Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 12763, Benoni Colvin, R.I.

Page 1

Service: Rhode Island

Colvin, Benoni

Colvin, Elizabeth

Number: W. 12763

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21198

Rhode Island

Benoni Colvin of Providence in the State of Rhode Island who was a [illegible] in the Company commanded by Captain Knight of the [illegible] commanded by Col. Waterman on the Rhode Island line for [illegible] Corporal 17th Sergeant.

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 88 dollars 67 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of August 1833 and [illegible].

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $167.34 semi-annual allowance ending [illegible]. $221.67

Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832

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Rhode Island 3277

Elizabeth Colvin, widow of Benoni Colvin, deceased, who died on the 13th of September 1839, of Providence County in the State of Rhode Island who was a corporal sergeant in the company commanded by Colonel Waterman in the Rhode Island line for 1 month. Corporal 17th Sergeant.

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 88 dollars 67 cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of September 1839.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of April 1840 and sent to Jonah Titus, [illegible] South Scituate, R.I.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1840

$42.82 + $44.33 = $87.15

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District of Rhode Island
County of Providence

On this 17 day of September AD 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the District Court of the United States, [illegible] in Providence in and for the Rhode Island District, it [illegible] Special Court New Jersey --

Benoni Colvin, a resident of Scituate in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, aged 76 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832. 

That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officer, and Served as [illegible]. I was born in said Scituate, on the 18th day of November AD 1755 and have a record of my age at home in my family bible. I was living in said Scituate when called into service and have lived in the same town and house ever since. 

In May 1775 I enlisted for eight months into Captain Jeremiah Olney's Company, to go to Boston, and the day that said Company moved from Scituate where I enlisted, to Providence, the said Olney sent me to get his horse in the pasture, and as I was in the act of catching said horse, he sprang from me with such violence that he put my right

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shoulder out of joint, so that I was disabled from going in said Company; my shoulder continued [illegible] so long, that I never was called upon to join said Company. [illegible] I was [illegible] to great pain [illegible] of time I expressed by means of said [illegible] necessary in the Service of my country. This company moved on to Boston and joined Col. [illegible]'s Regiment, or I supposed. 

On the [illegible] in the fall of 1776 I [illegible] with the other troops, beat out [illegible], having a [illegible] on fire which was [illegible] down before [illegible] Hopkins advised me to go back and [illegible] out said [illegible], which I did, then joined my company which had that day arrived at Norwich and [illegible] in [illegible]. [illegible] the residence of a month, being three weeks, relieved us said Norwich, under Capt. Nathan [illegible], our Militia, took turns by [illegible] in guarding the shores of the Massachusetts Bay from this time, till the British left Newport in the Fall or winter of 1779. I cannot say exactly how much I served in that time, but went whenever called for. I was two or three times under Capt. Nathan [illegible] Norwich I served under him [illegible]. [illegible] at [illegible] in the [illegible] the time when the British were in Newport [illegible] cannot tell the exact months. I served on monthly [illegible] under Capt. Samuel Miller

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[illegible] of Norwich, and I think that I served thrice monthly [illegible] of duty [illegible] said Norwich under Capt. Jonathan Knight [illegible] some of the [illegible] Daniel [illegible] and some of the [illegible] at Joseph and Thomas [illegible] I at what was called the Warner House.

I served upon Draft 20 days in [illegible]'s expedition in the first division of militia under said Jonathan Knight. 

At what [illegible] the French [illegible], in 1780 I [illegible] out and went to Bristol, there I was one of seven soldiers from our company who were marched over Bristol Ferry, and then to Newport and [illegible] near [illegible] Hill forte, under Colonel [illegible], we then drew some lots from the [illegible] of troops, and when a month was about out, marched back to Bristol and were dismissed. I have some remembrances of some times of duty which were for fifteen days, and [illegible] I [illegible] some such [illegible], but cannot say how the [illegible], but I always went in my [illegible] on the [illegible]. 

I remember that John Waterman was our Col. a [illegible] said Norwich-- also I remember [illegible] Col. Stephen Kimball and [illegible] Ezekiel Cornell was there in [illegible] when I was there. The [illegible] was done on [illegible] except the [illegible] when I was [illegible].

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I never needed any written discharge and have no document[illegible] [illegible] of my Service. Such depositions of living witnesses as I have been able to procure are [illegible]. 

