Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14486, Benjamin Clark, Continental. Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Clark, Benjamin Mehetabel
W. 14 486
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

1624
1624
Massachusetts
Mehitable Clarke
widow of Benjamin Clarke
who died on the 1 st April 1815
of Worcester in the State of Mass.
who was a Corp t V er in the Company commanded
by Captain Proctor of the _____ commanded
by _____ Major in the Mass.
line for 12 mos Private Corp t 8 " 4 1/2 Private
Inscribed on the Roll of _____ at the rate of $_____ Dollars _____ Cents, per annum to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the _____ 9 th day of _____ 1837 and Lieut _____ Geo. Grennell Jr. H. of H. P.
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept 1837 $4168.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 1. March - 36
$504.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d ,
Recorded by H. Madison Clerk. Book A Vol. 2 o Page 47
Dead
Paid at the Treasury the Act of April 6 th 1833 March 4 th to May 23 rd 1834 ag t motif a July 9 th 1842
Date of death not on file

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Third Section of the Act of Congress of the fourth of July 1836
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Wessex County ss.
On the eleventh day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Personally appeared before Ira Beaton, Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Wessex, Metilable Clark a resident of Poygan in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid aged Eighty Three years, who being first duly sworn according to laws of the state on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836.
That I was born in the Town of Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth. That my maiden name was Metilable Edson. That I was married to Benjamin Clark of Houghton in Norfolk County on the twenty first day of December in the year 1775. That the said Benjamin Clark was at that time a soldier in Revolutionary Army stationed at Roxbury or Dorchester, that he came home on furlough at the time we were married. That he returned to the army the second or third day after we were married. That at the expiration of this time of service which was Eight months. my said husband enlisted again into the service as a Corporal for the term of one year.

That his Captain's name was Samuel Payson. his Colonel's name was Reed. That immediately upon his enlisting  discharge he marched for New York - from thence to New Jersey. That he was at the Battle of Trenton in December 1776 - That at the expiration of the year's service he was requested to tarry a longer time and accordingly did tyme and accordingly did tarry six weeks when he was discharged. That he arrived home to Bridgewater on the first day of March 1777. Having been absent on this last tour about fourteen months - That the whole time that my said husband was employed or engaged in the Revolutionary war as one year, ten months & twelve days - The twelve days service was performed while he belonged to a minute company previous to the eight months service -
That in the month of June 1777. We removed from the County of Plymouth to the Town of Royalston in the County of Worcester where I have ever since resided. That my said husband died at Royalston the first day of April 1815 at the age of 65 years. That I now am and have ever since his decease been his widow.
That she knows of no other evidence that can be obtained, of the services performed by her said husband. Then what is herewith transmitted. I annex to this my declaration, a letter then once marked (A.) which I received from my husband while he was at New York. We removed from Bridgewater to the town of Royalston. So long ago, that I find it difficult to get any knowledge of those who were in the service with my husband.

He came out of the service in March since we removed to Hingham as I have before stated in June, 1777
I worn once volunteer the day some year view also written before me
Michael Clarke
J. M. Bentone Judge of service Court of Probate
And therefor the Court do declare it as their opinion, after a full investigation of the matter that the said Benjamin Clarke was a soldier of the Revolution; that he married the said Michael Clarke, that he has some descendants; and that she has an heir since deceased his widow as she hath also an other daughter; She being in my opinion a person of truth, and entitled to full credit.
J. M. Bentone J. Court of Probate

I Benjamin Clark of Royalston in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Fifty seven years, Do testify and declare. That I am the Son of Benjamin Clark formerly of Royalston who was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution - That he died at Royalston the first day of April 1815. aged Sixty five years - That I have frequently heard my father relate many circumstances relative to his services in the Revolutionary war - He has told me that he was one of the minute men - also that he enlisted into service for Eight months in the year 1775. That he assisted in erecting fortifications at Dorchester Heights - That in 1776 he enlisted for one years service - That he was at the Battle of Trenton when there was about nine or ten hundred Hessians taken prisoners - That at the expiration of the year service he was requested to tarry longer, and that he did continue six weeks longer in the service. at end of which time he was discharged and returned home - I have heard him say that he was once called out while he was belonged to a minute company - He also has stated to me that he was a Corporal during the year service -
I also further testify and declare that my Mother Abigail Clark, has lived with me ever since my father's decease. That she now is and ever has been a widow since my father's decease.
Benjamin Clark

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex County ss. On this first day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven personally appeared Benjamin Clark and made solemn oath that the within declaration by him subscribed is just and true. And I hereby certify that full faith and credit is due to his testimony. Before me Samuel D. Slee. Jur. Slee.

