Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18,577, Matthew Benson, New York
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Service - New York

Benson, Matthew 
Johannah

Number - W. 18577
B.L. Wt. 26,600 - 160 - 55
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New York 24.683
Matthew Benson
of Rockland Co in the state of New York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Gardner of the regt. commanded by Col Hawk in the - in the N.Y m. line for 10 mo.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the state of 33 Dollars 33 cents per annum; to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of January 1833 and sent to Hon. Allard  H. Reps

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1893. $83.33 semi-ann. allowance ending March 34. 16.66
$99.99
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by W. L Williams Clerk,
Book E Vol. 4 Page 109
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Team Service is allowed

admd
10mo - pri
$33.33
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State of New York}
Rockland County}
On this fifth day of February in the year A.D. 1833.
Personally appeared in the open court, before the judges of the Court of Common Please, now sitting, Matthew Benson, a resident of the town of Haverstraw, in the county of Rockland and state of New York, aged sixty eight years. the twenty seventh day of April 1832, as appears- by the family records, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That in the spring of the year 1777. His fathers waggon was pressed to convey provision and forage to the American Army, when he being the Eldest son had to go with his fathers team, and was engaged nearly the whole of the time from the spring of the year 1777 to the spring of the year 1779. Conveying provision, forage and baggage for the Army to many different places and was with the army below Philadelphia to Burlington, and to Bristol in the state of Pennsylvania, and was out more than three month at a time before he was permitted to return home to recruit himself and team and suffered greatly during the winter season as he was often Obliged to sleep under his waggon - That then in the month of April he volunteered in a company commanded by Capt John Gardner in a regiment commanded by Col. A Hawks Hay, and served therein for seven months. served at Stony point until the British army took possession of the Point and after that time he served a guarding along the shoar of the Hudson River at different places between Stony Point and Sneeden's Landing, that the in the Spring of the year 1780 he again volunteered in the aforesaid Company and served therein for three months, when he was obliged to leave the company being pressed with the teams to convey provision and forage for the continental army (his father being dead) and was engaged until the late in the fall of the year, that then in the spring of the year 1781. he again volunteered in the aforesaid Company, and served therein for more that two months when he was again obliged to leave the army being pressed with the team as aforesaid in which capacity he served at different period until the american army marched for yorktown and then in the year 1782 again entered the service in the aforesaid and served therein at different times when called upon but how long he is now unable to state correctly.
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to state, but can confidently say that he was in the service of his country as a Soldier and driving team for at least three years that he has no documentary evidence of any of the above needed services as he did not receive any written discharge for any of his services, and the certificates for his teaming having long been disposed of. That from his Infancy has always resided at his present residence in the town of Haverstraw. That he is personally known to John Felter, Joseph B Allision, John S Gurnee Edward & Lawrence DeNoyells and to the most part of the principal inhabitants of the county of Rockland and to every Member of the said Court who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief as to his Revolutionary services. That their remains yet a few who are acquainted with his services under Capt. Gardner but his services as team master he being a great part of the time employed out of the County in which he resides and knows of no one now living that served with him. 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 Matthew Benson 
year aforesaid in Open Court. David Pye Clerk

We James Sherwood, a clergyman, residing in the Town of Ramapo, and John Felter, residing in the town of Haverstraw both in the County of Rockland, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Matthew Benson, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be sixty eight years of age, that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier in the of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in Open Court
David Pye Clerk
John Felter

