Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 17705, Benjamin Darling, Conn.
Page 1

( 3 - 1776 )
SERVICE
Count
Darling, Benjamin
Mary
NUMBER
W17705
CONTENTS
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Connecticut 2.057
Mary Darling
widow of Benjamin Darling
who died on the year 1820
of Fairfield Co. in the State of Conn.
who was a Pr. & Sergt. in the company commanded
by Captain Reed of the Regt.
commanded
by Col. Derivord Coun
in the Con. mil,
line for James Sergt.
35.00
3 " Pr.
10.00
-
$45.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 45 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of May
1838 and sent to Hon. T.J.
Whittlesey, N. R.
Arrears to the 4th of March 38.
315.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. " 22.50
$337.50
Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3-
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book A.
Vol. 2
Page 67
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State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield SS
on this 26th day of March 1833, before the Court of Probate within and for the District of Danbury in the said County, the same
being a Court of Record and holden at Reading in and for the said District  personally appeared Mary Darling a resident of Reading aforesaid, aged Eighty three years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4th 1836. That she is the widow of Benjamin Darling late of said Reading deceased who was a
Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution and
served as follows 
I  that on the 10 day of March 1776, the said
Darling was a Sergeant in the Connecticut Militia and was then drafted for the term of three months into the service of the United States and served as a sergeant from said 1st of March 1776 until the 1st day of June of the same year at Fairfield in the said County on the coast near the shore of Long Island Sound  where a small Military post or garison was established coast guards, under the command
of Captain Zalmon Read and Col. Jonathan
Dimon of the Connecticut militia. At the
expiration of said term of three months he was
discharged
II  In the latter part of the month of June 1776
he was again drafted, and served three months
at the City of New York in the Regiment  commanded by Colonel Dimon in a company commanded by Lieut John Davies who took command of the Company in the absence of said Captain Read who had enlisted into a Regiment of State Troops. the said Darling was discharged the latter part of the month of September of the same year during this term of service
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he was employed in Garrison duty in the
City of New York until it was taken by the British and after that event in the vicinity of the said City.
III That on the 1st of January 1782, he was again drafted into the service of the United States for the term of three months and served said term of three months from said
1st day of January, until the 1st of April 1782 at a post called Campo on Long Island sound
at said last in Fairfield,  which was garrisoned by a called . In this term of his service he served under the command of the command of Capt Joseph Baring who was then commanding officer at the post. During all the  of this the said Darling he was a Sergeant of militia and served as such. 
that on the 1st day of January 1782 he was
again drafted into the service of the United States
for the term of three months and served a term
of three months from said 12th day of January until
the 10th day of April 1782 at a Post called Compa
on Long Island formed, within said Town of Fairfield
which was garrisoned by a Corps called at
heard. In this term of his period he served
the command of Capt Joseph Baring who was
then the commanding officer at the Post
During all the said periods of this the said Darling was a Sergeant of Conn militia
and served as such. The said Mary
know what has become of his warrant. He further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Darling on the 6th day of November Seventeen
hundred and seventy seven, that her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Darling died on the 26th day of September one thousand eight hundred and twenty and that she has remained a widow ever since that
period as will more fully appear by reference to
the proof hereunto annexed
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court, the day
and year first above written
Mary her Darling
Mark
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State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield S.S
I Thomas P. White Clerk of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Danbury in said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Mary Darling for a Pension, and the Court doth hereby declare its opinion that said Mary is the widow of Benjamin Darling, that she was married on the 6th of November 1777 that he died on the 26th day of September 1820 that she has remained a widow ever since that period, and that he served in the War of the Revolution as she States
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court
this 26th day of March 1838
Thomas P White Clerk
-
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I Silas H. Hickock of Danbury in the
County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Danbury in the said County and State, do hereby certify that Thomas P. White Esq. who has subscribed the foregoing certificate is Clerk of said Court of Probate duly appointed and
sworn, that the name Thomas P White -
Subscribed thereto is in the proper hand writing
of the said Thomas P White and that full
faith and credit are and ought to be given to his official acts as such Clerk
Given under my hand at Danbury this 
26th day of March 1838
Silas H. Hickock Judge
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I certify that my Father Nath Bartlett deceased,
formerly Pastoror of the Congregational Church in the Town of Reading, County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut kept a Book of record of the marriage he celebrated in said Town, which Book is in my possession and
that in said Book there is an entry in the following words viz: Novbr 6th 1777 I joined in marriage Benjamin Darling & Mary Chapman, I further certify that I was for many years acquainted with said Darling & that he was
of respectable character, his widow is also known to me & is so far as my knowledge extends, likewise of respectable charater
Jonathan Bartlett
Fairfield County ss Redding January 24th AD 1828
personally appeared Jonathan Bartlett & made
oath to the foregoing certificate by him
Subscribed
Before me Jared Olmstead Justice of Peace
-
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Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17705
Mary Darling
Wid of
Benjamin Darling
Sergt Rev War
Act: July 4, 1836
Index:--Vol. A, Page 171
[Arrangement of 1870.}
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J. Bartlett
Hon. T. T. Whittlesey
N. R.
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I Jonathan Bartlett of Reading in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged 73 years do depose and say that my Father Nathaniel Bartlett was formerly and for many years the Pastor of the Congregational
Church in said Reading, and during his ministry
kept a Book of records of the marriages celebrated by him that the said Book of records is now in my possession, and the same contains the following entry in the handwriting of the said Nathaniel Bartlett
November Sixth Seventeen hundred seventy
seven I joined in Marriage Benjamin Darling and Mary Chapman and I depose and say that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed in the record in fair legible figures as follows
Novbr 6th 1777."
Jonathan Bartlett

