Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4728, Benjamin Hassell, N.C.
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N.C.    Hassell, Benjamin    R.4728
                          Mary
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State of Illinois Jefferson County: SS 
On this first day of July 1847 before the subscriber Abner Esters one of the Judges of the County Commissioners Court in and for said County personally appeared Mary Hassell a resident of said County aged eighty-three years old the 8th of next December who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the acts of Congress passed July 7, 1838, March 3 1843, and June the 17 1844 granting pensions in half pay to certain widows, that she is the widow of Benjamin Hassell a private soldier in the Army of the revolution and served in the whole three years or upwards, that he entered the Army as near as she can remember sometime in the year 1777 in the latter part of that year he left Tyrrel County  North Carolina when he joined the Army and his first tower (sic) of service he went as a nine months men whether it was by enlistment or not I can hardly tell but I believe he volunteered on the first occasion.  I think he then took other men's places at least he never came from the Army until he served three 
years he then came home with a parole from the British after being taken prisoner at the taking of Charlestown he then took the place of William Phelps of Tyrrell County North Carolina on that trip he was under Captain Richard Howett can't remember any other officers that he was under during the war have seen the parole and kept it in my possession for a long time, he was in the battle of Gilfort (sic) Court house he took me there after we were married and showed me that timber that was shot in time of the battle, he received two wounds during the war,
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once he was stabbed by a bayonet in the breast and cut a most powerful slice in the flesh at another time he was shot in the leg and was in the ospitle (sic) at Charlestown when he was taken prisoner by the British in addition to his parole he had three discharges have frequently seen them and read them he never applied for a pension, he died in Hickman County Tennessee on the 15 day of March 1820 and was married on the 5th day of January 1784 by Esquire John Terkenton in Tyrrell County by license we have a family record of the children's age is written in the white leaves of a small Bible at or near the time of the birth of each child and written by different persons has been in my possession ever since and I still remained his widow.  She further declares that she was not married to said Benjamin Hassell prior to his leaving the service but that the marriage took place previous to the first day of January 1794 viz. at the time above stated. 
     Subscribed and sworn to before made this      day and year first above written. 
Absalom D Estes, Judge Co. Court
                         Mary X Hassell
                           (x her mark)

     I Absalom Estes Judge aforesaid do hereby certify that in my opinion the above assigned Mary Hassell is too old and infirm to attend the business at town before the Court and I think from the acquaintance that I have with her that she is a worthy old lady intitled (sic) to credit before any court or otherwise.  Given under my hand and seal this day and year first written.
                   A. D. Estes Judge Co. Court
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State of Illinois
Jefferson County
     Personally appeared before the subscribed Judge aforesaid of said County Isaac Smith and after being by me duly sworn on his oath deposeth and says that he became acquainted with the above named Benjamin and Mary Hassell in the spring of eighteen hundred and four.  They were then living as husband and wife and had six children the oldest was then about twenty years old - have frequently heard him tell about being in the war of the revolution but remember of hearing him say he was one of Jelaskies (Pulaskie's) Lighthorse company have heard him say he was in the battle of Gilford and several other battles have heard him say he was wounded at two different times and with the bayonet and once with a call have heard him tell of being taken prisoner at Charleston by the Brittish (sic) and was sent home on a parole.  and the said Benjamin Hassell died in March eighteen hundred and twenty - sworn to and subscribed before me this day and year first above written.
                         Isaac Smith
Absalom D. Estes Co. Judge Court

Also personally appeared before said Judge Milly Smith and after being duly sworn on her oath deposeth and says that she became acquainted with the above named Benjamin Hassell and Mary Hassell about fifty five years ago.  They were then living as husband and wife and then had three children and the oldest was about six years old.  They then had a family record of the childrens ages written in a pocket Bible marked with letter B. I think it has been in the family possession from that day to this have heard the said Benjamin Hassell frequently tell about being in the war of the revolution have heard
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him tell about being at the battle of Gilford and another by the name of Stono or Stony Point or some such name and at the taking of Cornwallis and also at Bunkers Hill. the said Benjamin Hassell died in March eighteen hundred and twenty sworn to and subscribed before me this day and year last above written.
                    Milly X Smith
                     (X her mark)

