Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 6916, for Benjamin Marsh, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Marsh, Benjamin
R 6916
CONTENTS
Blank lined area for contents entry
Blank lined area for contents entry

State of New York County of Washington ss: On this nineteenth day of September the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five before me David Wood one of the Judges of the County Courts in and for the said County of Washington (being Courts of Record) personally appeared Benjamin Marsh a resident of the town of Granville in said County of Washington in the State of New York aged Eighty seven years on the twentyth day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty two 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 here in stated to wit That at the time he engaged in his first tour of duty he was residing in the town of Charlton in the State of Massachusetts, that sometime in June or July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five a Regiment was to be raised for service at or in the vicinity of Picoenderga in the State of New York - That in the town of Sutton in said State of Massachusetts, those liable to do duty were divided into classes of nine - each class to furnish one man that one John Whipple the head of one of said classes in Sutton hired this declarant to go into the service as the man required for his class, and that he accordingly engaged as a substitute for said class in a Company of Infantry commanded by Captain John Howard first Lieutenant Simson Second Lieutenant Quincy and Ensign Walker In a Regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel Brown and Lieutenant Colonel Carlton Major, name not remembered - That in the fore part of July and near the first of that month as he believes in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five he assembled with his company and moved under the direction of Captain John Howard aforesaid direct to Picoenderga and was then stationed on Mount Hope near Picoenderga and remained there till near the last of November or first of December, and was then with his company marched on his way home under the direction of his captain and was dismissed and reached his home in Charlton in the fore part of December. That he was in no engagement during his tour of duty, General Datis commanded at the Fort at Picoenderga while this declarant was there, and he thinks Colonel Wells or Willard commanded a Regiment stationed on Mount Hope when he was there, and he recollects his Regimental Company Officers above named to wit Colonel Samuel Brown, Lieutenant Colonel Carlton, Captain John Howard first Lieutenant Simson, Second Lieutenant Quincy and Ensign Walker who were out with this declarant on this tour of duty And this declarant further saith that very shortly after he reached

in Charlestown aforesaid there was again a call for the Militia to turn out to go to the neighbourhood of Boston in the State of Massachusetts then held by the enemy, that being in Charlestown aforesaid there was a company of Militia appointed for the purpose of obtaining a number of Volunteers and the commandant of the Company Captain Daniel Dunt was attempting to induce his men or some of them to volunteer for that duty a part of them only being required and had twice marched round and beat up for volunteers without obtaining one vol- unteer when this Declaration reached the ground that he was persuaded by the said Commandant to volunteer on the promise that the man who could induce the men to volunteer should have the command of Lieutenant - And that when the said Commandant again marched round and beat up for volunteers he this Declarant volunteered and the whole company fell in behind him and volunteered with him and the number then required to be raised were then selected from such volunteers - And that thus in the month of December in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty five and within ten days or a fortnight after his return from his first Expedition he again engaged in the service of his Country against the Common Enemy in the manner aforesaid that he was not appointed a Lieutenant as he had ex- pected but was appointed Second Sergeant in the Company of Infantry then raised, and during his Expedition service as Second Sergeant in said Company commanded by Captain Jonathan Carmell and Subalterns Dunt and Robertson the Ensigns name he does not remember - That the Company immediately organized and marched to the neighbourhood of Boston and was stationed in Milton or in the edge of Roxbury that his duty was prin- cipally that of Guard duty and was mostly performed near to and on the heights of Dorchester he thus remained in service and on constant duty until the British evacuated Boston which was on or about the twelfth day of March in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty five, on the day after the Army left he went into Boston and then with his Company marched homewards, was dismissed and reached his home in Charlestown in the latter part of March - And this Declarant saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot give many particulars of his service or of the Regular Officers, or of the Continen- tal or Military Regiments that were with him on these respective tours of duty Nor can he positively state as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served in the whole in said tours of duty not less than Eight Months to wit five months as his first tour as a private and three months as a Sergeant on his second tour as aforesaid That his memory is now so frail that he cannot positively assert as to

