Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 37591, Benjamin Blake, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Blake, Benjamin
S. 37591
CONTENTS

Letter to H. H. Arnaud, Oct 15. 1835
Application sent to the War Dept. 26 Oct 1820 Fryeburg Maine
Paper copied for Land Agent of Maine Decem 13 1838
Date of death not on A.B.
3247.
Maine Roll
Benjamin Blake, W Capt Benson private. Massachusetts line 3 years In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 7 th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd of Oct r 1818 and sent to Judah Dana Esqr Fryeburg, Maine
  Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1818  39.46    Semi-annual acct ending 4 th Mar 1819  48.00    Arrears 4 Mo 28/30  $87.46  
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued Fryeburg, Maine

Benjamin Blake
Maine Roll.
17 for Jiddah Dana. Esq. Fryeburg, Maine

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Oxford
On this seventh day of April A.D. 1818 before me the undersigned Judge of the Court of Probate in said county & first Associate Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas in the first Eastern Circuit in said Commonwealth personally appeared Benjamin Blake aged fifty three years a resident of Haverfield in said county, who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war." That he, the said Benjamin Blake and served in the war of the revolution on the continental establishment three years, that he enlisted about the last of the year A.D. 1779 in Massachusetts into the company commanded by Capt. Whitmore and served under him for three years and served under him - Captain Benson & Hlodong - & mostly in the fifth Regiment in Massachusetts Line commanded by Col. C. Putnam until December A.D. 1783 - when he was transferred to the first Regiment - and in a company commanded by Capt. & Adjutant Bowles & served in this corps till about Christmas A.D. 1783 and was then discharged at West Point York State - that he has the discharge aforesaid which is hereto annexed & that he is the same person therein named & that from his reduced circumstances in life he stands in need of assistance from his country for support -  Sworn to & declared before me the day & year aforesaid SWAIN DANA JUDGE

I, Judah Dana Judge as aforesaid do certify that from the foregoing Declaration & from the testimo- ny of two credible Witnesses - who testify that they are personally acquainted with sd Benjamin Blake - that they know him as a soldier in the revolutionary war - & one of them testifies that he said Blake served as he in his aforesaid Declaration has stated - & that from his reduced circumstances, he stands in need of assistance from his country for support - It appears to my satisfaction that the said Benjamin Blake did serve in the revolution- ary war, as stated in the preceding Declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months on the continental establishment - & that he is the identical per- son mentioned in the annexed discharge, & that from his reduced circumstances in life he stands in need of assistance from his country for support - & I now have read the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me to the Secretary of the War Department, pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid act of Congress -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court of Probate at Fryebury this sixteenth day of July A D 1818 - Judah Dana Judge

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol ss
I the subscriber Register of the Court of Probate in said county do at Freetown in said county on this twenty fifth day of July A.D. 1818 certify & make known that the Hon. Judah Dana who signed the foregoing certificates is Judge of said Court of Probate & first Associate Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas in the first Eastern Circuit in said Commonwealth & that said instrument is under the Seal of said Probate Court.
Attest Simon Osgood Register of Probate

Benjamin Blake N o 3247.
Shorefield Con
Oct 18

STATE OF MAINE.
Oxford ss. At a circuit Court of Common Pleas begun and holden at Paris within and for the county of Oxford on the fourth Tuesday of July and by adjournment from A. D. 1820. before the Honorable Judah Dana Judge of said Court.
On this 25th day of July in the year above written, personally appeared in open Court, the same having "the power of fine and imprisonment," and being a Court of Record for said county of Oxford Benjamin Blake aged 55 years, resident in Brownfield in said county, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows, viz. as a private in the company commanded by Capt. Whitemore in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Putnam in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the Continental Establishment, as is more particularly mentioned and described in his original declaration, made on the 7th day of April A. D. 1818, and on which said declaration his Certificate of Pension, numbered 3244 was granted. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner 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 18th day of March, 1818: 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; that my occupation and ability to pursue the same, together with the number and other particulars of my family, are in fact and in truth as is particularly described below, also subscribed by me.
Attest Tim: Osgood
Benjamin X Blake mark
Sworn to and declared, on the 25th day of July A. D. 1820.
BEFORE
Judah Dana Judge of said Court.
SCHEDULE of the real and personal estate, (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) belonging to me the subscriber, viz:—
1 Cow, the only property real or personal I possess, Benjamin Blake mark Attest Thomas Blake Clerk.

