Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9853, Benjamin Elliot, New York
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Elliot Benjamin or Elliott or Eliott

SERVICE
New York

NUMBER
S.9853

CONTENTS
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[left hand page]
New York 28.724
Benjamin Elliot Jr 
Cayuga Co in the State of New York 
[illegible] the Compy commanded by Captain Pierce of the Regt commanded by Col Fields in the Massachusetts line 8 mos Sergeant 
2 mos Ensign 60.00 
N.Y. Line June [illegible]
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 60 Dollars  __ cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of May 1834 and sent to Hon R. [illegible, Say?]  H Reps 
Arrears to the date of March ‘34 of $180.00 
[illegible] allowance ending Sepr 4  ‘36.   30.00
[added to $210.00
Died Jan. 11, 1839
{Revolutionary pension
 Act of June 7, 1838.}
Recorded by [name illegible] Clerk
Book E  Vol. [illegible]  Page 55

[right hand page]
Den’d [Denied?]
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6th April 1838 to [illegible] the three children of 
from 24 Sept 1837 to 4 March 1838. Ap[illegible] notified 11. August 1889 [year not clear]
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State of New York
Cayuga County ss  on this 11th day of July AD 1835 personally appeared before me the subscriber first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County Benjamin Elliot of Auburn in said County aged 78 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June [illegible]
That he was born in the county of Worcester in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1754 as he believes and has no record of his age.  that he continued to reside there until he was five or six years old and removed from thence to the County of Dutchess in the State of New York where he continued to reside until and during the Revolutionary War.
He further says that in the month of April 1776 he enlisted and entered said service [illegible] Sargeant in the company of militia commanded by Capt. William Pierce & Lieutenant Benjamin Elliot in the Regiment commanded by Col Fields that soon after entering said service he marched to Long Island where he was stationed until the time of the landing of the enemy on Long Island when he retreated to New York and from thence with the Army to Kings Bridge and from thence to the White Plains, and was in the battle of White
 Plains and from thence retreated with the army and continued in service until in the month of December following a term of eight months when he was dismissed and returned home having served two months more than his enlistment.
He further says that in the month of April 1777 he again entered said Service as a volunteer in the company of militia commanded by the same officers
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as above stated in the Same Regiment and marched to Tarry town, and was 
stationed at that place at Peekskill and other places on or near the Hudson river to guard and Scout down to the enemys lines, that the army at & around that place was under the command of Gen Putnam that he was with the army under Gen Putnam on the opposite side of the river when fort Montgomery was takin-that he continued in said Service and was employed in Scouting as aforsaid until the month of December following a term of eight months until the army went into winter quarters
He further says that in the month of May 1778 he again entered Said Service as a volunteer in the Same company & regiment and under the same officers, and marched on the lines above New York where he was engaged in guarding stores and ranging the country to intercept property taken by the cowboys and Torys on their way New York.  property that they had plundered from the inhabitants and were conveying to New York for the use of the enemy.  that he continued in Said Service until Gen Washingtons Army went into winter quarters in the neighbourhood of the "highlands" having served as orderly Sargeant a term of Seven months - he further Says that from this time to the years 1781 he was frequently out in short [illegible] but cannot remember when or how long at each time - He further Says that in the month of June 1781 the above mentioned Lieut Benjamin Elliot was appointed Captain of Said company of Militia and he this deponent was appointed Ensign of said company and received the accompanying commission as such ensign - that his father was named Benjamin Elliot - was than living but is now deceased.  He further says that [illegible] after receiving Said Commission he again
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entered Said Service in the Same Company & Regiment as a volunteer and marched on to the lines down the hudson river where he was employed in scouting and ranging the Surounding country, to prevent the enemy from carrying off property to New York.  that they would come up in foraging boats and plunder & carry away property whereever they could find it, and the business of his company was to drive them back to their boats and prevent their depredations - that he continued in Said Service three months and a half as he verily believes - He further says that in the Summer of 1782 he again entered said servece as a volunteer in the Same company and marched on to Said lines where he was employed as the year previous a time of one month or more - for one year and eleven months he served as orderly Sargeant, and for four months and a half he served as ensign and for such service he claims a pension-that he lived upon or so near the lines that it was almost impossible to attend to any kind of business owing to the constant annoyance occasioned by the cow boys and Torys - that while in the first tour of service he was with the American Army in which there were many Regiments both of [illegible] Continental soldiers State troops, and volunteers, that he saw and knew Gen Washington, Gen Putnam, Col Webb, Col Van[illegible] Gen Sterling, Gen Sullivan and also Capt Star of New Haven who as he believes commanded a company of and belonged to a Regiment called The Leather Caps - that when the enemy Sailed up the Hudson to meet Gen Burgoines army and took fort Montgomery, he was under Gen Putnam who had under his command regular troops and militia - but he cannot now particularize the number of [illegible] during his other terns of service [illegible]
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with small detachments on or near the lines to keep guard and was frequently in company with continental, and militia Regiments and with continental officers but is unable at this length of time to state who or what they were particularly _ that he has above given the names of his Regiment and company officers under whom he served as far forth as he is able to do _ that after the close of the war he removed from Dutches County to the County of Washington. where he resided a number of years and removed from thence to the County of Cayuga where he has resided ever since.
He further says that he never received a written discharge from Said Service,, that he has not the testimony of any living witness to said Service and cannot prove it _  that he has no documentary proof of Said Service except the accompanying Ensigns commission.
he further says that he is not acquainted with any clergyman, now living in his neighborhood - that he very seldom leaves home owing to old age and infirmity.  He further says that John Groves, Auburn is a justice of the peace and William Dickinson is a resident of said town, that they are well acquainted with him and can testify as to his character for truth and their belief of his Service as a Soldier of the revolution.

