Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8670, Benjamin Dispain, N C
Page 1


Dispain, Benjamin
Lucy
NUMBER
W. 8670
Page 2

war,
3. 814
ently Carolina
Lucy Dispain
Died Mar. 22, 1851 (B) widow of Benjamin
Dispain
who served in the Revolutionary
as a
Private
the
cribed on the Roll at the rate
Dollars 66
is per annum, to commence
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued 1851
6
and sent to
day of Decr 1857
F. Lumpkin
Present
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
Mary 2, 1848, Page 38.
Page 3

1
12.308
South Carolina
Benjamin Dispainof
Greenville in the State of S. Car
who was a pr:-- in the Compy command
by Captain Hyde-- of the Regh commanded
by Rutherfore
in the N.
une for 8 months
-
To
Inscribed on the Roll of So. Carolina
at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of Apl. 3.
and sent to B. F. Perry
Greenville, S. Car
Arrears to the 4th of March 1883 5332
Semiannl. allowance ending Sep
13.33
Rook
$66.65
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk
Vol. Page 65
C
See let to Page Apt 6. 1838.
-
Letter to Pension at
┃ 19 April 1838.
" Han R. F. Human Nov 16 16
same & 3 and 14 Decr 1846
Page 4

Began
a
15310
┃ dispairof
Page 5

South Caroline
on this ninth of October in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hunded
and thirty two personally appeared in open Court
before the the Judges of the Court of Common
Pleas and General Sefsion Benjamin despain
a resident of all district South Co
line aged seventy five years who being first
duly sworn according
the law doth on his
oath make the following declaration
to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832
that he entered the service
of the estates under the following named officers
and served as herein stated-- entered the service
about one year before the battle of Guilford
under General Lutheran captain Hide and
send the
quit the service some time of her corn Waller
was taken at York Town
greater part of his time under captain
High and General Butler as one of the
light infantry was in no general can
agements lived in Granville County North Carolina
when he entered the service was
drafted the first time and then turned
out in the light infantry - was stationed
at Wilmington same time-- march of
the White Marsh. Browning Mort,
damning creek in North Carolina
was never out of North Carolina
was his talls marching about over the ┃
County after the Faries-- had several
little scrammes with the Tories-- did not
see with any Continental regiments as ┃
that he recollects-- did not know
any of the regular officers- He eight
months at one time and and seven at other
times, but clime pay for any eight
Grants he has no documentary evidence
Page 6

he knows of no one who can testify as
to his sevices whose testimony he can
procure of herby relinquish my claim ┃
ever to a pension or annuity except
the present and declare that my name
is not on the pension roll of the agency
of any State-- was born in Warren
-
County North Carolina, in the year
fifty feet did have a record this age
but it has been destroyed was living in
Granville County North Carolina
when called into the service since the ┃
revolutionary war he in the place
of in Virgina and now lins in her ┃
ville where he has line thirty six
years. was drafted, the first time
rented the service for five month,
he then volunteer for three months
dered a discharge at the end the ┃
war from Captain High which discharge
had general Butler name that was
discharged at Mans Blue Conlin
does not know what has become
of his discharge - he is known to
Robert Foster, Roland M
Tally M Hunt and others who live in
his rest shood and who
can testify as to his character for
truth and good behavion and reputation
as a soldier of the revolution
the
Sworn to and subscribed
day and year above stated
I Daniel
day
Before his pain
6.60
death
Nathan Berry
William a Clergyman
residing in the district of Granwell and Robert
Page 7

Harter residing in the same district
so hereby certify that we are well acqua
ainted with Benjamin
●
Sixpain who has
subscribed and sworn to the above
location that we believe him to be sent
five years and that he is reputed and lived
to have been in his neighbors
soldier of the Revolution and
we concur in that opinion
subscribed the
Law and to and
day and
year above that
Daniel
Nathan Berry
C.C.
R Hotterand
the said Court do hereby
declare their opinion after the investim
of the matter and after putting the
interes prescribed by the war
that the above named aplicant
ament the
was a revolutionary soldier and said
as he states. And the Court further
certifies that it appears to them that
assign the
ding citificate is a clergyman
of Givenner and that R Fork
who has also signed the same is a
resident
ful and a credible
first and that their statement
is entitled to credit
Richard Yount
of James
same Clerk
Pleas and Gove
of the Court of certify that the forgoing
sesion do
contains the original proceeding in the
matter of the application of Penana
pension was
is pain for a
Page 8

senters whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and seal of office the
ninth day of Ocloticand
Werly two
aughten and
McDaniel
R
Page 9

