Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 40693, Benjamin Williams, Md.
Page 1

(3–1776) 

SERVICE 
Md.

Williams, Benjamin

M C
NUMBER 
S. 40693
B. L. Wt 2083-100

CONTENTS
Page 2

Williams, Benjm.
Petition.
Page 3

Benjamin Williams of the County of Bour
bon, State of Kentucky, respectfully represents
- That he enlisted in or about the year 1778
as a soldier in the Sixth Maryland Regiment,
on continental establishment, in the company
commanded by Capt” Truman. That the Said
Regiment was commanded Colo. Otho H. Williams
- that he was marched to the north, and
continued with the army, under the com
mand of Genl. Washington, till the Spring
of 1780, that he was present at the Battles
of Trenton, Princeton, Germantown, and
Brandywine and Monmouth, that Seven
Regiments of the Maryland line, were ordered
to the South, and he accompanied them —
and was attached to the sixth Regiment
till after Gates defeat, and in consequence
of the great loss sustained by the Maryland
Regiments, they have broken up, and formed
into two Regiments - that after the Troops
were then reorganized, he was attached
to the company commanded by Capt. Henry
Dobson - who was killed at Eutaw Springs,
- that he continued to serve in ^ His second of the two
Regiments aforesaid, till the last of the sum
men or early in the fall of 1782, when
he embarked with the troops from Charles-
ton, South Carolina, for Anapolis, where
Page 4

he arrived, and was disbanded, after
waiting for orders, for two or three weeks.
— He does not recollect by whose orders
the troops were disbanded they were
drawn up, and as well as he can now
remember Genl. Smallwood, Genl. Gist &
Colo. Williams, were present, when the
troops were disbanded, that he never
received a regular discharge in writing,
nor does he believe that any other
soldier ever did — He therefore asks
that the ^land bounty, allowed by law
shall be awarded to him.
He further represents that he does
know of a single person now alive who
can testify to the correction of the foregoing
statement. That he is now, and has for
a number of years, been a pensioner, un
dect the act of Congress passed in 1818 -
& that he believes the testimony filed with
his declaration will sustain his claim
aforesaid, to land bounty. — And he begs
that reference may be made to it. 
Benjamin Williams
Page 5

State of Kentucky - Bourbon County, Sct.
Personally appeared before me a
Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid,
Benjamin Williams and made oath that 
the foregoing statement of his services as a
soldier of the Revolution, is to the best of
his knowledge, remembrance & belief,
correct.-

I further certify that the said Benjn.
Williams has resided in my neighbourhood
for 39 years past - that during this whole
period I have been intimately acquainted 
with him — that he has been always reputed,
and believed to be a soldier of the revolution.
- has sustained a high character for honesty
and integrity, & I feel no hesitation in asser
ting that the fullest confidence may be
placed on any statement which he would
make, under the obligation of an oath.
Given under my hand ^ & seal this 9th day of
July 1834.
Foster Collins seal

State of Kentucky, Bourbon County SS
I Thomas P Smith, Clerk of the Court of Bourbon
County certify that the Foster ^ Collins a magistrate as above
and that the foregoing signature purporting to be
his is genuine In Testimony where of I have
hereunto
Page 6

hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed
my name this eleventh day of July [crossed out] 183 in the year
1834   Thomas P Smith clerk
of the Court of Bourbon Cty
By Porter Smith Deputy
clerk said County Court

N: 14,188. 6th Sept. 1819. Kentucky Agency, Act. 1818
Benjm. Williams, declares that he inlisted in 1780, believes
February ^and Continued to Serve until this [illegible] of An [illegible], and
was discharged at Annapolis Maryd. - Served in Capt.
Smith Compy. 6th Regt Maryd line
Page 7

