Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7970, for Robert Parke, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
Parke, Robert or Parks
R. 7970
Ruth
CONTENTS
[Lined area for handwritten entries]
[Lined area for handwritten entries]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
July 3 1846.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Robert Parker (so spelled) is borne upon a Muster Roll of Capt Amos Walbridges Company, in Col David Brewer's Regt in the Eight months Service, as a private of South Brimfield, from May 12 to August 1 1775. 2 months, 3 weeks and 2 days - so carried out upon said roll. — The name of Robert Parks, is borne upon a return of said Capt Walbridges Company of 1775. in Col Brewers regt as a private of S Brimfield. no Service named - and Said Return is not dated - No Coat Roll of said Company - The name of Robert Parker is not borne upon said return - Parker is evidently erroneously written for Parks upon Said Muster Roll - Not upon Naval Rolls - Not upon rolls of any Capt Morgan Colonels Mason and Shepard or Genl Glover

The preceding is all the evidence of service of any one of the names , shown by the Military Records in this Office.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said appli- cation, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Sawyer;
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. is hereby Requested to furnish evidence of the services of My husband Robert Parke, in the war of the Revolution - My husband the said Robert Parke at the time of the Revolution Resided in the State of Massachusetts and near Boston, and as near as I can recollect from his Statements in a place called Brimfield. I did not become acquainted with him until after the close of the Revolution & was not acquainted with the particular facts of his service My husband in his life time, occasionally mentioned the services he rendered, and also the names of the officers under whom he served, he always told me he served during the whole of the war. I have heard him say that he was in the Battle of Bunkerhill I have also heard him say that he was in the Battle of Germantown, & other Battles which I have for- otten - My husband the said Robert Parke has been dead over thirty Years, and many of the incidents of the Revolu- tion & his services therein, related by him to me, have escaped my recollection. I was Born in Sheffield. Berkshire County Mass. I have heard My husband mention the names of Capt Morgan, Col Brewer, Col Mason, also General Hovey, Col Shepard. I have heard My husband say that he did some service in the Navy. I have heard him say also that he was a prisoner in the prison ship at New York at one time - I Am Now in My Eighty fifth year - and My memory does not enable me to state My husband's services more fully than above -
Witness My hand this 26 th day of May 1846 her
Subscribed and sworn this
26 th day of May A.D. 1846
before Me & The Reason why
Parke did not write her
Ruth Parke much
name is in consequence of old age & a trembling hand -
James G. Austin, Justice of the peace of Phelps, Orleans County,
Cyrus C. Chase Witness -

State of New York
Yates County ss On this 10 th day of July A D 1846. personally appeared before John L Cleaveland a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County (said Court being a Court of Record) Ruth Parks a Resident of the town of Benton in the said County, aged eighty four years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath Make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed July 7. 1838. and March 3, 1843 & also June 17. 1844. — She deposes and says that she is the widow of Robert Parks, who was a soldier & a private in the Revolutionary War. That her late husband the said Robert Parks resided in the commencement of the Revolution, in a Place called Brimfield near Boston in the State of Massachusetts. That from information from her said late Husband, he served in the Year 1775. Eight Months under Capt Walbridge, (Company), in Col Brewster Regiment of Militia. Declarant also says that her Husband done other service but under what officers she is not able to state. She frequently heard him say while living, that he served as a soldier most of the Revolution. I have heard him say that he served under a Capt Morgan Col Shippen. Col Mason. I have frequently heard him say that he was in the Battle of Germantown. I have also heard him say that he served among the New York Troops that he was in the Battle at Fort Stanwix in the State of New York. I have heard him relate a good deal of service which he did in the New York Troops but My Memory does not now serve me sufficiently to relate it — She further declares that she was Married to the said Robert Parks the first of January 1781. in the town of Chatham in the County of Columbia in the State of New York, by a Justice of the Peace residing

