Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12201, David Bennett, Conn
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Service Conn.
Bennett, David
Number S.12201
Contents [empty]
carded
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[Illegible]
to ... July 1839
to ALbany N.Y. from 4th March 1839. 16 Aug 1839. 
... to a Ely 
Watter New York 

#8732
[Illegible]
David Bennett
Page ... in the State of New York
who was a private in the ... commanded
by Captain Richard of the ...; commanded
by ... in the ...
... for 24 ...
New York Albany
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per an...
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of April
1833 and ... to
Gar... Lawrence ...
... to the 4th of ... 1833 $160.00
Semi-ani. allowance ending 4 September $40.00
$200.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Reported by W.L. William Clerk
Book ... Vol. 4 Page 43
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of [illegible] paper from 7-1832
At a court of [illegible] held in [illegible] for the State of New York now seting [setting] at Onondaga present Samuel [illegible] Vice Chancellor of the seventh circuit of the State of New York
State of New York Onondaga County
p. on this 25th day of September in the year 1832 personally appeared in open court before the said Vice Chancellor, David Bennett of the town of Cicero in said county aged 69 years, who being first sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein state:
That he enlisted into the Connecticut State Troops at Stonington [illegible], in the year 1779 and joined the troops at Fort [illegible] in the spring of the year and served one year as a soldier in the artillery, under Captain William Lathern, Lieu [illegible] and [illegible]. [illegible] that he was frequently called out on [illegible] to prevent the British from landing. He thinks his term expired the 3rd day of April 1780. And some time after and the same year that Maj Andre was hung, he volunteered at Stonington for six months under Captain Richards and joined the company at Nelsons Point [illegible] then 3 or 4 weeks then [illegible] into New Jersey at Stonny
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Point and served in Col. Starrs regiment in General Washington's Brigade, that he was at [illegible] saw Maj Andre hung was on guard area [illegible], was in several skirmishes; his term expired and he returned home.
And that after his return home he lived within about ten miles of Fort Griswold that he thinks in the year 1787 the British landed and took the fort, when the [illegible] command he heard the firing he caught his gun and run to help but the Fort had surrendered just before he [illegible]. The British had set the barracks on fire and [illegible] just leaving. That he with some others put out the fire and saved the barracks and magazines.
That shortly after his brother Aaron Bennett was drafted to serve in the Fort Griswold in the militia for two months, and that he went as s substitute and served the time for him and that after he arrived at the Fort, he was attached to the artillery company, the same that he had formerly served in and that he is now unable to state the names of any of the officers at that time.
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[crossed out text]
and that after that one Thomas Smith was drafted to serve at the said Fort two months and that he went as a substitute for him and served the two months for the said Smith at Fort Griswold which was the terms that each malitia [militia] man that was drafted had to serve at the Fort.
And that after that he was drafted in the Militia and served under one Captain Hollum and was ordered to guard the shore between Stonington and New London and that he served his time out which was two months.
And that he cannot recollect the name of the officers on duty any more fully than is [illegible] set forth. That he has had a hurt on his head which has much impaired his memory. And he cannot state the date of the years that he did the duty.
That he never had any written discharge except the six months that he served in Washingtons company that he [illegible] a written discharge from Col Starr in New Jersey but it was destroyed after he got home.
That he has no documentary evidence of his said service and that he does not now know of any person by whom he can prove the service that he was born in Stonington aforesaid in the year 1763 that he has a [illegible] of his age in his bible at home. That he has lived in this county only about one year and is but a little acquainted except with Gordon Bennett and Norris Bennett
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who are some of him, the said applicant. The hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
David Bennett
Sworn this 25th Sept. 1822 Daniel Moseley Circuit Judge and Vice Chancellor
We Gordon Bennett and Noyes [Norris] Bennett reside in the town of Cicero in the county of Onondaga, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Bennett and are sons of him the said David and have frequently heard him in times previous heard him tell his story of his said services in the revolution and it was generally understood and believed in the neighborhood where he resided in Cayuga County previous to his residence in Onondaga County that he was a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion.
Gordon Bennett
Nays [Norris] Bennett
Sworn to this 25th Sept 1832 
Daniel Moseley
Circuit Judge
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David Bennett
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And the said court do hereby declare this opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogation prescribed by the Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served the states - And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Gordon Bennett who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident of the town on Cicero and that Noyes Bennett who has also signed the same is a resident of the aforesaid town and are both credible person and that this statement is entitled to credit.
