Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 41435, Reuben Benson, Continental (Penn.)

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental (Penn.)
Benson, Reuben
S 41435
B.L.W. 1045-100
CPG residence in 1820
CONTENTS

15,918 R North Carolina
Reuben Benson
of Guilford in the state of North Carolina who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Proctor of the Pennsylvania line, for the term of 6 years
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 27 of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 of Nov 1819 and sent to Thomas Ruffin Hillsborough N.C.
Arrears to 4th of Septm 1819 122.30 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 March 1820 48
15 3/4 30
$ 170:35
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued
He received July 1st 1819 for the sum of 15 3/4 30 and 15 3/4 30 for the sum of 15 3/4 30

Schedule
Two old wheels one Reel and one pair of chards the wheels & rees have been in use more than 20 years
Two old boxes
Four old chairs somewhat broken
One Small Iron pot & one Skellet
One old teakettle
One old washing tub & pail
Two old meal tubs
Six  eighteen plates four knives & forks
Four old spoons two earthen crocks & a dish
one cow & calf
one pig and axe
Three cups & saucers five small pewter spoons
Debts Owing to me trust ————— $5.00
Debts oweing to me to be paid in clothes and provision $53.90 in which has paid for  53.90
Debts due from me pension had also a Lease on a cabbins & small old field for about six years } $78
Total amount adjudged by Court is
My trade or occupation is that of making shoes and I am so Infirm and weakly as not to earn half my own living —
I have beside myself three in family, to wit, Ann Benson my daughter twenty five years old who is destitute of
Education and can only chard and spin — Rebe Benson my daughter twenty two years old has been sick much
of her time and almost constantly so for six months past has never contributed but very little to her own
or my support — Jane Benson the child of my above named eldest daughter Ann Benson, three years old & of course dependant for her support
Reuben Benson (Sgd)
Sworn to and declared on the twenty third day of october in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred & twenty, before
In open Court — Test. Tho. Calandrelli

State of North Carolina } Guilford County }
page 4 I Thomas Caldwell clerk of the Superior Court of Law
for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath and the schedule thereto Annexed are truly copied from the Record of said Court
And I do further certify that it is the Opinion of said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the afore said schedule is - Twenty Eight Dollars  $78. after the deduction of debts as stated above
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Affixed the seal of said Court this the twenty third day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred & twenty
Test.
Thos Caldwell Clerk
for
for
Ruben Benson
Guilford Superior Court
Act 1820
Brought into Court
No 15948, resides in Guilford Co.
Mar 20
Con.
J.L.E.
Ruben Benson's pension certificate is numbered 15948.
I further certify that the within name Ruben Benson is a resident of Guilford County and State of North Carolina Thos Caldwell Clerk

State of South Carolina } Guilford County }
Superior Court of Law Oct. Term 1821
On this twenty third day of October Eighteen hundred twenty personally appeared in Open Court being a Court of Record for the County and State aforesaid Reuben Benson aged sixty two years, who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the Acts of Congress of the eighteenth of March Eighteen hundred & eighteen and of the first of March Eighteen hundred & twenty, That he the said Reuben Benson Enlisted for the term of during the war, on the thirtieth day of May in the year seventeen hundred & seventy seven in the State of Pennsylvania in the Company Commanded by Capt. Andrew Porter in the fourth Regiment of Artillery commanded first by Thomas Procter and afterward by Andrew Porter in the line of the State of Pennsylvania on the Continental establishment, that he continued to serve in the corps until the sixth day of October in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three when he was discharged from the said service in Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania
That he was in the battles of Brandywine Germantown, Monmouth in New Jersey and one battle against the Seneca Indians in Sullivan's Expedition and that he has no other Evidence now in his power of his said services except what is herein set forth.

-1045
Reuben Benson Private Pennsylvania Artillery
Lucas D. Bell Esq. Warrant J. P. Colley H.B. 4. 1872
Hon: R. M. Sanders

