Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,711, Abijah Clark, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Clark, Abijah
L. 29,711
CONTENTS

Let to Hon. Wm Parmach Sept 2 '46
79 Norfolk
21.327 Massachusetts
Majah Clark of Norfolk in the State of Mass. a who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Faulkner of the Regt. commanded by Col. Merrill in the Mass. a line for 3 mos 17 days, Brn'ted Bn. 60. 17. 2 Private of Artillery
With Me
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 37 Dollars 87 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of Sept 1833 and Jan 6 1834 Leland Grayson Mass. a
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $ 94.79 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 31, 1834 18.95 $113.67
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. H. Adams Clerk Book _____ Vol. _____ Page 13

Hooper black 5 3/4
19705
75
Edwin S Leland

I Elisha Bullard of Franklin the county of Norfolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts testify & say that I well remember that Abijah Ebenezer of Franklin was with me a Soldier in Col. James Metcalf's company & Col. Jas. Needs Reg t here intitled the last of Dec r 1775 to go to Roxbury the last of & remained there until the next February 2 nd Month, when we were each dismissed & returned to Franklin.
Norfolk ss. August 20 th 1832 Then the above named Elisha Bullard Elisha Bullard personally appeared & made solemn oath to the truth of the above Declaration by him subscribed before me. Elisha Pond Jun r Dea r I hereby certify that said Elisha Bullard is a credible witness, affirmed by me I Leland Justice

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept 3 d 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Abijah Clark is borne upon the Rolls of Capt Perez Cushing in Col Crafts Reg t for the period of six months & seven days from the first day of November 1776
The name of Abijah Clark is also on the Pay rolls of Capt Asa Fairbanks in Col Dey's Haws Reg t for the period of one month & two days from Sept 30 th 1777; also on the pay rolls of Capt Asa Ellis Company in the fourth Reg t in the County of Suffolk for the period of fifteen days from the third day of March 1781
Edward D Bangs. Secy
I further certify that there are no rolls of Capt James Metcalfe's Company in Col Read's Reg t for the period of time between January first & March first 1776
Edward D Bangs Secy

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss. On this twenty-seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Wrentham in and for said County, Abijah Clark a resident of Franklin in said County, aged 77 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 7th A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at said Franklin then a part of Wrentham on the fourth day of March A. D. 1755, and that there is a record of his birth in the Hand of Wrentham : that he was in the United States service from about the first day of January A. D. 1776, to the first day of July A. D. 1776, 2 months as a private in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was residing at said Franklin when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Captain James Mitchell of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Joseph Bragg : that he marched from Franklin to Roxbury from  from  to : that he served at said place with none of the regular troops; and no regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle and at the end of his service received no written discharge: that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at said Franklin, & that he has no documentary evidence of this service
This is probably Continental service
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from about the first day of November A. D. 1776, to the first day of May A. D. 1777, 6 months as a private in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was residing at said Franklin when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Captain Isaac Cooksey of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Crafts : that he marched from Franklin to Boston, from there to Hull from or to Nantasket : that he served at said place with none of the regular troops; and no regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle and at the end of his service received no written discharge.
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from about the first day of October A. D. 1777, to the first day of November A. D. 1777 one month as a private in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was residing at said Franklin when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Captain Asa Garland of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Benjamin Howe : that he marched from Franklin to Littleton from  to  from  to : that he served at said place with none of the regular troops; and no regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle and at the end of his service received no written discharge.

