Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2063, Benjamin Beckwith, Md.
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Service: Md.

Beckwith, Benjamin
Number S21063

Carded


Contents
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Let to Hon. Sell Apulord
30 Dec. 1837

1886 UGT 19 Paul Beckwith--present to take history
-----at the rate of 8 Dollars no cents per----to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of October
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Declaration of No. 1257
Benj. Beckwith


Duly sworn


B.B. Johnson, Clerk
Pension Office
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State of Ohio
Morgan County

On this the 21st day of July AD 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Honourable Thomas Irvin, President Joseph C Linn & David McGary associates--the judges constituting said court & being the court of Com Pleas now sitting Benj, Beckwith, resident of Morgan township, Morgan County, Ohio, aged about 72 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 7th 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated--That he enlisted in the spring of 1776 (the day & year are forgotten) in the company of Capt. Jacob Young in the Regiment commanded by Col. Johnson---That he enlisted for during the war in the Maryland line of Militia or state troops or volunteers but which they were properly called he does not know as they were usually denominated Minute Men.--That he enlisted in Frederick County in the town of Frederick & State of Maryland. Immediately upon this deponents enlistment he was required to do camp duty two or three days in each week but which he has forgotten. He however drew both his pay & his rations. In the fall of this year this deponent marched to Philadelphia. The regiment tarried about two weeks in that city in which time a great part of his company died of the small pox. The regiment was then marched to the plains of  Brunswick in East Jersey & was stationed between Long hills & Baskenridg & drew their rations at Lord Stirling's buildings. On this march they crossed the Delaware at Flemington & went through Pluckemin.  Lord Stirling was in command on their arrival but so greatly were the army displeased with him that it became necessary to change the command which was done & transferred to General Greene. While stationed  here the British threw up redoubts at the Short Hills which opened into a fertile country leading to New York. We attempted to dislodge them in the battle that ensued. Our regiment in the beginning was commanded by a Virginian, formerly an old church preacher by the title & name of Colonel Threwston. This Col Threwston had his arm broke at the beginning of the battle when a man took the command by the name of Montgomery. This was the first day of March AD 1777. The British were dislodged .At the beginning of the action this deponent escorted a fellow soldier to him unknown & asked him if he had anything to give him to drink. The soldier replied in the affirmative but said that his canteen was lashed to his  back & he had not time to loose it. He however placed himself in such a position that deponent obtained a draught when on wiping his mouth he discovered that his mouth was black with liquid smut whereon he asked the soldier if he had poisoned his whiskey. No says the soldier. I put gunpowder in the whiskey & it will make you as bold as the devil. The battle began between daybreak & sunrise & lasted till near 10 AM when it was over. This applicant having had nothing to drinks from the time of taking his said gunpowder dram & being parched with heat & thirst & black & smarting with the powder burnt in his face gave 12 dollars of his wages-continental
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money for a gill of whiskey. This money is all that this applicant has ever received of the United States for between one & two months service.

Previous to this battle he was in a skirmish near Quibblestown in which several men were killed & especially three men-all gunsmiths- from the same town with this deponent whose names he knows if he could hear them but has now forgotten. In this skirmish Major Francis Dickens had his horse shot from under him. He was from Georgetown in the new District of Columbia. While at Brunswick a party of Americans , of whom deponent was one, surprised a party of British near the British & American lines & took a number of cattle & about 500 sheep from them which they were driving in. An overgrown fat weather broke from the flock & took down the lane towards the British camp. This deponent who was on foot& Dr, Ridgley who was the surgeon of the regiment & was on horseback took after him & caught him. He was so heavy that it was with difficulty that they got him mounted before the Dr. who carried him off directing this deponent to make all haste in his retreat as the British were in swift pursuit. Dr. Ridgely was from Frederick & if living will well remember the transaction. While the army were here the British made  Gen. Lee a prisoner at the white house tavern in Bonebrooke. This deponent with a few others was returning to camp having been out in quest of something to eat & saw the company of horse that took him off. They went into the house & saw where the discharged had hit the upper floor and ceiling. This deponent knew many officers of the army both regular & militia but without he hears their names mentioned  he cannot remember them. He does however remember Gen. Washington, Wayne, Stirling, Greene, Gates, Lee, Smallwood & Mifflin; two Colonels Johnson , Cols Luckett, Stricker, Threwston, Tillard, Beattie, Griefs , Morgan; Majors Dickens, Wilkiner, Manse, Hardman, Ogle; Capts. Makerell, Feaster, Evans, Fickle, Morris, Sloy, Bailey, McLene & Byer

