Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1,717, Charles Church, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Mass.  

Church, Charles  
Rebecca 

NUMBER
W 1,717
B.L.Wt. 11091-160-55.

CONTENTS
Page 2

507  (Bcrossed out) M
Vermont

Rebecca Church
widow of Charles Church
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private
Mass Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
80 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the
2nd day of Mar. 1850
and sent to 
Hon. W. Henry
House of Reps

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
July 29 1848, Page 141  Vol. [illegible]  Book D

1 H

Reported
Cu to P. Agt 12 Sept '51
To Montpelier for 4 Sept 1851
Non. Sent to A.S. Campbell, Bellows
Falls, Vt Sept 29,1851
Page 3

31
Vermont

Charles Church
of Windham Co in the State of Vermont
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Gates - of the Regiment commanded
by Colonel R: Putnam in the Massachusetts
line, for the term of three years
from March 1777 to March 1780.

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of Eighty Dollars per (month crossed out) annum, to
commence on the 4 day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th of July
1832. and sent to the 
Hon: H: Hubbard H: R:

Arrears to 4th of March 1832.       80:00
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4th}
September 1832} . . .                      40:00 
                                                       ______
                                                     120:00    

{Revolutionary Claim,
Acts (March 18,1818, 
and May 1,1820. crossed out)
7 June 1832.}

Recorded D:  Vol 4. page 51.
Page 4

Act March 3/53
90934 Apl - 23 - "

Rebecca Church W. of
Charles Church Decd
Privt
Church 

Rev War
Private Putnam's Regt
Mass Line

Pensioner
Vt  July 4th - (illegible)

Ad. 160 ac's Nov 23/55
Dodge

John W. Church
Bellows Falls
Vt

(Sideways across page:)
(illegible)
No 11,091 iss Nov 28/55
Page 5

To Phinehas White Esq- Chief Judge of the County Court within and for the County of Windham and State of Vermont—

I Charles Church in the 62d. year of my age and now a resident in the town of Rockingham in the County and State aforesd - claiming the benefit of an act of Congress passed on the 18th day of March in the present year of our Lord 1818 _ Entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United states in the Revolutionary War" Do pursuant to the provisions of the said act hereupon oath make the following Declaration, to wit. That I the sd. Church served in the War of the Revolution as a private Soldier on the Continental Establishment as follows.  - In the year 1776 and winter of 1777 I was out five months in the Militia, in the Massachusetts Line - And in March 1777 I enlisted for the term of three years at a place called New Salem in Massachusetts, passed muster at Worcester and joined the army at Skenesborough, State of N. York in the company commanded by Capt. Gates, in 5th Regt. of the Massachusetts Line under the command of Col. Rufus Putnam and faithfully served out sd. term - and was honorably discharged in the month of March 1780 at a place called Soldier's Fortune at the Highlands, State of N. York — I further declare that I was in the Battle at White Plains in the summer of 1776 — I was in a skirmish with the Enemy at Skenesborough, at Fort Edward & Fort Miller under Scuyler's (Schuyler's) Retreat — and was in the Battle of Bemis Heights when Gen Arnold forced the lines of the Enemy in the summer and fall of 1777 and afterwards in several skirmished down the N. River— And I further upon oath declare that I have lost my discharge and have now no further evidence in my power to prove sd. service. And further I declare that I am now in feeble health, and by reason of reduced circumstances I am in need of the assistance of my Country for support —
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand this 25th day of May A. D. 1818 —
Charles Church
Page 6

States of Vermont
Windham County ss} Be it remembered that, on this 25th day of May in the year 1818, Charles Church aforementioned, personally appearing, made solemn oath to the truth of the preceding Declaration by him subscribed, in due form of Law before me Phinehas White Chief Judge of Windham County Court — And I do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Charles Church did serve in the War of the Revolution as by him stated in the preceding Declaration against the common enemy more than nine months, on the Continental Establishment — And I do now transmit the proceedings and evidence had and taken before me to the Department of War, pursuant to the aforementioned act of Congress —
In witness whereof I hereunto set my official signature and have caused the seal of Windham County Court to be annexed —
Phinehas White,
Chief Judge of Windham County Court
Page 7

Rebecca Church Declaration 
624
Rebecca Church
widow of Charles Church
Vermont,
d. 3 Nov 1836
admitted
Pr —$80 per 
& cm 4 March 1848


