Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12983, Gamaliel Benediet, Conn.
Page 1

(s-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Benedict, Gamaliel

NUMBER
S.12983


carded
Page 2

Connecticut  9895
==================
Gamaliel Benedict
of Fairfield in the Stat of Cont
who was a Private in the commanded
by Captain  of the Regt commanded
by Northrup in the Connt
line for 22 mo. 7 days

Reduced from $90.----
===========================
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 80 Dollars 77 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
===========================
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of July 35,and sent Hon. S Pardy - H.R.
==============================
Arrears to the 4th of Sept '34              $282.70
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Mar 35  40.38
                                                               $323.08

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}


Recorded by N Rice   Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 3  Page 4
          E2  Vol. 3 Page 5
Page 3

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield Ss Danbury
On this 6th day of March 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury, in the said County and State now sitting at Danbury within said District. (The same being a Court of Record, Gamaliel Benedict a Resident of the town of Ridgefield in said District. Age Seventy two years, who on being first 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 and served as herein stated.
That on the last of May on first of June in the year 1776, he enlisted as a private soldier in Colonel Silliman's Regiment of Connecticut State Troops in Captain Jeramiah Northrop's Company of which James Betts then of Norwalk in said County was Lieutenant and Ebenezer Olmsted of said Ridgefield was Ensign. the time of Enlistment was seven months. that he joined his company in Ridgefield on the First of June, and Marched to Norwalk aforesaid and embarked on board a sloop and proceeded to New York, where we joined the Regiment, and where we remained on duty until the morning of the day that the City of New York was surrendered to the British. when said Regiment was ordered to Harlem, and this Declarant being sick was consigned to Kingsbridge in said State of New York but in a few days partially recovered his health, now rejoined his Regiment
Page 4

at Harlem Heights where said detachment encamped for about two seeks then marched to White Plains. Said Regiment participated in the battle of the Plains but this deponent was on the sick list at that time and unfit for duty. he however rejoined the Regiment soon after at North Castle a town in the vicinity of the Plains when said Regiment was discharged by said Colonel Silliman on the last of December 1776 or the first of January 1777 and this declarant returned home having served under the aforesaid enlistment seven months.
And he further states that on the first of April in the year 1777 he again enlisted as a private soldier in a Company of Connecticut State Troops commanded by Captain Rueben Scofield in Colonel Roger Eno's Regiment that he was enlisted by Job Smith who in the month of June of the same year and appointed Ensign of said Company that he joined the Regiment at Horseneck in said County when in military post was kept during most of the war. Commanded sometimes by officers of the State Troops sat others by Officers of the Continental Army. Said Regiment was soon ordered to March to Peekskill in the State of New York where it remained for about ten? months where Colonel Eno rec'd orders as this declarant believes from Gen. Washinton to employ the troops under his command in repairing the road leading [unknown word] said Peekskill to Danbury in the State of Connecticut where were kept a large quantity of Miliary Stores this service was arduous and continued for about two
Page 5

weeks when the Regiment returned to said Horseneck and from there marched in Company with a body of Continental troops to east Chester in the State of New York, where a Night engagement took place between said troops some and a body of British troops. The British Troops soon fell back within their lines and the aforesaid troops returned to New Rochelle and thence to a place called Mamaroneck where this declarant believes they were encamped for about two months, and then returned to said Horseneck, where this declarant was served on duty until the period of his enlistment had expired viz first of January 1778 when he was honorably discharged having served under said enlistment the term of nine months.
Page 6

And this declarant further states that on or about the first of March 1780 he entered the service as a substitute for Samuel Fairbank in Captain Jesa Bells Company and the State Guard and served in Horseneck in said Fairfield County two months and was then discharged
And this declarant further states that about the first of May 1780 he enlisted as a Sergeant for nine months and performed duty as such in a company under the command of Captain David Olmsted in Colonel Bebe's Regiment of the Connecticut State Troop that said troops were stationed at Horseneck and Kingstreet in Greenwich in said Fairfield County and afterward marched to Stamford in said Fairfield County and were employed in guarding the Coast until the expiration of the period of his enlistment where at said Stamford he was discharged verbally and this declarant further states that in the year previous to the service last above mentioned that the company of Militia to which this declarant belonged was called on a tour of duty and this declarant accompanied the same under the Command of Captain David Olmsted to [unknown word] imposed Peekskill, Fishkill Gregory's Parish and Morrisons stores now Patterson all in the State of New York and that he was on duty at those places as a private half a month in June and was verbally discharged and further that he was called out in the month of July in the same year and in the same company as a private
Page 7

Soldier, and performed a Tour of duty at [Pound Ridge] in the State of New York, and at Fairfield and Norwalk in the State of Connecticut, and was at the latter places about the time that they were destroyed by the Enemy, making a Tour of service half a month, extremely arduous.

