Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,053, Peter Trask, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass
Trask, Peter Rachel
NUMBER
W.14.053
CONTENTS

2138 Massachusetts
Rachel Trask
widow of Peter Trask dec d
who died on the 18th December 1809 at Hampden in the State of Mass a
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Walbridge of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Mass a line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass a
at the rate of 20 Dollars _____ Cents, per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of June 1838, and sent Henry Morris Springfield Mass a
Arrears to the 4th of March 1838 $140.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept r 10.00
$150.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 5th }
Recorded by Abel A. Addison Clerk, Book 4. Vol. 2. Page 60.

K2229
Rachel Trask Meadow of Peter Mass.
Mamea 1767 died 1809
Allow 6 mo pri $20 per ann no deduction
Mass Militia Capt Walbridge
Henry Morn Spinnfeld Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden County } ss
On this 13 th day of June, Anno Domini 1837, personally appeared before Oliver B. Morris Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County, Rachel Frask, a resident of Monson in said County, aged Ninety 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 act of Congress passed July 4. 1836: That she is the widow of Peter Frask who was a private in the Revolutionary Army - that the said Peter, then resident at Monson, enlisted in a company under the command of Captain Walbridge in the summer of 1775 for a term of eight months where and went to Roxbury where he served the said full term of eight months. According to the best recollection of the said Rachel, her said husband left home in the month of June 1775 for Roxbury, and returned some time in the following winter. There was snow on the ground when he returned. During the absence of the said Peter at Roxbury, the said Rachel suffered much hardship. She remembers that she and her oldest son gathered their corn and made "a husking" - she also dug the potatoes and gathered the other crops.
She further declares that she was married to the said Peter on the fifteenth day of October in the year seventeen hundred and sixty seven, and that her maiden name was Rachel Colburn - that her husband the said Peter Frask died on the 18 th day of December in the year 1809; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Sworn to and subscribed on the } Rachel her Frask day & year above written, before } mark

Hampden June 12 1835 Thru Rachel Trask with her name made oath to the foregoing declaration, and being unable to write her name she made her mark thereunto in my presence, and I do certify that by reason of bodily infirmary she is unable to attend the court
Wm Morris judge of the court of probate for said county
And I the said judge after investigating the matter do declare my opinion that the said Peter Trask was a soldier of the Revolution and proved as stated in the declaration of the said Rachel, that on the fifteenth day of October AD 1767 he was married to the said Rachel, that on the 10th day of December AD 1809 he died leaving the said Rachel his widow, and that she has not again been married, and is now the widow of the said Peter. In testimony whereof I do now hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said court this sixth day of July AD 1837
Wm Morris judge of the court of probate for said county
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden ss.
I Justin Willard Clerk of the Probate Court within & for said County of Hampden do hereby certify that the Honorable Oliver B. Morris is the Judge of said Court duly qualified and acting as such & that his signature subscribed to the proceeding and the annexed certificates is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Springfield this sixth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
Justin Willard

Eliza Frask, of Springfield in the County of Hampden a Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age, testify & say, that I was well acquainted with Peter Frask, late of Monson in said County dec d , and with Rachel Frask his wife that I am their daughter in law - That the said Peter died in December 1809 - and that, since his death, the said Rachel has remained his widow. Eliza Frask
Subscribed and sworn to July 6 AD 1837 before me, and I do certify that the said Eliza is a credible witness
Know Morris judge of the court of probate for the county of Hampden

I find by examining the records of Marriages kept by the Rev d John Willard who was formerly a regular Ordained Clergyman and settled over the Church and Society in East Stafford in Connecticut the following record
Viz
Oct r 15. 1767 Mr. Peter Toask of Monson, and Miss Rachel Colburn of Stafford, were Married - Attest
Billings Grant } Church } Clerk }
State of Connecticut } Holland County } ss Stafford May 29 th 1837 Personally appeared Billings Grant of said Stafford who has subscribed & sworn to the above and foregoing certificate and made solemn oath to the truth of the same. I also know him to be a man of strict truth and veracity - sworn before me Rodolphus Woodworth Justice of the Peace for Holland County

State of Connecticut County of Tolland ss County Clerks office
I Jeremiah Parish Clerk of the County in Tolland County aforesaid Do hereby certify that Rodolphus Wood- worth of Stafford in sd County is a Justice of Peace within said County of Tolland legally appointed & sworn into sd office — That his commission bears date the 5 th day of June 1836 and will continue until the 20 th day of June 1837 I also certify that the signature to the within certificate purporting to be sd Justice Wood- worths official signature is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office at Tolland this 19 th day of June 1837
Jeremiah Parish Clerk

