Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 41295, Benjamin Walker, Cont. & Mass.
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3-1708. 
Department of the Interior, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
(logo w/eagle--Official Business-Penalty for Private Use $300)

Cont. & Mass. Walker, Benjamin S41295

PRINTED MATTER
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Benj. Walker. 
Cont. & Mass. 
S.41295
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I do hereby certify that Lieut. Benjamin Walker of Col. Bailey's Regiment from the State of Massachusets has obtained permission from the commander in Chief to resign his Commission in the Continental Army 
R. K. Meade
ADC

Head Quarters  Valley Forge 
Feb. 23, 1770
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IN CONGRESS
The DELEGATES of the UNITED COLONIES of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode- Island, Connecticut , New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Caroliina, and South Carolina, to Benjamin Walker, Gent 
We reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valor, Conduct and Fidelity, do by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Ensign of Captain Andrew Peter's Company in the 13 Regiments of Foot commanded by Col. Joseph Read in the Army of the United Colonies, raised for the Defense of American Liberty for repelling every hostile invasion thereof.   You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Ensign ----by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging.  And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as Ensign----And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to Time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of Congress, for that Purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Army of the United Colonies, or any other your superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by this or a future Congress  Jany 1. 1776
By Order of the Congress, John Hancock, President.
Attest: Chas. Thomson Secy.
41295
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See letter to Hon. Elise Reyes Stockbridge, Windsor Co. 
Vermont March 4, 1823. 
Letter Hon R. M. Young 21 Dec 1849 

Real & Personal property $676. 
Carpenter by trade
age 68. Wife 59. 
Daughter 14. Grand Daughter 6
- served one year - owes $900 - but from what appears the property is unincumbered & no Judge
Debts V. him
Hon. J. Mattocks
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Washington Jan 27th 1821 
Sir,
 I have lately received a letter from Col. Walker of Barre, Vermont, which I send you as the letter will speak for itself and I have nothing to add further. I have formerly had some slight acquaintance with him, but know nothing about his circumstances further than that he has for several years past nearly lost the use of his limbs 
If his case is not decided upon I request that you would take it up, that he may be made acquainted with the result- 
I remain, very respectfully, yours &c 
Saml C. Crafts 

J L Edwards Esquire
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Congress Hall, Nov 24th 1820 
Sir, 
I have just received the enclosed papers from Col. Walker, late a Revolutionary pensioner, residing in Barre Vermont- And I transmit them to you for examination and allowance, if they come within the rules established by the Secretary of War-- Whenever you shall decide on this claim I will thank you to give me notice, 
and oblige.
Your Obedt Servant 
Samuel C Crafts

J L Edwards, Esquire
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Congress Hall Dec 7th 1822 
James L Edwards Esq.
Sir 
I enclose the papers of Benjamin Walker who you will recall was taken off the roll of non {illegible} to have his case revised --he states that his property was worth $557.00 & that he owed $900: that his property has been exhausted in paying his debt. that he is now poor & honest --the {illegible} with the memorial and from the most respectable characters.  I suppose there can be no doubt what he is poor meritorious & a cripple 
If his inventory in your office shall show that his debts were contracted before his first application & his property has since been applied to the payment of those debt, it is submited whether his case will not come within the lap of ones which have been revised at the office & if it should the case of Colo Walker who who is a very respectable man will doubtless serve as favorable a {illegible} as others-- should there but it trade in these papers not be sufficiently proved, they can be if it will be of any avail to do so 
respectfully your obedient svt.
 John Mattocks
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Barre Vt. January 16 

Free
Hon. Samuel C. Crafts
Member of Congress
City of Washington
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Barre January 13th 1821

