Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38625, Benjamin Conyers, Va.

SERVICE
W.
Congers, Benjamin
NUMBER _____
S 38625-
CONTENTS

26766 Kentucky
Benjamin Conyers of Shelby Co. in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the co. commanded by Captain Blackwell of the 1st Regt Kentucky by Col Broadhead in the Virginia line for 1 year
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate & Pension issued the 23 day of March 1834 and Heard Rose H. R.
Arrears to the 14th of March 120.00 Pens-ant. allowance ending Sept 20.00 140.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Law Boyd Clerk, Book E Vol. Page 42

State of Kentucky } Shelby County } ss
11.680 Benj. Conyers clerk
On this 5 th day of December 1833
Personally appeared before me, Matthew Hushman, one of the Justices of the peace in and for Shelby County, and one of the Judges of the County Court for said County. Benjamin Conyers aged 74 years who first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed the 7 th of June 1832.
This declarant states
that he entered the service of the United States and here as herein stated under the following named Officers; that sometime in the year of 1776 about the month of August as well as he now remembers he was living in the County of Fauquier State of Virginia; When Capt. John Breachwell of said County of Fauquier raised a company of Redutters for a term of eighteen months when he the said declarant did volunteer for the aforesaid term of eighteen months under Capt. Breachwell and accompanied with his company of Infantry at Fauquier Court House; he states that they were then marched from Fauquier Court House through Stafford County to Salem; thence through Spotsylvania County to the Brandywine, they were thence ordered on force march to Williamsburg, thence up the Rappahannock river to Carter's Ferry, thence they were marched in great haste to a place called the Long Bridge, on arriving at the Long Bridge they the British Army under the Command of Capt. Forster attempted to stop the progress of the Americans, when a spirited engagement ensued during this battle Capt. Forster was

a that from the American army and immediately used them. The army retreated to their shipping which was lying in the bay at Norfolk, the American army then took possession of the area Battleground, were stationed there for some time in order to protect the property of citizens as the object of the British seemed to be that of plundering and carrying off the negroes when ever they had an opportunity of landing; during the time that the army was stationed at Long Bridge he states they were employed in training the Polomas and Rappahannock Indians to prevent the British from landing and destroying the property of the inhabitants during this campaign he states that he endured all the service of a soldier and from Camp Long Bridge he was marched back by his Captain John Blackwell to Faguer Courthouse where he and the balance of Capt Blackwell's Men were discharged having served out his eighteen month term.
This account further states that as soon as he was discharged that his father removed to the back parts of Pennsylvania and settled on the Monongahela River and some time in the Spring of the year 1778 he enlisted under Capt Crow for a period of three years and was attached to Coln Broadheads regiment of Pennsylvania regiments he states that Coln Broadheads regiment was stationed where him and enlisted soldiers and that the regiment remained at Fort Pitt, he states that the Spaniards that had

been sent to scan north the country returned and reported that the Indians were committing some depredations upon the settlers near Catania Coln Broadhead then drew a company to be formed and put under the command of Capt Thomas Prator he states that he in that company commanded by Capt Prator marched from Fort Pitt to Catania during this march he states that we employed in making frequent excursions in order to overhauling the Indians that had been committing outrages upon the settlers upon arriving at Catania and restoring peace and quietus to the alarmed inhabitants Capt Prator marched his men back to Fort Pitt where they remained but a short time before they were again ordered down the Ohio River to prevent the Indians from making an attack upon a small settle- =ment at Wheeling and after accomplishing that object Capt Prator marched his men back to Fort Pitt he states that when they arrived at Fort Pitt that Coln Broadhead's regiment was ordered to cross the mountains and go to the lower camps he states that Coln Broadhead marched his men across the Alleghany mountains to Lancaster on the Susquehanna River thence to Quibble Town in the state of New Jersey where they encamped for the winter upon leaving the encampment at Quibble Town

he states that they were then raised and marched to Valley Forge the American army under the command of General Wayne was brought in battle away and after making a spirited resistance against the Enemy The Americans for want of Ammunition were compelled to retreat with a considerable loss of Men from this place a company of Coln Broadheads regt was was ordered to Brandywine and he belonging to Capt Prats Company marched under his Capt to Brandywine and some time in the fall of that year he states that early in the morning the battle commenced and although they made a display of gallantry becoming soldiers they had to retreat with great loss to the Americans after the battle of Brandywine he states that Capt Prats marched his men into New Jersey and joined Coln Broad- heads regiments the regiments then marched across the Susquehanna River through the Sunnys country to Fort Pitt - where they were stationed during the winter - as soon as the winter broke General McIntosh ordered the regiments to march to a place now called Fort Mifflin on arriving there he he states that they were employed in building that Fort then they were marched to the Schuylkill River where they were employed in building Fort Lawrence

he states that after they had been, the fort and was then fortified that the king and the tribe of India- ans besieged the fort and after some time of time they evacuated the fort with the loss of ninety men and marched back to Fort Pitt where he was discharged in routing by Capt Thomas Pratt having served out his three years for which he enlisted he states that from bodily infirmity and old age he is unable to appear in open court to make his declaration, he states that he has no doc- umentary evidence of his services and knows of no living witness by whom he can prove said service he hereby relinquishes every claim what- ever to a pension or annuity except the present and desires that his name is not on the pension roll of the army of any state
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and year of our Lord Byyanum Ganyus M. H. H. H. H.
Interrogatories Put By the Justice
Ques When and in what year were you born. Ans I was born on the 12 day of July 1752 Ques Have you any record of your age and if so where is it Ans I have a record of my age taken from my father's register. Did When were you living when called into the service. Where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live

Ans When I first entered the service I was living in Fazun County State of Virginia, the second time I wrote in the service I was living on the Mononga- hela River in the State of Pennsylvania. Since that time I have lived in Stafford County State of Virginia and I have been living in Shelby where I now live about thirty years. Did you ever you called into the service were you drafted or did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom? Ans In the fall of 1876 I volunteered and was Capt Blackwell, and in the Spring of 1878 I enlisted under Capt Crow for three years Quis. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served and such companies and battalions as you can recollect (Ans, on my first tour there were no regular officers, there was a regiment from Culpeper County Virginia Commanded I think by a Col. Stevens On my second tour there were Col. Broadhead of the Mountains and when we arrived at the Crossroads and at the Brandywine battled the Generals Sullivan, General Green and General Woodson from Virginia
Quis. Did you ever receive a discharge and by whom was it given and what has become of it
Ans I did receive two discharges one for a term eighteen months given by Capt John Blackwell of Fauquier County Virginia and another

I have been by Capt. Prater for three years which discharge I had in my Brother's house in Stafford County Pa. and in the year of 1783 his house was burnt and my discharge with many of papers were burnt
Does State the names of some of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighbor- hood who can testify as to your character for veracity and the time & way of your services as a soldier of the revolution. Also, I will name John Dale a clergyman and William Applegate —
We John Dale clergyman and William App- legate residing in the neighborhood of Benjamin Conyngh the above named applicants do state that we are well acquainted with him, we believe him to be 74 years of age and we believe him to be a man of veracity and is so reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides and he is believed by his neighbors to have been a soldier of the revolution and served as he has stated and we concur in the belief
John Dale
William Applegate
I hereby subscribe before me this day and year of our Lord M. Heroman J. P. S. C.

I Matthew Hushman do certify that John Daco is a clergyman who has sworn and subscribed to the age veracity reputation of Benjamin Conyers as a solace of the resolution and that William Applegate if who has likewise sworn is a respectable man and full faith can be given to their statement. M. Hershman J. P. S. C.
after putting the above interrogations to Beny Conyers and fully investigating the matter I am satisfied that he was a solace and serva as he has stated I further certify that he is old and infirm and cannot attend courts without much inconvenience to him M. Hershman J. P. S. C.
I James Whitaker Clerk of the County Court of Shelby County do certify that Matthew Hershman before whom this declaration was made is a Justice of the Peace in and for Shelby County and one of the Judges of the court for which I am Clerk In witness whereof I have subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 9 day of december 1833 J. S. Whitaker Clerk

11,680 Benj Conyers Recd
J.
$40 per am
Wm P. H. Pope Wm R. M. Johnson N.R.
COMMISSIONS OF EXECUTORS.

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 Benj. Conyer
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1776 1 6 P. Col Blackwell Col — 74 Va Traditions   1778 3 P. Col Pratt Col Broadhead. Pa. Mergable e.   one year only can be allowed for P. service.   No allowance can be made for service in the Penna line without proof.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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 days 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 the 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 inquiry 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 affix 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.

sion on file in this Bureau.
Benjamin Conyers S.I. 38625
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Aug. 1776 18 mos. Pvt John Blackwell Pa   Spring 1778 3 years Crow Broadhead Penn.   not correct 32 Thomas P. Pator  
Battles engaged in, Long Bridge, Brandywine & at Ft. Lawrence Residence of soldier at enlistment, 1st  Tangier Is. Va. Date of application for pension, Dec. 5. 1833 His cl. was al. Residence at date of application, Shelby Co. Ky. Age at date of application, July 12. 1759
Remarks:  Fail to afford any information of Samuel Benjamin Conyers

1007
3-871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by A. Mae D. 16/10/10
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Samuel Benjamin Conyers
Service _____
Additional Service Rev.
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 191_____
No claim, combination records _____, 191_____
REMARKS: No Inv. below $6,000 No Inv. any service from $6,000 " Wid. " " " Reg. at all { Same for Samuel B. { and Samuel —

17 Pine Bluff Ark
Nov. 11 1910
Commissioner Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir, Please be as kind as send me the Revolutionary record of negative Ichabod Lyman of (Hartford) Connecticut. Father & son both had same name and both served.
Also of Saml Benjamin Coopers who in 1840 was in Shelby Co Ky.
Thanking you in advance I am - Very sincerely,
Mrs Frank Louvin Pine Bluff Ark Box 653.
NOV 12 1910
Ack. Nov. 19. 1910 - f

38 625
Rev INVALID.
1910 Nov. 21 Hist. To Mrs. Frank Tomlinson V.L.M.
File No. 38 625
Benjamin Conyers Rev Rev Rev
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index: — Vol. 3 , Page 98
[ Arrangement of 1870. ]

Dear Sir
I have this day received the papers of Ben Congdon the assessment sum to give proof of his regular service, this cannot be had: they offer in the brief which they have sent back a pension for twelve months, you will please take a certificate for that time and forwarded to me at Newcastle - In H. H. H. - Jordan Graves - Elijah F. Nuttall and Mayor Lecamp at Canadawana for the legislature
Respectfully your friend
John Field