Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22,746, Asa Church, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Church, Asa Rachel
W. 22,746
CONTENTS

Declaration. In order to obtain the benefits of the 3 d Section of the Act of Congress of the fourth of July 1836.
State of Massachusetts.
County of Worcester ss.
On this day of December in the year One Thousand eight hundred thirty six, personally appeared before the Hon. Ira Barton, Judge of the Probate of Wills within and for the said County of Worcester, Rachel Wheeler , a resident of Hubbardston in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, Widow, aged Eighty four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, on her oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4, 1836. That she is the Widow of Asa Church late of said Hubbardston, deceased, who was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution, and a Sergeant in the Army, also a part of his services were those of a Deserter Master Sergeant. That on the commencement of the Revolution and before the Battle at Lexington he was a standing Minuteman in Rutland in said County at the time he said then lived. On the alarm given by said Battle, he immediately with the other Minutemen of said Rutland under Capt. Easton and the other Officers of the Company marched to Cambridge. Soon after the said Officers of Rutland returned home, and the said Asa Church enlisted as a Soldier under Capt. Adam Wheeler of said Hubbardston and in whom he served eight months and returned to said Rutland. During that time of service he was married to the said Asa Church in said Rutland, he left one with his Father and returned to the Army in Cambridge. The Officers of said Rutland then said Asa Church renewed the above eight months under Capt. Adam Wheeler in the Regiment of Militia commanded by Col. Ephraim Doolittle, Lieut. Col. Benjamin Holden, and Maj. William Moore, who was killed in the Battle of Bunker Hill. He enlisted under said Capt. Wheeler about the first day of May 1775, and returned about the first of December following to said Rutland. In said Rutland we lived together till September 1776, when we were removed to said Hubbardston on to a lot of wild land, which he had bought. On the fifth day of April nineteen hundred and seventy seven he the said Asa

I hereby enlist myself as a Soldier into the service of the United States under the said Capt. William D. Lord during the War. On the 14th day of April aforesaid we marched from said Rutland for Peekskill through Hudson, Poughkeepsie, Wappinger's Creek, Suffield, Simsbury, Farmington, Litchfield, New Milford, Danbury, Ridgefield, where on the 27th of said April we overtook the party of that Regiment and fought them till near dark, next day pursued them, overtook them at Long's Creek and marched to Salem, where we arrived May 3 arrived at Peekskill, and for further particulars of his Marches and Officers under whom he served and with whom he was in the service of the United States in the years 1777, 1778, 1779 up to March 15, 1779 when he returned home on a furlough from Genl. Nixon, I would refer to a Book called Book also another Book containing his services as a Quarter Master Sergeant during the years of 1782 and 1783 mentioning the Officers names of the Regiment being Col. Smith, Maj. Spear, Capt. Daniels, Pillsbury, Smith, Hayward, Chamberlain, Wattle, Pike, Doct. Coomes & others therein named. Before his furlough above was out he returned from Haverdon to this army and was in 1780 and in 1781 in New Jersey and Pennsylvania of which he has no Journal. I have no other documents of evidence of the said Church's than those above, unless in the war office of the United States.
She further declares that she was married to the said Church on or about the 23rd day of May in the year seventeen hundred and twenty five by John Stone Esquire, late of said Rutland, deceased, that her husband the aforesaid Asa Church died on the fifteenth day of February 1809, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. My name before my marriage with the said Asa Church was Rachel Newton.  Rachel Church
I was to and subscribed on the day and year above written before Abel Brewster Judge of the Court of Probate for said County.
And hereupon the said Court, after a full investigation of the matter, do declare it as their opinion, that the said Asa Church was a soldier of the Revolution as the said Rachel both also states. That she was now

Widow Rachel Church; Declaration.
834. 3. Sec.
since to the said Area, that the said Area hath decreased since that the said Area was since removed his widow as she hath also deceased - she being of a person of truth, came in my opinion entitled to full belief
Mr. Nathan Judge of the Court of sessions
Rachel Church Widow. Wid of the Church
At 2 P.M. S. J. 9 years 5120. In an, from 4 March 1831
Rev. S. J. 9 years H. P. 1831

1791 Massachusetts Rachel Church, and Asa Church Wadsworth in the State of Mass. who was a 2nd Lieut in the Army commanded by Captain W. Pease of the Regt. commanded by Maj. in the Mass. line for during the war
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts the rate of 121 Dollars — Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of July 1837 and sent Hon. Gen Simonds H. D.
Wears to the 4th of Sept 1836 1600 semi-ant. allowance ending 14 Mar 37 60
3 Dec. Rts. 20:37 $729 { Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. S. Clerk Book A Vol. Page 47
at to e c R G

Prof. Putnam Esq. Deps.

