Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,354, Stephen Holly, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Holly Stephen Deborah
W 21.354
CONTENTS

Connecticut 1450
Deborah Holly widow of Stephen Holly
who died on the 23 d day March 1833, of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Hughes of the troops commanded by Col. Muel in the Connecticut line for
7 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents, per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of October 1837 and sent to Hon. J. T. Whittlesy H. R.
Arrears to the 4 th of March 1837 $139.98 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th Sept. 11.66
$151.64
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d
Recorded by D. M. Condy Clerk. Book A Vol. 2. Page 6.

Stephen Holly Junr. and Deborah Ferris were married By Rev. Mr. Murdock Jan'y. 5 th 1780.
The above is a true copy of Record
certified by
Seymour Jarvis, Town Clerk
State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield }
Stamford Sept 18 th 1837
Personally appeared Seymour Jarvis by whom the foregoing certificate is signed and made oath that the same is a true copy of Record. I further certify that said Seymour Jarvis is Town Clerk of said Town of Stamford and that he is a credible person to testimony of all which I have hereunto set my name and affixed my official Seal.
His Honor Volney Public
And the said Court do hereby declare its opinion after the in- vestigation of the matter that the above named applicant Deborah Holly was married to her late husband the said Mr. John Holly Junr. on the 5 th day of January A.D. 1780 - That the said Stephen died on the 23 rd day of March A.D. 1833 and that she has ever remained & is still his widow & that her said husband was a revolutionary soldier & served as the states.
Chas. Hawley Judge

State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield }
On this 13 th day of September A D 1857 before the Court of Probate within and for the District of Stamford in the said County and State, the same being a Court of Record and held at Stamford in the said District, personally appeared Deborah Holly a resident of said Stamford aged seventy four years, the 19 th day of last July, 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 4 th A D 1836.
That she is the widow of Stephen Holly who was a private soldier in the Army of the Revolution. That, to the best of her knowledge & belief, (her memory being greatly impaired by sickness and old age) her husband, the said Stephen Holly, in March 1779 entered the service as a substitute for his brother Silas Holly who was an enlisted soldier in a company of Artillery commanded by Lieut. Hughes. This company, as declarant has been informed and verily believes, was employed to guard the Coast - was stationed most of the time at Horseneck and, with the other companies on the line was under the general command of Col. John Meara. That her said husband continued in the service, in the capacity of substitute for his brother Silas, as above stated till the September next following. Declarant has been informed and she believes, that a part of the above mentioned service was performed on board the Whale Boat. She further declares that in the Fall of the

same year, her husband the said Stephen was drang- ed to keep Guana in the village of Stamford for two months, and served out that period under Capt. Reuben Scofield - That in January 1780, her said husband enlisted for two months in Capt. -ain Isaac How's company of Rangers and served during the period of his said enlistment.
Declarant says that during most of the year 1780 her said hus- which were under the immediate command of Col. John Mead, band was employed in scouting-parties, till on the 7th of June 1781, as De- clarant well recollects, her said husband was Ta- ken prisoner by the Refugee Light Horse and car- ried to New York; and, as Declarant was told, confined there, as Prisoner of War, in the sugar- house - That, after having remained there as such prisoner, three months and one day or three months 3 wanting one day, he was exchanged and returned home to Stamford - Declarant saw her said husband when he was taken prisoner - saw the said refugees strike at him with their cutlas- ses, when he was endeavouring to effect his es- cape - saw him pinioned and found to another man by name Briggs Reynolds, whom pinioned who was taken prisoner at the same time; and saw them, thus pinioned and bound together, driven off, before the Refugees, on their way towards King's Bridge -
She further declares, that on her said husband's return from his confinement in New York in Sept. 1781, he enlisted, as a private, in a company commanded by Capt. Charles Smith, of which company Capt. Frost was Lieut. and David Smith, Ensign - all of whom are dead. That she does not know whether Gen. Waterbury or Mead had command of the Regiment to which said Capt. mentioned company belonged, but thinks she has

been informed, That it was commenced by the late - That the general place of rendezvous of this last mentioned company was at the fort in said Stamford called Fort Monegue and that her said husband continued to serve by enlistments under said Capt. Smith till the close of the Revolutionary War -
She further declares that she was married to the said Stephen Holly on the fifth — day of January in the year seventeen hundred and eighty by Rev. Mr. Murdock. That her husband the aforesaid Stephen Holly died on the 23 rd day of March 1833 and that she has remained his widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
She also refers to the annexed declaration of her said husband and the proofs in support of the same as evidence of his revolutionary services - There is as declarant understands a record of her said marriage on the four records of said Stamford -
Sworn to before me this day of your affiant before me - The words "which were under the immediate command of Col. John M c Intosh" "liberty pole" "picket" "called Fort Monegue" having been interlined before signature or oath.
her Deborah Holly widow
Chas. H. Hovey Judge
Sworn to before me also in presence of W. H. Wright

