Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,857, Benjamin Berry, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Berry Benjamin
S. 30,857
CONTENTS

23287  Kentucky
Benjamin Perry of Massachusetts in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the regt commanded by Captain Tallicafare of the regt commanded by Col W in the Virginia line for 1 year
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 15th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Dec 1833 and Hoover A  Marshall H.R.
  Arrears to the 15th of Sept  100.00    Pension allowance ending 1 March  20.00     $120.00  
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Dion Boyd Clerk Book 8 Vol. 1 Page 90
Dead. Pay ordered Jan. 4. 1833, See also letter same day to Hon. W. H. Ashley, H.R.
Date of death not in A.G.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. State of Kentucky County of Mason Co. On this 12 th day of November in the year 1833 personally appeared an open court before the circuit court for Mason County now sitting Benjamin Berry a resident of the County of Mason & State of Kentucky age about Seventy Seven Years who being first sworn according to law doth on his oath inform the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers since discharged as herein stated: In the month of October 1776 he enlisted for one year under Captain John Sullivan in the County of King George and State of Virginia soon after moved here with an equipment to Williamsburg and from thence to Hampton where they remained about One year the regiment was under the command of Brig Genl. Buckhamon Andrew the Thistles was his first name. Captain Sal. Stefano became a Colonel & (Francis) Conway took his place as captain. Upon the return of the troops to Fredericksburg in Virginia said Benjamin Berry again under the direction of the said officers undertook to work for the United States in the factory at that place being a Gunsmith by trade and continued to work for the United States until he was regularly discharged, and informed that his services were no longer required. He cannot recollect by whom his discharge was signed but thinks by the Col. Sullivan or Major Buckhamon with whom as well as Capt. (Francis) Conway he was well acquainted. He cannot say at what time precisely he left the service of the United States. His last year as a

Soldier began in Octo. 1776 and ended in Octo 1777. He lived in King George County when he joined the Regiment for a year and he was not drafted or substituted but voluntarily enrolled himself for a year at the request of some friends and particularly Robert Morton and John Morton two young Gentlemen who were his near neigh- bors and had never seen service or been subject to hardship and whose mother declared she could not be happy unless she would also enlist and go with him. These young Gentlemen were brothers to George Morton a farmer of wealth and great respec- tability now living here in Mason County. but not able to prove about. But he made oath to the fact that this depo- sment served one year at least in the Army of the Revolution before David Bronough a Justice of the peace of Mason County on the 28 th of May 1831. (For at that time he made application through the Honorable Thomas A. Marshall our present Rep- =sentative in Congress for a pension, and he sent on George Morton's affidavit at that time to him and did not get the pension and Certificate of Clerk because he conceived Mr. Marshall did know all about the magistrate & would be able to prove the hand writing of the magistrate David Bronough. But said Morton returned the same with his declaration as County made before Wm B. Lundy a magistrate of Pracitien County which he sent on to Mr. Marshall at the same time 1831. without attestation for the same reason believing it unnecessary. Both of which prove his services for one year

in the Army of the Revolution, and both of which are now returned properly attested to the proper. The latter with some favorable marks of the Officers at Washington City which will prove to the Officers that your affiant applied before.
Indeed he has since applied and received for answer that the Honble. Chas. A. Sishler had taken out his papers with some others. He has written to him and received for answer that he thinks he returned them. And now he makes this additional statement because the last one is lost or mislaid and with the double view of getting paid something ever since he first applied - for he made that application because he was poor and had nothing but his tools as a Green Smith - and was too old to use them. He cannot produce any other proof of that he knows of - concerning his actual service ex- cept that of George Morton & Reuben Bury just named. But he can prove by many that they have heard him say and believe he tells the truth in saying he did serve one whole year in actual service in the Revolutionary Army - and at least three years in the Iron Factory as a Green Smith in Frederick, Md. for the United States. He has lost his discharge and now states further that his name is not upon the Pension List of any State or of the United States and that it never has been to his knowledge - that he moved from his native place King George in Virginia to Mason County, Kentucky about twenty years ago and has lived here ever since and in all proved to every Officer of the Mason Court to the proceeding he did

