Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3215, Zedekiah Benham, New Jersey.
Page 1

New Jersey   Benham, Zedekiah  W. 3215
or Benham, Prudence   BLW56510-160-55
Page 2

New Jersey Benham, Zedekiah A.3215 and Benham, Prudence, BLWt. 56510-160-55
Page 3

Z Denham
Hon D. D. Wagoner
HR
Page 4

State of Pennsylvania
Wayne County

On this 25th day of December 1832 I Isaac Dominick one of the Judges of this Court of Common Pleas in and for Wayne County and State of Pennsylvania, attended at the home of Zedekiah Bonham a respected soldier of the Revolution now this Township of Mount Pleasant, in the county of Wayne aforesaid, who being so bodily infirm as to be unable to leave his house and who being first before me duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress judged this 7th June 1832, that he was called out, in action of general alarm into the service in the Militia.  He thinks in this month of June, in the year 1778 and fought in the battle of Monmouth, under the commanding officer of Col. Silvangard Scaly and Leiut. Col George Ely - that he was drafted and called out a number of times, into the service, afterward. but unsurely how long each time, he is unable to say, but thinks perhaps a month or more at several times was in a number of skirmishes, one at Trimbly Point, another at Moose Mills, New Jersey but does not recollect being in any general engagements except that of Monmouth - that  towards the close of the war, he was out for three or six months, but the is not sure whether he was drawn or hired by the clap, but thinks he was hired, that he was at Hackensack when the enemy burned the Church and concert house, that he served at that place, under a Capt. Mead, and at other times under Col. Bordenet, and Major Groenendyk - that he was born in Kingsroad in Hunterdon County in he State of New Jersey on the 24th of Feby. D 1762 and resided there when he entered the service in May or June, after he was sixteen years of age - that he has no documentary evidence -and that he knows of no persons, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his services - that
Page 5

he resided in this State of New Jersey after the war until this year 1804 when he removed to this placed, where he now resides.  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to pension or annuity except this present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state - 
Sorn to and subscribed this day & year first aforesaid before Me.
 Isaac Domminick
Zedekiah Bonham

Mr. Daniel Chase a Clergyman residing in Mount Pleasant Township Wayne County aforesaid and Nelson Ford residing in this same neighborhood, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Zedekiah Bonham who described and sworn to the above declaration that  are believe him to be 70 years & upward of ages - that he is reputed and believed in this neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution - and that we concur in that opinion.

Daniel Chase
Nelson Ford

Sworn & affirmed respectively and subscribed this day & year first before mention before me
Isaac Domminick

And I the said Isaac Domminick do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter and putting the interrogations prescribed by this war department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - and I do further certify, that is appears to me, that Daniel Chase who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in this Township of Mount Pleasant aforesaid, and that Nelson Ford, who has also signed the same is a resident in this same Township, and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.

Isaack Domminick
Page 6

Pennsylvania
Wayne County

I George B. Wescott, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Wayne do certify that Isaac Domminick Esquire whose genuine signature is above attached is one of the Associate Judges of the said County of Common Pleas in and for said County, legally qualified and commissioned by the laws of Pennsylvania

In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and have affixed the seal of the said Court at Bethany this Twenty Seventh day of December Anno Domini One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty 
Geo B. Wescottd

Pennsylvania
Wayne County
Seal

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace in and for said County, Zedekiah Bonham above named who being duly sworn deposith and saith that by reason of old age and consignment loss of memory he cannot  state positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he spent not less than one whole year as a private in the army of the Revolution as stated in the declarative that he is confident his services in said army exceeded that time coincidentally, but he conclusively  positively to that term, and for such service he claims - pension.
Writing my hand & seal this twenty fourth day of May AD 1832
Moses C. Mill J.B.

Pennsylvania
Wayne County

I George B. Wescott, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Wayne do Certify that Moses Miller Esquire above named is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county Commisns and as a qualified and that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine.

In testimony where of I have hereunto let my hand and seal of office this thirtieth day of May Anno Domini One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty three.

