Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,044, Peter Benson, Mass.
Page 1

Service Mass.
Benson, Peter
Number S.16044
carded
Page 2

State of Vermont, Orange County SS.
At Chelsea in said County on this 23rd day of August A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable [illegible] Hutchinson Daniel Cobb and Thomas Jones Judges of the Court of said Orange County, now setting, being a Court of Record Peter Benson a resident of Strafford in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, aged 69 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 7, 1832,
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated he enlisted by Ensign Stephen Southard [?] on or about the first day of July 1776 or 1777, at Douglass Mas. for the time of Six months the company was commanded by Capt. Sibley and for that he marched to Providence Rhode Island and [?] [?] his rations the Company to which he belonged were employed during the summer in protecting the inhabitants and their property from the scouting parties of the enemy. at [?] he joined a Regiment commanded by Col. [?] or Tyler he is not positive which at the same place was a Regiment commanded by Col. Jackson Shortly after our arrival at [?[ Gen. Spencer took the Command to for the purpose of driving the British from Rhode Island preparations were made for eight nights in succession to attack the enemy. Boats were all ready and Soldiers under armed but no attack was made. The expedition was abandoned we were ordered to Great Barrington. our Company passed the British fleet in the night and arrived at [?] after midnight and before day we were [?[ and [?] by Lieut. Carpenter that the British [?] Burning Warren we started on a [?] and arrived at Warren before sunrise and during the whole day were engaged with the enemy firing upon them and retreating, and taking care of the wounded. Soon after marched to Providence there he remained until the first day of January and where he was dismissed
and on the first or second day of July 1777 or 1778 he again enlisted
Page 3

6 for the terms of six months at Providence R. I. under Capt Fish Col. Tyler he thinks commanded marched below Boston neck where he remained some weeks from thence about the same route as the summer before to East Greenwich from thence to Great Barrington and there engaged in protecting the inhabitants and their property from the scouting parties of the enemy until cold weather.
On or about the first day of July 1778 or 1779 he again enlisted under Capt Hammond A Douglass Mas. for the time of six months. he went to Providence and there joined Col Wades Regiment marched from Providence to East Greenwich and from there to Trenton where he first saw Genl Sullivan who had the command of the forces he crossed at Howlands Ferry with the Brigade under Gen Cornwell. At our approach the British Fort at Butts hill was abandoned and we took possession of it. A great storm commenced and the army lay still about a week when we again when we again commenced fighting the enemy day after day until Gen. Sullivan ordered our retreat which was effected in the night without the loss of man or military stores from thence he returned to Providence and was dismissed on the first day of January.
On or about the first day of July he was informed their business was to drive the British from Rhode Island. crossed at Slades ferry marched to Butts hill Fort then British retreated from them to Quaker hill Fort which the enemy abandoned and retreated to their vessels we followed them closely but were not ordered to fire upon them the British left the Island. Here he tarried with the army some time taking up the Tories. he had the command of four men drawn for that purpose and brot [sic] into camp about ninety Tories. in cold weather he returned to Providence and dismissed the first day of January and returned home.
The next summer (1780 1781) his father Moses Benson refused to let him enlist he stayed home until about the time haying commenced when information was given that the British were coming to destroy Providence. his father consented and he immediately entered the service under Capt Knap [Sp?] to assist in repelling the British went to [?] Plains after marching to [sic] different places and continuing in the service from on to two months he [illegible] was dismissed. At this time he saw Gen La Fayette in Rhode Island
Page 4

He was born in the Town of Mendon Mas July 16th 1763. he has no record of his age except in his Bible. he was living in Douglass Mas. when he enlisted. he moved with his Father into Brookline Windham [sic] County Vermont about fifty years ago. he now resides in Strafford Orange County Vermont. he volunteered in his countries [sic] [next word is illegible and then there is blank space where a couple of words might have been written] [word missing]ted names of the regular officers who were with the troops and the general circumstances above, to the best of his recollection. he never received a written discha[rge likely written but is missing]
[To the left is National Archives stamp]

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever, to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State to his knowledge [signed] Peter Benson
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. [signed] H. E. G. McLaughlin Clerk

We Harvey F Leavitt residing in Strafford in said county of Orange and Lyman Benson residing in the said Strafford hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Peter Benson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and that we believe him to be 69 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. [signed] H. F. Leavitt
                                                    Lyman Benson 
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
[signed] H. E. G. McLaughlin Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that H. F. Leavitt who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in Strafford in said County, and that Lyman Benson who also signed the same, is a resident in the same place, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. [signed] H. E. G. McLaughlin Clerk
I H. E. G. McLaughlin Cler, of the Court of Orange County aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Peter Benson for a pension. In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this 23d day of August A. D. 1832.
[signed] H. E. G. McLaughlin CLERK.
Page 5

