Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39473, Benjamin Durkee, Conn. Continental
Page 1

SERVICE                                        NUMBER
Conn.         Durkee, Benjamin        S. 39473
Continental                                 B. L. Wt. 420-300
Page 2

Vermont Roll
(No. 1900)
Benjamin Durkee
Colo Wyllys 
Captain
Connecticut Line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence the 10 of April 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 31 of July 18??
and sent to Josiah Dana, Esq
Chelsea, Vermont.

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818
4 months 25/30                   %96.66
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818}
8 years




[unk] sent Oct. 23, 1820 to H. G. MLaughlin
[unk] of Orange County. Williamston, Vermont
Dropt from the Roll, 12th March, 1829, under act May 15,1828
14 Dec. 35 papers copied for Hon. H. Everett
Examd with Orig. Roll Aug. 1833 MG
Death not in A B

Letter to Secy of War
Lt to Hon H Everett

Aug 14, 1828
Dec 8, 1835

see letter to Hon. J. Collamen
H. R. Dec. 1, 1844
Page 3

John Bryant
ansd May 12/52
P. 42
Silvanus Smith
Fathers- Revy
Benj Durkee


Sands-
refer this
to Wm Gordon
Page 4

April 27, 1852
SIr,
In behalf of persons interested, I wish for permission to enquire at the County Land Office of Silvanus Smith a Abraham Howard of Mass. and Benjamin Durkee of Connecticut were entitled to [unk] received Bounty Land for service in the army of the Revolution.
Respectfully
John Bryant
Also Joseph Sanborn of N. H.
Hon. J. E. Heath Commissioner of Pensions

Warrt No, 1902, for 300 acres, issued March 25th 1790, to Sylvanus Smith, who was a Captain in the Mass. Line

Warrt No. 420 for 300 acres April 25th, 1808, to Benj Durkee, who was a Captain in the Connecticut line, and left the service as a Supernummary, prior to the 21st Oct. 1780

The names of Abraham Howard, is not returned on the records of the Mass. Line, nor is the name of Josiah Sanborn, returned on the records of the N. H. line, among either the officers or soldiers of said lines, who were entitled to, or who have received bounty lands from the U. States
Page 5

Benjamin Durkee
Declaration & Schedule



H E G McLaughlin Clerk
Page 6

State of Vermont}
Orange County}
On this 5th day of July 1820 personally appeared before
the County Court for said County of Orange in 
open Court sd Court being a court of record agreeably to the laws 
of this State having the power of fine and imprisonment &c
Benjamin Durkee aged 77 years Resident in Tunbridge
in said County of Orange who being first duly sworn according
to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the
revolutionary war as follows on The first day of Jany 1776
I received an ensigns Commission signed by John Hancock
and served more than 2 years in Col Durkees Regiment The 23
day of November 1781 I was received a Lieutenants Commission and
served as Lieutenant until June 1782 When I received a Captain
Commission and the duty of a Captain until April 1784
in Col [illegible] Regiment Connecticut line and then
received my discharge. That he made his original declaration
on the 10th day of April 1818 has received a pension
certificate No 1900 And I solemnly swear that I was a resident
citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that
I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner
disposed of my property or any part thereof with [illegible] the
so to diminish it as to bring any self within the provisions of an
act of Congress entitled [illegible] to provide for certain persons
engaged in the [illegible] and Have service of the United States
in the Revolutionary War passed on the 18th day of March 1818
And that I have not nor has any person in trust for me
[illegible] or secretive Contracts or debts due to me nor
[illegible] I any Service of [illegible] then what is contained in the
[illegible] hereto annexed and before subscribed
1 Stand 1 Table 1 Chest 2 pr hand Iron Baskets 77 1 Sword [illegible]
1 [illegible] 1 Kettle 1 old 5 pails Kettle 1 Plough & [illegible] $5,,
horseshoes [illegible] 75
1 [illegible] bags 1 Spider 5 Axes plastering tools ,, 5 [s??] Bible and other Books $11,,25
1 Tub 1 [illegible] 1 Pail 1 [illegible] 1 handsaw [illegible] ,,17 Chair $1,,00
Shoemakers tools $3,, 1 Can 26 lb of Old Iron [illegible] $1,,50 
1 Umbrella
1 Looking Glass whole amount $69,,84
My Occupation has been Farming and Shoemaking but age
and infirmities renders me unable to perform my business
My wife [illegible] is 76 years of age in tolerable health for a person
of her Age I have my other family and depend [illegible] entirely
on my pension for support  Benjamin Durkee
Sworn to and declared on the 5th day of July 1820 before
[illegible] Court   H E G McLaughlin Clerk
State of Vermont}
Orange County Ss}
I H E G McLaughlin Clerk of the County
Court for the County of Orange do hereby
Certify that the foregoing Oath and
the schedule thereto annexed are truly
copied from the record of sd Court
and I further certify that it is the 
Opinion of the said Court that the 
total amount in value of the property
exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is $69,,84
In testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of said Court at Chelsea on this 5th day of July 1820
Page 7