Robbs Mr. P. Report Adam Beale, and to the present Judge Walker Reid who writes this Declaration and wrote while at the Bar his former decla- -rations - lost or misled - that he knows the Clerk Colonel Marshall Key & the Sheriff Capt. Shales, Ward - and our former member of Congress John Chambers and is well known to all those persons. He states that he is acquainted with no Clergymen because he never was in the habit of going to meetings to hear preaching - He knows the Reverend Walter Vanderwerker he sees him weekly knows nothing of your affair and is none the less left to call upon a Clergyman provided the oath of the credible men above named could be taken - as to all events for nor one can say anything for him. And however the rule may be in the De- -partment of war he hopes it will be relaxed in favor of one who has no -thing to do with the Preachers - and is not known to a Clergyman.
In testimony whereof said Benjamin Berry hath here to set his hand this 19 th day of Oct 1833
Ben Berry

ms. 11. 47. 11. 1837
5. Jan. 1837
G. C.
Decom V36 Mag 439

War Dep t
Pension off ce
Jan. 5. 1837
Sir,
In reply to the enclosed letter I have to inform you that William  Benjamin Berry, son and only child of Benjamin Berry, dec d . can draw the amount due on his father's pension at the Northern Bank in Lex- ington, Ken. where alone it is payable on the presentation of such vouchers as the enclosed printed instructions point out. I have the
for Wm. H. Ashley House of Rep s

Brackin County D.C. Washington D.C.
Reuben Berry this day came before the undersigned Justice of the peace in and for said county and made oath that Benjamin Berry his brother whose statement to procure a pension of the United States is now before him - did serve in the Army of the Revolution One year - as stated by him to the best of his recollections, he thinks he enlisted with Capt. Saliaferno - and he always heard and readily believes, marching to Williamsburg and then to Hampton, and did not return until a year from the time - He is younger than his brother by about ten years but can recollect the circumstances well since he knows his said brother Benjamin afterwards served in the factory at Fredericksburg some time but how long he can't know - he remained in Virginia until about twenty years ago - and then came here in Mason county to live - and was poor when he came and is yet so - it is his opinion that he has no property at all except his hammer and files as stated by himself - he don't know of any - and he knows he lost his slaves - or always had he did - He believes it - he has no trace as a Gun Smith to support himself upon since he came to Meadville Ky.
Reuben Berry
Personally appeared before me one of the Justices of the peace in and for Brackin County Reuben Berry and made oath to the foregoing deposition, to be true given under my hand this 26 th day of May 1831
Wm B. Lusty J.P.

Kentucky 11 th County Set.
I John Payne Clerk of the Bracken County Court do hereby certify that William B. Lutz whose signature is attached to the foregoing Certificate now is and was at the date of said Certificate an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned therein.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this 13 th day of November 1833.
John Payne

April 13, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BENJAMIN BERRY S. 30857 BA-J/MLB
Mrs. Arthur G. Zimmerman 230 Strawbridge Avenue Westmont, New Jersey
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Benjamin Berry, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 30857, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Benjamin Berry (he signed Ben Berry).
The date of soldier's birth and names of his parents are not shown in the claim.
While a resident of his native county, King George County, Virginia, he volunteered in October, 1776, served one year as a private in Captain John Taliaferro's company under Major Andrew Buchanan, and in Captain Francis Conway's company, Colonel John Taliaferro's Virginia regiment (Captain Conway succeeded Captain Taliaferro who became colonel). At the expiration of this service and under the direction of his said officers he was placed in a gun factory at Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he served three years as a gunsmith.
About 1813 the soldier moved from King George County, Virginia, to Mason County, Kentucky.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 12, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Mason County, Kentucky, aged about seventy-seven years.
He died prior to January 5, 1837, and was survived by one child only, William Berry. The name of soldier's wife is not given.

In 1831, soldier's brother, Reuben Berry, ten years younger than Benjamin, was a resident of Bracken County, Kentucky, but had formerly lived in Mason County, of that state.
The above history is that of the only soldier named Benjamin Berry pensioned from Kentucky, found in the Revolutionary War records of this office. It is not shown that he ever lived in Woodford County, Kentucky.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

7mm/H
January 26, 19 36.
Mrs. Oscar Snyder Shelbyville, Kentucky
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 30875 it appears that Benjamin Berry, who was a resident of King George County (his native county), Virginia, enlisted in October 1776 and served one year as a private in Captain John Talliaferro's Company under Major Andrew Buchanan, and in Captain Francis Conway's Company, Colonel John Talliaferro's Virginia Regiment (Captain Conway succeeding Captain Talliaferro when the latter became Colonel). At the end of this service and under the direction of his said officers he was placed in a gun factory at Fredericksburg, Virginia where he served three years as a gunsmith.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 12, 1833 while a resident of Mason County, Kentucky aged seventy-seven years.
Soldier died prior to January 5, 1837 and was survived
Miss Wilson said that say pension ended Jan. 4 - 1837 that the work on jacket is ordered not ended.

by only one child, William Berry. The name of soldier's wife is not given.
The above noted is the only soldier named Benjamin Berry pensioned from Kentucky found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau, and it is not stated that he lived in Woodford County, Kentucky.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
Del. Recd B. B. Reuben

