Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3976, Benjamin George, Continental N.H.
Page 1

(3-1776)
[column headings: SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER|]
Continental|George, Benjamin|R.396|
N.H.|Abigail|[blank]|
[end of columns]
CONTENTS
Page 2

[verso]
18.935
Vermont
Benjamin George of Orange Co. in the State of Vt who was a Pri in the Company commanded by Captain Merrill (Morrill) of the Regt commanded by Col Cilley in the Newhampshire line for 2 Ys 10 da $80
______
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 80 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Nov 1833 and Sent to D. Cobb Esqr. Strafford.
______
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833. 200.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mch '34 40.00
$200.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J. T. Sprague Clerk,
Book E Vol 3 Page. 67

[recto]
See Affidavit from D. Cobb in relation to Pension Certificates, Enclosed in the papers of Joseph Norton, of Vermont No. 18934
Page 3

BRIEF in the case of Benjamin George of Strafford in the State of Verm't 
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Judge
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? yes
3. How old is he? 77 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
[column headings: Period.|Duration of Service.(Years, Months, Days.)|Rank. As a|Names of Generals and Field Officers under whom he served.]
In 1777|(3|[blank]|[blank})|Private|Cap't Merrill (Morrill) Col'o Cilley|
1775|([blank]|3|[blank])| " |Cap't Moore, Capt McLaughlin|
1776|([blank]|1|12)| " |Col'o Starks (Stark)|
1776|(1|[blank]|[blank})|[blank]|Capt Hutchins-Col Stark|
[end of columns]
He was Struck from the pension list in 1818 on acct of his property
5. In what battles was he engaged? Monmouth
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Derryfield New Hampshire
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
/s/Richard Cutt
Examining Clerk.
Page 4

Certificate of Marriage
Thornton's Ferry N.H.
Dec 15} 5
William West Esqr
Concord N.H.
Page 5

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough County ss.} Town Clerk's Office Litchfield December 6th AD 1845
I I. N. Center Clerk of the Town of Litchfield in the County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that the following certificate appears upon the records of Said town 
"Benjamin George to Abigail Newman Married March the fifteenth ['Eighteen' crossed out] Seventeen hundred & Eighty
I further certify that the above is a true copy of the Record with the exception of date which is expressed on the records in plain legible words and figures as follows "March 15th 1780"
I I. N. Center depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the County, town and State aforesaid and the above is a true extract from the records of said town of Litchfield with the exception above named 
/s/Isaac N. Center} Clerk of the town of Litchfield
County of Hillsborough ss - Litchfield December 6th 1845
Sworn to and Subscribed ['before' crossed out]
Before me /s/George Griffin Justice of the Peace
Dear Sir [illegible]
Page 6

State of Vermont
Bradford District ss} I J.W.D. Parker Judge of the Probate Court within and for Said district do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has this day been adduce to said Court to prove that Benjamin George late a Pensioner of the United States, died on the 24th day of September A.D. 1838; that he left a Widow by the name of Abigail George who also died at Strafford in the County of Orange & State of Vermont on the 31st day of May A.D. 1839. That Ebenezer George, Hannah Northrup, Huldah Preston, Isaac George, Abigail Beedy, Elizabeth Doty, Rachel Fuller, and Benjamin George were her only children who survived her - 
Given under my hand at Bradford this 29th day of November A.D. 1845
/s/J.W.D. Parker Judge
State of Vermont
Bradford District ss} I Stephen Thomas, Register of the Probate Court within and for said district do hereby certify that ['satisfactory' crossed out] J.W.D. Parker is Judge of Probate within and for said District duly qualified that his commission was dated on the 1st day of December 1844 and will expire on the 30th day of November 1845, and that the Signature above written is genuine - 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of Said Court at Bradford this 29th day of November A.D. 1845
/s/Stephen Thomas, Register
Page 7

