Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17,416, for Stephen Osborn, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
New York
Osborn, Stephen Grizzle
No. 17,416
CONTENTS

Connecticut 2672
Grizzle Osborn widow of Stephen Osborn
who died on the 28 th October 1822 of Fairfield Dist. in the State of Conn. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Revolution time for 7 months, N.Y.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 th day of June 1837 and sent to Hon. G. Tomlinson, Fairfield, Conn.
Arrears to the 4th of March '39. 186.64 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept. 11.66 $198.30
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 — }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk Book A. Vol. 2. Page 73
Dead Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 1 st April 1838 from 4 th March 1839 to 14 Jan'y 1840 Agent notified 14 th Oct 1840

X1197 Grizzle Osborne Comb and of Stephen
Ref.

State of Connecticut } District of Fairfield } ss
On this 4 th day of February A D 1883 before a Court of Probate held at Fairfield in and for the District of Fairfield in said State of Connecticut and now sitting personally appeared Grizzle Osborne of said Fairfield in said District and State aforesaid aged eighty five years who being 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 4. 1836.
That she is the widow of Stephen Osborn formerly of Fairfield in said District and State, now deceased, and that she and the said Stephen Osborn were legally married on the 17 th day of December A D 1778 by the Rev. Andrew Elliot then the Pastor of the first Congregational Church of Fairfield. That she and her said husband at that time lived in said Fairfield and continued to live in the same place till his decease and that she has lived in the same place ever since. That the said Stephen Osborn died at said Fairfield on the 28 th day of October A D 1822 and that she has remained his widow ever since that period.
And the Declarant further says that previous to her marriage with the said Stephen Osborn she recollects of his being absent on some of service to the city of New York and she believes elsewhere, but she does not know the particular times nor how long - nor under whom he served but she confidently believes he was in service as aforesaid during the years 1776 & 1777. That her recollections are aided by the fact that they were then neighbors and well acquainted with each other and distantly related. And the Declarant further says that after her marriage with the said Stephen she has recollections of his serving in service as being a member of and belonging to a militia company in said Fairfield. That he was out occasionally during times of alarms

and that she distinctly recollects the time that said Fairfield was burned by the British in 1779 and that the then S d Stephen Osborn was in service at that time with the company to which he belonged which Skelburne was com- manded by Capt Elphalet Tharp and the Declarant further says that she is confident that during said War after the time of her said marriage the then S d Stephen Osborn was in service in guarding S d Coast not less than three months and she should say for a much longer time but that from her great age and loss of memory she now cannot recollect nor describe his services, nor has she any documentary evidence in her possession or written discharge of his services nor any other evidence that she knows of except what is hereto attached - and that he always served as a private -
Sworn to and Subscribed Agnes Osborn The day and year aforesaid before Thomas Robinson Judge of Probate for the District of Fairfield
In as the said Court hereby declares its opinion after investigating the matter that the said Stephen Osborn was a soldier of the Revolution and served as is claimed and that Agnes Osborn was legally married to the S d Stephen Osborn on the 17 th day of December 1778 as stated in her declaration and that said Stephen Osborn died at S d Fairfield on the 28 th day of October 1822 and that she has remained his widow ever since that period and this Court further certifies

That said Grizzle Osborn is well known to this Court and that she is a person of good standing in society and that her testimony is fully entitled to credit
Thomas Robinson Judge of Probate for the District of Fairfield
State of Connecticut } (District of Fairfield) I Jeremiah Sturges Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Fairfield do hereby certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings had before said Court in the matter of the application of Grizzle Osborn for a Pension for Services rendered in the Revolutionary War by her deceased Husband Stephen Osborn. and I further certify that Thomas Robinson Esq r before whom said proceedings were had as Judge is now and has been since the 20 th of June last past Judge of said Court duly commissioned and acting as such and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine, and I further certify that Thomas Robinson Esq r before whom the annexed depositions of Ebenezer Osborn, John Osborn and Ruthin Sherwood were taken, and also that Samuel Rowland before whom the annexed Certificate of the Rev d Symon H. Atwater was taken are now both Justices of the Peace for Fairfield County in said State and since the 20 th of June last past have been and are duly commissioned and acting as such. And that the signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine -
in testimony whereof I have hereunto Signed my name and affixed the Seal of said Court in Fairfield this 4 th day of February 1837 -
Jeremiah Sturges Clerk
was out occasionally during most of the war

