Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 12144, Ezra Benedict, Conn.
Page 1

SERVICE
Conn.
Benedict, Ezra
NUMBER
S 12144
Carded
Page 2

20.940
New York
Ezra Benedict (deceased)
of Delaware in the State of New York who was a pr & Lieut in the Company commanded by Captain Olmsted of the Regt commanded by ---- in the Ct'nal line for 8 mos pr & 14 mo 20 de Lieut;
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the reate of 222 Dollars 20 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of pension issued the 22 day of Oct 1833 and sent to [name and address written and crossed out] 
Arrears to the 4th of  . . . . .
Semi-anl. allowance ending . . . . .
[writing too faint to read] March 31   $337.60
[   "          "      "    "    "   ] 32
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk,
Book E Vol. 4 Page 89.
[opposite page]
Hampden Delaware Co N.Y.
cert returned & sent as above to the widow to the care of J Bostick
see letter to Jn: Fleming P.gt June 30. 1834    
 do. to Jame July 8. 1834
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19,037.
Case of Lieut. Ezra Benedict
The Hon. Secretary of War will [illegible] a favour Mr. Foote of N. Y. by giving an opinion the within case.
Rejected. See letter to Hon. C. A. Foote, 10 Dec. 1823.
[illegible] Edwards
[?]C. C.
Page 4

District of New York }
County of Delaware  } ss.
On the twenty seventh day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty three personally appeared in open court in the court of common Pleas holden at the Court House in Delhi, in and for the County of Delaware, Ezra Benedict of the town of Walton in the County of Delaware and State of New York aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th of March in the year 1818, and the 1st of May 1820 that he the said Ezra Benedict on the 10th day of June in the year 1777 received a commission of second Lieutenant from Jonathan Trumbull Governor of the State of Connecticut and served for seven or eight months, principally in the State of New York in a company commanded by Captain Brandon Scovil in the regiment commanded by Colonel Roger Eno raised by said State for the defence [sic] thereof on the seacoasts, frontiers and parts adjacent. 
And that afterwards on the 17th day of May in the year 1780 he received another commission of Lieutenant which was also signed by the said Governor Trumbull, and served seven or eight months principally in the State of New York in a company commanded by Captain David Olmstead [Olmsted] in the regiment of foot commanded by Colonel Barzilla Bebee, said regiment was ordered to be raised in said State for defence [sic] against the incursions of the enemy and to prevent unlawful intercourse with them. During the whole time of his service, the above regiments were under the command of General Israel Putnam. And he further says that he was a serjeant [sic] in the militia of the State of Connecticut in the year 1776, and was at the battle of Richfield [Ridgefield] when General Worcester was killed and several other skirmishes.
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[blank page]
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State of New York    } ss.
County of Delaware }
On this 11th day of July 1832 Personally appeared before me Jules Bostwick First Judge of Delaware County courts. Ezra Benedict a resident of the town of Walton in the county of Delaware & state aforesaid aged eighty six years who 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 passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated That he enlisted as a private in a company of state troops for eight months in a company commanded by Captain Samuel Keeler and was joined to a Regiment Commanded by Colonel Bradley He enlisted in April 1776 the day of the month does not recollect Marched from the State of Connecticut to the State of New Jersey was stationed at Bergen point for some time & untill [sic] after fort Washington was taken Marched from there to the State of Pennsylvania crossed the Delaware River above Trenton Was discharged after the Hessians was taken In the State of Pennsylvania a few miles above Trenton the last of December 1776 or first of January 1777. was in the service between eight & nine months.
He again entered the service as a Lieutenant in June 1777 under a Lieutenants commission from Governor Trumbull and Marched from Norwalk to Horseneck & was at Horseneck & Stamford during that campaign was in a company commanded by Captain Reuben Schoville in Regiment commanded by Colonel Eno John Davenport was Major. General Putnam commanded the continental troops was discharged at Stamford last of Dec. 1777 or first of January 1778. was in the service between six and seven months
He again entered the Service in the third campaign under a Lieutenants commission from
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Governor Trumbull dated 17th. day of May 1780. He was in the [illegible] recruiting soldiers untill [sic] the last of July or first of August in a company of foot commanded by Captain Olmstead in Regiment Commanded by Colonel Bebee Marched from Norwalk to Horseneck & was stationed at Horseneck & Stamford during that campaign. was discharged in December 1780 or January 1781 is not certain as to the time his engagement was for eight months. that he has no documentary evidence of his first service in 1776 and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service of 1776 aforesaid.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or anuity [sic] except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid [signed] Ezra Benedict
[signed] Jabez Bostwick First Judge of Delaware County courts.
We Augustus L. Chapin a Clergyman residing in the town of Walton in the county of Delaware & State of New York and Robert North of the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ezra Benedict who has Subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty six years of age: That he is
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reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
[signed] Ezra Benedict [crossed out]
              Augustus L. Chapin
              Robert North
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid. 
[signed] Jabez Bostwick First Judge of Delaware county courts.
And I Jabez Bostwick First Judge of Delaware county courts do hereby declare it my opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And I do further certify that it appears to me that Augustus L Chapin who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Walton aforesaid and that Robert North who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Walton & county of Delaware aforesaid, and is a creditable person and that their statement is entitled to credit 
And I do further Certify that the said Ezra Benedict [illegible] bodily infirmity is wholly unable to attend court.
[signed] Jabez Bostwick
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aomd
8 mo. pri
14 mo 20 ds Lieut.
died 11 Sept '32 & left no widow -
Certificate to the heirs & to be computed from 4 mar '31 to 11 Sept. '32.
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State of  Connecticut } ss
County of Fairfield at Probate Court District of Norwalk August. 31. 1833 Personally appeared before said Court Eno k St John Esq. and Jared Ayres both of New Canaan in said County and respectable witnesses and well known to me and being duly sworn in open Court depose and say that was well acquainted with Ezra Benedict late of Walton Delaware County State of New York and that he died on the Eleventh day of September 1832, at about 6 o'clock [illegible] and that he left now Widow and that he left Seven legal heirs, viz Jeremiah Hoyt, wife of Thaddeus Hoyt, Mary Benedict, Daniel Ayres, wife of Jared Ayres, [illegible] St John wife of Cook St John, Rebeccah Benedict Cynthia Fancher wife of Rufus Fancher and Ezra Benedict.
Before me [signed] Benjn. Isaacs Judge      
26.66  
I am requested to mention it would be more convenient for the heirs of Ezra Benedict to be placed on the New York agency for paying Pension as they principally reside in the State of New York
[signed] Benjn. Isaacs
[several columns of figures are scribbled at bottom of letter]
13.33 [underlined]
  4.44
   4.44 [underlined]
   8.88

