Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,822, Ezekiel Blair, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Blair, Ezekiel
V. 23,822
Clark, Elizabeth
His name was Samuel
(Former widow)
CONTENTS

Vermon Burlington Elizabeth Clark, aced widow of Ezekiel Clark Blair who died at the 2 nd March 1789 of Chittenden in the State of Vermont who was a prisoner in the Confederate Congress commanded by Captain Wag  Coner of the Regt commanded by Col. Mass in the Revolution time for 6 mo. 24 days. Quart. Pri 24 days. 3 Wag Coner 2 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of at the rate of 124 Dollars 10 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831. 3 Aug 10 May 1838.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of February 1831 and sent to J. H. Pugh
Arrears to the 4th of Present Semi-annual allowance ending Ined from $84:10
Recorded by Revolutionary Claim Book Act July 4, 1836 Vol. Section the 2. Cler Page 340

6859 Mar 31, 1894 Francis Clark, Jr. to Elizabeth Clark Elizabeth Clark
Aug 4, 1886
m 71. a 89 96. . 96.
servant 21 days in 6. 4 Recut Mch '45
A.
Walterston

State of Vermont District of Chittenden ss }
On this twentieth day of March A. D. 1845 personally appeared before the Hon. the Probate Court held at Pounding-ton within and for said district of Chittenden, present the Hon. Charles Russell, Judge of said court, Francis Blair, a resident of Shelburne in the county of Chittenden and State of Vermont, aged seventy two years in February last, who is administrator of the estate of Elizabeth Clark, who was formerly the widow of Ezekiel Blair, formerly of Williamstown, in the State of Massachusetts, 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 July 4, 1836, and the act explanatory of said act, passed March 3, 1837, by virtue of which acts the said Elizabeth Clark, at the time of her death, was entitled to receive a pension; - That she was married to the said Ezekiel Blair as this declarant believes from the statements of the said Elizabeth to him made in her lifetime, at Williamstown, in the State of Massachusetts, on the fifth day of June, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy one, by the Rev. Mr. Welch; - that this declarant is a son of the said Ezekiel Blair and Elizabeth Clark, deceased; - that the said Ezekiel Blair entered the service of the United States in the latter part of April, 1775, absent about two weeks, when he returned with Benedict Arnold and went to Ticonderoga, and remained until after that place was taken, when he returned home, having been absent on this tour from two to three weeks; that in the month of June he was Lieutenant

in Capt. Stewarts company, Col. Eason's regiment, and went with his company through Lake Champlain northward; was at the taking of St. Johns, Montreal, and Sorel, by the american troops under General Montgomery, and returned home the latter part of December, 1775, having been absent more than six months; that in the spring of 1777, the said Ezekiel Blair was appointed "Captain of teams" and served at Albany, Saratoga and Fort Edward; that he was at the battle of Bennington, and served until after the surrender of Burgoyne in October, 1777, and until the spring of 1778;
The said declarant further declares that his father, the said Ezekiel Blair, died at Williamstown, Ms., on the second day of March, 1789; that his widow, the said Elizabeth was afterwards, to wit, on the twenty eighth day of January, 1796, at said Williamstown, married to Samuel Clark; that in the same year they removed to Shelburne, Vermont; that the said Samuel died at said Shelburne on the seventh day of November 1796, and that the said Elizabeth was never afterwards married and was a widow on the 4 th of July, 1836, and that she died at said Shelburne on the tenth day of May, 1838, and was a widow at the time of her death.
The said declarant further states that he has stated the revolutionary services of his father, the said Ezekiel Blair, as they were stated to him by his mother in her lifetime, and that he believes said statements to be true.
The said declarant further states that the revolutionary pay rolls, and receipts, hereto attached, belonged to his father and were ever retained in the possession of the said Elizabeth to the time of her death; and that many other revolutionary papers relating to the said Ezekiel's services were once in her possession, but have long since been lost or destroyed.
Francis B. Blair

The foregoing declaration sworn to and subscribed on the twentieth day of March A. D. 1845, before me, and I certify that the said declarant is a man of truth and veracity.
Charles Russell Judge
State of Vermont } District of Chittenden ss }
I, William Weston, Register of the Probate Court for said district, do hereby certify that Charles Russell, before whom the above declaration was made and sworn to was at the time of taking the same Judge of said Probate court and that the signature above, purporting to be his, is genuine
In testimony whereof I do hereunto affix the seal of said court and subscribe my name, at Burlington, in said district this 20 th day of March A. D. 1845.
Wm Weston, Register.

