Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17011, for Benjamin Pettes, Vermont
Page 1

(8-1776)
Service                                                  Number
Continental      Pettes, Benjamin          S.17011
Privateer
Vt.                                                         carded
Contents
Page 2

Connecticut 28201 No. 23.201 
Benjamin Pettes.
[illegible] in the State of Connecticut 
who was a private in the Compy. commanded 
by Captain Nutten of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Prescott in the *Vermont
[time ?] for 
2 Years *Continental Vermont and Privateer.
TW. 
Sept. 7, 1909.

Described on the Roll of Connecticut
[at?] the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, 
Commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th. day of Apr. 
1834 and 
Hon. N. Barber 
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1834 . . 240.00 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th. Sept." . . 40.00
$280.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk,
Book E 2 Vol. Page 34. 

[on right-hand page:]
Date of death not on AB.
Page 3

Benjamin Pettes 
P. [illegible]
30,375 

2 years private 
$80

Return to N Barber [esq ?]
House of Representatives
Page 4

State of Connecticut 
County of New London 
S. Probate District of Stonington 
On this 28th day of August [illegible] 1832. 
Personally appeared in open Court before Asa Fish Judge of the 
Court of Probate for the District of Stonington now setting in Groton in said 
District County and State aforesaid Benjamin Pettes a resident of 
the Town of Groton County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 
Seventy Seven years who being first duly Sworn according to Law doth-- 
On his Oath make the following declaration for a Pension in order to 
Obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. 
That he was born in the Town of Groton
in the State of Connecticut 
And that when he was about thirteen years of age he went 
from Groton with a Man to whom he was an apprentice to reside 
in Brattleborough in the State of Vermont that he there continued 
untill the year 1776 as Near as he can Now recollect
When he went to a place he thinks called Thuels point in the
State of Massachusetts, Near to the entrance of Cambridge 
river where he enlisted into the Continental Service for one
year, in Capt Nuttens Company. Coln. Prescotts Regmt. [crossed out: that] 
that he was first mustered at Cambridge when Genl Washington
was present. That while at Thuels Point Genl.  Putnam Came 
down the river with two floating Batteries, That he was Marched
from thence to Norwich in the State of Connecticut, from-- 
thence to New London, where he embarked on board of a vessel 
for New York, that when they arrived in N. York they were stationed
or quartered in the houses near by market. from thence
his Regmt. was ordered on to Governors Island where they entrenched 
themselves, at which place he was taken sick with the 
Camp distemper and sent to the hospital in New York where he continued untill the Brittish landed on Long Island at 
which time he and the rest of the sick were sent to a place between
Staten [crossed out: Governors] Island and the highlands where he remained untill 
he got well, that he then joined his Regmt again at Kingsbridge
and Marched to white plains, where he was again taken sick 
and was carried off the field in a waggon the day of the [crossed out: illegible]
Page 5

engagement with the Brittish at that place, that after he got 
will he again joined his Regmt. at Peekskills where he remained 
untill his years service expired and received an honourable 
verbal discharge from Coln. Prescott. that he then returned to Goston
in Connecticut, and in the year 1777. he again inlisted into the 
Continental Service in Capt Ellis Compt. Coln. Sherbourns Regmt 
that he marched to Middletown in Connecticut. from thence to 
New Haven. from thence to Rye in the State of N York where he 
continued sometime from thence to west point where he helped 
build barracks for the army, that his Company was at first 
Commanded by Capt Ellis but soon afterward by Capt Stanton 
that he continued at west point until May 1778. when he--
was marched to Peekskils. from thence to white Plains, from 
thence to Newhaven in connecticut, thence to Middletown from 
thence to Providence in the State of Rhode Island from thence to 
Howlands ferry, where they crossed over onto Rhode Island 
where he staid three or four weeks. that he was there in the 
engagement with the Brittish in August 1778, that the night 
after the engagement they retreated off the Island and went to 
Tivertown, from thence to Warwick where he staid until October 
or November from thence he was marched to Bristol where he 
staid untill May of 1779. from thence he went to
Bradford hill where he staid untill the fall of 1779 from 
thence he returned to said Groton in Connecticut, having served 
two years and six months on this tour of service, that he 
then returned to Brattleborough in Vermont, and in March 
1780 was drafted into the state service of that State that the 
Company he belonged to was commanded by Capt Blakesly 
that it was stationed a place called Castletown and was 
called the ranging or scouting Company that said Company 
scouted between Castletown and Crown Point a distance of 40 
miles and from Castletown to mount Independance a distance of 30 miles the object of which was to watch 
the motion of the enemy and the shipping, that he continued 
on this tour of duty from March untill the weather became 
very cold in the fall being a term of about Nine Months
Page 6

