Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 743, Obadiah M Benge, N.C.

SERVICE
N. Lee
Benge, Obadiah M. Sarah
NUMBER
R. 743
CONTENTS

11 Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed 7 th June 1832.
State of Alabama } On this 22 nd day of February DeKalb County, ss. } 1843. Personally appeared before me Pollydore Nailon judge of the County Court for said County of DeKalb and State of Alabama at his residence in said County. Obediah M Benge, who from age and infirmity is unable to appear in Open Court, aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declara- tion in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States as a private soldier under the following named officers, and served as herein stated, "He first belonged to the company of Capt James Sheppard which he joined in the month of May 1780. for the term of nine months, when he entered the service he was between sixteen & seventeen years old, and was forced into the same by his step-father John John Fielder, as a substitute for one James Green, his said step father received from said James Green a horse, bridle and saddle for the same, He resided when called into the service in Surry County in the State of North Carolina. He remained, under the said Capt. Sheppard as a mounted man, scou- ting and ranging through the said County of Surry and the adjoining country for the purpose of coun- teracting the operations of the Tories. untill the fall of the same year, when he with his company was marched for Kings Mountain in the State of South Carolina, and on the way in Dunk County in the State of North Carolina, they were joined by other

Troops for the same point, on meeting said Troops in Dunk County, he, was there by consent of the Captains transferred to the company of Capt. McDowell or Capt. White, the one being a Lieutenant and the other a Capt., but he is not now able to say which was Capt. & which Lieut. This transfer was made on account of this declarant's having an older brother in the Company to which he was transferred. Here his Colonel was Benjamin Cleveland, he were then marched to Kings Mountain, which this declarant thinks is in South Carolina, and on their approach to Kings Mountain they were joined by other Troops under Col. Shelby and Col. Campbell, and in Octo- ber or November, he under Col. Cleveland, went into the Battle of Kings Mountain. He was in the front rank, marched up a hill towards the enemy and the battle began, and when this declarant had his gun to his face for the 3 rd or 4 th fire, he received a wound in his right arm which entered near the body on the inside & near the body, the ball ranged back under his shoulder blade where it yet remains, and from which he to a great extent has ever since been a cripple, after the battle was over and on the following day, his said brother being killed in the same, this declarant was taken to the house of a distant relative about four miles distant from the battle ground where he remained about three months, he never again joined the army, his company being disbanded or discharged, he never obtained a discharge, he never had any documentary evidence of his services, and he knows of no one, living by whom he can prove the same, but he will state

a fact which was done in his favour. It is this, In 1791. as will be seen by the inclosed commission, he was made a Capt, in his neighbourhood, and some 4 or 5 years afterwards, when he resigned the same The Court martial made an order and presented him with an attested Copy, The names of all The members of The Court being signed to the same, He, This Declarant being Then about to remove to Davidson County Tennessee, or as it was then Called Cumberland, in which it was stated among other things, "That he Declarant was a true whig, a brave soldier and had been wounded in The Battle of Kings Mountain, and recommending him to all The good people of Cumberland as such,, which paper he has lost or mislaid, he has not seen it for many years, He states as reasons why he has never before applied for a Pension, etc : That for the last twenty years and until The Cherokee nation of Indians was sent west, he resided among them by permission of The head men of The nation and that he never until lately was properly advised of his privileges or rights to obtain The same, He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or or Annuity except, The present, and declares that his name is not on The Pension Roll of The agency of any state.
W. Rangel
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 23 rd day of February A.D. 1843
Polydor Naylor Judge of The County Court of DeKalb County Alabama

6 Interrogatories:
1 st Where and in what year were you born?
Answer. I was was born in Albemarle County Virginia can not say in what year, but suppose it was in 1763.
2 d Have you any record of your age & if so where is it?
Answer. I never had any.
3 rd Where were you living when called into the service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
Answer. I lived in Surry County in the State of North-Carolina when called into the service, after the war I remained in said County for over 10 years, when I removed to Davidson County Tennessee, where I remained some eight years, thence I removed to what is now Franklin County Tennessee where I remained till the 1814. Then I removed to what is now Walker County in the State of Georgia, which was then in the limits of the Cherokee Nation with whom I obtained a permit to remain in order that I might teach them some of the arts of husbandry, I continued with them until a few years ago when the people of Georgia drove them from our homes. I then removed to where I now reside in Linn County Alabama.
4 th How were you called into the service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
Answer. I was forced by my step father to be the substitute for one James Green
5 th State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops when you served, such Continental & Subia Regiments as you can recollect, & the general circumstances of your service?
Answer. I do not know who were Regular officers and who Militia. I know Col Shelby, Col Cleveland, & Col Campbell & Col Williams who was killed, Joel Lewis & Elijah Lewis were both wounded, cannot say they were regular officers. I believe the whole Army was made up of drafted men & Volunteers.

