Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5,218, William Benson, Va.
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Service Va.
Benson, William 
Sarah
Number W. 5,218
Page 2

33.154
Georgia
William Benson dec (deceased)
of ___ in the State of ____
who was a Private in the Army commanded by Captain ____ of the ____ commanded by ____ in the ____ .
line for Revolution 
Inscribed on the Roll of Savannah 
at the rate of 100 Dollars __ Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. End 14 Apr 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of July 1853 and sent to C. C. Tucker 
Arrears to the 4th of [illegible]
Semi-annual allowance ending

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by R. M. Rae Clerk, 
Book 6, Vol. 6, Page 93
Page 3

William Benson was born in the year 1759 17 day  September.  I lived with my father and mother for six years happy and then my Father took sick and died in the year 1765.  I lived with my Mother one or two years then my mother took me and carried me up the country to my Father's sister Molly Miller's wood not stay their.  She took me to my uncle porters then the Boys got me out in the woods to make whips when we came back my mother was gone I hollowed and cried a plenty in the fall she came to see me and brout uncle John Seal with her and I never have seen her since.  She took sick soon after and died about three years after my father died about the year 1768.  I lived with my uncle porter until I was 18 years old then I enlisted for three years that was the twenty fourth of August 1777 I went to little York there we staid until the next fall I was taken sick in March and was sent to the hospitttle at Williamsburgh me and William Waddel Mason was Peter hill the last of may Waddel went down to York again with me I continued sick and we all got the ague and fevour and we got furlow and went home until we got well then we we went back again we had the in the time that was 1778 in 79 we staid at Yorktown in the Spring we was ordered up to Williamsburgh to march to Charlestown that was 1780 Charlestown was taken before we go there we went about until our time was out that 2 August.
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The remembrance of old times 1784 and 85 and 86
[?] My dear Aladan
I take the opportunity of writing to you  once more to let you know with sorrow I right [sic] this to think of many times I have been in your company I want to put you in mind of the times and places first of all remember when I came up from Fredericksberg [sic] and had the mesels [measels] and my sister was sent up their [sic] she went to stay at your house. She told me something you sed [sic] to her it was not disagreeable to me
 remember we was at cousin John Porters living together I remember the kind invitation from you to me that was [?] I was sent before to give notes [notice].
I thought I was as happy as I could be in 1785 in May we was at a [?] at old Mr Joseph Martins  when Captn Weaver and Mrs Weaver came by their [sic] for me to go home with them. I cood [sic] not go then. They said if [?] Porter wood [sic] go that I would go. I promised to go on Monday morning and So I did. She sed [sic] I did not belong to her she said yes he dose [does] I wish I had belong to you at that time the next Sunday I was [?] with [?] on a saddle to go to meeting with the girls we had a happy day of it I think.
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1855.
June 27 Miller A Brandebury
Died June 30 1854

6.126
Georgia
Sarah Benson Widow of William Benson Va who served in the Revolutionary war as a private of Artillery

Inscribed on the roll at the rate of 100 dollars and 0 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of 185? and sent to CC Tucker present 

Recorded on roll of pensioners under act February 2 1848 208 Vol. 3
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State of Georgia Wilkes County 
On this 11th day of March 1853 personally appeared before a Judge of the Inferior Court for said County Sarah Benson a resident of Wilkes County in the State of Georgia aged 82 years who being duly sworn doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the Act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 as amended by the joint resolution of August 16. 1842 and the Act of March 3. 1843 June 17. 1844 and Feb 1848 
That she is the widow of William Benson who was a soldier in the Companies commanded by Captain Edmonds and Yancy Lipscomb in Colonel Marshalls Regiment of Virginia Artillery in the war of the Revolution that her said husband enlisted in Culpeper or Prince William County Virginia on or about the 6th day of September A.D. 1777 and served for and during the term of three years, and was honorably discharged at Richmond Virginia on the 5th day of September A.D. 1780 and that he again entered the service under officers whose names are unknown and was present at the siege of Yorktown. she further states that she was married to the said William Benson on the nineteenth day
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of September one thousand seven hundred and eighty six (1786) in Prince William County Virginia by one Rev. M Craig a Clergyman that her name before her said marriage was Sarah Seale that her husband the aforesaid William Benson died in Wilkes County Georgia on the fourteenth (14th) day of April one thousand eight  hundred and thirty four (1834) and that she is now and has remained a widow since the death of her said husband 

She further states that since the death of her said husband she has resided in said county (Virginia -crossed out) Georgia and was not aware that she was entitled to a pension by reason of the services of her husband until a few days previous to making this declaration and therefore made no application for the same.

