Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 23,535, Joseph Benedict, New York.
Page 1

SERVICE
New York

Benedict, Joseph

NUMBER
S23535
Page 2

Reported at $174.43/100 in Cotter to J. Flenning, 25, March, 1832. 

Let Hon. A Ward 24 June '34

Paid at the increasing under the Act of 6th April 1838 from 4th March 1841 to the 18th April 1841
Agt notified June 2nd 1842

24730. New York

Joseph Benedict
Westchester Co in the State of New York [?] was a Private in the Company commanded [by] Captain Lockwood of the Regiment] commanded by Col. Drake in the New York [...?] the for 10 mo + 10 days Private
10 1/2 Months Lieutenant 

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 174 Dollars 43 Cents per annum, to commence on the sixth day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Feby 1834 and sent F Haffen
Some Westchester Co NY

Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33 - $436.07
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34  87.21
[Total] $523.28

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Mr. Cromwell Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 4  Page 109
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State of New York
Westchester County
[?]

On this 27th day of May 1833 personally appeared in open court------------ ? Judges at the court of Common Pleas of the County of West Chester/ the said Court being a Court of and Received Joseph Benedict aged Eighty one years who being just 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 7th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. 

In the month of December 1775 he enlisted as a private in a Company of Militia for the term of three months under Capt. Ebenezer Slanson in the Regiment under the command of Colonel Samuel Drake on the formation of the Company he was appointed a Sargeant of the Company to which he was attached was immediately marched to New York thru the County of West Chester and then remained for three months when he was verbally discharged   when Declarant enlisted as above stated he enlisted at South Salem in the County of West Chester.

Some time in the year 1776 Declarant enlisted as a Sargeant in a Company of Infantry at the Militia Regiment Commanded by Capt Nathaniel DeLavens? in the Regiment commanded by 

Colonel Thomas Thomas for the term of six months that he served in the said Company and Regiment for that time and was verbally discharged. At the time of his enlistment he enlisted at the at the place last aforesaid.

In the year 1777 he was ordered in the Company of Militia commanded by Capt. Gideon [?] the Regiment of Colonel Gilbert Drake? that he served as a private therein for fifteen days. In the same year after the above  service he was again ordered
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And as a substitute. In the year 1778 and in the
out  in the [?] Company and Regiment and served for more than fifteen days. Also in the year last aforesaid he was a ordered out in the Company of the said Capt. Suly and served as a private for the term of ten days. Also in the year last aforesaid he was ordered out in the Company of Captain Nathaniel De Lavan and served as a private for the term of fifteen days the service was performed at the said interval? ? ? ? and was in the County of Westchester.

And this Declarant further states that on the twenty fifth day of June 1778 he was appointed first Lieutenant in Capt. Ephraim Lockwood’s Company of Militia in the Regiment of Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Drake that he adopted? the Com. [?] 
auspices and was duly sworn according to law by Richard Hatfield Esq Clerk of the County of West Chester County on the third day of August 1778 that he served under the said Commission during the War of the Revolution as follows one year and four months in Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Drake’s Regiment. 

The Company to which he belonged on or about   the 21st October 1779 attached to a new Regiment formed from Col. Drake’s Regiment and Colonel Thomas Thomas’ Regiment by Samuel orders under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Thaddeus Crane in which Regiment he served during the remainder of the War.

 The service at D? in Drake's regiment above mentioned was on the lines and on Guard duty for the protection of the Inhabitants of West Chester County said service was all within the said County.

And Declarant further states that during the War after he received his Commission as a [?] and whilst he was attached to the Regiment under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel  Thaddeus Crane [?] stated he served at various places in the County of West Chester at a distance from his residence
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that is to say at Crown Pond ?, Peekskill and at a place now called S?, in said County and also on the line, in said County that some of the exact time at each place he cannot now recollect he as an officer often was ordered off with small detachments of men in advance of the Headquarters of the Regiment or on occasion his detachment consisting of twelve men fell in with a party of British ? when they attached  dispersed ? of ? captured two prisoners. On another occasion and as he believes some time in the year 1781 he was ordered on the lines in said County as a Lieutenant about ten men to bring off a disaffected person who lived on the lines they arrived near the rendevous? of that man a little before night they then acertained [illegible] that Capt Fotein?, Company of British Cavalry at Reteyer? covered with Infantry were near at hand and ? made a charge upon the Command of this Dela ? and he ordered to retreat and the night favoring he Seeing his men safe off, without loss.

