Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 39297, Benjamin Chesney, Continental (Va.)

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(3-1776) 
Service: Continental (Va.), Chesney or Chesnut Benjamin 
Number: S 39297. BLWT. 598-100

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5479, Virginia. L 

Benjamin Chesney, private-Lee’s Legion-Va 1779- 4 years 
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War. 

Subscribed on the roll of Virginia, 
At the rate of 8 dollars per month to commence on the 27th of July, 1818 

Certificate of Pension issued the 21st of January 1819 and send to Hon.: W. Pindall of Va., House of Rep.: V, J 

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818-1 5/31, & 6/30 USD	 		 		 	$10.35 
Semi-anl. All’ce ending 4 Mar: 1819,	 			 	$48 
	 		 		 	$58.35	 

{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818} 
Monongalia Co. 
Not entitled 

Ratification sent to Thos. P. Ray Esq. 28 July 1820, Morgantown, Va

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Ratification sent to Thos. P. Ray Esq. 28 July 1820, Morgantown, Va

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W. 598 
Benjamin Chesney, alias, Chesnut 
Dragoons, Lee’s Legion 
Warrant issued the 20th Nov. 1812 and delivered to the Grantee the same day

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Virginia: Monongalia County court [illegible] 
At a court held in and for the county of Monongalia on ^Monday the 27th day of July in the year of our Lord 1818, personally appeared Benjamin Chesney aged fifty seven years resident of said county who being duly sworn on the holy Evangelist of Almighty God doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of a late act of Congress entitled “An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War”. 
That he, the said Benjamin Chesney, enlisted as a soldier for during the war under Captain Rudolph in Col. Lee’s Legion at the head of Elk, Cecil county, state of Maryland in March 1775, that he endured with the Legion under Col. Lee during the whole time of the war- was in the battle of Brandywine- Stony Point- Paulus Hook- Guilford Courthouse & Eutaw Springs in which last battle he was wounded by a shot through the leg. 
That after the peace with Great Britain, he, with part of Lee’s Legion, was transported by sea from Charleston in South Carolina to the head of Elk in Maryland and there discharged. That his officers had not good money sufficient to buy paper on which to give the soldiers their discharges. That in all he served more than six years in the regular forces of the United States. That he is now much disabled, so as to prevent him from gaining a subsistence lay his labour and that he has not an Estate Sufficient to support him without labor, and that he stands in absolute need of the aid of his country for support”. 
And this court doth certify that it appears to their satisfaction that the said Benjamin Chesney did serve in the revolutionary war, as is stated in the preceeding declaration against the common enemy for the term of six years on the Continental Establishment and that he is unable to support himself and stands in absolute need of the assistance of his country for support and now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before them to the secretary for the department of war pensions to the directions of the said act of Congress.

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Benjm. Chesney 
Capt. Rudolph’s or Lee’s Legion 
Correct 
Admitted 
Benjamin Chesney’s Declaration (Old soldier)

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Virginia Monongalia county; 
I, Nimrod Evans Clerk of the county court of Monongalia do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the proceedings of the said county court on the foregoing case. In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand and seal (there being no seal of present to my said office) at Morgantown in the county aforesaid the 30th day of October AD 1818 in the 43rd year of the Commonwealth. 
N. Evans
Mong. Cty ct. Off.

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Benjn.Chesney, Monongalia County in 21 Jan: 1819 
Not entitled 