ALSO; that he was in the United States service from about the first day of March A. D. 1758, to the first day of April A. D. 1761, as a private in the Massachusett Militia : that he was residing at Franklin
when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Amos Ellis Captain of the Regiment commanded by a Colonel whose name he does not recollect : that he marched from Franklin to Newport Island, from to from to that he does not recollect any contributions troops or funds as being there : that he was in no battle a that he received no wound or discharge
that he has no documentary evidence of his service except that which he has before in the office of the Secretary of the War Department
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
We Nathaniel Emmons, S.S. of Franklin
Abijah Clark a clergyman, residing in the said Town
and Herman Fisher residing in said Franklin hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abijah Clark who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 77 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 as aforesaid.
Nathaniel Emmons S.S. Herman C. Fisher
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Nathaniel Emmons, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the said Franklin; and that Herman C. Fisher who has also signed the same is a resident in Franklin and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
The said court further certify that Elizer Doul is a justice of the peace for said County of Norfolk and that the name signed to the deposition of Elizer Doul and his arrest is his signature and that I Samuel Hovey, Regt, of the court of Probate aforesaid, do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Abijah Clark for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Samuel Hovey

I am Timothy Fisher of Franklin in the County of Norfolk Commonwealth of Massachusetts, testify & say that I was in the United States during the fourth week of June within which said Elijah G. Cook was a solemn with me & second for that period in the manner he has stated within
Norfolk / August 22 nd 1832 submitted soon to Timothy Fisher
I further certify that said Timothy Fisher is a credible witness before the undersigned judge of Probate the undersigned

10765
Abijah Clark
Recd of Mrs. 3 17 dec
" " Oct 6 7
9.24
14. 16.00
May 11. 1835
39.89 2 75.78 18.94 94.72
395
25. 26
10. 1.17 28
11.89 26. 37.89
By Edwin S. Leland
Roxbury Mass

BRIEF in the case of  County of Norfolk
Abijah Clark  in the State of Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open Court -  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? seventy seven 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. As a Gen.     Volunteered   In 1776 Jan 4 2 Private Col. Beall   1776 Nov. 6 Vinty Capr James Metcalfe   1777 Oct 1 2 Col. Enright -   1781 March 4 15 Capr. Cushing   Capts. Fairbanks   Col. Brewster -   Capr. Ellis  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Norfolk Co. Massachusetts  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses & traditional evidence & by the rolls -  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Improperly attached 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
John L. Watson
Examining Clerk.
28 Feb 4 -

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section ILL
October 1, 1930.
Mr. Harold A. Wintjen 15 South 9th Avenue Mount Vernon, New York.
Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 29711, that Abijah Clark was born March 4, 1755 in Franklin, (then a part of Wrentham) Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
While a resident of Franklin, Massachusetts, he enlisted and served in the Massachusetts troops as follows: From January 1, 1776 to March 1, 1776, as a private in Captain James Metcalf's Company, Colonel Read's Regiment; from November 11, 1776 to May 8, 1777 as matross in Captain Perez Cushing's Company, Colonel Thomas Craft's Regiment of Artillery; from September 30, 1777 to October 31, 1777 as a private in Captain Asa Fairbank's Company, Colonel Benjamin Hawes' Regiment; from August 24, 1778 to September 23, 1778 as a private in Captain Asa Fairbank's Company, Colonel John Daggett's Regiment; from July 27, 1780 to August 7, 1780 in the same company under Major Seth Bullard; from March 3, 1781 about one month in Captain Amos Ellis' Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 22, 1832, while a resident of Franklin, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, where he was living in 1845.
There are no data relative to his family.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

29 711 INVALID. Ray
Oct. 1-1930 Hist. to H.A. Wintjen. 122
File No. 29, 711
Ship Clerk P.S. Rec. Mar
Act: June 7 th 1892
Index:—Vol. 9, Page 73
[Arrangement of 1870.]

15 S. 9th Ave.
Mount Vernon, N.Y.
Sept. 16, 1930.
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:-
I am anxious to learn the birthplace of ABIJAH CLARK , who served in the Revolutionary War, enlisting first from Andover, Mass., on the alarm of April 19, 1775. Can you tell me whether a pension was applied for either by himself or by his wife, Hannah (Abbot) Clark of Andover? If so, I should be pleased to receive a transcript of his record.
Thanking you in advance, I am,
Very truly yours,
H.A. Wintjen
Harold A. Wintjen.