1077. 522.
State of North Carolina County of Guilford
I, Ruben Benfon — — — aged Sixty Three years, a citizen of the United States, do, upon oath, testify and declare, that, in the year one thousand seven hundred and Seventy Seven I enlisted in the army of the Revolution, against the common enemy of my country, for the term of " during the war ," and served in the company commanded by Andrew Porter — — — and in the regiment No. four — — — artillery under command of Colonel Proctor — — — of the Pensylvania — line; and that I continued in the service aforesaid until the close of the war, in seventeen hundred and eighty-three, when I was regularly discharged from the fourth — — — regiment, commanded by Colonel Andrew Porter — — —
My discharge is now lost or mislaid, so that I cannot produce it to corroborate the above statement. I further declare, that I have never received a warrant for the Bounty Land promised to me on the part of the United States; nor have I ever assign- ed or transferred my claim to that gratuity in any manner whatsoever: therefore, Know all men by these presents, that I, Ruben Benfon — aforesaid, do hereby constitute and appoint Romulus M Saunders of the county of Gafnell — and state of North Carolina to be my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States, or of such other person as is duly authorised to issue and deliver the same, a warrant for the quantity of Land due to me as aforesaid, and to sign a receipt or acquittance therefor; and my said attorney is hereby fully authorised and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him, for the special purposes above expressed.
Attest, Isaac Odell J.P.
Ruben Benfon
I, John Benfon — aged Seventy Eight years, a citizen of the United States, do, upon oath, declare, that I have been long acquainted with Ruben Benfon — who has subscribed the above declaration in my presence, and well know that he is the identical person he therein represents himself to be; and, further, I know that he did perform the mi- litary service therein stated.
Attest, Isaac Odell J.P.
John Benfon Mark
Before me, Isaac Odell — — — Ruben Benfon personally appeared the above named subscriber to the foregoing declaration, and in my presence acknowledged the power of attorney thereto subjoined to be his free act and deed; and, likewise, personally appeared John Benfon — who hath subscribed the above certificate of identity, both to me well known to be men of respectability and truth, and made solemn oath to the truth of the depositions by them respectively subscribed, this Twenty Second day of April — 18 22
Isaac Odell Justice of the Peace.
In testimony that the above written Isaac Odell Esqr. was a magistrate authorised to administer oaths, and take acknowledgments, &c. in the state of N o Carolina Guilford County at the above date, and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have hereunto affixed the county seal, and subscribed my name and quality, at office — this 23 o day of April — 18 22
M c Hanner C. Clerk, &c.

John Benson States that he Enlisted In the year Seventeen Seven hundred & Seventy five In the State of pensylvania In the Company Commanded by John Atkinson In the Seventh Regiment of Infantry under the Command of Col Jowin afterwards a General - April 22 d 1872 Isaac Dell
Reuben Benson of the Pennsylvania Artillery - His Gid - No 1045

Isaac Clegg
all. Richard Denson's claim
Wt. privy up?
See the am't annu?
May 27 1828
Wt 1045-16-12

Washington, Bounty Land Office 27 May 1828
Mr. Isaac Codd James Town No. 6. Car.
Sir
Your letter to Mr. Hagner inquiring whether your acceptance from the United States of a grant for the bounty land of Reuben Bensen, a soldier of Penna. in the revolutionary war, would preclude him from obtaining a grant of the $300 granted him by an act of the Penn a . legislature has been referred by Mr. Hagner to this office. I can inform you that land warrant No. 1045 issued on the 4 th May 1822 to Reuben Bensen for his United States bounty land, but to answer my own the question does not belong to United States functionaries, but to those of Penna. I should think however it could not be any bar to the receipt of the money - but that he was as much entitled to it as if he had got no land from the United States

Jamestown N.E. 21 May 28
Isaac Addell
Recd 27.
Am? Sunday
Respectfully referred to the Secretary of War
24 May 1868
Gunsbrook May 21 st 68
John Haggins Esq. 3 rd Auditor Washington City

James Town N.C. May 21 st 1808
Mr Peter Hagner
In A letter was received by Grace C. Underhall, from Rev John Watson informing him that he had an instru- mental in procuring an act of the Legis- lature of Pennsylvania, allowing Richard Mason three hundred dollars, in lieu of his County Lands. Who had belonged to the Pennsylvania line. You no doubt recollect that when I was in Washington City I obtained a Grant for his land in 1821. You will be so good as to inform me, whether my having received the Grant would prevent him from being entitled to the money. You will please inform me on the subject as soon as practicable.
Very Respectfully
Yours &c
Isaac Odell
Ms. A. 9. 2. 10. 45. - A. 9. 2. 10. 45.

41435
INVALID.
Rev
File No. 41435
Henry Benson
Rev Rev
Act: 18 March 18
Index:—Vol. 8, Page 8
[Arrangement of 1870.]

N Carolina 27 th May 1818-
Reuben Bensen, Guilford N.C.
Private-
Enl d 30 th May 1777 for the Wars
4 th Reg. U.S. Artillery
Col d Geo. Proctor
Served till August 1783-
Service of
Judge certificate of indigent circumstances on marriage.

State of North Carolina
On the twenty seventh day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Superior Courts of Law and Courts of Equity for the State aforesaid personally appeared Reuben Benson aged sixty years resident in the County of Guilford in the same State 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 and naval service of the United States during the Revolutionary War that he the said Reuben Benson enlisted in the County of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania on the thirtieth day of May in the year 1777 during the war by Capt Andrew Porter in the fourth Regiment of United States Artillery on the Continental establishment commanded by Col. Thomas Procter that he continued to serve in the said corps or in the service of the United States until October in the year 1783 when he was discharged from said service in the City of Philadelphia, that he was at the battles of Germantown Brandywine and Monmouth, that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support that he not now in his power any other evidence to prove the truth of the facts herein set forth than that hereunto subscribed -
Subscribed to the 28th day of May 188 at Orange County
Reuben Benson
Thomas Ruffin Clerk