8.5479 

Notification sent 25 July 1820 to that Tho. P. Ray, Morgantown, Va

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Virginia, 
At a County court held in and for the County of Monongalia, at the courthouse of the said county on Monday the 26th of June in the year 1820 and 44th year of the Commonwealth, personally appeared in open court [being a court of record which proceeds according to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, and keeping a record of its proceedings] Benjamin Chesney aged about fifty nine years, a resident of said county, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows that he enlisted as a private soldier for during the war, into Capt. Rudolph’s company in Col. Lee’s Legion at the head of Elk., Cecil County, Maryland, about the month of March 1775, that he was with the legion under Col. Lee during the whole time of the war, was in the battle of Brandywine, Stoney Point, Paulus Hook, Guilford courthouse, and Eutaw Springs, in which last engagement he was wounded by a shot through the leg, that after the peace with Great Britain he with part of Lee’s Legion, was transported by sea from Charleston, South Carolina, to the head of Elk in Maryland, and there dismissed that his officers had not good money sufficient to purchase paper on which to give the soldiers their discharges, that in all he served more than six years in the regular service of the United States, that he yet remains much disabled in his right arm, so that frequently he is not able to lift it to his head, that he feels the salience of his youthful days, and hopes that his county will not forget, “that one good turn deserves another”, that he made a declaration, to obtain the provision of the act of Congress of 18th of March 1818 before the aforesaid court on the 27th of July 1818 and obtained a certificate from the Secretary of War dated on the…

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21st day of January 1819 and numbered 5479 
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any other manner disposed of my property or any part thereof, with intent thereby as to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of congress, entitled “An act to provide for certain persons, engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War, passed on the 18th of March 1818, and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto and by me subscribed [illegible]. Fifty or sixty acres of land, in said county on Scotts Run, the land is hilly and difficult to cultivate, I was desirous to have a little home, and was enabled to pay for it by selling my Virginia military land warrant, one mare and colt, two cows, one heifer, two calves, one sow for pigs, a for poultry, one ax, and some little kitchen furniture. 
(signed) Benjn. Chesney 

That he has no trade, that his wife Margaret about seventy years of age, that he has no children residing with him, or that contribute to his support, that he had a claim upon the government for a horse, saddle, and bridle, much he gave up at the end of the war, also a final settlement certificate or ticket amounting to three hundred dollars, and a depreciation ticket or certificate for £/$50 which claims he never received any part of, but consider them relinquished when he obtained a pension as a Revolutionary soldier under the act of 18th of March 1818 
Sworn to and declared on the day and date aforesaid before the aforesaid County court of Monongalia.

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Virginia: 
I Nimrod Evans, Clerk of the County court of Monongalia, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the record of the paid court: and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court, that the total amount in value of the properly exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is three hundred eighty four dollars. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court at Morgan Town, the 6th of July A.D. 1820 and 45th year of the Commonwealth 
N. Evans, Clk of Cn. Cu. of Mong,

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Rev. and 1812 
Wars Section 
AWF/HMM 
September 10, 1929 
Mrs. Tusca Morris 517 Fairmont Avenue, Fairmont, West Virginia. 

Dear Madam: 
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary pension claim, S. 39297, it appears that Benjamin Chesney served as Benjamin Chesnut from 1777 as a Dragoon in Captains John Rudolph’s and O’Neill’s Companies, Colonel Henry Lee’s Partisan Legion of the Continental Army. He was engaged in the battles of Brandywine, Stony Point, Paulus Hook, Guilford Court House, and Eutaw Springs where he was wounded by a shot in the leg. 
He was discharged after peace was declared, having served six years. Date of discharge not stated. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 27, 1818, while living in Monongalia County, Virginia. 
In 1820 he stated that he was about fifty-nine years old, that his wife Margaret was about seventy years old, and that he had no children residing with him then. 
There are no further data on file as to his family and the dates and places of his birth and death are not on record.  
Very Truly Yours, E. W. Morgan, Acting Commissioner

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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section. 
September 17, 1925. 
Honorable Frank L. Bowman, 
House of Representatives. 

My dear Mr. Bowman: 
I have the honor to advise you, in response to letter relative to the Revolutionary War record of Benjamin Chesney, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 39297, it appears that Benjamin Chesney, served as Benjamin Chesnut, from 1777, as a Dragoon in Captains John Rudolph (‘P) and O’Neill’s Companies, Colonel Henry Lee’s Partisan Legion of the Continental Army. He was engaged in the battles of Brandywine, Stony Point, Paulus Hook, Guilford Courthouse, and Eutaw Springs where he was wounded by a shot in the leg. He was discharged after peace was declared, having served six years. Date charge not stated. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 27, 1818, while living in Monongalia Co., Virginia. 

