Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10885, for Benjamin Hurd, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
bonn
Hourd, Benjamin
S. 10885-
carded
CONTENTS

9255
Connecticut
Benjamin Hurd
of Chatham in the State of Conn
who was a Musician in the Conn commanded
by Captain Shepard of the Reg commanded
by Col. Halcott in the Conn
united for State Troops - 6 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn
at the rate of 2 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16. day of April
1830 and sent W. G.
Constock, Chatham Ct
Arrears to the 4th of March 33: $44, 00
Semi-annual allowance ending Sept. 33. 11. 00.
$55, 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Bullen Clerk,
Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 17

n° 1582

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex
On the 16 th day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate within & for the District of Chatham in said Middlesex County now sitting, Benjamin Hurd a resident in the town of Chatham in the County of Middlesex in the State of Connecticut aged Seventy two 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 th A.D. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated.
1. That about the commencement of the year 1776 he enlisted into the service of the United States or the service of the State of Connecticut into the company comm- anded by Capt David Shepard as a musician, that Edward Ells of Middletown was Lieut of said company and John Brooks of the same town was ensign of said company, the Regiment to which said company belonged was commanded by Col Wadsworth of Durham in said Middlesex County that Major Throop of East Haddam was one of its officers, that he with said company was stationed at Roxbury, Massachusetts near Boston at least two months, that he assisted in throwing up the fortifications on Dorchester Heights, and entered Boston after its evacuation by the British.
2. That in the summer of the same year, on invasion of the City of New York by the British being expected, the Militia company to which he belonged was ordered to that City, Col Talcott commanded the Regiment. Lieut. Col Penfield of Chatham was one of its officers That the company to which he belonged was commanded by Capt Daniel Brown. That he went with his company and Regiment to New York, and remained there, on Long Island and at Harlem until sometime after the American troops retired from New York, a period according to his best recollection of more than two months.

3. That in the year 1777 he was drafted to perform a tour of duty at Fishkill on the Hudson River in the state of New York. Sometime in the month of August he proceeded to said Fishkill and performed military duties at that and other places on the Hudson River & its vicinity until after the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne making a term of two months or more.
That he has no documentary evidence of any part of his service and knows of no person living who can testify thereto except Asa Kirtland Whitmore whose affidavit is hereto annexed. That he never received a written discharge from service.
That he was born in the year 1759 at Chatham & that to the present time he always had his residence in therein & still lives in the same.
That he has no record of the time of his birth except in his family bible and believes there is also a record in the office of the town clerk of said Chatham.
That he knew Generals Washington, Putnam, Lee & Arnold.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Given to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Benj. Wood
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 the persons, by whom the accompanying affidavits were taken, are Justices of the peace regularly appointed & sworn.
I William G. Comstock Clerk of the Court of probate for the district of Chatham, 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 17 th day of August A.D. 1832 (W. G. Comstock Clerk)

M. 13 H.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
S.7. 10885
Bureau of Pensions,
Rev War.
Washington, D. C., March 26. 1906.
Madam:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Hurd , 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.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     First of 1776 2 mos. Musician Jared Shepard. Wadsworth Conn.   Summer 1776 2 mos Musician Daniel Brainerd Talcott. Conn.   Aug. 1777 2 mos - Daniel Brainerd. - Conn.            
Battles engaged in, None
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Ghatham, Middlesex Co Conn.
Date of application for pension, August 16 1832.
Residence at date of application, Chatham Conn.
Age at date of application, Born 1759; in Ghatham Conn.
Remarks:
Very respectfully,
Mrs M. M. Eckhardt.
7 College St.
Derby Conn

Arr. 17/87 Trueman G. Arrey, Buffalo N.Y.
1906 Mch 26 - History to M. M. Eckhardt.
1913 Apl. 5. To Mr. Wm MBH McLeod &
Rev. War
10885 INVALID.
File No. 10,885
Benjamin Hurd Messiah Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: Vol. A , Page 185
[Arrangement of 1870.]

W. M c Leod
1749, 18 th St NW
City -
APR 4 - 1913

Benjamin Hurd
ret. 16 th January 1833.
P 65.
6 th principal (M rs ) #22-
N. G. Comstock Esq
Chatham
C+

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 Hurd which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
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?
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?
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
Not fully VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
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?
No

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?
No.
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
None - there is a statement by a person who says he is a clergyman, but it is not supported by the certificate of the Court.
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? No.
And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
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?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
No.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
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 official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
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.

