Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22,775, Benjamin Choat, Continental N.H.
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(3-1776) Service 
Continental N.H. 
Choat, or Choate, Benjamin 
Abigail 
NUMBER
W. 22.775
CONTENTS
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1853 Sept. 22
Suspended by letter to 
Date of death not an  
6.022 
New Hampshire 
Abigail Choat 
widow of Benjamin Choat
who served in the Revolutionary War as a Maf3 Private 
inscribed on the roll at the rate of 96 dollars cents per annum to commence on the 10th of July 1848
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of Dec 1852 and sent to Samuel Plummer Epping, N.H. 
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2. 1818, page 14 vol. 1
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13,898 R
New Hampshire 
Benjamin Choat of Sandwich in the state of New Hampshire who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Hinex of the Mapachupetts line, for the term of one year

Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 8 dollars per month, to commence on the 25 of May 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 14 of July 18
and sent to William B Helley Cop 
New Hampton New Hampshire 
Arrears to 4th of  Mar. 1819 74.83 
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sep. 1819. 48.00
Mo. 11/31 $122.83
Revoluntionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818 
Continuce
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United States of America
State of New Hampshire. Strafford is
Sandwich, May 25, 1818

I Benjamin Choat of Sandwich, a citizen of the United States, now resident at said Sandwich in the county of Strafford, in the  State aforesaid, do on oath declare that served in the war of the revolution the full term of time required by a law of the United States made and passed in the month of March 1818. entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War, as a requisite to entitle me to be placed on the Reunion list of the said United States having existed the land service of the said United States on the Continental Establishment and served as a private soldier against the common enemy from the 20th day of August 1775 until the first day of January 1776 being four months and ten days that I belonged to Cape. Sotelredy in company in Col. Poor's Regiment in the New Hampshire line and that on said first day of January 1776 I commenced a new term of service in the land service of said United States against said Common Enemy and served as aforesaid from said first day of January 1776 until the tenth day of January 1777 being one year and ten days my term of enlistment having expired ten days before, I left said service and there I served said ten days at the request of General Heath when I was honorably discharged and that I left the service on the day last aforesaid– and that I am the name Benjamin Choat to whom the discharge was given which is here come to amend. And that during said last mentioned term of service I belonged to Capt. Edward Burbank's Company of Artillery in Col. Knox Regiment in the Massachusetts line and thereby relinquish all claim to every pension theretofore allowed me by the laws of the said United States if any may be
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or hath been so allowed– and I further declare that I am now in the sixty-fourth year of my age and that by reason of my reduced circumstances in life I need the assistance of my Country for support that in the course of the term which I served in said war I served in the Battle at White Plains in the State of New York and in the Battle at Trenton in the State of New Jersey and sundry small skirmishes.

Benjamin Choat

 
Strafford ss: Meredith 

Be it remembered that on this 25th day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen Pursuant to a law of the United States entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War made and named on the eighteenth of March Anno. Domini 1818. Personally "appeareth before me John Mooney Judge of the Court of Probate for the bounty of Strafford in said State of New Hampshire. The above named Benjamin Choat and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth He maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid and subscribes the same in my presence and after examination duly made by me the said Judge it appeareth to my satisfaction that the said declaration is there.

John Mooney Judge of the Court of Probate to the county of Strafford
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120
Benj.'a [BENJAMIN] Choate
13. [illegible]
Con
September 1819
Page 7

That the date of his original declaration in order to obtain a pension is May 25, 1818 and the number of his pension certificate is 13898:- That his occupation is that of a blacksmith and is not able to pursue it but little part of the time :- That the number and names of his family residing with him, and their ages and capacities to contribute to their support, are as follows, viz. 

his wife aged 68 years very infirm not able to perform but little labor -

Wherefore he prays the opinion of the said Court as to the value of the property contained in the said schedule, and that the same, together with a copy of the premises, be duly certified to the Secretary of War. Sworn and declared before the said court the 14th day of July 1820. Benj'a [BENJAMIN] Choate Attest, A. Peirce, Clerk. 

