Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,288, for Aquila Sturges, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Sturges, Agusta
R 10,288
CONTENTS

State of New York Orleans County } ss.
On this 18 day of September in the Year Eighteen hundred thirty Two personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the court of common Pleas now sitting at the Court House in the Town of Barre in and for the County of Orleans. Aguiilla Sturges a resident of the Town of Barre in the County of Orleans and State of New York. aged Twenty 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 provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1777. he thinks in the month of May under Ensign. Hudson in the company comman- ded by Captain Samuel Mattocks. in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Chandler. in the Brigade commanded by General McDougal. That he has forgotten the number of Colonel Chandlers Regiment in which he served. That the other Regiments in the Brigade were commanded by Colonels. Durkee, Charles Webb, & Swift. That said Brigade was of the Connecticut Line. That he Resided in the Town of Woodbury in the County of Har in the State of Connecticut when he entered the Service. That he went first to Newtown where he drew his Regimen- tals & from there he went to Danbury where part of the Regiment formed marched from there to Peekskill on the Hudson River where they joined the rest of their Regiment & Brigade Then crossed the River at Kings Ferry and marched to near the English  English  Neighborhood to guard Trains sent to Brimfield off some cannon that were hid in a Marshy Piece of Ground and then returned to Peekskill staid there till about the middle of September when they Broke up their camp crossed the River at Kings Ferry and marched down to near the English Neighborhood  English Neighborhood through Hopson. Then back towards Paramus. Then to New Ark & Elizabeth Town. Then to Corbus Ferry on the Delaware River. From there marched direct to Join the Grand Army under General Washington which lay Twenty five or Thirty miles north west of Philadelphia where they arrived about the Last of September 1777. That he was in the Battle of Germantown and in the Rear Guard that covered the Retreat that in the retreat his company became separated and did not unite again until they again joined the main army. Three or four days after. That Then the whole army went down to within 20 or 25 miles of Philadelphia From there his Regiment does not recollect whether all the Brigade or only part marched down to Barren Hill about eleven miles from

Philadelphia and Then to the Schuylkill River waded it and went on some distance and Then Back to the River waded it and went to Barren Hill next night crossed the Schuylkill River again and marched all night about day light came to the British camp which was deserted and Then marched back came to the Schuylkill River about dusk waded it again above where they crossed the other times and went 10 or 11 miles further when they reached camp. Not long after this, his Regiment whether any other he does not Recollect marched to Bristol on the Delaware River crossed over, to Burlington, to Mount Holly To Morristown, to Hattinfield and finally to Redbank Fort. where The Regiment was divided part went to Woodbury in New Jersey Part further down the River & part to Mud Fort. But these parties shifted. That he was at Mud Fort and was in the fort when it was attacked by a British ship, and the Troop were obliged to Evacuate the Fort. after this he joined his Regiment and marched to Mount Holly where they were joined by some Troops from the North that had been at the taking of Borogoin's army. Marched to
Burlington. Crossed the Delaware River, marched to White Marsh where we joined the Main Army from there to what was called the Sulph. From there to Valley Forge where they built huts and got into them about the first of January 1778. That in the last of February or first of March he went with
a detachment of Two or Three hundred men to a Place called Darby went from there to Brandywine near Wilmington. cross the River to Salem in the state of New Jersey. marched from there to Hattinfield near the Army opposite Philadelphia where we were informed that The Enemy were coming to attack us. went from there to Morristown and then to Mount Holly. Went Back again to the East of Hattinfield and pursued the Enemy, who crossed at Cooper's Ferry. Took some Prisoners
& Provisions. Then marched to Mount Holly, & to Bordentown From there went in a Galley to Bristol in the state of Pennsylvania and from there to Valley Forge where he joined his Regiment Soon after he went in a detachment under the command of the Mar- quiss La Fayette to Barren Hill. Staid there Two nights & one day when the British came out of Philadelphia to attack them. When they retreated across the Schuylkill to the Place called the Sulph. and then Back again to Barren Hill and then to Valley Forge and joined his Regiment Thinks this the last of April or first of May. About the first of June

