Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 44750, Willard Church, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Church, Willard
S. 44750
CONTENTS

8040 New York
Willard Church
Ontario in the state of N. York was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Huntington of the 1 st Reg t Cont. ne, for the term of 3 years - 1777 -
inscribed on the Roll of New York - at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 3 rd of April 1810 -
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd of March 1819 and sent to W m Rogers, Esq r , Palmyra, N. York.
Arrears to 4th of March 1819 - 10 28 3/4  30 3/4 89. 49 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 th Sept. 1819. 48.00
$137.49
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued Ontario County -
letter to Willard C Adrian Lenawee Co Michigan Sept 23 rd 1844
Paid to the Treasury under the Ac t s of 6 th April 1838 from 4 th March to 4 th Sept 1841. Agts notified 30 th Sept. 1844
Lt. W. Valentine, May 8/55.
Seroy Church Aug 6/57 1889 June 24 - tory taken by a friend B Lay Church Prior
June 1829 to N. York

State of New York ) Ontario County. } ss.
On the twenty third day of
April One thousand eight hundred and eighteen -
Before me William Rogers one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County and State aforesaid Personally appears Willard Church aged fifty nine years a Resident in the town of Ontario and State aforesaid who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War, that the said Willard Church enlisted in the town of Mansfield in the State of Connecticut in the Company commanded by Captain John Keyes, Colonel Durgee' Regiment, in the month of December 1775, that he continued to serve in that Corps until the first day of January 1777, and in Pennsylvania opposite trenton was discharged - also enlisted in the town of Mansfield in the Company commanded by Captain Throop in Colonel Huntington Regiment, which was the first Connecticut Regiment, on the twelvth day of May 1777, and continued to serve in that Corps until April 1780, and Springfield in New Jersey was discharged - afterwards enlisted aboard the privateer Brigg Deane, Commanded by Capt. Scovill was made a prisoner, taken to New York, put aboard the Jersey Ship- was there nine months, then paroled and that he is in reduced circumstances and absolutely stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support - and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said service.
Willard Church.
Sworn to declared & subscribed this 23 rd day of April 1818 before me
W m Rogers.

State of New York } County of Ontario } ss.
On this 22 d day of May 1823 personally appeared in open Court (being a Court of Common Pleas in and for said County and constituted a Court of record by proceeding according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount and keeping a record of its proceedings and recognized as such Court by the laws and judicial decisions of said State Willard Church resident in said county aged sixty four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and the 1st May 1820 that he the said Willard Church enlisted for the term of thirteen months on the - day of December in the year 1775 in the state of Connecticut in the company commanded by Captain John Keyes in the regiment commanded by Colonel Durgey in the line of the State of Connecticut on the continental establishment that he continued to serve in the said corps until the third day of Jany 1777 when he was discharged from said service in Newtown in the state of Pennsylvania that his name has been placed on the pension list and dropt therefrom on account of his property And in pursuance of the act of the 1st May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any in-

come other than what is contained in the Schedule hereunto annexed and by me subscribed
  One Cow $15. 8 Sheep $6. 21.   One fowling piece 2.4 Shoats 4 6.   1 spinning wheel 1.25 one foot wheel 2.50 3.75   1 small kettle 1 1 spider 75 1.75   1 Table 1.25 1 sett tea cups 18 1.43   8 plates 50 1 small bowl & 3 tin basins 50 1.   $34.93 
That I am by occupation a farmer but am unable to work most of the time in consequence of being afflicted with the Rheumatism that I have a wife remaining with me aged forty three years who has been sick and confined to her bed most of the time for four years that my eldest child Huldah aged fifteen years is a cripple in consequence of having all her fingers cut off from her left hand when she was 1 1/2 years old my second child Avelin aged fourteen years is very weakly & has been so ever since born my third child Alonzo aged twelve years is tolerably healthy my fourth child Le Roy aged nine years is and has been for four years past afflicted with epileptic fits, my fifth child La Fayette aged seven years is tolerably healthy, that since the exhibition of my first schedule the following changes have been made in my property Viz: Two horses both of which are since dead one Cow one pair of three year old steers one 3 year old heifer and a Sleigh sold to Lorenzo Church for which I rec d in payment my own notes of about sixty eight dollars which were given to Geo. B. Davis which were given to him eight years since for a possession one desk one pair of saddle bags two augers and a shave sold on an execution as pr the

constables certificate annexed
Willard Church
Sworn before me in open Court May 22 d 1823 Micah Brooks a Judge of the County Courts for said County
State of New York } Ontario County } ss. I Ralph Lester Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that said Willard Church did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the pre- ceding declaration against the common enemy for the term of nine mn months under one engagement on the Continental establishment I also certify that the foregoing oath and schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court and I further certify that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is thirty four dollars and ninety three cents
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 28th day of May 1823.
(Seal)
Ralph Lester Dep Clk
I certify that the above is a correct copy of paper in case of Willard Church, Rev. War No. 44,750.
Chief O. W. & N. Div.