The Years of his Service, but he knows he served in the Court of duty and in the order and for the time in the whole as above stated.
That he for many years hath resided where he now resides entirely removed from all who served with him - and that he now knows of no living witness of such his service or that can give any evidence in relation thereto except the evidence of his daughter contained in the deposition hereto annexed - And his declarant saith that he was born in the town of Sutton in Massachusetts on the ninth of November Old Style and according to the time both of November in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty five that there is a record of his birth in the office of the town clerk in Sutton aforesaid; and that he hath a copy thereof furnished him by the town clerk of that town on the twenty fifth of June one thousand seven hundred and ninety six.
That when he entered the service he was as above stated residing in Charlton in Massachusetts and since the revolutionary war he has resided in the towns of Sutton and Oxford in Massachusetts Woodstock in Connecticut, Westmoreland in New Hampshire, Rockingham and Danville in Vermont and Danville and Hartford in the county of Washington and State of New York and was residing in said town of Danville - that he entered the service as herein above stated in his first court of duty as a substitute for a class of men - and was employed by John Whipple the head of that class and that he cannot give the names of the other members of that class and as a volunteer on his second court of duty - that he cannot state the names of any officers on his second court of duty except the captain and lieutenant under whom he served as being on guard duty he was not much with them and his memory is infirm nor any of the regiments continental or militia nor of the officers or regiments in his first court, or of the general circumstances of the service during either of said courts but as above stated - that he never received any written or formal discharge from the service - but was simply marched homeward with his company and informally dismissed by the disbanding of his company - he gives the following names to wit: Israel Hale, David Lee, Christopher Potter and Scott Whitecomb as persons to whom he is known in his present neighbourhood - and who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution - And his declarant saith that he hath no written or other evidence of his services above stated but the deposition of his daughter hereto annexed - and 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. Benjamin Marsh

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me.
David Wood a judge of Washington County Court
We Jeremiah Wilson - a clergyman residing in the Town of Greenville in the County of Washington and State of New York and David Lee - residing in the same Town, hereby cer- tify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Marsh who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: We then believe him to be himself eighty seven years of age on the twentieth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two - He then 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 to and subscribed this 19 th day of September A.D. 1833
before me
David Wood a Judge of Wash. County Court
Jeremiah Wilson David Lee
And I the said Judge do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department that the above named Ap- plicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states And I the said Judge further certify that it appears to me that Jeremiah Wilson - who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in Greenville aforesaid and that David Lee - - - who has also signed the same is also a resident of the said Town of Greenville and is a credible person and that their statements are entitled to credit - And I the said Judge do also further certify that Ben- jamin Marsh the above named Applicant cannot from bodily infirmary attend any Court of Record David Wood a judge of Washington County Court

State of New York County of Washington ss: Melissa Hayward Widow & Relict of Nathaniel Hayward Deceased and Daughter of Benjamin Mansh of the Town of Granville in the County of Washington aforesaid, being duly sworn deposes and saith, that she was sixty seven years old on the seventeenth day of April now last past, and that she is now in the sixty eighth year of her age - That she was living at home with her Father in the Town of Granville in the State of Massachusetts in the year, of our Lord one thousand seven hundred seventy five and seventy six (and before and after those years) when her Father went into the service of his Country in the Revolutionary War - That when her Father Benjamin Mansh went into the service she this Deponent was in the tenth year of her age - That she well remembers the circumstance - That her Father was in delicate health That this Deponent and a brother younger than herself in her Father's absence had to do the out door work on the farm, and taking care of and feeding the cattle, and cutting the wood, that they had to hire help, to cut the logs for them for in the winter, and the grass for hay in the summer, and that she and her younger brother cut the residue of the wood - and made & got in the hay that these circumstances have fixed the absence of her Father as a soldier strongly in her memory - And this Deponent fur- ther saith that in the month of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy five, her Fa- ther went as a soldier to Siconderoga in the State of New York - That she well remembers there was a call for soldiers to go to Siconderoga, and that her Father went there as a soldier as she then understood, and always believed and still fully believes - That it was about the first of July of that year that he started for Siconderoga and that he returned home from that tour of duty in the forepart of December of that year - That about ten days or a fortnight after his return from Siconderoga her Father Benjamin Mansh again went as a soldier to the neighborhood of Boston and remained there as a soldier till the latter part of March and returned home near the end of March in the year of our Lord one one thousand seven hundred and seventy six - And this Deponent saith that she hath no doubt whatever that her Father was engaged as a soldier of the Revolution against the Common Enemy during the term of his absence at these two different periods