Left Their Huts and Crossed the Schuylkill River and went into Dents. Marched to Correls Ferry & Crossed into New Jersey. Toward Prince Town To near Attenstown in pursuit of the Enemy overtook & drove in their Rear guard. That he was in the Battle at Monmouth in the Infantry Thinks General Wayne commanded the division he was in. But is not certain whether it was Wayne, or Scott, went after the Battle to English Town & from thence to Brunswick where they celebrated the 4 th July Thinks the Rhode Island Troops joined the Brigade he was in about
A.D.M.
The time the army Went to Valley Forge, commanded by General Varnum That they marched from Brunswick to Paramus, and to Kings Ferry crossed over, went to Croton River where the Rhode Island Troops Left them, That he then marched to White Plains, where he was detached under General Scott and was Placed in Colonel Butts Regiment The other Regiment which was Formed out of the detachment
A.D.M.
was commanded by Colonel Sherman  Sherram . They encamped at Rye Purchase, and were employed most of the summer in watching & Skirmishing with the enemy. In the Fall of the year Left Rye Purchase & fell Back to White Plains & to North Castle, went from There to Tarry Town under Colonel Butts. Then to Dobbs Ferry where They took some Hessians Prisoners, and some Horses, which were sold and the money dived among the Troops, went next to North Castle Then to Bedford Staid there till cold weather late in the Fall of the year Then went to Reading where he joined his Regiment. There the connecti- cutt line Build Huts and went into winter quarters. The Connecticut Line was then commanded by General Putman. General Parsons commanded his Brigade, and Colonel Russell commanded The Regiment. Colonel Chandler having left the army, his Company was Still commanded by Captain Mattocks. That in March 1779 he changed Place with one Reynolds, and went to Norwalk
A.D.M.
Where Reynolds Detachment  Regiment were stationed commanded by Colonel
A.D.M.
Gray went with Colonel Grays Detachment  Regiment To Horse neck Passed Through Stamford to a Bridge Two or Three miles from Coscob where they met General Putman flying before the enemy. Went over the Bridge and met the British who were pursuing General Putman They Retreat on our approach. That he then marched Back to Norwalk. That they went from Norwalk to New Haven & Then Returned again to Norwalk. That whilst he was in Norwalk

A.D.M. he went out from the Harbor under the Command of Lieutenant Tiffany and took a small vessel from the British and brought her into Norwalk Harbor. That soon after this he returned to Reading and joined his Regiment. Think it was some time in the month of May. That some time in June 1779 his health became poor and he applied to the Surgeon to obtain a furlough to go into the country to recruit his health. That the Surgeon Refused to give him one unless he would get a Recommendation from his Colonel. That the Surgeon wrote a line which he carried to Colonel Russell who then gave him a Recommendation. and that then the Surgeon gave him an unlimited furlough to go where he chose into the country to recruit his health. That he then left the Army, having been in the service about two years and one month. That immediately after he received his furlough he went to the said Town of Woodbury in the State of Connecticut and put himself under the care of Doct. Perry of that Place and continued under his care and out of health and wholly unable to do Military duty all summer and fall. That in the fall of the year he went to his fathers, who lived in Danby in Bennington County State of Vermont, where he continued until after the War. That he continued out of health, and unable to endure any fatigue more than a year after he went to his fathers. That he was born in the year 1762 on the fourth day of January, and that he was in his sixteenth year when he enlisted.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.
Sworn to, & subscribed this day & year aforesaid in open Court.
Squire Hays
W. B. Willy Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the abovenamed Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he stated
Alvin Mott Samuel Tappan William James
Judges of said Court of Common Pleas

1 I Abraham B Mills Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Orleans County do hereby certify That the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Sequilla Sturges for a pension and I further certify That all the alterations, interlineations, and erasures in the foregoing proceedings, apposite to which and in the margin I have set the initials of My name, were made, when the said proceedings were before the Judges in open court In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this 18 th day of September Eighteen Hundred & Thirty Two
A. B. Mills

State of New York Wayne County
§ Benjamin Avery of the Town of Lyons County in State aforesaid, aged thirty four, being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath depose and say, that he knew Aquilla Sturges in the years 1777, 1778 and 1779 when in the Revolutionary War. That said Sturges was a soldier in Captain Matthecks Com- pany, in Colonel Chandlers and Colonel Ruspells Regiments, at Peekskill, in New York and at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania - knew him when in service about two years and six months, knows that said Sturges was on furlough on account of being sick for some time - That he merely believes that Aquilla Sturges of the Town of Bare, Orleans County, to be the identical person whom he knew in the service as stated above -
his Benjamin Avery mark
Sworn to and subscribed this 25th day of September before me M. P. P.

