continued Marriage bond, Prince William Co., VA., 7 Sep 1786. William BENSON to Sara SEALE. John ROLLINS, security. (by 1853 mice had eaten away ROLLINS signature on the bond.) Virginia Auditor reports that William BENSON, soldier of artillery, was paid L 77.15.6 in full on 24 Jun 1783. "This is to Certify that William BENSON a soldier in Colo. Marshall's Regiment of artillery have due him from the state of Virginia one coate, one vest, one pr. breeches, two shirts, two pr. stockings, two pr. shoes and one hatt. Richmond Sept. 5th 1780 Yancy Lipscomb Capt. Lt. U.S.S." End of Page 33 Page 34 to be continued continued Page 34 " William BENSON was born in the year 1759. 17 day September. I live with my father and mother for six years happy enuf. Then my Father took sick and died in the year 1765. I lived with my mother one or two years. Then my mother took me and carried me up the country to my father's sister Molley MILLER. I wood not stay there. She took me to my uncle PORTER'S. Then the boys got me out in the woods to make whips. When we come back my mother was gone. I hollowd and cried a plenty. In the Fall she come to see me and broat Uncle John SEAL with her and I never have seen her since. She took sick soon after and died about three years after my father died, about the year 1768. I lived with my uncle POORTER until I was 18 years old. Then I enlisted for three years. That was the twenty forth of August 1777. We went to Little York. Their we staid u (n) til the next Fall. I was taken sick in March and was sent to the horspittle at Williamsburg, me and William WADDEL, Mason WATS, Peter HITT. The last of May WADDEL went down to York again with me. I continued sick and we all got the ague and fevour and we got furlows and went home until we got well. Then we went back again. We had the in the time that was 1778 (sic). In 79 we staid at Yorktown. In the Spring we was ordered up to Williamburgh to march to Charlestown. That was 1780. Charlstowne was taken before we got their. We went about until our tim was out that 24 August." Note from Chocy: I am typing this as it appears in the magazine including all the errors in spelling and so forth as I believe this is how it appeared in the original documents. to be continued