Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 32295, Benjamin Hall, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
R.S.
Hall, Benjamin
S 32295
CONTENTS

22.2138 Indiana
Benjamin Hall of Ripley Co in the State of Indiana who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Ward of the regt commanded by Col Stephen in the A. S. line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of Oct 1833 and Stephen — Ward
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 200.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mo. 40.00 $240.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Bond Clerk, Book C Vol. 7 Page 114
Let. to Mayhew & Walker Sept. 13, 1850
Let. to Hon. D. D. English July 25th 1845.

Benj Hale-
12.591.

The Declaration of Benjamin Hall in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of June 7th 1832
State of Indiana Switzerland County ss
On this 18th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before the Honorable the Judges of the Switzerland Circuit Court Benjamin Hall a resident of the County of Ripley and State of Indiana aforesaid, aged 80 years next coming June, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the month of May or June 1775 with Capt. Samuel Ward and served in the first Regiment of the Rhode Island Line, under the following named Officers vizt General Greene, Col. Varnum, Lieut. Col. Henry Greene, Major Ebenezer Adams, Asst. M ty Melford, Capt. Samuel Ward, Lieut. Elijah Lewis, Ensign Adams, 1st Lieut. John Remington, other company officers not now remembered. After serving in said Regiment under the said officers for 8 Months he was regularly discharged on the 8th day of December 1775. Col. Varnum. He then returned to his native town Hopkinton in the County of Little-Rest (Rhode Island) and remained there until some time in April 1776 when he again enlisted with Col. Witchcoak for the term of nine Months and served in this Regiment (the number forgotten) in the Rhode Island Line, and served under the following named Officers vizt General Cornell, Col. Witchcoak, Lieut. Col. John Williams, Major Philips, Asst. John Bandy, Capt. William Parker, Lieut. Timothy Lapham, Ensign Jesse Lyman, 1st Lieut. Henry Sherman. The rest of the company officers not particularly remembered. This term of service amounted to nine Months when he was again regularly discharged by Col. Witchcoak, some time in the month of January 1777. He then remained at Hopkinton until some time about the 12th of May 1777 when he again enlisted with Col. George Sappin (or Sappin) for a term of twelve Months and served in the first Regiment of the Rhode Island Line under the following named officers, to wit General Cornell, Col. Sappin (or Sappin) Lieut. Col. John Williams, Major Philips, Asst. Bandy. (The brother of my former Asst.) Capt. Benjamin West & the same Lieut. Ensign & other Company officers as in my former term of service. (to wit for nine months) after
Be amended

faithfully serving out this third term of service of 12 months (which added to the two former terms of eight and nine months makes two years and five months) he returned again to his residence in Hopkinton in the County of Middlesex, Rhode Island, after being first duly discharged by Col Tappan (or Tappin). He continued to remain here until Hopkinton together with other towns was classed and obliged to furnish one efficient man to every eight (in the township) which eighth man was to serve for three years in the service of the United States when he entered the service again and served as a substitute for three years, for one Mason, Tanner, Clark, Edwards & Allen (the two others named not now remembered) when he was finally discharged by Col. Sussel some time in the year 1781. During this service for three years as a substitute he was an orderly sergeant and was commanded by the following officers Brigadier Genl. Warren, Colonel Gell, Lieut Col Westfall, Major Gage, Captain (name forgotten) Captain Elijah Lewis, Lieutenant Henry Thomas & Ensign Samuel Johnson. He resided at the time he entered the service in the town of Hopkinton in the County of Middlesex, Rhode Island. He was in the battle of Bennington, in the Battle of Rhode Island called Sullivan's Expedition, in the Battle of White Plains, was at Saratoga at the time General Burgoyne surrendered, at the Battle of Monmouth, and at the Battle of the Clouds - Brandywine & the Red Bank. He was scarcely wounded in the shoulder by the bursting of a bomb-shell in the year 1777 at the Battle of Red Bank (Sullivan's Expedition). During this first term of enlistment he marched from his native town of Hopkinton to Prospect Hill near Boston where he was stationed for eight months (engaged occasionally in scouting parties) when he was regularly discharged as above said. During his second term for nine months he remained nearly stationary at Kingston, Rhode Island - until he was discharged as above said. During his third term of service for twelve months he marched from Kingston to White Plains, from thence to Albany N.Y. from thence to New Jersey - from thence to New York  where he was regularly discharged where he was regularly discharged. About 20 years since his papers, and discharge were consumed by fire in his own house.
He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of the Army.

