Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 13423, Benjamin Holt, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
B. J
Holt, Benjamin Edith
W. 13423
CONTENTS

Rhode Island 485
Edith Holt
of Newport in the State of R. I.
who was a in the comman
by Captain of the comman
by in the
widow of Benjamin Holt dec d late a pirate in the Revolution
R.I.
Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island at the rate of 46 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Sept r 1837 and sent Wm. R. Woyes Newport R.I.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $256.68
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 37 23.33
$280.01
Section act } Revolutionary Claim, Act 4 July 1836 } Act Jan 7, 1832 }
Recorded by hhl Addison Clerk, Book a , Vol. Page 105.

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Newport sc. On this seventh day of September A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty six personally appeared before me Daniel C. Benham a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Newport and State aforesaid Edith Wolt aged eighty two years who being first duly affirmed according to law, doth on her affir- -mation make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836. That she is the widow of Benjamin Wolt who was a private soldier in one of the Regiments raised by the State of Rhode Island which invested the town of Boston. My impression is that he was in a company commanded by Capt. Dopham his term of service expired in the spring of 1776. I well recollect that he was after- -wards in a company commanded by Capt. Henry Dayton six months or more. When the English took possession of the Island we were both here and I had a young child about nine months old and as soon as I was able to get away I went to Providence with a flag I having obtained a permit from Col. Chalcender for that purpose. Soon after my husband got a permit to go a fishing and took that opportunity to run away and come to Providence. From thence we went into the country a short time and then returned to Providence. After his return to Providence he was one of the guards that guarded the shores but un- -der whose command I do not know. We afterwards entered on board a guardship but how long he was on duty there I do not distinctly recollect, but well recollect that he was employed a large proportion of the time during the war. My impression is that he enlisted at Providence but in what company or regiment I do not recollect, as my memory on those subjects is poor having had sick children at the time and a good deal of trouble and since which have lost my husband and six out of eight of my sons. It was after our return from Providence that he belonged to Capt. W. Daytons Company which I well recollect as his Mother lived with us at that time and died while he was on the fort as a Soldier. My Father impression is that he served

Six months under Capt. Henry Dayton - She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Holt on the twenty second of July seventeen hundred and seventy six and that her maiden name was Edith Easton, and that her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Holt died on the sixteenth day of February eighteen hundred and thirty; six and that she has remained his widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof herewith annexed. I further declare that I am aged & infirm and unable to appear before a Court not having been in town since last Spring -
Edith her X Holt.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year before written before, Daniel C. Denham, Justice of the Peace.
Newport sc Newport Sept. 7th 1836 Then personally came Edith Holt whose character for truth and veracity is good and made solemn affirmation to the truth of the above declaration before
Daniel C. Denham Justice Peace.
Newport sc } } }
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Clerks Office Supreme Judicial Court Newport in the County of Newport and State of R.I. ———
I Nathaniel Sweet Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court in the County of Newport aforesaid being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Daniel C. Denham Before whom the Declaration of Edith Holt & the Deposition of Benjamin Lawton & John P. Mann & Christopher Ellery was sworn to and George C. Shaw Before whom Peleg Barker Testified & William Gilpin Before whom James Tennant Testified are all three Justices of the Peace in the Town of Newport were appointed by the General Assembly and Commissioned by the Governor of this State and are fully authorized to act in said capacities and that their signatures above written are Genuine — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court at Newport on this Twelfth day of Nov. One thousand Eight Hundred & thirty six — Nathaniel Sweet Clerk.

Newport August 17 th 1836.
I hereby certify that I have examined a book purporting to be a record of marriages by the Rev. Gardner Thurston (deceased) formerly Pastor of the 2 d Baptist Church in this Town said book having been handed to me by the family as such record and I find in said book the following entry to wit "1776 July 22 d Benjamin Wolf & Edith Easton both of Newport and that the said entry is according to the usual form of recording marriages at that time -
Daniel C. Denham Clk.
2 d Baptist Church
Newport p. Newport Nov r 07. 1836. Then person ally appeared Daniel C Denham to me well known to be the Clerk of the Second Baptist Church in Newport and made solemn oath to the truth of the above certificate signed by him - Before Bay N. Howland Justice

No. 615. Declaration 3. Sec. of Mrs E. Holt
6 mos under Capt. Dayton raised by special act copy on file
adm? 2 14 mo. fri 146.66
Wm. R. Noyes Esq. Newport R.I.

