Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 9447, Benjamin Fortner, New Jersey
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Service, New Jersey

Number W. 9447


Fortner, Benjamin 

Margaret
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5975
Pennsylvania
Benjamin Fortner 
of the State of Pennsylvania
who was a  Private in the Army commanded
by Captain Nice of the Regiment commanded 
by Col. Bale in the New Jersey 
line for 7 months Private.....$23.33

Dead, See letter to S. Harman , September 8,
1835-
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3699
Pennsylvania Phila.
Margaret Fortner decd
widow of
Benjamin Fortner
N. J.
who served in the Revolutionary war
as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 23 dollars, 33,
cents per annum, to commence on
the 3d February, 1853.
and end
16th April 1855
Certificate
of Pension issued
15th day of March 1856
and sent to 
J. S. Woods
Commissioner
Pa
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act 
February 3, 1853, Page 104 Vol. A

(upper right)
May 9, 1856
To W. Wirt
Page 4

Declaration of Benjamin Fortner
in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of
Congress passed June 7. 1832
State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County SS
On this day of
August Anno Domini one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable David Scott Esq. President, Charles D Shoemaker & Wm S. Ross Esquire Associates, Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania, now sitting being a Court of Record Benjamin Fortner a resident of Nescopeck  Township in the said County and State of Pennsylvania
aged seventy years, who being first duly sworn
according to Law doth on his oath make the following  in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States and served under the following named officers as herein stated to wit. In the year 1776
what was with the in the fall of the year the day, do not recollect,) think it was in October, I received a notice from a non commissioned officer of left William Nice Company of Militia in Knowlton Township Sussex County State of New Jersey to Join the day
or troops then stationed at Perth Amboy I according
by obeyed the call and march to Amboy under the command of Capt. William Hill where I served out my time of duty being one month, I think that Col. John Smith commanded our regiment ,
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`
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the Commander in Chief, and received orders to March to Millstone River under the  command of Maj. Spencer, from there we march to a place called Pluckeman when we arrived some time during the night and while we were cooking our suppers, (not having eat anything (  ) this day) we received  orders to pack up and March to Deal town, but owing to fatigue we did not move until the break of day -- which [ ] was reached about 9 o'clock. After which we marched to Morristown and reached there the same day when Col. Bott took the Command of our regiment from Morristown we marched to Springfield where we lay six day   Here General Lee received [ ]orders   [  ] to Passaic River, while lying at Passaic River our Picket garrisoned at Springfield was (done in) by a detachment of the British Army lying at New Brunswick of about 600 men which was a Smart? engagement in  which we were completely victorious driving the enemy before us and compelling them to take refuge with the main Army at New Brunswick   In this engagement Spencer had his horse shot under him and Capt. Kirkendall was wounded while in the act of firing his fuses after the engagement we resumed our former practice at the term of the engagement  Col. Bott, Maj Spencer, Col Smith and Major Gaskins (who was on foot for some reason which I have no knowledge of  were the principal office were the only ones I now recollect, and where any of them were regulars, I do not know. during the whole of this time I done the duties of an ensign in our
Page 7

company has been elected by the company on the day we mustered to fill a vacancy that occurredfrom Pasack River we marched to Morristown and our tour having expired being nine months we were discharged
and returned home.
Again in the year 1777, I performed another tour of duty under the command of Capt George Ribble, we [?] from [?] aforesaid to Elizabeth Town where we remained until the news of the
Surrender of Gen Burgoin reached us when
we were discharged and returned home I marched on this tour about the first of October
I think.  The officers of our company were
Capt Ribble, Local Brass, the other officers I do not recollect, I think that Col. Jacob West
commanded our Regiment on this tour but am
not certain-- Again during the month of
February I performed another tour of duty
under the same company officers and the
regiment commanded by the same Colonel
marching from Knowlton, to Elizabeth Town
where we [?] for one month, when we were discharged and returned home in this town I think was a substitute for Rudolph
Brugh of Knowlton [?]. 
Again, in the following year in the month of
November I went to a place called [?] near the mouth of the Neversink Creek on the Delaware as a substitute for a man who had become sick at that place, Capt George Ribble was the commander of the troops to which I joined, they were a sound
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for the inhabitants, apoint the incursion of the Indians - they had three stockades at this place, - Capt. Ribbles had the chief command - the Lieutenant name I do not recollect, the (unclear) was Joseph Hodge, I return home the latter part of December having been discharged. The name of the man for whom I said I couldn't at this time recollect as he was a stranger to me -
      Again in the year 1781, I performed a tour of duty of one month as a substitute for James Coddy of Knowlton aforsaid (sp) I (word unknown) at Morristown the fifth day of August 1781, in obedience to a call of Gen. Washington, who left us to (word unknown) the state of New Jersey, during his absence to the south where main army had gone, - to take Lord Cornwallis about the first of Sept I was discharged and returned home. I was attached to a Company commanded by Capt Britton, the other Company officers (illegible) I cannot recollect, I think that a (word unknown)  Miller from Trenton commanded the troops stationed at Morristown, during this month, here ended my services during the Revolutionary struggle, which amount in the whole to seven month actual service during the greater part of this time I suffered from fatigue hunger and thirst incident to the army and particulary during the tour in the month of December 1777, when my nation states was nearly overrun by the British troops. I was born in the Township of Amwell in Hunterdon County State of New Jersey in the 1758 on the twenty sixth day of June, I have no record of my age not do I know
Page 9

