Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 776, Robert Benson, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Benson, Robert, Dorothy
B. 776
CONTENTS

Let to D. Granger, (widow) June 3, 1839.
18-278
Maine
Robert Benson
of Charles in the State of Maine who was a Drummer in the Company commanded by Captain Hooper of the Reg't commanded by Col. Frye in the Maine line for Vermont .
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine the rate of 58 Dollars 88 Cents per annum commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 th day of August 1833 and sent to D. L. Granger  Laos
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $117.32 Pens-ant. allowance ending Adolph - 29.33
$146.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book E Vol. 1 Page 4

For a further & more particular declaration, I Robert Brewster now say that about the 28 th of November 1776, I enlisted in Biddeford in the company of Capt. Benjamin Hooper for one year. We were stationed at Portland, & were in Col. James Long's Regiment. This was in the fall after the burning of Portland by the English. There were two houses, said to belong to a Mr. Syng, which were not burned - we occupied one, which was thence called Hooper's Fort, & the company of a Capt. Lord the other. I can not now remember any event of much importance that transpired during this service. I served there one year in the capacity of drummer - I was discharged in the latter part of November 1777, & came home to Biddeford.
I also declare that in the latter part of November 1778, I enlisted in Biddeford in the company of Capt. Humphrey Pike in the regiment of Col. Peirce, as stated in my previous declaration, & as far as I now recollect, in the capacity of drummer. We marched from Biddeford to Kennebec Fort, where we spent a part of our regiment - thence to Providence R. Island & from there to Danbury in Connecticut, where we joined a body of militia ten thousand strong under Gen. Jonathan Moulton of York. We had remained at Providence six or seven days, & were at Danbury about as long, employed in guarding the stores. From Danbury we went to what was called Phillips' meadow in New York & thence in company with Genl. Heath & Lincoln, making in all an army of about twenty-five thousand men, marched up to Fort Independence on North River, then in possession of the British, with the design of attacking it. A flag was sent in demanding the surrender of the Fort, - the British sent back word, that if we would march in, they would receive us. For some reason an attack was not made, but we marched into a village then called Yonkers immediately under the Fort, which proved to be defeated.

of its inhabitants & which we plundered, sending the spoil to Danby. We arrived at Fort Independence about one month after leaving Biddeford, & spent all the remainder of my enlistment, excepting one fortnight, in that neighborhood. We were most of the time employed in cruising about after Rogers' Rangers, as they were called, who held the fort - preventing the ravages of the British & protecting the property of the farmers. We barracks at a Capt. Fuggles' on North river. During this time the British attacked Gen. Heath on White plains, about fifteen miles from us, & took a small fort or breastwork. We were sent for to reinforce him, but when we arrived on the ground Heath, who had been previously reinforced by Lincoln, had beaten off the British, & retaken the fort or rather its ruins, for the enemy had destroyed it & knocked off the horns of the cannon. About a fortnight before the expiration of my four months, we marched to Pock's Kill, & were there engaged in cruising about & in guarding the trail. While there Gen. Putnam, who commanded at that station, died. My time expired the latter part of March 1779, as did that of our company, & we were then discharged. I came home, on foot as far as Newburyport, & from there by water.
I have not in the foregoing declaration fixed upon the precise day of my enlistment & discharge, for at this distance of time relying wholly upon my memory, it would be impossible for me to be more definite than I have been.
I would here add with regard to my year's service at Portland, first named in my declaration, that the accompanying deposition of Benjamin Littlefield is the only proof I have been able to obtain. All those who were with me from my town at that time are now dead, & I am unable to recall the name of any person now living besides him who could swear to my service.
Robert his Benson mark
Attest: Daniel T. Granger
York ss. June 3 d 1833 Personally appeared Robert Benson and made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true
Before me Daniel T. Granger Justice of the Peace

State of Maine
York ss. I Wm. Cutter Allen, Registrar of the Court of Probate hereby certify that Daniel F. Granger is a Justice of the peace for said county of York, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his to the declaration of Robert Bensen, is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal official this third day of June A.D. 1875.
Wm. Cutter Allen,
Registrar of Probate.

