“KING” DAVID BENGE
Declaration for Pension

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 submitted by Glen Moberly 

"King" David was in the revolutionary war and the War of 1812. In the War of 1812 he enlisted at Manchester, Kentucky in Thomas McJilton's company 7th. Kentucky, 11th Regiment of Kentucky Mounted Volunteer Militia, served from August 22, 1813 to November 10, 1813 in the Thames Campaign where the Indian chief Tecumseh was killed. His pay for this period was $20.90 plus $32 for his horse which he had to furnish. He was honorably discharged at Limestone, Kentucky (now Maysville) on the Ohio River 12 December, 1813.

Revolutionary War Record: Declaration for pension, Clay County, Kentucky. (spelling and grammar as in document).

On this 27 day of April 1834 personally appeared before the Hon. Joseph Eve, judge of the 15th district circuit in open court, David Benge aged 74 in August next, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress paper June 7, 1832.

That he enlisted in the Army of The United States as he now believes in '78 or '79 in Wilks County, North Carolina under Capt. O. Gordon in the 2nd Reg. as he now believes (but will not be postive) in the North Carolina Line, whether on State or Continental line, he does not know, but they were called Continentals. The Reg. was commanded by Col. Armstrong. He enlisted for nine months. After his enlistment he was marched to Charleston in South Carolina and was there at the siege and surrender of the town and was taken prisoner when General Lincoln surrendered the city. He had been in service something like 12 or 13 months, but before the surrender his time had expired.

He again at Charleston enlisted under Capt. Joseph Lewis who succeeded Gordon for nine months more, who was shortly promoted to Major. on his first enlistment Micajah Lewis (brother of Joseph) was his Major. there was so many changes of officers that he does not remember his Lt's or Ensigns. Before he was taken prisoner he was in no battles except the siege of Charleston, South Carolina. The last enlistment he understood to be in North Carolina line under Col. Armstrong whether State or Continental troops he can not say. He remembers General Pinkey, General Lincoln.

Shortly after the surrender there was a roll call for more men he believes in June after he volunteered (time not specified but he believes he was gone 8 or 9 weeks in service) to join General Gates. He volunteered in Wilkes County under Captain Joseph Lewis and Michajah Lewis was his Major. The Regiment was commanded by Col. Rutherford. They were marched adjoined General Gates near Salisbury, N.C. and then were marched under General Gates until his defeat by Lord Cornwallis, in which battle he was in. His Captain and company returned home.

He again volunteered in Wilkes County, N.C. for 3 months (shortly before the battle of King's Mountain) under Captain Joseph Lewis, his Major M. Lewis Adjutant under Colonel Cleveland with whom he marched to King's Mountain and fought in the battle, in which both of the Lewis officers were wounded. He often saw Colonel Campbell, Sevier, Shelby and Lt. Colonel Williams who was kild.

After the battle he was detained with the wounded men in Burks County, N.C. under Doctor Dobson until he had between five and six months, when he returned home without getting a discharge, there being no officer there, by permission of the Doctor.

In February following he was ordered out, under Capt. Joseph Lewis & Michajah Lewis was Major and the Regiment under Col. Cleveland. This took place in Wilks County, N. Carolina. They were ordered out to join General Green at the Shallow ford on the Yadkin River in N.C. when he was retreating from the South, but the British got between Col. Cleveland & Green. They could not reach Green, when they could not reach Green, Col. Cleveland marched on to Howe River in N.C., Major Lewis rode out of camp to examine if there was an enemy about, when he was shot and kild, both thighs being broke by the enemy. Col. Cleveland instantly retreated and marched back home. this trip was about two months.

He was discharged but not in writing. Shortly after the battle of Gilford he entered the service in Wilks County under Capt. Ch. Gordon in the State line of N. Carolina for six months as he understood to fill out his tour of nine months under his second enlistment. His Major he does not remember, but his Colonel was Capt. Joseph Lewis who had been promoted. He was marched to Hallsboro, N.C. where the Reg. was stationed and after he had served six months, he was discharged at Salisbury, N.C. by Capt. Gordon.

In 81' he volunteered in the fall under Ben Herndon & took a trip against the Cherokee Nation and was gone about 7 or 8 weeks but saw no Indians except a squaw. He was honorably discharged. He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state. Sworn and Subscribed to this day & year. David Benge, his mark.

He was born (in the year, for answer he refers to his age) in Albemarle County, state of Virginia, has no record of his age.

When he entered the service he lived in Wilkes County, N. Carolina, since he lived in N.C.. Then in the year 1790 he removed to Kentucky and now resides in Clay County, Ky. He always entered the service on his own account & for himself & not as a substitute. As to the manner of his entering the service he refers to his declaration, app. As to the officers, the character of the troops, the names of his officers & the circumstances of his service he refers the Hon. Secretary to the fore-going declaration owing to old age & the laps of memory he can not now remember many as well as formerly. As to the manner of his discharges he refers to this declaration-those that he rec'd in writing he has long since lost and he knows of no person by who he can prove his service. As to his character for truth he refers to his neighbors Col. Paul Pigg, Col. Elijah McQuorter and to Col. Danl. Garrard.

I George Stivers a Clergyman Preacher, a resident of Clay County certify that he is well acquainted with David Benge who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that many believe him to be the age he states, & from his knowledge of him as a man of good character we have no doubt he served in the Revolutionary as stated by him in the foregoing declaration, sworn & subscribed to this 27 of April, 1834 as a man of truth he would believe him on oath. Sworn & subscribed to this day & year. George Stivers.

Col. Dan Garrard a resident citizen of Clay County upon oath declares that he has long since known David Benge who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration, and from his knowledge of his general good character, he would believe him on oath. sworn & subscribed this 27th of April 1834. That many years ago he heard him speak of being in the Battle of Kings Mountain in North Carolina. Danil Garrard

John Hibbard a resident citizen of said county states upon oath, that many years ago, he spoke of being under the Lewis's, in the Revolution and spoke particularly of being in the Battle of Kings Mountain in N.C. John Hibbard

And the said court do hereby certify their opinion after investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by The War Department, that the above named applicant "David Benge" was a Revolutionary soldier served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears that George Stivers who signed the presiding certificate is a clergyman resident in the county of Clay and that Danil Garrard & John Hibbard who also signed the preceding certificates are residents of the same.