Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10042, Peter Wells, R. I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
R J
Wells, Peter
S.10042
larded
CONTENTS

New York 28.728
Peter Wells
of Onondaga in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Hawley of the Regt. commanded by Col Varnam in the Rhode Island line for 13 months 19 dys
Date of sol's death not on AB
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 45 Dollars 42 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 th day of May 1834 and sent to Claimant Onondaga N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March '34 $ 136.26 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sep t 4 '34 22.71 $159.97
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Jam H Page Clerk, Book E Vol. 4 Page 135

State of New York County of Onondaga ss S. S.
At a Court of Chancery held at Onondaga in the County of Onondaga, on the first day of February in the year 1834; personally appeared in Open Court, before the Hon. Daniel Mosely, Vice Chancellor in and for the seventh Circuit of the State of New York, Peter Wells, a resident of the Town of Onondaga in the County of Onondaga and State of New York, aged Eighty five years, who being first duly sworn ac- cording to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.
In the Spring of the year 1775, (and he verily believes, on the first of May of that year) he enlist- ed for the term of eight months, in the town of East Greenwich, County of Kent, and State of Rhode Island, and marched to Jamaica Plains, from thence to Winter Hill, & from thence to Prospect Hill, where he remained until he was discharged; which was on the first of January 1776. This pe- riod of his service, was performed under Capt. Joseph Hawley, of the Town of Exeter, County of Kings, and State of Rhode Island; in a Regiment commanded by Colonel James M c Varnam of East- Greenwich, County of Kent, and State aforesaid. General Green commanded the American troops near Boston in the forefront of the campaign of 1775; General Washington took the command

Sometime during the summer of that year - He was in no battle during this period of enlistment. His service consisted in laboring on forts and other works of defence, and in taking care of the tools used by the soldiers; He was one of six men who delivered out the tools in the morning and received them in at evening. He was in the hospital at Cambridge, sick, four or five weeks, during the time of his first enlistment -
In the Spring of the year 1776 (but on what day or in what month, he is unable to state) he enlisted for six months, and marched to, and was stationed at Bristol in Rhode Island. He remained in the service five months, when he was discharged from service, in consequence of having been wounded in one of his thumbs, which was injured by a rope, when moving a cannon; He was not in any battle during this period of his service, but was employed in keeping guard, and laboring on a fort at Bristol-ferry. The company to which he belonged was commanded by Capt. Job Pierce; and the Regiment by Colonel Mosey; In the month of July, (but on what day of the month he cannot state) he was drafted at East Greenwich and marched on to the island of Rhode Island; He was in a company commanded by Capt. Michael Spencer, and in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Waterman; General Sullivan commanding the American troops at this time on Rhode Island - He served nineteen days under this draft, when he was taken sick with the Camp-distemper, and discharged from the service and returned home; He was born in North Kingston in the State of Rhode Island on the 25 day of October 1748. He has no record of his age.
In the year 1768, he moved from North Kingston to East Greenwich, Rhode Island, where he resided at

In the year 1768, he moved from North Kingston to East Greenwich, in Rhode Island, where he resided at the several times when called into the service, and until the year 1779, when he went to the town of Hancock in the State of Massachusetts, and resided there and in the adjoining town of Stephentown in the State of New York until the year 1817, when he moved to the town of Westmoreland in the County of Oneida, and State of New York, and resided there until 1820, and then moved to the town of Lorain in the County of Jefferson, State of New York; where he resided until 1830; from there he went to Onondaga in the State of New York and resided one year, and then went to Alburgh in the State of Vermont and continued in Alburgh until August 1833, at which time he returned to Onondaga aforesaid, where he now resides;
He never received any written discharge from the service: He was 85 Years old the 25 th of October 1833; He has no documentary evidence whatever of his service: He served as a private soldier.
That he is well acquainted with Benjamin Briggs of the Town of Williamstown in the State of Massachusetts, and knows that said Briggs was a soldier of the Revolution, and that he served with this deponent in the year 1776 at Bristol in Rhode Island under Capt. Job Pierce: He further states that he is well acquainted with Cary Briggs of Stephentown, and was a near neighbor to both of them in East Greenwich in the State of Rhode Island. He knows of no person whose testimony he can produce, who can testify to his service in the Revolutionary war, except Benjamin Briggs, who can testify to

his service in the year 1776 at Bristol — By reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot state with any more certainty, the length of his service; neither does he recollect the names of any of the regular officers that were with the troops except such as he has above stated; Since residing in Onondaga he has been so infirm and has had so little intercourse with his neighbors, that he has not formed any acquaintances; He knows of no clergymen whose testimony he can procure relative to his reputation —
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State;
Peter W. Dey
Subscribed & sworn in open Court before me This first day of February 1834, Daniel Moreau Vice Chancellor

