Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18,311, Bayze Wells, Boat Service On Lake Champlain Conn.
Page 1

Boat service on Lake Champlain
Conn.
Welles, Bayze or Welles, Bazze
 Ruth
W. 18,311
Page 2

The afore said amount is payable to the children of the said deceased, vz. Ralph Wells, Hiram Wells, Bazze Wells, Ruth Hancock, Russell Wells, and Calvin Wells -
 Hon E M Chamberlain
 Jun 20 1835
A. Loomis, May 8/55
[Let? sum?] May 21/55

[right side]
Connecticut  36134
Ruth Wells, deceased,
widow of Bazze Wells, deceased,
who died in the year 1814, of Hartfd dist. in the State of Connecticut
who was a ... in the Compy commanded by Captain Rice of the Regt. commanded by Col. Chandler Conn, in the Connecticut, Contl. line
 3 ms. 28 days  Ensign
18  "    2    "  Lieut.
 $59.33
 240.88
$300.21

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 300 Dollars - 21 cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 to 22d October 1836 the day of her death.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd day of Septemt 1841 & sent to H J. Toucey  Hartford Connecticut
Arrears to the 22 Oct 1836
 5 years 1 mo & 18 days 
[Semi-annual allowance ending - crossed out] and payable to the children} 1791.17
$1791.17
{Revolutionary Claim Act July 4, 1836
Section the
Recorded by Theodore L Moody  Clerk
Book 6  Vol. 3  Page 84
 See endorsement
Page 3

State of Connecticut
  On this [underline] sixteenth day of august in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty one [/underline] personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Hartford [underline] Ralph Wells aged sixty five years [/underline] who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision of the Act of Congress passed July 4 1834
  That he is the son of Bayze Wells who was an officer in the War of the Revolution: That his father the  sd Bayze first enlisted into Capt John Sedgwicks comp..y Col. Benjamin Hinmans Regt. May 11th 1775 and served in that period of Service as a Sergt.. In Jany 23d 1776 he received a commission as Ensign in Capt John [Stearns?] compy Col. Burrels Battalion and July 24th following he received a commission to serve on the Lake and in Jany first 1777 he received a commission by the Continental Congress of Lieut in Capt Jesse Kimbols compy Col John Chambers Battalion when he continued to serve until overtaken with sickness which obliged him to resign. It appears by a diary or Journal that he kept while in service & which he left in my posession [sic] that his last period of service closed in
Page 4

  he further declares and says that his Father the said Bayze in the years 1792 or 3, petitioned to Congress to get some compensation for expenses attending him ^ in sickness for a long period of time after he left the Service and which sickness & infirmity continued upon him until his death in 1814; but Congress at that time did not see fit to grant him any compensation -
  He further declares & says that the following are the only surviving children of Bayze and Ruth Wells deceased viz. Ralph and Hiram Wells Now residing in Hartford, Bayze Wells and Ruth Hancock the widow of Ariel Hancock residing in the State of Ohio. Russel and Calvin Wells residing in Springfield Massachusetts
  Ralph Welles
Submited [sic] & sworn to this 16th day of August AD 1841 before me
  Seth Terry  Judge
Page 5

State of Connecticut Ss. District of Hartford in Hartford County -
  I Seth Terry Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Hartford hereby certify that the within document contain the proofs & proceedings in the matter of the application of Ralph Wells for a Pension ^ in behalf of the heirs of Bayze Wells that the within subscribing William C. Cone is a Justice of Peace for Hartford County duly qualified by law to administer oaths and that satisfactory evidence was addressed before said Court  that the only children of Bayze Wells & Ruth his wife now living are Ralph, Hiram, Bayze, Ruth, Russell & Calvin as set forth in the within declaration -
  In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed my seal of office this 16th day of August AD 1841.
  Seth Terry  Judge

[seal attached]
Page 6

I Benjn Hinman of Southbury in Litchfield County Certify that I commanded a Regiment in the Service of the United States Stationed in the Northern Department in ^ the year 1775 - that Bayze Wells of the County of Hartford was then a Sergt in Capt John Sedgewicks Company in said Regt & was that year employd by General Schuyler to go into Canada as a Spy after sd Wells Returned from Canada he was sent forward to St John's about the time St Johns was [seven?] yrs Sd Wells returned back to Ticonderoga (in a very weak & low state of health __ that when Sd Wells Entered sd the service he Appeared to Possess a good Constitution &c __
  Southbury  oct 2d AD 1792
  Benjmn Hinman}
Page 7

