Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 36,992, Benjamin Collins, Mass.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE 
Mass.
Collins, Benjamin  

NUMBER
S.36.992

CONTENTS
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[left page]
Let to D. Sanburn
23 July 1837
Cop'd for Land agt
Dec 23, 1852 
[on edge] Notif sent to Hon J Holmes 30 March [torn off]
[/left page]

[right page]
6136
Maine

Benjamin Collins,
private ,
Capt Smith
Massachusetts line - War -
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War

Inscribed on the Roll of the District of Maine at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 30th of March 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 28 of Jan'y 1819 and del'd R. C. Vose. Augusta Maine

Arrears to 4th of Sep 1818. 5mo 2/31. 4/30 . 41.57
semi-anl. all'ce ending 4th March 1819 . 48.00
====
$89.57
====

{ Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818 }
Vassalborough
Contd
[/right page]
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Benjamin Collins, Vassalborough, Pri. Col. M. Jackson's Mas. Reg Feby 1780 to 1788
March 30. 1818
Admitted

[left side on edge] Benjamin Collins
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I Benjamin Collins, aged Fifty one years, born in East Kingston, New Hampshire, but now of Vassalborough in the District of Maine, upon oath testify and declare that in May or June 1780 I enlisted as a private soldier in the continental service, for during the war, into the company commanded by Capt Smith and Regiment commanded by Col Michal Jackson of the eighth regiment Massachusetts line.  I served in the army, from my enlistment, through the war, and took my honorable discharge thereupon in June or July 1783 at West Point.  The during the war's men being entitled to an hundred acres of land - this right I sold to a Mr Hunt of Newberry Port who took my written discharge to authenticate my claim, and promised to return it to me.  I have never seen that man or the discharge since.  My principal station was at and near West Point - and I was in battle in a detached party at Frog'sneck.  I am indigent and in need of the bounty of the government.  I do hereby relinquish all my claim to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the U. States, if any.  I am not borne on any pension list whatever, and I request to be put on the pension list for the District of Maine.
[signed] Benj'e Collins
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts  Kennibec ss.
On the thirtieth day of March AD 1818 - Benjamin Collins within named, after having been carefully examined made oath to the within declaration by him subscribed - Before me 
[signed] Nathan Weston Jr. Chief Justice C. Court Com Pleas, Second Eastern Circuit 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Samuel Redington Esq of Vassalboro Maine, upon oath testify and declare that I am well acquainted with the within named Benjamin Collins within name From his reduced circumstances in life is in need of assistance from his country for support - he sustains the character of a man of truth [signed] Saml Redington 
[left margin] Apr 16

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Kennebec ss.
On the sixteenth day of April AD 1818 Samuel Redington above named after having been carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition. Before me, 
[signed] Nathan Weston Jr. Chief Justice C. Court C Pleas, Second Eastern Circuit-
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Benjamin Collins - During War, 
No 6136. Val. of Prop 72.00 

Con.
J. L. E. 

Hon. J. Holmes, 
Senate -

[R. C. Vose 
Augusta, Maine] crossed out

[upside down]
A true copy
C?lterty John Davis Clerk
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State of Maine. KENNEBEC COUNTY, ss. On this eleventh day of December, 1821 personally appeared [line thru] before [/lined thru] In open Court before the Justices of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, being a Court of Record for said Counties, proceeding according to the course of the common law, having original jurisdiction, unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Benjamin Collins aged fifty five years, resident in Vassalboro in the County of Kennebec within said Circuit, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz. in the Company commanded by Captain Smith and Regiment commanded by Colonel Michael Jackson of the line of the State of Massachusetts upon the Continental Establishment, for the period of during the War, and after serving three years and three of months was honorably discharged June 1783, and was in Battle with the enemy at Morrissena, and at Frog's neck --- that his original declaration was made before Judge Weston on the thirtieth day of March 1818; that he is now on the Maine Roll, and that his pension certificate is numbered 6136. And I, the said Benjamin Collins do further solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, 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, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War,” passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; 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. 
[signed] R Collins 

