Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 9969, Joseph Clark, Conn.

Page 1

[printed form completed in handwriting]
(3-1776)
Service
Conn.
Clark, Joseph
Spelman, Jemima (former widow)

Number R 9969

Page 2

[handwritten]
State of Massachusetts
County of Hampden Ss
On this seventeenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and fifty three before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Mrs Jemima Spelman who is to me known to me as a resident of the town of Granville in the County of Hampden and State of Massachusetts aged Eighty two years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provitions made by the act of Congress approved [blank] viz. that she is the widow of Joseph Clark deceased who was a private in Col. Saml W Elallius regiment of Connecticut Militia in the war of the Revolution that he entered the service for one year and she believes that he served that length of time from February 1778  that she has no documentary evidence of such service  that her said husband died the time herein after mentioned and that afterwards viz on the Fourth day of April 1816. She married Elijah Spelman who died on the 18th day of Sept 1846 as will appear

Page 3

[handwritten]
by proofs hereto annexed. She further declares that she was married to the said joseph Clark on the [blank] day of December Seventeen hundred and Ninety Two (1792) as will more full appear by the proof hereto annexed that her husband aforesaid Joseph Clark died on the [blank] day of Sept. One thousand eight hundred and twenty (1820)  She further swears that she is now a Widow and that she has never before made any application for a pension.

Subscribed and sworn to before me the day and year first above written and I certify that I have no interest in the application as an attorney agent or otherwise
[signed]
Elijah Seymour Justice of the Peace

I do hereby constitute and appoint C W Bennett of Washington D C. my true and lawful attorney for the purpose of prosecuting this my application for a pension to attend to the same while pending and to receive the certificate when issued and to do all things necessary and proper as fully as I could do  were I personally present untill the Seventeenth day of May in the year of our

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[handwritten]
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three
In presence of
[signed]
Elijah Seymour
Jms T Cooley

[signed]
Jemima Spelman
[dark round circle to the right of signature]

State of Massachusetts
County of Hampden Ss

It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me the undersigned one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Hampden that Joseph Clark a reputed Revolutionary soldier died the  [blank] day of September 1820 leaving surviving his widow Jemima Clark when on the Fourth day of April the year 1826. married one Elijah Spelman who also died on the Twelvth day of September one thousand eight hundred and forty six and he left surviving him the following wide viz Jemima Spelman formerly Widow of Joseph Clark deceased Witnessed my hand this sixteenth day of May A.D. 1853.
[signed]
Elijah Seymour
Justice of the Peace

Page 5

[handwritten]
Hampden ss 17 May 1853 This may certify that Jemima Spelman within named Widow of Elijah Spelman is not in my opinion able to go to a Court of Record it being twenty miles or more to Said Court from where she resides
Elijah Seymour
Justice of the Peace

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[printed form completed in handwriting]
[the following is struck through: Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.]
[stamp] Rejected
9969
P. O.
Jemima Spelman
wid
Service: Joseph Clark. 
Enlisted: [blank], 18 [blank]
Discharged: [blank], 18 [blank]
Application filed: [blank], 18 [blank]
Alleges: [blank] 
Re-enlisted: [blank]
Attorney: [blank]
P. O. [blank]
[blank] Recognized.
[blank] Contract 
[blank] Cert. of Dis.
Search for [blank], 18 [blank]

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[handwritten]
I Eli Winchell of Granville being of lawful age. do testify and say that I lived near neighbor to Joseph Clark at the time of the Revolutionary war and that he enlisted in the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution in the year 1778. He served one year or about that time _ Said Clark married my Sister in December 1792 he was married by Asael Holcomb Esq I was present at the wedding Joseph Clark died in Sept. 1820  I was present at the funeral  Joseph Clarks widow was married the second time to Elijah Spelman in April 1826_ Elijah Spelman died Sept. 12th 1846. Farther the deponent saith nothing 
[signed] Eli Winchell
In the presence of James T Cooley

Hampden ss 17 May 1853 personally appeared Eli Winchel and made oath to the above afidavit before me he being of Sound mind and long known to me as a man of truth and veracity 
[signed]
Elijah Seymour Justice of the Peace

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[handwritten]
I William H Spelman being of lawful age do testify and say that I was at the marriage of Jemima Clark to Elijah Spelman  they were married in my presence April 4th 1826 in East Granby Conn. Elijah Spelman died Sept 12 1846 at my house in East Granville Mass.  that Jemima Spelman is still living and remains the widow of said Spelman
[signed] William H Spelman 
[signed] Elijah Seymour

Hampden Ss May 17 1853 Personally appeared William H Spelman and made Oath to the above afidavit before me Elijah Seymour Justice of the Peace

