Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,484, Samuel Clark, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Clark, Samuel
S. 12484
carded.
CONTENTS
Sept 27/1754 at Newtown Mass. there at end In 1823. res of Lewis Co. N.Y.

2006 3  New York
Samuel Clark
of Lewis Co. in the State of N. York who was a Sergeant  Sergeant in the Comp d commanded by Captain Cook of the Reg t commanded by Col. Perdue in the Circuit
  time for 4 M s 415. Sept.  } 29.50 13.98 20. 3.19    " 28 3 Comp    " 28 Pin. Sil.    " 29 " Inf  
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 59 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of Aug t 1835 and sent to H. Blocher Denmark
  Arrears to the 4th of March  $119.34    Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept  29.83     $148.17  
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. C. Stiles Clerk, Book C, Vol. 3, Page 57
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from 4 Sept 1839 to 25 Jan y 1840 Age notified 6 th March 1841.
Jan 22. 1840

State of New York
Livingston County ss: On this seventeenth day of June 1833 personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace of Denmark in said County Samuel Clark a resident of said Town aged seventy nine years the 27 th day of February last who being duly sworn doth depose and say that he served in the Revolutionary War as stated in his Declaration hereto annexed not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades:
From the 19 th of April 1775 to the first of January 1776 he served in the Massachusetts State Troops; Four and a half months of which time he served as a Sergeant and the remainder as a Corporal and under the officers mentioned in his Declaration;
That in the month of March 1776 he served seven days as a private soldier in the Massachusetts Militia
From the 20 th of June 1776 to the 10 th of December following he served in the Massachusetts Militia ; Twenty two days of which time he served as a private militiaman, and Four months and twenty eight days he served in a Company of Artillery as a private — all of which service was rendered under the officers named in his Declaration and at the places and under the circumstances therein mentioned.
Samuel Clark
I certify that the above named Samuel Clark personally appeared before me on the day and year above mentioned and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the above affidavit —
Amos Beach Justice Peace

Clerks Office Lewis County
I Carlos D. Sevil Clerk of Lewis County do certify that Amos Buck Esq before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the day of the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for Lewis County residing in Lewis County common friends and duly sworn and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and hereby believe that the signature & subscription to said affidavit is his own proper hand writing - Given under my hand and seal of office this 21 day of June 1833
Carlos D. Sevil Clerk

On this 5 th day of October in the year 1832 personally appeared before me Harrison Blodgett a Judge of the County Courts of Said County they being Courts of record Samuel Clark residing at of Denmark in Said County of Lewis State of New York Aged 78 Years who being first duly sworn according to Law cloth on his oath made 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 and served as herein stated That he was called out on an Alarm on the 19 th of April 1775 went to Lexington and arrived there at the time the British forces were retreating from Concord and followed them as far as Charlestown and annoyed them Considerable then turned back to Cambridge and as soon as Entisting order came out (which was but a few days) he Enlisted as a Corporal in Capt Phineas Cook's Company in Col John Gardner's Regiment to Serve until the 1 st of January following Michael Jackson was Major, Lieut Col's name was Bond, Brigade Gen's name was Green, Artemus Ward was Commander in Chief until Gen Washington arrived which he thinks was in the first part of July Col. Gardner's Regiment went as a reinforcement at the Battle of Bunker Hill and arrived in season to cover the retreat of Our Army when Col Gardner was Mortally wounded returned to Cambridge and remained there until the first of January when he received a written discharge but has lost it During the Month of August the Said applicant was promoted to Sergeant and performed service as such until he was discharged and returned to Newton Massachusetts at which place he lived when he Entered the Service
And the said Samuel Clark further declares on oath as aforesaid that in the Month of March 1776 that he was Called out by the Order of Gen Washington under Capt Amariah Fuller, Benjamin Hammond Col, Marched to Roxbury remained 3 days then went to Dorchester Hills remained 2 days returned to Roxbury remained there 2 days then dismissed having served 7 days
And the said Samuel Clark on oath as aforesaid further declares that in the Month of June 1776 thinks about the 20 th he Entered the Service as a Substitute for his Father William Clark Called out under a Draft to furnish a reinforcement for the Northern Army A Company was Called from the Towns of Watertown Cambridge & Newton at which place the said applicant resided when he Entered the Service