2 Interrogatories Continued.
The circumstances of my service as I can now recollect were, that I was forced into the same by my step Father - John Fielder as a substitute for James Green for the term of nine months as a mounted man for the term of 9 months and continued in service until the battle of Kings Mountain where I fought on foot. As I believe all the mounted men did likewise .
6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service? Answer. I never did, neither did I ever receive any pay for the same.
7 th State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolution.
Answer Col Hugh P. Caperton. Col Franklin Slaton John Longacre Esqr. Doctr Hugh Pogue. Col David Bawlfield & Alexander McCormac
Final certificate of the Clerk.
I Alexander M r Mays Clerk of the County Court for the County of DeKalb in the State of Alabama. Do certify that Polly-Ann Saylor whose name appears to the annexed and foregoing matter of the application of Obediah M. Benge for a pension; is and was the judge of the County Court of DeKalb County, Alabama at the time of signing the same, and that due faith & credit are and of right ought to be given to all his official acts as such, & that the
annexed pages contain the true & perfect original record of the said matter of the application of the said Obediah M. Benge for a pension in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 22 nd day of February A.D. 1825 -
A. M. Mays Clerk -

George S. ... February the
Dr. Bunge

Will folded May the 7:18 th
Paterson Benge was born September
22 1786
Elizabeth Benge was born June the
30 1788
Wm Benge was born March the
the 22 1790
Y B Benge was born February
the 21 st 1802
1846
751
Robert Benge was born June the 1 st
1803
was 6 and died 5 in 18 5 1852

State of Alabama DeKalb County ) ss On this 21 st day of July AD 1852 Before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Sarah Bengo who being first duly sworn according to law declares and says that she is the Widow of Obediah Bengo deceased late of the said County of DeKalb and formerly a Soldier in the war of the Revolution -That his service was that of a private in the State of North Carolina
That she was married to the said Obediah Bengo in the County of Franklin and State of Tennessee by one George Subbs a Magistrate she thinks subsequent to the year one thousand eight hundred That the said Obediah Bengo in his lifetime applied for a pension on account of his said Revolutionary services but died in the County of DeKalb State of Alabama on the twenty third day of March one thousand eight hundred and forty six without ever having been allowed a pension leaving this affidavit his Widow
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the pension due her deceased husband at the time of his death under the act of Congress of 7 th June AD 1832 or under any other act or acts of the said Congress to the benefit of which he was entitled Sarah her Bengo mark

Sworn to and subscribed before me and I hereby certify that I am well and personally acquainted with Sarah Bengt the above affiant that she is a person of good Moral Character and I believe all her statements above to be correct and true
J. Venable Justice of the peace

State of Alabama } ss DeKalb County } On this 21 July A.D 1852 Before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared
Lewis R Collins and Isaac Venable residents of DeKalb County who being first duly sworn according to law declare and say that they are well and personally acquainted with Sarah Bengo - That they knew her in the lifetime of her husband Obediah Bengo deceased late of the said County of DeKalb and for fifteen years before the decease of her said husband who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution
That the said Obediah Bengo in his lifetime made application for a pension on account of his said Military Services but died in the said County of DeKalb on or about the twenty third day of March one thousand eight hundred and forty six never having been allowed a pension leaving the aforesaid Sarah Bengo his widow who has not since intermarried and remains his widow
J. B. Lewis
J. Venable
Sworn to and subscribed before me the Subscriber and I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with L. R. Collins & I. Venable The above affiants that they are credible and distinguished witnesses J. B. Lewis Justice of the Peace

N 35.478
Obadiah M Benge
Alabama
abt 7 June '32
743

Bellefonte Alabama Feby. 24. 1845-
Sir. Enclosed please find the declarations of Obediah M. Berg and Thomas Williams for a Pensions although they reside in the same neighbour- hood in DeKalb. Co. yet their residence is about 18 miles from this & about 20 miles from DeKalb C.H.
Therefore (if necessary) please address me at this place. I am their agent.
I am Sir most respectfully your ob. servt. Elijah Hunsbrough
James S Edwards Comm te of Pensions.

(4) Certificate of Clergyman &c.
We Jacob W. Gipson a Clergyman of the Baptist denomination of Christians residing in the County of Dekalb, and Groom C. Benge & John Davis residing in said County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Obediah M. Benge, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing Declaration, that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that Opinion,
Sworn to and subscribed J. W. Gipson
before me this 22 nd Day of G. C. Benge
February A.D. 1843, John Davis
Polydore Taylor Judge of the County Court of Dekalb County Alabama

4- 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 before named applicant, Obediah M Benge was a Revolutionary soldier that from infirmity of age he is unable to appear in open court, and served as he states, And The Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Jacob W Gipson who has signed the preceding certificate as a clergyman, resident in The County of DeKalb, and that George C Benge ~ ~ and John Davis who have also signed the same, are residents in The County of DeKalb, and that each of them are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit, February 22 nd 1843- Polydore Taylor. judge of The County Court of DeKalb County Alabama
Certificate of The Clerk.
I Alexander W. Majors. Clerk of The County Court of DeKalb County Alabama.
Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of The said Court, in the matter of the application of Obediah M Benge for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office This 22 nd day of February 1843.
A. W. Majors Clerk of The County Court of DeKalb County Alabama

Ex'r.
INVALID.
Mr. 740
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
Obadiah M. Benge
P. O. _____
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____

No 85-478
Stadial M. Benge Ala:
Sec. 202 H.R. 6014
April 12/1943
To: Mr. R. Lefranc
See? 30/43
Copies of papers sent to some of the...
pts: To J. J. Bonds Dec 16th

After the 9th I leave for home where I shall
13 16 9 15 18 6 10 12 14 11 17 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Feb. 1890
John H. King Cotton Company New York This day called
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page, mostly illegible.]
Dear Sir,

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
TO Isaac M. Pung
GREETING:
WE, reposing special trust and confidence in your fidelity, valour, conduct and abilities, do by these presents constitute and appoint you Captain of the Regiment of Militia of our County of Surry
YOU are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Captain
by exercising and well disciplining the officers and soldiers under your command, and by doing and performing all manner of things thereinunto belonging: And we do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command to be obedient to your orders, as Captain and you are to observe and follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as you shall receive from your superior officers, according to the directions of military discipline, and our laws, first taking to us the oath of allegiance necessary for your qualification.
WITNESS, ALEXANDER MARTIN, esquire, our governor, captain-general and commander in chief, under his hand and seal at Raleigh the third day of June Anno Dom. 1791 and in the fourth year of our independence.
By his Excellency Isaac M. Pung Secretary
Alex Martin "
Isaac M. Pung

Aug. 23/52 Alexander Benge Alabama - Act 1832 suspended
with Evidence
A. J. Coombs

Know all men by these Presents, That I Sarah Bengo Widow of Nehemiah Bengo deceased late of the County of DeKalb and State of Alabama
who was a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution, do hereby constitute and appoint J. Coombes of Washington City District of Columbia my true and lawful Attorney for me , and in my name to prosecute against the Government of the United States, before any Department thereof, any and all claim or claims I have to arrears of pay or Pension money, under any Act or Acts, Resolution or Resolutions, of the Congress of the United States, and especially the Acts 4th July, 1836, 7th July, 1838, 3d March, 1843, 17th June, 1844, 2d February, 1848 and 29th July, 1848—as well as the more ancient Acts of 18th March, 1818, 15th May, 1828, and 7th June, 1832.
Said Attorney is moreover authorised in my name to demand at any Department of the said Government, a re-consideration of any decision hitherto or hereafter to be given, touching my interests, and to obtain from any Department or the archives thereof, any and all information or evidence of whatever character relating to or in anywise bearing upon the claim or claims we hereby seek the investigation of.
Said Attorney is moreover authorised to do any and all things necessary to carry out the foregoing purposes, and to receive the Certificates of Pension or other character of drafts or evidences of the amounts due me and to appoint one or more Sub-Attorneys, and to confer upon him or them all the powers herein conferred upon J. Coombes hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may do by virtue of these presents.
WITNESS my hand and seal this 21 day of July 1852
Witness J. Venable E. M. Stevenson
Sarah Bengo mark
State of Alabama  DeKalb County, set.
BE IT KNOWN, that on the 21 day of July 1852 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Sarah Bengo subscribers to the foregoing Power of Attorney, and acknowledged the signing, sealing and de- livering the same to be her own voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein set forth.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I do hereunto subscribe my name.
J. Venable J. P.

House of Representatives
Washington Dec. 20. 1823
Hon. J. S. Edwards.
Sir Sir.
I enclose Pension papers in four cases, which have been sent me. I also enclose the letters accompanying each case, as I rec d them, thinking they may be of service to you, to find the papers previously sent you. - I wish you to examine the cases & report to me at your earliest convenience.
Very Respectfully &c Horace Wheaton

State of Alabama I Reuben Estes Judge of the DeKalb County Probate Court of said County and by law Clerk of said Court do certify that Isaac Venable whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing Power of Attorney declaration and Affidavit of Sarah Hays and J. H. Thomason whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing affidavit of J. R. Collins and I Venable are and were at the time of signing the same acting Justices of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid duly Commissioned and qualified - That all their official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit and that the aforesaid Court is a Court of Record
Given under my hand and seal of Office at Portersville this 22 nd day of July A D 1832
R. Estes Judge of Probate

House of Reps 19 th Ap. 1844.
Sir;
In conformity with the instructions contained in the annexed letter from Elijah Starnes through Esq. Atty for John Duncan Obadiah M. Brugh and Thos. Williams, I have to request you to send me all the papers on file relating to their applications for pensions - that I may submit them to Congress as Mr. Hansborough requests.
With great respect Yours &c. &c. R. Chapman
J. C. Edwards Esq. Committee of Pensions
P.S. I beg leave to remind you of a similar application I made some days ago on the application of Saml. P. Hinton Esq. of Cedar Bluff Tenn. in some cases referred to in his letter I left with you Yrs &c. R. Chapman

Huntsville Ala
April 8. 1844.
Hon. R. Chapman.
For sir, I have as firm a belief, that John Duncan of Jackson, and Obediah M Benge and Thomas Williams of DeKalb County Ala are as much entitled to Pensions as any of the Soldiers of the Revolution now living or ever did live; And having totally failed, it being wholly out of their power to procure the additional evidence required by the Commt. of Pensions, which evidence as I firmly believe is required, not so much to fill the requirements of the law, as out of abundant caution, which in this instance amounts to oppression or a denial of their legal rights.
I must therefore in the names of those Old men, and of Justice and Humanity, ask You to introduce a bill. Specially for them, that they be allowed pensions according to the time they respectively served, taking effect as by the Genl act from the 4 th March 1831. - Their declarations now on file in the Pension office in Washington, and any other evidence as to Genl Characters can be given, I would not suggest such a course unless I was sure justice required it, - Your immediate attention to this will greatly favour them, and Justice
Your friend Elijah Hartsough.

Abdiah Benge.
Ala.
1832

State of Alabama County of DeKalb
Be it Known, that on this the 13 day of May A. D. 185 3 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Warah Benge
resident of Hollingsville in said County, and made oath according to law that she is the widow of the identical man who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of
that she is directly interested as a claimant in said pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney, and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint SAMUEL M. KNIGHT , of Washington City , my true and lawful Attorney, to prosecute the claim of Obadiah M Benge for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim on file in the Department at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D. C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
Warah Benge matr.
Sworn to, subscribed and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Warah Benge to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
John P. Ream Justice of the peace
State of Alabama County of DeKalb
It is Hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Judge and Clerk of the Court of Probate Court  DeKalb County that Warah Benge the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney is the identical widow of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that John P. Ream Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, this Sixteenth day of May 185 3
J. P. Ream Justice of the Peace
1. Claimant's name or names in full.—2. Post Office address. 3. "That he is the identical man," or, "that she is the widow of the identical man," or, "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c. 4. Leave this line blank.—5. "He is," "she is," or "they are."—6. Revolutionary soldier's full name.—7. Claimant's signature.—8. Claimant's name.—9. Magistrate's signature. 10. "Identical," "widow of," or, "child of."—11. Magistrate's name.—12. Clerk's signature.
N. B.—Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.