I Rufus Putnam of Rutland in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts do depose & say that I am the Town clerk of the said Town of Rutland, having in my possession the Records of said Town, that the following are extracts from the said Records of said Town to wit
"Oct 22. 1774 Issa Church intoned his intentions of Marriage with Rachel Newton both of Rutland" May 23. 1775 gave certificate that the above names Issa & Rachel have been published as the law directs"
"John Stone Esqr Died Oct 11. 1776" True copies of extracts of Records of the said Town of Rutland
Attest Rufus Putnam Clerk of the Town of Rutland I further testify that I have carefully examined the records of the said Town of Rutland - but that I can find no record of the Marriage of the said Issa Church with the said Rachel Newton. And I further testify that I find records of Marriages, consummated by the above named John Stone Esqr, from May 1758 to August 22- 1770 inclusive, but none later than that period
Rufus Putnam
State of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss. Nov. 28. 1836. Then Rufus Putnam the above named personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me,
Samuel Swan, Justiciary of the Peace. I also certify that the above Rufus Putnam is a credible Witness. Samuel Swan, Justiciary of the Peace.

Wm Bennett Jr Depo.

I W m Bennett Jr of Hubbardston in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts do depose and say that I am the Town Clerk of the said Town of Hubbardston having in my possession the Records of the Town, that the following are extracts from the said Records of said Town to wit.
Benjamin Church Son of Asa Church and Rachel his wife was born Feb y 4 th 1776 Lucy Church Daughter of Asa Church and Rachel his wife was born Dec r 5 th 1782
Patty Church Daughter of Asa Church and Rachel his wife was born July 29 th 1784
Asa Church Son of Asa Church and Rachel his wife was born June 6 th 1786
Ephraim Church Son of Asa Church and Rachel his wife was born March 18 th 1788
Luke Church Son of Asa Church and Rachel his wife was born June 15 th 1790
Asa Church & Rachel his wife
John Church son to the above born July 1 st 1792
Stephen Church ditto do born Aug t 20 th 1794
Asa Church the above Parent died Feby 15 th 1809
A true Copy of extracts from Town Records of said Hubbardston I also certify that since the death of Asa Church above there is no record of any marriage of the Widow Rachel Church to any person since the decease of said Asa Church in said
Hubbardston Attest W m Bennett Jr Town Clerk I also do depose and say that the above Widow Rachel Church is now in said Hubbardston. W m Bennett Jr Town Clerk
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss. Dec r 3, 1836, Then W m Bennett Jr Town Clerk appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition. Subscribed before me, Samuel Swan, Jr. I also certify that the above W m Bennett Jr is a credible witness. Samuel Swan, Justice of the Peace.

Lilly Flint's Deposition.