Fairfield County ss Redding March 22nd AD 1828 personally appeared Rev Jonathan Bartlett Known to me to be a man of truth & veracity & made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him
Subscribed
Before me Jared Olmstead Justice of Peace
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State of Connecticut
Fairfield County SS
I Thomas B Osborne Clerk of the County Court within the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Oliver Shepard & Jared Olmstead Esqr are now & for more than one year last past have been 
Justices of the Peace within for sd County duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths & take Depositions and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Oliver Shepard & Jared Olmstead Esqr verily
believe that the signatures to the Certificate annexed to the foregoing Depositions
purporting to be their signatures respectively, are all genuine. Given
under my hand and the Seal of said County Court in Fairfield 
this 26th day of March AD 1838.
Thomas B Osborne Clerk
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I John Davis of Reading in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged
Seventy nine years, being duly sworn do depose and say that having been requested to State more particularly then I have done in the
Deposition by me given on the 25th day of
January 1835, on behalf of Mary Darling
of said Reading who hath applied for a pension I do now depose and say that Benjamin Darling mentioned in my said Deposition, was [illegible] the time he performed the service stated in said
Deposition drafted that he belonged to the
Company of Captain Zalmon Read in the Regiment of Connecticut militia commanded by Colonel Jonathan Dimon and while in the service served under Lieut John Davis as Stated in said Deposition & in Colonel Dimons
Regiment
John Davis

Fairfield County ss Redding March 22nd AD 1838
personally appeared John Davis known to me
to be a man of truth & veracity & made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him Subscribed
Before me Jared Olmstead Justice of Peace
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I Jonathan Sherwood of Ridgefield in the County of Fairfield aged eighty four years being duly sworn do depose and say that on the 26th day of January 1838.
I gave my Deposition in relation to the claim of Mary Darling for a pension which Deposition has this day been shown to me and it being suggested that the same is not sufficiently explained. I do now depose and say that both the times of service of Benjamin Darling mentioned in the said Deposition were performed under Captain Talmadge Read at that time an officer of the Connecticut militia that on both times the said Benjamin Darling was a Sergeant of Connecticut militia, and served as such and was drafted into the service of the militia regiment commanded by Colonel Jonathan Dimon.
Jonathan Sherwood

Fairfield County Ss. Ridgefield March 22nd AD 1838
Personally appeared Jonathan Sherwood of Ridgefield known to me to be a man of truth & veracity & made oath tot he above deposition by him subscribed.
Before me Jared Olmstead Justice of Peace
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Eden Andrews
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I Eden Andrews of Danbury in the county of Fairfield and state of Connecticut aged seventy six years being duly sworn do depose and say that I am the brother of Mary Darling of Reading in the said county, who hath applied for a pension. That in the month of August 1773 the said Mary was married to Daniel Chapman of said Reading, and lived with him as his wife until June 1777 when said Chapman died in New York, while a prisoner to the British. And that in November 1777 being only about five months after the death of said Chapman the said Mary was married to Benjamin Darling then of said Reading. I was present at each time when said Mary was married, as aforesaid, and saw the ceremony performed. She was married to said Darling by the rev. Nathaniel Bartlett, then the Pastor of the Congregational Church in said Reading. The said Mary after said marriage lived with said Darling as his wife until the death of said Darling which happened in the month of September 1820, and raised a family of children.
The said Mary has remained a widow since the death of said Benjamin, and is still unmarried.
Eden Anderson

