Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,045, Benjamin Follet, N.H.
Page 1

SERVICE
N.H.
Follet, Benjamin
NUMBER
S.13.045
carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

18795
Vermont
Benjamin Follet
[illegible] in the State of Vermont
private in the compy commanded by
Captain Howard of the Regt commanded
by Col. Bartlett in the N H line
for 8 mo 5 dy

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 27 Dollars 21 Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of Oct
1833 and sent S Short Thetford

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833. $68.02
Semi-anl. allowance ending [illegible] 13.60
$81.62 

Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 65
Page 3

Benjamin Follet
Application 
21605

Return to be made to [illegible]
Therford Orange County
Vt
Page 4

DECLARATION

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of Vermont 
County of Orange
Probate District of Bradford in said Orange County
On this 26th day of Sept 1832, personally appeared in open Court
before the Judge Probate Court of Bradford District, now sitting, Benjamin Follet
a resident of Fairlee
being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the
benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein
stated
 in Capt. Howard's Company & he believes Col. Bartlett
regiment - he enlisted in December A.D. 1776 & continued
in the service till sometime in March A.D. 1777 having been
the service nearly four months - He then lived
at Oxford New Hampshire marched to Charleston No 4 -- then to
Hartford, Connecticut, then to Peekskill in the State of New York
& remained there & in that vicinity till he
the last of July 1777 he again entered the service as a volunteer in 
Capt Sloan's company went from said oxford
to Charleston then to
Manchester H. & then to Mount Independence
opposite to Ticonderoga,
thence he was detached to guard some
prisoners to said
Charleston. He returned home was at home but a day or two, when
he again entered the service as a substitute for his father Francis
Follet in Capt Chandlers company & marched to Saratoga New
York was there at the surrender of Burgoyne & continued in the service until the first was November when he returned home
having been in the service in the two last out more than three months
He again turned out as a volunteer under Capt Ephraim Mowry or an alarm
towards Hanover N.H. they were countermanded & sent to Newbury (H.)
he was gone on this time three weeks or more this was the year Royalton was burned - 
he believes in 1781 - again in the revolutionary war he volunteered on analarm
& marched to said Newbury & was give two week-- Cannot recollect the year
was born Newmarket N.H. Dec. 31. 1754 His sister M. Goodale of said Fairlee
has a record of his age - in 1772 moved from said New Market to Hanover & 1776 moved to Sd Oxford where at Fairlee he has ever since resided had no discharge nor any documentary evidence of his services 

He 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.
[signature] Benj Follet

We Maulton Moncy residing in Fairlee in Orange county and Benajah Sabin
residing in said Fairlee
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Follet
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 77
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
[signature] Moulton Mercy
[signature] Benajah Sabin

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 certifies, that it appears to them that Marston Morcy
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a
resident in the Failee and that Benajah Sabin
 who has also signed the same is a resident in same town of Fairlee and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Simon Short Clerk of the Court
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Benjamin
Follet for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of said Court, this 26th
day of Sept AD 1882
[illegible] Simeon Short Clk
Page 5

21.605
Benjamin Follet
Orange Co Vermont

Admit

8 months & 5 days
26.66
55
27.21
54.42
13.60
68.02

S. Short Esq
Thetford
Vt
Page 6

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
June 5. 1833

Sir
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in 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 shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
 
[Chart]
A Statement, shewing the service of Benjamin Follet
Period when the service was rendered
Decr
" 1776
July 1777
Time of service not stated
having been in the service on the two [illegible]
again 1781

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years
Months
4
3
Days
21
14

Rank of the claimant
Private
"
"
Names and rank of the field officers under whom he served.
Capt Howard
Col Bartlett
Capl Sloan
Capt Chandler
Capt Mowry

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the services.
77 years
Alford New Hampshire

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
By living witnesses

Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 7

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:
The Regular Troops.
.
The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
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 claim
ing the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians 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, Territor of
County of
On this
day of
of
A. B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
served in the
(e) regiment of the
with and
Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
-
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn 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.
of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
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
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
who has
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 days 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 Revohe

lutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, 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 personal 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
Page 8

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be exexpected
. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his
case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of
service in the militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
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.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given
, and what has become of it?
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 the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief 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
execute the within 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 or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
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
The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow
the rule laid down for his guidance.
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.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
)
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 ustermine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
words
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
set and days, I served as 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, in the law
directs the passes 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,
who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the messitis, the 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;
-
he served with an embodied corps called into service by competent
thou 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
The law makes the relinuishment indispensable.
The pints of the Court is always required.
⌨ The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must affix
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 paper.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which concalls
the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be reached 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.
is a case where the name of the priest is not found on the most prove his service by two credible with me
We 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 wife
nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
are all equally applicable to the care of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is
The sewers to the faterrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 9

13045
INVALID

File No. 13045
Benjamin Follet
Pri Rev War
-
Act: June 7th 1832. 
Index: -- Vol.
Page.
(Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 10

