Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 20824, Benjamin Burton, Green Mt Boys Vt.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Green Mt Boys
Vt.
CONTENTS
Burton, Benjamin
Hannah
NUMBER
W 20 824
Page 2

Vermont 9577
Benj'n Burton of Orleans in the State of Vermont who was a pri: in the company commanded by Captain Warner of the Reg't commanded by Col. Fowle in the Vermont line for 7 1/2 months
______
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 25 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of May '33 and sent to J. Bridgeman Lynden Vermont
______
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 50
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept " 12.50
72.50
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm. Miller Clerk, 
Book E Vol. 3 Page 52
Page 3

[verso]
4867 Vermont.
Vermont
Hannah Burton widow of Benj'n Burton Vt who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 25 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of June, 1849, and sent to S. Dana Kimball, Barton Vt.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 40 Vol. 3. 

[recto]
Reported
Page 4

State of Vermont
Orleans County ss} At a Special Court, holden at Irasburgh in said Orleans County on this 4 day of October, A.D. 1848, before the Hon. John Harding - Judge of said Court, personally appeared Hannah Burton, of said Irasburgh, aged [blank] years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision, made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." Also an act of Congress, passed March 3d 1843, & June 17th 1844" Also an act of Congress passed February 2d 1848, entitled " An act making further provision for surviving widows and Soldiers of the Revolution," that she is the widow of Benjamin Burton, deceased, late of Irasburgh who was a private & Served in the War of the Revolution, and drew a pension for said service at the rate of Seventy five dollars, pr. annum. - 
She further declares that she was married on the ['4' crossed out] 1st day of ['October' crossed out] A.D. ['178' crossed out] April 1779, and that her husband, the aforesaid Benj. Burton, died on the 13th day of September 1847. 
That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage, took place previous to the first of January 1794 (viz) at the time above stated,
/s/X her mark Hannah Burton
Signed in presence of /s/Roxy Blodget}
Page 5

The within declaration sworn to and subscribed the day and year within written - before me
/s/John Harding Judge.
State of Vermont
Orleans County ss.} At, Irasburgh in said county on this 4th day of October A.D. 1848, personally appeared Hannah Burton, signer of the within declaration and made oath to the truth of the same, before me, & I further certify that declarant is reputed to be a person of truth - 
/s/John Harding Judge
I hereby certify that the leaf which I have hereto annexed was delivered to me by Hannah Burton s'd daughter of declarant that it contains a record of the marriage of Mr. & Mrs Burton & the births of their children, & in comparing it with an old Account Book in the hand writing of Mr. Burton, deceased, I find it was taken from Said book - and I have no doubt but that is a very aged record
/s/John Harding Judge,
Page 6

Benjamin Burton born December 1. 1756
Hannah Griswold born October 6th. 1760
Benjamin and Hannah Burton Were maried April 1, 1779
Benjamin Burton junr. was norm June-98
Eber Burton was norm Marth 4th - (7)9n 10. o.clock in the  knight
Oliver G. Burton was born 24th of January th6. oclock afternoon 1784
Hannah Burton was born February 6 9. oclock at Knight 1786
Stephen Burton was born th4 Day of December at ten oclock afternoon 1783
Mary Burton was born 7 September the year 1789
Jedediah Burton was born September th6 
Hanna Burton was born march th11) 1793
Lucy Burton born th January, th11 (1795
Thommas burton was born march th2 day 1797
John Burton was born jan. th12) 1799
Marcy Burton was born December th12 1801 one week
Page 7

State of Vermont
Orleans County ss
I Henry M. Bates Clerk of Orleans County Court do hereby certify that John Harding of Lowell is acting Judge of the County Court for the County of Orleans duly commissioned - and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is true and genuine 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 15th November A.D. 1848
/s/Henry M. Bates Clerk
Page 8

22463
Benjamin Burton Vt.
admit as a private 7 1/2 mo. - $25.
J. Bridgman
Lyndon Vt.
Page 9

WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, 
[blank] 183[blank]