A.D. Estes Judge of the Co. Court

Also personally appeared before said Judge Nancy Goddard and after being duly sworn on her oath deposeth and says that she was acquainted with the above named Benjamin Hassell and Mary Hassell about forty five years ago.  They were living then as husband and wife and had five children and the oldest was about seventeen years old.  They then had a family record written in a family Bible now marked with B.  Heard heard the said Benjamin tell about being in the war of the revolution have heard him tell about being in the battles have seen the skars (sic) where he was wounded and in the breast and are in the leg.  He died in March eighteen hundred and twenty.  
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first written.
             Nancy X Goddard
                (X her mark)

Absalom D. Estate Judge of the Co. Court

State of Illinois
Jefferson county
     I Absalom D. Estates Judge aforesaid do hereby certify that the three above deposing witness Isaac Smith Milly Smith and Nancy Goddard are all creditable witnesses and are
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No 13486
Mary Hassell
Widow of Benjamin
Ill
Act of July 1838
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intitled (sic) to respect in any court whatever or in any other manner given under my hand and seal this day and year first written.
     AD Estes Judge Co Court

State of Illinois
Jefferson County SS
     Be it remembered that at the term of the county commissioners court of Jefferson County, in the State of Illinois commenced and holden at Mount Vernon, on the first Monday of September A.D. 1784, the annexed proceedings had before Absalom D. Estes, who was at the date of said proceedings one of the Judges of this Court, in the matter of the application of Mary Hassell for a pension were submitted to, and approved by said court in open court, and ordered to be so certified.
     In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the official seal of said court, this 10th day of September A.D. 1847.
       J.F. Watson Clk.
       Co. Court Clk J.C. Ill.
(seal)
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Samuel Hassell and Uriah Hassell the sons of Benjamin Hassell and Mary his wife was born 
November 17th day 1804 
Michale Hassell the daughter of Sylvanius Hassell and Hetty his wife was born July 25th day 
1813 
Deba Talan Hassell the daughter of Sylvenius Hassell and Hetty  his wife was born
November 29th 1814 
James Kelough Hassell son of Polly Hassell by James Kelough was born on August 1st day 1821
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Cela Hassell daughter of Uriah Hassell and Polly his wife was born February 26th day 1824 
Liza Hassell daughter of Uriah Hassell and Polly his wife was born April the 17th day 1826 
Polley Hassell the daughter of Benjamin Hassell and Mary his wife was born August 7th 1800 

B
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Nancey hassel dafter of Benjamin hassel and mary has wife was born february the 26 d 1795 
Isaac Hensley Picket son of James Picket and Polly his wife was born September the 2 day 1823 
Milla Hassell dafter of Benjamin Hassel and Mary his wife was Born the 18 day of November 1784 
Silvenous Hassell son of Benjamin Hassell and may his wife was born febuary 13 Day 1788 
[very faint entry, might read: "Seela Hassell Daughter of ? Hassell and Mary his wife was born ? the 24 day 1792"]
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Nancy Hassell Dafter of Benjamin Hassell and Mary his Wife was Born'd Febery 26th Day 1795 
John Hassell Sun of Benjam'n Hassell and Mary His wife was Bornd the 18 Day of May 1798
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                                    March 8, 1926

Miss. Georgia L. Osborne
Illinois State Historical Library
Springfield, Ill

Madam:
     I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R.4738, it appears that Mary Hassell was born December 8, 1764, and applied for pension July 1, 1847, while a resident of Jefferson County, Illinois, and alleged that her husband, Benjamin Hassell, enlisted in 1777 and left Tryon county, North Carolina, the latter part of that year, that he was taken prisoner at Charleston, was in the battle of Guilford, and was twice wounded, a part of his service was under Captain Richard Howett.
     The claim was not allowed as she failed to furnish satisfactory proof of six months service, as required by the pension law.
     It also appears in said claim that Benjamin Hassell married Mary (maided name not stated), January 5,
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Children -
Milla          born November 18, 1784.
Silvenus          "     February 13, 1788.
Nancy             "     February 26, 1795.
John                "      May 18, 1798.
Ierla (?)            "      1799.
Polly                 "      August 7, 1800.
Samuel & Uriah  "  November 11, 1804.

