Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17340, William Clark, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Clark, William
S. 17340
carded
CONTENTS

15376
Massachusetts
William Clark of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by Col Whitney in the [blank] line for 18 [blank] .
[blank]
Inscribed on the Roll of [blank] at the rate of 60 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of June 1833 and sent Hon J S Hodges Present
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $120 [blank] Semiant. allowance ending 21 Sept. 30 [blank] $150 [blank]
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H K Blair Clerk, Book [blank] , Vol. 2, Page 12.
79 Bristol

Bristol ss Commonwealth of Massachusetts SS. 1832 On this twenty eighth day of August personally appeared the undersigned of Probate holden at Taunton by adjt in & for S. County this day before the Honble Hodijah Baylies Judge of Probate &c for said County by adjt William Clark a resident of Norton in said County of Bristol in the seventy fifth year of his age, 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. 1832. That in April 1776. he did enlist in the company of Capt. Reading, Isaac Fisher was Lieut. in Col. Josiah Whitneys Regiment, to go on an an Expedition to Nantasket, that he served eight months and was then Discharged and returned late in the fall.
In the Winter of 1777. S d Clark again enlisted in Capt. Israel Trow's Company, and served three months in Rhode Island State guarding the shores, served his time out and was then Discharged. at point Judith
In 1777 said Clark again enlisted in Capt. Silas Cobb's company, John Allen Lieut. in Col. Keyes Regiment, and were marched upon an Expedition to guard the Southern Shores of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, that he served seven months and was then Discharged.
said William Clark further declares, that he has no written Discharge as it was not customary when he was in the service to give the soldiers a written Discharge, but when their time was out they were permitted to return without a written Discharge. The said William Clark further declares, he was born in S. Norton, that he always has and now lives in S. Town, said William Clark hereby relinquishes every claim

whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state whatever. His
Under Capt. Reading 8 months
William
X Clark Mark.
" Capt. Israel Traw 3 months
" — Capt. Silas Cobb 7 months
Total Service — 18 months
Sworn to & subscribed the day & date first above written
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate
We Pitt Clarke a clergyman residing in Norton and John Arnold residing in the same town, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Clark who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy five years of age; that he is respected and beloved, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Pitt Clarke, John Arnold
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
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 Pitt Clarke who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Norton in said County of Bristol, and that John Arnold who has also signed the same is a resident in said town, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.

10268
W m Clark
Paid 18 M s
$60-
14 Ob.
May 4 18 44
P. 372
A. Bapett Scranton W. B.

10.208
BRIEF in the case of  William Clarke  of  Worton  in the State of  Mass s  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court of Probate  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 75 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.     April In 1776 ✓ 8 Private Genl Col Jon d Whitney Reg t Cont d   Winter of 1777 ✓ 3 do Capt s Reading — Co r Cont d   in 1777 ✓ 7 do Capt s J. Fraz r — do do   Capt s A. Cobb; — do ?   Col s Keyes — do do  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? not stated  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? by Witnesses — & the traditional evidence of others — one a Clergyman — the latter Certified by the Court to be credible persons  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. Stephens
Examining Clerk.

17 340 INVALID.
File No. 17 345
William Clark
Dr New War
Act: June 7 th 89
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 431
[Arrangement of 1870.]

10,208
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Clark which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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?
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?
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? — no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
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.
14. Suppld

W m Clark Declaration
It is the wish of the undersigned that the within copy of the original be sent to the proper authorities for their consideration.
Given under my hand this 10th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 40.
W m Clark

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Bristol ss.
I Anselm Basset, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Bristol do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original Proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Clark of Norton in said County for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said Court the day and year first above written.
Anselm Basset

I George Harvey of Preston in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, do testify & say that I am seventy two years of age, that I well remember William Clark of Norton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that I was born in the same town of Norton. That I well remember that said Clark enlisted in Capt. Readings Company, Isaac Fisher was the Lieutenant, in Col. Josiah Whitneys Regiment, in April 1770. to go on an Expedition to Nantasket, that I served with him in the same Company, and that we returned late in the fall in the same year, and served about eight months. I further testify and say that I well remember said Clark  George Harvey in the winter of 1777 enlisted in Capt. Israel Trows Company and served three months in Rhode Island State, guarding the Shores. — George Harvey
Attest. J. Norton July 16. 1832 Personally appeared before me, George Harvey who made oath to the truth of the facts contained in the above Deposition which was then & there reduced to writing by me, and by him signed in my presence. In Witness whereof I have set my hand and Seal at S t . Norton the day & year above mentioned —
Ephraim Raymond Justice of the Peace
Bristol J. May 18. 1833 I certify that I am well acquainted with George Harvey abovenamed & he is a disinterested and reliable man —
Eph m Raymond Just. of the Peace

I Thomas Hewett of Taunton in the County of Bristol and commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that I am seventy five years of age, that I well remember that William Clark of Norton in said County, did enlist as a soldier in Capt. Silas Cook's Company, John Allen Lieut., in Col. Hens Regiment in the year 1777, and were marched upon an Expedition to guard the Southern shores of Mass- achusetts and Rhode Island, that I S. Thomas served in the same company with S. Clark, seven months & were then discharged. — I further testify and say that I well remember said William Clark in the Winter of 1777. Did enlist in Capt. Israel Frow's Company, and served three months in Rhode Island State guarding the shores, when our time was out we were discharged, and that I served in the same company with S. Clark.
Thomas Hewett
Bristol ss Norton Aug. 13. 1832 Personally appeared before me Ephraim Raymond one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Bristol. Thomas Hewett who made Oath to the truth of the facts contained in the above Deposition, which was then and there reduced to writing by me, and by him signed in my presence. In Witness whereof, I have set my hand and Seal at S. Norton the day & year above mentioned
Ephraim Raymond { Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss.
I, James Spratt, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Ephraim Raymond Esq., whose signature is affixed to the within and annexed certificate, is a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this twentieth day of August, in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirtytwo -
Jas. Spratt
Bristol, May 18. 1833 I certify that the within named Thomas Smith is a credible person - Eph m Raymond Just. of the Peace

William Clark
E. R.
10. 268
Thomas D. Wood position