Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 16073, for Benjamin Smith, New Hampshire
Page 1

(8-1776)
SERVICE
N.H.

Smith, Benjamin
Rebecca

NUMBER
W16073

CONTENTS

Dec 1818 res [RESIDENT] of Wentworth, Grafton Co. N.H. aged 62 years and died there July 14, 1838.
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10.986 Revolution

New Hampshire
Benjamin Smith 2nd of Wentworth in the state of N. Hampshire who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Cilley of the N. Hampshire line, for the term of three years

Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 11 of April 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 of May 1819 and sent to Ezra Bartlett Esq. Plymouth New Hampshire

Arrears to 4th of March 1819 $86.56
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 1819 $48.
10 mo. 24 days an: $134.56

Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March 1818.
Continued
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Certification sent to George Woodward, Esq 30 Sept 1820
Plymouth, N. H.
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New Hampshire. 2544

Rebecca Smith widow of Benjamin Smith 2d
who died on the 14 July 1838 of Grafton in the State of N.H. who was a Priv [PRIVATE] in the Compy [COMPANY] commanded by Captain _____N.H. of the Regt. commanded by Cilley in the N. H. line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Concord at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 15th July 1838 

Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Mar [MARCH] '39 [1839] and sent to Hon. H Hubbard
Charlestown, N.H.

Arrears to the 4th of Mar. $54.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 40.00 [Total] $94.00 [Total]

{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the}
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk,
Book A Vol. 2 - Page 3
Page 5

I Benjamin Smith of Wentworth in the County of Grafton & State of New Hampshire of 62 years of age depose & say that in the month of February 1776 I enlisted as a private soldier into Capt. Green's Company in Col. Timothy Bedel's Regiment for one year, in which I served until the month of Nov. 1776, when I enlisted into the Continental service into Capt. Jason Waite's Company in Col. Joseph Cilley's or first New Hampshire Regiment, in the New Hampshire line, for three years; in which Company I served until the month of May 1778 or 1779, at which time I was taken prisoner, at Germantown in Pennsylvania by the British & carried to Philadelphia with about forty other Americans, from thence we were conveyed about one thousand in number, prisoners of war to New York, where we were confined until the month of October following (I think) & were then exchanged; I then returned to the army at West - point & served out the residue of my term of enlistment. I then enlisted into the same Company & Regiment for during the war, and continued in the service until June 1783 when peace was proclaimed, at which time I received, from Genl George Washington, a written, honorable discharge, declaring that I had served faithfully for seven years; which discharge I forwarded to the War Office for the purpose of obtaining my bounty land, but I have never
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obtained my land or seen the certificate of my discharge since. During the time I was in the army I was in the battle of Hubbardstown where I was taken prisoner and in the battle of Germantown where I was again taken prisoner-

I further depose & say that I am in indigent
circumstances & really stand in need of assistance from my country for support; & that I have no other evidence now in my power of my said services.

April 11th 1818
Benjamin Smith

State of New
Hampshire
Grafton ss.}

April 11th, 1818. This day Benjamin Smith personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the above & foregoing declaration by him subscribed Before me Ezra Bartlett Just. [JUSTICE] of the Peace
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Benjamin Smith
10.906
Sept.1819
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State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss
At the Court of Common Pleas being a court of record by law established holden at
Plymouth within & for said County of Grafton
on the second Tuesday of September in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty

Present The Hon.bl [HONORABLE] Roger Vose Esquire Chief Justice [HONORABLE] Ezra Bartlett Esq. Justice [HONORABLE] Daniel Blaisdell Esq. Justice

Personally appeared in open court Benjamin Smith aged sixty one years resident in Wentworth in said County of Grafton who being duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows viz a private Soldier in Capt. Jason Waites [sic] Company & Col. Joseph Cilleys [sic] regiment in the New Hampshire line that his original declaration is dated 11th April 1818 and that he has received a pension & his pension certificate is numbered 10.986 - And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an 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 passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any 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 I further declare I am by occupation a farmer and able to labor some but not constantly by reason of a rupture in my bowels I have a wife named Rebecca aged fifty seven who has not been well for three years able to do but little labor I have eleven children
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which I hope are alive, but two living at home
with me one named Sally aged twenty four and Jonathan aged seventeen both tolerable healthy they are unable to do much towards my support -
The others all live abroad & are under no obligations to assist me & are not of ability to assist me and I really stand in need of my countrys [sic] bounty.
Benjamin Smith