Rockland County. On the fifth day of February 1833 appeared in open court. Joseph B. Allison, wo being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say that he is Seventy two years of age, that he was well acquainted with Matthew Benson the above applicant during the Revolutionary War, knows that he was employed as a teamster during the years 1777 & 1778 that he was a great part of the time in the
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said years from the county of new Rockland, and almost all the time while in the county in the said years was employed in the said service as they resided near neighbours that he knows that he knows that he employed in drving team for the continental army in the years 1780 & 1781 and was therein employed a proportion of his time in the said years but how long he is unable correctly to state, and further knows that he served from spring to late in the fall in the year 1779. In a company commanded by Capt John Gardner in a regiment commanded by Col. A Hawkes Hay and also that he served in the said Company in the years 1780, 1781 & 1782 but how long he is unable to state, that he also knows that the said Matthew Benson was engaged sometime in the years 1780 & 1781. in driving team for the continental army and knows that he faithfully served his country from the year 1777 to the close of the revolutionary war for more that three years and believe him to be a man of unquestionable veracity whose statement is entitled to credit 
sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
In Open Court
David Pye Clerk
Joseph B. Allison
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after pulling the interrogatories prescribed by the new department which were all satisfactorily answered that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies that they know that James Sherwood, who has signed the preceding certificate in a Clergyman resident in the town of Ramapo in the county of Rockland, and that John Felter and Joseph B. Allision who have also signed the same and the above are residents in the town of Haverstraw in the said county and are creditable persons and that their statements are entitle to credit. And also that all the above proceedings  were in Open Court

Per Curiam 
David Pye Clerk
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to state but can confidently say that he was in the service of

I David Pye, Clerk of the county of Rockland, Do hereby Certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Matthew Benson, for a pension.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fifth day of February A.D. 1833
David Pye
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State of New York }
Rockland County }

Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county Matthew Benson of the town Haverstraw in said county aged 69 who being duly summon saith as followes viz
That he is the Matthew Benson who on the fifth day  of February 1833 mad a declaration before the court of common please then sitting to obtain a pension under the act of Congress of June 7th 1832 which Declaration has been returned as effective in its specification and also as to the interrogatories presented by the war department which was put to him by the Court in the 5th day of February 1833 he did answer that he was born at Haverstraw in the now County of Rockland & State of New York in this year 1764 the Record of his age is Recorded in his fathers family Bible now in his possession.
That he entered the service of the United States as follows in the spring of the year 1777 his father waggon and team, was pressed to convey provision and forage) (at which time the deponent entered as a substitute for his father Benson) by Capt Derick Aiker who was a press master under Major Edward Wm. Kein in a regiment commanded by Col Udney Hay then stationed at Haverstraw in the now County of Rockland and state of New York at which place the regiment was stationed were the deponent performed the following services such as carting wood hay straw and all kinds of grain for the war of the american army in which employment he was engaged for two months when he was dismissed and sent home with the waggon and team

In the month of October 1777 his fathers team and waggon was pressed by the American Army as the deponent believes who then were stationed at Haverstraw at which time he the deponent again entered in the service as a substitute for his Father. Benson
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from which place (Haverstraw) the American moved off to Philadelphia (by if was commanded he does not recollect) from which place the deponent with the Team also moved off to Philadelphia but he halted and were stationed for a few days at which place he performed team masters duty from thence the army left on Delaware to a place called Burlington in the State of Pennsylvania and from thence to Bristol the deponent was with the army During the time performing teamster duty with his team and waggon untill sometime in the later part of January when the deponent had served the full term of three month and a half when he was dismissed and sent home in this his last mention service He suffered severely at least in month of December and January being often obliged to shelter and sleep under his wagon. 
In the month of May as near as he can recollect his father Team and waggon again being prepared and the deponent again was a substitute for His said father in the 1778 to be stationed which team he drove during the summer and part of the fall until sometime in September conveying provision and forage for the army then stationed at Haverstraw and also for a garrison stationed at the entrance of Smith cloves in the now County of Rockland in which employment he was engaged for five months being in actual service during the time when he was dismissed
In the month of April 1779 He volunteered under Capt John Gardner in Col Hawks Hay regiment for seven months at Haverstraw in the now county of Rockland and state of New York there we continued for some time doing guard duty from thence we were marched to Clarkstown Nyack and back again to Haverstraw marching  from place to place as necessity required guarding the shores and landing places and also defending the Inhabitants
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The British held possession of Stony Point during the time (except a short time when Gen Wayne took it and demolished some part of the he then left it) whose men would often sally out to plunder and distress the inhabitant served the time and was discharged. 
In the Spring of the year 1780 he again volunteered under the aforesaid Capt John Gardner and in a Hawks Hays Regiment guarded the shores and landing places from Sneedens Landing near the jersey line to Haverstraw in the now County of Rockland for three months being in actual service during the time. He then in the month of July as near as he can recollect the deponent was pressed with his teams and waggon by Richard Acker then press master under Major Edward Wm. Kiers in a regiment commanded by Col Udney Hay then stationed at Haverstraw where the deponent performed the following services such as casting all the necessary for the army in which employment he was engaged for three month in continual service when he was dismissed and went home.
In the month of January 1781 He again was pressed by the same officer with Team and waggon when he was employed in carting for the army then stationed at story point in which service the deponent was employed for two months he was dismissed and went home. 
In the spring of 1781 believes it was in the month of April the deponent volunteered for two month under Capt John Garner in a Hawks Hays Regiment then stationed at Haverstraw Chief part of the time from which place they were marched to Nyack & Clarkstown and from there to their first station watching the movement of the enemy & defending the inhabitants served the time and was discharged.
In the summer of 1781 he again was pressed by the above named press master with the team and waggon when He again was employed in County for the american army
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and went with the army as far as morristown on their way then to yorktown at which place morristown he was dismissed after having served the full period of two month in actual service

