Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3335, Joshua Church, Continental R.I.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Continental
R.I.
Church, Joshua
Abigail
NUMBER
W. 3335
CONTENTS
Page 2

3207.
Rhode Island Roll
Joshua Church, 4
Private
Rhode Island Line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
____________________[double line]
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island~at
the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on
the 1st of April 1818-
______________________[double line]
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st of October 1818
and sent to William Nicholls, Post
office S. Kingston, Rhode Island-
_________________________[double line]
Arrears to 4th of Sept.________41:06_
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4th March 1819__________________________48:-
Inth                                       $89:06
5 4/30                         ___[double line]

{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
4 years
Hopkinton

[written opposite page]
Set to E. Church, Nov 12. 1836
Do to J. Smith Dec. 1836
Page 3

[written on left side of page]
2 Certs
1 act 1838
1 "     1843 +[and] 44
rep
[written vertically on right margin of left side of page] Date of death not on  CB
[written on right side of page]
6988
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
__________________[double line]
Abigail Church,
widow of Joshua Church,
who was a Private
in the [words " R. Island Line" crossed out],
[words" Massachusetts Mil" lined through]
Inscribed on the Roll at the
40 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
_________________[double line]
Certificate of Pension issued the
11" day of June '45 ┃
and sent to
R. S. Gould
Hackensack
N. Jersey
_______________________[double line]
Act of March 3,1843
 +[and] June17,1844
Recorded in Book A.
Vol. 2, Page 105,
Page 4

Jonathan Moxsen, Esq;
Judge,
Hopkinton, Washington
County, Rhode - Island.
_________________[double line]
Joshua
[name "Jonathan" lined through] Church
Rhode - Island line,
Revolutionary Claim.
_________________[double line]
Not found on the rolls of
Rhode - Island-
For testimony, relative
to the applicants' service,
and reduced circumstances, 
see endorsement in the
Case of
Jesse Lewis
________________[double line]
Admitted[ written vertically over the above]
Certificate Sworn to &c
Joshua Church
[written vertically on right]
Page 5

I Here By Certify that I have be well acquinted
With the aforesaid Joshua Church from A Boy and was
knowing to his being in the serves as within Stated and was
allowed to be A Good Soldier in the Revolutionary Servese
And is now in a very feeble State of Health and I now transmit
the Proceedings and Testamony Taken and had Before me
To the Secretary for the [illegible] Department of War.
Pursuant to the Directions of the aforementioned act
of Congress ~ Jonathan Maxson Justice C. Common Pleas
Washington County ss Richmond April first day 1818~
Given under my Hand and seal of office~
As above written
[seal affixed left]
I certify that the seal here impressed
is the true Seal of the Court of Common
Pleas for the County of Washington in the
State of Rhode Island, and that Jonathan
Maxson Esq is now one of the Justices
thereof
Witness Thomas R. Wells Clk
Page 6

State of Rhode Island & providence Plantation & c
Washington Ss
on this first day of April AD 1818-
Before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common
Pleas for the county of Washington in said State of Rhode Island personally appeared Joshua Church resident in Hopkinton in the county and stated aforesaid aged sixty two years who Being by me first duly sworn according
to Law doth on his Oath make the following Declaration in order
To obtain the Provisions made by the late act of Congress
Entitled an act to provide for Certain Persons Engaged in
the land and navel Serves of the United States in the Revolutionary War
That he ^the said Joshua Enlisted into Capt Eathen Clarkes-
Company in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and
Seventy five I was carried on Block Island in the State aforesaid-
From thence to Propecthill There I enlisted my self as a soldier
In Capt Thomas Coles Company in Col. James M Varnum
Reigment I served in said Reigment Thirteen months I was in
several actions while in said servise at harlom on York Iland
and at Trenttown and Princetown and I believe I behaved my self
 as well as my Brother Soldiers I was Discharged at Chatham
In the State of New Jersey Now I am much worn out with old
age and Feateague and am in reduced circonstances and now
Stand much in need of my Countryes assistance for my surport
Joshua Church [signature]
Washington Ss Richmond on the day and year above written
Joshua Church Subscribed his name to the foregoing Certificate and made
Sollom oath to the Truth of the Same~
Before Jonathan Maxson Justice Common Pleas
Page 7

I Rufus Church of Norwich in the County of New London
and State of Connecticut aged 74 years being duly
engaged according to law, do on my oath testify
and say, that I had three brothers, vin. Joshua, Caleb &
Lodowick, and myself was the youngest son.
In the spring of 1779 my uncle Samuel Church moved
from Stonington Connecticut to Colchester in sd State and my
father at the same time moved to Hopkintown RI.
That my Brother Joshua did not move with Father to RI but
moved with my uncle Samuel Church aforesaid to sd
Colchester Connecticut and during the summer of 1779
was married at Colchester. I did not see him married
but in the fall of that year, I should think in September
Johsua come down to my fathers in Hopkintown RI. and
brought his wife and told me himself at that time
that he was married. At the same time my brother
Caleb Church come home & with him his wife, he having been
married about the same time that my Brother
Joshua waz. When they come to my father they were
all together, vin. Joshua & his wife- and Caleb and his
wife.
My Brother Joshua & his wife next spring commenced housekeeping at my fathers house in said Hopkintown & my Brother Joshua Entered the service as a soldier
in the war of the Revolution & served as such.
Joshua continued to live in RI. & in Hopkintown aforesaid
after the war closed until the time of his death.
My Brothers wife when a girl was Abagail Burgy. After Marriage Abagail Church. That after
my Brother Joshua Died. Abagail Church his widow
moved to Pennsylvania
Rufus Church [signature]

State of Connecticut
New London County ⎬ Norwich Feb. 19 1844
Then personally appeared Rufus Church who has signed the
above deposition & who is known to the subscriber as a
witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit and
belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Before me
Wm. C. Stanton Notary Public
Page 8

State of Connecticut
Windham County Js.
I, Uriel Fuller, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Windham in the State aforsed do hereby certify that William C Stanton, before whom the within affidavit was sworn was at that time & now is a Notary Public within & for the State aforesaid; duly commissioned & sworn see that his commission bears date on the 6th day of June 1842 & will expire in two years from the date thereof in. I further certify that I verily believe that the within signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of sd Court.  I set my hand this 7th day of March A.D. 1844.
Abriel Fuller Clerk
Page 9