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE ...STRAFFORD SS. AT a Court of Common Pleas holden at Moultonboro within and for the County of Strafford and State of New-Hampshire, on the 14th day of July 1820 before DANIEL M. DURELL, Esquire, Chief Justice, and VALENTINE SMITH, and SAMUEL QUARLES, Associate Justices of said Court. The aforesaid schedule and oath and the above declaration duly subscribed and sworn by the said Benjamin Choate having been by him exhibited in person, and presented to the court, and the same being seen and considered, it is the opinion of said Court that the value of the property contained in said schedule is one hundred and twenty one dollars sixty seven cents. which property is subject to said Choates debts Wherefore the Court order that a copy of the premises, together with the proceedings thereon, be duly certified to the Secretary of War. Attest, A. Peirce, Clerk. 

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE ...STRAFFORD SS. 
I, Andrew Peirce, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Strafford, being a court of record, do certify that the foregoing schedule and oath and the declaration annexed, with the proceedings and opinion of the court thereon, are true copies from the Records and files of said court. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, the 14th day of July 1820. A. Peirce, Clerk
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To the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting at Moultonborough within and for the County of Strafford and State of New- Hampshire, on the 14th day of July 1820.
Benj'a [BENJAMIN] Choat aged 66 years, resident in Sandwich in said County, comes into Court, and in pursuance of an act of Congress passed on the 1st day of May 1820, brings with him and in his proper person exhibits to said Court a Schedule by him subscribed, containing his whole Estate and Income - his necessary clothing and bedding excepted-as follows:-

Live Stock - 1 mare 15yrs. old. 2 cows- 8 sheep
& 6 lambs - 2 small hogs-

Provision - About 4 bushels Corn - 2 Bushels rye- Pork - Beef butter & cheese -

Blacksmith tools - Pair bellows- 1 anvil-1 vice-- 2 sledges- 2 hammers - 2 pair tongs-- pincers & sundry articles of little value

Farming tools - 1 pair old wooden wheels-- one old plough-- 2 chains- 1 Crowbar-- 2 forks, 1 Scythe-- 1 Rake -1 broken shovel - 2 wedges- 1 old sleigh- 1 harness and saddle -

Household goods - 7 Chairs - 3 kettles-- 1 tea kettle - 1 pot-- 1 broken skillet- 1 case damaged drawers-- 2 tables - 1 damaged desk - 1 shovel-- pair tongs-- [illegible] and irons 4 pans 1 doz plates-- tea dishes, tea pot &c [ETC] -
I am indebted to sundry persons the sum one
hundred eight dollars & eighty-four cents.

Benj'a [BENJAMIN] Choate.

And the said Benjamin Choate in pursuance as aforesaid produceth to said Court the following oath by him duly taken and subscribed: --viz.

I, Benjamin Choat do solemnly swear that I was a resident of the United States 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, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service 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 due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. 

Benj'a [BENJAMIN] Choate

And the said Benj'a [BENJAMIN] Choat doth here in Court further declare on oath, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows, viz.

One year in the Regiment commanded by
Enoch Poor & company commanded by Capt. Sattridge in the New Hampshire line - also one year and ten days in the Regiment of Artillery commanded by Col: Henry Knox &
company commanded by Capt. Popkins from Jany [JANUARY] 1776 to April following when he was transferred to Edward Burbank's company who gave him a discharge which is now in the War office-
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State of New Hampshire
Rockingham Ss

On this Twenty third day of August in the year eighteen hundred & fifty two personally appeared before me, James H. Butler, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, a Court of Record of the said County of Rockingham, Abigail Choat a resident of Poplin in said county of Rockingham, aged eighty nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration  in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 7th, 1838; the act of Congress passed March 5th, 1843; the act of Congress passed June 17th, 1844, and the act of Congress passed January 2nd, 1845 - that she is the widow of Benjamin Choat -
that she was married to him, the said Benajmin Choat - on the tenth day of April Seventeen hundred and ninety-one - That her husband, said Benjamin Choat, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain and was a pensioner and drew a pension of eight dollars per month and at the time of his death he resided in said Poplin and had previously resided in Brentwood, in said County and drew his pension of the Pension Agent at Portsmouth New Hampshire as will appear by his
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pension certificate surrendered to the Pension Agent of the Department soon after his death. That said Benjamin Choat died on or about the 24th day of April A.D. 1837.-- She further swears that she was a widow on the 7th day of July 1838 and has remained a widow ever since the death of the said Benjamin Choat and is now a widow and that she never has before made an application for a pension or relief.

