Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18490, for Benjamin Lemasters, Virginia
Page 1

(3-1776) SERVICE Va. Lemasters, Benjamin NUMBER S18490 CONTENTS carded
Page 2

Sent 21s March 1835 County Clerk susp
" 20 June " claimant
" 2 Nov 1835 to B. Lemasters, Nicholas C.H.Va.

16.923 Virginia
Benjamin Lemasters I Nicholas in the State of Virginia who was a Pv in the Compnay commanded by Captain [illegible] of the Regt commanded by Col Parker in the Virginia Troops
2 ys Private $80.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 80 Dollars per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of Oct 1833 and sent to Samuel Price Nicholas C. Ho. Va.
Arrears to the 4th Sept 1833 - 200.00
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Mch 1834 40.00
#240.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by John T Sprague Clerk, Book E Vol 67 Page 22
Page 3

Benjamin Lemasters pensioner, receives $80 per annum. I the undersyned Benjamin Lemasters in pursuance of the requisition of the Secretary of War give the following naration of my service as a Soldier in the war of the Revolution - and statement of my age - I shall be 78 yrs old the 15th June next. In the year 1776 as well as I can still remember. I enlisted in Berkeley county Virginia for 3 years - I was Enlisted by Lieut. Culp a recruiting officer for Capt. Lewis Company - I joined his company at white plains - which was attached to the first Virginia Continental Regt. Commanded by Col. Richard Parker and Gen. Muhlenberg’s brigade - Gen. Washington commanded at the white plains - Lord Sterling commanded the Left wing of the army to which I belonged - The British came not and attacked the right wing in which the Delaware troops suffered unbelievably - We retreated toward Brunswick crossed the river & encamped on the Delaware, where I was detached with others under Lieut. Kilpatrick to protect the people of Trenton from the roberies of the Hessians - on rejoining the army we recrossed the river on March and went to Trenton had an engagement with the British which resulted in the capture of the Hessians. I saw the Battles of Monmouth & Princeton - at the latter engagement I was wounded in the right ancle with a Musket Ball was sent to the Hospital in Philadelphia and at there relocated the Small Port after getting well I joined the army again at or near Valley Forge - where we wintered - I think in the succeeding spring I was at Fort Miflin for one month under the command of Major Smith. I rejoined the army at white Marsh and went next to Brandywine and was in that engagement and afterward
Page 4

I was at the Battle of Germantown - when my first Enlistment had nearly espired - I re enlisted for the during the war. After which I get a furlough and returned herein and was married - I cant recollect for what length of time I was permitted to be about by my furlough but after that Cornwallis and his army were captured at Yorktown Va and I did not thereafter Join the army I personally served by McCuen. Delancey - Hammrick Saml Price unto my Declaration the attach giveth herein was the same in Substance sum given - In wittness of the which I hereto Subscribe my name 
Jany 10. 1835 Benjamin Lemasters 

A Copy W G Singleton 
Jany. 13. 1835

Mented - this man attains a fair character and the general opinion in his neighborhood that he did serve as private 
W G Singleton
Page 5

August 20, 1934. 

Margaret Somerville
Point Pleasant
West Virginia. 

BA-J/ILL 
Benjamin Lemasters 
S. 18490 

Dear Madam: Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Benjamin Lemasters, of Nicholas County, West Virginia, a pensioner under Act of June 7, 1832. The record of Benjamin Lemasters, the pensioner of Nicholas County, Virginia, (later West Virginia), is furnished herein as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S.18490, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. Benjamin Lemasters was born June 15, 1756 or 1757; the place of his birth and names of his parents are not shown. While a resident of Monongalia County, Virginia, he enlisted at Warm Springs, in Berkeley County, Virginia, in 1776, served as private and sergeant in Captain William Lewis' Company, Colonel Richard Parker's Virginia regiment; he was in the battle of White Plains, Trenton, and Princeton, in which engagement he was wounded in his right ankle by a musket ball and was in confined to a hospital in Philadelphia; after his recovery, he joined his company, was in the battles of Brandywine, and Germantown, and the Siege of Fort Mifflin, during which he carried dispatches to General Washington at White Marsh; he was in the battle of Monmouth. He stated that his first enlistment was for three years, and after that he enlisted for the war, but was on a furlough at the time Cornwallis and his army surrendered, and did not return to duty. He was allowed pension on his application executed November 13, 1832, at which time he resided in Nicholas County, Virginia. The soldier married, when he returned home on furlough; the date of said marriage and name of his wife are not shown. There are no further data relative to his family.
Page 6

