Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15,648, Peter Clark, Mass Navy

SERVICE
Mass Navy
Clark, Peter Betsey or Elizabeth
NUMBER
W 15648
CONTENTS

91
Wm L. Labaree 23 March 53
Reported
1648. Massachusetts Betsey or Elizabeth Clark widow of Peter Clark who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private Mass
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of August 1848. and sent to
G. T. Bulfinch Boston Mass.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 26 Vol. 2,

Declaration. — Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Norfolk County } S.S.
Be it known that on this seventeenth day of February in the year One Thousand Eight hundred and forty at a Probate Court holden at Medway in and for said county, personally appeared before the subscriber Judge of said Court, Mrs. Betsey Clark, a resident of Medway & County of Norfolk & State aforesaid, Aged Seventy Eight 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 7 th 1838, Entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows." — That she is the widow of Peter Clark de- ceased, who was a Private in the army and Navy of the Revolution and who served according to the best of her recollection and belief as follows. Viz — In the year 1777, he enlisted at Newton Middlesex County & served part or all the term in the company commanded by Capt. W m Campbell, in Col. Freighton's Regt., for the term of Nine Months, and served as she verily believes for the full term of his enlistment. — During this period he was at the battle of Monmouth. — He never recovered from the effects of the cold during the winter of 1777 & 1778, and she has often heard him relate accounts of the extreme sufferings of the Soldiers during that very inclement winter. —
About the year 1781, he entered on board — the

the "Alliance" Frigate (Capt. John Barry) and went to France to carry Col. Laurens, — afterwards he sailed on board said Frigate from L'Orient in company with a French ship, the "Marquis de la Fayette"; during this voyage several prizes were made, — He continued to serve on board the "Alliance" during a voyage to Havanna in 1782, was in an action with two vessels during this voyage and served as she verily believes in the said Frigate to the end of the war. —
She further declares that her husband the said Peter Clark, was an applicant for a pension under the Act, of 18 th March 1818, but died within a few days after making said application, and she would refer to that application if on file in the War Department for further particulars of his service, — And she would further add that the last act of his life, was to make and sign an affidavit of his service in the Army, and that in consequence of that affidavit his fellow soldier, Jonas Blanden of Southlinton, County of Worcester, obtained a pension under the said Act, of 1818; and to which affidavit you are also respectfully referred, —
She further declares that she was married to the said Peter Clark on the seventh day of December, Seventeen hundred and eighty four, that her husband the said Peter Clark died on the 24 th or 26 th of April Eighteen hundred and eighteen, and, that she was not, married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four, Nor at the time above stated, and that She

She has not intermarried since his decease but still remains his Widow. —
Betty Clarke
Sworn to, and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me. S Leland / Probate

(Affidavit) Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk County } ss.
Be it known that on this tenth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred forty, personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in said county, James W Clark, of Boston County & Commonwealth aforesaid, of lawful age, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath testify and declare, Vis.
That I am the son of Betsey Clark of Medway County of Norfolk, & State aforesaid who applied for a pension under date of 17 th Feb y . 1840. according to the provisions of an act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838. Entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." And that I perfectly recollect the accounts given by my Father, Peter Clark, frequently given by him of his services on board the Alliance Frigate, Capt. John Barry, which sailed about the year 1781, having on board Genl. Lafayette and other officers, being bound for France - That after arriving at France he sailed on board the said Alliance from L'Orient in company with a French ship the Marquis de la Fayette, That in company with the said Vessel they made prizes & had one or more engagements, and he has often pointed out a scar on his face which was occasioned by a wound received in one of said engagements - That he continued to serve on board the same ship, during a voyage to the West Indies, and until the end of the war, and that the time of service on board the said Alliance was eighteen months, -
And your deponent further says, that according to his best recollection his Father applied for a pension under the act of March 18 th 1818. & that a Mr Merry or Murray who was on board the same Vessel

