Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23389, for Mark Richards, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
born
Richards, Mark
S. 23389
CONTENTS

Vermont 1022
Mark Richards
of Westminster the State of Vermont who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Smith of the left, commanded by Col. Chandler in the Connecticut line for 3 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 80 Dollars per per an. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of October 1832 and sent to W. C. Bradley Westminster Vt.
  Arrears to 14th of Sept. 1832  120.00    Pension allowance ending 4th July 1832  40.00     $ 160.00  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { let June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. Duffield Clerk. Book 2 Vol. 4 Page 81
In letter to Hon. H. Hubbard May 8, 1833
Duplicate ip o 27 th May 3 and sent to Hon. H. Hubbard
Charlestown N. Hampshire see letter Feb. 22 d 1838 to Hon. H. Hall P. Agt.
Order to pay 2 May 1838
Am d Jan y 30 50
Wick Aug 10, 1844 (QB)

No. 1319
Admitted
Pirate - served 3 yrs.
D 80: Yr. annu
to Mr. B. Orally Watmough eye
(1022)

BRIEF in the case of Asa Cook Richards of Windham County in the State of Vermont (Act 7 June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
a Court of Probate
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?
72 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1777 May 3 private Gen. Lt. Col. Regt. Connecticut Line Capt. Smith Col. Chandler  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
Guilfordtown, Monmouth
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Waterbury Connecticut
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
By a written discharge and found on Rolls for 3 years.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Am Puffin
Examining Clerk.

State of Vermont } On this twentyfifth day of July County of Windham ss. } eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared before the Judge of the Probate Court within and for the district of Westminster in the County of Windham and State of Vermont. Mark Richards a resident of West- minster in the County and State aforesaid; aged seventy- two years on the fifteenth day of July instant, who being first 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 seventh eighteen hundred and thirtytwo. That he enlisted in the Continental Army of the United States, in the month of May seventeen hundred and seventyseven, with Lieut William Andrews, as a private Soldier for the term of three years (unless sooner discharged) and served in the eighth Reg t of the Connecticut line under the following named Officers (viz) the company Officers were David Smith Captain (afterwards promoted to a Major,) — Sandford first Lieut. William Andrews 2 d Lieut & Eli Curtis Ensign. The field Officers of the eighth Reg t aforesaid were John Chandler Col o he served but a short time before he resigned his commission, and Lt Col o J. Sherman was appointed to the command of said eighth Reg t as Lt Col o Comm d and continued so to command until this applicant was discharged in the month of May 1780 — Russell was Lt Col o in said 8 th Reg t who was wounded by a Sturgeon in crossing the Hudson River near West Point which fell into the stern of the boat, broke his leg, of which wound he died in a few days — Hoyt was Major of 3 d Reg t . The time he left the service was the tenth day of May Seventeen hundred and eighty as will appear by his discharge accompanying this declara- tion signed by the then commanding Officer of the said eighth Connecticut Reg t . The place of his birth and residence when he entered the service in May Seventeen hundred and seventyseven, was the Town of Waterbury in the (then) County of

-tion signed by the then commanding Officer of the said eighth Connecticut Reg t . The place of his birth and residence when he entered the service in May Seventeen hundred and seventyseven, was the Town of Waterbury in the (then) County of New Haven and State of Connecticut. Soon after enlistment the company was formed and marched to Newtown in Connecticut the (then) residence of Col o John Chandler where the Reg t was formed soon after marched westwardly through Danbury to Pukeshill & N o near the Hudson. where the Brigade was formed under the command of Brigadier Gen l M c Toughal. In the Fall of 1777 marched South crossed the Hudson at Kings Ferry & joined the Southern Army on the second day of October in Pennsylvania. On the evening of the 3 d of October 1777, marched towards Philadelphia & on the morning of the fourth attacked the enemy at Germantown the action lasted nearly all day & we sustained much loss of men both killed & wounded. Soon after the eighth Reg t with others was detached on an expedition, crossed the Delaware at Mount Holly & marched down by Philadelphia on the east side the River to Redbank Fort from thence to Mud Fort (or Fort Mifflin) where they remained during a fortnights siege until it was surrendered where we lost many valuable Officers & men; the survivors landed on the Jersey side, marched up by Philadelphia recrossed the Delaware and encamped at Whitenmarsh, had almost daily skirmishes with the enemy which sallied out of Philadelphia. marched for winter quarters arrived at Valley Forge the 8 th Jan y 1778 the encampment laid out, proceeded to build huts with logs was soon inoculated with small pox; by Gen l Orders, few of the Conn t line having had it. It proved very light having been well dieted for some months. In the Spring of 1778 on the enemys evacuating Philadelphia we marched crossed the Delaware at Cavelle ferry and on the 27 th June having approached near the rear of the enemy Our Brigade & one other was detached under command of Maj r Gen l Lee marched all night & attacked the enemy early in the morning of the 28 th near Monmouth Court House, we then being 8 or 10 Miles in advance of the main Army we who were in Gen l Lees division were in contact with the enemy near the whole day & many lives lost in the combat - Towards night Gen l Washington advancing with the Main Army, ordered Gen l Lee to retire gave orders to the

