Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 329, Levin Benson, Del.

Page 1

SERVICE
Del.

Benson, Levin
Elevin
Rebecca

NUMBER
W. 329

Page 2

West Tennessee   13816
=============
Levin Benson
of Lincoln Co in the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the Company commanded 
by Captain Hudson of the regiment commanded 
by Col. Rhodes in the Delaware 
line for 2 years
==============
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee
at the rate of 80 Dollars ____ Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
=========
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of June
1833 and sent to A. Q. Nicks Fayetteville
=================
Arrears to the 4th of March 160 C
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept.  40C
=========
$200 --
========
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act of June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book E  Vol 7 Page 72

Page 3

State of Tennessee}
Lincoln County}
This day personally appeared before Robert S Hulme one of the acting Justices of the in and for said County El who being first duly sworn according to law Elevin (aka Levin) Benson a resident of County of Lincoln and State of Tennessee for the purpose of amending his declaration for a pension heretofore made by him wherein the War Department of the United States has declared it insufficient who being first duly sworn according to law deposit and Saith

He volunteered for the term of threes in the State of Delaware Kent County his Captain was William Hudson his lieutenant was his son William Hudson Archy Fleming Ensign John Rhodes Colonel, William Donerer General
they had order to parade at Louistown Sussex County Delaware  we accordingly did so we crossed the bay at Louistown and landed on Rhode Island and there we gained Majr (sic Major) Vaugh afterwards General Vaugh with a large number of troops we on our arrival found a large number of the British Troops encamped on Rhode Island, in three or four days after our arrival they British retreated to the white plains we pursued  them to the white plans there we had three engagements we came off victorious in two of the engagements and the third they made us retreat and run we had to swim a river that was up on account of the tide I think it was called Little river to save our lives we formed again on the bank of the river and our officers thought it policy not to attacked [sic] the British again at that time as they had a considerable advantage over us in numbers

(continued page 2)

Page 4

(continuation from page 1  Levin Benson)

and as our guns all got went[sic] in crossing the river we could not think o making an attack with the hope of any success we thence Marched to Hackensack Island we lost but one made we killed several of the british we then had orders to march to Kent County Delaware and there we were verbally Discharged this applicant thinks it was in June he was called into service 1778 he served the term of three months for which he volunteered and was dismissed

In a few days after this applicant arrived at home he was drafted for the term of three months his Capt was William Hudson Lieutenant his Son William Hudson Archy Fleming Ensign John Rhodes Colonel William Donerer General we paraded at Louistown in the state of Delaware and there we took water and crossed the bay and went Hamensack Island in the State of Connecticut when we arrived there we found some of the British troops and had [illegible] with them and whiped them and they took to their ships and left the Island we then Marched to the White Plains in the State of Connecticut and there we were met l large regiment of the American troops we also found a large number of the British troops there we had a hard engagement in which we were too hard for the British though there was a great number killed and wounded on both sides we remained there several days and had several skirmishes at length they went aboard of their ships and went to Little York [illegible] we then marched to Ken county Delaware State our time was then [illegible] and verbally discharged

(continued page 3)

Page 5

(continuation  from page 2 Levin Benson)

This applicant immediately after he returned home volunteered for during the war his Captain  was William Hudson his lieutenant was his son William Hudson Archy Fleming Ensign John Rhodes Colonel William Donerer General to stand Guard on the Delaware Bay we paraded at
Lewistown in Sersese(?) County Delaware and the British
were at that time laying in the Delaware Bay
and would come up in small partys in the night
go and upon the land and steal Rob Kill and
plunder cattle hogs (illegible) and commit all
kinds of depredations the object the American
officers had in view in stationing an army there
was to keep them from coming up the Bay
and taken possession of the country and passing the Bay It was some time in the month of September 1779. that this applicant was called into service they staid at Lewistown some time and from there to Wilmington up and down the bay the British in the night time would come up in their Ragalla (?) Boats they would commencing five three or four of them
at a time when they would commence fire
we had to lay close behind the sand bars for
to save our lives as when a ball would Stake
the land it was dead upon as they were over
we would commence on them and they would
retreat we Kept on continually at this place first
passing  up and then down the bay some considerable time after we had been standing they British had bought up a large number of the Heiassans (?) to fight a mened  at the price of 4 pence a piece as they were  coming out of the sea in to the mouth of the bay they not being acquainted with the intel at Lewistown