110825
State of New York Wayne County ss
I John L. Crysler Clerk of said County do Certify that William Voorhies before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, & that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signature to the within affidavit to be his proper hand writing. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Office this Twenty fifth day of September Eighteen Hundred & Thirty Two.
John L. Crysler Clerk Wayne County
110825

No 11,885 Agustin Garza
found on Rolls enlisted 4 May '77 (war) deserted 1 Jany '81
Rejected
26 S. Goff
Albia Oleary Coy N.Y.
10288

BRIEF in the case of Agrippa Sturges of Barre County of Greene in the State of New York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Before a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Seventy years, 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.     Enlisted in the Army of the United States May In 1777 until June 1779 - about { 2 1 - Private Gen. McDougall's brigade, Col Chandler's regt. Continental line Capt. Saml. Mott's compy - Genl. Wayne, Genl. Scott, Col. Pat. Col. W. Genl. Putnam, Genl. Parker, Col. Russell,  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Germanstown, Monmouth, &c  4 May 1 Jan'y 81.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Woodbury Connecticut  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By a living witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. G. Wilcox Examining Clerk.

April 18, 1939
EA-J/AWF aw Aquila Sturges R. 10288
Mr. Hiram Sturges Omaha National Bank Building Omaha, Nebraska
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Aquila Sturges from Connecticut. With your letter was enclosed a memorandum from the Connecticut State Library in regard to the service of Aquila Sturges in the Revolution, which is returned herewith.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, R. 10288, based upon the service of Aquila Sturges in the Revolutionary War.
Aquila Sturges was born January 4, 1762, place not given, nor were the names of his parents stated.
Aquila Sturges applied for pension September 18, 1832, while living in Barre, Orleans County, New York, and stated that while living in Woodbury, Connecticut, he enlisted sometime in May, 1777, and served in Captain Samuel Mattock's company, Colonels Chandler's and Russell's Connecticut regiments, also served under Colonels Butler and Gray, that he was in the battle of Germantown, wintered at Valley Forge, and in the battle of Monmouth, and about June, 1779 obtained an unlimited furlough on account of his health, and never returned to the army, as he was unable to perform military duty.
The claim for pension of Aquila Sturges was not

allowed, because he was recorded on the military rolls as a deserter about two and one half years after his enlistment.
When the soldier, Aquila Sturges, left the army he went to his father's home in Danby, Vermont, and in 1835, Aquila Sturges was living in Van Buren, Wayne County, Michigan.
It was not stated that the soldier was ever married.
Hannah Spalding (Spaulding), sister of the soldier, was seventy-one years of age in 1834, then a resident of Addison County, Vermont.
One Nathan Spalding was Justice of the Peace in 1834 in Addison County, Vermont; it was not stated that he was related to the Hannah Spalding noted above.
The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Aquilla Sturges New York
Act. 7. June 1832
Rejected. See letter to H. S. Goff Dec. 27. 1832
In let to H. M. G. Hand
March 2 1835 Do. to J. H. Lamman, 20. Aug. 1837
5

L. H. Lammam
Mich
23 Aug '37
06

War Dept. Pension Off Aug. 23. 1837
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 15 th inst. I have to inform you that Aquilla Sturgas deceased the service of the United States; and in no case like this has a pension ever been granted. The claim cannot of course be admitted.
James H. Lanman Esq Detroit, Michigan.
Ent d Enter this on the N. York Index N o 11885 - act 7 June 1832

10. S. Soff 27 Dec 1832
A.C.
Recorded Vol. 8. Page 188.

Warklepalett
Pension off
Nov 1882
Sir.
The claim of Agulla Sturges has been examined - It is established by the records of this office that he enlisted 4 May 77. and deserted 1 Jan 1880. His claim is therefore rejected & his papers placed in file
No date Recd Sept 4 1882 act J. June
6. S. Goff esq
Albion

J. L. Edwards, Pension Office.
Detroit August 13 th 1877
Dear Sir
About two years, since, Mr Aguilles Sturges, of the town of Vanburen, County of Wayne State Territory of Michigan, made application for a pension. His papers formally attested were lodged in the pension office at Washington. He proved in those papers his service during the years 1777, 1778, and 1779, and also the granting of a furlough, which permitted a discharge from the service until the restoration of his health, and the continuance of his ill health until the termination of the war. He is an aged man, destitute of means and has given a portion of his best days, to the cause of his country. Will you be good enough to inform me what farther facts are necessary to be shown in order to entitle him to his pension under the Law of the United States, If any one deserves it I am fully convinced that he does. He did not take a formal discharge as he concieved it to be unnecessary after peace had been declared. By writing me immediately giving the desired information, you will oblige
Yours very respectfully James H Lanman
The original application was made by Mr Hurd member of Congress from the State of New York.

