Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18306, Benjamin Welch, Continental Mass. N. H.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass N.H.
Welch, Benjamin Thankful
W. 18306
CONTENTS
11

11.998 P
Vermont Benja. Welch
of Vermont in the state of who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Brade of the W. H. Camps line, for the term of 6 years 1777.
inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 of Febr y 1819.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 of June 19 and sent to both McKimmo J. P. Allan & Vermo.
Arrears to 4th of Mar 1819  9. 3 Semi-anl. all'ce ending 15 Febr y 1819  48 1 33  $57.33
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued
Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.

Let in Agt at Burlington 5 July 57 " " Montpelier " "
2959 Increased
Montpelier Thankful Welch widow of Benjamin Welch who died on the 10th of January 1823 at Farmham in the State of Lower Canada who was a priv. in the Comf. commanded by Captain Chase of the Regt. commanded by R. D. V. H. in the M. V. B. line for 2 Years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Montpelier at the rate of 96. Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 1 st day of March 18 July 1824. Ded t former payments at the rate of $80. per ann.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of May 1831. and sent to H. Weed Hinesburgh Vt. Aruns to the 4th of Semi-annual allowance ending
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section 1 st
Recorded by H. C. Woodworth Clerk. Book D. Vol. 2. Page 343

Benj Welch.
Declaration -
C
Benjamin Welch
Private
Colonel Reeds Regt
New Hampshire line
1747 to 1783
Mr Roll
Admire

State of Vermont Georgie District
On this first day of February A D 1819 before me the subscriber Judge of Probate in & for the District of Georgie County of Franklin & State of Vermont personally appears Benjamin Welch aged Sixty one years resident in Franklin in said District, who being by me first duly sworn as the law directs doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the Pensions made by Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval services of the United States in the revolutionary War that he the said Benjamin Welch enlisted in Nottingham in the State of New Hampshire in a Company commanded by Capt Bell in Col. Heale Regiment afterward commanded by Col Reed in the Second Regiment of the New Hampshire line in the Continental service for during the War he enlisted in the Year 1777 & continued to serve during the full period of his enlistment and was discharged in the State of New Jersey in the Month of July July 1783 - that he received his discharge - that he afterward sold his land & he thinks delivered the discharge to Major Goff who purchased the land & has not had the discharge since - that he has in reduced Circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support - & that he has no other endowment has said power of her said service -
subscribed. sworn & declared before me this day & year above said before me -
Seth Williams Judge
Benjamin Welch

State of Vermont Georgia District
I Seth Wetmore Judge of the Court of Probate for said district of Georgia & State of Vermont do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Benjamin Welch did serve in the revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy on the continental establishment for the full period of nine months or more at one period of service - and also from evidence adduced to me do certify that said Benjamin Welch is absolutely in reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support - also the Court over which I preside is a Court of record -
And I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me to the Hon d Secretary of War pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid act of Congress - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at St Albans this 13 th day of May A D 1819
Seth Wetmore Judge of Probate

State of Vermont } Is either constable of Highgate in county Franklin County } of Franklin Greeting
You are hereby required to summon Benjamin Welch now residing in Highgate to inform said town hereof fail not but of this process with your return hereof in returns make according to law Given under our hand at Highgate this 31 st day of May 1853
John Barr (Selectmen Asa Hill ) Highgate

Highgate 2 nd June 1813 I then served the within summons by leaving a true and attested copy of the same at the last and usual place of abode of the within named Benjamin Welch in Highgate Relying on the return with my return hereon thereon endorsed Attest Glen Hill Const.
The within and foregoing is true copy of the original summons with my return hereon thereon endorsed Attest Glen Hill Const.
Summons to Benj. Welch

This may certify whom it may concern that there is due to Benjamin Welch late in Capt. Will m H. Ballard's Company in Col. Foy's Regiment the sum of one pound six shillings and Eight pence on the province Bills, and that I have paid Lieut. Enoch page the sum of four pounds Lawf. Money that was due s d Welch for the continental services
if W m Hudson Ballard Cpt

Whereas the Subscriber Have this Day Received of Benjamin Welch of Peacham County of Orange & State of Vermont a full transfer or conveyance of all that is Due to him for his services from the Congress of the United States of America or the Secretary of War and also from the State of New Hampshire for his services as a Soldier in the Army of the Said United States being all Arrearages of pay Due or coming to him for said services Said Excepted in which transfer or conveyance the Said Welch acknowledges to have Rec d as a Consideration the sum of twenty four Pounds. I do hereby Covenant and agree to and with the Said Welch that I will never call on him for any sum Whatsoever for the Said transfer or arrears of pay unless it shall appear that he the Said Welch has already had his pay or arrears of pay as above mentioned or has heretofore Sold the same to some other

