Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,301, for John Kelsey, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Kelsey, John
Lucy

NUMBER
W. 20,301

CONTENTS
Page 2

(left side)
9270
Vermont
John Kelsey of Windham in the State of Ver - who was a pri - in the Com commanded by Captain Stearn of the Reg commanded by Col. Swift in the Conn line for 3 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Ver - at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of April 1833 and sent James Elliot, New Fane, Vt

Arrears to the 4th of March 33  $160.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sep 4 33  40.00
$200.00

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by E. D. Bullock, Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3 - Page 73

(right side written vertically)
Reported again to agency - see letter to E. Seymour 14 Oct. 33
Page 3

2061
Vermont Burlington
Vt Lucy Kelsey widow of John Kelsey who was a Private in the Vt line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 22nd day of Sept 1843 and sent to Joseph Steen Brattleborough Vt

Act of March 3, 1843
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 28

(right side)
Rept Sept 22
Page 4

No 2877
John Kelsey
Page 5

BRIEF in the case of John Kelsey 
of Windham Co, in the State of Vermont 
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Probate Court   
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? 72 years   
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period  In 1777 Jany 3   Duration of Service.  time not stated in the decn. [declaration] Discharged days 3 years.  Rank. As a  Private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt. Stearns, Col. Swift. Conn. line 
5. In what battles was he engaged? Monmouth. 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Killingsworth, Conn. 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documentary 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
D. Brown Examining Clerk.
Page 6

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of 7th June 1832

State of Vermont Windham County SS

At a Probate Court within and for the said District, being by law a court of record having a Seal & Clerk or Register - 
Hon. Marshall Miller Judge of said court Residing On this first day of August 1832 personally appeared before the said Court of Probate, John Kelsey a resident of  Brattleboro in the County of Windham and state of Vermont 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 inlisted in the army of the United States on the 3d day of January 1777, at the town of Killingsworth in the State of Conticut with Capt. Aaron Stearns and served in the 7th Regiment of the Connecticut line under the following named officers - Col. Heman Swift, and Majr. Woodbridge in Capt Stearns Company - Lieut. Caleb Baldwin, Ensign Joseph Willcox - he joined the army at Fishkill - went to Valley Forge, in New Jersey for winter quarters - in the month of June following - was in the Monmouth Battle - from thence marched to the White Plains - the next winter after went to a place called Reding in Connecticut for winter quarters. The next year the regiment were stationed at Nelson's Point nearby opposite to Westpoint - and the next winter quartered at Morristown N. Jersey where he received his discharge signed by Philip B. Bradley [unreadable] Comdt. dated Decr. 27 1779 - which discharge he now has in his possession, and here with transmits to the War Department - That his name is on no Pension roll nor did he ever have a pension. ---
John Kelsey
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before me 
Marshall Miller Judge of Probate
Page 7

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion that the aforenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.

I James Elliot, Register, of the Court of Probate aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the following contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Kelsey for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this first day of August 1832
James Elliot,
Probate Register
Page 8

The affidavit of Aaron Kelsey of Brattleboro in the County of Windham and State of Vermont who being duly sworn testifies that he is the son of John Kelsey last of said Brattleboro declares, that I was forty years old the eleventh day of August last - that as long ago as I can remember anything I saw in an old Family Bible kept by said father John Kelsey a record of his children ages which was always taken to be and recognized as their true ages. About ten years ago I saw the said John Kelsey copy the record of the births and ages of his children into a new bible of Holbrook & Fessenden Jurist, which said new bible is now in my possession, the leaf, on which the dated births are recorded, I have this day in the presence of the Justice taking the deposition, taken out of the said new bible and annexed the same hereto. That the said record is in the hand writing of the said John Kelsey.   That I have no recollection of seeing
Page 9

the old leaf above spoken of since my father copied the same on to the leaf hereto enclosed - & I know of no other record left by said John Kelsey of the births of his children
Aaron Kelsey

Sworn & subscribed this fourth day of September AD 1838 & I certify that the above named Aaron Kelsey is a person of good reputation as to truth and veracity & to his testimony full faith ought to be given.
Before me Asa Keyes Justice of the peace
Page 10

Annexed & sealed by me Asa Keyes Justice of the Peace 
[stamp MARRIAGE]
NAMES. BIRTHS. Month Day Year DEATHS Month Day Year
Eli              Septem 17 1788  July 16 1795
John Avery July 16 1790   Sept 8 1791
Ezra            June 9 1792        July 18 1795
Lucy           July 13 1796
Lydia          August 8 1796
Aaron         August 11 1798
Amy           October 12 1800
Chloe         October 9 1802
Cynthia      March 7 1805  June 23 1812
John Harvey February 13 1807 June 17 1812
Page 11

[stamp CHILDREN’S MARRIAGES]
NAMES.  Month Day Year
Page 12

STATE OF VERMONT. 
WINDHAM COUNTY COURT, CLERK'S OFFICE.  
NEWFANE, September 8 A. D. 1838 
I Marshall Miller Clerk of the County Court, for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Asa Keyes is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signature above written is genuine. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County Court, the day and year above written. 
Attest Marshall Miller, Clerk
Page 13