[words "I Rhoda Edwards in the county of" x'd out]
I Rhoda Edwards in North Stonington in the County of New
London and State of Connecticut, and some of the time in
Hopkinton R I. aged 81 years, being duly Examined and
sworn according to law do on my oath testify and say
That I, when a child was acquainted with Joshua Church & family who used to live in Stonington New London
County Connecticut & who about the year 1779 moved
from Stonington Conn. to Hopkintown in the State of Rhode
Island,
That he had four sons vin. Joshua Church, Caleb Church, Lodowick Church, and Rufus Church~=
That some time in the fall of the year 1779 I very
well remeber while I was at my Brother in laws
(Phineas Edwards ) in Hopkintown who kept a Tavern at
that time at Hopkintown City, that Joshua Church &
Abigail his wife called at the Tavern. Caleb Church, Joshua's
Brother & his wife were in company with Joshua & his
wife but did not stop at the tavern,
Joshua and his
wife with some other of the weddeners called and took
something to Drink (as was then the custom on such occasions) Joshua and Abigail it was then said had
just been married & were with the rest of the company going home to Joshua Fathers to thesecond day wedding.
They were married some where in
Connecticut but I do not know in what town
I was not at that time acquainted with the
girl whom Joshua had married, but afterwards
become very intimately acquainted with her.
The said Joshua Church & Abigail lived together
as husband & wife and had a number of children
and my Daughter Prudence married. Erastus Church the youngest son of Joshua & Abigail
Church aforesaid & now reside in Pennsylvania
& if the widow Abigail Church is now living I
expect she lives with my Daughter aforesaid.
In Presence of.

Rhoda [Her X Mark] Edwards
Page 10

(State of Connecticut
New London County) fs. North Stonington

Be it known that on this 4th day March AD 1844 personally appeared Rhoda Edwards who has subscribed the foregoing deposition by her mark and who is personally known to the subscriber as a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the same. 
Before me
Wm. C. Stanton Notary Public

 State of Connecticut
Windham County fs. 

I Uriel Fuller, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Windham in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that WIlliam C. Stanton, before whom the written affidavit of Rhoda Edwards purports to have been sworn, was at that time and now is a Notary Public in & for the State of Connecticut aforesaid, duly commissioned & qualified in that his Commission bears date on the 6th day of June 1842 & will expire in two years from the date thereof.  I further certify that I verily believe the above signature purporting to be his is genuine. 
    In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of (said) Court & subscribed my name this 7th day of March AD 1844.
Uriel Fuller
Clerk
Page 11

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836. 

State of Pennsylvania fs.  
On this fifteenth day of June eighteen hundred and thirty-seven, personally appeared before the subscriber President Judge of the eleventh Judicial district of the said state, Abigail Church, a resident of Greenfield township in the county of Luzerne in the said state, aged seventy seven years who being 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 4th, 1836;  That she is the widow of Joshua Church late of Hopkinton, County of Washington, State of Rhode Island, who was a private in the company of Captain Potter of the army of the Revolution, - that she was married to the said Joshua Church at Colchester in the State of Connecticut, on the fourteenth day of September in the year 1778 and immediately removed with her husband to Hopkinton in the state of Rhode Island - That the next spring after her marriage, soon after corn plantings, her said husband Joshua Church enlisted under Lieutenant Johnson in the company commanded by Captain Potter of the arm of the Revolution for six months.  That shortly after he enlisted, he marched with his company to Newport in Rhode Island and remained in the service the full term of six months before he returned.  That she has no knowledge of any records or documentary evidence of the services of her said husband but presumes there may be some in the war department.  That her said husband was placed upon the pension roll of the state of Rhode Island, under the act of congress of March 18th 1818, and that he, her said husband, Joshua Church died at Hopkinton in the state of Rhode Island, on the twenty ninth day of May 1918; and that she has remained a widow ever since that he died, as will more fully appear by reference...
Page 12

...to the proof hereto annexed.
Abigail Church 
+ her mark
Witness to the mark David Scott

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year first before written, before
David Scott
Pres. Judge of the 11th Jud'l. dis't. of Penn'l. 

I David Scott, President Judge of the Eleventh Judicial district of Pennsylvania, before whom the foregoing declaration was made, do certify that the Declarant, Abigail Church is of good repute for truth and veracity and that by reason of age and bodily infirmity she is unable to attend court, her residence being more than thirty miles from the seat of Justice of Luzerne County.   June 15trh 1834
David Scott
President Judge of the 11th Jud'l. dis't. of Penn'l. 

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County fs.
On the 13th day of June 1837, personally appeared before the subscriber President Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District of the said State Erastus Church of Greenfield township in said County aged thirty-four of good repute for truth and veracity, who being duly sworn, on his oath testifies and says that he is the son of Joshua Church late of Hopkinton, County of Washington and State of Rhode Island deceased, and Abigail Church his wife the foregoing declarant - That from his earliest recollection he understood from his father and mother, that his father served as a private in the Army of the Revolution - that they were married...
Page 13

...in the fall of the year 1778 & that the next year his father enlisted for six months went to Newport and served out the time of his enlistment - and the deponent further says that his father was a pensioner under the Act of Congress of 1818, and that he died in May 1819, since which his said mother Abigail Church has remained a widow & from age & bodily infirmity is unable to attend Court. 
Erastus Church 

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year afore written before me. 
David Scott
Pres. Judge of the 11th Jud'l. Dis't. of Penns'l. 

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County fs.
I John Smith Prothouolary (see Comment)  of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Luzerne in the state aforesaid do certify that the Honorable David Scott before whom the within declaration purports to have been made is and was the time of making the same President Judge of the eleventh Judicial District of said state including the Court of Common Pleas of said county the same being a court of Record.  And that the signature of the said David Scott attached to the declaration of Abagal (Abigail) Church certificate of said Judge and deposition of Erastus Church are genuine signatures of said Judge.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and set the seal of said court at Wilkes Barre the sixteenth day of June Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven.
Page 14

