Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7846, for Benjamin Owens, South Carolina
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(3-1776)
SERVICE |  | NUMBER
S.C. | Owens, Benjamin | R. 7846
CONTENTS
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4   34.265 [a "7" appears to be written over the "2"]
Benjamin Owens,
Arkansas

Hon W. S. Fulton
Senate U.S
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Declaration of Benjamin Owens.
Re  Order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832.
State of Arkansas }
County of Conway }  SS.
On this thirty first day of July 1838 personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate, now sitting, Benjamin Owens a resident of the County of Conway and State of Arkansas aged Seventy three (73) on the 13th day of May last., 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 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herin Stated --  
That about the first of March 1780 he [illegible word] in the service of the United States for thirty days, in the Company of Captain Robinson -- This company was not a volunteer Company, but some of the prior
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in the service of the United States for thirty days, in the company of Captain Robinson -- This company was not a volunteer Company, but some of the prior of the Company were sick and unable to perform duty and there was a call for men to fill for & prosers, and thus it was that we just entered the service.  He volunteered in Fairfield District South Carolina where he enlisted, and from there he was marched to Orangeburgh South Carolina, the head quarters of General Winn.  After a short stay at Orangeburgh; a [unknown word] and eight men were detailed, and ordered to escort and guard the ammunition wagons from Orangeburgh to the Saw Mills on Edisto River, on their soil to General Greens army.  This duty was considered hazardous by Major Wallace, who had command of the company to whom he, the said Benjamin Owens belonged as aforesaid, and for that reason the Major promised to give each man of the escort or ground, his Risine guard [illegible word] performing said duty, to [illegible word] any done the said Benjamin Owens and other of that
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party were discharged some two or three days before the expiration of their respective tours so that the duration of service his above refered to was one month less two or three days as aforesaid -- A regular discharge was at the time given, yet it was given for all in one and given to the sargent having the command as aforesaid, one Roonsad Koon - And the said Benjamin Owens has never seen or heard of it since -- 
That afterwards in May of the same year (1785. (as well as recollected) the said Benjamin Owens, at his residence in Fairfield District South Carolina was regularly drafted into the service of he United States, and fell in the company or Division of Lieutenant Henry Wimpey, and was marched in said Division by said Lieutenant to Orangeburgh South Carolina.  Where he in company with said Division of said Lieutenant was served under the Command of Col: Thomas Taylor. After a stay of a few days at this place, he was marched with others under the command of Col. Taylor, to the Forehole Bridge in said State;
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under the command of Col. Thomas Taylor after a stay of few days at this place, he was marched with others under the command of Col. Taylor to the Forehole Bridge in said State., when General Winn took command.  Here we remained until some time in Feby of the next year when he was relieved and discharged.
The drafts were made in Division or by Division, and there for a months service
or longer if not relieved.  In the case of said Benjamin Owens, the Division to which he belonged was not relieved till after he had served two months or more.  He was in company with and out at the same time with a part Col: Lacys Regiment, and also the Regiment or a part of the regiment of Col: Bratton.
The said Benjamin Owens, has alleges that he received no written discharge on this last occasion, and says that none were from 
because the whole division together with the Commanding officer were discharged at the same time, and sent home at the same time.
In relation to documentary evidence -- He has
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through the means of a friend obtained a letter from the Comptroller General of South Carolina, who had been pleased to furnish an extract from some ancient record of that State, an extract from which is " I certify that the following Indent was issued, viz, In Book V No 239. Issued to Benjamin Owens Jnr 26th July 1785 for four pounds fifteen Shilling  & 6 1/2 
for 67 days Militia duty act rendered ".
He knows of no person whose testimony he
can procure, who can testify to his service
Being interrogated by the Court he states that
he was born in the State of North Carolina, does not know the county or District in the year 1765. He has a record made by himself in his own family Bible, and copied and taken from the Bible of his grand father Owens Owens. The old Bible in which he transcribed as aforesaid the record of his age is any since worn out and lost or destroyed -- When called into the service he says as he has before stated that he resided in Fairfield District South Carlina -- that since the war, he remained in said Fairfield District S.C. some fifteen or twenty years most thereafter, when he moved to Tennessee and near Nashville say within five miles of Nashville.  He stayed
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the war, he remained in said Fairfield District S.C some fifteen or twenty years most this after, when he moved to Tennessee and near Nashville say within five miles of Nashville.  He stayed at it about one year near Nashville and
then moved to an adjoining County (Robinson)
in said state of Tennessee, where he resided six years. He then moved back to the said State of South Carolina, and District of Fairfield  He remained in South Carolina after his return there as aforesaid till the year 1821. when
he moved to the State of Alabama where he stayed in the County of Shelby six years or seven years.  And that in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty seven or eight he moved to the Territory of Arkansas, and settled in this County (Conway) where he now resides, and has ever since.  He has already stated that, he first entered the service of the United States as a volunteer for think [illegible two words] and that [illegible] [illegible] tour from was Fairfield.  He has but little memory of the Regular Officers. He went as a guard with
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the amunition waggons, part of the way to General Green's army but not beinn required to join that army he did not see Genl Green in person and only knows from hearsay that he commanded. He was altogether with the militia of his own state as aforesaid.  He never received (in person) a written discharge
from the service. But as before stated a written discharge was given to Sargent Koone and eight men one of whom was said Benjamin
Owens - He gives as the names of persons to whom he is known in his present mighbourhood, who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief
of his service as a soldier of the Revolution the following Col: Thomas Mathers Judge Joseph Summon Frederick Flet.cher Thomas Hanes, Sheriff of this County James Adams, Ruben Bluit, Elisha Wilborn Dudley Dobbeson Esqr Col: Benjamin Thoneand; Eli Bentley, Oliver Jointly Doctor, Menifee Richard Griffin Larkin
Griffin, Hawkins Gregory, Jonathan Jones - and in conclusion he says that he could name, and ron before to every neighbour he has, which
son [illegible] putly much the whole county of Conway.
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he could name, [remainder of line cut off of image]
neighbour he has which military [illegible]
might the whole County of Conway.
He herby relinquishes every claim whatever to pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid [preceding words beginning with "Sworn" are lined through]
He further states that the reason for his not asking a pension earlier are that his pecuniary situation heretofore has been such, that he could well do without it.  And his pride was such that he did not like to ask it.
He is now getting old and feeble, and unable
to support himself and has become [illegible] that it is his right and no way disgraceful to receive it at the hands of his government.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  
Benjn Owens
[illegible]
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We James Brewton, a clergyman, residing in the County of Pope, an adjoining County to Conway and about eighteen miles from the residence of Benjamin Owens, and the nearest Clergyman to said Owen --- and Thomas Mathers residing in the County of Conway aforesaid hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Owens, who has subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be seventy three 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
Sworn and subscribed the day and year
aforesaid.
James Brewton
Thos Mathers

