Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 41430, Stephen Bennett, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
Continental Mass.
Bennett, Stephen
NUMBER
S 41430
CONTENTS

Stephen Bennett } was married Hannah Wakefield } Aug 2 d 1775 In Middlesex Co Middlesex She died in Peru of Sept 2 d 1836 He died March 26 th 1837 age 84 years he was orderly sergeant through service in listed under Capt Woods in Woburn Mass County Middlesex & was pensioned at $26 per annum as a Pioneers it would seem if he served as a duly sergeant there would be $24, dollars per year more due him or her heirs & Jonas B. Bennett is the only liv- ing child so far as I know
Witness  }
Gyles Edson }
Jonas Bennett
Personally appeared Jonas B. Bennett and the only child now living of Stephen & Han- nah Bennett declared & made oath to the above Record as being correct & I certify I know Jonas B. Bennett is a credible person whose residence is well known to all Dated 25 th Oct 1861
Gyles Edson
Jonas Bennett

Set to S. Swift 16 Jan 1836 " " same 25 Apr '36 " A. Preston Oct 3, 1857 Same Oct 17/57 Same Feb. 19. 1862. Same March 5. 1862
Application sent Nov. 10 th 1860 to Abraham D. Dyer Cambridge Mass.
Nov 11 1866
 Massachusetts to Vermont, Stephen Dennett
of Groton in the state of Massach s . who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Weston of the Massach s . line, for the term of 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 31 st of March 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 of June 1819 and sent to Samuel Dana, Esq Groton, Mass s .
Arrears to 4th of March 1819. 11m. 55 / 31 $ 89. 29 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1819 . . . 48. --
$137.29
{ Revolutionary claim, { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued

Stephen Bennett V.D.
11,866
June '69
Mid-Season No. 0. C. ... Total V.D. 1886
... and that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the ... of the ... Court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the ... Court ...
... the ... of the ... Court ...

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
MIDDLESEX, ss.
At the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Middle Circuit, begun and holden at Concord, within and for the County of Middlesex, on the second Monday of September A. D. 1820
Before the Hon. SAMUEL DANA, Esquire, Chief Justice,
and
WILLIAM WETMORE, and } Associate Justices STEPHEN MINOT, Esquires, } of said Court.
In open Court here, being a Court of Record for said Circuit, proceeding according to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Stephen Bennett 2 d — resident in Groton — in said Circuit, who is named in Pension Certificate No. 11.866 — now in his possession, of which the following is a true copy, to wit,
“ WAR DEPARTMENT.....REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM. ”
“ I certify that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th March, 1818, Stephen Bennett 2 d — late a Private — in the army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on the thirty first day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen —
“ Given at the War Office of the United States, this twelfth day of June — one thousand eight hundred and nineteen J. L. Edwards in the absence & on behalf of the J. C. CALHOUN , Secretary of War,”
appears, and exhibits to the Court here a Schedule, subscribed by him, as follows, to wit,
SCHEDULE,
containing his whole estate and income, his necessary clothing and bedding excepted, to wit,
“ Real Estate None Personel Estate None. Income None.
Stephen Bennett 2 d
“ And the said Stephen Bennett 2 d having been first duly sworn according to law does on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war one year to wit 1776 in capt. John Wood's company of col. Loammi Baldwin's Regiment Massachusetts line as a serjeant and some time in other corps as is more particularly set forth in his original declaration on file in the war office dated March 31, 1818 — that he is sixty seven years of age, a husbandman by occupation but wholly unable through debility and infirmity of age to support himself by labour

that he has no family except his wife Hannah aged 62 years who is also unable to support herself by labour and that he has been supported in part by the charity of his sons.
Stephen Bennett 2 d
Middlesex Ss. Sept. Term 1820, of C. C. C. Pleas.
Declared & sworn to
Before me, Stephen Minot judge &c. } 11

and at the same time he produces to the Court here the following Oath, taken and subscribed by him, before the Hon. Stephen Minot a Judge of said Court as aforesaid, to wit,
I, Stephen Bennett 2 d do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. So help me God. Stephen Bennett 2 d
Middlesex ss. C. C. C. P. Sept. Term, A. D. 1820
Then the abovenamed Stephen Bennett 2 d took and subscribed the aforeswritten Oath before me,
Stephen Minot Judge of said Court.
I, ABRAHAM BIGLOW, Clerk of the Court aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath, and Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is nothing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, at Cambridge, in said County of Middlesex, on this 30 th day of Sept. 1820.
Attr.
Abraham Biglow

