Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 8240, for Benjamin Pierce, New Hampshire
Page 1

(3--1776)

SERVICE
N.H. [New Hampshire]

Pierce, Benjamin
Peirce, Lucinda

NUMBER
R 8240
B.L.Wt.19814-160-55

CONTENTS
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No 19814 iss Apl 7/56

57630 Act Mch 3 June 2 } 55
_____________________________

Lucinda Pierce with
Benjamin Pierce Priv.
_____________________________
Capt. Cole & Carlton
Col. Ashley & Nichols

(illegible) 3 periods
Ent. June 1777 }
(illegible) is. Aug 1777 } N.H. mil
Revy War
______________________________

Private Col Nichols
N. H. Troops
Vt. No Papers
_______________________________
Ad. 160 ac's Apl 3d/56
Dodge
______________________________
Robbins & Chapman
Ludlow Vert

Vol.  P.  page 90,
Page 3

157630

Claim for Bounty 
Land - Act of March
3. 1855

Lucinda Pierce -
of Windham, H.


Presented by
Robbins & Chapman - Attys.

Ludlow, Vt.
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State of Vermont,
Windham County, SS.
}

On this 19th day of May A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Windham and State aforesaid, Lucinda Pierce, aged eighty six years, a resident of Windham in the County and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Benjamin Pierce, deceased, who was a private soldier in the Company commanded by " Capt. [Captain] John Coles in Col. [Colonel] Ashley's Regiment of Militia, which company marched from Westmoreland N.H. on the alarm June 28th 1777 - within five miles of Otter Creek, where they were met by an express from Col. Bellows advising that the enemy had retired, and that it was best for the Militia to return &c" The time of engagement June 29th time of discharge July 4th time in service six days

And the said Lucinda Pierce, widow as afore aid, further declares that the said Benjamin Pirce after his discharge from Capt. Coles company on the 4th day of July 1777- and after his return to Westmoreland N.H. again entered the service of the N. H. Militia in the company commanded by Capt Kimball Carlton in Col Moses Nichols Regiment and Genl. [General] Starks Brigade - which company marched from Chesterfield and towns adjacent (said Pierce went from Westmoreland an adjoining town) in N.H. July 22nd in the same year, to wit, 1777, as a private soldier - Time of service 2 months and 2 days - he having been discharged Sept. 23- 1777- The said Benj. Pierce was at the Battle of Bennington Aug. 16th 1777. and performed all the above service in the war of the Revolution-

And the said Lucinda believes her said husband was again in the service in 1780 - but of this she has not present proof.

She further states that she was married
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to the said Benjamin Pierce on the 19th day of February 1789, by one Samuel Works Esq. a Justice of the Peace duly authorised by the laws of N.H.[New Hampshire] to perform that ceremony_ that her said husband died at Windham in the County of Windham and State of Vermont on the twenty third day of May A.D. 1847 ; that before her marriage with said Benjamin Pierce her name was Lucinda Cobb - and that since the death of her said husband she has died and 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 3rd 1855- She ; also, declares that she has not applied for or received any Warrant for Bounty land_ nor does she believe that her said husband ever received or applied for a bounty land warrant under any other act of Congress-

Lucinda Peirce

[crossed out: Witness Daniel Whitman
Asa Whitman]


We the undersigned Daniel Whitman and Asa Whitman, residents of Windham in the County of Windham & State of Vermont, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged Lucinda Pierce in our presence, and that we know her to be the same person she represents herself to be. We further state that from a long acquainted with the said Benjamin Pierce, deceased, and a [illegible] over him in his life time. we believe him to be the person who served in the Revolutionary war as set forth in the foregoing declaration of his widow

Daniel Whitman
Asa Whitman

State of Vermont
Windham County ss
}
At Windham in said County this 19th day of May 1855
[illegible]
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the foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me, and I certify that I know the affiants -
to be credible persons - that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be - that I was well acquainted with said Benjamin Pierce in his life - time and from his own statements was well or from other evidence presented before me i have no doubt but said Benjamin Pierce served n the war of the Revolution as set forth in the declaration aforesaid - I further certify that I have no interest in this claim. 
signed   Timothy Burton Justice of Peace.