And this Declarant further states that on about the first day of June 1785 the pay Roll; of the ? Company ? hosting? the Regiment of Lieutenant Colonel Eraordi? Crane were made out and sworn the office of Gerard Bankis ??? of the ? of New York. That Capt Ephraim Lockwood made out his pay Roll from documents? then in his ipossession and that ? thereafter the Certificates were received by the Colonel. That this Declarant received a Certificate for his pay for service as Lieutenant for the amount of  one hundred and fiftysix? pounds ? shillings and a six pence being being an amount equal to ten months and a half ? pay for his service as a Lieutenant in the Regiment of Colonel Crane
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And Declarant further states that he no documentary evidence other than his Commission here unto annexed and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can provide who can testify to his service other than as it may appear by the annexed Affidavits to which he refers --

He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension except the present and declares that his name is not on pension Roll of any State.

Sworn to & Subscribed this 27th day at May 1833 before me in open Court.
I Bayles White?

Joseph Benedict [signature]

[crossed out] [illegible] the said Ezra Lackwanda [illegible] of the County of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of West Chester doth humbly? [illegible] - opinion [illegible]...[/crossed out]

We Stephen Gilbert  & Stephen Hoyt residing in the Town of South Salem - in the County of West Chester Do hereby Certify that We are well acquainted with Joseph Benedict who has Subscribed and[illegible] the above Declaration that we believe him to Eighty one years of age that he is reputed and believed in the [illegible] neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier in the Revolution and that We concur in that opinion And we believe him to be a man of Worth & veracity 

Sworn & Subscribed to this 27th day of May 1833 before an open Court
N? Bayles Clk & 
 [signatures] Stephen Gilbert  Stephen Hoyt [/signatures]

[crossed out]...of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of West Chester do herby declare my opinion after the investigation of [illegible]... and putting? the interrogation[/crossed out]

[illegible]
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the investigation is prescribed by the War Department that the above mentioned applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states And the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that the said Stephen Gilbert and Stephen Hoyt who have signed the preceding Certificate of West Chester that they are credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit

The following Interrogation was propounded? by the said Court to the said Joseph Benedict that is to say --

Where and in what year was your Com?

Answer. I was born on the 10th day of October  1751 at Norwalk in the State of Connecticut

Have you any Record of your age, and if so where is it?

Answer.  I have a family Record in which is stated the time and place of my birth; the said Record is at my place of residence in the Town of South Salem, West Chester County.

Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?

Answer. I lived [illegible] Cortlandt Manor? at this place now called Town of Salem in the County of West Chester. I lived in when called into service and [illegible]...at the Revolution have and was service and reside in South Salem in West Chester County.

How were you called into service, were you drafted or did you volunteer, or were you a Substitute for [illegible]?

Answer  In the year 1775 I volunteered. I also volunteered? in 1776. In 1777 I was ordered out in the Militia as set forth in my Declaration.  I was never drafted, nor did I at any time during the War
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not as a Substitute.  In the year 1778 and for the remainder of the War I was a Lieutenant and was called out into service by the Capt of the Com from? to which I was attached.

State the names of service? of the Regular Officers,  who were with the Troops, when you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments, as you can enrollments, and the general circumstances of your service?

Answer. There were no Regular Officers, to my knowledge who were with the troops, where I service. There were no Continental Regiments, the only Militia Regiments that I have any knowledge of were the Regiments of Lieutenants, Colonels Drake and Cramer[?], officers referred to in my Declaration. A, to any  general circumstances of my service I can state none where [illegible]...forth?[/illegible] in my Declaration and to which I new refer.