Cash of Willard Church
(8840)
(175.68)
(Sept 1819)

To the Hon. the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Ontario, holden at the Court House in Canandaigua, in and for said county, of the term of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty—
I, Willard Church — being an actual resident of the town of Ontario in said county, having been placed on the Pension List of the United States, by virtue of the act, entitled “An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War,” passed the 18th day of March, 1818, do hereby, pursuant to the act in addition to the act above mentioned, passed May 1st, 1820, exhibit to said Court the following as a Schedule containing my whole estate and income, (my real estate wearing apparel and bedding excepted) that is to say:—
   One Pr Old Horse, Sleigh & Harness $ 50 —   Two Cows & 1 Calf 34. — 2, two year old Steers 20. 54 —   1, 2 year old Heifer 10. — 1 yearling Calf 5. 15 —   7 Sheep & 7 Lambs 12. — 6 Goats 12. 24 —   1 Plough 6. — 1 Rattle 3. 9 —   2 Kettles 2. — 1 Pot 1. 50 3 50   1 Tea pot 1. — 1 Platter 50 1 50   4 plates, 37 — 6 Knives & 4 Forks 1. — 2 old clocks 3. 50 — 1 Rule 1. 5 87   1 old desk & Chest 5. — 1 Table 2. — 1 pail 37 — 1 Flat Iron 44 7 81   4 Chairs 1. — 1 Scythe & Sackling 2. — 2 Axes 2. 5 —   $ 175 68  
I do further swear and declare that I am Sixty one years of age that I served in the Revolutionary War in the Company of Capt. Keyes in Col. Durgens Regiment Connecticut line — also in Capt. Brooks Company in Col. Stearns Regiment Conn t line as set forth in my original declaration bearing date 23 rd March 1819 — and that I rec d a pension Certificate N o 8,040. and further that I am by occupation a farmer and so much disabled by age and infirmity as to prevent me from doing much labour, that my family consist of nine children, six of whom are with me, the age of the youngest three years and the oldest sixteen years and the remaining three able to provide for themselves — my wife aged forty one years has been confined ten months with sickness, that I owe two hundred dollars for which I am liable to be called on
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 29 th day of May 1820
Willard Church
The foregoing exhibit inventory and statement of facts sworn to in open Court the 29 th day of May 1820

I, Willard Church do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, nor has any 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 and by me subscribed.
Sworn this 22 d day of May 1820 in open Court
Willard Church
AT a Court of Common Pleas, held at the Court-House in Canandaigua, in and for the County of Ontario, before the Judges of said Court, on the 22 d day of May of the term of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
PRESENT—
Nathaniel W. Howells Stephen Bates Micah Brooks Moses Atwater
JUDGES.
EX PARTE—
In the matter of Willard Church a Pensioner residing in the town of Ontario in said County.
The said Willard Church as a person placed on the Pension List of the United States, having exhibited a schedule subscribed by him, containing his whole estate and income, (his peasantry wearing apparel and beds and bedding excepted) in pursuance of an act of Congress of the United States, entitled "An act in addition to an act, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, passed May 1st, 1820; and having taken, subscribed and produced to this Court the oath or affirmation by said act required, and said Court having heard evidence of the nature and value of the property mentioned in said schedule and duly considered the premises, are of the opinion that the property contained in the said schedule is of the value of One Hundred and Seventyfive dollars and Sixtyeight cents, and they hereby order their Clerk to certify the same in due form.
Ontario County, Clerk's Office, ss. }
I, John Van Horn Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Ontario county, do hereby certify the foregoing schedule and copy of the oath or affirmation of Willard Church are true copies of the original schedule and oath or affirmation now on file in my said office, and also that the above opinion and order of said court touching the value of the property set forth, is a true copy of the minutes of said court in the case of said Willard Church a United States'
Pensioner.—In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County, this 22 d day of May 1820
John Van Horn CLERK

