Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S, 15376, John Clark, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Clark, John
S 15-376
CONTENTS
Carded

Connecticut 1774.
John Clark
Ct. Mch 31/51-
Woodstock in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the Comp y . commanded by Captain Coeles of the Reg t . commanded by Col. Jacobs in the Mass. line for 13 months.
Wiken.
10 mo s S uff - 33.33. 3 d s W olcott 12.50. 45.83
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 45 Dollars 83 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of Sept r . 1833 and sent to John Fowler 4 th North Woodstock
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 1833 114.57 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar. 34. 22.91 137.48
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book
C. R. Johnson Vol. three. Page 9.

John Clark
Declaration —
14100
adm d
2 mo. Matrofs
10 mo. pre. Subg
 91.66  22.91   114.57 
 12.50  33.33   45.83 

State of Connecticut } Windham County } J S
on this 1 st day of October personally appeared in open court before the Hon. John Rain Esq Judge of Probate for Woodstock District now sitting John Clark a resident of Woodstock in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 75 years who first being duly sworn according to law with on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 -
I entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated - In 1775 I resided in the town of Norton Massachusetts and County of Bristol - In Sept r 1775 I served as a substitute for Asa Smith in the State troops of Massachusetts for three months and marched from the town of Norton to Squantum Island where I served said three months in the company then commanded by Capt Silas Cobb - Dec r 1 st 1775 I enlisted under Capt Israel Root for two months and belonged to Col Ward's Reg t and was stationed at Dorchester where I served said enlistment In 1776 I enlisted into an Artillery Company commanded by Capt George Makepeace for three months and marched to Providence Rhode Island and from thence to Warren on an alarm and from thence to Howlands ferry where I stayed until my enlistment expired belonging Col Lane Regiment -

In 1777 I enlisted under Capt Abel Clapp for one month and marched to Red Bank belonged to Col. Lapsberger's Regiment. In 1778 in August I enlisted under Capt Lowles for four months belonged to Col. Jacobs Regiment marched to Rhode Island and was in the Battle with General Sullivan in his Expedition after my enlistment had expired I returned home to Norton. I have no Documentary evidence I know of no persons whose testimony I can procure who can testify to my services that is not within my own knowledge. I was born in the town of Norton Mass 1757.
A Record is on the town records of Woodstock and in my place I lived in Norton when called into service. I now live in the town of Woodstock.
I was called into the service by being a S. Vetter and Enlisted - I was with General Sullivan Washington and Connell.
I had a discharge from my orderly sergeant but it is lost. Reference Elisha Chamberlain, John Fox, David Clark.
I hereby acknowledge every claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of my state. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year fore said John Clark
We Alvan Underwood Clergyman residing in the town of Woodstock and Elisha Chamberlain residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Clark who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is reputable and believed in this neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we believe his statement is entitled to the fullest credit.
Sworn and subscribed to Alvan Underwood Clergyman the day and year aforesaid Elisha Chamberlain

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 within named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Alvan Underwood who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Woodstock and that Eliza Chamberlain who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit and it is the opinion of this court that the statement of the applicant is true and entitled to credit -
I George Bown Clerk of the court of Probate for Woodstock District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Solomon Clark for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this first day of Oct - 1832 -
George Bown Clerk of Probate for the District of Woodstock

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in the town of Woodstock in Windham County and State of Connecticut John Clark of said Woodstock who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that I served in the army of the Revolution the periods mentioned below and in the following grades ~ ~ ~ I was in actual service and served ten months as a private soldier in the Infantry ~ I was in actual service and served as a private soldier in the Artillery three months - and for such service I claim a pension John Clark
Windham County ss Woodstock May 30 th 1833 personally appeared before me John Clark and made solemn oath to the above Declaration - And I hereby certify that he is a credible person and that this Statement is entitled to credit ~
Jonathan May Justice of Peace
I George Bown Clerk of the court of Probate for the District of Woodstock in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Jonathan May before whom the above Declaration was made is duly enrolled as a Justice of the Peace in and for said County that the signature of his name is his hand writing and that full faith and credit ought to be given to his acts as such ~ In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said office dated at Woodstock this 30 th Day of May 1833
George Bown Clerk of Probate for the District of Woodstock

No 14.100
In: Clarke
Ply. 5. 10. 14
10 months from Jan 1st 9 do Astoria
13
adm a
✓
In: Fowler
Woodstock
6.
(Ver App. Form 1-23)

BRIEF in the case of  John Blake of the County  of Windham in the State of Conn.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Cont  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? years 75  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.     In 1775 Sept. Substitute 3 for Asa Smith As a Gen.   " Dec. 1 st 2 called Col. Ward, Capt. Trow   '76 3 Private Col. Lane, Capt. Mackiepean   '77 1 d o Col. Carpenter, Capt. Clapp   '78 Augt 4 d o Col. Jacobs, Capt. Coles    Artillery
 5. In what battles was he engaged? R. Island,  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Norton Ms.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Deposition & tradition  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Regular
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Bell Examining Clerk.