Witness my Hand at Peabarn this 11 th Day of April A.D. 1793 - Done in Presence of us Wm Chamberlin Walker Stuart
J. Walker

Benjamin Welch Dubaiation copy of Record
C
11.990
Sept 1879

Revolutionary claim under act of Congress May 1 st 1820 State of Vermont } At a Special Court of Probate held at Georgia District } St. Johns within & for the District of Georgia on this 17 th day of July 1820 Personally appeared in open court being the court of Probate for the District of of Georgia in the State of Vermont & a Court of Record being expressly made a Court of Record by the Legislature of the State of Vermont which created said court. Benjamin Welch age 66 years - Resident in the Town of Franklin in said District - who being first duly sworn according to law oath on his oath Declares that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows: - to wit the first eight months of the war near Boston in 1775. & in the following year 1776 - & 1777. During the war in Capt. Bell's company afterwards commanded by Capt. Chase in Col. Hales Regt afterwards commanded by Col. George Reed in the New Hampshire line & I served faithfully until the close of the war & was Honorably Discharged & had three bawles presented me as tokens of my faithfull Service, my Discharge was sent to the war office with my first application which is dated the 1 st day of Febr y . 1819. I have Rec d . a Pension certificate which is numbered 11.998 & I do solemnly swear that I was a Resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time disposed of my Probate or any with intent to defraud or to claim any additional pension under the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Revolutionary service of the United States in the Revolutionary war passed on the 18 th day of March 1818 part thereof. I have not nor has any other 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 & by me subscribed my Schedule of property is as follows (to wit) I have no Real Estate. I have one cow 11 Sheep - 1 Iron Pot 1 Iron Dish kettle 1 Iron Tea kettle 1 old Table 3 old Chairs Six knives & forks four Earthen plates 3 or four Earthen Pans & a few other Small articles not worth mentioning - I am by occupation a Brick layer but have been sick for about Nine years & am unable to labor any - my family consists of my Wife Thankfull aged about 66 years Weakly & not able to do much work and a Grand Son left with me when a child named Oliver Warren aged 10 years whose Father is dead was killed at Sacketts Harbor as I am informed - he is a feeble child.
Benjamin Welch
Sworn to & declared before
this Court July 17 th 1820 - attest Jonathan Jones Clerk
State of Vermont }
District of Georgia } ss
I Jonathan Jones Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Georgia aforesaid do hereby certify the foregoing oath & this Schedule hereto annexed are truly copied from the Record of said Court, & 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 Schedule is thirty dollars & 40 cents. In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court on this 17 th day of July 1820 - Jonathan Jones

V3586. 4322
Thankful Welch of Lianada Vermont.
act 4 July 36
adm d
2 years pri
80 $
No deduction
Phu Bridges
E. Windsor Hill
Von.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4 th of July A. 1836
State of Vermont } Be it remembered that at a Probate Court held at the Pro- Georgia District } bate office in St Albans in said district on this 22 nd day of December A 1837. Personally appeared before the court of Probate for the district aforesaid being a court of record Shur- kful Welch , a resident of Farnham in the Province of Lower Canada aged seventy nine years on the 4 th day of July 1837 who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declara- tion in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836.
That she is the widow of Benjamin Welch late of Franklin in the county of Franklin and state of Vermont deceased who was a Private in the army of the Revolution. Accord- ing to the best of her recollection her said Husband turned out as a volunteer at the time of the battle at Concord & Lexington in the month of April 1775 and soon after enlisted into the eight months service & was stationed near Boston and believes that he was in the battle on Bunker Hill, however of this particular fact she is not positive has often heard him talk about that action & thinks he was one who was engaged in it. That as soon as his eight months time expi- red, or about that time, he again enlisted for one year, and served out that term of time and then returned home to Nottingham in the state of New Hampshire his and her place of residence. Soon after his return home there were listing orders out to raise men for three years, or for during the war and she thinks that in the winter of 1777, her said Husband enlisted for three years or for