Robert Bendon
11/19/07
Adm C
16 mos
Dummer
D.L. Ganger
Saco
Me.
  44.     11  3.66       $58.66   

State of Maine } County of York } ss.
On this twenty day of August personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for the County of York Robert Benson of Biddeford, County of York & State of Maine aged seventy-seven 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 th 1832.
I Robert Benson declare that I entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated.
Some time in November 1776 I enlisted in the company commanded by Capt. Benjamin Hooper for one year, & was stationed at Portland in the Regiment of Col. James Doyt. I served at Portland the time for which I enlisted & then was discharged.
I also further declare that in the latter part of the year 1778, November I think I enlisted in the company of Capt. Humphrey Pike, - Josiah Sturtevant Lieutenant, in the Regiment of Col. Prentiss, for four months, & marched to Fort Independence & Pockahitaw. I served the United States the four months for which I enlisted & at the expiration of that time was discharged at the last named place.
I was born in Biddeford, County of York & State of Maine in the year 1755, have no record of my age I resided in Biddeford at the time of entering the service & have always since resided there. I have no documentary proof of my service - never had a written discharge.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. his
Witness Wm. A. Hayes
Robert X Benson Mark
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Before me Wm. A. Hayes Judge
And the Court hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he stated
Wm. A. Hayes Judge of said Court

I William Little Allen, Registrar of the Court of Probate of Norwich, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Henry Harrison for a probate.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two.
Wm Little Allen, Registrar of Probate.

10/10/52 San Francisco
Mr.
1000 - May 38
off - 233
1000 - 1000 - 1000 - 1000 - 1000 - 1000 - 1000 - 1000 -
1000 - 1000 - 1000 -

4242 Dorothy Benson
Me act July 38
m 77-d 33.
Vol. 36. p. 25 22 Jan on 1 mo. 7- 57.58. 26 on 1. 1. 2nd 62. 2x 36) apt. discharged - no roll of cap H. Pike -
D Granger Saco Me

State of Maine.
York ss.
I John Sheele Register of the Court of Probate, within and for the county of York, being a Court of Record, hereby certify that William A. Hayes is Judge of said Court of Probate, and that Silas Moody and Daniel Granger are justices of the Peace in and for said county, and that the signatures to the papers herunto annexed, and purporting to be theirs are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this twenty sixth day of December, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.
John Sheele, Register of Probate York County.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th July 1838. entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows."
State of Maine County of York ) ss
On this fifteenth day of December in the year 1838 personally appeared before Wm. A. Hayes Judge of Probate Dorothy Benson a resident of Biddeford in the County of York Aged seventy seven years, who, being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838. entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of Robert Benson who was a Drummer in the Militia, in the service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War referring to his declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of July 7 th 1832 he being a pensioner under said Act, at the time of his death.
She further declares that she was married to the said Robert Benson on the eighteenth day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy seven. That her husband the said Robert Benson died on the first day of July 1833. That she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January nineteen hundred ninety four, viz. at the time above stated. That she has no documentary evidence of his services in her possession.
Witness
Wm. A. Hayes Daniel G. Giddings
Dorothy her Benson Mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written.
Before me Wm. A. Hayes Judge of the Court of Probate York County Maine
I William A. Hayes Judge as aforesaid certify that the said Dorothy Benson by reason of her great age & bodily weakness is unable to travel & attend Court Wm. A. Hayes Judge of Probate

