Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,177, Gideon Bentley, Privateer R.I.
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(3-1776) SERVICE Privateer R.I. Bentley, Gideon NUMBER S. 12,177 BLWt 26,166-160-55 CONTENTS
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[Left  page] 
Died in Augt 1855
aged 103 Years
Date of death
not on 
A.B.
[Written vertically just to the right on same left page]
Let's dated 9 Dec 1833 to agents at New York and Utica and
to Hon S Beardsley
Evans V. Frank. 12th Dec.1853.

[Right page]
20030
Utica 
[double line]---------------
Gideon Bentley
of Oswego in the State of N. York
who was a Private in the Comp. commanded
by Captain Bates of the Reg. commanded 
by Col. Bartlet in the [word "Count" lined through] [star symbol]
line for 15 mos.
[star symbol]
R.I. and Mass.
Records correction for July 21/05.
[double line]----------------
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York
at the rate of 50 Dollars - Cents per ann
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
[double line]---------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of July
1833 and [illegible] E.P. Johnson
Rome [name "Utica" lined through]
[double line]-----------------------
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33                       $100
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Ma '33               25
                                                                   [double line]---
                                                                       $125
                                                                    [double line]---
Recorded by G.C. Stiles {Revolutionary Claim.
                                      {Act June 7, 18[blank]
Book E.  Vol.3 Page [blank]
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14,797. Gideon Bentley Oswego Co. N. Y. 
Private 1776-7 One Year Capt. Philips Co. 1 yr 20 R Island Regt under Gen Spencer 1 year. 1777 - On board privateer 3 months. 1778 two monts Capt Bates Co at Tiverton. 1775 minute man 1 mo. Total - 1 year 6 mos. B. P. Johnson Agent. Rome - Oneida Co. N.Y. Pension to be payable at Utica N.Y. Admd 15 mo pri 50$ privateer service disallowed
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Declaration, in order to obtain the Act of Congress passed June y, 1832. STATE OF NEW YORK, Otsgo County, SS. On this 24th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court now sitting, Gideon Bentley a resident of said county and state, aged eighty year, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: That he was born at Exeter Rhode Island Auft 1752. Knows of no record of his age. Lived at Exeter when he entered service. Since war have lived at Little hoobick NY, Chenango Pompey NY. Now Constantia Olney Co. NY. Enlisted under Capt. Samuel Phillips 1. Decr 1776 for one yar. 1st or 2d Rhode Island Regiment under Genl Spencer. Col. Statnton had Comd of Regt. Service on NewPort and Fort Island making fort and then to Tiverton, there assisted in building a fort, and was discharged there in fall of 1777, having served one year and received a written discharge signed as he things by his Capt. which has been lost. Soon after discharge shipped for three months on board Privateer Marlboro at Boston Capt. George Wait Babcock and cruised off Jamaica Islands and took some of the Jamaica Heat. and returned to Boston and were discharge at expiration of three months. In 1778 Enlisted for two months last year in Capt. Bates Co. and went to Tiverton joined troops there and served one tour there at Tiverton. Does not recollect officer in command tho I think his name was Col Bartlett. Was out as a minute man to guard lines also in Spring of 1776 in Capt Walter Clarkes Co. and was called to Quitresick Neck and there served one month. This deponent knows of no witness living to prove his services but refers to annexed affidavit as to his character and reputation &c. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Gideon X Bentley his mark
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14.797 Gideon Bently Oswego Co. N York 16 P. 400 May 15 33 
BP Johnson Rome
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BRIEF in the case of Gideon Bentley of Oswego Co in the State of N York (Act 7th June, 1832.) 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 3. How old is he? 80 years 4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period. - 1 Dec In 1776 -1777, 1777, 1778, Spring 1776
Duration of Service. - Years, 1; Months, 3, 2, 1; Days. 
Rank. As a - Private, Mariner, Private, "
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen - Capt. Phillips Genl Spencer, Cpt Babcock Privateer Marlborogh, Capt Bates Col. Bartlett, Cpt Clarke
5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Exeter Rhode Island
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Papers not attachd as reqd.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. (crossed out: Not stated whether she was a public or private vessel in which the deponent served.) Richard Cutts Examining Clerk.
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State of New York
Olmego County of
On the 24th day of May 1833 before me personally appeared Gideon Bently, a resident of said county who being duly sworn deposed and said
That  he enlisted at Exeter 1st of December 1776 in Capt Samuel Phillips Company - 1st or 2nd Rhode Island Regt under command of Col Stanto - Gen'l Spencer in command of whole troops - That the service as performed on Newport and Fort Island in bulding fort and from there to Tiverton t o work also at building a fort and continued in service until the expiration of his service in fall of 1777 when he was discharged having the full term of one year.
Soon after this discharge expiration of service this deponent shipped 3 months on board Privateer Malboro at Boston  under  Cpt   George Waite Babcock and cruised off Jamaica Islands and served the full term of three months..On the fall of 1778 enlisted for two months in a capt Bates Companu and under the command of he believes a Colonel Bartlett - that he went to Tiverton and joined the troops there and served the full  term of two months
In the spirng of the year 1776 the deponent
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was called out as a Minute Man in Captain Walter Clark's company of militia and served at Quitnessick Neck for the full term of one month
The deponent further says that he has no documentay evidence and  that he knows of no living witness to prove his services
his signature [hand drawn X] Gideon Bentley
Personally appeared before sht bubsciber the above named Gideon Bentley known as a man of credibility truth and veracity and made oath to the foregoing affidavit
Sereno Clark
Justice of the Peace
Clerks office
Oswego County ss
I Eric Poor Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that Sereno Clark before whom the above afft. was taken was on the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in & for said County-  That I am acquainted with his handwriting and believe the signature to be in his own proper handwriting.  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of office this 29th day of May 1833.
Eric Poor  Clerk
By D. McPherson
Dep. Clk
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Oct 11"/55 to J. T. Stevens.
Vol B, page 92
66057
Act Mar 3/55
Rec Apl 13/55
Gideon Bentley private
Capt's Philips & Clark}  US
Col Stanton}  R. I. Mil
Ent about Sept 1st 1777
Dis about Oct 1 1778
War Revolution 
No 26166 ifs May 20/56
June 32 - 20030
Boynton
160 acs.  May 17/56
Boynton
J. T. Stevens  Present
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66051

