Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31797, for Benjamin Kitchen, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. 6.
Fitchen, Benjamin Nicholson, Larica
S. 31797
BLW.H 7613-160-55.
Former widow
CONTENTS

increase 31499 Louisiana
Benjamin Kilchen of Calcasieu in the State of La who was a Sgt. in the Comp. comman by Captain Bartley of the _____ comman by _____ in the N. C. Co. for 9 months 21 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of La. at the rate of 48 Dollars 50 Cents annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 18.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of May, 1849, and sent to Wm R. Lockie Arrears to the 4th of Alexandria Pension allowance ending La.
Deduct at the rate of $45.00 per Ann. for the same period.
{ Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Th. Rumpkin, Cle. Book E 2 Vol. 8 Page 78

231. 2621
Clock man. 3. '55.
Jan'y. 14. '56
SHAR Hendry, Aug 12/56
End P
Benjamin F. Ketchen, min. child min. child
Benjamin Ketchen, Sur.
Exposure
Exposure
Mr. Fudge
Rowdy, war.
Pen? Oct 7. June 1832 cut. 31. 499
La June 31 499
ad. 100 ad Nov 4 '56
20 30
16
66. V. Hendry.
Manionburg, La
Vol 76 = 79

State of Louisiana On Third day of May Parish of Catahoula 1835 Personally came me affiant before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace in and for the Parish of Catahoula Habitsville, Louisiana and being within for the Parish of Catahoula. I advised that the new Wife of Daniel Nicholson who being Present admits and asserting his wife who being duly sworn deposeth and says that her son Benjamin Franklin Nichols now a Mission is a son of the defendant Benjamin who referred to in the with in. letter the issue of the marriage of this affiant and the said Benjamin Nichols deceased that the said B F Nichols is the only minor child of the said Benjamin Nichols then his son Benjamin Nichols is about 16 years of age this affiant further states that the said Benjamin now deceased was the daughter of Benjamin Nichols as a defendant in his life time a resident of the Parish of Rapides Louisiana all of which will appear by reference to the Records of the Pension Office & believed to be Russia Certification 1497 bearing date at the War Office 18th day of August 1838 & signed by J Cooper acting Secretary of War & also by reference to the Records of the Department of War in the War Office, I hereby certify that in conformity to Law of the United States of on the 1st June 1832 Benjamin Nichols of the State of Louisiana who was a Sergeant in the War of the Revolution is entitled to receive Forty five dollars per Annum during his natural life commencing on the 4th March 1831 and payable Semiannually on the 4th March & 4th September in every year, Paid at the War Office of the United States this 13th day of August One Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty Eight J Cooper acting Secretary of War Examined Committed and J L Edwards Comptroller of Pensions for services rendered during the Revolutionary War in Captain John Baker's Company of Infantry

(Copy)
Pension Office, March 18 th 1845.
Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that the certificate of the Secretary of State of North-Carolina presented by you in the case of Benjamin H. Fletcher, affords no additional support to his application for an increase of his stipend.
He has been allowed a pension for service in the 10 th Regt. under Capt. Baker referred to in the Secretary's Certificate and the only addition that can be made to that allowance upon the proofs now before the Department is for the service at Moore's Creek (say three weeks or twenty one days) admitted in my letter to you of the 21 st ult.
No evidence that can be admitted of the alleged service in the 18 th Months drafts in 1779 and 1780 has been adduced.
I have the honor to be Very resp ly , From an. Sec y .
Hon. J. H. Warmann,
U.S. & Reps.
(Signed) O. R. Edwards.

and for further certainty refers to the application of her said husband Benjamin Kitchin for his Pardon. This affiant states that the said Benjamin Kitchin is now deceased and that this affiant was his widow but is again married so that the said Benjamin Kitchin Kitchin is the only minor child of the said Benjamin Kitchin & this affiant. This affiant avers that she was married to the said Benjamin Kitchin in the Parish of Calcasieu about the year 1832 this affiant will if she can procure a certificate of marriage from the Clerks office if the same can be obtained this as she has none with her & that her maiden name was Sarah Wilson
This affiant makes this declaration as to the estate of her late husband having no guardian appointed by Law for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty due her minor son may be entitled to as child of the said Benjamin Kitchin deceased under the act approved March 3 d 1855 & affiant further states that her son has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress nor made any other application therefore further states that her husband never obtained any bounty due to her knowledge of this affiant. This affiant states that from the best information her husband was Honorably discharged all of which facts are more fully appearing by reason of the papers connected with this application for his Pardon & further states that he was married in the Parish of Rapides in the year of 1832.
Sarven + Kitchin Daniel Kitchin
We the undersigned Residents of the Parish of Calcasieu Louisiana on our oath state that we believe from the statements of the affiant her appearance and age, that the Benjamin Franklin Kitchin is the minor child of the affiant Sarven Kitchin who signed the above

application after having been sworn to the same That the said B H Winton is the Minu son of the said Benjamin Winton referred to within the said Mrs Larcen, signing by Marking her mark
Given under my hand before me this 2nd day
J. H. Winton B. H. Winton
of May 1855
Alexander R. Henderson Sister of the deceased The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to & subscribed to before me the said Larcen Winton and acknowledged before me the same by Marking her mark on the day and year above written & that I certify that I know the affiants to be the persons & that the claimant Larcen Winton for the benefit of her son Benjamin Winton as represented by the claim of Benjamin Winton as represented by the claim ants for the further reason that I have been at the home of Benjamin Winton in his life time since the said Mrs. Nicholson was there the wife of the the said Benjamin & Presiding as his wife at the time who raised a family of children & was returned led by the community as the wife of Benjamin Winton as she represents herself to be that of the claimant no interest in this claim of Alexander R. Henderson Justice of the Peace
State of Louisiana ) ss. In District Court Parish Parish of Catahoula ) of Catahoula I Christopher Le Duke Clerk of the 11 th District Court State of Louisiana do hereby certify that Alexander R. Hendry whose signature as Justice of the Peace was at signature of the same a Justice of the Peace duly qualified & Commissioned as Justice of the Peace Parish of Catahoula Harrison bury Corporation that all his acts as such are in full force to all intents and purposes that the 11 th District Court is a Court of Record having general jurisdiction and seal of office of May 1855 Given under my hand and seal of office of May 1855 Catahoula Louisiana

31949 Benj. Kitcher. Louisiana
inspired
16 - 76. A. Ballard Alexandria Louisiana.

State of Louisiana } Parish of Rapides } Pet.
On this nineteenth day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court, before the Sixth District Court now sitting in and for said Parish and State Benjamin Kitchin a resident of the Parish of Catahoula State of Louisiana aged seventy years, who being first duly sworn according to law, with an oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. (He offers as a reason why he has made this declaration, in this parish instead of the parish of his present residence, are that he was a resident of this parish seven years previous to his removal to Catahoula, that all of his family and most intimate acquaintances are residents of this Parish, and that he has now nor never has had much intercourse with the citizens of his own parish, and is too far removed from the court house of his own parish to travel to it with ease, besides all or most of his interest is here.)
That he was born in South Hampton County Virginia, and removed to Nash County in the State of North Carolina, where he resided when he entered in the service of the United States, under the following circumstances and terms as herein stated.
That he entered in the service as a volunteer at the age of nineteen years (as well as his memory serves him) in the militia of North Carolina, in the latter part of January or first of February 1776 at Nash County in North Carolina in a volunteer company under the command of Captain William Brantley in a Regiment commanded by Colonel William Atkinson, in the first volunteer Corps that
I am sure S.C.R.

was raised in that part of the country, in five or six days before the action of Moore's Creek against the Tories, he and his Regiment joined the contingent of Colonel William Gosnell, and he was in that Regiment under Colonel Gosnell's command - and after taking the Tories, this Regiment to which he was attached proceeded thence to the town of Charleston in South Carolina where he was appointed and did the duty of 1 st Sergeant during the imprisonment of the Tories at that place, in a few weeks he was discharged. In the month of May 1775 I joined as a volunteer company under the command of Captain William Prinkly my former Captain in the Regiment commanded by Colonel William Weston, and marched directly to Charleston in South Carolina and here joined the army commanded by General Charles Lee was with him at the bridge of Boats opposite Sullivan's Island on the Charleston side, at the time of his battle with the five British ships on the 28 th day of June 1775 and saw one of the British ships explode, directly after the engagement the Regiment to which he belonged marched directly to Savannah, after their arrival there, say about two days which were allowed them to dress their Deer skins to make leggings to march through the Palmetto swamps to the Rosebery Islands, then companies were detached from the Regiment to which he belonged and he among them, to break up the British Hospitals there, when we arrived there the British had abandoned the Hospitals and he returned immediately to Savannah where he was discharged in the summer the month he cannot recollect. For then when hopes - According to the best of his recollection early in the month of November 1775 he became a substitute for a man, who was drafted from a remote part of the county, Nash or Greene, and a stranger to him, applicant, he thinks by the name of Josiah Lepious, to serve for the period of Nine months