State of Vermont,
ORANGE COUNTY SS.] At Strafford in said County on this 27th day of August A.D. 1832, personally appeared ['in open Court' crossed out] before Daniel Cobb one of the Justices of the Court of said Orange County, ['now sitting' crossed out] being a Court of Record Benjamin George a resident of Strafford in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, aged 77 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832, That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1777 in Capt. Morrill's Company & served in Col. Joseph Cilley's Regiment of the New Hampshire line under the following named officers for the time of three years. Capt Morrill's company - McCauley Lt. - Joseph Cilley Col. of the Regiment. he entered the service or enlisted in the Town of Derryfield, ow called Manchester N.H. where he was born in the month July 1755 and where he lived during the war except when in the army, from Derryfield he marched to "Old Ti" where he was taken prisoner by the British, he was a prisoner about one month when he got away from the British & joined the American Army in a few days after Burgoyne surrender, at Albany N.Y. from Albany marched to Valley Forge in Pennsylvania into winter quarters. from Valley Forge to Monmouth was in the battle of Monmouth, a short time after the battle he with about seven hundred more were sent to New London here he was on guard throughout the winter, thence he & the detachment with him marched to a placed then called Soldier's fortune not far from White Plains N.Y. here he joined the Army under the command of Gen. Sullivan from thence to Court Town Pa. pursuing the Indians drove them beyond the Genesee River some fighting with then, returned into the state of Ct. wintered here & hear he was honorably Discharged, but has lost his discharge. In 1775 he enlisted for eight months in the Company commanded by Capt. Moore & afterwards by Capt. McLaughlin & Col. Stark's Regmt, he was on winter hill, ['& in New York City in 1776 [illegible] again' crossed out] in 1776 he volunteered for six weeks, In Feby 1776 he enlisted for one year at Winter Hill Ms in Col. Stark's Regmt, Samuel Richards Capt marched to New York, then to Albany then to Montreal, L.C. here the army had the small pox, from there marched back to Ti, & from there to different placed till his time was out he never rec'd any discharge from his two first enlistments - he received a pension certificate under the act of Congress of the 18th of March 1818 he was struck from the pension list on account of his property his pension certificate is No 11.232 which he now holds - 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever, to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State. to his knowledge & that he is the same Benjamin George who formerly drew a pension under the Act of Congress passed March 18th 1818. 
/s/Benj. George
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 
Before /s/Daniel Cobb} Judge of Orange County Court
['We [blank] residing in [blank] in said County of [blank] and [blank] residing in the said [blank] hereby certify that we are well acquainted with [blank] who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion.' crossed out]
I J. H. Harris of Strafford in Orange County & State of Vermont hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Benj'n George of said Strafford who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration & know that said George formerly drew a pension under the act of Congress passed March 18 1818
/s/J. H. Harris
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 
/s/Daniel Cobb Judge of Orange County Court
I Daniel Cobb one of the Justices of the County Court in Orange County hereby certify that the said Benjamin George who has subscribed & sworn to the above Declaration by reason of old age & bodily infirmity is unable to appear in Court which is the reason the above declaration signed by the said Benj'n George being made out of Court
Certified by /s/Daniel Cobb assistant Judge of Orange County Court 
And the said ['Court' crossed out] Justice does hereby declare ['their' crossed out] his opinion ['after the investigation of the mater, and after the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department,' crossed out] that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary solder, and served as he states. ['And the Court further certify that it appears to them that [blank] who has signed the preceding certificate, is a [blank] resident in [blank] in said County, and that [blank] who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same place, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.' crossed out
/s/Daniel Cobb} Judge of Orange County Court 
Daniel Cobb one of the Judges ['Clerk' crossed out] of the Court of Orange county aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said ['Court' crossed out] Judge in the matter of the application of Benjamin George for a pension. In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand officially ['and Seal of Office' crossed out], this 27th day of August - A.D. 1832. 
/s/Daniel Cobb} First assistant Judge of Orange County Court 
['CLERK.' crossed out]
Page 8

I H.E.G. McLaughlin Clerk of the County Court for Orange County Certify that Daniel Cobb before whom the within Declaration was made was at that Time, and now is, a Judge of Orange County Court, duly authorised to administer oaths and that the several signature within purporting to be his are genuine. 
[court seal affixed] In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & seal of office the day & year above written
/s/H.E.G. McLaughlin Clerk
12.936
Benj'n George's Declaration 
Returns from the War Department to be made to Daniel Cobb Strafford Vt.
Page 9

