Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,557, Benjamin Turner, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Turner, Benjamin
S. 16. 557
CONTENTS
carded

1413.
New Hampshire
Benjamin Turner
of Lynn in the State of N H who was a Pirate in the Company commanded by Captain  of the Regt commanded by Col Bradford in the State  Mass. due for 6 Mos from 1778
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 3rd day of Nov 1832 and sent to D C Churchill Lynn N H
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $ 30 - Semi-annual allowance ending 4th March 33 - 10 - $40 -
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H. S. Blair Clerk Book D Vol. 127 Page 188.

9336 Benj a Turner Lyme N.H.

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of New-Hampshire, } ss. County of Grafton
On this 27 th day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Probate for said county, now sitting, Benjamin Turner a resident of Lyme in the County of Grafton and State of N. H. aged 74 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 Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein
Stated, That according to the best of his recollection, sometime in the fall of 1778 at Oxford in Mass he enlisted into a company of Militia Commanded by Capt Haskell for the term of six months. Marched from Oxford to Springfield where our Company joined a Regiment Commanded by Col Bradford, then marched to West Point in N. Y. remained there a while then marched to Pitskill, to Kings Ferry, back to West Point where he continued until the term of his enlistment had expired, having served the full term of six months he was discharged and returned home to Oxford in the Spring of the year 1779. He further states that he has no documentary evidence that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service.
He was born in Situate County of Plymouth State of Massachusetts, in the month of September 1758.
He has no record of his age.
He lived in Oxford Mass when he enlisted, has lived in Situate in said Mass a number of years, since which he has lived in Lyme N. H. where he now lives.
He volunteered.
He cannot recollect the names of any officers more than he has before named, and cannot be more particular as to the circumstances of his service.
He had a written discharge, but does not recollect by whom it was given, and he does not know what has become of it.
He refers to the Rev Nathaniel Lambert, and Mr Wm G. Dunning, of Lyme whom Depositions are herunto annexed. He has testified to his character as to veracity & their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution. He further refers to Capt Oliver H. D. D. and Dea. William D. D. who have testified to their character as to veracity and their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State,
Witness Edward Webber } Sworn to and subscribed, the day 3 of Benjamin F. Turner to the signature } year aforesaid } his mark
We, Oliver H. Porter residing in Lynn A.D. 1832. and William Porter residing in Lynn A.D. 1832. hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Turner, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 74 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 Oliver H. Porter 4 year aforesaid William Porter
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 certifies, that it appears to them that Capt. Oliver H. Porter who has signed the preceding certificate, is a reputable resident in the town of Lynn and that Dea. Wm Porter, who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Lynn and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Edward Webber Judge of Probate I, Moses Dow Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original, proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Benjamin Turner for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 27th day of Augt A.D. 1832. Moses Dow

Beny Turner
Peru
6 months
NO 9336
$20.
Spencer
H.C. Churchhill
Spencer
h. 14

BRIEF in the case of  Day Turner  of  Salem
in the State of New Hampshire (Act 7th June, 1839.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74 Years  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.     In 17 78 11 6 11 Private Gen. Capt. Haskell Col. Bradford  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? At Gorham  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses & traditional evidence  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.
L. H. Addison Examining Clerk.

June 9 - 1907
Pension Office, Washington!
I would like a little information with regard to my great - great - Grandfather Benjamin Turner. He made application for pension Aug 27. 1832. at which time he was 74 years of age. and resided at Lyme N. H. He served under Capt. Haskell and Col. Bradford.

Can you tell me when and where he died, also the name of his wife, and maiden name if possible. An early reply will greatly oblige, as the information is needed at once for compiling
Very Respect.
(Mrs) Milbur E. Fuller Pocahontas Ills.

Benj. Furner no 9386
From D.C. Church Syracuse N.Y.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Benj Turner proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes 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? Yes 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? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes 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? Yes

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? 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? 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? Yes 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.

I William Gardner of Lyons of lawful age depose and say that I have been acquainted with Benjamin Turner of Lyons about fifty five years having been born in Situate in the County of Plymouth in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where said Turner was born and lived a near neighbor to him in Situate while he remained there he left Situate at the age of about sixteen went to Oxford to learn the Shoemaker's trade and saw him frequently while he lived at Oxford when he was about twenty years of age I understood by letters which his Brother Phylis Turner received with whom I then lived at Situate that Benjamin Turner had enlisted into the Army for a term of six months it was understood by his friend at that time he did enlist and served in the Army the term of six months and I have no doubt that he did serve the term of six months as he states. I further say that he Benjamin Turner has lived within a short distance from me say within a half a mile for about thirty years and have ever considered him a man of truth and veracity whose character is unimpeached and unimpeachable.
Wm. Gardner.
I Nathaniel Lambert of Lyons N.H. of lawful age, depose & say that I have been acquainted with Benjamin Turner of this town for more than twenty years, & consider him to be a man of twenty four years of age - that he was a soldier in the revolutionary war as he states, & has been, & still is, a man of unquestionable veracity - I further say that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood in which he lives, to have been a revolutionary soldier -
Nath. Lambert
State of New Hampshire Grafton ss. Lyons August 18 th 1832 then personally appeared the above named William Gardner and Nathaniel Lambert and made solemn oath that the above affidavits by them severally subscribed is to in their belief true - Before me
D. C. Churchill Jus: Peace -
I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named William Gardner & Nathaniel Lambert and consider them credible witnesses
D. C. Churchill Justice of the Peace

Grafton p-
State of New-Hampshire
I Moses Dow Clerk of the Court of Probate for said County, do hereby certify that David C. Chittenden, is a judge of the Peace for said County & that his signature to the within certificate, is in his own hand writing -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal Official this twenty seventh day of August, A.D. 1832 -
Moses Dow Reg r
Grafton p-3
State of New-Hampshire
Court of Probate at Orford Augt 27-1832 -
Ordered by the Court that the within affidavit of Nath l Lumbert Wm Gundersen be attached to the declaration of Benjamin Turner for a pension, as evidence in the case -
attests - Moses Dow Reg r

I. 16,557
Benjamin Turner
Aug. 27, 1832. ne. Lyme NH
b. Scituate Plymouth Co Mass
Sept. 1758. ns. Offort Mass
at end.
End Offort Mass Fall 78
Capt. Haskell
Col. Bradford
6 m
Wife not mentioned date of death not ..

PJ
Henry Clay Evans Washington D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Wishing to join the D. A. R. I write to ask if you could kindly send me the military record of Benjamin Turner who I think enlist- ed from Mass. although it is hardly possible it was Vermont.
Benjamin Turner was my great, great, great,

Grandfather.
I know how you must be bothered with letters of this kind, and dislike to add this to the list. Mrs. Kerfoot Ills. State Regent, refered me to you Hoping you can send me something satisfactory
I remain Respectfully
(Mrs.) Grace Tuller.
Prophetstown Ills.
Box 83.
5-24-97

16.557 INVALID.
File No. 16.557
Benjamin Turner
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 381
[Arrangement of 1870.]

June 22. 1897 History to Mrs. Grace Fuller - Bot 83. Prophetstown - Ills -
June 21, 1965 History to Mrs. Wilbur E. Fuller, Prophetstown Ill.
1909 June 29. Hist. to Miss C. F. Bates from Catalogue. letter in S. File 43, 208 Consider Turner. f