in the said town of Chatham, by the name of Beebe, who was at that time an old man, & long since dead. That her Maiden Name was Ruth Webster. She further declares that her late Husband, died at the town of Seneca in the County of Ontario State of New York on the 18 th day of September in the Year 1812, and that she has remained the Widow of the said Robert Parks ever since. That she has not intermarried - but continues the Widow of the said Robert Parks her late Husband aforesaid - That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place as aforesaid, viz at the time above stated. She further declares that Squire Parks an old man & a brother of her late Husband is and was well acquainted with her late Husband & knows more of the particulars of his service - & she prays that she may be allowed a pension for the services of said late Husband
Subscribed and sworn this 10 th day of July A D 1846 before me John L. Cleveland
her Ruth X Parks mark
" — " —
Judge of Yates County Courts.
Cyrus C Chase
Witness —
State of New York
Yates County ss. I John L. Cleveland a Judge of Yates County Courts, do certify that Ruth Parks above named is a neighbor of mine, & that she is a woman of good Moral Character. Her aforesaid statements are entitled to credit - & I further certify that the reason Mrs Ruth Parks did not write her name to the above declaration is in consequence of old age and a trembling hand. - & further that from old age & bodily infirmity she is unable to appear in open court - Dated Benton July 10 th 1846
John L. Cleveland
Judge of Yates County Courts Witness
Cyrus C Chase

State of New York
Yates County S.S. Parvis Chase a resident of the town of Benton in the County of Yates aforesaid aged sixty five Years the 24 th day of October next. Who being duly sworn according to Law doth on her Oath Make the following Statement in order to aid Ruth Parks widow of Robert Parks to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed July 7. 1838 & March 3 rd 1843 & of the 17 th June 1844. She deposes and says that she is sixty five Years of age the 24 th day of October next. That she first her age in her own family Record from the direction & statements of her father & Mother, forty odd Years ago. She says that she is a daughter of the said Ruth Parks. & is the oldest child of the said Ruth & her late Husband Robert Parks. That she was born in Chatham Columbia County N.Y. the 24 th of October 1781. That she removed with her father & Mother about when she was about six Years old - to the County of Oneida & State aforesaid. Resided there until she was twenty one Years old - & with my said father the aforesaid Robert Parks & the aforesaid Ruth my Mother - & for the last twenty seven Years she has Resided in the town of Benton her present residence - that in the Year 1804. My said father & Mother moved into the town of Seneca Ontario County N.Y. a town adjoining my present residence - that she was present at the death of her father the said Robert Parks late husband of the said Ruth her Mother - That her father the said Robert Parks died at the town of Seneca Ontario County N.Y. on the 18 th day of September 1812 - She further states that her said father & Mother kept a family Record that her said Mother the said Ruth ever since the death of the said Robert Parks has Resided among & in the family of her several Children. She has not kept house & that the old Record of her said father & Mother's family, has been destroyed a great many Years & that the same is not now in existence as she verily believes. She further says that Ely Beabe who

Married her said father & Mother has been dead a great Many Years. That my Beebe was an old Man when deceased was a Child - She further says that from the best information she has been able to obtain my Beebe left no Record of the Marriage of her said father & Mother - & she further says that there is now no Record of the Marriage of her said father & Mother. Either Public, Private or documentary - in existence - that her Mother the said Ruth Parks is now a widow, and has remained a widow ever since the death of the said Robert Parks her father. - which took place as at the time aforesaid -
Subscribed and sworn this 10 th day of July 1846 before me John L. Cleveland
Perseus Chase
Judge of Bates County Courts
State of New York
Bates County ss. I John L. Cleveland a Judge of the County Courts in & for said County do hereby certify that Mrs. Perseus Chase is a neighbor of mine, and that she is a woman of good moral character, and her aforesaid statements are entitled to credit -
Dated Benton July 10 th 1846
John L. Cleveland -
Judge of Bates County Courts
N.B. The figures "11." in my two foregoing Insts. in the case of Ruth Parks and Perseus Chase & also in the two Certificates in each case, was written over the figures "10." before Execution. Dated Benton July 11 th 1846
Dated Benton July 11 th 1846
John L. Cleveland -
Judge of Bates County Courts

State of New York
Yates County ss. I, D. H. Buel Clerk of the said county do hereby certify that John L Cleveland Esquire before whom the foregoing two several affidavits, were made & by whom the foregoing Certificate was made, was at the time of taking the same a Judge of Yates County Courts, duly commissioned and sworn, and authorized to act as such, and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge, and truely believe his signatures to the said two affidavits and certificate are genuine -
In witness whereof I have hereunto set My hand and affixed the seal of the said county, at Penn Yan this 15th day of July A D 1846
D H Buel Clerk of Yates County

