Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16836, John Benham, Conn.

Page 1

Conn.     Benham, John     W.16836.
                              Elizabeth

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New York 2731
-
Elizabeth Benham
of John Benham
who died on the 8th November 1804
of Dutchess in the State of N. York
who was a [illegible] in the Compy commanded
by Captain Bradley of the Regt commanded
by ------- in the cont
line for 18 mos 26 days      Conn.

Inscribed on the Roll of N. York
the rate of 80 Dollars 90 Cents per annum,
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.


Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of July
39. and sent to Wm Stover
New Haven Ct

Arrears to the 4th of Mar. $642.70
Semi-annual allowance ending 40.45
$682.05
Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the
Recorded by R Burdine
Cook A Vol. 2 Page 103

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Mrs Elizabeth Benham,
Amenia, Dutches County N. York
under the Act of July 4th 1836.
William Stover, New Haven
agent
V4153

-
New York
act 4 July 36
open court
Says that her husband
was the man on roll
[illegible]
50.00 12 mo [illegible]
4.50 6:26 on Corp duty
80.90
No deduction
Wm Stover
New Haven Con
[illegible]
[illegible]

Page 4

From the records of the 2d [illegible] of Milford,  New Haven County, state of Connecticut -

Married John Benham of West haven & Elizh Welch Milford May eighteenth seventeen hundred eighty -

G' Asa M. Train, Pastor of the 2d ch. h. of Milford, New Haven County state of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the record of the marriage of John Benham of West Haven & Elizh Welch formerly of Milford [illegible] residing in Armenia, Dutchess County, state of New York, - with th. exception of the oath, which is expressed on th record in [illegible] legible figures as follows May 18th 1780 - Mary eighteenth seventeen hundred eighty -

G' Asa M. Train above named depon & say that I hold te office of Pastor of the 2d ch h of Milford, New Haven County state of Connecticut, & that th records of said ch. h. with the [illegible] above named as certified by me

Asa M. Train
Pastor of th 2d ch. h. Milford
New Haven County
State of Connecticut

State of Connecticut
New Haven County } ss Milford, November 19th 1838
In this 19th day of November 1838 personally appeared the above named Asa M. Train and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him [illegible] before me.
Abijah Corrington Justice of the Peace

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SS. 
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, 
NEW-HAVEN COUNTY:
COUNTY COURT CLERK'S OFFICE.
I, ROBINSON S. HINMAN [crossed out] J Beach [handwritten], Clerk of the County Court, within and for said County, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, and of the Commissions of Justices of Peace, within and for said County, hereby certify that Abijah Carrington [handwritten]
Esq. is a JUSTICE OF PEACE within and for the said County, duly appointed Commissioner and sworn, with power to administer oaths and take the acknowledgment of Deeds: that his Commission is dated the 28th [handwritten] day of May [handwritten] A. D. 1838 and will expire on the twentieth day of June, A.D. 1839. That I am acquainted with his hand writing, and that the signature hereto annexed, purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court, this 18th day of Dec. A.D. 1838 
J Beach Clerk.

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State of New York
County of Dutchess ss. on this sixth day of December 1838 personally appeared before the Honbl James Hooker suregate in and for said county.  Mrs. Elizabeth Benham, a resident of the town of Amenia, in the County of Dutchess and State of New York, aged 76 years. she being first duly sworn according to law, oath, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4th 1836; That she is the widow of John Benham, late of Amenia, in said county, and state, deceased: who, was a private and corporal of Artillery in the war of the revolution by tow enlistments, the full term of one year, six months,, and twenty six days, as she revily believes, 
 His first enlistment was in a company of Artillery, Commanded by Captain Phineas Bradley.  Stationed at New Haven, in the State of Connecticut, in which company he served as a private twelve months, from the twelvth day of March 1779, until the Eleventh day of March 1780, Her Husband, the aforesaid John Benham again Enlisted, into said Captain Phineas Bradleys company of Artillery, stationed at New Haven aforesaid, on the fifth day of June 1780 and served as a Corporal, untill the first day of January 1781. a period of six months and twenty six days. -  Thus making the whole time which her late Husband, the aforesaid John Benham, [illegible] served in Captains Bradleys Artillery in the years 1779 and 1780, to be one year, as a private: and six months and twenty six days, as a corporal, which, as she believes, will more fully appear, by  [illegible] to said Captain Bradleys pay rolls, for those two years, which rolls, she is reliably informed and verily believes, are in possession of the War Department, in the pension office, and to which, she would beg learn respectfully to order the Department as she has no documentary evidence, in   
her possession, to support her claim. she further declares, that
she was married to the said John Benham, at Milford in the County
of New Haven and State of Connecticut on the Eighteenth day of May
Seventeen hundred and Eighty. That her husband, the aforesaid John
Benham, died at Amenia, in the County of Dutchess, and State of
New York, on the 8th day of November 1804 and that she has remained
his widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear
by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before
the
James Hooker [illegible]                  Elizabeth Benham X her mark
of Dutchess County
New York