that he then received an honourable written discharge but
that said discharge has long since been lost or destroyed, that
after this he again returned to Groton in Connecticut where he enlisted
On board of an American Privateer sailed on a Cruise was
soon taken and carried a prisoner to New York put on board the
Jersey Prisionship and kept nine month, after which he was --
liberated & returned again to Groton in Connecticut. (he being the
only one that had survived out of the whole Privateers crew)
and that he has lived in S. Groton and other Towns in Connecticut
ever since and now lives in said Town of Groton,
That he has no documentary evidence of any kind of either
his tours of Service. That there is no record of his age Now in 
existance that he knows of. That he does not know of any
person now living who can testify to his first tour of duty. 
that Silas Lamb who now resides in S. Town of Groton was a 
Soldier of the Revolution and served in the same Company 
and Regmt. with him on his second tour of duty and can testify 
to the same, that he knows of no person now living who can 
testify to his his third tour of duty in the State service in Vermont 
he never having visited that State since the revolutionary war and 
those who then belonged to the company with him being residents of 
that State. 
The questions and interogatories presented  by the war 
department being propounded by the Court, 
he Answers 
That he was born in the Town of Groton 
in Connecticut the 8th day of March 1755, as he has ever 
been informed,
That he has stated in his declaration where he 
lived when he entered into the service wherein he has lived 
since and where he now lives.
That he has also stated in his 
Declaration how he was called into the service and that 
he was never a substitute. 
And in reply to the 5th and 6th interogatories he has 
stated in his declaration all that he can recollect,
Page 7

And that he is known to Silas Lamb of Groton in said 
London County who is knowing to a part of his service in 
the Army of the Revolution, and that he is known 
also to John G Wightman. Clergyman and to John O Miner Physician 
both residents of S. Town of Groton who can testify their belief 
of his having been a Soldier of the revolution 
And that he hereby relinquishes all claims whatever to 
a pension or annuity except the present and declares 
that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of 
any State 
In presence of Nathan Daboll 
Benjamin Pettes 
his mark ["X" for his signature] 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and 
Year aforesaid before the Courts 
Isa Fish Judge 
I Silas Lamb of Groton County of New London and 
State of Connecticut a soldier of the Revolution aged 71 years 
being duly sworn according to law do on my oath depose 
and say that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Pettes 
who subscribed and swore to the foregoing declaration for
a pension in my presents and know him to have been a 
soldier of the revolution, that I enlisted into the service of the 
United States in the year 1778 in the month of March in a 
Company Commanded by Capt Amos Stanton in in Coln. Sherburns Regmt. and joined the Continental Army at West 
Point in May 1778 at which time the said Benjamin Pettier was 
a soldier in Coln Sherborns Regm.t in said Capt Stantons Comp 
and continued there for the term of 18 months after I joined 
the army I was with him at west point Peekskills white 
Plains Rhode Island Tivertown and many other places stated 
in his declaration and know him to be the same identical 
Benjamin Pettie who has subscribed and sworn to the 
above declaration and that he served 18 months after 
I entered into the army as aforesaid 
August 28th 1832 
Silas Lamb 
his mark ["X" marked as his signature]
Sworn to and subscribed
Page 8

the day and year aforesaid Before the Court 
Asa Fish Judge 
We John G Wightman a Clergyman residing in the 
Town of Groton and John O Miner Physician residing 
in the same town in New London County hereby 
certify that that we are well acquainted with Benjamin 
Pettes who has subscribed and sworn to the forgoing-- 
Declaration. that we believe him to be 77. years of age 
that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood 
where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution 
and we concur in that opinion 
John G Wightman 
John O. Miner M.D. 
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
before the Court 
Asa Fish Judge 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after 
the investigation of the matter, and after putting the 
Interogatories 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 John G Wightman who signed the 
preceeding certificate. is a Clergyman resident in the Town 
of Groton aforesaid and that John O Miner who has also signed the 
same is a resident Physician in said Town Groton and is 
a credible person and that their statement is entitled to 
Credit and that Silas Lamb who signed the forgoing deposition 
is a resident of said Town of Groton and is a credible witness and that he is entitled to credit. 
Asa Fish Judge
I Nathan Daboll Clerk of the Count of Probate for the District of 
Stonington Connecticut, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains 
the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application 
of Benjamin Petters for a pension. In testimony 
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal 
of office this 28th day of August 1832 
Nathan Daboll Clerk
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I Thomas Hallet of Groton County of New London and 
State of Connecticut a soldier of the Revolution aged 73 
years being duly sworn according to Law do on my oath 
Depose and say [crossed out: that] that I am well acquainted with 
Benjamin Pettes of the Town of Groton who has sworn 
and subscribed to the foregoing declaration for a Pension and 
know him to have been a soldier of the Revolution, that I 
the [illegible] Thomas Hallet enlisted into the service of the United 
States as a private soldier in the Month of March 1778, 
in a Company commanded by Capt Amos Stanton in Coln 
Sherborns Regt and joined the Continental Army at 
West Point in May 1778. at which time and place the
said Benjamin Pettes was a soldier in F. Coln Sherborns Regt. 
I was with him at west Point Peekskills white Plains - at the 
Battle on Rhode Island Tivertown and various other places 
during the year 1778 and 1779 he was in the same Company 
and Regt with me and I well recollect that he continued [crossed out: in]
in said Company and Regt. two years and more. I have 
always been acquainted with the P. Benjamin Pettes from 
that time untill Now I believe him to be Seventy Eight 
years old and know that he served more than two years 
in the same company and Regment with me, 
Sworn and Subscribed this 12th day of March 1834 
Thos Hallet
State of Connecticut County of New London S. Groton March 12th 
1834. Personally appeared Thomas Hallet who signed the above 
and foregoing Deposition and made Solemn Oath to the truth
of the same before Me, And I hereby certify that the said
Thomas Hallet is to me well known and is a credible witness 
whose testimony is entitled to credit. 
Nathan Dabell Justice of
Page 10