State of Vermont On this 21 st day of December in the year 1835. County of Bennington I personally appeared in open court before the Hon. John S. Pettibone, Judge of the Probate Court for the Probate District of Manchester in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont now sitting Stephen Bennett a Resident of Bennington in said County of Bennington, aged eighty two years, who being 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 was born at Ipswich in the County of Essex & State of Mass- achusetts, as he has been informed & verily believes, on the 8 th day of May A.D. 1753. That he has no knowledge of any Record of his Birth except a Record thereof kept in the family - That at the age of nine months, as he is also informed & believes, his Parents with him re- moved to the Town of Woburn in the County of Middlesex in the same State of Massachusetts, where they continued to reside until the commencement of hostilities between Great Britain & these her then Colonies of the United States. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers & served as herein stated - That on or about the first of October A.D. 1774 he joined & was enrolled in a Company of minutemen so called, for the purpose of occupying & improving the  then schools in military exercise & discipline, to be ready at the shortest notice & warning, to be called upon for any actual military service against the enemies of the country - That John Woods was then & there appointed the captain of said Company Abraham Childs Lieut. & Sylvanus Woods Ensign & that he the said Stephen was appointed & did duty from the first as first sergeant in said Company & that said Company to a Regiment of Massachu- setts Troops commanded by Col. Gurnish - That they continued to do the above duty as minutemen constantly until the 19 th day of April 1775. when as such they were called out & actually engaged against the enemy at Lexington Concord in said State, even in the Lexington Battle so called - Soon after which he enlisted & did duty as a sergeant as before in the same Company commanded by the same Officers as above for the term of eight months - That Col. Baldwin then took the command of the Regiment to which they belonged, which was afterwards received & attached to the Continental line - That they marched to Seven Station & Prospect Hill, in the Town of Cambridge near Boston, until some time in September of the same year 1775 as he now thinks, his Regiment was divided, & a part of it including his Company marched to Seven Stationed at Medford in said County of Middlesex - That he continued to serve & do duty as a sergeant in said Company until the expiration of his said term of enlistment, when he again enlisted at said Medford, in the same capacity as sergeant in the same Company & Regiment un- der the same Officers as above, for the further term of one year - That they remained stationed at said Medford until as he now believes sometime in the month of March 1776. when they marched by land to New London

in the State of Connecticut, & from thence they sailed by water to the City of New York, where they were stationed in Barracks in or near the City until after the Battle between the American & British Armies on Long Island, they were ordered & passed over onto said Island as a reinforcement, but on the same, or next subsequent day were ordered & retreated back with the American Army to New York, & from thence soon after continued their retreat to the White Plains so called in the State of New York, where he was engaged in a Battle at that place - That soon after he marched to Danbury in the State of Connecticut, where he was stationed for a few weeks, & from thence he marched to Poughkeepsie near the North River in the State of New York, where he was stationed until the expiration of said last mentioned term of one year when he was regularly discharged & returned to his said home in said Ulster Co. During the whole of which term he served & did the duty of a soldier in the said Company - but he has no distinct recollection at this time that he was had a Warrant as such soldier - thinks probably he had, but if he had he has accidentally lost or destroyed the same amongst his old papers at the time of his removal or otherwise - nor has he any distinct recollection that he ever received any written discharge - if so he has also accidentally lost the same - During the time of the above service he was engaged, besides in the Battles of Basington & White Plains above referred to, also in a slight engagement at Haverstraw near New York, whilst so stationed at New York as above, also in several other smaller skirmishes - At the close of the said term of duty he was solicited to continue in the service & was offered the command of a Company on account of his family & the dilapidation of his health, he was obliged to decline, & soon after he purchased in Connecticut a Farm near to Billings in said Ulster Co. in the County of Middlesex - That afterwards, on or about the first of Jany. 1778, in pursuance agreeably to his best present recollection he enlisted at said Billings for nine months into a Company of Continental Troops, as he now believes, commanded by Capt. Nathan Dyer, in the Regiment, as he now supposes commanded by Col. Miller - That he marched from said Billings to West Point on the North River, where he was stationed for a time, but does now recollect exactly how long - That from thence to Hartford in the State of Connecticut, where he was also stationed for a few weeks, neither is he at this time able to state with precise certainty the length of time at that place - and from thence he marched to Fishkill in the State of New York, where he remained stationed during the remaining part of his said term of nine months enlistment, which he fully served out & was then regularly discharged therefrom, but he has no recollection that he received any written discharge, if so, it has been accidentally lost as above - That he forthwith returned to his said home in said Billings - That the reason why his recollection is more indistinct as to the particulars of the said last term of service although considerably later than the former probably is, that as he then served in a lower grade than before, he was not compelled whilst the army was in station any, to do duty all the time in the ranks, but was permitted to be occupied in making shoes, & overseeing & taking charge of that business for the army - That there was during that period no fighting or skirmishing with the enemy in that portion of the army to which he belonged - if there had been he should doubtless have been engaged with the others in the same, had he been able