From the great length of time which has Elapsed since the before recited Services were rendered many particulars must have escaped his memory. He has related all which he can remember as connected with his services and which are calculated to explain them, In the order of time and perhaps in the names of some of his Superior officers he may in some instances have fallen into Mistakes. He asks a reasonable allowance for the frailty of human Memory, whilst he has faithfully endeavoured to adhere [conscientiously] to the truth in all the events and occurences of which he has spoken and verily belives that he faithfully served his country in the war of the Revolution for the full period of Fourteen month as a Teamster and twelve month as a private being in actual service in the field for each term aledged for which he claims a pension under the Law of Congress of June 7th 1882, and was not employed in civil pursuit during the above mentioned services, and does not know of any more living witnesses he can procure to testify to his services than will now be anexed to his amended Declaration 
[signed] Matthew Benson
Sworn & Subscribed this 3d day of Decr 1833 before me 
[signed] G. S. Allison Justice
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State of New York
Rockland County
Personally approved before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Rockland. Richard Dykens a resident of the town of Haverstraw in the said county now aged seventy-three years who being first duly sworn doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with Matthew Benson who has made application for a pension under the law of Congress passed June 7th 1832 and that he was also well acquainted with the said Matthew Benson during the Revolutionary War and this deponent well knows the the said Matthew Benson was a soldier in said war in the Company of Capt. John Garner, knows that in the year 1779. He the said Benson served in said Company from early in the Spring until late in the fall and he also knows that the said Benson served in the same company in the following year 1780. knows that the said Benson commenced in the Spring and served a considerable time but cannot now say as to the exact time. That in the following year 1781 the said Benson was a Soldier in said Company, that he commenced in the spring of the year and continued to serve for some considerable time, but cannot now say how
long precisely. That the said company in the year 1779 was stationed doing guard duty at Haverstraw and occasionally at Nyack. In 1780 also at Nyack & Haverstraw, 1781 was stationed at Haverstraw, Clarkstown & Nyack doing guard duty.
This deponent further saith that he positively knows that the said Matthew Benson was engaged from the year 1777 to 1782 in drawing provisions, hay grain, & wood for the Continental army and Militia troops stationed at a place call Sufferns in the County of Rockland in the now Town of Ramapo at Haverstraw in said county as a teamster. And this deponent further saith that he.
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was a fellow soldier in the said company of Capt John Garner with the said Matthew Benson and lived a neighbor to him during the whole war. Sworn and Subscribes this 3rd day of Dec 1833 before Mr. G.S. Allison Justice
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Richard Dikens and believe him to be a credible person whose statement is entitled to credit
G.S. Allison Justice
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State of New York} 
Rockland County}
Personally appeared before me a Justice
of the peace in and for the County of Rockland, John Springsted of the Town of Haverstraw in said County now aged seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn doth depose and say, that he is well acquainted with Mathew Benson who has made application for a pension under the law of Congress passed June 7th 1832, and that he was also acquainted with the said Benson during the Revolutionary war, and this deponent well knows that he the said Benson was a Soldier in said war in the Company of Capt John Garner has often seen him on duty in the year 1779-80-81. This deponent further saith that he also knows that the said Mathew Benson did from the year 1777 to the latter part of the war [Crossed Out] drive team for the Continental line. This deponent was an assistant to Major Rease the Commissary at the Store House at Haverstraw, while the said Mathew Benson was such teamster and knows that he was engaged at times in drawing provisions to said store.
[signed] John Springstead + his mark
Sworn and Subscribed before me this third day of Decr 1833
[signed] G.S. Allison Justice
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with
John Springstead and believe him to be a credible person whose statement is entitled to credit
[signed] G.S. Allison Justice
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State of New York 
Rockland County } ss  I, David Pye, Clerk of the said County Do hereby certify that George S Allison, before whom the amended declaration was sworn, and before whom the affidavits of Richard Dikens and John Springsted was sworn, and whose name is subscribed to the Certificates, is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his name subscribed thereto is his genuine signature – 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fourth day of December 1833. 
[signed] David Pye
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22220 
Mathew Benson 

