Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R, Benjamin Dillingham, Conn. Residence In 1819

SERVICE
NUMBER
✓
Dillingham, Benjamin
R —
born residence in 1819
CONTENTS

FREE
Hon ble Marcus Morton Esquire
Washington City
Rec d Dec 27
16. 1/2

Acworth Dec 20 th 1819
Dear Sir
I sincerely thank you for your politeness in sending me the President's Message and other public Documents, they have afforded much pleasure and information
I feel that you will not require an apology from me for making the following request, to solicit your attention and assistance in a cause of humanity  humanity . Captain Benjamin Dillingham of Fairhaven has made an attempt to obtain a pension for his services in the revolutionary War, and has failed on the ground it is said that he was not employed in the Continental service. Captain Wm Gordon of Fairhaven has obtained his pension who was employed in precisely the same service. Captain Dillingham performed the following services soon after Hostilities commenced he enlisted a company of men and went with them to Boston and there continued till December following, when he received a commission to enlist another company, which he effected and was stationed at this place and built the fort here, he was afterwards in Sullivan's expedition so called on Rhode Island and served more than two Years & a half in continuation. He is now Eighty three years of age very infirm and totally blind - and dependent in part on the Charities of his Neighbours. I have this Morning heard his Lamentations, that his country should neglect him, and others who had not done half his service be liberally rewarded. I have known Capt d Dillingham from my Youth and when I reflect on his unswerving patriotism and his exertions in the cause of his country in its first struggle for Independence, and that all the remuneration he has received for his services was in a paper currency not of sufficient value to provide bread for his family and now to behold him in his indigent & infirm situation agreed

Aggravated by hearing of his Neighbors unanimous the Bounty of their Country, much less deserving than himself. It has had a powerfull effect on my feelings Should it be in your power by representing his case, to obtain his pension & feel satisfied that you will do it — full proof can be made that the Services as above stated were performed The two Commissions which he held were lost at the time this Town was burnt by the Enemy his house being at that time plundered and he suffered much loss in goods &c. I really feel much interest in the sufferings of this man,
I have been repeatedly instructed to write you and make enquiry relating to the Sloop Providence which has always been considered as a Continental Vessel She was destroyed at fundus with the fleet that sailed from Boston She was Commanded by a Captain Harker One of her seamen is now living in this place and has apply for his pension and received for answer that She was not on the Continental establishment if you could answer me this question it would relieve me from some trouble.
I should be much gratified to hear from you at all times when you can make it convenient
I am very Respectfully & Unfeignedly
Dear Sir
Your Obedient Servant
J. Harker

Klamath Falls, Ore.
Dec 2. 1926.
Bureau of Pensions Wash. D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you please send me a copy of the pension of Benjamin Dillingham of Dartmouth, a Sergeant, Capt. Thomas Crandon's Company. Also credited with services at various times in 1775 & 76. I wish to have this information to aid me in joining the D. A. R's.
Yours truly
Miss Melvene Dillingham 230 So. 11 th Arcade Apt. Klamath Falls Ore.

February 4, 1927
Miss Melvane Dillingham 230 South 11th St., Arcade Apt., Klamath Falls, Ore.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the records of this Bureau it appears that one John Hawes in a letter dated New Bedford, December 20, 1819, stated that Captain Benjamin Dillingham of Fairhaven  Fairhaven aged eighty-three years, enlisted a company of men early in the Revolution and went with them to Boston where he remained until the following December, when he received a commission to enlist another company which was stationed at New Bedford and built a fort there; also that he was in General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition and served in all over two and one half years.
Mr. Hawes wished to know whether Captain Benjamin Dillingham was entitled to pension on account of such service, but there was at that time no law which would have given him title. There is no further information on file as to his services, and none at all as to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.