being the time for which he was drafted, in a company commanded by Capt. William Lewis in a regiment commanded by Colonel Hogan and discharged the duty of Sergeant a sergeant , and Capt. Lewis left the regiment and his company was consolidated with the company of Capt. John Baker of the same regiment, he remained at Halifax North Carolina about eight or ten days being the place of rendez- vous where we were ordered on to the North, in his passage he crossed over to Baltimore, where they remained two or three days, from thence directly to Philadelphia, and thence to Trenton in New Jersey, at which place, Lieutenant Barnes having left the company, this applicant was appointed by his commanding officer to fill the place of Lieutenant "pro tempore" having acted previously as sergeant, he arrived at Trenton shortly after the defeat of the Hessians at that place which occurred on the 25 th of Dec. 1776. The regiment proceeded directly to West Point in New York and as a subaltern officer he was left behind at Trenton in charge of some sick of his regiment with orders to march them on to head Quarters as soon as the Physicians should pronounce them fit for duty, Doctor Tilton having pronounced them fit for duty about six weeks after, he marched them accordingly to West Point to join his regiment after remaining at West Point a few days they were ordered back to Philadelphia, to the barracks to spend the remainder of the winter it being ascertained that that situation did not agree with the Southern troops, where the soldiers were inoculated with the small pox and a large number of them died In the latter part of April or May, they were marched to the head of Elk by land and then took water to Norfolk in Virginia and from thence to Halifax in N. Carolina and there discharged

the nine months having expired. In the month of November following there was an effort made to raise soldiers for eighteen months service, and they were drafted one man out of every fifteen, the quota of Nash County was raised either by volunteers or draft and marched to head quarters in D. H. By said State under the command of this applicant, to which place was under the command of Colonel Gideon Smith, to whom he delivered his roll of his quota according to the orders of Colonel Thomas, Deputy of Nash County (having taken the place of Genl. William Buelys pro tempore by the order of Col. Thomas Hunter) from there they marched directly to Charleston and joined General under the command of General Union, who ordered Col. Smith on the way to Charleston and assumed the command, they marched to Charleston and joined General Lincoln, after they had been at Charleston a month or two the siege of Charleston commenced by water and afterwards by land, they were here confined several months by the siege and experienced a great want of provi- sions, just before the surrender of Charleston he thinks three days, General Lincoln gave orders for all the officers to appear at head quarters, when they met the General told them that from extreme sufferings of his soldiers, and the murmuring of the citizens he would be obliged to surrender in a few days and ordered that all of the militia or state troops that chose to agree an escape by night had permission to do so, and this applicant with his company together with three or four hundred others crossed the river in the night and effected their escape, and with difficulty escaped the vigilance of the toils and returned home after having served seven or eight months.

About the first of July 1780 Colonel Thomas Hewton of Rich County in Carolina issued a written request to raise a troop of horse to reconnoitre and pursue the enemy, as he was informed the Tories were doing a great deal of mischief after the fall of Charleston, about two hundred and fifty men in company with the applicant equipped themselves and rallied around him, the applicant having seen considerable service was chosen the captain commander of a troop of horse, it was a piece of volunteer service and all acted without regular commissions, they marched directly to a place called the Three Creeks in the lower part of North Carolina, and kept down the Tories in that part of the country, they then turned their course westerly between North and South Carolina, and were arrested in their pursuit by hearing of General Gates's approach to the South, and determined to join him if their services should be required and on their route they heard that General Richard Caswell was on his way with a large body of Militia to aid them but their course to him, and joined him near the Fish Dam ford on Broad River in North Carolina, and about four or five days before the battle of Camden near Camden they effected a junction with the troops of General Gates, and on the 16 th day of August 1780 they fought the unfortunate battle of Camden, and he was slightly wounded by a splinter caused by a cannon ball.
After the defeat near Camden they were ordered to rally at the hanging rocks, after several weeks after this the troop of horse to volunteer troop of horse to which he was attached, together with the troop commanded

by Capt. Joseph Scott and was ordered out by Genl. Cornwallis to reconnoitre the country and keep and fall in with one Genl. Bryan who was said commanding a large body of seven or eight hundred Tories, they took only some seven or eight of them who were taken, returned home and were disbanded (for we only for need a company to serve at will) was soon after having been on duty about three months. When Cornwallis was passing through the lower part of North Carolina the whole country was again roused to arms, knowing what route he might take not his intentions. Cornwallis stopped at Wallingford in North Carolina issued a proclamation and remained ten or fifteen days on the about raised his camp and this applicant together with eight hundred others organized themselves by the name of Refugees and followed on after him, and remained at Little York until the surrender of Cornwallis on the 19 th Oct. 1781. He served about nine months, as a Captain and the balance of the time as a Subaltern officer and soldier.
He removed from North Carolina to Georgia Washington County about four or five years after the revolution with his family, in the year 1798 he removed to Watchet in Mississippi where he resided until 1810 Jan y - When he removed the parish of Rapides, which he has considered his principal place of residence ever since, although for a few years past he has removed just across the line in the parish of Catahoula.
This applicant further states that at the time of the siege of Charleston he lost his commission of Captain in making his escape or mislaid it about that period, he presume

he must have left it with his baggage, for he had to divest himself of every thing with the exception of one thin suit of clothes and his rifle gun, the commission was given to him by Governor Rutledge of South Carolina after his arrival at Charleston, in consequence of raising a company of new recruits to serve during the siege the command he had borne previously was only "pro tempore" -
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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Wm. B. Lockhart Clerk B. Kitchener
We the undersigned do hereby certify that in the district with Maj. Benjamin Kitchener there being no other persons in our vicinity and Isaac Thomas of the parish of Rapides state of Louisiana solely entitled that we are well acquainted with Maj. Benjamin Kitchener, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy years of age; that he is respected and beloved, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Osamino L. Nash P.E.O. L.D. P. Thomas

State of Louisiana
Parish of Rapides,
Benjamin Hitchen came in Open Court and made answer to the Interrogatories submitted to him as follows - to wit
To 1 st Interrogatory he answers & says, he thinks he was born in the year 1763 in South Hampton County (Virginia) -
2 o Interrogatory, he says he has none, they were left in the possession of his eldest Brother Joseph Hitchen in Stark County North Carolina.
3 o Interrogatory he says he lived in Stark County, lived in North Carolina for a few years after the Revolution, a few years in Georgia - moved to Natchez in Mississippi in 1798 & lived there till 1816 when he moved to the Parish of Rapides, where he remained until a few years past - when he moved to the Parish of Catahoula where he now resides - adjoining Parish to Rapides -
To 4 th Interrogatory he says, he was first a Volunteer for three months in the Militia of North Carolina 2 o he was a Volunteer in said Militia for 6 months 3 o he was a Substitute in said State Troops for nine months for one Josiah Sapers, 4 th he served about three months as Captain in the State Troops of North Carolina - though he bore no Commission under the Government - and the balance of a nine months tour as a Captain under Governor Rutledge of South Carolina until the fall of Charleston sometimes as Captain and sometimes a Adjutant about three months in the Expedition under Cope above mentioned.
To 5 th Interrogatory he says he has answered fully in his above statement.
To the 6 th Interrogatory he says he never bore but one regular Commission and that was from

Governor Pickens of South Carolina during the siege of Charleston, which had last had become, in his escape from Charleston - the remainder of the time that he acted as an officer was at the request of his superior officers.
To 7 th Q ry he says - that he is known to Genl Joseph Walker, to Genl W m H. Overton, J S Johnston Genl Paindexter - Genl & Herids of Miss - and nearly to all other officers in the part of the country
Given to & Subscribed in Open Court April 19 th 1833. M c R. Lockie Clerk
PKilders
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. In the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Osborn L. Mark who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in this District and Rev. Isaac Thomas, who has also signed the same is a resident of the parish of Rapides State of Louisiana and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And further that Doctor Richard Grew was last a resident in the parish of Rapides at the time his annexed affidavit was taken and that the Honorable Thomas C. Scott Lyon whom the said affidavit was taken was then and is now the Parish Judge of the Parish of Rapides and authorized by law to administer an oath, and that said Grew is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit. - Done in Open Court this
19. April 1833.
J. P. Orator Judge Seventh District

I, William R. Leckie Clerk of the District Court of the Parish of Rapides State of Louisiana do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the ori- ginal proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Benjamin Kitchen for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 19 th day of April A.D. 1871 and eight hundred and seventy three.
W m R. Leckie Clerk -

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those 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
   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.     1st Jan 1770 1770 - - Col. Harrison & Col. Greville Brinkley Capt. Brinkley   2nd Jan Same Col. Greville & same Capt. Brinkley   3rd Col. Greville arrived at Charleston Genl. O'Callaghan Col. Greville   Left at Fenton with the sick who were marched to West Point when reported for duty by Doctor Tilton See Commander and Chief at the time   4th Col. O'Callaghan's Company rendezvoused at Halifax - transferred to Capt. Baker or Capt. Rains - Col. Greville   Colonel   Col. Thomas M'Kinley arrived at Charleston   were under Command of Genl. Lincoln   Col. A. Lytle assigned to the Command of the new levies to which I belonged    I am respectfully Your obedient servant, JAMES L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.  This was shortly before the surrender of Charleston where I left baggage & am in lieu of Captain as explained in narrative.

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 declarations; 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

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.
[k] 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 is note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

March 17, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Benjamin Kitchen S.31797 BA-J/MCS
Mr. Robert Hunter Pierson 1927 Albert Street Alexandria, Louisiana
Dear Sir:
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.31797, based upon the military service of Benjamin Kitchen.
He was born in 1763 in Southampton County, Virginia. The names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Nash County, North Carolina, he enlisted in January or February, 1776, and served at various intervals until the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, amounting to about twenty-seven months in all, as first sergeant, adjutant, lieutenant and captain with the North Carolina troops under Captains William Brinkley, William Lewis, John Baker, Colonels William Alston, Hogan, Thomas Hunter and Gideon Lamb; he was in the battle of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, in the siege of Charleston, was wounded during the battle of Camden and was in the siege of Yorktown.
After the Revolution he lived in Washington County, Georgia. In 1798 he moved to Natchez, Mississippi, and in 1816 he moved to Rapides Parish, Louisiana. From there he moved to Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 19, 1833, while a resident of Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.
His son, Benjamin, served in the Creek War and died of disability incurred during the siege of New Orleans. Another son, William H., was living in 1832 and at that time it was stated that Benjamin Kitchen (the Revolutionary soldier) had four or five young children by his second marriage but their names were not given.

