Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 788, William Berch, N. C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nib.
Berch William
92 788
Burch or
Born in N.C.
Elizabeth
CONTENTS

THE NEW TESTAMENT Of our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST,
Newly translated out of the ORIGINAL GREEK;
And with the former
TRANSLATIONS
Diligently Compared and Revised,
By His MAJESTY's special Command.
Appointed to be Read in Churches.
EDINBURGH:
Printed by ALEXANDER KINCAID, His Majesty's Printer.
MDCCCLXX.
BERCH, W.M.

William ... who ... the ... years ... ... 1765 ... ... 1770 ... ... 1772 ... ... 1775 ... ... 1776 ... ... 1777 ... ... 1778 ... ... 1779 ... ... 1780 ... ... 1781 ... ... 1782 ... ... 1783 ... ... 1784 ... ... 1785 ... ... 1786 ... ... 1787 ... ... 1788 ... ... 1789 ... ... 1790 ... ... 1791 ... ... 1792 ... ... 1793 ... ... 1794 ... ... 1795 ... ... 1796 ... ... 1797 ... ... 1798 ... ... 1799 ... ... 1800 ...

Henry Burch
The ages of William and Elizabeth Burches children ages
Mary Burch was born February.. the 4 th 1813
George Burch was born on the 7 th of February 1816
Nancy Burch was born May the 27 th 1817
Lazarus Burch was born the 6 th of June 1819

Sally Burch was Born the 2 day of June 1821
Levi Burch was Born September the 18th 1824
Henry Burch was Born October the 18th 1826
Henry Burch
William Burch was born in the year of our Lord 1764 may the 10th
Henry

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of congress of June 7 th 1832. State of Indiana Monroe County \frac{2}{3} p.
On this 3 rd day of November 1843. personally appeared before me Aquilla Rogers Judge of the Probate Court of Monroe County Indiana
William Berth Resident of _____ The County and State of one said aged Eighty - years The 10 th of May next who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits 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.
That he was a volunteer in Captain Jesse Franklin's Com- -pany of Cavalry under a call for soldiers by compe- -tant authority. That the declarant served with an im- -bodied corps that he was in the field and for the time during which the service was performed he was not employ- -ed in any civil pursuit. That he lived at the time he volunteered about twenty miles from Rockford The county seat of Surry County North Carolina. He declares he has forgotten the names and ranks of the officers generally he believes one company in the army while he was in service was commanded by one Captain Underwood and he believes one Richard Toliver was Insign of the company he was in and was killed in a Skirmish. He believes it was in the month of February he joined the army the day and year he has forgotten nor does he recollect at what time he left the army. That he served but one engagement (one tour only), That it was not for more than _____ That he with said Capt. Franklin's Company joined General Greene's army near Guilford Court House North Carolina That he was marched through the country to Stokes County to Guilford County Thence near Hillsborough was generally skirting on the border of Genl. Greene's army was in The

army and in service as a soldier before and after the battle of Guilford. That the company to which he belonged was generally making excursions through the country and spiring the enemy. The declarant has never before applied for a pension and has no documentary evidence to exhibit in his favor. He declares he has no army discharge and if he ever received one he does not recollect. 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. William his Berch (seal) mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year last above written before me. Aquilla Rogers Probate Judge of Monroe County, Ind. State of Indiana } ss. Monroe County, } On this 5 th day of November 1843.
personally appeared before me the undersigned Aquilla Rogers Judge of the Probate Court of the County and State aforesaid William Berch of said County and State 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 ~~~~~ the period mentioned below and in the following grade - For the year ~~~~~ he served as a private in a company of cavalry as before set forth the term of ~~~~~ thinks he was sent from the army a short time before the expiration of his engagement with horses some distance to where there was food for them on disposing of the horses according to orders he was at liberty to go home and for such service I claim a pension. William his Berch (seal) mark

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year last before written before me Agulla Rogers Judge of Probate Court of Monroe County, Ind. State of Indiana } ss Monroe County } We, Deason Long and David Carpenter
residing in the County and State of Indiana hereby certify that we are were acquainted with William Berch who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy nine 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. Given un- -der our hands and seal this 3 rd day of November 1843.
Deason Long Seal David Carpenter
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year last above written before me and the word, nine, in the fifth line from bottom above was interlined before signed Agulla Rogers Judge of Probate Court of Monroe County, Ind. State of Indiana } ss Monroe County } On the 3 rd day of November 1843 personally appeared before the undersigned Absalom Baker aged forty one years past and James Gentry aged forty one past of 88. By. State and after being duly sworn do declare upon their oaths that they have full confidence as to the truth of the declaration and affidavit of William Berch before written upon which he claims a pension and that they have known him for the space of fourteen years past during all of which time he has main- -tained a good character and standing in the neigh- -borhood and as a member of the Baptist Church

