Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2081, Benjamin Cochran, N.C.

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(3-1776)                                                                                                                                                   NUMBER

SERVICE                                                                  Cochran, Benjamin                                          R 2081


N.C.                                                                           Hannah


CONTENTS

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Declaration of Hannah Cochran.  In order to obtian the benefit

of the Act of Congress of the July 1838 entitled "An Act granting half

pay and pensions to certian widows.


State of South Carolina
                                                 SS
Abbeville District

On this twenty seventy day of October one thousand

eight hundred and forty five personally appears before Davis Lesly

Judge of the Court of Ordinary for for the District and State aofresaid 

Hannah Cochran aged eighty four 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 7 1838 entitled " an Act granting half pay and pension to certain

widows." --- That she is the widow of Benjamin Cochran who was

a private entitled soldier in the Revolutionary War on the side of

Liberty in the service of the United Sates from the first breaking

out of hostitiles until after his intermarriagewith applicant

Hannah Cochra, wh in the Declaration narrates her Husbands

services previous to his marrage as she has often hear him speak

of them.  She say the her husband Benjamin Cochran was twenty

years old than herselfl and in the middle age of life when he first

entered the service of the United Sates as a Volunteer Militia soldier, of the

North Carolina Militia in Mecklenburg County North Carolina under

a Capt White or Capt Shelby she dos not recollec the name of the Colonel

that her husband was marched to SOuth Carolina, and was in the

Batltles of Stono in South Carolina, hear her husband speak also

of voluneering with others under Capt White to intercept some

wagons loaded with powder destined for the British service, and

of having destroyed the powder by firing it in which service

her husband for a conspicuous part, and for which his life and

others with him including Capt White were sought for by the British

and Tories, and for safety sough refuge in the State of Georgia and

was absent one year when Capt White and her husband returned

to their homes in Mecklenburg County North Carolina, where the

powder was destroyed, these services were done and performed  

                                                                                                                               by

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by her husband previous to his marriage with the applicant ---


The applicant Hannah Cochran states that from her own

personal knowledge her husband after his marriage to her was a

volunteer in the North Carolina Militia for Mecklenburg County

to oppose the British in crossing the Catawba River in North Carolina

and was in the battle at the River when Genl Davison was killed

she does not recollect under what officer her husband volunteered

at this period when Genl Davidson was killed she recollects that her

husband was but a short time out in this service not more than

a week --- that subsequently her husband was drafted

for thru results service in the United States, under a Capt McNulty

Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and in the North Carolina Milita

that her husband was marched South Carolina, where a Colonel

Watson and a large body of Tories were ? on the Pedee River

who were completely routed and dispersed by Capt McNulty and other

American forces, she the applicant cannot state anyting fur-

ther in relation to her husband services in the War of the Revolution

but is induced to believe that her husband must have done active

service from the commencement of the War of the Revolution

until his marriage with or to the applicant, and after his

marriage as already stated, the tour of duty of three months

last mentined was in the year 1781 and after this, latter

service her husband was again called to do service.  She

the said Hannah Cochran further declares that she was married 

to the said Benjamin Cochran in the month of a November in the

year seventeen hundred and eightly that her husband the aforesaid

Benjamin Cochran died in the month of March on the said eight

hundred and nineteen, that that she was married to him prior to his

leaving the service, and that the marriage took place prior

to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at

the time above stated.  THat she has no record of her marrage, or

of her birth, neither has she hany reason or any documentary evidenec

of her husband services in the War of the Revolution, and can only

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only Judge from the character of the war waged in the North as well as South

Carolina that her husband must have been in continuous service against

the British and their dreded allies the Tories, she further states that 

she has remained a widow since the deth fo her husband Benjamin Cochran

and desires to be admitted to the benefit of this or well as subsequent acts

of Congress papers for the relief of the widow of Revolutionary Soldiers

and further says in Carolina , that from her advanced age and defect of

memory, she is not able to specify partifulary the many trial, incidents

and period, of her husband service against the British and Tories, as he

often narrated them, of one thing (?)  however she is certian that her husband

was a true Whig and friend of his country in her struggle for Liberty and Ind-

dependence and that there is not Fraud in this application directly

or indireclty --- That there is no person living but her brother John Newell

that she knows of who could corrobrate the statements made in

this declaration and referes to his subjoined affidavit in and 

of this application for relief or and indigent old widow of a faithful

soldier.