Dear Sir-
After my respect to you would beg your pardon for writing to you on a matter very (illegible) to me to beg the favour of you to look into a matter of mine in the Secretary of War Office which was sent there on July last upon the second resolution of Congress respecting old Revolutionary soldiers which I was one was in the service about three years in the fore part of the war Suffered very much as to my property and health and as to my health never regained it afterwards left the service on account of my bad state of health and was unable to labour but very little for nearly one year after I left the Service, I made my statement in June last before Judge Dolittle. I have but a very small property which you will see by the schedole I sent not suffitiant to pay my honest debts by two or three hundred dollars and have lived at the mercy of my creditors for several years who really stand in need of the dues and unwilling to distress me. If they can possibly help it I have no means for any support should government fail me have gone behind hard every year for a number of years besides being very unfortunate by a number of losses I have not been above to perform any kind of labour for more then twelve years past. I think it likely that you have seen me at Montpelier not able to walk one step for a number of years without a crook and staff but am now able to walk some with a staff only I made a perticular statement which I sent with my schadule more perticular than what I shal write here which I think you will find with y papers if you will do me the favour to look them up Sir I wish you to consult the other members from Vermont on the Important subject
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Hon. Samuel C. Crafts
Sir,
I am well acquainted with Co. Benjamin Walker the signer of this letter and think the statement by him made is correct, he is a very respectable man and much esteemed by the inhabitants of the Town in which he lives, he has been unfortunate and met with several losses within twelve years last past, and before that term he is very much embaressed by his debts and is very infirm for a man of his years and is about seventy years of age, and is truly in need of assistance from his country for a comfortable support. has no children or connections in a situation to afford him much assistance. You would there for Sir confer a great favour on the Col. and his friends in giving him such assistance in obtaining his pension as you may have in your power.
Respectfully your obedient servt.
Denison Smith
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if I should fail of drawing the march following I am afraid of being stript of all the little property of every kind that I have left and be several hundred dollars in the rear I am unable to help myself and in the seventyeth year of my age I consider my infirmities are such that I shal stand in need of help but a very short time longer is you should wish to confer with any person in regard to my services I would refer you to the Randl. Mr. Adams from the County of Worcester Commonwealth of Massachusetts who is now a member with you as at that time we lived neeighbours in the Town of Mendon in said County. he at that time being young perhaps will not correctly remember every perticular of circumstance. I cannot give you any (illegible) in regard to the matter of (illegible) as I think your judgment far superier to mine if there should be any fabric in the matter would beg you to write me a line as soon as possible.
From your sincere friend with respect
Benjamin Walker

Honbl. Saml C. Crafts
Member of Congress
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To the Honorable Secretary of the Department of War