94(?) Benjamin George
Declaration & Schedule
11.232
Sept 1819
not entitled
Page 10

State of Vermont
Orange County ss} On this 4th day of July 1820 personally appear'd Benjamin George before the County Court for the said County of Orange in open Court said Court being a court of record agreeably to the laws of this State having the power of fine imprisonment &c aged 65 years resident in Strafford in said County of Orange who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows 20 or 21 Months in Col. John Stark's Reg't Company Commanded by Capt John  Moore & Capt McLaughlin and Capt Samuel Richards he afterwards in the month of March 1777 enlisted for three years in the first Newhampshire Reg't commanded by Col. Joseph Cilley Capt Amos Morrill commanded of the Company that on the 7 day of April 1818 he made his original declaration has received a pension Certificate No. 11,232 and I do solemnly swear that I was a resident of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time disposed of my property or any part thereof by Gift, sale or in any manner 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 Naval service of the Untied States in the revolutionary war passed on the 18 day of March 1818 and 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 and by me subscribed
['1 Cow & 1 Calf 2 pigs Joiners & tools that I could hold' crossed out]
60 Acres of Land, old house and Barn all valued at $500.00
1 Horse 1 single Sleigh and harness & 1 Yoak of small oxen 4 Cows 3 Two year old 3 Yearlings 1 Hog 18 Sheep & lambs a share in an old saw mill $15, 1 Iron pot, Dish kettle, 2 Qt kettle, Spider 1 bake iron Old Shovel and Tongs 1 old Chest and drawers 2 old Tables 1 Old Cart 1 axe Chains & 2 pieces $3.50, 6 old Broken Chairs some ol Iron 1 Yoke and Iron 1 Pitchfork amount $700.00
I am owing $200.00 and have due to me $25.00
I am by occupation a farmer and unable to pursue it on account of the infirmities of old age and have four persons in my family myself and my Wife aged 62 years and afflicted with the Rheumatism my son Benjamin aged 19 years of a Weak constitution Rachel aged 21 years healthy 
/s/Benjamin George 
Sworn to and declared on the 4th day of July 1820 before the said Court
/s/H.E.G. McLaughlin Clerk 
State of Vermont
Orange County ss} I H.E.G. McLaughlin Clerk of the County Court for the County of Orange do hereby certify that the foregoing and the oath and Schedule thereto annexed are truly copies from the Record of said Court: And I do further certify that it is the opinion of the s'd Court that the total Amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is $700.00
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Chelsea this 4th day of July 1820 
/s/H.E.G. McLaughlin Clerk
Page 11

State of Vermont
Bradford District s.s.} At a Probate Court holden at Bradford in said District on the 26th day of August 1843 ['A.D. 1843' crossed out] comes James Fuller Administrator of Abigail George late of Strafford in said District deceased and on his oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain a pension for the heirs of the said Abigail George, under the act of Congress  passed July 7th 1838 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war
That She was the widow of Benjamin George who was a private in said war and for which service he was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of ninety six dollars per annum, and for the proff of whose services he begs to refer the department to said Benjamin's declaration & documents now on file in the war department on which he obtained his pension
That the said Abigail was married to the said Benjamin George at Derryfield now Manchester N.H. where they lived a short time when they moved to Strafford Vermont - That the said Benjamin George died on the 24th day of September 1838: at Strafford ['Vermont' crossed out] aforesaid and that the said Abigail continued his widow to the 31st day of May 1839 when she died at s'd Strafford and that her maiden name was Abigail Newman - 
Said Administrator further declares that the said Abigail was not married to the said Benjamin prior to his leaving the service in said war but was married to him previous to the first day of January 1794 to wit on the day and year above stated - 
/s/James Fuller
Subscribed & sworn to before me on the day and  year first above written - Before me 
/s/J.W.D. Parker Judge
I certify that I am personally acquainted with James Fuller the above declarant and that he is a credable witness
/s/J.W.D. Parker Judge.
Page 12