Bridgewater Feb. 25 - 1837
I hereby certify that the following records appear on the Book of Records of Publications, & Marriages, belonging to the town of Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth State of Massachusetts, Intention of Marriage as follows "April 29 th 1775 Benjamin Clark of Houghton and Mehitable Eelson of Bridgewater" "Dec. 21 st 1775 Benjamin Clark & Mehitable Eelson, Married by Rev. Jno. Porter"
Feb. 25 th
Mitchell Keith Town Clerk of Bridgewater
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County } ss This twenty fifth day of February AD 1837 Personally ap- peared Mitchell Keith above named who is clerk of the town of Bridgewater and a credible person, and made oath that the above cer- tificate by him subscribed is true
Feb. 28 th Before me Artemas Hale Justice, Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Feb. 28. 1837. I hereby certify that Artemas Hale is a Justice of the Peace, & was such at the date of the above attestation, for the County of Plymouth in this State. Witness my hand & the Seal of the State.
John P. Bigelow Sec'y of the Commonwealth

To whom it may concern I Ezra Clark of Taunton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Being of lawfull age do testify and say that I lived in Middleborough in the year A.D. 1774 or about that time, and that Benjamin Clark came there with Mehitable Edson his intended wife as I considered it, and in A.D. 1775 he went to Roxbury on Eight months service as he told me and by common report at that time which I did believe to be true, in A.D. 1776 he enlisted into the years service in or near Shanton as I suppose for about that time I enlisted in Middleborough under Jacob Allen of Northampton in Colonel Ward's Regiment and after the British left Boston I went to New-York and frequently saw my Brother Benjamin Clark there in the service under Colonel Reed's Regiment as he told me, and the night of the retreat from Long Island I saw him land there not far from sundown and he then marched in the place of a corporal. He afterwards told me that he was in the taking of the Hessians in the Town of Trenton N.J. also that he served six weeks more after the years service But I do not recollect the Captain's name at any place Middleborough October 30, 1837 Ezra Clark
Plymouth ss. October 30 th A.D. 1837 then the above named Ezra Clark personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above statements by him subscribed before
Oliver Peirce Justice of the peace I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with the above named Ezra Clark for years and that he has ever been considered a man of truth Oliver Peirce Justice of the peace

November 12, 1936
Benjamin Clark-W.14486 BA-J/AWF
Mrs. Henry J. Turner 318 Pleasant Street Laconia, New Hampshire
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Benjamin Clark of Royston, Massachusetts, died April 1, 1815, leaving widow, Mehietabel.
The data furnished herein were obtained from pension claim, W. 14486, based upon the service of Benjamin Clark in the Revolutionary War.
The date and place of birth of Benjamin Clark are not given, nor are the names of his parents stated.
While a resident of Stoughton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Benjamin Clark was a minute man and marched to the battle of Lexington under Captain William Briggs and served twelve days. He enlisted May 5, 1775 and served eight months as private in Captain William Briggs' company, Colonel Read's Massachusetts regiment. He enlisted sometime in January, 1776 and served one year and six weeks as corporal in Captain Samuel Payson's company, Colonel Joseph Read's regiment, and was in the battle of Trenton.
Benjamin Clark married December 21, 1775 (then on furlough from the army) in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, Mehetabel Edson of said Bridgewater. They moved sometime in June, 1777 to Royston, Worcester County, Massachusetts, and Benjamin Clark died there, April 1, 1815, aged about

sixty-five years.
The widow, Mehetabel Clark, was allowed pension on her application executed March 11, 1837, at which time she was aged eighty-three years and living in Royston, Massachusetts, with her son, Benjamin Clark, where she had lived since the death of her husband, Benjamin Clark. She died May 23, 1841, leaving children, their names not designated.
Ezra Clark, brother of the soldier, Benjamin Clark, was living in 1837 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.
In order to obtain the name and address of the person paid the last payment of the pension of Meheta- bel Clark, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and give the following data:
Mehitable (as she was pensioned), widow of Benjamin Clark Certificate # 1624 Issued December 9, 1837 Rate $72.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of July 4, 1836 Massachusetts Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

