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

SERVICE
S6.
French, James
NUMBER
S. 35954
CONTENTS

Under act 1 May 1820 notifications sent 27 July 1820 John French, Middletown, Conn.
553
Connecticut Roll
James French 4 Capt Herring Sergeant 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 24 th of March 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th of May 1818 and sent to Hon. S. J. Hosmer, Esq. Middletown, Conn.
Arrearages to 4 th Sept r 1818 5 months 8/31 & 4/30 $43.12
Dead { Revolutionary claims, } { Act 18th March, 1818, } Three years to 98

I James French 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. Edmund Herring, in the first Regiment of South Carolina commanded by Charles Pinckney Esq., in the South Carolina Line, as I believe; That I served in said Company as orderly Serjeant, from the year One Thousand, Seven Hundred, & Seventy five until the tenth 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, in firm, & 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 24 th 1818. James French
A. State of Connecticut, County of Middlesex, ss. Middletown March 24 th 1818. Personally came James French of sd. Middletown Signer of

the preceding Deposition, before me Stephen Fitz, Wosmer a Judge of the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut, & made Solemn Oath to the truth thereof.
(Stephen Fitz, Wosmer)
Subscribed for S.C. Kelly
I William French of Middletown, County of Middlesex do hereby certify that James French of said Middletown is my father; that he is blind, infirm, & totally destitute of property, further saith not - Middletown March 24 th 1818 William French
B. State of Connecticut, Middlesex County, ss. Middletown March 24 th 1818. Personally came William French of sd Middletown signer of the preceding Deposition, and made solemn Oath to the truth thereof. Before Stephen Fitz, Wosmer a Judge of the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut.
C. I Stephen Fitz, Wosmer a Judge of the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that, it appearing to my satisfaction that James French the signer of the

firsts Deposition above, served in the revolution- ary war against the common enemy, as in said Deposition he has testified, I, therefore, trans- mit the preceeding testimony. - - -
Stephen Wolmer
Middletown County March 24 th 1818.
To the Honorable the Secretary for the War Department of War. . .
I John Fisk Clerk of the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut, do certify, That the Honorable Stephen Fitch Wolmer of Mid- -dletown in the State aforesaid, is one of the Judges of the said Court, and that his name subscribed to the preceeding certifi- -cate, 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 18 th day of April 1818.
W m Fisk Clerk

Ja s French
Middletown
15 May 1818.
James French's name does not appear on the Connecticut roll of pensioners. He had better transmit his certificate to this office in order to explain the non-appearance of his name on the roll.

State and District of Connecticut, ss.
ON this 22 d day of June 1820 - personally appeared in open Court, before the ad d county Court holden at Middletown within and for the county of Middlesex in said State, on the 20 th 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 French 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 French enlisted for the term of three years some time in the Spring day of 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 1778 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 with more fully appears 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 th day of March 1818 - ; and had transmitted to him a Certificate for a pension from the Secretary for the Department of War, 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 battles of Fort Moultrie and in some skirmishes
That I am by occupation a Plumber

That the number of my family residing with me is none , and their names and ages are as follows:
That I am unable from old age & infirmities to pursue my occupation or to labour in any other way - That I am almost totally blind and am troubled with painful sores on my feet - That I board at the arms house and support myself entirely by my pension and that without it I must inevitably depend on charity
James Last French mark
Sworn to and declared day of June
1824, before the Court of Common Pleas for the City of Philadelphia
on the 22 d
W. M c Kimmey

SCHEDULE annexed to the Declaration and Oath above made and taken before the Court aforesaid.
I have no property Real or Personal His James L French mark

I John Trilk Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for No 6 o 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 dollars and cents.
IN TESTIMONY whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this 22 o day of June - 182 1
J. Trilk Clerk of S Court

July 13, 1936.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Charles R. Hale 30 Oak Street Hartford, Connecticut
BA-J/ady James Trench 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 Cotesworth 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 Trench, 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 following data:

"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

May 17, 1935.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Miss Grace A. Smith 209 East Grand Avenue New Haven, Connecticut
BA-J/ady James Trench 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 Cotesworth 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 Trench, 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 following data:

"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.

y to your request of _____, received _____ statement of the military history of James French , of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. L. 35,954
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Spring 1775 July 10, 1778 Orderly Sergeant Hyne Edmund Herring Christopher Gadsden Charles C. Pinckney S.C.   discharged at Charleston S.C.        
Battles engaged in, Fort Moultrie Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enlisted at Savannah, Georgia. Date of application for pension, March 24, 1818. His claim was allowed. Residence at date of application, Middletown, Conn. Age at date of application, discharged 34 yrs. in 1778. born at Boston New England.
Remarks:
died June 26, 1822. Agency book.
occupation "glazier" 1818 Row William
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

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
Chief Clerk Pension Department Washington D. C.
Dear Sir: OK  ady
Please send me Revolutionary War record of James Trench 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 Connecticut headstone.
Yours very truly,
Chas. R. Hale
CRH:MB

209 EAST GRAND AVENUE NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT
May 1, 1935
United States Pension Bureau Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Will you tell me the last address to which a Revolutionary War pension was sent to James French , a sergeant? I believe that he is my great-great grandfather. His Elizabeth French, wife of James, was buried in our family lot in Middletown, Connecticut in 1813.
The Revolutionary War records for Connecticut is the

209 EAST GRAND AVENUE NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT
New Haven Library would lead me to believe that James Leach 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

35 954
INVALID.
Rev.
1916 Nov. 21. Hist. to Mrs. R. B.
Hartman
1935 May 17. Hist. to Grace A.
Smith A.W.
1936 July 13. Hist. to Charles
R. Hald A.W. y.
File No. 35 954
James French clerg Rev. Ind
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 145
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Hatman

Rev Files Revolutionary War Records Section - Department of the Interior - Bureau of Pensions.
Dear Sirs. -
I have been given this statement.
James French - 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 French Hill.

your records confirm Have you additional in- for- Very truly yours Clara F. Hartman
(Mrs R. B.) 4001 Highland Blvd. Milwaukee - Wis.
Nov 2/16

Discharge
by the Honorable Brigadier General William Moultrie.
Whereas to Certify that the bearer hereof James French has served in the first Regiment of S th Carolina on the Continental Establishment Commanded by Colonel Charles Cotesworth Pinckney for the Space of Three years and is Discharged therefrom and that he has received his pay Clothing of all kind and all other just manes from the said Regiment from the Time of his Enlistment to the Time of this Day of his Discharge - and to prevent any ill use that may be made of this Discharge by its falling into the hands of any other person here follows a Description of the said James French aged thirty four years. Five feet Ten inches high Brown complexion Brown hair Dark Eyes Born in Boston New England - by Trade a Painter.
Given under my hand at Head Quarters Charleston S th Carolina this Tenth Day of July in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Eight.
Will m Moultrie Brig d General