Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3,649, Benjamin Force, New York
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New York   Force, Benjamin  R.3649
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State of New York
Dutchess County Js
Benjamin Force a revolutionary
soldier makes the following declaration in order
to obtain the benefit of the act of June 7th. 1832,
in addition to this one made at the September term
of the court of Common Pleas of Dutchess County
now on file in the Pension office in the City of Washington. That in addition to the time mentioned
in said declaration he knows and is sure that
he served in the militia of the State of New
York in the Town of Beckman in said County of Dutchess three several terms in the year 1776
or the next year after the battle of White Plains
that in the spring of that year he went to White
Plains, in a company of militia commanded by Capt. Daniel Uhle of the Town of Beckman and
that Benjamin Bindsall was Lieut. Col. he remained
there 10 days then returned home and was dismissed that in the autumn of the same year he again
went in the same company under the command of the same officers twice to White Plains and remained there ten days at each time returned home and was dismissed - that at each time he was there he was two days in going and two in returning - that he was employed whilst there in guarding the lines - that it was the custom of the militia at that time to receive cash other every ten days- that in consequence of old age and consequent decay of facculties and a confused state of mind when he made the former declaration he did not then think of the times mentioned above and that owing to ill health and other circumstances beyond his control he has been unable to make this statement before the present time -
Sworn and inscribed before me
this 18th day of May 1835             Benjamin Force
Obadiah Titus one of
the Judges of Dutchess County Courts
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State of New York
Dutchess County [illegible]

I Obadiah Titus a Judge of the court of Com Pleas of Dutchess County who have taken the within affidavit, do certify that I am well acquainted with the within named Benjamin Force and have been a number of years, that during that time he has always been reputed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a revolutionary soldier, that he is a man of good morral character and one whose statement is entitled to full credit and that the belief of his revolutionary services is general, and that I have never heard his revolutionary services questioned.
The preceding part of this certificate was prepared without consulting me and is perhaps a little fuller than I can describe.  I have been well acquainted with Mr Force about six years he having lived most of that time upon my premises and I consider him a man of unquestionable truth and integrity and strictly honorable feelings
My intercourse and acquaintance with him has been of that kind that I can hardly be mistaken in my estimate of his moral integrity and character.  I have however not lived within several miles of him [illegible] about eight and thought I have never heard his military service questioned I have most often heard them spoken of. Moreover I have heard his neighbors speak upon the subject, no doubt [illegible] to be entertained that he had performed the services according to his claim
  [signature] Obadiah Titus
[on left side of document written vertically] Benjamin Force Pensioner
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State of New York 
County of Dutchess ss
On this twenty ninth day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty four personally appeared before the court of Common Pleas of Dutchess County Benjamin Force a resident of the Town of Dover in the County of Dutchess in the State of New York aged eighty two years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States in the militia of the State of New York at the Town of Beekman in Dutchess County in the fall of the year 1776 as he believes is sure it was the year before the capture of the army of General Burgoine [Burgoyne] that he went in the company  of Militia commanded by Capt. Gideon Hall Taber Bentley Lieut. in the regiment commanded by  Col. William Humphrey To the Town of Fishkill where he was employed in guarding the military stores there deposited where he remained two weeks and was then dismissed. That in the next year 1777 he went in the same militia company to the Village of Peekskill on the Hudson river in the County of Westchester, was there at four different periods during that year, once under the command of Capt. Gideon Hall once under the command of Capt. Francis West and twice under the command of Capt. Daniel Uhle, that the company to which he belonged was attached to a regiment commanded by one Col. Brinckerhoff. That General Putnam had the chief command that he was engaged two weeks at each of the times above mentioned, that he was released or dismissed the day after the capture of Fort Montgomery. He then returned home but was immediately recalled to Fishkill where he remained in the same company untill [until] after the enemies
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shipping passed up the Hudson and returned in which service he was employed two weeks he was then dismissed and returned home. In the month of June 1778 he marched in the company commanded by Capt. Daniel Uhle in the regiment of Col. Henry Vanderburgh in the New York State Militia by order of General George Clinton to the Village of Poughkeepsie where he was employed in guarding the jail one month and two days and was then dismissed. That early in the fall of the same year he was employed ^one month in the same company of militia in the regiment of the said Col. Henry Vanderburgh in guarding the Continental stores deposited at the store of said Col. Vanderburgh in the Town of Beekman in Dutchess County was then dismissed. That in the ^spring and summer of the year 1777 he enlisted in a company of engineers commanded by Capt. John Matchin and was employed in that company one month in getting timber for and buiding [building] a chevaux de frisée accross [across] the Hudson river below West Point. He was then discharged and returned home. That in the fall of the year 1778 he marched in a company of the said Capt. Daniel Uhle. Taber Bentley Lieut commandent to the Village of Fishkill in which service he was engaged two weeks in guarding the publick or Continental stores deposited at Fishkill barracks was then dismissed and returned home. That by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his recollection and belief he is certain he served not less than the following periods and all the time he served in the war of the revolution he served as a private in the militia except when he served in the engineer company commanded by Capt. John Matchin.
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Viz
in the company of Capt. Gideon Hall at one time two weeks, in the company of Capt. Gideon Hall at another time two weeks, in the company of Capt. Francis West two weeks twice in the company of Capt. Daniel Uhle at Peekskill four weeks. In the company of the said Capt. Uhle at Fishkill immediately afterwards two weeks. In the Company of the said Capt. Daniel Uhle at Poughkeepsie one month. In the same company of Capt. Uhle at Col Vanderburgh’s in Beekman one month In the company of engineers Capt. Matchin at the cheveaudefrise [chevaux de frise] one month. At Fishkill barracks guarding the publick [public] stores under the said Capt. Daniel Uhle two weeks. 
That he was born in the Town of Beekman Dutchess County and State of New York on the 7th of Jan. 1753. that he lived in that Town till the year 1789 when he went to reside in the County of Saratoga in the same State was there a number of years when he removed in the County of Washington in the State of New York. from there he removed to the County of Ulster in the same State and from into the County of Dutchess in Beekman where he was born and has lived there ever since untill the last four years since which time he has lived in the Town to of Dover in Dutchess County within about two miles of the place where he was born. That a record of his age is contained in a family bible by by his Father and now in possession of the said Benjamin - That he does not know any person who was acquainted with his revolutionary services except Benjamin Albro and Peter G. Emigh of the Town of Union Vale in Dutchess County who have made affidavits of what they know relative to the same
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32088 Benjamin Force N York