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he States
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after the investigation, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that James Brewton, who has signed the preceeding Certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the County of Pope an adjoining County in this State and that
Thomas Mathers who has also signed the same, is a resident in the County of Conway aforesaid and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Joseph J Simmons Clerk of the Court of Probate do herby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Benjamin Owens for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 31st day of July 1838
Jos J. Simmons Clerk
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I Robert A Wilkins Secretary of State of the State of Arkansas do hereby certify that Joseph J. Simmons who has signed [illegible] is to the [illegible] and foregoing instrument of writing was on the Thirty first day of July A. D. 1838 [illegible] Commissioned and acting Clerk of the Probate Court [illegible] the [illegible] of [illegible] and State as aforesaid and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of office at Little Rock the 28th day of August A D. 1838. and of the [illegible] independence the sixty third
RA Watkins
Secretary of State
Secretarys Office
Little Rock.
Arkansas
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4
Benjamin Owens
Arkansas
Rejected
See let. 25th
Feb: 1839 Hon: W. S. Fulton
same Apl 9. 1840.
did not serve
six months.
7846
Act 7 June 1832
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Benjamin Owens.
Arkansas
Suspended
See letter 24th Nov
1837 J. N. Newstead
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34.265
Benjamin Owens
Arkansas
claim of Benjamin Owens of Conway County Arkansas. for a Pension
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State of Arkansas }
County of Conway } SS
Personally come before me the undersigned one of the Judges of the Circuit for the State aforesaid Benjamin Owens to obtain the benefit of the several acts of Congress providing for the soldiers of the revolution after being duly sworn on the holy evangelist of Almighty God deposeth and sayth that he is
seventy two years of age.  That at the age of fifteen years that the he resided in the State of South Carolina Fairfield District that he volunteered in a Militia company commanded
by Captain William Robinson Henry Waimpey was his Lieutenant that he was marched to Orangeburg and was attached to Major Wallace's Command after this deponents time of service had expired three waggons from the north came on carrying provision for General Green's Army who was then lying at Dorchester, this deponent was prevailed on
by Major Wallace's with eight others to escort said waggons to Green's Army promising on their return to give them their discharge this deponent did under a sergeant a Dutchman by the name of Coonrad Coons escort said waggons and on their return the sergeant made application to Major Wallace and obtained a discharge for himself and his command this deponent never took his discharge from the sergeant.  In one month after this deponents return home he was drafted and went out with Lieutenant Wympey to what is called the four hole bridge  This Deponents Colonel was Thomas Taylor General Wynn was in the command at the four hole where
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where he remained till within three weeks of peace between Great Britain and America when the men were relieved and went home This deponent states that he has never received any thing for his services either from South Carolina or any other State nor has he received any thing from the United States and further this deponent saith not.
Benjn Owens
Sworn to and subscribed before
me Charles Coldwell this 28th day of
September in the year of Christ
Eighteen hundred thirty seven
Chas Caldwell
Judge of the fifth Judicial
District of of the State of
Arkansas
State of Arkansas }
County of Conway } SS
Personally appeared before me one of the Judges for the State of Arkansas John Linton that Joseph Simmons James Adams George Harris B. B. Ball
really four years Elisha Wellborn OliverT. Bentley and after being duly sworn deposeth and saith that they have been acquainted with Benjamin Owens who has made the foregoing declaration for upwards of six years that he had at all times sustained the character of an honest honorable and pious man and of strict
veracity and integrity and that they believe the foregoing declaration by him made
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to be true Sworn to and subscribed beforeme as aforesaid this [blank space] day of September 1837
George Harris
Jos J Simmons
B. B. Ball acquanted [illegible]
John Linton
State of Arkansas  D. J. Mason (three years)
Oliver Bentley
S Tho. Caldwell one of  Elish Wilburn one of 
J Thos. G. Haynes
Saml Adams
the Judges for the State of Arkansas do hereby certify that there is no regular ordained minister of the Gospel in Conway County Arkansas, and that the persons whose names as subscribed to the above and forgoing certificate are persons of esteem in the community in which they reside that implicit faith and confidence are due to their statements also that Benjamin Owens is a man worthy of confidence and that full faith is due to any statement made by them 
Given under my hand and seal this 28th
day of September 1837
Bel
Thas Caldwell
Judge
I Robert A. Watkins Secretary of State of the State of Arkansas do hereby certify that Charles Caldwell whose signature is to the foregoing instrument of writing is a regular commissioned Judge of the fifth Judicial Circuit for the State as aforesaid and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as
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such  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Office at Little Rock. this 14th day of October 1837 and of the American independence the 62nd year
RH. Watkins Secretary of State