Daniel Moseley
Vice Chancellor
I David Moseley Deputy Clerk of the Court of [illegible] of the seventh circuit for the state of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of David Bennett for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty fifth day of September one thousand eight hundred and ninety two.
David Moseley
Deputy Clerk
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David Bennett
Return Annual
admitted
24 mon private
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State of New York
Onondaga County
p. Benjamin F Williams of the town of Salina in said county being duly sworn doth on his oath say that he is thirty six years of age and that he was born in Stonington Connecticut and lived there until he was about twenty one years of age, that he knows David Bennett of the town of Cicero and knew the family in Stonington aforesaid and he has while living in Stonington frequently heard said Bennett spoken of as being a soldier in the Revolution that he is acquainted with the tradition of the militia movements at Fort Griswold set forth by said Bennett in his declaration hereto annexed and that he has frequently seen Captain Hollum and also William [illegible] mention in said declaration.
B. F. Williams
Subscribed and sworn this 28th day of September 832 before me R S Heff Clerk of Onondaga County
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I do hereby certify that I am personally 
acquainted with
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State of New York
Onondaga County p. On this 22 day of January in the year 1838 before me [illegible] Clerk of [crossed out text] the county a foresaid appeared David Bennett who being by me duly sworn doth on his oath says that he is the identical person who subscribed and swore the declaration to which this is attached. That the reason that he did not procure the testimony of a clergyman at the time of making the said declaration was that there was none in the vicinity where he resides that he is acquainted with, and none who is well acquainted with him and the tradition of his said services as and those testimony of Gordon Bennett and Noys Bennett, and also the affidavit of Benjamin F Williams which was annexed. And he further saith that the first of his said services mentioned in his said declaration was at Fort Griswold as a private soldier under Captain William Latham. And he further saith that the second period of his said services mentioned in his said declaration was under one Captain Richards. And that the third period of his said services was as a substitute for his Brother Aaron Bennett at Fort Griswold aforesaid. That he was attached to the artillery company at the Fort under the command of Captain William Latham aforesaid, he thinks, and that the first Lieutenants name was Henry [illegible] and the second Lieutenants name was Amos Gallup. That the fourth period
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of his said services was at said Fort Griswold as a substitute for one Thomas Smith who was drafted and that he was attached to the artillery company aforesaid under Capt. William Latham, and he thinks the same Lieutenants last above mentioned and that the fifth term of his said services he was drafted and was placed under the command of one Captain Hollum and that by reason of old age and infirmity and consequent loss of memory, he cannot recollect so as to swear to the names of the officers at all times under who he served, or particular times of year but according to his best recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades, first from April 1779 to April 1780. One year as a private soldier, That in the summer and fall of 1780 he served as a private soldier six months. That in the fall and winter of the year 1781, he served as a private soldier for two months, That in the winter of 1782 he served as a private soldier two months, That in the spring or summer of the year 1782 he served as a private soldier two months more. That he is not positive as to the time of the year, but he knows he did the services above stated for which he claims a pension.
David Bennett
Subscribed and sworn this 22 day of January 1833 before me R.S. Hess Clerk of Onondaga County
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No. 11872
David Bennett
admitted
24 mo. private
6.11.17.16
4 January 1833
Gardner Lawrence
Syracuse NY
P-192
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No. 11872
BRIEF in the case of David Bennett of Cicero of Onondaga County in the State of New York (Act 7th June, 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? [handwritten] Before court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? [handwritten] Sixty-nine years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period 
Enlisted in the Spring of the year in 1779
Sometime after the same year that Major Andre was hung (1780)
1781 his brother Aaron was drafted, applicant went for 
After this, went for Thomas Smith (drafted)
After this was drafted
 Duration of Service
1 year
6 months
2 months
2 months
2 months
Rank
As a private
ditto
Substitute
ditto
private
Gen.
Major Ledyard, Captain
William Latham, Lieut.
Ledyard, Connecticut State Troops
Capt. [illegible], Col [illegible]
Genl Marshal Brigade 
does not recollect the officers
ditto
ditto
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? [handwritten] Stonington Connecticut
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? [handwritten] By traditionary evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? [handwritten] no [illegible]
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
Chas. G. [illegible] Examining Clerk
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Application for a Transfer
State of Connecticut
County of New London ss. Groton
On this sixth day of March 1839, before me, the subscriber, a [crossed out] Justice of the Peace [end cross out] (Notary Public) for the said David Bennett [crossed out] County [end cross out] State of Connecticut personally appeared who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain William Latham in the Regiment commanded by Colonel or Major Ledyard in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of New York from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State of Connecticut where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be payable, in future. The follow are his reasons for removing from Cicero in Onondaga County New York State to Groton in the County of New London and State of Connecticut by that he formerly resided in said New London County and that his friends and relatives now reside there with whom he intends to live.