I Jane Spelman being of lawful age do testify and say that I was at the marriage of Jemima Clark to Elijah Spelman  they were married in my presence Apr 4th 1826 in East Granby Conn. Elijah Spelman died at our house Sept 12 1846 in East Granville _ further the deponent sayeth nothing
[signed] Jane Spelman 
[signed] Elijah Seymour
Hampden Ss 17 May 1853 Personally appeared Jane Spelman and made Oath to the above afidavit before me Elijah Seymour Justice of the Peace

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[printed form completed in handwriting]
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Hampden, SS.
I Geo B Morris, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampden, do certify, that Elijah Seymour Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificated on the paper hereunto annexed, was at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Elijah Seymour and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth,
this eighteenth day of May
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three
[signed]
Geo B Morris clerk. 
[to the left is a round seal with scales in the center, illegible print]

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[handwritten]
I Emeline S Lewis Granville being of lawful age do testify and say that I was at the marriage of Jemima Clark and Elijah Spelman  they were married in my presence in Granby Connecticut in the fore part of April 1826. I remember the time of their marriage being that year from the fact I was living in the immediate vicinity at the time. William H Spelman of Granville was present at the marriage. Jemima Clark was the widow of Joseph Clark. Further the Deponent sayeth nothing. 
[signed] Emeline S Lewis 

Hampden Ss Sept 15th1853 Personally appeared the within Emeline S Lewis and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above deppositions before me
[signed] Franklin D Richards Justice of the Peace 

I William H Spelman of Granville in the County of Hampden and State of Massachusetts being of lawful age depose and say that I remember the marriage of Jemima Clark to Elijah Spelman  by the fact it was the year previous to my own. the day of the month I remember it being the birthday of the said Elijah Spelman. I also recollect it by the circumstance of my moving a family into the immediate neighbourhood of where the marriage to place and attending the wedding the same coming  farther the deponent sayeth nothing
[signed] William H Spelman

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[handwritten]
Hampden ss. Sept 15th 1853. Personally appeared the within named William H Spelman and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the within depposition before me.
[signed]
Franklin D Richards Justice of the Peace

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[handwritten]
I Jane Spelman of Granville in the County of Hampden and State of Massachusetts being of lawful age depose and say that I was at the marriage of Jemima Clark to Elijah Spelman  that the said Jemima Clark was the widow of Joseph Clark  farther the deponent saith nothing
[signed] Jane Spelman

Hampden ss. Personally appeared the within named Jane Spelman and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the within depposition before me.
[signed]
Franklin D Richards Justice of the Peace 

I hereby certify that the alteration in the date of this certificate was made by me. the original was a mistake the alternate being made for the purpose of correction. 
[signed] Franklin D Richards Justice of the Peace

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[handwritten]
within depposition before me.
[signed]
Franklin D Richards Justice of the Peace 

I hereby certify that the alteration in the 

[printed form]
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
Hampden, SS.
I, Richard Bliss, (name is struck through and following is inserted above) ^ Geo B Morris, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampden, do certify, that Franklin D Richards Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in the capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Franklin D Richards and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth,
this Nineteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three [signed] Geo B Morris Clerk.

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[handwritten]
No
Jemima Spelman 
formerly widow of 
Joseph Clark 
Mass
Act July 7 1838

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[handwritten]
State of Massachusetts
County of Hampden Ss
On this Thirtyth day of May in the year of our Lord Eight hundred and fifty three before the subscriber a Judge of the Court of Probate held in and for the County and State aforesaid, being a Court of Record, personally appeared Mrs Jemima Spelman who is to me known as a resident of the town 
of Hampden and State of Massachusetts age Eighty two years, who 
being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to 
obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, approved 2d February A.D. 1848, viz:

That she is the widow of Joseph Clark deceased who was a Private in Colo
Saml McClallans regiment of Connecticut Militia in the War of the Revolution_ That he entered the Service for one year and believes that he served that length of time from February 1778 _ That she has no documentary Evidence of such service _ That her said husband died at the time herein after mentioned, and that afterwards on the fourth day of April 1826 She married one Elijah Spelman, who died on the Twelvth day of September 1846 as will appear by proofs hereto annexed

She further declares that she was married to the said Joseph Clark on the twenty fifth day of September [struck through and “December” inserted] in the year Eighteen [struck through and “Seventeen” inserted] hundred and Ninety two (1792) as will more fully appear by the proofs hereto annexed: That her husband the aforesaid (Clark) Joseph Clark died on the [blank] day of September om the year Eighteen hundred and Twenty (1820). She further swears that she is now a widow and that she has never before made any application for a Pension. 
[signed] Jemima Spelman
Subscribed & sworn to before me the day and year first above written and I certify that I have no interest in the application as attorney agent or otherwise.
[signed] Oliver B Morris Judge of Probate 