Extract from the records of the Town of Wenhamport (formerly Arundel) in the county of York and State of Maine - viz,
"Married by the Rev. Silas Wood" "
"December the eighteenth day, in the year seventeen hundred and seventyseven, Robert Waters Benson of Bildeford and Dorothy Soland"
I, Joshua Henrich, Clerk of said town of Wenham- port, certify that the foregoing is a true extract as it is on the records, except the dates which are expressed on the records in fair legible figures as follows, - "1777, December 18 th "
Joshua Henrich Town Clerk of Wenhamport
I, Joshua Henrich above named do hereby say that I hold the office of town clerk in the town, county and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of the same town with the exceptions aforesaid.
Joshua Henrich Town Clerk of Wenhamport
Nov. 2 d Nov r 13 th 1838 Then appeared the above named Joshua Henrich and made oath that the above declarations by him signed are true - before me
William Hardy Just. of the Peace

I James Benson of Biddeford in the State of Maine & County of York of Sixty years of Age, do testify and say, that I have ever known Robert Benson from my childhood, and that I have never known him to sign his name with the middle name of "Waters" or any other middle name. That I have several deeds or writings, executed by him, where he has signed his name Robert Benson. But that I have heard from very Old People that he was in his early life called Robert Waters Benson and that the middle name "Waters" was given him by a Sea Captain, but, that he seldom, if ever, acknowledged it, and that I do know, that Dorothy Benson the present applicant for a Pension is the Widow of Robert Benson late of said Biddeford deceased who was a Pensioner & that said Dorothy is a Widow to this time
James Benson
State of Maine
do not
York County } for December 18 th 1888.
Then personally appeared James Benson, the above named James Benson, subscribed and made Oath to the truth of the above affidavit.
Before me Daniel Granger justice of the Peace
I the said Daniel Granger just of the Peace certify that James Benson above named is a Man of truth & veracity and that his statements under Oath are entitled to full credit.
Daniel Granger jus t of the Peace

I Luther Benson of Biddeford in the County of York & State of Maine of forty years of age testify and say that I have lived in the House with my Grandfather the late Robert Benson from the time that I was six years of age to the time of his death, which took place on the first day of July A.D. 1833. and that I have heard that in his early Life he was called "Robert Waters Benson", but that he never signed his Name so, with the middle name "Waters" to my knowledge, that I have several Deeds of Land signed and executed by him to me, and other writings, but none of them has the middle name "Waters" nor any middle name that I cannot account for it how that middle name came to be inserted in the Record of his publickment of marriage by the Clergyman at Reserod & now Kennebec - from other than by a tradition that when said Benson was quite a child, the Captain of an English Vessel by the name of Waters took a fancy to him and said that he must take the name of Waters, and that he said Benson was for a time called "Robert Waters Benson" but I do not know that he ever acknowledged that name, or ever wrote it so, but I do know that Dorothy Benson is the Widow of said Robert Benson, who was a Pensioner under the Act of Congress of July 7 th 1832, and that she has remained a widow to the present time Luther Benson
State of Maine
York County } ss December 13 th 1838
Esquire personally appeared the above named Luther Benson, subscribed and made oath to the truth of the affidavit above written
Before me Daniel Granger justice of the peace I Daniel Granger the above named justice of the peace certify that Luther Benson above named is a man of truth and veracity and that his statements under oath are entitled to full credit.
Daniel Granger justice of the peace

Saco December 27 th 1828
Sir
Herewith enclosed are the Papers of Widow Dorothy Vernon claiming her Pension under the Act of Congress of 7 th July 1828. duly authenticated, as I believe. Also the Affidavit of Nathl Googins certifying the time that David Googins the late husband of Mary Googins died. The application of Mary Googins now being on file in the Pension Office & wanting the proof of the decease of the said David Googins.
Please direct to the Post Office Saco State of Maine
Respectfully your Ob t Serv t
D. Granger
Mary G. Vernon
2096
Dec 3 1830

ign Hooper - Col Fry - See coast Dms 2 mo employ Pike - Prime - — — 4. —
No. — — — — —
21. 25 on 12. — — — — —
— — — — —
and original time — — 17. 58. 02 not in Pison Hamilton — 80 couple Some day
V 4242 Let. to D. Granger, June 3, 1839 776 act 7. June 38

Ex'r.
INVALID.
RECEIVED
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
996
P. O. Dorothy Bensen Widow of Robert.
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____