160
  26.66
    8.88
   26.66 [underlined]
$222.20
  111.10
       4.30 [underlined]
   337.60 .......
18.51 divided by 32 = 61 1/3
                                       7 [underlined]
                                       4.30
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March 18, 1939.
Mrs. John J. Reimers                BA-J/ILL
Genoa                                      Ezra Benedict
Nebraska.                                 S. 12144
Dear Madam:
The record of Ezra Benedict is furnished herein as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 12144, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Ezra Benedict, while a resident of that part of Norwalk, Connecticut, which was later called New Canaan, enlisted sometime in April 1776, and served eight months as sergeant in Captain Samuel Keeler's company, Colonel Philip B. Bradley's Connecticut regiment, during which he was stationed at Bergen Point until after Fort Washington was taken, after which he crossed the Delaware above Trenton and was discharged after the Hessians were taken. He stated that he was in the battle of Ridgefield when General Wooster was killed, officers' names not shown. He was commissioned June 10, 1777, 2nd Lieutenant and served six months and twenty-three days in Captain Reuben Scofield's company, Colonel Roger Enos' Connecticut regiment, a part of the time at Horseneck, also, against Burgoyne's army. He was commissioned May 17, 1780, Lieutenant in a regiment of foot, was engaged in recruiting soldiers until about August, after which he served in Captain David Olmstead's company, Colonel B. Beebe's Connecticut regiment, and continued until about January 1781.
The soldier resided in Walton, Delaware County, New York, in May 1823, at which time he was seventy-eight years. The date and place of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.
Ezra Benedict applied July 11, 1832, for the pension which was due on account of his service in the Revolutionary War, at which time he resided in Walton, New York. He died there September 11, 1832, before the certificate for his pension was issued. He was not survived by a widow; the name of his wife, and the date and place of their marriage were not given.
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Ezra Benedict was survived by seven heirs, whose names were given in August 1833 as follow: Jemima Hoyt, soldier's daughter, aged then sixty-seven years and the wife of Thaddeus Hoyt, her residence Walton, New York, in 1832; Dinah Ayres, the wife of Jared Ayres; Anna St. John, the wife of Cook St. John; Cynthia Fancher, the wife of Rufus Fancher; Mary Benedict; Rebeccah Benedict; and Ezra Benedict. The pension which was due Ezra Benedict at the time of his death on account of his service in the Revolutionary War was allowed the heirs, listed above; most of them resided in New York state.
In 1833, Jared Ayres and Enoch St. John were residents of New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut; no relationship between these persons and the soldier's family was stated.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, names and addresses of the persons paid, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city and cite the following data-
Ezra Benedict, deceased
Certificate #20940
Issued October 22, 1833
Rate $222.20 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
New York Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
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1938. Mar. 28 - Hist. to Mrs. John J. Reimers
1939 - Mar. 18 - Hist. to Mrs. John J Reimers

