Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7242, Benjamin Farmer, Va

Page 1

Service Farmer, Benjamin Number W.7242
Ermine

Page 2

2001
Virginia Richmond
Ermine Farmer
widow of Benjamin Farmer
Va
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private

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

Certificate of Pension issued the 
12 day of Sept.1848
and sent to 
J.B.Bradford
Charlotte, C.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act 
February 2, 1848, Page 151 Vol. 3

Page 3

1853 Sept 28
[illegible] to Air, N. Hardy
Reps

Page 4

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Con=
gress of the 4th of July, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows - "
State of Virginia: Lunenburg County to  :
On this 13 day of February, 1939, personally ap=
peared before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid Ermine Farmer
a resident of said county and state, aged 75 years,
who being first duly sworn according to law, doth
on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the 
Act of Congress, passed July 7th 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to Certain Wi=
dows -"
That she is the Widow of Benjamin Farmer
late of the County of Lunenburg, State of Virginia, 
who was a Private in the Virginia Militia, in the 
war of the Revolution_ she declares, that she has 
no personal knowledge whatever of the services of
her late husband in the Revolutionary war, with 
the exception of what he related himself, and
what she ascertained from others whom she be=
lieved to have been in service with him_ she
has repeatedly heard him speak of his services,
and give an account of the battles in which he was
engaged and the many hardships he underwent
whilst in the service of his country_ She recollects al=
so, of his stating, that at the battle of Guilford he was severely wounded, by a musket ball, which passed
through his breast, the effect of which he felt to
the close of his life_ But of late, from bodily in=

Page 5

firmity, old age, and the consequent loss of memory
she cannot call to recollection the particulars of his ser=
vice, officers under whom he served, and the Regiment to which he belonged, and therefore refer to the accom=
panying certificates of old soldiers who served with him
for more particular information on the subject_ she
farther declares, that for the same reason, she cannot
state precisely, how long he was in actual service
altogether, for he served several tours of duty, but
would suppose that he was in service altogether 
twelve months, for which length of time she claims a
Pension_ she begs [illegible] farther to state, that her 
husband departed this life long before the passage 
of the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832, and, therefore,
never enjoyed the benefit of its provisions, or that
of any pension law_ In support of her claim, so 
far as it regards service of her husband, and length
of service, she refers to the Army Records of the pe=
riod, and the accompanying certificates of old sol=
diers; all of which, she prays may be considered as
part of her declaration_
She farther declares that she was married to
the said Benjamin Farmer on the 15th day of February
1782; that her husband, the aforesaid Benjamin
Farmer, died on the 24th day of June, 1829; that
she was not married to him prior to his lieving the
service, but the marriage took place previouss to
the first day of January, seventeen hundred and 
ninty four: to , at the time above stated_
Ermin her mark Farmer
sworn to and [illegible] before me this 13th day of February, 
1839- Ths. H Staples J P.

Page 6

Virginia: Lunenburg County to [illegible]:
I do hereby certify, that I am well acquaint
td with Ermine Farmer, the Widow of Benja= 
min Farmer deceased, late of Lunenburg and
know the fact from personal knowledge that she
is very old and infirm, and that she labours
under bodily infirmity of such a [illegible]
that she cannot attend the county court of Lunenburg to make the foregoing declaration_ I for=
ther certify, that she is a credible person and her statement [illegible] to full confidence_given
under [illegible] houd this 13th day of February 1839-
Ths. H Staples JP

Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
I do hereby certify, that according to my
best recollection Benjamin Farmer late of 
Lunenburg, departed this life either in the year
1828 or 1829_ It was one or the other_ that 
he left his widow Ermine Farmer who is still
alive, resident in the county of Lunenburg, and 
that she has remained a widow since the death of said Benjamin Farmer_
William Harding
sworn to and subscribed before me_ I for this 
certify that he is a credible person, and his
statement entitled to full confidence_ given 
under my houd this 13th day of February, 1839_ 
Ths. H. Staples JP

