Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 23,599, John Benedict, Conn. Continental
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(S-1776)
SERVICE
Conn.
Continental

Benedict, John
Chloe

NUMBER
W.23.599

COMTENTS
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9.354
Illinois
===============
Chloe Benedict, decd,
widow of John Conn.
who was a private
in the Revolution
================
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 43 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843 & endg
31 Jully 1846
==================
Certificate of Pension issued the
24th day of Mch 1833 and
sent to 
Kirby Benedict
Present
===================
Acts of March 3, 1843 & June 
17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 225

second column

L M Drury
March 25/53
H. Hodgdeu 21 July 1833
D Mallory
Jul 27/53
Send 27 Dec 1833
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Chloe Benedict Dec'
Act 7th July 1838.

No 14.337
Chloe Benedict do
wid of John
let
Act 7 July 1838
Page 4

State of Connecticut}
County of Litchfield} Ss at Kent

On this 14th day of January AD 1851 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate holden at Kent within and for the District of Kent in said County John Benedict a resident of the Town of Kent in said County who being first duly sworn doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the amount that may be due to the heirs of John and Chloe Benedict deceased under the act of 7th July, 1838.
This declarant states that the name of his father was John Benedict that he was a native of the Town of Kent and was as this declarant always understood a soldier in the War of the Revolution. This declarant has often heard his said father speak of his Revolutionary services & has understood him that he served first in the militia & then enlisted into the Connecticut line & served for a period on three years. And this declarant has understood his deceased father John Benedict while living to state that while serving in the Army in the Connecticut line That he served under Captain Brown and Col. Durkee, the names of his other officers this declarant is unable to give (illegible words)
This declarant further states that after the passage of the Act of 18th March 1818, one person by the name of Ebenezer Peck formerly of said County made application for a pension under that act. and the deposition of this declarant, said father was taken in behalf of (two crossed out words) the applicant and it is believed that He was principally through the assistance furnished by the testimony of this declarant said father that the said Ebenezer Peck obtained his pension. This declarant states his belief that his father served as a soldier with
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the said Peck and that in his affidavit he set forth the material facts of his own service-and the declarant was that reference maybe had to the said affidavit on file in the pension office for a more particular description of his said father's service.
This declarant further tales that his said father died in the Town of Kent aforesaid in the month of December in the year eighteen hundred & thirty (1830) without having applied for or having received a pension, that he was the owner of some property sufficient to exclude him from the benefit of the Act of 18th March 1818.
This declarant further states that his said father was married to this declarants mother whose maiden name was Chloe Gregory in the year seventeen hundred & eightly eight (1788) as he believes that after the death of the said John Benedict she did not again marry and that he believes that she died in the state of Ohio on the thirty first (31st) day of July in the year eighteen hundred & forty six (1846)
This declarant further states that his said parents left six children who are now supposed to believing whose names are Benjamin Benedict, John Benedict, Grandison Benedict, Maria Crawford, Delila Mallory and Kirby Benedict
John Benedict
Sworn & subscribed to the day & year first above written
Before me
Rufus Fuller Jr Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Kent

