Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,880, Benjamin Clark, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Clark, Benjamin Sarah
N 20,880
CONTENTS

15,773 New York.
Benjamin Clark
of Jay in the state of New York who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Putnam of the Mapaduck line, for the term of Three years
Inscribed on the roll of New York at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence the 1 of April 1819
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 of Nov 19 and sent to G. How Esq. Elizabethtown New York
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1819 134.00 Semi-ann. all'ce ending Mar 1820. 48.00 17 Mo 4/30 $185.06
cont. { Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. } Note sent Dec. 7 th 1820 to G. How. Elizabeth C. House Essex Co. N.Y.

Let to Hand States July 11. 44
Albany 5727. New York.
Sarah Clark M rs widow of Benjamin Clark who was a Private in the Mass s Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of June 1844 and sent to
Hon. L. E. Nelson Keeseville. N. York
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 200

Benjamin Clark Private
78 to 81
Putnam Mapts
Kept
on Roll
Admitted
1 st Ap 1812.
Benjamin Clark -
First, Enlistment July 15. 1778 - 3 years
Capt. Morse's Comp y .
Col. Rufus Putnam's Regiment.
Discharged July 1781 -
Second, Enlistment Dec r 1781 or Jan. '82
For 3 years more
Capt. Benson's Company - after- wards transferred into Capt. Kirtland's Comp y .
Col. Rufus Putnam's Regiment.
Massachusetts line
Discharged Dec r 1783, Westpoint.
Further - See endorsement in the case of Benjamin Bruce as to this applicant's having been "found upon the rolls."

State DISTRICT OF New York , Essex County, ss.
On this ninth day of October 1819, before me, the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas held in for the County of Essex  of Essex for the said district, personally appeared Benjamin Clark aged fifty eight years, resident in Jay in the said County of Essex in the said district, who, being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war:" That he, the said Benjamin Clark enlisted for the term of three years about the fifteenth day of July in the year 1778 in the company commanded by Captain Morse of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Rufus Putnam in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the Continental Establishment; that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States, until the Southern in July 1781 , when he was discharged from service in Philaplanka state of New York , below White Plains that he was in the  no battles but fought several  that in December 1781 or January 1782 he enlisted a second time in Capt. Benson's Company in the same Regiment for three years more from whence he was transferred into Capt. Killam's Company in which he continued to serve until December 1783 or January 1784 after which he was discharged at Westpoint in New York and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Benjamin Clark his mark
Isaac Finch
I, Isaac Finch
Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify that it appears, did serve in the
to my satisfaction, that the said Benjamin Clark did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months at one time, on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress. I am also satisfied that he needs the assistance of his country for support. Also certify that he made a previous declaration
the first day of April
1818
Isaac Finch one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Essex
Clerk's Certificate under Seal on the other side

State of New York
County of Essex ss.
I Thomas Storer, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do certify that Isaac Finch Esq. at the time the within decla- ration purports to have been made was one of the Judges of said Court & that his name written within is his proper signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said Court the sixteenth day of October 1819
Thos Storer Clerk By Ashley Pond Dep.

Benjamin Clark
Young
15773
Erie Co
Nov 19
NY
on

State of New York
County of Essex ss. On this twenty sixth day of September 1820 personally appeared in open Court in the Court of Common Pleas held in & for the said County of Essex in the State of New York being a Court of record for the said County, having the power of fine & imprisonment Benjamin Clark aged fifty nine years the sixth of January next resident in the town of Jay in the County aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows That about the 15 th of July 1778 he enlisted for three years in Captain Morse's Company in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Putnam in the Massachusetts line of troops & served out his term of enlistment in that Company - that Captain Morse having died the Company was afterwards commanded by Captain Frotter - That in December 1781 as well as he can now best remember he enlisted a second time for three years in Captain Benson's Company in the same Regiment line aforesaid - that he was afterwards transferred into Captain Killgren's Company in same Regiment & served in same Regiment until December 1783 or January 1784 when he was discharged - that his original declaration is dated on the first day of April 1818 & that he has received a pension certificate numbered 15773 -
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 & that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any other manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed on the 18 th day of March 1818 & that I have not nor had any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed & by me subscribed
Schedule
Real Estate - I have none - Personal Estate - 1 Cow - 2 Sheep - 3 or 4 Chickens - 1 three pail kettle - 1 small iron pot - 1 broken bake pan - 1 broken tea kettle - 1/2 doz. tea cups & saucers