SCHEDULE of the family residing with me Benjamin Blake who by occupation am a husbandman which I am not able to pursue by reason of  bodily infirmity
   NAMES. AGES. Capacity of each to contribute to their support.     Phebe my wife 53 years subject to fits, unable to do much labour -   Francis son 15 " not in good bodily health   Benjamin " 10 " very sickly, unable to labour   attest. Thomas Clark black his Benjamin Blake mark  
Oxford ss. I Thomas Clark Clerk of the circuit Court of Common Pleas for said county of Oxford do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedules thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Record of the said 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, is twelve dollars and cents. $12.00
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 20th day of July — A. D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty
Thomas Clark } Clerk of the circuit Court of C. P. for said county of Oxford

September 21, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Wallace Blake 30 Union Street Hallowell, Maine
BENJAMIN BLAKE S. 37591 BA-J/MLB
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you state that the Benjamin Blake, whose record you desire, received a pension while a resident of Brownfield, Oxford County, Maine, on his application made April 7, 1818, and that you desire to know if the pension which was due at his death could be obtained now, and what was the date of last payment of pension.
The papers in pension claim, S. 37591, have been examined very carefully and the data given below are found therein.
Benjamin Blake enlisted about the last of the year 1779 in Massachusetts, served as private under Captains Whittmore, Benson and Houdin in Colonel Putnam's 5 th Massachusetts Regiment. In December, 1783, he was transferred to the 1 st Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Captain Bowles, and was discharged December 24, 1783.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 7, 1818, while a resident of Brownfield, Oxford County, Massachusetts (Maine), aged fifty-three years.
In 1820 he was still living in Brownfield, Maine, and referred to his wife, Phebe, aged fifty-three years, and to sons, Francis aged fifteen and Benjamin aged ten years.
There are no further family data on file in the claim and the papers in said claim do not contain the dates of soldier's birth, marriage or death. In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of the person paid, and possibly the date of death of this soldier, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite

the following data:
Benjamin Blake Certificate #3247 Issued October 2, 1818 Rate $8 per month Commenced April 7, 1818 Act March 18, 1818 Maine Agency.
There is now no provision of law under which the descendants of soldiers of the Revolutionary War are entitled to pension in their own right, based upon service in that war, nor under which arrears of such pensions are paid.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Oct 72.
Name.
Ans. Oct 15. 1835.
J. S. [unclear] [unclear] [unclear]
Washington City

Brownfield County of Oxford State of Maine
Octo-5 th
J L Edwards Esq r
Dear Sir, I have to request for B r B r
Blake that you would order the enclosed Pension Certificate & send him a copy of his Discharge from the Army of the Revolution he Blake was of the last 3 years Men
I am not certain that all this is attached to your Department - but as Mr Blake is an old Man & impaired in Mind I hope you will accomidat him & direct the Papers to me -
I accept the esteem of an old soldier
J Howard -

BY REPEALABLE MAJOR-GENERAL KNOX,
Commanding the AMERICAN FORCES on Hudson's
Benjamin Blake Adair in the First Mapchehuf Regiment, being enlisted for Three Years, is hereby honourably DISCHARGED from the Service of the United States.
Given in the State of New York, the twenty fourth Day of Dec r
1783
By [Signature] Command
[Handwritten initials and marks]
REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment,
[Handwritten signatures and marks]
[Handwritten note: 52 in June 1800]

July 19, 1932
BA-J/MLB
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Miss Alica A. Blake 495 Varnum Avenue Lowell, Massachusetts
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the date of death of Benjamin Blake, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of the person paid, and possibly the date of soldier's death, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing the following:
Benjamin Blake, Certificate 3247, issued October 2, 1818, rate $8 per month, commenced April 7, 1818, Act March 18, 1818, Maine Agency.
The data given by you in regard to Edward Blake are not sufficient to enable this office to identify the particular one in whom you are interested, should his record be on file. You should furnish as much as possible of the following data in regard to him and another search will be made in your behalf: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

