Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,372, Eliakim Danks, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Danks Eliakim
S. 30,372
CONTENTS

10.552  Massachusetts  Eliakim Danks A tramp in the State of Mass who was a Pirate in the company commanded by Captain Williams of the regt commanded by Lieut Genl in the Mass one for 7 Days
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 24 Dollars 10 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of Apr 1832 and sent to Sister  Sister  W. Springer for Mass Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $48.20 Semi-ann. allowance ending 2 febr y 12.05  $60.25
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H B Blair Clerk. Book 8, Vol. 2 nd Page 16.

Date of death not on A. B.
75
Hampton

2517
Eliakim Danks
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. County of Hampshire }
On this eighth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting, Silas Danks, a resident of West Springfield in the County of Hampshire aforesaid & the State of Massachusetts aged seventy three years last May, 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 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated -
That in the month of July 1777, upon a sudden call for a portion of the Militia of the County of Hampshire, he turned out to go out upon a tour of duty - He cannot recollect the precise time when he set out but he recollects that before he reached the army, farmers had begun to reap their grain, but the harvest was not finished till some time after - That he turned out under Colonel Barnard of Southampton, Captain, David Scott of Norwich, Lieutenant, Colonel Danks of Southampton was Ensign. First Captain of Southampton was the orderly Sergeant of the company - That they marched to Greenbush, then up the river to Half moon where they crossed the river & went up to Saratoga, thence to Fort Miller, where near which they again crossed the river & then marched up as far as Mazon's Creek - That they remained at this place some time - During their stay the troops were employed in keeping guard, & in chopping down forests of timber to obstruct the advance of the British troops with their artillery - That from Mazon's Creek, they retreated back to Saratoga, where a short halt was made, & then to Stillwater, where they remained until after the continental troops under Genl Gates arrived there - He thinks that there were three Brigades of the continental troops which arrived there about the same time - Jonathan Clark of Southampton was Major. Commandant of the Regiment at this time he believes - That the Regiment was not formed until after they got to some point on the North river, which is not within his recollection - That they were there joined by other bodies of Militia, & the whole were under the command of General Schuyler - Genl. Poor was there at the same time, but he thinks that Schuyler had the command, & that all their marches were performed under his direction orders - That soon after the Militia had retreated & met the continental troops, Clark's Regiment was discharged & they returned to their homes - That they returned through Greenbush & Pittsfield, & had been at home but a very short time when there was a general call for the Militia to turn out & meet the army advancing army under Genl. Burgoyne - That this second service was called five weeks, & he received his pay for that time afterwards through Capt. Samuel Barnard under whom he served -

The said Isham Danks further declares that in the month of June he thinks it was in June, but it may possibly have been early in July 1780, he again enlisted for the term of six months in the continental service - that he enlisted at Southampton, went to South Hadley in the same county & there passed muster before Col. Ruggles Woodbridge - that he then went to Springfield & was placed under a sergeant in the United States service, but he thinks his name was Sherwood, under whom he was marched to Westpoint - at this place he was placed in a company commanded by Capt. John Williams, Ensign Myrick, the name of the Lieutenant has escaped his recollection - This company was then in the Regiment commanded by Col. Sprout, he thinks it was the 12 th Regiment, & in Genl. Nixon's Brigade - The whole were under the command of Genl. Washington - From Westpoint the army marched into the state of New Jersey, & passed the whole campaign in marching through different parts of that state - that they crossed the river at King's Ferry, & marched through Haverstrom, Poughkeepsie, English neighborhoods, Springfield & various other places, but did not remain long at any one place - that he was present at the execution of Major Andre - that some time in November a part of the troops, he thinks two Brigades, Genl. Nixon's & Genl. Paterson's, were ordered into winter quarters at Westpoint - that Genl. Nixon's Brigade to which he belonged took quarters at the point, & Genl. Paterson's a short distance from there, at what was called the York heights - that he remained there till after the six months for which he enlisted, had expired, when he was discharged & returned home - that he had a regular discharge signed by Abraham Williams Capt. Commandant, but he has not seen it for a great many years, & knows not where it was lost - it is not now in his possession.
That he was born in the town of Southampton  Northampton in the county of Hampshire, in this state on the 2 nd day of May 1759 - that he lived in the town of Southampton when he entered into the service Northampton till he was twelve years old, when he removed with his father's family to Southampton in the same county - that he lived in the town of Southampton when he entered into the service & continued to live there for many years after the war - that about thirty years ago he removed to Wethersfield where he has resided ever since - that he does not know of the existence of any record of his birth, except the one which he has made in his own Bible - that in both instances of his service, he entered voluntarily.
The said Danks says that he is well known to Charles Wall Esq. Capt. John Ely, Judicial Bay & Human Day Esq. who can testify as to his character for veracity, & to their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.

