Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 33712, for Joshua Stearns, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Stearns, Joshua
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
S 33712
CONTENTS

9214 R
Massachusetts.
Joshua Stearns, of Foxborough in the state of Mass ts who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Sargent, of the Massach ts . line, for the term of One year.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts. at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 st of April, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9. of April 1819, and sent to Fairus Ware, judge, Wrentham, Norfolk co. Mass ts . Arrears to 4th of March, 1819. 89.03. Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4. Sept. 48.11 11 mo. 4 1819. 137.03 31.
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued
Date of death not on file
Joshua Stearns sent to Wrentham 15th March 1819 for his pension due for the term of one year from the 1st of April 1818 to the 1st of April 1819 the sum of 137.03

Joshua Stearns
one year - 1776 - Sergeant's Mch. regt. =
Adm?

I Joshua Stearns on oath declare that I am a citizen of the United States residing in Foxborough in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts that in year 1775 I enlisted into the United States Service for the term of eight months in the Company commanded by Capt. Nathan Williams in Col. Walker's Regiment, having served said period I enlisted for one year into Capt. Pope's Company Col. Sergeant's Regiment of the Massachusetts line and served during said year as a Private in the war of the Revolution upon the Continental estab- lishment against the common enemy and at the expiration of said time I was hon- orably discharged at Trenton and the certif- icate thereof received in writing but have since lost the same.
I further testify that I am residing in my circumstances of life and standing in need of assistance from my country for support — being about seventy years of age —
Joshua Stearns
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk. ss. April 1. 1818. Before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the said Circuit personally appeared the above named Joshua Stearns resident in said Circuit, who being firstly

first duly cautioned on his Oath made the foregoing declaration by him signed, in order to obtain a Pension according to the provision of the late Act of Congress.
And I the said Judge do certify that it appears that the S d Stearns did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy for a term exceeding nine months on the continental Estab- lishment. And I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War under seal, pursuant to the directions of S d Act of Congress. I also forward the Affidavits of Simon White & David Keith showing that the Applicant performed the services in his declaration stated. —
Grinus Ware Judge of Circuit Court Com: Mass for S d Circuit

I Samuel White of Mansfield in the county of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that I am acquaint- ed with Joshua Stearns of Foxborough and am satisfied that he is a man in indigent circumstances and entitled to all the benefits contemplated in the late act of Congress for the support of indigent revolutionary soldiers.
Samuel WHITE
I Samuel Fales of Wrentham in the county of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachu- setts do testify and say that I am acquaint- ed with the circumstances of Joshua Stearns of Foxborough and satisfied that he is a poor man & that his poverty is sufficient to en- title him all the benefits contemplated by the late act of Congress for the relief and support of indigent revolutionary soldiers. Samuel Fales
5 th Norfolk Co. April 1. 1818. Samuel White & Samuel Fales afore: sincerely made Oath to the truth of the above affidavits by them subscribed which believe are true both from their statement and other evidence received. —
James Ware Judge

Copy Schedule of Borlue Stearns.
9214 April 1819 found Sep: 25. 1820
Con
Sep 1819

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NORFOLK, ss.—CIRCUIT COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, SPECIAL SESSION, JULY 17, 1820.
On this fourteenth day of July 1820 personally appeared, in open Court, being a Court of Record for said County, proceeding according to the course of the Common Law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a Record of its proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Joshua Stearns aged fourty two years, resident in Foxborough in said County, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows:
to wit, in the eight months service in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety five in a Company commanded by Capt. Alvan Williams and in Col. Walker's Regiment, and afterwards about the first of January in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety six enlisted into the year service in the Continental Establishment in a Company commanded by Capt. Frederick Pape in Col. Paul Dingley's Regiment, and in the Massachusetts line of the army which served the year out and was discharged at Boston on the first day of Jan'y in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven, as many more fully appear by my declaration made first of April eighteen hundred and eighteen the number of my Certificate not collected and have it not with me.
And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons, engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Joshua Stearns Sworn to and declared, on the fourteenth day of July A. D. 1820 before James Ware Judge C. C. P. Charles Pleas for St. Circuit.
I, Horatio Townsend Clerk of the said Court do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule hereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value, of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is Eighty six dollars and twenty five cents. not considered.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this fourteenth day of July 1820
Horatio Townsend Clerk.