State of Connecticut, } ss. Stanford Probate District County of Fairfield, }
On this 15 th day of August 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Probate for said District,
now sitting,
Stephen Holly — a resident of Stanford in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged Sixty nine years, who being first 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 entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated: viz.
That in the month of March 1779 he took the place of his Brother Silas Holly, who was an enlisted soldier in a Company of Artillery commanded by Lieut. Hughes, employed as Coast Guard & stationed at Kensett Col. John Mead had command of the Guards on the lines at the time — The Declarant served out the time of his Brother's enlistment, which expired in the month of Sept r 1779 as his substitute — That his said Brother agreed with him, at the time, that he should take the whole benefit of his enlistment — This Lieut. Hughes under whom he served, afterwards deserted the army under this enlistment the Declarant The Declarant went frequently in the Whale boats by order of his Officers — The Whale boats were under command of John Fitch on one occasion they captured a Schooner in East Chester Creek & killed the Capt. of the Schooner in capturing her — The Declarant was on board of the Whale Boat at the time — In the fall of the year 1779 he was drafted to keep guard in the village of Stamford for two months & served for the whole time under Capt. Hunsden & was mostly employed in cutting back fences when not on guard — In the month of Feb y 1780 he enlisted into a Company of State Troops, called rangers for two months, commanded by Capt. Isaac Hurd & served out his time & served on the lines the most of the time under the immediate command of the Lieut. John Mead of the same Company

on the 7 th June 1781 he was taken a Prisoner, by the Refuge Light Horse & sent to New York & confined in the Sugar House as a Prisoner of War for the term of three months when he was exchanged - That he was born in Stamford as he has heard from his Parents on the 12 th of Jan'y 1763, shortly after which he has understood that his Parents removed to New York - he lived at New York when he first entered the Service - He has resided in Stamford ever since 1788 - he never had a written discharge from the Service the date of his birth appears on the Records of the Town of Stamford - Stamford Sept 10 th 1832 was an Opinion of Capt. Ruben Scoville.
Who refers to Rev. Daniel Smith of said Stamford & H. Minor of the same Place who can testify as to his character for veracity & as to their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution
The said Stephen Holly 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.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Stephen Holly
Chs. Hawley Judge
We, Daniel Smith a clergyman, residing in the town of Stamford and H Minor residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Stephen Holly 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 resided to have been a Soldier of the Revolution; and that we concur in that opinion:
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 2 nd day of July 1833
Daniel Smith
Chs. Hawley Judge
H Minor
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 the Rev. Daniel Smith who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Stamford Connecticut and that Lincoln H. Minor Esq. who also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Stamford  opposed and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit:
Chs. Hawley Judge
I, Clerk of the 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 1832.
Clerks certificate on the next Page

I Samuel Lockwood Clerk of the Court of Probate for Stamford District in Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen Holley for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 20th day of Decr 1833 Samuel Lockwood Clerk
I Joshua B. Ferris Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stamford in Connec- ticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Deborah Holley for a pension - In tes- timony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 18th day of September A.D. 1837
Joshua B. Ferris Clerk
Stephen Holley
2039
2649 Deborah Holley
cont of Stephen
at pm 7 mo 23 33 for annuity of $1000
1838
cont of Stephen
J. B. Ferris
Hon. J. S. Whiteley
PR

Rev. War Section.
Ev
December 20, 1920.
Mary L. Scofield, 69 Weed Avenue, Stamford, Connecticut.
Madam:
In response to your letter of November 14, 1920, you are advised that in the claim Wid. file, No. 21354, Revolutionary War, it appears that Stephen Holly, who is referred to as Stephen Holly Jr. was born in Stamford, Connecticut, January 12, 1763, and while a resident of Horseneck, Connecticut, he substituted for his brother Silas, in March 1779 and served as a private until September 1779, in the Coast Guards under Colonel John Mead, and he aided in capturing a Schooner in East Chester Creek.
In the Fall of 1779 he served two months, under Captain Reuben Scofield.
In January, 1780, he enlisted into Captain How's Company of Rangers and served two months.
In 1780 he was employed most of the year in scouting parties under Colonel John Mead. He was taken prisoner June 7, 1781, by the Refugee Light Horse and was carried to New York and confined in the Sugar House three months, and then exchanged.
In September, 1781, he was a private in Captain Charles Smith's Company under Colonel Mead and served by enlistments under said Captain until the close of the war.
He married in Stamford, Connecticut, January 5, 1780, Deborah Ferris, who was born July 12, 1763. He died March 22, 1833 in Stamford, Connecticut. She was allowed pension on an application executed September 13, 1837, while a resident of Stamford, Connecticut.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

