Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12153, James Bentley, Vt.
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Vt. Bentley, James. S12153. barded.
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14425
Buffalo
[...]473 New York
James Bentley
[...] in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Fosset of the [...] commanded by Claghorn in the [...] for [...].

Inscribed on the Roll of New York [...]t the rate of 20 Dollars [...] Cents per annum, commence on the [...] day of March , 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of [...] and [...] N. K. Hall. Buffalo.

[...] to the 4th of March [...] $40.00 Semi-anl. allowance ending [...] 10.00

$50.00

- Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk,
Book [...] Vol. 4 Page 8.
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[Declaration of a Revolutionary Soldier who served in the MILITIA, to obtain a Pension under the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.]
State of New York
Erie County, ss. } On this 25th day of ['August' crossed out] October 1832 personally appeared ['in open Court' crossed out] at Aurora in said County before the Hon James Bentley one of the Judges at the Court of Common Pleas, ['now sitting at Buffalo' crossed out] in said County James Bentley a resident of Aurora in the County of Erie and State of New York, aforesaid, aged 80 years, who being first 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 7, 1832, That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated - 
That in the month of August 1770 he entered the service  of the United States by joining a Regt of which Col. James Cleighon (Creighton) was Commandant and a Company in which Capt Jonathan Fosset & Lieut Thomas See were Company Officers. That the other officers of the Company and Regiment he cannot recollect. That he entered the service at Cornwall in the state of Connect't where he then resided and was marching and practiced at Otter Creek in the Town of Brandon in the County of Addison & State of the Vermont  where he served for about one half of six months the time for which he  volunteered at Brandon they camped down and put up Shanties on the Banks of Otter Creek in the Woods. That of the scouting and keeping guard at Brandon aforesaid for about three months. the Company was ordered to Shelburne Vermont. That while they were at Brandon aforesaid Captain Jonathan Fosset left the Company to which deponent belonged & the aforesaid Captain Fosset and his Brother  were each sent as Captains of Companies to [illegible] Vermont where he understood Officers & men left their posts. That this deponent marched to Shelburne and then under the command of same Col. Claghorn & under the Command of Lieut Capt. Barnabas Barnam  served to the end of his said engagement for six months
That they were then quartered in the Block house of Mr. Parker at Shelburne aforesaid & and done duty as scouts and Guards. That [illegible]  before this time was out at Shelburne the Indians and tories were very [illegible] attacked the block house aforesaid and killed the inhabitants (not soldiers) who were in house and then killed the Comm't. this deponent Company Lieut Barnam. That this deponent and soldiers [illegible] and then out of ['a party' crossed out] the house and was not present at the attack That he understood the Indians and tories were repulsed with considerable loss. That their line was out a very few days afterwards and this deponent returned home. That he served there at Shelburne until a term of six months had fully expired and was at the end of that time discharged by the Officer saying their time was out and they could go home something like that
This deponent further says that before the service above set forth he was one of the inhabitants he followed & took thirteen tories prisoners and as such delivered them up to Gen'l Gates at Ticonderoga. That he [illegible] others took their arms on [illegible] that tories entered the neighborhood without orders or officers followed them. That in taking & delivering them up and returned to Cornwall aforesaid they were from home about five or six days. 
And this Deponent further says that he was freqeuntly out in scouting parties at different times other than during the times above stated but the different services & arms & when the said services were rendered he cannot recollect distinctly enough to state the same under his oath. that he was born in the Town of Salisbury Litchfield County in the State of Connecticut the 18th day of March 1752 that he resided at Salisbury aforesaid until he was about 22 years old when he removed Middlebury Vermont where he staid about 1 year that from there he removed to Cornwall in the same state where he resided 4 years or thereabouts from there he removed to Rutland Vermont & staid there 5 years & then back to Cornwall aforesaid where he staid 12 years from there to Georgia in the same state where he staid  16 years from there to the Town of St Albans in the same state where he resided about 17 years and from there in 1820 to Aurora Erie County N. York where he has ever since resided and now resides. That he has not record of his age and does not know of any in existence & has not documentary or other testimony to prove the services above stated. That he never received any written discharge and entered the service and served as a volunteer.
that in his neighborhood one Thomas Chamberlain & Shadrach D. Chamberlain who with many others can testify to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. that he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church but that he knows of no Clergyman that he could produce in Court or before Judge Stryker without  such inconvenience to testify to his character & services and reputation as a soldier of the Revolution. Except Elder Samuel Gail who he thinks can speak only in regard to his character for truth & veracity & knows nothing of his reputation as a Soldier. 
He hereby relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a Pension, or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, and that he cannot state any Continental Regiment a Reg't of State troops as there was none service with this Deponent - 
/s/James Bentley
Sworn and subscribed this 25th day of ['August' crossed out] Oct. 1832}
/s/James Stryker
Judge of Erie County Court
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We, ['Shadrach B. Chamberlain & Hawkhurst Ad-' crossed out] Thomas Chamberlain & Hawkhurst Addington residing in the town of Aurora and County of Erie ['and [blank] residing in the same place,' crossed out] hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with James Bentley who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be 81 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
/s/Thomas Chamberlain
/s/Hawkhurst Addington
Subscribed and Sworn, this 25th day of ['August' crossed out] October 1832 }
before me 
/s/James Stryker
Judge of Erie County Court 