I, Polly Flint of Rutland in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esquire, age seventy-seven years, do testify and say, that I was acquainted with Asa Church, late of Hubbardston, in said County, deceased, and the widow Rachel Church of said Hubbardston his late wife, that they both lived in said Rutland at the commence- ment of the Revolutionary War, the said Asa was born and brought up in said Rutland, and his Father lived in my neighborhood, the said Asa lived a long time with Daniel Bartlett, deceased in said Rutland, I know that he was a minute man at the commencement of the Revolutionary war, and on the alarm made after the Battle at Lexington, the said Asa Church with the other minute men of said Rutland immediately marched and left for Cambridge. The Officers soon after returned but the said Church with other Minute men of said Rutland remained, and said Church was absent at believed eight months in the Service at that time, that while he was in the service he was married to Rachel Newton, now the widow of the said Asa Church. They lived in said Rutland a short time after marriage and then removed to said Hubbardston. After his eight months service I have heard it repeatedly said that he enlisted during the War under Capt Adam Wheeler of Hubbardston said Hubbardston. I have frequently been told that the said Asa Church was in the Battle of Bunker Hill under Capt. Adam Wheeler, and soon after the Battle it was said, that said Wheeler was closely shot at, that the waistband of his small clothes was shot off and the said Church tied them up and they removed the contest. From my knowledge of the said Asa Church before and during the war, my conversation with him since, and the credible reports respecting him as a soldier during the War I have no doubt in my mind of his service eight months at the commence- ment of the war, his marriage during that time to the widow Rachel Church, of his enlistment during the War and continuing therein to the close of it. I have frequently since the War seen him and conversed with him about his services during the war, am acquainted and have been acquainted with his family, which is large and respectable, and have no more reason to doubt their intermarriage, than any other married couple as they have always cohabited as husband and wife and been respected as such - G. S. N. J. Flint
I, Polly Flint of Rutland in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esquire, age seventy-seven years, do testify and say, that I was acquainted with Asa Church, late of Hubbardston, in said County, deceased, and the widow Rachel Church of said Hubbardston his late wife, that they both lived in said Rutland at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, the said Asa was born and brought up in said Rutland, and his Father lived in my neighborhood, the said Asa lived a long time with Daniel Bartlett, deceased in said Rutland, I know that he was a minute man at the commencement of the Revolutionary war, and on the alarm made after the Battle at Lexington, the said Asa Church with the other minute men of said Rutland immediately marched and left for Cambridge. The Officers soon after returned but the said Church with other Minute men of said Rutland remained, and said Church was absent at believed eight months in the Service at that time, that while he was in the service he was married to Rachel Newton, now the widow of the said Asa Church. They lived in said Rutland a short time after marriage and then removed to said Hubbardston. After his eight months service I have heard it repeatedly said that he enlisted during the War under Capt Adam Wheeler of Hubbardston. I have frequently been told that the said Asa Church was in the Battle of Bunker Hill under Capt. Adam Wheeler, and soon after the Battle it was said, that said Wheeler was closely shot at, that the waistband of his small clothes was shot off and the said Church tied them up and they removed the contest. From my knowledge of the said Asa Church before and during the war, my conversation with him since, and the credible reports respecting him as a soldier during the War I have no doubt in my mind of his service eight months at the commencement of the war, his marriage during that time to the widow Rachel Church, of his enlistment during the War and continuing therein to the close of it. I have frequently since the War seen him and conversed with him about his services during the war, am acquainted and have been acquainted with his family, which is large and respectable, and have no more reason to doubt their intermarriage, than any other married couple as they have always cohabited as husband and wife and been respected as such - G. S. N. J. Flint

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Asa Church wid. file 22746
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1775 Minute man Thomas Eustis Mass.   May 1. 1775 8 mos. Adam Wheeler Ephraim Doolittle   Apr. 5. 1777 Adam Wheeler   1777-1778 and 1779 Veigt.   1782 and 1783 Quartermaster Veigt.  
Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Rutland, Worcester Co. Mass.
Date of application for pension, Dec. 18. 36. His claim was al
Residence at date of application, Hubbardston, Worcester Co. Mass.
Age at date of application, She was 84 years
Remarks: Soldier married at Rutland Mass. May 23. 1775- Rachel Newton
Soldier died Feb. 15. 1809. Their children were Benjamin b. Oct. 4. 1776: Lucy b. Dec. 3. 1782: Patti b. July 29. 1784: Asa b. June 6. 1786: Ephraim b. Mar. 18. 1788: Luke b. June 15. 1790: John b. July 1. 1792: Stephen b. Aug. 20. 1794:
Very respectfully,

Asa Church DMS
Sixth N. Main St. Bost.
Mr. Porter
Recd 97 N. Main St. Bost.
CHURCH, ASA (MASS.) W-22746

Rutland March 3 rd 1783
Postscript,
Last Week, as you proposed, I took my Horse, and conveyed the Parcel of Letters to Hubbardston, (excuse me) I did not go to your House for I had not Time, altho' it at- tended Meeting there all Day, as doubtless you will hear, it was Night almost on Saturday when I got to the Doctors, & had to go that Night to the Col o & M rs Jessins & was under Obligations to Return Home Sunday after Meetings I can assure you that it was not for Want of Inclination that I did not pay a Visit to your Lady & little ones - the Col o inform d me that they were all well as they are also at M rs Jessins, Mother lives with the Col o & M rs Blair, he has not mov d yet but expects to soon, Mother informs me that She has not been so well this Winter, but is so well as to keep about - the Col o Lady is 32 in.

