Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31546, Samuel Benjamin, Conn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Conn
CONTENTS
Benjamin, Samuel
NUMBER
S. 31.546
Page 2

Samuel Benjamin
of Hartford in the State of Connecticut
who was a Private in the Compy commanded
by Captain -- of the Reg commanded
by Col. Elmore in the Con. Ma. line
for
18 Mons  $10
26 day... 2.88
Special)  12.88

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
the rate of $2 Dollars 88 Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March AD 1831
---
29.54 
Certificate of Pension issues the 29 day of Mar. 
1834.
and
Elisha Phelps Hartford, CT
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1834. 188.64
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep.
31.44

$220.08
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832. ⎬
Recorded by R. Burdine
Clerk,
Book E. 2. Vol. Page 3
Enquiry an Hon. S. A. Foot
Apl 22 1834-
Page 3

Sam Benjamin

26.66
2.88
$29.54

69.08
14.77
73.85
Page 4

State of Connecticut
Hartford County SS.
On this 5th day of October A.D. 1833 personally
appeared in open court before the Court of Probate
for the District of Granley now sitting Samuel
Benjamin a Resident of the Town of Hartford
County of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged
Seventy six 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
act of Congress passed Jun 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the
following named officers and served as herein
State
That in the month of May 1776 he enlisted
in the Town of Hartland and enlisted as a private into
Captain Theodore Woodbridge, Company in Col
Samuel Elmore Regiment called a continental
Regiment or Col John Brown Major Cochran
the names of the Captain in this Regiment were
Woodbridge, Chapman Smith Solenty Parmalee
Walker Allen and one Capt does not recollect
that he joined the Regiment at Albany from
then Marched to German Flats and then built
fort called at Dayton from German flats
marched to Fort Stanwix to relieve Col Dayton,
Regiment we arrived at fort Stanwix on the
15th day of October 1776 and served in said
Company and Regiment until the 15 day of April
1777 when his term of service expired, the Regiment
having been raised for one year at the Expiration
of the year the Relief having not come he
Volunteered and served some days longer where
he was relieved by Col. Gansants Regiment
New York line and was discharged at fort Stanwix
in the month of April 1777 having served in this term
Page 5

not less than Eleven Months Capt Honeywell Commanded
the Artillery at fort Stanwix when he left-
---
That on the first of October 1778 he entered the service
as a substitute for Titus Hayes in Captain Theodore
Woodbridge, Company in Col. Heman Swifts Regiment
in the Connecticut line, and was discharged on
the 26 day of May 1780 as appears by the brief for
the War Department, in the year 1779 on the 16th
day of July was the storming of Stoney point in what was called the forlorn hope he was discharged at Springfield
in New Jersey on the 26 day of May 1780 by
Col David F. Hill in the absence of General
Huntington that he has no documentary
evidence
and that he knows of no person whose testimony
can procure who can testify to his service
He hereby relinquish any
claim whatever
to a pension or annuity except the present
and declares that his name is not on the
pension roll of any agency of any have
Sworn and subscribed
Samuel Benjamin
the day and year aforesaid
Joab Griffin
Judge of
Probate
Page 6

To the Interrogatories put by the Court as presention
by the War Department the applicant answers as
follows-
1. was born in Granarth Mass. Feb. 3. 1757 -
2. He has a record of his age in the family bible
3.
He lived in Hartland, when called into service
live in said Hartland until the year 1802
the moved into Granby and lived until 1807
then moved to [illegible] all when he lived until
1811 thence back to Hartland when he has
lived and where he now lives
4. 1. Term enlisted 2. a Substitute for Titus Hayes
5. he remembers Col Ferlinger Gen. Wayne Col Butler
Col Rufus Putman and Col Isaac Sherman
6 That he recd a discharge in May 1780
from Col David F. Sill-- but has lost it
he mentions the names of persons siding
in his present Neighborhood who can
testify as to character for Veracity and
the belief of his son as a solder of
the Revolution - Wyllys Wright Esq
Rev Solomon Miller Capt Bethial Beman
and John Gates
---
Samuel Benjamin
Sworn and Subscribed
the
day and year aforesaid
Joab Griffin Judge of Probate
Page 7

Connecticut, Hartford County Hartford
Personally appeared before, the Elisha Phelp
a justice of the peace within for said
County, Samuel Benjamin of Hartland
in said County, & made solemn oath
that, as he understood & now verily beleive
that some time the latter part of the year
1775 or beginning of 1776, it was deemed
necessary to defend the Northern frontier of
the then Colonies, & that a regiment should
be raised & organized for that purpose and
to serve one year. of this regiment, Samuel
Elmore of this State, was Colonel, John
Brown of Massachusetts was Lt Col. & one
Cochran, who lived in the neighborhood of
Lake Champlain, was Major. The regiment
consisted of eight companies. That he
recollects the names of seven of the
Captains who belonged to it, but has forgotten
the name of the other. Those seven were
Capt. Theodore Woodbridge of said Hartland
Capt Chapman of Fairfield
County
Capt Parmelee
of New Haven County, Capt. Smith of Litchfield
County Capt Robert Walker of Fairfield County
all of this State, Capt Saterlee & Men
Page 8

of Massachusetts. And that on the first
Monday of the first day of May 1776 at said
-
Hartland, where he then lived, he enlisted
into a company, then raising for said regiment
& commanded by said Capt. Theodore
Woodbridge, Jerich Church of said Hartland
was Lieutenant, & Trial Tanner of Cornwall
in this State was Ensign. That the company
marched to Albany in the State of New York
and there joined Col. Elmores Regt
Thence the regiment marched to the German
Flatte, and erected a fort, called Fort
Dayton. After this, & part of this regiment
marched to Fort Stanwick now home in
New York, to relieve Col. Dayton who was
there there And upon the arrival of this
part of Col. Elmores regiment at this place,
Col. Dayton marched the next day to
Ticonderoga. And that Col. Elmore's regt
remained in service after reaching Fort
Stanwick six months. And that the term
for which the regiment had been raised,
having expired, & no reinforcement had
arrived, at the request of Officer, this
deponent Volunteered to remain for a
Page 9

