Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4,826, for Benjamin Shepherd, New Jersey
Page 1

(3-1776)
New Jersey
Shepherd, Benjamin
NUMBER
S. 4.826
carded
Page 2

3353-
Ohio Pittsburgh Agency
Benjamin Shepherd
of Belmont in the State of Ohio
who was a mate in the compy commanded
by Captain Hopkins of the Regh commanded
by Col. Martin in the New Jersey
line for 8 months from 1776-
-
Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh Agency
at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Decr" 32 and sent to Pensioner
St Clairsville, O
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 3999
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar: 33 13.33
$53.32
{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk
Book D Vol. 2 Page 142
Page 3

Benj. Shepherd
No 6260
The department
will direct to Benj
Shepherd St Clairsville
Ohio - (care of F.H. H. Gen[illegible])
Page 4

State of Ohio Belmont County ss. On the 1st
day of August AD 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Common
on pleas for the County aforesaid Benjamin
Shepherd of Morgan County and State aforesaid aged seventy one years who first being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to
obtain the benefit of the act of Congress prepared the 7th June AD 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served in manner herein after stated. Viz. He says he was first drafted and taken to a place called Perth Amboy in the State of New Jersey; in the month of September 1776. he thinks that one Jacob Hedley was capt and that Jacob Statts was lieutenant David Shipain serjant [sic] and one Aaron Hankinson was Colonel he was at the time one month in service and was then discharged at the place to which he was first marched. He was again drafted in the month of November 1776. and taken to South Amboy in the state last aforesaid.
He thinks his captains name was Henry Gunderman his lieutenant Isaac Martin; his Colonel was one West. He remained in service a month was discharged at Perth Amboy in the State of New Jersey,.
He was again drafted he thinks in the month
of December 1776, or the month of January
1777 and marched to Quibbletown in Middlesex county and State of New Jersey. his
captain on this tour was Peter Hopkins
his lieutenant Phennanias Cley [?] his Colonel
Ephraim Martarin [Martin]. He thinks that he was
Page 5

discharged at a place called Scoch plains [Scotch Plains] in Moors [Morris] or Essex County State of New Jersey after having served one month.
He was again drafted to June 1777 and taken
to Bergen County State of New Jersey. that his
Captains name at the time was one Courtright
but is not certain his lieutenant was
called Stagg, his colonel was Dye -and his
Major was Dye also.  He was again discharged
after having been in service one month
at Pompton Plain Essex County New Jersey
He was again drafted in the month of July
1777, and marched to Colonel Rosevant's on
the Delaware river Sussex County State of New Jersey. his captain at this time was Stull
his lieutenant one Paul Grimeau, his Colonel
was Rosenant. He was discharged at Rosevants
aforesaid after one months service.
He was again drafted in the month of August
1777 and marched to the Delaware river - to one Major Westbrooks in the County of Sussex and State of New Jersey. his captain on this
tour was Stulls. He does not remember
his Christian name. his sargent, Hezekiah
Smith. Westbrook was his Major he thinks
that he was discharged at Wesbrooks aforesaid after one months service.
In the month of September he was again
drafted and marched into Bucks County State of Pennsylvania under Captain Statts and 
lieutenant Benjamin Hopkins. he thinks that
his Colonels name ^ (was) Aron [Aaron] Hankinson and that the general was called Fedman. he thinks that his christian name was Benjamin but is not certain during the tour he was
Page 6

