Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2845, for Thomas Parks, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Parks Thomas Parke or Abigail Park or
N. 2845.
Enlisted in Pa.
CONTENTS

Pennsylvania 2,666
Abigail Parks,
widow of Thomas Parks,
who was a pensioner under the Act of Invalids and who died on the 1 st February 1819 of Bradford in the State of Pennsylvania who was a Cpl. in the County commanded by Captain Ladd of the Regt. commanded by Butler in the Penn a line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 88 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of May 29, and sent to James N. Parks Harveyville, Susquehanna Co. Pa.
Arrears to the 14th of March - $264.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 44.00 $308.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838.
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk Book A Vol. 2 - Page 163
RH Clarke July 30/53

Park, Thomas
His name appears on a list of applicants for invalid pension returned by the District Court for the District of Pennsylvania, submitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War on April 25, 1794, and printed in the American State Papers, class 9, page 101.
Rank: Corporal.
Regt: Col. Wylly's
Disability: Wounded by a ball which entered the groin, and passed through the left hip or buttock, by a party of Indians, against whom the militia to which he belonged were ordered to scout.
When and where disabled: March 29, 1780, Huntingdon.
Residence: Luzerne county.
To what pension entitled: Half.
Remarks: Enlisted January 15, 1777, for three years; discharged January 15, 1780.
Evidence transmitted by the District Court incomplete as to his place of residence since he left the service, as required by law.
Allowed
See Act 1835
over

The printed list of 1835, shows on Invalid List of Bradford Co. Penn. Thomas Parke, Corporal. Rev. Army rate $30 per an. commenced Sept. 4. 1793. Act June 7, 1785. increased to $48 per an. from Apr. 24. 1816, Act Apr. 24. 1816. Died Feb. 1. 1819
EB10 June 18, 1906

State of Pennsylvania. County of Bradford
slitt, uly nces together than vush calp depo- at the nd found tett
On this twelfth day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven personally appeared before me the subscriber President Judge of the thirteenth judicial district of Pennsylvania, including the county of Bradford, Abigail Park a resident of Litchfield Township in said county of Bradford widow of Thomas Park late of Litchfield aforesaid aged seventy six 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 provision made by act of Congress passed July 3. 1836. That she is the widow of Thomas Park late of Litchfield in the county of Bradford deceased, who was a soldier, private, in the revolutionary war, that the said Thomas enlisted in the service of the United States & served several years before he was married to this deponent, was wounded and received a pension from the United States on account of his wounds and afterwards received a pension certificate under the act of Congress passed in 1818. She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Park at Plymouth in the now county of Luzerne state of Pennsylvania some time in the summer of the year one thousand eight hundred and one, that after her marriage with the said Thomas Park, he continued in the service as a volunteer, by going out on scouts in pursuit of the Indians and guarding the frontier in the neighborhood of Wyoming. She further declares that she recollects of the said Thomas going out four different times, armed, in pursuit of Indians. She recollects that one time after her marriage the said Thomas went in pursuit of Indians who had burnt the house of Russell Franklin at Kanticoke on the east side of the Susquehanna river, and carried his family captive. That the party who went in pursuit recaptured & brought back the family except the wife of said Franklin who was shot in the skirmish with the Indians & her infant child which had been killed by them.
She further declares that she removed with the said Thomas Park from Plymouth to the now township of Litchfield in the county of Bradford more than forty years past where the

said Thomas Park died the first of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and nineteen. And that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Abigail Park
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me, And I do certify that in my opinion the applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the court.
E. H. Smith P. Judge
State of Pennsylvania Bradford County ss
I H Powell Prothonotary in and for the county of Bradford do certify that Edward H Smith is President Judge in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified and that the above signature purporting to be his I verily believe to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal the 10 th day of July 1837
H Powell Prothonotary
Luzerne County ss. State of Pennsylvania
Personally appeared before me Abram Nesbitt a justice of the peace of the township of Plymouth in the county of Luzerne on his solemn Oath or affirmation saith that he was well acquainted with the within mentioned Thomas Park and Abigail Park when living in Plymouth in this County of Luzerne that he remembers them living together as man and wife here during their residence in this township of Plymouth. He remembers well the time it was said they were married to be the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one. On the circumstances of his being out on a scout after Indians. He the said Abram Nesbitt does not know what present at her marriage. But after returning he the said Abram was informed by his father and mother that his sister the within mentioned Abigail was

