Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,615, for Zebedee Sturtevant, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Sturtevant, Jebedee
S 14615
CONTENTS
carded

Albany N.Y. 1838 Connecticut
Zebedee Hurlbatt of Kent - in the State of Conn who was a pr in the Conn commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg commanded by Col Ward in the Conn tmo for State Troops 21. 0-
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 68 Dollars 32 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of May 1833. and sent. Nath C Perry Kent. Conn
Arrears to the 4th of March 33. $136, 64 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 33. 3416
$170,80
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 40
Con 3 Feb 1838. cir to Pen Agency 23 Mar To Albany N.Y. from 4 day 1837. 30 March 1838. Notice sent to Pension Office Pen = see County N York Lit. to Pensioner 21. April 38
1838 2 letter N.Y. Peny 23 Feb

Declaration of Rebekah Sturtevant made in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress June 7. 1832.
Ms 5075

State of Connecticut. } Kent Probate District Litchfield County } ss. at Kent.
On this 31 st day of July A D 1832 personally appeared in open court before Nathaniel P. Perry Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Kent now sitting Debedee Sturtevant, a Resident of Kent in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut aged Seventy four years who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted under Captain Barzelial Beebe of Litchfield in Litchfield County John Bliss then of Kent Lieutenant Col. Ward's regiment. That he entered the Service the 1 st day of January A D 1776, and was discharged the last of March or 1 st part of April following, which was the term of the expiration of his enlistment. About the first day of May A D 1776, he enlisted for the term of six months under Captain Ebenezer Couch of Washington, County of Litchfield and Lieutenants John Bliss and John Ransom both of Kent of Ensign Sedediah Dury of Washington Col. Heman Swift's Regiment. Lieut. Col. Jonah Starr. . . . . Waters Major, Brig. Gen. . . . . Waterbury

That he entered the Service on the 2 d enlistment about the 1 st day of May  1776 and was discharged the last day of December 1776, at Ticonderoga, Mount Independence State of New York his discharge was read to him by the Colonel of his regiment who received a discharge for himself and regiment.
That he entered the Service again some time in the month of August 1777 by enlistment under Capt. Benjamin Shipman of Saybrook, David Hemen Woodbury in 1 st Litchfield County was Lieutenant & Lieutenant Colonel Woodbridge - Thaddeus Cook of Wallingford Brig. Gen. . . . Poor. & That he was discharged the second week in November 1777, on the Banks of the Hudson near Red Hook, State of New York. He had at this time no individual written discharge the discharge was read at the head of the regiment by the Colonel for us all.
That he entered the Service again 1 st of January 1778 under Captain Peter Miles of Kent Lieutenant John Bliss of Kent & Selediah Dury Ensign as he thinks Samuel Gayfield of New- Milford in 1 st Litchfield County & . . . Mead of Horse neck Colonel's he enlisted for two months time expired, the 1 st day of March 1778. but

on account of leaving the lines naked he with others whose time of enlistment had expired was required to remain, & he did remain in said Company as a volunteer until about the 1 st day of April A D 1778, was then discharged. (there was no written discharges given at this time,) at Horse neck
State of Connecticut,
That he entered the service by volunteering sometime in the month of July A D 1779, about two weeks before Fairfield & Norwalk was burnt. for the term of 3. months, in the Company of Capt. Peter Mills of said Lieutenants Lewis Mills of Kent. Maj. Sethos Hatch. Samuel Banfield aforesaid Colonel that he served for the term of three months in said service and at the expiration of three months, was discharged at Canaan; Connecticut, he had no written discharge.
That he entered the service by volunteering sometime in the month of August A D 1780, for the term of three months, Captain Joseph Carten. Major Sethos Hatch, belonged to Colonel Samuel Banfield's Regiment, and served during the whole term of three months and was discharged at the Red Mills in the State of New York, no written discharge.

