Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 6,625, Samuel Benedict, Conn.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
Conn
Contents
Benedict, Samuel
NUMBER
S. 6.625
carded
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Declaration of
Samuel Benedict
for
A Pension under Act of
June 7:1832
18112
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State of New York
County of Chautauqua ss
On this 12th day of October in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in
open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, held in and
for said County of Chautauqua, now sitting, Samuel Benedict, a resident ┃
of Harmony in the County of Chautauqua and State of New York, aged
Seventy nine 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 7. 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following
named officers, and served as herein stated
First , he enlisted as a Soldier in the Connecticut State Troops on the first January 1776
in Danbury Connecticut [illegible] under the command of Noble Benedict and marched immediately
to Stamford in Connecticut, and was there attached to the Regiment
commanded by Colonel Abell, said Regiment was attached to the
Brigade commanded by General Waterbury: said Brigade was then
marched immediately to New York under the command of General Lee.
where he served under arms, three months and five day. The Brigade
was then discharged
Again, in the month of August of the same year he enlisted as a teamster
served two months under Major John Wood, Quarter Master, Again
in the month of November of the same year he was drafted as a Militia
man and served two months, under the command of Capt. Olmstead
Gen. Worcester then commanded the Militia on the lines between
New York & Connecticut
He was again drafted, and served in the Militia two months in the
fall of the year 1777, under the command of Capt. Daniel Heacock
Col. Mosier having the command of the regiment
In one or both of his Militia tours he was acquainted with Major
Phineas Beasley and Major Hatch from Litchfield Co. In 1781 he loaned
to the General Government the sum of $300.00 and took for it the receipt
of Colonel Joseph Platt Cook, for which the Commissioners who met
in Baltimore after the war for the purpose of Liquidating the claims
against the government, awarded him the sum of 50 dollars. some
years afterwards, he sold the certificate of this award for 75/100 dollars
He thinks a record of this Loan and award may be found in Washington
On the fifth of July 1779 he volunteer under Capt Daniel Heacock 
to protect Fairfield and served 11 days. In 1777 he volunteered 
in defence of Danbury, at the time it was burnt, and served 2 days,
and 3 nights. In 1775 he volunteered to disperse a Collection of
Tories in Fishkill, and served 2 days and 2 nights. In March

[additional text on left margin]
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1777 he volunteered in defence [defense] of the party under Gen. [General] Putnam when attacked at Horseneck and was out about 2 days making in all nine months and twenty two days which this applicant served in the Revolutionary war as a private soldier. He never too any discharge.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever 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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Samuel Benedict
James B. Lowery Clerk
We Samuel Leonard residing in the town of Ellicot & county of Chautauqua and Dennis Plato residing in Mayville in said county do herby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Benedict who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy nine 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 day & year aforesaid.
Samuel Leonard
Dennis Plato
James B. Lowery Clerk
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 above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Samuel Leonard who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in Ellicot county of Chautauqua and that Dennis Plato who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Chautauqua County of Chautauqua and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I James B. Lowry clerk of the court of common pleas in & for the county of Chautauqua do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samuel Benedict for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my and & seal of office this 12th day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
James Henry clerk
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(Left Side)
?Let Ms. Sarah wales
June 29th 1861
third Auditor
(Right Side)
18112 
14338
14338
New York
Samuel Benedict 
of ?Chataugua in the state of New York
who was a private in the Company command
by Captain Benedict of the regt. command
Col. Abel ?Gend in the ?Ch nia
lone for ?
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 32 Dollars 20 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March,1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of May
1833 and ?
? Smith Westfield
Arears to the 4th of March 1833 $14.40
?Pemi-ant. allowance ending ? 16.10
$80.50
{Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by ?W. J. Williams Clerk,
Book E Vol. 4 Page 45
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18112
Samuel Benedict
Chautauqua County
N. Y.
admitted 9 mo. [illegible]
$32.20
Austin Smith
Westfield
N.Y
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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. These 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.
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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 of 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 day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the 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
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 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 of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &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 and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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 day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary 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 and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but it 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
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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 must 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 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 bis 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 mouths 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 his 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 a 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 places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie 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 of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public 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 must 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 of 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 [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [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.
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June 10, 1932

