Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 43393, Benjamin Cornwell, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
NUMBER Cornwell, Benjamin S. 43393
CONTENTS

11.966 R New York
Benjamin Cornwell
of Ithaca in the state of New York who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Meigs of the Connecticut line, for the term of Three Years
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 19 th of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 of June 1819 and sent to Miles Dunbar Esq. Ithaca New York
Arrears to 4th of Mar. 1819 76.38 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Sep. 1819. 48.00 9 Mo. 17 31 $124.38
copies of deeds returned for seal. { Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. } 14 June 1823.
Discontinued See letter to Miss D. ... a Wood-Cortland village
Application sent June 19 th 1821. to William D. ... Esq. ...

State of New York
Cortland County ss-
On this nineteenth day of February eighteen hundred & eighteen before me the sub- scribed one of the Judges of the Court of Com- mon Pleas for the said County personally appeared Benjamin Cornwall of Tunkton in said County aged fifty nine who being by me first duly sworn according to law oath on his oath makes 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 services of the United States in the Revolutionary War" That he the said Benjamin Cornwall enlisted in Middletown in the State of Connecticut in April nineteen hundred & Seventy Eight for three years in the Connecticut Line in the Company commanded by Captain Eliza Ely - Col. of Meigs Regiment - That he continued to serve in the said Corps & in the army of the United States against the common Enemy until about the first of March 1781 when he was honora- -bly discharged from service in the Highlands in the State of New York - that he belonged to a regiment of Rangers & almost always posted on the lines & was in no general engagement - but in frequent & repeated skirmishes with the enemies out posts etc. That he is now a resident Citizen of the United States - that he relinquishes all Claim to a pension sent by the act aforesaid.

said - & that he is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of assistance of his country for support. That he has lost his discharge & that he has no other evidence now in his power of his services - Benjamin Cornwell
I seem to a similar testimony the above & year aforesaid.
John Miller
I John Miller Judge do as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Benjamin Cornwell did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the for- -citing declaration against the common enemy & I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid act of Congress -
May 18 th 1818 -
John Miller

Clerks Office Cortland County, Nov. 12.
I hereby certify that John Miller Esquire whose signature appears to the within and before whom the within aff d was made is now & has been for three years within to this time a judge of the Court of Common Pleas for said County and to be regarded as such, & also that I am well acquainted with the hand with the hand writing of the said Miller and do believe his name thereunto affixed to be his own proper hand writing
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said County to be hereunto affixed this 12 th day of Nov 1819
Sam l G. Hoschke R. D. Clerk

Benjamin Connells
Deputy
private, Colonel Meigs Regt Connecticut line 1778-3 years
Correct by me
Admitted

Benjamin Cornwell & Pension Fund
11964
Not up to
Atkins J.E.E.

