Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21514, for Seth Keach, Rhode Island
Page 1

(8-1770)
Service
R.J.

Keach, Seth
Waity

Number
W21514
Page 2

Rehertid

4938
Rhode Island
Waity Keach dec d. [deceased]
widow of Seth Keach
who died on the 11 March 1831
of RI in the State of
who was a private in the Cmp y [Company] commanded
by Captain Olney of the Reg t [Regiment] commanded
by Col. Hilchcock in the
line for 14 months

Insoribed on the Roll of Providence
at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of 
Alarch, 1831  & end 26 Jan y [January] 1837
when she died.

Certificate of Pension ifsued [issued] the 25.th day of 
March 1837 and Sent to 
Col. J. G. Beiset, Present

Arrears so the 4th of
Semi-annual allowance ending
Payable to only surviving
Children, to wit
Seth Keach &.        
Waity Wood.           

 { Revolutionary Claim,}
 { Act July 4,1836,        }
 { Section the                }

Recorded by J. P Chase  Clerk, 
Book D  Vol. 2  Clerk, Page 551
Page 3

Waity Keach

[No. ?] 5
Page 4

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Municipal Court of the City of
Providence, in the County of Providence,
in said State, exercising Probate
Jurisdiction. January 29th 1850.

Be it remembered, that satisfactory testimony 
  has
been produced before this Court, that Seth 
  Keach
late of Cranston in the County of Providence, was
lawfully married is Waity Abbott, on or before
the nineteenth day of April, A.D. 1775; that they lived together as husband and wife, until his death: that said Seth Keach died on the
eleventh day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty one;  that said Waity
Keach remained his widow until her death;
that the said Waity Keach died on the twenty-
sixth day of January A.D. one thousand,
eight hundred and thirty seven; - that, at
the time of her death she left the following
named children; to wit Rafus Keach, Seth
Keach, / now in the State of New York; / and WaityWood; - and that said Rufus died on the tenth day of July A.D. 1846.
And be it further remembered, that said
Seth Keach, husband of Waity Keach above
named, was a soldier of the Revolution,
and served fourteen months, in the year
are thousand seven hundred and seventy
five and the years following, in the Army
of the United States, in Colonel Hitchcock's Regiment, stationed near Boston, and
in other regiments stationed at other places
Page 5

as the public service required. 

In attestation whereof I, Albert G.
Greene, Clerk of said Court, have hereunto
set my hand and have affixed the seal
of said Court, this twenty ninth day
of January A.D. 1850.
        And I do hereby certify, that Ambrose
B. Bailey who has signed sundry of the
Certificates hereto annexed, is a Justice
of the Peace, within & for the Town of
Cranston in said County of Providence
duly elected, and that Edwin
Metcalf, who has signed a certificate
hereto annexed, is a Justice
the Peace
within & for said City of Providence duly
elected,
Albert G Greene,
Clerk.
Page 6

Mrs. [Keach] 4611
Waity Keach wife
of Seth.
Rhode Island
h. d. 11 March 1831
a. d. 26 Jan 1837
adurtte
Per 14 an $46.66/100
Fr 6 March 31 to 26 Jany [January] 37 when she died
payable & children
Seth Keach & Waity Wood

