Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3797, Benjamin French, N.H.
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(3-1776)
Service  Number
NH
French, Benjamin
R3797
Mary
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2878
Mary French
widow of Benjamin
N.H.
Act 7 July 1838
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State of New Hampshire
Rockingham County Ss
On this twenty third day of October, one thousand eight-hundred and thirty eight, before the Court of Common Please (it being a court of Record) in and for said County of Rockingham, personally appeared Mary French, a resident in Newmarket in said County aged seventy four years who first being sworn according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838, entitled An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows; That she is she is the Widow of Benjamin French late of said Newmarket deceased who was in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War, She declares that according to the best of her knowledge or belief the said Benjamin French entered the service in June 1780 mustered at Kingston New Hampshire, marched to West Point and immediately joined the company under the command of Lieutenant Jonathan Cass and served six months and illegible discharged at West Point the last of December following.
She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin French on the Eighth day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty three.  That her late husband the said Benjamin French died at illegible Newmarket on the nineteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and eleven of Fever.  That she was not married to him prior to his leaving
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the service but the marriage took place illegible to the First day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four, illegible at the time above stated.
She further declares that she has not illegible married but continues the widow of the Said Benjamin French, and that previous to her marriage to the said Benjamin French her name was Mary Hartford.
Mary French
Her Mark
Witness to Mary French signature
J. B. Hoitt
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court
Mesr J. B. Hoitt Clerk
State of New Hampshire
Rockingham Ss.  I J. B. Hoitt Clerk of the Court of Common Please within and aforesaid County, hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Mary French for a pension In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty third day of October Anno Domini 1838
J. B. Hoitt Clerk
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Reuben French
affidavit
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I Reubench of Newmarket, County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire aged seventy two years the first day of December and depose and say that Benjamin French late of said Newmarket was my brother, that in June 1780 my brother passed through Exeter New Hampshire on his way to joining the Army at West Point.  I was at work at said Exeter at the time and the said Benjamin called on me and informed me that he had inlisted for six months, and was then on his way to Kingston where he said the company was muster that day.
I further depose and say, that the said Benjamin returned from this service the end of December following.  I further depose and say that in May seventeen hundred and eighty three I was present at Rochester New Hampshire when the said Benjamin French was married to the Mary Hartford of said Rochester by the Rev Joseph Haven.
I further depose and say that the said Mary French now lives in part of the same house in which I live and has never illegible remarried but continues the widow of the said Benjamin.  Further depose and say that the said Benjamin French died at said Newmarket in March AD 1811
Reuben French
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State of New Hampshire
Rockingham County Ss
On this twenty second day of October AD 1838 Before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county of Rockingham, personally appeared the within named Reuben French and made oath that the within affidavit by him subscribed is true; that I hereby certify the said French is a man whose statement can be relied on, with implicit illegibe.
David Murray Jus Peace
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State of New Hampshire
Rockingham Ss