This Declarant states that he was born at Ridgefield in said County of Fairfield on the 9th day of November 1760. That he has a record of his age in the family Bible and believes the time of his birth is recorded in the public records of said Town of Ridgefield. That he resided at said Ridgefield at the [illegible] period in which he entered the serve as aforesaid. That he has resided in said town subsequent to the War of the Revolution and still resides in the same place.

He, the said Gamaliel Benedict, hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or Annuity except to the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.

The said Gamaliel Benedict being examined in Court saith the said Regiment commanded by Colonel Silliman, crossed to Long Island, and there engaged in the Battle of that [illegible]. but he was sick at the time and in the hospital and that he was dismissed with the said Regiment at said North Castle as aforesaid on the 25th day of December 1776.
Page 8

The said Gamaliel Benedict hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Gamaliel Benedict
Attest Edward Taylor Clk

We, Nathan Burton a clergyman, residing in the town of Ridgefield and Thomas Wilson residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Gamaliel Benedict who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two 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
Nathan Burton
Thomas Wilson
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk

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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to t hem that Nathan Burton who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Ridgefield and that Thomas Wilson who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Ridgefield and is a credible [illegible] and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk

I, Edward Taylor Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District Daulery do hereby certify that the [foregoing] contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Gamaliel Benedict for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my said Office, this 6th day of March 1832.
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
Page 9

23182
Gamaliel Benedict
Ob.

Admitted
9 Mo Surgeon
19 Mo Private
1 term on 6 mo
2d bin 7 days by rolls
See letter 6th Aug to
claimant
8 wi Jery in Beebee

Edward Taylor Esq.
Danberry 
Ct.
Page 10

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 a 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. These 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, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 

A Statement, showing the Service of Gamaliel Benedict Fairfield Ct.
|Period when the service was rendered.|
(illegible) May of June '76 Con. State Troops}
- 1 Apr '77
- Sub to 1 March '80
Enlisted to 1 May '80
X     X - 79
|Duration of the claimant's service|
X-Years, 7 Months, 0 Days
X-Years, 9 Months, 0 Days
X-Years, 2 Months, 0 Days
X-Years, 9 Months, 0 Days
X-Years, 1 Months, two long
|Rank of the claimant|
pr.
"
"
Sergeant
pr
|Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served|
Capt. Northrop
Capt. Scofield
Capt. Bell
Capt. Ohinted
"              "
|Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.|
Col. Sullivan
Col. Eno.
--------
Col. Bubis
--------
|Battles in which the applicant was engaged.|
(Blank)
|Country through which he marched.|
Oh. N.Y.
"       "
|Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.|
Ridgefield, Ct., 72
|Evidence by which the declaration is supported.|
Nady Justice
9 to 12 4& 5 (illegible)

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 11

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, &c. 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 _______ aged (c) ____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath made the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provi(s)ion 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, of (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to 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 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 that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ____ and is a credible person, and that 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 person knowledge of the services 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 person
Page 12

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts state I 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 provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will proposeand the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the 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 now live?
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 services.
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?
6. {To an Officer.} 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 (t)he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinion 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 who 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 the he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If on 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 is 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 or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court of County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such a 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 lade 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 invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period of 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 _____ months, 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] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] 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 the 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 from [a] to [e] are 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 all be written, and sent to the War department, with the declaration. 