Robt: Hudgin, Attorney
in fact for Benj: Williams
Page 8

Know all Men by these Presents, That I
Benjamin Williams of the County of
Bourbon in the State of Kentucky,
do hereby constitute, nominate and appoint Robert Hudgin, of the County of Sardine &
State of Virginia my
true and lawful Attorney, to prosecute any claims to land or [crossed out] that may be due from the State 
of [crossed out] Virginia Maryland and United States, or either, on account of [crossed out] the his revolutionary services [crossed out] of

and to demand and receive from the proper offices in [crossed out] Richmond Annapolis and Washington, any Land War-
rant or Warrants so due, and to surrender them at the General Land Office, in order to obtain Cer-
tificates of Scrip in lieu thereof, which he is authorised to receive, [crossed out] sell and assign. Or if said War-
rants be already surrendered, then to demand and receive the Certificates; [crossed out] and to sell and assign the 
same. If no Scrip can be obtained, he is authorised to receive the Warrants, which may have been
surrendered, [crossed out] and to locate or sell the same as he may think best. Said Attorney is also authorised
to prosecute by suit or petition, and to demand of the State of Virginia and the United
States, any Half-Pay or Commutation and interest that may be due particularly under the act of 5th
July, 1832; and to substitute and appoint one or more Attorneys under him, with a general or spe-
cial authority to do all he is permitted to do, and revoke the same at pleasure. I hereby
ratify and confirm whatever said Attorney or his Substitutes may lawfully do in the premises.

As witness my hand and seal this 8th day of July 1834
Benjamin Williams
{SEAL.}
{SEAL.}
{SEAL.}
{SEAL.}
{SEAL.}
{SEAL.}
{SEAL.}
{SEAL.}

State of Kentucky, Bourbon County Sct.
[crossed out] State of   to wit:
This day personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace for the said Benjamin
Williams, of the said County, and State,
subscriber to the foregoing Power of Attorney, and acknowledged the same to be his free act
and deed. As witness my hand and seal, this ninth day of July 1834
Foster Collins {SEAL.}
Page 9

Commonwealth of Kentucky
& Circuit of Bourbon } S.S.

On this [blank] day of [blank] in the
year one thousand eight hundred and twenty, per-
sonally appeared in open Court, being a Court of
record holders in and for said Circuit of Common-
wealth, Benjamin Williams resident in Bourbon.
County & Circuit aforesaid, aged about or near sixty
years who being sworn according to law, doth on his
oath declare that he served in the revolutionary 
war as follows, to wit, three years, & eight months in the com-
pany commanded by Captain Truman, Dobson, & Battle of
the sixth second.   regiments of the Maryland
line on Continental establishment as now fully detailed
in his original declaration, in the War office dated
on the twelfth day of August one thousand eight
hundred and eighteen, in pursuance of which he
has been inscribed on the pension list roll of the
Kentucky agency at the rate of eight dollars per
month & has a received a certificate thereof dated
on the sixth day of September one thousand
eight hundred and nineteen No. 14,118- now in
his possession - And he does solemnly swear that
he was a resident citizen of the United States on
the 18 March 1818 and that he has not since
that time by gifts sale, or in any manner dis-
posed of his property or any part thereof, with
intent thereby so to diminish it as being himself
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; and that he has not
Page 10

nor has any person in trust for him, any property
or securities, contracts or debts due to him; nor has
he any income other than what is contained
in the Schedule hereto annexed and by him sub-
scribed

Schedule of the estate of Benjamin Williams
the aforenanamed Revolutionary soldier, swearing
[illegible] and [illegible] excepted - to wit,
About six acres of land lying in Bourbon County
on Flat Reen, held by hand, and the same pledged
to Abraham Baker to secure him in the payment
of about thirty three   dollars of debt -

One cow, two hogs—
A small portion ^ of household and kitchen fur-
niture -
Some few Carpenters tools

He is indebted to Abraham Baker about
thirty three dollars — To Samuel Blacks about
16 dollars — to James Carter about ten dollars
— to Young & Arnold he supposes about 9 dollars
& to Robert Shields about ten dollars. —
He has a wife & one child living with him to
support, and feels a total inability this age
and debility to go through a days work without
injuring himself at his trade, being a carpenter
Page 11

