Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 40,587, Rufus Trask, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Trask, Rufus
S. 40,587
CONTENTS

let to M c Hughes ap d 25. '47
19,615
Pennsylvania.
Rufus Trask.
of Erie Co in the State of Pennsylvania who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Sanfitt of the regiment commanded by Colonel W. Shepherd in the Massachusetts line, for the term of one year, from January 1776 to January 1777
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 5 day of May, 1826.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 of May 1826 and sent to Hon. T. H. Sill H. R.
Arrears to 4th of September 1826 $ 32.02 Semi-ann. all'ce ending
Erie 24/66
{ Revolutionary claim, Acts March 18, 1818 and May 1, 1820.
4 Sep 1826

Honble John C. Calhoun Secretary of War Washington City
Confidential

Erie County ss.
(State of Pennsylvania)
On this twenty ninth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, before me the subscriber, one of the associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the said County, personally appears Rufus Trask, aged sixty years, resident in Waterford, in the said County, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled, "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war". That the said Rufus Trask enlisted in Amherst, New Hampshire in 1775 for eight months in the company commanded by Capt. — Crosby of Col. James Reed's Regt. and General Sullivan's Brigade. — that he again enlisted in Brimfield in the Massachusetts line in 1776 in the company commanded by Capt. Asa Danforth of Col. William Shepherd's (fourth) Regt. and General Glover's Brigade, that he continued in the last mentioned service twelve months, and that he was discharged a short time after the Battle of White Plains in the State of New York. That he was in the battles of Bunker's Hill, White Plains, & West Chester; and

that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power for his said services. . . . .
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid
Rufus Trask—
John Vincent
I John Vincent Judge etc. as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Rufus Trask did serve in the revolutionary war, against the common enemy, having full confidence in his veracity as stated in the preceding declaration. And I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid act of Congress. Resides in Erie County. —
John Vincent

born in north of Pa } Erie County Pa }
I certify that John Vincent is Duly Commissioned a Associate Judge in and for the County of Erie and is now an Acting Judge and that full faith and credit ought to be Given to his official acts
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30 th day of April 1818 For John Vincent Edw. S. [unclear]

John Vincent, Esq; judge, Presqu' - Isle, or Erie, Erie County, Penn a
Rufus Trask, (or Trash), Massachusetts line, Revolutionary claim.
Not found on the roll of Col o Shepherds' reg t .
The testimony, on oath, of two or more disinterested and credible persons, proving the service stated by the applicant, is required in lieu thereof. The judge is desired to certify, under the seal of the court, that he is satisfied, the claimant is indigent circumstances, and needs the support of his country.

State of Pennsylvania Erie County } 3 rd Set
In the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County aforesaid, on this fourth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and twenty four personally appeared Rufus Frank , being a Quorum of Records for the County of Erie aforesaid, proceeding according to the course of the Common Pleas, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount; keeping a record of its proceedings and having the power of fine and imprisonment. Rufus Frank resident in the town of Waterford, in the said County of Erie aged sixty six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows, that on the twenty-eighth day of April one thousand seven hundred and seventy five at the town of Amherst in the State of New Hampshire he enlisted to serve for eight months, in the Company commanded by Captain Crosby, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel James Reed, and in the Brigade commanded by General Sullivan, in the line of the State of New Hampshire, in the Continental Establishment, and that he continued to serve in the said Company until the term of his said service had expired and he was discharged from said service; that he again enlisted for a term in the month of January in the year one thousand seven hundred seventy six, at the Town of Brimfield in the State of Massachusetts, in the Company commanded by Captain Asa Grafton in the Regiment commanded by Colonel William Shepherd (in the Fourth Regiment) and in the Brigade commanded by General Glover, in the Massachusetts line and in the Continental Establishment for the period of twelve months, that he continued to serve in the said Company and Corps during the said term of twelve months, when he was discharged on the heights of land on the North River near the white plains in the State of New York that he was in the battle of white plains in the State of New York in the battle of Bunker hill and in the battle of West Chester. And I the undersigned swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18 th day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any other manner, disposed of any property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provision of an act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war" passed the 18 th day of March 1818. And that I have not nor has any person for me any

