Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39005, for Benjamin L Peckham, Rhode Island
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(3-1776)

SERVICE
R.I.

Peckham, Benjamin S.

NUMBER
S. 39005
B.L.Wt. 1628-300-Capt.
Issued Dec. 31, 1789
No papers
and initial S. omitted.

CONTENTS
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Benjamin S Peckham
Captain
Angell's Regt. R Island Line
1778 Jany 5 t0 6 years
Declaration 9th April 1818
Judge Howell
Benj Cowell Esq Clk 
of court Providence RI

The certificate of the Judge as to the applicants circumstances in wanting

Recd June 1. 1818
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I Benjamin L. Peckham of North Kingstown in the District of Rhode Island on solemn oath do declare & say - that I received a Commission bearing date Janury 5 - 1778 - signed by Henry Lawrens then president of Congress - appointing me Ensign in Col Angells regiment in the Rhode Island line to take rank from the 11th of February 1777 which commission is here with annexed - In which capacity I continued to perform duty in the army untill I recievd another Commission signed by John Hanson President of Congress bearing date 28th day of May 1782 appointing me a Lieutenant in the Rhode Island line of the Continental army of the United States - ti take rank from the 15th day of April 1778 - In which capacity I performed duty in said army untill the 27th day of November 1782 when I recivd a another Commission appointing me a Captain in said Rhode Island regiment to take rank from the 22d June 1782 - signed by Elias Boudinot - then President of Congress - which both Commission & also my Lieutenant Commission are here with annexed - I continued to perform the duty of a Captain untill the close of the war. I was in the war more than six years, & in many battles - to wit Red Bank Monmouth Mudfort & lastly at the taking of Lord Cornwallis at York Town. I further declare that I am now old & in reduced circumstances - & in need of the assistance of my country for support
B L Peckham
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Rhode Island District ss

Be it remembered that on this ninth day of April 1818 came before me the within named Benjamin L Peckam & made solemn oath to the truth of the declaration by him within subscribed. In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand & have caused the seal of the District Court for said District to be hereto affixed the day & year above written,
David Howell
District Judge

Providence 9th April 1818
The signature of the Judge and the seal of the District Court of the United States for R I District are hereto affixed
Attest Benjamin Cowell
Clk of sd. Court
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State of Rhode Island &c

Town Clerks Office
North Kingstown Jue 24th 1820

I hereby certify that Daniel E Updike Esq has a lien on the house and lot of land of Benjamin L Peckham Esq situated in the Village of Wickford in this Town by mortgage deed bearing date February 25th AD. 1793. for the sum of twenty three pounds six shillings and four pence lawful money payable one year after date 

And that the said Benjamin L Peckham has also mortgaged the same premisses to Welcome Arnold Esq of Providence (dec) by mortgage deed bearing date the 20th day of June AD. 1792 for the sum of twenty one pounds ten shillings real lawful silver money payable one year after date

And that said lot of land contains one eighth part of an acre, And that the house is about thirty six feet long and twenty four feet wide one story high built at two different times the oldest part much out of repair (which is all the real estate he has any interest in to my knowledge)

And that the whole of the two mortgages are now in full force and effect in the land not discharged or in any part paid as it appears of accord
Jon Reynolds T. Clk

To whom concerned
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North Kingstown June 24th 1820

I hereby certify that the within named Benjamin  Peckham Esq has been employed by one to work in my office about two years in succession ending about three or four years past that he is now out of business very much superannuated and for several years past his infirmities have very much disqualified him as a scribe

And I have been personally acquainted with him for more than twenty years past during all of which time he has very diligently applied himself to business for a livelihood and has notwithstanding been always in indigent circumstances having had a sickly wife and a numerous and helpless family of children and grand children heretofore and as yet very much dependant on him for their daily support

As to his real estate I consider it mortgaged very near or quite to the full value

And as to personal estate I consider him very destitute of (as well appears by his inventory to which full credit is due) and in need of the aid of his family for support
Jon Reynolds

To whom concerned
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We the subscriber inhabitants and freeholders of the town of North Kingstown County of Washington State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations being requested by Benjamon L Peckham a Captain in the Rhode Island Continental line during the revolutionary war to appraise and set a value on a small house and lott of land of which he possesses the fee in the Village of Wickford in said town of North Kingstown aforesaid do hereby give it as our opinion that said lot & house is not worth at the extent more than four hundred and fifty dollars provided there should not be any incumbrance thereon 

North Kingstown July 4 1820
William Hammond
Peleg Weeden

State of Rhode Island &c County of Washington 
At North Kingstown July 4 1820 personally came before me the above named William Hammond and Peleg Weeden and made solemn oath to the truth of the above statement and appraisal
Jon Reynolds Just. Peace
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State of Rhode Island &c Washington County ss
Clerks Office Court Com. Pleas July 1820

I certify that William Hammond Esq and M. Peleg Weeden are gentlemen of respectability truth and veracity. I also certify that Jonathan Reynolds Esq whose signature is hereto affixed is Town Clerk and a Justice of the Peace for the town of North Kingstown legally choosen & qualified as the law requires that full faith & credit to be given to his certificate throughout the United States & that the seal here impressed is the true seal of the Court aforesd.
Saml. Helme Clk of sd Court