Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38530, David Benge, N.C.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE  N.C.
Benge, David
NUMBER  S38530

_____________________
CONTENTS  [blank]
Page 2

Died March 3, 1854
from A.B.
Page 3

C............ 16 834
David Benge
... in the State of  .....
a .......... in the ...... commanded
in .................... of the ............... commanded
........... in the .... ...................
line for 
........................................... 36 66 1/2
Inscribed on the Roll of ........................
at the rate of .. Dollars ........ Centers per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certficate of Pension issued the .. day of .... 
and
..........................................
Arrears to the 4th of
Seme-ani. allowance ending
Died mch 3, 1854 
$198.33
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by J. T. .......... Clerk,
Book 6. 2 Vol. Page 3
Page 4

Hon. M. Beaty




30.974
David Benge
[illegible]



[crossed out: Inform me of the result & Mount Vernon Ky]

G. Smith


Mr. Beaty.
Hon [crossed out: B. Hardin]
HR
Page 5

State of Kentucky
Clay County Sct

On this 27 day of April 1834 Personally appeared before the Honl. Joseph Eve, Judge of the 15. Judicial Circuit in open court, David Benge aged [crossed out: about] 74 in August next who being first duly sworn according to law doth on this oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed June 7 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States as he now believes was ^'78 or 79 - [crossed out] in Wilks [sic: Wilkes] County North Carolina under Capt. ^Gordon. O [crossed out] in the 2d. Regt. as he now believes (but will not be positive) in the North Carolina line, wheather [sic: whether] on State on Continental line ^he does not know but they were called Continentals. The Regt. was commanded by Colo. Armstrong. He enlisted for nine months. After his enlistment he was marched to Charlestown in North Carolina,
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and was there at the siege and the surrender of the Tories and was taken prisoner when Genl. Lincoln surrendered the city. He had been in service [crossed out] something like ^12 or thirteen months. But before the surrender [crossed out] his time had expired & he again at Charleston enlisted under Capt. Joseph Lewis ^who succeeded Gordon. for nine months more, [crossed out: who was shortly promoted to Majr.] - On his first enlistment Michajah Lewis (brother of Joseph) was his Majr. - There was so many Changes of officers that he does not remember his Lt. & [crossed out]. Before he was taken prisoner he was in no battles except the siege of Charlestown. The last enlistment he understood it to be in the North Carolina line under Colo. Armstrong assd, wheather [sic] state or Continental troops he can not say.
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He remembers Gen’l Pinkney, Gen’l Lincoln. Shortly after the surrender there was a call for more men he believes in June after he vollunteered (time not specified,but  he believes he was gone 8 or 9 weeks in service) to join Genl Gates. He vollunteered  in Wilkes County under Capt Joseph Lewis, af’d  and Michajah Lewis was his Major &  the Regt was Commanded by Col Retherford . They  were marched & joined Genl Gates Near Sallisbury N.C. ● and then were marched under [illegible] Gates untill his defeat by Lord Cornwallis, in which Battle he was in. his capt & company returned  home. He again vollenteered in Wilkes County N.C. for three months (shortly before the Battle of Kings Mountain) under Capt
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Joseph Lewis, his Maj M. Lewis af’d under Col Cleaveland with whom he marched to Kings Mountain & fought in the Battle, in which both of the Lewis af’d  were wounded. He often saw Col Campbell, Sevier ,Shelley [?]Williams who was kild. after the Battle he was detained with the wounded men in Burke County N.C, under Doctr Dobson untill [sic] he had served between five and six months, when he ret’d home without giting [sic] a discharge, then being no officer there, by per mission of the Doctr In February following he was orderd out, under Capt Joseph Lewis af’d  Michayah Lewis was May and the Regt under Capt Cleaveland. This took place in Wilkes  County N. Carolina. They were ordered out to join Genl Green at the Shallowford on the
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Yadkin River in N.C. where he was retreating from the south, but the Brittish got betwen Col Cleaveland & Green they could not reach Green. when they could not reach Greens, Col. Cleaveland marched on to Hawes River in N.C. Majr Lewis rode out of Camps to examine if there was an army about when he was shot kild, both thighs being broke by the enemy. Col’l Cleaveland instantly retreated and marched back home. This trip was about two months- He was discharged but not in writing. Shortly after the Battle of Gilford he enterd the service in Wilks County under Capt Ch’s Gorden in the State line of N. Carolina, for six months as he understood to fill out his term of nine months under
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6
his second enlistment, his Maj’r he does not remember, but his Colo. was Capt. Joseph Lewis af’d [sic: aforesaid] who had been promoted. He was marched to Salsbury N.C. when the Regt. was stationed and after he had served [crossed out] six months, he was discharged at Salsbury N.C. by Capt Gordon af’d In 81 he vollentered [sic: volunteered] in the fall under Colo. Benj: Herndon & took a trip against the Cherokee Nation and was gone about 7 or 8 weeks but saw no Indians Except a Squaw. He was honorably discharged. 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 roll of any agency in any state. sworn  & subscribed to this day & year [crossed out] afs [aforesaid] 
David [X his mark] Benge
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7
1. He was born (in the year, for answer he refers to his age) in Arlbemarle [sic: Albemarle] County state of Virginia - Has no record of his age. When he entered the service he lived in Wilks [sic: Wilkes] County N. Carolina, since he lived in N. C, then in the year 1790 he removed to Kentucky and now resides in Clay County Ky. He always entered the service on his own account & for himself & not as a substitute. As to the manner of his entering the service he refers to his declaration afsd. [aforesaid] As to the Officers, the character of the troops, the name of his officers & the circumstances of his service he refers the Honl. [honorable] Secretary to the foregoing declaration. Owing to old age & the loss of memory he can not now remember names. as well as formerly. As to the answer of his discharges he
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refers to this declaration - those that he recd. in writing he has long since lost and he knows of no person by whom he can prove his services. As to his character for truth he refers to his neighbors Colo. Paul Pigg, Colo. Elijah McQuortor, and to Colo. Danl. [Daniel] Garrard.

