Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 33889, Peter Welsh, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Welsh Peter or Welch
S 33889
CONTENTS

O.R. 1913
New Jersey
Peter Welch
of Somerset Co in the State of New Jersey who was a Serjt in the company commanded by Captain Benson of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Putnam in the Massachusetts line, for the term of 3 years from the year 1777 to the year 1781
Subscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of $20. Dollars per month, to commence on the 29. day of June 1818. and
Certificate of Pension issued the 28. of July 1818 and sent to George McDonald Esq. Somerset. N.J.
Continued on the Roll on 28 th day of February 1829 and notification sent to Hon: S. Swan at House of Reps Pension commencing on the 1 st of February 1829
Amount due on 4th of Sept r 1829. }
$ 133.36
{ Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818, May 1, 1820.
Ditto A. Welch
26 Feb 1855
due 28 Feb 55

Declaration of Peter Welch for a pension
Con.
pen: to com: Feb. 14. 1829
Hon. S. Swan H.R.
Feb. 20

Schedule
Declaration in order to be continued on the Pension list under the act of May 5 th 1820
State of New Jersey Somerset County To Wit:- On the 4 th day of February A.D. 1828 personally appeared before me Jacob D r Groot one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County being a Court of record proceeding according to the court of the Common law with a Jurisdiction unlimited in point of Amount Keeping a record of its proceedings and possessing the power of Fine and imprisonment Peter Welsh sen r (Weaver) aged Eighty Years, so feeble and infirm as to render him unable in my opinion to appear in Open Court or even to leave his dwelling. Resident in the Township of Bridgewater in said County of Somerset, Who being by me first sworn according to law doth declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows. In the Year 1775 under Captain Perrine & in the Year 1776 under Capt. Enoch Putnam both Years in the Massachusetts line, That in the Year 1777, he was Commissioned as a Lieutenant in Captain Joshua Bensons Company Col d Rufus Putnam's Reg t Gen l John Nixons Brigade in the Massachusetts Service, and served as a Lieutenant 3 Years 3 Month & 13 days & was discharged at Bannermans heights in the State of New York at his own request on account of his ill health that in the Year 1781 being restored to health he again entered the Service and served in the Year 1781 & 1782 as Lieutenant & adjutant in the New York Line commanded by Col o Frederick Weyseunfeldt (See papers on file in the War department at Washington) That he was in the Battle of Tappan Bay between one Gallies & two British ships of War & in the last General Battle with Burgoyne's army, That he hereby relinquishes every Claim to a Pension except the present, That his name has been placed on the Pension list:- That the Number of his Pension Certificate is 1913 That his original application was made the 29 th June 1818, That he hath not before exhibited a schedule of his property because at the time his Pension was stopped he was deceived infirm & confined to his bed unable to raise himself except by the aid of a rope fastened above him which he could reach with his hands. And has been so ill feeble & infirm from that time to this that he thought he was near his end.

And his neighbor did not expect him to live from day to day, the he is now so infirm that he cannot leave his dwelling to go to the Court House to make this Application, that he has no family except a wife named Catharine aged 60 odd, who is now so infirm as to do very little towards earning a support, but heretofore has Wove and laboured very hard to procure the necessary articles of life, That I am by occupation a weaver, but by reason of Great bodily infirmity & Sickness have not been for many Years past, nor am I now able to do any thing at my Trade, And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18 th 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 passed on the 18 th of March 1818, and that I have not nor has any in 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 hereunto annexed and by me described,
Schedule
I have no real Estate, The following is a list of my personal property. Except my wearing Apparel & bedding, An old gun and bayonet, An old chest of drawers, a dutch Cupboard, a small old looking Glass, 11 inches by 9 (broke), a Stove Pipe Cracked, a pair of Old Iron Andirons, a tramel, Iron pot, & pail, 2 pine Tables, one pair belows 23, 8 old Chairs, a Churn. dung forks, a beatt. & Wedges, 2 old Spades, 1 crow bar, 1 Cow & an Old work bench, an old silver watch (of little value) 2 barrels 3 old axes, a wheel barrow, a pair of snuffers & dish (Iron) 1 Iron candle sticks. broke, 2 old saws, a drawing knife & wooden horse, a small auger & 2 gimblets. an Old Tea kettle Cracked, a pitch fork & 2 old planes
Peter Welsh Sen d
Sworn to & subscribed & declared on the day & year first above written,
Jacob D e Groot Presiding Judge