(continued to page 4)

Page 6

(continued from page 3  Levin Benson)

Lodged on the rocks at the mouth of the bay we
Immediately had orders to march to them where the Vessel was lodged to take them   when we arrived there we commenced firing at their  vessels of and in little time succeed in Blowing holes in the bottom of their
Vessels we then went & took four of the British
and seven hundred and seventy two Heassions
Prisoners the British had hold the heassions that they must fight all they died even they did not & we would kill them they were so hostile that we could not take them to Dover in Delaware where headquarters was at that time   held until we  ad handcuffs made and handcuff them  together then  we then carried them on to  Dover and there they were carried to Philadelphia and there they were discharged I think by Congress  We then returned again to the bay and then Continued to guard until near the close of the war when the British left the boy we were Verbally discharged   This applicant stood guard at they bay eighteen Months and was verbally discharged
he swears positively that he has served in defense of his Country two years fully in consequence of old age and the loss of memory have occasioned a Great may circumstances to have escape his recollection for which he claims a pension

Elevin (aka Levin) (his X mark) Benson   "seal" 

Sworn to and subscribe
before me this 21st day of
April 1833

Rob't S Hulme  Justice of
the peace

(written on the bottom upside down)

Levin Benson 17305

Page 7


State of Tennessee}
 Lincoln) County}

On this 16th day of  October 1832 personally
appeared in open Court before Hon H Shaw
Samuel Buchanan & Jacob E Waggoner
Justices of the Court of pleas and quarter session for the County and State aforesaid now sitting Levin (aka Elevin) Benson age eighty one years a resident of the county and State aforesaid 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 7th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named offices and served as herein stated that he was born in Kent County State of Delaware he does not know the day nor moth he believes it was in
the year of 1756. that he volunteered for the
term of three months he dont recollect what
year it was William Hudson was his Captain
his son William Hudson Lieutenant Dickey
Fleming Ensign John Rhodes was Colonel
William Donerner was general at this
he was called into service he was living in
Kent County State of Delaware they marched
through  Lincoln County in the state aforesaid
to a place called the white plains for to fight the British when they arrived there they
found the  British attacked them and had
there engagement with them we whipped them
twice and once the run us and we had to
swim a river to save our lives

(continued page 2)

Page 8

(continued from page 1 Levin Benson deposition)

the March from the White plains to
Hackensack Island in the State of Connecticut state and from thence to Kent County
in Delaware and there verbally discharge
our time was up at that time Then shortly afterward we return home we were all drafted for three months it was called a flying camp company this applicant states that at the time he was called into service he was living  in Kent
County Delaware he went under the
same officers that he was under in
the three months tour that he volunteered
in we march from Delaware to Hackensack Island from there to the White plains
there we attacked the British and had a
very hard engagement and a great number
were killed on both sides but we proved
too hard for them we staid there several
days and had several little bushes me
then return Home to Kent County, Delaware

this applicant never received any written
discharge and immediately were order
again into service by being drafted to
stand Guard at Delaware Bay until
the close of the war this applicant was
under the same officers still to guard
the British and to keep them from plundering
the Cattle and hogs off of the salt Marsh

(continued page 3)

Page 9

(continuation from page 2 Levin Benson deposition)

this applicant further states that he stood
as Guard for eighteen months and during
that time had many a brush with the British 
at the time the war broke up he was
discharged verbally  after the war was over he
moved to North Carolina Guilford
County from there he move to Lincoln
County Tennessee where he now lives
he has no record of of his age and that
he has no documentary evidence and
that he knows of no person whose testimony
he can procure who can testify to his serve
he hereby relinquishes every claim what
ever 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 in  he united stat s he is known in
his present neighborhood William Melener
 Esqr Jesse Daniel Esqr and  David Snooty who can testify as to his character for veracity and then belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution

Sworn to subscribe the
day and year aforesaid
 Eleven (aka Levin) eBenson (signature)

Mr Ben Walker a Clergyman residing in the County of Lincoln & State of Tennessee and
Residing in the same acquainted with Levin
Benson who has subscribed and sworn to

(continued to page 4)

Page 10

(continued from page 3 Levin Benson Declaration)

The above declaration that we believe him
to be eighty one years of age that he is
reputed and believed  the neighborhood where
the resides to have been a soldier of the
revolution and that we concur in that opinion

