Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,376, Benjamin Darling, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Darling, Benjamin
S. 30,376
CONTENTS

15507
Massachusetts
Benjamin Darling
of Plymouth in the State of Mass
who was an Artificer in the company commanded
by Captain Stevens of the regt commanded
by Col Jacobs in the Mass
line for 12 Mos Artificer
2 " Supt
10 " Private
Miles Contl
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 115 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of June
1833 and due J H
Lord Plymouth
Arrears to the 4th of Jan 1833 $230.66
Semi-ant. allowance ending 21 Sep r 57.66
$288.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H McBlain Clerk
Book 8 Vol. 2 Page 17
79 Plym d

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this twenty second day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before Hon Wilkes Wood Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Hanover within and for said County of Plymouth, Benjamin Darling a resident of Hanover in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged ninety seven 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 act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That he enlisted in a company of State troops and served six months on the Gunnet a Post at the entrance of Plymouth Harbor under the following officers, William Weston, Capt. Andrew Samson Lieut. Josiah Smith, Ensign. He marched onto the Post the first day of July 1776 and was stationed there, till the first of January 1777 when his enlistment expired and he was dismissed and returned home - he received no discharge.
That he entered the service again, and enlisted in Capt. Amos Turner's company of Militia, Thayer Lapham Lieut. Reuben Thorne, Ensign, in April 1777 and marched to Rhode Island, and was stationed at an old distill house, about a mile from Howland's Ferry. That he served two months at this time as a Sergeant in said company, and was dismissed about the middle of June. No other company was stationed there and the company was understood to be under the command

of Col. Barton. - He received no discharge.
That he entered the service again and enlisted in Capt. Seth Howers Company of Militia Calvins Custers & Lieut. Atwood Mott & Lieut. Isaiah Thomas, insign. in Col. Jacobs Regiment - Brimhall Adjutant, the first of July 1777 and served six months at Rhode Island, that he marched to Providence, and then to East Greenwich, and then to North Kingston, at this place had an engagement with a party of the British, who came from Conanicut Island and landed, were met by Capt. Howers Company and driven back. About the middle of September, he crossed the Providence River at Warren, and marched to Slades Ferry on Taunton River, and was stationed here most of the time till the first of January 1778. when his enlistment having expired, he was dismissed & returned home, but received no discharge.
That immediately after he enlisted in the Continental service as a Mechanic or Artificer under Capt. Ezra Gaton & Lieut. Tyler, in Col. Baldwins Regiment of Artificers, that he marched in February 1778 and arrived at Albany March 2, and then to a place called Rumans Patent about twelve miles below Albany, and was employed there about six months in doing the Blacksmith work for the lighters building on the River; he then went to West Point and was employed there doing work for the Continental service, about the same time; that he was sick of the fever and ague and was dismissed a short time before his year expired. That the mechanics were considered liable to do duty in time of an engagement and had arms assigned them for that purpose. He received no discharge.
That he entered the service again and enlisted in the Army of the United States in June 1780. He marched

to Springfield and then to West Point, and in about a week he was taken by Baron Sturben, and put into the infantry company commanded by George Webb, Capt. — Weeks First — Col. Brainerd, in the 1 st Massachusetts Regiment command- ed by Col. Shepard — Trcrott, Major, in Genl. Poor's Brigade Genl. La Fayette commanding General; that he marched down the river to Kings Ferry and then crossed into the Jerseys, and was then marching to different places, through the summer, but was in no engagement; in November he returned to West Point, and on the completion of his term of enlistment, six months, he received a discharge from W. Vinal, Surgeon of the Flying Hospital at Robinson's, which is forwarded, with the depositions to prove his ser- vices in the Revolution.
He was born in Pembroke, Mass. June 14. 1755 — and has now reached 80 years of his age.
He lived in Pembroke when called into the service, and for seven years afterward; and then in Bridgewater, and Halifax, and for the last nine years he has lived in Hanover, Mass.
That he is known to Rev. Master Parris of Marshfield who formerly resided in the neighborhood in Pembroke where he used to live, to Isaac B. Barker Esq r of Hanson, to Benjamin Mann Esq r of Hanover & others, who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Benjamin Darling
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register

I Martin Parris, a clergyman residing in the town of Mansfield hereby certify, that I was formerly well acquainted with Benjamin Doolittle, now residing in Hanover, but who formerly resided in Pembroke, the place of my nativity, who has made application for a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7, 1832, that I believe him to be seventy seven years of age, that I am not acquainted in the neighborhood, where he resides, but I believe he has been a soldier of the revolution. Martin Parris.
Plymouth Jy Sept 23. 1832. Subscribed and sworn to before me Anthony Colbarnood, Justice of Peace