     The above noted Benjamin Hassell is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.

           Respectfully,


           WINFIELD SCOTT
           Commissioner.
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                          Raleigh N.C.
                          Compt. Office
                           July 28, 1847

I William F. Collins Compt of Public Accounts, in and for the State of North Carolina do hereby certify that the name Benjamin Hassell appears of Record in this office as having had issued in his name the following special certificates for Military Service (viz) One for nine pounds ($9).  see Book Vol 3 page & 16 also another for three pounds (#3).  See same Book page 47.  Given under my hand and seal this day and date above written 

                     Wm. F. Collins Compt

(seal)
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47218
Mary Hassell
REJECTED

The printed list of 1852 shows reasons for suspension.
"not six months service proved"

(written vertically)
1926 March 8 
& list to Georgia L Osborne 
AWF
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(letterhead of Illinois State Historical Library, Springfield.)
                    February 26, 1926.

Pension Department,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs:
     Will you be good enough to give me the record of services of Benjamin Hassell, War of the Revolution?  He is credited with being from North Carolina, and drew a pension.
     Thanking you for your interest in the matter.
I remain,
                  Yours respectfully
                  (Miss) Georgia L. Osborne
 Assistant Librarian, Illinois State Historical Library.

(stamp)
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
L
MARCH 17 1926
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Hon. T.R. Young
24 July 1850
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                          466
                          Pension Office
                          July 24 1850

Sir
     I have the honor to inform you that the additional evidence in the case of Mary Hassell widow of Benjamin Hassell, does not remove the objection to the admission of her claim.
     The difficulties that now exist in this case is the want of sufficient proof to show that Mrs. Hassell has & under as much as before serve the only evidence upon this point now filed is the certificate of the Comptroller of North Carolina showing two payments to Benjamin Hassell amounting to $12.  These payments if admitted as proof of the service of claimants husband would cover a period of 4 mo. 15 days which is not supported to (illegible) claim within the provisions of the pension laws.

Hon. T.R. Young
House of Reps
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Dec 28th 1848
Hon. H. Johnson
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                    278
                    Pension Office
                    December 28 1848

Sir,
     I herewith return the petition of Mary Hassell, widow of Benjamin Hassell, deceased.  We cannot allow her claim for the reasons se forth in my letter to Davidge and Semmes of the 22d November 1847, an extra from which I herewith enclosed.
                    I have the honor
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Hon. T.Y. Young
Dec 17/47
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                     376
                     Pen Office
                     Dec 17 1849

Sir
     Agreeable to the request contained in your letter of the 11th instant a re-examination of the claim of Mary Hassell widow of Benjamin Hassell of Illinois under Act of July 1838 has been made.  The service is alleged to have been in the North Carolina troops, and the only evidence of the service is the certificate of the Comptroller of North Carolina showing payments of 9 and #3, which is not sufficient to entitle her to a pension, six months service being necessary for that purpose.  Perhaps William Hill Esq Secretary of State of North Carolina at Raleigh may have some evidence of the service in his office to whom I would respectfully refer you.

Hon. T.R. Young
H.R.
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                          Copy
                            Department of the Interior
                            September 5th, 1850

Sir,
     I herewith return the papers in the case of Mary Hassell.  Widow of Benjamin Hassell, deceased, and I have to inform you that your report of the 4th instant has been affirmed.
                   I am, very respectfully,
                   Your obdt Servant
                        D.C. Goddard
                        Acting Secretary.
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Sir
     Please find enclosed papers relating to the case of Mary Hassell an applicant under the Act of July 7, 1838. the amendment thereto and the papers relating to the case of Polly Hall, an applicant under the same Court.
By giving the same your early attention you will much oblige.
                    Yrs. Very Respy-
                    Davidge & Semmes
                          Attys.
Wash.
Feb. 24.47
The Hon. James L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
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                    Pension Office
November 22, 1847

