Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12176, Bethel Benton, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Benton, Bethel
S 121/76.
searched
CONTENTS

New York 14809
Bethel Benton
of Ontario Co in the State of N.Y.
who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Murray of the Reg't commanded by Col Woodbridge in the Mass: line for
21. Mo. private
Inscribed on the Roll of N.Y.
the rate of 70. Dollars 00 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27. day of June '33 and sent to Rev. Bayley - Geneva, N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 - 140. 00
Trans. allowance ending 4 Sept. " - 35 00
$ 175. 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Francis Clerk, Book E. Vol. 4. Page 46.
✓

6866. In the Matter of the application of Bethel Rinton for admission
Militia
Am Bay
adm 2 21 mo pri 70 $
Passal
(Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page)

State of New York Ontario County } p.
On this Twenty Eighth day of August 1832 personally appeared in Open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Bethel Benton a resident of the Town of Seneca in the County and State aforesaid, aged Eighty One Years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his Oath make the following declaration, in order to ob- tain 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 in the month of May 1775 he resided in the Town of Ashfield in Massachusetts and enlisted at Whately in Capt. Murrays Company in Colonel Woodbridges Regiment, State Troops, for the term of Eight months - joined this Regiment at Cambridge where he was stationed principally until the term of his enlistment expired in January 1776, when he was dis- charged at Cambridge, and immediately volunteered in Captain Darnes Company in Colonel Sargents Regiment, for one month, which he served out and was again discharged at Cambridge, That during the Battle of Bunker Hill he was on duty at the Tide Mill an exposed situation; That immediately on his re- turn to Ashfield in February 1776 he enlisted in Captain Brad Chapins Company in Colonel Elisha Porters Regiment of State Troops for the term of One Year, that the Company re- desembarked at North Hampton, marched from thence to Crown Point where joined two Companies called Jersey Blues, and sepa- rated from them at Lake Champlain, crossed the Lake on the Ice to Hazard Isle and from thence to the West side, to St. Johns, then to Chamblee and to Gorge then crossed the St. Lawrence on the ice, proceeded down the left bank of that river to Three Rivers and then to Quebec, that they arrived

ved at the Plains of Abraham on the 3d. day of April and joined the army under command of Genl. Arnold, That Capt. Chapin's Company was immediately ordered to proceed to Schahaboo Seven Miles below Quebec, where they remained until the 4th day of May, when they were ordered back to the Plains of Abraham and joined the army, that they retreated with the army to Fort Hill where they joined Col. Porter's Regiment, halted there until June; the army then retreated to Crown Point and thence to Ticonderoga, from Ticonderoga to Mount Independence where they arrived on the 11th of July 1776 remained there until December under Arnold's command then went to Albany, where he Benton was taken sick and left in the Hospital, remained there a few days and then went home to Ashfield in Massachusetts on furlough, where he remained sick until after his term of Enlistment expired; that he has no documentary evidence of his services and knows of no other persons whose testimony he can procure that Daniel Phillips and Ephraim Pomer, whose affidavits are hereto annexed.
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.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid in open Court
Bethel Benton mark
We Elijah Wilder and Silas Belding both residing in the Town of Seneca in Ontario County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Bethel Benton, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty One 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.
Elijah Wilder

Sworn and subscribed the } day and year aforesaid. in open Court }
Selah Boding
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, Eliza Milder who has signed the preceding Certificate is a resident in the Town of Seneca in Ontario Regiment County and that Selah Boding who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Seneca in said County and are both credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Charles Crane Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Bithie Benton for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty-eighth day of August A. D. 1832.
Charles Crane

6866
Bethel Benton
Page 72,
admd
6.11.15.16
5 Sep 1832 20 Nov 1832
R. M. Bayly Geneva, N. York

6866
BRIEF in the case of  Bethel Burton, - Seneca,  Co. of Ontario — in the State of New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court-
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 87 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1775 May — 8 — private Gen. Capt. Murrays, Col Woodbridge   immediately after discharge — 1 — " Capt. Barnes, Col. Sergeant   1776 Febry — 12 — " Capt. J. Chapin, Col. E. Porter, Gen. Arnold  
5. In what battles was he engaged? Bunker Hill
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Wheatsville / resided at Ashfield Mass
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witness for the 1 st & 2 nd terms, & Traditional.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. Fawcett Examining Clerk.