short time that his enlistment expired on
the 16th day of April 1777. & that he remained
at fort Stanwix after this, a few days, five
or six, when Col. Gansevoort, arrived with
his regiment, & the deponent & others, volunteered with him thus to serve a few days returned home
the said Benjamin having been lately enrolled
a pensioner & this service now
stated having been disallowed, he now, &
in the form renders his application for
it, & make this statement of his service
He also states, that in his first declaration,
he testified, as he the thought was then true,
that Col. Elmores regiment was relieved
by Col. Van Schaick, but upon reflection
he is satisfied that he was mistaken in
the name of the Colonel, it was Col.
Ganswoort, & not Col. Van Schaick
Signed & sworn to this
15th day of April 1834
Samuel Benjamin
Elisha Magee Justice Peace
To corroborate this affidavit of the pensioner
Samuel Benjamin, the Commissioner of Pension
is reminded of the fact, the Benjamin Hinman
was Col. George Peter S. Cole & Samuel Amore
Major of the 4th Regt raised by order of the General
Page 10

Assembly of Connecticut May 1775, for seven
months, & that Hermans Regiment, was one
of the three regiments which served in the
Northern Department, under Major General Schuyler.

The Continental Congress, January 8th 1776
ordered nine battalions to be [illegible] up, including Col.
Livingstones, for defence of Canada. That two be formed
out of the troops there in Canada, 'd one to be raised
in Connecticut, one in New Hampshire & one in
New York &c. &c.

January 29th 1776, Congress declare that the
three regiments to be raised in New Hampshire,
Massachusetts Bay & Connecticut for service in
Canada be exclusive &c.

May 14th 1776 Congress resolved that the five
battalions there in Massachusetts be recruited &c,
& that three additional battalions be raised in
the eastern department &c.

May 16 1776 resolved by Congress, that to
of the battalions ordered to be raised on the 14th
should be raised in Massachusetts & the other in
Connecticut
July 29th 1776 Congress resolve that the
returns of Col. Elmore regiment made into the
War Office by Br. Gen Wooster be transmitted to
" Gen. Washington with blank commissions for the officers &
that Gen. Washington be directed to order the said
regiment to join him, & that he fill up the said
commission with the names of such officers as appear
with their respective companies in the said regiment
"That John Brown be commissioned as
S
Page 11

" Lt. Col., & that Robert Cochran now acting as
" ? Captain in said regiment, be commissioned
" as Major of the same in the room of Major J
" Curtiss deceased."

March 5th 1777 Congress "ordered that the
" resignation of Lt. Col. John Brown of Col. Elmores
" regiment raised in the State of Connecticut
" be accepted."

The attention of the Commissioner of Pensions
is particularly requested to this fact, that
the certificate assures to Mr Benjamin Sixty two
dollars & eighty six cents only, being for eighteen
months & twenty six days; whereas his amount
of pension, for the period of service admitted,
should have been sixty six dollars & 19/100.
It was stated in the letter of the Commissioner
of Pensions, of the 29th March 1834, addressed
to E. Phelps, that Samuel Benjamin entered
Col. Swifts regiment October 1st 1778, as a substitute
for Titus Hays, & served therein until the
26th of May 1780 when he was discharged. From
October 1st 1778 to May 26th 1780, is nineteen
months & 26 days, & not eighteen months
16 days, as is contemplated by by the
certificate.

Comptrollers Office
April 15th 1834

I Elisha Phelps Comptroller of Public
Accounts of the State of Connecticut, do certify
Page 12

that, I have not been able to find any account
of the raising or organization of Col. Elmores
regiment in 1776 on the records of the State, or the
journal of the Council of Safety, nor any account
of any money advanced to it, or to any officer or
soldier belonging to it, upon the books of the
Pay Table. And that the only knowledge of it,
has been derived from the journal of Congress
above referred to.

And that the service of Samuel
Benjamin, in Col. Swifts regiment, appears
upon the settlement list of the Connecticut troops
in the continental army, as stated heretofore
in an official certificate; no account having
been opened on the books with Titus Hayes, or
any statement that Mr Benjamin served as
his substitute. This arose from what I believe
was an adage, or law, that the substitute was
entitled to the balance that might be due at
the expiration of the enlistment; & that the
distribution of pay of pay, if any, was entirely
a matter between the substitute & his principal.
[signed] E. Phelps
Page 13

UM

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.

July 24, 1924.

Charles R. Hale,
22 Capitol Ave.,
Hartford, CONN.

Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary
pension claim, S.31546, it appears that Samuel
Benjamin was born in Granville, Massachusetts, February 3,
1757.

While living in Hartland, Hartford County, Connecticut,
he enlisted in May 1776 and served as a private in Captain
Theodore Woodbridge's Company, Colonel Samuel Elmore's
Connecticut Regiment and was discharged in April 1777. He
enlisted October 1, 1778, served as a private in Captains
Theodore Woodbridge and Caleb Baldwin's Company, Colonel
Heman Swift's Connecticut Regiment, detached in April 1779
to Captain Ephraim Chamberlain's Company, Colonel Return
Jonathan Meigs' Connecticut regiment, was at the taking of
Stony Point and was discharged May 26, 1780 by Colonel
David F. Sill. He served about a month at New Haven, dates,
officers and details of this service are not given.
Page 14

He was allowed pension on his application executed
August 13, 1832, while a resident of Hartland, Hartford
County, Connecticut.
It is not stated whether soldier ever married.
Respectfully,

Commissioner.

Note:
Did not refer to his
service in Capt Hatcher's(?)
Co. in the Lexington Alarm
as I could not verify it
(Phelps' Letter dated 9/10/35) UM.
Page 15

31546
Rev'y INVALID.

File No. 31,546
Samuel Benjamin
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7th 32" [1832]
Index: -- Vol. 2, Page 33

[ Arrangement of 1870. ]

Feb. 17, 1896. Letter
to Mrs Harriet Weeks
Evanston, Ill.

