Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23162, Francis Clark, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Clark, Francis.
S. 23162
CONTENTS

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 March 1838 to 4 March 1839. - Aged 70 notified 9 Dec 1839
Albany 36349
Francis Clark
Franklin Co in the State of N. York who was a Sergeant in the company commanded by Captain McKern of the Regt. commanded by Col. Cox in the N. York line for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 45 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of Feb. 1838 and sent to Hon. J. B. Spencer, N. Y.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept '37 292.50 Female allowance ending 4 March 38 22.50 $315.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E-2, Vol. 4 Page 12

State of New York
Franklin county p: On this 12 day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Franklin, now sitting, Francis Clark a resident of the town of Fort Coeymans in the said County aged 77 years, who being duly sworn according to law oath on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 30th June 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated. That he was born in the Shire of Galloway in Scotland in the year 1755 and that in the year 1773 he came to America and has ever since resided here. That in the year 1775 he resided at Cherry Valley in the then County of Tryon in the State of New York and there enlisted as a sergeant in the regiment commanded by Col. Van Schaick in the month of September 1775. The officers of the company in which he so enlisted were Robert McKee, Captain, Abner French & Albert Vandewater, Lieutenants & John Willson Ensign. That he enlisted in this company for the term of one year and served the whole period and continued two months with the company & in the service after the expiration of the year for which he enlisted & was then honorably discharged. He received no written discharge that he recollects - if he did it has been lost. After his said retirement he proceeded to Johnstown in the same County of Tryon and remained there during the winter

and in the following Spring proceeded to Green Falls where his company remained about six weeks . That the regiment of Jersey Grays commanded by Col. White was at this time at Fort Hutton building a fort in which he remained while there. That he then proceeded to Fort Stanwix & assisted in building the fort there. Remained at Fort Stanwix till the summer following when his company returned to Johnstown where he was dis- charged. That towards the close of January 1779 he entered as a volunteer at Cherry Val- ley into a company commanded by Cap- tain Whittaker & marched with that com- pany to Tioughnioga where he remained three months under the immediate com- mand of Col. Cox - Gen. Wayne was at the time commander in chief at that place. That he with his company then returned to Johnstown and then pro- ceeded to Fort Stanwix where he was discharged. In the August following as near as he can recollect, he volunteered in Capt Whittaker's company attached to a Regi- ment commanded by Col. Campbell to proceed to Fort Stanwix against the British & Indians who had appeared in great numbers in that vicinity. That he proceeded immediately to Fort Stanwix and after the battle in which the American forces were defeated, he with some others were taken prisoners by the enemy and taken to Canada where on account of his being a natural born subject of the

King of Great Britain he was not exchanged but detained in Canada & not allowed to return. That just before the close of the re- volutionary war he married in Canada and remained there till the commence- ment of the war with Great Britain in 1812 That as soon after that as he could leave Canada he came with his family to Fort Livingston in the County of Franklin in the State of New York where he has ever since resided. Still resides. That he does not recollect certainly the time he came from Canada to Fort Livingston but is confident it was before the close of the first year of the late war. That a part of his family had come to the said town of Fort Livingston before the late war was declared. That he has no documentary or other evidence of his service as aforesaid. That when he first came to this country he had a certificate of the record of his age signed by the Clerk of the Parish where he resided in Scotland which was left at Cherry Valley where he then went to Fort Stanwix & that he has never seen it since & supposes it lost. That he refers to Hon. Samuel Wood one of the Judges of this Court & to Major Sam- uel H. Payne as persons of his present nei- ghborhood, who can testify as to his character for veracity & to their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution The truly & sincerely every claim that even 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.
Subscribed and sworn to his Francis H. Clark this 12 th day of October 1832
John H. Russell Dep. Clerk
Franklin County ss. We, Samuel Howard of East Cornington in the County of Franklin State of New York and Samuel H. Payne of the same place hereby certify that we are well and acquainted with Francis Clark, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declara- tion. That we believe him to be our security, fifty years of age. That he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolu- tion and that we concur in that opin- ion. We also certify that he is a man whose character for veracity is good.
Subscribed & sworn to this 12 th Oct r 1832
before me Sam l H. Clark C lerk
Sam l Howard
Samuel H. Payne