Page 7

Virginia Lunenburg County (to wit)
at a Court held the 8th day of April 1839 on
motion the declaration of Ermine Farmer of Lunenburg County Virginia with accompanying documents and
evidence, for a pension under the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 was presented in open Court and the whole
papers read & fully explained to the entire satisfaction of the Court ordered that said declaration with accompanying papers be certified to the war department
Copy Teste
W H Taylor
Virginia Lunenburg County to wit
I William H Taylor Clerk of the County
Court of Lunenburg do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the records of my office and I further certify that Thomas H Staples is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County and that his signatures hereto annexed purporting to be his are genuine Given under my hand & the seal of the office hereto annexed this 8th day of April 1839
Wm H Taylor
5384
Declaration of Ermine Farmer for a Pension under act July 7th 1838
Married 1782
Died 1829
Allowed 12mo for $40
his own Capt Walker
Va Militia
Wm J B Bedford
Charlotte CH
Va

Page 8

County and that his signatures hereto annexed purporting to be his are genuine Given under my hand & the seal of the office hereto annexed this 8th day of April 1839
Wm H Taylor
5384
Declaration of Ermine Farmer for a Pension under act July 7th 1838
Married 1782
Died 1829
Allowed 12mo for $40
his own Capt Walker
Va Militia
Wm J B Bedford
Charlotte CH
Va

Page 9

State of Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:

I Unity Crenshaw of Lunenburg County, do hereby certify that I was intimately acquainted with Benjamin Farmer and Ermine Herring who married said Benjamin Farmer, all of us living in 
the same county and near neighbors during the Revolutionary War. I recollect that some three 
or four months after the siege of Yorktown, the said Benjamin Farmer was married to said Ermine Herring in Pittsylvania County, and shortly afterwards settled in Lunenburg, and lived as man and wife until the death of said Benjamin - 

shortly before the marriage, the Father of 
Ermine Herring moved from Lunenburg to Pittsylvania County, which occasioned the marriage in the latter county - According to 
my best recollection, they moved in January 
or February of 1782 - 

I further certify that said Benjamin Farmer marched from Lunenburg under Capt Winer to the South and as I understood was severely wounded at the battle of Stono ferry - which wound I have frequently seen.

Said Ermine Farmer is still alive, and the widow of Said Benjamin Farmer  -
Unity Crenshaw [her mark] X

Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
This day Unity Crenshaw came before me a Justice  of the peace in and for the county and state aforesaid, and made oath that the above certificate subscribed before me, contained the truth to the best of her knowledge and recollection. I further certify that she is worthy, credible and respectable old Lady, and that her statement

Page 10

ments are entitled to the fullest confidence
Given under my hand this 25th day of April
1839-
Stephen Pettus
Virginia Lunenburg County (to wit)
I William H Taylor Clerk of the Court of Lunenburg County  that Stephen Petter is a magistrate
as above, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his "genuine"
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name this 30th day of April 1839
Wm H Taylor

Page 11

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 7242
Ermine Farmer
Wid.
Benjn Farmer
Priv Rev. War
Act: Feby, 2 [illegible]8
Index:--Vol A, Page 226
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 12

Note: See letter of Wm H. Taylor Clerk of Lunenburg
dated January 8th 1839, and filed with the papers of Mary
Moore in the pension office, in reference to the marriage of
Benjamin Farmer & wife, and others

Page 13

3497.
Virginia, Richmond
Ermine Farmer
widow of Benjamin Farmer
who was a Private
in the Revolution
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
8 day of Dec. 1843
and sent to Wm. J. B. Bedford
Charlotte C.H. Va
[Act of March 3, 1843.}
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1.
Page 148.