Am. G. H. and
March 3 d 1835
Q. 6
Rec. Vol. 33, pa. 399.

War Department Pension Office
March 2 d 1835
Sir The papers relating to the claim of Aguilla Sturges have again been examined The widow offered in view of doing away the effect of the record of his desertion cannot be ad- mitted - If she was absent on furlough - that document must be produced to sustain in order to sustain his application
Genl. Haris House Reps N.S.

April 17, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MHF:MLB
Mrs. Grace B. Hopper 22568 Beech Dearborn, Michigan
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request further information in regard to Aquila Sturges and Harmon Hopper whose records were furnished you October 2, 1928, and March 17, 1938, respectively.
The record of Aquila Sturges which was furnished you is that of the only soldier with that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this office. The name of his father, whose record you desire, also, is not shown, nor that of his wife's father. In order to make a search for their records, their full names are essential and any other data you may possess, as a means of identification. You request to know whether or not the name of the son of Harmon Hopper was correctly shown as Jesse in the report to you, as it is believed by some of his descendants that the name of that son was John.
The name was correctly reported Jesse, as shown in another report in regard to Harmon Hopper furnished you herewith, together with that of Aquila Sturges.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator
See her letter in claim of Aquila Sturges - R. 10 288

April 17, 1939
BA-J/AWF Aquila Sturges R. 10288
Mrs. Grace B. Hopper 22568 Beech Dearborn, Michigan
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, R. 10288, based upon the service of Aquila Sturges in the Revolutionary War.
Aquila Sturges was born January 4, 1762, place not given, nor were the names of his parents stated.
Aquila Sturges applied for pension September 18, 1832, while living in Barre, Orleans County, New York, and stated that while living in Woodbury, Connecticut, he enlisted sometime in May, 1777, and served in Captain Samuel Mattock's company, Colonels Chandler's and Russell's Connecticut regiments, also served under Colonels Butler and Gray, that he was in the battle of Germantown, wintered at Valley Forge, and in the battle of Monmouth, and about June, 1779 obtained an unlimited furlough on account of his health, and never returned to the army, as he was unable to perform military duty.
The claim for pension of Aquila Sturges was not allowed, because he was recorded on the military rolls as a deserter about two and one half years after his enlistment.
When the soldier, Aquila Sturges, left the service he went to his father's home in Danby, Vermont,

and in 1835, Aquila Sturges was living in Van Buren, Wayne County, Michigan.
It was not stated that he was ever married.
Hannah Spaulding (Spalding), sister of the soldier, Aquila Sturges, was seventy-one years of age in 1834, then living in Addison County, Vermont.
Nathan Spalding was Justice of the Peace in 1834 in Addison County, Vermont.
The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

December 7, 1936
Aquila Sturges R. 10288 BA-J/AWF
Frances E. Curtis 1720 East Court Street Flint, Michigan
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter addressed to The General Land Office, this city and referred by them to this office, in which you request informa- tion in regard to your ancestor, Aquila Sturges, sol- dier in the Revolutionary War from Connecticut and Vermont.
On November 4, 1936 you were furnished the record of the only Aquila Sturges (R. 10288) found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office. The records do not show that a claim for bounty land was made on account of the service of Aquila Sturges in the Revolutionary War.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

