Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12470, Fairbanks Church, Conn

SERVICE
NUMBER
Bonn
Church, Fairbanks
S. 12470
CONTENTS

Dead. See letter 26 Nov. 1836 to C. J. M c Curdy & P. Ag.
Connecticut 3830.
Fairbanks Church
of Lyne in the State of Conn. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Teales of the Reg t commanded by Col. Webb in the Cont t troops line for
17. Months.
Continental ★ Conn.
Records completed Aug 17/05 f.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 56. Dollars 66. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 d day of Jan y 1833 and sent to Hon. Noyes Barker, M. of R.
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832 — $84.99. Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Mar. 33. 28.33.
$113.32.
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Francis J. Francioni Book (S. Vol. 3 d Page 36.

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex } p Middlesex Probate District
On this first day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for the District of Middlesex now sitting Fairbanks Church now a resident of the town of Lyne in Middlesex County & State of Connecticut aged about Seventy nine years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated.
That about the middle of the month of July, according to his best recollection on the 12 th day of that month in the year 1775 he enlisted into Captain Nathan Hale's Company in Colonel Webb's Regiment of Infantry to serve for the term of Five Months, that said Regiment was on the establishment of the State of Connecticut - that he did serve in said Company for said term at the end of said term he was honorably discharged - That for about two months after his enlistment said Company was stationed in the town of Middlesex & the officers employed in recruiting & listening men & in disciplining the Company - That about two months after, about the middle of September orders came to march to Boston, that he did march to Boston with said Company, encamped at Roxbury

he thanks for one night only & the next day marched to Mystic where he continued till the time of his enlistment had expired, that he was then honorably discharged & returned home on foot with his brother in law James Comstock of Montville now in Court. That Captain Nathan Hale was Captain of the Company - he does not recollect the name of the 1 st Lieutenant but he was from Stonington that Alpheus Chapman & David Hillhouse were both Serjeants in said Company & said Declarent was a Private -
That on or about the first day of April 1776 he the declarant again entered the service & enlisted as a private into Captain William Lathams Company of Infantry in Colonel Sedgwards Regiment as a private to serve for the period of Nine Months that he did serve in said Company for said term of Nine Months & at the end thereof was honorably discharged. That said Company was stationed in the town of Groton in New London County in a Battery afterwards part of Fort Griswold & was employed as part of the Garrison.
That about Ten days after the end of said term he again entered the service & in the winter of the years 1776 & 1777 enlisted as a private into Captain Grants Company of Infantry in Colonel John Elyes Regiment for the term of Three Months. That he did serve in said Company for said term & at the end thereof was honorably discharged. That immediately after the said Declarant entered said Regiment had orders to march to Providence. That it continued there most of the winter, that towards spring part was marched back to New London & Declarant received his discharge at said New London at the end of the term of his enlistment. That he has

no documentary evidence of his service, that he never received any written discharge, nor does he believe any were ever given. That he cannot recollect the names of any other person upon whom he can call for evidence of his services excepting the said James Cornstock now in court. That there is a record of his birth in the record book of his father's family now in possession of his brother in law the said James Cornstock. That the officers of the Regiment in which he first enlisted were Col. M aj . Lieut. Col. Hall Major for Satterlee. That he has always resided in Rensselaer County aforesaid. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
And the said Fairbanks Church to the interrogatories presented by the War Department, the same being propounded to him by said Court makes answer as follows —
He was born in what was then Rensselaer now Washington in the 1 st day of October A D 1752. He has a record of his age on a Book at Home kept by his Father Cory since deceased. He was living when called into service in the town of Stillwater now Montville. Ever since the Revolutionary War he has lived in the town of Helder in Rensselaer County where he now lives —
To the 4 th & 5 th he has stated truly all his knowledge in the above Declaration —
To the 6 th that he never rec d any written discharge
To the 7 th he has stated, What is true that no other person is living who can testify as to his services except the said James Cornstock —
Fairbanks Church

Nov 25
Waverly Church Ch No
3830
Hon. J. L. Schwardt
Com: of Pensions
Washington D.C.
FREE 10 3/4

Syracuse Rowlandson Co. Connecticut
Hon. J. L. Edwards.
Sir.
A Pensioner of the name of Grafton Church of this Town did leaving about $14.00 of his pension due. He left 3 daughters in this state with one of whom he died. She received his pension for supporting him and the arrears should belong to her. He had a number of other children who went a long time since to the State of Ohio, and have not been heard from for many years. If it is necessary in order to draw that little sum, to look up all the heirs scattered as they were many through the Union, to obtain their letter of attorney the arrears must be abandoned. I write to enquire whether a power from the heirs in this state who are the only ones pension to be alive will not be sufficient? If so will you be so good to make an order to that effect &
much oblige yours &c.
Chas. J. Wluray
The family to which the pension belongs is poor.

