Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15748, Elihu Benham, Conn.
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(3 - 1776)
 SERVICE Conn.
 Benham, Elihu
 NUMBER S. 15748
 Carded

CONTENTS
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Date of death [illegible] [written in margin]

Connecticut. 1775 ┃
 Elihu Benham 
of Bethany in the State of Connct 
who was a Private in the Compy commanded by Captain Peck of the Regt commanded by Col. Wooster in the Connect. line for 7 months.
 $ 23. 33/100  |
Inscribed on the Roll of Connect at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. |
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of [illegible] 1833 and sent to R.S. Hinman Salembridge, CT |
 Arrears to the 4th of Sep 83, 58.33
 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 84, 11.67 
 $70,00 ┃
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
 Recorded by R. Palmer Clerk
Book E Vol. three Page five.
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Elihu Benham
App for Pension
7 months
August 4, 1832
1832
R
amount
7 mo. pri |
$ 23.33
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7 months. Milford - New York - Longe Island - Hudson River - 1775 [in margin] ┃

State of Connecticut  New Haven County District of Waterbury } S.S.

On this 28th day of July 1832 personally appeared in open court before the County [crossed-out] Probate Court for said District and County now sitting, Elihu Benham a resident of Salembridge Society. Town of Bethany and County & State aforesaid aged 83 years who being first sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated To wit: That in the month of April 1775 being then a resident of Cheshire in said County he enlisted into a company commanded by Captain Samuel Peck then of Milford in said County in which Israel Terrill was first and --- Fowler 2d Lieutenant in the Regt Commanded by Col Wooster for the Term of Seven months and was called out at Milford from then was marched to New York then to Long Island then back to New York and then up the Hudson River 
That he served out said seven months under said officers and was discharged That he was born in New Haven and has no record of his birth except in his bible. That there is no one now living as he believes that served with him except James Hickey of said
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Waterbury who enlisted in the same company for the same length of time and remained in it about two months and then hired a substitute That he had no written discharge That he was at Lake Champlain when discharged
 He 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 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Elihu Benham 

