Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,455, John Church, Continental N.H.
Page 1

SERVICE  Continental N H 

Church, John
alias Hogg or Hodge

NUMBER  S.12455
Page 2

[left side]
Letter to Pens 7 Jany 184[0]
Letter to Pen Agt 18 March 1840
To Portsmouth NH from [illegible] 1839.  15 April 1846 - Modification to P. Wentworth, Sandwich NH
P. Wentworth 19 Feby 1841
same July 6 1842
[along left edge]  Dead

[right side]
New Hampshire 9186 P.
John Church
of Hancock in the State of Ver. who was a Pri[vate] in the Com commanded by Captain Deering of the Regt commanded by Col Dam in the N H State Troops 9 m

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 32 Dollars 07 Cents per [annum] to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 4 of April 1833 and sent Saml. Swift Middlebury Vt

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 - -  $64,14
Semi-anl. allowance ending Mar 4 - - -16 02
[total] $80 16

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by E. D. Bullock  Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 3 Page 56
Page 3

State of Vermont
District of Addison ss.
On this 14th day of July 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Probate Court for the said District of Addison, being a Court of record now sitting, John Church of Hancock in said District, formerly John Hogg of Deering in the State of New Hampshire (his name having been altered by act of the legislature) aged 72 years last February, 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 7, 1832: That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
In the month of May, according to my present recollection, in the year 1779, I enlisted into the State troops of the State of New Hampshire, at Deering in said State, for the term of six months, in a company commanded by Capt. [Deering?], in a regiment commanded by Colonel Dam, and served in said Corps until the expiration of said six months, at Portsmouth New Hampshire on an Island in the harbor at that place, and kept possession of Fort Washington at that place: There was no other regiment at that place; but part of the troops there consisted of invalids & lame Soldiers from the army, brought there to complete the terms of their enlistment; and all were under the command of Colonel Dam, who had been a continental Captain; but whether he was then a Colonel in the Continental troops, I know not.
In the forepart of April 1780, I was drafted, or in some way ordered with another man, by the name of Hezekiah Hadlock to furnish one man, for the service for nine months; and by an understanding with him engaged to enter the army and serve for that period; and did enter the service, and served until the expiration of that period, as then supposed, on the Continental Establishment:
[end of page]
Page 4

At the time of my engagement, there being no continental officers going to the army I was marched under the command of Colonel Nichols, a militia Colonel, and Capt. Kidder a militia Captain, and when we reached the army at West Point, I was put into and served in a company commanded by Capt. Cherry, in a regiment commanded by Colonel George Reed, who I suppose were officers belonging to the Continental Establishment.  I served in this Corps, according to my present recollection, two or three months, and was then put into a corps of Artificers under Captain Sizer, [Lizer?] and continued in said Corps of Artificers until the expiration of said nine months, the term of my enlistment, when I was discharged. I suppose that I was the whole time considered as attache to Colonel Reed's regiment. I do not recollect now, that I had a written discharge; but if I had, it has been lost. General Arnold at that time commanded the troops at that place, and from circumstances which occurred, suspicions of Arnold's fidelity were [excited?] among the officers several weeks before his desertion.  Among other suspicious circumstances, the troops were scattered off as artificers, and getting wood upon the mountains, the daily rations were diminished, and the arms were permitted to go out of repair - and the troops were very inadequately furnished with ammunition, and such as was furnished was in a bad state - I with a small corps, was sent into the woods about three quarters of a mile from the fort to turn wooden dishes. A few days before Arnold's defection he was seen walking 'round the fortifications in company with a gentlemen in citizen's dress, who was afterwards understood to be major Andre. About the same time the guns taken from Burgoyne were brought on to the Point, as was afterwards supposed, that they might be delivered up, with the fort to the British.  At the time Arnold s defection was discovered, he resided at [Robin?]
[end of page]
Page 5

son's house & farm, on the east side of the river; and as he saw General Washington ride up to the house, Arnold passed out at the back door, threw a saddle on a horse standing those, and rode off in haste to a barge lying in the river, which was ordered to row off to the British; and the crew after they arrived at the British fleet were made prisoners. These circumstances I did not see, but learned them there at the time. Besides other troops then at West Point, there were two militia regiments from New Hampshire -  Colonel Nichols' which was stationed on the east side of the river, and Colonel Bartlett's, on the Point.
I was born, as I learned from my parents, on the 25th day of February 1760, in Dumbarton, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire-- In my twelfth year, my father removed to Deering in the same County.  In the year 1789, I removed to Lemster, Chester [Cheshire] County, New Hampshire where I resided eight years, at the expiration of which I removed to Orange Vermont, and thence in 182[?] to Hancock, where I now reside.-- I never knew of any record of my birth or age, and depend altogether upon my recollection.-
I have no documentary evidence, and I know of no other person, whose testimony I can procure, who can testify to my service, except those whose affidavits accompany this declaration.-
And the said John Church hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
[signed] John Church
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid,
[signed] Saml. Swift Judge.
Page 6

