Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,487, Joseph Clark, N.H. Vt.
Page 1

Service
N.H.
Vt.

Clark, Joseph

Number
S. 12.487

carded.
Page 2

[left side]
Wer to pay au 11;1837

[vertically]See let Hon H. Everett 21 Jul 1834
[illegible] of Mar Apl.
to Feb 1847

[right side]
Vermont
Joseph Clark
of Orange Co in the State of Vermont
who was a Pri Corp & Sgt in the Company commanded
by Captain Atkinson of the Regt commanded
by Col Johnston in the N. H.
line for 15 mos pr 50.00
2 mo corpl - 7.33
4 mos sgt - 20.00 [underlined]
77.33
N. H and Vt line Records ok
Jan'y 17  '14

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 77 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Oct
1837 and sent to
Pensioner Bradford

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $193.33
Semi-anl. allowance ending March 34 38.00
$232.00

{Revolutionary Claim,}
Act June 7. 1832.}
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk.
Book E Vol. 3. Page 58
Page 3

No. 5
Joseph Clark
Declarator
7654
Page 4

Joseph Clark's
Declaration
Page 5

State of Vermont
Probate District of Bradford in Orange County.
SS

At a Probate Court holden at Bradford within and for the district of Bradford aforesaid on this __ day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judge of said Court now sitting Joseph Clark a resident of Bradford in the County of Orange and State of Vermont aged eighty one 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 act of Congress passed June of 1832 - 

That in the fore part of the summer of 1776 he volunteered and associated with others at Haverhill in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire to guard the town to watch the ferry and patrol the streets in the night season - that he equipped himself with arms & ammunition and took his turn regularly in patroling the streets in the night & guarding and watching the town & ferry for the term of about two months - but had no officers, nor did he show pay or rations - that Haverhill was then a county town and being near the frontier settlements was much exposed and in danger of being surprised and attacked by the Indians and Tories - that frequent alarms were about that time given and that scouting parties of the evening were in the vicinity of Haverhill.

That in the latter part of August 1776 Capt Atkinson of [illegible] came onto Haverhill and enlisted a regular company to guard the town that he enlisted into said company and served three months. - that during that time he helped build the fort around the Hutchins' House and around Col Charles Schuster's House - that he took his turn in patroling the streets and watching the ferry, as he did before Capt. Atkinson came on. That he does not know whether Capt Atkinson's Company was attached to any regiment - that they joined no regiment - nor was there any other company stationed at Haverhill that the Lieutenant's name he does not recollect nor the ensigns name but the orderly sergeants name was Hidden; by what authority the company was raised, whether it belonged to the militia or some other corp but he knows he enlisted for three months and served his time out and that he lived at Haverhill where he enlisted.

[different handwriting, very faint] one year unless sooner discharged. This company
Page 6

That in the Summer of 1777 (he cannot recollect the month) the town of Haverhill was called on for ten men to go over the green mountains and fight the British - that he was drafted and immediately marched under Capt. Post of Oxford to No. La. - now Charlestown where they halted seven days and then marched to Bennington in Vermont and was stationed there to guard stores that he was in the battle with the British who came in to take the stores - that Capt. Post was wounded & disabled in the battle and died in a few days afterwards - that Capt. Post called on him to carry him off the ground - that he refused "at first" - that Capt. Post then said "For God's sake don't let me fall into their hands alive!" that he (Clark) then spoke to the sergeant major and they together carried him to a house where he died - that the American army was drawn up in front of the [illegible] breast work - that a hundred men were ordered into the rear of the enemy (these were taken from the right wing) That another hundred were taken from the left wing and posted behind a fence and ordered to rush on as soon as the first hundred began the battle - that he was out of the hundred from the left and heard the order given by General Stocks himself - That after the battle the prisoners were put into the meeting house - that the wounded were there too - that he remained at Bennington some time after the battle - guarding the stores - he does not recollect how long, but till he was taken sick with the camp distemper and had a furlough and came home to Haverhill - that he was not called for to return till his time was out but that he was ready to go on the shortest notice after he got well - that he was drafted for six months according to his best recollection and was never discharged his time ran out while at home. That he was a corporal in Capt Posts Company and after he was killed was a sergeant that he formerly knew the names of the officers and of some of the British officers - but has forgotten nearly all of them - That he now only recollects Gen Stocks - Col. Hubbard & Col. Johnson - that Hubbard commanded the left wing in the battle - that he (Hubbard) got over the fence and gave the order "Rush on"

Of the season of 1778 he enlisted into Capt. Erskin Ladd's company in Hampshire for one year - that he was stationed at Haverhill to guard the town and the stores kept there - that he served his time out but does not recollect of being in any way formally discharged - that Capt Ladd's Company belonged to Col. Bedel's Regiment - that James Ladd was Lieutenant of the company to which he belonged that he does not recollect the names of other officers - that in this year he helped build what was called the continental store & served watch
Page 7