November 4, 1936
Aquila Sturges-R.10288 BA-J/AWT
Mrs. D. W. Curtis 1720 East Court Street Flint, Michigan
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Acquilla Sturgis, born about 1761 or 1762, served in the Revolutionary War from Connecticut, and later lived in Vermont.
The data which follow were obtained from the claim, R. 10288, based upon the service of Aquila Sturges in the Revolutionary War. His signature is found in the claim, Aquila Sturges.
He was born January 4, 1762, place not given, nor are the names of his parents stated.
Aquila Sturges applied for pension, September 18, 1832, while living in Barre, Orleans County, New York, and stated that while living in Woodbury, Connecticut, he enlisted sometime in May, 1777 and served in Captain Samuel Mattock's company, Colonels Chandler's and Russell's Connecticut regiment, also served under Colonels Butler and Grey, that he was in the battle of Germantown, wintered at Valley Forge, and in the battle of Monmouth, and about June, 1779 obtained an unlimited furlough on account of his health, and never returned to the army, as he was unable to perform military duty.
the cl. for Aquila Sturges because he was recorded His pension was not allowed as the records report him as a deserter.  on the mil rolls as a deserter about two and one half yrs. after his enlistment.
When the soldier, Aquila Sturges, left the service, he went to his father's home in Danby, Addison County,

Vermont, and in 1835, he was living in Van Buren, Wayne County, Michigan.
It is not stated that the soldier, Aquila Sturges, was ever married.
The soldier's sister, Hannah Spaulding (Spalding) was seventy-one years of age in 1834 then living in Addison County, Vermont.
Nathan Spalding was Justice of the Peace in 1834 in Addison  Adrian County, Vermont.
The papers in this claim contain no further reference to family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Rev.&1812 Wars Section. mmatf
March 7, 1929.
Mrs. Grace B. Hopper, 430 Beech Street, Dearborn, Michigan.
Madam:
I advise you that the history of Aquila Sturges, R. 10288, Revolutionary War soldier, furnished you on October 2, 1928, was compiled from the records of this bureau and is correctly stated according to said records.
The War of 1812 records fail to show that pension was ever claimed on account of the service of Henry Sturges of the New England or Western States.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.

Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
October 3, 1928.
Mrs. Grace B. Hopper, (Brownlow) 430 Beech Street, Dearborn, Michigan.
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 10288, it appears that Aquila Sturges was born January 4, 1762, place not stated.
He applied for pension September 18, 1832, while living in Barre, Orleans County, New York and stated that while a resident of Woodbury, Connecticut he enlisted about May 1777 and served in Captain Samuel Mattock's Company, Colonels Chandler and Russell's Connecticut Regiment and also served under Colonels Butler and Grey, that he was in the battles of Germantown and Monmouth, and after serving about two years and one month he obtained an unlimited furlough, left the army on account of poor health and never returned as he was unable to perform military duty.
His pension was not allowed as the records report him as a deserter.
The soldier also stated that when he left the ser-

vice on furlough, that he went to his father's at Danby, Vermont, his father's name is not given, and it is not shown that soldier was married.
In 1835 the soldier was living in Van Buren, Michigan.
The above noted is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.
COPIED BY ADY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON
Sept. 29, 1923.
Mrs. C. N. Warren, Mt. Vernon, Iowa.
Madam:
I have to advise you that in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. File 10288, it appears that Aquila Sturges who was born Jan. 4, 1762, applied for pension Sept. 18, 1832, while living in Barre, Orleans Co. N. Y. and stated that while a resident of Woodbury, Conn. he enlisted about May 1777, and served in Capt. Samuel Mattock's Company, Colonels Chandler and Russell's Conn. Regiment, and also served under Colonels Butler and Grey. That he was at the battles of Germantown, Mud Fort and Monmouth, and that after serving about two years and one month, he obtained an unlimited furlough and left the army on account of poor health and never returned as he was unable to perform military duty. His claim was not allowed as the records showed that he was  report him as a deserter.
In 1835 he was living in Van Buren, Mich.
There is no data on file as to his family. is
The above noted is the only Aquila Sturges, under any spelling of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Respectfully,
Washington Gardner
Commissioner.
The printed records of Conn. show him as a deserter also. see page 238.