I Jacob De Groot the above named Judge do hereby Certify that the above named Peter Welsh Sen r is from his great age sickness & bodily Infirmities as I am credibly informed and Verily believe, Unable to attend the said Court of Common Pleas, And I do not think from present appearances that he will be able to attend at the next Session thereof, I have therefore in pursuance of the Act of Congress of the 1 st of March 1823 attended at his place of abode and administered the foregoing Oath, the day and year first above written
Jacob De Groot
The Court is of opinion that the property of the applicant does not exceed the Value of Thirty five dollars & Seven Cents dated this 4 th of February 1828.
Jacob De Groot W. B. Gaston Yer d Vanderveer John Riky Job Lane
At a Special Term of the Court of Common Pleas held at Bridgewater in & for the County of Somerset according to the form of the Statute in such case made & provided the 18 th of February 1828 Present
W. B. Gaston, Yer d Vanderveer John Riky Job Lane & others Esq rs Judges Southard Clk
I, Isaac Southard Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Somerset do hereby Certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that the said Peter Welsh served in the Revolutionary War on the Continental Establishment as stated in said declaration, I also Certify that Jacob De Groot Esq r before whom the foregoing affidavit of Peter Welsh Sen r (who is now sick & confined to his house was made, is Judge as of do I also Certify that the said schedule & oath have been admitted to the records of said Court & that the same are truly copied therefrom, and I do further Certify that it is the opinion of said Court that the Total Amount in Value of the property Exhibited in the above said Schedule is thirty five dollars & Seven Cents
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of our said Court this fourteenth day of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and Twenty Nine.
Isaac Southard

State of New-Jersey } Somerset County } On this 29 day of June 1818, before me the Sub- scribing, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County, personally appears Peter Welch aged 70 years, resident in the said County of Somerset who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his Oath make the fol- lowing declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late 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, that the said Peter Welch received a Lieutenant's Commission in the year 1777 in Capt. Joshua Benson's Company Raritan Putnam's Regiment, in the Massachusetts forces, that he continued to serve in the said Corps, or in the service of the United States, until the 13 th day of April 1780, when he was discharged from service at Barricks heights in the State of New-York by General Washington - That the enclosed parchment in his Com- mission, as above mentioned, which he never expected would be called for after the war, that he was appointed to intercept a party of the enemy from New-York, and the enclosed letter, signed Robt. Benson, was sent to him on the occasion, that he was in the last Battle commanded by General Arnold in the year 1777, against Genl. Burgoyne's Army, that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services. Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid affirmed before me William Smith Peter Welch
I Peter Welsh do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Peter Welsh did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, and now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the department of war, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
State of New Jersey County of Somerset 38.
I, Samuel Brown clerk of the court of common pleas for the county of Somerset do hereby certify that Disbrow the Attorney esq. before whom the foregoing declaration and indictment was made was at the time of making thereof one of the Judges of our said court of common pleas for the county of Somerset do and that the return of the said Disbrow the Attorney is is the proper and true return of the said Attorney and that to all his official acts as such full faith and credit is due and ought to be given as well in courts of judicature as elsewhere In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Frome Hill the 29 th June A. D. 1818
Sam. Swan

1913
New Jersey
Peter Welsh
Sent Massachusetts Line in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey - at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on the 29 of June 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 of July 1818 and sent Mrs. McDonald Esq. Somerville - N.J.
Arrearages to 4 Sept 1818 -
2 mo 0/30
$ 44 -
{ Revolutionary claims, } { Act 18th March, 1818, }
3 years
Somerville
see letters to Hon. S. L. Southard, Mar. 7. 1828, respecting P. W.'s service; and respecting ap n for continuation, see letters to Hon. S. Swan H. R. 4 April 1828, and Nov. 17. 1828: see also letter to Hon. S. L. Southard, Nov. 20. 1828. see letter to Hon. S. Swan H. R. 17 th Jan. 1829.