W. L. Williams (illegible)
Page 13

left column
June 12, 1901
Chas. G. Phelps
Wallingford Conn

right column
12,983
Rev War
INVALID.
-----
File No. 12,983 AW
Gamaliel Benedict
2nd Sergt Rev War
-----
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:--Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 14

9895
Connecticut
=====
Gamaliel Benedict
of [illegible] in the State of Connecticut
who was a Sergeant 1c in the Comp commanded
by Captain Silliman of the Regt commanded
by Col. Northrop in the Connecticut
line for 9 months Sergeant

12 hi 7 days fun
8 mi leng
$80.77
heir certificate
Hon. S. Tweedey

$95
=====

Inscribed in the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 90 Dollars per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

=====

Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of June 1833 and sent to E. Taylor
Danberry

=====

Arrears to the 4th of March $180
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep [illegible] 45
$225
===

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Go. C. Stiles, Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 3 Page 4

Pay [illegible] Aug 1834
Certif recalled let/[illegible]
6 Aug 1834
Let 3, Sep. 1834. Pensioner
-----
let Hon. L. Tweedy
17 Dec 1834
Page 15

I Matthew Keeler of Ridgefield in the
County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut
Aged Seventy one years, do depose and say
That I am well acquainted with 
Gamaliel Benedict of said Ridgefield, and
know that said Benedict was on a Tour of
Militia duty in the year 1779 in the month
of June, at [illegible], Peekskill, Fishkill
Gregory's Parish, and Morisons Store now Patterson
in the State of New York, in a company 
commanded by Captain David Olmsted, that he
was on duty as above for the span of half
month,~ and further that I was well
knowing to said Benedict, being, in the month
of July in the same year, and in the Same
company of Militia, on a Tour of duty
at Poundridge in the State of New York, and
at Fairfield and Norwalk in Connecticut at the Conflagrations
of those towns by the British Troops in Said
July in that the above service occupied a
period of half a month and was very tedious
and arduous duty-
Matthew Keeler
X
State of Connecticut
Fairfield County        ⎬Ss. Ridgefield July 13, 1832
On the day and year above mentioned personally appeared
before me a Justice of the Peace for said County, Matthew
Keeler, known to me to be the same person who hath
subscribed the forgoing deposition and who 
sustains a fair character for truth and veracity, and
made solemn oath to the truth of the Same
Harvey Smith Justice of Peace
July 13
Page 16

August 3d 1832 Sworn & subscribed in open Court and the said Court of Probate certifies that the deponent sustains a good character for truth & is a credible witness.
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
Page 17

I Joel Merchant of Redding in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy years, after being duly sworn, depose and say, that I am well acquainted with Gamaliel Benedict of Ridgefield in said County, and know that in the year 1780, that said Benedict was in the service of the United States in a company, under the command of David Olmsted in Colonel Bubis Regiment of the Connecticut State Troops, that the said Benedict was a Sergeant in said company, and done duty as such, this deponent was in service in the said Regiment in a company commanded by Captain Jesse Bell and frequently saw the said Benedict, that the period of enlistment as this deponent verily believes was for nine months, that the troops were stationed at Horseneck and Kingstreet in the State of Connecticut, and afterwards marched to Stamford, in said State, and were employed in guarding the coast, and the period of his enlistment having expired, he was discharged at Stamford aforesaid.
Joel Merchant

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County} ss. Ridgefield July 17, 1832
On the day and year above written personally appeared Joel Merchant who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition and also to me known as a person of truth and veracity and made solemn affirmation to the [unk] of the truth of the same.
Before me Harvey Smith Justice of the Peace for Fairfield County
July 17
Page 18

Hon. S. Tweedy
Page 19

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County
Gamaliel Benedict of
Ridgefield in the said County being duly
sworn doth depose and say, that [illegible]he 
enlisted in Col. Beebe's Regiment Connecticut
State Troops in the Spring of the year 1780, it
was agreed between Lieutenant Ezra Benedict
who was an officer in Captain Olmsteads
Company, and this deponent, that he
Should have the rank and office of a
Sergeant in the said Service. That he
proceeded to Horseneck as stated in his
original Declaration, and there
entered the Service and served as a
Sergeant. That Col. Beebe had not
then [illegible] and did not [illegible] until
[illegible line]
That within a few days a
annual at the said Abel [illegible] his
[illegible] at said [illegible] said Colonel,
Beebe issued and [illegible] delivered
warrants to all the [illegible] coming [illegible]
[illegible] of the Regiment- and among
others this Deponent-[illegible]
which this Deponent received conferred
on him the rank and office of Sergeant
in said Regiment [illegible]
by said Colonel Beebe, and those date
-
Page 20

