Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23280, Benjamin Hill, R.I.

SERVICE
Rel.
NUMBER _____
Hill, Benjamin Hannah
N. 23280.
CONTENTS

Rhode Island 164
Thomas Hill evidence of Benjamin Hill Patrician in the State of R. Island who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Sheldahl of the _____ commanded by C. C. R. I. in the R. Island Militia for 13 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of $3 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of Nov 1836 and sent to Daniel Howard Esq. Foster.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1836 $238, 31 Semi-ant. allowance ending 10 mo. 237 21 66 259 97
act July 4, 1836 { Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by L. H. Nelson Clerk Book _____ Vol. 1 Page 105

No 317
3 P Sec.
all in 13 months. $243 \frac{33}{100}
died 12 July 1825 Niles

State of Rhode Island County of Providence
On this Ninth day of September 1836,
Personally appeared before me Daniel Howard Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the said County of Providence. Hannah Hill a resident in the Town of Foster in the said County of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged Eighty Five 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 Hill, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, that he enlisted into Captain Stephen Sheldon's Company of minute men (so called) in the Year 1775, and went and served in said Company, at the Island of Block-Island and Connecticut, and at other places in the State of Rhode Island, and was gone some time, she thinks two or three months, that he afterwards served in the Rhode Island Militia a number of tours in the said State and was in said service two or three times at Bristol during the War, and was gone from home a month or more each tour — that he served a month or more at Kingston and Little Compton, and as she thinks was in General Spencer's expedition at Rhode Island, that he served on the Island of Rhode Island one month or more in General Sullivan's expedition, and was there during the great storm, that he served Seven or Eight tours at Warwick during the War, about one month at a tour, and that his last revolutionary service was performed towards the close of the War, she does not recollect the particular periods of his several terms of service other than above, she further declares that he turned out and went at all times when called on in the general alarms during the War, and that he went short tours a number of times on those occasions — she is unable to specify his services in the Revolutionary War in a more particular manner than as above, she does not recollect the names of all the Captains that he served under in the Militia other than Captain Simon Hammond and Captain William Howard, she recollects his serving under General Cornell, She further declares that her said husband lived in the Town of Scituate, within the present limits of the Town of Foster, when he entered the service She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Hill in the Year Seventeen Hundred and Sixty Nine That her said husband Benjamin Hill died on the 12 th day of July 1825,

and that she has remained unmarried ever since that period, and is now his Widow, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed, that she has no documentary proof in support of her claim, Wherefore she requests that the same pension which might have been granted to her said husband under the Act of June 7-1832, if he had been alive may be extended to her —
Her Hannah Hill mark,
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year aforesaid — And I further certify that the said Hannah Hill from old age and bodily infirmity is unable to appear in Court — and that she is a credible person with whom I am acquainted — and that she subscribed her mark to said dictation —
Daniel Howard Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, County of Providence

I Josiah Herrinton of the Town of Foster in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island being Seventy Six years of age, and duly sworn according to law do testify and say - that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Hill late of the said Town of Foster deceased, that the said Benjamin Hill was a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution, that he enlisted into Captain Stephen Sheldon's minute Company and served two or three months in said company at Block Island and the Island of Conanicut in said State in the Year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Three, and that he served one month in the same company at Bristol in said State in the fall of the same year - and that he served one tour of a month at Bristol in Captain Simon Hinckley's Militia company in the Year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Six - and that he served four tours of one month at each tour at Warwick in said State in Captain Simon Hinckley's Militia Company under Colonel John Watuman in the Year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Seven, the first of said four tours commenced in the month of January in said year he also served one tour at Givton and Little Compton the same year of One month and about ten days at the time of General Spencer's expedition at Rhode Island in the Year under Colonel William Barton in Captain Simon Hinckley's Militia Company - and that he served one tour of one month in the Year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Eight at Rhode Island in General Sullivan's expedition under General Council in Captain William Howard's Militia company and was there during the great storm in the month of August, he also served one month at Warwick in the same year in the same Company - and that he served one tour of a month at Bristol in the Year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Nine under Captain Jonathan Wright - and that he served one tour in the Year Seventeen Hundred and Eighty at Warwick of one month , under Captain Isaac Hopkins - and that he also turned out and went and did his duty at all times in the General Alarm during the Revolutionary War, and went on three occasions as much as six times , short tours, amounting in the whole to as much as one month actual service , according to the best of my recollection and belief -
Josiah Herrinton