March 13. th I Excuse the Postscript not coming in the proper Place by Mr. Hey. for I was not at Home when he came, had to follow him to Mr. Whalers, was in so great a hurry I could not find it. Hope to send this by little Cartridge Box as I hear he is going tomorrow would inform you John Foster settled that Note last Monday, will send the money at to your Wife as soon as possible - all well. Capt. Brown's Malt House burnt down last Night a large Quantity of Barley & Malt & Bacon left write the first Opportunity, I will do the same S. P.

in a fine way, & looks quite sprightly, & hearty ~ the Doctors Family were all well as for Brother Kings Family I should not know whether they were dead or alive, if I did not go there once in a while, for they never come near us ~ I think it well as - but they are all well & got three Boys - Tell Surg. Sherry M c G ee that his B ro testimony is published to Miss Thankfull Tower ~ We are all over Head & Ears with News about Peace, at one time, the Articles are all Sign d - at another there is not a Word of Truth in it, so there no knowing what to believe - One Thing induces me to believe there is something of that Nature on Foot, which is this; Our Merchants at Boston have fallen in the Prices of many imported Articles more than one half, it is likely we shall know more about it before long - we are all well at Present as I hope you & all Friends at camp are remember me to the Doct r & all enquiring Friends I must conclude by saying I am your Friend & Bro r A. Porter

I, Ebenezer Mann of Hubbardston, in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Gentleman, aged eighty six years old, do depone and say, that I was well acquainted with Asa Church, late of said Hubbardston, deceased, that on the alarm of the Battle at Lexington I was a minute man of said Hubbardston and Marched on the Green Sixth day of April in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five to Cambridge with other Minute men of said Hubbardston and left Mr. Mann, at the same time said Asa Church aforesaid marched from Rutland in said County with the Minute men there under Capt Eustis I saw the said Asa Church immediately after we arrived to Cambridge, Capt Mann and Capt Eustis with the other Officers of their companies except Lieut Adam Wheeler of said Hubbardston returned home, and Lieut Wheeler was made Captain. Under said Capt Wheeler in the about the first of May in the said year I and the said Church enlisted for eight months and we remained in the Collyer at Cambridge until the month of May the said Church went up to said Rutland and I was told he was married, I was at Rutland when he was there before he and his wife were up and I have no doubt of his being then married. soon after seeing him at Rutland we returned to Cambridge, then our Company went on Charlestown neck, and after the Battle of Bunker Hill, our Company repaired to Winter Hill in Charlestown, I was not in the battle, but was absent and was told that said Church was there. He told me that during the battle Capt Adams whiskers strings to his brushes were cut off by a Ball, and that he tied them up. We both staid our time of service out under Capt Wheeler and returned home I think in the forepart of December. In September seventeen hundred and seventy five he removed from said Rutland to said Hubbardston with his wife, Rachel Church, who was before their Marriage, Rachel Newton. I have been acquainted with the said Asa Church and his said wife unto the time of his death in eighteen hundred and nine, that they have always lived together as husband and wife and raised up a large and respectable family of children. That she is now the widow of said Asa and has never been married since his decease. For the spring of seventeen hundred and seventy seven the said Church enlisted under Capt Adam Wheeler during the war and was absent during that time, and I have no doubt of his being in the service all that time and I was told a Sergeant and that he was a Quarter Master Sergeant. Who was his particular Officer over him I cannot say for I was not with him in his last engagement. Col. Epsom, Doct Little, Lieut Col. Benj. Holden, and Maj Willard Moore were our Officers of the Regiment during our eight months service aforesaid and said Maj was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Ebenezer Mann Worcester, Dec. 3, 1886. Then Ebenezer Mann above named personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me. I also certify that said Ebenezer Mann is a competent witness. Notary Public in and for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