I J B Hoitt Clerk of the Court of Common Please within and for said County hereby certify that David Murray Esq who has subscribed the within & annexed certificate is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County and that the illegible are his genuine signatures.
In Testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this twenty third day of October Anno Domini 1838
J B Hoitt Clerk
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Mary French
Marriage
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Extracts from the Records of the Town of Rochester in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire under the head of Marriages, solemnized by the Rev. Joseph Haven a minister of the Gospel in said town is the following entry:
Illegible Married AD Seventeen hundred and Eighty three May the Eight Benjamin French of Newmarket with Mary Hartford of Rochester.
I James C. Cole Clerk of said town of Rochester depose and say that the foregoing is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows illegible
Married AD 1783
May 8th Benjamin French of Newmarket with Mary Hartford of Rochester.
James C. Cole Town Clerk of Rochester
 I James C. Cole above named depose and say that I hold the office of town clerk in the town aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the Records of the said town with the exceptions aforesaid as certified by me.
James C. Cole Town Clerk of Rochester
State of New Hampshire County of Strafford Ss Rochester September 20th A D 1838.
Subscribed & sworn to by the above named James C. Cole.
Before me Noah Tebbets Justice of the Peace
I, Noah Tebbets, a Justice of te Peace for the County of Strafford certify that James C. Cole above named is well known to me to be a credible witness, that he is entitled to full credit & that he, to my knowledge, is town clerk of Rochester.
Noah Tebbets Justice of the Peace for the County of Strafford State of New Hampshire
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State of New Hampshire
Strafford Ss
I Francis Cogswell Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature foresaid county hereby certify that Noah Tebbets is a Magistrate as within and that the written signatures purporting to be his are in my belief genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my name and affixed the seal of said court this 25th October 1838
F Cogswell, Clerk
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State of New Hampshire
Rockingham Ss  I William B. Morrill Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify, that on the 22nd day of February in the year of our Lord 1884, at a Court of Probate illegible illegible at Exeter in said County by the Hon. Ira St Clair Judge of said Court. Henry Y Hayes was duly appointed Administrator of the Estate of Mary French, late of Newmarket in said county, illegible and the said Henry Y Hayes accepting of said trust, and gave illegible in the sum of five hundred dollars for the faithful performance thereof, agreeable to the laws of said State.  And I further certify that said appointment has never been revoked, but remains in full force as by the Records of said Court appear.
 And I further certify that on the said 22nd day of February It was proved to the satisfaction of said Court by the duly authenticated affidavit of Reuben French of said Newmarket and Paul Cohn former Town Clerk of said Newmarket.  illegible are believed to be reputable citizens that said Mary French died at said Newmarket on the twenty ninth day of February eighteen hundred and forty eight having never not married but being the widow of Benjamin French late of said Newmarket, deceased.  That Benjamin French was the only child of the said Benjamin  & Mary French and died at said Newmarket about forty years since
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leaving Nathaniel Y French, Mary J. Kennard, Elisabeth Y. Hayes, Joseph Y. French, Charles T. French, William W. French, Harriet P. French, Susan B. Shute, and Abba S French his only surviving children and only heirs of the said Mary French.  The being at the time of her decease 84 years of age and the said Benjamin French the younger 66 years of age.  I further certify that the follows illegible are true copies of the affidavits of the said Ruben French, Paul illegible, which were deemed satisfactory and conclusive in regard to the facts before stated.
Given under my hand and seal of said Court at the Probate Office at said Exeter, in said County of Rockingham this 23rd day of February A D 1854
William B Morrill Register