Sworn to and subscribed on the day

and year above written in Open Court

Before 

David Lesby                                       Hannah Cochran
                                                                 (Her X Mark)
Judge of the Court of

Ordinary 

A. D.


Subjonined Affidavit of John Newell

The State of South Carolina
                                                            SS
Abbeville District


I John Newell do solemnly swear on the Holy Evan-

gelist of Almighty God, that I have seen, and read the foregoing Doc-

ments she has made, as I often heard her husband Benjamin Cochran

speak of his services in the Revolution War, and I am of Opnion that

I heard him speak of being at the Seige of Savannah and at Camden but will

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will not state these latter places with  certainity, heard the said Benja-

min Cochran speak also of being at some place or engagement

where he had to he close to avoid the evening shot and heard him

speak of other incidents of his service but which the deponent does 

not distinctly recollect.  I know personally that Benjamin Cochran

was in the skirmish or battle, when Genl Davidson was killed, and

that he was subsequently called into service, to serve three months under

a Capt McNulty of the North Carolina Militia, and I am perfectly satisfied

that Benjamin Cochran must have served fully twelve months in the

service of the United States in the Revolutionary War as a private

militia soldier.  I further swar that my sister Hannah Cochra was

married to Benjamin Cochran in the months of November seventeen hun-

dred and eighty, altho I was not present at the  marriage I am fully im-

posed of the fact, and the accuracy of the dte from two circumstances

first that my father was very much approved, to my sister Hannah

marrying Benjamin Cochran who was so much older that his daughter

a differeance of twenty years in their ages, and the result was a runaway

watch, and I was compelled by my father to accompany him in search

of the runway couple who were married before we found them, and secondly

from the fact that another couple relatives of the family, were married

at the same time my sister Hannah & Benj Cochran were married

the fact of the two couple standing up on the same floor to be

married was publicly known, and of the spoken of by both friends and

relatives.  I have therefore a personal knowledge of the fact, that they

the said Hannah cochran & Benjamin Cochran were married and that

they lived together as husband & wife from November 1780 until his death

in the month of March 1819 that they had ten children born in North 

Carolina from where they removed to South Carolina Abbeville Distrct

in the year 1804 where the family or survivors of the them still reside.  I 

further swear, that I can confidently ? there is no ? direct

by or indirectly in the application of Hannah Cochran for a pension

and believe that twelve months service or allowancec of Benjamin

Cochran Revolutionary service, in the militia of the United States 

                                                                                                                          would

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only Judge from the character of the waged in North or well as South

Carolina that her husband, mus have been in the continous service against

the British and their more dredad allies the Tories, she further states that

she has remained a widow since the death of her husabnd Benjamin Cochran

and desires to be admitted to the the benefit of the or well as all subsequent Acts

of Congress papers for the relief of the widows of Revolutionary soldiers

and further says in conclusion, that for her advanced age and defect of

memory, she is not able to specify particularly the many trial incidents

and period of her husband service against the British and Tories, as he

often narracted them of one thing, howerver she is certain that her husband

was a true Whig and friend of his country in her struggle for Liberty and In-

dependence and that there is no fraud in this application directly

or indirectly.  That here is no person living but her brother John Newell

that she knows of who could corroborate the statements made in

this her declaration and refers to his subjoined affidavit in and

of this application for relief or an indigent old widow of a faithful

soldier.


Sworn to and subscribed on the day

and year above written in Open Court


Before                                          Hannah Cochran

David Lesly                                 (Her X Mark)     

Judge of the Court of 

Ordinary

A.D.


Subjoined Affidavit of John Newell

The State of South Carolina
                                                            SS
Abbeville District


I John Newell do solemnly swear on the Holy Evan-

gelists of Almighty God that I have seen, and read the forefoing De-

claration of my sisiter Hannah Cochran and fully confirm the state-

ments she has made, as I often hear her husband Benjamin Cochran

speak of his services in the Revolutionary war, and I am of Opinion that

I heard him speak of being at the Seige of Savannah, and at  Camden but

                                                                                                                             - will

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would be just reasonable and satisfactory.  I further sear that I know

of us Reocord or Document of any kind that would aid in the investigation 

of the applicaton of Hannah COchran the widow of aforeaid

Sworn to and subscribed the twenty seventh day of October in the year of

our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five.

