Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2920, Benjamin Arnold, S.C. Va
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
Va
Arnold, Benjamin
NUMBER
S. 2920
Carded
CONTENTS
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[first column]
25.123
West Tennessee
---
Benjamin Arnold [of] Warren Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the compy commanded by Captain Ford of the regt commanded by Col Cleaveland in the S. Carolina Mili for 9 1/2 months from 1780

Virginia and South Carolina Line. Records corrected
---
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee [at] the rate of 31 Dollars 66 Cents per annum [to] commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Nov. 1833 and sent to Hon: J. C. Isacks, Winchester.
---
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $79.16
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mch 34 15.83
[total] $95.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm S Allison Clerk
Book E. Vol. 7 Page 70

[second column]
Let to Pen agt. Aug 12. 1836
Date of death not on AB
Page 3

Benjn. Arnold
22577

from 1780 private
9 1/2 months
$31.66 / 100

Hon J. C. Isacks
Winchester
Tennessee
Page 4

State of Tennessee
Warren County
Circuit Court
January term 1833.
On this 31st day of January 1833, personally appeared in open court before the Honourable James C. Mitchell Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of the Circuit Courts of Law & Equity of the State of Tennessee, now sitting in the County of Warren in said State, Benjamin Arnold a resident of said County of Warren and State of Tennessee aged Seventy 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 the 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. He was drafted in Lawrence [Laurens] County in the State of South Carolina to go and guard Arrington's Station in the upper part of South Carolina, on a river which he thinks was Tugler river, against the Indians. He was under the command of Captn. Ford, whose given name he does not remember, neither does he remember the names of any of his other company officers. He thinks Col. Cleaveland had the command of the detachment of troops at this station. He served upon this tour three months, but he cannot remember the day, the month or year on which he was drafted and entered the service. He thinks he was about seventeen years of age. During this tour of service, he, together with the troops to which he belonged, were frequently engaged in scouring and reconnoitering the country along under the mountains in search of the Indians, or to discern if they were making any incursions upon the white settlements, and they occasionally discovered a scouting Indian, or a few Indians together, and several times, fired on them, but never had any thing like a general engagement, nor does he certainly know that they ever killed
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any of them. They were also sometimes engaged in scouring the country after the Tories, who always fled on their approach, and they never had an engagement with them. The forces with whom he cooperated during this tour were all Malitia, and they had no intercourse as he believes, with any Continental troops. At the end of three months, for which term he was ordered into service, declarant was discharged and returned home. He received a written discharge from Captn. Ford as he thinks, but he has long since lost it, or it has been distroyed.
Shortly after his return home, but he cannot state accurately the length of time, nor can he state the day & year, he volunteered his services, and joined the troops under the command of Gen. Morgan not far from the Cowpens, at the residence of a man by the name of Charles Moore, on Tiger river. He joined Captn. McDowel's Company, the names of his other company officers he does not remember. The regiment to which he belonged was commanded by Col. Cleaveland according to the best of his recollection, and James McDowel, who he thinks was a relation of the Captain's, was one of the Majors. After joining the army he marched to the Cowpens, where the battle was fought between Gen. Morgan and Col. Tarlton who had the command of the Brittish forces. Declarant was in this engagement. He thinks if his memory serves him, there were six hundred and thirty of the Brittish killed and taken prisoners in this engagement. He remembers to have seen & Col. William Washington in the engagement; and that he commanded the American Light Horse. The battle commenced early in the morning, he thinks shortly after sun rise, and occurred according to his recollection, on the 17th day of January 1781. He has a distinct recollection of the date, on account of its being the first battle in which he was engaged. After this engagement, declarant marched with the army, having with