For information in regard to date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and possibly, the date of death of the soldier, Benjamin Lemasters, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing the following: Benjamin Lemasters Certificate 16923 Issued October 16, 1833 Rate of $80 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831. Act of June 7, 1832 Virginia Agency. Very truly yours, A. D. HILLER. Assistant to Administrator.
Page 7

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., [blank], 19 [blank]

In reply to your request of [blank],  received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Lemasters a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) [crossed out] application for pension on file in the Bureau. SF. 18490

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. Enlisted at [illegible] Berkely Co Va 1776 | LENGTH OF SERVICE.  3 yrs. | RANK. Pvt & Sergt. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. William Lewis | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. COLONEL. Richard Parker | STATE. Va.

He Enlisted [illegible] 
[illegible] and he [illegible] in the [illegible],
During siege of [illegible]
to [illegible]

Battles engaged in, White Plains: Trenton: Princeton: [illegible] right ankle Brandywine
Germantown, Ft. Mifflin, Monmouth 1778
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Monongalia Co. Va
Date of application for pension, Nov 18, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Nicholas Co., Va
Age at date of application, b June 15. 1756 or 1757
Remarks: He married during [illegible] name of wife not stated. There is no further family data on file

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6-2836

Claimant says he belonged to Lewis co there serving under Capt Kilpatrick - [illegible]
head
Page 8

[Daughters of the American Revolution logo]
RECEIVED AUG 19 1934 [illegible] READER 12 VETS DM
COL. CHARLES LEWIS CHAPTER D. A. R. POINT PLEASANT, WEST VIRGINIA
August 8, 1934
Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
One Benjamin Lemasters who resided in the year 1831 in Nicholas County, West Virginia, served as a private in a Virginia Regiment during the Revolutionary War. He was pensioned under Act of Congress of June 7, 1832. Will you please give me
the following information if possible;
Company served in:
Regiment served in:
Born in year:
Resided during Revolution at:
Died in year:
Died at:
Wife's name:
Was wife placed on pension under Act of Congress of July 7, 1832?
I have written to the War Department and Mr. McKinley referred me to you. The only information I could obtain there was that Benjamin Lemasters served in the Revolution as a private in Captain William Lewis' Company, 1st Virginia Regiment.
I shall appreciate any data which you may be able to give me concerning this.
Very truly yours,
Margaret Somerville
Margaret Somerville
Regent
Page 9

Rev Sec
G.A. MATTHEWS, PRESIDENT MANAGER
R.E. LAZENBY, VICE PRESIDENT H.H. ANDREWS, SECY. & TREAS.
CHARLESTON GROCERY COMPANY
WHOLESALE GROCERS
CHARLESTON, W. VA.
[stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE. C JUN 21 1919
June 18-19.
Mr. Saetzgabert
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir
I would have replied sooner to your communication but I've been out of the city & have just returned, The only name I have any information about is Benjamin LeMasters. (I got this just recently from a cousin whom had gotten it from you) & I should like to have it officially from you as I am anxious to join D.A.R. organization,
The data is -
Benjamin LeMasters.
Enlisted- Warm Springs, Berkely Co. Va.
Date- 1776 - Length of Service 3 yrs.
Rank- Private & Sargeant
Capt. Wm. Lewis - Col. Richard
Page 10

Parker. He [illegible] wound of right ankle [illegible] Princeton & was sent to hospital in Phil. During siege of Fort Mifflin he carried dispatches to Gen Wash. at White [crossed out] Plains [end crossed out] Marsh.
Battles- White Plains, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown Ft Mifflin, Monmouth.
Date of application for pension Nov. 13- 1832. Born June 15- 1756 soldier married during Rev. war.
This information you kindly gave her admitted her to D.A.Rs.
Have you any idea where his marriage record could be found. he married a Miss Martin of Md.
Thanking you for this kindness I remain very respectfully
Mrs. G A Matthews
1314-A-Quarrier St.
Page 11

Rev. War Section
June 2, 1919.
Mrs. G. A. Matthews, 1314 A-Quarrier St. Charleston, W. Va.
Madam: In reply to your letter of the 5" ultimo, you are advised that owing to the large number of similar inquires and the lack of [illegible] purpose, this Bureau is unable to make a serise of investigations and reports in regard to a number of pensioners of the Revolution for any one person or organization. Only four records of [illegible] pensioners bein sent to a person; and in order toidentify such a record in addition to the full name of the soldier it is essential that you furnish as much as possible of the following datain regard to him; approximate date of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after discharge, and given name of widow.
Very respectfully, G M Saltzgaber Commissioner.
wanted Taylors of Va Wallaces " Hickmans " Campbells "
Page 12