The Amended Declaration of Benjamin Hall an applicant for a Pension under the Act of 1832. which amendment was made in Open Court before the Honorable Henry B. Hubbell probate Judge of the Ripley County Court at the August term of said Court 1833.
Benjamin Hall the aforesaid applicant states that he made his declaration for a pension under the Act of June 7th 1832, on the 18th day of September 1832, before the Honorable the Judges of the Switzerland Circuit Court in Open Court at their September term the year aforesaid. That the reason why he did not make this declaration in the County where he resided at the time (and still continuing to reside) was because he resided about as near to Piqua where the Switzerland Circuit Court is held as he was to Versailles the seat of Justice of his own County and moreover he did not understand that he could receive a pension, and was wholly unacquainted with the passage of the act of June 7th 1832, at the time that the Ripley Circuit Court held its session. He advised with persons whom he supposed knew the regulations of the War Department and they informed him that it made no difference, consequently he thought it better to make his application in the Switzerland Circuit Court than to wait until the next sitting of the Court in his own County.
He has no written or documentary evidence and he knows of but one person living who can testify to his service (see affidavits of Harvey, Clark, Coffey & Webb)
During his service as a substitute for Mason, he marched from Hopkinton (Pike County) to New London in Connecticut, from thence to Fort Independence on the North River, thence he crossed the North River, from thence he marched through New Jersey to Monmouth where he was engaged in the Battle, from thence he marched to the Red Bank on the Delaware, where he was engaged in the Battle, from thence to Philadelphia where he was discharged. By First Col. Am. Leg. Cav. (see application) He served as a substitute for the persons forward for the full year as an orderly sergeant.
Sworn to and subscribed the 12th day of August 1833. Benjamin Hall We Meshech Flyatt a clergyman residing in the County of Ripley and State of Indiana and Joshua Coons residing in the same County and State hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Hall who has subscribed and sworn to the original declaration hereto annexed (and also who has sworn to and subscribed to this amendment) that we believe him to be 80 years of age that he is reported and known in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed the 12th day of August 1833. in Open Court. Meshech Flyatt J. Coons

And the said Court does hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogato- ries furnished by the War Department, that the above named appli- cant was a Revolutionary Soldier as said as he states, and the said Court further certifies that it appears to him that Markack Scott, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman re- siding in the County of Ripley and State of Indiana, and that Joshua Cook who has also signed the same is a resi- dent in the same County and State, and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. B. Walker Probate Judge
In answer to the Questions prescribed by the War Department which were answered in your Court by the above named Benj- amin Hall, Answer to 1st. I was born in the town of Hopkinton in the State of Rhode Island, on the 4th day of June 1780. Answer to 2nd. I have a record of my age at home. Answer to 3rd. I was residing at the time I was called into service in the town of Hopkinton, Rhode Island, since the Revolutionary War I have resided in Pennsylvania, and in the State of New York until about fifteen years ago, when I removed to the State of Indiana (Ripley County) where I now reside. Answer to 4th. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd time I was enlisted the rest of my service for three years I served as a substitute for Mason, Abel, James, Clark, Simmons, Adams, and James Wells. Answer to 5th. I well rec- ollect General Greene, General Sullivan, General Cornwall Col. Mawm, afterwards a General, Major Adams & Co. &c. I also recollect Col. Corcoran's Regiment of the Continental and Col. Moir's Regiment of Militia, the circumstances of my service are stated within. Answer to 6th. I read a discharge in the first place from Col. Mawm, the 2nd from Col. Mitchell, the 3rd Col. Pappin, and the 4th and last from Lieut. Col. Angell. They have long since been destroyed by fire about 30 years since in my own- ers, 1st. Discharge from Lieut. Col. Angell. Answer to 7th. Discharge signed by Stephen Pabbe Esq. of Judge Wall, of Lieut. Col. Angell and all who know me.
I said I should certify of the Ripley County Probate Court do hereby certify that the foregoing Amendment to the origi- nal Declaration of Benjamin Hall for a pension under the law of 1832, and are the proceedings of the said Court in the amendment of the said Benjamin Hall to his original declaration offered, at the August Term of said Court 1833. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 10th day of August 1833.
David D. Hooker. Clk

State of Indiana Tippecanoe County
Personally appears before me the under- signed a justice of the peace in and for the County of Tippecanoe. Phoebe Hall of lawful age who being fully sworn according to law, deposes and saith that she was born in the month of December the 26 day in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and the 20 days in the year of our Lord 1753. in Little Rest , County and State of Rhode Island. That since the tenth year of her age she has known and has been well acquainted with one Benjamin Hall who appeared on the 18th day of September 1832 before the Switzerland Circuit Court of the State of Indiana for a pension under the act of June 7th 1832. That she resides during the Revolutionary War in the County of Little Rest in the State of Rhode Island. That she has been constantly acquainted with the said Benjamin Hall since the 10th year of her age, up to this time. She well remembers the time when the said Hall entered the service as an enlisted soldier, and also as a substitute soldier. That to the best of her recollection he entered the service of the United States, and served as he has stated in his declaration (see declaration). That she can not state from her own personal knowledge the regiments or companies in which he served or the officers who commanded him, but from general report at the time he the said Hall served as he has stated in his declaration (see declaration). She also remembers well the time when the said Hall left the service the time mentioned in his said declara- tion (which time has been near to this day) (see declaration). This deponent further states that she speaks from her own personal knowledge of the actual services of the said Hall the several periods men- tioned in said declaration, and further saith not.
Phoebe Hall mark
Sworn to and subscribed the 10th day of August 1833.
Stephen Dibble J. P. Qualls
And the said justice further certifies that the said Phoebe Hall the above deponent is a person of truth and honesty and on such is entitled to full credit.
Stephen Dibble J. P. Qualls