AND the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and 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 the above named Francis Clark was a revolutionary soldier as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Samuel Howard & Samuel H. Payne who have signed the preceding certificate are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit.
Samuel Howard Samuel H. Payne H. B. Titus } Judges
I, SAMUEL S. CLARK, CLERK of the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application of Francis Clark for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of — office, this 17 th day of October A. — 1832
Sam S. Clark Clerk By John H. Russell Dep. Clerk

State of New York Franklin Co ss }
Francis Clarke of Bombay in said County being duly sworn saith in addition to and explanatory of his declaration in chief for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the Act passed 7 June 1832 and in answer answer to certain objections stated by the officers of the Pension Bureau first that he was taken prisoner at the commencement of his third term of service, for which he makes no claim, that his having been a prisoner or absent, is not material to the establishment of his right to receive a pension, and the circumstance was merely mentioned as accounting for his residence since the term of his service - Second that he does not understand the right to compensation for meritorious service to be dependant on the fact of residence within or absence from the County since such service was rendered - And Third that he has no documentary evidence of his Continental service under Col. Van Schaick but does suppose that his name name appears as it ought to do on the muster and pay rolls of such Regiment - Fourth that altho' there may be living witnesses of his service, he has been so long separated from his old companions in arms that he does not know of any one of them being still alive - and that he has no further evidence of his service as a volunteer - that he served fourteen months in the regular service and thirteen months as a volunteer, exclusive of that period of voluntary service which ended

in his Captivity —
his Francis X Clark Mark
Subscribed & sworn
this fifteenth day of June 1835
before William Hogan
First Judge Franklin County Courts.
I do hereby certify that there is not in the Town of Bombay any resident clergymen of any denomination, the spiritual wants of its inhabitants being ministered to by Itinerant Preachers. I also certify that Samuel Hoard & Sam l H Payson witnesses to the character of Francis Clark and of the general belief that he serves as stated by him as persons of respectability & standing
William Hogan First Judge Franklin County Courts.

N.Y. van Schaick Francis Clarke 30,900
Proof of service
Detention in Canada 45 years - reg'd
11/12/16
13. Ap. 33 P. 351 Sergt. 9 mo. $45 per ann -
Hon. J. B. Spencer H.R.
S. S. Clark Clerk of Franklin Co. N.Y.

BRIEF in the case of Francis Clark of Fort Covington in the State of New York (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? 77 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.     Sept r . In 1775 (enlisted) 1 2 Sergeant Gen. Capt s Potts & Hearn } N.Y. Col s Van Schaick }   Jan y 1777. Volunteered 3 Private Capt s Whittaker } " Col s Cox }   Aug t " " under Capt s Whittaker in the Reg t Cannon y by Col s Campbell, was taken Prisoner at Fort Sturdivix, and carried to Canada, and in consequence of his being a Natural born Subject of the King of Great Britain, was not exchanged or allowed to return - and did not return to the U. States until the year 1812  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Fort Sturdivix  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cherry Valley N. York  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence alone  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? they are not attached according to the Regulations 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. Gordon Examining Clerk.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Nov. 18 th , 1839.
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," Francis Clark ————— a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y., Agency, at the rate of Forty five Dollars and ————— Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1838, to the 4 th March, 1839.
Respectfully, yours,
Wilson B. Parrish Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Francis Clark
To J L Edwards Esqr Commr of Pensions Washington City
Northampton } July 16 th 1834 } Free

Mr. Edwards
Sir I received your letter of the sixth of May by the politeness of Mr J. H. Jackson Esqr relative to Mr Francis Clark an applicant for a Pension as Mr Jackson lives some distance from Mr. Clark I take the liberty of making some inquiry in his behalf your letter states that no Capt by the name of McLean is to be found on the rolls of Col Van Schaicks regiment Mr Clark Says that Abner French was the Capt commissioned by Government Albert Van de Warker 2 nd Lieut & John Willson ensign he says that French gave the command of the company to McLean in consequence of McLean refusing to serve under him as he had been his Capt previous to that in the french war and french served as 1 st Lieut he says they were drilled the rifle exercises Sir I wish you to have the goodness to see if Capt French is to be found on the rolls of Col Van Schaicks regt and let us know as soon as convenient as for the term of the enlistments Mr Clark is not positive but thinks they were generally for one year but served from that to eighteen

