Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,881, Benjamin Woodworth, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Woodworth Benjamin
S 11,881
Carded
CONTENTS
[Faint handwritten marks, possibly bleed-through from the reverse side]

206737 New York Benjamin Woodward of Madison, in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Champlin of the Regt. commanded by Col. Durkee in the New York line for Full term
★ Conn. Line. June 19/05 Records corrected.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Sep 1833 — and Nutt P. Morey Jr. Gazetted
Arrears to the 14th of Sep '33 $ 200 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sep 24 40 $240
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. C. Stiles Clerk, Book E Vol. 1 Page 10

In the matter of the Application of Benjamin Woodworth for a Pension
State of New York
Madison County, D
Joseph Woodworth of Herk County, State aforesaid being duly sworn, saith that he was a Soldier of the Revolution and was at Saratoga when Gen Burgoyne was taken, and that in the fall after Burgoyne's surrender when he went home to his father's the house of  Lebanon  Weybridge  County in East Haddam Connecticut his brother Benjamin Woodworth the applicant above named was gone from home and as he understood was a soldier in the army and this Deponent has no doubt but such matter pertains. Deponent also understood at that time and believes that the his brother the said Benjamin served in the Continental Line under Colonel
Dunkee; Deponent also understood and believes that his brother the said Benjamin was also out in the Militia once at

New London and one at Groton in the Service of the United States and further Deponent saith not  Subscribed & sworn before me this 14 th day of September 1832 Joseph Woodworth  and I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Joseph Woodworth who had sworn to the above affidavit that he is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit  Justin Dwinell Supreme Court Commr
State of New York } Madison County Clerk's Office } ss. I Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the said County do certify that Justin Dwinell before whom the preceding Affidavit pur- ports to have been sworn, was, at the date of the same, a Supreme Court Commissioner in and for the said County - And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature - Witness my hand and seal of Office this 22 d day of October 1832 - A S Sloan Clk

Apprentice of Benjamin Woodworth for a Term

Declaration
In Order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress Passed June 7 th 1832 State of New York Madison County } On this Eighth day of October A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Madison State aforesaid Benjamin Woodworth of the town of Fanner County of Madison and State aforesaid aged Seventy two years, who being first duly sworn doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. To wit entered the service Declarant enlisted in the Company of Capt Champlains of Colcheste r State of Connecticut sometime in 1777 early in the Spring or the latter part of Winter on the Continental Establishment & in the Connecticut line in Col Durkee Regiment - Marched first to Rhode Island was there in the Brigade of General Joseph Spencer - Staid on the Island a short time and then marched through Connecticut & New York to New Jersey and joined the army under Gen Washington at Morristown in New Jersey - Remained there a short time and then marched with the army or a part of it to White Plains in New York State - Doon after

we got to White Plains Declarant and a number more were detached from Col Burkee's Regt and put into  into a regiment of infantry under the command of Col Butler (a brother of the tory Butler who was engaged in the attack on Wyoming) Declarant's principal duty while under Col Butler was scouting and the party at one time took 500 Hessians prisoners
Sometime in the fall of the year the soldiers who had been taken from other regiments & put under Col Butler became discontented and restless because they were kept over the time for which they were planned under Col Butler because they did not receive their rations and clothing as was promised and a large number of them left unbeknown to the Col and went to the Main Army under Gen Parsons he thinks who permitted them to draw clothing and rations and then advised them to return which they did
After their return about fifty of them were tried and sentenced to receive one hundred lashes each which sentence was executed. Soon after this formed the Main army

and went into winter quarters at Valley Forge - and staid there till Declarants time was out
Declarant was three months in service at New London before his continental service in the militia
After his continental service he was at Groton in Connecticut in fort Griswold under Col Sedgwick three months - Capt's name was Latham

Declarant was born in the town of Lebanon Windham County State of Connecticut on the 1 st day of June 1760 as is shown by the Family record now in his possession
He was living in the same place when he entered the service of the United States
Moved from in New York State Windham County to New London and from there to Litchfield where he had lived thirty two years He voluntarily enlisted
He was regularly forward but can not say positively whether he had a written discharge or not
Gen Spencer Gen Washington Gen Parsons and some others were with the troops when he joined
Declarant has never applied before for a pension and he relinquishes all claims to a pension but the present
He has no evidence of his services unless it is on the files of the Department except what is herewith transmitted and knows of no other person whose testimony he can procure
He is known in his present place of residence to Arnold Babson David Baldwin Daniel Pratt David Hutchinson and Just Smith Esq of Peterboro Benjamin Woodworth sworn before me & subscribed to the day and year aforesaid A. Sloan Clk

We do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Woodworth who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy two years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion.  Given under our hands the day of Benjamin Woodworth and year aforesaid Daniel Pratt  A.S. Sloan Clk  Asa Dana
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigating the matter and after putting the interrogatories proposed by the War Department that the above named assessment was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and the court further certify that it appears to them that Daniel Pratt & Asa Dana who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the town of Dennis that they are credible persons and that the said statement is entitled to credit.
I Asa Dana A.S. Sloan clerk of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Woodworth for a Pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office the ninth day of October 1832  A.S. Sloan Clk -
Em on