I John John Packer 2d of Groton County of New London and State of 
Connecticut a pensioner of the United States and Soldier of the Revolution 
aged 77 years being duly sworn according to Law do on my [illegible]
depose and say that in the month of March 1778 I enlisted at 
F. Groton into the continental service in a Company commanded 
by Capt Amos Stanton and marched in F  Company to West Point 
in the State of New York where F Company was joined to Coll 
Sherborns Regment and I well remember that at the time 
I joined said Regmt Benjamin Pettes of Groton County of
New London C. I. was a Soldier in F. Regt. and afterward 
belonged to the same company which I did to (Wit) Capt 
Stantons. I was with him at west Point Peekskills white 
Plains.- at the Battle on Rhode Island, --Tivertown and 
other places he belonged to the same Company and Regt 
that I did Eighteen months. I was then well acquainted 
with the said Benjamin Pettes and have been ever since 
I know him to be the same person who has now signed a 
Declaration for a Pension. and know that he served 18 months 
in the Company and Regt. to which I belonged and had 
the reputation of a good soldier. I believe him to be 78 
years old and that he served as he states, 
Sworn and Subscribed this 12th day of March 1834 
John Packer 2 [illegible] 
[check mark]
New London Conty [County] ss Groton March 12th 1834. 
Personally appeared John Packer 2d. of F. Groton the Signed 
of the foregoing Deposition and made Solemn Oath to 
the truth of the same before me,- and I hereby certify 
that the said John Packer 2-. is to me well known and 
is a credible witness whose testimony is entitled to Credit
Nathan Daboll Justice of the Peace
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State of Connecticut. New London County ss Probate. District
of Stonington--. March 13th 1834.
And the said Court hereby certifies
that  appears to said Court that Thomas Hallett 
and John Packer 2nd. who have each signed a 
certificate preceding are both resident in the town 
of Groton in said NewLondon County, and are 
credible persons and their statements are entitled 
to credit 
Asa Fish Judge 
I Nathan Daboll Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District 
of Stonington Ct. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains 
the Original proceedings of the said Court in the 
matter of the application of Benjamin Pettice [Pettes] for a 
Pension In testimony whereof I have here unto 
set my hand and Seal of Office this 13th day 
of March AD 1834. 
Nathan Dabell Clerk
Page 12

I Noyes Barber, a Representative in Congress from 
the State of Connecticut, hereby certify, that Nathan 
Daboll esquire before whom the Depositions foregoing 
of John Packer 2nd and Thos Hallet were taken is a 
Justice of the Peace in and for the County of New 
London and State aforesaid, and the signature 
purporting to be his, I believe to be in his own proper
hand writing. 
Washington 29th March 1834 
Noyes Barber [illegible]
Page 13