at the battle of Germantown Philidelp-
County State of Pennsylvania -  he
was two months in service at this time
and was discharged at some place
in Bucks County in the State aforesaid.
He further says that he was a resident
in the County of Sussex near Newton
New Jersey at the several times that
he was drafted and that he received
pay for his services during these ser
eral tours.- He also says that while
a resident in the County above mentioned
and he listed in the regular service
sometime in [begin crossed out] the month [end crossed out] of year 1776. but
his farther [sic] being oposed [sic] to his going [illegible] for him a substitute whose name
was Daniel Perigan who served the whole five
months-/ He states that he was born on
the 27th of Feb. 1760 in the County of Somerset and State of New Jersey. He says
that he has a record of his age in a bible
which he has at his present place of abode
in Morgan County, State of Ohio.
He further says that he was living in
Sussex County State of New Jersey at the
respective times when he was called into
service. that since the revolution he has
lived about fourteen years in the State of
Virginia. that in the year 1779 he
moved into Belmont County State of Ohio
and that he has been living in said county ever since. till about two years ago when he moved into Morgan County and State last aforesaid ^ (where he now resides) He also states that
he was drafted into service and that he
never received but two written discharges
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[begin vertical text] Benj. Shepherd [end vertical text]
one of which he thinks was given by one
Hoylan an ensign. both of which written 
discharges he has lost. the other discharges were verbal. He also states that Zachariah
Wood. Richard Williams, John Bradley and
other residents of Morgan County and
State of Ohio who are willing to certify as to
his character for truth and integrity.
Benjamin Shepherd
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year first above
written in open court
Peter Tallman Clk
We John Scatterday [begin crossed out] a clergyman [illegible]ing [end crossed out] in the 
county of Belmont State of Ohio, and ^ (James Caldwell) resident in the same county, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Shepherd who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration -that we believe him to be seventy one years of age or thereabout that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day and year
aforesaid in open court.
James Caldwell
Jno. Scatterday
Peter Tallman Clk

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 soldier of the revolution
and served as he states -and the court further
certify that it appears to them that Jno. Scatterday who has subscribed [illegible] the proceeding certificate is a [begin crossed out]  clergyman in Belmont County [end crossed out] ^ (credible person) and that Jas Caldwell who has also subscribed the same is also a resident in said county. and is a person of
credit, and that the statement is entitled to credit
Page 8

James Alexander}
George Sharp}
John Davenport}
Judges of Court of Common pleas

The State of Ohio Belmont County SS.
I Peter Tallman Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas of said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Shepherd for his pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of my Office this 7th day of
August AD 1832
Peter Talliman C.K
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State of Ohio Belmont County ss
Mary Moore being sworn Saith that she
Remembers the following facts respecting
Benjamin Shepard in the Revolutionary War
to wit that she & the Sd Benjamin
Shepard were living in Sussex County
In the State of New Jersey & that in the Same
house with the sd Benjamin whose
Sister she is he was Drafted as they said
that he left home to join the army & was gone
a month or upwards & then Returned home & so served several monthly tours but cannot recollect the Number & she Recollects of hearing it said at that time that he was one
Tour at perth ambuoy [amboy] & one at Southern buoy & one tour in Quibbletown & one
at pyramus [Paramus] & two or three tours
On the Delaware & one tour at Germantown
and also that he was listed In sd war & his father hired a substitute to go in his place
The Deponent is now in the sixty ninth year of her age--------
Mary [her mark] Moore

Sworne to and subscribed
Before me
this third day of August 
AD 1832.
Stephen Bingman
a Justice of the peace
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The State of Ohio Belmont County SS.
I Peter Tallman Clerk of the Court of Co[cut off]
pleas of said County do certify that Stephen M Bingman Esqr before whom the within affidavit was made and by him subscribed in his own proper hand was at the time thereof an acting Justice of the peace duly commissioned and sworn to all whose official acts full faith and credit are due and ought to be given in all
Courts of Record and else where.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of said
Court at St Clairsville this 7th day of
August AD 1832
Peter Tallman Ck
Page 11

Benjamin Shepherd
Ohio
No 6260
from 1776 private
8 months,
$26.66
Page 12

BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Shepherd
of Belmont County in the State of Ohio
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 71 years.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

Sept In 1777  drafted / 1 month / Private/ Col. Hankinson
Nov In 1777 drafted/1 month/Private/Capt Henly
June 1777 drafted/1 month/Private/Caldwell
July 1777 drafted/1 month/Private/Capt Gunderman
1777 drafted/1 month/Private/Col Martin
1777 drafted/1 month/Private/Capt Hopkins
1777 drafted/1 month/Private/Col Daye Capt Courtnight
1777 drafted/2 months/Private/ Col Rosevant Capt Stulls
Major Westbrook Stulls Capt
------------8 months----------

5. In what battles was he engaged? Germantown

6.Where did he reside when he entered the service? Perth Amboy New Jersey

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?

