Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12549, Benjamin Convers, Conn.
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Conn  Benjamin Convers  $12549  carded
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Connecticut 9235
Benjamin Convers of Ashford, in the state of Conn. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain J Green of the regiment commanded by Col McClellan in the militia for 8 months
records corrected Sept 19/05 
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 26 dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of April 1833 and sent to Ichabod Bulkley, Ashford, Connecticut
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833  53.32
Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept  53 13.33 
Total $ 66.65

Revolutionary Claim Act June 7th 1832
Recorded by Francis F Franciosi, Clerk
Book   Vol 3rd Page 7
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contains the original
X
my hand and and affixed the seal of said
In testimony whereof I have hereunto to
said Court in the matter of the application of
Armin Bolles Clake of the County Court within and
for the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut do
1
Court this 25 day of July A.D. 1832
Armin Bolles Clerk
of
of the
Benjamin Convers for a pension
hereby certify that the foregoing
proceedings
Benjamin Corners
No. 12
No 2.848
to
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State of Connecticut
County of Windham,         Ashford July 23rd 1832
on this 23rd day of July 1832 personally
appeared in open court before the county court being a court of ____ for the county of Windham now sitting Benjamin Convers a resident of Ashford in the county of Windham and state of Connecticut aged eighty 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 7th 1832 
That he entered the service of the United States as volunteer soldier under the command of Captain John Green of Thompson in the county of Windham  ______ in the month of April 1775 a few days after the battle of Lexington was fought.
was stationed at Roxbury near Boston and served from the time of his departure from Thompson _____, the place of his then residence a term of three weeks. 
He further states in the fall of 1776 according to the best of his recollection in September of said year he was drafted by Captain John Green of Thompson _____ to Providence in the state of Rhode Island. Served in Captain Clough's Company of Militia and in Colonel McClellan's regiment a period of six weeks was engaged in guarding the ____ and building entrenchments on the ______ _______ Was then a resident of Thompson ________ .
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He further states that in the forepart of November 1777 he was drafted to the State of New York and served under Captain John Green of Thompson as an aide, made a stand at Horse Neck about two months to guard the shore, when he was ordered to New London in the State of Connecticut and there was engaged in guarding the fort and returned     to Thompson the place of his then residence the forepart of March following having served at Horse Neck and New-London at least four months. He said he then thought a little over that time. It was in the Militia company in which said Convers served. 

He further states that about the middle of July 1780 he was drafted to New Port in the State of Rhode Island, served under Captain Cody of Killingly in the county of Windham as an aide and was stationed at Tower Hill so called near New-Port to guard the shore and after a period of two months service he returned to Killingly in the County of Windham as an aide the then place of his residence. I was born in September in the year 1751 have a record at home in my family Bible-I have no written discharges. He refers to Ezekiel Skinner and  Stephan F Palmer who can testify as to his character for truth and veracity.
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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
He says he has no documentary evidence
and knows of no person living whose testimony
he can procure who can testify to his service
above stated
Benjamin Convers
We Ezekiel Skinner a clergyman residing
in the town of Ashford in Windham County
and Stephen F Palmer residing in said Ashford
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Benjamin Corvers who has subscribed and
sworn to the above declaration that we
believe him to be eighty years of age that
he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood
where he resides to have been a revo
lutionary soldier and that we concur
in that opinion
Ezekiel Skinner
Stephen F. Palmer
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Conn. Convers, Benjamin  S12549
carded
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State of Connecticut
County of Windham. 
S.S. Asford January 14th 1833 

On this 14th day of January 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for the District of Ashford aforesaid now sitting Benjamin Converse a resident of Ashford in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut - aged Eighty one years who
being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following supplemental declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That in addition to what he has heretofore stated would further state in relation to his first term of service. That when he left Thompson in the month of April 1775 he
started as volunteer soldier with only about half of his company with him, leaving
behind many of the company officers. He recollects that Captain John Green of said Thompson commanded that portions of the Company in which he served and as Joslen was sergeant, does not recollect that there were any other Company Officers with him. Those of us who started started voluntarily without any oficial orders and when we arrived at Roxbury, did not join any regiment.
He recollects that Colonel McClellan of Woodstock Connecticut Served there at that time. He cannot from the loss of memory state the names of any other officers. After serving there three weeks orders came to
discharge all but seven men out of our company the others not being needed as was thought at that time. I was then dismissed and returned home to Thompson.