Cap Olney   Col. Hitchcock
R I
Page 7

I, Pardon Burlingame of Cranston in the County
of Providence and State of Rhode Island now in
my ninety third year of age, on oath do testify
and say, That in the year 1775 I enlisted for
the term of Eight months in Captain Thomas
Holden's company as Sergeant in Colonel
Varnum's regiment and was stationed near Boston
during the eight months. I futher testify that
according to the best of my recollection Seth
Keech [Keach] of said Cranston with whom I was always
well aeqainted intil his death, was in the same
service also. The said Keech [Keach] was in Captain
Olney's Company in Colonel Hitchcock's 
  regiment
in the same brigade of Rhode Island troops
under General Greene. I have a distinct recollection
of seeing him in service in said company when 
stationed on Prospect Hill near Boston, and he 
served out his time of eight months.
And I further testify that after said service said
Keech [Keach] and myself belonged to the same Company
of militia in said Cranston commanded by
Captain Knight.  In 1776 said Keech [Keach] and myself
served together in said Company in the town of
Warwick four months, for which we were paid &
received rations. I was Sergeant major and he 
was a private. It was my business to carry out
the guard and set it and I know that said 
Keech [Keach] was there.  In 1777 the said Keech [Keach] and 
myself served together a number of times,
during that year. I recollect once in Spenceer's
expedition where I went as a substitute said
Keech [Keach] was in the Expedition in Captain Field's
company stationed down at Tiverton, in 
  October.
We served there for one month - each of us.
Page 8

In 1778 we served together in Sullivan's 
   Expedition
in the month of August stationed on Rhode
Island for one month. Keech and myself were
both in Captain Sprague's Company. Keech was a 
private. He also served on Rhode Island in
1780 when the French army were there. He
came down in the second division and served
there a month.
I am now, very old and perhaps I may be 
   mistaken
as to the time and place of done of the these 
    serviced,
but I know this Keech did sereve more or less
every year during the war. When the militia
were divided into three divisions one third to
serve ar a time, he the said Keech always
served when it came his turn to do duty.
This Seth Keech married a woman by the name 
    of
 Abbott. She is now dead but has left children.
I may have mistaken the times of my own 
service as well as Keech's in the declaration
affidavit; I therefore refer to my own
declaration in the War Department to correct
any such error. I know said Keech did serve
when I did. I was always acquainted with
him from the time we entered the service
until his death.
attest Edwin Metcaff  his Pardon & Burlingame

The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Providence County In Cranston this twenty Sixith day of October A.D. 1849 Then personally appeard PArdon Burlinggame and made oath to the above affidavit. The same was reduced to writing by me
Page 9

in his presence from the statements he made
and after being reduced to writing was by me
read to him distinctly and he now being
blind affixed his mark to the same in my
presence in manner aforesaid, and I futher
certify that he is a respectable person and a
 credible witness. 
    Edwin  Metcalf
     Justice of the Peace.
Page 10

I Pardon Burlingame of cranston
County of Providence and State of R.I.
and Providence Plantations do depose
and say that I was acquainted with
 Seth Keach and his wife Waity Abbot
also with their sons William and Rufus
Seth was brought up at Does Aldrichs
and lived there sometime after they were
married his son William I think was
born before the Revolutionary war commenced
and Rufus sometime during the war.
his Pardon X Burlingame Mark
Attest A. B. Bailey George W Whitehed
State of Rhode Island 
Providence of In Cranston Nov 3 AD 1849
Then personally appeared before me
Pardon Burlingame subscriber to the
above and made oath to the  truth of 
the same I further certy that said Pardon is
a credible witness [Illegible] B Bailey 
Justice of the Peace
Page 11

I Rufus Blanchard of Johnston in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island and aged 85 years do testify and say that I was acquainted with Seth each and his wife Waity Abbot also with their sons Rufus and George Keach I lived neighbors to Seth Keach before the Revolutionary war ended he was keeping House at this time and had some family during the war
Ruffus Blanchard

Providence of Cranston Nov 12 AD 1849 personally came Russel Blenchard and made oath to the truth of the above statement by him signed I further certify that said Russel is a credible witness before me
Ambron B Bailey 
Justice of the Peace
Page 12

No. 11. 
William Fenner allowed for support of Paupers
of this town as follows.
Waity Keach from Nov. 19th, 1836 to the 26th of January 1837. 9. weeks. & 4 days at 225 $21.53
No. 32. 
Accounts Audit 25 February 1837.
Isaac Briggs Allowed for digging grave for Mrs Keach and services at funeral 1.50
town clerks office Cranston 5th November A.D. 1849.
I certify that the above is a true copy of the Audit
Book is this office in relation to the Allowence of the Above wills, and that I find nothing further allowed for the support of Waity Keach
Attest J, G, Johnson, town clerk