Peter Welles Pension papers Onondaga New York 31.034
Rufus Lofbit agent
Adm d 13 mo 19.00 per.

State of New York Onondaga County
Caliph H. A. Wills of the town & county of Onondaga and State of New York, being duly sworn, deposeth and says, that he is the son of Peter Wills who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed declaration. This Deponent was born in the town of Hancock in the State of Massachusetts, and resided there with his Father Peter Wills, until he was twenty four years old, when he moved to the town of Berlin in the county of Rensselaer and State of New York. In the year 1817 this Deponent moved to the said town of Onondaga where he has ever since resided - He was 45 years old in August last.
When this Deponent left the town of Hancock the said Peter Wills was reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resided, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and such reputation was very general -
This Deponent has repeatedly heard, the said Peter Wills relate the same facts, which he has related in the annexed declaration - This Deponent has often heard conversations between said Peter Wills and others, who were reputed to have been soldiers of the revolution, and in such conversations, the events of the revolution were talked about. This Deponent has never heard any one deny that the said Peter Wills was a soldier of the revolution - And this Deponent further says, that the said Peter Wills is a man of truth and that his statements are entitled to credit -

During the time the said Peter Wills has resided in the town of Mondaga, he has lived with this Deponent; and has him so fully and inform, that he has formed very no acquaintances, and has not established any reputation in the neighborhood where he has resided that there are no clergymen in this town with whom he is acquainted and he is unable to go abroad on account of feebleness of body,
Subscribed Sworn to C. H. A. Wills
this 1 st day of February
1834,
Daniel Mosely
V. Chancellor

And the said Court do hereby declare this opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and the Court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Caliph H. A. Wills who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident in the town and county of Onondaga, and is a credible person, and that this statement is entitled to credit.
Daniel Mosley
Vice Chancellor
I Stephen A. Goodwin Clerk of the Court of Chancery for the Seventh Circuit of the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Peter Wells
for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office this Fifth day of February in the Year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred & thirty four.
S. A. Goodwin Clerk.

In the matter of Peter Wills ~ Pension papers ~

I Benjamin Briggs residing in the Town of Williamstown Berkshire County, state of Massachusetts certify that I am 73 years old that I am well acquainted with Peter Wells & I believe him to be 85 years old & was knowing to his being a soldier in the revolutionary War that in the year 1776 in the Spring of the year I was stationed at Bristol Ri. as a soldier of the revolutionary War under Capt Job Pierce & knows that Peter Wells was a soldier in the same Company & served as such
sworn & subscribed before me this 22 nd day Benjamin Briggs of September 1833
Owen Kellogg Justice of the Peace
Berkshire County ss. I certify that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Briggs the above named deponent & that full faith & credit is & ought to be given to his deposition
Owen Kellogg Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Berkshire ss. I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court within & for said County do hereby certify that Owen Kellogg Esq is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County & that I believe the above Signature, purporting to be his, are genuine —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this twenty third day of September A.D. 1833. Chas Sedgwick Clerk

residing in the Town of Stephentown I Gary Briggs do hereby certify that I am 82 years old that I am well acquainted with Peter Wills & believe him to be 85 years old that he was his nearest neighbour when they lived in East Greenwich Kent County State of Rhode Island & was knowing to his enlisting in the service of the revolutionary war in the year 1775 in the spring of the year & marched for Boston Ms. believes he served as stated in his declaration that he returned home to the town of East Greenwich in January 1776 that he went off with Capt Joseph Harsley & others as stated in his declaration was also knowing to his enlisting & leaving East Greenwich aforesaid in the year 1776 in the spring of the year & marched for Bristol under Capt Job Paine Colclory, also was knowing to his being drafted in July 1778 on Sunday & left East Greenwich aforesaid & marched to Rhode Island also I lived in Hancock Ms. & knows that Peter Wills also lived in Hancock neighbour to this deponent until he moved from Hancock about the year 1817 for Stephentown & from credible information believes he now resides in Onondaga New York State Sworn & subscribed this 9 th day of September 1833. Gary Briggs before me Nathan Howard Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named deponent Gary Briggs & that full faith & credit is & ought to be given to his deposition Nathan Howard Justice of the Peace
State of New York Rensselaer County ss. Henry R. Bristol Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Nathan Howard Esqr. before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken the above certificate made was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County. And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his sig- natures subscribed above are genuine.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 19 th day of September 1833. Henry R. Bristol Clerk pr. D. H. Howard J. P. Deputy

