Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22166, Benjamin Chesman, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Chesman, Benjamin S. 22166 or Cheeseman
CONTENTS
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11. 828
Pennsylvania
Benjamin Sherman's Claim
of Erie Co in the State of Pennsylvania who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt: commanded by Col. G. Walton in the Mass: m c time for 18 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 60 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of June 1833 and sent to W. H. Pile Erie.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $120.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 1 30.00
$150.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book E Vol. 5 Page 9

State of Pennsylvania Erie County, ss. On this tenth day of August 1832, personally appeared in open court before the judges of the court of Common Pleas for the county of Erie now sitting and being a court of Record Benjamin Checkman a resident of the Township of Springfield in the county of Erie and State of Penn- sylvania aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the follow- ing 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.
In the month of April 1775. I was a resident of the town of Braintree fifteen miles South of Bos- ton in the county of Middlesex or Essex. In the fall of the year 1774 I was living at the same place. I had joined what was then called a company of Minute men under the command of Capt Stephen Penniman and was a member of that company as a private at the time of the battle of Lexington in April 1775. The same day of the battle of Lexington the alarm was given in our neighbourhood and we were ordered by our Captain to march to the scene of action. We col- lected at the meeting house and the same day march to Roxbury under the command of Captain Penni- man. We remained there several days. In about a week or ten days after we arrived there I enlisted in a company commanded by Capt Silas Wild of Braintree to serve for a period of eight months. We were put into the Regiment commanded by Col Greateon of Massachusetts and I think we were in Genl Warrens Brigade. We were stationed at Dorches- ter about four months, of the first part of my enlist- ment we were at Dorchester at the time of the Battle of Bunker's Hill, we erected some fortifica- tions at Dorchester. The British fired on us from Boston while we were there, soon after the battle of

Bunker's Hill we were marched round to Cambridge and stationed in what was called Fort Mon. There was a large army there commanded by Genl Washington. Genl Putnam was there. I saw him often. We remained at Cambridge until the time of my enlistment expired. We built some forts in the neighbourhood. We erected a fort at what was called Ploughed Hill - a British vessel of war was lying off in reach of us - but a fog continued two or three days while we were building the Fort and kept us out of the view of the enemy. We had some cattle keeping at a Point called Litchmore's Point; the British attempted to take them but failed; after we had finished the Fort at Ploughed Hill and mounted the cannon we began to work at building a Fort at Litchmore's Point. The fog was over when we commenced - a British vessel of war was lying within gun shot of us - as soon as the fog cleared away the British fired on us. Genl Putnam was with us. He immediately rode off to Ploughed Hill Fort and ordered them to fire on the British Vessel. This was done - and they immediately slipped their cables and moved off.
After the said term of eight months service had expired I was discharged at Cambridge and went home. I was discharged in December 1775.
In the month of January 1776 I was called out as a militia man in the company commanded by Capt Nathaniel Biceher and was marched to Roxbury and was stationed there - near to the Meeting House. We remained there some time till we were called on to go to Dorchester Heights to work in throwing up entrenchments and fortifications. We marched there in the night time. Our troops were at the same time firing on the British in Boston from Cambridge and from Roxbury in order to draw off their attention from our operations at Dorchester. The British fired at Dorchester Point all one night they killed one man who was a Doctor. There were three hundred Balls picked up the next day that had been thrown there by the British. The British evacuated Boston some time in the

in the month of March of that year. I remained at Dorchester some time after and was dismissed and went home after the Spring had opened. I served about three months on this tour of duty.
About the first day of September 1777 I volun- teered with the whole company of Militia to go to aid in the capture of Burgoyne. We volunteered to go under the command of Capt. Penniman; the whole Regiment went on the expedition. The Regiment was comman- ded by Col. Gill. We were marched on towards the scene of action. We arrived at Bennington the day after the battle of Bennington and there met the prisoners that had been taken by Col. Stark. We then went on through Pownal and Manchester to Skene'sborough. We there learned that Genl. Burgoyne had advan- ced on to Saratoga. We then marched back towards Saratoga to a place called Westfield twenty six miles from Saratoga. We went from there to Bemis Heights. We crossed on a floating bridge after night. General Baron Steuben was on the west side of the river where we landed as we landed he ordered the men to march on to the encampment on Bemis Heights. We remained there until the surrender of Burgoyne in October. We were in Genl. Lincoln's Division. Genl. Gates comman- ded and Genl. Snow was there. Immediately after the surrender of Burgoyne we were ordered to go down the North River. We first went to Albany as many of us as could get water carriage took water at Albany. We went down the river by water as far as Tarrytown. From thence we went to the White Plains where we enc- amped. We were marched from there down to New Roch- elle under an expectation of having a Battle with the British but did not have any action. We then returned to White Plains and remained there until our time expired. This term commenced on the first of Septem- ber and ended on the last day of December - at the expiration of my term of four months I was dismissed at White Plains and went home.
Soon after I got home in the month of January

1778. I was again called out in the Militia to guard the prisoners taken in Genl Burgoyne's army. I was then in the company commanded by Capt William Gold. We were ordered to the neighbourhood of Boston to Dorchester where a part of Burgoyne's army was taken and kept as prisoners. They were put into the Barracks we had erected there the year before. I was employed on this service about three months, until some time in April when the prisoners were removed from that place and I was discharged and went home.
He has no documentary evidence and he does not know of any person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service.
He has or had a Brother who was living in some part of the State of New York who could give some evidence of his service but he has not heard of him for several years and does not know whether he is living or not.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension list of the agency of any State.
Given and subscribed to day and year aforesaid
The court propounded the following interrogatories to the applicant.
1 st 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 service.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
And the Petitioner further states in answer to the Interrogatories, that he was born in Braintree in the year Seventeen hundred & fifty six. That he has no record of his age except what was written about ten years ago, or unless it be in the records of Braintree. — Lieut. Harman belonged to the same Company & Ensign Sumner — also recollects Capt. Myler & does not recollect other officers except those who are hereinbefore mentioned. — After the war he lived at Hampshire County Massachusetts — thence moved to Madison New York, & lived there seventeen years, thence he came to his paternal residence in Erie County Pennsylvania where he has lived seven years. — Among his present neighbours are Aaron Wells, & Rev d W. Hart. — That he received no written discharge.
Sworn & subscribed in open Court this 6 August 1832
Wes the Rev d Edson Hart a clergyman and Aaron Wells both residing in Springfield Erie County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Chesman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy five 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
Edson Hart Aaron Wells
Attest. J. Nelson Pres.

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, and on the Deposition of Andrew Loveland hereto annexed — that the above named was an applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Elmer Hart who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the Township of Springfield — and that Aaron Wells who has signed the same is a resident in the same Township and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. —
Certified Nov 15 th 1832 Henry Shippin Pres t
Test Elmer Hart Clerk
I Elmer Hart clerk of the court of Erie County Penn a do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Cheeseman for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 15 th day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Elmer Hart Clerk
© B. O. ...

Mac Cain
February 28, 1927
Helen Thomas Waterford Erie Co., Pa.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 22166, it appears that BENJAMIN CHESMAN was born in 1756 in Braintree, Massachusetts.
While living in said place he joined a company of minute-men in the fall of 1774, serving as a private under Captain Stephen Penniman. At the time of the Lexington alarm he marched with his company to Roxbury, Massachusetts. A week or ten days later he enlisted in Captain Silas Wild's Company in Colonel Creadon's Massachusetts Regiment and served eight months as a private.
He enlisted in January, 1776, and served three months as a private in Captain Nathaniel Belcher's Massachusetts Company.
He enlisted in September, 1777, and served four months as a private in Captain Penniman's Company in Colonel Gill's Massachusetts Regiment.
He afterward enlisted and served three months as a private in Captain William Gold's Massachusetts Company.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 6, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Springfield, Erie County, Pennsylvania.
There are no data on file relative to his family.
The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to a John Stranahan, searched under all spellings of the name.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner

Jan 8, 1927
Bureau of Pensions, Rev. Section Washington D. C. Gentlemen: -
Is there a record of pension given to Benjamin Cheeseman of Erie County, Penna for services during the Revolutionary War? Also of John Stranahan (sometimes

spelled Strang(h)au who lived in Canaan, Columbia (or Dutches Co) N.Y. about Rev. time. What would a copy of these cost - I wish to use them for W.A.R. records.
Yours Truly Helen Thomas Waterford Erie Co.,                      Penna

Revolution
22 166
1927 Feb. 28. hist 10 Helen Thomas West
INVALID.
File No. 22 166
Benjamin Cheeseman
Ph. New York
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 88
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Benji Chesman Perry
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1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900
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22/66 State of Pennsylvania Erie Co. ss
Personally appeared before me the undersigned an Justice of the Peace for the Service County of Erie, Benjamin Chessman a resident of the Township of Springfield in the said County, who being duly sworn, deposes and saith, that by reason of old age and the iniquitous up of money, 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 periods: For one year and six months, I served as a private, and for such service I claim a pension -
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Justice of the Peace this 14th day of May 1833
Before me ————— Benjamin Chessman Ebenezer D. Garrison
State of Pennsylvania ss. I, Alvin Mellen, Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Erie do hereby certify that Ebenezer D. Garrison Esquire before whom the above deposition was taken was at the time of taking the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 14th May 1833 Alvin M. Mellen Pro

J. L. Edwards Esq. Commencing Dec. 1848 —
Admitted 18 months $ 60.—
J. H. Sill Esq. Erie Penn a

Cinc, Penn a May 14. 1877
Sir;
The Pension application of Benjamin Chessman is herewith returned, with the explanatory affidavit required by the Pension Office - It is respectfully requested that an answer be returned to me as soon as is convenient -
I am, very respectfully Yours obedt Servt Thos. A. H. Field
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm. of Pensions

Macer County ss The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Seal Personally appeared before the Subscriber a justice of the peace in and for said County Andrew Loveland of said County and being sworn as law directs doth depose and says as follows about sixty eight years ago in the State of Massachusetts Massachusetts I first was acquainted with Benjamin Cheeseman in the State of Hampshire and town of Middlefield in the State aforesaid and then was his neighbour for a number of years in York State and now in the State of Pennsylvania & has often on evenings heard Benjamin Cheeseman & my Father conversing about their trials privations hardships and difficulties in the different camps and places they had traversed in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain which commenced in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five and I heard Mr Cheeseman conversing with his own Brother and several other persons and that said Cheeseman was at the capture of General Burgoyne at Saratoga this I have often heard told by himself and a great many other credible persons at the beginning of our first acquaintance I was about twelve years of age and further says not sworn and subscribed before me at my office in Salem August 10th day A D 1832
Alexander Duncans J P
Andrew Loveland

as to the character of the with Dependant Andrew Loveland our acquaintance is but of a recent date but as far as I know or ever heard he is entitled to be Believed I think him a Babbler, Credit and in the High house had for an honest sober industrious man - Given under my hand at Salem. Tuesday March 7-1833
Alex. Dennis Jr
Pennsylvania Union County
§ I Wm D Rankin Put on day of the court of common pleas of Union county certify that A. Dennis Esq. is a Justice of the peace in and for said county duly commissioned and acting as such and that he is duly qualified to administer oaths also that the signature purporting to be his is genuine Witness my hand and seal of said court at Union March 9-1833
Wm D Rankin Clerk

State of Pennsylvania } S. Edwin Melick Prothonotary of Erie County, ss } the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County. Do hereby certify that the within (contained on two sheets and a half of paper attached by a red ribbon on which the Seal is affixed) contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the appli- cation of Benjamin Chapman for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this 29 th day of November A.D. 1832
Edwin S. Melick Pro
B Chapman