Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,128, David Blake, Conn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Conn
Blake David
NUMBER
S. 23128
CONTENTS
Page 2

Set to Isaac Lawrence 20
Sep. 1833
Sec cu Tr - Oct 13. 1835
To Connecticut fr. 4 Mar. 35
Oct. 20 1835-
14853 Connecticut
New York
David Blake
of Catskill in the State of New York
who was a Private in the Company command
by Captain Porter of the Regs command
by Coel.
of the Regt command
in the Connecticut
line for 12 months & 7 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 40 Dollars 77 Cents per ann
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
1833
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of July
1833 and sent C.C. Abel
Cattskill N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 33 $81.54
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 20.38
$101.92
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk
Book E Vol. 4 Page 46
Page 3

David Blake application
for a pension under the Act of
7th June 1832 [illegible]
State of New York
No 6089.
[illegible]
patrol service not
provided for & tours
as minute man not
duly set forth & therefore
disallowed
Adm
12 mo. Tos pre
Page 4

State of New York
County of Greene
On this 6th day of August 1832 personally appeared
David Blake a resident of the town of Catskill
in the County of Greene and State of New York aged Seventy four years
an infirm and decriped person who could not without great inconveniece
attend in Court, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth
on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the
benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, That he entered the
service of the State of Connecticut and of the United States under the following
named officers and served as herein stated. That he was born in Darley in
the State of Connecticut in April 1759 that the record of his birth was entered in 
a family bible and was destroyed by the burning of his House and goods - That on
or about the first day of May 1775 he resided in the town of Waterbury in the
State of Connecticut and enlisted as a private Soldier in a Company commanded
by Phinehas Porter of Waterbury, Lieutenant - Matthews and Isaac Bronson ┃
and Ensign Smith, under General Wooster; that shortly after he went in
the said Company to New York; and after being joined by six other Companig
(One command by Capt. Hovey, and one other commanded by Captain
Samuel Pick) the whole went to the East end of Long island, (plumb
island) to prevent the British from taking off cattle and supplies, on
which duty, a few shots only were exchanged; about the first of August
1775 he went with the same company to the North, and joined General
Montgomery near Saint Johns in Canada. General Wooster being also
at that place; that after some fighting the Fort at Saint Johns was
Surrendered & was occupied by the American forces, that in consequence
of a wound in the foot (by accident) he was left in the Hospital, and
attended by Doctor Potter and Ivy, army surgeons, and when able he
returned home on or about the first day of December 1775, that he
has no documentary, or other evidence which he can procure of his serving
And further the said David Blake declared that on or about the first
day of January 1781 he was drafted for the term of four months and
sent with a detachment to Horseneck in the State of Connecticut where he was
employed as a Sentinel and patrole on the lines (so called) during the said
time of time, that he does not remember the name of any of the officers the
service being disultory and irregular, the men acting generally individually
or in squads, no parady or renive were had, and the service arduous- that
previous to, at the time, and for about eighteen months subsequent to the
burning of Danbury Fairfield and Norwalk he was a volunteer (or Minute
man, so called) and was called out upon various alarms & occasions
a great portion of that time; that he was poor, with a family, and by these
interuptions prevented from engaging in any regular Business or
employment, that he has resided at Catskill Village in the County of
Greene for the last Twenty one years, and previous to that time he resided
Page 5

at Darby, Old Milford, and Washington in the State of Connecticut
That he never had any discharge from the service; and that he does not now
recollect the names of other officers than those before named; and that his in
testment was before the organizing the Continental army; and as to the persons
in his neighborhood who will bear testimony to his reputation for truth &c
he names (together with all his Neighbors) the following John Adams, Abel
Brace, Orin Day, Eva Hawley, Henry M Kinstry, Francis Sayre
and William Scarman
and hereby relinquishes
all claim to any pension or annuity except the present, & that he is not a pensioner
I Luke Keirsted a Justice of the peace for the
County of Greene in the State of New York do certify David Blake
that on the day year first above written David Blake
Subscribed and made solemn oath to the foregoing
declaration of facts before me.
L. Kiersted  Just. of the peace
Mr David Porter a Clergyman residing in the Village of Catskill in
the County of Greene and State of New York, and Thomas Hale of the same ┃
place Merchant hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
David Blake who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration
that we believe him to be Seventy four 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
Subscribed & Sworn the 7th day of
August 1832 before me
L Kiersted Just of the peace 
David Porter a minister of Gospel
Thomas Hale
We whose names are hereto subscribed residents of the Village of
Catskill in the County of Greene Do hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with David Blake who has subscribed & sworn to the
above declaration, that he has resided in this Village for upwards
of twenty years past, appears to be of the age stated by him, and that
we esteem him in all respect worthy of Credit on his Oath, and of
good character and steady habits
I Luke Keirsted Justice of the peace
Certify that the several persons whose names
are Subscribed are Known to me and are of
Unimpeachable integrity
L. Kiersted Just. of the peace
John Adams
A. Brace
Orrin Day
Ezra Hawley
Henry McKinstry
Fras Sayre
Wms Flennery
Page 6