of any in existance but have kept my age as follows
when I was twelve years old I was put out to work
for five years which time served out and returned
to my fathers being 17 years old in June following
and in the same year 1775. I was enrolled in the
Militia about the same time that a British
and troops arrived at Boston and have from that
time kept my age from references to that event
I resided in Knowlton Township Sussex County
when I was first called into service whether
my father had reposed during the time he was
out at service, I continued to reside in said
Knowlton until the year 1801.
when I removed
to Mifflin Township then Northumberland County 
Penna where I resided until the spring of
1830 when I removed to Nescopeck Township
Luzerne County Penna where I now reside
When first called into service I think was not
bound to go by any classification, but went upon
the Call as before stated freely for the defence
of the rights of my country I was a substitute
as I have stated before in two cases, and during
two tours of duty my recollection of
the names of any regular officers that were
with the troops with whom I served is
very imperfect and I do not that such officers
were often with us, during the time in Dec.
1777. I remember to have seen, Genl Washington
General Putnam, Lord Sterling and a number
of the Staff whose names I cannot recollect
if I ever heard them.
I never received any
discharge whatever and I think some of the 
Soldiers in our [crossed out] the short tours that I performed
Page 10

received any as it was a matter we thought
little of, [rest of sentence crossed out]
I never
received a commission as Ensign as I was only
elected for the single tour of duty which
I have named,
I known to many persons in my present
neighborhood who can testify as to my
character for veracity and their belief of
my services as a revolution soldier,
to wit, Jacob Bittenben Esquire, Christian
Kunkell Esq, Revd Geo Lane, Samuel Harman
Esquire John T. Davis Esquire Samuel Herin
Esquire and an hundred other not necessary
to name. I do not know of any surviving witness to prove this [illegible] do hereby relinquish every claim
whatever 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
Sworn and Subscribed in open Court the day and
year aforesaid,
Benjmin Fortner
Henry Pettibone}
Proth}

Luzerne County ss
I George Lane a Clergyman residing
in the Borough of Berwick, and Jacob Bittenbender residing in the Township of Nescopeck
being first duly sworn were according to Law, do
certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin
Fortner who has subscribed and sworn to the
above declaration that we believe him to be
seventy four years of age, that he is reputed
and believed to in the neighbourhood where
he resides to have been a soldier of the
Page 11

revolution, and that we concur in that opinion,
We have also the fullest confidence in his character
for truth and veracity,
Sworn and Subscribed Jacob Bittenben
before me the 4th day Geo Lane
of August 1832
Christian Kunkel
Justice of the Peace
George Lane Sworn and subscribed 
before me this 6th day of August 1832
Christian Kunkel J. P.  
Luzerne County ss:
And the said Court do hereby declare
their opinion after the investigation of the matter
and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by
the War Department, that the above named applicant
was a revolutionary soldier and served as he
states and the court further certify that the Revd Geo.
Lane is a Clergyman resident in the Borough of
Borough of Berwick and that Jacob Bittenbender
resident of Nescopeck Township aforesaid, who have
signed the proceeding certificate, are reputable
persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
It is also the opinion of the Court that, it would
be inconvenient and expensive to produce the
said Geo Lane and Jacob Bittenben in Court
and that the said Christian Kunkell is know
to us as a Justice of the Peace in and for the
County of Luzerne and that [we have crossed  out] his hand
writing has been fully proved before this Court
Per Curiam
Attest
H Pettibone Proth.
Page 12

