pensions.
John Stearns
Aug. 8, 1832 - 70
Heerfield NH
Born Epping NH - 1762
Mar. 28 Epping NH
Capt Simon Stanton Col. Col. Peabody
Post. 9 m
Aug 79. Capt Thos. Cogswell
Col. Scammon
Post 1 yr
Aug or Aug. 80
Capt Daniel Gordon
Col. Thos. Bartlett
Post - 3 m
No Post
m. Sarah Lane
Oct. 15, 1753 Epping NH
D Jan'y 23, 1843

Lee Dinwiddie Lawyer and Abstracter Fowler, Ind.
LOANS NEGOTIATED. BEST RATES AND TERMS OBTAINABLE.
U.S. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C. May 4- 05
Dear sir:
I am wanting proof of my eligibility to become a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution. I enclose herewith a part of my Ancestral Genealogy, and would ask if you will be kind enough to examine the records and send me such proof as they show that John Stearns was a soldier in the war of the American Revolution. If you should not find his name on the Pension list, or elsewhere among your records, will you please send this to the Adjutant Gen.
Please send information together with your fee for service, and oblige
Yours very truly Sarah Taylor Dinwiddie
MAY 8 1905
FILES.
B.

742-8 New Hampshire
Sarah Stearns widow of John Stearns
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 23 d . January 1843 of Rockingham Co in the State of N. H. - who was a private in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of _____ Regt: - commanded by Col. Peabody - the N. H. line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Portsmouth at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th _____ day July 1843 and sent to H. F. French Esq r , N. H. _____
Whole amount due . . . . . $400.00
[Act July 7, 1838. Recorded by Abel Stearns Clerk Book A Vol. 1 - Page 55

Rept 17
July
Date of death not on AB