any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annex- ed, and by me subscribed hereto
1 Bed & Bedding 1 Chest & trunk 5 Windsor chairs 6 split bottom chairs 1 table and 2 stands 1 Cupboard & furniture - two pieces a piece and from part Sundry other small articles of furniture to the value of nine dollars
This Applicant states that he has no lands and no debts due to him. He has no family residing with him excepting his wife, who is sixty six years of age, who is quite infirm and has for twelve years past occasionally been subject to apoplectic fits and unable to do much labour. This applicant is sixty six years of age, he has no trade, and is unable to labour by reason of a hurt received about nine years since, occasioned by several barrels of salt falling on him which broke his hip and his back and has made him lame and unable to labour and has no means of support - the petitioner has made an application the 29 th day of April 1818
Sworn to and Subscribed Rufus Trask in Open Court this 4 th day of May 1824 WM H Wren Clerk
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania County of Erie I Thomas Wilson Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Erie do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that the said Rufus Trask did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the American Enemy for the term of nine months under an engagement in the Continental Establishment. I also certify that the foregoing schedule and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the Records of the said Court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property ex- hibited in the aforesaid schedule is not exceeding forty five dollars. In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this twenty ninth day of June A.D. 1824 and right hundred and thirty four

I, Nahum Trask, of Windsor in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, of the age of Sixty-two years, depose and say, that in the year 1775, I lived in my father's family in Brimfield in the State of Massachusetts. When the war of the Revolution broke out, my brother Rufus Trask, then about sixteen years of age, and residing in New Hampshire, at a place since named Amherst, enlisted in the Company, commanded by Capt n Joseph or Josiah Crosby. I well recollect that he went out at the opening of hostilities - was, as I have always understood, at the Lexington skirmish - at the battle of Bunker-hill and most of the engagements for a period of three years, when he was discharged and returned home - I will qualify that part of the foregoing testimony which relates to the name of the commanding officer with whom my brother first enlisted; by saying further that, altho' I cannot positively identify Capt. Crosby as the one, it is nevertheless my strong belief, that he commanded the company or recruiting party which my brother joined - my brother Rufus lives in Exeter Waterford, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Nahum Trask
I, Rufus Trask, of Rochester in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, of the age of Seventy-two years , depose and say that in the year 1775 I lived in my Father's family in Brimfield in Massachusetts, at which

time, my brother Rufus Haskell, resided in the town of Anhurst, now so called, in the State of New Hampshire, and I confirm the testimony of my brother Nahum as above given - and add thereto, that some time in the fall of the year 1775 I went to Cambridge in Massachusetts, to see my brother Rufus, who was then and there in the hospital of the American Army and staid and attended upon him some time - Retire Haskell
Windsor Vt. State of Vermont } At Windsor in said County on the 20 th day of February - A D 1824 personally appeared, Nahum Haskell and Retire Haskell, signers of the foregoing affidavits, and respectively made solemn oath that the matters therein set forth are just and true -
Before me
A. Scotts. Ass't Judge of the County Court for the County of Windsor Vermont

State of Vermont } Windsor May 3 rd 1824 Windsor County ss } I hereby certify that Don Nahum Trask & Retire Trask signers of the aforegoing affidavits are credible persons, and upon whose Testimony reliance may be placed Given under my hand the day & year above written — A. Forbes Atty. Judge of the C. Court for the County of Windsor —
State of Vermont } Woodstock County Clerks Office May the 18 th 1824 Windsor County ss } I Benjamin Swan Clerk of the County Court with in & for the County of Windsor, hereby certify that Abner Forbes is one of the Judges of the County Court within & for said County of Windsor, and that the above are his Signatures — In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said County Court, and subscribe my name, the day & year last above
Benj s Swan

Rufus Southman. These papers were found enveloped with the papers of Thomas Richards on roll Ohio Ptt. 8 at March 18. 1818.
July 18, 1838

Rufus Trask, Rev. Penn.
State of Connecticut
State of Connecticut
State of Connecticut Pen: to com: 5-15
May 1826 -
certificate Hon. T. H. Sill, H. R.
✓

Rufus Trask, Pennsylvania roll, act 18 March 1818, at $8 per Month Be pleased to say to what time he was last paid.
Pension offer apl 28. 1847. } paid to 4 th March 1830
H.W.J.

