Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,292, John Welch, N. H.

SERVICE
NUMBER
916
Welch, John, or Welsh Mary
TR 11.292
CONTENTS

N. 76 | 7312
Declaration
of Mary Welch
widow of John
Set 7 July 1838
m 80.
Resident Wicwasic
✓
Hn. Ira A. Eastman
HR
Resident Wicwasic

Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th July 1830 entitled an Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Wid- ows -
State of New Hampshire The foregoing being the 18 th day of Sept- ember 1839 - Personally appeared before the Hon ble Warren Lovell Judge of Probate of the said County of Strafford Mary Welch a resident of Barnstead the 1 st and County of Hillsdale aged eighty one who being first duly sworn according to law clothed her oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision - made by the Act of Congress passed July 7 th 1830 entitled "An Act grant- ing half pay and pensions to certain Widows" That she is the Widow of John Welch late of Barnstead deceased who was a private in the war of the Revolution - That she has been informed by her said Husband that he was at the Great Island at the fort in Portsmouth and was at Charlestown Bunker Hill and that he was out in the said war at other times which she cannot recollect neither can she recollect the officers at any time he was under if he ever mentioned them to me, But as the records of our Revolution from this State are in the

War or pension Departments I must and would particularly and very Respectfully refer the War or Pension Depart- ment to a full and thorough examination of the Revolutionary records of New Hampshire for the particular acts and services of my late Husband John Welch in the Revolution aforesaid as well also to evidence which is hereafter to be obtained from Durham in said County and elsewhere that I have no documentary evidence whatever and I must depend upon the records of New H- ampshire and testimony of friends knowing to his services to establish my Claim -
She further declares that she was married to the said John Welch on the 27 th of November 1780 and that her said Husband the aforesaid John Welch died on the 11 th day of May 1815 according to my best recollection at Bar- re in said County that at the time the said John Welch and myself were united we both resided in Durham in the said County of Strafford - That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January 1794 (Nor at the time above stated -
her Mary X Welch Mark
Witness
Walter Lovell
B B Rodgdon

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above Written in Open Court Before me Warren Lovell, Judge of Probate
State of New Hampshire Strafford ss. I. Winthrop A. Mauston, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County aforesaid hereby certify that the above named Warren Lovell is Judge of said Court and that the above signature, purporting to be his, is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the sign seal of said Court of Probate on this eighth day of July Anno Domini 1840.
W.A. Mauston, Register of Probate

Power of Attorney for the case of Mary West to O. S. Paine —

Know All Men by these Presents, That I, Jonathan Welch of Barnstead in the County of Belknap and State of New Hampshire, son of Mary Welch, Widow of John Welch, a Revolutionary Soldier late of said Barnstead deceased, having Power of Attorney to act for and in behalf of said Wid. Mary Welch, deceased, do hereby constitute and appoint Orris S. Paine of Washington, D. C. my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to receive from the Agent of the United States for paying pensions in the State of New Hampshire the pension belonging to the heirs of the said Mary Welch.
Witness my hand and seal this fourth day of August A.D. 1853—
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Richard Garland Mary S. Garland
Jonathan Welch
Belknap Co. ss. Be it known, that on the 4th day of August A.D. 1853— before me Richard Garland, Esquire a Justice of the Peace in the County of said, personally appeared Jonathan Welch above named and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 4th day of August A.D. 1853— Richard Garland, Justice of the Peace

Durham Novem r Twenty seventh seventeen hundred and eighty, were lawfully married Mr John Welsh and Miss Mary Small both of this town.
Attest Curtis Cooe, Gospel minister
I Samuel Burnham hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the Record in fair legible figures as follows - "Novem r 27 th 1780" - I also depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in said Durham and that the above is a true extract from the Third Book of Records "for births, marriages &c" of said Town with the ex- ception above named. Samuel Burnham (Town Clerk)
State of New Hampshire
Stafford 3 d December 26 th . 1839. Personally appearing, the above named Samuel Burnham made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate and affidavit by him subscribed - Before me,
J. A. Rubenelson, Jus. Peace

State of New Hampshire - Strafford County ss.
I Francis Cogswell Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for said County hereby certify that John S. Richardson is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly com- missioned and qualified that his Commission bears date the 21 st day of June 1839 and will expire the 20 th day of June 1844 and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and have no doubt the within signature purporting to be his is genuine -
Given under my hand and Seal of said Court this 27 th December 1839 -
F Cogswell, Clerk.

