Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15205, for Benjamin Pike, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Pike, Benjamin Dorothy
W. 15205
CONTENTS

107495 Massachusetts
Benjamin Pike of Ipswich in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain My of the Reg t commanded by Nelson in the Mass line for 2 Years
Book & Crd
Efry 80
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of - 80 - Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of April 1833 and sent Benjn Merrill Salem Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $160.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept., " 40.00 $200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by McAdison Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 2a Page 63

Benj. Pike No 4161
Library Office
May
to
Please add reply to Benj. Merrill Salem Mass.

State of Massachusetts Essex County ss:
On this second day of August A. D. 1832 personally appeared before the Honorable David Cummins before the Honorable  David Cummins  before the Honorable David Cummins  David Cummins Judge of the Court of Common Pleas  General Sessions , now sitting at ————— within and for the county of Essex aforesaid. Benjamin Pike, resident at Topsham in the county aforesaid, aged 78 years, who is to inform to appear in other courts, who first being duly sworn according to law doth on oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832, to wit
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated:
That soon after the Battle of Lexington in April 1775 he enlisted in the Company of Capt. Geo: Hight in Col Sam. Gerrish's Regiment of Infantry in the Massachusetts line of the Continental Army and served therein to the end of that year, Eight months: That he was stationed at Cambridge and was in the Battle of Bunker's Hill.
That in June or July 1780 he enlisted as a levy in the Continental Army for six months and forthwith marched to Westpoint and was placed in Capt Dike's Company in Col. Wesson's Regiment (the 9 th ) in Massachusetts line of the Continental Army and served therein the full term of his enlistment:
That in June 1776 he enlisted for six months in Capt Peabody's Company in Col Wigglesworth's Regiment of Massachu- setts Militia and served the whole term on a campaign to Ticonderoga:
That about Ap. 10. 1777 he enlisted for Two months in Capt. (name forgotten) Company in Col. Fitcomb's Regi.

ment of Massachusetts Militia and served out said term in full on a campaign to Rhode Island
That about 1 st Jan y 1778 he again enlisted in Capt. Fitcomb's Company in Col. Gannish's Regiment of Massachusetts Militia and served the term of Four months on Winter Hill near Boston guarding Burgoyne's troops.
That in June or July 1778 he enlisted for Six months in Col. Nathan Tyler's Regiment of Massachusetts Militia, he cannot recollect the name of his Captain; he marched to Rhode Island and was there engaged in a Battle in which he thinks Marquis La Fayette commanded or was present. He knows of no individual living that was with him that campaign.
That about the last of June 1779 he enlisted in Capt. Jerh. Putnam's Company in Col. Tyler's Regiment of Massachusetts Militia and marched to Rhode Island and served out the full term of Six months.
That he served Thirty Eight months in the Army & Militia during the Revolutionary War.
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.
Benj. Pike
SWORN to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
[Signature] Judge of said Court.

Joseph Brown of Rowley in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachu- setts, Woman of lawful age, testify and say that in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy five, in the month of April I enlisted into a com- pany of Infantry commanded by Capt.
Thomas Wright, and in the Regiment of which General Green was Colonel, and afterwards Baldwin was Colonel of said Regiment, and that Benjamin Pike of said Rowley enlisted into in said company, on the same day enlist- ed into the same company and was out in the service of the United States under said Wright and Green and others as capt- ains and Colonels for the term of eight months, I further testify and say that said Pike was out in said service of the United States AD 1777, under Capt. Moses Powell and Col. Jonathan Tilton's Regiment, during the term of three months, and in AD 1780, said Pike was out in the Continental service called six months, Joseph Brown

Eph. July 23. 1832, personally appearing the within named Joseph Brown and made oath that the within affidavit by him subscribed therein , before me the sub- scribed time.
Amos J. Tenney Justice of the peace
I certify that the above named Joseph Brown is a credible and disinterested wit- ness.
Brn Merrill Just. Peace

I, James F. McEwen a clergyman residing in Topsham aforesaid do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Pike who has subscribed and sworn to his Declaration for a Pension: that I believe him to be 78 years of age: and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that I concur in that opinion
James F. McEwen
Essex ss: Dec. 5 th 1832.
Subscribed and sworn to before me N. Cleveland Just Peace

I John Lefavour do on oath testify that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Pike of Topsfield and know that he served as a soldier in Captain Richard Peabody's company in Col. Wigglesworth's Regiment of Methuen Infantry in the year A.D. 1776. and I know that he served in said Regiment five months and half at Niconteroga. I also served in the same Regt. the same term of time.
I also have always understood and do believe that he the said Pike performed several other tours of military service during the Revolutionary War.
John Lefavour
State of Massachusetts.
Essex ss; July 30th 1832 Then the above named John Lefavour subscribed and made oath to the above written affidavit before me
N. Cleveland Just. of Peace. I certify that the above named John Lefavour is a credible and disinterested witness.
By Merrill Just. Peace

Brig. Pike
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page. The text is mostly illegible but appears to be a formal letter.]