State of Indiana Ripley County
I, David P. Root, of the Ripley County Circuit Court do hereby certify that the affidavit of Philip Root has been taken and at the time of signing the same, and now is an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County of Ripley aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified as such, that full faith and credit are due all his official acts etc. and that the signature hereunto is his.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 10th day of August 1833.
David P. Root, Clerk

my the agency in any State —
Known to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid —
Benjamin Hall
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as the States
M. C. Eggleston Pres. pro tem
Joseph Stalin Associate
Elisha G. Lyle Associate
I Edward Patten Clerk of the Switzerland Circuit Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the ap- plication of Benjamin Hall for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 18 day of September A. D. 1852.
Edward Patten Clerk

1 st 12596
Benjamin Hall
R. J. Roll not a Roll
146 for 1775 private 274 psc
can only allow as a private
Stephen S. Harding venality Indiana
15 th Feb. 1833

BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Hall  of Ripley County in the State of Indiana  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court. 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 3. How old is he? 80 Years. 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.     In 1775 8 private Gen. Sam d Ward.   1776 9 do Gen. W m Parker   1777 1 — do Col. Geo. Tappan 1 st Reg t   — 3 — Adj t Sargt. Col. Elijah Lewis - Col. Angel  
5. In what battles was he engaged? Bunkerhill - White-plains - Saratoga - Monmouth 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? State of Rhode Island. 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
No.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. H. Pleasants.
Examining Clerk.

Madison Ind Sept 6, 1880
Dr Sir
A Mr Benjamin Hall died in Jefferson County Indiana in Jan'y last. His wife, a U.S. Pensioner, having been a sergeant in the Rhode Island troops during nearly the whole of the Revolutionary War, or perhaps during the whole war, about seven years, His certificate of pension has been surrendered. And his son & administrator claims that he was entitled to eleven years of back pay. The pension was granted in 1832 - as we are informed, but we cannot get a copy of the certificate of pension. An atty here was employed to attend to the matter who died not long since, (Mr. Hendricks.) Will you please write us any information you can concerning the matter, & send us a copy of his certificate of pension if he was entitled to draw pay for a longer period of time than he has drawn. We should like to get it allowed. Please give us the date of the first act under which he would be entitled to draw a pension from an examination of the papers on file in the Pension Office. You will be able to inform us if his administrator can draw back pay. Also what Mr Hendricks done in the matter before his death.
Very Respectfully Marshall Walker
Atty for the adminr.

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 Hall which require farther proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes. II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? See amendment 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? See amendment IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes. 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? Yes. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes. VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes. VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes. IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes. 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? Yes.

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

See Official Phebe Hall.  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

See Appendix D. Phoebe Hall.
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.
Versailles Ky. June 12th 1833- J. S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Mr. Sir. I herewith return the papers of Benjamin Hall with such amendments as has been in the power of the applicant to make. You will perceive at once that the old petition was certainly entitled to his pension, and notwithstanding he has failed to comply with the requirements of the War Department as much as the he produced but one witness. Yet I hope and trust that the Department will make all due allowance for the omission of but one witness when it enters into consideration the length of time which has intervened since he joined when the services were rendered. I have been informed by the Honorable Oliver H. Smith late our Representative in Congress that he had a letter placed into his hands by the Officer Mr. Hall from the War Department stating that his name had been found on the Rolls of the Department where he had served for one six months tour, but no more service could be proven by the Rolls of the Department the letter which I speak of was recd. some years since by Mr. Hall before the act of June last and Mr. Smith informs me that said letter is mislaid. I could prove his affidavit if the govt if it was necessary. Therefore I presume after a

remains of the Poor his name may probably be found somewhere. I take the liberty of speaking thus because of the importance of the matter to the Col d Soldiers who is suing for his rights, and knowing as I do that in an office where there is such a multiplicity of business as there is in the Department that a name may be easily overlooked. But casting aside his claims as a Regular sol. when his services as a substitute were of such duration that they alone would entitle him to a full pension, as an Ordinary Sergeant. I know of no other amendments which can be made to this application, and I hope that the Department will require the whole paper, compose the facts being set forth with those which the history of the times furnishes and be dictated as it has heretofore been by a high sense of justice. I ought my most cordial thanks for your prompt attention to my business.
With Much Respect
I am &c
Thos. G. Manning
Genl. J. V. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
1872-1873

32295 Rev INVALID.
File No. 32295
Benjamin Hall
Dis Rev War
Act: June 7 1862
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 123
[Arrangement of 1870.]