Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21642, Godfrey Bennet, R.I.
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Service R.I. 
Bennet, Godfrey
Number S. 21642
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Rhode Island
27137 Godfrey Bennett if Tiverton in the State of RI who was a private in the  Comy. [company] commanded by Captain Bordon of the [illegible] commanded by Reget. [Regiment] in the RI line for 16 1/2 months private

Inscribed on the Roll of RI at the rate of 54 dollars 99 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of Feby [February] 1834 and sent to John Cross Esq Portsmouth RI

Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833 
Semi-ant allowance ending 4 Mar. 34 

$137.44
-  27.46
--------
$164.90

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by George Taylor, Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 2 Page 126

Died Feb. 15 1834
From [illegible] Book
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State of Rhode Island & C.
County of Newport ss.
On this Sixth day of January 1834 personally appeared in open Court, before the judges or Justices of the Court of Probate of Tiverton in
the County of Newport, Abner Bennet of said Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island, only son of Godfrey Bennet of sd [said] Tiverton, sd [said] Godfrey being Seventy four years of age; non compos mentis, and unable by
reason of loss of memory to make his declaration in Court, and
sd [said] Abner Bennet, being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, for his sd [said] Father in order to obtain for sd [said] Godfrey the benefit of the act of Congress passed Godfrey Bennet
June 7th 1832-
 

That said Godfrey Entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated-
He at the commencement of the war of the Revolution belonged to the 2d or middle company of Militia of sd [said] Tiverton under the command of Capt Daniel Davol. and continued to be a soldier in said Company during the whole war. In December 1776 when
the British took Rhode Island, it brought the war to our very doors, and the members of this company of Militia, were ordered into the debts service, for one month at a time. the company was divided into two classes, so that each man served every other month on his own account - This service continued till Nov 1779 when the Enemy was evacuated Rhode Island  sd [said] Abner, have many times heretofore, heard my father sd [said] Godfrey
Bennet, before he had lost his reason and memory and when he was rational,
relate his services and sufferings during the Revolutionary war- and I have heard him say that he was in the public service, at the Guard
Posts on the shore of the Bay during all the time the enemy were on the Island of Rhode Island, by monthly turns and he has shown
to me where he was stationed on the shores, during that war-- I have heard him mention being under the command of Capt. Borden
who succeeded Capt. Davol in the command of sd [ said] company of Militia, and under Lieutenants Crocker and Howland who
were also officers of sd [said] Company at that time-- I have also heard him tell about his being on Rhode Island under Genl Sullivan in
August That sd [said] Godfrey served in sd [said] company of Militia, in the
Public service, not less than the periods mentioned hereafter, in
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the grade of a private, namely-from December 1776 to July 1777. four
tours of one month each, under Capt. Davol. from July 1777 to July
1778 did tours of one month each. One month on Rhode Island
in August 1778 under General Sullivan, and from September 1778
to November 1779 not less than seven times of one month each.
making in all not less than Eighteen months, for which he for which he claims
a pension in behalf of sd [said] Godfrey -
These services were all performed in said Tiverton, at
the guard posts on the shores of sd [said] Town from Quarttett Neck Northward
by to Fall River, under the company officers of sd [said] company, except
the month he was on Rhode Island. The company belonged to Col.
Cooks
Regiment. St. Col. Pardon Gray
And said Abner further declares, that his sd [said] father Godfrey
was born at said Tiverton in the month of September 1759 and that
he hath no record of his age- That he lived in sd [said] Tiverton, when he was
called into the services aforesaid, wherein he hath ever since resided
That he never received any written discharge from any of
said services, but was verbally discharged- That he has no documentary evidence of any of said services. That there is no
Clergyman living in his neighbourhood [neighborhood] or vicinity-- but he refers
to George Lawton & Nicholas E. Durfee Esqr citizens of sd [said] Tiverton, & his neighbours [neighbors]
who testify to his character for truth and to the belief that is Godfrey
was a soldier of the Revolution, and also to the proofs herewith-
 
And said Abner hereby relinquishes, in behalf of sd [said] Godfrey, every claim
whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that
sd [said] Godfrey's name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any
State
Sworn to and subscribed the
Abner Bennet
day and year aforesaid
Asa Gray, Clerk
We George Lawton & Nicholas E. Purse residing in sd [said] Tiverton, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abner Bennet who has subscribed and sworn
to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be a man of truth,
We further certify that we are well acquainted with sd [said] Godfrey Bennet
who has now lost his reason and memory, we believe him to be
Seventy four years of age, that he is reputed and believed in
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the neighbourhood [neighborhood]
where he resides, to have been a soldier of the
Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed the ⎬
day and year aforesaid
George Lawton
&
Asa Gray, Clerk
George Lawton
Nicholas E Durper
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the
investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented
by the War department) that sd [said] Godfrey was a revolutionary soldier
and served as before stated. And the Court further certify that
it appears to them that George Lawton & Nicholas E Duke who have signed
the preceding certificate are residents of said Tiverton, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Asa Gray, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the Town of
Tiverton, in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island
burned Court of Record, do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application of Abner Bennet for a Pension
for his father Godfrey Bennet.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and Seal of Office, at
Tiverton this Sixth day of January
in the year of Our Lord one therein
eight hundred and thirty four
and of American Independence
the fifty eighth
Asa Gray Clerk of Court
of Probate
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March 31, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Helen M. Cook
121 Colbourne Crescent
Prockline, Massachusetts
Godfrey Bennett, S. 21842
BA-J/MCS