That in the summer of 1779 he was appointed a Lieut. in Capt Thurber's Company in Bradford - then Moretown - where he had moved his family that said Company volunteered and engaged to defend the frontier settlements - that they armed themselves and kept their arms by them constantly in order day and night and carried them to places of public worship - that the inhabitants were constantly in a state of alarm and women and children frequently left or rather spent the night in thickets of bushes or other private places and sometimes crossed onto the east side of the river for safety that this state of things continued for more than a year - that within this time a scouting party of the enemy came into Newbury - and Royalton about 35 miles from Bradford was burnt - by the tories & indians that on the first news of this he started with a part of his company and went on toward Royalton 15 or 20 miles through the woods each was stopped by an entry who gave information - that the enemy designed an attack upon Newbury - that he immediately returned to Bradford & the same night marched with his men to Newbury where he learned that the enemy had filed off to the west - that he remained some days at Newbury - but cannot say how long - but that he might have been out more than a week from home. And the said Clark further declares that in the summer of the year in which Royalton was burnt this declarant was a Lieutenant in a volunteer company formed of Bradfords and that he had no commission as such Lieutenant other than the appointment of the volunteers - that the frontiers at that period were in continual apprehension of incursions from the enemy and that the declarant and others were on patrol each duty for a period of from one to three years and that there was no other company in this vicinity at that time for the guard and protection fo the same. And that he and they did the duties of a guard and patrol on this frontier for that period. And I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to pension or an annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension role of any agency in any state - and that in no case has he ever received a written disclaimer - from [illegible]
Joseph Clark

Sworn to this entered day
[illegible] aforesaid

[different handwriting very faint]
for the time of one year unless sooner discharged. This company
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[vertically at left] Joseph Clark's Declaration

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter. & hearing the deposition herewith transmitted; that the above named applicant was a soldier of the revolutionary war and served as he states -

I Simeon Short Clerk & Register of the said Probate Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Clark for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 17th day of August AD 1832 -
Simeon Short Clerk

And the said Court hereby further certified that Patrick Kannedy & Edward Clark whose depositions are hereunto annexed Subscribed & duly sworn tro the same in Court & it is made to appear to said Court that they are credible witnesses -

I Simeon Short Clerk of said Court of Pensions do hereby certify the same -

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office as aforesaid this 17th day of August AD 1832
Simeon Short Clerk
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I James Ladd of Piermont in the county of Grafton & State of New Hampshire aged eighty years testify & say that I have been acquainted with Joseph Clark of Bradford in the State of Vermont ever since the commencement of the Revolutionary War that I know that in the latter part of summer or early in the fall of the year 1776 said Joseph Clark enlisted into Capt. Samuel Atkinson company in Haverhill in said county of Grafton which company was raised to guard said town & frontiers, that he served three months in said company. the deponent being all this time in said company.

I further testify & say that I know that said Joseph Clark in the summer of 1777  was drafted as one of then men from said Haverhill to go over the Green mountain fights the British - that he joined the company of Capt. Post of Oxford in which company the deponent served as a volunteer. The company marched to N H now Charlestown from thence to Bennington & was in the battle at the latter place. The said Clark other deponent being both in that engagement this deponent does not know how long the said Clark served under this draft.

The deponent further testifies & says that on the 12th day of April 1778 the said Clark enlisted as a private in Capt. Ezekiel Ladd's company in Col Timonthy Bedel's Regiment for the term of one year unless sooner discharged. This company
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was raised at said Haverhill - that said Clark served in said company said term of one year. The deponent being all the time a Lieutenant in said Company.

I further testify & say that I know that the said Joseph Clark who I have herein described as being of my acquaintance in the service, is the same Joseph Clark who now lives in Bradford in the State of Vermont & who is an applicant for a pension knowing all this long period lived within about ten miles of him
James Ladd

I certify that the said James Ladd is a credible witness Geo Woodward Jus. Peace

Grafton Augt. 9. 1832
Sworn to before
Geo Woodward Jus. Peace

State of New Hampshire
Grafton

I George Woodward Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Grafton do certify that George Woodward is a justice of the peace within & for said county duly qualified to take applicants & that the above is his genuine signature.

In testimony of the foregoing I have hereunto set my name & official the seal of this Court this 9 day of August 1832
Geo. Woodward Clerk
Page 11

I Edward Clark of Peacham County of Caledonia & State of Vermont aged seventy two years testify and say that Mr. Joseph Clark of Bradford Vermont is my brother that at the commencement of the revolutionary war in the year 1776 he volunteered with myself and others to patrol and guard the streets of Haverhill N.Hampshire and to guard the ferry across connecticut river between Newbury and Haverhill. that said Joseph was engaged in said service as said patrol for the space of more than two months. that he equiped himself with arms and ammunition and took his turn regularly in patroling the streets in the night and guarding & watching the ferry & town - but there were no officers to my knowledge - nor did he that I know draw any pay or rations - that Haverhill was at that time a country town and being near the frontier settlements and much exposed and in danger of being attached by the indians & tories.