That afterwards, some time in the month of March 1805, as near as human now recollect, he removed from said Billerica, to the town of Groton in said County of Middlesex, where he resided until sometime in the month of May A.D. 1820, agreeably to his present recollection, he removed to the town of Peru, where he has ever since resided. That some time after the passing of the Pension law of the United States, of the 18th March 1818, which he resided at said Groton, he applied for & was placed upon the Pension roll of the United States under that law, thereby enti- tling him to a Pension as a Private from the 31st day of March 1818. The Certificate for which bears date on the 12th day of June 1819 since which time he has received his Pension as a Private regularly until the pre- sent time but having lived very retired & secluded, being aged & infirm & withal very deaf, he never understood, until he was lately informed by a neighbor, that the late law of the U. States of the 7th June 1832, gave an additional allowance to those who served in the character of a party of sergeants during the revolutionary war, which information has induced him to make the present application, being now from his former Pension and of such additional allowance - whether in stating his claim to a Pension under the law of the 18th March 1818, he named the whole, or only a part of the which part of the above enumerated services, he is not now fully able to remember, as that law agreeably to his understanding & present impression, required but nine months service, to entitle one to the benefits thereof. That he has now no documentary evidence to support his said claim, & removed as he now is, to a great distance from the scene of his said services & from his former associates in arms, he knows of no living witnesses by whom he is able to prove his said services, or any part thereof except a Brother of his, Samuel Bennett who now resides in said Billerica, whom Affidavit he has to substantiate the principal & the material part of his said services above stated, he has sent for & pro- duced, therewith forwards - but at the time of his former application under the same law, many who were knowing to his services were alive & resided in his vicinity, who are since dead or are beyond the reach of his knowledge - but if the general opinion & reports of his services amongst his neighbors & acquaintances could be admitted to substantiate his claim for his said services, he believes that he would be able to procure abundant proof thereof - he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on Pension Roll of the agency of any State except for the Pension herein before stated, the payment of which has been heretofore transferred from the a- gency Office of the State of Massachusetts, to the Agency Office of the State of Ver- mont.
Stephen Bennett
Secondly, subscribed, the day & year aforesaid, by Stephen Bennett And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investiga- tion of the matter, & after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary Sol- dier & served as he stated. Certified by me
John S. Pillsbury Judge of Probate Court

I, Hiram Silliman Register of the Probate Court in & for the Probate District of Manchester in the County of Bennington State of Vermont, do hereby that the foregoing contains the original Proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen Bennett for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, I have affixed the Seal of the said Probate Court at Manchester aforesaid, this 21 st day of December 1835. In the Independence of the United States the fiftieth.
H. S. Silliman Register

Stephen Bennett } were married 4th Hannah Wakefield } May 17 1775 Residence formerly revolutionary war was in Billerica Up Middlesex County
He was pensioned as a private under the act of 1818 and drew a pension at $96 per annum from 1818 down to the 4th March 1837.
His wife died Sept 2 d 1836 at J. B. Bennett's in some Bennington County Vermont her doctor was doctor Paxton J. B. Bennett furnished her coffin
He died 26 March 1837 same place as did his wife The only heir now living is Jonnor B. Bennett who is in Lowell Middlesex Nuttall Co. Vt
Stephen Bennett was found on the roll in Cambridge Mass as an orderly Sergeant his application and affidavit of Jonas Bennett filed that Stephen Bennett was an order- ly Sergeant about 29 months in the army. He died about two years before he died for an increase of pension an orderly Sergeant pay is $20. per annum it would have been $24 per annum due this only child from 4 March 1831 up to 26 March 1837 and also the small balance from 4 March 1837 up to 26th March then following the board of puttees plan done in this case and report to the whether this increase is now due to the only heir J. B. Bennett
Stephen Bennett aged 92 years May 4 th and Hannah Wakefield aged 17 August 2 d were joined in marriage May 4 th - 1775 A Record of their
Mrs Hannah Bennett died Sept 2 d 1836 - Mr Stephen Bennett died March 26 1837 aged 84 years