N o 7212.
Mary Welch and, John -
N. Hampshire.
J. A. Eastman 15 th July 1824.
Hon. M. Norris Jr. Sept. 5 th 1824.
H. H. Sylvester. Sept. 11 th 1825.
Hon. M. Norris. Aug. 15 th 1826.
Davis Murray Jan. 21 st . 1851.
H. H. Sylvester Nov. 20 th 1851.
H. H. Sylvester Mar. 24 th 1852.
M. & G. N. Eastman 6 th Aug. 1853.
11292
Act. 7 th July 1838.

11292
P. O. Mary Welch Service: _____
Enlisted: _____ REJECTED _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Wages: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Orders made out by the President Chairman of the Committee of Safety for the Balance due for defrayment to the Army agreeable to an of the General Court passed 16 March 1780
June 7 John With £ 23.7.9
$58.37-
1 yr. 5 mos. 15 days. various. State of New Hampshire Office of Secretary of State Sept 19- 1839
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true extract from the original now in this office. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said State.
Jeremiah D. Dyer Secy of State

Farmington N. H. May 19 th / 53
Sir,
We have recd. yours of 14 th inst, in answer to ours of December 13 th 1852, in relation to the case John Welch's heirs, virtually rejecting the application "on the ground that the five years rule" of limitation was an effectual Bar and further you say "if this rule did not exist, the proof is insufficient to justify the admission of the claim."
In this case we claim the right of a further hearing on the ground that the decision there, is not correct. We deny that there exists any five years rule applicable to this case. One of us has had more or less to do at the Pension office, monthly, for almost forty years, and this is the first time that he has heard of any rule of five years limitation in a case like this —but on the contrary he understands that widows, who lived till after July 4, 1836 as well as widows of Revolutionary Soldiers, who lived till after 1838, if married before 1800, are all entitled a pension; if however, the widow in any case died without drawing the money which was her due, the heirs at law have a right to draw it. On this ground have millions been drawn. It is not two months since a man in our vicinity drew a large sum, under the following facts—his

father was an officer in the Revolutionary war— was married before he left the service, died before 1820, leaving his widow, who lived until 1837, but then died, she never having applied for a Pension and of course never recd. any—Wherein does that case differ from this? John Welch—or John Welch Jr. as he is sometimes called—was as we say a Revolution- ary Soldier—was married before 1800, died in the year of 1819, leaving a widow, who, never having drawn a Pension, died December 12 1851 leav- ing children who make the present application. We appeal, where is the difference in these two cases? There is, however, an objection on the sufficiency of the evidence filed in the case. This we can't meet until we know something about the insuffi- ciency—If the soldier's name is on the Roll of his Company & Regt. and nothing unfavorable thereon, we suppose there is proof of the service—if there is any deficiency of proof of marriage—the death of the parties, or their heirship of the applicants, satis- factory evidence can be furnished on these points we have no doubt.
In should have short we have confidence in the justness of this claim and hope yet for a favor- able issue to this application.
Respectfully yours,
N. G. N. Eastman

N o 7212.
N.H. / act 1838 - 7212
Mary Welch - widow of John - Let to Hon
J. A. Eastman 15 July '40
let to Hon. M. Norris, Sept 5 '44.
let to the Hon. Sylvester L. Hill 11 '45
" to Hon. M. Norris Aug 15 '46
Letter to David Murray new market N 14. Jan 21/50
H. H. Sylvester Mar 20/51
let same Mar 24/52
Act 1 July 0

Washington Dec 12 1851
Sir
In the case of Mary Welch, I am fully satisfied of the justice of the claim, and the more so from the opinion of the Hon Mr Norris, who has employed us, and who is acquainted with the parties in interest.
There was no other Mr Welch of Durham during the revolution; and that he entered the service early and continued in it for a length of time or for several terms, there can be no doubt. His widow most certainly knew from him in most of his early life as most women do of their husband's affairs; and the facts so far as they can be obtained corroborate her statement.
Altho' there are no rolls, yet the facts appear that Capt Alpheus Charles commanded a company in the winter of 1775 & 76 as mentioned by the widow; see Mem o enclosed.
Under all the circumstances, I am instructed to accept a pension for nine months, which the Office I think will feel justified in allowing; for I believe Charles's Company served nearly that time.
I am Respectfully for Robert H. Lybrand
H. H. Lybrand
9th Dec 1851

Farmington N. H. Dec. 13 th 1852
Sir,
Application has been made to us by one of the heirs of John Welch Jr. formerly of Barnstead in this state, who is said to have been a Revolutionary soldier, to ascertain the state of the matter connected therewith in the Department—
It is understood that said Welch was a private in the N. H. line, then of Durham in the state—that he died, probably in 1818- or 19, leaving a widow whose name was Mary—that she applied for a Pension as Welch's widow some four or five years ago, and it is not known by this  heir whether his mother was or not placed on the list, but he supposes she was not. This however, he wants to know for a certainty. Or if there has lately been any movement in her name or in any other's name for her, or for his heirs.
When we ascertain, as we hope to soon from the office what the state of the case is, you will probably, be furnished with the papers proper in this case—
Respectfully yours
N. & G. N. Eastman

Pittsfield N.H. Sept. 3. 1844
Dear Sir
Mrs. Mary Welch widow of John Welch, Jr of Barnstead N.H. says she made an application for a pension for the Revolutionary services of her said husband some 4 or 5 yrs ago - Col Pearson Cogswell was her agent for procuring the pension - She says that some 3 or 4 years ago Cogswell wrote to her that all the the evidence that was lacking was to establish the fact that she was the widow of said John Welch Jr - and that she procured said evidence & forwarded it to said Cogswell at Washington, but that she has since heard nothing from him - Will you be kind enough to inform me what is wanting to make out her claim
Yours &c.
Moses Norris Jr -
J. L. Edwards Esq } Comm y of Pensions }

Pension Office July 9. 1844
Sir,
Before the enquiry contained in your letter of the 1 st inst. can be answered, the date of the death of Mrs Betsy Kenny must be made known
I have the honor to be Very respectfully, Your Obedient J G Edwards
Mrs Betsy Kenny died Nov. 24 th 1841— M Morris Jr
Hon M. Norris Jr. Pittsfield N. Hampshire

Washington Aug 11, 1846
Hon S. S. Edwards Commr Pensions
Enclosed I transcribe further evidence in the case of Mary Welch of Dansteed N. H. for a pension. The evidence was taken by me before the commencement of the session but was lost so that it did come to hand in season for me to see you. I have not a shadow of a doubt that her claim is just. Will you have the goodness to examine the case as soon as you conveniently can & inform me of the result at Pillsbury N.H.
Her claim has been a long time before the Department and delayed for want of proper sufficient proof. She is old, poor, & lacks friends, and her claim has therefore been neglected.
I have the honor to be
very respectfully
Yours
M. Morris, Jr.

