Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3,831, Stephen Crane, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Crane, Stephen
R 3,831
Fuller, Jerusha
(Former Widow)
CONTENTS
This widow received pension for the service of her second husband. See claim Elkanah Fuller, Mass., N. 25,602.

State of New York County of Allegany ss
On this 18 th day of January 1853, personally appeared before the subscriber, County Judge of said county, Jerusha Fuller, former- ly widow of Stephen Crane, resident of the town of Hume in said county aged 86 years who being first duly sworn, doth make the following declara- -tion in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Con- -gress passed July 7 th 1838.
This declarant states that her maiden name was Jerusha Bush, and that when a child she resided with her parents in the town of Pittsfield in the State of Massachusetts - that in the year 1789 she was married in the said town of Pittsfield, to a man by the name of Stephen Crane - that her husband the said Stephen Crane, resided previous to her marriage with him, in the state of New York. That he was a soldier in the war of the revolution - as she well remembers where heard him say - that he often spoke of his revolutionary service and claimed to have been a soldier under General Washington - and where served several years during said war - that the particulars of said service, or the officers under whom he served, this declarant is unable to state - as it is so many years since the death of the said husband but she knows that he alleged that he had been a regular soldier, and was in the battle of Saratoga under and at the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne, Gen. Gates - that he resided in Saratoga county, in the State of New York, and that the first time she ever saw him, which was in the said town of Pittsfield and after the close of the Revolutionary war, he had on his soldiers uniform, and she has seen a paper in his possession which was his commission or discharge.

Declarant states that after her marriage she resided for several years with the said Stephen Crane in the town of Pittsfield and that in the year 1794, or about that time her said husband died - that in about three or four years after that time she married a man by the name of Elkanah Fuller, who was a soldier of the revolution with whom she lived until the time of his death, which occurred on the 18 th day of February in the year 1857 - that he was a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $96. per annum - that since his death she has not again married: but remained a widow.
James Fuller
Sworn and subscribed to the day & year first above written. Before me
The words "at the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne" interlined before signing.
J. P. Wetmore by Judge of Probate
State of New York
County of Allegany ss I hereby certify that by reason of old age and infirmities, the above named declarant is unable to appear in open court, and further that satisfactory evidence was adduced before me that her last husband Elkanah Fuller died on the 18 th day of February in the year 1857, and that since his death the said declarant has not again married.
Dated Jan'y 18 th 1853
J. P. Wetmore Judge of said County

vernon s. ...
STATE OF NEW YORK, ALLEGANY COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE,
James H. Abbott SS. I, John L. Rockefeller, Clerk of said County, and of the Courts thereof, do hereby certify, that J. P. Miller by before whom the annexed Instrument in Writing was proved or acknowledged, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgement, County Judge in and for said County, duly elected sworn and authorized to take the same. And that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe that the signature to said Certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine, and that said Instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the Laws of this State.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at Angelica, in said county, this 28 th day of February 1852
James H. Abbott Clerk of Allegany County.
the said declarant has not again married. dated Jan 11 1852
J. P. Miller by his wife Elizabeth

Jemima Fuller. Formerly widow of Stephen Crane - Aet 7 th July 1838.

"Seventeen hundred & eighty nine. November Twenty fifth - Stephen Greene & Miss Jennifer Burt, were married."
State of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire ss.
I John Todd Pastor of the First Congregational Church in the Town of Pittsfield in said County hereby certify that I have the care & custody of the Records of said Church, & that the foregoing is a true copy of a record of marriage, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows:- "1789. Nov. 25 th "
J. Todd
Pastor of the First Congregational Church.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire County ss. March 19. 1853
Then personally appeared John Todd and made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate by him subscribed
Before me Theodore Skinner Justice of the peace
related stories & anecdotes of things that took place while he

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Berkshire ss:
I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Berkshire do certify that Theodore Stinsdale Esq before whom the foregoing Affidavit of the Rev. John Todd was sworn was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace within said County duly commissioned & qualified that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Stinsdale sincerely believe the foregoing signature purporting to be his to be genuine - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 23 rd day of March 1853. Charles Sedgwick

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss.
I, Charles Sedgwick, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Berkshire, do certify, that L. H. Samwell Esquire, whose signatures are affixed to the certificates on the papers hereto annexed, was, at the dates thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said L. H. Samwell and are the signatures to said certificate are genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this fifth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two .
Charles Sedgwick Clerk.