  One thousand seven hundred and Sixty Nine February Ninth.  Then Bayze, son of John Wells of Farmington was married to Ruth Gaylord of Hartford
  1769 February 9th
One thousand eight hundred and fourteen October twenty fourth. died Bayze Wells aged Seventy one years.  Gout and infirmity -
  1814 October 22nd - aged 71 years
One thousand eight hundred and thirty six October twenty second. Died Ruth Wells aged eighty six years.  Old age -
  1836 October 22nd  aged 86 years

  I certify that the above is a true and exact copy from the ^ records of the church  in West Hartford (in the Town of Hartford) formerly kept by the Revd Nathan Perkins D.D. decd formerly clergyman of the Sd Society with the exception of the date which is  expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows.  1769 Feby 9th - 1814 Oct 22nd-
1836 Oct 22nd.
  Jos E. Cone
  I Joseph E. Cone of the Town and county of Hartford and State of Connecticut of lawful age do on oath testify and Say that I have in my posession [sic] the church records of the Society of West Hartford and have carefully examined the same and that the above is a true extract from sd records with exception of the above named as certified by me -
  Jos. E. Cone
Page 8

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford} Ss Hartford Aug 16th 1841
  Personally appeared before me Joseph E. Cone with whom I am well acquainted and subscribed    to the foregoing deposition, and made Solemn oath to the truth of the Same, and I further certify that he is a credible and respectable witness.  I further certify that the [intestination?]  was made before the signing of the Same
  Wm R. Cone  Justice of the Peace
Page 9

Little Falls NY  April 27 1855
To the Hon 
 The Commissioner of Pensions
  By a letter from the Commissioner of Pensions or from a clerk in the office L.P. Waldo - A copy of which has been sent me it appears that  On the 23 Sept 1841 a certificate of Pension was issued in the name of Ruth Wells dec'd widow of Baize Wells of Connecticut for $300.21 a year Commencing on 7 March 1831, ending 22 Oct 1836 when she died. That it was made payable to Ralph Wells & 5 others as her only [underline] surviving [/underline] children, and was sent to the care of Hon I Toucey of Hartford Con.
 Although these were her only surviving children of Ruth Wells at the time of her death, She left grandchildren the children of her son Asahel Wells -  In their Behalf this application is made - they seem to have been excluded -  By the act of Jun 19, 1840 it is provided that "in case any pensioner who is a widow shall die having children the amount of Pension due at her death shall be paid to the executor or administrator for the benefit of her children as directed in the foregoing section" "In case of the death of
Page 10

any pensioner whether male or female leaving children the amount of Pension may be paid to any one or each of them as they may prefer without the intervention of an administrator"
 On looking over the pension laws I have been led to infer that it was under this act that the pension was paid to the surviving children to the exclusion of the children the deceased Asahel Wells -  If I am right in this inference it appears to me the act was not correctly construed or rather that it had no application to the case - the act was passed after the death of the [pensioner or - crossed out] widow who had become entitled to the pension, and it was a part of her estate at the time of her death as such under the laws of distribution of the state of Connecticut her grand children had [underline] become vested [/underline] with an interest in her estate and in the amount due to her for her pension and the law of Congress passed  afterwards could not divest them -    she died after the act of 1840 her estate so far as the pension was concerned would have been subject to that act.
  I respectfully request that you will give me such information on the subject as will enable me to see that the children of Asahel Wells have justice done them in the case - The widow was the widow [?ffin]
Page 11

in the revolutionary war by referring me to act under which the pension was granted and that under it was paid to the [underline] survi [/underline] ving children - and if under the act of 1840 by having the construction given to it, or otherwise so as to meet the case as it appears -  
  Very Respectfully
  Arphaxed Loomis
Page 12

August 15, 1917
Honorable Francis E. Warren, 
United States Senate. 
My dear Senator: 
In response to your letter of the eleventh instant, I have the honor to advise you that the papers in the claim of Bayse Wells or Bazze Welles, W. File No. 18,311, Rev. War, show that he enlisted in the Connecticut Troops May 10, 1775, as Sergeant in Captain John Sedwick's company, Colonel Benjamin Hinman's regiment, and was commissioned January 23, 1776, Ensign in Captain John Steven's company, Colonel Burrall's regiment. 
On July 24, 1776, he was commissioned Lieutenant of Maries, on board Captain Simonds' gondola PROVIDENCE, in to serve on the lakes. 
On January 1, 1777, he was commissioned First Lieutenant, Captain Jesse Kimball's company, Colonel John Chandler's regiment. he resigned March 1, 1778, on account of disability caused by violent bilious fevers while in the service. 
He was pensioned for said disability, by certificate dated October 4, 1792, at the rate of $8.88 2/3 per month. 
He Married February 9, 1769, Ruth Gaylord, of Hartford, Connecticut. He died October 24, 1814 (place not stated), aged seventy-one years, and she died October 22, 1836 (aged eighty-six
Page 13

years), living the following surviving children: Ralph (born about 1775), Hiram, Bayze, Ruth Hancock, Russell and Calvin, a son, Asahel, having died prior thereto. [h/w] leaving chil [/ h/w]
  Very truly yours,
  G M Saltzgaber
  Commissioner.
Page 14