The Company was commanded by Cap Josiah Warren Joshua Fuller Lieut Solomon Richards Ensign Marched through Wooster Co to the State of New Hampshire through a Corner of New Hampshire to Charlestown from thence crossed the Mountain to Rutland Vermont from thence to Shawsburg h. (now called Whitehall) from thence by Water to Skenesborough At this place Capt Warren with his Company volunteered into the Artillery under Maj Biglow and crossed over to Mount Independence where Genl Gates was at that time Commanding in Chief Col Bond, Col. Patterson Col. Grayton and Col Poor were stationed at Mount Independence The Company was drafted to serve until the 1 st of December the last of November Capt Warren received orders to March to Albany and thence by the way of Springfield in order that the Company might be furnished with provision here Leave however was given by Capt Warren to the Com to return a secure way but in that case could not be furnished A part of the Com accordingly returned via Albany and a part among whom was the Applicant sought their way home by directing their way through the woods home After returning home to Newtown Capt Warren called the Com together and fired them off up to the 10 th of December and dismissed them without a written discharge having served 5 months and 20 days making in all the time which the applicant served in the war of the revolution 14 months and ten days
The Said applicant was born in in Newtown Massachusetts in the year 1754 at which place he lived when he entered the service and continued to reside there until 1784 when he removed to Middlefield Mass where he resided until 1805 when he removed to Denmark Lewis Co New York There a record of his age in Newtown That he has no documentary evidence or other testimony that he can procure The Said Samuel Clark hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any state He further states that Joseph Boardwell and Charles Wright are his near neighbors and have long been acquainted with him
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Harrison Bloodgett a Judge in Lewis Co. Samuel Clark

State of Wisconsin } Dane County }
We Joseph Bandwell and Erastus Wright of Dane County aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Clark who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 78 years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that Opinion subscribed and sworn the day and year aforesaid
Harrison Blackford Judge in Dane Co
Erastus Wright Joseph Bandwell
And I the said Judge do hereby declare my Opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and I the said Judge do further certify that Joseph Bandwell and Erastus Wright who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the town of Dane and are credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit
And I the said Judge do further certify that it did appear from personal knowledge & examination that the said Samuel Clark was unable to attend our County Courts from bodily infirmities which are incurable
And I the said Judge do further certify from personal knowledge that there is no clergyman in the vicinity of the above applicant who has resided in said town a sufficient length of time to become acquainted with the reputation of the said applicant and that it did appear unnecessary to subject the said applicant to the inconvenience of procuring one
Harrison Blackford Judge in Dane Co

Charles F. Clark 16183
State of New York
Clerk's Office Lewis County
I certify that Harrison Bloaget - whose name appears within as a Judge of said County was on all the acts mentioned by him as such a Judge in and for said County dwelling in said County duly commissioned and sworn and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and verify belief that the signature Harrison Bloaget subscribed to the within affidavit or proceeding is his own freehand handwriting In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 18 th day of October - 1832 -
Charles F. Clark

16183 Samuel Clark Lewis co N.Y.
C. C. M.
Admitted
Length 4 mo 15 days Corporal 3 " 25 " Private Artil y 4 " 28 " do Inf y " 29  14.7
  291  566     319  3  25    416  1098  12 6    4  300  300    16.64      336  28     1000  12      3569   
Harrison Blodgett, Denmark, N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Samuel Clark of Lewis co. Ky.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Resisted 1775 About 8 10 Corporal Capt Cook Col. Gardner Maj Jackson Gen Green Bunker's Hill To Lexington 78 Newtown Tradition   Call for men March 1776 7 Sergeant Capt Fuller Col. Hammond to Roanoke Mapa.   Jan 1776 substituted for his father William Clark 5 20 part attack? Artillery Capt Fuller Capt Warner Lieut Full Maj. Bigelow to Winchester to Newtown to Frederick to Albany   14 7  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
4/10 No Supp 3.25 Corp 29 On Supp 4.28 Artillery 14.17

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[n] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[o] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Edw Bradburn

Rev War ✓ 12.484 INVALID.
File No. 12.484
Samuel Clark Sergt Rev War.
Act: June 1 st 32
Index:—Vol. A , Page 70
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 27 th 1841.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," the child ren of Samuel Clark, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Fifty nine Dollars and 67 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, have been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of Sept. 1839. to the 25 th January 1840.
Respectfully yours,
Albion P. Parrish Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.