Whereas all men by their presents that J. Jonas B. ... of Mendon in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts do constitute and appoint my true and lawful attorney in my name to receive from the government of the United States whatever amount of interest of pension and the small amount then was due by the 4th March 1837 up to the 4th of the same month and generally to do all lawful things concerning the premises much as if present myself Signed sealed this 28 Sept 1857
in presence of Sarah J. Bennett
J. B. Bennett only heir now living that I know of
I have cut out the old record of the Marriage and Deaths of Stephen Bennett and Hannah his wife and attached it to the paper as you will see dated 28 Sept 1857 Attook Boston atty for J. B. Bennett only heir of Stephen Bennett now living as he knows of N.B. please write me to Mendon post office when you have had time to look upon the subject with perfect accuracy A. Putnam atty

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
J. F. 41,430
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Stephen Bennett a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Oct. 1. 1774 Apr. 19. 1775 Minuteman John Woods Gerrish Mass.   Apr. 19. 1775 8 mos. Sgt. John Woods Gerrish   Jan. 1. 1776 12 mos. Sgt. John Woods Leaming Baldwin   May 1. _____ 9 mos. Sgt. Nathan Dyer Wesson Miller  
Battles engaged in, Lexington. Concord. White Plains
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Woburn Mass.
Date of application for pension, Feb 31 1818. His ch. al.
Residence at date of application, Groton Middlesex Co. Mass.
Age at date of application, b. at Ipswich Essex Co. Mass. May 8 1753
Remarks: d. Mar 26. 1837 at Peru, Cannington Co. Vt.
He married at Billerica Mass. May 4. 1775  Hannah Wakefield  b. Aug. 2. 1738 who died at Peru Vt. Sept. 2. 1836. In 1820, he reported to his sons no names stated other than Jonas B. was the only living child and a resident of Mendon Vt. in 185-7
Respectfully,
Soldier's brother James.
Commissioner.
6-2856 Soldier gives four different dates for year of last service & we cannot find it in Mass records as our year 1805

State of Vermont } Bennington County ss } On this 18 day of August AD 1826 before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace for the 8 th County of Benning- ton personally appeared Stephen Bennett 2 d who on his oath declared that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain John Wood in the regiment commanded by Colonel Lorrin Baldwin in the service of the United States that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Massachusetts from whence he has lately removed, that he now resides in the State of Vermont where he intends to remain & wishes his pension to be there payable in future & that his reason for removing to the State of Vermont is to reside with his son - Stephen Bennett 2 d
Sworn to & subscribed to before me this day & year aforesaid Joel Pratt Justice of Peace
State of Vermont
I Joel Pratt Clerk of Bennington County Court do hereby certify that Joel Pratt is a Justice of the peace in & for the County of Bennington acting under the authority of this State & that the above signature as such is his
In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of our 8 th County Court & set my hand this 18 day of August AD 1826
Joel Pratt Clerk
Bennington County ss Jonas B. Merrill of Peru in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont of lawfull age do testify & say that I well know Stephen Bennett 2 d to be the same person who has subscribed the above affidavit and with whom I have been well acquainted many years and he is on the pension Roll - and further say not Jonas B. Merrill

Bennington County ss Beene August 19. 1826 Person ably appeared Jonas B Bennett and was sworn & subscribed the above affidavit before me that I am well acquainted with the sd. Jonas B Bennett and here by certify that he is a person of veracity.
Israel Batchelder Just. tice of the Peace
State of Vermont
I. Joel Pratt Clerk of Bennington County Court do hereby certify that Israel Batchelder Esq. is a Justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid acting under the authority of this State & that the above is his signature
In testimony whereof I have set my hand & affixed the seal of our said Court at Manchester this 21 st day of August A.D. 1826
Joel Pratt Clerk

Stephen Bennett
on rolls, 9 mo. in Wilson's reg.
Judge's certificate as to circum- stances wanted
See in the body of the list.
Adm l .

