Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19,101, for David Stearns, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
Stearns, David Mary
NUMBER
W. 19.101
CONTENTS

1064. Massachusetts
Mary Stearns Mass widow of David Stearns who was a Private in the Mass. line for 16 months
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 53 Dollars & 32 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 nd day of July, 1843. and sent to
Elijah Clark Brighton Mass.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 4 Vol. 1. Page 54
As July 22

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County ss. On this thirty first day of May in the year Eighteen hundred & forty one personally appeared before the Hon. Samuel P. O'Key Judge of the Court of Probate in & for the County of Middlesex, affirmed Mary Stearns a resident in said County of Middlesex & widow of David Stearns late of Waltham in said County, deceased, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following additional declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows; that since she made her former declaration she has learnt & justly believes that in addition to the services therein stated as rendered by him in the war of the Revolution, the said David Stearns served as a soldier for the term of four months at Dorchester heights near Boston in a company commanded by Col. Harrington commencing on or about the first of December 1776. - She also has been informed & justly believes that the said David Stearns served as a soldier in guarding Brimfield's brooks at Cambridge commencing on or about the first of November 1777 & terminating on or about the first of April 1778, being a term of service of four months; in a company as she has been informed commanded by Capt. Brooks, in Col. Clayer Brooks Regiment. In her former declaration she stated that the said David Stearns performed two months service on Rhode Island in a company commanded by Col. Harrington; she still believes that the service was performed by him in building a fort at Brattle Hill, so called as herein stated; but instead of Col. Harrington's company, it might have been & probably was in a company commanded by Col. Stephen Frost & Col. P. Hovey's Regiment; she also believes that the service was performed by the said David Stearns in the Canada expedition as stated in her former declaration & continued the length of time or about the length of time stated in her said declaration. The foregoing statement is made from the best information she could obtain & she has full confidence in the truth of said statement. And for the verification of the same she refers to the Molls & Documents now in the Pension Department at the City of Washington & to the evidence & proofs attached to and accompanying this declaration.
Mary Stearns
Subscribed & sworn to by said Mary Stearns at the Probate Office in Cambridge, on the day & year first above written - a Special Court being then & there held for said purpose.
Before me S. P. O'Key J. Prob. for Middlesex County
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex County ss. I Joashooke Magie of the Court of Probate in & for the County of Middlesex hereby certify that Samuel P. O'Key Esq. is the Judge of said Court of Probate & the above signature is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this thirty first day of May in the year Eighteen hundred & forty one Joashooke Magie

I Abigail Fisk of Lincoln in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the eightieth Year of my Age do testify and say that I was a Native of Waltham, in said County, and resided in Waltham untill some Years after my Marriage which was in the Year seventeen hundred eighty three my Maiden Name was Abigail Stearns I had a Brother by the Name of David Stearns, and I well recollect that my Brother the said David Stearns, was in the revolutionary Service, I think he was in the engagement at Bunker hill and at Dorchester Heights, I recollect more particularly about my Brother David's going a service on towards Canada, or Ticonderoga. Elyas Pierce of Waltham went with my Brother, my Brother was not at home to help my Father do his planting, and I should think he went off near the first of May - my Brother did not return till the last part of the Year, which was the second Year of the War, - I well remember my Brother's coming home, and he was in a dreadful poor and sickly situation, and excited great feeling in my Father's Family, I have often heard my Brother speak of the service, and of Capt. Abijah Childs, and as nearly as I can recollect I think my Brother was gone in the service nine or ten Months in the last mentioned service
Abigail Fisk
Middlesex ss - Lincoln April 20 th 1841.
Personally appeared the above named Abigail Fisk and made solemn Oath to truth of the above affidavit by her subscribed - before me Charles Wheeler Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Abigail Fisk is a person of truth and veracity -
Charles Wheeler Justice of Peace

I George Stearns of Newton in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the eightieth year of my age do testify & say that I rendered service in the Revolutionary War. That I was at that time a Resident of Wattham an adjoining Town, That I had a Brother by the name of David Stearns. The said David Stearns was out in several different campaigns during said war. The first service of which I recollect of his rendering was a tour of duty towards Canada & Secondogga. I will recollect of his going and returning from that service. In the winter of 1777 I rendered a tour of service four months at Dorchester Heights guarding stores in the company commanded by Capt. Harrington and my Brother David Stearns was in the same company with me and rendered service as I did. The said David Stearns was also engaged the following winter at Cambridge guarding Bowdoin's troops. I do not recollect the name of the Captain of the company in which my brother was, but I frequently went to Cambridge during his term of service there and saw him at his quarters and on duty. I do not recollect the exact length of time my Brother was at Cambridge.
George Stearns
Middlesex ss May 1 st 1841.
Then the above named George Stearns personally appeared being of sound mind and a person well known to the subscriber as a man of veracity, and made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed was true.
Before me.                      Seth Davis Justice of the Peace P.S. The word "was," in the last line was was underlined before signing.      Seth Davis J.P.

