Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5852, for Merry Seymour Kelsey, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. or R.I.?
Kelsey, Merry Seymour Sarah
R. 5852
CONTENTS

6487 ✓ Sarah Kelsey St. Seymour Act 7 July 38
m 87017-
V852

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of an Act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 - entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"
State of Vermont } On this 28 th day of October Windham County ss. } A. 1839 -
Personally appeared before me Henry Wheelock, an Assistant Judge of Windham County Court, within and for said County, Sarah Kelley, a resident of Hardboro' in said County, aged seventy four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision, made by an Act of Congress, passed July 7 - 1838, entitled an Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of Seymour Kelley (he has told me that he was christened Mary Seymour Kelley but wrote his name Seymour Kelley) late of said Hardboro', deceased -
She believes her said husband the said Kelley was a soldier of the revolution and served in the war and enlisted in Connecticut or Rhode Island - she has heard him frequently relate his services - she thinks he enlisted for two years, did other terms of service, & at last enlisted during the War - He had a scar upon the top of his head which he said was occasioned by a ball in a battle in Rhode Island in May 1778 - she cannot particularly state his services - but thinks his name may be found in the records of the War department - She further declares that she was married to the said Seymour Kelley, her deceased husband, at Hardlem in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, in January 1787 by the Rev. Ebenezer May then Minister of said Hardlem - That her said husband the aforesaid Seymour Kelley, died at said Hardboro' on the 26 th day of April 1817 - that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but that the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four - viz, at the time above stated
Sarah Kelley

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written -
Before me, Henry Wheelock } Assistant Judge of Windham County Court
I certify, that the above named Sarah Kelley, came from age and bodily infirmity attend in Court
Cititest Henry Wheelock } Assistant Judge of Windham County Court
State of Vermont Windham County Court Clerk's Office
New Fane November 12 th A.D. 1832
I Marshall Miller, Clerk of said Court, do certify, that Henry Wheelock is an assistant Judge of said County Court, duly commissioned and qualified and that his signatures, as such, above written are genuine
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of the said County Court, the day and year above written -
Cititest Marshall Miller, Clerk

I David D. Field of Haddam in the County of Middlesex & State of Connecticut depose and say that the records of the Church in this place over which I am now pastor, kept by the Rev d Eleazer May formerly pastor of S c Church are in my possession and that in said records is an entry made, which the following is a true copy, Jan y . seventeen hundred & eighty seven I married Simon Kelley & Sarah Auger together, with the exception of the date which is expressed in fair legible figures as follows "Jan y 1787 I married Simon Kelley & Sarah Auger together" - This entry is in the hand writing of the Rev d Eleazer May then pastor of S c Church -
I David D. Field above named, depose & say that I hold the office of Pastor of the First Church & Society in Haddam in the County of Middlesex & State aforesaid & that the above is a true extract from the records of S c Church with the exception above named & certified by me -
David D. Field
State of Connecticut County of Middlesex ss Haddam February 25 th 1889 - On this 25 th day of February, 1889 personally appeared Rev d David D. Field D.D. and made oath in due form of law that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the truth - and I do certify that the Rev d David D. Field is a person of credibility - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office the day & year last aforesaid
Simon Parmelee, Notary Public

To all People to whom these presents shall come Greeting
Know Ye that We Martha Davis, Nancy Kelley, & Huldah Kelley all of Killingworth and Abel Tibbals & Jane Tibbals his Wife, both of Wallingford in the State of Connecticut for the consideration of Eight Pounds Lawfull money Received to our full satisfaction of the Seymour Kelley of said Killingworth, do remise, release and forever Quit Claim unto him the said Seymour Kelley all the right, title, interest, and demand, that we now have or ever had in & unto a certain piece of Land at a place called New City in the Town of Newport in the State of New Hampshire Containing One hundred Acres more or less being undivided Land being Lot M o 41. also one other piece of Land containing Eighty Acres layed out at a place called Bald Mountain Lot in the Township of Newport, State of New Hampshire, being all the right & title we have at said place.
To have and to hold the above remised & Released premises with the appurtenances thereof, unto him the said Release his heirs & assigns forever to his & their own proper use and behoof, so that neither we the said Release nor one heirs nor any other person or persons in our names or their names or in the right, name or stead of us or them shall or will by any way or means have any Claim, challenge or Demand upon the premises or any part or parcel thereof but for thereof & therefore We the said Release and our heirs & all persons claiming any right unto the premises under us or them shall by these presents be forever barred & excluded.
In Witness whereof We have hereunto set our hands & seals the 20 th Day of April A o 1784.
Signed, Sealed & Delivered in presence of
Oliver Stanley Defer Stanley
Abel Tibbals Martha Davis
Jane Tibbals Nancy Kelley
New Hampshire County ss. Wallingford the Day and Date above mentioned personally appeared Abel Tibbals and Jane Tibbals and acknowledged the same to be their free act and deed before
Oliver Stanley J. P.