Geo B Wescott
Prot
Page 7

1002
Pennsylvania, Phila.
Prudence Bonham
Widow of Zedekiah Bonham
Who served in the Revolutionary war as a private
New Jersey Mil. Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 Dollars
centers per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day  of Sept. 1848 and sent to Hon. A Irvin Mle.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 2014 Vol.2.

Reported
W. R. Stone, June 29/58
Page 8

State of Pennsylvania
Wayne County

On this fifteenth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty same personally appeared before the couert of Common Please of said county  Prudence Bonham a resident of Mount Pleasant township in the County of Wayne aforesaid aged seventy one years who being first duly affirmed according to law doth on her affirmation, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 entitles an act granting herself pay and pensions to certain widows - that she is the widow of Zedekiah Bonham, who was a private in the war of the revolution, that he resided when he entered the service in Kingswood Township in the County of Hunterdon and State of New Jersey that from information derived from him in his life time she thinks he must have entered the service in the year 1778 under col Leby and Captain Mend and Major Groenendaal but of this she is not at all positive - that she thinks he was drafted, whereas he enlisted for these privates towards the end of the year - that he was in the battle of Monmouth that she does not know the County though which he marched u or the particulars as to his service, but that he was a pensioner under the act of Congress entitled "an act supplementary order to obtain this benefit of the Act of Congress judged this 7th to the "act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the revolution" in effect June 7, 1832 and continued to draw said pension to wit forty dollars, per year until his death.
Page 9

The (illegible) declared that she was married to
the said Zedekiah Bonham about the middle of March in the year Seventeen Hundred and
eighty three that her husband the aforementioned
Zedekiah Bonham died on the CC. a day of
April in the year one thousand eight hundred
and Thirty Three ;  that she was not
married to him prior to his leaving the
service, but the marriage took place previous
to the first of January Seventeen Hundred
and ninety four (illegible). at the time above
stated that she has never been married
to any other person. That the previous
certificate hereto annexed is the pension
certificate by virtue whereof her said
husband drew a pension of forty dollars
per annum & numbered 25.747, dated
30th December 1833.-but she has no
record proof or documentary evidence of
her said marriage
So affirmed to and subscribed
on the day and year
above written, before
leonard graves

Prudence Bonham (mark)
Page 10

Wayne County Ss
Eliphalet Kellogg of Bethany
in said County and seventy three years
being duly sworn doth depose and say that
he has been familiarly acquainted with
the above for thirty years; and courts,  [illegilbe] [Previous 2 phrases were scribbled in] married Prudence. He deceased and Prudence was that during that time they lived with and cohabited together as husband
wife and he reported as such. -That
he never heard of the said Zedekiah Bonham having had an another wife.

[illegible fadded]          E.Kellogg
Sworn [?] and Subscribed
in open court April
15. 1839 before me
Leonard Graves
Pro Honorary

Wayne County Ss.
David Wilder of Botham
in said County aged sixty four years
being duly sworn doth depose and say
that for the last thirty two years of his [life]
has been familiarly acquainted with
Prudence Bonham above named and
also with the said Zedekiah Bonham
until his death which took place about
four years ago in April. That during
that time they had lived and cohabited. That
stayed together as husband and wife and
been reported as such - and that he never heard of either being married to any
other.
David Wilder [signature] 
Sworn and Subscribed
in open court April 15
1839 before me Leonard Graves
Pro Honorary
Page 11

Wayne County Ss

Harriet Hauser of Bartham in
said County of Wayne aged twenty six
years being duly sworn doth depose and
say that she is the youngest child of said Zedekiah and Prudence Bonham    that
her said father and mother have always
her reputed as husband and wife    that 
she never heard of either being married
to any other. That the paper hereto
annexed marked on the back "is in
the proper hand writing of her late father
Zedekiah Bonham." --That the said paper
offerd [offered] prior in the decease of her said father was kept in his chest at home and
was taken therefrom since his decease
and that she believes it causes as
true record of the ages of the family of
her said father and mother. That he --
said latter died on the 22d day of March
1835. That the pension Certificate hereto annexed is the same by which person and parties drew as pensions.
                Harriet Hauser [signature]
Sworn and Subscribe
15. 1839 in open court --
- Leonard Graves
Pro Honorary
Page 12