We hereby certify that no claim to a pension or annuity, except the present, is declared, that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Elkins Banks
We Indu Ledington & Jube Ely residing in the town of
We Indu Ledington & Jube Ely both residing in West Springfield in the County of Hampshire, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Elkins Banks of said West Springfield who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be Seventy three years of age - that he is reputed & believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Indu Ledington
Jube Ely
And the said Court - Present the Hon. Oliver B. Morris Judge - after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department. do hereby declare their opinion that the abovenamed Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states.
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Indu Ledington & Jube Ely, who have subscribed the above certificate, are residents in said West Springfield and that they are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I Justin Willard Register of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Elkins Banks for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this eighth day of August 1832.
Justin Willard

No 2517
Elizium Deales of West Springfield Ms
Parat 7 Mns 7 Days
The official character & signature of the Magistrate not certified
Nov 7. 1832
$ 21.10.
Sam Lathrop Secy.
W Springfield Mass

BRIEF in the case of Eliakim Danks of the County of Hampden in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7 June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 73 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1777 July — 1 7 Private Gen. Schuyler Maj: Col. Capt. D. Scott   1780 June — 6 — ditto Col. Sprout, Capt. Williams  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Southampton  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witness lost his discharge  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Regular, 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin P Dett Examining Clerk.

April 9, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. F. R. Barnes Hotel Vendome Minneapolis, Minnesota
BA-J/MLB am ELIAKIM DANKS S. 30372
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Asahel, Eli, Eliakim, Samuel, Jr., Zadock, Robert, Ephraim, Moses and Shadrack Danks, all of Massachusetts, New York or Vermont.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data, and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is impossible to comply in full with each request relative to soldiers of that war.
There is no claim for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of Asahel, Eli, Robert, Ephraim, Moses or Shadrack Danks. The record of Eliakim Danks is furnished you herein as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 30372, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Eliakim Danks was born May 2, 1759, in Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, where he lived until twelve years of age, then moved with his father's family to Southampton, in the same county.
While a resident of Southampton, Massachusetts, Eliakim Danks volunteered in July, 1777, and served five weeks as private in Captain Lemuel Pomeroy's company, under Major Jonathan Clapp in the Massachusetts troops. He enlisted in June or July, 1780, served as private in Captain John Williams' company, Colonel Sprout's Massachusetts regiment, was present at the execution of Major Andre, remained in winter quarters at West Point and was discharged after having served on this tour over six months.
The soldier continued to reside in Southampton, Massachusetts, until about the year 1802 when he moved to West Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.