State of Connecticut}
County of Litchfield} Ss Probate Office at Kent in the Probate District of Kent I Jared M Ingersoll Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Kent. Do hereby certify that at a Court
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of Probate holden in & for the Probate District of Kent in said County on the 14th day of January 1851. it was duly proven by the exhibition of testimony satisfactory to said Court that John Benedict late of the Town of Kent in said County died in the year eighteen hundred & thirty (1830)
In testimony whereof I have set my hand and seal this 14th day of January AD 1851
J M Ingwell Clerk of Court of Probate of Kent Probate District
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The following is a correct copy of the Marriage Records of the Town of Kent in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut in the Town Clerk's Office in said Town
"John Benedict & Chloe Gregory were married Decr." seventeenth one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight "by Jethro Hatch Esqr"
I hereby certify that the above 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 "Decr. 17, 1788"
Rufus Fuller Jr Town Clerk
I Rufus Fuller Jr above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the County, Town and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town of Kent with the exception above named as certified by me~
Rufus Fuller Jr Town Clerk of the Town of Kent
State of Connecticut}
Litchfield County} ss at Kent 
Jany 14th A. D. 1851
Personally appeared Rufus Fuller signer of the above deposition and made oath to the truth of the same - before me,
Henry J. Fuller Justice of the Peace
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Chloe Benedict
Act 7th July 1838
Additional Evidence.
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Copy
Extract from the records of the Town of Kent in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut
John Benedict & Chloe Gregory were married December Seventeenth Seventeen hundred Eighty Eight by Jethro Hatch Esqr.
Benjamin Benedict their son was born August second Seventeen hundred Ninety
Stephen Benedict their son was born July the Eighteenth Seventeen hundred Ninety Two
John Benedict Jr their son was born June fifth Seventeen hundred Ninety five
Maria Benedict their daughter was born January Twenty sixth Seventeen hundred Ninety seven
Delila Benedict their daughter was born January Nineteen Seventeen hundred Ninety Nine
Grandison Benedict their son was born February Seventh Eighteen hundred and Six
Kirby Benedict their son was born November Twenty third Eighteen hundred and Ten
I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the dates which are expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows "August 2nd, 1790" "July the 18th, 1702" "June 5th, 1705" "Jan. 26th, 1797" "Jan, 19, 99" "Feby 11th, 1804" "Feby 7th, 1806" "Novr. 23, 1810".
Attest,
Rufus Fuller, Town Clerk of said Town of Kent
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I Rufus Fuller the subscriber to the foregoing certificate on the first page, depose and say That I hold the office and am legally authorized to discharge the duties of Town Clerk for the Town of Kent in the County and State aforesaid, That I have the possession and care of the record of marriages in and for said Town of Kent and that the foregoing on the first page is a true extract from said record of marriages with the exception as before named and as certified to
by me -
Rufus Fuller
Kent March 29th, 1832.
Sworn before me,
John Wilson Justice of peace
STATE OF CONNECTICUT.}
COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD,} ss. LITCHFIELD.
I, Gideon H. Hollister Clerk of the County Court in and for the County and State above mentioned do hereby certify that John Wilson Esq whose genuine signature appears to the accompanying instrument, is and was, at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly elected and sworn, and by law authorized to administer Oaths, and to take the acknowledgment of Deeds; and that all his official act, as such, are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid County Court is a Court of of[sic] Record, having general jurisdiction.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at Litchfield, this 31st day of March A. D. 1852.
Gideon H. Hollister Clerk.
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State of Connecticut}
County of Litchfield} SS. at Kent.
I, Rufus Fuller Judge of the Court of Probate for the district of Kent in said County hereby certify. That satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to the Probate Court that John Benedict of the town of Kent, in said County deceased, died in the year 1830, December 15th.  That he left a widow named Chloe Benedict who afterwards removed from this State to the State of Ohio.  I also certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Probate Court, that the said Chloe Benedict widow of the said John Benedict, died on the 31st day of July in the year Eighteen hundred and forty six (1846), and that her said death took place in the township of Berkshire, in the County of Delaware, and State of Ohio.
I further certify that the said John Benedict is supposed to have left children as follows, and that the same are believed to be now living.  Benjamin Benedict, Grandison Benedict, Maria Crawford, and Delila Mallory, residing in the State of Ohio, and Kirby Benedict in the State of Illinois and John Benedict whom I certify is now residing in the State of Connecticut, and has this day appeared in Court. 
I further certify, that Charles J. Fuller of said Kent was on the 4th day of December A. D. 1851, appointed by the Court of Probate for the District of Kent, an Administrator on the Estate of said Chloe Benedict of whose decease satisfactory evidence has been given to this Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 26th day of January A. D. 1852
Rufus Fuller, Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Kent