Wayne County ss

Anchord Wilder of Bethany
in said County aged fifty five years, being
duly sworn doth depose and say, that she
is the oldest child of the above named
Zedekiah and Prundence Bonham that one
time she can remember (and she thinks
she remember her father from the time she
was four years old) her said father and
mother have led to enter as husband and
wife and been reputed as such that she
never heard of either being married to any
other. - That their names are as follows;
the family of her said father
and mother consisted of thirteen children
twelve of whom so as far as she knows are
now living. That their names are a follows
Anchord (this deponent) [illegible]
John Sutton, Magdalane, Charles, Amos
Mercy, Prudence, Mary, Zedekiah, Abraham
and Harriet in the order of their seniority
the eldest being first named and the youngest
last named - That her said father
Zedekiah died at Mt. Pleasant in said
County of Wayne on the 22d day of April
1835 four years ago the 22d of the present
month of April - That her said father
drew a pension of forty dollars for annum
some years before he died.
Sworn and Subscribed
April 15 1839 in open
Court.  Leonard Graves | Anchord Wilder
Prothonotary
Page 13

State of Pennsylvania | 
Wayne County SS. | 
In testimony that the
foregoing depositions were duly taken in
open Court of Common Pleas of said County
as above certified and that the above
named witnesses, Eliphalet Kellogg, David
Wilder, Harriet Hauser and Annchord
Wilder are credible witnesses I have hereunto
set my hand and caused the seal
[Seal applied] of said Court to be affixed at
Bethany in said County the 15th
day of April Anno Domni one
thousand eight hundred and thirty nine
Leonard Graves
Prothonotary
Page 14

Vol. B2 = 19.
265.913
[illegible] man 3. [illegible]
Dec. 23. 16
56.510 Feby 10/57
Prudence Bonham wid
Zedekiah Bonham,
[illegible]
ad:160 [illegible] Feb. 6/57
[illegible]
Revy War.
Penn
Pen? Act 2 Nov Revy War. cert 1662
Thomas Maxwell
Elmira
N.Y.
Page 15

Prudence Bonham
widow of Zedekiah
a soldier of the Revolution
a pensioner & herself a
Revolutionary pensioner
under act of 2 Feb 1848
by certificate No 1662 at
$40 per year
_____
Claim for Land Warrant
under act of 3 March
1855 & 14 May 1856
Tho Maxwell
Agent Elmira Ny

Mrs P. Bonham
761.913
Nathan A Bonham
Page 16

Pension Office
Nov. 21st 1833.
Gent
In reply to your letter of the 12th inst
I have to inform you that the name of Zedekiah
Bonham, is not returned on the records of the New Jersey
Continental line among those men who is enlisted
for "during the war" & continued to serve to the
closed thereof in 1783, without which enlistment &
continued service, no soldier of the Revolution, was
or is entitled to Bounty land from the U.S.
On examination of his pension papers, it appears
by his own affidavit, that he served several short
tours in the New Jersey Militia for which service
no bounty land was ever promised.
The provisions of the Act of Sept. 28. 1850, do not
apply to the soldiers of the Revolution. The claim
of Mrs Prudence Bonham is therefore rejected
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Svt.
[illegible] Hosey & Ferguson | B. Hood
Freeport | 
Armstrong County | 
[check mark]
For Commissioner
of Pensions
Page 17

State of Pennsylvania | 
Wayne County ss: ⎬ On this 4th day of December 1856
personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace within and
for the County and State aforesaid Prudence Bonham aged eighty eight years who being
duly sworn according to law says, that she is the widow of Zedekiah
Bonham who was a private in the war of the Revolution in
the militia of the State of New Jersey in which he served one
year at various period under Capt James Downley & Col
Seely as she has been informed & believes: that for such service he
was placed on the Pension list at the rate of forty dollars
per year. That he died in Mount Pleasant Wayne County
Penna on the 22d April 1835; That she was herself placed on
the Pension Roll of the State of Pennsylvania after the death
of her said husband by a pension certificate dated at the
War Department the 1st day of September 1848 signed by
W. L. Marcy Secy at War at the rate of forty dollars per
annum commencing on the 4th March 1848 and continuing
for life unless she should again marry. That
her said pension certificate is numbered 1662. She
refers to the papers on file in the pension office with
her declaration claiming a pension for proof of her
marriage & the death of her husband and to the
paper annexed for proof of her continued widowhood.
She further states that she was married to the said Zedekiah
Bonham in the State of New Jersey at the time mentioned in
the papers accompanying her said application for a pension
by Judge Reading - That her name before such marriage
was Prudence Heth.
That her said husband died at Mount Pleasant, Wayne
County Penn on or about the 22 of April 1835 as well
appear by the proof annexed to her said pension
application and the proof hereto annexed & she is still a widow.
That she makes this declaration to obtain the
bounty land to which she may be entitled under the
act of March 3d 1855 and the supplementary act of
Page 18