Vermont 17.070
Peter Benson
Strafford in the State of Ver. who was a Pri in the Con commanded by Captain [left blank] of the reg commanded by Col Jackson in the Mass & militia 2 years

Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of July 1833 and sent to Daniel Cobb Strafford, Vt
Arrears to the 4th March:               33        $160
Semi-an. allowances ending Sept 4 "             40
                                                                   $200

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by E D Bullock Cl 
Book E  Vol 3  Page [?]
Page 6

19.084
Peter Benson
Orange Co
Vermt

Admitted 
Private 2 years $180

Daniel Cobb Esq.
Stafford
Ve
Page 7

War Department,
Pension Office,
183
Sir: The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Peter Benson
[The following are the column heads:]

Period when the service was rendered
Duration of the claimant's service. Years Months Days
Rank of the claimant.
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Country through which he marched.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.

1 July 1776 or 1777 
6 months
Private
Capt. Sibley
Col. Reyes or Tyler
To Rhode Island
69 years Douglass Mass.
Traditionary [evidence]

1 July 1777 or 1778 
6 months
Private
Capt Fish
Col Tyler
Gen Spencer

1778 or 1779
6 months
Private
Capt Hammond 
Col  Wade
Rhode Island

1779 or 1780
6 months
Private
Capt Lamb
Col Wade
Rhode Island

1780 or 1781
2 months
Private
Capt Knep [sp?]

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 8

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
The las has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerk to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of }
County of } ss.
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory, or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers, or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B.., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. and that C. D. who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in this investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 9

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier.} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and that they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
------
(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: - For ___ year ___ months, and ___ day, I served as a ____. For ___ months and ___ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has not public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of the office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
(j) In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from (a) to (i) are equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 10

May 19, 1928

J. H. Bell
1599 Laurel Ave.
St. Paul, Minn.
Sir:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 16044, it appears that PETER BENSON was born July 16, 1763, in Mendon, Massachusetts, and was the son of Moses Benson.
While living in Douglas, Massachusetts, he enlisted and served at various times from July, 1777, until sometime in the summer of 1780, amounting to two years and one or two months in all, as a private with the Massachusetts troops under Captains Sibley, Fish, Hamant, Lamb and Job Knap, and Colonels Keyes, Nathan Tyler and Wade; he was in Spencer's expedition to Rhode Island in 1777 and in Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island in 1778.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Strafford, Orange County, Vermont.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner

[Handwrittten remarks in left margin] I stated service [?[ a form as soldier's statements were at such variance with his record in "Mass. Soldier & Sailors". WES
Page 11

I Baruch Bolster of Londonderry in the County of Windham and State of Vermont Aged 69 years do testify and say that I served as a soldier in the Revolutionary service at Rhode Island in the year 1778 or 1779, in Capt. Fish's company and Col. Tylers Regiment. I then lived in [?] 1 yr and that Peter Benson of Strafford in the County of Orange and State of Vermont served in the same company. I first became acquainted with said Benson the fore part of July and was knowing to his serving from that time untill [sic] snow fell and think he served six months campaign said Benson then lived in Douglass Mas. and I know from my own Personal knowledge that said Peter Benson of Strafford aforesaid for whose benefit this my affidit [sic] is taken is the same Peter Benson who served with me as above stated. [signed] Baruch Bolster
State of Vermont Bennington County
Landgrove Sept 11 1832
Before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the county of Bennington personally appeared Baruch Bolster well known to me as a man of truth
Page 12

P 16044
INVALID.
File No. 16.044
Peter Benson
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 31
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1928. May 19 hist to J. H. Bell wes
Page 13

STATE OF VERMONT,
To all to whom these presents shall come. Greeting.
I Certify that Anion Benson Esq whose Signature appears to the foregoing Deposition of Baruch Bolster, was at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Bennington, duly qualified by Law to act as Such, & that his Signature I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof I, Henry Robinson clerk of the County Court within, and for the County of Bennington have hereunto Subscribed my name. I have caused the Seal of the Said County Court to be affixed.
[county seal]
[round stamp of National Archives in upper right]
Page 14