Elizabeth Clark, decd 2 Certificate of her death, &c. June '46
//

State of Vermont District of Chittenden ss.
I William Weston, Register of the Probate Court for said district of Chittenden do hereby certify that it has been this day satisfactorily proved to said court, that Elizabeth Clark, late of Shelburne, in said district, deceased, widow of Samuel Clark, and former widow of Ezekiel Blair, (who was an officer in the revolutionary war,) died on the tenth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight; that, at the time of her death, she left five children, who were the children of the said Ezekiel Blair and Elizabeth Clark; - viz, Francis Blair, of said Shelburne; - Nely Blair, of Willsboro', N. Y.; Myrme Mitchell, wife of George C. Mitchell, of Royalton, N. Y. and Lucy Crouch, wife of Aaron Crouch, of said Shelburne, and Ezekiel Blair, of Parishville, N. Y.; - that the said Nely, Ezekiel and Lucy have since died, each leaving children, and that the said Myrme Mitchell and Francis Blair are now the only surviving children of the said Ezekiel Blair (former husband of the said Elizabeth) and Elizabeth Clark, deceased.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto affix the seal of said court and subscribe my name at Burlington in said district this 26 th day of June, A. D. 1846.
Wm Weston, Register

I Calvin R. Taft of Town Clerk of the town of Williamstown in the County of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts do testify that I have examined the records of marriages in the said town & do not find any record of the marriage of Ezekiel Blair to Elizabeth his wife nor any record of the marriage of Elizabeth when a widow to Samuel Clark - but I do find the records of the births of the children of Ezekiel Blair & Elizabeth his wife -
"Francis Blair Son to Ezekiel & Elizabeth Blair was born Feb- ruary the twenty first  fourth AD one thousand seven hundred & seventy three - Nelly their son born March the fifth one thousand seven hundred & seventy seven - Ezekiel their son born October fourteenth one thousand seven hundred & eighty - Myrme their daughter born May fourteenth one thousand seven hundred & eighty three"
I certify that the above is a true copy of the records & entries the dates which are expressed in the record as follows in plain legible figures -
"Francis Blair son to Ezekiel & Elizabeth Blair was born Feb- ruary 21 st AD 1773 -
Nelly their son Born March 5 th 1777
Ezekiel their son Born October 14 th 1780
Myrme their daughter Born May 14. 1783 "
And I further testify that I am the town Clerk of said town of Williamstown - C. R. Taft
State of Massachusetts
Berkshire County ss. June 23 rd 1845. Calvin R. Taft signed the foregoing affidavit made on the 6 th truth of the same before me -
Daniel N. Denny Justice of the Peace -

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Berkshire ss.
I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Berkshire do certify that Daniel N. Dewey Esq. before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Calvin R. Dast was Sworne is and was, at said date of said Affidavit a Justice of the Peace within said County duly Commissioned & qualified that the foregoing Signature purporting to be his is Genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto At My hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 24th day of June 1845.
Charles Sedgwick Vth.
June 1845
17

Vermont 4428
Ref d . see letter
Elizabeth Clark. dec d . who was widow of Ezekiel Blair
who died on the 2 nd March. 1789. of Chittenden Dist in the State of Vermont who was a Lt. Y. Prov. in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the reg t . commanded by col. _____ in the line for Lieut. 6 mo. 24 days Private - 21 "
Inscribed on the Roll of Pensions at the rate of $4 Dollars 10 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day March, 1831. & end 10 th May 1838.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of Dec r , 1846, and sent to M. Winton Present.
Arrears to the 4 th of Semi-annual allowance ending Payable to Francis Blair & Maryne Mitchelle, wife of George Mitchelle
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3.
Recorded by D r Prun, Clerk Book C. Vol. 1. Page 39.
16

Rev WIDOW, &c.
No. 23822
Elizabeth Clark
Wid of Blair
Ezekiel Clark
Lient New Mar.
Act: Jnly 4 th 36
Sex: — Vol. A , Page 139
[Arrangement of 1870.]

J. L. Edwards, Comm. of Pensions, Washington DC June 20. 1850,
Relative to the case of Elizabeth Clark, decd. Papers, 16 in number, enclosed.

