Transcription of Pension Application for Stephen PETTIS, LeSueur Co., MN USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Doug Peterson Last Updated: 24 December 1999 transcribed by Douglas J. Peterson Notes on Transcriptions ----------------------- not all portions of each form transcribed text has been spell-checked, all remaining spelling errors are from original document questionable spellings indicated by [?] or contained in [brackets with ?] "title of form (explicit or guessed) between quotes" _handwritten or typed information is contained between underscores_ Application Information ----------------------- Stephen Pettis Bounty Application (first): 13666 Bounty Application (second): [??]692 [appears to be missing first two digits] Land Warrant: 5228-80-50 [implied 80 acres against application made in 1850] Catharine Pettis Bounty Application (third): 152390 Land Warrant: 37771-80-55, 80 acres [against application made in 1855] Widow Original Application: 32549 Widow Certificate: 19183 "Bounty Application (first) & Affidavits" [annotations] Nov20/50 No 13.666 Stephen Pettis 1st. Vt. Det. Mi Act Sept 28/50 War 1812 Land Stephen Pettis Pittsfield Pike Co. Illinois _State of Illinois}_ _County of Pike }SS_ _On this eighth day of November A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty personally appeared before me a justice of the peace within and for the county and state aforesaid Stephen Pettis aged seventy three years a resident of Pike County in the State of Illinois who being duly sworn according to law declares that he is the identical Stephen Pettis who was a captain of Company Number Eight in the First Regiment of Detached Militia in the State of Vermont commanded by Col. William Williams in the war with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th day of June 1812. That he volunteered at Levanton Falls in the County of Franklin and State of Vermont on or about the twenty second day of July A D eighteen hundred and twelve for the term of six months and continued in actual service in said war for the term of four months and was honorably discharged at Levanton Falls in the county of Franklin and State of Vermont on the third day of December A D eighteen hundred and twelve. That he never received a written discharged but that the company which he commanded was disbanded by general orders at the place above named and that he never applied for or received a written discharge._ _He makes this declaration of the purpose of obtaining the bounty land which he may be entitled under the "Act granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the United States" passed September 28th 1850_ [signed]_Stephen Pettis_ _Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written. And I hereby certify that I believe the said Stephen Pettis to be the identical man who served as aforesaid and that he is of the age above stated_ [signed]_Doms Bates Justice of the Peas Pike County Ill_ Stae of Illinois,} County of Pike, }SS. I, P.V. SHANKLAND, Clerk of the County Court, within and for said County, do certify that _Doms Bates_ whose signature appears to the foregoing and attached certificate, was, at the time of signing the same, to wit: on the _eighth_ day of _November_ A.D. 185_0_, an acting Justice of the Peace, duly elected, qualified and commissioned, and that, as such, full faith and credit should be given to all his official acts. GIVEN under my hand and the seal of said Court, at my office in Pittsfield, this _8th_ day of _November_ A.D. 185_0_ [signed]_P.V. Shankland_ CLERK. _Stephen Pettis the claimant named in the foregoing application requests that the Land Warrant to which he may be entitled may be sent to him at Pittsfield Pike County Illinois_ [signed]_S Stephen Pettis_ "Bounty Application (second)" [annotations] No. 692 Vemt. Pettis, Stephen Pittsfield Ill. 5228-80 _State of Illinois}_ _County of Pike }SS_ _On this seventeenth day of February A D one thousand eight hundred and fifty one personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Stephen Pettis aged seventy four years a resident of Pike County in the State of Illinois who being duly sworn according to law declared that he is the identical Stephen Pettis who was a Captain in the company commanded by Captain Stephen Pettis in the First Regiment of Vermont Detached Militia first commanded by Colonel William Williams next by Major Jesse Lyman and lastly by Colonel Edward Fifield in the war with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th day of June 1812. That he volunteered at Levanton Falls Franklin County Vermont on the twenty second day of July A D one thousand eight hundred and twelve for the term of six months and continued in actual service in said war for the term of four months and twenty one days and was honorably discharged at Levanton Falls Franklin County in the State of Vermont on or about the tenth day of December A D one thousand eight hundred and twelve as will appear by the muster rolls of said company He further