Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,100, for Benjamin Sherman, Massachusetts
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[doc is printed & written]
(3-1776)
SERVICE     |NUMBER
Mass     |Sherman, Benjamin     | S. 30. 100
[line]
[double line]
CONTENTS
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[doc is printed, written, soiled, folded & damaged]
[following on left fold] 
5171
Massachusetts [written]
[double line]
Benjamin Sherman [name written]
of Hampden [written] in the State of Mass [written]
who was a Private [written] in the company [written] commanded
by Captain Mills [written] of the regt [written] commanded
by Col Vose [2 words written] in the Mass [written]
line for 2 years [2 words written]
[double line]
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass [written]
at the rate of 80 [written] Dollars -- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
[double line]
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th [written] day of Febry [written]
1833 [written] and sent R [2 words written]
Stebbins Brimfield Mass [line written]
[double line]
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 [2 words written    |$120--
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33 [date written] |40-- [figure double underlined]
     |$160-- [figure double underlined]
"{Revolutionary Claim}"
"{Act June 7, 1832.}"
Recorded by J.H. McBlair [name written] Clerk,
Book D [written] Vol. 2 [written] Page. 98 [written]

[following on right fold]
69
Hampden
$96 Act of March 1818
Cong 30 Apl 1818 [illegible]
9 Sept 1818 Draft
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[doc is written, soiled & damaged]
No. 5489
Benjn Sherman
old case
Private
2 years
Ath

S80.

F.B. Stebbins
Brimfield 
Mass
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[doc is printed, written & damaged]
(old case)
BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Sherman of the County [5 words written]
of Hampden [written] in the State of Mass [written]
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge [written]
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 67 years [2 words written] 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[following is a table consisting of 4 columns & 3 sub columns as shown --
Col 1     | Col 2     | Col3     | Col 4     ]

Period     |Duration of Service     | Rank     | Names of General and Field Officers
               |                                    |              | under whom he served.
[line]
               | Years,  Months,  Days | As a      | Gen.
In 1781 Jany |2       9            ---   | Private | Col Vose, Capt Mills &
               |                                    |             |Capt. Remick--

5. In what battles was he engaged? none [written]
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Brimfield [written]
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence,
by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Document viz Pension Certificate [4 words written]
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
above mentioned.
Sevin Belt [name written]
Examining Clerk.
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[doc is written]
Benjamin Sherman
Application for
Pension
Aug 1832
No. 5489
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[doc is written; page 1 of multi-page doc]
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act
of Congress of June 7th 1832
State of Masschusetts}
County of Hampden ss} 
On this Eighth day of August AD 1832 personally
appeared before the Hon Oliver B Morris Judge of the
Court of Probate within & for the county of Hampden
Benjamin Sherman of Brimfield in said county
of Hampden aged 67 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 provision made by the act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832:
That he made application for a Pension and was
placed on the Pension Roll under the [inserted] act of 18th March
1818, but was afterwards struck off on [inserted] account of property,
and the Evidence of his service in the army of
Revolution has been transmitted to the War Department;
that he enlisted into the army of the Revolution
in the service of the United States in January 1871 as
he thinks on the fourth day of that month for the term
of three years & served in the first [underlined] Regiment of the
line of Massachusetts as a private soldier till the latter
part of Oct 1783; that the officers under whom he
served were Col. Joseph Vose, Lieutenant Col. Vose (he thinks
his name was Elijah Vose) and Major Pettingell
that at the time of his enlistment Captain John
Mills commanded the company which he joined
but that previous to his discharge a Capt. Remick
was substituted for Capt. Mills by their exchanging
Companies that he served near the North
River until the summer of 1783 when the Regiment
to which he belonged was sent to Philadelphia
in consequence of a mutiny among the Pennsylvania
Troops; that he lived in Brimfield in
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[doc is written; page 2 of multi-page doc]
the County of Hampden when he entered
the army & has resided there ever since
he was discharged in Oct 1783. & that the time
he was in the army was about two years &
nine months
He hereby relinquishes every claim
whatever to a pension or annuity except
the present & he hereby declares that his name is
not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State
only on that of the agency of the State of
Massachusetts
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Benjamin Sherman [different handwriting]

And the said Court of Probate do hereby declare
their opinion that the above named applicant
was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states

