Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3,378, Rufus Bennet, Conn.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Bennet, Rufus
or Bennett.
Martha

NUMBER
W. 3378

CONTENTS
Page 2

STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA,
LUZERNE COUNTY, SS.
On this Sixteenth day of April AD 1818, before me the subscriber, President Judge of the Eleventh Judicial district in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, personally appears Rufus Bennett, aged sixty one - years, resident in Hanover in the County of Luzerne in the State aforesaid, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled, "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War." That he said Rufus Bennett enlisted in Wilkes-Barre in the state of Pennsylvania on the first day of Sept 1776 in the company commanded by Captain Ranson of the first Connecticut Regt. Col. Grosvenor afterwards Col. Butler that he continued to serve in the said corps in the service of the United States, until the 7th day of June 1783 - when he was discharged from service in West Point state of New York that he was in the battles of Wyoming - and in sundry other Engagements with the Indians in an [illegible] with the British at Millstone and Bend Brady - That my discharge was sent to Washington City the 18th of March last to obtain my land.
And that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the Assistance of his Country for Support - and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services. Except that Col. Hollenback is living who was Ensign the service and new [knew] me -
Sworn to, subscribed and declared, Before me,
the day and year aforesaid.
Rufus Bennet
Th Burnside
Page 3

I, Thomas Burnside, President Judge of the eleventh Judicial district in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Rufus Bennett did serve in the Revolutionary war, as stated in the preceeding [preceding] declaration, against the Common Enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the secretary for the Department of war, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Th Burnside

State of Pennsylvania, 
Luzerne County, SS. }
I, Andrew Beaumont Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Luzerne aforesaid do certify and make known that Thomas Burnside Esquire is, and was at the time of signing and taking the foregoing depositions and certifying the same, President Judge of the 11th Judicial district of the State of Pennsylvania, that the signature is his proper hand writing, and that full faith and credit are due to his acts as such. In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and Seal of Office, at Wilkesbarre [Wilkes-Barre], in the County of Luzerne aforesaid, this twentieth day of April A.D. 1818
Andrew Beaumont Prothy
Page 4

705
Pennsylvania

Rufus Bennett
Capt Pearson
Private
4
Connecticut line Sept 1776. War
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War. 

Transcribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania. at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 20th of April 1818~

Certificate of Pension issued the 26th of May 1818 and sent to the Pensioner, care of Th Burnside, Esq. Judge [illegible] Wilkes-barre [Wilkes-Barre] Luzerne Cy, Pensyl

Arrearages to 4 Sepr 1818 $36.00
4 do 15 yrs $36.00
{Revolutionary claims, 
Act 18th March, 1818,}

Hanover Luzerne
Co
Page 5

1963 Phil
Pennsylvania

Martha Bennett
Widow of Rufus Bennett
Conn Capt Pearson
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private

Inscribed on the Roll at a rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of Sept 1841 and sent to 
Hon Chester Patter
Wilkes-Barre
Penn

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2,1848, Page 204 Vol. 2

 P Darling  Sep 28 1855 [crossed out]

Date of death in AB
Page 6

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County } S.s.

Be it known that before me John S. Conyngham President Judge of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Luzerne at January Term 1843 Personally appeared Martha Bennett of Wilkes Barre Township and made oath in due form of law that she is the widow of Rufus Bennet Deceased the Identical person who was a Pensioner and is now dead and to whom a Certificate of pension was issued of which the folowing [following] is a true Copy

Revolutionary Claims No 418 under the act entitled An act for the relief of certain Surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution appeared 15 May 1828-
I certify that Rufus Bennet at Hanover Township in the County of Luzerne in the State of Pennsylvania is entitled to Receive pay under the afore mentioned act as a surviving Private of infantry in the Connecticut Line of the Army of the Revolution at the rate of Six Dollars and Sixty Six 2/3 cents a month payable during his life on the third day of March and third day of September in each year

Pay Certificate of Rufus Bennet
Page 7

It is provided by Law that the said pay shall not in any way be transferable or liable to attachment Levy or seizure by any Legal process whatever - - -
Given under my hand and the seal of the Treasury of the United States this third Day of August in the year one thousand Eight hundred and twenty nine and of Independence the fifty fourth
J. D. Ingham
Secretary of the Treasury

That the Deceased pensioner resided in the state of Pennsylvania for the space of sixty years or more before his death and that previous there to he Resided in the state of Newyork [New York] but previous to that in the state of Connecticut that the said Rufus Bennet died on the 20th day of April 1842 sworn and subscribed this fourteenth day of January 1843
Before me - } Martha Bennett
[illegible]
John N Conyngham
Pres Judge of the Common Pleas of Luzerne County

Commonwealth of Penna
Luzerne County Ss. }
I Andrew Bedford a Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Luzerne do hereby Certify that the Hon John N. Conyngham before whom the above deposition was taken is President Judge of the Court of Com. Pleas of Luz. County & that the signature purporting to be his genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of sd. Court at Wilkes Barre this 14 day of January 1843.
A Bedford Prot.
By Hugh Fell
Page 8

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County Ss
Personally appeared before Elisha Blackman Esqr one of the justices of the Peace for said County of Luzerne Ishmael Bennet of Pittston Township County and State aforesaid aged about seventy nine years who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that Martha Bennett Widow of Rufus Bennett who was a Revolutionary Pensioner under the law of the United States Deceased is his Sister and that he & she were residenters [residents] in Wyoming Vally [Valley] prior and during the Wyoming Masacre [Massacre] in the year 1778 & that they were in Brown fort in Pittston just below the mouth of Lackawanna that they suffered all the difficalities [difficulties] privation & destresses incident to those times, were driven away by the Indians & tories though [through] the great Swamp to Orange County in New York State & that he & his sister Martha had to Carry in their Arms a yonger [younger] Brother Thomas of about four years of age the most part of the way allmost [almost] wholly desitute of Possession &c. And they were absent about two years and that after their return to the Vally [Valley] the Indians were still [illegible] about committing depredation frequently on the inhabitants killing some & taking others prisoners -
Deponent does not recollect the exact time
Page 9

that his sister Martha was married to Rufus Bennett aforesaid but it was about or shortly after the Close of the Revolutionary war
Ishmael Bennet
Sworn & subscribed before me this 11 day of February AD 1843
Elisha Blackman
Justice of the Peace
Page 10

October 1, 1938

BA-J/AWF [illegible]
Rufus Bennet
W. 3378

Mr. Philip Keister
Box 66
Kent, Illinois

Dear Sir:

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, W. 3378, based upon the military service of Rufus Bennett in the Revolutionary War.

The date and place of birth of Rufus Bennet were not given, nor were the names of his parents stated.

While a resident of Wyoming, which was then "considered in Connecticut", later Pennsylvania, Rufus Bennett enlisted September 1, 1776, served as a private in Captains Samuel Ransom's, Durkee's, Spalding's, Edward Eels' companies, Colonels Grosvenor's and Zebulon Butler's Connecticut regiments; he was in the battles of Millstone, Bound Brook, Wyoming, and in several engagements with the Indians, was discharged June 7, 1783.

He was allowed pension on his application
executed April 16, 1818, at which time he was living in Hanover, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and aged sixty-one years.

He died April 20, 1842, and was buried in
Hanover Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

Rufus Bennet married June 1, 1783 in Luzerne
County, Pennsylvania, Martha Bennet. She was allowed
Page 11

pension on her application executed January 14, 1843, at which time she was seventy-eight years old, and a resident of Wilke-Barre Township, Pennsylvania. She was allowed by the state of Pennsylvania, a pension of $40[illegible]0 per annum, on account of the service of her
husband, Rufus Bennet, in the Revolutionary War.

Rufus Bennet and his wife, Martha, had six children born prior to the year 1794, names of children not designated. Their eldest daughter was born April 20, 1785, married Darius Finch, who in 1845 was living in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania; her first husband was referred to, name not given.

Ishmael Bennet aged about seventy-nine years in 1843 and living in Pittston Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, stated that the widow, Martha Bennet, was his sister, and that they were living in 1778 in Wyoming Valley, suffered many hardships, were driven out by the Indians and Tories and had to carry their younger brother, Thomas, then about four years of age.