I Reuben French of Newmarket in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire aged 61 years, depose and say that I have from my youth resided in said Newmarket, and very near the family of Benjamin French; That said Benjamin French died at said Newmarket about forty years ago leaving Mary French his widow and Benjamin French the younger his only child; that said Mary French never illegible remarried has continued the widow of said Benjamin French and died
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in February 1848, and that Benjamin French the
younger died at said Newmarket about four
years ago leaving Nathaniel [Z or G?] French Mary
J Kunard, Elizabeth Y Hayes, Joseph Y French, Charles T.
French Harriet P. French William W French Susan
B Shute and Alba L French, the only surviving Chil
dren of the younger Benjamin French and the only
heirs and lineal descendants of the said Mary French
I further depose and say that I have no interest
whatever in making this affidavit
Signed Reuben French and
duly sworn
Extract from the Records of the town of Newmarket
in the County of Rockingham and State of New
Hampshire.
"Died Feby twenty ninth eighteen hundred and
forty eight, widow Mary French aged eighty
four years"
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true & trust
from said Records with the exception of the dates which
are expressed in the Records in fair legible figures
Thur. Feby 29, 1848
84 years
Paul Chapman Town Clerk
I, Paul Chapman of Newmarket aforesaid, depose
and say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk of said
Newmarket and that the above are true  & hereto from the Records of said Town with the exception 
aforesaid as certified by me. I further depose and say
that the said Mary French never intermarried but
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continued the widow of the said Benjamin French.  I further depose and say that the record of the death of the Mary French was made by myself at the time of its occurrence.  I further depose and say that said Record, shows that Benjamin French the younger died in 1850 aged 66 years date given.  I further depose and say that Nathaniel Y French, Mary J. Kennard, Elisabeth Y Hayes, Joseph Y. French, Charles T. French, William W. French, Harriet P. French, Susan B. Shute and Abba S. French are the only children of the said Benjamin French the younger and thereby heir of the said Mary French.
 I illegible Paul illegibleChapman Town Clerk and duly sworn.
William B. Merrill Register
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information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau. Benjamin French Ref. 3797
[titles of columns]
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. COLONEL.
STATE.
June 1770
6 mos
Lt. Johathan Cass
Scammel
N.H.
This claim completed by the widow and after her death it was not allowed as her descendants were not entitled.
Battles engaed in, _________
Residence of soldier at enlistment, ___________
Date of application for pension, Oct 23, 1838
Residence at date of application, New Market, Rockingham Co. N.H.
Age at date of application [check mark}
Remarks:  Soldier who was a native of Stratham N.H. married at Rochester N.H. May 8, 1783 Mary Hartford or Harford and died at New market NH  Mch. 19, 1811. She died at the same place Feby 29, 1848 aged 84 years.  Their only child Benjamin died at Newmarket, N.H.  in 1850 aged 66 years leaving the following named children Nathaniel Y,  Mary J. Kennard, Elizabeth J. Hayes, Joseph Y, Charles T, William W, Harriet P. Susan B Shute and Linda? L
Very respectfully
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.
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State of New Hamp 
In the House of Representatives AD 25th 1780 the committy approved to consider in what way the pay rolls for the three months men shall be made up report that they think the officers should make up there Roll Calculating at the Rate of sixty seven illegible from the Original wages given the Continental Troops that they make up a   Days Travil to Each Person for every twenty miles travels from the illegible they where dismisd at to the Place of there Respective homes also one dollar per mile for subsistance Reconing the distance as aforesaid that the officers and solders be made up Ten Dollars per month for detained parts of Rations that they make up two hundred dollars a month to the officers for such detained ration that those soldiers illegible illegible money for Bread at illegible Barrington on there March be allowed therefor wich report being read and considered voted that the same be received and illegible.
sent up for concurrance
John Langdon Speaker
In Counsel the same day read and considered
 E Thompson Secry
Copy examind by E. Thompson Secry
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Copy of
letter of
Mch 6. 1854
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Pension Office
Mch. 6 1854
Sir,
The additional evidence
transmitted by you in the case
of
of Mrs. Mary French widow of
Benjamin, has been received and
examined
The ctf ? of Court and the affidavit
of the witnesses upon which
it is founded disclose for
the first time, the fact
that there are no children of
Mary now living.
 There
is consequently no pension
due in this case.
D. Murray Esq
New Market
N. H.
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I William Burleigh of Loudon in the County of
Merrimack and State of New Hampshire, formerly
of Stratham Near New Market in the County of Rockingham, aged seventy six years and upwards, depose
and say, that I was well aquainted with Benjamin
French late of said Newmarket decd from his boyhood
up to the time of his decease. That in June 1780
said French Entered the service of the United States,
in the Revolutionary War for six months under Lieutenant
Jonathan Cass in Col Scammels Regt at this point
That I saw said French, at West Point frequently
during most of the time of said six months service
That said French [Norte ?] place [illegible]Stratham 
whence he moved to said New Market where
he lived
and died.