A Schedule of all the estate of every description belonging to Joshua Stearns as a requisite by which to obtain a continuation of his pension from the United States as a Revolutionary Soldier viz
One Small bag Five young hill fowls two Pounds of Bacon one meat Barrel two lb. of pork Six old kitchen chairs One 28 pot One Stewpan One second sized spider four Skillet One 19 kettle Seven basins Carpenter tools One long Saw One short do One foreplane Two Squares Three chisels One Gouge Two old saws Half a side solatutto, weight of the whole 16 pounds Wofee leather for four pair shoes One wooden gallon Bottle One glass do One Tea Chest which cost two dollars Kitchen shovel and tongs four axes Forty dollars of my Pension money Twenty two dollars due to me
I Joshua Stearns in the seventy second year of my age have no family but one daughter named Polly & unmarried thirty five years of age who is now sick and has been a length of time and unable to do any service - I am in debt seventy nine dollars & the interest for a length of time - I am a miller and derive from the exercise of my occupation which is very uncertain not exceeding twenty dollars a year Joshua Stearns,

March 1, 1937
Joshua Stearns S. 33712 BA-J/AWF
Mrs. J. Swanson Roosevelt, Route 1 Oklahoma
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of either Joshua or Jotham Stearns, who was born November 30, 1748, married Hannah Hughes, September 10, 1778 and settled after the Revolution in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to show a claim for pension on file based upon the service of a Jotham Stearns, born about 1748 and later lived in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
You are furnished the record of Joshua Stearns of Foxboro, Massachusetts, as found in pension claim, S. 33712, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
The date and place of birth of this soldier were not given, nor were the names of his parents shown.
Joshua Stearns served in 1775, eight months as private in Captain Mac (Macey) Williams' company, Colonel Walker's Massachusetts regiment. He enlisted January 1, 1776, served one year in Captain Frederick Pope's company, Colonel Paul Dudley Sargent's regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application ex-

outed April 1, 1818, at which time he was aged about seventy years and living in Foxborough, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
The soldier, Joshua Stearns, in 1820 referred to his daughter, Patty, aged thirty-five years and "unmarried".
The papers in this claim contain no further reference to the family of Joshua Stearns.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of the 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 give the following-
Joshua Stearns Certificate # 9214 Issued April 9, 1819 Rate $ 8.00 per month Commenced April 1, 1818 Act of March 18, 1818 Massachusetts Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

I Simon White of Mansfield in the county of Bristol on oath testify and say that I am personally acquainted with Joshua Stearns of Fexboro' in the county of Norfolk and that I well will know that the same Joshua Stearns served in the revolutionary war in the eight months service for the year 1775 & being in the same company with him. I also further declare that said Joshua served also in the said revolutionary war from the first of Jan y 1776 to Jan y 1. 1777 in Capt. Pope's company & Col. Sergeant Reg t being in the same Reg t with him in Capt. James Perry's company. Simon White
I David Keith of Mansfield in the county of Bristol on oath testify and say that I served in the revolutionary war in the year's service commencing Jan y 1. 1776 in Capt. S t . Keith's company. & Col. Sergeants Reg t Mass Line and that I well know that Joshua Stearns of Fexboro' in the county of Norfolk served also in the army during the term in Capt. Pope's company in the same Regiment David Keith
Norfolk Is. August 6. 1818. Simon White & David Keith personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above affidavits by them subscribed Before me. James Ware Judge

33 712 Rev INVALID.
1937-maiden-list to Mrs. J. Swanson and
File No. 33, 712
Joshua Stearns Ph: Rev. Rev
Act: 16 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 397
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Roosevelt, Okla. Feb, 10 th 1937
Dear Sir:
I would like to know if the following Revolutionary Soldier named, was granted a pension after the War.
Joshua Stearns, or Jotham, born Nov, 30, 1748, married Sept. 10, 1778, Hannah Hughes of Mansfield, Mass, settled in Foxboro, Mass. The Provincial History of New Hampshire states that Jotham Stearns enlisted April 4, 1780, from Amherst. N. H., and marched with the continental Army to Rhode Island. In 1782 his name appears as resident of New Hampshire. Had eight children.
(Copied from Stearns Genealogy)
I thank you for any information you may be able to give me.
Yours Truly
Mrs J. Swanson
Roosevelt,
Okla.
P.S. I would like a copy of his pension record if he received one.