David Relph, Eliazar Relph, Owen Battey, [illegible] and John Kent are my neighbours, and can testify as to my character or veracity, and their belief of my service as a soldier of the revolution. 

The lucky neighbour every claim what ever to a [illegible] or [illegible] except the [illegible] and [illegible] that his name is not on the [illegible] roll of the agency of any State. - Benoni Colvin

Sworn to and I [illegible] the day and year afore I did. [illegible]

We Richard Knight a clergyman residing in [illegible] and Isaac Field residing in Scituate hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benoni Colvin who has [illegible] and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 76 years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neigh-

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bourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion-- and he is a man of truth and [illegible]. 
Richard Knight
Isaac Field
I [illegible], and I [illegible] the day and year [illegible].

[illegible signature]

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4954

Elizabeth Colvin
R.J.
Act. 4. July 36

m 76 of 3g-

[illegible]

188.67

Died 13 Sept. '39
[illegible]: com. 14 Sept. '39

Jonah Titus Esquire
South Scituate
RI

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State of Rhode Island
County of Providence

On this sixth day of January 1840, personally [illegible] before me, John Brayton, one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County and State aforesaid, Elizabeth Colvin, a resident of Scituate in the county of Providence and State aforesaid, aged 82 years who, being 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 resolution of Congress passed July 7, 1838. 

That she is the widow of Benoni Colvin, late of said Scituate, deceased who served in the Rhode Island Militia during the revolutionary war, in the different capacities of private, Corporal and Sergeant, and who was a pensioner of the United States at the time of his decease, receiving therefrom, the yearly sum of Eighty eight Dollars and Sixty-seven Cents; and for a more particular account of the services of the said Benoni she refers to the declaration and [illegible] in his [illegible] for a pension under the act. of June 1832. 

She further discloses that she was married to the said Benoni Colvin on the ninth day of May 1776 by Jeremiah Angell a Justice of the Peace and by his origin at certificate hereto annexed will [illegible] appear which she disclosed in [illegible], and that it has been in her posession from said Marriage; that her husband, the aforesaid Benoni Colvin died on the thirteenth day of September Eighteen hundred and thirty nine; that he performed in said war after then said marriage took place served monthly terms of service, that he then resided in [illegible] Scituate; and that since said Benoni's license she has not been married, but continues the widow of said Benoni. 

Elizabeth Colvin
[illegible] and subscribed before me the said Justice on the day and year above written. I also certify that [illegible] Elizabeth Colvin is a credible person whose stateliness is entitled to credit. I also certify that in the [illegible] of said Justice the said Benoni

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Colvin at the time of his decease was a pensioner of the United States and that said Elizabeth is his widow and has not been married since his decease and further that the said Benoni and Elizabeth were lawfully married on this 9th day of May Seventeen Hundred and Seventy-Six as she has stated in her declaration. I also further certify that it appears to said Justice that said Elizabeth by reason of age and bodily infirmity is unable to go about for the purpose of attending Court to make this declaration. 
John Brayton, Justice of the Court of [illegible]

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I Moses Colvin of Scituate in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 63 years do say on oath that I am the son of Benoni Colvin late of said Scituate deceased, that said Benoni died on the thirteenth day of September 1839, that Elizabeth Colvin is his widow, and is also my mother, that has not intermarried with any one since the decease of said Benoni; I also say that I have, during the lifetime of my said father heard my said Mother say that she had a certificate of her marriage in her possession; my father was a pensioner at the time of his decease [illegible], I believe eight eight dollars sixty seven cents [illegible] year, having been a soldier of the revolution of which I have often heard him speak. 
Moses Colvin

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
On the Sixth day of January 1840 Personally came before the [illegible] of the Justices of Court of Common Pleas in the aforesaid County of Providence Moses Colvin abovenamed and being first duly sworn according to law made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed. I further certify that said Moses Colvin is a credible person with whom I am acquainted and that he is entitled to full credit as a [illegible]. 
John Brayton, Justice [illegible]

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State of Rhode Island and county Providence
I, John M Smith Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Providence, in said State, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that John Brayton Esquire before whom the two afore[illegible] affidavits were [illegible], is one of the Justices of our said Court of Common Pleas; that he is by law duly [illegible] and qualified to [illegible] oaths and take depositions; and that his two aforewritten signatures are genuine. 
In [illegible] whereof [illegible] to let my hand and affix the seal of our said Court at Providence this ninth day of January 1840. 
John M. Smith Clerk