BOUNTY LAND.
Act of 3 March 1855.
Claim (No._____)
of
Gideon Bentley
Revolutionary service.
R. I. Militia

J. T. STEVENS,
ATTORNEY,
WASHINGTON, D. C.

STATE OF NEW YORK, }
COUNTY OF OSWEGO,} ss.  
I HEREBY CERTIFITY, That Sereno Clark Esq., before whom the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature thereto is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County Court, for the County aforesaid, this the 7th day of April 1855
E. Mirlene Clerk of County Court
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STATE OF NEW YORK, }
COUNTY OF OSWEGO, } ss.

On this 27th day of March A. D. 1855 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace duly authorized by law to administer oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Gideon Bentley aged 104 years, a resident of the town of Constantia in the County of Oswego and State of New York who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Gideon Bentley who was a revolutionary private in the company commanded by Captain Samuel Philips & Clark in the regiment of Rhodes Island Militia commanded by Col Stanton in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain.

That he enlisted or entered the service at Exeter in the State of Rhode Island first day of September A. D. 1777 for the term of one year and continued in actual service in said war for the term of one year and was honorably discharged at Tiverton on or about the 1st day of October A. D. 1778 and that he now receives a pension of fifty Dollars per annum. 

He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which he may be entitled on account of said service, under the Act approved the 31 day of March, 1855.  He also declares that he has not received a Warrant for Bounty Land, under this or any other Act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.
signed  Gideon (his X mark) Bentley

H hereby appoints J. T. STEVENS, of Washington, D. C., his true and lawful Attorney, with power of substitution, to prosecute this his claim for land, to received the Certificate or Warrant when issued, and to do all other acts necessary and proper in the premises to obtain from the proper authorities at Washington or elsewhere, certified copies of Army and Navy records in which his services may be recorded, and to procure all evidence necessary to establish his said claim. 
signed Gideon (his X mark) Bentley