Benjamin Kitchen, the Revolutionary soldier, married in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, about 1822 Lavica Wilson.
He died in 1849 in Rapides Parish, Louisiana.
In 1855 Benjamin Franklin Kitchen, the only minor child of Benjamin and Lavica Kitchen, was about sixteen years of age, and said Lavica was then forty-seven years of age and was the wife of Daniel Nicholson.
Benjamin Kitchen's (the Revolutionary War soldier) eldest brother, Joseph, lived in Nash County, North Carolina.
The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to the soldier's family.
On account of the Revolutionary War service of Benjamin Kitchen, his minor child, Benjamin Franklin Kitchen, was granted Warrant 47613 for 160 acres of bounty land under the Act of March 3, 1855.
In order to obtain the location of this land it is suggested that you address the Commissioner of the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city, citing the data given in the preceding paragraph.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

31797 Rev INVALID.
File No. 31797
Benjamin Kitchen Sergt Rev War
Act: Same  32
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 228
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1910 Jan. 31 - History to Mrs. M.C. Darby F. 1911 Apr. 14. To Mrs. L. E. Spann. F. 1917 Aug. 1. To James Sheldon Jr. 1917 Aug. 10. advice relative to photostat copies to Jas. Sheldon Jr. 1923 July 31 - Hist. to Mrs. Car- rie Payne Payne. M.M. F. 1926 July 9 - Hist. to Estelle Payne 1933 Sept. 20. Hist. to Miss Nelly Price M.C.A. 1938 Mar. 17 hist. to Mr. Robert Hunter Pierson M.C.A.

March 17, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Robert Hunter Pierson 1927 Albert Street Alexandria, Louisiana
Benjamin Kitchen S.31797 BA-J/MCS
Dear Sir:
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.31797, based upon the military service of Benjamin Kitchen.
He was born in 1763 in Southampton County, Virginia. The names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Nash County, North Carolina, he enlisted in January or February, 1776, and served at various intervals until the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, amounting to about twenty-seven months in all, as first sergeant, lieutenant and captain with the North Carolina troops under Captains William Brinkley, William Lewis, John Baker, and Colonels William Alston, Hogun, Thomas Hunter and Gideon Lamb; he was in the battle of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, in the siege of Charleston, was wounded during the battle of Camden and was in the siege of Yorktown.
After the Revolution he lived in Washington County, Georgia. In 1798 he moved to Natchez, Mississippi, and in 1816 he moved to Rapides Parish, Louisiana. From there he moved to Cataboula Parish, Louisiana.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 19, 1833, while a resident of Cataboula Parish, Louisiana.
His son, Benjamin, "belonged to the Adam's Troop of Dragoons in Hinds' Squadron from the beginning of the Creek War in 1813 till the closing scene at New Orleans with the British forces in 1815, where, during the siege, he contracted a disease growing out of measles and cold" and soon died. Another son, William H., was living in 1832 and at that time it was stated that Benjamin Kitchen (the Revolutionary soldier) had four or five young children by his second marriage but their names were not given.

31. H 99
Louisiana
Benjamin Holcomb
Catahoula in the State of La
he was a Sergt in the Company commanded
Captain Buckley of the commanded
in the 11th Regt
for 9 months
Enrolled on the Roll of La
the rate of $10 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
commencing on the 24th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Nov.
1838 and 26th  Nov.
Louisiana  La
to the 24th of March 1838 $ 310.
all allowances ending 4 Sept.  29.51
$337.51
{ Revolutionary } Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by O. P. (illegible) Book 2 Vol. 8

let 30 th  Jan  Feb 1839 No.
R. C. Nicholas
let: 6 th Jany 1842 No.
John H. Dore. Same Man 28. 1842.
let. Hon P. E. Boucher Feb. 13 th 1844
" " H Johnson June 7. "

201264
111
7

Suspended See letter of Oct 34 to Hon N. of Gaucy.
See letter to Gilbert C. Russell Mirandea Louisiana
7. Feb. 1835 do 8 Apr 1835 do. 25 June 35 to applicant. let: 23 June 1828 to G. B. Russell let 27 June 1835 Hon. A. C. Nicholas

Let to Hon. P. E. Bapier Feb. 13. 1844 Let. To Hon. H. Johnson June 7. '44

Let to Hon. J. H. Hearnson Feb. 21 '48
Let to same March 18 1848
Let to Hon. J. E. Moore April 14. '48
Let to Hon. J. H. Hearnson July 19 '48
375 July 21. 1848

5 47.613
5 Merlin

Jan 76 Capt Brinkley Col. Allston N.C. a few weeks in expedition to Moores Creek
May 76 - Same officers - to Charleston S.C. discharged in the summer.
Nov. 76 substitute for draft of 9mo. N.C. line
79. Nov. 18mo. drafts - had command - proceeded to Charleston S.C. at the siege escaped with his company during the siege delivered about 8mo

DALLAS, TEXAS
3010 Alabama St.,
Sept. 7, 1933.
Veterans Administration, Director of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I understand that you have a record of the soldiers of the Revolutionary War who received bounty land warrants in consideration of such services; so I am requesting a copy of the land warrant of one Benjamin Kitchen, pension claim S. 31797. It is probable that it was located in Georgia; however, if you do not find it there, look in Mississippi and Louisiana as he lived in these two states after leaving Georgia.
I will appreciate any information on the above which you may be able to furnish.
Yours sincerely,
Miss Della Price

ROBERT HUNTER PIERSON 1927 ALBERT ST. ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA
Monday
311
Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:
I would like to have a copy of your file of the military history of William Prince who was a only Captain in the Revolutionary War and who was the one who donated the property for the present Princeton University and which it and the town of Princeton is named.
I am a direct descendant of him for my mother who is Mrs. Clarence Pierson who before marriage was Martha Louise Hunter the youngest daughter of Robert P. Hunter and Martha L. Ransdell came into the Daughters of the American Revolution on and Benjamin Kitchen who was a Sergeant in this only war and whose military history some of my family have already acquired from you and which I have

a copy of.
I would so like to have both of these ancestors military record in my possession, together. The history of the Prince family seems very interesting and it was just a few years ago when I was in Plymouth Mass. that I saw in a Museum there the things that remain that were brought over on the Mayflower a chair that was brought by one of these Prince's.
I would greatly appreciate it if you would so kindly supply me with the military record of this my descendant. Thanking you I wish to remain
Yours very truly,
Robert Hunter Pearson

My Great Neph. One of her middle granddaughters have been with Benjamin Peterson in N. Ca - and Va.
Please let me know your most moderate charge for such investigations and oblige with thanks.
Yours truly Mrs. W. P. Turner
Band Miss. Jan. 22, 1900
Grandmama's Pension Washington
Dear Sir:
Form has been opened to you by the Adjutant General, enclosed a letter of inquiry - receipt is returned to me by him.
Please be good enough to look up - to look the names mentioned and that of Mildred as Benjamin Peterson's or Peterson or Peterson or Mildred Pridde of

was Catchins, brought into America from England by Henry Catchins who was a member of the first Court held in Norfolk County Va. in 1638. It is supposed that his descendants became known as Kitchen etc., until the birth of Ben - Catchins in Va. - 1748. After his removal to Ga. - first through Md. - & then N. Ca. - he was recorded as Kitchen etc., but finally he & descendants took the first spelling of Catchins.
Please kindly look over the Virginia & Maryland rev. records for Benjamin
David M. S. Jan. 11 th 1900
The War Department Washington.
My dear Sirs:
From a family genealogical research, I am endeavoring to obtain the revolutionary records of the following parties, viz:
Benjamin Kitchen, or Ketchen, or Ketchem of North Carolina and Georgia, or possibly Catchins. This Benjamin, though careless spelling or otherwise was recorded various in those early days. The original

Patchin or Kitchen as he may have had service in all of these States four States. His brother may also have engaged in that conflict, so I would appreciate their names & services.
The other party who might have served in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina or Georgia was Elijah Holliday. I am now desirous to learn about him from one of these four States.
Knowing that I am not giving you unnecessary trouble and unnecessary trouble and that you will be good enough to state your most reasonable terms and thanking you in advance, sincerely,
Respectfully Mrs. M. C. Torrey.

Columbia Texas
June 23/1923
Pension Bureau.
Please tell me if the name of Benjamin Kitchen of Da, appears on the pension rolls, also Jesse Kitchen, we have papers proving they were in the Revolution Army, and we have a copy of marriage license of Jesse Kitchen to Hannah from Grimes Co Da, so we imagine it would be from there. Also I want to know of Burwell Perry - I do not know where he was from, also John Perry (or John E. Perry) thanking you for an early reply -  Very Truly yours Mary Elyon Payne Mrs Carrie

Rev Sec No. 69 Wall Street, New York City,
July 25, 1917.
Commissioner of Pensions, Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly send to me, at your convenience, a copy of the full record of the Revolutionary service of the late Benjamin Kitchen, who, I am reliably informed, was a Revolutionary Pensioner, and I understand that this record may be found in Sur. File No. 31797. His service was with the North Carolina Troops in 1776, 1778, 1779, 1780 and 1781, under Captains Prinkley, Lewis, Baker, Hunter, Lamb, Winn and Lyttle and Colonels Alston and Hogan. It is said that his application for pension was made to your office April 19, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.
Thanking you for your courtesy, I am,
Very truly yours,
James Sheldon Jr.