That in the first term of enlistment aforesaid to wit commencing January 1 st 1776. he went from Kent aforesaid & marched by way of Newmilford Danbury. Ridgefield Bedford to Kings Bridge. Island of the City of New York. remained in the City of New York about six weeks. and was then billeted out at private Houses. Gen l Lord Sterling then officiated as General at New York. the Company was mustered & reviewed by him. Then marched over to Long Island. built a Fort on Brooklyn Heights. drew up the Camp on by hand. He served during the whole time until his said discharge.
That in the second term of his enlistment to wit. commencing about the 1 st day of May A D 1776 aforesaid. he entered the service to go to Canada. went from Kent aforesaid through Canaan. Sheffield. Barrington. Pittsfield Bennington remained at Bennington two weeks for the formation of a regiment of the several Companies as they came in. Then marched for "Skeensborough" now called White Hall. and remained there about three months. It was very sickly there then were 400 or 500 men died there out of the several regiments then stationed, in all. Col. Swift. Col. Minecoop & Col. Brown were Colonels of different regiments there. General Waterbury was then & General Benedict Arnold was then a short time

that he served three months dont at White Hall as afore? and then cross'd the lake to Ticonderoga Mount Independence side, and continued to serve then until the term of enlistment expired and he was discharged he served during the whole six months General Gates was at Ticonderoga, while he the said Hunt was there American vessels were captur'd by the British, commanded by Tarleton, or Cadleton That in his 3 d third term of enlistment commencing as afore and to wit some time in the month of August A D 1777, he march'd from Kent afore? to Bennington Benmont from thence to Half moon point now called Waterford, from thence to Stillwater, to Bemus Heights then joined the regiment & main Army Genl Poor Brigade, Division commanded by Genl Benedict Arnold, Generals. — Poor, Patterson, Glover and Nickerson, he was engaged in a Battle at Bemus heights the 19 th day of Septem- ber A D 1777, on Friday, which continued 4 hours 40 min- -utes after the engagement became General he was slight- -ly wounded in two different places in said en- -gagement, about 5000 men on each side. The British commanded during the Battle by Genl. Fraser.
At the same place on the 7 th day of October 1777

A general action was again fought between Generals Arledge & Fraser. General Fraser was killed Genl. Arnold was wounded & had his horse shot from under him as he jumped on the platform, the said Lebedee Sturtevant stood near him at the time. The British outlines were carried at the point of the bayonet. & all of the British retreated into their inner breast work. They entered the fort took possession. This Battle was on Tuesday Wednesday buried the dead. Thursday night between the hours of one & two Genl. Burgoyne retreated with his whole army as far as Saratoga. were overtaken by Genl. & Arnold's division on the west Genl. Fellows on the East. Colonel Brown on the South he having gone North and burnt the British shipping at Ticonderoga. came down and took his position on the North. General Lee took his position on the South. The said Sturtevant was there saw the whole. Genl. Gates. Commander in Chief. the American Army remained there until the 17 th of October 1777 when General Burgoyne surrendered and marched out. The next day the American Army received word from Genl. Washington that Genl. Clinton with his army had burnt Sopus. and he with his army was within 30 miles of Albany. The Brigade to which the said Lebedee Sturtevant belonged

was ordered that night to Albany 40 miles distant. he with the Brigade marched then that night. At Albany he heard Genl Clinton had returned to city of New York. remained at Albany two or three weeks. we were ordered to West Point. got as far as Redhook and was then discharged. on the Banks of the Hudson Served during the whole time, with the exception of a few days allowed us to get home, for when captain enlisted and that he served as near as he can rec- -ollect during this campaign three months. had no written discharge except such as the colonel read for all, at the head of the Regiment.
That in the term of the two months enlistment and one month volunteering, as aforesaid commencing the 1 st of January A D 1778. he went from Kent aforesaid by way of Danbury to Horse Neck, at which place his regiment was stationed there to guard the lines, served during the term of three months in said service and had no written discharge. whatever.
That as to the term of his service commencing in the month of July 1779 as aforesaid he marched from Kent aforesaid by way of Danbury. Redding & Milton to Answalk. At Redding or Milton they received news of the burning of Fairfield

the first night of the arrival at Newark. Slept in the Meeting House. Newark was burnt the next day after our arrival. The day following we marched to Stam- -ford. The Enemy in front of the town, were putting out their Boats for landing, & were within musket shot of the American troops, just at this time the our army were reinforced by the Continental troops headed by Col. Israel Starr. The British did not appear, and not a gun was fired, we remained at Stamford a short time then went back to Canaan called then "Old Canaan", and there kept up guard & remained until he was discharged at the expi- -ration of his term of service, which was three months he does not remember the exact time when he was discharged but knows how long he served, during this term of service he served as a volun- -teer, had no written discharge at any time.
That as to the last term of service as aforesaid? He enter- -ed the service as a volunteer, in the month of August 1780, went from Kent aforesaid direct road to Fishkill at or near Fishkill New York State. Rejoined the regiment, then marched towards Crumb. Rounds, The Enemy apprised of their approach, retired aboard of their shipping on the Hudson River.

