Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29004, Jonathan Benton, Conn.

SERVICE
Conn.
Benton, Jonathan
NUMBER
S. 29004
CONTENTS

1890 May 17
Lt E S Benton history Prior
10.749 Massachusetts
Nathan Benton
of Hampden in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Wells of the 1st Regt. Conn. Inf. by Col. Spencer in the Mass. Line time for 16 months & 9 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of $4 - Dollars - 33 - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 a day of Apr. 1833 and Act George. Boston Springfield Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $108.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept " 27.17 $135.83
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. H. Addison Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 2 a Page 5

10.103
Declaration of Jonathan Benton -
on Roll Col. Bulletin Page 100 & 101 1780 March 15 1780 March 16

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss -
On this fourth day of September 1832, personally appeared in Open Court before Oliver D. Merrill Esq., Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting in Springfield, Jonathan Brewster a resident of said Springfield in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts, aged Eighty five 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 -
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 April 1775, he enlisted in a Company of Connecticut State Troops under Capt. John Wells of Tolland, Ranks of Wellington was first Lieut. Felt 2 d Lieut. Chapin Ensign, we marched to Dorbury in the State of Mass. Col. or Genl. Spencer of Hartford Conn. he believes Commanded the Regiment and General Thomas the Brigade to which their regiment belonged, we were in Dorbury Street when the battle was on Bunker or Breed's hill near Boston and saw the battle plainly. That he remained at Dorbury until some time in the month of December and was then discharged after having served about seven months, received a written discharge he thinks but has lost it - does not know of any person now living who served with him -
That in the month of May 1777, he was drafted and marched the first day of June to New London where he served four months and was then dismissed, does not know that there is any person now living who served with him, and being now very aged cannot recollect the names of the Officers under whom he served this time
That in the month of March 1780, he enlisted in the Continental Army and went with about twelve others were first to New Haven, and then to Danbury Conn. where we were mustered and marched from Danbury to a place called Tottenway which place is I believe in the State of N. Jersey, where we found the regiment, and that they staid in that vicinity some months, that he was on duty in the front Guard the day that Maj. Andre was hung at Tappan in the State of N. York, that about three weeks before the term for which he enlisted expired, he heard that his family was sick and procured a furlough to return home, that he set out to join the army again and when he reached Hartford Conn. called on Col. Wells

at Hartford Conn. who advised him not to return as the term for which he enlisted would expire before he would arrive at the place where the rest, there was, that Maj. Hinckley of Tolland Conn. who belonged to the same regiment, afterwards gave him an order for his discharge, this term of service was nine months, he does not know of any persons now living who served with him and cannot now recollect the name of any other Officer.
That he enlisted once and was drafted once That he served in all twenty months
That he was born in Tolland State of Connecticut in Sept. 1747 and that the time of his birth is recorded on the records of said town and that he lived in Tolland when called into service.
That he rec d . a written discharge once but has lost it and never held a Commission.
That he now resides in Springfield and has resided in said town for more than thirty years past.
That he is well acquainted with Joseph Canoe, Walter Stebbins, Thos. Bond Esq., Elias Potter, William Price, George Cotton and many more of the inhabitants of Springfield who can testify as to character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
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.
In witness whereof he has hereunto subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Jonathan Butts

We George Cotton as Silas Potter both residents of the town of Springfield hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Benton who has described and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be eighty five years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion - Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid - George Cotton Silas Potter
And the said Court after investigating the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, do hereby declare their opinion that the abovenamed Applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states - And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that George Cotton and Silas Potter who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in Springfield in said County and of credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit
I Justin Willard Register of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing is contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Jonathan Benton for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
J Willard Reg. or

