Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1,973, Comfort Clark, Conn.

SERVICE
Conn.
Clark, Comfort Esther
NUMBER
R. 1973
CONTENTS
24 W

Sec. Gen. S. Tucker Sept 21 39
69 Berkshire
10.207
Massachusetts
Comfort Clarke
Atts in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Edwards of the Regt commanded by Maj Sherman in the War time for 1 year
20 Cents 4 Quarts
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of March 1833 and 1834 Hilary P. Berkshire Co Mass
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $80.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept., 40.00 $100.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded By M. Woodison Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 9a Page 10

Comfort Clarke
Pension Appli n .
Private Capt
Edward's Company
Major Shipman Connecticut Line 1 st year
Lester Fulley &
His
Berkshire County Mass

Original Claim.
Declaration in order to be placed on the pension list under the act of the 18 th March 1818.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Berkshire.
On the twenty seventh day of October 1831. Personally appeared in open court, being a Court of record proceeding according to the course of common law with a Jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount & keeping a record of this proceedings for said County of Berkshire - Comfort Clark of Otis in the County of Berkshire resident in said County aged sixty six years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the act of Congress of the 18 th March 1818. & the first of May 1820. That the said Comfort enlisted on the list of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred eighty one at Middletown in the State of Connecticut for the term of one year, that he enlisted as a private in a Company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Edwards in the Regiment commanded by Major Edward Shipman under the command of Genl. David Waterbury & served therein during the term of his said Enlistment when he was discharged at Stamford in Connecticut. That he the said Comfort belonged to & served during the whole of said period in the Continental Establishments that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present, that his name is not on the pension roll of any State & that the following is the reason for not making earlier application for a pension (viz) That he has not until the present time been able to procure the evidence necessary to accompany this application not knowing until recently where the witnesses resided.

And in pursuance of the Act of May 1. 1820. I do solemnly affirm that I was a Citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818. & that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby to be diminished as to bring myself within the provision of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval services of the United States in the Revolutionary war passed on the 18 th day of November 1818. & that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities or contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income. That I am by occupation a Laborer & that since the 18 th of March 1818. no changes have taken place in my property that I had not at that time nor have I since had nor have I now any real or personal estate necessary clothing excepted.
Comfort Clark
Berkshire ss Common Pleas Oct 27. 1831 I promise to declare before the Court. Chas Sedgwick Clerk.
Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within for the County of Berkshire, do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that the said Comfort Clark did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy as the Continental establishment and that the said Clark has no property except as within stated. I also certify that the foregoing oath is truly copied from the records of said Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court this twenty fourth day of November A. D. 1831.
Chas Sedgwick Clerk.

I Comfort Clark of Otis in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify that at the 10th October term of the Court of Common Pleas in Otis & for the County of Berkshire I made a declaration under oath in said Court setting forth my services in the Army of the Revolution in order that I might obtain a Pension under the Act of the United States. My application was not referred to the War Department. I soon afterwards was notified by the Secretary of War that a Pension could not be granted me on the ground that I was a soldier in the Militia of the state of Connecticut, & not in the Continental Establishment. Consequently did not come within the provisions of the Law. My papers containing the evidence of my services were not retained by me but are now in the War Dept. at Washington.
Comfort Clark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss. September 4 th 1832 I then Comfort
Clark personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed.
Before me Peter Fillely Just. Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. On this sixth day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty nine personally appeared before the Hon William P. Walker, Judge of the Court of Probate within & for the County of Berkshire aforesaid, now sitting at Lenox in said County, in open Court, Esther Clark a resident of Otis in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy 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 the act of Congress passed July 4, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" — That she is the Widow of Comfort Clark late of said Otis, deceased, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution & at the time of his death, as hereinafter stated, a Revolutionary Pen- sioner of the United States, under the law of the United States of the 4 th June 1832, as appears by the Pension Certificate, granted to him by the War Department, dated 23 d March 1833, signed by Rev. Jas Secretary of War, & countersigned by J. S. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions, being Numbered 10.204, which Certificate will be transmitted to the Pension Agent at Boston forthwith by her, for the purpose of drawing the arrears of pension, which accrued between 4 th September 1838, & the day of his death — She cannot state the details of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution, as they took place prior to her marriage to him, but for evidence thereof she refers to his declaration & the ac- companying proofs, on which said Certificate was granted, on file in the War Department. She further declares, that she was married to the said Comfort Clark, deceased, on the Seventh