during the war does not recollect which but believes for during the war at any rate he continued in the army to the close of the Revolution. At the time her said Husband enlisted or about that time two of his brothers John & Thomas Welch enlisted John Welch enlisted for three years & Thomas for during the war. She is not able to state the names of but few of the officers under whom her said Husband served & is not positive as to them. But according to the best of her recollection, he served in Capt Bell's company but cannot say whether it was in the one or three years service. He often heard him speak of Capt Chase and many others whom she does not now recollect. She also recollects hearing her said Husband mention the names of Colonels Hale, Gilley & Read; Frequently heard her said Husband speak of Col Gilley & believes he belonged to his Regt but cannot say certain but was either a soldier in Gilley's Regiment or was in company with it at the West under Gen Sullivan against the Indians. She thinks before the close of the War that her said Husband was transferred into Col Reeks Regt and was therefore discharged. That he was at the taking of Gen Burgoyne and his army at Saratoga and in the battle of Monmouth. That her said Husband continued in the army of the Revolution until the close of the war and received an Honorable discharge which she is very sure was sent to the war office where her said Husband applied for a pension and that he had no other documentary evidence. He obtained a Pension and drew the same to the time of his death. She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Welch on the seventh day of September 1776 by the Rev Mr Hutchinson of the town of Lee in the state of New Hampshire while he was in the years service but then at home.

on further, that her husband the afs d Benjamin Welch died on the tenth day of January one thousand eight hundred and twenty three and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the evidence herunto annexed Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
Thankful Mrs Welch mark
Before me William Bridges Judge of Probate
I further certify that from the report of credible persons with whom I am well acquainted Mrs Welch the above named applicant is a respectable old lady
In testimony whereof I have herunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the court W Bridges Judge

State of New Hampshire - County of Strafford -
I hereby certify that I have exam- ined the Town Books of Lee in said County and cannot find any Record of the mar- riage of Benjamin Welch to Thankful Durkee on the Books of Records of said town of Lee -
Lee February 20. 1838 -
Attest Thomas N. Thompson Town Clerk of Lee
Fees 50
State of New Hampshire in the County of Nottingham.
I hereby certify that I have
Examined the Town Books of Nottingham & I cannot find any Record of the Marriage of Benjamin Welch to Thankful Durkee on the Books of Records - Nottingham February 11-1838
Attest William Harker Town Clerk of Nottingham
Fees $1.00

I Andrew Inacy of Farnham in the District of Montreal in the Province of Lower Canada formerly of Franklin in the county of Franklin and state of Vermont aged sixty two years. do depose testify and say that I have been personally acquainted with Mrs Thankful Welch of said Farnham widow of Benjamin Welch late of Franklin aforesaid for a number of years should say at least forty years. She is a woman of good character and should say that she is now nearly or quite eighty years of age. I have here tofore lived a neighbour to the sd Benjamin & Thankful for a number of years & have been intimate with the family. The sd Benjamin Welch was at the time of his death a Pensioner of the United States & had been for a number of years previous to his decease was a resident of Franklin afo d when he was placed on the Pension Roll where he lived until the time of his death which was according to the best of my recollection in the winter of 1823. The said Benjamin & Thankful during my acquaintance with them forty years as aforesaid lived together as man & wife and I have not the least doubt but that they were lawfully united in marriage. Their eldest child with whom I am well acquainted is now over sixty years of age & further say not. Sworn to and subscribed this 22 nd day of December in the year of our one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
Andrew Inacy
Before me William Bridges Judge of Probate

I further certify that the within named deponent is a man of truth & veracity William Bridges Justice Peace
Judge
I further certify that the deponent is a credible witness
of William Felton of Franklin in the county of Franklin

I William Felton of Franklin in the County of Franklin and State of Vermont aged fifty eight years do testify and say that I was formerly acquainted with Benjamin Welch deceased and Thankful his wife who now (as I am informed) resides in Farnham L.C. Mr Welch was a pensioner of the United States and resided in Franklin a number of years previous to his death and the said Benjamin & Thankful lived together as man and wife from my first acquaintance with them until the day of his death which was as near as I can recollect about the year 1823 was not acquainted with them previous to their living in Franklin but have no doubt but that they were lawfully married
Sworn to and subscribed this 15 th day of May A 1838
W m Felton
Before me
P. S. Gats Justice Peace
I hereby certify that W m Felton who has signed the above is a resident of the town of Franklin & is a credible witness & that his statement is entitled to credit
P. S. Gats Justice Peace