I Amos Hovey of Salem in Massachusetts Esquire on oath testify
That I know that Benjamin Pike, now of Topsfield in July 1779 enlisted as a Soldier in Capt Jerh Putnam's company in Col. Nathan Tyler's Regiment of Massachusetts Militia for the term of six months and served therein according to his enlistment and was discharged honorably at Newport in Rhode Island.
I was Sergeant of the same company.
Amos Hovey
State of Massachusetts Esqs: July 31. 1832 Then saw Amos Hovey, a credible & disinterested witness, sub- scribed and made oath to the above affidavit before me By Merrill Inst. Peace
"1779" as altered above was by me & the witness
Merrill W.P.

I Thomas Pike of Rowley in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts yeoman, testify and say that my Brother Benjamin Pike of Foxfield, enlisted into the contemptuous service of the United States July 13 th 1776, and that he was out in said service of the United States, for the term of five months, under Richard Praby Col- onel, and Col. Wigglesworth of Newbury- port commanded the said Regiment
Thomas Pike
Essex July 23. Personally appeared the above named Thomas Pike before me one of the Justices of the Peace for said County and made oath that the above affidavit by him submitted is true
James Kenney Justice of the Peace
I certify that the above named Thomas Pike is a credible and disinterested witness
Brig: Merrill Dist. Clerk

To The Secretary of War City of Washington

And the said Court hereby declares its opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolu- tionary Soldier and proved as he has stated. The Court knows him personally & he is entitled to credit. He is infirm from age and unable to appear in open Court. Eunice Emm Judge of said Court
I John Prince Jr Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Pike for a Pension, and that Benjamin Merrill, Nehemiah Cleveland, and Amos J. Tenney, whose respective names are on the annexed Depositions are Justices of the Peace duly qualified to administer oaths and their Signatures are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & seal of Office this Second day of August A. D 1832
John Prince Jr Clerk

Report
2241.
Massachusetts Dorothy Pike widow of Benjamin Pike
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Mass.  Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of Nov. 1848 and sent to
Hon. D. P. King, Danvers, Mass.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 122 Vol. 2.

No 13682 act. 44 Dorothy Rice no. 593 wid of Benjamin Marshall act 7 July 1838 Married 1781 Rejected must am 20 Nov 1847
advised act 17 June 44 $80 per An Nov 20 Nov 1847 also act 2 July 48 $80 —
Hen D P King Dorothy Rice

13682 July 1/4
Dorothy G. King
Wid of Benjamin Map act 7 July 1838 Mams 1781 Rejected must aw 20 Mar 1847 adw act 17 Mar 44 $80 pr An
Hon D. G. King

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefits of the acts of Congress of the 7 th of July 1838. - the act of March 3 d 1843. - the act of June 17 th 1844. - And for the act of February 2 d 1848.
State of Massachusetts County of Essex ss.:
On this twelfth day of June in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and forty eight - personally appeared before me, the Subscriber, a judge of the Court of Probate for the County aforesaid - Dorothy Pike, a resident of Topsfield, in the County and State aforesaid - aged Ninety years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the acts of Congress passed on the 7 th of July 1838. - the act of March 3 d 1843. - the act of June 17 th 1844. - And for the act of February 2 d 1848. - granting pensions to widows of persons, who served during the Revolutionary war.
That she is the widow of Benjamin Pike, who was a private in a Company of Infantry commanded by Capt. Richard Peabody at Scituate N.Y. and at several places in Rhode Island during the Revolutionary war - and that he the said Benjamin Pike was pensioned under the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. - by which he received Eighty Dollars pr. annum as shown by his certificate bearing date at the War Office of the United States the tenth day of April in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty three. and recorded in the Pension Office in Book E. Vol. 2. page 63. - No. 10.495. And for further proof of his services she respectfully refers you to his Declaration and its accompanying papers, which are supposed to be on file at the pension department.
She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin on the eighth day of March Seventeen Hundred and eighty one, by the Rev. Moses Parsons of Newbury - and that he the said

Benjamin Pike died on the twentieth day of November A.D. 1847 - as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed - and further she declares that she is still a widow (and further saith not.
Dorothy Pike
I hereby certify that the said Dorothy Pikescribed and made oath to the foregoing declaration before me on the day & year aforesaid and I further certify that she is unable from bodily infirmity to attend in Court.
D. H. White
Judge of Probate