June 13. 1846
to Majah Clark Pine Island,
Washington H. G.
James H. Garrison
J. Edward Hays

Boston June 10. 1846.
Sir
I send you application of Elijah Black of Wrentham Norfolk county for increase of Pension
Respectfully
J. O. Sargent
W. P. Furness
James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

10765-
Abijah Clark
G. T. Leland Esq Roxbury Mass.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abijah Clark 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? yes 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? Documentary evidence of living witnesses 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? yes 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? No XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
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.
Evidence should be produced from E. H. Bangs & C showing that Col. Brattle commanded a Regt of Mass s Militia

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES, MADE BY THE PARTY WHO RENDERED THE SERVICE.
Abijah Clark State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk Town of Franklin
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of my service in the war of the Revolution.
I enlisted from the town of Wrentham now Franklin in the County of Suffolk now Norfolk and State of Massachusetts in the year 1775 as a Private in the Company commanded by Captain James Melcalf in Col. Reed's Regiment Roxbury and I served as follows,* viz:— two Months in said Company, in February 1776 I served six months in a company of Artillery commanded by Capt Perez Cushing Col. Crafts Regt. at Boston & Hull, In 1777 October I served one Month in a company commanded by Capt Asa Fairbanks Col. Hawes Regt Stationed at Little Compton In 1778 or 79 one Month or more on Rhode Island in a company commanded by Capt Amos Ellis, I believe in Febry & March, also six days prior to the last named term of Service at the time of the fight on Rhode Island in the company commanded by Capt Asa Fairbanks Col. Doggett Regt. the year not recollectet And in July on an alarm in the year 1779 I served in a company commanded by Capt Asa Fairbanks
*Here describe as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank &c. of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

Fourteen days at a place called Fall river in Rhode Island
- G. Parker y of the Commonwealth
[Large cursive signature, likely that of Abijah Clark]
1381
I am now Eighty years old, and my memory does not enable me to state my services more fully than above stated.
And I do hereby constitute
my Attorney in the premises
of
WITNESS my hand, this Thirty first day of May A. D. 1845.
Signed by said in my presence,
Abijah Clark
Willis Fisher JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
Abijah Clark

Fourteen days at a place called Fall river in Rhode Island
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
Oct. 1. 1845.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Abijah Clark of Wrentham is borne upon a return of Capt Perez Cushing's Comp y that marched from said town to Boston and there joined Col Thomas Crafts reg t of Artillery as a matross. said return not dated. 32 miles travel. Upon an Abstract of same Company in same reg t as a Matross from the 1 st November 1776. to the 1 st Feb y 1777. 3 months. — Upon another of same as a matross from February 1 to May 8. 1777. inclusive 3 months 7 days. — Upon an Abstract of pay due to Capt Asa Fair- banks company in Col Benjamin Howe's reg t for service in R Island as a private from September 30 to October 31 1777. 1 month & 2 days. said roll was dated at Wrentham November 25 1777. — Upon another of same Company in Col John Dazgetts reg t as a private from August 24 to Sep- tember 23. 1778 inclusive 11 days. — Upon another of same in Maj r Seth Bullard's reg t as a private from July 27 to August 7 1780 inclusive 11 days. including allowance of 2 days for travel. Said roll was dated at Franklin Dec. 1. 1780.
3 — 3 — 4 6 7
1 — 2
13 126

1-20 Upon a Payroll of Cap' Amos Ellis; compr d for service at R Island as a private from 15 March 3 to 17, 1781 15 days. And this cer- tificate contains all the evidence of service which can be identified as that of the individ- ual for whom it is claimed in the annexed application. #
2-11
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence # of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this No Rolls Office, in the form in which the same now appears: that the of Capt Jas search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said Metcalf application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Paine, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Clark, Abraham GRADE Sergeant LINE Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER 5624 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Sept. 4, 1789 to Ezekiel Case
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.