Captain Benjamin
Durkee
Tunbridge
April 10th 1818
Page 8

I do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Benjamin Durkee did serve in the revolutionary War on the Continental establishment as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy and I also certify that it appears to my satisfaction that he is very poor and need the assistance of his Country for support, and I now transmit the proceedings taken and had before me to the Secretary for the War department pursuant to the aforementioned act of Congress.
Chelsea July 9, 1818
Josiah Dana Chief Judge of Orange County Court

State of Vermont Orange County Clerks Office
July 9th AD 1818 I hereby certify that Josiah Dana Esq of Chelsea in the County of Orange and State of Vermont is Chief Judge of the County Court within & for the County of Orange aforesaid acting under the authority of the State of Vermont and that his name subscribed to the foregoing is in his own hand writing.
Attest H. E. G. McLaughlin Clerk of Orange County Court
Page 9

I Benjamin Durkee of Tunbridge in the
County of Orange and State of Vermont
testify and declare that on the first day of
January AD. 1776 I received an Ensigns
Commission signed by John Hancock then
President of Congress, and immediately entered
the service in the United States Army and
did duty as an Ensign more than two years
when a new arrangement took place and a
number of supernumerary Officers were his
furlough until called for and I was one of them, the Commission I herewith transmit, altho much torn and d[illegible word] in consequence of it getting very much wet when I was in the service
mediately entered the service in the Connecticut line, and on the 23rd day of November 1781, I received a Lieutenants Commission signed by Jonathan Trumbull and did duty as a Lieutenant untill the 21st day of June 1782 when I received 
a Captains Commission signed by  Jona
Trumbull, and did the duties of a Captain till the month of April 1784 when I was discharged by the Governor of Connecticut. The Commissions I enclose
Page 10

I further testify that by reason of my reduced
 circumstances in life I am in real need of assistance from my Country for support, and wish to be put on the pension list according to a late Act of Congress
Chelsea April 10th 1818
Benjn Burke


State of Vermont ⎬ Chelsea April 19th 1818
Oran County ⎬ 
Personally appeared Benjamin Durkee and made oath to the foregoing declaration by him subscribed
Before me
Josiah Dana Chief Judge
of Orange County Court
Page 11

August 30, 1939

BA-J/MCS
Benjamin Durkee
S. 39473

Mr. Edward Alson Poore
College Highway
Westfield, Massachusetts

Dear Sir:

The data which follows were taken from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 39473, based on the military service of the only Benjamin Durkee that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.

The date and place of birth of Benjamin Durkee and the names of his parents are not shown.

Benjamin Durkee served with the Connecticut troops as follows: he was commissioned January 1, 1776, ensign and served more than two years in Captain Thomas Dyer's company in Colonel Durkee's (relationship not shown) regiment; on November 23, 1781, was commissioned second lieutenant of a co. of matross or artillery company at Groton and served until June 21, 1782, when he was commissioned captain of a corps infantry and matrosses in Colonel Wylly's regiment and served until April, 1784; he was commissioned August 17, 1784, lieutenant of a company of the western forts as soon as the English evacuated them.

Benjamin Durkee was allowed pension on his application executed April 10, 1818, at which time he was living at Tunbridge, Orange County, Vermont.

