Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 41,175, for Benjamin Smith, Connecticut
Page 1

(3—1776)
SERVICE
Conn.
Continental.
Smith, Benjamin
NUMBER
S. 41,175
Enl. at Pomfret, Conn.
In 1818, res of Bethel, Windsor Co. Vt. aged 64 yrs
Page 2

6,842
Vermont
Benjamin Smith of Bethel in the state of Vermont who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Durkee - of the Conn line, for the term of 1 year
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 
8--Dollars per month, to commence on the 27 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 of Feb 1819 and sent to Hon Mr Palmer Senate US--
Arrears to 4th of Sep: 1818.  4 mos. 8/30 34.13
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 March 1819.  48--
$82.13
{Revolutionary claim,}
{Act 18th March, 1818.}
Page 3

Decln of Benjamin Smith
of Bethel Windsor Co
Vermont
Returned for Judges certificate
Admd.
Page 4

State of Vermont}
Orange County ss}
On this 27th day of April AD 1818 before me the subscriber Chief Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of Vemont, personally appeared Benjamin Smith aged sixty four years resident in Bethel, Windsor County State of Vermont who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late 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"; that he the said Benjamin Smith enlisted in Pomfret, Connecticutt, in April AD 1775 for seven or eight months and in the company commanded by Captain Mosely, Col. Durkees Regiment, Connecticutt Troops, & immediately after said enlistment he march to Cambridge in the vicinity of Boston; that he continued to serve in said Company & Regiment 'till the 1st of January AD 1770 when he again enlisted into the company commanded by Capt Stephen Brown, Col. Durkees Regiment, Connecticutt Line & continued to serve as a private soldier in the company last aforesaid untill the 1st of January AD 1777 when he was discharged from service in Pennsylvania opposite Trenton by his said Captain Stephen Brown, which discharge he has lost; that he was in the battles of Bunker Hill, of Haerlem, where Col. Knowlton was killed, of Trenton--where the Hessians were taken.  The aforesaid services were performed by him as a private soldier against the common enemy in the war of the Revolution on the Continental establishment; that ever since the Declaration of Independence he has been & still is a resident Citizen of the United States, & that by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he is in need of assistance from his country for support; & that he has no other evidence in his power of his said services.-----
Sworn to & declared before me
this 27th day of April AD 1818
Dudley Chace Chief Judge Sup Court State of Vermont
Page 5

I Dudley Chace Chief Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of Vermont do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Benjamin Smith did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy for the term ^of one year as is herein before specified, on the Continental establishment, and I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned Act of Congress--
Dudley Chace Chief Judge Sup. Court State of Vermont
I also certify that the aforesd. Benjn Smith is  in reduced circumstances in life, and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support
Dudley Chace Chief Judge Sup. Court
Page 6

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
October 1,1926
Brooke F. Early
609 Main Ave
Brownwood, Texas
Sir:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 41175, it appears that Benjamin Smith enlisted at Pomfret, Connecticut in April 1775 and served as a private in Captain Moseley's Company, Colonel Durkee's Connecticut Regiment until January 1, 1776, when he enlisted and served one year as private in Captain Stephen Brown's Company, Colonel Durkee's Regiment, and was in the battles of Bunker Hill, Harlem, and Trenton.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 27, 1818, while a resident of Bethel, Windsor County, Vermont, aged sixty-four years.
There is no data on file as to family.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
Page 7

Apl. 75 to Jan 1, 1776 Pri. CaptainMoseley, Colonel Durkee  Conn
May 1, 1776 1 year Pri. Captain Stephen Brown, Colonel Durkee
Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill, Harlem, Trenton Dec 26, 1776.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enl at Pomfret, Conn.
Date of application for pension, Apl. 27, 1818
Residence at date of application, Bethel, Windsor Co. Vt.
Age at date of application, 64 yrs.
Remarks:  His claim was allowed.  No family data on file.
Very resectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 8

March 8, 1912
Benjamin Smith enlisted at Pomfret, Connecticut, in April 1775, as a private in Captain Moseley's company, Colonel Durkee's regiment, was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and served until January 1, 1776, when he re-enlisted in Captain Stephen Brown's company of Colonel Durkee's regiment.  Was in the battle of Harlem and capture of the Hessians at Trenton, and was discharged January 1, 1777 in Pennsylvania (opposite Trenton).
In 1818 he was sixty-four years of age and a resident of Bethel, Windsor County, Vermont.  No family data on file.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 9

