Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2755, Gideon Church, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn
Church, Gideon Abigail
W. 2755
CONTENTS

(10160.)
Pennsylvania.
Abigail Church, dec d Widow of Gideon Church who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died in the year 1794 of Luzerne in the State of Penn a who was a Pri in the Compy commanded by Captain Spalding of the Regt commanded by Col. Beatty in the Revolution for 2 years (Ours Sire)
Inscribed on the Roll of Phil delphia at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836, ending 9 th June 1839, when she died Certificate of Pension issued the 23 d day of Dec. 1846 and sent to N. Scake, Present.
Total amount, $ _____ 12800 [Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by D. A. Wood, Clerk, Book D, Vol. 1, Page 217.
Pay able to William Church, only child.
Rep d

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th of July 1838 Entitled an act granting half Pay & Pensions to certain Widows -
State of Pennsylvania § County of Luzerne § ss On this 21 st day of January 1846 in open court held in & for the County aforesaid at Wilkesbarre in said County Personally appeared before the Court William Church of Kingston in said County aged fifty four years the 20 th day of last August Who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress of July 7 th 1838 Entitled an act granting half Pay & Pensions to certain Widows. That this deponent is a son, and the only surviving child of the late widow of Gideon Church Esq. Abigail Church whose husband was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who died in the summer of 1794 (Seventeen Hundred & Ninety Four) leaving a widow Abigail Church, whose maiden name was Harris to whom he was married prior to 1794 (Seventeen Hundred & Ninety Four) viz. as early as the spring of 1786 (Seventeen Hundred and eighty six) And who died on the 6 th day of June 1839 (Eighteen Hundred & Thirty Nine). That the aforesaid Applicant William Church as the only surviving child of the late widow Abigail Church makes the following & above Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838. That this deponent's said Father lived during the Revolutionary War in Luzerne County Pa. That at the commencement of the war his said Father enlisted for during the war under Capt. Dugree who was killed. That this deponent's said Father after the death of the said Dugree served under Capt. Spaulding in Col. Butts Regt. That during the latter part of said war this deponent's said Father was stationed at Wyoming Pa. That his said Father served about seven years & was honorably discharged. That if this deponent has been correctly informed his said Father drew bounty lands. That this deponent has always understood from his said Mother, that as the legal fruit of marriage to his said Father, she had one child born about four years prior to the birth of this deponent, which child died in infancy. That as the only surviving child of the aforesaid late widow Abigail Church, who was the widow of this said Gideon Church, a soldier in the Revolutionary war - this deponent makes the foregoing Declaration & Application for the Pension

due to his aforesaid late Mother Abigail Church, being the widow of her husband of the said Gideon Church Subscribed & sworn before the Court in open Court At the day & date last above written
Wm. H. Mynheer Pres: of the 13: Judg Dist. of Penn. and Presiding Officer of the Court
John Church
The Court certify that the above named William Church is a respectable person, and that it appeared to the satisfaction of the Court that the above named Gideon Church who is supposed to have been a soldier in the War of the Revolution died in the summer of 1794 leaving his widow Abigail Church, who died his widow on the 9th day of June 1839. That his said widow left the following named child - being the only child her surviving - to wit, the above named William Church of Kingston Luzerne County Pa. and that the said William Church is of the age of twenty one years and upwards.
Thus it appeared to the satisfaction of the Court from the annexed testimony of Charles Harris - George P. Ransom and Martha Myles whose affidavits were duly executed and examined -
Wm. H. Mynheer Pres: of the 13: Judg: Dist of Penn.
and Presiding Officer of the Court
State of Pennsylvania } County of Luzerne } ss Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid. Charles Harris of Kingston in said County aged twenty six years. After being duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith. That from his earliest recollection he has been personally acquainted with the late Abigail Church, who was the widow of Gideon Church a soldier in the War of the Revolution. That he was equally well acquainted with the said Gideon Church. That he was personally acquainted to the said Gideon Church being in the Army under Capt. Dugay. That after the said Dugay was killed, and while the said Gideon Church belonged to Capt. Paulding's Company, this deponent served as a substitute for said Church about nine months. That at the expiration of said time the said Church returned to the Army & continued his connection with the same until the