17 1/2 tons of Hay to winter my Cow - 3 old chairs - 1 pail - 1 old chest or rather box - 2 old meal barrels - 4 plates - 1 small Shoat - 3 Milk pangs - 2 Earthen jars - 2 Jugs - 17 1/2 lbs tea - 1 great Wheel - 15 lbs Maple Sugar - 2 drag teeth - 10 bushels potatoes - 1 pail full of Soap - 6 plates - 1 Sugar tub - 6 lbs Codfish - 1 wash tub - 1 Salt mortar - 2 pint bowls - 1 Spoon - 1 Candlestick - 4 old knives & 2 forks - 1 Junk bottle - 1 Corn basket - 1 small keg - 1 toasting iron - 1 old churn - 20 lbs flour
Securities, Contracts & Debts as follows - I have debts due me amounting to ten dollars & fifty cents & no more
And the said Benjamin Clark further on his oath declares as aforesaid that he is by occupation a farmer - that by reason of the general infirmities of age & in particular of a weakness across & through the hips he is unable to labor except in a limited & moderate manner - that his wife family consists of his wife Sarah & himself only - that she is aged sixty four years & so infirm as to be unable to take care of herself, much less to contribute to her support, for a considerable part of the time
Sworn to & declared on the 26 th
Day of Sept. 1820 before
Thos. Stover Clerk
Benjamin his X Clark mark
I Thomas Stover Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Essex do hereby certify that the foregoing oath & the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the record of the aforesaid Court - & I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is twenty five dollars & no more - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court on this twenty sixth day of September 1820
Thos. Stover Clerk
By Ashley Pond Dip.

5224 Mrs. Sarah Clark
Jay
Appl d for pension
Act. July 7. 1838
Marr d 6 March 1788 Husband d d 14 Sept 1827

State of New York
County of Essex ss. On this twenty seventh day of March 1839 before me Oliver Keese Esq. one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Essex in the said State personally appeared Sarah Clark a resident of Jay in the said County & State aged eighty two years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows;" that she is the widow of Benjamin Clark who was a private in the Army of the Revolution; that she has no documentary evidence in her possession proving the service of her late husband except his pension certificate which is hereto annexed, & none exists to her knowledge except the papers in the pension office on which the said certificate was issued, & to which she refers for the particulars of his service.
She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Clark on the sixth day of March in the year seventeen hundred & eighty eight at Reading in the present State of Vermont; that her husband, the said Benjamin Clark died on the fourteenth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred & at Wilmington in the County & State aforesaid; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred & ninety four. Vis; at the time above stated Sarah her Clark mark
Sworn & subscribed to on the day & year above written before me; & I certify that the deponent cannot from bodily infirmity attend the said Court of Common Pleas, & from the same cause cannot write her name
Oliver Keese Esq. Judge of County Courts of Essex County

Essex County Js. On this 27 th day of March 1839 before me Oliver Keese 2 d Judge of the County Courts of the County of Essex personally appeared Sylvanus Minor of Jay in said County who being duly sworn deposed that Mrs. Clark now present is the reputed widow of Benjamin Clark late of Wilmington in said County deceased a Revolutionary Pensioner
Oliver Keese 2 d Judge of County Courts
State of New York Essex County ss
I Edward H. Keayle Clerk of the County of Essex do hereby certify that Oliver Keese 2 d Esquire whose name appears signed to the foregoing Subst & Certificate was on the day of the date of said Subst and Certificate one of the Judges of County Courts in and for the County of Essex aforesaid duly qualified therein. Commissioned sworn and duly authorized by Law to act as such and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Judge and truly believe his name subscribed as aforesaid is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal at Elizabeth- -Town this 10 th day of April 1839.
Edward H. Keayle Clerk
State of New York County of Essex ss. Sarah Clark named in the fore- going deposition appeared before me Posick W m - -Wenitt Esq. one of the Justices of the Peace of the said County