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Newport ss. I Daniel C. Denham a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Newport do certify that I visited the within named Edith Holt at her residence on the seventh day of September A.D. 1836 she being aged infirm & feeble in health and unable to appear before a court of Record Daniel C. Denham Just. Peace

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.,
July 19, 1921
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Benj. Holt a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. W. 13423.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1775 ✓ Pvt. Topham ✓ R. I.   6 mos. Henry Dayton ✓   2nd service during the greater part of the War  
Battles engaged in, None stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enl in Providence R. I.
Date of application for pension, Sep't 7 1836 his el al.
Residence at date of application, Near Providence R. I.
Age at date of application, She was 82
Remarks: Sol mar July 22 1776 Enl in Easton both of Newport R. I. Ded. Feb. 16 1830. Widow refers to having lost 6 out of 8 sons - no names stated
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

1921, July 19 hist to Gertrude Ehrhardt, En.
R.S.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 13423
Edith Holt
Widow of Benjamin Holt
Prin Recv. War
Act: July 4 th  1836
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 345
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Susp o .
Ans r Hon. D. S. Pearce, Jan y 21 st 1837-

\begin{array}{r} 23335 \\ 23.33 \\ \hline 256.68 \end{array}

Newport Dec 6 th 1836
Sir,
Yours of the 24 th Ult. returning the papers in support of the claim of Mrs Edith Holt, were duly received. I now have the pleasure of forwarding you the certificate of the Hon. Joseph Roslin to her declaration, which I hope will be satisfactory.
Respectfully Yours Obt Servt Wm. R. Doyers
James L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions Washington

Newport Feb. 9. 1837
Sir
Yours of 21 st Ult. addressed to the Hon. Dr. Pease is before me. In compliance with your request I forward a copy of the Act of the General Assembly of R. Island, for raising the company commanded by Henry Dayton. This Company of One Hundred men were stationed at the Fortification in this Town, and were enlisted for Six months. I would also observe that there is but one of the Officers of said Company now living, and on account of his age & he is not able to recollect some of his nearest Neighbours that served with him, or even the year in which he served.
I have the Honor to be
James T. Edwards Esq. Com. Pensions Washington D.C.
Your Most Obt Servt
Wm H. Soyers Ag t for Edm. North

I Henry Sherburne of Newport in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, do on Honor certify, That the Bear- hereof, Benjamin Hott served as a Soldier During the Whole of the Campaign in the Year 1775 in One of the Regiments raised by the State of Rhode Island which invested their Town of Boston, that during his Service he conducted himself, as become a faithful Soldier, That after that Campaign ended, he has known the said Hott to be engaged in the Service of his Country during the Struggle for her Independence.
Given Under my hand at Newport this 13 th day of January A D 1818, & Forty Second of American Independence.
H Sherburne Major of One of the Regts. Raised by the State of Rhode Island in the Year A D 1775, And afterwards Colonel of One of the Sixteen Additional Sixteen Regts.

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Newport sc Then personally came John P. Mason and Christopher Ellery, Esquires both of the town & county of Newport and on oath testify and say that the within is the true and genuine hand- writing & signature of the within named Henry Sherburne and that from their knowledge of his character they have no hesitation in saying that full faith and credit ought to be given to the statements therein contained. — We also further certify that we have frequently seen him write and are well acquainted with his handwriting.
Signed & sworn to this 14 th day of October before me Daniel C. Denham Just. Peace
John P. Mason
Christopher Ellery
Newport sc Newport Oct. 14 th 1836 I hereby certify that the character for truth and veracity of the above named individuals is good.
Daniel C. Denham Just Peace

I James Tennant of Newport of the age of seventy five years do solemnly oath declare and say that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Holt late of Newport, deceased and late the husband of Edith Holt the present applicant for a pension. That said Holt entered the service early in the Revolution and was in one of the regiments of the continental line raised by this State, but as not recollect how long he served, my impression is that the regiment was raised for fifteen months, after that time I do not recollect where he served, as we were separated until the year 1781 or 1782. He was then on duty at this place in Saytons company. my impression is that he enlisted for six months, and that part of the time Capt Sayton had command of this station, as I am impressed, that at one time it was a large company and soldiers were stationed at Brantons point, at fort Wolcott and at the North Battery. The last place was principally occupied by the militia, which was then commanded by Col Lemuel Bayley. that there was also another officer in command but I do not recollect his name, that said Holt was a faithful soldier, and that

I am also well acquainted with Sarah Mott his widow, and that she still remains his widow.
Attest G. M. Gilpin
James his  X Tennant mark
Newport Pa. Nov. 28 1830
Then personally appeared before me James Tennant subscribed to the above statement by him subscribed. The same being read over to and known by me in his presence and by him subscribed in my presence. I also certify that said Tennant is a person of truth and veracity.
G. M. Gilpin
Not. Public

State of Rhode Island &c.
Newport Sc. Newport.
Dec. 3 rd A.D. 1836.
I do hereby certify that I have this day called at the residence of Mrs. Edith Holt, (she having been credibly represented to me as infirm & of feeble health, where her personal appearance and testimony also alike were evidence of the fact,) and that the said Edith, after being duly cautioned & solemnly affirmed, & carefully examined upon every part thereof by itself, did declare on affirmation that the annexed Declaration, as made by her before Daniel C. Denham Esq. on the 7 th of Sept. 1836, is true in all its parts, before me,
Joseph Fosler, C. Jus. C.C. Pleas, Newport.
State of Rhode Island &c, Newport Sc } Clerks Office Court of Com. Pleas Newport December 5. 1836
I George L Shaw Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in the County aforesaid, being a Court of Records, do hereby certify that Joseph Fosler before whom Edith Holt made affirmation as above certified is the Chief Justice of this Court of Common Pleas for the aforesaid County was appointed by the General Assembly and Commissioned by the Governor of this State, and is fully authorized to act in said capacity, and his signature above written is genuine. I further certify that I am well acquainted with the aforesaid Edith Holt who is a person of undoubted veracity and strict integrity. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court at Newport on the day and year aforesaid
Geo. L Shaw. Clerk

I Peleg Barker of Portsmouth in the county of Newport aged seventy seven years On solemn Oath testifies and say. That in the war of the Revolution and after the British army evacuated the Island of Rhode Island, I was a private soldier in a company commanded by Capt Henry Dayton in service and stationed at Newport, that I am now a revolutionary pensioner. I was well acquainted with Benjamin Holt late of Newport deceased, and the husband of Batha Holt, the present applicant for a pension. And I clearly and distinctly recollect that said Benjamin Holt served for the term of six months in the same company with me, under the command of Capt. Henry Dayton
peleg Barker
Newport sc
Newport October 4 1836
Then personally appeared Peleg Barker, signer of the foregoing deposition (who is well known by me as a credible witness) and made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Before me
Gro. B Shaw Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Newport sc. I Benjamin Lawton of the town & county of Newport and State aforesaid on oath do testify and say that I am Eighty six years of age and that I was a volunteer and Drum Major on this station under the command of Capt. Dayton who took possession soon after the English evacuated, and I also know that Benjamin Wolf the husband of the present applicant was a private in said company and that he was a good soldier and served his time out that he enlisted for, but how long that was I do not exactly recollect. I also know Edith Wolf and that she still remains the widow of said Benjamin Wolf
Benjamin Lawton
Sworn to and subscribed this eighth day of September A.D. 1836 before, Daniel C. Deham Justice Peace
Newport sc Newport Sept. 8 th 1836 Then came Benjamin Lawton whose character for truth and veracity is good and made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit before me Daniel C. Deham Justice Peace

Rs 50 Newport Historical Society
Incorporated 1854
DIRECTORS
RODERICK TERRY, President FRANK K. STURGIS, 1st Vice-President ALFRED TUCKERMAN, 2d Vice-President DARIUS BAKER, 3d Vice-President JOHN P. SANBORN, Recording Secretary MAUD LYMAN STEVENS, Corresponding Secretary HENRY C. STEVENS, JR., Treasurer LLOYD MINTURN MAYER, Librarian EDWIN P. ROBINSON, Curator of Coins and Medals
MRS. HAROLD BROWN MRS. WILLIAM H. BIRCKHEAD JONAS BERGNER MRS. DANIEL B. FEARING MRS. PAUL FITZSIMONS MRS. CHARLES C. GARDNER LAWRENCE L. GILLESPIE MRS. THOMAS A. LAWTON MRS. C. L. F. ROBINSON WILLIAM S. SHERMAN MISS EDITH MAY TILLEY HAMILTON B. TOMPKINS
Newport, R. I.
July 8, 1921.
Pension Office Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
In a List of Pensioners compiled in 1840 I find the name of Edith Holt who resided with Nathaniel Holt of Newport, R.I. Will you kindly tell me upon what ground she received a pension. Her husband's name was Benjamin Holt, it may possibly have been he, any information concerning this Edith Holt will be greatly appreciated.
If there is any charge please send the bill and I will send check or money order by return mail.
Very truly yours,
Gertrude Ehrhardt
Assistant Librarian.