33 889 Pay INVALID.
File No. 88, 889
Peter Welch
Lint Rev War
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 555
[Arrangement of 1870.]

20 Feb.
J. L. Edwards esq. Pension Office Dept. of War

House of Reps. Feb. 19 th 1829
Mr Edwards will have the goodness to file the Inclosed Dist s to supply the defect of the own books. and transmit to me the Certificate restoring the accounts to the Pension Rolls when made out - very respectfully
Saml. Swan

Washington, Feb. 24/51 -
Peter Welch Lieutenant, Mass. Gent'lmen just appears in Pension roll. Somersett (Oct. 1. 51. Commencing June 29. 1818.
Suspended under act May 1. 1820.
Continued, Commencing Feb. 14. 1829.
Died Aug 320831
D. 514, p. 42.
A 240 — 100881.
As the attorney of one of the heirs of Peter Welch. I want to know, what balance is now due by reason of said Pension and under what act or acts, he was replaced on the Pension roll, and by whom (by the present rules of the office) the balance of any thing, is to be drawn
Very respectfully
Richd. D. Hale

Sir
Congregational Sep. 14. 1791
His Excellency is indisposed & therefore could not examine Prince relative to the Business you have employed him in. — He however directs me to acknowledge the Receipt of your letter, and to inform you that he leaves it to your discretion whether it is neces ry to prosecute the Business any farther at present. — If it should not be inconvenient to you at any time & you should judge it necessary to resume the Business you will take the necessary measures accordingly.
I am Sir Your most Obedt Servt
Rob t Benson
Lieut Welsh.

Sammerville 29 th June 1888
Honble J. C. Calhoun Esq.
Sir,
I enclose the papers of Genl. Welsh, and beg leave to observe that on the 27 th of March last he made his declaration which I forwarded to the Comr of Genl. Wilson then in the Senate and which for want of form was sent back as may be seen by Mr Boyd's letter inclosed, as I am well acquainted with Mr. Welsh and know his circumstances, and from his state of health these papers could not be prepared before this day, I hope his pension will commence from 27 March when his application was first made to your office, this will be but an act of justice to a worthy and deserving man. His warrant you will please forward to my Comr.
I have the Honor to be with due consideration Yr Obdt Servt
W. M c Donald

Johnsonville N.Y. June 30, 1838
Free
The Honble
J. C. Calhoun Esq., Secretary of War Department Washington City

W. O. P. Prison Office April 2 d 188
Sir
I have the honor to return to you Capt. Webb's papers - to state that under the inclosed regulations they remain the property of the Court - & the declaration of his reduced circumstances, to being kind within the law. -
With great respect,
I have the Honor to be Sir,
Your most obedt Servt.
G. Boyd.
Hon: Mr. Wilson Senate - U. States.

I m write Feby. 22. 1855 My dear Sir,
Enclosed, please find the power of atty. execu- ted by Samuel Van Dyke one of the heirs of Lieut. Peter Welch
We respectfully yours S. S. Hartwell Nathaniel Hatch Esq.

To The Hon. Sec y of War
Sir
Permit me to remind you of the application of Peter Welsh of N. J. for a Pension -
His situation at present in a pecuniary point of view is deplorable - He is now entirely destitute of the means of life and at no time heretofore has he been in possession of the am t of property limited by your late construction of the Pension Law -
your Humb t Serv t
S. M c Swann
Nov. 16. 1829

