Benjamin Conger (b. 1757) entered service as a private in 1776 in Morristown, New Jersey. He was in the company of Captain Seeley under Colonel Martin. He marched to Bergen, then to New York, then to Long Island (where he was in a battle), then back to New York to Fort Washington, then finally discharged. In 1777 he enlisted again under the same captain, this time under the command of Colonel Linday for three months. He marched from Morristown to near Elizabethtown where he fought in three battles. From there he traveled to near Woodbridge where he was in the Battle for Strawberry Hill, and another above Woodbridge at Asward (Asworth?) He was then discharged a second time. He volunteered in 1778 at Elizabethtown in the artillery under Captain Clark and served until the close of the war. He helped cut off the British retreat at the Battle of Monmouth. This battle produced more causalities from heat exhaustion than from musket balls. He returned to Elizabethtown and lived there until 1781.
After the war, Benjamin lived in Morristown, New Jersey for several years. He then moved to Henry County, Virginia, then to Rockingham, as noted in the 1790 census. He then moved to Pendleton District, South Carolina where he lived until 1821. Later, he moved to Gwinnett County, Georgia, where he lived until 1840. He received land in the 1832 Cherokee and Gold Lottery. It was taken up (deeded from the Cherokee), then sold to Edmund Coffee for $100.
Benjamin Conger (Benjaman Cougar) died December 21, 1841 in Cobb County, Georgia. His widow was named Rachel. She states in the pension application (in 1845) that she married Benjamin in Morristown, New Jersey after he returned for service in the army. She states they then moved to Pendleton, South Carolina.
The 1810 census indicates there were two boys and one girl accounted for: Simeon Conger (b 6 Oct 1789, m after 1851 Jane Vowel), Jonas Conger (b abt 1794, m 29 Nov 1836 Parthena Pelfrey), Abigail Conger (b abt 1800, m Bird Stegall), Zarariah Conger (b abt 1804, m Mary), and John Conger (b abt 1806, m Jane).
References and Notes
Leonard, Maxine Crowell. “Conger Family of America.” (complied 1972, p 36-37).
Ancestry.com, 1880 Census record for “Benjaman Couger” (for Benjamin Conger, grandson), with wife Emily E (Daniel) Couger, Fayette, Georgia.
NSSAR #137086