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information in regard to
Godfrey Durfee Bennett who served in the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the
pension claim, S.21642, based upon the Revolutionary War service of
Godfrey Bennet.
He was born in September, 1759, in Tiverton, Newport County, Rhode
Island. The names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Tiverton he belonged, at the commencement of
the Revolution, to Captain Daniel Davol's second or Middle Company of
militia of that town and he was in active service from December, 1776,
until November, 1779, serving every other month, eighteen months in all,
as private in Captains Daniel Davol's and Benjamin Borden's companies
in Colonel Cook's Reade Island regiment.
Pension was allowed on an application executed January 6, 1834,
while Godfrey Bennet was living in Tiverton, Rhode Island.
He died in Tiverton on February 15, 1834.
His only son, Abner, was living in Tiverton in 1834.
There are no further data relative to the family of Godfrey
Bennet,
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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Revolution 21642
INVALID.
File No. 21,642
Godfrey Bennet
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7" 32"
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 30
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1922 Nov. 15 - Hist. to Helen M. Cook MMHf
1937 Mar. 31. hist. to Helen M. Cook M.C.S.
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29256
Godfrey Bennet
Tiverton R I

Admi'd
16 1/2 mo. private
Cap. Bordon

John Cross Esqr
Portsmouth R.I.
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Clerks Office of the Court of Probate for the Town of Tiverton in the County of Newport & State aforesaid.
I Asa Gray, Clerk of said Court of Probate being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Asa Gray whose signature is affixed to the certificate of proof or taking on the annexed Depositions of Elihu Gifford Giles Manchester & William Albert, is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Newport appointed to the General Assembly of this State, duly Commissioned by the Governor thereof, and fully qualified to act in his said capacity. I further certify that the said Signatures of his name are his own writing and no other.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal at said Tiverton. This Sixth day of January in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and thirty five. And of American Independence the fifty eighth.
Asa Gray Clerk of Court of Probate
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I Elihu Gifford of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island of lawful age, on solemn oath depose and say. That I have always been acquainted with Godfrey Bennet of this town, who is now an applicant for a pension. In the time of the Revolutionary Was said Bennet and myself belonged to the same company of Militia in this town, under Capt. Davol and Capt. Borden. And during the time the enemy held Rhode Island from December 1776 to November 1779 while our company were in the service by turns. I know that said Bennet was in the public service as a soldier at our guard posts on the shore of this town. I have been with him myself and seen him at diverse times on duty at Howlands ferry and on Quacket Neck and at Borden's Boat House. Before said Bennet had lost his memory we have many a time conversed about our militia services performed in the revolution. From my knowledge of his services at that time I think he performed his full (illegible) of duty and not less than seventeen months.
I further say not.
Elihu Gifford

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport } SS.
Be it known that at Tiverton in said County on this 7th day of December AD. 1833 Before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Newport personally appeared Elihu Gifford a disinterested and credible person and made oath to an subscribed the above Deposition. Before me
Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
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I Giles Manchester of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island aged seventy four years on solemn oath depose. That I have always lived in this town and been well acquainted with Godfrey Bennet of the same, who is now an applicant for a pension under the late act of Congress.
At the commencement of the Revolution, we both belonged to the Middle Company of Militia of Tivertown then under the command of Capt. Daniel Davol, and afterwards under Capt. Benjamin Borden. When the English took Rhode Island in December 1776 our militia company was regularly call into the monthly service, by turns, to to stand guard on the shores, which we continued to do until they left Newport in November in 1779. All of this time I belonged to 2d Company of militia except one year from March 1778 to March 1779 that I was in Capt. Adam's company in Col. Elliots Regiment of Artillery in the state line. In our monthly services of duty in 2d company, from Dec. 1776 to March 1778 I have been with said Bennet, in the public service on the shores of said Town, many time. And after my time was out in the state line, I served with him again in the summer and fall of the year 1779 several times. While I was in Elliots Regiment in 1778 I was quartered much of the time in Fort Barton on the high land at Howlands ferry and there I saw said Bennet in the militia guard service in the public service frequently. From fort Barton to the dwelling house of sd. Bennet was less than one half of a mile. from my knowledge of sd. Bennett's services during the time aforesaid I think he served his full share of half the time. he was a strong resolute man and a good soldier. On guard posts when we used to meet was at Howlands ferry, at Borden's Boat House and at Still house landing, and at Quacket Neck.
his
Giles X Manchester
mark