with him, testified to the service of the said Clark - - That he believes that the original declaration of said Clark is on file at the war department, which declaration made about the 17 th of April 1818 your deponent believes is supported by the evidence of the said Mary or Murray. And that in con- -sequence of the death of said Clark, in April 1818 no further steps were taken to secure the pension -
It has been told me by those who recollects that when my father returned from sea he wore the uniform of the navy, and my father has often said to me that although, he fought hard and was wounded on board said vessel in action, he never asked for a pension, or received his portion of the prize money to which he was entitled -
I further declare that my Mother Betsey Clark has not been married since the death of my father Peter Clark, - Further your deponent saith not
James W. Clark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk County - } ss
On this tenth day of April A. D. 1840 personally appeared James W. Clark before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for said County & made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true, and I further certify that said deponent is personally known to me to be a credible witness & entitled to belief. -
Geo. S. Hillard

I John C. Webster of Hopkinton in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Clerk, do certify, that there is, on the Church Book of the church in the First Parish in said Town of Hopkinton, which contains the entries of marriages, which were solemnized by the Ministers of said First Parish, the following record viz. "One thousand seven hundred and eighty four, December seventh. Peter Clark and Betsy Wilson were married," that this is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the Record in fair legible figures as follows viz.
1784 Decem r 7 th } Peter Clark & Betsy Wilson were married.
I John C. Webster, above named, depose and say; that I hold the Office of Minister of the First Parish in the county, town and State aforesaid, and have the charge of the Records of the Church in said First Parish, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Church with the exception above named, as certified by me.
John C. Webster, Pastor of the First Church in Hopkinton, Mass. Sworn to and subscribed on the 1st. day of July A. D. 1839. Before me,
Matthew Metcalf, Justice of the Peace for said County of Middlesex.

Rep 6 ap 44
del. to Fanny Draper Nov. 17. 1844
5247
Massachusetts
Betsy or Elizabeth Clark widow of Peter Clark who was a Private in the Massachusetts Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of April 1844 and sent to
Thomas Bulfinch Boston.
Mass a
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book a Vol. 1 Page 265.

Paid at the Treasury in the Act of the 16 th April 1833 from 1 st March to 1 st Sept 1834. Agt notified 9 th July 1834.
Massachusetts - 5423
Betsey Clark, widow of Peter Clark, deceased.
who was a pensioner under the Act of _____ and who died on the 24 th April, 1818 - of Norfolk co. in the State of Mass s . who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Watson of the Reg t - commanded by Col. Grafton in the Mass s - line for 9 months private.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts - at the rate of 30 Dollars _____ Cents per annum to commence on the 14 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of May 1840 - and sent to Hon. W. Parmenter, Hon ble Rep sentative .
Arrears to the 14 th of March, 1840 $ 120.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th Sept. 15.00
$ 135.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by Book A
Vol. 1
S. S. Elliot Clerk. Page 81.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15648
Elizabeth Clark
Widow of
Peter Clark
Pri Rev War
Act: Feb 2d 48
Index:—Vol. A , Page 137
[Arrangement of 1870.]

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by L. H.
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Peter Clark.
Service Mass + Navy.
Additional Service _____
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 191_____
No claim, combination records _____, 191_____
REMARKS:
No. O. H. Inv or Ref.
Mch 10. 1911

Peter Clark Newton. B 1818
Butsey. m. '84
#77 9. McLaughlin Greaton
81 Allamuch Barry )
+ Watson 6° — Greaton, Ref
20 June 78 9 m — do
Aug 20 March 79
111

(6689)
Lit. to Hon. W. Parmachooz Ditto 17/2/40 March 10, 1840
Act 7 July '38

H. of R.
Feby. 20 d / 53
L. Sabine
Recd. Feby. 3 d / 53
Ans. same day
Copy referred to the Court of Pensions & Mt. I. so informed 3 Auditor's Office Feby 3 d 1853.
J. S. Galt when Ans-
Dear Thompson

