Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,858, Benjamin Hooker, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)
Hooker, Benjamin
NUMBER S. 32.858
SERVICE Mass.
CONTENTS _
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[Left & right sides of paper damaged]
13.999
R
Massachusetts
Benjamin Hooker
of Pelham in the state of Massachutts 
who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Whitcomb of the Massachusetts
ne, for the term of one year
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 30th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th of June 181[?] and Sent to Samuel F. Dickerson
Amherst Massachusetts
Arrears to 4th of Mar. 1819, 81.32
Semi-anl. all'ce [Semi-allowance] ending 4 Sept. 1819, 48.00
[?] Mo 1/50 4/51 $129.32
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}
Continuet
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Notification sent July 28th 1820 to
Josiah Dwight, North Hampton, Massachusetts
Dead. See letter to P. A. [?]
I.M. Porter March 29, 1836
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Notification sent July 28th 1820 to
Josiah Dwight, North Hampton, Massachusetts
Dead. See letter to P. A. [?]
I.M. Porter March 29, 1836
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Mar 21
Benj Hooker
Mass Wa
26 June 19

Hadley Mss
Mar 16

J L Edward Esq.
Commission of Pensions
Washington
City
Page 6

Hadley March 16th, 1836
JL Edward Esq Comm of Pensions

Sir the heirs of Benjamin Hooker,
a petitioner late of Hadley Massachusetts
deceased, have proceeded according to law
to get his pension as they supposed
but as the heirs live in different
state some (unclear: irtn?) distance, the time has
exceeded 90 days, and it would be attended
with difficulty and expense, to obtain them
(unclear) & this is to request you to grant
leave to the (unclear-ca? ) at Boston to pay
them on powers of attorney now in the
pension office at Boston on behalf 
of the heirs of said father
Moses Porters Justice
of the heirs
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No. 11
Benjamin Hooker
13.994  26 June 1819
Pelham
Sept 1879
Con
Lost his eye sight.
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
HAMPSHIRE ss.
At a Special Session of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Western
Circuit, begun and holden at Northampton, within and for the County of
Hampshire, on Wednesday, the fifth day of July, and de die in diem to the
Sixth day of said month A. D. 1820:
PERSONALLY APPEARED, in open Court, being a Court of Record, while and for said County,
created such by the Laws of the Commonwealth, Benjamin Hooker
aged sixty years, resident in Pelham
in said County, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary
war as follows: that he enlisted for the term of one year in the Regiment commanded
in the Company commanded by Captain Bullard in the Massachusetts line on the
Continental establishment. Also enlisted for the term of six months in the Regiment commanded by Captain Clayde in the Massachusetts line in the Continental establishment.

And 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 thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled, "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war,” passed on the 18th 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 following schedule by me subscribed. One horse $30.00 One Loom & quill shut 4.50. One hog 8.00 
Foot wheel & reel 60 cents. Iron Wire 3.75. Crockery ware 2./10. Three tables 1.25 Chairs 2.50 two chests 2.00 One Tea & two Tumblers 60 cents Two pads & old (unclear) 1.00 Earthen ware 50. (unclear) & (unclear)
(unclear) Old (unclear: Carhes?), 75 cents. Old Iron 2.00. One old Saddle & Bridle 1.25. Saddle Bags 25 cents One old Looking glass 25 cents One Chain 1.00 One Iron Carr 1.00. One set? human teeth 1.50 One old waggon 5.00 One Grind Stone 1.50. One sled 1.25. Bush & Wedges 25 cents. One sett of
waggon wheels 12.50 = $87.70
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My occupation a Husbandman, and by the bless eye sight I am in agreement are unable to labour [labor]. The number of my family residing with me are three, Esther my wife aged sixty four having been out of health a number of years and still continues to be and not only unable to Laborer but is at considerable expense for declaring and other necessary expenses which naturally occur in sickness. Emery Hooker aged Seventy who at present is out of health and unable to Labour [labor]. Eliza Church aged sixteen Benj^a  [^ indicates superscript and this is likely shorthand for Benjamin] Hooker 

Sworn to, and declared, on the fifth day of July 1820 before the said Court. Attest, Josiah Dwight Clerk

I, JOSIAH DWIGHT, Clerk of said Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule which follows it, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is eighty seven dollars, and seventy cents.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this Sixth day of July 1820.
Josiah Dwight
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Benjamin Hooper
30 Apr 1818- private Whitcomb's Regt Massachusetts .76 One Year
Wanted the [?] certificate of the reduced circumstances of the applicant.
No on rolls-Further evidence is required.
Aamitter[?]
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District of Massachusetts, Ss. Town of [unclear] in the County of Franklin.