Dr. Dwight S. Church
812 Delaware Street
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Dear Sir:
September 28, 1933
Joshua Church-W.3335
BA-J/AWF
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which
you request the Revolutionary War record of Joshua Church from Washington County, Rhode Island.
The data furnished herein were obtained from
the papers on file in pension claim, W.3335, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Joshua Church.
The date and place of his birth are not stated.
He was the son of Joshua Church (the names of his mother isn't known), who lived in Stonington, Connecticut and in 1779 moved to Hopkinton, Rhode Island.
The soldier, Joshua Church, enlisted at Cambridge, Massachusetts, sometime in 1775 and served about eight months as a private in Captain Ethan Clarke's Rhode Island company. He enlisted sometime in January, 1776 and served thirteen months in Captains Lewis and Thomas Cole's companies, Colonel James Mitchell Varnum's Rhode Island regiment, and
was in several engagements at Harlem and in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. It is also stated that he enlisted in the spring of 1779 or in 1780 and served six months in Captain Potter's company, Colonel Greene's regiment.
The soldier, Joshua Church, was allowed pension on his application executed, April 1, 1818, then sixty-two years of age and living in Hopkinton, Rhode Island.
Joshua Church married, September 14, 1778 or
Page 15

in the summer of 1779 (both dates appear in the claim ) at Colchester, Connecticut, Abigail Burgy or Burgyn of said Colchester.
Joshua Church died May 29, 1819 in Hopkinton, Rhode Island. His widow, Abigail Church, was allowed pension on her application executed June 15, 1837,
then aged seventy-seven years and a resident of Greenfield Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
Joshua Church and his wife reared a family of
children and grandchildren. The following are the names of their children as found in the claim Joshua, Abigail, Benjamin, Sarah, Thomas, and Erastus. Joshua and Abigail were both born during the Revolution. Erastus Church, their youngest son, was thirty-four years of age in 1837 and then living in Greenfield Township, Pennsylvania; he married Prudence,  the daughter of Rhoda Edwards. The said Rhoda
was a widow in 1836, aged seventy-four years and living in Hopkinton, Rhode Island; the names of her husband not stated.
Three brothers of the soldier, Joshua Church,
were referred to, namely Caleb Church, who married at about the same date of his brother, Joshua, name of wife not given; Lodowick Church, seventy-seven years old in 1844 and then living in Richmond, Rhode Island; Rufus Church, seventy-four years old in 1844 and then a resident of Norwich, New London
County, Connecticut.
Samuel Church, uncle of the soldier, Joshua
Church, moved in 1779 from Stonington, Connecticut to Colchester, Connecticut.
One A. C. Church in 1839 gave the following
dress Kingston, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania; no relationship to the family stated.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 16

Sons of Joshua
Rufus 74 in 1844
Caleb
Lodowick 77+ (in) 1844
Joshua  w.3335

Children of Joshua  w.3335
Joshua
Abigail
Benjamin
Sarah 
Thomas
Erastus 34 in 1837 m. Prudence dau. of Rhoda Edwards
Page 17

Joshua Church .3335 Wid. 
Widow's application for pension on file in this Bureau. 

DATES OF SERVICE
1775
Enl. at Cambridge, Mass. 
Jan. 1776 
Apl. 1, 1776 
(13 mos. 

Spring 1779 or 1789 (6 mos)

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN
Ethan Clarke
Lewis
Thomas Cole 
Potter 

COLONEL 
James M. Varnum
9th Continental Inf. 
Green

STATE
R.I. 
R.I. 

Battles engaged in - Harlem, Trenton, Princeton
Residence of soldier at enlistment - (blank)
Date of application of pension - Apl. 1 1818 his claim was allowed
Residence at date of application - Hopkinton, Washington Co. R. I. 
Age at application - 62 years
Remarks:   he married at Colchester, Conn.  Sept. 14, 1778, Abigail Burgy or Burgyn; he died at Hopkinton, R.I. May 29, 1819, and she was all'd. (allowed) pens. (pension) on her appl'n, (application) exec. June 15, 1837, at which time she was 77 years of age & a res. (resident) of Greenfield, Luzerne Co., Pa. 
Very respectfully, 
Commissioner. 

(OVER)
Page 18

Dr. DWIGHT S. CHURCH
812 DELAWARE STREET
SCRANTON, PA. 

Sept. 19 - '33

(STAMP)
Dep't. of The Interior
Forwarded 
Sep 20 1933
Secy's Appts, Mails & Files

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C. 

Dear Sir -
     Will you kindly furnish me with the war (Revolutionary) service record of Joshua Church, who served in the Rhode Island Continental Line from Washington Co. R.I. and who was granted a pension which began May 21st, 1818. 
     I would appreciate any further records regarding him which you may have, especially to whom he was married etc. to, all of which, I understand your records show. 

Very truly, 
D.S. Church 

(STAMP)
Received Sept. 21, 1933
Mail Svs. Div. 
Mail Reader 11
Page 19

Rev. Widow, &c.
File No. 3335
Abigail Church widow Joshua Church Pri. Rev. War
Act: March 3, 1843
Index:  Vol. A Page 128
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Aug. 14, 1905 History to Miss Macie Bitgood Providence, R.I. 
Sept 28 1905. History to B.W. Danielson Moosup Conn. A.E.P. See letter in W. File 20844.
1933 Sept. 28 list to Dr. Dwight S.  Church aug
Page 20

Abigail Church Pennsylvania Suspended See let 5th Jany 1839 Hon. D. Patricks 
do. to A. Bedford, Jan  22, 1839 Let 3d Oct 39 A.C. Church
Page 21

Sen let. to Jno V N. Cunningham July 19, 1837
Suspended.
Page 22

9404
Pennsylvania
Abigail Church
widow of Joshua Church
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818
and who died on the 29 May 1819
of Luzerne in the State of Pa
who was a Pri in the Co commanded by Captain Potter of the
commanded by
in the R I.  line for 12 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of Phild at the rate of
40 Dollars --Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day
of March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of
June '45 and sent to R. J. Gould Hackensack
Total amount N Jersey
[Act of July 7, 1838]
Recorded by T. L Swann Clerk,
Book D Vol. Page 217
Page 23

No. 11.950
Abigail Church widow of Joshua Pa
Act 7 July 1838
Adw 12 mo priv
$40.00 per ann
7889
Adm Act 3 March 1843
and 17 June 1844 656
$40.00 per ann
Robert S. Gould
Hackensack N. Jersey
Page 24

[stamp] Wilkesbarre Nov 8 Pa. 
Nov. 11 
M-at- Josh Church Livton Park Was. 
1 Oct 1818 died May 29 1879
[illegible] J L Edwards Esq. 
Com. of Pensions
Washington City
Page 25


Wilksesbarre Nov 7 1836
Dr Sir I am requested to ascertain from
you whether Joshua Church of the town of
Hopkinton County of Washington & State of Rhode Island who died some 15 or 16 years ago probably is inscribed on any of the pension rolls of the United States
Please direct the answer to Erastus
Church Blakeley P. office Luzerne Co. Pa.
The weather here is very cold for the
season. Ice is strong enough to skate on.
the election has been any small owing to
the mussity of the farmers in gathering in
their crops they having been retarded any
much by the unfavorable state of the weather
In Luzern Vanburn & Johnson hous a may of 665
In Columber
-
1079
your f[illegible]
A. Beaumont
J L Edwards Esq
Page 26

