Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2,574, Benjamin Comings, N.H.
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Service
N. H.
Comings, Benjamin
or Cummings.
Mary
Number
R.2574
Contents
{blank]
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6580 decd
Mary Comings Declaration N. H.
Act of the 4th July 1836
widow of Benjamin

John Bryant Agent
Meridan N. H. 

Married in Sept 1776
husband died April 1813
Rd Oct 17 1845
widow died 13 Decemr 1843
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section
of the act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836.
State of New Hampshire
Sullivan ss. On this 15th day of January AD 1845 personally appeared before the Court of Probate
holden at Claremont within and for said County
Benjamin Comings a resident of Cornish in said County being one of the Eight children of Mary widow of Benjamin Comings late of said Cornish deceased aged 56 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in the right of his mother in behalf of himself and the other seven children of his said mother, in order to obtain
the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836 to which she was entitled. That the names of the seven children are Samuel Comings, Polly Bingham, Sherman Comings, Andrew Comings, Betsy Smith, 
Suckey Sperry & Julia R. Newell, they with himself being the only surviving children of the said Mary Comings. That she was the widow of Benjamin Comings a Soldier and non commissioned officer of the Revolution, and a member of Captain Solomon Chase Company of Colonel Jonathan Chase Regiment of New Hampshire Militia from the year 1775 or 6 till near the close of the war, out of which he enlisted, was drafted or ordered into service by the said Captain Solomon Chase and Colonel Jonathan Chase, at various times as the declarant believes, but the dates and number of tours of foreign service he cannot state, but is of the belief that he first enlisted into the Company of
Captain Russell for the space of two months in the autumn of 1776 and served accordingly near Haverhill N. H. as a Corporal - that he subsequently engaged for the space of two
months or upwards as a Corporal under one Captain Hendee -  That he thinks was in the summer of 1777 - also that he was at several other times engaged in 1777 under the Command of said Captain Solomon Chase doing scout
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and other duties but to what amount this declarant has not the means of stating. And in reference to the further services of said Benjamin Comings this declarant would further state as his belief that from same time in the year 1779 through the year 1780 a Station guard composed of the said Captain Solomon Chase Company was kept by order of said Colonel Jonathan Chase,  about a quantity of Military stores at said Cornish on the Connecticut River to which guard the said Benjamin Comings belonged and was a Corporal thereof, but for what length of time he cannot with certainity state but thinks from the best information that he has been able to obtain on the subject that said Guard was kept for at least the share of Eight months, that beside the above named services of the said Benjamin Comings he confidently believes he was at many other times engaged on alarm occasions as a Corporal, and lastly at Royalton in October 1780 and Newbury in 1781.
He further declares that the said Mary Comings was married to the said Benjamin Comings on the fifth day of September Seventeen hundred and seventy six, that her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Comings died on the fourteenth day of April Eighteen hundred and thirteen and that the said Mary Comings remained his widow till the time of her death, which took place on the thirteenth day of December Eighteen hundred and forty three.
[signed] Benjamin Comings
Sworn to and subscribed to on the day and year above written. Before [signed] John L Putnam Judge
I John L Putnam Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Sullivan aforesaid, do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has this day been adduced to me that Benjamin Comings late of Cornish in in said County who had been a soldier of the Revolution died on the 14th day of April 1813. And that his widow Mary Comings also died on the 13th day of
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December 1843. That the said Mary Comings left
eight children by the names of Samuel Comings,
Sherman Comings, Andrew Comings, Benjamin
Comings, Polly Bingham, Betsey Smith, Suckey
Sperry and Julia R Newell and that they were her only surviving children.
[signed] John L. Putnam Judge of Probate

State of New Hampshire
Sullivan ss. I Uriel Dean Register of the Court
of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Comings of Cornish in said County in the right of his mother for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 16th day of January
AD 1845
[signed] Uriel Dean Register of Probate
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Mrs Mary Comings decd.
Certificate of marriage

John Bryant Agt.
Meriden N. H.
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Office of the Town Clerk
Cornish N.H. Sept. 10. 1845.
I John T. Freeman of Cornish in the County of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire certify that on the Book of Record of Marriages in my possession there is the following entry - Benjamin Comings and Mary Cooper both of Cornish are married the fifth day of September Seventeen hundred and seventy six. 
I certify that 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 "Benjamin Comings and Mary Cooper both of Cornish were married the 5th day of Sept 1776."
I John T. Freeman above named depose and say that I hold the office of town Clerk in the County town and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me. [signed] John T. Freeman Town Clerk