House of Representatives
Feb 2 d . 1853.
Sir,
I enclose a letter from James W Clark Esq., of Framingham, Mass, a son of the late Peter Clark of that State, in which enquiry is made relative to the services of his father in the war of the Revolution.
May I respectfully ask, Sir, that any facts of record with regard to this case, be communicated to me, for the benefit of the parties concerned.
I am Sir, very Respectfully Your obed Servant Laurence Labaree
Hon. J. Gallagher. Third Auditor Treasury. Washington. D.C.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office, June 24 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," Betsey Clark — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Thirty — Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th July 1838, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March to the 4 th Sept. 1840.
Respectfully yours,
William L. Harris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

✓ James L. Edwards, Esq Crown Pensioner Washington D.C.

Boston, Mar. 28. 1844
Sir,
I enclose the application of Mrs. Clark for a pension under the law of 3 rd Mar. 1843. Please transmit the certificate as usual & oblige
Yrs very respectfully
Thos P. Bulfinch.
Thos Edwards Esq. Comm ee Pensions &c

Jas. L. Edwards Esq re Comm r of Pensions.

Jas. L. Edwards Esq Comm r of Pensions Sir,
Merchants Bank Boston 19 Aug t 1848
Enclosed are the Declarations of made by the following named widows, in order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress of 2 d Feb y 1848. They wish that their Pension certificates may be sent to my care.
Very Respectfully
Your obed t serv t G. S. Bulfinch
List
x Clark Betsy or Elizabeth x Minter Esther taken out x Foster Abigail x Deadman Mary x Howe Molly x Flint Priscilla x Lamb Susannah x Richmond Sarah
P.S. I will be much obliged, if you will send me a Blank Declaration under the late Act of 29 July 1848, with any printed instructions that may have been prescribed in regard to that Act. Very Resp ly G. S. B.

Washington April 14. 1840.
Sir
I send you additional testimony in the case of Mrs Betty Clarke - The letter of Mr Stone to me also sent be pleased to return -
I am very respectfully
Yr Obedient Servt
Wm Lloyd
James D. Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensions

Hon. W. C. Parmenter Q. H. R.

Boston, 11 th April 1820.
Sir,
I send you all the additional evidence which can be obtained in the case of Betsey Clark's application for a pension, viz: The affidavit of J. M. Clark a Merchant of this City, (written by himself). The Commissioner in his note to you stated that the proof of the Marriage & of 9 mo th service in the Mass ts Line was satisfactory, but he wished for a more particular statement of the Naval Service - This Mr. Clark has attempted to do & I think there can be but little doubt that the service was performed but whether it will satisfy Mr. Edwards I do not know. -
As all the old people are dead it is the only evidence we can get and if not sufficient please have a Certificate issued for such length of time as is satisfactory.
I am, very respectfully Your obt. Svt Lowell M. Stone
Hon. Mr. Carpenter Ho. of Representatives

Washington May 19. 1840
Sir
Be pleased to send me a certificate for the pension promised in the case of the husband of Mrs. Betty Black as per your letter of 17th ulto
I am respectfully
J. R. Anderson
Paymaster
James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

B or E. blank ad 5247
Admitted.
G. S. Bulfinch Boston Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston August 19 th 1848
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Charles R. Train was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
William Lloyd Secretary of the Commonwealth.

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 2d February, 1848, entitled, "An act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution."
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss.
Middlesex COUNTY, }
On this Fourteenth day of August 1848, personally appeared
before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid,
Betsy or Elizabeth Clark
a resident of Framingham in the county of Middlesex aforesaid
aged Eighty Six years, who being first duly sworn, according to
law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the
provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to
widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of
Peter Clark who was a resident of Hopkinton
and who was a private and corporal
in the War of the Revolution
and is the identical person who drew a pension
under the Act of 17th June, 1844, on account of the Revolutionary service of her late hus-
band aforesaid, at the rate of thirty dollars and
cents per annum.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Betsy Clark L.S.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day } Before me,
and year above written, }
In presence of
Chas. R. Train
J.W. Clark
Chas. R. Train
Justice of the Peace.
I Certify, That the declarant is personally known to me, a widow and a pensioner,
as she declares.
Chas. R. Train
Justice of the Peace.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss.
COUNTY, }
Clerk of the
and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that
is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly
; and that his signature, above written, is genuine.
and the Seal of said Court, this