1924 July 24 - Hist to Chas. R. Hale. UM
Page 16

Harring[illegible], Hackensack, quackanock, Second River
& Morristown. Was at Paramus & went from there
to Springfield in New Jersey & was discharg'd on the said
mentioned place on the 26 day of May 1780.
My Discharg'd was given by David F Sill, Col'o Commandant.
About 1778 Capt Woodbridge was promoted to the
Rank of a Major & after that he was under Capt
Caleb Baldwin until the next spring, in the spring
of 1779. He was detached from Swifts Reg't & annex'd
to Col'o Meigs Reg't of Infantry under Gen Wayne
in a company of troops of Ephraim Chamberlain
He further states at the time he Render'd the before
mention'd service he was a Resident of s'd town
of Hartland where he now Resides, that from
all the aforesaid services he was honorably
Regularly discharg'd, but has not any written
Discharge to show, that he has no Documentary
Evidence of his Service as before stated.
He hereby Relinquishes Every Claim whatever
to a Pension or annuity except the s'd present
& declares that his name is not on the
Pension Roll of any Agency of any State
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year
aforesaid
[signed] Samuel Benjamin
Page 17

We Eli Pardee & Daniel Bills both men Residing
in Hartland in Hartford County do hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with Samuel
Benjamin who has sign'd & sworn to the above
Declaration that We believe him to be seventy
five years of age, & that he is reputed &
believ'd in the neighborhood where he resides
to have been a Soldier of the Revolution
& that we concur in that opinion ---
[signed] Eli Pardee
[signed] Daniel Bill

August 13, 1832
Sworn and Subscribed to the
day and year aforesaid before me
[signed] Joab Griffin Jus't peace

And the s'd Court does hereby declare it to be his opinion
after the Investigation of the matter & after putting the
Interrogatories prescrib'd by the War Department, that
the above nam'd applicant was a Soldier of the
Revolution & serv'd as he states -- & that the Court
further certifies that it appears to him that Eli
Pardee & Daniel Bill are both residents of the
s'd town of Hartland & are credible persons & that
their statement is entitled to Credit ---

Aug. 13 1832
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
before me
[signed] Joab Griffin Judge
Page 18

I Joshua R. Jewett Clerk of the Court of Probate for the
District of Granby do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the Original proceedings of the s'd Court in
the matter of the application of Samuel Benjamin
for a Pension - In testimony Whereof, I have
hereto sett my hand & seal of Office the 13 day
of August 1832
[signed] Joshua R. Jewett Clerk

Samuel Benjamin
Declaration.

I hereby certify that Joab Griffin Esq is Judge of
the Court of Probate for the District of Granby &
that the above is his Genuine Signature
Attest [signed] Joshua R. Jewett Clerk
Page 19

State of Connecticut Harford County, District of Granby
On this 13 day of August 1832. Personally appear'd
in Open Court before Joab Griffin Esq Judge of
the Court of Probate for the District of Granby now
sitting, Samuel Benjamin a resident of
Hartland in Hartford County aged Seventy five
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
act of Congress pass'd June 7, 1832 - that he Enter'd
the service of the United States under the following
named Officers & serv'd as herein stated, viz. that
he entere'd s'd service under Capt Theodore Woodbridge
in Col Sam Ellmore Reg't for a time of one
year - Went to Albany & from there to the German
Flatts & built a fort call'd Fort Dayton - from
there to Fort Stanwix to Relieve Col'o Dayton's
Reg't & stay'd there till April 1777. He inlisted in
May 1776 & was Discharg'd in April 1777 at which
last mention'd time he was dismiss'd -
He again went into s'd service under Cap Theodore
Woodbridge in Col'o Heman Swifts Reg't in the
year 1777. for a term of three years
in this time he was a substitute for Titus Hays & serv'd about twenty five months.
He was, during the tour of Duty, in the State of
New York at Sandy Beach, Stony Point, Fort Montgomery,
was at the taking of Stony Point under
Gen. Wayne, & in the State of New Jersey at
Page 20

Connecticut  n'o 22.778.

Samuel Benjamin
Hartland in the State of Con't

who was a private in the ______ commanded
by Captain ______ of the Regiment commanded
by Co'l Elmore in the Conn. Mil.
for 19 mo. 26 days 
$80 per ann.
Increased from $62.88. c

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 66 Dollars 21 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of March .35
and Sent Hon. Neyer
Barber Groton, Con't

Arrears to the 4th of March '35            $264.84
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept '35   $35.10
                                                                =======
                                                                 $297.95

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}

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

Let.
Page 21

Let 9 Mar 35 Hon. N. Bacher
"    9  "     "       Pen: agent
Page 22

22.778 Connecticut

Samuel Benjamin
of Hartland in the State of Con
who was a Pri in the Comp. commanded
by Captain _____ of the Reg't commanded
by Col Elmore in the Conn
line for 8 mo 26 days 
note 

Inscribed on the Roll of Conn.
at the rate of 29 Dollars 54 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of Nov.
33 and Sent -  J.R. [cutoff- emett], Granby  Conn. 

Arrears to the 4th of Septem. '33       $73.85
Semi Anl, allowance ending Mar 4      $14.77
                                                     (total) $88.62

{Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Ed Bullock Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3 Page 32

*sideways text reads as transcribed*

18 m'o 26 days private

Elisha Phelps
Hartford
Ct.
Page 23

[left edge of document damaged]

Connecticut 227,

Samuel Benjamin
Hartland in the State of Connecticut
who was a private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Woodridge of the Reg't commanded
by Col Elmore in the Connecticut
line for two years private

Inc'd from $66.21

Incribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 80 Dollars --- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Oct
1835 and sent to Elijah
Phelps Hartford Conn't

ears to the 4th of March
i-anl. allowance ending

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

Ian Boyd Clerk,
Vol. B Page 5

Let to James Dodd 8 Oct 1835
Page 24

4010 Sam Benjamin brief

Sam'l Benjamin

5 . 10 11 12 13 14 16 17
8 m'o 26 days
private

J E Lewell

The misstatements in the
original declaration as to
service in Swifts Reg't was
so flagrant that the alleged
service in Elmore's Reg cannot
as was stated in the letter of
7 Feb'y 1833 be taken into
computation unless proof is
adduced
Page 25

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Samuel Benjamin which require
further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?

