Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14283, Asher Bennett, R.I.

SERVICE
R.d.
Bennett, Asher Mary
NUMBER
W.14283
CONTENTS

15691 Rhode Island
Asaph Bennett
Forster in the State of R. Island who was a Sgt in the Company commanded by Captain Sheldon of the R.I. commanded by Col. West in the R.I. Island time for 5 months Private 8 " Sergeant
Enscribed on the Roll of R. Island at the rate of 56 Dollars 87 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of July 1833 and sent from N.Y. Burgess Brannan R.I. arrears to the 4th of March 1835 $113.34 Pension allowance ending 4/4/35 " 28.33 $141.67
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. H. Johnson Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 3 Page 103

me - I further testify that he is a man of unimpeachable  unimpeachable  character  character
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Rhode-Island District, sc. August Term 1882 County of Providence
On this 18 th day of September A. D. 1879 personally appeared in open Court, being a special District Court of the United States within and for said District, now in session— Ashe Bennett a resident of Providence  Providence in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 78 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, viz.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He was born September 16 th 1752 in Scituate as by the records of that town will appear, lived there when he entered the service of the  of the  United States  United States  at  at  Scituate  Scituate where he has ever since resided —
and this applicant further states that in December 1775 he enlisted & served one month as a private at Newport in Col Stephen Sheldon's company of Minute Men & Col West's regiment of R.I. Militia —
and this applicant further states that in the fall of 1776 he was drafted & served one month as a private at the same place in the same company & regiment —
and this applicant further states that in Dec r 1776 he was drafted & served one month at Bristol in Capt Simon Harrington's company & Col West's regiment of R.I. Militia —
& also in July following was drafted & served one month as a private at the same place in the same company & regiment —
and this applicant further states that in September 1777 he was drafted & served one month at Bristol in Capt Wm Howards company & Col Cornells regiment of R.I. Militia —
and this applicant further states that in October 1777 he was drafted & served one month as a sergeant  private in Spencers expedition in Col Stephen Sheldon's company & Col Bartons  Cornells regiment of R.I. Militia —
and this applicant further states that in June 1778 he was drafted & served one month as a sergeant at Bristol in Capt Harrington's company & Col Cornells regiment of R.I. Militia —

and this applicant further states that in August 1778 he was drafted & served one month as a sergeant in Sullivan's expedition in Capt Samuel Williams company Col Herb Cornell's regiment of Pa. S. Militia —
and this applicant further states that from the year 1777 to 1781 he was drafted & served five months at Warwick under different Captains, he recollects one tour of one month in January 1776 under Capt Davis & Col Waterman was a sergeant, one tour of one month in September 1778 under Capt Simeon Harrington Col Cornell's regiment was a sergeant —
one tour of one month in August 1778 in Capt Howards Company Col Cornell's regiment was a sergeant — one tour of one month in April 1778 under Capt Simeon Harrington company Col Cornell's regiment was a sergeant — the other month he cannot designate the same company & regiment & was a sergeant —
all which drafts & c he served out & was honorably discharged, but never had a written discharge —
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Asaph Blanchard
I Josiah Harrington of Foster aged 72 years on oath do testify that I have known Asahel Bennett of Foster more than 60 years & know that he was a soldier of the Revolutionary War & served with him at Bristol in Dec r 1776 in Capt J. Harrington's company — also in July 1777 in the same company — also in Spencer's expedition in Capt Sheldon's company also in June 1778 at Bristol in Capt Harrington's company — also in Sullivan's expedition — also in July 1776 at Warwick under Capt Davis — & at the same place in Sep r 1778 under Capt J. Harrington & at other times which I cannot designate — we were not in same company every time
61 11 1 11 11 1 1
Attest: R. L. ...

Sept 18 th 1832
with — Yours sincerely G. S. H. S. S. S. S.
Seen to in open Court
Blank W.
It is after the 4 th of August A.D. 1832
I do hereby certify that I have been personally acquainted with Asben Bennet between fifty and sixty years in the town of Goffe and I know of no impeachment of any immoral conduct brought against him and the town has intrusted the Buxtons to in his hands as their Council for as much as five or six years also he had a Lieutenant Commission in the militia for seven or eight years he is also a member in the Baptist Church a professor of Religion
Sept 18, 1832
John Harnan Esq.
Second the in open Court B. Lawrence Clerk
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 John Hammon who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the Town of Boston  who also signed the same is a resident in the  testified for P. applicant and that Joseph Hemenway who has  the said and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, BENJAMIN COWELL, Clerk of said District Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ashe Brumott for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 27 th day of December 1832
Benja Lawall AK

22181
Isaac Bennett R.I.
Female 5 months August 8 " Adm'd
Hon. L. Burges B. Cowell Providence R.I.

No 22187
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Asahel Bennett R.S.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Deca 1775 ~ 1 11 Privat Capt Sheldon Col. West Newport Scituate R.S. the living perhaps in the affidavits of a clergyman   Full 1776 ~ 1 11 " " " " " " "   Deca 1776 ~ 1 11 " " Harrington " " Bristol 78.   July 1777 ~ 1 11 " " " " " " "   Sept " 1 11 " " Howard Colonel " "   Octo " 1 11 Sergt " Sheldon " Banta Bristol "   June 1778 ~ 1 11 " " Harrington Colonel   Augt " 1 11 " " Wilbus "   Jany 1776 ~ 1 11 " " Davis Waterman   Sept 1778 ~ 1 11 " " Harrington Colonel   Augt 1781 ~ 1 11 " " Howard " "   April 1778 ~ 1 11 " " Harrington " "   not stated ~ 1 11 " not recollected not recollected  
None stated
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 day 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 he 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.
□ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rhode Island - 2620.
Mary Bennett, widow of Asker Bennett,
who died on the 2 d March 1837, of Providence in the State of R. Island who was a P r . & S gt in the Company commanded by Captain Shelton of the Reg t commanded by W. I. in the R. Island line for 12 months
Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island at the rate of $6 Dollars 66 - Cents per annum to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1837. 2 d March 1837
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 d day of April '37, and sent to and paid to Fort, R. Island.
Arrears to the 4 th of March - $113.33. Semi-annual allowance ending
28.33.
$141.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 4 th and 5 th
Recorded by R. Burdick Book A Vol. 2 Page 82

State of Rhode Island County of Providence } for
On this Eighteenth day of September A.D. 1838,
Personally appeared before me Eli Sylsworth Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the said County of Providence Mary Bennet a resident of the Town of Foster in the said County of Providence aged Eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Joint Resolution of Congress passed July 7 th 1838, for the benefit of the Widows of certain Revolutionary Officers and Soldiers whose husbands have died since the 4 th of July 1836. That she is the Widow of Asher Bennet who was a private Soldier in the Army of the Revolution and a Pensioner of the United States in the State of Rhode Island under the Act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832. That the said Asher Bennet served in said Army as a private in the Rhode Island Militia at several times and places in the said State of Rhode Island during the Revolutionary War; that he resided in the Town of Scituate within the present limits of the said Town of Foster when he first entered the Revolutionary service, which was in the fore part of the War. That she resided in the same neighborhood that the said Asher Bennet resided in at the time he entered the said service and that they both continued to reside in the same vicinity until the time of his death, she recollects that her said husband Asher Bennet served a tour at Bristol, and served in General Spencer's expedition, and also in General Sullivan's expedition prior to her marriage to him, but that they were married in a few days after he got home from serving in General Sullivan's expedition, and she also well recollects of her said husband Asher Bennet serving a monthly tour at Bristol and several monthly tours at Warwick after their marriage, but she cannot state more particularly as to times and places, that her said husband Asher Bennet belonged to the Militia Company commanded by Captain Stephen Sheldon in the fore part of the Revolutionary War, and by Captain William Howard in the latter part,

but served some time, she thinks under other Captains - that she has often heard her said husband speak of serving under General Ormsted and Colonel Parton, and for the proof of the services of her said husband Asahel Bennet serving in the Revolutionary War. she refers to the Evidence in the War Department, on which his Pension was granted,
She further declares, that she was married to the said Asahel Bennet on the Sixth day of September Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Eight, That her said husband the aforesaid Asahel Bennet died on the Second day of March Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Seven and that she has remained a Widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed -
She further declares, that she received the amount of Pension due her said husband Asahel Bennet from the last semi-annual payment to the time of his death - VIZ. from the fourth day of September 1836. to the second day of March 1837 -
Wherefore she prays, and requests that the same Pension which was granted to her said husband Asahel Bennet under the act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832, may be continued to her -
Witness Daniel Howard } Mary } her X Bennet marks
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforewritten before me; And I further certify that the said Mary Bennet by reason of old age, and bodily infirmity is unable to attend the Court, and that she subscribed the aforesaid Declaration by making her cross in my presence,
Eli Hylsworth Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

Asher Bennet and Mary Herrington was married the,
Martha Bennet their daughter was born the 30 th day of June. One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty one,
Mary Bennet their daughter was born the 5 th day of April One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty three
Nancy Bennet their daughter was born Nov r 4 th 1787
Asher Bennet their son was born Nov r the 28 th A.D. 1789,
Zebulon Bennet their son was born January 7 th A.D. 1792,
Elizabeth Bennet their daughter was born April 9 th 1795,
Recorded the 22 nd day of April 1800, By Nathaniel Angell T. Clerk ,
I certify that the above is a true copy of the Record of the Marriage of Asher Bennet and Mary Herrington, and the Record of the births of their children as Recorded in Foster Town Records for marriages, births and deaths in Book Number One, and Page 31, with the exception of the date of the marriage of the said Asher Bennet and Mary Herrington which is expressed on the Record in fair legible figures as follows — 6 th day of September 1778,
Witness Daniel Howard Town Clerk
And I Daniel Howard abovenamed, depose and say, that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the Town of Foster, in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town with the exception abovenamed, as certified by me,
Daniel Howard Town Clerk
Subscribed before me at Foster aforesaid the 10 th day of September October A.D. 1838 Eli Aspinwall Justice of the Peace of the County of Common Pleas

Rev
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14283
Mary Bennett
Wid of
Asher Bennett
Sergt. Rev. War.
Act: July 4 th  1836.
Index:—Vol. A , Page 51
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Ashe Bennett R.I. - act 7 June 32 when last paid? 20 ap l 35 Died 2 March 1837 p o to that time G.M.C. PH

11030 Mary Bennett widow of Asahel R.I. act 4 July 36 m 78-23
but married in 78
ADMD 5 mo pri 8 u Sery 4.56.66.
Did 2 march 37 pen: Com. 3 march 37.
Daniel Howard Foster R.I.

Town Clerk's Office Scituate (R. Island) August 30 th A.D. 1838
I certify that I have examined the Records of marriages in this Office, and could not find the marriage of Asahel Bennet and Mary Harrington on said Records — I further certify that there are but few marriages Recorded in this Office — Josiah Westcott, Town Clerk
I Josiah Westcott abovenamed, depose and say, that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the Town of Scituate, in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island, and that the above certificate is correct and true as certified by me, Josiah Westcott, Town Clerk
Sworn before me, At Fortine in the County and State abovenamed on this 7 th day of September A.D. 1838
Bennett L. Woodhull Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Providence Je. I, John W. Smith Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Providence in said State, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Eli Aylesworth Esquire, before whom three of the annexed affidavits were sworn, is one of the Justices of our said Court; — that Barnet L. Holden Esquire before whom the other annexed affidavit was sworn, is a Justice of the peace for the town of Hosta, in said County; — that by law said Aylesworth, & Holden respectively, are authorized and qualified to administer oaths & take deposit- ions: — (and that their respective signatures aforsworn are genuine.)
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of our said Court, at the City of Providence this twelfth day of October A 1835.
John W. Smith Clerk,
(N)

I Josiah Harrinton of the Town of Foster in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island being Seventy Eight Years of age, and duly sworn according to law, do depose and say that I have been acquainted with Asahel Bennet and Mary Bennet the widow of the said Asahel Bennet, ever since I can remember any person, and that the said Asahel Bennet was a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution, and a Pensioner of the United States in the State of Rhode Island under the Act of Congress passed the 7 th day of June 1832, I further depose and say, that the said Asahel Bennet and Mary Bennet his Widow were married in the present limits of the Town of Foster on the 6 th day of September in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred & Seventy Eight, I was present at their marriage the said Mary Bennet's maiden name was Mary Berrinton, and she was the daughter of Josiah Berrinton formerly of said Foster. And the said Asahel & Mary went to housekeeping within the present limits of the said Town of Foster soon after the time of their marriage, where they have lived together ever since until the time of his death which happened on the second day of March 1837, I further depose and say that the said Mary Bennet, widow of said Asahel Bennet has never been married since her said husband died, but now remains his widow, and resides in said Foster.
Josiah Harrinton

State of Rhode Island County of Providence ss. For Foster in said County On this 4 th day of September 1838, I then personally came before the subscriber a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County of Providence. Josiah Herrington within named, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit by him subscribed. — I further certify that the said Josiah Herrington is a credible person with whom I am acquainted, and that he is entitled to full credit as a Witness — Eli Aspinworth Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

of D. who the land the the the
1838.
430 R 2 Oct 30 4 July 1836
J. B. Bennett
Mount Vernon Rd Oct 25 Free
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
E. D. 63

Foster October 25 1838.
Wm Lloyd Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Sir, I herewith transmit the Declaration of Mrs Mary Bennett widow of Asahel Bennett (deceased) who was a Pensioner of the United States in the State of Rhode Island under the Act of Congress of the 4 th of June 1832, for a continuation of Pension agreeably to the Joint Resolution of Congress passed the 4 th of July 1838 together with the Evidence in support of her claim. Please to send her Pension Certificate (in case the same is granted) or any other communication in relation to the subject to me at Mount Vernon Post Office, Foster, Rhd. Island
I am Respectfully
Your Obed Servt
Patrick Howard