Abigail her X mark Choat

Signed in presence of us
Charles L Godfrey
James Butler

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that the said applicant, Abagail Choat, by reason of bodily infirmity cannot attend in open Court & that the undersigned was interviewed before signing.

James H Butler
Judge of the 
Court of Common
Pleas for the County
of Rockingham
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State of New Hampshire, County of
Rockingham & Town of Epping-
"A list and Record of persons married by
the Rev'd Peter Holt, Minister of the Gospel
entered agreeable to a Law of this State vis-
Benjamin Choat of Kingston and Abagail
Bradbury of this town, were married
April twelfth Seventeen hundred ninety
one"
I certify that the above is a true copy
of the record, with the exception of the
date which is expressed on the record in
fair legible figures, as follows: April 12th 1791
John G Ordway
Town Clerk

I John G. Ordway above named, depose and say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk, in the town County and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true copy from the records of said town, with the exception above named as certified by me
John G. Ordway
Clerk of said town
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me
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This twenty first day of August A.D. 1852.
Charles L. Godfrey Justice of the Peace
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November 7, 1933
Washington, D.C.

BA-J/EEL
Benjamin Choat--W.22775

Office of the Quartermaster General
Memorial Branch
War Department
Wahington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Benjamin Choat, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.2275, based upon the military
service of Benjamin Choat in that war.

The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Benjamin Choate (as he signed, pensioned Choat) are not shown in the
papers in the pension claim.

He enlisted, place not stated, August 20, 1775, served as a private in Captain Shortridge's Company, Colonel Poor's New Hampshire
regiment and was discharged January 1, 1776; he immediately re-enlisted, served in Captains Popkins' and Edward Burbeck's Companies,
a part of the time as a sergeant, in the regiment of Artillery commanded by Colonel Henry Knox, was in the battles of White Plains and Trenton and in several skirmishes and was discharged January 10, 1777. He stated that he afterward volunteered and served two months, dates and officers' names not given.

He was allowed pension on his application executed May 25, 1818, at which time he was aged sixty-three years and resided in Sandwich, Strafford County, New Hampshire. In 1832, he was residing in Poplin, Rockingham County, New Hampshire.

Benjamin Choat died at said Poplin, on April 24, 1837, as stated by his widow, or on April 28, 1837, as shown by an official paper in
the pension claim.

The soldier married April 12, 1791, Abagail Bradbury. He was
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then of Kingston, state not given, and she of Epping, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, and their marriage was recorded on the town
records of said Epping.

Benjamin Choate's widow, Abagail, was allowed pension on her application executed August 23, 1852, at which time she was a resident of Poplin, New Hampshire, and gave her age as eighty-nine years.

No reference was made to children.

The application for headstone for Benjamin Choate and the date in regard to that soldier are returned herewith.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
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14.772
Aug 28/52 [1832]
Abagail Choat,
Wid. [WIDOW] of Benjamin
N. H
Rockingham Co
July 7th 1838.
Husband died 28 April
1837 -
Samuel Plumer, Jr.
Epping,
N. H.
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State of New Hampshire Rockingham County ss
I, Horatio Beede of Poplin in said County
having been duly sworn depose and say that I
well knew Benjamin Choat who was a soldier
in the Revolutionary war with Great Britain whose widow now applies for the benefit of the acts of Congress passed July 7 1838: March 5th 1843: June 17th 1844: & March 3d 1844 and February 2d 1848. That I knew him
more ten years before his death which took place at Poplin on or about the twentieth day of April A.D. 1837 - That I know that he died about that time because I attended his funeral being his agent at the time of his death.

That I have known his widow from his death
to the present time & that she remains unmarried and resides in said Poplin -
That I am not interested in her application for
the benefit of the abovenamed acts either directly or indirectly.

That I know said Benjamin Choat drew a
pension because I was his attorney for drawing
same from the Pension Agent at Portsmouth for several times prior to his decease and drew
the balance for his widow Abagail Choat after
his death.

That I have ["always" crossed out] been acquainted with
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his widow more than twenty years.
Horatio Beede

Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this
twenty first day of August A.D. 1852 & I certify that the word "always" was erased before signed by said Beede.