State of Vermont
Bradford District s.s.} I J.W.D. Parker Judge of Probate of the District aforesaid do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before said court that Abigail George widow of Benjamin George ['died at' crossed out] who was a pensioner of the United States - died at Strafford in said District on the 31st day of May 1839 and that she left children and heirs who still survive her - And I further certify that James Fuller of West Fairlee in s'd District has been duly appointed Administrator on the estate of the said Abigail George and that he had filed his bon in my office for the faithful discharge of said administration and that he has full powers to act in s'd capacity - 
Given under my hand at Bradford in said District this 26th day of August A.D. 1843 - 
/s/J.W.D. Parker Judge. 
State of Vermont
Bradford District s.s.} Register of Probate office 26 August 1843
I Stephen Thomas Register of the Court of Probate for said District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of James Fuller administrator of Abigail George for a pension
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at West Fairlee in said District on the day and year last above written
/s/Stephen Thomas, Register of Probate
Page 13

[typewritten letter]
[initials: awf]
Rev. and 1812
War Section. [initials: own]

March 2, 1926

Alice D. Oaks
Escondido,
Calif.

Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 3976, it appears that Benjamin George was born July 1755 at Derryfield (later Manchester), New Hampshire.
While residing at said Derryfield, he enlisted in 1775 and served eight months as a private in Captain John Moor's and McLaughlin's Companies, Colonel John Stark's Newhampshire Regiment.
He enlisted in January 1776 and served one year as private in Captain Samuel Richards' Company, Colonel John Stark's Regiment.
He enlisted in March 1777 and served three years as private in Captain Amos Morrill's Company, Colonel Joseph Cilley's New Hampshire Regiment. He was in the Battle of Monmouth. He also stated that he was taken
Page 14

[typewritten letter]
prisoner at "Old Ti" and held one month, after which he made his escape.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 7, 1818, while a resident of Strafford, Orange County, Vermont, and he died there September 24, 1838.
Soldier married March 15, 1780 at Derryfield, New Hampshire, Abigail or Abigale Newman.
She died May 31, 1839 at Strafford, Vermont, leaving the following children - Hannah Northrop, Huldah Preston, Abigail Beedy, Elizabeth Doty, Rachel Fuller, and Ebenezer, Isaac, and Benjamin George.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 15

REJECTED
3976
P.O. [blank]
Abigail George
Service: widow of Benjamin
Enlisted: [blank], 18[blank]
Discharged: [blank], 18[blank]
Application filed: [blank], 18[blank]
Alleges: [blank]
Re-enlisted: [blank]
Attorney: [blank]
P.O. [blank]
[blank] Recognized. [blank] Contract
[blank] Cert. of Dis. Searched for [blank], 18[blank]
[margin note: 1926-Mch.-2 Hist to Alice D. Oaks awf.
Page 16

[verso]
11.232 R
Vermont
Benjamin George of Strafford in the state of Vermont who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Cilley of the New Hamp line, for the term of 3 years 
______
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 7th day of April 1818
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 31st of May 1819 and sent to Josiah Dana Esq. Chelsea Vermont
______
Arrears to 4th of Mar:1819 10 mo 27/30 6/31=87.43
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 6 Sep: 1819 48 " 
$135.43
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}
E. not entitled

[recto]
See letter to Dan'l Cobb 20 April 1829.
Notification sent October 23d 1820 to H.E.G. McLaughlin, Clk of orange Co'y
Williamton, Vermont
Page 17

V 12.478
Abigail George, dec'd
Vermont
Let to Stephen Thomas Jan'y 30. '46
3976
Page 18

