Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 40,798, Benjamin Carson, Penn.
Page 1

Service Penn.
Carson, Benjamin
Number S. 40,798
Contents
Page 2

13136
Pennsylvania
Benjamin Carson
of Piketownship in the state of Pennsylvania who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Chambers of the Pennsylvania line, for the term of Seven years
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 21 of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 of July 1819 and lent to John Rankin [illegible] Bellefonte Pennsylvania
Arrears to 4th of Mar. 1819. 75.87
Semi-anl. all'ce ending: 4 Sep. 1819. 48.00
9 Mo. 15/31 $123.87
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}
Page 3

Declaration
Thompson and Benjamin Carson, Private
Colonel Chambers Regiment
1775 -7 years
--------------------
The line must be stated [illegible.........................]  is none it must be so stated.

A.O. Miller
Page 4

Pennsylvania}
Center County}
on the 21st day of May 1818

Before me the subscriber one of the associate  Judges for the aforesaid County personally appeared Benjamin Carson aged sixty-eight years resident in Pike Township, Clearfield County, who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the late act of Congress entitled  an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war that he has said Benjamin Carson enlisted in Captain James Chambers Company of Cumberland County in the month of June 1775 and marched from there to Boston and continued in the service for seven years, was in the battles of Long Island, Paoli, White Plains, Brandywine, Germantown [illegible] and at other places.  The regiment to which said company was attacked was commanded by Colonel Thompson.  Rifle Brigade.  in the Pennsylvania line at the end of the first year.  I reenlisted in the same Regiment then commanded by Colonel Chambers and I was discharged in the State of New Jersey
Page 5

in the year 1782 - and that he is in redress circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support and that he has no other evidence at present in his power to give.

Sworn to and declared to before}
me the day and year aforesaid}
James Potter

I James potter one of the associate Judges as aforesaid certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Benjamin Carson did serve in the revolutionary was as stated in the written declaration against the common enemy and that he is in redress circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support and that he is a man of good character and full confidence may be placed in his oath.  And I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and before me to the Secretary for the war department pursuant to the aforesaid directions of Congress.

in Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Potters Mills the 21st day of May 1818.

James Potter
Page 6

[Left Panel--Centre County
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania]

I, John Rankin, Prothonotary of the Court, Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Centre, Do, Certify, that James Potter, Esquire, was at the time of signing, the foregoing declaration and who certified the same, one of the associate Judges for the said county of Centre, duly commissioned and sworn, and that full faith and credit are due, and ought be given to all his official acts as such as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere:  
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and the seal of said County of Centre at Bellefonte this Seventh day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen 1819.

John Rankin, Prothonotary
[his signature]
Page 7

[PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PAGE, TEXT BELOW, HAS BEEN CROSSED OUT!  Providing the text as info only]

Benjamin Carson
No 13136
September 19
the verification of [illegible] must be made before a Court setting and belonging to the same County in which the Pensioner resided.

Department of War,
Pension Office
17 November 1820

J. L. Esquire
[James Lewis]
Page 8

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Center County
Court of Common Pleas
4th Judicial District
1820

On this 28th day of August A.D. 1820 personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record by the laws of the United States for the said County of Centre Benjamin Carson, aged seventy three years, resident in the Township of Pike in Clearfield County (which is attached to Centre County for Judicial purposes) who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows -- On this 26th day of June A. D. 1775 he enlisted for one year in Captain James Chambers' Company of the 1st Rifle Regiment of the Pennsylvania line commanded by Colonel William Thompson and marched from Shippensburg about the middle of July most following was for Boston was in the battle of Leechmoors [Leehmeres] Point and and on our arrival at Boston was stationed there until the eighth of January following when he was chosen and marched as one of General Lee's life guards, for James [illegible] and remained there for about three or four weeks, when his time expired and he enlisted for the term of three years and returned for the Long island, was in the battle of Long Island, also in the battle of Brandywine, Paoli, Germantown, White Plains, Piscattaway and in the year 1779 his time expiring he enlisted for three years more and served out his time faithfully, but has lost his discharge -- That in pursuance of his declaration made before Judge Potter on the 18th day of May 1818, he was placed on the pension list of which he received a certificate from the War Department dated the 23rd day of July 1819 No. 13136 in conformity with the law of the United States of the 18th day of March A. D. 1818

And I do solemnly swear that I was
Page 9

a resident of 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 intent thereby to diminish it, so as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of congress, entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of  the United States in the revolutionary war passed the 18th March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person for me in trust any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed viz.