Sworn to and subscribed Benjamin Walker
the day and year afforsaid

Benjamin Walker (signed)
Wm Milner(signed)

and the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion  after the investigation of the whole matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and and served as he states. And the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that Benjamin Walker who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in Lincoln County  Tennessee and that William Milner has also signed the same is a resident of the County and State aforesaid and is a
credible person and that their statement
is entitled to credit

Samuel Buchanan (Signed)
T.H. Shaw (signed)
John(?)  Waggoner (signed)

I Robert S.  Inge Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Lincoln County Tennessee do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the m tter of the application of Levin Benson for a
Pension In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 14th day  of May 1833

Robt S. Inger CK

Page 11

No. 14.414

Rebecca Benson to
wid (widow)  of Levin
Tenn (sic Tennessee)

Act 7  July 1838

Married prior to 1794
He died  June 13, 1836
She died  Oct. 16, 1850


Joseph Bryan
Oficer

Page 12

State of Tennessee ⎬
County of Lincoln ⎬ss

Be it Known, That on this 4th day of
June 1851, personally appeared before the undersigned, a Justice of the
Peace in and for said County and State, John Hyett, aged fifty three , a resident of Lincoln County aforesaid, who, on  is oath, make the
following Declaration in order to obtain from the United States the amount of Pension, which was due Rebecca Benson, deceased, widow of
Levin Benson died (sic deceased)  at the time of her death, under Act of Congress passed
July 7th 1838, March 3d 1843, June 17th 18th, and February 2d 1848, granting Pensions
to certain Widows, That he is the Husband of Rebecca Benson, who is the tenth
child of the said Levin and Rebecca Benson deceased, although two of the elder
children were twins, That the said Levin Benson was a Pensioner of the United States
on the Roll of the Nashville Tennessee Agency under Act of Congress of June 7th 1832 at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum for services rendered the United States in the Delaware Line, Army of the Revolution, that the said
Levin Benson was for forty years before his death a resident of Lincoln County State of
Tennessee, that he continued to receive his pension, as aforementioned until his
death which took place in said Lincoln County on or about the 13th day of June in the year Eighteen Hundred and thirty six (1836), that he left a widow, the aforesaid Rebecca Benson, who survived him, and remained his widow until the 16th day of October Eighteen Hundred and fifty, (1850) when she died in Henderson
County Tennessee that previous to her death, she did not receive a Pension in right of
her husband, the aforesaid Levin Benson, although at one time previous to her death
she attempted to have an application therefor prepared, but declarant does not believe
that it was ever forwarded or presented to the Department at Washington City, Declarant has here stated the facts in relation to said claim, as of his own Knowledge, and will now proceed to give the following statement of facts in
relation thereto, as he has been informed by and has always understood, from the
said Levin Benson and his wife the said Rebecca Benson deceased, to wit;

That the said Levin Benson was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, and in the Delaware Line, that shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war "he with" (" inserted) his father removed
from Delaware to the County of Rowan in the State of North Carolina, where they settled
that some time thereafter, as Declarant recollects, the said Levin Benson, being then a
Widower, with three children, intermarried with Rebecca Brummel, which was in the
year as affiant now recollects  to having heard them say, Seventeen Hundred and eighty four
or Seventeen Hundred and eighty five (1784 or 1785,) that they were married by a minister

(continued to page 2)

Page 13

(contenued from page 1 John Hyett declaration)