I Stewart Chase of Newbury in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on oath testify, that I am Clerk of said Town of Newbury, and have the custody of the records of Marriages, and under the caption of the marriages returned by Rev. Moses Parsons, the following is an extract therefrom. viz: "Benjamin Pike and Dorothy Jenny both of Byfield, Bowley, were married together March eighth, one Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty one."
The above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed in fair legible figures - viz "March 8, 1781."
Stewart Chase
State of Massachusetts
Essex County } ss: February 19. 1848.
Sworn to and subscribed Before
Ino. G. Hood Just. of Peace

We the Subscribers testify, on oath, that we knew and was personally well acquainted with Benjamin Pike late of Topsfield, who was a pensioner of the United States, whose widow, Dorothy Pike is now living. We know that she is his widow - and that her husband, the said Benjamin Pike died on the twentieth day of - November A.D. 1847.
William Hubbard Edward Hood
State of Massachusetts County of Essex ss: June 6. 1848.
The above named William Hubbard and Edward Hood who are credible witnesses, made oath, that the above written affidavit by them subscribed is true.
Before me
John G. Hood Just. of Peace Ho. of Reps. July 7. 1848 This certifies that John G. Hood is a regularly qualified magis- trate in Essex Co. Mass'ts Dan'l P. King M - C -

Benj n Pike
N o 4161
Wash
2 years
11. 12, 14 & 16 interrog. attempts not coupled with
Nov 26 1832
Benj n Merill Esq r
Salem Me.

BRIEF in the case of  Benjamin Pice  of  in the State of  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? bodily infirmity —  3. How old is he? 78 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1775 Ap l — 8 — Private Gen. Col. Gerrish, Capt. Meghill   "80 June — 6 X — ditto Col. Wilson, Capt. Dine   "96 June — 6 — do Col. Wigglesworth, Capt. Peabody   "97 Ap l 10 th — 2 — do Col. Titcomb, Capt. not recollected   "78 Jan'y 1 st — 4 — do Col. Gerrish, Capt. Titcomb   "78 June or July — 6 — do Col. Tyler, Capt. not recollected   "79 — 8 — do Col. Tyler, Capt. Putnam  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Bunker Hill, R. Island  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? not stated  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? no interrogatories — no certificates — 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
X the Roll of Service 6 Month
Levin Bell Examining Clerk.

October 24, 1939
BA-J/AWF Benjamin Pike W. 15205
Eva Frances Pike 3910½ Flower Drive Los Angeles, California
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Benjamin Pike, born in 1759, lived in New Hampshire, and Vermont.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, W.15205, based upon the military service of Benjamin Pike in the Revolutionary War. This is the record of the only Benjamin Pike, on account of whose service in the War of the Revolution, a claim for pension was made to the United States.
The date and place of birth of Benjamin Pike, and names of his parents are not given.
Benjamin Pike enlisted and served as a private with the Massachusetts troops as follows- (his place of residence during the war was not stated)
Shortly after the battle of Lexington in April, 1775, eight months in Captain Thomas Mighill's company, Colonel Samuel Gerrish's regiment, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill; from sometime in June, 1776, six months in Captain Richard Peabody's company, Colonel Wigglesworth's regiment, in the campaign to Ticonderoga; from April 10, 1777, two or three months in Captain Moses Nowell's company, Colonel Jonathan Titcomb's regiment; from January 1, 1778, four months in Captain Titcomb's company, Colonel

Gerrish's regiment; from sometime in June or July, 1778, six months in Colonel Nathan Tyler's regiment, and was in the battle of Rhode Island; from the latter part of June, 1779, six months in Captain Jeremiah Putnam's company, Colonel Nathan Tyler's regiment; from sometime in June or July, 1780, six months in Captain Dix's company, Colonel Wesson's Ninth Massachusetts regiment.
This soldier, Benjamin Pike, was allowed pension on his application executed August 3, 1832, at which time he was seventy-eight years of age, and a resident of Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts.
He died November 20, 1847.
Benjamin Pike married March 8, 1781, Dorothy Tenney. Their marriage was recorded on the records of the town of Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts, and it is shown that they were of Byfield and Rowley.
The date and place of birth of Dorothy Tenney, and names of her parents were not stated.
The widow, Dorothy Pike, was allowed pension on her application executed June 12, 1848, at which time she was aged ninety years, and a resident of Topsfield, Massachusetts.
Thomas Pike, brother of the soldier, Benjamin Pike, was living in 1832 in Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts.
Amos J. Tenney was Justice of the Peace in 1832, for Essex County, Massachusetts. In 1848, the name "Dolly Pike" is shown as of Essex County, Massachusetts. The relationship of these persons to the family is not given.
The papers on file in this claim contain no

further discernible family data.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the widow, Dorothy Pike, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data:
Dorothy Pike, widow of Benjamin Pike Certificate #2241 Issued November 14, 1848 Rate $80.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1848 Act of February 2, 1848 Massachusetts Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Ex. E  Rev D.V. Rev. War Section
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., Nov. 19, 1920
The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.
Name of widow No. of claim  Dolly Tenney Pike Name of soldier Benjamin Pike
PO address of claimant at enlistment after service, Rowley, Mass(?)
Company _____
Regiment _____
State where enlisted Mass.
approximate dates of birth & death 1754 - ?
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.
Cap't Mighills co. Col. Gerrish regiment
Return attached letter with reply.
F. D. Byington Commissioner.
(over)