State of New York Cortland County
On the twenty sixth Day of December 1820 personally appeared in open Court in the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Cortland being a Court of Record proceeding according to the Course of the Common Law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount and refusing a record of their proceedings - Benjamin Converse aged fifty one years resident in Tipton 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 - He enlisted at Synne in the State of Connecticut about the first of April 1777 into the Company Commanded by Captain Elisha Pyle in the Regiment Commanded at that time by Colonel Dimmon and afterwards by Colonel Jonathan Mearns in the Connecticut line on the Connecticut line on the Continental establishment for the term of nine months and continued to serve in said Corps until the first Day of January 1778 when he was honorably discharged at White Plains in the State of New York - About the first Day of April in the same year he again enlisted in the same Company & Regiment for three years at Middletown in the State of Connecticut and regularly served in the said Corps on the Continental establishment until about the first of March 1781 when he was honorably discharged near the Highlands in the State of New York, that he was engaged in several skirmishes with the enemy and was wounded at Kingsbridge, that he has received a certificate for a pension from the War department the number of which is 11.964 that the date of his original application was the nineteenth Day of May one thousand eight hundred and eighteen - And I Benjamin Converse do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth Day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift or otherwise in any other manner disposed of my property or any part thereof without thereby to diminish it as to being 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 pensioned" on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or security 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
Benjamin Cornwell
And the said Benjamin Cornwell further on his oath saith that his family consists of himself, his wife whose name is Submittee , aged fifty two years & son whose name is Benjamin aged eighteen years - That he is by profession a farmer and is able to perform but little labour in consequence of having had his bodily constitution and health broken down & destroyed while he was in the service of his country in the army - That his wife is a woman of slender constitution and unable to perform hard labour, that his son is healthy and able to labour - but is much injured and cannot perform as much or as well as people in general in consequence of a lameness in one of his feet occasioned by a set with an axe received about three years ago
Schedule of the property of Benjamin Cornwell  about seventy acres of land situate in Grayton on the summit of a mountain about twenty acres of which is cleared the remainder is woodland worth on an average $3 per acre - $ 210    One Bureau 5, three chests $4.50 two tables 3.50  13.75    Two Meat Tubs 1.50 two Barrels 1.00 - one candle stand 75  3.25    One old brass kettle 1.50 five pail kettle iron cracked 1.50  3.00    Two pots, one cracked, one spider, one bake pan old 2.90  2.90    1 pair, one row 1.00 two small tubs and three pails 50  1.50    1 Dozen Milk pans of tin 2.00 six pie pans .50 - one tea kettle .50  3.00    Two tea pots, one cracked one tin both old .50 - 1 Doz earthen plates .75  1.25    Nine tea cups & saucers .75 - 3 earthen bowls 37 1/2 - six pewter plates (old .75)  1.62 1/2    One sugar bowl & one Creamer .25 - 4 grass .25 - Tong & shovel 1.00  1.50    Nine China Common 1.50 Trunk .50 - 1 Bible & psalm book 1.00  3.00    1 Dictionary - 3 school books & about a doz. numbers of a magazine  1.00    1 Stone pot & 1 do of earthen .50 one lantern 25 - old warming pan 1.75  1.75    One small looking glass 50 1 set knives & forks 1.00 8 old spoons 37 1/2  2.00    1 set silver tea spoons $3. two flat irons .50  3.50    1 span of horses $50 - one cow & calf $13 eight sheep $7  70.00    5 shots $5 - 1 old sleigh & harness $10 - 1 plough & drag $4  19  

1 p cypress & match .1.00 2 pitchforks & one dung fork 1.25 one axe 1.00 $ 3.25 One shoe .50 1 old saddle 2 two old bridles $ 3.00 3.50 One side saddle $5 two spinning wheels $2 one axe chains $1.25 8.25 Amount due on account of pork & Butter left for sale at the Big valley, not precisely known as no returns have been made A Demand of $7 against Josiah Wirtz for Beef due in April next not considered worth any thing (Supposed about 40.)
The said Benjamin Leornelle (also in the year 1807 made a contract with Samuel Sackett for the purchase of about one hundred & sixty acres of land situated in Fabius (now Truxton) at $3.20 per acre But the said Benjamin has never been able to obtain a Deed of the said Land as he has failed to make the payments according to the said Con- tract - and the sum of about $500 still remains due and unpaid on the said Contract - as near as the said Benjamin can ascertain, but he obtained possession of the land under the Con- tract and contracted with different persons to sell them the whole of the said land so as above Contracted for to be purchased of the said Sackett except thirty one acres, and has actually received the consideration money for the said land so by him sold excepting about fifty dollars which still remains due from John Hosford one of the purchasers - And the said Benjamin is now legally obligated to give good and sufficient Deeds for the said land (excepting the said thirty one acres) to the said several purchasers whom he is unable to do as he cannot in any way raise the $500 still remaining due to the said Samuel Sackett on the Contract first above mentioned.
The said Benjamin is also indebted to Lyman Nash and Henry Lyman $40 for merchandise purchased of them to Edward Schuchert $43 for two wags and an old wag- gon purchased of him - To Josiah Hiles $30 for Butter & pork purchased of him to George Sackett on a note $13 To Thomas Runn on note $7 To Sally Root $24 for sheep purchased of her to Peter Root for meat cattle purchased of him $10 to Joseph Hiles for Blacksmith's work $10 To Elisha Fox $4.50 for Hay purchased of him - To Green Fox of

it shows what it Broadbent $7 towards a horse purchased of him - and the said Benjamin saith that his situation with regard to his debts is such that unless he receives some assistance from his Country for his services during the late war, for which he never received any valuable consideration, he has reason to fear that the whole of his little property he possesses will be sacrificed for his debts
I swear & declare before us this 26th day of December 1820
Benjamin Cornwell
John Kip Barnak Mills Edward Root
Judges of Courtland Comptroller
I Joshua Ballard Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Courtland do hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit and the schedule thereto annexed are true Copies 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 three hundred & ninety six Dollars - The Court making no allowance or deduction for the debts in the said schedule mentioned as due from or owing by the said Benjamin Cornwell or for his liability on any contracts therein mentioned.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this third Day of January A. D 1821
William Ballard Clerk

New York.
Benjamin Cornwell.
Private
1778 - 3 years.
Aged 63 years, by occupation a Farmer, but unable to pursue the same, by reason of bodily infirmities. Wife aged - in very bad health, Son aged - in good health, but lame in one of his feet in consequence of a cut received from an axe.
Schedule dated 20. Decr. 1820.
Real Property. 70 acres of lands on the summit of a mountain 20 acres of which is cleared $210.00 Personal Property valued at 186.00
$396
The applicant in the year 1807 made a contract in the year with Samuel Sackett for the purchase of 160 acres of lands at $3.20 per acre, but he has never been able to obtain a deed for the same, as he has failed to comply with the said contract and the sum of about $500. still remains due & unpaid on said contract.
obtained possession of the said lands under the contract, and contracted with different persons to sell them the whole of the said lands except 31 acres, and has actually received the consideration money for the said lands by him sold, except about $50 which still remains due from John Hosford one of the purchasers, and the applicant is now legally obligated to give good and sufficient deeds for the said lands to the several purchasers, which he is unable to do as he cannot in any way raise the $500 still remaining due for the said land to Samuel Sackett on the contract just mentioned. He is also indebted to sundry persons (names mentioned) in the amount of - - - $188.50
Schedule under the act of March 1820 dated 16 th May 1823
Real Property - none. + Personal Property valued at - $116.25
accounts for the decrease of his property as follows. viz. The land mentioned in his schedule he sold, and the money raised for the same appropriated to the payment of his just debts, but it is insufficient to discharge them by $100.
The authenticated copies of the mortgage deeds filed within, 2 Horses dead. 3 Sheep & 1 Calf dead. 3 Sheats consumed by fire.
The dates of the deeds are as follows, viz
Deed to Elias Cornwell dated 19 Decr 1822 for the consideration of $200. paid by the said E. Cornwell.
Deed to Mary Brown dated 22 December 1822 for the consideration of $83.12. paid by the said B. Brown, to the applicant.
$29.18 48 77.18 Messrs Clayton & Wood.
Cortland Village New York Restored 2 nd Sep 1823

Frank T. v. Conn. Ins. Co.
July 18/95 Hist. 4 Stur. Middleton
43393 am INVALID.
Revry
File No. 43,393
Benjamin Cornwell
Pr. Her. Ind.
Act: 18 th May 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 96
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Mr Edward 1 March 1823, NY.
Benjamin Cornwell. Sept 19
Recd 8 Aug. 1823
396 210 186
J. B. Bathorn Esq. Secretary of War City of Washington
40 43 30 13 26 10 16 450 2 1850
Free
FREE.

J. C. Calhoun Esq.
Dear Sir
Enclosed we return for your inspection the papers of Benjamin Cornwall in order to restore him to the pension list the certificate of the clerk is annexed agreeable to direc- tions
We are Sir Your Obt. Humble Servt (Dayton & Wood)
Cortland Village July 26, 1823 (New York)

Benj n Cornwall.
The within copies of deeds, &c. the acknow- ledgments thereto, must be duly certified under the seal of the proper Officer -
14 June 1823
Sept r term 1824.

State of New York Cortland County - 3
On this fifteenth day of May 1823 personally appeared in Open Court being a court of Record for the County of Cortland Benjamin Cornwell resident in said County aged sixty three years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of the 18 th of March 1818 the 1 st of May 1820 and the 1 st of March 1823 that he the said Benjamin Cornwell enlisted for the term of nine months about the first of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven in the State of Connecticut in the company commanded by Captain Elisha Ely in the Regiment commanded by Col. D r emon at that time and afterwards by Col t Jonathan Meigs in the line of the State of Connecticut on the Continental establishment that he continued to serve in the corps until the first day of January one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight when he was discharged from the said service at White Plains in the State of New York about the first of April in the same year he again enlisted in the same company and Regiment for three years at Middletown in the State of Connecticut that he continued to serve in said corps until about the first day of March one thousand seven hundred and eighty one when he was honorably discharged from

the said Service near the Highlands in the State of New York - And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth of March eighteen hundred and eighteen and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of any any 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 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities for  see 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
Real Property. I have none -
Personal Property as follows to wit 1 Bureau worth $4. - 3 old chests $4. - 1 Table $2.50 1 Dress. - 1 Candle Stand 0.75. 2 meat Tubs 1.50. 2 Barrels 1. - 2 tubs 1.50. 1 old Brass Kettle 1.50 1 Five Gallon Kettle 1.50 2 old iron pots one cracked 1.50. 1 Spider 0.50. 1 old bake pan cracked 1. - 1 pair and irons old 1.25 1 Pickle tub 0.50 1 fat tub 0.50. 2 Pails 1. - 1 dozen milk pans 3. - 1 Iron tea kettle 0.50 6 old pie pans 0.50 2 old tea pots 0.50 1 dozen plates 1. - 1 set of tea cups 0.50 3 Bowls 0.50 2 old butter platters 0.25 3 old butter plates 0.25 1 sugar bowl & creamer 0.25 1 pint and 1 half pint glass and 2 wine glasses 0.25

1 pr. tongs & shovel 1.25. 7 old chairs 1. - 1 trunk 0.50 1 Bible & other books that are very old & poor 1. - 1 earthen pot & 1 stone pot 0.50 1 lantern 0.25 1 old warming pan 0.50 1 looking glass 0.50 1 Horse 30. - 1 Cow 10. - 1 old sleigh & 1 old set of harness 9. - 1 old plough & drag 3.50 1 scythe & smith 1. - 2 pitch forks 1 old dung fork 1. - 1 axe 1. - 1 hoe hoe 0.50 2 old saddles and an old bridle 5.50 1 set of old knives & forks 1. - 8 spoons 0.50 1 set of old silver tea spoons 2.50 2 flat irons 0.50 2 shoals 2.50 2 old wheels 3. - 1 chain 1. -
Amount of the whole - $118.25
That since the exhibition of my first Schedule the following changes have been made in my property -
2 Horses which were before exhibited are now dead - 8 Sheep which I before exhibited are also all dead 1 Calf before exhibited dead 5 Shoals before exhibited 3 of which I have since killed and eat in my family. The amount due me as before exhibited I have never rec d and the demands are good for nothing
The land of which mention was made in my inventory heretofore exhibited I have since sold for the best price that I could get for the same for the payment of my debts but it is insufficient to discharge them by about one hundred Dollars The following are true

copies of the Deeds which I gave on the sale This Indenture made the nineteenth day of December one thousand eight hundred and twenty two between Benjamin Cornwell of the town of Truxton County of Cortland & State of New York of the first part and Elisha Cornwell of the same State of the second part Witnesseth that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred Dollars to him in hand paid by the said party of the second part the receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged hath granted bargained sold remised released aliened and confirmed and by these presents doth grant bargain sell remise release alien and confirm unto the said party of the second part in his actual possession now being and to his heirs & assigns for ever all that certain piece or parcel of land situate in the town of Truxton County of Cortland on lot N o sixty four Bounded as follows to wit beginning at the northwest corner of lands owned by Elisha Cornwell thence south to lot line thence west to lands owned by John Miller thence north to lands owned by Uriah Smith thence east thence north thence east thence north thence east thence north on the line of the said Uriah Smith's land to the highway thence east to lot line thence south to lands owned by the said Elisha Cornwell thence west to the place of beginning containing forty acres be the same more or less

Together with all & singular the heredit- aments & appurtenances therein belonging or in any wise appertaining and the reversion and reversions remain- der & remainder rents issues & profits thereof & all the estate right title interest claim or demand whatsoever of the said party of the first part either in law or equity of in & to the above bargained premises with the said hereditaments & appurtenances To have & to hold the said premises above particularly mentioned & described to the said party of the second part his heirs & assigns to the sole & only proper use benefit & behoof of the said party of the second part his heirs & assigns forever And the said party of the first part for himself his heirs executors & administrators doth covenant grant promise & agree to & with the said party of the second part his heirs & assigns the above bargained premises in the quiet & peaceable possession of the same party of the second part his heirs & assigns against all & every person or persons lawfully or equitably claiming or to claim the whole or any part thereof will forever warrant & defend In witness whereof the said party of the first part hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first

above written - "Benjamin Cornwell" Sealed & delivered in presence of "Erastus Swift."
The following is a true copy of the acknowledgment of the said Deed which appears on the back of the same "Cortland County ss" On the fourteenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and twenty three came before me Erastus Swift a person to me known from legal evidence who being duly sworn did say that he saw the within Benjamin Cornwell execute & deliver the within Deed that he knows him to be the same person described in & who executed the same and at the time of the execution as aforesaid he subscribed the same as witness & allow the same to be recorded - "John Wick" Com
2 d Deed
This Indenture made the twenty third day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty two between Benjamin Cornwell of the town of Tunkton County of Cortland & State of New York of the first part and Benj o Brown of the above named town County & State witnesseth that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of eighty three Dollars twelve cents to him in hand paid by the

party of the second part agree to sell to the said party of the second part a certain piece of land lying in the aforesaid town and county on lot No. Sixty four described as follows beginning at the south west corner of land owned by Stephen Waters late deceased thence running south on the line of land owned by John Miller to the gulf thence up the gulf to the land corner of land owned by Uriah Smith thence south on said Smiths line to the highway thence on the highway to the east line of the lot thence north to the line of S d Waters thence west on s d line to the place of beginning containing about twenty five acres be the same more or less for the party of the second part to him his heirs or assigns to have and to hold the above mentioned premises together with all the privileges & advantages appertaining thereunto the party of the first part hereby covenants & agrees to bind himself his heirs executors & adminis- trators to make the party of the second part his heirs or assigns in the actual peaceable possession of the said premises and to warrant & defend the same against any other person or persons who shall attempt to claim the whole or any part of the same In witness whereof the party of the first part has hereunto set his hand & seal Benjamin Cornwall
Signed Sealed & delivered in presence of Wesley Brown. Anson Cadwell

The following is a copy of an acknowledgment which appears on the back of the Second Deed
"Cortland County ss On the fourteenth day of May 1823 Came before me Wesley Brown to me known to be the person who witnessed the within Deed upon legal testimony upon the oath Erastus Swift Who being duly sworn did say that he saw the within Benjamin Cornwell execute & deliver the within Deed that he knows him to be the same person described in & who executed the same and that at the time of executing as aforesaid he subscribed the same as witness Let it be recorded - "John Wicks" Com
and I do further declare that the consideration specified in the said deeds is all that I received for my real estate and that it was a fair and a sufficient compensation for the same and that the whole of that sum (to wit two hundred eighty three Dollars & twelve cents) has been appropriated towards the payment of my debts - and further that my family only consists of myself and my wife Submitter and that she is fifty two years of age and is out of health and that she always was and still is a woman of a very feeble consti- tution and unable to labour but very little and that I am a farmer by occupation

but in consequence of old age and a great many infirmities I am unable to labour but very little or no  very little assistance in any manner whatever towards the support of my wife or myself and that I have been under the care of a Physician the most of the time for eighteen months past and am now under the care of a Physician - and I do further declare that all the property I possess if sold to the best advantage would not more than pay my debts
Benjamin Cornwall
Sworn this 16 day of May 1823
before us Judges of Cortland Com. Pleas
Townsend N. P. Joseph Reynolds Caleb B. Phelps
Judges of Cortland Com. Pleas
The court herein set forth the reasons why the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Cortland is a court of Record
1 st It is expressly made a court of record by the statute laws of the state of New York 2 d The Court proceeds according to the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount keeping a record of their proceedings 3 d The Court has the right of fine and imprisonment
Caleb B. Phelps Townsend N. P. Joseph Reynolds

I Samuel Hotchkiss Jr Clerk of the County of Cortland do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that the said Benjamin Cornwall did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the common Enemy for the term of nine months under one engagement on the Continental Establishment I also certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records 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 one hundred and sixteen Dollars & twenty five Cents.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court on this sixteenth day of May Eighteen hundred and twenty three
Sam t Hotchkiss Jr Clerk of The Court of Common Pleas for S d Co
State of New York Cortland County Clerk's Office to wit
I hereby certify that the within Deeds and the acknowledgements thereto as set forth in the within, are truly copied from the originals on file in said office also that John Wichtes Esqr before whom said deeds were acknowledged was duly authorized to take the same and his name subscribed to the said certificates of acknowledgements or proof is in his own proper hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Cortland Common Pleas this twenty sixth day of July 1823
Sam t Hotchkiss Jr Clerk