State of Pennsylvania,}
County of Columbia,} ss
 On this Sixth day of
November A.D. one thousand eight hundred and
fifty five, personally appeared before me, a Judge
of the Court for the County aforesaid, Frances Woods, a resident of Orangeville, in the County
aforesaid,
aged sixty three years, who, being
duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath
make the following declaration in order to obtain the
benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress
passed on the 3d February, 1853, granting pensions
to widows of persons who served during the 
Revolutionary war; that she is a daughter of Benjamin
Fortner, who was a pensioner under the act
of June 7th 1832, at the rate of $23.33 per annum,
and whose name was inscribed on the Penna
Roll; and further, that said pension was paid
to said Fortner up to the 4th March, 1835, and
that said Fortner died on the 11th July, 1835
leaving a widow who is also now deceased,
and that said widow never drew a pension
during her lifetime, all of which will
fully
appear upon reference to the records of the Pension Office
and now said Frances Woods further declares
that she and Mercy Frost are the only children
of said Benjamin Fortner, and of his widow,
Margaret Fortner; and that said Margaret
Fortner remained the widow of Benjamin Fortner
until the time of her death; that said Margaret
Fortner died on or about the sixteenth April A. D. one
thousand Eight hundred and fifty five
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and
year above written.
Frances her X mark Woods
L. B. Rupert Associate Judge
witness at signing
George Harman
Page 13

State of Pennsylvania, ⎬
County of Columbia, } ss
I, L. B. Rupert one 
of the
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said
County, do certify that on this day it was duly
proved before me, to my satisfaction, that the
identical Benjamin Porter, and Margaret Fortner
his widow, mentioned in the foregoing declaration
of Frances Woods, are both deceased; that said
Benjamin died on or about the 11th July, 1835.
and that his said widow died on or about
the Sixteenth day April 1855 and that she remained
the widow of said Benjamin Fortner until
her death, and that Frances Woods and
Mary Frost are the only children of said
Benjamine Fortner, and Margaret, his widow.
I further, certify that Frances Woods, who makes
the foregoing declaration, is incapable of appearing
before court by reason of bodily infirmity.
Witness my hand this sixth day of
November A.D. one thousand eight hundred
and fifty five,
L. B. Rupert
A I (maybe)

State of Pennsylvania}
Columbia County ss}
I Jacob Eyerly Prothonotary of the Court of Common
Pleas in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify
that Leonard B Rupert Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit & certificate was
taken was at that time and still is an acting Judge of the Courts of said County
duly Commissioned and sworn as such and to see of where Official acts as such due
faith and credit is and ought to be given as well
in Courts of Justice as elsewhere. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of the said Court at Bloomsburg the
Nineteenth day of November Eighteen 
hundred and fifty five
Jacob Eyerly Prothy
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No 5077
1 Feby 1833
[illegible] 16.
Hon'ble L. Dewent
No. Reps.
Page 232
Admitted
1 mo.
Private
$23.33
Page 15

BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Fortner
of Luzerne Co. in the State of Pennsylvania
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
Before a Court of Common Pleas
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 74 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
In 1776 Oct. he thinks|
" |
" Decr 1 |
1777 Oct. 1  |
" Feb. |
1779 Nov. |
1781 Aug 1 |
,
Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
1 mo |
1 mo |
1 mo |
time not stated |
1 mo |
1 mo |
1 mo |

Rank,
As a
Private |
" |
Ensign |
Private |
" |
" |
" |

Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt Wm Nice, Col. John Smith, Militia |
" Ribble, Lt. Brass |
" Kerkindall, Col. Bott |
" Ribble, |
"    "   |
"    "   |
" Britain |

5. In what battles was he engaged?
Springfield
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Knowlton Township, N.J.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
By traditionary evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
above mentioned.
Daniel Brown
Examining Clerk.
Page 16

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 
3--525
Ew
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., Mar 14, 1921
In reply to your request of
received
a statement of the military history of Benj. Fortner
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his & (or crossed out] his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
Fall 1776|
2 or 3 weeks later |
Dec. 1, 1776 |
Oct  1777 |
Feb. 1777 |
Nov. 1779 |
Aug. 5, 1781 |

LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
1 mo. |
1 mo. |
1 mo. |
1 mo. |
1 mo. |
1 mo. |
1 mo. |

RANK.
Pvt. |
[illegible]
Ensign |
Pvt. |
"  |
"  |
"  |

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Wm Nyce |
Geo. Ribble |
Sam'l Kirkendall |
Geo. Ribble  |
"   |
"   |
Britton |

COLONEL.
Jno Smith|
(check mark) |
Bott |
Jacob West |  
"   |
[check mark]

STATE.
NJ |

Battles engaged in, Brunswick
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Knowlton Twp. Sussex Co.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 6, 1832 Cl al
Residence at date of application, Nescopech Tp. Luzerne Co. Pa
Age at date of application, br 26 Jun 1758 Amwell Twp, Hunterdon Co., N.J. 
Remarks: He mar. in 1827 Margaret, he d. July 11, 1835 and
she d. Apl 16, 1855 His 2 daughters were then living. Francis Woods a res. 
of Orangeville Columbia Co. Pa ae 63 yrs. and Mercy Frost 
age and place of  res. not stated. No fur fam data. 
Respectfully,

6--2856 Commissioner.
Page 17

Free
Mifflinburg Pa
Scht. 8
Benj. Fortner
pa 20w
5975 1832
Hon J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D. C. 
mail
Page 18


Free
Mifflinburg Pa
Scht. 8
Benj Fortner
pa 20w
5975 1832
Hon. J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D. C.
mail
Page 19

MifflinVille Columbia County Pa
September 3. 1835
At the request of the Widow
Benjamin Fortner Late of this place, and a
Revolutionary Soldier who died on the 11
day of July last past, and a Unites States
Pensioner who was entitled to a
Pension of $23.33 per annum
the Widow is poor, and a few dollars
would be very exceptable to her
you will please to inform me what
Course to pursue in order to 
draw the amount due said Benjamin 
Fortner from the 4 day of March Last past.
I am yours respectfully
Samuel Harman
Mr J L Edwards
Page 20

Free [maybe]
Orangeville
[illegible] 29
Benjm Fortner
Pa. [illegible] 1832
To The Commissioner
of Pensions
Washington
D. C.
Page 21

Orangeville
[illegible 29]
Benjn Fortner
Pa. [illegible] 1832
Free [maybe]
To The Commissioner
of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 22

To the Commissioner]
of Pensions] 
Sir
Benjamin Fortner a
private in the army of the revolution, by a certificate
bearing date the 19th Feb. 1833, drew a pension
commencing on 4th March, 1831. This pension expired at his death, not have his heirs ever drawn
any thing. It is supposed that something in the
way of "Back-pay" is due the estate of said
Fortner, and it is the desire of the heirs to
have such information as may assist them
in the premises. Please inform as whether,
under the law as it now is, the heirs of
said Fortner are entitled to any thing,
especially of the back pay, and whether the
amt. drawn by him during his life time was all
to which he was entitled. An early answer
is respectfully solicited.
Yours &c
W. Wirt,
Orangeville,
Columbia Co.
Pa.
June 1855
Page 23

W
(round stamp)
BLOOMSBURG PA
APR 
4
Comsr of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington
D. C
Page 24

W
Margaret Fortner
Benjm Fortner

(round stamp)
[mostly illegible MAY 4]

Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington
D. C. 

[illegible on right edge]
Page 25

(round stamp)
[mostly illegible MAY 4]

W
Margaret Fortner
Benjm

Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington
D C.
Page 26

No. 6.191
Margaret Fortner
decd widow of Benjamin
Pa
J. S. Woods  81856
Jny 8 1856
Page 27

Treasury Department
Third Auditor's Office
July 7. 1855
Sir,
I herewith return to you the
papers in the case of Benjamin Fortner
of Pa. received from you under date
of the 6th Inst, and have to inform
you that it is on record in this Office
that his pension has been paid up to
4 March 1835.
I am, Sir, your
obedient Servant
Robt J Atkinson
Auditor
L. P. Waldo Esq.
Washington D.C.
Page 28

To the Commissioner
of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Page 29

Orrangeville, Columbia Co. Pa.
Dec. 18, 1855.
To the Commissioner
Sir;
I herewith transmit
the application of Frances Woods, asking
for the back pension due Benj Fortner &
Margaret his widow, at the time of their
death. The forms are drawn as we
understood the law; we trust they are
correct, and hope to have favorable
action without further trouble to the department. Please address all 
communication to me.
Resptfy
Yours
J. S. Woods.
Page 30

