Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12697, Nathan Clark, New York

SERVICE
New York
clerk, Nathan
NUMBER
S 12697
CONTENTS
carded

26.2411
New York
Nathan Clark
of W. Chester Co. in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Kelly of the Regt commanded by Col. Drake in the New York line for 19 Mo. 20 Ds.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 65 Dollars 55 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of Aug. 1833 and due to S. H. Coffin Summe
Arrears to the 4th of Dec. '31 $131.10 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1/1/32 32.77 $153.87
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act, June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. C. Stiles Clerk, Book E. Vol. 4, Page 52
17635 Meriam 25420 Rul

State of New York Westchester County } ss. Town of Bedford } on this fourth
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. Personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Westchester, Nathan Clark a resident of the Town of Bedford in the County of Westchester and State of New York aged Seventy Six years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declarations 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  Continental under the following named officers and served as herein after stated. On or about the month of September 1775, he entered the service, in the Town of Bedford when he then enlisted under the command of Capt. Eli Seely for two weeks.
And in the month of February 1776 he enlisted into Capt. Herekiah Gray's Company of Infantry  Artillery in the Town of Bedford which they would for the period of Six weeks and in the Regiment under the Command of Col. Samuel Drake and served out said time on York Island and was discharged at Horns hook on the Island.
In the month of July 1776 he enlisted in the company under the Command of Capt. Elijah Hunter in the Town of Bedford for the period of Six Months and in the regiment under the Command of Col. Thomas Thomas and was ordered and marched to Kings Bridge and served out said Enlistment in building Fort Independence and keeping guard at Morrisina point and Kings Bridge and was discharged at Harrisons purchase.
In the month of January 1777 he was called into service under Capt. Richard Sackett in the Town of Bedford for two weeks, in Col. Thomas Thomas Regiment and served said time at Williams Bridge on Bronx River under the Command of Major General Heath.

on or about the first of April 1777. he was drafted for the period of two weeks and served out said draft at the White Plains.
On or about the first of May 1777. he enlisted as a substitute for Stephen Smith for the term of three months under Capt. Henry Lawson in the town of Bedford and under the command of Col. James Hammond and served out said enlistment in Westchester County to guard the lines.
and on or about the month of August 1777. he enlisted for the term of six months. under Capt. Lephaniah Mills in the town of Bedford and served out said term of time in the town of Bedford as a guard stationed in said town in Westchester County.
And in the month of June 1778, he was drafted for the period of two weeks, under Capt. Nathan Olmstead in the town of Bedford and served out said time as a guard at Wrights Mills in the town of North Castle.
And in the month of June 1779 he was drafted for two weeks in Capt. Josiah Miller's company in the town of Bedford and in Col. Thomas Thomas Regiment to guard the lines in North Castle.
And in July 1779. he served in Bedford and North Castle for two weeks under Capt. Richard Sackett.
And in Sept. 1779. he served in the town of Searsdale in Westchester County for two weeks under the command of Capt. Richard Sackett. and in Col. Thomas Thomas Regiment.

And from the year 1779. to the end of the war he was frequently called out to guard the lines in Westchester County . Detachment ordered by the Town of Bedford during all the time above stated. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 1 Bayles Atk Southwest Berwick
The following Interrogatories were propounded by the said Court to the said Nathan Clark Court
1 st When and in what year was you born Answer. I was born in Bedford Westchester County 19 th December 1755 — 2 o Have you any Record of your age & if so where is it Answer I have no Record of my age 3 o Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live Answer. I have always, from my birth to the present time lived in Bedford — 4 th How were you called into service, was you drafted Did you volunteer or were you a Substitute & if a Substitute for whom Answer. I was drafted I also served as a Volunteer and as a Substitute agreeably to the facts set forth in my Declaration hereto attached to which I refer — 5 th State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served such Conti- nental & Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service

He mentions General Clinton, General Heath also mentions Colonel Thomas Thomas, also Lieutenant Col. Hammond of the Militia Service. He does not mention any particular circumstances of his services except as stated in his Declaration to which he refers —
6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service. Answer I did not receive a written discharge but was discharged by parol —
7 th 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 —
Answer I name James Raymond & Jonathan M c Hall — of the Town of Bradford in West Chester County who are well acquainted with me & have been for thirty — years past — We James Raymond & Jonathan M c Hall of Bradford in West Chester County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathan Clark the who has subscribed and swore to the above Declaration that we believe him to be seventy six years of age that he is respected and believed in the neigh- borhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revo- lution and that we concur in that opinion —
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
James Raymond J. M c Hall
N o Bayles Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that after 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 certify that James Raymond & Jonathan M c Hall who have signed the preceding Certificate are residents of the Town of Bradford in the County of West Chester and credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit —

16297
Nathan Clark West Chester City New York
if
 225  19 7  2997  225  6327  220  6553 
Fredrick D. Coffin Postmaster, Somers West Chester County New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 subjoined 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. Those 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, shewing the Service of Nathan Clark Westchester City, New York
   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.     Sept. 1775 14 pr Capt Seely 76 Bedford   Feb. 1776 42 " Capt Gray Col Drake Living Witness   July 1776 6 " Capt Hearn Col. Thos- mer N. York   Jan. 1777 14 " Capt Black Gen. Heath   April do 14 " ette   May do 3 " Capt Slaw Col. Harn-   Aug. do 6 " son mond   June 1778 14 " Capt Aln   June 1779 14 " stead Col Thomas   July do 14 " Capt Miller   Sept. do 14 " Capt Sackett  
15 - 140 20 19.20
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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 the 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 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 fix 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 [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
R. Neuman

Rev War
12697 INVALID.
File No. 12. 697
Nathan Clark
Priv. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. .... , Page .....
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of West Chester Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathan Clark for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this fourth day of October 1832.
N Bayles

State of New York. West Chester County } ss Town of Bedford.
Samuel Barrett aged Seventy Seven years a resident of the Town of Bedford in the County of West Chester and State of New York being duly sworn and on his oath says that he was well acquainted with Nathan Clark a resident of the Town of Bedford in the County of West Chester, during the Revolutionary War That he entered the Service of the United  United States in the year 1775 under Captain Eli Seely in the Town of Bedford. And in February 1776 he enlisted into Capt. Hezekiah Grays Company in the Town of Bedford for the term of Six Weeks and served out said time on York Island. and further this deponent saith not.
Samuel Barrett
Subscribed & sworn this 3 rd day of October 1832. before me.
W. Payles Atty.
Clerk of the County of West Chester I Nathaniel Payles do hereby certify that Samuel Barrett who hath been sworn to and subscribed the above Affidavit is a resident of the Town of Bedford in the County of West Chester that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Witness my hand the 21 st day of May 1833
W. Payles Atty.

Nathan Clark
Paper for a pension
10297 1832 v.
Abnd
19 mo. 20 days

State of New York Westchester County } ss Town of Bedford
Elnathan Weed a resident of the Town of Pound ridge in the County of Westchester and State of New York aged Seventy four years who being duly sworn doth on his oath say that he was well acquainted with Nathan Clark who is a resident of the Town of Bedford in Westchester County; during the Revolutionary War. And in the year 1777 about the first of August he the said Nathan Clark Enlisted for the term of six months in the company of Militia in the Town of Bedford under Capt Stephen Mills and Henry Peck Lieut. commanders and served the term of the above enlistment in the Town of Bedford as guard.
and further this deponent saith not. Subscribed & sworn this 24 th day of September. 1832 before me.
Elnathan weed
Jabez Robertson Justice of the peace.

State of New York Westchester County Town of Bedford
James Raymond aged Seventy Seven years a resident of the Town of Bedford in the County of Westchester being duly sworn and on his oath says that he was well acquainted with Nathan Clark a resident of the Town of Bedford in the County of Westchester during the Revolutionary War. That he entered into the service of the United States. About the first of July 1776. he enlisted in the company under the command of Capt Elijah Hunter in the Town of Bedford for the period of Six months and was in the Regiment under the command of Col. Thomas Thomas and was ordered and marched to Kings Bridge and served out said Enlistment in building Fort Independence and keeping guard at Morrisena point and Kings bridge. And further this deponent saith Not-
Subscribed & sworn this 25 th day of September 1832. before me
James Raymond
Jabez Robertson Justice of the peace
I Jabez Robertson one of the Justices of the peace in and for the County of Westchester do hereby certify that Nathan Ward of the Town of Pound Ridge and James Raymond of the Town of Bedford in the County of Westchester are each of them credible persons that I am personally acquainted with each of them & that each of their Statements is entitled to full credit and belief — 4 18 th May 1833 — Jabez Robertson

State of New York } Westchester County } 35 Town of Bedford }
Elijah Harris a resident of the town of Bedford in the County of Westchester aged seventy seven years and Jonathan Holmes also a resident of said town of Bedford County aforesaid aged seventy five years who being each duly sworn do on their oaths depose and say that they were well acquainted with Nathan Clark who is a resident of the town of Bedford in Westchester County during the revolutionary war and that from the year 1777 to the close of the said war he did duty at various times in Captain Richard Sackett's Company Colonel Thomas Thompson's Regiment of Militia
Elijah Harris Jonathan Holmes
Subscribed and sworn this 26 th day of September. 1832 before me
Solomon Clason
Justice of the Peace I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the County of Westchester State of New York do certify that Ithiel Robertson & Solomon Clason Esquires whose names are subscribed to the foregoing affidavits are Justices of the Peace in and for said County and that I believe the signatures subscribed to said affidavits to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office this fourth day of October 1832
N Bayles

18 May 1893 I Solomon Clason take a Jurat of the prean in & for the County of West Chester before whom the within Affidavit of Abijah Harris and Jonathan Holmes was taken and I now do hereby certify that the said Abijah Harris and Jonathan Holmes are each of them credible persons and that their state- ment is entitled to credit
Dated 18 th May 1893
Solomon Clason