then went back to the Red Mills, noticed the motion of the enemy until his time had expired & was discharged served for three months, being the whole time for which he volunteered. He further states that he never received any written discharge. That he never lost a tour of duty while in service and that all of his terms of service were in the service of the United States.
And another interrogatory propounded by the Court of Probate aforesaid to the said Lebedee Sturtevant says under oath as aforesaid.
He was born A.D. 1758. May 19 th in the Town of Kent Litchfield County & State of Connecticut. That he has no record of his age except one made by myself taken from my Parents Bible which is lost.
At the time he first entered the service of the United States he lived & resided in S d Kent & ever since has & still does reside in S d Kent.
That he was an enlisted soldier in the four first campaigns with the exception of one month time he served as a volunteer and as a volunteer the remaining terms of three months each.
That he never had any discharge in his

paper in in writing as he never personally received any discharge in writing, it was always read at the head of the regiment by the Colonel The following named persons in his neighborhood to whom he is known the said Lebedee Stur- tevant states will & can testify as to his char- -acter for veracity and their belief of his services as a revolutionary soldier, to wit. Nathan Hosson, Peter Comstock, David Comstock, Lewis Mills & John Mills. No Clergyman settled in the place of his residence.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or Annuity except the present that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any state.
That he has no documentary evidence or testimony that he can procure except such as is herewith enclosed & sent. Witness my hand and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Lebedee Sturtevant.
We Lewis Mills and Philo Mills both of Kent Hartford County & State of Connecticut, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Lebedee Sturtevant who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be

seventy four years of age. That he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of a Revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year afore- said
Levi Mills Phoebe Mills
Sworn & subscribed the day & year afore- in Open Court. Frederick Wirtgen Clerk of Court
And the said Court does hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named & signing applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that there is no evidence settled Clergymen in P. Kent. That Levi Mills & Phoebe Mills who signed the preceding certificate as residents are well known to the Court as credible persons and their statement is entitled to full credit. The oath was duly administered to them as applicant in Open Court.

I Frederick Gutterden Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Kent aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elizabeth Sturtevant for a Pension
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the Seal of said Court this 31 day of July A 1832.
Frederick Gutterden Clerk of said Court

I Nathaniel Perry Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Kent aforesaid do hereby certify that Frederick Whittinder is Clerk of said Court that his signatures to these papers purporting to be his, are his genuine signatures and the seal affixed is the seal of said Court, and that full faith & credit is due to all his indications as Clerk of said Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 31 st day of July A D 1882.
Nathaniel P. Perry Judge.

I Jonah Finny of Warren Litchfield County & State of Connecticut. Seventyfour years of age being duly sworn according to Law do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Lebedee Sturtevant of Kent in said County. An applicant for a Pension & have known him ever since he was a child. I remember that the said Sturtevant entered the service of the United States by enlisting with myself in the Company of Capt Barzeliel Beebe on the 1 st day of July, A D 1776, or thereabouts. I went with him to New York City & lodged with him, in the same house, at said City and at Brooklyn, helped build a Fort on Brooklyn heights He served two months, and a few weeks over the term of the enlistment, as a volunteer.
That the first of June or within a few days of the first A D 1776 Lebedee Sturtevant joined and myself entered again the service of the United States by enlisting into the Company at Kent, now Warren, commanded by Ebenezer Cook Capt. Marched to Bennington & to White Hall then called Skeensborough, after remaining there about 2 or 3 months marched to Mount