about the time of the arrival of said
Colonel Beebe at Horseneck as aforesaid,
but the particular day of its date, this
Deponent does not recollect. 
This deponent brought the said warrant
to his home after the term of his enlistment
had expired and deposited it in his chest
where he left it for many years - and
he well recollects seeing it repeatedly
for several years afterward in the
said Chest. But for the last fifteen
or twenty years he has not seen it-
he has made diligent search for
it among all his papers, but cannot
find it-and does not now know what
has become of it-
Sworn before me this                  Gamaliel Benedict
[illegible] day of February 1842
and I certify that the said
Gamaliel Benedict is a
man of good character and
truth--
Reuben Booth Justice of Peace
Page 21

I Matthew Olmsted of Ridgefield in the
County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut
Aged Seventy two years, being duly sworn do
depose and say. That I am well acquainted 
with Gamaliel Benedict of said Ridgefield
That I am well knowing to his the said Benedict's
being on service in the City of New York in the
year 1776- in Captain Gamaliel Northrops
company, in the Regiment Commanded by
Col. Silliman Connecticut State troops. That in the month of August
I saw him in the Hospital he being at that
time very sick. The precise period of time
which the said Benedict then served I do 
not know as I the said Deponent belonged
to another Company- That the said Benedict
was a private soldier in said Company and
so far as my knowledge of him extended
was a faithful and valiant Soldier-
Matthew Olmsted
State of Connecticut
Fairfield County Ss.  Ridgefield 13 July 1832
On the day and year above Written personally
appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace
for said County. Matthew Olmsted, known
to me to be the Same person who hath Subscribed
the foregoing deposition and also known to ┃
be a person of truth and veracity, and made
Solemn Oath to the truth of the same
Harvey Smith Justice of Peace
July 13
Page 22

August 3d 1832 Sworn & Subscribed in open Court & the Law Court of Probate certifies that the Deponent sustains a good character for truth & is a credible witness.
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
Page 23

I Azariah Smith of Ridgefield in the County
of Fairfield and State of Connecticut Aged
Seventy years, being duly sworn do depose
and Say, that I am well acquainted with
Gamaliel Benedict of said Ridgefield, That
Said Benedict enlisted in the Spring of the
1780 into Captain David Olmsteds Company
the Regiment commanded by Col. Beebe
of the Connecticut State troops. That he Served
as a Sergeant in Said Company at Horseneck
On the lines at White plains and other places
in that vicinity. the full period of Nine
months, That he faithfully performed
said service and was honorably discharged
at Stamford in said State of Connecticut by
Said Colonel Beebe
Azariah Smith
State of Connecticut
Fairfield County        ⎬  Ridgefield July 13, 1832
On the day and year above written personally
appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace
for said County Azariah Smith known to me
to be the same person who hath Subscribed
the foregoing deposition and known also
to me to be a person of truth and veracity
and made Solemn Oath to the truth
of the Same
Harvey Smith Justice of Peace
July 13 -
Page 24

August 3d 1832 Sworn & Subscribed in open Court & the Law Court of Probate certifies that the Deponent sustains a good character for truth & is a credible witness.
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
Page 25

I Phineas Taylor of Danbury in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut aged seventy two years being duly sworn do depose and say that I am well acquainted with Gamaliel Benedict pf Ridgefield in said County who hath applied for a Pension and that about the 1st of April 1777 said Benedict enlisted as a private soldier in the Regiment of Connecticut State Troops commanded by Colonel Eno in the company commanded by Captain Scofield, for the term of nine month and was discharged on the 1st of January 1778, said Benedict served the whole of said term in said company.
I enlisted in the same company and Regiment with him & served the same time and m well known to his serving as above stated.
Phines Tayylor

January 14th 1833 Sworn & subscribed in open court, and the said Court of Probate certified that the Deponent sustains a good character in truth and is a credible witness
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
Page 26

