Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,481, for Henry Stever, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Stever, Henry
S 11,481
CONTENTS
carded

20051 New York 1
Henry Stetter  Steven
of Oswego - in the State of N. York
who was an Ensign in the Comp. commanded by Captain Miller of the Reg. commanded
by Col. H. King - in the N. York
one for 2 1/2 mot. Ensign
9 " Priv. 3
Rate of death and on etc.
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York
at the rate of 5 5 Dollars 00 Cents per annum commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of July 1832 and South J. Crippen Worke, ter
  Arrears to the 14th of Mar: 33  $ 110    Remun. allowance ending 4 Sep '33  27.50     $137.50  
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by G. B. Stiles Clerk, Book 6. Vol. 3. Page 78

20309
Henry Stever Albany County New York
The certificate of the judge to the credibility of the witness has been added, which I believe is an answer to the only objection made - J. Crippen
Schuyler Crippen Worcester New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 tubular 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 Henry Hever, Otsego County, 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.     1775- 2 pr. Capt Fris Col. Whiting N.York 82 New Con-   Sept 1776 3 " Capt Gady Col. Waterman Bemis cord N. York Living Witness   June 1777 4 " " Col. Whiting Heights Traditionary   Octr 1780 2 15- Ensign Capt Purser Col. St. John   11 15-  
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 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.
 [c] 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 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 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. 
 □ The notes from [a] to [i] 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. 
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
l If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
credibility of one of the witnesses in this case is entirely destroyed by Judge Chase in his opinion at the trial of the Mayes - (as he has since admitted) - & if it all as to the credibility of the other witness Samuel Waterman - The credibility of the Mayes has been  been  shown to be an utter lie too lies in a manner which I really hope will be satisfactory to the department Yours V. S. Griffin

In the Matter of Henry Steuer a Revolutionary Soldier
20309
252 30 5
Account
2 1/2 mo Ensign 9. " pri 11 1/2

State of New York County of Otsego
On this fourth day of December A D 1832 personally appeared before Seth Chase Esquire a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Otsego at his office in the Town of Worcester in said County. Henry Stever a resident of the Town of Worcester in the County of Otsego and State of New York aged eighty two years in the month of November last, 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 in the year 1775 he enlisted or volunteered as a private soldier in the New York Militia as a Minute Man for the period of three years, at a place called New Concord, in the County of Columbia and State of New York. And he the said Henry Stever further states that about the first of October in that year he was called into actual service as such Minute Man in a Company of Militia Commanded by Capt Philip Brisby and Lieutenant Ebenezer Cady both residing in the Town of New Concord aforesaid, and marched from that place in said Company to Albany and from thence to Fort Edward, at which place the said Company was stationed, and belonged to a Regiment under the Command of Col. Whiting and Lieutenant Col. Asa Waterman in General Ten Broeks Brigade. And that he this deponent remained in actual service in said Company and Regiment above mentioned, stationed at Fort Edward from about the first of October 1775 until the first of December next following - and being at least two months from the time he marched in said Company from New Concord as above stated to the time of being discharged on the first of December as above stated. And the said Henry Stever further states that he did not receive a written discharge from the service at the expiration of said two months service above stated.
And the said Henry Stever further states and declares in manner and form aforesaid that some time about the first day of September in the year 1776 he again went into actual service as a soldier in a Company of Militia Commanded by Capt Ebenezer Cady and Lieutenant Josiah Warner both of New Concord in the County of Columbia aforesaid, which Company belonged to a Regiment of Militia Commanded by Col. Asa Waterman. And that he the said Henry Stever marched with said Company under the Command of Capt Cady from New Concord to Albany and from thence to Fort Edward, and which said Regiment belonged to Genl Ten Broeks Brigade at that time stationed at Fort Edward. That he this deponent remained in service at this time in the said Company