For value received I, Lucinda Pierce, who have made and signed the foregoing declaration for Bounty Land, do hereby, sell, transfer and assign unto Clark H. Chapman, of Loudlow, in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, and to his heirs and assign forever the said Bounty Land Warrant - and when obtained and received do authorize him to locate the same and receive a patent therefor.
Witness my hand and seal this 19th day of May A.D. 1855.
signed Cerreina Peirce
Attest.
David Whitman
Asa Whitman

State of Vermont }
Windham County ss. }   At Windham this 19th day of May A. D. 1855, personally appeared the above named Lucinda Pierce and acknowledged the instrument of assignment aforesaid to be her free act and deed.
Before me, Timothy Burton Justice Peace.
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State of Vermont,
WINDHAM, S. S.
}

I, ROYAL TYLER, Clerk of the County Court, for the County of Windham, being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached, do certify that Timothy Burton was at date of the paper writings to which this is attached, and now is a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified ; that his signatures to the the certificates thereon written are genuine ; that the said paper writings are executed  according to the laws of this State, and are in due form ; and that as such Officer, he is duly authorized by the laws of this State to take acknowledgements of Deeds, take Depositions, administe [sic] Oaths, &c. [Etc.]

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of court, at Brattleborough, this
30th day of May Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.

Royal Tyler Clerk.


Claim for Land-O
3.1855-
[illegible]

Presented-Robb.

Land.
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This certifies that I have examined the Records, finding there a marriage recorded word for word as follows

February 19th 1789
Joined in Marriage Benja [Benjamin] Pierce [jr.??] & Lucinda Cobb
Saml [Samuel] Works Js P [Justice of the Peace]

Dexter Warren Town Clerk of Westmoreland

Atrue [A true] Copy Attest

Dexter Warren Town Clerk

April 13, 1855
 
State of New Hampshire
Cheshire Ss 
April 13th 1855 Then personally appeared Dexter Warren and made oath that the above certificate subscribed is true
Before me T. A. Barker
Justice of the peace

State of New Hampshire
Cheshire ss.
}
I. Leonard Bisco. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said, for said County do hereby certify that Tileston A. Barker before whom
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the foregoing certificate of Dester Warren was sworn to was at the date thereof and is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County duly qualified by law to take depositions and administer oaths, and that his signature thereto is in my beleif (sic) genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this thirteenth day of April A.D. 1853.
signed  Leonard Bisco  Clerk

15-7630
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No   809
_____________________________
Lucinda Pierce
for Pension
Acts
February 2d 1848.
______________________________
Josiah Q. Hawkins,
Attorney
Tolahville
Vermont.      This section is crossed out
______________________________
Benjamin
Act July 17, 1844

filed by 
John S. Edwards
Present
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State of Vermont. }
District of Westminster ss.}
County of Windham }           On this thirty first day of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven, personally appeared before the Hon. the Probate Court for the District of Westminster, in said County of Windham Lucinda Pierce, a resident of Windham in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, aged eighty eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress approved February 2nd A.D. 1848 - that she is the widow of Benjamin Pierce, deceased, who was a private in the war of the Revolution - that to the best of her information and belief her husband, the aforesaid Benjamin Pierce served at several distinct periods of time in said war, and that he entered the service at some of said periods from Westmoreland, New hampshire.  She cannot state how long he continued in actual service in said war, nor the times when and where he was discharged.  
She further states that she believes her said husband was born in the town of Mystick Massachusetts, and that he, with his parents, removed to said Westmoreland when he was about three years old, that from that time till his intermarriage with her he resided at said Westmoreland most, though not all of the time perhaps. 
In the year 1789 - after his said inter-
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marriage, he removed to Windham, Vermont.  and from that time till his decease he resided at said Windham.
She further states that she has often heard her said husband speak of his service in the Army at short periods of time - at some alarms - of his being in Gen. Starks army at the battle of Bennington - of his being one of the soldiers who were sold for a guinea a head by Arnold at West Point.  She has heard him talk of the service in Rhode Island but is not certain whether he was there himself or whether his friends were there - She used to hear her husband and other Revolutionary Soldiers talk of their being in the war - particularly did he talk with Abial Whitman - now deceased, but who was a pensioner formerly residing in said Windham.  And that she heard him say he was about sixteen years of age when he first enlisted - and was tall of his age when he entered the army.  She has no positive recollection of the names of the officers under whom he served - but thinks she remembers him to speak of a Capt. John Cole - Col. Nichols - Col. Ashley - as being officers in the army - other officer's names he used to mention but she cannot now state them. 
She further states that she was married to the said Benjamin Pierce in Westmoreland State of New Hampshire on the 17th day of February A.D. 1789 by Esquire Works a Justice of the Peace - and that her name before her said marriage was Lucinda Cobb - that her husband died at said Windham on the 23rd day of May A.D. 1847 - at the age of Eighty six years.  And that she is still his widow
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and that she was never before made application for a pension.
She hereby appoints Josiah Q. Hawkins of Felchvile, Vermont her true and lawful attorney with power of substitution to prosecute this her claim for a pension, to receive the certificate when issued and to do all other acts necessary and proper in the premises.
signed Lucinda Pierce
Attest: } C. H. Chapman
              Ezra Pierce

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written.
Before me, Abishai Stoddard
Judge of said Probate Court.