Pawn of Atty in care of Peter Welch
finances of men by their business

Know all men by these presents, That, I, Samuel Van Ingle one of the heirs of Lieut. Peter Welch
who served in the Revolutionary war have constituted and appointed, and by these presents do constitute and appoint NATHANIEL HATCH, of Washington, D. C., irrevocably, my true and lawful attorney, with full power of substitution, for me and in my name, place and stead, to examine all the Declarations, Rolls and Evidences in the several public depart- ments of the several States and General Government; to withdraw or file any papers necessary in the premises; to ask for and receive of and from the United States of America, or either of the several States, any Bounty Land, Pension, money, or monies, that now is, or may be due me on account of services rendered, disburse- ments made, or expenses incurred by the said Lieut. Peter Welch while in the service of the United States, or either of the several States, or any other amount whatsoever; and in my name to give receipts and other sufficient discharges for such Bounty Land, Pensions, or money due as aforesaid, and to attend to and prosecute any and all business of whatever nature may have with, or before any of the Departments, or Commissioners of Government, or Congress, and generally, to do any and every other act, that I might or could do, were I personally present at the doing thereof; hereby ratifying and confirming whatsoever he, my said attorney, or his substitute should do in and about the premises by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty second day of February 185 5
Signed, sealed and delivered } Two in the presence of } Witnesses.
James Taylor  Samuel Van Ingle C. W. Schenk
STATE OF New Jersey } ss. COUNTY OF Somerset }
On this twenty second day of February A. D., 185 5 before me, James Taylor a Justice of the Peace, duly commissioned and sworn in and for the aforesaid county, personally appeared Samuel Van Ingle who subscribed the foregoing Power of Attorney, and acknowledges that executed the same voluntarily, for the uses and purposes therein set forth. Also certify that said Samuel Van Ingle is one of the heirs of said Lieut. Peter Welch
James Taylor Justice of the Peace.

Washington D.C. Feb 27 th 1853
S. Cole Esq.
Dear Sir
Yours of the 26 th Inst. has been received in which you say that "no arrears of pension under the act of 10 th March 1818 are due the heirs of Peter Welch, deceased late of New Jersey as the amount due has been paid to his death 22 nd Aug 1831."
The printed record of Somerset Co. R. C. finds. (Q. 014-42) that Peter Welch was placed on the pension roll July 28 th 1818 under act of March 18 th 1818. His pension commenced June 29 th 1818. Extended under act of May 1 st 1820. Continued commencing Feb 14 th 1829. died Aug 22 nd 1831. And received at the rate of $240. per year $1008.81
He was entitled under the act of 1818. to receive pay up to the, (the time prescribed by act of May 1 st 1820.) 4 th of March 1820 at the rate of $240. per year, which amounts to. $403.33
If his Pension was renewed under the act of May 1 st 1828. He was entitled under the act, to receive from March 3 rd 1826 to the time of his death, Aug 22 nd 1831. $320. per year which amounts to $1736.20
The whole amount should have been $2153.53
Deduct amount paid now. $1144.72
Leaving
Amount now due his heirs. $1008.81
Provided he was entered on the Pension Roll by the act of

May 13 th 1828. If not you will please state by what act his Pension was allowed. Should it be found that it was not in any statement, in whose name (by the present rules of the Office) the money must be drawn, and much obliged
Your Obedt Servant
Richd. Hatch
No 504 - 12 th St, Washington

Seminole Nov. 14 th 1828
The Hon. A. L. Southard.
Sir.
Enclosed is the application of Mr. Welch for a pension, which I feel very anxious he should obtain. By referring to his papers it will be seen that he was once placed on the pension list, but was left off under the act in relation to Rev. d pensioners. At the time the change in the law he stated to me, that as long as he could earn his bread by his labour he would not apply to his country. I do assure you Sir that he is an object of pity. He is in a little cabin not his own, a rifle, & in rags I would not give 30 cents for every article of clothing he has upon him. Unless he gets assistance he must suffer. He spoke of going to the town for aid, & then turned his eye to an old rusty musket which he said he had defended his country with in times of peril that he hoped his country would not let him suffer for bread Mr. Welch is an honest man, every word which he has stated may be relied upon. I do sincerely hope

That the Secretary will under the peculiar circumstances in which he is placed - His bodily infirmities - Weakness of mind & overlook any little technical irregularities in his papers - You know the great difficulty of such a man doing business -
Will you be so good as to call on the Sec y in person. Col. Brown told me he would write to you upon the same subject - I presume he has -
Y r Very Respectfully
Thos. A. Henshaw

Pension Office 20th Dec 1800.
Referred to the Pension Office with a request that it receives particular attention Amo

The enclosed case is respectfully sub- mitted to the consideration of the Secre- tary of War. It one of great hardship & distress, & in which thus far, the forms of office have stood in the way of right & justice. It is earnestly hoped that some means may be found to recon- cile them.
S. L. S. -
19 Nov. 1828.