Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6435, Benjamin Wells, Conn.
Page 1

WELLS, Benjamin
or Welles, Sarah
Conn.
Mass.

Number
W 6435

B. L. ... 2352 - 300 Surgn's[sic] Mate
Served Jan 17, 1793
also recorded as above under B.L ... 2622,
no papers
Page 2

Page 838
New York
Sarah Wells widow of Benjamin Wells, who died on 17 April 1814 of Connecticut in the State of ___ who was a Commissing the --- commanded by Captain ___ of the ____ commanded by ___ in the Connecticut line for Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 600 Dollars __ cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 - 
Increased from $577.75

Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of 
July 1853 and sent to ___
[signed] A Ray, Mast.

Act July 4, 1836, 
Section the ___Recorded by R. McRue, clerk
Book D Vol. 2, page [illegible]

Hon. Samuel Clark, June 6, ___
B. W. McClure, July 20/___
Page 3

State of New York
Rensselaer County
     Martha Haught of the City of Troy in the County of Rensselaer, State of New York being from [illegible] that she is the Sister of Sarah Welles, the widow of Benjamin Welles, late a surgeon in the Army of the United States during the war of the Revolution.
     That the said Benjamin and Sarah Welles were carefully married at Philipstown as the then County of Dutchess in the summer of the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty two & that the marriage ceremony was performed by the Reverend Abraham Baldwin who was then Chaplain in the American Army stationed at Philipstown aforesaid who this deponent is informed & believes as long since dead.
     That at the time of these said marriage that deponent was residing at Philipstown aforesaid that the same took place at the
Page 4

house of the Father of the deponent & the said Sarah - that the name of the father of that deponent was Joshua Nelson - that the said Benjamin Welles came to Philipstown aforesaid the latter part of the year 1781 attached to the American Army as a surgeon, a surgeons mate & was in the active discharge of his duties at & before the period of his marriage aforesaid with the said Sarah & to continues after his said marriage.

[signed] Martha Haight

I hereby certify that on the 4th day of January 1837 personally appeared before me Martha Haight to me well known to be the same person named & who subscribed the above affidavit, who is worthy of credit & made oath that the contents of the foregoing affidavit are true according to the best of her knowledge and belief.
[signed] C. D. Sheldon, Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Rensselaer County
I, Henry R Bristol, Clerk of said County do certify that Cyrus D. Sheldon, Esqr. before whom the foregoing affidavit appears to have been sworn was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in & for the said County of Rensselaer duly commissioned & sworn & that his signature above written is [illegible].
Witness my hand & Seal of the office this 5th day of January A.D. 1837.  [signed] Henry R. Bristol, Clerk
Page 5

William Edwin Welles, born 7th May 1792 about 11 o'clock P. M.
Henry Welles, born 2nd September 1794 about 6 o'clock P.M
Theodosia Welles born 29th October 1796
Elihu Smith Welles born 11th March 1799
Mary Jane Welles born 11th September 1801 about 11 o'clock P.M
Julia Welles born 9th March 1804 about 11 o'clock P.M. and Departed this transition life on Wednesday 31st March 1813 about 3 o'clock P.M
Page 6

Benjamin Welles and Sarah Nelson were married 13th June 1782
Their issue are:
James Nelson Wells, born 8th April 1783 about 10 o'clock A. M.
Silvester Welles, born 6th March 1785 about half after 11 P.M.
Sarah Elisabeth Welles, born 9th July 1787 about 8 o'clock A. M.
Benjamin Franklin Welles, born 26th Feb 1790 about 6 o'clock A.M.
Page 7

In the matter of the application of Sarah Welles, widow of Benjamin Welles, for a pension under the Act of Congress of 4 July 1836.

H Welles deposition of 6 April 1837 with ___ of Family Record & Letter of 17 June 1782 [illegible]
Page 8

State of New York
Yates County
     Henry Welles of Penn Yan in the County of Yates being duly sworn maketh oath and faith that the annexed leaf purporting to be the Records of the marriage of Benjamin Welles * Sarah Nelson and the birth of their children was this day taken by deponent from the Book of Family Records of Said Benjamin  Welles deceased being the same Book mentioned in this deponent deposition made inn the Court of Commons pleas of the said County of Yates in the month of November last (and annexed to the declaration of Sarah Welles, the widow of the said Benjamin Welles to sustain her application for pension, as being in the possession of the said Sarah Welles) and called in that deposition "a small book" and further this deponent saith that the annexed letter bearing the date "Dobbs Ferry 17th June '82" is the same letter that date mentioned in the said declaration of the said Sarah Welles & from which an extract is made in said declaration and further this deponent Saith not.
[signed] Henry Welles

I certify that on the 6th day of April 1837, Henry Welles the deponent is the above affidavit personally appeared before me & subscribed & made oath to the above affidavit.  I also certify, that the said, henry Welles, is entitled to full credit as a witness.
[signed] Asa A Horton, Just ice of the Peace
Page 9

State of New York
Yates County Ss
I George Shearman Clerk of [crossed out "Yates"] said County do hereby certify that Asa A. Norton before whom the foregoing affidavit of Henry Keller was taken [illegible] a Justice of the Peace of said County duly appointed and qualified and that full faith & credit are due to his official acts as such Justice of the Peace, Also that I am acquainted with his hand writing and believe the signature of his name to the foregoing certificate to be genuine --

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of said county (My seal of Office) this sixth day of April 1837 [flourish] George Shearman Clerk
Page 10

1401
Sarah Welles
widow of Benj Welles
Late Surgeons mate in
the [underlined "Revolutionary War"]
Declaration under the act of Congress of
4th July 1836
[unintelligble] 567
See Vol 3. Final St. Certificates
Page 141. No. 62.181- $421.72 1 January 1783
and do pay 137 $252
16 mo 24.00
Page 11

State of New York

Yates County Ss:  On this nineteenth day of November in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Yates, the same being a Court of Record, [underlined "Sarah Welles"] a resident of the town of Wayne in the County of Steuben in the said State of New York, aged Seventy four years who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4th A.D. 1836;  That she is the widow of Benjamin Welles, who was an assistant Surgeon, or Surgeon's Mate in the Regiment Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel John Mead in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War, as approved by the Commission or Warrant of said Benjamin Welles as such assistant Surgeon or Surgeon's Mate which is hereunto annexed:  That early in the fall of the year seventeen hundred and eighty one (1781) she the said Sarah Welles first became acquainted with the said Benjamin Welles at Phillipstown in the then County of Dutchess, now the County of Putnam in the said State of New York:  That at the time last mentioned the said Benjamin Welles belonged to the Regiment under the Command of Colonel Hull which was marched to the said town of Phillipstown for winter quarters and remained there until on or about the fourteenth day of June in the year seventeen hundred and eighty two, during which time the said Benjamin Welles was in the active discharge of the duties of Surgeon's Mate of the said Regiment and most of the time, of the duties of the principal or first Surgeon Doct. [crossed out "Whitaker"] Whitwell, who this deponent understood was absent on furlough; That on the thirteenth day of June in the year last aforesaid She the said Sarah Welles and the said Benjamin Welles were lawfully married by the Reverend Abraham Baldwin who was then a Chaplain in the Army stationed at Phillipstown aforesaid, and this deponent believes belonged to the same 

