Pension Application of Benjamin Belcher

                        Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris

17 Dec 1818 Patrick County Order Book 2: "Upon the application of Benjamin Belcher, a Revolutionary soldier, to be allowed the benefit of the Act of Congress at their last session respecting indigent soldiers in the war of the Revolution. The said Benjamin Belcher made oath that he entered under David Lyon, his first captain; that he enlisted for during the war, was commanded by General Smallwood; that he was in the battle of White Plains and Germantown; that he was in the 4th Regiment and then commanded by General Guest [Mordecai Gist of the Maryland 3rd Reg.] - Shadrick Turner, a witness, says he has known him 9 or 10 years and believes him to be a man of truth and very poor."

NOTES:

Belcher’s application was not found among those microfilmed by the national Archives and Records Administration. Apparently the application was never filed.

The 4th Maryland Regiment was authorized 16 September 1776 and assigned to the Main (Continental) Army. On 27 March 1777 it was organized to consist of eight companies from Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Somerset Counties, and on 22 May 1777 it was assigned to the 2d Maryland Brigade of the Main Army. After 1781 it was assigned to the Southern Department of the Continental Army.

Battle of White Plains NY  28 Oct. 1776 British and Hessians (4,000) attacked Americans (1,600) and defeated them, but British casualties (300) exceeded those of the Americans (200). 

Battle of Germantown PA  4 Oct. 1777  American attack on British positions failed.

A Benjamin Belcher was awarded a 50 acre land bounty by Maryland for service as a private in the Revolutionary War.