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County Ss. on this 21st day of March 1838 personally appeared Eden Andrews, well known to me to be a person of good character for truth, and a credible witness, sworn and subscribed the foregoing deposition and being duly sworn, made solemn oath to the truth of the same.
The word (sister) erased & the word Brother interlined before signing.
Oliver Shepard Justice of Peace
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3177 [crossed out]
3176

Mary Darling's
papers -
Married 1777
died 1820
Allow of mL Sergl and
3 mo pr $55 per ann
No deduction

Cont militia
Capt Cl Read Drimond

Hon. T. T. Whittlesey     Hon. T. T. Whittlesey
H. R.                                               HR.
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I Stephen Jackson of Redding Fairfield County Connecticut depose & say that I am eighty sex years of age & upwards, & In the year 1777, I was well acquainted with Daniel Chapman then of Redding now deceased, the year 1777. In April he was then taken a prisoner by the British army the day before Danbury was burnt by the British. He was taken I have been credibly informed in the town of Weston in said Fairfield County & was taken to Danbury & from thence to New York & then remained a prisoner until his death.
I further state that the said Chapman left a widow & one son who is now living in this town Redding. After Chapmans decease, the widow Mary Chapman was married to Benjamin Darling of Redding aforesaid now deceased. He has been dead more than ten years. I have been informed he was in the service a considerable part of the Revolution War but how long I cannot state. I furthermore state that I have been acquainted with his wife the widow Darling more than sixty years. She is now living in Redding & remains Benjamin Darlings widow. She lives a nigh neighbor to me & am intimately acquainted with her & her word under oath is to be entitled to full credit.
Stephen Jackson

Redding January 25th 1838

Fairfield County Ss. Redding the 25th January 1838
Personally appeared Stephen Jackson of said Redding who is well known to me to be a man of truth & veracity & made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed.
Before me Cortes Merchant Justice of Peace
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State of Connecticut
Fairfield County SS
I Thomas B Osborne Clerk of the County Court
within and for the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Joseph Darling, Oliver C Sanford Cortes Merchant and Jared Olmstead Esquires are now & ever since the 20th day of June last have been Justices of the Peace within afo duly commissioned & duly authorized to administrator oaths & take Depositions & 
I further certify that I am acquainted with the
handwriting of the said Darling, Sanford, Merchant & Olmstead & that I verily believe that all the signatures to the Certificates to the Depositions hereto attached & purporting to be their respective signatures are genuine. Given under my
hand and the Seal of County Court in Fairfield this 5th day of February AD 1838.
Thomas B Osborne Clerk
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I Jonathan Sherwood of Ridgefield, Fairfield County State of Connecticut Depose & say that I am Eighty four years of age & in the year 1776. I was in the militia service & at that time
was well aquainted with Benjamin Darling of Redding fairfield county aforesaid now
Deceast he together with myself were drafted & in the first day of March 1776 the said Benjamin Darling & myself were stationed on gard In the defence of our state in the town of old fairfield in said fairfield County the said Darling was then a Sargent in the militia & he the said Benjamin Darling together with myself was on duty on gard at that time at fairfield aforesaid three months we served on gard from the first day of March to the first day of June the above date & I further more state that at one other time the said Benjamin Darling was with me at the same place fairfield aforesaid in the militia on gard from
the first day of April to the first day of May following it was in the year 1778 or 79 which I am unable to state & further more state
that the Captain the said Darling & my self served under at that above time mentioned was Capt Zalmon Read of Redding fairfield County I think before our time was out Capt Read Enlisited Jonathan Sherwood
Ridgefield January the 26 AD 1838
Fairfied County SS Ridgefield the 26 Jany 1838

