Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23.597, Peter Benner, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Benner, Peter Abigail
NUMBER
W. 23 597
B.L.Wt. 3675-100-Pot. Issued Feb. 22. 1792 to John Peck assigned no papers name spelled Benner.
CONTENTS

Information about the War. July 1, 1820, to R. C. Dore, Esq. Augusta Maine
Recd. Sept. 9, 1833 from R. B.
5868. Maine
Peter Benner, Corporal,
Massachusetts line, War, in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
described on the Roll of the District of Maine at the rate of — 8 — Dollars per month, to commence on the 9 th of April 1810
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th of Jan y 1819 and due R. C. Dore
arrears to 4th of Sep r 1810. 4 mos 26/30 — 38.93 semi-annual all'ee ending 4 March 1819 48. 00 $ 86.93
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Pittston, [Signature]

State of Maine.
I John Davis Clerk, for the County of Kennebec of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the second Eastern Circuit, embracing the counties of Lincoln, Ken- nebec and Somerset, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and that the original was exhibited in open 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, including debts due to the declarant therein stated, is ninety two dollars and  cents ; and deducting therefrom the amount of what the declarant owes, as set forth in said Schedule, the value of said property in the opinion of said Court, is nothing  dollars and  Cents
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twentieth day of June 1820.
John Davis Clerk of said Court for the County of of Kennebec
debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is

Copy
State of Maine.
1111
KENNEBEC COUNTY, ss.
ON this 24th day of May, 1820, personally appeared before Nathan Weston Esq: Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, being a Court of Record for said Counties, proceeding according to the course of the common law, having original jurisdiction, unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Peter Binner aged fifty eight years, resident in Pittston in the County of Kennebec within said Circuit, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz. in the Company commanded by Captain Adams Bailey and Regiment commanded by Colonel Sprague of the line of the State of Massachusetts upon the Continental Establishment, for the period of during the war, having served more than four years
that his original declaration was made before Judge Stebbins on the ninth day of April 1818; that he is now on the Maine Roll, and that his pension certificate is numbered 5868. And I, the said Peter Binner do further 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.
Peter Binner
The following is a Schedule of my whole Estate and income, necessary clothing and bedding excepted, viz:
  one cow of the value of  eighteen dollars    one swine  Three dollars    one horse  twenty dollars    one yoke of steers  thirty dollars    one heifer  Six Dollars    Old furniture, besides bedding  five dollars  
I have no debts due to me that can be collected but I am upwards of two hundred dollars my family consists of five persons, myself my wife Abigail aged fifty years, my daughter Abigail aged twenty four, William aged twenty one and Catharine aged sixteen. My wife is much afflicted with the Rheumatism and unable to labor

Except the above, I have no estate or income necessary clothing and bedding excluded - my vocation is that of a laborer, I have no trade or profession, being much afflicted with the Rheumatism I am unable to labor but little
Peter Boerner
Subscribed, sworn to and declared, both the oath and schedule before me this twenty fourth day of May 1820 -
Nathan Weston Jr C.J. C.C.C. Pleas.
True Copy
Wm Davis Clk.
J. H. Kent, Augusta, Maine.
March 1849
Continued
5068
Peter Boerner
114

I Peter Bennet, of Pittston in the County of Kennebec and District of Maine, a resident citizen of the U- nited States, on oath declare and say: That in the spring of the year 1777, I enlisted as a private, in the Massachusetts line, on the Continental establishment, in the war of the revolution, & served out my time in the company of Capt. Brew, in the regiment of Col. Ebenezer Sproul. Twenty nine days before the expiration of this term I enlisted during the war, and served against the enemy in the same war, in the same line, and on the same establishment, to the end of the war. about About two years after my enlistment during the war, I served in the same company. Capt. Brew then took the command of a company of Gren- adiers, selected from the regiment, and I was transferred to the company of Capt. Bailey in the same regiment, in which I served to the

end of the war: and on the ninth of June, 1788 according to my recollection, received an honorable discharge, under the hand of General Washington. This discharge I delivered to Nathaniel Turner, who was a lieutenant in the regiment, and I have not since seen it.
Peter Beman

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Second Eastern Circuit.
On the tenth day of April, A.D. 1818, the aforesaid Peter Bonner, having been duly cautioned and examined, made oath to the truth of the aforesaid declaration by him signed: Before me, Josiah Stebbins, a Judge of the C.C.C.P. for said Circuit.

