Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29627, Jonathan Benton, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Benton, Jonathan
NUMBER
S. 29627
CONTENTS

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace within & for the county of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts John Hanson Norton who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following order For eight Months I served as a soldier in the army of the revolution in the year 1778 in the Massachusetts line as stated in my declaration and first tour marked No 1.
For one month I served as a soldier in the Army - in the Militia in the year 1779 as also stated in my declaration & second tour marked No 2
For thirteen Months & fourteen Days I served as a soldier in said Army in the year 1781 as also stated in my declaration & third tour marked No 3
For twenty one days I served as a soldier in said Army in the year 1779 in the Massachusetts line as also stated in my declaration & fourth tour as therein marked No 4.
For ten Days I served as a soldier in said Army in the year 1777 as also stated in my declaration & fifth marked No 5 - Making in the whole one year one month & fifteen days for which service I claim a Pension
Jonathan Norton
Berkshire ss. Subscribed and sworn to this 3 rd day of August AD 1833 before me Robbins Hildreth Justice of the peace
John H. Norton
16748
Jonathan Norton

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this thirty seventh day of September A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting.
Jonathan Norton a resident of the town of West Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy Three 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.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. viz That on or about the first day of
June 1778 he entered in the company commanded by Capt Enoch Root of Sheffield, that on the eleventh day of June aforesaid he marched with said company from Sheffield aforesaid thro Salisbury in Connecticut to Fishkill in the State of New York & from thence to Poughkeepsie in the State of New York when joined said company joined the Regiment which was commanded by Col Ezra Wood & Majs Halse, Lieut Col & Maj Bushing, from thence said he marched with said company & Regiment to White Plains in the State of New York where part of said Regiment was stationed till December following & the rest he with the other part was encamping for the Army in the vicinity of White Plains, & Moreover, that about the first part of Sept following he went with a part of said Regiment from White Plains to Litchfield & Farmington in the State of Connecticut where was principally engaged in repairing Roads & joined the Regiment again at Poughkeepsie about the first of December following, when he remained with said Regiment until about the first of February following when he was discharged at Poughkeepsie aforesaid, during all which period he did duty as a soldier in the army of the Revolution, which was eight Months the full term of his enlistment.
engagement No 1
That in the Month of July 1779 he volunteered at West Stockbridge under Capt Ambrose Hill & marched thro Salisbury Litchfield to New Haven in Connecticut when said company was joined to General Ward's Brigade when he did duty for one Month was absent five Weeks & more.
engagement No 2
That about the first of July 1781 he again entered the company commanded by Capt Mark of

No 3 engagement No 4 No 5
Stortbender & was Mustered at P'keepsie and Marched from thence to Albany & to Schenectady & to Schoharie in the State of New York & was joined to Col Willets Regiment & Maj Norley of P'keepsie when he remained about ten Days & then Marched back to Schenectady & from thence again up the Mohawk to Fort Plain when he was on guard when news arrived of the battle at Johnstown - that he Marched to Johnstown - to Stony Point & to Fort Herkimer & to German Flats & then then back to Fort Plain when he was discharged, having served in this engagement three months & about fourteen Days being fourteen days more than the term of his enlistment -
That, about the first of May 1777 he enlisted under Capt Erastus Sergeant of Stortbender in the County of Ulster & Marched with said Company to Albany & Stillwater to Saratoga when he did duty three weeks & was then relieved & was absent on this tour a little less than four weeks -
That in the summer of 1777 & before the Battle at Bennington he Volunteered under General Ropeter & Marched from West Stortbender aforesaid to Bennington & to Manchester in the State of Vermont & was on duty about ten days & absent about two weeks -
The Said Jonathan Norton in answer to the interrogatories prescribed by the War department states as follows - In answer to the first interrogatory, that he was born at Salisbury in the State of Connecticut on the 19 th day of May in the year 1759 as he has always understood and believes truly and in answer to the 2 d He says he had a Record of his age in the Family Book Bible - his Father carried it away with him & since then he has not been able to get it & knows not where it is - in answer to the third he says he lived in West Stortbender in the County of Ulster aforesaid when called into the service as before stated - that he has resided in West Stortbender aforesaid since the Revolution except seven years he resided in P'keepsie village in the State of New York and in answer to the fourth he says that he enlisted & volunteered in the several engagements as before mentioned & was no time a substitute in answer to the fifth He says, during his sixth tour above mentioned he does not recollect any other office than what he has before stated