Peter Wells
Rufus Cofort Agent
Commissioner of Pensions.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Peter Wales
   Period when the service was rendered Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     May 75 8 priv Capt Hawley 85 2 witnesses -   Spring 76 5 Col Varnum   Capt Pierce   Col Money   19 " Capt Spencer   Col Waterman  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
□ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

September 9, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Howard Donaldson 4 Newell Street Utica, New York
PETER WELLS S. 10042 BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Peter Wells, who was born in North Kingston, Rhode Island, served in the Revolutionary War from that state, received a pension and died in Onondaga County, New York.
The record of Peter Wells follows as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 10042, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Peter Wells was born October 25, 1748, in North Kingston, Rhode Island; the names of his parents are not shown. He moved to East Greenwich, Kent County, Rhode Island, in 1768.
While residing in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, Peter Wells enlisted about May 1, 1775, served as private in Captain Joseph Hawley's company, Colonel James M. Varnum's Rhode Island regiment, and was discharged January 1, 1776. He enlisted in the spring of 1776, served as private in Captain Job Pearce's company, Colonel Morey's Rhode Island regiment, and was discharged after having served five months, on account of being injured in his thumb by a rope when moving a cannon. He enlisted in July, 1778, served nineteen days as private in Captain Michael Spencer's company, Colonel Waterman's Rhode Island regiment, and went on General Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island.
In 1779, the soldier moved to the Town of Hancock, Massachusetts, resided there and in the adjoining town of Stephentown, New York, until 1817, then moved to Westmoreland, Oneida County, New York, where he remained until 1820, thence to Lorraine, Jefferson County, New York, which was his place of residence until 1830; from there he moved to Onondaga, where he resided one year, thence to Alburgh, Vermont, where he remained until August, 1833, then moved back to Onondaga, New York.

Peter Wells was allowed pension on his application executed February 1, 1834, at which time he was a resident of Onondaga, Onondaga County, New York.
No reference was made in the claim to soldier's wife. He had a son named Caliph H. A. Wells who was born in August, 1788, in Hancock, Massachusetts, and lived there with his father until twenty-four years of age then moved to Berlin, Rensselaer County, New York, where he remained until 1817, thence to Onondaga, New York, and was still living there in 1834. No further reference was made to children.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of this soldier, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: Peter Wells, certificate #23728, issued May 27, 1834, rate $45.42 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1936, Dec. 29 - Visit to Mrs. Benson P. Trask letter, inclm. p. 11702 of files, 10.042 1939, Sept. 9 - Visit to Mrs. Howard Donaldson 10.042
Rev War
10.042
INVALID.
File No. 10.042
Peter Wells
Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 399
[Arrangement of 1870.]

December 29, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Benson R. Frost Rhinebeck New York
Peter Wells, S. 10042 Silas Wells, S. 11702 BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Peter Wells who received pension in Onondaga, New York (S. 10042), and of Silas Wells who applied for pension in Herkimer, New York (S. 11702).
Their records are furnished you, as follow, without any charge for the service:
PETER WELLS S. 10042
The data herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 10042, based upon service in the Revolutionary War of Peter Wells.
Peter Wells was born October 25, 1748, in North Kingston, Rhode Island; the names of his parents are not shown. In 1768 he moved to East Greenwich, Kent County, Rhode Island.
While residing in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, Peter Wells enlisted about May 1, 1775, served as private in Captain Joseph Hawley's company, Colonel James M. Varnum's Rhode Island regiment, and was discharged January 1, 1776. He enlisted in the spring of 1776, served as private in Captain Job Pearce's company, Colonel Morey's Rhode Island regiment, and was discharged after having served five months, on account of being injured in his thumb by a rope when moving a cannon. He enlisted in July, 1778, served nineteen days as a private in Captain Michael Spencer's company, Colonel Waterman's Rhode Island regiment, and went on General Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island.
In 1779, the soldier moved to the Town of Hancock, Massachusetts, resided there and in the adjoining town of Stephentown, New York, until

