Pension Application of Benjamin Stratton: S7614
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
State of Virginia
Henry Co to wit
On this 8th day of July AD 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of of the County Court of Henry now sitting: Benjamin Stratton, a resident of the County of Henry and State of Virginia, aged 83 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 act of Congress passed June 7th 1833.
That he was born in King and Queen in the year 1750, was raised in Pittsylvania and was there living when called into service; that he has resided in Henry since the revolutionary war, which still continues his place of abode. That he entered the service under the command of the regular officers Genls Stephens [sic: Edward Stevens] and [Nathanael] Greene. That in the year 1780, he served a term of three months under the immediate command of Capt Jos Martin, the subordinate officer of Gen Greene, and that in this year he was in the battle of Guilford Courthouse [15 March 1781]. This applicant further declares that he served a tour of four months under the immediate command of Capt Wm Dicks at York previous to the surrender of Lord Cornwallis [on 19 Oct 1781], as well as he can recollect towards the close of the year 1780, or beginning of that of 1781. That Washington, Stephens, and Greene, were his superior officers and that he was present at the surrender of Yorktown, and saw the magazine burnt up. That under the orders of Capt John Dollison he served a further tour of five months against the Indians, beyond the mountains, near Green Briar Creek [sic: probably Greenbrier River in present West Virginia], and also near New River, the period not recollected. This applicant further declares that he was drafted, and that he marched as guard with the prisoners taken at York, as far as Knowland’s ferry on the Potomac River.
That this applicant kept no record of his age. That he received his discharges, but lost them through negligence or inattention, not anticipating that they would ever prove of service to him. That to the services of of this applicant in the revolutionary war, [first name illegible] Stratton is a living witness, whose written testimony is herewith transmitted. This applicant is acquainted with Capt Boldin, John [last name illegible], and others who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a Revolutionary Soldier.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. This affiant further declares that he cannot from defect of memory, consequent on old age, recollect the time of his entering and leaving the service, nor the regiments, campaigns, or troops to which he belonged, and that he is unable to procure the testimony of any preacher.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Benjamin his X mark Stratton