[in left margin "13 June 1787"]
Page 12

Regiment or Brigade with the said Benjamin Welles.
That on the same fourteenth day of June according to the best of this deponent's recollection and belief the said Regiment Commander by Colonel Hull left the said town of Phillipstown to march to Dobb's Ferry on the North River between West Point and the City of New York, and the said Benjamin Welles then went with the said Regiment to the said Dobb's Ferry as this deponent understood and believes, as she the said Sarah Welles has now in her possession a letter from the said Benjamin Welles to her the said Sarah Welles dated at Dobb's Ferry the seventeenth day of June seventeen hundred and eighty two which she received a few days afterwards in which letter the said Benjamin Welles amongst other things states as follows: "Agreeably to my fears my destination is fixed for the present at this distant post.  Should Doct. Whitwell come on soon I may have the happiness of seeing you before the expiration of our fortnight for he will probably relieve me and take my present charge of the greater half of the Reg. & then I shall have it in my power to make an excursion from Col. Hull's at Kings Ferry to Mr. Burch where I have desired the Corporal to persuade you to take a jaunt with him."  That afterwards and in the course of the year last aforesaid the said Benjamin Welles was stationed with the Regiment to which he belonged or with some part of it at Verplank's Point on the said North River according to her best recollection which is confirmed by another letter which she received from the said Benjamin Welles and which is now in her possession bearing date at Verplank's Point 21st September 1782; and that she has also another letter from the said Benjamin Welles bearing date at Verplank's Point 16th October 1782 in which he states amongst other things as follows:  "Mr. Whiting & his fellow traveller arrived in camp before dinner" and again I hope we shall remove from this place into the Mountains in a few days - 'tis high time for me as I lodge very cold every night & 'tis high time to take a furlough as I starve every day & have very little inducement to take necessary
Page 13

"exercise & recreation" - And that she has another letter in her possession written by the said Benjamin Welles to her the said Sarah Welles dated Verplank's Point 20th October 1782 which states amongst other things as follows:  "I have had the services of several gentlemen offered for the Conveyances of my letters as other commands to you within a day or two past, but public & private arrangements have hitherto prevented my writing.  And the hope of a speedy removal from this tedious position may have been another reason of postponing it - our situation has been during this stormy weather especially, most seriously uncomfortable we have yet no fires but a tub of coals in our tents and the kitchen fires which our boys use under a bush house.  The former are pernicious to health and the latter are sometimes [illegible] over for a few minutes & smoke our eyes as much as we warm our fingers.  We have had another theft - boys have lost all their blankets but one small one and one or two days of provisions taken out of their tents.  Such is our lot and the inconveniences I have mentioned are among the weakest motions which render this mode of life truly disgustful & detestable.  We are yet all in the dark with respect to moving.  I hope it will be in a very few days."

That all the said letters are in the handwriting of the said Benjamin Welles and were directed to and received by her at the Highlands in Phillipstown aforesaid soon after they bore date respectively - That the said Benjamin Welles continued of the service of the United States in the said Revolutionary War as such Surgeon's Mate from the date of the annexed Warrant or Commission until the close of the said War in the year 1783 as she was informed and believes that she is unable to state the number of the Regiment or Regiments to which he belonged in said service, but believes that when he first entered the service as such Surgeon's Mate as aforesaid it was in the Connecticut Line and that he must afterwards have been transferred to the Massachusett's Line as she finds amongst the old letters left with her at the death of the said Benjamin Welles as hereinafter mentioned
Page 14

two letters to the said Benjamin Welles from a sister of his dated at Stamford in the State of Connecticut one the 19th day of [crossed out "November"] March 1782 and the other the 20th of July 1782 both directed to "Doctor Benjamin Welles Third Massachusetts Regt" & upon one of them is added the further direction of "3 Brigade" from which and from information received at the time the said Sarah Welles believes that the said service of the said Benjamin Welles after she became acquainted with him as aforesaid was in the said third [crossed out "Regiment"] Massachusetts Regiment - That [illegible] has frequently seen the said Annexed Commission or Warrant as Surgeon's Mate in the possession of the said Benjamin Welles after her marriage to him as aforesaid and while he was in the service of the United States as aforesaid.  And that the said Benjamin Welles had the same in his possession until his death as hereinafter mentioned and that since that event she the said Sarah Welled had kept possession of the same.

And the said Sarah Welles further declares that according to her best recollection and belief the Brigade of which the said Regiment Commanded by the said Colonel Hull formed a [illegible] was Commanded by General Heath.  That there was a Major Danforth attached to the said Brigade according to her best recollection and belief and that she cannot now state any other of the officers belonging to the said Regiment or Brigade excepting the said Colonel Hull with whom and his wife she was well acquainted.

She further declares that her husband the aforementioned Benjamin Welles died on the nineteenth day of April one thousand Eight hundred and thirteen and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will appear by the proof hereto annexed.  She further declares that she was informed by the said Benjamin Welles which information she believes that the said Benjamin Welles was in the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution previous to his entering said service as such Surgeon's Mate as aforesaid, which former service
Page 15

was in the Capacity [crossed out "was"] either of Commissary or Quarter Master, but which she cannot now recollect.  And that she has often seen in the possession of her said husband, the said Benjamin Welles, a warrant or commission to him as such Commissary or Quarter Master and that she has had the same in her possession since his death as aforesaid but had lost or mislaid the same and cannot now produce it.  That she - cannot state [crossed out "the"] in what Regiment or Line the said former [crossed out "[illegible]"] service was performed, nor how long it continued.

And the said Sarah Welles further declares that the pension alluded to in the before mentioned letter dated at Dobb's Ferry June 17th 1782 by the appellation of "[underlined "the Corporal"]" was a Lieutenant in the Army by the name of Samuel Coggswell who was an intimate friend of the said Benjamin Welles and also of her the said Sarah Welles and who officiated as a groomsman at the Marriage Ceremony between the said Sarah and Benjamin Welles as aforesaid.  And that he went at that time by the familiar appellation of "[underlined "Corporal Trim"]".  And that he the said Samuel Coggswell  was accidentally killed by a friend of his in a hunting excursion soon after the close of the said War.

And she further declares that she is now without any family and makes her home with a son-in-law residing in the town of Wayne aforesaid but spends her time with her children in different places and is now on a visit at one of her sons in the village of Penn Yan in the said County of Yates about Eighteen or twenty miles from the residence of her said son-in-law in the town of Wayne aforesaid.

[signature "Sarah Welles"]

Subscribed & sworn to me before the subscriber Clerk of said county of Yates and of the county Courts thereof in open Court by the said Sarah Welles who is to me known the day and year first above written.

[signature "George Shearman Clerk"]
Page 16

[underlined "State of New York"]

County of Yates ss;  I George Shearman Clerk of said county and of the Court of Common Pleas thereof do hereby certify that on the 19th day of November A.D. 1836 Sarah Welles named in the foregoing declaration personally appeared in open court in the said court of Common Pleas at the November Term thereof (the same being a court of Record in & for the said county of Yates) and subscribed the said declaration and was then and there examined and made oath to the truth of the matters in the said declaration recited and set forth.

In Testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said county of the said court (my official seal) at my office in Penn Yan the 1st day of December A.D. 1836.

[signature "George Shearman Clerk"]
Page 17

State of New York County
 - On this nineteenth day of November in the year 1836 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common pleas of the said County of Yates being a Court of record, Henry Welles residing in the Village of Penn Yan in said County of Yates aged forty two. years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose and say that he is the son of Benja min and Sarah Welles named in the annexed declaration of the said Sarah Welles - That this deponent was present at the death of the said Benjamin Welles which took place at the Town of Wayne in the County of Steuben in the State of New York on the nineteenth day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirteenand this deponent further saith that the said Sarah Welles has remained the widow of the said Benjamin Welles ever since his death as aforesaid, he this deponent having lived with the said Sarah Wills and within twenty miles of her ever since the death of the said Benjamin Wells as aforesaidand this deponent further saith that the said Sarah Wells has in her possession a small book containing the record of the marriage of them the said Benjamin and Sarah Willis as having taken place on the 13th day of June 1782, and of the births of all their children being ten in number the oldest of whom ┃ appears by the said records to have been born on the 8th day of April 1783 and the youngest on the 9th day of March 1804. That the said records of the said Marriage and the births of the respective children appear from the Colour of the ink and the changes in the appearance of the writing to have been done at at different times and with different in. That the said Book has every appearance of being very old and this deponent knows the fact that it was the book of family records of the said Benjamin Welles and he recollects of seeing the same in the possession
Page 18

of the said Benjamin Welles from nearly the earliest
recollection which this deponent has of any event
until the death of the said Benjamin Welles as
aforesaid, and that the records of the marriage of the said Benjamin and Sarah Welles and of the births of
their respective children have every appearance
of being, and this deponent fully believes they are
genuine and true in all respects. And this deponent
further said that he has seen and read the
letters mentioned in the said declaration of the
said Sarah Welles, and that the extracts
from the said letters contained in the said declaration are correct-- That the said letters, which purport
to be from the said Benjamin Welles are in
his proper hand writing and bear date as stated
in said declaration and all have the appearance
of being very ancient, and this deponent has no doubt of their having been written at the times they bear date respectively - and this deponent further saith that from his earliest recollection he always
understood from the said Benjamin Welles that
he was in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war in the capacity of a Physician
Henry Welles
Subscribed & Sworn to before me the subscriber
First Judge of the Yates County. the day and year. 
First above written by the said Henry Welles
who is to me well known to be a good and 
creditable witness. 
C. Masten
State of New York
County of Yates George Sherman Clerk
of said County and of the Court of Common Pleas thereof do hereby certify that Cornelius Madthen Esquire whose signature beneath to the (illegible) of the foregoing declaration or deposition of Henry Welles at the date thereof and still is the First Judge of the said County &
Page 19