Regiment and Brigade Stationed at Fort Edward for about six weeks According to his best recollection - And that he then Marched from Fort Edward in Genl Genl Van Broek's Brigade to Niscayuna Schenectady and from thence up the Mohawk River as far as Johnstown in the County of Montgomery, at which Place this deponent was Stationed in said Regiment and Brigade and remained in Actual Service at Johnstown aforesaid for more than six weeks, - And he the said Henry Steuer further States that he was in Actual Service as a Soldier at this time in said Company of Militia Commanded by Capt Cady for at least three Months - And was discharged from said Service at Johnstown aforesaid - And also that he has no recollection, and is quite certain that he did not receive a written discharge from said Service at this time - And the said Henry Steuer further States that he well recollects that Genl Van Broek's Brigade was composed of several Regiments of Militia which Marched together under the Command of Genl Van Broek from Fort Edward to Johnstown at the time above stated - And that Col. Van Alstine of Kinderhook in the County of Columbia Commanded one of said Regiments at that time - And the said Henry Steuer further declares in manner aforesaid that he was again called into the Service the first of June 1777 in a Company of Militia Commanded by Capt Ebenezer Cady and Lieutenant Warner above named in a Regiment Commanded by Col. Whiting, and Marched with said Company as a party from New Concord the place of his residence to Albany and from thence to Fort Edward, at which Place Genl Schuyler then had the Command of the American Army After remaining at Fort Edward for a short time the Army under the Command of Genl Schuyler retreated from that place to Morris Creek, and from thence to Snook's Kill, from thence to Saratoga and from thence to Stillwater - That the said Army remained at each of the above named places for some time, but the precise time he this deponent cannot now recollect or pretend to state - And the said Henry Steuer also states that about the first of September and after he had arrived at Stillwater and while the American Army was there stationed, he obtained from his officers a furlough for a few days and went home to New Concord - and again returned as soon as the middle of September and joined the Army at Stillwater, as such Soldier as aforesaid in said Company of Militia Commanded by Capt Cady to which he belonged - And the said Henry Steuer also saith that during the time he was in the service at this time Genl Gates succeeded Genl Schuyler and took the Command of the American Army at this place - And that he the said Henry Steuer remained and continued in Actual Service as such Soldier as aforesaid until

after the Battle at Bemis's heights distant about two miles from Stillwater and that he was engaged and actually fought in that Battle and and the said Henry Steuer further states that about the first of October he was ordered by Col. Waterman, the Commandant of the Regiment to which he belonged to take several of the Horses which belonged to the Army then to New Concord for the purpose of feeding and recruiting their condition, when he remained in charge of said Horses for a short time, how long he cannot now precisely state but until after the taking of the British Army under the Command of Genl. Burgoyne. That he started to return with the Horses and on his return met the troops belonging to Col. Waterman's Regiment at Half Moon on their way home to Columbia County - and that he then returned home to New Concord the place of his residence - and that he did not receive any written discharge from the service at this time to his knowledge or belief - and
And the said Henry Steuer further declares in manner aforesaid that he again went into the service the first of October in the year 1780 or 1781 and in which of those two years, he does not now recollect and therefore cannot state - That he then held an Ensigns Commission in a Company of Militia Commanded by Capt. Abraham Van Buren of Claverack in the County of Columbia, and Henry Hoose of the same place Lieutenant in Col. Van Alstine's Regiment - That he the said Henry Steuer at the time the Troops Marched from Kinderhook, about the first of October he had the Command of said Company Capt. Van Buren at the time being sick and unable to go into the service, and Lieutenant Hoose having a short time before moved from the place - this deponent took the Command of the Company and Marched from Kinderhook in Col. Van Alstine's Regiment, to Albany, from thence to Niskayuna and to Schenectady at which place Col. Van Alstine's Regiment joined Genl. Robert Van Rensselaer's Brigade - The Troops under Genl. Van Rensselaer then Marched from Schenectady to Coganawaga up the Mohawk in pursuit of Sir John Johnson - from Coganawaga - Marched to Herkstown in the County of Montgomery - was engaged in a Battle with the Indians and Tories & British