W. Wirt
Bloomsburg
Pa
Margaret Fortner
wid
Benjamin
2d Sec Feby 53 -- 5699
Widow of 
Benja Fortner
a Pensioner
Refrd to Mr McCrea
May 1 / 56
Gouley
R McRae
Page 31

Bloomsburg, Columbia Co. Pa
April 4, 1856
To the Commr of Pensions

Dear Sir:
In the matter
of the claim of the widow of Benjamine
Fortner a Pensioner of Penna, which claim
was allowed March 15th 1856 it strikes me
that the widow should have arrears,
from the time of her husband's death,
whereas, by the certificate she draws
only from 3d Feb. 1853.
Please review
the certificate and answer.
Resptfy yours
W. Wirt
Page 32

W. WIRT
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
BLOOMSBURG, COL. CO., PA
May 25th 1856.
To the Comr Pensions,
Sir-- In the matter of
the application of the children
of
Margaret
Fortner decd widow of
Benjamin Fortner dec'd late a 
pensioner of Penna for arrears.
Arrears, as you will be aware, were
granted. There are two children,
one of whom gave a power of Attorney
to the other to collect the claim.
This power of Attorney was sent to
your offices, where, I presume, it 
is useless. The child to whom
it was given now desires to collect
of the paying agt in Philada, Will
you do us the favor of sending back that
power of Attorney?
Yours Respectfully,
W. Wirt.
Page 33

Request complies
with
June 27 1836
Page 34

Brief in the case of Margaret Fortner decd widow of Benjamin
Columbia County and State of Penna
act 3 Feb 1853
Claim, ("original,") [or for increase" crossed out] 
Proof exhibited, (if original)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance, 
Her husband was pensioner under the Act of June 7 1832
at $23.33 a year
Marriage proved by witnesses who know of their living
together for many years as husband & wife
[If for increase. Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so what? all crossed out]
Cohabitation, general reputation of marriage,
the pensioner's death, his widow's death and the
identity of the applicants as their children
proved agreeably to our Regulations
Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk
Name and residence of Agent
J. S. Woods Esq
Orangeville
Pa
Page 35

Margaret Fortner
decd widow of Benjamin
Columbia
Co Penna
Adm 3 Feby 1853
$23.33 a year from
3 Feby 1853 to 16 April
1853, when she died
Pay to Francis Woods
& Mercy Frost and children
Power of Atty made by Mercy
Frost  to Frances Woods returned
to [illegible] list at Bloomsburgh Penna

Certh
J. S. Woods Esq
Orangeville
Columbia Co. Pa
Page 36

Rev. and 1812
War Section
RBL
February 17, 1930
Mrs. C. H. Danforth
104 Foxteth Street
Brookline, Massachusetts

Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim, W. 9447, it appears that Benjamin Fortner 
was born June 26, 1758, in Amwell Township, Hunterdon
County, New Jersey.
While residing in Knowlton Township, Sussex County,
New Jersey, he enlisted in October, 1776, and served at
various times until August, 1781, amounting in all to
seven months as a Private and Ensign under Captains William
Nyce, George Ribble, Samuel Kirkendall and Britton,
Colonels John Smith, Beott and Jacob West in the New Jersey
Troops. He was in the battle of Brunswick.
In 1801, he moved to Mifflin Township, Northumberland
County, Pennsylvania, where he resided until the spring of
1830 when he moved to Nescopeck township, Luzerne County,
Pennsylvania, of which place he was a resident when he was
allowed pension on his application executed August 6, 1832.
He married in 1827, Margaret, her maiden name not
stated.
The soldier died July 11, 1835, and his widow, Margaret,
died about April 16, 1855.
In 1855, two daughters, Frances Woods, aged sixty-
three years, a resident of Orangeville, Columbia County,
Pennsylvania, and Mercy Frost, age and residence not given,
were the only surviving children of Benjamin and Margarte
Fortner.
Page 37

The above is the history of the only soldier named
Benjamin Fortner found on the Revolutionary War records
of this bureau.
Very truly yours
EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.
Page 38


