Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10815, Benjamin Hamlin, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Hamlin, Benjamin S. 10815
CONTENTS
Carded

8062 Connecticut
Benjamin Hamlin of New Milford in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Lee of the ————— commanded by ————— in the Coast Guard Connecticut
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of March 1833 and Lieut. Nathaniel Perry New Milford Ct
Arrears to the 4th of March: 33 $ 600 00 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept 4: 33 10 00 $ 610 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 17

State of Connecticut, County of Litchfield,
Probate District of New Milford.
On this 25 th day of August A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for said District now sitting at New Milford in said District and County, Benjamin Hamlin a resident of said New Milford aged sixty 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 provision of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the follow- ing named Officers and served as herein stated
That about the first of May in the year 1780 or 1781, (but which of those years it was, the deponent cannot recollect) he enlisted at Stratford in Fairfield County in said State in a company of State Guards for the term of six months, for the purpose of guarding the coast on Long Island Sound in the neighborhood of said Stratford and was sta- tioned during the whole term of his said enlistment at a place then called New Pasture Point in said town of Stratford near what is now the town of Bridgeport and perhaps within

the limits of said town. And at the expiration of his term of enlistment he was honorably discharged, but had no written discharge. The company of Guards was commanded by Lieut. David Lake. — Robert C. Beardsley was a corporal — He does not recollect the names of any other of his officers — He believes Capt. Lee commanded the Guards along the shore at that time but there were no commissioned officers attached to the company to which he (the declarant) belonged. There were no Field Officers there as he believes.
He was born on the 28 th day of December 1762 in what is now the town of Brookfield then called the Society of Newbury but whether he was born in that part of the Society which then belonged to Canbury or Newmilford he cannot tell — he resided there & in that vicinity till he was about 16 or 17 years old, he then removed to what is now the town of Lumbrell in Fairfield County at which place he resided when he entered the service. After he left the service he resided at said Lumbrell till about thirty four years since when he removed to said Newmilford where he has ever since resided — He has a record of his age birth on a family bible which is in his possession.
He annexes to this declaration, as proof of his service, the deposition of Philip Nichols

and Thomas Hawby who was with him in the service at the time above stated.
We hereby relinquish every claim what- ever to a pension or annuity in respect to the pre- sent and declare that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn & subscribed } Benjamin Hawby the day & year aforesaid }
We Levi Morris and Samuel Lockwood residing in the old town of New Milford hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Hamlin who has sub- scribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age; that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution; and that we concur in that opinion.
Levi Morris
Sworn & subscribed } Samuel Lockwood the day & year aforesaid }
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presen- ted by the War Department, that the above- named applicant was a revolutionary sol- dier.

and bond as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Levi Morris & Samuel Lockwood who have signed the preceding certificate are both residents in the said town of New Mil- ford, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit
Nathaniel Perry Judge of the Court of Probate for said District
State of Connecticut
District of New Milford ss:
I William J. Hart, Clerk of the Court of Probate for said District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original pro- ceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Hamlin for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 25 th day of August A.D. 1832 —
William J Hart

We Philip Nichols of Monroe in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut aged sixty nine years and Thomas Hawley of Trumbull in the County & State aforesaid aged seventy three, being duly sworn according to law Testify and say that in the year 1780 or 1781 about the first of May, to the best of their recollection and belief, they entitled as volunteers for a six months tour of duty to guard the coast, in the service of the United States in the war of the revolution, & that Benjamin Hamlin of New Milford in the County of Litchfield served also in the same tour & was one of the corps. He was there as a faithful soldier & did his duty during the whole term. The commander of the guard was a Sergeant David Lake, & corporal Robert C. Beardlee, that we were stationed during the whole term at New-pasture-point, a place so called, then in the Town of Stratford near what is now called Bridgeport in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut. We have been acquainted with him, said Benjamin Hamlin, from his youth, and have always considered him a man of truth, that he supports as good as  as truth for truth & veracity to the best of our knowledge & belief; and we believe him to be about sixty eight years of age.
Philip Nichols Thomas Hawley