And the said Court do hereby declare the opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting tours prescribed by the [illegible] department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he States. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John B. Richardson and Thos L. Davis who have signed the certificate hereto annexed are clergyman resident in Salembridge Society and an creditable persons and their statement entitled to credit.
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I Robinson S. Hinman Clerk of the the Court of Probate for said District do herby certify that the foregoing contains the original indication of the said court in the matter of the application of Elihu Benham for a pension - 
In testimony whereof I have herunto set my hand & seal of office this 28th day of July A.D. one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two ● ● R.S. Hinman Justice of Peace
Elihu Benham
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I Eben Hotchkiss of Prospect in New Haven County depose and say that I was in the year 1775 acquainted with Elihu Benham of Bethany in said County. That in the spring of that year. I was knowing to Elihu Benhans enlisting under Lieutenant Israel Terrell of Waterbury as I understood for seven months that shortly afterwards said Benham left as I supposed to join the army and was absent all summer and return very late in the fall and I understood from him that he had been in the service and I verily believe he was in the Revolutionary service for said term. I lived at the time within about one hundred rods of said Benham
Eben Hotchkiss [signature]
State of Connecticut  County of New Haven} Waterbury July 22 1832
 Personally appeared Eben Hotchkiss to me known as a respectable man and signed the above deposition in my person and made oath to the truth of the same before me
RS. Hinman Justice of Peace
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I Eben Hotchkiss of Prospect in New Haven County depose and say that I was in the year 1775 acquainted with Elihu Benham of Bethany in said County. That in the spring of that year. I was knowing to Elihu Benhans enlisting under Lieutenant Israel Terrell of Waterbury as I understood for seven months that shortly afterwards said Benham left as I supposed to join the army and was absent all summer and return very late in the fall and I understood from him that he had been in the service and I verily believe he was in the Revolutionary service for said term. I lived at the time within about one hundred rods of said Benham Eben Hotchkiss [signature] 
State of Connecticut County of New Haven} Waterbury July 22 1832 
Personally appeared Eben Hotchkiss to me known as a respectable man and signed the above deposition in my person and made oath to the truth of the same before me 
RS. Hinman Justice of Peace
|
I James Hickox of Waterbury
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I James Hickcox of Waterbury New Haven County, Conn. depose and say that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary war . That I am acquainted with Elihu Benham of Bethany in said County. That in April 1775 I enlisted in the company belonging to the Revolutionary army commanded by Capt. Samul Peck, and at the same time said Benham enlisted in the same company and we marched in company to Milford when I remained two months when I hired a substitute to return home and left M Benman in the service and I verily believe he served his time out.
James [his mark] Hickcox 
State of Connecticut Court of N L Bauer}
SS
Waterbury July 14, 1832 
Personally appeared James Hickcox to me well known as a respectable man and signed the above deposition by holding in the pen which his mark was affixed he being infirm and made oath to the truth of the law
  Before me R.S. Hinman Justice of Peace
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State of Connecticut
 County of New Haven
 District of Waterbury } SS
On this 29th day of December 1832 Personally appeared in open Court before the Probate Court for said District Elihu Benham of Bethany in said County who made the preceding declaration and made this his supplemental declaration
Answer to question 1st
He says that he was born in New Haven in said County on the 21st day of April A.D. 1749. 
question 2nd
His age is recorded in his bible & nowhere else 
question 3rd
 He says he lived in Cheshire in New Haven County when called into service. And that in the revolutionary War he has lived where he now does which is now called Bethany but was until last year called Woodbridge in New Haven County 
Sworn [illegible] the day & year afore 
Elihu Benham [signature]
R.S. Hinman Clerk
 I Robinson J. Harman Clerk of Court of Probate for said district certify that I am well acquainted with Eben Hotchkiss who signed the affidavit hereto annexed in my presen & made oath to the same before me as a Justice of Peace, that he is a very old man above 70 years old and a man of credibility R.S. Hinman Clerk
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We Thomas J. Davis and John B Richardson Clergyman residing in Salem Bridge Society in the Town of Waterbury in New Haven County Connect., hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elihu Benham of said society, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 83 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he belongs to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in this opinion 
Sworn and Subscribed this 28 day of July 1832 in open Court Before me 
R.S. Hinman Clerk 
Thos J. Davis
 John B. Richardson
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State of Connecticut
County of New Haven 
District of Water} SS ●
 Personally appeared in open Court before the Probate Court for said District on this 10th day of April 1833. Elihu Benham who is the same Elihu Benham who made & subscribed the original declaration to which this is annexed and under oath make this his of supplemental declaration. Towit: He says that he is not and cannot be mistaken as to his having enlisted in Capt. Samuel Pecks Company in the spring of 1775. and that he went over to Waterbury and enlisted, that Leut. Israel Terrell enlisted him That the company was called together at Milford Ct. When Capt. Samuel Peck lived About how long they remained in Milford he cannot say that he knows that they proceeded from Milford the New York and A then as stated in his original declaration. That he was discharge not many weeks from the time that St John's was taken That Wooster commanded the army but whether his title then a Col or General he cannot tell But he knows that Wooster was with them when the army sailed from Oyster pond on Long Island to New York for he recollects his
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(Wooster) having been sea sick on board the vessell That he knows Major Phineas Porter was major. And that there was an officer called Arnold but cannot say what office he held in the Regiment.
That time he gave his original declaration he has heard that Titus Hotchkiss is alive, who was in the Regiment with him & with whom he used to be acquainted. And he has not a man to take his deposition 
That he thinks Capt. Pecks company did not join the Regt until they got to New York or at Harlam 
Subscribed & Sworn
this day & year aforesaid Elisha Benham 
Before me
 R.J. Hinman Clerk
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State of Connecticut
 County of New Haven
 District of Waterbury} SS.
 Personally appeared in open Court before the Probate Court for said district Titus Hotchkin of Wolcott , New Haven County Court and being duly Sworn deposes and says that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary way That he is now seventy seven years old That he is well acquainted with Elihu Benham now of Bethany in said County formally of Wallingford Christian Society. That said Benham enlisted in a company commanded by Captain Peck of under the command of Genl David Wooster  in the year 1775 and served and Long Island in New York and was in the seige of St Johns in Canada. That they enlisted for seven months and served out the seven month together and were discharged
Deponent was in the same Regiment but not in the same company
Titus Hotchkin
his mark
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This Court certifies that Titus Hotchkin of Wolcott who signed the above affidavit is a credible witness and a reputable man and a soldier of the Revolutionary War is report and believed by all his neighbors - 
Sworn before & certified by
R.S. Hinman Clerk
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June 5, 1939
BA-J/AWF
Elihu Benham
S. 15748
Mr. Norris S. Barratt, Jr.
The Historical Society Building 
1300 Locust Street 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvaia 
Dear Sir:  
Reference is made to your letters in which you request the Revolutionary War record of the Elihu Benham, of New Haven, Connecticut, pension claim, S. 15748. 
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, S. 15748, based on the military service of Elihu Benham, in the Revolutionary War. 
Elihu Benham was born April 21, 1749, in New Haven, Connecticut. The names of his parents are not given.
While a resident of Cheshire, New Haven County, Connecticut, Elihu Benham enlisted sometime in April, 1775, served as private in Captain Samuel Peck's company, Colonel David Wooster's Connecticut regiment , was in the Siege of St. Johns, Canada, length of service seven months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 28, 1832, at which time he was a resident of "Salembridge Society", Bethany, New Haven County, Connecticut. 
The papers on file in this claim contain no
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discernible data in regard to the family of the soldier, Elihu Benham. 
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data: 
Elihu Benham 
Certificate # 17715 
Issued September 16, 1833 
Rate $23.33 per annum 
Commenced March 4, 1831 
Act of June 7, 1832 
Connecticut Agency. 
Very truly yours 
A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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15748
INVALID.
File No. 15748
Elihu Benham
Pri Rev War |
Act June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 31
[Arrangement of 1870] 