Rev War No. 69 Wall Street, New York City,
August 6, 1917.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
I am in receipt of your letter of August 1 in reply to my inquiries of July 25, relative to the Revolutionary War record of Benjamin Kitchen, Survivor's File No. 31,797 Rev. War, and I desire to thank you very kindly for the full information which you send. There seems to be considerable information to be obtained from the papers in this case which is not given in the brief summary which you send, and I desire to make inquiry what would be the expense of having a full and complete copy made of all of the papers in this file.
I would also like to make inquiry if the widow of Benjamin Kitchen ever made application for a pension, and, if so, what would be the expense of a full and complete copy of all papers in the file connected with her case.
Thanking you for this information, I am,
Very truly yours,
James Sheldon, Jr.

S31797
JSC

F. D. MATTHEWS, BROKER COTTON SEED PRODUCTS 311 TRUST BUILDING LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE
CODES YOPP'S P. & G. DOMESTIC ROBINSON'S REVISED PRIVATE
DALLAS, TEXAS, April 6, 1911
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Please note the enclosed, in quotations, which is self explanatory:
The Adjutant General of Washington D. C., (War Department) wrote the following to my cousin R. H. McGimsey of Alexandria, La., who has taken this matter up with the Adjutant General for me, and I enclose in quotations verbatim, what the Adjutant General wrote Mr. McGimsey:
"Mr. R. H. McGimsey,
P. O. Box 267,
Alexandria, La.
The records show that one Benjn Kitchen, rank not stated, served in the 3d North Carolina Regiment, Revolutionary War. His name appears only on an undated list of names of commissioned and noncommissioned officers belonging to the 3d North Carolina Battalion, without remark. No further record of him has been found.
It is suggested as a possibility that additional information can be obtained from the State Auditor of North Carolina at Raleigh, or from the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C."
Now if you can give me any information along this line same will be most highly appreciated, as Benjamin Kitchen was my grandfather. I will also be very grateful to know his rank, and all other information possible. I desire this from you so that I may have it in authentic form for myself.
Thanking you in advance for this courtesy, -which will be considered a great favor as well, I am,
#311 Trust Bldg.
Very respectfully,
Dallas Texas.
(Enclosure)
Thos. L. S. [Signature] 311 Trust Bldg
No enclosure. J. H. B. wait list.

admitted 9 nett left $45. --
315.00
applied Alexander P.O. See

For a second and farther amended declaration of Benjamin Kitchen he deposeth and saith: That all the facts set forth in his first and principal declaration which was authenticated, he thinks, by Judge Coulton, are literally and substan- tially correct, - that he may have omitted some of them in years or months to which they did not belong - but that all the service therein stated to have been performed, was actually performed: That his services as a sergeant in Hoggan's Regiment for nine months may have been placed in the wrong years but nevertheless it was performed as well as all the times stated in his first declaration: - and that he further declares that from

the beginning of the war. in 1776 until the capture of the british forces under Lord Cornwallis at York Town in 1781, he was constantly and actively engaged with a few exceptions at different times which all together would not amount to more than nine or ten months.
As stated in his first declared test, he was a Captain at the siege of Charleston and by the surrender of Genl. Lincoln, he with about three hundred others made their escape about three days before the surrender when he left as he believes his commission in his trunk. For he made his escape with nothing but his arms & money and the cloaths he had on.

He further states that to produce "documentary or Record evidence" of his being a commissioned officer, or any other evidence than he has exhibited is impossible - and regrets that the reg'l regulations of the War department should defeat the intentions of Congress in the provisions that body have been pleased to make for the Officers & soldiers of the revolution.
Signed and sworn to before me J. H. Johnston Judge of the Parish of Rapides Louisiana. July 16 th 1835
John H. Johnston Paris judge

State of Louisiana Parish of Rapides
1
Gilbert K. Ruffee came before the undersigned Henry Boyce, Judge of the 6 th District Court in and for the Parish aforesaid and made oath in due form of law, that in Dec r 1803 he was a Captain in a Regiment of mounted Riflemen, detached from the State of Tennessee to aid in taking possession of the province of Louisiana which had been ceded by Spain to France and by France to the United States of America, and that he spent from the 25 th day of Dec r 1803 till the 7 th of Feb y 1804 near and in the city of Mobile Forest and recruit both men and horses for the army to a return March. That he became acquainted with Major Benjamin Kitchen then a resident with his family in Mobile and made frequent visits to his house. That common rumor declared him to have been an active and meritorious Officer in the war for Independence in consequence of which, he, like most of that class, was held in good esteem. That he has known him from time to time for 31 years, and for the last thirteen years in this Country.
That when the Pension Act was reported and printed in Washington Newspaper he showed it to William S. Kitchen, the son of him Maj r and told that if it passed into law, his father would be embraced, as he believed by its provisions, and would be entitled to a pension, which would help to educate his young children of four or five children by his second or last wife, and requested him to show the bill as reported and printed to his father. Affiant further saith that in 1803-4 Maj r Kitchen, altho' a hale vigorous man, had the appearance then of 45 years of age, or there

about - that in 2 May 1822, not having seen him for several years, he asked him his age, to which he replied that, having no record, now having been kept of his age, that he did not know exactly, but believed he was then about 64. That since, every year has wrought a visible change in his appearance as well as in the strength of his intellect, - particularly in relation to recollecting dates or years - as was manifested a few days ago by his insisting that it was only 27 years since we got possession of Louisiana, or rather only that long since he had known the Affiant when the Transpacific Regt of mounted men com- manded by Col. George Doherty to which he belonged was at Natchez, until he was put right by calling to his mind occurrences of that time. Querying there fore to the gradual waste of intellect, produced by the hand of time, the Affiant still firmly believes, from his knowledge of Major Hitchen, that an error was unintentionally committed in stating his age to be "70" or in allowing it to be so stated - or that he believed he was born in 1763" when answering the questions proponed by Judge Beaton:- And that he also believes, from the narrative of Maj. Hitchen supported as it is by the testimony of Richard Green and the current opinion of the public for 31 years, that the amount of revolutionary services, as there stated, is in the main correct.
It may not be amiss here to state that the caption of Richard Green was written by affiant and that an error is therein perceivable in stating "the battle of the Cowpens in South Carolina", instead of North Carolina, - and

3 that he does not now know to whom that sum is chargeable, but presumes it was accidentally for passing from the appearance of the hand writing, it must have been written carelessly and in a hurry.
With this and the documents submitted by Messrs. Kitcher to the Prison Office and a letter from Mr. Edwards to H. A. Bullen, is an argumentative letter of this affair, addressed to the whole Delegation in Congress from Louisiana to Senators Ponderaxter, of Mississippi - King & Moore of Alabama and Representative Rymun from North Carolina, the contents of which, so far as facts are stated, are true - and the inferences and deductions drawn therefrom he simply believes to be true which may be considered as a part of this explanatory affidavit and made accordingly.
Written with affiant's own hand and sworn and subscribed as before stated at the Office of the Judge in the Town of Alexandria on this 8 th day of January, 1835.
Henry Boque,                                      Gilbert L. Russell Judge of the District Judicial District in & for the State of Louisiana

Alexandria 5 th January 1880
To the whole Delegation from Louisiana in Congress, Senators Ponder, from Mississippi, King & Morris from Alabama & Representative Bynum from South Carolina. Gentlemen,
Herewith you will receive the Statement of Maj. Benjamin Kitchen in support of his application to be put on the Pension list under the Act of Congress of 1832, which is supported by the statements under Oath of Dick Green & Thomas M c Rae and the Certificate of Judge Compton; together with a letter from the Pension Of- -fice, asking for explanation and suggesting a doubt of the truth of the statement that he entered the service in 1776 at the age of 13 and soon afterwards did the duty of a sergeant; as also an affidavit of mine made this day before our District Judge Boyce.
As to I earnestly believe that Maj. Kitchen was 17 or 18 in 1776 when he states he enter- -ed the service, and that he is now 75 or 76 years of age, there is nothing improbable in his statement, and if Mr. Edwards will read the histories of that day, particularly Haywood's of Tennessee his doubts will be removed. There he will find that boys 12-13 & 14, in that day of darkness and dismay, performed the deeds of men and even "took an blood and carriage with courage". A peep into the biography of President Jackson might alone remove all doubt, - for that informs us he was a revolutionary soldier - was, with his brother made prisoner in 1779 or 1780 - was struck by a British Officer because he would not play waiter, while he claimed the rights of a prisoner of war and

that the brother died in close confinement before he could be released or exchanged. The Parent was born in March 1767 and was only 14 when the closing scene of the great drama was played at York in October, 1781.
I would also refer to the report of Genl Harrison and his Adjt Genl Taylor to the Secy of War in 1811, to be found on file in that Department, of the heroic courage and manly conduct of James Spencer in the battle of Tippecanoe, who was a pupil in his father's Company of Artillery and was but 12 years of age. He was slain by his side - his father free by having his thigh broken, and as he was raised to be removed to a convenient position from where he could give orders, without being in the way, he received a ball thro' the leg when he was carried to the rear where he died in the morning. Notwithstanding, James refused to quit the ranks, but faced the enemy as firm as a mount Atlas till they withdrew in the morning before he took time to look after and attend to his father who expired soon afterwards. The account of this boy as related by Genl Harrison and Mrs. A. D. C., mentions the then Secy of War Doctor Stokes to have him entered at West Point where he was educated, and the last time I saw him he was at Pensacola in 1888 a first Lieut. in the Regular forces when Genl. Jackson took that place from the authorities of his Catholic Majesty.
My representations to Mr. Cumford, Secy of War in Feb. 1816, of the conduct of a half breed Creek boy, David Moniac, when I presented