Eliakim Danks was allowed pension on his application executed August 8, 1932, while a resident of West Springfield, Massachusetts.
There are no data in the claim relative to soldier's family.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of this soldier, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Eliakim Danks Certificate #10550 Issued April 13, 1933 Rate, $24.10 per annum Commenced March 4, 1931 Act June 7, 1932 Massachusetts Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1937, April 9. 2nd to 3rd Series MRS
30 372 Very INVALID.
File No. 30 372
Elizim Danks
Rev. Rev. Rev.
Act: June 7 th 82
Index: Vol. 9, Page 102
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I David Wood of West Springfield in the county of Hampden & commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age depose & say - that Eliakin Danks of this town enlisted into the United States service in the month of July 1777 to go to Ithaca in the state of New York - Major Clapp from Southampton in Hampshire county commanded the regiment - General Pomeroy of Southampton was Captain, David Scott of Norwich Lieutenant & Lemuel Root Ensign - That he  Southampton when he then lived left this town immediately & marched to Greenbush in the state of New York & crossed the river at the Half Moon ferry & went to Stillwater & from there to Saratoga & passed the river at Fort Edward then went up to Horse Creek where he remained I should think two or three weeks - engaged in fatigue duty, posting guard &c - The army then retreated back to Saratoga where we remained two or three days & then retreated to Stillwater where we remained until we were discharged - He was absent on that tour five weeks - I was  was enlisted at the same time with the aforesaid Danks & was in the same company & remained with him on duty until we were discharged & returned with him -
I further depose & say that in 1780 I think in June the aforesaid Eliakin Danks enlisted into the continental service for the term of six months into General Myles Brigade & Colonel Sprouts regiment (I think the 12th Massachusetts regiment) of John Williams was Captain of the company & Merrick I think Ensign - his other officers I do not recollect - He left Southampton  his home passed through Litchfield in Connecticut & Pickettville New York directly to West Point where he joined the army - At West Point he received his arms & staid there perhaps two or three weeks & from there he marched to Pickettville where he staid two or three days - From there he crossed at King's Ferry to Stoney Point where he staid two or three days & then proceeded through Haverstraw to Orange town in the state of New Jersey where he remained for some time - & afterwards to English Neighborhood & continued most of the summer & fall in different parts of the state of New Jersey & returned to West Point late in the fall - the precise time I cannot now state - He was present at the execution of

Andra - At West point he remained there in winter quarters until he was discharged the precise time I cannot now recollect. He was absent on this expedition a little more than six months. I enlisted at the same time with the said Danks & went in the same company as far as West Point - at that place I was put into the company commanded by Lieutenant Miller in the same regiment & Brigade as the said Danks. English was the ensign of the company - He remained in this way during the whole expedition our companies adjoining each other & were discharged at the same time.
I further depose & say that in the first expedition above mentioned we joined the regiment at Saratoga I think - General Schuyler I think had the command of the troops - General Poor was also there -
David Wood
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden J. On the seventh day of August 1832. The above named David Wood, who sustains the reputation of a man of truth & cunning personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. Before me Sam l Lathrop Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden J. I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court being a Court of Record in the County of Hampden do hereby certify that Samuel Lathrop Esq. before whom the above deposition was verified is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden and that his name thereto subscribed is his true and genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Common Pleas Court at Springfield on this twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
John Ingersoll Clerk

2517
Eliakem Danks
Samuel Lathrop West Springfield Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Eliakim Danks which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes 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? yes 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes. VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes 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? yes

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? two Judges his neighbours
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no.
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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes —
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? yes —
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes no The official Character & signature of the Magistrate before whom the testimony of David Wood was taken is not certified by
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes —
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.
† 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
‡ 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.
The proper officer under his seal of office

GARAGE SERVICE
C. H. CHADBURN, MANAGER
Hotel  Vendome
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR 500 GUESTS
FIREPROOFED
Minneapolis MINN.
February 19, 1937.
Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen;
I trust that I am not making too much of a request in what follows. Although it may smack of the wholesale, it does not in fact,—anyway to my mind,—have that aspect, because the possibilities are extremely limited. I refer to Revolutionary War soldiers with surname Danks.
The 1790 federal census enumerated for all New England and New York only one as residing then in Vermont and only seven as residing in Massachusetts. They all were in East-, West- and Southampton. My special interest is in identifying, if possible, the parentage of Chloe Danks as in one of the Revolutionary soldiers living in Massachusetts, or Vermont.
From various sources I learn of the following Danks Revolutionary soldiers:
   ○ Asahel  Danks,  from  Northampton,  Massachusetts    ○ Eli  "  "  Southampton  "    ✓ Eliakim  "  "  "  "    ✓ Samuel (Jr.)  "  "  "  "    ✓ Zaacok  "  "  "  "    ○ Robert  "  "  " (probably)  "    ○ Ephraim  "  "  Hampshire County  "    ○ Moses  "  "  a corporal, from  "    ○ Shadrack  "  "  Northfield, (also)  "     "  "  Westfield  "   
I trust that it is not asking too much that you please be so good and let me know whatever there remains which may be learned regarding any and all of the above named Revolutionary soldiers. It will be appreciated.
Respectfully,
F. R. Barnes.