On this 30th day of April 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Western Circuit in the State of Massachusetts, which circuit includes the Counties of Worcester, Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Berkshire, personally appears Benjamin Hooker a citizen of the United States, aged fifty six years, resident in the Town Pelham in the County of Hampshire in the said District, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, titled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war: "That he the said Benjamin Hooker enlisted in Feb. or March 1776 in the State of Massachusetts in the company commanded by Captain Bullard of the Regiment of Capt Whitcomb of the Massachusetts [unclear]- In June or July 1780 he entered the [unclear] once again (unclear) the company of Capt [unclear] of [unclear]

that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States, until the tenth day of January 1781 when he was discharged from service in [crossed out] at West Point, in the state of New York.

that he was in the battles of [space is left blank]

and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services. And no pension has ever been allowed him by the laws of the United States. Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid.

Jon^a [^ indicates superscript and this is likely shorthand for Jonathan] Leavitt

To the Secretary of the Department of War.
I, Jon^a Leavitt Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Benjamin Hooker did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy: and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court aforesaid this thirtieth day of April A. D. 1818. Jon^a Leavitt

Franklin Co.  April 2nd 1819 - I further certify that on new examination [unclear], it appears to [page cut out here] my satisfaction that the before named Benjamin Hooker by reason of his reduced cir[cumstances]
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-stances in life is in need of assistance from his country & support.
Jona. Leavitt, Judge as aforesaid
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I Samuel Fowler Dickinson of Amhurst in the county of Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age certify & say, that I have been acquainted with the said Benjamin Hooker for a number of years, I believe ten or twelve years; & had sundry dealings with him; and that I have a general knowledge of his situation in relation to property, and I believe him to be in low circumstances and possessing but little property.
(signature) Samuel F. Dickinson
Sworn to this 30th day of April of 1818
before said Jona. Leavitt, Judge as aforesaid
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32 858
Rec'y[?] INVALID.
File No. 32.858
Benjamin Hooker
Pri. Rev. War [Private, Revolutionary War]
Act: 18 March 1818
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 194
[Arrangement of 1870.]
May 6-99
Isaac P. Gragg
Boston Mass.
Thro' Gen Dickinson
Oct 2 '99
To above
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Two or three of the powers are over 90 years old. Mr. Porter will have to write to I. L. Edwards [Eng?] Court of Pensions & get leave to have these paid. In his letter he will have only to state that the children live out of the State & that it would be attended with difficulty & expense & there is no doubt but what he will grant leave to have it paid.
L. M. Stone Clerk
Page 16

I Oliver Alden of New Salem in the county of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts yeoman testify that I joined the Army in Boston early in the spring of 1776 having previously inlisted into Capt Bullards company and Col. Whitcombs regiment in the Massachusetts line, in company with Benjamin Hooker of Pelham in the county of Hampshire and commonwealth aforesaid and that I remained in the same company with him until sometime in [word deleted] August or September when the regiment marched to the northward and I returned home. I further testify and say that I was knowing to his returning home; sometime in the winter following [word deleterd] with my Brother and a number of others and understand by all that they had staid out the time they had inlisted for which was [for] one year
Oliver Alden
Worchester ss March of 4th 1819 personally appeared the above Oliver Alden and made solemn oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed before me.
Oliver Harris Justice of the Peace
I further certify that [word deleted] I have been personally acquainted with the above Oliver Alden for a number of years, and as far as I know, or ever heard, he is a man of Verasity and believe him to be disinterested. 
Oliver Harris Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester,ss.
I, Abijah Bigelow, Clerk of the Judicial Courts holden within and for said County of Worcester, certify that Oliver Harris, Esquire, before whom the annexed affidavits have been made, is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly qualified for the purpose, acting under the authority of this Commonwealth, and that his name subscribed thereto is his own proper signature.
IN testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the County seal, this ninth day of March, A.D. 1819
Abijah Bigelow

(Application of Benjamin Hooker)
Page 18

I Israel Thomas of Dana in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts yeoman, testify and say that Benjamin Hooker of Pelham in the County of Hampshire in the Commonwealth aforesaid joined the army in March 1776 having each of us previously inlisted into the company of Capt. Bullard and into Col. Whitcombs regiment, where we remained together in the same company until sometime in the summer when I returned home on account of sickness.  I further testify that sometime in the latter part of December following, I was told by the father of the above Ben'n Hooker that he was informed that his son Benjamin was sick in the army at the Northwood[?] and was going to see him, and having wages due to me for my service in the same company, I sent an order by him for these and at his return sometime in January following he payed over to me, when he told me his son Benjamin had recovered and that he'd left him there.
Israel Thomas