Rev Sec
Middleport, O. Feb. 8, 1919.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
My Dear Sir:-
 Iwrote to the War Department for information concerning the services of Benjamin Lemasters in the Revolutionary War, they gave me all that they could and suggested that possibly you could give me some additional information. What I want most particularly is the dates of his inlistment and discharge if possible to get it. If you can give me this information it will be greatly appreciated and what ever the charges are I will forwad by return mail.
Thank you in advance for any information which  you may be able to give me I am Yours truly, Jennie R. Huddleston
[stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE N FEB 10 1919
Page 13

Buckhannon Public Schools
W. A. GROSE, SUPERINTENDENT
BUCKHANNON, WEST VIRGINIA
February 2, 1917.
The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
I wish to investigate the Revolutionary record of Benjamin Lemasters, who was wounded in
the battle of Bunker Hill. It is presumed that he was a citizen of Massachusetts at the beginning
of the Revolution, but he settled in Western Virginia soon after that period.
I shall be very grateful for any information
concerning him.
Yours very truly,
W. R. Grose
Page 14

[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE O OCT 19 1914

I copy verbatim from War Dept - Aug 31
"Records of this office show that our Benjamin Lamasters Served in Rev. War as private in Col Lewis' Co 1st Virginia Reg, commanded as above 
He is last reported on company pay roll April 1779 - 
Hoping this may suffice
I am very truly yours
Mary E P R Phelps - 
329 Olympic Place
Seattle Wash -
Page 15

Rev Sec
Oct 11 1914
Dept of Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Gentlemen
In regard to "Benjamin Lamastirs," of whom I wrote, the records show that Benjamin Lamastirs served as private, in Lewis Co, 1st Virginia Regiment, commanded at various times by Col. James Hendricks - Richard Parker and Isaac Reed in Rev. War. His name first appears Mch 1st 1777- appointed Sergeant, May 1777 and later on a company payroll for April 1779, as Sergeant, enlisted for the War-
Page 16

[illegible]
Benj Lemasters in his [illegible] says, that in 1777 he 
enlisted, for during the war (was then in the army) 
and when home on furlough & was married, and 
[illegible] ([illegible] 3 or 4 [illegible]) 
[illegible] the army afar
[illegible] 
enlisted 76 for 3 [illegible]
[illegible] that he enlist in 77 for 3 [illegible] and [illegible]
[illegible] -
Page 17

Jas Given's affid_
Page 18

State of Virginia
Nicholas County sch
I James Given of said County do solemnly swear that some years ago, the precise time I can not recollect, one Martin Delany, who is now dead and who before his death received a pension as a revolutionary soldier, appeared before me who was then a justice of the peace and made oath that he knew Benjamin Lemasters of said County to be a soldier in the revolutionary war, but how long he served or under whom I cannot now recollect. Which affidavit was taken in support of Benjamin Lemasters' claim to a pension and which as it is said has been lost or mislaid. And that I also consider that said Delany was credible and ought to be believed so help me God
James Given

Nicholas County sch
The foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn to before me a justice of the peace in &for said County, and I certify that James Given is credible and ought to be believed. Given under my hand this 5th day of September 1833
Hudson M. Dickinson

I Samuel Price clerk of the County of Nicholas do hereby certify that Hudson M. Dickinson who has subscribed the foregoing certificate was on the 5th day of September 1833 and yet is an acting majestrate [magistrate] in the County of Nicholas & that full faith & credit are due to all his acts as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of my office this 20th day of September in the year 1833 & in the 58th of our foundation
Saml Price
Page 19

P 18490 INVALID.
No. 18,415 Benjamin Lemasters Pri Rev War
Act June 7" 32
ex:- Vol. 1, Page 222
[ Arrangement of 1870. ]
1914 Oct 21 history to Mrs. Mary. E.P.R. Phelps B.B.H.
1917 Feby 13 Hist to W.R. Grose.&
1919 Feb. 17 Hist to Jennie R. Hiddleston
1919 Jly  1 Hist to Mrs. G.A. Matthews
1922 May 19 Hist to Mrs. G.B. Dameson
1934 Aug. 20. Hist to Margaret Somerville [illegible]
Page 20

