Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 12435, Caleb Benedict, New York

SERVICE
New York
Benedict, Caleb
NUMBER
R. 12435
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Small handwritten marks or scribbles in the bottom right corner.

Know all Men by these Presents, THAT
I Mr Trowbridge Benedict a Resident of the Town of Canaan Fairfield County State of Connecticut have made, constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute, and appoint
My true and lawful attorney for Me and in My name, place and stead, to collect receive demand and recover from the United States Government whatever amount may be due me as the only surviving child and heir at law of Caleb Benedict Private of Lieutenant Goders Company of Militia commanded by Lieut n Colonel Crane from Westchester County State of New York for his Military Services in the War of the Revolution and to give any kind suf- -ficient receipts and Discharges therefor
giving and granting unto My said attorney full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully, to all intents and purposes, as I might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution and revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that My said attorney or His substitute shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set My hand and seal the Tenth day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty one
Trowbridge Benedict
Sealed and delivered in the presence of
O. P. Mear J. A. Mear

Linn County to Iowa the 9th day of January A.D. 1888
Then personally appeared Norbridge Benedict sign and seal of the within power of Attorney and ac- knowledged the same to be his free act and deed before me
John W. Ward Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut ) Fairfield County )
On this 10 th day of January 1831 personally appeared before me a Judge in and for the County and State as aforesaid Hirambridge Benedict a resident of New Canaan in the County of Fairfield State of Connecticut aged sixty six Years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed
for the benefit of his father Caleb Benedict who was a private in Lieu- tenant Jonathan Loder's company in a regiment of Militia commanded by Lieu- tenant Colonel Thaddeus Crane in the County of Westchester and State of New York and served during the years 1779 1780 and 1781 in the Revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain and was honorably dis- charged on or about the 15 November A D 1781 he further declares that his father died in the month day of May in the year A D 1826 he also states that his mother died on the 20 day of June in the year A D 1786 Deponent further declares and says that neither his father or his mother received or made application for a pension
J. W. Wren

and that he is a Son of Caleb Benedict
previous or up to the date of their death and the deponent further more the depo- neut saith not
Brownbridge Benedict
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written
Edward Taylor Judge of the County Court for Fairfield County
State of Connecticut, } Bridgeport Subscribed and sworn to } July 10 th 1880
I William H Smith clerk of the county court within and for the County of Fairfield hereby certify that Edward Taylor who has taken and subscribed the foregoing affidavit is the sole acting judge of the County Court within and for the County of Fairfield and that such full powers and ends as are to all his approved acts and authority in this form expressed with his hand writing and knows that the signature above purporting to be his is his genuine official signature
Testimony along there hereby offered by hand and the sole and county court Hens
Wm H Smith
Clerk

STATE OF CONNECTICUT, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY COURT, CLERK'S OFFICE.
ss.
I,
William H. Noble Clerk
of the County Court, within and for Fairfield County, and keeper of the Seal thereof, and of the Commission of Justices of the Peace for said County, hereby certify:—That
Horace Smith Esquire,
was on the 15th day of January 185 1 and now are  is Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, having full power and authority by the laws of this State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds and other instruments, and to certify the same: also to administer Oaths, to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof: that full faith and credit may, and ought to be given to their  his official acts and attestations: that the signature to the instrument hereto annexed, purporting to be his  his  his genuine official signature: and that said instrument is executed, acknowledged and duly authenticated according to the laws of this State.
In Testimony whereof. I hereunto set my hand, and affix the Seal of said Court, at Bridgeport in said County and State, on this 15th day of January A. D. 185 1
W. H. Noble Clerk.
my own account for my own use