[crossed out: Colo. Daniel Garrard being first duly sworn in open Court.] 
I [crossed out] George Stivers a Clergyman Preacher, a resident of Clay county [crossed out: Ky and residing in said County & State] do hereby Certify that [crossed out] ^he is well acquainted with David Benge who has subscribed  & sworn to the above declaration, that him believe him to be the age he states, & prove [crossed out] ^his knowledge of him as a man of good character [crossed out: we have no doubt he served in the Revolution as stated by him in the foregoing declaration]
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[crossed out: sworn & subscribed to this 27 of April 1834.] as a man of truth he would believe him on oath. Sworn & subscribed to this day & year afsd. [ aforesaid]
S/George Stivers


Colo Danl. Garrard a resident citizen of Clay County upon oath declares that he has long since known David Benge who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration, and from his knowledge of his genl. good character he would believe him on oath. Sworn & subscribed this 27 of April 1834. That [crossed out] many years ago he herd [sic: heard] him speak of being in the Battle of Kings Mountain in North Carolina.
S/Danl. Garrard


John Hibbord a resident citizen of said county
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states upon oath that many years ago, he spoke of being [crossed out] in the Revolution and [crossed out] spoke particularly of being in the Battle of Kings Mountain in N.C.
S/John Hibbord


And the said court do hereby certify their opinion after investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a [crossed out] Revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears [crossed out] that George Stivers who signed the proceeding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County of Clay and that Danl. Garrard & John Hibbord who also signed the preceeding certificate are residents of the same &
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their statement is entitled to credit.


I Abner Baker clerk of the [crossed out] circuit court of Clay County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of David Benge for pension - In testimony whereof 
[seal]
I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 29 of April 1834.
S/A Baker
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30.974
David Benge
Kentucky
___________


j
for 1780 [illegible] 17 ~
$56.66/100

[crossed out]



Hon M. Beaty
H.R [House of Representatives]
Page 17

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

______________________________________
A Statement, shewing [sic] the Service of David Benge
=========================
[table with the following headers:
Period When the service was rendered | Duration of the claimant's service (Years., Months., Days.) | Rank of the claimant |
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served | Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service |
Proof by which the declaration is supported | ]
____________________________
| 1778 or 9 | [blank]. 9. [blank] | Pr. | Cap Gordon Col Armstrong | 76 N C | Traditionary. |

| +1780 | [blank]. 3. [blank] | Pr. | Cap Lewis | [blank] | not on roll |

| " | [blank]. 1.26 | " | Cap Lewis | [blank] | should prove his 9 month service by at least one witness who had a personal knowledge of his service see note j |

| " | [blank]. 3. [blank] | " | "  " | [blank] | [blank] 

1781 | [blank]. about 2. [blank] | " | Col Cleveland | [blank] | [blank] 

" | [blank]. 6. [blank] | " | Cap Gordon | [blank] | [blank] 

" | [blank]. about 1. 26 | " | Col Herndon | [blank] | [blank] 

+ enlisted for 9 months the 2d time but was taken prisoner after a few months.