That there is no clergiman  [clergyman] in the vicinity where he resides with whom he is acquainted and that he is unable to procure the attendance in Court of any witness who was acquainted with his services during the war of the revolution. that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any State and he hereby relinquishes all claims to any pension except the present.
Benjamin Force
^Oath sworn and subscribed in Open Court Sept 30 1834 
[illegible] Deputy Clerk
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after having put 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 Obadiah Peters late Sheriff, James Uhle Justice of the Peace Peter G Emigh William Coe and Benjamin Albro who have signed or sworn to the annexed certificate and affidavits are credible persons and their statements entitled to credit.
I Henry I Traver Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Dutchess in the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Force for a pension and I do further certify that James Uhle  is a Justice of the Peace and Albro Akin a Judge of the County Courts of said County and that I am well acquainted with their hand writing and verily believe their signatures affixed to the several annexed affidavits are genuine. The words "one month, in [illegible] tenth line second page and the words “spring and summer of the” in the 15th line of second page of declaration interlined and the words State and he hereby relinquishes” at the and after same written on an erasure. Given under my hand and seal of office the 30th September A D 1834 Henry Brown Traver Clerk 
[Seal]
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32088
New York
-------------------------
Bejin Force
Suspended
--------------------------
Sent 6-Dec- r 83410
Wm Van Vlack
--------------------------
to ? July 30.1935
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3-2233     113
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division

Jan. 291926
Chief Rev. Sec. [deleted Division]
I have this day received
from L.D. Scisco
cash No.
for $1.80
requesting
photostat copy [deleted post office address]
as per letter herewith.

[in pencil] OK [illegible]
[handwritten in black ink]
1926 Feb 3
Copies mailed
[Illegible] Finance DW Wolf
AW



O. J. RANDALL
[initialed] OM
Chief Finance Div.
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Request for Photostating   3-2006
(To be prepared in duplicate.)
Ex. AW

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK 
Job No. 2965
Jan 30, 26
Benj. Force, Rev.  R3649
[handwritten above No.]1 copies of [handwritten above No.]2 pieces consisting of [handwritten above No.]12 pages to be 
forwarded when completed to the Rev. &1812 Wars Sect Division.
Remarks:
Approved:
[signature] AE Wilson
Chief [crossed out: Division] Sect.
Chief Clerk.
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     I desire photstat copy of twelve pages from Revolutionary War pension clain of BENJAMIN FORCE, R. 3649.

         L.D. Scisco
               2022 Columbia Road
                        Washington . D.C.

Received payment
$1.80

January 29, 1926
           A.E. Wilson
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32088
Benjamin Force
 N. York
Original 
(written vertically)
The War Department of the United States
Washington 
 (illegible)
Arthursburgh P.O.
(illegible) New York
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The War Department
of the United States
Washington City

32088
Benjamin Force
N. Y. 0116
orginal

Wm. Van Vlack
The Grange
Arthursburgh P.O.
[illegible signature]
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La Grange Sept. 30th 1834
To the Honorable Lewis Cass - Secretary of War

Sir -
Enclosed are the papers of Benjamin Force Applying for a pension.  Please direct the result to me at La Grange Arthursburgh Post Office Dutchess County N.Y. 
Your obedt. Servant
Wm. Van Vlack
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N.Y.