State of New York Ontario County ss.
Bethel Benton of the Town of Seneca County of Ontario and State of New York the within declarant doth on his Oath fur- ther declare that in Year 1775 he served under Colonel Woodbridge Lieut Col. Brown Major Tracy Captain Murray Lieut Cook Ensign Woodbridge
was in Genl. Prescott's Brigade who commanded at Cam- bridge - at Cambridge was Col. Brewer, Col. Oliver Colonel Reed, Captain Bowden Capt. Barnes. Capt. King, - in 1776 he served under Colonel Porter Lieut Col. Williams Major Morgan Captain Bradshaw Lieut Seth Hunt 2 d Lieut White
His Company was on separate commands a greater part of the time and consequently did not serve with any other officers except at Mount Independence where was Col. Bond's Regiment - Genl. Arnold, Major Fuller. Col. Poor - Capt. Enoch Chapin - Genl. Thomas died at Chamblee. He was born at Milford in Connecticut December 14th. 1750 of which he has a record in his family Bible - at the age of seventeen he removed to Ashfield in Mas- sachusetts where he resided at the commencement of the Revolutionary War - He removed from Ashfield to Seneca in Ontario County New York in 1798. where he now resides and has since resided.
Bethel his Benton mark
Sworn to & subscribed this 22 d day of January 1833 before me R.W. Dagh Notary Public

State of New-York, Ontario County ss. }
I, Charles Crane, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Richard M. Bayly whose name is subscribed to the within Certificate of affidavit was, at the date thereof, a Notary Public Justice of the peace in and for said County; and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the said signature to be his proper act and deed.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this thirteenth day of February A. D. 1833.
Charles Crane

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
MS Com
March 20, 1926
Mrs. J. I. Benedict 881 Mass. Ave. Cambridge, Mass.
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 12176 , it appears that BETHEL BENTON was born December 14, 1750, at Guilford, Connecticut.
While a resident of Ashfield, Massachusetts, he enlisted in May, 1775, and served eight months as private in Captain Murray's Company, Colonel Woodbridge's Massachusetts Regiment. He enlisted in January, 1776, and served one month as private in Captain Barnes' Company, Colonel Sergeant's Massachusetts Regiment. He enlisted in February, 1776, and served one year as private in Captain Israel Chapin's Company, Colonel Elisha Porter's Massachusetts Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Seneca, Ontario County, New York, having moved there in 1798.
There is no data on file relative to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner

State of New York Monroe County } ss.
Daniel Phillips being duly sworn upon Hays that. is ac- quainted with Bethel Benton & has known him from his boyhood - That said Benton served in the Army of the United States during the war of the revolution - That said Benton enlisted in the month of May in the first year of the war for the period of Eight months & served as a private During that time period - That he enlisted again in the second year of the war for one year & actually served for that time - That during the last mentioned period. said Benton served in the company of Captain Isaac Chapin, Colonel Elisha Porter Regiment. of the Massachusetts line -
Sworn to subscribed This 28. day of June 1832 before me
Daniel Phillips his mark
James L. Selden First Judge of Monroe County
State of New York
Monroe county ss. I certify that Samuel L. Selden Esqr. before whom the above affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same First Judge of Monroe County courts, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscri- bed to said affidavit, to be his proper hand writing and signature - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the court of common pleas of said county to this twenty sixth day of June 1832.
Leonard Adams Clerk

State of New York Monroe County ss.
Daniel Phillips being duly sworn upon & says that. is ac- quainted with Bethel Benton & has known him from his boyhood - That said Benton served in the Army of the United States during the war of the revolution - That said Benton enlisted in the month of May in the first year of the war for the period of eight months & served as a private - During that time said period - That he enlisted again in the second year of the war for one year & actually served for that time - That during the last mentioned period. said Benton served in the company of Captain Israel Chapin Colonel Elisha Porter Regiment. of the Massachusetts line -
Sworn & subscribed
This 28. day of June 1832 before me
Daniel his Phillips mark
Samuel L. Selden First Judge of Monroe County
State of New York
Monroe county ss. I certify that Samuel L. Selden Esq. before whom the above affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same First Judge of Monroe county courts, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscri- bed to said affidavit, to be his proper hand writing and signature - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the court of common pleas of said coun- ty, this twenty eighth day of June 1832.
Leonard Adams clerk

Monroe County ss. I hereby certify that the within named deponent Daniel Phillips is apparently of the age of Seventy years or up wards; and that I believe him to be entitled to credit as well from my previous knowledge of the man as from his ap- pearance at the time of taking the within deposition. Jan. 26. 1833 Samuel Selden