Cyrus Mungers Deposition

I Cyrus Munger of Wales in the County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts being eighty six years of age do testify & say that Peter Trask was a private in the Revolutionary service went to Roxbury - enlisted there among the Eight months men was stationed under the command of Capt. Walbridge being in the year 1775 I well know that the said Peter Trask was there at that time, for I was with him in the same company till the eight months men were dismissed & he was one, & was by us honorably discharged - further the deponent saith not
Cyrus Mungger
Hampden County ss Wales May 9 th 1837 Personally appeared Cyrus Munger & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me Jonathan Torrey Justice of peace
Wales May 9 th 1837 This may certify that Cyrus Munger signer of the foregoing Deposition is a man of truth & veracity certified by me Jonathan Torrey Justice of peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden ss.
I Justin Willard Clerk of the Probate Court within & for said County do hereby certify that Jonathan Torrey before whom the above deposition of Cyrus Munger was executed, is a justice of the Peace within & for said County & that his signature subscribed to the preceding certificates is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Probate Court at Springfield this sixth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
Justin Willard

I John Trask of Monson County of Hampden State of Massachusetts Sixty seven years of age testify & say that I believe my Father (Peter Trask) of Monson was a soldier in the Revolutionary war from what I have often heard him say. I was brought up in his family until I was nineteen years of age. I have often heard him tell about being in the Army & what took place when he was in the war - making remarks at the army, & the British with whom we were contending for our Liberties - I do not remember the year, but if I recollect right he was stationed at Roxbury - & it is my impression that he was in the action at Bunkerhill - I do not remember what officers he was under, nor do I recollect how long he said he served, but it is my impression that it was eight or ten months, but I am not positive as to that.
My Father, had a brother living in Monson by the name of Sampson Trask, my Father was the oldest. I was perfectly well acquainted with uncle Sampson, & knew all about him - he spent considerable time at my Grand Fathers, the next house - After his marriage he lived about two miles & an half from my Fathers, I never knew of his ever being in the American service any where - I never heard of his going into the war - nor do I believe he ever was a soldier in any war whatever. I never knew any other Sampson Trask but my uncle here mentioned in the time of the war
Further the deponent saith not. John Trask
Hampden County to Monson February 26 th 1838 Then personally appeared John Trask & made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me Jonathan Torrey Justice of the peace
Monson February 26 th 1838
This may certify that John Trask signer of the above deposition is a man of truth & veracity certified by me Jonathan Torrey Justice of the Peace

I Asa Fuller of Springfield, County of Hampden State of Massachusetts - Fifty eight years of age
Do testify & say that I was well acquainted with Peter Trask. I married his Daughter, therefore was familiar with him. I have frequently heard him tell about being out in the revolutionary war - he told me many things that took place while he was in that service. He told me he acted as Cook part of the time but I dont remember where he was sta- tioned, nor what officers he was under. Peter Trask had a Brother whose name was Samson. Peter was the oldest. It is my impression, & I believe that Peter Trask acted as a substitute for Samson & when the roll was called answered in Samsons name - I knew Samso n perfectly well & all about him, I never heard, I never thought, nor do I believe that Samson Trask was in the Revolutionary war, or any other war. He went into N.Y. & there Died.
Samson was rather young when Capt. Walbridge was around with his enlisting orders. If Samson did enlist, there is no doubt but that, Peter his Brother, took his place & was a substitute for him because it is the common opinion, & belief among all the elderly people that Peter was out in the revolutionary war - general report settles this idea
And it is as certain, & of general, & universal belief that Samson Trask was never out in either in the Revolutio n ary war or any other war - his nearest friends & acquaint- ance say they never knew, nor do they believe he ever was. in the revolutionary war further the deponent saith not
Asa Fuller
Hampden County ss Monson January 13 th 1838
Personally appeared Asa Fuller & made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me
Jonathan Torrey Justice peace
Monson January 13 th 1838
This may certify that Asa Fuller signer of the foregoing deposition is a man of truth & veracity certified by me Jonathan Torrey Justice of the peace

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14953
Rachel Trask
Widow of
Peter Trask
Pr. Rev. War
Act: July 4 th 56
Index:—Vol. M , Page 281
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Springfield Mass. March 1. 1838
Sir
The accompanying documents are submitted to the Department as evidence in the case of Rachel Trask applicant for a pension on account of the services of her husband Peter Trask, the other papers of which are already on file in the Pension Office. It is believed that they fully explain the difficulties heretofore met with in the case.
Very resp ly Yours
Henry Morris
J. S. Edwards Esq

J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr. of Pensions Washington D. C.