222
Lucy Kelsey
widow of John
Vt
act 7 July 38
5 years
admd
2 years pri
80$
no deductions
Chipman Swain
Brattleboro
Vt
Page 14

State of Vermont 
District of Marlboro ss }  On this second day of August in the year of  our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty Eight personally  appeared before  the Probate Court within and for said district  being a court of Record having by law a seal and Clerk Lucy Kelsey a resident of Battleboro in the County of Windham and State foresaid aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled “An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows".  That she is the widow of John Kelsey who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution for three years & served in the Connecticut line, was at the Battle of Monmouth and at White Plains and was honorably discharged from service, which discharge & other testimony of the service of the said John Kelsey will be found among the files of the war department, by which a pension was granted the said John bearing date April 19, 1833 under the act of 1832.   But from age and loss of memory she cannot particularly state the service of the said John or the officers under whom he served, She therefore refers to the files of the Department
Page 15

for evidence thereof.   
She farther declares that she was married to the said John Kelsey on the fourth day of May in December seventeen hundred and Eighty Eight (1788).   That her husband the aforesaid John Kelsey died  on the sixteenth day of August Anno Domini Eighteen hundred and thirty five (1835).   That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of my Seventeen hundred & ninety four to wit at the time above stated.  
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written Before me 
Lucy Kelsey x her mark Dana Hyde Judge of Probate  
Witness Chipman Swain  
In testimony whereof I John Phelps Clerk and Register of said Probate Court have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the day and year aforesaid 
John Phelps Regr
Page 16

(checkmark) 222 Vt.
Let. to Chiman Swain, 30
Augt. 1838.
Page 17

1911 Mch. 27. History to Mrs. N.M.P. Akeley letter in W. File 26,671 Oliver Jones 
Rev WIDOW, &c.  
File No. 20301 
Lucy Kelsey 
Widow John Kelsey 
Pri Rev War 
Act March 3d / 43 
Index: Vol A. Page 393  
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 18

No 36. Windham Co Vermont -
John Kelsey - Decn. for 
Pension August 1, 1832.
No 2,877

Admit
3 years private
$80
James Elliot
New Fane
Vt
Page 19

2376
July 1 1843
Vt 
Mar 3 1843
A. Gill
L. Kelsey
B. Winchester
E. Weed
FREE
Hon J L. Edwards  
Commissioner of Pensions  
Washington City
Page 20

Brattleboro Vt June 29 1843  
Hon Sir    I enclose you four declarations for Widows. I have undertaken the duty by request of Mr C Swaine who has removed to Windsor in this State, under the appointment of the State, as Supt of State Prison.  If any error has occured in the fromology or otherwise please to inform me, and it shall be altered to the requirements of Law. The Certificate may be directed to me 
Yours Truly 
Joseph Steen
Page 21

A.D.T.    3 -- 871. 
RECORD DIVISION. 
Department of the Interior, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
Briefed by A Mire d. 23 /3 /11 
Claim No. 
Certificate No. 
Res. Vt. 
Soldier  John Kelsey 
died Aug 16. 1835 
Service
Additional service Rev  
No claim, State Records
No claim, combination records  
REMARKS: No Widow any service from 14,400 exe, Wid. F. 20,301 { Vt Vt 
No Rej at all 
No Rev below W. 14000 as above.
Page 22

July 3
Hon Mr. Evans
Hon J L. Edwards   
Commissioner of Pensions  
Washington City D.C.
Page 23

Brattleboro, Vt Sept 10th 1858 
Sir
Enclosed I send you the further proof of the Marriage of John Kelsey to wit the family record of the Birth of their children.  It was in a large quarto bible too large to send by mail,  the reason of its being late out.  As to further proof of the marriage of Melicent Swain I enclosed the affidavits ex thues persons that were present at the ceremony about a week since.  
Very Respectfully Your Svt
Chipman Swaine
Hon J L Edwards Comm of Pensions
Page 24

In reply to your request of – received – for a statement of the military history of John Kelsey a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow’s) application for pension on file in this bureau.    W. File 20,301
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT   Jan 3 1777 to Dec 29 1779   LENGTH OF SERVICE  RANK.  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain Aaron Stearns  Colonel Heman Swift   STATE.  7 Conn.
Battles engaged in,  Monmouth
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enl Killingworth Conn.
Date of application for pension,  Aug 1 1832
Residence at date of application,  Brattleboro Vt.
Age at date of application,  72 yrs He d [died] Aug 16, 1835
Remarks: Sol mar [married] Brattleboro Vt. May 4 1783 Lucy Avery &[unreadable]   her application dated Aug 3 1838 75 years of age res of Brattleboro, Children names are not stated.   
Very respectfully
Commissioner
Page 25

John Kelsey a soldier of the 7th Connecticutt Regiment has served three years in the Continental Army the full time for which he inlisted is discharged with (illegible) the service of the United States Morristown December 29, 1779
Phil B Bradley Col & Comd.
Page 26