Washington City May 1 st 1826
Sir,
I take the liberty of requesting your attention to the application of Rufus Frash of Waterford, Pennsylvania, for a Pension - The application of col d Frash, together with the proofs accompanying have been submitted to the Department, but the allowance of his Pension has hitherto been suspended, on account of some apparent inconsistency between his own deposition and that of John Frash, or witness who deposes to his service.
The particulars in the statements of these two persons appearing dissimilar are these -
Rufus Frash, the applicant mentions but about eighteen months service, stating the particulars of his enlistment and of his service, and mentions service the length of which amount to about that time. John Frash, states that Rufus was about three years in the revolutionary war.
From my knowledge of Rufus Frash, and from what he has informed me on the subject I have no doubt but that the statements of both those persons are substantially correct - Rufus Frash states the particulars of two enlistments and discharges, both amounting to about eighteen months. This was sufficient in point of time to entitle

him to a Pension - But he informs me that the whole amount of the time he served in the army including service in the militia, was as much as three years - These services not mentioned in his application followed those which are mentioned, and together, perhaps with some little intervals not now recollected by Nelson Fask, make up the amount of time, three years, mentioned by him - It was not therefore necessary for Oliver to mention these services in his application, because they were irrelevant, as respects his Pension - On this subject permit me to offer the following remarks -
In proof of the service, we have first, the testimony of Oliver Fask, the applicant - As to this, permit me to assure you, that if my statement as it respects his character can have any weight, I can with the utmost confidence state, that I have been well acquainted with him for more than ten years, and that I know his character, in point of truth and veracity to be unimpeachable, and such as would entitle his testimony to the most entire confidence, whenever he is known - As far as my knowledge of him extends he has always sustained a good character - This must undoubtedly be entitled to some weight, or it would not be required - We have next the testimony of Elijah Mays, whose testimony is not objected to on account of any discrepancy between it, and that of the applicant himself - In addition to this we have the testimony of Nelson Fask, who refers to the material facts stated by Oliver Fask and Elijah Mays, and also states some facts

not stated by Asaph Park & Elijah Mayson - There is also the statement of Abner Park confirming what is stated by John - Park -
In forming an opinion on this matter, it ap- pears to me that the great length of time that has in- tervened since the transaction took place, ought to have great weight - It cannot be expected that the recollection of witnesses, as to transactions that took place nearly fifty years ago, should exactly coincide - I need not suggest to you what is so often said, that an exact co- incidence of witnesses in all circumstances, is an evidence of combination and fraud - Here are four witnesses - If what either of them states be true, then Asaph Park is entitled to a pension - Can it be supposed that either or all of them have sworn falsely - Is it not much more reasonable to account for the existing difficulty in the way I have suggested - In addition to what I have stated
respecting the character of Asaph Park, I would also state, that I know him to be very poor, and that from the objections I have arisen to his application I have known of his travelling, some hundreds of miles, almost on charity, for the purpose of procuring other testimony, but hitherto without success - And this is not strange, as the most of those with whom he went are either dead, or out of his knowledge - Since the war, he has

reson probably five hundred miles, which has greatly increased the difficulty of obtaining proof -
Upon the whole, taking all circumstances into view, I cannot but hope that you will conclude that they afford evidence to your mind, satisfactory that Murphy Frank sent in the Muleteers, now, in such a manner as to entitle him to a Pension, and that he may be allowed to receive it -
I am, very respectfully
Your obedt Servt
Sumner H. Sill
J. L. Edwards Esq.

40 587 Rev  INVALID.
File No. 40, 587 Rufus Trask Rev New bed
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 3 , Page 578
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Old cover
19.328v
Eric June 29
Rufus Strank, Eric 6° Pa
Thos H. Hill, Eric, Pa
Recd 8 July 1824
John C Calhoun Secretary of War Washington City D.C.
Free
June 23 1824
19.328

Brie Pa June 29 th 1824
Sir,
Inclosed is returned the application of Rufus Hask, with the proof required at the department, also a new application made in conformity to the existing laws. It is hoped that should his pension be allowed, it will be allowed from the date of the first application.
It is requested that any communication from the department, relating to the application may be directed to me.
I am, very respectfully, Your most obedt Servt Thomas H Sill
Hon: John C Calhoun Secretary of War }

Rufus Frank
Re May 5. 1826
Hw: 7. 11. 9. 1826
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Perf in office
War Department