V. *Has he mentioned 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 amout of pension
he is entitled?
Not with truth. He entered Swifts reg't on the 1 Octr
1778 & was discharged 26 May 1783

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? ( And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal? No )
Page 26

2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his
revolutionary service?
No Clergyman

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not
obtaining it?
No

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
The best evidence is not produced as to his
service the first term in Ellmores reg

XIV. +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under
his seal of office?
No

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
None

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

QUERE V. 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."
Page 27

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which be 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.

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
Page 28

State of Connecticut }
Hartford County } ss.

On this 20th day of December A.D. 1832 personally
appeared in Open Court before the Court of Probate
for the District of Granby now sitting Samuel
Benjamin a Resident of the Town of Hartland
County of Hartford and State of Connecticut of
the District of Granby aged Seventy five 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 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, as in [illegible] that in the month of May 1776
he resided in the town of Hartland and Enlisted into
a Company commanded by Captain Theodore Woodbridge
in Colonel Samuel Ellmores Regiment, in the Continental
line Col Ellmore belonged to Sharon in the State of Connecticut
and Cap Woodbridge to Hartland in said State, that he
went to Albany and there joined the Regiment. The Regiment
marched to German Flats and then built a fort called Fort
Dayton. From German Flats we marched to Fort Stanwix
to relieve Colonel Daytons Regiment we arrived at
Fort Standwix on the 15. day of October 1776, and staid in
the said Company and Regiment untill the 15th day of April
1777 when his term of service Expired the Regiment having been raised
for one Year at the Expiration of the Year, the Relief having
not come he Volunteered and staid some days after, when
he was Relieved by Colonel Gainsworth, Regiment New York
line and was discharged at Fort Stanwix having served nearby [illegible] Eleven mos
and returned to Hartland he was in no battle in this
term of Service, that in the year 1778 (as appears by the
brief from the War Department) he went as a substitute for Titus
Hays in the 1st of October, in Captain Theodore Woodbridge
Company in Colonel Heman Swifts Regiment in the
Connecticut line
Page 29

Interrogatories put to the Applicant by the Court
as prescribed by the Department and his answers

1. Was born in Granille [Granville] Massachusetts Feby 3. 1757

2. There is a record of his age in the family Bible
produced in Court

3. That he lived in Hartland when called into service and
lived in said Hartland untill the year 1802, thence
moved to Granby Hartford County Connecticut,
lived there untill 1807 thence moved to Granville Massachusetts
where he lived untill 1811 thence back to Hartland
where he now lives and has lived since

4. first term he Enlisted - Second [illegible] as a Substitute for Titus
Hays deceased

5. He remembers Colonel Febridger, of a Virginia Regiment
in the Infantry who lay in the night of the Brigade [illegible]
General, Wayne Mayor General, Colonel Butler afterwards
General Butler was killed in St Clair's Defeat.
Colonel Rufus Putnam commanded the Regiment
on the left Massachusetts troops, Lieutenant Cpt Isaac
Sherman.

6. That he received a regular discharge in May 1780
by David F Sill, Colonel. Then, when he returned home, his
Discharge was in his pocket, and his mother washed
the garment and destroyed the discharge.

7. He mentions Willy Wright Esq. Dennis [illegible]
[illegible] Humphrey Esq. William Sibley and many
other Gentlemen.

[signed] Samuel Benjamin

Sworn and Subscribed to the
28th day of December 1832
before me
[signed] Joab Griffin Judge
Page 30

that he resided in said Hartland that he went alone
to a place called Old Orchard near the North River
and there said Capt Woodbridges Company and Colonel
Heman Swifts Regiment and marched from thence
to Readding in Connecticut and there went into winter
quarters and there remained untill Spring. Captain Woodbridge
having been promoted to the office of Major, Captain Caleb
Baldwin took the command of this company & in the month of
April 1779, he was selected for the 1st Infantry in Company
commanded by Capt Ephraim Chamberlain, Col
Jonathan R. Meigs commanded the Regiment, in
General Wayne's Division joined at Sandy Beach in the State
of New York a little above fort Montgomery staid there one
night, then marched to Stoney point and Stormed the fort
under the command of Colonel Johnson a British officer
he turned out as a Volunteer on the forlorn hope this was on
the 16th day of July about 2 OClock in the morning
left the fort two days dismantled it then marched back
to Sandy Beach, where we lay two months thence marched
to [illegible], quackanock, Hackensack & Second
River, where the encampment under General Wayne
broke up on the 2'd of Jan'y 1780, and Each of the four Regiments joined
this our line at Morristown in New Jersey.
Went on a command under Major Flagg of Rhode
Island to Paramus and marched from
there to Springfield in New Jersey and lay there untill
the 26th day of May and was Discharged at said
Springfield the 26/day of May 1780. This Brigade was
commanded by General Jedediah Huntington
his discharge was signed by Colonel David F Sill in
the absence of General J. Huntington that he has no
documentary evidence of his service and knows of no person living who can
testify to his service [illegible] Mr Taylor
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
[signed] Samuel Benjamin

Sworn and subscribed the day
and year aforesaid
before me -- [signed] Joel Griffin Judge of Probate
Page 31

We Ammi Lindsley [Linsley] a Clergyman residing
in the Town of Hartland County of Hartford and State of
of Connecticut and Daniel Bill of the same town,
County & State hereby certify that we are well acquainted
with Samuel Benjamin who has subscribed and sworn
to the above declaration, that we believe him to be
Seventy five 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 Dated at Granby Dec'r 20. 1832
[signed] Ammi Linsley, Pastor of 1st Church Hartland
[signed] Daniel Bill

Sworn & Subscribed the
day & year aforesaid
before me [signed] Joab Griffin Judge of Probate

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 Ammi Linsley who has signed
the preceding certificate is a Clergyman residing in
the town of Hartland County of Hartford and state of Connecticut
and that Daniel Bill who has also signed the same is a
Resident in said Town of Hartland in said County & State and
is a credible person and that their Statement is
Entitled to credit.
[signed] Joab Griffin Judge of Probate

Theodore Woodbridge Capt 1 Jan'y 1777
Page 32

Hon. Lewis Cass secretary at War
Washington City
Page 33

State of Connecticut
Secretary's Office Sept. 23'd 1834.

