Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15403, for Ephraim Sturtevant, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Sturtevant, Ephraim Abigail
W 15403
CONTENTS

3655 Massachusetts
Ephraim Hurlbut of Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Washburn of the Regt. commanded by Col. Gerrish in the Mass line for 9 months
The certificate issued in lieu of one dated Decr. 28. 1832
Cancelled
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of Oct 1833 and sent C. 10. Lords Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $ 75.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 31 - 15.00
28 Dec 1832 $90.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. Addison Clerk, Book Vol. 24 Page 83

No 59
REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this eighth — day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate now sitting at Middleborough within and for said County of Plymouth, Ephraim Sturtevant a resident of North Bridgewater in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Sixty nine 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. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated
That in July 1778 he enlisted in the company under command of Capt. Abram Washburn, Samuel Bartlett 1st Lt. Elijah Amos 2nd Lt. for the term of six months - said company belonged to Col. Gerrish Regiment, and that he served said term in said company at Boston and Nantasket, Mass. That he was mustered at Boston 2nd October by Andrew Brown, Deputy Muster Master.
And he declares that he served the full period of six months and had no written discharge. That he was born in the year 1763 at Plympton in the County of Plymouth, and at the time of said service lived in said Plympton, and that his birth is recorded in the town books of that town. That he now lives in North Bridgewater, where he has lived the last fifty years. That he is known to the inhabitants generally of the last named

REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF ————— ss.
On this day personally appeared in open Court before and for said County of Plymouth resident of in said County of Plymouth and Commonwealth years, who being first duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of an act passed June 1, 1833, for the relief of on error, does hereby request to a portion of the pension now due and declared that his name is not on the pension roll of the army of the United States. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and
town and especially to Joseph Sylvester and Seth Edson Esqrs of that town. The Rev. Mr. Huntington is unable to attend the Court. Ephraim Spearwater
Sworn to and subscribed in Plymouth Court this day
4 year aforesaid
Attest Geo. H. Lord Register

We, Joseph Sylvester a clergyman , residing in the town of North Bridgewater and Seth Edson residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well ac- quainted with Ephraim Sturtevant who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Joseph Sylvester who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman , resident in the town of North Bridgewater and that Seth Edson who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By order of the Court, Attest
Jacob H. Lord Register
I, Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ephraim Sturtevant for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
Jacob H. Lord

I Leavitt Thayer of West Bridge in the County of Plymouth, and State of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say, that I have known Ephraim Sturtevant of North Bridge water, in the County aforesaid for fifty years past. In the month of spring of the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy seven, said Ephraim Sturtevant entered into the service of the United States in the war of the revolution and did service there in for three full months at Boston in Massachusetts in a Company commanded by Abner Grane, and Regiment. I did service at Boston during the same period, and recollect perfectly well, that Ephraim Sturtevant did the service as I have stated -
Leavitt Thayer
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss. July 23 d 1832 Personally appeared the above named Leavitt Thayer and made oath to the truth of the declarations by him subscribed. And I further certify that I am personally acquainted with said Defendant and he is considered and reported to be a person of truth and veracity Eliab Whitman Jus. of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth being a Court of Record do hereby cer- tify that Eliab Whitman Esquire before whom the within affi- davit was made is a justice of the Peace and that his name there subscribed is his true & proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said Court this eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty two.
Jacob H. Lord
Stephen 4682

2963
Recd.
X
Massachusetts
Abigail Sturtevant - widow of Ephraim Sturtevant, decd: who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June, 1832. and who died on the 29 August - 1834 - of Plymouth in the State of Mass: who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Washburn of the Regt - commanded by Col: Gerrish in the Mass: Milia line for 9 months -
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 30 - Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of May 1839 and sent to J. H. Lord, Plymouth, Mass. -
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1839 $90.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. - 15.00
$105.00
{ Act July 7, } { 1838. }
Recorded by M c Stewart Clerk, Book 2 Vol 1 - Page 131

3581
Abigail Sturtevant wid of Ephraim
Mass
At July 7 1838
Married 1791
Died 1834
Allan $30 pr
Am. Mch Militia-
Coat Warbler
Col. Gerrit
I H Lord
Plymouth Mass

