Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18574, Noah Benton, Conn.
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(3-1776) SERVICE Conn. Benton, Noah Phebe NUMBER W. 18574 B. L. Wt. 29037-160-55 CONTENTS
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Act of 1844 Regr No 650 Connecticut 22541.
Noah Benton of Guilford Co. in the State of Connt. who was a Private in the Co commanded by Captain __ of the Regt commanded by Col Ward in the Connt. line for ten months 18.901
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut, at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of Oct 1833 and sent to George Griswold, Guilford, Ct.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833 [$] 83.33 Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar ‘34, [$] 16.66 [equals] $99.99
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Recorded by Wm R Palmer Clerk, Book E. Vol. three Page 32,
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3983, Connecticut
Phebe Benton widow of Noah Benton Conn who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Feby 1849, and sent to Hon S. D. Hubbard H of R
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 260 Vol. 1.
Reg 3d M 55 170453
Reported Feby 22 / 49
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Dir W. W. Baldwin, May, 2 / 56
Dec 31 / 58 Warrant returned with papers to Wm Robinson New Haven Conn as assignable under act June 3 / 58 with cen for a payment
Vol. B. 94.
170,453 Act March 3 / 55 June 16 / 55 Phebe Benton, Wid of Noah Benton, priv
[in pencil] No 29037 iss May 29 / 56
Revolutionary War, Pensioner, Conn Feby 48 3983
Ad: 160 acr May 24 / 56 Boynton W. W. Baldwin Guilford Ct.
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of Connecticut
New Haven County} ss. Probate Court Guilford District
On this 10th day of August AD 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Probate Court of Guilford District now sitting Noah Benton a resident of Madison in the County of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, aged 69 years, who being first duly 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 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated viz. I was born in Guilford in the year 1763 as will appear by the certificate of the Town Clerk of the sd Town of Guilford herewith annexed. I lived in Guilford until the Town was divided & have ever since lived in Madison (formerly Guilford). In the year 1779 my Father was detached from the militia company under Capt. Elias Graves, and I entered the service as a substitute for my Father & served three months under Capt. Graves in Col. Andrew Wards Regt. We were marched to Stratford & continued then 2 or 3 weeks when we were ordered to New Haven & stationed there as a Guard until the end of the term. We were then discharged by Capt. Graved. I next enlisted under
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Capt. Peter Naill as one of the State Guards & was stationed at Leets Island & Sacherus Head and served seven months and was then dismissed by Capt Peter Naill. I never had any written discharge and have no written documentary evidence of my services. I am personally known to Nathaniel Griffing Esq Major S C Johnson Minor Bradley & Capt Abraham Fowler who can testify as to my character for veracity and truth.


He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any Pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. 
Noah Benton
Subscribed & sworn the day & year aforesaid before me
Reuben Elliott
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We Aaron Dutten a Clergyman residing in Guilford and Joseph Griffing residing in said Guilford hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Noah Benton who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be 69 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in his neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion.
Aaron Dutton
Joseph Griffing
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me
Reuben Elliott
Judge
And the sd 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 & the Court further certifies that it appears to them that  Aaron Dutton who has signed the preceding certificate if a clergyman residing in Guilford & that Joseph Griffing who has also signed the same is a resident in Guilford and is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.
Reuben Elliott Judge
I George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for Guilford District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Noah Benton for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hae hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 10th day of August 1832.
George Griswold Clerk
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State of Connecticut
New Haven County} ss. Probate Court Guilford District
On this 19th day of August 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Probate Court for Guilford District, now sitting Noah Benton a resident of Madison in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut, aged 69 years who being sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following amendment to his former declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he is not positive what year he served as a guard at Leets Island but believed it was in 1781 and for proof of sd service he herewith forwards the deposition of James Davis who served with him, he does not recollect the name of any Field Officers more than he names in his first declaration= he would name Roswell Woodward of Georgetown DC to whom he is known and can testify as to his character for veracity.
Noah Benton
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me
Reuben Elliott Judge
New Haven County ss Guilford District Augt. 19, 1833
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Judge of the Court of Probate for Guilford District Noah Benton who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades for ten months I served as a private soldier and for such service I claim a pension.
Noah Benton
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me
Reuben Elliott Judge
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District of Guilford ss. Probate Court Augt 19, 1833
Be it remembered that on the day and year aforesd personally appeared before me Reuben Elliott Judge of the sd Court of Probate James Davis aged sixty eight years to me personally known and who I certify to be a credible witness and being duly sworn on his oath declared and said that some time in the Revolutionary War he thinks in the year 1781 he bleonged to the shore guard in Guilford and was stationed at Leets Island under command of Capt Peter Naill and that he was then and is now well acquainted with Noah Benton and that said Benton belonged to said guard he is not positive how long said Benton was in service but is certain he was one of the guards and that he served a considerable long war of duty and further he saith not.
James Davis
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me
Reuben Elliott Judge
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I George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford in New Haven County do hereby certify that the annexed & foregoing contains the original & additional proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Noah Benton for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 19th day of August 1833.
George Griswold Clerk
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Noah Benton son of Noah Benton by Ruth his wife was born October the 16th 1763.
A true copy of Record, from the Records of the Town of Guilford.
Attest Samuel Fowler Town Clerk
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District of Guilford ss. Probate Court AUgt 10, 1832
Personally appeared before said Court Ezra Wilcox known to the Court to be a credible witness and being first sworn on his oath declares and says that in the year 1779 he was detached as a soldier under command of Capt Elias Graves was marched to Stratford continued two or three weeks from there we returned to New Haven were stationed there till our time expired which was at the end of three months was well acquainted with Noah Benton and that sd Benton belonged to Capt Graves Company and did duty therein for three months and further the deponent saith not.
Ezra Wilcox
Sworn in Court the day & year aforesaid before me
Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate
I George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford in New Haven County do hereby certify that Reuben Elliott who has taken & subscribed the foregoing deposition is the Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford duly qualified & that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
In testimony thereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 10th day of August 1832.
George Griswold Clerk
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The application of Noah Benton of Madison in New Haven CCounty & State of Ct. for a pension under the Law of 1832.
Taken before Reuben Elliott Esq Judge of the Court of Probate for Guilford District in sd County
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No.
Phebe Benton
wid of Noah Ct.
married 1796
Husband died Oct 27, 1847
10 months
$33.33ad act 17 June 1844
com'g 27 Oct 1847