day of February in the year Seventeen hundred and ninety one, at said Otis. then called Boston, by Rev. Bryan Baldwin, a Baptist Clergyman; Her maiden name was Esther Babb. That her husband the aforesaid Comfort Clark, died on the Seventeenth day of February now last past, at said Otis; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz. at the time above stated; and that she still remains unmarried & the widow of said Comfort Clark deceased. For evidence of her marriage to said Comfort Clark & of his death as above stated she refers to the accompanying proofs.
Subscribed and sworn to the day & year aforesaid, in open court - Eitha her Clark mark
Before William P. Walker Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss
I Henry H. Bishop. Registrar of the Court of Probate within & for said County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, the record of the application of Esther Clark for a pension. That the Hon William P. Walker is the Judge of said Court, & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is her genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 16th day of March A.D. 1839. Henry H. Bishop Registrar Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss.
Brahton. — On this fourth day of July in the year one thousand Eight hundred & forty three, personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the County of Brahton, Lyman Clarke, a resident of Otis in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the pension due to Esther Clarke deceased, who was the Widow of Comfort Clarke, deceased, who at the time of his death which took place on the Twentieth day of February eighteen hundred & thirty nine, was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. — The said Esther having in her life time, to wit in the year 1839, made application to the Pension Department for said pension, to which she claimed to be entitled under the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay & pensions to certain Widows" which was disallowed on the ground that said act provides for those only who were at the date of its enactment a Widow of a deceased revolutionary officer or soldier. That he has been by said Court duly appointed Administrator on the estate of the said Esther Clarke deceased, who died on the twenty third day of May in the year eighteen hundred & forty one, having continued a Widow after the decease of said Comfort Clarke until her death.

The said Lyman Clark, for proof of the Revolutionary Services of said Comfort Clark, - the marriage of said Esther Clark to him & the date of the death of said Comfort Clark, refers to the aforesaid Declaration & the accompanying proof transmitted by her in the year 1839, to the Pension Department as aforesaid, and for proof of the death of said Esther Clark & his appointment as Administrator on her estate, here refers to the proofs herewith transmitted. The following named persons are her only Children who are now living viz. Mary Care, Wife of Markham Care, Esther Hawley, Wife of Asahel Hawley, Samuel Clark, Fanny Clark, wife of James Clark Jr. Comfort Clark, Lyman Clark & Chauncy Clark. —
Lyman Clark.
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid Before me,
William P. Walker, Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. I Henry W. Bishop. Register of the Court of Probate within & for the County of Berkshire do hereby certify that the Hon. William P. Walker is the Judge of said Court duly commissioned & qualified that foregoing signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature and that the foregoing contains the original pro- ceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Lyman Clark for a pen- pension

view that on the third day of May last the said Lyman Clark was duly appointed Administrator of the goods and Estate of Esther Clark late of Otis in said County deceased and gave bonds duly approved for the faithful discharge of his trust as such administrator that it has been made to appear to said court by satisfactory evidence that the said Esther Clark died at said Otis on the twenty third day of May in the year eighteen hundred & forty one, and that the following named persons are the only children & heirs of the said Esther Clark now living. Mercy Case wife of Warham Case of Orleans Jefferson County New York. Esther Hawley wife of Asahel Hawley of Freedom in the state of Ohio. Samuel Clark of said Otis. Fanny Clark wife of James Clark Jr. of said Otis. Comfort Clark of said Otis. Lyman Clark of said Otis & Chauncy Clark of Sandisfield in said County of Berkshire.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this fourth day of July in the year eighteen hundred & forty three
Henry W. Bishop
The words "& heirs" were erased before signing H. W. Bishop

