Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 35954, James Trench, S.C.

Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE | NUMBER
S.C. | Trench, James | S. 35954

CONTENTS

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[Two panels]
[Left panel]

[Written vertically left margin]

Admitted under act 1 May 1820.  Notification sent 27 July 1820, 
John Fisk Middletown, Cont.

[Right panel]

553 [encircled]
✓
Connecticut Roll

✓
James Trench 
Capt Herring 
Sergeant  4
South Carolina Line 
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut 
at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on 
the 24th. of March 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 15th. of May 1818
and sent to Hon. S. T. Hosmer, Esqr. 
Middletown, Con.

Arrearages to 4th. Septr. 1818
5 months 8/31 & 4/30 $43.12

Dead
{ Revolutionary claims, }
{ Act 18th March, 1818, }

Three years to 78

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I James Trench of Middletown, County of Middlesex, 
and State of Connecticut do testify; that I served 
in the war of the Revolution three years on the Continental establishment. That I enlisted for three 
years at Savannah in the Company commanded by Capt. 
Edmond Herring, in the first Regiment of South Carolina 
commanded by Charles Cotesworth Pinkney Esqr, in the 
South Carolina line, as I believe that I served in 
said Company as orderly Sergeant, from the year 
one thousand seven hundred & seventy five 
untill [until] the fourth day of July one thousand seven 
hundred and seventy eight, when the time for 
which I enlisted having expired.  I was duly 
discharged from service by Brigadier General William Moultrie; and as I am at a distance from
any person who was in service with me, 
I have delivered my discharge to the Judge 
taking this Deposition, that it may be 
transmitted for examination to the Secretary at 
War.

I further testify that I am blind, infirm, & wholly without property, and that, by reason of my reduced circumstances in life, I am 
in need of assistance from my country for 
support, & pray that I may obtain the provision made 
by the late act of Congress for Revolutionary soldiers.
Middletown March 24th 1818
James Trench

A.
State of Connecticut, County of Middlesex
Ss. Middletown March 24th. 1818, Personally came 
James Trench of sd. Middletown signer of

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the preceding Deposition, before me Stephen 
Titus Hosmer, a Judge of the Superior Court 
for the State of Connecticut & made 
& swore oath to the truth thereof.
S Titus Hosmer

[Written vertically right margin]
Suspended for 
S.C. Rolls 

I William Trench of Middletown, County of Middle
sex, & State of Connecticut do testify; That James 
Trench of said Middletown the signer of the foregoing Deposition is my father; 
that he is blind, infirm & wholly destitute of 
property, further saith not.
Middletown March 24th. 1818 William Trench

B.
State of Connecticut, Middlesex County,
Ss. Middletown March 24th. 1818, Personally 
came William Trench of sd. Middletown 
signer of the preceding Deposition, and 
made solemn oath to the truth thereof 
before S Titus Hosmer a Judge of the 
Superior Court for the State of Connecticut.

C.
I Stephen Titus Hosmer a Judge of the 
Superior Court for the State of Connecticut 
do certify that, it appearing to my satisfaction 
that James Trench the signer of the

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first Deposition above, served in the revolution
ary war against the common enemy, as in said 
Deposition he has testified; I, therefore, trans
met the preceding testimony.
S. Titus Hosmer
Connecticut S Court March 24th.1818

To the Honorable the Secretary for the 
[struck out: War] Department of War

I John Fisk Clerk of 
the Superior Court for the 
[Blurred seal of Court] State of Connecticut, do certify; That the 
Honorable Stephen Titus Hosmer of Mid
dletown in the State aforesaid, is one 
of the Judges of the said Court, and that 
his name subscribed to the preceeding [preceding] Certifi
cates marked A. B. C. is his proper hand 
writing and signature.
In testimony whereof I have 
hereto set my hand and affixed the 
seal of the said Court at Middletown a
foresaid on this 16th. day of April 1818.
Jno. Fisk Clerk

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125

Jas. Trench
Middletown 
spd 15 May 1818

James Trench's name 
does not appear on the 
Connecticut roll of pension
ers.  He had better trans
mit his certificate to this 
office in order to explain 
the [illegible]stance of his 
[remainder illegible]

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State and District of Connecticut, ss.

On this 22d day of June 1820 personally appeared 
in open Court, before the adjd County Court holden at Middletown 
within and for the County of Middlesex in said State, on the 
20th day of June 1820, the same being a court of record, proceeding ac
cording to the course of common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of 
its proceedings, and having power of fine and imprisonment, James Trench 
aged seventy seven years, resident in the town of Middletown in said 
State, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he 
served in the revolu
tionary war, as follows:  That he the said James Trench enlisted for the term 
of three years sometime [word struck out] in the Spring [struck out: day] of 
[struck out: in] the year 1775 in Savannah in the State of Georgia 
in the company commanded by Captain Edmond Heron in the regiment com
manded by Colonel Christopher Gadsden in the line of the State of South 
Carolina on the continental establishment: That he continued to serve in the said 
corps until sometime in the Summer of 1776 when he was discharged 
from the said service in Charleston in the State of South Carolina as by 
his discharge now in the War office will more fully [illegible] 
That he made a declaration to obtain a pension under the law of the 18th of March 1818, 
as nearly as he 
can recollect, having no minutes, on the 24'' day of March 1818; 
and had transmitted to him a Certificate for a pension from the Secretary for the 
Department of War, 
[struck out: No.] No number is to be found thereon

And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 
1818; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or 
any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of 
Congress, entitled, "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the 
United States in the Revolutionary War;" and that I have not, nor has any person, in trust for me, any 
property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained 
in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.