Extract from the Records of the Town of Waltham, County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts
At a meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Waltham, qualified to vote in Town affairs regularly assembled June 25 th 1776. Voted & choose Mr Matthias Collins Capt Roger Dench & Capt Isaac Gleason, a Committee to procure money & pay each new commission officer & soldier, that shall enlist as the town's proportion of men in the present expedition to Canada six pounds, six shillings and 8 d at their passing muster.
Report of the Committee
We the subscribers do certify that we raised the sum or sums of money granted by the Town of Waltham June 25. 1776. to pay of the soldiers that engaged for Waltham in the Continental Army in the year 1776 which was called the Canada Expedition which sum was 152 £ which we have lawfull interest for till paid & we have apportioned the money to those men whose names are underwritten agreeable to a vote of said town as witness our hands Matthias Collins Isaac Gleason John Coolidge Abijah Fisk Sam l Riggs Nathan Sanderson Josiah Wiger W m Hager Edward Brown Abijah Brown Jr Ezra Pierce John Laurence Stephen Wellman John Richardson David Stearns Jno Hager Elias Hastings Benj m Ellis John Gleason Sam l Gale Jr Eliphalet Hastings Jonathan Stearns Josiah Sanderson Eli Jones Abner Sanderson Elisha Livermore Sarah Edes for my negro Selects of Waltham
Extract from the report of a Committee appointed to estimate what each one has done in the war by bearing arms personally, or their paying money to encourage others to do the same, and proportion the same by a tax upon the poll & estate of the Town &c.
We likewise find that there went to Dorchester Hills and to Boston line in the winter of the year 1776, that did duty as Soldiers, Lt Isaac Dennis Joseph Brown, Elisha Stearns Ezra Pierce, David Stearns, George Stearns, Thaddeus Dennis, Elijah Smith, Timothy Flagg, Charly Cutter, Josiah Hastings Jr.
Flagg Jonathan Sanderson & and Sam l Green, their service being easy we look upon twenty shillings to be an ample compensation for their service — Total of which is £15.

which is hereby submitted by Waltham Oct 19 1778.
Abner Sanderson Peter Warren John Bright Jonas Child } Committee
I certify that the above is a true copy of the Records.
Joseph Bond Jr,
Middlesex ss. Waltham May 17. 1841. I Joseph Bond Jr above named depose & say: that I hold the office of Town Clerk, in the Town of Waltham, County & Commonwealth aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town.
Joseph Bond Jr. Town Clerk of Waltham
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. On the seventeenth day of May A.D. 1841. personally appeared Joseph Bond Jr. Clerk of the Town of Waltham, and made oath to the truth of the above certificate, by him subscribed true.
Before me Nathan Hardy Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County ss.
I Isaac Rootes Register of Probate
Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid hereby certify that Seth Davis & Nathan Hardy Esquires are respectively Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned & qualified & that their signatures respectively written on the foregoing papers are their genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court of Probate this twenty ninth day of May in the year Eighteen hundred & forty one. Isaac Rootes Reg d of Probate