No Word 
David Pye 
Clarkstown 
New York
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WAR DEPARTMENT. 
Pension Office, 
May 29 1833 
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, shewing the service of Mathew Benson County of Rockland N York

[BEGIN TABLE]
Period when the service was rendered  |  Duration of the service Years. Months. Days.  |   Rank of the claimant.  |  Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.  |  Rank of the General and Field officers.  |  Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  |  Country through which he marched.  |  Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  |  Evidence by which the declaration is supported.  |
Spring 1777 vol  |  engaged during the whole time until the spring of 1779 as a waggoner  |    |    |    |    |  None  |  Bentington  |  Haverstraw Rockland County N York  |  Living Witness  |
April 1777 vol  |  7 Months.  |    |  Capt Gardner  |  Cols Hawks Hay  |    |  Stony point  |    |    |
Spring 1780 vol  |  3 Months.  |  Teamster  |    |    |    |    |    |    |
Spring 1781 vol  |  served more than two months within army & was there pressed as a Teamster  |    |  Capt Gardner  |  Cols Hawks Hay  |    |    |    |    |
1782  |  again entd the service, unable to say how long but that he was in the service of his Country as a soldier and driving a team for at least three years  |    |    |    |    |  aged sixty eight years  |    |
[END OF TABLE]

I am, respectfully 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

No part of the above alleged service as Teamster was rendered in the Corps of Continental Teamsters who by special act was placed on the footing of soldiers - some evidence of such a corps as that command by Col. Hay in which a term of 7 mo. service could have been rendered
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As [rolls] of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be  made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

State, Territory, or District of } ss.
County of }
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched.  This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &c.

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will  make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. [blank] who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank] of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &c. 
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such a surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts state will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
{To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and the standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of  a Court of Record of the proper country, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
[illegible] made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[Footer]
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the Militia, &c without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in very case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[I] The Clerk must affix his scal, and if it it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the cuds 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.

Proof of Service

[j] 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 claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and liue to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 20

2952
New York City
Johannah Benson widow of Matthew Benson
NY who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of July 1849 and sent to Hon Wm Nelson Hoft

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page Vol 4.