1909 Dec 9 Hist. to Hon F. M. Crosby J.L.M. 1910 Sept 29 Hist. to Mrs. Mary F. Martin [illegible]
1910 Oct. 22 Miss K.A. Prichard J. L. M. 
1910 Nov. 15 Hist. to Mrs. Emily G. Randall Bates 
1914. Sept.. 30. History to Mr. Frederick Bostwick M.B. H. 
1915 - Apr. 20 Hist. to Geo. C. Bryant Letter in S.F. 36574 Reuben Frisbie 
1921 June 24, Hist to Mrs A. B. Edwards [illegible] 
1926  - July 14 - Hist to Mary E Lawrence 
1927  - Jan 8 Hist. to Mrs. J.N. Day 
1939 - June 5 Hist to Norris S. Barratt
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State of Connecticut  
County of New Haven}
I J F Beach Clerk of the County Court within for New Haven County & Keeper of the Records seal thereof & of the Commission of Justice of the peace in for said County, hereby certify that I am acquainted with Robinson S. Hinman & with his official signature, that he is a for more than one year last past a Justice of the peace in & for said New Haven County & duly  qualified to administer Oaths, & that his official signature to each all the papers hereto annexed is his genuine official signature In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County Court this 28th day of November AD. 1832
JF Beach Clerk
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Elihu Benham 
No. 1327 

ammd.

P-27.

R J Hinman 

Salembridge in Ct
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elihu Benham which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? 
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason as signed for his not doing so? 
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? 
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 amount of pension he is entitled? 
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? 
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? 
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? 
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 
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?
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2 
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  
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? XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?  And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? No. 
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? 
not stated the age & opportunites I all witnesses 
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? No 1 & 2 & 3 not answered. |

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: For year months and --- days, I served as a and days, I served as a For months and for such service I claim a pension."
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3 
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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. QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must 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 be 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 papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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. 
Brief | In this case the applicant has given all the evidence he can give because he says that he knows of no one who was with him but James Hickcox & he swears he served with him two months and then hired a substitute as additional evidence he gives the affidavit of a man who lived within one hundred rods of the applicant in 1775 and who was acquainted with him at that time, who says he knew of his enlisting for seven months and knew of his being gone that length of time from home he was in the Army. Better evidence than this could not have been obtain in any case when this was no one living of the company in which the applicant served - Both Witnesses show themselves
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in situations to have personal knowledge of the facts they testify to.
 RS Hinman |