Sarah (her X mark) Benson

Sworn to and subscribed before me by the said Sarah Benson at her house in the said County of Wilkes and I certify that the said Claimant Sarah Benson is unable to appear in open Court by reason of her age and not bodily infirmity and I also certify that I am well acquainted with the said Sarah Benson and have known her in said County for 35 years and I believe that she is of the age mentioned
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 in her declaration and the widow of William Benson also well known to me who I believe --- to have been a soldier of the Revolution This March 11th 1853.
William Q Anderson Justice of the Inferior Court Wilkes  County, Georgia 

State of Georgia 
Wilkes County I Ryland Beasley Clerk of the Inferioror Court within and for said County do certify that William Q Anderson Esq before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit was made and who has thereunto subscribed his name was at this term of so doing a Judge of the Inferior Court within and for said County of Wilkes, & that said Court is a Court of record and that the signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine Given under my hand and seal of Office this 15th day of March 1852 Rayland Beasley Clk
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Know all men by these presents, that we William Benson and John Rollins are held and firmly bound unto Patrick Henry Esquire Governor of Virginia and his successors for the use of this Commonwealth in the full and the just sum of fifty pounds, current money of Virginia. To which payment will and truly to be made, we bond ourselves and each of us, our and each of our heirs, executors and Administrator, jointly and servally, firmly by these presents sealed with our seal and dated the seventh day of September 1780. 
The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there hath this day appeared from the clerk's office of Prince William, a license for a marriage intended to be had and solemnised, between the above bound William Benson and Sarah Seale. Now if there should be no lawful cause to obstruct the same then the above obligation to be void, else to remain in full force and virtue. William Benson (seal)
PD Lipscomb, clerk
State of Virginia
Prince William County to wit
I Philip D. Lipscomb clerk of the County Court for the County of Prince William  in he State of Virginia do hereby certify that this foregoing is a true transcript from the record of the said court in testimony whereof I hero set my hand and anned the seal of the said court this 31st day of March 1853 
PD Lipscomb
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Dear Madam: Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to three William Bensons, who served in the Revolutionary War from Virginia, and whose records were furnished to you by the War Department. 
This office is unable to furnish the record of a soldier of the Revolution, unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made to the United States, based upon his service in that war. 
The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 5218, based upon the military service of William Benson during the War of the Revolution. This is the record of the only William Benson that is found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office. William Benson was born September 17, 1759 place not stated, nor are the names of his parents given. His father died in 1765 and in a year or two, he and his mother moved up the country to his father's sister, Molly Miller; his mother died about the year 1768. 

William Benson, while residing with his "Uncle place Porter" in Culpeper or Prince William County, Virginia , enlisted in August or September, 1777, served in Captain Edmunds' and Yancey Lipscomb's companies,
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Colonel Marshall's Virginia regiment, and was discharged in Richmond, Virginia, September 5, 1780. He later served in Colonel Elias Edmunds' Virginia regiment and was in the siege of Yorktown, length of service not Georgia. 

The soldier, William Benson, married September 19, 1786 in Prince William County, Virginia, Sarah Seale. He died April 14, 1834 in Wilkes County, Georgia.

The widow, Sarah Benson, was allowed pension on her application executed March 11, 1853, at which time she was aged eighty-two years and a resident of Wilkes County, Georgia. She died June 30, 1854.  

They reared a large family of children, no names  stated.
Very truly yours A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator
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Washington D.C. June 24. 1853 
Hon Loren P. Waldo 
Commissioner of Pensions 

Sir, I have received a letter from your office dated June 23d informing me that the application of Sarah Benson Widow of Wm of Ga has been examined and filed under the Act of July 7, 1838. She has furnished in proof of marriage.
On the 5th of April last I filed in your office a copy of manage bond of the manage of William Benson and Sarah seal at dated Sept 7, 1786, also a letter from the County Clerk of Prince William Co. Va. Also on the 2nd of May an affidavit from Thomas Anderson explaining the cause of the Soldier not having made application for a Pension under the Act of 1818.
Presuming that the claim is now complete I would respectfully ask that it may be taken up and the Certificates issued at an early day.

It will be seen that Mrs Benson also claims the arrears due her husband at his death under the Act of June 7, 1832.
 