I, Abishai Stoddard, Judge of the Court of Probate for said District of Westminster, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said Court in the matter of Lucinda Pierce for a pension.

[ SEAL ]   In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Windham in said District this thirty first day of July A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven. 
signed  Abishai Stoddard  Judge.
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She further declares and claims the benefits of the provisions of the act of 7th June 1832, as the widow of the said Benjamin Pierce, for arrears that was due to him under said act, That her said husband never applied for a pension under the provisions of this act to her knowledge nor was he ever pensioned.
signed  Lucinda Peirce

Attest} C. H. Chapman
           Ezra Pierce

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written.
Before me  Abishai Stoddard } Judge of said Court of Probate

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Windham in said district of Westminster this 31st day of July AD one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven.
[ SEAL ]  Abishai Stoddard } Judge
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State of Vermont,  }
District of Westminster }
County of Windham ss. }    In Open Court

 Present Abishai Stoddard, Judge.

It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before the said Court, which evidence is hereto annexed, that Benjamin Pierce was a Revolutionary Soldier of the United States and that he died on the 23rd day of May A.D. 1847 at Windham in said County, leaving surviving him a widow named Lucinda Pierce, and that the said Lucinda Pierce is still living and a resident of Windham in said State.

[ SEAL ]   In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Windham in said District this thirty first day of July A.D.  1857.
signed   Abishai Stoddard } Judge of said Court of Probate.
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I, Daniel Whitman, of Windham in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, aged fifty tow years, on oath depose and say, that I am a son of Abial Whitman, late of Windham, deceased - who was a pensioner of Vermont of the U.S> for services in the war of the Revolution - and leave always since my boyhood lived near to the residence of Benjamin Pierce in Windham.  I often heard my father and said Pierce talk over their matters about their services in the Revolutionary war - and I think at some times they were out in service together.  I have heard Mr. Pierce speak of the names of Capt. Cole of Westmoreland - Mr. Carlton - as officers in the army under whom he served - also that he was one of Gen. Stark's men at Bennington -  I have heard them speak of being at Rhode Island - and of one Isaac Cobb's being killed there while the company they were in was retreating - and that Cobb having gone into the service with them from Westmoreland N. H. - the did not wish the enemy to have his body - they therefore picked up his dead body and carried it off with them.  Evidence shows that my father entered the army from Westmoreland N.H. & I have heard said Pierce say he was enlisted there.  That he went at three different times or more from Westmoreland and that vicinity.  I have heard the old gentleman in his lifetime say that he ought to have a pension - but he would not take the oath that he was poor and thus would not apply.  Signed David Whitman

State of Vermont } 
Windham County ss}    At Windham in said County in the 31st day of July sd personally appeared David Whitman and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed.  I further certify that he is a credible witness and that I have no interest in this matter.  signed Ezra Pierce Justice Peace
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I Clark H. Chapman, of Cavendish, in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged thirty four years, on oath, testify and say, that I am a native of Windham in the County of Windham and state of Vermont, and resided at Windham from the time of my birth till I was 19 years of age.  I was, in the year 1839, teaching school in the school district of Benjamin Pierce, then of said Windham, but now deceased.  I boarded at said Pierce's house - and often heard him relate incidents of his service in the Revolutionary war.  He said he was in the army at several different times.  He said he was at the battle of Bennington as one of Gen. Stark's men.  He told me his company was detained so that the battle was nearly over with before he arrived on the ground - but he saw and engaged in the latter part of the affair and assisted to take care of the wounded and to bury the dead.  He told me how they buried them; the different manner of the appearance of their wounds - and that he was one of the Guard stationed around the Old meeting house in Bennington in which the prisoners taken were kept - and that during the night the prisoners became alarmed by the cry that that the galleries were breaking down - and rushed out of the house - when the guard forced them back with the bayonet.   He told me he marched to Otter Creek - that he enlisted at Westmoreland N. H. - and when he first entered the service under Gen. Stark he was only about sixteen years old - and many thought he was too much of a boy to be a soldier - but that he was well and endured the march and service well.  I do not remember that he told me the names of his officers - but he said he was at West Point at
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one time.  I asked him why he did not have a pension.  He said he ought to draw a pension, but could not make oath that he was poor and needed it for he could not - nor would he put his property out of his hands for the sake of a pension.  He could live without it and besides he never was out at any one time long enough, he did not think - and as he had property enough for his comfort without he should not trouble himself about it though he he was entitled to it just as much as any of the old soldiers if they would reckon his time from the day he enlisted till his return to N. H. 
Since I left said Windham - which was in 1841 I have often returned to my fathers in said Windham - who lived a neighbor of said Benj. Pierce - and know the said Benj. Pierce as a hale old man as late as 1845.
He and Old Mr. Abial Whitman - a pensioner and neighbor of his often talked over their war service in my hearing - and it was a matter of common repute that said Pierce had been in the Revolutionary service.
signed    Clark H. Chapman