Pickens
C.H. C
11 November
July 7 1838
Lucy Dispain
23, 1879.
┃ Now.
of
law
oldest
J. L.
Over
Edwards
pay 2.
Comr of Pensions
Washington City
D. C
Page 10

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of
Congress of the 7th July 1838, entitled "An act granting
half pay and Pensions to certain Widows, and the several
acts in continuation thereof.
State of South Carolina
Pickens District
S.
On this twenty fourth day of April 1845.
personally appeared Lucy Die before
William D. Steele Judge of the Court of Ordinary
of the District and State aforesaid, Mrs Lucy Dis
pain, (whom I certify is unable by age and infirmity
to attend at Greenville Court House, a distance of
21 miles, but living within about one mile of the
Pickens line, was able to get over there) a resident
of Greenville District S. C. aged as she believes Eighty
five 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 7th 1838, entitled "An
act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows"
and the several acts in continuation thereof:
That she is the widow of Benjamin Dispain who was a
private in the Militia of North Carolina, in the
1
War of the Revolution, thinks her said Husband resided in
Granville County N.C. when he entered the service, and
that he marched through both North South Carolina,
20
and that he A. Hill, and Genl
Butler, and that he was part of the time drafted; but ┃
as he did not then know him, and was not married to him
until after the War, she can only state what little she
recollects to have heard him say in after days, which,
owing to age, and infirmity she recollects very little of
that her said husband, the said Benjamin Dispainmade
the necessary proof of his services or a part of
them, and was placed on the Pension List under
Page 11

the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832, certificate
now in her possession, numbered 12.308, and dated 20th
April 1833, all of which she refers to in the prose
cution of her claim.
She further declares that she was married to the
1
said Benjamin Dispain on the twenty sixth day of
December (1786) One thousand seven hundred and eighty
six, on the top of Flore Gap Mountain, which she
thinks is in Henry County Virginia, that she does not
recollect the name of the Squire who married them.
as he was a stranger to her and lived on the other side
of the mountain from where she lived, she does not know
of any one living that seen her married, as there was
but two or three went with them, but she thinks old
Mr Keith or John Keith of this District may recollect
about the time it took place, as they lived in the neigh
borhood, she had but two children, both sons, the
oldest only forty seven years old last August, but she
recollects very well that he was born eleven years, and
from December till August after their marriage, and
by these recollection she is able to come at the time of
their marriage, as she has no record of it; that her
husband the aforesaid Benjamin Dispain died on the
twenty fourth day of June 1838; that she was not married
to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage
1
took place previous to the first of January Seventeen
hundred and ninety four. Viz, at the time above stated.
her
Lucy
Dispain
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year
above written, before
William D. Steele
Judge of the Court of Ordinary
P.M.
to
for Pickens District
S. C
Page 12

I, William L. Keith Clerk of the Court of
Pickens District S. C. do certify that William
D. Steele is Judge of the Court of Ordinary,
and that the foregoing signature purporting to be
his is genuine
In testimony whereof, I have herein
to set my hand & affixed my seal
of Office this 9th November 1845.
W. L. Keith
Clerk of the Court of
Pickens District
Sola
D
12305
Ra. 18. 1845,
---
---
glity
ing
to
claration
Pickery, 8th Novr 1845.
Dear Sir. I have had this paper on hand for some time
trying to get old Mr Keiths evidence of Mr Dispain
marriage, but she is so infirm, that it is impossible to
obtain it - please answer to me & oblige
very respectfully, your Obt Servt
Miles M. Norton
Page 13

ure
No
15310
Benj Despain Greenville
District S.
Carolina
on
Admit as private per
1780, for 8 mo 2466
of Hyde
Richard N
B. F. Perry Greenville
11
District So Carolina
Greenville
Page 14

BRIEF in the case of
District of Greenville
Benjamin Dispair
in the State of South Carolina
(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? 76 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
2
3
ab
out the period of the battle
Gifford
Drafted
In 1780
Period.
Vol
Years,
Duration of Service.
Months,
5
F.
Days.
Rank.
As a
┃ private
┃ private
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen Rutherford, Butler
┃ Cap. Hide
to
5. In what battles was he engaged? none some Sunnish
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? at County N. Carolina
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
mentioned.
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
Rights
Examining Clerk.
Page 15