Fairfield. Conn. Dec. 13 th 1836
"Stephen Osborn and Grizzle Osborn were married Dec 17 th 1778 Pr Andrew Eliot F. D. M."
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the Records of the First Congregational Church in Fairfield Conn.: that said records are kept by the minister  Pastor of said Church: that Mr Eliot was minister  Pastor of said Church at the date of the foregoing extract from the Records: and that said records are now in my possession, as I am present Pastor of said Church. Lyman H. Atwater
State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss. Fairfield December 12. 1836. —
Personally appeared the Rev. Lyman H. Atwater and made oath to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed Before me Samuel Pentance Justice of Peace

I John Osborn of Fairfield in Fairfield County State of Connecticut aged eighty years, being duly cautioned and sworn Do depose and say that early in the Spring of the year 1776 I performed a term of Service to the City of New York in the Company of Capt Eliphalet Tharp of Fairfield and as I think Col Waterbury's Regt and served on that occasion according to my recollections for the full period of two months and I think a little longer that I then was and now am an inhabitant of said Fairfield and at the time aforesaid went from said Fairfield and I further depose and say that Stephen Osborn then of said Fairfield since deceased served with me in the aforesaid Company on the aforesaid Service to the City of New York and served at that time for the full period that I served and the Deponent further says that in the year 1777 I was in Service and served on a tour to Fishkill State of New York and was in Service at that time not less than two months and I think longer and as near as I can recollect I returned home in the latter part of October and I think Lieut Penfield had the charge of said Company to which I belonged. about Capt Tharp's Company and I also recollect that there were at that place one or two Continental Regiments a little below where our Company was but who commanded them I don't recollect and I have personal knowledge that Stephen Osborn aforesaid served with me at that time in the said Company and for the full term that I served was out occasionally during times of alarms

And I further depose and say that in the Summer of the year 1779 I served in the Capt. Phelps Company at the time said Fairfield was burned by the British under Gen Tryon's tour in July of that year and I have personal knowledge that S d Stephen Osborn was in service with me at the same time in said Company, that the British landed and burned S d Fairfield then embarked on board of their ships and proceeded to Norwalk a town a little West of S d Fairfield on the coast and landed and burned said Norwalk to which place the said Company marched and was in service on that occasion and that S d Stephen Osborn and myself served in the same at that time, which said service during the aforesaid events continued about one week and that during aforesaid service we served as privates and that I recollect he also served on Guard on the coast of Fairfield during the war but when or how long I don't recollect as I did not serve with him and further the deponent saith not. Dated at Fairfield the 20 th day of December A D 1836
John Osborn
State of Connecticut } ss Fairfield County }
On this 20 th day of December 1836 Personally appeared John Osborn and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed and I certify that S d John Osborn is a person of fair character and that his testimony is entitled to credit
Thomas Robinson Jr. Peace

I Ebenezer Osborn of Fairfield in Fairfield County and State of Connecticut aged Seventy Seven years being duly cautioned and sworn Do depose and say that in the year 1776 in the summer time I per- formed service in Capt. Elephalet Throop Company of Militia in the City of New York and was there in service till said City was Evacuated by the Americans in the fall of that year that I went from said Fairfield in said Company and I think that at that time Lieut. Penfield had the particular charge of the same on the Tour to New York - and according to my recollec- tions I should say that I served in said Company to & in New York as aforesaid for a period not less than 3 three months. And I have recollection that Stephen Osborn then of said Fairfield now decd. served with me as aforesaid in said Company to and in New York for the full period that I served - and I further depose and say that in 1777 I performed a Tour of service from said Fairfield to & in Fishkill & near there in said Capt. Throop Company, commanded at that time by the Lieut. of Comp. Lieut. Saml. Penfield that I served on that occasion not less than two 2 months and returned home the latter part of October or the first of November, and was in service on the occasion aforesaid at the time Genl. Burgoyne was taken further north, when we left Fairfield we went for the purpose of serving under Genl. Gates against said Genl. Burgoyne and I recollect that there were some Continental Regiments in Barracks below Fishkill a few miles but who the Officers were I don't recollect. and I have personal knowledge that Stephen Osborn aforesaid served with me at that time in said Company of Militia and for the full period that I served - And I further depose and say that in the year 1779 in July I was in service
was out occasionally during times of alarms

in 1 st Capt Thaps Comp y when 1 st Fairfield was burned By the British under Gen Fryon. also at Norwalk a few days after at the time 1 st Norwalk was burned that was had a skirmish in which several were killed at the time the British embarked after burning 1 st Fairfield that I was then in service in 1 st Company belonging to the same five or six days and that 1 st Stephen Osborn then belonged to 1 st Company and served with me at the times 1 st Fairfield and Norwalk was burned under Gen Fryon as aforesaid and served the same length of time that I did Data at Fairfield the 19 th day of October 1836
Ebenezer Osborn
State of Connecticut
Fairfield County } ss Fairfield the 19 th of October 1836
Personally appeared Ebenezer Osborn who subscribed the foregoing Deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same and I certify that said Ebenezer Osborn is a person of good standing in society and that his testimony may be relied upon
Thomas Robinson J st Peace

