Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 28895, for Samuel Stark, Vermont
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(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Vt Stark Samuel S28895
CONTENTS
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Albany NY 30.822
Samuel Stark
of Oswego Co in the state of New York who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Start of the Rgt commanded by Col Fletcher in the Vermont line for 12 mos & 15 days 
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 41 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of Sept 1836 and sent Robert H Martin Oswego NY 
Arrears to the 4th of March 1836 $208.35
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept 20.83
$229.18
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by DD Addison clerk, Book C2 [or E2] Vol 4 Page 67
suspended see let to DD Addison & Pension 
[crossed out Oct] Nov 2nd 1844
Ditto 
Let to RH Martin Esqr
Augt 23 45
Letter to sec war 14 Oct 1865
" to Hon Ml J Hough
Dec 31 45
"  Sec War 24 Jan 1846
enclosing papers 12 in number
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20281 
Samuel Stark
Oswego Co 
N York 
12 mos & 15 days
Admitted
Private 12 mo & 15 days
10 Ju 34
Robert H Martin
Oswego
Oswego Cty
New York
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office
183
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 show 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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Samuel Stark Oswego NY
Period when the service was rendered /
Duration of the claimants service Years/months/days/ Rank of the claimant /
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served /
Age at present and place of above when he entered the service / Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Vol April 1777 / i months / pr / Capt John Stark / / / 70 Paulet Vermont / 
Octr 1778 / 2 months 15 days / " / " Col Benson / / Vt / Traditionary
April 1779 / 2 months / " / Capt Nobles / Col Sleen / 
March 1780 / 9 months " Cap Stark / Col Fletcher 
1 yr 9 months 15 days