The following a Schedule of my whole Estate and income and excepted, viz: One undivided sixth part of an old grist mill of the value of fifty dollars - One Cow of the value of twelve dollars - old house hold stuff of the value of five dollars-- and two swine of the value of five dollars; no debts due me that can be collected, and some upwards of fifty dollars for Doctors bills, I was once a Joiner but have not worked at the business for many years; having lost the use of my left hand, which was torn to pieces by the explosion of a gun, soon after I left the continental service. - I am very subject to the Rheumatism and by reason of that disorder, and a bad rupture, I am unable to labor but a small part of the time, my family consists of nine persons viz, myself, my wife Rebecca aged forty two years, always a feeble person, and subject to a nervous complaint in her limbs, is frequently under the Docters hands
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hands, and I have been at great expence on her account; my daughter Paulina aged twenty two years; Sally aged twenty, my son Henry aged thirteen years, Benjamin aged nine years, my daughter Florilla aged seven years, Harriet aged five years, my son James aged nearly four years and Elizabeth an infant aged twenty months, except the above and my necessary clothing I have no estate or income whatever. ---
[signed]  Benj. Collins. --

Subscribed and sworn to both the oath and schedule in open Court of this 11th day of December 1821. 
[signed] Sanford Kingsbury a Justice of C.C.C. Pleas Eastern Circuit.
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V.L.K.  

October 15, 1913. 

Hon. Edwin C. Burleigh, 
United States Senate. 

My dear Senator: 
In response to your letter dated and received the thirteenth instant, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the claim of Benjamin Collins Sur. File No. 36,992, Rev. War, it appears that he was born about 1766 or 1767, at East Kingston, New Hampshire, and in May 1780 enlisted as a private in Captain Smith's company, Colonel Michael Jackson's Massachusetts regiment; he was in the battles of Morrisania and Frog's Neck, and was discharged in June 1783. 
In 1821, his wife Rebecca was forty-two years old and their children were, Paulina 22 years, Sally 20, Henry 13. Benjamin 9, Florilla T. Harriot 5, James nearly 4, and Elizabeth 20 months. 
Soldier was allowed pension on an application executed March 30, 1818, while a resident of Vassalboro, Maine. He died December 23, 1852, place not stated. 
The above noted is the only soldier of this name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau who resided in Maine. 
Very truly yours, 
[signed] G M Saltzgaber Commissioner.
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.

SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT, July 6, 1818
BY THIS I CERTIFY, That it appears by public, official documents remaining in this Department, that Benj. Collings [Collins] served as a Soldier in Capt. Varnum's Company, and Col M. Jackson's Regiment, (being one of the Regiments in the Massachusetts Line, and on the Continental Establishment) in the American Army, in the War of the Revolution, from July 1, 1780 to Decr.  31, 1780, being [lined thru] years and [/lined thru] 11 months. & during war ---
[signed] Alden Bradford
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

[later note added at bottom:]
This is not our pensioner. his is a cross service and is verified by the Mass printed records, Vol. 3 page 815
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Levant, April 25, 1851
Dear Sir, 
The enclosed is an exact copy of some pension papers which I sent to the Pension Office at Portland, to obtain a pension due, excepting the usual affidavits of the Atty appointed to receive it 
 - & also the certificate endorsed in ruled lines under the seal - the papers were returned, with a note, that unless I would as the majestrate (sic), sign the enclosed certificate, made by the Sgt, the money could not be paid over.
Now I would not at this time trouble you with the enquiry, whether the papers were not sufficient, without the certificate prepared by the Agt, but that I have so often been subjected to such annoyance, & real inconvenience & also cost. I wish to know whether in this case I was right or wrong, from better authority than the association of the immaculate Agt.
You will perceive by the certificate which he annexed, enclosed in the ruled lines, that it becomes necessary for the Jus. Peace to certify the Pensioner "made oath"
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to the Power of Atty which he had signed.  It is a novelty to me, and to all professsional men, that a power of Atty needs to be sworn to by the maker.  You will perceive that he acknowledged it & that it was signed, sealed & witnessed by two persons. I made the usual certificate.
Is it then necessary that it should be sworn to?
Again, was not my certificate, setting forth the erasure of the word "March" & the [illegible] to sufficient under the strident construction of the rules to be observed in these cases?
In a word, do the papers need at all in any sense or construction of the rules, the certificate which the Agt wishes to have signed by me as the Justice named in the Papers?
The word "April" before A.D.1851, in the second line above the enclosed certificate of Agt, was partially blotted, as near like the one in the enclosed copy as possible, he marked with a pencil, & by his using the word alteration in the plural form, & also the word dates, seemed to imply that
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it was an alternation - it was not so - it was not altered - no other word was ever written, but the word April.
Will you be so kind to answer these interrogatories as soon as convenient, & particularly the last one.
And if the Agt is wrong in his view of what is required, please to instruct him in these points.
And for that purpose you can, if you wish, enclose this copy to him, so that he may be assured that you have had the whole case in question, fairly & fully before you.
[illegible]
Daniel Sanborn
Hon Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington  D.C.
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State of Maine S.S.
Penobscot

