Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10803, Benjamin Hallett, Mass. Navy

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. Navy
Hallett, Benjamin
S 10803
CONTENTS
Carded

24129 Massachusetts
Benjamin Hallett
Barnstable in the State of Mass, who was a pri't Seaman in the Com'd Ship command by Captain Dwyse & Com'd of the _____ commander by _____ in the Mass★ line for 11 Month Seaman 13 " private
Rev. Cont. Army
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of $7. Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of Jan'y. 1834, and sent to Hon.ble. John Reed A of Rep
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833. $218. 32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Mar 34 - 43. 66
$261.99
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk Book E " Vol. 2 Page 37
★ Mass. Pub Navy Records OK. Mich. 4/05. f

Capt. John Grannis' Camp on N. Island. We had a small Fort on the Island, mounting three nine pounders, with which to command the Sound, and prevent suspicious vessels passing. Stephen Bursley  Brickell  Bricker and Sylvanus Hinckley, of Barnstable, were soldiers in the same Company with me, during the time of my service, for which I refer to their dep- ositions, annexed. I know of no other survivor, except Capt. Nye, who I understand was residing three months ago, in Hallowell in the State of Maine, but superannuated. I enlisted again at Barnstable early in the year 1777, in the latter part of Feb. or first part of March, and marched to New Bedford and then I was stationed on Martha's Vineyard, under command of David Smith of Martha's Vineyard. Berakiah Basset of Falmouth, was Colonel of the Regiment to which my Company was attached. No other Company but this, was stationed on said Island during the time I served there, which was nine months as nigh as I can recollect, and was discharged in Dec. 1777 I think. We were employed to guard the Island, and prevent boats landing. Lemuel Fish of Falmouth, to whose statement I refer, is now the only survivor of said Company, except myself, so far as I know.
Soon after my discharge I went to sea, in the Merchants service, and in the year 1780, while before the mast as a seaman, on board the Brig Thomas, James Tylee Master, returning from the West Indies, and being in the outer harbor of Boston, the said Brig was boarded from the Dean Frigate. Myself and six other seamen of the said Brig, were then impressed, and taken on board the said Dean Frigate, Samuel Nicholson, Commander. This I think, was in April or May of said year. The Dean Frigate mounted thirty two guns, and had two hundred and ten men. The name of the first Lieutenant was Eaton, to the best of my recollection.

I herby Certify that Benjamin Hallit was born in Barnstable January 18 th A.D. 1760 as appears from the records of said Town.
Attest Josiah Hinckley } Clerk of the Town of Barnstable
Barnstable 21 st Sept 1832

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. A D 1832.
State of Massachusetts.
County of Barnstable.
On this twenty first day of September in Eighteen hundred thirty two Personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate for the said County of Barnstable, now sitting; Benjamin Hallett, a resident of Barnstable, in the County of Barnsta- ble, in the State of Massachusetts, aged seventy- nine 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.
I Benjamin Hallett declare, That I was born in Barnstable, State of Massachusetts, on the eighteenth day of January Seventeen hundred and Sixty, and am now over seventy two years of age, as will appear by the Records of the town of Barnstable. I have always been a resident of the said town of Barnstable.
I entered the State service of the State of Massachusetts, in the revolutionary war, in the month of March  seventeen hundred seventy six, by enlistment, as a Soldier under Elisha Meye, Captain, of Falmouth in the said County of Barnstable. I enlisted at Barnstable for the term of one year, joined the Company, under the command of Captain Meye, at Falmouth & proceeded to Nauset Island, one of the Elizabeth Islands, in said State of Massachusetts, where I was stationed, and served nine months in said Company, when I was discharged. being in Sept r 1776 Capt Meyes Company was the only company stationed on the Island, during the time I was there, except

The day after my impressment, we sailed for Philadelphia, took in provisions for a years cruise, and were joined by the Ship Trumbull, of thirty guns, James Wickerson, brother of Samuel, Commander. The Dean and Trumbull, cruised in company, off the Capes of Virginia, and to the South, and in December 1780, we put in to Cape Francois in the West Indies, where we overhauled and repaired the ships, and remained about two months. We then sailed in company with the Frigate Reliance or Alliance, & other armed vessels, as convoy of a large fleet of Merchant-men, and arrived at Boston in April 1781. of which I am confident, from a memorandum of occurrences on board the Dean frigate, now in my possession, which was written by me in September 1781. While on board the said Dean Frigate, during the term of eleven months, as above stated, I was stationed and served in the Foretop. During the cruise we buried twenty four men, I think, and at one time we had sixty on the sick list, myself among the number. In Boston the crew could get no discharge and no wages from the Commander. About one hundred and fifty of our number paid a visit to the Commissary and prevailed on him to give us some pay. I received fifteen hundred dollars in old Continental money, which was then $100 for one. I paid $300 of this money, for one weeks board. I know of no person surviving, who was was with me on Board the Ship Dean. Ebenezer Case of Barnstable who was a sailor on board the Brig Thomas, was at the Helm, when I was impressed, and saw me carried on board the Frigate. This statement is
annexed. - I never received any written discharge - Rev. Enoch Pratt of Barnstable and John Otis of Barnstable are acquainted with me and can testify to my character and report of my services. I hereby relinquish every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. I swear to & subscribed the day Bonaparte Hallet & your first of a said.
Alvin Davis, Reg

We Enoch Pratt a clergyman residing in the town of Barnstable, & John Otis residing in the town of Barnstable hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Hallet who has subscribed to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion.
I speak & subscribe as aforesaid.
Almon Davis Register.
Enoch Pratt — John Otis —
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the 10th Act, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Enoch Pratt who has signed the preceding is a clergyman resident in the town of Barnstable; and that John Otis who has also signed the same is a resident in Barnstable & a credible person; and that this statement is entitled to credit.
Declaration of Benjamin Hallet for Pension.
Nymphas Mansfield Judge
I Almon Davis 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 Hallet
for a Pension. In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office on the day & year first aforesaid Almon Davis, Register

N o 26020 .
Benjamin Hallett Barnstable County Massachusetts
Ad. H m Seaman
13. private
Capt. Rufus L. C. O. Nicholson
The Certificate of the Magistrate in regard to the credibility of the witness who has testified to the claimants service on board of the Ocean Frigate is not satisfactory. If he cannot certify in positive terms as to his credibility, some one who is known to the Department must make such a certificate. Application must be made to E. D. Bangs Secy of the State of Mass for evidence of the claimants service.
Passin's Office July 25 1833
Abner Davis Reg. Barnstable County Massachusetts Hon. John Reed H. B. Barnstable

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 subjjoined 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 Hallett Barnstable County Massachusetts
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlist Mar 1776 — 9 — private Capt Myle 73 years Barnstable County Traditionary evidence of form Witnesses certified credible papers correctly Attached   Enlist July 1777 — 9 — " Capt Smith, Col Bapett   Went to sea 1780 in the merchant service, Brig Thomas Capt Tyler and was   Impressed & taken on board the Dean Frigate in April 1780 — 11 — detained on board said Frigate  
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 days 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 inquiry 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 [i] 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.

Barnstable ss Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Lemuel Fish of Falmouth in the County of Barnstable in Massachusetts a prisoner of the United States on oath declare that I was a soldier in the United States service in the revolutionary war in the year 1777 and served on the Island of Martha's Vineyard in that year and I further declare that I well know Benjamin Hallite of Barnstable in said County and that he served on said Island in the same company with me during the time I was there which which I think was about nine months
Lemuel Fish
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable County ss.
Be it known that on this twenty first day of June A.D. 1833 before me Charles Marston, a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, personally appeared the above named Lemuel Fish and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed; and I further certify that I am acquainted with said Fish and that he is a credible witness.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year aforesaid.
Charles Marston } Jus. Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable ss.
I Abner Davis, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, being a court of Record in the County of Barnstable, do hereby certify, that Charles Sharston Esquire, before whom the within Deposition was executed, is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Barnstable & I believe his name thereto affixed to be his true & proper signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court of Common Pleas at Barnstable on this Twenty seventh day of June A D 1833
Abner Davis, Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Decemb. 14. 1833.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Benjamin Hallet as a private in the Sea Coast service, on the South Shore, is borne on a Muster Roll of Capt John Russell Sea Coast Company, stationed on Martha's Vineyard from June 29 th to Sept. 30 th 1776; and that said Hallet is allowed for service on said Roll, as follows: marched July 28 th . time served
M. D. 2. 2
two months and two days, wages due £ 3. 14. 4 1/2. The names of Malachi Baxter and Samuel Daggett, are also found on the same Roll.
The name of Benjamin Hallet is also borne on a second "Roll of Capt John Russell's Company raised to defend the Sea Coast of the State of Massachusetts Bay stationed at Martha's Vineyard, under the command of Major Barrickiah Baggett, time of service allowed said Hallet as follows: "time computed from Sept 30 to Novemb 22 d 1776" "time of
1. 22
service one month and twenty two days. Wages due £ 3. 2. 4 1/2. The names of Malachy Baxter and Samuel Daggett are also found on the same Roll.
The name of Benjamin Hallet is also borne on Capt Elisha Nye's Muster Roll for his Company stationed at the Elizabeth Island, from the 10 th day of
3. 24

January 1777. to the first day of April." The time of service of said Hallett, on said Rolls appears to have been from Jan. 29 to April 1. two months and two days. The name of Sylvanus Hickley is found on the same Roll.
M. 8.
3. 24
2. 2
5: 26
I further certify that the rolls relating to the Company service on said South Shore, are very imperfect. No Rolls can be found of any service on Martha's Vineyard in 1777, and no further Rolls of Capt John Russell's Company are found than the two Rolls above cited. There are no rolls of service on said Island, under Capt David Smith, but several Rolls of Captain Nathan Smith, stationed on Martha's Vineyard in 1775 and 1776. on which Rolls said Hallett's name is not borne. There is also found "A Roll of the wages due to Major Barachiah Basset, from the 1st of July to the 24th of November," dated "Tarpaulin Cove Nov. 28. 1776.
There are no rolls in this office relating to the Dean frigate, or any vessel employed in the Continental service.
Edward D. Bangs

Dukes Co I Malachi Baxter now living in Tisbury in the County of State of Massachusetts aged 85 years do testify and say that I well knew Benjamin Hallet of Barnstable (State of Massachusetts) that he came on the Island of Martha's Vineyard in a company of State Troops commanded by Capt John Russell I believe in Spring of seventeen hundred and seventy six and I belonged to the same company which I believe was afterwards transferred to the command of Capt Nathan Smith and Benjamin Hallet and myself served under the command of said Nathan Smith and continued under his command in the State Troops until late in the fall of seventeen hundred and seventy six and said Benjamin Hallet was in the service in said company all that time
Malachi
his X Baxter mark
Dukes County ss { Commonwealth of Massachusetts
November 26 th { Then and there personally appeared the above
1833 { named Malachi Baxter and subscribed the above declaration and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me Thomas Dunham { Justice of the Peace and I do hereby certify that the aforesaid Malachi Baxter is a credible person and that full faith and credit may be given to his oath Thomas Dunham { Justice of the Peace
Dukes County ss { Commonwealth of Massachusetts I Cornelius Marchant Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Dukes County (said Court being a Court of Record) do hereby certify that the above named Thomas Dunham is a Justice of the Peace and was such at the time of signing the above certificates and that full faith and credit ought to be given to his official documents In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my hand and affixed the seal of the Court aforesaid Court of Common Pleas this twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Cornelius Marchant Clerk

I Thomas Fish of Fulneck in the County of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts do testify and say that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, that I well knew Benjamin Hallet of Barnstable in the County and State of said who has applied for a Pension under the Act of June 7 th 1832 and know that he is the identical man he represents himself to be, and well recollect that he served with me in Capt Elisha Nye's company of State Troops or Militia stationed on Nauset Island and Islands adjacent for the defense of the sea coast, owing to the great length of time cannot say exactly what year nor the length of time, but my impression is that he was in company some time in the year 1777, and that he served eight or nine months.
Thomas Fish
I Silas Lawrence of Falmouth do testify & say that I well knew the above named Benjamin Hallet, and know that he is the same that he reports himself to be, and well recollect that he was in Capt Elisha Nye's company of troops, stationed on the Elizabeth Islands. I being a soldier the same time, am confident he was in said Nye's company in the year 1777, as I well recollect seeing him, and have known him ever since, cannot say positively how long he served eight or nine months but my impression is eight or nine months.
Silas Lawrence
Barnstable Feb. Fulneck December 2 nd 1833 Personally appeared Thomas Fish Esq & Silas Lawrence, above named, and

made oath to the truth of the within & foregoing affidavits by them subscribed before me - and I certify that the Depositors within named are well known to me that they are respectable men, and in my opinion, full faith and credit are due to their testimony.
Sam d P. Grosvenor Justice of the Peace & Quorum
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable SS.
I Almon Davis Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record for the County of Barnstable hereby certify that Samuel P. Grosvenor Esquire is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Barnstable and that I believe his name sub- scribed to the foregoing deposition sworn to before him, to be his true & proper signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court of Common Pleas this twenty third day of January AD 1834
Almon Davis Clerk

Barnstable ss. I Nymphas Marston, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Barnstable in Massachusetts hereby certify that the within named Ebenezer Case, whose Deposition is annexed to the Declaration of Benjamin Hallet, is well known to me and is a man of truth and a credible witness - Dated at Barnstable this 23 d day of Jan'y A. D 1833. Nymphas Marston - Judge
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable ss. I Abner Davis Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record for the County of Barnstable, hereby certify, that Freeman Marchant Esqr. the Justice of the Peace for said County and that I believe this name within written and that of Nymphas Marston Esqr. above written to be their several true and perfect signatures & that said Nymphas Marston is the Judge of Probate for said County. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this twenty third day of January A D 1834 Abner Davis, Clerk

Barnstable Jp. September 3 d 1833.
I hereby certify that I have known Ebenezer Case, of Barnstable, a Revolutionary pensioner, for twenty years, and believe him to be a man of truth and veracity.
In a former certificate which I gave, as a Magistrate, of the character of said Case, appended to the papers of Benjamin Hallett, an applicant for the provisions of the act in favor of Revolutionary claimants, I meant to be understood that I had full confidence in the truth and veracity of said Case, and I now certify to that effect.
Freeman Marchant { Justice, Peace

I Sylvanus Hinckley of Barnstable, in The State of Massachusetts, do testify and say, that upon examination of my previous deposition relating to the services of Benjamin Hallett, in the Revolutionary war, and further recollection of the names of the soldiers with whom we served, I feel satisfied that I must have been mistaken as to the year in which I served with said Hallett, at Tarpanlin Cove on Nauset Island, and that it must have been in 1777, and not in 1776 when he was stationed with me at that Place.
Sylvanus Hinckley
Barnstable. - I Freeman Morshead a Justice of the Peace for the County of Barnstable, Commonwealth- -alth of Massachusetts hereby certify that the above named Sylvanus Hinckley personally appeared before me this twentys third - day of January A D 1834 and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed. And I further certify that the said Sylvanus Hinckley is a credible Witness -
Freeman Morshead Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
B. Hable H. Hable J.
I Almon Davis, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, being a court of Record in the County of Barnstable, hereby certify that Freeman Marchant Esquire before whom the within deposition was executed is a Justice of the Peace for said County; and that his name within written is his true and proper signature according to my best knowledge and belief. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court of Common Pleas this twenty third day of January A D 1834
Almon Davis Clerk

I Samuel Daggett of Tisbury County of Dukes County do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Hallet of Barnstable State of Massachusetts and am knowing to his coming to Martha's Vineyard sometime in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six at which time I left Jonathan Muesel's Company in which I was a musician for three months as my father had been successful in Privateering he moved off the Island on the Main Land through fear of the British have much longer said Benjamin Hallet is to me unknown as I was not in the Land Samuel Daggett
Dukes County ss Commonwealth of Massachusetts November 26th 1833 Then and there personally appeared the above named Samuel Daggett and subscribed the above declaration and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me Thomas Dunham Justice of the Peace and thereby certify that the aforesaid Samuel Daggett is a credible person and that full faith and credit may be given to his oath Thomas Dunham, Justice of the Peace
Dukes County ss Commonwealth of Massachusetts I Cornelius Marchant Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Dukes County (said Court being a Court of Record) do hereby certify that the above named Thomas Dunham is a Justice of the Peace and was such at the time of signing the above certificates and that full faith and credit ought to be given to his official documents. In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my hand and affixed the seal of the aforesaid Court of Common Pleas this twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three Cornelius Marchant Clerk

We Silvanus Hinckley & Bursley Crocker of Barnstable in the County of Barnstable, do testify & declare, that we have long been acquainted with Benjamin Hall of said Barnstable, that we enlisted in the same company with him, under Capt. Elisha Nye in the month of March 1776. & knew him to have been in service, as a soldier, in said company when stationed on Nausetum Island, as is set forth in his declaration annexed, for the term of nine months. — Silv s Hinckley
Bursley Crocker
Barnstable ss
Probate court at Barnstable Sept. 21 st A D 1832
Personal appears the above named Silvanus Hinckley & Bursley Crocker and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by the subscribed respectively in open court. And I certify that the said Silvanus & Bursley are, in the opinion of the court, credible witnesses. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the court the day & year aforesaid
Henry Davis, Register

I Burley Crocker of Barnstable, in the State of Massachusetts, do testify and say, that in a former deposition relating to the services of Benjamin Hallett, as a fellow soldier with me, on Nauset, at Tarpaulin Cove, in 1776, I am now satisfied that I must have been mistaken as to the year when I knew said Hallett to have been on that Island, and it must have been in the year 1778, I am satisfied that it was in the year 1779 that I served at Nauset and I know that said Hallett served with me in the same company under Capt Elisha Nye during all the time I was there which was a period of nine months. Burley Crocker
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable SS.
Probate Court at West Barnstable January 22 d AD 1834
Personally appeared in open Court the above named Burley Crocker and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed in open court, and I certify, that the said Burley Crocker is, in the opinion of the Court a man of truth and a credible witness.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature & the seal of the said Probate Court the day & year above mentioned
Henry Davis — Reg.

State of Massachusetts County of Barnstable I the under sign'd of Barnstable in the County of Barnstable under oaths, do declare that I was in the Brig Thomas of Boston James Tyler master in the year 1780 in the month of April, or May. When coming into Boston from the West Indies, in the outer Harbour, the Boat from the Dean Frigate came on Board the Brig Thomas, and took Seven men, out of the said Brig, and I knew Benjamin Hallett to be one of the seven men, and the Boat returned to the Dean Frigate. And I under stood and have always understood that the said Hallett was on Board the Dean Frigate, one year, and that Samuel Nickerson was commander of said Frigate, And that I have always resided in Barnstable where I was Born, and for sixty years have been acquainted with the said Benjamin Hallett. All the above statements are correct and true according to the best of my knowledge.
Elmer Case
Barnstable Jan'y 22 1833 then the above named
Elmer Case made solemn oaths to the truth of the above statements by him subscribed before me
Granman, Merchant { Justice of the Peace

Barnstable Jany 22 d 1833 I the subscriber do certify that I have been acquainted with the within named Eben Gove for about twenty years past and suppose him to be a man of truth not knowing any- thing to the contrary respecting his character
Freeman, Merchant
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable ss.
I Abner Davis Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record in the County of Barnstable, do hereby certify that Freeman Merchant Esquire, before whom the within Deposition was executed, is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Barnstable. And I believe his name thereto subscribed to be his true & proper signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court of Common Pleas at Barnstable on this twenty fourth day of May A.D. 1833
Abner Davis, Clerk

Rev Was
10803
INVALID.
File No. 10,803
Benjamin Hallett
Seaman, R.W. War
Act: June 7 th 1833.
Index:—Vol. A , Page 163
[Arrangement of 1870.]

RECORDS.
CHANGES TO BE MADE.
COMPANY, REGIMENT, ETC., SHOULD INVARIABLY BE USED.
CORRECT.
Inv. orig.
" ctf.
orig.
ctf.
Name Benjamin Hallett
Service Mass & Navy
Date filing _____ From _____
INCORRECT.
Mass.
Corrct blue jacket to Hallett
P. O. address:
Crotonville

Supplemental Declaration
Benjamin Hallet, whose Declaration and evidence, sent to the Department, claiming an allowance for services in the Revolutionary war, has been returned for further evidence, makes the following supplemental Declaration, in explanation of his first Declaration. Upon examination of the Muster Rolls in the office of the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts, it appears that he was mistaken as to his recollections of the years in which he served on Martha's Vineyard and Elizabeth Islands, at Tarpaulin Cove, having been stationed on Martha's Vineyard in 1776 and not in 1777, and on Naskaw or Tarpaulin Cove, in 1777, and not in 1776, as stated in his former declaration. The names of the soldiers enrolled with him, as found in the Muster Rolls in the Secretary's office, and a personal interview with two of them, who were his fellow soldiers on Martha's Vineyard in 1776, and whose depositions accompany this supplemental declaration, satisfy him that he was mistaken as to the year of his respective enlistments and services, at the above named places, and also that he was mistaken as to the name of the Captain under whom he served on Martha's Vineyard. His recollections having been revived by the original Muster Rolls, and

by conversing with his two surviving comrades, he now states that to the best of his recollection and belief, he enlisted at Barnstable, under Capt. John Russell in the Spring of 1776, and remained there, in service, on Martha's Vineyard until near the close of that year. He was then transferred to Nauset Island, at Tarpaulin Cove, in the early part of the year 1777, and was stationed there nine months, under Capt. Elisha Nye. At that time he was but sixteen years of age, to wit when he first enlisted as a soldier. With this explanation, and the accompanying declaration, certificates and depositions, in addition to the papers returned from the Department, he now presents his claim for services.
The services for which he claims a pension are 1st. Nine months at least on Martha's Vineyard from some time in March to some time in December in the year 1776. John Russell was Captain of the company when he enlisted - but during the latter part of this term of service the company was commanded by a Capt Smith whose name was Nathan or David & he is not certain which.
2d. Nine months at least & he thinks more on Nauset Island, in the company under command of Capt Elisha Nye - from near the beginning to near the end of the year 1777.
3d. Eleventh months at least - (and according to the best of my recollection it was eleven months and twenty days, of which I am satisfied by memorandums in my possession) at sea on board of the Dean Frigate.

under command of capt Samuel Nickerson. Making the whole term of his service twenty nine months at least . —
Benj n Hallett
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
ss. Hablef.
Probate Court at West Barnstable January 22 d . A D 1834
Personally appeared in open Court Benjamin Hallett of Barnstable who is an appli- -cant for a pension under the Act of June 7. 1832 and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing supplementary and explanatory declaration, by him subscribed in open Court — And the said Court after examination of the Declarant hereby certify their opinion that the foregoing is a true statement — Nymphas Warrenton In testimony whereof I Abner Davis, Register of the said Court of Probate, by order of the said Court, have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court this day & year aforesaid
Abner Davis.