and that They have considered and believed from acquaintance with him and from General report that he was a Soldier in the Revolutionary war and that report being without doubt or contradiction by rumor or his oldest acquaintances, and that I Absalom Baker have known him twenty years and we both have known him intimately for the space of fourteen years past to all of the foregoing certificate and declaration signed by him we have full confidence in to the best of his knowledge and to the truth of this certificate we each of us subscribe our names and qualify to
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year last above written Aquila Rogers Judge of the Probate of Monroe County State of Indiana } ss } Monroe County }
I Aquilla Rogers Judge of The Probate Court of Monroe County Indiana a court of Record do hereby certify that The following Interrogatories was propounded to William Berch before named in a declaration for a pension under act of Congress July 7. 1832. and the following answers to the several questions were given viz.
question 1. Where and in what year were you born answer On Haw River North Carolina The County not recollected ~
question 2. Have you any record of your age and if so where is it ~
Answer I have a copy of it in my house written by one Thomas Barnes an Irishman
question 3. Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since The Revolutionary war and where do you now live Answer On Fish River Surry County North Carolina Since the war I lived in Stokes County moved from Surry and from Stokes County North Carolina to Monroe County Indiana ~ - - -

question 4. How were you called in to Service were you draughted did you volunteer or were you a Substitute and if a substitute for whom
answer There was a call for Matitia and I volunteered
question 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 service
answer I recollect the names of Col. Micajah Lewis who was killed and Col. John Armstrong; the former he thinks was of the militia and the latter of the Main or regular army; and those here before named; and know of no circumstance of more note than before stated nor know of nothing of importance as testimony
question 6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it
answer I never received a discharge as I recollect of question 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
answer William Edwards Samuel Stone and all the neighbors
His William O'Brien (Seal) mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me this Third day of November 1843 Agatha Rogers Judge of the Probate Court of Nassau County

State of Indiana } Monroe County } I Aginella Rogers Judge of the Probate Court of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify and declare That upon application and request I visited Wil- iam Berch at his residence in the aforesaid County and State and whose name is signed to the foregoing declaration and affidavits and I declare in my opinion after the inves- tigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named William Berch, applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states; and I further declare and certify that it appears to me that Deason Long and David Car- penter and Absalom Baker and James Gentry whose names are signed to the proceedings certificate is resident of the above County and State before named and from my own knowledge and general report they are of good charac- ter and credible persons and that their statements are en- titled to credit. I further declare from the extract and date of his age, William Berch, before named and from his personal appearance he is now in his Eightyeth year of his age and from bodily infirmity he is unable to appear in open court to depose and make his claims as herein testified to. I fur- ther declare from my knowledge and general report the character and standing of the said William Berch has been and now is respectable and good and that he is entitled to a pension. I Aginella Rogers Judge of the Probate Court of Monroe County Indiana and whose name is subscribed as such to the foregoing declaration and affidavits do declare that I am duly commissioned and qualified as Judge of said Probate Court and that it is a court of Record according to the Laws of the State of Indiana. In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and Seal This 3 rd day of November 1848.
Aginella Rogers (Seal) Judge of the Probate Court of Monroe County, Ind.

State of Indiana } Monroe County } I David Browning Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe county and State of Indiana do hereby certify that the foregoing con- -tains the original proceedings of William Benth of the County and State aforesaid taken as testimony in favor of Said Benth for his claim for a pension of the United States, before Aginella Rogers Judge of the Probate Court of the County and State aforesaid a court of record and that the said proceedings of the said Aginella Rogers in the matter of application of William Benth for a pension is genuine and that Aginella Rogers is duly commissioned and qualified as Judge of the Probate Court of the County and State aforesaid and that the whole of William Benth's applica- -tion and testimony in support of his claim for a pension is imbodyed and put upon two sheets of paper herewith attached together by a ribband under my seal of office Given under my hand and seal of office This 4 th day of November 1843.
David Browning Clerk C. C. Monroe County Indiana

Bloomington Indiana November the 6 th 1843
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions,
I hear with enclose to you the vouchers of Mr. William Berch for a pension under act of Congress June 7 th 1832. And also his power of attorney relative to obtaining him a pension. To some it would seem useless to add more in this epistle but I will take the liberty to say that as his friend and agent I was unwilling to specify any space of time in his declaration and affidavit to claim a pension upon that he was a soldier in the revolutionary war there can be no doubt and from his loss of memory and narrative of his services I left the time blank presuming if he was successful it would be for the smallest space of time under said act of congress. That for his friends or any persons to express the time from his narration for him to qualify to seem unjust and improper for them to permit him to qualify to a definite time. In addition to the certificates (hear with) of Judge Rogers I say the applicant witnesses are very respectable persons. If from this claim and address there is any communications, necessary please address me Respectfully Yrs &c
George W. Hardin

