Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14876, Benjamin Wood, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Marx.
Wood, Benjamin
S. 14876
carded.
CONTENTS

4664, New Hampshire Benjamin Wood
who was here in the State of N.H. who was a Pirate in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Upham in the Port line for 6 Mos. Mass.
and June 17. 08.
Inscribed on the Roll of N.H. at the rate of 20 Dollars ~ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Jan'y 1832 and sent to H. Hubbard St of Reps
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $30~ Semi-ann. allowance ending 1 Mar 33 10~ $40~
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by S. G. H. B. Clerk Book D. Vol. 1 st Page 194

Declaration of Benjamin Wood of Atstead Cheshire Co. N.H.
MS 9001

State of New Hampshire, } On the twenty fourth Day of Dec r Cheshire, County, ss. } A. D. 1832. Personally appeared before me Elijah Bingham, a Justice of the Peace within and for said County. Benjamin Wood of Alstead in said County, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that he is the same Benjamin Wood who subscribed and swore to the within declaration, - that in the first service he enlisted in a company of minute men under Capt. Phineas Upham as within mentioned - and after Genl Washington came on to organize the troops a part of said Upham's Company was placed in the company of Capt. Bolster and a part in other companies & Capt. Upham went out of the service - I was in that part which was placed in Capt. Bolster's company - Capt. Bolster's company was in the Regiment commanded by Col. Larnard.
In the second service mentioned in the within declaration, I served in the Regiment commanded by Col. Grant - in one of the services I think one Battlefield was Major of the Regiment in which I served - I recollect seeing General Putnam and General Lee, at Roxbury Mass. about the time Genl Washington came on as I have mentioned within. And by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory I cannot recollect more particularly as to any of the officers under whom I served.
Benjamin Wood
Cheshire ss. Sworn and subscribed
the day and year first above mentioned
Before me Elijah Bingham Jas. Peace
Cheshire ss. Jan'y 11. 1832
I Salome Hale Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for said County certify that Elijah Bingham is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and I believe that the foregoing is his signature. In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the Seal of said Superior Court of Judicature.
S. Hale, Clerk

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, COUNTY OF CHESHIRE.
On this sixteenth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court. Before the Hon Aaron Nelson Judge of probate for said County of Cheshire
now sitting, Benjamin Wood a resident of Atfield in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged Eighty one years last April who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
1 st In the year 1775 immediately upon the alarm from Lexington went to Roxbury - Mass. - in a company of Minute men commanded by Captain Phinehas Upham - remained there until Genl Washington came on and organized the Troops there - which I think was in July - I did not enlist - but returned home having been there in service about three months - he thinks over three -
2 d In November 1776 - enlisted for three months - in Capt. Gilberts Company, of Brookfield Mass - Lieut. Merrill - was on the 1 st of December - marched to Bound Brook, in New Jersey near Brunswick - went through Springfield Mass - was under Genl Warren - was in an engagement with the enemy at Bound Brook - there were two Regiments lay there - was kept there nearly one month after the term expired - on account of the Regular Troops not coming in as expected - and was dismissed in March 1777 - I walked home the 23 d of March - having travelled directly home after my enlistment dismissal -
both of said services were in the Mass. Militia. Neither knows of no person living who was with him in said service -
was born in Hopkinton Mass - in 1751 - Apr. 2 d old style. Has a record of his age in his Bible - and supposes there is a record at Brookfield Mass - to which place his father removed when he was quite young - and as he has been informed had the age of his children recorded there - was living at Brookfield Mass when he went into both services - has lived at said Atfield ever since the war - and now live there - was a volunteer in both services - recollects Genl Washington coming into the Army in his first service - cannot recollect particularly as to Genl officers or have told much more about them a few years ago - have told Mr. Higby and Mr. Twining live in my town and I expect can
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Benjamin Wood
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
before me Aaron Nelson Judge of Probate

We, Jeremiah Higbee Chapman of Alstead aforesaid & Nathan Twinning of said Alstead having known said Benjamin Wood more over thirty years -
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Wood who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty one 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.
Jeremiah Higbee Nathan Twinning
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
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 certi- fies, that it appears to them Jeremiah Higbee who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the Town of Alstead and that Nathan Twinning who has also signed the same is a resident of Alstead aforesaid and is a credible person and that this Statement is entitled to credit. Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
I, Asa Parker Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Cheshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Wood for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this sixteenth day of August A.D. 1832
Asa Parker } Register of said Court of Probate
re - recollects that there was great as to other proofs in his services - could testify as to my character & their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revol.

