Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19,357, for Stephen Shepard, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Shepard, Stephen or Shepherd
N 19357 B.L.Wt. 1018-100
Prudence
CONTENTS

✓ (677) Massachusetts
Stephen Shepherd Shepard Private 4 Pension w th 77-6 m th
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 14 th of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd of May 1818 and sent to Hon. Edward Bangs, Worcester, Mass.
Arrearages to 4 th Sept r 1818 4 months 21/30 $ 37.60
{ Revolutionary claims, } { Act 18th March, 1818, }
Continued
Williamstown, Mass. 1820
See let 13 Sept 1838 Jacob Wales
Notification sent to Abijah Bigelow Esq r 17 th Sep 1820.
Worcester Mass

1975 Massachusetts
Ref.
Prudine Shepard
Mass widow of Stephen Shepard who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of Sep. 1843 and sent to L. A. Stone Boston, Mass.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 1, Page 53.

— 1078 —
Stephen Sheppard
(private)
7 th Regt. Mass: line
1079. Annulled
Warrant issued Jan y . 12. 1822.
Genl. D. Parker —

It appears by the Records of the Town of Acton County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts that "Stephen Shepard with Prudence Adams both of Acton were married by the Rev Moses Adams August the twenty ninth one thousand seven hundred and eighty six
I Joseph W. Tuttle do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the Records in the Town of Acton with the exception of the date which is in plain legible figures as follows August 29 th 1786
I Joseph W. Tuttle do hereby depose and say that I am Town Clerk of the Town of Acton County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that I have in my possession all the records belonging to the said Town of Acton & that the above is a true copy of Record with the exception above named
Acton August 4 th 1838
Joseph W. Tuttle } Town Clerk of The Town of Acton
August 4 1838 Middlesex ss Then the above named Joseph W. Tuttle Town Clerk personally appeared and made oath that the above certificate & record is just & true

Acton August 4 th 1838
Joseph W. Tuttle } Town clerk of The Town of Acton.
August 4 1838 Middlesex ss
Then the above named Joseph W. Tuttle, Town clerk personally appeared and made oath that the above certificate & record is just & true
Before Me Francis Tuttle } Justice of the peace

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th July 1838. entitled "an. Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows."
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss
On this ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before Sara Bartow Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County of Worcester. The Widow Prudence Shepard a resident of Phillipston in said County aged eighty two 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 th 1838. entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows:" That she is the widow of Stephen Shepard late of said Phillipston deceased. who was a private Soldier in the Revolutionary war and who was a pensioner under the act of Congress passed 1818. She further declares that her maiden name was Prudence Adams and that she was married to the said Stephen Shepard in the Town of Acton in the County of Middlesex and State aforesaid August the twenty ninth seventeen hundred and eighty six by the Rev d Moses Adams then a Minister of said Acton. She further says at the time of her marriage she and her husband the said Shepard were both residents of said Acton and continued to reside in said Acton untill the year 1798 if then moved to said Phillipston where she has resided ever since. She further declares that her

husband the said Stephen deceased at said Phillipston the fourth day of July eighteen hundred and thirty one and that she has remained his widow ever since and for the particular proof of her said husband's services she respectfully refers to the rooks in the war department and to the evidence filed with her said husband's application at the time he obtained his pension under the act of Con- gress passed 1818. She further declares that she was not married prior to the said service but was married previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, to wit at the time above stated.
Respectfully I have the honor to submit the day before also written before me
Mr. Nathan Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester

Stephen Shipyard priv T. M. Muffin Pkg W. 10th St No 1078
No 1019 - annulled

fe No 11.582 fe 11.582
State of Massachusetts } June 21 - 1821 County of Worcester. }
I, Stephen Shepard aged Twenty one years, a citizen of the United States, do, upon oath, testify and declare, that, in the year one thousand seven hundred and Seventy seven I enlisted in the army of the Revolution, against the common enemy of my country, for the term of "during the war," and served in the company commanded by William H Ballard and in the regiment No. six under command of Colonel John S. Hovey  Thomas Nickson of the Massachusetts line; and that I continued in the service aforesaid until the close of the war, in seventeen hundred and eighty-three, when I was regularly discharged from the Twelfth regiment, commanded by Colonel John Braddock
My discharge is now lost or mislaid, so that I cannot produce it to corroborate the above statement. I further declare, that I have never received a warrant for the Bounty Land promised to me on the part of the United States; nor have I ever assign- ed or transferred my claim to that gratuity in any manner whatsoever: therefore Know all men by these presents, that I, Stephen Shepard aforesaid, do hereby constitute and appoint   Daniel Parker Esq of the county of  Washington . and state of  District of Columbia to be my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States, or of such other person as is duly authorised to issue and deliver the same, a warrant for the quantity of Land due to me as aforesaid, and to sign a receipt or acquittance therefor; and my said attorney is hereby fully authorised and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him, for the special purposes above expressed.
Attest, Oliver Powers  Stephen Shepard
I, Ebenezer Edwards aged Sixty five years, a citizen of the United States, do, upon oath, declare, that I have been long acquainted with Stephen Shepard who has subscribed the above declaration in my presence, and well know that he is the identical person he therein represents himself to be; and, further, I know that he did perform the mi- litary service therein stated. Ebenezer Edwards
Attest, Oliver Powers 
In testimony that the abovewritten Oliver Powers was a magistrate authorised to administer oaths, and take acknowledgments, &c. in the state of Massachusetts at the above date, and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have hereunto affixed the county seal, and subscribed my name and quality, at Worcester this thirteenth day of December 18 21 .
Abijah Bigelow Clerk, of the Judicial Courts in the county of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

fe No 11.582 fe 11.582
State of Massachusetts } June 21 - 1891 County of Worcester. }
I, Stephen Shepard aged Seventy one years, a citizen of the United States, do, upon oath, testify and declare, that, in the year one thousand seven hundred and Seventy seven , I enlisted in the army of the Revolution, against the common enemy of my country, for the term of "during the war," and served in the company commanded by William H Ballard and in the regiment No. six under command of Colonel Thomas Nickerson of the Massachusetts line; and that I continued in the service aforesaid until the close of the war, in seventeen hundred and eighty-three, when I was regularly discharged from the Ninth regiment, commanded by Colonel John Baddock
My discharge is now lost or mislaid, so that I cannot produce it to corroborate the above statement. I further declare, that I have never received a warrant for the Bounty Land promised to me on the part of the United States; nor have I ever assign- ed or transferred my claim to that gratuity in any manner whatsoever: therefore Know all men by these presents, that I, Stephen Shepard aforesaid, do hereby constitute and appoint Daniel Parker Esq of the county of  Worthington  and state of  District of Columbia to be my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States, or of such other person as is duly authorised to issue and deliver the same, a warrant for the quantity of Land due to me as aforesaid, and to sign a receipt or acquittance therefor; and my said attorney is hereby fully authorised and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him, for the special purposes above expressed.
Attest, Oliver Powers  Stephen Shepard
I, Ebenezer Edwards aged Sixty five years, a citizen of the United States, do, upon oath, declare, that I have been long acquainted with Stephen Shepard who has subscribed the above declaration in my presence, and well know that he is the identical person he therein represents himself to be; and, further, I know that he did perform the mi- litary service therein stated. Ebenezer Edwards
Attest, Oliver Powers Waverly
Before me, Stephen Shepard personally appeared the above named subscriber to the foregoing declaration, and in my presence acknowledged the power of attorney thereto subjoined to be his free act and deed; and, likewise, personally appeared Ebenezer Edwards Esq of Temple who hath subscribed the above certificate of identity, both to me well known to be men of respectability and truth, and made solemn oath to the truth of the depositions by them respectively subscribed, this twenty first day of June 18 21 Oliver Powers Justice of the Peace.

Steph n Shepherd. Phillipston.
14 Apr.
✓

State of Massachusetts County of Worcester Stephen Shepard a Citizen of the United States, now resident at Whitpton Worcester in the County of Worcester in the State aforesaid, do on oath testify and declare, that in the War of the Revolution, on in March A D 1777
I entered and was engaged in the land service of the United States on the continental establishment, and served accordingly from that time to the 21 st day December A D 1783
as a private & 2 nd m. sergeant against the common enemy, without any interrup- tion or absence: that I belonged to the man camp in  the staff of Col. Henry Dackey's regiment
and that I left the service on the 21. December A D 1783
and that, by reason of my reduced circumstances in life and poverty, I stand in need of assistance from my country for support, being now of the age of 68 years
And I hereby relinquish all claims to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States, if any may be or hath been so allowed.
Stephen Shepard
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this 14 th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen Eighteen pursuant to a law of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," made and passed on the 18 th of March, A. D. 1818, personally appeareth before me, Edw d Bangs one of the Judges of the C. C. of Common Pleas, for the Western Circuit of the State comprising the County of Worcester the abovenamed Stephen Shepard and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth, he maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid, and subscribes the same in my presence; and, on examination du- made by me the said Judge, it appeareth to my satisfaction that the said declaration is true.
Given under my Hand and the Seal of said Court, the day of the date aforesaid.
Edw d Bangs

