Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15,577, Felix Benton, Mass.
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(3-1776)                                               Number

Service     |   Benton, Felix             |  W. 15,577
Mass.        |   Tamer
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C. 203
Vermont, Burlington
Tamar Benton
widow of Felix Benton
who served in the Revolutionary                    war, as a Mass private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
20 Dollars 00 
cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848
(the 4th day of March, 1848 is crossed out)
19, April 1857
_______________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of Jany /54
and sent to 
Ozias Seymour
Middlebury
Vermont
_________________________________________
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act 
February 1, 1848, Page 40,  Vol. 3.
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Vermont    788
_________________
Felix Benton

Cornwall in the state of Vermont
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Hitchcock of the regiment commanded 
by Colonel Sprout in the Massachusetts 
line for 6 months.
_______________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 20 dollars  _ Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
____________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Oct.
1832 and sent to Dorastus Woosten 
Middlebury Vermont.
_________________________________________________
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832                  30.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4th}           10.00
March 1833                                           ________
                                                               $40.00
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by John M. Duffield  Clerk,
Book D   Vol. 4    Page 48

Order to pay  15.
Letter to J. Warner
Order to pay & letter
13 Sept. 1838.
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No. 1020
Declaration of
Felix Benton
______________________
Pension Office}  July 27, 1832

788.
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State of Vermont
Addison County Ss.   On this 4th day of July 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of Addison County Court now sitting Felix Benton a resident in Cornwall in the County of Addison and State of Vermont aged about seventy years (of age crossed out) who being 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 in July 1780 by inlisting at West Stockbridge in the State of Massachusetts where he resided (into is crossed out) and went to old Stockbridge and was mustered and then marched to west Point in the State of New York in the Massachusetts line, there he Joined Capt Hitchcocks Company, attached to the Regiment commanded by Col Sprout in General Nixons Brigade. that he enlisted for six months and faithfully served until the expiration of the said Term of time and obtained his discharge in 1781 and sent it to Boston to obtain his wages and it has never been returned and he declares that he knows of no person he can procure who can testify to his service and that he is a citizen of the United States, 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 and that he has lived in s'd (said) Cornwall about forty six years.  
Sworn and subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid.           Felix Benton
E. Barber   Clerk
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Mr. Reuben Gillet and Saml Richards residing in Cornwall in the County of Addison certify that we are well acquainted with Felix Benton who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be of or about seventy years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed in open Court, this 4th day of July AD. 1832               Reuben Gillet
                                                 his
                                       Saml     X   Richards
                                                 mark
E. D. Barber,  Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter.  That the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states; and the Court also certify that, from personal acquaintance with Reuben Gillet and Samuel Richards whos certificate is herewith transmitted, they consider them persons of veracity and entitled to credit.
Edward D. Barber   Clerk
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No. 89.
Tamar Benton
widow of Felix
Vt.
Oct 2d Feby 1848

Ozias Seymour (illegible)
Middlebury
Vermont
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State of Vermont}
District of Addison} On this 26th day of February A.D 1853, personally appeared before the Probate Court for said District of Addison Tamer Benton a resident of Cornwall in said District age 86 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the several acts of Congress granting half pay & pensions to Widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war.  That she is the widow of Felix Benton who was a private in the Massachusetts Continental line & was placed on the pension roll for Revolutionary Soldiers on the 19th day of October AD 1832 at the rate of 20 dollars per annum and continued to draw such pension to the time of his death
She further declares that she was married to the said Felix Benton on the first day of July AD 1786 and that her husband the aforesaid Felix Benton died at said Cornwall on the 19th day of April Ad 1851  that she was not married prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place prior to the first day of January AD 1794 viz at the time above stated.    She further declares that she is still a widow. 
Tamer Benton
On this 26th day of February AD 1853 Personally appeared in said Probate Court Tamer Benton above named and made oath that the above declaration by her subscribed according to her best knowledge information & belief is true
before me   
Horatio Seymour   Judge of Probate
within & for the District of Addison
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I further certify that Tamer Benton above named is the same person she represents herself to be in the foregoing declaration, that she is a credible person and is a resident in this district and that she not being able to write, her name, at her request was subscribed by me 
Horatio Seymour Judge of Probate
within and for the district of Addison.

State of Vermont}
District of Addison Ss.}
I Jedidiah S. Bucknell Register of the Probate Court for the District of Addison do hereby certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings in said Court on the application of Tamer Benton for a pension & that Horatio Seymour who made & signed the foregoing certificate is (illegible)  Judge of said Court.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of said Court at Middlebury in said District this 26th day of February AD 1853.
Jed. S. Bushnell Register