Benjamin Hurd Esq. Middlehaddam Middlehaddam Connecticut

I, Calvin Chapin, a clergyman, of Wethersfield, County of Hartford, & State of Connecticut, do hereby certify & declare, that I am well acquainted with Hezekiah Whitmore - that he is a Deacon, in the church, of which I am Pastor - that he performed, as far as I know, to universal satisfaction, the duties of that office, until, by reason of years, he excused himself from official service - that his character, as far as I have known or heard, has been, & is perfectly, fair & spotless for unimpeachable rectitude & integrity - & that I feel entire confidence, that he will state nothing, relative to his military services, in the war of A. D. 1775, but what, on the most careful & conscientious recollection, he believes to be true.
Attest. Calvin Chapin.
Rocky Hill - town of Wethersfield - Conn. 30 Aug. 1832.

Herehiah Whitmore
Deposition

STATE OF CONNECTICUT } ss. MIDDLESEX COUNTY, }
On this 8 th day of December A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Probate for the District of Chatham, now sitting, Benjamin Hurd a resident of the Town of Chatham in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, aged seventy two 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:—
1. That about the commencement of the year 1776, he enlisted into the service of the United States, or the service of the state of Connecticut for two months , into the company commanded by Capt David Shepard as a musician, that Edward Bell of Middletown was Lieutenant of said company and Jabesh Brooks of the same town was Ensign of said company, the Regiment to which said company belonged was commanded by Col Wads worth of Durham in said Middlesex County, that Major Throop of East Haddam was one of its officers, that he, with said company, was stationed at Roxbury, Massachusetts, near Boston at least two months, that he assisted in throwing up the fortifications on Dorchester Heights, and entrenching Boston after evacuation by the British.
2. That in the summer of the same year, on an invasion of the City of New York by the British being expected, the Militia Company to which he belonged was ordered to that City. Captain David Brown commanded the company, Merickiah Dean was Ensign he thinks there was no Lieutenant. Col Falcott commanded the Regiment and Lieutenant Col Penfield was one of its officers, that

he went with his Company and Regiment to New York, and remained there, on Long Island and at Harlem until some time after the American troops retired from New York a period according to his best recollection of not less than two months. That at this time he performed not less than two months duty as a musician. 3. That in the year 1777 he was drafted to perform a tour of duty at Fishkill on the Hudson River in the state of New York. Some time in the month of August he proceeded to said Fishkill and performed military services at that and other places on the Hudson River and its vicinity until after the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne. That his officers were Capt. Daniel Brainerd, Lieutenant Daniel Smith and Ensign Josiah Brainerd - That at this time he performed duty not less than two months as a musician. That in the several tours of duty aforesaid he performed military duty in the whole not less than six months for which he claims a pension as a musician.
That he has no documentary evidence of service and knows of no person living who can testify to the same except Merick Whitmore whose affidavit is hereto annexed.
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.
In answer to the interrogatories he says.
 1. That he was born in the year 1759 at Chatham, Middlesex County, Connecticut.  2. That he has no record of his age except in his family bible and believing there is also a record in the office of the town clerk in Chatham.  3. That when he was called into service he was living at said Chatham where he has since, and still lives.  4. That he knew Gen. Washington, Putnam, Lee and Arnold.  5. That he was called into service in the manner stated in this declaration.  6. That he never received a written discharge.  7. That he is known to Rev. Charles Bentley and Jacob Hand in his present neighborhood, who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.  Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Benz. HURT

We Charles Bentley a Clergyman residing in the town of Chatham and Jacob Hurd residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Hurd who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy two 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, Charles Bentley Jacob Hurd
And the said court do. hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Rev. Charles Bentley who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the town of and Jacob Hurd who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I William G. Comstock Clerk of the court of probate for the District of Chatham do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Hurd for a pension
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 18 th day of December A. D. 183. 2
Wm G. Comstock Clk