Court and that on the 19th day of November
1836, the said Henry Willes appeared in
open Court in the said Court of Common Pleas
and subscribed and made oath to the said Declaration or
deposition
In Testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal
of said County and Court (my official seal at my office in Penn Yan the First day of December A.D. 1836.
George Sherman Clerk
Page 20

State of New York
City of New York
ss: Mary P. Davenport, of Brooklyn in the
County of Kings and State of New York, widow of the Hon John Davenport formerly of Stamford in the State of Connecticut and now deceased, being duly sworn according to
law doth depose and say, that Benjamin Welles, named in the
declaration of Sarah Welles and in the deposition of Henry Welles
respectively to which this is annexed, was a brother of this deponent
and resided, previously to his entering the service of the United States as hereinafter mentioned and again after the termination
of the revolutionary war, at Stamford above mentioned,
where this deponent at that time and always before resided; 
and where both the said Benjamin (her brother) and herself
long after continued to reside; That during the continuance of
the said war, and (as this deponent believes) in or about the year Seventeen hundred and eighty or Seventeen hundred and
eighty one the said Benjamin Welles was appointed as Surgeon's mate in the army of the United States, and attached as such
to a regiment or regiments in said army stationed or serving on or near the North or Hudson River in the State of New York; -
That the deponent does not remember in what particular regiment or regiments he served nor by whom the same was or were commanded; but, being older than he by about two years, and remembering well the events of that period in which he or other family friends were
interested, she entertains no doubt, but on the contrary thereof is entirely confident, that he served and continued to serve in the
capacity aforesaid (that of a Surgeon's mate or assistant Surgeon)
in one or more of the regiments then in the service of the United States, from the time of his appointment as above mentioned until
the termination of the said war; and the deponent is the more confident in regard to his continuing in such service till the end
of the war, from the fact, which she also well remembers, that on the disbanding of the army after the war he returned immediately to Stamford with his wife the above named Sarah
Page 21

and resumed his residence there as above mentioned. And this deponent further says that some time after the said Benjamin Welles entered into such service as aforesaid and as she confidently believes in the spring or summer of the year, Seventeen hundred and eighty two he was married to the above named Sarah, then Sarah Nelson, who resided in the Highlands near Westpoint on Hudson's River aforesaid. That the deponent was not present at such marriage nor does she know with precision the time at which it took place. but she knows that in the Spring or summer of the year Seventeen hundred and eighty two, and as she believes in the month of May in that year, she and her husband the said John Davenport (now deceased) being on a journey to Poughkeepsie in the county of Dutchess (State of New York) went by the way of Mr. Nelson's in the Highlands for the purpose of visiting the said Sarah, and that such visit was induced by the fact that she the said Sarah was either then married or shortly to be married to the said Benjamin Welles, the deponent's brother; and in regard to the time of such visit the deponent is enabled to speak with the confidence she does, by referring to the age of her oldest (and then only) child which he had with her on that occasion; And as to the fact of such marriage, the Deponent though not present at the ceremony, can entertain no doubt, inasmuch as it was understood and believed in the family and among the friends of the deponent at the time, and the said Sarah was ever afterwards recognized and regarded by them as the wife, and, since his death, as the widow of him the said Benjamin Welles. And this deponent further says that prior to the above mentioned appointment of the said Benjamin Welles he was also in the service of the United States during the said revolutionary war in the capacity of a Commisary, and that he continued to serve in that capacity for some time (as she well remembers from some domestic occurrences during
Page 22

that period) but how long in particular, or at what
precise time such last mentioned service terminated, she
is unable to state. And this deponent further says that 
the said Benjamin Welles died many years since, as she
was informed and believes, in the Western part of the
State of New York, where he had for some time resided,
and that the said Sarah Welles, as the deponent is
also informed and believes, still continues to be his widow. 
                              [signed] Mary S Davenport
Subscribed and sworn to before
me the Subscriber Circuit Judge
of the First Circuit of the State
of New York on the Sixteenth
day of January 1837 by the
Said Mary S. Davenport
who is to me well
known the a good and creditable
Witness-
                         [signed] Ogden Edward
                                       Cricuit Judge
Page 23

Rev. & 1812 Wars
Section.

October 4, 1926.

Mrs. Wm. S. Ross,
R. D. 10, 
Penn Yan, N. Y.

Madam: 
I have to advise you, that from the papers in the pension claim, W. 6435, it appears that Benjamin Welles resided at Stamford, Connecticut, when he was appointed on May 30, 1777, as Issuing Commissary of supplies to the Connecticut Troops, and so served for fifteen months and three days. On January 1, 1761, he was commissioned Surgeon's Mate of Colonel John Mead's Connecticut Regiment and was later transferred to Colonel Hull's Third Massachusetts Regiment and served eight months and twenty-seven days.
He married at Phillipstown, Dutchess County, New York, June 13, 1782, Sarah, daughter of Joshua Nelson of the Highlands, near West Point, N.Y, and he died April 19, 1813, at Wayne, Steuben County, New York. The widow Sarah was allowed pension on her application executed November 19, 1836. at which time she was seventy-four years old and a resident of Wayne, New York, where she lived with a son-in-law, name not stated.
Page 24

Their children were:

James Nelson | born | April | 8, | 1783.
Silvester | " | March | 6, | 1785.
Sarah Elisabeth | " | July | 9, | 1787.
Benjamin Franklin | " | February | 26, | 1790.
William Edwin | " | May | 7, | 1792.
Henry | " | September | 2, | 1794.
Theodosia | " | October | 39, | 1796.
Elihu Smith | " | March | 11, | 1799.
Mary Jane | " | September | 11, | 1801.
Julia | " | March | 9, | 1804, died March 31, 1813.

Respectfully, 
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
Page 25

Widow, &c.
Revy
File No. 6435
Sarah Wells
Wid.
Benj'n. Wells
Surg'n mate & Commissary Conn, line

Act: July 4th /36 Sect. 4
Vol. M,  Page 319

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 26

[far left side]
Jan. 5/98
W. Mc

[on left side]
History to Mrs. Margaret
Farlin, Devenport, Iowa

Aug 13 '98
Miss S. W. Black,
Geneva NY,
Ex by Mrs. Johnston

1918, Apr. 1. History to
Mrs. D. W. Hartson    F.W

1926 [1 illegible] to mo.
Wm S Ross [1 illegible]
Page 27

Rev. Sec      614 W. 4th St
                   Ottumwa, Iowa,  March 24,1918
          W
the Pension Bureau Washington.
Dear Sirs:
          Will You kindly send me a
copy of record of the pension granted to
Sarah Nelson Welles, widow of Benjamin
Welles M.D. (son of Rev Noah Welles and Abigail
Woolsey).?
Benj. Welles was born Nov 22, 1756;
graduated from Yale          1775.
He enlisted , probably at Stamford, Conn;
immediately after graduation. He
was first in service in the Navy as
Lieutenant of Marines on board the
privateer, "Mars" and was in one or more
sanguinary engagements; then in the commissary department, under a commission
from Gov. Trumbull of Conn; finally as surgeon in one of the continental regiments
Page 28

N. Y.
in the Highlands where he met his
Sarah Nelson. They were married
June 13, 1782. Their first housekeep-
ing was in the Robinson house, a
famous old house in the Highlands
where Audre was wont to visit
Later they lived at Kinderhook, Columbia
Co. N.Y. and at Wayne, Stuben Co. N.Y.,
where on April 19. 1813 Dr. Willis died.
His widow afterward lived at Geneva
N.Y.  She died Feb. 23, 1853
Respectfully yours
(Mrs) Mary D Wartson
Mrs. D.W.