And I further testify and say that in the latter part of August 1776 Capt Atkinson of [illegible] came on to Haverhill and enlisted a regular company to guard said town that said Joseph Clark & myself both enlisted into said company and served three months each. that during said time he helped build the fort around Mr. Hutchins' house & around Col. Charles Johnston's house - that he took his turn in patroling the streets and watching the ferry as he did before Capt Atkinson came on - that this deponent does not know whether Capt Atkinson's company was attached to any regiment or not that to this deponents knowledge Atkinson's company was not joined to any regiment - nor was there any other company at that time stationed at Haverhill - that he does not recollect the name of either the Lieutenant or ensign in Capt Atkinson's company - but the orderly sergeant's name was Hidden - This deponent cannot tell by what authority the company was raised - whether it belonged to the militia or 
to some other corps - but he does know that the said Joseph Clark enlisted for three months in said company, and that he served during that time and this deponent was with said Joseph all said three months in said company -

and I further depose and say - that in the summer of 1777 I should say in July a draft of ten men was made upon Haverhill that said Joseph and myself were of the number to go over the green mountains to fight the
Page 12

British - that he (the said Joseph) marched immediately under Capt Post of Oxford to No So now Charlestown - where they halted for some days - and thence marched to Bennington Vermont. that the said Joseph was in the battle of Bennington in said Capt Posts company - that the first Lieutenant's name of said Company was Bond - the 2 Lieutenants name was Rice and the ensign's name was Patterson - That Capt Post was wounded & disabled in the battle and my brother (the said Joseph) assisted to carry him off the field That at said Battle the American Army was drawn up in front of the enemy's breast works - That we were posted on the left wing under the command of Col. Hubbard - and from that wing one hundred men were taken and posted behind a fence - that after the battle my Brother and my self among others were taken sick with the camp disorder when we obtained furlough, and went home to Haverhill that we were not again called on - but ever stood ready to go on the shortest notice - that during all this time I was continually with the said Joseph - We were drafted for six months and were never discharged - the said Joseph was a corporal in Capt Post's company and after Posts death at Bennington was a sergeant - this deponent knows the names of some of the officers in said Battle of Bennington - Gen Storks was the commander in chief of the brigade - the first Col. of the regiment was named Hubbard as above noted - the Lieut. Col's name was Johnson - I heard the name of the British commander in the battle Bennington to be [illegible] the tories were commanded by Col. Peters -

And this deponent further testifies and says that in the spring of 1778 I think in the month of April of that year said Joseph enlisted in Capt Ezekiel Ladd's company in Haverhill for one year that he was in Haverhill stationed to guard the stores and the town - that he served his year out but this deponent does not know whether the said Joseph was ever discharged or not. That Capt Ladds company was attached to Col. Bedel's Regiment - that James Ladd was a Lieutenant in Capt Ladd's company - I enlisted at about the same time with the said Joseph into Capt Ladds company & assisted to build the continental store & a number of watch towers

I further depose & say that in the summer of 1779 the said Joseph was appointed a second Lieutenant in Capt Thurber's co of Bradford - after which I enlisted into the continental army under Col. Hosea and knows nothing of the proceedings of the said Joseph after that period. And further the deponent saith not.
Edward Clark

Sworn to & subscribed in
Court, day & year aforesaid
Page 13

I Patrick Kannedy of Bradford in the County of Orange State of Vermont aged 72 years last May testify & say that I have heard the foregoing declaration of Joseph Clark. I do well recollect that he served in Capt Ladds Company - Col Bedels regiment in the year 1778 as he states the time of one year as I suppose - I also well recollect that early in the year 1779 that all the inhabitants of the said Bradford capable of performing military duty volunteered & formed themselves into a company & made choice of their own officers, & appointed the said Joseph Clark their Lieutenant. That the said company was engaged in defending the frontier settlements during the year 1779. The country in the vicinity of Bradford being then in a state of constant apprehension and alarm from the enemy as stated by the said Clark

- further the Deponent saith not
Patrick Kannedy
Sworn to subscribed -
Page 14

I Joseph Clark of Bradford in the County of Orange and State of Vermont aged fifty three depose and say - that some time in the month of September 1833 the papers in support of or claim for a pension for my Father Joseph Clark was returned from the War Department with a letter stating that whatever services he provided so as to be recognized by the office as Lieutenant he would draw pay as a noncommissioned Officer as he never received a commission - after seeing the Letter I mentioned this circumstance to my Brother Moody who said he had certainly forgotten for he remembered perfectly well of seeing his commission when he was boy and picking off [illegible] from the seal. I then obtained the keys of my Fathers Desk and commenced a search and found his old papers thrown in drawers promiscuously and being called away I requested my wife Susan Clark to make a thorough search - when I returned she told me she had succeeded in finding a part of the Commission but very much torn which she stitched together in my presence - much time was spent in searching for the remaining part but could not be found - the mutilation of the Commission had no appearance of being cut but evidently worn- on showing the Commission to my Bro Moody he immediately recognized it as being the same he had seen as before mentioned - and I further depose and say that I have not the least doubt in my mind respecting the truth of the affidavit of my wife Susan and my Bro Moody heretofore sent to the war department - nor have I the least doubt that those parts of a commission which were attached to my wife's affidavit are the remains of a genuine commission which my father held in the war of the revolution. I further say that with the exception of one year I have lived with my Father ever since I was born (or my earliest recollection) that he always kept his papers separate from mine under a lock and key of his own that I never examined them previous to the time above mentioned - that I then found some papers which might been as vouchers to his declaration such as his furlough when he returned from Bennington an account of ill health which he mentioned in his declaration which I had no knowledge was in [illegible] and I am morally certain that the commission of no other man, by the name of Clark, has been sent with my Fathers papers, to the war office - and I further say I was present each time my Father made his declaration which was sent on to the War Office and he then told the same story respecting the events of the war and the part he took in it which he had always been in the habit  of telling - over the truth of which I never doubted but his memory has very much failed him respecting many things and especially those things of long standing which he has not been in the habit of talking over so well as most things of recent date which are not very interesting to him, and has become wholly unable to perform any business for several years past
Joseph Clark Jr
Page 15

State of Vermont}
Orange County ss} Bradford March 15th 1834

Then personly appeared Joseph Clark Jr and made solemn oath in due form of law to the truth of the within affidavit by him subscribed before me and I hereby certify that the said Joseph Clark Jr is a creditable witness

Samuel Martin Justice Peace
Page 16

State of Vermont}
Orange County SS}
At Bradford in said county of Orange on the 23rd of September 1833 personally appeared before me the undersigned justice of the peace within & for said county Joseph Clark who being duly sworn makes the following declaration in addition to & amendment of his two former declarations herewith enclosed to the pension office.

That it now appears he had a Lieutenant's commission dated the 28th day of June 1781 - all of which commission that can be found is herewith enclosed - that he now has no recollection of ever having seen said commission till his daughter in law, Susan Clark, shew it to him a day or two since - He does recollect that when he was first appointed Lieutenant it was said there was no authority in the new state (as Vermont was then called) to give commission - He says that when he received it he was probably thinking more about defending his country than of the honour of a commission - and the fact of having received one had passed entirely from his memory.

Said Clark further declares that when Bedel's regiment was disbanded in the spring of 1779 the danger of incursions by the indians & tories was much greater than before - That there was no current force between this frontier settlement & Canada and frequent alarms of scouting parties of the enemy being near us was given - Under these circumstances the said Clark says the law of necessity obligated the scattered settlers in Bradford to become soldiers - and that it also informed such orders & discipline - That all the able bodied men in this town did in the summer of 1777 volunteer & arm & equip & form themselves into a company & chose their officers in same way & manner that company officers are now chosen in the militia companies - That from that time till near the close of the war said company considered themselves a guard on this frontier - as all the time under arms - and ready to meet the enemy on the shortest notice - That detachments were frequently & regularly made from said company & sent out as spies or scouts - that said Clark was never out with said frontier but once - and the circumstances of that occasion are stated in his first declaration
Page 17

That sometime afterwards nearly the whole company were called off on an alarm, to Newbury  - but that he does not recollect how long they were gone - nor any particular event that happened - only that the immediate danger passed off & the company returned. - He recollects that when Royalton was burnt & he with part of his company went to Newbury - unstated in his first declaration - every family had fled from Newbury across the river into New Hampshire - That a thousand armed men soon collected at Newbury - some men from Concord in N.H. - That once afterwards, the danger was so great, many families fled across the river - & his had fled to Oxford for safety. - That he said Clark spent much time in disciplining said Company - in making detachments for guards & scouts - in setting guards and in keeping said company always ready to meet emergencies at a moment's warning.