Legally married to the D r Thomas Park. The Deponent further saith that he will Remembers of Being with the D r Thomas In pursuit of Indians — after the marriages that he the D r Thomas was wounded by the Indians. This Deponent further recollects will that the D r Thomas was always ready to serve his Country And did to the end of the war — James Nesbitt
Sworn and subscribed to on this 26 th Day of June the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and thirty seven as witness my hand and seal — James Nesbitt Seal Justice of the peace
Lucan County ss Personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace Peace in and for D r County George B Ransom On his solemn Oath Saith that In December the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and eighty he was taken a prisoner by the Indians and remained a prisoner about eighteen months and on his return to Sheshegue the D r George B Ransom was informed that the within mentioned Abigail was married to Thomas Park and that he knows that they lived together after that as long as they Resided in this place as husband and wife and that he never heard or thought that they were not legally married This Deponent further saith he recollects him to have been a soldier through war
George B Ransom
Sworn and subscribed to on this 26 th Day of June one thousand Eight hundred thirty seven as witness my hand and seal — James Nesbitt Seal Justice of the peace

Luzerne County ss } State of Pennsylvania }
Before the Subscriber personally came James Nesbitt, of Plymouth Township, County aforesaid, who being duly sworn saith that he was well acquainted with Thomas Park and Abigail Park his wife that they lived together as man and wife, to his knowledge, several years, more than forty years ago. - that they then resided in Plymouth Township said County, whence they removed more than forty years ago, as deponent believes, into the County of Bradford. Deponent saith further that he has several times been at the house of said Thomas Park in Bradford County, and found the said Thomas and the said Abigail Park still living together as man and wife. James Nesbitt Subscribed and sworn to before me this twenty sixth day of June A.D. 1837. The deponent is a man of respectability and entitled to full credit. Thos P. D. Lewis ES Jes. Nesbitt
State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County ss
I John Smith Prothonotary of the court of common pleas in and for said county do certify that Thos P. D. Lewis & James Nesbitt Esquires, before whom the above deposition and foregoing deposition was taken was at the time of taking such deposition and an at this time Justices of the peace and that full faith and credit are due to their acts as such and that from my acquaintance with their hand writing I believe the signature to be genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the seal of said court this 26th day of June A.D. 1837
John Smith Prothonotary

Rev. War Section
W. 3845
mmh am
June 25, 1923,
Miss Grace F. Rockefeller 244 South River Street Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Madam:
In response to your letter received May 7, 1923, I have to advise you that from the records of this Bureau it appears that Thomas Parks , or Parke, or Park, enlisted at Wyoming, Pennsylvania January 15, 1777, served as Corporal in Captain William Judd's Company, Colonels Zebulon Butler and Wylllys' Connecticut Regiment and at Huntingdon, by the Indians, was wounded by a ball which entered the groin and passed through the left hip; he was discharged January 15, 1780 and was allowed pension from September 4, 1793 on account of the disability resulting from said wound. He died at Plymouth, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania February 1, 1819.
Soldier married in Spring or Summer 1781 in Wyoming, or in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, Abigail the sister of Abram Nisbitt. She was allowed pension on her application executed June 12, 1837 while a resident of Litchfield Township, Bradford Bradford County, Pennsylvania, aged seventy-six years.

She died May 13, 1843. Their children were:
Daniel born May 11, 1782. Mary " August 1, 1784. Elizabeth " November 13, 1786, married ..... Wolcott. Susanna " April 15, 1789. Samuel " June 23, 1791. James N. " November 8, 1793. Thomas, Jr. " June 1, 1796. Joseph " November 4, 1798. Elijah " July 13, 1801. Amos Prenten" April 14, 1805.
Elizabeth Wolcott, James N., Thomas and Joseph were the only surviving children in 1853.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Did not state date of wound "May 29, 1780" as it is subsequent to date of discharge =

H. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions

Toronto 11 July 1837
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir I herewith enclose the declaration evidence of Abigail Park, in order to procure a Pension under the late law. I believe from a hasty Examination I have given them that the papers are in due form. Have the goodness to enclose the certificate to me, as soon as convenient.
with great respect, your ob't serv't.
D. H. Burt

Hon. J. L. Edwards Com te of Pensions Present

Washington City 15 Oct 1837
Dear Sir.
I do not know what evidence has been forwarded to prove the fact of Mrs Park's marriage. But I can vouch for the fact of the death of Col Franklin alluded to in the letter of Mr Barstow and I have no hesitation in inclosing the character of Mr Barstow as a gentleman whose representations are entitled to full credence.
Resp'y Your Obt Servt
W. Patton
Hon. J. L. Edwards

