Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 18,894, Nathaniel Welch, Va.

SERVICE
Va.
Welch Nathaniel
NUMBER
R 18894
Va. half pay
CONTENTS
N.A. Acc. No. 874 See 050 187 Half Pay Nathaniel Welch

(126) To the Legislature of Virginia -
The Petition of Oliver Welch, Nathaniel J Welch and Ariel Mallory in right of his wife Melinda formerly Melinda Welch, beg leave respectfully to represent to your honorable body, that their father Nathaniel Welch died in the year 1815 leaving three children who are your Petitioners, that the said Nathaniel Welch embarked in the war of the Revolution in the 2 nd Virginia State Regiment, that he continued in active service, until 1779 when the Legislature passed an act promising to pay all of the officers belonging to the state line who should become supernumerary half pay for life, upon condition that they should hold their commissions and should join the standard of their country when called on - Your petitioners further represent that their father the said Nathaniel Welch was a captain of the infantry of the line, that he continued with the army until the end of the war, after being made supernumerary and rendered essential and efficient services to his country but in his life time he never received, nor has his legal heirs since his death received an adequate remuneration for his services - The liberal and disinterest patriotism manifested by your Legislation for several preceding sessions in rewarding the war worn soldiers of the Revolution and of granting to the heirs of those who united in the same glorious struggle, has induced your petitioners to ask a similar measure of justice in awarding to them the commutation pay, to which their deceased fathers were here living would be entitled. Your Petitioners respectfully call the attention of your honorable body, to the several

acts of Assembly, giving commutation pay to the heirs of Russell, Armistead, Carter &c to the officers, who are now a living and have received their commutation pay, Nicholas, Ewell, Broadus, Rucker &c These were the companions in arms of the father of your petitioners, they enlisted in the same service, continued in service the same period of time, their claims are perfectly identified upon the justice and gratitude of their country - they devoted the prime of their lives and their fortunes in breasting the storm of Revolution and achieving that independence we now enjoy: being thus united in the common struggle for independence they should not be separated in receiving from their country that reward to which your petitioners are equally and justly entitled. They cannot believe that the liberal and enlightened Legislature of their native state will permit their equitable claim to pass unpaid, when others standing upon no better ground have had their claims promptly liquidated without difficulty. They refer your honourable body to the evidence herewith exhibited and pray that a law may pass allowing them five years full pay in lieu of half pay for life, to which their deceased father would have been justly entitled. And your petitioners will ever pray &c
Oliver Welch Nathl Welch Ariel Mallory.
Auditors Office Dec: 6. 1826. It appears by a list of the officers of the state line in the Revolutionary army who received certificates for the balance of their full pay under

the act of 1781 that Nathaniel Welch was enrolled as a Captain of Infantry and received his certificate on the 26 May 1783 — It does not appear by any thing in this office that Capt Welch ever received half pay or commutation — His claim cannot however be allowed without a special act of Assembly — J. E. Heath Aud.
To Nathaniel Welch Gentleman.
You are forthwith to proceed to enlist your quota of able bodied men, in order to entitle you to a first Lieutenant. Every soldier you enlist shall take the following oath before a Magistrate viz. "I, A. B. do swear that I will be faithful and true to the Commonwealth of Virginia". The soldiers are to subscribe to be conformable to the rules and discipline of war agreeable to an act of Assembly "For making a farther provision for the internal security and defence of this Country," and to serve for three years from the first day of March next.
You are to engage on behalf of the Commonwealth, that a blanket, pair of leggins, and hunting shirt, be provided for each soldier annually, or in lieu thereof ten dollars; and that in case any soldier be disabled in the service, he shall be maintained at the public expense during life; and in case any soldier be slain leaving a family, such family shall be maintained by the publick. You are to communicate your success in the enlistments from time to time to the Council Board.
From a great scarcity of woollens, it is essentially necessary for the good of the service that your recruits be