In the Matter of Application of Benjamin Woodworth for a Pension State of New York Madison County
Be it known that on the 11 th day of June 1833 before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Madison aforesaid personally appeared Benjamin Woodworth the applicant above to me well known to be a man of truth & veracity named, who being duly sworn, deposed and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot state precisely the periods of time when he was in the militia service as mentioned in his Declaration nor the name of all his officers but that according to his best recollection and belief he was in the war of the Revolution the following periods of time
He was in service in the militia of Connecticut at New London in the year 1776 (as he believed) for three months and was stationed on fort Trumbull at that place the whole time
In the year 1777 he was in service on the Continental Establishment in the Connecticut line and stated in his Declaration in the Regiment of Col. Dankee in Captain Champlains Company for the term of nine months
And after his continental service but in what year he cannot state he was in the fort at Gorton in the Connecticut militia under Col. Ledyard for three months and for the above periods of service he
Claims a pension Subscribed and sworn to day and year aforesaid before me
Benjamin Woodworth
Ira Dewey Justice of the Peace

E. B. Eddy Mayor Eaton New York
State of New York Madison County Clerk's Office ss. I, Andrew J. Sloan, Clerk of the said County, do certify that Ira Dewey before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name, subscribed to the said Affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and seal of Office this 15 th day of June 1833. A. J. Sloan Clk 
Absentee Benjamin Woodworth Mayor

16309.
Benjamin Woodworth Madison Co New York.
i author.
Peter Morry Jr. Esq. Leynoria - Madison Co New York.

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 subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew 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 Benjamin Woodworth Madison 60 New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1777 Not stated Not stated Not stated Priv. Capt. Champlin Col. Duryee Gen. Spence None Rhode Island N. York Connect. 72 years Windham N. Jersey 60 N. London One Witness   Not stated " 3 " " Not stated Not stated " " " "   Ditto " 3 " " Capt. Lathram Col. Ledyard " Fort Griswold " "  
found on rolls.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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 Commissaries 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 } ss. 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 (c) _____ 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 provision 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 entered 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 (1) 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

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 he 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 traditional 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 or 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.
[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 about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely 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; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; 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 or 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.
[k] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Joseph Patten Esq.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
811881.
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Woodworth a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     2 1777 9 mos Pvt. Champion Putnam Butler Conn   1 1776 3 mos Stationed at Fort Trumbull   3 3 " Setham Ledyard  
Battles engaged in, _____ Residence of soldier at enlistment, Lebanon Conn Date of application for pension, Oct 8 1852. His cl. was al Residence at date of application, Farmers Madison Co NY Age at date of application, Born 1760 in Lebanon Conn - Remarks: It is not stated whether he was  married
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

On Rolls of Quarters 3 years. pri
adm d 3 years pri
80P

We Samuel Gilbert a Clergyman, residing in the town of Fohna Madison County State of New York, And David Hutchinson of the same Town. Do certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Woodworth of Finner Aforesaid, an Applicant for a Pension - that we believe him to be seventy two years of age or over - that he is respected & beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion -
Sworn & subscribed before J. Samuel Gilbert me this 15 th day of September 1832 David Hutchinson And I certify that Samuel Gilbert who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in & in the county & State aforesaid & that David Hutchinson who is a resident of the same place is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit
Daniel Pratt Justice

State of New-York Madison Co. ss. Clerk's Office
ss: I Andrew S. Sloan, Clerk of the said County do certify that Daniel Pratt before whom the within Affidavit purports to have been sworn, was, at the date of the same, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County - And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit to be the said proper hand writing and signature of the said Justice - Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 22 d day October 1832 -
A. S. Sloan Clk.

Parker
11.881 INVALID.
1922 Apr 26. Disc. to Mrs. A. B. boats. aw.
File No. 11.881
Benjamin Woodworth Prius Boer War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 415-
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1.7.11.5
722 Anylum Ave., Hartford, Conn. March 24, 1922. -
To -
U. S. Bureau of Pensions - Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen: -
I wish to ask ask my ancestry on my father's side of our family. - I find them from Benjamin Goodworth and that time of that name was connected with the revolutionary war. - All descended from Walter Goodworth who came over

to Plymouth, Mass. in 1633. Then to Scituate, Mass. 1635 and some of his sons, if not all, his five boys and family to Lebanon, Conn. - where my family came from. - My father's grandfather Benjamin Woodworth was a revolutionary soldier and received a pension. File - no. S-11881 - Can you give me data? I wish especially for dates etc. - And have you his age and where he was born? It has been thought that he had a brother who worked or fought side by side with him during this war. - Have you his name on record? -
Thanking you for any information which you are able to furnish me I am, -
Most respectfully yours, - Dilla M. Woodworth Coats, (Mrs. Albert B. Coats.)