Affadafit of Andrew P Friend
Page 21

Virginia Nicholas County to wit
Andrew P Friend this day personally appeard before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in & for the aforesaid County and made oath that one Peter Mc Cune some Eight or ten years age were examined before him and David France a co.justise of said County by Benjamin Lamasters who was then a yet is a Resident Citizen of nicholas County in support of his application for a pension as a Revolution soldier of the United States when stated in his deposition according to said Friends best Recolection that he knows of the said Benjamin Lamasters of nicholas County to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary army that he saw him in the army that he the said MCune & Benjamin Lamasters had both their washing done by one Woman for some time
that the said peter McCune is Now Dead and his affidavid a foresaid are said to be lost mislaid or Destroyed so that it cannot now be had sworn to and subscribed the 7th day of January 1833 andrew P Friend
I certify that the foregoing affidavit was duly taken before me as it purports and that the [illegible] is credible William Given JP
I Samuel Price Clerk of the Court of Nicholas County do hereby certify that William Given who has subscribed his name to the foregoing affidavit as such was on the 7th day of January 1833 and yet is a acting majestrate in the County of Nicholas aforesaid duly qualified and commissioned as such and that full faith and credit ought to be paid to all his acts as such In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 10t day of January 1833 and in the 57t year of our foundation Saml price
Page 22

Nicholas C.H. Septr the 20th 1833
Sir.
The papers in the case of Benj- Lemasters' application for a pension are herewith returned to your department so far as it has been in Mr Lemasterses power to correct & support them they have been corrected and supported agreeably to your suggestions. Also returned -Mr Lemasters has not been able to comply with note J But he has made full proof of his services by one Living witness and has proved also that two other persons stated upon oath that they knew him in the war. This it seems to me is substantially equivalent to the requisitions of note J & would be so understood in a court of record. (see authorities on the subject) Mr. Lemasters took (some time after the passage of the act of 1818) the affidavits of Martin Delany & - [illegible] upon this very same subject. He was prevented from obtaining a pension certificate because he then owned too much property. These witnesses now dead and their affidavits are lost unless may be filed in your department. And under [illegible] circumstances if he shall be prevented from obtain [illegible] his pension it will seem to me to be a very hard [illegible] Mr. Lemasters (although indigent and old) is a man of high respectability in his neighbourhood and so far as I have heard no one has ever doubted his having performed the services for which he claims a pension. & I feel satisfied that if his claim should be rejected by the rules of your department a meritorious person will be excluded
If this application should meet with an unfavourable result please return the papers to me at Nicholas C.H. Va
Respectfully I am your obl servt
Saml Price
Page 23

State of Kentucky Harrison County Jct
The Affidavit of Mary Wiggins about seventy eight years of age who states that she was well acquainted with Benjamin Lemaster who is now an applicant to obtain a Pension for services rendered during the Revolutionary War this Affidavit states that she knows that the applicant enlisted at the warm spring in Virginia Berkley County and states she knows when he returned with his knapsack on having been gone about three years she further states that it was allways stated that he received a wound whilst in the service at Princeton in New Jersey and never contradicted. She is well convinced that the said applicant was gone from home at least three years and during all the time that he was gone she knows that it was reputed that he was in the service and as she has already stated when he returned he came by her house with his knapsack on and she went with him to his fathers she states she thinks he enlisted some time in the year of 1776 and returned some time in the year 1779
Mary Wiggins x her mark
Page 24

State of Kentucky Harrison County Jct
The within named Mary Wiggins this day personally appeared before us two of the acting Justices of the peace for said county and subscribed and swore to the statements contained in the within affidavit We do further state that she is a woman of credability and that her statements may be relied on
Given under our hands and seals this 5th day of May 1835
Th B Woodyard JPHC 
Saml Williams JPHC 
State of Kentucky Harrison County Jct
 I Samuel Endicott Clerk of the County Court of Harrison County do certify that Th B Woodyard and Saml Williams whose names are affixed to the above certificate are acting Justices of the peace in and for said County and that their signatures are genuine and that full faith and credit an and of right ought to be given to all of their official acts as such In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 5th day of May AD 1835 and in the year of the Commonwealth the 43rd
Samuel Endicott Clerk of the Court of Harrison County
Page 25