I do further solemnly swear, that I was in the battle of Fort Moultrie and 
in some [struck out: skirmihes] skirmishes.

That I am by occupation a glazier

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That the number of my family residing with me is none, [struck out: and their names 
and ages are as follows:]

That I am unable from old age & infirmities 
to pursue my occupation [struck out: and] or to labour [labor]
in any other way.  That I am almost 
totally blind and am troubled with 
painful sores on my feet.  That I board 
itinerant house and support myself 
entirely by my pension and that without 
it I must inevitably depend on charity
James his X mark Trench

Sworn to and declared on the 22d 
day of June 1820, before the Court of Common Pleas for Mx Cty
Jno. Fisk Clk of Md Cty

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SCHEDULE annexed to the Declaration and Oath above made and taken before 
the Court aforesaid.

I have no property real or personal
James his X mark Trench

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I John Fisk Clerk of 
the Court of Common Pleas for Mx. Co. aforesaid, 
do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath and Schedule annex
ed, are truly copied from the record of said Court.  And I do 
further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the 
total amount in value, of the property exhibited in the aforesaid 
Schedule is nothing
[struck out: dollars and cents.]
IN TESTIMONY whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on 
this 22d. day of June 1820
[Blurred seal of Court] Jno. Fisk Clerk of Sd Court

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July 13, 1936.

xxxxxxxxxx

Mr. Charles R. Hale | BA-J/ady
30 Oak Street | James Trench 
Hartford, Connecticut | S.35954

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter relative to James 
Trench, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data contained herein are obtained from the 
papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for 
pension, S.35954, based upon the military service of 
James Trench in that war.

James Trench was born in Boston, New England, date, 
and the names of his parents not shown.

James Trench enlisted in Savannah, Georgia, in 
the spring of 1775, served as orderly sergeant in Captain 
Edmund Hyrne's Company, Colonels Christopher Gadsden and 
Charles Coteworth Pinckney's South Carolina Regiments, 
was in the battle of Fort Moultrie and some skirmishes 
and discharged July 10, 1778.  He was then aged thirty four 
years.

He was allowed pension on his application executed 
March 24, 1818, while a resident of Middletown, Middlesex 
County, Connecticut.

In 1818 his son, William Tench, was a resident of 
Middletown, Connecticut, his age not given. There are no 
further family data.

Soldier died June 26, 1822, place not stated.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of 
pension, the name of person paid and soldier's last 
address, you should apply to the Records Division, General 
Accounting Office, Washington, D. C., and cite the follow
ing data:

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"James Trench, Certificate No. 553, issued May 15, 1818, 
rate $8.00 per month, commenced March 24, 1818, Act of 
March 18, 1818, Connecticut Agency".

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator

Page 13

May 17, 1935.

xxxxxxxxxxx

Miss Grace A. Smith | BA-J/ady
209 East Grant Avenue | James Trench 
New Haven, Connecticut | S.35954

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter relative to James 
Trench, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data contained herein are obtained from the 
papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for 
pension, S.35954, based upon the military service of 
James Trench in that war.

James Trench was born in Boston, New England, date, 
and the names of his parents not shown.

James Trench enlisted in Savannah, Georgia, in 
the spring of 1775, served as orderly sergeant in Captain 
Edmund Hyrne's Company, Colonels Christopher Gadsden and 
Charles Coteworth Pinckney's South Carolina Regiments, 
was in the battle of Fort Moultrie and some skirmishes 
and discharged July 10, 1778.  He was then aged thirty four 
years.

He was allowed pension on his application executed 
March 24, 1818 while a resident of Middletown, Middlesex 
County, Connecticut.

In 1818 his son, William Tench, was a resident of 
Middletown, Connecticut, his age not given. There are no 
further family data.

Soldier died June 26, 1822, place not stated.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of 
pension, the name of person paid and soldier's last 
address, you should apply to the Records Division, General 
Accounting Office, Washington, D. C., and cite the follow
ing data:

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"James Trench, Certificate No. 553, issued May 15, 
1818,  rate $8.00 per month, commenced March 24, 1818, 
Act of  March 18, 1818, Connecticut Agency".  

Very truly yours  

A. D. HILLER  Executive Assistant to the Administrator

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[Form has been torn along the left margin and not all the text is available for transcribing]

y to your request of ___, received ___ 
oment of the military history of James Trench, 
r of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired 
mation as contained in his ( [struck out: or his widow's]) application for pen
on on file in this Bureau.  S. 35,954
==================================================================
DATES OF | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. |
ENLISTMENT OR | LENGTH OF | _____________________________ |
APPOINTMENT. | SERVICE. | RANK. | CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.
_____________________________________________________________
During 1775 to July 10, 1778 | Orderly | Edmund [struck out: Herring] Hyrne | {Christopher Gadsden | S.C.
discharged at Charleston S.C. | Sergeant | {Charles C. Pinckney

Battles engaged in, Fort Moultrie

Residence of soldier at enlistment, ✓ Enlisted at Savannah, Georgia.

Date of application for pension, Mch, 24, 1818.  His claim was allowed.

Residence at date of application, Middletown, Conn.

Age at date of [struck out: application] discharge, 34 yrs. in 1778, born at Boston, New England.

Remarks:
died June 26, 1822, Agency book.

[Note at bottom of form]
Occupation "glazier"
1818 son William 

Respectfully,

Commissioner.

6-285G

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[illegible image]

HEADQUARTERS COMMANDERY-IN-CHIEF 
SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR

CHARLES R. HALE, CHAIRMAN 
COMMITTEE ON MARKING GRAVES
30 OAK STREET
HARTFORD, CONN.

June 19, 1936
[Circular time and date received stamp
Arrow pointing to 3
RECEIVED 
JUN 22 1936
MAIL SUB.-DIV.
VETS. ADMIN
READER #74

Chief Clerk 
Pension Department 
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

Please send me Revolutionary War record of 
James Trench [handwritten notes: Ok ADY] who enlisted in Savannah, Georgia 
1775, he served as Orderly Sergeant in Captain 
Edmund Hyrne's Company, South Carolina Regiment. 
We need this record in order to get him a Con
necticut headstone.

Yours very truly,

Chas. R. Hale  

CRH:MB

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209 EAST GRAND AVENUE
NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT

May 1, 1936
5

United States Pension Bureau 
Washington, D.C.
[Circular time and date stamp]
Arrow pointing to 2:30
REC'D
MAY 2 1935
MAIL SUB.-DIV.
VETS. ADM.
READER #25

Gentlemen:

Will you tell me the 
last address to which a 
Revolutionary War pension 
was sent to James Trench, 
a sergeant?  I believe that 
he is my great great grand 
father. An Elizabeth Trench,
wife of James was buried in 
our family lot in Middletown, 
Connecticut in 1813.

The Revolutionary War 
records for Connecticut in the

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209 EAST GRAND AVENUE
NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT

New Haven Library would lead me 
to believe that James Trench was 
in South Carolina at the time of 
his enlistment or at the time he 
received the pension in 1818.

Will you give me, in ad
dition to his last address, any 
other information that you have, 
especially-place of birth, names 
of parents, name of wife and 
children, age and place of death.

Very sincerely,

Grace A. Smith 

[Circular time and date stamp] 
Arrow pointing to 2:30 
REC'D MAY 2 1935 
MAIL SUB.-DIV. 
VETS. ADM. 
READER #25

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[Two panels]
[Left panel]

34954
INVALID.
Revy

File No. 35,954
James Trench 
Serg Rev War

Act: 18" March 18"

Index:--Vol. 2, Page 145

[ Arrangement of 1870. ]

[Right panel]

1916 No. 21. Hist. to Mrs. R. B. 
Hartman ¢
_____
1935 May 17. Hist to Grace A. 
Smith. ADY.
_____
1936 July 13. Hist. to Charles 
R. Hale A.D.Y.
______

Page 20

Hartman
[Circular mail receipt scam]
PENSION 
O
NOV
U. 6 S.
1916
OFFICE.

Page 21

Rev 
Files

Revolutionary War Records 
Section - Department of the 
Interior - Bureau of Pensions.

Dear Sirs-

I have been given this 
statement 

James Trench-Born 1744
Boston, a painter by trade, 
blind in his old age, served 
in the Navy during the War 
of the Revolution, was pensioned 
by the government till his
death.  Lived in Middletown 
Conn. where he owned a 
small farm called Trench Hill.

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[Left part of page torn text not available]

your records confirm 

Have you additional in
tion?

Very truly yours

Clara L. Hartman

(Mrs. R. B.)
4001- Highland Blvd.
Milwaukee-Wis.
Nov 2/16

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Discharge 

by the Honorable Brigadier General William Moultrie

Thus are to Certify that the Barer hereof James Trench has served
in the first Regiment of So. Carolina on the Continental Establis
hment Commissioned by Colonel Charles Cotesworth Pinckey for the space 
of Three years and is Discharged there from and think he has received 
his pay Clothing of all Sorts and all other just possession from the 
said Regiment from the Time of his Inlisting and In the Same to 
this day of his Discharge----
And to prevent aney ill use that may be made of this Discharge 
by its Taking into the hands of any other person here 
of the [illegible] a Discription of the Said James Trench aged thirty 
four years, five feet ten inches high Brown Complection 
Brown hair Dark Eyes Born in Boston New England 
by Trade a Painter.
Given under my hand at Headquarters Charles
ton So. Carolina this Tenth Day of July in the year of our Lord 
one thousand seven hundred and Seventy Eight.

William Moultrie
Brigr. General