Phahan Amos Keach 
[Illegible]
Page 13

Accounts Audited February 25th 1837
No 32.
Isaac Briggs allowed for digging grave for Mrs Keach & services at funeral. 1.50
No. 33.
Winsor & usher allowed for coffin
for widdow Keach 5.00
town clerk office Cranston 14th November AD 1849. I certify that the above is true copy of the Audit Book in said town so far as relates to the above two Numbers (32) & (33). which were Audited and paid in the usual form of Audits, as appears of said Audit Book. beavig date 25th February A.D. 1837 
witness J. G. Johnson
town clerk
Page 14

I William Fenner of Cranston County of Providence and State of Rhode Island & aged 69 years do testify and say that Waity Keach widow of Seth Keach formesly of said cranston at the time of her death was a passper of Said town. and I further testify that as the time of her death I hoarded the poof said town & that said Waity was amoung them and I loved her until she died that she died on the twenty sixth day of January A.D. 1837 that my last sill for boarding her was from November 19th 1836 to january 26th 1837 being bill for board was allowed by said town of Cranston William Fenner

Providence & in Cranston December 11th 1839 Personally appeared before me the above named William Fenner & made oath to the above affidavit him signed and I further certify that said William is a credible witness 
Ambrose B Bailey
Page 15

I Phebe Keach of Cranston County of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 86 years on oath do depose and say that William Keach and Rufus Keach my late husband, Waity Wood and Seth Keach were all children of Seth and Waity Keach Rufus my husband was born April 23d 1776 as appears of record on a bible in my possession and died July 10th AD 1846 William was some years older than Rufus how many I am not able to say Seth Keach Senior died in March 1831.
Phebe Keach X her mark
Attest
George W Whitehead

Providence sc In Cranston Nov 14th AD 1849
personally appeared before me Phebe Keach known to me to be a credable [sic] witness and made oath to the above statement by her subscribed
Ambrose B Bailey
Justice of the Peace
Page 16

I Waity Wood of Cranston County of Providence and State of Rhode Island on oath do testify and say that I am now 49 years of age that Seth Keach formerly of said Cranston a Soldier of the Revolution was my father & Waity Keach his widow my mother, said Seth departed this life on the 11th day of Marc A.D. 1831. that my mother then remained his widow until her death that she died on the 26th day of January A.D. 1837. that at the time of her death she left the following children to wit Rufus Keach, Seth Keach now in the State of New York and myself three in all
Waity Wood X her mark
Witness George W Whitehead

Providence sc In Cranston December 4th 1839
Personally came before me the above named Waity Wood and made oath to the above affidavit by her signed and I further certify that she is a credible witness
Ambrose B Bailey
Justice of the Peace
Page 17

Town Clerks Office of the Town of Cranston
November 14th AD 1849 I Joseph G Johnson of Cranston in the County of Providence State of Rhode Island do on oath certify that I am town clerk of said town and have by virtue of m office the custody of the records of the marriages which have taken place in said town, and I further certify that I have examined the records of the marriages which have taken place as well before as after the War of the Revolution but cannot find the record of the marriage of Seth Keach to Waity Abbott and I believe many marriages have taken place in said town which were never recorded
Joseph G Johnson
Town Clerk

Providence County Sc In Cranston November 14th AD 1849 personally appeared before me the above named Joseph G Johnson known to me as town Clerk of Cranston and made oath to the above certificate by him signed
Ambrose B Bailey
Justice of the Peace
Page 18