Capt. Peabody Co., Col. Wigglesworth Reg., at Ticonderoga in 1776.
Capt. Putnam Co., Col. Tyler's Reg. from July 8, 1779 to Jan. 1, 1780 at R.I.

Rev 702
28 N. Quince St., Medford, Ore.
Oct. 13, 1920.
U. S. Pension Office, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs,
I have been referred to you by the D. A. R. for information as to the Revolutionary War Record of Benjamin Pike of Massachusetts.
Will you please send me any in- formation you may have on this
Sincerely
Edith Gates

1921 Jan'y 26 Hist. to Edith Gates. 1939 Oct 24 " " Eva F. Pike aw-3
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15205
Dorothy Pike Widow of Benjamin Pike Rev Rev. War
Act: Feb 2 nd 1848
Index:—Vol. M , Page 131
[Arrangement of 1870.]

514 Massachusetts Dorothy Pike widow of Benjamin Pike who was a Private in the Resolution Husband died 20 Nov. 1847
Report.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 1st 20 th day of March Nov. 1847.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of July, 1848. and sent to
Genl D. P. King Genl J. Reps
[Act of JUNE 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book a Vol. 2 Page 36

Benjamin Pine map Act 7 June 1832 $80 00 per annum
To what time was he last paid?
96. Dr
Pension Office July 12 1848 3
Paid to 4 th Sept. 1847 P.B.

Oct 13/82 Mr Evans Barnesville attention June 1882 Cashville
Stephen M.C.
Col. James L. Edwards Com. of Pensions Washington
Edwards

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
N.Y. 15205
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Pike a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr 1775 8 mos. Pvt. Thomas Hight Sam'l Gurnah Mass.   Jan 1776 6 mos. Richard Peabody Higginboth   Apr 10 1777 2 or 3 mos. Norris Fowell Jonathan Pitcomb   Jan 1 1778 4 mos. Pitcomb Gerrish   June or July 1778 6 mos. Nathan Tyler   June 1779 6 mos. Jeremiah Putnam Tyler   June or July 1780 6 mos. Dist Wesson  
Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill Rhode Island
Residence of soldier at enlistment, not stated
Date of application for pension, Aug. 2, 1832 His el. was al.
Residence at date of application, Topsfield, Essex County, Mass.
Age at date of application, 78 yrs. He died Nov. 20, 1847.
Remarks: Soldier mar. Feb. 8, 1781 Dorothy Tenny.
She was al. pens. on an app. executed June 12, 1848 which a res. of Topsfield, Mass. aged ninety years.
Respectfully,
brother Thomas.
Commissioner.

3910½ Flower Drive Los Angeles, Calif., September 30, 1939.
Revolutionary War Records Division, Veterans' Administration, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
For genealogical purposes, I am in need of certain data which I trust you will be able to provide.
Please let me have all your records showing the service, parentage, and family of
BENJAMIN PIKE only here
who was born in 1759, and who lived in Amherst, N.H., and in Burlington and Montpelier, Vermont.
Thank you, for this service.
Very respectfully,
Eva Frances Pike
EFP.EL

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 2 d February 1848. entitled - "an act making further provision for surviving widows and soldiers of the Revolution".
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Essex } ss.
On this seventh day of November 1848. personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid Dorothy Pike - a resident of Topsfield in said County of Essex - aged Ninety years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 2 d of February 1848. granting pensions to widows of persons, who served in the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Benjamin Pike, who was a private in the war of the Revolution and that he was pensioned under the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 - And that she is the identical person who drew a pension under the Act of June 17. 1844. on account of the Revolutionary service of her late husband aforesaid at the rate of Eighty Dollars pr. annum as shown by her certificate bearing date at the War Office of the United States the 18 th day of July One Thousand Eight Hundred and forty eight. She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
Dorothy Pike
Before me Inob. Hood Just. Peace
In presence of Dolly Pike

Barnes (Mass) Nov 10 1880 -
John G Hood Esq. within named is known to me to be a duly autho- rized magistrate for the Co. of Essex in the Commonwealth of Mass. etc
I am P. Kling M. C. -
Will the Com te please direct the certificate to be forward d {
To me J. P. Kling -