I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L EDWARDS
Commissioner of Pensions
5-17 4
20
119
19-00
9.80
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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 serviced 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, mucicians or privates, will in the first instance, make applications 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 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 days 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 certified, 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 if 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corrobating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be at attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.  All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and 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 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?  And if a substitute, for whom?
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 a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given 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 testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.  The Court will see that he 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 enquiry 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 the Secretary of State 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 procure, 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 from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow 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 saith, 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 a  ; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as 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 about 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; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; 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 public 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 contains 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 claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must  certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
[i] 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.
R Newman
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Nancy Stark
application for back pay & increase of pension of Samuel Stark decd
Address JA Hathway
Oswego
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Oswego City & County State of New York } Ss
On this 26 day of April one thousand eight hundred and fifty three before me a justice of the peace in and for the county of Oswego and state of New York aforesaid personally appeared Nancy Stark who being by me duly sworn deposes and says she was forty years two old the sixth day of January one thousand eight hundred and fifty three and that she is the daughter of the late Samuel Stark who died at the city of Oswego aforesaid in the month of June one thousand eight hundred and fifty one and as deponent verily believes on the 11th day of that month that he was ninety two years old at the time of his death and upwards and at the time of his death he left him surviving eleven children to wit Eanis, David, Mary, Jerusha, Abigal, Delvin, Samuel, Sophia, Nancy Henry and Jane and deponents mother died when deponent was about seven years old and that Mary died last winter and the rest of the children are all living as deponent believes except David John & Sophia Deponent further says Samuel Stark her said father at the time of his death was drawing a Pension from the United States on account of services rendered in the revolutionary war and under and by virtue of a certain certificate from the war department dated
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April 21st one thousand eight hundred and forty six under the act of the seventh of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty two in the sum of twenty eight dollars and eighty eight cents yearly payable semi annually on the 4th of March and on the fourth of September in each year and that Samuel Stark deponents father drew his pension up to and including the fourth day of March one thousand eight hundred and fifty one
That deponent has been credibly informed and verily believes that the said pension may and ought to be increased from its commencement and during its continuance and deponent asks for the amount of the increased pension and the amount undrawn Nancy Starks
Sworn before me April 26th 1853 A Morgan
Justice of the peace
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by me duly sworn deposes and says that she is a resident of the city of Oswago that he is well acquainted with Nancy Stark who made the statement hereto attached and that she is the daughter of Samuel Stark late of the city of Oswego Oswego County Wm Wyles
Sworn before me May 9th 1853
A Morgan
Justice of the Peace
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State of New York
OSWEGO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE} SS I JC Hugunin Dept Clerk of the county of Oswego hereby certify that A Morgan Esq whose name is subscribed to the jurat of affidavit hereto annexed, was at the date of said jurat a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, dwelling in said county and duly elected and qualified to act as such; that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe his signature to said jurat
WITNESS my hand and the sael of the court of common pleas of said county this eleventh day of May AD 1853
JC Hugunin Dept Clerk
[SEAL written in left margin]
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In the matter of Saml Stark a Pension applicant 
20281
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State of New York
Oswego County Ss 
On this fourteenth day of December In the year one thousand Eight Hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court before Joel Turrill  First Judge and John Reynolds & Samuel Freeman Esq  Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Oswego, now sitting.  Samuel Stark a resident of the Town of Oswego County and State aforesaid aged Seventy Years who being first duly sworn according to Sam 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 was born in the Town of Canterbury in the State of Connecticut on the Seventeenth day of July in the Year Seventeen Hundred and Sixty two, according to his recollection that he has no record of his age.  That he first entered the Service of the United States in the month of April in the Year 1777 at the Town of Hamlet in the County of Rutland in the State of Vermont.  that he volunteered in a company called out to guard the county and protect the inhabitants that said Company was commanded by his father John Stark  Ezekiel Harmon Lieutenant.  Nathaniel Harmon Ensign:  That this company remained at Pawlet hill in the Battle of Hubbardton, when it fell back to Manchester when they met Colonel Seth Warner with his Continental Regiment first from the Battle at Hubbardton. That he continued with Said Company at Manchester till a few days before the Bennington Battle when said company marched to Bennington accompanied by three other companies Commanded by Captain Ornsby of Manchester  Captain Galusha of Shaftesburg Capt. Eastman of Rupport at Pennington they met General Stark with Auo Hampshire Troops.  That he was engaged in Skirmishing with some Indians a day or two previous to the Bennington Battle and in
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Sight of a Body of Hessians Commanded by Colonel Baum.  That he was present at the Pennington Battle that he was not actually engaged in Said Battle, but was stationed near the Battle Ground with some others to guard the Baggage.  that the engagement continued till the enemy were dislodged. when upon the coming up of a reinforcement from Burgones army the Militia rallied & Colonel Warner arrived with his regiment from Manchester and the Battle Continued till dark.  On the next day he proceeded with his father who was wounded in the Battle to Bennington & continued with his father at Bennington & took care of him till he was able to ride.  That about a week before the taking of Burgoyne his father left Bennington to join the American Army under General Gates, and that this applicant with a small party of Indians were left to guard some Stores at Pawles whether they had proceeded from Bennington to where they  continued as a guard till the return of his Father whose illness would not suffer him to proceed to join the army. and the applicant was discharged about the fifteenth day of December after having served as a Soldier, Eight Months.  
That in the month of October, Seventeen Hundred and Seventy eight, he turned out with his fathers company at Pawlet aforesaid which was called out with other militia to guard the frontier.  that they marched to Castleton  Rutland County and encamped near the Fort:  That the Regiment to which he then belonged was commanded by Colonel Gedidi Bronson
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Seventeen Hundred and Seventy nine - he volunteered at Pawls to serve two months in a company commanded by Captain Nobles Lieutenant Elsworth to garrison on the fort at Castleton. that they went to Castleton & stayed there till the expiration of the term aforesaid when he was discharged and returned to Pawlet aforesaid that Ebenezer Allen was the colonel of the regiment to which he belonged-
That in the month of March Seventeen Hundred and Eighty, he volunteered at Pawlet aforesaid to serve nine months in a company commanded by his father John Stark_  Elsworth full Lieutenant. [illegible] 2nd Lieutenant - Olds orderly sergeant  Wheeler 2nd Sergeant That this company with four other companies commanded by Captain Hutchins Pratt Fischer & Blakely were called out to garrison the fort at Castleton and belonged to a regiment commanded by colonel Fletcher:  That the forks of Petsford & Rutlend were likewise garrisoned by American Troops and under the command of General Enos that he was frequently a Scouting parties from the fort and twice had a skirmish with a Body of hessians & Tories: that he remained at the fort serving as a Soldier till the expiration of his term of nine months aforesaid when he was discharged and returned home to Pawlet where he lived about thirty five years then moved to Rutland aforesaid & lived five years when he moved to Louisville in the county of St. Lawrence where he lived four years. & that he then moved to Oswego his present place of residence, where he as lived ever since; That he has never received a written discharge from his service aforesaid for either of the said terms of service.  that he has no documentary witness of his service and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service
That Jason Thomas and Asaph Spencer of the Town of Oswego County of Oswego aforesaid are acquainted with him and will testify to his character
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for veracity an a then belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
[signed on right] Samuel Stark
Sworn to & Subscribed
the day & Year aforesaid
D McPherson Dept Clk of Oswego Comm Pleas
We Jason Thomas and Asaph Spencer residing in the Town of Oswego __hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Stark who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration.  That we believe him to be Seventy Years of age:  That he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the revolution; that we concur in that opinion; & believe him to be a man of truth.
[signed on right] Asaph Spencer  Jason Thomas
Sworn & subscribed the
day & year aforesaid
D McPherson Dept Clk
of Oswego County