under Command of Sir John Patterson at a place called Fort Plank about three miles from Fort Plain, in which engagement Sir John Johnson's horse was shot dead under him while leaping a fence - but Johnson escaped under cover of the night. This deponent saw the horse lying on or across the fence prostrate and dead the morning after the engagement. And the said Henry Stever further declares that he remained in actual service from about the first October as above stated until the middle of December thereafter, during which time he had the Command of Capt Van Buren's company and was stationed for the principal part of the time at Johnson- town in the County of Montgomery and State of New York in Col Robt Van Rensselaer's Regiment  Brigade and in Col Van Alstine's Regiment of Militia. And also that the Troops under the Command of Genl Van Rensselaer were marched from Johnson-town about the middle of December last to Albany at which place they were discharged from the service. And that the said Henry Stever did not receive any written discharge to his knowledge or belief. And the said Henry Stever further declares in manner aforesaid that he has not any documentary evidence in his possession or power to prove the services rendered by him as above detailed in the war of the Revolution - And that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his services further than the testimony of Elizabeth Griffin in the County of Prince George Samuel Waterman of Maryland, which is herewith annexed.
and the said Henry Stever further declares that he was born in the year 1750 in Livingston's Manor in the County of Columbia New York - and that he now has a Record of his Age which has been preserved from an ancient family Bible, and which is in possession of his wife in the Town of Worcester, Otsego County, State of New York and that the said Henry Stever resided at the time he was called into service in New Concord and Kinderhook in the County of Columbia aforesaid and volunteered as a Minute Man, to stand

ready as such for three years - and that he volunteered at each time he entered the service as is above stated and set forth - That since the war of the Revolution he has resided in the County of Schuyler and the County of Otsego in the State of New York and for about twelve years now last past has resided in the Town of Worcester in the County of Otsego - aforesaid, where he now resides. - And the said Henry Steuer further declares that he did receive a Commission as an Ensign in Capt Van Buren's Company of Militia and served as such, as is above stated but by whom  by Governor George Clinton and that Commission was signed the deponent cannot  the deponent cannot recollect or state . - And that said Commission has been lost or destroyed for many years past. - And the said Henry Steuer further declares that he is wholly unable to appear in Court at the Court House in Cooperstown in the County of Otsego by reason of bodily infirmity, that he resides about eighteen Miles distant from said Court House and cannot undergo the fatigue and hardship of travelling or being carried that distance. - And he the said Henry Steuer 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 or of the United States - and that he is known to Samuel Wolman and Seth Dickinson & Schuyler Crippen able of my present neighbourhood and who have been for many years past known and been well acquainted with my character - and also that there is no Clergyman residing in that part of the Town of Worcester or in the neighbourhood where I have resided for many years and where I now reside, and that my bodily infirmities have disabled me for many years past to travel out of my immediate neighbourhood and for a great portion of the time I have been unable to leave the House of my son with whom I have resided.  Sworn to & subscribed this 4th day of December 1832 before me Seth Chase a judge of Otsego County  Henry Steuer

State of New York Otsego County ss Samuel Waterman of the Town of Maryland in the County of Otsego aged about sixty eight years being duly sworn doth depose and say that he resided in the Town of New Concord in the County of Columbia and State of New York in the year 1775, and at that time was well acquainted with Henry Steuer who has subscri- bed and made the above declaration and oath, that he resided in the same neighborhood with the said Henry Steuer, and that he has been well acquainted with him from that time down to the present period, and that he this deponent now resides within about one mile distant from the said Henry Steuer - And this deponent further states that in the year 1775 he the said Henry Steuer went into the service as a private soldier in a Company of Militia Commanded by Capt Philip Frekee and Lieutenant Cady both of New Concord, and both of whom were at that time well known to this deponent. That said Company belonged to a Regiment of Militia Commanded by Col. Whiting of New Canaan in said County of Columbia. and Lieutenant Col. Asa Waterman of New Concord of the same County - and this deponent further states that some time in the some time in the fall of the year and not far from the first of October of that year when the said Henry Steuer went into Actual Service in said Company & Regiment above stated - and Marched from New Concord to Fort Edmund it it was at that time stated, also that he was absent not far from two months, that this deponent during the absence of said Henry Steuer in the service at the time since a part of the time with the family of the said Henry Steuer, and worked for him in his absence - and well recollects the facts and circumstances in relation to his absence & service as above stated - And this deponent further states that he also recollects that the said Henry Steuer the next year being 1776 again went into the service in a Company of Militia Commanded by Capt Ebenezer Cady, and Lieutenant Warner - and that he marched or went into the service at this time about the first of September of that year - and that