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them, under guard, the prisoners taken at the Cowpens, to Beaty's ford; and were there fired on while crossing, by the Brittish under Cornwallis, who had pursued the Americans, but declarant does not remember that any of the Americans were killed by the fire. Declarant understood amongst his fellow soldiers, that after they had been fired on by Cornwallis, a missage was sent him, informing him if he did not disist all the Brittish prisoners would be put to death; and there was afterwards no more firing. Declarant marched on from Baty's ford to Sailsbury, at which place, sometime after maching it, he was discharged. He received a verbal discharge from his Captain, having been in service, and on active duty on this tour, as near as he can remember two and a half months. Declarant then returned home, or to his Grandfather's with whom he resided in Lawrence County South Carolina, as already stated, his Father being dead, and his Grandfather then removing to Henry County in the State of Virginia, he accompanied him. In about six weeks after declarant went to Henry County Virginia, he substituted himself to perform a three months tour of duty in the place of a man by the name of Cox, who had been drafted. He went out on this tour in Captn. George Harston's company, in which he thinks - Dillard was Lieutenant. This was in the year 1781, but he cannot state the day or month, he is under the impression that it was sometime in the spring of the year. He marched into North Carolina his captain being the highest officer in command, until they joined the army under the command of Gen. Green on Deep river near Rugeley's Mill. Gen. Lafayette, or as he was commonly called by the soldiers La Marquis, was also a commanding officer with Gen. Green at that time.
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The company to which declarant belonged, joined the regiment of this place, commanded by Col. Perkins, and it was in few days, perhaps not more than one or two days after battle at Rugeley's mill that we joined the Main Army. From this place declarant marched in pursuit of the Brittish, back into Virginia, and proceeded down near James Town; from thence he marched up to a place near Richmond, called Moppin Hill, where then had his head quarters. At this place, declarant remained a considerable time, though he cannot state accurately, how long. But he remained here until he had served out his term of three months, when he was discharged in writing, which discharge he has lost or it has been distroyed in some way unknown to declarant. After receiving his discharge, declarant went into Amherst County Virginia, to where an uncle of his, Hendrick Arnold resided. When he reached there, his uncle had just been drafted to march against the Brittish, and he substituted himself in his uncle's place, and marched immediately in Captain David Woodruff's company to join the American Army, that was then marching towards little York against Cornwallis. He is not certain, but if he remembers right, the Lieutenant's name in his company was Brown. Col. Merriweathers was Col. commandant of the regiment to which he belonged, and Samuel Higginbotham was a Major in the regiment. Before reaching the main army, news reached them, of the surrender of Cornwallis, when they wheeled and marched back to Amherst Court House, where they were dismissed, with directions to meet them on a certain day and receive their discharges. Declarant, however considering the war then ended, and not supposing he
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discharge would ever be of any service to him, and living fifteen or sixteen miles from the Court House, did not go on the day appointed to receive his discharge. Declarant states, that according to the best of his recollection, the time he was out on this tour was six weeks, and the whole time he served during the war was Nine months and a half, perhaps it might have been a few days more, but he is certain it was that much.
Declarant was born in Buckingham County Virginia, on the 28th day of January 1762. He has no record of his age. His Father left a record of his age in the Family Bible, which he has seen, but he does not now know what has become of it. He lived, as he has already stated, in Lawrence County South Carolina, when he first entered the service. Since the revolutionary war, he has lived in Amherst County Virginia about ten years, in Henry County Virginia about fifteen years, thence he removed to Rowan County North Carolina, and lived there about five years, thence he removed to Greenville District South Carolina where he live twelve years or upwards; thence he removed to Warren City Ten. where he now resides as has ever since resided.
He states he is known to John & Elias Hopkins the Revd. Wm. Mills, David Banks, Matthew Banks, Wm. Nichols, John Freeze, and various other persons who he believes will testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
Declarant states he has no documentary evidence of his service, and he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify as to their personal
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knowledge of his services.
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
Bejamin Arnold his mark X
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
J Henderson Clerk