Very respectfully Your Obt Sert 
Chas. C. Tucker
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State of Georgia ⎬ S.S. Wilkes County ⎬ 

On this the 11th day of March A.D. 1853 before me a Justice of the peace in and for said County personally came Nicholas G Barksdale to me well known who being sworn according to law declares that he was well acquainted with William Benson late of said County deceased that he knew him well since about forty years, that said Benson died in the said County of Wilkes on or about the fourteenth day of April AD 1884 and deponent recollects about the day of his death from this circumstance viz that deponent wrote the last will and testament of said William Benson a short time before his death & that said will bears date March 17th AD 1834, that said William Benson was believed by all his acquaintances to have been a soldier of the Revolution and to have served in the Virginia troops. That said William Benson frequently recounted dangers and difficulties he underwent while in service and has frequently spoken of the siege of York Town, Deponent further says that he is well acquainted with said Sarah Benson and has known her ever since the death of her said husband William Benson and for many years before that time and that she is now and has remained a widow since her said husband death and that she and said William Benson always lived together as husband & wife and raised a large family of children. Witness states that he is himself fifty three years of age and that he has no interest whatever in the claim of said Sarah Benson Nicholas G. Barksdale
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Sworn to and subscribed before me and I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above affiant Nicholas G. Barksdale and that all his statements above are entitled to full credit that said Barksdah is a citizen of great wealth and unimpeachable integrity & believe him to be of the age above mentioned Charles W. Handy State of Georgia Wilkes County I hereby certify that Charles W Hance before whom the foregoing declaration was sworn to and subscribed and who has thereby subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the 1 County aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn, and that the said signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine Given under my hand and seal of Office this 12th day of March 1852 Royland Beasley Co of the Infenor Court of withe County Georgia
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State of Georgia Wilkes County 
On this the 12th day of March AD 1853 before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally came Thomas Anderson of said County to me well known who being duly sworn according to law declares the he knew William Benson of said County deceased the he knew him personally from the year AD 1775 until his death which took place in said County in the month of April AD 1834, and that said Benson paid his taxes annually to deponent as the tax Collector of said County from the year 1804 to the year 1822, and that said Benson was always believed by all his neighbours to have been a soldier of the Revolution and to have served in the Virginia Troops - that said Benson lived and died an honest good citizen and beloved by his rights - Deponent further says that he has known the claimant Sarah Benson during the same length time , and that she is now and has remained a widow since the death of her said husband-- that she and said William Benson alway lived together as husband and wife and and
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raised a large family of children. deponent as he has no interest whatever in said claim by said Sarah person for a pension, and deponent says he is eighty one years old. Thomas Anderson 
Sworn to and subscribed before me and I certify that I am personally acquainted with said deponent Thomas Anderson and that all his statements are entitled to full credit that said deponent is acitizen  of wealth and unimpeachable integrity, and I believe him to be of the age above stated Charles W. Hancock SS State of Georgia County of Wilkes 3 I Royland Beasley Clerk of the Inferior Court within and for said County do certify that Charles W Hancock Esq before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit was made and who has thereunto subscribed her name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn, and that the signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine. Guin under my hand and seal of Office this 12th day of March 1852 Reyland Beasley Co
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11529 
Georgia 
Sarah Benson widow of William, 
who died on the 14 Ap. 1834 of ()
in the State of () 
who was a member of Art 7, of in the by Captain () of the()
commanded by () 
commanded in the() 
line for Revolution 
Inscribed on the Roll of Savannah at the rate of 100 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of July 53 and sent to C C Tucker 
Arrears to the 4th of West Semi-annual allowance ending 
 
Revolutionary Claim,  Act July 7 1838
 recorded by R  Mc Rae, Clerk  
Book D Vol 1 Page 317
Page 18

Brentonville Va 5
April 4th

Chas C. Tucker Esq.
Washington 
D.C.
Page 19

Brentsville 2d April '53

Sir
Enclosed please find the copy of marriage bond of Wm. Benson the  mice have eaten the signature of the security from the bond supposed his hand was greasy when he signed--[?] 77 cents - please remit

Resptly, 
P D Lipscomb
Page 20

Brief in the case of William & Sarah Benson County and State of Georgia act June 7 1832 & July 7 1838 & Claim, (original, or for increase.) Proof exhibited, (if original.) Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. Documentary and parole proof of service Original papers filed, and Record of the of Auster Record of marriage, (If for increase.) Has additions if so, what? Name and residence of Agent Chas. C. Tucker Esq Present 
Thorton Liplett examining clerk
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Pension Office,
June 23rd 1853