Common Wealth of Massachusetts. Be it remembered that on the Thirtieth day of March in the To whom it may concern
We the Subscribers, Selectmen & Overseers of the poor for the Town of Grafton in Ms - Do Certify that Stephen Bennett, who, it is said, served in the revolutionary War, is in poor and indigent circumstances, destitute of property & una- ble to support himself. —
April 26. 1819. —
Noah Shattuck William Livermore Burling Ames

Common Wealth of Massachusetts.
We, it remembered that on the thirty first day March in the year of Our Lord, One Thousand, Eight hundred and Eighteen before me Samuel Dana Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the middle Circuit (comprehending the Counties of Essex and Middlesex within the Commonwealth aforesaid), being a Court of Record by law instituted and established.
Comes Stephen Bennett of Groton in said County of Middlesex
and on Oath declares, that he served in the war of the Revolution for the space of twenty nine months That he marched from Woburn in Massachusetts to Concord in Captain John Wood's Company, belonging to Col. Gensh's Regiment, that he remained in service eight months - On the first day of January A.D. 1776 he enlisted into the same Company, upon the Continental establishment - for twelve months that he served under the same Captain Wood. Abraham Childs Lieut. in the same Regiment Commanded by Col. Loammi Baldwin, James Wilson Lt. Colonel and Sherman Dyer, at the expiration of said term he was permitted to return home, but whether any discharge was given to him he can not now tell, if he did receive any, it is lost by time and accident After he had remained at home about four months, there was a requisition for men, and the Town of Woburn Billerica hired him to go into service, he was made a Sergeant, and conducted eight men from Billerica in Mass. to White Plains in New York, he reported himself and eight men, to Col. Wilson who then Commanded a Regiment, and he was ordered into Capt. Nathan Dyer's Company in Col. Wilson's Regiment where he served nine months longer, and was discharged at Fishkill, but whether at that time he received a written discharge he does not know. Since he left the service, he has owned and enjoyed property some but by misfortunes he has utterly lost all the Estate both real and personal that he ever possessed, that he is now nearly sixty five years of age, and unable to procure a subsistence by manual labor and
such is his present situation by reason of his reduced circumstances in life, that he now stands in need of assistance from his Country for support.
Stephen Bennett
This made, taken, subscribed and sworn to at Groton in said County of Middlesex the day and year aforesaid.
Sam. Dana

To the Honorable JOHN C. CALHOUN, Secretary of the Department of War of the United States.
I, the undersigned Samuel Dana , Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Middle Circuit, (comprehending the Counties of Essex and Middlesex) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being a Court of Record, duly established by Law, Do hereby certify, That on the thirty first day of March in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen — — — Stephen Bennett Personally appeared and made and subscribed the declaration which is hereunto annexed.
from which it appears to me, that the said Stephen Bennett did serve in the War of the REVOLUTION, against the common Enemy, upwards of nine months. and he known to me to be poor and in indigent circumstances
Wherefore, in pursuance of the directions of an Act of Congress, made and passed the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," I have transmitted the said Declaration to you the said Secretary, that such further proceedings may be had in the premises, as the said Act may require.
In testimony of all which, I have caused the Seal of said Court to be hereunto affixed.
Given under my hand within the said Circuit, the thirty first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen — — — Sam d Dana
And I do further certify, that the above named Stephen Bennett in indigent circumstances stands in need of aid for his support — April 26 1819 Sam d Dana

Pension Office
Oct. 2, 1857
Sir.
Please give date of death of Stephen Bennett, D o , Vt roll act of 1818 at $96 -
Very respectfully
A. C. McLaughlin for Commissioner
R. J. Atkinson Esq. Third Auditor
2 d Auditor's Office Oct. 2, 1857.
Sir: Stephen Bennett, D o Vermont, act 1818, at $8.00 per month, appears to have been paid to March 4, 1857. Very Respectful W. H. Simmons auditor
Dr. H. Randall
Geo. C. Whiting Esq. Commr of Pensions

Stephen Bennett 21-
St. 0-18-181
(Free)
George C. Whiting Commissioner of Pensions and third auditor of the Interior Department Washington City D.C.
In haste