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 objections 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, (thus: }). 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, shewing the Service of Benjamin Burton, Vt
[column headings: Period when the service was rendered|Duration of the claimant's service.(Years.|Months.|Days.)|Rank of the claimant.|Names and Rank of the Field officers under whom he served.|Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.|Proof by which the declaration is supported.|]
July 1775 enl'd|( - |6| - )|private|Cap. Veal (Vail) Co. Warner|77 born in Ct|entered in Vt and lives there|
1776 called|( - | - 14)| " C/2 Bush|[blank]|[blank]|
called out|([blank]| - |10)| " |C/2 Cushman|[blank]|Certificate of a Deacon and|
June 1777 " |( - | - |14)| " |Col Allen Co Bellows|[blank]|a Citizen|
Octo 1777 " |([blank]|[blank]|7)| " |Col Towle|[blank]|knows of no person living who can prove his service|
[end of columns]
7.(months) 15 (days)
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, 
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2 
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, as 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 et the 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 the 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 application by transmitting the following declaration, 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 [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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 enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] 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 country 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 on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank] 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [blank] A. B. 
[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 [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &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 [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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 days and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a RevoIutionary 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 [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank] of office, this [blank] day of [blank]&c. 
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
Page 11

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.
Page 12

I Benjamin Burton of Irasburgh County of Orleans  & State of Vermont depose & say that I was born at Old Preston County of New London & State of Connecticut on the first Day of Dec. A.D. 1754 I expect there is a record of my birth in the Town Clerk's office in Preston. I resided in Preston untill I was about fifteen years of age from thence I moved to Plainfield Conn where I resided about four or five years with my Uncle my father haveing died before I left Preston. From ['Preston' crossed out] Plainfield I moved to Norwich County of Windsor & State of Vermont where I lived untill I enlisted into the service of the revolutionary war A.D. 1775 about the 15th July. I enlisted as a militia man under Capt. Michael Veal (Micahd Vail) & Lieut. Ira Allen then of Colchester V.T. for the term of six months after I enlisted I was ordered to repair to Haverhill N.H. which I did as soon as I could make necessary arrangements I went from Norwich to Haverhill in company with Amos Chamberlain Jeremiah Percival Stephen Percival Jeremiah English & John Brown. When we arrived there Lieut. Allen was there & took command of US & drilled us Gen'l ['Balte' crossed out] Bellows was there at Haverhill & there were one or more Regts then under his command after a stay at Haverhill of about one week we were marched in a company Indian file under Lieut. Allen from Haverhill to Colchester V.T. we crossed Conn River from Haverhill to Newbury Vt. & struck across the mountain to head of Onion River & followed that stream down through what is now Montpelier to Colchester Vt. found no road after we left Corinth V.T. We forded or avoided Onion River Eleven times. We arrived at Colchester since time the fore part of August where we stoped a few days this being Lieut. Allen's residence. From Colchester we crossed the Lake to the Isle Aux Noix we landed a little before sun sett at this place we found Capt. Veal (Vail) and were formed into a Reg't commanded by Col. Seth Warner
Page 13

Gen'l Ethan Allen was there & I suppose was the chief commander of the Militia from V.t. we encamped near one night and on the following day we marched down within a short distance of St. John's which was then in possession of the British. We halted at a clearing which had been prepaired by removing the timber to the out side & piling up for a sort of Breast work. Here we encamped for one night during which the British were continually throwing Bone Shells at us from St. Johns.  this as I recollect this as I never saw a bone shell before. The next morning we were ordered to march through a swamp in a kind of circle we marched untill near night when we came in sight of an open Field north of the Fort at St Johns. Hear we three hundred in number. Gen'l E. Allen salied out into the open Field & ordered us on to action. The contest lasted only about Twenty or thirty minutes. When the British retreated into the Fort and we marched on down to Major Brown's Reg't who were guarding some stores that they had taken a day or two before we remained at this place a while and then Col. Warner's Regt was ordered to Laprarie (Laprairie) and Long Gale where we lay untill after St Johns was surrendered by the British while there our duty was to keep guard & intercept Canadians & Indians who were attempting to succor St Johns - I was taken sick at Long Gale and was sick about two weeks of a fever when I was ordered by my captain to go to St Johns if I could get there for the purpose of being Doctored by Doct Lewis who was there. I was accordingly started and although very weak and feeble I traveled to Laprarie (Laprairie). On my way I met Lieut. Allen who told me I had better get home as soon as I was able to travel across the mountain & gave me a pice of gold worth fourteen shillings to pay my expenses. From Laprarie (Laprairie) to St Johns I rod in a Frenchmans cart.
Page 14