Machine - 3,257
Abigail Behner,
widow of
Peter Behner,
who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 th March 18 th and who died on the 9 th September '33 of Kennebec in the State of Maine who was a P. in the Comp y commanded by Captain Dean of the Reg t commanded by Sprague in the Mass t line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of June '39, and attested G. W. Morton, Sag Harbor, Me.
Arrears to the 14th of March - $ 240.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 40.00
$ 280.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838.
Recorded by R. Bussey Clerk. Book A Vol. 15 Page 2.

Abigail Penner Widow of Peter Penner a pensioner under Act March 18, 1818 On the Maine Agency
The act 7 July 58 Married in 85. Died in 1833
admo 2 yrs pri 80
No deduction
Georgetown Augusta Maine

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
STATE OF MAINE.
Wennebec County, ss.
On this ninth day of August A. D., 183 8 , personally appeared before the Hon. Nathan Weston Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State  Abigail Benner a resident of Pittston in the County of Wennebec and State of Maine, aged seventy two 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 7th, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;" That she is the widow of Peter Benner late of said Pittston, deceased, who at the time of his death was a pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of March 18, 1818, for his Revolutionary Services, & she refers to the declaration of said Peter under that Act & the evidence upon which he was examined now on file in the War Department for proof of his service, the honorable discharge of the said Peter Benner from the Army is hereto annexed. She further declares, that she was married to the said Peter Benner on the first day of August in the year seventeen hundred and eighty four ; that her husband, the aforesaid Peter Benner died on the ninth day of September eighteen hundred thirty three ; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz. at the time above stated; that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. That her maiden name was Abigail Hunt, she was married at Abington, Mass. by Rev. W. Niles, Clerk
Abigail X Benner mark
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me (the applicant being unable from age and infirmity unable to appear in open court) Nathan Weston C.J. J.F.C.

State of Maine.
On the ninth day of August, 1838, Abigail Bunker, the applicant within named, was examined and sworn as within stated. I am satisfied, that she was married to Peter Bunker, late a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, on the twentieth day of September, 1785, although she, from defect of memory, states it to have been a year earlier. I am further satisfied, that the said Peter Bunker deceased on the ninth day of September, 1833, and that the applicant has ever since remained his widow.
Nathan Weston C.J. S.P.C.
STATE OF MAINE.
Memoranda ss.
I the subscriber Clerk of the Court for County hereby CERTIFY, That the Rev. Nathan Weston before whom the proceedings were had, is Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of the State. I also CERTIFY, That the foregoing Memoranda contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of the said Abigail Bunker in the matter of the application of for a pension.
Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this 12th day of September A. D., 1838.
Thomas Swan

I Henry Benner of Pittston in the County of Kennebec, State of Maine, aged fifty two years, do upon oath state, that my Father Peter Benner a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, died at said Pittston on the ninth day of September eighteen hundred & thirty three, & that my Mother Abigail Benner, by whom the foregoing declaration was made, has remained a widow ever since that period. Henry Benner
State of Maine,
Maine, ss: Subscribed & sworn to this 9th day of August A.D. 1838 the deponent being a credible witness, Before me, Nathan Weston C.F. S.P.C.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss. I John Nash of Abington certify that by the Records of said Town now in my care and possession it appears that Peter Benner and Abigail Hunt of Abington were Married the twentieth day of September One Thousand seven hundred and eighty five - I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows viz "Sept: ye 20 th 1785"
I John Nash above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Clerk of the Town of Abington in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town with the exception above named, as certified by me
John Nash Town Clerk
Plymouth ss. August 10. 1830
Sworn to before me
Isaac Allis Minister of Gospel Commonwealth of Massachusetts Sept 5 th Via Aug. 18. 1830.
I hereby certify that the above printed extract is a true copy of the record for the County of Plymouth Plymouth. Witness my hand & the seal of State. John P. Bigelow
Sept 5 th Comm'lt

December 22, 1933.
Mrs. M. T. Eltonhead 542 West 124th Street, Apartment 31, New York, New York.
BA-J/ILL Peter Benner W. 23597 am
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Peter Benner.
The record of Peter Benner is given below as found in the papers on file in pension claim, W. 23597, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Peter Benner enlisted in the spring of 1777, served as private in Captains Seth Drew's and Adam Bailey's companies, Colonels John Bailey's and Ebenezer Sprout's 2 nd Massachusetts regiment and was discharged June 10, 1783, at which time he had completed service of three months and eleven days as corporal in that regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 9, 1818, at which time he resided in Pittston, Kennebec County, Maine. In 1820, the soldier was fifty-eight years of age, the date and place of his birth and names of his parents not stated.
Peter Benner died September 9, 1833, in Pittston, Maine.
The soldier married in Abington, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, on September 20, 1785, Abigail Hunt, of Abington.
Abigail Benner, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her application executed August 9, 1838, at which time she resided in Pittston, Maine. She was then seventy-two years of age, the date and place of her birth and names of her parents not shown. She died November 29, 1838.

