Benjamin Howard (Harlan Co. KY)
Revolutionary War Pension Declaration R.5273
File Jacket - Benjamin Howard; Kentucky; Rejected; See letter 24 Nov 1837 E. Smith; 5273; service after revolutionary war applicant only 60 years of age
Kentucky Harlan County Circuit Court
On the 12 of July 1837 before the Honl Joseph Eve Judge of the 13 Judicial District, in open Court, Benjamin Howard, aged between sixty and sixty one, a resident citizen of Harlan County Ky upon his Oath according to law made and subscribed for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the Act of Congress of 7 June 1832 for the benefit of the Officers and soldiers in the Revolutionary War, That on the day of, the year forgotten, in Russell County State of Virginia he enlisted as a private for nine months under Capt Hawkins, Andrew Colvin, and Lt or Ensign, which he does not remember, in the Regt commanded by Col Andrew Lewis, his Maj~ forgotten, the Regt was raised by the state of Virginia to guard the frontiers of sd State against the Indians. After his enlistment he was detached under Colvin to Cumberland Gap, where he was stationed at block house to guard the molus afd the Indians & frontiers. While there three men were killed on Cannon Creek, he under Colvin pursued them to Hickory Gap on Emerys river, but did not overtake them. They buried the dead under the Command of Colvin. Near the close of his term afd Colvin marched back afd & his term of service afd, having expired he Recd a written discharge which he has long since lost - he got his discharge from Col Lewis afd- in Russel County afd- Previous to this he seved by the Command of the Officers of Russel County as a Private soldier in forts in Russel County in actual service in two forts upwards of a year. The forts were Blackmons and Panettone fort in Russell. He was in service when Blackmons Fort was taken. In this service in standing guard he enlisted for no particular period, but the service he performed was commanded by the head officers of the County as he understood by the authority of the state of Virginia- he was to receive from the state so much per month, a part only he recd he served under diverse officers in the forts and on scouting parties. Hawkins was commander monthly until he enlisted as afd- For this service he never received any written discharge-
He has stated his age He states his name is not on the pension roll of any state, or the United States, that he never recd anything whatever for his services under the act of Congress afd nor from any state, and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present. His name he supposes can be found on the roll of afd Regt, but he refers to the evidence of claim afd- In the same company, & Regt he had three other Brothers, Thomas, James, & John- James & Thomas lives in Floyd County Ky, who draw pensions for said service as he is informed, who enlisted at the same time & for the same term of time.
The reason why he has not applied sooner for a pension, is that he has always been informed the act of Congress afd did not apply to his case.
Benj X Howard
Genl George Brittain and John G Crump clerk of the
Harlan Circuit Court, the first aged 65 - the other
thirty eight years old, upon oath in open court do hereby
certify that they have no doubt the said Benjamin Howard
afd who is a resident citizen of Harlan County is of the
age he states. That from their knowledge of his general good
character they believe the facts in his petition afd are true.
Given under our hand this 12th of July, 1837.
Geo Brittain
John G Crump
State of Ky Rockcastle County
This day Andrew Colvin, a citizen of the county afd aged 70 the 12th of last March. He remembers there was a young man under his command by the name of Benj Howard, and from the correct narrative given by him at Cumberland Gap he thinks he must have been with him. Howard is mistaken in this in saying that Lewis was a Col he was only a Captain Commandant and had the command of all his troops in that section. It is a mistake that he was under Hawkins, but was under Captain Lewis. Hawkins was a LT under Lewis, but afterwards made Capt
Andrew Colvin