Washington May 10 th 1853
Hon. C. P. Waldo,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir: I send to you endorsed the claim of the Heirs of Abigail Parks, the widow of Thomas Parks, a Corporal in Capt. Luddi's Company, Penn. Line, Revolutionary War. The proof in the files of your office shows that the marriage took place before the expiration of the service of the soldier and his widow was therefore entitled to a pension to commence on the 4 th March 1831, instead of one commencing on the 4 th March 1836, which was the character of the pension she actually received. She was also entitled to the same rate of pension which her husband would have received if he had been alive in 1832, which is the full pay of a Corporal, more than $88 pr. an. To-wit $108.- or $120. pr. an. They allege that they have not received all the pension to which their mother was entitled under the pension granted to her. All which matters I request may be examined accordingly.
Respectfully
Your obedient servant,
Richard H. Clarke.

Abigail Parker Pennsylvania.
Suspended
See letter 8 Oct. 1837 S. T. Burston. let. 18 Oct 1837 W. W. Patton. let. W. Patton 10 th April 1839.
Act 4 July 1836

Application for Increase of Pension Thomas Park

State of Pennsylvania County of Bradford
Be it known that on this Eighth day of April A. D. 1888. before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared Thomas Park a resident of Sitohfield Township and made oath according to law that he is the son and heir of the identical Thomas Park whose name under act of April 10 th 1806. had been placed on the Pension roll at the rate of Thirty Dollars per Annum. and also under act of 18 th March 1818. on the (Pennsylvania) pension roll at the rate of Ninety Six Dollars per Annum That he is the son & heir of the identical Abigail Park whose name under act of 7 th July 1838. was placed on the Pension roll (pensioned in Pennsylvania) at the rate of Eighty Five* Dollars per Annum. And that he represents the interest of certain other heirs viz. Joseph Park James Park and Elizabeth Wolcott.
That he is credibly informed that the said Pensions may and ought to be increased from their com- mencement and during their continuance + that there are arrears due , that he is directly interested as a claimant in said increase and arrears and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence as my agent or agents may use in prosecuting said claim
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given. I hereby constitute and appoint John E. Canfield of Athens Bradford Co Pa and Richard H. Celske of Washington City or either of them my true and lawful Attorneys to prosecute the claim of Thomas Park & Abigail Park for any amount of Rev- olutionary Pension Increase of pension or arrears that may be due; and for the purpose of establishing additional ser- vice by the soldier for whose military duty in the Revolution the aforesaid Pension was granted. I hereby authorize my said Attorneys to apply for and obtain from State Archives or other sources Certified proofs of such services. To examine all papers or documents in relation to said service on file in the Departments at Washington.
* should have been $88=
No 1878 pension no such pension on Pa. Agency Book

City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments and to receive for my benefit the Certificate for Increase or Arrears which may be issued in satisfaction of said claim which certificate I wish made payable at the Pension Agency of this State to appoint one or more substitutes under them for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Whereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Agents and Attorneys or either of them shall lawfully do in the premises
Signed Thomas Park
Sworn to Subscribed and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Thomas Park to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alledged, in whose claim I am in no wise interested. Elijah Wolcott E. H. S.
State of Pennsylvania County of Bradford
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Bradford Co that Thomas Park was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the rate of Ninety Six Dollars per Annum and that he died on the first day of February A. D. 1819. leaving surviving the following named (Widow + children) and none other to wit viz. Abigail Park (Widow) who died on the 12 th day of May 1843. and who was a pensioner at the rate of Eighty Five Dollars per Annum. And Thomas Park Joseph Park James Park + Elizabeth Wolcott (Children) It is further certified that Elijah Wolcott before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was at the time of so doing a duly authorized justice of the Peace in and for said County and that the signature purporting to be his I believe to be genuine. And further that in the within claim for Increase or Arrears of Pension I am in no degree interested.
Allen M. Keen
Prothonotary

State of Pennsylvania Bradford County ss
I Allen McKean Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that Elijah Holcott now is and at the time of executing the foregoing was an acting Justice of the peace in & for the County of Bradford duly commissioned & qualified & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & official seal of said Court this 9th day of April 1852
Allen McKean Prothonotary Reuben A. Watrous Deputy