REV WAR 12144
INVALID.
File No. 12,144
Ezra Benedict
Lieut. Rev. war
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:- Vol. A, Page 28
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Ezra Benedict
10.58
dec'd
22 mo. 20 ds
viz
8 mo. pri
14 mo. 20. Lieut.
Page 15

State of Connecticut } ss.
Fairfield County         }
Probate Court District of Norwalk. Augt. 12. 1833 Personally appeared before said Court Daniel Wescott of Wilton in said County aged 79 years and being duly Sworn in open Court depose and says that he was well acquainted with Ezra Benedict formerly of New Canaan in said County and knows that in the month of April 1776 said Benedict enlisted in said [illegible] into Capt Samuel Keeler Company under Col. Philip B. Bradey and was marched to the State of New Jersey and said Benedict was in active and constant service for the United States for more than eight months. The deponent served in said Company Seven Months at the same time said Benedict belonged thereto
[signed] Daniel Wescott
Sworn in open Court and that I am well acquainted with said Daniel Westcott and believe him to be a credable [sic] and respectable Person and Witness
[signed] Benjn. Isaacs Judge
Page 16

State of Connecticut } ss
County of Fairfield     }
Probate Court District of Norwalk July 20: 1833 Personally appeared David Weed of New Canaan in said District. aged Sixty eight and being duly sworn in open Court depose and say that in the Spring of the year 1780 Ezra Benedict then of said town of New Canaan was Lieut. Commandent [sp?] of a Company of Troop belonging to the State of Connecticut and that said Benedict enlisted the deponent into said Company as a private Soldier for nine months and that said Lieut.  Benedict had the command of said Company and that he was in actual Service for the United States during said time of Nine Months
[signed] Daniel Weed
Sworn & Subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid and that said Daniel Weed is a credible Person
[signed] Benjn. Isaacs Judge
State of Connecticut }
County of Fairfield    } ss.
Probate District of Stamford. on this 22nd day of July AD 1833 before the Court of Probate in & for said District [2 words illegible] personally appeared Jonathan Brown of Stamford in Said District, who being Duly sworn according to law doth on his oath in open Court depose [illegible] That in the Revolutionary War in the Spring of the year 1780 he enlisted as a [illegible] under Lieut. Ezra Benedict then of that part of Norwalk which is [illegible] New Canaan for nine months in a Company of Connecticut State troops commanded by Said Lieut. Benedict in the Service against the British [illegible] & that he with said Company then Did Service after[?] the enemy in the lines from that time during the whole period of enlistment; & was at its close Discharged on the 1st of January AD 1781. Deponent is in his Seventy first year. Lieut. Benedict commanded the Company under Capt David Olmsted During the whole term of enlistment.
[signed] Jonathan Brown
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The preceding Deposition of Jonathan Brown was sworn to & subscribed before me on the 22nd day of July A.D. 1833. & I certify that I well know said Jonathan Brown & that he is a credible person. [illegible] by the request of the son in law  & [illegible] of the applicant, I state that Capt. Reuben Scofield pay rolls [both words underlined] were long since forwarded to the Pension Department on his application for a pension as I am informed & believe that evidence of the applicants services under him in 1777 will probably be found by reference to those pay rolls.
[signed] Chs Hawley Judge
And on the same day before said Court personally appeared Reuben Scofield Esq. of said Stamford who being duly sworn doth on his oath in open court depose & say that he is in the ninety first year of his age. In the Revolutionary War in the year 1777 deponent was a Captain of a Company of Connecticut troops used for the Defence [sic] of the State. Afterwards the company in Col. Roger Eno's Regt. Ezra Benedict then of that part of Norwalk which is now New Canaan was a Lieutenant of Said Company under command of this Deponent. This Deponent with his Said Company & with Said Benedict his lieutenant as aforesaid were out on a tour of duty of six months & twenty three days, commencing June 10th 1777 & ending January 1st 1777. This Deponent knows from his pay roll forwarded to the Pension Department - a copy of which he now has before him. The services were [illegible] in Horseneck [illegible]; but we were ordered up to assist Gates in taking Burgoyne but before we got those Burgoyne was taken & we returned to said Horseneck. Said Benedict was constantly in Service under this Deponent During the whole tour aforesaid.
[signed] Reuben Scofield
Sworn to & Subscribed the Day & year aforesaid before me & I certify that this Reuben Scofield is well known to me & is a credible person.
[signed] Chs Hawley, Judge
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The letters of June 30, 1834 and July 8, 1834, do not mention widow or children, and the evidence in the case shows that soldier left no widow.
M. R.
Oct. 31/05.
Page 19