One Ziba Bennet stated in 1843 that he was well acquainted with the soldier, Rufus Bennet and wife, Martha, but no relationship was shown.

In order to obtain the date of last payment
of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the widow, Martha Bennet, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and furnish the following data:

Martha Bennett, widow of Rufus Bennett (as they were pensioned)
Certificate #1963
Issued September 11, 1848
Rate $80.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1848
Act of February 2, 1848
Pennsylvania Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 12

To the Honorable the Sennate [Senate] and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress Assembled - - - -
your Petitioner Martha Bennett respectfully sets forth the folowing [following] facts (viz) that she is the widow of Rufus Bennet deceased late of Hanover Township Luzerne County that the said Rufus Bennet was a soldier of the Revolution that as such in his life time he duly obtained and enjoyed until his death (April 1842) a pension as a private in the Army of the Revolution, from the government of the United States - as will fully appear by Reference to the Records of the War department That said Rufus Bennet was untill [until] his death one of the survivors of the disastrous and Bloody battle at Wyoming in the year 1778 and for several years previous to his death had no adequate support for himself and your Petitioner except what he received as above from the liberality and justice of his Country
Page 13

that since his death your petitioner has been greatly straitened in her circumstances for even a bare subsistence much more for a comfortable support in her old age She further states that she was also a sharer in the dangers struggles and privations of the war of the Revolution and in the same field in part with her Husband, to wit in Wyoming - that she is now about seventy eight years of age that she was here upon the ground at the time of the Indian battle and shared in the terrors and dangers incident to it that she was then about thirteen years old and carried her younger Brother more than one year old upon her Shoulder through what was called the big Swamp to orange County in the State of Newyork [New York] to which place they resorted for security & support that in the of light they passed several heroes who had been slain and scalped by the Indians upon the road - - -
After the dangers from the Indians had ceased your petitioner returned
Page 14

to Wyoming with other members of her Fathers family and in the year 1783 she married the said Rufus Bennet who had shortly previous been discharged from the service of his Country after having been a soldier about seven years your petitioner has then set forth these brief incidents in her history and having shared in the dangers and privations of an early settlement of a new Country in Common with her Husband and there also while he lived in the bounty & justice of her Country she thinks that she still has a claim if not upon its munificence at least upon its justice to provide for her absolute necessities during the very brief period which she can at all expect according to the order of nature its need either its bounty or its Justice She thinks therefore that this petition when its facts are sustained by satisfactory proofs & references will be favorable entertained by your Honorable Bodies
Martha Bennett
Page 15

We whose names are hereunto annexed are well acquainted with Martha Bennet the foregoing petitioner & were also well acquainted with her Husband Rufus Bennet in his life time and we have no doubt the facts set forth by Mrs Bennet are strictly true and that she is a verry [very] fit subject for the bounty of the government and strong claims upon its liberality Decem 19th 1843
Ziba Bennett
M Hollenback
John N Conyngham
Thomas W. Miner
W C Reynolds
Wm L Bowman
A. Baumont
Hendrick B. Wright

Martha Bennett
a Luzerne Co., Penna.
widow of Rufus Bennet a Revolutionary soldier for [illegible]

Bidlark
Jan. 15, 1844.
[illegible] on New [illegible]
Page 16

Act 1828
Settled at Treasury

Consd. with
o w widows
Invalid file

#34.011 [crossed out]
#3378

468

Rufus Bennet
Page 17

Revolutionary Claims.

[ B. ]

Form of a Declaration to be made by the Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians, and Privates.

For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828, I, Rufus Bennet of Hanover in the county of Luzerne in the State of Pennsylvania do hereby declare, that I enlisted in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued in its service until its termination; at which period, I was a * soldier - in Captain Edward Eels' (or Ayles') Company, in Colonel Zebulon Butler's Regiment, of the Connecticut Line. And, I also declare, that I afterwards received certificates for the reward of eighty dollars; to which I was entitled, under a resolve of Congress, passed the 15th of May, 1778.
And I further declare, that I was not, on the fifteenth day of May, 1828, on the Pension List of the United States;† But that I have endeavored to obtain a pension under a former law, & for that purpose transmitted my discharge to the Secretary of war, in whose office I presume it now remains -
Witness my hand, this 8th day of July ~, in the year 1828
Rufus Bennet

Before me,‡ David Scott President of the 11th Judicial Dist. including the county of Luzerne in the State of Pennsylvania personally appeared, this day, George Palmer Ransom and Thomas Williams (soldiers of the Revolution) of the said county, who did severally make oath that Rufus Bennet - by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, in manner as therein stated.
Witness my hand, this 8th day of July in the year 1828
David Scott President of the 11th Judl. Dist. of Penna.

I, Charles D. Shoemaker - Clerk of the Court of the County of Luzerne in the State of Pennsylvania do hereby certify, that David Scott Esquire - before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was, at the time, § President Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District said State and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the [I. s.] said Court, this Eighth day of July AD 1828-
C D. Shoemaker Clk

* Sergeant, Corporal, Musician, or Private, as the case may be.
† The claimant, though not on the pension list on the 15th of May, 1828, may have been on the list on or since the 3d of March, 1826, and afterwards stricken off: if so, he will add, and that I have received of the United States, as a pensioner, since the 3d of March, 1826, the sum of  dollars, paid to me by the Agent for paying pensions in the State of
‡ Here insert a Justice of the Peace, or other Magistrate duly empowered to administer oaths.
§ Justice of the Peace, or otherwise, as the case may be.
Page 18

State of Pennsylvania
April 6th 1843

Luzerne County Ss
On this fifteenth day of April in the year Eighteen hundred & forty three, personally appeared before me, John N. Conyngham, President Judge of the Court of Common pleas in & for the County of Luzerne, Martha Bennet a Resident of the Township of Wilkesbarre [Wilkes-Barre], in the said County of Luzerne, and State of Pennsylvania, aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth depose, and on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 4th in the year eighteen hundred & thirty six, and the joint Resolution of July 7th 1838, that she is the widow of Rufus Bennett who was a Private of Infantry in the Connecticut Line of the Army of the Revolution.-
She further declares that she was married to the said Rufus Bennett, in the year Seventeen Hundred and eighty three, on the first day of June, and that her Husband, the aforesaid Rufus Bennet died on the twentieth
Page 19

day of April 1842 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed
Martha Bennett
Sworn and subscribed on this fifteenth day of  April A.D. 1843 in Open Court 
A. Bedford Prot
and also in the presence of 
John N Conyngham
Pres Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County

Luzerne County SS.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County S.S. }
I Andrew Bedford Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County Certify that the Hon John N. Conyngham is President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County and that the signature above purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Wilkes-Barre the fifteenth day of April AD eighteen hundred and forty three
Andrew Bedford
Prothonotary
By Geo. W Smith
Page 20

389

468:
No of orig Pay 389
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
July 31. 1828

Rufus Bennet, of Hanover, - in the County of Luzerne, - in the State of Pennsylvania, has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a private - in captain Edwd. Eels or Ayle's Company in Col. Zebulon Butler's regiment of the Connecticut line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing.

The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary
A. Dickins.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
5th August 1828

It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to Rufus Bennet in the Connecticut line
It further appears that Rufus Bennet - - - is not now on the pension list of any - - - agency, and has not been so since the 3d March 1826 
Peter Hagner Aud
Page 21

let 10 Nov 42 [illegible] so - Wright, do to Hon. A Bidlack Jan 18, 1843.
Page 22

Funeral of Rufus Bennett.

At a meeting of the Citizen Soldiers, in the Register's Office on Friday morning last, to take into consideration measures to pay a proper respect to the remains of the late Rufus Bennett, one of the few of those who were engaged on the memorable 3d of July 1778, in the defence of this Valley and its inhabitants:
Col. J. L. BUTLER was called to the Chair, and AMOS SISTY appointed Secretary.
On motion,
The Chairman was authorised to appoint a committee to draft a preamble and resolutions indicative of the order to be taken by the meeting.
The Chair appointed the following persons.
Col. J. J. Dennis, Major F. Dana, T. W. Drake, E. Collings and W. J. Stephens.
On motion,
Con. I. Bowman was appointed Marshal to conduct the funeral procession--and Major L. C. Kidder, Assistant Marshal for the same purpose.
On motion,
Adjourned to meet at the house of Col. J. J. Dennis, at 8 o'clock, P. M.