Ans
O. W. and N. Division.
3-525.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
S. 15,376
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., _____, 190__
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Clark a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Sept. 1, 1775 3 mos. Pvt. Silas Cobb ✓ Mass.   Dec. 1, 1775 2 mos. Israel Trow Ward   1776 3 mos. George Makepeace Lane   1777 1 mo. Abiel Clapp Carpenter   Aug. 1778 4 mos. Cowles Jacobs  
Battles engaged in, Rhode Island. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Norton, Bristol Co., Mass. Date of application for pension, Oct. 1, 1832.  Ch. al. Residence at date of application, Woodstock, Windham Co., Conn. Age at date of application, b. in Norton, Mass. in 1857. Remarks: ✓ No family data
Very respectfully,
S. 15-376
Commissioner.

CLARENCE W. BOWEN BALD HILL WOODSTOCK, CONNECTICUT
Rev. Lee Miss
June 18, 1917.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My dear Sir:
I would be very much obliged to you if you would kindly give me the record in the Revolutionary war of John Clarke, who died in Woodstock. I think he drew a pension, from Woodstock, during the last years of his life. He was not born in Woodstock. I understand there were about a hundred persons by the name of John Clarke in the Revolutionary war. It is only the Woodstock member that I am interested in, and would like to get his record in the Revolutionary war, if possible. If you will kindly help me as above suggested, I shall be pleased to hear from you.
Yours very truly,
Clarence W. Bowen
CWB/S

S 16991 = 1844 son wid Lucy - 1848 634
only 3 in 1832 age 4
S 17740. — 2
S 17376
S 17944 wid Hannah died 1832
]

Putnam, Conn. Feb. 21, 1911.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
May I ask you to give me the pension record of my ancestor, JOHN CLARKE, of Woodstock, Conn. As there are others by the same name, I would say that his wife was Sarah Chamberlain, and that he had a son John, and son Thaddeus, dau. Lavinia and dau Damaris. He came from Norton, Mass. to Woodstock, Conn.
Thanking you for same,
Very truly,
Mrs. E. S. Bugbee
P.S. I think the pension reference found in Connecticut Men in the Revolution on pages 657, from Windham County, act of 1832 and on 663, of Woodstock, act of 1840 both apply to him.
Address.
Mrs. E. S. Bugbee 142 South Main St. Putnam, Conn.
815376

✓ 15.376 INVALID.
1911, Feb. 27 Hist. 45 Mrs. E. S. Bugbee 1917 June 21. Heir. to Clarence W. Bowen. aw
File No. 15.376
John Clark Pris Rev war
Act: Inne 7" 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 70
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Know ye that I David Clark of Woodstock in the county of Windham and State of Connecticut of seventy seven years of age Do depose and say that I am well acquainted with John Clark of said Woodstock and was knowing to the said John Clark when  being in the Army of the Revolution and was with him in the Battle with General Sullivan 1778 on Newport Island - but exactly how long he was out at that time cannot remember but from the best Recollection should say four months - and I further say that I was knowing to the said John Clark being out several other campa- signs at different times - but cannot remember how long at the several times.
David Clark
Windham County ss. Woodstock Oct. 31 1832 personally appeared before me David Clark and read with the above deposition and I hereby certify that he is a credible witness
Before me Wheeler Phillips Justice of Peace

I George B Bowen Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Woodstock in the County of Hartford State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the within Deposition was made in duly erroled as a Justice of the Peace in and for said County that the within signature of his name is his hand writing and that full faith and credit ought to be given to his acts as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Office Dated at Woodstock this 5 th day of October 1832
George B Bowen Clerk of Probate for the District of Woodstock

2 BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Clarke 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? No Time given 5 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? NO EXPLANATORY NOTES.

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? NO
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.

Dec 19/50 Ask for more pension for wife Bounty Land
John Clark Capt. [unclear]
Genl. H. Stewart Esq. Washington D.C.

Woodstock Conn. Dec 13 th 1850
Sir
I am receiving a pension from Government as a Revolutionary soldier agreea- bly to the Act of June 7 th 1832 and think I am entitled to a bounty in land not having received any. My Claim is recorded in the Pension Office in Book E Vol three Page nine Should I be entitled to a Bount y you would greatly oblige me by the information, and, also of the means necessary for procuring it.
Yours Respectfully
John Clarke
Alex. H. H. Stewart Esq