I, Thomas Day Secretary of
said State and keeper of the Seal
thereof, do hereby certify, That
Samuel Whitford Esq. is and for more than
one year last past has been a Justice
of the Peace within and for the County of
Litchfield in said State, duly appointed, commissioned
and qualified; that I verily believe the foregoing
signature purporting to be his, is genuine; and that
full credence is due to his official acts and
attestations.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at
Hartford, the day and year above written.
[signed] Thomas Day
Page 34

I Azariah Bill of Lisbon New London County
and state of Connecticut of lawful age testify and say
that in the month of April
the year 1776 I enlisted into the service of the
United States in the Regiment of Col. Samuel Elmore
of Sharon Con. and in the Company of Capt Thedore
Woodbridge of Hartland Con. that I Knew Samuel
Benjamin of Hartland Co. that he belonged to the same
Regiment and Company with myself in the aforesaid years
service that we joined the Regiment at Albany marched
to German Flats there built a fort called Fort Dayton
and then marched to Fort Stanwix that we remained there
until the month April 1777 and then were discharged and further
the deponent saith not
[signed] Azariah ( his X mark ) Bell

State Connecticut
Litchfield County ss. August 25th 1834

Then personally appeared the above named Azariah Bill
and made solemn oath that the facts stated in
the above Deposition by him subscribed are true
Before me [signed] Samuel Whitford Justice of the Peace
Page 35

1. 6. 26
1 7 26

War Department,
Pension Office,
Mar 29th 1834.

Sir
It cannot be recognized that
Samuel Benjamin served three years personally in
the regiment of Col. Heman Swift, though your
certificate of the 10th instant, shows a settlement with him
for that period. He alleges in his declaration that
he served as substitute for Titus Hays. It appears
that Hays enlisted on the 26 day of May 1777, for
three years, and was discharged October 1st 1778, in lieu
of Samuel Benjamin, and that the latter entered in
lieu of Titus Hays on the 1st October 1778, and was
discharged on the 26 May 1780 at the expiration of
the original term of three years. His actual service
was therefore eighteen months twenty six days which
should have been allowed him instead of the eight
months twenty six days for which his certificate was
paid by a clerical error.

As
Page 36

As to his service in Elmore's Regiment, his
various statements render the fact, as well as the duration
of that service, altogether too uncertain to justify its
computation of that term. Unless direct evidence can
be produced, this part of the claim cannot be admitted.
A new certificate will be forwarded to you
in a few days.

Very respectfully
Y'r M'o Ob't
[signed] J L Edwards

Elisha Phelps, Esq
Hartford
Connecticut
Page 37

Comptrollers Office
March 10th 1834

I Elisha Phelps, Comptroller of Public Courts
of the State of Connecticut, do certify that
it appears by the settler out with the 7th
Connecticut regiment, Herman Swift Esq
Colonel before January 1780, that Samuel
Benjamin served therein as a private from
the 26th of May 1777 to the first day of January
1780; being two years seven months & five
days; & that in the settlemen with the same
regiment for the year 1780, it appears that
he served therein as a private from the
first day of January 1780 to the 26th May
1780 being four months & twenty six days,
& in the whole three years.

I further certify that in an account
headed "An account of final settlement certificates
" remaining in hands of John Sherman
" September 28th 1790." I send among others,
Page 38

the name Samuel Benjamin, & the amount
of certificate issued to him $21.51 / 90
[signed] E. Phelps

In regard to Samuel Benjamin service in
Col. Elmores regiment in 1776-7, reference is made
to the journal of Congress Jan. 8th 1774, requiring
one battalion to be raised in Connecticut for Canada.
March 6th 1776 Gen'l Thomas appointed to command
the forces in Canada -- July 29th 1776 returns of Col.
Elmore's regiment made by Gen. Wooster to be
transmitted to Gen. Washington with blank commissions
[illegible] John Brown commissioned L't Col. and
Robert Cochran Major of this regiment -- 1777
March 15 L't Col. Browns resignation accepted.
No roll of Col. Elmores reg't, or any evidence regarding
it, except what is referred to, has been found
regarding it.

Mr Benjamin states that the certificates
mentioned in the above mentioned account were
issued for arrears of clothing, & that he never
received his.
[signed] E. Phelps
Page 39

J. L. Edwards Esq

Sir
Samuel Benjamin of Hartland
Hartford County, Connecticut, a very reputable
man, & with whom I have been acquainted many
years, lately called upon me, & informed me that he
had served about four years in the revolutionary
army, had applied for a pension, & obtained one
for about eight months. He informed me that he
served in Col. Swifts req't continental troops.
By referring to the roll of this reg't before 1780 &
for 1780, I found he had served three years.
He wishes an increase of pension, & has requested
me to forward the annexed certificate.

Pelatiah Daniels transmitted his application
for a pension in Sept 1832, since which he has not
heard from it. From the reception of David
Taylors of which I had charge, it ocurred to
me, that the petition of Mr Daniels might not
have been received.

I am most respectfully
[illegible]
E. Phelps
Page 40

Ct. Sept 14

[postage] free

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Sam'l Benjamin
Page 41

Hartford Sep. 10th 1835.