January 19, 1940

Benjamin Dispain
W. 8670
BA-J/MLB

Mrs. Gertrude Knapp
956 Sacramento
San Francisco, California 

Dear Madam:
The data which follow in regard to Benjamin Dispain were obtained from the papers in the claims for pension under File No. W. 8670, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Benjamin Dispain was born in Warren County, North Carolina, in 1757; the names of his parents are not shown.

While residing in Granville County, North Carolina, Benjamin Dispain enlisted about a year before the battle of Guilford, served at different times two tours, one of five months and the other of three months, as private in Captain A. High's or Hyde's North Carolina company, under Generals Rutherford and Butler, was in some skirmishes with the Tories and was discharged sometime after the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.

The soldier was allowed pension on hos application executed October 9, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Greenville District, South Carolina. He died there June 24, 1838.

Benjamin Dispain married December 26, 1786, on the top of Flour Gap Mountain in Henry County, Virginia, Lucy ____. Her maiden name, date and place of her birth and names of her parents were not given. It was stated that "Lucy and Benjamin Dispain lived when young and at the time of their marriage in Henry County in Virginia and Surry County, North Carolina.

Lucy Dispain was allowed pension on account of the service of her husband, Benjamin, on her application executed April 24, 1945, at which time she was aged eighty - five years and living about twenty - one miles from the Court House in Greenville District, South Carolina. Her application was executed, however, in Pickens District, as her place of residence was within one mile of the Pickens line and more convenient for her. She died March 22, 1851.
Page 16

were not stated.
Benjamin Dispain and his wife, Lucy, had two children, both sons,
the older of whom was born in August, 1797. The names of children
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension and name
and address of the person paid in the case of Lucy Dispain, soldier's
widow, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Account
ing Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Lucy Dispain, widow of Benjamin, certificate 314, issued December 6,
1851, rate $26.66 per annum, commenced March 4, 1848, Act of February
8, 1843, South Carolina Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 17

Mrs. Gertrude Knapp
956 Sacramento
San Francisco, California
Dear Madam:
January 19, 1940
XXXXXXX
BA-J/AMP: M.B.
X
records of all other soldiers with that surname, also, Spain, etc.
found on the records of this office.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and
the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such
information, it is impossible to make for one person or organize
tion a series of investigations and reports. The record of a
Benjamin Dispain is furnished you herewith which, it is hoped,
Reference is made to your letter in which you express approciation
for the record of Peter De Spain (S. 1589) which was
furnished you, and in which you request the Revolutionary War
will aid you in part in your research.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 18

12397
Lucy Dispain
S.C.
7 July 1838
J L. Orr
Page 19

San Francisco 
956 Sacramento
Jan 12, 1940
U.S. Veteran's Adm.
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir;
Thank you very much for the information on B.A. -J-ady Peter Despain S.14559 - would you kindly make a definite search in you records of pensions bearing the surname Despain (in its various forms of spelling) - Spane, Spain, Despagine. D'Espinay or d'Espagne - and send me copies of some - 6 cent air mail [ILLEGIBLE] addressed attached
Thanking you, 
Very truly yours.
Mrs. Gertrude Knapp -
Page 20

1940, Jan 19 - Dist to Mrs. Gertrude Knapp
WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 8670
Lucy Dispain 
Wid
Benjamin Dispain 
Privt Rev. War
Act: February 2 1848
Index :- Vol. A, Page 183
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 21

9.112
South Carolina
Lucy Dispain
widow of Benjamin
who was a private
in the Revolution 
Inscribed on the roll at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Dec/85
and sent to I. Lumpkin [ILLEGIBLE]
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book a
Vol. 2 Page 165
Page 22

Lucy Dispairwid
of Benjamin
S. C.
Set 7th July 1838
Thos Sumpkin, Oct 28/1857
me Nov 14, 1857
Page 23

State of Virginia
County of Henry ⎬
I Jeremiah Griggs Clerk of the County Court for the County and State
aforesaid do hereby certify that I have made diligent search in my office for
record evidence of the Marriage of Benjamin Despainto Lucyand

that
no such evidence can be found
Given under my hand and seal of office this 18 day of
August 1851 -
Griggs Ck
Page 24

