Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,941, James Clark, Va.
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Service: Va.

Clark, James

(Number) S.30.941
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Kentucky 25.304

James Clark

of Mercer Co in the State of Kentucky
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Jones of the regt commanded by Col. Munford in the [   ] [   ] for 6 months from 1781.

Inscribed on the [Roll] of Kentucky at the rate of 20 Dollars ---- [  ] per annum, to commence o the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Dec 1833 ---- and sent to G. [S.] Waugh
Harrodsburg, [Ken] 

[   ] to the 4th of Setp. 1833 $50. --
[  ]. allowance ending 4 [   ] 34. 10.--

$60. --

{Revolutionary claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by [Mms] Allison, Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 7   Page 6
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State of Kentucky
Mercer County {SS?}

  On this 2nd day of September AD 1833, Personally appeared in open court before this worshipful [Justice?] of said County Court now setting James Clarke as resident of Mercer County and State of Kentucky aged seventy four years who being first duly sworn according to [land] doth on his oath makes the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832.

  That he entered the services of the United States under the following names officers and served [and served - crossed out] as herein stated. That about the first day of March 1781 he entered the army under Captains Tignal Jones as a substitute for one Harrold Jones at [Meeklenburg] Court House Virginia for a tour of six months and joined Colonel [Spm?] Munford's Regiment and marched to North Carolina and joined the army under the command of General Green, at a place [at a place called - crossed out] the Ironwork about ten miles from Guilford Court House a few days before the Battles, and on the morning before The Battle, he together with about one hundred & eighty of the Regiments to which he belonged were detailed to guard the Baggage Waggons. Our army was defeated, and we even then marched to Taylors ferry on the Roanoak River, when we were stationed as guards to the boat and the magazines which was kept at a place called [Bank old ston] about a half mile from the Ferry at this place we were stationed until about the first day of November of said [?] year when we were honorably discharged after served fully seven months and a half or [upwards] to the best of his [ ]. He further states that he has long since lost or mislaid his discharge, and that he knows of no person by whom he can prove his services except from reputation. 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and [   ]
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declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any States.
   Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aft.d (aforementioned).
   [signed] James Clarke

On this 2nd day of September 1833. Personally appeared in open Court before the Worshipful Justices of the said County of Mercer Henry Sparrow a citizen of Washington County & State of Kentucky aged sixty eight years and made oath that he served as a Guard in the War of the  Revolution with the said James Clarke at Taylors Ferry on the Roan Oak River, that after the Battle of Guilford Court house, the (second?) Clarke came on as a Guard to the Baggages Waggons and was then [left] as a guard to [said] ferry and the magazine that was about a half mile from [said] ferry and that they were raised in the same County in the state of Virginia and were discharged at the same time and placed after the surrender of Lord Corn [or Colonel?] Wallace at Little York, and that said James was a faithful soldier and farther [partner?] [  ]  [  ]   Sworn to & subscribe this day & year aformentioned.
    Henry Sparrow

And this said court do hereby declare  their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interagatorey (?) prescrived by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Henry Sparrow who has also signed his said deposition as a Citizen of Washington, Ky. and a credible person and that his statement is entitled (?) to credits (?). 
    I Thomas Allen (?) Clark of the Court of Mercer County do hereby certify that the foregoing (?) contains the [   ]  proceedings of the said court in the matters of the application of James
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Clark for a pension
   The Testimony whereof I have here.... [  ] my  

of Offic 

2nd day of Septemeber 1833
   Tho Allin  C.LK.
   Mercer County Court

(Side of page)
27.1999
James Clark
Pension Claim
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No 27.199
James Clarke
Revolutionary Claim
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The farther Declaration of James Clarke taken in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress [abbreviation unknown] [  ] June (?) the 7th 1832.

Interrogatory prescrivbed by the war department 
1st Question, when and in what year you born
Answer - I was born in Meeklinburg County Virginia in the year 17 on the 18th day of November, and the record of my age is a large old Bible now in possession of my youngest brother Frances Clark living in Mercer County. 

[  ]Question, where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since, and where do you now live
Answer - I lived in the County aforementioned in Virginia when called into service and [  ] the year 1782 when I [ ] to this county and now live in Mercer County Ky.
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State of Kentucky
Mercer County SS
I Nelson Mays one of the justices of the peace in and for the state & county afs'd do hereby certify that the answers to the foregoing interrogatories were subscribed and sworn to before this 5th day of December AD 1833 by James Clark
Nelson Mays J.P. seal

State of Kentucky
Mercer County
I Thomas Allin Clerk of the Court for the County afs'd do certify that Nelson Mays Esq whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county afs'd duly commissioned and qualified and as such full faith and credit is and ought to be given to every of his official acts as such.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 7th day December 1833.
Tho Allin
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27,199
James Clark
Mercer Co. Kentucky