-30-
kept
Stephen Powell - 2
1818
1818

I James Bennett of Billerica in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Lawful age do testify and say that I enlisted and served as a private during the years 1775 & 1776 in a company of volunteers commanded by Capt John Woods of Woburn. And I further testify and say that Stephen Bennett of Woburn was a member of the same company and served as a sergeant in said Company twenty months during the years 1775 & 1776-
James Bennett
Middlesex ss. September 16. AD 1835 Personally appeared the above named James Bennett and made solemn Oath that the above declaration by him subscribed, is true
Before me
James Jacques Justice Suffolk County
I certify that the above named James Bennett is a credible witness
James Jacques Justice

Commonwealth of Massachussetts
Middlesex Es. — I Elias Preney Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, being a Court of records, in said County of Middlesex, do certify that James Jaques Esquire is a Justice of the Peace, within & for said County of Middlesex, and that his name set to the within Certificate is his own genuine signature. —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court the 21 day of November 1835.
E. Preney

70
Stephen Bennet 2 nd
She
The Hon. James L. Richardson
Commission of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

Manchester Dec 21. 1835
To Thos. S. Edwards, Comr. etc.
Hon. Sir; Enclosed I have the honor to transmit to you the Declaration of Stephen Bennett, with an Affidavit to support the same, together also, with his original Certificate for a Pension, for the purpose of obtaining the increased allowance as a Sergeant under the Act of the U.S. of the 7th June 1832. — The reasons for his delay in making this application, I believe, are satisfactorily stated in the Declaration itself — Any further suggestion from me will be unnecessary — I have the honor to be, Hon. Sir;
Very respectfully
Your W th B d S r &c
Levi Swift.

Stephen P. Smith - Mrs. Nett -
May 21
10 -
FREE
The Hon. James S. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Manchester March 15. 1836.
To the Hon. S. L. Edwards,
Hon. Sir, Enclosed I forward to you the certificate of the Secy of State, of Mass. to sustain the claim of Stephen Bennett to a Pension as a Sergt. &c.
So far as this certificate goes, it confirms, I believe, the statement made by W. B. as to his services, & which is also supported by the Affidavit heretofore forwarded therewith.
But it appears that the Rolls are deficient as to a part of the time when those services are stated to have been performed — of course I presume the other evidence will be received as being the best to be had — The certificate has been hitherto delayed by accident, & several unpropitious circumstances.
As to the claim of Thos. Tutlett, relative to which, I recd. your communication some short time since, dated the 2 nd . I perceive that some suspicion exists as to the correctness of his statements as to the length of time of his service but as no reference is made to the Affidavit of his Brother accompanying his Declaration, I presume, that escaped observation or recollection at the time — that Affid t I believe confirms the statement in the Decl n in full — & I have been well informed by respectable persons acquainted with them, that they both sustain unblemished characters for truth — I trust that if the evidence above referred to, was omitted in the examination, it will now be considered, & due weight given to it, more especially as W.

Hulitt is now aged & infirm, & withal very needy —
Very respectfully I am Hon. Sir,
your most obedt. & ble servt. &c
S. Swift
Stephen Green Esq. New Bedford
The Rev. Samuel Swift
Cambridge, Mass.
New Bedford
Mass.
EX-12

Menden 4. Feb 1862
Some two years previous to Stephen Brum its death he made application for extra Pension as an ordn. sergeant which is now on file at Washington. Enclosed is a Statement made in her life time which will show whom he named and what grounds he claimed extra pension as an ordn. by sergeant. Please examine the history of this claim and see if any thing is there to assist present the surviving heirs of Stephen Brum the deceased. My wife of Monaster presented this claim when Edward was commissioned. This claim was presented in the year 1835 or thereabouts.
Yours Respectfully
Please examine this case and if advisable or thought best return the papers and I will on the County Court & Probate Court seats
Abiah Preston Attorney

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept. 25 th 1836.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Stephen Bennett, as a serjeant, is borne on a Muster roll of Capt. John Wood's Company, in Col. Baldwin's Regt. where he is allowed from April 24 th to August 1 st 1775, three Months and nine days. ————— m. d. 3-9
Stephen Bennetts name is borne on a list of the Men raised from the County of Middlesex, for the term of nine Months from the time of their arrival at Fishkills where it appears he went from the Town of Billerica, and arrived at Fishkills June 19 th 1778. - 9 =
Stephen Bennett claims for twenty Months services as a serjeant in 1775 & 1776, under Capt Wood.

in Col. Gurrish's or Baldwin's Regt. but the roll for services in 1775 & '76, is not found in this Office, after August 1 st 1775. —
Stephen Bennett also claims for services under Capt. Nathan Dix. in Col. Miller's Regt. in 1777, but the roll is not found in this Office. —
John P. Bigelow
Secretary.