I Mary Mann wife of Ebenezer Mann of Hubbardston in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty years do testify and say, that I was acquainted with the now Widow Rachel Church, who was before her marriage named Rachel Newton. I then lived in Rutland in said County a short distance from her, that Asa Church deceased who then was of said Rutland was a Minute Man and went to Cambridge, soon after he had been there he came home and as it was then said, married to said Rachel Newton, she went back soon after to Cambridge and she lived with his Father's in Rutland, who was a neighbor, after his eight months service, died in Sept r 1776. He and his wife Rachel Church removed to said Hubbardston, to which place I and my husband soon came to have lived there ever since. She said Asa & Rachel have always lived at Hubbardston aforesaid together as husband and wife to the time of his Death in 1809, and she has never married since to my knowledge, but is now called and is I believe his widow. They have a large and respectable family of children - Attest Samuel Swann Mary her X Mann mark
I 50 Joseph N. Webb, Notary Public.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester ss. On the 3 rd day of December 1836, Then the above named Mary Mann personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by subscribed, before me, Samuel Swann, Justice of the Peace. I also certify, that the above named Mary Mann is a respectable woman, and a credible witness. Samuel Swann, Justice of the Peace,

Jos. Green's Deposition

I, Joseph Green of Hubbardston in the County of Worcester in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged eighty six years, do testify and say, that I am well acquainted with Dea Church late of said Hubbardston deceased. I lived in said Hubbardston before the said Church with his wife came to Hubbardston, to upwards from Rutland in said County. That I was a soldier a short time as a Minute man from said Hubbardston at Cambridge, and I met the said Church at Cambridge from said Rutland immediately after the battle at Lexington. I saw the said Church enlist as a soldier under Capt Adam Wheeler at Cambridge for eight months. I staid there a fortnight after his enlistment and came home to Hubbardston leaving said Church there. I staid at home a short time, and went into the service again in October after the Battle at Bunker Hill, went to Roxbury and was there six weeks and frequently saw the said Church in the service as a soldier of the United States, and I have no doubt but he staid his time out. In 1776 the said Church and Rachel his wife from I know when he was courting her in Rutland came to said Hubbardston to live on a wild lot of land about twenty rods from my house where I lived. There they lived together as husband and wife until the time of his death in 1809 except the time he was out in the War. They have been reputed as husband and wife and have had a large family of children most of whom are now living. Soon after the said Dea Church removed to Hubbardston, I should say in the Spring of 1777, he enlisted as a soldier during the war under said Capt Adam Wheeler at said Hubbardston. He soon after marched for Pehskill. The said Capt and Church have told me that he was a Sergeant in the Army, also a Quartermaster Sergeant. The said Church was absent from the time of his enlistment to the close of the War except when he came home for a short time on furlough and returned again. He the said Church I recollect did not return until soon after the Army was disbanded. I was out several times, and saw him at Stillwater and at Saratoga on the taking of Burgoyne and he was when I saw him a Sergeant of the Company to which he belonged. I have frequently heard him tell of his being in the Battle of Bunker Hill under Capt Wheeler, how closely Wheeler was shot at, and that he assisted him in regulating his small arms to enable him to fight, and other skirmishes with the enemy after he enlisted during the War. I have seen said Church's journal of three years services in 1777, 1778, and 1779, which book is covered with parchment, and another book as to his officiating as a Quartermaster Sergeant in the years 1782 & 1783, and I have heard him read them over to me and I believe they contain the truth and am satisfied from my acquaintance with his handwriting, that these documents were written by him and that his signing his name as a Quartermaster & Quartermaster Sergeant, are his signatures. The said Rachel Church is now his Widow, living in said Hubbardston and has never been married since the decease of said Dea Church.
Attest Samuel Swan } Israel Davis } Jos. Green's Mark.
his Joseph Green Mark.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester ss. Dec. 8, 1836. Then Joseph Green above named personally appeared and made Oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed with his Mark. Before me, Samuel Swan, Justice of the Peace. I also certify that the above named Joseph Green is a credible witness. Samuel Swan, Justice of the Peace.

Patty Bartlett (Deposition)

I, Patty Bartlett of Rutland in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Single woman, and daughter of Daniel Bartlett late of said Rutland, deceased, aged seventy years, do testify and say, that I was acquainted with Asa Church, late of Hubbardston in said County deceased and Rachel Church his Wife and now Widow of the said Asa, that said Asa Church lived with my said Father in said Rutland from his youth until he was twenty one years of age and after he arrived at the age of twenty one years he hired himself he went into the Revolutionary War, the said Church family lived in the neighborhood of my Father - Asa said Asa Church while living with my Father was a minute man and after the Battle at Lexington an alarm was given and he left my Father with the other minute men in said Town for Cambridge, he soon home and was married to Rachel Newton who then lived in Rutland aforesaid, he then left his wife for the Army with his Father's in the neighborhood. Soon after this they removed to said Hubbardston. After that I learned he enlisted during the War under Capt. Adam Wheeler. Since the said Asa and Wife removed from said Rutland to Hub- bardston, I have visited them and they have our family. Further more the Deponent saith not -
Patty Bartlett
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Worcester ss. November 28, 1836. Then Patty Bartlett above named personally appeared and made Oath to the truth of the above Deposition by her subscribed, before me, Samuel Sewall, Justice of Peace.
I also certify that the above said Patty Bartlett is a credible Witness. Samuel Sewall, Justice of the Peace.