Officer next in command, Gen t Washington retiring to form the main Army to cover our retreat and relieve the Advance Army the enemy then retreated from the field leaving their dead and wounded & under cover of night reached their shipping near Amboy. 27 th marched northerly through Brunswick N.J. crossed the Hudson encamped at Verplank's point. In the fall of 1778 marched to Reading in Connecticut built Huts for winter. This applicant was ordered on detachment under Col t Brigham and stationed at Middlesex in Connecticut on the east River to prevent the enemy plundering from Long Island. In the spring of 1779 the enemy landed at New Haven & Norwalk, burnt the latter when our detachment was marched to Norwalk had a skirmish with their flank party, had some killed & a Lt Gibbs wounded. He is now on the Invalid Pension roll (if living) as a Major; he belonged to Stratford or Fairfield in Connecticut. marched and joined our Reg t at Robinsons near West Point on the Hudson River was employed in building 2 redoubts on east side the River and fortifying Westpoint. was on detachment under Gen t Wayne in taking Stony Point Fort, near Kings ferry rejoined the Reg t marched to Brumpond thence crossed Kings Ferry marched south through Morris Town N.J. built Huts a little south of said Morristown for the winter of 1779-80. The severity of the winter caused much distress in the Army were nearly destitute of provisions or clothing. In the spring of 1780 marched to Westfield on the ferry shore to watch the movements of the enemy in N York where he received an honorable discharge. He hereby relinquishes every claim 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 Territory. That he served three years as a private Soldier in the Conn t line of the Continental Army; his pay at Six dollars & 2\frac{2}{3} cts per month in depreciated money when a Month's pay would not purchase a bread biscuit or a glass of Whiskey. That in the same line of Connecticut Troops those who enlisted for during the War had 100 acres of land, furthermore the State of Connecticut made up the depreciation of Money to those who enlisted for during the War, by giving them final settlement notes while those for three years only received their monthly

he was paid 100 dls. of said, furthermore the State of Connecticut made up the depreciation of Money to those who enlisted for during the war, by giving them final settlement notes while those for three years only received their monthly pay in trash of little or no value. This applicant having removed from the State where he resided at the time of his enlistment, and so many of his companions in arms are called off the stage he is unable (without much difficulty) to more particularly identify and prove his services. would only state that when last at Washington 1821 there was a Clerk in the State department who was a Subaltern Officer in the 5 th Conn t Reg t by the name of — Benjamin. He further states that Paul Brigham — Mattocks & — Stodard were Captains in a Reg t the latter was killed at Fort Mifflin, the two former are also dead, that Col o Burke, Col o Wyffler & Col o Meigs (father of the late Postmaster Gen t ) were commanders of Regiments in the Conn t line. that Col o Chandler & Col o Durkee Reg t were at the latter part of the service xxx attached to Brigade General Varnums Brigade. further particulars not recollcted at this distant period of time
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid } Mark Richards Before Peter M c Saft — Judge
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolution ary Soldier and served as he states
Peter M c Saft — Judge
I Col o Dyer 2 d Clerk said Register of the Probate Court of said do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Probate court as shown this day in open Court in the matter of the application of Mark Richards for a pension as a Revolutionary Soldier whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal of office this twenty fifth day of July A.D. 1832
Col o Dyer

Revolution
23389
INVALID.
File No. 23,389
Markus Richards
Per. var.
Act: June 1 st 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 339
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I William L Bradley of Westminster County of Windham State of Vermont do hereby say that having been informed by the Hon Henry Hubbard that he has learnt from the Commissioner of Pensions that a certificate for the Pension of Mark Richards of Westminster was directed to me in October last for the said Richards I do most unequivocally declare that no such no such paper was ever received by me nor do I believe that any such ever reached the post office of the town in which I reside. and further this deponent saith not
Wm L Bradley
Charlestown N.H. 23. May 1833
State of New Hampshire Gulliver J. - May 23. 1833 Then Hon Wm L Bradley personally ap- peared and made oath that the above affidavit by him signed is just a true
Before me
Henry Hubbard Jus. Peace.