I John S Workman of Franklin in the County of Franklin and State of Vermont aged forty eight years do testify and say that I was formerly acquainted with Benjamin Welch late of Franklin also deceased the sd Benjamin lived within half a mile of me during the time he resided in sd Franklin was well acquainted with his wife Thankful Welch and some of their children their eldest son I should say was ten or fifteen years older than myself. The said Benjamin & Thankful lived together as man & wife and I have no reason to doubt but that they were lawfully joined in marriage Mr Welch was a Pensioner of the United States and died in Franklin in the winter of 1823 according to the best of my recollection I was occasionally with him during his last sickness made his Coffin and attended his funeral. His widow when she left Franklin was an intelligent respectable old lady: should say that she is now not far from eighty years of age
John S Workman
Sworn to and subscribed this 28 th day of May A D 1838
Before me
P. S. Gates Justice Peace
I hereby certify that John S Workman who has signed the above is a Resident of the Town of Franklin & is a creditable witness & that his statement is entitled to credit
P. S. Gates Justice Peace

State of Vermont } I Joseph H Brainerd clerk Franklin County } of Franklin County Court, do hereby certify that William Bridges and Phillip S Gates who have affixed their names to the within are Magistrates duly qualified to act as such, and that their signatures are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County Court at St Albans in said County this 31 st day of May, A.D. 1838
Joseph H. Brainerd Clerk

add: proof Thankful Welch
Rec? Jan. 18. 1839
Mth. of Mr Franklin Co H. H. Hans When the enclosed are examined you will of these return me an answer Wm. Briggs

I hereby certify that there is now in my office a record purporting to be the family record of Benjamin & Thankful Welch of the births of their children, from which it appears that Mrs Thankful Welch is the mother of thirteen children, that the eldest was born January 22 d 1778, the second 1781, and the 3 d 1783. This record bears evident marks of age, and I have no doubt but that the record aforesaid is a true record of the births of the children of the said Benja & Thankful. Mrs Welch declares that her oath that it was  is a true record. I also found an examination that the old Lady could state concisely (that is agreeably to the record) the time of the births of all her children with the month and day of the month, but the years she was not able to state.
William Bridges Judge
M c Albans January 12 D 1839

State of Vermont Franklin County St Albans May 10 th 1839
Hon J S Edmonds
You will please to direct your answer to the enclosed record to me
A M Bridges

these are the names and ages of the children of thankful Josiah and Benjamin Welch
Jahy Welch Jan 22 day 1778 Benjamin Welch April 14 1781 thankful Welch November 17 day 1783 Thomas Jr Welch October 22 day 1785 Abigail Welch August 22 1787 Sarah Welch May 17 day 1789 Polly Welch February 28 day 1791 Joseph Welch September 20 1792 Maria Welch July 26 day 1794 Maranna Welch Dec 2nd August 2 1796 Loreccia Welch August 27 day 1798 Maranna Welch July 28 day 1800 Betsy Welch deceased Sept 1 1802
W. R. Astor Wheat
Three Bushels of good Wheat delivered to 7 Balls and carried away by J. G. Gains and friend

  September 1805  silvered stone      to  Whealy to the station  0  5 0    to  making a Tung and loco  3  0    the  Bilib  0  1    1805  flash stone  one     fat  mantel  -  0 5  

ton 3 1 I Andrew Innes of Farnham in the Province of Lower Canada, late a resident of Franklin in the county of Franklin and State of Vermont, aged sixty three years, being duly sworn, do depose testify and say that I have been personally acquainted with Mrs Thankfull Welch, now the widow of Benjamin Welch late of Franklin aforesaid deceased, for more than forty years past; that I married the daughter of the sd Benjamin and Thankfull, that the widow aforesaid has lived in my family ever since the death of her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Welch, that the annexed family record was made as I verily believe by the said Benjamin, and that it is in his hand writing, and the only record kept by him to my knowledge; and the same has been in my possession and keeping ever since his death which was in the year 1823, and further say not
Sworn to and subscribed This 10th day of May 1839, Andrew Innes before me
William Bridges Judge And I further certify that the deponent is a credible witness
In testimony whereof I have set my hand & affix my seal of office the day & year above written at St Albans in the District of Georgia
Wm Bridges Judge of Probate

State of Vermont District of Lamoille } ss }
Probate Office St. Albans, May 21 st 1857.
I hereby certify that William Bridges of St. Albans afo re is the present Judge of Probate for this Probate District and duly qualified to act as such
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Probate Court the day above aforesaid.
Attest. Leptho Barclay Register.