Pension Office June 20. 1858.
Sir,
I have the honor herewith to transmit the papers, numbered from 1 to 16 inclusive, relating to the case of Elizabeth Clark, deceased, (in which the Hon. Moses B. Corwin appeals,) and a brief of the evidence.
Mr. Corwin is mistaken, in supposing that the refusal to allow for the services of Ezekiel Blair as Wagon Master was based upon the declaration that no such Office was known to the Revolutionary Army. Such a declaration could not have been, made in the face of all the Pensions granted for that Service. But the claim to that compensation in this case was refused, because there was no evidence that he held that rank, and the testimony rather shows, that he acted under a civil contract. His papers seem to have been preserved with much care, as is evident by the production of several not briefed, which relate to private Matters and to his tour as a private, yet no commission as Wagon Master is brought forward, nor any attempt

made to account for its absence, nor even any allegation that he ever held one?
I have the honor to be, Very Respectfully Your Ob t Servant J. L. Edwards
Hon. Thomas Ewing Secretary of the Interior

p. 72 Washington June 14/50 Hon. Masses to Comm.
Rel to the care of Elizabeth Clark widow of Ezekiel Blair a Revolutionary Sol- -dier, asking for increase of pension.
Ref. to care of Pension for a Report.
Dep. Interior
June, 14. 1850

Washington City 24 th June 1850
Dear Sir - I have the honor
My Dear Sir I desire to bring your attention to the case of Elizabeth Clark Widow of Richard Clark of Vermont who has been allowed a Pension for the services of her husband as a Lieutenant only & not for his services as a Wagon Master - The proof of service as Wagon Master is clear & positive yet Mr. Edwards rejects it as the sole ground that the service as Wagon Master was not known in the Army of the Revolution
Respectfully your obed Servt
Moses Brown
Dear Sir - I have

Dec 1. 46
Elizabeth
— 5/
W. Weston Prnt

Washington Dec. 1. 1841.
Sir,
In the case of Elizabeth Clark, dec d , former widow of Ezekiel Blair, please issue a certificate to the surviving children for the services established, (6 mos & 4 days as Lieut, and 3 weeks as private) without prejudice to any claim they may have for other services that may be hereafter established.
I am very respectfully Your obt Servt. Wm Weston
James L. Edwards Esq
Comr. of Pensions.

14

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 4 th July, 1836, Elizabeth Clark, deceased who was widow of Ezekiel Blair, who was a Lieut. & Private in the Revolution and died on the 2 nd March 1789, was entitled to a pension, at the rate of $84;10 per annum, and she having died on the 10 th May 1838, to annuity due, from the 4 th 1831, to the time of her death is payable to Francis Blair and Myrte Mitchell children of said Elizabeth Clark, deceased .
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 1 st day of Dec r , one thousand eight hundred and forty-five.
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
Commissioner of Pensions.

State of Vermont } Chittenden County ss. }
I, Asa Hosford, of Shelburne in the County of Chittenden, aged sixty nine years, testify and say that I was born in the town of Williamstown in the State of Massachusetts; and resided there until the spring of the year 1794, at which time I removed from Williamstown to Pawlet, Vermont. From my earliest recollection, I remember Elizabeth Blair, who resided in said Williamstown, at the time I left there. I was well acquainted with her for several years before leaving Williamstown, and with her brothers Aaron Denning and Titus Denning, who also resided in said Williamstown while I lived there. The said Elizabeth Blair, while I was acquainted with her in said Williamstown, was a widow, and the reputed widow of Ezekiel Blair, who I then, and ever since understood, by general reputation, was an officer during the revolutionary war. In the year 1799, I removed into the town of Shelburne where I have ever since resided, except an absence of five years in Charlotte, a town adjoining Shelburne. On removing to Shelburne I found that the said Elizabeth Blair, was then a resident of said Shelburne, and was then the wife of Samuel Clark, with whom, I understood, she intermarried before leaving Williamstown. Some two years after I removed into Shelburne, the said Clark died at said Shelburne, I attended the funeral of said Clark. I lived a near neighbor to him, our

residences being not half a mile distant from each other. After the death of the said Clark, his widow, who was formerly Elizabeth Blair resided in said Shelburne until the time of her death, and that she never intermarried after the death of said Clark but remained his widow, and was his widow at the time of her death. She died as I have understood from her family and neighbors, on the tenth day of May, 1838, but this I state from hearsay, as I was not present at the time of her death, nor did I attend her funeral.
I was well acquainted with the children of said Elizabeth Blair, when I lived in Williamstown, Me. She had three sons and two daughters, who resided mostly with her mother in said Williamstown though some of them resided with her connections there. The oldest son, and oldest child, of the said Elizabeth was Francis Blair, now of said Shelburne. He removed into Shelburne before I did, and I have known him ever since. From our youth, I have always understood that he was about three years older than I am.
Asa Hosford
Sworn to and subscribed this twenty fourth day of January A.D. 1845, before me, and I certify that I am acquainted with the said Asa Hosford and that he is a person of truth and veracity. I further certify that the words " except an absence of five years in

