Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17820, for Benjamin Skinner, Vermont
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(3 - 1776 )
SERVICE
Conn
Vt
Skinner, Benjamin 
Sarah
NUMBER W. 17820
CONTENTS
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4080
Vermont
Sarah Skinner
widow of
Benjamin Skinner
who died on the 25 March 1813
of Windsor, in the State of Vermont
who was a fifer & Co in the Co
commanded
by Captain Conn of the
commanded by
in the
line for 8 mo 25 Days
Inscribed on the Roll of Montpelier
at the rate of 32 Dollars 37
Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20" day of Septem
1844
and Sent to H. H. Sylvester, Charles Town N.H
Arrears to the 4th of
Semiannual allowance ending
Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 30
Recorded by F. L. Swan Clerk
Book C Vol. A Page 45
1890
Oct 4 B M Skinner history Prior
Rep
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4092
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State of Vermont,
District of Windsor ss.

On this eleventh day of January, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty four, personally appeared before the Probate Court in and for the District of Windsor aforesaid, Sarah Skinner, a resident of Windsor, in
the  county of Windsor and state of Vermont, aged eighty four years in June last past, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the bene-fit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836.
That she is the widow of Benjamin Skinner, late of Windsor, deceased, who was a Fifer and Private, as she believes, in the war of the Revolution; that he first enlisted at Mansfield in the state of connecticut, in the month of May or June in the year, seventeen hundred and seventy-five, for the term of eight or nine months and marched immediately to
the vicinity of Boston, was in the Battle of Bunker Hill, and continued in the service of the United States to the end of his term, when he returned to said Mansfield, but she cannot now tell the names of his officers; that she saw the said Benjamin when on his march for Boston, and again saw him on his return, and have frequently heard him relate circumstances of his taking care of the sick and wounded after that Battle. That according to her best information and belief, her said husband again entered the service of the United States at Pomfret in the state of Vermont, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven, marched to Saratoga in the State of New York, was at the taking of Gen.
Burgoyne, and was absent some two or three months, as she now thinks. And that he again volunteered as a Private in said service in the
fall of the year seventeen hundred and eighty, and marched from said Pomfret to Royalton and Bethel, to repel the Indians at the
burning of Royalton, and was stationed at Bethel, Vermont about two weeks, during which time she remained alone at said Pomfret.
She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Skinner, on the thirtieth day of March in the year, seventeen hund-red
and seventy nine, at Woodstock in the state of Connecticut, by Jed-ediah Morse, a Justice of the Peace, her former name being Sarah
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Manning; that her husband, the aforesaid Benjamin Skinner, died on the twenty fifth day of March, in the year, one thousand eight
hundred and thirteen; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the
proofs hereto annexed.
Sarah Skinner
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Sarah Skinner on this 11th day of January A.D. 1844, before me. Thomas F. Hammond Judge of said Probate Court.
I, John O. Skinner of Windsor, in the county of Windsor and state of Vermont, aged nearly fifty six years, being duly sworn, do de-pose
and say, that I am a son of Benjamin Skinner above named, and Sarah Skinner who has subscribed the foregoing Declaration in
my presence; that from my earliest recollection, up to the death of my said Father on the 25th day of March, 1813, the said Benjamin and Sarah constantly lived together in the relation of husband and wife, and I never doubted but that they were legally
married; that ever since the death of the said Benjamin, the said Sarah has ever remained, and now is sole and unmarried.
Windsor Jan. 11th 1844.
John O Skinner

Sworn to and subscribed this 11th day of January, 1844.
Before me Thomas F. Hammond, Judge of Probate.
State of Vermont, 
District of Windsor, ss. ⎬ I, Thomas F. Hammond, Judge of the Probate Court
 in and for said district, do hereby certify, that
satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said court, that Benjamin Skinner died at Windsor in said district, in the year eighteen hundred and thirteen, on the 25th day of March and that he left a widow whose name is Sarah Skinner, now residing in Windsor.
Witness my hand and the seal of said Court, at Windsor in said
district, this 11th day of January, A.D. 1844
Thomas F. Hammond, Judge.
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State of Vermont ⎬
District of Windsor ss.
I, Thomas F. Hammond, Judge of the Probate Court in and for the district of Windsor aforesaid do hereby certify that Sarah Skinner who has sworn to and subsc-ribed the foregoing declaration, and John O. Skinner who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing affidavit, are persons of truth and veracity, and that the statements by them respectively made, are entitled to full credit and belief.
Thomas F. Hammond, Judge.