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
County of Providence sc
Personally came before me teh undersigned one of the justices of the Peace of Cranston in said County Waity Wood now residing in said Cranston being duly sworn according to law makes the following declaration in order to obtain for herself and others children of her mother, the arrears of pensions which were due her mother Waity Keach at the time of her death under the act of Jully [sic] 4th 1836 of Congress granting pensions to officers and soldiers of the Revolution Said Waity declars [sic] that her father Seth Keach late of said Cranston was as she has always understood & believed a soldier of the Revolution and served as such. That he died in month of March A.D. 1831 leaving a widow Waity Keach who remained his widow until her death, that she dec'd on the 26th day of January A.D. 1837 leaving the following children viz Rufus Keach Seth Keach and herself that said Rufus died July 10th 1846 that her mother never made any application for a pension that the arrears of pension due her at the time of her death under the
Page 19

Act of Congress aforesaid may be paid to her children
Waity Wood X her mark
Attest George W Whitehead

Providence sc In Cranston January 28th 1850 personally came before me the aforenamed Waity Wood and made oath to the aforegoing declaration by her signed and I certify that she is a credible person and her statement entitle to credit
Ambrose B bailey
Justice of the Peace
Page 20

In reply to your request of [clank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Seth Keach a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information contained in (his widow's application for pension on file in this Bureau.
W. File 21514

[following was in tabular format in original document]
Dates of Enlistment or Appointment 1775 
Length of Service. 8 mos
Rank. Pri.
Officers under whom service was rendered.
Captain Olney
Colonel Hitchcock
State R.I.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment 1776
Length of Service. 4 mos
Rank. Pri.
Officers under whom service was rendered.
Captain Knight
Colonel Hitchcock
State R.I.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment 1777 
Length of Service. 1 mo
Rank. Pri.
Officers under whom service was rendered.
Captain Field
Colonel Spencer's Expd
State R.I.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment 1778
Length of Service. 1 mo
Rank. Pri.
Officers under whom service was rendered.
Captain Sprague
Colonel Sullivans Expt
State R.I.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment 17780
Length of Service. 1 mo
Rank. Pri.
Officers under whom service was rendered.
Captain [check mark]
Colonel [check mark]
State R.I.

Battles engaged in, [check mark]
Residence of soldier , "late of Cranston R.I."
Date of application for pension, Jany 28m, 1850 by dau Waity Wood
Residence at date of application, Cranston R.I.
Age at date of application 48 yrs
Remarks: Sol mar prior to the Rev  Waity Abbot; he died Mch 11, 1831 and she d Jany 26, 1837. Childn WIlliam born prior to the Rev; George; Rufus b. Apl 23, 1776 d July 10 1846 leaving widow Phebe; Seth; and Waity Wood, and pension was allowed for benefit of only surviving childn Seth Keach & Waity Wood in 1850
Page 21

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Secretary of State's Office, March 19th A.D. 1850
I Certify that it appears of record in this office, that Daniel Hitchcock was appointed a Colonel in a regiment, raised in this State, May, A.D. 1775, to serve until the end of said year; And I further certify that there are no rolls of non commissioned officers or privates belonging to said regiment in this office remaining
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said State the day and year before written.
Chris E. Robbins
Secretary of State
Page 22

Waity Keach de'd
of Seth
Rhode Island
his proved
to J.G. Benet Mar 14/50

Act 4 July 1836
Page 23

1912 Sept 24 Hist to Mrs. Wm J. McGurk

Revy Widow, &c
File NO. 21514
Waity Keach
wid of 
Seth Keach
Priv Rev war

Act: July 4th /36
Index:- Vol. A, Page 394
(Arrangement of 1870)
Page 24

29 Jefferson Street
Salomanca, N.Y.
Sept. 16, 1912
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.C,.
Gentlemen:-
I wish for use in the Society of "Daughters of the American Revolution" to be informed whether or not any record of revolutionary service (or of obtaining a pension) rendered by Seth Keech of Rhode Island can be found among the records. I think he lived in Coventry Kent County.
Page 25

and if so, how much would you charge for sending me a copy signed by the proper person, by the authority of the Secretary of War
Yours Respectfully
Alice Rice McGurk
(Mrs William J McGurk)

[stamped]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
D
SEP 18 1912