Charles L Godfrey
Justice of the Peace
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14.772
Abigail Choat
widow of
Benjamin
NH
Acts July 7 1838 &c [ETC]
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Abigail Choat
widow of Benjamin N H
adm. [ADMITTED] July 7, 1838 &c [ETC]

1 yr & 10 [illegible] pri [PRIVATE] $41.11 cts
per annum from 28 April 1837
when he died to 30 June 1848
except two years,
+ $96 per annum from 1 July 1848
Cert [CERTIFICATE] to
Samuel Plummer
Epping NH
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[illegible]
Pension office,
Portsmouth NH. Sept. 20, 1853
Sir: I am ordered by you to place upon my roll the name of Alorys Crosby, under the act of "Military establishment," and others under the same act. I would enquire if the term "Military Establishment " means [illegible] Pensioners,  exclusively.

I have upon my rolls the name of Bridget Fredrick, of Epping N.H. who was last year placed hereon, and received under various acts the sum of $1274.41.
The attorney who obtained her pension is now held for appearance until the next term of the N. circuit Court, in this State under charge of forging the papers in the case. I send you an account of the proceedings in the case, ["in the" crossed out] as published in the N H Gazette of the 9d inst. with the addition that Charles L Godfrey has [illegible] been held to [illegible] for appearance.
The U.S. District Attorney for this State requested me not to pay the Bridget Fredrick's pension (whose name is like [illegible] upon my roll ) until I hear from you, and as Abigail Choate's papers obtained by the same persons, were also under investigation and believe to be fraudulent, he requested me also not to pay her, which I have refused to do, and now await your instructions
Page 21

in the case.

Very Respectfully
Your obt Servt [OBEDIENT SERVANT]
Edw N Fuller
Pension agent

To L P Waldo Esq
Commission of Pensions
Washinton DC.
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N.H.
Epping August 26th 1852

Sir
I send herewith the application of Widow Abigail Choat together with other papers to substantiate her claim to a pension.
If upon examination, they prove sufficient
to substantiate her claim, her pension certificate together with the arrears, she prays may from conscience to her be made payable to her at Concord or Portsmouth N.H.

Your attention to the same is most
respectfully solicited in her behalf

I am very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt [OBEDIENT SERVANT]
Samuel Plummer Jr.
J.E. Heath Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C
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STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Office of Secretary of State.

I, John L. Hadley, Secretary of the State aforesaid do hereby certify, that James H. Butler is an acting Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Rockingham duly commissioned and
qualified; that his Commission was dated on the 21st day of May 1852 and will expire on the 27th day of October 1881 and that
his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.

Given under my hand and the Seal of said State, this 26th day of August 1852
John L. Hadley Secretary of State
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STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Secretary of State's Office.

I, JOHN L. HADLEY, Secretary of State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Charles L. Godfrey is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Rockingham duly commissioned and qualified, and duly
authorized by the Laws of said State to administer Oaths, take the acknowledgment
of Deeds, &c. [ETC]
His Commission was dated on the 21st
day of May 1852, and will expire on the 21st day of May 1857.

Given under my hand and the Seal of the State,
this 26th day of August 1852.

John L. Hadley Secretary of State.
Page 25

Brief in the case of Abigail Choat widow of Benj'a [BENJAMIN] County and State of New Hampshire acts July 7 1838 &c. [ETC]
Claim, ("original," ["or for increase." crossed out]

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under acts
Mch [MARCH] 18 1818 & May 1 1820
Record proof of marriage 

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk.
Name and residence of Agent
Saml. [SAMUEL] Plummer
Epping NH
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Epping N.H. Aug. 29, 1853-

Sir,
You will excuse me for troubling the Pention [sic] Department again, but I feel very anxious that  frauds practised [sic] upon the Government should be checked,
especially from our Town.

I am informed that a Pension has been granted to a Mrs. Abagail Willey who was formerly widow of Benja. [BENJAMIN] Choate of
Brentwood or Poplin (N.H.) & that she has
received a Land warrant for said Choates
services in the Revolution army, besides 5
or $600 back pay as Pention [sic]. Now if
the above is true, fraud has been
practised [sic] upon the Department, as his
widow is only 45 years of age & married
Mr. Choate, I think, in 1833 - Her agents
are Charles L. Godfrey & Woodbury Gilman
of Epping who have been in the business of
obtaining Pentions [sic] & Land warrants by fraud for some time past-- you will find by
Enquiry of someone of your Department
that all Land warrants & Pention [sic] papers
are directed to Daniel Howe or to Geo. [GEORGE] H. Hayes, Epping-- Gilman & Godfrey take them
Page 27

from the Post office. I therefore inform
you we have no person in town by the
name of Howe or Geo. [GEORGE] H. Hayes, nor never had- Godfrey takes the name of Howe & Gilman that of Hayes &c [ETC]

I think if you should send a list of the
Pentioners [sic] to Hon. John H. George, Concord, N.H. that are to be paid off in Sept. next at Portsmouth or Boston, that reside in this County (Rockingham) You will detect several more who are not entitled to Pentions, [sic] as Gilman & Godfrey receive some of the Pentions [sic] in Boston & some in Portsmouth.