Stamped:  KENT PROBATE.
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State of Connecticut
Comptrollers Office
Hartford Feb. 19th 1852
I certify that an application for evidence of the service of John Benedict in the war of the Revolution, in the Regiment commanded by Col. John Durkee in the year 1776.  I have examined the documents remaining in this office, and do not find any Pay Rolls for the service of Col. Durkees Regiment for that year, nor do I find the name of John Benedict on any one of the few Rolls of service performed by the Connecticut Troops, in the year 1776, which now are found in this office.
From documents in this office it appears, that Col. John Durkees Regiment was raised in January 1776 to serve one year.
R. G. Pinney, Comptroller,
by Geo. Robinson, Clerk
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The State of Ohio Delaware County SS
Personally appeared before me J P Crawford a Justice of the Peace in & for said County Delia M Frost and being duly sworn by me deposeth & saith that she was presant at the death of Chloe Benedict widow of John Benedict of Kent Litchfield Co Connecticut and deponant [deponent] states that she died on the 31st day of July in the year Eighteen hundred forty six 1846 and that it took place in the Township of Berkshire County of Delaware and State of Ohio and further this deponant [deponant] saith not
Delila M. Frost
I do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Mrs Delia M Frost and say that her testimony is to be relied on 
Berkshire Feb 2nd 1852
J. P. Crawford J. P.
The State of Ohio Delaware County  SS
I D W Rhodes Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in here and for said County hereby certify that J. P. Crawford Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit was made was at the date thereof and now is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly commissioned & qualified and that his signature above written is genuine 
Witness my hand and official seal at Delaware this 5th day of February AD 1852
D W Rhodes Clerk
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Berkshire [illegible] Feb 5/52
Sir
I take my pen in hand to address you again in my feeble but humble manner
I received your letter and I immediately complied with your request in making out that affidavit and if it does not answer the purpose please send me word immediately ["or perhaps you" crossed out].  The affidavit is made in accordance with the form of our state, but, viz, I think that you have got the time to [too] short that Grandfather was in the war, for all of the friends here says that he was drafted for one year, and served out his time, and then enlisted for three years more and served to the end of the war which was two years and nine months.  We have no posative [positive] proof of this only recolection [reccollection] they having repeatedly heard him tell over his war service and I think that his name will on parole somewhere perhaps in Hartford
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I supose [suppose] that you have heard of Aunt Gregorys death ere this if not she departed this life I think in Sept, and Uncle lives all alone with the exception of one of his grand children, a boy about 15 years old 
the balance of the friends are all well, enjoying good health at present
I shall be absent from home several days and perhaps weeks and on my return if I find my request from you at the office I will attend to it immediately
I shall call at the County Clerks office tomorrow and have him sign the affidavit, and forward it with this 
the expense is 50 cents
Your humble servant 
Dwight Mallary
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Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 23,599
Chloe Benedict widow of John Benedict
Pri Rev War
Act:  March, 3d, 43 & June 17th 44
Index:—Vol. A, Page 55.
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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11,471
Illinois
Chloe Benedict decd. widow of John who died on the ______________________ in the State of Illinois who was a private in the ________________ commanded by Captain ________________ of the ____________________ [Compa]ny commanded by _____________________ in the Revolution ["line" crossed out] for 13 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Springfield at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of March 1853 and sent to Kirby Benedict
Arrears to the 4th of Present
Semi-annual allowance ending
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by H. R. Weightman Clerk,
Book D. Vol. 1 Page 435
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No 14,337

Chloe Benedict
decd. widow of John
Connt.

Act of 7th July 1838.