28th July 1835.
Pension Office.


(written upside down)
Benjamin Force
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Arthursburgh July 24
Free
To the War Department
City of Washington D.C.
Page 17


Reed 28 July
La Grange July 23rd, 1835
To the war department,
Enclosed is an additional statement
of Benjamin Force making application
for a pension.
Please to investigate the matter and
let me know the result-
Direct to me at Arthursburgh Post
office-
Wm Van Vlack
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STATE OF NEW-YORK
County of Dutchess,
I, HENRY I. TRAVER, Clerk of the county of Dutchess,
DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Obadiah Titus Esq
before whom the annexed affidavit was taken & witnessed & whose name is subscribed to the same was at the time of [illegible]
the same and now is a Judge of the County Courts
[illegible] 
in and for the county aforesaid, dwelling in the said county, duly commissioned
and qualified in [illegible]
And further, That I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Judge [illegible] 
and verily believe that the signature to the said
Certificate of attestation & the Certificate subjoned is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said county, the 18th day of May A.D. 1835-
Henry Traver   Clerk
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3649
P.O.
Benjn Force
Service:

Enlisted: (Stamped) REJECTED, 18
Discharged: _____, 18

Application filed: ______, 18

Alleges: 

Re-enlisted:


Attorney: 
P.O.

Recognized.  Contract
Cert. of Dis.  Searched for _____, 18
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1926 Feb. 3. Photos mailed to L.D. Scisco aw.
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State of New York 
Dutchess County Ss
 I James Uhle Justice of the Peace of the Town of Union Vale in Dutchess County do certify that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Albroe, Peter G. Emigh and William Coe, that they have alway been reputed in the neighborhood where they reside which is in the Town of Union Vale in Dutchess County to be men of good moral character men of truth and veracity in which opinion I concur.
Given under my hand at Union Vale in Dutchess County the 15th Sept. 1834 
James Uhle
Justice of the Peace
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State of New York 
Dutchess County ss. 
Personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of Dutchess County Obadiah Titus late Sheriff of said County who on his oath doth depose and say that he has been acquainted with Benjamin Force about five or six years and that during that time he the said Benjamin has always sustained a good moral character and one whose statement is entitled to full credit.
Obadiah Titus 
Sworn before me 
the 30th Sept 1834 
Albro Akin a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for sd County
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State of New York 
Dutchess County ss 
Personally appeared before me James Uhle Esq. Justice of the Peace of the Town of Union Vale in Dutchess County Peter G. Emigh who being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is in the seventieth year of his age that he has always resided in the Town of Union Vale and has been well acquainted with Benjamin Force and that at sometime during the revolutionary war he knew and had heard it said that the said Benjamin was engaged as as a private in the Militia of the State of New York in guarding the publick stores deposited at the stores of Col. Henry VanDeburgh in the Town of Beekman that during said time and ever since he the said Benjamin, has always been reputed to be a man of good moral character and one whose statement is entitled to full credit.
Peter G Amigh 
Sworn before me the 15th of Sept. 1834
James Uhle Justice the of Peace
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State of New York 
Dutchess County ss 
Personally appeared before me James Uhle Esq Justice of the Peace of the Town of Union Vale in Dutchess County William Coe who being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is a resident of said Town of Union Vale and has resided in that Town and the vicinity for about eighteen years- that for the last eight years and during that time he has been well acquainted with Benjamin Force and that he has always sustained a good moral character, a man of truth and veracity and one whose statement is to be relied on.
William Coe
Sworn before me the 15th Sept. 1834 
James Uhle
Justice of the peace
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State of New York 
Dutchess County ss.
Personally appeared before me James Uhle Esq. Justice of the Peace of the Town of Union Vale in Dutchess County Benjamin Albroe of said Town of Union Vale who being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is now in his eightieth year and was at different times in the service of the United States during the war of the revolution - that he was well acquainted with Benjamin Force during the revolutionary war and has been ever since. That he knows that he the said Benjamin was engaged at several different times during said war engaged in the service of the State of New York or the United States as a private in the Militia of said State-- that he cannot recollect the precise term of service of any time except that he knows that he was engaged about one month in building a chevaux defrise across the Hudson river below West Point that during said war and ever since he has been reputed a soldier of the revolution and has sustained a good reputation for truth and veracity and of an unexceptional morral [moral] Character 
Benjn Albro 
Sworn before me this 15th Sept. 1834 
James Uhle Justice of the Peace
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES 
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Name Force, David  Grade Private  Line New York

Warrant Number 7130   Acreage 100   Issued May 21, 1791
To James Brebner, assignee


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 subse-
quent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants 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.