HIRAM A. STURGES
ATTORNEY AT LAW REGISTERED PATENT ATTORNEY OMAHA NATIONAL BANK BLDG. PHONE JACKSON 3469
PATENTS, TRADE-MARKS, COPYRIGHTS. OPINIONS AND INFRINGEMENTS
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
April 5, 1939.
U. S. Pension Office Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
According to the enclosed copy of a letter, it would appear that Aquilla Sturges applied for a pension on account of his services during the Revolutionary War, and I wish to have information from your office showing a statement of his alleged services during that War.
If there is any charge for this information I will forward the same. This information is needed from your office as corroborative proof of his service as an enlisted man from the State of Connecticut.
Very truly yours,
Hiram A. Sturges
Handwritten initials or mark

Dearborn, Michigan February 20, 1939.
Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
two men from both locations only one in file In regard to one Aquila Sturges , Rev. War Soldier. Could you please give me a completed war record of him? Were there two Aquila Sturgeses? I'd like to be given a true understanding of his birth, his parents, etc.
The Aquila I am locating: Married Sarah Little, had a daughter Caroline - (my ancesto.). I think there were about 9 children, in all. There was also a son Hiram, and one Lewis - and there may have been an Edward and an Ernest. At least, Edward, is a Sturges Family name. Dec. of Edward I, in America, Welch desc. Was his father a Rev. War Soldier - or his wife's father? Little
Little name given as Jesse Sometime ago I wrote concerning Hamm Hopper . In the reply, Hamm's son's name was given as Jesse. His  Hamm's sons grandchildren claim there were only two children that they know of, a son and daughter of Hamm. Nancy Robinson, and John - (not Jesse). Do you
(over)

suppose the war records have happened to put it Jno - for John, or Jon - and it has been mis-printed Jesse. It is important to us. Harmon, born in Fauquier Co., Virginia, moved to N. Carolina, thence to Claiborne Co. Tenn.
Thank you for information I am,
Sincerely
Grace D. Hopper

1664243 "K" MKH
115186
WOT
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR • General Land Office Washington
NOV 25 1936
MKH The attached communication has been received by the General Land Office and is referred for answer to the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, and the writer so advised.
Antoinette Funk
Assistant Commissioner.
11-23-vgm

ADDRESS ONLY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GENERAL LAND OFFICE WASHINGTON
NOV 25 1936
IN REPLY PLEASE REFER TO
1664243 "K" MKH
Information.
Frances E. Curtis, 1720 East Court Street, Flint, Michigan.
Madam:
I have received your letter of November 19, requesting to be advised whether or not the records of this office show that one Aquila Sturges , who you state served from Connecticut and Vermont in the Revolutionary War, received a land grant in consideration of his services in that war.
Examination of the index in this office of the names of the Revolutionary War soldiers who received military bounty land warrants has been made, but without success in an effort to identify such a warrant that may have issued to the person about whom you inquire.
As the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, this city, has a more complete record of the soldiers of

1664243 "K" MKH
the Revolutionary War who received military bounty land warrants, your letter has been referred to that official for consideration and further reply.
Very respectfully,
(signed) Antoinette Funk Assistant Commissioner.
11-23-vgm

mkH 1720 East Court Street, Flint Michigan, November 19, 1936.
Early Land Grants Department, Washington D. C.
1664243 1664243
Gentlemen:
K I am interested in joining the D.A.R. through an ancestor Aquila Sturges . He served from Connecticut , and also enlisted in Vermont . He was on the payroll of Capt. Stephen Calkins Co., Col. Ira Allen's regiment of militia, 1775-1783 . Could you give me any information concerning a land grant he may have received for his services?
REC'D NOV 25 1936 M.K.H.
Yours truly, Frances E. Curtis
RECEIVED NOV 20 1936 G. L. O.
Rev index ✓
5

1720 East Court Street Flint, Michigan, October 8, 1936.
Veterans Administration, Washington D. C.
Gentlemen -
As I am interested in forming a patriotic society I hope you can give me some information concerning Acquilla Sturges . He was born about 1761-62, and fought in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted in Connecticut, and later in Vermont. Any information you have concerning a pension, birthplace, parents names, place of death , children or other family data, would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely, Mrs H. W. Curtis.