And the said Clark further declares - that, by reason of Old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot state precisely each time of service & its length from the time of his appointment as Lieutenant in 1779 to the close of the war - That as to the character of the troops in which he served he says They were volunteer Green mountain boys - determined to serve their cause or perish in the attempt - That (as said Clark now believes) as soon as the State government was organized this company was organized as part of the army for the revolution, as his commission shows that said company was to be garrisoned "according to the rules and discipline of war"

And said Clark further declares that (as the pension office requires the disclosure of every material circumstance & not not knowing what may be considered such exactly) said company were very frequently called to the alarm post-created in this town - that the soldier always appeared promptly & prepared to meet the event - That said company received neither money nor rations - nor even they furnished by government the arms or ammunition - but were obliged to support & provide for themselves - That they were driven by necessity to labour to prevent starvation but that they went to their labour & to places
Page 18

of public worship with their arms in their hands & when they slept their arms were near by them, ready for action - And the said Clark now believes that within three years after he was appointed Lieutenant as aforesaid he gave away to scouting parties & to sentinals provisions enough to keep a family of six or eight - one whole year - That during that time his attention was principally devoted to the duties of his office as Lieutenant - That he attended to no other business except so far as the immediate necessities of his family required - That he was frequently called off out of town to Oxford - to Haverhill & to Newbury, to give or receive information respecting the enemy -

And said Clark further declares that it was said at the time - the preparations made & the bold stand taken by the frontier settlers in the new state secured New England from an invasion in this quarter - and he knows of no other member of said company now living but Patrick Kannedy.
Joseph Clark

State of Vermont}
Orange County SS}
Bradford Sept. 23 1833 -
Then personally appeared Joseph Clark of said Bradford in said county & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed - in due form of law before me.
Barton N. Fyler Justice Peace
Page 19

I Susan Clark Wife of Joseph Clark Jr. of Bradford in the county of Orange & State of Vermont aged 46 years depose and say that within a few days past, by direction of my husband & leave of his father Joseph Clark who has signed the foregoing declaration in my presents. Thence hereto made a thorough search among the old gentleman old papers & there found parts of an old commission dated the 28th day of June 1781 - signed by Thomas Chittenden & witnesses by Joseph Fay secty. That I have stitched the pieces which I found together & they are attached to this affidavit by wafer before signing - That I have been wholly unable to find the left hand quarter of said commission - and further this deponent saith not
Susan Clark

State of Vermont}
Orange County SS}
Bradford September 23rd 1833 -
Then personally appeared Susan Clark wife of Joseph Clark Jr & made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by her testimonies. - in due form of law before me - 
And I do hereby certify that said Susan Clark is a creditable witness
Barton N Fyler Justice of Peace

I Moody Clark of Bradford in the county of Orange & State of Vermont aged 57 years depose & say that sometime last week my brother Joseph Clark Jr called on me & said that our father Joseph Clark was not like to draw a pension as lieutenant - on account of not having a commission - That I asked him what had become of it & he said he never had one - I told him I knew better - and I now testify that I saw in my father's house, when I was a boy a commission with a large seal on one corner - which was then called my father's commission as Lieutenant. - and that the children had said seal to play with & picked the wax to pieces - and I have no doubt that the pieces hereunto attached by wafer are parts of the same commission aforesaid
Moody Clark
State of Vermont}
Orange County SS}
Bradford Sept 23rd 1833
Then Moody Clark of said Bradford personally appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed - in due form of law - before me and I hereby certify that said Clark is a creditable witness.
Barton N. Fyler Justice Peace
Page 20

[top left corner of page blocked out]

His Excellency
Chittenden, Esquire,
nor, and Commander in Chief in and over
State of Vermont.
Clark Gentleman Greeting,
Lieutenant in the [illegible] company & Regiment
Brigade and tenth

this State; reposing special Trust and Confidence in your
Fidelity, I Do, by these Presents, in the Name of the 
Freemen of this State, authorize and impower you to take Charge of said Company
as their Second Lieutenant - You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge
the Duty of Second Lieutenant of said Company by doing and performing
all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. ----And I do strictly charge and require
all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as Second Lieutenant

And you are to observe and obey such Orders and Directions from Time
to Time, as you shall receive from me the Governor of this State for the Time being or
other your superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, and the Laws of
this State.

Given under my Hand and the Seal of this State, in Council, this
29 Day of June 1781
Thos. Chittenden
By His Excellency's Command,
Joseph Fay Sect

Clark, Joseph
(NH) (VT)
S. File 12.487

[circular stamp at right] The National Archives of the United States
Page 21

[left side of page]
May 12. 1905. Hist to
Mrs. Susan Gale Adams
Greeley Colo.

1914. Nov 21: history to Miss
L. Rogers.  J2.13.H [?]
Letter in S.F. - 18354 Daniel Clark

1927 June 1. Photos delivered
to A. W. DeGoosh cue

[right side of page]
12.487
Invalid.
[diagonally across left top] Rev War
File No. 12.487
Joseph Clark
Sergt & C Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:--Vol. A, Page 70

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 22

[left side of page]
6769
3-2233
Bureau of Pensions
Finance Division
May 27, 1927.
Chief Rev Was Section Division.