Charlotte, a town adjoining Shelburne " on the first page, were interlined before signing.
Wm Weston, Justice Peace "
I Levi Blair of Shelburne in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, aged thirty eight years, testify and say that my grandmother, the late Elizabeth Clark, formerly Elizabeth Blair, died at said Shelburne on the tenth day of May, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight; - that I was present when she died and attended her funeral, and that she was a widow at the time of her death as I believe. She was a single woman from the time of my earliest recollection, She buried her second husband, as I understood from her and from my father and mother before I was born.
Levi Blair
Sworn to and subscribed this sixth day of March 1846, before me. Wm Weston Justice Peace
I certify that the said Levi Blair is a person of truth and veracity. I have been acquainted with for the last six or eight years.
Wm Weston Justice Peace "

State of Vermont } Chittenden County } J. E. F. Mead Deputy Clerk do hereby certify that William Weston before whom the foregoing affidavits were taken and sworn to was at the time of taking the same and still is a Justice of the peace in and for said County and that the signatures to the certificates purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I do hereunto affix the seal of said Court and subscribe my name at Burlington in said County this 5 th day of Nov a D 1846
E. F. Mead.
Pay 45
31

Eliz. Clark dead Widow 3 Brief Pension Claim -

Elizabeth Clark decd. Junior Blair.
In March, 1845, Francis Blair, 75 years old, adm r of Elizabeth Clark decd's es- tate, to obtain the benefit of the Acts of 4 July, '36 and 3 Mch, '37, Declares, That his intestate was married to Ezekiel Blair at Williamstown, Mass. June 5. 1771, by Rev d Mr. Welch. Declarant is their son. Said Ezekiel entered the U. S. Ser- vice in April, 1775, absent about 2 weeks; then returned with Benedict Arnold and went to Ticonderoga, being absent 2 or 3 weeks. In June he was Lieutenant in Capt. Stewart's Company, Col. Eason's Regiment, went northward; was at the taking of St. Johns, Montreal, & Sorel; returned in December, 1775, ha- ving been absent more than 6 months. In the Spring of 1777 he was appointed Captain of teams, served at Albany, Saratoga & Fort Edwards; was at the bat- tle of Bennington, and served till after Burgoyne's surrender & till the Spring of 1778. He died on the 2 o Mch. 1789. On the 28 th January, 1796, his widow married Samuel Clark, who died at Shelburn, Vt. on the 7 th Nov r 1796, and she never afterwards married. The pay rolls and re- ceipts attached belong to his father & were kept by his mother to her death. (Ct. A.)
Blair's service as Private & Lieut. is ad-

mitted, and the contest is as to his service as Wagon Master. The evidence on this point is as follows.
Evidence.
1. A receipt, signed "Ezekiel Blair" given to Elisha Avery, D.C. Genl. for various army stores, which said Blair engages to P. Smyth, A.D.C. (Q B.) 2. A receipt for wages as Cartes given to Ezekiel Blair, capt of the team, 15 June, 1777. (Q C.) 3. A receipt, 12 June, 1777, given to Ezekiel Blair by Stephen Brown for wages as cartes in his company. (Q D.) 4. A certificate, 23 May, 1777, given by Dan. Hale, A.D.C. that Capt. Ezekiel Blair Teamster has drawn rations. (Q E.) 5. Two receipts, one signed by Samuel Mill, one by Abner Eaton, 19 June, 1777, for their wages as Cartes in Capt. Ezekiel Blair's company of teamsters, given to him. (Q F.)