State of Vermont}
Addison County Ss.}
I Horation Seymour of the town of Middlebury in the County of Addison and State of Vermont aged seventy five years on oath say that I came to reside in said town of Middlebury in the month of October AD 1799 and have resided in said town from that time to the present.  soon after I came here I became acquainted with Felix Benton and his his wife Tamer Benton the person who made the foregoing declaration  They then resided in Cornwall an adjoining town to the
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town of Middlebury,  when they continued to reside untill the death of the said Felix in the spring of 1851 and where the said Tamer the widow now resides.  The said Felix and Tamer were reputed to be man and wife always lived together as husband and wife and brought up a large family of children I have been well acquainted with them and with the family and further say not
Horatio Seymour
Subscribed & sworn to 
this 28th day of July AD 1833
Before me  Ozias Seymour
Just of the peace

State of Vermont}
Addison County Ss. }   I George S. Swift  clerk of the county court for the County of Addison in the state of Vermont hereby certify that Ozias Seymour whose signature is attached to the foregoing certificate was at the date thereof a Justice of the peace within & for said county duly commissioned and qualified and by law authorized to administer oaths and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe said signature to be genuine,.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Middlebury in said county this 28th day of June AD. 1853.
George S. Swift 
Clerk of Addison County Court
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1020

admitted
private 6 mo
$20
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Brief in the case of Felix Benton
of Addison County in the state of Vermont
{Act 7 June, 1832

1. Was the declaration made before a Court 
    or a Judge?
A court

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

3.  How old is he?     
    70 years

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

Period.      |   Duration of Service.   |        Rank
____________________________________________________                                                                                              Y               |     Year, Months, Days     |       As a 
____________________________________________________
In 1780 July         "        6               "    |    General


5.  In what battles was he engaged?

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?         West Stockbridge, Mass:

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence,or by the rolls?
Tradition.  No clergyman testifies. Name on a Roll

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?
   papers (except as above) complete.

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.  
A. G Glym  Examining Clerk.
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Births of Felix Benton's Family.

Tamar Benton born April 20th, 1788
Elijah Benton born February 12th 1790
Electa, a daughter, was born March 3rd, 1792
Noah Lester Benton a son born February 20th 1794
Caty, a daughter was born September 27th 1795
Rhoda, a daughter was born November 13th 1797
Jenesha, a daughter was born July the 1st 1800
Azro, a son was born April the 29th  1802
Burr,a son was born February 29th 1804
Betsey Elvira a daughter was born February 2nd 1808
A true copy of Record
Attst.  Marcus O. Porter Town Clerk

I Marcus O. Porter on oath, say that I am the Town Clerk of the town of Cornwall, in the county of Addison & State of Vermont, & have the custody of the town records of said town, & that the above is a true copy of said Felix Benton's records of births, in said town records:  I also further say that I have been acquainted with Tamar Benton of said Cornwall who is the widow of the above named Felix Benton; she was living with the said Felix as his wife when I came to this town about twenty two years ago, & so continued to live with him until his death, & I have never heard that said Felix ever had any other wife,.
I am acquainted with Elijah Benton and several of the other sons & daughters of the said Felix Benton, whose births are recorded as above, and they are known in this community as the children of the said Felix & Tamar.  
And I also further say that the records
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of the several families before the year 1800 (in this office) were made very generally in the same manner as the said Felix Bentons', that is the male head of the family only, is named in the record
Marcus O. Porter
Cornwall   Oct. 1st 1853

State of Vermont}   Cornwall Ocober1st 1853
Addison County Ss.}    Then personally appeared Marcus O. Porter the signer of the foregoing deposition & made oath to the truth of the statements therein contained.
Before me    Saml Cook, Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont}   I George S. Swift  Clerk  of
Addison County Ss.}    the county court for the county of Addison in the state of Vermont hereby certify that Samuel E. Cook whose signature is attached to the foregoing certificate, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace within and for said county duly commissioned and qualified and that I verily believe said signature to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Middlebury in said county this 29th. day of December A. D. 1853.
George S. Swift   Clerk
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[front of envelope]                Sept 14
[postmark]                           M_at_
Middlebury                              W Evans
(illegible)
10
Vermont

J L Edwards Esq                             FREE
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington  City
D.C.
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J L Edwards Esq           Middlebury 9 Sep 1837
 Dear sir
I send you enclosed the pension voucher of Felix Benton for twelve months amounting to $20.  Will you have the goodness to direct the agent at Burlington to allow the same to me & 
oblige
Your Obt Serv
J Warner
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Felix Benton, Act 1832, $20 per Annum, 
Died 19 April 1851, paid.
F. Bunt
Auditor
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Pension Office
Jany 11 1853

Sir,
Felix Benton, Vermont Rolls, Act June 7 1832, at $20 per annum.   Please state to what time he was paid.
Very Respectfully 
S Cole
for Commsr. Pensions

F. Burt
Their (?) Auditor
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Tamer Benton
widow of Felix
Adm. 2d Feby 1848
6 mo pri $20
per annum from
19 April 1851 when
he died
Cert to 
Ozias Seymour Esq
Middlebury Vt.
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State of Vermont}
District of Addison SS}
At a Probate court held at Middlebury in and for the District of Addison on the 4th day of February AD. 1853 personally appeared Walter Lindsby of Cornwall in said District and being duly sworn deposes and says, that he is seventy two years old, and that for more than sixty years he was intimately acquainted with Felix Benton late of Cornwall deceased and Tamar Benton his wife, and that during all that time the said Felix and Tamar lived together in said Cornwall as man and wife until the death of said Felix in April A.D. 1851. that said Felix Benton died in April A.D. 1851 and the said Tamar Benton still survives him and resides in said Cornwall and has not married since the decease of said Felix Benton.      Walk Linsby