N. Y. [Connecticut written and crossed out]
Revo.
Ezra Benedict
Suspended
let. B. Isaac 27 Augt. 33.
New York
act of June '32
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No 1058
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State of New York    }
County of Delaware } ss.
On the 12th day of July 1832 Personally appeared before me Jabez Bostwick First Judge of Delaware County courts, Jemima Hoyt, the Daughter of the forementioned Ezra Benedict aged sixty six years a resident of the town of Walton in the county of Delaware & State of New York [next several words too light to read] who being duly Sworn according to law Doth on her oath say That she well remembers the circumstance of her father being the service of the united States as a Revolutionary Soldier and that he entered the Service in the Spring of the year 1776 but is not certain as to the month or the day of the month. Also well remembers of his returning to his family That [next several words too light to read] recollect when he returned to his family, cannot recollect in what month he returned home being young only about ten years of age. She also well remembers of having Subsequent services in the years of 1777 and 1780. 
[signed] Jemima Hoyt
Sworn and Subscribed to before me the day & year aforesaid [signed] Jabez Bostwick First Judge
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State of New York    }
County of Delaware } ss.
I Anthony M. Paine Deputy Clerk of the county aforesaid do certify that Jabez Bostwick Esqr. before whom the preceding affidavits purports to have been sworn was and is now first Judge of the Court of common Pleas in and for said County which is a court of Record and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the seal of the said Court this 14th day of July 1832.
[signed] Anth: M. Paine Depty Clk.
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[printed form]
JONATHAN TRUMBULL, Esquire,
Captain General and Commander in Chief in and over the State of Connecticut, in America.
To Ezra Benedict, GREETING.
You being by the General Assembly of this State appointed to be Lieutenant, of a Company in a Regiment of Foot ordered to be raised in said State for defence [sic] against the Incursions of the Enemy and to prevent unlawfull [sic] Intercourse with them
reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, I DO by Virtue of the Laws of this State, me thereunto enabling, appoint and impower you to take the said Company into your Care and Charge as their Lieutenant, carefully and diligently to discharge the Office and Trust, exercising your inferior Officers and Soldiers in the use of their Arms, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, ordained and established by the Laws of this State, keeping them in good Order and Government, and commanding them to obey you as their Lieutenant for the Service aforesaid and you are to observe all such Orders and Directions as from Time to Time you shall receive, either from Me, or from other your Superior Officer, pursuant to the Trust hereby reposed in you.
Given under my Hand, and the public Seal of this State, at Hartford the 17th Day of May Anno Domini, 1780.
[signed] Jonth Trumbull
By His Excellency's Command.
[signed] George Wyllys, Sec'ry
Page 24

[Co]mmander in Chief of the
[missing] [Conne]CTICUT, in AMERICA.
[missing] Gent. Greeting:
[missing] General Assembly of this State appointed to be second Lieutenant of a [missing] the first Battalion, ordered to be raised for the Defence of this State, on The Sea Coasts, Frontiers and Parts adjacent.
Reposing Special Trust and Confidence, in your Fidelity, Courage, and Good Conduct, I do, by Virtue of the Laws of this State, me, thereunto enabling, appoint and impower you to take the Said Company into your Care and Charge, as their second Lieutenant carefully and diligently to discharge that Trust; exercising your inferior Officers and Soldiers in the Use of their Arms, according to the Discipline of War, ordained and established by the Laws of this State; keeping them in[missing] Order and Government, and commanding them to obey you as their second Lieutenant for the Service aforesaid. And you are to observe all such Orders and Directions, as from Time to Time you shall receive, either from me, or from other your Superior Officer, pursuant to the Trust hereby reposed in you.
Given under my Hand, and the Seal of this State, in Hartford the 10th Day of June Anno Domini, 1777.
[signed] Jon; Trumbull
By His Excellency's Command;
[signed] George Wyllys, Sec'ry.
Page 25