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 & the court further certifies that it appears to them that Jason Thomas and Asaph Spencer reside in the Town of Oswego in the county of Oswego and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit And the said Court do further certify that it appears to them that there is no clergyman residing in the immediate neighbourhood of this applicant whole testimony can be procured on his
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case
Y Turrill
Reynolds
J Saml Freeman
State of New York
Oswego County Ss I Eric Poor clerk of the court of common please of Oswego County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contained the original proceedings of the said court matter of the application of Samuel Stark for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fourteenth day of December AD 1832
Eric Poor clerk
By D McPherson Dep clk
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1885 Augt 12 Saul Van Der Voort with history of Bennington battle  N Robinson
Agent notified, see letter
JA Hathaway Augt 1 53

New York 30822
Samuel Stark of Oswego Co in the state of N ork 
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Stark of the ret commanded by Col Fletcher in the Vermont line for
Inscribed on the roll of Albany at the rate of 28 Dollars 88 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 131
Reduced from $41.67
Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of April 1846 and sent to Hon WJ Hough House of Representatives
Arrears to the 4th of 
Semi-annual allowance ending 
Reduction to take effect from 4th September 1866}
{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by D Brown Clerk
Book E2 Vol 4 Page [illegible]
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Ammended declaration

State of New York
Oswego County ss
On this 20th day of June in the year 1833. personally appeared before me David P Brewster First Judges of Oswego County Court at my office in the Village of Oswego in the County aforesaid Samuel Stark a resident of the Town of Oswego aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to Said doth on his oath make the following amendment to the ceclaration heretofore made by him and hereto annexed in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he first entered the Service of the United States as early as the fifteenth day of April In the year 1777 at Pawlet in the County of Rutland in the State of Vermont and served in a company commanded by John Stark as stated in the annexed declaration; That this applicant was stationed and continued with his company at Pawlet hill the 10th day of July next following during which time he was constantly engaged in the status of a soldier scouting, and guarding the country against the invasions of the enemy;  That his fathers company belonged at that time in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Brush.  That Eli Bronson was likewise a colonel in the Regiment aforesaid but that he served in the Battle of Bennington as mentioned in his annexed declaration, immediately under Colonel Brush:  That during the said Term of Service of eight months set forth in his original declaration.  He was wholly engaged in doing duty as a soldier, except a period of Those weeks when he was attending his father, disabled by a wound incured in the Bennington Battle & that during said attendance he was occasionally engaged as a soldier.
That this applicant served throu other several Terms as set forth in his annexed declaration, making a period of one Year, nine months and fifteen days as a soldier, and that for the time during which said service was performed with the exception of the attendance of his father
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above set forth he was not employed in any civil pursuit Samuel Stark
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year above mentioned
DP Brewster
First Judge of Oswego County Courts
State of New York Oswego County} Ss I Eric Poor clerk of the said county of Oswego do certify that said David P Brewster before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have sworn was at the date of the same first judge of the court of common pleas of the said county of Oswego and that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature Witness my hand and seal of office this 20th day of June in the year 1833
Eric Poor clerk
By D McPherson
Dep Clk
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I Elias Hall of Castleton in the county of Rutland in the state of Vermont of lawful age being duly sworn depose testify and say that in the year 1779 Capt Noble of Repect in swaid state was stationed at Castleton aforesaid and commanded a company of the Vermont militia for a few months and I further say that in the year 1781 Capt John Stark was stationed at said Castleton in Command of a company for the term of nine months and that he had in service in his company during said last mentioned term a son whom I knew at the time of his said service and whose Christian name I had forgotten but understand is Samuel
Elias Hall 
State of Vermont Rutland county ss} Castleton 30th July 1836 personally appeared Elias Hall who signed the above affidavit and who is well known to me to be a credible person and made oath that the facts therein stated are true Before me SH Merrill Jus Peace
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Samuel Starks affts in the matter of
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State of New York Cayuga County} Ss Simon Jones of Venice in said County being duly sworn deposes and says that he is thirty seven years of age that he is well acquainted with Samuel Starks of Oswego in the county of Oswego and has been acquainted with ever since his boyhood that in his early life he and the said Samuel Starks both lived in the town of Pollet in Rutland County and state of Vermont That during all his acquaintances with said Starks he always understood and it was the general report and belief in the neighbourhood that said Samuel Starks was a soldier in the Revolutionary war that he was well acquainted with Capt John Starks the father of said Samuel Starks that it was the current report in the neighbourhood where they resided that said Capt John Starks was in service during the summer & fall of 1777 that he was in the battle of Bennington and was wounded in said battle that it was also understood and believed that his son the said Samuel Starks was a soldier in the service with his father during said season that he never heard the fact of said service doubted by any one and from such report has no doubt of it himself that he also understood that said Samuel Starks was in service at other times therein above stated and has no doubt that he served frequently as a soldier of the revolution Sworn this 31 day of January Simon Jones
 1834 before me John Grover Justice of the Peace
I certify my opinion that said Simon Jones is a man of truth and veracity Jany 31 1834
John Grover Justice
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State of New York
Cayuga County
fs . I Eldad Steel of Auburn in said
County do certify on oath that I am seventy one
years of age and am acquainted with Mr
Samuel Starks of Oswego in the County of Oswego-
-that I was well acquainted with said Starks
in the time of the Revolutionary war and know
him to have been a soldier in siad war from
a bout the first of march 1782 (I believe) a time
of nine months in the company of Vermont State
Troops commanded by Capt John Starks in Col
Fletchers Regiment that I was a soldier in the
same company from about the first of March as
aforesaid until near the expirationof said time
of nine months when I was discharged and he
continued in service until his time of enlistment
expired- that the time of enlistment was for nine
months- that said company was riased to
guard the northern frontiers from the incursions
of the enemy. And to scout upon said frontiers-
Samuel Stark was in service in the militia with
myself in the company commanded by Captain
Starks (as I believe) but I am unable to state
how long he continued n service at this time. I
served about two weeks and when I left the service
the said Samuel Starks remained in serice after
that as I believe- I further certify that I understood
in the time of the war that siad Capt John Starkes
was in service in the year year 1777 and was in the
militia of Benningtons in said year. in which battle
he was wounded, and I have also understood that
said Samuel Starks was in service at the same time
with his father. and from such information I believe
that he was in this service Cast aforesaid
.Sworn this 20th day of July 1839
before me R Cook Intern of the peace} Eldad Steel
Page 25