I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

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

DECLARATION,

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

State, Territory, or District of } ss. [this brace links this line and the following]
County of

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

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

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

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this day of &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration,(l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition. if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an Officer. {Did you ever received a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions to the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represent, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.

Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
_______________

(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.

(c) The age of the Claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine as to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: __ For ___ year ____ months, and _______ days, I served as a _________. For _______ months and _______ days, I served as a _________; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant service, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italics] about three or four months [end italics], is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.
[letter j is bracketed on the right margin]

(j) In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[stamp: 👉] The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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June 18, 1935

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

David Benge - S. 38530
BA-J/AWF    om

The Quartermaster General
Memorial Branch
War Department
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of David Benge, who served in the North Carolina troops, and died in 1854 in Kentucky.

The Revolutionary War record of David Benge which follows was obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 38530, based upon his service in that war.

David Benge was born in August, 1760, in Albemarle County, Virginia, names of his parents not given.

While residing in Wilkes County, North Carolina, he served as a private with the North Carolina troops as follows:

Enlisted in 1779 and served in Captain Gordon's company, Colonel Armstrong's regiment, was at the siege of Charleston, South Carolina (then having been in the service twelve or thirteen months), where taken prisoner, it is not stated when released from imprisonment; later he served in Captain Joseph Lewis' company, Colonel Rutherford's regiment, was in the battle of Camden, and in the battle of Kings Mountain in same company in Colonel Cleveland's regiment, length of service five or six months; from in February, 1781 two months in Captain Joseph Lewis' company, Colonel Cleveland's regiment; after the battle of Guilford Court House, served about six months in Captain Charles Gordon's company, Colonel Joseph Lewis' regiment; in the fall of 1781, about seven
Page 21

weeks in Colonel Benjamin Herndon's regiment to the Cherokee Nation.

David Benge moved from Wilkes County, North Carolina in 1790 to Kentucky. He was allowed pension on his application executed, April 27, 1834, then living in Clay County, Kentucky. He died March 3, 1854.

There are no data in this claim relative to the family of David Benge.

The application for headstone for David Benge, which was enclosed with your request, is returned herewith, as is also a typewritten description of said David Benge.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 22

To the Honl. J. L. Edwards,

D Sir,
The claims of Benge has been retd. to me for proof of service. I presume as the head of the department you are necessarily compelled to submit the numerous applications to subordinate clerks. Judging from the hand writing on the forms enclosed me I suppose such was the case in this instance. Being some what supprised [sic: surprised] at the decision I have felt it due to old Benge to pray an appeal to you. And first I would remark the declaration bears upon its face intrinsic evidence of truth. These are fine men (and he is an ignorant man) could fabricate a tale that so well accords with the history of the times. His character is sustained by the most reputable witnesses as the Honl. James Love & the Honl. Martin Beaty can
Page 23

can apeese [sic: appease] you. One of them is Colo. Danl. Garrard, [crossed out: long a ] (the sone of [crossed out: the late Genl. Garrard of the] a former Govn. of this state) long a member of the sennate [sic: Senate] of this state, and three years ago the opponent of the Honl. R. P. Letcher [crossed out] for a seal in Congress. It seems that he is required to make proof according to rule j - upon examination I think you will be sattisfied [sic] that he must have belonged to the state line and not to the Continentals, tho' no doubt the soldiers frequently did call themselves Continentals as they do to this day, not knowing the distinction between state and Continental troops. That the second enlistment was state troops there can be no doubt. Capt. Lewis
Page 24

was promoted to Majr. [crossed out] in the state line as you can see by a discharge he give to Denney of Rockcastle County Ky and lately allowed by the department. I hope you will examine it. It does seem to me that the first enlistment 9 months is established as well as the laps [sic: lapse] of time will permit - as to the second I would submit to you wheather [sic: whether] he should not be allowed full pay for the 9 months being taken a prisoner while in service, or at least one tour three months. As to the trip to Kings Mountain if I am informed correctly 3 months is always allowed by the department. His trip to the Nation likewise deserves consideration.