Respectfully Yours
Nat. [NATHANIEL] Bachelder
Page 28

Benjamin Choat
Private
76 [1776] to 77 [1777]
Knox Massachusetts
Regt

Admitted
[upside down text]
May 25, 18 [1818]
New Hampshire
Benja. [BANJAMIN] Choat Private [illegible]
From 1st Jany [JANUARY] 1776 to 10th Jany [JANUARY] 1777
Col. Poor's Regt NH Line
Judge Mooney
Page 29

I Samuel Howard of lawful age testify and say that on the first day of the year 1776 I enlisted in Capt. Edward Burbank's Company and about the first of the Next April the whole of Capt. John Hopkins Company was transferred
into Capt. Edward Burbank's Company and
there I knew Benjamin Choat and he served with me in the Company commanded by the said Burbank nine months until end of the year in Colonel Henry Knox's Regiment
Samuel Howard

Oxford Ss. June 10th A.D. 1819 Then the above
Named Samuel Howard personally appeared
and made Solemn oath to the truth of the
foregoing Deposition by him subscribed
Before me Cyrus Ingall Justice [OF THE] Peace
Page 30

Tibbetts crossed out]
Mr. Randall
Page 31

Pension Office Dec 28 1832
N. H. Rolls, Portsmouth,

Acts Mch [MARCH] 18, 1818 & May 17820 [sic]
$96 per annum 
Benjamin Choate
to what time paid?

J. S. Gallaher Esq 3 [3rd] Auditor
J. Triplett

Died 28th April 1837
Paid to his death
B.L.B.
Page 32

6022
New Hampshire
Abigail Choat
widow of Benjamin
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 41 Dollars 11 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.& ending 30 June 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of December 1852 and sent to Saml [SAMUEL] Plummer Epping N.H.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 62, Vol. 1
Page 33

9.311
New Hampshire
Abigail Choat
widow of Benjamin
who was a private
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 41 Dollars 11 Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued
the 31 day of Dec. 1852 and sent to S Plummer
Epping N H
[Acts of March 3, 1843 & June 17, 1844.]

Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 14.
Page 34

October 17, 1933
XXXXX
BA-J/EEL
Benjamin Choat-W.22775

Melvin P. Levitt
R. R.# 2
Epping, New Hampshire
Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Benjamin Franklin Choate.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land
based upon military service of soldiers of that war.

A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made in your behalf and no record found of such claims having been made on account of the services in that war of a Benjamin Franklin Choat or Choate. The record of only one Benjamin Choat or Choate has been found and is given below as contained in the papers on file in pension claim, W.23775, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. Your three-cent stamp is enclosed.

The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Benjamin Choate (as he signed, pensioned Choat) are not shown in the papers
in the pension claim.

He enlisted, place not stated, August 20, 1775, served as private in Captain Shortridge's Company, Colonel Poor's New Hampshire
Regiment and was discharged January 1, 1776; he immediately re-enlisted, served in Captains Popkin's and Edward Burbeck's Companies,
a part of the time as a sergeant, in the regiment of Artillery commanded by Colonel Henry Knox, was in the battles of White Plains and Trenton and in several skirmishes and was discharged January 10,1777. He stated that he afterward volunteered and served two months, dates and officers names not given.

He was allowed pension on his application executed May 23, 1818, at which time he was aged sixty-three years and resided in Sandwich,
Page 35

Strafford County, New Hampshire. In 1832, he was residing in Poplin, Rockingham County, New Hampshire.

Benjamin Choate died at said Poplin, on April 24, 1837, as stated by his widow, or on April 28, 1837, as shown by an official paper in
the pension claim. 

The soldier married April 12, 1791, Abagail Bradbury. He was then of Kingston, state not given, and she of Epping, Rockingham County
, New Hampshire, and their marriage was recorded on the town records
of said Epping.