copy mike 2- Rev.& 1812 Wars Section. thier mmh
December 7, 1923.
Col. C. D. Parkhurst, 121 Hempstead St., New London, Conn.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War Pension claim, S. 12470, it appears that Fairbanks Church was born in New London, New London County, Connecticut, October 1, 1752.
While a resident of New London, Connecticut, he enlisted July 12, 1775, and served as a private five months in Captain Nathan Hale's Company, Colonel Webb's Connecticut Regiment.
He enlisted April 1, 1776, and served as a private nine months in Captain William Latham's Company, Colonel Ledyard's Connecticut Regiment. In January 1777 he enlisted and served as a private three months in Captain Grant's Company, Colonel John Ely's Connecticut Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 1, 1832, while a resident of Lyme, New London County, Connecticut.

Soldier had three daughters and other children, no names stated, and the name of his wife not on record.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Fairbanks Church
2035
CHURCH, FAIRBANKS (CONN.) S-12470

Comitoch she has in open Court submitted and sworn to the preceding affidavit is a person well known to the Court to be not only credible but of the most respectable standing for veracity and integrity and that his statement is entitled to the fullest credit and most implicit belief —
I, Jeremiah Isham Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Astoria do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Fairbanks Chunk for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at my office this First day of August AD 1832 J. Isham Clerk

James Comstock of the town of Montville in Middlesex County having first been duly sworn according to law doth in his oath depose testify & say that he is now about eighty two years old - That Fairbanks Church of the town of Lyme in said County is his brother-in-law & has long been well known to him - That the said Church served with the said Deponent in the year 1775 for the term of Five months in Captain Hales Company & was honorably discharged at the end of said term - That in the year 1776 the said Church again enlisted into the service & served in Captain Lathams Company for the term of Nine months & that immediately after being discharged from said Latham's Company the said Church again enlisted into Capt. Grants Company & served in said Company a winter's Campaign at Pawtucket in the State of Rhode Island - & at the end of said term was honorably discharged - That the deponent has heard, the Deacon of the said Church made this day in Court in order to obtain a pension under the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832 and he the deponent believes that all the facts therein stated are true & the said deponent further testifies that he served the said three above mentioned terms with the said Church & knows the facts are true & that according to his best recollection the dates are correctly stated.
James Comstock
Sworn to before me in open Court this 20 th day of June 1832 J. W. Clark

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant Fairbanks Church was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states And said Court further certifies that the above named James

1933-Dec 7- Hist. to Col. C. D. Parkhurst Imms
Rev. Imms
12470
INVALID.
File No. 12,470
Fairbanks Church
Pri. Rev. Imms
Act: June 1 st 1832
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 66
[Arrangement of 1870.]

House of Representatives
Washington D.C. Dec. 1837.
Sir
I am indebted to you for the declarative evidence of James Gannett, Fairbanks Church, South Gallon & John Baker they each claim a pension. The persons I could know most of the witnesses, and many of the circumstances connected with their claims. I am certain you can rely on the truth of declarative evidence. I hope to have an answer from you as soon as convenient. I forward them documents to you through the Post Office as I am desirous to give you as little trouble in person as possible
I am Sir your obedt. Servt.
Hooper & Barba
L. Edwards Esq. P.O. Pension Office Washington D.C.

Gen. M. Barber
Washington

62 New London Nov r 28 th 1832
Dear Sir
I herewith forward to you the applications of Messrs Comstock & Church for pensions under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. These were returned by the War Department with these remarks viz "The declarations of Messrs Comstock & Church appear to be previous transcripts of each other excepting the service on board the prison ship. The declaration of Church is not supported by the affidavits of Mr. Butchey. Messrs Comstock & Church not only agree in their declarations but have materially furnished each other with affidavits."
Now you My Dear Sir will know our friend Jas Comstock best. Muster at Annapolis - I have a more honest & upright man here is not - & the court have found that his character is above par. That his declaration should agree with Church who was with him in all his services except that on board the prison ship is not extraordinary for although the truth is not always like the truth there is but one way of proving it, that is the best way of proving it is by the testimony of an honest man. I have obtained two additional depositions

