Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 40,540, for Benjamin Sweeten, New Jersey
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE | NUMBER
New Jersey | Sweeten, Benjamin | S.40,540

CONTENTS
Page 2

17,778

New York, Pennsylvania

Benjamin Sweeten of McKean Co. in the State of Penns(ylvani)a who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Son's Bri(gade), no Captain Rudolph of the New Jersey Line, 20 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 15 of November 1819.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7 of Sep. 1820 and sent to James Davidson, agent, Jersey Shore, Pa.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 1820............$77.33
Semi-anl. all(owan)ce ending 4 Mar. 1821....48.00
                                           =======
9 mos. 20/30                              $125.33


{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818 & May 1, 1820.}

Trans(ferred) to New York 18 February 1828 from 4 September 1827 & certification sent to Reuben Scott, Ocean, Cattaraugus Co., N.Y.

Sched(ule sent) to E. Faulkner, June 17th 1845.

Dead.

Cont(inued) & sent to Thomas Hayes, Esq., Williamsport, Penna., Dec. 24th 1822.
Page 3

Benjamin Sweeten

Con.
Page 4

District of Pennsylvania & Lycoming County//

On this Eighth day of December A.D. Eighteen Hundred Twenty, personally appeared in Open Court of Common Pleas held in Williamsport for the County of Lycoming, being a Court of Record proceeding according to the course of common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount & keeping a record of proceedings, Benjamin Sweeten, aged 59 years, resident of McKay County in said district, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the Acts of Congress of the 18th of March A.D. 1818 & first of May A.D. 1820. That he served in the Revolutionary War in the company command by Captain Rodolph in the Regiment commanded by Major Lee in the Line of New Jersey and has obtained a pension under the Act of the 18th of March A.D. 1818 & his certificate being numbered 17,776 dated the Seventeenth day of September One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty, and to commence on the Fifteenth day of November One Thousand Eight Hundred and Nineteen.

And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 & that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with 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 navel service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th [crossed out: March] day of March A.D. 1818 & 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 & by me subscribed.
s/ Benjamin Sweeten

Sworn & subscribed in Open Court the 8th day of December A.D. 1820.
s/ Thos. Hays, Proty.
Page 5

Inventory of Benjamin Sweeten's property.

I have 0 besides necessary bedding and clothing; one old cow $12.00; five two-year old bulls $18.00.........$30.00
Two iron pots & two iron kettles, $8.00; one old shovel & tongue..............................................9.00
One pair old flat irons, $1.50; one old cedar bucket and buck knife, $1.00....................................2.50
One cedar dish tub & one old harket...........................................................................3.37
½ doz. old pales, plates & ½ doz. earthen plates..............................................................1.25
Six old tin pans, six old iron table spoons...................................................................1.25
6 old iron teaspoons, three tin cups..........................................................................0.25
1 pint mug, one earthen bowel, six knives & forks.............................................................0.40
One old pine churn, one old chest, one old tin kettle.........................................................1.87
One tin coffee pot............................................................................................0.50

And the following debts are due to me and recoverable.:
One debt of Sixty eight dollars and 15/100..................................................................$68.15
                                                                                                          ========
                                                                                                          $ 123.14

I am indebted in the following sums.:
One debt of Eighty two dollars 34/00........................................................................$82.34
One debt of Twenty dollars...................................................................................20.00
One debt of Four dollars 98/100...............................................................................4.98
One debt of One dollar........................................................................................1.00
One debt of Sixty eight cents.................................................................................0.68
One debt of ten dollars......................................................................................10.00
                                                                                                          ========
                                                                                                           $119.00

This may certify that the above inventory contained in our opinions a just statement and valuation of all the effects of Benjamin Sweeten.
s/ Jonathan Colegrove
s/ Harry Abby

I am by occupation a laborer but by age and infirmities I am not able to pursue that occupation. I have three children that resides with me to wit.: William, age 10 years; Galiba, aged six years; and Rachel, aged four years; and my wife, Elizabeth, aged Fifty years, who is infirm like myself.
s/ Benjamin Sweeten

Sworn & subscribed in Open Court 8 Dec. 1820.
s/ Thos. Hays, Proty.
Page 6

War Department.
Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that in conformity with law of the United States of the 18th March 1818, Benjamin Sweeten, of McKean County Pennsylvania, late a private in the
army of the Revolution is inscribed on the pension list Roll of the Pennsylvania Agency at the rate of Eight dollars per month to commence on the Fifteenth day of November One Thousand Eight Hundred and Nineteen.

{War Office Seal}

Given at the War Office of the United States this Seventh day of September One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty.
s/ J.C. Calhoun, Secretary of War

Ce(rtificate) 17, 776.