In 1820 he was living in Tunbridge and stated that he was seventy-seven years of age and that his wife, Joanna, was seventy-six years of age. There are no further data relative to the family of Benjamin Durkee.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 12

39473
INVALID
Revy

File No. 39.473
Benjamin Durkee
Capt Rev War

Act: 18 March 18
Index: Vol. 3, Page 148

[Arrangement of 1870.]


see Rev. War. Bounty Land Wr. 420
Benj. Durkee

second column

Nov. 20/97 Mrs. S.L. K
Hillsboro Bridge, N.
--------------------------
mch. 21, 1903
Mr. H. T. Brigham
Wansem Ohio
---------------------------
1906 June 19. History to
Mrs. Etta J. Strong  C.
----------------------------
1911 June 30. Hist. to 
Mrs. Leonard G. Trumball
1919 Sept. 4 to Madeline Wilson.
1928 Sept 27  " Mrs. William
J. Byars AWF
1929 - Jan 14. Hist to 
Mrs. D. M. Harte AWF
--------------------------
1939 Aug 30 hist to
Mr Edward Alson
Poore           MCS
----------------------------
1940 Feb 8 hist. to Mr.
Benj. G. B. Durkee       MCS
Page 13

State of Connec't Ss

By his Excellency Mathew Griswold Esq. Captain General & Commander in Chief for and over all the Military Force of the State of Connecticutt

To Benjamin Durkee late Lieutenant of a Company in the Regiment raised in the State of Connecticutt
under the Command of Colo  Wyllys in the late army of the United States and late Captain & Commandant of the Forts at New London & Groton wherein the United States in Congress assembled on the 3rd Day of June 1784 did Resolve that a Body of Troops to Consist of 700 men and Immediately and Indispensably necessary for taking Possession of the Western Forts as soon as warranted by the Troops of his Britannick Majesty - for Protection of the Northwestern Frontier guarding the Publick Stores and also to give Protection to the Commissioner appointed to hold a Treaty with the Indian Nations and Recommended to the States of Connecticutt & New York New Jersey and Pensilvania to furnish that number of Troops from their militia for the purpose aforesaid and to be formed into one Regiment to serve for twelve months unless sooner discharged and assigned : 1265 of that Number for the State of Connecticutt to Furnish & Engaged inn said Resolve that the pay subsistence and Rations of the officers and men employed in that Service. Shall be the same as have been heretofore allowed to the Troops in the State Army of the United States : and that each officer and soldier shall be allowed one months pay after they are embodied & before they March -- Therefore in Compliance with the aforesaid Requisition of Congress and to carry the said Resolve into Execution for the Use and Benefit of the United States according to the True Intention thereof : so far as
Page 14

as it Concerns the State of Connecticutt I do in behalf of the State of Connecticutt appoint you to take Rank & Command as Lieutenant of one of the Companies in such aforesaid and you serve therein in that Rank and Character according to the true Intention of said Resolve of Congress in such manner as you shall be ordered & directed subjected to all the Rules & Regulations form' for the Government of the late army of the United States or Such Rules & Regulations as Congress of a Committee of the States in the Recess of Congress may form.
Term of Twelve months unless sooner discharged and that by the said Resolve of Congress you will be entitled to receive the same pay subsistence & rations as have heretofore been allowed. To a Lieutenant in the late army of the United States and by said Resolve you will be Entitled to Receive one Months pay after you are embodied and before March and that you hold your self in Readiness to March on the Shortest Notice to such of sd. Posts as you shall be ordered by the Secretary at War Subject to the Congress or to a Committee of the States in the Recess of Congress.
And also as a further Compliance with the aforesd Resolve of Congress you in pursuance of sd Resolve in the Behalf of the State of Connecticutt Y do hereby impower & Direct you to cause to be raised out of the Militia of the State Twenty : able Bodied effective men to be Employd in the Service of the United States for the purpose aforesd. Subjected to the same Rules and Regulations formd for the Government of the late army of the United States o to such Rules & Regulations as Congress or a Committee of the States in the Recess of Congress may form and that by the Resolve of Congress aforesd they will be Entitled
Page 15

Entitled to the same pay Subsistence & Rations as have heretofore been allowd to the Privates in the late army of the United States to serve therein for the term of twelve months unless sooner discharged and that by the same resolve they will be entitled to receive one months pay after they are embodied and before they march.
And that you hold the oversight and command of the Troops you shall caused to be so raised till further orders, and all civil & military officers in this State are hereby required to afford all proper aid and assistance to the Enlisting officers in the service aforesd.
Given under my hand in the State of Connecticutt the 17th day of August 1784.
Matthew Griswold
Page 16

Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire,
Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief of the State of CONNECTICT
to Benjamin Durkee Gent GREETING,
You being by the Governor & Council of Safety of this State appointed to be Captain of a Company of Infantry [two unknown words] for Defence of the Port of New London.
Reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, I do, by Virtue of the laws of this State, me thereunto enabling, appoint and impower you the said Benja Durkee to be Captain of said Company. You are therefore carefully and diligently to Discharge the Duty of a Captain in Leading, Ordering, and Exercising said company in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers, in the Service aforesaid, and to keep them in good Order and Discipline, hereby Commanding them to obey you as their Captain and yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions, as you shall from Time to Time receive from me, or the Commander in Chief of said State, for the Time being, or other your Superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War,  Pursuant to the Trust reposed in you.
given under my hand and Seal at Arms, in Lebanon the 21st Dy of June Anno Domini, 1782
Jon'th Trumbull
Page 17

Lt Durkee has leave of
absence until calld for
camp 19th Oct. 
1778
Saml H Parsons Esq
Page 18

Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire,
Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief of the State of CONNECTICT
to Benjamin Durkee Gent GREETING,
You being by the Governor and Council of Safety of this State appointed to be Second Lieutenant of a Company  ordered to be raised for Matross or Artillery at Groton
Reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, I do, by Virtue of the laws of this State, me thereunto enabling, appoint and impower you the said Benja Durkee to be Lieutenant of said Company. You are therefore carefully and diligently to Discharge the Duty of a Lieutenant in Leading, Ordering, and Exercising said company in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers, in the Service aforesaid, and to keep them in good Order and Discipline, hereby Commanding them to obey you as their Lieutenant and yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions, as you shall from Time to Time receive from me, or the Commander in Chief of said State, for the Time being, or other your Superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War,  Pursuant to the Trust reposed in you.
given under my hand and Seal at Arms, in Lebanon the 23rd Day of November Anno Domini, 1781
Jon Trumbull

To take pay from the first of
November instant
Page 19

In Congress.

The Delegates of the United Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Cennecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Suffex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina, to Benjamin Durkee Juni, Gentleman

We reposing especial trust, and confidence in your patriotism, valour, conduct and fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to be Ensign in Captian Thomas Dyer Company in the Seventeenth Regiment of Foot ---
in the army of the United Colonies, raised [in the] defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof.  Your the [illegible] and diligently to discharge the [duty] of Ensign by doing and performing [in a ] manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers [under] you command, to be obedient to your orders, as Ensign --- And you at to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall receive from this [illegible] future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of Congress, for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the army of the United Colonies, or any other your superior officer [according] to the rules of discipline of war, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This commission to continue in force until revoked by the or a future Congress.

By Order of the Congress, John Hancock, President

[Illegible]
Page 20

[all X'd out]
Lodg'd by Jas Fisk Esqr.
Benja. Durkee.
on examining the case the following facts appear.
The return of officers who are entitled to land containing the name of Benjamin Durkee Captain in Col. Wyllys Regt of the Connecticut Line.
That he was a suplementary officer, and from an examination of the records of warrants, issued he appears not to have rec'd his land,.
Other claims [illegible] by acts of limitation.
Page 21

No. 420

Benj. Durkee
Capt
Connt. Line

Wt. issd 25 April 1888
Dec to James Fisk Esq

See Rev. War pension 
Sur. File No. 39473
Benj. Durkee
Page 22

Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "an act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
2 March 1829
Sir:
I have the honor to inform you, that Benjamin Durkee formerly a Captain in _____ Regiment of the Connecticut line of the Continental Army; and who has heretofore received a pension at the Vermont agency, has been admitted to the benefits of the abovementioned act.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Richard Rush

The Hon. the SECRETARY OF WAR.
No. 134
Page 23

State of Vermont
Orange County Clerk's Office July seventh AD 1828. I H. E. G. McLaughlin Clerk of Orange County Courts do hereby certify that Josiah Dana & John Stearns the persons who have sworn to the veracity of the within named Benj. Durkee are persons to me well known to be credible witnesses aged from 40 to fifty six years.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal o the said Court the day & year above written.
H. E. G. McLaughlin Clerk
Page 24