Gentlemen,
     The papers in the case of Mary Hassell widow of Benjamin Hassell have been examined and filed under the act of 7 July 1838.
     The statement of claimant as regard her husbands service is too vague and indefinite to enable the Department to make any estimate of its duration.  The terms in the militia of North Carolina were limited to 3 months.  If her husband served 3 years under one engagement or enlistment as any one time for a tour of 9 months, it must have been in the Continental since evidence of which should be found in the Office of the Secretary of State in Raleigh.  The certificate of the Comptroller refers to two payment made to the name of Benjamin Hassell were for two short terms in the militia but the evidence does not show that that service was rendered by claimants husband.  The regulation requiring each tour of service to be specifically set forth with the names of the several officers under whom it was rendered must be complied with
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in every essential particular before any satisfactory adjust of your claim can be made.   The date of their marriage should be established by a certified copy of the marriage bond or license from the Clerks Office in the county in which the ceremony was prepared or by some other record or documentary proof if allowable.  The entries in the books purporting to be a family register does not bear the evidence of age that would make them writing of proof upon the point on which they are intended to bear.  and the testimony of the several witnesses now around does not establish the date of that time with the certainty required.
     In the case of Polly Hale, the certificate of the Comptroller of North Carolina exhibits two payments to the name of John Hassell for service in the militia of that state which would cover a period of 6 mo 25 days, but the proof now on file is wholly insufficient to identify claimants husband with that soldier.  No additional evidence or record their marriage has been produced since my letter to Hon. S. Bruse of 28 May last.
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                      Washington, D.C.
                      Dec. 11th, 1849
Sir,
     The enclosed letter from U. Manly Esq, respecting the case of Mrs. Barbary Vineyard or "Windard" of Illinois widow of Jacob Vineyard, under the Act of 29th July 1848, with the accompanying papers, will explain his object and aim in their presentation.  If this case cannot be allowed, have the kindness to pointing out the difficulty.
     I also call your attention to the case of Mrs. Mary Gordon of Kentucky widow of Robert Gordon who asserted a claim under the Act of 7th July 1838.  This case was rejected by the Pension Office, on account of the marriage not being sustained as having occurred prior to January, 1794.  There can be no doubt of the marriage after that date and before 1800, so as to bring her claim under Act of 29th July, 1848.  You will therefore, be pleased to grant her a pension under that law.
     I am, Sir
        Very respectfully,
        Your ob. servt.
         T R Young

Col. J.L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
{over}
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     Please give the case of Mrs. Mary Hassell of Illinois, widow of Benjamin Hassell, Act 7th July 1838, another hearing.  Mr. Manly thinks it is a good case, and that you ought to allow it.  I hope you will agree with him upon a review of this case.
                Very repy,

Col. J.L. Edwards,
Comm. of Pensions
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State of Illinois
Jefferson County SS
     Before the subscriber Franklin S. Casey a justice of the Peace in and for said County and State duly authorised by Law to administer oaths, personally appeared Abner Hill and after being by me duly sworn on his oath deposeth and says that in the fall or winter of the year eighteen hundred and nine in Hickman County in the State of Tennessee he became acquainted with one Benjamin Hassell and Mary Hassell -  the said Mary Hassell he learned has some two years ago as the widow of the said Benjamin Hassell applyed to the Government of the United States for a pension in this said County.  When he the deponent at the time above mentioned became acquainted with the said Benjamin and Marry Hassell in 1809 they were then living together as husband and wife and had several children the oldest one was married - and continued so to live as long as the deponent lived in the bounds of there acquaintance and have frequently heard the said Benjamin Hassell tell of his service in the War of the Revolution and that he
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got his leg broke while in one battle and his horse show from under him and he always considered him the said Hassell a man of truth and veracity.  sworn to and subscribed before me this 18th day of March 1850.
                         Abner Hill

F.S. Casey C J P
     I further certify that I have been for several years personally acquainted with the above deposing witness and can certify to his good moral charactor (sic) and that he is a minister of the gospell this 18th day of March 1850
                    F.S. Casey JP

State of Illinois
Jefferson County SS
     Before the subscriber Marmaduke B. Lynch a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorised by Law to administer oaths personally appeared Noel Toney and after being duly sworn on his oath deposeth and says that about the year of eighteen hundred and nine or ten he became acquainted with the above named Benjamin Hassell and Mary Hassell they were then living in
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Hickman County in the State of Tennessee
and were living together as husband and wife and had several children and the oldest was married and they continue to live in that capacity until the death of the said Benjamin Hassell and have heard him talk of being a soldier in the War of the Revolution and he further states on oath that he always believed the said Benjamin Hassell to be a worthy truthful citizen.  Sworn to and subscribed before me this 20th day of March 1850.
                     Noel Toney
M.B. Lynch JP