Newhaven County ss Wallingford
1784
Personally appeared Abi Ladd & Jane Ladd, signers acknowledged the within written instrument & acknowledged the same to be their free act & deed before me

REJECTED
5-88-3
P. O.
Sarah Kelley
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

V 6487- JL
Let. to John Phillips, 1820?
February 14,
V o same July 8, 1820.
ditto L.C. Power Jan 7 '46.
ditto same Apr 14 '46
Les of Joy Aug 2. 1857.
Same Luff 11/51
Act 7 July 38.

Did Seymour Kelley get Bounty Land
Not found on the records of either the N. Hampshire, R. Island, Connecticut Warp 15 or New York lines among those entitled to, or who have received bounty land.

July 6 1840
interest N.C. 1840
South Carolina
James L. Edwards Esq. Free Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C. Columbia
Clearbrook Vt. July 1

Marlboro' June 29 th A. 1840.
To G. L. Edwards Esq r . Commissioner of Pensions Dear Sir,
We have received two answers from you in relation to the Widow Sarah Kelsey's drawing a pension, and we think you have been very kind in regard to the trouble you have taken in favour of the Widow. You informed us you that you searched the Records up to the year 1780, and you did not find his name the name of Seymour Kelsey, her late husband deceased. — Sir there is a Mr Jenkins of this Town which told me he was personally acquainted with the said Mr Kelsey deceased, and that Mr Kelsey to told him that he enlisted at Newport on Rhode Island in the State of R. I. for during the wars, and as he was a Connecticut man whether he belonged to the Conn. line or the Rhode Island Troops we do not know; and now, Sir, as you have looked over the Records up to the year 1780. now Sir, if you will take it up from that time, or the time of the last enlistment of the three year's men, or during the wars, and search the records for the said Kelsey's name in both the at said States

except his name is found before, you will do the said Widow a great kindness - for she has traveled hundreds of miles and spent thirty Dollars in cash in pursuit of evidence, and did not succeed, and now, Sir, if you will assist her in searching the Records for her husband's name, you will surely have her blessing if nothing else
Your Obt. Servant
John Phillips.
To J. L. Edwards Esqr.

I John Philips — of Marlboro' in the County of Windham and State of Vermont of lawful age depose & say that I was acquainted with Seymour Kelsey late of said Marlboro' deceased — that he died at said Marlboro' on the 26 th day of April A.D. 1817 and that I am well acquainted with Sarah Kelsey widow of said Seymour Kelsey that she now lives in said Marlboro' and has lived there a great number of years — and that she has not intermarried since the decease of her said husband the said Seymour Kelsey. John Phillips October 28. 1839.
State of Vermont } Windham County ss. } Depose October 28 1839
Personally appeared the above named John Philips (who is a credible witness) and made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed
Before me Henry Whelock Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont Windham County Court Clerk's Office Recd June Number 12 th D. 1839 I Marshall Miller, Clerk of said Court, do hereby certify, that Henry Wheelock is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified and that his signature within written is genuine
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of the said County Court, the day and year above written
Attest — Marshall Miller, Clerk

Sir ... I shall attempt to write a few lines, to direct you where to look for evidence in favour of the widow Sarah Thelsey's obtaining a pension in consequence of her husband's (late of Marlborough, Dundee) services in the revolutionary war; she says he often told her that he was in the said war a bout five years, but cannot remember what officers he was under or what Brigade, regiment, or company, he belonged to. — But we are satisfied he belonged to the Connecticut troops, but if we are mistaken he might belong to the Rhode Island troops, for there is a man that says Mr. Kelsey told him, that he once enlisted at Newport on Rhode Island, And perhaps he might belong a part of the time that he was in the army to the Rhode Island troops, And as both the aforesaid states are small, and we think the muster-rolls are in alphabetical order, and but few whose names begin with 'H', and if you will take the trouble, to give them a thorough search we have but very little doubt, but what you will find Seymour Thelsey's name in said rolls, and that will be a stop of any more trouble on the part of the widow. She has traveled several hundreds of miles in search of a man or men that was with Mr. Thelsey her late husband while he was in the service but they were all among the pale nations, of the dead, the widow recently told me that the man that waited on her while in pursuit of witness had paid in cash for expenses $30, 00, And she is obliged to stop for the want of money, and she has but very little hopes of getting her pension except it be through your goodness & kindness in searching the records And if you in your clemency should assist her she thinks her pension will be obtained
I would inform you that in the month of May AD 1778 the British came off from Rhode Island and burnt Bristol and then marched to a town called Warren in North part of the State of (R.I.) where was a number of soldiers as a guard and there was a smart engagement, But the Americans retreated and on the retreat Mr. Kelsey was wounded with a musket ball on his head. Further more, The said Kelsey in the later part of the war, enlisted during the war, he used to say he had his choice to enlist for 3 years, or during the war and he choose the latter, and used to tell how much sooner his time was out, than it would have been had he enlisted 3 years, and we think his name can be found in the last enlistment for during the war. we do think his name will be among those of the Connecticut soldiers &c &c If you think from the evidence before you that the widow is entitled to a pension, you will please to send her a certificate or pension bill written in behalf and at the request of the widow. Sir you will please to correspond with John Phillips Esq. Marlborough, co. of Windham, (R.I.)
Dated Marlborough Nov r 27 th 1839