Did you ever receive a Commission and if so by whom was it Signed and what has become of it?

Answer. I did receive a Commission which was signed by George Clinton and which is to [illegible]  my Declaration and examination annexed.

State the [illegible] if proven, to whenever? you are known in your present [illegible]... and who can ? certify as to your interaction? for veracity and their belief of your service, as a Soldier of the Revolution?

Answer. I name Stephen Gilbert and Stephen Hoyt residents of South Salem in the County of West Chester

I Nathaniel Bayles, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of West Chester Do hereby Certify that the foregoing contain the original providing of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Benedict for a Pension. In testimony [illegible] I set my hand and Seal of Office this 27th day of May 1833

N Bayles Clk
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State of New York
West Chester County

I Joseph Benedict the Declarant in the annexed Declaration named being duly sworn doth depose and say that in the June ? 1778 he served as a first Lieutenant in a Company of Militia commanded by Capt Ephraim Lockwood as put forth in his daily original ? Declaration in this Regiment of Lieutenant [illegible] General Drake that now states and sets forth the following on comprising the terms of service on tour of duty 
performed by him during this grade? that sometime in the latter part of the Summer of this year he was ordered to Creven? Pond in said County to join the Regiment of Colonel Samuel Drake that he assisted with the Company to which he was attached to Craven? pond and there remained on duty for six weeks that in the fall or Autumn of said year he was again ordered to Crum? pond aforesaid with the six? Company and remained on duty in the Company and Regiment aforesaid for six weeks that during all the time of service of this Declarant in this year on the said Company, to wit? he was attached? was clearly embodied in field of ? commanded? agreeably to the Law Martial by the proper Officer -- 

In the year 1779 he was attached to a Company of Militia commanded by Capt [illegible] Larriner in the Regiment of Colonel Samuel Drake that he was 1st Lieutenant of the said Company that foresaid Company was about service time in the Summer of that year to march to Cream? pond aforesaid to join the said Company to C? pond and did join the said  Regiment and received? on outreach? duty at Crum? pond aforesaid for three months that during all the time of service of this Declarant in this year the said Company to which he was attached was duly embodied? in field and commanded agreeably to the Law Martial by the proper officer --

In the year 1786 this Declarant [illegible] continued first

[illegible]

[illegible]
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Lieutenant in the said Company of Col McDaniel?   [illegible] Landmen? which Company [illegible] ... was attached to the Regiment of Colonel [illegible] Crane? the said Company was ordered to Peeks Kill in said County where they continued on daily for six weeks  was also ordered to C----  pond in said County was then continued on duty six weeks was also ordered to [illegible] in said County & continued on duty there for three weeks. Was also ordered out and marched  & order to [illegible] ..... White Plains and there continued on duty for three weeks. also was ordered out and marched from South Salem to Bedford Declarant had the command of the Company the Captain housing? [illegible].... a distant part of the County the above tour of duty was all preferred? during late year 1780 that during? all the time of service of the Declarant in this year? the said Company was already? [illegible] in field and commanded [illegible] in City? ability? to the Law Martial by the proper officers.

In the year 1781 the following tours of duty were performed by the Declarant in the County of West Chester land? early in the Summer Declarant was a Lieutenant said? [illegible] from Capt Lawrence's Company to which he belonged with a small body of men to join the Company of Capt Lockwood at a place called Middle Patent? Patriot:? in said County he marched his ?[illegible] and joined the Company of Capt Lockwood and continued on active duty for one month. Again in the Autumn of that year he was ordered with a detachment of men from Capt Lockwood's Company to join the Company of Capt Pard? at C----- pond he marched his men to C----- pond and they were put under command of Capt Pardin? the Declarant remained on duty with said Company at C---- pond for three weeks that during all the time of service of this Declarant in the year 1781 the said Company to which he was attached was duly embedded? in field commanded verbally? to the Law Martial by the proper officer.
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And this Declarant further states that the service performed by him in the year 1775, 1776 & 1777 [illegible] performed? in Companies duly embedded? in field and commanded by [illegible] to the Law Martial by the proper officer.