I Herkiah Whitmore of the town of Wethersfield in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut being seventy six years of age & being duly sworn depose & say that about the commencement of the year 1776 Mr Benjamin Ward of the town of Chatham in the County of Middlesex in said State Enlisted in the military service of the United States & became a member of the company of Capt. David Shepard of Middle now town in said Middlesex County then in Hartford County & was a musician in said company. Edward Ellis of said Middle now town was Lieut. of this company & Jacob Brooks of the same town was Ensign. The Regiment to which this company belonged was commanded by Col. Wadsworth of Durham in Middlesex County. Major Throop of Ea. Middletown was one of its officers. I was myself a member of this company. We went to Roxbury in the vicinity of Boston in January 1776 & spent in throwing up the fortifications on Dorchester Heights, & entered Boston after its evacuation by the British. We were in the service in & about Boston at least two months. I don't think more. I think the term for which we enlisted was two months, & that we remained in the service rather more than that length of time.
In the summer of the same year, an invasion of New York by the British being expected the Middlesex Regiment to which Mr Ward & myself belonged was ordered to that city. Col. Dolecott commanded this regiment. Lieut. Col. Penfield of Chatham was one of its officers. Mr Ward belonged to the company under the command of Capt. Daniel Brainerd I think. My Capt.

was Oliver Johnson, David Faxon Lieut. Our Regiment proceeded to New York sometime in the month of July & Mr Ward & myself both served in New York on Long Island & at Harlem until sometime after the American Troops retired from New York. I was dismissed about seven or eight days before the Regiment was discharged, on account of sickness. Mr Ward remained, as I believe until the discharge of the Regiment. His term of service there must have been more than two months.
In the year 1777 Mr Ward & myself with others of the Militia Regiment to which we belonged were drafted to go to Fishkill on the Hudson River. Mr Ward & myself belonged to different companies & I do not remember the names of the officers of his company. Our Regiment was under the charge of Major Brann. Sometime in August we proceeded to Fishkill & performed military service at that & other places on the Hudson & in its vicinity until after the surrender of Burgoyne making a term of two months or more & further this Deposition South wld. Given to & subscribed this 1 st day of August A.D. 1832.
Horakiah Whitmore
State of Connecticut } At Chatham August 1. 1832 County of Middlesex }
On this First day of August A.D. 1832 before the Subscribed a Justice of the Peace within aforesaid County of Middlesex aforesaid personally appeared Horakiah Whitmore whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Deposition & made solemn oath that the matter contained in said Deposition are true.
Horace Foote Justice of the Peace I hereby certify that Horakiah Whitmore whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Deposition is known to me personally & is a man of truth & a credible witness. Horace Foote Justice of the Peace

I, THOMAS DAY, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
That Horace Foote Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Ezekiah Whitmore was taken, is, and at the time of such caption was, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; that I verily believe the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine; and that full credence is due to his official acts and attestations.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the 22 nd day of December , in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty- two .
Thomas Day
ment and lieutenant Col Penfield was one of its officers, that

O. M. Derby Conn.
Data from card.
March 22, 1906.
Bureau of Pensions Washington D. C.
Will you kindly send me a copy of the pension papers of Benjamin Hurd of Chatham Conn. who served in the War of the Revolution.

Benjamin Hurd's name is in the list of pensioners from Chatham Conn. according to the census of 1840 as found in Records of Connecticut men in the War of the Revolution. Page 664.
Mrs. M. M. Eckhardt 7 Cottage St. Derby Conn.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B. I. 17505, I. 10885.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N, DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
November 17th, 1897.
Sir:-
In compliance with a request on the part of Hon. D. S. Alexander, for information concerning Jacob, Benjamin and Jesse Hurd, soldiers of the Revolutionary war, I have the honor to advise you as follows:
Jacob Hurd made an application for pension on August 11th, 1832, at which time he was 70 years of age and residing at Chatham, Conn., and his pension was allowed for one year's actual service as a private in the Conn. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Brainard and Col. Sage. He enlisted at Chatham, Conn.
Benjamin Hurd made an application for pension on December 18th, 1832, at which time he was 72 years of age and residing at Chatham, Conn., and his pension was allowed for six months' actual service as a musician in the Conn. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Shepard and Col. Wadsworth. He enlisted at Chatham, Conn.
A very careful search has been made and, from the data given, the name of Jesse Hurd has not been found upon the Revolutionary war pension records on file in this Bureau. Your attention is invited to the note in the upper left-hand corner of this sheet.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Mr. Trueman G. Avery, 202 Main St., Buffalo, New York.