I have this day received from
A. W. DeGoosh
cash No.
for $75/100, requesting
photostat copy as per
letter herewith.

O. J. Randall
Chief Finance Division.
HCL
CC31

[written diagonally near bottom]
1927 June 1
photos delivered
to Mr. A. W. DeGoosh in person
Finance Div Wolf

[right side of page]
May 27. 1927
Page 23

May 27. 1927
Comr. of Pensions:

Please furnish photostat copies of 5 pages from the Rev. War pension claim of Joseph Clark, S12487 to not ctfd.

A. W. De Goosh
U. S. Shipping Board
Wash. D.C.

rec'd payment
75 cts.
AE Wilson
Chief Rev. Wars Section

[rectangular stamp at right] Finance Division Bookk keeping Desk
May 17 1927
Board of Pensions
Page 24

[folded left corner obscures some words]

ATE. 1-681 Phone Branch 476

regarding this job should refer to Requisition No. 15405
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
Department of the Interior
Washington
Chief, Division of Publications,
Room G 137.
May 31, 1927.
Please furnish work specified below.

Bureau ordering Pension Deliver to Room No. 5033

(All copy for duplicating work should be plain and written in elite type. Exactly line for line as it is to appear on finished job.)

Title and description of job photostat copies of 5 pages from the Rev. War pension claim, S. 12487, Joseph Clark.

No. of copies 1 of each page Shall form be kept standing? __ days
For further information see A. E. Wilson Room No. 30 5033 Phone No. 541

Approved:
A. D. Wilkinson Acting Chief Clerk of Bureau

A E Wilson
Chief of Branch

Note: No order made "Special" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering

[oval stamp] Division of Publications
Received May 31 1927 Dept. of the Interior

Check Work Desired
Duplicate
Multigraph single or double space? __ Facsimile signature? __
Mimeograph one side or both sides? __ Facsimile signature? __
Folding once or twice?
Assembling
Stapling Once?  Twice?  Side?  End?

Electric typewriter Fill in addresses? __ Dated? __

Addressograph from lists __
Envelopes, size __ Cards, size __
Proof list __ Pay rolls __
Labels (submit sample) __ Corrections __
Fill in letters __ Tabulation sheets __

Photostat X Size actual Official use? __ Repay? yes $0.75
Blue Print __ Size __ Official use? __ Repay? __ $ __

Remarks:

(over)
Page 25

Note: Routing changes of addresses may be made on this blank without formal reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or chief clerks of bureaus.

Date __ 192 .

Indicate by an X in proper square action to be taken.

__ Make new addressograph plate}

__ Change present addressograph plate} On list 

__ Destroy present addressograph plate}

as follows:

Now reads 1 __
                    2__
                    3__
                    4__
                    5__

Should read 1 __
                      2__
                      3__
                      4__
                      5__

For use of duplicating and addressing section

Addressograph
The above change was made __ 192 .
Operator __

Multigraph
Operator __ Date __ Type set by __
Remarks: __

Mimeograph
Operator __ Date __ Cut by __
Remarks: __
Page 26

[rectangular stamp] May 4 1905 Files

Commissioner of Pensions
Department of the Interior
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,

Do you have any Revolutionary War data in regard to Joseph Clark who was born July 29 Old Style or August 7 new Style 1751, died at Bradford Vermont in 1835? His wife was Sarah Muzzy who was the daughter of John Muzzy and Abiah Hunkins Muzzy. His children were Moody, Laban, Joseph, Edward, Hannah, Sally, Samuel, Betsy, Gardner. Joseph Clark at one time lived at Haverhill, N. H for his oldest son was born there in 1776.
Page 27

All data you may have in regard to Joseph Clark, will be gratefully received by
(Mrs.) Susan Gale Adams,
1119 Sixth Street
Greeley, Colorado

April twenty ninth,
Nineteen Hundred and Five.

[circle stamps at bottom left and right] U. S. Pension A Office May 3 1905
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Bk [illegiblel] April 27. 1837

Hon J. L. Edwards
Comm Pensions
Sir enclosed are Joseph Clark's papers deceased - will you be pleased to have the goodness to examine them, and give me your intention as to the payment. I am Respectfully your Ob Sert
Thomas Emerson [illegible]
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I Patrick Kennedy of Bradford in the county of Orange & State of Vermont aged seventy three years depose & say - That at the time Deacon Joseph Clark was appointed or chosen Lieutenant of the volunteer company in Bradford in the summer of 1779, it was said that there was no authority in encampment to give commissions to the officers - That it was considered at the time as absolutely necessary to form said company for immediate defence That said company considered themselves as under arms constantly & did duty as a guard on this frontier untill the spring of 1780 when this deponent enlisted & went off to West Point - That said Clark was an active & [illegiblel[ officer - That these frontier settlements were in a continued state of allarm - till I left for West Point - and I know that it was afterwards said the preparations courage & exertions of these & other volunteer companies on the frontier settlements in Vermont save New England from an invasion in this quarter - and I further say that I know of no person except Deacon Clark & myself now living who belonged to such company.
Patrick Kennedy