(129) 42 furnished with a blanket each; and it is expected, from your zeal for the publick good, that you exert yourself to procure this article in a particular manner. Every soldier furnishing a good rifle or firelock, to be approved by two officers to be hereafter appointed for that purpose, shall be paid for the same, or receive an annual allowance of twenty shillings while such rifle or firelock shall be in the publick service.
J. Henry Jr
Lieut. Nathaniel Welch is promoted to the rank of captain from the 1 st day of May one thousand seven hun- dred and seventy nine. Given under my hand at Camp near Morristown the 8 th December 1779.
Chas Dabney Lt. Col.
I Churchill Gibbs of the County of Madison do hereby certify, that I became acquainted with Nathaniel Welch deceased in the Campaign of 1778 about the time of the battle at Monmouth at which time the said Welch was a subaltern officer in the second Virginia State Regiment first commanded by Col Smith and afterwards comman- ded by Col Williams Break. The said Welch served the two campaigns in 1778 and 1779 under General Wash- ington in the Continental Army and I think the said Welch was advanced to a Captain some time in 1779 The said Regiment returned to Virginia some time early in the year 1780 and some time in the month of May of 1780 I met the said Welch in Williamsburg and re- paired to Petersburg at which place an arrangement

(5) 130, of the officers took place when I believe the said Welch became a supernumerary and believe the said Welch so continued to the close of the war and further I always considered the 1 st and 2 nd Regiments as standing upon the same footing and that the said Welch is the same who died in Madison County Virginia a few years ago - Given under my hand this 4 th October 1826 -
Churchill Gibbs formerly a Lt. St. V. S. Regt commanded by Col. G. Gibson
• Madison County to wit
This day the within named Churchill Gibbs came before me a Magistrate of said County and made oath to the within certificate - Given under my hand this 4 th day of October 1826.
Rich d C. Boston
I Angus Rucker of the County of Madison do hereby certify that Nathaniel Welch deceased formerly of Orange was appointed an Officer in the Second Virginia State Regiment in the Revolutionary War commanded by Colonel Smith and that the said Welch marched with the said Regiment to the north and joined the Continental army commanded by Genl Washington, early in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight, and there continued in actual service in 1778 and 1779 and sometime early in the year 1780 the said Regiment by then commanded by Col d William Brent returned to Virginia and officers and soldiers had three months furlough and were directed to meet at Williamsburgh and afterwards changed to meet at Peter-

burg at which meeting an arrangement of the officers took place for the want of soldiers to command - I was there arranged a supernumerary and believe the said Welch was arranged a supernumerary, and believed the said Welch was arranged a supernumerary at the same time, and believe he so continued to the close of the war and considered the said Welch upon the same footing with myself and that the said Welch is the same who died in Madison County Virginia a few years ago - Given under my hand this 4 th October 1826 -
Angus Rucker Captain 1 st Va State Regiment
Madison County to wit
This day Angus Rucker (the within named) came before me a Magistrate of said County and made oath to the within certificate - Given under my hand this 4 th day of October 1826 -
Rich d C. Booton
I do hereby certify that Nathaniel Welch was a captain in the Second State Regt and that the said Regt went with the first State Regt to the North and joined the main Continental army in the Fall of the year 1777 - That each Regiment remained in the Continental service until the latter end of 1779. when each of the said Regiments returned to Virginia - That some time in the summer of 1780 the two Regts were consolidated and several of the officers retired as supernumeraries among whom Capt Welch was

(7) 132. one - and as well as I recollect remained as such till the close of the war - I well recollect that while in service Capt Welch was considered to a most excel- lent officer - Given under my hand at Harpers Ferry the 16 day of November 1826 - Will Broadus
Jefferson County To wit William Broadus made oath before me a justice of the peace for said County that the above certificate is true according to the best of his knowledge & belief - Given under my hand the day & year above written - Durrett Long J.P.
In the campaign in this state in 1781 it was very desirable to procure officers who were competent to train the militia then in service the late Major Nathaniel Welch of Madison County a supernumerary Capt in the Va State line proffered his services and obtained a command of a Battalion - he was considered as one of the most efficient officers in the discharge of the du- ties devolving on him - I believe he continued with the army till the capture at York Town - I always un- derstood that he retained his commission in the regular army to the close of the war - In confirmation of this understanding I further state that being a near neighbour of the late Nathaniel Welch and fre- quently in conversation with him on the operations of the army during the revolution he often complained

of not having rec d the compensation promised by the State other than his land warrants and I am confident if he had resigned his commission he would have communicated the fact to me -
W m Madison Madison County Va
Madison County towit:
This day Genl W m Madison made oath to the above statement before me - Given under my hand Nov r 22 nd 1826 -
W m Mallory
Virginia Richmond City } towit: } ss
I George W Munford Clerk of the House of Delegates & Keeper of the Rolls of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing are true copies of the petition of Oliver Welch & others heirs of Nathaniel Welch a soldier of the Revolution, and documents accompanying the same presented at the session of 1826-27. & filed in my office. Given under my hand this 27 th August 1832.
George W Munford C H D & Keeper of the Rolls of Virginia

Welsh Nat'l
2

NO
ACT OF FEBRUARY 14, 1871.
WAR OF 1812.
33 53
Nathaniel Welch
Capt
badine
Resolutions
Discharged _____, 18
605-3
REJECTED
N.Y. Pay _____ act '32
Received _____, 187
Attorney.