Inct to p 96. & ag p 80 Comg 1 July 1848
2959-35
Mountpelier
H. Weed, Kingsburgh, Vt

STATE OF Vermont COUNTY OF Franklin ss.
On this 11th day of March A. D. 1851 before me, a Judge of Probate Justice of the Peace, within and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Thankful Welch who being duly sworn according to law, upon her oath makes the following declaration, for the purpose of obtaining the full benefit of the act of Congress passed July 29th 1848, and the joint resolution of the first of July 1848, to wit:
That she is the Widow of Benjamin Welch late of Franklin in said County deceased, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $ 96 per annum; that since the decease of her said husband, she has been placed upon the Pension Roll at the rate of $ 80.00 per annum, and is now in the receipt of said pension.
And she further states, that she has been advised that by virtue of said act of July 29th 1848, and said joint resolution of July first 1848, she is entitled to receive the same rate of pension that her said husband received in his life-time.
She therefore herewith returns the certificate she now holds, and prays that a new certificate may be issued to her for such increase of pension as she may be entitled to by law.
Thankful Welch mark
Sworn to and subscribed this 11th day of March 1851
BEFORE ME,
William Bridges Justice of the Peace. Judge of Probate

Thankful Welch
Payment to be made at Montpelier, by A. Clark, Esq., Agent for paying Pen- sioners, in the Agency of Vermont.
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A Vol. 2 Page 43 by
R. Burdin Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the 3d section of the law of the United States, of the 4th July, 1836, Thankful Welch of Lower Canada , widow of Benjamin Welch, deceased, who was a Private in the War of the
Revolution is entitled to receive Eighty dollars and cents per annum, during the time she may remain unmarried, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this thirteenth day of July  one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine.
J. Cooper. Acting Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. §
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
In 1839 had lived in Farnham Canada 15 years previous thereto in Franklin Vt

I John Chesley of Northwood in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire aged Eighty six years depose testify and declare that, I lived in the town of Nottingham in the County and State aforesaid about the whole period of the War of the Revolution excepting the periods of my service in the Army in said War. That I well knew John Welch, Benjamin Welch, and Thomas Welch, who served as soldiers in the War of the Revolution as during the War Soldiers as I then understood and have reason to believe. That I knew from undoubted information, at and since the time of said War. That Benjamin Welch was Married to Thankful Durgin at an early period of said War to wit from the circumstances of the time of my own Service in said War was as early as 1776 or 1777, and that said Benjamin Welch actually lived with the said Thankful as Man and wife, when he was at home on furlough, and that no doubt ever was expressed in the neighborhood where they dwelt but that they were lawfully married. That they lived together after the close of the war and then removed from said Nottingham to some place to the deponent unknown and that while I knew them living together they had one or more children -
John Chesley

Rockingham ss. Sworn to and subscribed this 15 th day of December 1838 before me Israel Bartlett Justice of the Peace.
The for above named Deponent is a credible person — Israel Bartlett Esq. Justice of the Peace.

I Sally Witham of Nottingham in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire Widow aged about eighty two years. Depose testify and declare, that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Welch, when he enlisted in the revolutionary war, and before that time. That said Benjamin Welch came home from the Service in 1776 or 1777. I think in the former Year and was married to Thankful Durgin with whom I was well acquainted she then being a prentice girl to James Watson of said Nottingham. The said Benjamin Welch soon after returned to the Army, That the said Thankful Durgin was pregnant at the time of her marriage aforesaid to the said Benjamin Welch, and was delivered of a daughter about three months after the marriage aforesaid. I further depose that I was invited to the wedding by both of them but declined and did not attend. That I was frequently at the house of James Watson aforesaid where the said Thankful was serving her apprenticeship, both before and after her marriage, and that she tarried there until she removed a short distance into a small house with John Welch's wife, where they lived about three years while the said Benjamin and John Welch returned from the Army. I further say that I was a tailoress and made clothes for the Soldiers, particularly for said John and Benjamin Welch and Thomas Welch all brothers, & all soldiers in the army during the War as I understood. And I further say that three or four months before the marriage of the said Thankful to Benjamin Welch - said James Watson's wife was delivered of three living and well sons at one birth, two of whom lived about fifteen months and then died of the Throat distemper. The other is now living for aught I know.