December 10, 1823.
Hon. C. A. Foote
This letter states that examination of papers under Act of March 18, 1818, do not show service in Continental Establishment, hence rejected. ILL- March 24, 1938.
(Application probably returned Act of 1818.) [This line was crossed out and following notation handwritten below it.]
The one made in 1823, was under two acts & was held in the office - F
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[mailroom stamp in upper left] RECEIVED FEB 8 1939 MAIL  BUS-DIV. VETS ADM 12

Genoa, Nebr., Feb. 6, 1939.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington-D.C.
Dear Sir:
Please will you send all the information you have about Ezra Benedict, as shown in record S 12144, who was a Revolutionary soldier in Connecticut. I wish to know the names of his children and where he lived in Conn.
Did John McNea who lived near Gettysburg, pa. receive a pension? Thanking you, I am,
Very truly yours,
[signed] Nellie C. Reimers
(Mrs. John J.)
Page 27

Genoa, Nebraska, March 5, 1938.
Pension Bureau
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Please will you send a copy of the pension papers for Ezra Benedict, under S 12144, who gave Revolutionary service in Connecticut. Also Ezara Benedict from Vermont, if a man by this name gave service there. Wish to have the name of his wife and children if possible to get it.
Do you have data about a solider named Otho Holland who served in Pennsylvania or Maryland and may have lived in New Jersey during the war. Thank you. I am,
Very truly yours,
["no name ?" handwritten in blank space]
(Mrs. John ).
[round mailroom stamp in lower right]
RECEIVED MAR 7 1938
Page 28

March 18, 1939.
xxxxxxxxxxx
Mrs. John J. Reimers                   BA-J/CC
Genoa, Nebraska.                       Ezra Benedict
                                                   S.12144
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Ezra Benedict as shown in record S.12144, and that of John McNea who lived near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
There is no claim for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a John McNea. You are furnished herewith the Revolutionary War record of Ezra Benedict.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 29

March 28, 1938.
Mrs. John J. Reimers                               MMHF
Genoa                                         BA-J/ILL
Nebraska.                                    Ezra Benedict
                                                    S. 12144
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Ezra Benedict, claim S. 12144, the record of any Ezra Benedict of Vermont, also, the record of Otho Holland who served from Pennsylvania or Maryland and may have lived in New Jersey.
There is no claim or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of an Ezra Benedict of Vermont, nor of any Otho Holland. The data which follow are found in pension claim, S. 12144, based upon service of Ezra Benedict in that war.
Ezra Benedict, while residing in that part of Norwalk, Connecticut, which was later called New Canaan, enlisted sometime in April 1776, and served eight months as sergeant in Captain Samuel Keeler's company, Colonel Philip B. Bradley's Connecticut regiment, during which he was stationed at Bergen Point until after Fort Washington was taken, after which he crossed the Delaware above Trenton and was discharged after the Hessians were taken. He stated that he was in the battle of Ridgefield when General Wooster was killed, officer's names not shown. He was commissioned June 10, 1777, 2nd Lieutenant and served six months and twenty-three days in Captain Reuben Schofield's company, Colonel Roger Enos' Connecticut regiment, as part of the time at Horseneck, also, against Burgoyne's troops. He was commissioned May 17, 1780, Lieutenant in a regiment of Foot, was engaged in recruiting soldiers until about August, after which he served in Captain David Olmstead's company, Colonel B. Beebe's Connecticut regiment and continued until about January 1781.
The soldier resided in Walton, Delaware County, New York, in
Page 30

May 1823, at which time he was aged seventy-eight years. The date and place of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.
Ezra Benedict applied July 11, 1832, for the pension which was due on account of his service in the Revolutionary War, at which time he resided in Walton, New York. He died there September 11, 1832, before the certificate for his pension had been issued. He was not survived by a widow; the name of his wife, and the date and place of their marriage are not shown.
He was survived by seven heirs, whose names were given in August 1833, as follow: Jemima Hoyt, soldier's daughter, aged then sixty-seven years, and the wife of Thaddeus Hoyt, her residence Walton, New York, in 1832; Dinah Ayres, the wife of Jared Ayres; Anna St. John, the wife of Cook St. John; Cynthia Fancher, the wife of Rufus Fancher; Mary Benedict; Rebeccah Benedict; and Ezra Benedict. The pension which was due Ezra Benedict at the time of his death was allowed the above named heirs; most all of them resided in New York State then.
In 1833 Jared Ayres and Enoch St. John were residents of New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut; no relationship to the soldier's family was stated.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, names and addresses of the persons to whom it was paid, you should apply the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
Ezra Benedict, deceased,
Certificate #20940
Issued October 22, 1833
Rate $222.20 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832.
New York Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
2.