Act 1828
Settle at Treasury
Certificate
[illegible]
#3947
Page 25

Revolutionary Claims.
{A.}
Form of a Declaration to be made by the Officers.
For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of an act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828, I, Benjamin Durkee of Tunbridge in the county of Orange, in the State of Vermont, do hereby declare that I was an officer in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution, and served as such to the termination of the war at which period I was a Captain in the regiment of the Connecticut line.
And I do also declare that although I served in the capacity of Captain for from four to five years previous to the close of the war and became entitled to receive certificates (commonly called commission certificates) for a sum equal to the amount of five years full pay, which sum was offered by the resolve of Congress, of the 22d of March 1793, instead of the full pay for life to which I was entitled under the resolve of the 21st of October 1780, [illegible] no can placed in possession of such a certificate, which must [illegible] issued in my name, and the amount of which, together with the arrears of pay due to me at the close of the war, I conclude must stand to my credit in the books of the Treasury of the United States.
And I do further declare, that I have received of the United States as a pensioner since the 3d day of March, 1826, the sum of four hundred and eighty dollars, paid to me by the bank for paying pensions in Conn.
Witness my hand, this seventh day of July, in the year one thousand eight hundred & twenty eight.
Benjm. Durkee

Before me, John H. Smith a Justice of the Peace in the County of Orange, in the State of Vermont, personally appeared, this day Josiah Dana and John Stearns of the said county, who did severally make oath that Benjamin Durkee by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been an officer in the Army of the Revolution, in manner as therein stated.
Witness my hand, this seventh day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred & twenty eight.
John H. Smith, Justice Peace

I, _____, Clerk of the Court of the county of _____, in the State of ____, do hereby certify, that _____, before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was at the time, a _____, and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, i have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the ____ said Court, this _____ day of _____.

*Here insert, To the end of the war, or, (as the case may be,) to the time when the arrangement of the Army provided by the resolves of Congress of the 3d and 21st of October, 1780, was carried into effect; and that I was reduced under that arrangement.
+Here insert, the sum of _____ dollars, paid to me by the agent for paying pensions in the State of ______. If the claimant has not been a pensioner, this part of the declaration may be omitted.
++ A Justice of the Peace, or other magistrate duly empowered to administer oaths, as the case may be.
Page 26

536                                            543
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
August 2, 1828

Benjamin Durkee of Tunbridge in the County of orange in the State of Vermont has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitles "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he was an officer on the Continental line, and served as such to the termination of the war at which period he was a Captain in the         regiment of the Connecticut line; and that he has not received commutation certificates for the five years full pay granted by the resolve of 22 March, 1783; and, further, that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, four hundred and eighty dollars, paid to him by the agent in the State of Vermont.
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far these several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By the order of the Secretary,
A. Dickins

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE
9th August 1828

It appears by the records in this office that final settlement certificate have been issued for the commutation of five years full pay to                           in the              line, amounting to               dollars. It further appears that Benjamin Durkee is now on the pension list of the Vermont agency, and has been since the 3d March 1826 at the rate of Twenty Dollars per month. [all crossed out]
In the Books containing the names of officers entitled to land, Benjamin Durkee is returned as a supernumerary Captain of the Connecticut line.
Peter Hagner Aud.
Page 27

Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
August 14, 1828
The annexed paper, relating to the claim of Benjamin Durkee under the abovementioned act, is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War, with a request that he will be pleased to cause me to be informed whether a commission, and, if so, what commission was received at the War Department, from the claimant, on an application stated to have been heretofore made by him for a pension, and whether, by any words in the Department, it appears that he continued as private to the end of the war.
Richard Rush
The Hon. the Secretary of War

War Department
Bounty land Office
It appears by a record in this office that Benjamin Durkee was returned as a supernumerary Captain of the Connecticut line. It also appears that warrant No. 420 issued for his bounty land on the 25 of April 1808 as is a captain.  But the only document I find by virtue of which it issued is in the following words & figures "Lt. Durkee has leave of absence until cal'd for- Camp 19 Oct. 1778" signed "Saml H. Parsons B. G.
Robert Tayler
14 Aug 1828
Letter War Dept 14 Aug 1828
Page 28