Menden 26. Feb 1862
Sir I received your letter dated 18th Feb. 1862 stating in order to allow an pension in case of Stephen Bennett it would be necessary to search the records in Mass in order to see whether he served as sergeant in 1775 and 1776. Jonas B. Bennett the only surviving heir of Stephen Bennett deceased procured testimony he thinks in the fall of 1835. Some two years previous to his death by Mr. Swift which is now on file also the affidavit of Jonas Bennett who was ensigned in the service with him Stephen Bennett Enlisted under Capt John Wood General Gosh Commanded the regiment General Baldwin after words Commanded the regiment. will you search the records of the State of Mass or shall I send and get a certified copy & forward to you Jonas B. Bennett thinks his brother served as sergeant through the revolutionary war or your honor will examine the records or inform me what is necessary whether I shall get a certificate from the Sec. of the State of Mass. & forward to you
Respectfully yours
Mark Parton attorny

East Pittford Oct 10. 1857
Dear Sir I have received your honor letter stating that Stephen Bunnell drew his pension up to the 4th March 1837 I do I understand you you have abandoned the law that the children are not intitled to the amount that would be due after soldiers look drawing up to his death if he left no widow. The law says it may be recovered by the widow children or adminis- trator it is true the ballance is small only from the 4th March 1837 till 26th would be 22 days it would be it would be about seven dollars if he left no intitled all his children after 4th March 1831 by his being orderly sergeant over two years in the army then was true many field com- panies before his death in the office that you have the charge on or I am informed that he was orderly sergeant 29 months in the army a sergeant regular amount should be 120 per annum if he served as such two years in the army he was only permitted as a private by the advice of the attorney General up at the law of the fact is that Demo Cratic I profess to be a demo- cratic in principle but such a principle would be a singular one indeed

I have a letter from your honor's office but a short time since saying in the case of the administration of Ezekiel Lony by the by applying to the 3 d auditor of the interior department the billows after the last drawing up to the death of the soldier and widow can be drawn also in the case of the heirs of Wm Gill, this letter is dated 18 Sept 1857 and signed By his honor J. Cole for Comr miscomrs he informs me in these two cases the heirs can draw the amount due after the last drawing up to the death of the soldier & widow by Philip in his office evidence of his & his widow's death and then money is to be paid as he wrote me as I have every reason to believe him to be a gentlemen as well as your honor of high standing
Yours respectfully yours
Alvah Preston
NB would it be convenient for your Honor to forward along some of the first applications or rather bond warrants on the first applications sent in last June and so a long time that time as some of the applicants were very needy of the highest respect &c
Alvah Preston atty

41 430
1915 Feb. 24 Hist. to Mrs. W. H. Sleep 1915 Apr. 21 Hist. to Carrie a. Bennett
INVALID.
Rev.
File No. H. L. 80
Stephen Bennett De: Rev. W. H.
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 88
[Arrangement of 1870.]

George Pennant, Esq. of Puntion
In North
Stephen Pennant, Esq.
Oct - 10 1857
Whiting Cornishman Washington City D.C.
See Mr. Whiting

H d M t City Guard Washington, Feb y 11/62
Respectfully referred to the U.S. Com- missioner of Pensions
By command of Brig Gen. A. P. Smith Provost Marshal W. M. McMillan Capt. Q.M. M. G.
Application of Jonas B. Bennett
For Increase of Pension For his Fostersboro vice in the revolutionary War as an orderly Sergeant. He obtained his Pension $96. for service as a private Sergeant pay is $120, Per annum.
Presented by
Abraham Preston