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport }SS
Be it known that at Tiverton in said County on this 7" day of December 1833 before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within & for the said County of Newport personally appeared Giles Manchester a disinterested and credible person and made oath to and subscribed the above Deposition Before me Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
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I William Albert of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island aged Seventy three years in solemn oath depose and say that I have always lived a neighbor to and been acquainted with Godfrey Bennet of this Town an applicant for a pension. At the time of the Revolution viz: in the year 1777 & 1778 and the first part of the year 1779 I belonged to and did duty in the company of said Militia in said Tivertown commanded part of said time by Capt. Daviel Devol & a part by Capt. Benjm. Borden. I was called into the service in said Company in tours of a month at a time and as often as every other month. and I well recalled that said Bennet served in said Company with me in many of said Monthly tours in each of the aforesaid years. We have been stationed together on  Tannaquacket and at the house of Gilbert Devol near Howlands House and been on duty together at many different places on the shores of said Tiverton (illegible) Rhode Island, actually employed as soldiers in the service of our Country in the war of the Revolution; I in the spring of the year 1779 entered into Capt. Thomas Com. in the Reg. of Colo Toppin and had no further opportunity of knowing the services of said Bennet, but from my knowledge of his services when I was in the Com. with him in said years I fully believe he served not less that one half said time.
his
William x Albert
mark

State of Rhode Island}
County of Newport} SS
Be it known that at Tiverton in said County on the 27th day of December AD 1833 before me Asa Gray a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Newport personally appeared William Albert a disinterested and a Credible person and made oath to and subscribed the above deposition. Before me Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
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Portsmouth R.I. Jan 20 1834

Hon.
J.L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions

I herewith enclose the Application of Abner Bennet in behalf of his father Godfrey Bennet for a pension under the late act of Congress. I hope it may be found satisfactory. Any further communications in the subject please to make to me.

I have the Honour to be
Very Respectfully Your
Obdt.
John Cross
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POST OFFICE BOX 431
ALBANY, N.Y.
October 1, 1923
U.S. Record Commissioner
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir.
Will you kindly give me what information you have concerning Godfrey Bennett of Godfrey Durfee Bennett born Sept. 1759? Tiverton, R.I.
died 1834? Tiverton R.I.
Enlisted in Revol. War; made application for pension. Wife's name Abigail
Two children
Abner D. Bennett b. 1788
Peace Bennet B. 1791

RECEIVED
Oct 5 - 1923
OLD RECORDS DIVN.
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Thanking you for you courtesy, I am
Yours very truly
Helen M. Cook

Commissioner of Pensions
Gentlemen 
I was advised to send this to you for information.
H.M.C.
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POST OFFICE BOX 431
ALBANY N.Y. 
Oct. 31, 1923
Pension Commissioner
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir.
Kindly send me what information you have, concerning the war record of Godfrey Bennett or Godfrey Durfee Bennett born about Sept. 1759 Tiverton R.I.
Died 1834 " "
Enlisted in Revolutionary War.
Applied for pension.
Wife's name Abigail
Children Abner D Bennett b 1788
Peace Bennett b 1791
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Very truly yours
Helen M. Cook

Second request

Answered Nov 15/23
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121 COLBOURNE CRESCENT
BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS
Mar. 9, 1937

Bureau of Pensions
Wash. D. C.
Gentlemen
Can you give me, from your records any information concerning Godfrey Durfee Bennett (and his wife Abigail?) who served in the Rev. War from Tiverton, Newport Co. R.I.?
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Thank you
Very truly yours
Helen M. Cook.

MAR 11 1937
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November 15, 1923
Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
Helen M. Cook
Post Office Box 431
Albany, New York
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim S.21343 it appears
that Godfrey Bennett was born in September 1759 in
Tiverton, Newport County, Rhode Island.
While a resident of said Tivertop he belonged to
Captain Daniel Davol and Benjamin Borden's second or
Middle Company of Militia of Tiverton, Rhode Island,
Colonel Cook's Regiment, and from December 1776 he
served as a private every other month until November
1779, eighteen months in all.
Pension was allowed on an application executed
January 6, 1834 while soldier resided in Tiverton,
Rhode Island. He died there February 15, 1834.
His only son, Abner, was a resident of said Tiverton
in 1834. There is no further family data on file.
Respectfully,
Waters Agency Book
Commissioner.
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Bennet, Henry 
GRADE Private
LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 6836
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED Feb. 10, 1792
(certifd. Aug. 15, 1814)
to is not shown

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrant appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in the National Archives.