['And in 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 Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Shadrach B. Chamberlain who has signed the preceding certificate is a [blank] resident in the town of Aurora and county of Erie and that Thomas Chamberlain who has signed the same, is a resident of the town of Aurora and county of Erie and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.' crossed out]
I. Noah P. Sprague, Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of James Bentley for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of August 1832' crossed out]
And I the said Judge do hereby certify and declare 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 & served as he states. And I the said Judge do further say that it appears to me that Thomas Chamberlain and Hawkhurst Addison who have signed & sworn to the foregoing certificate are residents of the Town of Aurora in said County and that both are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit. 
And I the said Judge further certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings made before me in the matter of the application of the said James Bentley for a pension. 
And I further certify that it appears to me that the said James Bentley could not without great & so much inconvenience, procure the attendance of a clergyman before me to make the certificate required by the War Department. and I the said Judge do further certify that in consequence of the prevalence of the cholera in the City of Buffalo in August last during a term of the Court of Common Pleas of said County should have been held  the said term was not held and that on a representation of the peculiar circumstances which rendered it proper the War Department denied it expedient to  said Judge to receive pension applications and take evidence thereon until the next December Term of the said Court & no longer which permission or authority was communicated to him the said Judge by letter bearing date September 2st 1832 and the foregoing proceedings have been taken & allowed before me under & by virtue of the said permission or authority of the War Department
Given under my hand & seal at Aurora this 25th day of October AD 1832. 
/s/James Stryker Judge of the Erie County Court
State of New York
Erie County Clerks Office ss} I Noah P Sprague Clerk
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a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And I the said Judge do further say that it appears to me that Thomas Chamberlain and Hawkhurst Addison who have signed & sworn to the foregoing certificate are residents of the Town of Aurora in said County and that both are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.
And I the said Judge further certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings made before me in the matter of the application of the said James Bentley for a pension.
And I further certify that it appears to me that the said James Bentley could not without great & so much inconvenience, procure the attendance of a clergyman before me to make the certificate required by the War Department. and I the said Judge do further certify that in consequence of the prevalence of the cholera in the City of Buffalo in August last during a term of the Court of Common Pleas of said County should have been held the said term was not held and that on a representation of the peculiar circumstances which rendered it proper the War Department denied it expedient to said Judge to receive pension applications and take evidence thereon until the next December Term of the said Court & no longer which permission or authority was communicated to him the said Judge by letter bearing date September 2st 1832 and the foregoing proceedings have been taken & allowed before me under & by virtue of the said permission or authority of the War Department
Given under my hand & seal at Aurora this 25th day of October AD 1832.
/s/James Stryker Judge of the Erie County Court