Be it known, that before me Daniel Sanborn a Justice of the Peace in & of the county aforesaid, personally appeared Benjamin Collins & made oath in due form or law, that he is the identical Benjamin Collins named in an original certificate in his possession of which I certify the following is a true copy:
cc  War Department - Revolutionary Claim (No6136) I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March 1818, Benjamin Collins, late a Private in the Army of the Revolution is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the District of Maine Agency, at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on the 30th day of March one thousand eight hundred & eighteen.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty eighth day of January one Thousand eight hundred & nineteen.
John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War"
Seal of the War Department
That he now resides in Levant in the County of Penobscot, & has resided there for the space of nine months or there abouts, & that previous thereto he resided in North Anson in the County of Somerset (signed) Benjamin Collins
Witness
Daniel Sanborn
E.B. Stackpole
Sworn & subsanted this fifteenth day of March (crossed out) April A.D.1851. 
Before me, Daniel Sanborn, Justice of the Peace.
P.S. I hereby certify that the word "March" in the second line above this was erased, and the word "April" interlined before signing.
Daniel Sanborn, Jus Peace
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Know all men by these presents, that I Benjamin Collins of Levant in the County of  Penobscot, a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, to hereby constibute (?) & appoint [large space left]  of [large space left] my true and lawful Attorney for me, & in my name, to receive from the Agent of the United States for Paying pensions in Portland, State of Maine, my pension from the fourth day of September 1850 to the fourth day of March 1851, hereby ratifying all that my said Attorney shall do by virtue hereof.  Witness my hand & seal this fifteenth day of April A.D.1851
(signed) Benjamin Collins
Sealed & delivered in presence of 
Daniel Sanborn
E.B. Stackpole
State of Maine S.S.
Penobscot

I certify that Benjamin Collins, the pensioner whose [illegible] appeared before me and made oath to this [illegible] on the 15th day of April 1851, & that the alterations in the dates was made by me before they were signed by the pensioner. 
Justice of the Peace

Be it Known, that on the fifteenth day of April 1851, before the subscritan, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared Benjamin Collins above named & acknowledge in the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his free act & deed.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, the day & year last above mentioned.
Daniel Sanborn, Justice of the Peace.
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[seal]
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

To the Honorable Secretary  of the Department of War of the United States.
I the subscriber, being the Justice of the Circuit Court of common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts,  embracing the 
Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, do hereby certify to your Honor,
that Benjamin Collins
a citizen of the United States, now resident in
Vassalborough
in the said County of Kennebec, in the District of Maine on the this [illegible] 
day of March
A.D. 1818, made application
to me to receive his declaration under oath, and such other evidence, as was in his power to produce,
and to transmit the same, and the proceedings had thereon, to your Honor, that he might be placed on
the pension is of the United States, agreeably to the provisions of an Act entitled ""An Act to provide
for certain persons engaged in the lar of the United States in the revolutionary war."
passed March 18, A.D. 1818, which declaration, and the other evidence produced by the said applicant,
is hereunto annexed.
And I do further certify to your Honor, that after a full examination of the said applicant, and a
careful consideration of the evidence in the case, it appears to me that the said applicant did serve as a
private soldier
and
in the war of the revolution until the end of the war against the common enemy,
upon the continental establishment,  and for more than nine months, as stated in his declaration aforesaid; and
that from his reduced circumstances, he needs the assistance of his country for support
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of the Court in which
I preside, to be hereunto affixed, this twenty third day of May
in the year of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
Nathan Weston Jun C. [illegible]
C. C. C. Pleas 2d E. Circuit
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