With high respect 
Your obt. Servt. [obedient servant]
S/Elisha Smith
Rockcastle County Ky.
NB. I am known to [crossed out] you
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[crossed out] by recommendation from the Honl. R. P. Letcher, by letter upwards of two years ago. Nothing but an honest, conviction that the claim has not (no doubt in the press of business) recd. that consideration due to its merits, has induced me to trouble you with this appeal.

E. S.





Benge's  Appeal
________________
Page 26

Free

Hon'l J. L. Edwards
(Pension Office)
Mail } Washington City


Ken
Cert Actd
Page 27

Rockcastle County Ky
July 1. 1834

D Sir,
On yesterday I rec'd the enclosed. I drew the original [crossed out] declaration and I discover there is a mistake. in his given name being called Daniel instead of David his true name as I now believe tho' I am not intimately acquainted with, him but I think I can not be mistaken in his name. I shall not see him for some time as he lives a considerable distance from me & I have thought it best to forward it back to you to examine the original ^declaration [crossed out: certificate] to see if there is no mistake. Please let me hear from you as soon as possible.

Respectfully
Elisha Smith
Page 28

1928-July 2-Hist. to G.E. Bargs. AWF. 
1932-July 7- "      " Mrs. Kate Ledford AWF 
1933 Mar. 10 "   "    "   Myrtle Wagers AWF
1935-June 18- "   "  Memorial Branch AWF
1940 Jan. 17.   "   "  Stella Risner "  "  "  copied.




38530
Revy INVALID.
________________
File No. 38530
David Benge
Pri Rev War
______________
June 7. 1832.
Act: 18" March. 18"
Index:-   Vol. 2,    Page 35

[intentional brackets as printed]
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 29

[round stamp: arrow pointing to 11:00
RECEIVED JUL 5 1932
RECEIPT SECTION
PENSION FILES SUB-DIVISION]
Page 30

Facts in this case. I have been told different Stories about his Service. I would like to know all that you can give me from your records. was he a white man. half breed or Indian? 

hoping that you can give me Some information I reman yours

respectfully
Mrs. Kate Ledford
Manchester K.y.
Page 31

[round stamp: 3 LOUISVILLE KY. JAN 8
730 PM 1940]

[postage stamp with head photo of Jefferson
1 JEFFERSON 1]

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS

H. D. Hiller,
Administrator,
Veterans Bureau.,
Washington, D. C.

[round stamp: arrow pointing to 3:15
RECEIVED JAN 10 1940
MAIL SUB-DIV
Reader No. 23 VETS ADM.]
Page 32

From Stella Risner, R.R. #1, Pineville, Kentucky
January 8, 1940

Dear Sir: Will you please furnish me with the information contained in the pension papers of my ancestor, David Benge, who served in a North Carolina regiment during the Revolutionary War. Also the information contained in the papers of my ancestor, John Benge, who received a pension while a resident of Clay County Kentucky, in 1831. He also fought in a North Carolia [sic] regt.

Cordially yours,
S/Stella Risner
Stella Risner

ROUTE 1,
Pineville, ky
Page 33

WAR DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL
WASHINGTON
6-7-1935

Memorandum for  The Surgeon General,
Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department,
Commandant, United States Cost Guard. Treasury Department, 
The Commissioner of Pensions, Interior Building,
General Accounting Office, F Street, between 4th & 5th, N. W.

1. The attached application has been submitted to this office for Government headstone to be erected at the grave of the decedent named thereon. In order that the proper inscription may be placed on the stone it would be appreciated if your office would verify the name and service on the application, checking and making such corrections in red ink as may be necessary to show the correct spelling of the name and complete designation of the organizations.

2. In addition, please advise State from which decedent came.

[round stamp: arrow point to 11:15
RECEIVED JUN 10 1935
MAIL SUB-DIV
VETS. ADM. READER #26]

[illegible] &c
Page 34

Request for Rev. War record of David Benge N.C. soldier, pension Ky hist sent June 18 - 1935 - & application for headstone & description of said soldier returned with letter

AWF
June 18- 1935
Page 35

Bright Shade, Ky
Oct. 23, 1933

Pension Director
Washington, D.C

Dear Sir:
I want the service record of David Benge or "King" David Benge, a Revolutionary War soldier from Kentucky and from the section known as Clay County.