XCertify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.
Page 13

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
November 13, 1926

Mrs. P. W. Hickman
248 W. Washington St.
Nelsonville, Ohio

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 4826, it appears that BENJAMIN SHEPARD or
SHEPHERD was born February 27, 1760, in Somerset County, New Jersey.
While residing near Newton, Sussex County, New Jersey, he enlisted and served as a private with the New Jersey troops as follows:
From September, 1776, one month in Captain Jacob Hedley's Company, Colonel Arran Hankinson's Regiment.
From November, 1776, one month in Captain Henry Gunderman's Company, Colonel West's Regiment.
From December, 1776 or January, 1777, one month in Captain Peter
Hopkins' Company, Colonel Ephraim Martin's Regiment.
From June, 1777, one month in Captain Courtright's Company, Colonel Dye's Regiment.
From July, 1777, one month in Captain Staats' Company, Colonel Rosekrans' Regiment.
From August, 1777, one month in Captain Staats' Company under Major Westbrook.
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From September, 1777, two months in Captain Staats' Company, Colonel Aaron Hankinson's Regiment; he was in the battle of Germantown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 1, 1832, in Belmont County, Ohio. At that time he was a resident of Morgan County, Ohio.
There are no data on file relative to his wife and children.
Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner
Page 15

1926 Nov. 13 [illegible]
to Mrs. PW. Hickman

1926. Nov. 23. Mrs. Hickman
advised date
of death not on record
& how to get it an

Rev War
4826.
INVALID.
File No. 4826
Benjamin Sheph[cut off]
Privt Rev War
Act: June 7" 1832
Index: Vol. M Page 337
(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 16

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of

which require further proof or explanation.

1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? No
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?
no
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
yes
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 [sic] of pension he is entitled?
yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
yes
VII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
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?
yes
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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
VII. 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?
yes
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?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under
his seal of office?
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? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
yes
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 18

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 19

REV. A 1812
WAR SECTION
3 - 2027
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Washington
October 21, 1926
Mrs. P. W. Hickman
248 W. Washington St
Nelsonville, Ohio
Madam:
I have to advise you that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to Benjamin Shepard
under any spelling of that name, who served in the Maryland Troops. If however he had other service, please so state, furnishing as much as possible of the following date -- approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service, and another
search will be made in your behalf.
Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner
Page 20

Nelsonville, Ohio.
Nov. 20, 1925
United States Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington
Dear Sir:
I am sending a copy of the letter I received in regard to Benjamin Shepard's services in the Revolutionary War.
A list is being made of Revolutionary soldiers buried in Ohioand a book is to be published, also the Daughters of the 
American ^ (Revolution)are marking the graves of Revolutionary soldiers.
I very much wish to know the date of Benjamin Shepard's death and if he died in Morgan County, Ohio and the township if you have it or if he died in Belmont County, Ohio, and the
township.
It must be recorded in the Pension Bureau in regard to his pension.
I thank you for all services rendered.
Yours truly,
Madge Hickman
Mrs. P. W. Hickman,
248 W. Washington St.
Page 21

[stamped]OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER
NOV 23 1926 C US BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Page 22

Nov. 13, 1926.

[stamped]OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER
NOV 23 1926 C US BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Copy

Mrs. P. W. Hickman
248 W. Washington St.
Nelsonville, Ohio.