Office of Secy. of State Concord N.H. Apr. 14, 1851.
Abad Day Esq.
Dear Sir.
Your letter of the 9th inst. asking for information relative to the Revolutionary services of Seymour Kelsey has been received.
In reply, I respectfully inform you, that I have examined the Rolls in this office, and do not find the name of Seymour Kelsey has once on said Rolls. His name is borne upon a "Pay Roll of Capt. Christopher Webber's company Col. David Nebart's Regiment in Gen. Stark's Brigade which company marched from Walpole in the State of New Hampshire and joined the northern Continental Army 1777." Time of Engagem t July 21. 1777, Time of discharge Sept. 22 - Time in service 2 months 2 days.
Very Respectfully, John L. Badger Secy of State

Ovid N.Y. April 19 th '01
Sir
I inclose a letter that I rec d . from Concord relating to the Service in the Revolution of Seymour Kelsey - Sarah Kelsey is an applicant from Vermont, her papers are on file -
I inclose an old deed dated early in 1784 to Seymour Kelsey for land in New Hampshire, this land seems to have been owned by the family & probably occupied at least part of the time by Seymour Kelsey during the Revolution, and to me it would seem quite evident that he resided on this land in New Hampshire in 1777 and then performed the Service noted in the Secy. letter - I ask if it is not reasonable to suppose that he performed that Service
Please give me the stat of the case & if a pension is refused, please stat what more you require
Respectfully Your Ob st Servt Adad Joy
Hon Jas E Heath Com d of Pnt

Whitville Pa
Dec 2 nd
1847 Pa Dec 7 Rev. Samuel Kolker July 7 1833
Free
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of pensions City of Washington
(D.C.)
one copy

April 14-1857
And days agency in behalf of Sarah Kelley
Hon Jas E Heath Comm. of Pensions Washington D.C.
6

Ovid N.Y. April 9 th 1851
Sir
I inclose my agency in the case of Sarah Kelsey, an applicant from Vermont, I ask if the service of Seymour Kelsey her late husband, is not established; what is the objection to granting the pension Most Respectfully Your Ob st Servt Arad Joy
Hon Jas E Heath Comm. of Pensions Washington
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
SIR—I have appointed Arad Joy of Ovid, New-York, my Agent, to investigate my claim to a pension due upon the application of mine from the State of Vermont I am the applicant the party, who made the application & widow of Seymour Kelsey — Dated March 25 th 1851
Sarah Kelsey
Witness, Daniel Adams

Jan 21. 1846 Athens January 26 } Rev. Mr. [unclear] Ruel Sarah [unclear]
10
J. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions. Washington City D. C.

Atkins January 21 st 1896
Sir
I have received your letter of the 7 th inst. which relates to the case of Sarah Kelsey who is a widow of Samuel Kelsey deceased. Said Kelsey resided in Killingsworth Middlesex Co. Connecticut at the time he entered the service. Said Kelsey was stationed in Rhode Island in the year seventeen hundred seventy eight. and was in the action at the burning of Bristol and received a wound on his head by a ball passing through the scalp cutting up to the cranium bone. He is home was still in Killingsworth Co. State after said and about the nineteen hundred eighty he enlisted again & after three years service he was discharged at the close of the war. I wish you to inform me whether there has been forwarded to your Office a declaration of the said widow Kelsey. I wish furthermore for information whether the marriage has been proved. The widow wishes that you would examine the records of Connecticut for the service of her late husband before she is put to any further expense. A man by the name Dible was married with said Kelsey
Your most Ob t servant. Loren O Dower
J. P. Edwards Secy Commrs of pensions

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Kelsey, Noah GRADE Private LINE Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER 6062 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Aug. 6, 1790
to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.