of Essex on this 19 th day of August 1839 who being first duly sworn doth depose & say that she was married to Benjamin  John Clark her late husband by the Rev. Nathan Searles then of Riddings in the State of Vermont that deponent then resided in the said Town of Riddings in the said State; & that her said husband Benjamin Clark died on the fourteenth day of September A.D. 1827
Sworn & subscribed before me this 19 th 1839 (the name "John" being first erased & that of "Benjamin" interlined) The word Riddings substituted before Doming
Sarah her  X Clark mark
Josiah W. Merrill Justice peace
State of New York
County of Essex ss. On this 19 th day of August 1839 before me Josiah W. Merrill a Justice of the peace — — — — — of the said County personally appeared Chester Morrison of the Town of Day in said County State aged forty five years who being first duly sworn according to law, testifies & says that he was acquainted with Benjamin Clark late of Wilmington in said County deceased for many years before his death; that he knows the said Benjamin was a Revolutionary pensioner & the husband of Sarah Clark named in the foregoing instruments or papers being the identical Benjamin Clark named in the said papers & that the said Benjamin died on or about the 14 th day of September 1827
Sworn & subscribed the 19 th — day of August 1839
Chester Morrison
Josiah W. Merrill Justice peace

State of New York
Essex County ss
I Edwards I Cuyler Clerk of the County of Essex do hereby Certify that Josiah W Howitt Esquire whose name appears signed to the within Certificate was on the day of the date of said Certificate a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Essex aforesaid Sworn & duly qualified by Law to act as such Justice And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and Truly believe his name subscribed as aforesaid is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal of said County this 23 d day of August A.D 1839
Edw s Houghton Clerk By H. W. Parkhill Dep Clerk

March the Sixth Seventeen hundred and eighty eight. Benjamin Clark Married to Sara Dana —
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows — "March the 6 th 1788" —
Attest Bridgman Hopgood Town Clerk of Reading
I Bridgman Hopgood above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town of Reading in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, and that the above is a true extract from the records in said Town, with the exception above named as certified by me
Bridgman Hopgood Town Clerk of Reading
Sworn before me on this 15 th day of February A.D. 1839
Solomon Keyes Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont } Windsor County ss }
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court do hereby certify that Solomon Keyes is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, duly commissioned & qualified and that his signature above written is genuine —
Given under my hand, and the Seal of said County Court this sixteenth day of February A.D. 1839
Benj in Swan Clerk

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
H. F. 20,880
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Benjamin 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.     July 15, 1778 3 yrs. Pvt. Morse Trotter Rufus Putnam Mass.   Dec. 1781 or Jan'y 1782 8 yrs. Benson Hillam Rufus Putnam  
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, ✓
Date of application for pension, Oct. 9, 1819 His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Jay Essex Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, born Jan'y 6, 1762
Remarks:
died Sept. 14, 1827, at Wilmington N.Y.
Soldier married Wif. 6, 1788 at Reading Vt. Sara Dana who was al. pms. on an app. ex. Mch. 27, 1839 while a resident of Jay N.Y. aged 82 years. No other family data.
Respectfully,
Earlier declaration, date of Apr. 1, 1818 not found in case Jan'y 12, 1915 Commissioner.
Hand officers

semi-annually. The first payment on this Certificate will be made on the 4th of March, in the city of New-York, by the Branch Bank of the United States.
Capt. Killins Co. Col. Horse Regt.
CLARK, BENJAMIN (MASS.) W-20880

War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th March, 1818, Benjamin Clark, of the State of New York, ———— late a priv. ———— in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the New York ———— Agency, at the rate of Eight ———— dollars per month, to commence on the first ———— day of April, ———— one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this eighth ———— day of November, one thousand eight hundred and nineteen.
J. C. Calhoun Secretary of War.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
1915 Series 13 Hist. to Mrs. E. Fay letter in S.F. 23 164 Nathaniel S. Clark. V.L. 11
File No. 20880 Sarah Clark Widow of Benjamin Clark Dr. New Mar.
Act March 30 43 Index: Vol. 21 , Page 138
[Arrangement of 1870.]

