Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39,192, Jeremiah Bentley, Va.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Va.

Bentley, Jeremiah

NUMBER
S. 39.192

CONTENTS
Page 2

15, 059
Tennessee West
Jeremiah Bentley
Pulaski in the State of Tennessee
was a Private in the 15 Regiment comm
--el Capt Foster of the Virginia
the term of 3 years

-the roll of West Tennessee
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence
on the 4 of June 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 18th of Sept 1819 and sent to Alfred W Harris  
Judge Pulaski Tennessee

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1819 $120.20
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 March 1820 48--
$168.20

{ Revolutionary claim, }
{ Act 18th March, 1818.}

See letters to H. Buchanan & Pulaski Agt July 14. 1837
S. J. Matthews 2d Sept 1854.
S. J. Matthews 7th Oct. 1854.

-- sent to Mr H. Buchanan Esqr 27 July 1821
Lawrenceburg Tennessee
Page 3

[Declaration page 1}

To the Honorable the Secretary of War
War Department of the UnitedStates of America

The petition of Jeremiah Bentley, respectfully sheweth, that he is a citizen of the United States of America & resident in the county of Giles in the state of Tennessee = That on the 28th day of August 1777 he enlisted in the county of Amelia, & state of Virginia, as a private soldier in the War of the Revolution between the then thirteen United colonies & Great Britain on the continental establishment for the term of three years under a certain Robert Foster, who was either a Lieutenant or ensign (but your petitioner is not confident which) on a company commanded by Capt. James Foster in the 15 Virginia Regiment and in General [William] Woodford's Brigade of continental troops:

That on the 14th of January 1788 [1779]  he joined General [George] Washington army at Valley Forge [Pennsylvania] at which time said Capt. James Foster being dead, your petitioner served under a Capt. James Mason ( to the best of his recollection) in the Regiment and Brigade above mentioned-

That in the Spring of 1789 [1779] he was placed under the command of General Anthony Wayne, and served in a company of Light Infantry commanded by Capt. Samuel Booker; That he fought at the battle at Stony Point [Battle of Stony 
Point, New York July 1779]; and was at the Siege 
of Charleston [SC] by the British in 1788 [March 29- May 12, 1780]; at which he was taken prisoner by the enemy, and kept on board a prison ship for the term of nine months; where he was taken sick and sent to the Hospital in Charleston [SC], from which he privately escaped on the 9th day of May, at night in the year 1781, and returned to his home in said Amelia county in the state of Virginia 

That his term of service for which he













That in the Spring of 1789
Page 4

[Declaration page 2]  

had enlisted had expired some time before he made his escape from the enemy as aforesaid in consequence of  which he did not again join the army; but some short time afterwards he received in the city of Richmond in the state of Virginia, from a certain Col William Davis, by direction of his said former Captain Samuel Booker, an honorable discharge; which he kept for near twenty years; when thinking  it was of no value, he destroyed it; so he cannot now produce it-

your petitioner would further beg leave to state that after having served under Genl. [Anthony] Wayne as before stated he was at Trenton in New Jersey, placed under the command of Capt William Moseley in the first Virginia Regiment, [William] Woodford's Brigade of Continental troops, in which said company Regiment & Brigade he served until he was made prisoner as above stated- 

That most of the persons who knew him in service are either dead or live at remote a distance from your petitioner, that he cannot with any convenience produce their testimony; that he is now according to the information of his parents, in fifty ninth year of his age- that he is very infirm  having his left shoulder dislocated for thirty odd years age, so that his own arm is nearly useless to him-

He is also much afflicted with the piles so that from his age and infirmity he is unable to gain a livelihood by his own exertions. That he is very poor, and his wife who is about two years younger than himself to maintain - that he stands much in need of assistance for a support from his country - he has received no pension from his country, & his pay was of very little service, being of depreciated money - 

He hereby relinquishes his claim to every pension by the law of the United States allows him, passage of an act, entitled an act to provide for certain
Page 5

persons engaged in the land and naval service
of the United States in the revolutionary War
passed by the Congress of the United States 9th March 1818, and signed by the President on the 21th of the same month - He therefore prays to be placed upon the pension list agreeably to the provisions of said act -  4th June 1818.