We John K. Wells a clergyman residing in the County of Warren and State of Tennessee and Elias Hopkin residing in the same County and State, hereby certify, that we are acquainted with Benjamin Arnold who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
John K Wells
Elias Hopkins his mark X
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
J Henderson Clerk

And I, James C. Mitchell, Judge of said Court, do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant, was a soldier of the revolution, and served as he states. And I further certify that it appears to me that John K. Wells who has signed the preceeding certificate, is a clergyman resident in Warren County, Tennessee, and that Elias Hopkin who has signed the same is a resident in Warren County
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Tennessee, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. C. Mitchell

I Pleasant Henderson, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Warren County Tennessee, do hereby certify that the foregoing, contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Arnold for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and private seal, there being no seal of office this 31st day of January 1833.
P Henderson Clerk
{seal}

I do certify that Pleasant Henderson is and was at the date of the foregoing certificates the Clerk of the County Court of Warren County Tennessee I believe the foregoing certificates are in his hand write being acquainted therewith and that there is no Seal of Court
3rd June 1833
J.C. Isacks
Page 11

March 16, 1940
X
BENJAMIN ARNOLD
S. 2920
BA-J/MLB awc

Mrs. Edythe Whitley
2710 Belmont Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Benjamin Arnold who served as private in the South Carolina militia, and was pensioned November 25, 1833, while a resident of Warren County, Tennessee, aged seventy-one years.
The record of Benjamin Arnold follows as found in the papers of pension claim, S. 2920, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Benjamin Arnold was born January 28, 1762, in Buckingham County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not shown. His father died prior to the Revolution and Benjamin lived with his grandfather (name not stated) in Laurens County, South Carolina.
While living with his grandfather in said Laurens County, South Carolina, he enlisted when about seventeen years of age, served at various times as a private in Captain Ford's and McDowell's companies, Colonel Cleaveland's regiment. He then moved with his grandfather to Henry County, Virginia, where he enlisted and served as private in Captains George Harston's and David Woodruff's companies, Colonels Parkins' and Merriwether's Virginia regiments; during his last tour of service of six weeks he served as substitute for for his uncle, Hendrick Arnold, whom he had gone to visit in Amherst County, Virginia. His entire service in the Revolution amounted to about ten months, during which he was in the battle of Cowpens January 17, 1781.
After the Revolutionary War, the soldier resided in Amherst County, Virginia, about ten years; in Henry County, that state, about fifteen years, then moved to Rowan County, North Carolina, where he lived about five years, thence to Greenville District, South Carolina, where he remained "twelve years or upwards", then moved to Warren County, Tennessee.
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Benjamin Arnold was allowed pension on his application executed January 31, 1833, while a resident of Warren County, Tennessee.
August 1, 1836, it was stated that Benjamin Arnold had just returned to Warren County, Tennessee, after having spent nearly two years in Illinois, no further details given.
It is not shown in the claim whether Benjamin Arnold ever married.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of Benjamin Arnold, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: Benjamin Arnold, certificate #25123, issued November 25, 1833, rate $31.66 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, West Tennessee Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
-2-
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[first column]
1913 Mch. 18. Hist. to Josiah H. Shinn. [cent sign]
----
1931 Nov 4 Ad. Mrs. W. M. Sherard that there is no data as to parents or wife & children in claim. EES
---
1935 Apr. 18 - Hist. to W H Arnold - MLB.
1940 Mar. 16 - Hist to Mr. Edythe Whitley MLB

[second column]
Rev War
2920
INVALID.
File No. 2920
Benjamin Arnold
Pvt. S.C. line
Act: June 7 "/32
Index:- Vol. A, Page 10
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Virginia and South Carolina Line. Records corrected Feby 9'04 9
Page 14

[stamp] WINCHESTER TE NOV 11
[stamp] FREE

J.L. Edwards Esqr.
Commrs of Pensions
Washington City
Page 15

Winchester 9th Novr 1838
Dear Sir
I must intreat your immediate attention to the case of Jno Jackson Andrews Beaty and Benjamin Arnold whose papers I send by the mail in one envelope They were prepared and it was thought sint on to your early in June last but by accident were mislaid until now. I also send you three other cases in one inclosure to which I also request your attention as soon as convenient
I am with esteem
yours &c
J.C. Isacks

John Jackson for transfer handed to Mr Stewart
Page 16

[stamp] NASHVILLE T. AUG 2
Free

J L Edwards Esqr
Commr of Pension
Washington City

[sideways]
Aug 12
Benj Arnold
Tenn roll
25723
Page 17

Union Bank
Nashville Aug 1 1836

J L Edwards Esq
Sir
Benjamin Arnold a pensioner of June 1832 who has not applied for two years - has made application for his pension to day - He is of Warren County in this state, removed to Illinois nearly two years since & from infirmity was unable to get back untill now - shall I resume the payment of his pension?
Respectfully
your obt ser
Jno M Bass
Prest & Pen agent
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[stamp] RECEIVED APR 8 1935 MAIL SUB-DIV. VETS. ADM. READER #27

WILLIAM H. ARNOLD
WILLIAM H. ARNOLD, JR.
DAVID C. ARNOLD
RICHARD L. ARNOLD

ARNOLD & ARNOLD
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS

April 6, 1935.

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

only one
Dear Sir:
I should be pleased if you would send me copy of the application and other related documents on file of Benjamin Arnold of Warren County, Tennessee, January 31, 1833.
It seems that he made a statement with reference to his services in the American Revolution and I understand that he drew a pension.
These documents I desire to use in connection with an application for admission to the National Society of the S. A. R.
Hoping that this will not be too much trouble and awaiting your reply, I am,
Yours very truly,
W H Arnold
Page 19

[stamp] RECEIVED OCT 23 1931 RECEIPT SECTION PENSION FILES SUBSECTION

MRS. W. M. SHERARD
"GREENWOOD"
1110 FOURTH AVENUE WEST
HENDERSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
Oct. 20th, 1931

Bureau of Census
Washington, D.C.

My dear Sir:
On Jan. 31 - 1833 our Benjamin Arnold, then of Warren Co. Tenn, made application for a pension, which was granted, showing that he enlisted, in his 17th year, in Laurens Co. So. Car., and giving his service in War of Revolution. The application states that he was born Jan. 28 - 1762 in Bucking-
Page 20

MRS. W. M. SHERARD
"GREENWOOD"
1110 FOURTH AVENUE WEST
HENDERSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

[Bucking]ham Co. Va., mentions his grandfather, but does not give his name, and gives name of an uncle Hendrick Arnold. The name of the grandfather was, however Benjamin Arnold born 1719. I believe, in making application for pension, it is the custom to name wife, if she is living at the time and to give the names of applicant's children. If these are named, or his parents, in the application of Benjamin Arnold from Warren County, Tenn., I shall appreci[ate]
Page 21

MRS. W. M. SHERARD
"GREENWOOD"
1110 FOURTH AVENUE WEST
HENDERSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

[appreci]ate it if you will give them to me.
Yours very truly
Mrs. W. M. Sherard

[stamp] RECEIVED OCT 23 1931 RECEIPT SECTION PENSION FILES SUBDIVISION
Page 22

Send transcript of service of Benjamin Arnold, S. 2920 to
Josiah H. Shinn,
Majority Room,
House Office Bldg.
[stamp] MAR 18 1913
Page 23

[stamp] NASHVILLE TENN. FEB 25 1030 PM 1940
[stamp] RECEIVED FEB 27 1940 MAIL SUB-DIV Reader No. 20 VETS ADM

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
U. S. Pension Office,
Revolutionary Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Page 24

Please furnish me with information contained in report. Congressional report gives his name. Warren County, Tennessee, Benjamine Arnold, private, South Carolina Militia pensioned Nov. 25, 1833, aged 71 years.
Thanking you,
Sincerely,
Edythe Whitley
Mr. Edythe Whitley
2710 - Belmont Blvd.,
Nashville, Tenn.

M.L.B.
Page 25

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Arnold a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S. 2920
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. STATE.
3 mos. [Capt.] Ford [Col.] Cleaveland S.C.
2 1/2 " [mos.] * [Capt.] McDowel " [Col. Cleaveland]
Spring 1781 3 mos. [Capt.] George Harson [Col.] Perkins Va.
6 wks. ** [Capt.] David Woodruff [Col.] Meriwether " [Va.]

** substituted for his uncle Hendrick Arnold in Amherst Co., Va.

Battles engaged in, * Cowpens Jan. 17, 1781.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Laurens Co., S.C.
Date of application for pension, Jany. 31. 1833. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Warren Co., Tenn.
Remarks: He stated that his father being dead, he resided in Laurens Co. S.C. with his grandfather (names not stated) and removed with him after his second service to Henry Co. Va.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
6-2856
Page 26

April 18, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BENJAMIN ARNOLD
S. 2920
BA-J/MLB

Mr. W. H. Arnold
C/o Arnold & Arnold
Texarkana, Arkansas

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Benjamin Arnold, of Warren County, Tennessee, January 31, 1833, who served in the Revolutionary War.
You are furnished below the record of the only soldier named Benjamin Arnold found in the Revolutionary War records of this office. The data therein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 2920, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Benjamin Arnold was born January 28, 1762, in Buckingham County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not shown. His father died prior to the Revolution and soldier lived with his grandfather, name not stated, in Laurens County, South Carolina.
While living with his grandfather in said Laurens County, South Carolina, he enlisted at about the age of seventeen years, served at various times as a private in Captains Ford's and McDowell's companies, Colonel Cleaveland's regiment. He then moved with his grandfather to Henry County, Virginia, where he enlisted and served as private in Captains George Harston's and David Woodruff's companies, Colonels Perkins' and Merriwether's Virginia regiments; during his last tour of service of six weeks he served as substitute for his uncle, Hendrick Arnold, whom he had gone to visit in Amherst County, Virginia. His entire service in the Revolution amounted to about ten months, during which he was in the battle of Cowpens January 17, 1781.
After the Revolutionary War the soldier resided in Amherst County, Virginia, about ten years; in Henry County, same state, about fifteen years, then moved to Rowan County, North Carolina, where he lived about five years, thence to Greenville District,
Page 27

South Carolina, where he lived "twelve years or upwards," then moved to Warren County, Tennessee.
Benjamin Arnold was allowed pension on his application executed January 31, 1833, while a resident of Warren County, Tennessee.
On August 1, 1836, it was stated that Benjamin Arnold had just returned to Warren County, Tennessee, after having spent nearly two years in Illinois, no further details given.
No reference was made in the claim to wife or children.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
-2-

[shorthand notations - illegible]
BA. ctf # 25123 R 11/25/1833 rate $31.66, com. 3/4/31, Act 6/7/32, W. Tenn. Ag.
Page 28

November 4, 1931
BA-J/EEL

Mrs. W. M. Sherard
Greenwood
110 Fourth Ave West
Hendersonville, North Carolina

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Benjamin Arnold, a Revolutionary War pensioner of Warren County, Tennessee.
In the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.2920, based upon the military history of Benjamin Arnold in that war, there is no reference to soldier's parents or to wife and children.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.