Washington City May 5 th 1826
Sir,
I beg leave to solicit your attention to the application of Rufus Hask, for a Pension. Understanding that no further objection remains to the proof of his service, I take the liberty of stating what is within my own knowledge respecting his circumstances, - I understand that his application and statement was made and sworn to in June, and that it contained all the requisite, then necessary by the then existing regulation, of the War department - That in fully following some further regulation, relative to particularizing the property he had formerly owned, were made by the department, and that the application was not received at the department until some time in August following - Respecting this point, I would suggest whether, inasmuch as the application contained all the requisite, demanded by the regulation, of the department, at the time it was made out, it would not be considered as sufficient, and not to be affected by any regulation subsequently adopted - It would appear to me that under such circumstances, it would be sufficient -
But, in whatever point of view that may be considered by the department, I hope that the subject statement which my knowledge of the applicant, enables me to make, will be considered as satisfactory, & remove whatever doubt may exist on that point -
I have resided in the same county with the said Rufus Hask, and have been well acquainted with him and have known his character, for nearly thirteen years - I have always considered him as a man

honest, upright man, and knows that his character for truth integrity and honesty is fair & unimpeachable. - I am well acquainted with his circumstances, having had occasion, in my business as an attorney to acquire a knowledge of them. - In the year 1815 (to the best of my recollection) a debt to a considerable amount, due to a merchant, with whom Mr. Park had been dealing for a number of years on a credit, was put into my hands for collection. - Suit was brought and judgment obtained on the debt. The only property (I mean real estate) then, or at any other time to my knowledge owned by Mr. Park was a claim to ten pieces of land, which he had contracted for and purchased a good many years before, but on which but a small part of the purchase money was paid. One of these pieces or tracts of land had considerable improvements on it, so that his interest in it was of some value. The other had little or no improvements, and was not worth much, if anything more than the purchase money and interest due.
Both those pieces of land were sold at Sheriff's Sale, on the judgment I have mentioned, subject to the payment of the purchase money due thereon, and brought, but very little, if anything more than enough to pay the before mentioned debt, and the purchase money due on the lands. To the best of my recollection and on reflection I feel quite certain on this point, that sales were made in the year 1816. - Since that time Mr. Park has lived in a small brick tenement, and I am confident has no property, excepting the few articles mentioned in his schedule. - For several years he was enabled to support himself by his industry, but some time since, probably about three years ago he sustained a very severe injury by the upsetting of a sleigh and rolling a barrel of salt on him, which broke his thigh and has rendered him

very large, and under to labor - I know that he is very poor and destitute, unable to support himself & family, and that he now is in some degree actually dependent, on the charity of others, for a subsistence - Believing him, as I do, to be a deserving object of the Pension Law, I earnestly hope that he may be placed on the pension list, & receive some means of support during the few years, that he will probably survive -
I am, very respectfully
Your most obedt Servt
Thomas H. Sece
J. L. Edwards Esq Pension Office

State of New York & ss. Livingston County ss.
Elijah Morgan of Linn in said county being duly sworn deporeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Rufus Trask, who now resides in the town of Waterford in the county of Erie State of Pennsylvania, that said Trask in the year 1774 and for a number of years preceding resided in Brimfield Massachusetts a near neighbour to this deponent, and that the said Trask in the month of December 1775 or in January 1776 enlisted and became a member of Captain Danforth's company, Colonel Shepherd's Regiment and General Glover's Brig- ade in the service of the United States, and contin- ued a private soldier in said corps from the said time of enlistment until the month of January in the year 1777, during all which time this deponent was a member of Captain Nyan Park's company in the Regiment and Brigade above mentioned, and further this deponent saith not.
Elijah Morgan
Subscribed and sworn to this 17 th day of May
1824. Before me
Levi Hovey a judge of Livingston Co. Pleas
Livingston County ss.
I Levi Hovey one of the judges of the court of Com- mon Pleas in and for the county of Livingston do certify that on the 17 th day of May 1824 Elijah Morgan who is well known to me personally appeared before me and subscribed and made the foregoing affidavit; and I do further certify that the said Elijah Morgan is a person of veracity and that full faith and credit ought to be given to the statements of the said Elijah as to the facts set forth in the said affidavit.
Levi Hovey

State of New York Livingston County Clerks Office I Sylvester Brown Clerk of Livingston County, do hereby certify, that Levi Hovey before whom the annexed affidavit was subscribed and sworn to was at the time of the taking of the said affidavit a Judge of the court of Common Pleas in and for the said county of Livingston commissioned and sworn and duly authorized to administer an oath and to take the affidavit aforesaid; and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Levi Hovey and verily believe the signature to the certificate of Proof underneath the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county, at Geneseo this 26 th day of May 1824.
Sylvester Brown