And this Declarant further states that for the time when the said service was performed by him. he was not employed in any civil? province?

Sworn to this 28th day of
August 1833 before

John [illegible]
Justice of the Peace

[signature] Joseph Benedict
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I Nathanial Bayles Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of West Chester do herby Certify that John Green before whom the written Affidavit by John Benedict was [illegible] to [illegible] at the time the [illegible] was sworn to a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of West Chester, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said John Green and do believe the name of John Green is the Affidavit [illegible] inscribed is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof? I have hereunto Inscribed my name and affixed my Seal of Office this 3rd day of September 1833

N Bayles Clk
Page 13

Joseph Benedict
Application
for pension
under Act of 7th June 1832

Admitted

Lieut   10 1/2 mo
Private 10mo & 10 day
_____________
20.25

?/  26.66
________5
133.32
___6.66
139.98
  33.33
___1.11
[illegible]
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE
May 23, 1842

Sir:

Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and another authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,"
 The children of Joseph Benedict, deceased, late
a Pensioner on the Roll of the New York City Agency, at the rate of one hundred & seventy four Dollars and 43 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1841, to the 13th April 1841,

Respectfully yours,

[signature] Albion K Parris
COMPTROLLER

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present..
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Jesse Hayes, ?
Deposition
Page 16

I Jesse Hayes of Woodbury, Lithfield, County Connecticut & Lawfull age and being first Duly sworn do testify and Depose and say that I am acquainted with Joseph Benedict of South Salem from West Chester County in the State of new York and that I knew said Joseph Benedict to serve two or three months on the Lines as A Lieutenant and as Captain David? [illegible] in the year one thousand seven hundred and Seventy Eight or nine

Fairfield? County ? New Canaan
august 27th 1832
Sworn to and subscribed
Before me J B Benedict Justice of peace

I J B Benedict do hereby Certify that Jesse Hayes in the above Affidavit named is the same person in the said Affidavit [illegible] that he is of reputable character & that his Statement is entitled to full credit & belief

[signature] J B Benedict

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County}

J? I Thomas B Osborne Clerk of the 
County Court written and for the 
County of Fairfield in said State of Connecticut do hereby certify that J. B. Benedict Esquire is a Justice of the Peace for said County duly commissioned & duly authorised to administer oaths & take Depositions & I further certify that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said J. B. Benedict Esquire & that the official signature to the above Certificate purporting to be his is, in my opinion, genuine & in the proper hand writing of the said J. B. Benedict. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 27th day of August AD 1832.
Thomas B Osborne Clerk of said County Court for Fairfield County
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State of new York}
Putnam County}

Benjamin Benedict of Patterson

in the County of Putnam and State of New York aged seventy six years who being duly affirmed before B. B. Benedict of the Justice of the Peace of said County doth affirm and say that he was well acquainted with Joseph Benedict of Salem in the county of Westchester and state aforesaid in the Revolutionary war officiant being then a resident of Salem aforesaid and became well acquainted with said Joseph Benedict and saith he was with the said Joseph in the militia servis in said war in the winter season of 1777 said Joseph was in Capt Gideon Seelys company under Col. Samuel Drake and affirment? under Capt Alijah Gilbert in Col. Thomas Thomas' regiment recollects said Joseph and himself were selected? as part of a attachment of observation for service was performed near Fort Independence [illegible] and vicinity they were in servis at that time to the best of his knowledge one month.

And this affirmant further saith he was in the servis with the said Joseph Benedict in a company commanded by Capt . Ephraim Lockwood under Maj. Nathaniel Delaware in 1778, also in the militia servis he believes to have been one month and further this affirmant Saith not

[signature] illegible

Subscribed and affirmed to
October 17, 1832 before me

and I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Benjamin Benedict know him to be of a respectable character in society and believe him to be a man whose statements may be strictly believed.

