Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12983, Gamaliel Benediet, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
born.
Benedict, Gamaliel
S. 12983
carded
CONTENTS

Connecticut 7895
Samuel Benedict of Haddam in the State of Conn who was a Dr. Lieut. in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the [blank] line for 12 m. 7 days
Reduced from $90.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars 37 1/2 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of July 31. and due June 5. June - 1832.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 34 $ 252.70 Semi-ant. allowance ending Feb. 35. 40.38- $323.08
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Rice Clerk, Book C Vol. 3 Page 4 CQ " 3 " 5

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss. Danbury.
On this 6 th day of March 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate of S. L. for the District of Danbury, in the said County and State, now sitting at Danbury within said District, the same being a Court of Record, Emanuel Benedict a Resident of the town of Ridgefield in said District, Age seventy two years, who on being first 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.
That on the last of May or first of June in the year 1776, he enlisted as a private soldier, in Colonel Silliman's Regiment of Connecticut State Troops in Captain Emanuel Northrop's Company, of which James Wells then of Norwalk in said County was Lieutenant, and Ebenezer Olmsted of said Ridgefield was Captain—The term of Enlistment was seven Months. That he joined his Company in Ridgefield, on the first of June, and marched to Norwalk aforesaid, and embarked on board a Schooner, and proceeded to New York, where we found the Regiment, and where we remained on duty until the morning of the day that the City of New York was surrendered to the British, when said Regiment was ordered to Harlem, and the Declarant being sick was conveyed to Kingsbridge in said State of New York but in a few days partially recovered his health, and rejoined his Regiment.

at Haverlund Heights - where said detachment encamped for about two weeks  weeks . Thereafter Marched to White Plains - Said Regiment participated in the battle of the Plains, but this detachment was on the sick list at that time, and unfit for duty - he however rejoined the Regiment soon after at North Castle and found in the vicinity of the "Plains", where said Regiment was discharged by said Colonel Tilton on the last of December 1776 or the first of January 1777 - and this declarant returned home, having served under the aforesaid enlist- ment Seven Months.
And he further States that on the first of April in the year 1777, he again enlisted as a private Soldier in a Company of Connecticut State Troops, commanded by Captain Reuben Safford in Colonel Roger Ennis Regiment - that he was enlisted by Job Smith who in the month of June of the same year was appointed Ensign of said Company - that he joined the Regiment at Housatonic in said County where a Military Post was kept during most of the War, commanded sometimes by officers of the State troops at other by officers of the Continental Army - said Regiment was then ordered to March to Puckkeepsie in the State of New York, where it remained for about two Months, when Colonel Ennis, rec d orders, as this declarant believes from Gen. Washington to employ the troops under his command, in repairing the road leading from said Puckkeepsie to Danbury in the State of Connecticut, where were kept a large quantity of Military Stores - this division was ordered, and continued for about two

weeks, when the Regiment returned to Said Hoback. And from there Marched, in Company with a Body of Continental troops to East Chester in the State of New York, where a Slight engagement took place between Said troops and a Body of British troops. The British troops soon fell back within their lines, and the aforesaid troops returned to New Rochelle and thence to a place called Mamaroneck where this declarant believes they were encamped for about two Months, and then returned to Said Hoback, where this declarant rem- ained on duty until the period of his enlist- ment had expired, viz first of January 1778, when he was honorably discharged - having served under Said enlistment the term of nine Months -