I stoped at St. Johns a while & was doctored & after a while there were some soldiers who were about returning to Vt. I crossed the Lake to V.t. Side where I remained for a while and got some what recruited & then started for home I was dismissed on a count of my sickness I arrived at home as I was twenty one years old on the first day I recolect this distinctly of that month.  my time of service would have expired in Jany - 
after the above Services were performed I think the following summer I was called upon by Capt. Timothy Bush of Norwich Militia to go to Strafford Vermont on a scout to defend the new settlement from the incursions of the Indians & Tories. I was in this expedition about two weeks. 
The exact number of days I do not recollect. I was also called upon by Capt. Solomon Cushman to volunteer for a Scout up White River V.t. I went under his command & was in actual service two days. - In the year 1777 I was called upon again to volunteer for the defence of Mount Independence. This was in the month of June. I arrived at Mount Independence about four or five days before St. Clairs Retreat I was embodied in a Regt under the command of Col. ___ Olcott Gen'l Bellows commanded the militia. I was told before the retreat that the British had got possession of Mount Defiance and that St. Clair was about to abandon his post we were ordered to retreat but made our escape rather by a rout(e) throu retreat. I was in service at this time two weeks & I think something over A.D. 1780 I was alarmed and informed that the British & Indians had attacked the Town of Royalton V.T. This was in October I turned out and went to Royalton. I was under command of Col. John House, I was in service at this time one
Page 15

week when I returned home after finding that the enemy had completed their work of destruction by seizing property plundering taken prisoners & burning the town. - 
I resided in Norwich untill I moved to Irasburgh where I have resided about thirty ['three' crossed out] years.
I have documentary evidence of my service nor never have had. I know of no living witnesses of my services above stated except Henry Burton who was with me at Mount Independence. 
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid - 
/s/Benj'a Burton
We Nathaniel Killom Deacon of the Baptist church of Irasburgh County of Orleans & State of Vermont & Ira H Allen (Clerk of the County & Supreme Court) of Said Irasburgh hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Burton who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy seven 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/Nath'l Killom
/s/Ira H Allen
Page 16

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Benj Burton 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. W.20824
[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.|LENGTH OF SERVICE.|RANK.|OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.(CAPTAIN.|COLONEL.)|STATE.|]
July 15, 1775 to|Dec. 1775|Pvt.|(Michael (Micah) Vail|Seth Warner)|Vt.|
Summer 1776|2 wks.|[blank]|(Timothy Bush| ✓ )|[blank]|
June 1777|10 days 2 wks.|[blank]|(Solomon Cushman|Olcott)|[blank]|
Oct. 1780|1 wk|[blank]|( ✓  |Jno. House)|[blank]|
Battles engaged in, skirmish near St. John's.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Norwich, Windsor Co., Vt.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 13, 1832. cl. al.
Residence at date of application, Irasburgh Orleans Dist. Vt.
Age at date of application, b. Dec. 1, 1754 (or 1756) in Old Preston, New London Co. Conn.
Remarks: He. mar. April 1, 1779 Hannah Griswold b. Oct 6, 1762 - He d. Sept. 12, 1847. and she was al. pen. on her ap. ex. Oct 4, 1848 while res, in Irasburgh NH. For further f. date see sup. 
Respectfully, 
[blank] Commissioner. 
6-2856
Page 17

[typewritten letter]
Rev. War Section.

October 19, 1920. 

Mrs. S. R. Heffron,
312 South Main Street,
London, Ohio.

Madam:
In addition to the Military history of Benjamin Burton, you are furnished the following family data:
Children of Benjamin and Hannah Burton. 
Benjamin Jr.  Burton  born June 28, -----
Eber  "  "  March 4, -----
Oliver G.  "  "  January 24, 1784.
Hannah  "  "  February 6, 1786.
Stephen  "  "  December 4, 1788.
Mary  "  "  September 7, 1789.
Jedediah  "  "  September 6, -----
Pluma  "  "  May 11, 1793.
Lucy  "  "  January 18, 1795.
Thommas  "  "  March 2, 1797.
John  "  "  January 12, 1799.
Mary  "  "  December 12, 1801.
Very respectfully, 
[blank] Acting Commissioner.
Page 18

[margin note: 1833-1754=79]
State of Vermont
Orleans District ss. At a Probate court holden at Irasburgh within and for the District of Orleans Present the Hon. John Kimball Judge on this 13th day of September A.D. 1832 personally appeared Benjamin Burton in open Court before the Probate Court now sitting ['of Irasburgtent' crossed out] of Irasburgh in the District of Orleans & State of Vermont aged seventy seven years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th AD 1832 
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated.
Page 19

[verso]
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20,824
Hannah Burton widow of Benjamin Burton
Pri Rev War
Act: Feb 2d 48
Index: - Vol. A, Page 106
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[recto]
1920. Oct 19, Hist to Mrs. S. R. Heffron - Ew
Page 20

[verso]
Reported]

[recto]
609 Vermt.
Vermont
Hannah Burton widow of Benj,n Burton who was a Private in the Revolution 
Husband died 13th Sept. '47
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 25 Dollars --- Cents per annum, to commence the ['4' crossed out] 13th day of ['March' crossed out] Sept 1847.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of June, 1849 and sent to S. Dana Kimball, Barton, Vt.
[Act of JUNE 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A 
Vol. 2. Page 68.
Page 21

[handwritten letter]
Barton V.T. Decem 18-1848

Dear Sir,
Enclosed I send you the case of Widow Hannah Burton, 
Please attend to it, the first opportunity - 
Respectfully yours
/s/S. Dana Kimball
Page 22