Christian Times Officer
Chicago Jun 30. 1857
Hon. Geo. C. Whiting.
Sir
My Father, Willard Church now dead, was for three or more years a soldier in the first war with England. He belonged in Ct. Mansfield, New London Co. I believe. He was a part of the time under Gen. Wayne. After the Act granting pension to the soldiers of the Revolution ary he received for two or three years $86 per annum. The pension was then withheld for a few years on the ground that his property placed him beyond the limit of the law. & it was finally restored to him & continued to his death. I wish to inquire if this arrearage of pension can be now be obtained, also if he or his heirs are not entitled to a land Warrant.
Having stated the case I will be greatly obliged if you will inform me how to proceed in the matter. I do not wish to incur expense upon a doubt- ful contingency, but will be governed by your advice in the matter .
Very truly
Levy Church

Washington, D. C., Nov. 14, 1891.
Hon. Green B. Raum,
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.;
Dear Sir:
My grand-father, Willard Church, was a pensioner of the Revolutionary War. His pension was stopped upon the ground that he was in such financial condition as to remove him from further rights to a pension under the law. The veteran protested against this action, and filed various papers with the Pension authorities in support of his claim's continuance. These documents, which can have, I think, little value for the government, would be highly prized as additions to the records of the family. As a representative of the family I hereby respectfully, ask that as many of the papers as in your opinion can properly be removed permanently from your office be delivered to me. I submit an affidavit showing my kinship to the above-mentioned Church.
Respectfully, Jno. P. Church.
I, John P. Church, do solemnly swear that I am the eldest son of Volney Church, residing in Saginaw, Michigan, who is the eldest living son of Willard Church, mentioned in the accompanying letter as pensioner of the War of the Revolution, and that it is the desire of the said Volney Church that all papers relating to his father's claim for a pension, now filed in the Pension Bureau, at Washington, D. C., be delivered to me. John P. Church
Subscribed and sworn to before me this the fourteenth day of November, 1891
A. L. Evans
Notary Public

Special
Mr. Shuplough
Been here this am drawn
WLS
44750

March 2, 1892.
Dear General:
Perhaps you will recall to your mind the fact that on the occasion of my last visit to your house you kindly agreed to allow me the possession of certain papers on file in the Pension Bureau connected with an application made by my grand father, who had been a soldier of the revolution, for restoration to the pension roll.
I prepared at your suggestion the papers herein enclosed, and was surprised when they were returned to me endorsed as you see. Failing to find an opportu-

nity-which I hoped would occur-to mention it to you personally, I venture to call your attention again to the matter in this way. Observing that your name is stamped on the endorsement, I have hoped that perhaps Filer made the latter and that it was sent to me without having been seen by you. I wrote to my Father soon after receiving you that I hoped to send him the papers soon, quoting you. He wrote me on his 82nd birthday-which occurred last week expressing his hope that the documents, which he strongly desires to see, would reach him before much more delay.
Very truly yours, Jno. F. Church

3/11/92
Comrade:
You may, if you please, hand to the bearer, my son Clif- ford, the papers in my grand-father's pension claim.
Kindly see that the young man stores them safely in his pocket.
Fraternally,
Thos P Church

I write it Filer- though the Directory has another l. y. 97

A Weekly Newspaper, Devoted to the interests of the ARMY & NAVY, & National Guard.
44750
OFFICE OF THE United States Army & Navy Journal,
240 BROADWAY,
New York. Sept 8 1886
Dear Sir:
Can you not look into the records of the Pension Office & copy ground. father Willard Church's record of service? What com- pany or regiment did he belong to, & who were his officers? Please learn all you can & let me have it for a record of a mother's & child's
Yours sincerely
M rs . C. Church

aw  My Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., Dec 7, 1891.
Respectfully returned to John P. Church Esq. who is informed that papers filed as evi- dence in pension cases cannot be returned. If he desires it a history of the soldier's service and any other data contained in the case will be furnished. For historical purposes as only hundred
G. M. Brannan Commissioner.

File with our Inv 44750

Washington, D.C., March 11, 1892.
I hereby acknowledge the receipt of the original declarations for pension of Willard Church, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and I agree to return said declarations to the Bureau of Pensions if they are called for at any time by a nearer relative. Jno. R. Church

Albany May 2 nd 1855
Sir
Enclosed is a letter from Simey Church one of the children of Willard Church who late a pension under the Act of 1818. I am informed that by a regulation of the Department there are certain cases when a pension under the Act of 1818 was suspended & subsequently restored under the same law, that he is, or was entitled from the time of such suspension took place, or at least there are, in certain cases, arrears due back of the time he was restored & it is believed that the case above named, is one of that class. I desire therefore that the case be investigated and the result communicated to me.
I am Yours very respectfully Wm Valentine
Dear
L P Waldo
Comm ee of Pensions
Washington City
≡ ≡ ≡