also served. (2) 1 1 1 And this declarant further states that on or about the first of March 1780 - he entered the service as a Substitute for Samuel Fairbank, in Captain Ipe Bell's Company, of the State Guard, and served in Norwalk in said Fairfield County two months - and was then discharged.
And this declarant further states, that about the first of May 1780, he enlisted as a Sergeant for Nine Months, and performed duty as such in a Company, under the command of Captain David Olmsted, in Colonel Beebe's Regiment of the Connecticut State Troops - that said Troops were stationed at Norwalk and Kingstreet in Greenwich in said Fairfield County and afterward marched to Stamford in said Fairfield County, and were employed in guarding the coast until the expiration of the period of his enlistment, when at said Stamford he was discharged, verbally.
And this declarant further states that in the year 1779, previous to the service last above mentioned, that the Company of Militia to which this declarant belonged was called on a tour of duty, and this declarant accompanied the same under the command of Captain David Olmsted, to Greenpond, Pehpkille, Fishkill Gregorys Parish, and Morrisons Ford (now Patterson) all in the State of New York, and that he was on duty at those places, as a private half a month, in June - and was verbally discharged - and further that he was called out in the month of July in the same year and in the same Company, as a private.

Soldier, and performed a term of duty at Poundridge in the State of New York, and at Fairfield and Norwalk in the State of Connecticut, and was at the latter places about the time that they were destroyed by the Enemy, making a term of Service half a Month, extremely Arduous -
This Declarant States that he was born at Ridgefield in said County of Fairfield on the 9th day of November 1760. That he has a record of his Age in the family Bible and believes the time of his birth is recorded in the public records of said Town of Ridgefield That he resided at said Ridgefield at the several periods in which he entered the Service as aforesaid. That he has resided in said Town Subsequent to the War of the Revolution and still resides in the same place -
He the said Gamaliel Benedict 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 -
The said Gamaliel Benedict being examined is be not with the said Regiment commanded by Colonel Lillien, upon Dolan Island, and was engaged in the Battle of Hart's Creek. but he was sick at the time and in the Hospital - and that he was dismissed with the said Regiment at said North Castle as aforesaid on the 28th day of December 1776 -

The said Gamaliel Benedict 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. Attest  Edward Taylor Clerk  Gamaliel Benedict
We, Nathan Burton a clergyman, residing in the town of Ridgefield and Thomas Wilson residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Gamaliel Benedict who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty, two 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.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Attest  Edward Taylor Clerk  Nathan Burton Thomas Wilson
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Nathan Burton who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Ridgefield and that Thomas Wilson who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Ridgefield and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest  Edward Taylor Clerk
I, Edward Taylor Clerk of the Court of Requests for the District of Washington do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Gamaliel Benedict for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my said Office, this 6 th day of March 1832.
Attest - Edward Taylor Clerk

23/82 Gamaliel Benedict At.
10/7/82
Admitted 9 mo Sargam 19 " Private 24 1 term only 6 m o 9 2 d 6 m o 7 days by rolls See letter 6 Aug th to claimant 6. 8 m o 1 st Serg c in Bee bee
Edward Taylor Esq Danbury At.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Samuel Benedict. Ingraham Ct.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     First enlistment 76 On 5th Inf'ty x 7 — pr. Capt. O'Fallon Col. Sullivan A. W.? 72 Ridgefield Ct. Trad'y Kentucky as to 12/4 & 5/5/32   1st April '77 x 9 — " " Troop C " Enrs. " "   Sub. enlistment 80 2 — " " Bell   Sub. enlistment 80 x 9 — Sergt. " Olmsted " Burbis   + + - '79 x 1 two days pr " "  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

June 12, 1901 Chas. G. Phelps Wallingford Conn.
Reshawn
✓ 12.983 INVALID.
File No. 12.983
Gamaliel Benedict 2 nd Ser th Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Connecticut 9895
Gamaliel Benedict
of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut who was a Sergeant etc. in the Corps commanded by Captain [illegible] of the [illegible] - commanded by Col. [illegible] in the [illegible]
time for 9 months [illegible] 19 [illegible]
$80.77
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of [illegible] Dollars per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1832.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of June 1832 to Mrs. S. [illegible] E. [illegible]
Arrears to the 14th of March $180 Semi-annual allowance ending 11 Sep 32 45
$225
Revolutionary Claim, $ Not June 7, 1832. E. Dike Clerk, Page 4
Recorded by Book E. Vol. 3
Day, September 20 day 1832 Cashed rec'd of lot premium 600 1832 at 3-4% 183 4. Premium. lot No. 8. near by 17 Dec 1834