He hereby relinquishes all claim to a pension except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension list of any state or territory - Sworn & subscribed this day & year aforesaid.  Benjamin   X  Elliot  his mark
J. L. Richardson first Judge of Cayuga
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We John Groves a justice of the peace of the town of Auburn in the County of Cayuga and William Dickerson of the same county do certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Elliot who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration.  that we believe him to be 79 years of age.  that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he lives to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.  that we have been well acquainted with him for many years.  before any pension act for the benefit of the Revolutionary Soldiers was passed.  that we then understood that he had been a Revolutionary soldier and heard him recount his service.  that we have never heard the fact doubted by any one and have no doubt of it ourselves - 
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid  John Groves   Wm Dickinson
J. L. Richardson  first Judge of Cayuga
And the Said judge does hereby declare his opinion after an investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatorys prescribed by the war department that the said applicant was a Soldier if the revolution and served as he states.  And he further declares that John Groves who has subscribed and sworn to the above certificate is a justice of the peace in & for said County and William Dickerson who has also signed the same is a resident of said County, & is a credible person ad that their statement is entitled to credit - He further certifies that  said applicant is unable to attend court by reason of age & bodily infirmity - 
J. L. Richardson first Judge of Cayuga
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State of New York
Cayuga County ss
I Michael S. Myers clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County do certify that Joseph L Richardson before whom the foregoing declaration and certificate were made and by whom the foregoing certificate was made was on the day of the date of the same first judge of Said Court that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said judge and believe his signature to the said declaration and certificate to be genuine.
Witness my hand and seal of office the [illegible]day of July 1833   M. S. Myers

[Written vertically below:]
Benjamin Elliot  26.280
Agent A Gould
Asmd
8 mo Sargt
2  "    Ensign
[illegible]
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[R]ev.&1812 Wars Section.

March 24,1928.

Eva L. Moffatt,
67 Brighton Avenue,
Allston, Massachusetts.

Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 9853, which are the original papers, it appears that Benjamin Eliott, Junior, (name also appears as Elliot and Elliott) was born in 1754 in Worcester County, Massachusetts and when about five or six years old moved to Dutchess County, New York.

While a resident of Dutchess County, New York he volunteered in April 1776, served eight months as orderly sergeant in Captain William Pierce's Company, (one Benjamin Elliot was lieutenant of said company) Colonel John Field's New York
Regiment, was in the retreat from New York and at the battle of White Plains.

He volunteered in April 1777, served eight months as orderly sergeant under same officers, then volunteered again in May 1778 and served seven months as orderly sergeant under same officers.

From this time until in 1781 he was often out on short tours, officers and length of time not stated.
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R.

He was commissioned June 20, 1781, Ensign in Captain Benjamin Elliot's Company ( formerly his lieutenant), Colonel John Field's New York Regiment and served three and one half months, and in the summer of 1782 served one month under same officers. He stated that his father was also named Benjamin
Elliot, but did not state that the lieutenant and captain was his father, though he, the applicant for pension, is noted as Benjamin Elliot, Junior.

After the Revolution he moved to Washington County, thence to Cayuga County, New York.

He was allowed pension on his application executed July 11, 1833 while a resident of Auburn, Cayuga County, New York. 

Said Benjamin Elliot, Junior, died January 11, 1839 and left three children, Clarissa and Olive D. are the only names given and the name of soldier's wife is not stated.

Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
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Benjamin Elliott
additional proof
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Cayuga County ss
On this 4th day of January 1834 Before me personally appeared William Dickinson Who being by me duly Sworn, deposeth and Saith that he has been acquainted with Benjamin Elliot for the last twenty five years & that he has frequently heard the Said Elliot Relate his Revolutionary Services & that he always boastinly declared. that he volenteered When Called into Service & that he never Would Stand a draft, the Said deponent further States that the Said Elliot has had within the last four years a fit of Sickness Which has Evidently impaired his Intilectual & mental faculties to such a degree that it Renders it dificult to get Statements from him Which will be identically the Same from one week to another, and the Said deponent further States that he has been Employed in taking his Statements on paper for the purpose of Applying for a pension during the last year, at Such times as he thought the Said Elliot to be the most rational and best qualified to make his Statements, & Said deponent further States that in all those Writings, the said Elliot never alledged to have enlisted untill he went to Auburn before Mr. Gould to be Examined Who made his papers Which were Sent to the pension Office.  Said deponent Says that after he receved the letter of Mr Edwards Stateing that his Claims were Suspended for proof. in Consequence of his having Stated that he Enlisted for six months and Also asked him Whether he sined a paper Called an Enlistment role & he the Said Elliot Said that he did not, but he Said that he engaged in the Service and did serve during the Season untill Cold Snowey Wether, & more of Less Every Year during the War and that
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he Suposed that would in Reality amount to an Enlistment. not appearing at the time to comprehend the diference between Engageing in Service or enlisting, & the deponent further Says, that from the Statements which he has heard the Said Elliot make in relation to his Revolutionary Services, previous to the passage of a pension law induces him the Said deponent to believe that the Said Elliot did Serve as much as he aledges to have Served, deponent further Says that from What he heard the Said Elliot, Relate Some years before his Sickness that he Should be more induced to believe that he Served as he States, that from the Relations which he now appears to be able to make.
Wm Dickinson
Subscribed & Sworn before me this 4th of Jany 1834  Augustus F. Ferris one of the Judges of Cayuga County
I certify that I have been acquainted with the above named Wm. Dickinson for a number of years & believe him to be a man of truth and verity and I have no doubt but the affadavit above made by him is substantially true.
Augustus F. Ferris  Judge of Cayuga County
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Cayuga County ss.
On this 31st day of December 1833. Before me personally Appeared William Johnson who being by me duly sworn deposeth & saith that he was well acquainted with Benjamin Elliot in the year 1776 and knows that the said Elliot was orderly Sargeant in the Militia of the State of New York in 1776. the first time this deponant saw the said Elliot after he held the office of orderly Sargeant was in the retreat from Long Island to New York, and they [illegible] camped at a place on Briar Hill a little east of the City and this deponant further states that the next day after the retreat from New York he saw the said Elliot at fort Washington in the Militia Service [illegible] at White Plains, and the said Elliot Continued at White Plains aforesaid in the said Service untill they Marched to the Fishkills where this deponant left the said Elliot & others to guard the Stores and Barracks at that place, and also to keep the Tories from plundering cattle &c.  And this deponant further states that the said Elliot served under Capt Pierce and Colonel Webb while he was acquainted with the said Elliots services.  and further says this Regiment Volunteered for the purpose of guarding public stores and the inhabitants about Croton River and that vicinity --
And this deponant further states that he the sd Johnson was a regular Soldier in the Army of the United States at the time above mentioned.  And this deponant further says he has been acquainted with the said Elliot since the Revolutionary war up to this time, and further saith not.
William  X  Johnson
       his mark
I certify that on this day above stated the above named William Johnson appeared before me and made his mark to the above affadavit & swore that the content thereof was true --
Augustus F Ferris one of the Judges of Cayuga County Courts

I certify that I am acquainted with said William Johnson and believe him to be a man of truth & verity
Dec 31 1833   Augustus F Ferris  Judge
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[Seal with ribbon attached]

State of New York
Cayuga County ss
I Michael S Myers Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said county do certify that Augustus F Ferris before whom the foregoing affidavits were made was on the day of the date of the same a judge of said Court.  that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said judge and believe his signature to said affidavits & the foregoing certificates to be genuine
Witness my hand and seal of office the fourteenth day of January 1834 
M. S. Myers
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Benjn Elliott

Hon R. Day.
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Auburn N, Y.   May 16 1834
Sir
Your letter of the 7th inst in the matter of the claim of Benjamin Elliot is received.  In that amongst other things you state that "on a relinquishment of all claim under the act except for eight months service as a sargeant & two months as an Ensign a pension will be allowed for that time."
On behalf of Mr Elliot who from old age & debility is as you very justly remark "not competent to give any further explanation" I have to request you to allow the pension for that time.  and he hereby relinquishes all other or further claim under the Act of June 7th 1832.  Mr Elliot is incapable of writing his name & therefore I write on his behalf
I am Respectfully Your Obt Servt A Gould his Agent