Colonel Stricker, Major Wilkiner & Capt. Feaster belonged to what was called the Dutch Battalion in which this deponent served about two months in East Jersey. Col Tillard commanded a regiment of regulars that had no. 5 marked on their button  (which were pewter( until he became religious & left the army. This regiment was acting as guards at Baltimore. This deponent assisted to guard the army of Burgoyne at Frederick & he was called out to assist in quelling the Tories when they  attempted to take the arsenal at Frederick. Burgoyne's army was soon removed to Albermarle. This deponent was one of the guards. They crossed at Noland's ferry & passed through to Lansbury. When Cornwallis left Brunswick this deponent returned to Frederick. He crossed the ____ at Flemington, the Schuylkill at Reading, & the Susquehanna at Anderson Ferry. He passed through Lancaster, Little York, & Tawneytown. This deponent has no record of his age. He was born on Rock Creek about 12 miles from Washington City but he does not know in what year. This was them Frederick County Maryland. He was living in Frederick county when he volunteered & was called into service & although he was not out at any one time much over 18 months yet that in all he served so much he thinks for four or five years from Frederick this deponent removed to Cumberland where he resided some 10 years. From thence he went to Frankfort, Hampshire County Virginia- from thence he removed to Newton township Muskingum County
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Ohio where he resided about 10 or 12 years from thence he removed to Mary township Morgan County Ohio where he has resided for the last 12 or 13 years 
He received a discharge from Capt Young at the close of the war but thinking it [crossed out illegible] [crossed out] has been destroyed. He is known in his own neighborhood by Alexander McConnell Edwin Corren William M Dawes Samuel A. Barker
Francis A. Barker Timothy Raylord John B Stone P B Johnson M Hawkins Jonathan
Porter Jacob R. Price John William John  E Hanna & in fact to most of the resident
of the seat of Justice of said county The clergyman residing in this vicinity
had been here but a few months & does not know this [illegible] character in
to testify to his claims this [illegible] has no record of his age
He has no documentary evidence of his services nor other testimony except the by
deposition of his brother William Beckwith hereto annexed

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
[Signature] Ben Decheucts
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Attest P.B. Johnson Clerk
Jacob James M Hawkins William John E Hanna Alexander
Connell Michael Meaning
[illegible] in Morgon township of Morgan County. Ohio hereby certify that we
[illegible] with Benjamin Beckwith who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about 72 years of age - that is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been
a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion
[Signature] Michael Wiseman
[Signature] Jacob Adams
[Signature] Wm Dalton
[Signature] A. McConnell
[Signature] William Hawkins
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court
[Signature] John E. Hanna
July 21st 1832 - Attest J.D. Johnson Clerk
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And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he stated  And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Michael Wiseman Jacob Adams Alexander McConnell William Hawkins & John E Hanna are credible persons & that their statements are entitled to credit & that the persons named by the applicant in answer to the 7th question propounded by the court under the directions of the war office are persons who were members of our state legislature & also those who were & are the principal county officers residing in Morgan township  They further say that they believe the applicant was a soldier of the revolution - that he served as he states & that his claim to a pension is generally if not universally allowed to be just fair & true in the vicinity where he lives

I Perley B Johnson clerk of the court of Common Pleas of Morgan county Ohio do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of teh said court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Beckwith for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set hand & seal of office this 21st day July AD 1832
Attested P. B. Johnson  Clerk

[right angle to page]
Declaration of No. 1257.
Benjamin Beckwith
July 31 [illegible]
Pension Office
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Benjamin Beckwith
Ohio
No.1257

$80
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BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Beckwith of Morgan County in the State of Ohio (Act 7 June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge? Open Court of Com. Pleas

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he?  72 years.

4 State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

 Period   1776 Enlisted during the war  Duration of Service  served from four to five years
Rank   Private
Names of  General Officers under whom he served Col Johnson, Capt. Jacob Young

5. In what battles was he engaged?  Battle at Short Mills

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Frederick Town, Maryland

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, or by the rolls?  by a living witness

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  Correct

 Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with  the evidence in the case    above mentioned.

Wm. Allison Examining Clerk
Charles Litte
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McConnelsville Morgan County Ohio
Hon J H Eaton
Dear Sir
Enclosed I send you an application for a pension by Benj Beckwith They are the original papers from which the minutes were made up  Professional callings have prevented me from forwarding them sooner & you will bear with me while I say that among the antiquated remnants of mortality whose most familiar inmates are distress & poverty  I do not remember having seen one who possessed a spirit so untamed, & independent as this applicant  Some ten years ago when his whole property would not amount to 100 dollars he applied for a pension but felt too independent to take the oath prescribed
He is now unable to support himself & has only the alternative of appling for a pension to save himself from becoming a township charge  His crippled daughter is a terrible object of pity  The court have set his property full high & all who think the revolutionary veterans entitled to a claim upon the general fund believe that that of Benj Beckwith should be postponed for no mans   I have 2 or 3 of these old monuments under my protection & I can not hear them tell of marching barefoot-sleeping blanketless & houseless in the winter - of paying 10 & 12 dollars in such pay as they received their wages in for a gill of whiskey on a day of battle & of paying 3000 [??30.00] dollars for a horse worth 25 without thinking they have severely strong claims upon us who reap the harvest in peace that they have sown in blood  For my trouble I shall ask no hope for any other reward than the consciousness that I have helped them obtain the last remants of justice
I remain Yours Respectfully
James L Page
May 15-1830
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If you should give Mr. Beckwith a
a certificate please enrol him in the Pittsburg agency
Jas L Gage
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[stamp containing] ANNAPOLIS MAY 28

