Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 13242, Benoni Hall, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Col.
Hall, Benoni Gardner, Sarah Ann
No. 13242.
(Former widow.)
CONTENTS

Rhode-Island 252.
Sarah Ann Gardner, widow of Benoni Hall, decd - R.I.
who died in the month of July 1787 - of Kent Co. in the State of R. Island - who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain West - of the Regt - commanded by Col. Topham in the R. Island line for 2 years Private.
scribed on the Roll of Rhode-Island the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of Feb- ruary 1839 and sent to Hon. N. R. Knight, Senate U.S.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept. 1838 - $600.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Feb. 1839. 40 -
$640.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 5 th }
Recorded by Book
S. D. Elliot Clerk, Vol. 2, Page 89.

State of Rhode Island
County of Kent 2. September 6 th
On this fifth day of September 1838 personally appeared before me Charles Greene, one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County, Sarah Ann Gardner now resident in Coventry in said County aged 77 years who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress of July 4 1836 & March 3 rd 1837. That on the 12 th day of January A D 1776, she intermarried with Benoni Hall of Exeter, in the County of Washington in said State. She remembers the day & the year from the circumstances that her marriage took place just three days before she was sixteen years of age, she was sixteen on the 15 th of said January but she has no documentary evidence of her marriage nor is it recorded as she knows, in any public or private record but persons are living who were present at the marriage and she further declares that she lived with said Benoni Hall as his wife until July 1789, when he died she does not know the exact day when died as he died when away from home, in Steventown in the State of New York whether he had gone to take

I Marcy R Gardner of Lowbury in the County of Kent do testify & say that I am now fifty four years of age, that Sarah Ann Gardner who has signed & sworn to the preceding declaration is my Mother, and Bennie Hall her first hus- band, was my father. I was about three years of age when my father died my Mother then lived a widow until she married Paris Gardner I was then about 16 years of age I was present at the marriage & saw them married My father in Law the said Paris Gardner died in December 1818. Since then my mother has remained unmarried, & resides with me I am now the wife of Vernon R Gardner Marcy R Gardner
Kent p In Lowbury Sept 6 th 1838
Sworn to and subscribed before me and I further certify that the said Marcy is a credible witness Charles Greene Justice C. C. Pleas

Wentworth In Coventry Sept 6 th 1858
Sworn to and subscribed before me by the said Sarah Nunn Gardner and I further certify that the said Sarah is not able to attend Court Charles Greene Justice C.C. Pleas

By the Honorable NICHOLAS COOKE , Esquire, Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of and over the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations .
To Benjamin West . Gentlemen.
GREETING.
Y OU the said Benjamin West _____ being appointed Captain of a Company _____ in the Brigade ordered to be raised by the General Assembly of this State, held at Providence, on Thursday the Twelfth Day of December, A. D. 1776, for the Defence thereof in particular, and of the United States of America in general, are hereby, in the Name of the GOVERNOR and COMPANY of this State, authorized, empowered, and commissioned, to have, take and exercise, the Office of Captain of and over the Company aforesaid _____. And to command, guide and conduct the same, or any Part thereof: And in Case of an Invasion or Assault by a common Enemy, to infest or disturb this or any other of the said States, you are to alarm and gather together the Company _____ under your Command, or any Part thereof as you shall deem sufficient, and therewith, to the utmost of your Skill and Ability, you are to resist, expel, kill, and destroy them, in order to preserve the Lives, Liberties and Properties of the good People of this and the other United States. You are also to follow such further Instructions, Directions and Orders, as shall, from Time to Time, be given forth, either by the General Assembly, or your superior Officers. And for your so doing, this Commission shall be your sufficient Warrant.
GIVEN under my Hand, and Seal of the said State, this Third _____ Day of January _____ in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-seven.
By His Honor's Command,
Henry Ward
Nich d Cooke

Reof
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 13242
Sarah Ann Gardner Widow of Benjamin Hall Brig Rev. War
Act: July 4 th  1826
Index:—Vol. a , Page 264
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Col. Edwards
Commiss n pensons
7

Col. Edwards
Herewith is enclosed the affidavit of Mrs Sarah Ann Gardner and the deposition of Wm Gardner & also a communication of Capt. Benjamin West as evidence on the application of Mrs Sarah Ann Gardner for a pension, and ask the favour of an examination & decision in this case as soon as practicable - If the evi- dence does not prove the full amount claimed, please to give a certificate for what is proved -
Respectfully yours
A. B. Kingsley
Feb'y 3. 1839.

✓ Sarah Ann Gardner
(4098) R. G. July, 1836.
✓ See let to Hon. A. R. Knight
To same Dec 7, 1838.
Jan 17, 1839.

Mrs Sarah Ann Gend
Hon N. R. Knight Senate MS

State of Rhode Island County of Kent
Sarah Ann Gardner of Coventry in said county formerly widow of Benoni Hall having seen a Letter from the commission- of Pensions to Hon. N. B. Knight of Sec y Just respecting her claim for a pension now maketh this further affidavit in support of her said claim - She further de- clares that after the first Term of enlistment expired she remembers her husband again enlisted as a private in Capt. Benjamin West's Company as she believes and served therein for a year or more. And she further declares that her husband's name was Benoni" altho he used to be called "Ben Hall" almost invariably & to this circumstance is the mistake to be attributed of being

Called "Benjamin" on the Rolls of said company as she believes, - she never knew of any man by the name of Benjamin Hall in that company but her husband did serve in that company, and she further declares that she has no family record of her marriage nor any documentary evidence whatever, But she again solemnly declares that she was married at the time stated in her first declaration and as proved by the witness. Sarah now Gardner mark attest Charles Greene
Kent Jc in County Jan. 3 d 1839
Personally appeared before me the above named Sarah Mrs Gardner & made oath to the above declarations by her signature, and further certify she is a woman of respecta- bility and her statement entitled to full credit Charles Greene Justice C.C. Pleas

Kent Jc. The State of Rhode Island &c.
- Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas I certify that Charles Greene Esqr. of Coventry in said County of Kent, is a Justice of said Court of Common Pleas that the foregoing is his proper signature in his own hand writing. & that full faith & credence is and ought to be given to all his official acts. —
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at East Greenwich this 26 th day of Janua- ry A D 1839 —
Sec. J. Hovey Atty

I Marky Gardner of Johnston in the County of Providence (State of Rhode Island) do hereby testify and say that I am now in the seventy seventh year of my age. I do further testify and say relative to the services of Benoni Hall a private in Captain Benjamin West Company during the revolutionary war. As I have before stated in a former deposition said Benoni West was my Father, and we lived in Exeter in this State. I was well acquainted with said Benoni both before and after his enlistment in my Father Company, and also knew his family. His Father's name was William and his Grandfather Benoni. I have a distinct recollection that while my Father was a Captain in Col. Topham's regiment during said war of his said Benoni coming to my Father's house and enlisting in his company. Two of his brothers came with him Nathaniel & Isaac and they enlisted at the same time. Two other men one named Daniel State, the other named Caleb Lewis came there and also enlisted and said Benoni served several afterwards in said Company as much as a year. Accord- ing to my best recollection said service was performed in the year 1777 or 1778. My Father was Captain during both years. I was then about

Sixteen years of age I never knew a man by the name of Benjamin Hall that belonged to his Company or that resided in Exeter at that time Said Company was principally enlisted in Exeter, but some came from Connecticut Exeter border on Connecticut during the performance of said Service, said Benoni came home on furlough a number of times and I saw him at said times. I never knew any man by the name of Benoni Hall excepting the aforesaid Benoni and his grandfather. We lived pretty near neighbors.
Witness
Waity born X Gardner
William Aplin
Mark
State of Rhode Island
Providence fe In Johnston Jan. 29. 1839 Then the aforesaid Waity Gardner submitted and made Oath to the foregoing deposition And I further certify that said Waity is a credible witness. I further certify that said Waity being blind is the reason of her making her mark but that her hearing is as good apparently as ever.
William Aplin
Public Notary