State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield.
ss: Newtown
on the 16 th day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared Philip Nichols & Thomas Hawley who submitted the foregoing deposition, & being duly sworn, made oath to the truth of the same before me Samuel C. Blackman Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut } ss. I Thomas B. Brumba Clerk of the Fairfield County } County Court within and for the County of Fairfield in said State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Samuel C. Blackman Esquire whose own proper signature known to me to be genuine is annexed to the above Certificate, is a Justice of the Peace for said Fairfield County duly commissioned & duly authorized & duly empowered to administer oaths &c. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said County Court this 16 th day of August A.D. 1832 in Fairfield.
Thomas Brumba Clerk of the County Court for Fairfield County
State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield Probate District of Newtown ss: Newtown December 26 th 1832
I hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with Philip Nichols who made oath to & submitted the foregoing affidavit for more than thirty years: his character is good for truth & he is a credible witness. The other witness, to wit, Thomas Hawley, was a stranger to me at the time his affidavit was taken: his appearance & deportment was that of a respectable farmer. Samuel C. Blackman Justice of Peace
My Friend

Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., _____, 189___
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Hamlin , a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 1780 6 mos Pri Col David Lake None Conn.                              
Battles engaged in, None.  Residence of soldier at enlistment, Trumbull Conn.  Date of application for pension, Aug 25 1832  Residence at date of application, New Milford Conn.  Age at date of application, On Dec 28 70 prob. in New Milford.  Remarks: Removed to New Milford from Trumbull about 1798.
Very respectfully,
_____ Commissioner.

Reuben
10815 INVALID.
No. 10815-
Benjamin Hamlin Pris. New York
Act: June 7 th 82
Index: Vol. 1 Page 163
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1894 Sept. 20, His brother Hon. H. J. Andrews
Audubon, Iowa
Feb'y 9, 1904 - His to Mrs. Sarah C. Townsend Middlebury Conn

OFFICE OF TOWN CLERK AND REGISTRAR OF BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS, MIDDLEBURY, CONN.
Middlebury, Conn., January 25 1904
Hon Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C. Through the Solicitations of some of my friends to join the Daughters American Revolution I wish to know the War record of Elisha Homblin & Benjamin Homblin my Great Grandfathers they were Pensioners during their life also Phil. Homblin my Grandfather was a son of Elisha & served in the War of 1872 will you kindly give me his War record
respe
Mrs Sarah C Townsend Middlebury New Haven County Connecticut

3615-
Benjamin Haulin
Coastguard private 6 m o
$20
4. 5. 6. 11. 12. 14
Natte Perry
our Milford
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P108.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Benjamin Hamlin which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? No 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? MO. The service must be explained as to its being continual or periodical during the term of enlistment. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? MO VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No clergyman
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
None
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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
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?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
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, 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 the 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.
†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 authenticated 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 end 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.

Benjamin Hearn's Supplementary Decla- -ration —

State of Connecticut, County of Litchfield
Probate District of New Milford
On this 31 st day of December
A.D. 1832 Personally appeared
in open court before the Court at Probate for said District now sitting at New Milford in said District & County Benjamin Harriman who is personally known to the Judge of this Court and is the same Benjamin Harriman who made a declar- ation before this Court on the 25 th day of August 1832 for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the provision of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - And now being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declar- ation for the same purpose as supplemen- tary to and explanatory of his former declaration — —
He declares that he cannot state with any more particularity than he has done in his former declaration as to the period of the War in which he served - He stated in that declaration and he now begs leave to state again that it was in the year 1780 or 1781 but he cannot tell which year. He knows he enlisted in one of those years and served for the full term of six months as stated in his former declaration as a private His service during the term of his enlistment was continual - He now states as the

reason why he did not obtain the evidence of a clergyman - that he resides in a remote part of the town in which he lives in the town of Bridgewater - that the clergyman who now resides in that parish is a young man and has resided there but about four or five months and cannot be presumed to be acquainted with the reputation of Revolution- ary soldiers - He knows Levi Morris Esq Samuel Lockwood, Joel Sanford Esq, Lyman Smith & David Burr who can testify to his charac- ter for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution He now begs leave to add that by reason of the length of time, old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot recollect precisely as to the year in which he served, but that he did serve for Six months as a private as stated in his former declara- tions & for such services he claims a pension He is not able to state the names of the officers under whom he served with any more particularity than he has done in his former declaration
Benjamin Hamlin
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid And the Court do hereby declare their opin- ion that the above named applicant Benjamin Hamlin was a revolutionary soldier and served as he stated in his original declaration & as he states in this his supplementary decla- -ration
Nathaniel Perry Judge of The Court of Probate for District

State of Connecticut
District of New Milford
I William J. Starr Clerk of the Court of Probate for said district do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the supplemental application of Benjamin Hamlin for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
The seal of said Court this
31 st day of December A.D. 1832
William J. Starr Clerk