Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2430, David Bensley, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.F.
Bensley, David or Benchley
W. 2430
B.L.Wt. 7088-160-55
Abigail
CONTENTS

14607
New York
David Bensley.
of Herkimer in the State of New York who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Argill e of the Reg t commanded by Col. Hiltbold. in the N. J. line for 2 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of June 1833. and sent to George H. Fater Little Falls. Herkimer Co N. Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. $160.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 2 d Sep r 1833. . . 40
$200. —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book 8
George Taylor Clerk. Vol. 4. Page 45
Sent Geo H. Fater Little Falls N.Y.

David Bensley's application for for a pension under act of June 1832
24525
agent George H. Fuller Little Falls Herkimer Co. N.Y. N.Y.

State of New York
Wartine County } ss:
Joseph Bensby of the town of New Port in the said County of Wartine being duly sworn according to law in open Court before Henry Worthy Esq. one the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the said County of Wartine, deposes & saith, that he is a brother of David Bensby & is well acquainted with said David of the town of Fairfield in said County - that he has heard the statement of said David read & believes the same to be correct & true in all respects - & knows a part thereof is correct - deponent believes said David is Twenty Seven years of age as he has stated in his declaration of service - that said David is two years older than deponent as they have always been informed by their parents & believes him - that deponent is Twenty Six years of age according to the statement of his parents which he believes true - deponent knows said David since the service of the United States the first of Jan in the year 1775 - that he enlisted in a company commanded by Capt. John Angel - Col. Gage will Army Lieutenant Stephen Army Esq. - the company was attached to a regiment commanded by Col. Hitchcock of Providence - deponent knows said David entered into said company at Smithfield in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island - said David enlisted for nine months - & understood at Providence as deponent believes - that said David was gone from home nine months - & deponent was informed and believes that he was in the service as is stated by said David in his declaration - that deponent went to see his brother once during the said nine months at Prospect Hill near Boston & found him brother in the service doing duty

& that David Davis returned home to Smithfield at the expiration of his nine months -
Deponent also knows that David Davis volunteered in the Summer of 1777 the first of June as a point company believed & entered into the service for three months in a company commanded by Capt. Samuel May. Lieutenant Wescott in Col. Potters Regiment - the Company rendezvoused at Providence - & went from there to Bristol in Rhode Island where he served out his term of service & then returned home - that deponent enlisted at the same time in the same company - & served the said three months with his brother & was dismissed & returned home to Smithfield at the same time -
That a short time after deponent & David Davis enlisted for the term of fifteen months - in a company commanded by Capt. William Whipple. Lieutenants William Weildes - & Ensign Richmond Springer. the company rendezvoused at Providence aforesaid under Col. John Dopham. Lieutenant Col. Hawkins (whose Christian name deponent cannot recollect) - Samuel Philips Major. Charles Hemandy Adjutant. John Hemandy Brigade Major. Ezekiel Cornwall was General that some time in the fall of the year 1777 - they marched from Providence to the west side of the island of Rhode Island & remained there on duty about a month & from there marched back to the east side of the island to Howlands ferry & remained here on duty till the ninth day of August 1778 & then was marched on to the island of  back to Rhode Island to a place about a mile distant from the town of New Port in Rhode Island - & remained here till the 29th day of August as deponent believes & then returned back again to Howlands Ferry aforesaid and there remained on duty till the expiration of his fifteen months which was in the month of March 1779 & the last of the month

as deponent believes. Deponent further saith that Sam Davis has always sustained a fair character for truth & veracity - And further deponent saith not. Joseph Beuchley
Sworn and Subscribed before me a justice of the peace in and by virtue of this 17 th December 1832. Shurton West