Sir:
The application of Sarah Benson, widow of William, of Georgia, has been examined and filed under the Act of July 7, 1838. She has furnished no proof of marriage. 
I am, respectfully, 
Your Obt. Svt,
L. P. Waldo
Commissioner.
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7. June 1832 - No. 38.562
William Benson decd.
Ga
admd. June 7 1832 -
2 yrs Artillery pri $ 100
per Annum from 4 March 1831 to 14 April 1834 when he died.
Pay to his Widow Sarah Benson

Sarah Benson widow of William 
Ga
admd. July 7 1838 &c.
2 yrs pri Artillery $ 100
per Annum from
4 March 1836
2 yrs excepted

Cert to
Chas. C. Tucker Esq
Present
Page 23

Washington D.C. May 2. 1853.

Hon Loren. P. Waldo.
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir,
I send herewith additional evidence in support of the Pension Claim under the Act of July 7, 1838. of Sarah Benson widow of William Benson (dec.) The declaration having been filed in your Office on the 21st of March last.
Having failed to state in the evidence previously forwarded, the reasons of the Soldier not having applied for a pension under the Act of March 18, 1818 I now enclose an Affidavit showing that he was possessed of a sufficient amount of property to have debarred him from the benefits of said Act.-

Very respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Chas. C. Tucker.-
Page 24

Washington D.C. April 5. 1853.

Hon Loren P. Waldo.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir
I send enclosed record evidence of the marriage of Sarah Benson whose claim for a Revolutionary Pension under the Act of July 7, 1838, and the arrears due her husband at his death under the Act of June 7, 1832, was forwarded in my letter of March 21st. ult.-
An early examination of the Claim is respectfully requested.-
Very respectfully
Your Obt Servt.
Chas. C. Tucker.-
Page 25

Washington D.C. March 21. 1853.-

Hon Loren. P. Waldo.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir.
I send herewith the Claim of Sarah Benson of Georgia widow of William Benson for a pension under the Act of July 7. 1838.-
Proof of the marriage of the Soldier and widow will be forwarded in a few days.

Very respectfully
Your Obt Servt.
Chas. C Tucker.-
Page 26

his is a list of our Army Colonel Edmonds Artillary at York town 
William Benson his hand 
John hammonds his hand
Elias Edmonds Cirnal
I live in hopes this world
Poor Dear Colonel Edmonds the last time I seed hi was at Fauquier court house and we drank som grog together for the last time that I ever seed him in this world or Ever Shall again he is gone to the other world
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Dead
Elias Edmonds Capt of Company USA ti
Samuel Blackwill Lieutenant Dead
Vallentine Leach | William Waddle
george leach sener | Jacob gipson
george leach juner | Joshua drummond
James Jones | Joshua kennard
John Porter Dead | James kennard
Hendley More Dead | John Morton dead
peter moore | Reubin thornton
William kibble | Thos Jett dead
James May Dead | John hammonds 35
Joseph heiron | Daniel Cornwel
george bullet Dead | Benjamin piper dead
Enoch Smith Dead | William Haney
William Benson | Enoch foley
John Mcall Dead | Andrew Smith
James M Sannaham | thomas hudnal
James Boothe | thomas White
John Ridley Dead | Zachariah tayler 43
John ares | William Rice 44
Bennet Wats
Mason Wats
Joseph Markwill
Peter Hilt
Nathen Holtzelaw dead
Benjamin Utterback
William higgins
John higgins 26
Page 28

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Comr. of Pensions
Page 29

Washington City June 23d 1855

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Comr. of Pensions
Sir
Mrs. Sarah Benson, a Pensioner, died on the 30th of June 1854, having drawn her pension up to the 4th of March 1853.
We enclose you proof of her death - Exemplification of the Appointment by E. R Anderson, Administrator de bonis non - and a Power of Atty from him to us, authorizing us to receive a certificate of Any Arrears of Pension due to her, at the time of her death.
Very Respectfully
Yours &c
Miller & Brandebury
Page 30

9,408
Georgia

Sarah Benson
widow of William
who was a pri, of Arty,
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 100 Dollars ~ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29~ day of July 53 and sent to 
C.C. Tucker
Prest.