One Horse ............................$30.00
One Cow ...............................$14.00
Two Sheep ............................$ 4.00
One Smooth Gun ...............$10.00
One Armed Chair ................$   .50
Total .........................................$58.30

Also a yearly pension of forty dollars due from the State of Pennsylvania in pursuance of an act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania passed on the 28 day of March 1814 .....$40.00 yearly

I have no trade, have a wife but who does not live with me but is old and looks to me for support.  I have five children by my first wife, three sons and two daughters who are all married and who are all doing for themselves but are not in situations to render me any support.  I have no children by my present wife, nor have I any place of residence other than living with one of my daughters.  I am old an infirm and unable to support myself by labour [labor].

[signed]--Benjamin Carson

Sworn and subscribed the}
28th day of August A.D. 1820}
in open Court}
John Rankin, Prothonotary
[his signature]
Page 10

Centre County, Pennsylvania

I, John Rankin, Prothonotary of the4 Court of Common Pleas of Centre County, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; And I do 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 fifty-eight dollars and fifty cents, exclusive of the $40 yearly from the State of Pennsylvania.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 28th day of august A. D. 1820.

John Rankin, Prothonotary
[his signature]

Pennsylvania}
Centre County, PA}
I, John Rankin, Esquire, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Centre in the said Commonwealth do further Certify that the County of Clearfield in which the within named Benjamin Carson now resides is and was at the date of the above Certificate annexed by law for Judicial persons to the County of Centre aforesaid and that there is no court whatever held within the said County of Clearfield, the jurisdiction of the Courts of Records of this said County of Centre being [illegible] with the County of Clearfield aforesaid.

In testimonium veritatis I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said Court at Bellefonte the 29th day of November 1820.

John Rankin, Prothonotary
[his signature]
Page 11

Rev. and 1812 War Section.

March 18, 1925.

Joseph Montgomery, "__
309 Chestnut Street
Harrisburg, Pa.

Sir:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 40798, it appears that Benjamin Carson enlisted June 26, 1775 and was a private in Captain James Chambers' Company, Colonel William Thompson's Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment and was in the battle of Lechmeres Point, January 8, 1776, he was chosen one of General Lee's Life Guards and served three or four weeks, he then enlisted and served in same regiment as above, then commanded by Colonel Chambers, he was in the battles of Long Island, White Plains, Piscataway, Brandywine, Paoli and Germantown, served in all seven years.

He was allowed pension on his application executed May 21, 1818, at which time he was a resident
Page 12

of Pike Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, aged sixty-eight years.

In 1880, his second wife was living, her name is not stated, there were no children by her.  In 1820, he referred to five children by his first wife, three sons and two daughters, all were married and he was living with one of his daughters, names of wife and children not given.

Respectfully,
[No Signature]
Acting Commissioner.
Page 13

[LEFT PANEL]
40798
INVALID.
Revy

File No. 40,798
Benjamin Carson
Private
Revolutionary War

Act: 18th March 1818
index:--Vol. 8, Page 72

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[RIGHT PANEL]
1921 March 18 histories
F.M. Crosthwaite
1925 March 18 Hist to
James Montgomery 2nd
and
1925 April 2 Hist.
to Mrs. T. Rex McClure, MCS
1925 June 20 James Montgomery 2nd - Adv. no rev. as Sgt.
Page 14

[This is an envelope]

Pa 266.
Received 25 January 1821

J. C. Calhoun, Esquire
Secretary of the War Department
Washington City

[Bottom lefthand corner--Bellefonte 11 January]
Page 15

Bellefonte January 4th, 1821

Sir

Enclosed I send you the two petitions which was returned, with an addition to my certificate instructing the County of Clearfield being attached to Centre County for Judicial purposes, also John Garrison's declaration, you will please forward them on as soon as possible as they are anxious to know his fate.