In answer to the sixth he says, that at the expiration of his engagement just above mentioned he received a discharge, from the Col of P. Regiment who's name he does not now recollect - that the same was burned when Miss Hawn was burned which was the three years ago - In answer to the seventh he says he can name Mr John Ford, Capt Joseph Harris, Christopher French Esq - Abner Lewis, Amos Woodruff
Rev Nathan Shaw - He further states that he has no documentary evidence & that he knows of no person who's testimony he can prove who can testify to his services in the engagement just above mentioned unless it is Mr Silas Damp of West-Stockbridge who occasionally saw him in P. Service - that he believes Amos Woodruff Stephen Johns & Silas Damp of West-Stockbridge are (to his services) knowing to the engagement to Mrs Hawn just above mentioned, that he believes Capt Joseph Harris is knowing to his services up the Mohawk in the engagement just above mentioned - that he knows of no one by whom he can prove his services in 1777 to Saratoga & to Manhattan lastly mentioned

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
Jonathan Denton
S.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W.P. Walker J. Roberts
We Nathan Shaw a Clergyman, residing in the town of West Stockbridge upon? - and Abner Linscomb  Joseph Haring hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Denton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three 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.
Joseph Haring
Nathan Shaw
S.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W.P. Walker J. Roberts
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 Nathan Shaw who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of West Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that Joseph Haring who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of West Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
William P. Walker J. Roberts
I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Jonathan Denton for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this twenty seventh day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Henry W Bishop Register of Probate

Jonathan Benton Maple No. 16748
70 Mch 13 Mo 15 days
5 14 16 06 Jan 28 1833
435
90 927
H. W. Bishop Esq Lenoir Map

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 Jonathan Benton
   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.     1778 enlisted 8 Pri. Capt. E. Noble Col. E. Wood From Sheffield 73 years   July 1779 vol. 1 Capt. A. Hill Brig. Genl. Hale Lt. Col. Maj. Cush- ing Two Salis- bury in Conn. to Fishkill West Stock- bridge Traditional Witnesses   " 1781 enlisted 3 and about 14 days. Capt. Marsh Genl. Ward. Col. Willet Maj. Row- ley N. Y. to White Plains to Litchfield Fannington   May 1779 enlisted 21 Capt. E. Sargeant Genl. Rofester Conn. then Peekskill   1779 vol. about 10 From West Stockbridge to Litchfield to New Haven   13 15  
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 the 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [e] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

21.450 Massachusetts
Jonathan Benton
of Essex Co. in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Noble — of the Regt. commanded by Col. Wood in the Mass. — time for 3 Mo. 15 D.
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of 45 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Apr. 1833 and Little H. B. Bishop Seroy
Arrears to the 14th of Sep. 33 $117.50 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mo. 34 27.50 $145.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by G. Castle Clerk Book E. Vol. 2. Page 9.

29 627 REVY INVALID.
File No. 29,627
Jonathan Benton His Rev. Mrs.
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index:—Vol. 9, Page 39
[Arrangement of 1870.]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Matthew Benton which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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? 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? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? 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?
 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."
John A. Overton 16/7/48

Jon a Benton

I John Ford of West Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire aged seventy nine being duly sworn do depose & say that I resided in West Stockbridge during the American Revolution & have resided there since during all which time I have been well acquainted with Jonathan Minton now resident at West Stock- bridge - that I have always understood & it is generally understood & believed in the vicinity & neighbourhood where said Minton has usually resided at the time & since the Revolution that that he was a Soldier of the Revolution, I well recall & it is particularly understood and believed in the neighbourhood that he performed a term of duty of about eight months in the vicinity of White Plains - also that that he per- formed another term of about three months up the Mohawk River beside several other alarms or short Forays which I cannot now particularly recall, except that I well recall that he was said to have gone a short term to Pownington and Manhatten, that I was called to Ford's Creek at the same time - their services having been repeatedly spoken of since the revolution - I think I cannot be mistaken that it has been so understood & believed since said duties were performed - and I further testify that said Minton is a man of truth & veracity - John Ford
Berkshire ss. August 13 th 1832 The above named John Ford personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me & I further certify that said John Ford is a man of truth & veracity - Robbins Clerk pro tem of the peace