State of New York
County of Geene
I Luke Keirsted a Justice of the peace in & for
the County of Greene in the State of New York
do hereby certify and declare my opinion after carefully investigating 
the matter and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the
War department that the above named applicant performed the
services as set forth by him, in the annexed Declaration; and I do
further certify that David Porter is a Clergyman of long residence in
the Village of Catskill of high standing in his profession, and that
Thomas Hale is a resident of the Village of Catskill and a person of
the first repute, that the certificate subscribed & sworn to by them
is founded on acquaintance of upwards of Twenty years with the
applicant and is entitled to full credit; That the applicant made
his declaration before me as a Justice of the peace because of his
age and lameness, In testimony whereof I have set my hand & seal
hereto this 7th day of August 1832
L. Keirsted Just. of the peace
State of New York
County of Greene Clerks office
I William V.B. Heermann Clerk of the
County of Greene do certify that Luke
Keinsted whose signature is affixed to the several jurats and
Certificates hereto annexed was at the time of taking the said affidavits
making such certificate a Justice of the peace for the said
County of Greene duly qualified & authorized to take such proofs &
make such certificate, and that I am well acquainted with the
hand writing of the said Luke Keirsted and know the signature of
his name to be in his proper hand writing. In Witness whereof
I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the
County of Greene this seventh day of August 1832
William W. B. Heermance Clerk
Page 7

David Blake
Albany
to
Cout
Page 8

application for a Transfer
State of Connecticut 
Litchfield County
at Washington
On this 11th day of September 1835 before me, the
subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the said
County of Litchfield personally appeared
David Blake who on his oath declares, that
he is the same person who formerly belonged to
the Company commanded by Captain Samuel Peck
Col & Regiment not reccollected by reason of old
age & Infirmity in the service of the United 
States that his name was placed on the pension
roll of the State of New York from whence he had
lately removed, that he now resides in the State 
of Connecticut where he intends to remain; and
wishes his pension to be there payable in future.
The following are his reasons for removing from
New York to Connecticut is that his son Joseph
Blake resides in Washington, Litchfield County
State of Connecticut. and that he is desirous
to spend the remainder of his days with his son
in Connecticut
Sworn & subscribed to before me David take
the day and year aforesaid
Benoni P. Beardsley
Justice of the Peace
Page 9

State of Connecticut
Litchfield County is at Washington
On this 11th day of September 1835 before me
Benoni P Beardsley a Justice of the Peace in and
for the County of Litchfield personally appeared
Nathan Newton and Noble Day both residing in
said Washington and known to me as persons of
veracity who made solemn oath that they are well
acquainted with David Blake the signer of the
prefixed application and oath, and that he is
the same person described in the affidavit
Sworn & subscribed to before me 
the day and year aforesaid
Nathan Newton
Noble Day
Benoni Beardsley
Justice of the Peace
Page 10

State of Connecticut
Litchfield County
Probate Court District of Kent
Present Frederick Chittenden Esq Judge
I John Barton Clerk of the Court of Probate
for the District of Kent do hereby certify
that Benoni P Beardsley Esquire who subscribed
the within foregoing certificate was appointed
by the Legislature of this State a Justice
of the Peace within and for the County of
Littlefield aforesaid in May 1835, and that
his commission does not expire until
the 20th day of June 1836. I further certify
that the said name purporting to be
the name of Benoni P Beardsley is
his true genuine hand writing
In Witness whereof
I have hereunto set by
hand affixed the Seal
of said Court this 25th
day of September AD 1835
John Burton Clerk
of the Court
Page 11

Revolution
23128
INVALID.
File No. 23128
David Blake
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 39
Index:--Vol. 2 , Page 41
Page
Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 12

Admitted
Page 13

War Department
Pension Office
Nov 5th 1832

Sir,

I return you the papers of David Blake.  As he relies upon traditionary evidence alone to support a claim of more than two years services, he should comply in all respects with the regulations applicable to such cases.  A full statement setting forth all the material circumstances of his entering and leaving the service.  The precise time for which he claims in each tour, the rank and name of the officers he will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  No allowances is made except for actual service in an embodied corps.