Months if any further proof of the debited of Francis Clark is required we think it can be obtained Hlovington July 16th 1834
J L Edwards Esq. respectfully yours Joseph Briggs
Please direct to Joseph Briggs Fort Coeymans County of Franklin State of New York

J. L. Edwards Sumner Office

Fort Covington New York June 8th 1835
To J. L. Edwards Esq m Pension Office Washington City
Sir
I forward to you again, the evidence in support of the claim of Francis Clark for a pension, I trust it will now pass muster, as the credibility of the witnesses, is certified to by the Magistrate, and also the Clerk's Certificate, to the Magistrate's being in commission; should there still be anything lacking, to bring the case within the rules, you will please to inform me; the applicant is a truly worthy, but man but in very indigent circumstances, I have been at great cost and trouble, to procure the certificate of the Magistrate to the respectability of the witnesses, as you will perceive by his certificate, that he was obliged to make a journey into their neighborhood, and then the witnesses were to be brought from their home, into this court, to reaffirm their testimony.
I am with great respect your obedient Servant
Joseph Briggs

House of Reps April 26 B'le
Sir,
I herewith return the papers in the case of Francis Clark. I see no reason for dissatisfaction on his part, with the conclusions to which you have arrived.
Yours ob servt R. A. Gillis
A. L. Edwards Esq Comm. Pensions

Washington City
February 14th 1838
Hon J S Edwards
Sir
The last interview I had with you I mentioned the application of Francis Clarke to be placed on the pension Roll, and rejected was one, from the known fair moral character of the applicant in the community in which I have the fortune to reside, is one which the good people consider a very hard one, and is one of those cases which I regret to say, XXXXX the rules of your office obliges you to reject, I am now requested to present that case to the consideration of Congress and my desire is not to trouble that body with it should it be so presented from your office as to make such application hopeless, and I know the applicant too well to believe that he would receive me, if my own judgement should be made against such a presentation, I therefore solicit you to make a careful examination of his case, personally, and not by deputy, for I beg leave to observe that I shall in all probability be greatly influenced by your decision, I have been told and I believe I have seen some thing on paper from your office stating that the fatal objection is, that Mr. Clarke names officers who were not in service at the time he declares his services to have been performed, or that the officer or officers were not

not of the grade, stated by him, if the latter I would observe that it is not uncommon now to call officers of the late army out of the grade by which they are known at the War Department, and it would not be surprising if Mr e Clark should mistake even the year or years in which his services were performed, and that a mistake of that kind should not be fatal to a case so well established, that the by three creditable witnesses, that the services were performed, no person acquainted with Mr e Clark doubts, his entire honesty of intention in his declaration, though he should be in error, he is old, feeble and infirm and cannot enjoy the bounty of government many years, should that bounty be granted,
Benjamin Runnions a soldier of the Revolution, says, that he was once placed on the pension Roll and drew a pension, but has been struck from the Roll. Will you please to make me acquainted with the facts which governed this case
Truly Your Obedient servant James P. Spruance

add. evidence on Francis Clark. N. State. 20 Jan. 1832
Chamberlain St. May 18. 1834
File
Mr. J. L. Estlin Cousin of Francis
Washington (D.C.)

Madame. Franchint o N.Y.
Mr. J. S. Edwards.
January 17, 1834
Sir,
I enclose some additional proof in the matter of Francis Clark, an applicant for pension under the act of June 1832. The difficulties of obtaining proof in many of these cases arising from lapse of time are as in the present case augmented by poverty, which renders the applicant unable to procure the expense of making the necessary inquiries in different parts of the country.
Will you allow me to inquire how the application of Gilbert Dole and that of Polly Douglass have been disposed of if so in what manner?
I am, Sir, respectfully Your obedient Servant
P. H. Jackson

