Morrison's Pensions

Pension Application for Walter Vrooman Wemple (Wimple)

W.6276  (Polly Thomas, Former Widow)
Continental, NY
            Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Acts of Congress of the 7th July 1838 and 23d August 1842.
State of New York
Columbia County SS.
            On this tenth day of November 1842 personally appeared before me James W. Burrough one of the Justices of the Justices Court of the City of Hudson in said county, the same being a Court of Record Polly Thomas a resident of Claverack in said County aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7, 1878 & the 23d of August 1842 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
            That she is the widow of Dr. Walter Vrooman Wimple late of Claverack aforesaid deceased who was a senior surgeon of the Hospital of the Northern Department of the United States in the war of the Revolution & served as stated in the annexed copy petition made by the said Wimple in his lifetime.  That the brass plate hereto annexed belonged to said Wimple, and the annexed old paper also were said Wimple’s.  That the signatures to several of those papers, namely, Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are in said Wimples hand writing—and the papers numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 are in said Wimple’s hand writing.
            That she was married to said Walter Vrooman Wimple the 29th day of May 1785.  That said Wimple died in August 1798.  That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen Hundred and ninety four viz. At the time above stated.
            She further declares that after the death of the husband aforesaid she was married to David Thomas in January 1800 and that he died in 1829 and that she is still a widow.  (Signed) Polly Thomas
            Sworn to and subscribed by said Polly Thomas on the day & year above written who by reason of bodily infirmity unable to attend court.  The nearest court of Record being three miles distant from her residence.  James W. Borrough, Justice.

Hudson, New York, Nov. 19th 1842.
Sir,
            Enclosed I send you the application of Mrs. Polly Thomas under act of July 1838 & August 1842. 
            She claims a pension at the rate of $600 per annum, her husband Walter Vrooman Wemple, having entend [entered] the Army as senior Surgeon & served in that capacity for 2 years & upwards.
            The old paper marked No. 1 & the papers signed Jo Anderson shew him to have been in service as early as September 1, 1775.
            And the return of the northern Army as early as July 1st 1775, shew a Surgeon in the Army.  He was probably in earlier.  It is presumed that the records in your offices will shew the commencement of Dr. Wemple’s services.
            De Wemple States that he left the service in 1777 and Adam Cook says he left him in the Army when he left it which must have been as late as Nov. 1st 1777.  This Adam Cook has repeatedly applied to me to get a pension for his 6 months service and has informly told the same story about his services.
            But I presume the records in your office will show he served until some time after Dr. Potts superseded Dr. Stringer.  This is not very definite.  His resignation probably will be found in your office if nothing else is found.
            The papers sent shew clearly his grade, what was Senior Surgeon.  And the order of Genl. “Phil Schuyler” shew plainly his duty—There can be no doubt that the Senior Surgeon of the Hospital is entitled to $600 a year.
            The pay of Senior Surgeon of the Hospital was on the 9th April 1777 $4 a day & rations.
            2nd Surgeon was $2.00 per day, shewing that the Senior Surgeon received twice as much as an ordinary surgeon.
            Dr. Wimple states in old paper No 5. That he received pay from the United States for his service.  If that amount can be found it will probably shew the length of his services—and perhaps the rate of pay.
            The Secretary of War knows Dr. Wimple I presume in his lifetime, & knows Mrs. Thomas of Claverack, the widow of Dr. Wimple.   
            I wrote the 3d Auditor in this matter who returned for answer that he could not find Dr. Wimples name in his office and the thinks the records were destroyed by fire.
            If so, Dr. Wimple’s resignation may be found in the State Department, or being Senior Surgeon of the hospital, the returns were probably made by him, and these may be found in Genl Philip Schuyler’s papers in the State Department or in the Washington papers in the same Department.  Or you may have other means of ascertaining the [fache?].  From Adam Cook’s affidavit Dr. Wimple was in the service after the 10th day of May 1777.  Cook in his examination appeared very positive that Dr. Wimple was then in the service, Cook from his being Genl Schuyler’s waiter, would be very likely to be thrown in contact with the Senior Surgeon.  I am myself disposed to believe that he saw Wimple in the service and that Wimple remained as long or longer than Cook.
            If you have no records shewing precisely the time he left the service perhaps you could find the date of his resignation or perhaps you could find the time Dr. Potts was made Superintendant of the hospital of the Northern Department.
            She says he served some time after that event.
            I had intended to come on in person to ascertain the length of his services, but more particularly to claim a pension at the rate of $600 per annum, but have made different arrangements & here state the claim at $600 per annum which it is considered the widow is entitled to.  All which is respectfully submitted.
            Your attention is requested at as early a period as practicable.
Very Respectfully yours, Wheeler H. Clarke.
To Hon. J. L. Edwards.

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