I am Respectfully
Mr. Obt. Servt
J L Edwards
Page 14

James L. Edwards esquire
Commissioner of [illegible]
War Department
City of Washington

E [illegible]
Oct 16 1835
David Blake
Page 15

Mich & Farmers Bank
Albany Pension Agency
October 16. 1838
James L. Edwards Esquir
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir In reply to your
letter of the 13th
first. I have to state that David Blake, private at $40.77
per ann: was last paid to 4th March 1835.
very respect fully
your [illegible]
Tho. M. Clewnleg
Page 16

Oct 12
Hon. J. L. Edwards
W. Budin Comm of Pensions
City of Washington 
D.C.
Page 17

[illegible] Octr 6, 1823
Hon J L Edwards Commiss of Pensions
Sr:
The original certificate is
Enclosed supposing it to be necessary
such papers as will be returned for
the Benefit of Mr David Blake you
will direct to Benoni P Beardsley
New Preston Port Office, Littlefield Co
Connecticut
Yours very truly
H. Chittenden
Page 18

State of New York is On this Tenth day of January 1833 Person
Greene County [illegible]  David Blake a Resident of the
Town & Catskill in the county of Greene and State
of New York aged seventy four years infirmed and decriped Person who
cannot without very great pain and Inconvenience attend in a Court 
of Record, Personally appeared before me Joel Bellamy one of the
Justices of the Peace for the Town of Catskill in the County and State
aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his
Oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, That he entered the service of
the State of Connecticut and of the United States under the following
named officers and under the following circumstances and served as
follows, That on the first day of May 1775 he lived in the Town of
Waterbury in the State of Connecticut and Inlisted as a Private Soldier
in a company there Commanded by Capt. Phinehas Porter of Waterbury
Connecticut that he served under Capt Porter, Lieutenant Isaac Browson 
& Ensign Smith whose given name is not now recollected, under
General David Wooster of New Haven Connecticut, was ordered to
join the Brigade at New York, on their way to New York were
detained at Old Fairfield Three weeks, to guard a small Battery
from thence they marched to New York from thence to Harlem where
they remained three weeks, from thence we were sent to the East
End of Long Island Called Plumb Island and Alternately on Plumb
Island & Shelter Island, remained on those Island Seven or Eight
weeks is not certain as to the precise number of days over Seven Weeks
or how many that of Eight weeks, returned to Harlem with his company, 
they were then Ordered to go to St Johns, went on board of
vessel at New York Bound in for the North River for Albany
after Remaining at Albany a few days, was ordered to the Curious
[illegible] [illegible] Albany at a place Called Green Bowling where
the Troops to which I was attached together with  myself Remained fifteen
days we then marched to Ticonderoga where we remained Eight
Days waiting for Boats, to carry the Army over Lake Champlain
Page 19

was I Days on Our Property to St Johns, we joined General Montgomery
Army near St Johns, where we [illegible] in Building a Battery was
In the Battle at the taking of the Fort at St Johns in the month of
November, Luit Wooster was also with our army at that place
After the Surrender of the Fort it was Decided by the American forces
In consequence of a wound in the post by accident was left in the
Hospital, where he was attended by Doctor Potter and over army surgeons
as soon as able he returned home on the first of December 1775
In July 1779 went to New Haven at the time the Brittish was
Landing at West Haven was then commanded by Capt [illegible] Peck
was absent from some on this occation Seven Days in opposing
the Brittish Army in Cotting to of aware in Evans succeeded in
being in the city where they remained one day and fight and then
left the City of New Haven and went to [illegible] Island where they remained
as [illegible] and then attacked [illegible] Fairfield and Burnt the Town
at which place I served, [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]  when they Burnt that
Place went as a Soldier and served as such at this Town One month
was Drafted about the 20th of December 1780 to go to Home [illegible], Remained
in the Garrison with the army four months, does not now recollect the
Army of the officers, Except that of Serjant Crane, the service being
performed in an inclement season few Officers attended Except the
[illegible] officers, the soldiers had no opportunity of becoming again acquainted
with their Inferior officers, that after the time I served at home
sick, I was frequently called but as a [illegible], upon various arms
under Capt Peck the precise term of time I was out in these several
occasion I cannot with any certainty asertains, I have no documentery 
or other Evidence which I can now procure of my services being
an aged Decrepid man and no means to apoint in looking Rep further
Evidence than that of my sworn Oath supported by the Testimony of my
[illegible] as to general character for truth, honesty and morality which
I hereto swear, That he now resides in the village of Catskill in the
County of Greene and State of New York where he has Resided for the
last Twenty One years and previous to that time he resided at
Page 20