Act 29 July 48

Hon W. Henry
H. R.
Page 8

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 29th July 1848 entitled 'An act for the relief of certain widows of officers and soldiers of the revolutionary army.
State of Vermont
District of Westminster ss On this 5th day of February 1849 personally appeared before the Probate Court within and for said District Rebecca Church a widow of Westminster in the District aforesaid in the County and State aforesaid aged sixty nine years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of provisions of the act of Congress passed July 29. 1848 entitled 'An act for the relief of certain Widows of Officers and Soldiers of the revolutionary army
that she is the widow of Charles Church late of said Westminster deceased who was a private in the army of the Revolution and who was a pensioner under the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832 and she refers to the Declaration of the said Charles Church under said act and the papers accompanying the same now in the office of the Commissioner of Pensions for proof of his service
She further declares that she was married to the said Charles Church on the twenty fourth day of September in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and ninety nine at Westmoreland in the State of New Hampshire by the Rev. Allen Pratt an ordained
Page 9

minister of the Gospel that her husband the aforesaid Charles Church died on the third day of November one thousand Eight hundred and thirty six, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the 1st of January 1800 viz at the time above stated. —
Rebeccah Church

Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written Before
On the 5th day of February 1849 the foregoing Declaration subscribed & sworn to before me
David Chandler Judge of Probate
for the District of Westminster & State. of Vermont

State of Vermont
District of Westminster ss} I hereby certify that David Chandler is Judge of Probate for said District duly appointed and sworn that his term of office commenced on the first day of December 1848 and will expire on the last day of November 1849 & that said court is a court of record and that the above signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said court at Rockingham in said District this 5th day of February A.D. 1849
Abishai Stoddard Register
Page 10

State of Vermont
Windham County ss On this 16th day of April A D 1855 personally appeared before me a Notary Public within and for the County aforesaid duly authorized by law to administer oaths Rebecca Church aged Seventy four - years a resident of Westminster in the County of Windham and State of Vermont who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is now the widow of Charles Church deceased who was a private in the Revolutionary war that the said Charles Church continued in actual service as she believes two years that she was married to the said Charles in Westmoreland N. Hampshire in September seventeen hundred seventy nine by one Allen Pratt a Minister and that her name before her said marriage was Rebecca Knight — that her said husband died at Westminster State of Vermont on the 2d day of November Eighteen hundred thirty six and that she is now a widow — for the proof of the facts she refers to her application for a pension under the act of July 29 1848 upon which she obtained a pension — She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3d 1855
her X mark
Rebecca Church
Page 11

We John H Church and Ellen Church residents of the County of Windham in the State of Vermont upon an oath declare that we are personally acquainted with Rebecca Church that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by her in our presence that we know her to be the identical person therein represented and that she is now a widow
John H Church
Ellen Church

The foregoing declaration & affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th day of April 1855 and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons and that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in the claim.
Alexander S Campbell
Notary Public

State of Vermont,
Windham, s.s.}
I, Royal Tyler, Clerk of the County Court, for the County of Windham, being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached, do certify that Alexander S. Campbell was at the date of the paper writings to which this is attached, and now is a Notary Public [crossed out] within and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; that his signature to the certificate thereon written is genuine; that the said paper writings are executed according to the laws of this State, and are in due form; and that as such Officer, he is duly authorized by the laws of this State to take acknowledgments of Deeds, take Depositions, administer Oaths, &c.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of court, at Brattleborough, this 18th day of April Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Royall Tyler Clerk.
Page 12

I Timothy W. Knight of Coventry in the County of Orleans & State of Vermont, do depose and say that I was present at the marriage of Charles Church to Rebecca Knight at West Moreland in the County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire. that they was married by the Rev. Allen Pratt an ordained Minister of the Gospel on the 24th ^ date I cannot certainly fix but near the time here stated day of September A.D. 1799. And I further testify and say that I was well acquainted with Charles Church late of Westminster in the County of Windham and Sate aforesaid deceased a Revolutionary Pensioner That the said Charles Church died in Westminster in November 1836 leaving Rebecca Church his Widow who is still living. And I further testify that I am well acquainted with the said Rebecca Church widow of Charles Church deceased and that the said Rebecca Church has not been married since the death of the said Charles but continues single and unmarried
T. W. Knight
interlined by me by direction of T W Knight
J W Mussey Justice Peace
State of Vermont. Orleans County ss
Coventry. July [?] 1849

Then personally appeared Timothy W. Knight above named who is a credible person and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed
Before me John W. Mussey} Justice of the Peace
Page 13

State of Vermont
Orleans County Court Clerks Office Irasburg February AD 1849 I Henry M Bates Clerk of said Court certify that John M Mussey is a justice of the Peace within and for the County of Orleans duly commissioned and qualified. that his commission bears date the 30th day of Nov 1848 and will expire on the 30th day of November AD 1849 and that his signature to the foregoing affidavit certificate is genuine

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court the day and year first above written
Attest H M Bates} Clerk
Page 14

sion on file in this Bureau. Charles Church W. F. 1717

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
1776 
1777}
Mar 1777
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
5 mos.
3 years
RANK.
in
Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Mass Militia 
Gates
COLONEL.
Rufus Putnam
STATF.
5th Mass.