State of New Hampshire
Sullivan ss.
Sworn to and subscribed this 10th day of September 1845.
Before me [signed] John L Putnam Justice of the Peace
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State of New Hampshire
Office of Secretary of State.
I, Thomas P. Treadwell, Secretary of State aforesaid, do hereby certify that John L. Putnam
is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of Sullivan duly Commissioned and qualified. His Commission was dated on the 13th day of June 1845 and will expire on the 13th day of June 1850, and his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of the State, this 19th day of Sept. 1845.
[signed] Thomas P. Treadwell Secretary of State
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Mary Cummings
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State of New Hampshire
County of Grafton
Be it known, that on this thirteenth day of February, A. D. eighteen hundred and fifty two, before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Benjamin Comings, a resident of Lyme in said County, and made oath according to law, that he is a son of Mary Comings late of Cornish Deceased who was the widow of Benja Comings who was when being a resident of said Cornish in the County of Sullivan State of New Hampshire, that there is a pending
claim at the Department of the Interior for arrears of Pension due the said Mary at the time of her decease. that he is directly interested, as aforesaid, as a claimant, and makes this affidavit for the purpose of obtaining such amount of Pension as may be due under any of the Laws, Regulations, or decisions that have been or may hereafter be adopted. The said Affiant further
declares that he hereby constitutes and appoints D. D. Addison Esq to be Attorney and Agent to prosecute said claim, with power of substitution,
to examine all papers and documents in relation to it, and to do all things necessary and lawful
in the premises; except drawing the money, which will be hereafter provided for.
[signed] Benjamin Comings
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, before me,
[signed] D. C. Churchill J. Peace
I D. C. Churchill Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Benjamin Comings, above named, is a respectable resident of this County, and is, as I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth, and acknowledges the above Power of Attorney to be his act and deed.
[signed] D.C. Churchill
J. Peace.
In testimony that the above-named D. C. Churchill was a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, at the date of the same, I hereby subscribe my name and affix the County Seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Grafton.
[signed] J. D. Sleeper, [County - crossed out]  Clerk of said Court.
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Feby 4 1903
Miss Laura F. Cummings
Harrisburg Pa

1906 Jan 23 History to Mrs. H. G. Merriam [Letter
M sur F 29 739] M. B. 11

[Acts of July 14, 1862 , and March 3, 1873. - crossed out]

L.74
Mary Cummings
 [appears to be a blank form that was used as scrap paper as there is nothing else filled out on this form]
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No 6580
Mary Cummings decd N. H. 
Let to John Bryant Esq
Nov 19, 1845
D. D. Addison July 19 1832

2574

Act 4 July 1836
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Nov. 19, 1845.
Sir:
The papers in the case of Mary Cummings dec'd, who was the widow of Benjamin Cummings under the Act of 4 July 1836, have been examined and filed. 
The certificate of the Secretary of New Hampshire shows that Benjamin Cummings is credited on the records in his possession
with 4 months 8 days service but there is no evidence to show that this service was rendered by the husband of this claimant. If however, this be admitted it is not sufficient to entitle her to a pension.
The statement of Mrs. Leonard being taken from a private paper is not admissible as evidence. If that objection be waived, it shows but 27 days, a part of which is embraced in the certificate of the Secretary of State. The three witnesses who have testified to the service of Cummings are themselves all applicants for the benefit of the Act of 7 June 1832, but so far have been unable to establish their claims, their testimony therefore, cannot be received as evidence of the service of another.
The proof of the date of marriage is satisfactory.
To John Bryant.

July 19, 1852.
Sir:
More than five years having elapsed since the claim of Mary Cummings dec'd of N.H. for the benefit of the Act of July 4, 1836 was adjudicated, it can not now be reopened without the production of material evidence which was not shown to have been in existence or which could not have been procured at an earlier date.
To D. D. Addison, Esq.
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Senate of Pennsylvania
214 State St. West
Hamburg, Penna
Commissioner of Pensions of U.S.
Washington
Dear Sir,
I am anxious to obtain a record of the military service of Major Benjamin Cumings of Mass. during the war with England 1812 to 1814 also a record of the services of Benjamin Cumings of Hollis N. H. or of Groton Mass., during the Revolutionary war and of any subsequent services. Major Cumings was the son of the second mentioned, Benjamin Cumings and came probably from the same region.
Yours sincerely
(Miss) Laura F. Cumings
214 State St. West
Harrisburg
Penna


[stamp] U. S. Pension Office D Jan 29 1903
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Widow Mary Comings deceased
Proof of her husband Benjamin Comings service