[illegible]
50

J. L. Edward's Esqr.
Pension Office,
Washington City
District of Columbia

Mail

May 31. 1830
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Land Office; Annapolis May 28th. 1830;
Sir;
Yours of the 24th Inst was received;- I have Carefully examined the old pay and muster Roll's of this State; and the name of Benjamin Beckwith does not appear on said roll's; as ever having served in the Revolution, I have also examined that Army Ledger's; and do not find the names of either Coln. Johnson, or Captn. Young, on said books, as belonging, or ever having any Command in the Regular Service of this State;  I am therefore inclined to - believe that if Mr. Beckwith ever served in the Revolution; he belonged to the militia of the State; for he state's in his declaration; that he was Occasionally Called out; during the whole war; and it is Certain; that neither of the officer's; under whom he states he served, [illegible] Coln. Johnson; and Captn. Young belonged to the Maryland line;
(In haste.)
I am very respectfully.
Yr. Obt. Servt.
George G. Brewer

J. L. Edward's Esqr.
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2063
Rev War 
INVALID
File No. 2063
ow
Benjamin Beckwith
Privt  Rev War
Act: June7. 1832
Index:- Vol. A ,  Page 25
[Arrangement of 1870]
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The State of Ohio }
Morgan County      } ss
Personally appeared in the court of Common Pleas of Morgan county Ohio this 21st day of July AD 1832 the said court being in session William Beckwith who being duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith that he is acquainted with Benjamin Beckwith who has this day made his application for a pension - that said Benjamin enlisted some time in the spring of 1776 in the United States service in the town & County of Frederick in the State of Maryland-- that the said Benjamin was called out by virtue of his said enlistment some time in the fall of 1778 as near as he can remember & that he continued at this time in the service of the U.S. about 18 months- That the said Benjamin was a private in the company of Captain Young in Col Johnsons regiment  This deponent believes that said Benjamin was in the service of the United State at particular times until the close of the war - that he was constantly called into service for tours some of greater & some of less length  He thinks he served in all more than three years - that he has frequently seen the discharge of said Benjamin but not of late years & further saith not
Wm Beckwith
Sworn to & subscribed in open court the day & year aforesaid
Attest P.B. Johnson, Clerk
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The State of Ohio }
Morgan County  ss }
Common Pleas April term AD 1830

On this the 23d day of April AD 1830 personally appeared in open court William Beckwith who being duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith that Benjamin Beckwith who hath this day made his declaration in this court is the identical Benjamin Beckwith who enlisted some time in the spring of the year 1776 in the United States service in the County of Frederick in the State of Maryland in the continental line of the United States  That the said Benjamin was called out by virtue of said enlistment in the fall of 1776 & continued in active service until the spring of 1778 --- That the said Benjamin was a private in the company commanded by Captain Jacob Young in the regiment commanded by Colonel Johnson in the Maryland continental line -- that the said Benjamin was constantly called out into active service until the close of the revolutionary war in which he served when he received his discharge from said service that deponent has frequently seen said discharge -- that sd Benjamin is now poor & unable to support himself & family that said Benjamin has been a citizen of the United States since the 18th March 1818 that said Benj' now resides in Morgan County Ohio That his family consists of 5 children with the eldest of whom he lives that his other four children are two sons who can mantain themselves & two daughters one about 14 years of age & the other about 22 or 3 years old who is miserably crippled that he has also a wife who with himself is becoming unable to labour by reason of age & infirmity & that the occupation of the said Benjamin is that of a
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Cooper & further this deponent saith not  Wm Beckwith
Sworn to & subscribed in open court this 23d day of April AD 1830 & in testimony whereof I have hereunto at my hand & affixed the seal of said court this day of April AD 1830
P. B. Johnson Clerk