Letter to L. M. Drury 3d June/51
Let same July 23/52
Page 19

Oct. 7, 57
Rel. to pension of Rufus Whitcome
Information wanted

Willsborough
Oct 4
Free
Oct 7/52
J. E. Heath Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
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Pension Office Springfield Ill
Sept 2 1853
Henry Hodgden Esq
Sir
In reply to yours of 24th Aug I have to state that Kirby Benedict drew the amount of pension money due to John Benedict and himself.  he had the certificate with him, but did not leave it here.  probably he took it with him to New Mexico.  You cannot draw upon any Oath of identity, if you cannot obtain the original certificate.  the best plan is for you to explain the case to the department at Washington.  I presume they will send you a duplicate certificate.
Yours Truly
Isaac B. Curran
Pension Agent
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Apl. 12/52
Adl. evi. in case of Chloe Benedict widow of John
L M Drury
Canandaigua N. Y.
FREE
J. E. Heath - 552 -
Comr of Pensions
Washington D. C.
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Springfield Illinois
Chloe Benedict, ded. widow of John, who was a private in Durkee's Regt. Conn. Troops
cld Acts Jul 7, 1838 &
13 mo private $43.33 per Ann.
Con March 4, 1836,
End July 31, 1846, when she died
`~~~~
Payable to Benjamin Benedict, Grandison Benedict, Maria Crawford, Delilah Mallory, Kirby Benedict, inf children & Kirby Benedict,
Present.
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July 29th, 1852
Rel:  to case of Chloe Benedict widow of John.
L. M. Drury
Canandaigua N. Y.
FREE
F. F. C. Triplett
Acting Comr of Pensions
Washington D. C.

Stamped:
ELMIRA N. Y. 
JUL 27
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Heirs of Jno Benedict or widow - has there been application made fot the heirs - Ohio where widow died
March 1853 - Exd
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Jan. 21/53
Addl. evi. in case of Chloe Benedict widow of John

L. M. Drury
Canandaigua N. York
File with papers 
FREE
Mr Cole

J. E. Heath Esq
Comr. of Pensions 
Washington D. C.
Stamped:
CANANDAIGUA N. Y.
JAN 18
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
PENSION OFFICE, OFFICIAL BUSIN[ESS]
J P Waldo
Commiss[ioner]
D. Mallary, Esqr.
Berlin, Holmes Co.
Ohio.

Note:   two illegible stamps
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Can.a N. Y. July 27, 52
Sir:
I have recd. your letter of the 23d in relation to the case of Chloe Benedict.
Ebenezer Peck was a Pensioner under act of 1818 at the Connecticut Agency -
The papers in the case, which could not be found when the letter of 3d June 1851 was written, were on the next day found by Mr Cole, at my suggestion, and they were handed by me to Mr Triplett, and he in my presence examined them, & found that John Benedict made an afft. in support of Peck's claim in which he alleged that he & Peck served together in the same Co. & Regt. in 1776 - for one year -
I asked Mr Triplett if that evidence was sufficient & he told me verbally to apply to the records in Connecticut to ascertain what evidence they furnished, but he did tell me that if the records did not furnish the proof of service, that the case could not be admitted -
Capt Triplett, if I mistake not took the papers of Peck, but what he did with them, I am not able to say - I presume
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they will be found on file.
It is doubtless known to the Depart. that record evidence or the service of for the year 1776, is extremely scanty -
I am very respectfully
Your obt. Servt
L. M. Drury