So
1812
Whetebat Clark
- att
Abington
with child
CLARK, BENJAMIN (CONT., MASS.)
W-14486

111
New York June 18 th 1846
Dear Wife and I trust my best Friend I shall take a few leisure moments this Section Day morning to write to you tho' we are at a Great Distance I desire to be thankful that I have so many opportunity to write to you I have sent those before this and I shall embrace all such opportunity and I should be glad if you would do the same I received one letter that was dated the 3 rd of April which was Reviving to me and if I could enjoy the happiness to hear from home it would be like old Water to a thirsty soul soul for I have not heard from home since I received your letter I have no particular news to write only that it is a General time of health amongst People which is a Great Blessing there has been but two Deaths in our Whole Brigade since we marched from Boston Government for which I desire to render thanks to Almighty God who Preserve our lives and keepeth us from sickness and all other accidents.

Which we are exposed to tho' we are in a comfortable situation as can be expected for our dwelling house are low health which assure they well in Dry Weather Our Provision is Good milk & five Coppers a quart and other things are very dear in this place I have bought me a Suite of Uniform that cost me 5 2 6 and I keep them in the City where I work when I have a duty my shirts are worn almost out and I expect that a pair such as I use to bye for ten shillings will cost twenty four shillings in stock but notwithstanding the dearness of them I had better by them than own the venture of having them sent from home it is not likely if you send me a pair of shirts that they will ever get to me and so it is not worth while for you to trouble yourself about it give my Duty to our Friends & my love to Brother and Sisters Praying these prayers to Almighty God for me while I am at so great a distance that I might return home to my friends Again in his own due time if it be agreeable to his Will but if not that we might meet in that Blissful Kingdom above where the wicked are from troubling and where the weary are at rest and so I shall conclude with love to you and all that ask after me
This from your Beloved Husband til Death
Benja Clark
45

Which we are Exposed to though we are in a comfortable situation as can be expected for our Dwelling house gave low heat which assure us very well in Dry weather Our Provision is good milk is fine Apples a great and other things are very dear in this place I have Bought me a Suite of Uniform that cost the 2-3 £ and I keep them in my Chests are now almost out and I suppose that a pair of such as I use to be for ten shillings will cost ten only four shillings in York but Notwithstanding the dearness of them I had better by them than run the venture of having them sent from home which is not likely if you send me a pair of them that they will ever get to me and so it is not worth while for you to restore yourself about it  Give my Duty to our Friends & my love to Brother and Sisters Praying these prayers to Almighty God for me while I am so far a distance that I might return home to my friends Again in his own due time if it be agreeable to his Will but if not that we might meet in that Blissful Kingdom above where the wicked are forever banished and where the Vexed are at rest and so I shall conclude with love to you and all that ask after me
This from your Beloved Husband til Death
Benjamin Clark

318 Pleasant St., Laconia, N.H. Oct. 14th. 1936.
United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Will you kindly send me the War Record of Benjamin Clark who served in the Revolutionary War, credited to Roylston, Mass. The Roylston Town History, Page 554, says that he was a Drummer at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He died and is buried in Roylston, the grave stone inscription gives death on April 1, 1815- Ae. 66.
His wife Mehietabel, died May, 23 1841, aged 88 years. Did he or his wife have a pension?
Any other information given in his war record would be most welcome.
Very truly,
Mabel Iraie Turner.
10-16-36
(Mrs. Henry J. Turner)