I Reuben Sherwood of Fairfield in Fairfield County and State of Connecticut aged eighty two years being duly cautioned and sworn do depose and say that in the summer of 1776. I performed a term of service to the City of New York in a company of Militia from said Fairfield commanded I think by Capt. Elephalet Tharp, Col. Wolcotts Regt. and was in service there till said City was evacuated by the American Troops, and according to my recollections I served on that occasion for a period not less than three months when I was discharged - and I have recollection that Stephen Osborn then of Fairfield aforesaid since deceased with me in said Company for the period aforesaid that he went with me from Fairfield and served for the same length of time. And the Deponent further says, that he recollects that said Stephen Osborn also performed service in the Revolutionary War on the sea coast of Fairfield but from old age and loss of memory cannot recollect the precise times nor the duration of his said services and further the Deponent saith not. Subscribed at Fairfield the 19 th day of October A 1836
Reuben Sherwood
State of Connecticut Fairfield County } ss Fairfield the 19 th day of October 1836. Personally appeared Reuben Sherwood who subscribed the foregoing Deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same and I certify that said Reuben Sherwood possesses an indisputable character for truth. Thomas Robinson J d Peace
was out occasionally during times of alarms

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17416
Grizzle Osborn Widow of Stephen Osborn P.O. New York
Act: July 4 th 36
Index:—Vol. M, Page 104
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Oct 7 1840
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Grizelle Osborn late a Pensioner on the Roll of the Hartford Agency, at the rate of twenty three Dollars and thirty three Cents per annum, under the law of the 1 st of July 1836 has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March 1839 to the 14 th of January 1840.
Respectfully yours,
J. Seaver acting Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Elizabeth Osborne and Stephen Conant
James L. Edwards Esq. Com. of Pensions
Attest H. H. H. H. Sept 10-17

Mr Tomlinson asks the attention of Mr Edwards to the enclosed application. Feb. 9. 1837.

Hon. G. Tomlinson Glenfula Hill Count

Southport Jan'y 26 th 1839
Sir
Accompanying the Pension Claim of Mrs. Grizzle Osborn of Fairfield widow of Stephen Osborn dec d under the Act of Congress of 1836 were the Depositions of John Osborn, Ebenezer Osborn, and Reuben Sherwood - according to the minutes I then took of their testimony it appears that John Osborn testified that P o Stephen Osborn served in Capt. Elphalet Tharp's Company in the Spring of 1776 at New York City two months, also in the year 1777 at Fishkill two months - Ebenezer Osborn it appears testified that P o Stephen Osborn served in the summer & fall of 1776 at New York City three months and at Fishkill two months, Reuben Sherwood it appears testified to a service by P o Stephen Osborn at City of New York in summer & fall of 1776 three months making in all seven months service. I understand that objection was made by the Pension Department that a sufficient length of service was not proved to bring it within the Rule, I am under the impression that the service in the Spring and fall of 1776 at New York must have been considered one & the same service or else the Spring service disallowed - I am of opinion that Capt. Tharp went with his Company to New York in

the Spring of 1876 and had supposed that it was generally conceded as being correct and I feel confident that John Osborn who testified to that fact was allowed a Pension for the same service as I think he based his own claim in part on P Service — As you forwarded the said claim to the Pension Department I have been requested to solicit you again to call the attention of the Commissioner of Pensions to P Claims
I am very Respectfully
Your Obedt Servt
Thomas Robinson
Hon. J. Tomlinson
PS I believe I have written to you before this, on the same subject if so and it has not met with your attention this will be of no account,
Yours &
TR

