Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12175, Benjamin Bennett, Penn.
Page 1

(3--1776)
SERVICE Penn. Bennett, Benjamin
NUMBER S. 12175  Carded
CONTENTS [section empty]
Page 2

[printed form with hand written responses] 
14049 New York
=============== 
Benjamin Bennett
Tompkins in the State of N. York who was a private in the Compy. commanded Captain. Thorn of the ----- commanded ----- in the [N.* York -- crossed out] line for 9 month * Pa. Line. Records corrected July 21/05 JK
=============== 
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 30 Dollars --- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
=============== 
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th. day of May 1833 . . and sent to H D. Berk Freemansburg. N York.
=============== 
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833.  60
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Sep 1833 15
=====
$ 75
=====
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk 
Book E. Vol. 4 Page 44.
Page 3

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832
State of Newyork  Tompkins County } ss: On this third day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and thirty-two personally appeared in Open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Tompkins in the State of New York, now sitting Benjamin Bennett a resident of Ulysses in said County of Tompkins aged Seventy Eight 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 Jun 7, 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated. --
That he entered the Militia Service as a private, at Tinicum township, Bucks County, in the State of Pennsylvania, into a Company commanded by Captain Thorn, in General Potter's Brigade but who commanded the Regiment he does not recollect. He entered about the first of August but the year he cannot recollect. That he served in Captain Thorn's Company three months when he was discharged Near Philadelphia and returned home. That he [was -- inserted] immediately again drafted and entered Capt Hunter's company in the Brigade first mentioned but he cannot recollect the commandant of the Regiment. He served in the last Mentioned Company three months more and was again discharged at Feather bed Hill West of Philadelphia. He was next drafted the [unreadable] spring, Entered Captain Shoop's company in General Potter's Brigade but his Colonel at this time he does not recollect. In this last service, he served three months and was discharged and he went no more into the service. That he was stationed at Bucks County and Chester County, during the whole of his Service, occasionally however, moving from place to place the British having possession of Philadelphia. He was in the Battle of Brandywine and in the battle at Crooker Billet -- knew General Washington who was with the Campn in which he first served almost all the time. He knew General Potter under whom he served the whole time he was in service. during his Second Service Gen Washington
Page 4

was with the troops where he served much of the time the Second time he was out. 
Was born at South River in the State of Wyoming in the year 1754. Has no record of his age. He lived in Tinicum Township Bucks County Pennsylvania, when he entered the Service - Has lived in Northumberland County Pennsylvania most of the time Since the Revolution. and now lives in the town of Ulysses in the County of Tompkins and State of Newyork. He was drafted each time when he entered the Service. Never received any written discharge from the Service, Never held a commission And does not recollect any General Officers except those before named [other than General Washington & General Potter. -- inserted] Nor does he recollect any particular Regiments [except the one he served in. -- inserted] The nature of his services he has stated as for forth as he can. He is known to Dr. Abraham Chase, Dr. Purdy, Jacob Kerrr Esq. Post Master of Jacksonville in said town of Ulysses, William Smith and others who can testify to his character for truth and their belief as to his Services. Has no documentary Evidence of his services and knows of no person who can prove his serving. He believes his son Abraham Bennett has some recollection of his being out in the service. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares his name is not on the Pension will of the Agency of any State. Benjamin his X mark Bennett

Subscribed & Sworn the day and year aforesaid S. Soweth [signature] 

State of Newyork Tompkins County } 
I Abraham Bennett certify [that -- inserted] I am the son of Benjamin Bennett described in the foregoing declaration that I am now fifty-nine years [old -- inserted] that I have a distinct recollection of the absence of my father in the Revolution, and it was said, he was a Soldier. I also, recollect that during the time he was in service, he several times returned home, and that I entertained great fear of my father because he was a Soldier. From my recollecting about his service, I have no doubt he was in actual service nine months Abraham his X mark Bennett

Subscribed & Sworn the day & year aforesaid S. Soweth [signature]
Page 5

In the Matter of Benjamin Bennett Revolutionary Soldier [underlined] 
Declaration M.  14708 [checkmark] 
9 Months
Page 6

State of Newyork Tompkins County} We John B. Steel & Benjamin Bennett residing in the town of Ulysses in the County of Tompkins and State of Newyork hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Bennett who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy-Eight years of Age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and in that opinion we concur John B Steel [signature] Benjamin Bennett [signature] 

Subscribed & sworn the day and year aforesaid  S. Soweth [signature] 