[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 21 - Page 172
Page 31

Power of Attorney,
Know all men by these presents, that I, Sarah Benson of Wilkes Co. Ga. widow of William Benson, -
do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint CHAS. C. TUCKER, of Washington City, D. C. my true and lawful Agent and Attorney to prosecute the Claim of Sarah Benson - for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of Pension that may be due under the provisions of the Act of July 7, 1838. or any other Act or Resolution of Congress, and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers and documents in relation to said Claim on file in the Department at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed : and all that my said Attorney may lawfully do in the premises.
Witness my hand and seal this 11th day of March 1853.
In presence of -
N. T. Barksdale} Sarah Benson {ss}
N. Q Anderson} x her mark
STATE of Georgia Wilkes COUNTY-ss.
On this 11th,, day of March 1853, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State above mentioned personally appeared Sarah Benson of said County and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be her act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned.
E. W. Anderson J. P.

STATE of Georgia
COUNTY of Wilkes
I Royland Beasley Clerk of the Inferior Court of said County do hereby certify that Edmund W Anderson Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgement were made an who has thereunto signed his name, was at the time of doing so a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal this 12th day of March 1853.
Royland Beasley Clk
I.C
Page 32

State of Georgia
Wilkes County} SS
On this the 26th,, day of April in the year AD 1853 before me a Justice of the Inferior Court within and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared Thomas Anderson of said County who being duly sworn according to law declares that he was well acquainted with William Benson late of said County deceased for many years and up to the time of his death in the month of April 1834 - The precise day of the month deponent cannot state, Deponent further states that he (deponent) was tax collector for said County from the year 1804 to 1822 inclusive and that during that time and up to his death the said William Benson was in good circumstances being possessed of a good tract of land and several slaves - That deponent finds by the tax books which he kept that in the year 1815, 1816, 1817 1818, 1819 & 1820 he Benson gave in as Taxable property nine slaves and 443 acres of land - And that at the time of his death said William Benson was possessed of twenty odd slaves and a tract of land. Deponent further says that he is the identical Thomas Anderson whose affidavit was taken some time since to be used in the application for a pension made by Mrs Sarah Benson
Page 33

The widow of said William Benson deceased.
Thomas Anderson 
X

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first above written and I certify that I am well acquainted with the deponent Thomas Anderson and that he is an old and reputable citizen and all his statements above are entitled to full credit
Lewis S. Brown J.I.C.

State of Georgia} I Royland Beasley Clerk of the
County of Wilkes} Inferior Court Within and for the County aforesaid do Certify that Lewis S. Brown Esq before whom the foregoing declaration was sworn to and subscribed was at the time thereof a Justice of the Inferior Court Within and for Said County, (that Said Court is a Court of record) and that the Said Signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine.
Given under my hand and seal of Office this 28th day of April 1853.
Royland Beasley 
Clk IC
Page 34

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 5218
Sarah Benson
Widow
Wm Benson
Pvt. Rev: War

Act: Feby, 2"/48
Index:-Vol. A, Page 49
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1929 - Nov. 8 - Hist to Mr. Clarence A Miller AWF
1934 - Oct 5 - " " Miss Claudia L. walker AWF
Page 35

The 29 day of September the began the seage at york and helped us of octber they com to A capalation and the 19 day they Marchd out and laid down their arms - - - - - 
N the year 1781 Lord Cornwolles became A prisoner

This is to Certify that William Benson a Soldier in Colo. Marshalls Regiment of artillery have due him from the State of Virginia one Coate one Vest one O. Breeches Two Shirts Two Or. Stockings Two Or. Shoes & one hatt
Jancey Lipscomb Capt. Lt. V.S.A
Richmond Sept 5th V160
Page 36

No. 14,883.
Sarah Benson
Widow of Wm.
Ga
Chas. C. Tucker June 23/53

Act July 7 1838

THIS IS TO CERTIFY, That it appears from a list in this office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia State .... Line as settled their accounts and received certificates for the balance of their Full Pay, according to an act of assembly, passed the November session 1781, directing the Auditors of Public Accounts to settle and adjust the pay and accounts of the said Officers and Soldiers from the 1st January 1777 to 31st December 1781, (see Hening's Statutes at Large, vol. 10, p. 462,) that a settlement was made on the 24th day of June 1783 in the name of William Benson as Soldier of Artly - and evidence of the indebtedness of the State to him for [pound sign]77.15.6 - delivered to Mr Barker - but as the original settlements or copies thereof are not to be found in this office, the term of service embraced therein cannot be stated.
Given under my hand at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this 24th day of Feby - 1853.
Ro Johnston
Audr of Pub Accts
[No Seal of Office.]
Page 37

[header]
LAW OFFICES
HITT, MILLER, CAIN & MUNSON
MOULTRIE HITT
CLARENCE A. MILLER
BEN. B. CAIN, JR.
G. KIBBY MUSON
__
CHAS J. MAHAN
UNION TRUST BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D.C.