admd 684
No 13872
Hannah Burton wid of Benjamin Vt
act 7 July 1838
married 1779
husband died 13 Sept '47
Rejected
admd act 17 June 44 & 2 July 48
$25.00 per ann.
from 13 Sept 1847
S. Dana Kimball 
Barton Vt
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Benjamin Burton Vt. act 7 June 1832, $25 pr an
To what time was he last paid? G.C.A.
Pension Office June 5 1849} paid to 4th Sept. 1847. 
/s/W. Tyson
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I Geo Nye of Irasburgh in the County Orleans aged forty five years, testify and say, that I have been personally acquainted with the late Benjamin Burton from 1816. up to the time of his decease, Sept. 12, 1847. and during that time I have acted as the agent of the said Benjamin Burton, in procureing his Pension, the Certificate of the said Burton haveing remained in my hands up to  this time (11 July, 1848) I have been personally acquainted with Hannah Burton the Widow, of the said Benjamin for more than thirty years, she is now living. I further say that I have examined an account Book in possession of the family of the said Benjamin deceased, which Book contains numerous changes, and memorandum in writing in the hand writing of the said Benjamin Burton some of which changes &c bear date as early 1802, the whole book presenting the marks and appearances of having been long in use, and among said items of writing is a record of the marriage of Benjamin and Hannah Burton, which said record states to have been on the 1st day of April 1779 - the said Benjamin & Hannah Burton have to my knowledge lived together as husband and wife for more than thirty years since my acquaintance with them, and I have never heard any person doubt the fact of their marriage as stated in the memorandum refered to 
/s/Geo. Nye
Subscribed and sworn to this 11th day of July 1848
before me /s/John H. Prentiss Justice of the Peace.
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State of Vermont
Orleans County ss} I certify that I am acquainted with George Nye whose name is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit and that he is a credible witness
Irasburgh August 11th 1848 - 
/s/John H. Prentiss Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Orleans County ss} I Henry M Bates Clerk of Orleans County do hereby certify that John H. Prentiss of Irasburgh is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Orleans duly qualified and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is true and genuine
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and have hereunto affixed the Seal of Said Court this 15th day of November  AD 1848. 
/s/H. M. Bates Clerk
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STATE OF VERMONT,
Orleans COUNTY...ss.} I Henry M Bates Clerk of the County Court of the County of Orleans in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that Thomas Abbott of Barton is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 20th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty seven and will expire on the thirtieth day of November next, and that this signature is genuine. 
[court seal affixed] Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, this 15th day of November A.D. 1848
/s/H. M. Bates Clerk.
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State of Vermont
Orleans County ss} I Alexander Benton of Barton in the County aforesaid, & aged Sixty two years, depose and say, That I am personally acquainted with the Widow Hannah Burton, of Irasburgh in said Orleans County, her Husband the late Benj Burton, was a Pensioner of the United States, and died at Said Irasburgh about one year since - 
They formerly resided in Norwich V.T. where I resided when a boy - I there was neighbor to them, Mrs. Burton us'd to ride to meeting on the same horse with her Husband ['Mr.' crossed out] the aforesaid Benj Burton, previous to my leaving Norwich, which has been more than fifty years - Soon after they also removed from Norwich & settles on a farm about 2 miles from of my father's, in s'd Irasburgh, from that time I have also been neighbor to them, they always resided from the first period stated as husband and Wife - untill his (Burton's) death as stated above,
/s/Alexander Benton
Sworn to and Subscribed this 18th day of September 1848 before me
/s/Thomas Abbott Justice Peace. 
State of Vermont
Orleans County ss} I certify that I am acquainted with deponent & that he is a man of truth.
/s/Thomas Abbott Justice Peace.
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State of Vermont
Orleans County ss} I John Boardman of Glover in Said Orleans County aged Sixty ['four' crossed out] five years depose & say, That I formerly resided in Norwich Vermont, that I was neighbor to Benj Burton, who died at Irasburgh at his residence I should think about one year since - and Hannah Burton his Widow who is still being from my earliest recolection, they lived as Husband & Wife, I attended the same meeting that they did while they resided in ['New' crossed out] Norwich, they left Norwich about one year of in advance of me & moved to Irasburgh Vermont, I came to this Town within about one year after they left Norwich. Since that time we have resided within about 3 miles of each other, I think I can safely say that I recollect of them residing together as Husband and wife previous to January 1st 1794 - that I was acquainted with them from that period to his Benj. Burton's death, as above stated, and that his Widow Hannah Burton, is the identical person who always resided with the said Benj Burton as his lawful wife from my earliest recollection, muy age is sixty five years.
/s/John Boardman
Sworn to & Subscribed before me Thomas Abbott Justice Peace}
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State of Vermont
Orleans County ss} At Glover in said County on this 21 day of August 1848 Personally appeared John Boardman signer of the within affidavit and made oath to the truth of the same - I further certify that deponent is a man of truth. 
/s/Thomas Abbott Justice Peace
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B. Burton Irasburgh
Payments to be made at Burlington by the Presd: U.S. Br: Bank Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Vermont
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book  E Vol. 3 Page 52 by Wm. Miller Clerk. 
M. Veal (Vail). Infantry
Col. s. Warner Reg't
30 years in Irasburgh previous in Norwich Vt.
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim. 
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Benjn. Burton of the State of Vermont who was a private in the war of the revolution is entitled to receive Twenty five dollars ['and [blank] cents' crossed out] per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi=annually om the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year. 
[seal affixed] Given at the War Office of the United States, this 30th day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty=three
/s/Lew Cass 
Secretary of War. 
Examined and Countersigned.} /s/J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
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Benj'n Burton's Declaration 22463
And 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 within named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that Nathaniel Kellum (Killom) and Ira H. Allen who have signed the within certificate are residents in the town of Newbury within named and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I John H. Kimball Register of the Probate Court for the District of Orleans and State of Vermont within named do hereby certify that these four sheets contain the original proceeding of the Said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Burton for a pension. 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 13th day of September 1832
/s/John H. Kimball Register
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[handwritten letter]
[margin note: Rev Svc]
212 So. Main St.
London Ohio
Sept. 8, 1920
[receipt stamp: U.S. PENSION OFFICE O SEP 11 1920]
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C. 

Dear Sir: - 
I am interested in obtaining the Revolutionary War record of an ancestor of mine Benjamin Burton. I know the following facts concerning him: - 
Born Dec. 1, 1756
Married Hannah Griswold 1779
Died at Norwich Vt. 1847. 
He had twelve children whose names and date of birth I have. 
He served as militiaman from Vt. at various times in 1780 and 1781.
This much I know belongs to
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[handwritten record]
his record, but we have reason to believe that he also served in the regular army during the Revolutionary War. There is one Benj. Burton from N. Hampshire who was a Captain in Sherbourne's Regiment Continental Troops 
The date of his appointment is shown as March, 5, March 10,March 15, Discharged June 1, 1779.
Have you any information that would show whether those two records belong to the same man, or whether the Benj. Burton from Vt. has any war record other than that of the militia since just mentioned? 
Any help in this matter will be gratefully received.
Respectfully yours, 
/s/Mrs. S. R. Heffron