Schedule containing the whole estate and income of Benjamin Smith (his necessary clothing & bedding excepted) by him subscribed, exhibited to the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Grafton in the state of New Hampshire ["and the day of [illegible]" crossed out] 

One Tea Kettle......... 75
two pots.....................1.50
One small Kettle ....  50
Plates, Bowls &c [ETC.] .....1.50
One Tea pot .............  50
One Coffee pot ......   20
one table ..................   50
six old Chairs ..........  1.00
one axe .....................    50
One old Chest ........    50
One old linen wheel & one woolen 1.50
One wash table ......    50
One looking Glass....  75
One Small Swine ...... 1.00 
One Shovel ................  1.00
One Water Pail .........    20
One flat iron ..............   .34
                                ______
                                $12.74
Benjamin Smith
Sworn to & declared before the Justice of said Court this sixteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty

Geo [GEORGE] Woodward Clerk
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State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss

I George Woodward Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing oath & schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the record of said Court - I further certify that it is the opinion of said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in said schedule is twelve dollars seventy-four cents -

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said court on this
Sixteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty -

Geo [GEORGE] Woodward Clerk
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affidavits Rebecca Widow B Smiths
3854 Case
Wid [WIDOW] of Benj [BENJAMIN]
Mar [MARRIED] 1781 died 1838

Act 4 July 1836
Allow 2 yrs $80 per anm. [ANNUM] of Colonel Cilley roll of Jany 1 1782 - 131
pension to commence
July 14, 1838

Hon H Hubbard
ic.s.s
["Edw. Webber Rumney" crossed out]
NH
Oct 6th
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State of New Hampshire
Grafton Ss.

I Moses Dow Register of Probate within and for said County, do hereby certify that the annexed interviews the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Rebecca Smith for a Pension, and I further certify that the Honorable Edward Webber is the Judge of Probate and is a Justice of the Peace within aforesaid said County, duly commissioned & sworn & that full faith & credit may and ought to be given to his acts as such. 

That William D McQuesten is a Justice of the Peace within & aforesaid County, duly commissioned & sworn & that full faith & credit may & ought to be given to his acts as such - and that their signatures respectively
to annexed certificates are genuine. -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office, this second day of October A.D. 1838 -

Moses Dow
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Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the fourth of July 1836 entitled "An act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows" &c. [ETC.] Also a Resolution of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled "a Resolution for the benefit of the widows of certain Revolutionary officers & Soldiers"

State of New Hampshire
County of Grafton SS.}

On this twenty first day of September AD 1838 personally appeared before the subscriber Edward Webber Judge of Probate for said County of Grafton Rebecca Smith a resident of Wentworth in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire aged seventy four 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 third section of the act of Congress, passed July 4th, 1836, entitled, "An act granting half pay to Widows or orphans when their husbands and fathers have died of wounds received in the military service of the United States, in certain cases and for other persons" 
Also a Resolution of Congress passed July
7th 1838 entitled "A Resolution for the benefit of the widows of certain revolutionary officers & soldiers" that she is the widow of Benjamin Smith who was a private in the army of the revolution and served as such in the war of the revolution for which services he was placed on the Pension list of the United States as she believes, under the act of Congress passed 1818 on the New-Hampshire Agency. He lived in Wentworth aforesaid when placed on said pension list and continued to live in said Wentworth to the period of his death which occurred July 14th 1838. For the
evidence of his services and in support of her claim she refers to the evidence on file, as she believes, in the war department at Washington and by virtue of which he was placed upon the pension list as aforesaid. She has no documentary evidence in support of her said husbands [sic] services & of her claim.
(continued over)
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she further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Smith 2d on the nineteenth day of June Seventeen hundred and eighty one, and before he closed his services in the Army of the Revolution, by the Rev Nathan Ward then settled minister in the town of Plymouth as will more fully appear by the certificate of the Clerk of said Plymouth hereunto annexed and that his services did not close until after her marriage as aforesaid She refers to said evidence on file in the War department by which he was placed upon the pension list; that her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Smith 2d died on the fourteenth day of July Eighteen hundred and thirty Eight at said Wentworth as will more fully appear by the affidavits of John Ellsworth and Permelier
Ellsworth hereunto annexed and that she has not since been married to any other person but is now his widow