I Matthew Ruler of Ridgefield in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut Aged Seventy One year, do depose and say, That I am well acquainted with Benedict Benedict of said Ridgefield, and know that said Benedict was on a tour of Militia duty in the year 1779 in the Month of June, at Greenpond, Puckkill, Fishkill Gregory's Parish, and Morrisons Store, now Patten in the State of New York, in a Company comman- ded by Captain David Olsted, that he was on duty as above for the space of half a Month, and further that I was well knowing to said him  Benedict being, in the Month of July in the same year, and in the same Company of Militia, on a tour of duty at Poundridge in the State of New York, and at Fairfield and Norwalk in Connecticut , at the conflagration of those towns by the British Troops in said July, that the above service occupied a period of half a Month, and was very tedious and arduous duty.
Matthew Ruler
State of Connecticut
Fairfield County
ss. Ridgefield July 13. 1832
On the day and year above mentioned personally appeared before me a justice of the Peace for said County, Matthew Ruler, known to me to be the same person who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition, and who sub- tains a fair character for truth and veracity, and made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Harvey Smith Justice of Peace
July 13 -

August 3 d 1832 Sworn & subscribed in open court and the said board of Probate certifies that the deponent sustains a good character for truth & is a credible witness Attest Edward Gaylord Clerk

I Joel Merchant of Redding in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut Age Twenty years, after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am well acquainted with Gamaliel Benedict of Ridgefield in said County, and know that in the year 1780, the said Benedict was in the service of the United States in a Company, under the command of David Rootes in Colonel Buel's Regiment of the Connecticut State Troops, that the said Benedict was a Sergeant in said Company - and done duty as such - this deponent was in service in the said Regiment in a Company commanded by Captain Jabez Bell and frequently saw the said Benedict, that the period of enlistment as the deponent verily believes was for Nine Months, that the troops were stationed at Norristown and Kingstreet in the State of Connecticut, and afterward Marched to Stamford in said State, and were employed in guarding the Coast, and the period of his enlistment having expired he was discharged at Stamford aforesaid - Joel Merchant
State of Connecticut Fairfield County } S. Ridgefield July 17. 1832 On the day and year above written personally appeared Joel Merchant who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition, and also to me known as a person of trust and veracity, and made solemn affirmation to the truth of the truth of the same
Before me Harvey Smith Justice of July 17 - the Peace for Fairfield County

Am. S. Tweedy

State of Connecticut, Fairfield County ss
Y. Gamaliel Benedict of the said in the said County being duly sworn do hereby depose and say, that when he enlisted in Col. Beebe's Regiment of Connecticut State Troops in the spring of the year 1780, it was agreed between Lieutenant Ezra Benedict who was an Officer in Captain Benedict's Company, and this Respondent, that he should have the rank and office of a sergeant in the said service. That he proceeded to Hartford where he stated in his original declaration, that there entered the service and assumed as a sergeant. That Col. Beebe had not then arrived, and did not arrive until several weeks afterwards. That within a few days after his arrival at said place, the said Colonel Beebe issued and tendered to him the following warrants to all the non-commissioned officers of the Regiment - and among others to this Respondent - the same being which this Respondent received conferred on him the rank and office of sergeant in said Regiment, said service indicated by said Colonel Beebe - and here date

About the time of the arrival of said Colonel Beebe at Gardner ... as aforesaid, but the particular day of its date, this deponent does not recollect.
This Deponent brought the said document to his home after the term of his enlistment had expired, and deposited it in his chest where he kept it for many years - and he well recollects seeing it repeatedly for several years afterwards in the said chest - But for the last fifteen or twenty years he has not seen it - and he has made diligent search for it among all his papers, but cannot find it - and does not now know what has become of it -
Sworn before me this Gamaliel Benedict 10 th day of February 1834. and certifying that the said Gamaliel Benedict is a man of good character for truth -
Deacon Court Justice of Peace