I, Edwin Hall, became Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Norwalk on the 14 th of June 1832, and have so remained ever since. There are no records belonging to the Church of an older date than A.D. 1807. It is the common report among our aged people that there were records kept from the first organization of the Church in the year 1652, to the decease of Rev. Dr. Burnet in the year 1806; and that after his death, the books of records were left in the Parsonage in a basket, and eaten through and through by rats, and quite destroyed. This is the common belief of our aged people. I have always heard this account of the matter, and nothing different from it. I entertain no manner of doubt concerning it, but most believe it to be the truth.
M c A Peirce Norwalk Jan y 9, 1851
Sworn to and subscribed by me this 9 th day of January A.D. 1851
Horace Smith
Edwin Hall Pastor of the 1 st Cong. Church Norwalk Justice of the Peace

previous or up to the date of their death and the deponent further more the depo- -neal saith not
Frombridge Benedict
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written
Fairfield County State of Connecticut and Town of Norwalk, I certify that Edwin Neal Pastor of the Cong Church Town of Norwalk is a person fully entitled to credit
Horace Smith Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut } Ys Fairfield County }
On this 9 th day of January A D 1857 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Fairfield State of Connecticut Miss Phebe Comstock a Resident of the town of Norwalk County and State as aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law doth declare and say that She is 87 Years of Age and that She was personally acquainted with Caleb Benedict mentioned in the an- nexed deposition and that he was a Private in the revolutionary war and served in the years 1779-1780-1781 and that he was in the engagement at the time the British burnt Norwalk in the State and County as aforesaid in the Year A D 1779-11 th day of July and she further declares and says that he he -longed to the Caleb Benedict aforesaid belonged to the Militia and went from the Town of New Canaan to Westchester County where he served as a Private She further states that she knew him about fifty Years previous to his death and that she believes him to be the person mentioned in the foregoing declaration and she has heard read the foregoing declaration sworn to and subscribed by Prowbridge Benedict, the only surviving child of said Deceased.

and that he is a Son of Caleb Benedict aforementioned and that his father and mother are both dead his father survived his mother about fifty (50) years and his Father Caleb Benedict died in the month of May 1836 a d 1836 and to the best of her knowledge and belief they were honourably married and always lived together as man and wife and for Deponent further states that Groovebridge Benedict is now a Resident of the Town of New Canaan Fairfield county state of Connecticut and further more the deponent saith not Deponent further states that Caleb Benedict aforesaid married Deborah St. John in the year a d 1776 and that the old church near  and that the old church near Deponent saith not and furthermore the
sworn to and subscribed { Phebe Cornstock before me on this 9 th day of January a d 1851
Horace Smith
Justice of Peace for the Town an County aforesaid I also certify that Phebe Cornstock mentioned in the foregoing declaration is a person entitled to credit and that she is a Resident of the Town of Norwalk Fairfield county State of Connecticut
Horace Smith Justice of Peace

R 12435
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Calib Benedict a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his son's (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1779 Nov. 15, 1781 Pvt. Jonathan Lader Thaddeus Crane N.Y.          
Battles engaged in, Burning of Kowall
Residence of soldier at enlistment, not stated
Date of application for pension, by son Newbridge Jan 10, 1851
Residence at date of application of son Newbridge: New Canaan, Conn.
Age at date of application, of son Newbridge: 66 yrs.
Remarks: Soldier married Deborah St John, died June 20, 1786. He  died in 1812. A daughter is referred to name not stated.  This claim was not allowed as children had no title to the pension.  The above noted as the only Calib Benedict found on the Rev  War records of this Bureau.
Respectfully,
Official Note, and Jan 10, 1921
The N. Y. Archives show a Calib Benedict in Col Crane's Regt and did not say rejected for proof of service, see copy of Commissioner. office letter of 1851. The real reason was shown later by fraud of judge. For the sol. died in 1812 before the passage of any act that would have entitled the heirs.

1921 Jan 10 Hist. to Mrs. Amos E. Agreed.
12435
P. O. (Trowbridge Benedict)
Service (Son of Caleb Benedict)
Pr St Loder & Co Ref St Col (trans N.Y.
Enlisted: Conn, 18
Discharged: Rev war, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: Claim filed too late
to be on printed list of
Re-enlisted: 1852 of Legionnaires.
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

Ms 38.215 June 19 th 1857 Revolution Claim
act June 7. 1832
Inverbridge Benedict Son of Caleb Benedict, dec d ,
Leaf 10 of 11 Set Oct 4. 1857
Presented by H. G. Frank atty Present,