Aquila Sturges Chapter DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Dearborn, Michigan
January 19th, 1929.
GRACE BUTLER HOPPER, Regent
United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Refer to Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
Mr. Winfield Scott, Commissioner.
Dear Sir:--
In looking over your reply to my letter, (dated October 2nd, 1928) I deem it advisable to make some changes in behalf of Aquila Sturges, the Revolutionary war soldier, who so diligently fought in that struggle for Independence. The changes should be made for the man as well as for the chapter that honoured him, and which will, in a hundred years from now or less time will be looking about for all the honours they can find for him.
If he applied for a pension while living in Barre, Orleans county, N. Y., he was absolutely on the square. Some one, somewhere, has flim-flammed him, and I shall give you the records to prove it. In view of the fact that the records show that while living at Woodbury Connecticut, he enlisted in the war in 1777 and served in Samuel Mattock's Company; Colonel Chandler's and Russel's Connecticut Regiment, and served under Colonel Butler and Grey, and that he was in the battles of Germantown and Monmouth, I will also refer you to other records which will exonerate him from desertion as charged by records, and make him deserving of the pension for which he applied. And he fought in all the regiments of which the records speak.
Here is his true record: Aquila Sturges, (Sturge, Sturgis, Aquila, Aquila la, Equilla, Equila,) a Revolutionary war soldier, was a pioneer of Wayne county, Michigan. He was born in Bristol, Addison county, Vermont, January 4th 1762. He was a descendent of Edward Sturges (Turgesius) who migrated to this country from Wales, in 1623, and settled in Maine and Mass. Edward's son or grandson, John, went to Connecticut, settling in Fairfield county, where his families lived honourably for over 150 years prior to the Revolutionary war. It is to this family Aquila belongs. Evidently, Aquila's father (whose given name I am looking for and his mother's too) took up his residence in the State of Vermont, and Aquila was born there.
Later, his parents either removed to Connecticut, or he went to his relativeship there, and enlisted in the Revolutionary war June 14th 1777, when he was fifteen years of age . He served in the eighth Regiment, "Connecticut Line, Formation 1777-1781". He served as a private, under Colonel John Chandler, Captain Samuel Mattock's company. He served elsewhere during that time, as referred to by history, but I was unable to get it into my history until you sent it to me. He served the two years he was supposed to have served, but he left unceremoniously, boy that he was, went to the home of his father in Danby Vermont, where he and his brother David, immediately reenlisted in the war,
in 1781, and served as a private in Captain Stephen Calkins's company. He fought with Ethan Allen at Ticonderoga, and was the hero who replanted the flag after it had been torn down. I am not altogether sure, but I believe he served to the end of the war.
The records have dishonoured several other boys too in that regiment, probably for the same reason that they did Aquila. Maybe they did not understand that they were to report before they left. You would understand more about that than I. And it is just possible that Aquila, in after years, understood his mistake and did not care to tell he had reenlisted, but of all the things

Anna Sturges Chapter DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Dearborn, Michigan
GRACE BUTLER HOPPER, Regent
happening, that does not seem possible, truly every man wants credit for all war service. He is entitled to that.
His home in Connecticut was in Norwalk and Stamford. In 1789, he married Miss Sarah S. Little, of Vermont, and his endowment in children were nine, two of whom we have no record. His children were born in the States of Vermont and Connecticut. When he was leaving middle age, he moved with his family to Barre, Orleans county N. Y. In 1835, he took up a government homestead in Wayne county, Michigan. The land he acquired and lived upon. was the NE 1-4 of the SW 1-4, section 29, town 3, range 9 E, Romulus. One and one half miles South of that village. He sold all but the South ten acres of that land which he retained for a home, and still owned it after death, i. e., he left it to no one; which would infer that his wife died first. I still believe he is buried on that land somewhere--would it be in the abstract? He bought land of Isaac Chapman, and sold it the same day, to his eldest son, Hiram--Was Hiram in the war of 1812? The land he bought was the NE 1-4 of the SW 1-4, section 25, town 3-S, range 8-E, VanBuren township, in 1835. So if he was living in VanBuren township in 1835, he must have been staying with his son Hiram. Except his wife, his family was not living with him in Michigan. They were grown, and some of them married. They were a very nice family. I know that from the letters they wrote to their parents. They settled here on farms of their own later. There are eleven stones and a monument in one place, in Vassar, Mich., cemetery.
He was a very old man when he died; well past ninety, probably 95, and he died from injuries he received from having been thrown from his horse near his homestead in Romulus.
I am writing you what history I have of him, hoping you might find something to add to it, and straighten out mistakes that were made in the early history. Anything that can be done to exonerate him will be greatly appreciated,
Truly yours, His great-great-granddaughter, Grace Butler Hopper. 430 - Beach St.
P. S.-- J. Pierpont Morgan, I imagine has everything that can be found on our family history. He or his father, married Amelia Sturges, daughter of Henry Sturges, of the Fairfield county family. If I were not a relative I would write to him; but as the thing stands I do not like to do it. He might think some crazy woman from Dearborn has exploded and claimed relationship. He does not even know of me. I should like to have our family history just the same. I am proud of them.

