Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1,951, Parlly Church, Conn.

SERVICE
SERVICE Loam
NUMBER _____
NUMBER R 1951
CONTENTS

V 34.194 Parley Church
1957

State of Vermont } On this Seventh day of July, AD 1837 Caledonia District ss. } personally appeared in open court before the Hon. Samuel P. Mattock, Judge of the Court of Probate for the district of Caledonia now sitting, Parly Church a resident of Waterford in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont, aged 73 years last May, 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. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated; That at Willington in the State of Connecticut, his then place of residence, in the summer of 1779, he entered the service of the United States, as a substitute for his father Asa Church, who was drafted, into the company commanded by Capt. Woods, and regiment commanded by Col. Wells, of the Connecticut militia. That immediately after he joined the said company, he marched with the company to New London Connecticut, that he remained at New London on duty with his company for the space of two months, when the company was dismissed & he returned home - that his company was employed one day every week, in building a fort at New London one day on guard - during the two months, he remained there -
That afterwards, about the middle of May 1780, or 1781, he cannot recollect certainly which year, he enlisted into the service under Capt. Norris, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Willis the regiment met at Tolland, marched from thence to Webtron & thence to New London, where he remained for the space of four months as he verily believes, in the service of the United States for about two months, & then marched to the old Indian town of Mohegan, where he remained till he was dismissed, that he served during the last term the space of four months in the whole, according to his best recollection -
That owing to sickness caused by sleeping on the ground near his tent door in a storm & being drenched with rain, he was unable when dismissed to walk home, & his father came after him - That during the six months that he was in the service of the United States, he was not engaged in any civil pursuit.
That he has no documentary evidence of his service, & knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service, except the testimony of his brother David Church hereto annexed -
We hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any State - Parly Church
Sworn to & Subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid
Sam. P. Mattock Judge of Probate
I certify that Parly Church who has subscribed the foregoing declaration is a credible witness, that his reputa- tion for truth in the neighborhood where he resides is good & that his statements above considered entitled to full credit.
Sam P. Mattock Judge as aforesaid
I Theron Howard Register of the Court

tion for truth in the neighborhood where he resides is good & that his statements above I consider entitled to full credit.
Sam W. Mattock Judge as aforesaid
I Theron Howard Register of the court aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the court aforesaid in the matter of the application of Sally Church for a pension, and the said court do hereby declare it as their opinion that the said Sally Church was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Danville in said district this seventh day of July A.D. 1837
Theron Howard Register

Lower Watford March 18 1837.
I David Church of Lyndon County of Caledonia and State of Vermont hereby testify and say that to my certain knowledge Parley Church of Watford County and State of Vermont was engaged in the Revolutionary service and that he was out at two different times the length of which times I cannot definitely state and further your Dependant saith not David Church
The above testimony subscribed and sworn to before me J. R. Fairbanks } Justice Peace.
Watford March 18 th 1837
The above named David Church I have been acquainted with for some years and can without hesitation say that I consider him a man of undoubted truth and veracity J. R. Fairbanks } Justice of the Peace

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section M.P.S.
May 31, 1927
Mrs. W. A. Reynolds 236 Newbury St. Boston, Mass.
Madam:
I have to advise you that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 1951, that PARLLY CHURCH was born in May, 1764, and was the son of Asa.
He alleged that while a resident of Wellington, Connecticut, he enlisted and served with the Connecticut troops as follows:
In the summer of 1779 served two months as a substitute for his father in Captain Wood's Company in Colonel Well's Regiment.
From about the middle of May, 1780 or 1781, served four months under Captain Norris in Colonel Willis' Regiment.
He applied for pension July 7, 1837, while a resident of Waterford, Caledonia District, Vermont, but his claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of six months service as required by the pension law.
In 1850 reference was made to his son but his name was not given.
The date of the death of Parly Church is not given in the papers of said pension claim but he was alive in December, 1850.
The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to a soldier by the name of Perley Church and the above is the history of the only soldier of a similar name that is found

on said records.
The Revolutionary War records fail to afford any information in regard to a claim for pension or bounty land having been made on account of the service of Asa Church, the father of Parly, or of an Asa Church who was born June 25, 1738, and died July 21, 1824.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner

I Pearly Church of Waterford in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont, aged - 73 - years do testify and say, that soon after I heard of the passage of the Act of Congress of June 7. 1832 I applied to Benjamin F. Deming of Danville in said County then Judge of the Probate Court to make out my declaration for a pension under that act that said Deming informed me that he must swear positively that he was in the service six months or he could not draw a pension - that this deponent being old & infirm and his memory poor, he did not then, nor does he now feel himself safe to swear positively to the time, altho' he verily believes that he served the United States as a soldier in the Revolution for the term of six months - as he has heretofore stated in his declaration made on the 7 th day of July 1837 before the Probate Court for the district of Caledonia -
That from the information given by said Deming to this deponent, this deponent relinquished the hope of getting a pension, until about a year ago, he was informed by a Mr. Pike that he was entitled to a pension and if from loss of memory he could not state the exact time, it would not be required - but if he could swear that he believed he served not less than six months a pension would be granted - and that the foregoing is all the reason why he delayed so long to make application - Pearly Church
State of Vermont Caledonia County ss. Danville February 16. 1838. Then personally appeared before me, the above named Pearly Church and subscribed the foregoing deposition and made solemn oath in due form of law that the facts set forth therein are true - and I certify that said Pearly Church is beyond doubt a man of unimpeachable integrity and a credible witness - Sam W. Mattocks Justice of Peace

State of Vermont Caledonia County ss.
§ I Samuel P. Mattock, clerk of the County Court of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that Samuel P. Mattock, is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his Commission was dated on the 1 st day of November A D 1837 and will expire on the last day of November A D 1838, and that his signature within written is genuine. Given under my hand & the Seal of said County Court this 16 th day of February A D 1838 —
Sam. P. Mattock Clerk

Mr Samuel B Mettocks Danville Vermont

Comptroller's Office Hartford Connecticut March 16th 1838
On application of Parly Church I have examined the books and papers in this office relating to revolutionary services and find and certify that Capt David Wood is credited on Haskell's Receipts under the head of Militia service from April to November 1779. £1.089-14-1.
He is also credited on the same book April 17 1780 for service at Greenwich £146-4-7, and for service at the same place June 2 d 1781. £685-4-1, and also for service at the same place April 16th 1783. £492-12-0 1/2.
Capt Benjamin Norris is also credited on the same book for Militia service June 11th 1780. £198-15-3.
Capt B Norris is further credited on the same book Jan'y 10th 1782. £794-7-3. under the following head. to Wit. "The United States Dr To the State of Connecticut for disbursements for the pay &c of three Regiments under the command of Col Ebenezer Willis for three months. raised in consequence of a requisition of General Washington in June 1780."
There is no rolls of the companies commanded by Capt Wood & Capt Norris in this office.
I further certify that the name of Parly Church has not been found.
Wm Field Comptroller

W. G. Frye Esq. Concord H

Apr 24
NY to care Paley Church,
Mr. Washington  City D.C.

Concord April 17th 1838
Hon. J. L. Edwards,
Dear Sir I again transmit to you the papers in the case of Dea. Pearly Church, There has been much delay in consequence of your Honor requiring a certificate from the Comptroller of Connecticut. Old Dea Church is very poor and was required to pay $3. before said officer would examine the records for him. The old man is so certain that he was out over six months and supposed that if there was any information in that office it would tend to show that fact, that his friends provided him with the fee. And altho' it appears there are no rolls of companies in that office still we consider the certificate of the Comptroller to corroborate rather than to detract anything from the Dea's statement. It is the opinion of all who know him that he is justly entitled to a pension, And all who know anything about the business believe he has complied with the requirements. Should you Hon. see fit to send a Certificate you may send it to Dea Church at Waterford Vt. or to me at Concord.
Very Respectfully,
Your Obedient
Assistant
Warney G. Fry
Hon J. L. Edwards

No of Reps. Apr 30. 1838
Hon D. L. Edwards
Sir.
I am informed that Parly Church of Waterford, County of Caledonia Vermont has made application for a pension & forwarded to the Dept his petition & vouchers. Will you please to inform me if his case has been decided
If it has not, will you please inform me of the disposition of it, as soon as any action is had upon it,
I am Sir
Your Obedt Servt
Isaac Fletcher

We Thomas Hall a Clergyman residing in Waterford in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont and Ephraim C. Parks residing in the same Town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Dea. Pearly Church who has subscribed and sworn to a declaration respecting service rendered to the United States by himself in the Revolutionary War, that we believe him to be seventy three 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.
Thomas Hall.
E. C. Parks
Sworn and subscribed this 10 th day of July A.D. 1837
Before
J. R. Fairbanks
Justice Peace
I Timothy R. Fairbanks a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont certify that I am personally acquainted with Rev. Thomas Hall and Ephraim C. Parks Esq. of Waterford aforesaid who subscribed the above affidavit that they are men of undoubted veracity and their statements entitled to full credit.
J. R. Fairbanks
Justice Peace
Personally appeared before me Timothy R. Fairbanks a Justice of the Peace for the County of Caledonia in the State of Vermont Dea. Pearly Church who being duly sworn deposes and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of time he served in the revolutionary War but according to his best recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below and in the following manner. For six months I served as a soldier, and for such service I claim a Pension.
Pearly Church
Sworn and subscribed this 13 th day of July A.D. 1837
Before
J. R. Fairbanks
Justice Peace