I certify that I am well acquainted with
said Eldad Steel and believe him to be a man
of truth & veriaty July 20 1834
R Cook

State of New York
Cayuga County} ss I Michael S Myers Clerk of said
County do certify that John Grover & Robert
Cook before where the foregoing affidavits were
made & by whom the foregoing certificates were
made was on the day of the date of the
same two of the justices of the peace of said County
that I am acquainted with the handwriting
of said justices and believe their suspective
signatures to sad affidavits & certificates to
be genuine- Witness my hand & seal of office
the 20th day of february 1834
M. G. Meyers
Page 26

State of New York
Oswego County} ss Jonathan Welb
and of the town of Rassin County
of Lenawe State of Michigan. being
duly sworn says. that he is seventy
nine years of age; that he was
from in Saratogo; That he is
well acquainted with Samuel
Stark of Owego a Revolutionary
Pensioner that was acquainted
with said Stark during the period
of the Revolutionary war and
during the war resided within
one mile aforesaid Stark, That
deponent while a resident of
H Lawrence County made an
affidavit in relation to the service
of said Samuel Stark. That this
deponent is knowing to services
performed by said Stark in said
war which were not stated in
his said affidavit. That the
following services vendered by said
Stark. Knew to this deponent, were
omitted in the statement have before
made by deponent or Said
Samuel Stark served three months
in a company commanded by
Captain Nobles before going to a
Regiment commanded by Ebenezer
Allen. That the above service of
three months was undivided at
Fort Castleton. and in the year
1779 accending to the best of this
deponent; recollection
That the time of the above
Page 27

service: this deponent was stationed
at said fort in the capacity of
attendant or servant of deponent
father Samuel Willard who was
commissary.

	That deponent is
knowing to further service performed
by said Stark as aforesaid. In
said war in that son after the
time of service Castleton mutinied
and denied the same year in
which Schoharie was burnt said
Samuel Stark send three months
in his father’s (John Stark) Com-
pany at Fort Castleton and
in the neighborhood aforesaid
Fort. :that at the time this last
serivce was performed, this depo-
-nent was attending his father
the commissary. That this de-
-ponent and the said Samuel
Stark were brought up
within a mile of each other and
continued to live in the same
neighborhood for thirty years
after the close of the war
		Jonathan Willard

State of New York
Oswego County} & J Robert A.
Martin a Supreme Court Commissaries
in and for the County of Oswego aforesaid
do hereby certify that on the third day
of July 1844, Jonathan Willard
to me known to be the same person
Page 28

described on and who executed 
& designed the foregoing affidavit and
declared an oath duly administered
by me that said affidavit was
true in all aspects, and I certify
that the said Jonathan Millard
is personally known to me and that
his statements are entitled to credit.
	Witness my hand of Oswego
the 3D. day of July AD 1844.
			Robert A Martine
		Supreme Court Comms