J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm. of Pensions Washington

Hairfield May 14 th 1839
Sir, Your letter in relation to the case of Grizzle Osborn, I sent to Thomas Robinson Esq r , whose letter on the subject, I transmitted to you.
In your communication to me, after stating the case & mentioning your objection to allowing the claim you say, "if, however, it can be shown by satisfactory proof that Capt. Sharp went twice to N. York, between the month of March and September, Mrs Osborn's claim may be allowed". To afford such proof Mr Robinson has taken the enclosed affidavits. It is confidently hoped that they will be considered as proving beyond a reasonable doubt that Capt. Eliphalet Sharp actually went to New York twice,

with the Militia, in the year 1778 & that, with the affidavits already on file, they will cause a favorable decision in the case.
In consequence of the death of Ebenezer Osborn no additional affidavit from him can be forwarded.
From Mr. Robinson's letter herewith transmitted it app that Reuben Sherwood & Ebenezer Osborn testified that Stephen Osborn served, in the summer & fall of 1776, at New York three months & that John Osborn has testified that Stephen Osborn served two months, at New York in the spring of 1776 & two months in the year 1777, at Fishkill - according to the evidence as stated by you & Mr. Robinson & explained

by the enclosed affidavits the aggregate of Stephen Osborn's service is seven months. Why then should not an allowance be made to his widow for that amount of service?
I am very respectfully Your obedient
G. Tomlinson
J. L. Edwards Esq.

May 11
Conn
14 May
G. Osborn Ob. S. S.
Grizzle Widow of Stephen Osborn
Tom. private Rep. in Tenn. private Rep. in $227.33 per a.
Sen. certificate to Hon. J. M. Tomlinson Min. field. Com.
James Edwards Esq. Com. of Pensions Washington City

J. L. Edworthy Commr of Pensions
Hon. Gideon Tomlinson, Fairfield, Connecticut

I John Osborn of the town & County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged now eighty two years and nearly eighty three, having heretofore given my deposition in regard to the services of Stephen Osborn now died formerly of S d Fairfield in the claim of his widow Grizzle Osborn for a Pension now said to be on file in the Pension office at Washington, Do in explanation of the testimony given as aforesaid, depose & say that I am positive that I served early in the spring of the year 1776 under Capt. Eliphalet Church with a portion of his Militia Comp y of S d Fairfield to which Comp y I then belonged on a tour to and at the City of New York and continued on S d tour not less than two months, and that S d Stephen Osborn served with me on S d tour during the period aforesaid — And I further depose and say that afterwards sometime in the summer of the same year 1776 S d Capt. Church's Comp y aforesaid went on a tour to & at the S d City of New York and as I believe continued in S d service till the evacuation by the American Troops — I did not serve on the last mentioned tour but my father employed & hired in my stead as a substitute for me one John Whitehead of S d Fairfield and further the Dependent with not dated at Fairfield this 8 th day of May A D 1839
John osborn

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County } ss
Fairfield May 8 th 1839
Personally appeared John Osborn signer of the Deposition on the other side hereof and made solemn oath to the truth and certify that said John Osborn is well known to me and is a credible witness. The said Deposition taken at the request of Mrs. Grizelda Osborn of Fairfield to be used in her claim for a Pension as the widow of Stephen Osborn formerly of Fairfield since deceased the claim being on file in Pension Office at Washington
Thomas Robinson Just Peace

Hezekiah Sturges of the town & County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, aged now eighty two years being duly cautioned and sworn do depose and say that I have distinct recollection that early in the Spring of the year 1776 I then belonging to Capt. Elephaleth Root's Militia Comp y of said Fairfield, the Capt Root and a part of his D Comp y who were drafted for that purpose performed a tour of service to and at the City of New York and were absent on said tour as near as I can now recollect about two months - and I also have distinct recollection that sometime in the summer of the same year 1776 Capt Root and all of his Comp y except such as were exchanged or obtained substitutes performed another tour of service to and at said City of New York and continued there till the evacuation by the American Troops which said service I should say continued about three months - and further the Deposition I am not dated at Fairfield this 8 th day of May 1839 - Hezekiah Sturges
State of Connecticut
Fairfield County ss Fairfield May 8 th 1839
Personally appeared Hezekiah Sturges and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed and I certify that Hezekiah Sturges is well known to me and is a credible person said Deposition taken to be used in the Pension claim of Guzza Osborn of Fairfield under the Act of Congress of July 4 th 1836 for services in the Revolutionary War

by her deceased husband Stephen Osborn formerly of said Fairfield, said claim being now on file in Pension Office at Washington
Thomas Robinson J. Peace
State of Connecticut } District of Fairfield } 8 th Fairfield
I Henry Baldwin Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut hereby certify That Thomas Robinson Esq. before whom the foregoing Deposition of Nehemiah Stringer and John Osborn were taken is now and on the 8 th day of this present month of May was a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Fairfield in the State duly commissioned and acting as such and that the signatures purporting to be his are his genuine signatures. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 11 th day of May A D 1839 Henry Baldwin Clerk