We, Henry W. Rohde and Alvin Richardson residents of town of Mexico and Constantia in the County of Oswego and State of New York being duly sworn, do, upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Gideon Bentley in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statement of the applicant, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be. 
signed  Henry W. Rohde
signed  Alvin Richardson

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year above written.  And I certify that I now the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.  The applicant made his mark being unable to write by reason of age.              J. P.
signed  Sereno Clark
Justice of the Peace.
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STATE OF NEW-YORK,}
COUNTY OF OSWEGO,} SS.
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That Sereno Clark Esq., before whom the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature thereto is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County Court, for the County aforesaid, this 7th day of April 1855
E [illegible]   Clerk of County Court
66057
BOUNTY LAND.
Act of 3 March 1855.
Claim (No._________)
OF
Gideon Bentley
Revolutionary service
R. I. Militia
J. R. STEVENS,
ATTORNEY,
WASHINGTON, D. C.
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September 26, 1932 BA-J/MLB GIDEON BENTLEY S. 12177 on Mr. Dwight B. Sessions R. F. D. 2, Box 219 B Albuquerque, New Mexico Dear Sir: Reference is made to your letter of September 12, relative to Gideon Bentley, a soldier of the Revolutionary War. The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 12177, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Gideon Bentley. He was born in August, 1752, in Exeter, Rhode Island, names of his parents not stated. While a resident of Exeter, Rhode Island, in the spring of 1776, he was a minuteman and served one tour of one month in Captain Walter Clarke's Rhode Island company, engaged in guarding the lines. He enlisted December 1, 1776, served as a private in Captain Samuel Phillips' company, Colonel Stanton's Rhode Island regiment, and was discharged about December 1, 1777. A short time after, he entered service at Boston as a private on board the privateer, Marlborough, Captain George Wait Babcock, and served three months cruising off Jamaica Islands and after being discharged returned to Boston. He enlisted at East Greenwich in the spring of 1778, served eight months as a private in Captain Jonathan Bates' company, Colonel Bartlett's Rhode Island regiment, and was discharged in November, 1778. He enlisted in April, 1779, and served at various times until January 1781, amounting to more than one year, as a private under Captains Walter Clarke, Sylvester Green and Brown in the Rhode Island troops, engaged in building fortifications, guarding the lines and making clothes for the soldiers.
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After the Revolutionary War, Gideon Bentley lived in Little Hoosick, New York, Chenango, Pompey, New York, then moved to Constantia, Oswego County, New York. He was allowed pension on his application executed September 24, 1832, while a resident of Constantia, New York, where he was still living in 1853 with a son whose name was not stated. In March, 1855, he was still living in Constantia, New York, and died in August, 1855. The soldier married in May, 1780, but the name of his wife is not shown. She died in April, 1800. In 1853 and again in 1855, Joseph Bentley appeared as a witness in the soldier's claim, relationship not stated. There are no further family data in the claim. Very truly yours A.D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator -2-
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Gideon Bently New York 1832 ad A H Macklkand Recd March 13 1883
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AFFIDAVIT AND POWER OF ATTORNEY. REVOLUTIOANRY [SIC] PENSION CLAIMS. State New York County of Oswego SS. BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this 22 day of January, A.D., 1855, I, Gideon Bentley, do make known and declare that I am the identicle person who was a Revolutionary Soldier, who served three years under the command of Capts Samuel Phillip, Jonathan Bates, & Walter Clark & Col. Stanton in the forces raised in the State of Rhode Island, and that he and his wife were married about the month of May, A.D. 1780, A.D., and that his said wife died about the month of April, A.D. 1800 and that a pension of fifty dollars a year was drawn by said Gideon Bentley on account of said services, and so continued. And that claimant is now 104 years of age; and it is understood and believed that there are arrearages of Pension, and other claims due for said services. NOW THEREFORE, the true inetent of all this is to qualify and irrevocably appoint and empower of Washington, District of Columbia, Joseph T. Stevens as my true and lawful Attorney with power of substitution, to investigate, substantiate, demand and receive the avails of, said claim or claims, and to say and do all things relative thereto, as amply as I might do: hereby ratifying every thing said or done by said Attorney or his substitute, in virtue hereof; ALSO, revoking all Powers of Attorney, or other authority previously given for any such purposes. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, day and date first above named. ATTEST: Sereno Clark Joseph Bentley his mark Gideon X Bentley SEAL. Subscribed, sworn to, and acknowledged before m, the day and year first above indicated; and I hereby certify, that I have no interest whatever in said claim. & make his mark because he was unable to write J.P. Sereno Clark Justice of the Peace. I EMHill, Clerk of the Supreme Court in the County and State aforesaid, do certify that Sereno Clark, before whom the foregoing papers are executed, was, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and the name thereunto subscribed, is his signature. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal, this 31st day of January, A.D. 185 . E.M. Hill Clerk