I, also, want the service record of John or Johnny Wagers ^or Wager who served in the Revolutionary War and should like to know where he lived at the time of his death if your records give any information on this point. I do not know from what state Wagers came [crossed out: from] but his descendants settled in Clay, Lee, Pike and Madison counties, Kentucky. Any information concerning him will be gladly received, since it is very important that I know all I can concerning him.

Thanking you, I am,
Very respectfully.
(Mrs) Myrtle Wagers.

[round stamp: arrow pointing to 1:00
RECEIVED NOV 2 1933
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS. ADM. READER #3]
Page 36

[crossed out: CITY CLUB OF CHICAGO
318 PLYMOUTH COURT]
First National Bank     SDF
Chicago Illinois
June 21, 1928

Revolution. War. Section
Bureau of Pensions
Washington DC

Dear Sirs!-
Will you kindly inform me if your records - contain reference to the services of: a David Bangs - (S.1750 Harwich Mass-) who enlisted from Shutesberry Mass in 1775 & served some 3 months or more = (Mass. soldier. Sailors in Rev) 

Also (2) Thomas Bangs: who enlisted in Capt Abijah Bangs. - in 1776 from Harwich Mass not be identical with the Thomas Bangs carpenters note in the Brig "Reprisal" - Capt James Brown -in 1778-

There were two brothers David & Thos Bangs the record. may refer: to these - Presumably they would be found. in Mass - if they applied for pensions - tho, I do find in North Carolina - Census 1790 David, Thomas Bange: in one locality. presumably brothers so if identical as Bangs. they may have gone south. the illiteracy of that locality may have recorded them as Bange or Benge - it is a strange coincidence - tho there may be nothing to it - Thanking you for your kind attention
I am, Sincerely yours  G.E. Bangs
Page 37

Rev & 1812 Wars Section.           MMS&F
June 15, 1928.

G. E. Bangs,
First National Bank, Chicago, Illinois.

Sir:
I advise you that due to the very large number of inquiries similar to yours and the lack of clerical force available for the purpose, the bureau is unable t make a series of investigations and reports pertaining to soldiers of the Revolution for one person or organization.

The histories are furnished each inquirer. If you will give full name of the two soldiers in whom you are most interested, and any data you may have as a means of identifying their records a careful search of the records will be made in your behalf and the same furnished if on file.

It is also proper to add that the Revolutionary War records of this bureau are open to the public under the provisions of the Act of March 3, 1901 and you or any one designated by you may examine and collect data from the papers on file by calling at the bureau.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.

[handwritten note: Wanted all the "Bangs"]
COPIED BY ADY
Page 38

January 17, 1940.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/ady [handwritten note pointing here: copied A.W. Ford's hist. She being ill.]
David Benge
S. 38530

Stella Risner
R. R. 1
Pineville, Kentucky

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request relative to soldiers of the Revolutionary War, David Benge and John Benge.

Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information it is impossible to comply in full with each request pertaining to soldiers of that war.

The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.38530, based upon the Revolutionary War service of David Benge.

David Benge was born in August 1760, in Albemarle County, Virginia, names of parents not given.

While residing in Wilkes County, North Carolina, he enlisted and served as private in the North Carolina troops as follows: in 1779. and served in Captain Gordon's company, Colonel Armstrong's regiment, was at the siege of Charleston, South Carolina, where taken prisoner: afterwards served in Captain Joseph Lewis' company, Colonel Rutherford's regiment, was in the battle of Camden and in the battle of Kings Mountain in same company in Colonel Cleveland's regiment: from February 1781, two months in Captain Joseph Lewis' company, Colonel Cleveland's regiment; after the battle of Guilford Court House, served about six months in Captain Charles Gordon's company, Colonel Joseph Lewis' regiment; in the fall of 1781, about seven weeks in Colonel Benjamin Herndon's regiment to the Cherokee Nation. His service in all amounted to one year and five months.

In 1790, the soldier, David Benge, moved to Kentucky.

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 27, 1834, then living in Clay County, Kentucky.
Page 39

David Benge died March 3, 1854, place not given.

There are no data in this claim relative to the family of David Benge.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 40

November 10, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

David Benge - S. 38530
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. Myrtle Wagers
Bright Shade 
Kentucky

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of David Benge and John (Johnny) Wager or Wagers.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon military service of soldiers in that war. A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the service of John (Johnny) Wager. or Wagers.

It is suggested that as a possible means of securing information relative to the military record of soldiers in that war, you should apply to The Adjutant General, War Department, Washington, D. C.