V
5224
5229
Sarah Clark
Readington Act. July 7. 1838/91 Sub 19
$ John Sherwood Jr. Esq. Say at York
Mr. Stewart Mr. Elkin Confucius

Mr. Purment at The request of yours to the Postmaster of Reading was handed me - I have procured the two orders for the purpose you wish and here with hand you the same
The expenses attending the posting is as follows
for Stock of Receipts & Certificates 1.00 for printing County Seal and certificates of Clerk of Court etc 2.00 $ 3.00
Which you will forward to me, or the Postmaster of Reading Pa. by mail - Hoping the foregoing and charge will soon be satisfactory -
I am Sir yours & etc.
Reading Feb 19 1839 - B. Haysaid

No. 6058
Sarah Clarke act 243
single
$80 per an
Mr Isaac Finch
Day Ephraim NY
Hon. L. Stetson House of Rep

) E Iowa March 90 New York 3
Paid 12 3/4
E. E. Kendrick Cashier Mechanics & Farmers Bank Mail - Albany New York

Given All these Presents
That I Sarah Clark of the Town of Lee, County of Essex and State of New York late a Pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 do hereby constitute and appoint Robert Sheffield of Albany my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name to receive from the Assem ly of the United States for services rendered in the City of Albany in account of my Pension due under the act of Congress
Passed March 3 rd , 1843 one Years pension
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourth day of March 1844
Sealed and delivered in presence of Isaac Finch Justice Henry B. Finch Charles H. Butts
her Sarah H Clark mark
State of New York } Essex County }
Be it known that on the fourth of March 1840 before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Personally appeared Sarah Clark above named and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be her act and deed
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and Year last above mentioned Isaac Finch Justice of the Peace
I certify that Sarah Clark by reason of age & infirmity is unable to write her name
Isaac Finch Justice
Application for the benefit of the act of 3 March 1843 Must be sent to J. L. Edwards Compt. of Pension Washington
P.S. Transmit to me say New York
Isaac Finch
Henson N.Y. Nov 12/44

State of New York County of Essex ss.
On this fourth day of March in the Year one thousand eight hundred and Forty four before the Subscriber Isaac Finch Esqr a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Person-ally appeared Sarah Clark a Resident of the Town of Say in said County Age Eighty seven who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the Benefits of the Provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3d of March 1843 granting Pensions to Widows of Persons who served during the Revolu-tionary War. That she is the widow of Benjamin Clark late a Revolutionary Pensioner.
She further Declares that she was a Pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 and that the Annual amount of the Pen-sion which she received under the said act was Eighty Dollars. She further Declares that she is still a Widow.
Sarah her Clark mark
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and Year first above written.
Isaac Finch Justice of the Peace
I certify that the above Declaration is personally known to me Isaac Finch Justice of the Peace
State of New York ss. County of Essex
I Edmund F Williams Clerk of said Court do hereby certify that Isaac Finch Esqr was on the day of the date of the above Sworn and Certificate a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County duly appointed and Qualified and that the signature above purporting to be his is Genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 8th day of March 1844
J. Williams Clerk
The foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original on file in my office.