Stephen Shepard.
677
may 1818
entd for 18
1822
CM

Schedule of the Estate of Stephen Shepard of Phillipston in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Applicant for a Pension under the Act of Congress of May 1. 1890.
   1 bow valued at $20. 1 looking Glass ..25.   1 Surn 5.. 5 Glass Bottles @ 6 ..30   1 Iron Bar 75. 6 knives & forks ..10   2 Hoes ..25. 4 milk pams @ 12 1/2 ..50   1 Axe ..50. 3 Earthen pots 6 3/4 ..20   1 pair andirons 1.50. 3 pails @ 17 ..50   Trammels & Crane ..50. 1 Grindstone ..25   1 Iron pot ..25. 1 scorching Iron ..50   1 dish kettle & tea set @ 50 1.00. 1 Auger ..25.   1 coffee pot ..25. 1 Chest with 2 drawers ..50   part of a set of tea dishes & plates ..50. 1 Wash tub ..50   10 Spoons ..50. 6 Chairs @ 30 1.80   2 mugs ..10. 2 Tables @ 50 1..   1 jug ..15. Shovel & tongs 1..   2 Tumblers ..10. 1 draw shave ..10   1 Platter ..40. Total $39.50  
I am a cordwainer by trade, but for 5 years last past, have been unable to labour on account of a broken shoulder. My shoe-making tools I gave up to my son 4 years ago being unable to work them. My wife aged 63. is a weakly woman. She is able to labour some, but is never expected to be able to do but little. I live with my son without when assistance, I could not get a comfortable subsistence for myself and wife even with the help of my pension.
Stephen Shepard

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this tenth day of July 1820, personally appeared in open Court, before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record, within and for said County of Worcester, established as such by the laws of said Commonwealth, Stephen Shepard aged seventy years, resident in Phillipston. in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: In the Company commanded by Capt. Jos. Butler in the Regiment commanded by Col. John Nixon in the Massachusetts line this January first 1776, for 1 year - discharged in New York. In January 1777 I enlisted in the Comp y commanded by Capt. Ballant, and Reg t commanded by Col. Ichabod Alden in Mass. Since during the war discharged in the year 1783 in the State of New York. My original declaration was made at Worcester on the 14 th day of April 1818, and the pension certificate obtained was No. 677; -
and I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Stephen Shepard.
Sworn to and declared, on the tenth day of July. 1820. before the said Court.
Attest, Abijah Bigelow. Clk.
I, ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, holden within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule, is thirty nine dollars and fifty cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this tenth day of July 1820.
Abijah Bigelow. Clerk of the Court for the County of Worcester.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19357 Prudence Shepherd widow of Stephen Shepherd Pri Rev was
Act: March 3 d 48
Index:—Vol. M , Page 208
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Massachusetts
Prudence Shepard Shepard widow of Stephen Shepard, deceased who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 Mar. 18. and who died on the 4th July, 1831 - of Worcester Co. the State of Mass: - who was a private in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt: - commanded by Col: Jackson - in the Mass: - time for _____ year, -
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 80 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, & commences on the 14th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15th day of May 1839 and sent to Jacob Wales, Baldwinville Mass:
Arrears to the 14th of Mar. 1839 $240.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 40 40 -
$280.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by M. Stuart Clerk, Book 1 - Vol. 1 - Page 130 -
X See letter to J. Wales, June 13, 1839

12 BY THE HONOURABLE MAJOR-GENERAL KNOX,
Commanding the AMERICAN FORCES on Hudson's River.
Stephen Shepard Dr. Major-Lieut.  18 the fourth Massachusetts — Regiment, being inlisted for Three Years, is hereby honourably DISCHARGED from the Service of the United States.
Given in the State of New-York,
at  Thirty  Seventh Day of December
1783
By the General's Command,
Wm. M c Lean
REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment,
Ashton Adj t P.
22

Boston, 24 th June 1823.
Sir,
I forward herewith several affidavits for pensions under the law of 3 rd March last.
very Resp. Yr. Ob t Serv t L. M c Stone
J. L. Edwards Esq r Court of Pensions Washington D.C. }

Baldwinville, N.Y. June 8th
25
Emerson Hon. J. L. Edwards Pension Com ee Washington City
Miss Emerson Providence