G. Benedict Son of Caleb Benedict
On the 5th
March 1833 Vol. 1
Permitted by Caleb Benedict

Bridgeport Feb. 3 rd 1853.
Y. C. Perkins Esq. Dist. Atty -
Dear Sir
In connection with the result of my inquiries in the case of Wm. Pennoyer which accompanies this - I will also state what I have learned respecting the case of Frowbridge Benedict of New Canaan.
This case is a very glaring one and is the worst one for Taylor which we have yet discovered - Frowbridge Benedict applies as the only surviving child of Caleb Benedict for arrears of pension due his father who died in 1836. As the law under which he could only have been entitled was passed in 1832 for the benefit of those then living the date of his death is important and it is upon this that the whole question in this case turns.
You will recollect that at Taylor's examination at Bridgeport Judge Davenport testifying as to his suspicions of S. Taylor stated that - he had accompanied him upon one occasion to take the affidavit of Phebe Comstock as to the death of Caleb Benedict. That the paper which Taylor carried ready prepared - and which Mrs Comstock signed before him (Davenport stated the date as 1836 but that upon a little

calibrating - the old lady denied that that was the fact and declared that the death occurred in 1812 and that accordingly Davenport refused to sign the certificate - That Taylor seemed much surprised that such a mistake had occurred in the paper and laid it on Betts. but that he did not request the certificate to be made out with the correction as it would be of no service use and that they came away accordingly. In the copies you sent me however - appear in full this identical certificate - giving the date of the death as 1836. - Authenticated by Phebe Comstock's signature & oath & signed by Judge Taylor who has been shown "such evidence as justifies him in giving his opinion" that the facts are as stated. It is precisely the document of which Davenport detected the falsity & refused to sign. Its date is June 28 th 1851. After the affair with Davenport without doubt and as Davenport to the best of his recollection believes
I have today called on Frowbridge Benedict himself at New Canaan. Mr Benedict is by all accounts and without doubt a man of the very highest character and unimpeachable integrity. There was but one voice both in New Canaan & Norwalk upon that point. He learned that night for the first time that the statement of his father's death in 1836 was made in the paper signed by him in the application - He says that he well knew & told Taylor that his father died in 1812. That he asked him at the

same time how his father could be entitled to a pension when the first law was passed in 1818 several years after his death. That Taylor told him the law covered his father's case - and that a pension was due - Mr Benedict made oath to his application before Judge Taylor at Danbury - Walter Taylor was not present but as Mr B. states the paper was read to him by the judge and he is perfectly confident the date of his father's death was not given as 1836. He is said also in the application to be the only surviving child - This though true at present was not true at that time - and Mr B. says he told Taylor expressly he had a sister living in N. Y. Mrs Benedict who was present at one of his conversations with Taylor confirms these statements. Mr Weed also of Norwalk Town Clerk and one of the most reliable men of the place states that both Mr Benedict and himself informed Taylor that Mr B.'s father died in 1812.
If proof were wanting that Caleb Benedict's death actually occurred in 1812. The probate records of Norwalk furnish it. By these it appears that his will was proved & admitted to record May 7. 1812. Distribution is reported by the executors Jan. 4. 1st 1813 and accepted by the Court Feb. 2 d 1813.
Phebe Cornstock is the only deponent in the case to any of the facts in the application. She corroborates them all by her testimony - but it has already appeared how much weight this is entitled to. She is a woman of excellent character but

quite superannuated.
Mr Benedict is anxious to know whether anything has ever been paid upon this application - He has never rec d anything and had supposed until now that the prosecution of it had been abandoned
He feels mortified and indignant to have been thus connected with such a fraud & will do all in his power to expose it.
I have three cases on hand which I shall look into immediately - having been prevented from attending to one which I had hoped to look at yesterday by the storm -
The Marshal is anxious to get the subpoenas for the next court before next week I suppose you will enter another complaint against Taylor for the Benedict case - and that no preliminary examination before a commission will be necessary -
Respectfully
Henry P. Blake.
Copy of H. P. Blake with 3-4-1853 to Maria Clara of Providence Benedict -

Copy
October 4, 1851.
H. G. Fant Esq.,
Present
Sir:
The papers in the case of Caleb Benedict dec'd under the Act of June 7, 1832 have been examined and filed, but without some evidence of service no allowance can be made.
Very &c
Commissioner.