Dear Sir
I write at request of Mr Samuel Benjamin
regarding his pension. In May last, he obtained the
affidavit of Joseph Seeley, to prove the service in
Col. Elmores regiment, which with his pension
certificate; I transmitted to you; since which I
have heard nothing relating to the fate of his
application for an increase of pension. In your
last communication, it was stated, that some
explanation & proof was wanted. It was believed
that Mr Seeleys affidavit would remove all doubts.
The evidence regarding service in Elmore regiment,
is embraced in Mr Benjamins application, and the
testimony of Misters Bill & Seeley both pensioners, &
for service in the same regiment. Mr Bill served
in Capt Woodbridges company with Mr Benjamin,
& Mr Seeley in Capt. Walkers company. There is
therefore the testimony of two disinterested witnesses
to this service, & the corroborating oath of the
applicant himself.

It was stated, that Capt. Woodbridge was
appointed a Capt. in Col. Swift regiment, & received
pay for serving therein from the 1st January 1777.
This I apprehend does not prove that Capt. Woodbridge
did not serve out his year in Col. Elmores regiment;
because he was under the same obligation to serve
under Elmores, that he was to serve under Swifts;
& his receiving pay from Jan. 1777 for service in
Swifts cannot affect Mr Benjamins claim, because
Page 42

this was a subject between Capt. Woodbridge & the goverment.
If he did not receive pay service in Swifts reg't after the
first of January 1777, he would have been entitled to pay
for serving in Elmores. Neither the goverment or Woodbridge
had therefore any seperate or conflicting interest in the
the manner in which the pay roll of Capt. Woodbridge
was adjusted; unless he was included in the pay roll
of both regiments for service between the first of January to the
time when Elmores regiment was discharged.

Mr Benjamin says, that Capt. Woodbridge
served in Col. Elmores Regiment until the expiration
of the year for which this regiment was raised; and
that recruits were enlisting during this time for Swifts
regiment; & that after Elmores regiment was discharged,
Woodbridge joined Col. Swifts, & not before. He says
also, that this was the case with Capt. Walker, Capt.
Smith, Capt Saterlee who belonged to Elmores reg't,
who after this regiment was discharged, joined the
respective regiment to which they had been previously
appointed.

Mr Benjamin wishes to draw his pension, as
he much needs the money. He lives between twenty
& thirty miles of this place. He is a gentleman of
respectability, he has had the honor to represent, in
our General Assembly, the town wherein he resides; &
no person here doubts his claim to a full pension.

He states to me, that he has reason to believe
that some person has written for the purpose of
defeating his claim, from motives of a base character.
Page 43

Mr Benjamin employed an agent to procure his
pension, who charged him an exorbitant fee, &
which he refused to pay in fall. He conjectures
that this refusal has induced some person to
oppose his application.

It would [illegible] the cause of humanity
& patriotism, if this old soldier could receive
the reward proffered him by his Country. He has
ever since I knew him, been affected with
rhumatic complaints produced, as he says,
by exposures to the severity of the seasons, &
his service in the revolutionary army. He says
he served about three years & an half in the
whole. A part of the time he served as a substitute
& answered to the name of his employer -- he say
he was at the Lexington alarm & in Capt. Hatchers
company, & about a month at New Haven. These
were not included in his application, because
they were believed to be unnecessary, as his other
service was sufficient to secure to him a
full pension. He is anxious to have his
case divided & his certificate transmitted, as
soon as convenient.

Let me add, that by the books in the
Comptrollers office, that there now remains a balance due to
him for clothing.

I am very
respectfully
[illegible]
E. Phelps
Page 44

The Samuel Benjamin would refer the Department
the Records of the Board which was again
whether the three years soldiers had received the
Cathing according to their enlistment, it will be
found that they had not each one share was
laid over to John Sherman as paymaster of the
Connecticut line which money
was said to
the applicant
Samuel Benjamin
Page 45

We Ammi Lindsley [Linsley] a Clergyman residing
in the Town of Hartland County of Hartford and
State of Connecticut and Samuel Blakeslee Sr
of the same Town County and State hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with Samuel
Benjamin who has subscribed and sworn to
the above declaration that we believe him
to be 76 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
[signed] Ammi Linsley, Pastor of a
Church in Hartland
[signed] Sam'l Blakeslee S'r

Sworn and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
[signed] Joab Griffin
Judge of Probate

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 solder, and served as he states.
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them
that Ammi Lindsley who has signed the preceding
Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of
Hartland County of Hartford and State of
Connecticut and that Samuel Blakeslee Sr
who has also signed the same is a resident of the
same town County and State and is a credible
person and that their statement is entitled to
Credit
[signed] Joeb Griffin
Judge of Probate
Page 46

[postage] Free

Hon. Noyes Barber
M. C.
Washington
D.C.
Page 47

Hartford Feb. 26th 1835

D'r Sir
Some time ago, I transmitted to
the Commissioner of Pensions, the pension
certificate of Samuel Benjamin of Hartland
in this County, for an increase of pension.
I have not heard any thing from Mr Edwards
on the subject. I wish you would call upon
him, & procure an increase of pension, or a
return of the certificate. Mr Benjamin claims,
that a mistake of one month occurred in
the time proved, exclusive of his service under
Col. Elmore, by a miscomputation of time; and
that he ought to be allowed for his service in
addition to what was embraced in the
certificate, while in Col. Elmore's Reg't. The
papers are all in the Pension office, & the
mistake can be corrected by adverting to
there. I am sorry to trouble you, but the
interest of a meritorious old soldier requires it.
No. news worth relating -- J. Toney Esq was
yesterday nominated for Congress
In haste [illegible] [signed] E Phelps
Page 48

Simsbury Sept. 22nd 1834

Sir
I return the pension certificate of
Samuel Benjamin of Hartland for
correction, & increase of pension. From
your letter regarding his service, which
is not at hand, I was satisfied, & so
wrote to Gov. Foot, that the amount
of pension was not enough by one
months rates.