Col. Lee. himself states this man served in 1777 & served during war. The legion was not in existence in Mar. 1777. 1779 was probably a reenlistment

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In 1820 he stated that he was about fifty-nine years old, that his wife Margaret was about seventy years old/and that he had no children residing with him then. There are no further data on file as to his family and the dates and places of his birth and death are not on record. 
Very truly yours, 
Winfield Scott, Commissioner

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Revolutionary War Records Section. 3-525 
Department of the Interior,  
Bureau of Pensions. 
Washington, D.C., 

In reply to your request of (blank), received (blank) for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Chesney (or Chesnut) ^ “served as'' 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. S.F.39297 

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment: 1777 
Length of Service: 6 years 
Rank: Dragoon 
& served during war 
Officers under whom service was rendered; 
Captain: John Rudolph, O’Neal 
Colonel: Henry Lee, Parkson Legion 
State: Continental Dragoons 
Battles engaged in, Brandywine, Stoney Point; Paulus Hook; Guilford, Eutaw Springs where he was wounded in leg. 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enlisted at Head of Elk, Cecil Co., Md. 
Date of application for pension, July 27, 1818, His claim was allowed. 
Residence at date of application, Monongalia Co., Va. 
Age at date of application, 57 years. 
Remarks: In 1820 soldier referred to his wife Margaret 70 years of age. [illegible]. No children then residing with him. [illegible]. 
Respectfully, 
Commissioner 

1775 not used as Col. Lee testifies that soldier enlisted in 1777.

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Paid up to 4th March 1819,	 
Sept, 1819 
Act 1828					 
Settled at Treasury with invalid file  
 #39.297 

“Payable semi-annually–the first payment on this certificate will be made on the 4th of March next, at the Branch Bank U.S. Richmond, Virginia. 
Benj. Chesney

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1090 
No. of [illegible] payment 729 
Revolutionary Claims 
Treasury Department, 30 Sept 1828 

Benjamin Chesney of (blank) in the County of Monongalia in the State of Virginia has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled “An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution,” approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a Private in captain (blank)’s company, in Col. Lee’s Legion; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May 1828, on the pension list of United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing. 
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office. 
By order of the Secretary, F.A. Dickins

Treasury Department, 
Third Auditor’s office, 4th October 1828 
It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to Benjamin Chesnut in Lee’s Legion. It further appears that Benjamin Chesnut is now on the pension of any agency, and has been so since 3. March 1826. 
J. Thompson, Chief Clk 

Ace Virginia Book- page 104

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For the purchase of obtaining the benefit of “an act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution”. Approved on the 15th day of May 1828, I Benjamin Chesney of Monongalia County in the state of Virginia, do hereby declare that I enlisted in the continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war and continued in its services under its termination, at which period I was a private soldier in Captain O’Neale’s company, formerly commanded by Captain John Rudolph of Lee’s Legion, and I also declare that I was entitled to a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars under a resolution of Congress passed the 15th day of May 1778. And I further declare that I was not, on the 15th day of March 1826, on the pension list of the United States. 
September 15, 1828 
His Benjamin Chesney 

Virginia Monongalia County to [illegible]: 
Before me, Jacob Kieger, a justice of the house in and for the county of Monongalia and state of Virginia, duly empowered to administer oaths in said county and state, personally appeared Michael Schisler and William G. Henry of the said county and state and did severally make oath that Benjamin Chesney, by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been a private soldier of the Revolution as above stated. 
Witness my hand this 15th day of September 1828, 
~ Jacob Kieger

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Virginia, 
I Thomas P. Ray, clerk of the court of a Monongalia County in the state of Virginia, do hereby certify that Jacob Kiger esq.: before whom the foregoing affidavit appears to have been made, and whose signature appears in testimony thereof, was at that time and in yet, one of the acting Justices of the peace, in and for said county, and duty empowered to administer oaths. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said count. At Morgan Town the 10th of September in the year 1828 and 53rd year of the Commonwealth. 
-Thomas P. Ray

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War Department 

Revolutionary claim 

I certify that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818, Benjamin Chesney, late a private in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Virginia Agency, at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on the twenty seventh day of July, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen. 

Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and nineteen. 

J. C. Calhoun, Secretary of War.

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I certify that it appears by the register of masters of Lee’s Legion that Benjamin Chesnut enlisted 14th February 1779 for the War. 