1838 William Lloyd Royal Mass.
arr 7 Aug 38
1 died Jan 39

N 921.
Esther Clark Comfort Mass.
Act 7. July 38
X died Jany 39

"Comfort Clarke & Esther Babb were joined in Marriage February Seventh Seventeen hundred & ninety one. —"
Attest Benjamin Barker, Town Clerk of "Boston" I Calvin Barker Town Clerk of the Town of Otis (formerly Boston) in Berkshire County in Massachusetts. Do certify that the above is a true Copy of the Record of said Otis, formerly Boston as aforesaid, with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows "February 7 th 1791."
Attest Calvin Barker } Clerk of the Town of Otis.
I Calvin Barker above named do hereby and say, that I held the office of Clerk of said Town of Otis, in the County & State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Otis, formerly Boston, with the exception above named, as certified by me.
Calvin Barker } Clerk of said Town of Otis.
Sworn before me this 25 th day of July A D 1839 }
Roderick Norton Justice of the Peace
And I certify that the above named Calvin Barker Clerk of said Otis, who subscribed the above Certificate & affidavit in my presence is a man of truth & credible witness. —
Roderick Norton Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss:
I Charles Sedgwick clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth for the County of Berkshire do certify that Rodolph Norton Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit & Certificate of Calvin Barker were sworn was, at the date thereof one of the Justices of the Peace for said County of Berkshire Duly commissioned & qualified that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 29 th July 1839. Charles Sedgwick Clerk
Mrs. E. Clarke 5921

January 19, 1928
Honorable E. Hart Fenn House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Fenn:
In response to your letter of the seventeenth instant, with enclosure from Miss Mary Francis of Hartford, Connecticut, I have the honor to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 1973, it appears that Comfort Clark enlisted at Middletown, Connecticut, the last of February 1781 and served one year as a private in Captain Nathaniel Edwards' Company, Major Edward Shipman in the Connecticut Troops.
He was allowed pension, while a resident of Otis, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. In 1831 old he stated that he was sixty-six years old. He died Feb- ruary 17, 1839 at said Otis.
Soldier married February 7, 1791 at Otis, Massachusetts, Esther Babb. In 1839, she stated that she was seventy years old, and was living at said Otis.
She died May 23, 1841. The following children

were alive in 1843-
Mercy, wife of Warham Case or Care of Orleans, Jefferson County, New York; Esther, wife of Asahel Hawley of Freedom, Ohio; Samuel Clark of Otis, Massachusetts; Fanny, wife of James Clark, Jr. of Otis, Massachusetts; Comfort Clark of Otis, Massachusetts; Lyman Clark of Otis, Massachusetts; and Chauncy Clark of Sandisfield, Massachusetts.
Herewith is returned your letter from Miss Mary Francis of Hartford, Connecticut.
Very truly yours,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

1928- Jan. 19 Hist B Hou. E. Hart Term for Miss Mary Francis ant.
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
1973
P. O. _____
Esther Clark
Service: widow of Comfort
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
The printed list of 1852 shows reasons for rejection
Alleges: _____ "not a widow at the
Re-enlisted: date of the act"
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

SEVENTIETH CONGRESS
E. HART FENN, CONN., CHAIRMAN CLARENCE J. MCLEOD, MICH. JOHN E. RANKIN, MISS. HAYS B. WHITE, KANS. ARTHUR H. GREENWOOD, IND. LLOYD THURSTON, IOWA RALPH F. LOZIER, MO. FREDERICK W. MAGRADY, PA. MEYER JACOBSTEIN, N. Y. HENRY L. BOWLES, MASS. SAMUEL RUTHERFORD, GA. FLORENCE P. KAHN, CALIF. HENRY D. MOORMAN, KY. ALBERT JOHNSON, WASH. JAMES M. FITZPATRICK, N. Y. DANIEL A. REED, N. Y. RENE L. DE ROUEN, LA. HUBERT H. PEAVEY, WIS. ROBERT H. CLANCY, MICH. J. HOWARD SWICK, PA. C. G. SELVIG, MINN.
J. ROBERT CONROY, CLERK
COMMITTEE ON THE CENSUS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, D. C.
Jan. 17, 1928.
Hon. Winfield Scott,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Mr. Scott:-
I enclose herewith letter from Miss Mary Francis, of Hartford, Connecticut, requesting the pension record of one Comfort Clark, widow Esther, R 1973, Revolutionary War. Thanking you for your usual prompt attention to this request, I am,
Very truly yours,
EHF/G. Enc. 1.