State of New York
Oswego County & I John Carpenter —-
Clerk of the County of Oswego do hereby
certify that Robert A Martin whose name
is subscribed to the above cirtificate
was at the date of said certificate &
Supreme Court Commissaries in and
for said county. That I am well appoin-
-ted with the hand writing aforesaid Robert
A Martin and believe that the signature
to said certificate is genuine
In testimony where of I have
 [illegible] set my hand afforesaid the
seal of the said County this 2nd day
of August AD 1844
		John Carpenter clerk
		By H, D, rd recorded DP
			(clerk about)
Page 29

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington
Page 30

Edwards Esq
Margo Aug. 4. 1838
The last communication
that I received from the Pension
relation to Samuel Stark's application
 for a pension, directed me to write
to Wale a Lieutenant in the war of
the revolution and now under at
Fort Castleton Vermont. Pursuant to
direction I wrote to Mr. Hale and
after waiting two months & receiving no
answer. I wrote to the Postmaster as
Castleton from him learned that no
person of the name of E. Hale resided
or had resided at Castleton. but that
Elias Hall lived near that place
was a pensioner & answered the description
of the person mentioned by the department,
have been able to procure for Elias
Hall the enclosed affidavit & certificate
This paper appears to want the official
certificate of the County Clerk this St
Merrill is a Justice of the peace
under the belief this the hand meting
of Hall as well of merill must be
own at the Pension Office and that the
latter has been already officially
shown to be a Justice of the Peace at
the Office & answers to said time. I
have forwarded the affidavit in its
present state of the Pension Department
will not read the affiant much
time can be saved by sending the
Paper directly to Morton. the part
Master, at Carthlin, who he see
that the Clerks certificate is added
or it can be returned to me
Saml Stark is much in want
very infirm. He is particularly agent
that I would select of the date
an early attention to his claim -
Your Obt Sert
Robt Martin
Page 31

Oct 28
Addl proof
Samuel Stark
J.L. Edwards Esq
Comr of Perkins
Washington
18
Page 32

State of New York
H Laurens County
Jonathan Willard of the Town of
Louisville in said County being duly sworn deposes
and speaks. That in the year one thousand seven hundred
and seventy-seven & at various other times till
the peace this Deponent was engaged in the Public
service. That he was well acquainted with
Samuel Starks who was a near Neighbor
That Deponent knows that during the summer
of 1777 where Samuel Starks was about
fifteen or sixteen years of age and was a soldier
in a company commanded by his Father Capt. John
Starks in the Regiment commanded by Col Cle
Bronson under Gen Starks. That Deponent
himself was not at the Battle of Bennington but
heard them and ever since that Samuel Starks
was engaged there and knows his Father John Starks
was wounded in that Battle and has heard that
drew a pension for a wound in his time till
he died. That after the Battle of Bennington Co
Herrick stationed his Regiment on the farm of Deponents
Father and Samuel Stock remained to guard the
Stores and take care of his wounded Father -
Deponent further says that after the taking of
Burgage there were frequent claims that the British
we're coming up the Lake Champlain and the Militia
and volunteers were called on to defend the forts
and Ports as most of the Continental troops has marched
to the South. That Deponent knows that Capt
Page 33

John Starks Company were called on and Samuel Starks
served with them at Fort Castleton for two or three
months-
Deponent further says that in the year
1778 Capt. Nobles of Rupert went with a company to
guard Fort Castleton and that Samuel Steel & John
Hough and others were in our Company
Deponent further says that in the spring of the year
1779 Capt. John Starks Company went to serve 
Fort Castleton and Samuel Starks was with them
and they remained under the command of Col
Fletcher until late in the fall when the bring
can't approach from the freezing of the lake
Included and sworn before me
Jonathan Willard
the 22d day of September 1834
and I certify that I am
acquainted with the above Deponent
and that he is man of truth
and veracity
Will M
Justin Peace
State of New York
St. Lawrence County I Alvin C Low Clerk of the
said County hereby certify that William Caden Joy
before whom the foregoing affidavit of Jonathan Willard
purport to have been made was at the time of taking the said
affidavit a Justice of the Peace in & for the County afore
said duly elected & sworn, and that I am well
acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice of the
and only believe that the signs to the said
afft is genuine. Given under my hand and the seal
of said County this 9th day of
Page 34