Above stated - that there never was any doubt of that fact in this family or neighbourhood - that she remembers, that soldiers - were then called for, that they took her Father went from home as soldiers, equipped as soldiers when her Father went on these respective tours - and that they also returned when he returned as was then understood and stated in the family & neighbourhood - and that she remembers afterwards of her Father with others at their house talking over the events of these tours of duty and the manner in which he engaged as a soldier and that such statements agreed with that now made in his Declaration to which this Deposition is annexed which has been read to him - And this Deponent saith that according to the best of her recollection and her belief her Father Benjamin Meigh was engaged in these respective tours of duty at least eight months to wit five months on his first tour - and three months on his second tour - and further this Deponent saith not ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Melissa Hayward
I the undersigned hereby certify that Melissa Hayward to me personally known as the person mentioned and described in the preceding Deposition and whose name is signed thereto - - - - - personally appeared before me this Nineteenth day of September A.D. 1833 and made solemn oath before me that the said Deposition and all the matters therein stated are true, and I further certify that the said Melissa Hayward is a credible person - and that her statement is entitled to full credit
David Wood a Judge of Washington County Court

28684
Benjamin church
Ref to E. D. Bangs p. 29 33
Martin Lee Esq. Germantown Washington Co New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Nov 29 33
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 subjjoined 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, shewing the Service of Benjamin Marsh
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1775 - near the 1 st July - till near the end of Nov 2 5 - Private Col Brown Capt. Howard 87 years Massachusetts -   Dec r 1775 - till about 20 th March 1776 - 2 - Private  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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 days 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, (l) 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
By applying to E. D. Bangs Esq. Secretary of the State of Massachusetts proof of the service in question may be obtained

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 the 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 inquiry 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. The notes from [a] to [i] 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. [k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases. [l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Q Ans
February 27, 1928.
Mrs. A. C. McLain, Hough, Nebraska.
Madam:
I advise you that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to any soldiers named Philip Chase and Benjamin Mash.
You are herewith furnished the history of the only soldier named Benjamin Marsh found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
From the papers in the Revolutionary pension claim, R. 6916, it appears that Benjamin Marsh was born in Sutton, Massachusetts, November 20, 1745, and while residing in Charleton, Massachusetts he alleged that he enlisted July 1775 in Captain John Howard's Company and Colonel Samuel Brewer's Massachusetts Regiment and served until December 1775; shortly afterward he enlisted and served as a second sergeant in Captain Jonathan Carroll's Company until March 1776.
He applied for pension September 19, 1832, while living in Granville, Washington County, New York, but his

claim was not allowed, as satisfactory proof of his service, as required by the pension laws was not furnished.
Wife, (no name stated) is referred to - there were children; - Melissa, widow of Nathaniel Hayward, in 1833 was sixty-seven years old; is the only name given.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.

New York
Benj n Marsh
Rev. 0.7.
Suspended
See let to Martin Lee Esq Ap r 10 th '34
6916
Act 7 th June '32
26 20 12.57 45 7/8

aws.
Rev. War Section.
June 13, 1923.
Mr. George Rich, 1078 Maple Cliff Drive, Cleveland, Ohio.
Sir;
In response to your letter of April 19, 1923, I have to advise you that photostat copies of the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 6916 of Benjamin Marsh, Mass. troops will be furnished you under the provisions of the Act of August 24, 1912 at the rate of fifteen cents a page. The number of pages to be copied is six.
The proper amount should be forwarded to this Bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev. War Section.
February 9, 1923.
George Rich, 1076 Maple Cliff Drive, Cleveland, Ohio.
Sir;
In response to your letter of the 20th ultimo, you are advised that in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 6918, it appears that Benjamin Marsh was born in Sutton, Massachusetts, November 30, 1745, and while residing in Charleton, Mass. he alleged that he enlisted July 1775 in Captain John Howard's Company and Colonel Samuel  Daniel Brewer's Massachusetts' Regiment and served until December 1775; shortly afterward he enlisted and served as a second sergeant in Captain Jonathan Carroll's Company until March 1776.
He applied for pension September 19, 1832, while living in Granville, Washington County, New York, but his claim was not allowed, as satisfactory proof of his