Joseph Herring of West Stortbridge in the County of Derkshire aged sixty eight being duly sworn depones & says that he has resided in West Stortbridge almost from his youth - that Jonathan Newton now residing in West Stortbridge aforesaid, resided in West Stortbridge during the American revolution & that he then knew him & has known him since that he will recollect that said Newton about the first of July 1775 enlisted in Capt. Markins Company for the term of three months, that he knows that said Newton about the same time joined said Company & marched to Albany - Schenectady, Schoharie & Fort Plain & was joined to the Regiment comm- -anded by Col. Willett - that said Newton continued to do duty in the vicinity of Fort Plain & was at Stonaraba, Fort Herkimer, Fort Dayton & German Flats, on the Mohawk River in the State of New York, that he knows said Newton served the full of his enlistment, & that for the purpose of pursuing the troops of the enemy who had been engaged in the battle at Johnston, said Newton was induced to stay longer, & accordingly, said Newton & this deponent & about eight others were detained to guard Fort Dayton while the main body of our troops pursued the enemy, in which pursuit Genl. Miller, who commanded the British force was killed as he understood & believes - that said Newton served after his term of enlistment had expired fourteen Days, including the time he was returning home which he thinks was five Days - that he went & returned with said Newton & knows that he was absent on this tour three months & fourteen Days from the day he started till he returned home - That I have always understood & believed in the neighborhood when said Newton resided, that at the time

& since the Revolution that he served and performed a term of duty of eight months in the vicinity of Whiteplains in the state of New York which he thinks was in the year 1773 also that he performed other short terms of duty during the revolutionary war, which he is unable particularly to mention - and he further says that said Minton is a man of truth and veracity & of good moral character -
Joseph Herring
Berkshire p. August 30 th 1832 Capt Joseph Herring personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me
Robbins Kellogg Justice of the peace
I Robbins Kellogg a justice of the peace within & for the county of Berkshire do certify that Joseph Herring who made the foregoing affidavit is a man of truth & veracity - August 30 th 1832
Robbins Kellogg justice of peace

Silas Bangs of West Stockbridge in the county of Berkshire & commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy one years being duly sworn depo- se, & says that he has resided at West Stockbridge aforesaid from his youth & during said time has been well acquainted with Jonathan Benton now residing at said West Stockbridge that in the the month of May A.D. 1878 he enlisted as a soldier in the service of the United States & marched to White Plains in the state of New York - that some time in the summer following he saw said Benton at White Plains aforesaid doing duty as a soldier in a different company from this Deponent, which he thinks was commanded by Capt. Noble, that we were stationed not far apart & he frequently visited him & saw him doing duty during said season & then understood that he enlisted for the term of eight months, & he then understood, & has always since understood & believed that he served the full term of eight months the term of his enlistment & has never heard it questioned or doubted by any one - That in the following season, & he thinks about the month of July 1879 he together with said Benton volunteered in the company commanded by Capt. Ambrose Hall & said Benton & this Deponent marched with said company to New Haven in Connecticut & did duty in this engagement for one month, were gone from home more than five weeks - that said Benton was absent from home at other times & he understood that he was out on duty as a soldier & he then understood & truly believes

that he performed considerable other duty and at different times & it was & still is so believed in the neighborhood where he resides, that he is considered a man of strict truth & veracity Silas Barr
Berkshire p. August 31 st 1832 The above named Silas Barr personally appeared & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me
Robbins Helleogg Justice of the Peace
I Robbins Helleogg a Justice of the peace within & for the County of Berkshire do certify that Silas Barr who made the foregoing affidavit is a man of truth & veracity - August 31. 1832
Robbins Helleogg Justice of the peace
for a Justice Iowa then Ben Low West Stockbridge ill Application for probate Sept 27 1832
16748

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss. I, Henry W. Bishop Register of the Court of Probate in & for said County, do hereby certify that Robbin Kellogg Esquire, before whom the annexed Depositions of John Lord, Joseph & Silas Hemenway & also the affidavit or additional Declaration of Jonathan Benton was taken, was at the respective dates thereof & now is one of the Justices of the peace within & for said County, duly & regularly appointed, & that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & have no doubt that the signature annexed to said Depositions & affidavit are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set My hand & affixed the seal of said Court this seventh Day of August A D 1833. Henry W Bishop Register of Probate