Maps
1936-Nov. 12. Instruct the Mrs. Henry J. Turner and
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14486
Archibald Clark
Widow of
Benjamin Clark
Corp Rev War
Act: July 4th 36
Index:—Vol. a , Page 137
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
June 27 th , 1842.
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,"
The children of Mehitable Clark deceased, late a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Seventy two Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th July 1836, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, to the 23 rd May 1842.
Respectfully, yours,
 Comptroller
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
By His Excellency EDWARD EVERETT , Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said Commonwealth.
To all whom it may concern:
Edward Everett
Know Ye, That Joel Saltonstall Esquire , is now, and was on the 23 d day of February last past, a Justice of the Peace, for the County of Norfolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commission- ed, and that to his — Acts and Attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court; that the within Attestation is in due form, and by the proper Officer.
In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the Public Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, this sixteenth — day of March, — A. D. 1837, and in the sixty first Year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency the Governor.
John P. Bigelow Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Samuel Bisbee of Canton in the County of Norfolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a revolutionary Pensioner aged seventy seven years, testify & say, That I was well acquainted with Benjamin Clark a shoe-maker by trade who lived in Stoughton, in this State, previous to the commencement of the Revolutionary War. It is my impression & belief that said Clark was a soldier in the eight months service stationed at Roxbury in Capt. Wm. Briggs' Company & Col. Read's Regiment. In the year 1776 the said Clark was a revolutionary soldier in Genl. Washington Army. I think he served one year at least & in Capt. Payson's Company. When the army retreated from New-York in 1776 I saw said Clark who was then doing duty as a non-commissioned Officer. The company I performed duty in, & belonged to, was commanded by Capt. Fredk. Pope in Col. Paul D. Sargent's Regiment  Samuel Bisbee
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk Ys. Nov r 1 st 1837. Then personally appeared Samuel Bisbee, well known to me as a revolutionary Pensioner, & made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed
Before me - Thomas Tolman Just. of the Peace

I certify that Samuel Bisbee the deponent within named & with whom I have been acquainted for more than thirty years, sustains a fair character for truth & veracity.
Nov. 1. 1837. —
Thos. Tolman
Just. of Peace

I Jeremiah Smith of Walpole in the county of Norfolk aged eighty five years, upon oath testify and say that I was a soldier in the continental army in the year 1776 that I enlisted into the company commanded by Captain Samuel Pay- son and Colonel Joseph Reed's Key Stone Battery Served in said company as a sergeant one year I did duty at Dorchester in the other Towns near Boston from the first of January till about the first of April then marched by the way of Providence to New York and did duty there and at other places near New York to the end of the year I set out home the last day of December, I well remember a man in Capt Payson's company by the name of Clark, he was a corporal in said company, and have no doubt but that his name was Benjamin Clark but he was usually called Corporal Clark he was in the company with me during the year, he did not come home with me but remained with several others that belong- ed to Captain Payson's company and went off to New Jersey and I have never seen him since.
Jeremiah Smith
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk ss November 3 d 1837 Then the above named Jeremiah Smith personally appeared and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed was true.
Before me Joel Talbot Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Jeremiah Smith has the reputation of being a man of veracity and a credible witness
Joel Talbot

I Thomas Curtis of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a Revolutionary Pensioner aged eighty years testify and say that I enlisted into Captain William Briggs Company in Col Joseph Reed's Regiment in the Spring of 1775 for eight Months and was Stationed at Roxbury during said term of service, I was acquainted with Benjamin Clark of Stoughton a shoemaker by trade, and I well recollect that I saw him at Roxbury in Capt William Briggs Company in the fore part of the eight Months Service the Mechanicks belonging to the several companies in said Regt were called away from their respective companies to work at their mechanical business and I know that several were taken from Capt Briggs Company and it is my belief that Benjamin Clark was one that was called out of Capt Briggs Company and it is my belief that those men that were called out still belonged to their respective companies for at that time there was no regularly organised companies of artificers in the army
Thomas Curtis
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk ss November 6 th 1837 Then the above named Thomas Curtis, well known to me as a Revolutionary Pensioner and a man of veracity personally appeared and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed was true
Before me Joel Farber Justice of the Peace

