Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10454, Moses Clark, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
bonn.
black noses
S. 10454
CONTENTS
carded

20646  New York  Moses Clark
of Suffolk in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Spicer of the Regt. commanded by Col. Sedgwick in the Conn. line for 18 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 60 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Feb. 1832 and due to the S. S. Griffin Suffolk Co. N.Y.
  Arrears to the 14th of Sept 25  $ 150 —    Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 24  30 —     $ 180 —  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. C. Stiles Clerk. Book E, Vol. 4, Page 93.

Suffolk Common Pleas In the matter of Moses Black an applicant for a pension under the act of congress passed June 7 th 1832
October Term 1832
On this second day of October 1832 Before the judges of the court of Common Pleas for the county of Suffolk now sitting at Riverhead in said county in open court personally appeared Moses Black a resident of Moriches in the town of Brookhaven in the county of Suffolk aforesaid and state of New York aged seventy one years on the 24 th day of April 1832 who being 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 was born in Stonington in the now state of Connecticut on the 24 th day of April 1761 that he has always understood and believes that there is a registry of his birth on the records of the town of Stonington that when he was about ten years of age his father removed with his family and this deponent into the adjoining town of Gorton. That about the first of May 1777 and while a resident of Gorton he this deponent enlisted as a common soldier in the state service of the state of Connecticut for one year that he served the said term at Fort Griswold that he enlisted under Oliver Spencer as captain and served under the said captain Spencer about six months when a portion of the company was discharged and he this deponent was transferred to the company of Captain John Avery under whom this deponent served until the expiration of the said year when he was regularly discharged that during the whole of the said term of service William Ledyard was Colonel in command at Fort Griswold That shortly after deponent's discharge as aforesaid and to the best of his belief in the month of June 1778 deponent was drafted as a private soldier into the state service

of the state of Connecticut and placed under the command of Thomas Wheeler of Stonington as captain John Harris of New-London as Colonel and John Tyler of Preston as general and in two or three days after marched to Bristol in Rhode Island and after one or two days at Bristol was stationed on Rhode Island that deponent was present at the battle of Rhode Island in August 1778 and was personally engaged in said battle that General Tyler's Regiment in which this deponent served was flank guard on the left wing in said battle that Generals Green, Glover, Barnum & Sullivan were all in command at said battle that after said battle deponent embarked with his Regiment and was landed at Scituate where they remained about a week when they marched to Providence where they were stationed about two months when they were ordered to march to New-London that after one day's march of 25 or 30 miles the order was countermanded & they marched to Warwick neck where they remained one or two months when they marched to Providence and after about a fortnight he with his Regiment were discharged on Providence Commons - that deponent does not recollect by whom his discharge was given but he believes by General Tyler that the same officer remained in command of the Regiment as at the time he was drafted That deponent has lost his discharge and has no knowledge what has become of it that deponent did not consider it of any consequence and does not think he took any means to preserve it or care of it - That deponent's residence continued at Scituate aforesaid until the year 1791 - when he removed to Say Harbor on Long Island where he continued to reside until the year 1819 when he removed to Nantucket aforesaid where he has resided ever since and now resides That during his residence at Scituate aforesaid he was on several occasions during the Revolutionary war called out with the Militia and

was present in service as a militia man at the storming of Fort Griswold That John Parks of Groton aforesaid was in service with deponent as a private at the period he was stationed on Rhode Island by a subsequent draft and in another company - that he was living about six years since at Groton and was the only survivor at that deponent knew of but whether he is now living deponent does not know
And the said Moses black 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 this day and Year aforesaid
Moses Clark
Sayre & Huntington CL
and the said Moses black produces here in court the following affidavits to wit
I Aaron Clark of Sag Harbor in the town of Southampton and State of New York do certify that I am the brother of Moses black who has subscribed the foregoing declaration that I am of the age of 67 years on the 16th day of August 1832 that I resided with the said Moses black at Groton aforesaid and knew at the time that he was drafted as above stated and that he marched to Rhode Island and was stationed there
Sworn to and subscribed Aaron Clark this 27th day of Sept 1832 before me J. B. Havens Justice Peace
I Rufus Hill of Sag Harbor aforesaid do hereby certify that I personally knew Moses black above named at the time of his residence at Groton aforesaid during the Revolutionary war that I am of the age of Seventy three on the 21st day of September 1832 that I resided at