(David Stearns, under Pearson papers.)
(7727)
Mary Stearns. Mass.
Act 7. July 38.
m 83. at 27- Vol. 19. 63 } Capt Frost 2. 52 } 1780 in R. 9 } X
Isaac Fiske at Cambridge Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County ss.
On this seventeenth day of February in the year eighteen hundred & forty-one personally appeared before the Hon. J. O'Driscoll Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, Mary Stearns a resident in Watertown in said County aged seventy five 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 Provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled An Act granting Half Pay & Pensions to certain Widows; — That she is the widow of David Stearns late of Waltham in the county of Middlesex, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, & enlisted at Watertown in said County in the month of April or May in the year eighteen hundred & twenty six, for the Canada expedition, so called, into a Company commanded by Col. Edward Harrington; — David was Lieutenant & Solomon Richards, Ensign; in Col. Wheelock's Regiment; That the said David Stearns marched from Watertown through Waltham, Concord, Lincoln, Charlestown No 4, Roxbury & Yonkers & continued in the service under this enlistment eight months; —
That the said David Stearns immediately on his return to Watertown from the Canada expedition again enlisted into the Continental service, to wit; on the last of December 1776 or the first of January 1777 into a Company commanded by a Capt. Harrington in Col. Dyke's Regiment & marched to Rhode Island & continued in the service under this enlistment for the space of two months.
The said David Stearns again enlisted as a private in the Army of the Revolution in the summer of 1780 into a Company commanded by Col. James Frost of Cambridge, (then called Mendon) in said county of Middlesex, in a Regiment commanded by Col. Cyprian Hovey of Marlborough & went to Rhode Island & assisted in building a fort, on what was called Brattle Hill in Rhode Island & continued in the service for the term of three months.
In support of the truth of the foregoing declarations she refers to the Rolls & Documents now at the City of Washington & formerly in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth & also to the deposition of Solomon Richards, a copy of the Records of the town of Waltham & the deposition of Josiah Hovey, herewith transmitted.
She further declares that she was married to the said

David Stearns on the sixth day of February, eighteen hundred & eighty three by the Revd Jacob Cushing then Minister of the said town of Waltham; That he has heard the aforesaid David Stearns died on the second day of November in the year eighteen hundred & twenty seven; That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service; but the marriage took place previous to the first of January eighteen hundred & ninety four, & last, on the sixth day of February in the year eighteen hundred & eighty three as above stated. —
Mary Stearns
Subscribed & sworn to by said Mary Stearns in open court the day & year first above written before me
J. P. May Judge of Probate for said County —
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County ss
I Isaac Burke Register of the Court of Probate in & for the County of Middlesex hereby certify that Samuel P. May Esquire is the Judge of Probate for said County & that his signature above written is his own proper signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this fourteenth day of February in the year eighteen hundred & forty
Isaac Burke Reg

Extract from the Records of the Town of Waltham County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, David Stearns and Mary Parkhurst both of Waltham were joined in Marriage by the Rev Mr Jacob Cushing Pastor of Christ Church in Waltham, on the sixth day of February. Seventeen Hundred and eighty three.
I certify that the above is a true copy of the Records, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the margin of the records in fair legible figures as follows 1783. Feb'y 6
Joseph Bond Jr.
I Joseph Bond Jr. above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town of Waltham County & State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town of Waltham, with the exceptions above named as certified by me.
Joseph Bond Jr. Clerk of the Town of Waltham
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. On this twenty first day of October 1839 Personally appeared Joseph Bond Jr. Clerk of the Town of Waltham, and made oath to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed, is true
before me Luke Fiske Justice of the Peace Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County ss. I Isaac Pierce Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex hereby certify that Luke Fiske Esquire, is a justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex, duly commissioned & qualified & that his signature above written is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this seventeenth day of February in the year eighteen hundred and forty one Isaac Pierce the Reg

January 25, 1936
David Stearns-W.19101 BA-J/AWF
Mrs. E. P. Warren 605 S. Seventh Street Lafayette, Indiana
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of David Stearns.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 19101, based upon the service of David Stearns in the War of the Revolution. This is the record of the only soldier by that name found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
The date and place of birth of David Stearns are not given, nor are the names of his parents stated. His father lived in Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts during the Revolution.
David Stearns enlisted in Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, sometime in April or May, 1776, served eight months as private in Captain Edward Harrington's Company, Colonel Wheelock's Massachusetts Regiment, and was in the expedition to Ticonderoga. He enlisted the last of December, 1776 or first of January, 1777, served four months in Captain Harrington's Company, Colonel Dike's Regiment. He enlisted November 1, 1777, served about five months in Captain Brooks' Company, Colonel Eleazer Brooks' Regiment. He served in the summer of 1780, three months in Captain James Frost's Company, Colonel Cyprian How's Regiment.
David Stearns married February 6, 1783, Mary Parkhurst; they were both then of Waltham, Massachusetts. He died in said Waltham, November 2, 1827.
I said nothing of battle of Bunker hill but there was nothing very definite about it