No 38. 210
Salvatore Benedetto
See page 10
Mr. John D. Rockefeller New York City

Office of D. S. Dis-Atty Hartford Conn
Febry 4 1883-
Sir,
Enclosed is a report from Mr. Blake respecting Pen- sionary claim -
Please advise if any thing has been paid upon it, also what further instructions you may think advisable to give respecting it -
Respectfully
Yours S er Sent
J. C. Perkins
Dis Atty.
To Hon J. E. Heath, Comm ee of Pensions

Hartford (Core) Office of U. S. Dist. Atty. 10 th Feby 1850—
Sir, Your favor of 8 th inst. is rec d . relating to the case of Caleb Benedict—
Your instructions relating to the matter shall receive every attention.
I shall continue to exer- cise a careful scrutiny so as to discover if possible to discover if Betts or any other one besides Sayla is impli- cated in this & the other frauds.
One man who probably was an accomplice, absconded before any of these prosecutions were instituted—
To
Hon. J. C. Heath Son of F. Perkins
Respectfully John Q. Adams J. C. Perkins Dist. Atty.

Mun. for Gravois. They in mouth of affidavit of Nov. 18th Resident on claim of Caleb D. D. D.

The Order in this case is in substance the same as in the matter of Phebe Comstock

Washington Sept. 1 st 1852
Com d of Pensions Sir.
We respectfully request a report in the case of Trowbridge Benedict son of Caleb Benedict pri. Lieut. Jonathan Loder's Co. in a Regt. of Mil. ® commanded by Lieut. Col. Shaddensbrave. Revy War. This case was filed June 18. 1851, and additional evidence filed Sept. 24. 51. By compliance with the above you will greatly oblige very respectfully Your obedt servt Evans & Hunt
This is case either from Conn t or New York under the Act of June 7 th 1832.

Hon. J. C. Perkins
Jan 27/63
11

Pension Office
January 27, 1833
Sir,
I enclose, herewith, certified copies of the applications of James Riggs, and the heirs of Caleb Benedict, dec d for revolutionary pensions.
The papers appear to have been prepared by Taylor and are probably of the same class of others prepared by him. These two claims have not been allowed..
In a few days I will forward you copies of the papers in another case which were prepared by Taylor. This case was allowed a few days since for about $4400, but it has been suspended until an investigation can be made.
Hon J. C. Perkins U.S. Dist Atty, Hartford, Ct
Rev

additional evidence
Caleb Benedict decl n —
Cash paid by A. G. Hunt 10.00 1851 —

State of Connecticut, Fairfield County . s.s.
It is hereby certified, that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me the undersigned, by the affidavit of Phebe Comstock, a credible, and disinterested person, as to justify me in giving my opinion, that Trowbridge Benedict is the son, a only child living, of Caleb Benedict (deceased) who died in the month of May 1836, as has been satisfactorily proven to me, leaving no Widow, or other child surviving him.
Phebe Comstock
Sworn before me this 28 th day of June 1851. I further certify that Phebe Comstock the above declarant, is unable to appear in Open Court, by reason of bodily infirmity.
Edward Taylor Judge of the County Court for Fairfield County.
State of Connecticut } Fairfield County } ss
I Thomas Robinson Clerk of the County Court in & for the County aforesaid & Keeper of the seal thereof, do certify that Edward Taylor Esq was on 28 th day of June 1851, Judge of the County Court in & for said County duly commissioned qualified & acting as such duly authorized by the laws of this State to administer oaths, I also certify that the above signature purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court in New Britain this 14 th day of July 1851.
Thomas Robinson Clerk