Independence and there we both served together for six months or seven. He was tenting with myself the greater part of the time.
Josiah Finney
State of Connecticut } Probate Courts Litchfield County } District of Kent } at New
Be it Remembered that on this 31 st day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared Josiah Finney Esq. subscribed to the foregoing deposition and made solemn oath in open court to the truth of the same. The witness is a credible person and sustains a fair character for truth and veracity.
Frederick Hattenden
Clerk of Court

I Augustine Curtis of Warren Litchfield County and state of Connecticut, aged seventy years being duly sworn according to Law do testify and say, That In the year 1778 in the month of January Zebedee Sturtevant entered the service of the united States by draft, with myself under Captain Peter Mills, Lieut John Bliss & Designated Col. in Dury, Colonel Head of Horse Neck and Colonel Samuel Bancroft of New Milford were colonels. That the said Sturtevant served with myself at Horse Neck two months, when we were dis- charged I left him at Horse neck,
I also remember that in the year 1779, I was at Fairfield & New Milford & Stamford  one of these places and saw Zebedee Sturtevant aforesaid at Fairfield in the service of the United States.
In 1780 I was once in the service of the united States at the Red Mills New York State. under Capt.  Carter. Major Sethus Hatch & think I saw the said Sturtevant (but am not positive). in the said service I

Sturtevant that he is a man whose reputation for truth & veracity is good. —
Augustine Groot
State of Connecticut } Probate Court Hartford County } District of Kent ss at Kent —
Be it remembered that on this 31 st day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared Augustine Groot, subscriber to the foregoing deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same. The said Groot is a credible witness and in truth a good character for truth & veracity. In open Court
Frederick Chittenden
Clerk of Court

I Samuel Haves of Warren. Litchfield County, State of Connecticut, aged Eighty years being duly sworn - doth depose and say that I enlisted in the Company of Capt Ebenezer Cook, & Regiment commanded by Col. Herman Knapp within a day or two of the time, Lebedee Sturtevant of Kent, in said County, enlisted into the same company, and that he the said Sturtevant enlisted into said company the 1 st day of May A D 1776 or within a few days of that time and he remained & was in the service of the United States six months possibly seven months. I am confident he served as long as six months. I was with him in the same company all the time, went by Bennington to Skeensborough, then called, now called White Hall, after remaining at White Hall about three months he moved to Mount Independence, Ticonderoga, and there remained until we were discharged.
I well remember that at a sub- sequent period the said Lebedee Sturtevant

was an enlisted soldier at the time of the Surrender of Genl. Burgoyne at Sara- toga. and saw him there. I was not in the same Company or Regiment with him at that time, but knew him well as we had served more than six months together before that time.
I know that the said Thaxter was in the Service at the Battle on Bemis' Heights when the British were carried at the point of the Bayonet, 7 th Octr. 1777.
Daniel Hawes
State of Connecticut } Litchfield County } ss. Probate Court District of Kent, now sitting this 31 st day of July A D 1832.
I Frederick Chittenden Clerk of the Court of Probate for said District hereby certify that the foregoing Deposition of Daniel Hawes who sustains a good character for truth & is a credible witness, was subscribed and sworn to by him in Open Court before Nathaniel P. Perry Esq. Judge of said Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the day & year above written.
Frederick Chittenden Clerk of said Court.

5075
Hebelee Nurdwan 6, t
Admit
21 Mo pri
$68.32.
Nathaniel B. Perry
Kent Can

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 tabular 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. Those 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 Hebedee Sistravant , 66
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1 st July 1776 end 3 ✓ Private Col Beecher 71 Born in Litchfield 67   1 st May 1776 end 6 ✓ " Col Swift enlisted in same "   Aug 1777 " about 3 ✓ " Shipman Woodbridge and now lives there "   12 th 1778 " " 3 ✓ " Col Mead 4 surviving witnesses prove   July 1779 end 3 ✓ " Col Mansfield exup 1779 they are all credited   Aug 1780 " " 3 ✓ " Col " " exup one   Certificate of two citizens   the applicant says there is no   clergyman un---  
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 days 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.
[e] 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