Rebecca her X mark Smith

Witnesses {Edward Webber Permelier Ellsworth 
John Ellsworth

Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year
as above written, before me
Edward Webber Judge of Probate

I hereby certify that the above named applicant cannot from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Edward Webber Judge of Probate
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Benjamin Smith and Rebecca Keyes
Married June nineteenth seventeen hundred
Eighty one by Rev. Nathan Ward.

The above is a true copy of the record with
the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows:
"June 19th 1781"
Arthur Ward Town Clerk

I Arthur Ward above named depose and say
that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the
Town of Plymouth County of Grafton and
State of New Hampshire and that the above
is a true extract from the records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me
August 17 1838 Arthur Ward Town Clerk

Grafton Ss. August 17th 1838 Then personally appeared the above named Arthur Ward who is a credible witness and made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed is just and true before me
Wm [WILLIAM] D. McQuesten Justice of the Peace
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Certificate of Marriage

Widow R. Smith
Case
Page 17

We John Ellsworth and Permela Ellsworth
both of Wentworth in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire of lawful age depose and say that we were well acquainted with Benjamin Smith 2d late of said Wentworth
deceased and who was a Pensioner of the
United States. He the said Benjamin Smith 2d
died at said Wentworth on the fourteenth
day of July Eighteen hundred and thirty Eight
we were both present when he died and
attended his funeral on the sixteenth day of
the same July - We further say that the said
Benjamin Smith 2d was the identical Benjamin
Smith named in the certificate of the town Clerk of Plymouth who married Rebecca Keyes, that we are well acquainted with his Widow Rebecca Smith who now resides in said Wentworth and that she is the identical Rebecca Keyes named in the said certificate of the town Clerk of Plymouth and who is an applicant for a pension and that she has not
been married to any other person since the
period of the said Benjamin Smith 2d death
but is now his widow.

Wentworth Sept 21nd1838
John Ellsworth
Permela Ellsworth

State of New Hampshire
Grafton Ss.}
September 21st 1838
severally sworn to and subscribed
Before me Edward Webber Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am personally 
acquainted with the above named affiants and
that they are credible witnesses.

Edward Webber Justice of the Peace
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
October 20, 1927

Agnes I. Smith
East Pepperell
Mass.

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 16073, it appears that Benjamin Smith enlisted in February, 1776, place not stated, and served until November, 1776, as a private in Captain Green's Company in Colonel Timothy Bedel's New Hampshire Regiment. He enlisted in November, 1776, in Captain Jason Waite's Company in Colonel Joseph Cilley's New Hampshire Regiment; he was taken prisoner at the battle of Hubbardton, and at the battle of Germantown was taken prisoner again and
was held in New York until October, 1778 or 1779, when he was exchanged and returned to his company and served until the end of the Revolution.

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 11, 1818, at which time he was living in Wentworth, Grafton County, New Hampshire, and he then stated that he was sixty-two years of age. In 1820 he stated that
he was sixty-one years of age. He died in Wentworth, New Hampshire, July 14, 1838.

He married June 19, 1781, in Plymouth, Grafton County, New Hampshire, Rebecca Keyes. She was allowed pension on her application executed September 21, 1838, at which time she was seventy-four years of age and was living in Wentworth, New Hampshire.
Page 19

In 1820 Benjamin Smith stated that he had eleven children but the only names given were Sally who was twenty-four years of age and Jonathan who was seventeen years of age.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner
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Benja [BENJAMIN] Smith 2d Concord Agency NH act 1818. When paid?
H.H. Sylvester Pen [PENSION] Off [OFFICE]

Died 14 July 1838 p [PAID] to that period
J H
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Case 2829

Ezra Bartlett,
Judge

Haverhill N.H.
Recd Dec 3, 1818.  
Ex.d found on the rolls.

