Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10455, Benjamin Clark, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
born.
Clark, Benjamin
S. 10455-
carded
CONTENTS

Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act 6. April 1838 from 4 Sep. 1839. to 5 Jany 1840. Age notified 29. Oct 1844.
20680 New York
Benjamin Clark
of Columbia, in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Walker of the Reg t . commanded by Col. — in the Cont y — time for Full term,
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Sep r 1833 — and Curtis M c H. T. S. J. T. S. New Lebanon
Arrears to the 4th of Sep r 33 $ 200 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th 34 40 $240
Revolutionary Claim, Age June 7, 1832.
Recorded by G. C. Stiles Clerk Book E Vol. 4. Page 93

State of New York Columbia County } ss
On this fifteenth — day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty two before me Walter Patterson a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Columbia and State of New York Benjamin Clark a resident of the town of New Lebanon in the County and State aforesaid aged seventy two 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 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 - viz That in the spring of the year 1778 while residing in the town of Stratford in the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut he enlisted in a company of volunteers raised in the State last aforesaid for the term of one year - said company was commanded by Captain Robert Walker whose Lieutenant was John Affart - said company was raised to guard the town of Stratford, County of Fairfield, State of Connecticut situated on the Sound - from the incursions of the enemy and depredations of Tories. he thinks it was some time in the month of April that he enlisted - he served the full term of one year under his said enlistment immediately on the expiration of the year he enlisted again in the same company and under the same officers for another term of one year at the expiration of which in the spring of 1780 he was dismissed but without ever receiving any written discharge - That he served the full term of two years in the company said

That during the first year of his service no inci- dent of any moment occurred under his immediate observation - During the year 1779 an attack was made by the enemy on New Haven to which place he was marched with his company on receiving news that an assault by them was expected - he was present at the engagement between the enemy & the militia remained on guard there during the night of the attack and the next day marched to Fair- field which was burnt - was present at the engagement at that place - That he recollects one other officer who was present at Fairfield at the period last mentioned viz Captain John Uffert - That he served in no contin- ental officers nor with any continental regiments That he has no documentary evidence & knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service in And he further says that he was born in the town of Stratford in the county of Fairfield in the state of Connecticut in the year 1760 - That he has no record of his age but there is a record of it in the possession of Abigail Judson the widow of his brother in law Abel Judson who resides in New Lebanon afore- said - That during the period of his service at Stratford aforesaid there was no other company than his own stationed there - nor other officers whose names he recollects - That he is known to the Reverend Silas Church - John King the mem- ber of Congress from the district in which he
He says it may be Schenck Clark of Connecticut - but informs he was not known whether he is living or dead - if living he does not know certainly that he can testify to defendant's services

& Elam Tilden the Post master in the town where said applicant lives - That since the revolutionary war he has resided and now resides in the town of New Lebanon county of Columbia & State of New York - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present one and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State known to him subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Benjamin Clark
W Patterson
We Silas Churchill a Clergyman residing in the town of New Lebanon in the County of Colum- bia & State of New York and Elam Tilden & John King - residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Clark who has known to and subscribed to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the neigh- borhood where he resides, to have been a sol- dier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Silas Churchill
known & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Elam Tilden
W Patterson
John King
And the said Walter Patterson a judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Columbia and State of New York do hereby declare my opinion after

the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - And I the said judge do further certify that Elias C. Hanchett who has signed the preceding certificate is a legitimate resident in the town of New Lebanon in the County of Columbia & State of New York - And that Elam Tilden a Postmaster who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town of New Lebanon and is a credible person - And that John King a member of Congress from this district who has also signed the same - is also a resident of the same town of New Lebanon & is a credible person - and that their statement is entitled to credit - And I do further certify that the abovenamed applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the court - And also that the two persons whose certificate is required pursuant to the instructions from the War Department cannot be produced in court without too much inconvenience & expense to the said applicant. Dated Sept. 15. - Sept. 1832 W. Allerton
At a Court of Common Pleas held at the Court House in the City of Hudson in & for the County of Columbia - in the State of New York before the Judges of the same Court of the term of September one thousand eight hundred & thirty two -