The widow, Mary Stearns, was allowed pension on her application executed, February 17, 1841, then aged seventy-five years and living in Watertown, Massachusetts.
William C. S. or F. Harrington of Watertown, Massachusetts in 1841 referred to the soldier, David Stearns, as his grandfather, but he did not give the names of his parents.
In 1841 the soldier's sister, Abigail Fisk or Fiske, was a resident of Lincoln, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, then about seventy-nine years of age; she stated that she was a native of Waltham, Massachusetts, and that she was married in 1783; she did not give the name of her husband. George Stearns, brother of the soldier, was a resident of Newton, Massachusetts in 1841, he served in the Revolutionary War from Waltham, Massachusetts.
Jonathan and Elisha Stearns were both living in Waltham, Massachusetts during the Revolution, their relationship to the soldier, David Stearns, not stated. One Abijah Fisk or Fiske was, also, of Waltham, during the Revolution; Isaac Fiske was Register of the Court of Probate in 1841 of Middlesex County, Massachusetts; Luke Fiske was Justice of the Peace for said Middlesex County in 1841. It is not shown that they were related to the above named Abigail Fisk (Fiske).
If you desire information in regard to the last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the pensioner, Mary Stearns, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and cite the following:
Mary Stearns, widow of David Stearns Certificate # 1064 Issued July 22, 1843 Rate $53.33 per annum To commence March 4, 1843 Act of March 3, 1843 Massachusetts Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

I William C. S. Harrington of Watertown in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age. Do testify & say, that David Stearns formerly of Waltham, was my grandfather; I was well acquainted with him in his life time, & with Mary Stearns, his wife & now his widow who resides at Watertown in said County of Middlesex; the said David Stearns died at Waltham on the second day of November in the year Eighteen hundred & twenty seven; I was present at & attended his funeral. William C. S. Harrington
Watertown ss Feb y 16 1841- Personally appeared the above named William C. S. Harrington, known to me as a man of veracity & entitled to belief & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed
J. P. P. Pray Clerk
Middlesex ss. I Isaac Burke Register of the Court of Probate in & for the County of Middlesex hereby certify that J. P. P. Pray whose own proper signature is above written, is the Judge of Probate of said County. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this seventeenth day of February A. D. 1841. Isaac Burke. Register of Probate

I Josiah Hovey of Cambridge in the county of Middlesex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Yeoman, and now in the seventy eighth year of my age, do testify and say, that I rendered service in the revolutionary war; that in the summer of the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty, I engaged and did, a term of duty and service, in building a fort, in Rhode Island, on what was called Butler's Hill. The company in which I was then a private, was commanded, by Captain James Foss, of Cambridge, at that time called Menotomy, in said county of Middlesex; the regiment was under the command of Colonel Cyprian Hovey, of New Bedford; I well recollect one Lewis Stearns of Waltham, in said county of Middlesex, that he was a private in the company with me, that he served in said company, with me, and rendered the same service, as I rendered myself.
Josiah Hovey
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Middlesex ss. p. Feb 15. A. D. 1841. I hereby certify

That the within name of, Josiah Govey, the deponent, is known to me as a man of true mind, and of veracity, and that he personally appeared this day before me, and made oath that the within affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Abraham Colles Justice of the Peace Bristol Co. Mass.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss
I, Isaac Dike, Sheriff of the County of Middlesex hereby certify that Abraham Colles Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Middlesex appointed duly commissioned & qualified & that his signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this fifteenth day of February in the year Eighteen hundred & forty one Isaac Dike

I, Solomon Richards of Newton in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts now eighty nine Years of Age do testify and say that I rendered service in the Revolutionary War, & that in the Year Seventeen hundred & Seventy six I did a Tour of Duty at Tienderoga in the Canada Expedition so called & I believe I was allowed eight Months pay for that service. — The Company was made up of Men from the Towns of Newton Waltham & Watertown & commanded by Capt. Edward Harrington of Watertown — the Regiment by Col. Wheelock — and I rendered the service of Ensign in (said Company)! And I well recollect that there were two men in our Company from Waltham by the name of Stearns and it is my impression that one was David Stearns & the other Jonathan Stearns. I have no recollection of any other men in our Company by the name of Stearns. There were many of our Company sick — Capt. Harrington & our First Lieutenant were sick & died — but I have no recollection of the sickness or Death of David Stearns.
Our line of March in the above service was from Waltham through Concord (Mass.) Keene & Charlestown No 4. so called thence over the Green Mountains & onward to Tienderoga
Solomon Richards
Commonwealth of Massachusetts — County of Middlesex ss. — Town of Newton January 30 th 1841. — Then personally appeared the above named Solomon Richards (Known to the Subscriber as a person of veracity) & made Oath that the above Affidavit, by him subscribed is just and true —
before me
E. F. Woodward } Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County. ss
I Isaac Huske Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex hereby certify that Elyah F. Woodward is a justice of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, duly commissioned & qualified & that his signature within written is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this Seventeenth day of February in the year Eighteen hundred & forty-one Isaac Huske My