District of Addison Ss. at Middlebury on the 4th day of February AD. 1853. personally appeared the said Walker Linsby and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition and I certify that said Walker Linsby is a credible witness.
Horatio Seymour  Judge of Probate 
within and for the District of Addison

District of Addison Ss.  I Jedidiah S. Bushnell Register of the Probate Court for said District hereby certify that the foregoing deposition of Walter Linsby was taken and certified by Horatio Seymour Judge of said Court.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court this 4th day of February A.D. 1853
Jed. S. Bushnell Register
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State of Vermont}   at a Probate Court held
District of Addison Ss.}   at Middlebury in and for said District on the 4th day of February A.D. 1853 appeared Horatio Seymour Judge of said Court, and made oath that he has resided in said Middlebury ever since the year 1799, and that in the year 1800 he became acquainted with Felix Benton and Tamar Benton wife of said Felix, and that from this time of his first acquaintance with them, the said Felix and Tamar resided in Cornwall about two miles from this deponants residence, as husband and wife, and this deponant was intimately acquainted with them, until the death of the said Felix, that the said Felix died about the month of April 1851, and the said Tamar still resides there, and is his widow.
Horatio Seymour
Subscribed & sworn to this 4th day of February AD 1853.  Before
Jed. S. Bushnell Register, & in such case by law acting as Judge.
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Aug. 1, 1853
Appl. of Tamer
Benton, widow of 
Felix Benton,
Vermont.
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Commissioner of Pensions                FREE
Washington City

[post mark says:]     [also written on envelope]
Middlebury                Tamar Benton
Jan                                    Vt   (illegible) 2d Feb
6
Vt
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No89.
Tamar Benton
widow of Felix
Vt.
ozias Seymour Sep 16/53
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Benton                                                                Nov. 3of98
Mrs. Charlotte E.
N.Y.City

Rev WIDOW , &c.
File No. 155-77 (illegible)
Tamar Benton
Widow of 
Felix Benton
Pri   Rev  War
____________________
Act:  Feb 2d, 48
Index: _ Vol. A,  Page  52

{Arrangement of 1870}
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Brief in the case of Tamar Benton widow of Felix 
County and State of Vermont
act 2nd Feby 1848

Claim ("original," or "for increase" )(for increase is crossed out)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance,
Her husband was a pensioner at $20 per annum under the Act of 1832 (see his papers for proof of service)
Record of marriage,
(If for increase.) (previous sentence is crossed out.)Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim?  If so what?  (the previous two sentences were crossed out.)
P/r Identity, see application of Horatio Seymour & Walker Lindsey

Name and residence of Agent
Oziaas Leyman Esq
Middlebury
Vt.

Thornton, Triplett
Examining Clerk.
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Middlebury Vt. Jany 3, 1854

I enclose additional proof of the marriage of Tamar Benton.
Judge Phelps one of the Senators from this State is well acquainted with the family of Mrs. B. & will satisfy the department that there  is no deception in this matter.
O. Seymour
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STATE OF VERMONT,]
Addison County SS. }
I, EDWARD D. BARBER, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Addison, do hereby certify that the annexed documents contain the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application Felix Benton for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 13th day of July A. D. 1832
Edward D. Barber  Clerk
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Charlotte E. Benton, D. D. S.
71 W. 128th Street
New York
Nov. 8th 1898

Dept. of the Interior
Pension Bureau
Washington, D. C.
 
Gentlemen 
I wish to join the "Daughters of the Revolution" and to this end I wish to aid me in verifying certain fable concerning my Grandfather Felix Benton (Felix Benton is underlined).
Born April 3rd 1762 in Old Salsbury Conn. and as his father moved to Berkshire Co. Mass. when he was a lad, he enlisted in the Continental service from that County at West Stockbridge Mass. (West Stockbridge Mass. is underlined.) at the age of 19 yrs (19 yrs. is underlined) and served three years (three years is underlined.)
He died at Cornwall Vt. April 19th 1851.  For a good
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                                2                                               Charlotte E. Benton, D.D.S.  
71 W. 126th Street
New York

many years he received from the U.S. a pension, his widow received it four years more until her death in l855.  
Her maiden name was Tamar Leicester.         (Tamar Leicester is underlined.)  She was born Feb. 27th 1768 at Guilford Conn.  She died at Cornwall Vermont .                                         Will you kindly state if hr Felix Benton (Felix Benton is underlined) is on the record there and other wise give me proof of my right to the title of a "Daughter of the Revolution."
Awaiting your reply I am
Yours Very Truly
Charlotte E. Benton