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State of New York County of Oswego SS. On this 15th day of September A.D. 1853 personally appeared before me Charles A Peckins a Justice of the peace duly authorized to take depositions, Gideon Bentley a resident of the Town of Constantia in the said County and State aforesaid a very creditable witness to me well known to be of sound mind and of excelent memory for a man of his advanced age, being one hundred and two? years of age who being by me duly Sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in Order to obtain more fully the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the Seventh one thousand Eight Hundred thirty two that on or about the 24th of September 1832 he made an application for the benefit of said act as a revolutionary Soldier Setting forth a part only of his service suppong at the time that if he showed any service it would entittle him to the same amount of pension as it would to prove more Service and on that application the United States Government granted me a pension of fifty Dollars per annum. He makes this application for the purpose of obtaining from the General Government a full pension from the 4th of March 1831 as I served in the revolutionary war in all over three years but did not include all of my Services at the time I first applied for the reasons I mentioned, my Services was as follows - I enlisted for one year at Newport State of Rhode Island on the first of December A.D. 1776 - under Captain Samuel Phillips in the first of Second Regiment Commanded by Col. Stanton General Spencer Commanded a part of the time
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we were stationed at different places a part of the time at Newport Fort Island and Tivertown was employed a considerable portion of the time in building Forts and fortifications and served the full time of one year and was honorably discharged at Fort Island about the first of December A.D. 1777 a short time after my discharge I enlisted as a private on board the ship Marlboro at Boston for I think the thee for months services under Captain George W. Babcock. I served out this time and was discharged I think at Boston in the spring of the year A.D. 1778. I again enlisted at East Greenwich under Captain Bates his first name I cannot remember for the term of two months but at the expiration of the two months we were compelled to continue in the services for six months our company was stationed most part of this time at Tiverton we were marched to different places and stationed for short periods one place called the two bridges and a short time at Fort Island and Greenage & East Greenwich. Our company was under the command of Col. Bartlett we were discharged at Tiverton I think in November 1778, my next service was under Captain Walter Clark and Captain Sylvester Green. I was called out in the month of April 1779 under Captain Walter Clark. We were called minute men we were stationed at Quansett and other places to guard the lines Captain Clark Commanded about a month in the company to which I belonged to was then under the command of Captain Sylvester Green we were then marched to a place called Exeter as near as my memory serves me. I do not exactly remember how long we were
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stationed at Exeter we were marched to other places engaged in making fortifications and guarding the lines and keeping watch of the enemy's movements I continued I continued in this service for one year and ten months some part of the time I was engaged in making clothes for the soldiers as I was a tailor by trade the rest of the time on other duty the last year of this service being 1780 we were permitted to return home for short periods and then called into service again. We continued in this way during the whole season and we were finally discharged on or about the last of January 1781. At my advanced age which is almost one hundred and three years of age I cannot recolect all the particulars of my service but what I have here stated. I do recollect and I well remember that I actually performed over three years service as a private soldier. He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining his full pension to which he is entitled under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. Sworn and subscribed before me this 15th day of September 1853 his mark X Gideon Bentley C A Perkins Justice of the peace Mr Bently no being able to write his name made his mark in my presence C A Perkins J.P.
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purpose of obtaining his full pension to which he is entitled under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 sworn and subscribed before me this 15th day of September 1853 Gideon Bentley X his