AQUILA STURGES CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION DEARBORN, MICHIGAN
UNITED STATES BUREAU OF PENSIONS, WASHINGTON, D. C.
Gentlemen:
..... (In this space inquiry was made about another case to which reply was made by the Disbursing Clerk, Section M.)
The following is other half of the letter and is referred (for consideration and reply)- to Rev. War Section.
There is another question:
Did Aquila Sturges receive a pension from services in the Revolutionary war? Sturges (Sturge) (Aquila, Equilla, Aguilla) Aquila.
He served in the eighth regiment, Connecticut line. Formation 1777-1781. Private under Col. John Chandler. Captain Sam. Mattock's company. His home in Connecticut was in the towns of Norwalk and Stamford, Fairfield County.
He also enlisted in Vermont, in Capt. Stephen Calkins' Company. He fought with Ethan Allen At the Battle of Ticonderoga. His home in Vermont was in Bristol Addison county. Reentered in 1781.
Where was he born? When did his pension stop? Did he live in Romulus, Wayne county, Mich. when it stopped. I am trying to find out when he died; and where he was buried. Thank you.
Grace B. Hopper, nee MacQueen

from Mrs C. U. Warren Mt. Vernon
Iowa
August 10 - d 23
Com g of Pension
could you please tell me if you have on your Pension lists of
Revolutionary war records one Aguida Sturge-Sturge or Sturges
enlisted 1777 to 1781 - served with Ethan Allen
Mrs. C. U. Warren Mt. Vernon, Iowa
RECEIVED AUG 13 1923 S.

1928- Oct 2. Hied to Mrs. Grace B. Hopper av 3. 1929- mch. 7- Mrs. Grace B. Hopper adv. further in re. this claim 1936- Nov. 4- Hied to Mrs. D. W. Curtis av 3 1936- Dec 7- Mrs. Curtis advised only est. av 3 to Grace B. Hopper 1939- Apr. 17. Hied to Marian Sturges av 3 1939- Apr 18- " " " "
REJECTED
10,288
Aquilla Sturges
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
The printed list of 185-2 Re-enlisted: gives cause of rejection as: "she was a deserter"
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

A. Sturges
Feb 19
My Aquila Sturges
Hon. Mr. Hard Hon. G. Hard

State of New York
Orleans County ss William James being duly sworn makes oath and says that he has been well acquainted with Asquilla Sturges of Barr Orleans County New York for about Eighteen years past that he has had frequent Conversations with the said Sturges with regard to his the said Sturges service as a Revolutionary Soldier and when & in what manner he left the army & that as early as 1821 or 1822. In this deponent conversed with him the said Sturges on that subject and that he this deponent has at different times & often from that period to the present time held such conversations with said Sturges. That said Sturges has uniformly without variation stated to this deponent that he left the army in May or June 1779 under leave of absence having an unlimited furlough to go into the Country to recruit his health that he went home & that he continued out of health wholly unable to do military duty until several years after the termination of the war and that he never knew of being recall to enter the army and that had such been the fact his health would not admit of it. And this deponent further says that the said Asquilla Sturges has ever borne the reputation of having been a soldier of the revolution & that his character for truth & veracity stands fair & unimpeachable & that his moral character is good Subscribed and sworn before me this 23 day of January 1835
William James
James Gilson
One of the Judges of
Orleans County Court
I the said Judge before whom the above affidavit was sworn do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with William James who made the foregoing affidavit and that his statement is entitled to full credit
Dated Jan'y 23 d 1835
James Gilson One of the Judges of Orleans County Court

in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty four. Nathan Spalding Justice of the Peace
There will follow the Certificate of the County Clerk authenticating the signature of the Justice to the affix Certificate under the County Seal

State of Vermont
Addison County ss
I, Samuel Swift, Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Addison, do hereby certify that Nathan Spalding, before whom the within affidavit of Hannah Spalding was made was at the time a Justice of the peace for said County duly authorized to administer oaths &c and his name subscribed thereto is his own signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 21 st day of October 1834.
Sam d Swift Clerk
affidavit