Page 14

Regd
Letter J.W. Pegram 19th, April 844

Page 15

Virginia 3759
Ermine Farmer
widow of Benjamin Farmer dec.
who was a pensioner under the Act of
---
and who died on the --- 1829
of Lunenburg in the State of Virginia
who was a private in the Co commanded
by Captain Walker of the
commanded
by
in the Virga. militia
line for 12 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond
at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of Augt
1839, & sent and to Wm J. B. Bedford Charlotte HC Va
Arrears to the 4th of March 1839 $120.00
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Sep 39 20.00
===
$140.00
===
{Act July 7 1838.}
Recorded by DM Curdy, Clerk,
Book A. VOl 2. Page 178.

Page 16

Paid at the Treasury under the
act of the 6 April 1838, from
4 Sept 1839 to 4 March 1840. agt
Notified 8th July 1841.

Page 17

Virginia Lunenburg County to wit:
I do hereby certify, that I was acquainted with
Benjamin Farmer late of Lunenburg County in the
War of the Revolution, and recollect distincly [distinctly] that in 1779, he was a soldier in the Virginia Troops, and engaged in this battle of Stone in the south, where he was severely wounded. I do not recollect the officer under whom he served but think it was Capt Winer, nor the length of time he was drafted, but know the fact, that I was drafted on that occasion six months, and firmly believe that said Benjamin Farmer was drafted for the same period, served it faith=fully [faithfully]. The distance the troops had to march, oc=casioned [occasioned] the time of service to be longer - I am in the 77th year of my age, and was soldier in the Revolution, and now a pensioner of the United States_
Peter his X mark Hudson
Virginia Lunenburg County To wit:
This day Peter Hudson of Lunenburg came
before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, and made oath that the fore=going [foregoing] certificate subscribed by him in my presence contained the truth to the best of his knowledge and recollection_  I further certify, that he is a
credible person and his statement entitled to full confidence_ Given under my hand this 13th day of February 1839_
Thos H Staples J P.

Page 18

Virginia Lunenburg County (to wit)
William H. Taylor Clerk of the Court of
Lunenburg County, certify that Thomas H Staples is a Magistrate
as within stated, and that the signation thereto purporting to be his is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed
my seal of office, and subscribed my name this 8
day of April 1839
W H Taylor Clerk of the County Court of Lunenburg

Page 19

admitted
Wm. J. B. Bedford
Charlotte C. H.
Va

Page 20

State of Virginia
Charlotte Ct: House
August 1st 1848-
Sir, 
I enclose you the Declaration
of Mrs Ermine Farmer for a Pension under the
act of Feby 2d 1848_
You will please forward the
Certificate of Pension to me, when issued_
I am, Sir, very respectfully
your Obt. Servt [illegible]
Wm J. B. Bedford
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commr of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

Page 21

State of Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
I Seth Farley of Charlotte, do hereby certify,
that was intimately acquainted with Benjamin
Farmer, late of Lunenburg County in the war of
the Revolution; and know the fact, being with
him at the time, that said Benjamin Farmer
was drafted in the militia for the term of three
months under Capt Walker from Lunenburg,
and marched to North Carolina and was at
the battle of Guilford, where he was severely
wounded by a musket ball passing through
his body. He served the said term, faithfully
I further certify, that he served another tour
under Capt Winer of six months in the south, and was at the battle of Stones - I am in 81st year of my age, and was a soldier of the Revolution_
Seth Farley

Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
This day Seth Farley of Charlotte personally
appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, and made oath that the above certificate subscribed by him in my presence, contained the truth to the best of his knowledge and recollection_ I further certify
that he is a credible, worthy and respectable
citizen, and his statement entitled to full confi=dence [confidence]_ Given under my hand this 4th day of February, 1839_
Ro. Morton J.P.