May 14. 1856. That her husband never received bounty
land for his said service before his death, nor has she since
his death. That her application for bounty land under the
act of 28 September 1850 was rejected as will appear by the
letter from the Pension Office to Messr Hosey & Ferguson hereto
annexed.
[ signature her mark Prudence X Bonham]

We Abraham Hauser and Ephraim Miller
residents of Wayne County aforesaid do upon our oaths
declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and
acknowledged by Prudence Bonham in our presence
and that we believe from the appearance and statements 
of the applicant that she is the person she represents 
herself to be and is still a widow-
Abrm Hauser
Ephraim Miller

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were
Sworn to and subscribed to before me on the day
and year above written; and I certify that
know the affiants to be credible persons; that 
the claimant is the person she represents herself
to be, and is still a widow, and that I have no
interest in this claim-
Thaddeus Palmer
Justice of the peace in
& for Wayne Co. Penna
State of Pennsylvania |
County of Wayne ⎬ I John Mc Intosh Prothonotary
Page 19

of said County do certify that
Thaddeus Palmer
Esq. before whom
the above declaration & affidavit were
made and whose genuine signature
appears to the certificate thereof was at
the date of the same a Justice of the peace
of said County duly qualified and
authorised to take affidavits and that
full faith and credit are due to his
official acts as such. Witness my hand
and Official Seal the thirteenth day of Decr. 1886
John McIntosh Prob
William H Hamp
Page 20

State of New York | 
Chemung County ss ⎬ Amaziah Toby of Caton Steuben
County N.Y. aged 56 years being duly sworn says that
he formerly resided in Wayne County Penna the
present residence of the above named claimant
Prudence Bonham; that he knew her husband
Zedekiah Bonham in his lifetime when he also knew to be a
revolutionary pensioner: that he lived with the above
named claimant as his wife, has frequently heard
him acknowledge her to be his wife-- they were
reputed in the neighborhood to be husband and
wife & he never heard their marriage disputed or
questioned. That the said Zedekiah Bonham died
in Mount Pleasant in Wayne County Penna aforesaid
on or about the 22d of April 1835 as deponent knows
of his own personal knowledge and that the
said Prudence still remains his widow.
Sworn & Subscribed before me the | 
16th December 1856 by the said Amaziah | Amaziah Tobey
Tobey whom I believe to be a credible | 
& disinterested person. I certify that there
no interest in this claim | 
The Maxwell Justice of the peace Chemung Co Ny
State of New York Chemung | 
County Clerk's Office ss | I Richd Baker Clerk of said County
 | do hereby certify that Tho. Maxwell before
[seal applies] | whom the above affidavit was made was at
 | the date thereof a Justice of the peace in & for
 | said County duly qualified & that his Signature
 | above described is genuine. Witness my
 | hand & Seal of Office the 17th day of December 
 | 1856
.
U.S. Lowe of Clk
Chemung Co.
Page 21

Record of Ages of
Bonham family-
51:73
139077
608.35
51:73
660.08
[Illegible]
Page 22