Ernest Davis. Depo.

I, Israel Davis of Hubbardston, in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy years, do testify and say, that soon after the death of Asa Church, late of said Hubbardston, in March 1809 I was appointed Administrator on the Estate of said Asa Church deceased, that among other things and papers of the said Church, a Book covered with parchment, containing some old accounts and a Journal of the said Church during his services in the Revolution in the years 1777, 1778 and 1779, and another Book containing an Account of his being a Quartermaster Sergeant in the years 1782 and 1783, mentioning the names of Officers and Rations, and unsigned with his name, came into my hands and possession as Adminr. aforesaid. I have inspected the same Books, and from my acquaintance with his handwriting do testify and say, that the Journal aforesaid was written by the said Church, and that the account of Officers and Rations in the other Book was written and signed by him and I further testify and say, that after the payment of the said Church's debts, Rachel Church his widow had her Dower or one third part of his Real Estate assigned to her by proceedings according to law, & that the other two thirds were left for the children of said Asa Church.
I further testify and say, that I lived in the neighborhood of said Church & Rachel his wife in said Hubbardston from 1792 to 1809 when he died, being 17 years, that they lived together as Husband and Wife during that time, and before and since his death were in said Hubbardston and other places, considered and respected as Husband and Wife and his estate was settled without repudiation as Husband and Wife and his estate was settled without any intimation to the contrary. - And it is my opinion and belief, and all other persons for ought I know, that they were legally married in Newton in said County of Worcester, that he was a Soldier eight months at the commencement of the Revolutionary war, and from April 5, 1777 he was a Soldier, a Sergeant, B & M.S. during the war. Her name was, before her marriage, Rachel Weston & lived in said Newton.
Israel Davis
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester ss. Dec: 8, 1836. Then Israel Davis above named, personally appeared and made Oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed. Before me, Samuel Swan, Justice of the Peace. I also certify, that Israel Davis the above Deponent is a man of veracity and a credible witness. Samuel Swan, Justice of the Peace.

Levi Parmenter's Deposition

I Levi Parmenter of Hubbardston, in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged sixty seven years, do testify and say, that I was born in said Hubbardston and was always acquainted with Asa Church late of Hubbardston, deceased and his Widow Rachel Church. I knew at the time he enlisted during the war in Seventeen hundred and seventy seven. In 1781 I enlisted as a Continental Soldier in the Army of the Revolution for three years. While I was in the Army I frequently saw Asa Church, he was a Sargeant in his Company, but do not recollect his Officers names. He the said Church's wife wrote him several letters while he was in the Army and I told him to let me know that I might hear from my Father and friends at Hubbardston and he did. I saw him several times, at Upton's point and other places. The said Church was not in the same Regiment with me. After the said Church returned from the Army at the close of the War to Hubbardston aforesaid, he was chosen a Captain in the Militia Company and I trained under him.
Attest Samuel Swan
George Day
his Levi Parmenter Mark
Commonwealth. Worcester. December 2 d 1836. Then Levi Parmenter above named, personally appeared and made Oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed, before me. I also further certify, that the above Levi Parmenter is a credible witness. Samuel Swan Samuel Swan, Justice of the Peace.