John Bryant agent
Meriden N. H.
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We Joseph Bartlett and Luther Hilliard of Cornish
in the County of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire depose and say that we were residents in said Cornish in the time of the war of the Revolution wherein we together were actors and performed two terms of service the first of which was for the space of Eighteen months under Captain Solomon Chase in what was called the town guard stationed at the residence of Colonel Jonathan Chase in said town of Cornish ending in the summer of 1780. After which we served upwards of three and a half months at West Point in 1780 under Captain Stevens of Colonel Nichols Regiment. We were acquainted with Mary Comings, widow of Benjamin Comings, formerly Mary Cooper, from the time of her marriage till the time of her death. We were also acquainted with her husband Benjamin Comings from the early part of the War of the Revolution wherein he also was engaged, to the time of his death. He was with a member of Captain Solomon Chase's Company of New Hampshire Militia from the early part of the war, ourselves as privates and the said Benjamin Comings as our Corporal during the first period of service above named; but he rendered, as we believe, one short time of distant service in 1776, and one or more short tours in 1777, but the length of each of said tour we cannot state, and we are consequently unable to state how long he served with us.
[signed] X his mark Joseph Bartlett
[signed] X his mark Luther Hilliard
.Sworn and subscribed to this 4th day of July 1845.
Before me [signed] John T Freeman Justice of the Peace
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I further certify that the affiants are credible witnesses,
[signed] John T. Freeman Justice of the Peace
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State of New Hampshire
Office of Secretary of State.
I, Thomas P. Treadwell, Secretary of State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that John T. Freeman
is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Sullivan duly Commissioned and qualified. His Commission as dated on the 25th day of November 1844 and will expire on the 25th day of November 1849 and his signature to the annexed  instrument is genuine
Given under my hand and the Seal of the State, this 19th day of Sept 1845.
[signed] Thomas P. Treadwell Secretary of State.
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Widow Mary Comings decd.
Proof of her husband Benjamin Comings service

John Bryant Agt
Meriden N. H.
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I Mary D Leonard of Cornish in the County of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire aged 48 years, depose and say that I have in my possession many of the papers left by my grandfather, Jonathan Chase, late of said Cornish deceased, who was Colonel of a New Hampshire Regiment of Militia in the time of the war of the Revolution. That upon application to me for evidence of the services of Benjamin Comings the husband of the late Mary Comings of said
Cornish, I have made search and find on a paper filed "Cornish men to Cavendish in April 1776," the name of Benjamin Comings with an
allowance for three days service. And also for evidence that said Benjamin Comings was a Corporal in Captain Solomon Chases Company
of Militia. I have made further search and find
on a paper filed "Cornish Roll," the name of Benjamin Comings as a Corporal in Capt Solomon Chases Company, said paper bearing date "May 25. 1776," also on further search, I have found another paper filed Capt "Chases Return," dated "Cornish June 17th 1777," whereon is the name of Capt Solomon Chase with an allowance for 46 days service, also following on the same Roll is the name of Benjamin Comings," as a Corporal with an allowance for 20 days service also on further search for evidence of the services of said Benjamin Comings I have found another paper in the form of are account for services and which is certified by "Elias Cady Lieut" as being a true and just account of the services done by the town of Cornish, whereon is the name of
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Benjamin Comings who is credited for six days
scouting, also, on the same account the said Benjamin Comings as a Corporal is credited for 8 days himself and horse, in the alarm at Royalton and Newbury in 1780, being the only evidences of the services of the said Benjamin Comings that I have been enabled to find among said papers.
[signed] Mary D. Leonard

State of New Hampshire
Sullivan ss.
Sworn to and subscribed this 9th day of September 1845
Before me John L Putnam Justice of the Peace
I certify further that Mary D Leonard the above
deponent is a credible person.
[signed] John L Putnam Justice of the Peace
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State of New Hampshire
Office of Secretary of State.
I. Thomas P. Treadwell, Secretary of State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that John L. Putnam
is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Sullivan duly Commissioned and qualified. His Commission was dated on the
13th day of June 1845 and will expire on the 13th day of June 1850 and his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of the State, this 19th day of Sept. 1845.
[signed] Thomas P. Treadwell Secretary of State
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Mary Comings NJC Act 4 July, 36
Proof 6 mo service of Benja Comings

