Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38,536, Joseph Beaman, Continental Mass. N.H.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER|
Continental|Beaman, Joseph|S. 38,536|
Mass
N.H.
CONTENTS
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[verso]
notification sent July 26th 1820 to O. C. Merrill, Bennington, Vermont

[recto]
6,987
Vermont. 
Joseph Beaman of Pownal in the state of Vermont who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Warner of the New Hampshire line, for the term of two years
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 26 of March 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 of Feby 1819 and sent Hon O. C. Merrill House of Representatives U.S. 
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818 3 10/30 $42.60
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 March 1819 48. 
$90.60
d. Oct. 20, 1820. 
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}
Continued
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Inadmissible - 
['Beadle's (Bedel) & Craft's regiments were not on the Continental Establishment - only 8 months in Whitcomb's & 7 in Warner's reg'ts 
did not therefore serve nine months at any one period of enlistment on the Continental Establishment.' crossed out]
Inadmissible
2 yrs in Warner's reg't
Adm'd
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I, Joseph Beaman of Pownal, in the County of Bennington, and State of Vermont, do testify and say that I enlisted and served in the Revolutionary War against Great Britain. - In April, 1775, I enlisted under Capt. Andrew Haskell, in Col. Whitcomb's Regiment for eight months, and served my time out. - In March 1776, I enlisted for one year in Col. Beadle's (Bedel) Regiment. 
I was taken prisoner under Major Butterfield at a place called the Cedars, on the River St. Lawrence in Canada, & released on parole of honor not to take up arms under three months; returned home 17th June, 1776. - In about a month, I again joined the Army under Capt. Sawyer, went to Newyork, and served five months; during which time our army were compelled to retreat to Harlem Heights. - In December following, I enlisted under Capt. Balch, in Col. Crafts' Regiment for one year and served my time out. - Soon after my time was out under Col. Crafts, I went on board the frigate Warren, then lying at Providence, enlisted for three months and served five. - In March, 1780
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I enlisted with Col. Seth Warner's Reg't for the period of during the war. - In the month of October following, I was wounded in my right arm, at the battle of the mouth of Lake George; being by my wound rendered unfit for duty, I received a pass from Col. Warner to return home, and await further orders from him, I was not called again into service, nor was I from that time to the close of the war able to do military duty. - I was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and wounded in both my thighs, but not enough to render me unfit for duty for any considerable length of time. - The would received in my right arm has ever been troublesome to me since, 
Sworn and subscribed to this 26th day of March, 1818. 
/s/Joseph Beaman
State of Vermont
Bennington County } Bennington, March 26, 1818.
Personally appeared the above named Joseph Beaman, and made solemn oath that the above affidavit or certificate is just & true. 
Before me /s/John H. Olin Ass't Judge of County Court of Bennington County
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I David Fay of Bennington in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont depose and say that I have been acquainted with Joseph Beaman of Pownal in the County & State aforesaid for about forty years. I well recollect that the was a soldier in Col'o Seth Warner's Continental regiment during the revolutionary war - I verily believe that I was present when he inlisted into said regiment and wrote the inlistment myself but of this I can not possitive. The said Beaman has from my first acquaintance with him been a resident of this town & two of the adjoining towns except the time that he served in said Regiment and ['at the' crossed out] I never heard any thing but that he served during the time for which he inlisted faithfully and was duely discharged - I was well acquainted with Col'o Seth Warner, Lieu't Col'o Samuel Safford & Maj'r Wait Hopkins officers in said Regiment the Col'o & Lieu't Col'o residing in this town after the close of the war - 
And I further testify and say that I have always understood & verily believe that he the s'd Beaman is a poor man with a numerous family and has always been hard put to it to maintain himself & family by his industry - This deponant further says, that the character of the  said Beaman is that of an honest industrious man - 
April 11th 1818 - /s/David Fay
State of Vermont
Bennington County ss} April 11th 1818 - 
Personally appear'd David Fay of Bennington in the County of Bennington aforesaid and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is the truth & nothing but the truth in due form of law - 
before me /s/John H. Olin Ass't Judge of C. Court
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We Isaac Webster, Darius Clark, & Wm. Harwell of Bennington, in the County of Bennington, testify and say that we are well acquainted with Joseph Beaman, of Pownal, and know that he is in destitute circumstances, has a family of nineteen children, and is frequently obliged to rely on the cold hand of charity, for bread for his numerous family and needs, and in our opinion deserves the assistance of government. 
/s/Isaac Webster
/s/Darius Clark
/s/Wm. Harwell
Sworn before me /s/John H. Olin Ass't Judge of C. Court
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To the Hon. John C. Calhoun, Secretary for the Department of War.