At the adjourned meeting at Col Dennis's at 8 o'clock P. M., (Col. Butler not being present) Gen. W M. S. ROSS was appointed President.
When the following report was made by the Committee.
The honor we pay the illustrious dead is not lost to the living. When we lay the war-warn patriot of the Revolution in his grave, amidst the melancholy pageantry of the Soldier's burial rites, while we indulge a manly sorrow for our bereavement, we cling more closely around the altar built by his lofty patriotism, and we feel that it is glorious to die for our goodly inheritance.
OLD RUFUS BENNETT sleeps with his fathers. The Continental soldier and the border warrior--the staunch foeman of the foreign tyrant and the ruthless savage, has closed his earthly career among the scenes consecrated by the blood of his compatriots, and endeared by the recollection of his own gallant participation in the memorable struggle for Wyoming. As Americans, and citizens of this valley we are anxious to testify our respect for the memory of the veteran soldier who periled life and limb in the war for liberty--therefore,
Resolved, That his remains be buried with military honors under the direction of the citizen soldiers of Wyoming.
Unanimously adopted.
On motion, adjourned.
(Signed by the Officers)

On Saturday at 10 o'clock A. M., a large concourse of Citizens and Soldiers assembled at the house of the deceased, in Woodville.
The procession, under Gen. J. BOWMAN, Marshall, and Major L. C. KIDDER Assistant, was formed as follows:
Escort.
Citizen Volunteers of Wyoming Commanded by Gen. W. S. Ross.
Woodsville Lancers.
Clergy.
Palbearers. [Pallbearers] CORPSE. Palbearers. [Pallbearers]
Relatives of the Deceased.
Old Soldiers and Early Settlers of Wyoming.
Citizens on Horseback.
Citizens in Carriages.
The procession moved forward to the place of the burial, in Hanover township, about four miles below the Borough. On reaching the ground the burial service of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was lead by the Rev. D. W. BRISTOL--the body of the veteran was consigned to its kindred earth--three vollies [volleys] of musketry, and the mournful music of the Band closed the Churchyard scene. Repairing to the Church, a Sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. BRISTOL--after which the Rev. JNO. DORRANCE, [illegible] the life of the deceased when the people departed to their homes, having paid the last [illegible] respect to the [illegible]
[illegible] of [illegible] attending the funeral.
Page 23

The procession moved forward to the place of burial, in Hanover township, about four miles below the Borough. On reaching the ground the burial service of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was read by Rev. D. W. Bristol -- the body of the veteran was consigned to its kindred earth -- three vollies of musketry, and the mournful music of the Band closed the Churchyard scene. Repairing to the Church, a Sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. BRISTOL -- after which the Rev. JNO. DORRANCE, gave a short sketch of the life of the deceased. when the people departed to their homes, having paid the last tribute of respect to the patriot citizen.

The number of persons attending the funeral, in the procession we estimate at 500 -- in addition to which there were 200 or 300 at the house, but who did not go to the ground -- at the ground were gathered probably a hundred more.

The day was mild and beautiful -- Nature was putting forth her buds and flowers -- and the grave yard where they laid the soldier down was filled with Spring's sweet blossoms. The whole proceedings at the grave were deeply
impressive -- and the silence and seriousness of the assemblage was fitting to the occasion. There are but two or three links left in the living chain that connects the present with the past. The rust of age will soon destroy them
and then the mementos of '78 will be gone for ever.

How seemly then was the demonstration of respect by the living to the patriotic dead.

For the Advocate.
Amos _isty, Esq:

Some of your readers may have observed in the last week's Advocate a "Notice to the Public" subscribed, Wyoming. There are two or three sentences in it, which lead me to suppose the writer has been laboring under a delusion. Charity, therefore induces me to say a few words in reply; though it may be but little satisfaction to convince the author he has expended his ammunition to no purpose. It is gratifying to see a champion to battle in defence of the fair -- indicating as it does a chivalrous disposition and devotion to the higher principles of our nature. The uplifted arm may be nerveless through age or inexperience, yet its impotence is forgotten in the spirit that prompts the blow. We may pity the misguided zeal which leads to strike when no enemy is at hand, yet our pity is lost in our admiration for the heroic valor of the Knight. Such an one, Posterity will delight to honor. If he be not handed down in the questionable shape in which other Heroes of newspaper articles have been, he at least my claim a place beside Don Quixotte and Sancho Panza.

But I am losing sight of my object, which is to convince "Wyoming" that he has most egregiously misinterpreted the meaning of Penn. Whether he has done so intentionally, or merely through a dullness peculiar to himself,
Page 24

WIDOW, &c.
Revy

File No. 3878
Martha Bennett
Widow
Rufus Bennett.
Pri. Rev. War.

Act Feb 2d. 1848.
Index:-Vol. A, Page 48
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[illegible] 12/95 Hist. to J. C. Vane,
M. D., Emmetston, &c., M.E.L.
19-8. Oct. 2. Hist to Hon Burton L. French. AW
1924 Apr. 14 Hist to Helen Knauss. See letter 
[illegible] Elisha Blackman S.2084 AW.
31 - July 1 - Hist to Mrs. Cora Matten AWJ.
1938 - Oct 1 - hist to Philip Keister AWJ
Page 25

5821
Martha Bennett
Pa

Let to Darius Finch June 21. 43 [crossed out]
" " Hon. B A Bidlack 19 Jan '44

return amt. for these

Act 4 July 1836


No 12.136
Martha Bennett
Pa
Darius Finch, May 30. '45
Let to same Sept. 1. 1845.
to same Oct 15. '45
" same Oct 24. '45

Act 7 July 1838
Page 26

7484.12
Pennsylvania.

Martha Bennett,
widow of Rufus Bennett, who was a private, in the Connecticut line.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars  Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24. day of Dec 45 and sent to Darius Finch
Wilkes barre 
Pa

[Act of March 3, 1843.]
17 June 1845
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 104

Let to D Finch Jan 23 46
Page 27

Newport Sept 15th 1845
Dear Sir
I enclosed several weeks ago the Deposition of Col Geo. P Ransom in reference to the services of Rufus Bennet Deceased in the Army of the revolution but have received no answer and thinking it Posible [possible] that my letter might been miscaried [miscarried] a gain write to know if there is any Dificulty [difficulty] in the way of Martha Bennet the widow of Rufus Bennet deceased obtaining her Pension and if so what it is it certainly appears to me that her case is as plain a case as ever was presented and if ever a widow was entitled to the Bounty of her Country she certainly is but if you think otherwise we shall be compelled at this Session of Congress to apply for a special act to meet her case I enclose you here the deposition of Ishmael Bennet which was taken to send to our State Legislature but was Dispensed with our object being accomplished without it. therefore the certificate of the Prothonotary is not affixed to it but I send it to show that she was Married verry [very] shortly after the close of the war and that she suffered the privations and difficulties incident to those
Page 28

Times with her husband and it appears to me if you refer to the papers in your possession in reference to the character of Miss Cartright who was present at the marriage to the Certificate of The Honle. B. A. Bidlack and the justice who took her Deposition the testimony must be satisfactory
verry [very] Respectfully
yours Darius Finch
Page 29

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County Ss

George P. Ransom aged Eighty three years and upwards being duly sworn doth depose and say that in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy six he was well acquainted with Rufus Bennet now deceased and late of Luzerne County and that said deponent and Rufus Bennet enlisted during the revolutionary war in the Company of Samuel Ransom the father of this deponent who was a Captain in the Continental service and that said Rufus Bennet to the Knowledge of this deponent served during the whole war until 1783 That deponent was with the said Bennet when the Army was disbanded and both of them to wit deponent and Rufus Bennet received certificates of discharge at the same time and returned home to Wyoming in company and that said deponent since that time has resided in Luzerne County and been well acquainted with Rufus Bennet for all the time until his death in 1841 or 1842
George P Ransom

Sworn & subscribed to July 3 1845 before me
G. Burrows
J. P.
Page 30

Luzerne County Ss
I do Certify that the above mentioned George P. Ransom is a man of truth and veracity, and is universally esteemed as such - Witness my hand at Wilkes Barre Borough the 24th day July 1845
G. Burrows
J. P.
Page 31