Derby, Old Srilford, Warrington & Warterbury in the State of Connecticut
That he never received any discharge from the service and that he
cannot now Recollect the names of any other officers that those named
that his enlistment was before the organizing of the Continental army
That the Record of in Birth was entered in a family Bible which was
distroyed by the Turing of his House & Its Effects, while living in the
Town of New Milford Connecticut, I hereby relinquish all claim to any
Pension or annuity Except the present and that I am not now a
Pensioner,
I Joel Bellamy a Justice of the peace 
for the Town of Catskill County of
Greene in the State of New York
do certify that by the day & years
first above written David Blake
Subscribed & made oath to the foregoing
Declaration of facts before the
Joel Bellamy Justice of
peace of Greene County
We David Porter & Isaac H Wyckoff Minister of the Gospel Residing in
the Village of Catskill in the County of Greene and State of New York
Ezra Hawley Francis Sayre Henry McKinstry Williams Flannary
and Thomas Hale of the same place Merchant Counsellor
said Count State of the same place 
at Law, Abel Brace Physitian and Surgeon who in the same place
Hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Blake
who has subscribed and sworn to the above Decleration that
we believe him to be seventy four years of age, That he is Reputed
and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have
been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that
opinion
The words Ezra Hawley Francis Sayre, Henry McKinstry
and Williams Flannary Interlined before Signing
Subscribed and sworn this 10th day of January 1883 before me
Joel Bellamy Justice
of Peace of Greene County
David Porter Minister of the gospel
Thomas Hale
Isaac of Wyckoff 
Abel Brace
Ezra Hawley
Francis Sayre
Henry McKinstry
Wms Flannery
Page 21

We whose names are [illegible] Subscribed Residence of the Village of Catskill in
the County of Greene, do hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with
Davie Blake who by subscribed & Sworn to the above declaration, That he
has resided in this place for upwards of Twenty years Past, appears to be
of the age stated by him and that we Esteem him in all Respects worthey
Credit in his Oath and of Good moral character and steady habits
and very poor 
I Joel Bellamy Justice of the peace Certify that the several persons whose
names are Subscribed are known to me
and are of unimpeachable integrity
Joel Bellamy Justice of Peace
of Greene County
State of New York
John Atkins
[illegible]
N. Wilson
Horace Willard
A. E. Hall
M. Croswell

County of Greene
I Joel Bellamy Justice of the peace in & for the County
of Greene in the state of New York do hereby certify and
Declare my opinion after carefully investigating the matters and putting the [illegible]
[illegible] prescribed by the War Department, That the above named applicant
performed the services set forth by him in the annexed Declaration,
and I do further Certify that David Porter and Isaac Wyckoff are Clergyman
of this Village of high standing in their Professions & other Thomas Hale John
Adams & Abel Brace are all residents of the Village of Catskill  and are persons
of the first Repute and hear the Certificate Subscribed & Sworn to by them is
founded on an acquaintance of Twenty years with the applicant and are certified
to full Credit that the Applicant made his Declaration before me as a Justice
of the Peace because of his age & lameness, the testimony whereof I have set
my Hand & Seal hereto this Tenth Day of January 1833
Joel Bellamy Justice
of Peace
State of New York Greene County
I William T. B. Hermance Clerk of the said County do certify that Joel Bellamy
Esq. before whom the foregoing declaration certificates & affdavits were sworn was at the date of the
same a Justice of the Peace of the said County and that his signature thereto is genuine
Witness my hand & seal of office this ninth day of
February in the year 1833
William V.B. Heermance Clerk