5921.
Rejected
Rev. Rev. B. Tucker
Sep. 30: 38 This letter in my Samuel Clarke R1976
Mr. Patten Jr. left 157843L
Act P. July 38
1973

21945 Comfort Clark Map act 18 March 1815
C. Clark - rejected Nov. 29. 1821

Hon Lewis Cass
Sir.
I take the liberty to enclose to you two applications for pensions one in behalf of John Kent & the other in fav. of Comfort Clark.
I have the honor to be Sir
Seneca Falls
Nov. 24. 1881.
Very Respectfully
Yr Obt Servt.
Cha s Sedgwick

9240
July 20. 1843.
Ms. of Naomi Bates Lucy Northrop and Esther Clark
July 1. 1838
P. Mep.
Howland Ebenezer
D. Hatch
Ezra Beebe
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
His Co-Furnish

Lee July 17 1843
Dear Sir
Enclosed I send the application of Naomi Beebe and Lucy Northrup for Pensions as widows of Rev. Revolutionary Soldiers, also the application of Lyman Clark between on the estate of Esther Clark for a Pension. When the same are examined, will you please communicate with me at Lee Berkshire County Mass
Yours truly
Wm Porter Esq

Otis Mo Sept 6th
Free
To the Hon Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington P.C.
[Signature]
Sept 24
1841
Map

Otis Berkshire County Mass. Sept. 4 th 1832
To the Hon Lewis Cass.
Si Enclosed is the Affidavit of Comfort Clark a soldier of the Revolution - There are two or three Depositions among the papers, proving his service, he was one of the state troops, although in his application he states he belonged to the Continental Establishment - I can now see no difficulty in his case. If his papers & proof are sufficient please forward me a Certif- icate in his behalf -
I am Sir your obedient Servt -
Lester F. Allen

I James Ward Clark of the town of Wallingford in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut of lawful age depose and say - that in the year 1781. I was a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution in the Company Commanded by Capt. Edwards, in the Regiment under Col. Webb; that Comfort Clarke then of Middle Town was a Soldier in said Company with me, and served in said Company during one year agreeably to his enlistment & further the deponent saith not. - James W Clark
New Haven County } ss Wallingford State of Connecticut }
On the 12 th day of August A.D. 1830. Personally appeared the above named James W. Clarke who made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition and subscribed the same before me Caleb Cook Justice of the Peace
State of Connecticut County of New Haven ss. New Haven Aug. 13 th 1830. I Jos Beach Clerk of the County Court & keeper of the Records do hereby certify that Caleb Cook Esq. whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Justice of the Peace in open court, is a person duly qualified to administer oaths, & that the above is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this day & date above written Attest Jos Beach Clerk

County of Otsego } SS State of New York }
Lemuel Pizer of Middlefield in the County Otsego being duly sworn says - That he enlisted as a sergeant for one year at Middletown Connecticut on the 16 th Feby 1781 in Capt Nathaniel Edwards Comp y belonging to a Regiment commanded by Major Edward Shipman under the command of Gen l David Waterbury and that he served his time fully out in said Comp y and was discharged at Stamford in Com y - and that Comfort Clark enlisted as a private and served in the Company commanded by Capt n Edwards aforesaid with this deponent and were both discharged at the same time at Stamford aforesaid and according to the best of this deponents belief said Comfort Clark enlisted in the later part of Feby 1781 and further this deponent saith not.
Lemuel Pizer mark.
Subscribed and sworn }
before me May 3 rd 1830
Gustavus White Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Catskill County } Sheriff's office
J. Almon DODD for CMR of the County of Columbia
Plaintiff of said County do hereby certify that Gustavus White Eyre before whom the within affidavit was taken was in the way of taking the same a justice of the peace in & for the said County dwelling in said County duly commissioned & sworn as such — and further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said justice and verily believe the signature officially set to the within affidavit to be his proper hand writing & signature —
Given under my hand & the seal of the County of Columbia Plaintiff of said County at Coopers Town. This 5 th day of March 1831 —
J. DODD for CMR