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Colvin, Benoni
(R.I.)
W-12763

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I hereby certify that Benoni Colvin son of Moses Colvin of Scituate [illegible] and Elizabeth Potter, daughter of John Potter of said Scituate, both of the county of Providence, [illegible] was Lawfully joyned together in marriage the 7 day of May 1776. 
before me the Subscriber Jeremiah Angell Justice [illegible]

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[illegible]
Benoni Colvin Providence County Rhode Island

[illegible] 1 Mark
[illegible] 17/18 
5-16 [illegible]

3.67
60.00
25.00
-----
88.67

B Cowell Providence Rhode Island

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War Department, Pension Office. 183

Sir: 
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the [illegible] notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 

A Statement, showing the Service of Benoni Colvin Providence County Rhode Island

[an attempt at transcribing the table]

Period when the service was rendered: Estimated 1776 May to 1779 
-
-
-
Vol. 1780

Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days.
- - 27
{Can't say how long he served}
- / -
- 3 -
- - 20
- / -

Rank of the claimant. 
[illegible]
[illegible]
private
private
private
private

Name and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Capt. Olney
Capt. Relph. 
Capt. [illegible]
Capt. Knight
Capt. Knight

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. 
Cornell
Col. Kimball
-
-
Col. Waterman
Col. Potter

Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
-
-
-
-
-
-

Country through which he marched. 
to Boston to Providence 
Norwich
at Norwich
at Norwich
Sullivan 
[illegible]At Bristol

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. 
76 years
Providence Cty. 
R. Island

Evidence by which the declaration is supported. 
[illegible]

[end of table]

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.

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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted: 
This law has been construed to extend as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops,""militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commiassaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. 
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 
1. The Regular Troops. 
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 
3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 
4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. 

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of _____
County of _____
On this ___ day of ___ personally appeared (a) before __________ A.B. a resident (b) of ____ in the county of ____ and State, Territory or District of ____ aged (e) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)____, with ____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers: 
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service, (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered[sic] the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I _____ of the Court of ______ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of ______ for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of ____ &c.

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing with the following additions,  viz:

(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. ____ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal _____ of office, this ____ day of ____ &c. 

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State of Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[underline]
[a} The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: - For __ year __ months, and __ days, I served as a __. For __ months and __ days, I served as a __; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italicized] about three or four months, [end italics] is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions [illegible] state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape of narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service. 
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers, and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
]m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department with the declaration.

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In reply to your request of ______, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Benoni Colvin, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
W. 12763 [illegible]
[transcription of table]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
[crossed out] May 1776 [crossed out]
Between December 1776
and
March 1780

LENGTH OF SERVICE. 
1 mo. 
1 yr. 5 mos. 

RANK.
Corporal
Sergeant

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.  |  COLONEL.
[crossed out] Jeremiah Olney [crossed out]
Nathan Ralle  |  John Waterman
Samuel Wilbor  |  Stephen Kimball
Jonathan Knight  |  John Potter

STATE.
R.I. 
[margin note: See R.I. book.]
[end table]

Battles engaged in, /
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Scituate, Providence County R.I.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 17, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Scituate, R.I.
Age at date of application, born Nov 18 1755 at Scituate, R.I.

Remarks: Benoni Colvin, son of Moses Colvin of Scituate deceased and Elizabeth Potter daughter of John Potter of Scituate were married May 9, 1776. Soldier died Sept. 13, 1839 and his widow Elizabeth was allowed pension on her application executed January 6, 1840 while 82 years of age and a resident of Scituate, R.I. Son Moses at 63 years in 1840 only child referred to. 

Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Page 21

1918 July 5. Hist. to Mrs. Arthur Bray letter in S. 2104 Jason Bushnell. [illegible].

[illegible] WIDOW, &c.
File No. 12.763
Elizabeth Colvin
Widow of
Benoni Colvin
Sergt. Rev. War

Act: July 4" 1836
Index:-- Vol. A, Page 147

[Arrangement of 1870.]

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Benoni Colvin R.I. 88.67$ [illegible] 7 June when cash to? [illegible]
27 March 40
 [illegible]13th Sept. 1839 [illegible] that  [illegible] JH

Page 23

J. L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

Page 24

South Scituate R.I. June 15 1840
J L Edwards comm of Pensions
Enclosed are the papers of Elizabeth Colvin, widow of Benoni Colvin for a consideration of his pension to her, under the new [illegible] of Congress passed July 7. 1838; I shall expect a speedy reply, by which you will oblige [illegible] Jonah Titus.