104 Toxteth Street,
Brookline, Max
Jan. 3, 1930
(stamped)
U.S. 
PENSION 
OFFICE
JAN 
6
1930
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly give me the
pension records of the following Revolutionary
soldiers?
1. William Moore, born in East Nottingham.
Feb. 13, 1758, died in 1822 in Luzerne Co. Pa
Married Dorcas Carr, was the son of Sampson
Moore of Cecil Co. Maryland, said to have been
an officer, & had two brothers in the war also-
Probably (?) served from Maryland, but perhaps
from Penna.
2. Valentine Santee, born 1740, died 1808. Two
wives, Margaret Funston? Mary Craig, Son of
Captain John Santee of Northampton Co., Penna
militia: Probably served from Penna
3. Benjamin Fortner, son of Benjamin Fortner,
Married Isabella Douglas, Lived in Amwell, Hunterdon Co
New Jersey
Any information in regard to these
men will be very much appreciated.
Yours truly,
Mrs. C. H. Danforth
Page 39

ORD
PD
WAR DEPARTMENT.
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, 
March 3, 1921.
Respectfully returned to
Dr. John B. Garrison,
616 Madison Ave., Cor. 58th St.
New York, N. Y.
The Revolutionary War
records on file in this office
are all of a purely military
character and furnish no information
relative to the family
history or relationships of
soldiers who served in that war.
It is suggested that if the
widow of Benjamin Fortner received
a pension, the information 
desired can doubtless be obtained
from the Commissioner of
Pensions, Washington, D. C.
P.C. Harris
The Adjutant General.
P
Will the Comm. of Pensions
Kindly give me information
required in my letter attached?
John B. Garrison
3/7/21

Form No. 74--A.G.O.
Ed Jan 14 21--50,000
Page 40

DR. JOHN B. GARRISON
616 MADISON AVE., COR. 58TH ST.
NEW YORK
CONSULTATION Hours:
DEPARTMENT OF WAR.
Washington, D. C.
I am 
John B. Garrison, son of
Peter S. Garrison (and Hannah D. Boggs,) son of
John R. P. Garrison, (and Johanna Sutphin) son of
William Garrison, (and Ose Roberts,) son of
William Garrison, (and Abigail Fortner) daughter of
Benjamin Fortner, (and Isabella Douglas?)
In application for membership in the Society of the
Sons of the Revolution in New Jersey, the maiden name of the
wife of the ancestor from whom I trace my Revolutionary lineage 
is required. I trust that your department may
be able to furnish what I need.
Benjamin Fortner, my great-great-great grand-father,
served in the New Jersey militia in Sussex County during the
War of the Revolution as a private and his widow received a
pension as I am told. I do not know the date of his death.
I shall be glad if you can give me the details of
which I stand in need.
I wrote you once before I think but probably the
letter was never forwarded.
Very truly yours,
John B. Garrison.
RECD O. R. DIV
FEB  23 1921
(stamp lower right)
U. S.
PENSION
OFFICE
MAR 
8 
1921
Page 41

CONSULTATION HOURS:
10 To 12.30

DR. JOHN B. GARRISON
616 MADISON AVE., COR. 58TH ST.
NEW YORK
Rev [illegible]
February 4 1921.
DEPARTMENT OF WAR,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:
I desire information as to maiden name of the widow
of Benjamin Fortner, (Widow No. 9447).
Benjamin Fortner was my great-great-great-grandfather. He served in the Revolutionary war from October 1776
to August 1781 in the Sussex County New Jersey Militia. He
was born
in 1758 and resided at Knowlton, Sussex County, N. J.
and died in Luzerne County, Pa., place not known, July 11
1835,
I am anxious to know the maiden name of my great-great
great grandmother and whatever as to her birthplace
and age and any other data which you may possess concerning
her.
Very sincerely
John B. Garrison, M.D. 

(stamp lower right)
U.S.
PENSION 
OFFICE
FEB 
5
1921
Page 42

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 9447
Margaret Fortner
Wid
Benjamin Fortner
Privt Rev War
---
Act: Feby 1832
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 246
Arrangement of 1870.]