Honington at the time of the service of the said Moses Clark at Fort Griswold as above stated by him and that I often saw him on duty at Fort Griswold as a private soldier, And further that I knew that the said Moses Clark was drafted and marched to Rhode Island as above stated in his declaration sworn to and subscribed this 27th day of Sept. 1832 Rufus Hill Before me J. B. Havens Justice of Peace
We John D. Gardiner a clergyman residing at Sag Harbor aforesaid and Ebenezer Sage residing in the same place do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Moses Clark who has subscribed the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy one years of age that he is reputed and believed in Sag Harbor where he resided for a long period of time to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion - That we are well acquainted with Aaron Clark & Rufus Hill who have severally subscribed the preceding certificates and that they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit And we do further certify that Rehoboth at which place the courts for the county of Suffolk are held is distant from Sag Harbor the place of our residence about 30 miles and that our attendance there would be greatly inconvenient Affirmed sworn to and subscribed this 27th day of Sept 1832 Before me J. B. Havens Justice of Peace E. Sage
Sworn to and subscribed this 27th day of September 1832 John D. Gardiner J. B. Havens Justice of Peace and the said court having heard the same read Do

hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the war department that the above named applicant Moses Clark was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John D. Gardiner who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident at Sag Harbor in the town of Southampton within this county and that Ebenezer Sage who has signed the same is a resident at Sag Harbor aforesaid and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
I Joseph H. Hunting Clerk of the County of Suffolk do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Moses Clark for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Second day of October A.D. 1832
Joseph H. Hunting
Suffolk County ss. I Joseph H. Hunting Clerk of the County of Suffolk do hereby certify that Henry B. Haring is one of the Justices of the peace for the County of Suffolk and that his signature annexed to the attestation of the three several preceding certificates is his genuine signature In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Second day of October 1832. Joseph H. Hunting

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the Peace in & for the County of Suffolk, Moses Clarke with named 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 one year I served as an enlisted soldier - For six months I served as a drafted soldier. That the first enlistment was in May 1777 as mentioned in his declaration annexed hereto. & the Officers (Field) excepting William Leadgard, Colonel, he does not recollect but believes if his memory serves him that Morgan was a Major - That he was drafted to the best of this knowledge and belief as a soldier in June 1778 as also stated in his Declaration - That Park That Park Avery was first lieutenant of the company. Any other of the field officers than is mentioned in his declaration he is unable to mention.  Sworn and subscribed this 28 th day of May 1833 before me Cephas Foster Justice of the Peace  Moses Clarke
Suffolk County ss. I, Joseph R. Huntington Clerk of the County of Suffolk do hereby certify that Cephas Foster is one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Suffolk and that his signature annexed to the attestation of the above Certificate is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this Twenty eighth day of May 1833.
Attest Joseph R. Huntington Clk
Moses Clarke's Papers
acc'd 18mo. 33 6088

13.087 Moor Clark Suffolk Co N York
5. 17.
4 May 33
L. 369
Sidney L Griffin Suffolk Ch NY
Sidney L Griffin Suffolk

BRIEF in the case of Moses Clarke 6 th of Suffolk in the State of New York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71 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.     May In 1777 1 Private Gen. Lord Howe Col. Leary and Col. Arny   June 1778 Time of service not stated Col. Wheeler Col. Harris  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Rhode Island -  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Groton Conn.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? No testimony & living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Papers not attached as reg. 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard Scott Examining Clerk.

April 1, 1938.
Donald F. Clark Const. Q. M. Office West Point, New York.
BA-J/ILL Moses Clark S. 10454
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Moses Clark, who was a pensioner of Suffolk County, New York.
The data which follow are found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 10454, based upon service of Moses Clark in the Revolutionary War.
Moses Clark was born April 24, 1761, in Stonington, Connecticut, in which town his birth was recorded; the names of his parents are not shown. When he was about ten years of age, his father moved with his family to Groton, Connecticut.
While a resident of Groton, Connecticut, Moses Clark enlisted May 1, 1777, and served as private in Captains Oliver Spicer's and John Avery's companies, Colonel William Ledyard's Connecticut regiment, stationed at Fort Griswold, length of service one year. He enlisted in June 1778, and served six months as private in Captain Thomas Wheeler's company, Colonel John Harris' Connecticut regiment, during which he was in the battle of Rhode Island. He was called out also at the storming of Fort Griswold and on several other alarms, no further details of said services given.
Moses Clark continued to reside in Groton, Connecticut, until 1791, moved then to Sag Harbor, Long Island, Suffolk County, New York, where he resided until 1819, when he moved to Moriches, Suffolk County, New York.
Moses Clark was allowed pension on his application executed