I James Wood of Alstead in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire - aged twenty one years of age testify and say that in the year 1875 - I lived in Brookfield Mass - that Benjamin Wood now of said Alstead my brother also lived there both of us in our father's family - That in that year I was knowing to said Benjamin Wood's moving in the War - at Roxbury Mass - that he was in Capt. Upham's Company - & that he the said Wood in that year over three months - I was at the same time in the 8 months service & stationed at Roxbury - further that the said Benjamin Wood enlisted and marched from home about the 1 st of Dec 1876 - for three months - and as I understood from him afterwards to New Jersey - I had then just returned from White Plains having been in the service there - that said Benj m Wood was absent until the 23 rd day of March after - I know the date from its having been on the day that his second son was born - That I have often had conversation with him about both these services. - James Wood
Cheshire ss.
Augt. 18.
Subscribed & sworn to
Before me Th. McEdwards
Justice of the Peace.
Cheshire ss. August 20. 1882
I Salma Hale Clerk of the Judicial Courts in said County certify that Thomas M. Edmands is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and that the foregoing is his signature. In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of our Superior Court of Judicature
S. Hale Clerk
(over)

I James Wood of Alstead in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire Aged seventy one years Testify and say that I am the Identical James Wood who has made subscribed and testified to the within affidavit and do now repeat that the same affidavit is true James Wood
Sworn and subscribed to this twenty first day of December A one thousand eight hundred and thirty two Before me Amos Huntley Jr. Judge
I Amos Huntley a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire and living in the Town of Alstead and in the neighbor- hood of the said James Wood subscribed to the above affidavit do certify that in the said James Wood is in my belief a credible witness
Amos Huntley Justice of the Peace
Cheshire Jan'y 11. 1832
I Salma Hale, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for said county certify that Amos Huntley is a Justice of the Peace in and for sd County - and I believe that the two foregoing official synodums are his. as in testimony whereof I have unto office the Seal of said Court
S. Hale, Clerk

9001
Benj Wood
Private
6 Months
adv W.C.E
$20-
Has not mentioned with precision the length of his service, which not likely to be endable.
Nov 19 1832
Hon. H. Hubbell P.R
Thos Edwards
Keene Cheshire
N.H.

9001
BRIEF in the case of
Cheshire Co
Benjamin Wood of Alstead in the State of New Hampshire (Act 7 June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? ✓
3. How old is he? 81
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     1775 - from alarm at Lexington till July 1775 about 3 3/4 As a Minute man Gen. Capt. P. Upham Capt. Gilbert - Gen. Warner   1776 from March 17 3 3/4  
5. In what battles was he engaged? Brattleboro
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Brookfield Mass
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witnesses,
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. C. Easton
Examining Clerk.
x he thinks over three months x nearly four

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Wood , 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. 14 876.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1775 3 mos. Pvt. Phinehas Upham Boister Learned Mass   + Dec 1776 4 mos " Gilbert Grant "  
Battles engaged in, Bound Brook;
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Brookfield, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 16. 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Alstead, Cheshire Co. N.H.
Age at date of application, born Apr 29 (O.S.) 1761 at Hopkinton, Mass.
Remarks: Soldier had 2 sons, second one born Mch 23. 1776, no names stated. Soldiers father James was 71 years of age and a resident of Alstead, N.H. in 1832. There is no further family data.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
6-2856
used Dec to cover period of battle in 4 mos service + Enl. in Nov., marched in Dec., was in battle of Bound Brook in Apr; so I take Dec as commencement of service.

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
Please return Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below. Done
Full name of soldier:
Benjamin Wood
Place of residence before service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Place of residence after service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Portsmouth NH (Pension payable there)
Date of death (as near as possible):
Christian name of widow:
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
He received a pension
Remarks:
I file herewith copy of pension, he was my great-grandfather, also I file proof of this fact.
Your name and address:
William Ray Wood 22 Carlisle Bldg Cincinnati Ohio

July 12 97 His - to Wm Lloyd Cincinnati O. 1913 Oct 29: history to Mrs. Lottie E. Lawrence. M.B.H.
Reuben
14876 INVALID.
File No. 14. 876
Benjamin Wood
Prin. Rev. war
Act: June 7th 1832.
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 416
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Las Gatos Cal. Oct 19 th 1913
Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions
Wishing to trace my family back to that of the name of Wood I have been referred to this Department. Will you kindly give me any information you may have concerning one Abijah Wood private at Lexington Kentucky & Saratoga. Also one Ben- jamin Wood 1751-1833 placed on pension roll. Is there any way for me to trace

The descendants of these men. My great grandmother was a Ward and gave her entire fortune some $3000. Thirty thousand dollars to right Washington she also had either a brother or son who fought under him. It is this ancestor I wish to trace in order to prove my right as a daughter of the Revolution. Will you kindly give me any information you can to oblige
Mrs. Lottie E. Lawrence Los Angeles
Cal. Box 34 - R.F.D.

9001 Ruij. Woods
12 Burbad 4 A p. M.
H. M. Edwards Keene, Cheshire N.H.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Benjamin Wood which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Y 2 II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Y 3 III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? _____ IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Y 3 V. *Has he mentioned 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? Y 4 VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? SB VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Y 1 VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Y 1 IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Y 2 X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Y 3

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
[Handwritten line]
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
[Handwritten line]
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
No
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
Yes _____
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 the 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.