I George Blinn of Wrentham in the County of Norfolk aged Seventy Eight years testify and say that I was a Soldier in the army of the Revolution that I enlisted into the yearly service about the first of January 1776 in the company commanded by Capt Samuel Payson, in Col Joseph Reed's Regiment and did duty at Roxbury & in that neighbourhood until about the first of April then marched by the way of Providence & New London to New York and did duty at New York, West Chester and in that neighbourhood the remainder of the year. I recollect that there was a corporal that belonged to said company by the name of Clark but I do not distinctly recollect his first name but I think his name was Benjamin Clark. he did duty in the same company with me during said year
George Blinn
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk ss November 3 rd 1837 Then the above named George Blinn personally appeared and made Oath that the above statement by him subscribed was true
Before me
Joel Talbot Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the above named George Blinn has the reputation of being a man of truth and is a credible witness
Joel Talbot

Josiah Hall of Walpole in the county of Norfolk and commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty three years, testify and say that I was a soldier in the army of the Revolution, that I enlisted into the Continental service for one year in Capt Samuel Payson's company in Col Joseph Reed's Regt about the first of January 1776 and did duty at Dorchester and in that neigh- bourhood until the first of April, then Marched by the way of Providence & New London to New York and did duty in said company at New York West- chester and in that neighbourhood the remainder of the year, I very well recollect a man that be- longed to Capt Payson's company by the name of Clark he was a corporal I do not recollect of hearing his given name, he was called corporal Clark, he did duty in the same company with me during the year and further I say not.
Josiah Hall
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk ss November 3 d 1837 Then Personally appeared the above named Josiah Hall and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true is true Before me Joel Fabbott Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I made inquiry of some of the inhabitants of Walpole well known to me respecting the moral character of the above named Josiah Hall and he is reported to be a man of veracity Joel Fabbott

I Josiah Wheeler of Royalston in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Do testify and say Do testify and say That I lived a near neighbour to Benjamin Clark who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. I have frequently heard him relate stories relative to the service, such as crossing the Delaware &c. That he was at the Battle of Trenton. That this battle was near the close of his year's service. From all my conversations with him I should think that he was nearly two years in the service altogether. I also testify and say that the said Benjamin Clark died at Royalston about the first of April 1815. and that his wife Meritable Clark is now and ever has been a widow since her husband's decease, and that she now resides a near neighbour of mine, and living with her son Benjamin Clark.
Josiah Wheeler
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss March 11 th 1837. Personally appeared Josiah Wheeler and made solemn oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is just and true. I also certify that full faith and credit ought to be given to his testimony.
Before me. Timothy Lewis { Justice of the Peace

V168 3
Mehitable Clarke widow of Benjamin.
married 21 Dec. 75
Died 1815
Aom 2 p m 8 mo 12 d 28.-
Capl. 12 mo - 44
per annu — $72
Mast State Hoqs
Capl. Payson
Hon. G. Greene A.R.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Worcester ss Probate Office -
I certify that Ira Warson is Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, and that his name subscribed to papers hereto annexed, was written by himself. And that Timothy Lewis and Samuel Lee each of them Justice of the Peace for the said County of Worcester, duly commissioned and sworn, and that the name of the said Lewis and Lee subscribed to papers hereto annexed, as such Justice of the Peace, was written in each place by himself.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of the said Probate Court this 24th day of March 1837.
Theoph. Wheeler Reg. of the said Probate Court -

Templeton (Mass) March 28. 1837
James S. Edwards Esq.
Herewith enclosed is the Application of Mehitable Clark for a pension under the 3 d Section of the Act of Congress of July 1836. - At this late period of time it is extremely difficult to prove every circumstance required by the Department but it is hoped that the evidence herewith forwarded will be deemed sufficient to justify the department in granting a certificate to a poor and aged widow, whose husband tradition informs us served his country with fidelity.
Yours with respect
Samuel Lee.

Hon Geo. Grennell Jr M. C.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Edward Everett
By His Excellency EDWARD EVERETT, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said Commonwealth.
To all whom it may concern:
Know Ye, That Joel Saltonstall and Thomas Saltonstall Esqrs are justices of the Peace, for the County of Norfolk; - (and that Oliver Prince Esq is a justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth; (and they were so at the date of their attestation,) in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commission- ed, and that to their Acts and Attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court; that the within Attestation is in due form, and by the proper Officers.
In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the Public Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, this Ninth day of November A. D. 1837; and in the Sixty second Year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency the Governor.
John P. Bigelow Secretary of the Commonwealth.