I Justin Willard Register of the Court of Probate
aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceeding of the said Court in the
Matter of the application of Benjamin
Sherman for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and the [inserted] seal of said Court this
eighth day of August in the year of our 
Lord one thousand eight hundred and
thirty two
Justin Willard [preceding 2 paragraphs in different handwriting]
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[doc is written & folded]
Please direct to Francis B. Stebbins Esq
Brimfield [underlined]  Hampden Co
Mass.
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[doc is written & folded]
Benjn Sherman
2741 Brimfield [written in pencil]
22 Sept 1818
Not Entd [written in pencil]
Mar 1819
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[doc is printed, folded & written; page 1 of multi-page doc; doc is top portion of longer doc]
COMMONWEALTH OF [eagle motif] MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY of Hampden [written] 88.
On this tenth [written] day of July [written] 1820, personally appeared, in open court, before the Circuit [2 words written]
Court of Common Pleas [3 words written] the same being a Court of Record and so established by a Statute of said Commonwealth, said
Court being now in session at Springfield [written] within and for said county of Hampden [written]
Benjamin Sherman [name written] aged fifty five [2 words written] years, resident in Brimfield said county [3 words written]
first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: [following is written] that he enlisted in the United States Service
in the Revolutionary war as a soldier on the 4th of January 1781 that he belonged to a company which when he
joined the army in May 1781 was Commanded by Capt Mills belonging to the first Massachusetts Regiment
of the Massachusetts line Commanded by Col Vose--that he served in said Company Commanded a part of
the time by said Mills & a part of it by Capt Remick untill the latter end of October 1783 & then received an
honorable discharge which is lost--that he Joined the Army at West Point & was stationed there
a part of the time of his service and a part of it near White Plains--That his original application
for a pension was dated April 30th 1818 that the number of his Certificate is 1741-- that he is farmer
his Family Consisting of an infirm Father unable to Labour aged 82--of an aged infirm sickly mother
in Law receiving yearly assistance from the Town for her support and a Wife unable to do much Labour
on account of being deprived of her eye sight aged 50-- of one son aged 22 who considers himself a hired
man & one other son aged ten--who for six years past has been very infirm on account of Accidently
dislocating his back bone--and that on account of the infirmities of his Family he is obliged to keep a
boy and Girl to assist them Continually -- and that were his Family all well & able to Labour the
income of his property would not more than support them---and as they are will not do it by Considerably at least one hundred & fifty Dollars by the year--with what the said Sherman is able to do himself

[following is printed]
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 the 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
SCHEDULE [doc continued on next page]
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[doc is printed and written; page 2 of multi-page doc] 
[following is printed; portions are duplicated from previous page]
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 the 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
SCHEDULE
Real Estate 133 1/3 Acres at $12 per Acre ..... |$1600.
Personal do} one yoke Oxon $50, one yoke 3 year old $40, four cows $54--one three year old steer $12... |156.
one two year old $10, one bull $10, three yearlings $16, three calves $9,--24 sheep $20, one old horse$20...| 85
3 swine $12, one cart $25, one old waggon & harness. $6, one sleigh $8, two old plows $2 ...| 53.
2 old harrows $2, 3 old chains $2, pair horse chains $1, one old [illegible] $1, one winnowing Mill $4...| 10.
2 dung fork, one shovel, 2 pitch fork, 3 rakes $1.50--2 hose 50 ct...| 2.
2 Axes $1.50, one butle & wedge $0.50--2 ox yokes $1, two old sci[illegible] - 2 scythes & snaths $1...| 4.
1 iron bar $1, one grind stone $2.50, --500 feet chestnut boards $2, one old saddle $3....| 8.50
1 Grass Cutter $0.50, --12 kitchen chairs $2.50, 3 dining chairs $1, --a 3 foot table $1, one four foot do $1 ...| 6.
1 Candle stand 50ct, one can of drawers $2.50, -- 2 old chests $1, slice & tongs $1, 2 pr [illegible] irons $1.50....| 6.50
2 flats $0.75, 5 qart iron kettle $1.75, 2 qart pot $1, one tea kettle $0.50, one old brass kettle $1.75 ....| 5.75
1 small iron kettle 34cts--one skillet 20 cts--one gun $3, brass candle stick 50cts--one looking glass $1.67 ...| 5.71
1 Cheese tub-50cts--one churn $0.25--3 pails $0.50--9 Milk pans $0.75, one  grid iron $0.50--one foot stool $0.34...| 2.84
1 pewter platter 34cts, 9 plates $1, one old loom $1.50--4 old Baskets $1, one Side Saddle $2.... | 5.84
14 Cyder Barrells $2.25--10 old dry cork 34 cts--one med chest $1, Crach[illegible] & cookware $2... | 5.54
1 black tin tea pot 50 cts... | .50 [last figure in this column is underlined]
The debts due to Mr B Sherman amount to Eighty two Dollars 87/100 ....| 1957.23 [entire line is underlined]
The debts due from him amount to 181 Dollars--Balance of debt against him is $98.13
Benjamin Sherman [different handwriting]
Sworn to and declared on the tenth [written] day of July 1820 [2 words written] before The Circuit Court of Comman Pleas [6 words written]
attest John Ingersoll Clerk [line written]