Endorsement:
Payable on the Fourth of March and 4th September of each year by the Bank of the U.S. in the City of Phila(delphia). No Pension is payable until the arrival of one or the other of the above dates after the issue of a certificate. T.H.

Payable up to the 4th March 1820. No further payment until a schedule of property be exhibited.

Registered by J.H. Henshaw, Clerk, in Book Volume of page 164.
Page 7

State of Pennsylvania
Lycoming County//

I, Thomas Hays, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the record of the said County 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 One Hundred and Twenty Three dollars to 14 cents. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Williamsport the Fourth day of December One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty.
s/ Thos. Hays, Proty.
Page 8

District of Pennsylvania
Lycoming County//

On this Fifteenth day of November in the year 1819 before me, the subscriber, one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of County &c. of s(ai)d County of Lycoming in s(ai)d district, personally appears Benjamin Sweeten, aged 58 years, resident in the Township of Sergeant in the County of McKean in the district aforesaid, & who being by me duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late Act of Congress entitled, "act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war." That he, the said Benjamin Sweeten, enlisted as a private soldier in the City of Burlington in the State of New Jersey by Capt. Rudolph in the company commanded by the s(ai)d Capt. Rudolph into a certain part of the army or corps which was commanded by Major Lee in the service of the United States, & he further declares that he enlisted for during the war, & that the s(ai)d enlistment took place in the month of March preceding the siege of Charles Town in South Carolina. That he was not at the siege or surrender as the s(ai)d corps had at the time proceeded no further than into the State of Virginia. Then s(ai)d deponent returned with s(ai)d corps into the State of New York on the lines near the North River & continued there for some time & then left the lines aforesaid & marched again into Virginia, & about a month or somewhat more (after having marched back into New Jersey) after the surrender of York in Virginia, he received his discharge in Gloucester County in New Jersey on account of a lameness in his hands from rheumatism, which rendered him unfit for duty. That his discharge was in writing, signed by Major John Cummings, but lost. He further declares that he was in several skirmishes with the enemy while on the lines near the North River aforesaid in some of which [crossed out: we had] there were several men killed & wounded.

Deponent further says that his continuance in service was not less than between 18 & twenty months from his enlistment to his discharge, & that at one period of time, and further that he is reduced in circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his country for support, & that he has no other evidence now in his power of his s(ai)d services.
s/ Benjamin Sweeten

Sworn & declared before (me) the day & year aforesaid.
s/ James Davidson
Page 9

I, James Davidson, one of the Judges of the Court as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that he the said Benjamin Sweeten did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the proceeding declaration against the common enemy, & I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me to the Secretary of the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned Act of Congress.
s/ James Davidson
Nov. 15th 1819

State of Pennsylvania
Lycoming County//

I, Thomas Hays, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County do certify that James Davidson, Esq., before whom the within deposition appears to have been taken is, and was at the time of taking thereof, duly commissioned and appointed one of the Associate Judges of the County of Lycoming. To all whose official acts, due credit is and ought to be given. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Williamsport the Thirtieth day of November A.D. Eighteen Hundred & Nineteen.
s/ Thos. Hays, Proty.

I, James Davidson aforesaid, by an entire omission did not insert the indigent circumstances of the aforesaid Benjamin Sweeten in my certificate. I now can with great propriety certify his reduced circumstances. And I do hereby certify that the aforesaid Benjamin Sweeten is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his country for support.

s/ James Davidson
July 27th 1820
Page 10

5602

Case of Benj. Sweeten, McKean County, Penn.

Jas. Davidson, Judge

Jersey Shore, Pa.

Rec'd Jan. 5, 1820

15 November, 1819
Lee's Legion, March 1780. During the war served 18 months.

The testimony on oath of two more disinterested and credible persons, certified by the Judge, as such proving 9 months service in continuance, on Cont(inental) Estab(lishment) is required.

[illegible] Certificate [illegible] circumstances.
Page 11

40540

Rev(olutionary War)
INVALID.
File No. 40,540
Benjamin Sweeten
Rev(olutionary) War
Act : 18th March 1818
Index: -; Vol. 5, Page 499
{Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 12

Sergent Township, June 11, 1820.

We, the under signers do certify that Benjamin Sweeten is in reduced living circumstances with a family of small children and but one cow, and not able to support them without some assistance
s/ Jonathan Colegrove
s/ Paul Ebenezer Hull
s/ Wheeler Gallop
s/ Levi Davis
Page 13

Ocean Cattaraugus County, New York, Feb. 7, 1828

Sir,

Enclosed is affidavits form ordered for the purpose of transferring my pension certificate from the Pennsylvania Agency to the New York Agency.

Should the papers now sent be correct and the pension transferred as is requested, please notify me of the same directed to Ocean Cattaraugus County, New York to the care of Mr. Reuben Scott & oblige.