I Matthew Olmsted of Ridgefield in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged Seventy two years, being duly sworn do depose and say, that I am well acquainted with Gamaliel Benedict of said Ridgefield that I am well knowing to him (the said Benedict being on service in the City of New York in the year 1776- in Captain Gamaliel Northrop's Company, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Lilliman, Connecticut State Troops that in the month of August I saw him in the Hospital, he being at that time very sick, the precise period of time which the said Benedict then served I do not know, as I the said Deponent, belonged to another Company, that the said Benedict was a private soldier in said Company, and so far as my knowledge of him extended he was a faithful and valiant soldier. Matthew Olmsted
State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss. Ridgefield 13. July 1832
On the day and year above written personally appeared before the subscribers, a Justice of the Peace for said County, Matthew Olmsted, known to me to be the same person who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition, and also known to be a person of truth and veracity, and made solemn Oath to the truth of the same
Harry Smith Justice of Peace
July 13

August 3 d 1832 Sworn & Subscribed in open court & the said Court of Probate certifies that the Deponent sustains a good character for truth & is a credible witness
Attest Edward Sayre Clerk

I Francis Smith of Ridgefield in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged Twenty years, being duly sworn do depose and say, that I am well acquainted with Emmanuel Benedict of said Ridgefield that said Benedict enlisted in the Spring of the year 1780 into Captain David Cramsted's Company in the Regiment commanded by Col. Beebe of the Connecticut State troops. That he served as a Sergeant in said Company, at Horsneck on the lines at White Plains and other places in that vicinity, the full period of Nine Months, that he faithfully performed said service, and was honorably discharged at Stamford in said State of Connecticut by said Colonel Beebe Francis Smith
State of Connecticut } Fairfield County } Ridgefield July 13, 1832
On the day and year above written personally appeared before the Subscribers a Justice of the Peace for said County, Francis Smith known to me to be the same person who hath subscribed the foregoing Repetition and known also to me to be a person of truth and veracity and made solemn Oath to the truth of the same
Harvey Smith Justice of Peace
July 13.

August 3 d 1882 Sworn & subscribed in open court & the said Court of Probate certifies that the Deponent sustains a good character for truth & is a credible witness.
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk

I Phineas Taylor of Danbury in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut aged Seventy two years being duly sworn do depose and say That I am well acquainted with Gamaliel Benedict of Ridgefield in said County who hath applied for a Pension, and that about the 10 th of April 1777 said Benedict enlisted as a private Soldier in the Regiment of Connecticut State Troops commanded by Colonel Eno, in the company commanded by Captain Seaford, for the term of nine months and was discharged on the 1 st of January 1778, said Benedict served the whole of said term, in said company - I enlisted in the same company and Regiment with him, & served the same time, and am well knowing to his serving as above stated Phineas Taylor
January 14 th 1883 Sworn & subscribed in open court, and the said board of Probate certifies that the Deponent sustains a good character for truth and is a credible witness Attest Edward Taylor Clerk

I Whittable Dunning of Bridgfield in the County of Fairfield and State of Con- -necticut aged Seventy years being duly sworn upon and say That I well rem- -ember that in the year 1776 my brother Gamaliel Benedict enlisted under Captain Gamaliel Northrop and went with his Company as this Deponent believes to New York and was absent from home six or seven months as this Deponent then and now understands believes and was performing service in said Company for said period of time — Mr Whittable F Dunning mark
Fairfield County ss Bridgfield — Oct. 20 th 1832
Be it remembered that on the 20 th day of Oct. 1832 personally appeared Whittable Dun- -ning to me personally known, and belie- -ved to be a woman of truth and made oath to the truth of the facts stated in the above deposition by her subscribed
before me J. S. Bradley Justice of Peace

I Ezra Benedict of Bridgfield in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged sixty nine years being first duly sworn accor- ding to law depose and say, That I well remember that in the Spring of the year 1776 my Brother Gamaliel Benedict enlisted under Captain Gamaliel Northrop to go to New York and actually left home and did not return until late in the fall or the early part of the winter, being about six or seven months, and as this deponent believes, was perform- -ing duty under said Captain Northrop during said time -
Ezra Benedict
State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } Bridgfield Oct. 20 th 1882 Be it remembered that on the day and year above written personally appeared Ezra Benedict, to me well known and believed to be a man of truth and made oath to the facts stated in the foregoing deposition by him subscribed -
before me J. S. Bradley Justice of Peace

We the undersigned Inhabitants of the Town of Ridgefield in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, do hereby certify and declare, that we are well and personally acquainted with Gamaliel Benedict of said Ridgefield, who hath applied for a pension for Revolutionary services, and have been so acquainted with him for many years, that he has ever main- tained and still sustains a good character for truth and integrity. That we have this day heard read his declaration made before the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury for the purpose of obtaining a pension, and from our confidence in him as a man of integrity and truth we fully believe he knows as he has therein stated —
Samuel Stebbins
Uriah D'Forest
Joseph Gray
Dea. Wilber
Messrs. Lynde
Philip Keeler
Samuel Smith
August 3 d 1832 Sworn & subscribed in open court and the said Court of Probate being personally acquainted with the above named Deponents who are all residents of the Town of Ridgefield certifies that they sustain good character for truth and are credible witnesses
Attest Edward Taylor clerk

State of Connecticut } Fairfield County } ss. I Thomas B. Osborne Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Fairfield in said State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Harvey Smith Esq whose own proper signatures known to me to be genuine are annexed to the foregoing Certificates of the Depositions of Matthew Reece, Joel Marchant, Matthew Bluested and Hannah Smith, is now & for more than one year last past has been a Justice of the Peace for s d County duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths & take Depositions &c. I further certify that Jesse S. Bradley Esq whose own proper signatures known to me to be genuine are annexed to the Certificates on the foregoing Depositions of Mehitable Dunning & Ezra Benedict, is now & for more than one year last past has been a Justice of the Peace for s d County duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths & take Depositions. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my name & affixed the Seal of s d County Court in Fairfield this 12 th day of February A.D. 1833 Thomas B. Osborne Clerk of said County Court
Please direct to Edwin J. Taylor Esq Danbury Conn

Ridgefield August 18 th 1834
James L. Edwards Esq — Sir
I have lately received yours of the 6 th of August and in compliance with your orders herewith return my Pension book & certificate. It is not my business that after the lapse of so many years a mistake should have been made relative to the term of service in Col Ennis Reg t . and I find many respectable gentlemen who belonged to that Corps have fallen into the same error. — I do not fully understand the import of the following clause in your letter.
"From your statement of service in Col. Beebe's Regiment in 1780 it is probable that your account for the usual evidence of that rank and explain how it happened that you remained in service after the period

"had depended for which the corps was raised." As I was discharged with the entire Regiment, I did not intend to claim for a longer term of service than than the other officers & soldiers of the Regiment might claim. And am at a loss to know to understand the claim in question, unless it may have happened that I have fallen into a mistake as to dates.
Will you please write me more fully on this point, and any explanation in my power shall be immediately transmitted to you.
I am Respectfully Your obedt Servt Gamaliel Smith

S. P. Bousfield
9895
ct
Wm. S. Woodby

I Joel Merchant of the town of Redding County of Fairfield State of Connecticut Being now Seventy two Years Old having long  Generally resided in said Redding up to the Present time Do Depose and certify that I enlisted into Captain Jesse Bell's Company Col. Beebe's Regiment, State Troops of Connecticut on the first Monday of May 1780 and marched and joined the Regiment immediately at what was called Horse neck, in said Fairfield County and that Capt David Crompton's Company of Ridgefield of said County was on the ground when my Capt Bell's Company arrived, in a short time after I became acquainted with Gamelid Benedict of Ridgefield in said County and was knowing to his doing and holding the Ranch and performing the office of Sergeant till our discharge on the following December the thirty first Day. and further advise I frequently saw the above said Benedict at the head of his platoon or commanding the guard, and have been acquainted with the above said Benedict from that time to the present,
and further more Deponent saith and Testes at Redding this 20 th Day of November 1854 Joel Merchant
County of Fairfield ss Redding 20 th Decr. 1854 Be it remembered that on the Day aforesaid Joel Merchant, who has described the foregoing deposition affirmed before me and after being examined and cautioned to speak the whole truth, did solemnly affirm to the truth of the same deposition, before me, Gamaliel & Benedict Justices of Peace.
I would certify that Joel Merchant is in the full exercise of his mental faculties and that he is not entitled to full credit as to truth and veracity.
Gamaliel & Benedict Justices of Peace

State of Connecticut } ss Fairfield County }
I Thomas Bloorne Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Gamaliel N. Benedict Esquire whose own proper signatures known to me to be genuine are annexed to the Certificate on the other side hereof, is now and was on the 20 th day of Instant November a Justice of the Peace in & for said Fairfield County duly commissioned and duly authorized to administer oaths and take Depositions &c. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 22 nd day of November A D 1834.
Thomas Bloorne Clerk

Payments to be made at Hartford Cont. by Pres. U. Br: B. R. Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of
Connecticut
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E, Vol. 3 Page 4. by G. E. Hiles Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Gamaliel Benedict of the State of Connecticut who was a Sergeant in the Revolutionary Army
is entitled to receive Ninety dollars and  cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this 24 day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty- three
John B. M c Kim Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

G. Baudet

Thomas Mead of Ridgefield Fairfield County State of Connecticut Being now seventy years old having always lived in said Ridgefield Having known Gamaliel Benedict of said Ridgefield from his youth up to the present time do depose and certify that I enlisted into Captain David Olmsted's company Col Beebe's Regiment State Troops of Connecticut, the first of April A.D. 1780 that on or about the first day of May following I was ordered by Capt Olmsted to March to what was called the lines at Horse neck in said Fairfield County and that in a few days after my arriving at said Station, Gamaliel Benedict aforesaid arrived and joined our company as a Serjeant and held that Rank & perform the Office of Serjeant till our discharge on the following December the thirty first day and further more I was frequently detached in a Serjeant's guard under said Benedict's command while in that Campaign - & further more that Col Beebe did not arrive and his Regiment was not fully formed till some three or four weeks after our arriving at said Station being about the first June 1780 - and further more I know not -
Dated at Ridgefield this 7 th Oct 1834 Thomas Mead
County of Fairfield ss Ridgefield 7 th of Oct A.D. 1834 Be it remembered that on the day aforesaid Thomas Mead who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition appeared before me and after being examined and cautioned to speak the whole truth made solemn Oath to the same deposition - Before me Hzechieh Scott Justice of Peace
I would hereby certify that Thomas Mead is in the full exercise of his mental faculties and that he is entitled to full credit as to truth & veracity Hzechieh Scott Justice of Peace
Attest Hzechieh Scott Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut } Fairfield County }
I Thomas B. Osborne Clerk of the County Court within & for s d County of Fairfield in s d State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that Horekiah Scott Esquire is now & was on the 7 th day of October last a Justice of the Peace in s d County duly commissioned & duly authorised to administer oaths & take Depositions.
I further certify that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the s d Horekiah Scott Esq r & that I verily believe that the signatures to the Certificates on the other side hereof purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 22 nd day of November
A 1834
Thomas B. Osborne Clerk

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Benedict, George GRADE Private "in Proctor's artillery" LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 9056 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED July 9, 1789 to not shown
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.