December 6, 1935
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/EEL 
Benjamin Pettes-S. 17011
Maria Knox 
1650-8" Street 
Gering, Nebraska 
Dear Madam: 
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file 
in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.17011, based upon the military 
service in that war of Benjamin Pettes. 
Benjamin Pettes was born March 8, 1755, in Groton, Connecticut 
and when about thirteen years of age, went to Brattleborough, 
Vermont, to reside. The names of his parents are not shown. 
In 1776, Benjamin Pettes went from said Brattleborough to a 
place [inserted in handwriting on left margin: Could not identify name of the place, so omitted it.] "near to the entrance of Cambridge River" in Massachusetts, 
where he enlisted in Captain Nutting's Company, Colonel Prescott's [inserted in handwriting in right margin: this was 7th Cont. & Mass -] 
Massachusetts Regiment, and served for one year in New York City 
and vicinity: he enlisted in 1777, at Groton, Connecticut, served 
in Captains Ellis and Amos Stanton's Company, Colonel Sherburne's [inserted in handwriting in right margin: -add'l Cont. Identified all officers] 
Continental Regiment, was in the battle of Rhode Island and was 
discharged in the fall of 1779, having served two years and six 
months: [inserted in handwriting on left margin: He gave this as 1780 but he is Vt book in this serv. in 1781. & Capt Blakeslee does not appear to have served earlier, so I omitted the year.] he returned to Brattleborough, Vermont, where he enlisted 
in Captain Blakeslee's Vermont Company of Rangers and was engaged 
in scouting and ranging for about nine months: went back to Groton, 
Connecticut, and went on board an American privateer, name of the ship 
not stated, sailed on a cruise, was captured, taken to New York 
and confined on the Jersey prison ship for nine months. He stated 
that when he was released, he was the only survivor of the whole 
privateer crew.
After the Revolution, he resided in Groton and other towns in 
the state of Connecticut.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 23, 
1832, while living in Groton, New London County, Connecticut. 
There are no data as to soldier's family.
Page 14

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the
name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of 
the Revolutionary War pensioner, Benjamin Pettes(S.17011), you
should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, 
Records Division, this city, and cite the following dates
Benjamin Pettes, Certificate No. 28201, issued April 8, 1834,
rate $80 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832,
Connecticut Agency.
Very truly yours 
4.D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 15

[Left page]
17011
INVALID. 
File No. 17011
Benjamin Pettes
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32 
Index:-- Vol. 1, Page 294 
(Arrangement of 1870.) 
[Right page]
1916 Sept. 25 Hist. to A. S. 
Butler 
1935-Dec 5. Hist to Marie 
Knox. Letter sent to Vets 
Admins for reply relating 
to a Civil War soldier. ES
Page 16

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Cambridge Pensions  
Washington D.C.
Hon. N. Barber [written on right edge]
Page 17

J. L. Edwards Esq.
[Illegible] Benjamin Petes Papers 
when examine them and furnish me with an 
answer. I well know his and those that testify 
in support of his claim. they all are entitled 
to full credit they much respected by all that know 
them. Washington 29 March 1834 
N. Barber
[illegible]
Page 18

Rev left 
ALLEGAN COUNTY GAS CO. 
ALLEGAN, MICHIGAN 
9-8-16.
Bureau of Pensions 
Washington D.C.
Jonathan Gleason (Gleyson) of Framingham
Mass. Soldier of the [checkmark] Revolution, was a pensioner. 
Can you give me any family data in his records? David [inserted above: name as described] Pettis and Benjamin Pettis [inserted above:  (Pettes, Pettys] were Revolutionary
soldiers from Vermont. I am informed that they
were pensioners. Could you give me the data in 
their cases?
The same as to Aaron Beal (Beall, Beel, Beale) of 
Nelson, N. H. 
Thanking you, I am, 
Yours truly, 
A.S. Butler
Page 19

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3--525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
S.F.17011 Washington, D. C. , , 19 
In reply to your request of , received
for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Pettes 
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. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. STATE.  
1776 1 year Pvt. Nutting Prescott Continental
1777 2 yrs 6 mos Ellis Sherburne "
Amos Stanton 
Mch. 1780 9 mos. Blakesley [checkmark] Vt.
afterwards enlisted on board a Privateer and while on a crew was 
taken prisoner carried to New York put on the Jersey prison
ship and left 9 mos. and then liberated. 
Battles engaged in, Rhode Island. 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted at Thuels Point? Mass. 
Date of application for pension, Aug 28, 1832. His cl. was al. 
Residence at date of application, Groton New London Co. Conn 
Age at date of application, born Mch. 8. 1755- at Groton Conn. 
Remarks: There is no data on file as to his family. 
When thirteen years old soldier went to Brattleboro Vt, and 
lived there until 1776 
Respectfully, 
Commissioner.
d-2856
Page 20

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION 
WASHINGTON December 6, 1935
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/MMHF/eel
[initials OM]
Marie Knox 
1630 -6" Street 
Gering, Nebraska 
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the 
Revolutionary War record of Benjamin Pettis, of Connecticut and 
the Civil War record of Milton Knox, of Illinois and Iowa. 
Revolutionary War data furnished by the Veterans Administration 
are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land 
based upon service in that war. 
The record has been found of only one Benjamin Pettes, under 
any spelling of that surname. He was of Connecticut. His 
record is given in the report herewith. 
Your letter has been referred to the proper division for 
reply in regard to the Civil War soldier, Milton Knox. 
Very truly yours 
A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.