North-Carolina -
I Joseph John Daniel one of the Judges of the Superior Courts of Law & Courts of Equity for said State do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Ruben Brison did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration for the term of nine months, & upwards on the Continental Establishment against the common enemy, & also from his said declaration & the evidence Hugh Haley, Nathan Mendenhall & David Brant appear to me read that said Ruben Brison is in indigent circumstances & very poor & needs the assistance of his country for support. And now transmit the proceedings & testimonies in & had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the Act of Congress in such case made & provided. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Superior Court at Leno for Guilford County to be affirmed - the same being a Court in which I preside as Judge. Done at Guilford County this 27 th day of October A D 1879. -
J. J. Daniel
Joseph John Daniel Seal

North Carolina
Nathan Mendenhall (being a member of the society called Friends) being so firmly affirmed according to the laws of said state, deponeth & saith that he is well acquainted with Reuben Branson of Guilford County in said state, that he hath been for many years, & is now with his circumstances & situation in life, & that said Reuben hath not worth by substance or effects to the value of fifty dollars within the knowledge of this deponent & indeed he hath no property, excepting a little household stuff & is a pauper & dependent on the charity of his neighborhood.
Subscribed & sworn  affirmed to before me J. J. Daniel Esq. one of the Judges of the Superior Courts of Law for North Carolina, at Guilford County on the 27 th day of Oct r 1829.
J. J. Daniel J. J. G.
North Carolina
David Beard also saith that he hath lived near to the above named Reuben Branson & been well acquainted with him & his circumstances for about thirty years past, that said Reuben is & has long been a very poor man, that he hath not in any Estate the value of fifty dollars, that he receives the voluntary contributions of his neighborhood by way of support & is dependent thereon for his living, as he is now very old & infirm & unable to labor.
Subscribed & affirmed to before me J. J. Daniel Esq. one of the Judges of the Superior Courts of Law for North Carolina, at Guilford County, on 27 th day of October 1829. J. J. G.
David Beard

State of North Carolina
Hugh Early now at Apopka near one of the Springs for said State that he has been acquainted with Reuben Burson for 28 years: that they lived together in this Revolutionary Army and that he still believes that the above statements of said Burson is true
Hugh Early
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 28 th of July 1818
Thomas Ruffin
North Carolina
I Thomas Ruffin one of the Judges of the Superior Courts of Law & Courts of Equity as aforesaid do hereby certify, that it appears by said affidavit that the said Reuben Burson did serve in the revolution- ary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, for the term of nine months & upwards on the continental establishment against the common enemy: And I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me, to the Secretary for the War Department pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid act of Congress. In testimony where- of I have hereunto put my hand & caused the seal of the Superior Court of Law for Orange County to be affixed the same being a court in which I preside as Judge. May 28 th A.D. 1818, at Orange aforesaid.
Thomas Ruffin

Greensboro 846 June 6-
recd 13th June 1821.
M. C.
The honorable
John C. Calhoun
Washington City
Free
Ms. A. 1. 1 v. 10 p. 100
1821
all returned
mail

Greensboro Guilford County, North Carolina
June 2, nd AD 1821
The hon. S. C. Calhoun,
Dear Sir
I take the liberty of enclosing to you The declaration of Reuben Benson as filed and spread out upon the Records of Guilford Sup. Court, and which was left in the care of Mr Caldwell the clerk to send on during the Session of Congress to Mr Thomas Settle the Member from this district, and which the clerk neglected. This I mention to explain the Reason of its not going on sooner after being filed
Permit me to mention that I have been well acquainted with Reuben Benson for twenty years and know that he has been supported principally by the bounty of or rather charity of his Neighbors for several years before he recd his pension the Number of which is on the enclosed paper - and that nearly the whole of his little estate contained in his Schedule accrued in consequence of the pension he recd
His honesty is unquestionable, his poverty is in the extreme, he is an object of pity -
Very Respectfully I have the Honor to be Yours &c -
Geo. B. Mendenhall

Edison Nov 8
Free
The Secretary for the War Department Washington City
Dec 2 can

Hillsborough N.C. Novem. 2 nd 1819
Sir
The enclosed Declaration of Ruben Benson was received by me some months ago; it having been returned by the War Department for my Certificate of the Indigent Circumstances of the applicant, as affixed by the Indorsement. It should have returned to you earlier, but that I no longer exercise judicial functions & had to await the coming of a Judge upon the Circuit. It will be perceived, that affidavits proving poverty have now been taken & the proper Certificate of the Judge superadded. Which, I suppose, will place the application upon such a footing as will ensure the allowance of it. — Should the pension be granted, it will oblige R. Benson, if the Certificate of it be forwarded to me at this place. —
I have the honor to be,
Yours obedt. Servt. Thomas Ruffin
The Secretary for the Department of War Washington City