[illegible] Bonham was Born February the 9 one
thousand Seven hundred and Eighty fore 1784 -
---
Andrew Bonham Was Born may the 11 one thousand
Seven hundred and Eighty six 1786
---
Uriah Bonham was Born April the twenty forth
1789 Died November 30 1795
---
John Sutton Bonham was Born may the 14th 1791
---
Magdalene Bonham was Born August the 22 1792
---
Charles Bonham Was Born February the 9
1795
---
Amos Bonham Was Born April the [crossed out] 28. 1797
---
Mercy Bonham Was Born April 29. 1799
---
prudence Bonham Was Born January the 11: 1802
---
Mary Bonham was Born November the 17: 1804
---
Zedediah Bonham Was Born September the 180 [illegible]
---
Abraham Bonham Was Born may 18. [illegible]
---
Harriet Bonham Was Born January 12 1813
Page 23

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section | M.C.S.
April 15, 1926
Zedediah Benham
W.3215
Dr. Charles P. Bonham
680 Crescent Avenue
Buffalo, N. Y.
Sir:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim, W. 3215, it appears that ZEDEKIAH BENHAM or BONHAM
was born February 24, 1762, at Kingwood, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
While a resident of said place he enlisted in June, 1778, and
served at various times, amounting to about one year in all, as private
with the New Jersey Troops under Captain Mead and Colonels Sylvanus
Seeley and Bannell; he was in the battle of Monmouth and in
skirmishes at Trimbly's Point and Morse's Mills.
He was allowed pension on his application executed December 25,
1832, while a resident of Mount Pleasant Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania.
He died there April 23, 1835.
He married in March, 1783, Prudence Heath. She was allowed pension
on her application executed April 15, 1839, while a resident of
Mount Pleasant Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, aged seventy-one
years. She died May 29, 1858.
Page 24

They had the following children:
Anchord born February 4, 1784. married Wilder (first name not given).
Andrew born May 11, 1786.
Uriah born April 24, 1789. died November 30, 1795.
John Sutton born May 14, 1791.
Magdalene born August 21 1792.
Charles born February 9, 1792.
Amos born April 28,1797.
Meray born April 29, 1799.
Prudence born January 11, 1802.
Mary born November 17, 1804.
Zedekiah born September 19, 1806.
Abraham born May 18, 1809.
Harriet born January 12, 1813. married Hausor (first name not given)

Respectfully, 
Vinfield Scott
Commissioner
Page 25

56.510
[illegible]
Page 26

[left panel]
1919 Mch 18 Tombstone data to
Jennie M. Ball Letter in $500
John H. Schenk
1924 Nov. 4 Hist to
Mrs. Hazel B Todd MC
1926 cep 15 hist to
Dr. Chas. P. Bonham
MCA
[right Panel]
[illegible]
WIDOW, &c.
 No. 3215
Prudence Bonham
Widow
Zedekiah Bonham
Pri Rev War
Act: 4 Mar. 1848.
Index:----- Vol. a , Page 71
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 27

W. R. Stone
Stevenson Mills, Pa
June 14. 1858
[check mark]
announce the death of
Prudence Bonham a
Pensioner & desires to
draw her pension.
Respectfully referred to
Comm of Pensions
Dept. Int. | Moses Kelly
June 17/58. | Chef. Clk.
Recd 17th June 1858
Wm Rhett
Page 28

Stevensons Mills, Wayne Co. Penna
June 14, 1858,
Hon. Jacob Thompson
Dr Sir
Mrs Prudence
Bonham, a Revolutionary Pensioner, who has
resided in my neighborhood, died on the
24, of May, Will you send me the
necessary instructions and blanks so that
her pension may be drawn from the 4th
day of last March until the day of her
death.  Please direct as above written
and oblige yours truly
W. R. Stone
Page 29

Con Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 30

Elmira NY
Dec 17 1856
Sir

I enclose declaration of Prudence Bonham or
Revolutionary Pensioner under act of 2 Feb 1848
claiming Bounty land under act of March
55 May [illegible] of Zedekiah Bonham
a Rev Pensioner [illegible]
[illegible]
Com of Pensions
Page 31

No 1440
L. M. Hazey & G.W. Ferguson
Freeport Armstrong
Co Pa. Nov 12 / 53
Answered Nov. 21st 1853
Zedekiah Bonham - Rev.
N. J. Mila
56510
M Cleurer Nov 17/53
[illegible]
Page 32

The name of Zedekiah [illegible] is not [illegible]
the [illegible] of the New Jersey Continental line
Page 33

Admitted
Hon A. Irvin
M C
Justice of the Peace in and for Wayne County
duly commissioned and qualified to act as
such - and that the within signature purporting 
to be his is true and genuine.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed the
seal of said Court at Honesdale in said
County this twenty fifth day of July in the
year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred
and forty Eight.