State of Newyork Tompkins County} Ss:  James Delaney of the town of Ulysses in the County of Tompkins being duly sworn maketh oath and saith that he has been well acquainted with Benjamin Bennett Named in the forgoing Declaration more than forty years. That much of that time he [word crossed out] lived in [word crossed out] Northumberland County Pennsylvania. That the said Bennett, has always sustained an uncommonly fair character -- been honest, sober and industrious -- 
And this Deponent further saith that he has frequently heard the said Bennett speak of his having been in service in the Revolutionary war and State occurrences that took place during his services aforesaid. He has also heard others of his neighbours say he was in the service aforesaid. He [unreadable] in [unreadable] of Hearing one Col. Irving, who lived in Bucks County Pennsylvania, say the said Bennett was a soldier in the Revolution, and that he was a good soldier.  Said Col. Irving is now dead  James Delaney [signature] 

Subscribed & Sworn the day & year aforesaid S. Soweth [signature]
Page 7

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 Abraham Bennet John B. Steel & Benjamin Bennet, who certifies, and James Delaney who have signed the preceding certificates respectively residents in the town of Ulysses in the County of Tompkins and State of Newyork, Are credible persons, and their Statements entitled to credit.

I Samuel Low Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in for the County of Tompkins in the State of Newyork, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter [of the application -- inserted] of Benjamin Bennet for a pension
In testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this third day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty-two.  Saml Low  Clk [signature] 

[written vertically bottom towards top of page in the lower left corner of the age] 
In the matter of Benjamin Bennett Revolutionary Soldier Declaration M. 14708 [check mark] 9 Months
Page 8

14708 
Benj. Bennett 
Tompkins co. New York 

H.D. Barto 
Trumansburg N.Y.
Page 9

[printed form with hand written responses]
BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Bennett of Tompkins Co in the State of New York (Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 78
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[table with 6 columns and 4 rows including row of headings]
[row of column headings] Period. | Duration of Service. Years, | Months, | Days. | Rank. As a | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen. 
[row 2] Drafted In 17 | | 3 | | | Capt. Thorn, Gen. Potter's
[row 3] do [ditto] | | 3 | | | Capt. Hunter
[row 4] do [ditto] | | 3 | | | Capt. Shoop

5. In what battles was he engaged? Brandywine, Crooked Billet
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bucks county, Penn-
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  living witness and traditionary 9 months
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct [Not connected as required -- crossed out] 

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. J. E Bradford. [signature] Examining Clerk.
Page 10

[Ovr -- hand written in top left corner of page] 
[printed form with hand written responses] 
In reply to your request of ____ , received ____ for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Bennett [name underlined] a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.  S. File 12.175 

[table with 6 columns and 4 rows including row of column headings]
[row 1 column headings] DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.
[row 2] [Aug.1 -- crossed out] [check mark] | 3 mos. |  | Thorn | [check mark] | Pa. 
[row 3]  | 3 mos. |  | Hunter | [check mark] |
[row 4]  | 3 mos. |  | Shoop | [check mark] General Potters brigade. |

Battles engaged in, Brandy [Sept 11 1777 -- inserted] Crooked Billet May 1. 1778
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Tinicum Tnp., Bucks Co, Pa.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 3, 1832. Allowed. 
Residence at date of application, Ulysses, Tompkins Co. NY.
Age at date of application, B. in 1954 at South River, N. J.
Remarks: 1832 son Abraham at 59 yrs. testified to subsequent res. shown.
Page 11

[left side of page] 
1908 Nov. 4. Hist. to Miss Grace M. Pierce. &c

[right side of page] [printed form with hand written responses] 
Rev War [check mark] 
12175 INVALID. 
-----
File No. 12,175 
Benjamin Bennett Priv. Rev. War
-----
Act: June 7th. 1832
Index:-- Vol. A, Page 29
[Arrangement of 1870.] [square brackets in original]
Page 12

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Benj Bennett of Tompkins co N. York which require further proof or explanation.
1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? No
V. *Has he mentioned 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 amout [amount] of pension he is entitled? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
Page 13

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? Yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [No -- crossed out] Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? all answered
----------------------
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. 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 --- days, I served as a ----- For --- months and --- days, I served as a ----; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 14

3
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 directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months [in italics] is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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.

+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service [in italics]
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 claimants 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.

++QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. [in italics]
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 paper 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 office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
[graphic of right hand with index finger pointing] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no 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.
Page 15

[round office stamp in center of page is reversed "soaked through" of office stamp on next page, page 16]
Page 16

[round office stamp in top left corner of page -- CHIEF CLERK BUREAU OF PENSIONS OCT 27 1908] 

1.2175  #116 Emma Street, Syracuse, N.Y.
Chief Clerk, Pension Bureau, Washington, D.C.

Will you please send me the record of service of one Benjamin Bennett, who according to the Census of 1840; was a pensioner living with Aham Bennett, in the town of Enfield, Tompkins County, New York?
Very respectfully (Miss) Grace M. Pierce. 
October 26, 1908.