Personally appeared Jonathan Sherwood of Ridgefield who is well known to me to be a man of truth and Verasity & made solemn oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him Subscribed
Before me Joseph Darling Justice of Peace-
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I John Davis of Redding in Fairfield County State of Connecticut, deposeth & say that I am seventy nine years old and that I enlisted in the State service for six months in the spring of 1776 the Company I was attached to was commanded by Capt Zalmon Read of Redding aforesaid the Redgt to which we belonged was comanded by Col Silliman we were stationed part of the time in New York the other part of the time at different places I well Remember that Benjamin Darling formerly of Redding aforesaid now deceased (he died upwards of ten years ago) I well remember that he was in the Summer of 1776 on duty serving as Sergeant in the Militia under the command
of Lieut John Davis of Redding who was then my honored farther then on duty in the Militia service in the City of New York and soon after my father John Davis was taken sick while in the service at N York and on his way from New York home at a place Called Byram about thirty
miles from N York my Farther died the said Benjamin Darling was well known to me at that time and was at that time serving in the Militia in the Revolution but how many months he was in the service at that time I am unable to state
John Davis
Redding 25th Jan 1838
Fairfield County SS  Redding January 25th 1838
Personally appeared John Davis of Said Redding who is well known to me to be a man of truth & veracity and made Solemn Oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed
Before me Cortes Marchant Justice of Peace
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I Ezra Bates of Redding Fairfield County st of Connecticut
Depose & say that I am Seventy nine years old & upwards & In the month of May 1776 I enlisted into the States Service for six
months under Capt. Zolman Read of Redding aforesaid & was immediately ordered to new York on duty & on the latter part of June the above Date I well remember that Benjamin Darling of Redding aforesaid now
Decesed was their in new York a Sergent in the militia on duty in the Company then commanded by Lieutenant John Davis of Redding aforesaid & from that time I was well knowing to his being their three months in the militia in the defence of our contry in the City of New York he left new york the same time I did the last of September 1776 I further more state at that time the above named Lieutenant
John Davis sickened & died on his way from new york home at a place Called Byrum about thirty miles from New York and I further more state that for more than fifty years I was
aquainted with the said Benjamin Darling & he has been dead more than ten years & his widow is now living in Redding a neighbour to me   Redding 25th January 1838
Ezra Bates

Fairfield County. SS. Redding January 25th 1838
Personally appeared Ezra Bates of Redding who is well known to me to be a man of truth & verasity & made Solem oath to the truth of the above deposition
By him subscribed
Before me Corles Marchart Justice of Peace
-
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I Thomas Squire of Weston Fairfield County
& State of Connecticut deposeth & says that I am Seventy six years old & that I was on guard at a place called Campoe in the town
of Fairfield aforesaid on the first March 1882
untill the first of August the same year it being
one month & I well remember that Benjamin
Darby formely of Reading now Decsead was
then their serving as a Sergant under Capt
Joseph Bennett & what time I was on guard I served under the said Capt Bennett the said Darling had been serving on guard some time before I joined the Company & he served
all the time that I did & how much longer
I am unable to State I further state that
at the time above mentioned I was in the
Malitia Servis in the capacity of a corporal
Thomas Squier

Fairfield County ss Weston January 22d 1838
Personal appeard Thomas Squir of said Weston
who is well known to me to be a man truth & veracity & made sallm oth to the truth of the above Deposition by him
subscribed Before me
Oliver C Sanford Justice of Peace
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This certify that I Naomia Squire of Weston in the County of fairfield in the State of Connecticut wife of Thomas Squires
of Weston aforesaid depose & say in the year of 1782 or 83, it was at or near the close of the revolution I then lived with my father
Nathan Bennett in the town of fairfield in the County of fairfield aforesaid at a place called Compoe near where their was a garison
Cept at that time I was well aquainted with Benjamin Darling of Redding in fairfield County aforesaid & he the said Darling was
at the time above mentioned on gard at compoe in fairfield he was a Sergent in the militia under Capt Joseph Bennett of fairfield who lived next  neighbour to my father at that time he the said Darling was their on gard at that time from the first of January to the first of April the date above mentioned I
saw him allmost every day at my fathers under arms as some of soldiers Gaurded at my fathers I do well know that Segent Darling was their at that time three months in the service on gard My age is Seventy five years
Witnesses
Olivr C Sanford
Joseph Darling

her
Naomia Squir
mark

I Oliver C. Sanford testify the above enterline & case were made prior to the execution of this Deposition
Fairfield County ss Weston January 22 1838 Personally appeard Naoma Squire
signer of the foregoing Deposition & made
Sallen oath to the truth of the same
, and that I am well acquainted with
the said Naoma Squire & say that her
oath is entitled to Credit
Before me
Oliver C Sanford Justice of the Peice
Page 24

