Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6797, Benjamin Cole, Continental (Conn.)
Page 1

Service

Continental (Conn.)

Cole, Benjamin
McMurphy, Rachel
(Former Widow)

R. 6797
Page 2

left column
From Vermont to New York.
2,743
=====
Benjamin Cole, private
Col. Sheldon's regiment of
Conn dragoons 4
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
=====
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont,
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 21. of April, 1818.
=====
Certificate of Pension issued the 22. of Sept, 1818
and sent to James Elliot the clerk of Windham
County Brattleboro Court in Brattleboro
=====
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818 - $35.73
Semi-anl. all'ee ending 4 March 1819. - 48.00
4 mos. 14/30  $83.73
3 years
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}
Connecticut line
Sen to James Elliot Esq
Brattleboro Vt
[illegible]
Halifax Windham Co.

right column
Duplicate Certificate period 11th March 1823
and sent to Wm. Carwell Esq Bennington Vt
The original certificate in this case was returned to the War Dept by Wm. Carwell of Bennington Ct,/29 July 1824 and destroyed.
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ENVELOPE

Benjamin Cole, Pr.
21 April 1818
The Clerk of Windham Co.
Brattleboro Vt

Jon John C. Calhoun Esquire
Correct.
Secretary of War
Washington Ca.
Page 4

Benjamin Cole of Halifax in the County of Windham and State of Vermont a [illegible] of the United States deposes, testifies and declares that previous to the dark day in t he month of May AD 1780 he was enlisted into the army of the United States at East Windsor for during the war by Joshua King, a Lieutenant in Captain Webb's troops of the second Regiment of [Dragoons] Commanded by Colonel Elisha Sheldon in the Connecticut line (according to the best of his recollection) and there be at that time four troops of cavalry in the said second Regiment and two of them being dismounted he served in the said dismounted Dragoons under Captain Edgars, two companies in said Regiment that an arrangement being made in winter quarters in the year 1782 he was transferred from Captain Edgar's Dismounted men to the second troop of mountain [Dragoons] commanded by Captain Elijah Wadsworth in the aforesaid Regiment of Dragoons commanded by said Colonel Elisha Sheldon and continued to serve in said troop and Regiment until the close of the war and received a regular discharge at Danbury in Connecticut signed by General Washington which he testifies he has lost and at the close of the war he received final settlement notes from Elijah James who was a Lieutenant in said Captain Wadworth's Troop and paymaster of the Regiment aforesaid he further testifies that the whole of the service rendered as of said war on the continental establishment in the war of the Revolution against the common enemy he further testifies that [that] he has no real estate nor any [illegible] property except one horse and has had furniture sufficient to uphold life his age is sixty two years has a wife and five children under age and under his care and that from his  current circumstances in life he stands in need of [illegible] from his country for support.
Benjamin Cole
[Illegible] sworn to and declared this 21st day of April 1818 before me.
John Roberts Judge of Windham County Court in the State of Vermont
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State of Vermont
Windham County ss.} On this 21st day of April 1818 before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the County Court within and for the County of Windham and State of Vermont personally appeared Benjamin Cole within named who being by me first duly sworn hath on his oath made the [unk] declaration in order to obtain the provisions of a certain act of Congress entitles "an act to provide certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war" I John Roberts Judge as aforesaid do therefore certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Benjamin Cole did serve in the revolutionary war for the term of nine months on the continental establishment as stated in the preceding declaration and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the War Department pursuant to the directions of the said act of Congress.
John Roberts} Judge of Windham County Court in the State of Vermont

State of Vermont
Windham County Clerk's Office,
Brattleborough, May 21st AD 1818
I certify that the Honorable John Roberts, Esquire, is one of the Assistant Judges of the County Court aforesaid, and that the signatures of the foregoing certificates are in the hand writing of the said Judge.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, the day and year above written.
Attest James Elliot, Clerk
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No. 8
Benjamin Cole
Application for Pension
Windham County Vert.
[copy]
continued
2743
Halifax
22 Sept 18
Mar '19
Page 7