Mary Welch
W.H.
M c Cole
March 18 1857.
E 2 13
H Hylake
March 27-57

Col. Sylvester, Hon. Mr. Norris of the Senate, desired me on the day of his departure from the City, to ask you to see to the case of Mary Welch of Barnstead N. H. whose application for a pension is now in the Pension Office.
J. P. French
Mar. 5. 1857

Washington City June 3 1851
Sir
At the request of the Hon. Moses Norris U. S. S. from N.H., we beg leave to call your attention to the suspended claim of Mary Welch under the Act of July 4 1836.
On an examination of the papers, we find but one objection, which is a question of identity. The husband Mr. Welch died before any pension law came passed, but had served in the war of the revolution as the widow alleges prior to her marriage: (a) she produces record proof of service by the payrolls of depreciation of £23.7.9 on the 16th March 1780. The Officer has said that the Mr. Welch who is "depreciated", was not the same who was the husband of the claimant, (b) calls for proof of identity: (c) in accordance with that requisition, has furnished all the proof in her power, in addition to her oath, which is the affidavit of Mr. Clark who declares that he knew both Mr. & Mary Welch of Durham N.H. when the former died in 1815. This witness is certified to be credible, (d) brings the case clearly within the rules adopted by the Depart. for the execution of the law of June 7 & July 4th. We will accept by way of compromise, 6 mo's. service.
We are Respectfully
French & Sylvester
J. E. Heath Esq.

Brief case Mary Welch wid John N. H. Mary Welch ( 22 nd May 1845 ) (18 th Sept. 1839, aged 81 yrs.) de- -clares she is widow of John Welch late of Barnstead a private in Rev. War. Has been informed by John he was at Great Island at the fort in Portsmouth & at Charlstown, Bunker Hill and he was out at other times, does not recollect names of officers - has no documentary evidence. Married to John 27 th Nov. 1780 - John died 11 th May 1815 - when married they resided in Durham. Married after last period unknown but before 1794.
(22 nd May 1845), declares they were born & cont. to reside in Durham, except that portion of the time v d John was in the army, till 1794 then removed to Barnstead where she now re- -sides. Believes John first served as a Sgt. under Capt. Alpheus Chesley, in fall or winter of 1775. John Clark (19 th Nov. 1845), aged 81 yrs. Was born in Dur- -ham - removed from Durham to Barnstead 75 yrs ago last Feb. lived there ever since. Was well acquainted with John his father of Mary; first acquainted when Dept was 17 or 18 yrs old. They came on a visit to her sister Pitman - removed from Dur.

page 2.
ham to Barnstead forty or 50 yrs ago. John repre- sents a Rev. F. Solon.
John Clk: Durham (26 th Decr: 1829,) Certifies to marriage of of John & Mary 27 th Nov r : 1780. - Records in his office.
Vice: State N.H. Certifies to records of Orders of Committee of Safety papers 16 th March 1780 - & its appearance of the sum John Welch was paid £ 23. 7. 9.
Extract Committee Safety N.H. - Decr: 3. 1775 - ordering exami- nation Capt. Alphons Charles pay roll.
Brief case Mary Welch Mrs. John N.H. Act 1828.

Extract from the Committee of Safety's minutes of New Hampshire.
Dec 3. 75
Ordered to examine Capt Alpheus Chesley's payroll, @ pay £34. 9. 5
Dec 7. 75.
Wrote Genl Folsom to deliver the guns at Esopus River to Capt Alpheus , Chesley , taking his receipt for the same
Proc. Am. Arch. Vol. 4. page 8.—

House Representatives July 13, 1840.
Sir, Enclosed I forward your examination the papers of Mary Welch for a pension - Should she be entitled to a Certificate please send same to me - Respectfully You R. H. Servt, J. L. Edwards Eng
Genl. Eastman

Vol 4 p 8 1487
Army
Pension Office Nov 20 1851.
Sir.
In answer to your letter of June 3 rd 1851 respecting the claim of Mary Welsh I have to state that Jonathan Clark, on whose testimony you rely to establish the identity of John Welsh, the husband of the Claimant, as the John Welsh to whom the depreciation certificate for L2B. 7. 9 d was issued, merely alleges that he had "always heard it reported that the said John Welsh was a soldier of the revolution and I have never doubted heard it questioned that he served as a soldier in that war". This and the portion of her supplemental declaration in which the Claimant says that she "believes that her said husband first served as a Sergeant under Captain Alpheus Chesley at Seavys Island (so called) in the fall and winter of 1775." are the only semblances of testimony to show identity and certainly you will admit they are unsatisfactory. Without further proof on this head the claim cannot be allowed.
Respectfully A. O. B. Sen d J. H. Heath Com r of Pensions
H. H. Sylvester Esq. Washington

