Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8010, for Benjamin Patterson, Pennsylvania
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Penn
Patterson, Benjamin
Sarah
NUMBER
R. 8010

CONTENTS
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State of New York
Steuben County 
 On this twenty fifth day of January
in the year 1849, personally appeared before Cephas F Platt
 a justice of the peace in and for said County of Steuben,
 Sarah Patterson a resident of the Town of Erwin, in the Said County of Steuben,
aged Eighty six years, who being first duly sworn
according to Law, doth on her oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the
benefit of the provision made by the act of
Congress passed July 29th 1848, entitled, "An Act
for the relief of certain surviving widows of
officers and Soldiers of the revolutionary Army."
That she is the widow of Benjamin Patterson
who was a private in the revolutionary Army
She further declares that, as she has been informed,
and according to the best of her knowledge
and belief, her husband the aforesaid
Benjamin Patterson, entered the service in
the year 1775 and left the service in the year
1781; that he served under Captain Clark,
Captain Forgason or Captain Campbelton,
Captain Saml Daugtery, and Captain Boon;
that he resided in the County of Northumberland
in the State of Pennsylvania when he entered
the service; that he was engaged in the
battle of Fort Freeland, and in Sullivans
Expedition.
She further declares that she was
married to the said Benjamin Patterson
on the twenty Eighth day of February, in the
year Seventeen hundred and ninety six,
that her husband the aforesaid Benjamin
Patterson died on the second day of July in
the year Eighteen hundred and thirty; that
she was not married to him prior to his
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leaving the service, but the marriage took
place previous to the first day of January
one thousand and eight hundred viz:
at the time above stated. And she further
declares that she is still a widow. Sworn to and
subscribed on the day and year 
above written, before
C F Platt Justice of the Peace in aforsaid County of Steuben
Sarah Patterson her mark
In presence of
Alfred Reed
 I hereby certify that the above named Sarah
Patterson, is unable to appear in a Court of
record, or to write her name, by reason of
bodily infirmity
C F Platt Justice of the Peace
of Steuben County
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State of New York
Steuben County ss. Be it remembered that on
the twenty fifth day of January 1849 before me
the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for
the County of Steuben appeared Robert
 Patterson to me well known who being duly
sworn according to law doth depose &
say that he is a resident of the said County
& is aged about fifty three years & is by
occupation a farmer, that he is a son of the
late Benjamin Patterson late a resident of
the town of painted Post (now the town of Erwin) in the said County of Steuben & the identical person named in the said deposition. That the said Benjamin Patterson died on or about the second day of July 1830.
 that the deponent resided with the said Benjamin Patterson at the time of his death & that previous thereto the deceased was an applicant for a pension
under the laws of Pennsylvian which was
well known to this deponent. That after the
passage of the act of the 29th July 1849. this deponent
wrote to David Flemming a Counsellor at law
residing in Harrisburgh, Pa. to search the public
archives remaining in that place for the testimony
furnished by the said Benjamin Patterson to the
Legislature of Pennsylvania, that he received
several letters from the said Flemming & the
papers hereto annexed (enclosed in the upper
also annexed) consisting of the fly leaf of the
report of the committee on claims (punted)