State of Pennsylvania 328
Bradford County ss
On this 12 day of April 1839 Personally appeared before the Subscribing Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Bradford Abigail Parks a Resident of the Township of Richfield in the said County and State aged twenty eight 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 th 1836, and the first Resolution passed July 7 th 1838 that she is the Widow of the Late Thomas Parks, who was a Corporal in the Company commanded by Captain William Ludd in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Ich- Butler (as is believed to be) the Connecticut Line in the Army of the Revolution. She does not now recollect the Name of the Colonel whom she had often heard her Husband the said Thomas served under. She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Parks in the Year one thousand seven hundred and eighty five at Wyoming but on What Day of What month she Does not particularly Recollect as at that time was a place a time of Great Emigration and Distress occasioned by the War. She presumes no Civil Record, or registry was kept and at that time a record of it had been made in their family Bible it was subsequently destroyed by the Fire. No record of the birth of her Children has been since made in their present family Bible in the her said Husband's and will be herewith sent, (that is a copy of it). And that her said Husband the aforesaid Thomas Parks was at the time an invalid Pensioner of the Revolution at the time of his Death. Died on the first day of February one thousand eight hundred and nineteen. And that she has remained a Widow ever since that period, All of which will more fully appear by a reference to the Paps hereto annexed.
Sworn and subscribe before me on the day first above written Abigail Parks Jonathan Stevens Associate Judge
I Jonathan Stevens Judge aforesaid do hereby Certify that by reason of Old Age, and a nervous Debility the said Abigail Parks, is unable to appear before the Court which held at Towanda for the aforesaid County. And I further Certify that the said Abigail who has been long known to me is a person of strict veracity & entitled Credit Jonathan Stevens

1839
Bradford County Pa
on this 12 Day of April 1839
Personally came Before me one of the Associate judges in and for the County of Bradford Daniel Parke and James Parke who being duly sworn according to law, said that the above David Thomas Park their father Died the first Day of February one thousand eight hundred and nine then and that the above said Abigail his widow has lived with us and near us ever since and has never been married since the Death of her husband the said Thomas Parke and that the names of their Children are Extracted from their family Bible which was Recorded Before the Death of the with in named Thomas Parke
Daniel Parke
James N Parks
Extract from the records of the Family Bible of the late Thomas Park Made in his life time
Daniel Parke, was born Mar 11 th 1782
Mary Parke was born August 3 rd 1784
Elizabeth Parke was born November 13 th 1786
Susanna Parke was born April 15 th 1789
Samuel Parke was born June 23 1791
James N Park was born November 5 th 1793
Thomas Parke (Jr) was born June 5 th 1796
Joseph Parke was born November 4 th 1798
Elijah Parke was born July 12 th 1801
Amos Prentiss Parke Born April 14 th 1805
NB the Original Name as has been various Spelt of Record is sometimes spelled Parke sometimes Park and often Parks among the Descendants but it is believed to have formerly pronounced Parks
Daniel Parke
James N Parks
Sworn and subscribed before me the Day and Year first above written
Jonathan Stewart Associate Judge
Jonathan Stewart Judge of said County Certifies that the above named Daniel Parke & James N Parks to our well known as persons of good Moral Character of strict Integrity and are entitled to belief
Jonathan Stewart

State of New York
Cayuga County
Ebenezer Parks of the town of Verena being sworn in due form of law before E. W. Bateman a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, deposes and saith that Thomas Parks late the husband of Abigail Parks now living in Litchfield, in the county of Bradford Pennsylvania was a corporal in Captain William Ludd's company in the army of the Revolution that said Thomas Parks was such soldier during the term of three years that said Thomas Parks was a pensioner of the United States previous to his decease that said Pension was granted on account of wounds received, while in said service that said Abigail Parks was the wife of said Thomas Parks previous to the close of said Thomas services in the Army of the Revolution, that this deponent served in the same company with said Thomas and under said Thomas as corporal of said company - that said Thomas Parks continued to do duty after his term of three years expired until the army was disbanded and discharged that said Thomas enlisted for three years in February 1777, and continued in the service until the war closed and the army was disbanded - that said Abigail Parks was married to said Thomas as near as this deponent can now recollect in the year 1780, that this deponent distinctly recollects that they were husband and wife before the services of said Thomas were ended
Subscribed and sworn to this 1 st day of April in the year 1839
before me E. W. Bateman Justice
Ebenezer Parks
I certify that I am acquainted with Ebenezer Parks who has this day executed the above affidavit by making oath and subscribing the same and that he is a reputable person & his statement is entitled to credit
Dated Verena April 1 st 1839
E. W. Bateman Justice