Washington City February 20 th 1838
Col T L, Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Your favor of the 19 th instant is before me, I am happy to say that I accept your proposal to place Mr Francis Clarke on the pension roll at 9 months service with great pleasure, being satisfied that you allow him all that he is entitled to,
Truly and respectfully your obedient servant
James B. Spencer

Resolution 23/62 INVALID.
File No. 23/62
Francis Clark
Long River Road
Act: June 7 th 1890
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 79
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New York Franklin County
James Knight now a resident of Brantford in the Province of Lower Canada being duly sworn says that in the year 1776 this deponent resided on the Bank of the Mohawk River near old Johnstown in the State of New York. That previous to that time he had been acquainted with Francis Clark now a resident of the town of Westmoreland State of New York. That in the summer of the year 1776 this deponent saw the said Francis Clark doing duty as sergeant an orderly sergeant in the Continental army under Capt. Robert McKean. That this deponent knows that the said Francis Clark was in the service of the United States for a number of months and understands from the said Francis that he had entered the service of the United States in the year 1775. and this deponent from what he was told by the said Francis Clark at the said time believes that the said Francis Clark served in the United States service for the term of 14 months or more.
Sworn & subscribed before me on the 11th day of January 1834
James Knight
Damasc H. Payne Justice of the peace
Franklin County
Joseph Briggs of the town of Fort Covington in said county being sworn says that he is well acquainted with James Knight the deponent who signed the above affidavit and knows that he is reputed to be a man of truth & veracity and entitled to belief.
Joseph Briggs
Sworn & subscribed before me on the 11th day of January 1834
Damasc H. Payne Justice of the peace
Over

I Certify that I am well acquainted with Joseph Briggs the person who signed and sworn to the within affidavit (before me) that he is a person of Credibility and entitled to belief. I further Certify that I have been for a short time in Company with James Knight who signed and sworn to the within affidavit (before me) and that he appears to be a very intelligent and respectable Man.
J. H. Payne Justice of the Peace
State of New York ) I, John H. Russell Deputy Clerk of the Franklin County for County of Franklin Do hereby Certify that Samuel H. Payne before whom the within affidavits of James Knight and Joseph Briggs were made, and whose name is subscribed to the within certificates of the taking of the same, and also to the above certificate, was on the eleventh day of January 1834, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Franklin aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn. And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signatures to the within and above certificates are the proper hand writing and signatures of Samuel H. Payne and genuine. (The words "the said" interlined).
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County the 17th day of January A 1834.
John H. Russell Dep. Clerk

State of New York Franklin County Clerk's Office.
I, Samuel S. Clark, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Franklin do hereby certify that the annexed contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Francis Clark for a pension. I also certify that William Hogan before whom the annexed Supplementary declaration purports to have been made was at the date thereof a fit Judge of the said Court & from my knowledge of his handwriting, I have no doubt that the said Supplementary declaration was written and certified by the said William Hogan.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of my office the 7th day of August 1833.
Samuel S. Clark Clerk By John H. Russell Deputy Clerk

State of New York Franklin County, ss } In the matter of Francis Clarke, application for a Revolutionary pension.
Benjamin Runyons of Ansbury in the County of Herkmont & Provincial of Upper Canada being only sworn says that he is now eighty seven years old as he believes on the 15 th day of October 1834 was born about six miles from Sharn below Poughkeepsie in the county of Westchester in the year 1776 Defendant was a private in a company commanded by Capt McKean Lieutenant From above French Ensign Moore - Second Lieutenant Albert Vandewater, and Francis Clarke the applicant was orderly sergeant of the company - the company was a company of Rangers - the company was during part of the service stationed at old Johnstown - Defendant served 14 months and believes Clarke served the same, used to catch Tories - The was from Johnstown - & Green Flat helped build a Fort there - went from there to Fort Stanwix employed in repairing it, and in blocking up obstructions wood creek. Saw in the summer a battle took place between Sedagunda & Oriskany; Capt McKean was killed next summer at Boorman Creek, but don't know what became of Clarke after the battle of Oriskany, and has never seen him since that day until now, but is perfectly confident - and sure that