1921, Mar 14 Hist to Dr. Jno.
B. Garrison 
1930, Feb 17-Hist. to Mrs
C.H. Danforth EEt
Page 43

Orangeville
July 23d
Benjamin Fortner
Pa 1832
Comissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington
D.C.
Page 44

Orangeville
July 23d 
Benjamin Fortner 
Pa 1832

Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington 
D. C.
Page 45

To the commissioner}
of Pensions}
Sir;
In reply to your 
favor of the 11th inst, respecting the claim
of the heirs of Benj. Fortner decd, a revolutionary
soldier, and who was inscribed on the Pension
Roll under the act of June 7th 1832, I have
to say that his widow died on the 8th of April
last, and that she was married to Fortner
sometime in the year 1827. You will please
remember that in your letter of the 11th you
said that if I would inform you when she
died, and when she was married, you could
State whether there were arrears of pension due
at her death? Please give me this information
at your convenience. If in accordance
with the rules of the Office, I desire to be
informed whether Fortner's pension was not rated
to law, ($23.33 per annum,) and if so, whether
his heirs are entitled to the additional
pension which may be allowed him.
I certainly do not wish to trouble the office
with improper or unnecessary questions, or
communications, and it is only for want of access
to the sources of information that I have ventured
Page 46

this last Were I possessed of a proper synopsis of
the pension laws I might save the office some unnecessary
trouble. Does the office furnish applicants with
any thing of the kind, and, if so, will you favor
me with a copy?
Most respectfully
Your Obdt Servant
W. Wirt
Orangeville,
Columbia Co.
July 23d 1855
Page 47

In the matter of the application of the children
of Margaret Fortner decd widow of Benjamin
Fortner of Pa. for arrears of pension due said
widow
State of Pennsylvania}
County of Columbia} ss

On this thirteenth day of
February A. D. one thousand eight hundred and
fifty six, personally appeared before me, a
Justice of the peace within and for the County
and State aforesaid,
Amos F. Creasy
who being duly sworn according to law
do depose and say that he knew Benjamin
Fortner and Margaret his widow in their life
time, and that it was the universal understanding
in the neighborhood that they were married to
each other; and that Frances Woods and
Mercy Frost are the only children of said
Benjamin Fortner and Margaret his widow,
now living
A F Casey

Sworn to and subscribed before me the
day and year above written and I certify
that I know the affiant to be a credible
person; and that I have no interest in this
claim
James Jacoby A Justice of the peace
Page 48

State of Pennsylvania ⎬
Columbia County} ss.
I Jacob Eyerly Prothonotary of the
Court of Common Pleas in and for
the County aforesaid do hereby certify
that James Jacoby before whom the
foregoing affidavit was taken was
at that time and still is an acting
Justice of the Peace in and for
the County aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn
as such and to all of whose official acts as such
due faith and credit is and ought to be given
as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere, and that 
the foregoing signature purporting to be his is
genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name and affixed the seal of
said Court at Bloomsburg in said County on this
seventh day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred
and fifty six
Jacob Eyerly Prothy
Page 49

Luzerne County SS.
I Henry Pettibone Prothonotary
of the Court of Common Pleas
in and for the County of Luzerne
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said
Court in the matter of the application of
Benjamin Fortner for a Pension in
Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and the seal of said Court the
eighteenth day of August A.D. 1832
Henry Pettibone 
Proth

Luzerne County SS.
on this third day of August 1832 Before me
Christian Kunkell one of the Justices of the Peace in
and for the County of Luzerne Personally came
Emanuel Kirkendoll who after being first duly
sworn according to law doth depose and say that
to the best of his knowledge he is about sixty seven
years old, that he is the nephew of Capt Samuel
Kirkendall mentioned by the above named applicant
as his Captain, that he has heard his uncle Capt Kirkendoll
relate the circumstances of the Battle as related
by the said Fortner and particularly about the wording
in the hand which [illegible] I have often seen upon my
uncle's hand and I have a distinct recollection
Page 50

of Benjamin Fortner performing at least two
tours during the war I was living in the same
Neighborhood, to wit Knowlton Township Sussex County
N. Jersey and I have the fullest confidence in his
the said Benjamins Character for truth and veracity
and fully believe his statement,
Emanuel Kirkendall
Sworn and subscribed
before me the day
and year above written
Christian Kunckel J. P.

Luzerne County SS
I Isaac Bowman Recorder of the County
of Luzerne do certify that Christian
Kunkel Esq is a Justice of the Peace
in and for the County of Luzerne and
that his name affixed to the foregoing
affidavit is in his own hand writing
and that full faith and credit are
due to his acts
In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
seal of office at Wilkesbarre 
the 15th day of August
A.D. 1832