Benjamin
B^. Williams’s Certl.
14,110
March 1820
Page 12

Kentucky Sct.
I Thomas Arnold Clerk of the court for the
circuit aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and
Schedule thereto annexed, were ^ made and exhibited into court and ordered
by the court to be entered of record and certified accordingly as
appears from the minutes by me taken in open court,
but that the same has been omitted to be so entered this
the inadvertence of my Deputy — And I do further certify
that the total amount in value of the property exhibited
in the aforesaid Schedule is ninety seven dollars. ~
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the part of the said Court
this 21st day of September 1820. ~
Tho: Arnold
Clerk Bourbon Circuit Court.
Page 13

Benjm. Williams

A formal & satisfactory
Cert: from the Judge that
the claimant is in such
reduced circumstances
in life as to need the as
sistance of his Country.
for support is want—
ing.
War Dep. & Pension Office,
Apd. 20th, 1819

The Pensioner, at
Lexington,
Ken.

Admd.
Page 14

State of Kentucky Ss.
On this Twelfth day of August 1818
before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Circuit
Court for the said State, personally appeared Benjamin
Williams, aged Fifty six years, resident in Bourbon
County in said State, who being by me first duly sworn
according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following decla
=ration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late
Act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain per
=sons engaged in the land and naval service of the United 
States in the revolutionary War.” That he the said Benjamin
Williams, enlisted in the year 1780, he believes in the month
of February, in Hagerstown in the State of Maryland, in
the company commanded by Capt John Smith of the 6th
Regiment of the Maryland Continental line; that he con
=tinued to serve in said Corps or in the service of the United
until the conclusion of the War, when he was discharged
from Service in Anapolis in said State of Maryland; that
he was in the battles of Cambden, or Gates’s defeat, Guilford,
Eutaw Springs, Cow Pens and Seige of 96, that he is in
reduced circumstances and stand in need of the assistance
of his country for support; that he has no other evidence
now in his power of his Said Services and that has never
received a pension from the United States.
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid
Benj: Johnson
Circuit Judge.
I Benjamin Johnson, Judge &c. as aforesaid, do certify, that it
appears to my satisfaction, that the said Benjm. Williams, did serve in the
revolutionary War as stated in the preceeding declaration against the common
enemy for land that he is in reduced circumstances [illegible] the term of nine months on the Continental establishment 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 —
Benj: Johnson
Circuit Judge
Page 15

State of Kentucky Ss.
Personally appeared before me the subscriber
One of the Judges of the Circuit Court for the State aforesaid,
Richard Pindell, who being by me first duly sworn according 
to law, deposeth and saith, that he served as a Surgeon in the
Maryland Continental line in the revolutionary war; that he was
acquainted with the within named Benjamin Williams whilst a
soldier in the Maryland Continental line aforesaid; that the said
Williams served with the Maryland Troops to the southward, and
believes he was in all or nearly all the engagements in the Caroli
=nas; that the Services of said Williams are more forcibly impressed
upon the deponent, from the circumstance of their having resided in
the same neighbourhood Some time after the conclusion of the War
and were frequently Seen by each other; that he does not know
the exact time the said Williams ^served but from concurring circumstances
has no doubt but he served as stated in the foregoing declarations
and that he well remembers said Williams was reputed an attentive
brave and active soldier—
Benj: Johnson
Circuit Judge

State of Kentucky Fayette Circuit Sct.
I Thomas Bodley Clerk of the Court for the
Circuit aforesaid do Certify that the Honble.
Benjamin Johnson whose name is subscribed to the
foregoing Certificates is presiding Judge of the Said
Court and as such his official Acts and entitled
to full faith and credit.

In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed
The [crossed out] said seal of said Court at the Courthouse
in Lexington this 12th day of August 1818.
Thos. Bodley
Page 16