ad act 2 Feb 1848
fr 4 March 1848

Hon S. D. Hubbard
H of R
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State of Connecticut
New Haven County} ss. Town of Milford
Probate Court for the District of Milford in said County
On this 26th day of September 1848 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford in said District County & State Phebe Benton a resident of the town of Madison in said County aged 81 years who being first sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the acts of Congress passed on the 3d March 1843, 17th June 1844, and 2d February 1848, granting pensions to certain widows & persons who served during the Revolutionary War and of an act to continue the pensions of certain widows: and an act granting pension to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Noah Benton formerly of said Madison but at the time of his death of said Guilford, who was a private in the army of the Revolution and to whom a certificate of pension was issued of which the following is a true copy.
War Department Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of 7th June 1832 Noah Benton of the State of Connecticut who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive thirty three dollars and thirty three cents per annum during his natural life commencing on the 4th of March 1831 and payable semiannually on the 4th of March and the 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States this fourth day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
John Robb acting Secretary of War
Examined & countersigned J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Numbered 22.541
that the file of her said husband Noah Benton on file in the records of the War Office of the United States will give a detail of his services to which she hereby refers. That she married the said Noah Benton October 31, 1790
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that she lived with him until the time of his death October 27th 1847. My husband the said Noah Benton drew his said pension of $33.33 until the 4th day of September AD 1847, since which I have not drawn the balance of his pension from that time until his death which was as before stated October 27, 1847. I claim the same pension which my said husband drew that is $33.33 per year from the said 4th day of September 1847.
That said declarant further states that she is still a widow.
Phebe Benton
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written before me
Ralph D Smith Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford
Polly Dowd
I certify that the name of Phebe Benton in the 5th line from the beginning was blotted before signing and also the words " of persons" in the 10th line from the top of the first page were both interlined before signing by said declarant or me.
Ralph D Smith Judge of said Court of Probate
The certificate of Noah Benton was left at the office of Pension agent Hartford Connecticut.
Attest Ralph D Smith Judge of said Court of Probate
State of Connecticut, New Haven County ss. Guilford Probate Court
I Ralph D Smith Judge of the Court of Probate for the district of Guilford hereby certify that Phebe Benton the above declarant is personally known to me as the widow of said Pensioner Noah Benton as by her alleged. The name Phebe Benton two lines above was blotted before signing by me. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name at said Guilford this 6th day of November 1848.
Ralph D Smith Judge of said Probate Court
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Noah Benton Junr & Phebe Davis both of Guilford were joined in marriage by Mr. Amos Fowler Minister, October thirty first one thousand seven hundred and ninety."
State of Connecticut, New Haven County ss. Town of Guilford
The above and foregoing is a true copy of record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair and legible figures as follows, viz "Oct. 31st, 1790."
Edward R Landon, Town Clerk of Guilford
I Edward R. Landon above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town of Guilford in said County and State aforesaid and the above is a true extract from the records of said town of Guilford with the exception above named as certified by me. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name this 29th day of September 1848.
Edward R Landon
Town Clerk of the Town of Guilford
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year last aforesaid.
Ralph D Smith Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford in said County

Noah Benton son of Noah Benton by Ruth his wife was born Oct. 16th 1763, a true copy of Record. E R Landon, Town Clerk
Noah Benton died October twenty seventh in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty seven, a true copy of Record. E R Landon, Town Clerk
I Edward R Landon above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the town of Guilford in said county and state above named and that all the above extracts are true copies of record from the records of said town of Guilford.
Attest E R Landon, Town Clerk
Sworn to & subscribed on the 29th day of September AD 1848 before me
Ralph D Smith Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford
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State of Connecticut New Haven County ⎬ [ILLEGIBLE] Milford Probate Court R. S. Smith Clerk P.T. of said Probate Court of the district of Milford in the County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that Ralph D Smith Esqr is Judge of said Court of Probate duly commissioned and qualified and that his commission is dated on the 6th day of Ame AD 1848 and will expire on the 20th day of June 1849 and that his signatures as within written are all genuine I further certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said County of Probate in the matter of the application of Phebe Benton for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 6th day of November No. 1848 R S Smith, Clerk P.T.
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22541
Noah Benton
Connecticut

Adm 10 months
$33.33

Geo Griswold Esq
Guilford
Ct.
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No 18901
WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office
June 13, 1833

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of Noah Benton of Cont.