Caw. Jan 21
Josh Church RI Pavte 1818. 
Abington Centre Pa.
January 14 [illegible]
J. L. Edwards 
Office of Rev. Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 27

Abington Centre Luzerne Co. Pa. 14 Jany 1839
Hon J.L. Edwards
Sir
I observe in the regulations of the Pension Office in regard to proofs required to enable a widow of an officer or soldier of the army of Revolution to obtain pension under act
of Congress of 4th July 1835 it is particularly specified that the date of her legal marriage should be proved - And as evidence it would seem that a copy of written record must be produced The above regulations seemed necessary so as to enable the proper officers to decide whether the Marriage actually occurred before the last term of or expiration of Service of the deceased officer or soldier on account of whose services the claim of the widow was made
Will the same regulations be strictly adhered
to in cases of applications under act of 1838
widow of a Revolutionary Soldier who died about 20 years since and previous to his death received a pension now resides in this vicinity she was a nature of Connecticut and at the age of nineteen years then an orphan was married to said soldier from Rhode Island
and removed to Rhode island with him in 1778
No records of the Marriage can be found at
the place where it occured and no family
Page 28

Register is known to her to be or ever to have been in existence she being unable either to read or write she has been informed of the death of all of those who attended her marriage excepting two who have long since removed as she learns to the Western
Country but their place of Residence is unknown to her and she knows not how to ascertain it Satisfaction and abundant proof however can be obtained of her being the reputed wife of said soldier since [illegible], during the war and living with him as such and so continuing until his death owned about 20 years since. They having reared up a large family of children and legality of their marriage never having been known to be questioned. These latter circumstances and be proved by the Brothers of the decd
and indeed everything here aperted excepting the Marriage which took place in the State of
Connecticut at which they were not present though understood it to have taken place as now aperted by the widow Said widow claims
on account of services of her said husband her
name being Abigail, widow of Joshua Church
who was a pensioner in Rhode Island Line
a part of her papers are now in your office
Does she need further proof to entitle her to pension under act of 1838
Respectfully your obt Servant A. Bedford
Page 29

Nov 30 '44

Dr. Crump

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C

Church
Page 30

New York November 27, 1844

Sir,

I have received the report of the Department in the case of Abigail Church, widow of Joshua Church claiming a pension under the Act of July 4, 1836, by which it is understood that the Department denies the proof of the alleged six months service in 1780, and the proof of the date of the marriage unsatisfactory. It is not understood that the six months service in 1780 was in the Rhode Island Line, but in the Troops called into service by the authority of that State and I think it very probable that the claimant usapprehended the name of his Captain in the period for the name of the Captain that he was under in 1776. That he served six months in 1780 and eight months in 1776 there cannot be any doubt, but it has resulted as I supposed it would, if her husband had failed to state that service in his declaration and it was for that purpose that I wrote to you to know what service he had set out, in order to save the trouble and expense of procuring parole proof of the service, which I well understood would be unavailing, unless it was corroverated by his declarations. I am directed by the claimant to inform the Department that in as much as the best proof of the date of the marriage is deemed insufficient to estab her present claim, she therefore relinquished her plaim to a pension under the Act of July 4, 1836, and isntead thereof respectfully desires that the Department will allow her a pension under the Act July 7, 1838 and 3d of March 1843, at such a rate as a liberal view of her case under the circumstances, may seem to warrant.
I am respectfully
Your Obt Servt.
C.A. Lay
J. L. Edwards Esquire}
Commissioner of Pensions}
Page 31

Dec 26 (illegible)
NY

A. Church

J.L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions

Washington
D.C.
Page 32

New York December 22d 1843

Sir,
Mrs. Abigail Church, widow of Jushua Church, late a Pensioenr, uner the Act of March 18, 1818, on the Rhode Island Rolls, has handed her papers to me and desires that I will aide her to establish her claim for a pensions as appears by you letters under the Act of July 4, 1836. It appears by your reports, that her husband was pensioner for service that he rendered before the time she alleges that she was married to him, therefor making it necessary to prove a period of service after her marriage which can undoubtedly be due as she alleges that he served until about the close of the war, but in order that she may not go to the trouble and expense of obtaining proof of the same service for which he has pensioned, which she would be very likely to do, "as she cannot remember the names of his officers. The therefor respectfully desires that you will furnish me with a copy of his declarations so far as relate to his service as is by him stated.

Yoaurs vvery respectfully
your obt servt.
C. A. Lay

J. L. Eswards Esquire}
Commissioner of Pensions}
Page 33

Dw

C.A. Lay Esq.
New York City
Page 34

Colchester Cou. Ss.
Town Clerks office Dec. 13 1843}
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 13 inst. enquiring for evidence of the marriage of Joshua Church came duly to hand. I examined the records of marriages in this office carefully, but was not able to find any record of the marriage of Jushua Church. I found a record of the marriage of Samuel Church June which took place on the 7 of Nov. 1771. If I should find any evidence that will substantiate the marriage of Mr. Church I will forward it you without delay
Yours &c.

A.R. Park
Town Clerk
Page 35

Abington Count Pa}
Dec 1st}

Joshua Church 
Rev. W

1834
Free
Hon J.L. Eswards
Department of War
Washington City 
D.C.
Page 36

Abington Centre PA Dec/1836
Hon.
J.L. Eswards 

Sir
Your letter of 12th Nov 1836 To Erastus Church Is now before me. It is in answer to one written by A. Beaumont at the request of said Church inquiring whether the name of Joshua Church of Hopkinston Rhode Island is found on your Rolls of Pensions for that state. In your letter you say that Thomas Church Dec'd of Hokinton was placed on said Rolls. Now the name inquired for Is Joshua Church Dec'd the date of the Pension and time of his death. I suppose corresponds to the times mentioned in your letter. Will you please make a reexamination and inform me if the name of Joshua Church of the above place is found in said Rolls. This Inquiry is made for the benefit of his aged widow who was wife of said Joshua during the time fo his service.
Page 37

and is supposed the entitled to a pension under the act granting to such widows the continuance of the pension. Have the goodness to answer this immediately.
Respectfully Sir
I am (illegible)
for Erastus Church
Thomas Smith

Direct to Abington}
Center Luzerne Co. Pc}
Page 38

Jan 3
Me at 
Mr. Church

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Comm'r of Pensions
War Department

Hon. D. Petrikin 
HR
Page 39

House of Rep. Jany 1839

J.L. Edwards Esq

Dear Sir
Indeed I send you addittional evidence in the case of Abigail Church widow of Joshua Church deceased who was soldier in the Revolutionary War and who at the time of his death, as I am informed drew a pension. And application for the widow was forwarded to your office some 15 months of more & suspended for further evidence of her marriage. Your &c.