1911, Feb. 21 Hist. W Mr. David Sturtevant.
Revised
14615 INVALID.
File No. H. 615
Geo. Lee Sturtevant Prin. Rev. was
Act: June 7th 1832.
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 361
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Treasury Dept May 8. 1838 Respectfully referred to the Secretary of War
3862 9 May '38.
Pension Office.
Rev. Stoneham
Mr Levi Woodbury Esq. Secretary of War Washington D.C.
hastily May 8th
& Rec com
L. 444 May 8

Sir:
Castile 30 th April 1838.
When I read your letter the other day, I could not refrain from thinking, that you wish to try me, whether I yet retain any of the dauntless courage which knew of no giving back, till the enemies of our Country were subdued. & this may be well enough, if you do not, in this way, compel me to earn once more, what I have, at so great a sacrifice, earned already. In framing the law for paying those who obtained the freedom of our country from British dominion Congress considered it an act of justice that we should have such pensions as our wages & annuities were, under which we enlisted in the war of the Revolution. Now what case can be clearer than my claim? There was a very hazardous enterprize, five hundred miles away, & in the enemies country. For this reason more was offered, as none could be induced to go for the common wages, & part was even paid in advance. Now if those who guarded the sea ports & fortifications &c near home, & seldom saw much danger, should be paid their 2 d per month for which they enlisted, should I not have all that I agreed to take when I enlisted, when the campaigns in which I engaged were the most hazardous in all the revolutionary war? I think the case can not admit of a doubt. The framers of the law rightly judged, that services would be paid for, somewhat in proportion to the sacrifice required in performing them, & that pensions should be apportioned accordingly. on this alone I found my claim. I ask it not as a boon from government; but a debt which is due for what I then sacrificed for our country.

I would here remind you that the first ground you took was, a doubt about the veracity of my witnesses. Now you seem to think you can make out the case from the records. And if you will procure the records on which these transactions are placed for which I claim ten dollars per month, you will then have testimony that is relevant, & such as I would be glad to have you produce. If I am not much mistaken you may find these records in Hartford box, & that the pay was not merely nominal , but actual, & that there was "discrimination made" in the pay of the same grade. It is well known that the continental currency was a general possession of the States, & it soon depreciated everywhere & became entirely nominal. The credit of this currency may have continued longer in one place than another I grant, the same as a bank or individual may be in good credit, till it is known that it or he is insolvent. But what could that have to do with the case before us? The pay of the soldier was not increased as the currency became of less value. & this is one reason why congress at so late a date, have deemed it just, that those who fought our country's battles, should have something valuable instead of the worthless scraps of paper, which they got when their services were completed. you say "the case you allude to stands upon its own proof, & merits." & if that case is established by proof, mine can not fall. & if merit is necessary, I think I must succeed. Which would you consider most meritorious, for one to hide himself in a black-

smiths-shop & there witness the sparks playing around the hammer of Vulcan, which effect nothing more than sometimes singeing the nap on the clothes of the Stander by, but never penetrate the skin, or break a bone; or one who stems a torrent of musket-balls, who rushes upon the point of the sword & bayonet, or who mounts the rampart where the cannon are pouring forth streams of death? I think if keeping one's self out of danger is meritorious, than he has it on his side; but if placing one's self in the way of harm to benefit others, is more so, than I may boast that if that case has merit, mine has it ten fold.
Such is the law, & such are the facts. & as you are the pensioner's friend, as well as the guardian of the treasures of government, just place side by side this more & these facts which I have produced, & I think you can have no more scruples of conscience, in allowing my claim.
With respect yours Per Lebedee Sturtevant Wm H. Snyder
Referred to Com D. L. W

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
County of Genesee
38.
On this sixteenth day of February 1838, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Genesee personally appeared Sebedee Sturtevant who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Ebenezer Lough in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Almon Swift in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Connecticut from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State (District, or Territory,) of New York where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from the State of Connecticut to the State of New York As wit his Children from in number have removed from Connecticut to New York with whom it was his wish to pass the last of his days.
Sebedee Sturtevant
Sworn and subscribed to before me, } the day and year aforesaid. }
John D. Landon Justice Peace
☞ The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
☞ The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath, is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.
☞ In every case where the Clerk of the Court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should be sent with the papers.
☞ Mode of authenticating papers.—In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officers who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small 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.