I William Cotton of Ohio in the County of Washington & Commonwealth of Massachusetts a soldier of the Revolution testify & say that I enlisted as a soldier or private in the Army of the Revolution in September 1781 at Suffield Connecticut I joined the Regiment at Stamford in Connecticut the Regiment to which I belonged was commanded by Maj. Humphrey the Captain under whom I served was Samuel Hickson. In September 1781 I was recruited with Comfort Clark who now resides in Ohio Mass- achusetts he enlisted as a private in September 1781 & served in Captain Clancey's Company he was a member of Capt. Clancey's Company in Sept 1781 & continued therein to my knowledge - until March 1782 when P. Clark was discharged at Stamford Connecticut. I was told by P. Clark & his Messmates at the time of his discharge - that he had served over 2 years & I firmly believe he had served over 2 years - William Cotton
Washington Co. June 28 th 1830. Since the above named William Cotton to me personally known made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed & I further certify that the P. William Cotton is a credible witness - Lester Fille Genl. P. Clark

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Judicial Court within & for the County of Berkshire do hereby certify that Lester Pillsbury Esq whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate, is now & was on the 28 th day of June A.D. 1830. one of the Justices of the Peace within & for said County duly commissioned & qualified as such, & that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & caused the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas to be hereunto fixed this 27 th day of October A.D. 1831.
Chas Sedgwick Clerk

I Symon Clark of Otis. Berkshire County in the State of Massachusetts. aged twenty nine years. do depose and say, that I am the Son of Comfort Clark late of said Otis, deceased & Esther Clark his Widow. That I was present at the death of the said Comfort Clark deceased, which took place at said Otis, at his then dwelling house on the Seventeenth day of February in the year Eighteen hundred & thirty nine, and I attended his funeral. I further depose & say that Esther Clark aforesaid still remains unmarried & the widow of the said Comfort Clark, deceased, and further I say not. — Symon Clark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Berkshire ss. March 6, 1839. Then the above named Symon Clark made oath before me to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed. And I certify that he is a credible witness. —
Geo. S. Tucker Justice of the peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Berkshire County ss.
I Henry M. Bishop Register of the le out of Probate for said County of Berkshire. do certify that Geo S Tucker Esquire is a Justice of the Peace for said County duly commissioned & qualified and that to the foregoing Certificate of oath his genuine signature. That I am well ac- quainted with his hand writing.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court This sixth day of March AD 1839 Henry M. Bishop Register Intate

Revolutionary Power of Attorney from heir of Comfort Clark
Massachusetts Oct 1838 suspended
Transfer (Filed 30 Apr 1833) F. E. Haskell Washington

Powers of Attorney
State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Berkshire }
Be it known that before me a Justice of the Peace in & for the
County of Berkshire duly authorized by Law to administer oaths personally appeared James Clark a Resident of - Otis in said County of - Berkshire & state affirmed who being first duly sworn according to Law states that he is the husband of - Mary Clark who is the daughter of - Peter Clark late of - Otis deceased who was the widow of - Comfort Clark late of - Otis a soldier of - the Revolution & that he the said James Clark believes the United States are still indebted under existing Laws for the pension that was due under the Application hitherto made & that he in right of his wife is legally interested as a claimant in the pension for which application was made as aforesaid & constitutes & appoints J. B. Haller Esq. of Washington District of Columbia my true & lawful Attorney with irrevocable power to examine into investigate & establish the claim for said pension & do all acts necessary therefor In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 23. day of - April A.D. 1859. & have signed my name & affixed my seal -
James Clark
Witness Lester Filley }
Signed sealed acknowledged & sworn to before me on this 23. day of - April A.D. 1859 -
Lester Filley Justice of the Peace