Benjn. Le Masters
21974
Page 26

VA [illegible]
Nicholas C H Va June 7th free
The comissioner of Pensions Washington City
Page 27

Nicholas CH June the 6th 1835
Sir
I sent to you our additional deposition in support of my right to a pension. After receiving this and the others filed with my declaration if there be more required will you inform me. The depositions of  Hammrick Givens & perhaps McCuen and Delancey are perhaps in your possession & if more still should be required I may be able to obtain it with great trouble.
Respectfully your obt servant 
Benjamin Lemasters 
of Nicholas County Va
Page 28

Benjamin Lemasters 2n Nov. 35.
G.C
Record 7 2y page 450
Page 29

War Dept.
Pension Office
Nov. 2d. 1835
Sir,
The statement of Gen. Smith in relation to your service has been examined and placed on our files. It is satisfactory, so far as it goes, but it does not show that you served the time set forth in your declaration. The rule of evidence pointed out in the note (j) in the enclosed printed sheet must be strictly adhered to in all respects: otherwise your name cannot be continued on the pension list.

Mr. Benjamin Lemasters
Nicholas C.H.
Virginia.
Page 30

Oct. 30
Mechanics town MD
Oct 28_ free
James Edwards, Esq War Department Washington City DC
Page 31

Benjamin La Master says that he has been a sergeant in the [illegible] Richard Parker's Regiment of the Virginia line of the Revolutionary [illegible] ot those facts I am ignorant. But he has fully [illegible] me by the relation of certain incidents that the [illegible] since render me in part [illegible] that he has been in the Battles of Princeton German town and Monmouth and there no doubt is entitled to a continuance of his Pension under the late Act of Congress S Smith formeraly [illegible] 4: Maryland Regiment [illegible] 24 October 1835
Page 32

Beng Lemasters Pension Nicholas county  Entitld
Page 33

Benj Lemaster June 20 th 1835
G.C.
Record 7 27 page 132
Page 34

Departt. of War
Pension Office
June 20th 1835
Sir
I have recd. the additional testimony in support of your claim to a continuance upon the pension roll, but do not find the evidence satisfactory
If you served for the period you have stated, in the Virginia line, you certainly did not serve without pay, and the pay rolls would most assuredly been your name. I would advise you re-apply at the auditor office a Richmond for proof. [illegible]

Benj Lemasters
Nicholas CH
Va
Page 35

[stamp] [illegible] OFFICE RECEIVED APR 12 1922 NO. 3. BUREAU OF PENSIONS
[stamp] OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER APR 10 1922 U. S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS
[stamp] PENSION K APR 13 1922 OFFICE
Hon. W. Gardner Pension Dept,
Dear Sir- Could you give me any information helpful to D.A.R. work - concerning my Revolutionary ancestor Benjamin Lemaster, who according to Sutton's history of Braxton Co. & Cen. W. Va. was born in Nicholas Co. 1751 died 1837. married Rebecca Martin Lemaster 1778 or 9 I have the children's names whom married but not when.
Also
Either Major Geo. Stump or Colonel Michael Stump - who introduced the Stump family into Steer Creek Valley & who married Sarah Hughes - sister to the great Indian Fighter . Colonel Stump lived on the South Branch of the Potomac - is about all I seem to find - and oblige (Mrs. ) Ethel Boggs Dameron.
Page 36

Benj Lamasters Pension affidavit
Page 37

The Commonwelth Of Kentucky
Harisan County Jct
I Larkin Garnett presiding Justice in and for the County Court of Harisan Do Certify that Saml. Endicott whose signature appears to the foregoing Certificate is acting Clerk in and for the Harisan County Court, duly Quallifyd according to Law and that full faith and Creddit are due to all his Official Acts as such, as well in Courts of Law as there Out and that the foregoing seal is the seal of his Office and the Certificate in due form of Law given under My hand this 6th day of May 1835
Larkin Garnett p.J.p.H.C