I Daniel Benson of Winhall in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont aged Seventy one years do testify and say that I was knowing to Peter Benson my Brother of Strafford in the county of Orange and State of Vermont serving in the Revolutionary war four [sic] six months Campaigns in Rhode Island the first six months was in the year 1776 or 77 in Capt Sibleys company I was a substitute for sergnet [sic] Vreeland in the same Company the same year. the second six months service in 1777 or 78 I lived at my Fathers Moses Bensons in Douglass Mass. when Peter enlisted in Capt Fish's Company the first of July and returned home the first of January following. the next summer he enlisted in Capt Hammond's company for six months. I lived at my Fathers in Douglass at the time Peter enlisted in July the first, and he returned home in January following this campaign was in 1778 or 79 and I also lived at home in Douglass when the said Peter Benson enlisted the fourth six months campaign in Capt Lambs company the first of July 1779 or 1780 and he returned home at our Fathers house in Douglass in Jany following.
I well remember all four the above named Captains under which my Brother Peter Benson served and that he was out six months under each and they were four years in succession
[signed] Daniel Benson
State of Vermont} Brookline October 13th 1832
Windham County Ls [?]
Personally appeared Daniel Benson of Winhall long personally known to me as a man of truth and verasity [sic] and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me
[signed] Thomas Crane Justice.Peace
Page 15

State of Vermont.
Windham County Court Clerks Office, New Trane October 15. A. D. 1832.
I certify that Thomas Crane, Esquir [sic] is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Windham aforesaid, and that the within appears to be his signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County Court on the day and year above written.
[signed] James Elliot, Clerk.
Daniel Benson Deposition [written in left margin]
Page 16

I David White of Douglas in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy four years depose & say that I am personally acquainted with Peter Benson of Strafford in the county of Orange in the State of Vermont. & in the fall of 1778 I went to Rhode island & joined the Massachusetts State troops in Colo. Woods Regiment as a substitute for one Benjamin Robbins of sd Douglas. That in the company & Regiment in which I served. the sd Peter Benson servd as a soldier & I knew him well before his enlistment. I served as above stated six weeks with sd Benson. & understood that he enlisted for six months. & from all the circumstances of his being there from the same town with me the troops which I joined & in which he served & the sd Robbins for whom I served being one of them. & informing me that their enlistments were for six months. I have no doubt that sd Penson served at Rhode island six months.
And your deponent further says. That about the middle of June 1780. I joined Capt. Job Knass company in Colo. Nathan Tylers Regiment with sd Peter Benson. & went with him in sd Company & Regiment to Freetown in the State of Massachusetts & served there fifteen days in ease of an alarum.
We were then dismissed & while on our way home we were overtaken by an express who solicited us to go back. as there was another alarm. I did not go back myself. but part of our company went back. but I cannot say positively that sd Benson went back. though I think it very probable as he was a waiter to our Ensign. Therefore who I think went back.
[signed] David White
Commonwealth of Massachusetts}
Worcester County                    fs   }
October 26 - 1832
Personally appeared David White & made oath that the above Deposition by him subscribed is true.
I am personally acquainted with sd David White & that his Deposition is entitled to full credit.
[signed] Robert P. Church Justice of the Peace
Page 17

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester js. [?] I, Abijah Bigelow, Clerk of the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Worcester, do certify, that Robert P. Church, Esquire, before whom the annexed Depositions of David Bolcom and David White were signed and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Worcester - and that his signature to the certificates of the oaths of said Deponents appears to be in his own proper handwriting.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the County Seal, this twenty second day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
[signed] Abijah Bigelow, Clerk
Page 18

I David Bolcom of Douglas in the county of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy seven years Depose & say: That I am personally acquainted with Peter Benson now living in the town of Strafford. County of Orange & State of Vermont. That some time in the spring of 1778 sd Benson enlisted with me in the Massachusetts State Troops, under Capt. Hammond, Lieut. Ebenezer Marsh, & Ensign not recollected, in Colo. Wad's Regiment & went with me in sd company & Regt. to Rhode island & served with me there six months.
I messed during the aforesaid time of service with sd Benson, who nursed & took care of me through an attack of Pleurisy & from those circumstances I know him to be the same & identical Peter Benson who enlisted & served with me as above stated. And further your Deponent saith not. [signed] X his mark David Bolcolm
Commonwealth of Massachusetts}
County of Worcester              fs[?] }
October 20 - 1832
Personally appeared David Bolcom. & made oath that the above Deposition by him subscribed is substantially true.
And I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named David Bolcolm. & that his statements are entitled to full credit.
[signed] Robert P. Church Justice of the Peace.
Page 19

1599 Laurel Ave
St Paul Min
8-2-27
Hon W S Scott
Com Pension
Washington DC
Dear Sir
Peter Benson of Brookline & Strafford Vermont is shown in Vermont gaz [?] as being a Revolutionary soldier He died about 1838
If his service was with Mass. RI or Ny troops or Vermont troops I would like very much to find out his record
He was my great great grand father and as he did not die until about 1838 perhaps your pension records will disclose his name
Would you be so kind and give me your records of Peter Benson thanking you for same
Yours Truly
[signed] J H bell
[round stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE Aug 4 1927