State of Penna
Luzerne County Ss. }
I Andrew Bedford Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do Certify that G. Burrows Esqr. before whom the within Affidavit was made is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Wilkes Barre this 24 day of July AD 1845.
A. Bedford Prot
By Hugh Fell
Page 32

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County } Ss

Be it known that before me Eleazer Carey justice of the Peace in and for the County of Luzerne on the thirtieth Day of January 1845 Personally appeared Martha Bennet of Wilkes Barre Township and made oath in Due form of law that she is the Widow of Rufus Bennet Deceased the Identical person who was a pensioner and is now Dead and to whom a certificate of which the folowing [following] is a true Copy

Revolutionary Claims No. 418
under the act entitled an act for the relief of certain Surviving Officers and soldiers of the Army of the Revolution, approved 15. May 1828 - - -
I certify that Rufus Bennet of Hanover Township in the County of Luzerne in the State of Pennsylvania is entitled to Receive pay under the above mentioned act as a surviving Private of infantry in the Connecticut Line of the Army of the Revolution at the rate of Six Dollars and Sixty Six :2/3 cents a month
Page 33

payable During his life on the third day of March and the third Day of September in each year It is provided by law that this said pay shall not in any way be transferable or liable to attachment buy or seizure by any legal process whatever - - -
Given under my hand and the Seal of the Treasury of the United States this Third Day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine and of Independence the sixty-fourth
{Seal}
S. D. Ingham
Secretary of the Treasury
That the Deceased Pensioner resided in the State of Pennsylvania for Sixty years or more before his Death and that previous thereto he Resided in the state of New York and previous to that in the State of Connecticut She further Declares that she was Married to the said Rufus Bennet on the first day of June in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty three and that her husband the aforesaid Rufus Bennet Died on the 20 of April 1842 and that she has remained a widow ever since
Martha Bennett

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above Written before me
I certify that the above named deponent is personally known to me - E Carey Justice } E Carey J. P.

Pay Certificate of Rufus Bennet
Page 34

Col. J. L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Sir
I enclose you the Declaration of Mrs Martha Benett, in order to obtain a restoration to the Pension List.
Respectfully
yours &c
Chester Butler
House of Reps. July 29. 1848
Page 35

389
Revolutionary Claims. No. 418

Under the Act entitled, "An Act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15 May 1828.

I Certify that Rufus Bennet of Hanover in the County of Luzerne in the State of Pennsylvania is entitled to receive pay under the above mentioned Act as a surviving private of Infantry in the Connecticut Line of the Army of the Revolution, at the rate of Six dollars and sixty six 2/3 cents a month, payable during his life on the third day of march and third day of September in each year.
It is provided by law that the said pay Shall not in any way be transferable, or liable to attachment, levy, or seizure, by any legal process whatever.
Given under my hand and the Seal of the Treasury of the United States the third day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine and of Independence the fifty fourth.
S D Ingham
Secretary of the Treasury
Engt. or Throp. Wash.

Pay Certificate of
Rufus Bennet
Page 36

To
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
In the year 1843 Rufus Bennett a Revolutionary pensioner died. The pension was then under the existing laws paid to Martha Bennett, his widow, for a time. She died about the year 1853, having as is alleged certain claims for arrears, under an act passed for the benefit of certain widows &c. She left a number of children, many of them in indigent circumstances, who have had their attention called to this claim, by letters from divers firms, offering to collect the same for an enormous per-centage.
My object in writing is to ascertain, (if in accordance with the usages of the Office) as to the existence of this claim, and the proper
Page 37

method to be employed in prosecuting the same.
I have the honor to remain
your obt servt
E P Darling

Sep 17- 1855
Wilkes Barre. Luzerne Co, Penna
Page 38

Martha Bennett,
Of Luzerne co., Penna.
Mrs Martha Bennett for a Pension in consideration of the services of her late husband, Rufus Bennett, in the revolutionary war.

Jan. 22, 1844. Referred to the Com. on Rev. Pensions.

Bidlack

28th [illegible]
Comm on Rev Pensions

Bidlack
87
Page 39

Luzerne County S.s.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - -
personally appeared before me Peter Winter of sd. [illegible] Catherine Cartright Who being about seventy seven years of age and Duly sworn Doth depose and say that she is acquainted with Martha Bennet Widow of Rufus Bennet who was a pensioner under the act of Congress that she was present at the marriage and stood up with them During the preformance [performance[ of the marriag [marriage] cerimony [ceremony] which was preformed [performed] by Esqr. Sebeh and that the marriage took place as near as deponent can recollect in seventeen hundred and eighty three or four some time During the summer season and further saith not
Catherine X Cartright her mark
Darius Finch
Sworn and subscribed before me this fourteenth Day of April 1845 I also certify that the Deponent is a woman of unimpeachable character
Peter Winter Justice of the peace
Page 40

Pennsylvania
Luzerne County Ss.
I Andrew Bedford Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County Certify that Peter Winter Esq before whom the within deposition was taken was at the time of taking such deposition an acting Justice of the peace duly Commissioned and qualified and that full faith and credit are due to all his acts as such. In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Wilkes Barre the fifteenth day of April AD eighteen hundred and forty three
Andrew Bedford
Prothonotary
By Geo. W Smith
Page 41

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County } Ss
Be it known that before me John N. Coningham President Judge of the County of Luzerne at and adjourned Court held this sixth Day of June 1841 Personally appeared in open court Martha Bennet of Wilkes Barre Township and made oath in due form of law that she is the widow of Rufus Bennet Deceased the Identical person who was a Pensioner and is now dead and to whom a certificate of pension was issued of which the following is a true Copy.

Revolutionary Claims No 418
Under the act entitled An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and soldiers of the Army of the Revolution approved 15. May 1828 - - -
I Certify that Rufus Bennet of Hanover Township in the County of Luzerne in the State of Pennsylvania is entitled to
Page 42

Receive pay under the above mentioned act as a surviving Private of infantry in the Connecticut line of the Army of the Revolution at the rate of six Dollars and sixty six 2/3 cents a month payable during his life on the third day of March and third day of September in each year. It is provided by Law that the said pay shall not in any way be transferable or liable to [illegible] levy or seizure by any legal process whatever - - -
Given under my hand and the seal of the Treasury of the United States this Third day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine and of Independence the sixty fourth.
S. D. Ingham
Secretary of the Treasury

Pay certificate of Rufus Bennet

That the deceased pensioner resided in the State of Pennsylvania for the space of sixty years or more before his death and that previous thereto he Resided in the State of Newyork [New York] but previous to that in the state of Connecticut That the said Rufus Bennet Died on the 20th day of April 1842. Sworn and subscribed this sixth day of June 1842. Before me }
Page 43

Luzerne County
the Common Wealth } Ss
of Pennsylvania
Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the justices in and for said County at my office in Wilkes-Barre Township this 25th day of Sept. 1845 Huldah Carey, aged 72 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that she is now a resident of the Township of Brooklin [Brooklyn] Susquehannah [Susquehanna] County but that she was formerly a Resident of Hanover Township Luzerne County. that she was personally acquainted with Rufus Bennet deceased a Revolutionary soldier and also with Martha his Wife that she the deponent was present at the Marriage and saw them Married that Esqr Sulah performed the marriage ceremony that the said marrige [marriage] took place in 1783 or 84 that the said Rufus and Martha Bennet resided in Hanover Township Luzerne County for many years after their marriage and that she the deponent
Page 44

was well acquainted with them up to the time of the Decease of the said Rufus Bennet and that she knows that the said Martha still remains his Widow and further saith not
Huldah X Carey her mark

Sworn and subscribed before me the day and date above written and I do also certify that Huldah Carey the foregoing deponent is a person of unimpeachable Character
Lyman C Kidder Justice of the Peace
Witness
John Carey

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County Ss. } I Andrew Bedford Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County aforesaid do Certify that Lyman C. Kidder Esquire before whom the above Affidavit was made is & was at the time of so doing an acting Justice of the peace for said County and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Wilkes Barre this 23 day of September 1845.
A. Bedford Prot.
By Hugh Fell
Page 45