close of the war. That after being discharged he returned home & was married to Abigail Harris in Kingston Luzerne County Pa. about sixty years since. That from that time the said parties lived together as Husband & Wife until the death of the said Gideon Church which took place in the summer of Seventeen Hundred & Ninety four. That the aforesaid Abigail Church who was the widow of the said Gideon Church, died her widow in 1839. (Eighteen Hundred & thirty nine) That this Affiant believes he is correct in regards to the time of said marriage, as he recollects that he was at that time about sixteen or seventeen years old. That the above named William Church is, and always has been considered a child of the aforesaid Gideon and Abigail Church, and is the only child then surviving. That the said William Church is a man of respectability, and is of the age of twenty one years and upwards.
Subscribed to me before me This 12 th day of January 1840
Charles Harker
Asa Wetherbee Justice of the Peace
I certify that the above named Charles Harris is a respectable person and worthy of credit
Asa Wetherbee
Justice of the Peace
State of Pennsylvania
County of Luzerne
ss. Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid George P. Rawson of Plymouth in said County aged Eighty four years. After being duly sworn according to law, deposes & saith - That at the commencement of the Revolutionary War he was personally acquainted with the above named Gideon Church who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. That this Affiant served in the same Company with the said Gideon Church, under Capt. Dugger and Capt. Spaulding in Col. Butler's Regt. between Six & Seven Years. That this Affiant was also personally acquainted with Abigail Harris of Kingston Luzerne County Pa. That two or three years after the close of the war the said Abigail Harris & Gideon Church were said to have been married, and from that time, to the personal knowledge of this Affiant, lived together as Husband & Wife until the death of the said Church, which took place some ten or eleven years after the close of the war. That the said Church left at his decease the above named Abigail Church, & one child whose name was William then surviving. That the said Abigail died the widow of the said Gideon Church in 1839. That the said William Church is the only surviving child of the said Gideon & Abigail Church. That he is of the age of twenty one years and upwards & sustains a fair reputation.
Subscribed and sworn before me This 13 th day of January 1840
George P. Rawson
Asa Wetherbee Justice of the Peace
I certify that the above named George P. Rawson is a man of truth & integrity
Asa Wetherbee
Justice of the Peace
State of Pennsylvania
County of Luzerne
ss. Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Martha Myers of Kingston in said County aged Eighty four years. After being duly sworn according to law, deposes and saith - That during the Revolutionary War she was personally acquainted with the above named Gideon Church who was a soldier in the war of Revolution. That soon after the commencement of the war, she heard that the above named Church had enlisted for during the war, and to her personal knowledge the said Church was absent from home most of the time for about seven years. That it was then generally understood and believed in the neighborhood, that the said Church was in the Army, and she has never since that time heard this fact disputed. That she was equally well, or more intimately acquainted with the above named Abigail Harris during the war. That some two or three years after the close of the war the said Abigail Harris and Gideon Church were married. And from that time lived together as Husband & Wife. That this Affiant thinks she cannot be mistaken in regard to the time of said marriage as she and the said Abigail lived near each other during the war - were about the same age and were intimate and confidential friends, and this Affiant

must know before the close of the war, that the said Church had proposed marriage to the said Abigail Harris, and that the said Abigail was expecting to marry him after the termination of the war should be time to return home. This deponent further deposes & saith, that she distinctly recollects being at Church about the time alluded to above & heard the Rev Mr. Johnson publish the marriage bands of Gideon Church & Abigail Harris. That soon after this, the said parties commenced living together as husband & wife and continued to live together as such until the death of the said Church which took place in - or about the year 1844. That this deponent was knowing to the said Abigail Church having one child, after her marriage to the said Gideon Church, the above named William Church, which child  died in infancy . That the said Abigail Church did the widow of the said Gideon Church in 1839, leaving the said William Church, being the only child her surviving - That he is of the age of twenty one years and upwards -
Subscribed and sworn before me This 13 th day of January 1846 older than which child died in infancy and before signing Aaron Alherton Justice of the Peace
In presence of Leahison Myles Aaron Alherton
Martha he Myles mark
I certify that the above named Martha Myles is a Respectable Person and worthy of Credit - That the Erasure in the fourth line from the bottom of the foregoing page was made before signing -
Aaron Alherton
Justice of the Peace

V 12,800
Abigail Church, dr.
Settled to St. Luke May 27. 1840. to Same Augt 29. '46
July 7. 1838

Feb 11. 1846
Adelphi case
Missie Church
died in 1794
See J. H. [unclear] Barnes [unclear] [unclear]

Washington Feb 10 th 1846
Sir
I present herewith the papers in the case of Abigail Church wid. of Pennsylvania, who was widow of Gideon Church late a soldier of the Pennsylvania Line till the close of the war. for further proof of his service reference is made to the rolls of that state now in the Pension Office. It is hoped that the case is fully made out, proof of marriage is exhibited by 3 living witnesses. & the absence of record proof is shown by the clerk of the town & the Pastor of the Church, may I ask your early examination of them papers ,
I am Very Respectfully
Your obedt Servant
Nathan Leake
Hon J. L. Edward Comm. of Pensions Present