Office of Solicitor of Claims
Washington City 28th Feby 1839

Sir;
If the objection to the allowance of the claim of Capt. Benjamin Durkee is understood, it is based on his having become a supernumerary in 1778, which fact appears of record, but it is to be observed that it was in the capacity of an Ensign and nor in that of  Captain as reported by the third auditor; It is conceived that there can bit two questions [unk] in the decision of this case 1st whether after becoming a supernumerary in 1778 he again entered the continental service, 2nd whether he did not become a supernumerary Captain after the reorganization of the army in January 1781and whether in such an event he can be barred from the benefits of the act of the 15th May 1828: The first question is solved by the history of his after services; The State of Connecticut did provide for the raising of two companies for the defence of Groton and New London, in the first of these Ensign Durkee then on leave of absence was appointed in 1781 a Lieutenant by State authority which explains the misapprehension previously at the pension office where his commissions are on file, as to the character of his
Page 29

his services and in 1782 he was appointed a Captain of the second; These two companies were by virtue of the resolution of the 20th Nov 1781 received into the Continental service as a part of the quota of Connecticut and were attached to Col. Wyllys regiment, which it is believed was afterwards consolidated with that commanded by Col. Sherman; It is therefore, self evident that if he did again become a supernumerary, it must have been after the reform of the army in January 1781, and it is believed that the resolution of the 3d Oct 1780, fully secures to them who became supernumeraries after that date, the advantages of the act of May 1828, as to the provision of the resolution of Congress of the 20th Nov 1781 it could only have been intended to shield the U. States from a claim for depreciation of pay and to leave the settlement of it to the State under whose immediate authority the companies commanded by Captains Durkee and Ransom were called into service; It was a provision for the benefit of the U. States, which did not change the character of the troops, they were received and served as a portion of the quota of Connecticut and were therefore as much Continental troops as if they had been originally enlisted as such and of the fact that troops were often received on Continental establishment in this manner. I would appeal to Col Ogden of the practice of the office has not amply established it. I am Sir, with profound respect.
Y. O. H. S.
Jos Willson

Hon Richard Rush
Secretary of the Treasury
Page 30

Know all men by these presents that I Benjamin Durkee late of Windham in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut and now of Tunbridge in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, have constituted and appointed and by these presents do constitute and appoint James Fisk Esq of Barre in the County of Orange aforesaid my lawful agent and attorney to do and perform for me and in my behalf all things necessary and proper to be dine and performed in obtaining for me the right of share of land to which I am intitled by reason of having served as Captain in the Connecticut Line during the American war. And I do hereby empower the aforesaid James Fisk to sell and dispose of the aforesaid share or right of land by deed or otherwise as he may there proper- and I do hereby ratify and confirm the doing of the said James Fisk, both in obtaining for me the aforesaid share or right of land, and in disposing of the same, in as full and complete a manner as I could do were I personally present. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Chelsea in said County of Orange this nineteenth day of March AD 1808.
Benj Durkee
In presence of
O Hotchkiss
Benjain Griswold
Page 31

State of Vermont
Orange County ss} At Chelsea in said County of Orange, on the 19th day of March AD 1808 personally appeared Benjamin Durkee the signer and sealer of the within and foregoing instrument and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed, before me
Samel Badger Justice Peace
Page 32

[illegible] Mar. 6 1903.
[illegible]
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
Will you
kindly send me the military
record of David [illegible] Major
& Pay Master in the Revolutionary
War. family [illegible] that
he was a pensioner. Will you
kindly inform me if any of
the following names appear
in the records of the Department.
Aaron Bigelow.
Simeon Coe Durham Ct.
Morris Coe    "           "
John Trask New Salem Mass.
Nathaniel Danley [Stanley??] Jr.
John Danley [Stanley??] Caanan, Ct.
Rowland [illegible] Durham Ct.
Benjamin Durkee.
Asa Thayer.  Sincerly [Sincerely] yours
Mrs. H.L. Brigham [illegible]
Fulton Co.
[illegible round PENSION OFFICE stamp atop of list of names]
Page 33

Memphis, Tenn 3/31/28
Pension Office
Gentlemen-
I am desirous of joining the D.A.D.- but do not know first how to establish my ancestry. They were all Easterners. Robert Durkee born in Windham Dec 10/1713. He had a son Benjamin born about 1744 or 5, I think in any- Record blurred- Silas born Feb 25, 1775- Benjamin " Nov 13, 1813, who is my grandfather. These all lived in Conn. N. J. Mass. and N. Y. at various times. Can you give me any information about their war service and oblige
Mrs. D. M. Haste 1822 Union Ave
Page 34

Department of the Interior
Washington D. C.
Can you supply me with the military history of Benjamin Durkee, a soldier of the Revolutionary War? I have understood he was a captain in the Conn. troops.
Very truly,
Mrs. Leonard G. Trumbull
Hartford Vermont
June 27, 1911
Page 35