William Burleigh
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack ss

October 5, 1838
Subscribed and shown to before
me
Richard Potter Jus Peace
I hereby certify that the above deponent is a man of
truth
Richard Potter Jus Peace
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State of New Hampshire
Secretary of States Office
I hereby certify that Richard Potter is a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Merrimack is duly qualified and his signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have this 11th day of October Anno Domini 1838 caused the seal of the seal of N H State to be herewith affixed.
Jno Whipple Depy Secy
Illegible Illegible
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2878
Mary French
widow of Beny
N.H.
Let to David Murray
1839 May 16
Let to L. Prendeth
March 18 1840
Let to J. Redding
May 23, 1849
On roll from Newmarket
1780 5 mo 13 days
Let & illegible Nov 2/53
Same March 6/54
Act July 7/38 

Illegible to Hon George Kittenge
H R April 17 1854
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Seal of the State
State of New Hampshire
Secretary of State Office
I certify that it appears from a Book of Records in this office that Benjamin French received pay for six months service in the Revolutionary War for the year 1780 illegible illegible illegible 
In testimony whereof I have this 11th day October Anno Domini 1838 caused the seal of State to be herewith affixed.
Jno Whipple Depy Secty
Illegible in regard to Certificate filed in the Pension Office with Mary French application for a pension under the Act July 7 1835
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Secretary Official illegible
illegible illegible
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State of New Hampshire
Secretary of States Office
I hereby certify that it appears from a book of records in this office that Benja French received pay for 24 months service in the Revolutionary War in the Year 1780 amounting to $16.10 0
In testimony whereof I have this 11th day of October Anno Domini 1838 caused the seal of the State to be hereunto affixed.
Jno. Whipple Depy Secy
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New Market NH Feb 24, 1854
Sir:
Agreeably to the directive contained in your letter to me of Nov 2 1853 admitting the claim of Mary French to 6 months Pension, an administrator has been appointed to receive the amount due to Feby 29 1848 the time of her decease.
The certificate of facts is herewith enclosed.  Please communicate the result to the Subscriber.
I am respectfully your obt servt
David Murray
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NewMarket NH.  Oct 28, 1855 [?]

Sir
In October 1838 Mary French widow of Benjamin French asserted a claim to a pension under Dec of July 7th of that year for six months Service of her said husband in 1780 and a certificate from the Secretaries Office, of which the enclosed is a true copy was filed with her & the papers showing that he was actually paid for six months Service
The claim was however suspended on the ground that the roll of the Company showed that he served only about 3 mo 18 days.  Subsequently it was found by William Bailey whose affidavit I suppose is on file that several soldiers were discharged with full six months pay, some days before the expiration the term of service on the ground that they were destitute of many articles of clothing and that they had the privilege of taking their discharge with full pay without receiving their apparel as otherwise to them as they pleased.  And that among this number was the said Benjamin French.  This proof Appears to be corroborated by the record in the Secretary's Office as appears by the certificate aforesaid.
The enclosed original Document found among the papers of Captain Robert Clarke
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would seem to show further light on this defect for it is very curious that after "French was discharged at West Point as most of the Soldiers in service 6 months or more before the Company was disbanded and he was discharged more than three hundred miles from home by the illegible of illegible... 
& the authorities illegible...
principle laid down in the document we found illegible...
accordingly as set forth in the Declaration certificate as aforesaid.  I would therefore in behalf of the claimant request re examination of said claim for soldier set forth as aforesaid.
Respectfully your Obt Servt.
David Murray

L. P. Waldo Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
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B French
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I Benjamin French of Newmarket, in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire, aged fifty one years and upwards, depose and say that I am a Son of Benjamin French late of said Newmarket deceased and Mary French his Widow now living in said Newmarket.  That my mother the said Mary French now resides in my family and has never intermarried since the death of my Father the said Benjamin French, but continues his Widow.  That my Father, the said Benjamin French died at said Newmarket on the nineteenth day of March one thousand Eight hundred and Eleven, of Fever.  Ben French

State of New Hampshire
Rockingham County ss
On this thirteenth day of October, one thousand Eight hundred and thirty eight, before the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Rockingham personally appeared the above named Benjamin French and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true: And I hereby certify that the character of said Benjamin French for truth is good.
David Murray Jus Peace
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[round stamp]
[illegible}
Mar
23
1911
Division

New Market March 21st 1911
Comissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
Can you give me
additional information of this
Soldier Benjamin, French,
if any,  please send
me all of his Papers
Respectfully


Mrs Elizabeth Mather
Box 133, New Market, N H
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3 - 871.
AOT
RECORD DIVISION.

Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by A. Nure? J 24 /3 superscript 1 /11
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier Benjamin French
Service
N.H.
additional Service
Rev.
No ___ claim, State records____ 191__
 
No claim, combination records___, 191__
REMARKS:
No Wid any service, from 14,000
No Ry: atall ex. c.
Wed. Rg. 3,797 (N.H.)
No Rw above, below W. 14000
G- 1944
Chief Division
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1911 Mch 28 Hist. to Mrs
Elizabeth Mathes V.L.M.
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1878. [strikevthrough]
3797
P.O. Mary French
Service:
Enlisted: REJECTED, 18___
Discharged:____________,18__
Application filed:__________, 18__
Alleges:____________
Re-enlisted: ______________
Attorney:______________
P.O. _________________
Recognized
Contract
Cert. of Dis. Searched for _________, 18___