Lucy Dispain 
wid of Benjamin 
S. G. 
Act 7 July 1838
$26.66 per annum from 24 June 1838 when her husband died.
Page 25

Lucy
No 12397
Dispain
Carolina
7 July 1838
Page 26

he
July
Washington D.C.
July 31 1857
Enclosed is a copy of a de
claration and proof & in the case of
Mrs Lucy Despain of S.C. widow of
Benjamin Dispain, who was a pension
or under act of 7th June, 1832
I am requested by Col. M. M. Norton
to ask for a reexamination of this
●
claim, believing fully
that it is
in every
particular established
according to
the spirit of the law of the
1838.
him very respy
Hon I
1
your all the
Th Lumpkin
Heath
Comm of Pensions
Page 27

satisfactory
Do
After being in the
August 2757
I have the honor to enclose
---
herewith the Clerk of Henry Co
a certificate, which I desire
to be filed in the case of my
Lucy
of
Dispain
1838
of Co
Benjamin Dispainandow

-
Act July 7th
1 ┃
Her husband was a pension
for eight
months service.
& rent
in the absence of record
evidenceof

marriage, that the parol evidence
filed in this
case, may
prove
Jane
1
very respy
the
Lumpkin
Hon J. E. Heath
Comm of Pensions
Page 28

act
Brief in the case of Lucy Dispain wit of Benj
County and State of South Carolina
7
July 18384 supplemental
the
Claim ("Original, or for increase.)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it document, traditory, or support at the
Husband was a pensioner at $26.66
per an: Evidence of Marriage had
tionary and ages of children
(If for increase.)
is a
Name and residence of Agent.
F. Lumpkin
Present,
F. F. Killy
Examining Clerk.
.
Page 29

Ann
1
House of Reps. 6th Jany 1851
I have the honor to request a reexamin
ation of the case of Mrs Lucy Despain
whose declaration for a pension for the
Revolutionary services of her husband is
now on file in your office, the case
was dispended in 1845 and having
no agent to look after her business the
herself being very old and infirm, it
has requained in that situation ever
Suice
You will please retain
me the case and report the result
to me at your earliest conven
end,
I have the honor to be
very respectfully June
of Ser
James, Lorn
Page 30

M. M
of
Norton
Dec 16.41
Page 31

26
Pension office, 165
Sir
The claim of Lucy Dispain for a pension
as the widow of Benjamin Disperit has been
examined & the papers filed
Her husband was pensioned for eight months
High or
serve in Cap Hides company under Genl
Rutherford, and three months under Genl
Butter. It should be shown by the certificate
of the Comptroller of the State of N. Carolina
whether this service is sustained or contracted
by the records in his office
is submitted
No record testimony to prove the date of
the marriage on oath. Before paral
testimony on this point can be received it must
be shown that no record evidence is attainable
Neither of the witnesses in this case prove the
relation of husband & wife to have existed
prior to Jany 1794 with the requisite cer
tainty -
Col. Miles M. Norton
Pickens C.H.
S. Carolina
Page 32

Pumpkintown S
May 11th
17
10th
M. M. Norton Esq
Pickens.
C
So. Ca
---
to
8
my
1
how in
of
Page 33

State of Southcarolina
Pickens District
Before me personally
appeared John Keith an old and Respetablecitizen

and made oath in due form of law
that he has been long acquainted with Mrs
Lucy Dispain for a great many years, and that
he also was well acquainted with her husband
Benjamin Dispain who was a Revolutionary
pensioner & Reputed to have been a Revolution
Soldier & that they were married when he
was a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years
old and that he is now seventy three years
old, & that said Lucy and Benjamin despair ┃
Liver when young & at the time of her Marrige ┃
in Henry County in Virginia & Surry County Northcarolina ┃
that he does not recollect the date of the marry
age that he was not at the Marriage but was
in the neighborhood and is as well convinced the
were legally married, as if he had been present
as it was so burently reported in the neighbornd at
---
the time & that he has not since herd it doubted and ┃
they lived together as such untill the death of the
old man which was some six or eight years ago, that the
said widow Lucy Dispoin now resides near him
in Greenwell District and has not married serve the ┃
Death of her said Husband Benjamin Dispoin that
She has allways been a good Corate he has no doubt
of the Corretents of her statements
this to the 1845 J.B. Reid M.S.D.
John Keith
Page 34