Newport Sept. the 25th 1845
Dear sir
I a few days since wrote to you in reference to the claim of Martha Bennet Widow of Rufus Bennet deceased who was a soldier in the 
 army of the Revolution and I herewith enclose the deposition of Huldah Carey who was formerly a resident of Hanover Township Luzerne County but has recently removed from this County but having returned on a visit I took the oportunity [opportunity] to have her deposition taken in reference tot he marriage of Mr and Mrs. Bennet feeling disposed to remove any objection to her Claim from the minds of the officers & the Department I also enclose a slip from the [illegible] giving an account of the Funeral of the Deceased and I will just remark that altho [although] the deceased in his life time acquired a good property by his industry he unfortunately by rendering for others lost all his Property and left his Widow without one Dollar for her support and as four years
Page 46

has nearly elapsed since her claim was presented I hope her case will be attended to without further delay as the old lady begins to think she shall see the end of life before she receives the bounty of her Government please let me know the state of her claim as soon as Convenient. I remain verry [very] Respectfully
your obedient servant
Darius Finch

To J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of pensions
Page 47

Wilkes Barre January 31st 1845

Sir
I have before me in the case of Martha Bennet Widow of Rufus Bennet a letter from the Pension office dated June 21st 1843 in which I am informed that she has no Claim under the act of July 4th 1836 and that if her claim should be received under the act of July 7th 1838 the aleged [alleged] date of the Marriage should be established by that grade of testimony which is so generaly [generally] afforded by the Books and papers of Towns Churches &c but as no such Records at that time were kept in this place it cannot be furnished but I herewith enclose you the oath of Martha Bennet with a copy of her husbands pay Certificate together with the affidavit of Catherine Cartright Wife of Cornelius Cartright Esqr which is the best testimony of her marriage that can be produced at the present time and If the Certificates of the justice herewith enclosed are not fully Satisfactory as to the Character and Standing of Miss Bennet & Miss Cartright I would
Page 48

Refer you to the Hon. B. A. Bidlack who is personly [personally] acquainted with them I also enclose you the Declaration of Martha Bennet supposing it might save some Trouble if her Claim should be accepted under the act 7th July 1838 I also have before me a letter from the Pension Office dated January 19th 1844 in which it is stated in the case of Prudence Edgerton the declaration under the act of the 3rd March 1843 was returned a few days since for amendment from which I infer that nothing except the amendment of her declaration was wanting the letter in which her declaration was returned was delayed on the way and I did not receive it till some months after it was Written this one cause why these two cases have been delayed my absence from home & my sickness since I returned has still added to the delay I hope therefore their Claims will be examined and if Received forwarded with as little delay as posible [possible] as the Claims are needy in the Case of Prudence Edgerton I would be under lasting obligation to the Department for a
Page 49

Certifyed [certified] Copy of the evidence that may there appear of the services of Edward Edgerton as he was a Pensioner under the act of 1818 and died in 1819 his Widow has now no means of showing his services and as she wishes to lay her case before the Legislature of Pennsylvania which has in most cases already granted to most Widows a Pension of $40 dols per anum [annum] to which sum she has an equal claim with her fellow sufferers in those days the proof of his services from the records of the War department or that kind of proof that was exibeted [exhibited] when his Claim was excepted [accepted] in 1818 will no doubt be satisfactory to our Legistlature and with out it it may be Dificult [difficult]] for her at this late Day to find testimony Sufficient to identify his services as to the proof of her Marriage and of her being the Identical Widow of Edward Edgerton there is no difficulty
I am Respectfully
yours Darius Finch

J. L. Edward Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 50

Hon B. A. Bidlack
HR.
Feb 7. 45
Page 51

Luzerne County
The Common Wealth
of Pennsylvania } Ss Personally appeared before me the subscriber, one of the justices of the peace in and for the County of Luzerne Elisha Blackman a resident of Hanover Township in said County aged eighty five years and upward who being first Duly sworn according to law Doth depose and say that he came in to Luzerne County in 1786 that he the Deponent had a previous acquaintance with Rufus Bennet who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution but none with Martha his Wife till that time that in the year 1786 they were living together as man and Wife and had two children when deponent came in to the place and that shortly after said Bennet and Deponent purchased farms adjoining and lived neighbors for more than forty years that deponent was well acquainted with the said Rufus and Martha his wife from 1786 up to the Decease of the said Rufus and that he still knows Martha Bennet to be the Widow of the said Rufus Bennet and further saith not
Elisha Blackman

Sworn and subscribed before me this 10th day of Nov 1845 and I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with this deponent and that his character is unimpeachable
David Thomson Justice of the Peace
Page 52

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
Luzerne County, Ss. } I, Andrew Bedford, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said county of Luzerne, do hereby certify that the within named David Thompson, is, and at the time of the making of the affidavit of the within named Elisha Blackman before him, was an acting Justice of the Peace, duly elected, commissioned and sworn; and that full faith and credit are due and of right ought to be given to all his official acts as such
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, the fourteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty five, the Words "before him" being first interlined.
Andrew Bedford,
Prothonotary,
By W. J. Woodward
Page 53

Martha Bennett.
Sent in support of claim of Mrs Martha Bennet

May 10. 1844, refd. to Comm. of Rev. Pensions

Bidlack
Page 54

The deposition of Catherine Catright of Pittston Township in the County of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania taken on the 29th day of April 1844, Before E. Carey a Justice of the peace in and for said County, who being first duly affirmed according to law doth depose and say, that she was present at the marriage of Rufus Bennett and Martha Bennet of Luzerne County aforesaid, in the year 1783, as nearly as she can recollect the date, deponent says that the marriage ceremony was performed by a justice of the peace named Suley, but does not recollect his christian name - deponent says she was Bridesmaid at the wedding and was then in the 18th year of her age, as nearly as she can recollect, deponent says that the record of her age is dated and entered in the family Bible as born on the 22nd day of July 1766, and from the best of her recollection the marriage of Rufus Bennett and Martha Bennett was in the fall of the year 1783.
Catherine + Cartright her mark
Affirmed and subscribed by deponent making her mark on the 19th day of April Ao. Di. 1844 ~
Before me
E. Carey
Justice of the peace

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County Ss } I Andrew Bedford Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the County aforesaid Do certify that Eleazer Carey Esqr before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken and subscribed was at the time of taking and subscribing the same an acting Justice of the Peace duly authorized and that full faith is due to his official acts. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this seconday [second day] of May A.D. 1844 A. Bedford Prot.
By J. F. Baldwin
Page 55

Sept. 28/53.
Page 56

Pension Office
Sep 28 1853

Sir
There is nothing due in the case of Martha Bennett of Pa unless there may be a fraction of her pension between her last semi-annual payment and the day of her death. For information upon this point you should apply to the Third Auditor
1848)

E P Darling Esq
Wilkes Barre
Luzerne Co
Pa
Page 57

[stamp] 5

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commishioner [Commissioner] of Pensions
Washington City

Jan 22 46
Martha Bennett

[stamp, illegible]
Page 58

Wilkes Barre January 17th 1846

Sir
The certificate of Martha Bennet was duly received from the Department and I am verry [very] sorry to have occasion to trouble you further on this subject but Duty and a proper Defence of my own character makes it nessesary [necessary] that I should state a few facts in reference to this matter it is unnessesary [unnecessary] for me to mention the Diligence with which I have for about three years prosecuted her claim with that fact you are well acquainted I have also been at the whole expense of taking a justice or justices of the Peace to diferent [different] parts of the County to take affidavits and forwarding them to the Department in her case and in fact no person has spent one hours time or spent one penny in the Prosecution of this claim but my self and I barely asked of the Old Lady 25 Dollars out of the 200 hundred that she will now Draw which amount would not ever pay my bond & expenses in the matter
Page 59

I therefore refused to Deliver her papers untill [until] I should receive some assurance that a small portion of the expense of prosecuting her claim should be received for certainly double the amount I asked of her would have been a small compensation but in adition [addition] to the present trouble I have also procured her a State Pension of forty dollars per anum [annum] and she drew from the state forty dollars this first [illegible] and her son who has refused to aid in either case received 30 out of the forty dollars and if the present money is drawn he has already an arrangement to appropriate it to his own use and not to her benefit or Comfort but if your Honor should think that I ought to deliver the Certificate without any compensation for my services I will do so as I do not wish to trouble the department in this matter I have understood that they have written to the department for another certificate if they have of should I hope they may receive from the department
Page 60

that merited rebuke which the nature of the case demands please drop me a line in answer to this and the department shall receive no further trouble from me in this matter
verry [very] respectfully
your Obedient Servant
Darius Finch