1817, then moved to Westmoreland, Oneida County, New York, where he remained until 1820, thence to Lorraine, Jefferson County, New York, which was his place of residence until 1830; from there he moved to Onondaga, where he resided one year, thence to Alburgh, Vermont, where he remained until August, 1833, then moved back to Onondaga, New York.
Peter Wells was allowed pension on his application executed February 1, 1834, at which time he was a resident of Onondaga, Onondaga County, New York.
No reference was made in the claim to soldier's wife. He had a son named Caliph H. A. Wells who was born in August, 1788, in Hancock, Massachusetts, and lived there with his father until twenty-four years of age then moved to Berlin, Rensselaer County, New York, where he remained until 1817, thence to Onondaga, New York, and was still living there in 1834. No further reference was made to children.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, and name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of this soldier, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: Peter Wells, Certificate #28728, issued May 27, 1834, rate $45.42 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, New York Agency.
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SILAS WELLS S. 11702
You are furnished herein the record of Silas Wells as found in pension claim, S. 11702, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. It is the record of the only soldier of that name found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
Silas Wells was born in February, 1751, in North Kingston, Kings County, Rhode Island, the names of his parents not given.
While a resident of Nine Partners, Dutchess County, New York, Silas Wells volunteered in June, 1776, served as a private in Captain Colbe Chamberlain's company, Colonel Cornelius Humphrey's New York regiment, stationed at Forts Montgomery and Clinton where he was engaged in erecting fortifications and was discharged December 1, 1776, after having served five and one half months. He volunteered and served five different tours of one month each during the period from 1777 to 1781, a part of time under Captain Jonathan Weller in the New York troops, no further details of this service given.

After the Revolutionary War, the soldier moved to Half Moon, Saratoga County, New York, where he resided seven years, thence to Otsego, Otsego County; from there he moved to Sandy Creek, Jefferson County, where he lived twenty years, and about 1829 moved to Columbia, Herkimer County, all in New York State.
Silas Wells was allowed pension on his application executed October 11, 1832, while a resident of Columbia, Herkimer County, New York. He died February 14, 1841.
There are no family data in the claim.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension and name of person paid, you should write to the same official as in the other case, furnishing him the following data: Silas Wells, Certificate No. 20269, issued August 30, 1833, rate $35 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

President RALPH M. JONES UTICA, N. Y.
1st Vice-President PRENTISS BAILEY UTICA, N. Y.
2nd Vice-President G. LINNEMANN PRESCOTT ROME, N. Y.
3rd Vice-President MILLEDGE L. BONHAM, JR. CLINTON, N. Y.
Executive Committee DR. T. WOOD CLARKE, Chairman RT. REV. EDWARD COLEY DR. JAMES W. W. DIMON MARGARET ROOT GARVIN EARL WIDTMAN
Librarian MRS. THOMAS D. WATKINS 4 NEWELL STREET UTICA, N. Y. TELEPHONE 2-1904
Treasurer GRAHAM COVENTRY UTICA, N. Y.
Recording Secretary LESLIE W. DEVEREUX UTICA, N. Y.
Corresponding Secretary WM. PIERREPONT WHITE UTICA, N. Y.
FOUNDED 1876 BY HORATIO SEYMOUR TO SECURE STATE RECOGNITION OF THE CENTENNIALS OF THE REVOLUTION. WE NOW SEEK NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR THEM
THE ONEIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUNSON-WILLIAMS MEMORIAL BUILDING PARK AVENUE AND ELIZABETH STREET UTICA, N. Y.
July 8, 1939
Veterans Bureau
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Please send me the pension record and all the data from that or the application of the pension of Peter Wells who was born in North Kingston, R. I. and died Onondaga County, N. Y. He served in Rhode Island. His application for pension was signed about the first of February 1834.
Yours truly
(Mrs. Howard) Emma Donaldson 4 Newell St. Utica New York.