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the deposition of Henry McHenry, The memorial or petition of the said Benjamin Patterson the deposition of James Hammond
John Eases Richard Martin Robert Covenhoven
, Robert Patterson John Knox & Eldad
Mead. Deponent further states that he is well
acquainted with the hand writing of the said
Benjamin Patterson & that the signature to the
memorial or petition is in the proper hand
writing of the said Benjamin Patterson- that the said deponents, Robert Patterson & Eldad
Mead resided in this State & are now dead
that he has made diligent enquiry for James Hammond Henry McHenry Richard Martin Robert
Covenhoven & John Eases & has ascertained
named
that the the first named are dead & can get no
information of the said John Easer & further
Deponent says not
the interlinations on 3&5 lines above
before signed
⎬
Robert Patterson
dated & subscribed before me
this 25 day of January
1849
A.D. Read Justice of the peace in & for Steuben County N.Y.
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4
ford.
Tioga
Document in favor
of Benj Patters Rev.
soldier-
H.K.  Mch 16. 1826
Clares.
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To the Honorable the Senate & House
of Representatives of the Commonwealth
of Pennsyvania [Pennsylvania], in general
Assembly met;
the memorial and Petition of
Benjamin Patterson, of the County
of Stueben, in the State of New York,
formely of Northumberland
County and State of Penna.
Respectfully Sheweth,
that your Petitioner
entered the army of the United States in the
year one thousand seven hundred & Seventy
Six under Captain Clark of the Militia of
Northumberland County. that shortly after
the inhabitants having been driven by the
Indians, a volunteer company was raised
of which he became a member for the protection
of the inhabitants against the incursions of the
savages, in this he remained till fall. In the
Spring of one thousand seven hundred and
seventy seven, your petitioner enlisted under
Captain Thomas Campleton, attached to Col.
Thomas Hartley's regiment. he so continued
until the spring of 1778 when he again 
enlisted under Captain Samuel Dougherty and
was subsequently enlisted under Captains
Hawkins Boon, Thos.  Furguson & Mr Chatan, that during the time of his being in service
the companies to which he belonged were
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employed on the frontiers of the State of
the Indians. That your petitioner was in a
number of engagements, among the most 
memorable of these was that at Freeland Fort
He was also among the troops that accompanied 
Sullivan. For some proof of his services
your Petitioner begs leave to refer your Honorable bodies to the affidavits of a few of his remaining fellow soldiers, accompanying this petition.
He also adds that he had regular discharges
from Col Long, Captain Samuel Dougherty &
Capt Mr Chatan. Two of these were destroyed
at the burning of Boon's Fort, & the third was
mislaid a number of years ago. The last was
dated in the fall of 1781.  Your Petitioner
States that, for his services on behalf of his country, during the whole period as he never has
yet received any remuneration, or compensation whatever, except a certificate for [pounds] L22.10.
received in 1785 for services as a spy during the
Summer of 1780. Your petitioner being none far advanced in life and finding that your
Honorable bodies have made provision, at different times, for those of his companions in arms
who were similarly situated, and have bought
their claims before your honorable bodies, presumes to lay his also before you, under a full
persuasion that the same liberality which activated your honorable bodies in their cases will also induce you to make suitable provision by
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law to his, and he will ever pray &c
---
Benjamin Patterson
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Lycoming County
Commonweath of Pennsylvania

Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the justices of the peace in and for said county James Hammond who being sworn according to law doth say that he was acquainted with Benjamin Patterson in the year 1777 at which time he the said Benjamin Patterson as [illegible] enlisted under Capt Samuel Daugherty was employed on differant scouting parties and other services under the direction of Lieutenant Hunter of the county of Nothumberland and afterward said deponent states that he was frequently on scouts with the said Benjamin Patterson and further deponent saith not

James {his x mark} Hammond

Sworn and subscribed before me
[signature, first name unreadable] Hunter
[unreadable month] 30th, 1824
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Lycoming county of the commonweath of Pennsylvania
Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the justice the peace in and for said county John Eason who being affirmed acc ing to  law doth say that he was acquainted with Benjamin Patterson in the year 1777 and until 1780 during  which period he the said Benj Patterson was on differant scouts agains the indians on the frontier of Northumberland county and in the command of Capt Samuel Dougherty also deponent states that he was on differant scouts himself with the said Benjamin Patterson and further this deponent saith not

Sworn and subscribed before me  Hunter  Jany 30th 1826  john
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Lycoming County Sirs
Personally appears before me
Subscriber one of the
Justices of the Peace in and for said County of Lycoming
Richard Martin and being sworn agreeable to law do
say, that he was acquainted with Benjamin Patterson
in the year 1778, at which time he the said B. Patterson
was employed as a spy under the direction of Colonel
Samuel Hunter, and afterwards said deponent state
that he was frequently on scout with sd B. Patterson
and further states that sd B. Patterson was generally
employed as a pilot against the Indians, and depredations
the time of the Indian War, and also that sd B Patterson
was a guard to the Boats which conveyed provisions for
the use of the army on Sullivans expedition, and further
deponent saith not
Sworn and Subscribed before
me the 27th day of January 1826
W Turner JP      Rich Martin
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Lycerning [Lycoming?] County   Sir
Personally appeared before me the subscriber
one of the Justices of the peace in and for the
County
of Lycoming Robert Covenhoven and being
sworn according to law & doth say that he was
acquainted with Benjamin Patterson in the year
1778 to the best of my recollection, he was one of
Capt Campleton men in Col Hartlys
Expedition on the north branch of the Susquhana
and Tioga point I frequently saw him engaged
in his Countrys cause against the Indians and
we Retreated from coming to Northumberland
and further this deponent saith not
Sworn on  and subscribed before
the 27th
day January 1826
Robt Covenhoven

Wm Turner JP
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Commonweath of Pennsylvania
Tioga County  Sir
Personally appears before me Ira Kilburn
Associate Judge of sd County Robert Patterson of the State of
New York Steuben County, who is well known to me
to be a man of truth, and inteligence, and on his
solem oath declares and says that he is well acquainted with
Benjamin Patterson, and was knowing to the 1st
Benjamin serving in the Revolutionary war of the United
States in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy
or six, in the Pennsylvania line, cannot tell the length of
time but thinks is was three or four years at least,
except the winter season he returned home, except one
winter he still continued in the service. To the best of
the recollection of the Deponent the sd Benjamin
served as above stated till in the fall of the year one
thousand seven hundred and eighty, one under the following
Officers
Thomas Campleton Capt and the regiment commanded by Col Cooksy Long- next enlisted under 
 Capt Samuel Doherty-  next under Capt Horkings Boone - well recollects that the sd Benjamin was in
Sullivans Campaign and has often heard him complain
that he recived nothing for his said services, except
a certificate of about twenty two pounds, for which he
obtained land by a lottery warrant-  Col Long commanded
the rifle com belonging to Col Harkness regiment
and further the deponant saith
not
Robt Patterson
Jan 20th 1826
Sworn and subscribed
in my presence
Ira Kilburn Associate Judge
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Robert Paterson
Deposition
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State of New York
Steuben County
John Knox being Duly Sworn
says that he has been
Intimately acquainted with Benjamin
Patterson formerly from Northumberland
State of Pensilvania now a resident of the Town of Painted post County of Steuben and State of
New York and
have lived Neighbour to him
the said Patterson about thirty years that
During all of the time he has sustained
the Character
of a good morral Citizen honest
in all his dealings and considered as a man
of unblemished truth and verasity in
all his
Deportment further this deponant sayeth
not
-
18th 1826
Pointed post Jany
-
Sworn and subscribed before
me this 18th day of Jany 1826

Joseph Gillett J.P     John Knox
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John Knox
Affidavit
16th May 1826
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State of New York
Steuben County
Eldad Mead being Duly
Sworn says that he has been
Intimately acquainted with
Benjamin Patterson formerly from Northumberland State of
Pennsylvania now a resident of the Town of
Painted Post County of Steuben and State of
New York - and have lived Neighbour to him
the said Patterson about thirty years that 
during all the time he has sustained the character of a good moral citizen honest in all his Dealings and considered as a man of unblemished Truth and verasity
in all his deportment
further this Deponent sayeth not
Painted Post Jany
Eldad Mead
Sworn and Subscribed
before me this 23day of January
1826