In relation to his second term of service he would further state that in the fall of 1776 he was drafted to Providence in Rhode Island-
marched from Thompson according to the best of his recollection in the month of September in said year under the command of Captain John Greene and Lieutenant
Dwight, both of Thompson. Ensign Nichols belonged to Captain Green's Company but whether he served with
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 us in this Tour I cannot state. When we arrived at Providence, we joined the regiment under the command of Colonel McClellan of Woodstock was employed on fatigue building entrenchments, guarding H. having served a period of six weeks I was dismissed and returned home to Thompson. In relation to his third term of service he would further
state that in the first of November 1777 he
was drafted to the State of New York - Marched from Thompson to Horse Neck in New York under the command of Captain John Green, Lieutenant Dwight and Ensign Gay who were the company officers
and joined no regiment at Neck but made a stand there about two months when we were ordered to New London and there joined the regiment under the command of Colonel Ely of Lime, The reason we were ordered to New London was that British shipping were moving off towards New London. After a period of four months service at Horse Neck and New London was dismissed and returned home in the month of March following.
In relation to the fourth term of service he
would further state that in the month of
July 1780 he was drafted to New Port in the
State of Rhode Island. Marched from Killingly
County of Windham under the command of Capt. [Captain] Cade, Lieutenant Warren and Ensign Gay to Tower Hill so called opposite New-Port, was then stationed to guard the shore. Colonel Barton of Providence
commanded the Regiment. Served there a period of two months and in September following was dismissed and returned to Killingly.
He has no documentary evidence and knows
of no person living who can testify to any
or either of the terms of service in the forgoing
declaration or to any or either of the terms of
service stated in the declaration march before
the County Court of the County of Windham
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the 23d day of July 1832 to which declaration
the above and forgoing is a supplement.
When called into service, the first, second and third times above stated, I resided in Thompson in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut- the fourth time he entered the service he resided in Killingly County of Windham aforesaid. Since the Revolutionary War I have lived in Providence Rhode Island, in Union Connecticut, in Manson County of Hamden and State of Massachusetts from which place I removed to Ashen when I now live--
The first time I entered the service I was a volunteer private, in all the rest of the terms of service I was drafted as a private.
I have stated the same in my forgoing declaration the names of all the regular officers with the troops when I served that I can now recollect and the general circumstances of my service.
I never received a written discharge.
I have stated in my first declaration that
in my second tour of service therein stated
I served under Captain Clough. On further
reflection, have become convinced that I served under Captain Green in said term of service and have so stated in this my declaration
Benjamin Convers
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid before the Court of Probate for the District of Ashford in the County of Windham
and State of Connecticut
Attest. Benj. C. Simmons Clerk
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And the said Court do hereby declare there opinion after the investigation of the matter and after puttingthe interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the within named applicant was a revolutionary soldier
and served as he states.
Attest. Benj C. Simmons Clerk

I Benj C. Simmons Clerk of the Court of Probate
within and for the District of Ashford in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original supplemental proceedings of the said Court of Probate in the matter of the application of Benjamin Converse for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of said Court this 14th day of January
A.D. 1833-
Benjamin C. Simmons Clerk
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July 27, 1931
Mrs. Grace M. Winnagle
267 Belmont St.
Warren, Ohio
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
MCS

Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 12549, that Benjamin Covers was
born in September, 1751, place not stated.

While a resident of Thompson, Connecticut, he enlisted in April, 1775, a few days after the battle of Lexington, and served three weeks as private in Captain John Green's Connecticut regiment. He enlisted in September, 1776, and served six weeks as private in Captain Clough's company in Colonel McClellan's Connecticut regiment. He enlisted in November, 1777, and served four months as private in Captain John Green's company in Colonel Ely's Connecticut regiment. While living in Killingly, Connecticut, he enlisted in July, 1780, and served two months as private in Captain Cady's Connecticut company.