Extract from the Records of the Town of Waltham, County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
We the subscribers do certify that we raised the sum or sums of money, granted by the Town of Waltham June 25 1776. to pay off the Soldiers that engaged for Waltham in the Continental Army in the year 1776 which was called the Canada Expedition which sum was 152£, which we have lawfull interest till paid, and we have apportioned the money to those men whose names are underwritten agreeable to a vote of the town as witness our hands Matthias Collins Isaac Gleason
John Coolidge Abijah Fisk Sam d Biglow Nathan Sanderson Josiah Wyer Elisha Livermore Josiah Sanderson Eli Jones Ezra Pierce W m Hayer Edward Brown Abijah Brown Jr o David Stearns John Laurence Stephen Willman John Richardson John Gleason Jn o Hayer Elias Hastings Sam d Ellis Jonathan Stearns Sam d Gale Jr o Eliphale Hastings Sarah Edes for my share
I certify that the above is a true Copy of the Records Joseph Bond Jr o
Waltham Oct 29 1839. I Joseph Bond Jr o above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town of Waltham County, State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town of Waltham, as certified by me Joseph Bond Jr o Clerk of the Town of Waltham
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex ss. On this twentyfirst day of October 1839 Personally appeared Joseph Bond Jr o Clerk of the Town of Waltham and made oath to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed is true before me Luther Fisk Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County ss.
I do hereby certify that Luke O'Brien Esquire is a justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex appointed hereby certify that Luke O'Brien Esquire is a justice of the Peace within and for said County duly commissioned & qualified & that his signature hereunto written is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this sixteenth day of February in the year Eighteen hundred & forty one.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County. ss
I Isaac Burke Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex hereby certify that Elyah P. Woodward is a justice of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex assessed, duly commissioned & qualified & that his signature within written is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this Sixteen the day of February in the year Eighteen hundred & forty one. Isaac Burke Reg

1936-June 25: leish to mrs. E. P. Warren
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19101
Mary Stearns wid of David Stearns Rev War.
Act: March 3 rd  1/43
Index:—Vol. M 2 , Page 217
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Lafayette, Ind.
Jan. 13, 1936
Mr. A.D.Hiller, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
only Referring to your letter of Nov. 12-- please send me the record of David Stearns ,Sr. who was a pvt. in Capt. Hazz Hezakiah Whitney's Co-under Col.Josiah Whitney, Reg., of Brookfield.
Yours truly,
Hazel Warren
Mrs. E.P.Warren, 605 so. 7 th st., Lafayette, Ind.

Isaac Fiske
June 28. 41
O C

Pension Office June 28. 1841
438
Sir
I have examined the additional proof in the case of the claim of Mrs. Mary Stearns, widow of David Stearns deceased, who have filed a will in her papers. I still find no satisfactory proof in support of the alleged service of her late husband, in the year 1777 (and 1780). His name appears upon the only pay-roll we have of Capt. Brooks' Company of Guards up to 3 rd July 1778, I am 28 th ds. This term may therefore be considered as having been established for 3 rd as alleged; To which may be added 7 mos. in 1776 the summer of 1776. (and also added 7 mos. from Dec. 1776, making in all 16 months.
It was suggested that David Stearns performed the 3 rd service in 1780 in Capt. Frost's Co.
The name of Peter Stearns is borne upon his roll for that year, but not that of David. Isaac Piske Esq. East Cambridge Mass.
Yours & July 7. 35 7727 ✓

Mary Stearns Wid of David Mass.
Ad July 7 1838
Married 1783
died 1827
Allow 16m d per $53.33
per ann. Mass. Militia
Cap Brooks Col. E. Brooks
Isaac Fiske Esq
East Cambridge
Mass