I do hereby certify and appoint C. W. Bennett of Washington D.C. my true & lawful attorney for the purpose of presenting my application for a pension, to attend to the same while pending and to receive the certificate when issued and to do all things necessary and proper as fully as I could do were I personally present.
Dated this 30th May 1853
[signed] Jemima Spelman 
[hand drawn curly circle with “Seal” written inside]
Witness
[signed] James P Cooley
[signed] Oliver B Morris

State of Massachusetts
County of Hampden
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me the undersigned Judge of the Court of Probate a Court of Record held in and for the said County that Joseph Clark, a reputed Revolutionary Soldier, died on the [blank] day of September 1820 leaving surviving his widow Jemima Clark who on the Fourth day of April 1826 married one Elijah Spelman who also died on the Twelvth day of September Eighteen hundred and Forty six and that he left surviving him the following named widow and children [“children” is struck through] viz: Jemima Spelman, formerly widdow of Joseph Clark decd
Witness my hand this Thirtyth day of May A.D. 1853
[signed] Oliver B Morris Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Hampden

State of Massachusetts
County of Hampden Ss
I do hereby certify that Honb Oliver B Morris whose genuine signature appears attached to the foregoing declaration and certificate, was on the date of the same a Judge of the Court of Probate held in and for said County (a Court of Record) duly commissioned and sworn. Witness my hand and seal of said Court this Thirtieth day of May A.D. 1853.
[signed]
Harry Smith
Register of Probate. Clerk

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[handwritten]
Washington 
Sept 26th . 1853

Dear Sir.
I herewith enclose additional evidence in the case of Jemima Spelman. I also enclose a letter from James P Cooley of East Granville Mass in relation to the Signatures to the affidavit previously filed by Mr C W Bennett. I hope the case will now be allowed. 

I am Very Respectfully
Your Obt Sevt
A H Mackland

Hon L P Waldo
Comm of Pens

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[handwritten]
East Granville
Mass Sept 23. 53

C W Bennett Esq,
Sir

Yours of the 10th came duly, In answer to your inquiry. If the Depositions I sent were true. I say they were. Each and Every one Signed by the persons they purport to be in a correct and Lawfull manner. and that the witnesses are of the first respectfully whose word are never doubted. There is but one person now liveing who was present at the first marriage (whose Deposition I have sent, Eli Winchell, I have obtained the other Evidence (which I enclosed of both marriages. which I think must make it strong.
I think I stated to you in the first that there was no record on the Town Books of the marriage and good reasons why they were not. I hope these Documents will ensure a Pension, as I have not doubt of the honesty of the case. 

Yours [illegible]
Jas P Cooley
East Granville
Mass

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[handwritten]
No. 14,942
Jemima Spelman
Formerly widow of 
Joseph Clark
Map
C. W. Burnett Aug 16 1853
A H. Mackland Octo 11/53
9969
Act July 7 1838

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[handwritten]
Washington 
June 1. 1853

Honb. L.P. Waldo
Comm of Pensions
Sir.
I have the honor to enclose herewith the declaration of Jemima Spelman widow of Joseph Clark decd. for the benefits of the act of 2nd February 1848.

Very Respectfully
Your Obt Sevt
C. W. Bennett

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[handwritten]
I Joel Clark of East Granby Connecticut being of Lawfull age do testify and say that I well recollect Joseph Clark and Jemima Clark  that they lived in my neighborhood as man and wife in the Year Seventeen Hundred and Ninty five (1795)
[signed] Joel Clark 

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford
Personally appeared before me Joel Clark and made oath to the above statement on this sixteenth day of Sept 1853.
[signed]
Isaac W Thompson Justice of Peace

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[handwritten]
I Lydia Thompson of East Granby Hartford County Connecticut being of Lawfull age do testify and say that I well recollect Joseph Clark and Jemima Clark  liveing together as man and wife at least three years before my own marriage which was in the Year Seventeen Hundred and Ninety Seven (1795)
[signed] Lydia Thompson 

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford
Personally appeared before me Lidia Thompson  and made oath to the above statement on this sixteenth day of September Eighteen Hundred and Fifty three 
[signed]
Isaac W Thompson Justice of Peace

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[handwritten]
State of Connecticut
County of Heartford ss
County Clerk’s Office
Heartford

I Goodwin Collier Assistant Clerk of the County Court for said Heartford County do hereby Certify that Isaac W. Thompson Esqr. was on the 16th day of September 1853 a Justice of the Peace for said County of Heartford duly elected and Sworn with authority by the laws of this State to administer Oaths. 
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and the seal of said County Court this 16th day of September 1853
Goodwin Collier
Asst. Clk