I Mehitable Dunning of Ridgefield in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy years being duly sworn depose and say that I well remember that in the year 1776 my brother Gamaliel Benedict enlisted under Captain Gamaliel Northrop and went with his company as this Deponent believes to New York and was absent from home six or seven months as this Deponent then and now believes and was performing service in said company for said period of time.
Mehitable Dunning her mark X

Fairfield County ss. Ridgefield Oct. 20th 1832
Be it remembered that on the 20th day of Oct. AD 1832 personally appeared Mehitable Dunning to me personally known, and believed to be a woman of truth and made oath to the truth of the facts stated in the above deposition by her subscribed.
before me Jesse S Bradley Justice of Peace
Page 27

I Ezra Benedict of Ridgefield in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged sixty nine years being first duly sworn according to law depose and say that I well remember that in the Spring of the year 1776 my brother Gamaliel Benedict enlisted under Captain Gamaliel Northrop to go to New York and actually left home and did not return until late in the fall or the early part of the winter, being absent about six or seven months, and as this deponent believes, was performing duty under said Captain Northrop during said time.
Ezra Benedict

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield} ss. Ridgefield Oct 20th 1832
Be it remembered that on the day and year above written personally appeared Ezra Benedict, to me well known and believe to be a man of truth and made oath to the facts stated in the foregoing deposition by him subscribed.
before me Jesse S Bradley Justice of Peace
Page 28

We the undersigned inhabitants of the town of Ridgefield in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, do hereby certify and declare that we are well and personally acquainted with Gamaliel Benedict of said Ridgefield, who hath applied for a pension for Revolutionary services, and have been so acquainted with him for many years, that he has ever sustained and still sustains a good character for truth and integrity. That we have this day heard read his declaration made before the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury for the purpose of obtaining a pension, and from our confidence in him as a man of integrity and truth we fully believe he served as he has therein stated.
Samuel Stebbins
Uriah De Forest
Thos Wilcox
Benjn Lynes
Philip Keeler
Harvey Smith

August 3d 1832 Sworn & subscribed in open Court and the said Court of Probate being personally acquainted with the above named Defenents who are all residents of the Town of Ridgefield certifies that they sustain good character for truth and are credible witness.
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
Page 29

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County} ss. I Thomas B Osborne Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Fairfield in said State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Harvey Smith Esq whose own proper signature known to me to be genuine are annexed to the foregoing certificate of the foregoing Depositions of Matthew Keeler, Joel Marchant, Matthew Olmstead, and Azariah Smith, is now & for more than one year last past has been a Justice of the peace for sd County duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths & take Depositions &c. I Further certify that Jesse S Bradley Esq whose own proper signatures known to me to be genuine are annexed to the certificates on the foregoing Depositions of Mehitable Dunning & Ezra Benedict, is now & for more than one year last past has been a Justice of the Peace for sd County duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths & take Depositions. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my name & affixed the Seal afsd County Court in Fairfield this 12th day of February AD 1833.
Thomas B Osborne Clerk of said County Court


Please direct to
Edward Taylor Esq
Danbury Conn
Page 30

Ridgefield August 18th 1834

James L. Edwards Esq

I have duly received yours of the 6th of August accd in compliance with your orders herewith return my Pension Certificate. It is not us pursuing that after the lapse of so many years a mistake should have been made relative to the term. I serviced in Col Enos Regt accd 2 find many respectable gentlemen who belonged to that Corps have fallen into the same eno. I do not fully understand the import of the following clause in your letter.
"From your statement of Service in "Col Beebe's Regiment in 1780 it is "problem that you account for the "usual evidence of that rank accd "explain how it happened that no "reenlisted in Service after the period
Page 31

had dapded for which the corps was "raised"
As I was diss????fied with the entire Regiment, I did not intend to claim for a longer term of service than the other officers & soldiers of the Regiment might claim and am at a loss how to understand the clause in question, unless it may have happened that I have fallen into a mistake as to dates.
Will you please write me more fully on the point, and any explanation in my power shalt be immediately transmitted to you.