US Pension Office Seal
Mar
27
1918
Page 29

409 E. Fourteenth St
Davenport, Iowa

To the Honorable Comm.
of Pensions 
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir, 
Wishing to become a 
member of the Daughters
of the American Revolution
I find it necessary to
receive some data from
the pension bureau, and
and told that under
certain circumstances
you are willing to give
Page 30

same assistance to that end.
My ancestor Benjamin Welles who enlisted
in the war at Stamford, Conn.
died in Wayne, New York & his widow
Mrs. Sarah Welles drew a pension
for many years. L [illegible] from the
old family bible were sent to Wash
as proof of identity & eligibility & were
were never returned. If it is possible
for you to give me any prints from
this ward it will be greatly appreciated
, and we desire very earnestly
the return of the Family Record- if they
still exist- For they are
surely of no
value to any one but the descendants.
Whatever information you will give
in regard to his service in the War
will by gratefully received.
We know that
he acted as surgeon in a hospital on
the Hudson River but cannot find a
record of it
by is recorded in com
book as in charge of Commissary
Page 31

Conn. Wells, Benjamin W6435
Mass. Welles 
Sarah []
Page 32

50 Park Place
Geneva NY
July 4 1898
Supt. of Pension Office
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir, Many years ago, my
grandmother (Mrs. 
Sarah Welles), widow
of Dr. Benjamin Wells,
received a pension
from the Gov't. for services
rendered by my grand
father as "Surgeon's
 mate" during the war 
of the Revolution.
Letters, records etc. were
Page 33

sent to Washington to
prove her titles or right
to have this pension were
went on to Washington
and never returned. I
am told that these are
carefully preserved by
the Pension dep't. and
we can obtain these
if we wish. I do not
know how to get at this,
as I should were I in
Washington to make verbal
inquiries. Could you have
them sent me or direct
me to anyone who would
be able to find them? I 
would gladly pay for
any troubles and be very
Page 34

grateful for the [illegible].
Some of us, her grand
children wish to establish 
our claim to be daughters
of the Am. Rev. and we
hope we may be able to
recover these as they will
be treasures to us. Keep graced.
Father was from Conn. a
son of Rev. Dr. Noah Welles. my 
grandmother, Sarah Nelson
from the Highlands [illegible]
West Point.
Hoping you may be
able to assist me in this
matter. I am 
very respectfully yours. 
S. W. Black
address.
Miss S.W. Black
so Park Pl.
Geneva, N. Y.

[stamp text:]
Pension
U. July 9 1898 S.
Office
Page 35

D. S.
OLD WAR & NAVY
JUL 15 1898
FILES
P.B.

Finance Division
JUL 13 1898
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Page 36

Penn Yan, N.Y
Pension Dept.
Aug. 18, 1926

Pension Dept.,
Washington, D.C.

Pension S AUG 20 1926 Office [stamp]

Gentlemen-

I am desirous of becoming a member of the local
Chapter of the D.A.R.
My ancester, whose
services entitle me to
membership in this organization was Dr. Benjamin Welles, who served in the
capacity of "Commissary
and Surgeons Mate." 
He was a resident at
Page 37

Stamford, Conn. and was appointed
May-June 1777 to issue commissaries
for the Connecticut Troops in the
Continental Army. He also acted as Surgeons Mate in the New York
Troops, serving part of the time
under Col. Mead.
The only information lacking
to make my paper complete, is
the "Military Record," and I have
been advised that possibly you
coned furnish this information.
If it is obtainable from your
records, and you will be good
enough to forward it to me, it
will be greatly appreciated.

Thanking you for an early reply

Very truly yours
Mary G. Ross
(Mrs. Wm S. Ross )
R. D # 10, Penn Yan N.Y.
Page 38

In the matter of the application of Sarah Welles
widow of Benjamin Welles for an Increase of her pension under the act of 4th July 1836.
Supplemental Declaration of the widow
February 28st 1851
G.F. Yates
Atty
Substitute
Alex Ray
of Washington
DC
Page 39

State of New York
County of [illegible]
On this 28
day of February, 1857, personally appeared before
me George M. North a justice of the peace [illegible] County
Sarah Welles, a resident of the town of Seneca
in said County, aged Eighty Eight years; and she being
duly sworn according to law, doth declare, that she
is now in the receipt of a pension from the United
States, under the ace of Congress passed 4th July 1836, as
the widow of Benjamin Welles (sometimes written "Wells")
for his services as a Surgeon's Mate in the War of
the revolution, at the rate of $334.66 per annual,
(or thereabouts). That it has always been the impression
of this Declarant, as she has stated in her declara-
tion filed in the matter of her appreciation for a 
pension, that her late husband the Laid Benjamin
served for a longer period of time than has been
allowed for in the Computation of her pension
by the Commissioner of Pensions. He served under
Col. Mead of the Connecticut line, and also under Col. Hull of
the 3rd Massachusetts Regiment in 1781 & 1782 & previous-
ly as a Commissary of [illegible]. She has appointed and
doth hereby appoint Mr. Giles F. Yates of the City
of Schenectady N.Y., her Agent and Attorney to
act for her in the premises, in the expectation that
he may present such additional evidence as he may
have, in support of an increase of her pension
equal to two years service and oversee an Issuing
Commissary as well as Surgeon's Mate.
Sarah Welles
Subscribed and Sworn the day
and year first above written, before
me the said Justice And I do
Page 40

hereby Certify, that I am well acquainted with the said Declarant and know her to be the same person she describes herself to be in the foregoing Declaration

[signature "Geo. W. Horton J.P."]

State of New York,
County of Ontario, } SS.

I Reuben Murray, Jr., Clerk of the County Court, in and for the County and State above mentioned, do hereby certify, that [handwritten "George M Morton"] whose genuine signature appears above, is, and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn; that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid County Court, is a Court of Record, having general jurisdiction.

Given under my hand and Seal of Office, at Canandaigua, this [handwritten "Third"] day of [handwritten "March"] 185[handwritten "1"]

[signature "Reuben Murray Jr Clerk"]

I hereby constitute and appoint Alexander Ray [illegible] of Washington City, D. C. [crossed out "[illegible]"] my substitute, to act for me as Attorney & Agent in pursuance of the foregoing appointment by Mrs. Sarah Welles - March 10th 1851 -

[signature "G. F. Yates"]
Page 41

State of Connecticut

By his Excellency the Governor

To Benjamin Welles Gent:  Greetings

You being by the Governor of Council of safety appointed Commissary for the [illegible] the supplies & refreshments, ordered by the General Assembly for the [illegible] raised by this State to serve in the Continental Army for the defence of the United States of America. --

Reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty Fidelity and good conduct Do hereby authorize and impower you to exercise your said Office of [illegible] Commissary in a due performance of the duties hereof.

You having first given bond with sufficient surety for a Faithfull discharge of your [illegible] aforesaid, keeping proper accounts, and to render the same on Oath when required according to the Trust [illegible] in you for which this is a Sufficient warrant, Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms Hartford the 30th day of May A Dom 1777.

[signature "Jon ; Trumbull"]
Page 42

Albany 838
Sarah Welles
widow of Benjamin Wells,
who died on the 19. April 1814
of Yates Co. in the State of N. York
who was a Surgeon's Mate in the commanded
by Captain of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Mead in the [crossed out "N. York"]
line for 16 months & 24 days
Conn and Mass

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 334 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of Nov.
1837 and sent to Henry
Wells, [illegible] [crossed out "P[illegible]"]
Penn, Yan, Yates Co. N. Y.

Arrears to the 4th of 
Semi-anl. allowance ending

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3 -

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 1 - Page 141
Page 43

Increased from $220 --

certif. delivered to Henry Welles Esq. Present

[illegible] to H. Welles, Dec. 26. 1837

letter to H.H. Sylvester
June 25. 44

Increase as Commissary granted after consultation with chief clerk,
----- N.O.R.

May 15, 1851.
Page 44

Albany 838

Sarah Welles

widow of Benjamin Welles

who died on the 19 April 1814
of Yates Co. in the State of N. York
who was a Surgeon's Mate in the  commanded
by Captain  of the Regt. commanded
by Col Mead in the N. York
line for 11. months

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 220 Dollars ---- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of May 1837 and sent to Henry Welles
Penn Yan, Yates Co. N.Y.

Arrears to the 4th of March '37  1320.00
Semi-anl. Allowance ending 4. Sep.  110.00
=========
$1430.00
=========
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3.}

Recorded by D Brown Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 1 Page 141

Increased to $336:66
Page 45

Doctor Benjamin Welles 
Five Massachusetts Regt
Forwarded by 
M Deane
Highlands
Page 46

Stamford 20 July 1782 Satturday

Dear Benny

Six long weeks has elapsed since we have any of us has a line from you; pray what is the reason? I will not impute it to want of affection, no, - you left me to fully fraught with sentiments  of tenderness to admit of me jealous doubt, therefore shall put the same favorable construction upon your silence, as I would wish you to upon my own, and impute it intirely to want of conveyance, which is the only reason I write you so seldom tho- we have all written you, since your [underlined "Nuptials"], which if you have received, conveyed to you our congratulations and blessings.

All friends here are well; our good mother with our amiable friend the Doctor set out for Hartford the Day before yesterday; their stay is to be three weeks.--

This will be forwarded to you by your old friend Deane who would be a good medium of which you might convey letters to us, as he is acquainted with all the opportunity to, and from Camp, and will take the charge of my letters directed to his care.

Major Davenport would with pleasure have complied with your request but no safe opportunity has come within his knowledge since you wrote him

Mr Rogers is out upon a visit to Mrs Dwight she says your friends in N York wish you much felecity in the matrimonial state Heaven grant it

My tenderest Love to your better part, your Sally I mean, may she long live, Loving and beloved my most respectful compliments to our new allies the good family you are with

And believe me to be with the sincerest affection your sister Abb
Page 47

N.Y.

Sarah Wells.

HH Sylvester

May 10 '44
Page 48

State of New York 
County of Yates Ss - On this 24th day of April 1844 before me the subscriber one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Yates personally appeared Sarah Welles and after being by me duly sworn according to law testified that she is the widow of Benjamin Welles late a Surgeons Mate in the American Army in the Revolutionary War. That she the said Sarah Welles is in the receipt of a pension of three hundred and thirty four dollars and sixty six cents per annum as his widow; the pension certificate being now in her possession and dated the first day of November 1837 and signed by J.R. Poinsett secretary of war. That she makes this [crossed out "certificate"] affidavit for the purpose of obtaining an increased allowance of pension for arrears which she has been led to believe she acquired a right to as the widow of the said Benjamin Welles. 

Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 24th day of April A.D. 1844
Henry Welles a Judge of Yates County Courts
Sarah Welles [signature]

State of New York 
Yates County Ss - I certify that I am acquainted with the above deponent Sarah Welles and know her to be the person she describes herself to be in said affidavit Dated April 24th 1844 - Henry Welles Judge of Yates County Courts
Page 49

State of New York 
County of Yates Ss:

I David H. Buel clerk of County of Yates and of the court of Common Pleas of said county (the same being a Court of Record) do hereby certify that Henry Welles whose name appears to the jurat of the within affidavit of Sarah Welles and also to the within certificate was at the date of said jurat & certificate a judge of  said Court of Common Pleas duly commissioned and sworn as such also that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Henry Welles and that the signatures of his name to said jurat and certificate are in his [illegible] handwriting. 

In testimony my whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court of Common pleas this third day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-four.

D.H. Buel Clerk of Yates County & the Court of Common Pleas
Thereof
Page 50

Appointed Com of [Illegible} May 30, 1779
Payments made to her Aug, 20, 1779.
Page 51

District of Columbia
Washington County
On this fifteenth day of July 1853 before me
a Justice of the Peace in and for said City duly authorized to
administer oaths, personally appeared Alexander Ray a resident
of Washington D.C. who being first duly sworn according to
Law, doth on his oath declare; that he has in his possession an
original paper (which he received by mail from Thomas Gray by
of [illegible] connection, son of the late Samuel Gray Dep. of [illegible] of issued
during the war of the Revolution.)

giving the names, and payments made or advances to certain assistant giving Commissions of the Revolution from
May  31, 1778 to March 14. 1780 inclusive, which paper is signed by "Sam" Gray
D.C.S.J. And also a receipt on the same sheet, dated at New York June 8 1785 and signed by
Jon Burrell pertaining to the same.

Among the names of [illegible] Josiah [illegible], in the page referred to, above, is the name of
[underlined "Benjamin Wells"], and a payment or advance, made to him on the 20 Aug 1779.

Sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year first above named } Alex Ray

[signature "Sam Drury"] J. P.
Page 52

Letter
Benjamin Welles
To
Sarah Welles
Verplanks Point
16. Oct. 1782
Page 53

Payment to be made
at Albany
by T. W. Olcott Esq
Agent for paying Pensions
in the Agency of
Albany
Have new certife
16 mo 240ds
Surgeon's
Mate
334.66/0
Henry Wells
funeral
Recorded in the Pension
Office, in Book A. Vol. 1
Page 141 by D. Brown
Clerk
Page 54

War Department.
Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that, in conformity with the 3d section of the law of the United States of the 4th July, 1836, Sarah Welles of the State of New York widow of Benjamin Welles_________ who was a Surgeon's Mate in the War of the Revolution________ is entitled to receive Two hundred and twenty dollars and _______ cents per annum, during the time she may remain unmarried, commencing on the 4th of March and 4th of September.

Given at the War Office of the United States, this eleventh day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty-Seven.
 [Signature illegible]
Page 55

Penn Yan, Yates County, N. York
February 18th 1837

To His Excellency
The Secretary of War.

Sir

Enclosed I send you the declaration of Mrs Sarah Welles, widow of Benj Welles deceased, late a Surgeon's Mate in the army of the revolution, together with three affidavits in corroboration of her statements, with a view to obtain a pension under the 3d section of the act of Congress of the 4th of July last entitled "an act granting half pay to widows or orphans where their husbands and fathers have died of wounds received in the military service of the United States in certain cases, and for other purposes."

The affidavit of Mary S. Davenport is taken before Ogden Edwards Circuit Judge of the first circuit of this State, and was sent to me from New York without a certificate proving his official character-- I however send it on without such certificate, being under the impression that his signature and official character are so well known at Washington as to render any further proof
Page 56

on that subject unnecessary. Should you hold such proof to be necessary I will furnish it upon being advised of the fact

Should further proof be required in order to sustain the application, I will thank you to inform me upon what points

You will please to direct all communications upon the subject to me.

I am Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
Henry Welles
Page 57

Dundee, Kane co Ill June 18, 1859
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington City

Dear Sir

Please inform me if there is back pay due Doct. Benjamin Welles who was Surgeons Mate in the Revolution and if so what would be the way for the heirs to obtain it,

Yours Respectfully,
B. W. McClure
Page 58

Brief in the case of Sarah Wells and of Benjamin Yales - County and State of New York
act July 4, 1836

Claim, ("original", or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original)
} Increase


Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
The commissioner decided that the order referred to in the affidavit of A. Ray, dated July 15, 1853, and which
was submitted to the office was sufficient to show that Benj Wells was in service as Comm.