BA-J/AWF  OW
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Samuel Benedict
S. 6625
Jeanette L. Bell
Springdale
Connecticut
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which
you request information in regard to the Revolutionary War pensioner, Samuel Benedict, S.6625. 
From the papers in the above noted pension
claim, it appears that Samuel Benedict was born in 1753 in Danbury, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
While residing at said Danbury, he enlisted
and served as a private with the Connecticut troops, as follows:
From January 1, 1776, three months and five
days in Captain Noble Benedict's company (no relationship to soldier stated) in Colonel Abell's regiment; from sometime in August, 1776, two months as teamster under Major John Wood, Quartermaster; from sometime in November, 1776, two months in Captain Olmstead's company; in 1777, two or three days when
Danbury was burned, no officers stated; in the fall of 1777, two months in Captain Daniel Heacock's company, Colonel Mosier's regiment; in July, 1779, eleven days in Captain Daniel Heacock's company, when Fairfield was burned. He had other short tours at various
times, names of officers not shown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 12, 1832, at which time he was living in Harmony, Chautauqua County, New York, having moved
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there in 1826 from Solon, New York.
There is no reference to his wife or children.
Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
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6625
INVALID
RevWar
File No. 6625
Samuel Benidict [Benedict]
Pri Rev War [Private Revolutionary War]
Act: June 7th 32
Index:-Vol. A, Page 27
[Arrangement of 1870]
1913 Aug 9 History to A. Hazeltine F.W.
1928 Nov 21 Hist. to Mrs. Ralph G. Seiler 
awf
1932 June 10 - Hist to Jeanette L. Bell  awf
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A. HAZELTINE
ATTORNEY AT LAW
U. S. COMMISSIONER
Jamestown N.Y. August 6th 1913
to the Honorable Commisioner of Pensions
My dear Sir
I am needing from the National Society of the Daughters of the Amer [American Revolution a membership for my daughter because of her decent from Lieut. [Lieutenant] Samuel Benedict and his service in the Revolutionary War. I supply a certificate that he served in Col. Phillip regiment, Bradley's [illegible] Watson's brigade in May 1776 when the who battalion or nearly was take prisioner at Fort Washington. The certificate we made in proper form and sent with my daughter's [illegible - application or affidavit?]. The same certificate further certifies that Sam'l Benedict served also a brief time in the 16 Continental Regiment by [illegible] Bradley Colone on an exhibition to Fairfield July 1779. I also supplied the certificate of General F. C. A[illegible] of the record & [illegible] office from Jun 3rd 1779 to Jan 10 in Capt Reuben Scofields company
9th Regt. Connecticut Militia
The only [illegible] who [illegible the society now requires that I provide a certain copy of the affidavit for pension of Samuel Benedict. Will you not therefor very Kindly make and send me such copy. Whatever the expense may be & will pay on being notified of the amount.
Very truly
A. Hazeltine
[circular stamp] US Pension Office C Aug 7 1913
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[circular stamp] US Pension Office Feb 3 1928
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[circular stamp] US Pension Office Feb 3 1928
U.S. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
My dear sir
I am advised by the regent of my D.A.R. chapter to write you and ask if you have the military record and pension number of Samuel [interlineated "only one"] Benedict B. July 29th 1753 married Oct d25th 1774 Sarah Weed of Stamford Ct [Connecticut]. I think that he probably enlisted from Danbury Conn. [Connecticut] in 1793 he moved to Solon New York
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I shall be grateful if you can give me the asked for data. Should there by a charge kindly advise me of the amount.
Thanking you I am Very truly yours
Mrs. Ralph G. Seiler
64 Hillside Av
Metuchen New Jersey
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Springdale, Conn [Connecticut]
May 3, 1932
Pension Bureau
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir
I would be extremely grateful for any information you can give me regarding the family, service etc of Samuel Benedict - S. 6625.
Thanking you, I am yours truly
Jeanette L. Bell
Chairman Genealogical Research
Gov. John Winthrop Chapter D.A.R.
[Circular stamp] Received 10[a.m.] May 6 1932 Recept service Pension Files [illegible]
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF/eel
November 21, 1928
Mrs. Ralph G. Seiler
64 Hillside Avenue
Metuchen, New Jersey
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 6625, it appears that Samuel Benedict was born in 1753, at Danbury, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
While residing at said Danbury, he enlisted and
served as a private with the Connecticut Troops as follows: From January 1, 1776, three months and five days in Captain Noble Benedict's Company, Colonel Abell's Regiment; from in August, 1776, two months as teamster under Major John Wood, quartermaster; from in November, 1776, two months in Captain Olmstead's Company; in [strike out "April,"] 1777, two or three days when Danbury was burned; no officers stated; in the fall of 1777, two months in Captain Daniel Heacock's Company, Colonel Mosier's Regiment; in July, 1779, eleven days in Captain Daniel Heacock's Company when Fairfield was burned. He had various other short tours, names
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of officers not given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 12, 1832, at which time he was living in Harmony, Chautauqua County, New York, having moved therein 1826 from Solon, New York.
There are no data as to family.
The above noted Samuel Benedict is the only soldier by that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
Commissioner
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In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Samuel Benedict 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.F. 6625
[column heads] Dates of enlistment or appointment | Length of Service | Rank | Officers under whom service was rendered - Captain/Colonel | State
Jan 1 1776 | 3 mos 5 da | Pri | Noble Benedict/Abell | Conn [Connecticut]
Aug 1776 | 2 mos | Teamster | under Major John Wood Quartermaster | [blank]
Nov 1776  | 2 " [mos] | Pri | Olmstead/Abell | [blank]
Fall 1777 | 2 "[mos] | " [Pri] | Daniel Heacock/Mosier | [blank]
July 1779 | 11 days | " [Pri] | Daniel Heacock/ [check mark] [Mosier] | [blank]
Various other times | 6 "[days] | "[Pri] | names of officers not stated | [blank]
Battles engaged in, 2 or 3 days Apr 77 [illegible] Burning of Danbury and Fairfield
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [strike out "not stated"] near Danbury Conn [Connecticut] moved [illegible] in 1826 from Solone NJ
Date of application fore pension, Oct 12 1832 His cl [claim] was al [allowed]
Residence at date of application, Harmony Chautauqua Co. NY [County New York]
Age at date of application B. 1753 Danbury Fairfield Co. [County] Conn {Connecticut]
Remarks: There is no data relative to family
The above noted is the only Samuel Benedict found on the Rev. [Revolutionary] War records of this Bureau
Very respectfully,
[blank signature lines]
Commissioner
1565b3m10-08




Date of application for pension,