I Berahel Howard a Clergyman residing in the town of Springfield hereby testify that I am well acquainted with Jonathan Benton who has subscribed and sworn to the within deposition, that I believe him to be eighty five years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that I concur in that opinion - Sworn and subscribed this 2 d day of April 1835 - Berahel Howard
Commonwealth of Mass. Hampden ss. April 2 d 1835 -
Personally appeared before me Berahel Howard a Clergyman of Springfield and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true according to the best of his belief and knowledge, and I certify that said Berahel Howard is a man of truth and veracity and that his statement is entitled to full credit -
George Cotton Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts ss. County of Hampden ss. I Justin Willard Clerk of the Court of Probate within & for said County the same being a court of record, do hereby certify that George Cotton is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County and that the name - George Cotton subscribed to the above certificate & to the certificate on the other side written on his proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court at Springfield this second day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three
Justin Willard Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss. Mar. 29, 1833. Personally appeared before me, the undersigned one of the Justices of the Peace for said County, Jonathan Benton who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of extreme 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 and belief he served not less than three months the first term - four months the second term - and nine months the third and last term - in all twenty months as a private, and for such service I claim a pension - I am not able to recollect the name of the Col. under whom I served in the year 1780 - Sworn and subscribed the day and and year aforesaid JONATHAN BENTON George Cotton Justice of the Peace -

10.103
John Benton
Paid 16 Mr 9 days
Alb
5 06
March 21. 1833
P. 308
George Bolton Esq Springfield Mass

10,103  BRIEF in the case of Jonathan Benton County of Hampden in the State of Massachusetts (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? 85  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. As a Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.   Years, Months, Days.     Enlisted In 1775 April about 7 Private Capt. S. Wells, Lieut. Parker,   Drafted 1777 May 4 " Col. Spencer, Genl. Thomas   Enlisted 1780 March 9 5 9 " Cannot recollect their names.   in roll of service Major Hinckley, Continental Army.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Holland, Conn.:  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. Waugh Examining Clerk. Feb. 8. 1833.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of _____ 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.     Abt 1775 7 Mos. Pvt.  Miles Spencer Conn.   May 1777 4 Mos. stationed at New London   Mar. 1780 9 Mos. Major Hinckley  
Battles engaged in, None stated Residence of soldier at enlistment, Holland Conn. Date of application for pension, Sept. 4 1832 - al. Residence at date of application, Springfield Hampden Co. Mass. Age at date of application, b. Sept 1747 in Holland Conn.
Remarks: Soldier had a family in 1780, names not stated
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
for 1st ser. see Conn p. 48. 2nd ser. see p. 165
48. 165

29004 Rev INVALID.
1923, Feb. 20 hist. L. E. S. Benton Col. 24a- En
File No. 29, 004
Jonathan Benton Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1837
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 89
[Arrangement of 1870.]

E. S. Burleigh Esq. Recd April 3 1890 Jonathan Burleigh Esq. Society
Rev Mr
March 3/90
Dear Brother
Yours Affectionately

Post of San Antonio Texas April 5. 1890
The
Adjutant General Washington. D.C.
Sir,
I have the honor to request that the record of Johnathan Benton a private in the 5 th Company 2 d Regiment Connecticut Col Joseph Spencer Comdg Sater Col Samuel Wylllys Maj Reuben Johnathan Meigs Capt 5 th Co Solomon Wilkes (Holland Conn.). Pvt Johnathan Benton Enlisted May 3. 1775
discharged Dec 17. 1775
Sater
Enlisted 2 d Reg. Continental Line
Col Chas Webb
" Lebulon Butler
Johnathan Benton Enlisted July 5. 1780 discharged Dec 13. 1780
He was granted a pension of $33 w 50 a

year and his pension certificate is signed by Lewis Cass Secy of War.
I should like to get his record from pension office as complete as possible to use for membership in New York Society "Sons of the Revolution" and also for my own preservation.
By referring this letter to the pension office you will greatly oblige me
I have the honor to remain
Very respectfully
Your obed servant
E S Benton
251 3rd Avenue

Pen So C.W.D.
3809 Princeton Ave. Nashville, Tenn.. Feb. 10, 1923.
The Interior Department. Bureau of Records and Pensions. Washington, D.C.
Sir:-
Can you furnish me the record of Jonathan Benton, a Revolutionary soldier, who served in troops raised at or near Tolland, Conn.
He was issued pension in 1832 or 1833, when Lewis Gass was Secretary of the War Treasure. A transcript of his application or such other papers will be appreciated.
E S Benton Col U.S.A. E. S. Benton, Col. U. S. A.