Springfield July 7. 1837 (Massachusetts)
Sir
Herewith I send you the declaration of Rachel Trask.
Very respectfully
Yours &c
Henry Morris
J. L. Edwards Esq. } Commissioner of Pensions }

Henry Morris Esq Springfield

Henry Morris Esq
Dear Sir,
Monson September 9 th 1837
yours dated August 1 st 1837 informs me that the claim of Mrs. Rachel Trask has been rejected in consequence of Peter Trask's name not being found on the roll Capt. Walbridge's company - I went directly to see M r Munger who gave the Deposition, he seemed much mortified & confounded at the recital - he said, if Peter Trask did not enlist under Capt. Walbridge, he did not know who he did enlist under, or how he came to be a soldier with him in that service, because Capt W. enlisted four or five right in our  that neighbourhood - Peter Trask lived in other same neighbourhood, & he became a soldier - if he did not enlist under Capt. Walbridge, I cannot tell how, when, or by what he became a soldier in this service -
2 things, however may be possible. 1 st that Peter Trask might be out in some other Town & meet with a recruiting officer & gave his name, either before or after Capt. W. came here.
or 2 nd Capt Walbridge might enlist some one, who upon further consideration, wished to be excused. - Trask here might become a substitute, & at roll call answer in that mans name & ever after wards. M r Munger says the more he thinks of about it, the more he thinks that Trask became a substitute, but this transaction being 61 years ago, that things have strangely gone from him, & that he is unable to say it was so.
But M r Munger says one thing is certain & strongly rooted in his mind, & never can be forgotten while he has his senses, that Peter Trask was in the Army with him as he represented in his deposition & further. A while before their time of service was out orders came to have a number of wood-choppers selected out - Trask & I happened to be of the number

to chop wood for the Regiment - we worked together & returned into camp together - we were very intimate
M r Minger further states, not long after this that many of the soldiers time's were nearly out which would weaken their force too much at that time - orders were issued out to enlist men for six weeks, longer by which time a new recruit was expected - he says Peter Trask was one that enlisted as he thinks under Lieut Sharman of Brimfield
I think sir, it is a fact that Peter Trask was out in this service, whether proof of it, is sufficient or not.
I think that widow Trask testified in her declaration that her husband (Peter Trask) went into the A.
Soon as he had done haying - which must be some time the latter part of July or the beginning of August, & he returned home some time in the winter - she says it was cold weather & snow on the ground - she says his object was in going into the army was to get money to pay for a piece of land they had bought. Common report says among the elderly people that Peter Trask was out in the revolutionary service, & he never was known to be out in any other service on by this I am speaking about.
Now sir, we are unable to obtain any further evidence in favour of Mrs Trask's claim, than what I have here stated - all that was out in this service are dead & gone that we can find M r Minger is the only survivor - I close yours most Respectfully
Henry Morris Esq.
Jonathan Torrey

Henry Morris Esq
Springfield
Mass-

Monson February 28 th 1838
Henry Morris Esq
Dr. Sir, the Papers of Widow Rachel Trask - seeking for a pension, have all passed through your hands on to the seat of Government.
A Letter from the Pension office to you directed, was dated September 25 th 1837. It informed us that the Explanation made by Mr Mungar does not remove the objection to the admission of Mrs Trask's Claim, which objection took place in consequence of Peter Trask's name not being found on Capt. Walbridge's Company roll - according to the representation of Mr Mungar's Deposition. Mr Mungar took it for granted, that as Capt Walbridge had enlisted several men in his neighbourhood, that to be sure, Peters name must be found on his roll. Therefore in his Deposition he embraced an such Idea. But when he came to understand that Peters name was not on the roll. he said then, Peter must have been a substitute, & went into the service for some one else, & answered in his name; but Mr Mungar says, as to that, he has no remembrance.
But at length we have found to our full satisfaction where the difficulty lies - - - We fully believe that Peter Trask was a Substitute for his Brother Sampson of Monson, & went into the Army for him, & in his name, therefore Peter did not Enlist, because his name is not on the roll of Capt. W And we also fully believe that Sampson did Enlist under Capt. Walbridge, because his name is on the roll. -
Furthermore, the several names presented us, found on Capt. Walbridge's Company roll, of Monson - among which was the name of Sampson Trask on the roll, & not Peter, discloses to us the whole secret - The statement just made (viz) that Peter Trask was a substitute for Sampson his Brother, is abundantly evident we can place the subject, under all its Circumstances, in no better light. We feel that the difficulty of arriving the right of the case at, is at an end.

I infer from the circumstances attending this subject, that although Peter Trask's name is not found on the roll, yet he did the service, & that Sampson Trask whose name is on the roll, never performed any service in the American war.
I have taken much pains to find out whether Sampson Trask was ever out in the American war, & nobody knows that he ever was that I can find. I am fully satisfied he never was.
I have enquired of his relatives & connections, aged the aged & those who lived in the neighbourhood where he did, who were intimately acquainted with him one & all have told me, they never knew of his going into the American war any where - said if he had ever been out they must have known it. no one believes he was ever in the army in his life. I was well acquainted with Sampson Trask, so much so, if he had ever been in the Army I must have known it - I do not believe he ever was a soldier, or out in any war - most of his life was spent in our Town he moved into the State of N-Y & there died.
No further evidence can be obtained in favour of Mrs Trask - the whole is humbly submitted -
Henry Morris Esq
From your most obedient & humble St. Jonathan Torrey