In 1820, Abigail, William, and Catharine Benner, aged twenty-four years, twenty-one years and sixteen years, respectively, were living with their parents, Peter and Abigail Benner, in Pittston, Maine. In 1838, Henry Benner, soldier's son, aged then fifty-two years, was a resident of said Pittston, and made affidavit in behalf of  of his mother's claim for pension.  omit next time
No charge is made for this service.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

Misc.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 23597 Abigail Benner Widow of Peter Benner Briv Mass. line
Act July 7th 1838
Index: Vol. A , Page 55
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Feb. 28/95 Nick Hist. to Arthur H. Benner, 838 Bruges St. Lowell, Mass. 1911 Sept. 11 - Hist. to Charles C. Whittier 1920 Jan'y 23 Hist. to Winthrop E. Benner 1933 - Dec. 22 - Hist. to Mrs. M. J. Eltonhead J.L.L.
D

V
Ans? Geo. W. Morton
Nov 12-38

Peter Benner.
Pittston, Co. Col. Sprout; Mass. Reg. 1777. to 1783.
April 9 th 1818
- Submitted

Peter Brunn

J. Seth Pratt of Malta in the County of Franklin in the District of Maine and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged fifty five on oath do testify and declare that Peter Benner of Pittston in said County of Franklin enlisted into the service of the United States in January Seventeen hundred and eighty in the Revolutionary War against the common Enemy for and during said War in the Company commanded by Captain Seth Drew in the second Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Colonel John Bailey said Benner enlisted at West Point in the State of New York and continued in said service till the End of said War and was Honorably discharged at new Windsor in the State of New York in June Seventeen hundred and eighty three Malta May the eleventh eighteen hundred and eighteen                      Seth Pratt
Franklin Is May the eleventh eighteen hundred and eighteen the above named Seth Pratt made solemn Oath to the truth of the above Statement and declaration by him signed before me William Hilton Jur. Dean

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
To the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War of the United States.
I the subscriber, being a Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, comprising the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, do hereby certify to your Honor, that Peter Benner , a citizen of the United States, now resident in Pittston , in the said County of Kennebec , in the District of Maine, on the tenth day of April , A. D. 1818, made application to me to receive his declaration under oath, and such other evidence, as was in his power to produce; and to transmit the same, and the proceedings had thereon, to your Honor; that he might be placed on the pension list of the United States, agreeably to the provisions of an Act, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war," passed March 18, A. D. 1818, which declaration, and the other evidence produced by said applicant are hereunto annexed.
And I do further certify to your Honor, that after a full examination of the said applicant, and a careful consideration of the evidence in the case, it appears to me that the said applicant did serve as a private in the war of the revolution, against the common enemy, upon the continental establishment, for more than nine months, as stated in his declaration aforesaid; and that from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his country for his support.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of the said Court to be hereunto affixed, this twenty seventh day of July , in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
Josiah Stebbins.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
KENNEBEC, ss.
I THE Subscriber, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held within the said County of Kennebec, hereby certify that the Honorable JOSIAH STEBBINS , Esquire, before whom the annexed proceedings were held, is a Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, comprising the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset; and that by the direction of the said Judge, I have affixed unto this certificate bearing his signature, the seal of the said Court in which he presides.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand:—Dated at Augusta, in said County of Kennebec, this Twenty seventh day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
Thos. D. Dyer

Peter Pinner

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT, July 6 1818
BY THIS I CERTIFY, That it appears by public, official documents remaining in this Department, that Peter Benner served as a Soldier in Capt. Drew's Company, and Col. Bailey's Regiment, (being one of the Regiments in the Massachusetts Line, and on the Continental Establishment,) in the American Army, in the War of the Revolution, from 1 Jan'y - 1780  to  Decr. 31 - 1780 , being one year and months.  During war - a record no later than 1780 Holden Bradford
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