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford ss.
On this twentieth day of January 1840 before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Strafford personally appeared John Church who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Cherry in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Reed in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Vermont from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State of New Hampshire where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Vermont to the town of Sandwich -- I came to said Sandwich to see the widow Trickey,  we soon made a bargain to marry which took place on the 10th of Dec last and as she had some real estate here, I have concluded to reside with her --
[signed] John Church

Sworn and subscribed to, before me, the day and year aforesaid.
[signed] Paul Wentworth
Jus. Peace throughout said  State

The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated. The county Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the Pensioner's identity. He must swear, that the person who has taken the above oath is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify, that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.

New Hampshire Strafford ss. January 22. 1840-
I John T Quimby of the town of Sandwich in said County, testify and say that from personal knowledge of John Church I know him to be the same person described in the above affidavit-
[signed] John T. Quimby
Page 7

State of New Hampshire
Strafford ss.  January 22. 1840,
I certify that John T Quimby who signed the foregoing certificate made oath before me that the same was just and true and that the said Quimby is a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid and a gentleman of veracity
[signed]  Paul Wentwort Jus Peace


State of New Hampshire
Stafford County ss   I Francis Cogswell Clerk of the said Court for said County hereby certify That said Paul Wentworth Esquire is a Justice of the Peace throughout the State duly commissioned and qualified,  that his Commission was dated the 25th of November AD 1839 and will expire on the 24th of November AD 1844 and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
Given under my hand and Seal of said Court this 27th day of January 1840.
[signed] F Cogswell, Clerk

[Written along right edge]  Mr Evans
Page 8

John Church
to see to at
Concord
Page 9

Pension Office, February 19 1841
Sir,
In reply to your letter respecting an increase of the pension of John Church, I have to state that we have no rolls or other documents in this Office which afford any evidence of the service of Mr Church mentioned in your letter.  The same service was set forth by Mr Church in his original declaration, together with 6 months in Capt Deering's company. He was allowed 9  months & 19 days in all.
I am, respectfully,
your obt servt
[signed] Go Wm Crump

Paul Wentworth, Esqr
Sandwich
New Hampshire
Page 10

John Church Vermont
7th June $32.07.
to what time last paid
Pension Office
10. April 1840
p of 4 Sep 1839-1 gr' 40 not in
IH [JH?]
Page 11

Rev War
12,455
INVALID.
File No. 12,455
John Church
Pri Rev. War
---
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: -- Vol. A Page 66
[in brackets] Arrangement of 1870.
Page 12

John Church
Objection
No 14.

admit
9 wk 19 day pen
32.07

Saml Swift Esq
Middlebury Vt
Page 13

[none of the questions have been answered]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Church, which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes 

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [blank]

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes
Page 14

[Page] 2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? [blank]

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [blank]

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? [blank]

XIV. +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No!  See Justice's Certificate added to affidavits, & clerks Certificate

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? [blank]

XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [blank]

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? [blank]

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
 *QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B., who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For_____ year____months, and ____days, I served as a _______, For _____months and _____days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”
Page 15

[page] 3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served. and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. 

+QUERE XIV . Proof of Service. 
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticates, as above directed.

++QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
 In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Page 16

Montpelier 24 March 1840
Sir
There are two pensioners on the roll under the Act of 7 June 1832 at $32.07 each, of the name of John Church one of them is from Addison County & was last paid as appears by the roll 4 March 1836 and has been reported to the department as unpaid May 1838 [Aust?] 1838 May 1839 & [Aust?]1839 probibly an error happening in the Transfer to the agency at Windsor from Burlington the other is from Orange County & was last paid to Sept. 1839
Respectfully Yours
[signed] A Clark
Pension Agent
Vermont

J L Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
Washington
DC
Page 17

Lester [Lecter?]
Page 18

Sandwich N H  June 23. 1842-
Hon James L Edwards
Com of Pensions
At Concord this month I examined the papers at the office of the Secretary of State respecting the Revolutionary service of John Church formerly John Hodge - I found an account of Col Kelleys men for Portsmouth NH in a small book John Hodge of Deering [underlined] N H - - I have no doubt of the service of Mr Church as named by him he having been considered by all a reputable man - If this service is not included in the 9 mo & 19 days I shall procure the required evidence-- you will please advise me -
Mr Church died prior to March last and the widow received what was due, who is poor and requires all for his services-- I should have wrote you last year on this subject but Mr Church did not inform me that his name was formerly Hodge until my return from Concord last June, when I informed him I could not find the name of John Church on the records.
I also examined into the case of James Palmer as suggested in your herewith, found some service under Capt Parsons, but nothing to change his present situation -- with high consideration & respect
I have the honor to be Sir
your Obt. Servant-
[signed] Paul Wentworth
Page 19

Sandwich NH
Dec. 27.