[typed body]
September 12, 1929.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
If possible, I would like to obtain the Revolutionary War record of William O. Benson, who was a soldier in the Third Troop, Virginia Light Dragoons. [handwritten note: only]
What information we have indicates that he at one time received a pension, but I am not certain that it was a pension from the Federal Government.
Any information you can furnish about him will be greatly appreciated.
Very truly yours,
[Signed] Clarence A. Miller
CLARENCE A. MILLER.
CAM:R

[stamp]
PENSION
A
SEP
U. 13 S.
1929
OFFICE
Page 38

WAR DEPARTMENT
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE
WASHINGTON
ORD-fjm September 4, 1934.

Miss Claudia Walker,
c/o California Joint Stock Land Bank,
No. 1 Powell Street,
San Francisco, California.

The records of this office show that one William Benson served in the Revolutionary War as a private in Captain John Hays' Company. 9th Virginia Regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Fleming and later by Colonel George Mathews. Neither the date of his enlistment, nor the date of the termination of his service is shown. His name is borne on the rolls of the organization covering the period from November, 1776 to October, 1777. His name is also borne as Benston, and as such he was transferred in July, 1777 to Captain William Henderson's Company, Colonel Daniel Morgan's Rifle battalion of Continental Troops, and was discharged December 12, 1777.

One William Benson also served as a private in Captain Alexander Spotswood Dandridge's Company in the 1st Regiment Light Artillery, Continental Troops commanded by Colonel Theoderick Bland. He enlisted July 15, 1777 to serve to December 1, 1778, and was discharged September 13, 1778 by getting a man to serve in his place for three years. The records do not show that this soldier was from Virginia, but Colonel Bland was from that state.

The records also show that one William Benson, a soldier of Virginia Artillery received a certificate for his final pay amounting to L 77, S. 15, D. 6, June 24, 1783, by Mr. Barker.

The collection of Revolutionary War records in this office is far from complete, and it is suggested as a possibility that additional information may be obtained from the Librarian, Virginia State Library, Richmond, or from the Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
JAMES F. McKINLEY (SGD.) (Major General)
The Adjutant General
By FJM
Page 39

September 16th, 1934.

Veterans Administration,
Washington,
District of Columbia.

Gentlemen: [handwritten note: only one]
The enclosed is a copy of a letter which I received a few days ago from the War Department.
[handwritten note: only one]
I would appreciate it indeed if you could enhance the information given in said letter concerning the three William Bensons who served in the Revolutionary War from Virginia.
Your reply will be very much appreciated.

Very truly yours,
[signed] Claudia L Walker
Miss Claudia L. Walker.

c/o California Joint Stock Land Bank,
No. One Powell Street,
San Francisco, California.

[stamp]
RECEIVED
SEP 21 1934
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS. ADM.
READER # 21
Page 40

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
AWF/eel

November 8, 1929

Mr. Clarence A.Miller
Union Trust Building
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.5218, it appears that William Benson was born September 17, 1759, place not stated. His father died in 1765, and his mother died about a year later, their names are not given.

He enlisted in Culpeper or Prince William County, Virginia, in September, 1777, and served in Captains Edmunds' and Yancey Lipscomb's Companies, Colonel Marshall's Virginia Regiment and was discharged September 5, 1780.

He later served in Colonel Elias Edmunds' Virginia Regiment and was at the siege of Yorktown, length of service not given.

He died April 14, 1834, in Wilkes County, Georgia.

The soldier married September 19, 1786, in Prince William County, Virginia, Sarah Seale.

She was allowed pension on her application executed March 11, 1853, at which time she was living in Wilkes County, Georgia, aged eighty-two years.

She died June 30, 1854.

A large family of children is referred to, no names are given.

The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail
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to afford any information in regard to any William O. Benson and the above is the history of the only soldier named William Benson found on said records.

Very truly yours,

EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.