Reported
Jany 11/19
Date of widows death not on AB
Page 21

11234
Joanna Benson
NY
Act 7 July 38
M. 1793 rejected

H.D. 23 Oct 43
Admd
10 mo pri
33.33 from 23 Oct '43 the day of her husbands death under act of 3 March 43 & June 17, 144

No. Act 1844 - 328
" " 1843 - 6784

David Pye Esq.
Clarkstown Rockland N.Y.
Page 22

State of New York } fs
Rockland County }
On this sixth day of November, 1844, personally appeared in open court before the judges of a court of oyer and Terminer and General Goail Delivery held at the courthouse in Clarkstown, in and for said county, Johannah Benson, a resident of the town of Haverstraw in said county, aged by years who bing first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838. The act passed March 3d 1843 And the act passed the 17th of June, 1844, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Matthew Benson who was a Private and served during said war under Capt William Hurse and Capt John Gardner, in Coln A Hawkes Hays Regiment part of the time carting provisions to different places by orders of the quartermaster and part of the time on actual duty as a soldier all which said services is more particularly set forth a declaration made by her late husband Matthew Benson under the act of Congress passed June 7, 1932, for which said services her said husband was allowed a pension at the rate of thirty three dollars per 33/100 per annum to She further declares that she was married to the said Matthew Benson on the Eleventh day of September in the year seventeen hundred and ninety three that her husband, the aforesaid Matthew Benson died on the twenty third day of October - in the year eighteen hundred and forty three that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the services, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January. seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz: at the time above stated sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written Johannah Benson
In open court, The 7th day Nov 1844
Abm Hogenkamp Clerk
Page 23

Rockland County ss: Also on the day and year aforesaid, personally appeared before the Judges of the court aforesaid George Benson, son of the late Matthew Benson, resident of the town Haverstraw aforesaid. Aged 40 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say that his father the said Matthew Benson, was a pensioner under the
Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832 at the rate of thirty three dollars  33/100 per annum,
and that the said Matthew Benson died on the twenty third day of October eighteen hundred and forty three and left the above declarant his widow and that the signed Johannah Benson still remains such widow. 

George Benson

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the 7th day of November 1844}
Abm Hogenkamp, Clerk

I, Abraham Hogenkamp Clerk of the said Court
Do Certify, that the foregoing affidavit of George Benson and the Declaration of Johannah Benson where Sworn and Subscribed in open Court In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this Seventh day of November 1844
Abml Hogenkamp Clerk
Page 24

State of New York
Rockland County ⎬

I, Isaac D Cole, Pastor of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church at Tappan, in the town of Orange, in said County Do Certify. That a Book being the record of Marriages of the former United Congregations of Tappan and Clarkstown are in my possession- And that the following is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures, as follows (1793.) One Thousand seven Hundred and ninety three, (11) eleventh September, Matthew Benson

Wedunar met Hannah Davis bride Van Haverstraw

I Isaac D Cole above named, depose and say that I am paster as aforesaid, in the town, county and state aforesaid, and that the
above is a true extract from the records of said Church, with the exceptions above named, as certified by me Isaac D Cole Y. D. M.

Sworn before me this 5th day of November 1844
Peter T Stephens
Justice of the peace

Rockland County, SS
I Abraham Hogenkamp Clerk of the County
of Rockland Do Certify that Peter Stephens
is a Magistrate as aforesaid and that the signatures subscribed to the affidavit purporting to be his, is genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this seventh day of Nov 1844

Abm Hogenkamp Clerk
Page 25

26,379 (Ser Mar 3/55   R [Mar] 28/55
Johannah Benson 
Widow of Matthew Benson Private 
Capt  “  “
Col  “  “
Enl
Dis } War of Revolution

U.S. Pensioner
N.Y. Feb 48 - 2952 
Boynton 
Ad. 160 Ac. May 16/56 
[signed] Boynton

J P Griswold
Haverstraw Rockland Co N.Y.


[illegible] to J P Griswold  Aug. 9” / 55
Feby 48 – no 2952

Vol. B. – 92. –

[written across page]
No 26600 iss May 19/56
Page 26

26379.