J.L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

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[illegible]4
Benoni Colvin
[illegible]

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I Eleazar Collins of Scituate in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, aged 73 years, duly [illegible] according to law do testify [illegible]; that I am well acquainted with Benoni Colvin of said Scituate, am [illegible] for a [illegible]-- I was knowing to this  [illegible]one  his shoulder out [illegible]and joint in catching [illegible] Jeremiah Olney horse, in the [illegible] of the revolutionary war -- I am [illegible] to his being one of the soldiers whose temper of duty had [illegible] time, when I went down to Norwich to [illegible] for a month; I never heard any fault [illegible] with said Colvin for neglect of duty, and know him to be as honest a man as lives, but I cannot remember of seeing him much in the war, the most I can say is I always believed he took his leave in the drafts in guarding the shores, and heard considerable said about his shoulder, being [illegible], and it seemed to me I heard of its getting out of  [illegible] once or twice after he first hurt it. I now before being asked remember of said Colvin's in the first division in [illegible] he [illegible] with Theodore [illegible]. 

Eleazer Collins

Sept 17 1832
Sworn to in open court
[illegible]

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Benoni Colvin
/8877

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I Thomas Relph of Scituate in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, aged 72 years, and being duly [illegible] according to law do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Benoni Colvin of said Scituate, an applicant [illegible] a [illegible] out the [illegible] of the general alarm in the Fall of 1776, after I got to Norwich I remember of seeing said Colvin, he joined our Company then and served with us the [illegible] weeks [illegible]. I do well remember of said Colvin's being  with me [illegible] [illegible] or three monthly [illegible] in Norwich [illegible]. The first time we were stationed at this Norwich house, Benjamin [illegible] and [illegible].
We were stationed together one month at the [illegible]-- He served in the first division with me in [illegible]'s expedition in August 1778, and I was with him in the [illegible] once at Bristol in [illegible] of a [illegible]. he went from there or [illegible] but I do not know where he went-- I have every reason to believe and do believe that he [illegible] his [illegible] in the R.I. Militia during the war, and for the three years that the British were in Newport-- the [illegible] was considerable, but I cannot say how much he would make of the time. Thomas Relph.

I further [illegible], that said Colvin served as Sergeant [illegible] all the above times. Thomas Relph.

Sept 17 1832 Sworn in open Court B Cowell Clk.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Richard Knight, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Cranston and that Isaac Field, Eleazar Collins and Thomas Relph who have certified and testified for the [illegible] they state and credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, BENJAMIN COWELL, Clerk of said District Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benoni Colvin for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 22nd day of November 1832. 
Benjamin Cowell Clk

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On this first day of July AD 1833 Benoni Colvin maketh further oath as to his services during the War of the Revolution to obtain a pension. Said Benoni says that by reason of old age being now in the 78th year of age and of consequence infirmity he cannot exactly say or swear positively as to the precise length of time but according to his best recollection he served our [illegible] and six months between December 1776 and March 1780 during all this time he was Sergeant except the first tour of duty of one month when he was Corporal. He performed all his services in the Companies and Regiments stated in his former declaration made Sept 17 1832 in Court and they were all performed in the State of Rhode Island and principally in guarding the shore of Massachusetts Bay. The "general alarm" mentioned in his first declaration was when the British took [illegible] this [illegible] December 6th, 1776.

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as he now [illegible]. From [illegible] they left it in the Spring of 1780. He [illegible] constantly on the alert. Sometimes all the Militia were called out and always not less than half. 
This applicant says and is positive that from December 1776 to December 1777 he served not less than six months. - 6
From December 1777 to December 1778 he served not less than six months - 6
From December 1778 to Dec 1779 six mo - 6
18-
He served not less than eighteen months during the war of the Revolution for which he claims a pension. He has no documentary evidence of his services, nor is it in his [illegible] to bring living [illegible] to prove all his services. Although a part has already been proven of by Eleazer Collins and Thomas Relph, and he has also produced the certificate of a clergyman and [illegible] respectable [illegible] to certify in his behalf. 
Benoni Colvin
July 1 1833. Sworn to before me Benja Cowell
[illegible] District Court R.I. Dist