P G Goodrich
Prothonotary
of Wayne County
Page 34

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of 2d February, 1848, entitled " An Act making
further provision for surviving widows of the soldiers of the Revolution.
 _________________________________________

STATE OF Pennsylvania | 
Wayne COUNTY  | SS.
On this thirteen day of July 1848
personally appeared before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said county, duly authorized
by law to administer oaths, Mrs. Prudence Bonham, a
resident of Mount Pleasant Township in the county of Wayne
State of Pennsylvania, aged 80 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed the 2d February, 1848, granting 
pensions to the widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war; that she is the widow
of Zedekiah Bonham who was a
Private in the New Jersey Militia
in the war of the Revolution, and that she has drawn a pension at the rate of
Forty - ($40.) dollars ____ cents,
per annum, under the Act of 17th June, 1844. She further declares that she is still a widow.
In presence of
Russell Spencer | [signature her X mark Prudent Bonham]
Abrm Hauser
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED on the day and year above written, before
Russell Spencer Justice of the Peace
I certify that the declarant is personally known to me, and that she is the same individual she represents
herself to be in the foregoing affidavit.
Russell Spencer Justice of the Peace
Page 35

Pennsylvania
Wayne County ss.
J. P. Goodrich, Prothonotary of
the Court of Common pleas of Wayne County do hereby
certify that Russell Spencer Esq is an acting
Justice of the Peace in and for Wayne County
duly commissioned and qualified to act as
such and that the within signature purporting 
to be his is true and genuine.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed the
Seal of said Court at Honesdale in said
County this twenty fifth day of July in the
year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred
and forty Eight.
J.P. G Godrick
Prothonotary
of Wayne County
admitted
Hon A. Irvin
MC
Page 36

4744
named this twenty seventh
day of October in the year
1848.
Abm Swart Prot
Page 37

State of Pennsylvania | 
County of Wayne | ss-
on this twenty
Seventh day of Other A.D. one thousand
eight hundred and forty three [illegible]
[illegible]
Justice of the peace of [illegible] in [illegible]
said County of Wayne [illegible]
is [illegible] Mount [illegible]
Township in said County of Wayne [illegible]
years who being first duly
[illegible]
of the provision made by the act of Congress
[illegible] on the 3d March 1843 granting
pensions to [illegible] of persons who served
during the revolutionary war. That She
is the widow of Zedekiah Bonham
who was a private in the army of the
Revolution. [illegible] her said husband
resided at Kingwood, Hunterdon County
New Jersey when he enlisted in the
Regiment commanded by Colonel
Seely - that she has been informed by
him and believes that her said husband
served at Freehold, [illegible]
and Amboy or near those places and
that he was engaged in the battle of
Monmouth - That this deponent has
received the amount of forty dollars
per annum pension under the act
of July 7 1838.  She further declares
that she is still a widow.  
affirmed and subscribed
before me on the day and | [her mark Prudence X Bonham]
[illegible] above written - And
I further certify that the
said declarant is personally
known to me-
Witness
[illegible] Spangenberg J.P.
Earl Wheeler
Page 38

4744
State of Pennsylvania | 
[illegible] County | ss
I [illegible]
Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas [illegible]
said County of Wayne State of Pennsylvania
to hereby certify that Thomas [illegible]
Esquire before whom the foregoing declaration
is made is a justice of the peace in and
for said County duly Commissioned [illegible]
qualified; and that the foregoing signature
[illegible] be his is genuine-
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto affixed my seal of
office and I [illegible] my
name this twenty seventh
day of October in the year
1843-
[illegible] Stuart [illegible]
Page 39

4744 Nov 4, 1843
Prudence Bonham
March [illegible] 1843
Pa W
$40 per a
E Wheeler
Bethany, Pa.
James L Edwards Esq
Comn of Pensions
Washington City
Page 40