J. L. Edwards Esq
Swego Oct. 22. 1834
submit to the Pen:
Open the enclosed affidavit, in
support of the claim of Samuel
Stack. How far it will go with
the declaration of the applicant, and
proof already submitted remains to
appear upon Comparison
Robt. H. Martin
Page 35

John Stark
Hon Joel Terrill
Page 36

o January 23
U.S. War department
of the correspondence
which grant of the application of John
Stark for a pension a letter was accord
from the department allowing that about
nine months service was fully established, ┃
while the applicant was engaged in
procuring proof of additional sance, a
letter was received from the department
alleging that the department had come
to the knowledge of facts which disproved
the statement of applicant, relative to
service in Col. Fletcher Regiment at
Fort Carleton. That the disparity
between the declaration of applicant
as to that portion of his claim and the
history as known at the department, was
such as to defeat not only his claim for that
service, but also that already coincided
I am induced by my own convictions
Page 37

of the ment and honesty of John Park
claim and in consideration of his point &
helplessness to ask of the department a recon
sideration of his claim and evidence
I do not think that I shall be able by
any personal or informal statement of my
own to resuscitate the claim of Stark and
obtain a favorable action
I have directed the attention of Hon I Hewill
M. C. for this district to whom Stark is
personally & will acquainted, and who may be
able by formal deposition to dispel the unfor
orable impressions of the department a
this claim
of me Tunnel can do no
Goode the claim I presume will be wholly
abandoned
leaving the conviction upon the
mands of all who know Stark that the situation
of the Law to afford of relief of the kind sought
has in one instance been defealege
I am ninety
R. W. Martin
Page 38

Pension Office
January 24 1846
Comm of Pensions
Report in the case
of Samuel Stark
The decision of the
Com. conformed
Mary
. Mar.
War Dep
Subert R. H. Martin
12 March 1846
Page 39

Jan 19. 1846
Osnegan of
A. Martin
Appeals from decision
of Pension Office on
Saml Stack's claim.
24. Rec Jauy 15/46
Pension Office
War Dep
and 12 March 1846
Page 40

Osgo Jany 10 1846
Hon Wm L. Marcy
Dear Sir
Having
procured from the Archins of Vermont
and submitted to the Pension Office
the proof required by the Commissioner
in the case of Samuel Stark and that
Officer having refused to allow the claim
of Stark to a pension for services, exceeding
the period of service, this proved, I
disire on behalf of the claimant to appeal
from the decision of the Commissioner of
Pensions
The allowance now proposed
by the Commissioner will yield a pension
of about $25.75- a small allowance
for the support of a man of the age and
infirmities of the present applicant
I have therefore felt to be my duty to
rightful beneficiary of the Pension law
to appeal to your Excellency for a
Page 41

further examination of the claim of Stark
and for a more favorable adjudication
in his case
I refer your Excellency to the
original declaration of Stark, submitted
the Pension Office in 1832 with the
of annexedto
the letter of the Commissioner of
Jurious to the agent of Plank communicating
is decision upon the application
to the deposition sent to the Pension
office in 1844 on an application for an
crease of his pension.
To the certificate of the Secretary of
Vermont, shewing service of Stark-
To the letter of the Commissioner of
Pensions to the Hon Wm J. Hough M.C
communicating his decision in this case,
from which decision this appeal is taken
the applicant claims to have served
Eight months in the year 1777
& will
direct your attention to the last paragraph
the the last above referred to, relating to
this service, and in answer to the remarks of
the Commissioner upon that service. I would
say.
The claimant may be mistaken as
his present age, and if he is mistaken
Page 42

does not follow that he was too young
have performed the duties of a Soldier"
capacity to sum as a soldier would
depend chiefly upon his strength and
is not unusual to said persons of the
of fifteen years only capable of enduring
great fall give And if at an early age he
used to an emergency which demanded
the sums of every one capable of bearing
, certainly his goverment will not
with hold a compensation for services actually
rendered on the ground that they could not
have her legally required;
Your Excellency will see how far the
declaration of the applicant was supported
by the affidavits accompanying it; and if
the proof should full short of the
declaration, yet it is obvions that if street
of service is required very few
proof
applications for persons for services in
the war of the Revolution, will be recapful
This sickness has not been heretofore
inquired and I regret that the Commis
or should at this time to disposed
to make this case an exception
I am my Respectfully
Yours
R. H. Martin
Page 43

L. Edwards Esquire
of Pensions
Washington
Pension Office
Samuel Starke
Page 44

Sir
Oswego Aug. 18, 1836
I have conferred with Samuel
Stark retation to the proposition contained
in your letter of the 13th Instant
Mr Stack wishes me to signify
to the Department that he will accept
16
of a pension for Twelve months and
a half's service
in settlement of his
claim, agreably to the arms offered by
the Department in its letter above
fessed to
Respectfully
J. L. Edwards Esq
Yours
Robt H Martin
Pension Office
Washington
Page 45