Bounty Land Claim
Act of March 3d 1855,

Johannah Benson Wid of Matthew
Revolutionary Soldier

Presented by J. P. Griswold Haverstraw
New York
Page 27

State of New York 
County of Rockland } ss;
On this twenty second day of March one thousand Eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Johannah Benson, aged Eighty years a resident of Haverstraw in the State of New York, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the Widow of Matthew Benson deceased, who, a Private in the Revolutionary War in conformity to a pension certificate which (I certify) the following is a true copy.
“War Department 
Widows Pension 
I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2d 1848, Johannah Benson, Widow of Matthew Benson who was a private in the revolutionary war is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of thirty three dollars and thirty three cents per annum, commencing on the 4th of March 1848, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.
Given at the War Office of the United States this 11th day of January, one thousand eight hundred and forty nine.
[signed] M. L. Marcy Secretary of War
Examined and Countersigned
J L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions “
Page 28

She further states that she was married to the said Matthew Benson, in Rockland County in the State of New York, about the year 1795, by on - Lansing a Preacher, and that her name before her said marriage was, Johannah Davis, that her said husband died at Haverstraw in the State of New York on the 23d day of October A.D 1843, and that she is now a widow. No public or private record of said marriage and death exists to her knowledge. 
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the "act approved March 3d 1855. 
[signed] Johannah Benson 

We Samson Marks, and Althea Marks, residents of Haverstraw, in the State of New York upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Johannah Benson, in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be 
[signed] Samson Marks  Alethea Marks 
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim. 
[signed] Alfred Hazard Justice of Peace
Page 29

State of New York
County of Rockland } ss
On this 22 day of March A.D. 1855, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Samson Marks, who being duly sworn, and Althea Marks, who also being duly sworn severally depose and that they have been well acquainted with Matthew Benson, and his wife Johannah Benson for more than ten years immediately previous to the decease of the former, which occurred about the year 1843, That the said Matthew, and said Johannah always lived together as husband and wife during said period, and were so publicly reputed, Deponents fully believe such to have been the case, and have not a doubt that they were lawfully joined in marriage,
Said Johannah is now a widow, Deponents arrive at a knowledge of the above facts from having lived near to such parties and their general acquaintance with neighborhood matters, neither they or either of them interested in said widows Land Bounty Claim 
[signed] Samson Marks  Alethea Marks 
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first above written, and I hereby certify that said deponents are credible witnesses; whose testimony is entitled to full faith and credit, 
[signed] Alfred Hazard Justice of Peace
Page 30

State of New York
County of Rockland

I John E Hogenkamp Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Alfred Hazard Esq. was a justice of the peace in & for said County & State
duly appointed and sworn at the time of taking the foregoing declaration and affidavit and lawfully authorized to take the same and that his signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County the 24th day of March AD 1855
John E Hogenkamp Clerk
Page 31

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.  3-525 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
Washington, D. C., 19 
In reply to your request of ___ received ___ a statement of the military history of Matthew Benson. a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (& his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. W.F. 18577. 

[BEGIN TABLE]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  |   LENGTH OF SERVICE.  |   RANK.   |  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. // COLONEL.   |   STATE.  |
Spring 1777  |  14 mos  |  Teamster  | Derick Acker  // Udney Hay  |  N.Y.  |
April 1779  |  at various times 1 year  |  Pvt.  |  John Gardner // A Hawk Hay  |    |
[illegible, During the Revolution?] he sometimes served as a substitute for his father whose name is not stated
[END TABLE]

Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Haverstraw, N.Y.
Date of application for pension, Feb 5 1833. His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Haverstraw Rockland Co. NY.
Age at date of application, b. April 27, 1764 in Haverstraw N.Y.
Remarks: he married in Rockland Co. N.Y. Sept 11, 1793 Johannah or Hannah Davis. He died in Haverstraw, N.Y. Oct 23 1843 and she was allowed pension on an application executed Nov. 7, 1844 While a resident of Haverstraw N.Y. a.e. 69 years Son. George was 40 years of age in 1844.
Respectfully, 
Commissioner.

