Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30632, for Jonathan Parks, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
Parks, Jonathan
NUMBER
S. 30632
CONTENTS

Dup. Certificate issued and forwarded to Hon. S. Lincoln March 15. 1836.
78 Nacra
10. 244 Massachusetts
Jonathan Parks
of Worcester in the State of Mass who was a Myate in the Company commanded by Captain Dushing of the Regt. commanded by Colonel in the Mass time for 10 months
Walth
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 53 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of March 1833 and that Woman Stephens  Annoyella Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1835 $106.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. " 26.67 $133.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Chas. Massie Clerk Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 63

Jonathan Parks Mass Parks
Private 16 Months
B.657
Human Hobbs Agent Brookfield Mass

BRIEF in the case of Jonathan Park County of Worcester in the State of Mass. (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? before a Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 76  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. As a Gen.     April In 1775 - 8 Private Capt Cushing Colo Ward   1776 - 1 " " "   Novem 1776 - 2 " " Colo Denny   July 1777 - 3 " Capt Dillows Colo Stark   - 2 " Colo Cushing Regiment  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Shurton  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Shrewsbury Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional and two living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this thirteenth fourteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two, the County of Worcester, personally appeared me Jonathan Perkins, before me, Nathaniel Payne Esq. Judge of the Probate of Wills, etc. for the County of Worcester, now sitting Jonathan Perkins a resident of North Brookfield in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
I was born in the town of Shrewsbury in the County of Worcester, on the twelfth day of April A.D. 1753 - I suppose there is a registry of my name and birth as I suppose in the office of the town Clerk at Shrewsbury aforesaid - I was living in Shrewsbury aforesaid when I first went into Service, Since the war I lived in Spencer in said County about forty years, and have since lived in Brookfield and North Brookfield in said County, of which town I am now a resident.
I volunteered at Shrewsbury and marched on towards Cambridge, I then enlisted on the 14th of April 1775. Under Capt. Job. Gushing, and joined Col. Ward's Regiment at Cambridge Massachusetts for eight months, I remained in the vicinity of Boston till my time was out, being solicited I remained one month longer when the new recruits joined us. which made nine months service, which I performed in the Massachusetts Militia, I was dismissed at Brookfield aforesaid and had no written discharge. Stevenson Hastings, deposition accompanies this declaration.
I enlisted for a second term of Service, I think in Shrewsbury aforesaid for two months in August 1776, I went to Tarrytown or Peekskill N.Y. to guard the river and lines, there were several fights in the River and we had to roll the military stores up a steep hill. Officers. Col. Saml. Denny's Reg. This Service was also in the Massachusetts Militia I did two months duty and was dismissed at Peekskill - Stevenson Hastings, deposition accompanies this declaration relative to a second term of duty.
I enlisted again at Shrewsbury in Nov. 1776 for three months under Capt. Bellows and Col. Sparhawk's Regiment - I marched thro' Hartford Count. up the north River between Peekskill and Fish kill and went to Boundbrook N.J. We drove the enemy out of Boundbrook, the artillery fired upon the enemy and they retreated, - I then was employed to drive in the British scouts and foraging parties - I served the term of three months and was dismissed - Officers. Lieut. Aaron Smith - Stevenson Hastings, deposition accompanies this declaration.
Again enlisted volunteered to go and take Burgoyne, the first part of July and went through Brookfield, then to Bennington Vt. The morning of the Bennington battle was fought we marched to Half moon or North River the next day we were ordered back, we travelled all night and arrived in Bennington about ten o'clock, picked up two or three dead Tories - I was dismissed at before Burgoyne was taken, I was gone about two months - I was in Col. Job. Gushing's Reg. - As this was Capt. Lieut. Fossitt - this service was done in the Massachusetts Militia - Said Stevenson Hastings, deposition accompanies this declaration relative to a fourth term of duty.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before me Nathaniel Payne Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Jonathan Perkins

We Micah Stone a Clergyman residing in the town of Brookfield and Simon Draper residing in said town of Brookfield certify that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Parks who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventynine years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Twenty eighth day of August AD 1832. Before Me Heman Stebbins Just Peace
Micah Stone Simon Draper
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Micah Stone who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the Brookfield aforesaid and that Simon Draper who has also signed the same is a resident in the said town of Brookfield and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit, and that Heman Stebbins Esq. before whom the said Micah Stone and Simon Draper were sworn to the truth of the foregoing declaration, is a Just Peace in and for the said town of Brookfield, and is a person qualified to administer oaths, and is a person of credit and good reputation in the said town of Brookfield.
W. H. James Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
I Theophilus Wheeler Registry Clerk of the Court of Probate for the County of said do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jonathan Parks for a pension, and that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of the said Jonathan Parks for a pension, and that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of the said Jonathan Parks for a pension. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of Office this 7th day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Theophilus Wheeler Regt. of the said Probate court in Massachusetts
Jonathan Parks
1598

PORTLAND FEB. 23
Hon. Abe Lincoln
Member of Congress
Washington
Mass
Jonathan D. Dyer
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]