1) Rockingham Is
know. That I knew the said Benjamin Welch and the said Thankful living as man and wife after his return from the Army, and until they had two children and never heard any person express a doubt of the lawfulness of their marriage. That the marriage aforesaid was solemnized by the Rev d Samuel Hutchinson of Lee as I then understood and of which entertain no doubt. Since which the said Benjamin and Thankful have removed to parts unknown to the Deponent.
Sally for William Monk
Rockingham Is Dec r . 15. 1830. Sworn to and subscribed before me Israel Bartlett Jus Peace
I hereby certify that the above deponent is a credible person. Israel Bartlett Jus Peace,

12 1 18 4 I Lydia Demeritt wife to Moses Demeritt of Nottingham in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire aged about seventy two years. Depose testify and declare, that I lived in Nottingham aforesaid with my Father Thomas Odell at the commencement of the Revolutionary War and for the greatest part of the time during the same. That early in the time of the war I think as early as 1776 or 1777. I well knew one Thankful Durgin who was an apprentice girl at Mr. James Watsons in said Nottingham a near neighbor to my Fathers, that I frequently visited said Watsons house, and particularly to see three infant children which Mrs. Watson had at one birth - and that said Thankful was then at said Watsons as a prentice as aforesaid. That not far from that time to wit 1776 or 1777. said Benjamin Welch came home from the Army and it was said and believed was lawfully married to said Thankful Durgin - and that they lived together as Man and wife and had children together and that no doubts were to my knowledge entertained but that they were lawfully married -
Lydia Demeritt Rockingham ss December 15. 1838 I sworn to and subscribed before me — Israel Bartlett Jus. Peace The above named Deponent is a credible person Attest. Israel Bartlett Jus. Peace

Joseph Little of Nottingham in the County of Nottingham and State of New Hampshire Shire Esquire aged Seventy two years, do testify and declare that I have lived in said town of Nottingham seventy years, and was well acquainted with Benjamin Welch and Thankful his wife, before their marriage and since. I knew the said Thankful Dargis before she was married to said Benjamin Welch as a prentice girl at Mr. James Watsons in said Nottingham. When I was quite a young sh r I used to go to said James Watsons to mill he then tended the mill, and frequently saw the said Thankful at said Watsons house before and after her marriage to said Benjamin Welch. I further depose and say that the said Thank- ful lived at said Watsons a short time after her marriage and then moved from said Watsons a short distance into a small house with John Welch wife, the said Benjamin and John Welch being both in the army except when at home on furlough.
I further depose and say the said Benjamin Welch came home from the army on a furlough and married the said Thankful Dargis in 1776 or 1777 and soon returned to the army.
I further depose and say the said Benjamin Welch and Thankful lived in said Nottingham five or six years as man and wife and had two or more children, and I never heard it disputed or doubted but they were lawfully joined in marriage.
Nottingham December 15. 1838
Joseph Little

State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss } December 15 th 1838
Personally appeared the within named Joseph Little a citizen of the town of Nottingham whose character for truth is good and made oath that the within affidavit by him sub- scribed is true -
Before me Israel Bartlett, Justice of the Peace
State of New Hampshire
Rockingham ss I P. R. Heitt Clerk of the Judicial Courts within and for said County hereby certify that Israel Bartlett Esq who has subscribed his name to the foregoing card ed annexed certificate is a Justice of of the Peace within and for said County, and that the signatures thereto are in his own proper hand writing and are genuine. In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of our Superior Court of Judicature this 21 st day of December Anno Domini 1838
P. R. Heitt Clerk

I Thomas M c Thompson of Ser d County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire do hereby declare and say That, I hold the Office of Town Clerk of said Ser d That I have the Original records of said Town in my Possession That said records afford no proof of the marriage of Benjamin Welch to Heartful Durgin. That the Church over which Rev d Samuel Hovey was Pastor has long since been disbanded - and that none of the descendants of said Hovey are living in this part of the Country. To my knowledge, and that there is organized Church in this town. Further depose and say That but very few marriages have been recorded on said records.
Thomas M c Thompson Town Clerk of (Ser d of Concord)
State of New Hampshire Strafford County ss Ser d December 17 th AD 1838 Subscribed and sworn to Before me Gardner Towle Jus Peace
It is known to me that the foregoing is true Clerk of said Ser d Gardner Towle Jus Peace