service, as required by the pension laws was not furnished.
Wife, (no name stated) is referred to - there were children;— Melissa, widow of Nathaniel Hayward, in 1833 was sixty seven years old; is the only name given.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
OK'd by Mrs C. 26 -

sion on file in this Bureau.
The above is the only Benjamin Marsh found on the Rev. War records of this Bureau
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 1774 5 mos Pvt John Howard Samuel Brewer Mass   Dec 75 3 " 2 nd Sgt. Jonathan Carrell — "                                            
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Charlton Mass
Date of application for pension, Sept 19 1833
Residence at date of application, Granville Washington Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, 67 Nov 20 1745 Alderton Mass
Remarks: Soldier's daughter Melissa was born Apr 17 1766 and in 1833 was the widow of Nathaniel Hayward and a res. of Granville N.Y. she refers to her younger brother, name not stated. No further family data. Said claim was not allowed as the required proof of service was not furnished.
Very respectfully,
(See reg. book)

K
FEB 20 1928 U.S. OFFICE
Hough, Nebr.
Feb 15 1928.
Bureau of Pensions.
Washington D.C.
I would like to know if Benjamin Nash ever claimed pension he was from Sutton Mass.
Would also like to know if there is record of Philip Chase of Sutton Mass making application for pension. These men were both in Colonial or Revolution- ary service.

Would like to have record of service if any appears.
Sincerely yours. Louise M. McLean -
(Mrs A. C.)
Hough Nebraska

Postal Money order 90¢ read. 7/1/23.
aws.
IN REPLY REFER TO
Rev. War Section.
3-1865
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON
June 13, 1923.
Mr. George Rich, 1076 Maple Cliff Drive, Cleveland, Ohio.
Sir;
In response to your letter of April 19, 1923, I have to advise you that photostat copies of the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 6916 of Benjamin Marsh, Mass. troops will be furnished you under the provisions of the Act of August 24, 1912 at the rate of fifteen cents a page. The number of pages to be copied is six.
The proper amount should be forwarded to this Bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior.
Respectfully,
Washington Gardner
Commissioner.
I enclose PO Money Order for ninety cents
GEORGE RICH 1076 Maple Cliff Drive CLEVELAND, O.
FINANCE DIVISION JUN 13 1923 BUREAU OF PENSIONS
RECEIVED JUN 18 1923

M 233
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
JUN 18 1923 192
Chief of Gen. War Section Division. Sir:
I have this day received from George Rich No. 24984 for $ 90.00, requesting post-office address as per letter herewith.
Copies mailed to Gen. Div. M.O. June 27/23 awt.
Respectfully,
O. J. RANDALL
Chief Finance Div.
(MF 42)  Name Henry March Date June 26, 23  No. P 6916  War Rev.  Photographic copies wanted of 3 pieces, consisting of 6 pages.  Remarks:  Ex. Alvin Benckner, Section IV.  Serial No. _____  Low Clerk.

U. S. Pension Department (Revolutionary War) Washington D. C.

The Rich Pump & Ladder Co.
Manufacturers of Spruce Ladders and Pumps
SOUTH AND DEPOT STREETS
TELEPHONE WEST 1037
U. S. Pension Dept (Revolutionary War) Washington D.C. Dear Sir,
Cleveland O, Apr 19/23 Cincinnati, O.
In preparing a family genealogy and history I desire certain information regarding my ancestor Benj. Marsh, who entered the Revolutionary Service at Sutton Mass. In 1832 he made application for a pension from Granville N.Y. but died the following year before pension was allowed. I wish to get some data that appears in these affidavits, and have been told that you will furnish me with photostat copies at the rate of 15 cents a page, and I desire to have you make these, advising me before what they will cost or make the copies and send me the bill when I will remit for same.
Yours truly
George Rich 1076 Maple Hill Drive Cleveland, O.
They do not need to be certified