The State of Ohio }
Morgan County      } ss
Com Pleas April Term AD 1830
Be it known that on the 23 day of April AD 1830 personally appeared in open court Wm. Harper who being duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith that he was acquainted with a soldier by the name of Benjamin Beckwith in the time of the revolutionary war who he this deponent verily believes to be the identical Benjamin Beckwith who has this day made his declaration in this court to obtain the benefit of the pension laws of the United States of the 18th March 1818 & the first May 1820  That he saw the said Benjamin on the day of the battle on the plains of Brunswick when the said Benjamin was marching to battle - that the said Benjamin was a private in the Maryland continental line & that owing[??] to the best of this deponents remembrance he saw the said Benjamin at the White Plains; about 56 months before & as long afterwards during all which time he was serving in the capacity of a private soldier in the service of the United States  That the said Benjamin now resides in Morgan County Ohio that he is poor & unable to support himself without assistance & further saith not
William his x mark Harper

Sworn to & subscribed in open court this
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24th day of April AD 1830
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said court this 24th day of April AD 1830
P B Johnson  Clerk
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21300
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The State of Ohio }
Morgan County      } ss
Com Pleas April Term AD 1830

On this the 23d day of April 1830 personally appeared in open Court (the same being a court of record with original jurisdiction over sums of unlimited amount & vested with power to fine & imprison) Benjamin Beckwith aged about 70 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he is a resident of said county at this time  That he the said Benjamin enlisted as a private for the term to the best of his remembrance of the whole revolutionary war in the spring of the year 1776 in Frederick County in the state of Maryland. - That he was occasionally called out during the whole war when he went into the service by virtue of his duty as an enlisted soldier as above related  That he served in the company commanded by Captain Jacob Young in the regiment commanded by Colonel Johnson in the Maryland continental line  That he does not remember whether Jacob Young commanded the company or Col Johnson the regiment at the time of his enlistment  That he continued to serve whenever commanded so to do until the close of the war when he was discharged from service in Frederick in the state of Maryland

That he was in the battle on the plains of Brunswick on the first day of March 1777 & in many skirmishes in one of which near Quibbletown many men were killed, (& especially three men all gunsmiths from the same township with this deponent) & Major Francis Dickens had his horse shot from under him  That he was called out by virtue of his aforesaid enlistment in October 1776 as near as he in remember & continued to serve without intermission until the spring of 1778 term of 18 months  That he served from the time of his enlistment to the close of the war in the same company & regiment that at the latter period he was regularly discharged by Capt Young but that said discharge is destroyed & that he has no
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evidence of his said services & discharge except the depositions of William Beckwith   William Harper   hereto annexed

And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 & that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of any 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 & naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war passed on the 18th day of March 1818 & 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 schedule hereunto annexed & by me subscribed
Benj Beckwith

Schedule
One bed & bedding one cow & calf the common wearing apparel of myself & wife & one child  That my occupation is that of a cooper  that I am unable to labour to any considerable extent in consequence of age & general debility  That I have a wife who is also aged & infirm & incapable of doing much to support herself or me  That I have five chidren with the eldest of whom I live  That the others live with me in the same cabin  The youngest is a daughter of 14 years of age.  The next oldest a son of 18 years who labours for & sustains himself  The next oldest a son of 20 years who labours for & sustains himself  The next oldest a daughter of 22 years of age who is & has been a cripple from her birth in all
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her limbs so much a for instance that the knee pain[??] is on the other side of her leg on her [illegibe]  The eldest is a daughter of 24 years of age she has a lease for the cabin in which we live & pay rent for it  She obtains her living by doing such small jobs of sewing as she can obtain of the five neighbours who live in the vicinity & that the names of my said children are Levina the eldest Matilda who is the cripple David the eldest of said sons Soloman the younger & Rozelle the youngest Daughter Benja. Beckwith
Sworn to & subscribed in open court this 23 day of April AD 1830
Attest   P B Johnson Clerk

I P B Johnson Clerk of the court of common pleas of Morgan county Ohio do hereby certify that the foregoing oath & the schedule thereunto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said court & 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 fifteen dollars"

I do further certify that the said Benjamin Beckwith on the 23d day of April AD 1830 did appear in open court & make oath that he the said Benjamin Beckwith at the time of making the above declaration was a resident of Morgan County Ohio to wit on the 23 day of April AD 1830
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said court this 23d day of April AD 1830
Attest  P B Johnson Clerk
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to be  inserted in Benjamin Beckwith case
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"and I do further certify that it was proved to the satisfaction of said Court that said Bng. Beckwith inlisted for a term of at least twelve months in the company of Captain Jacob Young in the regement of Col: Johnson in the Maryland line on continental establishment and that, he was in active service at different periods in the early part of the war"

21300
Benjamin Beckwith
Ohio
Act 18 March 1818
---
Rejected 2 June 1830
See letter to Jas. L. Gage Esq
do. to [illegible] June Feb. 3. 1832
ad 32-787