4744 Nov 4, 1843
Prudence Bonham
March [illegible] 1843
Pa W
$40 per a
E Wheeler
Bethany, Pa.
James L Edwards Esq
Comn of Pensions
Washington City
Page 41

Honesdale Wayne County
Penna October 31. 1843
J.L. Edwards Esq.
Comm of Pensions
Sir
Enclosed I send you
the pension paper
Prudence Bonham
under the act of Congress of 3rd March
1843.  If all is regular you will
please forward the certificate of pension
allowance to me at Honesdale as
above with forms for drawing the money-
I am very respectfully
Your obt Servant
Earl Wheeler
Page 42

5244
Pa file 24
7 Jul 1838
Mrs Bonham
Bethany Pa Free
18 Apr
James L. Edwards Esquire
Com. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 43

5244
Pa file 24
7 Jul 1838
Mrs Bonham
Bethany Pa Free
18 Apr
James L. Edwards Esquire
Com. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 44

Bethany Wayne Co Penna
April 18. 1839
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Com of Pensions
Sir
Enclosed on the
pension papers of Prudence Bonham
who claims a pension [illegible] the
provisions of the act of Congress of Jury
7. 1838-
Any communication may be
addressed to me or to her at this
office.
-
Bethan P.O. Wayne Co. Pa
Very Respectively,
E Wheeler Atty for
Prudence Bonham
Page 45

5244
Prudence Bonham
Pa
admitted Pr 1 yr
$40.
died 22 Apr 1835
Act 7 July 1838
E. Wheeler
Bethany
Pa
Page 46

Payments to be made
at Philadelphia, Pa
by Poist W.S. Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of Pa
Recorded in the Pension Office
in Book E Vol. 5
Page 2 by
John S Sprague Clerk
Page 47

WAR DEPARTMENT
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United 
States of the 7th June, 1832, Zedekiah Benham 
of the State of Pennsylvania
who was a Private during the Revolutionary War
is entitled to receive forty dollars and
______ cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing
on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semiannually 
on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in
over year.
Given at the War Office of the United 
States , this 30th day of
December one thousand eight
one thousand eight
hundred and thirty three
[signature Lew Clap]
Secretary of War.
Examined and
Countersigned. }
J L Edward
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 48

25.747
Page 49

Zedekiah Benham
Penna
Adm 1 year $40
Hon L.L. Wagner
Ho of Rep
Page 50

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. Those 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 the Service of
[column Period when the service was rendered] | [Column Duration of the claimants service, Years, Months, Days] | Column Rank of the claimant] | 
[column Names and rank of the field officers under whom he served.] | [column Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service] | 
[column Proof by which the declaration is supported]
I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 51

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 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 | 
County of | ss.
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. [hand symbol] 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 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
Page 52

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 in 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 receive 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 of 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 represents, 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
inquiry 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 of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by 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 case 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 or periods 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 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 in 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 period 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 served, 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 about three or four months,
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 a 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.
[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.
I_f 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 is
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.
Page 53

4393
Pennsylvania Phila   [illegible]
Prudence Bonham
widow of Bedekiah Bonham
who was a Private
in the Revolution
New Jersey, [illegible]
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
40 Dollars  ---
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the
16th day of Jany 1844
and sent to
E. Wheeler
Bethany
Penna
Act of March 3, 1843.}
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 130
Page 54

Pennsylvania 3629
-----
Prudence Bonham
widow of Zedekiah Benham 
[illegible]
who was a pensioner under the Act of [illegible] 1832
and who died on the 22 April 1835
Wayne [illegible] in the State of Penn
who was a private in the co commanded
by Captain ________ of the reg commanded
Col Ely in the Penna Militia
line for 12 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia
at the rate of 40 Dollars [crossed out] per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of July
1834 & sent to [illegible]
  Penna
Arrears to the 4th of [illegible]
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep 39 [illegible]
$140.00
{Act July 7,}
{1838. }

Recorded by DM. Curdy, Clerk
Book 4 Vol. 2. Page 145
Page 55

[Date stamp illegible]
Com of Pensions
Washington
D C
claim of Revolutionary
widow pensioner for
Bounty land under acts
of March 1855 & 13 May 56
Page 56