State of Rhode Island & S c o County of Providence S c o. In Foster in said County of Providence On this twenty ninth day of September 1836, Personally appeared before me Daniel Howard Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County. Josiah Herrington within named, and being duly sworn according to law made oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit by him subscribed. And I further certify that the said Josiah Herrington is a credible person with whom I am well acquainted, and that he is entitled to full credit as a Witness. —
Daniel Howard Justice of the Court of Common Pleas County of Providence

I John Harrington of the Town of Foster in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island being Eighty three years of age, and duly sworn according to law, do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Hill late of the said Town of Foster deceased, and that the said Benjamin Hill was a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution that he enlisted into Captain Stephen Sheldon Company of minute men (so called) in the Year Seventeen Hundred & Seventy Five, and performed actual service in said Company one Month at the Block Island in the State of Rhode Island and was there in the Month of July in that Year and that he afterwards in the same year performed actual service in said Company Five months at the Island of Conanicut in said State & Rhode Island and that the said Benjamin Hill, performed actual service in the Town of Warwick in said State under Captain Stephen Sheldon, four months at different times in the Year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Six - I belonged to the same Company and served with the said Benjamin Hill, at the abovenamed places, and during the whole time abovementioned, but he no longer belonged to the same Company that I belonged to, he afterwards belonged to Captain William Howards Militia Company, and I cannot particularly recollect concerning his further services in the Revolutionary War -
John Harrington
State of Rhode Island County of Providence ss. In Foster in said County of Providence On this 23 rd day of September 1836, Personally appeared before me Daniel Howard Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County John Harrington abovenamed, and being first duly sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the Above Affidavit by him subscribed I further certify that the said John Harrington is a person with whom I am acquainted and is entitled to credit in his statements therein contained
Daniel Howard Justice of the Court of Common Pleas County of Providence

I Nathan Bennet of the Town of Foster in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island, being Eighty Years of age, and duly sworn according to law, do testify and say - that I was acquainted with Benjamin Hill formerly a resident in the Town of Foster (now deceased) that I saw the said Benjamin Hill in Captain Stephen Sheldon's Company, some time during the Revolutionary War, but don't recollect the year that said Company was then marching towards the Town of Providence, but I do not recollect where the said Company marched to, or where they were stationed, but think they were stationed at some place Southward of the Town of Providence, I do not know how long he served that tour - I further testify and say that the said Benjamin Hill went one other tour as a Militiaman in the Revolutionary Army, in Captain William Howard's Company, I think, and served at Warwick as a private in said Company about One month - which was I think about the Year Seventeen Hundred and Eighty - I served during the same time at Warwick in Captain Simson Hamlin's Company, and quartered in the same house where the said Benjamin Hill did -
Nathan Bennet
State of Rhode Island } ss In Foster in said County of Providence County of Providence } On this third day of September 1836, Personally appeared before me Daniel Howard associate justice of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County Nathan Bennet above named and being first duly sworn according to law, made solemn oath to the truth of the Affidavit by him subscribed - And I further certify that the said Nathan Bennet is entitled to full credit as a Witness -
Daniel Howard Justice of the Court of Common Pleas County of Providence

I Sarah Wright of the Town of Foster in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island being Sixty three Years of age, and duly sworn according to law do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Hill formerly a resident in the said Town of Foster (now deceased) and that the said Benjamin Hill died in the Town of Cranston in said County of Providence on the 12 th day of July 1825. and that Hannah Hill now residing in the said Town of Foster, Widow of the said Benjamin Hill has never been married since her said husband Benjamin Hill died, but now remains his widow —
Sarah her + Wright mark
State of Rhode Island } ss In Foster in said County of Providence County of Providence } On this Sixth day of September 1836 Personally appeared Before me Daniel Howard Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County Sarah Wright abovenamed and being first duly sworn according to law, made solemn Oath to the truth of the above Affidavit by her subscribed, And I further certify that the said Sarah Wright is a credible person and is entitled to full credit as a Witness —
Daniel Howard Justice of the Court of Common Pleas County of Providence

I Hannah Jenks of the Town of Foster in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island being Thirty one years of age, and duly sworn according to law, do testify and say - that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Hill formerly a resident of the said Town of Foster (now deceased) and that the said Benjamin Hill died in the Town of Cranston in said County of Providence on the 12 th day of July 1825, and that Hannah Hill now a resident in the said Town of Foster, Widow of the said Benjamin Hill has never been married since her said husband Benjamin Hill died, but now remains his Widow
Hannah Jenks
State of Rhode Island County of Providence ss - In Foster in said County of Providence On this Ninth day of September 1836,
Personally appeared before me Daniel Howard Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County. Hannah Jenks administered and being first duly sworn according to law, made solemn oath to the truth of the above Affidavit by her subscribed - And I further certify that the said Hannah Jenks is a credible person and is entitled to full credit as a Witness -
Daniel Howard Justice of the Court of Common Pleas County of Providence

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Providence I Dexter Randall Clerk of the County of Common Pleas within the said County, being a Clerk of Record, do hereby testify that Daniel Howard Esq. before whom the within affidavits were sworn is a justice of said County; that he was duly authorized & qualified to administer oaths & take Depositions and that his signatures before written are Genuine.
In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said County at Providence this 30 th day of September A.D. 1836.
Dexter Randall Clerk

I hereby certify that Benjamin Hill son of Thomas Hill of Scituate in the County of Providence R.I. and Hannah Potter Daughter of Christopher Potter of said town and County was lawfully joined together in Marriage the Seventh day of December A.D. 1769. Before me The Subscriber Jeremiah Angell Justice Peace Received March 18. 1774. For Gideon Haines, Town, Clk
Scituate September 13 th A.D. 1836. I hereby certify that the above is a true copy from Scituate Records for the Recording Marriages V.C. first Book Page 161. duly examined Witness Josiah Westcott Town Clerk of the Town of Scituate.
Providence R.I. in Scituate September 12. A.D. 1836. I swear to before me by the said Josiah Westcott Alfred H. Mayton Just Peace
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Providence R.I. I Deyter Randal Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original document now on file in my office and that the signature of Deyter Randal to the same is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Providence this 30 th day of September 1836 Deyter Randal Clerk

W.C.A.
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
January 19, 1925
Mrs. William H. Mansfield 56 Ring St. Putnam, Conn.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.23280, it appears that Benjamin Hill was the son of Thomas Hill.
While a resident of Scituate, Providence, Rhode Island, he enlisted in 1775 and served as private with the Rhode Island Troops at various times until sometime in 1780, about fifteen months in all, under Captains Stephen Sheldon, William Howard, Jonathan Knight, and Isaac Hopkins, Colonels Simeon Harrington, William Barton, and John Waterman.
He married December 7, 1769, Hannah, the daughter of Christopher Pother or Potter. He died July 12, 1825, in Cranston, Providence County, Rhode Island. His widow, Hannah, was allowed pension on her application executed September 9, 1836, while a resident of Foster, Rhode Island, aged eighty-five years.
There is no further data on file relative to his family.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner
Col. Simeon Harrington verified from clm. of Nathan Bennet W. 14281

Res-
WIDOW, &c.
225 Jan 19. Night Mrs. Wm H. Mansfield M.C.A.
File No. 23280
Hannah Hill Wid of Benjamin Hill Rev Rev was
Act: June 7th 1892
Index:—Vol. A , Page 337
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Answered Jan. 19, 1925—
Dear Sir
Will you please send me the Pension of Benjamin Hill of Scituate R. I. who died July 1825 then his widow Hannah recd a pension. also Thomas Hill Jr 6 Dec 29- 1747 Scituate, R. I.
Very truly yours
Mrs William H. Mansfield, 56 Ring St, Putnam, Conn.
Jan 13-1925.

no 925
Dear Sir
Will you please give me a copy of the War Service & pension of Benjamin Hill of Scituate, R. I. he died July - 18/25 and his widow Hannah rec'd the pension then also of his brother Thomas Hill Jr. born Dec 29-1747 who also served in the war did he rec'd a pension and what was his war service
very truly yours
Mrs William H. Mansfield, 56 Ring St. —
Pittsfield.
Conn.,
Dec 10-1924

Oct 10
R. D. 4 July 36 Thank You no paper
Geo. Wm. Brumf Esq. Acting Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
(D. B.)

Foster October 4 th 1836,
Geo. W m Crump Esq d Acting Commissioner of Pensions —
Sir, I herewith (enclosed) transmit the Declaration of Hannah Hill residing in said Foster, the Widow of Benjamin Hill late of the said Town of Foster, demands for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the provision of the Act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836, together with the evidence in support of her claim, —
Please to send her Pension Certificate to me in case there is one granted, and direct the same to Mount Vernon Post Office, Foster, Rhode Island, (which is her request,) or any other communications relating to the subject —
Yours Respectfully,
Daniel Howard