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the Seventh day of June One Thousand eight hundred & thirty-two - State of Indiana Green County ss On this 6 th day of February One Thousand eight hundred and fifty-three personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Green duly commissioned and qualified according to law and by law authorized to administer oaths Elizabeth Berch a resident of Green County in the State of Indiana aged sixty six years past who being first duly sworn accor- -ding to law doth make oath to the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June the Seventh Eighteen hundred and Thirty-two granting pensions to certain officers and soldiers who served in the war of the Revolution - That she is the widow of William Berch deceased late of Monroe County State of Indiana who was as she doth verily believe a soldier in the war of the Revolution and who in his life time made application for the benefit of the aforesaid Pension act by Congress of the United States passed June the Seventh Eighteen hundred & thirty-two.
She further declares, That she was married to the said William Berch on the Second day of April Eighteen hundred and twelve in the County of Surry in the State of North-Carolina by William Fletcher a minister of the Gospel and that her name before her said marriage was Elizabeth Ritter. That her aforesaid hus- -band William Berch died in Monroe County Indiana on the seventeenth day of September in the year of Eighteen hundred and forty-eight and that she has remained the widow of the

aforsaid William Berch ever since that period. That declarant the husband William Berch & their children started from Surry County in North-Carolina in the fall of Eighteen hundred and twenty-three and removed to and arrived in Monroe County in the State of Indiana in December only a few days before Christmas in the year of 1823. That she could not without much trouble and fatigue and risk of health on account of advanced age and gen- -eral debility go to the County-seat of said Green County distant from her residence about fifteen miles in order to make this de- -claration in open court & in order to claim the arrearage of pension due William Berch aforsaid to the period of his death and for which he applied in his lifetime under said act of June The Seventh 1832 and gives reference to his said declaration and testimony filed in the office of the Commissioner of Pensions.
That she does not recollect even if she ever knew or heard her said husband state in what year he served as a soldier in the said war or where he served or the length of time he served nor the names of any of the officers under whom he served. But that she recollects of hearing him frequently speak of his serving in the Revolutionary war and that she doth believe he served in said war.
That she has no knowledge of any Record or other proof to sustain her claim that the papers filed by her deceased husband and the Testimo- -ny to be herewith presented viz Testimony of the family Record and it taken from the family Bible of the said William Berch decd, and of her marriage. That declarant the husband William Berch raised seven children all of whom are now living as she has good reason to believe and that the said William Berch my deceased husband & his first wife raised seven children to the age of maturity all of whom were Males. of the truth

of the foregoing I am fully satisfied and hereunto subscribe my name -
Elizabeth her Berch mark
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year above mentioned before me - I further certify that the foregoing declaration was read and explained to the said affiant Elizabeth Berch and that she approved the whole contents thereof as being the truth to the best of her recollection - I further more certify that the said affiant Elizabeth Berch is personally known to me and that she is the widow of William Berch named in her foregoing declaration with whom I was acquainted and personally knew in his life time - given under my hand the date first above mentioned -
William W. Waley J.P. (Seal)
Justice of the Peace -

State of Indiana } Green County } 385. I Samuel R. Davis, Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for said Green County do hereby certify That William M c Haley Esqr. is a Justice of the peace in & for said County of Green duly Commissioned and sworn and by law Authorized to administer oaths that the foregoing signature to the above certificate of affidavit appears to me to be his genuine signature. That his Commission was dated on the 12 th day of February 1852 and will expire on the 12 th day of March 1856 - In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & seal as said Clerk this 11 th day of February 1853
J N Davis clerk

Know all men by these presents, That I Elizabeth Berch of Green County State of Indiana and widow of William Berch who was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution do hereby constitute and appoint George W. Hardin of Bloomington in Monroe County, Indiana my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to prosecute against the Government of the United States before any department thereof any and all claim or claims I have to arrears of pay or Pension money under any act or acts, Resolution or Resolutions of Congress of the United States and especially the act of June 7. 1832 under which I claim arrears of pension due William Berch above named by reason of being his widow and by virtue of his right to the provision of said act of June 7. 1832 and as well as my right to any or all other acts of Congress granting widows of soldiers of the Revolution any pensions or arrears of pensions. My said attorney George W. Hardin is moreover authorized to do any and all things necessary to carry out the foregoing purposes and to receive the Certificate of Pension or equivalent evidences of the amount or amounts due me and to appoint one or more sub-attorneys and to confer upon him or them any or all of the powers therein conferred upon him hereby ratifying & confirming all that my said attorney may do by virtue of these presents. Witness my hand & seal This 3 rd day of February 1853.
Witness
William Berch Howard Church
her Elizabeth X Berch (real mark