Fort Arkinson Wis
June 13, 1906
Pension Dept. Rev. War;
Gentlemen:
Can you send me the name of [unk] in which Benjamin Durkee- Captain in the War of the Revolution and later pensioner was born and where he died
Page 36

I have the dates of his birth and death, but not where they occurred. He was born Aug 18, 1745 and died Jan 7th 1812- was my great grandfather. Please let me know as soon as possible as I have my papers from adj. Genl of Conn. ready to become a DAR but lack the information which
Page 37

I am sure you can give me.
Yours very truly
Mrs Etta J Strong
54 Grove Street
Fort Arkinson
Wisconsin
Page 38

Holley, NY
August 28, 1919
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Dear Sir,
I am looking for information concerning a Captain Benjamin Durkee who served during Revolutionary War. Can you help me in any way?
Yours truly,
Madaline Wilson
Page 39

Hillsboro Bridge N. H.
Nov. 7, 1897
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Dear Sir;-
Can you give me any information concerning Capt. Benjamin Durkee's war record. Who, it is believed enlisted from Connecticut, served during the war and was discharged in 1785. He enlisted under Col. Henry Durkee.
At one time he had charge of Fort Trumbull under Gov. Trumbull.
This information I wish for the Daughters of the Revolution. If you
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cannot furnish the required information, can you tell me where I can obtain it.
I will gladly pay for the above information.
Very respectfully,
Mrs. S. L. Kendall
Hillsboro Bridge
New Hamp.
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New York City
Dec 1st 1927
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Gentlemen,
Will you kindly furnish me the record of the members of Benjamin Durkee Family who received pension after the Revolutionary War.
He was in Major Obediah Johnson's Company, Putnam's (3) Connecticut Regiment, raised by Colony of Connecticut in 1775. His name appears in an undated pay roll of that organization, which shows that he enlisted May 19th, was discharged December 16th, and was in service six months and twenty seven days.
I am anxious to complete my records for membership to D.A.R. By bible records the birth
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death & marriage, & children of the Durkee family back to 1630 in this Country.
My grandfather's name is Benjamin Durkee, his family all lived in this section (Connecticut and New York).
Any information will be most happily received in regard the Durkee family, as many of them were in the War of 1775 & 1776.
The connecting lists are only necessary for me to record.
Yours sincerely and thanking you in advance, I am
Mrs Vida Stafford, Durkee, Byars
No. 1 So. Elliott Plave
Brooklyn N.Y.C.

(Mrs. W. T. Byars
No 1 So. Elliott Pl.
Brooklyn N. Y.
Page 43

BENJAMIN G. B. DURKEE
38 PROFESSORS ROW
TUFTS COLLEGE, MASS.

January 29, 1940

United States Veterans Administration
Revolutionary Pension Section
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen,-
Will you kindly give me all the information possible from the application of Benjamin Durkee, born Hampton, Conn., October 18, 1744, died Tunbridge, Vt., April 25, 1829.

Truly yours,
Benjamin S. B. Durkee (signature)
Benjamin S. B. Durkee
Page 44

August 30, 1939

BA-J/MCS
Benjamin Durkee, S. 39473
Solomon Durkee, S. 42682

Mr. Edward Alson Poore
College Highway
Westfield, Massachusetts

Dear Sir;
Reference if made to your request for the records of Revolutionary War soldier, Benjamin, Solomon and Asahel Durkee.

Because of the large number of requests for records of Revolutionary War soldiers and the lack of clerical force available for furnishing such information, it has been impossible to comply in full with requests similar to yours. The records of Benjamin and Solomon Durkee are furnished herewith.
Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 45

[illegible] to your request of [illegible], received
[illegible] of the military his[illegible] Benjamin Durkee
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his ["(or his widow's) is crossed out] application for 
pension on file in this Bureau.
S. File 39473
______________________________
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
________________
Jany 1, 1776
Novbr 3, 1781
June 21, 1782
Aug 17, 1784

LENGTH  OF
SERVICE.
_____________________
[illegible]
2 years
to June 21, 1782
to Apl 1784

RANK.
__________
Ensign
2nd Lieut
Captain
Lieut. {of a regiment of 700 men to take possession
           of Western Forts as soon as evacuated by English.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
_____________________________________________________________
CAPTAIN.
Thomas Dyer
of a co of [illegible]
of Infantry and [illegible]
COLONEL.
Durkee
[illegible]
Wyllys