STATE OF VERMONT
COUNTY of WINDHAM ss.
At the County Court, begun and held at New-Fane, within and for the County of Windham, on the second Monday of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty.....
PRESENT- Hon. PHINEHAS WHITE,  Esq. Chief Judge
Hon. JOHN ROBERTS
Hon.  GILBERT DENISON, Esqrs.} Assistant Judged
ON this twentieth day of June, A.D. 1820, personally appeared in open court, being a court of record for the said county, proceeding according to the course of the common law, with a civil jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having, in certain cases, the power of fine and imprisonment, Benjamin Cole aged sixty five years, resident in Halifax in said county, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: in a Company of Dragoons commanded by Capt. Elijah Wadsworth in the Regiment commanded by Col. Elisha Sheldon in the Connecticut line of the Continental establishment in the Revolutionary War, that he enlisted in the month of May in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred & eighty, during the war aforesaid- that he continued to serve in said Regiment till the war was at an end, that he was then honorably discharged at Danbury in Connecticut in the month of June seventeen hundred eighty three.
That he has received a pension under the act of the Congress of the United States of the 18th March, 1818, that the number of his pension certificate is 2743, and the date of his original declaration is April 21st AD 1818.
AND I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR, That I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen: and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to being myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen: And that I have not, nor has nay 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 hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Benjamin Cole
SCHEDULE
 of real estate, necessary clothing and bedding excepted.
one old horse worth not more than $12- an old saddle 2.34- one loom & loom tacking 13-twp tables 4- Table Furniture 12-  Three different kinds of wheels & one Reel 6- nine chairs 6- three bedsteads 4- two bedbords 50t- one chest & trunk 3- one shovel & tongs 3- one tea kettle & one spider & one dish kettle 3- three pails 1.50- one looking glass 1- one candlestick 50t- tin trench 50t- one wash tub 75- four barrels 2- 1 axe 2 dol- one half bushl box 75- two butter boxed 67t- one bread  trough & bread peel 1- two hans 50t- two glass bottles 33t- six firls 36t- one farmel 25- two busl grain 1.50- one old bridle 34t- one pr old saddle bags 50t- one pair spectacles 371/2t- one sermon book 1- 3 Bibles 3- one Psalm book 75t- one small wooden bowl 06t- Beauties of the Bible 37 1/2t- one razor 25t- one pamphlet 25t- one old Hymn book 25t- one small book of J Benjamins works 75t- one sermon nook of Bostons 4 & old State 50t- one pair of cotton cards 50t- six pounds wood 3- two spelling books 38t- one Testament 41t- one whip and spear 1- one old pen knife 08t- cash 14- which I shall be under the necessity of laying out immediately for the use of myself & family.
Benjamin Cole
AND I do also swear that my occupation has been that of a schoolmaster untill my bodily infirmities prevented, & lately I have been a Preacher in the Baptist denomination though i never was ordained by any order of Christians, that I am very infirm & unable to do but very little bodily exercises, that I have a wife of upwards of fifty two years of age, subject to many poor turns, & is at times afflicted with rheumatism, I have three children, names are Betsey age 14 years, Elijah 12 years of age, third Sally ten years of age, and I the said Benjamin am now dependent on the charity of community for support.
SWORN and DECLARED in open court on the 20th day of June, A. D. 1820, Before Phinehas White JUDGE

I James Elliot Clerk of the County Court for the County of Windham, in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the files and records of the said Court: And 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 one hundred nine dollars and sixty six cents.
IN testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal fo the said Court, ton this fifteenth day of July 1820.
James Elliot
CLERK OF THE COURT FO THE COUNTY OF WINDHAM
Page 8