states that his said company was disbanded under general orders and he did not receive a written discharge none having been granted to any of the company in his knowledge. And he makes the above statement from reference to his company book which he now has in his possession He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the "Act granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the United States passed September 28th 1850_ [signed]_Stephen Pettis_ _Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written and I hereby certify that I believe the said Stephen Pettis to be the identical man who served as aforesaid and that he is of the age above stated_ [signed]_Reuben W Scanland Justice of the Peace P.C. Ill._ _State of Illinois}_ _County of Pike }SS_ _I, Peter V Shankland Clerk of the County Court within and for said County do certify that Reuben W. Scanland Esq. whose signature appears to the foregoing and attached certificate was at the time of signing the same to wit on the seventeenth day of February A D one thousand eight hundred and fifty one an acting Justice of the Peace duly elected qualified and commissioned and that as such full faith and credit should be given to all his official acts._ _Given under my hand and the seal of said court at my office in Pittsfield this 17th day of February A D 1851_ _P. V. Shankland Clerk_ _Wm R Archer Dpty_ _Pittsfield Pike Co Illinois_ _Feby 17th 1851_ _Hon J. E. Heath_ _Comm of Pensions_ _Dr Sir_ _The foregoing declaration is a duplicate of one which I forwarded to the Department on the 8th day of November from this place which I have never heard from and I send on this declaration for fear that the other may have been lost I respectfully request that my claim may be examined and if I am entitled to land please address the warrant to me at Pittsfield Pike County Illinois_ _Very Respectfully Yours_ [signed]_Stephen Pettis_ "Bounty Application (third) & Affidavits" [annotation] 152,390 _State of Illinois}_ _County of Pike }SS_ _On this 19th day of May A D 1855 Personally appeared before me an acting Justice of the Peace within and for said County and State Catharine Pettis aged 53 years a resident of Pike County in the State of Illinois who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Stephen Pettis deceased who was Captain of the Eighth Company of the first Regiment of detached Vermont Militia commanded by Colonel (not recollected) in the war with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th day of June 1812. That her said husband went into actual service on the 22nd day of July 1812 and continued in actual service until about the 5th day of December A D 1812 being about four and one half months and was honorably discharged on account of sickness in his family on or about the 5th day of December 1812._ _She further states that she was married to the said Stephen Pettis in Trumbull County in the State of Ohio on or about the 31st day of March A D 1831 by one Mr Eels a Presbyterian Minister and that her name before her said marriage was Catharine Hosford that her said husband died in the county of Pike in the State of Illinois on the 6th day of January 1855 and that she is now a widow; She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March the 3rd A D 1855 but knows of no record by which to prove her said marriage_ [signed]_Catharine Pettis_ _We Henry T. Mudd and A D Graves residents of Pike County in the State of Illinois upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Catharine Pettis in our presence; and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be_ [signed]_Henry T. Mudd_ [signed]_A D Graves_ _The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the Claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim_ [signed]_Reubin W. Scanland J.P._ _State of Illinois}_ _County of Pike }SS_ _Personally appeared before me Reuben W Scanland an acting Justice of the Peace within and for said County and State John L. Hosford and H. M. Hosford who being duly sworn declare that they were personally acquainted with Stephen Pettis and Catharine Pettis his wife in the lifetime of said Stephen Pettis that they saw the said Stephen Pettis and Catharine Hosford married in Trumbull County in the State of Ohio sometime in the year 1831 that they lived together as man and wife from that time up to the time of the death of the said Stephen Pettis and that during all that time the said Stephen Pettis and Catharine Hosford were know and reputed as man and wife and that the said Stephen Pettis is dead and died on the 6th day of January 1855 and that the said Catharine Pettis is now a widow_ [signed]_John L Hosford_ [signed]_H. M. Hosford_ _State of Illinois}_ _County of Pike }SS_ _I, Austin Barber, Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that Reuben W Scanland Esq. before whom the forgoing declaration and affidavits were made and executed and who has there into subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, to wit: on the 19th day of