Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3504, David S Welch, Vt.
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Service Vt. Welch, David S. or Welsh 
Number S.3504
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Ohio. 19.91[2] David Welsh of Knox in the State of Ohio who was a private in the C commanded of Captain Nott of the Regt commanded by Col Warner on the Vermont line for two years.
David S. Welch Records o.k.
Inscribed on the roll of Ohio Mar 04 at the rate of 80 Dollars 0 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of Sept 1833 and sent to Curtis & Delano Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 23 200 Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar. 34  40.
$240
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer Clerk, Book [] Vol. 8 Page 29
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[15074 crossed out]  19.912
David S. Welsh Knox County Ohio
[fr 1771 Pr 2 yr $80 crossed out]
Com 2 years $80
16.17
Curtis & Delano, Mount Vernon, Ohio
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Brief in the case of David S. Welsh of Knox County in the State of Ohio (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?  72
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period Enlisted in 1777
Duration of Service. 
3 years, part of the time on furlough
Rank as a 
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen. Col. Seth Warner, Capt. Jno. Mott
5. In what battles was he engaged?  None except skirmishes
6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Rutland fort, Vermont
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Seal not attached to declaration as required
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.  J. E. Bradford Examining Clerk
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The State of Ohio SS
Knox County
On this 29th day of September AD 1832 personally appeared before the court of common Pleas of Knox County aforesaid David S. Welch a resident of Middlebury in the County & State aforesaid aged seventy two years 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 passed June 7th 1832. That he enlisted in the army at Rutland Fort in Vermont of the United States in the year 1777 in [] a regiment the number of which he has forgotten of the Vermont line under the following named officers. His Colonel was Seth Warner one Thomas [Cre] was his Captain, Jolen Matt his Lieutenant and he is not confident as to the name of the Ensign but thinks it was March _ He enlisted for the term of three years and continued in the services until some time in October immediately preceeding the end of his term of service when he was taken sick & received a furlough under which he returned home & in consequence of his continuing sick the furlough was continued to the end of his enlistment which was in February 1780 The place of his enlistment was at Rutland Fort which was in the territory now called the State of Vermont & being
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near the Town of Rutland in the last named state The Company in which he enlisted was termed a company of Rangers and the nature of his whole service was such as placed [ ] in detachments separate from his regiment and frequently seperate from the main body of his company  He was engaged during his whole service in various scouting parties & guarding the country between Union River upon the East side of Lake Champlain now in the State of Vermont and extending South as far as Wallingsford in Vermont & he was during his service as far west as Fort Ann in the State of New York -- The only fight in which he was engaged occurred in the summer of 1778 He was detached on a scout with 5 other men including a corporal from Fort Rutland to range the woods north of Rutland about 25 miles to see if we could discover any approach of the enemy either Tories British or Indians We took our course near the west side of the Mountains desiring to return nearer to the lake Shore As we were traveling on the 2d day we came to the determination to seperate and travel as near as practicable about 40 rods apart This for the double purpose of making as small a trail or track as possible & the better to explore that part of the country in which we had reason to apprehend we might meet the enemy It fell to my [luck] to be placed the most westwardly man of our party as we marched northward In this was of marching about the middle of the day I [] I afterwards found be seperated upwards of half a mile from my company when I discovered through a thicket of hemlock brush the appearance of a smoke evidently indians
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eating the fact of there being a fire we were then in a wilderness some 15 miles beyond our then most frontier garrisons -- Immediately on making this discovery I crept with the utmost caution towards the spot from whence the smoke rose -- Presently I saw through the brush two indians sitting by a smoke that appeared to have been kindled to keep off the Muskeetas I instantly laid myself flat down scoping my eye upon the spot to see if there were more than the two and not more than the two ___In a few moments I became impressed with the belief that there were but the two -- I was not more than 8 rods distant from them-- After much hesitation as to what might be most proper I finally came to the conclusion that my companions were proceeding on & might perhaps soon be suprised as there might be more indians within a short distance - I drew my gun & whilst lying thus flat on the ground I took deliberate aim at one of the Indians and shot him dead  The other indian instantly sprung upon his feet seizing his gun & started to run Without reflecting upon the consequences I immediately run after him having my gun unloaded The indian made but a few leaps after I started before he turned and fired upon me but his fire missed as I supposed by several feet He then dropped his gun & came at me with his tomahawk I encountered him with my empty gun -- The first blow which he aimed with his tomahawk I warded off my gun and in doing it I was so fortunate as to hook the deadly weapon from him It fell upon the ground rather behind me I was then encouraged and sprung to get the tomahawk in which effort I succeeded Whilst I was yet bent in picking up the tomahawk the indian who had drawn his knife gave me a cut giving me a deep but
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short wound upon my right leg a little above my knee He then aimed a second stroke at me with the same weapon This blow I warded off with my left hand in doing which I received a wound between the thumb and fore finger About the same instant with the tomahawk I hit him a blow on the head which brought him to the ground And with another blow after he had fallen I made sure he was beyond doing me any further harm I immediately secured the guns of the two dead indians & had the three including my own ready charged before my company who had passed the fire came  up The Corporal after seeing what was done ordered immediate retreat which we did toward Rutland Fort where we arrived the next day some time in the afternoon bringing with us the guns of the two indians - their tomahawk & knives  The nature of our expedition was reported to the officer but as usual we were charged not tell what had happened to the soldiers And this applicant also by direction of the officers disguised from the soldiers the nature of his wounds & there cause The person who in that scout acted as corporal I think was of the name of James Woodward - I do not know that him or either of the six beside myself are  living or what has become of them
(Crossed out) About the time Burgoin was taken with [ ]  I remember I was down the lake near where Vergennes is situated with a small detatchment
I was also present during my service in and near a place called in those days Bulls Creek now called Lewis Creek Our scout at this  time consisted of