Battles engaged in, White Plains Bemis Heights
Residence of soldier at enlistment, √
Date of application for pension, May 25, 1818 His el [?] was at 
Residence at date of application, Rockingham Windham Co. Vt.
Age at date of application, 61 years date & place of birth not stated Died Nov. 3. 1836 at Westminster Vt.
Remarks: Soldier married at Westmoreland N H. Sept. 24. 1799 Rebecca Knight She was allowed pension on an application executed Feby 5. 1849 while a resident of Westminster Vt. aged 69 yrs. There were 12 children by this wife names not stated and eight children by first wife no names stated
Very respectfully,
Page 15

Agents will please address all communications relating to business to the Company. 

NORTHERN ASSURANCE COMPANY OF LONDON ESTABLISHED 1876 [?] [stamp/letterhead]
Agency
Northern Assurance Company
(of London)

Bellows Falls, Vt., April 11, 1908.

United States Pension Bureau,
Washington, D. C.,
Gentlemen:-
I am anxious to learn of the record of service of Charles Church in the Revolutionary War. I think he was born in Bristol, R.I. in March 1757 and died November 3d, 1836, I think, in Westminster, Vt.. His widow, Rebecca Knight Church, drew a pension. She died December 21st, 1863 at Westminster, Vt.
If you can give me the record of service of Mr. Church, from this data, I shall esteem it a favor.
Respectfully,
Eugene S. Leonard
Page 16

"Mr Charles Church & Miss Rebecca Knight"
By Rev Allen Pratt"

State of New Hampshire}
Cheshire County ss} Town Clerks Office in Westmoreland February 19, 1849
I certify that the preceeding (preceding) is a true copy of the record in my office with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows Sept. 24. — the figures 1799 at the top of the record
Anson Cole} Town Clerk of Westmoreland

Town Clerks Office Westmoreland
I Anson Cole above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town County & State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me
Anson Cole} Town Clerk

Sworn before me this 19th day of February AD 1849
Hoskins} Justice of the Peace
Page 17

[several lines crossed out]

State of New Hampshire
Cheshire County ss.
I Leonard Bisco Clerk of the Supreme Court of Judicature of said State for said county, do hereby certify that Timothy Hoskins is a Justice of the peace within and for said county duly commissioned and qualified according to law, that his commission was dated on the fifteenth day of May A.D. 1846 and will expire on the fifteenth day of May A.D. 1851 and that his signature within written is in any belief genuine. 
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court this twenty fourth day of February A.D. 1849
Leonard Bisco. Clerk
Page 18

John Farnsworth
affidavit
Page 19

I John Farnsworth of Rockingham in the County of Windham and State of Vermont testify and say that I was well acquainted with Charles Church late of Westminster in said County of Windham deceased a Revolutionary pensioner that the said Charles Church died on the 3d day of November 1836 leaving Rebecca Church his widow who is still living. And I further testify that I am well acquainted with the said Rebecaa Church widow of the said Charles Church deceased and that the said Rebecca Church has not been married since the death of the said Charles Church but continues single and unmarried and that I was present at their marriage which took place at Westmoreland New Hampshire on the 24th day of September AD 1799 by the Rev Allen Pratt
John Farnsworth

State of Vermont}
Windham County ss} Rockingham Feby 14th 1849 Personally appeared John Farnsworth the above named who is a credible person and made oath to the truth of the above affadavit (affidavit) by him subscribed
Before me Saml. L. Billings
Justice of the Peace

House of Reps. Feb. 14. 1850. S. L. Billings was at the date of the foregoing affadavit (affidavit) a Justice of the peace in sd. county of Windham & name is in commission – and his signature to the same is genuine
William Henry
Page 20

Charles Church, private, Windham Coty. Vermt.
Various services —
3 years in col. Rufus Putnam's regt. Masstts. line.
25. May, 1818.
Wanting the judge's certificate, that the applicant is in reduced circumstances; and in need of his country's assistance for support.

Phinehas White judge, Putney Vermont.

Charles Church's Application
Page 21

Please send the warent to me 
Bellows Falls Vt
John H Church
Page 22

June 1" 98
Miss Margaret C Turner
St. Auburn, Maine
1908 Apr. 17 Hist to
Eugene S. Leonard V. L.M.