U. S. Pension Department (Revolutionary War Dept) Washington, D.C.,

Rev. Sep 25  The Rich Pump & Ladder Co.
Manufacturers of Spruce Ladders and Pumps
SOUTH AND DEPOT STREETS
TELEPHONE WEST 1037
Stanford Cleveland O. Jany 20/23  Cincinnati, O.
U. S. Pension Dept Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs
My ancestor Benj Marsh 3 rd served in the Revolutionary War. The record as I have it being as follows:
"Mass Revolutionary Rolls Vol. 10, Page 239. Benj Marsh 3 rd Private Capt. Jonathan Woodbury's Co. Col, Jacob Davis Reg't. Marched July 30, 1780. Discharged Aug. 7, 1780. Service 12 days on an alarm at Rhode Island, including travel (72 miles) home. Roll dated Sutton."
Benj Marsh's home was at Sutton Mass. but sold his place there April 3, 1783, and it has been said moved over into Connecticut but I am unable to get any trace of him or his family for nearly 50 years until, later Jany 2, 1832, he was at Granville N.Y. where he purchased land.
I have thought it possible that he might have been granted a pension and if so your records would show his residence during this period, which I desire very much to learn.
If a pension was granted will you kindly give me such information relating to same as you can? (1076 Maple Cliff Drive) Yours truly, Cleveland Ohio George Rich

BLAKE & WILSON ATTORNEYS AT LAW
ROOMS 306, 307, 308 TAMA BUILDING
BURLINGTON, IOWA, Mch. 2, '07.
Pension Dept.; Washington, D. C., -
Have you record of a pension being issued for services of Benjamin Marsh, a Revolutionary soldier? He probably enlisted in N.Y. state. Any information will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Lucia B. Wilson 613 S. 12 th St.
Burlington, Iowa.

let. to Lucia R. Wilson aw 1923 Feb. 9. Hist to George Rich aw 1923 June 13. George Rich advised of the cost of photostat copies - aw
1923 June 27. Copies mailed to Geo. Rich P.O. 1928 Feb. 27. Hist to aw Mrs. A. C. McLean aw
REJECTED
6916
Benjamin Nash Service:
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
The printed list of 1852, gives cause of suspension
Alleges: "He was required on Apr. 10 1834, to produce proof from the records at Boston, but he has failed to do so"
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

W. C. West
20 March 38/1
James P. Edwards Esq.
Commission of Business
late of Washington
Esq. March

Grenville March 7th AD 1834
Jenny L Bowdoin Esq. Sir
I enclosed in the papers I recd from you some time in December last - when recd - being much engaged I laid them aside & forgot them till they were recently brought to the old soldier - I again enclosed them to you, and request you would have the goodness once more to examine the papers to see they appear sufficient - and I can note from your communication determine in what you think them insufficient - you have marked & understood the words - being applicant will produce the last proof in his power - That the old soldier has done in this case - He has no discharge - He stays on both his service - and his Daughters also state facts conclusion of the service - unless the history of their time - the talk in the neighborhood - and the Dismissal of his father. were all deception and intended, to deceive the present age
She says her father went as a Soldier to Providence & to Boston when soldiers were raised for those services - That he was absent 5 days on the first & 3 days on the second - that he went and he returned with other soldiers they were then so talked in the neighborhood in the family - It appears to me in this ought to be a sufficient confirmation of the honest & unvarnished tale of the aged man almost go with one foot in the grave - but of this surely you are the best judge
You say by applying to the Bench of Justices of the State of Massachusetts know of the service in question May be obtain it - Now as I did not know for what to write I have not written - I hope on reviewing the papers you will find them sufficient if not, on returning them - I pray you to state explicitly what is wanting
I am Sir Most Respectfully &c Martin Lee

28084
Declaration No 17 Benjamin Nesh A Revolutionary Soldier
Return of any communica- tions in reference to this paper is requested to be made to Martin Lee - Granville - Washington County New York

State of New York
Washington County, } ss, I Jesse S. Leigh Clerk of the said county do certify that David Woods Esq. before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavits purport to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Judge of the County Courts of said County Commissioned & duly qualified, and that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed to the Preamble of the said declaration and affidavit, to be his proper hand writing and signature and I further certify that I have connected these four half sheets at the top with red tape and placed the seal of the said County Courts thereupon. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and placed the Seal of the said County Courts as aforesaid this 26 th day of October 1833. J. S. Leigh Clerk