of the Gospel, whose name, as well as declarant now recollect, was "Ledford " Baptist
Preacher, that the marriage took place in said Rowan County, North Carolina, a portion of
which County has, Declarant believes, since been cut off, and which is now called Davidson
County, Declarant further states that at the time of the death of the said Rebecca Benson she left two children surviving her and no others to wit, Rebecca Hyett, Declarants wife, now residing in Lincoln County Tennessee, and Levin Benson, now residing in Henderson County Tennessee, who are the only surviving heirs, and legal representatives of her, the said Rebecca Benson deceased, Declarant  further states that he know of no Record or Documentary proof in support of said claim, except the old original family record of the said Levin and Rebecca Benson, which Declarant has often seen and examined, and which contained not only the dates of the births of their children, but also the date of their
marriage, as he now recollects, which record being in their old Family Bible, was taken to
Henderson County Tennessee, and which he will endeavor to procure if possible, that the
Pension Certificate of the said Levin Benson, was given to Dr. Wm Bonner of Fayetteville, Tennessee in order that he might obtain for the widow, the amount of Pension due the said Levin Benson at his death, but whether he acted as Attorney for the widow in receiving the said
balance of Pension, Declarant does not now recollect, Declarant having here given a detailed
statement of the facts in relation to the said claim, prays that the whole be taken together
as his declaration, that the facts stated of his own knowledge he knows to be true, and those
stated from information received from the said Levin and Rebecca Benson, he believes
to be true, he further states that since the death of the said Rebecca Benson, no
Administrator has been appointed upon her Estate, but that declarant will at
the next term of the County Court of the said Lincoln County, endeavor to procure
letters of administration upon said estate in order to enable him to receive whatever
amount of Pension may be due from the United States to the surviving children aforementioned
of the said Rebecca Benson deceased, there being no other estate of hers
upon which to administer,

John (his X mark)             (written SEAL)


Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year first above written

Thomas S. William    (written SEAL)


I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Hyatt, the above named Declarant
and that he is in all respects, a truthful, and reputable person,
Thomas S. William   (written SEAL)

Page 14


Know all men by these present That I, John Hyett of Lincoln County State of Tennessee, Husband of Rebecca Benson, one of the surviving children & heirs of Rebecca Benson
deceased, widow of Levin Benson, do hereby nominate constitute & appoint Smith
Jones of Nashville, Tennessee my true & lawful attorney, and do authorize them for and
in the names of the surviving children of the said Rebecca Benson decd (sic deceased) to prosecute a certain claim to Pension which they have in right of their mother aforesaid, as
Widow of Levin Benson decd late a Pensioner of the United States, Witness my hand & seal this 4th day of June 1851.

John (his X mark) Hyett
 ℗ (written seal stamp)

Acknowledged before me this 4th day of June 1851

Thomas S. Williams (signature)
℗ (written seal stamp)

State of Tennessee
Lincoln County 

 I, Henry Kelso Clerk of the County
Court of said Lincoln County hereby certify that
Thomas S. Williams whose name appears to the
foregoing declaration certificate and acknowledgement is now and was at the time of assigning the same an acting Justice of the peace in & for said County and a Justice of the County Court of said County of Lincoln in said State which is a court of record duly commissioned and qualified as such and the signature purporting to be his is genuine. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
seal of office as officer in Fayetteville the 5th day of June 1837.

Henry Kelso clerk

Page 15

State of Tennessee}
Lincoln County      } SS

On this 4th day of June 1851, personally appeared before
me Thomas S Williams a Justice of the Peace in and for said County & State,
David Snoddy, a resident of Lincoln County Tennessee, aged sixty four
years (whom I have known well for many years, and who I certify is a person
of truth & veracity & in all respects reputable, and made oath in due form
of law, that he was well acquainted with Levin Benson and his wife
Rebecca Benson, from the year 1818, at which time they were then
living in said Lincoln County, that they were then living together as
man and wife, and were so reputed and recognized, and as such continued
to live together up to the time of the death of the said Levin
Benson, which took place in the said Lincoln County on the 13th day
of June (1836) Eighteen Hundred and thirty six, and that he was present
at the burial, that he left his widow the said Rebecca, who survived
him until on or about the 16th day of October Eighteen Hundred and fifty
when she died in Henderson County, Tennessee, as affiant has been credibly
informed, affiant further states that previous to the death of the said
Levin Benson, he was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of
Eighty Dollars per annum, and drew his Pension at Nashville Tennessee
that previous to the death of the said Rebecca Benson, she did not again
marry, but continued the widow of the said Levin Benson deceased

David Snoody (signature)
(hand written seal)

Sworn to & subscribed before me
the day & year above written

Thomas S Williams (signature)
℗  (hand written seal)