7 8 to him for Governor mental adaption, might also help to dispel doubt. At 17 years of age David plays the Man and warrior against his uncle Wm  Wren  Reuford who headed the Indians when H t  Minimus fell and on various other occasions, which induced Mr Bramford to send him to West  Springs where he graduated with great credit as a soldier and respectably as a scholar and who is now one of the most respectable men in Alabama, eminently qualified to render important service to this Country should any thing occur to require it of him.
Innumerable instances might be cited in says ancient and modern, of lands acting the Man in both the land and Naval service of different Nations; our own included, - and why should not May r  St. John have taken the part he says he did long before he arrived at the age of puberty? Gov. Poindexter has known him 31 or 32 years - Gov. Moore , I think has known him twenty odd years. Judge Porter has known him for 18 or 19 years. Mr  Bynum , Spencer has known him from his boyhood to this day, and has, often no doubt, heard his father and the May r recount their battles and talks over their deeds in arms, who were known to each other in the revolutionary War. Probably Col.  Stearns may have some knowledge of him - but if not he knows many of the supporters of his application, and I feel confident will give credence to the testimony submitted by May r  St. John himself, supported as it is, and will have no such doubts as occurs to Mr.  Edwards and set forth in his letter to Judge Bellamy .

The son of Maj. Kitchen called Benjamin belonged to the Adams Troop of Dragoons in Hinds' Squadron from the beginning of the Creek War in 1813 till the closing scene at New Orleans with the British forces in 1815, when during the Siege he contracted a disease growing out of Measles and smallpox  Colic which soon terminated his career in the midst of youth and in the vigour of manhood, and a great loss this was to his father and family.
Can it be supposed by any reasonable man, that a man, such as Maj. Kitchen as represented and known to be, with a numerous and respectable offspring, all around him, just on the verge of manhood, waiting calmly and with the confidence of a man whose life has been well spent, for the signal to join his old comrades, who have gone before him, at the Head Quarters of their old commander in chief - the father of Mr. Byrum I think was one of them, so any common rational man believes that such a man would fabricate falsehood and swear to it, to obtain the benefits of the Pension Act of 1832, which was and is now considered a long deferred act of justice to the Officers and soldiers, whether State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, who served till the close of the war; many of whom, South of Mason & Dixon's line, were alive, I presume, at the time the Act passed.
Of the Narrative of Major Kitchen, supported as it is by a uniform good character, which Judge Porter and several others know he has been desirous to leave unimpaired to his posterity - as also by the testimony

of Red Green; by the common consent and concurrent belief of those to whom he has been long known and by the sworn opinions of Judge Austin and Thomas & Mr. Nash, should have a doubt upon the merits of the Governmental agents and public authorities in breaking him as to its arrestings, there is no use in sustain- ing a good name, only for the grati- fication of the paper.
Let the President, Chief Justice Marshall and M. L. White look at the paper, and say of the statement of May? Kitchen is not good evidence in support of the service then stated to have been performed, without any extraneous aid:—and if satisfactory to them, as I trust it will be to the Gullemere now arrest- ed, why should the being of war or the Chief of the Prison Dept. doubt or distrust that a fraud is, or will be practised on the police or municipality of the Nation.
Trusting that you Gullemere, will see that ample justice is done May? Kitchen in extending to him the intentions of the Congress of 1831 '2, I remain with great respect for you individually and collectively Yr. Most Ob. Servt.
Gloucester, Puffin

June 23 1872
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Com d of Pensions Washington

Alexandria 28 May 1880
Sir,
Yours of the 18 th inst. raising new objections to the declaration of B. Richey has been rec d , in which you state "that the rolls of service of the South Carolina line afford no proof of the service of B. R. either in 1776 or 1780" - and suggest the necessity of correcting this if it be a mistake, and also to assign his reasons for not having appeared for a pension under the Act of 1818.
In your last preceding letter you state that the name of B. R. is found on the S. Carolina Rolls and now you say not in 76 or 80. Are this true and I doubt not is so any more than I do that he performed much service during the conflict for self Government.
Maj. R. lives thirty miles from here and is not a reading man and I am sure never heard of the Act of 1818 nor would he of the Act of 1832 had I not sent it to him - This is the reason for not having asked a pension under the Act of 1818.
I have enclosed your

letter with a copy of this to Messrs. Kitchen and request that henceforth you write address him and not me as I requested in my last letter to you. Nothing but a firm conviction that he was justly entitled to the benefits of the act of 1832 could have induced me to put for a paper in his behalf, and having discharged what I conceived to be a duty we all owe such men as B. Tilden I now take leave of that subject.
Respectfully I am
Girolamo B. Rufini
J. L. Edwards Esq.
No person of the name - or office at this place presume the letter should be forwarded to Washing- ton City P. O. ————— Postmaster at Washington D. C.
Commission Washington
J. Edwards Esq.
June 23 1852

No person of the name - or office at this place forename the letter should be forwarded to Washing- ton City. D. C. ————— Post Master at Washington D. C.
J. J. Baucus Esq; Am. of Present Washington
June 23 1851

A 830 June 19, 1888
Prison Office
add decln.
Benj. Fitcher Louisiana,
Wash D.C. new 1888

Dec 24
Free
Mr. J. R. Goin
Sioux City Washington
Mr. Goin Bey. Fletcher Constitution
Providence
Dec 19, 1878

Alexandria La 30th May 1838
Sir
Enclosed is an amended Petition of Majr Ben. Hitchen which with his former statement and my explanation, I beg leave to call your attention. If, after an examination of them, a doubt shall remain as to the truth of his statements in the main, and that he is entitled to a pension under the Act of 1832 as a Sentinel Captain or something else, I shall be disappointed in my expectations. Senators and representatives have from time to time promised the old gentlemen to call the attention of the Secy of War to his case (and the last was Mr. Byrnes) but it is believed that party Harns keeps them from attending to the just rights of the 70 men about whom not one in 100 of the Solomons can
I am acquainted with Genl. Luper Gibson & the Treasurer Col. Campbell to whom I refer you whether my statements to which Majr. Hitchen refers may be relied on.
Respectfully I am
Yr. Ob. Servt.
Siaggwar.
General Rife

State of Louisiana Parish of Rapides Know all men by these presents that I, William Harrison of the above named State of Louisiana having been called upon by Maj Benjamin Pitche to State for the information of Congress what I know of his services as an officer of Revolution. Without the benefit of any education to refer to dates. I was a Abolition in that Wars of South Carolina & distinctly recollect to have met with Maj Benf. Pitche in that State - he was acting at that time as the Capt of a company of horse. I also recollect to have heard him spoken of as an extremely vig- ilant & active officer. I was born in County of Spottsylvania in the State of South Carolina on the 15th day of March 1759 and was engaged in the Wars of that State in 1775 & 1776. I also remember to have heard that Capt Pitche was wounded at Gates's Defeat. I greatly and confidently believe this Benf. Pitche to be the same as the one who is now applying to the United States Congress for a Pension.
Given to - Subscribed before me in open Court the 13th day of May A. D. 1844 - the deponent not being able to sign his name made his ordinary mark.
McClain By Clk.
William Harrison his mark.
FILED MAY 13 1844.
McClain By Clk.

State of Louisiana Parish of Rapides
Be it remembered that on the 18 th day of May A. D. 1844 William Warlin appeared before the District Court in and for the Parish aforesaid, then in session, and made oath to the foregoing deposition, and subscribed the same by making his ordinary mark.
In Witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of the said Court, at Alexandria the 24 th day of May A. D. 1844.
W. H. Quail Dy. Clk.

Letter not signed -

Washington City June 17. 1844
Col J. L. Edwards } Com of Pen. }
Sir,
I rec d . a day or so ago from Mr Bengt Kitchen of Louisiana, who writes to me as a kinsman of mine, the enclosed af- fidavit, with a request, that I would get from the adm rs of the late Hon. Mr. Bossier his representations, other papers rela- ting to the same case, & present them to the Dep t for him. The Hon. Mr. La Branche tells me such papers were found among the papers of Mr. Bossier, from I infer they were filed in your office during his life & therefore enclosed the affidavit to you to be placed on file with them.
Respectfully

Benj. Kitchens Louisiana
W. B.ille catf.

State of North Carolina Secretary of States Office J William Hill Secretary of State
in and for the State aforesaid, do certify that it appears from the musterrolls of the con- tinental line of this State in the revolution- ary war, that Benjamin Hitchen a serg t in Capt Bakers Company of the 10 th Regiment entered the service on the 20 th day of July 1778, for the term of nine months, and that nothing more is said of him on said rolls.
Given under my hand and seal (having no seal of office), this 23 rd Sept r 1834.
J. W. Hill Seal

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,
OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE.
I, WILLIAM HILL, Secretary of State, in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify, that it appears from the muster-rolls of the Continental line of this State, in the Revolutionary War, that Benjamin Hitchen a Sergeant in Capt. Baker's Company of the 10th Regiment, entered the service on the 20th day of July 1778 for the term of nine months .
Given under my hand this 7 th day of March 1845.
W. Hill Secretary of State

July 31 at
La Richer Bays
SA
L. Edwards Esq.
Comr. of pensions
Washington D.C.

Alexandria La
14 th July 1838
Sir
Agreeably to an in time has contained in yours of the 23 rd ult. another amended declaration of Maj r . Kitchener is enclosed - being scarcely anything more than a repetition of his last.
Two or three years ago I wrote a letter to some of the members of Congress on the sub- ject of this applicant Maj r . K. which I presume may have been filed among the papers of the case. If so, be pleased to look at it.
Maj r . K. desires that the Secretary of War and the President may have an inspection of all the papers,

under a belief that they might relax the severity of the Ruler so as to give him the benefits to which he thinks himself justly entitled.
I was reminded in Andra- desa that I have known the old man for more than thirty four years - and that there is neither man, woman or child, including myself, who knows him, do not  merely  but believe all that he has stated to be true in the main - and that the only mistakes he made was about his age and the term the transactions should have taken place.
The Major lives near this place & will be glad to hear from you, particularly

if his application should be successful.
I reside in Mobile whither I am going in a few days.
Respectfully I am
Sir,
Yr. O. V.
Gentle: Rufus
J. L. Edwards Esq. 228 Com. of Pensions

Payment to be made at New Orleans La. by M rs . J. Howes Esq. Agent for paying Pension= ers in the Agency of LOUISIANA
Recorded in the Pension Office in Book 2 Vol. 8 Page 78 by M rs . M rs . A. Adison Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Benjamin Stiteson of the State of Louisiana who was a Sergeant in the war of the Revolution is entitled to receive Forty Five dollars and  cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States this 13th day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty-Eight
S. Casper. Acting Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

Letter for the Secy of War.

State of Louisiana Parish of Rapides
Captain William Bailey formerly of the Army of the United States, came before the undersigned H. Boyce, Judge of the 5th District Court, in and for the Parish aforesaid, and on oath declares in due form of law that he has been acquainted with Maj. Benjamin Kilchen since 1892, that from current rumor and particularly from the declarations of Col. Turner Rynum and his son Col. Francis Albert Rynum, with both of whom he was intimate for years before the death of either, he believes that for the services performed by Maj. Kilchen as represented during the revolutionary war, he is justly entitled to the benefits of the Pension Act of language passed in 1832. Wm Bailey known subscribed to before me this 5th of Jan 1895.
Henry Boyce Judge of the 5th Judicial District of the State of Louisiana
And Wade Hampton Rynum the son of the above named Turner and younger brother of Francis, also came and made oath before me H. Boyce, Judge as aforesaid, that he has been intimately acquainted with Maj. Ben. Kilchen for more than a twenty years, that he has frequently heard his father Col. Turner Rynum converse on the occurrences of the revolutionary war

and of them having been together at the siege and surrender of the British forces under Lord Cornwallis at York Town in 1781. That he has the most abundant and to his mind satisfactory evidence, that the narrative of Major Kitchen relating to his services is in the main correct - and that he is justly entitled to the benefits of the Pension Act of Congress passed in 1832: - and that he thinks his brother Jake Bynum, a representative in Congress from North Carolina, will concur with him in this statement.
Henry Doyce Judge of the State Judicial District State of Louisiana W. H. Bynum
State of Louisiana Parish of Natchez I certify that Gilbert L. Russell, John Warley and W. H. Bynum whose deposition precede this certificate are personally known to me and that I considered their statements under oath as entitled full credit & faith - given under my hand this 5th of January 1835. Henry Doyce Judge of the State Judicial District of the State of Louisiana
Deposition of Russell, Bynum with a letter from Russell on pages 1 to 11 inclusive - assenting to the original testimony in support of the application of Major B. Kitchen for pension under the Act of 1832.

State of Louisiana Parish of Natchez I certify that Gilbert L. Rapaille, John Warley and W. H. J. Morgan whose depositions precede this certificate are personally known to me and that I controlled their statements under oath as en- titled full credit is given to them under my hand this 5 th of January 1835. Henry Noyes Judge of the State Judicial District of the State of Louisiana
Appendix of Rapaille, Baile & By name with a letter from Rapaille on pages 1 to 11 inclusive - assailing to the original letters my in support of the application of Messrs B. Kitchen for an extension under the Act of 1832.

Alexandria La. 5 January 1835
Sir,
After looking at the papers herewith enclosed be pleased to send them to Judge Porter, Mr. Neaggsman, Exch. Rector or any of the gentlemen in Louisiana from this State who, with Mr. Poinsett and some other gentlemen to whom my letter in the auxiliary bundle is addressed, will, I am persuaded, be able to satisfy you or whomsoever it may be necessary to con- vince that Majr. Kitchen is a man of truth if a doubt still remain after read- ing the evidence taken before and en- tified by Judge Boyce. Whether or not the testimony is such as the law requires, never having looked at it since its passage I cannot say. Be this as it may, Kitchen is not within the reach of Majr. Kitchen, and we sincerely hope and trust that on a re-examination of the old with the explanations and dis- closures of the new testimony, it will be considered and found sufficient to sustain his application for a small share of his country's bounty which all of us, who know him, believe he merits as much as any man living.
In addition to all that I have said in my statement herewith, I must state that Col. John Steele, the first Secy of Miss. Terr. under Gov. Dargant who was an officer in the Virginia Continentals during the war

resided at Natchez in 1803-4, with whom I was in intimate being a relation of his, recognised Maj. Ritchie as one of his Clap - and so did my lect. at that time John Doherty, well known to President Jackson from his youth to the day of his death - and he too was a 76 hero of no small renown as Genl. Jackson will tell you. Therefore write such a map of position and circum- -stantial evidence in support of the application of Maj. Ritchie and cannot but think things will attend it.
Most respectfully I am Sir, Yr. Ob. Servt.
Girolamo Rufini
Genl. Chap Secy of War.
John Doherty the Secy of War

R 850.

Amended Declaration of Benjamin Kitchen for a pension under the act of Congress of 1832.
Parish of Rapides, 33 d State of Louisiana 34 d
Benjamin Kitchen person- ally known to me, John H. Johnston Judge in and for the Parish aforesaid came and on oath declared that any apparent inconsistencies (if any there be) in his former declaration made before Judge Overton was and is attributable to the lapses of memory consequent upon old age. That he is informed by his friends and admits the fact that his memory has perceptibly failed for the last ten or fifteen years. That in the main his former Declaration is substan- tially true & that he now merely believes it does not represent or set forth all the service he per- formed during the revolution any struggle - and for further explana- tion & elucidation begs leave to refer to a letter of General Dupre on file in the Department of War on this subject.
Signed & sworn to this 30 th day of May 1838 before me.
John H. Johnston For Judge
B. Kitchen

231.264
Service Kitchen near Richardson for the Amm. Child Benjamin H. Kitchen St. Louis Laun
W. Hendry St. Harrisonburg Laurens

State of Louisiana Parish of Rapides
On this (sixth) day of July A.D. 1855, Person who came and appeared before me, Rosemond Legras, a Justice of the Peace in and for the Parish of Rapides and State of Louisiana, duly Commissioned and sworn, Hugh Lynch, a resident of the Parish of Rapides, who after being duly sworn according to law, declared that he is acquainted with Lavinia Wilson, formerly wife of Benjamin Kitchen, and who, as he is informed, is now the wife of Daniel Nicholson, that he believes that she was at the time she states in her application the wife of the said identical Benjamin Kitchen, That Benjamin F. Kitchen, a minor, is one of the issues of the marriage of Lavinia & Benjamin Kitchen, That he aided and assisted Benjamin Kitchen, in obtaining his Pension, That he believes that said Benjamin, always acknowledged Lavinia, to be his wife, she passed for such in the community in which they resided, and that said Benjamin, always acknowledged the minor Benjamin F. Kitchen, to be his lawful child.
Hugh Lynch
Sworn to & Subscribed
Before me, on this 6th of July A.D. 1855
Rosemond Legras Justice of the Peace

Clark's Office District Court Parish of Rapides State of Louisiana
I do hereby certify that William Leque whose genuine signature as justice of the peace appears above, was at the date thereof the same Justice of the Peace duly commissioned & sworn in & for the Parish of Rapides, and that all his acts as such entitled to full faith & credit and I further certify that the District Court is a court of record having general jurisdiction, and I further certify that I have no interest in this application, and that I am personally acquainted with the witness.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at Alexandria this 3rd day of December A.D. 1855 where words erased and one word interlined in the above certificate
Wm B. Arnaud Clerk
231.2641
For Justice W. Leque now Richardson for the Ames  State Prison  H. Hopkins for Prison  St. Louis
Attest H. Hopkins for the Prison  St. Louis St. Louis

231.264

Harrisburg Pa Dec 26th 1833-34 Compan of Pension
Enclosed Please find the application of Mrs. Lucien Ketchum new Nicholson for the Benefit Fund that her Husband Th. W. has entered for the Benefit of Her Minor Child & I trust it will all be right & will be acknowledged to me
A. M. Hendy Atty for the applicant

House of Reps. February 8 th 1844
Sir,
Herewith I transmit a letter, of Mr B. Kitchen, of Louisiana, requesting me to inquire whether, there be no mistake, as to the amount that has been allowed him, by the government as a pension.
Please examine this, his letter, and refer me, if not incongruable with the usages established in your office, to the Law, under which Mr Kitchen, receives the stated pension.
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Very-Respectfully yours, Abdunt. Servant

