Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5238, Benjamin Horton, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York.
Horton, Benjamin Anna
R. 5238
CONTENTS
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Lett to Pensioner 1 April 1835
14357 6286 New York
 Benjamin Horton of Suffolk in the State of New York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Baily of the Regt. commanded by Col. Drake in the N. Y. m. time for 6 mos. 
Enrolled on the Roll of New York at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of May  1833 and sent to  Geo Miller Suffolk Co H
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $ 40.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Septm. — 10.00  $ 50.00 
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book E Vol. 4 Page 60 

No. 14254 Deed of Elihu P. Horton son of Anna Horton deceased widow of Benjamin
on 7 July 1838
Suffolk Co New York
Wm James Brooks N.Y.

SUFFOLK COUNTY, } ss. STATE OF NEW YORK }
I, B. T. HUTCHINSON , Clerk of the County of Suffolk, Do Hereby Certify , that A. G. Rose whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, and thereon written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a County Judge for said County, residing in the said County, commissioned and sworn and duly authorized to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such County Judge and verily believe that the signature to said certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof , I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County, the 26 th day of Novr. , 185 o —
B. T. Hutchinson Clerk.
Surrogate of Suffolk Co.

State of New York } Suffolk County }
Be it known that satisfactory proof has this day been advanced before me, the undersigned Judge & Surrogate of the above named County that Lisa H Horton Widow of Benjamin Horton a late Pensioner of the United States, died on the 14 th day of April 1843 and that Joseph Horton Martha Landon and Elam P Horton are her only surviving Children.
In testimony whereof I have signed my name & caused the Seal of said Court to be affixed This 28 th day of November 1850
A. R. Phelps Clerk Surrogate of Suffolk Co.

Certificate of the Hon Abraham T. Rose in the case of Elam P. Horton

State of New York } Hampshire County ss }
On this 26 th day of November 1850 personally appeared before the subscribing authority, Elam P. Horton, a Resident of Southwick in the County & State above written, age 55 - Being who being first duly sworn according law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Pension issued by the Acts of Congress passed July 7 th 1838. and April 3, 1843.
That he together with Joseph Horton and Martha Lancaster are the sole surviving Children of Amos Horton, the widow of Benjamin Horton a Revolutionary Soldier and a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. and continued to never such person until near the date of his death, which took place on the 19 th of September 1844. That his said mother Amos Horton, whose maiden name was Anna Goldsmith, survived his said father and died on the 14 th day of April 1843, and that his Father & Mother were married in the year 1784 - and before the 1 st of January 1784. and he would further state that his eldest son would if living have been sixty five years of age - and he now asks the amount of the pension which was due his late mother at the time of her death. The word "brother" intended before signature -
I swear and subscribe to on the day and year above written Elam P Horton before me, A. D. Rose being Judge & Surrogate of said Court.
1850 55 1795

16286
Benjamin Horton Suffolk County New York
admitted 6 mos for 20 f
George Miller Suffolk Co. N.Y. New York

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 subjunctive 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 Horton Suffolk City N.Y.
   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.     June 1776 6 pr. Capt. Bailey Col. Drake Long Island N. York 78 South- old Suffolk City N.Y. No.  
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 _____"> 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) _____, who has 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.
Rhewnan

Declaration of Benjamin Horton for Revolutionary Pension
10280
v

State of New York County of Suffolk ss: on this fifth day of October — one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before me David Warner one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Suffolk, Benjamin Horton a resident of the Town of Southold in the said County of Suffolk aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to ob- tain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 That he enlisted in the army of the United States at Southold in the said County of Suffolk in the month of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty six six , for the term of six months in the company commanded by Captain Jonathan Bailey, and Lieutenants David Horton, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Drake, and Lieutenant Colonel Halliburton & Major Hatfield, in General Scott's Brigade in the line of the State of New York, and con- tinued to serve in the said corps until the expiration of the said term of six months That he marched went from Southold to the City of New York the West End of Long Island, was in the battle on the West End of Long Island on the 27 th of August, and retreated with the army under General Washington to New York a day or two afterwards, from New York he went to Kings Bridge, from thence to Fort Washington and from Fort Wash- ington crossed the Hudson River to Fort Lee, from Fort Lee he marched to

Pekskill in the State of New York from there he went to Haverstraw on the West side of the Hudson River, where was regularly discharged at the expira- -tion of his said term of six months, but had no written discharge, That at the time of his said enlistment he resided in the Town of Southold in the County of Suffolk and State of New York. That he now lives seventeen miles from the Court House in the County of Suffolk and by reason of the infirmities of old age he is unable to attend the sitting of the said Courts of the said County. That he hereby relinquishes every claim 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 -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me -
Benjamin Florlock
David Warner } Judge of the Court of common pleas in and for the said County;
I David Warner the Judge above named do hereby declare it to be my opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and I do further certify that the said applicant from bodily infirmity is unable to attend court.
David Warner Judge

State of New York County of Suffolk ss:
I Joseph B Huntington Clerk of the court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Suffolk do hereby certify that David Warner whose name is subscribed to the foregoing declaration and certificate was on the day of the date of the said declaration and still is one of the judges of the court of Common Pleas in and for the said county of Suffolk, which is a court of Record, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said judge and truly believe that his name subscribed to the said declaration and certificate is in his own hand writing -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and seal of office this 24 th day of October one Thousand eight hundred and thirty two - Joseph B Huntington

N o 14.254
Anna Horton dec d wid. of Benjamin New York
Act 7 th July 1838.
Letter to Hon. S. Brooks H of R. Feb 11- 1857-
5258

REJECTED
5238
P. O.
Anna Horton
Service: widow of Benjamin
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18
1904 Dec. 10 Date to Hon. Louis A. Crampton, see list her in general Horton 13429

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Horton, Christopher GRADE Corporal LINE Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER 5960 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Sept. 2, 1789 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.