July 19, 1932
BA-J/MLB
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BENJAMIN BLAKE
S. 37591
Miss Alice A. Blake 495 Varnum Avenue Lowell, Massachusetts
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Benjamin Blake, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 37591, based upon the military service of the only soldier named Benjamin Blake found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
BB He enlisted about the last of the year 1779 in Massachusetts, served as a private under Captains Whittmore, Benson and Houdin in Colonel Putnam's 5 th Massachusetts Regiment. In December, 1783, he was transferred to the 1 st Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Captain Bowles, and was discharged December 24, 1783.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 7, 1818, while a resident of Brownfield, Oxford County, Massachusetts (Maine), and aged fifty-three years.
In 1820 he was still living in Brownfield, Maine, and referred to his wife, Phebe, aged fifty-three years, and to sons, Francis aged fifteen and Benjamin aged ten years.
There are no further family data on file in the claim and the papers in said claim do not contain the dates of soldier's birth, marriage or death. see order to obtain etc
Very truly yours
carbon of rec'd short letter attached
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

30 Union Street Hallowell Maine August 5 1935
United State Pension Office Washington D. C.
Gentlemen:-
I am interested in placing a marker for the grave of Benjamin Blake of Brownfield Maine a Revolutionary War Soldier. At the time of his death I understood there was a balance due from his pension which was never drawn owing to a disagreement among his heirs as to whether it should be divided among the heirs or to be used to purchase a marker for his grave as he desired. His grave is unmarked. My purpose in writing to you is to inquire if this balance can be obtained and to ask the last date on which he drew his pension and how often he drew it.
Here are some of the facts to identify the Benjamin Blake I am interested in Benjamin Blake
Applied for pension 7 day of April 1818 age 53 years. He was living in Brownfield, Oxford County State of Maine then. He received his pension there and died there.
He enlisted in the latter part of 1779 from town of Gorham Cumberland County State of Maine (Massachusetts then), under Captain Samuel Whitemore. He served in New York and was discharged by Major General Henry Knox. Dec. 24, 1783.
Yours Truly Wallace Blake

100-21 100-22

Miss Alice Blake 493 Tarnow Ave. Lowell Mass
Pension Department, Washington, D. C.
Is there any record in the Department which will help to verify the birth, marriage, and death of Benjamin Blake of Brownfield Maine, who served the last four years of the Revolution, enlisting in 1780, from Gorham Maine. Settled in Brownfield about 1812. Dying there at probably 73 years of age.

I know he received a pension. Also, his son more Edward received a grant of land in Michigan for service.
Can you inform what war it was, and where in Michigan the grant is located
Hoping to hear from soon
I am faithfully Miss Alice E Blake 495 Varnum Ave, Lowell Mass

Commission & Pension Washington D. C.
Dear Sir
Can you give me an information in regard to the service of Benjamin Blake who served in the Revolution enlisting in 1780 serving till the close of the war. I think he was a member of Col. Hymans regi- ment of New Hampshire Troops although his home was in Gosham Me. He received a pension I can not find his record in the W. H. roll of return in the public library

address
Miss Alice A. Blake 422 Pawtucket St Lowell Mass

au
37 591
INVALID.
Revg
1907 Nov. 25. Mar. to Alice A. Blake 1932 July 19. Div. to Miss Alice Blake - 66 L B
File No. 37 591
Benjamin Blake
Wid Rev. Mrs
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index: Vol. 2, Page 58
[Arrangement of 1870.]

of Benjamin Blake , 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.     late in 1779 3 yrs. 1st. Whitcomb } Benson } Woodin } Putnam Mass.   transf Dec 1783   dis Dec 24 1783  
Battles engaged in, _____ Residence of soldier at enlistment, _____ Date of application for pension, Apr 7 1818 that claim allowed Residence at date of application, Barnfield, Ct. fr. L. Me. (Mass.) Age at date of application, 53.
Remarks: In 1818 when he was 53, and evidence Francis 15 and Benjamin 10.  The above is the only information regarding Benjamin Blake found in the Rev. War pension records.
Very respectfully,