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

[illegible] to Aug 20, 1779, from May 30, 1777, the date of his commission
Aug. 16, 1853

Name and residence of Agent
A. Ray

Examining Clerk.
[illegible]
Page 59

[underlined "Hereon,"] NY. (Albany)

Sarah Wells, widow of Benjamin, who was Commissary Comm Line
Dated Jul 9, 1836
2 years Commissary
$600 per Ann.
Com March 4, 1831, deducting former payments
at $577.75 per Ann

A Ray,
Present
Page 60

Washington
March 26. 1851
J. E. Heath Esq
Com of Pensions
Sir
In the case of Sarah Wells of
New York act 1836. Albany Agency, at the rate of $334.66
per annum on account of her husband Benjamin Wells
revolutionary services as Surgeon Mate,
I herewith present the application for an
increase of her pension for the service of her Husband, as
an [illegible] commissary for the continental army
for the State of Connecticut.
Judge Wells the applicants Son, furnished Giles F.
Yates Esq. with a copy of his mothers original declaration
under act July 4, 1836, and which is now before me.
By reference to Mr Wells declaration you will find
that after she stated the claim on account of her late
husbands service as Surgeons Mate: She claimed has
before he served as Surgeon Mate, he was commissioned
and served as Commissary or as Quarter Master
that she has seen the commission, and has had it in her
possession since his death, that it has been lost or mislaid.
The commission Mr Wells referred to in the deceleration
for the benefit of act 1836 has been found
and shows the husband was commissioned as
Page 61

Commissary for the Issues for the State of Connecticut 
in the Continental army in 1777.
I have written to the Comptroller
of the Act of Connecticut for an examination
and certificate of the appointment &
service of Ben Wells a commission of
[illegible], which will be submitted in support
of the claim now made by the widow, when received.
I remain very
respectfully
[illegible]
Alex. Ray
Page 62

Windham May 4th 1842
Alex Ray Esqr.
DeSir
Enclosed, forward to you
one hundred dollars, being a bill of the Hartford
Bank, the best in our State & current in Boston & New 
York. Should this arrive safely I will forward you
the ballance which is your due from the pension
of Her Ripley heirs - I have had it in my hand
some time, from an intimation from you about the time I recd it, that you should be in this place soon,
& also learning the same from my friend Judge Clark
I have retained it in readiness for you-- M Clark
has returned to Michigan I suppose, he left here some
days since & I recd a paper from him in Utica last week
He enquired of me for you in relation to one Holmes
an assistant Commissary. I am very sorry I cennot
obtain any proof for him-- my father papers & books
were all retained by Jonathan Burnell who was appointed
by Congress in 1782 or about that time, to Settle the accounts
of The Comp. Department. I find copies of letters written 
by my father to sundry assistant Commissoners in which he
refers them to Mr. Bund, who he says now holds the
office of Commissioner for that purpose in New York & tells them
that he has their accounts & to him you must apply for
a settlement-- one of the letter is dated 1787. I send
you herewith a transcript of some pages of a book which ┃
Page 63

[illegible first word] "Cash assessment"  [illegible] appoint you in finding who [illegible] companies that were ran by him [bleed through] Mr Moses Holmes was undoubtedly one of these who did not have his account settled until after the papers went into [illegible] [illegible] - I should think that [illegible] accounts & papers could be found, [illegible] they [illegible] grant with the war office.  Any [illegible] I can't sender in getting & [illegible] proof for any [illegible] [illegible] will be readily & willingly 

Rep Ralph 
[illgible] .  Thomas [illegible]
Page 64

Washington
Dec 22 / 52

J. E. Heath Esq
Comm of Pensions
[illegible]

In May 1851, I filed [underlined "documentary"] evidence in the case of Sarah Wells of New York  [illegible] 1836. widow of Benjamin, who was a [underlined "Sugeon Mate"]. and also an [underlined "assistant Commissary"].  And upon which [underlined "proof"], her the widow pension was [underlined "increased"].

Since, I am informed by the family of Mrs. Sarah Welles, that certain agents from this city have recently written to her but have called on her promising an increase of her pension on the condition she appoints them [underlined "her agent"].

This claim it must be remembered is not of the class of claims published under the resolution of the Senate last year.  But and admitted claim, and should not have been examined by any other that her duly constituted attorney.  Neither as regards her residence not as proof filed in support of his service but it seems that such has been the case.  [illegible] is under this impression.  I am inclined to request a re-exam of the papers filed in her case.  and if they be found to justify an increase to allow it to her.

I remain
Your [illegible]
Alex Ray
Page 65

In Mass. Ad. 1836
{After consulting chief clerk
May 15. 1831)
Sarah Wells
widow of Benjamin Wells, who
was a Commissary & Surgeon's 
mate Connecticut Line.
-
Cons.       15 mo 3 days   $377.50 
{[Illegible]  8  "    27  "
   Paints Manor 20/'82       200.25
   @22.50 per mo}            $577.75

To con March 4, 1831 deduct
[illegible] payments at
$334.66
To A. Ray,
[illegible]
Page 66

Penn Yan Yates County N.Y. May 4. 1837
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Sir
Your letter of the 20th alt. has
been received. My Mother Mrs Sarah Wells
Concludes to accept a pension for the eleven months
service of my Father her husband in [illegible]
of your suggestion. She does not however abandon
her claim for the allowance to which further evidence
may entitle her,
Should she be deemed entitled to a pension
upon the proof now made of eleven Months
Service, which I understand by your letter to
be the case, you will please forward her certificate
to me
I am respecfully yours
Henry Welles
Page 67

State of Connecticut
Comptroller Office
Hartford March 27th 1851
I certify that on application for evidence of the service
of Benjamin Welles, in the war of the Revolution, I
have examined the Books & Documents relating to that
war remaining in this office, and find the 
following 
entry in the Journal of the Governor and Council 
of Safety. At a meeting of the Governor and 
Council of
Safety holden at Hartford in and for the State of
Connecticut on the 10th day of June A.D. 1777.
Benjamin Welles of Stamford be and he is hereby
appointed in Issuing Commissary of supplies and
refreshments to the Connecticut troops in the Continental
service.
I find also the following entry in an account rendered 
the Pay Table Office by "Elijah Hubbard Esq.
Commissary" under date of Sept. 3d 1778, on the credit 
side, "To Cash pd B. Wells, Comt. L 228.00.
R. G. Pinney Comptroller
by Geo. Robinson, Clerk,
Page 68

Penn Yan April 7. 1837-
J L Edwards Esq Comr of Pensions &c
Sir
I duly received your
favor of the 9th March alt amongst other things
Calling for the leaf from the Book of family records
of Benjamin Willis, And the letter from him to
Sarah Welles of 17 June 1782 &
I now enclose the leaf & letter referred
to, identified by my own affidavit. Also the
three other letters from Benjamin Welles to Sarah
Willes, referred to in her original declaration.
Also the two letters from Abigail Welles to Benjn
Welles referred to in the Same declaration.
The letter from my Father the
said Benjamin Welles to my Mother the applicant
of 17 June 1782. Only four days after their marriage
as will readily occur to You of a Character &
written in a style which could never have been
designed for any Eye but hers to whom it was adressed - I could wish that after the application
is decided all the letters with the leaf of the
Book of Records Might be returned to me for my
Mother. As to all excepting the leaf & the letter of 17
June 1782 attached to my affidavit now enclosed
I presume there will be no objections to returning
them-
I have taken the liberty to endorse some
Page 69

suggestions on the two questions raised in Your
letter of the 9th March; the service of Benjamin
Welles, and his marriage before its close with
the applicant
I am Respectfully Yours
Henry Welles
Page 70

His Excellentcy
Martin Van Buren
President U.S..
Washington

P 706
April 21, 1837 
Ref to the Sec of War
Pension Office

I was acquainted
With the Wm. Wells. He
was a man of
strict integrity &
sustained a good
character through
life.
M.V.B,
Page 71