B. B. Benedict, Justice
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State of New York}
Putnam County ss}

I Jonathan Morehouse clerk of the county of Putnam do hereby certify that Benjamin B. Benedict before whom the within affidavit was taken was taken was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace and for said county duly commissioned & sworn and duly authorised to administer and has by the laws of said state. And further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice of the Peace and verily believe the signature B. B. Benedict is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said county this 9th day of November 1832

J Morehouse
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State of New York}
Westchester County ss}

Nathaniel Reynolds of the town of South Salem in said county being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is seventy eight yeaars of age that he is well acquainted with Joseph Benedict of the town of South Salem aforesaid deponent says that some time in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy sevin that deponent and the said Benedict was called out as militia and marched to a place called Ridgfield to oppose the march of the British troops through that place and remained in the service for about five days

Deponent furthr says that during the said time the said Benedict was attached to the company commanded at this time by Lieutenant Samuel Lawrence in the regiment commanded by Colonel Drake

Deponent further says that some time in the same year that he and the said Benedict were called out as militia and were in the company commanded by Captain Gideon Seeley in the regiment commanded by Col Drake and marched to a place called Crum? Pond now called York Town and that the said Benedict & deponent remained on duty about twenty days and were discharged

[signature] Nathaniel Reynolds

Subscribed and sworn the
25th day of January 1833
before me Thomas Mead Justice of the peace

I Thomas Mead am of the Justices of the Peace  of the County of West Chester before whom the Affidavit of Nathaniel Reynolds was taken and sworn do Certify here the said Nathaniel Reynolds in the said Affidavit mentioned is the same person therein named that he is of reputable character and that his statement is entitled to full credit and belief

Thomas Mead
Justice of the Peace
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State of new York}
County of West Chester}ss

I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the County of West Chester do hereby Certify that Thomas Mead before whom the within Affidavit of Nathaniel Reynolds was taken was at the time the Justice? was sworn to a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County duly commissioned and sworn. And further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Thomas Mead and verify & believe the signature "Thomas Mead" is his genuine 

In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office
this 28th day of May 1833

{signature]N Bayles Clerk
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Revolution

23535

File No. 23,535
Joseph Benedict
Lieut Rev War

Act: June 7, 32"
Index:   Vol. 20?, Page 31

[Arrangement of 1870.]

Oct 8/94  Mil Hist to 
James F. Benedict, 
22 Garden
Brooklyn, N.Y.

WEL
Page 22

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE 
O. W. & N. DIV.

MEMORANDA

I 23535

Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below. {handwritten note} no other I. " W..

Full name of soldier:
Jos Benedict

Place of residence before service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible

New Salem    [crossed out] Conn [end crossout]

Place of residence after service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)

Unionville   Conn

Date of death (as near as possible):

Unavailable

Christian name of widow:

Rebecca Hawley

Did either he or his widow receive a pension?

He received a pension

Remarks:

He was born July 12 1752.

died Mch 24, 1838.

Your name and address:

Jas? F Benedict
22 Garden Place
Brooklyn, N.Y.

[stamp]ENGION? OFFICE 13
U S
SEP 10 1894[/STAMP]

6--870
Page 23

(3__464)

O. W. and N. DIVISION

Department of the Interior,

BUREAU OF PENSIONS,

F. S.
M

Washington, D. C., Aug. 23, 1894.

Respectfully returned to
Mr. James Benedict
#22 Garden Place,
Brooklyn, N. Y.

For purposes of identification please fill out the enclosed slip as fully as possible and return it to this Bureau.

[stamp] PENSION OFFICE
U S
SEP 10 1894[\STAMP]

[signed] Wm Lochren
Commissioner

(o  6--059)

[partially obscured]12302 h  50 m
Page 24

[STAMP] OLD WAR & NAVY
SEPT 13 1894
FILES[/STAMP]

[STAMP]
PENSION OFFICE
U S
AUG 7 1894[/STAMP]
Page 25

[STAMP] PENSION OFFICE
U S
AUG 7 1894

22 Garden Place
Brooklyn Aug 4. 1894

[illegible] wm Lochean
? of Pension
Washington D. C.