There is no clergyman now living in Hanover who is acquainted with Benjamin Darling & his discharge will prove that he has been a soldier of the Revolution.
town of
and
residing in the
quainted with
declaration; that we believe him to be
reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of
the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
hereby certify, that we are well ac-
quainted with Benjamin Darling who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration; that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age; that he is
reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of
the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Benjamin Darling
206.37
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 Rev Martin Paris who has signed the preceding  annexed certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Mansfield and that  who has  also signed the same, is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that the statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
I, Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Darling for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty seven day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord

20637
Benjamin Darling Mass
Artificer 12 Mos
Inst 2
Prnts 10
M. L. B.
$115.33
Isaac H. Lord Plymouth Mass

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 Benjamin Darling  Plymouth C Massachusetts
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlist 1776 6 Capt. Dutton Col. Dutton Mass 77 years Documentary   " 1777 2 Sergeant Turner Barton at Barton Rhode I Pembroke an living   " 1777 6 Private Stowers Jacobs North Rhode I Mass Witnesses   " 1778 6 Artificer Eaton Baldwin Kingston Providence   " 1778 6 Artificer Eaton Connecticut   " 1779 6 Webb Shephard Albany   " 1780 6 4 Genl Poor West Point   6 4 King's Ferry   6 4 Jersey  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. 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 day 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 enquiry 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 [j] 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.

30376 INVALID. Pay
Oct. 17-1903-Sub 6 Mrs. A.A. Week. Stearns Pt. Wis.
No 30,376
Benjamin Darling Definite Rev. in
Act June 7 th 321
Index - Vol. 3 Page 102
[Arrangement of 1870.]

DARLINE, BENJAMIN (MASS) S-30376

THE Bearer hereof Benjamin Darling a Private in Captain Webb's Company of the 4th Massachusetts Regiment commanded by is hereby discharged the Flying Hospital, at Robinson's this 8th day of December 1860 William Lloyd

State of Maine
Kennebec county ss I John A Chandler clerk of the courts of Kennebec county, certify that Alfred Pierce is a Magistrate as above, and the foregoing signature, purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this tenth day of October in the year 1832. —
J. A. Chandler } clerk of the courts } of Kennebec county

I Luther Robbins of Greene County of Kennebec & State of Maine aged 74 years do testify & say that Benjamin Darling of Hanover formerly of Pembroke County of Plymouth Massachusetts was a soldier in the company with me commanded by Captain Seth Stowe Calvin Guntin and Atwood Mott Lieutenants we marched to Providence Rhode Island, then to North Kingston had a skirmish with the British who landed from Conanicut Island and afterwards went to Slades ferry and stationed there until the six months which we enlisted for expired said Darling served the same time I did which I think ended January 1778 Greene August 7 th . 1832. Luther Robbins
Kennebec ss. The above was sworn to and subscribed this eight day of August A.D. 1832 before me Alfred Pierce, Justice of the Peace

Mr. Luther Robbins, who has signed the within affidavit is the Post Master at Green, Penobscot Co. Maine, and is understood from them personally ac- quainted with him, a man of truth and veracity. Pembroke, Plymouth County, 1832. Anthony Colborne Justice.

Benjamin Darlings - x Deposition.

I consider Howland of Situate in the County of Plymouth, and state of Massachusetts do testify and say that I enlisted in the service of the United States in a company of Militia commanded by Amos Turner, Captain, Thine Lapham Lieutenant, Benjamin Dorr Ensign, in April 1777 and marched to Rhode Island, and was stationed at an old distill house about a mile from Howland's Ferry, and served there two months; that Benjamin Doring of Hanover, County of Plymouth served with me in the same company the whole time of our enlistment. The company was raised in Marshfield, Pembroke, & Hanover, & then served in Marshfield & Benjamin Doring in Pembroke: no other company was stationed there at that time.  Pembroke July 30. 1832. Consider Howland
State of Massachusetts, County of Plymouth ss. July 30. 1832. Then the above named Consider Howland personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the affidavit by him subscribed.
Before me Anthony Collemore, Justice of the Peace
I Joshua Wagon, of Pembroke in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts do testify and say that I enlisted in the service of the United States and served two months at Rhode Island, under the following officers, Amos Turner, Captain, Thine Lapham Lieutenant, Benjamin Dorr Ensign; we enlisted and marched to Rhode Island in the month of April 1777 and was stationed about a mile from Howland's Ferry at an old distill house; that Benjamin Doring of Hanover, then living in Pembroke, enlisted and served with me the two months as a sergeant. No other company was stationed there, & I knew no Regimental officers; and I further testify say that the said Doring served six months with me in the Continental Army in Capt. Webb's Company of Infantry in Col. Shepherd's Regiment in Gen. Howe's Brigade under Gen. Fayette we enlisted June 1780 and were discharged at the end of six months.  State of Massachusetts, Plymouth ss. Joshua Wagon subscribed and sworn to this second day of August 1832 Before me Anthony Collemore, Justice of the Peace

I Christopher Pierce of Pembroke in the county of Plymouth, and state of Massachusetts do testify & say that I enlisted in a company of state troops commanded by Captain William Weston, Andrew Samson Lieut - Joshua Smith Ensign, on the last of June or first of July 1776 and served on the Gurnet a fort in Plymouth Bay six months; that Benjamin Darling of Honoover was enlisted in the same company and served all the time we were stationed on the Gurnet, and were discharged the last of December or first of January following.
Pembroke July 30. 1832
Christopher Pierce
State of Massachusetts, County of Plymouth ss - July 30. 1832. Then the above named Christopher Pierce personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed before me Anthony Collamore Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Consider Howland, Joshua Magoun Christopher Pierce and Billie Wood, and they are men of veracity & their statement is entitled to credit.
A. Collamore, Just. Peace
  Benjn Darling has served  Prof.    1776  State  Time     July 1 to Jan 71  Gurnet Plymouth 60  6 months  Christ. Pierce Affidavit    1777  Rhode Island  2 "  Consider Howland Joshua Magoun    April to June  as a subject  6 "    1778  Do -  6 "  Luther Proffitt    July 1 to Jan 79  New York almost 11  11 "  Billie Wood    1779       1780  West Point 207  6 "  Joshua Magoun    June to Dec   31 months  Prov. U.S. Army & his discharge  

I Bille Flood of Pissbroke in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, aged 45 years, do testify and say that I enlisted in the Continental Service as a Mechanic and served one year as a Blacksmith under Capt. James Dator, in Col. Levi Balderick's Regiment of Musketeers. I first went to Albany and then to a place called Quemant's Patent about twelve miles below Albany and was employed there in building two lighters, about six months, and then went to West Point, and served there till my time expired. That Benja Darling of Hanover, then residing in Pissbroke, enlisted and served in the same company with me, and was employed the  some time in the same shop. Elisha Birbe was Foreman of the Blacksmiths Shop. We were employed part of the time on usual work, and irons for gun carriages, and part of the time in shoeing horses for the Army. I enlisted December 8, 1777 but did not march till February following, and was dismissed at the end of my enlistment. Pissbroke August 2, 1832
Bille Flood
State of Massachusetts Plymouth County
August 2, 1832. Then the above named Bille Flood subscribed and made affirmation to the truth of the above declaration before me Anthony Collinson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Witnesseth I W. B. Mason Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, being Clerk of Records, in the County of Plymouth hereby certify that Anthony Collinson in before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth - and that I believe his name thereto subscribed to be his true and proper signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Supreme Judicial Court on this thirteenth day of August
AD 1832
W. B. Mason

30376
3-068. (Old No. 3-649.)
6-50
Bureau of Pensions.
Benj. Darling
Aug 27, 1832 - 77
Hanover Mass
Aug 76. Pembroke
mass
Capt Wm Weston
Col -
Post - 6 m
Apr 77 Capt Amos Turner
Col Barton
Sgt 2 m
Aug 77 Capt Seth Stowen
Col Jacobs
Post - 6 m
Jan 78 Capt Ezra Eaton
Col Baldwin
Artificer 12 m
so Capt Geo. Webb
Col Shepherd
Post - 6 m
born Pembroke Mass.
June 14, 1755 - 57
skirmish at N. Kingston Rd.

Stevens Point, Wis.
Oct 5, 1903.
To Commissioner in Dept of Int.
Sir, -
I would like a statement of the military history of — Benjamin Darling , and Capt Nathaniel Wood , both soldiers in the Revolutionary War. I think both enlisted from Middleboro Mass.
Yours
Would be pleased if information could reach me soon.
Mrs. N. A. Weeks 603 Clark St Stevens Point Wis