Mr Benjamin's service in Col.
Elmores regiment in 76 & 7 was not
allowed. Col. A. T. Judson wrote me
some time ago, for information regarding
Azariah Bills service in the same
regiment & during the same period.
I referred Col. Judson to the journal
of Congress as the only information in
my knowledge, concerning this regiment.
I understand that Bill has received his
Page 49

certificate. I informed Mr Benjamin of
the application of Mr Bill, & he replied
that he recollected Bill, & that he served
in the same company. Since this, Mr
Benjamin made a journey to Lisbon
where Bill resided to obtain his affidavit,
but Bill had gone to Sandisfield in
Massachusetts to visit his friends. Mr
Benjamin pursued him & found
him, & obtained his affidavit at
Colebrook in this State, which I transmit.
Mr Benjamin is a very respectable
man, & his representation regarding
service in Elmore regiment is unquestionably
true. He has endeavored to obtain
other proof, but he can find none.

If I had not believed that he
served in Elmores reg't, I should not have
given my aid in prosecuting this claim.
Knowing him, as I have for years, I do
believe him intitled to the [illegible].
I am respectfully [illegible] [signed] E. Phelps
Page 50

Ct. Mar 2'd

Hon N Barber

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 51

[illegible] is

H of R
Washington
2 March 1835

I hereinclose to you a letter from Elisha Phelps Esq
on the subject of Samuel Benjamin Pension
& I must beg of you to examine its contents &
provide me with an answer

I am Respectfully
Yours
[signed] Noyes Barber

J. L. Edwards Esq
Com of Pension
Page 52

I Joseph Seeley of Weston in Fairfield County & State
of Connecticut of Seventy eight years of age. Testify
& say that on or about the 15th day of April 1776
I enlisted into a Continental Regiment for the term
of one Year under Cap't Robert Walker of Stratford
in said County & Col. Elmores Regiment. I marched
from said Stratford under Cap't Walker & Joined
the Regiment at Albany in the State of New York
on or about the first of June following & served in
the Regiment under said Col. Elmore in Cap't
Walkers Company for one year & was discharged
on or about the 15th day of April 1777.

I will remember on my joining the Regiment at
Albany I became acquainted with Samuel
Benjamin who was then a soldier in the Company
commanded by Cap't Theodore Woodbridge in
said Regiment & continued my acquaintance
with said Benjamin so long as I continued in the
Regiment which was one year from my enlistment
how long he had been in the Regiment before I
Joined I cannot say

After joining the Regiment we marched from Albany
to the German flats so called, from thence to Fort
Schuyler or Fort Stanyx & then remained untill
the Regiment was discharged as above stated

The said Samuel Benjamin & I were frequently
on guard together & we became intimately acquainted
& know that I cannot be mistaken as to my
statement of facts aforesaid & am well satisfied that
he served in the Regiment untill it was discharged
[signed] Joseph Seely

State of Connecticut }
County of Fairfield } ss On this first day of May
1835 at Weston in said County personally
Page 53

appeared Joseph Seeley of said Weston to me
personally known to be a man of truth and
Credibility & made oath to the truth of the
within Deposition by him subscribed. before me
[signed] Bradford Winton Jus. Peace

State of Connecticut at the
Office of the Secretary of State
Hartford June 9th 1835

I hereby certify that Bradford
Winton was appointed a Justice of the
peace within and for the County of
Fairfield for the year 1834, as
appears by the records of this Office
and that I verily believe his signature above to be
genuine.
[signed] Roy R. Hinman Secretary.
Page 54

Hartford June 9th 1835

Sir
Mr. Samuel Benjamin, the person,
to whom the enclosed certificate issued, has
directed me to return it for increase of
allowance. He has always claimed to have
served, besides other services, one year in
Col. Elmores regiment, & company commanded
by Capt. Woodbridge. His proof of this is,
his own oath, the affidavit of Mr Bills already
sent, and the additional affidavit of Mr
Seeley lately obtained & now forwarded.

One years service, in Col. Elmores regiment,
is proved by the positive testimony of two
disinterested witnesses who served in the
same regiment with him, that he continued
in service until April 1777, being one year
from the commencement. This testimony is
in strict accordance with his own testimony.
Three witnesses, competent & credible, and not
contradicted, swear positively to the fact. In
a Court of Justice no doubt could exist
Page 55

Mr Benjamin is required to show that Capt.
Woodbridge served in Col. Elmores regiment
until the middle of April 1777. This he cannot
do, in any other way than by showing that
this regiment was raised for one year, &
that Woodbridge was a captain in it, &
served until that time, & this by parole
evidence, no record evidence being to be had,
or found. The only circumstance known to
me, which can render it doubtful whether
Woodbridge served in Col. Elmores reg't from
Jan to April 1777 is, his appointment to
command a company in Col. Swifts reg't
which was to, & did, enter the public service
in January 1777. Now, Woodbridge on the
1st of January 1777 had not performed one
years service in Elmores reg't as he was
bound to do by his appointment therein.

But this is certain, that Woodbridge did
serve from January to April 1777 either in
Col. Elmore or Col. Swifts regiment, & it cannot
be material to Mr Benjamins service, whether
it were in the one or the other. Because his
service in Col. Elmores regiment before January
Page 56

1777, when added to his service afterwards
in Col. Swifts regiment, I believe, will make
more than two years service, & this
must entitle him to a full pension. The pay
roll of the continental army shows, that Capt.
Woodbridge received pay from Jan. 1777
for service in Col. Swifts regiment; but no
record, known here, shows that he did not
serve in Elmores until April 1777. The
pay roll is not conclusive evidence of the fact,
for this was made up by a committee
appointed for that purpose, after the service
was performed, & to enable the Pay Table to
settle with the army. Both Elmore & Swifts
regiments were continental regiments, & it
would make no difference with the goverment,
or with Capt. Woodbridge, whether the first
quarters pay in 1777 was received as for
services performed in one regiment or the other.
Mr Benjamin feels more solicitous for his reputation,
he having sworn to this service, than he does
for the differences between his present, & a
full pension.

He bids me to say, that Ashbel
Moses & Martin Moses, brothers, both receive a
pension for the same service, one having served
Page 57

a short time for the other. He says Ashbel Moses
is the one justly entitled to the pension.