Jeremiah (his X mark)  Bentley   (seal)

State of Tennessee: Sct
This day personally appeared the above named
Jeremiah Bentley before me Alfred, M Harris one of the circuit judges of the state of Tennessee and made oath that the matters stated in the 
foregoing petition as of his own knowledge
are true; such as are stated from the
information of others, he verily believes to be
true - 4th June 1818:

Jeremiah (his X mark) Bentley

Teste
Alfred Harris  Judge of the 6th Judicial Circuit of 
the State of Tennessee.

State of Tennessee Sct
To the Honorable the Secretary at War of the United States of America I Alfred Harris one of the Judges of the State of Tennessee, do hereby certify that it does appear to my satisfaction
that the above petitioner Jeremiah Bentley
served in the Revolutionary War, against the common enemy, as stated in the foregoing petition - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 4th day of June 1818.
Alfred M Harris Judge   (seal)
of the 6th Judicial
Circuit of the State of
Tennessee
Page 6

State of Tennessee
Giles County
I Henry Hagen Clerk of th Circuit court of Giles county do hereby Certify that Alfred M. Havis , whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Certificate is Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit of the State of Tennessee. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Private Seal (there being no seal of office) at office in Pulaski this 10th day June 1818.
Henry Hagen clk
[hand drawn seal affixed] 

i made a mistake which is entirely clerical by stating the seige of Charleston to be in 1788- I intended to have written, & the applicant intended to have sworn that it was 1778. He is not now present nor have I till this moment discovered the mistake.
Alfred M Havis

Jeremiah Bentley Private 
15th Regiment Virginia Line
1777-3 years 

Adm [Admitted] 
Pulaski Tennessee
Page 7

State of Tennessee
Lawrence county Court
April Term 1821

on this second day of April 1821 personly appeared in open court being a court of record created by statue of unlimited civil Jurisdiction on the law side of said court holden quarterly in and for said county Jeremiah Bentley of the County and State aforesaid a resident age sixty one years on the first day of May 1820 who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows 

that he Said Bently [Jeremiah Bentley] enlisted for the term of three years on the 28th Day of august 1777 in the State of Virginia in the Company of Captain James Foster in the fifteenth Regiment Commanded by Colonel Ennis [James Innes] in the line of the State of Virginia of the continental establishment and continued to serve under the same Captain untill his death when James Mason Succeded to serve untill the Spring of 1779 when he was enroled in a company of [Anthony] Wayne's light infantry commanded by Captain Samuel Booker on Christmas of the same year
Page 8

[Second Declaration page 2]

the infantry was discharged and was placed under the Command of Captain William Mosely of the first regiment commanded by Colonel Russel [William Russell] he was taken prisoner at the down fall of Charleston, SC [Siege of Charleston, South Carolina 1780] from which imprisonment he and was [illegible] and was discharged by Colonel Davis at Richmond [Virginia] in the 1781 and that he made [gave] his Original discharge from a prison on the 4th day of June 1818 and that he was placed on the prison list role of the West Tennessee agency by pension certificate number 13059 

and I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the united Stats on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I  have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property to bring myself with to in the provision of an act of congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and never since [naval services] of the united States in the Revolutionary war passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts owe [owed] to me or have I any income
Page 9

[Second Declaration page 3]

Other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by in Subscribed I have no trade but that of farming my family consists of my self aged as aforesaid and my wife aged forty four years 

I am infirm and unable to work for my living my left Shoulder is Out of place and my arm is withered away besids when I attempt to work here I am subject to the Body flux my wife is helthy and able to support her self
Jeremiah Bentley [his mark] X