State of Indiana } ss. Be it known That on the 3 rd day of Green County } February 1853 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned & sworn in and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared Eliz abeth Berch the subscri- ber to the foregoing Power of Attorney and acknowledged the sign- ing sealing and delivering the same to be her own voluntary act and deed for the purposes therein set forth. In testi- mony whereof I do hereunto subscribe my name and affix my Seal the above date -
William M. H. H. H.
Justice of the Peace
State of Indiana } ss. I Samuel R. Lewis Clerk of the Green County } Circuit Court in & for the said County of Green do hereby certify that William M c Hale Esq r is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Green duly commissioned & qualified according to law and by law authorized to administer oaths. That his Commission was dated on the 12 day of March 1852 and will expire on the 12 day of March 1856 and that the above signature -posting to be his is his genuine signature & In witness whereof I here- unto set my hand & the Seal of said Court this 11 th day of February A.D. 1853 - J. R. Lewis Clerk

Bloomington Indiana
February 21. 1853.
James E. Heath Esq. Comr. of pensions
Sir Please address me if necessary on account of the claim to pension set forth in the foregoing declaration affidavit, and so forth; or if a certificate is allowed forward it to me.
I am Respectfully Yours O. T. Scott.
George W. Martin

State of Indiana Monroe County ss.
On this 31 st day of May, 1853 personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County & State duly Commissioned and qualified according to law and by law authorized to administer oaths.
Owen Perkins aged Sixty Nine years past who after being duly sworn doth make oath to the following declaration. That he was personally and well acquainted with William Berth deceased late of Monroe County Indiana for and during the space of five years last preceding his death. Declarant also became acquainted with his wife Elizabeth Berth about the same time he did with her husband the aforesaid William Berth and has known her ever since and that she now lives with her son Henry Berth of Green County Indiana. Declarant doth well recollect of conversing several times with the aforesaid William Berth relative to; and about the revolutionary war, in which war declarant's father rendered Military services, and that declarant frequently heard the said William Berth say that he had served in the revolutionary war and spoke of his services satisfactorily to the full belief of declarant that he William Berth aforesaid was a soldier in said war. Declarant does not now recollect any connected particulars of the said conversation at times, or the services mentioned by the said William Berth; but that the war of the revolution & the services of said William Berth and declarant's father he well recollects of being the subject of conversation between himself & the s d Berth. Declarant was a visitor at the house of the s d William Berth and knew him to be a man of veracity & integrity & believes such was his general character. Declarant is a preacher of the Gospel and has been for the space of the last thirty-two years.

That the said William Berch was to declarants knowledge a wor- thy member of the Baptist Church when he became acquainted with him and maintained an impeachable membership during declarants whole knowledge of him - declarant is informed that this affidavit is for testimony to be filed with the Commissioner of Pensions in a claim by the said Elizabeth Berch for the arrear of pension claimed as due the said William Berch at the period of his death & which was disallowed him upon his claim made in his life time & when he lived in Maume County Indiana in which County he died about four years ago to the best of declarants recollection - That declarant is disin- terested in making this affidavit & further more he is a resident of Maume County State of Indiana & has been for the last nine years past previous thereto he resided in the County of Pulaski State of Kentucky
Owen A. Jenkins
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year above mentioned Before me - And I certify that I have no interest in the result of the case and am not concerned in its prosecution and to my knowledge the aforesaid affiant is an reputable minister of the Gospel and as such is generally esteemed & entitled to credit for veracity -
James D Robertson (Seal)
Justice of the Peace

State of Indiana ss Monroe County } ss - c Milton McPhetridge Clerk of The Circuit Court in and for said County of Monroe do hereby Certify That James D. Robertson Esqr. is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & qualified accord- ing to law and authorized by law to administer oaths and that the foregoing Certificate purporting to be his is in my opinion Gen- uine and entitled to full credit as his official act. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my Seal of office and subscribed my name This 31 st day of May Eighteen hundred Fifty-Three.
Milton McPhetridge Clerk M.C.C.
Bloomington Indiana May 31. 1853 J. D. Robertson Esqr. Commissioner of pension will please add this to the paper heretofore filed in the claim of his daughter Elizabeth Beck for the annu- ity of pension in right of service of her deceased husband William Beck & which is now before you for decision of her right thereunder. I am respectfully Yours etc. sent George W. Harding