"Dec 21 1775 - Married Benjamin Clark, and Mehitable Eaton -"
John Porter -
I certify that the above is a true copy from the records of the first Church in North Bridgewater, commencing 1740, and ending 1810 -
Paul Couch } Pastor of first Church in north Bridgewater
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. Plymouth County
This twenty-fifth day of February A.D. 1837. Personally appeared before me the subscriber, Rev. Paul Couch, a man of the most undoubted veracity, who is Pastor of the First Church in North Bridgewater, which Town of North Bridgewater was formerly part of the Town of Bridgewater, and made oath that the foregoing certificate by him subscribed, is true. And I certify that the volume of Church Records from which the above certificate is taken, is in the hand writing of Rev. John Porter, who was Pastor of said Church for sixty years, from about the year 1740. - I well know the hand writing of said Porter, having been personally acquaint- ed with him: and the Records of said volume I have known used many times for legal purposes.
Jesse Perkins } Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Feb. 28. 1837.
I hereby certify that Lepe Perkins, whose name is within written, is a Justice of the Peace, & was such at the date of the within attestation, for the County of Plymouth in this State. Witness my hand & the seal of the State.
John P. Bigelow
Seal of the Com'th

Mehitabel Clark of Royalston in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Do testify and declare that I am the widow of Benjamin Clark deceased as set forth in my application to the War Department for a pension in March last, that since that period and on further enquiry, I have found to my satisfaction that my said husband Benjamin Clark aforesaid now deceased served in the Revolutionary War as follows. That said Benjamin Clark belonged to a minute company commanded by Capt. William Briggs, and marched towards the scene of action at Lexington April 19 th 1775 and remained under arms for twelve days. That he on or about the 1 st of May 1775 enlisted and served in a company commanded by Capt. William Briggs - Jedediah Southworth, Lieutenants and I believe in Col. Joseph Reed's Regiment and that this service ended about the first of January 1776. The said service was performed at Roxbury and the neighbouring towns near Boston. I further say that said Benjamin Clark engaged as a corporal in the year service in a company commanded by Capt. Samuel Payson. Lieut. Sindley in Col. Joseph Reed's Regiment. Said Benjamin Clark served at and near Worcester about four months. Then marched to New York, and did duty in the towns near New York until near the close of the year's service, when he marched to New Jersey and did duty at Trenton and neighbouring towns until about the middle of February 1777, when he returned home and arrived at Stoughton March 8 th 1777. I well recollect that my said husband Benjamin Clark, stated after his return that he served six weeks after his year's service had expired, at the request of his Officers. And my belief is that the whole term of military service thus rendered during the Revolutionary War was twenty two months.
Mehitabel Clark

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester county ss Nov. 16 th 1837. Then personally appeared the within named Abigail Clark and made oath that the within declaration by her subscribers is true. And I hereby certify that I have for many years been acquainted with her, and that she has always been considered a woman of truth & veracity.
Timothy Lewis { Justice of a peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, ss. I, Joseph G. Kendall, clerk of the court of common pleas for said county of Worcester, do certify that Timothy Lewis, Esquire, above named, is a justice of the peace in and for said county, and that the above appears to be his signature, in his own proper hand writing. In testimony whereof, I hereto set my name, and affix the seal of said court, at Worcester, this eighteenth day of November, A.D. 1837. -
Jos. G. Kendall. Clerk

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Templeton Nov. 24 th 1837
Sir
In behalf of the widow Mehitable Clark - I forward the preceding explanatory declaration of said Mehitable in illustration of her claim now pending in the U. S. Pension department - also six depositions, as further evidence of the services performed by said Benjamin Clark -
With high respect
Your obed t Servant
Samuel Lee
Note. The Declarant, in her foregoing declaration, corrects an error into which she fell respecting the Officer under whom the first (8 mo) service was performed -
That a widow Eighty four years old should commit such an error is not surprising
Geo. Grennell Jr M. C.