STATE OF NEW YORK, Oswego County Clerk's Office. SS. I J C [illegible] Dept Clerk of Oswego County, Certify, That Chas A Perkins Esq., before whom the annexed affidavit was taken, was at the time of the taking such affidavit a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same, and further, that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe that his signatures thereto are genuine. In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of said County, this the Nineteenth day of Sept. 1853. J. C. Hugnim Clerk
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Gideon Bentley New York Act 7 June 1832. For increase Evans J Fant
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State of New York Oswego County Ss. On this 15th day of September A.D. 1853 personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace duly authorised to take depositions Phillip Morris a resident of the town of Albion Oswego County state aforesaid a very creditable witness to me well known to be of sound mind and good memory aged about Ninety [illegible] years of Age who being duly sworn according to laws make oath that he is a pensioner of the United States in the district of New York that he entered the Service of the United Colonies or States about the first of April in the year 1775 as a teamster under the command of Capt. John Stafford for eighteen months service. That he continued as teamster untill sometime in the fall of the year 1776 when he was attached to Capt. Jeremiah Olneys Company in Col. Hitchcocks Regiment in which services I continued untill the winter when I was discharged. That soon after I think the last of December or the first of January 1777 that I volunteered for one year in a new Regiment still under Jeremiah Only as Captain that I continued in Service untill about the first of January A.D. 1778 when I was again discharged that he entered the services again for the term of two years at a fort near Roxbury under Capt. Josiah Gibbs who took command of the company a few months and we were then put under the command of Capt. Benjamin Fry we were attached to Col. Crary Regiment and a portion of the time we were under the command of Col. Jeremiah Only he having been
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promoted from Captain to Col. towards the close of this service the Company to which I belonged was Commanded by Lieutenant Abel Potter and that he afterwards served for short periods under Staffords and Green. We were stationed at a number of different places for short periods something like the following at a place called the two bridges. Providence East Greenwich Rhodeisland Island New London, previous to my entering the service I became aquainted with Gideon Bentley although we did not belong to the same company yet we were frequently stationed at the same places and our marches brought us frequently together. I well remember of his leaving for one year in Capt. Samuel Phelps Company. Serving a part of the service we were both stationed at the Island called Fort Island. After his term of service expired under Capt Samuel Phelps he left. It was said that he had enlisted in the Marine Service but I did not know of my own knowledge. The next time I saw the said Gideon Bentley it was in the spring of the year 1778 he was then a private in Capt. Bates Company. I saw him frequently during the summer and remember that he served in this company during the whole summer and fall should think he served as long as six months. Soon after he was discharged from Capt. Bates Company he volenteered under Capt Walter Clark, saw him frequently during the next eighteen months and every time I saw him during the eighteen months
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he was serving as a private soldier in Capt Clarks company or in the company of Capt Silverster Green Except on one or two occasions I saw the said Bentley engaged making clothes for the soldiers but understood at the time that he was then a private soldier in Capt. Browns Company. I know that the said Gideon Bentley served over three years as a private soldier in in the above mentioned companys. The reason I remember his serving we were very intimate friends and we took great interests in each others welfare. But after we left the war and I left the state of Rhode Island I lost all traces of him and herd nothing more of him untill about one year ago. I heard he was still living on the Shore of Oneida Lake. I started in search of him and found him living with his son in the Town of Constantia in Oswego County. He is an old man eight or ten years older than I am. His faculties are good and able to travel several miles in a day. This deponent further states that he has no interest whatever in the application of the said Bentley for a Pension. Sworn and subscribed before me this 15 day of September 1853 Philip Morris C.A. Perkins Justice of the peace
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Dec 6 1853 Gideon Bentley N.Y. at 32 Hon. L P Waldo Com of Pensions