State of New Hampshire
County of Merrimack ss. On this twenty second day of May, A.D. 1845 personally appeared Mary Welch of Barnstead in the County of Belknap (formerly a part of the County of Strafford) in the State of New Hampshire before me Moses Norris a Justice of the Peace within and for said county of Merrimack and on oath made the following statement in addition to her declaration now on file in the Department of War for the purpose of obtaining a pension— That she the said Mary Welch was born in the town of Durham in the County of Strafford aforesaid and that her late husband, John Welch deceased was also born in said Durham where she and the said John Welch continued to reside until they were married and where they continued to reside except that portion of the time the said John Welch was in the Army till the year A.D. 1794 as near as she can recollect. When she and her said husband removed to Barnstead aforesaid, at which latter place she continued to reside with her said husband till his death and where she has ever since resided. That there was no other person, to her knowledge or recollection of the name of John Welch residing in said Durham between 1770 and 1794. That believes her said husband first served as a sergeant under Captain Stephen Chesley at Seavoy's Island (so called) in the fall or winter of 1775—
Attest Joseph Walker
Mary X Welch mark
Subscribed to before me Moses Norris Justice of the Peace and Member of H. Reps from New Hampshire

I Jonathan Clark of Barnstead in the county of Belknap & State of New Hampshire aged eighty one years depose & say that I was born in that part of Durham, which now constitutes the town of Lee in the county of Strafford in said State - That I removed from said Dur- ham to Barnstead about seventy one years ago last February and have resided in said Barnstead ever since - That I was well ac- quainted with John Welch formerly of said Durham and late of said Barnstead deceased, the husband of Mary Welch now of said Barnstead widow - That the first acquaintance I now recollect of having with the said John Welch and his wife Mary was when I was about sixteen or seventeen years of age, said John and Mary came from Durham to said Barnstead on a visit to her sister Pittman, who is now dead - Said John Welch and his said wife Mary removed from said Durham to said Barnstead some forty or fifty years ago on to a lot of land adjoining that upon which I live where they continued to reside till said John's death and the said Mary Welch his widow still resides upon the same land upon which they first moved - I know of no other Mary Welch in said Barnstead except the above named Mary Welch who is the widow of John Welch aforesaid - I have always heard it reported that the said John Welch was a soldier of the Revolution, and I have never heard it questioned that he served as a soldier in that war -
Jonathan Clark

State of New Hampshire
County of Merrimack ss. On the nineteenth day of November A. D. 1845 - personally appeared the said Jonathan Clark who subscribed the foregoing affidavit and made oath that the same is true -
Before me
Morris Norris Jus. Peace
I hereby certify that Jonathan Clark who subscribed and made oath to the foregoing affidavit is a person entitled in my belief from the long acquaintance I have had with him, to full credit -
Morris Norris Jus Peace
AD member of H. Reps. from N. Hampshire

Newmarket N.H. Oct 30. 1850.
Sir:
Mrs Mary Welch, widow of John Welch Jr. informs me that she asserted a claim to a pension under the Act of July 7. 1838. for Revolutionary Services rendered by said husband; That, as she supposes, through the neglect & inattention of her agents her claim has not been established, and  was and that she wishes me to assist her in her case.
Will you, therefore, if consistent with the rules of the Department, please inform me the present state of her claim & enable me to assist her in establishing it provided that she be justly entitled.
She is very poor and needy, and would receive great relief from a trifle.
I am very respectfully, Your Obt Servt David Murray
James L. Edwards, Esqr Commr of Pensions Washington D.C.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Welch, John GRADE Private LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 8023 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED July 7, 1790 Too not shown
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.