Schedule of property [commas added]
One mare Bridle Saddle and Saddlebags, 
five books, Shale Chest, one old silver watch,  three Brushes two Bottles,  one Razor case and Shaving glass, one hand saw, drawing knife, one pair of drawing Chains, two Gilblets, two augers and two Chisils, one tin cup, Seven hog's years old, six Shoats foru months old, one yearling, two Calves, one oven and skillet, two pair Pot hooks, two pots, one coffee mill, Compass and [illegible] coffee Pot ,four cups, three cups and saucers, four earthen plates, one Tea pot, one puter [pewter] basin, and Dish and four Puter [pewter]  plates, one candle stick, one set of knives and forks, six iron Table Spoons, two Poles and Piggins Washing tub, one lubber
Page 10

[Second Declaration page 4]

[Continuation Schedule from previous page]

[commas added]
One flax wheel, one pair Cotton Card, Big wheel, three Chairs,, three Ewes,  and one Lamb, I having thirty dollars due me in good hands, David Bentley my son owes me two hundred and thirty dollars but the Said Bentley has left he country without making any provisions for its payment , One umbrella
[signed] Jeremiah Bentley [his mark] X

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court before us Henson Doge, Marisil Cresot, Robert Choffin, John Hillhouse, and said Justices assess the volume of the said property Contained in the Schedule to One hundred and Seventy Seven dollars Considering the said debt of two hundred and thirty dollars as contained in said Schedule as desperate and of no Value

I Maximillion H Buchanan Clerk of the 
Court of Pleas and Quarters Sessions holden for the County of Lawrence do hereby Certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the record of said court and I do further certify that it is opinion of the court that the total amount of value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is one hundred and seventy seven dollars.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal there being no seal of office . on this 25th day of April 1822
MH Bushanan Clk
[hand drawn seal]
Page 11

In reply to your request of ______ , received ______ 
for a statement of the military history of Jeremiah Bentley a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.

S. File 39.192

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Aug. 28. 77
Jan. 14. 78
Spring 79
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
3 yrs
RANK.
Pri.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
James Foster }
James Mason }
Samuel Booker
William Moseley
COLONEL.
Innis
Wa--- Light Inf.
Col. Russell
STATE.
15th Va.

He was captured in the siege of Charleston, confined on prison ship 9 mos. & in hosp. from which he escaped May 9. 1781 - &  was disch. at Richmond.

Battles engaged in,  Stony Pt. & siege of Charleston.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Amelia Co Va.
Date of application for pension, June 4, 1810. Allowed.
Residence at date of application, Giles Co. Tenn. 1821 Lawrence Co. Tenn.
Age at date of application, b. May 1, 1759.
Remarks: In 1818 he ref to his wife about 57 yrs. old. in 1821 to wife  ab. 41 yrs.- names not stated.
He died in May 1841 in Lawrence Co., Tenn. [too faded to read] who -- in Lauderdale Co., Ala. in 1854. No further family data.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Mar 1. 1820
61
Mar 1 1759
Page 12

Union Ohio }
July 8-  1819 }

Dob  50

Mr Jeremiah Bentley
Pulaski
Tennessee

Vaughn & Bentley:
Affidavit
Page 13

State of So Caro }
Union District }
This day personally appeard before me R. Lipsey - one of the Justices assign'd to keep the peace in & for Union District, Randolph Vaughn and Sarah Bentley, who being duly sworn, deposeth
& saith, first Randolp Vaughn, saith, that he is well acquainted with Jeremiah Bentley, (now a Citizen of Giles County, Tennessee) and that to his certain knowledge -The said Jh Bentley did enlist in the continental Army, in the Revolutionary War with Great Brittain and that he was absent from his family & friends for upwards of three years, & that he return'd to them with the reputation of a faithful soldier, that had serv'd out the time of his enlistment. This
Deponent doth not recollect the names of the officers, nor the number of the Regt in which said Bentley enlisted but supposes it was in the Virginia line as said Bentley then resided in Amelia County, Virginia - And the said Sarah
Bentley, also saith that she is well acquainted with the above named
Page 14

