Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19206, Aaron Bennitt, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Bennitt, Aaron or Bennett
S. 19206
carded
CONTENTS
[Blank lined area for contents]
[Blank lined area for contents]

New York 28.644
Aaron Bennett
Katherine 6 in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company command by Captain Rea of the Reg't comman by Col Bradley in the Coast Mil time for 11 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of May 1834 and sent to Hon N Halsey H. Reps
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 99.99 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sept 4 '34 16.66
$116.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam H. Page Clerk, Book 8 Vol. 4 Page 116

No 11443.
Sarah Bunnell
Suspended.
_____
5.16 Adm~
8 Sep 32 11 Dec "
Hon. K. Halsey Th. Maxwell, Agent Elmira N. York

Ms. A. 9. 2. 3.
BRIEF in the case of Sarah Bennett, of Catherine, County of Tioga in the State of New York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  In Open Court.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  ~~~~~  How old is he?  77 Years.  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.     July 1 st . In 1776. 2 & about 7. private Gen. Cupt Reed.   May — 1776. 8. " Capt Eliza Abt. Col Bradley  
 In what battles was he engaged?  Engaged at Fort Washington.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  North Fairfield, Fairfield County, Conn.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  By one living, who serves, 8. mo. last enlistment.  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 Odell
Examining Clerk.

1144/3, Aaron Bennett
Not found on Rolls of Court Continental Line //
Post office Elmira N.Y. care Th. Maxwell Agent
adm d 10 mo. fri  $33.33

State of New York Tioga County ss
I Aaron Bennett of Catharine in the said County of Tioga being duly sworn say that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of time he served in the Revolutionary war but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below in the following grades:
In 1776. enlisted in Feb 1776 for two months, in a company commanded by Cap t Salomon Reed, Lt. W m Hance of Herkford County militia (Penn) & served his term in the City of New York & was detained one week after before he was discharged.
Mont. Pa. 2. 7
In May 1776 he enlisted at North Fairfield for 8 months in a company commanded by Cap t Elisha Hall in a Regiment under Col d Philip B Bradley Lieut d Col d Hobby & Maj d Dimon. & continued to serve in said company & Reg t at the several places stated in his declaration until about the 18 th day of Nov. 1776 when he was captured in Fort Washington when the Fort was surrounded & remained in captivity as stated in his declaration, until late in Jan y 1777 when he was discharged on parole making not less than 8 m o .
8 -
10:7
Making his services & captivity in all ten months & seven days for which he claims a pension.
Sworn & subscribed the 28 th day of Dec r 1822 Before me
W m D. Harris a Justice of the Peace
Aaron his Bennett Mark

State of New York Niagara County ss
I Green M. Tuthele Clerk of the said County of Niagara hereby certify that Joseph L. Dunting Esq. before whom the within affidavit was taken was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the peace in the said County duly qualified. That I am well acquainted with his signature & will believe the signature of Caroline subscribed to the said affidavit is the proper hand writing of the said Justice.
Witness my hand & Seal of office the 7 day of Jan 1833
Green M. Tuthele
11.11.13

at a Court of Common Pleas held at the village of Elmira in & for the County of Tioga in the State of New York commencing on the first Tuesday in September 1832, the same being a court of Record having a clerk & seal -
Present.
Hon G. B. Palowin First Judge
Darius Bentley
Joseph L. Darling
John R. Drake
Elijah Shoemaker
Esg rs Judges
State of New York } Tioga County } on the 6 th day of September 1832 before the above named Judges now sitting, personally appeared Aaron Bennett a resident of the town of Catharine in the County of Tioga aged Seventy seven years & upwards who being 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 enters the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated:
That he enlisted at North Fairfield in the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut about the 1 st February 1776 for two months in a company commanded by Capt. Salmon Reed, Lieut. William Hawley, Samuel Gould was the first Sergeant & Timothy Blackman was the second Sergeant, served the term out at New York & was kept about a week over his term -
In May 1776 he enlisted at North Fairfield aforesaid for the term of Eight months in a company commanded by Capt Captain Elisha Abel, Lieut. William Holly, John Blackledge Second Lieutenant & Ensign Whiting in the Regiment under command of Col. Philip B. Bradley, Lieut. Col. Hobbey and Major Dimon; went by water to New York where they remained two or three weeks; then to Bergen where they continued ten or twelve days, then to Bergen Point where they were stationed three or four months, to keep the British troops (who were

lying on Staten Island' from landing at Bergen from Bergen Point they were marched to the English neighborhood near Fort Lee; from whence he was sent with a detachment of the company under their Lieut. Blackledge, to Fort Washington where they arrived a few days before the capture of the Fort. was in the engagement when the Fort was surrendered & carried a prisoner to New York, and confined about two weeks in the North Dutch Church, and was then placed on board the Jersey Prison Ship: the Ship was taken to Turtlebay between Long Island & York Island where he remained until about the last of January: 1777 1777 when he was paroled & sent home: he was discharged in a wretched condition having been near three weeks in getting home being so enfeebled from confinement and ill fare as to be unable to travel - As he never learned that he had been exchanged & having been discharged on parole he did not again enter the + Service - That he never received a discharge -
In answer to the Interrogatories propounded by the War Department he states that he was born at North Fairfield, County of Fairfield, Conn. on the 11 th March 1755 as appears by the Record in his father's Bible - which the last he knew of it was in possession of a brother who is long since died in Con- necticut. That the only person in this part of the Country by whom he can prove his services is Joseph Hrost of the town of Catharine in the said County of Tioga who is now here in Court to testify to the same. That he continued to reside in Fairfield County until 1799 when he removed to the Sugar Creek Bradford Co Penn where he lived until 1810 when he removed to Catharine in the said County of Tioga where he still lives -
+ That after his arrival at home on his discharge from the Prison Ship he was for about five months so disabled as to be unable to do

any business of consequence - that he had the small box while a prisoner -
That the Continental Officers, whom he knew in service were Genl. Greene, Col. Bradley & Do t Hobbey.
He refers to Samuel Laurence, Joseph L. Darling Thomas Miles & John Root Esquires all of the Town of Catharine for his reputation as a Revolutionary Soldier to otherwise -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Aaron Bennett
sworn & subscribed the } day & year aforesaid } Aaron M Tutill Clk
On the same day & year aforesaid before the Judges aforesaid in open court personally appeared Joseph West of the Town of Catharine in the said County of Troja aged Seventy Seven years & upwards who being duly sworn says that he is well acquainted with the above named Aaron Bennett; that he knew him while in service in the Revolutionary war, in the eight months enlistment mentioned in his decla- ration; that he was under Capt. Abel; the deponent served with him in the same company under a similar enlistment for about six months until about the 13 th November 1776 when the said Bennett was sent with a detachment from the Company under Lieut. Blackledge to Fort Washington where he was always understood he was captured & confined in the Jersey Prison Ship, that he saw him in February or sometime in the ensuing winter (1777) after he was discharged on parole - That he has lived in the same town (Catharine) in the

County of Troy with the said Bennett for about twenty years past, has no reason to doubt the truth of such part of his relation above detailed as did not fall under his personal observation.
Sworn & Subscribed } Joseph Frost the day & year aforesaid } Green M. Tutill Clerk
We Elias Beardslee a minister of the Gospel of the Town of Catharine in said County and Amos Bonny of the same town & County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the above declarant Aaron Bennett: that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age: that he is reported & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion -
Subscribed & Sworn } Elias Beardslee the day & year aforesaid } Amos Bonny Green M. Tutill Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and deserves as she states: The said Court further certify that Joseph Frost who has sworn to the foregoing affidavit is a reputable and disinterested witness, entitled to credit.
The said Court also certify that the Rev. Elias Beardslee who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the said town of Catharine and Amos Bonny Esquire who has also signed the same is a resident of the town of Catharine.

is a credible person & that this statement is entitled to full faith & credit.
J. B. Baldwin Post Judge
I Green M c Intire Clerk of the said Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Aaron Bennett for a Pension -
In Witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed my Seal of Office the 6 th day of September 1832
Green M c Intire
Ribbon affixed Jan 7. 1833.
Green M c Intire

March 7, 1931.
Mr. E. J. Bullard 2111 David Stott Building Detroit, Michigan.
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section ILL Car
Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 19206, that Aaron Bennitt, pensioned Bennett, was born March 11, 1755 in North Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
While a resident of North Fairfield, Connecticut, he enlisted about February 1, 1776 and served two months and one week as a private in Captain Zalmon Read's Connecticut Company. He enlisted in May, 1776 and served as a private in Captain Abel's Company, Colonel Philip B. Bradley's Connecticut Regiment; he was in the engagement at Fort Washington, was taken prisoner there on November 16, 1776, was carried to New York and confined for two weeks in the North Dutch church, was then placed on the prison ship, "Jersey", and held until the last of January 1777, when he was discharged on parole.
Soldier moved in 1799 from Fairfield, Connecticut, to Sugar Creek, Bradford County, Pennsylvania.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 6, 1832, while a resident of Catharine, Tioga County, New York, having moved there in 1810 from Pennsylvania.
It is not stated that soldier married.
Very truly yours,
E.W.MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

Aaron Bennett
New York
Act. of June 1832
Suspended See let. ser to Th. Moaxwell April 2 nd 1833

No 11643. v
Aaron Bennett

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Aaron Bennett , 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?
Yes.
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?
No.
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?
Yes.
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? Yes.
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?
No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
Yes.
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.

Thos. Marshall
Apr. 2 '33
06.
Recorded Vol. 8.
Page 218.

War Dept
Decision off Mar. 2. 1833
Sir
In the cases of Aron Bennet & Stephen Savoy who claim for the Continental service, which is not supported by the rolls, it is necessary, that they should establish their claims by the testimony of two credible witnesses -
The claim of John Ricker, for militia service is founded upon alleged tours of unusual length for that description of the public force - Some explanations of the causes which led to his induced his continuance in the service beyond the legal term are necessary - It does not escape notice that while his witness would appears to have occupied a position which enabled him to have a personal knowledge of Claimant's service, his testimony goes no farther than to prove that he "once saw him in service at Ramapo & a place called Shuart's Bridge" - Upon testimony so limited & vague his claim could not be allowed -
Their claims are suspended & their papers placed on file
actg. June
Thos. Maxwell assd Elmira, N.Y.

V 19206
1931- Mar. 6. Hist. to E. J. Bullard. Ill.
INVALID.
File No. 19206
James Bennett.
1812 - 1882
Act: 1840 - 1842
Index: — Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA
A FRATERNAL BENEFICIARY SOCIETY
MORE THAN A MILLION MEMBERS
A. R. TALBOT, Head Consul, Lincoln, Nebraska W. E. JACKSON, Asst. to Head Consul, Lincoln, Nebr. J. G. GRAY, Head Clerk, Rock Island, Illinois A. D. PHILLIPS, Asst. Head Clerk, Rock Island, Illinois O. C. ALESHIRE, Head Banker, Chicago, Illinois  BOARD OF DIRECTORS  N. C. SHERBURNE, Chairman, Newark, Ohio R. R. SMITH, Kansas City, Missouri F. R. KORN, Des Moines, Iowa E. J. BULLARD, Detroit, Michigan JOHN D. VOLZ, Indianapolis, Ind. GEO. L. BOWMAN, Kingfisher, Oklahoma GEO. HATZENBUHLER, Bloomington, Illinois
2111 David Stott Bldg.,
Detroit, Mich.,
February 17, 1931.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:--
Aaron Bennitt enlisted June 12, 1776, as private in Capt. Elijah Able's company in Col. P. B. Bradley's battalion, Wadsworth's Brigade, from Connecticut. He was taken prisoner at Fort Washington, N. Y., November 16, 1776.
Will you please advise me if a pension was ever issued on account of this soldiers Revol tionar War service and if so what it discloses.
I wish the material for genealogical purposes.
Yours sincerely,  

Aaron Bennett
New York Act 7 th June 1832
Suspended See let. -ter to Th. Moaxwell April 2 nd 1833

No 11643. v
Aaron Burnett

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Aaron Bennett , 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? Yes. 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? No. 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?
Yes.
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? Yes.
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?
No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
Yes.
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.

Thos. Maxwell Apr. 2 '33
06.
Recorded Vol. 8. Page 408.

War Department
Decision of Apr. 2. Mar. 1833
Sir
In the cases of Aron Bennet & Stephen Savoy who claiming for the Continental service, which is not supported by the rolls, it is necessary, that they should establish their claims by the testimony of two credible witnesses -
The claim of John Richey for militia service is founded upon alleged tours of unusual length for that description of the public force - Some explanations of the causes which led to his induced his continuance in the service beyond the legal term are necessary - It does not escape notice that while his witness would appear to have occupied a position which enabled him to have a personal knowledge of Claimant's service, his testimony goes no farther than to prove that he "once saw him in service at Ramapo & a place called Shuart's Bridge" - Upon testimony so limited & vague his claim could not be allowed -
Their claims are suspended & their papers placed on file
act d 7. June
The Maxwell esq d
Elmira, N.Y.

19206 INVALID.
1931- Mar. 6. Hist. to E. J. Bullard. ILL.
File No. 19206
James Bunnell.
B. 1812
Act: 1842
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA
A FRATERNAL BENEFICIARY SOCIETY
MORE THAN A MILLION MEMBERS
A. R. TALBOT, Head Consul, Lincoln, Nebraska W. E. JACKSON, Asst to Head Consul, Lincoln, Nebr. J. G. RAY, Head Clerk, Rock Island, Illinois A. D. PHILLIPS, Asst Head Clerk, Rock Island, Illinois O. E. ALESHIRE, Head Banker, Chicago, Illinois
BOARD OF DIRECTORS N. C. SHERBURNE, Chairman, Newark, Ohio R. R. SMITH, Kansas City, Missouri F. R. KORNS, Des Moines, Iowa E. J. BULLARD, Detroit, Michigan JOHN D. VOLZ, Indianapolis, Ind. GEO. L. BOWMAN, Kingfisher, Oklahoma GEO. HATZENBUHLER, Bloomington, Illinois
2111 David Stott Bldg.,
Detroit, Mich.,
February 17, 1931.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:--
Aaron Bennitt enlisted June 12, 1876, as private in Capt. Elijah Able's company in Col. P. B. Bradley's battalion, Wadsworth's Brigade, from Connecticut. He was taken prisoner at Fort Washington, N. Y., November 16, 1876.
Will you please advise me if a pension was ever issued on account of this soldiers Revol tionar War service and if so what it discloses.
I wish the material for genealogical purposes.
Yours sincerely,