of two witnesses in addition to those first sent on viz those of Messrs upon Comstock  East  Church  Amos Comstock - I do not know what more can be done than in persons of high character for honesty & integrity - I suppose they will support the declaration in full - If I must think that there is some mistake when the writer of the letter states that the deposition of Mr Berkeley does not support the declaration of Mr Com- stock - I believe many men have been punished upon slighter testimony, I do say that that affidavit may be again examined -
With respect to the application of Mr Church there are three additional affidavits Judge Warren has certified to his character & to his knowledge of his services - one other person who served with him has also given an affidavit - Goshorn former the son of Mr W. Powers late of Black Point deceased has also testified that Mr Church has the reputation of being a revolutionary soldier in Mr Powers means of knowledge are good as Mr Church worked for many years in the old farm at Black Point -
These two claims are clapped together by the department - I think correctly - you know the character of some of the witnesses I know that you will willingly do justice to the

merits of the applicants & the virtues
In haste
respectfully
your friend &
Rev. Smith
Th. S. Perkins
Dear
Mrs. Barker
Washington

November 26, 1836.
Sir: In answer to your letter respecting the case of Fairbanks Church, deceased, I have to inform you that the heirs of the deceased who reside in Connecticut may draw the amount due them on filing with the Agent such vouchers as the enclosed printed sheets point out. But the balance due to the other children must be reserved for them till they make application.
Particular attention should be paid to the rule of November 1833, in one of the within sheets.
The Agent has been instructed to make payment as above. To Charles J. McCurdy, Esq., Lyme, Conn.

121 Hunsheat St.
New London Conn.
Nov. 26. 1923.
The Commissioner of Pensions. Washington D.C.
My dear Sir:-
I beg to ask such information as you can give concerning our Fairbanks Clance, given on page 655 Connecticut in the Revolution as a Pensioner in 1822, residing in New London County.
His name book, page 84 gives a Fairbanks Clance as a Private July 10 to Dec. 18 - 1775 in Capt. Smallwood's Light Infantry 3rd Company of 7th Regiment, Connecticut forces; and on page 617, a Private Fairbanks Clance appears as belonging to a Company raised for defense of New London in 1776. I suppose this may be the same Fairbanks Clance who appears as a Pensioner.
This data is requested for family genealogical and historical reasons. and information is wanted to show if he had a wife, and children shown on the record, their names if known, and when & where buried.
any fee called for will be gladly paid, in advance of necessary.
Yours very truly
C. D. Parkhurst Alma U.S.A. Retired.

To The Hon.
Secretary of War
Washington

New London Conn
Nov r 28 th 1832.
Sir
A Communication has been received from the War Department dated 9 th Nov r 1832, in which the applications of Messrs James Comstock & Fairbanks Church are returned with these remarks viz The declarations of Messrs Comstock & Church appear to be precise transcripts of each other excepting the service of the former on board the prison ship, the declaration of which is not supported by the affidavit of Mr Bulkley. Messrs Comstock & Church not only agree in their declarations but have mutually furnished each other with affidavits.
Without intending to suggest that any improper understanding has existed in any instance among claimants under the act yet as the regulations require the best evidence of service be produced in support of each Claim that can be, this Department would not discharge its duty to the Public unless it required claimants to show that suitable exertions had been made used to procure other testimony claimants were granted under such circumstances. The papers in these cases are also returned. Mr Comstock has not stated the year of his birth as is required by the regulations.
before
It is for you to compare the correctness of these remarks but in reference to the case of Mr Comstock it may be observed that he has stated the year of his birth as will be found on the 4 th page of the declaration now underscored with red ink. That the affidavit of Mr Bulkley did appear to the Court fully to support the

of Mr Cornstock & I beg that that affidavit may be again examined - I now forward additional affidavits of Messrs Amos Church and Jason Cornstock who testify as to their knowledge as to part of the services etc. etc. - I can refer with advantage to the Hon Mr Barber of the House of Representatives for any additional testimony as to the high character of Mr Cornstock -
The declaration of Mr Fairbanks Church is also enclosed with additional affidavits, one of Judge Warren who had long known Mr Church one of Mr Southam with whom Church was acquainted in early life & who saw him in the service at Fort Griswold & also one of Mr Joshua Powers who for some time long knew Mr C. as a laborer on his farm - with these additional documents I hope that these claims will be considered as proved -
That there should be a similarity in these declarations it did not appear to me to be strange when I recollect that they served together & that they agreed in their statements went rather to corroborate them than against them -
With regard to letter proof, permit me to add - Immediately upon being applied to by several of the persons who have filed their declarations I wrote to Hartford to obtain copies of the Old Muster Rolls etc. etc. but was told that all the papers which related to the Militia of Connecticut had been removed to the War Department at Washington but that they were supposed to have been dis- posed of when the War office at that place was burnt - I was not able to procure any