Widow, &c.
File No. 1717
Rebecca Church,
Widow
Charles Church
Priv. Rev. War,
Act: July 29 1848
Index:-- Vol. a. Page 127
Arrangement of 1870.
Page 23

no J         C

Auburn Maine
May. 14, 1898.

Dear Sirs;
I wish to learn something of one Charles Church who served in the War of 1776 was a pensioner and died at Phillips Franklin Co. Maine 1858 aged 96.
We understand he served as a private on a prison ship Boston Harbor. Also that he was a native of Cohasset Plymouth Co. Mass. but lived when a boy with one Tom Church of Scituate Mass, Coming to Maine in or about 1798. His father was Christopher Church.
Page 24

I want proof that the Chas. Church, my grandfather who said he served in the Revolution and who we know was a pensioner was what he claim. What do your records show that will connect the missing links, lost by carelessness, death, and time. I think we need a record of his birth, place of enlisting, and death only the last of which we are certain.
Respectfully,
Margaret Church-Turner
300 Court St Auburn ME

[Circular Seal of the Pension Office:]
PENSION
  MAY
U. 16 S.
  1989
OFFICE.
Page 25

No. 90954
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Apr. 23, 1855.
Charles Church -
Rev. War

Warrant 11091-160-55

John W. Church
Bellows Falls.
Page 26

11.091

Rev Army
Page 27

Capt. Chls. Church's application for Pension
Page 28

90.954

R. Church
Page 29

Pension Agency
Burlington Sept 16 1857

Sir

I have the honor to inform you that Rebecca Church under Act of 29" July 1848 was last paid to 4" Sept 1857

I am Very Resply 
Yr obt Svt 
Chas J Warner for
the Pen Agt

J E. Heath Esq
Comm. of Pensions
Page 30

H. of Reps. Feb 14. 1850

Sir,
I enclose th papers of Rebeccah Church for a pension - If there is any defect please to advise me as the applicant lives in very immediate neighborhood is well known to me & I can advise her of them should they exist
Respectfully
Yrs
W. Henry

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensions
Page 31

Adm?

Vermont Roll

$80 per ann.

3 years (illegible)


Recd. July 10. 1832
Page 32

(illegible)    Monday Mo of July 9 1832

Sir

I have recd. the enclosed papers from Hon P. White - in case that Mr Church is entitled to a pension under the act of June 7 1832- I wish you  would make out the certificate and forward the same to me at Charlestown N.H. 
I know Mr Church he is a man of excellent character & has rendered faithful services to his country - I hope his papers will be deemed sufficient

Yours
H Hubbard
Page 33

Bellow Falls Vt. Sept. 5th.1851

Sir
I herewith enclose a request of Rebecca Church of Windham County Vermont to have her name transferred from the Burlington to the Montpelier Agency - The other Pensioners in this County are paid at Montpelier and it is a great inconvenience to her to receive her payments at Burlington. 

Very Respectfully
Yr
H. S. Campbell



Hon J E Heath
Comr. of Pensions
Washington City. -
Page 34

To the Commissioner of Pensions of the United States - 

You are hereby requested to cause my name as a Revolutionary pensioner to be transferred from the Agency of Burlington to the Montpelier Agency in this State

Westminster Vermont
Sept. 6. 1851
Rebecca Church

Witness
Alexander S Campbell 
Justice Peace
Page 35

Declaration
In order to obtain a Pension agreeable to the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 --

State of Vermont}
Windham County ss) On this third day of July 1832 personally appeared Charles Church of Westminster in the county of Windham and State of Vermont - Who after being duly sworn testifies and says that he is now in the 76th year of his age and that he is the same identical Charles Church, who made application for a pension, on the 25th day of May 1818 agreeable to the provisions of the act of congress passed March 18th 1818 - and that declaration and application aforesaid was sent on to the Department of War - But was returned with the furthering indorsement thereon "wanting the judges certificate that the applicant is in reduced circumstances and is need of his country's assistance for support" - and that as he was then in possession of some property he was not able to provide such certificate from the Judge - And he further testifies and says that he served in the War of the Revolution in all respects as is set forth in his Declaration made on the 25th day of May 1818 - reference being had to said declaration as a part of this application -- Charles Church

State of Vermont}
Windham County ss} Subscribed and sworn to this 3d day of July 1832 
Before me, Phineas White, Justice of Peace
Page 36

Capt Church - the within applicant is now living with his second wife - by his first wife he had eight children - by his present wife has had twelve children - has fourteen children now living - has eight some who now do military duty - one is Capt. one ensign - one a sergeant one a Corporal -