1910 Sep 23 Hark to Ella J. Holly 13th 1920 Sep 6 Mary L. Scofield that there is no Stephen Holly here Oct 19 1921
1920 Dec 20 Letter to Mary L. Scofield — En-
Recd
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 21854
Deborah Holly Widow of Stephen Holly Prv. Rev. War
Act: July 7 th 1836
Index: — Vol. 8 Page 343
[Arrangement of 1876.]

State of Connecticut } Fairfield County } ss Stamford Probate District Aug. 16 th 1832
Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for said District now sitting in open Court. Isaac Holly of Greenwich in said District who being first duly sworn according to Law on his oath says that he is the Brother of & well acquainted with Stephen Holly who has subscribed & deposed to the foregoing Declaration - The Deponent remembers that in the latter part of the Revolutionary War - The Deponent does not remember the year, but knows it was early in the Summer as they had just planted a piece of Corn - The said Stephen was taken a Prisoner by the Refuge Light Horse & carried away & as he understood at the time, & verily believes was taken to New York as a Prisoner of War & there detained as a Prisoner of War until after wards exchanged - The Deponent saw the said Stephen the day he got home which he believes was as much as three months after he was taken - Deponent often heard from the said Stephen whilst a Prisoner in New York & at the time understood that he was confined in the Sugar House -
Isaac Holly
Sworn to & subscribed this day of June aforesaid - 3
Ch. H. Sterling Judge -
I certify that Isaac Holly the above deponent is a credible person.
Ch. H. Sterling Judge

State of Connecticut } } Stamford Probate District Fairfield County - } August 16 th 1832
Personally appeared B efore the Court of Probate for said District now in Session in open Court Thomas Hobbey of Greenwich in said District who being first duly sworn on his oath says that he is well acquain- -ted with Stephen Kelly of Stamford who has subscribed sworn to the foregoing Declaration - The Deponent was an enlisted Soldier in a Company of Artillery Commanded by Lieut. Hughes, for a term of eight months, The precise date of his enlistment he does not remember, but believes it was in the Spring of 1779 - He well remembers that the said Stephen Kelly was a Soldier in said Company and performed duty therein during this term, whether he served for the whole term the Deponent does not recollect but does well remember of being the said Kelly being frequ- -tly on guard in said Company at Housatonic during the term of Deponent's enlistment - whether the said Kelly was serving on his own account or as a Substitute for an- other the Deponent has no knowledge, but from the Statement of the said Kelly -
Amos Hobbey
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Ch. H. Hurling Judge I certify that Thomas Hobbey the above Deponent is a credible person
Ch. Hurling Judge

State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } for
Be it known That on this 18 th day of September AD 1887 personally appeared before me Limean H. Minor a Notary public within & for said State and County James Dean of Stamford in said County - a Revolutionary veteran and aged 74 - years - who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose and say that in the year 1779 Stephen Holly late husband of Deborah Hol- ly an applicant for a pension was in the service in the Revolutionary War under Col John Mead in a company commanded by Lieut Hughes who as deponent believes was never commissioned but simply received his appointment as Lieut from Col Mead. This Hughes subsequently deserted to the enemy - Deponent is unable to state with cer- tainty the duration of said Holly's service in 1779 - Deponent during said last mentioned year, frequently saw said Holly on duty - knows that said Holly was employed in the regular State service on the lines and was stationed princi- pally at Housatonic - Deponent was, in 1779, stationed at Housatonic under Col Mat- thias Mead - Col John Mead then had command of the Militia and Rangers.