South Carolina ⎬ The Revd David Blythe, who is
Pickens District an intelligent & highly respectable city
minister of the Baptist Church, a citizen of Greenville
District, came personally before me and made oath in due
form of law, that he is now about 60 years old, and
that ever since he was a small Boy large enough to go
to will, he has known Benjamin & Lucy Dispose of his
District and neighborhood, that the old man died several
years ago & this widow the said Lucy Despain yet lives was
him when he first knew them, about Forty odd
years
age they were living together as Husband & wife, and continued
to do so until the old mans death; they have two sons, one of
which appears to be near the age of deponent. He has
never heard the legality of their marriage doubted, and has no
doubted but they were married as the old lady state.
Sworn to 7th November 1845 before
David the
William D. Steele &
M. D.
South Carolina
Pickens District ⎬ Allen Keith who is a respectable and
truthful citizen of this District, came personally before
me and made oath in due form of law, that ever since his first
recollection, he has known Benjamin and Lucy Dispain, (and
he is now fifty five years old) to live together as husband & wife,
they lived in Greenville, not far from him, and the old man
died there a few years ago leaving his widow, who yet lives in
Greenville District, that he never heard it doubted but that
Page 35

they were lawfully married, and has no doubt but
that they were married at the time stated by the old
lady, as they have two sons, one of whom appears to
be within a few years of the age of deponent
Sworn
to 7th Novr 1848 before
Miles M. Norton, Not Pub &
Ex off M.P. D.
Allen Keith
I, William L. Keith Clerk of the Court of Pickens
District S. C. do certify, that J.B. Reid, William
D. Steele & Miles M. Norton are magistrate as the
foregoing, which are the true & genuine signatures
would indicate
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
ig
set my hand and affixed my seal of Office
this 8th November 1845
W. L. Keith
Clerk of the Court of
Pickens District
Sole
Page 36

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
Benjamin Dispanfarther
proof or explanation.
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
which require
Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
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? yes
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 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 37

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
tionary service?
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revoluyes

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
it?
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? Yes
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?
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?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?
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?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
year --
and --
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; Formonths
, anddays
, I served as a-
For months
days, I served as aand
for such service I claim a pension.
Page 38

8
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 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 objection
able. It must in every case be clearly shewn 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.
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
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.
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 39

Edward E.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
Page 40

Planters & Mechanics Bank of Joly
Charleston 27 March 1836
J.L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
⎬
I forward herewith
Voucher of Benjamin Despain a pensioner
under the act of 7 June 1832. upon which there
is two years pay due
I am respectfully
Your Obed Servant
Sannean
Pension Agent.
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11.215
South Carolina
Dispain
who died on the enjamin Dispain
Pakens Co in the State of So Ca
who was a private in the commanded
by Captain of the
commanded
byin