Your obe(dient) servant,
s/ Benjamin Sweeten 

Signed in presence of:
s/ Luther Scott, Hon. Secretary at War
Page 14

Free

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Com(missioner) of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

June 14, 1845
Benj. Sweeten
Page 15

Danville, Steuben Co., N.Y.
June 4, 1845

To the Hon. J.L. Edwards

Dear Sir,

Mr. Benjamin Sweeten, a Revolutionary pensioner, died in this town some time since, and there was due about Thirty six dollars upon his certificate at the time of his death. His representative desires me to learn from you if possible the steps necessary to enable him (the administrator) to draw the said amount. Will you please inform me upon the subject.

Yours truly,
E. Faulkner

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 16

Benjamin Sweeten
[crossed out: Susquehanna] McKean County, Pa.
15 November, 1819.

Lt. Col., Lee's Legion, March 1780 to November 1781.
Not found on the roll

Service proved by the testimony of two of credible witnesses.

Admitted.

James Davidson, agt.
Jersey Shore, Pa.
15 Aug. 1820

Dan Snalbaker's affidavit.
Page 17

State of New Jersey
Gloucester County//

Be it known that on the Tenth day of July in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Twenty, before me, William Harrison, one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester aforesaid, personally came Daniel Snalbaker, an old Revolutionary Soldier, who upon solemn oath doth depose and say that Benjamin Sweeten, late of Gloucester County aforesaid but now of McKean County in Pennsylvania, was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army. That he was an infantryman together with this deponent in Lee's Legion and that he served more than nine months in said legion in continuance and further saith not.
s/ Daniel Snalbaker

Subscribed and sworn the day and year above written before me.
s/ William Harrison, Judge

I do hereby Certify that the above named Daniel Snalbaker is a creditable man whose veracity stands unimpeached and that he is entitled to full faith and credit. And I do further certify that Benjamin Sweeten is in indigent circumstances.
s/ William Harrison, Judge

State of New Jersey
Gloucester County//

I, Thomas Hendry, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Gloucester, do certify that William Harrison, Esq., who hath subscribed his name to the above...
Page 18

...certificate was at the time of doing so and still is, one of the Judges of the said Court and to who acts as such, full faith and credit ought to be given.

Given under my hand & seal of the said Court at Woodbury the Thirteenth day of July A.D. Eighteen Hundred Twenty.
s/ T. Hendry, Clk.
Page 19

County of Cattaraugus//

On this Twenty fifth day of January 1828 before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Cattaraugus, personally appeared Benjamin Sweeten, who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Michael Rudolph in the Legion or Corps (sp.) commanded by Major Lee in the Army of the Revolution in the service of the United States. That his name was placed on the Pension Roll of the State of Pennsylvania from whence he has lately removed. That he now resides in the town of Hinsdale, County of Cattaraugus and State of New York, where he intends to remain and wishes his pension to be payable at the New York Agency in future - and that his reasons for removing to the State of New York is on account of his age and infirmities, and the means of subsistence being more easily obtained and at less expense.
s/ Benjamin Sweeten

Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid.
s/ Andrew Mead, J.P.

State of New York
Cattaraugus County//

On this Twenty fifth day of January 1828 before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Cattaraugus, personally appeared Reuben Scott, to me well known to be a man of truth and veracity, who on his oath declares that he...
Page 20

...is well acquainted with Benjamin Sweeten, who has taken the above or within oath for the transfer of his pension. ______ be the same person described therein and no other than the identical person to whom the pension was originally granted and well knows him to be the person described in the same.
s/ Reuben Scott

Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid and I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Reuben Scott and know him to be
a man of truth and veracity and fully worthy of belief.
s/ Andrew Mead, J.P.

State of New York
Cattaraugus County//

I, John W. Staunton, Clerk of the County of Cattaraugus, do hereby certify that Andrew Mead, Esquire, before the aforesaid affidavits were taken and subscribed was on the day of the date of the said affidavits a Justice of the Peace, elected and sworn and duly authorized by law to perform all the acts belonging to him as such. And further that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice and verily believe the signature "Andrew Mead" subscribed to the said annexed certificate of the acknowledgment of the aforesaid affidavits to be in his own proper handwriting. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County this 29th day of January A.D. 1828.
s/ John W. Staunton
Page 21

State of New York
Cattaraugus County//

I, Alson Leavenworth, first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that John W. Staunton, Esq., who made the annexed certificate has been duly elected and qualified in all respects according to law as clerk of said County and that due credit is to be given to all his official act as such and that I am acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe that his signature "John W. Staunton" is in his own proper handwriting and further that the annexed attestation is in a due form of law.
Dated, Ellicottsville, January 31st 1828
s/ Alson Leavenworth