Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2,248, Benjamin Cook, Md.
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Md. Cook, Benjamin. R2248
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State of Maryland
City of Baltimore act.

On this nineteenth day of March in the the year eighteen hundred and fifty three, personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Orphans Court, within and for the  City of Baltimore in the State of Maryland, the source being a Court of record Benjamin Cook, aged about ninety one years, now a resident of the said City. but previous thereto, he resided in Prince Georges county in the State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1852. "That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated that he enlisted in the first Maryland Regiment under the command of Colonel Otho H. Williams in the  early part of the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven, that afterwards in the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight, he again enlisted in the second Maryland Regiments in a company of which he acted as a private and corporal under the command of Colonel John Gumby and continued in such positions up to January seventeen hundred and seventy nine and further declared that by reason of old age, and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to his precise length of service, but according to the best of his knowledge and recollection he served not less than two years regularly in different positions in the Army of the United State.  This affidavitfurther declares that he has not
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made application for a pension before this time because he was heretofore able to procure his daily bread by his own hands, but from recent growing infirmities he is reduced to dependence on his Country; he is therefore compelled to prefer his claims to a pension.

He hereby relinquishes any claims to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll or agency of any state.

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year aforesaid

W.B. Nelson

Benjamin Cook

And the said Judge doth herby declare his opinion that the above named applicant 
Benjamin Cook was a revolutionary soldier and served as stated in his declaration as Private  soldier and corporal, and further verify that this applicant from bodily infirmities is unable to attend court.  W.B. Nelson

State of Maryland, Baltimore City

I hereby certify that William B. Nelson by whom the above certificate was given and who hath thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing Judge of the Orphans' Court for Baltimore City in the State of Maryland duly elected, commissioned and sworn.
In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of my office this sixth
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day of April in the year of our Lord, Eighteen hundred and fifty two

(illegible) Hickman Register
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Benjamin Cook now asked and infirm and on a visit to Elliott's Mills is herby certify that in addition to his declaration made by him before one of the Judges of the Orphans Court of Baltimore City, Maryland, he states and declares that his reasons for not having made Application for a Revolutionary Pension of note United States before this date, are from the fact of being in remote places on farms in the county of Anne Arundel, Maryland, and not being able o read or write or seldom seeing a newspaper or hearing the laws of congress on the subject of pensions but at times heard it spoken of and well knows that he was at different times urged by the Revolutionary soldiers then living in the county aforesaid, and pensioners of the United States namely as follows.  Samuel Baldwin, Edward Hood and Jas Reeuasko to make application for a pension on account of his Revolutionary service rendered the state of Maryland and the United States during the War of the Revolution.
Witness:
David Feelemyer

Benjamin Cook
his mark
seal

State of Maryland Howard County on this 5th dat of August 1853 before the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for Howard County and State aforesaid personally appeared Benjamin Cook aged 91 years- being the identical person named in the declaration, and a man of truth and veracity and makes oath on the Holy Evangel of Almighty God that the above statement is true and correct.

Sworn before David Feelemyer
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Ellicott Mills August 5, 1853


Benjamin Cook the party referred o in the within statement has been personally known to me for some twenty years and a part of that time employed by me with his family at a cotton factory in Anne Arundel County.  I believe him to be an honest upright man have always found him such and great confidence in his integrity - but from his want of education and general information which is very limited.  I attribute his inattention to his revolution any claims for white his is now an applicant and I am fully confident that he is justly entitled to the claim for which he is an applicant
 Thos Lausdale
Witness:
David Feelemyer



Baltimore County, August 5th 1893any

I hereby certify that I have known Thos Lausdale for many years and I am satisfied that any statement made by him is entitled to face credit in any department of the government or elsewhere

Hugh Ely

Witness:
David Feelemyer

State of Maryland Howard County

On the same day and date before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for Howard County- personally appeared Thomas Landsdale, Hon Hugh Ely, the parties subscribed to the above certificates being sworn according to the law, declares that the statement set forth in the as stated.  And I do further certify that the gentlemen subscribers to the above certificates are persons of the greatest spectrality

Sworn before David Feelemyer
Justice of the Peace of Howard County
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State of Maryland Howard County Set,
I hereby certify that David Felenzer
Esquire, before whom the annexed offidavits
were made and who has thereto
subscribed his name was at the time
of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the
State of Maryland in and for Howand
County, duly commissioned
and sworn

In Testimony whereof
I hereto subscribe my
name and affix the seal of the circuit court for Howard county on this sixth day of August 1853 A.D. 1853.