[R?] W. Widow
[?] 18311
Page 15

Little Falls NY  May 14 1855
To Hon Commissioner of Pensions}
 The letter of the Commissioner dated 8 inst is just now received. It does not refer me to the statute under which the Pension was granted as due to Ruth Wells as widow of [blank]  Wells as requested in my letter to which it is the answer.  from my examination of the Pension Laws I supposed the amount had been erroneously Paid to the surviving Children of Ruth Wells - and what I particularly desired was a reference to the Laws under which the pension was granted and paid over - This the letter before me does not show but merely affirms that it was correctly paid to the surviving children - In my letter I referred to the Acts under which I supposed it was allowed & paid. Excuse the trouble but I have no other resource  to obtain the information to enable me to investigate the claim entrusted to my Care -
  Respectfully   Arphaxed Loomis
Page 16

Bayze Wells  1841.

1775 St. Jno Sedgwick from May 10.
1776 23 Jan Ens. Steven Burell.
 "     24 July   Lt.  Marines. Arnold
 "  Sept 14 "  Cpl [Henry?]
1777 Jan 1 "   "  Rice - Chandler
   [Resged?]  M 21 1778

? '75  Bayze  May
Jan '76 Baze
July. 76  Bayzey
Jan 7 1777  Beza
Page 17

Cap Jesse Kimball
 Nov 1777
 Bauze Wells  [St?]
 Bayzy Wells   "  July 77
 Bayze Wells  by himself
 March 3 1778

Bayze  in 1775
 Bayzey  July 76
 Baze  Jan 76
  Beza  Jan 1. 1777
Page 18

[underline] Bayze [/underline] Wells d 1814
  M 1769 to Ruth Gaylord
May 10 75 St Sedgwick  [Hanman?]
23 Jan [underline Baze [/underline]
 July 76  En. [Stesny?] Burell
 July 76  Lt  Jesse Kimball
  d. Oct 22 1886?  age 86
 children
  Ralph Wells
 Hiram Wells
 Bayze Wells
 Ruth Hancock
 Ralph Wells
 Calvin Wells

Bauzy
 Lt  Marines [Gundelo?]  [Bondien?]
  Capt Simmons
[underline] Beza [/underline] Wells  Dr ? Chandler
  Jan 1 1777
Page 19

Ruth Wells
Page 20

  I Charles Seymour of the Town and County of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged Sixty four years, do on oath testify and say that I was acquainted  with Bayze Wells of the Society of West Hartford in the aforesaid Town, and that he was [afn..d?]  to be an officer, and served in the War of the Revolution, of which fact I have no doubt. I also further say that no other person of that Name ever  resided in that Society or in this Town to my knowledge (excepting his son who was not old enough to serve in the Revolutionary War) Nor do I believe that any other person of that & name ever resided in this Town or County. I also further say that the said Bayze is reported to have Married Ruth Gaylord of which fact I have no doubt.
 The above is undoubtedly the correct way of Spelling the name of Bayze although it has been spelled in different ways viz Bazey, Baze, Bayzee & Bayze
   Charles Seymour
State of Connecticut
County of Hartford}  Hartford  Sept 14 1841
  Personally appeared before me Charles Seymour with whom I am well acquainted and Subscribed to the above and made a solemn oath to the truth of the same & I further certify that he is a very credible respectable person
  Fr. Parsons  Just of the Peace
Page 21

State of Cnt
Hartford County Ss  Hartford Sept 14th 1841
  I certify that Francis Parsons Esqr whose signature is within written is well known to me as a Justice of the Peace for sd County & acting as such
 Isaac Toucey
Page 22