34.265
Benjamin Owens
Arkansas

claim of Benjamin Owens of Conway County Arkansas for a Pension
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RICHMOND
AUG
1
VA
Free
Colo J. L. Edwards
Comm: of Pensions
Washington

Aug 3d 1843
Arks.
Ben. Owens

Tho Green
Richd
Va
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Richmond 1 Aug. 1843
Col. J. L. Edwards
Washington
Sir.
I am requested to ascertain the objections, if any have been formed, to the allowance of the Pension to Ben: Owens of Arkansas, whose papers were probably left with you by Senator Fulton, at least he says, he forwarded the papers to Senator Fulton  He thinks some of his enemies must have misrepresented him to your Department. He professes confidence in being able to remove the difficulties, if they can be ascertained
The claim was under the act 7 June 1832 from Arkansas.  A neighbor says, "there is not a doubt but the claim is a just one and with proper attention will be allowed" ---
I am your Very Obt Svnt
Thos Green
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Senate Chamber,
February 19th
1819.
Sir,
I have the honor herewith to enclose you the papers & evidence of Benjn Owen in support of his claim to a pension. He is a very worthy and respectable old man & was a soldier of the revolution
I am most respectfully
Your Obt St
Wm S. Fulton

James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions.
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Acts of July 14, 1832, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
OWM
7846
P. O.
Benjamin Owens
Service:
Enlisted:  18
Discharged:   18   18
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized.    Cont [remainder of word missing]
Cert. of Dis.   Searched for   ,18
18
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Elijah A. Moore Esquire
Little Rock,
Arkansas
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State of South Carolina }
Comptroller's Office }
I certify that the following Indent were issued viz
In Book U. No 521
Issued to Ben. Owens on the 2d July 1785 for Twenty four pounds Nineteen Shillings and Eleven pence for two Horses for the Militia in 1781 as & an audited Principal [pound symbol] 24.19.11 Int. [pound symbol] 1.14.4 -
In Book V No 239. Issued to Ben Owens Junr
Applicant } 26 July 1785 for four pounds fifteen Shillings 8½ for 67 days Militia duty & ap rendered.
In Book Y No 1537.  Issued 15th Sept 1786 to Ben Owens [pound symbol] 39.4.0. Sterling for Job for General Green's army & amount from Commissioners.  [pound symbol] 39.4.0 --
Given under my hand and Seal this 16th of April 1838 --
Wm. Ed. Harpre
Comptroller Genl
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Copd.
Ary?  apl 2. 1840 copies promised
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Washington
March 31st
1840.
Sir,
The proof of Mr Benjamin Owen a Revolutionary soldier who claims a pension, and asked to be placed upon the pension list were sent to me by his friend Mr. E. A. Moore during the winter of 1839. I find that I have either lost or mislaid them and I write to beg the favor to have a search made in your office in the hope that I may have sent them to you.
If they were sent to your office I respectfully ask you to procure them and send them to me at your earliest leisure. The individual was in the revolutionary service from the State of South Carolina. He now resides in Arkansas.
I have the honor to be
most respectfully
Your obt. St. 
Wm. S. Fulton
J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions.