Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14015, for Benjamin Newton, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass. New York
Newton Benjamin
14015
banded
CONTENTS

11949 New York
Ben n Newton
Resided in the State of N. York who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Noble of the Reg t commanded by Col. Moore in the H. Art y line for NY (M s ).
★ N.Y. & Mass.
Records completed July 26
Inscribed on the Roll of N.Y. the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of July 1833 and Smith J. Hook Tappan
Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 33 $66.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sep 38 26.66
$133.33
Revolutionary Claim, for June 7, 1832. G. C. Stiles
Recorded by Book E. Vol. 3. Page 26 Clerk,

State of New York Rensselaer County ss 3 I Henry R. Bristol Clerk of the County of Rensselaer do certify that John Niven Esquire whose signature appears subscribed the Certificates of Credibility appended to the annexed Affidavits of Alice Newton & Sarah Patrick & dated April 25 th 1833 was at the date of said Cer- tificates a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the County of Rensselaer & as such duly authorized to take Affidavits &c, to read in evidence that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Commissioner and verily believe his signature subscribed to each of said Certificates to be genuine In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said County this 25 th day of April A.D. 1833
Henry R. Bristol Clerk

State of New York
City of Troy Rensselaer County } ss
On this Fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, personally appeared in Open Court, before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas called the Mayor's Court of the City of Troy, now sitting, Benjamin Newton a resident of the town of Schoharie in the County of Rensselaer and State of New York aged sixty nine years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say, In the month of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight, whilst he resided at the town of Tyringham in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, he entered the service of the United States, by joining a Company of Militia, belonging belonging to the Corps called the New Series which Company was Commanded by Captain Enoch Noble, but the names of the Subaltern Officers in said Company he cannot remember, that after joining said Company he proceeded therewith to Fishkill in the State of New York, that after remaining there a short time, he went with said Company to Peekskill below the Highlands on the Hudson River, that the Company continued at Peekskill a very short time, and then proceeded to a place called White Plains in the County of Westchester where the said Company was attached to a Regiment Commanded by one Colonel Wood, that he remained at and in the vicinity of White Plains until late in the fall of the same year, at which time the Regiment to which he belonged went into winter quarters among the Highlands aforesaid between Peekskill and Fishkill above named, where they remained in Tents and Huts until the latter part of February or first of March of the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine, when, after having served in said Company for the term of nine months, he was discharged and returned home; That in the fall ensuing he removed into the State of New York at the place and within a year

mile and an half of the spot where he now resides. That in the month of May in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty one he again entered into the service of his Country by enlisting into a company commanded by one Captain Marshall, at the City of Albany. And after remaining at Albany some short time they were marched to Schenectady. And from thence went in boats up the Mohawk River to Fort Plain, where he saw Colonel Willett, who as he understood at the time, had the command of the troops there, That after a few days the company to which he belonged and was then proceeded up the said Mohawk River to Fort Herkimer. That without proceeding to Fort Herkimer and after arriving there the Captain of another company then stationed there had the command of the whole party. That after arriving at Fort Herkimer they were stationed there to keep Garrison; in the performance of which duty they were employed at that place during the whole and until late in the fall. summer. That whilst he was so stationed at Fort Herkimer he well remembers that the ensign of the company to which he belonged, but whose name he cannot now recollect: went on a fishing excursion with a party of twelve or fifteen men up Wood Creek, and whilst so engaged they were surprised by a party of Indians and the ensign with most of his men were killed and inhumanly mutilated by the savage enemy. That late in the fall or in the beginning of the winter he, together with the company to which he belonged, returned to Albany and after remaining there until in the latter part of January or first of February of the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty two, he was discharged after having served the full term of eight months, the time for which he entered the service. In answer to the interrogatories propounded by the War Department, he says,
First, That he was born, as he has been informed by his parents, at a place called Westbury, either in the State of Massachusetts or

Connecticut but, owing to the Circumstance that he was removed from the place of his birth when he was quite an infant he is unable to state any thing further about it, that his birth took place as he is also informed & believes on the twentieth day of June in the Year One thousand seven hundred and sixty three,
Second, He has a record of his age in the family bible made by himself from a record or memorandum thereof originally made by his father.
Third, That he resided at the town of Tyringham in the County of Berkshire and state of Massachusetts, and was fifteen years of age when he first Entered the service, that he has always resided, since the Revolutionary War and now resides in the town of Schoharie County of Rensselaer & State of New York or at the place that is now so called.
Fourth, That when he first entered the service he enlisted into what was then called the new Series , which he believes belonged to the Militia of the State of Massachusetts.
Fifth That he remembers Generals Nixon & M c Dougall who were generals of Brigade, as near as he can recollect, at White Plains, but will not be certain that he saw them both at that place, he also recollects a Col. Meigs who commanded a regiment of blacks at White Plains; as he thinks but he cannot remember with certainty that he was the Colonel who commanded said Regiment of blacks. As to the other Officers with the Exception of those above enumerated in his declaration & by whom he was commanded he cannot distinctly remember their names. And further that the general Circumstances of his services are as above detailed by him.
Sixth, That he never received a written Discharge from the service that he has no documentary proof thereof, Nor are there to his knowledge any living witnesses. by whose testimony he can establish or prove his services as above detailed or any part thereof. Except Isaac Brown of New Marlborough

in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts Alles Newton of the City of Albany in the State of New- York, and Sarah Patrick, of the Town of Schoharie in the County of Schoharie and State of New York, and whose affi- davits are hereto annexed,
Seventh, That he is well known to Nathan Frost, William Lewis Esquire, Daniel Calkins and divers other persons residing in his neighbourhood, All of whom can testify as to his character for truth and veracity and as to their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution, but owing to the circumstance that the Clergyman who had been settled in his neighbourhood for the last thirty years and upwards, has recently died, he is not able to produce one in court to certify to his character & services as re- quired not having become acquainted with his suc- cessor who resides at the Village of Sandlake & only performs service for one half of the time in the Con- gregation where he, this deponent resides.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Benjamin Newton
Archibald Fullerton
We William Lewis residing in the Town of Schoharie and Nathan Frost residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Newton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declar- ation; that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age, that he is reput- ed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opin- ion.
William Lewis
Nathan Frost
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Archibald Fullerton
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the in-

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 William Lewis is a resident of the Town of Schoharie in the County of Rensselaer and that Nathan Frost who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and County, and that each of them is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Archibald Bull Clerk of the Mayor's Court of the City of Troy do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the Application of Benjamin Newton for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. Archibald Bull Clerk

I Isaac Brown of New Marlborough in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Lawful age do depose and say that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Newton of Schoharie in the County of Schoharie and State of New York that in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred & Seventy Eight he resided in Tyringham in said County of Berkshire in my Father's house & in the month of June of the aforesaid year he entered the service of the United States in company with me was in the company of Militia called New Series commanded by Captain Enoch Noble & marched in said company to Fishkill in the state of New York from thence to Poughkeepsie in said state of New York from thence to White Plains when said company joined the Army in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Wood that he served in 2d Company of Regiment in the service of the United States according to my best recollection for the term of Eight months or more & that the said Benjamin Newton is a person of truth & veracity
Dated at Tyringham the 27th August AD 1832 Isaac Brown
Berkshire Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 27th day of August A.D. 1832 before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in the said County personally appeared Isaac Brown above named & after being duly cautioned there made oath to the truth of the foregoing by him subscribed. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day & year last above mentioned Ezechiel D. Garfield Justice of the peace

Rensselaer County ss: Allee Newton of the City of Albany being duly sworn doth depose and say that she is now acquainted with Benjamin Newton of the town of Schoharie in the County of Rensse- laer aforesaid, that she became acquainted with him as long ago as the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty one and has known him ever since, that she is seventy five years of age and upwards, that some time in the month of May in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty one, the said Benjamin Newton joined the Army, but whether he belonged to the regular or mili- tia service this deponent cannot say, that this deponent made the knapsack and assisted in repairing and putting in order the clothes of the said Benjamin Newton preparatory to his proceeding with the troops, That in the said month of May in the year last aforesaid she saw him at the City of Albany after he had joined himself with the troops and previous to his starting off with them, that she understood at the time that he was enlisted or volunteered volunteered for the term of eight or nine months, that he went some- where to the then western part of the State of New York and served out the full term of time for which he had so enlisted or volunteered, and that he was to her knowledge absent as was said, with the Army or troops, engaged in defence of his country for at least eight or nine months, and further says not
Sworn the 30 th day of August 1832 before me -
J. H. Koon Com d Off ce
Allee her Newton mark
I certify that the above named Allee Newton is a person of credibility and that her statement is entitled to full credit and belief April the 25 th 1833.
J. H. Koon Com d Off ce

Benj n Newton
Pension Papers
adm d
17 mts
$53.33

State of New York Rensselaer County, ss:
Sarah Patrick of the town of Schoharie in the County of Rensselaer and State of New York being duly sworn doth depose and say that she is the sister of Benjamin Newton of the said town of Schoharie and is about three years younger than he is: That she remembers well that in the spring of the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty one he entered into the service of the United States at Albany in the State of New York and joined a Company commanded by Captain Marshall, That she assisted with Mrs. Abigail Newton in preparing his clothes and getting him in readiness to start, in the performance of his duties; That she saw him at Albany after he had become one of said Company doing duty with the same: previous to being marched to the West. That she understood at the time that he proceeded to the Western part of the State of New York, and did duty at Fort Herkimer during the summer of the year when he enlisted, That he was absent from home eight or nine months, and as she has always understood was engaged, performing service as a soldier during the whole time,
Sworn the 31 st day of August 1832 before me -
J. L. Koon Com d Jge
Sarah her Patrick (mark)
I certify that the above named Sarah Patrick is a person of credibility and that her statement is entitled to full credit and belief April 25 th 1833
J. L. Koon Com d Jge

State of New York Rensselaer County ss.
I Archibald Ball Clerk of the County of Rensselaer do hereby certify that John Koon whose signature appears subscribed to the within Affidavits of Allen Newton and Sarah Patrick as a Commissioner, was at the time, the said affidavits respectively purport to have been taken, a Commissioner of the County of Rensselaer duly authorized to take the same. And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said John Koon and that the signature "J Koon" subscribed to the joints of said affidavits , in each case his proper hand writing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the County of Rensselaer the Eleventh day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. Archibald Ball Clerk
Benjamin Newton Application
12.7.17

State of Massachusetts { Berkshire County } S. I. Gilbert B. Garfield a Justice of the peace within & for said County, do hereby Certify that Isaac Brewer, of New Marlborough in the County aforesaid, whose affidavit in the matter of the application of Benjamin Ninton of the town of Schodack County of Rensselaer & State of New York, for a pension under the act of the 7th June A. 1832, was taken before me, on the twenty seventh day of August A.D. 1832, was then & still is a credible person & that his statement is entitled to full credit & belief. Given under my hand at Tyringham the sixteenth day of April A.D. 1833.
Gilbert B. Garfield Justice
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

N o 12,717 c
Benjamin Newton
" March 21 33
Obj. 14, 16
P. 316
A 25
C. Koon
edgl
Nassau
N. York

BRIEF in the case of  Benjamin v. Newton of Schenectady County  at Poughkeepsie - in the State of New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
Before a Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1778 June 9 private Capt. Enoch Noble - Colo   1781 May 8 " Wood - Capt. Marshall  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
in Tyringham - Mass
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
3 - living Witnesses - traditional Evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
James Ord Examining Clerk.

October 6, 1939
BA-J/MCS Benjamin Newton, S.14015
Mr. Ralph E. Boyce 555 Rugby Road Brooklyn, New York
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Benjamin Newton, a Revolutionary War soldier who served in Colonel Wood's Massachusetts regiment and later lived in Rensselaer County, New York.
The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the pension claim, S.14015, based on the military service of Benjamin Newton.
Benjamin Newton was born June 20, 1763, "in Westbury either in the state of Massachusetts or Connecticut." The names of his parents are not shown. Benjamin Newton moved from Westbury when "quite an infant."
While living at Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, he enlisted in June, 1778, served in Captain Enoch Noble's company in Colonel Wood's Massachusetts regiment and was discharged late in February or early in March, 1779. The next fall he moved to New York State, to a place within one and one half miles of the place where he was living in 1832, and enlisted in May, 1781, in Captain Marshall's New York company and was discharged late in February or early in March, 1782.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 4, 1832, at which time he was living at Schodack, Rensselaer County, New York, where he had lived since the Revolution.
In 1832, one Mrs. Alies Newton of Albany, New York, aged about seventy-five years, stated that she made the knapsack for Benjamin Newton

when he enlisted in 1781 but she did not give her relation to him. In 1832, the soldier's sister, Sarah Patrick, a resident of Schodack, New York, stated that she was about three years younger than Benjamin Newton and that she assisted Mrs. Allee Newton in preparing the clothes for Benjamin Newton when he enlisted in 1781. There are no further data relative to the soldier's family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of Benjamin Newton, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly the date of the soldier's death, it is suggested that you address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., giving the following data:
Benjamin Newton, Certificate 14949, issued July 26, 1833, rate $53.33 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILGER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss. I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Ebenezer B. Gafitt Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twenty seventh day of August ,
A. D. 1832.
Henry W. Bishop Register of Probate

December 13, 1935.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. C. F. Messmer 960 Maple Avenue Ridgefield, New Jersey
BA-J/ady Benjamin Newton S.14015
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the name of the wife, or wives, of Benjamin Newton, Revolutionary War soldier, whose record was furnished you on August 25, 1932 from pension claim, S.14015.
You will recall, perhaps, that May 10, 1933, the papers in this claim were reexamined and a statement sent you that no name of a wife of Benjamin Newton is shown in that claim, and that those papers are the source of data furnished by this office in regard to that soldier.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLIER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

June 25, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS
Benjamin Newton, S.14015
Mr. Delbert J. Haff 908 Commerce Bldg. Kansas City, Missouri
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Benjamin Newton who enlisted in the Revolution from Massachusetts and later lived in Rensselaer County, New York.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 14015, based upon the military service of Benjamin Newton.
from there when quite an infant He was born June 20, 1763, "in Westbury either in the state of Massachusetts or Connecticut". The names of his parents were not given.
While living at Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, he enlisted in June, 1778, served in Captain Enoch Noble's company in Colonel Wood's Massachusetts regiment and was discharged late in February or early in March, 1779. The next fall he moved to New York State (to a place within one and one half miles of the place where he was living in 1832) and enlisted in May, 1781, in Captain Marshall's New York company and was discharged late in February or early in March, 1782.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 4, 1832, at which time he was living at Schoharie, Rensselaer County, New York, where he had lived since the Revolution.
No one applied for pension as the widow of Benjamin Newton.

In 1832 one Mrs. Alles Newton of Albany, New York, aged about seventy-five years, stated that she made the knapsack for Benjamin Newton when he enlisted in 1781 but she did not give her relation to him. In 1832 the soldier's sister, Sarah Patrick, a resident of Schodack, New York, stated that she was about three years younger than Benjamin Newton and that she assisted Mrs. Alles Newton in preparing the clothes for her brother when he enlisted in 1781. There are no further data relative to the soldier's family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of Benjamin Newton, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly the date of the soldier's death, it is suggested that you address the Comptroller General, Records Division, General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C., citing the following data:
Benjamin Newton, Certificate 14949, issued July 26, 1833, rate $58.33 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York Agency.
No charge is made for furnishing this information.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

May 10, 1933.
Mrs. C. P. Messmer 960 Maple Avenue Ridgefield New Jersey.
BA-J/ILL Benjamin Newton S. 14015
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter requesting the name of the wife, or wives, of Benjamin Newton. Revolutionary War soldier whose record was furnished you on August 25, 1932 from pension claim, S. 14015.
In the last sentence of that record, you will note "there are no further data relative to the soldier's family", hence, the name of no widow shown in the papers on file in his claim for pension. Such claims are the source of Revolutionary War data furnished by this office.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

August 25, 1932
Mrs. C. P. Messmer 960 Maple Avenue Ridgefield New Jersey
BA-J/MCS Benjamin Newton S. 14015
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter requesting information in regard to Benjamin Newton who served in the Revolution.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 14015, based upon the military service of Benjamin Newton.
He was born June 20, 1763, "in Westbury either in the state of Massachusetts or Connecticut."
While living at Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, he enlisted in June, 1778, served in Captain Enoch Noble's Company in Colonel Wood's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged late in February, or early in March, 1779. The next fall he moved to New York State (to a place within one and one half miles of the place where he was living in 1832) and enlisted in May, 1781, in Captain Marshall's New York Company and was discharged late in February or early in March, 1782.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 4, 1832, at which time he was living at Schoharie, Rensselaer County, New York, where he had lived since the Revolution.
In 1832 one Mrs. Alles Newton of Albany, New York, aged about seventy-five years, stated that she made the knapsack for Benjamin Newton when he enlisted in 1781 but she did not give her relation to him. In 1832 the soldier's sister, Sarah Patrick, a resident of Schoharie, New York, stated that she was about three years younger than Benjamin Newton and that she assisted Mrs. Alles Newton in preparing the clothes for her brother when he enlisted in 1781. There are no further data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator
Death not in Agency Book

555 Rugby Road Brooklyn, N.Y. Sept. 9, 1939
Veterans Administration Att.: Mr. A.D.Hiller Executive Assistant to the Administrator Washington, D.C. Dear Sir:
mcl Would appreciate your forwarding me copies of military and family history of the Revolutionary War of the following:
BENJAMIN NEWTON
He is buried at Half Moon, Saratoga Co., N.Y.. His gravestone states that he died June 22, 1848 aged 85. I believe that he was born in Westbury, Mass. , served in Col. Woods Mass. Regime -nt and later lived in Rensselaer Co., N.Y. and enlisted again in the N.Y. State Militia. His wife's name was Zaida.
Very Truly Yours
Ralph E. Boyce Ralph E. Boyce

960 Maple Avenue Ridgefield, New Jersey.
Will you let me know, if there is any mention of Benjamin Newton's wife in his pension papers? I refer to:
BA - J / MCS
Benjamin Newton S. 140 15.
Her first name was Jada and she was living, when he received

The pension. He died in 1838 - ten years before his and is buried beside him in Half moon, Saratoga Co., New York. I have been years in my search for the d. ate of their marriage. Sincerely yours.
An Newton Messmer
(Mrs. C. P.)
Dec. 4, 1935

EDWIN C. MESERVEY (1885-1935) WILLIAM C. MICHAELS CHARLES M. BLACKMAR SAMUEL P. NEWKIRK HENRY I. EAGER ROY P. SWANSON ROBERT E. COLEBERD KENNETH E. MIDGLEY RALPH M. JONES ALBERT L. REEVES, JR. GEORGE L. GISLER
DELBERT J. HAFF OF COUNSEL
LAW OFFICES
MESERVEY, MICHAELS, BLACKMAR, NEWKIRK & EAGER 906 COMMERCE BUILDING KANSAS CITY, MO.
June 14, 1935.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My dear Sir:
In the book on the genealogy of the Newton family, compiled by E. N. Leonard, I find an account of one Benjamin Newton stated as being a private of the Massachusetts Militia in the Revolution, who was a pensioner of the United States Government receiving two payments, as I understand it, one for $53.33 and one for $133.32 respectively, on March 4, 1831 and July 26, 1833. It is mentioned that he was seventy years of age and living in Rensselaer County, New York, and that his name on the United States pension roll would be found in Volume 2, page 403, of the roll of those dates.
I am very anxious to get the full and exact information regarding Benjamin Newton who was, I believe, my great grandfather. Will you be kind enough to give me what information your record shows regarding this man, and if the date and place of his birth is given, I should like to know. Also, whether he was married or single at the time the pensions were paid, and the name of his wife if you have it; also whether the pension was paid to any wife or children of his after his death, and if so, to whom.
If there is any expense or fee in connection with this search, I shall be glad to remit upon receipt of a statement.
With regards, I am,
Very truly yours,
D. J. Haff Delbert J. Haff.
DJH:GG Enc
Address: D.J. Haff, 906 Commerce Bldg., Kansas City, Mo.

OW 92 Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
The Chief of the Record and Pension Office refers me to you, concerning some information I desire of Ben- jamin Newton who - I am trying to prove - fought in the Revolutionary War .
He lived for many years at Conesville , Saratoga Co., New York, where he died a very old man. He was buried at Middletown , a few miles distant, where afterwards

was his son Jonathan, my grand father.
He went to Watkins , New York for his pension. There was a pension office here, was there not?
I wanted some infor- mation concerning his parents and birth place, but the Chief of the Record and Pension Office was unable to give it - only stating that he served in Hays's New York Regiment, and this extract

"Edwd. Cumpston received Warren Westham's pay instead of Benjamin and Abner Newton". (This Abner we believe a relation.)
I loose greatly as family Bibles were lost, but, if you can give a little help, I am sure to settle the matter - and prove that I am a daughter of the Rev- olution.
(over)
March 10, 1902
Very respectfully, Ann Louise Newton

11 Chestnut Square, Jamaica Plain, Boston, Mass

960 Maple Ave.
Ridgefield, New Jersey.
Veterans Administration,
Will you let me
know if my ancestor, Ben- jamin Newton , a private
in Rev. War, received a grant- or bounty lands?
He was placed on pension roll in Rensselaer County, New York in 1833. (I have his War records)

Thank you for the answer to my inquiry of July 12. in regard to Abner Newton
Sincerely yours,
Ann M.
(Mrs. C. P. Messenger)
August 9, 1932.

Mr. A. D. Hiller, Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir,
Will you let me know if there is any mention of the wife or wives of Benjamin Newton in his pension or service S. 14015 papers? He was a soldier of the Revolutionary War and died in 1848 in Saratoga Co., N. York. Thank you for this

most welcome information you wrote me in August last.
Very sincerely,
Ann Newton Messner (Mrs. C.P.)
960 Maple Ave.
Ridgefield, New Jersey.
May 3, 1923.

Apr-14-1902 Ann Louise Hamilton, DePliams Boston Mass
1932 Aug. 25, hist. to Mrs. C. P. Messner
1933- Mrs. C. P. Messner advised no further family data - J.S.E.
1935 June 25, hist. to Mr. Delbert J. Staff. Mass
1935 Dec. 13. Mrs. C. P. Messner again adv. name of wife not stated. A.G.Y. of wife
1939 Oct. 6, hist. to Mr. Ralph E. Boyce. Mass
Rev. Mass
14.015 INVALID.
File No. 14.015
Benj n Newton Bri. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1, Page 226
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 12,717
Benj n  Newton " 
1842

N o 12,717
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Benj n Newton — which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
Yes —
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? of the magis
where
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
_____
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
Yes —
V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?
Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
Yes —
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
Yes —

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service ?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had ?
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? cvo Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service ?
Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ? cvo Vide June 16
cvo
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so answered ? _____
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades : For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.