Jonas Platt, of Sharon Litchfield County Connecticut Deposeth and says that he was aquainted with Daniel Chapman of Redding in Fairfield County in the year 1777 I then new the said Chapman was in the revolution 
Service the day that danbury was burnt by the British that the said Daniel Chapman together with my fathe & others was that day taken prisoners by the British soldiers
In the town of Weston in said fairfield County and from there was taken to New York as prisoners and there confind
untill the said Daniel Chapman Deceased while a prisoner
I have often heard my farther say that he attended the said Chapman whil Confined in New York and was with him when he died at the sugar house in New york the same
year he was taken prisoner. I the said Jonas Platt was born and braut up in said Redding and was always aquainted with said Chapman my age is seventy years
February 1837
Jonas Platt
the said platt is well known to me to be a man of truth
Fairfield County SS. Redding May 5th AD. 1837-
Personally appeared the above named Jonas Platt and made solemn oath to the truth of the above Deposition
By him subscribed
before me
Joseph Darling Justice of Peace
Page 25

Mr Joseph
Darling
Post Master
Redding Ct
Page 26

Comptrollers Office
Hartford Connecticut
March 28th 1838
I certify that Capt Zalmon Read is credited
on the pay Table Books now in this Office April
13th 1776 for Enlisting bounties, wages, Milage &c L[pounds]1697-18-6, Col Waterburys Regt.
He is charged on the same books June 19th 1776 for an order on Treasurer in account for his Company Sillimans Regt. l[pounds]520,
He is further credited on Haskells Receipts for
services rendered in 1776 & Sillimans Regiments, Equiping L[pounds]50-2, for Enlisting L[pounds]138, Wages L[pounds]117-2,
He is further credited on the same book under the following head, to wit, "For the 1st months pay of several companies in service at New York in 1776 charged in the foregoing account &c" L[pounds]117-8-1
Capt Joseph Bennett is erideted on Haskells
Receipts. Oct 22d 1781, for service at  Greenwich l[pounds]183-10-2 and also on the same book for service at the same place Jany 28th 1782. L[pounds]183-10-2,
I further certify that the names of Lieuts
John Davis and Benjamin Darling have not
been found,
Wm Fields Comptroller
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Redding Ct
Apr 10th
[illegible] J. Darling
Postmaster
James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 28

Dear Sir
Redding 10th April AD 1838
By request of the petitioner Mary Darling Claiming [illegible] for a  pention for the services of her & husband Benjn Darling
Didest who served in the Revolution [illegible] as you will find proof of that the receive it you will find proof of his service by the depositions forwarded to you for examination as the writings in part has been sent to you & returned back defaulted they are again forwarded together with an addition and you are earnestly solisited to forward an
Examination if solicitor to you & Certifacut that the Widow may Receive her past due as soon as may be convenient for you to forward the same as the petitioner is made calculations to move to the western part of the State of Newyork the last of this month and sir if
you could attend to her business immediately it would be a very greate accomodation to the poor old Widow Mary Darling
Yours my respectfully
Joseph Darling
James L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions


N.B. you will please let Thomas T Whittlesey forward the papers what ever you may send back for the widow  J Darling
Page 29

Redding Ct
April 10th
[illegible] J. Darling Postmaster
Y Y Whittlesey
Me
Washington City D.C.
Page 30


Redding 10th April 1838
Dear Sir
I [illegible] move forward to you the papers for the petitioners pention the Widowe Mary Darling you will please to forward them
to the war department pention office as soon as may be convenent for you as the old Lady has made arrangements to move to the western part of the state of New York the Last of this month and she is anxious to no ult of her palitian before that time she woul Consid
a great favacer if you use your influence to forward them soon as those papers comes to your hand as they have ben a long time in operation, if convenient please see Mr Edwards and have the business attended to immediately
In so doing you will very much oblige your friend
T. F. Whittbery Esqr
yours with Respects
Joseph Darling
N.B. If the widow obtains a Certificut
you will forward the same to me
Page 31

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Darling, Benjamin
GRADE Private
LINE Massachusetts

WARRANT NUMBER 4037
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED Apr. 18, 1796 to Jere Mason

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.