Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1193, Benjamin Bridges, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Bridges, Benjamin
R. 1193
CONTENTS
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State of Kentucky } ss Fulton County } ss
on this 21 day of May 1834 personally appeared in open court before John M. Harts Judge of the Sup- -rem Court now sitting Benjamin Bridges aged 75 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed the 7 th of June 1832
This declarant states that he was living in James City County State of Virginia where he entered the service of the United States and served as here in Watkins that in the Month of January 1778 that he volunteered under Capt John Dames for a tour of three months and was put aboard of a Virginia Vessel that was lying in a public dock yard in the James River he states that said vessel was laden with military stores and supplies for the different forts and garrisons on said River, and that under the Command of Capt Dames they in this vessel proceeded up James River landing at the several garrisons and supplying them according to their necessities. this declarant states that in this kind of service he was actively and usefully employed as a seaman until his said three months expired when he was discharged by his said Capt Dames in the Month of April 1778

Apr
This deponent further states that in the Month of May  Apr 1778 that he volunteered for a term of twelve months for the purpose of guarding and protecting Williamsburg then the seat of Government of Virginia he states that he was marched from James City County and stationed as a guard in said town Williamsburg and was under the command of Colr D r D r Mason who was commander in chief of the garrison he states that whilst he was there stationed that he received the appointment of Issuing Commissary from the Com y General and in that capacity he states that he acted for twelve months giving satisfaction both to the Com y General and to his Col r he states that in the Month of May  June 1779 at which time his twelve months being expired he resigned his office and returned home discharged. This deponent further states
that in the year of 1781 Gen l Arnold invaded Virginia and that in the Month of January 1781 the Militia were called out for the purpose of opposing him in which when he the said Benjamin Bridges was again called into the service and was marched from said County of James City under the command of Col l Andrew Banks and remained in the ranks as a

private for fifteen days after marching to the River. He states they had to retreat up into the country and met Genl Lafayette's Army at Red Bank and was with his army during their retreat up into the country. He states that he received the appointment of Wagon Master in Genl Nelson's Brigade in which capacity he states he acted retreating and advancing until the 22 d of June 1781. This account states that inasmuch as of the services specified in above declaration that of which he has a perfect and distinct recollection that he did perform other services called out for short periods to answer certain emergencies which will appear in an accom- panying to the foregoing declaration. He states that he has no documentary evidence of his services but inasmuch as of respectable traditional evidence which he now offers to the court he can prove by respectable living testimony that he did render the greatest part of the services stated in his declaration. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annu- ity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
Sworn and subscribed this } day and year aforesaid
Benj. Bridges Esq.

Answers to the Interrogatories propounded by the Court
I was born in Lancaster County State of Pa in the year 1759 and have a record of my age as taken of father's family register and when I entered the service of the United States I was living in Lancaster County Pa when I married in the year of 1795 - I then moved to Ky and I now live in Jefferson County Ky - and when I first entered the service Capt John Darius who commanded the vessel which I was stationed at Williamsburg thro Gen Mason and Col. Shelby of the militia during an Arnold invasion then was where I served Gen Lafayette Gen Wayne of the regulars I never received a written discharge but was always honorably discharged. I never received a commission but had several appointments as stated in the declarations and I well knew Pritchett, Cary Clergyman and James Pickett who can testify to my character for veracity and reputation as a Roman
Rev. Rev. M c Key Clergyman and James Pickett living in the City of Louisville Ky are well acquainted with Benjamin Bridges who has sworn to and subscribed the preceding declaration we believe him to be in his 73 rd year he is upstanding and talking in his neighborhood to be a man of veracity and a man of the resolution and we concur in the opinion of his neighbors

Thos Bridges, del. act 32 Ag. Suspended
D. S. Addison Present

Power of Attorney Revolutionary Pension Claim
Know all men by these presents that I Harrison Bridges do hereby constitute and appoint Caleb White & L. L. Addison my true and Lawful agents and Attorneys to prosecute my claim for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or Increase of Pension that may be found due me on account of and for the services of my deceased Father Benjamin Bridges service in war of the revolution And I hereby authorise my said agents to examine all the papers and 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 the certificate which may be issued for said claim which certificate I wish made payable to Myself. And my said Attorneys to have full power to appoint one or more substitutes under them 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 my now said Attorneys and Agents shall Lawfully do in the premises hereby revoking all other Powers by me made and making this my last Power everable
Witness my hand and seal this 26 th day of August A. D. 1853
Signed and sealed in Presence of Robt Stoney J. Clement.
Harrison Bridges
State of Kentucky Jefferson County } ss
On this twenty sixth day of August A. D. 1853 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid personally appeared Harrison Bridges and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned In testimony whereof I have unto him my hand the day and year aforesaid
Joseph Clement Justice of the Peace Jefferson County Kentucky.