March 1775 An Account of the men that Engaged in the Service from that time and after & also their time of Service &c
"The names names that Engaged in the minute company in March 1775 & the nineteenth of April went on alarm and did duty twelve days
W m Briggs capt Samuel Fabbey 2 nd Lt Frederick Southworth clerk
Peter Gray Bengn n Monk } sergts
George Monk Nath l Merion } corps
W m Monk Drum r
Philip Holmes Asaph Faxon } pipers
John Caper
Beng n Clark
Elias Drake
Ebene r Fisher
Sam l Holmes Jr
Isaac Forster
John Klingman
Joseph Morse
Amber Morton Daniel Nightingale John Pendengrass
Jonathan Rawson
W m Smith
Joseph Smith
W m Talbot
W m Tilden
Sam l White
Ebenezer Wood
Jacob French
Levi French
there were
these men above named went out of the limits of Capt Swans company & were stationed at Roxbury
"May 1 st 1775 Engaged in the Service for Eight Months
2 W m Briggs capt
2 Frederick Southworth 2 nd Lieut.
2 Beng n Monk } sergts
2 George Monk } sergts
Sam l Caper Jr
2 W m Monk } corps
2 Nath l Merion } corps
2 Asaph Faxon pipers
James Azum
James Allen
Isaac Bird
Jonathan Belcher
2 Benjamin Clark
Thomas Curtis
Elisha Dunbar

2 Elias Drake John Dabney Peter Dickerman Solomon Esty 2 Eben n Fisher 2 Jacob French 2 Sam l French Benj m Geth Seth Johnson Timothy Gay 2 Isaac Jordan 2 John Ringman Elias Monk Jr Elizah Monk 2 Ambrere Morton 2 Daniel Nightingale Benj m Packard
2 W m Smith David Thompson Ralph Thompson Elizah Tilden Jr Isaac Talbot 2 David Talbot 2 Saul White 2 Eben n Wood
NB Sam l Talbot Engaged Oct 12 and carried till Feb. 11 months wanting 12 days those that have fig s & against their names was in the minit company
the names of the men that engaged in the continental service for a year in Jan y 1 st 1776 in left Sam l Payson's company
3 Sam l Payson left Sam l Payson Jr 2 Solomon Esty 3 Benjamin Clark } left 2 James Ayer 2 James Allen 2 Peter Dickerman 3 Sam l French 3 Isaac Jordan Ebenah Jordan Joseph Smith 2 nd 3 John Ringman 3 Daniel Nightingale 3 W m Smith 3 Joseph Morse Jr
those that have fig s & against their names are those that engaged the year before
those that have fig s & 3 is those that were in the minute company & engaged in the service the 8 months
NB Joseph Smith 2 nd engaged & served about one month & hired a man the rest of the time and gave him 4:0:0
I Joel Talbot of Stoughton hereby certify that the foregoing are true copies from my father's record in my possession Joel Talbot

Stoughton Feb 23 1837
I Benjamin Bisbee of Stoughton in the county of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being a Soldier of the revolution do upon oath testify and say that I have this day examined a record that was kept by Samuel Talbot of Stoughton who was an officer in the Milition company in said Town in time of the revolutionary war and engaged in enlisting and drafting men for the service, and which record is now in the possession of his son Joel Talbot and I know it to be in the handwriting of the said Samuel Talbot now dead and I hereby certify that the foregoing are true copies from said record I further say that I knew Benjamin Clark of Stoughton and that he was a soldier in time of the revolutionary war I saw him at Roxbury in the eight months service in 1775 and understood that he belonged to Capt Wm Briggs company I was at that time a soldier in Capt Phips company
Benj. Bisbee
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk ss February 23 d 1837
Then personally appeared the above named Benjamin Bisbee and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed was true before me, and I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with said Bisbee and he has the reputation of being a man of truth and veracity
me
Joel Talbot Justice of the Peace
Benj. Talbot. Minute Man. 12 days Do. Roxbury 8 months Do. N. York 14 - 22 mo. 12 days