State of Indiana Green County 355
On this 5 th day of February Eighteen hundred and fifty-Three personally appeared before The Subscriber a Justice of The Peace in and for The said County of Green duly Commissioned and qualified according to law and by law Authorized to administer oaths Ammon Goodwin and William Sandifer residents of said Green County who being first duly sworn according to law doth make oath to the following declaration - That They person- -ally knew and was acquainted with William Berth deceased late of Monroe County Indiana and his wife Elizabeth Berth for The Space of ten years last pre- -ceding The decease of The said William Berth; That during said Space of Time They resided together as husband & wife and was so esteemed & accredited throughout the neighborhood generally as husband & wife by lawful marriage and maintained a standing for good moral character without any doubt at all.
Declarants are informed The object of this affidavit is to present with other testimony in a claim by Elizabeth Berth widow of William Berth above named for arrearages of pension supposed due her by reason of her being the widow of said William Berth deceased which she claims of the United States.
William Sandifer Ammon Goodwin

The foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn to before me the day and year first above mentioned. I further certify that the said affiants are personally known to me and that they are entitled to credit. for —
William M. Halsey J.P. (Seal)
Justice of the Peace
State of Indiana
Green County
I Samuel R. Cawus Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for said County of Green do hereby Certify that William M c Halsey Esqr. whose name appears to the above certificate of affidavit was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified according to law by law authorized to admin- -ister oaths & that I believe the said signature above written is his genuine signature — In witness whereof I have set my hand & Seal of said Court at office in Bloomfield this 11 th day of February Eighteen hundred & fifty-three —
S. R. Cawus Clerk

State of Indiana Greene County ss
On this 11 day of February, eighteen hundred and fifty three, personally appeared before the subscriber, a justice of the peace, in, and for said county of Greene, duly commissioned and qualified according to law and by law, authorized to administer oaths, Samuel Robains, a resident of said county, who being first duly sworn according to law, does make oath to the following declaration, that in the early part of the year twenty nine years ago 1824, he became acquainted with and well knew William Burch deceased the husband of the said Elizabeth Burch and the said Elizabeth in the Declaration named (in Monroe county in said state) that they lived together as husband and wife, that the said William Burch the husband of the said Elizabeth Burch, was reputed and believed to have served in the war of the Revolution and that it was generally reputed and believed in their neighborhood that they were husband and wife and that the said William Burch served in the war of the Revolution.
S. Robains
The foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn to before me the day and year first written. I further certify that the said affiant is personally known to me and that he is entitled to credit.
Thomas Patterson J.P. (seal)
State of Indiana Greene County ss
I Samuel Robains, Clerk of the Circuit Court, in, and for said county, do hereby certify, that Thomas Patterson Esq., whose name appears to the above certificate of affidavit, was, at the date thereof, a justice of the peace, in, and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified according to law, and by law authorized to administer oaths and that the above written signature of his commission
Given under my hand and seal of office at Bloomfield the 11 th day of February A.D. 1853
S. Robains Clerk

March 3 4853
App. of Elizbth Berch widow of William Berch
Indiana
Act 7th June 32
Geo. C. Standish Bloomington Indiana
Don. James Commissioner Washington D.C.

Ex'r.
INVALID.
788
RECEIVED
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
William Berch
P. O. _____
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18____
Discharged: _____, 18____
Application filed: _____, 18____
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____

35685 William Berch Indiana at June '32
See letter to G. W. Hardin June 4. 1844 - to same 25. Nov. 1844 same 16 th Jan. 1853.
• E. E. S Brown mch 30/60 Same May 18/60

February 20 th 1860
December the 20 th 1859
Dear Sir I understand there is an agent at Washington City to attend to the drawing of pension money and as I have married Elizabeth Burch daughter of Rebecca Burch and she being the widow of William Burch a Revolutionary soldier she being Deceased near 24 years I nat knowing the name of the Agent I would like the agent you would write to me and let me know your name if you please and how to proceed to obtain the pension money for the widow as there has been not been any drawn Since Mr Burch's Death

write soon if you please and give me directions how to proceed in order to obtain the money for the widow if there is any yours truly Edgar E S Brown
Adress Edgar E S Brown Winchester Randolph county Indiana

LG
George W. Hardin Esq. Bloomington Indiana

Raleigh 3 rd Sept r 1844. George W. Hardin Esq r Dear Sir
Your letter of the 20 th Ultimo is received, and I have carefully searched the Musterrolls in my Office (Secretary of State) for the names of W m Ross, Peter Houston and William Burch, or Burch, but do not find either of them. And from the names of the Officers under whom you state they served, I am of opinion they were all Militia men, and I have not the Militia rolls, neither do I believe there are any regular Militia rolls in the State. I learn that something is found in the Comptroller's Office to aid in the establishment of claims to pensions for Militia service, but it requires much searching to find it.
The Comptroller permits persons to search, but will not take that trouble on himself. Mr William Ashby of this City some times attends to such business for pay; I cannot spare the time at this season of the year
You owe me 30 Cents for this trouble Yours respectfully
W m Hill