Ephraim Powers app before me Cadwell a Justice of the Peace of York and County of Livingston and State of New York are made oath that V Bethel V Benton Intested in to Captain Israel Chapin Company and Colonel Elisha Porter Regiment with me the first of January in the year nineteen hundred and seventy six and marched to Lower Canada from there to Niagara in June and from there to Albany in December and then had a furlough for forty days he Intested in to State of Massachusetts and now resides in the town of Lima and county of Ontario and State of New York York June 26th 1882 Ephraim Powers
Recd before me this 26th day of June 1882
Roderick Galdwell Justice
I Roderick Galdwell before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn subscribed do hereby certify that Ephraim Powers is a person of credibility and I believe him to be seventy eight years of age Roderick Galdwell Justice

State New York Livingston County p.
I Chauncy K. Board Clerk of the County of Livingston aforesaid do certify that Roderick Goodwell Esq. before whom the within affidavit was taken to have been sworn was at the time the same was taken to have been taken a justice of the peace
of said County legally authorized to act as such And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that his signature as it appears to the said affidavit is his own proper hand writing & signature
Witness my hand and seal of office this 26th day of June 1832
Chauncy K. Board clk By S. H. Hoven Sec. clk

6866
Bethel Benton

6866
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Bethel Benton which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? It does II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? He did 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? He has 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? He has VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? He has not VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? He has VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Has IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? He has 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? It is, & is so distinguishable.

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? He has not XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? none 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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? He has not ✓ And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? It is. 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? It does not ✓ XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? They are not ✓ XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are not
 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.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
*QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
*QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

Sep 25 1895 Stops Harrow 2 & Acar... city.
Rev. War
12.176 INVALID.
94.9.
Letter to Hon. T. McTear Aud. for War Dept. Trust Dept. July 14 96 said ad to Miss Nattie E Briggs Mt Clemons Mich.
File No. 12,176
Bethel Benton Prin. Rev. War
June 26 1895 Farrar pen
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 29
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1893 Feb-1-1900 Miss Nattie E. Briggs Penn Yan, N.Y. 1907 July 17 Hist. to Geo. W. Benton. V.L.H. 1920 Aug. 11. Hist. to Avis L. Gale, au. 1926 Mar 20. Hist. to Mrs. J. D. Benedict mrs

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. RECEIVED AUG 22 1894 P. AND M. DIVISION.
3408
28 Aug. 21, 1894.
Auditor Treasury. (Farrow, F.S.)
Desires Military History of Bethel Benton, Revolutionary War, for reason specified.
RECEIVED AUG 23 1894 P. AND M. DIVISION CHIEF CLERK BUREAU OF PENSIONS AUG 23 1894
LLH xxx
DEPT' OF THE INTERIOR.
Aug. 22, 1894.
Respectfully referred to the Com't of Pensions.
Joseph Daniel
Chief Clerk.

B All Official Letters to this Office must be addressed to the "Second Auditor of the Treasury," and in replying to Letters from this Office the initials on the upper left-hand corner should be referred to. The name, company, and regiment of the soldier must also be given.
AJB. Room 67
Treasury Department.
Office of the Second Auditor
Washington, D. C., August 21, 1894
Hon. Secretary of the Interior:
Sir:
Will you please furnish the Military History, of Bethel Benton, who served in the war of the Revolution from the state of Massachusetts; I do not know the company or Regiment; The information is for a lady who is a direct descendant of Bethel Benton, who wishes to join the daughters of the Revolution.
(Personal)
Very Respectfully, J. D. Johnson Auditor

All Official Letters to this Office must be addressed to the "Auditor for the War Department," and in replying to Letters from this Office the initials on the upper left-hand corner should be referred to.
Treasury Department.
Office of Auditor for the War Department,
Washington, D. C., June 19, 1895.
Hon. William Lochren,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir:-
Will you please give me the name of the widow of Bethel Benton, and the date of death of Bethel Benton and his widow.
The number of Pension is not known but the application was made August 28, 1832. Bethel Benton rendered service in May 1775, January 1776, and twelve months from February 1776, in the State of Mass., in the War of the Revolution.
Respectfully yours,
Auditor.