Page 16

State of Tennessee, Lincoln County }ss

On this 4 day of June 1851personally appeared before me Thomas S Williams a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State Nancy Nowell, a resident of Lincoln County
Tennessee, aged sixty nine years (with whom I have been well acquainted for many years, and who I (certify) is a reputable and truthful person, and whose statements are entitled to full faith and credit) and made oath in due form
of law, that she is the Daughter of Leven Benson by his first wife, that her mother
died (as affiant has always been informed) when affiant was about eight weeks old, affiant always understood from her father that he was a soldier in the Delaware line, army of the Revolution, and that he was married to his first wife affiants mother in the State of Maryland,
that shortly after the death of affiants mother, her Father removed from the State of Maryland to Rowan County, North Carolina, where
he again intermarried with Rebecca Brummel, as affiant was informed, she being then too young to recollect, but the precise date of 
said marriage, affiant can not of course state, but is certain that it must have been previous to the year Seventeen Hundred and eighty
five, or Seventeen Hundred & eighty six, as they were living together as man and wife from her earliest recollection, and so continued to live
together as man and wife up to the time of the death of her Father the said Levin Benson, and as such raised up a large family of
children, that previous to his death some forty years he removed from the State of North Carolina to Lincoln County Tennessee in which
County he died on the 13th day of June, in the year Eighteen Hundred and thirty six (1836), that he left his widow, the said Rebecca Benson
who survived him and continued his widow up to the day of her death, which took place in Henderson County Tennessee on the
sixteenth day of October in the year Eighteen Hundred and fifty (1850)

(continued to page 2)

Page 17

(page 2  Nancy Nowell affidavit)

(as affiant has been informed and believes) affiant further states that previous
to his death her Father, the said Levin Benson was a Pensioner of the United State
and drew his pension at Nashville, State of Tennessee, at the rate of Eighty
Dollars per annum, that at the time of the death of the said Rebecca Benson
she left two children, who still survive her and no others, to wit; Levin
Benson, who reside in Henderson County Tennessee, and Rebecca Hyett,
(wife of John Hyett) who now resides in Lincoln County, Tennessee,

 Nancy (her X mark) Nowell
 ℗  (had drawn seal)

Sworn to & subscribed before me the day
and year first above written

Thomas S. Williams (signature)
(hand drawn seal)


State of Tennessee}
Lincoln County      }ss

On this 4th day of June 1851, personally appeared before me, Thomas S Williams
a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, Elizabeth Benson, a resident of said Lincoln County, Tennessee, aged sixty nine years,( with whom I have been well acquainted for many years, and who I certify is entitled to full credit and belief) and made oath in due form of law, that she was well acquainted with Levin Benson and his wife Rebecca Benson, from the time that affiant was seven or eight years of age, that they were then living together as man and wife in Rowan County North Carolina, and that previous to their marriage, affiant understood, that her name was Rebecca Brummel, that they continued to live together as man and wife (having removed to Lincoln County Tennessee) up to the time of the death of the said Levin Benson, which took place in said Lincoln County Tennessee on or about the 13th day of June in the year Eighteen Hundred and thirty six, that he left his widow the said Rebecca Benson who survived him until the 18th day of October in the year Eighteen Hundred and fifty, when she died in Henderson County Tennessee, as affiant has been informed
, and believes, that she left two children and no others who now survive her to wit; Levin Benson, who now resides in Henderson County Tennessee, and Rebecca Hyett, (wife of John Hyatt who now resides in Lincoln County, Tennessee, & that previous to the death of the said Levin Benson, he was a Pensioner of the United

(continued to page 3)

Page 18

(page 3 affidavits of Nancy Nowell and Rebecca Benson)


States at the rate of Eighty Dollars, per annum, and drew his Pension in Nashville State of Tennessee, for services rendered the United States in the Revolutionary War that his widow, the said Rebecca Benson, did not again intermarry, after her said husband 's death, but remained his widow until the day of her death,

Elizabeth (her X mark)  Benson 
 ℗ (hand drawn seal)

Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year first above written

Thomas S. Williams (his signature)
(hand drawn seal)


State of Tennessee
Lincoln County 

 I Henry Kelso Clerk of the County
Court of said Lincoln County hereby certify that
Thomas S Williams whose name appears to
the foregoing affidavits is now and was at
the time of assigning the same an acting
Justice of the peace in and for said County
of Lincoln duly commissioned and qualified
as such and the signature purporting to be
his is genuine of the witness whereof I have here
unto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said court at office
in Fayetteville this 5th day of
June 1831

Henry Kelso    Clerk

Page 19

(Government ticket)

5.925

Tennessee     Pn.
Rebecca Benson died,
widow of Levin Benson
Who served in the Revolutionary
Delaware
war, as a Private
---------

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of $80 dollars
cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
ending 4th Octo. (sic October) 1850

======

Certificate of Pension issued
 the 31st day of May "52
and sent to J. Bryan 
Present

=====
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1818  Page 283 Vol 3

Page 20

( government ticket) 

9.224
-
Tennessee

Rebecca Benson died
widow of Levin
who was a private
in the Revolution
=======
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 21st day of May 2 '52
and sent to
J Bryan
Prest
====
 Acts of March 3, 1843 & June
17, 1844.