Period when the service was rendered: 1779
Duration of the claimant's service: 3 months
Rank of the claimant: Privt
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served: Cap Graves
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers: Col Ward
Battles in which the applicant was engaged: none
Country through which he marched: Stratford to New Haven
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period: 69, Guilford
Evidence by which the declaration is supported: Clergyman's & me citizen's appt- one living witness to the 1 period of service

Period when the service was rendered: afterwards
Duration of the claimant's service: 7 months
Rank of the claimant" "
Names and Rank of the Company officers whom he served: Vaill
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers: not stated
Country through which he marched: Leet's Island

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS
Commissioner of Pensions
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers
3. Persons employed in the Naval service
4. Indian Spies
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of                              } ss.
On this    day of     personally appeared (a) before                A. B. a resident (b) of              in the county of                 and State, Territory, or District of             aged (c)              years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)     , with     and served in the            (e) regiment of the           line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. -> This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                         A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                  of the Court of               do hereby certify (h) 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 (i) this      day of    &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of the applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers, or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k)We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the                    and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                   , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be           years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]
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 A. B. and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the                and is a credible person, and their statement is entitled to credit.
I,            Clerk of the Court of          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    &c.
*Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the service of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each persons 

*There are other applicants who served on Leets Island Capt Vails company
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service int he Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you live now?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
6. To a Soldier} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
To an Officers} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons- one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief if general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State of Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832, and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.


[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariable be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had, Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For ---- year ---- month, and ----- days, I served as a -----. For ---- months and ---- days, I served as a ------; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] This law makes relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
-> The notes [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must be all written, and sent to the War Department with the declaration.
Page 23

BOUNTY LAND, ACT OF 1855
WIDOW'S APPLICATION FOR FIRST WARRANT

STATE OF CONNECTICUT
COUNTY OF  New Haven} ss. Guilford
On this fifth day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the county and State aforesaid, Phebe Benton aged eighty seven years, a resident of Guilford in the State of Connecticut, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Noah Benton of Madison Ct., deceased, who was a private from Connecticut in the Revolutionary war, and drew a pension before his death. The applicant has a pension yearly under a certificate dated February 22, 1849 signed by W. L. Marcy Secy of War & J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions of the sum of Thirty three 33/100 dollars per annum.
She further states that she was married to the said Noah Benton in Guilford on the thirty first day of October A.D. , by one Rev Amos Fowler, a minister and that her name before her said marriage was Phebe Davis; that her said husband died at Guilford on the twenty seventh day of October A.D. 1847 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 3, 1855.
Phebe Benton her mark X
We, James H Benton and Emeline A Benton resident of Guilford in the State of Connecticut, upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Phebe Benton (being blind & unable to write) in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she if the identical person she represents herself to be, and have known her as the wife & widow of Noah Benton for the last forty years.
James H Benton
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,
W. W. Baldwin
The Comm'r of Pensions will please forward the Warrant on the above to
W. W. Baldwin
Guilford Conn
be hereunto assigned, this 6th day of June A.D. 1855, and in the seventy ninth year of the Independence of the United State of America.
By his Excellency the Governor,
N. B. Sperry
Secretary of State


Emeline A Benton
Page 24

State of Connecticut

By his Excellency WILLIAM T. MINOR, Governor of said State.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Know Ye, that W W Baldwin was at the time of subscribing the within attestation and now is a Notary Public in the said State, duly constituted and commissioner, and that to his acts and attestations as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court, that the annexed attestation is in due form and by the proper officer; and that I believe the signature of said W. W. Baldwin thereunto to be genuine.
William T. Minor
In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the public Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed, this 6th day of June A.D. 1855, and in the seventy ninth year of the Independence of the United State of America.
By his Excellency the Governor.
N B Sperry
Secretary of State
Page 25

Noah Benton,
Connecticut Roll Act 7th June 1832 at $33.33 per ann

To what time was he last paid? 

Paid the 4th Sept. 1847
{initials}

Pension Office
Feb 22, 1849.

-Attached Item-
{checkmark}
29037
[illegible]
Page 26

Revp
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 18574
Phebe Benton
Widow of
Noah Benton
Pri [private] Rev War

Act: Heb 2d 48 [? illegible]

Index: --Vol. A, Page 5-3
{Arrangement of 1870}
Page 27

568.
Connecticut
Phebe Benton
widow of Noah
who was a private
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 24th [scratched out] 7th day of March [scratched out] October 1844 [scratched out] 1847,

Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of July 1849 and sent to Hon S.D. Hubbard 
[illegible]

{Act of June 17, 1844.}
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 
Page 50.