I John Ingersoll [name written] Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the County aforesaid do hereby certify, that
the foregoing 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 Nineteen hundred fifty seven [4 words written] Dollars and twenty three [2 words written]
Cents, exclusive of the debt as indicated in sd schedule
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, on this fourteenth [written] day of July [written] 1820
John Ingersoll {Clerk of the Court for the County
{of Hampden
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[doc is printed, written, folded & soiled]
30100
INVALID
Revy
[line] 
File No. 30,100
Benjamin Sherman
Pri Rev War
[line]
Act: June 7th 32
Index:--Vol. 2, Page 366
"[Arrangement of 1870]"
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[doc is printed, written & folded]
(2,741)
Massachusetts Roll
[double line]
Benjamin Sherman
private/
Massachusetts line -- 1781  3 years/ [underlined]
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War [double underlined]
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts [written]
at the rate of eight [written] Dollars per month, to commence on
the 30th [written] of April 1818 [2 words written]
[double line]
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 [written] of Sept 1818 [2 words written]
and forwarded to Samuel [3 words written]
Putnam Esq Salem Massts [line written]
[double line]
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818               |$33.33 [date & figure written]
Semi-anl, allce ending 4 Mar: 1819   |48.00 [figure double underlined]
Arrs 4 Mos 5 ds                                 |81.33 [figure double underlined]

"{Revolutionary claim,}"
"{Act 18th March, 1818.}"

not entitled [written in pencil]

Brimfield,
Brim [crossed out] Hampden Co
Page 14

[doc is written & folded; remnant of seal lower left area]
Notification sent July 29th 1820 to
John Ingersoll Springfield Massts
Page 15

[doc is written & folded]
[left fold]
Benjamin Sherman
of
Brimfield

[right fold] 
payable on the 4th of March
& 4th Septemr of each
year at the Branch
Bank of the U States
in Boston Masstts

Recorded [underlined]
Page 16

[doc is printed & written]
Revolutionary Claim [line written]
I CERTIFY, That in conformity with the Law of the UNITED STATES,
of the 18th of March 1818 [line written]
Benjamin Sherman [name written] late a private [written] in the
army of the Revolution [line written]
in inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts [written] Agency,
at the rate of eight---[written] dollars --- cents per month,
to commence on the thirtieth [written] day of April [written] one thousand eight
hundred and eighteen [written]
GIVEN at the WAR OFFICE of the UNITED STATES,
this twentysecond [written] day of September [written]
one thousand eight hundred and eighteen [written]
J.C. Calhoun [different handwriting]
Secry of War
Page 17

[doc is written & folded] 
[left fold]
Mass
Benja Sherman {illegible]
Apl 30 1818
not on Rolls [line crossed out]
S. Putnam Esq
DN Salem
Admitted

[following is written vertically along left margin]
Benja Sher=
=man. ---
Page 18

[doc is written]
Benjamin Sherman of Brimfield,
in the county of Hampden & 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts--
deposes and declares
That he enlisted into the army
of the United States-- as a common
soldier, on the fourth day of January
A.D. 1781 for three years--That he
belonged to the first Massachusetts 
Regiment, commanded by Colo Vose &
to a company, commanded a part of
the time by Capt Mills & the Remainder
of the time by Capt Remick--That
he served out the term of his enlistment,
lacking 2 Months--and on
the 27th of October 1783 he received an
honorable discharge signed by Genl
Knox which discharge is lost--
That he is fifty two [inserted] years of age---
April 30 1818
Benjamin Sherman [name in different handwriting]

I certify depose and declare That
I have, for many years, been acquainted
with the above named Benjamin
Sherman--That he served as a
soldier the above time--That I was
in the service with him and belonged
to the same Regiment--
Apr 30}      Christopher Ward [name in different handwriting]
1818}
Page 19