May A.D. 1855 and acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature thereto is genuine_ _Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court, at my office in Pittsfield this 21st day of May A.D. 1855_ [signed]_Austin Barber Clerk_ _Please send the warrant to which the applicant may be entitled to S Grigsby Pittsfield Pike County Illinois_ [signed]_S Grigsby agent_ "Government Form Letter on Evidence" CIRCULAR D PENSION OFFICE _May 26_ 185_6_ [body of form letter regarding proof of marriage and death not extracted] The application of _Catharine Pettis_, as widow of _Stephen Pettis_, deceased, is suspended for proof of _death of soldier. State if application was ever made before for this service._ according to the foregoing instructions. Respectfully, &c., J. MINOT, Commissioner _S Grigsby, Pittsfield, Ill._ "Affidavits" _State of Illinois}_ _County of Pike }SS_ _Catharine Pettis widow of Stephen Pettis deceased of said county being duly sworn according to law saith that she has made but one application to the authorities of the United States for bounty land and that she is not intitled to bounty land and as specified in her application No 152,390 which is the only one she has ever made_ [signed]_Catharine Pettis_ _Subscribed and sworn to this 5th day of June A D 1856 before me_ _Given under my hand and the seal of said county this day and date above written_ [signed]_Austin Barber Clerk_ _State of Illinois}_ _County of Pike }_ _Two witnesses being duly sworn according to law declair that Stephen Pettis the husband of Catharine Pettis is dead and died in the County of Pike and State of Illinois on or about the 6th day of January A D 1855 that affiants were present at the funerarl of the said Stephen Pettis and saw him after he was dead and saw him buried and further affiants say not_ [signed]_John L Hosford_ [signed]_B. B. Davis_ _I Austin Barber Clerk of the County Court of the County of Pike and State of Illinois do hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn to before me this 5th day of June A D 1856 and further I know the said affiants to be credible witnesses_ _Given under my hand and the seal of said court this 5th day of June A D 1856_ [signed]_Austin Barber Clerk_ "Request for Military Service" TREASURY DEPARTMENT, THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE, _April 25_ 18_57_ It appears from documents on file in this Office, that _Stephen Pettis_ a _Captain_ of _Col William Williams Regt of Vermont Militia ent. service_ on the _22 July 1812_ and served till _1 December 1812._ R. F. Gallaher [???] Auditor "Correspondence" LAW OFFICE OF Charles R. Davis. St. Peter, Minn., _Oct 8th_ 187_8_ _Commissioner of Pensions_ _Washington D.C._ _Dr. Sir:_ _I enclose herewith the application of Catharine Pettis for pension she being the widow of Capt Stephen Pettis deceased who served as a soldier in War of 1812. The facts are stated as fully as possible, owing to lapse of time. She also informs me that about the year 1857 while she was a resident of Newburgh Illinois she obtained a Warrant for Bounty Land, and that the discharge and other papers which were necessary to obtain such warrant are now of file in Washington. The attorney who obtained the warrant then & now resides in Pittsfield Pike Co Ill and his name is ___ Gribsbey I also enclose affidavit of Sarah A Pettis an eye witness to the marriage, this is the best evidence this is obtainble at present. I am duly authorized as her atty to prosecute her claim._ _Yours Respfly,_ [signed]_C.R. Davis_ "CLAIM OF WIDOW FOR SERVICE PENSION" State of _Minnesota_ County of _Nicollet_, SS. On this _8th_ day of _October_, A.D., one thousand eight hundred and _seventy eight_, personally appeared before me, _a clerk of the district court_, the same being a court of record within and for the County aforesaid, (1)_Catharine Pettis_, aged _77_ years, a resident of _Kasota_, in the State of _Minnesota_ who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of (2)_Stephen Pettis_ deceased, who was the identical (3)_Stephen Pettis_, who served under the name of (4)_Stephen Pettis_ in the _don't remember now_ regiment of _infantry_, commanded by _do not no remember_ in the war of (6) _1812_; that her said husband (7) _volunteered_ at _Alburg Vermont_ on or about the _cant say_ day of _cant say_ A.D. _[blank year]_ for the term of _can't say_, and continued in actual service in said war for the term of (8)_90 days and was engaged in the Battle of Plattsburg_ and whose services terminated, by reason of (9)_honorable discharge_ at _cant say_ on the _cant say_ day of _cant say_ A.D. _[blank year]_. She further states that the following is a full description of her said husband at the time of his enlistment, viz: (10)_aged about 34 years, farmer, born in Rhode Island height about 6 feet, hair dark brown, black eyes, dark complection_ She further states that she was married to the said _Stephen Pettis_, at the city (or town) of _Johnston_, in the county of _Trumbull_, and