Com Mr Oct 14
Sarah Clarke.
Edwards Pension Office Washington City District of Columbia
HP

Hessville, New York Oct r
(Mr. Edwards is desired to read this letter himself.)
Sir,
I sent you sometime ago the application of Mrs. Sarah Clark, widow of a late revolutionary pensioner, for a pension. It was accompanied by the affid deposition of the town Clerk of the town of in the eastern part of Vermont, setting forth in words a copy of the record of the marriage of Mrs. Clark on a particular day to her late husband - but not naming the clergyman who married them. The appl n was returned because in order that two omissions in the papers deposition of Mrs. Clark might be supplied - Viz
1 st The day of the death of Mr. Clark which was by mistake left blank. 2 d The name of the clergyman who performed the ceremony of marriage.
These omissions were immediately supplied by the additional deposition of the applicant, & forwarded to the app department.
And I have just now received

a letter requiring some additional compliances which leads me to suspect that Mr. Clark's papers have not received the attention which they ought.
The letter is as follows
"By the supplemental statement of Mrs. Sarah Clark it appears that she was married by the Rev. Mr. Sergeant. The claimant is required to produce a certificate from Mr. Sergeant or his successor showing what evidence, if any, there is in his possession of her marriage. If record evidence of the marriage cannot be produced the testimony of a credible witness who can specify the date will be necessary in order to establish that fact."
"If record evidence cannot be produced!"
We have already produced record evidence of the fact in precise conformity with the forms prescribed by the department — as would have been seen if the Clerk to whom the examination was entrusted had taken the pains to look over the papers.
The evidence to establish Mrs. Clark's claim I conceive is full & complete.
If any doubt exists, I require that

the matter be submitted to the head of the Department
I am, Sir,
Your obedient,
G. Stone

N.Y. Keeneville July 5 th 1844
Dear Sir
A short time before I left Washington I left the papers of the widow Sarah (I think) Clark at your office, and since my return here I have recd from you a Russian Certificate which I have forwarded to Major Isaac Finch of Ithaca N.Y. who first sent me the papers. He sends to me for the Power of Atty, which confirmed the power on him to draw, and induces me to write to you for it, it is attached to the papers on file.
Please send it to me,
Respectfully yours S. Herron
Col Edw. Evans Commr of Pensions

437 3 Sarah, widow of Bey: Clark
$ 80 per an
act 7 July 1838
Albany Roll
Send cut: to G. Stow,
Keesville
N. York
no deduction

Aug 31
My old case Sarah Clark
free Edwards Esq. Pension Office Washington City

Keeneville, New York Aug 24. 1839
Sir
I enclose again the copy n of Mrs Clark, with the suggested additional depositions — which supplies what was before wanting
Yours respectfully
G. Stow.

5224
Oct 22.
1838.
S. Howland Esq.
Sarah Clark wid: of Benjamin
Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington City
District of Columbia
h

Keesville, New York April 15. 1839
My Sir,
I enclose you the application of Mrs Sarah Clark, for a pension
Yours respectfully
G. Stow

free
Don L. Stetson Esq.
Member of bar of
Wilmington March 22,
Washington City

Isaac Finch
Mar 21 / 44
NY
Mar 3 1843
Cynthia Harris
Sarah Clark
$80 per an.
Hon. L. Sketsan
Esq.
Keeseville
N. York

Say March 21 st 1844
Dr Sir
Enclosed I transmit some papers that were made out for the Widow Clark to enable her to obtain the Benefit of the act of the 3 rd of March 1843 they were sent to the Pension Office Albany and returned with a note under the power saying saying that S t L. Edwards Comptroller of Pensions was the person to whom application were to be made to obtain her pension. now Sir If you will have the goodness to present the papers to the proper Authority and enable her to obtain the Benefit of said act You will have the consciousness of assisting a poor Widow and will confer a favor to me Sir Your humble Servant Isaac Lincoln
Hon d Stetsan Esq r

Albany 4,373
Sarah Clark. widow of Benjamin Clark
who was a pensioner under the Act of March 1818 and who died on the 14. Sept. 1827 of Essex Co. in the State of New York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Morse of the reg't, commanded by Col. Putnam in the Mass. line for 2 years,
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 80 Dollars ————— Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15. day of Oct. 1839 and sent to G. Stow Rooseville, N. York
Arrears to the 4th of Sept '39 280.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Mar. 1/40. 40.00
$320.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk. Book A, Vol. 2 Page 73