I Israel Bartlett of Nottingham in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire Esquire aged about sixty five years. Do hereby testify and declare that I knew one Benjamin Welch and Thankful Welch who were reputed to lawfully married and actually lived together in the chara- cter of Man & Wife in the Town of Nottingham after for some number of years during the war of the Revolution when said Benjamin Welch was on furlough and was not with the Army and that they so lived together as husband and Wife after the close of the war in which said Welch was said to be a during the war soldier in the New Hamp- shire line under the Continental establishment.
Israel Bartlett.
Shafford Is. Sworn to and subscribed this 14 th day of December 1838. Before me Gardner Lowle Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that the above deposition is a credible person. Gardner Lowle Justice of Peace

Shafford fr.
State of New Hampshire
I Francis Cogswell Clerk of the Judicial Courts for said County hereby certify that Gardner Fowle Esquire is a Magistrate as within and that the within signatures to the annexed affidavits purporting to be his are in my belief genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and the Seal of the Superior Court of Judicature this twenty fifth December 1838. Cogswell Clerk.

St Albans May 31 st 1838
Dear Sir
You will have the good ness to examine the inclosed and write me the result of your investigation as soon as convenient.
I have the Hon to be with one respect Yours etc sent W. Bridges
J L Edward Land of Pensions

Downey May 1. 1838
Gardner Toole Esq.
I recd your letter and have examined a parcel of papers left with me by the Admrs. on Mr. Atkinson's Estate — but I do not find any thing like a Church record of Rev. Mr. Hutchinson — Respectfully
Yours A. Prince

Upper Mt Feb 27
189
William Bridges Esq.
St Albans Vermont

See Wadsworth Falls. Feb. 23. 1838
Dear Sir, Yours bearing date Jan 7. 29. has been duly Rec d and I have with this transmits the result of my doing - to wit a certificate from the town clerk of Nottingham Also one from the town clerk of See and the letter which I Rec d of Col. Pease in answer to the one I wrote him upon the subject of the late Rev. Mr. Hutchins of See - having a church record which might be among the papers of the late Rev. Mr. Osborne - Should any thing further be wanted I shall be happy to render any assistance in my power
Respectfully Yours Gardner Towne
Fas
50 Town Clerk of See 1 00 " " Nottingham 18 3/4 Postage on your last letter -
1.68 3/4
1.31 1/4 postage to Nottingham 6 Miles & to Town Clerk in See 3 Miles &c
3.00
2.00 cr
1.00
N.B You will see I have charged the Postage of your last letter which happens on account of the removal of our Post Office and the appointment of an other P. Master in a different part of the town which took place one day before the mailing of your letter & I consequently had to pay that sum for the letter - Should you have occasion to write again. Please direct "Wadsworth Falls" See N.H.
G. T.

Benjamin Welch Not, Act March 18. 1818, to what time paid?
Pen: Office Aug ts 9. 38
Due 10 th Jan y 1823 paid to that period Jan y 1838

Thankful Weld Vermont.
Suspended Seal 19 Aug 38 W. Bridges do. 12 April 1839
4 July 1836

Vermont - 295-9
Thankful Welch, widow of Benjamin Welch, who died on the 10 th January 1823, of Farmham in the State of Lower Canada who was a Pen. in the County commanded by Captain Chase of the Regt. commanded by Ross in the N. H. line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Montpelier at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of July '39, and sent to John Bridgman St. Albans, Vt. E. Woodson, Atty. Genl.
Arrears to the 4th of March - $ 640.00 Semi-annual allowance ending
40.00
$ 680.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the }
Recorded by R. Bursine Clerk, Book A Vol. 2 - Page 43.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. _____
18306
Thankful Welch
Widow of
Benjamin Welch
Pri. New-Was
Act: _____
July 4th 86
Index:—Vol. _____
m, Page 322
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Parker Agency Montpelier June 3. 1857
Sir
Your favor of 31 st inst instructing me to inscribe on my roll the name of Thankful Welch widow of Reuben Welch Act 4 July '36 at 96¢ deducting former payments at 80¢ per annum is rec d .
I have no such name on my roll and if it is intended to have her paid hereafter at this Agency I would thank you to inform me of what time she was last paid.
I will omit entering the name until further advised by you.
Yours w th Mo Obey
Thos Reed ag
h J. A. Page
J. E. Alcott Esq Comm r of Pensions