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commishioner [Commissioner] of Pensions
Washington City
Page 61

Hon J. L. Edwards
Dr Sir
Rufus Bennet a Soldier of the Revolution died during the past Sumer [Summer], leaving a widow, to whom he was married during the period of his Enlistment, but while on furlough and when not in actual "Service"- as the widow informs me - upon proof of these facts would she be entitled to a pension, & under what Law? - She informs me that her Husbands discharge under the hand of Genl Washington was sent to Washington if that remains in your office, with the proof of his service made in his application will it be necessary for her to make any further proof of his services, this would now be difficult, and she does not known who his witnesses were - Would it not be sufficient to Establish, the marriage & her identity as his widow, & time of the marriage - I have your printed forms & Laws but know now what Construction you may put on first part of this letter -
Yours truly
Harrison Wright
Wilkes Barre Nov 6. 1842
Page 62

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County Ss. }
I Andrew Bedford Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Luzerne do Certify that Eleazer Carey Esqr. before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of said Court at Wilkes Barre this thirty first day of January AD 1845.

A Bedford
Prothonotary

See No 5821 act 4 July 1836
Page 63

Darius Finch
June 21. 1843
Page 64

Pen Off
June 21 '43

Sir
In the case of Martha Bennet who alleges that she was married in June '83 to Rufus Bennett a revoy soldier I would inform you that he was discharged from Service between 5 & 10 of June of that year and as her marriage was subsequently to the expiration of his service she has no claim under the act of 4 July '36~
If her claim shd. be renewed under the act of 7. July 38 the alleged date of the marriage should be established by that grade of proof which is so generally afforded by the books & papers of Towns Churches & families in respect to births, Baptisms, Conveyances &c. The renewed claim of Sarah Whitcomb presented by her atto Mr. Ray will be taken up in its turn
Darius Finch Esqr.
Wilkesbarre [Wilkes-Barre] Pa
Page 65

State of Penna.
Luzerne County }
I Andrew Bedford Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County do Certify that the Hon. John N. Conyngham before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is President Judge of the 13th Judicial District of Penna. and President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Wilkes Barre this 14 day of April AD 1845.

A. Bedford Prot
By Hugh Fell
Page 66

Wilkes Barre July 25th 1845

Sir:
In answer to yours of May 30th 1845 I enclose the Deposition of [illegible] was in in reference to the Servises [services] of Rufus Bennet and I have [illegible] diligence for some record of the Marriage of Rufus & Martha Bennet but can find none there is none in the Recorders office and I believe all the Records that [illegible] and as for such as [illegible] existed [illegible] you state that some proof must be exhibited of Record [illegible] evidence public or private papers [illegible] I have [illegible] there was no Record [illegible] and I Confess myself at a loss to know what kind of testimony you would wish be [illegible] that which [illegible] I can find does not exist Miss Bennet says their Bible was burned in a schoolhouse which contained the Family Record I afterwards by the Devotion of Mr Bennet in his Lifetime made an entry of
Page 67

of their Children in another Bible that Bible is now much to pieces and that Record is not to be found I married the Eldest Daughter of Rufus & Martha Bennet and from the Record of her age in the Bible of her first husband it appears that she was Born April 20th 1785 I have been connected with the family since the summer of 1816 and from the best information I can gather they were Married and had six Children previous to 1794 but I can see no cause for calling in question the testimony of Miss Catherine Cartright She is the Wife of Cornelius Cartright Esqr who Represented this County a number of years in our State Legislature Miss Catright is a person of the first standing in veracity and if the certificate attached to her affidavit is not satisfactory there will be no dificulty [difficulty] in Making it satisfactory I confess I have been somewhat disappointed in the case of Miss Bennet I anticipated no dificulty [difficulty] in her cases Mr Bennet Listed at the commencement of the Revolution was Discharged at the close of the war which the Record and papers of the war department I
Page 68

I think must show he was in the memorable Battle of Wyoming at the time the Inhabitants were Massacred by the british & Indians and Misses Benet her self was drove out from her with the Inhabitants her self on foot and was compelled to carry her youngest Brother on her back throug [through] the big swamp in to the state of Newyork [New York] suffering with her husband all the privations and Dificulties [difficulties] of these times and if any person was ever entitled to the bounty of their Country she most certainly is I will enclose here all the papers in my possession that were previously sent on in her case and I hope they with the deposition of Mr Ransom will prove satisfactory
Please direct your answer to Nanticoke East office Luzerne County Penn.
verry [very] Respectfully
yours Darius Finch

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Com of Pensions
Page 69

Luzerne County
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania } Ss
Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the justice of the Peace in and for said County Phineas Waller a resident of Plymouth Township in said County aged seventy Two years who being first Duly sworn according to law doth Depose and say that he became acquainted with Rufus Bennet who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution upwards of sixty years ago Deponent was also acquainted with Martha Bennet his wife Deponent Did not see them Married but knew from common report that they were married and knew them living together as husband and Wife as early as 1784 Deponent recollects well that in the spring of eighty four there was a remarkable ice fresh in the Susquehanna river and the Summer folowing [following] Deponent recollects well that they were keeping house together and that he the said Deponent was well acquainted with the said Rufus
Page 70

and Martha his wife from 1784 to 1842 the time of the Decease of the said Rufus and that he is still acquainted with Martha Bennet and knows her still to remain the Widow of the said Rufus Bennet Deponent further saith that several years since he [illegible] the Discharge of the said Rufus to Washington and left it in the War Department and further saith not
Phineas Waller

Sworn and subscribed before me this 14th Day of Nov. 1845 and I do also certify that Phineas Waller the foregoing deponent is a man of unimpeachable character and of high standing in society
G. Burrows J. P.
Page 71

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
Luzerne County, Ss. }
I, Andrew Bedford, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said county of Luzerne, do hereby certify that Gilbert Burrows within named is, and at the time of the making of the within affidavit, by the within named Phineas Waller, before him, was an acting Justice of the Peace duly elected, commissioned and sworn, and that full faith and credit are due, and of right ought to be given to all his official acts as such.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, the fourteenth day of November, A.D. 1845.
A. Bedford, Prot.
By W. J. Woodward
Page 72

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County, Sct. } Be it known that on the thirty first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five, before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for the County of Luzerne aforesaid, personally came and appeared, Catherine Cartright of the township of Pittston in said County, (formerly of WilkesBarre [Wilkes-Barre] township in the same County to me well known personally, and who is in character & standing unexceptionable and unimpeachable, aged 78 years and being first duly sworn according to law, on her solemn oath doth depose and say that she is well acquainted with Martha Bennett widow of Rufus Bennett (deceased) that she was present, and acted as bridesmaid at their wedding and saw them married in the summer of 1783 as near as she can recollect and that she was acquainted with them from the time of their marriage up to the death of the said Rufus Bennett and that she still knows the said Martha Bennett to be his widow. And further saith not ~
Sworn & subscribed by making her mark in my presence and before me on the day & date first above written E. Carey Jus. Peace } Catherine x Cartright her mark
Page 73

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County Ss. }
I, Andrew Bedford Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do certify that Eleazer Carey Esqr. before whom the within affidavit was made is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County and the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Wilkes Barre this 31 day of January AD 1846.
A Bedford.
Prot.
Page 74

[illegible] B p
July 6 / 45
Catherine Cartright the witness within named & Mrs Bennett the applicant both of whom testify to the marriage are personally known to me & I believe them to be women of truth & veracity whose statement is entitled to credit & [illegible]
B A Bidlack

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County } Ss
on this twelfth day of April 1845 personally appeared Catherine Cartright the within named deponent who being first duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that she recollects the time of Marriage of Rufus and Martha Bennet within named from the fact that their Marriage took place about three years before her own and that her own Marriage took place on the 1st day of October 1786 as the family Records show and she also recollects that the said Rufus and Martha Bennet were Married and had one child previous to her own Marriage and further saith not
Sworn and subscribed by making her Mark in my presence and before me on the day and date first above written
Peter Winter Justice of the peace } Catherine x Cartright her mark
Page 75