State of Massachusetts Plymouth County } ss.
On this ninth day of November Eighteen hundred thirty-eight, personally appeared before the Hon- =orable Wilkes Wood, Esquire, Judge of the court of Probate in and for the county of Plymouth aforesaid, Abigail Sturtevant, a resident of North Bridgewater in the county of Plymouth aforesaid, aged seventy one years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7. 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows". That she is the widow of Ephraim Sturtevant, late of said North Bridge- =water, deceased, who was a private soldier in the Army of the Revolution, and according to the best of her knowledge & belief served nine months in said army, for which service he obtained a Pension of the United States under the Act of June 7. 1832, and for proof of said service she would respectfully refer to the evi- =dence thereof on the files in the Pension Office of the United States.
She further declares that she was married to the said Ephraim Sturtevant on the tenth day of November in the year one Thousand seven hundred and ninety-one; that her husband the aforesaid Ephraim Sturtevant died on the twenty eighth day of August Eighteen hundred thirty-four; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the

marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred ninety-four, viz: at the time above stated.
She further declares that she still remains the widow of the aforesaid Ephraim Sturtevant, and that she has not been married since his decease. Abigail Sturtevant
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written before me And I certify that the Declarant by reason of age and bodily infirmity, is unable to attend a Court to make her declaration.
Wilkes Wood Judge of Probate

I, Jese Perkins of North Bridgewater in the county of Plymouth & State of Massachusetts, of lawful age, do testify and say that from my earliest childhood I knew Ephraim Sturtevant of North Bridgewater aforesaid: I also know that said Ephraim Sturtevant was a Pensioner of the United States, and that he died in the latter part of August 1834, leaving his wife, Abigail, a widow; and I also know that said Abigail still remains the widow of said Ephraim Sturtevant, and has not been married since his decease
Jese Perkins
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss November 9 th 1838 Personally appeared the above named Jese Perkins a person well known to me and is a man of good reputation and a credible witness and made solemn oath to the above affidavit and signed the same
Wilbur Wood Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Plymouth

Plymouth Co. I Jacob H Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Hon. Willes Wood is Judge of Probate for said County & that the signa- tures to the annexed affidavits purporting to be signed by him are his true & genuine signatures
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & the Seal of the Court of Probate for said County this first day of December 1838.
Jacob H. Lord

4682
Ephraim Sturtevant
Prob
6/10
9 mos at mile
$20
J. H. Lord E Waverly Mass

BRIEF in the case of Ephraim Sturtevant of Plymouth City in the State of Mass - (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 84 years  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.     In 1778 July 6 — privt Gen. Capt. A. Washburn  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Plymouth City  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence, living witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct — 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

Ephraim Stewart Mch al 1832 $30. when paid? AH (in 1834)
Decr 29 th Augt. 1834 paid to that period SH

3655
Massachusetts
Ephraim Sturtevant
B Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Washburn of the Reg t commanded by in the Mass time for 6 mos
Our letter 17 Sept 1883 to Eliab Whittman Esq
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of Dec 1832 and sent to South Worcester Mass
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $30 — Semi-annual allowance ending 21 Mar 33 10 —
$40 —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H S Blain Clerk, Book D — Vol. 2 nd Page 83.

Map
Re WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15403
Abigail Sturtevant Widow of Ephraim Sturtevant Per Rev War
Act: July 1 th 88
Index:—Vol. M , Page 245
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Plymouth
Clerks-Office October 25 th , 1838.
I John B. Thomas Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County of Plymouth aforesaid hereby certify, that it appears of record in this Office, that on the tenth day of November in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety one, Ephraim Sturtevant and Abigail Howard both of Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth were married in Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth by the Rev d John Porter.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for the said County of Plymouth on the day and year aforesaid.
John B. Thomas

War Department Pension Office September 17. 1833
In In reply to your letter respecting the case of Ephraim Harkness. I have to state that the only service set forth in his declaration is that of six months in Col. Gornish's Regiment in 1778. for which service he has been pensioned. It is alleged in your letter that he served a fur- ther term of three months in the same Regiment in 1779. as proof of which he has forwarded the certificate of E. H. Bangs Esq. - Before this service can be allowed he must make an af- fidavit as to the fact of his having so served and his pension certificate must accompany the same when sent to this Office
I am Very Respectfully Yours Mo. Atty. At. J L Edwards
Eliah Whitman North Bridgewater Massachusetts