His Excellentcy
Martin Van Buren
President U.S..
Washington

P 706
April 21, 1837
Ref to the Sec of War
Pension Office

I was acquainted
With the Wm. Wells. He
was a man of
strict integrity &
sustained a good
character through
life.
M.V.B,
Page 72

His
Tenn Yan Yates Co. N.Y. April 11. 1837
Excellency
Martin Van Buren
Sir,
I trust you will excuse the
liberty I am now taking when I inform you
that it is in behalf of my mother Mrs Sarah
Willis of Steuben County, the widow of Doct Ben
jamin Welles formerly of Kinderhook with
both of whom I understand from my mother
you were well acquainted in the early part of
your life.
Believing that my mother was entitled
to the benefit of the provisions of the 3d Section
of the act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836
on account of my Father's services in the Revo
lutionary war as a Surgeons mate, I have
sent on her application to the war department
1
and it is now depending there-- my object in
4
this communication is to request the favor
that if you should not deem it improper
to state to the department your knowledge of
my Father and his standing at the person
where you were acquainted with him, and
also (if you recollect the fact) that it was a
matter of family tradition that he had been
a surgeon or parsons mate in the
American army in the revolutionary war
Page 73

I understand that the Com of Pensions is obliged to exercise much caution to guard against imposition in all applications for pensions; and as it cannot be expected that the facts to sustain an application of this kind and be made out clearly without great difficulty on account of the lapse of time, the death of the person who performed the service & of witnesses of the service, have supposed it would give the application favor with the department by having you make a communication something [illegible] to the [illegible] above suggested-

I have had some acquaintance with the attorney Gen R. Butler & more particularly with his brother Chs Butler Esquire to Esther of whom I take the liberty of [illegible] ^[you should] [illegible] wish to make any enquiry respecting me

I am with great Respect
Your Obt Servt
Henry Welles
Page 74

Washington
Apr 20, 1857

I. E. Heath E.
Com of Pensions

Sir

In the case of Sarah Wells[sic] widow of Benjamin act 36 Albany Agency, in whose case I filed an application on the 26th of March last claiming an increase of her pension on the ground of her husbands services by an [illegible] Commissary

I now submit a certificate from the Comptroller Office at Hartford, showing "At a meeting of the Govenor[sic] and council of Safety [illegible] at Hartford in and for the State of Connecticut on the 10th day of June A.D. 1777, Benjamin Welles of Stamford be and he is hereby appointed an Issuing Commissary for supplies and refreshment to the [crossed out; Continental] Connecticut troops in Continental Service."

and finally, on the 3rd Sept. 1778 it is shown that the sum of $228 was paid a charge to B. Wells Commissary. the claim to an [illegible] is [illegible] made from June 10, 1777 to Sept 3 1778 as [illegible] commissary in continental service at the rate of $600 per annum.

The name of Elijah Hubbard E. Commissary is introduced in the Comptrollers certificate. I beg to
Page 75

State, that Abigail Hubbard, the widow of Elijah was pensioned under act 36 or 38 on the connection roll at the rate of $480 a year

I was employed by her son the Hon' Sam' Hubbard & made an application in right of his late mother, claiming a pension at the rate of $600 per annum on account of his father's service as a commissary-[illegible] raised for the continental army. In support of the claim, (I find from my copies) I presented a [illegible] document from the [illegible] at Hartford showing said Elijah Hubbard's appointment 28 May 1777 and that in 1779 the Pay Table Books [illegible] to my charges in certain amount of money as coming [illegible]

It was upon this evidence the late Commissioner
admitted the claim for 2 year's service and at $600 per annum.

W. Hubbard [illegible] being in [illegible]
with W. Sarah Wells, [illegible]
made if necessary

I remain yours [illegible]
Alex. Ray

An increase is also [illegible] for the service committed from March to [crossed out: June] March 1992 as Surgeon's Mate on [illegible] month. That is, for army service between these dates

Alex, Ray
Page 76

Letter
Benjamin Welles
To
Sarah Welles
Verplank's Point
20. Oct. 1782
Page 77

Letter
Benjamin Welles
to
Sarah Welles
Verplanks Point
21. Sept. 1782
Page 78

838
New York Albany
Sarah Wells
widow of Benjamin Wells
who died on the 19 April 1874
of Yates Co in the State of New York
who was a {Commissary
& Sgn Mate}
by Captain ________ of the Regt commanded
by Col Mead in the [crossed out] N.Y.
line for 15 mo. 3 days Commes
              8  "     27 " Sgn's Mate
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 577 Dollars 75 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 15th day of
March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of
May 1837 and sent to
Alex Ray Esq
Arrears to the 4th of Present
Semiannual allowanc
Incd from 334.66
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3rd}
Recorded by H. Weightnead Clerk
Book D, Vol. 2, Page 360
Page 79

Conn. Wells, Benjamin  N. 6433
Welles

2
Page 80

In the matter of
Sarah Welles
applicant for Pension
&c
Suggestions &c in
behalf of applicant
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In the matter of
Sarah Welles widow
of Benjamin Welles

1st As to the period that Benjamin Welles was in the Service -

1st The Commission attached to the applicants declaration on file in the Office of the Secretary of War bears date 1st January 1791- This ^[illegible] is not intended as conclusive evidence of any service in Col. Mead's Regt but it is submitted that in connection with the other proof in the case it is prima facie evidence of service commencing soon after--

2? The applicant swears that early in the fall of 1781 she first became acquainted with him and that he was then in actual service in Col. Hull's Regiment, and that as she was informed and believed continued in service from the date of the Commission (1. Jan'y 1782) untile[sic] the Close of the war- She is corroborated by the deposition of

3? Martha Haught who testifies that he came to Phillips Town the latter part of the year 1781.- attached to the Army as a Surgeons mate and was in the active discharge of his duty as such at and before and after his marriage in the summer of 1782. The applicant is also corroborated by

4. Mary S. Davenport the widow of the late Hon John Davenport and sister of said Benjamin Welles, who testifies that in 1780 or in 1781 said Welles was appointed a Surgeons mate in the United States Army & attached to a regiment stationed & serving on or near Hudson River N.Y. and continued in service untile[sic] the close of the
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war. This writing States facts and circumstances showing that she is not likely to be mistaken in her Recollection and that his service was from about the 1st of January 1781 until the close of the war -

It is submitted that after such a lapse of time strict proof ought not to be required of the exact time the in-dividual [individual] served. - It is to be presumed that nearly all the witneses [witnesses] of the service are dead, and those who are living are difficult to be found, and finally under the testimony of the applicant and Mary S. Davenport corrob-orated [corroborated] by the warrant of Surgeons Mate bearing date 1st January 1781, and the other proof of his service, a fair and liberal interpretation of it all will warrant the conclusion that his service as surgeons mate commenced about the 1st of January 1781 and ended about the first of January 1783

2? Is the Marriage of the applicant with the said Benjamin Welles before the close of his service satisfactorily established.

1. She swears unequivocally to the fact, as having taken place on the 12 June 1782-

2 The leaf from the Family Record of said Benj
Welles attached to the affidavit of Henry Willis
Sworn to 6 April 1837. States their marriage to
have taken place the same time

3. The letter from Benjamin to Sarah Welles of
17th of June 1782 raises a strong presumption
that they had been then recently married -
This letter as also those of 21 Sept. 16. October to 20 Oct. All clearly show that he was then in
service & was writing to his wife

4 These letters & the leaf from the family Records
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bear evident marks of antiquity & genuineness
interdependent of their dates-

5. Martha Haight swears they were married
by Revd Abraham Baldwin the Chaplain in
the Army (who is since dead) in
the summer of 1782 and that he continued in
service afterwards-

6. Mrs Davenport swear they were married in
the spring or summer of 1782, and although
not present at the ceremony, testifies to facts and circumstances which can leave no doubt of the fact

7. The letter of Abigail Welles to Benjn Wells
dated Stanford 20th July 1782, shows that at
the date of that letter the writer regarded them
as married - See the last sentence of the letter

It is believed that this point is incontrovertibly established - at least as much so as will be required after the lapse of 55 years since the happening of the event -
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Mrs. Sarah Welles
Forwarded by
Mr. Danforth
Highlands