State of Vermont, ⎬ 
District of Windsor ss. ⎬I, Salmon F. Dutton, Register of the Probate Court for the district of Windsor aforesaid, hereby certify that Thomas F. Hammond, before whom the foregoing Declaration of Sarah Skin-ner was sworn to and subscribed, and before whom the foregoing affidavit of
John P. Skinner was sworn to and subscribed, and who has subscribed the fore-going certificate of the death of Benjamin Skinner, is Judge of the Probate Court for said district of Windsor, which Probate Court is a Court of
Record; and that the signature annexed to the foregoing certificate of the oath of the said Declarant and affiant, and to the certificate of the death of the said Benjamin Skinner, purporting to be the signature of him the said Thomas F. Hammond, are his his own proper and genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court, and subscribed my name at Cavendish in said district, this twenty second day of January, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty four.
Salmon F. Dutton, Register
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Marriage
Prupet ct
Feb 2
John P Skinner
Windsor Vermont
12 1/2
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The follow is an extract from the record of marriages for
the Town of Woodstock in the County of Windham and
State of Connecticut
Benjamin Skinner and Sarah Manning both of Woodstock were married March thirtieth one thousand seven hundred seventy nine by Jedediah Morse Justice of the Peace.
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed
on the record in fair legible figures as follows
March 30th 1779.
Wheeler Phillips Town Clerk of
said Woodstock
I Wheeler Phillips above named depose and say that
I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town of Woodstock
County and State aforesaid, and that the above is a
true extract from the records of said town, with the
exception above named as certified by me
Woodstock Jan. 22nd 1844 Wheeler Phillips Town Clerk of
said Town

Sworn before me
John F. Williams Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut
Windham County ⎬ ss.
I Uriel Fuller Clerk of the County Court for sd Windham County in the State aforesd do hereby certify that John F. Williams Esq is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his Commission bears date the 8th day of June 1843 & will expire on the 20th day of June 1844. I further certify that I verily believe the above signature purporting to be his is genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court this first day of February A.D. 1844
Uriel Fuller Clerk
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Pomfret Feb. 1st 1844 Mr J. P. Skinner 
sir I have just come from Brookin to the post office and have got your business executed. I have paid out 2 Dols 10 Cents and spent 3 Days in riding I hope your mother will be so fortunate as to obtain her Pension It is the opinion of Jude Eaton she must testify before the Probate Judge She still remains a widow & has not been married since your fathers death 
yours in hast. Wm. H Manning
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6092 
Sarah Skinner 
Act July 4th '36 
add 
8 m. 25 ds
[illegible]
$32.37 per an 

H.H. Sylvester Esq
Charlestown to N. H.
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11092 Feby 13 1844 
Sarah Skinner 
4 July 1836
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Windsor February 8th 1844.
Dear Sir
It is the desire of Mrs. Skinner, the Appli-cant, that Henry H. Sylvester Esq. should have the charge of her application within contd - 
Most respectfully, 
Your Obedient Servt
Thomas F. Hammond

 J. L. Edwards, Esq. 
Commr of Pensions.
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Rev 
WIDOW, &c. 
No. 17820 
Sarah Skinner 
Widow of  Benjamin Skinner
 Corp. Rev. War
Act: July 4th 1836
: Vol. M. Page 216 
[Arrangement of 1870.
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State of Vermont 
Secretary of State's Office 
Montpelier January 13. 1844 
I hereby certify that there is or file in this Office a paper purporting to be a Pay Roll of Capt Joshua Hazen's Company of Militia, under the command of Col. Peter Olcott, in the service of Vermont State, from the time of engaging until their discharge by the commanding officer of the Northern Department"; on which Roll is the name of Benjamin Skinner Corpl ," with an allowance for thirty four days service, commencing September 23d. The said Pay Roll was approved June 12th, 1778. 
Also, ""A Pay Roll of Capt. Edmund Hodges' Company for service done at Fort Fortitude by order of Col. Joseph Safford from the town of Pomfret and Hartford, in October 1780;" On which roll is the name of "Fifer Benjamin Skinner," with an allowance for fourteen days service: Which said Roll appears to have been duly approved.
In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of this office this 13th day of January A.D. 1844.
Ferrand F. Merrill 
Deputy, Secretary of State
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Proof of the Service of [illegible] Skinner [illegible]
No. 1843 
To be filed with Mrs Skinners papers from [illegible] July 4 1826 [illegible] Feb [illegible]

[illegible] Mr Hammond [illegible]
Act July 4 46
H H. Sylvester

[upside down] Sylvester Esq Washington D.C.
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Benjn Skinner
Went into the service room Mansfield  [illegible] when 20 years old and his [illegible] he fight as a fifer I think for 8 months next to Boston. This I was [illegible]

[different handwriting]
This mess [illegible] be G.M. Manni
Co of Windsor [illegible] on Aug 1843
and upon the statement [illegible]
[illegible] the County of Hartford
H.H. [illegible