[doc is written]
SW
And the Declarant further saith that by reason of
reduced circumstances in life, he stands in need
of assistance from his Country--& relinquishes all
claim to any Pension to which he might by law 
be entitled---   Benjamin Sherman [name in different handwriting]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden ss.  May 1. 1818 Then the written named
Benjamin Sherman and Christopher
Ward personally appeared before me Samuel
Putnam one of the Justices of the Supreme
Judicial Court of said Commonwealth--and
made oath to the truth of the Declaration &
affidavit aforesaid by them respectively, written
before me--And it appearing to my satisfaction
that the said Benjamin Sherman
served more than nine months [illegible] for
three years at one period of the revolutionary
war on the continental establishment
in the revolutionary war against the common
enemy; I do transmit the testimony in
the case to the secretary of the War 
Department.
Given under my hand
and the seal of said Court this first day of
May A.D. 1818    S. Putnam Just
S.J. Court of Masst
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[doc is written; page 1 of multi-page doc; doc contains many ink blots & is difficult to transcribe; doc consists of 3 sub-docs the middle of which is partially covered by the last doc]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden April 30 1818   I John Ingersoll
Clerk of all the Judicial Courts
of said Commonwealth for said County
of Hampden do certify That Samuel
Putnam is a Justice of the Supreme
Judicial Court of said Commonwealth
That the above signature is his proper
handwriting and that the seal hereto 
affixed is the proper seal of said Court
Attest  John Ingersoll Clerk

additional Proof--- [line underlined]
Jesse Parker of Brimfield County of
Hampden and Commonwealth of
Massachusetts deposes, testifies & 
declares, That Benjamin Sherman
of said Brimfield joined the army
of the United States during the [remainder of doc covered up]

I John Ingersoll Clerk of the
Sup Judicial Court of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts do certify
That Stephen Pynchon Esq is a Justice
of the Peace within and for the County
of Hampden duly commissioned and
qualified to Administer oaths--That
the Signature to the within [inserted] [illegible]
is his proper hand writing
July 8}
1818}    John Ingersoll [different handwriting] } Clerk--
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[doc is written; copy of top portion of previous doc]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden April 30 1818 I John Ingersoll
Clerk of all the Judicial Courts
of said Commonwealth for said County
of Hampden do certify That Samuel
Putnam is a Justice of the Supreme
Judicial Court of said Commonwealth
That the above signature is his proper
handwriting and that the seal hereto
affixed is the proper seal of said Court
Attest John Ingersoll Clerk
Page 22

[doc is written; numerous ink blots; copy of incomplete middle portion of previous doc]

additional Proof--- [line underlined]
Jesse Parker of Brimfield County of
Hampden and Commonwealth of
Massachusetts deposes, testifies &
declares, That Benjamin Sherman
of said Brimfield joined the army
of the United States during the
Revolutionary War, as a Common
soldier against the Common Enemy
in the the Frth of May A.D. 1781 & 
served the United States in that capacity
from that time to October A.D.
1783. at which time he was honorably
discharged & returned home
the same day with myself--- I joined
the army at the same time he did--- July 8.1818
Jesse Parker [different handwriting]

Commonwealth
of Massachusetts Hampden ss July 8
1818  personally appeared Jesse Parker
subscriber to the above deposition
and Made oath to the truth of the
same--the said Jesse [ink blot] a person
sustaining a good character for veracity
and truth & I verily believe is a person
disinterested. Stephen Pynchon Justice
of the Peace [line underlined]
Page 23

[doc is written; numerous ink blots; top portion of this doc is copy of a pervious doc]

I John Ingersoll Clerk of the
Sup Judicial Court of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts do certify
That Stephen Pynchon Esq is a Justice
of the Peace within and for the County
of Hampden duly commissioned and
qualified to Administer oaths--That
the Signature to the within [inserted] [illegible]
is his proper hand writing
July 8}
1818} John Ingersoll [different handwriting] } Clerk--

I Abner Morgan of Brimfield County of
Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts
depose, testify & say---That Benjamin
Sherman before named is in reduced
circumstances in life in my opinion [3 words inserted] & needs assistance
from his country for support
July 8 1818   Abner Morgan [name in different handwriting]

Hampden ss  July 8 1818 Sworn to
by Abner Morgan Esq above named
before me Stephen Pynchon
Justice of the
Peace
I also certify that
Abner Morgan is a credible disin=
=terested witness
Stephen Pynchon Jus Peace

[following is written vertically along the left margin]
Jesse Parker
depon for
B. Sherman
Page 24

[doc is written; numerous ink blots]
I certify That Christopher Ward & Jesse
Parker and Abner Morgan Esq---
are [ink blot] and [ink blot] and disinterested Witnesses;
that it appears to my satisfaction that the
above named Sherman served on the continental
establishment in the Revolutionary Army
against the common Enemy at one period
of continued service of more than nine months [6 words inserted] -- It also appears
to my satisfaction that said Sherman is
in reduced circumstances and stands in
need of Assistance from his Country for Support--
Given under my hand & the
seal of said Court this 30th day of
July A.D. 1818
S. Putnam } Justice of the Sup. Judl Court of Massachusetts