Man found in A Hawk Hays regt in which Garret Acker was Captain
Page 32

STATE OF NEW YORK, 
ROCKLAND COUNTY. } SS.  I, ISAAC A. BLAUVELT, Clerk of the County of Rockland, do hereby certify that Alfred Hazard Esquire whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument and thereon written, was at the time taking such proof or acknowledgement a Justice of the peace in and for said County, dwelling in the said County, and duly authorized to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgement is genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County the ninth day of September 1818
[signed] Isaac A Blauvelt CLERK.

Benton, Matthew
Page 33

State of New York 
Rockland County ss: On this 8th day of September AD 1848 before me, Alfred Hazard Esq. a Justice of the Peace duly authorized by law to administer oaths in and for said County, personally appeared Johannah Benson a resident of Haverstraw in Rockland County, aged Seventy two years who being first 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 2d February, 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war: That she is the widow of Matthew Benson who was a private in the war of the revolution, and that she received a pension at the New York city agency of Thirty Three dollars and thirty three cents per annum under the act of 17th June 1844. 
she further declares that she is still a widow 
[signed] Johannah Benson
Sworn to & subscribed this 8th day of September, 1848 before me 
[signed] Alfred Hazard Justice 

I, the above magistrate, hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the foregoing declarant, and that she is the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing declaration 
[signed] Alfred Hazard Justice
The [illegible] must authenticate the official character & signature as Justice

BENTON, MATTHEW
Page 34

6509
New York City

Johannah Benson
Widow of Matthew Benson
Who was a Private
In the NY Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 cents per annum to commence on the 23. day of October 1843

Certificate of pension issued the 13 day of Dec 1844 and sent to 
David Pye Esq.
Clarkstown Rockland Co N.Y.


repo
Page 35

Johannah Benson for an increase of pension under the acts of 1838 & 43 44 & 48 
Joseph Ellis Attorney 
Bloomingburgh 
Sullivan County 
State of New York 

I do hereby authorise Thomas Lumpkin to prosecute the within claim of Johanna Benson for an increase of pension for me
[signed] Joseph Ellis Attorney for Johannah Benson
Page 36

State of New York
County of Rockland } SS 
Be it known that personally appeared before me a Justice of the Court of Session in and for the County of Rockland in the State of New York Johannah Benson a resident of said County aged 78 years, and made oath in due form of law, and on her oath states that she is the widow of Mathew Benson deceased a late resident of said County, and that she this declarant is now in the receipt of a pension at the rate of 33.33 per annum under the act of 1848, and that she has understood from her said husband that he had served in a company of Wagoners, and that she makes this declaration in order to obtain an increase of her said pension that she is now receiving.
[signed] Johannah Benson
sworn and subscribed this 13th day of June 1853 
[signed] Alfred Hazard Justice of the Court of Sessions 

State of New York 
County of Rockland } ss
I John E Hogenkamp Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Alfred is a Justice of the peace as within stated and that the signature to the above purporting to be his is genuine and I further certify that I have no interest in the result of the within claim or the prosecution thereof 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County the 24th day of June 1853. 
[signed] John E Hogenkamp Clerk
Page 37

House of Reps. 
8th July 1848 
Sir,
Will you inform me whether the several declarations of the Widow of Mathew Benson of Haverstraw N. York for a pension under the late act of Congress has been filed in your office – 
I am informed by a letter this day recd from a son of this widow - that a Mr Irving of this City of N. York several months ago prepared the usual & proper papers for this widow to be placed upon the pension rool [roll] & was to have sent this to your office, but nothing has been yet heard by the Widow in relation to the matter –
If the papers have been filed and the usual certificate issued [illegible] please also to inform me when issued, and to whom sent, and if the papers are on file, & are all regular & the certificate has not been yet issued you will oblige this widow & her family by sending the certificates at your earliest convenience
Respectfully your obt serv.
[signed] W. Nelson