Deponent recollects that since Hally left the lines at Horsneck where he had been stationed during the Spring and Summer of 1779; and was discharged for two months and served that time  period under Capt Reuben Scofield in Stamford - Depo- nent knows this last mentioned from in- formation only. In 1780 this Deponent belonged to Capt Reuben Scofield's com- pany. and Deponent occasionally saw in actual service, said Hally in a com- pany of Rangers commanded by Capt Isaac How. Deponent, not belonging to the same company, cannot state the time of said Hally's service under Capt. How. Deponent has said Capt How well during the War and subsequently. said How frequently after the War represented the Town of Greenwich in the Gen. Assembly of Connecticut. During the year 1780, most of the time, said Hally belonged to the Rangers and was fre- quently out in scouting parties. he was an object of especial dislike to the Rep- ugners. and in June 1781 they succeeded in taking him a prisoner. Deponent has always understood and believes that he was confined as prisoner of War in the Sugar House in N. York for three months said Hally at the time he was taken, as above stated, belonged to the Connors

of Col. Meade who procured a man for his (said Holly's) exchange. After his return exchange - he returned home and returned to his duty under Col. Meade, as a ranger, in a company commanded by Capt Charles Smith. All the Rangers were employed for the protection and defence of the lines against the Refugees and Law-boys; and in this service under Capt Charles Smith since Holly was employed from the time of his return from imprisonment in N. York till the close of the War. Deponent further states that said Deborah is still said Stephen's widow. Samuel Dean
Sworn and subscribed the day and year first written. I further certify that the Deponent is a cred- ible person - In testimony of all which I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal.
J. H. Minnis Notary Public

State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } p.
Be it known That on this 16 th day of September A D 1887 personally appeared before me Simon H. Minor, a Notary Public within and for said State, in County Williams Knapp aged 79 years of Stamford in said County who being first duly sworn according to law saith on his oath before and say that he well knew Stephen Holly deceased whose widow Deborah Holly is an affiant for a few days. Deponent was employed during most of the War on the lines in the Pen- sylvanian service. frequently saw said said Stephen Holly engaged in active service on the lines. Deponent cannot state the particular times and periods of said Hol- ly's service because he is old and his mem- ory much impaired.
Deponent however does recollect well that, in the early part of the war in 1861, said Holly was taken pris- oner by the Rebels and, as Deponent has been informed, carried to N. York and confined there as prisoner of war in the Sugar House, for three months. At/for said Holly's return, in Sept 1861 he entered the service again as a

Rangers in a Company commanded by Capt. Charles Smith. Col. Mead's Regiment - Said Holly served in said Company on the lines till the war was con- cluded. said Holly was a good & faithful soldier. Deponent was en- gaged in the same service, saw said Holly repeatedly on duty - and knows that after said Holly's return from his said imprisonment. he was in active, constant duty till the close of the war -
William Knapp marks -
State of Connecticut } p Norfork Sept. 18th A.D. 1837 County of Fairfield }
Personally appeared William Knapp who subscribed by his mark the fore- going deposition and made oath to the truth of the same. I further that the Deponent, said Knapp, is a cred- ible person. In testimony of all which I have hereunto set my hand and af- fixed my official seal.
H Minor Notary Public

State of Connecticut } Stamford Probate District Lainfield County } Augt. 16. 1852
Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for said District in open Court near Sitting - James Rich of Greenfield in said District who being first duly sworn on his oath says that he is well acquainted with Stephen Holly who has subscribed a depon to the foregoing Declaration that he knows that the said Holly served in Capt. Reuben Safford, Company, under a Draft for two Months. The Draft was made in the first part of Sept r 1779. The Deponent served in the same Company for the same time. The precise date of the Draft Deponent does not remember. The Deponent & the said Holly were in the same Waps. They served under this draft in the village of Stamford & were employed principally in cutting fascines.
James his X Rich - mark.
Sworn to & subscribed this 16 th day of Augt. A.D. 1852
Ch. H. Cushing Judge -
I certify that James Rich the above deponent is a credible person
Ch. H. Cushing Judge

State of Connecticut } Stamford Probate District Fairfield County } August 16 th 1832
Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for said District now in session in Open Court - Jonathan Brown of Stamford in said County & District who being first duly sworn on his oath says that he is well acquainted with Stephen Hally who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing Declaration & that he well remembers that the said Hally served as a drafted man in Capt. Ruben Safford's Company in the village of Stamford for the term of two months in the fall of the year 1779. The Deponent served as a drum Drum- mer in the same Company for the same term. The Company were principally employed in cutting Forks - Deponent does not recollect the precise time of the the Draft - but does know that said Hally served for two months - & before the term expired he remembers Walnuts were ripe
Jonathan Brown
I swear to the substance hereof year aforesaid
Ch. Hawley Judge
I certify that Jonathan Brown the above deponent is a credible person
Miss. Hawley Judge