Free

Hon James L Edwards
Com of Pensions
Washington City 

[written across]
Jan 4 1840
Page 20

Sandwich N H
Decr 26. 1839.
To the Hon. James L Edwards
Com of Pensions
I John Church of the town of Sandwich NH and recently from the town of Orange Vt aged seventy nine years, and a pensioner of the U States under the law of June 7, 1832; do hereby make application to have my pension certificate now payable in Montpelier Vt transfered to this State, for the following reasons: I have moved to the town of Sandwich N H with my family with an intention of residing here
[signed] John Church

Witness [signed] Joseph Wentworth   Aaron Moulton

State of New Hampshire Stratford ss
Dec. 26. 1839-
Then personally appeared John Church above named and made oath that the above statement by him made was true-
[signed] Paul Wentworth
Jus Peace through said State
Page 21

We, Charles Church residing in Hancock in the County of Addison & State of Vermont, and John Hacket residing in the same Hancock, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Church now residing in said, Hancock, who has made application for a pension under the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832, (the said Charles Church has been acquainted with him, from the time he the said John was 12 or 14 years old), and we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
[signed] Charles Church Justice Peace    John Hackett [unknown]

Sworn and subscribed the 16th day of July 1882.  Before me
[signed] Zerah Barnes Justice of Peace

State of Vermont
Addison County ss}  I, Samuel Swift, Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Addison do hereby certify that the above named Zerah Barns, before whom the above certificate was sworn was at the time a Justice of the peace for said County, and his name subscribed thereto is his own signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court this 17th day of July A.D. 1832
[signed]  Saml. Swift Clerk
Page 22

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Charles Church, and John Hacket who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the town of Hancock, are men of the first standing in said town, (both having been representatives of said town, and both being now Justices of the peace) and are credible persons, that their statement is entitled to credit and that there is no clergyman now residing in said town
[signed] Saml Swift, Judge
Page 23

I Moses Sargent of Warren in the County of Washington and State of Vermont being of lawful age do depose and say that in the year 1779. I was knowing to John Church of Hancock in Addison County formerly John Hogg of Deering N.H. enlisting in the army of the Revolution for the term of six months and that he served six months under the command of Col Dam and Capt Deering of N.H. and that in the year 1780 he the said John Church enlisted again in said army for the term of nine months and served during said term of nine months at West point under the command of Col George Reed and Capt Cherry and further I say not
[signed]  Moses Sargent

State of Vermont 
Addison County ss } Sworn and subscribed before me this 11th day of July 1832
[signed] Zerah Barnes Justice of Peace

State of Vermont
Addison County ss }  Hancock January 18th 1833.
I hereby certify that Moses Sargent above named is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit
[signed]  Zerah Barnes Justice of Peace
Page 24

No 4234
John Church
Application for a
pension.
-
P.6 Aug 8 [1832?]

[the rest is illegible due to faintness and being partially covered by a cord]
Page 25

I Harvey Bell, Clerk or Register of the Probate Court for the District of Addison, in the State of Vermont hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Church for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 17th day of July A.D. 1832.
[signed]  Harvey Bell Register
Page 26

State of Vermont
Addison County ss}  I, Samuel Swift, Clerk of the County Court for said County of Addison, do hereby certify that Zerah Barns, who has certified to the credibility of Moses Sargeant & David Clough on their respective affidavits hereto annexed was at the time a Justice of the peace for said County and his name subscribed to said certificates is his own signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this 2d day of February 1833.
[signed] Saml. Swift Clerk &c
Page 27

I David Clough of Hancock in the County of Addison and State of Vermont being of lawful age do depose and say that in the year 1779, I was knowing to John Church formerly John Hogg enlisting in the army of the Revolution for the term of six months and that he completed said term of service at Portsmouth under the command of Col Dam and Capt Deering.  And in the year 1780 he enlisted again in said army for the term of nine months and that he served the full term of said enlistment under the command of Col George Reed and Capt Cherry at West Point, and further I say not
[signed] David Clough

State of Vermont
Addison County SS}   Sworn and subscribed before me at Hancock this 11th day of July1832.
[signed]  Zerah Barnes Justice of Peace 

State of Vermont
Addison County  ss} Hancock January 18th 1833.
I hereby certify that the above named David Clough is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit
[signed] Zerah Barnes Justice of Peace

State of Vermont
Addison County ss}  I, Samuel Swift, Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Addison, do hereby certify that Zerah Barnes before whom the foregoing affidavits of Moses Sargent & David Clough were made was at the time a Justice of the peace for said County; that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and believe his name subscribed thereto is his own signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Middlebury this 14th day of July 1832.
[signed] Saml. Swift