Bridgeport Feb. 3 d 1853
J. C. Perkins Esq - Dist. Atty -
Dear Sir -
In connection with the result of my inquiries in the case of W m Pennoyer which accompanies this - I will also state what I have learned respecting the Case of Snowbridge Benedict of New Canaan.
This case is a very glaring one and is the worst one for Taylor which we have yet discovered. - Snowbridge Benedict applies as the only surviving child of Caleb Benedict for arrears of pension due his father who died in 1836. - As the law under which he could only have been entitled overpassed in 1832 for the benefit of those then living the date of his death is important and it is upon this that the whole question in this case turns.
You will recollect that at Taylor's examination at Bridgeport - Judge Davenport testifying as to his suspicions of Taylor stated that - he had accompanied him upon one occasion to take the affidavit of Phebe Comstock as to the date of the death of Caleb Benedict. That the paper which Taylor carried ready prepared - and which Mrs Comstock signed before him (Davenport) stated the date as 1836. but that upon a little catechising the old lady denied that that was the fact - and declared that

the death occurred in 1812. - and that accordingly Davenport refused to sign the Certificate. - That Taylor seemed much surprised that such a mistake had occurred in the paper and laid it on Betts - but that he did not request the Certificate to be made out with the correction as it would be of no service and that they came away accordingly. - In the copies you sent me however - appears in full this identical Certificate - giving the date of the death as 1836 - authenticated by Phebe Cornstock's signature & oath and signed by Judge Taylor who has been shown "such evidence as justifies him in giving his opinion" that the facts are as stated. It is precisely the document of which Davenport detected the falsity & refused to sign - Its date is June 28 th 1851. - After the affair with Davenport without doubt and as Davenport to the best of his recollection - believes.
I have to day called on Trowbridge Benedict himself at New Canaan. - Mr Benedict is by all accounts and without doubt a man of the very highest character and unimpeachable integrity. There was but one voice both in Norwalk and New Canaan upon that point. He learned last night for the first time that the statement of his father's death in 1836 was made in the paper signed by him in the application. He says that he met Kings and told Taylor that his father died in 1812 - That he asked him at the same time how his father could be entitled

to a pension when the first law was passed in 1818 several years after his death. That Taylor told him the law covered his father's case - and that a pension was due - Mr Benedict made oath to his applica- tion before Judge Taylor at Danbury. Walter Taylor was not present - but as Mr B. states the paper was read to him by the Judge and he is perfectly confident the date of his father's death was not given as 1836.
He is said also in the application to be the only sur- viving child - This, though true at present was not true at that time and Mr B. says he told Taylor expressly he had a sister living in N. Y. - Mrs Benedict who was present at one of his conversations with Taylor confirms these statements - Mr Need also of Nor- walk Town Clerk and one of the most reliable men of the place states that both Mr Benedict and himself informed Taylor that Mr B's Father died in 1812. -
If proof were wanting that Caleb Ben- edict's death actually occurred in 1812. The probate Records of Norwalk furnish it. By these it appears that his will was proved & admitted to record May 7, 1812 - Distribution is reported by the executors Jan y 1 st 1813. and accepted by the Court Feb. 2 d 1813.
Phebe Cornstock is the only deponent in the case to any of the facts in the application. She corroborates them all by her testimony - but it has already appeared how much weight that is entitled to. She is a woman of excellent character but

quite superannuated —
Mr Benedict is anxious to know whether any thing has ever been paid upon this application. He has never rec d anything and had supposed until now that the prosecution of it had been abandoned. He feels mortified and indignant to have been connected with such a fraud and will do all in his power to expose it —
I have other cases on hand which I shall look into immediately — having been prevented from attending to one which I had hoped to look into yesterday — by the storm —
The Marshall is anxious to get the subpoenas for the next court before next week — I suppose you will enter another complaint against Taylor for this Benedict case — and that no preliminary examination before a commission will be necessary —
Respectfully
H. T. Blake

910 S. Phillips Ave.
Mary Chilton Chapter
D.A.R.
Nov. 30, 1920.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Rev Sec
Dept. of the Interior Pension Bureau Rev. War Dept.
Gentlemen! Have you a record of service for the following:
Caleb Benedict of New Canaan, Conn. b. 1709; d. 1791; m. Mehitable Hoyt - probably enlisted in New York.
Caleb Benedict b. in New Canaan, Conn. in 1740; d. 1812; m. Deborah St. John.
Frederick Nogle, a Frenchman supposed to have come over with La Fayette - had a son Frederick b. in 1800.
Thanking you for a reply, I am
Very truly yours,
(Mrs. Anna E.) Lucy Hopkins Ayres.
They are Caleb B.