Wells, Benj.
Comm. W6435
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Dear Sally
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My dearest Sally
Dobbs Ferry 17th June 82
Agreably[sic] to my fears my destination is fixed for the
present at this distant post-- Should Doct. Whitwell
come on soon, I may have the happiness of seeing
you before the expiration of our fortnight, for he
will probably releive[sic] me[sic], and take my present charge
of the greater half of the Regt and then I shall have it
in my power to make an excursion from Col Hull
at [illegible] Ferry to Mr Burchell at least, where I have to
find the [illegible] to persuade you to take a jaunt with him

But I suppose that little busy principle within called
prudence, may be busy enough to persuade you of some
impropriety of coming the bigger half of the way-- [illegible]
will be more likely to succeed, if the event of theirs [illegible]
evening is still hush, which I think is not the case
I hope & believe you have shook hands with all but
decent [illegible], and that you will meet me at the
above place if agreable[sic] & convenient soon after

I date my next from Verplanck's, on condition of
least of my engaging to travel fifty miles to your
one, [illegible] the circle of our lives, for the advancement
of our mutual happiness--

Not one truly tender, conjugal, affectionate sentiment
my dearest, forever dearest, Sally, my love, my
best love! has yet escaped my pen. I feel guilty, and
self condemn for the unnatural omission-- but beleive[sic]
me my beloved, it was a constraind[sic] omission.
I did violence to the feelings of a warmly
affectionate and constant heart, in not pouring out
its most free and devout effusions of sensibility, and
tenderness on the top of my page-- I would have done
it my have, and seald[sic] it with a tear, could it have
been done with that sacred scenery, which so hallowed
a subject of right demands. But the profane inclusion
of unfeeling impertinence, interrupted that retirement
which love stole from every species of business, and
amusement
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and the still more unfeeling intrusion of three hostile
[illegible] force me again to quit my part an old deserted
house on the banks of the River and retire to the
blockhouse-- they were within gunshot before I had notice
of their approach-- they stand at us, and left us--

Every new interview, my dear Sally, increases my attachment--
the legal obligation I am under, shall [illegible]
be held sacred, and revered, but I am exceedingly
happy in affirming the partner of my joys, that
far more efficacious ties will prevail, in cementing,
confirming, and perfecting our union, and felicity--
those ties your society, and your absence
will equally augment, and preserve; tho the
latter you will rest assured, is to me a painful
preservative-- I intreat[sic] you my dearest,
not to suffer any of my complacent to make you
unhappy. I know your goodness is such that
you will tenderly sympathize. I would wish
even that-- but not that you would carry [illegible]
the extreme of affliction-- I will rather engage to
be happy, as happy as fortitude will grant to absence,
and derive another great source of bliss
from the reflection of your sympathizing in
my happiness, I will then exercise & ensure
you sympathy for sympathy, and happiness
for happiness till the halcyon days of uninterrupted
social converse, pronounce our bliss as perfect,
as imperfection an afford--
my curiosity is on the wing to know the present stage
of report-- what says same? are we or are we not
married is it believed or is it not? by some or by all?
I think it is generally believed in our Regt and our journey from
[illegible] imprudence-- What are your arrangements and
what are they to be, till I see you with regard to visit amusements, on
any incidents, you think will gratify me to hear--? praying
dear write me all about it and with as much as freely and as can
[illegible] the hand of him as you can to one who is ever your
[illegible] affection as well as the most inviolable engagement

Wells, Benj.
Conn. W64 35
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Dear Benja
Ever since your, acceptable letter
I have been seeking for an opportunity to acknowledge it but 'til now have sought in vain. I assure you I have not been better pleased with the contents of a letter, this many a day than with your. it not only len'd to remove all prejudice's which I had [illegible] occasioned by a certain affair / with respect to the character of Mr [illegible] [crossed out] but made him appear more a conspicuously amiable in my eye than he ever did before. If I have ever injured him even [underlined] in thought I am most sincerely sorry for it. I feel a most hearty inclination to believe what he has said with respect to the matter for the sakes of boath the parties shall endeavor when I see him, to treat him with as much politeness and friendship and even confidence as lays in my [illegible] th'o I can't but think he was at that time very imprudent in what he did: when you see him, you ^ may make my most affectionate Compliments acceptable to him; if you please, and tell him he has my best wishes - - -
I have not yet had the pleasure of an introduction to Mr Richard, th'o I hear I am threatned with [illegible] from him daily; your letter he just me in 4 days after his arrival, [illegible] the hands of his servant, for reasons best known to him selfe - [illegible] Love to you, Cousin [illegible] do - Mr [illegible] to you, his intention of mariage to Miss Nancy Hazard was yesterday made public - [illegible] Clark has left us, and taken lodging at Mr Hubbards, Miss Roe keeps old Maids Hall in over South [illegible] , she [illegible] , one tell you, she would lend Comfrt' to you, but the things you rather slighted her, in not bidding her good by when you left us Mother sends a bundation of Love, as do all your friends
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When do you intend visiting in and pray write often, but talk not of Virginia; for Heavens sake! Dont think of it - Consult your own constitution, and I think you will never regret it.
a Northern Constitution, cannot thrive in a Southern Climate according to my ideas of the matter. you may laugh at my reason, but I [assure?], if such a thing should ever take place, I would make me very [unclear] indeed

pray [present?] me the exact quantity of linen you had of Wm Clark and write soon to your affectionate
A Willes
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Doctor Benjamin Welles
3rd Massachusetts Regiment, 3rd Brigade
A. W. Marby 1782
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Mrs Sarah Welles
Highlands
Wells, Benj
Conn W6435
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My Sally dear.  Can ____ you not favor me with a line by your brother?  I will charitably conclude that some sufficient reason prevented it.  I have only time to _____ you a letter just handed by ___ tho it is short if it will gratify you any I am repaid for troubling you.  Nane has a letter from sister Abby said ____ will deliver it.  I rejoice to hear she recovered. give her my love & the merited & usual garantity to parents & eve__ the best post of the affection of your very ____ & devoted.  [signed] BWelles Verplanks 21 Sep __
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Sally Welles
Benjamin Welles
Mrs. Sarah Welles
Nighlands
Welles, Ben
Connecticut W6435
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Verplanks Point 12 Oct 1702
Dear Sally
This is the first chance I have had of telling you one more how much dearer you are to me  than all the world beside — my duty confines me so closely that it is a great chance if I hear of a conveyance to you the knowledge of this(underlined) was very accidental & unexpected, & I have only time to define you to accept my good will for writing and every other good office, for the deed.  Mr. Whiting & his fellow travelers arrived in carriage before dinner. Mr. Garrison was absent - his goods _____ & I could not procure you the made - the cronen is still by me, & shall be _____ for the intended purpose.  I hope we shall remove from this place into the mountains in a few days, 'tis high time for me, as I lodged very cold every night & 'tis high time to take a furlough as I starve every day, I have very little inducement to take ___ & veneration If I go to the land in determined to strain every nerve to exchange this  _____ detestable mode of a life for one productive of some comfort & peace till then I have little hopes of enjoying your society as I ought, and as I wish write me.  Dear Sally by this or the first eligible conveyance.  Love to all the good family & believe me your constant & affectionate.  [signed] BW
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Wells, Benj.
Conn. N6435
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To Benjamin Welles Gentleman Greeting
     By virtue of the authority vested in me by his Excellency Jonathan Trumbull Esq. Governor of the State of Connecticut, I do by these pennants, exposing special confidence in your fidelity shall and good conduct constitute and appoint you the said Benjamin Welles to be Surgeon's Mate of the Regiment under my command, and I do hereby authorize, and impower you, to exercise your said office in a due discharge of the duties thereof which you are carefully and diligently to attend as a Surgeon's Mate aforesaid, according to the title reposed in you, for which this is your sufficient Warrant.

Given under my hand and sealed with my Seal this 1st day of January Anno Domino 1704.  [signed] John Mead, Lt. Col Coindt(?)