proof from the accounts kept at Hartford -
When it is remembered that most of the men of this state who were able to do duty were in the service during the war it will not appear strange that those who are witnesses should themselves have been applicants
With respect to the general remarks above I may perhaps be permitted to say - that in the finding of the Court with respect to the character of Mr. Comstock is again examined I trust the department will believe that no "improper understanding has existed in" this case -
I am respectfully
your obed t Serv t
Th. S. Perkins
To the
Hon. The Secretary of War Washington

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield ss Probate District of Litchfield
On this 28 th Day of Nov AD 1832 Personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for said District, Joshua Powers, Moses Warren & Joseph Latham Witnesses in the Matter of the application of Fairbanks Church for a license & severally before said Court made oath as follows viz —
Joshua Powers of the town of Waterford in Litchfield County having first been duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose testify & say that he is now about 49 years of age — That he is well acquainted with Fairbanks Church of Lyme who has signed the accompanying declaration — That he believes him to be seventy nine years of age — That he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a son of the deceased & that the deponent concurs in that opinion and the 2 d deponent further deposes & says that the said Church resided for many years in the family of deponents father & since the decease of the said father in the family of the deponent — that the said Church has often mentioned the times and places of his revolutionary services, & that from the best recollection of deponent they were the same as now stated in the said Churches declaration made in this Court on the first day of August AD 1832 & that has this day been read by said deponent —
Joshua Powers
Subscribed & sworn to before said Court the day of year above written Capt J. H. Hambleton

Moses Warren of the town of Lyne in New Hampshire County having first been duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose testify & say - That he is now in the seventy first year of his age - That he is well acquainted with Fairbanks Church of said town of Lyne who made his declaration before this court on the 1 st day of August A D 1832 & to which this deposition is intended to be attached - That he believes the said Church is about seventy nine years of age; That Deponent well remembers that the said Church was in the revolutionary war as a private soldier but deponent was not economin in that Company or at that time - That the said Church is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolutionary war and that he concurs in that opinion knowing the same to be true - That the Deponent has this day heard the above mentioned declaration of the said Church read to him & from his own recollection of facts & from his personal acquaintance with the said Church, he believes the said declaration to be true & that the facts therein stated are correctly stated
Subscribed & sworn to before said Court this day of year above written Messrs J. W. H. Clerk
Moses Warren

Joseph Latham of the town of Lymne in the County of New London having first been duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose testify & say - That he is now seventy three years of age - That he has long known Fari- Bank Church a resident of the town of Lymne aforesaid - Deponent will remember that in the year 1776 - he the said deponent saw the said Church who was then a soldier in Fort Griswold - that he was in terms of intimacy with the said Church & they were frequently together during the period of said Church's service - Deponent was at that time a soldier in Fort Trumbull in New London - That Church was a soldier in Captain William Latham's Company - That the Capt. n was cousin to the Deponent - Deponent believes, from his best recollection that Church served at least Nine Months in said Latham's Company - And the Deponent further deposes & says, that at the end of said term of service of said Church in said Garrison at Fort Griswold, the said Church left said fort & when the Deponent asked his said Cousin Capt. Latham where said Church was, the said Captain told him that Church had again enlisted & was gone off to the eastward towards Boston.
"That he has been acquainted with the said Church that he believes him to be of the age he states in his declaration viz about 79 years of age - That he served as he states in his said declaration & that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that he concurs in that opinion"
Subscribed & sworn to before me Count the Days of year above written - Capt. J. H. Munnick
Joseph Latham

And the said Court do hereby certify that it appears to the Court that Joshua Bowen, Moses Warren and Joseph Latham who have signed the preceding affidavits & made Oath thereto are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit
I Francis Wharn Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Middlesex aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original & Supplementary proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Fairbanks Church for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court at my Office this 28 th Day of Nov. A.D. 1832
F. Wharn Clerk
Fairbanks Church
2038
about
April 17 th 1832
$56.66
Rev. N. Packard

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Church, Gideon GRADE Private LINE Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER 5577 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Oct. 18, 1791
to Ebenezer Farnham
*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.