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County Ss.- }
I Andrew Bedford Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County to Certify that Peter Winter Esqr. before whom the above affidavit was made is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, and the signature purporting to be his is genuine.-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Wilkes Barre this 14 day of April AD 1845
A. Bedford Prot
By Hugh Fell
Page 76

[stamp] WILKES BARRE APR 16

[stamp] FREE

James M. Porter Secretary
War Washington City
Revolutionary Claims

Pension office

5821
Apl 20 1843

[illegible]
July 4. 1836
Martha Bennett
Miss Sarah Whitcombs
Case

Prudence Edgerton,
Page 77

Wilkes Barre April the 15th 1843
Sir-
I herewith enclose the papers of Martha Bennet Widow of Rufus Bennet you will perceive there is a smal [small] balance due Rufus Bennet he having received his Pension up to the 3rd of March 1842 and died the 20th of April folowing [following] the papers were prepared last year for  Drawing that balance but it was thought Best not to send until it was found whether there would be any extension of the Law the papers herewith enclosed I suppose will be sufficient evidence to the Department for them to forward her Certificate I have also before me the letter of J. L. Edwards [text cut off]
the Claim of Sarah Whitcomb Widow of John Whitcomb her papers were examined and Disallowed on the grounds that her husband was alive subsequently to the Passage of the act of 7th June 1832 the act of 7 July 1838 having been Revived and the several acts connected therewith I suppose that Difficulty is now Removed and she will now probably be intitled [entitled] to her Pension
Page 78

From the death of her husband which took place you will find by reference to her papers which were sent to the Department the 8 day of Nov. 1838 I have also before me a letter of J. L. Edwards Esq. in reference to the case of Prudence Egerton Widow of Edward Egerton She obtained her certificate and Drew her five years Pension and her Certificate was returned to the department but as the act is extended for one year I suppose she will be entitled to the benefit thereof be good enough to examine these three cases if the evidence you have in possession is sufficient for the two & the papers herewith enclosed is satisfactory for the third you will confer a favor by forwarding the necessisary [necessary] papers for them to draw their money if any thing is yet wanting please write to me at Wilkes Barre and I will attend to the matter for them
yours resply.
Darius Finch

James. M. Porter
Secretary of War
or J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Page 79

In reply to your of Oct. 24th I enclose the Deposition of Elisha Blackman and Phineas Waller Mr. Blackman though once a good pensman is now nearly blind and so worn down with age and infirmity that he can scarcely write yet his Recollection is clear and Distinct in reference to these transactions wich [which] were fixed in his mind in his youthful days and I hope the testimony now enclosed will remove all doubt and leave this case of Miss Bennets free from Dificulty [difficulty] I will just remark that altho [although] Huldah Carey and Miss Cartright signed their affidavit with a cross yet they are both women of high Standing in society Miss Cartright is the wife of Cornelius Cartright Esqr. who Represented Luzerne County in the State Legislature for a number of years and Miss Carey has been for more than forty years a member of one of the most respectable denominations in this vicinity and not
Page 80

a blot or stain can be produced to tarnish the moral Character of either of these witnesses and I have never yet learned from any legal source whatever that the testimony of a witness was to be rejected because they could not write I might have added the testimony of my wife who is a Daughter of Mr. and Miss Bennet and was born April 20th 1785 and would most assuredly be able enough to recollect that her Father and Mother were living together previous to 94 but as I deem the within enclosed sufficient to establish the fact I have deferred taking any further troubles I will here remind you that there is yet due to Rufus Bennet his Pension from March the 3rd. to the 20th of April amounting to about $10.73 this you will find from the evidence of his death which you have on file should you think her Claim fully established you will please forward her papers with as little delay as possible for I assure you the Old Lady is in needy circumstances I am Respectfully
you Obet. Servant
Darius Finch

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Comishioner [Commissioner] of Pensions
Washington City
Page 81

Newport Luzerne County Apr. 14th 1845
Sir-
I herewith enclose the deposition of Catherine Cartright in which she gives Sufficient reason that her recollection is clear in reference to the time of Marriag [marriage] of Rufus & Martha Bennet you state in your direction that the service of claimants husband for two years in the Connecticut Lines is Satisfactory Rufus Bennet listed at the commencement of the War during its continuance and was in the service nearly seven years and was discharged at the close of the War under the hand of Gen. Washington with a badge of merit and his discharge was sent on to the War department at or subsequent to his drawing his first Pension, he was in the memoriable [memorable] Battle of Wyoming and a number other of the principal battles of the Revolution A reference to the Reckords [records] of the War department must give the clearest evidence of his services I also enclose you the pay Certificate on which there is a small balance due from the 3rd of March to the 20th of April. I Administered upon the estate of Rufus Bennet myself which proved to be insolvent and there is not one dollar left for the support of the Widow if the small balance can be obtained without to [too] much trouble it will be acceptable. Please direct your reply to Newport post office yours with respect Darius Finch.
Page 82

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County } Ss.

on this 30th day of January 1845 personly [personally] appeared before me the subscriber one of the justices of the Peace in and for the County of Luzerne Martha Bennet a resident of Wilkes Barre Township in said County who is personally known to me and is a person of unimpeachable Character aged eighty years or there abouts who being first Duly sworn according to Law Doth on her Oath make the folowing [following] Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed 3d. March 1848 granting pensions to Widows of persons who served During the Revolutionary war that she is the Widow of Rufus Bennet who was a private of infantry in the Connecticut Line of the Army of the Revolution She further Declares that she is still his Widow
Martha Bennett

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
E. Carey J. P.
Page 83

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County Ss. }
I Andrew Bedford Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do certify that Eleazer Carey Esqr. before whom the within affidavit was made is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Wilkes Barre this thirty first day of January A.D> 1845
A. Bedford
Prothonotary

Recd Feb 7 '45
Page 84

No. 12.136
Martha Bennett
widow of Rufus
Pa
Act 7 July 1838
Rejected
Rejected [illegible] died 1842
D. 20 Apl. 1843
M. before 1794

Col. Butlers (Conn) regiment
Admitted
$80~

Also 3 March 1843 D
17 June 1844

Darius Finch
Wilkesbarre [Wilkes-Barre]
Pa
Page 85

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County } Ss

On this twenty fifth day of March 1845 personally appeared before me John N. Conyngham President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Luzerne in open Court Martha Bennet, a resident of the Township of Wilkesbarre [Wilkes-Barre] in the county of Luzerne, aged eighty years, or there about, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838, entitled an act granting half pay and Pensions to certain Widows.
That she is the Widow of Rufus Bennet decd who was a private of Infantry in the Connecticut Line of the Army of the Revolution. She further declares that she was married tot he said Rufus Bennet on the first of June 1783 as she thinks that her husband, the aforesaid Rufus Bennet died on the 20th day of April 1842, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz; at the time above stated.
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written
Martha Bennett
Before me in open Court
John N Conyngham
Pres. Judge C. Pleas [illegible]
Page 86

State of
Pennsylvania }

On this twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight personally appeared before me, John N. Conyngham, Esquire, President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Luzerne in the said state of Pennsylvania, Martha Bennett a resident of South Wilkes Barre in the said County of Luzerne, aged eighty four years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the second day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and forty eight, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War - That she is the widow of Rufus Bennet, who was a private in the army of the Revolution and served during the whole war - that he enlisted at Wyoming, (now in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania) then considered in Connecticut, in the company under Captain Durkee, and after his resignation commanded by Captain Spalding, attached to Colonel Zebulon Butlers regiment in the Connecticut line, but can give no further description as her late husbands papers are on in the War department at Washington - that she has heretofore received a pension under, as she believes, the act of the seventeenth day of June, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty four, of eighty dollars per annum - she further declares that she is still a widow -
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written -
Martha Bennet

The above sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before the subscriber, who also further certifies that the above Declarant Martha Bennett is well known to him to be the widow of the said Rufus Bennett, and resident in South Wilkes Barre aforesaid
John N Conyngham
Pres Judge Com: Pleas Luzerne Co
Page 87

Luzerne County, State of Penna.
I, William P. Miner Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Luzerne aforesaid do certify that John N Conyngham Esquire, whose name is attached to the within affidavit and certificate, and whose signature is to me known to be genuine, is and was at the time of making the same President Judge of the said Court, and that full faith and credit is due to his acts as such Judge ~ Witness my hand and the seal of said Court, at Wilkes Barre in said County this twenty fifth day of July AD 1848~
W. P. Miner Prot
By Hugh Fell
Page 88

File with RoP 429399

[stamp] ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE
[illegible] 30  1431736   1908
ARRANGEMENT

Moscow, Idaho,
September 24, 1908.