May 29 44
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
PAID

Bloomington Indiana May 22. 1844.
James L. Edwards Esq. I request of you information relative to the claim and application for a pension by William Berch of (This), Monroe County Ia. made November 6 th . 1843. I forwarded the additional testimony of Mrs. Delila Edwards in said case March the 6 th last. And wrote to Dist. Bro. W. Davis Member of Congress from This district on the 8 th April part, to examine into and favor a decision of said claim I doubt very much that any additional testimony can be had more than that of traditionary and of his general good character which I suppose would be useless please inform me on the subject and if his claim is equal to the weakest that have obtained a certificate I shall expect one forwarded for him with respect Yours &c
George W. Hardin
Sir In addition to the above I ask information concerning the claim and application made November 24 th . 1843. by Peter Houston of (This), Monroe City, Ia. of which I wrote to you March 6 th . 1844. for an early decision as as convenient M. And the 8 th April part, made the same request of Dist. Davis in this case as is stated in Mr. Berch's case above - I consider Mr. Houston's claim a very good one though I may be not be a very good agent for him - with great respect Yours &c
George W. Hardin
p.s. please give me such instructions as is necessary if any is needed in the two claims above and if both or either is rejected let me know why - The friends of the applicants are enquiring as to the result and they themselves desire to know the decision whether favorably or not (Yrs) M. G. W. H.

March 13 1844
to William Brice
June 2
James L. Howard Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
con. ne to pro- licants
RECEIVED

Bloomington Indiana March 6. 1844.
James L. Edwards Esqr. I enclose to you the within testimony relating to the claim for a pension by William Berch of Monroe County Indiana whose declaration I sent to you Nov. 6 th 1843. I very much desire that you would if not already done determine on the cases of the said William Berch, Peter Houston, Mrs. Mary Hall who claims on account of services in the revolutionary war by her first husband Bazel Houston and Mrs. Elizabeth Mays who claims by reason of her deceased husband Charles Mays who was a pensioner of the revolutionary war; being a part of the claims entrusted to me to procure the benefits of the laws in favor of said applicants as they believe - If the above claim is rejected please inform me as I wish to have them presented to Congress for decision at an early period as possible as in my humble judgment they are truly entitled to the benefits of the laws under which they claim under such belief I hope to receive their certificates soon if not by your decision by that of Congress - With much respect to you
Yrs. M
George W. Hardin

788
Copy of Mrs. Elizabeth Burrough Ind.

Brief case Wm Burch Ind a .
Wm Burch. (3 d Nov r 1843. Judge Probate Court) declars he entered the U.S. Service & served under the following officers - he was a volunteer in Capt Ispe Franklin Co: Cavalry under a call for Soldiers by competent authority: served with an embodied corps, that he was in the field & for the time he served he was not employed in any civil pursuit - believes it was in February he joined - day & year forgotten - does not recollect what time he left the Army - served but one engagement (one time "only") that it was not more - he with S d Capt: Franklin Co: joined Gen l Green's Army near Guilford Co: C.H. N.C. - was in Army & Service before battle Guilford - has no documentary evidence - no discharge - Judge certifies he is too infirm to appear in Court.
Also claim Baker } aged 41 yrs: both: reputed to have been a Sol d Gentry. } soldier. -
Delilah Edwards. (26 th Feb: 1844 - 75 yrs old), Vays she is sister of Wm Burch who she is informed died  did in 1843 claim a pension - Wm served in Army - does not recollect month or year - nor names of his officers.

nor how long he served nor when - believes left in fall & returned in Spring. (or vice versa ) believes he must have served 6 mos.
Elizth Burch. (5 th Feb: 1853. Justice Peace.) declares she is the widow W m Burch dec d . - married W m 2 d Apl l 1812 by W m Fletcher Minister Gospel. W m her husband died 17 th Sept. 1848 - remained a widow - too old to appear in Court - does not know that she ever heard W m say how long, when, or where he served. nor names of Officers - heard him frequently say he did not know. had 7 children & W m also had 7 children by his first wife.
Hy: Burch. - family bible in her possession since father death 17 th Sept. 1848 & etc. as to writing in bible .
See family record as to age.
W m Sandifer, { personally knew W m & Eliz th last 10 years - lived Ammon Goodwin } as man & wife
Thos. Patterson, says in 1824 - 29 yrs ago he became acquainted with W m & Eliz th - lived as man & wife - W m re- -futes believes to have served in war. revolution- -tion