W. H. Worthington Clk
C. C. for Hand (illegible)
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No. 38.551

Benjamin Cook
Md

John Taft July 113 1853
Mr. L. Office MD. Sept 22 / 53
same Sept 27 / 53
John Taft Sept 27 1853
same Nov 5 1853

2248

Act June 7 1832
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IC
Be
listed:
charged:
plication filed:
ges:
enlisted:
torney:
Recognized.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for
2248
jamin Cook
there
---
18
18
18
Contract,
18
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Baltimore Augt 6th 1853
Sir
Enclosed herewith I send an additional
statement to that contained
in Benjamin Cooke declaration now
on file in the Pension Office, and some
record evidence of his services rendered during the
War of the Revolution, together with the
Certificates of Thos Lansdale Esqr and Hon
Hugh Eliy.
Your kind and early attention will be
thankfully acknowledged
Very Respectfully
Your Obedi Servant
John Toft

Hon.
L.P. Waldo,
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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Stamp mark:
[illegible]

Official Business

FREE

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pension
Washington. D. C.
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Baltimore May 6th / 53

Sir

The pension papers in application for a revolutionary pension claimed by Benjamin Cook of this place was mailed to the Pension Office some weeks back at the same time asking an acknowledgment for the receipt of them but as yet I have no reply thereto. Therefore, (will) you will do me the kindness to let me hear from you on the subject. 

I am Very Rspffy You Obt Sevt
(I am very respectfully your obedient servant)
John Toft
Garden Street
Near Biddle St

Hon L. P. Waldo,
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
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Baltimore Oct 31st 1853

Sir

Enclosed I send you a deposition of a worthy and venerable gentleman Mr. Thomas Connally on examination of which I have no doubt will be considered satisfactory in support of Mr. Cook's Revolutionary services.

Will you be kind enough to give this case your early attention

I am very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant
John Toft

Hon
L. P. Waldo,
Comms of Pension U S.
Washington, D. C.
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Baltimore April 9th 1853

Sir

Enclosed herewith you will find papers in support of a revolutionary pension of the United States for a worthy and venerable gentleman Mr. Benjamin Cook now a resident of this place but formerly of Prince Georges and Anne Arundel Counties Maryland. His declaration is made under the Law of Congress 7th June 1832. Will you be kind enough on the receipt of the papers to file them in your department and acknowledge the receipt of the same.

Your kind and early attention to this case will be thankfully acknowledged by himself and his friend

With great respect & esteem
Your Obt Servant
John Toft

L. P. Waldo, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
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Land Office of Md
August 2nd 1853

I hereby certify that it appears by the muster roll that Benjamin Cook of Williams's Regt was taken by private enlistment - off the rolls

I certify that this is duly copied from one of the muster rolls in this office. Witness my hand & the Seal of the Land Office of Maryland this 2nd of August 1853

[illegible]
[illegible] of the L Off
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John Toft
Sept 27/53
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Pension Office
Sep 27 1853

Sri

I cannot admit the case of Benjamin Cook of Md. until his statements are corroborated by the testimony of those who served with him or who were in a position to a know that he did serve as he alleges. 

His reasons for not having made application sooner are not satisfactory.

John Toft Esq
Baltimore Md
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John Toft
July 13/53
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Pension Office
July 13 1853

Sir

The application of Bejamin Cook of Md has been examined and filed under the Act of June 7 1832.

There is no evidence of his service in the possession of this office, and his witnesses know nothing of it. Application should be made to the Register of the Land Office of Maryland for such evidence of his services as he may possess, and if he has none, his service must be proved by the testimony of those who served with him and are pensioners for their own services. If he [illegible-------------] services, it is [illegible] he has [illegible] made application before this.

John Toft Esq
Baltimore Md
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Law Off. of [unclear]
Sept 23rd -56
L. P. Waldo esq
Dear Sir.
Y our letter of 22d was recd.
My best reply to your letter
will be to give a Copy of the Entry
in relation to Benj. Cook, from
the militia Roles of [unclear]
Cook Benjamin [pvt?]
enlisted May 1. 78
Corporal Oct. 12. 78 stuck of
on the next succeeding page of
same militia Roles
Cook Benj Corporal. Williams taken
by prior enlistment off the Role.
We have no information
of the service office: solders, from which I
can make satisfactory explanations.
It is the custom of this office to
give certificate annually of the facts
appearing on the Records
As no register is kept of application 
for certificates I am unable
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to say where and by whom the first
application was made for
Evidence of his services.
(unclear words], charges a Cert: to the
dates of his service 18th Jany 1852
again --18 Dec 1853.
This [issues?] the information and
that subject from my entries.
Sometimes Certificates
are [unclear word] for at the time they are given, then no Entry is made
very respectfully
yrs [unclear initials]
J Murray
C. L. Q
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Land Office of Md
August 2nd 1853

I hereby certify that it appears by the Muster Roll remaining in this office that Benjamin Cook enlisted as a private in the 2nd Maryland Regt on the 1st May 1778 - was appointed Corporal on the 12th October 1778 & in January 1779 was struck off the rolls.