Kentucky Sct.
I Benjamin Mills Circuit Judge
and judge of the General Court for the
State aforesaid, successor in office of Benja-
min Johnson whose certificate precedes the
[crossed out] foregoing present statement do certify that 
the aforenamed Benjamin Williams came
before me on the 17 July 1819 - and did depose
that he is worth only seven acres of land
and one cow, and no other estate, and has a
family dependant on him for support & that
he is in such reduced circumstance as to re-
quire aid of his country for his support.
Also David Lew came on the same day
before me and being sworn according to law did
depose and say, that he has been acquainted 
with & lived a neighbor to the aforenamed Ben-
jamin Williams for a great number of years.
That he is poor and possesses no more estate
to the knowledge of the deponent than he has stated
above, & that he is in such reduced circum~
stances as to need the aid of his country that
he has been very industrious & by his labor has
supported himself but is now more aged & en-
feebled, & cannot exercise such industry by
formerly-
I Benjamin Mills Judge to as afore-
said do certify that it appears to my satisfac-
tion that the aforenamed Benjamin Williams
according to the preceding statement is in such
reduced circumstances as to require the aid of
his country as provided by law - & prove the prece-
ding declaration & the credibility of the witness
who proves his service, it appears that to my sat-
isfaction that he was enlisted and did serve
in the revolutionary war and did serve
Page 17

for the time of nine months & upwards as
in said declaration is stated. Given under
my hand this 17, July 1819.
B. Wills
Page 18

Kentucky Sct.
I Thomas Arnold clerk of the court for
the circuit of Bourbon do certify that the Honorable
Benjamin Mills whose signature is annexed to the within
certificate and before whom the within affidavits were made,
is one of the circuit Judges of Kentucky and Judge of the General
Court, duly commissioned and sworn, and that to his official
acts as such full faith and credit is due and ought to be
had and given as well in courts of justice as thereout.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of my office
this 17th day of July 1819. ~

Tho: Arnold
Page 19

Benjamin Williams
No. 2083.

[Reversed]
FREE
Rec: Decr. 15, 1834
Page 20

Richmond
Decr. 12th 1834
Dr. Sir
I send enclosed a declaration
made by Benjamin Williams for the
purpose of placing his land bounty
due by the United States - I send also
a letter signed by Dr. Pindell, which
was given, to aid Williams in procuring
a pension & is now forwarded merely to
shew his identity. If the declaration
together with the other testimony referred
to by him, be sufficient to establish
his claim, please issue a warrant &
file it in the Land office, as soon as
you conveniently can. The power of
attorney I have mislaid -- but will pro=
cure another as quickly as it can 
be done. I am anxious that the warrant
should be filed before the expiration of
the time fixed by law. Please inform me
of the result of this application address
Bow: Green Va.
Yrs very respy.
Robt: Hudgin
Page 21

14,118 - 6 Sep 1819 - Ks Agt Act 1818
enlisted in the year 1780 believes Feb 4 & continued
to serve until the conclusion of the war & was
discharged at Annapolis Md — served Capt Smiths
Corps 6th Regt. Maryd— line —
Page 22

[Stamp]
RICHMOND VA
DEC
18

[Stamp]
FREE

William Gordon Esqr:
Come. of Land Bounty Office
Washington,

Recd. Decr 15, 1834
Page 23

14,118
4/14118 x
[crossed out] Kentucky Ohio

Benjamin Williams
Of Bourbon Co in the state of Kentucky
who was a private in the regiment commanded by
Colonel Capt Smith of the Maryland
line, for the term of 3 years WOW

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence
the 12 of August 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 6 of Sep. 1819
and Sent to the Pensioner
Lexington Kentucky

Arrears to 4th of Sep 1819. 12 mos 20/31. 4/30. 
Semi-anl. All’ce ending 4 March 1820.
102.22
48—
$150.22

{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}

Certificate returned 
in a dead letter, & J.c by 12 1820
Sent to the Clerk of the Court for the
Receive to of Bourbon
Pann
Continued [illegible]
Page 24

Notification sent November 9, 1820 to
Thomas Arnold, Paris, Kentucky

[Illegible] 5, May 1835
To Ohio for 4t. Sept 1834
- May 22d. 1835. —
Page 25

May 4
Mr Burdine

Hillsbough o
Apl. 28 {   Free
Honl. J. L. Edwards
{Court of Pensions —
Washington City