Know all men by these presents that I William Berch of Monroe County Indiana do hereby constitute and appoint George W. Hardin of Monroe County and State aforesaid my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to obtain from the General Government of the United States a pension for me and in my name under the acts of congress of the United States and I hereby authorize him to appoint an agent or agents under him and revoke said appointments made by him at his will and I warrant and defend and will confirm all the acts of the said Hardin relative to obtaining a pension of the United States for me; for my services as a soldier in the Revolutionary war which acts of the said Hardin my agent if consistent and lawful or if the agent Hardin hereby appointed obtains a pension from the Government above noted on account of any laws now in force or which may be enacted for the benefit of pensioners hereby confirming his acts and deeds as before noted Given under my hand and seal November the 30 th 1843.
his William B Berch (Seal) marks
State of Indiana Monroe County — 3 On this 30 th day of November 1843 personally appeared before the undersigned William Berch of the County & State aforesaid and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his act and deed in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day and year before written
Agrippa Rogers (Seal) Judge of the Probate Court of Monroe County I D

State of Indiana } Monroe County } I David Browning Clerk of the Circuit Court of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Aguiella Rogers, before whom the foregoing power of attorney is acknowledged is is Judge of the Probate Court of said County and State duly qualified and commissioned and that his sig- nature thereto is genuine given under my hand and the seal of said County at Bloomington this sixth day of November 1843.
David Browning Clerk Ch. Ct. Monroe County Ind.

State of Indiana ss
Green County 3
On This 5 th day of February
Eighteen hundred and fifty Three personally appeared before The Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Green duly commissioned and qualified according to law & by law au- -thorized to administer oaths Henry Berch a resident of said County aged Twenty-Six years past who being first duly sworn according to law doth make oath to the following declaration.
That The family record hereto annexed and upon which I have endor- -sed or written my name to identify the same was taken by me out of The family Bible belonging to and owned by William Berch my father in his life time which Bible has been in my possession ever since The death of my father before named who died in Monroe Coun- -ty Indiana on The 19 th day of September 1848. That declarant has no recollection or knowledge as to who The writing most antient in appear- -ance & on the first leaf was written by; That The writing or other part on two leaves he believes was written by his name Satesy Henry Berch according to declarant who resides in Monroe County Indiana.
The object of this affidavit is as he is informed to be used as testimony in a claim of declarant's Mother Elizabeth Berch for arrears of pen- -sion supposed to be due declarant's father William Berch at the pe- -riod of his death by virtue of The act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That The oldest writing of said family record contains The names of declarant's father & his brothers & sisters & The part written by The above named Henry Berch contains The names of the children of declarant's father & mother she being his second wife.
That declarant never saw or knew of any other family record of his fa- -ther & mother other than the above named. Henry Berch

The foregoing affidavit was subscribed & sworn to the day and year above mentioned before me - I further certify The said affiant is personally known to me & that he is entitled to credit -
William M. Haley J.P. (Seal)
Justice of the Peace
State of Indiana ss Green County 3. I Samuel R. Cavers Clerk of The Circuit Court in and for said County of Green duly commis- sioned & sworn do hereby certify That William M. Haley Whose name is subscribed to the above certificate of affidavit was at the date thereof a Justice of The Peace in and for Green County aforesaid duly commissioned & sworn and authorized by law to administer oaths & that I believe the above signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & seal of The said Court at office in Bloomfield This 11 th day of February A.D. Eighteen hundred & fifty three - S R Cavers Clerk

State of Indiana } ss
Monroe County } On this 26 th day of February in the year 1844. personally appeared before me William N. Roseberry a justice of the peace in and for the County of Monroe and State aforesaid at the house and residence of Samuel Sloan in the County and State aforesaid Belila Edwards — wife of William Edwards of Green County and State of Indiana aged Seventy five — years past and after being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath declare as follows. That She is the sister of William Berch of Monroe County Indiana who as She is informed did in the fall of the year 1843. claim a pension of the United States under certain acts of Congress for services by him as a soldier in the Revolutionary war The declarant recollects the general calamities occasioned by said war and only remembers a few particular circumstan- ces relative to it. One of which is indelibly left on her memory That is; That her said Brother William went to the army as a soldier at a time when several persons, direct, in the neighborhood also went to serve in the army. She does not recol- lect the time month or year he entered the army or left it nor does She (if She ever knew) recollect under what officer he went or served under nor does She recollect precisely how long he served nor where he served but She believes he left home and joined the army in the fall season and returned home in the spring of the year or left home in the spring and returned in the fall and believes he must have served at least six months and perhaps more. She comes to that conclusion from her recollection of the said Bro- ther William being in the army a considerable length of time and part of the time as before mentioned being at the beginning or end of cold weather and also the great fears of the family that he would never return and from his fre- quently speaking of the army and his services as a soldier for many years after his return and thinks She has heard him
35685
William Berch Jr