Recd of the Comr of Pensions the papers
in support of the claim of Samuel
Starke under the act of 7 June 32
Jany 23.35
J Turrell
Page 46

Aug 17 1841
Sam
in
James T. Coward
Commiss of Pensions
Page 47

Washington August 16 1844
I herewith enclose some additional
evidence
in the case of Saml Stark of
Oswego Co. New York. Mr S. is a pensioner
under the act of June 7th 1832. and the Es:
closed is intended to establish his claim
to an increase of pension.
Respectfully requesting
an early examination of his claim
I am Sir
Mo.
D. D. Addison
I
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 48

State of Vermont
Secretary of States Office
" Bucking ton 1. 1845
Shafter Secretary of State of Timent
hereby certify that upon and
al pay-
Roll of Revolutionary service of Capt John
Stark Company or record in this
office accuse the name of in
an allowance to
you one hundred
and forty the days service from July 1st
to 1781.
I also further certify that on and
the pay Roll of Revolutionary service of Capt John
Starks Company on the name of the said
Stark with an a
of S.S. 17.4 for service from the beginning
the company to the 30th of June AD 1781
-11
also further certify that upon another
the roll of the same company and the name of
the said Samuel Stark, with an allowance
to him twenty one days ser
in depue
the water frontier in October 1780
I also further certify that each
Page 49

of the foregoing pay roll have been examined
by a committee acting on the
behalf of this State allowed and paid
state, as appear of read,
In testimony whereof I have
hereto set my hand and
affixed the seal of this office
at Beckster this 1st day of Dec
Wm Hough
Page 50

1895
INVALID.
No. 288
Samuel Stark
Rev War
Act: June 7" 1827
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 325
Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 51

Sept. 25, 190
F. A. White
Page 52

Dr Sir
Oswego May 11, 1853
Enclosed I hand you
application of Nancy Stark for
an increase of the pension due
her father Samuel Stark which was
fenced by certificate from the War
department executed by W. L. Marcy
dated April 21st 1846 which reduced his
pension of $41.67 pr annum to $28.88
per annum reduction lot,
4th Sept 1844-
effect
There is a small
amount undrawn pension not
received which if she is entitled to
the very much
Reed
Please let me
hear from you soon
I am in your Obt Sert
J. A. Hathway
of convement & you could enclose
me a copy of the late pension law
I should be indebted
Page 53

New York
Revo
Saml Starke
Suspended
let 8 Oct. 1835 to
R. H. Morton
er R.H. Marth
June 17 1834
Act 7 June 32,
Page 54

March 19 1846
J L Edwards Esq
Dear Sir
I have
read yours of the 31 December last
addressed to the Hon. W. J. Hough in relation
to the claim of Samuel Stark for a
pension. you propose therein to allow
Stack for "mas 11 days service commencing
from the date of the last payment, for
which you add "a certificate will be issued
so soon as he returns the one he now holds"
I return the old certificate in order
that Stark may avail himses of your
proposition
I am my
Respectfully yours
R H Martin
Page 55

28895
3 - 08.
(Old No. 3 -- 649.)
-- 20
of Pensions.
Bureau
Samuel Stark
Dec. 14, 1832-70
Oswego
N. Y.
Born Canterbury to
Jr 17, 1762
Apl. 17.
Parolet
the
Capt. J. Stark (Father
Col Brush
Pot. 8 mos
Oct. 78 Capt Do
Col Bronson
Pot 2 ½ M
Ap. 179 Capt. Nobles
Col Allen
Mch. 30 Copt In Stark
Col Fletcher
Pr. 9
Bat Bennington & Smith
2
with Indians
He died June 10, 1857
wife died about 1818
her name not mention
formance of his children see
applin of Nancy
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Page 56

Oswego New York July 19 /45.
R A Martin
relative to a pension for
Sam Stark
Jug 25, 1848.
M. 271
24 July 1845
Pension Bureau
Jug 25, 1845
Recd of
Saml Stark
Page 57

A W L Marcy
sings July 19. 1845
Dr Sir
About eleven
years since. I due papers to procure
a pension for Samuel Stark of this
town for his services in the war of the
Revolution. Sometime after the
papers were sent to the pension office
I received a letter from the Commission
of pensions containing in
substance the following proposition
to allow the applicant for about
one years service upon the papers as
they then stood and if the applicant
refused this offer, his papers would
reexamined and he would soon
the risk of not receiving any thing
The proposition of the Commissioner
was accepted and a certificate
allowing the applicant a party
Pension of about Forty-two dollars
was record.
Page 58