New-York State, } ss. Cayuga County, }
I, WILLIAM RICHARDSON, Clerk of said County, certify that
E. M. Bateman Esq. was, on the 1 st day of April 1839 a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly qualified: And that I know his hand writing, and believe the signature on the annexed instrument, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said County, and set my hand this 2 nd day of April — 18 39
W. Richardson clk

5019
Abigail Parks. widow of Thomas.
Ja
act 7. July 38.
m 80. d 19.
on Rolls Corp. 2500
admd
2 yrs Corp.
$88.
No. deduction
James Black Esq.
Internal Harveyville Lucerne Co Pa

State of Pennsylvania }
Bradford County p. 3 }
I David Leach Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Bradford do certify that Jonathan Stevens before whom the foregoing depositions were taken & known to and subscribed by him an associate judge of said Court in & for the County aforesaid at the time of taking said depositions, & that I am acquainted with his signature & believe the foregoing purporting to be his are genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 13 th day of April 1839
D. Leach Proth.

Towanda Pa 30 March 1839
Hon. J. L. Edwards Dear Sir
In 1837 D. F. Barstow Esq now a member of our State Legislature forwarded to me at Washington the papers in support of the claim of Mrs Abigail Parks the widow of Thomas Parks, who served in the Connecticut line & was wounded at Myrming on account of which he rec d a pension; which I laid before the Department.
Mr Barstow has the letter of Mr Crump of your department dated 8 Aug. 1837 stating that the papers of Mrs Parks are filed among suspended cases.
Your letter to Hon. Sam l W. Morris states that no papers have been rec d in support of her claim.
Will you do me the favor of instituting a further examination and inform Mr Barstow or myself what other proof if any is wanting.
Mrs Parks is a respectable old Lady and is in needy circumstances & is unquestionably entitled to a pension which I would be gratified to see her receive to make the remnant of her days comparatively comfortable. Resp y y r ob t serv t  W. Patton

V 2286 - 36. Abigail Parker Pennsylvania

Luzerne County ss. State of Pennsylvania }
Before the subscriber personally came Benjamin Bidlack, Clergyman, a resident of Kingston County aforesaid, who being duly sworn saith that in the year 1781 and for several years thereafter, he knew Thomas Dack and Abigail Dack his wife - that they lived together as man and wife - that during the time referred to they lived in Plymouth Township County aforesaid - Deponent further saith that he knew the said Abigail before she was married to the said Thomas - the deponent saith he remembers when they were reported to be married, in the Garrison in the neighborhood of Plymouth where deponent resided at the time - and he nearly believes they were there & then married. Deponent further saith that he has been at their house often since they resided in Bradford County and knew them to live together then as man and wife. Benjamin Bidlack
Sworn and subscribed before me the 26th day of June, A.D. 1837.
Hezekiah D. Lewis
Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Bidlack, the above named deponent, and know him to be a man of respectability, in whose testimony the most implicit confidence may be placed. I certify also that Abram Nesbitt and George P. Ransom whose depositions are hereto attached, are respectable men and entitled to full credit.
Hezekiah D. Lewis
Justice of the Peace
Kingston, June 26, 1837

Bradford Co Pa
Personally appeared before me C. H. Herrick Esq one of the Justices of the Peace in & D. for said County, Dr Stephen Hopkins who being duly sworn deponeth & saith. That Abigail Parks is the real widow of the late named Thomas Parks of Litchfield township in said County and this deponent further states that he has drawn for several years the pension of the said Thomas Parks and that the said widow has not been married but and is now the widow of the said Thomas Parks And Deponent further states that he drew the pension of the said Parks until the time of his death
S. Hopkins
Sworn & subscribed before me this 5 day of July A.D. 1837.
C. H. Herrick J.P.
I certify that I am well acquainted Dr Stephen Hopkins the above named Deponent and know him to be a man of standing & respectability and in whose testimony the most implicit confidence can be placed C. H. Herrick J.P.
Athens Bradford Co Pa
July 5. A.D. 1837