Reins of Nath l Welch
Petition & documents in support of commutation

Nath Welch Commissions of Pensions. March 21 st 1828
Reports in the case of Nathaniel Welch dec d

Pension Office, March 21. 1848.
Sir,
I return herewith the papers in the case of Nathaniel Welch, dec d . presented by the Hon. John S. Barbour, under the Act of the 5 th July 1832, the representatives of the deceased have already received half-pay for his service as a Captain in the Virginia State Troops.
A claim is now set up for half-pay as a Major. There is no proof satisfactory to me that he ever held such a commission in that line. If he did not, the representatives have no claim whatever. My letter to Hon. Barbour of the 8 th inst. contains my objections to the evidence exhibited. Upon a careful review of the case, I can discover no reason whatever for changing my opinion. My letter of the 8 th inst. is herewith enclosed.
I have the honor to be, Very Respect ly . Yr. obt t Serv t . J. L. Edwards
Hon. W. L. Mearcy, Sec y of War.

Pension Office February 16 th 1880.
I hereby certify that I have examined the case of the Executor of Nathaniel Welch, deceased, who claims commutation of five years full pay with interest to the present time under the act of 5 th July 1832, for services of the said Nathaniel Welch, deceased, as Captain and Brigade Quarter Master in the Virginia State line, during the war of the revolution, and I am satisfied from the evidence that the said Nathaniel Welch, deceased, was a Captain and Brigade Quarter Master in the Virginia State line during the war of the revolution, and continued in the service as Captain and Brigade Quarter Master until the close of the war, on the 22 d day of April 1865. I am therefore of opinion, that Nathaniel S. Welch, Executor of the said Nathaniel Welch deceased, is entitled to receive, under said act of 5 th July 1832, the sum of Three Thousand Six Hundred dollars, the full pay of a Captain and Brigade Quarter Master of the Virginia State line in the war of the revolution.

for the term of five years, with interest thereon from the 22 d day of April 1783 to the present time, from which amount sum is to be deducted the amount of any payment the sum of two thousand four hundred dollars paid to the Executor of said Nathaniel Welch by the State of Virginia under an act of the General As- sembly of that State passed January 6 th 1827, and the amount of any other payment or pay- ments heretofore made to the representatives of said Nathaniel Welch deceased, under said act of 5 th July 1832. Interest upon in- terest is not to be allowed. The amount is payable to the said Nathaniel J. Welch, Executor Administrator Administrator as aforesaid.
Computation Nath Welch Feb 16. 1830

Cam The Hon. W. L. Marcy. Secy of War
General 1832. See July 20/49 when Welch Rep. he opened for Ohio that the claim of Maj. J. B. Mansfield Wash. M. May 18/49. 22/49

Jan 22/49 Washn. Jan 18/49,
J. S. Barbour.
Asks that the claim of Maj. Welch's Rep. be opened for review.
1832. See Jan 20/49
Memor Office
Dec 4/49
Mr. d. Mearns.
The Bureau
Com

Sir.
Washington Jan'y 18 th 1849.
I presented the claim of Major Welch's representatives for half pay under the act of Cong: of July 5 th 1832. - The Commt of Pensions rejected the claim - In re-examining the papers with him, I found that the only surviving officers of the Regiment, referred to an official act of the Executive of Virginia in the year 1781, which would settle the contested point, if true - And I wished time to see whether any record could be found of that act in the public archives at Richmond.
For this purpose, I wished an opportunity to examine this record, & by a note in writing to the Chief Clerk of the War Dept. I requested that no action should be had in the case until I could ascertain this fact.
My engagements in the past summer & other circumstances, prevented my attending to it - In truth I forgot it until my attention was called to it since I received this place. The case has been decided without that evidence - And I respectfully ask that it be opened for review - Very Respectfully &c
The Honble The Secretary of War.
J. J. Barbour

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Welch, Patrick GRADE Private "in Moylan's Dragoons" LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 10634 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED May 10, 1791 to — 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.