The said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant Benjamin Clark was a revolutionary Soldier & served as he stated - And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Silas Churchill who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of New Lebanon in the County of Columbia & State of New York & that John King who has also signed the same is a resident of the same town of New Lebanon & is a credible person: And that Elam Gilden who has also signed the same is a resident of the said town of New Lebanon & is likewise a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit -
And the said Court do further certify that in their opinion, the two persons whose certificate is required pursuant to the instructions from the war department cannot be produced in Court without too much inconvenience & expense to the said applicant -
J. W. Monell 6/11

Columbia County ss. I Joseph S. Monell Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Columbia do certify that the within contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Clark for a pension. I further certify that Walter Patterson Esquire before whom the within affidavits & declaration & responses to have been made & who has executed the within certificate, was at the time a Judge of said Court, that I am acquainted with his hand writing & that his name subscribed to said affidavits & certificate is his proper hand writing and signature. In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my name & affixed the seal of said Court the 12 th day of Oct. 1832. J. S. Monell 6th

State of New York
Columbia County {
{ p
Personally appeared before me
Ira Dand the undersigned a justice of the peace of the County aforesaid Benjamin Clark an applicant for a Pension under the act of June 7 1832, who being duly sworn deposith and saith that Colonel Samuel Whiting commanded the Regiment to which Captain Robert Walker's company in which deponent's revolutionary services were rendered, as stated in his declaration was attached heretofore made - and General Silliman commanded the Brigade to which said Regiment belonged - The duration of each term of his engagement was one year - That he served during two terms of service of one year each under the aforesaid officers; Capt Robert Walker Colonel Samuel Whiting & he thinks General Silliman - the company to which deponent belonged was detailed for and engaged in a service as he thinks different from any other companies in the said Regiment - that he served during the whole of each of said engagements in garrison or rather as a guard & in camp at Stratford-Connecticut - The place was not fortified - He left his station at no time except as mentioned in his said declaration - That during the whole period of each of his said engagements he served with an embodied corps called into service by the State of Connecticut; and for the time during which the service was performed he was not unemployed in any civil pursuit - That there was during his term of service no officer of higher rank than Captain stationed at Stratford aforesaid - and for the services above stated and referred to He claims a pension
Sworn before me this twenty day of June 1833 Ira Dand Justice of the peace
Benjamin Clark

State of New York.
Columbia County 3 d I Joseph D. Monroe Clerk of said County do certify that Ira Hance Esquire before whom the within Affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature.
Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 18 th day of June 1833
J. D. Monroe
6m

20275
Benjamin Clark Columbia County New York
e.i.
Admitted Pmats 2 years
Wm C. Soby New Lebanon Columbia Co. New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 27 1839
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 Benjamin Clark Columbia Co 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.     26 April 1778 1 pr. Capt. W. Walker 72 Shatford N.Y. Traditionary.   1779 1 " Living Witness   2  
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 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] 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. Newman

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____ received _____ for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Clark a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr 1778 2 yr. Pvt Robert Walker Samuel Whitney Conn                                                   
Battles engaged in, New Haven Fairfield Residence of soldier at enlistment, Stratford Conn. Date of application for pension, Aug 15, 1832 . His claim was allowed Residence at date of application, New Lebanon N.Y. Age at date of application, 6. Fairfield Conn in 1760 Remarks: It is not stated whether he was  married
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev War ✓
10455
INVALID.
1922 Sept. 29. Heut. Dunn B. A. Crane, 517 W. 10 th St. Erie Pa. see her letter in Benj Clark S125 02 Conn. —
File No. 10455
Benjamin Clark Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 69
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
June 4 th , 1844.
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," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The Executor of Benjamin Clark, deceased a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, New York Agency, at the rate of Eighty _____ Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1839, to the 5 th Jan'y 1840.
Respectfully, yours,
William L. Parris
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