July 24/43
Addl to case
of Rachel Cole
NY
Rachel Mc Murphy

No.
Rachel M Murphy
formerly widow of
Benja Cole
N York
act 7th July '38


Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Page 9

State of New York
Cattaraugus County} ss. Rachel McMurphy being duly sworn deposeth and says she was married to Benjamin Cole in the town of Conway Franklin County and State of Massachusetts on the 10th day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven and that she lived with said Benjamin Cole untill the 2nd day of January 1834, on which day said Benjamin Cole died with old age together with a general disability or weakness which commenced first in his limbs for some time previous to his death and a fever for same of the last days of his life which hastened his dissolution that she remained the widow of the said Benjamin Cole untill the tenth day of May 1838 on which day she was married to James McMurphy and is now living with him, and that she lived now in the town of Humphrey Cattaraugus County and State of New York.
Rachel McMurphy
Sworn and subscribed before me this 17th day of June 1843.
Tilly Gilbert J. Peace

State of New York
Cattaraugus County} ss.
I George W. Gillett, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Tilly Gilbert Esquire is a Justice of the Peace as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court & County the eleventh day of July AD 1843.
G. W. Gilbert Clerk

Please direct to Tilly Gilbert Franklinville Catt. Co. NY
Page 10

County of Bennington, ss.
On this 21st day of February AD 1823, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Bennington, personally appeared Benjamin Cole, who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company of Light Dragoons, commanded by Capt. Elijah Wadsworth, in the regiment commanded by Col. Elisha Sheldon, in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Vermont, that he received a certificate of that fact, under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War, which certificate, in the month of March AD 1822, he lost at Bennington, Vermont.
Benjamin Cole
Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid.
Uriah Edgerton Justice of Peace

State of Vermont
I Joel Pratt Clerk of Bennington County Court hereby certify that Uriah Edgerton Esq. was on the 21st day of Feby AD 1823 & now is a Justice of the Peace in & for the county of Bennington, acting under the authority of this State & that the above is his signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affix the seal of sd County Court & set my hand at Manchester this 28th day of Feby AD 1823.
Joel Pratt Clerk
Page 11

State of New York
Renssellaer County ss: Elijah Janes being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he was t the close of the Revolutionary War a Lieutenant in Capt Elijah Wadsworth Troops belonging to the 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons commanded by Col. Elisha Sheldon, & Paymaster of the same regiment, that on the last muster roll of the said Regiment this deponent finds the name of Benjamin Cole as enlisted during the war, this deponent knows that the said Benjamin Cole served in the said Regiment more than one year & until the end of the war & further saith not.
Elijah Janes
Lansingburgh 7th April 1818 then personally appeared before me the above named Elijah Janes to me well known & made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed contains the truth.
W. Raleigh Justice of the Peace for Renssellaer in the State of New York
Page 12

James Tucker of Halifax in the county of Windham and state of Vermont of lawful age maketh path that for more than twenty years he has been acquainted with Mr. Benjamin Cole of said Halifax that he is not a neighbor to him that he has ever considered and still considers him to be a very poor man he does not know of any real estate he owns or [unk] any personal property except a horse and a trifle of household furniture and further the deponent saith not.
James Tucker
Sworn to this 21st day of April 1818 before me
John Roberts Judge of Windham County Court in the State of Vermont

James Martin of Halifax in the county of Windham and state of Vermont of lawful age maketh oath that he is neigh neighbor to Mr Benjamin Cole and consider him to a verry poor man and know of no real estate that he [unk] nor but a mere trifle of personal property and that he has an expansive family to support and further the deponent saith not.
James Martin
Sworn to this 21st day of April 1818 before me
John Roberts Judge of Windham County Court in the state of Vermont
Page 13

Benjamin Cole must make an affidavit agreeably to the within form and transmit it to the War Department, before his name can be transferred.
March 15th, 1822

Phelps, N. Y.
Page 14

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER

County of Ontario ss.
On this twenty fifth day of May 1822, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Ontario personally appeared Benjamin Cole who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Elijah Wadsworth in the regiment commanded by Colonel Elisha Sheldon in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Vermont from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the state (district, or territory) of New York where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future.
Benjamin Cole
Sworn and subscribed to, before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Philetus Swift Judge & Just Peace

WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, August 13, 1818. The oath to be taken before a duly qualified magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated.
State of New York
Ontario County Clerk's Office ss.} I certify that Philetus Swift whose signature appears above and which I verily belive to be his proper hand writing was on the tweenty fifth day of May 1822 a Judge & Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Ontario, duly commissioned and sworn. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said County this 5th day of May 1822,
Heman Norton Dep Clk
Page 15

Benjn Cole Transferred from Vermont to New York 20 June 1822 from 4 March 1822
Page 16

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss
I Dorothy Beals of the Town of Conway, being of lawful age, on oath declare and say that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Cole and Rochel Salsbury both of Conway, and that in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven, in the month of May I was present at the marriage of said Benjamin and Rochel, and do now well and distinctly recollect that event, said marriage was in Conway aforesaid. And I do further testify the said Rochel continued the wife of the said Benjamin until she removed from this state into the state of New York. To the Truth of which statements I hereby  make oath in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three.
Dorothy Beals
In presence of
Betsey Wheelock
James S. Whitney
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin, ss. Conway May 5th 1843. Then the above named Dorothy Beals personally appeared before James S. Whitney one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the said County and made oath in due form [unk] that the foregoing declaration by her subscribed is true.
James S. Whitney Justice of the Peace
Page 17

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
&lt;--&gt;

Franklin SS.
I, Henry Chapman, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Franklin, do certify, that James S. Whitney Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the papers hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said James C. Whitney and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said Commonwealth, this Eighth day of May in t he year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Forty Three.
H. Chapman, Clerk.
Page 18

Franklinville Cattaraugus Co. N. Y. Dec. 21 AD 1849

[Dear sir] I write you at the request of Mrs. Rachel McMurphy (now the wife of Mr. McMurphy) but formerly the wife of the Rev. Benjamin Cole who was a Revolutionary Soldier and drew a pension and whose Certificate has been returned to y our office. She thinks she is entitled to a pension for the time she lived a widow which was four years & four months. I think she was the wife of Mr. Cole before the close of the war but as she is not present, I am not able to state positively about that, my  not making it my business to look up the laws in relation to Pensions. I thought best to write to you and request an answer whether she would be entitled to pay by making all the proof necessary &c &c. She is a [worthy] woman yet quite poor and in case she was entitled to pay while a widow it would now do her a great deal of good to receive it, will you be good enough to me soon in relation to matter and much oblige.
You O. B. Servt Tilly Gilbert
Page 19

Reg Mil
6797
47474
2136
AOJ
COTTAGE HOTEL
G. T. ELY
PROPRIETOR
BUNKER HILL, ILL. Feb 17, 1904
OWTJ

STAMP
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
D FEB 19 1904

Comm of Pensions
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir,

Will you give  me the records as show in your office of Benjamin Cole a Revolutionary soldier. The facts which I have are that he served in Capt. E. Wadsworth's Company or Troop of the Second Regiment of light dragoons Commanded by Col. Elisha Sheldon.
He served until the close of the war, was discharged at S. C. in Dec and was afterwards a pensioner.
Truly yours,
J. F. Cole
Page 20

own
ecl
San Francisco
March 29th, '04.

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir;

Will you kindly send to me the Revolutionary War Record for Benjamin Cole who served as a private under Capt. E. Wadsworth and Col. Elisha Sheldon;
Respectfully
Maude Cole Gould
509 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco
Calif.

STAMP
PENSION OFFICE
U.S.
B APR 5 1904.

STAMP
OLD WAR & NAVY
APR 6 1904
FILES.
U. S. P. E.
Page 21

V No 9306
Rachel McMurphy
New York
Set to Tilly Gilbert, Sept 11 1813
6797
Act July 7th 1838.
Page 22

left column
Mch. 8-1904. His. to
J.F. Cole, Bunker Hill Ill
-----
Apl 12, 1904 His. to
Maude Cole Gould
San Francisco Cal
-----

right column
REJECTED
6797.
P. O. Rachel McMurphy
Service: widow of Benjamin Cole

Enlisted: _____, 18 __.
Discharged: _____, 18 __.

Application filed: _____, 18 __.

Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____

Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 __.