The data furnished below were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.38530, based upon the Revolutionary War service of David Benge.

He was born in August, 1760, in Albemarle County, Virginia, names of parents not given.

While residing in Wilkes County, North Carolina, David Benge served as a private with the North Carolina troops, as follows-

Enlisted in 1779 and served in Captain Gordon's company, Colonel Armstrong's regiment, was at the siege of Charleston, South Carolina, where taken prisoner; afterwards served in Captain Joseph Lewis' company, Colo-
Page 41

Rutherford's regiment, was in the battle Camden, and in the battle of Kings Mountain in same company [handwritten note pointing here: 5 or 6 mos] in Colonel Cleveland's regiment; from February, 1781, two months in Captain Joseph Lewis' company, Colonel Cleveland's regiment; after the battle of Guilford Court House, served about six months in Captain Charles Gordon's company, Colonel Joseph Lewis' regiment; in the fall of 1781 about seven weeks in [crossed out: Captain] Col. Benjamin Herndon's company to the Cherokee Nation. His service in all amounted to one year and five months.

In 1790 the soldier, David Benge, moved to Kentucky. He was allowed pension on his application executed, April 27, 1834, then living in Clay County, Kentucky. He died March 3, 1854. 

There are no data in this claim relative to the family of David Benge.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 42

July 7, 1932

BA-J/AWF
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
David Benge
S. 38530

Mrs. Kate Ledford
Manchester 
Kentucky

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter of July 2, relative to securing the record of one David Burge, Sr., or of David Benge, Sr., a soldier of the War of the Revolution, who died in clay County, Kentucky.

The Revolutionary War records of this office do not show a claim for pension on file based upon service of a David Burge (Burdge or Birge) of Clay County, Kentucky.

The record of David Benge is furnished you herewith.

The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 38530, based upon the military service of David Benge during the Revolutionary War.

He was born in August, 1760 in Albemarle County, Virginia, no statement is shown as to whether or not he was an Indian.

While residing in Wilkes County, North Carolina, he enlisted and served as a private with the North Carolina troops as follows: enlisted in 1779 in Captain Gordon's company in Colonel Armstrong's regiment, was at the siege of Charleston, where taken prisoner; afterwards served in Captain Joseph Lewis' company in Colonel Rutherford's regiment, was in the battle of Camden, and was in the battle of Kings Mountain in same company under Colonel Cleveland; from sometime in February, 1781, two months in Captain Joseph Lewis' company in Colonel Cleveland's regiment; after the battle of Guilford, served
Page 43

about six months in Captain Charles Gordon's company in Colonel Joseph Lewis' regiment; in the fall of 1781 about seven weeks in Captain Benjamin Herndon's company, and was out against the Cherokee Nation. His service in all amounting to one year and five months.

[handwritten note inserted: In 1790 moved to Ky]

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 27, 1834, at which time he was a resident of Clay County, Kentucky.

He died March 3, 1854.

There are no data relative to his family.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 44

12
sion.

July 2, 1928

G. E. Bangs
First National Bank
Chicago, Ill.

Sir: I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S.38530, it appears that David Benge was born in August 1760 in Albemarle County, Virginia. [handwritten note pointing here: no statement is shown as to whether or not he was an Indian.]

While residing in Wilkes County, North Carolina, he enlisted in 1779 and served as a private in Captain Gordon's Company, Colonel Armstrong's North Carolina Regiment, was at the siege of Charleston, where taken prisoner; afterwards served in Captain Joseph Lewis' Company, Colonel Rutherford's North Carolina Regiment, and was in the battle of Camden, was in the battle of Kings Mountain in same company under Colonel Cleveland; from February 1781 served two months in Captain Joseph Lewis' Company, Colonel Cleveland's Regiment; after the battle of Guilford, served about six months in Captain Charles Gordon's Company, Colonel Joseph Lewis' North Carolina Regiment; in the fall of 1781 served about seven weeks in Captain Benjamin Herndon's North Caro-
Page 45

lina [Carolina] Regiment, and was out against the Cherokee Nation. His service in all amounting to one year and five months.

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 27, 1834, at which time he was a resident of Clay County, Kentucky. [handwritten note: He died March 3, 1854.]

There are no data as to family.

The above noted soldier is the only David Benge, under any spelling of the name, found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau, and said records fail to afford any data in regard to any Thomas Bangs, under any spelling of the name.

Respectfully,

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.