Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15458, Benjamin Howard, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Howard, Benjamin
NUMBER
S. 15458
CONTENTS
carded

New Hampshire
Benj a Howard of Stratham in the State of NH who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Patten of the Reg t commanded by Col Reed in the Mass. Militia for 10 mo. and 19 days from 1780.
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 35 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Feb y 1833 and sent to Mr. M c Edward.
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 52 99 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 March 1831 7. 66 $ 70. 65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. Grafton Clerk, Book 20. Vol. 1 Page 161

10,492
Benjamin Howard
Thurs
10 Mo + 19 days
on Roll of Scam 10
Rest Mts collected 18.
June 1780 - for 6 Months
March 6 Dec 1780
5 Mo 19 days
Hon H Hubbard
HR
$35.33.
Thos Edwards
Keene
N.H.

BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Howard  of Stoddard in the State of New Hampshire  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Seventy three years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     Volunteer In 1777 Sep 2 Capt Porter, Col Reed   " 1778 apl 1 3 Capt Moore, " "   enlisted 1780 July 2 5 19 Burgoyne Price - Col Jackson   for role of term  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Chelmsford Mass's  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? A clergyman & N. Foster certify to traditional evidence. Joshua Reed a living witness proves the service as stated  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. Keith Examining Clerk.

Declaration of Benjamin Howard of Studland Cheshire Co. 10. 6. 92 N. H.

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, COUNTY OF CHESHIRE.
On this Eighth day of August personally appeared in open Court, Before the Hon Aaron Matson Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Cheshire - now sitting, Benjamin Howard a resident of Stoddard in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged Seventy three years and six 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 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
1 st . In the year 1777 - two months, in Captain John Porter's Company, in Col Jon a Reed's Regt. Massachusetts Militia - went into the service the last of September marched to Bennington, and from there to Fort Edward then back to Saratoga - was present at the Surrender of Burgoyne - then was one of the guard with the prisoners to Charlestown, was taken sick at Marlborough Mass, and left on the march about a week before my term expired -
2 d . In 1778 from first of April, three months, guarding prisoners at Cambridge, Capt Mosey's Company Col Jon a Reed's Regt - at Fort No 2 - in Cambridge -
3 rd In 1780 - Six months, went to enlisted at Chelmsford Mass. went to Springfield Mass and passed muster the 2 d day of July - then to West Point, enrolled and served in the Company commanded by Ensign Benjamin Pierce, in Col Michael Jackson's Continental Regiment, marched into New Jersey, was at various places, in no battles, returned to West Point for winter quarters the fore part of December discharged there the second day of Jan y 1781. -
Born in Chelmsford Mass - in 1759 - 15 th Augt - have a record of my age in my bible - was living in 1 st Chelmsford when called into the service - was a volunteer in all the services Gen Gates commanded at Saratoga - large number of Continental troops there - no Continental officers at Cambridge in my second service - In the 3 rd service I was in Gen l Dearborn's Brigade - Rec d a discharge for last service above and did it to the selectmen of Chelmsford who paid me my wages - Rec d  from  the Robinson of Stoddard & Nathan Joslin my neighbors will testify as to my character for veracity. -
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 the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Benjamin Howard before me Aaron Matson Judge of Probate

We, Isaac Robinson clergyman of Stoddard and Nath l Joslin of the same Stoddard
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Howard who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be twenty three with August. 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.
Isaac Robinson Nath l Joslin
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. before me Aaron Mattson Judge of Probate
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 certi- fies, that it appears to them that Isaac Robinson who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said town of Stoddard, and that Nathaniel Joslin who has also signed the same is a resident of the same town, are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit -
Aaron Mattson Judge of Probate I, Asa Parker Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Cheshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Howard for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this eighth day of August A.D. 1832
Asa Parker } Register of the } Court of Probate

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Howard 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.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1777 3 mos. Pvt. John Porter Lou a Reed Mass.   Apr. 1. 1778 3 mos. Moore Lou a Reed   July 1780 Long 2. 1781 Ensign Ruf. Pierce Michael Jackson        
Battles engaged in, Surrender of Burgoyne Residence of soldier at enlistment, Chelmsford Mass. Date of application for pension, Aug. 8. 1832. His cl. was al. Residence at date of application, Woodard Cheshire Co. N. H. Age at date of application, born Aug. 10. 1759 at Chelmsford Mass. Remarks: No data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

2
15458 INVALID.
1915-May 28 High do Mrs. Harriet A. Smith.
File No. 15458
Benjamin Howard
Pris Reo War
Act: June 7" 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 180
[Arrangement of 1870.]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Benjamin Howard which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? neg II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? neg III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? neg IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? neg V. * Has he mentioned 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? neg VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? neg VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? neg VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? neg IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? neg X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? neg

 XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no  XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no  XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? no  XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? no   If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no  Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? no    XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? no  XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? answered 
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡ QUERE XVI.  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 paper 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.
☞ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

Deho for Benj a Howard

I Joshua Reed of Stoddard in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire of lawful age testify and say that I have been well acquainted with Benjamin Howard of said Stoddard from his youth he formerly belonged to Chelmsford in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the year AD 1777 said Howard served in the Revolutionary War two months in the fall under Capt. John Ford of said Chelmsford in the Regiment of Middlesex commanded by Col. Jonathan Reed of Littleton in said County of Middlesex I was in the same Regiment marched to Fort Edward was with him at the taking of General Burgaines army was also with him on the way to Cambridge as a guard to Burgaines army
Also in the year 1778 the said Benjamin Howard and myself served three months from the first of April to the first of July in Col. Jonathan Reed Regiment of Middlesex at Cambridge M.P. said Howard belonged to the company commanded by Capt. Moors of Bedford M.P.
Also in the year 1780 the said Howard and myself served six months in the continental Army said Howard belonged to a company commanded by Ensign Benjamin Pierce who then belonged to Chelmsford M.P. in Col. Micael Jacksons Regiment we joined the army together at West Point about the first of July marched from West Point to the Gorge remained there about four months where I saw the said Howard frequently saw him at West Point after the army returned there
Stoddard July 16 th 1832
Joshua Reed
Cheshire July 16 th 1832 Then the said Joshua Reed personally appearing made Oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is True before me
Isaiah Reed justice of the peace
I certify that the above named Joshua Reed is a credible witness
Isaiah Reed justice of the peace

Cheshire J. August 1. 1832
I Salma Hale clerk of the Inferior Courts in sd County certify that Isaiah Reed is a Justice of the Peace in and for sd County and I believe that his name twice subscribed on the other side is in his own hand writing - In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of our Superior Court of Inferior
S Hale
also for Benj. Rowan

Rev Sec 301 South Third Street. H Rockelle, Illinois, May 25, 1915.
Commissioner of Pensions. Dear Sir.
Please look among the records in your office for the name of Benjamin Howard who enlisted in the Revolutionary War from the State of Massachusetts, I think from Spelmsford, now a part of the City of Lowell. Please send me any data you may find, which will be gratefully received by
Mrs Harriet Newell Smith 301- South Third Street. Rockelle. Illinois.