State of New York
Ontario County ss. Squire Parke a resident of the town of Seneca in said County, aged Eighty five Years, who being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth on his oath Make the following Statement in order to aid Ruth Parke widow of Robert Parke to obtain the benefit of the provisions Made by the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838, and act of March 3 rd 1843 & also of the act of June 17, 1844. — That he is now Eighty five Years of age and a resident of the town of Seneca in said County. That he is a brother of said Robert Parke, late husband of the said Ruth who is now making application for a Pension & whose declaration for a pension is herunto annexed — That he deponent was born in South Brimfield Massachusetts, that he remembers well the events of the Revolution, that he distinctly remembers that his said brother the said Robert Parke was a soldier and served in the Revolution. Deponent remembers Capt Walbridge who belonged to Col Brewers Reg t . Deponent says that his brother the said Robert Parke in the Spring of the Year 1775, went into the service under Capt Walbridge in Col Brewers Regiment, that he served Eight Months as a soldier in said Company, did not return home until late in the fall or winter following — Deponent distinctly remembers the fact, that said Robert when he returned he brought a cannon Cartridge with him to his father, deponent was then residing with his father at South Brimfield aforesaid. Deponent says positively, that said Robert done duty as a soldier in the said Company Eight Months in 1775. saw him when he went off in the Spring with the soldiery & deponent was at home when his brother said Robert returned at the expiration of said term & remembers it well — deponent further says,

that there was no man in South Bernefield by the name of Robert Parker. No family by that name lived in that town. & Deponent further says that the family name is sometimes spelt by some of the family, "Parks," and by others of the family, "Pake," that the service rendered by said Robert his brother was mainly done in the neighbourhood of Boston. & Deponent further says that he is well acquainted with the said Ruth Parks widow of his brother Robert. Deponent knew her before she married his brother her maiden name was Ruth Webster. She resided in Chatham Columbia County State of New York at the time she was married to Deponent's brother said Robert. Deponent also resided in said town of Chatham at the time they were married. Deponent says, the said Robert & the said Ruth now his widow was married as husband and wife (by a Justice of the peace then residing in said town of Chatham aforesaid) on the first day of January 1781 - Deponent was present and saw them married, deponent says, that he has always resided from that time to the death of his said brother the said Robert Parks. a neighbour to the said Robert & Ruth that he knew them to live together as husband & wife & raised a large family of children - Deponent was present at the death of his said brother. said Robert Parks died at the town of Seneca in said County of Ontario on the 18 th day of September 1812, deponent further says that he knew the Justice of the peace who married the said Robert Parks and the said Ruth now his widow. That said Justice's name was Beebe. That he was an old man at the time. That said Justice has been dead nearly forty years. That said Justice left no records of marriages by him performed. Nor is there any member of his family residing at Chatham aforesaid - as Deponent has been informed and truely believes - Deponent further says

The said Ruth Parks is now the widow of the said Robert Parks his brother affirmed that she has not intermarried but has continued a widow ever since the death of her said late husband — deponent says his said brother the said Robert — some other series than aforesaid related by him which deponent cannot now detail — that deponent will remember the services of his said brother as he has aforesaid stated —
Squire Parks
Subscribed and sworn this 17 th day of July A D 1846
before me James G Austin justice of the peace of the said County Sarah Parks Witnesses
State of New York
Ontario County ss. I James G Austin a justice of the peace in & for said County do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Squire Parks who took and subscribed his name to the foregoing affidavit — that he is a man of good Moral Character and his aforesaid statements are Entitled to Credit —
Dated Ontario County July 17 th 1846
James G Austin J. P. Sarah Parks Witnesses

State of New York Ontario County, Clerk's Office p. I Alexander H. Howell clerk of the said county do hereby certify that James G. Austin Esquire before whom the preceding affidavit of Squire Parks was made, was at the time of taking the same a justice of the peace in & for said county duly elected and sworn and authorized to act as such - and further that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and readily believe his signatures to the said preceding affidavit of the said Squire Parks and preceding certificate are genuine -
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County at Canandaigua this 22nd day of July A.D. 1845 -
Alex. H. Howell Clerk of Ontario County
12951. Affidavit of Ruth Parks widow of Robert Parks
copy of 27 July 1838. 3 March 1843 17 June 1844
lost in 1872
Wm. H. Canfield 17 R

Yates Army and Navy Div.
May 7, 1910.
Mrs. Jessie H. Tuttle, 4650 Fremont Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minn.
Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 23rd ultimo, received the 28th, you are advised that in the claim Rej. No. 7,970 it is alleged that Robert Parks, in the Spring of 1775, while residing at Brimfield, Massachusetts, enlisted in the Massachusetts troops, and was in the battles at Fort Stanwix and Germantown. He married at Chatham, Columbia County, New York, January 1, 1781, Ruth Webster. A large family of children are referred to, no names other than a daughter Percis Chase, who was the oldest, born October 24, 1881. He died at Seneca, Ontario County, New York, September 18, 1812.
The widow applied for pension July 11, 1846, while a resident of Benton, Yates County, New York, aged 84 years; her claim was rejected on the ground that the soldier's service was not proven.
The foregoing information was furnished you Feb. 18, 1909, and it is all that is in the possession of this Bureau.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