Soldier's widow, Abagail was allowed pension on her application executed August 23, 1852, at which time she was a resident of Poplin,
New Hampshire and gave her age as eighty-nine years. 

No reference is made to children.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Abagail (pensioned Abigail) Choat, widow of
Benjamin Choat (W. 22775), you should address the Comptroller General,
General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing the following data:

Abigail Choat, Certificate No. 6022, issued December 31, 1852,
rate $96 per annum, commenced July 10, 1848, Act of February 2, 1848,
New Hampshire Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.

Did not use statements in a letter dated
Aug 29 1853
from Nathaniel Bachelder-
Page 36

WAR DEPARTMENT
Office of the Quartermaster General
Washington
OCT 30 1933

Memorandum for
The Surgeon General,
Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department,
Commandant, United States Coast Guard, Treasury Department,
The Commissioner of Pensions, Interior Building, General Accounting Office, F Street, between 4th & 5th, N. W.

1. The attached application has been submitted to this office for Government
headstone to be erected at the grave of the decedent named thereon. In order that the
proper inscription may be placed on the stone it would be appreciated if your office would verify the name and service on the application, checking and making such corrections in red ink as may be necessary to show the correct spelling of the name and complete designation of the organizations.

2. In addition, please advise State from which decedent came.
Page 37

Epping N.H. Oct 2 - 1933
R 2

Director of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs:

I have been trying to get Record of a Revolutionary Soldier named Benjamin Franklin Choate.

I would like to get Record so I can make application for marker. His papers were burned. Didn't make or take out others.
I understand his widow got a Pension had it for some time.  If this man as a Revolutionary
is not entitled to a marker I will drop it. Any information you may give of this man.
Truly yours
Melvin P. Leavitt
Page 38

United States Senate,
WASHINGTON, D. Mch. [MARCH] 20 1896
Gen N. J.T. Dana
Mr. Beckman
The bearer of this represents our office (US Senate Pension Com) and we would like to make an inquiry in reference to the service of a Revolutionary Soldier - Any favor shown will be fully appreciated.

Yours truly
W. H.H. Johnston
Sec. [SECRETARY] Pension US.S
Page 39

Mar 20 Papers
by Mr. Beekman
US Senate.

1933 Nov 7 Hist to Memorial Branch [illegible]
Dept. F. Tombstone data. EEF

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No.  22.775 Abigail Choat Widow of
Benjamin Choat Priv. Rev. War
Act Feb. 2d 1848
Index: Vol A. Page 183
[Arrangement of 1870.] 
1896
Page 40

11. 425
New Hampshire
Abigail Choat widow of Benjamin Choat who died on the    of     in the State of   who was a 
Private commanded by Captain    of the     commanded by     in the    line for Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll of Portsmouth
at the rate of 41 Dollars 11 Cents
per annum, to commence on
the 28th day of ["March, 1886." crossed out] April 1837
Certificate of Pension issued the 31st day of
Dec: 1852 and sent to S N Plummer Epping NH
Arrears to the 4th of   Semi-annual allowance ending   
{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 7, 1888}

Recorded by R McRae Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page 47.
Page 41

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832.

I, Benjamin Choat of Poplin in the County of
Rockingham and State of New Hampshire, aged Seventy-eight years, a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, under the act of the 18th of March 1818; Testify, depose and say: That I served in the Revolutionary Army, and made my declaration in open Court in order to be placed on the pension List of the New Hampshire Agency, in the year 1818 or 1819, and my discharge, together with all the other vouchers, are, I suppose, now on file in the War Department: That I was discharged
as a Sergeant, but in consequence of age and loss of memory, I cannot state precisely, now, how long I served as a Sergeant, but I suppose my discharge and other papers now on file at Washington as aforesaid will show, to which
I beg leave to refer: But according to the best of my recollection. Whilst I served in Captain
Page 42

Edward Burbank's [illegible cross out] Company in Colonel Henry Knox's [illegible cross out] Regiment of Massachusetts [illegible cross out]  Troops, at a place called winter hill near Boston Mass.

I was promoted to be a Sergeant and served as a Sergeant until I was discharged from the army on or about the first day of January 1777 at Pittskill in the State of New York. [illegible cross out] immediately after I was discharged I served as a volunteer in the army about two months.