Recorded in Book A

Vol. 2 Page 189

Page 21

State of Tennessee
Lincoln County

I Frances L Kincannon Clerk of the Court of
Pleas & Quarter for the County & State
aforesaid Do hereby certify that Robert S
Hulme whose name is above subscribed was
at the time the forgoing affidavit was
made
an acting Justice of the peace for the
County & State aforesaid and that full faith
should be given to his acts

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office
this 4th day of May 1833

F. L. Kincannon    Clerk

Address to A Q Nicks attn
at Law Fayetteville Tennessee

Page 22

(government pension ticket)

 11.333
Tennessee      P.
Rebecca Benson deid
widow of Levin
who died on the-----
of ----in the State of-----
who was a Private commanded
by Captain---- of the ----commanded
 by ----in the
Revolution
=======
Inscribed on the Roll of Pulaski
at the rate of 80  Dollars---- Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1836. 
==============
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of
May 1852 and sent to
J. Bryan
Of Ala.
Prest.

Arrears to the 4th ---
Semi-annual allowance ending ----

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act July 7, 1838         }

Recorded by R.M. Rae   Clerk, 
Book D    Vol. 1    Page 341

Page 23

July 9th 1851

Appl of Mrs. Rebecca 
Benson died

CertTifcate (lightly written)

Joseph Bryan
Present

Page 24



Washington City
July 8, 1851

Jos E Heath esqr
Com H

Sir

I have the honor on behalf of Miss (illegible )  Smith and being  attorney  in
fact (as per her  letter of Atty enclosed) the claim
of Mrs Rebecca Benson for a pension as the
Willow of a Revolutionary Soldier, I respectfully
ask that the claim be taken up & examined
and a pension allowed to her

Very respectfully
Your Obt Sert
Joseph Bryan

Page 25

.
State of Tennessee, County of Henderson}ss

On this 9th day of January 1852 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Richard McNott
and Rebeca Melett (two credible witness with whom I am personally acquainted and who I certify are reputable) aged as follows to wit, Richard McNott aged 74 years years, and Rebeca Melett age  76 years, residents  of Henderson County, State of Tennessee,
and made oath in due form of law that they were well acquainted with
Levin Benson, late of Lincoln County Tennessee, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, and with his wife Rebecca Benson, that they knew them
for many years before their deaths, and previous to their leaving Rowan County
North Carolina, and before their marriage, which took place in said Rowan
County that they were legally married at husband and wife some time during the
year Seventeen Hundred and eighty four (1784) that after the marriage they
removed to the State of Tennessee, where they continued to live together as
man and wife, and were so reputed until the day of the death of the said
Levin Benson, which took place as affiant have been informed and believe,
some time in the year Eighteen Hundred and thirty six (1836) that his wife Rebecca 
survived him, and remained his widow until on or about the 16th day
of October 1850 (Eighteen Hundred and fifty, when she died leaving two children
and no other as affiant are informed and believe to wit Levin Benson  nd
Rebecca  Hyett, & who are the only children of Levin Benson decde (sic deceased)

Richard (his X mark) McNot
 (hand drawn seal)

Rebecca (her X mark) Melett
(hand drawn seal)

Sworn to & subscribed before me
the day & year first above written 

Charles Austin ℗ (hand drawn seal)
for Henderson County

Page 26


State of Tennessee
Henderson County ⎬

J. Jesse Taylor Clerk of the County Court of said County Do hereby certify that Charles Austin is an acting Justice of the Peace of said County, duly commissioned and quallified according to Law, that the written  signature purporting to be his is genuine and that full faith and credit is and ought 
to be given to all his official acts as such


Given under my hand and seal of
Office, at Office this 9th day of
January 1852

Jesse Taylor    Clerk

Page 27


Brief in the case of Rebecca Benson, etc
Lincoln   County and State of  Tennessee

Act.    July 7, 1838
===============================
Claim, ("original", or for "increase".)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.