5437
B. Clark
$30 per an
Th e Bulfinch Boston Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk County
Be it known that on this Twenty second day of March 1844 personally appeared before me the Subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for said County and Commonwealth Mrs. Betsey (or Elizabeth) Clark a resident of Boston in the County of Suffolk aged Eighty two 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 on the 3 d day of March 1843 Granting Pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the Widow of Peter Clark who was a Private in the Revolutionary War and served as she verily believes as stated by her in her original declaration for a pension under the Law of the 7 th July 1838 to which declaration and the papers accom- panying the same now on file in the War Department she would refer for a more particular statement of his services, for the proof of her marriage, identity, and the time of her husband's death.
She further declares that she was pensioned under said Act at the rate of Thirty Dollars per annum, which amount she received from the 4 th of March 1836 to the 4 th March 1841, at the Agency in Boston Massachusetts, and at the time of her receiving her last payment surrendered the Pension Certificate granted to her under said act to the Pension Agent at the said City of Boston agreeably to the rules of the Department.
And this declarant further alleges that she has not intermarried since the decease of her said husband, but is now and ever since has been the Widow of said Peter Clark deceased as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed. and further she saith not.
Witness my hand and seal this 22 nd day of March 1844
I swear to and subscribed on the day and year first above written, and I certify that the Applicant is personally

known to me to be the person within described.
Before me
Lowell Mr. Stone
Justice of the Peace.
I James W. Clark of Boston in the County of Suffolk of lawful age on oath testify and say, that I have been well acquainted with Betsey Clark the applicant named in the within declaration for many years last past. I know that she was the wife and is now the Widow of Peter Clark deceased who was reputed to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and that she was a pensioner under the law of 7 th July 1838 as stated by her.
James W Clark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk County } ss. March 23. 1844
Then came James W. Clark who is known to me to be a credible witness and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is strictly true.
Before me
Lowell Mr. Stone
Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston March 23 1824.
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Sowell M. Stone is a justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Paspay; Secretary of the Commonwealth.

"Alliance" Navy.
Have searched files & Reg - no claim for 1818.

6689 Betsey Clark Mass.
Act 7. July '38
m 84 d 18
adm d 9 mo /ri 30 $ Capt. Watson. Pt. Greatin Mass. Line
no deduction
Am W. Carpenter N 22

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, February 27 th 1840.
I hereby Certify, That Sherman Leland is Judge of Probate for the County of Norfolk, Matthew Metcalf is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, — and Franklin Haven is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk, (and they have been so for the year last past) — in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John P. Bigelow
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I James M. Clark of Boston, in the County of Suffolk, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age, on oath testify and say, that I am the son of Betsey Clark the foregoing applicant for a pension; - that she was the wife and is now the widow of Peter Clark decd., who was as I always understood, a soldier in the Army of the Revolution during the years 1777 & 78. After this period he was engaged in the Naval service on board the "Alliance" Frigate, toward the close of the War. My Father the said Peter Clark died in the month of April 1818. since which time the said Betsey Clark had not intermarried but still continues his Widow.
James M Clark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk County ss.
On this 26 th day of Feb y 1840, personally appeared James M. Clark the deponent above named and subscribed, & made oath that the foregoing affidavit is true. And I further certify that the said Clark is a credible witness & entitled to full credit and belief.
Franklin Hovey
Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, April 10 th 1840.
I hereby Certify, That George S. Hillard is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John D. Slee
Secretary of the Commonwealth.