My dear Sir

I have the ? to request that you will furnish me with the evidence of Service of

[ul]Col Joseph Benedict[/ul]

a col? in Col Drakes' (Conn) Regt in the war of the Revolution - he was a [ul]Pensioner[/ul]  -- The evidence desired is to be used in the application of one of his decendants as proof in support of her application to membership of "the Daughter of the A Revolution," a society of ladies engaged in the laudable endeavor
Page 26

of perpetuating the memory and Service deeds of our Ancesters in establishing our Independence

The descendants of our hon. Ancestor to the member? of sixty - were engaged in that struggle pretty good showing for one family to make?

I am the direct descendant of two grand father's - one great gr father - one of the late? was a surgeon - and one a Capt of Artillery - and after the war he continued in service - and was sent to Ky to watch the ? of Burr and Blanchas?? & died aged 96 years -

[ul]Daniel Gano[/ul] was the name of this hero - son of Chaplain John Gano - an intimate friend of Genl Washington

?
Page 27

With respy (respectfully?)

I am
Your [illegible] servant?

Jas. F. Benedict
Page 28

O. W. and N.  Division

Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., ______________, 189____

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Joseph Benedict, a soldier of the Revolution War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his application on file in this Bureau.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED

DATES OF ENLISTMENT | LENGTH OF SERVICE |   RANK | CAPTAIN | COLONEL | STATE

Dec 75 | 3 mo | Sgt | Eben Slanson | Saml Drake | NY

--- | 76 | 6 mos | " | Nath'l De Lavan | Thos Thomas | NY

---| 77 | 45 da | Pri | Gideon Seely | Gilbert Drake | "

---| 77 | 15 da | " | DeLavan | Not stat | "

June 25 1778 | 10 1/2 mo | Lt | Eph Lockwood | Saml Drake /Thos Thomas

Battles engaged in, None

Residence of soldier at enlistment, So. Salem NY

Date of application for pension, May 27 1832

Residence at date of application, Westchester Co NY

Age at date of application, 81 years

Remarks: 

Very respectfully,

Mr. James G Benedict
22 Garden Pl
Brooklyn NY

794?b - 3 m
Page 29

23525

[CERTIFICATE]

The People of the State of New York
by the Grace of God FREE and INDEPENDENT.

Joseph Benedict, Gentleman  Greeting

WE reposing especial Trust and Confidence, as well in your Patriotism, Conduct and Loyalty, as in your Valour and Readiness to do us good and faithful Service, 

Have appointed and constituted and by these Presents DO Appoint and Constitute you the said Joseph Benedict First Lieutenant of Captain Samuel Lawrence's Company [illegible]pursuant? in the bounty of Westchester in the Regiment whereof Samuel Drake Esquire is Colonel

YOU are therefore, to take the said company into your charge and care as First Lieutenant......thereof and duly to exercise the Officers and Soldiers of that Company in Arms, who are hereby commanded to obey you as their First Lieutenant..... and you are also to Observe and follow such Orders and Directions, as you shall from time to time, receive from our General and Commander in chief of the Militia of our said State, or any other your Superior Officer, According to the Rules and dicipline of War in pursuance of the Trust reposed in you; and for so doing this shall be Your Commission, for and during our good pleasure, to be Signified by our Council of appointment. In Testimony whereof, we have caused our Seal for Military Commissions to be hereunto Affixed. Witness our Trusty and well beloved George Clinton Esquire our Governor of our State of New York, General and Commander in chief of all the Militia, and Admiral of the Navy of the same, by and with the Advice and Consent of our said Council of Appointment at Poughkeepsie  the twenty fifth day of June in the Recorded? year of our Independence, and in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Eight

Passed the Secretary Office June 27th 1778

[signature] Geo Clinton

By His Excellency's Command.

Abrn B Banche, Secretary
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[notes on back of Certificate]

3 August 1778 I hereby Certify that the written name [tear in the paper] Benedict has been duly Qualified by taking the Oath of Allegiance [illegible] of officer presented by Law

Richard Hatfield Clerk of the County of Westchester

Joseph Benedict
N.Y. S 23532