I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named witness Noel Toney and can certify to his good reputable character.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this 20th day of March 1850.
                M.B. Lynch JP
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State of Illinois
Jefferson County
     I Stinson H. Anderson former Marshall in and for the State of Illinois do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Abner Hill and Noel Toney and that in my oppinion (sic)they are both gentlemen of reputable charactor (sic).
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this 25th day of June 1850.
                          S.H. Anderson

State of Illinois
Jefferson County
I Joel F. Watson Clerk of the County Court in and for said County and State hereby certify that Marmaduke B. Lynch and Franklin S. Casey whose signatures appear to the foregoing certificates were on the day of the date thereof acting Justices of the Peace in and for said county and State duly Elected commissioned and qualified according to law, and that full faith and credit are due all their acts as such.  I also certify that S.H. Anderson was former Marshall of said State.
     Given under my hand and the seal of said court at Mt. Vernon on the 27th day of June A.D. 1850
         Joel F. Watson Clk
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No 13486
Mary Hassell
Ill
to Act Secry Sept 4/50
Act 7 July 1838

Decision affirmed Sept 5 1850
Page 34

Scuppernong 25 Nov 23rd
Benjamin Hassell
State of Tennessee
Williamson County
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      Scuppernong November 18 1804
Dear Brother and Sister
     I am happy to learn in what part of the world you are settled in so that I can have the happiness of writing to you of the you did not think (smudge) worth your while to right to me I am glad to hear that you are all well and and satisfied in your remove and that time is good and plentiful.  The reason I did not come to go with you I had a dismal spell of sickness.  I must tell you that I am not yet married nor have got any noshen (sic) of it at present for I am just about bilding (sic) (illegible) and giting in the bisness with Uncle Stephen and Mr. Garland Merchant in (illegible).  I must tell you that I have had a child laid to me By a young lady in (illegible)  I am well at present thanks be to God for the same hoping this line will find you all in the same this from your well wishing Brother.
                      Samuel Carswell

Benjamin and Mary Hassell
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  Scuppernong November 18 
Dear Daughter
     I recd your leter on the 20 of October 1804.  I must inform you that I was not a little glad to hear that you all are well and satisfied in your move But I think you do not give me any incurigment to brake from their to remove to your country not with standing I am the same mine conserning meaning that I was when you left this place for good.  I can put those aside. I do intend to come to that pace.  I must inform you that since you left this part that my daughter Elizabeth has taken her final remove to World Unsean by all the living. She Departed this life the first of January and her husband John Brickhouse is married again the Rest of us are resinble well at present thanks be to god for the same helping this line will find you all in the same state of health.  Uriah wife has got a daughter -- Your brother and sister all remember their respected Love you both and your family time continues much as therein was.  When you was here (illegible) so no more at present and we subscribe our self your loving family till death.
                     Samuel Carswell
                     Catron Carswell

Benjamin and Mary Hassell
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              Bertie County March (illegible)
Dear Brother and Sister
I take the opportunity righting these lindes  to let you know that I am well and My family hoping these lindes will find you and your family the same.  I recd your leter on the 20 of February with great joy and gladness.  I read it to him that you are all well and well suited with the country.  And should be much happy if it was in my power to come a mediately out to your part of the Land but it is not in my power and the reason is this I lent a man a small sum of money to build him a (illegible) and hop to bild there and then took charge of him and made two forges in him to New York and let all the money lie in his hands entending to rec it all together to take with me to buye land but when I wanted it this man you must take half the (illegible) I told him no then say him I'l not pay you so he has (illegible) me to make me take from of him and I have saide him with two (illegible) for my money he own me a Bout three hundred Dolar if I get my Right.  And when I get clear of the Law I mean to come but when that will be I cannot tell for I just entered in.
I have changed my life again and living in the county of Bertie.  Remember me to your children all this from your loving Brother
                Samuel Carswell
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Scuppernong 28 March

25
Benjamin Hassell
Living in Tennessee
Williamson County