22-15 10
Joseph Haley of Hollis in the County of York and State of Maine of scanty thru years of Age On oath do say, that I well know Robert Benson of Biddeford and do know that he was was in the four months service in Capt Pikes company in the revolutionary War, in 1778 I lived in Biddeford at that time, went out with him in the same company & service, have heard his declaration read & know it to be true.
Joseph Haley
State of Maine
York ss August 10 th 1832 then personally appeared Joseph Haley of Hollis and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition, by him subscribed in my presence
Before me D Granger just Peace
I hereby certify that Joseph Haley above named is a credible Witness
D. Granger just Peace

Benjamin Littlefield of Kennebec port of eighty two years of age on oath say that I will know Robert Benson of Biddeford, & do know that he was in the service of the Revolution at Portland I was there at the same time in the years service & said Benson was in Capt Hooper's Company
Benjamin Littlefield
State of Maine
York ss. August 7 th 1832 then personally appeared Benjamin Littlefield of Kennebec port and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed in my presence
Daniel Granger just of the peace state of Maine.
York ss. William Wallen Allen, Register of the Court of Probate for the county of York, certify that Daniel Granger is a Justice of the Peace as above stated and that his signature purporting to be his is genu- ine.
In witness whereof I have here- unto set my hand and affixed my Seal Official this seventh day of August A.D. 1832.
Mr. William Wallen Allen, Register of Probate for said county.

I Benjamin Littlefield of Pennobscot Port in the County of York & State of Maine, now eighty-three years of age do depose & say that I am well acquainted with Robert Bendon of Middleford, & that said Bendon was at Portland in the service of the Revolution in the fall and winter after the burning of that town by the English. I can not now remember when Bendon enlisted, nor how long he was in the service - I was not in the same company with him; he belonging to Capt. Hooper, & I to Capt. Lord's company, I have not known Mr Bendon well, at that time. He served in the capacity of drummer. There were two huts left standing, which were said to belong to a Mr Dyer, a tarp, our company occupied one & Capt. Hooper the other of them. These huts were near each other, & I used to see Mr Bendon almost every day; I left Portland in the spring, & went to Winter Harbor, but my memory has so far failed me that I can not now remember, when Mr Bendon went to Portland, nor whether I left him there when I came away.
Bonja S Alfred
York ss. February 20 th 18 43 Personally appeared Benjamin Littlefield, & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed, and I hereby certify that said Littlefield is a man of truth & veracity.
D. Granger Justice of the Peace
State of Maine. York ss. I Mr. Walter Allen, Register of the Court of Probate for said county, hereby certify that D. Granger is a Justice of the peace for the county of York, and that the foregoing signatures to the deposition of Benjamin Littlefield and Jonathan Smith are purporting to be his & her genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this third day of March A.D. 1843.
Walter Allen, Reg. of Probate.

I am Jonathan Smith of Kennebec Port in the county of York & State of Maine, now seventy seven years of age. do depose & say that I am well acquainted with Robert Bensen of Biddeford, & I know that he was in the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution. Mr Bensen enlisted about the same time with myself which was in the early part of the winter I think, of the year 1777, or 78. which I can not now remember - in the company of Capt Humphrey Pike - in Biddeford. We marched from Biddeford, thro' Newbury Port to Providence R.I. where we remained about six weeks. - from there to Danbury in Connecticut where we made a short stay. We then went into the State of New York, spent some time in the vicinity of a fort near Kingsbridge, & the Hudson river, & some time. I can not now remember how long. Before the expiration of our term of enlistment went to Poughkeepsie. We were discharged at that place sometime in the month of March. Mr Bensen came home in company with me. We travelled on foot across the country to Newbury Port & then took passage by water for home. I can not now remember how long a time we were out in this service, tho' I think it was something more than three months. Jonathan Smith
York ss. February 27 th 1833. Personally appears Jonathan Smith. whom I hereby certify to be a credible witness, and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true. D. Greenleaf justice of the Peace.