Hon J L Edwards  Comr of Pensions
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Auburn N Y Jany 14, 1834
Sir
Agreeably to your suggistion in you letter of 18 Sept last in the matter of Benjamin Elliott I have procured an affidavit of his service in 1776, and also an affidavit shewing that the assertion in his declaration that he "enlisted" in 1776 in the militia is a mistake.  The old gentliman it seems did not at that time comprehend the difference between an enlistment & a volunteer service in the "militia"
Will you please give the matter a favorable examination and send the result to me  By your letter it seems that his claim is suspended and his papers together with his commission placed on file
Respectfully your Obt Servt  A Gould

Hon G L Edwards
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New York
Revol-
Benjamin Elliot
Suspended

see letter to Amos Gould 18. Sept '33

see let to A. Gould May 7. 1834 -


Act of 7 June 32
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller's Office, April 1st 1839
Sir
Under the act of the 6th of April 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Clarrissa & Mira D. two of the children of Benjamin Elliott, a Pensioner on the roll of the Albany N. York. Agency, at the rate of Sixty Dollars and ___ Cents per annum under the law of the 7th June. 1832. has been paid two thirds of his pension at this Department, from the 4th of Sept., 1837, to the 4th March, 1838. Respectfully yours, 
Albion K. Parry
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Hon James L Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Washington DC

[in left margin]
21 January 1824 [year unclear]
addl evidence
Benjamin Elliot
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J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

A Gould Esq
Auburn N.Y.
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The People of the STATE of NEW YORK,
By the Grace of GOD, FREE and INDEPENDENT
To Benjamin Elliot Junior, Gentleman - Esquire Greetings
We reposing especial Trust and Confidence, as well in your Patriotism, Conduct and Loyalty, as in your Valour and Readiness to do us good and faithful Service, HAVE appointed and constituted, and by these Presents, DO appoint and constitute you the said Benjamin Elliot Junior Ensign of Captain Benjamin Elliot's company in H.R.  [unclear] of Militia.
YOU are therefore, to take said Company into your Charge and Care, as Ensign thereof, and duly to exercise the Officers and Soldiers of that Company in Arms, who are hereby commanded to obey you as their ensign and you are also to observe and follow such Orders as you shall from Time to Time receive from our General and Commander in Chief of the Militia of our said State, or any other your Superior Officer, according to the Rules and Disciplines of War, in Performance of the Trust reposed in you, and for so doing, This shall be YOUR COMMISSION, for and during our good Pleasure, to be furnished by our Council of Appointment. IN TESTIMONY whereof we have caused out Seal for Military Commissions to be hereunto affixed. WITNESS  our trusty and well  beloved George Clinton Esquire - our Governor of our State of New-York, General and Commander in Chief of all the Militia,, and Admiral of the Navy of the same, by and with the Advice and Consent of our said Council of Appointment, in Poughkeepsie - twenty first Day of June, in the fifth Year of our INDEPENDENCE and in the Year of our LORD, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty one
Passed the Secretary's Office June 30th 1781.
Secretary
Benm. Elliot
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67 Brighton Ave.
Allston, Mass.
Mch. 17, 1928
The Dept, of the Interior
Bureau of Pension,
Washington D. C.
I am interested in the pension application of b
Benjamin Elliott, made 11 July 1838, from Auburn, Cayuga Co. N.Y.
I have had his papers in your Department examined twice, each time receiving the report that he said his father's name was Benjamin, whereas I feel certain I have evidence enough to show that his father's name was John. I could forward the evidence to you, if desired, but I have been
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wondering whether the papers now shown to searchers are copies of the originals and if so, whether there may not have been an error made by the  copyist. Could you look into this matter for us? I am intending to write a partial history of this Elliott family, which I am most anxious to have correct in every detail.
Even if Benjamin Elliott said that his father's name was Benjamin, I would not then believe it. I would then think that he told a falsehood because John (his real father as I feel sure) was a Quaker and against the War, and he might have thought, that it would be prejudicial to his pension interest to have this known.
But I would  much prefer to learn
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that a mistake was made in  (2)
the copy.
If the evidence that he was the son of Hohn Elliott is of interest to you I will gladly forward it,
Yours very truly
(Miss) Eve L. Moffatt
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[PAGE ILLEGIBLE - TOO DARK]
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Auburn NY

Sir enclosed are the papers in support of the claim of Benjamin Elliot to a pension. He has no evidence but an unsigned document. Will you give them a due consideration and send the result to me?

Very respectfully
Your Obt Servt

Him JL Edwards