I Benjamin George of Strafford in the County of Orange and State of Vermont Testify and declare that after serving 8 or 9 Months in the Army in the  year 1775 - I enlisted in the Month of January 1776 for the term of one year in Captain Samuel Richards Company in Colonel John Stark's Regiment who the Brigade was commanded by I cannot certainly say but think it was General Sullivan, which term I served and regularly discharged in the State of New York 
I further state that in March 1777 I enlisted in Captain Amos Morrill's Company in Col'n Joseph Cilley, Regiment in General Poor's Brigade, for the term of three years which term I served out in the New Hampshire line except while a prisoner in the British Army which was about one Month, at the end of s'd three years I was honorably discharged at the Town of Reading in the State of Connecticut but my discharge I have lost, I further state that I am unable to do much labour and my circumstances are such that I stand in need of assistance from my Country for support, and request to be put on to the pension list according to a late Act of Congress
Cheshire April 7, 1818 /s/Benj George
Page 19

State of Vermont
Orange County ss} Chelsea April 7, 1818 personally appeared Benjamin George and made oath that the  within written declaration is true
Before me /s/Josiah Dana Chief Judge of Orange County Court
Benjamin George
private, Orange County, Vt. 
3 years in col'l Cilley's regim't N.H. line. 
7th April, 1818. 
on Rolls 
Adm'd
Josiah Dana, judge
Chelsea, Vermont. 
Benj'a George
Strafford
April 7, 1818
Page 20

Benj'a George
Strafford Vermont
Page 21

I do hereby certify that it appears to my sattisfaction that the said Benjamin George did serve in the revolutionary War on the Continental establishment as stated in the preceding declaration against the common Enemy 
And I also certify that it appears to my sattisfaction that he is poor and needs the assistance of his Country for support and I now transmit the proceedings taken and had before me to the Secretary for the War department pursuant to the aforementioned Act of Congress
Chelsea Feb'y 2nd 1819
/s/Josiah Dana Chief Judge of Orange County Court 
State of Vermont Orange County Clerk's Office February 2d AD 1819. - I H.E.G. McLaughlin Clerk of O C Court hereby certify that Josiah Dana Esqr of Chelsea in the County of Orange before whom the foregoing Declaration was taken is Chief Judge of O C Court acting under the authority of the State of Vermont & that his name [illegible: obscured] to the foregoing Certificate is in his [illegible: obscured]
/s/H.E.G. McLaughlin
Page 22

Benjamin George
Declaration & Schedule 
Record Copy of 1 March 1823
Vermont
return to be made to Daniel Cobb Esq Strafford O. C. Vermont
(Sept 1819)
Page 23

State of Vermont
Orange County ss} on this fifth day March 1829, Benjamin George personally appeared in Open Court before the Supreme Court holden at Chelsea in Orange County, being a Court of Record agreeably to the laws of this State having the power of fine and imprisonment, aged seventy three years Resident in Strafford in Said Orange County who being first duly sworn according to Law - doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the acts of congress of the 18 March 1818 and the first of May 1820. That he the said Benjamin Georg served in the Revolutionary war as follows, Twenty or Twenty one months in Col John Stark's Regiment Company commanded by Capt John Moore, Capt McLaughlin and Capt Samuel Richards he afterwards in the month of March 1777 enlisted for three years in the first Newhampshire Regiment Commanded by Col. Joseph Cilley Capt Amos Morrill Commander of the Company and served the full Term of my Enlistment and Received an honorable discharge in Reading in the State of Connecticut. That he made his first declaration on the seventh day of April 1818. for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the law of 18th of March 1818. that his name has been placed on he pension list and dropt therefrom on account of his property and that he has Received a pension Certificate from the Secretary  of War No 11,232, and in pursuance of the act of the first of May 1820 I do Solemnly swear that I was a Resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by Gift sale, or in any manner Disposed of my property or any part
Page 24

thereof with an intent so to diminish it as to bring my  self within the provisions of an act of Congress Entitled "an act to provide for persons Engaged in the land and naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary war" passed on the 18 day of March 1818, and that I have not nor has any person in Trust for me any property or securities, contracts of debts due to me, nor have I any income other that wat is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed, to wit, - A life lease of a piece of land being in said Strafford - containing about fifty five acres of land having thereon one old dwelling house and barn, the fee simple of said land and buildings is valued at the sum of five hundred and fifty dollars $550.00 on the annual income of said farm is valued at forty Dollars. - 
one Note given for one hundred Dollars payable to the first day of Octr 1833 without interest valued at - 75.00
Old household furniture (necessary bedding and clothing) Excepted value in the whole at - 12.00
Six sheep valued at - 7.50
Two Cows valued at - 30.00
674.50
/s/Benj'a George
I. H.E.G. McLaughlin Clerk of the County and Supreme Court within and for the County of Orange do hereby certify that the foregoing Declaration and Schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the Record of the said Court;
Page 25