I Ichabod Palmer of Orford County of Grafton & State of New
Hampshire aged 76 years do testify & say, that I am well
acquainted with Benjamin Follet of Failee County of Orange
State of Vermont an applicant for a pension under the act of
Congress passed June 7, 1832, & knew him in the revolutionary war
, at which time we both lived in said Oxford.
I remember that the said Follet entered the service of the
United States in Capt Howard's company the forepart of
December A.D. 1776. There were several soldiers from Oxford in
the same company, all of whom are dead but the said Follet
and as was universally understood & believed they all marched 
to Hartford, Connecticut then to Peekskill New York & were
gone till some time in March 1777 when I know that
they returned & I heard then & the said Follet relate the
account of their tour on aforesaid, said Follet was gone
nearly four months
The last of July 1777 said Follet again entered the
service in a company commanded by Capt Sloan-- I was
the same company we marched to Manchester (Vt) the
to Mount Independece opposite Ticonderoga & said Follet
continued in said company till the last of September
or first of October-- when he was detached to Charlestown
No 4.
I understood that he then after being at home
but a day or two entered the service again & went to
Saratoga
I know that he returned home the
fore part of November in company with those who
were from said oxford at the surrender of Burgoyne.
the year that Royalton was burned I believe 1781
was again in Capt Ephrain Morry company at
Newbury (Vt) said Follet was at said a man
we were out there weeks at least on an alarm
[signature] Ichabod Palmer

State of New Hampshire
Grafton
August 28-- 1832
Personally appeared Ichabod Palmer aforesaid
made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit
by him subscribed. The said Palmer is a credible witness
his statement is entitled to credit.
[illegible] Leonard Wilcox Jus of Peace.
Page 11

State of New Hampshire
Grafton
I George Woodward Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas for the County of Grafton do certify that
Leonard Willow esquire is a Justice of the peace
within for the County of Grafton duly qualified
to take affidavits that I believe the within
to be his genuine signature
with my hand the seal of said
Court the 27th day of September 1832
[signature] Geo Woodward Clerk
Page 12

I Alexander Strong of Oxford county of Grafton & State of New  
Hampshire aged 71 years do testify and say- That I am well
acquainted with Benjamin Follet of Fairlee County of Orange &
of Vermont an applicant for a pension under the act of
Congress passed June 7, 1832, & knew him in the revolutionary
war, at which time we both lived in said oxford.
I remember that the said Follet entered the service of the
United States in Capt. Howard's company - the fore part of December
A.D. 1776 - There were several soldiers went from Orford in
that company at this time, all of whom are dead but the said
Follet and as was universally believed & understood they
marched to Hartford, Connecticut & then to Peekskill, New York
were give thee till some time in March 1777, when I know
that they returned & heard them & the said Follet state the
account of their tour as aforesaid, said Follet was gone
nearly four months.
The last of July 1777 said Follet again entered the service
in a company commanded by Capt Sloan: & as was understood
& believed inscribed to Manchester W. Mount Independence
opposite Ticonderoga that he returned & was at home not more than
a day or two the last of September or first of October that again entered
the service & marched to Saratoga New York & was at the
surrender of Burgoyne & remained the service till the
for part of November following. When he was but at Saratoga
as aforesaid he was in Capt Chandlers company to which
I belonged, & came home with me. We were both at the
surrender of Burgoyne
I was also at Newbury Vermont in a company commanded
by Capt Ephraim Morse on an alarm said Follet was a
soldier in said company & we were out in service
three weeks or more. This was the
time during the revolutionary war we were out as soldiers
in said service at said Newbury two weeks or more forget
the year. I also know of his having been out at other times
during the war in scouts & alarms
In line 21 "or first of October " interlined before signing
" 3 " or when Royalton was burned interlined before signing.
[signature] Alexr Strong

State of New Hampshire-
Grafton
August 28, 1832
Personally appeared Alexander Strong aforesaid
and made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit by him
subscribed is just & true said deponent is a gentleman of
undoubted veracity & his statement is entitled to all credit.
[signature] Leonard Wilcox Jus Peace
Page 13

State of New Hampshire  Grafton
I George Woodward Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas for the County of Grafton do certify that
Leonard Wilson Esquire is a Justice of the peace
within & for the County of Grafton duly
qualified to take affidavits & that I believe
the within to be his genuine signature
Witness my hand of the seal of said Court 
this 21st day of September 1832
[signature] Geo Woodward Clerk
Page 14

State of Vermont
Probate District of Bradford 
On this 24th day of July
1833 personally appeared in the County of Orange & before the Probate Court
said Bradford District was sitting Benjamin Follet a
resident of Fairlie in the County of Orange State of
Vermont who made his declaration before this Court
on the 26th day of Sept AD 1832 for the purpose of
obtaining the benefit of the act of Congress passed June
7, 1832, who being first duly sworn according to law
doth on his oath make the following additional
declaration viz that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively
as to the length of service in every case but according to
the best of his recollection he served not less than 
the periods mentioned below. in Capt Howard
Company & Col Bartlett Regiment three months & one
half Two months & an half in Capt Rowns company
one month in Capt Chandler company the
last as substitute for his father Francis Follet
There weeks at one time in Capt Ephraim
Moneys Company being first to Here then
to Newbury two weeks a second time in Capt
Ephram Monys Company on an alarm tour
to Newbury the whole time as a private in
the militia as he understood
that he cannot be more particular in stating the
circumstances as to name of Officers, degrees
than he has been in his declaration
And he refers to Saml Bliss Phincehas Bayley Soloman
Bliss as persons in his neighborhood who are
acquainted with his character for truth & Veracity
who can testify their belief of his having served as a soldier of the revolution
Page 15

I Simeon Short Clerk or Reg of the Probate
Court aforesd do hereby certify that on this
4th day of July 1832 the within named
Benjamin Follet duly subscribed & was sworn
to the within foregoing declaration
 
In testimony whereof I have hereto for set
my hand the seal of said Court
[signature] Simeon Short Clerk