Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12534, Benjamin Cobb, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
bobb. Benjamin
S. 12534
CONTENTS
carded

4493
Massachusetts
Benjamin Cobb
Bristol in the State of Mass.
was a Private in the company commanded by Captain [blank] of the Reg t commanded by Col Walker in the Mass line for 2 [blank]
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 80 Dollars & Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of Jan y 1833 and due from J. F. Hodges Sec y of Reps
Arrears to 4th of Sep r 1832 $420- Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Mar 33 - 40-
$100-
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. McBlain Clerk Book D - Vol. 2 nd Page 43.
20 Jun 24 1840

ms 27
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } BRISTOL, ss.
At a COURT OF PROBATE holden at Taunton in and for said County on the twenty ninth day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, before the Honorable HODIJAH BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared Benjamin Cobb a resident of Mansfield in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration.
That he enlisted into the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as hereinafter stated, to wit, I enlisted in a Company commanded by Captain Silas Cobb at the time of the Alarm of the Lexington Battle, we marched from Boston to Roxbury and there joined in said Cobb's Company about two weeks & then enlisted into the eight months service. I will state further particulars of my service in my answer to the fifth interrogatory.
8 months
and further declares as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in Boston, now in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty three, in the month of April.
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? Ans. There is a record of my age in the office of the Town Clerk in Boston, & I also have a record (in the handwriting of my Father in his family Bible)
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Ans. I have lived on the same spot where I now live ever since the war, & it was my home at the time of the war, it is now Mansfield, it was then Boston.
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? Ans, I was never drafted I always enlisted voluntarily I was never a Substitute
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. Captain Cobb's Company was then placed in Col. Timothy Walker's Regiment & I think it was the 22 nd Regiment of the Colonial Troops, I served as a private soldier in said Cobb's Company during this campaign & at the expiration thereof I was verbally discharged by my officers (& I well remember that it was the last day of that year which was 1775 ) and returned home, I refer to Amos Martin's affidavit to prove this my first campaign
I again enlisted for a second campaign of four months in a Company commanded by Captain Isaac Hodges and in Col. Eben. Dyer's Regiment (it was in the year 1776) we were stationed on Dorchester Heights near Boston and at the expiration of said term I was verbally discharged by my officers & returned home. I refer to William Carpenter & Isaac Perry's affidavit to prove this my second campaign.
I also enlisted for a third campaign I cannot certainly say

6 till the time when I enlisted but it was in the year 1777 into Captain Silas Cobb Company & in Col. Danforth Hovey's Regiment for six months, we marched from Boston to a place called Slades Ferry in Massachusetts & from thence we marched to a place called Apikies Newtown in R.I. and it was about the time of Spencer's expedition (so called) & we continued in the State of Rhode Island to the end of said campaign we were discharged verbally by our officers at Providence & I returned home. I refer to William Carpenter's affidavit to prove this my third campaign.
3 I also enlisted for a for fourth campaign in Capt. Benjamin Bates Company & in Col. Abiel Mitchell Regiment, (Mitchell was of Easton) our Lt. Col. was Jonathan Shaw of Raynham, this campaign was three months & we were stationed on Rhode Island, I am not quite certain as to the time but think it was in the latter warm part of the season next before the British left Rhode Island which would be as I think 1779.
Dr. Hardin was Surgeon of our Regiment. I have no documentary evidence to prove this campaign. & there is no living witness that I know of by whom I can make the proof. I must therefore depend upon my own statement as it is confirmed & supported by others in this declaration.
5 I also volunteered for a fifth campaign & in Capt. Bates Company & Col. Mitchell Regiment for six months  in the year 1780 . This campaign was also three months & we were stationed at Batts Hill & Quaker Hill on Rhode Island & we laboured upon the fort that was there repairing at that place, I well remember of marching from Boston to the Island at the & I think it was in the year 1780. beginning of said three months I was verbally discharged by my officers & returned home, I refer to William Dunham's affidavit to prove this my last campaign.
I was well acquainted with Gen. Warren & was quartered at the house of his mother a part of the time of the campaign at Roxbury & Dorchester. I also well remember of seeing Generals Putnam, & Sullivan at Dorchester, & also Gen. Cornell at Rhode Island.

6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer ? if 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 ? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission, and if so by whom was it signed, and what has become of it ?
a. A Soldier - I never had a written discharge
7. State the names of the 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.
To the Rev. Pitt Clarke and the Rev. Nathaniel Stone Jr.
And the said Benjamin Cobb doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Benj Cobb H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
WE Pitt Clarke a Clergyman residing in Norton and Nathaniel Stone Jr. residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Cobb who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration ; that we believe him to be about seventy nine 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 to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Pitt Clarke, Nathaniel Stone Jr. H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
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 Pitt Clarke who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Norton in said County of Bristol, and that Nathaniel Stone Jr. who has also signed the same is a resident in said town, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, BRISTOL ss.
I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benj. Cobb of Mansfield in said County, for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said Court the day and year first above written.
Anselm Bassett

Benjamin Cobb was born April 13 th 1753
A true copy of Record Attest John Cune { Down Under } Norton August 29 th 1832. ge from the service; and, if so, ve a commission, and if so by then discharge
7. State the names of the 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.
W th Rev d Pitt Clarke and the Rev d Nathaniel Stone Jr.
And the said Benjamin Cobb — doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
B enjamin Cobb H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
WE Pitt Clarke a Clergyman residing in Norton and Nathaniel Stone Jr. residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Cobb. who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy nine 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 to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Pitt Clarke, Nathaniel Stone Jr. H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
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 Pitt Clarke who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Norton in said County of Bristol, and that Nathaniel Stone Jr. who has also signed the same is a resident in said town, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, BRISTOL ss.
I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benj. Cobb of Mansfield in said County, for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said Court the day and year first above written.
Anselm Bassett

Washington D. C. January 18 th 1833
I hereby certify that the Witnesses to the Declaration of Benjamin Cobb viz: W m Dunham, W m Carpenter, Isaac Perry and Asa Marden, are credible - and that Cromwell Leonard is a Preacher of the Gospel duly qualified to act in that capacity.
James L. Hodges.
Benjamin Cobb
c.2: 4836.

BRIEF in the case of  Benjamin Cobb of the County  of Bristol in the State of Mass.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 3. How old is he? 79 years 4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1775 — 8 — Private Gen. Col. Walcutt, Capt. Cobb   "76 — 4 — d o Col. Francis, Capt. Hodges   "77 — 6 — d o Col. Danforth, Capt. Cobb   "79 — 3 — d o Col. Mitchell, Capt. Bates   "80 — 3 — Volunt. Same Officers  
5. In what battles was he engaged? none 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Norton now Mansfield 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Bell Examining Clerk.

Map No. 11,830 Benj. Lobb. Pmalt
Nyans
14 06 $80-
Jan 12 1833
adm
Page 200.
Mr L. L. Hodges H. K.

Clear
12534 INVALID.
File No. 12,534
Benjamin Cobb Brn. Ret. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 11
[Arrangement of 1870.]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Benjamin Cobb which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes.

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes. XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? no Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? no XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 the 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.
†QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
†QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

Benj. Gobb
N o 4830

I William Dunham of Mansfield in the county of Bristol & State of Massachusetts being Seventy eight years of age do hereby testify & say that I have long been acquainted with Benjamin Cobb of said Mansfield and that he the said Cobb served as a soldier in the army of the American Revolution one campaign in a company with me, said company was commanded by Capt Benjamin Bates of Mansfield and in Col Mitchel Regiment, said campaign was three months, we were stationed at Butts hill, & quaker hill, on R.I. we laboured a part of the time on the fort that was then repairing on the Island. I am not quite certain as to the time but think it was in the year 1780 1780. W m Dunham Norton 21 st August 1832
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol } ss. Before me, one of the Justices of the Peace County } within and for the county of Bristol, personally appeared William Dunham subscriber to the above affidavit and made oath that the same is true (according to the best of his knowledge & belief) in all its parts. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & quality this 21 day of August A D 1832 Crown & Leonard Justice of Peace

I Amos Martin of the Town of Rehoboth in the County of Bristol & State of Massachusetts being then seventeen years of age do hereby testify and say that I have been well acquainted with Benjamin Cobb of Wansfield in said County a great number of years and that he, the said Cobb served in a Company with me as a private soldier in the army of the American Revolution one campaign of eight months eleven  and twenty days & I think the troops were called State troops under the following officers - viz in Capt Silas Cobb Company & Col. Timothy Walker's Regiment and in the year 1775 at a place called Squantum & said troops were stationed in the Towns of Roxbury & Dorchester near Boston in Mass.
Dated at Boston this 13 th day of August A D 1832 Amos Martin
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County } ss Before me one of the Justices of the Peace within - in and for the County of Bristol personally appeared Amos Martin subscribed to the above affidavit and made oath that the same is true in all points. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and quality this 13 th day of August A D 1832. Cromwell Leonard Justice of Peace

I William Carpenter of Norton in the County of Bristol & State of Massachusetts being Seventy two years of age, & I. Isaac Perry of Attleborough in Said County and State being Seventy five years of age, do each of us hereby testify & say that that we have been well acquainted with Benjamin Cobb of Mansfield in the aforesaid County and State for many years and that he served in a company with us us in the army of the American Revolution one campaign of four months, Said company was commanded by Capt Isaac Hodges & in Col Eben Frennis Regiment, and we were stationed at Dorchester heights near Boston and it was in the year 1776 and our troops were called State troops of Massachusetts.
Dated at Norton this 17 th day of August
A 1832
William Carpenter
Isaac Perry
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. Before me, one of the Justices of the County ss. Peace within and for the County of Bristol, personally appeared William Carpenter & Isaac Perry Subscribers to the above affidavit and made oath that the same is true in all its parts, In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & quality this 17 th day of August A 1832 Crown? Leonard Justice of Peace

I William Carpenter of Norton in the County of Bristol & State of Massachusetts being Seventy two of age do hereby testify & say that I have been well acquainted with Benjamin Cobb of Mansfield in said County and State for a great number of years and that he the said Cobb served as a Sergeant in the Army of the American Revolution in a Company with me, in a campaign of six months, said Company was commanded by Capt Silas Cobb in Col Reyes Regiment and we were stationed at a place called Hades Ferry in Massachusetts, also and at a place called Oadikes Newton, and also at Providence in R.I. and it was about the time of Spencers Expedition (so called) in the year 1777 the troops as I think to which we belonged were called Massachusetts State troops  Dated at Norton this 17 th day of August A 1832.
William Carpenter
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County } To By me one of the Justices of the peace within & for the County of Bristol personally appeared William Carpenter subscriber to the above affidavit and made oath that the same is true in all its parts - In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name & quality this 17 th day of August A 1832 Cromwell Leonard Justice of Peace