State of Connecticut } for Stamford Probate District Fairfield County } Dec. 20 th 1833
Personally appeared before the court of Probate for said District in open court next sitting William Lefield of Stamford in said District who being first duly sworn on his oath says that he is a neighbor to & well acquainted with Stephen Holly who signed the foregoing declaration. That the said Stephen Holly died at said Stamford on the 23 rd day of March 1833 that he left a widow named Deborah Holly who is still living at said Stamford.
The deponent acknowledged the foregoing  Scopical signature to be his of free act & deed to him known to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing declaration
I certify that William Lefield the above deponent is a credible person.
Chas. H. Wolsey Judge
And the said Court doth upon the foregoing testimony find that the said Stephen Holly died on the 23 rd day of March A.D. 1833 of that Deborah Holly said Stamford is his widow & is now living in said Stamford.
Chas. H. Wolsey Judge

Stephen 7121354
July 23, 1910.
Miss Ella J. Holley,
R. F. D. 29,
Stamford, Connecticut.
Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 13 th and received the 16 th instant, you are advised that in the claim, Wid. File No. 21,354, Revolutionary War, it appears that Stephen Holley, who is referred to as Stephen Holly, Jr. was born at Stamford, Connecticut, January 12, 1763, and while a resident of Horseneck, Connecticut, he substituted for his brother Silas, in March, 1779 and served as a Private until September, 1779, in the Coast Guards under Colonel John Mead; during this service he was out frequently on he  hosts, and on one occasion aided in capturing a schooner in East Chester Creek.
In the Fall of 1779 he was drafted to keep guard at Stamford, and served two months under Captain Reuben Scofield. January, 1780, he enlisted into Captain How's company of Rangers and served two months. In 1780 he was employed most of the year in scouting parties under Colonel John Mead. He was taken prisoner June 7, 1781, by the Refugee Light Horse and was carried to New York and confined in the Sugar House three months and then exchanged.
In September, 1781, he was a Private in Captain Charles Smith's company under Colonel Mead and served by enlistments under said Captain.

Wid. File No. 21,354,--2
until the close of the war.
He married at Stamford, Connecticut, January 5, 1780, Deborah Ferris, who was born July 19, 1763. He died March 28, 1833 at Stamford, Connecticut. She was allowed pension on an application executed September 13, 1837, while a resident of Stamford, Connecticut.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev. J. H. E.
69 Weed Avenue Stamford Conn.
MS
Bureau of Pensions Washington D. C.
Gentlemen
Can you tell me what service Stephen Holly gave to his country. He was born in Stamford, Conn. Oct 19-1728.
In the History of Stamford by Rev. G. B. Huntington A. M. on page 237 it says Stephen Holly was a pensioner. He was once a

prisoner in the Sugar House. Write me what the expense of finding out, and I will send you a money order.
I am one of his ancestors, my mother was a Keelty.
Very truly, Mary L. Scofield
March 19-1920.

69 Weed Avenue Stamford Conn.
MS
Ref.
To
The Bureau of Pensions Washington D. C.
Gentlemen
In the history of Stamford, by Rev. E. B. Huntington A. M. on page 237. It reads that Stephen Kelly was a pensioner. He was once a prisoner in the Sugar House. He was born in Stamford, Conn. Jan 12 - 1763 Married to Deborah Ferris Jan 8 - 1780. Can you tell me —

what service he gave to his country
Very sincerely Mary L. Scofield
Nov. 14-1920.

107
3-871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by A. M. D. 19/7/10
Claim No. ....
Certificate No. ....
Claimant .....
Soldier Stephen Holly
Service Conn.
Additional Service Rev. of Stamford Conn.
No. .... claim, State records ....., 191....
No claim, combination records ....., 191....
REMARKS:
Jny: not of Stamford Conn. Fnw. 7. 21 819 (Conn.) No other Fm.
Wid. 7. 21 354 (Conn.) No other Wid. No. Reg.

May 5. 34. SH Menier 1837
Sept. 26 " same 14
Q. 1 5 35 same 1763 16
5 m 79 " 5 No such  series —
Sept. 79 2 no roll for Sept-Oct.
80 2 m.
81 3
12 75

Stamford, Conn
July 13, 1910
Commissioner of Pensions
Department of the Interior
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly send me the military history of Stephen Holley of Stamford, Connecticut, who served in the Revolutionary War? This can be sent with the copy of military history of Stephen Clason which I wrote for a few weeks ago, if more convenient for you.
Thanking you again for your kindness I am
Very respectfully yours
(Miss) Ella J. Holley
(Address) Stamford
R.F.D. 29
Conn.
1910