Stamp:
PENSION U. SL. OFFICE
F
SEP 27 1926

609 Main Ave.
Brownwood Texas
Sept 22, 1926.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Dear sir:
I wrote to you some time ago in regard to the pension records of my ancestors Ransford Smith and Benjamin Smith, who served in the War of 1812 ^but have not received a reply.  I wish these records for my grandmother who is a Real Daughter of 1812 and wishes to become a member of this Society.
Ransford Smith was born in Bethel Vermont ^May 8 1793- Died in Lyon Co. Ky. in 1868- He also lived at different times
Page 10

in Christian and Caldwell Counties, Ky.  He married 1st Sallie Hicks, 2nd Catherine Graves Howard.
Benjamin Smith (father of above) was born in Pomfret, Conn. Dec. 6, 1753- He served in the Revolutionary War, enlisting at Pomfret, Conn. and was discharged Jan 1, 1777 in Penn. opposite Trenton.  I shall appreciate his Revolutionary pension record, also his 1812 War pension record as well as the 1812 pension record of Ransford Smith.  If you wish additional information please let me know.
Benjamin Smith married Lois Chase of Cornish, N. H. Dec 9, 1779, they settled at Bethel, Windsor Co. Vermont.  Benjamin Smith was one of the incorporators of the town-
Very truly
Brooke F. Early
Page 11

round stamp
PENSION
OFFICE
SEP 27 
U.S
Page 12

all are same writing with different signatures

round stamp

PENSION OFFICE
US
Sept 8 1926
Page 13

609 Main Ave.
Brownwood Texas
Sept. 1, 1926

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Dear Sir.
 
Please send me the 1812 War Pension Record of Ransford Smith, born in Vermont.  Died in Lyon Co. Ky.  After close of War of 1812 he also lived in Christian and Caldwell counties, Ky.

Also please send the 1812 Pension record of Benjamin Smith (father of above), born in Pomfret, Conn., 1753, later settled at Bethel, Windsor Co. Vermont.  Please give rank if mentioned and all other data.  Both of the above are my ancestors.  Please find stamp enclosed for reply.

Truly, Brooke F. Early
Page 14

2¢ Postage rec'd
May 20, 1922
Pension Dept
Washington D. C. 
Please send me information regarding Revolutionary war service of
Abijah Child, b Woodstock Conn.  9-17-1726
d. 5-18-1777
Benj. Dwinnell b. Topsfield Mass. 11/10-176
d. Keene N. H. 7-29-1805
Michael Flynn b. Woodstock Conn. 3-9-1754
d. Bethel Vt 5-14-1828
Benj Smith b. Pomfret Conn. 12-6-53
d. Bethel Vt 9-12-22
Samuel Chase b. Newbury 9-28-07
d. Cornish N. H. 2-12-89
Dudley Chase b Newbury ? 3-    -30
{Sam'ls son) d. Cornish N. H.  -1814
Page 15

I am asking this favor in order to establish my claim to membership in the D. A. R.
Thanking you very gratefully for your kindness
(Miss) Mabel Randall
State Public School
Coldwater Michigan

Stamped:
PENSION U. S. OFFICE
A
MAY 25 1922
Page 16

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
J. S. Rowe, Chairman
JOHN GREGG, Treasurer
S. C. Tucker
E. R. Howard
Del S. Perkins
MISS GERTRUDE CREEKMORE, Executive Secretary
Community Service
Telephone 542
10th and Levee St.
[Brownsville, Texas crossed out]
Bellville, Texas.
Feb. 9, 1921.
ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE
MISS ANNA KELLY, Chairman
Mrs. Catherine Stringfellow; Miss Florence Bell
Mrs. J. S. Rowe  Mrs. H. M. Skelton
Mrs. E. L. Howard  Mrs. E. L. Hicks
Mrs. Riley Aiken  Mrs. J. T. Blanton
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
My dear Sir:
Kindly give me some information concerning my ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War in 1776.  I wish to join the D. A. R.
My great, great grandfather Benjamin Smith was born at Ponfret [Pomfret], Conn.  He enlisted in the Revolutionary War at Ponfret, Conn., April 1775 and served in Capt. Moseley's Co. in Col. Durkee's Regiment, Conn. Troops.  (This is taken from the Connecticut Records of Revolutionary War.)  I need more facts on the above.
Ezra Chase, Chief Justice of the United States.  Please give me his record during the Revolutionary War.  I think you can find this from the Mass. Records, was he a son or brother of Lois Chase who married Benjamin Smith?  *none as described here.
I shall appreciate an early reply
Very truly yours,
Gertrude Creekmore.
*written by a different hand
Stamped:
U. S. PENSION OFFICE 
FEB 14 1921
Page 17

Chicago, Feb. 19 - 1915
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Please furnish me copy of pension et.  My ancestor was Benjamin Smith b. Pomfret Ct. died Bethel, Vt.  Pensioned at Bethel served in Rev. at Battle Bunker Hill, Harlem, Trenton under Col. Durkee.
Your early attention will oblige.
Very truly yours
Rodney Howe Brandon
Room 1333, #30 N. LaSalle St. Chicago, Ill.
Page 18

Stamped:
PENSION U. S. PENSION OFFICE
FEB 28 1915
Page 19

Normal, Ill. April 5, 1904

Honorable H. Clay Evans,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-

I hand you enclosed blank sent me to fill out concerning my grand father, Benjamin Smith, filled out as instructed.

I trust you will at an early date send me some record concerning my grandfather's service in the Revolutionary War.