State of New York Genesee County
William H. Snyder Minister of the Gospel being duly sworn makes oath and saith that he is well acquainted with Zebedee Sturtevant and that the said Zebedee Sturtevant whose name is attached to the within Affidavit is the identical Zebedee Sturtevant described in the said Affidavit.
Sworn & subscribed before me on the 16 th day February 1838
John D. Landon Justice Peace W m H. Snyder
I hereby certify that I am personally and well acquainted with W m H. Snyder whose name is attached to the above Affidavit of identity, and that the said William H. Snyder is the a person of good character and reputation.
Dated at Castile the 16 th day of February 1838
John D. Landon Justice Peace Genesee County
State of New York Genesee County
vs. I, Horace M. Soper, Clerk of said County do certify that John D. Landon before whom the annexed and foregoing affidavits purport to have been taken, was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized by law to take the same and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signatures above subscribed are his hand writing.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this 20 th February 1838.
H. M. Soper Clerk

Trans. Dept. Jan 29. 1838 Respectfully referred to the Secretary of War
1769 Jan 31. 38
3
Pension Office.
Mr Swan
Southwick Jan 3 Jan 4-50
Mr. Secy. Woodbury the of War Washington City D.C.
JB
St. 223 Jan 29 Pension War Dept

Dear Sir
Castile Genesee N.Y. 17 th Jan y 1838
The subscriber wishes to state that he has removed to New York, from Connecticut See the date above, & requests you to send his pension to Albany. You will please point out the particular course to be pursued in obtaining the transfer as he is at a loss whether he must send his certificate to you or not. The removal was made last October, & it is desirable that it may be so arranged that the draught in March next may be made in Albany. My certificate is "recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E Vol. 3. Page 40 by E D Bulloch Clerk"
To Edward Thur Levant
Referred to New York

Mar 29
Ev.
J. S. Edwards Esq., Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Pension Agency Hartford 26. March 1835.
Sir.
In answer to your enquiry as to what time Zebedee Sturtivant a pensioner on the Roll of this Agency under the act of 7 June 1832 at $68 32 / 100 Dollars per annum was last paid I have to inform you that he has been paid to the 14 th of September 1835.
I am Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant Sam l Titkin. Agent.
A. S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington.

The Sturtevant Coal Company MINER'S AGENT AND DISTRIBUTOR OF Anthracite and Bituminous Coal. DAVID STURTEVANT.
TELEPHONES: MAIN { 5934 { 5935
101 STATE ST. ROOMS 1100-1101 35 Congress St.
PO. BOX 3194
Boston, Feby 14. 1919 Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,
I am endeavouring to find out, if possible whether there was a certain Captain in the war of the rebellion of the name of Zebidee Sturtevant, for I am told that he was pensioned.
If you find on the records that this is a fact, do you suppose it will show, who his father was.
Zebidee was my Grandfather but I am baffled to trace his

paternal ancestor.
I have examined all other channels of information and your office seems to be my only source left.
If this can be done without making too much demand upon your valuable time it will be greatly appreciated by "yours truly
David Sturtevant 35 Congress St Boston Mass.
Feb. 20, 1911.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., _____, 190____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of _____ a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. Zabedee Guttervank, S. 14,615
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Jan. 1, 1776 2 mos. Pvt. Bazleed Beebe Ward Conn.   May 1, 1776 7 mos. Ebenezer Couch Heman Swift   Aug. 1777 3 mos. Benjamin Shipman Woodbridge Thaddeus Cook   Jan. 1, 1778 3 mos. Peter Mills Samuel Canfield Mead   July 1779 3 mos. Peter Mills Samuel Canfield   Aug. 1780 3 mos. Joseph Cartis Samuel Canfield  
Battles engaged in, both battles of Bruns Heights; slightly wounded in first. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hart, Litchfield Co., Conn. Date of application for pension, July 31, 1832 - His ch. was al. Residence at date of application, Hart, Conn. Age at date of application, b. Hart Conn. May 19, 1758.
Remarks: In 1838 soldier's P.O. address was Castle Gracie Co. N.Y. and his four children names not stated, resided in said state. No further information as to family. The above is the only soldier of that name found on the rolls of this Bureau.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