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Berry , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S 30857
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Oct. 1776 1 year John Taliaferro Va.   Francis Conway John Taliaferro   ✓ 2 years Private John Taliaferro John Taliaferro  
Battles engaged in, ✓ Residence of soldier at enlistment, _____ Date of application for pension, Nov 12 1833. His claim was allowed. Residence at date of application, Mason Co. Ky. Age at date of application, _____
Remarks: He was a son of John Berry who served in the Rev. War. He was a private in the Kentucky Militia. He was a son of John Berry who served in the Rev. War.
No other family data.
Letter will say John named, was drawn a draft to service after this letter was written.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Garden Grove, Calif.
Oct. 1-1936
Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:
would it be possible for me to receive a copy of the pension application of Benjamin Berry , born 1756 in King George or Frederick County, Virginia, the son of Joseph Berry, and who took part in the Revolutionary war enlisting from King George County, Va. about 1776.
I believe the pension was applied for about 1833, at which time he was living in Mason County, Kentucky.
His wife's name was Sarah, and they had children - Daniel - Franklin - William - Nancy - Jane - Rebecca - Elizabeth - Martin - Susan and Benjamin.
Thanking you very kindly,
Yours truly,
(Miss) Eva L. Lake Garden Grove, Calif.

230 Strawbridge Ave Westmont N.J. March 30-1933
Pension Office. Washington D.C.
Will you please send me record of Captain Benjamin Berry of the American Army during Revolutionary War. He died in Kentucky (Woodford Co.?) in 1838 - was born in Virginia in 1757. Was on Pension Roll of 1833.
Thanking you I am
Yours Sincerely
Mrs Arthur G. Zimmerman. 230 Strawbridge Ave Westmont, N.J.

Answered Jan. 6, 1926
MRS. OSCAR SNYDER SHELBYVILLE, KY.
Jan 4, 1926.
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Will you let me know who I can write to, and the cost, in getting the Rev. record of Benjamin Berry of Woodford Co., who was allowed a pension in 1833. I would like a copy of the Pension for my F. A. R. papers
Mrs Oscar Snyder

Shelbyville, Ky.
Dec 14. 1925
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
I would like to get the record, and copy of pension of Benjamin Berry Rev. Soldier, who was allowed a pension in 1833. He lived in Versailles. Woodford Co Ky.

Will you look this up, let me know, and I will send a return check. My D. A. R. papers are ready, but would like to have them before all over a pension.
Very truly Mrs Oscar Snyder. Shelbyville, Ky

Fayette, Missouri.
15 May, 1914.
The Commissioner of Pensions. Washington, D. C.
Sir:-
Your letter of twelfth instant at hand and in reply desire to state that the data in my possession regarding Benjamin Berry is meagre.
Benjamin Berry born in Virginia 1755 - died Woodford County, Ky. 1838. His first wife was Mary Allen and his second wife was Miss Blanton. I regret that I am unable to supply the names of some of the officers under whom he served in the Revolution, but perhaps what I have given regarding him will

assist in identifying Benjamin Berry's application for pension. His son, Benjamin Berry, Jr., served in War of 1912-
Very truly yours, Henry C. Lindall II

QW M C. C. ✓ Commissioner of Pensions. Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly let me know if you have any record there of Benjamin Berry in Revolutionary War. Can not tell whether he enlisted from Va. or Ky. If from Va, it was probably Frederick County; if from Ky, Allen County.
Very truly yours
Jennie E. McNaught
April 10 th 1905
(over)

address
Mrs. J. F. McNaught, Hermiston. Umatilla Co., Oregon.

30857 Ref INVALID.
File No. 30857
Benjamin Berry Dis Reo War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 35
[Arrangement of 1870.]
apl. 25, 1905 History to Mrs. J. F. McNaught, Hermiston, Ore.
1914 May 20. Hist to Mrs. Flournoy Snelling letter in R. file 4227 Richard Gray. P
1914 May 20. To Henry C. Tindall IIc
1936 Jan. 26 - Hist to Mr. Oscar Snyder - MMSF.
1933, Apr. 13 - Hist to Mrs. Arthur Zimmerman - mLB.
1936, Oct. 24 - Hist to Miss Crab Lake - mLB.

A. #36
Benjamin Berry's Pension Papers.
from 1776 private 1 yr. #40.
cannot allow for service as a gun smith, unless it can be satis- factorily proved that he was a regular ly enlisted soldier & belongs to the Con- tinental establishment. See A. 37
Hon J. A. Marshall H. R.
Meadow

State of Kentucky Mason Circuit Sch. November Term 1833
Benjamin Berry produced his declaration and swore to the same in open Court; and also the affidavit of George Newton sworn to before David Brannan a justice of the Peace for Mason County, with the certificate of John Chambers and Marshall Key thereon, which was sworn to in open Court; also the statement of Charles Ward and George W. Owens, which was also sworn to in open Court as also the affidavit of Rankin Berry with the seal of the Clerk of the Breckinridge County Court. And the Court being satisfied that the said Benjamin Berry is entitled to a pension, it is ordered that the same be certified to the proper pension office.
I Marshall Key Clerk of the Mason Circuit Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Berry for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 7 th day of December in the year one thousand Eight hundred and thirty three. Marshall Key

Washington 169 11 Febry
Free
To the Honble
Thomas J. Marshall Washington City
rep d Apr. 10. 1832

Honble Thomas H. Marshall.
As one of your constituents living in Mason County I send you the enclosed statement - to try & do something for an old man who is poor and in need of assistance.
Ben. Perry May 11 th 1832.