D. Petrikin
Page 40

May 2, 1845.
Rev Abigail Church
G

Free
J.L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C
Page 41

Hackensack, Bergin County
New Jersey April 30 1845

Sir,
Enclosed is a deposition of Abigail Church, relinquishing her claim to a pension under the Act of July 4, 1836, and asserting her claim under the Act of July 7th 1838. She cannot comply with the regulations to carry into effect the last above mentions act, further than she has already done in rendering a compliance with the rules to obtain her pension under the law of 1836; for by her complying with the latter part of the form of the declaration required by the rule of 1838, she would perjur herself as she well knows her husband served a full term of six months duration after the marriage. It is hoped that this will be regarded as satisfactory, and I do respectfully desire that you will report this case to me at my above stated address agreeably to the request of Mrs. Church in her letter to you of January last.

I am very respectfully, Sir
Your obedient Servant
Robert S. Gould

J.L. Edwards Esq.}
Commissioner of Pensions}
Page 42

June 28 45

Ansd confir. June 18 45

J.L. Edwards Esqr.
Commiss'r. of Pensions.
Washington D.C.

Ab Church NJ
See when recd.
Act 1836
Admd. June 11. 45
Page 43

Hackensack, Bergin County
New Jersey June 25 1845
Sir,
As much beyond the usual time has elapsed since I enclosed to you the last papers in the case of Abigail Church widow of Joshua Church, which induces me to fear that some accident may have happened to them. I therefore very respectfully call the attention of the Department to them as I am informed that papers that have been transmitted since, here, have been examined and reported.
I am Sir
Very respecfully
Your Obt Servt
Robert S. Gould
Page 44

Andrew Bedford Esqr
Post Martin
Abington Centre Luzerne County
Pensylvania

2243
2037
2.262243

19 
42
73
111 57

360
126

5077
460
4881

3083

2846

444
1062
1978

December
Abigail Church 
" Bergin

Joshua
Church or Dec.

1884
400
2384
Page 45

Colchester Nov. 4th 1840

Mr. Bedford

Dear Sir,

I receiv'd your letter of the 15th of September last repecting the marriage of Mr. Joshua Church, by the Rev'd Ichabod Allen. I immediately undertook to make examination respecting it, and examine the Records of Colchester for that purpose, but found no entry on record respecting it. I can find no one who has any knowledge of where Mr. Allens papers now are. It was a general  neglect of persons in low circumstances to get the ceftificate of their marriage records. I have made enquiry of some of the aged persons in the vicinity of Mr. Browns late residence as I thought will give any any information on the subject, but can find no person who has any knowledge or recollection of the marriage. I have lately seen a mr. Asahel Brown who is nephew to the lat e Mr. Ezra Brown, and made enquiry of him respecting the two sons of the sd. Ezra Brown. He says the both removed from this place in early life. Simeon the eldest Son, he says went into the State of New York, and setlled in the Town of Warren, Herkimer County, where he remained when he last heard from him. and is of opinion that he yet resides there. George Brown, he says, settled in the Town of Glastonbury, Hartford County in this State, but thether he resides there now or not he does not know. There is a report among his former acquaintances, that he is not living. I have had considerable trouble to find person who have any knowledge of the foregoing circumstances. as the persons then living in that ficinity are nearly all either dead or removed from their former residence.

I am sir, very respectfully
yours &c. 
John Watrous

N.B. If Mrs. Church obtains her pension, I shall expect some compnsation for the trouble I have had respecting it.
Page 46

Nov. 27 44

W

Ab Church
NY

J.L. Edwards esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 47

New York November 25, 1844
Sir,
Under Cover with mine of the 5th ultimo, was
Additional proof in the case of Abigail Church, widow of Joshua
Church deceased, and as the Department has acted on cases
that was by me transmitted since that date, it gives me reason
to fear that some accident has happened to her paper “that
is” that they have been lost or miscarried. The attention of the
Dept. is respectfully called to her case
I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Your obedient Servant
C A Lay
J.L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions}
Page 48

2136
20 June
John N Canyngham
Case
Abigail Church
Act 4 July 36
Stewart
[stamp] WILKES BARRE JUN [illegible]
James L. Edwards Esquire
Comm'r of Pensions
Washington City
Page 49

James L Edwards Esqr
Commr of Pensions
Sir
I enclose papers intended
to substantiate the claim of Mrs. A. Church to a
Pension under the act of July 1836.
Be so good as to address me as the Atty of
Mrs. Church upon the decision of the question
Respect Yours
John N Conyngham
Wilkes Barre Luzerne Co Penn.
June 16. 1837-
Page 50

Dec. 30 1844
N.Y.
[stamp] NEW YORK DEC 28
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Page 51

New York Dec 28, 1844
You will much oblige me by informing me whether or not
the Department will allow Mrs. Abigail Church, widow of Joshua
Church a pension under the act of July 7th 1838, upon the proof heretofore
by me transmitted in support of her claim under the act of 4. July 1836,
agreeably to her request, as was by me communicated to you in my
late letter
I am very respectfully
Your Obt Sevt
C A Lay
J. L. Edwards
Commiss of Pensions
Page 52

Oct 8 1844
Add evidence
Abigail Church
N. Y.
J. L. Edwards Esqr. 
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Page 53

New York City October 5th 1844
Sir
Enclosed is the further proof in the case of Abigail
Church widow of Joshua Church as is required by your
letter of 19th July 1837 to Jno. N. Conyngham Esq of Wilkes Barre, Penna. 
You will see that no record proof of
the marriage exists-- but there is not a doubt as to the
fact that she married at the time she states as you
will see by the proof. Pleas to report this case to
me as above
I am my respectfully
your Obt Sevt
C. A Lay
J L Edwards Esq
Commissr of Pension
Page 54

Kingston Pa
Sep 28 }
25
J L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
DC
[vertically at left]
In at pa Oct
Page 55