[sideways] Hon John C Calhoun, Secretary of War
Washington City
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Haverhill N.H. 25th Nov. 1818.

Sir,

Answers to all the applications for pensions contained in my first packet of the 10th May last have been received, excepting in the case of Oliver Sawyer, who is anxious to know the
occasion of delay in his case & whether further 
evidence of his services is required. I have also received answers to the applications transmitted on the 14th Sept last; those transmitted intermediately are still unheard from; thirty one declarations were transmitted, by me, on the 28th May, fourteen on the 3d June, seventeen on the 4th July and seven on the 11th Augt. last; answers have not been received from any of them; the applicants are very desirous to know
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the result and feel almost impatient at what 
they consider delay, not knowing the mass of
business which at this time is imposed and
presses upon the War Department. I have no
doubt every facility will be granted to hasten
an adjudication on their claims, and when
ever it shall be accomplished they will be
reasonably apprised of it.

I am, very respectfully
Your obedient Servant
Ezra Bartlett

Hon
John C. Calhoun,
Secretary of War
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Rev [REVOLUTIONARY] WIDOW, &c. [ETC.]
File No. 16073
Rebecca Smith wid [WIDOW] of Benjamin Smith
Priv [PRIVATE] Rev [REVOLUTIONARY] War
Act July 4th /86 
Index: Vol. M, Page 223

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 25

Aug. 3 [18]/97
Dr. Onias J. Page
Taunton, Mass.
["Mch. 24, 04 - Mrs. Paige through Hon. Wm. C. Lovering (Copy) LV.L." crossed out]
Mch [MARCH] 26, - 1914 Hist [HISTORY] to
Mrs. Mary L. Paige
Taunton Mass.
The Hon Wm C. Lovering H.R. [HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES]
1922 Apl. [APRIL] 28 hist - [HISTORY] to Percy G.
Smith - Eu -
1927 Oct. 20 hist. [HISTORY] to Agnes I. Smith [illegible]
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RECORD DIVISION REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION 3-525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., 4 -28, 1922

In reply to your request of ______, received ___
for a statement of the military history of Benj. [BENJAMIN] Smith a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired formation as contained in his & (["or" crossed out] his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. N. 16073

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. |
LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. |
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | STATE.

Feb. 1776 - Nov 1776| _| |_| Captain Green | Colonel Timothy Bedel | N.H.
Nov. 1776 | | | Captain Jason Waite | Colonel Jos. Cilley | N.H.
taken prisoner by British at - battle of Germantown and held in New York until Oct. 1778 or 1779 when exchanged and returned to his company and served until the End of the war.

Battles engaged in, Hubbardstown [HUBBARDSTON] where taken prisoner as above.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, not stated.
Date of application for pension, April 11, 1818. al 
Residence at date of application, Wentworth, Grafton Co., N.H.
Age at date of application, about 62 years.
Remarks: He mar [MARRIED] June 19, 1781 in Plymouth, Grafton Co, N.H. Rebecca Keyes - He died July 14, 1838, in Wentworth, N.H. & she lived there when al. pen. [PENSION] on an ap. ex.
Sept 21, 1838 - Sept 1 1838 aged 74 years. 11 ch. children were alive in 1820, Sally 22 and Jonathan17 years old are the only names stated.
No fur [FURTHER] family data -

Respectfully,
Age given in 1818 - 62 -
in 1820 as 61 -
Commissioner.

6-2856
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AGNES I. SMITH
EAST PEPPERELL, MASS.

May 2, 1927

Pension Office
Washington D.C.

Dear Sirs;
I would like to get the record of Benjamin Smith born in Wentworth N.H. in 1756, died July 7, 1838. He married Rebecca Keyes of
Plymouth N.H. She was born May 29 - 1762 and died in 1841 or 1842 at Wentworth N.H.
Page 28

AGNES I. SMITH EAST PEPPERELL, MASS.

she was a revolutionary Pensioner.