Bradford Co Pa State of Pa
Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Daniel Parkes of Litchfield township in said County who being duly sworn deponeth and saith. That Abigail Parks the wife of the within named Thomas Parks has not been married since the death of her husband and is now the widow of the said Thos Parks. Deponent further states that the said Thomas Parks died he thinks in the month of February AD 1819. Daniel Parkes Sworn & Subscribed before me this 5 day of July AD 1837.
C. H. Herrick J.P.
I certify that I am personally acquainted with Daniel Parks the above named Deponent that he is a man of standing & respectability and in whose word the most implicit confidence can be placed
C. H. Herrick J.P.
Athens Bradford Co Pa
July 5. AD 1837-

State of Pennsylvania
Bucks County
I H. Powell Prothonotary of the County of Bucks do certify that G. H. Hink is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified and that the within original is true to the best of my knowledge to the best of my knowledge
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this tenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
H. Powell

244 South River St. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
May 5-1923
Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Sir:-
Will you please inform me what is recorded in your Department concerning Thomas Park of Connecticut and Pennsylvania who enlisted as Corporal in Capt. Dudd's Company (1777) 3 rd Regiment Connecticut Line; at Wyoming Pa., in 1779. In 1818 his pension as an invalid was allowed for service as Corporal Penns Line. He died in 1819. In 1837 his widow, Abigail, was placed on the pension roll of Bradford County, Pennsylvania.
I shall appreciate your kindness very much.
Yours truly, (Miss) Grace F. Rockefeller.

Rev  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 2845
Abigail Parks
Widow
Thomas Parks
Corpl. Rev War
Act: July 7, 1838.
Index:—Vol. M , Page 108.
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Affidavits From Wilkesbarry
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

State of Pennsylvania Luzerne County ss
Benjamin Bidelack ages Seventy Nine years & upwards being duly sworn before the subscriber a justice of the peace in & for said County says that he was well acquainted with Thomas Parks first knew him in the year 1778 after the Wyoming Massacre - that he this deponent was at home on a furlough, from the U. S. Army - & then saw the said Thomas Parks in Colonel Reuben Butts Regiment stationed in Luzerne County at the time & thinks he was sent during the War - This deponent knew the said Thomas Parks and Abigail Parks in the year 1781 and at the time they lived and cohabited together as Man & Wife & altho this deponent did not see the said Thomas & Abigail Married, yet from his acquaintance with them, he has no doubt of the facts - knew them well before they were Married
Sworn and subscribed this 12. March 1839
Thomas Dyer
Benjamin Bidelack

Colonel George P. Ransom aged 78 years a Revolutionary soldier & pensioner being duly sworn says that he knew Thomas Parks in 1778 - he was at that time in the U. S. Army - And to this deponent's knowledge the said Thomas was in the Army for more than two years - that he also knew Abigail Parks his widow - & altho' he did not see the said Thomas & Abigail married still they lived & cohabited together as man & wife & were so deemed and reputed among the friends & neighbors that he understands the said Thomas is dead - That he saw the said Thomas in the U. S. Army after he was married to the said Abigail in the year 1782 And at this time they lived together as man & wife - He has no doubt in his own mind they were married long before the the time of service of the said Thomas expired
Sworn & subscribed } March 12. 1839 } George P. Ransom before me } M c W illiams D ist Clerk }

Abraham Sistrick aged Seventy five years being duly sworn deposes and says that Abigail Parks is the latter  to the said Thomas of this deponent And that she was married in the Spring of the year 1788 - that this deponent did not see them married but absent from home at the time - which was about three days - That after this time they lived & cohabited together as man & wife till the death of the said Thomas - which is some where about 20 years since - That the said Thomas was in the war of the rebellion when deponent first knew him in 1778 till the close of the war & before this by reputation - That he drew a pension for many years prior to his death as a wounded soldier -
Sworn and subscribed } March 12. 1839
before me Morris Dyson
I Morris Dyson the aforesaid justice of the peace do certify that I am well acquainted with each of the foregoing persons who have sworn to their respective statements - and that they are persons of credit, and what they have stated is entitled to full credit and belief -
March 12. 1839 -
Morris Dyson  Justice of the Peace

Essex County ss
I Jasper Lasset Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Essex, do hereby certify, that Thomas Dyer Esquire, before whom the within Affidavit was subscribed, and sworn to, was at that time, and still is, an acting justice of the peace in and for the County of Essex, and that his official acts are, and ought to be entitled to full faith and credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said court at Milkesham the 12 th day of March A.D. 1839
Jasper Lasset Protho.
Affidavit From Milkesham