I certify that this is duly copied from one of the Muster Rolls in this office. Witness my hand & the Seal of the Land Office of Maryland this 2nd of August 1853.
[illegible]
[illegible] of the L Off
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State of Maryland City of Baltimore to wit:
On this 5th day of April A.D. 1853 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the City and State aforesaid personally appeared Henry W. Linthicum aged eighty nine years now a resident of the said city but a native of Anne Arundel County Maryland who made oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God that he has been well acquainted with Benjamin Cook a soldier of the Revolution and living in the city aforesaid from his earliest recollections and more particularly when the said Cook enlisted in a  company of foot attached to the first regiment of the Maryland line which occurred sometime in the beginning of the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven that he also enlisted in the second Maryland Regiment sometime in the summer of the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight as he believed that he knows the  declarant was commanded during his service as aforesaid by Colonels Williams and Gunby from the fact of seeing the said Cook when rendering the said services in the different positions aforesaid. This affiant saith further that he knows the said Benjamin Cook to be the identical man who served in different positions aforesaid.
Henry W. Linthicum
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Sworn to and subscribed before me a Justice of the Peace and do certify that I believe the old gentleman Henry W. Linthicum's within statements on the opposite side to be entitled to full credit knowing him as I do to be a man of good character
Edwd. T. Barry
Justice of the Peace

STATE OF MAYLAND
Baltimore City, Sct.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that Edward T. Barry Esquire before whom the annexed affidavit was made and who has thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland, in and for the City of Baltimore, duly commissioned and sworn.

In Testimony Whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of the Superior Court of Baltimore City, this fifth day of April A. D. 1853
Edwd Dowling
Clerk of the Superior Court of Baltimore City.
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State of Maryland. City of Baltimore. to wit,
On this 6th day of April A.D. 1853 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the City and State aforesaid, personally appeared Williams Forrest aged seventy six years now a resident of the said city but formally a resident of Anne Arundel County Maryland, who being duly sworn according to Law deposeth and saith that he knows and has been intimately acquainted with Benjamin Cook an old soldier now living in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, applying for a revolutionary pension commencing in the year seventeen hundred and eighty five (then living in the last said county) continued up to this time. This affiant saith further that he has many years back heard the declarant state and declare that he had made two enlistments in companies attached to the first and second regiments of the Maryland Continental line, and that the said declarant had rendered two years actual service in the different positions in the army of the United States during the war of the Revolution. This affiant also swears that he knows the said Benjamin Cook rendered services to the United States during the late war with England. and that during the lifetime of Samuel Baldwin. a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, late of the last said county and state and declare that he knew from his own knowledge that the identical Benjamin Cook did serve two years as a private and corporal in companies under Col Williams, and Gunby, of the Maryland line,
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lines. This affiant declares that he knows the said Benjamin Cook was recognized and still is by all who knew him to have served in the revolutionary and late war against Great Britian, that he believes the said Cook is ninety years of age, and did render service to the United States as set forth in his declaration sworn to before the Orphans Court for the City of Baltimore, Maryland,
William Forrest his X mark

Sworn to and subscribed before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace and do certify that the affiant William Forrest is an old gentleman of good character that his within statements are entitled to full credit.
B. F. Yoe J.P.