State of New York } Secretary's Office } March 11. 1853.
I certify that it appears by the Military Register in this Office that on the 14 th day of April 1777 Stephen Crane Enlisted as a Soldier in Colonel William Malcom's Regiment of Infantry in the line of this state , in the Army of the United States to serve for three years, and was Mustered to March 1779.
Arch d Campbell Dep o Sec. of State
1 yr: 10 mos: 14 days.

near of New York Cortland County
Oliver Burt of the town of Homer County and State aforesaid and now in his Seventy Fifth Year being by me duly sworn doth depose and Say that my father (Also named Oliver Burt) formerly resi- ded in Hampshire County in the town of Northampton in the State of Massachusetts, but removed from there in to the town of Pittsfield Berkshire County in said State of Massachu- setts the first or quite the first part of the Revolutionary War when he purchased a farm and where I was born. Stephen Crain a Revolutionary Soldier Came from Saratoga County in the State of New York while he was a Soldier to said Pitts- field on a visit, as he then had two brothers living in said Pittsfield and he on such visits also visited at my father's and was paying attention to my sister Serusha Burt. at one time during said war one of my brothers, Thomas, who is now dead went with him in to the service. The said Crain was in said service for three or four years and then got a discharge as I heard my sister Serusha State to my father and mother. I do not recollect of seeing of it, I understood that he entered the service from said Saratoga County; at or about the close of the said war he came to said Pittsfield to live and made it home with his brothers here in Pittsfield and worked some for them, and some for my father, and final- ly married my sister Serusha Burt and took my fa- ther's farm on Sharp Hill, and then took my uncle's farm that was adjoining my father's for a number of years they were married I should think in 1789 my sister had two children by said Crain, I.E. my sister Serusha aforesaid had two children by said Stephen Crain, I have seen said Stephen Crain with his regimentals on, he used to be an active man in almost all military movements in said town as it was always understood that he had been a soldier in the Revolutionary war and understood the duties of a sol- dier better than most men in the place no one doubted but that he had been a soldier as above stated, he frequently related stories & anecdotes of things that took place while he

was in the army. My said Sister Jerusha afterwards married for her second husband Elkanah Fuller. Stephen Crane's two brothers had left Pittsfield as I understand, whether either of his brothers are living or not I do not know, but I do not suppose they are
Yours Respectfully
Sworn to and Subscribed this 11 th day of February 1853 before me Giles Chittenden Justice of the Peace in and for Said County
State of New York } Cortland County ss } S. Giles Chittenden a Magistrate in the Town of Homer, County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that I am acquainted with said Oliver Wart in the above Affidavit mentioned (and who in my presence executed the same) He is a smart intel- ligent old man and I have no doubt but that his Statements in all respects in the above Affidavit con- tained, can be implicitly relied upon
Given under my hand at Homer in said County on the eleventh day of February 1853
Giles Chittenden Justice of the Peace in and for said County

was in the army. My said Sister Jerusha afterwards married for her second husband Elkanah Fuller. Stephen Crain's two brothers had left Pittsfield as I understand, whether either of his brothers are living or not I do not know, but I do not suppose they are
Yours Best
Sworn to and Subscribed this 11 th day of February 1853 before me Giles Chittenden Justice of the Peace in and for Said County
State of New York Cortland County ss } S. Giles Chittenden a Magistrate in the Town of Homer, County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that I am acquainted with said Oliver Wart in the above Affidavit mentioned (and who in my presence executed the same) He is a smart intel- ligent old man and I have no doubt but that his Statements in all respects in the above Affidavit con- tained, can be implicitly relied upon
Given under my hand at Homer in said County on the eleventh day of February 1853
Giles Chittenden Justice of the Peace in and for said County

igent old man and I have no doubt but that his Statements in all respects in the above Affidavit con- tained, can be implicitly relied upon Given under my hand at Homer in said County on
State of New-York, CORTLAND COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.
I, RUFUS A. REED, Clerk of said County, Do Certify,
That
Giles Chittenden
Esq.
before whom the annexed Affidavit was taken, was at the time of taking the same, a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, in and for said County, and duly authorized to take the same: and fur- ther, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said JUSTICE, and verily believe the signature to the Jurat thereof, is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County, this 11th day of February 1833.
Rufus A. Reed CLERK.

I Ebenezer Burt of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts of the age of eighty three years do depose and say, that I was acquainted with Stephen Crane, that he married my sister Eunice Burt about the year 1789 or 1790, that they lived together afterward in said Pittsfield as husband and wife. That said Crane previous to his residence in said Pittsfield, and during the War of the Revolution resided in the State of New York  West as it was called . I have always understood that said Crane was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, that he served under Washington through the War. I have heard said Crane say that he was a soldier under Washington through the War. That he was with Washington during many or all of the Battles during the latter period of the Revolutionary struggle. And such was the general reputation of said Crane in this vicinity, that he was a revolutionary soldier.
In presence of { Ebenezer his Burt Mark
Berkshire ss. April 8, 1832.
I certify that the above named Ebenezer Burt, is of sound mind, that he is a credible witness, that his name was written by his request, and that after the above statement was distinctly read to him he made oath that the same was true.
Before me
L. H. Lamwell
justice of the peace