David Bennett
Sworn and subscribed to before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Samuel W Wood
Notary Public

The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath, is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.
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 be sent with the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers - In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officers who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small 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.
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O. W. & N. Div.
L. W. B.
I. 12201
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.
December 28th, 1896.

Sir:-
Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of David Bennett, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that he made an application for pension on September 25th, 1832, at which time he was 69 years of age and residing at Cicero, N.Y., and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a private in the Conn. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Richards and Col. Starr. He enlisted at Stonington, Conn.
It is alleged, in his application for pension, that he was on guard over Maj. Andre and saw him hung.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner
Mr. John R Bennett
Janesville, Wisconsin.
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I Elias A Miner of Groton in the County of New London and the State of Connecticut aged thirty three years being duly cautioned and sworn do depose testify and say that I am personally acquainted with David Bennett late of Onondaga County and State of New York but now of Groton in the County of New London and State of Connecticut and know him to be the same person mentioned in a certificate in his possession by which he is entitled to eighty dollars per annum and dated 27 day of April 1833 and signed by Lewis Cass Secretary of War and examined and countersigned by L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.
Elias A Miner
State of Connecticut
New London County ss.
Be it known that in the 6th day of March 1837 before the subscriber a Notary Public within and for the State of Connecticut aforesaid personally appeared Elias A Miner above named and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed and I certify that said Miner is a person of veracity.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal
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State of Connecticut
New London County ss: Probate District of Norwich
I James Holbrook Clerk of the Court of Probate for said District of Norwich do hereby certify that Samuel [illegible] Wood is a Notary Public within and for the State of Connecticut aforesaid and that his signature written to the application of David Bennett for a transfer from the New York to the Connecticut Agency and hereto annexed is his genuine signature and that his signature written to the certificate annexed to the deposition of Elias A Miner within written, is his, the said Woods [Wood's], genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 7th day of March 1837
James Holbrook, Clerk
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Application
David Bennett
for a transfer for [illegible] New York Albany
[illegible]
omit
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State of New York
Jefferson County ss:
On this 3rd day of July 1839 before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Jefferson personally appeared David Bennett who, on his oath declared that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain William Latham Col. Ledyard's Regt in the service of the United States, that his name was placed on the pension call of the state of New York and afterwards transferred to that of Connecticut from where he has lately removed; that he now resides in Jefferson County New York where he intends to remain and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Connecticut to Hounsfield at Jefferson County New York - That his son Daniel Bennett lives in town of Hounsfield and by his invitation and a decision to live with his son the remainder of his life is the reason for removing from Connecticut.
David Bennett
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid
Perley G Keyes Justice Peace
State of New York, Jefferson County ss: Daniel Bennett being duly sworn says that David Bennett who has signed the above affidavit is the same David Bennett to whom Pension Certificate No. 8732 dated April 27, 1833 was granted and is still in his pension and is the identical pension he describes himself to be.
Daniel Bennett
Sworn and subscribed to before me the 3rd day of July 1839
Perley G Keyes Justice Peace
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I certify that Daniel Bennett one of the
foregoing affiant is a credible person
Perley G. Keyes Justice Peace

State of New York
Jefferson County Clerks Office
I Peleg Burchard Clerk of
said County do certify that
P. G. Keyes Esquire before whom the annexed affidavits
were sworn was at the date thereof a Justice of the peace
in and for said County and that I am acquainted with
his hand writing and verily believe his signature to the same
above written to be genuine. Witness my hand & seal of Office July 6. 1839
P. Burchard Clerk
-
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Centre Groton
Ct Feby 22
FREE
N C
J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
[written on side] 27 Feb
David Bennet
App for transfer
Burdine
[written upside down] David Bennett
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[illegible] Groton Feb 21 1807
To J L Edwards [illegible] Commissioner of Pensions
Sir 
The undersign David Bennett respectfully represents that he is a pensioner of the United States on the role of the New York Agency at the rate of eighty dollars per annum that his certificate is dated 27 April 1833 and signed by Lewis Cass Secretary of War that he resides in the Town of Cicero in the County of Onondaga State of New York until the 14th of November 1836 - Now resides in the Town of Groton County of New London State of Connecticut - He would therefore respectfully request that his name may be transferred from the New York Agency to the Connecticut Agency
Yours Respectfully
David Bennett
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David Bennett
Albany to Connt [Connecticut]
[illegible] to 4 Sept 1836
see file Soloman Schen
No. 29,826 for Albany to Connt
Hon. James S Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
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Ledyard Connecticut
March 9th 1837
Sir, 
Herewith enclosed you have the application of David Bennett for a transfer from the New York to the Connecticut agency.