Dept. of War.

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I wish you would [illegible]. I [illegible], 
-W. Eustis		 

Gent. H. Lee’s Certificate in the claim of Benja. Chesney for U.S. Milit. Bounty land. 

B. Chesney

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Gent. H. Lee’s Certificate in the claim of Benja. Chesney for U.S. Milit. Bounty land.

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To certify that Benjamin Chesnut enlisted in the partisan legion under my command in the year 1777 & served as a dragoon during the war with modesty. 
-& was under my hand in Alexandria this 2nd day of November 1812.
Henry Lee 
Lt. Com: P Legion in the Revolutionary War 

The name of Benjamin Chesney, alias, Chesnut, is not borne on the Register of Lee’s Legion, of the Virginia Line, nor in [illegible] settlement. Neither is it inscribed on the Return for United States Bounty Land, deposited in the archives of the state of Virginia: of course, it is deemed that he did not serve until the close of the War.

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Fairmont, W. Va., 
June 8. 1929 

Pension Office, 
Washington D.C. 

Dear Sirs, Can anyone secure the record of Benjamin Chesney or (Chestney) Revolutionary soldier in South and came from Rockingham Co. Va. and settled on Justin Run, branch of Scotts Run, and lived and died there “The foregoing statement was copied from a History of Monongalia County, West Virginia. Please give the name of…”

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Benjamin Chesney’s children, if possible, will appreciate this information as a D.A.R member establishing another line. 

Thanking you sincerely, 
Mrs. Tusca Morris. (Harriet B. Chesney) 
517 Fairmont Ave., Fairmont, 
W. Va 
P.S. The history noted also stated what Benj. Chesney drew a pension.

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Y. W.C. A. Anney, 
Nashville, Tenn., 
July 4th, 1916. 

Mr. & M. Saltzgaber: 
Dear Sir: 
Please give me the pension record of Benjamin Chesney, who, in 1840, was a Revolutionary pensioner residing in Monongalia Co., Va., or W. Virginia. 
Also, please give me the military services of Archibald Roberts (or archie) Roberts. His descendants call him “archie”, which it is possible was his full name, though that may have been only the abbreviation of Archibald. He lived in Va., or Ky. Oblige by an early reply. 	Respectfully, 
Miss Harriet Talbot

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Frank L. Bowman 
2D Dist. West Virginia 
R. L. JeffrerysSecretary	 
Congress of the United States 
House of Representatives 
Washington, D.C. 
August 3, 1925 
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Bureau of Pensions, 
Department of the Interior. 

My dear sir, 
I wish you would look up the record of former pensioner, Benjamin Chesney, and forward the following information: 
The name of his wife; when they were married; her maiden name, if given; and the date of his death; also the branch of the service he was in and when he was discharged. 
This information is necessary to determine the standing of a person seeking to join the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. 
Mr. Chesney was a soldier living in Monongalia County, Virginia, (now West Virginia) receiving pension under the Act of Congress of March 18th, 1818, for military service rendered during the Revolutionary War. He was still drawing a pensions in 1840, at the age of eighty years. 
Yours very truly, 
(Name) 
Stamp: Pension L Aug. 4, 1925, US Office.

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19297 
[illegible] INVALID 
File No. 
 19297 
Benjamin Chesney 
[Illegible two lines] 
Act: 18th March 18th 
Index:--	Vol. 8, 	Page 88 
[Arrangement of 1870]

1914 Sept. 26. History to 
Mrs. J R. Rich Hellen in 
38020. [illegible]
1916 July 18 Hist. to Harriet Talbot 
1929- Sept. 10- Hist. to Mrs. 
Jusca Maria Amy

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From: 76 cases 
W Pindall 
18th November  
Benjam. Chesney 
Barbour, Va

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Washington City, Nov. 17th 1818 

“Sir, 

I enclose a number of papers, to procure pensions for several persons, and will trouble you to enclose the certificates of pensions to me, at the House of Representatives 

With great respect, your obdt servt 

Jas Pindall

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Certificate from Wm. Simmons Esq. accountant of the War Department relative to the enlistment of Benjamin Chesney

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Acco: Office 

Nov. 20th. 1812