he marched with said Company to Fort Edward as it was then said and as this deponent verily believes True - That the said Henry Stever was absent in the service at this time for the Period of about three Months - and this deponent well recollects that during the absence of the said Henry Stever at this time, it was said he had marched from Fort Edward up the Mohawk River, and that he was stationed or went to Schoharie in the County of Montgomery - And this deponent also saith that he resided with the family of the said Henry Stever a considerable part of the time of his absence in the service at this time, and that he well recollects that the said Henry Stever was gone from home, and in the service during the fall of 1776 for about the Period of three Months -
And this deponent further states that he well recollects the said Henry Stever went into the service the same year that Genl Burgoyne was taken - and that he marched from home some time about the first of June in a Company of Militia Commanded by Capt Cady & Lieut Warner, and that the said Henry Stever was absent from home and in the service until after the Surrender of Genl Burgoyne some time in the fall
This deponent further saith that he resided with the family of said Henry Stever and worked for him a considerable part of the time of his absence at this time - that he well recollects the said Henry Stever came home on a furlough and remained a few days and then returned to the Army -
And this deponent further saith that he well recollects that the said Henry Stever was commissioned as an Ensign, in Capt Van Buron Company of Militia, and that he marched with said Company and went into service as an Ensign some time in the fall of the year, but in what particular year he cannot state but well recollects that it was a few  several years after the Surrender of Genl Burgoyne - This deponent well recollects that the said Henry Stever marched with said Company as it was then said and as this deponent verily believes

up the Mohawk River, and that he was gone from home at this time between two and three months - This deponent was frequently at the house of said Steurer during his absence in the Service at this time - was knowing to his marking, his absence from home, and his return again to his family, and has no doubt but he was gone, and in actual service, for the period of two months and a half - This deponent well recollects of hearing the said Steurer on his return from Service, state that he was in a battle or an engagement with the Indian Forces at Fort Plank on the Mohawk River - and this deponent has no doubt but what he, the said Henry Steurer then stated was true -
And this deponent also saith that he is well acquainted with the said Henry Steurer and has known him as above stated - and that he sustains a fair character for truth and veracity - and further saith not
Sworn to & Subscribed before me this 4 th day of December AD 1832
Seth Chase a judge
of Otsego County
his Samuel Waterman Mark
I Certify that I am well acquainted with Samuel Waterman who subscribed and made the above affidavit, and that he is a man of good character and his statements entitled to full credit -
Seth Chase a judge
Mc Schuyler Crippen and Seth Dickinson of Otsego County to both residing in the Town of Worcester in the County of Otsego, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Henry Steurer who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty two 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 - We also certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Waterman who has subscribed and made the above deposition and that he sustains a fair character for truth & veracity -
Subscribed and sworn before me the 4 th day of December 1832
Seth Chase a judge of Otsego County
Schuyler Crippen Seth Dickinson
And I the said Judge do hereby declare my 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 I further certify that it appears to me that Schuyler Crippen Counsellor at Law and Seth Dickinson who have signed the preceding Certificate are both residents in the Town of Worcester in the County of Otsego and known to me to be credible persons and their statement is entitled to Credit - and I further certify that the said Henry Stever (the above applicant) cannot in my opinion from bodily infirmity attend Court -
In witness whereof the said Judge have hereunto subscribed my name at Worcester aforesaid the 14 th day of December A D 1832 —
Seth Chase a judge of Otsego County
State of New York } Otsego County - } ss. I Horace Lathrop, Clerk of of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the said County of Otsego do hereby certify, that Seth Chase, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Henry Stever, Samuel Maternan Schuyler Crippen & Seth Dickinson, purports to have been severally sworn, was at the date of the same, one of the Judges of the said Court of Common Pleas: And that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed to the same, to the succeeding Certificate, to be his proper handwriting & signature. I further certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Henry Stever for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court this 10 th day of December 1832.
Horace Lathrop. Clerk

July 1, 1938
BA-J/AWF Henry Stever S. 11481
Mrs. Jennie S. Peters Worcester New York.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Henry Stever, soldier of the Revolutionary War, from Worcester, New York.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 11481, based on the military service of Henry Stever in the War of the Revolution.
Henry Stever was born in the month of November, 1750 in Livingston Manor, Columbia County, New York. The names of his parents were not given.
Henry Stever lived during the Revolutionary War in New Concord, and Kinderhook, New York. He enlisted October 1, 1775, served two months as a private in Captain Philip Frisbie's company, Colonel Whiting's New York regiment, stationed at Fort Edward. He enlisted September 1, 1776, served three months in Captain Ebenezer Cady's company, Colonel Asa Waterman's regiment. He enlisted June 1, 1777, served in Captain Ebenezer Cady's company, Colonel Whiting's regiment, was in the battle of Bemis Heights, and continued in the service until after the surrender of Burgoyne. He was commissioned ensign, served in the fall of 1780 or 1781,