Elihu Benham
No. 1327
aamd.
p 27.
RS Hinman

Salembridge Ct
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GENERAL TERMS: First Tuesday in June. First Tuesday in December. OFFICE OF CLERK OF COURT. DAKOTA COUNTY. MINNESOTA. JOHN RAETZ, CLERK. FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT. DAKOTA COUNTY. STATE OF MINNESOTA. JUDGES. Hon. F. M. CROSBY, Hastings. Hon. W. C. WILLISTON, Red Wing. 
Hastings, Minn. Dec 4, 1909
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C. 
Will you send me a statement of what the records in your office show, were the revolutionary service of Elihu Benham for which he was granted a pension, Sept 16th 1833 and when residing in New Haven County Connecticut 
Yours truly F. M. Crosby 

[U.S. Pension Office stamp DEC 6 1909]
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GENERAL TERMS: First Tuesday in June. First Tuesday in December. OFFICE OF CLERK OF COURT. DAKOTA COUNTY. MINNESOTA. JOHN RAETZ, CLERK. FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT. DAKOTA COUNTY. STATE OF MINNESOTA. JUDGES. Hon. F. M. CROSBY, Hastings. Hon. W. C. WILLISTON, Red Wing.  
Hastings, Minn. Nov. 29th, 1909
Comm. of Pensions 
Dear Sir: 
Will you send me a statement of the revolutionary service of Elihu Banham for which he was pensioned Sept 16th 1833 and whose residing in New Haven County Conn. 
Yours truly 
F.M. Crosby
Page 27

[U.S. Pension Office stamp SEP 21 1910]
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[letterhead of Daughters of the American Revolution]

Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 
Dear Sir: 
Another application paper has come to me for examination in which the Revolutionary ancestor is merely mentioned as being a pensioner, no service being given. In justice to the soldier will you kindly supply the deficiency by sending me the military history of Elihu
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Benham. His name is on the list of Waterbury soldiers and also in page 654 of Record of Connecticut men in war as pensioned of 1832 residence in New Haven County.
Thanking you in advance
I am very sincerely yours 
Mrs. Mary F. Martin 
30 High Street consulting Registrar 
Bristol Conn. 
Sept. 20, 1910
Page 30

[U.S. Pension Office stamp OCT 19 1910]
Page 31

[U.S. Pension Office stamp OCT 19, 1910]

To 
The Commissioner of Pensions: 
Will you kindly send the record of Elihu Benham, a pensioner of the Rev. War in 1832- Conn. Men in the Rev. p. 654 - particularly any family items to 
Miss K. A. Prichard 80 Pine Street 
Waterbury Conn
Page 32

[U.S. Pension Office stamp NOV 7, 1910]

Ack. Nov. 12, 1910, Ill 
Mrs Emily G. Randall Bates 
Waterbury Conn.
Page 33

in 1832
I have no other data of him except that he is mentioned in Anderson's Waterbury Conn- 
4th Abraham Tyler is mentioned in Anderson's Waterbury as a revolutionary soldier He was the son of Isaac Tyler and Susannah Miles Tyler of Cheshire Conn He was born June 9 1735 with his first cousin [illegible] Tyler and died in 1823.
5th
Samuel Williams is mentioned in Anderson's Waterbury as a  revolutionary solder He was later at the Massacre of Wyoming in 1778 
He married in1754 Huldah Warner - 
She married later Lieu Joseph Bronson She is called Mary in Oxord Conn records
I trust I am not asking for much and do hope you will find it convenient to send the records at an early date as I  need them 
Very truly yours
Emily G Randall Bates
Page 34

[U.S. Pension Office stamp Nov 7 1910]
Page 35

of the companies in which he served as I wish the record to be as complete an possible 
Knowing that there are many men in the war of the same name I am  adding descriptive data hoping to aid in the identification of my ancestors.
 2 Jeremiah Jessup Randall son of Jeremiah Randall of Greenwich Conn was from 1755 married Annie Jessup and died Nov 7 1808. Jan 1775 he was in 3rd Company of the 5th Reg. under Col Waterbury-  in 1778 he was transferred from the 4th Brigade of Conn Militia to serve in Continental Army under Gen Washington- 
3 Elihu Benham was a pensioner residing in New Haven County Conn
Page 36

[U.S. Pension Office stamp Nov 7 1910]
Page 37

Pension Bureau -  
Washington D.C. -
Will you kindly send me the Revolutionary War records of -  
1 Phineas Gorham 
2 Jeremiah Randall  name may be spelled Rundle
3 Elihu Benham 
4 Abraham Tyler - 
5 Samuel Williams ?