Husband Pensioner Act June 7, 1832
Satisfactory order that the parties
 use named prior to 1794.

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

Name and residence of Agent
Jos Bryan   of Ala
Prest

Examining  Clerk.
Osde Nels

Page 28

(government ticket)

329

Widow, &c.
Revy

File No. 329

Rebeca Benson died
Widow
Levin Benson
Priv Rev War

Act: Feb 2d 1848.
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 48
[Arrangement of 1870.]
=================
(second ticket)

No 14.414
●
Rebecca Benson
decd wid (sic deceased widow) of Levin
Tenn (sic Tennessee)
Act 7th July 1838

To J. Bryan Oct 22 183
Smith & Jones Oct 30/51
=======
I have (illegible) to (illegible)  her
the money last place
March 54 - I note the
(illegible)  (illegible) last

Page 29

Tennessee (Pularke) agency

Rebecca Benson, etc
widow of Levin, who
was a private in Hudson
Company, Rhode Regiment
 Dec troop,
-----

Per  Act July 7. 1838
V.F. $80 per Ann
Com.  March 4, 1836, and
October 16, 1850 when she
died, payable to
Levin Benson
&
Rebecca Hyett, only
children & &
---
Jos Bryan of Ala
Present

Page 30


Salisbury, N.C. April 15th -'52

Dear Sirs

Agreeably to your request, I have made
a research of my office, for a marriage license 
bond, authorizing the celebration of a marriage
between Liven Benson & Rebecca Brummell, but  the bond cannot be found. It may be proper to state to you, that a number of years ago the records of this office were kept in a room in the Court House, & during the time they were  so kept a fire took place in a building near the Court House, & fearing the fire would communicate to the records of the County,
the papers of all the public offices were thrown
out of the windows promiscuously, and came
off to a place of safety. In consequence of
of the confused condition of the papers at
that time, many of them were lost,

In answer to your enquiries about the
Brummell family, I can say, that I know
family by that name, who resided in Davidson
County, (formerly Rowan, a few miles east of
Lexington. The younger members of the
family live there  yet & an highly respectable
people
.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.
James E. Kerr   CK


Messrs Smith & Jones

Page 31

Nashville Tennessee
July 24, 1851

Sir

We hand you Clerks Certificate of Rowan Co. NoCa (sic North Carolina) relative to marriage of Levin Benson & Rebecca Brummel.
Mrs. Benson claim to Rev (sic Revolutionary Pension (the heir claiming) was filed by us on July 8th inst --- through Joseph Bryan Esq of Washington.
---
Your Obt Servant
Smith & Jones



Comm of Pension}
Washington          }

Jones reached  home last night

Page 32

State of North Carolina}
Rowan County              }

I James E Kerr Clerk of the Court
of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of
Rowan aforesaid, certify, that I have made
diligent search in my office for a marriage bond
and license, authorizing the solemnization of the
rites of Matrimony between Levin Benson and
Rebecca Brummel, and that no such bond or
license can be found amongst the records of
my office. I further certify that this office is
the depository of all evidences of marriage
kept in this County
-
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto subscribed my name and
affixed the seal of said Court at
Office in Salisbury, this the 12th
day of July, A.D. 1851
James E. Kerr Clerk

Page 33

State of North Carolina}
Rowan County              }

I James E Kerr Clerk of the Court
of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of
Rowan aforesaid, certify, that I have made
diligent search in my office for a marriage bond
and license, authorizing the solemnization of the
rites of Matrimony between Levin Benson and
Rebecca Brummel, and that no such bond or
license can be found amongst the records of
my office. I further certify that this office is
the depository of all evidences of marriage
kept in this County

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto subscribed my name and
affixed the seal of said Court at
Office in Salisbury, this the 12th
day of July,
A.D. 1851
James E. Kerr Clerk

Page 34

State of Tennessee}
Henderson County}

It is hereby certified that satisfactory proof
has been exhibited in open Court to the County Court of Henderson County in
the State of Tennessee, to prove and did prove to the satisfaction of the Court, that Levin Benson was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the
United States, at Eighty Dollars per annum on the Nashville Tennessee Roll, and died leaving a widow, Rebecca Benson, who survived
him and continued his widow until the 16th day of October 1850, when she died leaving two children and no others, to wit "Levin
Benson and Rebecca Hyett, (formerly Rebecca Benson ) and who still survive her and who are the only surviving children of the said Levin
and Rebecca Benson decd.