Dear Sir
Charlestown May 24. 1833
I have this morning received a letter from Mr. Richards requesting me to apply for him for a new certificate - This I need do - and the enclosed affidavits will satisfy you that the old or current certificate could not have arrived - You will send the new one to me
I am yours Henry H. Williams

Mark Richards Dutham from the Army of the United States Date 10 th May 1980

Mark Richards (of the Eighth Connecticut Regiment) term of service for which he engaged expires the 26 th instant.
May 10 th 1860
D. Judson Lusk
G. Sherman
Mark Richards of the 8 th Conn. Reg t is honorably discharged the Army of the United States
May 10 th 1860
J. Sherman Post comm d 8 th Conn Reg t
Mark Richards of the 8 th Conn Reg t being discharged, is allowed sixteen to draw nine days furlough from the date for his support to Watbury in Conn.
Stepfield 10 th May 1860
J. Sherman Post comm d 8 th Conn Reg t
Joary off comm d

Mother Richards has been served with Provisions including the 9 th draft
Wesfield 10 th May 1780
For Cathy de O.P.
Any Springbush J
Ela Pratt

August 2 1832 Pension Office
James L Edwards Esq r Pension Office War Department Washington D C

Westminster Vt 27 th July 1832
James L Edwards Esq n
Sir. This accompanies my declaration duly authenticated; in order to obtain a Pension under an act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832. I also enclose my discharge from the Army of the U.S. dated 10 th May 1780 — if any doubt arise as to the identity of person I will refer you to the papers in case of Lt Wm Andrews who sent them to me while I was in Congress. There will be found my certificate to some point which he had not established, & I could do it being with him in service in same Reg t & Company. Lt Eli Curtis also sent me to help him to get reinstated on the rolls as he had been struck off on acct of Propriety. Both these Officers were of the Company I served in & are (if living) residents of Bristol in Connecticut. You will direct to me at Westminster Vermont I am Yours Most Respectfully Mark Richards

Bank of Windsor. Windsor Feby. 28. th 1838.
Sir;
Your letter of the 22 nd inst. giving knowledge of the complaint of Mark Richards Esq. is this morning received.
The Attorney who applied in his behalf for the Dept. payment was instructed, peremptorily, to demand Spence, and if refused, to return his paper. Other Vouchers were presented this Office, by the same Attorney, - and, in the case of one, or more, the same instructions were to be followed. On those of his papers that were found correct, no objections were made to Windsor bills. The Richards Voucher was found defective through an omission of his name, and was returned for correction; - Since then, nothing has been heard from it. It would have given me pleasure to have furnished Mr. Richards with the Spence he wanted, even had it been greater in amount than could be claimed on his Vouchers, but as it was so imprudently demanded & too thorough an Agent waiting to draw for others, (being at an early stage of the payment, when the attention of many was called to look for Spence paying Vouchers,) I could not feel it advisable, at that moment, to say more than that payment on his Vouchers would be made, as to others, when corrected, or something to that effect. As his Stipend is quite small, you must readily perceive that no objection would be made to meeting his case in Spence unless demanded under forbidding circumstances and so encumbered by them as to bring about evils which the times do not

make it easy to overcome. However I may wish to annoy it, I cannot reasonably expect to create complaint activity.
I have, since the general suspension of Specie payment, paid Gold and Silver both to Agents applying for many, & to individuals applying on individual account; but have not felt it expedient to do it, when formally demanded. Bills Windsor, are offered in all cases; but others, the most current in the country given, if desired; - But I know of no other Bills being preferred to our own. It was understood by a few Pensioners, as they reported to me, that you had sent on Specie funds to the full amount required for the payment in Sept. r for the specific purpose of paying them in Specie & Specie only, & therefore it was not a matter of great surprise that these few should feel that they had only to demand it, in order to receive it.
I am, Sir, very respectfully your Oat. Servant
Thomas Emerson Trust & Pension Agt.
by W. Emerson Cash.
Rev. J. S. Edwards, Com. e of Pension.

Bank of India March 10 th 1838.
Sir,
Herewith you have forwarded for your orders relative thereto, Mark Richards Vouchers for 12 mo pay; he is a Pensioner under act June 7 th 1832.
I am, Sir, respectfully your obt. Servant
Thomas Emerson Pension Agt.
by H. Emerson ack.
Hon J. S. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions

Dec 26 Phila
Philada Philada Nov 12 '32
1022
Col J. L. Edwards Court of Pensions
Wm. H. Hall H.R.

No Rep r , Dec 25, 1837
Sir
As the shortest & most effectual mode of complying with the request of Hon Mr Richards I enclose you his letter, & would thank you to answer his inquiries, returning his letter herewith
very respectfully
Yr Oble Servt Heiland Hall
Dear J L Edwards Cousin of Pardon

I Mark Richards of Westminster in the County of Windham and State of Vermont do depose and say that on the latter part of July A D 1852 I caused to be forwarded to the war office of the United States an application in my behalf for a pension and that altho I have made repeated inquiry I have never received any return from the same but having this day received a letter from the Hon Henry Hubbard affirming me that it is understood at the pension office that a certificate was forwarded to me to the case of William L Vradley in Oct last I do declare that I have never received the same from said Vradley or any other person and that I never before this day heard of said certificate and presume the same must have been lost - and further saith not
Westminster 25 May 1853
Mark Richards
State of Vermont - Windham ss
Personally appeared Mark Richards above named and made oath to the truth of the above
Before me Gosiah Willard Justice of the Peace