in the State of _Ohio_, on the _31st_, day of _March_ A.D. _1831_ by one (11)_--- Eals_, who was a (12)_Congregational Minister_; and that her name before her said marriage was _Catharine Hosford_, and that she has not remarried since the death of said _Stephen Pettis_; and she further states that (13) she was never married before, but he was first to Catharine Wing, the second him to S. A. Nichols, third him to Olive Hutchins, and lastly to this affiant-all of former wives are dead_ and that her said husband (14)_Stephen Pettis_, died at Newburgh_, in the State of Illinois_, on the _6th_ day of _January_ A.D. _1855_; and she further declares that the following have been the places of residence of herself and her said husband since the date of his discharge from the army, viz: (15) Newburgh Ill until his death and she still present there until the year 1871, at which time she removed to her present abode_. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the pension to which she may be entitled under Sections 4736 to 4740, inclusive, Revised Statutes, and the act of March 9, 1878, and hereby appoints, with full powers of substitution and revocation, _Charles R. Davis_, of _St Peter Minnesota_ her true and lawful attorney to prosecute her claim. And she further declares that she has heretofore made _an_ application for (16) _Bounty Land during the year 1857 (she thinks) cannot give number of warrant in[?] Act of Congress. A warrant was issued. Name of Atty who obtained warrant is --Grigsby of Pittsfield Ill._ and that her residence is _Kasota_ county of _LeSueur_ State of _Minnesota_, and that her post office address is _Kasota LeSueur County Minnesota_ [signed]_Catharine Pettis_ Signature of Claimant Two attesting witnesses who can write their names _Sarah A Pettis_ _Isaiah Ruble_ Also personally appeared _Sarah A Pettis_, aged _67_ years, residing at _Kasota LeSueur County State of Minnesota and Isaiah Ruble_, aged _36_ years, residing at _Kasota aforesaid_, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say that they have known the said _Catharine Pettis_ for _25_ years and for _60_ years, respectively; that they were present and saw her sign her name (or make her mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person who represents herself to be; and they further say that they are able to identify her as the person who was the wife of the identical (17)_Stephen Pettis_, who rendered the service alleged in the above application (in the company of Captain _Stephen Pettis_, in the regiment _infantry_ in the war of _1812_) by the following named facts and circumstances, viz: (18)_Sarah A Pettis saw them married & saw them live & cohabit together for from the date of marriage until his death. Isaih Ruble saw them live & cohabit together for several years_ and they know that she has not remarried since the death of _Stephen Pettis_ her husband, and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. [signed]_Sarah A Pettis_ [signed]_Isaiah Ruble_ Sworn to and subscribed before me this _8th_ day of _October_, A.D. 187_8_; and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, &c., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words _[blank]_, erased and the words, _[blank]_, added; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. [signed]_Lewis Swenson_ Official character: _Clerk of District Court Nicollet Co. Minn._ "Affidavit" _State of Minnesota}_ _County of Nicollet}SS_ _Sarah A Pettis personally appeared before me & being duly sworn says: That she is 67 years old, resides at Kasota LeSueur County Minnesota. That she is well acquainted with one Catharine Pettis, the wife of one Stephen Pettis deceased, that she has been well acquainted with said Catharine for at least 60 years. That she was present at the marriage, which took place between said Catharine Pettis & Stephen Pettis at Johnston Trumbull County, Ohio, on the 31st day of March A D 1831, and was an eye witness to the ceremony, and further knows that they lived & cohabited together as husband & wife from said date up to the date of his death, which occured on the 6th day of January 1855 at Newburgh Illinois. That the Catharine Pettis above spoken of is the identical person who has this day made applic[ant?] for widows pension for srvices during the War of 1812, and further affiant sayeth not_ [signed]_Sarah A Pettis_ _Subscribed to & sworn before me this 8th day of Oct 1878: and I hereby certify that the contents of above affidavit were fully made known to affiant before [???]ing to the same, and further that I have not interest direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim._ _Lewis Swenson Clerk of District Court, Nicollet Co., Minnesota_ "Service Pension" SERVICE PENSION, War of 1812 WIDOW'S BRIEF Claim No. _32549_ Act of _March 9, 1878_ Cert. No. _19,183_ _Original_ Case, _Catharine Pettis_, widow of _Stephen Pettis_ Rank: _Captain_ _Col William Williams_ Regiment: _Militia_ State: _Vermont_ Post Office: _Kasota_, County of _LaSueur_, State