Therefore I pray, that a new certificate may
be granted to me, under the act of June 7th 1832, as a Sergeant, which pay was ten dollars per month; and, I hereby relinquish my former Certificate and every claim to any other pension than the one under the act of June 7. 1832

Benjamin Choate
Page 43

State of New Hampshire
Rockingham County SS
Poplin May 11th 1833.

Then Benjamin Choat made oath that the foregoing declaration, by him subscribed, is in all points just and true. Before me

Joseph Godfrey Justice of the peace
Page 44

Poplin N.H. May 11th 1833.
James L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions.

Sir:
I herewith enclose a declaration in order
to obtain the benefit of the act of June 7th 1832, and also my certificate of Pension No 13.898, dated at the War Office the 14th of July 1819. I have received my pension as a private up to the 4th March last: But I wish to exchange it for one as a Sergeant under the last Act of June 7, 1832, if the department deems proper to grant me one, for my pay as a Sergeant which was $10 pm: [PER MONTH] and I wish the new certificate, if the department deems proper to grant me one, to be transmitted to me at this place, and if not, I wish my old Certificate may be sent to me or any communication
Page 45

the department deems proper to
make may be made to me at this place.

I am, Sir, respectfully
Your Mo Obt [MOST OBEDIENT] Servant

Benjamin Choat
Page 46

State of New Hampshire Rockingham County Ss

I James Martin of Poplin in said County
being duly sworn depose and say that
I well knew Benjamin Choat who was a
soldier in the Revolutionary war with Great Britain and who drew a pension. I knew him
forty or fifty years ago and have known him until his death which took place in said Poplin fifteen years ago last Spring in the year 1837 -

Said Choat left a widow who now applies for
the benefit of the acts passed by Congress, July 7th, 1838; March 3rd, 1843; June 17th, 1844; and February 2nd, 1848 Said widow, who is alive, has resided in Poplin aforesaid ever since his death and has remained unmarried -

Said Choat resided at the time of his death
about two miles from my residence - when
he resided in Brentwood, he resided about
one and one fourth mile from me and done the most of my Blacksmith work - When I was
a boy I used to be at his house & to his
shop to get work done for my folks -
I have always known his widow & wife from my
childhood to the present time - I am sixty years
of age-- Mrs. Choat's name is Abagail
Page 47

I further that I am not interested either
directly or indirectly in the application of said
widow for the benefits of the provisions of the
before mentioned acts of Congress.
Dated at Poplin this twenty fourth day of August in the year eighteen hundred & fifty-two.

James Martin

Subscribed, and duly sworn to before me, this
twenty fourth day of August A.D. 1862

Charles L Godfrey
Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire, Rockingham Ss

It is hereby certified that satisfactory proof has
been exhibited before me the undersigned, a
Justice of the Peace for said County, by the affidavits of Horatio Beede and James Martin of Poplin in said County and State, who are personally known to me, who are entitled to credit and who swear that they have no mercenary interest in the result of the application of Abagail Choat for the benefit of the provisions
Page 48

of the acts of Congress passed July 7th, 1838, March 3, 1843, June 17th, 1842, and February 2d 1844 relative to pensions; that Mrs. Abagail Choat is the widow, remaining unmarried, of the late Benjamin Choat who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and that the said Benjamin Choat died at Poplin about the twentieth day of April eighteen hundred thirty-seven.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set
my hand this twenty fourth day of August
A.D. 1852.

Charles L Godfrey Justice of the Peace
Page 49

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
ROCKINGHAM, SS.

I, IRA B. HOITT, CLERK of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for said County, hereby certify, that Charles L. Godfrey Esq., is an acting Justice
of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission is dated on the 21st day of May
A. D. 1852 and will expire in five years from that date; that full faith and credit should be given to all his official acts as such; and that the signature purporting to be his to the annexed certificate, is in his own proper handwriting and genuine.

Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court at Exeter in said County, this twenty sixth
day of August Anno Domini 1852.

Ira B. Hoitt 
CLERK.
Page 50

Benjamin Choate
W 22.775
Contl [CONTINENTAL] N.H.
Page 51

Peckskills Jan.ry [JANUARY] 10th, 1777 

This is to Certify that Benj'a [BENJAMIN] Choate of New Hampshire has served one year in the 
Continental Army & ten days by the
Request of Gen:l Heath and now has got his Regular Discharge. Edward Brubaker of Nottingham 
27
[illegible stamp]