F. F. C. Triplett SS
Acting Comr. of Pensions
Washington D. C.
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Letter is faded and mostly illegible
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Pension Office,
July 17th, 1853.
Sir
In reply to your inquiry, you are informed that the certificate for the arrears of pension due Chloe Benedict, deceased, embraced all the children of said Chloe, and that the money cannot be paid without their consent.
I am, respectfully,
Your Obt. Svt.
L P Waldo
Commissioner.
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Between 4th March & 14th April 1821 
Drew at the U. S. Branch Bank at Midletown [Middletown] Conn Ebenezer Pecks Pension first draft amounting to som [some] $300.  Cashiers name Wm. Vandewsen
David Judd
Kent 14th Decr. 1852
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Canandaigua Feb 24, 1851 -
Sir: 
Herewith is presented the application  of Chloe Benedict decd. widow of John Benedict under act of 7th July 1838 -
I observe that the papers are not quite perfected - the date of the widows death not appearing with the requisite certainty, nor the names of the surviving children appearing in the certificate of the Court - &c -
These defects can be readily supplied, it it shall appear that the claim is valid -
Reliance is had upon the records in the Pension Office to shew the service of John Benedict, and especially to the testimony furnished by him to establish the claim of Ebenezer Peck to a pension under the act of 18th March 1818. - The name of Thomas Wilkinson was also furnished me as that of a Pensioner under act of 18th March 1818 from Litchfield Co. Conn. who received material assistance in establishing his claim, by the testimony of John Benedict - and a reference is requested to be made to his papers to ascertain if they do not throw some light upon Benedicts ser-
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vices -
Should these affidavits of Benedict set forth his own service - & should that service be corroborated by the Records in the Pension Office by the Revolutionary troops, it is supposed, that they will be sufficient to establish this claim -
Very respectfully
Your Obt Servt.
L. M. Drury
J. E. Heath Esq
Comr. of Pensions
Washington
D. C.
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Canandaigua, N. Y.
April 8th 1852.
Sir:
Additional papers are herewith presented in the case of ["John" crossed out] ^Chloe Benedict widow of John Benedict under act of 7th July 1838.
Particular attention is requested to the letter of the Depmt. of June 3d 1851 -
In that letter it is stated that the papers in the case of Ebenezer Peck could not be found -
A subsequent examination was made & the papers were found, and upon the inspection of them by Mr Triplett, the affidavit of John Benedict was found, in which he stated he served one year in 1776 in Col. Durkee's Regt. in the same company with Ebenezer Peck. 
Ebenezer Peck received his pension under act of 18th March 1818 on the testimony of Benedict, & one or two others -
It is asked that the testimony of John Benedict for Ebenezer Peck, may be made available for his widow in the present application.
The certificate from the Comptroller's Office of the State of Connecticut, which was required by Mr Triplett shews that Col. Durkee commanded a Regiment in the year 1776 - but that no rolls by his men are to be found
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in the office - and it is known to the Department that but very few rolls of the service of that year are to be found anywhere -
The absence of all rolls of Col. Durkee's Regiment ["of the" crossed out] for the service of the year 1776.  it is submitted, should ^not be a presumption against the service of Benedict,  when he positively asserts that he did perform service and he asserts this too, not for his own benefit, but to establish the claim of a comrade in the same service with him - Consequently his testimony should have altogether more weight than if he was testifying for the purpose of establishing a claim for himself -
Attention is invited to the letter of one of his grandchildren - as to the amount of service which was supposed by those who knew him best, to have been performed by him -
Very respectfully -
Your Obt. Servt -
L. M. Drury
J. E. Heath Esq -
Comr. of Pensions
Washington -
D. C.
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Paris, Edgar County Missouri
November 21st 1852
To the Honorable
Commissioner of Pensions
U. S.
Sir
I write this for information.  My father was in the old Revolutionary War twenty one months.  He was born lived and died in Commecticut - died Dec 31st 1830 I think.  He was a man of substantial independant property throughout his whole life which ended at 85 years
He never to my knowledge applied for any pension or compensation from the [illegible] - He lost much in the Continental service and his taxes were as I learned from him one hundred dollars ^per annum in [illegible] his property during the latter part of the [illegible] years struggle during all which time and up to his death he was ^an ardent patriot as were all of his relatives -
My mother died six years ago.  She never applied for any pension after my fathers death - Her pecuniary situation was comfortable, more than some pension agents have applied to
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me to comply them to procure the pension for the heirs
My fathers name John Benedict is among the roll  I am informed ^at Washington of Conn troops in the Revolutionary service  I know of  evidence abundant to establish the service & know more about it than any of the heirs seen in number
I received a letter from the east not a long time ago stating that application for the pension had recently been made and it was supposed, would be granted -
I am under the impression that a Mr Drury has a hand in the matter as a pension agent as they are termed  Now I have never employed nor authorised any person whomsoever to take one step in the matter - so far as I am concerned
Will you be so good as to inform me if such application has been made and if so what is the state of the business  I had intended to have moved in the matter myself.  I am
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sorry to so far draw upon your valuable time and labor but thought this the most direct move of obtaining the knowledge I much desire.  If no more is made I shall set out on foot through some persons - and perhaps will be in Washington myself -
I have the Honor to be
Your obt svt
Kirby Benedict
Address as follows
Kirby Benedict
Atty at law
Paris
Edgar County
Illinois
Page 39