State of Vermont Caledonia County ss.
I Samuel P. Mattocks, Clerk of the County Court of the County aforesaid Do hereby certify that Timothy R. Fairbanks, Esq. is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County aforesaid duly commissioned & qualified that his commission was dated on the 10 th day of Nov 1836 & will expire the last day of November 1837, and that his several signatures to the foregoing (being five) as such Justice, are genuine.
In testimony whereof I hereunto Set my hand & the Seal of said County Court this 31 st day of August 1837
Sam. P. Mattocks Clerk

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Concord Vermont Dec. 30th 1850 -
Dear Sir
I wrote you some months since enquiring about a claim of Parley Church, I made out his papers some years since (which are on file in your office) but failed a few days of making out six months service - The old man is still living, says there is a law now in force which gives a pension to him & he says it is just he should have one as he served his Country between 5 & 6 months in the Revolution and in consequence thereof had a scurvy severe fit of sickness - He wishes his case investigated as soon as convenient so that if he is repulsed he can have time to present a petition to Congress this session. I am hardly importuned by the heirs of Josiah Goodell to present their claim for more pension. They say he was pensioned for 23 months service. They say that the facts are, he served 23 months then enlisted for 5 years as Orderly Sergeant served 2 months & hired a substitute. - I would further say that I am trying to make out a few claims for Bounty Land, would enquire if I can have furnished from the Department, a copy of the Roll of the 9th Regiment of the in the Dec. of 1812. Will you please inform me on those points as soon as convenient. I am oblige your humble servant
Harry G. Fry
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comr. of Pensions
Please Adenys
H. G. Fry
Concord
Vermont

Concord Vermont Oct. 21 st 1850
Hon J. L. Eccles
Dear Sir
I made out some few years since the papers for an old Soldier by the name of Parley Church who claimed a pension for services in the Revolutionary War. His claim was decided against, because he did not quite make out 6 months service. His son lately informed me that there was a recent act of Congress which granted a pension for a less term of service than 6 months. I have not seen such act. The old man is yet living & is supported gratuitously by his son, who thinks if there is any pension due he ought to have it. I believe the claim was fairly established, if a less term of service was entitled than 6 months, & that the papers are on file in your office - and if he is now entitled under any new act, perhaps he can have a certificate without going all over with the usual ceremonies of evidence again. The Department have been so sharp & exact in their rules lately, that in one or two of the last cases which I have undertook to establish, that we have had to sacrifice a large share of the Pension to get assistance from a person at Washington who had the evidence of the service & who understood the business. The Revolutionary soldiers being nearly all dead it is next to impossible (even here in the Country) to get such proof as is required, and I think if the evidence of the service is in Washington City & no where else the Government would assume the burden of getting satisfied as it uses up a large share of the pension of the Claimant as the rule now is - Will you have the goodness to send me the act of Congress & rules of the Late Bounty Law, as I have been applied to, to assist Claimants, & no nothing about it. Hon J. L. Eccles, Henry Respectfully & Obedient Servant H. G. Frye

Rev. S. Fletcher
May 29. 1838
B.

War Dep Pen: H. May 29. 38
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that the claim of Parley Church has been again examined & disallowed. He alleges two terms of service viz 2 mo at New London under Capt Woods of Col. Wells Regt in 79. and 4 mo under Capt Morris of Col. Wyllis's Regt in 1780.
By the comptroller's certificate it is establish- -ed that Wyllis's Regt was in service but 3 mo in 1780 which reduces the aggregate of his service below the minimum provision of the act of 7. June 1832.
His papers are placed on our files
Hon. J. Steele H. Rep.

Rejected
See let to Hon. S.
Fletcher May 29. 58
H G Fry 11 May 57 ✓

Jan 8 - 1857
Respecting claim of Parley Church
W. D. C.
Waverly 7th
Washington
Concord Vt Jan 3
Hon. James M.
12/6 mo 57
Commission of Quorum

Oct 24/52 Rev. Samuel Rice's Church Parlor Capt. D. Little
At James L. Evans Commissaire of Prisons Washington D.C.
Rev.

236 Newbury St Boston Mass Mar 24 1927.
U.S. Pension Bureau Washington D. C.
Will you please write me whither Asa Church who was born in Mansfield Conn June 25 1735, died July 21 1824 has a Revolutionary record in your Bureau. He served in the Rev. war, and being called home by illness in his family his son Asa Jr born May 7 1764 while yet in his teens took his father's place & served 5 1/2 months Asa Jr died April 5 1853 Can you give me information concerning either man's war records & does any record show their ancestry?
Yours Truly (Mrs W. A.) Flora Church Reynolds 236 Newbury St Boston Mass

1927 May 31 hist. to Mrs. W. A. Reynolds mes.
1951
REJECTED
P. O. _____
Perley Church
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Rejected list of 1882 gives foll. reason for rejection. "He did not serve six months."
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18