Patton and Mitchell Keystone
T.
6
BLAIR, EZEKIEL

no 5 Recd Williamstown June 19: 1887 of Ezekiel Blair Capt of the team twenty six pounds fourteen Shillings Lawful money for my services as a Carter in his Company Samuel White
no 6 Recd of Williamstown June 19: 1887 of Ezekiel Blair Capt of the team twenty six pounds eleven Shillings Lawful money for my services as a Cart in his Company Moses Eaton

Nov 27, 1846
Rev. H. H. Rebecca G. Cooper Knox.
James G. Edwards Esq. 100 State of Tennessee -

Dear Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th inst. and in reply to inform you that the same has been forwarded to the proper authorities for their consideration. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant,
W. Walton Esq. Present
7

Ezekiel Blair N. 23822. Mass.
F 5-

Saratoga 23 May 1844. Capt. Ezekiel Blair Teamsters have drawn sixty six Tations of Provision & have had only the allowance of Pork & Bread
Dan. Hale A.D.C.
n o 2.

Ezekiel Blair Heart
BLAIR, EZEKIEL

Williamstown march 10 1784
Then Received of Aaron Deming one Cow as a legacy given by Joseph Deming to his Daughter Elizabeth                      Ezechiel Blair Received By us
n o 9.

Stephen Brown Priest
D.
4
BLAIR, EZEKIEL

No. 3.
Albany 12 of June 1772
Received of Capt. Orde & Blair twenty seven pounds eleven shillings & sixpence Money, which is in full of all my wages for my services as a Partner in his Company
Stephen Brown

Eliza Blair
BLAIR, EZEKIEL
1871

Recd Wilminytown June 15 th 1877 of Ezekiel Blair Capt of the Team Twenty five pounds Eleven Shillings lawful Money for my services at work in his Company Elisha Gilbert
No. 4

Recd the Within two Bds. Burn four Sets of five Quinces of Salt from Ezekial Blair ————— for Pat Smyth D.D.C.
Per Script the Within was immediately forwarded to Fort George —————
Coon: Wendell & D. M. Gen.
Respect Anglo-Saxon
No 1 Ezekiel Blair Nr. 23822 Mass.
B
2

N. 1.
Albany May 20 1777 Received of Elisha Avery Esq. D.C. Genl. Four Hogsheads and five Turies Salt Cont. of Eighty Six Bushels and Two Hogsheads Burn N. 84 and 85 Cont. Two Hundred and thirteen Gallons Which I promise to Deliver to Patrick Smyth Esq. D.C. Port Fort Edward. Having signed Two Receipts of the same to wit
Time and Date Recd. from the above by the Above

BLAIR, EZEKIEL

n o 10.
Wittinystown January 10 1788 —
This may certify that since the subscribers claims of the Estate of Joseph Deming of Walthamstow Esq re that since have been kept our Equal portion Division of a certain number of articles, which was not included in the above named Joseph Deming will (viz) one old grate Coat 10/ one old Brown stratchaded Coat 20/ one Litchfield waistcoat 8/ one old hat 3/ one old gun w/ two (check) smoking flints 6/ one paire of Black Buckskin g/ the above articles were kept of Aaron Deming Administrator on Joseph Demings Estate
Francis Deming Esq re & Elizabeth Blind Silas Deming Aaron Deming Sarah Whittier

2288746 923822 Ezekiel Alan
Levi Blair's Certificate from Capt. Sloan
9

To the Honourable, The Council, and The House of Representatives, Sitting in the Great and General Court at Watertown.
This may Certify to your Honours, that m c Ezekiel Blair was on the 22 d Day of April Last a Soldier Belonging to Minute Company under my Command, and when Col o Arnold went on his Expedition to Ticonderoga & Crown Point he Applied to me by the General order for Two Men out of my Company any to go as Assistants to help forward and raise Men, as it was supposed the men in my Company living so far in that Quarters were under Better advantages to act in the affair, accordingly the said B Ezekiel Blair Did go with Colonel Arnold & was in the Country Country Service on that Expedition until the Last part of the June following and he was not made up nor Returned in my Muster Roll any longer time than the other Minute Men in my Company, as I supposed he would draw wages under Colonel Arnold; but I am now informed he has not received any wages for that Service:
Certified by me
Sam l Sloan Capt
Williamstown March 27: 1776

Monroe Elizabeth Clark wd wid of Ezekiel Blair Jr
Act 4 - July - 1836
Ad St. 6 mo 24 d
Pr 21
Wag Cov 2 mo $7 24.10 from 10 Mch 1831 to 10 May 1831, when she died
Payable to Francis Blair & Myron Mitchell, her only sur. G. children
Cert sent to
P. A. Phelps Parsons