in Captain Abraham Van Buren's company, Colonel Van Alstine's regiment; on account of the sickness of Captain Abraham Van Buren, he (Henry Stever) commanded the company, was in a battle with Indians, Tories and British under Sir John Johnson, on the Mohawk River at Fort Plank, length of this service about three months.
Henry Stever lived after the Revolution in Schoharie and Otsego Counties, New York. He was allowed pension on his application executed December 4, 1832, at which time he was living in Worcester, Otsego County, New York, where he had lived about twelve years.
Reference was made in 1832 to the wife and son of Henry Stever, as then living in Worcester, New York; their names were not given, and it was stated that he had a family during the Revolution.
The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible data relative to family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and furnish the following data:
Henry Stever Certificate #20051 Issued July 30, 1833 Rate $55.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

15822
3-2233
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
Aug 27 1928
Chief Res. and 1812 War Section Division.
I have this day received from Mrs. H. M. Pariney cash in the amount of $ 1.00 , requesting photostat copy as per letter herewith.
O. W. BARNES
Chief, Finance Division.
7662
History Sec. & Finance Div. notified by refund $1.00 all J. Aug 28 '28

Aug 3 August 28, 1928.
Mrs. W. M. Pinney, Arcade, New York.
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 11481, it appears that Henry Stever was born November 1750 in Livingston Manor, Columbia County, New York.
While residing at New Concord and Kinderhook, Columbia County, New York he enlisted and served with the New York Troops as follows:
In the fall of 1775, two months as a private in Captain Philip Frisbie's Company, Colonel Whiting's Regiment; from September 1, 1776, three months in Captain Ebenezer Cady's Company, Colonel Asa Waterman's Regiment; from June 1, 1777, in Captain Ebenezer Cady's Company, Colonel Whiting's Regiment, was in the battle of Bemus Heights and served until after the surrender of General Burgoyne; from in October 1780 or 1781, as ensign in Captain Abraham Van Buren's Company, Colonel Van Alstine's Regiment, was in a battle with Indians, Tories and British under Sir John Johnson at Fort

COPIED BY ADY
Plank on the Mohawk River, and served until the middle of the following December.
He was allowed pension on his application executed December 4, 1832, at which time he was living with his son (his name not given) at Worcester, Otsego County, New York.
Soldier's wife is referred to in 1832 and it is stated that he had a family during the Revolution, no names are mentioned.
The above history is furnished you without charge and your remittance of $1.00 will be refunded to you in due time.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

Decade. N.Y. Aug. 21- 1928.
aw3
Dept. of the Interior: Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
My dear Sir:-
I am enclosing $1.00
Will you please send me a copy of the Military record as a soldier of the Revolutionary War of one Henry Stearns of Worcester, Otsego Co., N.Y. who died Jan. 3. 1845 aged 94 yrs. 1 mo, 8 days. If there is a pension record aside from the service record I should also like to

have that. Please notify me if there are any more charges than what I am sending.
Yours Very Truly.
Mrs. W.M. Pinney.
Arcade N.Y.

Reuben
11481 INVALID.
File No. 11481
Henry Stevens Ensign Rev War
Act: June 7th 82
Index: Vol. A , Page 360
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1928-Aug. 28. I think the Mrs. W. M. Pinney and she was justified in refusing to be returned to her husband. Dist. moved to refund the money. 1938-July 1. Lisa to Mrs. Jennie S. Peters giving

Mrs. Jennie S. Peters, Regent.
IROQUOIS CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION WORCESTER, NEW YORK
Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
9
Gentlemen:-
Will you please send the Rev. War pension record war record and all family data your Bureau contains on Henry Stever? He must have been a pensioner over a long period of time as when the census of pensioner was taken in 1840 he was 91 years of age and living in Westford, N.Y. with Alexander Loyd. He died in Worcester, N.Y., in Jan. 1845 age 94 years. He is also buried in Worcester, N.Y.
We thank you for this information.
Mrs. Jennie S. Peters, Regent.
Mrs. Jennie S. Peters Worcester, N.Y.
6/9/38