State of Kentucky Jefferson County } set I Curran Pope clerk of the County Court for the County afo d do certify that J. Clement whose name is signed to the foregoing Certificate is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for s d County duly Commissioned and qualified and that full faith and Credit are due his official acts as such And that his Signature is genuine
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand Seal of office this 26 th Day of August 1853
Curran Pope clk By H h M c Shurton D.B.

June 18, 1934.
Mrs. Eugene H. Ray 306 Weissinger-Gamblert Louisville, Kentucky.
BA-J/ILL Benjamin Bridges R. 1193 per
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Benjamin Bridges in the Revolutionary War and War of 1812.
The War of 1812 records have been searched and there is no claim for pension on file based upon service of the Benjamin Bridges as described by you. The Revolutionary War record of that soldier has been found and is furnished herein as shown in the papers on file in pension claim, R. 1193, based upon his service in that war.
Benjamin Bridges was born in the year 1759, in James City County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of James City County, Virginia, he served in the Virginia troops, at various times, as follows: in 1777, about one month in Captain Henly's Company; from January 1778, three months as a seaman on board a Virginia vessel on the James River, under Captain John Darnes; from April 1778, twelve months during which he was an issuing commissary under Captain David Mason, stationed at Williamsburg, Virginia; one tour of one month in 1779, in Captain Andrew Banks' company, and in 1780, about three weeks under the same officer; from January 1781, fifteen days in Captain Andrew Banks' company, and later as wagon-master, this service ending in June 1781.
The soldier moved in 1795 from Virginia to Kentucky. On May 27, 1834, while a resident of Jefferson County, Kentucky, he applied for pension on account of the above noted service in the Revolutionary War. His claim was not allowed as he did not furnish proof of military service of six months as required by the pension law. The Act of Congress under

which he applied made no provision for pension or the character of service he rendered.
In 1853, soldier's son, Harrison Bridges, was in Jefferson County, Kentucky.
In 1834, Isham Bridges, aged sixty-seven years, stated that he lived in James City County, Virginia, when Benjamin Bridges served in the Revolutionary War but he did not state any relationship between them; the statement of said Isham Bridges was made in Jefferson County, Kentucky.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

1134 - June 18 - Hist. to Mrs. Eugene H. Ray - J.L.L.
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
1193
REJECTED
P. O. Benjamin Bridges
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Printed Volume - Rejected and Suspended Pensions - page 365-
Alleges: Reason for suspension - In the months service as commissary, and as wagon master five months, and three months on
Reenlisted: commissary's vessel. Proof of service not complete.
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

Washington August 31. 1853
Dear Sir,
I enclose herewith a Power of Attorney in the case of Benjamin Bridges, suspended, Kentucky. Act June 7 th 1832, and have respectfully to request that you will cause the papers in support of his claim to be re-examined and the objections, if any now exist to the allowance of the claim, to be communicated to me. In the mean time I have to request permission to refer to his papers.
I am, Very respectfully, Pro G o B o S t D. D. Addison
J. P. Waldo Esq. Comm te of Pensions

War Dept Pen Offc Jan'y 4, 1839
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 7 th ult, respecting the case of Benjamin Bridges, I have to inform you that it is very doubtful whether he is entitled to a pension for his alleged service either as a seaman, commissary or wagonmaster. It is believed that in neither engagement was made to serve subject to military discipline, but that they were under civil contracts. The military service in any capacity did not continue for so long a term as twelve months which length of service is alleged to have been performed as a commissary, and said service employment was not in the regular army. For the service alleged he cannot be allowed at the rate of a private's pay. Recd or documents proof should be exhibited showing that his engagements were such as subjected him to

military discipline, in order to obtain a pension.
xxx Cover drawn + referred to this claim.
The papers in the case of Mrs Lucy Green widow of William Green, decd. have been examined and filed with suspended cause. She should make her declaration before in open court, if not able to appear in open court it should be read before the judge there it should be shown to the certificate of the judge before whom it was made. At Enclosed herewith is a copy of the regulation, under Act of July 1838.
On the 17 th Sept last the papers of Kennedy Brown were returned to him & further proof required. Enclosed is a copy of the letter to him of that date.
John Field Esq. New Liberty. Ken.
31.150 Act of June 1832 entd. 3816 Act of July 1836 T. E. Januair. J. D. Jan 1839

New Liberty Town by Decbr the 7 1838.
Dear James L Edwards
Dear Sir
Through Mr Sanford I received a communication respecting the pension claim of Mr Benjamin Bridges, you stated that the pension as Commissary could not be allowed as his name did not appear upon the rolls on file at the department; the regulations of your office under the act of the 7th June 1832, provided that when the name of the applicant does not appear upon the records, he must prove his service by two respectable living witnesses, Mr Bridges informed me some time since that there was an old gentleman living near Richmond Ky by the name of Fox who had had a personal know- ledge of his service; this is to enquire whether additional proof, and what kind would be neces- sary to obtain the pension; and if under the present proof he is not entitled to private pay you stated that another part of his service was not provided for by the of 1831 during the time he acted as Waggons Master, I do not now recollect how he entered the service for that tour, but think he did enter the service as a private, if so and was appointed to the station of Waggons Master I trust you will think that he is entitled at least to private pay during that tour.

In September some time I made out a pension claim for Mrs Green of Henry County and forwarded that, with the amended declaration of H. in day Envi to the department, and from then being longer gone than usual I am afraid that they have met with a miscarriage either to, or from, the department. Please let me know whether they are reached the department or not If you have adopted any regulations upon the pension law of July 1838 and it be not against your rule I would be exceedingly thankful for a copy of the regulations
Very respectfully your Obed Servant
John Field
3816 18 Oct 38 at 4 July 1826
New Castle Oct 17

Benjamin Bridges Kentucky
Suspended
See let. 5 July 1838 Hon. M. J. Gower, let 4 Jan'y 1839 for child. let. 11 April 1840 Hon. R. O. Butler.
1193
let 7 June 1832

Copy-
Pension Office. April 14, 1840.
Hon. W. O. Butler, House of Representatives.
Sir:
I herewith return the letter etc. 1st paragraph . case Lucy Sparks-
In the case of Benjamin Bridges, I have to inform you that he alleges to have served three months on board a vessel employed to carrying military stores, and twelve months as a commissary in the Virginia militia, from May 1778, and as wagon master from January to June 1781. The service on board the vessel was not of that character provided for by the Act of June 7, 1832, and record or documentary evidence should be exhibited showing that the service as a commissary and wagon master was under appointment by which he would be subject to military regulations in order to obtain a pension for said service. He also alleged militia service which was for a less term than is provided for by the Act of June 7, 1832.
J. L. Derick - June 15-1934 - from old letters book.

Jan 2. 39 See list of Library of Congress
Dear Sir, Mrs. Green Bay Kennedy and report at 7:30 PM
Edward Edwards
From the man of tomorrow Washington City

31. 250
John Field's bond
Nov 1
Alu Johnson
Benj Bridges
Kentucky
Hon. W. J. Graves W.K.
Dear Sir
Premises etc. to John Field
W. J. Graves
Henry Clay J. P.
3 7/21 1821

M c Carty Jas Pickett
67 East Decatur Street
I Itham Bridges aged 87 years do hereby certify that I was living in Danville County State of Va during the revolution- ary war and have a personal knowledge of a part of the service of Benjamin Bridges the above named applicant I know that he was stationed at Wells and being as a Commissary for twelve months, for I was frequently at that place. I further certify that I saw him at different other times with the Army engaged in the service of the United States particularly on the retreat of the army during Brimstone Invasion Itham Bridges Subscribed and sworn in open Court this day and year aforesaid
And I John M Howell Judge of the circuit Court of Appomattox County do hereby declare my opinion that after fully investigating the matter that the above named Benjamin Bridges was a soldier of the Revolution and since as he has stated in his declaration It further appears to my satisfaction that Rev. Mr Cary who has subscribed and sworn to the form Certificate is a Clergyman residing in the City of Louisa

and that James Pickett who has also signed as a residents of said City and is a Credible person and it further appears to my entire satisfaction that Isham Bragon who has sworn to and subscribed the second to enunciation is a credible person and his Statement is entitled to credit given under my hand as Judge of the Circuit Court this 27 th day of May 1834
J. McHenry
Affidavit to the preceding declaration
Personally appeared before me John M. Stewart Judge of the Circuit Court of Jefferson County Benjamin Bragon who being duly sworn deposes and saith that independent of the foregoing Statement the foregoing declaration that he did under other Services. But owing to the great lapse of time and old age and a consequent loss of memory he can not specifically how much he did under but according to the best of his recollection he did not serve up than one month in the year of 1777 under Capt. Amity and in the year of 1779 not up than four weeks under Capt. Banks - in the year of 1780 not up three weeks under Capt. Banks
J. McHenry
Sworn to this 27 day of May 1834

I Edmund P. Rose Clerk of the circuit court Jefferson County do certify the following contains the original proceedings in Matter of an application of Benjamin Bridger for a pension and that John M. Hewitt before whom the proceeding declara- tion was made is Judge of the Court for which I am Clerk and the signature purporting to be his is genuine and that full faith and credit is and to be given to his official acts in testimony whereof I have hereunto set to my name and affixed the seal of my office this 27-day of May
1834
Edm. P. Rose

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
Pension Department. Washington. D.C.
Mar 18/2-

Louisville, Ky.
May 28-1934.
306 Weisiger-Faulkner.
Pension Dept.
War 1812-
Washington, D. C.
My dear Sir,
Please tell me if the records in your office give Rev. Bridges , Jefferson Co. Ky. as a pensioner. He was latter master in the War of 1812 - died in Jefferson Co. 1836 - born 1759. He may also have been in Rev War - Thanking you for an early reply, I am
Mrs. Eugene H. Ray.