I am respectfully
Your Obedt servt
Gamaliel Benedict
Page 32

G. Benedict
9895
Ct

Hon. S. Tweedy
Page 33

I Joel Marchant of the Town of Redding County of Fairfield State of Connecticut being now seventy two years old having generally [unk] in said Redding up to the present time do depose and certify that I enlisted into Captain Jesse Bells company Col Beebees Regiment, State Troops of Connecticut on the first Monday of May 1780 and marched and joined the Regiment immediately at what was called Horseneck, in said Fairfield County and that Capt David Olmsteads company of Ridgefield of said county was on the ground when Capt Bells company arrived, in a short time after I became acquainted with Gamaliel Benedict of Ridgefield in said County and was knowing to his serving and holding the rank and performing the office of Sergeant till our discharge on the following December the thirty first day and further more I frequently say the aforesaid Benedict at the head of his platoon or commanding the guard, and have been acquainted with the aforesaid Benedict from that time to the present, and further more Deponent saith not.
Joel Marchant
Dated at Redding this 20th day of November 1834
County of Fairfield ss. Redding 20th of Nov. AD 1834
Be it remembered that the day aforesaid Joel Marchant who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition appeared before me and after being examined and cautioned [unk] the whole truth, did solemnly affirm to the same deposition, Before me
Gamaliel N Benedict Justice of Peace
I would certify that Joel Marchant is in the full exercise of his mental faculties and that he is entitled to full credit as to truth and veracity.
Gamaliel N Benedict Justice of Peace
Page 34

State of Connecticut }
Fairfield County } SS
I Thomas B. Osborn Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Gamaliel N. Benedict Esquire whose own proper signatures known to be to be genuine are annexed to the Certificates on the other side hereof, is now and, was on the 20th day of Instant November a Justice of the Peace in & for said Fairfield County duly commissioned and duly [authorized] to administer oaths and take Depositions &c. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 22d day of November AD 1834
Thomas B. Osborne Clerk
Page 35

Payments to be made
at Hartford Connt.
by Pres U S Br: Bk.
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of
Connecticut

Recorded in the Pension Office,
in Book E, Vol. 3
Page 4, by Go. C. Stiles
Clerk.
Page 36

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th Jun, 1832, Gamaliel Benedict of the State of Connecticut who was a Sergeant 2d in the Revolutionary Army is entitled to receive Ninety dollar per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.

GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this 24 day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three.
John Robb
Acting Secretary of War.

Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 37

G. Benedict
Page 38

I Thomas Mead of Ridgefield, Fairfield County, State of Connecticut, being now seventy years old having always lived in said Ridgefield having known Gamaliel Benedict of said Ridgefield from his youth up to the present time do depose and certify that I enlisted into Captain David Olmstead's company Col Beebe's Regiment State Troops of Connecticut, the first of April AD 1780 that on or about the first day of May following I was ordered by Capt Olmstead to march to what was called the lines at Horseneck in said Fairfield County, and that in a few days after my arriving at said Station, Gamaliel Benedict aforesaid arrived and joined our company as a Sergeant and held that rank & perform the Office of Sergeant till our discharge on the following December the thirty first day, and further more I was frequently detached in a [unk] guard under said Benedict's command while in that campaign & further more that Col Beebe did not arrive and his Regiment was not fully formed till some three or four weeks after our arriving at said Station being about the first June 1780, and further more Deponent saith not.
Dated at Ridgefield this 7th Oct 1834.
Thomas Mead
County of Fairfield ss Ridgefield 7th of Oct AD 1834
Be it remembered that on the day aforesaid Thomas Mead who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition appeared before me and after being examined and cautioned to speak the whole truth made solemn oath to the same deposition.
Before me Hezekiah Scott Justice of Peace
I would hereby certify that Thomas Mead in the full exercise of his mental facilities and that he is entitled to full credit as to truth and veracity.
Hezekiah Scott Justice of Peace
Page 39

State of Connecticut }
Fairfield County } SS
I Thomas B. Osborne Clerk of the County Court within & for said County of Fairfield in said State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that Hezekiah Scott Esquire is now & was on the 7th day of October last a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths & take Depositions. I further certify that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Hezekiah Scott Esq. & that I verily believe that the signatures to the Certificates on the other side hereof purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 22nd day of November AD 1834.
Thomas B. Osborne Clerk
Page 40

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Benedict, George
GRADE Private "in Proctor's artillery"
LINE Pennsylvania

WARRANT NUMBER 9056
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED July 9, 1789 
to -- not shown --

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*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Lane Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and private under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.