Sept 23. 42
Mr Dandji.
Free
To the Commissioner for Paying Pensions Washington D.C.
12

To The Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C. Sir Sir,
My object of addressing you is to enquire what method is to be pursued in the case of Willard Church a pensioner. He omitted drawing his Pension from the 4 th of March 1841 to the 4 th of September 1841. Previous and subsequent to that period he drew his Pension regularly. And the agent at Albany for paying Pensions says that this omission must be remedied at the Pension Office at Washing- ton D.C.
Your early reply will much oblige
Yours Truly - Willard Church R. M. Halsey.
Albany. Saratoga Co. N.Y.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
June 27 th , 1843.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, Willard Church , a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. , Agency, at the rate of eight Dollars and cents per annum  month under the law of the 18 th March 1818, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March, to the 1 st Sept. 1841, Respectfully, yours,
Edward L. Parsons Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

Private
Land Department, Illinois Central Railroad,
Chicago,
June 29 th 1857
My Dear friend,
This will introduce Le Roy Church of this City, who has some business before your Office. He is engaged here in works of benevolence, & general good to his fellow men, therefore I would esteem as a personal favor, that which I am sure your own kind feelings will prompt, to wit; a prompt and thorough examination into the case he will present for your consideration. He will address you by letter, but I am sure will not be the less promptly attended to for that reason.
Ever truly Yours,
John Nelson
Am Geo C. Whitney Comm of Pleasures

Chicago Ill. April 30. 1855
Wm Walentin Esq.
The undersigned is one of the children of Willard Church who was a Presby- terian Pensioner & resided in Ontario Co. N.Y. (subsequently Wayne Co.) I am informed that there is some arrear of Pension now due him at the time of his death which occurred about 1846. He was originally pensioned under the Act of 1818. was suspend- ed in 1820. Some years

Afterwards he was restored under the same Act, & received $96 per annum till the time of his death. I desire to have you inquire into the case & to learn if he was not entitled to the pension from the time he was suspended till he was restored. And I hereby authorized a request the Commission of Pensions or other officers of Government where it may become necessary to make inquiry or search & grant you such in-

formation as may be necessary in order to learn if my father aforesaid received all that he was entitled to & I request you to communicate to me the result as soon as received. And oblige
Yours very respectfully George Church M c Valentine Albany N.Y.
-V.S
- Please Direct to - George Church Christian Youngs Office Chicago Ill.

New York
Willard Church prior served 3 y. from 1777
1. Sch. d. date 22 May 1820
Personal property $175.65
Debts — $200 —
Sch. d. under act Mar. 1823 (date 22 May 1823)
Personal property — $34.93
2. Debts —
accounts for the decrease of property &c —
2 horses died — 1 cow — 1 pr 3 y. old steers — 1 heifer & 1
Sleigh sold to Lorenzo
Church Rec. in paymt his own notes to the amt.
of $68. — 1 Desk — 1 pr saddle bags — two augers & a shovel
sold on execution. —
over
Claimant age 64 y. a farmer unable to work — wife 43 y. been confined to her bed for 4 y. — 5 children — 15 — 14 — 12 — 9 — 7 y. the eldest a cripple. —
O. Seymour Esq. Canandaigua N.Y.
Reside
Re'd June 24. 1823
Sep. 1819.

Ino. F. Church,
201 3d St N. E.
City Letter of correspondence to chf / desk

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Office of the Commissioner.
Mar 11 '92
Mr Filer
The bear Mr Church Wants some of the original papers in his grandfather's Pension claim cannot this be done S. B. R. Coon

12 Original sto in ch Citz. Referred in for
44750
INVALID.
Reef
File No. 44750
Willard Church
Prim. Rev. Wan.
Act: 18 th March 1818.
Index:—Vol. 3, Page 84
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1892 New declaration John F. Chiu
1896 Mar 5 above to Audit date of death

State of New York
Ontario County } ss.
I William Rogers one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County and State aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the within named Willard Church did serve in the revolutionary as stated in the within declaration against the Common enemy for the term of nine months on the Continental Establishment- and I am persuaded from information that he is in Reduced Circumstances and absolutely stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support and I now transmit the testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the department of War pursuant to the direction of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Wm. Rogers.
Palmyra April 23 d 1818.
State of New York
Ontario County } ss.
Clerks office
In testimony that William Rogers whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate was on the day of the date of the same one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Ontario and that the same is his signature I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the County seal at Canandaigua this 24 th day of June A. D. 1818
(Seal)
J. M. M c Nan Clk
I certify that the above is a correct copy of paper in case of Willard Church, Rev. War No, 44,750.
Chief O. W. & N. Div.