Joseph Gillitt, JP
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3.  Ford Parkhurt Tioga
  Benj. Patterson
12
H.R.   Feb.12 1828
Claims.
Fb 12 1829
Cly.
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Harrisburg Decr 14th 1848
Dr Sir,
I am happy to inform you that after a laborious search
amongst the Archives of the House of Reps, a little after the fashion
of "hunting a needle in a hay stack", being obliged to untie bundle after bundle 
& open papers after paper for lack of
endorsements,  I succeeded at length in finding the papers desired by you, relative to your Fathers services in the Revolutionary war. Besides his petition which sets forth the
facts very fully, there are affidavits of Henry McHenry, James
Hammond, John Eason, Richard Martin & Robert Covenhover,
who testify that they were acquainted with your father, and
knew him to have been in the Rev. War. Your own affidavit
is also here, as to what you heard the old gentlemen say &c. So
also the deposition of John Knox & Eldad Mead as to the
good character for integrity &c. which your Father always bore.
By a Report made from the Committee on claims in 1829 on
your Father's application, I find the reason why he did not
get any thing from Penna was because he was not represented to be in needy or necessitous circumstances-- a mean
requisition of our pension Laws
I hope this testimony may be sufficient to get your mother
a pension from the U. States, & if so it will now amount to a
pretty round sum.
If you send me $10. for my trouble, I will
place the documents of a copy of them at your disposal. Or perhaps you would give me a percentage to procure the pension for your mother, having had some experience in matters
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of that sort. I shall hold the papers until I hear
from you, & remain
Very Respectfully
Your Obd  Sert

D. Fleming

MrRobert Patterson
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law to his, and he will ever pray &c
Benjamin Patterson
┃ 268 269 ┃
No. 268.
615
Report of the committee on claims, on the claim of
Benjamin Patterson, a soldier of the revolutionary war

READ March 14, 1829.

Mr. Slemmer, from the committee on claims, to whom were referred
the petition and documents of Benjamin Patterson, made
the following report, which was read, viz.
That your petitioner states, that he entered the army as a militia-man, in the year 1776, and the following year enlisted in the
continental establishment, in the company of Captain Cambleton;
and after the expiration of the term for which he enlisted, he
served in the capacity of a spy; all of which statements are corroborated
by the accompanying documents. He further states,
that with the exception of a draft for £22 10s, he has not received
any remuneration for his services, and prays for relief.
But inasmuch as his circumstances in life would not warrant
your committee in granting him a pension, and finding no account
to his credit in the Auditor General's office, they deem it inexpedient
to grant the prayer of the petitioner. They therefore offer
the following resolution:
Resolved, That the committee be discharged from the further
consideration of the subject.
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Dauphin County ⎬
Before me the Subscriber one of the Justices
of the Peace for Dauphin County Personally came Henry
McHenry who being duly sworn says that he was well aciquainted [acquainted] with
Benjamin Patterson during the Revolutionary war. That
he knows Patterson was in the service during the whole of the war
he also knows that Patterson rendered his country verry important
services as a spy & Soldier, he was a verry active man and
verry useful to the inhabitants of Northumberland County
in the protection of the frontier from the invasions of the indians
amongst them, he likewise recollects that Patterson and many
others volunteered with Capt Boon to relieve the widows
and children at the Surrender of Fredens Fort in Northumb.d
County. There was but sixteen of the whole company of Capt
Boon left and thirty two killed amongst which were
several officers
Henry W Henry

Sworn & Subscribed
this 15th day of March
A.D. 1828. before me
William Ayres
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No 134
Sarah Patterson
wd of Benjamin
NY
Act 29 July 1848
8010
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State of New York
Steuben County. On the 27th day of January
1849 be me the subscriber a justice of the
Peace in & for said County appeared Martha
Campbell to me well known who being first duly sworn did depose & say that she is a 
resident of the town of Bath in said County
& has resided there for the space of forty
five years that she is of the age of seventy
years that she is well acquainted with
Sarah Patterson & has known her from
infancy. That this deponent resided formerly
in the borough of Northumberland in
the State of Pennsylvania & was present
when Sarah Shannon was married to Benjamin
Patterson & that the said Marriage
took place at the house of the said Sarah
Shannon on or about the last of February
1796 - that the deponent has been familiary
acquainted with the said Benjamin &
Sarah that they continued to reside
together as man & wife until the death
of the said Benjamin that she well remembers
the clergyman who performed the ceremony
& that his name was Hugh Morrison
Given & subscribed the day &
year first above written      Martha Campbell  
A.D. Read Justice of the peace