State of New York,
Herkimer County ss William Coney of the town of Russia in the said County of Herkimer being duly sworn according to law in open court before Stephen A. Worster one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said county. deposeth & saith that he is well acquainted with David Binsby of the town of Garfield in said County - that he has heard the statement of said Binsby read & be- lieves the same to be correct & true & knows a part of the same to be correct & true, that deponent believes said Binsby is surely seven years of age, as stated in his declaration of services - that deponent was enlisted in the Revolutionary war, in a company commanded by Philip Griffin Capt. Clark Parker Lieutenant, Elias Jackson 3 d Lieutenant - this company was attached to a Regiment commanded by John Stephen. Hawkins was Lieutenant Col. Sam l Philips Major John Handy Brigadier Major, Charles Handy Adjutant of the regiment - this Regiment was stationed at Howlands Ferry in the town of Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island - this was in the winter of 1778 - & that during this winter the deponent became acquainted with said David Binsby who was also a soldier in said Regiment in a company commanded by Capt. William Whipple. Lieutenant William Helms - the Ensign deponent does not recollect. deponent knows said David Binsby during said winter & the following summer and winter till March 1779 as is stated in said David's declaration of services - deponent understood & believes true that said David was enlisted for fifteen months - & that said David & Deponent were discharged from the service at the same time - & which deponent believes was on

the last day of March, 1779, and deponent, & that David was discharged from the Service, at Howlands Ferry in the said State of Rhode Island - deponent knows David to be a man of veracity, & has always sustained a fair character. And further the deponent saith not. deponent farther saith that Joseph Bursby a brother of said David was also in the said Service with his brother in the same company, & was discharged at the same time at Howlands Ferry aforesaid - and that deponent is twenty five years of age, and further this deponent saith not.
William Coney
Subscribed and sworn to this 19. day of December 1832 before me a judge of Herkimer county courts - Sherman Wooster
Herkimer county ss.
I Sherman Wooster a judge of Herkimer county courts do hereby certify that I am acquainted with William Coney who has signed and sworn to the above affidavit, and consider him to be a man of good moral character, and his statements may be relied on as true and correct. this 19. day of Dec. 1832. Sherman Wooster

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
State of New York } Herkimer County } on this eleventh day of January February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court before assisted by  first John M. Johnson & Augustine Mandell and Rufus Cram judge of —
The court of common pleas of the county of Herkimer now sitting David Bensley a resident of the town of Fairfield in the county aforesaid aged seventy seven years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
That he was born in the town of Smithfield county of Providence & State of Rhode Island on the eleventh day of May 1755 as he has always been in- formed by his parents and verily believes true, though he has no record of it & believes if any was made it was burnt up when Providence house was burnt
He entered the service in the year 1775 about the first of June of that year at Smithfield aforesaid and in the revolutionary War, & can testify to a part of his services.

Enlisted under captain John Angell for nine months, Gaspard Olney was Lieutenant & Stephen Olney was Ensign of the same company - Colonel Pitch- =cock of Providence was Col. of the Regi- =ment under command of General Green Nathaniel Greene - The plan of render- vous was at Providence from then marched through part of North Providence & thro' Rehoboth & thro' Attleboro, & Wrentham and from thence marched to Jamaica plains in Massachusetts and remained here about a month and marched from thence to Prospect Hill near Boston and here served out the nine months enlist- =ment -
Sometimes in the summer of 1777 disponent turned out instead the service of the United States as a volunteer for three months under captain Samuel May Lieut. Mescott in Colonel Potter's Regiment the the other officers are forgotten This was at Smithfield aforesaid and the plan of Rendezvous was at Provid- =ence aforesaid from Providence the troops marched & disponent also to Bristol in Rhode Island and then

arrived out the term of three months the term of service for which deployment had volunteered and returned to Smithfield. Then shortly after his return aponent enlisted for the term of fifteen months under captain William Whipple Lieutenant William Holmes Ensign Richmond Springer and rendered at Providence aforesaid under colonel John Topham Lieut. Colonel Hawkins & Samuel Phillips major John Hardy Brigade Major, Charles Hardy adjutant of the regiment, under com- mand of General Esekiel Cornwell sometime of the fall of the year 1777 was marched from Providence to the west side of the island of Rhode island remained there on duty about a month and from thence was marched back to the east side of the island to Boorlands ferry and remained here on duty till the ninth day of August 1778 then was marched back to a place now not remembered but which is about a mile distant from the town of Newport in Rhode Island on the said island and remained here
in the revolutionary War, & can testify to a part of his services.

till the 29 th day of August aforesaid then retreated back pursued by the enemy again to Howlands ferry aforesaid and there remained on duty till the expiration of said fifteen months which was in the month of March 1779. all the aforesaid services were in the militia - and State troops.
1 st Deponent was born in the town of Smithfield in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island the Eleventh day of May in the year 1755. 2 d Deponent has no Record of his age & there never was any to his knowledge. 3 d At the time Deponent was called into the service he resided in the town of Smithfield in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island Rhode Island & when he made his home during the war when he was not engaged in the service - at the close of the war he moved from Smithfield aforesaid to the town of East Hoosac as it was then called in the County of Hampshire in the State of Massachusetts. he resided there about six years, as he believes & from there removed to the (now) Town of Housatonic  Fairfield in the County of Herkimer where he has resided ever since. he is about

4 th Deponent enlisted at the several times he entered into the Service in the Revolutionary War.
5 th The Regular officers in the first Service of deponent that deponent can recollect were a Mr. Hetchcock Col. whose Christian name he cannot recollect. The Regiment was under the command of Genl. Nathaniel Green. his Capt. was John Angel. Ensigns were Lieut. Stephen King Ensign - The second enlistment was in a company commanded by Capt. Samuel May, Lieutenant Moseley - in Col. Potters Regiment - the third enlistment was in a company commanded by Capt. William Whipple, Lieutenant William Holmes, D. Ensign Richmond Springer. John Goffan was Col. a Mr. Hawkins was Lieutenant Col. Samuel Phillips was Major - Charles Hancy Adjutant Esek G. Brownell General - John Hancy Brigadier Major. Col. Goffan in another Regiment in the same Brigade. Gabriel Allen was paymaster -
6 th Deponent never received a written discharge at the expiration of any or either of his terms of Service.
7 th Deponent is known to Joseph Bentley residing in the town of Newport in the County of Berkshire, a brother of deponent, & who can testify as to the services of deponent in the Revolutionary War - & William Casey Residing in the town of Russia in said County of Berkshire who has known  has known deponent in the revolutionary War, & can testify to a part of his services.

both of whom can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of my services in the as a soldier of the Revolution.
We hereby relinquish every Claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declare that his name is not in the pension roll of the agency of any State Sworn to, & Subscribed, the day & year aforesaid - in Open Court David Bensley Julius D. Nelson Clerk
We Joseph Bensley of the town of New Port in the county of Hampshire & William Corey of the town of Russia in said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Bensley who has Subscribed & Sworn the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age - that he is respected & believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion. Sworn & Subscribed, the day & year aforesaid in Open Court Joseph Bensley Julius D. Nelson Clerk William Corey
And the said Court hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the inter- rogatories presented by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, & served as he states, & the Court further certifying that it appears to them that Joseph Bensley & William Corey, who have signed the preceding certificate - that the said Joseph Bensley resides in the town of New Port in

Said County of Herkian - that William Coney resident in the town of Russia in Said County of Herkian - an credible person & that this statement is entitled to credit.
Julius C. Nelson Clerk of the court of Common Pleas in & for the county of Herkian do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of the application of David Busby for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 11 th day of February in the year 1838 -
Julius C. Nelson Clerk

24628
David Bensler Herkemer Co New York
George H. Fater Little Falls. Herkemer

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of David Bursley  Verhenger Co New York
   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.     June 1775 " 9 " Priv Gen. Greene Col. Gilchrook Col. Angell 77 years Providence Witness Jos. Bursley.   Dec 1776 " 3 " " Col. Potter Col. May 60 Rhode   Feb 1777 1 3 " " Gen. Cornwallis Col. Lohamy Lt. Col. Hawkins Major Philips B. M. Hanley Capt. Whipple " Wm. Coring.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I, _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his 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 enquiry 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 [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[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.
Joseph Rowen

1.617 New York Albany Abigail Bensley widow of David Bensley who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private R.D. June 10 184
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars Cts Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. 3 rd February 1833 Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of Aug/33 and sent to Geo. C. Ames Present
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners etc. February 2, 1848 Page 69 Vol. 1 3953
1870 Act H Laflin as to copy of this pension Sold the latter of his correspondent Jun 10 Hon A H Laflin - that the pension cannot be paid prior to date of the act 1880 May 4 Hon W Miller, that the pension cannot commence prior to date of act
[Handwritten initials or mark]

State of New York } County of Herkimer } ss
On this Eighth day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty three personally appeared before me the Undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid, Abigail Bursly A resident of the Town of Fairfield County and State aforesaid aged Seventy Seven Years who being 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 act of Congress of the United States passed on the 3 rd day of February A.D. 1853 that she is the widow of David Bursly who served as a private in the United States Army during the Revolutionary War, that Said David Bursly was a pensioner of the United States and was as deponent has been informed pensioned under the law of the United States passed the 7 th June 1832 to ascertain the performance of Said Service by Said David Bursly during the Revolutionary War reference may be had to the evidence in his application on file in the Pension Department upon which he was pensioned and also to establish this claim.
She further declares that she was married to the Said David Bursly on some day of September in the year One thousand Eight hundred and fifteen, and of which marriage there is no public or private record existing, that her husband the Said David Bursly died on the eighth day of November A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty seven.
She further declares that she was a widow on the 3 rd day of February 1853 and is still a widow, that she has never before made any application for a pension.
Subscribed and sworn to before me on the day and year above }

written. Robert Casler Justice of the Peace
Abigail his X Rensley mark
In presence Of Gordon Peter Angeline Ford
State of New York, HERKIMER COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE,
} ss. W. H. Cram I, E. T. CLELAND , Clerk of the County of Herkimer, do certify that Robert Casler Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the certificate and jurat of affidavit of the annexed instrument, was at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, dwelling in said county, duly elected and sworn; and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting, and verily believe the name subscribed to the said certificate and jurat of affidavit, to be his genuine signature.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county, at Herkimer, this day of June A. D. 185 3
W. H. Cram Clerk.

State Of New York
Herkimer County — } A
On this thirteenth day of April in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and fifty three John Eaton and Edward M. Griffith personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County Aforesaid and severally made Oaths according to law, that Mrs Abigail Rensly is the Widow of David Rensly who was reputed to have been a Soldier in the Revolutionary War that he drew a pension for services rendered the United States during said War that they were well and intimately acquainted with said David Rensly in his life time and with the said Mrs Abigail Rensly the applicant and Widow of the said David Rensly that they the deponents were so acquainted with them for thirty Years or upwards, that they have known the said David Rensly and Abigail Rensly to have lived together as man and wife for more than thirty Years that they were generally reputed as such by all who knew them.
that said Abigail Rensly was a Widow prior and on the 3 rd day of February 1853 and is still a Widow and that she had by the said David Rensly the following Children. Viz William Rensly and Angeline Ford
Subscribed and sworn to, before me the day and Year first above written. And I do hereby certify that John Eaton and Edward M. Griffith are Credible Witnesses } Robert Casler Justice of the peace
John Eaton Edward M. Griffith.

60.046 } Act March 3/55 } Aprio 11/55
Abigail Bensley wid of David Bensley Jr.
A. J. Noe 1855
ad: 1600 ad: Sept. 29 th 1855.
Revolutionary War
Rev Pensioner
Act No. 1617 July 53-1617
Roll
Vol. B.1-84.
Solomon Petrie Little Falls N.Y.

State of New York } County of Dutchess } ss-
On this twenty second day of March A. D One thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Abigail Bensley aged seventy eight years a resident of the town of Fairfield in the State of New York who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the identical Abigail Bensley widow of David Bensley deceased who was a private in the war of the Revolution, that she does not now recollect the names of the officers under whom her said husband served,
For further proof to establish this claim she would most respectfully refer the Department to her declaration & other evidences now on file in the Pension Department at Washington, on which a pension Certificate No. 1.617. recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 3 d 1853. Page 69 Vol. A. was granted to her.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3. 1855. She also declares that she has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress, nor made any application therefor.
In presence of Amosd Pitkin
Abigail her Bensley mark
We James H Bucklin and Amosd Pitkin residents of Little Falls in the State of New York upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Abigail Bensley in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance

and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
J. H. Buckling
Annexed Petition
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the Claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in the claim.
Charles Lewis Justice of the Peace of Herkimer County
State of New York, HERKIMER COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, } ss.
I, E. T. CLELAND, Clerk of the County of Herkimer, do certify that Charles Lewis Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the certificate and jurat of affidavit of the annexed instrument, was at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, dwelling in said county, duly elected and sworn; and that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe the name subscribed to the said certificate and jurat of affidavit, to be his genuine signature.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county, at Herkimer, this day of April A. D. 1855
E. T. Cleland
Clerk.
No 60046

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of David Beasley 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.     June 1775 9 mos. Pvt. John Russell Stephen R.I.   June 1775 1 mos. Samuel Hays Patten   Oct 1775 10 mos. William Shipple John      
Battles engaged in, _____  Residence of soldier at enlistment, _____  Date of application for pension, _____  Residence at date of application, _____  Age at date of application, _____
Remarks: _____
He married Sept. 11th 1775. She was also pensioned on the same date. He was a resident of Fairfield S.C. aged 70 years. His children were William, Richard and Robert. He died in the house of his son William in 1815. His widow lived until 1847. She was 86 years old at the time of her death.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

State of New York Ulster County
ss. I Julius Tolson Clerk of the said County do Certify, that Sherman Wooster Paine before whom the preceding Affidavit purport to have been sworn and subscribed was, on the day of its date one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, and duly authorized to act as such, and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge, and hereby declare his name subscribed to the said Certificate to be his proper hand writing and Signature
In testimony Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal of Office this 11th day of February 1833 Julius Tolson Clerk

Sir
Washington June 4 1883
Enclosed you will please find the application of Abigail Bursley widow of David of New York for the benefits of the act of 3 rd July last.
Very Respectfully Your obedient Procedence,
Hon. S. P. Mallet Commr of Pensions,

1913 Dec. 15-Hist. to Mrs. James H. Mansfield V.L.O.H.
Rev y WIDOW, &c.
File No.
2430
Abigail Bensley, Widow.
David Bensley, Priv. Rev. War.
Act.
Feb. 3. 1853.
Index :—Vol.
a
Page
48
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No. 60046
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received April 11, 1855
David Bensley Rev: War
Warrant 7088-160-55
Solomon Petrie Little Falls N.Y.
March 3, 1855 N.Y. Solomon Petrie

7088
S
Geo. A. ...

Pension Office Aug 20/52
Sir Please report time of last payment to or death of within pensioner
Respectfully &c
H Burt Esqr                      J. Hall for Comr Blvd Parent,
David Bensley, Not 32, $80. p. an. — Died 10 th November 1847, Paid to his death.
F. Birch Auditor.

December 6 th 1913
220 So. Scoville Avenue Oak Park, Ill.
To the Commissioner of Pensions G. M. Saltzgaber - Dear Sir -
May I request your department to furnish me with a transcript of record of service of my ancestor David Bensley? He served in the war of the Revolution from Berkshire County, Mass- achusetts. In later years

of his life he resided in New York State, I believe Herkimer County.
I wish to prove eligibility to the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Most respectfully requested Inez S. Stansfield
Mrs James H. Stansfield 220 So. Scoville Av Oak Park, Ill.

Brief in the case of Abigail Bensley widow of David Herkimer County and State of N. York act of Feb 3 - 1853
Claim, ("original," or " for increase ,")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. Husband a pensioner under act of June 7, 1832 at $80 per annum
Private
(If for increase.) Marriage proof cr. witts. Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Death and r. report
Identity cr. witts.
Name and residence of Agent
Geo. G. Ames Present-
Examining Clerk.
H. Gray