S. Carolina }
Union District }
I John Rogers Clerk of the Court of Sessions & Common Pleas do Certify that R Lipsey the Majistrate before whom the within deposition was taken is an acting Majistrate in & for the District aforesaid & that due faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts Given under my hand & Seal of Office at Union Court House this 8th day of July 1819
J Rogers
cccpls -
Page 15

Jeremiah Bentley, and that to her knowledge & belief there was never any douts among the former acquaintances of said Bentley, of his having faithfully serv'd against the common enemy, in the Revolutionary war with Great Brittain, for a period of three years, or more -

Randolph (his X mark) Vaughn
Sarah (her X mark) Bentley

Subscribed and Sworn before me this 5th day of
July 1819 -
Richd Lipsey J.P.

I enclose this paper, which has been taken by virtue of my instructions & handed to me by Mr. Bentley 
Alfred M. Harris
Pulaski - 7th [illegible] 1819.
Page 16

State of Tennessee
--
This day personally appeared before me Alfred M Harris Judge of the 6th Judicial Circuit of the State of Tennessee the undersigned  Aaron Woosley, who upon oath says, that he was well acquainted with Jeremiah Bentley (the same Jeremiah Bentley, who has petitioned for a pension) during the revolutionary war - 
That he knows of said Jeremiah Bentley having served in a company commanded by Capt James Foster, and in the 15th Virginia Regiment, either in the year 1777, or 1778 upon the continental establishment - He does not now recollect the length of time which said Bentley served - said
Bentley --- when in service as aforesd - with two of the brothers of the affiant - He has no doubt but that said Bentley served as stated by him in his affidavits hereto annexed, tho he does not know of the battles in which said Bently fought, not being in the same company with him - 28th July 1819 -

Aaron (his X mark) Woosley (seal)

Subscribed and sworn to before me the day and date above
Alfred M Harris Judge
of the sixth Judicial Circuit of the
State of Tennessee
Page 17

State of Tennessee.  --
To the Honble, the secretary of the Department
of war for the United States I Alfred M Harris, one of the circuit Judges in & for the State of Tennessee do hereby certify, that the foregoing affidavit of Aaron Woosely was taken by me this day & that the said Aaron is, in my opinion, entitled to credit and further that the said Jeremiah Bently mentioned in the foregoing
affidavit is in reduced & indigent circumstances; & stands in need of assistance for a support - He is a man of fair unimpeachable moral character, & one of the pastors of the Baptist Church -
I have no hesitation in saying that he is entitled to the fullest
In testimony of all which I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th July 1819.

Alfred M. Harris (Seal)
Judge of the 6th Judicial 
circuit of the State of Tennessee
Page 18

Lawrenceburg Lawrence County 3d. July 1837

Dr Sir,
For several years passed I have been agent for Mr. Bentley the pensioner named in the inclosed papers, in preparing his power of Atto and have been frequently appointed atto. Mr Bentley is verry advanced in age, and also very infirm - so much so, that he has once or twice heretofore, been unable to ride from his residence here to have his papers made out regularly when the semi anual payments were due,
The inclosed certificate of identity you will discover has been made out under the old regulation, supposing as I did, that, that would be entirely sufficient, But when it was presented 
to the agent at Pulaski, he said the papers should be sent to the department for examination, before he could make payment. Therefore you will please make such instructions as the nature of the case may require also as to the kind of funds in which the said payment must be made
Verry Rsply
F. Buchanan
Page 19

Pension Office
7th Oct. 1862.

Sir,
The Power of Attorney in the case of Jeremiah
Bentley of Tennessee, has been referred to the Third Auditor who is the proper officer for settling the balance of pension due.
I am respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
L P Waldo
Commissioner

S. J. Matthews, Esq.
Lexington
Ky.
Page 20

21st Aug 1854
Lexington Lauderdale County Ala
Dear Sir
on the other side of this paper you see a copy of a power to me directed in refference to the ballance of Pension of Jeremiah Bently Dcd
if there is a ballance, the said John Bently is
the heir that is authorised to receive it as I shall show, we desire to know if there is a ballance due
and the amount of that ballance & if there has bin money drawn since the Death of Jeremiah Bently and if there has been what amout and by whome
the said Jeremiah Bintly died in the month of May 1841 in the county of Lawrence Tennessee
he drew his pension at Pulaski Tennessee
by affording us this favor you will be doing us a Great favor as my friend John Bently is an invalid he has lost his eye Sight he is needy & he is the legitimate heir as we are prepared to show if there is a ballance coming
yours with respect
S. J. Matthews
Page 21

To the Commissioner of Pensions
A Copy of a power of attorney

The State of Alabama ⎬
Lauderdale County }
Know all men by these presents that I John Bentley of the County of Lauderdale and State of Alabama do hereby authorise and impower S.J. Matthews to act as my Special power of attorney to act for me and in my behalf and stead in a
certain case wherein my Father Jeramiah Bentley Dcd was intitled to a ballance of pension as a Soldier of the revolution, now the said S. J. Matthews is hereby made and constituted my agent and power of attorney in fact, as aforesaid to act in my behalf and for me as above  to do all things that is Legitimate for me to do in procuring for me the ballance of my Fathers pension that remained due him and not  paid at his Death Given under my hand & seal this 21st day of August A.D. 1854
--
John (his X mark) Bentley

Test
John M Davis
S Bently & Legally attested
Page 22

Jeremiah Bentley
Ten - 18 m 1818

See S.J. Matthews
letter
wants correction

No such person here
Lexington Ky

S. J. Matthews, Esq.
Lexington Ky.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Pension Office, Official Business.
L P Waldo
Commissioner.
Page 23

Tennessee 423
Recd 24 May [illegible]
15.059
See origl. papers

W Tennessee
Jeremiah Bentley
March 20
conl.
J. F. E.

Lawrenceburg T
2nd May 1821
-4-
----
Free

Secretary of War
Washington City
Page 24

Hon L P Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D C

LEXINGTON KY JAN 27
FREE

Jeremiah Bentley
Ten at 18 m 1818

Lexington Ala
Aug 21

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 25

39192
INVALID.
Revy

File No. 39,192
Jeremiah Bentley
Pri Rev War

Act: 18th March 18
Index: - Vol. 3, Page 33

[Arrangement of 1870.]

to Hon. C.B. 
-----
N.Y. 
--
July 8 / 95 Hist Walker, 34 Bro -- New York.
1911 June 30. Hist. to Mrs. W. L. Peel. [cent sign]
Page 26

39192
INVALID.
Revy

File No. 39,192
Jeremiah Bentley
Pri Rev War

Act: 18th March 18
Index: - Vol. 3, Page 33

[Arrangement of 1870.]

to Hon. C.B. 
-----
N.Y. 
--
July 8 / 95 Hist Walker, 34 Bro -- New York.
1911 June 30. Hist. to Mrs. W. L. Peel. [cent sign]
Page 27

Please send Rev. Record of Jeremiah Bentley or
Bently of Lawrence Co Tenn.
Mrs W L Peel
469 Peachtree 
Atlanta

27 July

U.S. PENSION OFFICE
D
JUN 28 1911
Page 28

O. W. & N. Division.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., July 8, 1895.
M.E.C.

Sir:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Jeremiah Bentley 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.
Aug. 28, 1777
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
3 yrs.
RANK.
Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
James Foster
James Mason
Samuel Booker
William Moseley
COLONEL.
Col. Ennis
---
Gen. Anthony Wayne
Col. Russel
STATE.
Va.

Battles engaged in, Stony Point, Siege of Charleston.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Amelia Co., Va.
Date of application for pension, June 4, 1818.
Residence at date of application, Giles Co., Tenn.
Age at date of application, Fifty-nine years.

Remarks:

Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner

Hon. C. B. Walker,
35 Broadway,
New York, N. Y.
.