I, John H. Olin, Judge of the County Court within and for the County of Bennington, and State of Vermont, having carefully examined Joseph Beaman, under oath, am satisfied that he served in the Revolutionary War, against the common enemy, as stated in the affidavit by him subscribed; I have also examined him and other persons of credibility respecting his property, and consider him in need of assistance from government, for support. 
I therefore herewith transmit his affidavit, together with the affidavits of David Fay, Isaac Webster, Darius Clark and Wm. Harwell. - 
[court seal affixed] In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of our Court to be affixed, at Bennington, this 11th day of April, A.D. 1818.
/s/John H. Olin, Ass't Judge of C. Court
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Joseph Beaman's declaration 
M&R
6987. Pownal
Feb 1819 
March '84 Mar. 1819 
con
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DISTRICT OF VERMONT, SS. 
[court seal affixed] ON this 22d day of June 1820 personally appeared in open court, being a county court and court of record, which has the power to fine and imprison, and is constituted a court of record by a special act of the Legislature of the state of Vermont, creating said court, within and for the county of Bennington, and state of Vermont, Joseph Beaman, aged sixty five yeas, resident in Pownal in said county of Bennington who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war, as follows:
I served in the [blank] company commanded by Capt Balch in the [blank] regiment commanded by Col'o Crafts of the Massachusetts line, I afterwards served in the Regiment commanded by Col'o Seth Warner in the Company commanded by Capt Wolcott I served in said Regiment and it was cut off at the battle of Lake George where I was severely wounded and lay confined of my wounds until I was ordered home, said regiment was of the Continental line as will appear as will appear by my original declaration on file in the War office, dated the 26th day of March 1818 on which original declaration I have received a pension certificate bearing the number 6,987
AND I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen 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 "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 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.
The following is a schedule of all the real and personal estate, to wit:
1. Poor old house, 2 hogs, 1 table, 1 chest, 1 do, 6 old chairs some broken-The above articles have been chiefly given me by my neighbors since my house & furniture was destroyed by fire - My occupation is a labour on a farm but by reason of a severe sickness which has afflicted me several months I am unable to do any labour & never expect to labour any more - I have a wife Sene aged 51 years almost a cripple with the rheumatism and dropsical complaint - I have three children living with me viz Heman aged 15 years Harriet aged 6 years and Dexter aged 9 years, the oldest can about support himself by labor the others cannot. I have for some time been helped by the charity of my neighbors and cannot live in future without public or private aid
/s/Joseph Beaman
Sworn to and declared at Bennington in the county of Bennington, and state of Vermont, on the 22d day of June 1820 in open court, before
/s/Joel Pratt Clerk
I Joel Pratt clerk of Bennington County Court do hereby certify that the foregoing declaration, 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, is 20 dollars and ['[blank' cents' crossed out].
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court, on this 27 day of June 1820
/s/Joel Pratt Clerk of the Court for the county of Bennington
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[initials: own] -sion on file in this Bureau. Joseph Beaman Svc. File 38536
[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OF APPOINTMENT.|LENGTH OF SERVICE.|RANK.|OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.(CAPTAIN.|COLONEL.)|STATE.]
Apr 1775|8 mos.|[blank]|(Andrew Haskell|Whitcomb)|Mass.|
Mar. 1776|taken prisoner|(at the Cedars and released on parole|Bedel)|[blank]
returned home|June 17 1776|[blank]|([blank]|[blank])|[blank]|
1776|5 mos.|[blank]|(Sawyer|[blank])|[blank]|
Dec. 1776|1 year|[blank]|(Balch|Crafts)|Mass.|
Mar. 1777|5 mo|on board frigate Warren|(Wolcott|Seth Warner)|Continental|
1780|and served|until|(wounded in right|arm in battle at)|mouth of Lake George|
[end of columns]
Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill wounded in both thighs, The Cedars, Lake George.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, not stated
Date of application for pension, Mar. 26, 1818. His claim al. 
Residence at date of application, Pownal, Bennington co. Vt. 
Age at date of application, 63 years He died Oct. 20, 1820*
Remarks: In 1818,  nineteen children were referred to no names stated. In 1820 Soldier's wife Sene was 51 years old and his children Heman 15 yrs. Harriet 6 years, and Dexter 9 years were living with him. The above is the only Joseph Beaman found on the Rev. War pension records
*from A.R. 
Very respectfully, 
[blank] Commissioner. 
27225b3m1-07
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[verso]
38536
Revy INVALID.
File No. 38,536
File No. 38,536
Joseph Beaman
Priv Rev War
Act: 18 March 18"
Index: - Vol. B, Page 35
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[recto]
1907 Nov. 16 Hist. to E. Beeman Wooden. 
1915 May 6 Hist. to Dorothy Beaman.
1919 Oct. 27 Hist. to Florence C. Dobson.
1919 Dec. 17 Florence C. Dobson that date of birth, date & place of death of wife & place of his death are not stated.
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[handwritten letter]
Washington City, 
Feb. 2, 1819.