of _Minnesota_ Attorney: _Charles R. Davis_ P.O.: _St. Peter_, _Nicollet_ County, State of _Minnesota_ Application filed _October 12th, 18_78_ Alleged service. _Volunteered at Alburg, Vt. Served under the name of Stephen Pettis 90 days as Captain. Was engaged at the Battle of Plattsburgh, and received an honorable discharge._ Record evidence of service. _3rd Auditor reports in B. L. April 25, 1851, "Stephen Pettis a Captain of Col William Williams Regt of Vt. Mil. entered the service July 22, 1812 and served till Dec 1, 1812." Length of service _one hundred thirty three_ days Proof of identity. _two identifying witnesses, clamiant alleges that she received a Land Warrant & furnishes the name of the attorney. Age, residence & general facts correspond._ Admitted _February 8th_, 18_79_, to a pension of EIGHT Dollars per month from _March 9th 1878_ the date of _the acct_ _no_ pension previously applied for [signed]_Alex. R. Spell_ Pension Searcher. Bounty Land claim _No 37771-80-55 issued_ [signed]_N Robinson_ Bounty Land Searcher. [signed]_Rufus W. Deering_ Examiner APPROVED _Feby 12_, [signed]_N. A. Strait_ SUMMA Marriage Date _March 31st 1831_, of _Stephen Pettis_ to _Catharine Hosford, alleged by the clamaint. Sarah A. Pettis testifies that she was present at the marriage on the above date, also to cohabitation as husband & wife to date of soldier's death. In B. L. John L. Hosford & H. M. Hosford testify to same._ Proof as to capacity to marry. _Clamiant alleges that she was never married before, but he was married to Catharine Wing, & S. A. Nichols, & Olive Hutchins, & lastly to herself; that all of former wives are dead. *_ Death of soldier. Date _January 6, 1855, alleged by the clamiant established by the testimony for Sarah A. Pettis, and also of John L. Hosford and H. M. Hosford in B. L. and of John L. Hosford & B. B. Davis in same present at funeral._ Widowhood. _Non-remarriage alleged by the clamiant established by the testimony of the identifying witnesses._ INCIDENTAL MATTER _* The residence of clamiant & soldier was continuous in one county during the latter's life. Soldier obtained one warrant and clamiant one additional one after his death._ "Correspondence" LAW OFFICE OF Charles R. Davis. St. Peter, Minn., _Feby 13_ 187_9_ _Com of Pensions_ _Washington D.C._ _Dr. Sir:_ _Please inform me at your earliest convenience the cause of delay in the matter of the application for pension of Catharine Pettis No 32,549 under Act of March 9th 1878. Please inform me at once if any additional proof is necessary in order to obtain, this being claim for War of 1812 pension._ _Yours Very Respfly_ [signed]_C. R. Davis_ _Atty for applicant_ "Special Examiner's Report" [annotations] _Cert. #19,183_ _Catherine Pettis_ _War of 1812, payable at Milwaukee Agency_ SPECIAL EXAMINATION DIVISION. Department of the Interior PENSION OFFICE _St. Paul, Minn., March 11th_, 188_7_. _Hon. Commisioner of Pensions,_ _Sir:_ _Mrs. Catharine Pettis of Kasota, LeSueur Co., Minn. is a pensioner of War of 1812, as per certificate #19,183. She is alive, has lived in Kasota since about 1871, is generally reputed to be widow of a soldier of War of 1812. My information is derived form attorney Davis and bank cashier J. C. Danenhower[sic] of St. Peter, Nicollet Co, Minn, claimaint living within ten miles of said post office. She resides with her son-in-law Isaiah Rubel, who I called upon in town of St. Peter, who said she was the widow of a Stephen Pettis. The roads leading to the woman's house were bad, hence I could not call upon her for a detailed statement of her husband's name & service and her places of residence._ _Tradition, however, says that "Aunt Catherine", as she is called is the person represented in a office circular, the widow of an 1812 soldier._ _Very respectfully_ _Jno. C. Bo[fsid?]_ _Special Examiner_ "Pensioner Dropped" (3-405.) (PENSIONER DROPPED.) U.S. Pension Agency, _Milwaukee Wis._ _Oct. 29th_, 188_8_ _Hon. Jno C Black_ Commissioner of Pensions. Sir: I hereby report that the name of _Catharine Pettis Wid. War of 1812_, who was a pensioner on the rolls of this Agency, under Certificate No. _19183_, and who was last paid at $_12_, to _4 Dec_, 18_87_, has been dropped because of _death of pensioner_ Very respectfully, _A. B. [In?]ad_ Pensioner Agent "File Summary Information Form" Numbers Soldier _Pettis, Stephen_ War of 1812 _[blank]_ Widow _Pettis, Catharine_ _Wid. Orig. 32549_ _Wid. Ctf. 19183_ Service _Capt., Col. William Williams_ Bounty _5228-80- '50_ Land _Regt. Vt. Mil._ Warrants _37771-80- '55_ Residence of Soldier _1850-851-1855 (P.O. Pittsfield) Pike Co. Ill._ Residence of Widow _1855 to 1871 Pike Co.,Ill., 1871 to 1878 Kasota LeSueur Co. Minn._ _soldier's 1st wife Catharine Wing, 2nd wife S. A. Nichols, 3rd wife Olive Hutchins_ Maiden name of Widow _Catharine Hosford_ Marriage of Soldier and Widow _Mch 31, 1831 Johnston Trumbull Co. Ohio Death of Soldier _Jan. 6, 1855 Newburgh Pike Co. Ill._ Death of Widow _about 1887_ END OF FILE