Wickham June 19 th 1846
This is to certify that prior to the year AD Eighteen Hundred. There was no Presbyterian or Congregational church organized in the Town or Township of Wickham or in the Township of Kingston adjoining. And that the Rev Jacob Johnson was a congregational or Presbyterian Minister & for many years the only one in this region. But so far as I can learn no church was organized by him. Nor do I know of any record of Baptisms Marriages & performed by him although he officiated in these respects from about the year Eighteen Hundred & Twenty Six to many years subsequent to the year Seventeen Hundred & Eighty Six.
John Donance Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Wickham Pa

I do hereby certify that John Dorrance whose signature is attached to the within certificate is the Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in the Borough of Wilkes-Barre County of Luzerne
Borough of Wilkes-Barre June 20 1846
Eliphaz A. Butts Esq. & Penn
State of Penn. Luzerne County ss.
Andrew Bedford Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas of the County of Luzerne afore- said do certify that Eliphaz A. Butts Esquire before whom the fore whose signature is above cer- tificate is above, is an acting Justice of the peace for said County and that the signature pur- porting to be his is genuine.
In testimony where- of I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at Wilkes-Barre this 20 day of June 1846.
A. Bedford, Pro. By Hugh Hill u. s.

5
John H. Curtis Esq. Huron Wayne Co. N.H.

Kingston Lycoming Co Pa June 20 th 1846
John H. Curtis Esq
Sir - In answer to your enquiries relative to the marriage of Gideon Church to Abigail Hearn's - I have to state - that there are no records of marriages in the Clerk's office of this town. Consequently I cannot furnish you a record of said marriage.
Yours Respectfully,
Geo. Moray
Town Clerk

Dec 3. 1896
Added to our Myson Church
Wm F. L. Edwards born 7 February Present
2

Washington Dec 2 nd 1846
Sir
Enclosed herewith you have further matter in the case of Abijah Church D.D. of Pa. which it is supposed will perfect the case, & hope that the certificate will issue at your early convenience
I am Very Respectfully Your M t Servant Nathan Lea
Hon J. L. Edward Comm ee of Pensions Present

128 12800 Abigail Church 2 d
Pa
At 7 July 238
m. before '94 husband died 1754
2 yrs service
Chic. Ill. R. G. B. 1845
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

Geo. F. Antis Esq.
Sir —
I, Edward M. Covell Clerk of the Borough of Wilke, Bane in the County of Luzerne, Pennsylvania, which said Borough of Wilke, Bane was formerly comprised in the limits of the Town of Westmoreland, do certify that I have examined the Records of the said Town of Westmoreland which are in the office of the Register & Recorder of Luzerne County, and find no record of the marriage of Gideon Church and Abigail Harris.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the said Borough —
Edward M. Covell

Payment to be made at Philadelphia by Isaac Roach Agent for paying Pension- ers in the Agency of Pennsylvania Payable on the 4th March, and 4th September in each year.
Recorded in the Pension Office in Book 8 Vol. 1, Page by
J. H. Wood, Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Abigaille Church, dec. d of Pennsylvania widow of Gideon Church who was a Private in the Revolution and died on the 9 th day of June  1799 , is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty dollars and _____ cents per annum, commencing on the 4 th March 1836, — and terminating on the 4 th  9 th of March  January , 1841, unless the Pensioner married or died before the above mentioned 1839, when she died, payable to William date, in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such Church, only child. marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 23 rd day of December one thousand eight hundred and FortySix .
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Duplicate.

July 24. 1896
Addie to car Myone Church
Wm P. G. Edward Cons of Penning Present

Washington July 23 d 1826
Sir
I enclose further proof both of service & marriage, in the case of Mrs Abigail Church of New York whom claim was some time since reported to me, I have no doubt these proofs will be found to be entirely satisfactory & conclusive in this case, as all your requirements I believe are herein fulfilled at your early convenience send me the result of your investigations & oblige
Yours Very Respectfully Nathan Leake
Hon J. L. Edwards Chair of Pension Present.

No 1280 Abigail Church aw widow of Gideon Pa act 7 July 1838
Adm d . Dyeans sw $80 00 pr ann from 4 March 1836 to 9 th June 1839 the day of her death payable to William Church only surviving Chld of Abigail Church aw.
Nathan Searle Present