I would thank you to attend to the same and forward me returns as soon as may be convenient.
I have the honor to be very respectfully your most [illegible] humble servant.
Samuel W Wood
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Aug 13
[illegible]
J.L.Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
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Watertown New York Aug 7, 1839
Sir
On the 5 day of July last I forwarded to you the application of David Bennett a pensioner under the Act of '32 on the rolls of the Connecticut Agency, for a transfer to the Albany agency. Not having recd [received] any answer to his application I beg [illegible] of you if [illegible] him and his application and whether it will be [illegible] in time for him to receive his next payment in Albany.
Respectfully [illegible]
[illegible] Esq
J.L. Edward Esq
Com [Commissioner] of Pensions
Washington
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July 22
J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
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Pension Agency
Hartford July 18, 1839
Sir -
In answer to your enquiry as to what time David Bennett a pensioner on the roll of this Agency under the Act of 9 June 1832 at $80 per annum was last paid I have to inform you that he has been paid to the 4th March 1839.
I am very respectfully your ob [obedient] servant
J.L. [illegible]
Agent
J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
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Watertown NY July 6 1839
Sir
I send to you [illegible] application of David Bennett for a transfer
Your ob [obedient] servant
[illegible] Esq
J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
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[illegible]
12.201
Invalid
File No. 12,201
David Bennett
Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: - Vol. [illegible], Page: 30
[Arrangement of 1870]
Dec 28 96 History to Jno [John] Bennett
Janesville Wis [Wisconsin]
[illegible]
1939 [illegible] 6 photos mailed to [illegible] J.C. Wright [illegible]
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[rectangular stamp] OLD WAR & NAVY
DEC 14 1896
[illegible]
[round stamp]
PENSION OFFICE U.S. H DEC 11 1896
[RECTANGUALR STAMP] [illegible]
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Janesville Wis Dec 9, 1896
Pension Department
of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
I am a grandson of David Bennett who was a revolutionary soldier from Connecticut and I want a copy of his pension certificate. [illegible] certain who is capt and colonel were and in what company he served. I know my grandfather very well and know he was pensioned as a soldier of the Revolution. Any expense you are put to I will cheerfully pay.
Truly and [illegible]
John R Bennett
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March 6, 1939
BA-J/MCS
Samuel Bannet, S.15747
David Bennett, S.12201

Mr. J.C. Wright
5624 Western Avenue
Chevy Chase, Maryland
Dear Sir:
You are furnished herewith, as requested, photostatic copy of one page pf the original thereof on file in the claim for pension, S.15747, of Samuel Bannet or Bennet based upon his service in the Revolutionary War, and the abstract from the papers in the whole claim, also photostatic copies of twelve pages of the originals thereof on file in the claim for pension, S.12201, based upon the service of David Bennett in that war.
Very truly yours,
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator
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#542
Rev. & 1812
BA-J/MCS
Feb. 25, 1939
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
War & Navy 970
XXXXXXXXXXX
Rev. War pension claim, David Bennett, S.12201, 8 1/2 x 11 inches one of each page
[handwritten]
List soldier's ded. dated Sept 25, 1832 = 4 pp [pages] Affids of Daniel Moseley Sept 25, 1832 = 1 p, Affid of B.F. Williams, Sept 28, 1832 and reverse side = 2 pp Sol's affid Jan 22, 1833 = 2 p Sol's request of sol. for transfer dated Feb 21, 1837 = 1 p Sol's request for transfer to Jeff. Co. [Jefferson County] NY dated July 3, 1839 and reverse side = 2 pp
[end hendwritten section]
to $3.00 twelve pages
XXXXXXX uniform size 8 1/2 x 11 inches.
Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2 inches at top of each page and return papers in each case in folder with corresponding name and number. The word omit is written in pencil on those pages which are not to be copied.
Chief of Rev. & 1812 Wars Sect.