From 1781 private
6 months
$20


G.L. Waugh
Harrodsburg Ken.
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form.  On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done.  Those points to which you attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }).  You will, when you return your papers to this Department, sent this printed letter with them;  and you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim

A statement, shewing the Service of James Clarke

Period when the service was rendered.
1781
Duration of the Claimant's service.
7 years, 7 months, 15  days
Rank of the claimant.
Pr
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Col. Mumford
Cap. Jones
Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service.
74  Va.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Witness

Can only allow for six months, the time for which he substituted

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

J.L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of James Clark

Period when the service was rendered.
1781
Duration of the
claimant's service.
Years. 7
Months. 7
Days. 15
Rank of the claimant.
Pr.
Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served
Col Mumford
Cap Jones
Age at present,
and place of abode
when he entered
the service.
74
Va
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Witness
Can only allow for the time for which he substituted.

I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service. but not those who were occasionally employed with, the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops. Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of County of }ss.
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but it neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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8

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the impoution, if one be at-
tempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-
pected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and
case.
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his
case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary 
war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a soldier.  Did you ever receive discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it giv-
en, and what has become of it?
To an officer.  Did you ever receive
a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can tes-
tify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one -- of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of Secretary of [illegible] or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can pro-
cure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

--------------------------------------------

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented by doing so by reason of bodily infirmity ; in which case the declarant will fol-
low the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served ; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so
definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the 
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and [illegible], that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his 
recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For ------- year --------- months, and ------------
days, I served as a ---------------. For ----------- months and ------------ days, I served as  ----------------; and for such service I claim as pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant 
served, and the particular rank he held, [illegible] the law
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase three or four months, 
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is 
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served ; the duration of each term of engagement ;
them without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps call into service by competent that au-
thority ; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no pub-
lic seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which con-
tains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses
who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving [illegible], as well
the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oathe must certify to the credibility of the wit-
nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from  [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 14

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section

January 7, 1925

Alice Mahan
State Library
Frankfort, Ky.

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim S. 30941 it appears
that James Clark was born November 18, 1759 in Meck-
lenburg County, Virginia.
While a resident of his native county he enlisted
March 1, 1781, served as a private in Captain Tignal
Jones' Company, Colonel William Munford's Virginia
Regiment and was discharged November 1, 1781.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
September 2, 1833 while a resident of Mercer
County, Kentucky.
It is not stated whether soldier was ever married.

Had a Bro. Francis
Date of death not
[illegible] A.B.

Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Page 15

In reply to your request of ___________, received ______________
for a statement of the military history of James Clark
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau. S. F. 30941

DATES OF        
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
Mch 1, 1781

LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
7 ½ mos

RANK.
Pri

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.               COLONEL.          STATE.
Tignal Jones         Wm. Munford       Va

Battles engaged in, ______________________
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Mecklenburg Co, Va.
Date of application for pension, Sept 2, 1833. His cl. was al
Residence at date of application, Mercer Co, Ky.
Age at date of application, B. Nov 18, 1759, Mecklenburg Co. Va.
Remarks: There is no data relative to wife or
children,
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Bro. Francis_____________________________

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
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Rev.&1812 Wars Section

November 13, 1925

Mrs. Norman McC. Fox
33 Fenner Ave.,
Asheville, N. C.

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim S. 30941 it appears that
James Clark was born November 18, 1759 in Mecklenburg
County, Virginia.
While a resident of his native county he enlisted
March 1, 1781, served as a private in Captain Tighal Jones'
Company, Colonel William Munford's Virginia Regiment and
was discharged November 1, 1781.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
September 2, 1833 while a resident of Mercer County, Kentucky

It is not stated whether soldier was ever married.

Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 17

               Asheville 
               Oct 12 1920

Depart of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions
Will you please give
me any data that you 
possibly can in regard
to the service and
family of James Clark
pensioner of R.W. of
Mercer Co KY - I have
[illegible] much that he
was born in Mecklenburg Co
VA in 1754 - but
Page 18

[illegible] his children or 
wife - anything will be 
greatly appreciated that can 
help me out with facts about
this mans life and war record.
  Hoping to hear from
you know I [illegible]

    Respt
    Mrs Norman MacFox
    #33 Ferrer Ave,
    Asheville NC
Page 19

30941

Revy INVALID

File no. 30,941
James Clark
Pri Rev War

Act June 7th 32
Index:-Vol. --, Page --
Arrangement of 1870

1914 May 15 History to Frank L. Mulgrew
Letter with Cl. S.F. 31130 James Hickman

1925 Jan 7-Hist to Miss Alice Mahan MMMHF Letter in Cl. S.30932 of Patrick Clark 

1935 Nov 13-Hist to Mrs. Norman McC. Fox MMMHF