Col Edwards
Page 38

Clarkstown Novr 8th 1844 
Honl Sir 
Accompanying I send you the Declaration of Johannah Benson, widow of Matthew Benson in order to obtain her Pension of $33 33/100 as allowed to her late husband, which I expect you will examin in its turn. when done please to send to me the result. 
I remain Honl Sir 
your Huml Servt 
[signed] David Pye
Page 39

26.600

160 Acres
Page 40

[left side]
Underhill M.B.H. 

[middle]
Revy WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 18577 
Johannah Benson 
Widow of Mathew Benson Pri Rev War 
Act: Feb 20 48 
Index: -- Vol. A,  Page 53 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 

[right side]
1906 Apr. 14 - History to Mrs. J.S. 
1916 Apr 18 - history to Mr. Eugene R. Verdin  MBV
1916 Nov. 9. History to Henry R. Drowne 
1918, May 29. History to Mrs. Geo. W. Clements  F.W.
Page 41

The Sanitarium
Clifton Springs
New York
Apr 2nd 1906

(STAMP) APR 5 1900

Bureau of Pensions
Washington. D. C.
I wish to join the Daughters of the Revolution and base my claim on the services during the Am. Revolution of my great-grandfather - Matthew Benson (of Rockland Co, State of N. Y.) who died Oct 23rd 1843,
Page 42

and whose widow drew a Pension for such services. Will you kindly furnish documentary evidence that I may present to the Society of the "D.A.R” 
I am very truly yours. 
Laura Osborne Underhill 
my address 
Mrs. J.S. Underhill 
Croton-on-Hudson 
New York

[stamped] U.S. Pension Office Apr 3 1906
Page 43

Rev Sec 
L. W. LAWRENCE 
STATIONERY & PRINTING 
40 NASSAU STREET 
MUTUAL LIFE BUILDING 
NEW YORK CITY 
April 7, 1916 
The Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C 
Dear Sir 
As suggested in the enclosed copy of letter from the War Department I am applying to your department for further information concerning the war record of Matthew Benson who aided in the defense of his County during the war of the Revolution 
Very Respectfully 
[signed] Eugene R. Verdin
Page 44

Rev Sec

65 Prospect Street 
Stamford Connecticut 
To The United States Pension Office: 
Please send me proof, from pension records, of Matthew Benson’s having served in the American Revolution in a Company probable from Rockland County, New York State. This proof necessary to make out first papers for membership in the
Page 45

Stamford Chapter D.A.R. 
Matthew Benson’s Wife Joanne Benson according to family tradition was the last pensioner of the Revolution in Rockland County.
Thanking you for the service
I am Very sincerely yours, 
Carrie Hurlbutt Clements 
(Mrs. George W Clements 
May 19, 1918

[stamped] U.S. Pension Office May 22 1918
Page 46

Sons of the Revolution
in the State of New York
Fraunces Tavern
Corner Broad & Pearl Streets
New York City
October 16, 1916.
E. C. Tieman, Esq., Acting Commissioner,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir: -
I beg to thank you for the Revolutionary service
of Henry Shaver, as given in his application for a pension.
Will you kindly send me the Revolutionary service
of Matthew Benson, who was born in Haverstraw, N.Y., on April 27, 1764, and died there on October 23, 1843. A pension was granted to him on his application dated February 5, 1833, and to Johanna Davis Benson, his widow, on her application dated November 7, 1844, Vide " File No. M. B. H. W. F. 18577, Revolutionary War . "
Yours very truly,
Henry Russell Drowne
Secretary..
P.S. The name of Jacob Marius of New York, who died in 1799, appears as a Private in an artillery regiment in "New York in the Revolution" by Comptroller Roberts, page 66. Have you any records in your department that would corroborate this service and give
names of his wife and members of his family?