John Bryant Agt
Meriden N. H.
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I Simeon Chase, formerly of Cornish in the State of New Hampshire, and now of Bethel in the County of Windsor, and State of Vermont aged eighty six years, depose and say, That I was a resident in said Cornish during the whole period of the Revolutionary war, and that I was then,  and there, well acquainted with Benjamin Comings late of said Cornish Deceased, who to my knowledge was much of the time engaged in the Countrys Service. We were both members of Captain Solomon Chases Company in Colonel Jonathan Chases Regiment of New Hampshire
Militia myself as a private and sergeant, and the said Benjamin Comings, as a Corporal from early in the spring of the year 1776 till near the close of the war - The said town of Cornish being situated on the east bank of the Connecticut river
and was the place of residence and head quarters of said Col Jonathan Chase, where at a quantity of Arms and public stores were collected and kept and guarded for some time in the year 1777, and up two and through the year 1780, either by the order of said Col Jonathan Chase or of the Committee of Safety, as I understood at the time - The Guard was composed of the Members of Capt Solomon Chases Company, and by others by voluntary in testament and stationed at at said Cornish, where we served in our terms when not enaged in more distant service - The said Benjamin
Comings, I well recollect, was of the number and was our Corporal but the precise amount of his alternate service in said guard, I am not able to state, but am of the opinion, that [illegible - crossed out] it was from six to eight months- and not less than six months in the war, which my belief [illegible - crossed out] is that the said [illegible - crossed out] Benjamin Com
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ings was at various other times, engaged as a Corporal in more foreign service, in the years 1776, 1777 and 1780 but the number and length
of which & the names of his officer, I am unable to State - And further this Deponent saith not.
[signed] Simeon Chase
State of Vermont
Windsor County ss.
Sworn and subscribed to this twentieth day of
Febuary 1845.
Before me [signed] Daniel Child Justice of the Peace
I further certify that I also am [acquainted - crossed out] a resident of said Bethel, and that I have long been acquainted with Simeon Chase
the above Deponent who continues of a strong mind is a reputable Citizen, and a credible witness.
[signed] Daniel Child Justice of the Peace
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STATE OF VERMONT.
Secretary of State's Office,
Montpelier, February 21. 1845
I certify that Daniel Child whose name is subscribed in his own proper hand writing to the foregoing certificate is and was at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the county of Windsor duly elected and qualified, and that to his official acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of this office, at Montpelier, this the 21st day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five.
[signed] Ferrand F. Merrill
Deputy Secretary of State.
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Apl 19 - 52
Pow: Atty in case of Mary Cummings decd.
D. D. Addison Present

Revolutionary

Jas. E. Heath Esq.
Comr of Pensions
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Washington April 19, 1852
Dear Sir
Enclosed you will find a power of attorney from the heirs of Mary Cummings decd late of New Hampshire, authorizing me to prosecute their claim to a Pension under the Act of July 4th, 1836.
I have carefully examined the papers on file in your office and can see no reason why a Pension for at least 12 months service as Corporal should not be allowed. The evidence certainly establishes that length of service. I ask a re-examination of the papers.
I am Very respectfully
[illegible]
D. D. Addison

J. E. Heath Esq.
Comr. of Pensions
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Apl 76 - N H
Capt Solomon Chase
Col Jona Chase
Pvt 3 days

[illegible] 76
Capt Jonah Russell
Col - 
2 m 7 d

77 Capt - 
Col - 
pr 26 d

77
Capt Joshua Hendee
Col David Hobart
Corp 2 m 2 d

80 Capt - 
Col - 
Corp 8 d

Rej Insufficient Ser
No Bat
Report made as above
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3 -- 595.
O. W. AND N. DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Searched by [blank]
Claim No. [blank]
Certificate No. [blank]
Claimant[blank]
Soldier [blank]
Service [blank]
Additional service [blank]
Remarks [blank]
15444b10m8-1900
Chief of Division.
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2574 - Reg
Benj Cummings
Jany 15 1845
Cornish N. H.
Decln of Benj. a  son
N. H.
Capt Solomon Chase
Col Junh Chase
mar Mary Cooper
Sept 5, 1776 Cornish N. H.
D - Apl 14, 1813
She died Dec 13, 1843
Sect of State
Sept. 24 to Dec 1, 76
Apr Josiah Russell 2. m. 7d
77 - Capt Joshua Hendee
Col David Hobart
Cook. 2 m 2 d.
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Mrs. Mary Comings N. H. Act 4 July 1836
Proof of a part of her husbands service

John Bryant Age
Meriden N. H.
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State of New Hampshire
Secretary of State's Office.
I, Thomas P. Treadwell, Secretary of the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that upon a Muster Roll of Capt Jonah Russells Co. is borne the name of Benjamin Comings as receiving L 1. half month pay - said muster Roll contains the following endorsement "Cap Jonah Russells Co. of Rangers 24 Septemr to 1st Decr 1776." And that upon the Pay Roll of Capt. Joshua Hendees Co. in Col. David Hobarts Regt. is borne the name of Benjamin Cummins as a Corporal, for two months & two days service, ending Septr. 24th 1777.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said State, this 4th day of April 1845.
[signed] Thomas P. Treadwell
Secretary of State
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Jas. E. Heath Esq
Comr of Pensions
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Washington April 12th 1852
Dear Sir
I have respectfully to request permission to see the papers on file in your Office [on file in your Office - crossed out] in the following cases. I have in each case a power of attorney authorizing me to do so.

Mary Cummings suspended Oct '36 or 38. N  Hampshire
Rebecca Everhard suspended Oct 36 or 38 N York
Hannah Austin suspended Oct 36 or 38 Vermont
Sarah Welch suspended Oct 36 or 38 Me

I am Very respectfully
[illegible] Obst.
D. D. Addison

J E Heath Esq.
Comr. of Pensions