I am yours very Respectfully
John Rankin
[his signature]

J. C. Calhoun, Esquire
Secretary of the War Department
Page 16

University Club of Harrisburg
April 18, 1925.

Gentlemen:

Regarding Revolutionary War Pension Claim, S. 40798 of Benjamin Carson.

Will you please inform me if the above Benjamin Carson stated in his application whether he was a private or an officer, in his services from 1776 on.  I have record of a Benjamin Carson who served as Sergeant in Captain David Ziegler's Company commanded by Col. James Chambers, 1777-1781.  I would like to know if those services apply to the same man.

thanking you in advance for this information, I remain

Yours very truly,
Joseph Montgomery 2nd

309 Chestnut Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Page 17

University Club of Harrisburg
February 7, 1925.

Pension Office,
Department of the Interior,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen;

Will you kindly send to me any record of Revolutionary War service, which you may have, of Benjamin Carson believed to have been born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  Before 1818 he removed to Centre County, Pennsylvania.

Thanking you in advance, I remain

Yours very truly,
Joseph Montgomery 2nd

309 Chestnut Street,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Page 18

Box 167
 Mexico, Missouri
February 16, 1925
Box 167

Department of Internal Affairs
Washington, D. C.

Kind Sirs.

Will you please give me a record of the revolutionary services of Benjamin Carson, who served as Seargeant [Sergeant] in Captain David Ziegler's Company, commanded by Colonel James Chambers 1777-1781, and who applied for pension in Dauphin County and was lifting that pension in Centre County 1818.

Thanking you I am Respectfully
Mrs. T. Rex. McClure
Page 19

Please give the history of any Revolutionary soldier by the name of Carson in Union and Center [Centre] Counties, Pennsylvania.

F M. Crosthwaite
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
February 18, 1921.
Page 20

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.  
3--525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.,-------------, 19-----

S.F. 40.798
In reply to your request of [left blank], received [left blank] for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Carson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
June 26, 1776
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
7 years
RANK.
Private
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
--{CAPTAIN. James Chambers
--{COLONEL. William Thompson's 1st Rifle Regiment} - Chambers
STATE.
Pennsylvania

Battles engaged in, Lechmere Point, Germantown, Long Island [illegible], Paoli, White Plains, Brandywine
Residence of soldier at enlistment, not stated
Date of application for pension, *May 21, 1818 [illegible]
Residence at date of application, Pike Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Age at date of application, 68 years

Remarks:  In 1820 his wife was alive but her name is not given.  There were no children by her.  He referred to 5 children by his first wife.  3 sons and 2 daughters, all married and he was living with one of his daughters in 1820.  No names are stated. 

* His application was executed in Center County to which Clearfield County  has attached for Judicial purposes

Respectfully,
[NO SIGNATURE]
Commissioner.

3--2856
Page 21

Mrs. T. Rex McClure
Mexico, Box 167
Mo.

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.40798, it appears that BENJAMIN CARSON enlisted in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, June 26, 1775, served as private in Captain James Chambers' Company, Colonel William Thompson's Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment and was in the battle of Lechmeres Point; January 8, 1776, he was chosen one of General Lee's Life Guards and served three or four weeks; he then enlisted and served in same regiment as above, then commanded by Colonel Chambers, he was in the battles of Long Island, White Plains, Piscataway, Brandywine, Paoli and Germantown, having served in all, seven years.

He was allowed pension on his application executed May 21, 1818, at which time he was a resident of Pike Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, aged sixty-eight years.  His application was executed in Center County, Pennsylvania, to which Clearfield County, was attached for judicial purposes.
Page 22

In 1880 he stated that his second wife, name not given, was living and there were no children by this marriage; he also referred to five children by his first wife, three sons and two daughters all were married, no names given, and he was living then with one of his daughters.

Respectfully,
[No Signature]
Acting Commissioner
Page 23

Revolutionary and 1812
War Section.

June 30, 1925

Joseph Montgomery 3rd
309 Chestnut Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Sir:

I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 40798, it does not appear that Benjamin Carson served as a Sergeant in Captain David Ziegler's Company, Colonel James Chambers' Pennsylvania Regiment.

He was allowed pension for services as a private.

Respectfully,
{No signature]
WILDER S. METCALF
Commissioner.