6
Mr Ephraim Sturtevant
North Bridgewater

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept 26 th 1833.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Ephriam Stirtivant as a private is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. Abner Crane's Company, where he is allowed from Feb y 4 th to May 24 th 1779. three months. — — — 3=
Edward D. Bangs Secy
End.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Ephraim Sturtevant - Plymouth County which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? no IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes
XIV. †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 the 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

Payments to be made at Boston Mass by the Pres d B d Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Mass
Recorded by J H McBlain Clerk, in Book D. Vol. 2 nd page 83.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Ephraim Sturtevant of the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution.
is entitled to receive Twenty _____ dollars and _____ cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Twenty Eighth day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
James Wilson Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards

Pension Documents
Hon. Secretary
United States, Washington
This letter was found on the same day by Mr. Edwards' Room on the 18th of August 1893 B.U.B.
free

State of Mass. Plymouth County. N o Bridgewater
July 19. 1832.
To the Hon. Secretary of War, It will appear from the records of the War Department, that Ephraim Sturtevant of the Town of North Bridgewater aforesaid, has a Pension Certificate dated the 28 th day of Dec. 1832 for twenty dollars per annum under the Act of June 7 th 1832. Sturtevant appears pretty well sustained, in saying that some mistake has been made. He supposes, he declared for 9 months - six months in Boston and Nantasket under Capt. Abraham Washburn, and three months in Boston 1779 under Capt. Abner Crane in Col. Gurnish Regiment. He presented also at the Court of Probate for the County, Vouchers for nine months service, namely six months is vouched by a Master's bill signed by Capt. Washburn, and three months by the affidavit of Leavitt Hays. What the state of his his papers are in the War Department, he don't know. He is inclined to believe, and it is quite natural to suppose, that the affidavit of Leavitt Hays was omitted. To supply that supposed deficiency, a Certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth is herewith transmitted. If it should appear, on reviewing the Case, that a mistake has somehow occurred. Will it be proper for the Secretary of War to give a Duplicate Pension Certificate or recall the one in Sturtevant's possession, and issue an original one? If any thing further is required please advise me -
Very respectfully Eliab Whitman Justice Peace

Stewart's Pension Certificate is recorded in Book D. Vol. 2 nd page 83-

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Feb. 9 th , 1833.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that Ephraim Sterivant's name is found on the roll of Capt. Abner Crane, in Col. Gerrish's Regiment, where he is allowed three months' service, doing duty in Boston, in the year 1779.
Edward D. Bangs Secy

Ephraim Sturtevant

I Ephraim Sturtevant of North Bridgewater, County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged nearly seventy years, do on oath declare, that in the War of the Revolution in the year 1778, I did service in Boston and its vicinity as a private for the term of six months, in Col. Gerrish Regiment, for which service, I have been pensioned. I also declare, that in the War of the Revolution in the year 1778, I did three months further service in Boston, in a Company commanded by Abner Doble, and in Col. Gerrish Regiment, as a private. Ephraim Sturtevant
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss Sept. 20. 1833 Personally - appeared the above named Ephraim Sturtevant, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declarations, by him subscribed. And I certify, that I have known said Ephraim Sturtevant for twenty years, and that he is reputed to be a man of truth and veracity. Silas Whitman Justice

Plymouth Co. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Eliab Whitman Esquire is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that the within signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office, this Sixteenth day of October A.D. 1853
Jacob H. Lord

Mass for increase of Pen
FREE
James L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington D.C.

J. L. Edwards Esq
Plymouth Mass. Probate Office Oct. 16. 1833
Sir
I am requested to enclose to you an affidavit of Ephraim Sturtebant for an additional term of service to that for which he is pensioned. The evidence in support of it is also enclosed, as is his Pension Certificate. I understand he has drawn under the Certificate now returned from March 4. 1831 to Sept 4. 1832 of which I suppose you have evidence in your own Department. The additional amount I suppose he will draw from March 4. 1831. if his claim is satisfactorily proved.
With respect
Yours &c
J. H. Lord Register