KENNEBEC, SS.
The Subscriber, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held within the said County of Kennebec, hereby certifies, that the Honorable NATHAN WESTON, Junior, Esquire, before whom the annexed proceedings were held, is Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, embracing the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset; and that by the direction of the said Judge, I have affixed unto his Certificate bearing his signature, the seal of the said Court in which he presides.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand: Dated at Augusta, in said County of Kennebec, this tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
John Davis
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I John S Davis Clerk, for the County of Kennebec of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the second Eastern Circuit, embracing the counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule including debts due to the declarant therein stated is Tw

Seventy two dollars
(the following is deleted: " and       cents; and deducting therefrom the amount of what the declarant owes, as set forth in said Schedule the value of said property in the opinion of said Court is            dollars and       cents.")

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court on this eighteenth day of December 1821.
John Davis  Clerk of said Court for the County of Kennebec.
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Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC.

Dear Jim. Please give me military Record of my ancestor Benj Collins who drew a pension - died about Aug 1851 at St Albans Somerset Co. Maine,  Which information I desire for an application to the Sons of the American Revolution,
Respectfully
1/28/10 
P. Barton
FEB12 1910
Invergrove
Minn
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3-871
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Briefed by Aoi. Feby 14 1910
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier  Benjamin Collins
Service Died in Me about Aug. 1851 at St Albans
Additional Service
No claim, State records, 190..
No claim, combination records, 190..
REMARKS
Surv. File 36992  Me. Dists in 1818, died Dec 1852 no mention of St Albans
Tey Surv. File 18365 child of Benjamin Collins died paid to Apr 1840
No other Benj. Collins
No Benj Cullins
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U.S. PENSION AGENCY,
Augusta, Me., April 30 1902
Respectfully referring to
THE COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, WASHINGTON, D.C.
Inquiry of Mrs Georgia B. Luce
61 School St,
Everett, Mass
with information:-
According to rolls of this Agency.
Benjamin Collins
Revolutionary (Act Mch. 18, 1818)
Penobscot Co. (changed from Kennebec) Paid to date of death Dec 23, 1852
Selden Connor
Pension Agent
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Dear Sir
My Grandfather Benjamin Collins was a soldiar of the Revolution and drew a Pention, untill his death which occured in the early fifties.  I show 1851 or 2.  can you give me what record there is on the Pention record of his enlistments and from what Town and St he lived in the time of his death.  I suppose their are records of his discharge and the condtins of his recieving a Pention.  Will you please answer and oblige
Mrs Georgia B Luce.
61 School St Everett Mass
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United States Senate,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
October 13, 1919.
To the Honorable
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I should like to learn if I can all the facts obtainable concerning one Benjamin Collins, who received a pension from the United States for services in the Revolutionary War, and who lived in St. Albans, Somerset County, Maine, in 1840.  I think he was placed on the pension rolls January 28, 1818. 1819. I should like to get all the record you have of this soldier.
Very respectfully,
E.C. Burleigh
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information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.  Benjamin Collins S.F.36992
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.| May or June 1780| LENGTH OF SERVICE.| June 1783| 
|OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED|
CAPTAIN.| Smith| COLONEL.| Michael Jackson| STATE| Mass.

Battles engaged in,  Morrisania and Frogs Neck
Residence of soldier at enlistment, 
Date of application for pension, Mch.30 1818. His cl. was at 
Residence at date of application, Vassalboro Dist of  [Me.]  Mass.
 Age at date of application,  51 yrs old born at East Kingston N. H. died Dec. 23 1852
 Remarks: In 1821 his wife Rebecca was 42 yrs.  Children:  Paulina 22 yrs, Sally 20, Henry 13, Benjamin 9,  Florilla 7, Harriot 5, James nearly 4, Elizabeth 20 months.
The above noted is the only soldier of that name Maine residence &c
Very respectfully,
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36992
Revy INVALID
File No. 36992
Benjamin Collins
Pri Rev War
Act: 18th March 18
Index:-- Vol. 2, Page 92
(Arrangement of 1870)

May 18 1902
Everett Mars
1910  Feby 16 Hist to P Barton V.L.M.
[ smudge] Oct. 15 Hist. to Hon. E.C. Burleigh V.L.M.