I do further certify that deponent is a person of respectability fully entitled to credit.
A.D. Read Justice of the peace
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State of New York
Steuben County I Paul C. Cook Clerk
of the County of Steuben do hereby certify
that Cephas F Platt & Arnold D Read
before whom the annexed declaration of Sarah
Patterson & deposition of Martha Campbell & Robert Patterson purport to have been taken were at the date of the same acting Justice of said County authorized by law & duly
 commissioned
 to take the same & that their names
subscribed to the Jurat of said depositions
as their own proper signature-
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & affix
ed the seal of the said
County this 29 day of January 1849
P. C. Cook Clerk
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Bath N.Y.  9 Apl 1849  
Sir,
I have before me your letter to the
Hon D. Rumsey  It under date of the 12th
March 1849. in which you say "I have the
honor to inform you that the application of Sarah Patterson, widow of Robert
Patterson for a Pension
under the act of 29th
July 1848 has been examined
and her papers filed
Mrs Patterson should
file a declaration made before a court of Record and establish her marriage by 
record or documentary proof, 
if attainable and also produce satisfactory
evidence showing that her husband rendered
not less than six months actual service"
Allow me to refer you to
to your file of letters and call your attention 
to this one which I have made
the above extract from in Sarah Patterson's papers which you say you have
filed you will find she has forward
in that package affidavits shewing her
husband a Revolutionary soldier and
she the the Widow
of Benjamin Patterson
not Robert as your letter state
her to be,  I will thank you to
reexamine her file of Papers, and in
that file you will find testimonial of
 Marriage by Witnesses as well,
I believe the Record of the Bible,
I am so informed it has been 
forwarded. " Robert Patterson" to whom
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you have refered was a Brother of Mrs
Sarah Patterson's husband, they both
were in the service, they are now
both no more,  your files will shew
that "Robert"  made application some
ten years ago but Benjamin never
had made application at Washington
his application was before the Legislature of Pennsylvania and in 
his application he failed in-
consequence of having property to
certain amount which would
grant his application, the evidence of
his service which was taken same
twenty years ago, was with drawn
from the Legislative files
 in that State, forwarded
 with Mrs Sarah Patterson decleration
which you say you had 
filed in your letter refered to above, 
your early attention to a review  
of Mrs Patterson's case is much wished
for, and after such perusal, let me know
if any thing further may be required
if you have not sufficient to grant a Certificate

With Great Respect
W.S. Hubbell

Hon J.L.Edwards
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Bath N.Y. 13. Nov 1849
Sir 
Your favour in answer to
Mine under date of the 8th
came to hand yesterday,  I
desired a copy of your letter
to me in Mrs Sarah Patterson's
case, the widow of Benj'n Patterson Decd
who served
in the Revolutionary war
your letter to me of which
I desire a copy was in Apl
may or June last which
letter I inclosed to Mrs
Patterson's Son & said letter
never reached him, & the contents
forgotten by me, as your letter was
in detail as to several points
important on the
part of
the applicant to shew, I desire a
copy to know those points
Respectfully Yours
W.S. Hubbell

J.L. Edwards Es
Page 30

your letter to the Hon D Rumsey
Member of Congress 12 March
1849 was placed in my hand
this answer of yours was an
Error on your part and Explained to you
 in my letter dated at this place the 9th Apl last
last & I believe the answer I rec'd to my letter of the"9th Apl last" is the copy which I desire from your dept.
Respectfully Yours
W.S.Hubbell
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Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
8010
P. O.
Sarah Patterson
Service:

Enlisted:   REJECTED, 18
Discharged:        , 18
Application filed:    ,18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.

Recognized.             Contract.
Page 32

No 134
Sarah Patterson
NY
Let to Hon W.P. Hubble
June 8th  '49 
Let to Hon. W.S. Hubbell, Nov. 17 /49

Aug 29
July 1849
Page 33


Washington Feby 5. 1849 
sir
I send you herein the papers of Mrs
Sarah Patterson in her application for a
pension.  If upon examination you find
any defect in them let me know what it
is
I send you also a copy of a law
passed at this session of congress for relief
of Mrs Anne W. Angus. Will you please
inform me soon as convenient what is
necessary to be done by her to avail herself
of the benefits of the law-- I desire to write
to her -
Very respy
year last
D. Rumsey

Please return the Copy Law-
Hon J.L. Edwards
Com Pensions-