Worcester ss March 4th, 1819 Personally appeared the above Israel Thomas and made solemn oath to the truth of the forgoing Deposition before me.  
Oliver Harris, Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the above Israel Thomas is a disinterested man, and of reported veracity.
Oliver Harris, Justice of the Peace
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I John Osborn of Ware in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts testify & say that I joined the army in Boston in the Month of March 1776 having previously enlisted into Capt. Whitings Company and Col. Whitcomb Regiment in the Massachusetts line, and that Benjamin Hooker of Pelham in the County aforesaid that I knew him to be a soldier in Capt. Bullard's Company in the years service under the Continental establishment and joined Col. Whitcomb's Regiment in the Month of March 1776 had the Small Pox with him in the Month of July or August in Boston, mached [marched] from Boston in the Month of August or September with him in Col. Whitcomb's Regiment to Ticondiroga [Ticonderoga] and remained in the Same Regiment together untill the latter part of December 1776. I being sick was discharged and returned home.
John Osborn
Hampshire, ss April 17th 1819 Personally appeared the above named John Osborn and made Solemn Oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subjected  before me.
Barna Brigham Justice of the Peace
I do hereby untify that the above named John Osborn is a man of truth & veraisty[?] and so considered by his fellow citizens.
Ware April 20th 1819 
Leonard Gould Town Clerk
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire ss I Josiah Dwight Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth for the said County of Hampshire certify that Barna Brigham Esq is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that his signature to the within Certificate is his proper hand writing--  In testimony wherof I hearto subscribe my name &
affix the seal of said Court this fourth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred & nineteen   
Josiah Dwight
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CAPE BRETON COPPER CO., Limited.
EXCHANGE BUILDING, Room 306,
53 STATE STREET.
Stamped:  First [  ] May 15 1899 Commis[ ]

J L. Davenport Esq. Boston May 12, 1899.
Acting Commissioner Bureau of Pensions 
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir, Your communication of May 6th relating to Revolutionary services of Benjamin Hooker of Pelham Mass. is received, for which accept thanks. - I trust that it will not be too much to ask  if the service performed for one year commencing in February + March 1776 is the only (underlined) service mentioned in the application made in 1818. -I desire to prove if the Pelham man is the same Benjamin Hooker that served in 1779 in Captain Caleb Keefs' Company of Col. Isreal Chapins' Regiment-or for the Town of Palmer Mass for a 6 months term in the Continental army 1780 on in Capt. Oliver Coneys' Company of Col. Sears' Regiment in 1781. 
Very Respectfully Yours
Isaac P. Gragg 306 Exchange Building Boston, Mass.
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This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department.  Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.

L.W.B.
I. 32858

Department of the Interior, 
Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C.

O.W. & N. Div.
Revolutionary

October 2nd, 1899

Sir:
In respect to your recent communication wherein you request further information concerning Benjamin Hooker, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and concerning whom information was furnished you under date of May 6th, 1899, you are advised that in his application for pension he also alleges a second enlistment of 6 months in 1780, in Col. Nixon's Regiment, but that he was transferred to Col. Shepherd's Regiment before his discharge in January, 1781.  This, in connection with the letter of May 6th, shows all the service alleged by him in his claim for pension.
Your attention is invited to the note in the upper corner of this sheet.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner

Mr. Isaac P. Gragg,
308 Exchange Building,
Boston, Mass.
Page 23

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department.  Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.

L.W.B.
I. 32858

Department of the Interior, 
Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C.

O.W. & N. Div.
Revolutionary

May 6th, 1899

Sir: 
In compliance with a request on the part of Gen. Joseph Dickinson, of this city, I have the honor to advise you that Benjamin Hooker made an application for pension on April 30th, 1818, at which time he was 56 years of age and residing at Pelham, Hampshire County, Mass., and hiss pension was allowed for one year's actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary War.  He enlisted in February or March, 1776, and served under Capt. Bullard and Col. Whitcomb. 
A very careful search has been made and [illegible] [illegible] data given the names of Joseph and John Hooker have not been found upon the Revolutionary war pension or bounty land records on file in the Bureau.
Very Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Mr. Isaac P. Gragg
Room 6, 17 Milk Street, Boston, Mass