I Jonathan Parker of North Brookfield in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of Lawfull age Testify and say. That on the sixth Day of September last I was at Boston in said Commonwealth, for the purpose of receiving my Pension as a soldier in the war of the Revolution, agreeable to the Laws of the United States of June 7 th 1832. and after receiving the money at the Bank, (the amount of which was $26.83.) I put the Money into my Packet Book, with my Pension safe certificate with other Papers, &c and on my way out of the city I came to a part of the street where it was blocked up by Teams & carriages, which detained me for sometime. Two men came to me and offered their assistance, which I accepted, after I passed by, one of the men jumped into my Wagon and said that he would show me the way out of Town. Drove my Horse to the State House, where he met the other man, where they left me. I have not seen my money or certificate since and I have no doubt those men took said Book & Money &c
Brookfield July 22. 1836 Witness Simeon Draper
Jonathan Parker
Worcester July 22. 1836
Personally appeared the above named Jonathan Parker and made oath that the above Deposition by him subscribed is true before me Simeon (Draper) jus Pacem I certify that the above named Jonathan Parker is a man of Veracity Simeon (Draper) jus Pacem

To the Hon. Lewis Cas. Secretary of War U. S.
The under signed, having the misfortune to lose his Pension Certificate in Sept. last after receiving said Pension up to that time as set forth in the annexed Deposition, prays that his loss may be made up by a grant of a new Pension Certificate from the War Department as in Duty Bound &c.
Brookfield Feb. 22. 1838
Jonathan B. D.

For Lou a Parks
Stevenson Hastings Depo
Stevenson

Sp May to July 1776
Commonwealth of Massachusetts - County of Worcester Aug. 2nd 1832
In 1776, about 1 Sept 2 months later
I, Norman Hastings of Brookfield in the County of Worcester aforesaid, aged seventy six years, being duly sworn do testify and say that I was a Soldier in the Revolutionary Army of the Massachusetts Troops in the years 1775. & 1776. and 1777. That I went to Cambridge in April 1775. under Capt. Job Cushing. That I was acquainted with Jonathan Parks, now a resident in North Brookfield who then belonged to said Cushing's Company and called Genl. Ward's Regiment. Col. Don a Ward, Brigadier & Barron Major Major's duty - said Parks continued to do duty in said Company till my time expired in Jan y . 1776. I returned home and left said Parks doing duty. -
I did a term of two months duty in the American Army, Massachusetts Troops, from Sept. 1776 to Dec 1776 in under Col. Denny's Reg - Capt. Asa Rice Company, at and near Tarrytown N.Y. said Jonathan Parks went with me belonged to the same Company and served the two months -

I also did another term of duty in said Revolution-ary army in 1776-7 of three months - I left home in December 1776, - Col. Sparkhaws Reg- St. Col. or Maj. Cushing - Capt Bellows' company - When I arrived at Paterill said Parker was there and belonged to the same company and I knew him, and that he did the term of three months duty in New York and New Jersey -
Stevenson Hastings
Worcester p. Aug. 2nd 1832 Personally appeared Stevenson Hastings, and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me Herman Robbins Jr Paris
I hereby certify that Stevenson Hastings who has subscribed the above affidavit is a credible person Herman Robbins

I John Parks of Shrewsbury in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts age 73 years on oath do depose & say that in year 1777 Jonathan Parks then of said Shrewsbury now of North Brookfield in said County. & in the month of July in said year entered the Massachusetts Militia Then in the service of the United States. with me in the Company commanded by Capt Asa Rice & in Col Job Cushing's Regiment and that said Jonathan continued in said service with me for about six weeks. when we were finally discharged. & that said service was principally rendered at Bennington - State of Vermont. & at Halfmoon - State of New York. & that we were at said Halfmoon when the Battle of Bennington took place.
John parks
Worcester ss August 14 th 1832
Then personally appeared John Parks & made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed. before me. And I certify that said John Parks is well known to me and that he a credible witness.
Nymphas Pratt Justice of the Peace.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jonathan Park which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yy V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yy VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yy

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yy XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yy If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yy Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yy XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yy XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yy XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yy
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Brookfield Massachusetts Sept 19. 1882
Sir
Mr. Jon s Parks of North Brookfield Mass has entrusted his papers to me to forward to the War Office. I herewith enclose them all communications for said Parks, please direct to
Herman Stebbins Esq,
Brookfield Mass,
with most respect
your Ob d Serv t
Herman Stebbins
Hon Lewis C. Field
Secretary of War

Thom Lewis Cass Esq Secretary of War Washington D.C.

March 1.
Dear Lincoln my
Dear Sir,
JAk

City of Washington Feb 29 1836 H. of Reps.
James L. Edwards Esq. Commr. of Pensions Sir
I beg leave to refer to your former letter, the enclosed Affidavit and Application of a Revolutionary Pension, for a new Pension Certificate , to supply the place of that of which he was, without doubt, feloniously deprived.
The Pensioner is an inhabitant of the county in which I live, and the certifying Magistrate is personally known to me, as one of the most respectable citizens of the State, and at the present time, a Representative in the Legislature. H
With my respectful consideration
Your obed Servant
Levi Lincoln

30 632 Rev INVALID.
File No. 30, 632
Jonathan Parks Rev Rev
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 315
[Arrangement of 1870.]