1909 Feb 18 Hist. Soc. Jessup H. Tuttle V.P. M.
MAY 7 1910 Letter of Feb 18/09 reprinted to J. N. Smith JCTH.
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873
7970
P. O. Ruth Parks
Service: _____
Ruth Webster of
Enlisted: Chatham N.Y. , 18
Discharged: _____, 18
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

Washington July 28. 1826. Hon J. L. Edwards Dear Sir
I respectfully invite your attention to the inclosed papers forwarded me by James G. Austin Esq.
Yours Respectfully
C. H. Barrell

RECORDED
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
OK 13
Briefed by E. A. G. Old War Hist. Rejected Claim No. 7970
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Robert Parke
Service _____
Additional Service _____
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:

V Ruth Parks, widow of Robt. Parks, N.Y. Act 1838 — suspended
Mr. Austin, who is Atty in the above cases, requests me to re- annu n ce them —
Ex by J. P. Coombs Jan 30-52

Mary McGuire, S.C., sas or ref

✓ 12951. South Park New York Set No 6 of series August 9: 1835 7970 Ad 7th July 1835

"In the case of Ruth Parks the date of the marriage might be more satisfactorily established if the oldest child would transmit the family register which she alleges she wrote forty years ago. But unless the service can be established the date of the marriage is of no importance. The difference in the family names of Parks + Parker is so striking that she cannot have the benefit of the service credited in Walbridges Roll for 173-4 to Robert Parker, unless her husband can be identified with that soldier by two witnesses whose service in the dismounted Co. or Regt. is verified by the Rolls."
Hon C. H. Carroll
Aug. 7, 1846.

8-054.
MORNING REPORT, SEC.
NAMES.
REMARKS.
copy of letter to Hon. C. H. Carroll Aug. 7. 1846
2120410mm1-06
Chief of Section.

RECEIVED NAVY DEPT. APR 30 1910
PENSION K U. S. OFFICE APR 28 1910

Minneapolis, Minn.
April 23, 1910
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Dear Sir:-
Will you please send me the record of all the facts regarding Robert Parke in Reg. Claim no 7970 and very greatly oblige
(Mrs.) Jessie H. Tuttle
4650 Fremont Av. So., Minneapolis, Minn.

Record Division.
February 18, 1909.
Mrs. Jessie H. Tuttle, # 4650 Fremont Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minn.
Madam:
23 ult, received the 28. In reply to your letter dated the (3 rd ) and received the 5 th instant, you are advised that in the claim, Rej. No. 7,970 it is alleged appears that Robert Parks, in the Spring of 1775, while residing at Brimfield, Massachusetts, enlisted in the Massachusetts troops, and was in the battles at Fort Stanwix and Germantown. He married at Chatham, Columbia County, New York, January 1, 1781, Ruth Webster. A large family of children are re- ferred to, no names stated other than a daughter Percis Chase, who was the oldest, born October 24, 1781. He died at Seneca, Ontario County, New York, September 18, 1812.
The widow applied for pension July 11, 1846, while a resident of Benton, Yates County, New York, aged 84 years; her claim was rejected on the ground that the soldier's service was not proven.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
The foregoing information was furnished you Feb. 18, 1909, and it is all that is in the possession of this Bureau.

4650 Fremont Ave. So. Minneapolis, Minn.
Feb 2, 1909.
Mr. V. Warner, Commissioner,
Bureau of Pensions, Dear Sir: -
Nov. 23, 1908 I wrote to the Bureau asking for the pension record of Robert Parke and received reply that no record was found. I think I stated in my letter that he was from Mass. He enlisted from Mass. but the pension was applied for from New York State probably from Benton, Yates Co. N. Y. as that is where his widow died. She applied for pension in July 1846 and was then 84 years of age. She stated in her application that Robert Parke resided at time of enlistment at Brimfield, Hampden Co. Mass. that he served in Capt. Walbridges Co., Col. Dows Brewers Regt of Mass. Militia etc.
Was the claim not allowed or should I have given at first the state from which the pension was asked?
Yours truly (Mrs.) Jessie H. Tuttle