Know all Men by These Presents That I Jonas B. Bennett of Glenden County of Rutland and State of Vermont do constitute and appoint Mark Norton of Mendon in my town and lawful attor- ney to institute my claim for what ever Pension there may be due me as the only Child, now living of Stephen Bennett de- ceased who served as Asbury Sergeant in the revolutionary War and generally to do all lawful acts as much so as if I present my self given under my hand & seal this 25 th day Oct 1861 Signed sealed and delivered this day as above dated Jonas B Bennett Witness Ezra Edson } Cyrus Edson }
Personally appeared Jonas B. Bennett only Child of Stephen & Hannah Bennett deceased and acknowledged the above facts attorney before his free act & deed before me dated 25 th of Oct 1861 Ezra Edson Justin Pease

1414203
26, 1837.
• 869.
• 1863, ne, Wis.
•

Ancestors of Harriet Ann (Bennett) Sleep, Waukesha, Wis. Born at Ruthland Vermont, Nov. 10, 1852. Came to Wis. 1855.
NAMES
BIRTHS
MARRIAGES
DEATHS
My Father Albert Bennett Charlestown, Mass. Mar. 7, 1814. Hepsey Lyon Peru Vt. Feb. 20, 1840. Mar. 21, 1863. Waukesha, Wis. My Grand Father Jonas Baird Bennett Mar. 4, 1789. May 14, 1869. My Great-grand Father Stephen Bennett May 8, 1753. Hanna Wakefield, Mar. 26, 1837.

deaths will be sufficient guide for you I await your reply
Yours Very Truly Hattie A Sleep
Address
Mrs W H Sleep
Waukesha
Wis
311 Maple Ave

Washington, Mo., April 14, 1915.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Can you give me any information concerning one
"Stephen Hackett" who I think was a soldier in the War
of the Revolution?
I think he was born in Essex County, Mass., but
later lived in Middlesex County, Mass., and I am trying to find
him.
Thinking you is the best for any information concerning
his war record, I had sought of pension, I am
Very respectfully, &c.
James D. [unclear]

Rev Gen n
Unionville, Mo., April 14, 1915.
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Can you give me any information concerning one " Stephen Bennett " who I think was a soldier in the War of the Revolution?
I think he was born in Essex County, Mass., but later lived in Middlesex County, perhaps enlisting from there.
Thanking you in advance for any information concerning his war record, land bounty or pension, I am
Very respectfully,
Carrie A Bennett

Stephen Bennett, Statement

I Stephen Bennett of Peru in the County of Bennington State of Vermont, late of Groton, formerly of Woburn both in the County of Middlesex & State of Massachusetts, aged eighty two years old at the time of my death was born in Ipswich in Essex Co. on the 8 th day of May 1753. at the age of 9 Mo. removed to Woburn County of Middlesex, was enlisted as a first in a minute company commanded by Capt. J. Wood, Regiment commanded then by Col. Gurnish in the fall (Oct.) 1774. He went to do duty as minute man until the 19 th of Apr. 1775. day of Battle of Lexington) turned out in said company & fought after which Col. Baldwin took com. of P. Regt. I then enlisted & served as Sergt. in same Co. & Regt. for 8 Mo. at the close of P. Term enlisted & served again in like manner for 12 Mo. Stationed first of the time on Prospect Hill Cambridge, till about Sept. as he thinks then Regt. was divided & had to be re-enlisted to the Ford Mill Co. where they were stationed this winter until March. Then marched by land to New London thence sailed to N. York where they went into Barracks in the City - until after the Battle with the British on Long Island, when they were ordered & went over to mineola, & the same or the next day were ordered & did retreat to N. York, & soon after to the White Plains where he was engaged in the Battle - then marched to Danbury Co. - stayed a few weeks. Then marched to Pukaskill, where he was stationed until the expiration of his term when he was discharged as badly I returned to his home at Woburn - was in the Battle at Lexington - slight engagement at Frog's neck - at White Plains - I saw few other Regiments - immediately after this purchased & removed to Billings meadow W. Salem Co. in the spring of year 1781 (1 st May) enlisted for 9 Mo. in Capt. Nathan Dike Co. (thinks it was Col. Miller's Regt.) marched to West P. - Stationed there sometime then marched to Hartford Co. - thence to Fishkill N. Y. where stationed at the time discharged - has no recollection of written discharge - has no certain recollection that he had War as Sergt. if so was lost amongst his other old papers - in 1805 removed to Groton Vt. Co. lived there till May 1820. when he removed