Ruth Wells
  dcd
Page 23

Hartford Ct. Sep 1. 1841
Sir
  I have rcd yr letter of the 26th ult. I reply I have to say, that I do not think that more than one person is mentioned in the papers transmitted by me. I have no belief nor suspicion that more than one person of the name existed. You have the commission left by the father in the hands of his eldest son Ralph who was his Administrator, & the question [?] arise, how come those authentic documents in the hands of his [underline] children [/underline], if they were not his? I now send you also two [underline] muster rolls [/underline] also left by the father among his papers & found in the custody of his Admr, which I beg of you to return to me, The one dated Mt Independence Nov 25th 1776 showing that he had been ensign & promoted Sept 19 1776 in Capt John Stevens Co & Col Burrells Batallion. The other Muster roll from 1 Jan 1777 to 1st Jan 1778 showing that he was Lieut. during that time - The probability is that he was sent onto the Lakes a short time by Gen Arnold as Lieut of Marines July 24th 1776 & after his return promoted on the 19th Sept in the Continental line.
  Very respectfully
   Your [illegible]
   I Toucey
Page 24

Hartford Aug. 16th 1841
Sir
  I send you herewith the papers of the heirs of Bayze & Ruth Wells, who seem to be entitled under the Act of 1836 for the pension due their mother & not applied for in her life time. The reason why they have not made an earlier application is stated to be, their want of information in regard  to their rights.
  Your [calint?] attention, consistent with other duties, will much oblige
  Your obed. Serv
  I Toucey
Page 25

5440
Ruth Wills
Wid of Bayze Wells
Died Oct 22 1836
Married 1769
did 1814
July 4 1826
Ens. 5. 28- $59.33
L. 18.2 240.88
$300.21
Count Cond are Capt
Rev Col Chandler
Certif to Ralph Wells
Hiram Wills
Bayze Wells
Ruth Hancock
Russell Wells &
Calvin Wills
children of said dec from 4
March 1831 to 22 Oct 1836
the day of my death
Hon I Foucey
Hartford
Conn
Page 26

Service
Boat Service on Lake Champlain.
Wells, Bagge or Welles, or Bagge Ruth
Conn. Number W.18,311
CONTENTS
Page 27

In CONGRESS
the DELEGATES of the UNITED COLONIES of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Suffix on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, to
Beza Wells Gent Greeting
WE reporting special Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, 
DO by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be first Lieutenant of the Company in a Regiment commanded by Col John Chandler
in the Army of the United Colonies raised for the defense of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile Invasion thereof. You are to therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a first Lieutenant by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging.  And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldier under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as the first Lieutenant. And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to Time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of Congress, for that Purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the Time begin of the Army of the United Colonies, or any other superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in Pursuance of the Trust reported in you. This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by this or a future of Congress. Dated in Hartford in the State of Connecticut the first day of February 1777
By order of the Congress
Attest. Chas Thomson
John Hancock PRESIDENT
Page 28

(Some letters altered to reflect the modern language)

In G
The [indiscernible] of the United Colonies New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New-York, New Jersey, [indiscernible] New Castle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, to

Wholly Gentleman Greeting

We reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct, and Fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to Ensign of the second company in the Battalion Barde in the land of Connecticut by order of Command for Reinforcement of the Continental Army in the Northern Department.

in the Army of the united Colonies rallied for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile intention thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Ensign of said infantry by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your orders as their Ensign~ And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to Time, for the Purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Army of the United Colonies, or any other of your superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in Persuance of the Trust reposed in you. This Commission is to continue in Force until revoked by this or a future Congress. dated Philadelphia 23 day of Jan 1 Anno Domini 776

By Order of the Congress
John Hancock President
Page 29

To   Bayze Wells Esqr Greeting
Sir,
Reposing especial trust & confidence
In your Courage, Patriotism, and good conduct
In consequence of the Power & authority vested in me I do hereby appoint you Lieutenant of Marines on board the Gundalo Providence Capt Simmons, you are therefore to carefully and diligently to observe & discharge the duty of Lieut by taking charge of all the Marines belonging to sd vessell , and they are hereby ordered to obey you as their Lieut and you are to follow such orders as you shall from time to time receive from the Honble Continental Congress, the Commander in chief of the army of the United States, or any of your superior officers according to the rules and discipline of Warr [sic] in pursuance of the trust reposed in you.  This commission to remain in force until revoked by the Honble Continental Congress, the Commander in Chief of the army of the United States, or myself. Given under my hand at Crown Point July 24, 1776.
B Arnold B Genl 

O.W.? - W.S.
N.Y. 18,311 - Bayze Wells  [Co?vis?]
Page 30

AW  July 18, 1906
  L. N. H.
Page 31

Wells, Bayze
  His name appears on a list of applicants for invalid pension returned by the Circuit Court for the district of Connecticut, submitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War on Dec. 14, 1792, and printed in the American State Papers, class 9, page 64.