July 9. 1877. See Mass. mss. Vol 29 p 68 and the town of Hubbardston, "Asa Church D.R.G. March 8 1777 Capt. Hales 6 th Mass Reg t War" H.H.F.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester ss. Probate Office -
I Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, certify that Ira Barton is Judge of the Court of Probate for said County, and that his signature as such to these Papers is his genuine signature -
And that Samuel Swan whose name is affixed in several places on Papers hereto annexed is a Justice of the Peace for said County duly commissioned and sworn, and that his name to each of the annexed certificates is in his own hand writing.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of the said Court this 10 th day of December 1836 -
Theoph l Wheeler Reg t of the said Probate Court

Feb 6, 1908
Another search has this day been made for the Journal referred to, but it cannot be found.
V. L. Mancy

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by L. D. Lamparter
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Asa Church
Service Mass.
Additional Service Rev. War
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
No claim as above except Wid. # 22746

Foxboro Mass., Jan. 30th 1908.
O.W. and N. Div.
Bureau of Pensions
Department of the Interior
Washington D.C.,
Dear sirs:-
Will you kindly furnish me with a statement of the military history of my ancestor, Asa Church, a soldier of the Revolutionary War from Hubbardston or Rutland Mass., as set forth in his widow's application for a pension about 1835, or however otherwise you may have the same, and oblige
Yours truly
Allan H. Crowell

needs red to t.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
1892 Mar 8 Search for journal refer in Dec. but not found. P.S. Hon. C. A. Boutelle as advised 1895 Feby. 1 Search in above but not found Hon. Geo. F. Hoar so advised 1908 Feby 7 Hist. to Allan
ade for nel. ied W. Cromwell D.L.M.
File No. 22,746 Rachel Church Widow of Asa Church 21st Sargt Rev War
Act: June 9th 92
Index:--Vol. A , Page 132
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Saml. L. L. L. L. L. Mead: Depot

I Samuel S. Watson of Rutland in the County of Dorchester and State of Massachusetts, Gentleman, aged seventy three years, do testify and say, that I was acquainted with Asa Church late of Hubbardston in said County, deceased, that he worked for my father in said Rutland, before the Revolutionary War commenced, that said Church was, I think, born & brought up in said Rutland - I knew his father & family. I also knew that the said Asa Church was a minute Man in said Rutland under Capt Thomas Dustin, 1775 Silas Bent, 1776 John Wm Bridge. The said Officers, with their minute men, marched to Cambridge, & soon afterwards they returned, but the said Asa Church remained and was absent eight months in the service, except that during said eight months service, the said Asa Church came home to Rut- land, and was married to Rachel Newton, then of said Rutland, by John Stone Esquire as it was then said. After this said Marriage I was at their house in said Hubbardston, and I ever considered them Husband & Wife - I learnt by report that he, the said Church, enlisted during the war under Capt Adam Wheeler of said Hubbardston Since the said war, I have been acquainted with the said Asa Church, have frequently heard him relate stories of his services during the Revolutionary War, & of his being in several skirmishes with the enemy - that he was a Sergeant in the Army - and have heard others speak of him as being highly respected in the Army & that he was faithful & brave - Since the Revolutionary War, he was a Capt of a Militia Company in Hubbardston, while I was Capt of a Company in Rutland, in the same Regiment - I have known him from a boy, and have no doubt, from my own knowledge & Reports concerning him - that he was in the service of the United States eight months, at the commencement of the Revolution any war - that during said eight months service he was married to said Rachel Newton

birth of said Rutland, that they lived together in Rutland as husband & wife, that he afterwards removed to said Rutlandston with his said wife who is now the widow Rachel Church, and that he continued in the service of the United States during the said war — I further testify & say that I was also ac- quainted with John Stone Esquire, late of Rutland Vermont, that he was a Justice of the peace in the time of the Revolutionary War, & officiated as such in consummating marriages —
Sam l S. Watson
State of Massachusetts. Worcester County St. November 28, 1836. Then Samuel S. Watson above named, personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed before me Samuel Swin, Justice of the Peace.
I also certify that the above Samuel S. Watson is a credible Witness. Samuel Swin, Justice of the Peace.

I Benjamin Mead of Rutland aforesaid, aged seventy seven years, do testify & say, That I was present at the taking of the foregoing Deposi- tion of Capt. Samuel S. Watson, and that from my own knowledge of the said Asa Church, named in said Watson's deposition, during the Revolutionary War, and from credible re- ports respecting him, I concur with the said Watson in all his statements made in his said Deposition - and in addition thereto, I further testify that he the said Asa Church and his wife, the now widow Rachel Church, were married during the first eight months of the said war and that she lived with my father about the time they were married.
Benjamin Mead
State of Massachusetts.
Worcesters. November 28, 1836. Then Benjamin Mead above named, personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed.
Before me, Samuel Swan, Justice of the Peace. I also certify, that said Benjamin Mead is a credible witness - Samuel Swan, Justice of the Peace.