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State of New York
Dutchess County & Surrogates office
Poughkeepsie Dec 6 1838
I James Hooker Surrogate of the County
of Dutchess in the State of New York do
certify that satisfactory evidence has been
adduced to me to prove that Elizabeth
Benham of the town of Amenia in said
County, is the widow of John Benham late
of said Amenia deceased who was a private
and a corporal of Artillery of the
of the revolution of the United States
Given under my hand and seal
of office, this 6th day of December 1838
James Hook
Surrogate of Dutchess County
New York

Page 8

State of New york
Dutchess, County

I David Benham of the town of Washington in the county of Dutches, and state of New York, now aged Seventy two years, depose and say that John Benham, late of Amenia, [illegible], was my Elder Brother, that I was present at the residence of my Brother, in the town of Amenia, in the county of Dutches, and State of New York, at the time of my said Brothers [illegible], that he died on the 8th day of November in the year 1804leaving his wife Elizabeth Benham, a widow, who is now living in Amenia aforesaid.  She has not married since the death of my Brother, but now remains the widow of the above names John Benham deceased.  Subscribed and sworn to on this sixth day of December 1838 before me.
                                          David Benham
James Hooker Surrogate
of Dutches County
New York

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[This form is filled out but the hand writing is too faint to read]


in reply to your request of ________________, received ______________________
for a statement of the military history of ______________
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained (his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF               LENGTH OF    RANK.    OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.      STATE.
ENLISTMENT OR      SERVICE.                              CAPTAIN.             COLONEL.
APPOINTMENT.

Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Date of application for pension
Residence at date of application,
Age at date of application,
Remarks:

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Rev   WIDOW &c
File No.  16,836
widow of
John Benham
Corpl Rev War
Act July 4, 1836
Index Vol a page 62
[arrangement of 1870]

1909 Sept 13 Hist to rev Harry B Angus
1911 Oct 4 Mrs. Edna B. Jackson
Nov 23,1911 "    "       "    "     no others
1917 Mch 16History to Harry D Pink

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N.Y. V
act4July'36
Sent to J M Niles
Jan 17,1839

Page 12

Thomas Painter, Deposition, in
support of Claim of Elizabeth
Benham to a pension

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STATE OF CONNECTICUT
NEW HAVEN COUNTY.                                SS.
COUNTY COURT CLERK'S OFFICE.

 I Jon Beach Clerk of the County Court, within and for said
County, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, and of the Commissions of Justices of Peace, within and for said County, hereby certify that
Samuel J. Hitchcock
Esq. is Judge of New Haven
County Court
within and for the said County, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, with power
to administer oaths and take the acknowledgment of Deeds; that his Commission is
dated the 31 day of May A. D. 1838 and will expire on the
twentieth day of June, A. D. 1839; that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and
that the signature hereto annexed, purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court, this
11th day of March A.D. 1839
Jon Beach Clerk

Page 14

I, Elijah Prindle of the Town & County of New Haven
and State of Connecticut Now aged Sixty seven do depose
and say that I lived in the parish of of West Haven
now Orange, then in the town of New Haven at the time
that John Benham & his wife Elizabeth lived their
and knew them both until his earth and was frequently
at his house whilst they lived in parish I also knew
them when they lived in Amenia Dutchess Co N York
I moved into the sd town of Amenia soon after and knew
them both whilst then untill the time of his death
and knew the circumstances of his death and do know
that she has lived a widow ever since as to his being
in the service, cannot state particulars for was but
About 8 years old at the time but do know that he
was the same John Benham for which his Widow
now is praying for a partice pension
Elijah Prindle

State of Connecticut
County of New Haven  New Haven February Twenty Sixth
one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine, then
and there personally appeared Elijah Prindle of
said town to me well known, and subscribed the
aforesaid deposition in my presence, and
made solemn oath to the truth of the same before
me. And I certify that the said Elijah Prindle
is a credible witness, and sustains a good character 
and reputation for truth and veracity

Samuel J. Hitchcock Judge
of New Haven County Court

The word "pension" was written
by me before signature & the preceding
and in last line erased by me -
S J Hitchcock Judge

