Pension Info on Benjamin Ethell from Missouri

[Note: the following transcriptions were provided by Bert Paredes]

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER
County of Boon State of Missouri

On this 1st day of September 1826, before me, the subscriber, a justice of the Peace for the said county of Boon personally appeared Benjamine Ethell or Athell who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Nathaniel Mitchel in the regiment commanded by Colonel William Graison in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Kentucky from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the state (district, or territory) of Missouri where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future; and that his reasons for removing to the state of Missouri are 1st because his children are there, with the exception of one, who is now on the road to said state where he intends residing in future and 2nd because he thinks he can live easier and better in Missouri than Kentucky.

(signed) Benjamin Ethel

Sworn and subscribed to, before me, the day and year aforesaid.

(signed)John Williams a Justice of the Peace

________________________________________________

The following is correspondence from possible descendents regarding Benjamin Ethel and was contained in the pension file

County Clerk's Office
Santa Clara County
San Jose, Cal.

March 16, 1880

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

Dear Sir,

Will you please give me the date that Benjamin Ethell, a Revolutionary soldier drew his pension? His name was spelled in different ways viz: Ethell, Ethel, Aethol, Athol, Atholl, Athroll, Atherall etc., and in consequence of a doubt as to this correct spelling the pension due him, for many years, was delayed payment. Please give date of payment, amount of pension, and the correct spelling of the name as appears upon the record. Also give same concerning Anthony Ethell, if the name is found and oblige.

(signed) John A. Ethell
San Jose,
Santa Clara Co.
California

____________________________________________________

Treasury Department
Third Auditor's Office
Washington, D. C.

May 4 1880

Sir:

In reply to your letter of the 1 inst, you are informed that it appears from the records of this office that Benjamin Ethel, (of the Revolution) was paid at $48. half yearly to July 1, 1828 the date of his death, Kentucky rolls.

Very respectfully,
(signed but unreadable)
Auditor

________________________

Department of the Interior Pension Office
Washington D.C.

Feby 23d 1887

Madam,

In accordance with your request of the 2d inst, addressed to the Hon. B Henley, by him referred to this office, for information of your great grandfather, Benjamin Ethell, or Athell, a Revolutionary Soldier, you will receive herewith enclosed, a Statement, on a Separate Sheet, of Such history as is contained in the papers which he filed with his application for a pension.

If his widow died prior to 1838 She would not be entitled to a pension, except she was married to him prior to the military service and before the termination of his service in said war. Her name has not been found on record as an applicant for a pension.

The pension allowed to Benjamin Ethell was under the act of March 18, 1818, which law confined its benefactors to those Soldiers whose enlistment and Service covered nine months in the Continental line, and any additional enlistment in that organization, or in the State troops, or in the Militia, he was not required under that law to State the same.

As you have mentioned that Benjamin came over together with his brother Anthony from England or Scotland, and was subsequently followed by their brother Henry, sufficient data to two pensioners named Anthony and Henry Ethell has been added from their pension papers, to enable you to determine whether they are brothers to Benjamin, and if so, it will designate the residence of the latter in Virginia. There is no record of other applicants for a pension by the family name of Ethell or Athell.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner

(sent to)
Mrs Mollie L Fouts
Care of Revd A. Z. Young
Ambrosia, East Baton Rounge, La.

[Note: There is sufficient evidence that Benjamin, Anthony, and Henry were all born in Loudoun County, Virginia. Therefore, indication that they came over from England or Scotland is wrong. KB 2/21/1999]

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