[different handwriting]
State of Connecticut
Comptrollers Office Hartford 31st Oct.
evidence of the service
it is alleged "went into
[illegible] from Marshfield Conn
[illegible] search the records
[illegible]
There is "a Pay Roll
by order off the [illegible]
on file, on which
Skinner Fifer, [illegible]
[illegible] Dec 16th in service
[illegible] and regressed [illegible]
the name of Benjn Skinner
[illegible]
P.S. There is no Marshfield in Connecticut there is a "Mansfield"
26.52 
6
$159.12
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[math calculations]

6
4
24

52
22
74
22
296
148
1776
18.72
3648
28.80
9.68

6
3
18

104
18
832
104
1872
2
37.44

648
18.72
45.20
28.80
1640
8.20
48
60
2880

48[illegible]

Benj Skinner
Widow [illegible]
[illegible initials]
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State of Connecticut 
Comptrollers Office 
Hartford 31st Oct
On application for evidence of the service of Benjamin Skinner, who it is alleged "went into the service in 1775 as a fifer from Marshfield Conn and served 8 mo",  I have searched the records of this office & find as follows - 
There is "a Pay Roll of the 2[illegible6[illegible3[illegible] Regt [illegible] by order of the [illegible] May 1775 on file, in which there is this entry " Benjn Skinner Fifer, [illegible] enlisted May 9th - [illegible] dischg on Dec 16th in service 7 mo 7 days." This company and regiment was commanded by Lt. Col. [illegible]
 I do not find the name of Benjn Skinner on any other Pay Roll.
Gideon Welles Capt.
P.S. There is no "Marshfield" in Connecticut but there is a "Mansfield."

[math calculation on side] 22.66 plus .86 equals 26.[illegible writing at top of document upside down]
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SIr
[illegible] of the 16th was need when I was absent from the State, I do not find Benjamin Skinner on any other Pay Roll, although I have made a thorough search.
The fee for this search and certificate is two dollars.
Very Respectfully 
Gideon Welles

H.H. Sylvester Esq. 
Mr. [illegible] wishes to know if you desire that he should pay the fee and says he will do it if required
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B M Skinner Ohio
Augt 5 1890 
Benjn Skinner Conn
One found 

[postmark] US PENSION OFFICE AUG 7 1890

[illegible writing at left of document]
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19,778

Pomeroy Meigs Co. O. Aug 5/890 Genl G.B. Raum
Comr of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 
Dear Sir 
I would most respectfully ask of you for the Army record of my ancestor who served in the war of the Revolution. My Great Grandfather, Benjamin Skinner and his son Benjaminine Skinner, (my Grand Father) were both soldiers of the Revolutionary war. They resided at Woodstock Conn. after the close of the war Grandfather Married Sarah Maning and moved to Windsor Vt. where they lived and died. Grandfather died when he was about sixty years of age, but Grandmother Skinner lived to be nearly one hundred years of age and received Grandfathers Pension during her life. what little I know of my ancestors in what Grand mother Skinner used to tell me when a Boy, that Grandfather Skinner enlisted at the age of seventeen, was in the Battle of Bunker Hill and did not return to Woodstock for Five years and ranked as Captain.
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Grandmothers Maiden name was Sarah Manning, her Father Capt Manning and her Brothers were all soldiers of theRevolution. I can't remember their sir names, but they enlisted from Woodstock Conn, Grandmother often told me that the men and Boys were all away in the Army, that she had to work the farm, and in the winter harness her team go to the woods cut and haul wood, not only for herself but for many of the neighbors. My mother ancestors names were Drake, her Mother My (Grandmothers) Maiden name was Mary Drake. Her Father(my Great  Grandfather) was Capt or Admiral Drake, and served in the Navy, commanded a Privateer during the Revolutionary war. He had captured several Prizes and was on her return voyage when he was Shipwrecked and lost his life. 
His son Samuel Drake (Grandmothers Brother) was also a soldier of the Revolution, and during the war died of yellow fever in the City of New York, at his death he gave his uniform to his sister Mary Drake, afterwards My Grandmother, from his uniform I think he must have been a Field officer. 
The house of the Drakes was at Hartford Conn.
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where they lived during the war of the Revolution.
Benjamin Skinner Great Grand Father Benjaminine Skinner Grandfather Capt Manning Great Grandfather and his sons all residing at Woodstock Conn.  during the war.
Capt Drake of the Navy Gt Grandfather His son Col. Samuel Drake resided at Hartford Conn. during the war of the Revolution, any Information will gladly recd. with thanks. 
Most Respectfully yours 
Maj B.M. Skinner