This pursun Stark continued to receive
half yearly until the 4th September
last of sending the usual vouchers
to the agent at Albany to receive the
half years pension due 4th March last
payment was refused pursuant to
as was stated), directions from
Washington. About one year ago
Samuel Stark came to my office in
company with a Revolutionary soldier
who was a companion of Stark in
early life. They were brought up in the same
neighborhood, and had
Land together in the army of the
Revolution. Stark desired to prove
by this witness some additional service
for which he had not been allowed
I due an affidavit presenting the facts
Known by this witness and forwarded
it to the Commissioner. The withholding
of Starks persion may be accidental,
but I have mentioned the incident
above, from a suspicion, that the
Commissioner of Pensions has considered
the attempt of Stark to increase his
Page 59

pension as a violation of the times
upon which the certificate heretofore
mentioned, was gum
The offer of the Commissioner, with the
as imposed, was certainly a
markable one - of Stark and as a
Soldier in the war of the Revolution &
road the service he was entitled to a
pension or furnishing the proof. If in
the other hand, he did not furnish
sufficient proof of service, his receiving
pension was a fraud upon the government
Stark is very infirm and is endingly
rapidly sinking to his grave. His
family consists of himself and wife -
a aged and infirm woman
They name a small sum from the
or master but they are chiefly supported
by private charity
They are very worthy
people have known Stark for about
twelve years; his statement of his
services in the war of the Revolution
has always be consistent with
itself. He is much respected for his
intelligence and integrity. I hope to
interest you in this matter so far as
joindence you to give the case an
instigation. From my recollection of
Page 60

his proof of service. I him a fair
examination of his claim will result in
reinstating him on the list of Revolution
Penning-
I am my Respectfully
Yours
H. Martin
Page 61

Pension Office
December 22d 1845
have the honor to return you the certificate of the
Secretary of Vermont in relation to the service of Samuel Stark
and to request the favor of you to inform me in what name
the claim to which it is intended to apply is asserted
All claims under each act are registered in the Alphabetical
 order of the claimant's name, whether dead or alive
unless therefore, all are furnished with the claimant's name
and particularly in the case of widows marrying a second
time, it would be difficult to find the case in which the
more record of the husband's service of filed
I have the honor to be
In the name of Samuel Stark in his
day respectfully
Your Obt Sert
own right to be reinstated upon the prison all
J L Edwards
with an allowance Equal to the time of his proved
he is living in his own name I will desires the pittan
23. 1845
Hon. W. J. Hough
W Hough
House of Representation
Page 62

F. N. WHITE, M. D.
REPRESENTATIVE
LENE & PUPIAN OF
Commissioner of Pensions or
SEP 17 1903
Washington O. FILES.
Romes, Michigan
September 10 /3
Desire
Will you kindly give me the Revolutionary Pension
Record of Samuel Stark of Pawlet Vermont, wounded on the
Baule of Bennington with such dates regarding But Death
pension, surviving children, and notes of Genealogicalvalue
as may be consistent met the regulations of the
Department and engaged upon a genealogy of the Stark Family
my respectfully
F White
Page 63


New York
Samuel Stark
letter to R. H. Martin
March 10. 1835
let to Hon. Joel Turrill
Page 64

New York
Saml Stark
Revoy
Suspended-- Let
to R. H. Martin 8th
Oct. 1833. let to same
June 17. 1834.
Rejected
let to same Dec 10, 1834
Act 7 June 32
Page 65

Samuel Stark, a resident
Oswego, Oswego Co. N.Y. in
June, 1832, and at that time
about seventy years of age
in his claim for pension
States
his statement copied verbatim
Paul Van DeVoort
Bloomington
Ills
Page 66

Payment to be made
at Harry New
be Resdt Mecks & Farmers Bk
Agent for paying Pension
ing
in the Agency of
┃ Albany N.Y.
Issue a certificate enducing
the pension to $27.88 per
annum; rejection to take
September
1844.
Send cert: to the
Hon. W. J. Hough
H Reg.
Recorded in the Pension
Office in Book E Vol. 4
Page 67 by D. D. Addison
Clerk
Page 67

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States
of the 7th June, 1832, Samuel Stark
of the State of New York
who was a Private in the war of the
Revolution
is entitled to receive Forty One
dollars and
Sixty seven cents per annum, during his natural life, com
mencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi
annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in
every year
Given at the War Office of the United States
this Second day of
September one thousand eight
hundred and thirty
-
Examined and
Countersigned.