This Benjamin Smith enlisted to the credit of several towns as was the custom then. My Father, Benjamin Smith was born in Wentworth N.H. in
1836 and was in the Civil War. I want to get
his grandfather's name which I believe to be this Benjamin
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Smith. [Seal] U.S. PENSION OFFICE May 4 1927

My fathers, [sic] fathers [sic] name or my grandfather was Jonathan Smith.
Could you give me any of their records?

Very truly yours
Agnes Smith.

My mothers [sic] name was
Angeline Brown
Northern

A.S.
Page 30

Percy G. Smith
Civil Engineer

20 LIBERTY ST., MONTPELIER, VT.
TEL. 321R
Mar. 25, 1922

Bureau of Pensions,
Rev. War Records Section -
Will you please send me the war
record of BENJAMIN SMITH of Wentworth and Plymouth, N. H., born about 1758, and any family data? also of his wife, Rebecca (Keyes) Smith born about 1762 who was a pensioner, -her place of birth, parents, etc.?

Percy G. Smith

[Seal] U.S. PENSION OFFICE MAR 28 1922
Page 31

[Stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE. JUL 28 1897

[Stamp] U.S. P.O. OLD WAR & NAVY FILES. Jul 30 1897

G. W. & N.
[Stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE. JUL 28 1897
Page 32

16 North Pleasant St 
Taunton  Mass
July 22 - 1897

Bureau of Pensions
Can you give me information concerning
the place and date of birth and date of
death of "Benjamin Smith" a soldier of the
Revolution? He enlisted from the towns of Temple Epping - & Wentworth N.H. and died at the latter but do not know date; He was a
pensioner at time of death do not know of
him later than 1782 - Think he went from Temple N.H. to Cambridge, Mass on call
for troops April 19 - 1775 and was enrolled
Apr 23 - Am not altogether sure however -
I have tried at each of those towns to find
place and date of birth, but on account of 
imperfectly kept records have been unable to do so: Any information you can give me concerning him will be very welcome - Very Truly Yours Dr Onias T. Paige

Any record of his service is desired
Page 33

Benjamin Smith
private
Col Cilleys [sic] Regiment
New Hampshire Line

1776 - 3 years
11th April, 1818.

found on the rolls
up to January 1, 1782

Ezra Bartlett, Judge
Plymouth, N.H
Page 34

Rumney May the 19th 1818

I William Preston of Rumney and state of
New Hampshire of lawful age testify and say
that I was acquainted with Benjamin Smith of
Wentworth in the State of New Hampshire
before the Revolution war and in the war he
served three years in the first New Hampshire
Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Celey [CILLEY] in Capt Waites [sic] Company and was called a good soldier.
attest
William Preston

State of New Hampshire Grafton ss June 12th 1818 - then personally appeared the above named William Preston and made oath to the truth of the above -
Before me Simon Bayley Just [JUSTICE OF THE] Peace

I Ezra Bartlett Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Grafton & State of New Hampshire, do certify that Simon Bayley Esqr is an acting Justice of the Peace within & for said
County, and that full faith & credit is due to his attestations as such. Nov. 24th 1818.
Ezra Bartlett
Page 35

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Grafton SS.) 
On this eleventh day of April1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County personally appears Benjamin Smith aged 62 years, resident in Wentworth in the said State, 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 and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war:" That he, the said
Benjamin Smith enlisted in November 1776
in the State of New Hampshire in the company commanded by Captain Jason Waite of the first New Hampshire Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Cilley for three years; that he continued to serve in the said corps, or the service of the United States, until June 1783, when he was discharged from service in ___
State of __; that he was in the battles of Hubbardstown [HUBBARDSTON] and Germantown and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Ezra Bartlett

I, Ezra Bartlett Judge of the Court of Common Pleas as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Benja [BENJAMIN] Smith is in indigent circumstances & stands in need of assistance from his country for support & did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Nov. 24th, 1818
Ezra Bartlett