Gideon Bentley 11,057 Present 1833 Additional Evidence [illegible] May 23d Johnson 

26,166 160 Hon J. Minot Commr of Pensions Present
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26166 

No away
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Washington Dec 2 1853 Dear Sir We herewith enclose, certain papers, setting forth on the part of Gideon Bentley, the grounds upon which he asserts a claim to an increase of pension. You will find his name on the New York roll of Pensioners, Act 7. June 1832, private at $50 per annum, admitted 30 July 1833 Very respectfully Evans J. Fant. Hon. L. P. Waldo Comm of Pensions
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Gideon Bently
14797.
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Gideon Bentley Oswego C. N. York which require further proof or explanation. I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? y
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? y
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? 
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? y
V. *Has he mentioned 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? no Done now
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of Jun 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? No Am now
XIV. If the appliclant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? ye Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? 
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No No conceded
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes

EXPLANATORY NOTES. *Quere V. 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 lost of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For - year - months, and - days, I served as a - For - months and - days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3 
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 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 shewn 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. 
QUERE XIV. Proof of service. 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 claimants 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 m ay 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. 
QUERE XVI 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 paper 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. In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
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Additional Evidence No. 66051 Washington D.C. May 12th 1856. Sir In the claim for Bounty Land of Gideon Bentley No. 66051 uner Act of 3d March 1855, suspended, Will you please refer his claim and cause an examination of the same under the 1st Section of the act amending the act of March 3d 1855. Yours Very Respectfully J. T. Stevens Hon. J Minot Commr of Pensions Present
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Know all men by these presents, That I, Gideon Bentley of Constantia Oswego County and State of New York have consitituted and appointed, and by these presents do consitute and appoint George R. Herrick, of the City of Washington, my true and lawful Attorney, irrevocably, with power of substitution for me and in my name, place and stead, to ask and receive of an from the United States, Pensions, Money or Moneys, that are now due to me on account of services rendered, disbursements made, or expenses incurred by myself during the revolutionary war while in the service of the United States, or on any other account whatsoever, and in my name to give receipts and other sufficient discharges, for such Bounty Land, Extra pay, Pensions, Patents, and money due as aforesaid, and to attend to and prosecute any and all business of whatever nature I may have with or before any of the Departments of Government or Congress, personally present at the doing thereof; hereby ratifying and confirming whatever my said Attorney,s hall do in and about the premises by virtue hereof, divers good causes and valuable considerations, me thereunto moving. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Eighteenth day of February 1853. His mark X Gideon Bentley SEAL Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of Two Witness J W Perkins Joseph Bentley

State of New York County of Oswego SS: On this Eighteenth day of February 1853 personall appeared Gideon Bentley before me, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purposes therein contained. C. A. Perkins J.P. SEAL 

State of New York County of Oswego Co SS: I HEREBY CERTIFY, That C.A. Perkins Esq., before whom the foregoing acknowledgement was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Oswego County court, this 22nd day of February one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three E. M. Hill Clerk
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We, Samuel W. Leonard Clergyman and A.O. Blair Supervisor residing in Constantia Oswego County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Gideon Bentley who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be about eighty years of age: that he is reputed and believe in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion & that we believe him a man of truth & veracity. Samuel W. Leonard W.O. Blair Sworn and subscribed the day of August 1832 & I know them to be men of truth & veracity.

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 Samuel W. Leonard who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in Constantia & is a clergyman and that A.O. Blair who has also signed the same, is a resident in Constantia [illegible] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Avery Skinner Sanwell Johnson J Reynolds Judges of Oswego Com Pleas

I Eric Poor Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Gideon Bentley for a pension. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 24th day of Sept. A.D. 1832 Eric Poor Clerk by D. McPerson Dept. Clk
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1932 Sept 26, Hist to Mr. Dwight B. Sessions MLB

Rev War 12,177 INVALID.
File No. 12,177 Gideon Bentley Pri Rev War Act: June 7th 32 Index: - Vol. A, Page 29 [Arrangement of 1870.]
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SANTA FE EATING HOUSE AND DINING CAR SYSTEM FRED HARVEY MANAGER GENERAL OFFICE UNION STATION KANSAS CITY MISSOURI ASH FORK ARIZONA

September 12, 1932 Pension Bureau Revolutionary War Records Washington D.C. Dear Sir: I wish information concerning Gideon Bentley [only one]. He was a prominent man and very likely served in the Revolutionary War. He died in Constantia Ne York 1855. I should like any information you may have on this man for my genealogical records. Especially the names of his family. Yours respectfully Dwight B Sessions 
Dwight B. Sessions R.F.D. 2 Box 219B Albuquerque, New Mexico RECEIVED SEP 15 1932 PENSION [illegible]
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives


NAME    Bentley, Henry    

GRADE   Private

LINE        Pennsylvania

WARRANT NUMBER. 8925

ACREAGE. 100

ISSUED   July 9, 1789
to - not shown -

* The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in the National Archives.