After the Revolution he lived in Providence, Rhode Island, in Union, Connecticut, in Monson, Hampden County, Massachusetts,
and in Ashford, Connecticut.

He was allowed pension on his application executed July 23, 1832, at which time he was living in Ashford, Connecticut.

The papers in this pension claim contain no data relative to the soldier's family,

The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to afford any information in regard to a Sarah Converse who received pension as the widow of a Benjamin Converse.
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No charge is made for furnishing this information and one dollar, the amount of your enclosure, will be refunded in due time.

Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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Pension Agency
Hartford 20th Oct 1836

Sir
Twelve months pension being due to Benjamin
Convers-- and more than two years having elapsed since application has been made for the Pension of Stephen Peck their papers are herewith enclosed & transmitted for your special directions authorizing the payment

I am very Respectfully 
your Obdt Servt
??? Dodd
Agent

J. L. Edwards, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
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Benjamin Convers

8 Mo Private
$26.66
Ichabod Bulkley
Ashford
Ct.

Page 81
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Benjamin Converse which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?

V. Has he mentioned 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?

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
         No

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
        In general terms only. It does not appear whether there are survivors after several terms which unit he stated.

XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
       3 subrequirement P

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an 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."
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  It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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 his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
  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 of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which be 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.

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
  In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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In reply to your request of _______, received _______ for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Convers, 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.  
S. File 12549

DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.

LENGTH OF
SERVICE.

RANK.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain, Colonel, Staff

After bat. Lex.
Apl. [April], 1775; 3 weeks; Pri. [Private]; John Green; ----; Conn.

Sept. [September], 1776; 6 weeks; Pri. [Private]; Clough; McClellan; Conn.

Nov. [November], 1777; 4 months; Pri. [Private]; John Green; Ely: ----; Conn.

July, 1780; 2  months; Pri. [Private]; Cady, Lt. [Lieutenant] Warren, Ens. [Ensign] Gay; ----; Conn.

Col. [Colonel] Barton is omitted because he was a R. I. [Rhode Island]  officer commanding the various troops of R.I.

Battles engaged in, _________
Residence of soldier at enlistment: Thompson, Conn. 
Date of application for pension: July 23, 1832
Residence at date of application: Ashford, Windham Co, Conn.
Age at date of application, born in Sept. 1751
Remarks: No data as to family ?????for death thereof.
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Mrs R. Winnagle
267 Belmont St
Warren Ohio

Bureau of Pensions
Department of Revolutionary and war of 1812 soldiers
Gentlemen; Kindly place this letter and enclosed cash, in the hands of some one who
will make me an immediate reply on the following.
  On Sarah Converse, who in the census of 1840 is listed as a pensioner of Stafford Tolland County Connecticut, complete data desired, IF SHE WAS WIFE OF BENJAMIN CONVERSE.
   Complete data on Benjamin Converse, who in 1832 was a pensioner residing in Windham County Connecticut,
  
 Thanking you for the favor I am
     Very Respectfully
     Grace M Winnagle        29382

July 20 1931
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WATKINS BROTHERS
SOUTH MANCHESTER, CONN.
COMPLETE HOUSE FURNISHERS
PIANOS
SEWING MACHINES

HARTFORD, CONN.
227 ASYLUM STREET
PIANOS
SEWING MACHINES

Hartford, Conn., Apr. 1, 1908.

Pension Bureau.
Washington, D. C.
  Will you kindly send me a complete record of
Benjamin Converse, pensioner 1832, in Windham County, Conn.

Yours Respectfully,.
F. E. Watkins
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1908 Apl 10 that to F.E. Watkins
1931July 27, first to Mrs Grace M. Winnagle
Acct. ????.  $1 to be refunded
       Nics

12,549
INVALID.
File No. 12,549
Benjamin Convers
Pri [Private] Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 18
[Arrangement of 1870]