Benjn Lamastus
Pension affidavit
Page 38

I Benjamin Hamrick, of the County of Nicholas in the state of Virginia, do solemnly swear than in the fall of the year 1777 according to the best of my recollection I became acquainted with one Benjamin Lemasters, who now also resides in said Nicholas County, in the army of the United States. This acquaintance commenced at the Vally Forge, where General Washington's army was then stationed. Said Lemasters belonged to the company commanded by Capt. Lewis and sometime acted as sergent in said compay [company]. This company belonged to the first Virginia Regiment commanded by Col. Dick Parker and General Mulenburg commanded the Brigade This affiant was intimately acquainted with said Lemasters in the service. He does not know on what day said Lemasters enlisted in the Revolutionary service but he recollects to have heard both said Lemasters and his Capt. Lewis whilst they were both in the service say he had enlisted for a term of three years. This affiant saw said Lemasters frequently whilst in the service. He recollects to have seen him at both of the memorable battles of Germantown & Brandywine. This affiant does not recollect the precise day on which said Lemasters was discharged from the service but he feels perfectly satisfied that he knew him to be engaged in the service for a period of three years or very nearly that. He cannot say from what precise quater of Virginia said Lemasters and the ballance of Capt  Lewis' company came but he thinks from some county bordering on the Blue Ridge This affiant has been intimately acquainted with said Benj. Lemasters ever since the Revolution
Page 39

ary war, and knows he is the identical same man  whom he knew in the war. This affiant will be 76. years of age on the 12th day of September next and said Lemasters was thus been consided to be two years older that this affiant. Given under my hand this 19 day of August 1833. 
Benjamin Hamrick

I William Given a majestrate for the County of Nicholas in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit was duly sworn to & subscribed before me & that said Benjamin Hamrick is a credible man & ought to be believed upon oath given under my hand this 19 day of August 1833
Wm. Given JP

I Samuel Price clerk of the County Court of Nicholas County do hereby certify that William Given whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate was on the 19th day of August last and [illegible] is an acting magistrate in the County of Nicholas & that full faith and credit are due & ought to be paid to all his acts as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of my office to be hereunto affixed this 19 day of September in the year 1833 and in the 58 of our foundation
Saml Price.
Page 40

{State of Virginia County of Nicholas} S.S.
On the 13th day of November 1832 personally appeared before the County Court of Nicholas County the same being a Court of record Benjamin Lemasters a resident in the said County of Nicholas and State of Virginia age Seventy six years and one month who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make 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 1777 with _ _ Culp a recruiting officer Capt William Lewis and served in the 1st Regiment of the Virginia line under the following named officers He was in the company of Capt William Lewis during all the time he was in the service the name of Capt Lewis Lieutenant was Frances Minnis and Holman Minnis his Ensign He entered the service under an enlistment for three years and served during that time leaving the army as he thinks in the year 1780. He entered in the County of Berkeley in Virginia though he resided in Monongalia in said State - After he was enlisted he was marched by Capt Lewis to the white Plains where he joined the army commanded by Genl George Washington. The Regiment to which he belonged was commanded by Col. Richard Parker of Virginia - Major Flemin belonged to that Regiment at the time and continued to belong to it until he was killed at the Battle of Princeton - At the time he left the army Maj _ _ Ball belonged to the Regiment who perhaps took the place of Maj _ _ Green who some time during his term of Service belonged to this Regiment but what became of him he does not now recollect - Soon after he joined the army at the White plains the British Sallied out from the City of New York and gave the Continental troops battle - who were drawn up in line of battle and sustained some fulle fire which cut the right wing of the Army com-
Page 41

posed of the Delaware Blues severly and Genl Washington ordered a retreat - Lord Sterling commanded the wing of the army which he belonged to - The army retreated to Brunswick being persued by the British and continued retreating until they got to the Pennsylvania Shore of the Delaware river where the main body of the army remained during a considerable part of the winter. From from this place he was taken under the command of Capt _ _ Kilpatrick (although he Still belonged properly to Capt Lewis company) across the Delaware river to Guard Trenton from the ravages of the British - He was at the battle of Monmouth and Princeton at the latter of which he received a slight wound in the right ankle. After receiving this wound he was carried off upon Major Fleming’s horse who had been killed in the battle  - He was conveyed to the Hospital at Philadelphia and after recovering from his wound again joined the army in Pennsylvania. He was at both the battle of Germantown and Brandywine and also was a month at the Siege [crossed out] fort Miflin under the command of Major Smith an whilst employed at Miflin he saw the Ship Augusta blown up in the river Delaware - During the siege he roade express twice for Maj Smith to Genl Washington at the white Marsh. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension rolls of any agency in any State Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Benjamin Lemasters 

And the said Court do hereby declare this opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and secured as he states I Samuel Price clerk of the County Court of Nicholas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Secured Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Lemasters for a pension. In testimony whereas I have hereunto Set my hand & seal of office the 13th day of October in the year 1832 and 57 afore foundation 
Samuel Price