I Benajah Dudley of Brattleboro in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, aged seventy five years; testify and say, that I have lived in Brattleboro aforesaid for fifty years last past, with the exception of one year in which I resided in the adjoining town of Guilford, that I have known John Kelsey, late a pensioner of the United States, from the commencement of said period to the time of his death, which happened in August A.D. 1835. That I was knowing to his marriage with Lucy Avery in the spring of the year 1788. That the said Lucy Kelsey is now a widow, and has not intermarried again since the decease of her husband the said John Kelsey. 
Witness Chipman Swaine      Benajah Dudley x his mark 
Sworn and subscribed this second day of August A.D. 1838 Before me Dana Hyde Justice of the Peace 
I further certify and declare that the above subscribing deponent is a highly respectable inhabitant of Brattleboro a and that his testimony is worthy of all credit. 
Dana Hyde Justice of the Peace. 
Dated at Brattleboro or August 2nd A.D. 1838 
State of Vermont 
Windham County Court Clerks Office New Fane August 4th AD. 1838. 
I Marshall Miller, Clerk of said County do hereby certify, that Dana Hyde is a Jus Peace, within and for said County duly commissioned and qualified & that his signature above written is genuine.   In Testimony whereof, I hereunto set my genuine Seal of the said County Court the day hand & affix to & year above. 
Attest Marshall Miller, Clerk
Page 27

I Stephen Greenleaf Town Clerk of Brattleboro in the County of Windham and State of Vermont testify and say, that I have been Clerk of the said Town for and during the period of thirty nine years - that there is not in my office a record of but two marriages prior to the year 1795. 
Further the deponent saith not. 
Stephen Greenleaf  Town Clerk 
Sworn and subscribed this 2nd day of August before me Dana Hyde Just. of the peace 
State of Vermont 
Windham County Court Clerks Office New Fane August 4th AD 1838. 
I Marshall Miller, Clerk of said County Court, do hereby certify that Dana Hyde is a Justice of the Peace within and County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signature above written is genuine.  
In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and the Seal of the said County Court the day and year above written  
Attest   Marshall Miller, Clerk
Page 28

Brattleboro, Vt. June 28th 1839 
Sir
Enclosed I return you the pension Certificates of Lucy Kelsey and Anna Gill to be transferred from Burlington Agency to that of Bellows Falls in this County, they were both paid at Burlington up to the 4th of March last.   
I some time since Rec’d letters from the pension office in the cases of Hannah Gillert and Deborah  Bishops applications under the act of July 7th 1838 saying that the names of the applicants  were not sufficiently set forth.   I think I shall make farther search for testimony as to their officers.  You will perceive the difficulty at this late day of finding their companions in Arms [unreadable]  as they are three -  the county & the [unreadable] themselves in most cases not knowing when they were.   I wish to enquire whether after application has been made you permit an examination of the rolls at your office as it respects Sylvester Bishops, husband of Deborah Bishops, new application under the act of March 18th 1818,  affidavits can be obtained if necessary that he had a large amount of property (for a tennant farmer) and would not be entitled on that account. 
Respectfully &c 
Chipman Swaine
Hon J L Edwards C.P.
Page 29

Vermont 839
Lucy Kelsey 
widow of John Kelsey who was a pensioner under the Act of June 7 1832 and who died on the 16th of Augt 1835 of Windham in the State of Vermont who was a pri  in the Compy commanded by Captain Stearns of the Regt commanded by Swift in the Ct.  line for 2 years 
Inscribed on the Roll of Brattleboro  at the rate of 80 Dollars to commence on the 4th day of March 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of Novr ‘38, and sent to Chipman Swaine Brattleboro Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept - $200.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 40.00
$240.00
{Act July 7, 1838.} 
Recorded by R Burdine Clerk 
Book A Vol. 2 page 404
Letter to C. Swaine 6 July 1839
Page 30

2376
Lucy Kelsey's
Declaration

$80 per ann

Joseph Steen
Brattleborough
Vt.
Page 31

State of Vermont  
Windham County } ss On this 12th day of June in the year A.D. 1843. Personally appeared before me Joseph Steen, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County, Lucy Kelsey a resident of Brattleboro in said County aged 79 years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3d day of March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of John Kelsey who was a private in the Connecticut line of Revolutionary Army and was a pensioner under the act of June 7th 1832, reference being had to his declaration and proof under said act.  That she as his widow drew a pension, under the act of July 7th 1838 at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum.   She further declares that she is still a widow.   
Lucy Kelsey x her mark 
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year last above written also certify that the above named Lucy Kelsey is personally known to me.   Before me Joseph Steen Justice of the Peace
Page 32

State of Vermont 
Windham County Court Clerk's Office 
New Fane June 17th. 1843 
I Marshall Miller, Clerk of said Court, Certify, that Joseph Steen is a Justice of the peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission bears date November 9th AD. 1842 and will expire on the 30th day of November AD. 1843, and that his Signature within written is genuine.   
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand affix the seal of said Court, the day and year first above written.    Attest Marshall Miller, Clerk