I am very
respectfully
Yours
[signed] E Phelps
Page 58

Samuel Benjamin

Payments to be made
at Hartford, by the
[illegible] Farm.' & Mec.' [Farmers & Mechanics] Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of
Connecticut

Increased to
19 mo 26 days
instead of
18 mo 26 days
$66 21

Hon Noyes Barber
[illegible] letter

Recorded in the Pension Office,
in Book E2. Vol.
Page 3. by
R. Burdine Clerk.
Page 59

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that in conformity with the law of the United
States, of the 7th June, 1832, Samuel Benjamin
of the State of Connecticut
who was a private during the Revolutionary
War
is entitled to receive sixty two dollars and
eighty eight cents per annum, during his natural life,
commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable
semiannually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in
every year.

Given at the War Office of the United
States, this twenty ninth day of
March one thousand eight
hundred and thirty four
[signed] Lewis Cass
Secretary of War.

Examined and }
Countersigned. }
[signed] J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 60

Payments to be made
at Hartford
by Pres. [illegible] Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of
Connecticut

Recorded in the Pension Office,
in Book E Vol. 3
Page 32 by E D Bullock
Clerk.
Page 61

Cancelled [written vertically across entire page]

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that in conformity with the law of the United
States, of the 7th June, 1832, Samuel Benjamin
of the State of Connecticut
who was a Private during the Revolutionary
War
is entitled to receive Seventy Nine dollars and
Fifty Four cents per annum, during his natural life,
commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable
semiannually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in
every year.

Given at the War Office of the United
States, this 4 day of
November one thousand eight
hundred and thirty three
[signed] Lewis Cass
Secretary of War.

Examined and }
Countersigned. }
[signed] J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 62

Payment to be made
at Hartford
by the [illegible] Farmers & Mec. [Mechanics] Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of
Connecticut

Encreased
to 24 mo from
19. 26
00$

Recorded in the Pension
Office, in Book E2 Vol. 3
Page 5 by N. Pice --
Clerk.
Page 63

Cancelled [written vertically across entire page]

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that in conformity with the law of the United
States, of the 7th June, 1832, Samuel Benjamin
of the State of Connecticut
who was a private in the War of the Revolution
is entitled to receive Sixty Six dollars and
twenty-one cents per annum during his natural life,
commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable
semiannually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in
every year.

Given at the War Office of the United
States, this 9th day of
March one thousand eight
hundred and thirty five
[signed] Lewis Cass
Secretary of War.

Examined and }
Countersigned. }
[signed] J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 64

I Joshua R. Jewett Clerk of the Court of Probate for
the District of Granby Do hereby certify that the foregoing
Contains the Original Proceedings of the Court in
the matter of the Application of Samuel Benjamin
for a Pension --- In Witness whereof -- I have
hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 5--
Day of October 1833
[signed] Joshua R. Jewett Clerk

I Joshua R. Jewett Clerk of the Court of Probate for
the District of Granby Do hereby certify that
Joab Griffin Esq is a Judge  of the Court of Probate
for the District of Granby aforesaid - & is also a Justice
of the peace Within & for Harford County in the State
of Connecticut Duly Appointed, Commissioned, & sworn
& full faith & credit are to be given to his Official
Acts as such Judge & Justice -- & who ? the
Signature herein purporting to be his is his
Genuine Signature --- In testimony whereof --
I have hereunto sett my hand & seal of office
this 5. day of October 1833 ---
[signed] Joshua R. Jewett Clerk
Page 65

The Elsmere.
1408 H Street.
Washington D.C.

To the Gentleman having charge
of Revolutionary War Records.

You may find my
great-grandfather's name Hayes
or Hays, I have learned he
enlisted for three years, May 26,
'77 and was discharged Oct. 1, '78,
"in lieu of Samuel Benjamin,"
who "joined in room of Titus Hays."
Sam. Benj. was a pensioner in 1840,
aged 85 years. It was in Capt. Theodore
Woodbridge's Co. of Conn. commanded
by Col. Heman Swift.

My grandmother did receive a
pension. She lived in Wayne, Ohio
where my grandfather, Titus Hayes
moved in 1803, having surveyed much
land on the Western Reserve during
six preceding years. Where he served
I cannot tell-- perhaps in Ohio.
Respy, [signed] Mrs. Harriet Weeks
Page 66

The Elsmere.
1408 H Street.
Washington D.C.

Titus Hays (or Hayes) wintered
with Washington at Vally Forge.

Titus Hays' four sons
Richard, Titus, Lester & Linus
were in the war of 1812

Col. Richard Hayes
went from Hartland Conn.
to Hartford, Ohio in the
spring of 1804. In the war
of 1812 he was in command
of the Third Regiment, Fourth
Division, Ohio Militia. The
late Hon. Joshua R. Giddings
was a private in the regiment.
Richard marched through
Ashtabula Co. Ohio for the frontier
Page 67

The Elsmere.
1408 H Street.
Washington D.C.

during the war.

Titus Hays, [illegible], came
from Hartland to the Western
Reserve on foot with only a
bible and pocket compass
and surveyed Hartford, Ohio
and other land in '97 and
afterword again came from
Canandagua Co., N.Y. to
Wayne, Ohio in 1805. I
judge he enlisted in
Ohio, very likely under
his brother Richard.

My grandmother received
a pension in later years.
[signed] Mrs. Harriet Weeks.
Page 68

[medal emblem]
COMMANDERY-IN-CHIEF
SONS OF VETERANS, U. S. A.
CHARLES R. HALE COUNCIL-IN-CHIEF
33 CAPITOL AVENUE
HARTFORD, CONN.
July 6-- 1924

Revolutionary War Section
Pension Dept.
Washington, DC.

Dear Miss Wilson:
Please send me Revolutionary War
record of Samuel Benjamin who was on the Pension roll of
of 1840 and who died at Granby, Conn.
Yours very Truly
[signed] Chas. R. Hale