N. Y. case Referred to D. Crump

Hulland (Vt) 2. July 1883
for In the case of Rev. Mitchell, the paper which was added in another hand writing, & affixed to the declaration with a wafer, has accidentally been torn off - but as it was added by a person who supposed the 7 interrogatories should be inserted as well as the answers, & there being nothing in it but what is contained in the dec- =laration as drawn up by me, except those interrogatories, I have deemed it wholly un- =important, & of course have not been to the trouble of having it reannexed, & authenticated agreeably to the regulations. I however return the paper, that you may see for yourself.
W. Mitchell lives near the line of the State, & formerly lived in this neighbourhood, & is well known to me - & being here on a visit to his children, who are very respectable, I have presumed there would be no objection to his making his additional declaration before me.
Respectfully
Yours Sincerely
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commit. of Presby.
B. B. Phelps

State of New York Columbia County } ss
On this twenty fifth day of September one thousand eight hundred & thirty two before me Ira Dand, a justice of the peace of the County & State aforesaid perso- nally appeared Daniel Brown who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose & say that he is eighty years of age & now resides in Hamilton in the County of Madison in the State aforesaid - That in the latter part of summer or in the fall of the year 1779 while he resided in Connecticut in the State of Connecti- cut this deponent was drafted as one of a company raised to guard the Town of Stratford in the State of Connecticut - deponent was drafted for three months & served during the whole of said term in the company to which he was attach- ed which was stationed at Stratford aforesaid That he does not recollect the names of any of his officers - And this deponent further says that he is well acquainted with Benjamin Clark of New Lebanon in the County of Colum- bia aforesaid an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 1832 - That he knew said Benjamin Clark in the year 1779 that he served with deponent at Stratford aforesaid in the same company to which deponent belonged - That said Clark must have served in said company more than three months inasmuch as he was a soldier

in the same when deponent joined it and he remained with it during the time depo- nent was in the service and deponent left said Co. in the said company when deponent was discharged after the expira- tion of said three months. — And further this deponent says not
Sworn to & subscribed } Daniel Brown before me this 25 th day of September 1832 Ira Dand Justice
State of New York } Columbia County } ss On this twenty fifth day of Septem- ber 1832 personally appeared Daniel Brown the signer of the foregoing deposition to me known as a person of truth & veracity & subscribed to & made solemn oath before me of the truth of the facts contained in said deposition
State of New York } Columbia County } ss I. Joseph D. Monell Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that Ira Dand Esq. before whom the preceding Affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County, and that I am ac- quainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name sub- scribed to the said Affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature
Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 12 th day of October 1832.
W. Monell

State of Connecticut ss. Stratford in Fairfield County
I Matthew Beers of said Stratford do testify that I am & have been more than for sixty years past, well acquainted with Benjamin Clark, formerly of said Stratford, and now of New Lebanon in the State of New York  Massachusetts , and know that he served with me in the same company nine months in the revolutionary war, which company was then commanded I think by Capt. James Burton that I found him in said company when I enlisted, & I served nine months when I was discharged & he served with me through said nine months - I am not positive as to the year when said Clark served with me but think it was in the year 1779 or 1780 - I served at different times during several years in said war and cannot recollect with certainty the year he was with me in the said service, nor can I recollect his being in the service with me except the nine months, though he is confident he was with me afterwards in the army of the revolution - But I recollect perfectly that he was with me in the company of guards or State militia stationed at Stratford and assisted in making fascines for the fort, I was a faithful soldier who attended well to his duty & answered to the roll call night & morning regularly.
Soon After the said war was over I purchased his place where he resided in said Stratford & still reside thereon, his deed to me is dated Feb. 1783 - He soon after removed to Cornwall in Connecticut & from thence to New Lebanon aforesaid -

He might have served, longer with me in the said war than I have mentioned, under different officers, but I cannot remember only nine months service with me, and according to my best recollection, it was under Capt James Burton. Witness my hand at Stratford aforesaid this 24 th day of Novemr. A.D. 1832. — Matthew Beers
State of Connecticut ss. Stratford Novemr 24 th 1832, personally appeared Matthew Beers of said Stratford to me well known and a credible witness I made solemn oath to the truths of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed in my presence, before me Robert Fairchild Justice of the Peace
State of Connecticut ss. Fairfield in the County of Fairfield I Thomas B. Osborne Clerk of the County Court for said County, do certify that Robert Fairchild Esq r of Stratford in said County is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, and that his signature to the foregoing certificate is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court. — this 26 th day of Novemr. A.D. 1832. —
Thomas B Osborne Clerk said County Court
Being in Blank 20275