STATE OF MARYLAND
Baltimore City, Sct.
I hereby certify that Benjamin F. Yoe Esquire before whom the annexed deposition was made and who had thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland, in and for the City of Baltimore, duly commissioned and sworn. 
In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of the Superior Court of Baltimore City, this seventh day of April A. D. 1853
Edwd Dowling
Clerk of the Superior Court of Baltimore City.
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State of Maryland City of Baltimore to wit
On this fifth day of April A. D. 1853 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland in and for the city aforesaid personally appeared Thos. Parsons aged seventy seven years now a resident of said city and formally a resident of Baltimore County Maryland but a native of Ann Arundel County in the last said state who being sworn in due form of Law states and declares that he had been well acquainted with Benjamin Cook a resident of the city aforesaid but formally a resident of Anna Arundel County aforesaid. beginning in the year seventeen hundred and eighty six continued up to this time, that he was often at different time heard the said Cook declare that he was an enlisted soldier and had served in the first & second regiments of the old Maryland line of the United States as a private and corporal this affiant further declares that he had heard said by old soldiers being in the same neighborhood with said Cook, state that they knew him in the Revolutionary services during the war of the Revolution, and that he knew the same old soldier Benjamin Cook, is now living in the City of Baltimore aforesaid. and as he understands the said Cook is about to apply for a Revolutionary pension and no doubt but he is justly entitled to it
Thomas Parsons
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Sworn to and subscribed before me a Justice of the Peace and do certify that I believe the old gentleman Mr. Thomas Parsons statements on the opposite side are entitled to full credit.
Thomas Ringgold J.P.

STATE OF MARYLAND,
Baltimore City, Sct.

I HEREBY CERTIFY that Samuel Ringgold Esquire before whom the annexed affidavit was made and who has thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland, in and for the City of Baltimore, duly commissioned and sworn.

In Testimony Whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of the Superior Court of Baltimore City, this fifth day of April A. D. 1853
Edw. Dowling
Clerk of the Superior Court of Baltimore City.
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Benjamin Cook Md. Enlisted 1777, 1st Md. Regt. under Col Otho H Williams.  In 1778 enlisted 2nd Md. Regt. under Col John Gunby. Was private & corporal Sep to Jany 1779. (20 March 1853) 
Witness knew nothing of his services.

Revolutionary Record published every year at Annapolis
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State of Maryland, City of Baltimore, ss,
On this twenty first day of October A.D. 1853 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace of said State in and for said city personally appeared Thomas Connally who being duly sworn by me on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God deposeth as follows:
That he is ninety four years of age, is a resident of Portage County in the State of Ohio, that he was born in the State of Pennsylvania. that he well remembers Benjamin Cook late of Ellicott Mills, Howard County, Maryland, he first became acquainted with said Benjamin Cook about the commencement of the Revolutionary War in the year (1776) seventeen hundred and seventy six. That subsequently he visited Baltimore City in the State of Maryland and there saw the said Benjamin Cook under arms in a company attached to Colonel William's Regiment and that said Benjamin Cook marched with said company and regiment to the head of the Chesapeake Bay. That the said deponent returned to his native State and there entered the militia service and marched to Brandywine in the said State of Pennsylvania where he again met the aforesaid Cook under arms as aforesaid rendering militia service in and about Brandywine, Philadelphia and at the head of Elk River in the State of Maryland for six months or more. That he knows the Benjamin Cook aforesaid to be the identical soldier who rendered the aforesaid service at the various places named in this deposition during the Revolutionary War. That after the close of the Revolutionary War the deponent again visited the City of Baltimore and again met the said Benjamin Cook, and whilst sojourning in said city frequently conversed with said Cook upon the subject of their Revolutionary War services and that he remembers the said Cook to have said as one of said interviews that he the said Cook had served about two years in the Revolutionary Army and that he depones believes said statement to be correct. That he the said deponent believes the said Cook was about ninety years of age when he died. that he is well acquainted with Martha Cook widow of said Benjamin Cook and knew her many years before the death of her said husband, and that they the said Benjamin Cook and Martha Cook lived together as man and wife, and that since the death of her said husband he has seen her the said Martha Cook and knows her still be alive. The deponent
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further saith that he has understood that the said Cook previous to his death made application for his Revolutionary pension, and that he believes that he was justly entitled to it. The deponent further saith that he has no interest in this application either directly or indirectly.
Witnesses
B. F. Phillips
Thomas Connally his X mark

Sworn to and subscribed in presence of Edw. T. Barry JP

State of Maryland city of Baltimore 
I hereby certify that I have been in the company of Thomas Connally who has made the above deposition and have conversed with him freely and believe him in every aspect worthy of relief. 
Oct 21st 1853
Edw. T. Barry

STATE OF MARYLAND
Baltimore City, Sct.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that Edward T Barry Esquire before whom the annexed deposition was made and who has thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland, in and for the City of Baltimore, duly commissioned and sworn.
In Testimony Whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of the Superior Court of Baltimore City, this 24th day of October A.D. 1853.
Edwd Dowling
Clerk of the Superior Court of Baltimore City.