In testimony whereof I have hereto
set my hand and affixed my seal
of Office at Lexington this 3rd day
of May 1852

Jesse Taylor     Clerk &

Page 35


State of Tennessee }
Henderson County}

This day Levin Benson Personally appeared before
me Charles Austin a Justice of said County and
made oath that if his Father ever keep a Register
of ages he never knew it he further says that
he has no Record of his age only from information if that is correct he is 57 years of age

Levin (his X mark) Benson

Sworn to and sub.(sic subscribed)  January 9th 1852 before

Charles Austin JP             }
for Henderson County}

State of Tennessee}
Henderson County}

 I. Jesse Taylor Clerk of the
County Court of said Court do
hereby certify that Charles Austin is an acting Justice of the Peace of said County duly commissioned and qualified according to law, that the foregoing signature  purporting to be his is genuine, and that full faith and credit is
and ought to be given to all his official acts as such

Given under my hand and seal of
Office at office this 9th
day of January 1822

Jesse Taylor    Clerk

Page 36

Additional
evidence of others
of Rebecca Benson
widow of Levin


Smith & Jones attes (sic attorneys)
Nashville Tennessee

Page 37

((PRINTED FORM)

STATE OF TENNESSEE.

LINCOLN COUNTY COURT, November Term, 1857

WHEREAS it appears to the Court here that  Rebecca Benson is dead  having made no w is ill or testament, and application being made by Jas H Jones to have letters of administration granted to him on the Estate of the said Rebecca Benson. deceased, he having entered into bond with  William Beaven &  James R Hesten as his  securities in the sum of
Seven hundred dollars, conditioned as the law directs, which last mentioned  bond was acknowledged in open court by the said Jones Beaven and Hester and deemed sufficient by the court, and the said  James H Jones
having taken the oaths prescribed by law, the court orders the he  have letters according.

These are therefore to Authorize and empower you, the said James H Jones to enter into and upon all and singular the goods and chattels, rights and credits of the said Rebecca Benson
deceased, and the same into your possession take, wheresoever to be found in this State, and a true and perfect inventory thereof make and return into our ensuing county  court on oath, and all the just debts of the intestate pay, so far as the said estate will amount or
extend,  the residue  thereof  deliver to those who have a right thereto by law. Herein fail not. Witness Henry Kelso, Clerk of our said court, at office  the first Monday in November 1857


State of Tennessee}
Lincoln County      }

Henry Kelso     Clerk

 I Henry Kelso Clerk of the County
Court of said Lincoln County hereby certify that the foregoing is a full and perfect of the Letters
of administration of Rebecca Benson to James H Jones as now remains of Record in my office in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at office in Fayetteville the 1st day of December 1857

Henry Kelso Clerk

Page 38

State of Tennessee}
Lincoln County      }

 On this 6th day of December 1851
personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of of the peace in & for said County James H Jones . whose name is signed to
the within power of attor & who acknowledged the execution of the same to be his act and deed for the purpose therein contained

Witness my hand this
date above

Wm Neild    Justice of the peace
(hand drawn seal JP inside)


State of Tennessee}
Lincoln County      }

I Henry Kelso   Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that William Neild
whose name is signed officially to the forging probate of acknowledgment  is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in & for said County that the 
Signature there to  purportedly to be his is genuine

In testimony whereof I have
set my hand & seal of office this 6th day of December 1851
Henry Kelso
Clk (hand drawn seal)

Page 39

Know all men by these presence that
James H Jones of the County of Lincoln
and State of Tennessee Administrator of the
estate of Rebeca Benson dead  widow
of Levin Benson who was a pensioner
of the United States at the rate Eighty
dollars a year do by these presence
constitute and appoint Smith & John
of Nashville Tennessee my true
& lawful attorney in fact for me &
in my name as  said administrator
to prosecute and recover from
the United States the amount of pension
that was due  and coming to the said
Rebecca Benson at the time of her
death and which since her death
descend to her heirs hereby ratify.

my and conferring all that
my said allows me do in
the premises  witness my hand
this 6th day of December 1851

J. H. Jones
Administrator of 
Rebecca Benson ET