Rank: Lieutenant
Regt: Col. Chandler
Disability: Debilitated by violent bilious fevers while in service.
Date of certificate: Oct 4, 1792
Monthly allowance: $ 8.88 2/3
Arrears due:  $200.00
Page 32

AW  Aug 21, 1906
 WJF
Page 33

Wells, Bayze
  His name appears on a list of claimants to be placed in the pension list returned by the Circuit Court for the District of Connecticut, submitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War, on April 28, 1794, and printed in the American State Papers, class 9, page 117.

Rank: Lieutenant
Regt: Col. Chandler
Disability: Disease contracted in the service.
When disabled: 1777.
Residence: Farmington
Monthly allowance: $8.67
Arrearages: $200.00
Remarks: Commissioned January 1, 1777 & resigned March 1, 1778.
Page 34

Rev  WIDOW, & c.
File No. 18311
Ruth Wells  wid of Bazzi Wells
  Lieut. Rev. War
Act: July 4, 1836
Index: - Vol. M, Page 322
 {Arrangement of 1870}

[right side]
Apl 16 - 1902
Mrs. L.W. Robbins
Marshalltown Iowa
1917, Aug 15  History to Hon. Francis E. Wicham U.S.S.
1930 June 28 Hist to Cong. E. Hart - [Fenn?] for Miss Mary Francis -
See his letter in Jonathan Gillett S. 15851 Aug?
Page 35

[Letterhead - W]
Marshalltown, Iowa  Mar 6" 1902
[stamp] MAR 11 1902 RECEIVED

U.S. Pension office
 Will you please send to me a copy of the record of Bazy Wells who served in the [underline] Revolutionary [/underline] army? I think he was with Gen. Washington in Valley Forge and was sent by him into Canada as a spy -
Tradition calls him captain
Born - enlisted and died in or near Hartford

I would also like the records of J (?) Havens  Hempstead
I think there was a first name of
Page 36

[Letterhead - W]
Marshalltown, Iowa     190...
Joshua or Josiah - though he was called 
Havens, whose life was spent in the vicinity of Hartford
 He served in the Revolutionary War as ship surgeon. I think stationed at New London Conn.

I would also like the record of Col Ledyard who was killed at Fort Griswold at Groton Conn.

Address    Mrs. L.W. Robbins
  Marshalltown  Iowa
 206 E. State St.
Page 37

[round stamp]
U S PE[nsion] OFFICE  MAR 10 1902
Page 38

[image of a folded document]
Page 39

From the papers in t [page is torn] ionary War pension claim, W. 18311, it [page is torn] that Bayze Wells, [page is torn] appears Besse Welles, a son of John Wells, [page is torn] armington, enlisted M [page is torn] s and served as a sergeant in Captain [page is torn] Sedgwick's Company, C [page is torn] enjamin Hinman's Connecticut Regiment, [page is torn] commissioned January [page is torn] 1776 ensign in Captain John Steven's Company, Colonel Burwell's Connecticut Regiment. July 26, 1776 he was commissioned lieutenant of Marines to serve on the lakes, and January 1, 1777 he was commissioned first lieutenant in Captain Jesse Kimball's Company, Colonel John Chandler's Connecticut Regiment. He resigned March 1, 1778 on account of disability ensued by violent bilious fevers while in the service.

He was pensioned from October 4, 1798, on account of said disability. he married February 9, 1769, Ruth Gaylord, or Hartford, Connecticut.
He died October 24, 1814, aged seventy-one years ad she died October 22, 1856 (aged eighty-six years).
In 1841 the following surviving children were allowed pension due their mother:
 Ralph, aged sixty-six years, and living in Hartford, Connecticut: Hiram, living in Hartford, Connecticut; Bayze, a resident of the State of Ohio; Ruth, the widow of Ariel Hancock and residing in the State of Ohio; Russell, residing in Springfield, Massachusetts and Calvin, also residing in Springfield, Massachusetts.
 A son, Asahel Wells, died prior to 1841, leaving children whose names are not given.
  Very truly yours

  E.W. Morgan
 Acting Commissioner

1 enclosure.
[handwritten]
 The first of this letter in Jonathan Gillett S. 15851 - addressed to Congr E. Hart-Fenn  also his letter in same claim [/handwritten]
Page 40

Francis E. Warren
  Chairman
UNITED STATES SENATE
Committee on Engrossed Bills
 Washington, D.C.
The Commissioner of Pensions:
 Washington, D.C.
Sir:
  If possible, I should like to be informed as to what the records of the Pension Office show regarding Basy Wells (or Welles), who served in the Revolutionary War as a first lieutenant: was discharged as a captain but, I believe, did not get his commission for some reason or other.
Page 41

[round stamp]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE AUG 13 1916