Galena June 10th 1853
Sir
I was duly appointed administrator on the estate of Chloe Benedict deceased, her late husband John Benedict was a Revolutionary Soldier, a part of the heirs reside in this County and they desired me to make application for a pension for their mother
Kirby Benedict esq. of Illinois is one of the heirs and when he was at Washington City last March he obtained a pension his certificate bears date March 24th/53 as I am informed (he was appointed Judge for the teritory [territory] of New Mexico) the heirs here Benjamin Benedict Grandison Benedict & Mrs Mallory desire that I should attend to obtaining their portion for them, there are six heirs
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The certificate is payable at Springfield Illinois, and of course he will far render it to obtain his portion
We had no power of attorney from the heirs applying by me to attend to their business.  they expect that he will leave for N Mexico before he could attend to the business and do not desire he should
I request to be advised what the rule of the Department is under these circumstaces for the heirs here to pursue that they may obtain their share?
Yours with Respect
Henry Hodgden
Hon L P Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
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Canandaigua N. York
Jany. 18th 1853
Sir:
In the case of Chloe Benedict widow of John Benedict, under act of 7th July 1838, I replied to your letter of the 23d of July 1852, and stated at what agency the claim of Ebenezer Peck referred to in the case of Chloe Benedict was paid -
As I have received no answer to that letter, I enclose a statement made in relation to the case of Peck, by one David Judd -
I am very respectfully
Your Obt Servt.
L. M. Drury
J. E. Heath Esq
Comr of Pensions
Washington
D. C.
Page 42

Brief in the case of Chloe Benedict, decd
Litchfield Co ["County" crossed out] and State of Connecticut
act 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.
Satisfactory Record evidence of manager prior to 1794.
Same admitted upon the testimony contained in the papers of Ebenezer Peck, Connecticut
March 18, 1818 (N. 17,737.)
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim?  If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent
Kirby Benedict, of Illinois}
now Present.}
Examining Clerk.
Ogden Niles
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Berlin Del Co Ohio
May 2nd 1853
Sir
Having been informed by Mr Drury the agent appointed by the heirs of Chloe Benedict living in Ohio to collect the pension belonging to the heirs of said Chloe Benedict & after Mr Drury and some of the heirs has been to all of the expense of searching the records & getting affidavits to establish their claim & after every ^(thing) had been procured requisite to establish said claim Mr Drury informs me that Mr Kirby Benedict has been at Washington & while their [there] succeeded in getting the claim allowed & received certificates payable at Springfield Illinois agency  now I ask whether
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Kirby Benedict Esq received certificates for the whole claim or only for his individual part & also whether he had a right to take that which belongs to the heirs without their knowledge & consent.  He has not visited his friends in Ohio for many years nor has he ever consulted ^(with) them in regard to the pension
I now I ask [sic] if he has taken the whole what right he has to it & what authority he had to collect it.  please write soon.
I subscribe myself, son of one of the heirs
Respectfully Yours
D Mallary
L Cole Esq
Commissioner of Pension
Washington City D. D.