Before


Jno F Livingston                                                       John Newell
Clerk Court Common Pleas
Abbeville District

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In the application of 

Hannah Cochran for

a pension under the act

of 1838. ---

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The State of South Carolina
                                                            SS
Abbeville District


Personally came and appeared before David Lesly

Ordinary and Ex Officio Magistrate for the District and State

aforesaid Samuel W Cochran who being duly sworn on the Holy

Evangelist of Almight God deposes and says that he is the fourth

child of Hannah Cochran and Benjamin Cochran that from the in -

formation of his said parent, he made many years ago a Regis-

try of his age in his own Bible and that according to the said

Registry he the deponent was Born on the twenty secon day of Sep-

tember one thousand seven hundred and eighty six.  That the Record

which his father Benjamin Cochran had of the ages of his family

was destroyed, and is not in ? and that there is no

Registry in existence known to the deponent relative to

the marriage of his father & mother, or the aforesaid Hannah Cochran

& Benjamin Cohran.---

Sworn to before me this 17th                   S W Cochran

day of January 1846 &

certified under my name &

seal of  Office.


David Lesly

Ordr

of Off. Magt

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The State of South Carolina
                                                            SS
Abbeville District


Personally came and appeared before David Lesly Ordi-

nary and Ex Officio Magistrate for the District and State aforesaid

John Newell who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty

God deposes and says, tht he is a brother of Hannah Cochran an ap-

plicant for a pension.  That he he deponent was married on the 

secound day of January one thousand seven hundred and ninety

four and that his sister Hannah Cochran was married to Benj-

amin Cochran long previous to that date as they had five

living children at the date of the marriage of deponent, that

deponent knew Benjamin Cochran previous to his marriage

with Hannah the deponent sister and subsequently to the 

death of Benjamin Cochran that he Cochran ever had but 

the one wife, and that at the dayor date of his marriage

with his sister, the deponant  is under the impression, that

it was not ? to obtain a license.  The deponant says

he had to obtian a license when he was married, and the

Deponent is also of the imppression that there is not in existence

any Record of the marriage of Hannah Cochran and the said

Benjamin Cochran


Sworn to before me this 17th 

day of January 1846 & cer-                              John Newell

ifed under my name

and seal of Office


David Lesly

Ordr Ex Off

May 1.

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Raliegh N C

                                                                                                                                             Comp Offices





Sir:


Your letter has been duly received

and its contents complyied with

and the certificate enclosed is the results 

of the investigation  desired.  I am unable n

to say what amt is required to be ?

six months service, if is more than

likely the officer (or officers  under when 

Cochran  served drew pay at times for 

their whole companies ) in money if so

the ? of the privates would not be 

upon these records,  which consist mostly

in certificates payaments, as you have

stated in the certificate sent you.  These

Books to about 30 and were when I 

found them in a most confused state

and not  alphabettice, there being no

law requires me to make the exam-

ination of these records.  I was provided

upon by those who were ? in

the evidience they afforded to ?

thru my own expenses and trouble

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which I have done at great loss of time

and expense and now rely  upon the

? which I have established as my

compensation to reimburse me.  My fee

in this case is five dollars which

you will please enclose, it is

what others pay me and those knowing

to the labour performance and exp-

ense incurred say it ? --

these Books referred to contain ?

1000 to 4000 ? which required to be

alphabetized or a search  would 

have been almost endless.

Very respectfully,

Your obt sert


Wm F Collins

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5

Thos. Piercey Spierin Esqr.

Abbeville C H

S. C.

Page 14

State of North Carolina

Mecklenburg County

I Braby Oates Clerk of the Court

of Plea and Quarter Session held for the County & State

aforesaid do hereby certify that diligent search has

been made for the marriage Bond of Benjamin Cochran

to Hannah Newell among the files of records in my office

and that no such bond or license can be found


In testimony where of I have herewith set

my name and affixed my seal of Office

at Charlotte the 15 day of January

A.D. 1846

                                                  B Oates C. C. C.



State of N. Carolina

Mecklenburg County


I William Davidson  One of then ?

of the pensions and for said county and ? of the

County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, do hereby  ?

that Braby Oates who signed the above certificate is now

and was at the times be signed the same clerk of our said Court

& due faith & ? is desc & ? to be given to his affiant at

?  Given under my hand & ? (? ? ?

and public seal to my offices    January 15. A.D. 1846

                                                                Wm Davidson C.C.C.