Phineas Gorham 4th gen from Capt John Gorham and Jesse Howland of Barnstable Mass 
Gorham was born Apr 1757 at Ridgeford Conn he marriald Rachel ? and died Feb 2 1842 in Bridgewater near New Milford Conn. He served throughout the entire war and was present at many important battles Bennington, Saratoga, etc. He was on the pensions list in 1840.
I would like a list of
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Mr. George C. Bryant. Box 335 Ansonia Conn Letter Apr. 23 Apr 26 Letter in claim S. 36514 Reuben Frisbie Date Today ,
Page 39

PRESIDENT. Dr. GEORGE C. F. WILLIAMS, HARTFORD. VICE PRESIDENT. ISAAC W. BROOKS. TORRINGTON. BECRETARY. CHARLES G. STONE. HARTFORD. THE CONNECTICUT SOCIETY. ℗ TREASURER HENRY C. SHERWOOD. BRIDGEPORT. REGISTRAR. FREDERICK BOSTWICK. NEW HAVEN, HISTORIAN. REV. DR. JOHN DEPEU, BRIDGEPORT.

New Haven, Connecticut, Sept. 26, 1914 

The Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir: 
Will you please favor me with a copy of the Pension Papers of ELIHU BENHAM, of Revolutionary Service: he is recorded as being the recipient of a pension in 1832, then residing in County of New Haven. -- (Conn. Men in War Rev. p. 654,) FBB FB Very respectfully yours Frederick Bostwick 

[U.S. Pension Office stamp SEP 28 1914]
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Rev. War Section. 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON

June 3. 1921. 
Miss A. Blanche Edwards Abilene Kans. 
[stamped Records Division June 1921]

Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 16th and received the 19th, you are advised that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to James Quick Cornelius Quick & Joseph Beach described by you, In order to make a proper search of the files for any particular Elihu Benham, some of the following data is essential; approximate dates of birth & death, places of residence at enlistment and after service 
Very respectfully, 
[signature] Commissioner. 
(M F 27)
Elihu Benham, probably of Waterbury, Conn. Do not know date of death or birth, but he served in Rev. War. His wife's name was Mehitable. 

[U.S. Pension Office stamp Jun 11 1921]
Page 41

Nov. 12, 1926
Gentlemen 
 Will you please be kind enough to said me a copy of the pensions granted my ancestor Elihu Benham of New Haven Co. Conn. I find that he applied or was granted a pension in 1832 for service in the War of the Revolution. A prompt reply will be greatly appreciated, as I  need it for my D.A.R. application
Page 42

papers. 
Thanking you for your trouble, I am [illegible] truly 
Mrs J. N. Day 
118 East Clay Ave. 
Roselle Park NJ. ---
Page 43

Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution  THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY BUILDING 
1300 LOCUST STREET PHILADELPHIA 
May 24, 1939 
Veterans Administration Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sirs:
On April 13th I wrote for a copy of the pension claim of Elihu Benham  ( 1748 - 1836 ), of New Haven County, Connecticut, but received no reply. Your prompt attention to this letter will be greatly appreciated. Very truly yours, [signature] Norris S. Barratt, Jr. Secretary
Page 44

Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY BUILDING 
1300 LOCUST STREET PHILADELPHIA 
April 13, 1939 
Veterans Administration Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sirs: 
Will you please send me a copy of the pension claim of ELIHU BENAHM or BENHM ( 1748 - 1836), of New Haven County, Connecticut. I believe his pension claim, File 15748. 
Thanking you for your courtesy in the matter, I am 
Very truly yours, 
[signature]
Norris S. Barratt, Jr. 
Secretary
Page 45

 aws
Rev. and 1812
 War Section. 
July 14, 1926
Mary E. Lawrence
Walworth
 N. Y. 
Madam:
 I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 15748, it appears that Elihu Benham was born April 21, 1749 in New Haven, Connecticut.
While residing at Cheshire, New Haven County, Connecticut, he enlisted in April 1775 and served seven months as a private in Captain Samuel Peck's Company, Colonel David Wooster's Connecticut Regiment , and was in the Siege of St. Johns. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 28, 1832, while a resident of Salembridge, So city Bethany, New Haven County, Connecticut. 
There is no data on file as to family. 
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT 
Commissioner.