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, S 4826, it appears that Benjamin Shepard or Shepherd was born February 27, 1790, in Somerset County, New Jersey.
While residing near Newton, Sussex County, New Jersey, he enlisted and served as a private with the New Jersey troops as follows:
From September, 1776, one month in Captain Jacob Hedleys Company, Colonel Aaron Hankinson's Regiment.
From November, 1776, one month in Captain Henry Gunderman's Company, Colonel West's Regiment.
From December, 1776 or January, 1777, one month in Captain Peter Hopkin's Company, Colonel Ephriam Martin's Regiment.
From June, 1777, one month in Captain Courtright's Company, Colonel Dye's Regiment.
From July, 1777, one month in Captain's Staat's Company, Rosekrans Regiment.
From August, 1777, one month in Captain Staats' Company under Major Westbrook.
From September, 1777, two months in Captain Staat's Company, Colonel Aaron Hankinson's Regiment; he was in the battle of
Germantown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 1, 1832, in Belmont County, Ohio. At that time he was a resident of Morgan County, Ohio.
There are no data on file relative to his wife and children.
Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
Commissioner.
Page 23

Nelsonville, Ohio,
Oct. 26, 1926.
United States Dept. of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Your letter received concerning Benjamin Shepard and am returning the letters so that you will understand the following.
Benjamin Shepard at one time lived in Maryland. Since writing to you, I have secured more definite information at the Ohio State Library. The following is what I have
A pension was paid to Benjamin Shepard in Belmont County, Ohio.
He was a private in the New Jersey Continental Army.
Pension paid December 19, 1832 Age 73 years.
Taken from the United States Pension Rolls, 1832 Volume 3, Page 514, Ohio page 105.
His name is listed in the book " Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Revolution" Page 83.
Please give me all data you may have concerning him. The town where he enlisted and was born his wifes  name if you have it
and all birth and death dates you have in his pension papers.
I thank you for the splendid service I have received from your Department.
Yours truly,
L. Madge Hickman
Mrs. P. W. Hickman
248 W. Washington St.
Nelsonville, Ohio.
Page 24

Nelsonville, Ohio.
September 17, 1926.
U. S. Dept. of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions.
Dear Sir:-
I should like to have all data you have concerning Benjamin Shepard. He enlisted as a private in the New Jersey Continental Army. A pension was paid to him in Belmont County, Ohio; December 19, 1832, age 73 years.
The above information was secured from the U. S. Pension Rolls of 1832, Vol. 3 Page 514, Ohio Page 105. Also his name is listed in the book  "Officers and Men of New Jersey
in the Revolution", Page 83.
I should like to have the name of the town and state in which he was born, the name of his wife, and all dates that you have.
Sincerely,
Mrs. P.W. Hickman
Mrs. P. W. Hickman,
248 W. Washington St.,
Nelsonville, Ohio.
Page 25

Nelsonville, Ohio.
August 28, 1926.

U. S. Dept. of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions, Rev. and 1812 Wars Sec.
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs:-
Please give me all data that you have
about Benjamin Shepard who enlisted in the War of the Revolution from Maryland. If there was a pension paid to his widow I would be glad to have all data concerning it.
Allow me to thank you for whatever service
you might be able to render in this matter.
Sincerely,
Mrs. P.W. Hickman
Mrs. P. W. Hickman,
248 W. Washington St.,
Nelsonville, Ohio.
Page 26

November 23, 1926.
Mrs. P. W. Hickman,
248 W. Washington Street,
Nelsonville, Ohio.
Madam;
In response to your letter of the twentieth instant, I have to advise you, that the date and place of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, S. 4836, Benjamin Shepherd are not on record in this Bureau.
This is due to the fact that the payments of such pensions were not made in the Bureau, but by the Treasury Department.
You may possibly out in the date of last payment of pension and the date of soldier's death, by applying to the Civil Division, General Accounting Office, Washington, D. C. citing all of the following data: Benjamin Shepherd,
Certificate No. 3353, issued December 19, 1832, rate $26.66 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832,
Ohio, Pittsburgh Agency.
Very truly yours,
WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.