King [obscured] Sept 28th 1839
J L Edwards Sir
Mr V L Maxwell of Wilkes Barre 
Luzene County Pa informed me that
you wished to have the record of the
marriage of Abigail Church widow of
Gideon Church Late of Kingston Township
Luzerne County Pa and formerly of Connecticut
the record cannot be found but the marriage,
can be proved by widow Martha
Myers & Charles Harris of Kingston
If you will answer me soon I
will obtain the depositions and forward 
them to you
Yours very Respectfully
A C Church
Kingston Luzerne County
Penna
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
DC
Page 56

FREE
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commiss'r. of Pensions
Washington DC
[vertically at right]
Feb 8th 1845
[stamp] 
CARBONDALE FEB 3
Page 57

Carbondale Luzern County Pennsylvania
January 31st 1845.
Sir.
I am informed by Mr Lay of the City of New York
that the additional evidence that was by him presented in
support of my claim as the widow of John Church for a
pension under the Act of July 4, 1836, was not deemed satisfactory and in as much as I have produced the best proof
was in my power to obtain in support of my claim
under the above mentioned Act. I therefore do hereby relinquish my claim under that law, and instead thereof do by
this letter claim the benefit of the provision made by the Act
of Congress passed July 7, 1838. And I respectfully desire that
a reexamination of my proof on file may be made in order to establish my claim under the above mentioned law
and report thereon to Robert S Gould Esq of Hackensack
Bergen County New Jersey - and oblige your obt sevt-
Abigail Church her X mark
Witnessed by me
Edward Boardman
Nathan C Church
Page 58

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County ss }
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of
the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Abigail Church who
being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say that
after her Marriage to her late husband Joshua Church on account
of whose services she is asserting a claim for a Pension as she thinks
it was the year 1780 he enlisted as a private Soldier in the Regiment
Commanded by Colonel Green in the Company commanded by
Captain Potter and Lieutenant Johnson for six month and
served out his said term of enlistment and was for some time
during that period stationed at New Port. And this deponant
further says that her husband the aforesaid Joshua Church
in his application for a pension had the affidavit of his Captain, 
the above mentioned Captain Potter in support
of his claim
Abigail Church Her X Mark
Sworn to and Subscribed
this 16th day of September 1844
before me
William Root Justice of the Peace
State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County }
[seal]
I Andrew Bedford Prothonotary of the Court
for the County of Luzerne aforesaid
do certify that William Root Esquire before who
whom the above affidavit was made is and was
at the time of so doing, an acting Justice of the
Peace for said County, and that full faith and
are due to all his official acts as such.
In testimony whereof
hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court
at Wilkes Barre this 20 day of September A.D. 1844
A. Bedford Prot
By Hugh Fell
Page 59

I Lodowick Church of Richmond in the
County of Washington & State of Rhode
Island on oath do testify that I am now
Seventy Seven years of age upwards
that Joshua Church formerly of Hopkinton
was my brother. He was a soldier of the
Revolution & was a pensioner at the
time of his death. I was with him
when he died. After his death his
widow moved into the State of
Pennsylvania & lives there now if she
is living. My said brother married a young
woman by the name of Abagail
Burgyn of Colchester Connecticut. They were
married in that town, in the year
1779. It was the year before the dark day
I did not see them married but in the
fall of that year he bought his
wife home to my fathers, in said Hopkinton 
& my brother Caleb brought his wife
home at the same time both of them
had then just been married. After
the close of the war of the Revolution my
brother Joshua & his wife lived together
as man & wife until his death in
May 1819 & according to the record I have
on 29th of the month, I also have a distinct 
recollection that in the year 1780, he enlisted
for six months as a private in Col Greens
Regiment of Rhode Island Troops & was
stationed on Rhode Island, one Nathan
Kenyon enlisted him, & he went from
home & served out his time & did
not come home but once & then he came
have in pursuit of a deserter he caught
Page 60

him + carried him back, his name was
Prince Bent, My brother enlisted in the
early part of the sumner & came home
the his six months expired, in the
year aforesaid, of this I have a distinct
recollection altho I did not serve with
him. My brother enlisted in the Eight months in 75
& went to Boston & then & there again enlisted for twelve
months & went to the Westward in 1776
Lodowick Church
State of Rhode Island Ss
Washington Ss 
In Richmond Aug 20th AD. 1844
Personally came before me the above
named Joshua Church & made oath to
the truth of the above deposition by him
Signed. I also certify said Lodewick is a
credible witness in the premises
Silas R Kenyon Justice Peace
Page 61

[seal and ribbon]
State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations
Secretary's Office Aug 22. 1844
I Henry Bowen Secretary of said
state and keeper of the Records and the
Seal thereof Do Certify that at the date of
his official certificate annexed the said
Silas R Kenyon was a Justice of the Peace
for the Town of Richmond in the County
of Washington duly elected and commissioned
as appears of record.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the Seal of
said State at Providence the day and
year above written
Henry Bowen
Page 62

NO 11 950
Abigail Church
Widow of Joshua
Pa
Act 7 July 1838
Page 63

State of Pennsylvania
Luzern County } Ss.
Ill
Be it known, That before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace
in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Abigail Church
of said County and made oath in due form of law that she is the widow
of Joshua Church late a deceased pensioner on the Rhode Island Rolls
on whose account she has asserted a claim for a pension under the
Act of July 4, 1836, and has produced the best proof in support
of her claim that could be found after the most diligent search
which she is informed is unavailing and insufficient to establish her
claim. She therefore does hereby relinquish her further form to a
pension under the above mentioned law, and instead thereof makes
this affidavit for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the
Act of Congress of the 7th of July 1838, entitled "An act granting half
pay and pensions to certain widows" and relys on her proof on
file in the Pension Office to establish this claim.
Abigail Church her X mark
Sworn to and subscribed this
15th day of April 1845 before me
William Root Justice of the Peace
I certify that the affiant making the above affidavit is personally
known to me and is a woman of good repute and is in my
opinion entitled to Credit
William Root Justice Peace
State of Penn.
Luzerne County Ss }
I Andrew Bedford Prothonotary of the Court of
Common Pleas for Luzerne County aforesaid,
do certify that William Root Esquire before
whom the above affidavit was made is an act-
ing Justice of the Peace for said County and
full faith & credit is due to all his official acts as such. Witness
my hand seal of said Court at Wilkes Barre this 16 day of April 1845
A. Bedford Prot. By Hugh Fell
Page 64