Sir, 
I received yesterday the enclosed applications for pension. - I know not whether under the laws they are entitled. - If the merit of being good soldiers, if exposure to dangers, and actual suffering, might afford any legal consideration, they would be entitled. - They are both invalids, and as both are pressingly urgent, I feel it my duty to submit their applications - and have not doubt their cases will receive a favorable examination, and that consideration which is admissible. - 
Mr. Webster, is now on the Rolls, as an invalid pensioner - and the amount of his asking in effect, is but an increase of pension. - 
Mr. Beaman's case it appears has been heretofore submitted, and is endorsed, "inadmissible" - I pray you have the goodness to re-examine it. - It seems to me, that but for a wound received in an attack upon the common enemy - and the languishing & disabled condition to which that reduced him, his period of service would entitle him to pension; - and I deem this, no very substantial reason of exclusion. - and if his tour of active duty, was not nine months, I should apprehend his period of ['his' crossed out] enlistment, his term of active duty, & his continued service of suffering from wounds received in the battles of his country, might be sufficient - Inasmuch as a soldier's wounds, do not operate as a discharge from service, & should not impair his claims upon his country. - 
I am, Sir, with high esteem, yours &c. 
/s/O. C. Merrill
Hon. J. C. Calhoun.
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[receipt stamp: U.S. PENSION OFFICE. O MAY 1 1915]
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[handwritten letter]
Troy-Pennsylvania
April 30 - 1915. 

Pension Department,
Washington, D.C. 

Gentlemen:
I desire to obtain certain data in regard to Joseph (Knight) Beaman, who was born April 21, 1756, fought in the Revolutionary War,
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[handwritten letter continued]
and afterwards settled in Pownal, Bennington Co., VT. In 1818, he applied for and received a pension. 
Will you kindly give me the date of his death and any other family data that you may have. 
Very truly yours - 
/s/Dorothy Beaman.
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[receipt stamp: U.S. PENSION OFFICE A NOV 9 1907]
[receipt stamp: RECORD DIVISION NOV 11 1907]
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[handwritten letter]
[receipt stamp: U.S. PENSION OFFICE A NOV 9 1907]
29 St. Clair St., Rochester, N.Y.
Nov. 8, 1907.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir, 
I here were three Joseph Beamans from Lancaster, Mass., who fought at the Battle of Lexington. One was a middle aged man, the second was his son - Joseph Jr. - and the third was a young cousin. 
Afterward two of them, perhaps the two young men, enlisted into the Continental Army for three
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[handwritten letter continued]
years, and served throughout the war in different regiments and companies. I have a list of these from the Mass. Archives, but I can not tell them apart.
But they probably applied for pensions, and in these papers would give a list of their terms of service. They would probably also, give their age at the time of application, and this would help to distinguish them, for I have the dates of their birth. 
If you could send me copies of their applications with dates and places of their deaths and
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[handwritten letter continued]
names of their widows, it would be of much help to me. 
I think there were no other Joseph Beamans from Mass., in the Revolutionary Army. 
Thanking you in advance I remain very truly yours, 
/s/S. Beaman Wooden
P.S. Jabez Beaman of Lancaster, brother of Joseph, Jr. also, served many terms in the Revolution. If you could give me the date and place of  his death, I should be glad.
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30266 Josiah Beaman
Joseph 38536
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30595
O.W. AND N. DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Nov. 13, 1907
Searched by A.O.F.
Original No. [blank]
Certificate No. [blank]
Claimant [blank]
Soldier, Joseph Beaman
Service, Mass Rev War
Remarks: No claim other than Inv. File 38536
*Josiah Beaman Inv. File 30266.
*not identical 
[blank] Chief of Division. 
27498b4m2-07
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[receipt stamp: U.S. PENSION OFFICE A DEC 4 1919]
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[typewritten letter]
[margin notes: ✓2¢ Stmpd. env. rec'd Rev. Svc./CSW]
Indianapolis, Ind., Dec. 1, 1919. 