and I 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 six hundred seventy four Dollars and fifty cents - 
[court seal affixed] In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County Court at Chelsea this 9th day of March AD 1829
/s/H.E.G. McLaughlin Clerk, as aforesaid.
Page 26

I, Ebenezer George of Strafford in the county of Orange & state of Vermont, aged fifty five years do depose and say that my father Benjamin George, lived with me several years before his death and that he died in September A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty Eight, and that my mother Abigail George died June A.D. 1839, my Father was 83 years old when he died & my Mother was 81 years old when she died, my oldest brother's name is Isaac George and he was sixty one years old last March - 
and further I say not - /s/Ebenezer George
Sworn and subscribed to this 29th day of February A.D. 1844, before me 
/s/Stephen Morrill Justice of Peace.
I hereby certify the above named Ebenezer George to be a credible witness - 
Attest /s/Stephen Morrill Justice of Peace
Page 27

I Sally Hazelton of Strafford in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, aged Eighty three years do depose and say that I was about fourteen years old when the War commenced, and that by Brother (Benjamin George) was about nineteen years old at the commencement of the war, and enlisted into the service, and continued in the army about five  years, and soon after he was discharged & returned home from the service, and before the close of the war, he (Benjamin George) was married to Abigail Newman in Derryfield as I have always understood, but do not now recollect whether I was present or not, but I lived in Derryfield at the time of their marriage - 
And further I say not - /s/X her mark Sally Hazelton
Sworn and subscribed to this 29th day of February A.D. 1844 - before me 
/s/Stephen Morrill Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Sally Hazelton to be a credible witness - 
Attest /s/Stephen Morrill Justice of Peace
Page 28

STATE OF VERMONT.
Secretary of State's Office, 
Montpelier, April 5th 1844}
I certify that Stephen Morrill Esq whose name is subscribed in his own proper hand writing to the foregoing certificates, is and was at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the county of Orange duly elected and qualified, and that to his official acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given.
[state seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of his office, at Montpelier, this the 5th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four. 
/s/Ferrand F. Merrill
Deputy Secretary of State.
Page 29

[state seal affixed] State of New-hampshire.
Office of Secretary of State.
I, Thomas P. Treadwell, Secretary of State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that George Griffin is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of Hillsborough duly Commissioned and qualified. His Commission was dated on the 17th day of Jan'y 1842 and will expire on the 17th day of Jan'y 1847 and his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine. 
Given under my hand and the Seal of the State this 18th day of Decm'r 1845. 
/s/Thomas P. Treadwell Secretary of State.
Page 30

Benjamin George
Vermont
papers under act of '18 wanted
no of certificate 11,232
See letter May 29, 1825
Admitted $80.
D. Cobb Esq.
Strafford Vt.
E.
Page 31

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Benjamin George Verm't which require further proof or explanation. 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes 
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [blank] 
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes 
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes 
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the other under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes 
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes 
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes 
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes
Page 32

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? [blank]
XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? [blank] 
XVI. ↕Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? [blank] 
EXPLANATORY NOTES. *QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ______year______months, and______days______, I served as a______; and for such service I claim a pension.”
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 shewn 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 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. 
+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of  his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which 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.
↕QUERE XVI. 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.
⇨ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
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[handwritten letter]
Escondido, Calif.
Jan. 18-1926

The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C. 
Dear Sir - 
I am very anxious to find what I can in regard to Benj. George, a Revolution soldier from N.H. He was a pensioner, died at Strafford, Orange Co. Vermont in 1838 aged 83 yrs. Would you please give me the information you have concerning him, especially his wife. 
Very truly yours 
/s/Alice Doty Oaks. 
Escondido, San Diego Co. Calif.