House of Representatives Washington City January 4 th 1882
Sir
I beg leave most respectfully to call your particular attention to the contents of the Letter herewith from Benjamin Kitchen Esq of Alexandria, Robine Louisiana
If there be any defect in the application or testimony that probably can be supplied be pleased to point it out. If his application has been rejected be pleased to forward to me the papers & vouchers to substantiate his claim in your office in order that I may make application to congress as from the many letters received in his behalf from old and much respected citizens who have long known him I am inclined to the belief that his claim is a just one.
I am very respectfully Your very obedt Servt John Mover
James L Edwards Esq Chairman of Pensions

Ctf # 31499
Louisiana Agency
Two top jackets zipping to pieces

Increase Benjamin Kitchen La
at 7 June 1832
admo 9 mo 21 day. last $48 50 pr
ann from 4 March 1841 deducting what has been paid at the rate of $45 00 pr ann from this date
William R. Leckie Alexandria La

New Orleans
October 1848.
J. L. Edwards, Esquire, Commissioner of Pensions,
Sir,
Referring to your letters of the 28 th February and 19 th of July, both last past, and addressed on my behalf to the Hon'ble S. H. Harmanson of the House of Representatives I herewith, in compliance with a memorandum on the last part of the latter, enclose my original Pension Certificate, and desire that you will forward the new Certificate, allowing the additional Three dollars and fifty cents per annum, to me at Alexandria, Parish of Rapides, Louisiana
And I further desire that you will authorize Greenberry Dorsey, Esq. Pension Agent for Louisiana, to pay my back pension of $3. 50 per annum, from the 4 th of March 1831, to the date of said new Certificate, as well as my Pension of Forty five dollars per annum, from the 4 th day of March 1842, when I was last paid
I am, Sir,
Respectfully Yr. mo. Att. St.
H. R. Seckel Att o in fact for Benj. Fitch

Feb 8 1842
Benj. Atchison
Copies wanted
Copies drawn Feb
1842
James Moore neg taken Mar 20 42 Esquire Com te of Pensions Washington City La
Hugh Moore H. D.

House of Representatives Washington City Feb 8 th 1842
Sir
Be pleased for Furniss. In the use of the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions enclosed copies of the evidence in your office relative to the claim of Benjamin Kitchener. to be placed on the Pension Role as a captain of the Revolutionary war his claim having been since before they have I referred to that committee
I am very respectfully Yours my ob dt Serv t John Moore
J L Edwards Esq Chair m of Pensions

Account of D. H. Greene

State of Louisiana Parish of Rapides
Doctor Richard Green of the Parish aforesaid came before me Thomas L. Scott who on oath declares that a few days after the action fought at the Poygan in South Car- olina, he then being in the American Army, saw Maj. Benjamin Kitchen, now of the Parish aforesaid, officiating as adjutant to a Regiment of Cavalry then in the service of the United States, - that he was not then personally acquainted with Maj. Kitchen but recognised him to be the same man in this Coun- try a few years ago. Richard Green
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 28 th day of January 1830
Th. L. Scott Parish Clerk

Harrisonburg La Sept 20/86 To the Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
Yours letter of August 12 th 1886, "that the claim of Benjamin F. Fletcher a Minnie wife to Joseph ed. until his mother request one to be taken Minnie."
I do not exactly understand the above in this particular. The law says, that in the event of the marriage of the widow that the Minnie can have the same.
In the present case, the widow is married & her husband is living & asserting her to obtain the same for her minor son. her present name being Nicholson.
Has there still a special request for the same to be given independent of these facts, if so has the same to be made before a sister of the Pension An Answer Sought
Yours sincerely H. Henson Atty for D. F. Fletcher Minnie

State of Louisiana
Parish of Rapide Bay
Be it known that before me Gwinn Harris a Justice of the peace in and for the Parish aforesaid personally appeared Benjamin Kitchen and made oath in due form of law that he is the identical Benjamin Kitchen named in an original certificate of which he certify the following is a true copy
War Department Revolutionary War
I certify that in conforming with the laws of the United States of the 7 June 1832 Benjamin Kitchen of the State of Louisiana who was a sergeant in the war of the Revolution is entitled to receive thirty five dollars per annum during his natural life commencing on the 4 th of March 1831 and payable semiannually on the 4 th of March and 4 th of September in every year
Given at the war office of the United States this 31 st day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight J. Cooper
Examined and counterigned
Acting Secretary of War
J. S. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
That he is entitled to a Pension of thirty five dollars per annum on account of wounds and disabilities received as of services rendered the United States during the Revolutionary war that he now resides in the Parish of Rapide and has resided there for the space of four fifteen years past and that previous thereto he resided in the State of Georgia
sworn to & subscribed before me this 4 th March 1848
Gwinn Harris, J. P.
Signature

State of Louisiana } Parish of Rapides } S. S. March 10 1868
I know Harris A justice of the peace in and for the Parish aforesaid do hereby certify that I have the most satisfactory evidence (viz) of Hoge Synch as well as my own personal knowledge that Benjamin Kitchen who has this day appeared before me to take the oath of identity is the identical person named in the pension certificate which he has exhibited before me number 38488 and bearing date at the War Office the 13 th day of August 1833 and signed by A. Cooper acting secretary of war. Given under my hand at Alexandria Louisiana on the day and year above written
Thomas Harris
Im. Pease
William Hale Clerk of the 13 th Judicial District in and for the Parish of Rapides do hereby certify that G. Harris is a justice of the peace in and for the above said Parish and that the foregoing signatures of his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my name and seal of office at Alexandria the 29 th of May 1875. Josiah Hale, Clerk

State of Louisiana Parish of Rapide } S. S.
Know all men by these presents
That I Benjamin Hitchen of the Parish of Rapide a Pensioner of the United States do hereby constitute and appoint W m R. Leckie of the city of New Orleans my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to receive from the Agent of the United States for paying Pensions in New Orleans State of Louisiana my Pension from the 1 st day of September 1847 to the 1 st day of March 1848 Witness my hand & seal this 1 st day of March 1848
Sealed and delivered in presence of
B. Hitchen
S. Page Henry Leckie
State of Louisiana Parish of Rapide } S. S.
Be it known that on the 1 st day of March 1848 before the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for said Parish personally appeared Benjamin Hitchen above named and acknowledged the foregoing Power of attorney to be his act and deed
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year above mentioned
Simon Harris Justice of the Peace

State of Louisiana } Parish of Orleans } S. S.
Be it known that on the day of _____ before the subscribe a justice of the Peace in and for said Parish personally appeared W. R. Leekie the Attorney named in the foregoing Power of Attorney and made oath the same was not given him by reason of any sale transfer or mortgage of the Pension or arrears of Pension therein authorized to be received by him
Sworn and subscribed the day and year last above mentioned before me

Certificate of Marriage of Samuel D. Burford
John M. ...
and after the trial of the Court at ... the 29 th day of September 1835

State of Louisiana } Parish of Catahoula }
Before me James G. Salafarro Parish Judge of the Parish of Catahoula in the State aforesaid on this 29 th day of September A. D. Eighteen hundred and thirty five personally appeared Samuel Duroset a citizen of the Parish of Catahoula a pensioner of the Government of the United States who being duly sworn deposed as follows to wit: I Samuel Duroset do distinctly recollect that I heard of an officer called Benjamin Kitchen at Gates's defeat in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty. The said Kitchen I very believe to be the same Benjamin Kitchen now living in this parish and making application to government for a pension. The said Samuel Duroset enlisted at Hillsborough in North Carolina in Seventeen hundred and eighty in the month of June and served in the Fourth troop of dragoons in the first regiment commanded by Anthony Walton White which Captain John Hughes's Muster Book will show.
Samuel his H Duroset mark.
State of Louisiana } Parish of Catahoula }
I certify the above certificate was made before me as above stated by Samuel Duroset and signed with his mark and sworn to by him the day and date above written.
In faith whereof I grant these presents under my signature and seal of office this 29 th day of September 1835.
James G. Salafarro Parish Judge.

State of Louisiana Parish of Catahoula I Joseph J. Williams Clerk of the Parish and District Courts for the Parish of Catahoula and State of Louisiana do hereby certify that I have been personally ac- quainted with Samuel Durosett whose signature or mark appears to the within Certificate for several years and that the said Durosett stands fair in society as an honest man and one whose testimony is good in any of our Courts In testimony whereof I have hereto subscribed my Name and affixed the seal of the Court at Harrisonburg this 29 th day of September 1835
J. J. Williams Clerk
Certificate of Samuel Durosett

Stillwater, Okla. April 25, 1926.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir;
Will you please send me a copy of the war record of Benjamin Kitchen, or Benjamin Franklin Kitchen, - Sur. File 31,797.
Yours Truly,
Estelle Graves. 323 Husband St.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of P. [illegible] a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1. _____ 9 years Private _____ _____ N. H.   2. _____ 2 years Private _____ _____ N. H.   3. _____ serv'd until 3 days before surrender charleston when he made his escape with his company Private _____ { Major [illegible] Colonel [illegible] Major [illegible] N. H.   4. _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____   5. _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____  
Date of application for pension, _____
Residence at date of application, _____
Age at date of application, _____
Remarks: _____
[Faint handwritten text, mostly illegible] _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Very respectfully,
[Signature]

She married in Catahoula Parish, La.
1822 Louisa Wilson;
he died in Rapides Parish La. in 1849 and in 1855 Benjamin Franklin Fitchen was their only minor child; and Louisa was the wife of Daniel Nicholson.