State of Vermont }
Windham County }  At Windham in said County this 31st day of July AD 1857, personally appeared Clark H. Chapman and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affadavit (sic) by him subscribed.  I further certify that he is a credible witness and that I have no interest in this matter.
Ezra Pierce } Justice of Peace
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I, Simeon Pierce, of Windham in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, aged fifty four years on oath testify and say I am a son of Benj. Pierce, late of said Windham, deceased.  I was present at the death of my father, said Benjamin Pierce and saw him die on the 23rd day of May 1847.  I heard my father in his lifetime often relate incidents of his service in the Revolutionary war.  I have heard him say that he came to Westmoreland N.H. when he was very young and lived there and in that neighborhood till he enlisted into the army at the age of sixteen years - that he enlisted and served in the army at three different times - I have heard him give the names of different men and officers who were in the Army with him, I remember his speaking of Capt. Cole and that he was one of Gen. Starks' men at the Battle of Bennington - and that he was in the service at Westpoint many years ago - when Judge Phineas White came to this town to Abial Whitman and made his pension papers I heard my father and said Whitman and said White talk over the subject of their service.  Father told Mr. white he thought it doubtful if he could prove time enough to make out the time required, and as he did not need the pension he should not take the trouble to attempt to get it.  That he could not get it unless he took the oath that he was poor - and that he could not - nor would he ever take an oath that he was in need of it, though in justness he ought to have the pension.  Judge White told him he thought from his statement he was in service long enough to entitle him to the pension - but father would not confer his poverty so as to come within the provision of the act.
I know that the
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application of Lucinda Pierce to which this paper is annexed is signed by the said Lucinda - and that the said Lucinda Pierce - my mother - lived the wife of said Benjamin Pierce till his death in 1847 - and that she has lived the widow - in said Windham - of the said Benjamin Pierce since his decease - and that she now is the widow of my said father Benj. Pierce.
My said Father never to my knowledge - or belief - made application for a pension in his life time.
Simeon Pierce

State of Vermont Windham County SS
At Windham in said county this 31st day of July AD. 1857 personally appeared Simeon Pierce and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. I further certify that he is a credible witness, and that I have no interest in this matter.
Ezra Pierce Justice of Peace
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I Benjamin M. Pierce, of Windham in the county of Windham and state of Vermont, aged forty eight years testify and say that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Pierce late of Windham aforesaid, deceased, and know from his statements to me in his lifetime - that he was in the service of the war of the Revolution at several different times - that he enlisted into the service when about sixteen years of age - from the state of New Hampshire - that after his return from the army the last time he removed from Westmoreland N.H. - to said Windham - where he resided till the time of his death which took place on the 23 day of May 1847. I was present at his death and funeral. He left a widow at his death named Lucinda Pierce, who is still living. and is and ever remained his widow - and is now a resident of said Windham - she is now aged abut eighty eight years.
Benj. B Pierce

State of Vermont Windham County SS At Windham on the 31st day of July 1857
personally appeared Benj. M. Pierce and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed - I further certify that he is a credible witness and that I have no interest in this matter.
Ezra Pierce Justice Peace
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I Timothy Burton of Windham, in the county of Windham and state of Vermont, aged seventy one years, on oath, depose and say that I was acquainted, for the term of some 40 years, with Benjamin Pierce, late of Windham, deceased - named in the papers to which this is annexed. I often heard him in his life-time converse with myself and others of his being in the Revolutionary War. He told me that he was in the service at three different times and that he went to Otter Creek on an enlistment from Westmoreland N.H. - that he was in the army of Gen. Stark at Bennington - and I think at West Point and Rhode Island - as he and Abial Whitman, late a pensioner - who lived and died in this town - were in the service together -this I learned from what he and said Whitman told me. I have heard him speak of being at West Point & of being one whom Arnold engaged to deliver up to the Brittish.
I know that Lucinda Pierce whose application is herewith connected, is the widow of said Benj. Pierce - and that they came from Westmoreland N. Hampshire - and I heard my father Elijah Burton - who was a pensioner on the P. List - in a long conversation with said Benj. Pierce - as also the said Benjamin talk over their soldier life and said Pierce said he was at Bennington Battle - And my father went from Manchester Vt. - but was sick on the day of the battle - he said Pierce he was out in several different times and enlisted from Westmoreland N. H. - and that vicinity each time. I have heard said Benj. Pierce say that he came with his father at an early day - when he was a mere child to live in Westmoreland N. H. - And that he enlisted into the Army when he was only about 16
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In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the State this third day of May 1855
John L. Hadley
Secretary of State
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John S Edwards Esq.
Present
Sept. 3d, 1837