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I Thomas Printer of the Parish of Westhaven Town of Orange in
Dutchess County being Seventy nine years of age do depose testify and say
that I was well acquainted with John Benham we both being born in sd
town of Westover and I verily Believe he did considerable service in the
military company under the command of Capt Phineas Bradly a part of said
[illegible] being stationed in the Parish of Westhaven under the command
of Lieutenant Azel Kimberly in consequence of my being much of my time
absent from home Engaged in privateering Merchant Service & I cannot
Particularize but think I may safely say that under existing circumstances 
their can be no room to doubt but what this is the
Identical John Benham whose widow is now praying for a pension
I can further state that I know that the said John Benham Removed
with his wife and family into the Town of Amenia State of New York
number of years after the close of the Revolutionary war
the precise time I cannot now ascertain, where he died and left his
widow who as I believe still survives
and further the Deponant saith- at-
Thomas Painter

State of Connecticut
County of New Haven, New Haven February Twenty
sixth one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine
Then & there personally appeared Thomas Painter
the town of Orange to me well known and subscribed
the foregoing deposition in my presence and
made solemn oath to the truth of the same
fore me, and I certify that the said said
Painter is a credible witness, and sustains a good
character for truth and veracity

Samuel J. Hitchcock
Judge of New Haven County Court

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Mechanics Bank
New York Sept 25 1840
Sir,
I enclose for your examination the papers
in the case of Elizabeth Benham, a pension
under the act of 4 July 1836, at Eighty 90 /100 Dollars
per Annum who claims her pension from the 4th
September 1839
Very Respectfully
your Obt Srvt
S Knapp [illegible]
by Sylvester Spencer 
Chief Clerk Pension Office-

James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

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Free

Hon. J L. Edwards
Washington
Commissioner of Pensions

New Haven Ct Mar 26

Ct
[illegible] proof
Elizabeth Benham
Rhoda Pierpoint

12/108
450
6
___
27.00
3.90
___
30.90

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New Haven, 26 March 1839
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Sir
I had the honor to receive by
the hands of the Hon. J. M. Niles, your note to
him dated 15 Jany last in which it is stated
that the case of Rhoda Pierpoint, whose application
for a pension is on file in your office, was
liable to no other objection there that it is not asserted
in open Court. I have now enclosed the certificate 
of Judge Gibbs of New York, showing
the reasons why her declaration was not made in
open Court-- which I trust will be satisfactory to
the Department.
X
With regard to the case of Mrs. Elizabeth
Benham, your note to Mr Niles, dated
17 Jan. states that some evidence should be adduced 
to identify the late husband of Mrs. B
with the individual of his name on the rolls
I have now the honor to forward the depositions
of Thomas Painter Esq. and Mr. Elijah Prindle
, who were both acquainted with the deceased
Mr Benham, and whose testimony
I trust will be satisfactory to the Department
Should pension be granted to the above
applicants, I will thank you to forward the
certificates to me, as agent for the applicants.
I have the honor to be sir
Your Obt Servant,
William Stover

Page 19

Elizabeth Benham
Widow
John

2731

RECORD DIVISION
SEP 11 1909
WF 16836

Rev. Harry B. Angus
Peck Mem. Chapel
Wash D. C.

Page 20

[Nothing Here}

Page 21

EDNA
BARRETT
JACKSON
SOPRANO
Cedar Rapids Iowa
Sept 25 1911

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs
can you give me information
concerning the mentioned John
Benham as to company etc
in which he served? His
widow Elizabeth (Lizzie) Welsh
(or Welch) Benham received a
pension. An early reply

Page 22

will be greatly appreciated
Yours truly

Edna Barrett Jackson
1237 First Ave
Cedar Rapids Iowa

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Pink
U.S. Pension Office
Mar 6 1917

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240 Windsor Place
Brooklyn
March 3, 1917.
Revsec

Dept of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C

Gentlemen:

Will you kindly advise me if you have 
any record of the service of John Benham in
either the militia or Continental Army during the
Revolutionary War. He has the rank of
corporal and served either from New York or
Connecticut
Thanking you for any information
you can give me, I am
Truly yours
Harry D. Pink

Page 25

November 23, 1911
Mrs. Edna Barrett Jackson,
1237 First Avenue, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 17th and received the 20th instant, you are advised that John Benham, Wid. File No. 16,836, Rev. War, whose military history was furnished you under date of October 4, 1811, is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War pension records. 
If the soldier was from Stamford, Connecticut, the records of that town may afford the information you desire. 
Very respectfully, 
Commissioner.