Mr. G.M. Saltzgaber,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir: 
Under date of October 13th I addressed a communication to you requesting the War Record of Joseph Beaman, a soldier of the Revolutionary War. In due time you sent me this record, your index being V.L.M. S.F. 38536. This record also states that on March 26, 1818, Joseph Beaman applied for a pension, which was granted, and that in the year 1820, ['his w' crossed out] when he died, his wife, Sene, was 51 years old, and that his death occurred in Pownal, Vt.
In compiling my genealogical record I am having difficulty to learn the birth and death-dates of Joseph Beaman's wife, Sene. Also the place at his death of her death. Thinking that possibly Joseph Beaman's pension at his death was transferred to Sene, I write to ask if your records contain the information as to where and when she died, and also the date of her birth if possible. As your record states that Joseph died in Pownal, Vt., I wrote the town clerk there to learn the details I have now requested of you, but failed to receive a reply.
Any additional information that you may be able to send me concerning this remote ancestor of mine will be greatly appreciated. Enclosed find self-addressed, stamped envelope for reply. Thanking you in advance,
I remain,
Very truly yours,
/s/(Mrs.) Florence C. Dobson
540 E. 36th St.
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[typewritten letter]
[margin notes: 2d stamped envelope enclosed EB. M.C.R. Rev War [illegible]]
[receipt stamp: U.S. PENSION OFFICE A OCT 16 1919]
To the Department of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
I have been informed that the U. S. Pension Bureau is the proper place to direct an inquiry concerning Revolutionary War Records: I therefore write to ask if you will search your Revolutionary War Records of the State of Vermont and of the State of Massachusetts to ascertain if the name of Joseph Beaman (or Beeman) appears thereon as having been a soldier of the Revolutionary War. He was born at Bennington, Vermont, and is said to have taken part in a number of battles of the Revolution, but I am not sure as to what State he enlisted with. Tradition says that he fought in the battle of Bennington, but if he served in other battles, he undoubtedly enlisted from some other State. He is buried in the cemetery at Bennington, Vt., in the shadow of Benington monument, but as this does not happen to be exclusively a military cemetery, his headstone does not give any military record. If you are able to find the name of Joseph Beaman on your records, will you also furnish me with any details of his service that you may have, including the date of his birth, names of battles, etc., and date of his death.
The Assistant Adjutant General at Montpelier, Vt., writes me the "Joseph Beman, who served in Capt. Joseph Brigg's Company of Militia in the service of the United States of America, commencing the first day October, 1778, and ending the 24th of November, 1778, served as a private."
Was there a distinction between the United States Militia and the Revolutionary soldiers of that time? Enclosed find self-addressed, stamped envelope for reply.
Yours very truly,
/s/(Mrs.) Florence C. Dobson
540 East 36th St.
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[typewritten letter]
IN REPLY REFER TO Rev. War Section. [initials: V.L.M.]
3-1864
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS 
WASHINGTON

December 17, 1919.

Mrs. Florence C. Dobson,
540 E 36" Street,
Indianapolis, Ind.

Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 1" instant, you are advised that in the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim of Joseph Beaman S. File No. 38,536 the date of birth and date and place of death of his wife Sene, and the place of his death are not stated, and it does not appear that she ever applied for a pension, therefore this Bureau is unable to aid you further in regard to this matter.
Very respectfully,
/s/E. C. Freeman(?)
Acting Commissioner.