The subscriber humbly showeth that your petitioner is a resident of the United States and ever has been and that your petitioner was a soldier in the late Revolutionary war with Great Britain, that he enlisted as an orderly Sargeant about the first of May 1775 in Capt. Andrew Peters company in Col. Joseph Reads Regiment and served in that capacity until the first of January 1776 at which time he was promoted to that ab Ensign in said Peters company in said Reads Regiment in the Continental establishment and served in said company as ensign till the first of January 1777 at which time he was promoted to that of a Lieutenant in Captain Isaac Warren's company in Col. John Baleys Regiment then called the first Massachusetts Regiment in the Continental establishment and served is said capacity of Lieutenant till about the 18th of February 1778 at which time by reason of bad health your petitioner asked for a discharge and was honorably discharged at Valley Forge by his excellency General Washington commander in chief. That your petitioner by reason of bad health was not able to perform any labor of any consequence during the summer following and never since has enjoyed as good health as before and for about thirteen or fourteen years pas has not been able to perform any kind of labor and for a part of the time was not able to walk one step without a crutch and staff but am not able to walk some with a staff only
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That by reason of severe pain with the Gout and a rheumatick complaint your petitioner has had his left hip dislocated and the left leg considerably shrunk and shorter than the other which makes hn very lame and unable to perform any kind of labor nor had he been able to ride on horseback nor has be been on a horses back for twelve years past. It is like taking his life to straddle a saddle but is able to ride some in a waggon or other carriage with much ado to get in and out of a carriage. your petitioner was formerly from Mendon in the county of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts but now and for about twenty eight years past has resided in Barre in the county of Washington and State of Vermont that agreeable to an act of Congress of March 18, 1818 on the 4th of April following made out a statement of his services in form as the laws directed before the hon. Elijah Paine district judge of Vermont and received a certificate dated the 6 march 1819 No 7453 and drawed sd. pension the September following and to the 4th March 1820 ^and agreeable to an act of Congress Mar 8d 1820^ made a schedule of all his property both real and personal by the appraisal of Gardner Wheeler & Adolphas Thurston Esquires which amounted to about $557 and also the debts which he actually ^ & honestly^ owed which amounted to something arising of $900 and sent on by Judge Doolittle and of the judges of the Supreme court at June term at Montpelier agreeable to the directions of the Secretary of War. That it appears that not any allowances were made for demands against your petitioner, therefore had an unfavorable
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return from the Secretary of War dated the 19th February 1821 that by reason of not being abe to perform any labor toward the support of his family and by the other losses & misfortunes your petitioner has been and still is in very reduced circumstances and has been called upon to settle the demands which were against him and has actually turned out all his property both real and personal to satisfy sd. debts which were against him part to satisfy executions and by compromise except one cow and a calf one old horse and eight sheep and one swine which is all the property he has left except some household furniture scarcly for his familys use nor has he any means whatever for the support of himself and family. Tat your petitioner is ow in the seventy first year of his age and has a wife sixty years of age very infirm and one Daughter fifteen years of age and one grand child a girl of eight years of age which is both fatherless and motherless.
Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that he may be reinstated on the pension list book from the time of his drawing or otherwise as you in your wisdom shall think fit. The advanced age an infirmities of your petitioner is such that he thinks it will be but a short time that he shall stand in need of help from his county or from friends in this world. Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that your honors would take his case under your wise consideration as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Barre September 15, 1821 Benjamin Walker
NB The former papers are all in the Secretary of War office which may be refered to.
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This may certify that we the undersigned are near neighbours of the foregoing petitioner Benjamin Walker and have been acquainted with him and his circumstances for several years past and we are fully satisfied that the foregoing statment by him made and signed is correct.
Gardner Wheeler
Abijah Abbot
Adolphus Thurston
James Paddock
Warren Ellis
The Paddock Physician
Stephen Freeman

This may certify that we the subscribers are well acquainted with all the foregoing signers and consider them men of credit and respectbility and their statement is entitled to full faith and credit.
Denison Smith
Peter Nichols
Chapin Keith
Selectmen of Barre


We the subscribers certify that we are well acquainted with the before named Benjamin Walker Esqr & fully believe the statements in his petition to be correct.
Chas. Bulkeley
Cyrus Ware

From long acquaintance with the above named Benjamin Walker Esq. the undersigned can cheerfully state that in their opinion his statement above is entitled to credit. 
Timothy Merrill
Saml. Prentiss
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We the undersigned having been acquainted for a number of years with Benjamin Walker Esqr the foregoing petitioner, and also acquainted with the Persons who have subscribed the foregoing certificates do state that in our opinion these certificates and statements together with the relation of the said Walker are in our opinion entitled to full credit.
Josiah Strong
Joseph Howes
Judges of Washington County Court