the Revolution
line for
Inscribed on the Roll of Charleston
at the rate of 26 Dollars 66
Conts
per annum, to commence on the 24th day of
March 6 June 1838,
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of
Decr 15
ensio
Lumpkin
Arrears to the 4th of
Present
Semi-annual allowance ending
(Relionry Clai
Act July 7, 1838.
Weightman
Page 305
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Copy
Declaration &c
Mr Lucy Dispo
8th Novr 1845.
in
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
of the 7th July 1838, entitled An act granting half pay
and Pensions to certain widows"" and the several act in
continuation thereof.
State of South Carolina
Pickens District
⎬ SS.
On this twenty fourth
day of April 1845 personally appeared before William D.
Steele Judge of the Court of Ordinary of the District and
State aforesaid, Mrs Lucy Dispani, (whom I certify is a
ble by age and infirmity to attend at Greenville Court House,
a distance of 21 miles, but living within about one mile
of the Pickens line, was able to get over there a resident ┃
of Greenville District S.C. aged as she believes Eighty
five 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 7th 1838 entitled "An act granting
half pay and pensions to certain widows"" and the several
acts in continuation thereof
That she is the widow of Benjamin Dispain who was a
private in the Militia of North Carolina, in the War of
the Revolution, thinks her said Husband resided in Granville
County N.C. when he entered the service, and that he
marched through both North & South Carolina, and that
he served under Capt. A. He, and Genl Butler, and
that he was part of the time drafted; but as she did not
then know him, and was not married to him until after
the war, she can only state what little she recollects
to have heard him say in after days, which, owing to
age and infirmity she recollects very little of, that her
said husband, the said Benjamin Dispain, made the necess
any proof of his service, or a part of them, and was
placed on the Pension List under the act of Congress
of the 7th June 1832, certificate now in her possession
numbered 12.308, and dated 20th April 1833, all of which
the refers to in the prosecution of her claim
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She further declares that she was married to the
said Benjamin Dispain on the twenty sixth day of
December (1786) one thousand seven hundred and eighty
six, on the top of Flore Gap Mountain, which she thinks
is in Henry County Virginia, that she does not recollect
the name of the Squire who married them, as he was a
Stranger to her and lived on the other side of the mountain
from where she lives, she does not know of any one living
that seen her married, as there was but two or three went
with them, but she thinks old Mr Keith or John Keith
of this District may recollect about the time it took place,
as they lived in the neighborhood, she had but two children
both sons, the oldest only forty seven years old last August ┃
but she recollects very well that he was born eleven years &
from December till August after their marriage, and by
these recollection she is able to come at the time of their
marriage, as she has no record of it; that her husband
the aforesaid Benjamin Dispain died on the twenty fourth
day of June 1838, that she was not married to him
prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took
place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred
and ninety four. viz. at the time above stated
Lucy
be
I
Dispoinmark

Sworn
to and subscribed on the day and year above
written before
William D. Steele Judge of the
Court of Ordinary for Pickens District S.C.
Then follows Clerks certificate-
State of South Carolina ⎬ Before me personally appeared John
Pickens District
Keith an old and respectable citizen
and made oath in due form of law that he has been long acquinted
with Mrs Lucy Dispain for a great many years and that he
as was well acquainted with her husband Benjamin Dispain who
a Revolutionary Pensioner & reputed to have been a Revolutionary
Soldier & that they were married when he was a boy of aBOUT
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fifteen or sixteen years old, and that he is now seventy three
years old & that said Lucy & Benjamin Dispair lived when
yours & at the time of their marriage in Henry County in Virgin
in Surry County North Carolina that he does not recollect
the date of their marriage, that he was not at their marriage
but was in the neighborhood and is as well convinced they were
legally married, as if he had been present as it was so cur
ently reported in the neighborhood at the time & that he has
not since heard it doubted & they lived together as such until
the death of the old man which was some six or eight years
that the said widow Lucy Dispain now resides near him
in Greenville District & has not married since the death of her
said husband Benjamin Dispain that she has always borne
a good caracter & he has no doubt of the correctness of her
statements
Sworn to before me this 10th May 1845
John Keith
J. B. Reid M. P. D.
South Carolina ⎬ The Revd David Blythe, who is an intelli
Pickens District gent & highly respectable minister of the Baptist
church, a citizen of Greenville District, came personally before
me and made oath in due form of law, that he is now about
60 years old, and that ever since he was a small boy large
to go to will, he has known Benjamin & Lucy Dispain of his
District neighborhood, that the old man died several years ago
his widow the said Lucy Dispone yet lives near him; when he
first herein them, about Forty odd years ago, they were being
together as husband & wife, and continued to do so until the old many
death, they have two sons, one of which appears to be near the
age of deponent. He has never heard the legality of their marriage
doubted, & has no doubt but they were married as the old lady state.
Sworn to 7 November 1845 before
William D. Steele A. & Ex. off. M. P. D.
David Blythe
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South Carolina Allen Keith who is a respectable & truthful
Pickens District
citizen of this District, came personally before
me and made oath in due form of law, that ever since his first
recollection, he has known Benjamin & Lucy Dispain, and he is
now fifty five years old) to live together as husband & wife, they
lived in Greenville not far from him, and the old man died
there a few years ago leaving his widow who yet lives in Green
will direct, that he never heard it doubted but that they were
lawfully married, and has no doubt but that they were married
at the time stated by the old lady, as they have two sons, one of
whom appears to be within a few years of the age of deponent
Sworn to 7th November 1845 before
Miles M. Norton Not. Pub. He off. M. P. D.
Allen Keith
The follows Clerks Certificate