Ms. 83  76 Alme h. 1827 77 Bo " nd f o. St. Froh. 0 80 Bo. " " "
Det 76 ④ 4 Hampton 77. ⑤ 5. Brock, Brock, Col vol 17 p 158 1/3 78 2.28
Pils. Shams Froh. 1780 Bo. R.G.
  ①. may allow pat.  76 7 4 78 5 16     Alias  
④ Geo Stearns, Mils & Four Ready 5. + S. Richards Four Rolls

1518
Mary, widow of David Stearns
$53:33 per an
Elijah Clarke Brighton Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Middlesex ss.
On this twenty eighth day of April eighteen hundred and forty three. Personally appeared before me, Elijah Clark, a justice of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex. Mary Stearns, a resident of Watertown in said County, 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 third day of March 1833, granting pensions to widows of persons who served in the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of David Stearns who was a private in Col. Wheelock's Regiment at Bunkerhill, and in the Guard service at Cambridge and in Boston, also was in the service at Rhode Island, in different Regiments of this State Militia. And that she received fifty Three dollars, and thirty three cents per annum under the act of the seventh of July 1838, which was paid to her at Boston, Massachusetts, and she further declares that she is still a widow.
Mary Stearns
Sworn to on the day and year above written. Before me, Elijah Clark, Justice of the Peace
Middlesex ss. Watertown April 28 th 1843 I hereby certify that Mary Stearns who has signed and made oath to the above declaration is personally known to me to be the same Mary Stearns of said Watertown who received a five years pension under the act of Congress, July seventh 1838.
Elijah Clark, Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston May 26. 1843—
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Elijah Clarke was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.

No 6271. Massachusetts
R?
Mary Stearns. widow of David Stearns, dec d :
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 2 d . November, 1827 - of Middlesex in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Brooks - of the Regt. - commanded by Col: E. Brooks in the Massachusetts line Militia, for 16 Months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 5 3 Dollars 33 - Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 d . day of July 1841 and sent to Isaac Fiske East Cambridge, Massachusetts Arrears to the 14th of Mar: 1841. $266.65 - Semi-annual allowance ending
$266.65 -
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by W. H. Stuart Clerk, Book 4 - Vol. 1 - Page 131.
Date of death not in a3.

July 10. 1841
Great Nap
FREE
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

East Cambridge, near Morton county of Middlesex July 5. '41
Hon J. L. Edwards,
Yours of the 28 th ult. informs me that but 16 m of the claim of Mary Stearns, the widow of David Stearns, appears to be supported by competent evidence & that is all that can be allowed by the Department. I know of no further evidence that can be obtained; - she was in hopes that the evidence would be satisfactory to establish her whole claim: & if the Mails & Documents could be thoroughly examined, she & her friends are pretty confident that the evidence would be established; but this is a labour I am not disposed to ask to have performed; if you should deem it proper to direct it, it would be labour performed for a very poor woman, of most excellent character. If no further evidence should be discovered in your department, you will please to forward to me & upon review of the evidence already furnished, it should be decided that only 16 months can be allowed; you will please to furnish me with a certificate for that term of service.
I am very respectfully Yours Isaac Pirkle

June 5. 1841
Mass. advice Mass. Steam
FREE
L. Edwards Agur
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Easthampton County of Middlesex, Mass.
Hon. J. L. Edwards,
Sir
I enclose you the additional declaration of Mary Stearns for a Pension; I would beg your indulgence by an examination of the Rolls & documents formerly in the Secretarys Office in this Commonwealth; David Stearns performed sundry services in the Revolutionary war; & was at different times in the service amounting to two years & upwards, from the best information that can be obtained; the evidence is based on these Rolls & Documents, but the widow is not been able to specify with much certainty the names of the Officers under whom he served. If you would permit a particular examination to be made by some of the persons in the Department it would without oblige a poor & deserving widow.
I am respectfully Yours Isaac Burke

7727
Mass.
Suspended
Let to Isaac Fiske
March 26 th 1841
to same June 25. 1841
5
Act 7. July '38

J. S. Edwards Esq.
Commons of Persons
Washington

Earthenbridge, County of Middlesex, Mass. Feb. 18. 1841
To S r Edward B. Dyer, Commissioner of Pensions, Sir, I herewith transmit the application of Mary Thomas for a pension with vindy documents in support thereof: - You will please to examine the same & the Bills & documents referred to & award to her whatever she may be entitled to, & communicate to me the result. I am respectfully Yours Isaac Dyer