the Francis Clark now before him is the identical Francis Clark who was his fellow soldier in the Revolutionary war. his Subscribed & Benjamin X Runnion sworn the 19 th day Mark January 1835 before W. Hogen. First Judge of Franklin County Court.
I do certify that Benjamin Runnion has been known to me for many years and has always been considered a man of truth & veracity. Francis Clark 
Francis Clark Jr is known to me and is the son of Francis Clark the applicant and resides in Glasgow County Ky Stewart W. Hogen First Judge
Mr. Hogen is lost George R. H. Gillil
Personally appeared before me, Benjamin Runnion, who being duly sworn makes oath and says that he is the person who subscribed the foregoing affidavit. Subscribed and sworn. June 4 th 1835 - before me Benjamin X Runnion H. W. Tucker J. P. Mark 

State of New York
Franklin Co ss 3 In the matter of Francis Clarke application for a Revolutionary pension.
Henry Gallinger of the Township of Cornwall County of Vermont and Province of Upper Canada being duly sworn make oath and say that he is now in the Seventy fifth year of his age and is a native of old Johnstown near the Mohawk in the State of New York knew Francis Clarke the Applicant above named in the year 1776 in the summer of that year, knew Francis Clarke as then a soldier of Capt McKean's company, or it was called Capt McKean's Company, Francis Clarke was a sergeant in that Company that Company was stationed near Depew during all that summer, the Company was called a company of Rangers. Deponent was then living with his Father, living on a Farm - does not know anything of Clarke's service after the Company was ordered from Deford Depew's neighborhood. - one French and one Albert Vandervack were lieutenants in the Company in which Clarke served.
Subscribed & sworn this 15th Jan'y 1835 before me H Hogan First Judge Franklin Co. Co.
his Henry X Gallinger Mark.
H. Hogan is First Judge R. H. Tuttle

Patrick Buchanan of Dundee on Salmon River in the Province of Lower Canada Merchant certifies that Henry Gallingh er the within Deponent is a man of true & veracity
Hogansburgh 15 Jan 1835
Patrick Buchanan
Personally appeared before me, Henry Gallingh er , who being duly sworn makes oath and says that he is the person who subscribed the foregoing affidavit and that in addition thereto he says that a part of the company to which said Clark belonged, inclu- -ding said Clark disappeared was reported to have disappeared, supposed to have been carried away by the enemy some time previous to the year 1779 in which year deponent came to Canada and that he found said Clark in Can- ada on his arrival
Henry his Gallingh er mark
Subscribed and sworn
June 4 th 1835 - before me
H. W. my Clerk J. Pease
Mr. R. H. Galt

I, H. W. Lusk, a Justice of the Peace of Bombay in the county of Franklin, do certify that, on request, I visited the two subscribing witnesses in the matter of Francis (Cork) Pusion, to wit: Henry Gallingham & Benjamin Renshaw, at their respective residences in Cornwall & Donabragh in the county of Sligo U. K. for the purpose of ascertaining their credibility. That I made full inquiry, in their respective neighborhoods, and elsewhere, of persons well acquainted with them, touching their credibility. I found them in very tolerable health, active and intelligent for men of their years. And from the inquiry I made I am satisfied that they both sustain fair characters for truth and veracity. Bombay June 4 th 1835-
H. W. Lusk J. Peace

State of New York Franklin County
By J. W. H. Meeker Clerk Franklin County and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Herman M c Tuckar is a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly Elected and sworn, that he was Elected in March 1832, that his term of service will expire on the 31 st day of December next, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice, and that I verily believe his signature within written is genuine Given under my hand and the Seal of said County this 6th day of June 1835
J. W. H. Meeker Clerk

Stat. of New York
County of
3. I Mr. A. McCarty Clerk of said County do hereby certify in the form of common Pleas of the County Unit. State of said County Certify that Herman W. Tucker is a Justice of the peace residing in said County duly elected and sworn, that he was elected in March 1832, and that his term of office will expire on the 31 st day of December 1835 and I do further certify that William Hogan Esquire before whom was taken the within affida- vits, is a Judge of said County duly commissioned and sworn and was at the time of taking the same, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and Justice and truly believe that the signatures of the said William Hogan, and H. W. Tucker within written are the proper hand writing of said Judge & Justice