Page 22

Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
I Ambrose Haley of Charlotte do hereby certify
that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Far=mer [Farmer] late of Lunenburg County in the war of the Revolution, being with him in the service, and recollect, that in 1780, he was drafted for the term of three months in the militia from Sunenburg under Capt Walker, and marched to North Caroli=na [Carolina], and was engaged in the battle near Cowden
when Gates was defeated_ He served the said
term faithfully, and was honorably discharged_
I further certify that said Benjamin Farmer
was drafted in the year 1781, the second time,
for the term of three months, in the militia from the same county under Capt Walker, and marched to North Carolina, and was engaged in the battle at Guilford_ At the battle of Guilford, he was severely wounded by a musket ball in the briest [breast]
which like to have occasioned his death_ He ser=ved [served] the said term faithfully, and was honorably discharged from service_ I am in the 80th year of my age, and was a soldier in the Revolution_
Ambrose Haley
Virginia. Charlotte County to wit:
This day Ambrose Haley came before me a Jus=tice [Justice] of the peace in and for the County and State a=foresaid [aforesaid], and made oath to the above certificate in
due form_ I further certify, that he is a credible
person, and his statement entitled to full confidence_
Given under my hand this 5th day of February
1839_
Giles Harris J.P.

Page 23

Virginia Charlotte County to wit:
I William A Smith deputy Clerk of the County of 
Charlotte aforesaid do certify that Robert Morton and Giles Harris are acting Justices of the peace in and for the said County and
that their signatures annexed purporting to be theirs are genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of the office of the County aforesaid this 3rd day of April 1839.
William A. Smith D.C .

Page 24

State of Virginia
Charlotte Ct: House
August 30th 1843
Sir,
you will find enclosed the
Declaration of Mrs Ermine Farmer the widow
of Benjamin Farmer, deceased, who claims a
Pension under the act of March 3d 1843_
The certificate when issued, you will
please enclose to me as her agent and at=torney [attorney]_
I am very respectfully
your Obt Sert [illegible]
Wm J. B. Bedford
J.L. Edwards esqr
Commr. of Pensions

Page 25

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office
June 24th 1841.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Ermine Farmer_ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va Agency, at the rate of Forty - Dollars and _ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th July 1838 been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1839 to the 4th March 1840_
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Page 26

Richmond Va 12 Apl 44
John E. Wadsworth
with pension Certificate of
Ermine Farmer to be
corrected &c.
Recd 15 Apl 44
ansd same day
Corrected & returned 19 April 1844
Before referring to the Comp of Pensions [illegible] the [illegible] so informed 3d Auditors office April 15th 1844 
Mr. Brown

Page 27

[round stamp]
Richmond Apr 12

Peter Hagner Esqr
& Auditors -
Washington City
D.C.

Page 28

Richmond April 12th 1844
Peter Hagner Esqr
S. Auditor Washington City

D. Sir
I am informed that the christian name of the widow Farmer is written in the enclosed certificate is incorrect_ the former certificate & pension claim in hold, the christian name is Ermine in the in [illegible] Eunice_ please  correct the error and return the same to me and you oblidger [obligor]
Yours & C
John E Wadsworth

Page 29

Benj Farmer d 1829
Ermine M '82
'80 3 mo. Walker
'79 6" Winer
'81
---
=12

Page 30

State of Virginia
Charlotte Ct. House
May 8th 1839-

Sir,
I enclose you the Declaration with accompanying evidence, of "Ermine Farmer" of Lunenburg County, who claims a pension un=der [under] the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838_ As the agent of Mrs Farmer, your letters on the subject, will be strictly attended to_
I am, Sir, very respectfully
Your obt. sert. tc
Wm J.B. Bedford

J. L. Edwards esq
Commisioner of Pensions
War Department_

Page 31

Pitts. Coho Va
Mar 18
12 1/2
William J. B. Bedford Esqr
Charlotte Courthouse Va

Page 32

Pitts. Clerks office 15 Mch '39
Dr. Sir
In Compliance with your request I have examined for the marriage register of Benjamin Farmer to Ermine Herring as well as the marriage band but can find neither._ 
Respectfully your obd svt
W H Tunstall

Page 33

3500
Declaration of Ermine Farmer for a Pension under Act of March 3d 1843_
$40

Wm. J. B. Bedford
Charlotte C.H.
Va.