State of Vermont}
Orange county SS} Bradford Sept. 23rd 1833
Then personally appeared Patrick Kennedy of said Bradford & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed in due form of law before me and I do hereby certify that said Kennedy is a credible witness -
Barton N. Fyler, Justice Peace
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State of Vermont}
Orange County SS}
I Harry Hale, Clerk of the County Court, of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Barton N. Fyler is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified - That his commission was dated the 9th day of November 1832, and will expire on the 30th day of November 1833, and that his signatures within written are in my opinion genuine.

Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court at Chelsea in said County this 24th day of September A.D. 1833.
Harry Hale, Clerk

[seal affixed at left]
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War Department,
Pension Office
April 1st 1834.

Sir,

The papers of Joseph Clark whose claim to a pension as private, corporal, and Sergeant, has been admitted, was examined on the 20th February last in commission with a letter from Moses Chase Esq, and the result notified to the Hon.H. Everett, in a letter a copy of which is herewith inclosed.
Before the letter of Mr Chase to you, dated 15 March last, which has been referred to this office, I have the honor to state that my letter of the 20th February last does not charge the offenses of forgery and perjury upon any person or persons whomsoever. The claimant had expressly stated in terms in his original declaration, that he was elected an officer by a company of volunteers, and that "he had no commission as such except the appointment of the volunteers." He claimed to have performed services as such officer "from one to three years," without any specification of services whatever. In his supplemental declaration made on the 10th June 1833, he alleges that during the years 1779, 1780, & 1781, he
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he served as Lieutenant at least one year and six months without any specification of the particular services performed or referenced to evidence of his rank.

The papers having been returned for specification of services, a new declaration was made on the 23rd Sept last, which contains a general history of the exposed condition of the frontier from Connecticut river, but specifying no actual services in the field or garrison to have been performed by the claimant, as an Officer; nor does it contain any averments that he was ever commissioned as such, excepting a statement that it appears he was commissioned of which he had no recollection, until his daughter in law shewed him the paper; and that for the reason before stated the facts had passed out of his memory. Accompanying this declaration are the affidavits of Susan Clark and Moody Clark, alluding to the finding a part of the original commission among the papers of the claimant.

The commission itself does not purport to have been issued in favor of the claimant, nor do either of the witnesses allege that it ever contained his name in that portion of the document which is missing. Whether the precise portion which contained the christian name of the person to whom it was issued was cut out intentionally, as has been supposed on a careful inspection of the paper, or was worn away and
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and lost as is suggested in the later affidavit of Joseph Clark Jr, is not very material, excepting upon the question of morality. As was intimated in my letter, no services having been stated to have been performed under this commission with in the Act of 7 June 1832, it is not material whether it was issued to him or not. The claimant has no where expressly stated that the commission was issued to him but on the other hand, has stated he never had any commission. Given these facts it is impossible to perceive how my letter of the 20th Feby charges any one with perjury and forgery. On the 15 March last since the date of my letter, Joseph Clark Jr. has made an affidavit in which he states that he is morally certain that the commission of no other man than his father was sent with his papers to the pension office; and that he has no doubt that those parts of the commission forwarded are the genuine remains of a commission held by his father during the war of the revolution. This is the nearest direct connection that has been raised between the claimant and the commission; and having been made since my letter was received, rendering it unnecessary to make any further explanation of the phraseology contained in that letter which did not contradict any facts which had been stated on oath by the claimant or any of his witnesses. Mr. Clark, having established upon the general regulations
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regulations no claim whatever to the computation of any service as a Lieutenant, it is not deemed necessary to make a detailed reply to the arguments in Mr. Chase's letter; who seems not only to have entirely mistaken the difficulty in this case, but in his allusion to his letter to Mr. Everett, to have misapprehended the principles upon which claims are decided in this Office.

To prevent further misapprehension, it is proper to state that if the claimant held the commission of Lieutenant in actual service in the field or garrison, and was paid as such, the facts in detail must be stated, and may undoubtedly be established by better evidence than any yet produced. The letters of Mr. Chase and Mr. Everett to you are herewith returned.
I have the honor to be
Your Obt.