State of New York
Erie County Clerks Office ss} I Noah P Sprague Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County hereby certify that the Hon James Stryker whose name appears to the foregoing proceedings in the matter of the application of James Bentley for a pension was on the day of the date thereof & still is a judge of the County Court of said County duly commissioned for and acting as such attests the signatures purporting to be his in the matter of the deposition or declaration of the said James Bentley, to the Jurat of the joint affidavit of Hawkhurst Addington & Thomas Chamberlain to the concluding certificate of the said Judge following the same are all in the proper handwriting after said Judge.  
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 8th day of December 1832
/s/Noah P. Sprague Clerk of the Common Pleas
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No 20473
James Bentley
Erie Co N. York
admitted 6 mo. Private
N. K. Hall agt
Buffalo N.Y.
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War Department,
Pension Office
183
Sir,
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objetions exist, which must be removed,  before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (this }).You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them;  and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
 A Statement, showing the Service of James Bentley Erie Co N. York
Period when the service was rendered |  Duration of the claimant's service Years. Months. Days | Rank of the claimant. | Names  and  Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. | Names  and Rank of  the   General and Field officers. |  Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | Country  through  which he marched. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. | Evidence by  which the declaration is supported.
1776 | 6 | Private  |  [illegible] | Col [illegible] Claghorn [illegible] | [illegible] Shelburne  |  [illegible] 80 Corinnall Vermont |  Traditionary
I am,  respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,
J. L . Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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Regulations Under The Act Of June 7, 1832
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line,"  "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. 
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in  the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make an application by transmitting the following , which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832. 
State, Territory, or District of, County of }ss. 
On this _ day of _ _ personally appeared (a) before A.B.  a resident (b) of _ in the county of _ and State, Territory, or District of _ aged (c) _ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion made by the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _, with _ and served in the _ (e) regiment of the _ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which  he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the county through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not in the Pension roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
 I _ of the Court of _ 
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers, or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the _ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _ , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed buy the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _ Clerk of the Court of _ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal. 
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant , and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be
attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute: And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.{To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an Officer.{Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are  requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the, declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties. which the Court is herein requested to perform;
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he most assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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 amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making au 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."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each 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 service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers, the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f]The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion or the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if he has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.
[j] 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 the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he 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.
⇒The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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July 27, 1939
James Bentley
S. 12153
BA-J/MLB
Dr. E. G. Douglas
Chateaugay
New York
Dear Sir,
The data which follow in regard to James Bentley were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 12153, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
James Bentley, was born March 18, 1752, in Salisbury, Litchfield County, Connecticut, where he lived until twenty-two years of age, then moved to Middlebury, Vermont, remained there one year, thence to Cornwall, that state. The name of his parents are not shown. 
While resident of Cornwall, Vermont, James Bentley was one of twelve inhabitants who pursued and took thirteen tories prisoners and delivered them to General Gates at Ticonderoga, no further details in regard to that service given. He volunteered in August, 1776, served as private in Captain Jonathan Fasset's company, Colonel James Claghorn's Vermont regiment, stationed on Otter Creek in Brandon, and at Shelburne, vermont, length of service six months.
The soldier resided in Cornwall four years then moved to Rutland, Vermont, where he lived five years, then returned to Cornwall and remained twelve years, thence to Georgia, Vermont, where he lived sixteen years; from there he moved to Saint Albans, Vermont, remained there seventeen years and in 1829 moved to Aurora, Erie County, New York.
James Bentley was allowed pension on his application executed October 25, 1932, at which time he was living in Aurora, New York. He was a member of the methodist Episcopal Church.
There are no family data shown in this claim.
In order to obtain the dateof last payment of pension, the name
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and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of James Bentley, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
James Bentley
Certificate #14425
Issued May 27, 1833
Rate, $20 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
New York Agency.
Very truly yours
G. H. SWEET
Acting Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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[verso]
Rev War 12.153
INVALID.
File No. 12,153
James Bentley
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index: - Vol. A, Page 29
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[recto]
1917 Oct. 31 Hist. to Mrs. F. D. Tracy.
1939. July 27 - Hist to Dr. EG Douglas MLB
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Commissioner of Pensions
Rev. War. Section Bureau of Pensions
Department of the Interior
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir
Will you please send me the pension record, with all family data, of Daniel Barker, Private in New York Militia. Name appears in pension
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list of 1831. Theu 73 years of age.
Also, pension record with all family data, of James Bentley, Private in Vermont militia, name appears in pension list of 1831. Theu 81 years of age. 
Most [illegible] Yours
Grace Horton Tracy
(Mrs. L. D. Tracy)
72 Dorchester Road
Buffalo New York
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DR. E. G. DOUGLAS
CHATEAUGAY, N EW YORK

Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs,
My great grand mother was mary Bentley and I am trying to obtain more information about her ancestors  and i think  I may be able to  obtain this data through the records of the Re volutionary War.
Would you  please examine the records of the following by names of Bentley that took part in the Rev. War and were relatives
James, James Jr. and Thomas Bentley from Cornwall, Addison Co, Vermont
I think this place is known as Middlebury, Vermont since 1796
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DR. E. G. DOUGLAS
CHATEAUGAY, NEW YORK

Will greatly appreciate any records you may find where they took part in the Revolutionary war and also any reference to any family connections
Very truly yours, 
E. G. Douglas+
June 12, 1939

[Stamp] Received June 13 1939
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3-525
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., [blank], 19[blank]
S.F. 12,153

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of James Bentley a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.|LENGTH OF SERVICE.|RANK.|OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.(CAPTAIN.|COLONEL.)|STATE.|]
He was one of |12 inhabi|tants who|(pursued & took 13|Tories prisoners, &)|Vt.|
delivered them|to Gen'l|Gates|(at Ticonderoga.|[blank])|Vt.|
Aug 1776|6 mos.|Pvt.|(Jonathan Fosset|James Claghorn)|[blank]|
[end of columns]
Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Cornwall, Vermont.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 25 1832. His cl. was allowed
Residence at date of application, Aurora, Erie Cy. N.Y.
Age at date of application, born Mch. 18, 1752 at Salisbury, Conn. 
Remarks: It is stated that Soldier was a member of the Methodist Church. There is no data on file as to his family. 
Respectfully, 
[blank]
Commissioner. 

3-285C
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https://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/drag.pngBA-J/MLB

Dr. E. G. Douglas
Chateaugay
New York

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of James, James Jr., and Thomas Bentley, of Cornwall which, after 1796, was known as Middlebury in Addison County, Vermont. 
A careful search of the Revolutionary War records of this office has been made and no claim for pension or bounty land found based upon service in that war of a Thomas Bentley who served from Vermont or who later lived in that state.
You are furnished herewith the record of the only James Bentley, under any spelling, found in the Revolutionary War records of this office. 

Very truly yours

G. H. SWEET
Acting Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator