Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12183, Elisha Benedict, Conn. New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. New York
Benedict, Elisha
S. 12/183
bearded
CONTENTS

at to E. J. Noble June 18. 1833
Date of death 20th Jan AB
8587 New York
Elisha Benedict
of Jerusalem in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Collins of the Regt. commanded by Col. Schoonhoven in the New York & * June for 8 months & 5 days.
N. Y. Pub. Conn. *
Records completed Aug. 16. 5. 5
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 27 Dollars 22 Cents per annu. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of April 1833 and sent to claimant E. S. Fowler Penn Penn N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 33 - $54. 44 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 13 66
$68. 10
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by G. B. Cummings Clerk Book E Vol. 4 Page 43

In the matter of Elisha Benedict ,
A. Revolutionary Soldier.
Claiming a Pension under the Act of Congress of 7 th June, 1832 - for services performed in the Militia during the War of the Revolution.
If allowed, he desires his Pension Cer- tificate sent to Penn. Gen. N.Y. to the care of E. J. Fawle. He would prefer drawing his money from the United States Branch Bank in the city of New-York. If his claim be not allowed, any information from the Secy. of War touching his case will be thankfully received, directed as above.
The Secy's ob't serv't.
Elisha Benedict
Penn. Gen. Sept. 1832.

State of New York
Gates County ss.
On this 28 th day of September, 1852, personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Elisha Benedict , a resident of the town of Jerusalem, in the county of Gates, and state of New York, aged 72 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oaths, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he was born in the town of Norfolk, Litchfield county, Connecticut, on the fifth day of July 1760, according to a record taken from the Family Bible of the Father of this deponent. That this deponent resided at Ballston, Albany (now Saratoga) county, N.Y. during the most part of the time of the revolutionary war. In the fall of 1775 - this deponent was drafted in the Militia, under Capt. Collins, in Schoonmaker's regiment, so called. Gen. Ten Broeck commanding, and as a private proceeded in the campaign of 1776 to Fort Edward, and was employed in making causeways, and in constructing a

by heartwork for the use of the American forces under Montgomery on this route to Canada - and this deponent was thus engaged, four or five weeks when the aforesaid militia were discharged and this deponent returned home to Wallston. In the year 1776, this deponent served three or four weeks in the Militia who were drafted to proceed to Schoharie to guard the inhabitants against the Indians. In the spring of 1777, this deponent volunteered in the militia, and proceeded in a com- pany commanded by deponent's father Elisha Benedict, Lieut. Commandant Gordon's Rifles in command, on a scouting ex- pedition, to check the Tories on and about the Helderberg mountains, and took one William Fraser and about forty other prisoners. This deponent was engaged at this time three or four weeks. In the year 1778, this deponent was drafted in the militia aforesaid, under Capt - Van Debarack, Judge White, Lieutenant,

and proceeded to Fort Schenck at Cana- jaharie, as a guard to the inhabitants, at the time Cherry Valley was destroyed by the Indians: was at Cherry Valley the day after the massacre, and guarded teams that picked up the dead in the neighborhood for burial. This de- ponent was engaged at this time upwards of two months. In October of the same year the residence of the father of this deponent at Ballston was destroyed by the Tories and Indians, and Lieut Col Gordon and the father and three brothers of this deponent were taken prisoners. This deponent escaped, with only the clothing on his back, and went to sea. In the spring of 1782, this deponent as a substitute for his cousin, Joshua Benedict, served in the militia of Connec- ticut two months, at Horse Neck, under Capt - Baugh and Col - Sanfield of New Milford. This deponent never had a written discharge. Thrown by no person living by whom he can prove his services. This depo.

ment continued to reside at Ballston aforesaid for many years after the revo- lutionary war, then removed to Reading, Steuben county, N.Y. upwards of thirty years ago, when he remained until about five years ago, when he removed to Jerusalem, where he now resides.
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.
And this deponent while in court further recollects and says, that during the revolutionary war, the year he does not remember, he was drafted and served one month at Palmertown now Saratoga county as a guard to the inhabitants, and was quartered at one Perry's.
Elisha Benedict
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. T. J. Morris Clerk

Certificate
We, Asa Orcutt, a clergyman residing in the town of Wapso, Ontario county, N. Y., and Elisha Doubleday, residing in the town of Utah, Yates county, N. Y., hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Elisha Benedict , who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be seventy-two 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.
Asa Orcutt Elisha Doubleday
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. T. J. Morris Dep Clerk

Certificate of Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogato- ries prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant Eliza Benedict , was a Revolutionary soldier as stated as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Issa Scott who has signed the preceding Certificate is a clergyman, re- sident in the town of Napps, and that Eliza Doubleday who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Italy, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By order of the court L. J. Moins Dep Clerk
Keene Jan. Sept. 1872.

Certificate of Clerk
I, George Sherman, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Bates, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elisha Benedict , for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 28 th day of September, 1852. George Sherman Clerk J. J. Noyes Dep. Clerk
The Matter of Benedict Matter of Benedict

(State of New York } I Richard M. Smith Deputy Clerk of said county of Yates and of the court of common Pleas thereof do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original pro- ceedings of the said court in the matter of the appl- ication of Elisha Benedict for a Pension. and I fur- ther certify that Abner Woodworth Esquire before whom
the following affidavit of Elisha Benedict purports to have been sworn was at the time an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county of Yates sworn and duly authorized by law to act as such. and that I am well acquainted with his the said Justice's hand writing and verily believe his signature to the said Affi- davit subscribed to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county and of the court of common Pleas thereof at Penn Yan this Thirteenth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
R. M. Smith Deputy Clerk
Penn Yan Sept. 1872.

State of New York Gates county ss.
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid, Elisha Benedict , to me known to be the person making applica- tion for a Pension and whose papers are hereunto annexed, who being duly sworn deponeth 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 period mentioned below, and in the following grades. For one month I served as a private under Capt. Collins as set forth in my declaration hereunto annexed; For three weeks I served as a private in 1776, under Lieut. Brown and proceeded to Schenectady to guard the inhabitants as set forth in my declaration aforesaid. For not less than one

month I served as a private in 1777, under my Father Capt. Elisha Benedict on and about the Ohiadarasa mountains, as set forth in my declaration afore- said. For not less than two months and two weeks I served as a private in 1778, under Capt. Van Schenck, as set forth in my declaration aforesaid. And for two months in the Spring of 1782, I served as a Sergeant as a substitute for my cousin under Capt. Couch at Horse Neck, as set forth in my declaration aforesaid. And for one month I served as a private at Palmyra- town, now Saratoga as a guard. (but this deponent cannot recol- lect the year nor the name of the Captain, but I belonged to Schoonmaker's regiment) as set forth at the end of my declara- tion aforesaid. Making in the whole Eight months and one week that I was in actual service, and for such service I claim a Pension.
Elisha Benedict
Sworn and subscribed before me, this 13 th day of March 1833.
Avery Woodworth Justice of the Peace

January 14, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL Quinn
Elisha Benedict- S.12183
Mrs. Berton E. Beam Warner Place, Route # 1 Reading, Michigan
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Captain Elisha Benedict, of Ballston, New York, who, with three sons, was captured in an Indian and Tory raid in 1780, and carried to Canada.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon the military service in the Revolutionary War of a Captain Elisha Benedict. The record has been found, however, of Elisha Benedict, who was the son of Captain Elisha Benedict, of Ballston, New York. His record is furnished herein as it may be of interest to you.
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.12183, based upon the military service in that war of Elisha Benedict, the only soldier of that name that is found on the records of this office.
Elisha Benedict was born in Norfolk, Litchfield County, Connecticut, July 5, 1760, and was the son of Elisha. The name of his mother is not shown.
While residing in Ballston, Albany(later Saratoga) County, New York, Elisha Benedict enlisted and served as a private in the New York troops, as follows: from the fall of 1775, one month in Captain Collins' Company, Colonel Schoonover's(probably meant for Van Schoonhoven) Regiment, marched to Fort Edward and was engaged in building causeways and breastworks in 1776, three weeks under Lieutenant Brown, served at Schoharie as a guard for the inhabitants; in the spring of 1777, one month in his father's company, went on a scouting party against the Tories and took over forty prisoners; in 1778, two months in Captain Van Debarrock's Company, acted as a guard at Fort Plank and the day after the massacre at Cherry Valley went to that place and guarded the teams gathering up the dead for burial; in 1779, his father's residence
Could not identify

was burned by the Tories and Indians and his father, Captain Elisha Benedict and three brothers(names not given) and Lieutenant Colonel Gordon taken prisoners. This soldier managed to escape with only the clothing which he wore after which he went to sea. He gave no details of his sea service nor are there any further data in regard to the captivity of his father and brothers. He stated that he served another month in the New York troops as a guard in Saratoga County, but gave no dates nor names of his officers. In the spring of 1782, this soldier served two months as a substitute for his cousin, Joshua Benedict, of Connecticut, as a private in Captain Couch's Company, Colonel Canfield's Connecticut Regiment and was stationed at Horse Neck.
After the Revolution Elisha Benedict continued to reside in Ballston, New York, until about 1802, when he moved to Reading, Steuben County, New York, thence to Jerusalem, Yates County, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 28, 1832, while residing in said Jerusalem, where he had lived five years.
There is no reference to wife or children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Elisha Benedict(S.12183), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Elisha Benedict, Certificate No.8587, issued April 20, 1833, rate $27.22 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

1937-Jan 14 - Hist to Mrs B E Bearn et
Rev. man
12.183 ✓ INVALID.
File No. 12,183
Elisha Benedict
Prim. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 29
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Elisha Benedict
New York
admitted
8 mo. 5 days
$
Ann W Babcock
HR

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elisha Benedict 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? yes 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?— 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.

RECEIVED JAN 8 1937 MAIL ROOM

WARNER PLACE
ROUTE NO. 1
READING, MICHIGAN
Jan 6, 1936.
Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.
Revolutionary War Records,
Will you please send me the pension record, or county land record, of Captain Elisha Benedict , living in Ballston, Saratoga Co., N.Y. in 1780 - and one of the men captured in the Indian and Tory raid in that vicinity at that time. His sons, Caleb, Elias & Felix, and Thos. Barnum, husband of Abigail Benedict, (these my g-g-grandparents) were also taken to Canada. Capt. Elisha, for a second wife, had Jerusha deed in 1798. Stark Barnum (widow) mother of the above Thos. Barnum. I have exhausted all sources of information for genealogical data, and hope to find what I am looking for in your files. I will appreciate the answer to this inquiry.
Sincerely yours,
Josephine M. Beem (Mrs. Benton E.)