Prov.
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 2755 Abigail Church Widow Gideon Church Pa. Rev. Wm
Act: July 7. 1838.
Index:—Vol. a , Page 128
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of Pennsylvania
County of Luzerne
§ 33
Personally appeared before the subscribers a lister of the place in and for said County Abram Nesbitt of Plymouth in said County aged Eighty three years next September; after being duly sworn according to law deposes and saith - that during the War of the Revolution he Resided in Wyoming Valley in said County - that he was then well acquainted with Gideon Church who was a Soldier in said War That two or three years after the close of the war the said Church was said to have been Married to Abigail Harris and died said Eight or ten years after his Marriage This deponent cannot state the exact time the said parties were Married. but from the following circum- -stances he is sure the said Church and Abigail Harris were living together as husband and wife in the year 1788. seventeen hundred and Eighty Eight - On This deponent was Married in the year 1788. This fact he establishes by a family Record. and at that time Gideon Church and Abigail Harris were living together as husband and wife to the knowledge of this deponent. and continued so to live untill the death of the said Church - that after the death of the said Church the said Abigail Remained his widow untill her death, which took place said eight or nine years since. that she left but one child her surviving whose name is William Subscribed and sworn before me
This 20 day of June 1846 { Abram Nesbitt
George Brown Esq
I Certify that I am well acquainted with. Abram Nesbitt Who has signed the above affidavit. that I consider him to be of the age represented by him. that his mind and Memory appears to be good and nearly unimpaired by age. that he is an old and respectable respectable Citizen That any statement he may make is intitled to full credit
George Brown J.P.

State of Pennsylvania Luzerne County ss. } 8
I Andrew Bedford Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Luzerne aforesaid do certify that George Brown Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
Witness my hand and
Seal of said Court at Wilkes Barre this 20 day of June 1846.
A. Bedford Prot. By Hugh Fell

State of Pennsylvania } County of Luzerne } P
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County Rev. Oliver Lewis after being duly sworn according to law deponeth and saith that he is a minister of the Gospel, that he preached the Funeral Sermon at the Funeral of Widow Abigail Church, and in short said Funeral was attended in the month of June 1839 Eighteen Hundred & thirty nine Sworn & subscribed
The twenty ninth day of } Oliver Lewis October 1846 before me } Anson Alherton Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with Rev. Oliver Lewis who has signed the above — affidavit, that he is a minister of the Gospel Highly respected as such
Anson Alherton L.P.
State of Pennsylvania } County of Luzerne } P Personally appeared before The subscriber a Justice of the peace in & for said County. Joshua Pettibone who after being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith he — attended the Funeral of Widow Abigail Church which took place in the month of June 1839 Eighteen Hundred & thirty nine, That since that time the Friends of the said Abigail deceased has erected Tomb Stones at the Grave of the said Abigail with the following inscription thereon "Abigail Wife of Gideon Church died June 9 th 1839 A ge 79 \frac{1}{2} y m ". That the above is a true copy of the inscription on said Tomb Stones over

And that said Tomb stones, has been  were erected at least five years to the knowledge of this deponent soon after her decease Sworn and subscribed } Joshua Pittbone The thirty first day of October } 1846 before me }
Anson Atherton Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with Joshua Pittbone who has signed the above affidavit. That he is a highly respectable person and worthy of credit. That I have examined the Tomb stones erected at the Grave of the late Widow Abigail Church & find the inscription thereon precisely as stated in the above affidavit,
Anson Atherton Peace
State of Penn l Luzerne County ss. }
I Andrew Bedford Prothonotary of the Court of Com- mon Pleas for the County of Luzerne aforesaid, do certify, that Anson Atherton Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavits were made, is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Wilkes- Barre this 11 day of November 1846.
A. Bedford Prot By Hugh Fell

State of Connecticut Comptroller's Office Hartford 10 July 1846.
I Certify that on application for evidence of the service of Gideon Church in the war of the Revolution, I have examined the documents remaining in this Office relating to that war, and under the head of
"Settlement with 2 Companies from Wyoming commanded by Cap ts Ransom & Durkee before 1780", find the name of Guidan Church who is stated to have commenced service January 1. 1777, and to the time of this settlement, January 1 st 1780—to have served 3 years as a private.
Also, under the head of
"Settlement with two companies raised at Wyoming under the Cap t Simon Spalding for the year 1780", the name of Guidan Church is entered as serving from 1 January 1780 to 1 January 1781—12 Months.
Also, under the head of
"Settlement with the 1 st Connecticut Regiment, John Durkee Esq r . Colonel, for the year 1781", the name of Gideon Church is entered as serving from January 1 st 1781 to Decem r . 31. 1781—12 Months. In each case as a private.
I further certify that Simon Spalding & John Durkee are Captains in the above Regiment. And that instances of false spelling are numerous in these records—And that no other name other than the above has been found bearing resemblance to Gideon Church , M as on Clerk and Comptroller.

John F. Curtis
Sir
I John Dorrance Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Wilkes Barre Luzerne County Pa. of which the Rev. Mr. Johnson was Pastor in 1785 & 6 - do hereby certify that I have examined the Records of said Church and do not find the Marriage of Gideon Church and Abigail Harris Recorded — The records of that date having been lost. Wilkes Barre June 20 th 1846 John Dorrance