Benj. Williams
Ky
to 
Ohio
Page 26

State of Ohio
County of Highland } SS
On this 27th day of April 1835
Before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace for the
said County of Highland personally appeared Benjamin
Williams who on his oath declares that he is the 
same person who formerly belonged to the Company
Commanded by Captain Henry Dobson in the
Regiment commanded by Colonel Ford
in the service of the United States. That his name
was placed on the pension Roll of the State of Kentucky
from whence he has lately removed - and that he
now resides in State of Ohio in the said County of
Highland-- where he intends to remain and
wishes his pension to be there payable in future
the following are his reasons for removing from
the State of Kentucky to the State of Ohio - Towit - 
to letter my condition in life, and to procure
Land for my children at A Smaller price [crossed out] than
them I could get it in Kentucky, at and thereby
increase their means of making a living in the world
Sworn and subscribed before me
the day and year aforesaid
W C Scott J P. } Benjamin Williams
Page 27

April 27th 1835
the State of Ohio Highland County } SS
This day personally appeared before me the
Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the said
County of Highland Thomas Humphreys who upon
his Oath declares That he is well acquainted with Benjamin
Williams who has taken the within Oath and that
he is the person described in the affidavit
sworn and subscribed to before me
the day and year aforesaid — } Thomas Humphreys
W. C. Scott JP.

I also certify that Thomas Humphreys whose
appears to this affidavit Is a person of veracity —
W C Scott J.P.

The State of Ohio
Highland County } SS
I Samuel Bell Clerk of the
Court of Common pleas in and
said County, Certify that
William C Scott before whome
The foregoing depositions was
Taken is and was at the time
of taking the same, an acting Justice of the
in and for said County duly Commissioned and
qualified as such — and that his signature above
written is Genuine. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto at my hand and affixed the same
of said Court This 27th day of April A.D. 1835.
Samuel Bell Clerk
Page 28

Hillsborough Highland County Ohio —
Dr Sir
I herewith forward you the application
of Benm Williams to be placed on the Ohio
Agency — will you forward his Certificate to
me as soon as [illegible] your [illegible] &
oblige yours &c
Samuel Bell
Page 29

Bow: Green Va.
Decr. 19, 1834
Sir,
A few days past I sent you a
petition of Benjamin Williams formerly
of Maryland, for his land Bounty as 
a Revolutionary soldier. I now send
you a power of attorney authorising me
to receive the warrant &c. I find that
the Clerks certificate of the Magistrates
authority &c. is not appended; but upon 
referring to the petition, you will I
am sure be satisfied that the
signatures of both Wms. & the Mags.
are genuine. I have signed my name
in blank on the pow: Atto:
Yrs very respy
Robt: Hudgin.
Page 30

40693
INVALID.
Revy   Ocu
File No. 40,693
Benjamin Williams
Pri Rev War

Act: 18” March 18”
Index: — Vol. 3, Page 567

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 31

Judge Trimble
fasd by.
Mr Benjin. Williams Paris
Page 32

Lexington July 18th 1818
Dr. Sir
It affords me much
pleasure that I have it in my
power to certify that the Bearer
Benjn. Williams is one of the few
remaining veterans of the Re-
volution. He served in the Mary-
land Troops, and I believe, was
in nearly all the Engagements
in the South towards the close
of our Struggles for Independence
What brings back to my re-
membrance the services of this
man more fully is our having
resided in the same vicinity
after 

[Horizontal]
Bauderd. Regt. re og:
[Illegible] - with measles on
Jas. Island - 

} [Ilegible] W& P. from 1778 they
Absent at Hos: occa-
cant say what Regts
they were atl: See
of’cer G’s defeat
Page 33

after the close of the War.
He states that he was wounded
at the Siege of 96 in So. Carolina
of this I can say nothing, as I was
at that time at Charlotte in No.
Carolina attending the Officers
& Soldiers who had received wound
in the 2d action of Camden &
did not join Genl Green until
some days after the Siege was
raised. It is a long time since
I saw Williams but I recollect
his features perfectly & am
willing to testify, if necessary
to what is herein contained
in parts.
I am with great Respect
Gl. Ofl Seal R. Pindell
Page 34

P.S I served 6 ½ years in the Mary—
land as Surgeon to one of the
Regiments.
On inquiry I find that [crossed out] J. P.
poor Williams, like many others, was
suffering for every thing at the close
of the War & pledged his Certificates
for a small sum in least & Goods
& having never redeemed them - of
course never obtained his Discharge
as they were always depose
the Vultures who preyed upon
R. Pindell