Rufus Bennett --
Capt. Saml. Ransom's Co., Wyo. Tps.,
1776; Capt. Simon Spaulding's Co.,
1778; Col. John Durkee's Regt., 1781.
Pvt., Connecticut Line.

Hon. Burton L. French, M. C.:

Copy of pension claim of above named.

[stamp] RECORDS DIVISION
[illegible] 1908

[illegible]  A. S.

[manicule] Address: "The Adjutant General,
War Department, Washington, D. C."

1 incl                             1431736
WAR DEPARTMENT,
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
WASHINGTON. September 30, 1908

Respectfully transmitted to the Commissioner of Pensions, and Hon. Mr. French so advised.

[stamp] PENSION
N
OCT
U. 1 S.
1908
OFFICE

[stamp] RECORD
OCT
1
1908
DIVISION

T C Ainscork  The Adjutant General

[A.G.O.72-1]
Page 89

BURTON L. FRENCH
IDAHO

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WASHINGTON.

W 3376

Moscow, Idaho, September 24, 1908

The Adjutant General,
War Department,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
I inclose [enclose] herewith a letter from Dr. J. C. Davies, 1107 Washington St., Boise, Idaho, 
relative to the military and pension record of his father.
I shall be greatly obliged for any information you can furnish relative to this matter; in the reply, please mention the name and address of Dr. Davies.
Enc.  
Very respectfully,
 Burton L. French

Letter of J C Davies
reply sent to
Mr. French
Oct 2 08
Page 90

Wilkes Barre, PA
June 4, 1931-

Bureau of Pensions -
Dear Sirs- 
Will you send to me the Pension Roll of
only
Rufus Bennett,  Private
Revolutionary Pensioner
Butler's Conn. Regt.
Placed on Roll Aug. 13. 1828

Very truly yours
(Mrs) Cora M. Matten
111 West River St.
Wilkes Barre
Pa.

[stamp] REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WARS
SECTION
JUN 5 1931
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Page 91

[stamp] RECEIVED
AUG 19 1938
SEARCH SECT.
INDEX
SUB-DIV.
Page 92

[stamp] RECEIVED
AUG 18 1938
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS ADM.
READER 17

Kent, Illinois
August 16, 1938

Veterans' Administration
Washington, D. C. 

Can't Identify
19-38
[illegible]

Dear Sirs:
I wonder if you have any pension records on Rufus Bennet of the Wyoming Valley, Penna., his adress [address] possibly being either Hanover, Wilkes-barre, Kingston, or Plymouth. He was in the battle on the 3d of July 1778 at Forty Fort near Kingston, and lived till in the 1840's in that same vicinity. I Wonder if he ever got a pension or applied for one and you might have information about him, such as birth marraige [marriage], residences, or even children's names, or his parents.
Also I wonder if you have anything on Thomas Moore of Wilkes-barre, if he ever received or applied for a pension.
[illegible, in margin]
Also I wonder if there is any record on a John Henry Keister, who was in the 5th Penna. Reg. in 1781, and who lived in Union Co. Penna. The name might be spelled Kiester or Kester also.
I thank you for any information you may have in your files and records.
Yours truly,
Philip Keister
Box 66
Kent, Illinois
Page 93

and 1812
Section.

October 2, 1908.

Hon. Burton L. French,
Moscow, Idaho.

My dear Mr. French:

In reply to your letter dated the 24" ultimo, and the letters of Mr. J. C. Davies of # 1107 Washington Street, Boise, Idaho, which were referred to this Bureau by the Adjutant General, U.S.A., on the 1" instant, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the claim Wid. File No. 3378, it appears that Rufus Bennett enlisted at Wilkesbarre [Wilkes-Barre], Pennsylvania, September 1, 1776, served under Captains Samuel Ransom, Spalding, Durkee and Edward Eels, Colonels Grosvenor and Zebulon Butler in the Connecticut Troops, was in battles at Millstone, Bound Brook and Wyoming, and in several engagements with the Indians; and was discharged at West Point on June 7, 1783.
He married June 1, 1783, Martha, the sister of Ishmael and Thomas Bennet. He was allowed pension on an application executed April 16, 1818 while 61 years of age and a resident of Hanover, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. He died April 20, 1842, and was buried in Hanover Township, Pennsylvania.
She was allowed pension on an application executed January 14, 1843, while 78 years of age and a resident of Wilkesbarre [Wilkes-Barre] Township Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and she died about 1853, leaving a number of children. Their eldest daughter born April 20, 1785, was the wife of Darius Finch
Page 94

Wid. File No. 3378.

of Wilkesbarre [Wilkes-Barre], Pennsylvania, In 1794 they had six children, no names stated.
Owing to lack of clerical force available for the purpose, this Bureau is unable to furnish full copies of papers in Revolutionary War pension claims.

Very respectfully,

Acting Commissioner.
Page 95

April 14, 1924.

Helen Knauss,
97 S. Union St.,
Akron, Ohio.

Madam;

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claims, W. 3378, it appears that Rufus B Bennet enlisted at Wilkesbarre [Wilkes-Barre], Pennsylvania, September 1, 1776 and served under Captains Samuel Ransom, Spalding, Durkee and Edward Eels, Colonels Grosvenor and Zebulon Butler in the  Connecticut Troops, was in the battle of Millstone, Bound Brook and Wyoming, and in several engagements with the Indians; and was discharged June 7, 1783.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 16, 1818, while a resident of Hanover, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, aged sixty-one years.  He died April 20, 1842 and was buried in Hanover Township, Pennsylvania.
Soldier married June 1, 1783, Martha, the sister of Ishmael
Page 96

Ishmael and Thomas Bennet, she was allowed pension on her application executed January 14, 1843, while a resident of Wilkesbarre [Wilkes-Barre] Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, aged seventy eight years.  She died about 1853, leaving a number of children.  In 1794, they had six children, no names stated.
Their eldest daughter born April 20, 1785, was the wife of Darius Finch of Wilkesbarre [Wilkes-Barre], Pennsylvania.
Owing to a lack of clerical force available for such purpose, only two reports are furnished each inquirer.

Respectfully,

Acting commissioner.
Page 97

June 30, 1931

Rev.& 1812 Wars Section
AWF

Mrs. Cora M. Matten
111 West River Street
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claims, W. 3378, that Rufus B Bennet pensioned Bennett enlisted at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, September 1 1776 and served under Captains Samuel Ransom, Spalding, Durkee, Edward Eels in Colonels Grosvenor's and Zebulon Butler's Connecticut Regiments, was in the battle of Millstone, Bound Brook and Wyoming, and in several engagements with the Indians, was discharged June 7, 1783.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 16, 1818, at which time he was living in Hanover, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, aged sixty-one years.
He died April 20, 1842 and was buried in Hanover Township, Pennsylvania.
The soldier married June 1, 1783, Martha, the sister of Ishmael and Thomas Bennet.
She was allowed pension on her application executed January 14, 1843, while a resident of Wilkes-Barre Township, Pennsylvania, and aged seventy-eight years.
She died about 1853, leaving a number of children. In 1794, they had six children.  
Their eldest daughter, name not shown, was born April
Page 98

20, 1785, was the wife of Darius Finch of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Names of children are not stated.

Very truly yours,

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
Page 99

September 30, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/MCS

Mr. Philip Keister
Box 66
Kent, Illinois

Dear Sir :

Reference is made to your request for information relative to Revolutionary War soldiers, Rufus Bennet, Thomas Moore and Henry Keister.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based on the military service of soldiers in that war.  A careful search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the services of a Thomas Moore of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, or on account of the service of any soldier named Henry Keister.

You are furnished herewith, the record of Rufus Bennet as shown in papers on file in pension claim, W. 3378.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive assistant
to the Administrator