Baldwinville June 5 - 1839
Hon. J. L. Edwards Pension Commissioner Sir I am requested by the children of Joseph Emerson late of Royalston deceased, to state to you the following case (to wit) The said Joseph Emor- son was a Pensioner and drew $182.92 per annum he died January 30 - 1837 and left a Widow who drew the arrearage of his pension up to the time of his death, the widow died September 5 - 1837. The said Joseph Emerson was married prior to his leaving the service and the children wish to know whether they are intitled to the pension from Jan'y 30 - 1837 to Sept' 5 - 1837. I am also requested by the widow Prudence Shepard of Phillipston who you issued a Pension certificate to the 15 of May last to inquire of you whether she is intitled to pay from the 4 th of March 1831 to the 4 th of July following under the 2 nd section of the act of 1836 her husband Stephen Shepard was a pensioner under the act of 1818 and died July 4 - 1831 his widow received the arrearage up to the time of his death she now wishes to know whether she is intitled to the above 4 months pay. Also I wish to inquire whether you pay the pension that would have been to a widow under the act of 1836 to her children in cases where the widow died before making her application. please give me an answer to the above enquiries as soon as possible Respectfully yours &c Jacob Walas J. L. Edwards

2266 Purdue Shepherd
$80 per am
L. 16. Store Boston Mass. —

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County
ss
Be it known that on this tenth day of June 1848 personally appeared before me the particular Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Worcester, Mrs. Candence Shepard a resident of Phillipston in said County and Commonwealth aged eighty five years who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her Oath, make the following declaration, in order to claim the benefit of the Provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3rd day of March 1843. Granting Pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the Widow of Stephen Shepard decd. who was a Private in the Revolutionary War, and served as she verily believes, as stated by her in her original declaration for a Pension under the Law of the 7th July 1838, to which declaration and the Papers accompanying the same, now on file in the War Department she would refer for a more particular statement of his services for the proof of her marriage, identity and the time of her Husband's death.
She further declares that she was pensioned under said Act at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum which amount she received from the 1st March 1843 to the 1st March 1848 at the Agency in Boston Massachusetts and at the time of her receiving her last payment surrendered the Pension Certificate granted to her under said Act to the Pension Agent at the said City of Boston agreeably to the Rules of the Department.
And this declarant further alleges that she has not intermarried since the decease of her said Husband but is now and ever since has been the Widow of said Stephen Shepard deceased as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed.
And further she saith not.
Candence her Shepard mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written and I

I certify that the applicant is known to me, to be the person within described. Before me
Oliver Powers Justice of the Peace
Witness to the signature within by me Jason Knight
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston June 21. 1843
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Oliver Powers was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester.
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Jno. A. Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Curtis Powers of Phillipston in the county of Worcester, of lawful age, on oath testify and say, that I have been well acquainted with Eunice Shepard the applicant named in the within declaration for many years last past. I know that she was the wife and is now the widow of Stephen Shepard deceased who was reputed to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and that she was a pensioner under the law of 7 th July 1838, as stated by her. Curtis Powers
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester County, ss. June 13. 1843. Then came Curtis Powers who is known to me to be a credible witness and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is strictly true - Before me
Oliver Powers Justice of the Peace

Silas Stow of Phillipston in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Mas- sachusetts aged fifty five years Do testify and say that I am well acquainted with the widow Prudence Shepard of said Phill- ipston I have lived a near neighbour to her for about forty years I was also well acquainted with her husband Stephen Shepard who was a pensioner under the act of Congress passed 1818 I further say that the said Stephen Shepard deceased in said Phillipston the fourth day of July 1831 I being a nigh neighbour attended his Funeral his widow the said Prudence has remained his widow ever since
Silas Stow Worcester J's Phillipston August 6-1838 subscribed and sworn to before me the day and year above written Jacob Wales justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that from my personal acquaintance with the above named Silas Stow I consider him a man of truth and strict veracity Jacob Wales justice of the Peace

379 W380
Prudence Shepard Massachusetts.
admitted Pr 2 m #80
died 4 July 1831 Paderborn lot.
Jacob Wales Baldwinville Mass Aug 18

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
By His Excellency EDWARD EVERETT , Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said Commonwealth.
To all whom it may concern:
Edward Everett
Know Ye, That Ira Barton Esq is Judge of Probate (and Jacob Waldo Esq is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester), and Francis Smith Esq is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commission- ed, and that to their Acts and Attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court, and the within attestations are in due form (and by the proper Officers).
In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the Public Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, this ninth day of August, A. D. 1835; and in the Sixty third Year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency the Governor.
John P. Bigelow Secretary of the Commonwealth.