Rev
J. L. Howard Esq. Com. of Pensions Washington City
St. Asaph

H. N. Dec. 17 th 1833
Dr. Sir
I transmit herewith two Declarations (of B. Berry & R. Foster) for obtaining Pat. under the act of 1832.
Please examine and decide them as convenient.
Yours &c
Thos. S. Marshall

Washington Dec 28 th 1836
Sir,
Permit me to call your attention to the enclosed and to ask the favor of you to afford the desired information -
With great respect Yrs Affly H. H. Ashley
J. L. Edwards Esq Council of Pioneers Washington

October 24, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Miss Eva L. Lake Garden Grove California
BENJAMIN BERRY S. 30857 BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Benjamin Berry, born in 1756 in King George or Frederick County, Virginia, the son of Joseph Berry, served from King George County, Virginia, had wife named Sarah, and children named Daniel, Franklin, William, Nancy, Jane, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Martin, Susan and Benjamin, and received pension while living in Mason County, Kentucky.
The record of Benjamin Berry follows as shown in pension claim, S. 30857, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Benjamin Berry was a native of King George County, Virginia. The date of his birth and names of parents are not shown.
While a resident of King George County, Virginia, he volunteered in October, 1776, served one year as a private in Captain John Taliaferro's company under Major Andrew Buchanan, and in Captain Francis Conway's company, Colonel John Taliaferro's Virginia regiment (Captain Conway succeeded Captain Taliaferro who became Colonel). Upon the expiration of this service and under the direction of his said officers, he was placed in a gun factory at Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he served three years as a gunsmith.
About 1813 the soldier moved from King George County, Virginia, to Mason County, Kentucky, and while living there was allowed pension on his application executed November 12, 1833, aged seventy-seven years. He signed Ben Berry.
Benjamin Berry died prior to January 5, 1837, and was survived by one child only, William Berry. The name of soldier's wife was not given.

In 1831, soldier's brother, Reuben Berry, ten years younger than Benjamin, was a resident of Bracken County, Kentucky, but had formerly lived in Mason County, that state.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

The undersigned witnesses have known Reuben Berry, brother of Benjamin Berry who is making application for a pension - said Reuben lives now in Bracken County but formerly lived in Mason - but the undersigned have known & been ac- -quainted with said Reuben Berry a long time - how many years they cannot exactly state, but long enough to know his general character and cre- -dibility as a witness. And do believe that he is entitled to a credit as such.
They have also known said Benjamin Berry the applicant for a pension in consequence of his services as he means with the War of the Revolution - which he passed by ships. Brother Reuben & George Morton and have no hesitation in ac- -claiming it as our opinion, that he was a Soldier of that War. And that said Morton who means he served at least one year in the Army of the revolution is a highly respectable person as much to be believed in

(Mason County as any man who lives there - we have known him long and lived near him in said County and State this from our own know- ledge of him from his general character.
Given under our hands and certified this 21 st of Nov. 1833.
Charles Ward - G. M. Owens
We the undersigned have known and been acquainted
State of Kentucky Harrison County Feb. 1844

Geo. Morton being now about seventythree years of age says he was acquainted with Benjamin Burny about the year of 1774 or 5 and knows that he served at least one year in the Army of the Revolution, and in the company of Capt. afterwards Col. Wm. Faliferver. This officer having two brothers in the same company called minute men. He thinks so and by what authority to be paid does not recollect. Supposes the law will show. s d Burny certainly served a year. Given under my hand this the 25 th May 1831 Geo. Morton
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace of Mason county Kentucky - Geo. Morton at his own dwelling house in s d county and made oath to the above deposition. Given under my hand this the 25 th of May 1831
L. Bronaugh

State of Kentucky      Mason County Set H. Marshall Key Clerk of the Court for said County, certify that David Brannan whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is now and was at the time of signing the same acting justice of the peace, in and for the County of Mason duly commissioned and qualified as such. And full faith and credit are due and ought to be given to all his official acts.
In Testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Washing- ton this 7 th day of December 1833.
H. Marshall Key.

Johnson, Ind. 22, 1892.