Page 34

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of
congress of the 3d of March, 1843, granting Pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7th 1838_
State of Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
On this 5th day of August
1843, personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid Ermine Farmer, widow of Benjamin Far=mer [Farmer], deceased, who was a soldier in the Militia service of Virginia in the war of
the Revolution. She states, that under the
act of Congress of the 7th July 1838, she was
allowed a Pension for 5 years, at the rate
of Forty dollars per annum, commencing the
4th of March, 1836, all of which she duly
acknowledges the receipt of_ that on the
last draft, she surrendered the original Pen=
sion [Pension] certificate, which she presumes is on file in the Pension office_ She further de=
clares [declares], that she is still a widow_ Her
claim is for one year additional pay, under
act of March 3d 1843- she is aged Eighty or
thereabouts-- and a resident of Lunenburg
County, Virginia_
Ermine her X mark Farmer
Sworn to and subscribed this 5th day of August 1843, before me_
Jno T. Street JP.

Page 35

State of Virginia Lunenburg County to wit:
This day Ermine Farmer (the widow
of Benjamin Farmer, deceased) with whom I
am personally acquainted, came before me,
a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, and made oath in due form of Law to the foregoing Declaration. I farther certify, that she is a lady of good character and the identical person who was allowed Pension under the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838. and her statement entitled
to full confidence_ and that she still
remains a widow_ I farther certify, that she
is too old and infirm to attend the County
Court of Lunenburg to make the foregoing
Declaration_ Given under my hand this
5th day of August 1843
Jno. T. Street J.P.
State of Virginia Lunenburg County (to wit)
I William H Taylor Clerk of the County court of
Lunenburg in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that John T Street, Esq. whose name is subscribed to the affidavit, is a magistrate
of the said County duly commissioned and quallified [qualified], that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have subscribed
my name, and annexed the seal of the
said Court this 26 day of August 1843
W. H. Taylor

Page 36

Declaration of
Ermine Farmer
for a Pension
under act Feby 2d 1848_

Page 37

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of
Congress of 2d February, 1848, entitled "An act ma=king [making] further provision for surviving widows and
soldiers of the Revolution_"
State of Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
On this 18th day of July, 1848, personally
appeared before me, Thomas H. Staples, a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State afore=said [aforesaid], Ermine Farmer a resident of said County
and State, aged 86 years, who being first duly
sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the be=nefits [benefits] of the provision made by the act of con=gress [congress] passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensi=ons [pensions] to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war_ that she is the widow of Benjamin Farmer deceased, who was a private in the Revolutionary Army; and that she is the iden=tical [identical] Ermine Farmer who has been drowing [drawing] a Pension under the several Acts of Congress of the
7th July, 1838, March 3d 1843, and June 17th 1844, at the rate of Forty dollars per annum_ That she refers to her Declaration with accompanying papers under act of July 7th 1838, for particulars of her husbands services in the Army of the Revo=lution [Revolution], which are now on file in the Pension of=fice [office]That she has not intermarried, but continues to be the widow of said Benjamin Farmer; that she now resides in the County of Lunenburg and State of Virginia and has resided there for the
space of 68 years past; and that previous thereto she resided in Pittsylvania County, and State of Virginia
Ermine her X mark Farmer
Sworn to and subscribed this 18th day of July, 1848, be=fore [before] me
Thos H Staples LP.

Page 38

I certify that the within named affiant
is personally known to me, and that she is the same person who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing declaration-
Thos H Staples JP
Lunenburg County To wit:
I Thomas W Winn Clerk of the County aforesaid
do hereby certify that Thomas H Staples, whose hand
is affixed to the foregoing Declaration, is a magistrate
of the County of Lunenburg State of Virginia and
that due faith and credit ought to be paid to all his
act and deeds as such,
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and and caused the
seal of my office to be hereunto affixed.
this 24th [smudged] day of July in the year 1848
and of the Commonwealth the 73
Thomas W Winn Clerk of
Lunenburg County