Speaks of seeing ships and vessels while he was in the service That her Father lived in Wilkes County North Carolina when her said Brother left home and joined the army. The declarant is of the opinion that her said Brother during his life has cared less for property or money than most persons That he would lose his dues and rights rather than distress persons or coerce payment by law. That to her recollection he has been a member of the Baptist Church for the space of about fifty or sixty years part of the time an exhorter or pub- lic speaker. That he has been for several years quite feeble by reason of old age and in need of comforts suitable to his age and situation Given under my hand and seal the day and year above written
Delila her { Edwards { Seal mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year last above written William N. Roseberry Justice of the peace
State of Indiana } ss
Monroe County } 3
I William N. Roseberry a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Monroe in the State of Indiana do hereby testify that from my own knowledge Delila Edwards who has subscribed and made oath to the foregoing affidavit is the wife of William Edwards of Green County and that the said Edwards resides about twelve or fifteen miles from Bloomfield the County seat of Green County in Indiana and about one and a half miles from Samuel Sloan named in the aforesaid affidavit and that the said Sloan resides in Monroe County State of Indiana and about ten miles from Bloomington the County seat of the said Monroe County and that the line dividing the Counties of the said Green and Monroe runs be- tween the residence of the said William Edwards and Samuel Sloan and that the before named Delila Edwards is from her appearance not less than seventy five years old and from age

and debility unable to attend court at either of the County Seats of Green or Monroe to testify in the foregoing case as declared by her and that she is of good character and creditably. Given un- der my hand and Seal this 26 th day of February 1844.
William N. Roseberry Justice of the peace
Seal
I George Finley, president of the Board of Commissioners of Monroe County in the State of Indiana, do certify that the above named William N. Roseberry was duly qualified to the truth of the foregoing Statement by him subscribed in open court - which is a court of record. March 4. 1844.
George Finley
President Judge Com. Ct
State of Indiana } ss.
Monroe County } ss.
On the 6 th day of March 1844. personally ap- peared in open Court of Commissioners now sitting in Bloomington for the County of Monroe and state aforesaid John M. Berry a Justice Judge of the Circuit Courts in and for the County of Monroe and state aforesaid and declared upon his oath that from his personal knowl- edge of the neighborhood of Samuel Sloan of Monroe County State of Indiana and William Edwards of Green County State of Indiana that their residence are each in his belief truly set forth and designated in the foregoing affidavit of William N. Roseberry and that the declarant was applied to by George W. Hardin to accompany him to the residence of the said Samuel Sloan to take the testimony of the said Belila Edwards wife of William Edwards of Green County Indiana in support of a claim of her Brother

William Berch of Monroe County Indiana for a pension of the United States and further that he has heard Agueba Rogers Judge of the Probate Court of Monroe County State of Indiana say that he was also applied to; To wit: The day on which the said Belila Edwards, testimony was taken but owing business and engagement he could not attend the said appointment; and that the declarant could not attend to take said testimony which he was disposed to do by request made of him several days before and that he declares he has known the identical William Berch before named for about twenty years past and who as he is informed is an applicant by claim for a pension for services by him rendered in the War of the Revolution and who he believes from his age and general report is entitled to and deserves a pension. He further declareth that the said William Berch has resided in Monroe County about ten or twelve miles from Bloomington the County seat of Monroe County for the space of about twenty years given under my hand March 6. 1844.
John M. Berry
Rooted to and subscribed in open court the day and year last above written being a court of record by virtue of the laws of the state of Indiana given under my hand
George Finley President Judge Com. Ct.
State of Indiana § 83
Monroe County. § William C. Tarkington auditor of Monroe County Indiana
and Clerk of the Commissioners Court for the County and State aforesaid a Court of Record by virtue of the laws of the state of Indiana do hereby certify that William Roseberry above named is a justice of the peace in and for Monroe County State of Indiana and also do certify that John M. Berry who has sworn to and signed the foregoing affidavit is an associate Judge of the Circuit Court of Monroe County Indiana and the said before named Agueba Rogers is Judge of the Probate Court of said Monroe County and State of Indiana and further certify that George Finley is president Judge of the Commissioners Court of the said Monroe County Indiana and that the aforesaid persons are duly commissioned and qualified as officers as before noted and that their signatures are genuine. In testimony I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 6 th day of March 1844.
W. C. Tarkington Auditor & Clerk of Com. Court of Monroe County Indiana