I Stephen Hine of New Milford in Litchfield County and State of Connecticut of Lawful age testify and say that I was an enlisted soldier in the Company of Benjamin Shipman Capt. and in the Regiment of Col. Cook and that I was at the Battle on Bemas' Heights at the taking of Burgaine in the year 1777 at Saratoga that said Company were enlisted for two or three months and I also testify that Lebedee Sturtevant of Kent in said County was a soldier in said company and was in the above battles fought on the 19 th day of September and 7 th of October 1777 at the taking of Burgaine In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in New Milford this 7 th day of Feby. 1832 and further this deponent saith not.
Stephen Hine
In New Milford Feby 7 th 1832
Personally appeared Stephen Hine the above deponent and made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me
Nathan Slosson Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut } Probate Court, Litchfield County } District of Kent, } ss at Kent
This Certifies that Nathan Slosson who subscribed the foregoing at the time of taking said Deposition was and now is Justice of the Peace for the County of Litchfield and that the signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature -
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 6 th day of August A 1832.
Frederick Whittenden Clerk of Court

1844
Apr 17, 1838.
Pension office
D.G. Sturtevant & Leppo.
Ms. A. 9. 2. 17 S 390 War Dept.
Andrew Woodbury Secretary of War Washington D.C. H3

Castleton 8 th April 1838
Dear Sir
You have sent me a transfer from Hartford to Albany of my pension business for which I give you thanks. & now I wish to take up the matter which was left unfinished when I first obtained my pension. By referring to your records you will find, that I claimed Six Dollars Sixty six cents per month, for four campaigns, & Ten Dollars per month for two campaigns, the two last making ten months. The law I have from under the hand of Lewis Cass who was then Secretary of War, stating, that just as much as I received for the time I served, the same I was entitled to as a pensioner. Agreeable to that act I put in my claim for ten Dollars for the two campaigns as above, in one of which I enlisted for Canada, & the other for taking Burgain. You directed me to prove that such were my wages. This I did by Samuel Haws, Josiah Finney, & Eliphabet Johnson, men of unimpeachable veracity. To this you replied that it was so long since, that these witnesses might be mistaken. & why not all our statements about 76, & thereabout be mistakes, & so give out no pensions at all? I myself remember more about the doings of 76, & 77, than any other two years of my life, & I have no doubt it is the same with my witnesses. At any rate, the unequivocal statement, under oath, of three reputable men, ought not to be set aside, by a surmise of one, at so great a distance from them, unless he had good ground on which to found suspicion. If you wish me to prove their veracity as witnesses, I am willing to do so by a host of their acquaintances. & perhaps I may remove all doubts on this point, from your mind, by a word from Anson Sterling, who has been a member of Congress, & can tell whether my witnesses can be relied upon for truth or not. That you should hesitate in my case seems the more strange, when one of my neighbor's Joseph Segre, obtained his demand above the common wages without the least difficulty. You may ask why I have suffered this matter to rest so long? In answer I might state many reasons, which to me, seem to be of no consequence. It was nothing that I conceived to be a legal bar against receiving all I claim. Most I can say is, that I have neglected it till now. & now having leisure, & the opportunity requisite I would hereby request you to look to your records, & weigh the evidence on which my claim is founded. If I can at all understand the language of the act, then I am as much entitled to ten Dollars

per month for ten months, as I am to Six Dollars Sixty Cents which I now receive. & if Testimony is needed to establish the veracity of my witnesses; or any other way to make good my claim; or if I do not apprehend the meaning of the Act please indulge me by letting me know, & laying me under renewed obligations for kindness from you.
As Joseph Legros obtained the addition to his wages by going out of the ranks to a Bellows Staff. & I ask mine because so much was offered, to induce me with others to enlist in two of the most perilous campaigns of the Revolutionary War.
With much esteem I remain yours L. de la Courbe
Respectfully refer to Genl. Scott W

Ref d to Camp Purnins
Castleton NY March 10
Mr Enam
Free State Zebulon
Mr Levi Woodberry Esq r Secretary of War Washington. District C ol

10 th March Castile Genesee Co. N. Y.
Dear Sir If you act on the within & make the transfer, please give Mr Sturtevant notice in this place so that he may send for the amount.
Your's
for Mr Sturtevant W m H. Snyder