the Deposition of David Larkin of Hopkinton in
the County of Washington State of Rhode Island
and Providence Plantations Yeoman aged
Eighty four years being duly sworn according to
Law Testifys and says. On the application of
Abigail Church widow of Joshua Church of Hopkinton
aforesaid said widow now residing Town of Greenfield
County of Luzern State of Pennsylvania that I the
Deponent was well acquainted with the said Joshua Church
Before he was Married was raised up together in the same
Neighborhood I was not present at the marriage but
I have no doubt of their Marriage, the said Church and
his wife Abigail lived together as man and wife in
our Neighborhood untill the day of his decease and
lived in my house as such one year and raised
up a family of children as such and was-
Reputed a soldier in the Revolution - - -
they were married before or at the first begining of
the Revolutionary war
David Larkin
Hopkinton December 7th AD 1836
Rodman Kinyon
Nathan Willcox
Washington ss { at Hopkinton December 7th AD 1836
personally came Daniel Larkin signer to the above
Deposition and made solemn oath to the same
I further Certify the Deponent is a Man Justly
entitled to Credit - Rodman Kenyon J Peace
Page 65

Town Clerks Office Richmond Rhode Island March the 24th AD 1837
I Hereby Certify that in the General Assembly at this Session holden on the
Twenty Seventh Day of June AD 1836 That Rodman Kinyon was chosen and
appointed to the office of Justice of the Peace for the said Town of Richmond and
Commissioned accordingly and that the said Rodman Kinyon has been duly
Engaged to his said Commission as the Law directs as his commission now shews
and that the said Rodman Kinyon now officiates in said office in sd Town as a
Justice of the Peace Attest
Reynolds Hoxsie Town Clerk
Page 66

The Deposition of Rhoda Edwards of Hopkinton in the County
of Washington State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Widow aged seventy four years-- being first duly sworn
according to law, Testifys and says in the application
of Abigail Church Widow of Joshua Church of Hopkinton ┃
aforesaid said Widow Now Residing in the town of Greenfield
County of Huron and State of Pennsylvania that I the
Deponent was well acquainted with Joshua Church and
his wife Abigail Before their Marriage and since their
Marriage I was not present at the Marriage but
on the day after their Marriage the said Joshua and
His wife stopped at a publick house then [illegible]
By Thomas Edwards, In a Village Now Called Hopkinton
City in which family I then lived I have been
acquainted with said Joshua and his wife since
up to his decease, they have always lived together
as man and wife and refuted as such and Raised
up a family of children of which I am well
acquainted
Rhoda Edwards her X mark
Hopkinton December 7th AD 1836
Rodman Kenyon
Nathan Willcox
Washington Ss { At Hopkinton December 7th AD 1836
Personally came Rhoda Edwards signer to the
above Deposition and made Solemn Oath
to the same and I farther I Certify that the
said deponent is justly entitled credit
Rodman Kenyon J Peace
Page 67

Town Clerks office Richmond Rhode Island March the 24th AD 1837
I Hereby Certify that in the General Assembly at their Session holden on the
Twenty Seventh Day of June AD 1836 That Rodman Kinyon was chosen
and appointed to the office of Justice of the Peace for the said Town of Richmond &
Commissioned accordingly and that the said Rodman Kinyon has been duly Engaged
to his said commission as the Law directs as his commission now shews
and that the said Rodman Kinyon now officiates in said Office in sd. Town as
Justice of the Peace
Attest
Reynolds Hoxsie Town Clerk
Page 68

V2136
Abigail Church
widow of Joshua
Pd
Page 69

the Deposition of Anna Burdick of Richmond in
the County of Washington State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations single woman aged seventy five
years being first duly Examined cautioned and sworn 
according to law, Testifys and says in the case of
Abigail Church widow of Joshua Church formerly of Hopkinton
in said County of Washington and State afores’d she the said
Abigail Church Now Residing in Greenfield County of
Luzern State of Pennsylvania on her claim for a pension
that she the deponent was not present at the Marriage of the
said Joshua and his wife Abigail. I the Deponent am knowing
to the said Joshua and his wife living together as man and
wife at his fathers house in Richmond aforesaid, and was
Well acquainted with the family. I was often at their House
and was then often after their first child was born
And set up with Mrs Church and took care of her
and her child one or more Nights in her confinement
And this was previous to the dark day so called
In the year AD 1780. I the deponent, also further state that
I understood from the said Joshua Church and his wife
Abigail that they were Married in Colchester in the
State of Connecticut
Anna Burdick her X Mark
Gideon Palmer
Rodman Kenyon
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Washington Ss { at Richmond this 22d of March AD 1837
Personally came Anna Burdick signer to the
above Deposition and made Solemn Oath to
the same and I also further certify the said
Deponent is a person justly entitled to 
Credit
Rodman Kenyon J Peace
Page 70

Town Clerks Office Richmond Rhode Island March the 24 AD 1837
I Hereby Certify that in the General Assembly at this Session holden on the
Twenty Seventh Day of June AD 1836 That Rodman Kinyon was chosen and
appointed to the office of Justice of the Peace for the said Town of Richmond &
Commissioned accordingly and that the said Rodman Kinyon has been duly
Engaged to his said commission as the Law directs as his commission
now shows and that the said Rodman Kinyon now officiates in said office
in said Town as a Justice of the Peace Attest Reynolds Hoxsie [illegible]
Page 71

one
Admitted
Page 72

Post Office South Kingston R. I. 17 Sept 1818
J. C. Calhoun Esq.
Sec’y. of War,
I’ve enclosed the certificates of Joshua Church of Hopkinton
[illegible] of his revolutionary claim for
your inspection &c. also the one that
was returned for want of evidence
He requests that in case he has
sufficiently proved his claim for a
pension that you would forward
his certificate therefor to the Post
Master South Kingston R. I. as soon ┃
as the nature of the subject or your
convenience will admit. [illegible] 
Silvester Northup of South Kingston
who lives near me requests that
his (if granted) would be forwarded
to me- Your compliance will
confer a favor on the applicants
your &c.
Will’m Nichols
Page 73

I hereby certify that the within named Joshua Church
is well known to me and has been for many years
in the Town of Hopkinton and that I know him to be
a very poor man as to property and stand in need
of his Country’s support. he is also feeble in body
and not able to support his family by his Labours.
Certified at Southington on the 9th day of Sept. AD 1818
Samuel Pickham Jus. C.C. Pleas
State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations
Washington County Ss } Clerks Office Court of Common
Pleas Sept 9. 1818.
[seal]
I certify that the Hon’ble Samuel Pickham
Esqr whose Certificate is hereto affixed
is a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for
for the County Afores’d. Legally Choosen &
qualified as the Law requires & that full
faith & credit ought to be given to his
Attestation throughout the United States &
elsewhere in witness whereof I have hereto
affixed the Seal of s’d Court
Sam. Helme Clk of s’d Court
Page 74