Hon. L. Cass
Secretary of War
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State of Vermont}
Orange County SS} At Bradford in said County of Orange on the 10th day of June 1833 personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace within and for said County of Orange Joseph Clark who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequence of loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades - for two months I served as a volunteer and private in the summer of the year 1776 - for three months I served as a private in Capt Atkinson's Company at Haverhill N.H. - That in 1777 in the summer I went over to Bennington Vt and served under Capt Post and was at the Bennington fight - I served this time six months - two of which I was a corporal in Post's company and for four months I served as a sergeant in the same company after Post's death - In the year 1778 I enlisted into Capt Ezekiel Ladd's company in Haverhill and I served therein for one year - I served in the years 1779 (beginning in the summer of that year) 1780 & 1781 as second Lieutenant in Capt Thurber's company at Bradford then Moretown at least one year and six months making all the above several services three years and five months service and for the time during which those several services were performed I was not employed in any civil pursuit and for such services I claim a pension. Joseph Clark

State of Vermont}
Orange County SS} At Bradford in said County June 10. 1833 Sworn to before me
J.W.D. Parker Justice of the Peace

We William Nelson - a clergyman residing in the town of Bradford aforesaid and Benja P. Baldwin - a resident of the same town do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Clark who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 82 years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day
and year aforesaid.
Wm Nelson
Benj P Baldwin

And I W.D. Parker Justice of the peace as aforesaid certify that William Nelson - who has signed the preceding certificate - is a clergyman of said Bradford and that Benja P. Baldwin - who has also signed the same is a resident of said Bradford and that he is a creditable person and that this statement is entitled to credit.
W.D. Parker Justice of the Peace
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State of Vermont, Orange County Clerks Office

I Harry Hale, Clerk of Orange County Court, do hereby certify that J.W.D. Parker is and was at the time of taking the within Deposition a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Orange aforesaid, and that the within writing purporting to be his signature is in my opinion genuine.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, and affix the Seal of said Court, at Chelsea in said County this 25th day of June A.D. 1833.
Harry Hale, Clerk.

[seal affixed at left]
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Commission taken out by W Edwards to
submit to the secretary of War
placed back
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The undersigned inhabitants of Bradford in the county of Orange & State of Vermont certify that we have seen and heard read a letter addressed to the Hon H. Everett - dated "War Department pension office Feby. 20th 1834, & signed by "J L Edwards; in which letter it is more than intimated that the commission of some person "by the name of Clark, whose christian name has been "obviously cut out" has been forwarded to the pension office to effect a fraudulent end - And learning from Joseph Clark Jr that he sent on to the pension office a mutilated commission, which he supposed his father, Joseph Clark, honestly held in the revolutionary war - which commission was annexed to & sent on with the affidavits of Susan Clark & Moody Clark, relative to the finding of said commission - we do further certify that we are well acquainted with the characters of the said Joseph Clark Jr, his wife Susan Clark & Moody Clark aforesaid - that their moral principles, their habits & their deportment are a bar to the suspicion of fraud  - among their acquaintances. That, in our opinion, neither of them could be induced by any means to substitute a false or fraudulent for a genuine commission in order to aid their fathers application for a pension - nor do we believe that either of them would suffer a commission with a "name obviously cut out", for any sinister purpose, to be sent on to the pension office, without exposing the fraud themselves.

And we further certify that Joseph Clark, the elder is superannuated & quite feeble - & is wholly incapable of inventing & contriving this device of processing some other person's commission with which to get a pension himself - That he has been out of active life & has done no business for several years past of any kind.

And we further certify that we have all lived in said Bradford more than twenty years - several of us more than forty years - & some of us were boys & lived here in the time of the revolution and some of us even knew or heard of any man by the name of Clark, who could have held a Lieutenant's
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commission, in said Bradford, in the time of the revolutionary war - excepting the said Joseph Clark

Andw B Peters Town Clerk
Wm Barron
Geo W. Prichard Treasurer
Richard Aldrich Grand Juror & Just Peace
Levi Colby Selectman
John Pearsons Selectman
John B Peckett our
James Wilson
J W D Parker Sister
Ellis Bliss constable
Benj P. Baldwin
Nicholas Witzer grandg
Thomas Tabor sister
Arad Stebbins Justice Peace
Samuel McDuffee

State of Vermont}
Orange County SS} Bradford March 11th 1834 Then Andrew B Peters, Geo W. Prichard, Richard Aldrich, Levi Colby, John Pearsons, John B Peckett, James Wilson, J W D Parker, Ellis Bliss, Benj P Baldwin, Nicholas Witzer, Thomas Tabor, Arad Stebbens, & Samuel McDuffee personaly appeared and severally made
solemn oath to the truth of the above and foregoing certificate by them subscribed before me and I certify that they are all creditable witnesses and I further certify that those of them to whose names offices are annexed do now hold and exercise such offices.
Daniel Martin Justice Peace
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State of Vermont}
Orange County  SS} I H.E.G. McLaughlin Clerk of the Supreme and County Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Daniel Martin is a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the Second day of November AD 1833, and will expire on the on the thirteenth day of November AD 1834. And that his signature before written is genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of of Said County this 22nd day of March AD 1834.

H.E.G. McLaughlin Clerk