October 2, 1832, at which time he resided in Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York. He made no reference to wife or children.
In 1832, Aaron Clark, brother of Moses Clark, was a resident of Sag Harbor, town of Southampton; Aaron was born August 16, 1765 or 1766, and resided in Groton at the time of the Revolutionary War.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following:
Moses Clark Certificate #20646 Issued September 26, 1832 Rate $60 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 New York Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section III
April 30, 1930.
Miss Ina W. Johnston 12 Clifton Place Brooklyn, New York.
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War Pension claim, S. 10454, it appears that Moses Clark was born April 24, 1761, in Stonington, Connecticut, where he lived until he was about ten years old when his father(name not given) moved with his family to Groton, Connecticut.
While a resident of Groton, Connecticut, he enlisted May 1, 1777, and served one year as a private in the Connecticut troops at Fort Griswold, Connecticut, in Captains Oliver Spicer's and John Avery's Companies under Colonel William Ledyard. He enlisted in June 1778, and served six months as a private in Captains Thomas Wheeler's Company, in Colonel John Harris' Connecticut Regiment; was engaged in the battle of Rhode Island and was discharged at Providence, Rhode Island. He was also called out at the storming of Fort Griswold and on several other occasions, no further details of this service given.
In 1791, soldier moved to Sag Harbor on Long Island, where he resided until 1819, at which time he moved to Moriches, Suffolk County, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 2, 1832, while a resident of Moriches (town of Brookhaven) Suffolk County, New York.
There are no family data.
The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail

to afford any information in regard to Israel Howell (all spellings of the surname searched,) and to the Israel Howell in whom you are interested, you state was b. Apr. 20, 1787, could not have res. in the Rev. War.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH, Commissioner.
Aaron Clark, brother of Moses Clark, a resident of Sag Harbor, N.Y., aged 67 - Aug. 16, 1832; lived at Groton, Conn. during war. Date of death of Moses C. not on A.B.
This was sent on original letter -

After.....5...days, return to
.....Donald F. Clark.....
.....Const. Q. M. Office.....
WEST POINT, NEW YORK.

Fort Montgomery, N. Y. March 16, 1938.
Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Information would be appreciated as to whether there are in your office any records concerning Moses Clark , who was born about 1759, served during the Revolutionary War, lived at Brookhaven, Suffolk County, N. Y., and was pensioned; and if so, as to whether the records contain data concerning his family and his service.
Yours very truly,
Donald F. Clark. Donald F. Clark.

12 Clifton Place Brooklyn N.Y. Feb. 17. 1930.
Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C.
Will you advise me as to where I can get information concerning two of my ancestors who were pensioners of the Revolutionary war. (I believe) I would like to have this information confirmed. Then I wonder if you have any information as to their parentage & where they came from.
The people in question are L Island, N.Y. Moses Clark of Sag Harbor, who married a Russell of Sag Harbor - first name I do not know Israel Howell Russell , who married Charlotte Russell Clark of Sag Harbor, whether he was born in Sag Harbor or came from some other place, & who his parents were I do not know. He was born April 20. 1787 , Rev.?
As both of these men received pensions, so I've been told, I thought you would have records which might supply the rest of the information.
I would appreciate any help you may give me. Very truly -
Ina Tr. Johnston

Rev. Mr.
10454 INVALID.
File No. 10454 Mooses Clark Pai River War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 69
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1930 - April 30 - History to Ma W. Johnston. I L L. 1931. April 1 - Hist. to Donald F. Clark - J.L.C.

Moses Clark

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Mercer Colubia Suffolk Co. N York 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? no Applicant required to furnish the length of service, specifically for each term with the names of his field officers, as the best evidence he can procure to sustain his declaration. 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? yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 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? no XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 8 7
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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 shewn 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.
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 official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

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 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 shewn 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.
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 official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.