STATE.
__________
Conn
Conn
[illegible]
_____________________________________________
Battles engaged in, [check mark]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [check mark]
Date of application for pension, Apl [illegible] 1812 His claim was [illegible].
Residence at date of application, Tunbridge, Orange [illegible] Vt.
Age at date of application, seventy-five years.
                                       77
Remarks: In 1820 he referred to his wife [illegible] aged seventy six years.
Page 46

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

January 14, 1929

Mrs. D. M. Haste
1822 Union Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee

Madam;
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 39473, it appears that Benjamin Durkee served with the Connecticut Troops, as follows:
He was commissioned January 1, 1778 ensign and served more than two years in Captain Thomas Dyer's Company, Colonel Durkee's Regiment; November 23, 1781 was commissioned Second Lieutenant of an Artillery Company at Groton and served to June 21, 1782, when he was commissioned Captain of a company of Infantry and Matross as in Colonel Wyllys' Regiment and served to April 1784; and he was commissioned August 17, 1784 lieutenant of a company in a regiment of seven hundred men, who were to take possession of the western forts, as soon as the English evacuated them.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 10, 1818, at which time he was living at Tunbridge, Orange County, Vermont.
Page 47

In 1820, he [unk] stated that he was seventy-seven years old and referred to his wife, Joanna as aged seventy-six years.
There are no further family data.
The above notes Benjamin Durkee is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner

copied by ady
Page 48

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

September 27, 1928

Mrs. William T. Byars
1 South Elliot Place
Brooklynn, New York

Madam;
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 39473, it appears that Benjamin Durkee served with the Connecticut Troops, as follows:
He was commissioned January 1, 1776 ensign and served more than two years in Captain Thomas Dyer's Company, Colonel Durkee's Regiment; November 23, 1781 was commissioned Second Lieutenant of a company of a Matross or Artillery and served to June 21, 1782, when he was commissioned Captain of co. of Infantry and Matross as Company in Colonel Wyllys' Regiment and served to April 1784; and he was commissioned August 17, 1784 lieutenant of a company in a regiment of seven hundred men, who were to take possession of the western forts, as soon as the English evacuated them.
He was allowed pension of his application executed April 10, 1818, at which time he was living at Tunbridge, Orange County, Vermont.
Page 49

COPIED BY ADY
In 1820, he stated that he was seventy-seven years old and referred to his wife, Joanna as aged seventy-six years.
There are no further family data.
The above noted Benjamin Durkee is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
In order to search the above mentioned records for soldier with surname Durkee, the full name is essential with as much as possible of the following data pertaining to them; approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.
Owing to a very large number of inquiries similar to yours and the lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, the bureau is unable to make immediate reply to each request pertaining to soldiers of the Revolution and War of 1812.
Letters are being answered as rapidly as possible in the order of receipt.
Only two histories furnished each inquirer.
Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner
Page 50

February 8, 1940

BA-J/MCS
Benjamin Durkee
S. 39473

Mrs. Benjamin G. B. Durkee
38 Professors Row
Tufts College, Massachusetts

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your request for information relative to Benjamin Durkee, a Revolutionary War soldier who was born in Hampton, Connecticut, October 18, 1744, and died at Tunbridge, Vermont, April 25, 1829.

The data which follows were taken from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 39473, based on the military service of Benjamin Durkee.

The date and place of birth of Benjamin Durkee and the names of his parents are not shown.

Benjamin Durkee served with the Connecticut troops as follows: he was commissioned ensign January 1, 1776, and served more than two years in Captain Thomas Dyer's company in Colonel Durkee's (relationship not shown) regiment; on November 23, 1781, he was commissioned second lieutenant of a company of matrosses or artillery at Groton and served until June 21, 1782, when he was commissioned captain of a company of infantry and matrosses in Colonel Wyllys' regiment and served until April, 1784; on August 17, 1784, he was commissioned lieutenant of a company in a regiment of seven hundred men who were to take possession of the western forts as soon as the English evacuated them.

Benjamin Durkee was allowed pension in his application executed April 10, 1818, at which time he was living at Tunbridge, Orange County, Vermont.
Page 51

Benjamin Durkee was living in Tunbridge in 1820 and then stated that he was seventy-seven years of age and that his wife, Joanna, was seventy-six years of age. There are no further data relative to the family of Benjamin Durkee.
Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Did not refer inquire to Gen. Acctg. Office as sold, was dropped from pen. roll Mar. 12, 1829
MCS