I Naomi Burt of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts Wife of Abner Burt of said Pittsfield, of the age of seventy eight years do depose and say that I was acquainted with Stephen Crane and his Wife, Jerusha. My Husband's Sister. Stephen and Jerusha Burt were married by Rev Thomas Allen in Nov 1789 or 1790. Said Crane was called a Revolutionary Soldier, and was always understood to be such in this vicinity. I have heard him say time and again that he was a Loyalist under Washington, during the War of the Revolution. That he was with him in many of the battles during the latter part of said War. Said Crane came to reside in the State of Massachusetts from the State of New York, when it was said he had formerly resided.
Naomi Burt
In presence of { E. H. Gannett
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss April 30. 1832
I certify that the above named Naomi Burt is of sound mind and a credible Witness and that she subscribed the above and made oath that the same is true
Before me
E. H. Gannett
Justice of the peace

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED am
3831
P. O.
Jerusha Fuller Service: Stephen Crane
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

No 14.972
Jemima Fuller for. Milly widow of Ste- phen Crane -
New York.
Letter to.
L. M. Denny 8 th Sept. 1855.
Pay on original
3831
Act of July 1838

Leah & Stephen Jerusha Muller formerly widow Stephen Crane.
Marrying Stephen in 1789
Several years.
Stephen died in 1794.
3 or 4 yrs after marry Elkanah Muller. Elkanah died 18 th Feb. 1851. Jerusha now a widow.
Recd that Stephen Crane & Jerusha Bent were married 25 Nov. 1789.
Dep: V. C. C. V. - On 14 Sept 1777 enlisted in Col Wm Malcolm's Regt for 3 yrs & mustered to March 1779 - 1 yr: 10 mos: 14 days.
Oliver Burt. Says Stephen was a revolution- ary soldier - seen him in his regimentals. Married Dept. Vist. in 1779 - Jerusha afterwards marry Elkanah Muller.
Elkanah Burt - says Stephen Crane married his sister Jerusha about 1789 or '90 - reputed rec. soldier.
Elkanah Burt - says Stephen & Jerusha were mar- ried Nov. 1789 or '90 - reputed a soldier.

Jemima Fuller, formerly wid. of Stephen Crane
N.Y. - Act 1838 -
J. J. Coombs Esq. is hereby authorized to act as my sub- -stitute in prosecuting the claim of Jemima Fuller - S. M. Strong Sept 19. 1833
J. J. Coombs

Pension Office, Sept 8, 1853.
Sir,
The application of Perusha Fuller formerly widow of Stephen Crane of New York, has been received and filed under Act 7 th July 1838. Evidence must be adduced to shew that the applicant's husband, is the identical soldier whose services are described in the certificate of the Secretary of State of New York. The date of Stephen's death must be proved, also the dates of the second marriage, and Elkana's death. Of this latter date it has been certified as "Satisfactorily proved" to the Court as having occurred on the 18 th February, 1831. but the evidence on which it was so proved, must be exhibited before this Office.
Very Respectfully J. Struble Commissioner,
L. M. Brumley, Canandaigua N.Y.

For The Commission personally

Canandaigua . N.Y. August 24 th 1853-3
Sir;
I desire to enquire about the case of Jerusha Fuller formerly widow of Stephen Crane. under act 4 th July 1838.
It was sent to the office on the 2 nd of April last.
I have had reports as late as May but this is not repeated.
I am anxious to know if it has been received - for if it has not - it is unfortunate, as some of the witnesses whose testimony was given have died - & it cannot be got over again. - The one witness is now very aged - & if the papers are lost. I desire to take his testimony before it should be too late.
I hope this letter may not go on the files to be answered three months hence - but I trust an early answer may be given.
Very respectfully
Hon. S. P. Waldo -
L. M. Crane
Comm ee of Pensions Washington D.C.

Canandaigua. N.Y. -
April 2 d 183-3.
Sir:
Herewith is presented the claim of Jerusha Fuller formerly widow of Stephen Crane. for an allowance under the Act of 7 th July 1838.
The proof of identity is not as positive as I could wish it to be, be but it is the best & the only proof which that can be adduced. Stephen Crane died so long ago, that the particulars of his service, cannot at this distance of time be recalled.
But all who knew anything about him - and those are the persons, the brothers & sister of the claimant, who would be most likely to know, attest to the fact that he always claimed to have been a regular soldier and that he had that reputation -
As long ago as the passage of the act of 7 th June 1832 - It was declared in the from the applicants scales of evidence under that act, that "to require positive proof of service from a contemporary survivor, would, after the lapse of so many years, be, to deprive many of them of the benefit of the law -
If this observation had any force then, it has tenfold more weight now. When there is scarcely a soldier of the revolution -

now living to furnish evidence for the widow of another -
If any other than positive proof of service from a person having personal knowledge of the service, can be sufficient, it is submitted, that this case should be admitted on the evidence now adduced.
Very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
L. M. Drury
Hon. L. P. Waldo -
Court of Pensions
Washington
D.C.