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Hannah Cochrna
an applicant for pension


Thomas  P Spierin
Abbeville
South Carolina

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No 12300

Hannah Cochran

SC

Wd to Thos P Spierin

Dcd  In  115

to same Aprl 14

67 A. ?  Apl 15.46


Act 7 July 1838





(Black Ink Stamp)

2081

P.O.

Hannah Cochran

Service:  Wid. of Benj.


Enlisted:                                    , 18

Discharged:                              , 18


Applicaton filed:                    , 18

Alleges:

Re-enlisted:


Attorney:

P.O.

Page 17

(Black Ink Stamp)
ABBEVILLE
S.C.
NOV 
1


Hon J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Dis Columbia


12300
-------------
Nov. 6 1848


30



Hannah Cochran

July 7 1838

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So Ca Abbeville Courthouse

                                                                                                                                           1st Nov 1845


Hon'ble J L Edwards

Sir

Enclosed in the claim of Mrs. Hannah

Cochran who requests, that you would inform her, thru me at

as early a period as practicable, the result of it fate, she and

her family which are numerous, are individuals of respectability

& living contiguous to this place and I know the old lady

to be a person of credibility and veracity.

                                                  Yours Very Respectfully,


                                                   Thos. P. Spierin

P.S. I have attached all the papers with a ribbion and impressed them with

my private seal exhibity the initals of my name.  T. P. S. ----

Page 19

Jan 26 1846

? by case

Agness Ashley

Hannah Cochran

& 

Martha Houston



2/2                        30

J. L. Edwards

Commissioner of Pensions

Washington City

Dis Columbia

Page 20

So Ca Abbeville Dist


Hon J L Edwards                                                                                                          19th Janyy 1846


Enclosed are additional evidence in

the thru several application of Martha Houston

Hannah Cochran and Agness Ashley, I can

safely say there is no higher evidence in ?

relative to the marriage ot hese old ?, as

have made every ascertion to ascertain the fact

of marriage particulary in each case, and 

I can as safely assert that they  bonafide

and meritorious claims for in sincerity  I declare

were thru, the least fraud discovered by me in them

I would make it known to the Department

I be pleased to communicate to me as early as

practicable.

                                             Yours Very Respectfully,

 
                                              Thos P. Spierin


P. S.  In relation the name of Agess Ashley who

is commonly called "Ann"  I refer you to the Hon.

James A Black of the H. R. in Congress who was raided

a near neighbor to this old lady, and who is personally

acquainted with the individuals who have certified

as to the old lady's name.

                                           Yours Very Respectfully,


                                            Thos P Spierin

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12310

Mrs. Hannah Cochran's

Claim for a Pension

Widow of Benjamin

Act of July 1838


R Nov. 6. 1845


2081

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The State of South Carolina

Abbeville District


In the Court of Ordinary

I David Lesly Judge of the Court of Ordinary do

hereby certify that Hannah Cochran widow of Benjamin Cochran

decd personally appeared before me and made oaths, on the Holy

Evangelists of Almighty God that her Declaration, contains a true

statement of her husband srevices, as there set forth, to the best 

of her knowldge and belief, and I further certify that Hannah

Cochran the widow, is and old lady of credibility and veracity, and

that John Newell her brother who made the subjoned affidavit

before me is an old man of like credibility and veracity, they are

any near nieghbors, and I have had a personal knowledge and

acquaintance with them for more than thirty years and they have

always sustained a good character in their immediate neighbor-

hood, and in society generally. and I have no hestiation, in saying

there is no fraud in this application for the Widows Relief  and

recommended it, as a just and meritorious claim to the consideration

of the Pension Department.


Given under my hand and seal of Office

at Abbeville Courthouse they hereby twenty seventh

day of October in the year of

our Lord one thousand eight hundred

and fortyfive and in the sevenieth year

of the Independence of the United States

of America.


David Lesly

Judge of the Court Ordinary

A.D.

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Raleigh N C
                                                                     Comptrollers Office


I William F Collins Comptroller of Public

Account, in and for the State of both Carolina

do hereby certify that the name of Benjamin

Cochran appears of Record in the Office

is having had a ? certificate issued

in his name for Military Service for

Six Pence Fifteen shillings (L 6.15) by will

appear in Book E No 2 Page 14 the name

of B Cochran apppears also in Book No 24

page 43 an havind had two certificates

issued for three Pounds each making (L 6)

given under my hand and seal this 

8th day January A. D. 1826.

                              William F Collins  Compl


      6.15
      6.
-----------
L 12.15 = $31.87 = 4.25