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations,
Providence Ye John W. Smith Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within & for the County of Providence in said State, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify, that William Aplin Esquire, before whom the foregoing affi- davit was sworn, is a Public Notary within & for said County of Providence, that by law he is authorized & qualified to administer oaths & take depositions; and that his aforesaid signature is genuine
In witness whereof hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of our said Court at the City of Providence this twenty ninth day of January
A. 1839 John W. Smith Clerk

State of Rhode Island &c. Secretary's Office Nov 19. 1838.
I certify, that at the session of the General Assembly of said State holden on the first Wednesday of May last, Zuriel Potter was elected Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within the County of Providence: Benjamin Smith Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within the County of Washington: Russel Joslin and James Sheldon, Justices of the Peace for the term of Exeter in said County: each for one year: That at the session holden on the third Monday of June last, Charles Greene was elected Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within the County of Kent, until the first Wednesday of May next.
That at the session holden on the third Monday of June (1837.) eighteen hundred thirty seven, Gardner Tillinghast was elected Justice of the Peace for said term of Exeter, until the first Wednesday of May then next as appears of record: and severally commissioned accordingly.
Witness Henry Bowen Secy

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
William Sprague
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode- Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, That the name, "HENRY BOWEN," to the aforewritten attestation subscribed, is in the proper hand writing of Henry Bown, Esquire, who at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed, at Provi- dence, this nineteenth
day of November in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- eight and of Independence the sixty- third
Wm Sprague
By His Excellency's Command.
Henry Bowen Secy

I Nicholas R Gardine of North Kingston in the County of Washington do testify & say that I am now seventy years of age & upwards that I was well acquainted with Benoni Hall formerly of Exeter in said County. I am also well acquainted with Sarah Ann Gardine, now the widow of Parish Gardine. I was well acquainted with her before her marriage to Benoni Hall. She was brought up in my Grand father's family. I also well remember the time she married Benoni Hall as said I was present at the marriage. They were married by Elder Hill a Baptist minister at the quite young I had a clear & distinct recollection of the marriage. My father & mother went to the wedding as have back & I walked on their hand in Exeter about two miles from her mother's. My parents are now dead her name was Sarah Ann Reynolds before she was married. Soon after the marriage the said Benoni enlisted into the Army I remember this circumstance from the circumstance of his wife's mother being so affected by his enlistment. She wept, thinking Benoni would never return this I well remember. I heard her speaking to my mother about it. Benoni & Sarah Ann were married in the early part of the

was before the British took possession of the port. I should think he was married as early as January or February 1776. from the circum- stances that he enlisted shortly after & he enlisted in the winter & spring of that year. I was about eight years of age at this time.
Nicholas R. Gardiner
Washingtown & the South Kingston Oct 31 1858 Personally appeared before me the above named Nicholas R. Gardiner made solemn affirmation to the truth of the above deposition by him signed in my presence and I further certify said said Nicholas is well known to me & he is a credible witness & a respectable citizen & his statement entitled to full cred.
Benjamin Smith Justice of the Peace

I George Longden of North Kingston in the County of Washington being now 78 years of age on oath do testify & say that in January 1776 I enlisted for one year as a private in Capt Samuel Phillips Com- =pany & Col Richmonds regiment of Continental Troops & served out my time, and I further testify that I well remember Bennie Hall of Exeter, enlisted soon after I did in same company for same length of time as a private & he served out his time & was honorably dis- =charged we went to Long Island in the fall of 1776, & returned were discharged at Fogland ferry in Jan'y 1777
George Longden Washington In North Kingston Oct 3 rd 1838
Personally appeared before me the above George Longden, made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed in my presence and I further certify said George is well known to me & he is an credible witness & his testimony entitled to full credit
Benjamin Smith Justice C. C. Pleas

I Hannah Whiteman of Exeter in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island, do on Oath testify and say that i am Now Seventy one years old that i was driven from the Island of Prudence in Narragansett Bay by the British forces during the time of the Revolutionary war this was when I was about Seven years of age in 1775, according to my best recollection it was at the time the houses on Prudence were burnt, about one year after this event I became acquainted with Benoni Hall and Sarahann Reynolds and they were soon after married, I remember their marriage said Sarahann was then about Sixteen years of age and according to my best recollection the marriage took place in the fore part of the year 1776 said Sarahann is about Six or Seven years older then my self and is also remember that soon after the marriage said Benoni enlisted into the army of the united States as is understood witness Russell Lorlin then Hannah mark Whiteman John Hightman Washington Is in Exeter September the 28 day A D 1838
Personally appeared before me the above named Hannah Whiteman and made oath to the above affidavit by her Signet in my presence and i further testify said Hannah is a credible witness
Russell Lorlin Justice of the Peace

Witty Gordinier Affidavit

I Waity Gordinier now resident in Johnston in the County of Providence do testify & say that I am now seventy six years of age that Capt n Benjamin West of Exeter who was a Captain in Col. Sturtevant's & afterwards in Col. Topham's regiments during the war of the Revolution was my father. He commanded a company in said regiments the years 1777 & 1778. And I further testify that I was well acquainted with Benoni Hall formerly of said Exeter & he was the husband of Sarah Ann Gordinier now resident in Coventry. The said Benoni was her first husband. And I further testify that in the year 1777 he & a number of others came to my father's house in said Exeter on the day which was appointed which was appointed by my father the said Benjamin for the purpose of enlisting soldiers into his company for twelve or fifteen months service I was at home & saw the said Benoni when he came and was told that he with the others who came with him then enlisted as privates And I further testify that said Benoni went away with my father as a soldier and served with him as such for one year or more afterwards at the time of my father's death the said Sarah Ann after the death of the said Benoni married Rounick Gordinier & is now his widow  Attest the above said Waity Gordinier Blind could not see to write her name Myrill Potter  Waity Gordinier Mark

Providence R.I. In Johnston City Oct 3 rd A.D. 1898 Personally appeared before me the within named Mary Gordinier who signed the within affidavit in my presence and made oath to the same & I further certify that said affiant is a credible Witness.
Muriel Potter Just G.G. Blear

Town Clerk's office Exeter Rhode Island October 18 1838
To Mrs. Phillips you do certify that I am Town Clerk of said Town. I have by Virtue of my office the Custody of the records of the Marriages that have taken place in said Town & I further certify that after examination I cannot find the record of the marriage of Pariah Gardner to Sarah Ann Wall & I further certify that many marriages have taken place in said Town for many years past as I believe as well as before during and since the Revolutionary war which are not brought to the Records
Mrs Phillips your Servt
Washington in Exeter Oct 18 1838
Sworn to and Subscribed before me by the said Thomas Phillips Jr known to me as Town Clerk of said Town
James Sheldon Justice Peace

I Recd your Line & Mr Reynold's Barber is Dead & Jonathan Barber is some distance off & I am engaged at home & cannot attend to your business conveniently
Respectfully your Old Servant J. Millikin

2523.
Sarah Ann Gordin
4098 R2
4 July 56
x 3 Jan. 1837-
adm?
2 yrs public private
80
no deduction
Hon M.R. Knight Senate W

State of Rhode Island Washington County ss. Ecton Sept. 8 th A.D. 1837
On this day of September 1837 personally appeared before me the subscribing authority Job Sherman a resident of said town of Ecton aged eighty years a creditable witness who being first duly sworn according to laws do es on oath declare that he was well acquainted with Benoni Hall of Ecton - and that he the said Sherman enlisted in the service of the revolutionary war in February 5 th 1776 and that the in Capt Samuel Phillips Company and Col Richmond's Regiment and that the said Benoni Hall was a soldier in said Company when he enlisted and remained in said Company until the next fall when he shipped on board the Ship Providence and that the said Benoni Hall still remained a soldier in said Compa- -ny when he shipped as aforesaid
Job Sherman
Washington ss. Ecton Sept 8 th A.D. 1837 Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid Before me Gardner Tillinghast Justice Peace
I also certify that Job Sherman is a creditable witness Gardner Tillinghast Justice Peace