State of Vermont
Washington County SS
I Joshua Y. Vail Clerk of the County Court withing & for the County of Washington aforesaid do hereby certify that Josiah B. Strong & Joseph Bowes Esqrs. whose names are above subscribed are Judges of the County Court duly qualified acting under the authority of this State & that their names subscribed hereto are their own proper signatures.
I also certify that Adolphus Thurston, James Paddock, Warren Ellis, Stephen Freeman, Denison Smith, Chapin Keith, Charles Bulkeley, Cyrus Ware & Samuel Prentiss Esquires are Justices of the peace within & for the County of Washington & are duly qualified acting under the authority of this State as such.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 19th day of September A. D. 1821
Joshua Y. Vail Clerk
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Honbl. John Mattocks Esqr.
Member of Congress
Washington Cty
Columbia
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Barre December 20th 1821
Dear Sir,
Pray excuse me for troubling you with some paper of real importance to me. I have once more signed another Petition to the Hon. Secretary of the war department setting forth my  circumstance and real Necassaties it was first drawn together with the evidence thought to (illegible) it before the Hon. Congress but being advised that it was thought that (illegible) would not be (illegible) tract on single Petitions of Individuals have been advised once more to beg my case before the Honbl. Secretary of the war Department, praying you to present those papers hoping that the Honbl. Secretary of war would take my case under his serious consideration and if consistant to grant some relief to a poor old worn out unfortunate revolutionary soldier who that if Congress had not done anything for  us were to never have regretted my service here  to (illegible) this Country but as Congress have had the goodness in the last stages of our lives to grant some relief to the (illegible) and unfortunate who should stand in need of help from his country for some of the (illegible) of the comforts of life I  think I can truly say that I came within the Definition of that class. I never was a man of (illegible) with a moderate property and several years has Elapsed since I met with some sireous heavy hopes by being (illegible) to pay other debts which has involved me to the amount of more than all my property which I never shal attain the amount of one cent there for
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I have been several years strugling with a heavy load of Debts for me hoping that there would be some way or something turn up to my advantage to extricate myself from some of them and praying  (illegible) which Eat like a Canbor worm untill could struggle no longer and my  creditbaly being about to strike upon me was revised to satisfy as many of my creditors as I could to save Cost have made the last arguement I could and actualey turn out all my property beal and personal except what is contained in my (illegible) and after all find myself about $200 short of satisfying the paying of my honest debts besides involving (illegible) in definitly taking property when they was in want of money  I cannot ride on horseback & have had no kind of carriage not so much as a waggon or cutter of my own that I could ride in for a (illegible) nor have I been able to purchace any have lived by Borrowing nor have I had beset about one dollar in money to help myself with for six or eight months past and had to give one half of that to get the county seal just upon my papers nor have I any means to get any for to purchace the small Nassasaries for the comforts of life I have always endeavoured to live in Credit upon an honest (illegible) & have as yu are aquainted been something thought of both in the Civil and Military line and it cramps my feelings now in my last days to be so very poor as not to be able to treat an old friend that calls to see me
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Sir I have endeavoured to point out to you my situation without any Eagrevation and do think that I could git nearley the whole Town to certify to the same but have only selected a few of the principle charractors several of which you are considerable acquainted with Sir I wish you to advise with your Bretheren from Vermont and else where and lay my papers before the Hon. Secretary of the war department and if they can be convinced of the truth of the same I think would be willing to do all in their power to grant me some releif Sir I wish you to best of heavens Blessings hoping you will have peace and harmony in all your deliberations in the the great (illgible) of their happy notion and in due time return safely to your family and friends which in the Earnest prayer of your friend.
Benjamin Walker

Honbo. J. Mattocks Esqr.

NB Sir if there should be any falure in the form or otherwise in my papers wish you to give me the Earliest notice you can.
B.W.
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Benj. Walker
Cont. & Mass.
S41295

[stamped-The National Archives of the United States]
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I the subscriber do certify that Lieut. Benj. Walker now of Mendon in the County of Worcester has served in the Continental Army in the same Regt. with myself as much as two years and about ten months. Since the Commencement of the present war. That the sd. Walker did serve in sd. capacity of Sergeant from the Begining of May 1775 untill the commencement of the campaign of 1776. Duriung which he the sd. Walker did serve in the Capacity of ensign, after which he was promoted and did serve in the capacity of Lieut. untill the 23d day of Feb. 1778 at which time the sd. Walker for special and important reasons did ask liberty to resign and was Honourably Discharged from the army. the above facts I do Declare to be truly Stated according to my best knowledge and belief.
Given under my hand at Mendon this 11th day of Jany. A. D. 1779
Andrew Peter, Majr. 
of Colo. John Bailey's Regt.

To Whom Concerned