Bruceville, Ind.,
Oct. 15, 1924
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C
Dear Sir:- can you give me
the war record, also age,
residence, if married, to whom
when and where of Zedekiah 
and Hezekiah Bonham?
They were in the Revolutionary
War and it is thought they
enlisted from Hunterdon, 
New Jersey, Hunterdon Co.
It is also thought they lived 
in Virginia.
Any information you can
give me and a prompt reply
will be gratefully received.
Yours Truly
Mrs. Hazel B Todd
[date stamp US Pension Office OCT 17 1924]
Page 57

CHARLES P. BONHAM M. D.
680 CRESCENT AVENUE
BUFFALO, NEW YORK
December 8 - 1925
Dept of Interior
Bureau of Pensions.
Washington, D.C
Will you kindly send me whatever
information you have in regard to a Revolutionary
soldier named Zedekiah Bonham?
In the Bonham genealogy it says, the man
Zedekiah Bonham (from bon homme) was a French
Protestant who came to America in company
with other troops in 1777 to engage in the
Revolutionary war, under the leadership of
Marquis de La Fayette. After the the close of
the war he settled on a farm in the Jerseys;
was married to Prudence Heath, a woman of
Dutch descent, and seven children were born to
them.
There he and family went to live at Mount Pleasant
Pa. He purchased a farm where a grand daughter
whose mother was Harriet Bonham Houser resides,
and erected a grist mill on Youghiogheny River
when the war of 1812 broke out this Zedekiah Bonham
enlisted and was wounded in a limb. He died
in 1836.  Any information will be gratefully received.
Very truly yours
Charles P. Bonham
Per Mrs. C.P.B.
Page 58

M.C.S.
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
November 4, 1924
Mrs. Hazel B. Todd
Bruceville
Ind.
Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary 
War pension claim, W.3215, it appears that Zedekiah Benham or
Bonham was born February 24, 1762, at Kingwood, Hunterdon County,
New Jersey.
While a resident of said place he enlisted in June, 1778,
and served as private in the New Jersey Militia at various times,
about one year in all, under Captain Mead and Colonels Sylvanus
Seeley and Bannell was in the battle of Monmouth and in skirmishes
at Trimbly's Point and Morse's Mills.
He was allowed pension on his application executed December
25, 1832, while a resident of Mount Pleasant Township, Wayne County,
Pennsylvania.  He died there April 22, 1835.
He married in March, 1783, Prudence Heth. She was allowed
pension on her application executed April 15, 1839, while a resident
of Mount Pleasant Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, aged 71 years.
She died May 29, 1858.
Page 59

They had the following children:
Anchord | born February 4, 1784, married Wilder (1st name not given).
Andrew | May 11, 1786.
Uriah | April 24, 1789, died November 30, 1795.
John Sutton | May 14, 1791.
Magdalene | August 21, 1792.
Charles | February 9 1795.
Amos | April 28, 1797.
Mercy | April 29, 1799.
Prudence | January 11, 1802.
Mary | November 17, 1804.
Zedekiah | September 19, 1806.
Abraham | May 18, 1809.
Harriet | January 12, 1813, married Hauser (1st name not given).

Respectfully,
Commissioner
Page 60

Rev. War Section.
March 18, 1919.
Jennie M. Ball,
236 Ridge Street,
Honesdale, Penn.

Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 8" instant, you
are herewith furnished data in regard to the following Revolutionary
War pensioners as requested.
John Heschenk, W. File No. 500, Captain and Major New Jersey
troops and Lieutenant in New York troops, born October 16, 1758,
at Millstone N. J. In 1838 he resided in Canaan Township,
Wayne County, Pa. He died March 5, 1845 place not stated.
Zedekiah Benham or Bonham, W. File No. 3, 215, Private New Jersey
troops, born February 24, 1763 at Kingwood, N. J., died
April 22, 1835 at Mount Pleasant, Wayne County, Penn.
Consider Wood S. File No. 39,917 Massachusetts troops born
in 1760. In 1818 he was a resident of Bradford County, Penn.
He died February 25, 1832, place not stated.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.