Washington Ss
at South Kingstown in the State of
Rhode Island &c. on this 17th day
of Sept 1818 Personally appeared before
me one of the Judges for the Court
of Common please for the County of Washington &
in the state afforsaid, Cary Clarke of Columbia in the
County of Winham & State of Connecticut of lawfull age
&c. and made the following declaration under oath
That he is well knowing that Joshua Church of
Hopkinton in the County of Washington & State of
Rhode Island - that the said Joshua Church
enlisted in the United States Army under the continental
Establishment in Dec. 1775 or Jany 1776 for the Term
of one year in the company commanded by Thos.
Cole in the same Company
in Col. James Mitchell Varnum Reg. that s’d Church
enlisted at Cambridge in the State of Massachusetts and
from thence went to New York & Long Island & Harlan
from thence to White plains from thence to Trenton and
to Princetown and that he served his time out faithfully
and was a good soldier and that the said Joshua was
in the Battle at Princetown and was discharged at
Chatham in the State of New Jersey
Cary Clarke
Washington Ss } at Southington on the 7th day of
Sept AD 1818 personally appeared the above
named Subscriber Cary Clark and was duly
engaged to the truth of the aforesaid Deposition
before Samuel Peckham Judge of the C.C. Pleas
for said County of Washington
Page 75

Washington Ss. South Kingston Sept. 7th 1818
I William Potter of South Kingston do hereby certify
that Joshua Church was Enlisted in January 1776
in Cambridge Massachusetts under Capt. Thomas
Cole, Col. James M. Varnum’s regiment (the 9th Regt,)
for twelve months on the first day of April he
joined Captain Coles Company. He being my
waiter the winter before I was the first Lieutenant
in Capt. Lewis Company Varnum's Regiment
as aforesaid when he served as my waiter.
From my own knowledge & the best information
I can obtain he served his time out and one
month after faithfully
William Potter
Washington Ss South Kingston Sept. 7th 1818
Personally appeared, William Potter subscribed to
the above & was duly & legally engaged to the
truth of the same before Will’m. Nichols Just Peace
William Potter subscribed to the above certificate
was Capt of Angells Regiment has previously obtain’d
his Certificate for his Pension - he is a disinterested
evidence & a man of good standing as respects
truth & veracity. I have been acquainted with
him for twenty years or upwards and am fully
of the opinion that full faith & credit ought to
given to his testimony in behalf of the Claimant
Willm Nichols
9 mo. Sept 7. 1818
Page 76

Hon. D. Petrikin
HR
Page 77

the Deposition of David Larkin of Hopkinton
In the County of Washington State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations aged 85 years being duly
Examined Cautioned and sworn according to law, doth
on his oath testify and say in the Matter of Abigail
Church Widow of Joshua formerly of Hopkinton aforesaid
She Now Residing in the Town of Abington in the
County of Luzern and State of Pennsylvania that the
said Abigail Church is a person well known to me
and has been known to me ever since their Marriage
that is I was not present at the Marriage but I have-
No Doubt of the fact-- I was present at a Village in
Our Town of Hopkinton Called Hopkinton City, at the
Time Joshua Church and his wife Abigail returnd from
the State of Connecticut and then said they were-
Married and they have always lived and been
reputed as man and wife in my neighborhood
untill the time of his decease and raised up a
Large family of children and Grand Children
with whoome I am well acquainted. I Never was in
Company service with him the said Joshua But I
have not the least doubt of his being a Soldier
of the Revolution as he was from home and said
To be in the Army In the war and it was
Generally understood in the Neighborhood that General George
Page 78

Thurston supplyed his wife with money Recv’d from her
Husband while he was in the service,
Taken and sworn to at
Hopkinton In said County
of Washington this 27th day of 
October AD 1838--
David Larkin
Wit
Luke Nichols
Gideon Palmer
Washington ss } at Hopkinton October 27th AD 1838
Personally Came David Larkin Signor to the
above and within Deposition and made solemn
Oath to the same and I further certify
that the above named Deponent is a person
Well known to me and is Entitled to
Credit
Before -
Luke Nichols Jus Peace
Page 79

The Deposition of Thankfull Brightman Wife of Thomas
Brightman of Hopkinton in the County of Washington State of
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations aged Ninety
One years after being Duly Examined Cautioned and sworn
According to law doth on her oath testify and say
In the Matter of Abigail Church Widow of Joshua Church
Formerly of Hopkinton aforesaid the Now Residing in the
Town of Abington in the County of Luzerne and State of
Pennsylvania That the Abigail Church was a person
Well known to me the deponent. she was married to the
said Joshua Church about Two years before myself was -
And I was Married in May AD 1782 and my Impession
is nearly three years then two Before I was married for
She had Two Children before I was married I am knowing
of her Husband being in the War of the Revolution that is
He was gone from home and said to be in the war
I am knowing of the said Abigail Church Having Money
sent to her during her Husbands absence and she said
she had it sent to her by her Husband from the army
I was not present at the Marriage But I have not the
least doubt of the fact I have Recev’d Money of the said
Abigail Church for weaving for her which brings to my
Recollection of her having the Money and how she came
By it. My Impesion is she was Married in Colchester In the
State of Connecticut, as she was a Connecticut Woman before
Page 80

Marriage I am acquainted with her children her sons- Joshua Daughter Abigail her son Benjamin Daughter Sarah and Thomas and Erastus and many of her Grand Children and Joshua and Abigail was born In the War and Before I was Married
Thankful Brightman her X mark
Sworn and Taken at Hopkinton In said County of Washington This 22d day of October AD 1838
Christopher Brown Jr
Gideon Patmen
Washington ss. At Hopkinton October 22d AD 1838
Personally came Thankfull Brightmon Signor to the above and within Deposition and made Solemn oath to the same and I further Certify the said Deponent is a person well known to me and justly entitled to credit
Before
Christopher Brown Jr Justice of the Peace
Page 81

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washington Ss
Clerks office Court of Common Pleas October 31 AD 183[?]
[seal]
I hereby certify that Luke Nichols Esqr is one of the Justice of the Peace for the Town of Hopkinton in the County aforesaid and that the foregoing signature of his as purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court the Day and year above written.
Witness Matthew Waite Clerk