I have the honor to be,

Very respectfully yours,

D. C. Smith
Page 20

GEO. H. HIGGINS, M. D.
HOMEOPATHIC
PHYSICIAN.
EL PASO, TEXAS, Feb. 1st, 1902
H. Clay Evans
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Dear Sir
Having made an application to the Bureau of Pensions for the history of the service of a soldier by name Benjamin Smith, who served in the Revolutionary War, and is believed to have been a Pensioner and who died in Bethel Vermont Sep 12th 1822.  I desire to say that the subject of enquiry is my maternal ancestor (my mothers great grandfather) and I desire the information to complete a genealogical record.
If your records should not be complete, a reference to a sufficient source would be appreciated by
Yours very truly
(Miss) Gertrude S. Higgins
818 San Antonia St
El Paso 
Texas
Stamped:
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
H FEB 6 1902
Page 21

Stamped:
O. W. & N. DIV.
FEB 7 1902
Old War and Navy Division.
3—523.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., Jany 23, 1902
Madam
In reply to your communication of a recent date, you are informed that this Bureau is unable to furnish a history of the service of any soldier of the Revolutionary war or of the war of 1812 unless he or his widow was a pensioner or an applicant for pension or bounty land; and that under the rules such a history is furnished only to the soldier's descendants, and to them only when it is desired for historical or genealogical purposes.
The large number of inquiries made on this subject, and the length of time required to make a proper search of the records in each case, will not permit of information being given to any applicant concerning more than two soldiers.
In order that the soldier concerning whom you desire information may be identified, you are requested to furnish as much as possible of the data called for below.
Very respectfully,
H. Clay Evans
Commissioner.
Miss Gertrude S. Higgins
818 San Antonio St
El Paso Texas.
Full name of soldier, Benjamin Smith
Where did he enter service? Pomfret Conn (supposed}
Under what officers did he serve? In Colonel Durkees regiment (supposed}
Place of residence after service, Bethel Vermont
Approximate date of death, September 12th 1822 at Bethel Vt
Given name of widow, Lois (Chase) Smith
Did either the soldier or his widow receive a pension? Both soldier and widow it is supposed
Additional information, The soldier whose record is desired, is reputed to have served under Genl Putnam in Lexington alarm, April 1775, to have been at Valley Forge (where his brother died) and to have served until the end of the War of the Revolution.
Signature, Miss Gertrude S. Higgins
818 San Antonio St
El Paso - Texas
Round stamp:
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
H
FEB 6 1902
Page 22

RENTS.
LOANS.
COLLECTIONS.
INVESTMENTS.
VALLEY LANDS.
Horace R. Chase & Co.
REALESTATE AND INSURANCE.
TELEPHONE 239.
P. O. Box 615
110 Texas Street
El Paso, Texas
Dec. 1, 1900.
To the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Several years ago, there was filed in your office a record of the military services of Banjamin Smith, who served as a volunteer in the revolutionary war from Pomfret Connecticut.  I desire to obtain if possible a copy of said record, and write to ask if the same can be secured.
Very respectfully,
Horace R. Chase
Stamped:
O. W. & N. DIVISION
DEC. 7 1900
RECEIVED.
Stamped:
U. S. PENSION OFFICE.
L
DEC 5 1900
Page 23

(Stamp)

OLD WAR & NAVY
APR 8 1904
FILES
Page 24

Full name of soldier, Benjamin Smith
Where did he enter service? Pomfret, Connecticut
(Town, county, and State)
Under what officers did her serve? do not know
Place of residence after service, Pomfret, Conn for a short time; then at Bethel, Vermont
(Town, county, and State)
Approximate date of death, died at Bethel, Vermont, Sept 12, 1822, to which place he removed in 1779, from Pomfret, Conn
Given name of widow, Louis
Did either the soldier or his widow receive a pension? I think Benjamin Smith did but do not know the fact
Additional information, Benjamin Smith was my grand father. His father, Benjamin Smith, Sr., owned and lived on, a farm adjoining the farm of Genl Isreal Putnam, and my grandfather enlisted April, 1775, for the relief of Boston in the Lexington Alarm, Apl 1775

Signature, Col D C Smith
(Mrs. or Miss to be prefixed if a lady signs)

Post-office address, including street and number, town, county, and State} Normal, McLean County, Illinios  6842

P.S. There is a family tradition that my grandfather Benjamin Smith served in the army, for a time, under Genl Jerat Putnam
Page 25

41175
INVALID.
Revy
File No. 41,175
Benjamin Smith
Pri Rev War
Act: 18th March 18
Index:-Vol. 3, Page 468
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 26

Decr. 13 - 1900
Horace R. Chase - El Paso, Tex
Mch. 26 - 1902
Miss Gertrude S. Higgins El Paso, Texas
Apl. 11, 1904 His to Col. D. C. Smith 
Normal Ill
1912 Mar. 7, History to John W. Mapel letter in wt. 62224-160-55 David Dexter ¢
1915 Mch. 1 - Hist to Rodney H. Brandon. ¢
1921. Mar. 19. Hist. to Gertrude Creekmore aw -
1922, July 3. hist to Miss Mabel Randall - Eq.
1926 Oct 1 - Hist to Brooke F. Early awf.