Wit. Clemens. Michigan. July 6 th 1896.
Hon. Mr. Lockwood -
Dear Sir:
I have the suggestion of Hon. Mr. M. Allen, Secretary of State of Massachusetts, to address you, regarding an ancestor of mine, to whom I think a pension was granted, at the close of the war of the Revolution . Can you furnish me a copy of Bethel Benton's record of service, as filed with his original

2 application for pension. He was my great great grand father, and lived near Springfield, Mass. and I have always supposed that he entered the Army from that place, but the records show no record of him.
Will you kindly inform me whether or not his name is found in the Records at Washington and if so, will you remit the fee of one dollar for the certificate. Thanking you,

I am
Respectfully yours,
Hattie E. Briggs.
Mr. Clemens.
Michigan
P. O. Box 627.
P.S. If any man by the name of Burton is found in the census records.
Will you kindly inform
me. H. E. B.

SHORTRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL GEO. W. BENTON PRINCIPAL
14809
Indianapolis, Ind. July 3, 1907
The Commissioner, Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C.
Dear sir:
Would it be possible for you to send me the military history of BETHEL BENTON a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, who applied for a pension August 28, 1882, when residing at Seneca, New York.
I am hoping to use it in securing admission to one of the societies of the revolution, and am willing to pay necessary expenses to have the report in legal form, properly acknowledged if necessary.
Thanking you for any assistance which you may be able to give me in this matter, I remain,
Yours truly,
Geo. W. Benton
I neglected to state that he first enlisted from Ashfield, Mass., May, 1775.

Rev mjt
San Francisco, Cal. July 15, 1920
Commissioner of Pensions Department of the Interior Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I want to thank you for the very complete service record of AMBROSE CARLTON, a Revolutionary soldier in the North Carolina Militia, sent me recently.
SH2399 I should like to have similar service records of BETHEL BENTON, a pensioner of Seneca, N.Y., and CALVIN STEPHENSON, Sr., of Phelps, N.Y., both of whom served during the Revolution in Massachusetts regiments.
Very truly
Avis G. Yates
(Miss) Avis G. Yates 1042 Clayton St., San Francisco, Calif.

Ex. oem Div. Law
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 5, 1926.
The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.
No. of claim, _____
Name of soldier, _____
P. O. address of claimant, _____
Company _____
Regiment _____
State where enlisted _____
Date of enlistment _____
Date of discharge _____
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.
Return attached letter with reply.
Will Scott Commissioner.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF PENSIONS RECORD DIVISION
Briefed by JTE.
Orig. _____
Cert. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Bethel Benton
Service _____
No. _____ claim, Service record _____, 192
as above _____, Clerk. No. claim, Alph'b record 1-30- , 192 6.
JTE. , Clerk.
REMARKS: _____

881 Mass. Ave.
Cambridge, Mass.
Jan. 27, 1926.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Sir- Please send me, if available, the pension record of Bethel Benton of Ashfield, Mass.
Respectfully
Mrs. H. J. Benedict

881 Mass. Ave. Cambridge, Mass.
Feb. 8, 1926.
Commissioner of Pensions. Washington, D.C.
Sir:- Yours recd. I wish to find out about Bethel Benton who made application for a pension from Seneca, Ontario Co., N.Y in Aug. 1831 or 1832, to which place he moved in 1798 from Mass. Did he live in Ashfield or Ashland, Mass. Mass Soldiers & Sailors give a Bethuel Benton from Ashfield, and none from Ashland, but a Benton Gen. give him ( Bethel ) from Ashland, which is right? The pension (copy) in the Benton Gen. says he enlisted May 1775 and in Col. Woodbridge's regiment of Gen. Prescott's brigade. Mass. Soldiers give Bethuel Benton in Capt. Murray's Co. Col Benj. Ruggles Woodbridge Regiment , 1775.
The Archives Department at the State House. Boston, have no record of a Bethel Benton from Ashland, Mass. but have from Ashfield.
Can you tell me the name of wife ?
Respectfully
Mrs. H. D. Benedict

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., _____, 190__
Sur. File 12176 Rev War Ser.
In reply to your request of July 8th , received July 10th for a statement of the military history of Bethel Benton 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.     May 1775 8 mos. Pvt. Murray Woodbridge Mass.   Jan 1776 1 mo Barnes Prangland   July 1776 1 year Israel Chapin Elisha Porter  
Battles engaged in, _____  Residence of soldier at enlistment, Ashfield Mass  Date of application for pension, Aug 28, 1832. His claim was allowed  Residence at date of application, Seneca N.Y. since 1798  Age at date of application, Born Dec 14, 1750 at Guilford Vt.  Remarks: No family data
Very respectfully,  Mr George H. Benton  Shortridge High School  Indianapolis, Ind.
Commissioner.
27225b3m1-07
OTK