Record Division.
January 21, 1910.
Mrs. M. C. Torrey,
Baird, Miss.
Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 15 th and received the 18 th instant, you are herewith furnished the military record of the only Benjamin peninsula name Kitchen found on the Revolutionary War pension records, and are advised that said records fail to afford any information in regard to Elijah Holliday or any soldier named Triddle.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
1 enclosure.

Rev. War Section.
August 10, 1917.
Mr. James Sheldon Jr., No. 69 Wall Street, New York City, New York.
Sir:
In response to your letter dated the sixth instant, you are advised that photostat copies of papers in the claim of Benjamin Kitchen, Survivor's File No. 31,797 Rev. War, may be made for you under the provisions of the Act of August 24, 1912 at the rate of fifteen cents per page, with twenty-five cents additional charge for authentication.
As the papers in said claim are numerous, (and may vary in importance to yourself) it is necessary that you, or someone instructed by you, should select the papers to be copied.
There is no pension claim on file for Lavica Kitchen the widow of Benjamin Kitchen, but the bounty land due on account of his services was allowed for the benefit of their minor child Benjamin Franklin Kitchen, on an application executed in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, in 1855, by his mother Lavica who was then forty-seven years of age and the wife of Daniel Nicholson .
The date of her marriage to Daniel Nicholson, and the age of Benjamin Franklin Kitchen are not stated, nor are there any children referred to other than those mentioned in the Bureau letter of the first instant.
Very respectfully,

Rev. War Section
July 31, 1923
Carrie Guyon Payne Columbus, Tex.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 31797 it appears that Benjamin Kitchen was born in 1763 in Southampton County, Virginia.
While a resident of Nash County, North Carolina he enlisted and served as follows:
January or February 1776, 1st Sergeant, Captain William Brinkley's Company, Colonel William Alston's Regiment; was in the in the battle of Moore's Creek; served nine months.
In 1776  July 1778, Sergeant under Captains William Lewis and John Baker, Colonel Hogun's 10th Regiment; nine months.
In 1779 he was Captain under Colonels Thomas Hunter, Gideon Lamb, Thomas Winn and Archibald Lyttle; was in the battle of Sullivan's Island, Siege of Charleston, and served until three days before the surrender when he made his escape with his company.
July 1780 Captain of a volunteer company of Horse; was in the battle of Camden in which he was slightly wounded;

served three months.
In 1781 he was at the Siege of Yorktown, names of Officers and length of service not stated.
awarded to After the War he lived in Washington County, Georgia, 1799 - 1811 Natchez, Mississippi, 1811 - 1814 Rapides and Catahoula Parishes, Louisiana. He was allowed pension on his application executed April, 19, 1833 while a resident of said Catahoula Parish.
His son Benjamin served in the Creek War and died of disability contracted during the Siege of New Orleans. Son William H. was alive in 1833, at which time soldier had four or five young children by his second marriage--names not stated.
Soldier married in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana in 1828, about Lavica Wilson; he died in Rapides Parish in 1849, and in 1855 Benjamin Franklin Kitchen was their only minor child age not given (age not given), and the widow Lavica aged forty-seven years was the wife of Daniel Nicholson.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

Rev. War Section.
August 1, 1917.
Mr. James Sheldon Jr.,
No. 68 Wall Street,
New York City, New York.
Sir:
In response to your letter dated the twenty-fifth ultimo you are advised that the papers in the claim of Benjamin Kitchen Survivor's File No. 31,787 Rev. War, show that he was allowed pension on his application executed April 19, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.
He stated that he was born in 1763, in South Hampton County Virginia, but resided in Nash County, North Carolina when he served in the North Carolina troops as follows:
Volunteered in January or February, 1778, 1st Sergeant, Captain William Brinkley's company, Colonel William Alston's regiment; was in the battle of Moore's Creek, and served nine months.
July 20, 1778, Sergeant, under Captains William Lewis and John Baker, Colonel Hogan's 10th regiment; nine months.
In 1779, he was a Captain under Colonels Thomas Hunter, Gideon Lamb, Thomas Winn and Archibald Lyttle; was in the battle of Sullivan's Island and the siege of Charleston, and served until three days before the surrender when he made his escape with his company.
Entered the service in July, 1780, as Captain of a volunteer company of Horse; was in the Battle of Camden in which he was slightly wounded; served three months.
In 1781, he was at the siege of Yorktown, names of officers and length of service not stated.
After the war he lived in Washington County, Georgia; Natchez Mississippi; Rapides and Catahoula Parishes, Louisiana.
His son Benjamin served in the Creek War and died of disability contracted during the siege of New Orleans. Son William H. was alive in 1872, at which time soldier had also four or five young children by his second marriage---names not stated.
Soldier married in Catahoula Parish in 1822, Lavica Wilson; he died in Rapides Parish in 1849, and in 1855 Benjamin Franklin Kitchen was their only minor child (age not given) and the widow Lavica, aged forty-seven years was the wife of Daniel Nicholson.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev. War Section mmh
July 31, 1933
Carrie Guyon Payne Columbus, Texas
Madam:
I have to advise you that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to Jesse Kitchen or Burwell Perry.
In order to make a proper search of the records for any particular John Perry, some of the following data is essential: Approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence before and after service and given name of widow.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

July 9, 1926
Estelle Groves 323 Husband St., Stillwater, Okla.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 31797 it appears that Benjamin Kitchen was born in 1763 in Southampton, County, Virginia.
While a resident of Nash County, North Carolina he enlisted and served as follows:
January or February 1776, Sergeant Sergeant in Captain William Brinkley's Company, Colonel William Alston's Regiment, was in the battle of Moore's Creek and served nine months.
In July 1778, Sergeant under Captains William Lewis and John Baker, Colonel Hogun's Tenth Regiment and served nine months.
In 1779 he was Captain under Colonels Thomas Hunter, Gideon Lamb, Thomas Winn and Archibald Lytle, was in the battle of Sullivan's Island, Siege of Charleston, and served until three days before the surrender when he made his

escape with his company.
July 1780 he was Captain of a volunteer Company of Horse, was in the battle of Camden in which he was slightly wounded, and served three months.
In 1781 he was at the Siege of Yorktown, names of officers and length of service not stated.
After the Revolution he lived in Washington County, Georgia, Natchez, Mississippi, Rapides and Catahoula Parishes, Louisiana. He was allowed pension on his application executed April 19, 1833 while a resident of said Catahoula Parish.
His son Benjamin served in the Creek War and died of disability contracted during the Siege of New Orleans. Son William H. was alive in 1832, at which time soldier had four or five young children by his second marriage, names not given.
Soldier married in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana in 1822, Lavica Wilson. He died in 1849 in Rapides Parish, Louisiana. In 1855 Benjamin Franklin Kitchen was their only minor child (age not given), and the widow Lavica aged forty-seven years was the wife of Daniel Nicholson.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

September 20, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Benjamin Vitchen, S. 1797 BA-J/MCS
Miss Velle Price 2010 Alabama Street Dallas Texas
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the record of Benjamin Vitchen, a soldier of the Revolution.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 31797, based upon the military service of Benjamin Vitchen.
He was born in 1766 in Southampton County, Virginia. The names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Nash County, North Carolina, he enlisted in January or February, 1776, and served at various intervals until the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, amounting to about twenty-seven months in all, as first sergeant, adjutant, lieutenant and captain with the North Carolina troops under Captains William Brinkley, William Lewis, John Baker, Colonels William Alston, Hogun, Thomas Hunter and Gideon Lamb; he was in the battle of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, in the siege of Charleston, was wounded during the battle of Camden and was in the siege of Yorktown.
After the Revolution he lived in Washington County, Georgia. In 1798 he moved to Natchez, Mississippi, and in 1816 he moved to Rapides Parish, Louisiana. From there he moved to Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 19, 1833, while a resident of Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.

His son, Benjamin, served in the Creek War and died of disability contracted during the siege of New Orleans. Another son, William H., was living in 1833 and at that time it was stated that Benjamin Kitchen (the Revolutionary soldier) had four or five young children by his second marriage but their names were not given.
Benjamin Kitchen married in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, about 1832 Lavica Wilson.
He died in 1849 in Rapides Parish, Louisiana.
In 1855 Benjamin Franklin Kitchen, the only minor child of Benjamin and Lavica Kitchen, was about sixteen years of age, and said Lavica was then forty-seven years of age and was the wife of Daniel Nicholson.
Benjamin Kitchen's (the Revolutionary War soldier) eldest brother, Joseph, lived in Nash County, North Carolina.
The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to the soldier's family.
On account of the Revolutionary War service of Benjamin Kitchen, his minor child, Benjamin Franklin Kitchen, was granted Warrant 47613 for 160 acres of bounty land under the Act of March 3, 1855.
In order to obtain the location of this land it is suggested that you address The Commissioner of General Land Office, Interior Department, Washington, D.C., citing the data given in the preceding paragraph.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Assistant to Administrator

March 17, 1938
BA-J/AWF
Mr. Robert Hunter Pierson 1927 Albert Street Alexandria, Louisiana
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to William Prince, Captain in the Revolutionary War, and for whom Princeton University and the town of Princeton are named, and to Benjamin Kitchen, sergeant in the Revolution.
The Revolutionary War records of William Prince, and of Benjamin Kitchen are furnished you herewith, as found in claims for pension based upon service in that war. These are the records of the only William Prince, and Benjamin Kitchen found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator