Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 27,420, Benjamin Harnden, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Harnden, Benjamin Hannah
W 27. 420
CONTENTS

Massachusetts 15364
Benj. Harnden
of Middlesex in the State of Mass ts who was a pri: Ser t V l : in the company commanded by Captain Ford of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Massachusetts line for 9 months 13 days
Mula
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 97 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of June '33 and sent W. Richardson Woburn Mass:
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 - 195.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " - 48.83
$ 244.15
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 33
89 Middlesex

Massachusetts 345
Cannah Harnden, Middlesex in the State of Mass
who was a Inf in the Inf commanded by Captain Inf of the Inf commanded by Inf in the Inf
widow of Benjamin Harnden late a Private Sgt. Lieutenant in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 97 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834 and to 4 Sept 1835 to be deducted
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Decr. 1836 and sent Weyman Richardson No burn MS
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $537.13 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 March 7 - 48.83
$585.96
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nhl  Goodwin Clerk, Book 4 Vol. 52 Page 52

Henry Carten Guardian to Lt. Henry Harden Wilmington - Mass.
Benj. Harden by Henry Carten
22202
2.30 p

6 Henry Carter, of Wilmington, County of Middlesex - Massachusetts, gentleman forty eight years of age - & Guardian to Benjamin Harden of said Wil- mington, gentleman - a non compos mentis person - as will appear by the certificate of the Register of Probate of said County, hereto annexed. As hereditary claim, for the use of said Harden the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th A.D. 1832, by a pension for his services, as a soldier & Officer in the Revolutionary war; and I testify that it appears by the town records of said Wilmington that said Harden was born in that town, on the 29 th of December A.D. 1744, & is now 88 years of age, That he now resides in said town & ever has, since my remembrance & I learn from the most aged persons, that he never resided in any other place. He has held many offices by the choice of his townsmen, & has ever been esteemed a man of integrity & veracity. That I have often heard & understood from his own relation of his services & from the statements of others of his age and acquaintance, that he engaged & served in the army of the Revolution, as stated in the affidavits & certifi- cates hereto annexed. He never has, to my knowledge or belief, claimed, applied for, or received any pension, bounty, or annuity, of this country for his services, other than what he may have re- ceived at the time of his discharge & his name is not, to my knowledge, on the pension roll of any State, and I have for him & in his behalf - so far as I have the legal power relinquish such claim to a pension whatever for him - except the pursuant

Middlesex. ss. At a Probate Court held at Cambridge on the eighth day of January 1893
Personally appeared Henry Carter, well known to me as a respectable citizen of Wilmington made oath to the truth of the foregoing state- ment by him subscribed _____ before me
J. P. Fay Prob
Filed Jan 10/93

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Jan. 8 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 Benjamin Hanniden's name is borne on the muster roll of Capt Cadwalader Ford's company which it appears, that said Hanniden enlisted on the 9 th day of March A.D. 1775. as a minute man till the last day of June same year. & was in service, twenty one days. during that time.
Edward D Bangs Secy

I Daniel Gowing of Wilmington in the County of Middlesex, Massachusetts, seventy eight years of age, testify, that some time in February 1870 I volunteered to go on guard duty, in and about Boston, with ten or twelve men from said Wilmington & was remained there two months & were dismissed some time in April, same year. Colonel Ford of Wilmington was our Captain, Mayor Brown, Inspector, don't remember, the Colonel's name, & am not certain, we were formed into Regiments. - During the whole term, Benjamin Harnden, who then & has ever since, lived in said Wilmington, was in the same Company with me, & did duty as Sergeant, & returned with us, & was afterwards appointed a Lieutenant in the Army. Daniel Gowing
C Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. Wilmington Sept. 4. 1882.
The the above named Daniel Gowing who is a credible witness & his testimony entitled to full confidence personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed.
Before Me, Wayman Richardson Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Aug. 7 24 th 1832.
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 Benjamin Harnden served as Second Lieutenant in the Company of guards doing duty in and about Boston under Maj. Gen. Gates, from Feb. 1. 1779 to Aug. 12. 1779 — The Company commanded by Major Nathaniel Heath.
Edward D. Bangs Secy.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. January 24th A D 1833.
I Isaac Fisher Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex, hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding & papers of the said Court of Probate in the matter of the application of Benjamin Harnden for a Pension by Henry Carter his Guardian; — I also certify that William Richardson whose own proper signature is set to the Deposition of Daniel Gowing, is a justice of the Peace in the said County of Middlesex.
I also certify that it appears by the records & files in the office of Registry of Probate that Henry Carter whose own proper signature is set to the foregoing application has been duly appointed Guardian to the aforesaid Benjamin Harnden, & that said appointment remains in full force in no wise revoked, recorded or annulled.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this twenty fourth day of January in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty three
Isaac Fisher Reg

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Widow's Certificate, ss.
On this fifth day of December, A.D. 1836 - personally appeared before me Saml. P. P. Gay Esq., Judge of the Court of Probate, in & for said County of Middlesex; Hannah Harnden, a resident in Wilmington, in said County, aged 89 years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath 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 Harnden, late of said Wilmington where he always lived. That he was a Revolutionary soldier, & a pension for his services, & for his benefit, was obtained under the act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832 by Henry Carter who was his legal guardian, and in the application made for his said pension all his services were stated & proved, as she believes & are now supposed to be on file in the Office of the Secretary of War - & she has no further proof, but claims the same pension which was allowed to him. -
She further declares that her maiden name was Hannah Hildreth. That she was married to said Benjamin Harnden, in the fall of the year 1766, but cannot now remember the month or day, by the Rev. Isaac Morrill, of said Wilmington. - That her husband, the above said Benjamin Harnden, died on the eighteenth day of October, 1835 - aged about 90 years - & that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will appear by the proof hereto annexed.
She further states, that she had ten children by said husband four of whom were born before the commencement of the Revolutionary war -
Hannah her Harnden mark

Subscribed & sworn to by said Hannah Warnden on the day first above written ( before me at her own dwelling she being too infirm to leave home) before me — J. P. P. Foy Prob.
And the said judge of Probate hereby certifies his opinion to after examination of said Applicant & full investigation of the matter, that she is a credible person, & that her statements contained in her foregoing declaration are true & worthy of full credit.
J. P. P. Foy Prob.

James Jasper for William Morison
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]
April 11 1832
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

I James Yagues, of Wilmington - County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Esq. - Town Clerk of said town, certify that the Records of the town aforesaid, are now in my possession, & in them I find recorded the marriage, - among others, - of Benjamin Harden, of said Wilmington to Hannah Hielder of Tewksbury, under the date of December the ninth , seventeen hundred & sixty six , and I believe, the Rev. Isaac Morrell, was the settled minister of said town at that time: -
Wilmington November 4, 1836.
James Yagues Clerk, of Wilmington
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County. November 4 th A.D. 1836 Then the above named James Yagues, personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed, & he is a credible Witness to his testimony, undoubted. Before Me, William Richardson. Justice of the Peace

22 2 02 Benjamin Harnden Mess
By his Guardian
Admit 21 days as a private 2.33 2 mo. as sergeant 10.00 4.12 days as Lieut. 85.33  $97.66 \frac{21}{23}
W. Richardson

BRIEF in the case of  Henry Carter Guardian for Benjamin Harnden  vs of Middlesex - in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? non compos Mentis
3. How old is he? B. Harnden is 88.
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. Gen.     In 1775 21 Capt. Foss   1778 2 Sergeant " " Major Brown   Feb 1 th 1779 to Aug 12 th 1779 } being 6 12 2 d Lieut Major N. Heath  
5. In what battles was he engaged? None mentioned
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Middlesex Mass
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documentary and one living witness
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.
George Payson
Examining Clerk.

STATE of MASSACHUSETTS-BAY, }
The Major Part of the COUNCIL of Massachusetts-Bay , in New-England.
To Benjamin Warnden  Gentleman Greeting.
YOU being appointed Second Lieutenant of a Company of Guards (Commanded by Captain Nathaniel Heath) raised by this State, to do Duty in and about Boston, under the Com- mand of Major General Gates.
By Virtue of the Power vested in us, W E do by these Presents, (reposing Special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good Conduct,) Commission you accordingly.—You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a 2 d Lieutenant in leading, ordering, and exercising said Company in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers; and to keep them in good Order and Discipline: And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their 2 d Lieutenant and you are yourself, to observe and follow such Orders and instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Major Part of the Council or your Superior Officers.
G I V E N under our Hands, and the Seal of the said State, at Boston the twenty sixth Day of January in the Year of our L O R D, 1779
By the Command of the Major Part of the Council.
John Avery Seal
for Powell
W Spooner Jed. Preble T Cushing Gabe Fisher Appine
Moses Giff B White B. Austin Dan Davis V Cushing Joseph Simpson Jno Pitts O Brooks O Wenac

24 To what time was Hoarnden Beryl Harden St & Lieut 97 6/100 W. an m p? Mass. agency act 7. June 1832?
to the 14 Sep 1835
819
G.M.B.
Dec 27. 1836
48530 48.83 337.13

Recp WIDOW, &c.
File No. 27 420
Hannah Harden Widow of Benjamin Harden Ex Rev War
Act June 7 th 32
Index: Vol. A , Page 325
[Arrangement of 1870.]

22202 Benjamin Harnath
CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
 卷之二十一 

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Henry Carter. Guardian to Benjamin Harned which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy 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? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yy 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? yy VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy 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? yy

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 ?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ?
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 ?
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?
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? yy
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yy
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 ? yy
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ? yy
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so 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, deposeh 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.

Woburn Me Dec 15
free
To the Secretary of the War Department Washington City Columbia District
19 Dec 1836 Parker's office.
Ms. A. 9. 2. 59

Wolcott, Mass ts / December 15. 1836
To the Secretary of War. Department.
I enclose the application of Hannah Harnden, widow of Benj s Harnden, for a pension for her husband, the said Benjamin, obtained a per- -sion by my assistance, & the proof is now in the possession of the Department. She knows of no more - although there may be, on the files, if so. I mean it will be allowed. — Please make return to me, at Wolcott, Mass ts - as soon as convenient. —
Respectfully, Yours. Obed Serv t . William Richardson attorney to said Hannah.

Widow, Hannah Harden
Feb. 1841

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. I Isaac Riske Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex, affirmed hereby certify that Samuel P. M c Ray Esq whose own proper signature is here written on the foregoing paper is the judge of said Court duly commissioned and qualified; I also certify that Wyman Richardson Esq whose own proper signature is written to the several certificates on the deposition of Jonathan Harnden & James Jaques here annexed is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Middlesex duly commissioned & qualified. —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court of Probate this twelfth day of December AD 1836. Isaac Riske Reg t of Probate

Yrs. Hernden for Hannah Hernden
854. B. Sec.
V. 259
adm?
— 28 days private 2.33 2 mo — Sergt 10.00 6. 12 " Lieut 85.33 97 66
deduct paid to 4 th Sept 1835.
Wyman Richardson Woburn Mass.

I Jonathan Harnden of Wilmington County of Middlesex - Massachusetts, Birm- ing, fifty two years. - certify that Ben- jamin Harnden, late of said Wilmington who was a Revolutionary soldier, & ob- tained a pension for his services therein as a Lieutenant, was my father & that he died on the eighteenth day of October in the year eighteen hun- dred & thirty five aged ninety years & over. & that Hannah Harnden my mother who is about applying for a pen- sion is his widow. & is now living in my family - & has not been married since my father's decease
Jonathan Harnden
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County ss November, 16 th - 1836. Then personally appeared the above named Jonathan Harnden, & made oath to the truth of the foregoing af- fidavit by him signed, & he is a credible witness & his testimony en- titled to confidence.
Before Me. William Richardson Justice of the peace