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David S. Welch Application for Pension 15074
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about 15 we met the enemy & fired but they fled & no lives were lost on either side  I was never present at any other fighting during my aforesaid enlistment -- It now occurs to me that in the scout last mentioned our march was further north than Vergennes  I think the place called Bulls Creek was some 6 miles north of Vergennes  I also remember that one [Peleg Eda] who I understand has been many years dead was the sergeant who had command of the last mentioned scout.   During my aforesaid enlistment  I was sometimes at Fort Rutland which was my [ ] headquarters sometimes Castleton Fort. Sometimes at Fort Edwards sometimes at Fort Ann and I was except during any aforementioned furloughed during  each campaign of the three years almost constantly engaged on scout or in spying out the situation & movements of the enemy  I never received any discharge the reason of which my being at home on furlough at the end of my service.  I do not know of any persons living by whom I could prove my service and I not able to go to the State of Vermont to inquire for witness which may possibly exist but of which I have no certain nor even possible knowledge The said David S. Welch hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any State or Territory David S Welch Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Alex Elliott Ck
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The before named David S Welch being duly interogated by the said court as is directed by the War Department do the further on his oath declare & depose That he was born in the year 1760 That he has not the original record or entry of the time he was born but states from his recollection of the old family record which he has not seen for the last 80 years & from what he has always understood from his parents during their lives He was born as he always understood in the State of New York in Duches County From his earliest recollection lived in Vermont until sometime after the Revolutionary war then went to Massachusetts where he resided about 8 years when he returned to Vermont where he continued to reside until he moved to this State in 1816 where he has ever since resided & has never been out of the United States He never received any written discharge Has no knowledge what has become of the original record of his age.  David S. Welch
We Josep McDowel a Clergyman residing in Franklin Township in the County of Knox aforesaid & within three miles distant of the residence of David S. Welch and in the immediate vicinity of his residence & Tolman Keyes also residing in the same county in Middlebury Township do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David S Welch who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration That we believe him to be seventy two years of age. That he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to in open court the day and year aforesaid
Tolan Keyes  Joseph McDowel  Alex Elliott Ck
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The State of Ohio Knox County SS In the Court of Common Pleas Knox County Ohio
On the 15th day June 1833 personally appeared David S Welch the above declarant who being duly sworn & interogated in reference to the matter of his claim for a pension doth further depose and declare That besides the above named Taulman Keys & the Rev Joseph McDowel this declarant was at the time of first subscribing the aforesaid Declaration and still is acquainted with and known to Alvin Bateman & Daniel Palmer who reside in his present neighborhood and who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution  David S Welch
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 15th day of June 1833 Alex Elliott Ck
And at the same time personally appeared in open Court the said Alvin Bateman and Daniel Palmer who being duly qualified depose and say that they reside in the neighborhood of said David S Welch and that they have been personally acquainted with him for the last eight years and upwards that the said David S Welch is of good character as to truth and veracity And these deponents verily believe and have no doubt of the fact that the said David S Welch was a soldier of the revolution 
Sworn & Subscribed in Open Court this 15th day of June 1833 Daniel Palmer Alvin Bateman Alex Elliott Ck
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The State of Ohio I, Alex Eliott Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Knox in the State of Ohio, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original and supplementary proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of David S. Welch for a pension.  In Testimony when of I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 29th day of July A.D. 1833 Alex Elliott Clerk
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Ohio Aug 5
free
The Hon Secretary of Wars U.S. Pension Office Washington City Dist Columbia
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Mt Vernon Ohio July 29th 1833
Dear Sir 
Enclosed we again send you the papers containing David S Welch's pension claim_ We also enclose you the objection to the claim as the papers were first presented by reference to which you will readily see we have supplied the defects
We are respectfully your most ob
Curtis O Delano
Hon Sec of War USA
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Rev War 3504 INVALID
File No. 3504
David S. Welsh
Privt. Rev. War
Act: June 7 1832
Index: - Vol. A, Page 397
Arrangement of 1870.
David S. Welch Record corrected Mar. 1 1904
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Objections to D.S. Welch
Pension Claim
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of David S. Welsh of Knox county, Ohio, 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?
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 amout of pension he is entitled? yes
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, but not attached to declaration as required.  (crossed out)
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
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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?  yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  
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? yes
XIV.  If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?  
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? 
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  7
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 ament 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 s 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.
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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.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c, without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodies corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of 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 dame, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify in the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
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 of narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying office, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.  In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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The National Archives Form VAM-51 12-5-41
Bounty Land Warrant Record Card*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Name Welch, Dennis Grade Private Line Crane's continental Artillery Massachusetts
Warrant Number 5336 Acreage 100 Issued July 15, 1797 to Simeon Wyman
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of " Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in the National Archives.