Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5009, William Clark, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
born
Clark, William
S. 5009
carded
CONTENTS

15.8024
Massachusetts
William Clarke
of Hampshire Co in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Lyon of the Regt. commanded by Col. Chester in the Cr. line for 9 mo.
At Milt
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of July 1833 and sent to Master Shaw Belchertran
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $ 60.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 15. 00
$ 75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book C Vol. 2 Page 12
81 Hampshire

memor Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress of June 7th 1892 state of Massachusetts County of Hampshire On this fifteenth day of August 1892 personally appeared in open court before Hon. Dominic Hinckley Judge of Probate for the County of Hamp- shire William Clark a resident of Belchertown in the County of Hampshire Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1892. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
I William Clark of Belchertown in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful Age do hereby and declare that I was born in the Town of Boston now the Town of Mansfield in the Commonwealth aforesaid the seventh day of May A.D. 1752 (now 1753) as appears by the Records of said Town. That I entered the service of the United States on the twenty fourth day of June A.D. 1776 by voluntary enlistment as a substitute for Daniel Lyon of Woodstock in the state of Connecticut (where I then lived) and served in the company under the command of Capt. Stephen Lyon of said Woodstock the other Officers of said company were Lts. Childs and Ensign — Mason both of said Woodstock. We then marched from Woodstock to Norwich and went by Water to New York, were stationed by what was called the Fly Market where we were formed into the Regiment under the command of Colonel Chuter (Christian name not known) The company which I belonged were in the Battle when the British took Long Island, some of our men were killed, I was at that time in the Hospital taking care of the sick. Our company was marched to Fort Washington where we stayed but a few days. Then were marched to White Plains, where we were not a short

Washington where we stayed but a few days. Then we marched to White Plains, remain there but a short time when we were ordered to Kings Bridge so called was stationed back about half a mile from said Bridge at a tavern. the sign of a fish where we remained until the last of December when we were discharged the time of our service having expired - On the day of the Battle at White Plains we were under arms all day - March three times that day and were as often halted. was not in the Battle - I was in service at that time six months -
I further declare that soon after my return from New York to Woodstock I again enlisted I think on the second day of January A.D. 1777 as a substitute for Eldy of said Woodstock for the term of three months went out in the company commanded by Capt. Paine Converse of Killingsly. We were marched from Woodstock to Norwalk from there we were ordered to New London where we remained

William Clerk's Declaration.
Depositions of John Fox & David Clark to 6 mo. " John Clark to 3 mo.
17405
to the Court as fully secure their opinion, after the investigation of the matter.

about fourteen days when we were marched to Providence where we remained until the term of our enlistment expired when we were discharged. While in Providence our company were stationed in the College Building - Asa Asa Lyon was Lieutenant in the Company
I never had a written discharge in either case - I saw General Washington when he was going to the Battle on Long Island and frequently saw General Putnam - but do not at the present recollect the names of Officers so as to testify to them
I further declare that I know of but one person now living who can testify to my services as before stated whose testimony I expect to prove
He hereby relinquished every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any army of any state. William Clark
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me Samuel Hinkley Judge of Probate for S. County
We Justus Learned Esq. Israel Dorr residing in the town of Rehoboth hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Clark, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 80 years old, that

residing in the town of Belchertown may certify that one who once acquainted with William Clark, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that he believes him to be 80 years old, that he is respected and beloved in the neigh- borhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the revolution, and that he concurs in that opinion I have subscribed the { Justus Forward day and year aforesaid { Ismael Towne Before me Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate
And the said Court as hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after printing 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 Justus Forward Esq. and Dea. Ismael Towne are resident in Belchertown and are credible per- sons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. - Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate
I Samuel F. Lyman Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Clark for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fifteenth day of August A.D. 1832 Sam l F. Lyman Register

John Clark's Deposition to 3 mo. Service of Mr. Clark

Know ye that I John Clark of Woodstock in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut -out of 75 years of age do testify and say that I am well acquainted with William Clark of Belchertown Hampden County Mass and formerly of Woodstock Connecticut that I was knowing to the said William Clark being in the army at Providence I believe in the year 1777 - but how long I do not remember and that while the said Clark as in the army he was taken sick and I went there after him and carried him home and after he got well he returned to the army and further the Deponent saith not - Woodstock Oct 1 st 1832
John Clark
State of Connecticut } Windham County } ss
Personally appeared in open court before the Hon. John Rain Day Judge Probate for Woodstock District John Clark who has subscribed the above Deposition and made solemn oath to the truth therein contained according to the best of his knowledge - and the lowest certifies that the Deponent is a credible witness - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said court this 1 st Day of Oct 1832
George Bowen Clerk of Probate for District of Woodstock