King - Dharma

On the ninth day of August, 1930, I received the declaration of Abigail Bunn for a pension. No court was then in session. Taking into consideration her sex and age (72) and the infirmities incident to that advanced period of life, I felt myself justified in certifying her inability to attend in open court. Her case was attended to with great care.
Warren Weston Cj. State of Illinois

BY HIS EXCELLENCY GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq; General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America.
THESE are to CERTIFY that the Bearer hereof Peter Branner, Corporal in the Second Massachusetts Regiment, having faith- fully served the United States three years and eleven months — and being enlisted for the War only, is hereby DISCHARGED from the American Army.
GIVEN at HEAD-QUARTERS the tenth day of June 1783. —
G. Washington
By HIS EXCELLENCY
Command,
Thomass M c Intire
REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment,
William Morris
Adjutant.
THE above Peter Branner has been honored with the BADGE of MERIT for three Years faithful Service.
J. Spratt L'Hommedieu

HEAD-QUARTERS, June twelfth 1783.
THE within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace; previous to which Time, and until Proclamation thereof shall be made, He is to be considered as being on Furlough.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Peter Bennet discharged
George Washington _____
Peter Bennet 15.7.18597 Rev. War Mass.

not S 23597 no other W
Lowell, Mass. Jan'y. 28, 1895
To the Commissioner of Pensions of the United States.
Dear Sir,
I am desirous of obtaining information of Peter Benner said to be a pensioner of the War of the Revolution, and also of Henry Benner his son who is said to have been a volunteer in the war of 1812.
I am told that Peter Benner enlisted from either Abbingdon or East Habbington, Mass., that he afterwards removed to East Pittston or Pittston Maine & there died on Sept. 9, 1833, that his wife's name was Abigail (Hunt) Benner and that she died

in either East Pittston or Pittston Maine on Nov. 29, 1838.
Any facts or statistics you may communicate to me will be thank- ed as also any in regard to Henry Berner his son who I am told enlisted in the war of 1812 and was a fifer. he was from either Pittston or East Pittston, Me. Also of Nathaniel Berner a brother of Henry Berner who enlisted in the War of 1812 and was a drum- mer.
I desire all information of the above Peter Berner my Great Grandfather and Henry Berner my Grandfather and Nathaniel Berner his Brother for family reasons and also because I am at work on a genealogy of the family and the above informa- tion would help me materially. in my work.
Kindly send me the information sought for and greatly oblige.
Yours Respect.
Arthur T. Berner 838 Bridge St. Lowell, Mass.

Recd. Sept. 6. 1911

374 Blue Hill Avenue, Boston, Mass., Sept. 2, 1911.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Sir:-
I have the honor to inquire for the record of the following named persons who served during the Revolution and were granted pensions:
17. 10. 427 Peter Benner, Corp. aged 72 years; pension commenced Apr. 9, 1818.
S. 37. 092 William Hankerson, priv. aged 70 years; R. I. Line; pension commenced, Apr. 6, 1819.
S. 42. 322 Daniel Whittier, Sergt. aged 73 years; pension commenced Apr. 13, 1818.
Respectfully yours.
Charles C. Whittier

2000 ... Res. Sec. Jan
January 12 1920
Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions Washington DC Gentlemen -
Will you kindly send me the Revolutionary War record of the following named three people giving me if possible their parents names, their place and date of birth and such other facts as will be helpful to establish their identity from a genealogical stand- point, also as a basis for membership in the "Society of The Sons of The American Revolution"
John Henry Benner
Peter Benner
Christopher Benner
The first named may be simply Henry Benner. All three probably enlisted from Massachusetts

or Maine, probably the former state.
If there is any charge for this service kindly let me know the amount of such charge. Thanking you for any courtesy you may extend to me I am
Most respectfully
Winthrop E. Benner
Care J. P. Stevens & Co.
23 Thomas St
New York City N.Y.

542 W 124 th St.
N.Y. City -
Pension Bureau.
Dept. of the Interior
Please send me the Pension (if of record) of Peter Benner of E. Pittston. Maine -
Born in Mass - Captured and Paroled in Reo. War. in Mass. Died - & Sailors -
Any charges Rec'd be paid When Ref'd of same m.

Address.
Mrs. M. J. Clintonhead
Apt 31- 542 West 124 th St.
N. Y. City.
Peter Bemer Mar. } Abigail Hunt }