David Clark's Deposition to 6 mo. service of Mr. Clark

I know ye that I David Clark of Woodstock in Windham County and State of Connecticut of 77 years of age do testify and say that William Clark of Belchertown Hampshire County State of Massachusetts is a brother of mine. - I was known to his intestate under the Captain Stephen Dyer for six months and that his company belonged to Col Chester Regiment - I was in the army near White Plains and I frequently saw my Brother while he was out this six months - Capt Dyer's company belonged to the Connecticut State Troops and further the deponent saith not -
David Clark
Woodstock in Windham County State of Connecticut Personally appeared in open court David Clark of said Woodstock and Solomon made oath that the deposition by him subscribed is true - and the court testifies that the Deponent is a credible witness and that his statement is entitled to credit Woodstock Windham County August 21 st 1832 -
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of this office this 21 st Day of August 1832
George Bowers Clerk of Probate for the District of Woodstock State of Connecticut

17406 William Clarke Mass
Pm at 9 AM
10 16 06
March 26 1835
P. 314
Mason, Shaw E Belchertown Mass March 24 Lyons Wampshire Mass

BRIEF in the case of  William Clarke  County of Hampshire  in the State of  Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 80 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.     Sub Enters In 1776 — 6 — private Genl Washington Capt Lyon Co Chester   1777 — — 8 — — " Btry Capt Pain.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? On Long Island  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Leominster  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses for both terms  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not properly attached 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. Clarke Examining Clerk.

John Fox's Deposition to 6 mo. service of Mr. Clark

Know ye that I John Fox of Woodstock in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged seventythree years do testify and say that In the year of 1776 I belonged to Col d Chesters Regiment and Capt Stephen Lyon's Company in the army of the United States and I was knowning to William Clark then of sd Woodstock now of the Town of Belchertown Commonwealth of Massachusetts of selecting in Capt Stephen Lyon's Company and sd Chesters Regiment for the term of six months and sd Clark served in sd Company & Regiment at New York White Plains and other places adjacent to New York the full term of which he enlisted for. & the deponent was a soldier in sd Lyon Company with the sd Clark
and further the deponent saith not
Woodstock September 5 th D 1832
John Fox
Woodstock in Windham County State of Connecticut Personally appeared in open Court John Fox of sd Woodstock and made solemn oath that the above Deposition by him subscribed is true and the Court certifies that the Deponent is a credable witness and that his statement entitled is good
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of this office this 5 th Day of Sept r D 1832
George my Bower Clerk of Probate for the District of Woodstock State of Connecticut

Post Office Woodstock Ct April 13 th 1833
Messrs Sherrill Esq rs
In 17 Ours of the 8 th covering the three depositions / was only received the fact is we have no other sent them the one attached to the deposition. This town was totally established as a Probate District, there not being a member of Congress residing or considerable distance from this. I have call d on a Notary public for a certificate state and attached all together that I am Clerk of Probate for the District of Woodstock which we presume will be all that will be required he always ask d - fifty cents for the certificate
I have not wrote so fully as I wish d as the post is recounting
Yours &c Geo. Bawer Postmaster

17606
Apr blank Maps.
Mara Shaw Esq Belcherstown Maps

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Clarke further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? ys II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? ys 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? ys 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? ys VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? ys VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? ys VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? ys IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? ys X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes, no G. Brown's seal

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? 2 citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? Yes
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? 3 living witnesses
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
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? the Clerk has
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? —
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? ✓
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.

Reopen
5009
INVALID.
File No. 5009
William Clark
Prison Mts Vols
Act: June 1 th 1882
Index:—Vol. m , Page 68
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I John M c Clellan a Notary Public within and for Windham County and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that George Brown by whom certificates are annexed to the within Deposition of John Frazier Esq, Daniel Clark and John Clark is the Clerk of Probate for the District of Woodstock in said State, and I believe the signature purporting to be his are genuine. And that said Court has been recently established and as yet have no Official seal. And that no member of Congress lives in a reasonable distance from the residence of said Brown to obtain a certification from him of the Office of said Brown - And that full faith and credit can be placed on the said certificates by the said Brown subscribed in his said Capacity - In testimony whereof I have affixed the seal of my Office and subscribed my name this thirteenth day of April A.D. 1833 -
John M c Clellan Notary Public