Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 21770, Abel Clark, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Clark, Abel
W 21770
Murray, Hannah
(Former widow)
CONTENTS

1562 Connecticut Hannah Murray formerly widow of Abel Clark
who died on the — 1788 of Litchfield Co in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Gillett of the reg t commanded by Col o Ennis, in the Cont l State line for 7 m. six days.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 24 Dollars — Cents, per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of Nov- 1837 — and sent to Mr. Battell Esq r . Torrington Co.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 1837 $156. — Pemi-annual allowance ending 4 Nov r 37 12. —
$168. —
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d & act 3 mch 37 }
Recorded by J. M. Allison Clerk, Book: A Vol. 2 nd Page 72

V 2156
Hannah Murray formerly widow of Abel Clark
born:
on 9th Capt Gillette Co. Col. Enn. Regt for 28 June to 24 Augt 1898.
admitted for 1 mo 26 days for first term in Capt Gillette Co. & for 2 nd term at Horse Neck (see Harry Whitten papers No. 17882) three more terms, also 2 mo. 10 days at in 1876 making 7 mo. 6 days, in all, = $24. Pr 7 mo. 6 da =

State of Connecticut Litchfield County Torrington the 13 th June 1837
On this 13 th June 1837 personally appeared before William Battell the subscriber of the town of Torrington County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut Hannah Murray of a resident of Torrington County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut aged eighty three years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oaths make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836 and the act explanatory of said act passed March 3 rd 1837 that she was married to Abel Clark who was in the spring of the year 1774 that he her husband was in the service a number of years during the war of the revolution the place where he went the officers he was under she can now recollect we resided a part of the time during the war in the town of Torrington & part of the time in the town of Hindoo in the State of Connecticut - he was in service one time for months and the other terms were up There is no documentary evidence to be found to prove his service
She further states that she was married her husband the aforesaid Abel Clark in the spring of the year 1774 that her husband the aforesaid Abel Clark died on the 11 th day of September 1788 that she was afterwards was married to Daniel Murray who died on the 23 rd day of December 1827 and that she was a widow on the 4 th day of July 1836 and still remains a widow as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
witnesses present
Mary Murray
William Battell
William Battell Just of peace
Hannah Murray
Mark
Litchfield County & Torrington State of Connecticut the 15 th June 1837 Personally appeared Hannah Murray well known to me as a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the above statements & deposition
by her subscribed before me William Battell Just of peace

I John Gillette Town Clerk of the town of Torrington have examined the Records of said Town but do not find any record of the marriage of Abel Clark & his wife Hannah, now the widow of Daniel Murray. There is no doubt of their having been married by the Rev. Samuel J. Mills who was Minister of this Parish at the time of their marriage and for a long time subsequent, and performed most of the Marriage ceremonies during the time of his Ministry, his House together with his Books & Papers was destroyed by fire in the year 1823
I was acquainted the said Abel Clark and his wife Hannah, since Hannah Murray, and I was well acquainted with their children Hannah, Elisha and Chester, who it appears by their Family records were born as follows.
Hannah Clark was born April 24 th 1778
Anna Clark was born August 19 th 1780
Elisha Clark was born August 9 th 1782
Chester Clark was born June 25 th 1784
I am acquainted with Andrew D. Austin who until recently resided in this town, now residing in the state of Ohio, also with Seth Goe and Harvey Whiting and I believe them all to be credible witnesses
John Gillette Town Clerk
Torrington October 2 nd 1837
State of Connecticut
Sitkfield County ss Torrington the 2 nd day of October 1837 —
Personally appeared John Gillette Town Clerk & Register of this Town is well known to me as a credible witness and made oath to the above deposition by him subscribed
before me —
William Buelott Just of the peace

The State of Ohio } Portage County p } Know all men by these presents that I Andrew D. Austin of Charlestown Portage County ohio aged eighty six years being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say that I was present at the wedding of Miss Hannah Loomis with Mr Abel Clark both of Covington Litchfield County Connecticut that they were joined in wedlock by the Rev Samuel Dorr Mills of said town in the Spring of the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy four and further this deponent saith not.
Signed and sealed in } Presence of } Asahel Tyler G. S. Hough State of Ohio }
Andrew D. Austin } A.D. 1833
Portage County ss } Re A. Known that on the 21 st day of August A.D. 1837 before me Asahel Tyler a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Andrew D. Austin and acknowledged that he signed the above instrument for the purposes therein specified and I do hereby certify that his character for truth and veracity is good and that his deposition is entitled to full credit - Sworn and subscribed to before me this 21 st day of August 1837 -
Asahel Tyler Justice of Peace
The State of Ohio } Portage County p }
I Horace H. Beebe Deputy Clerk of the court of Com- mon Pleas, in and for the County of Portage in the State of Ohio, do by these presents, certify and make known that Asahel Tyler Esquire before whom the fore- going Deposition and acknowledgement was taken, was at the time of taking such deposition and acknowledgement and now is a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commis- sioned and qualified, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court, at Ravenna, in said County this twenty first day of August A.D. 1837 - Horace H. Beebe Deputy Clerk -

Abel Clark 78. Joel Gillett Engr
6

I, ROYAL R. HINMAN , Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
THAT William Battell — Esquire, is, and for more than six months last past, has been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Litchfield in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgement of Deeds and to certify the same; also to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said Mr Battell in Court and Country.
In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the 19 th day of
June — in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirtyseven And I further certify that the signatures of William Battell signed to the several depositions hereto annexed are genuine to me personally known Royal R. Hinman Secretary

I Harvey Whiting of NewHartford Litchfield County & State of Connecticut Testify and say that I was well acquainted with Abel Clark late of Torrington in said County of Litchfield and served with him as a Soldier in the same company in the year 1778 in the army of the revolution the company was under the command of Joel Gillette John Burr Supt the Regiment under the command of Roger Eno we joined the Regiment at the saw pits and marched from there to White Plains in the State of New York we were enlisted for one year to be in actual service one half the time and I was in service six months and Abel Clark was his service during the same time I was informed that he was a married man at the time he was in service I did know him previous to the time I saw him in the army — dated at NewHartford the 14 th June 1834
Harvey Whiting
Litchfield County & NewHartford State of Connecticut the 14 th June 1834
Personally appeared Harvey Whiting well known to me as a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me
William Battle Just of the peace

I Mary Lewis of Torrington Litchfield County & State of Connecticut aged eighty three years testify and say that I am well acquainted with the widow Hannah Murray and have been for the last sixty five years and remember her marriage to Abel Clark her first husband in the year 1774 tho' I was not at the wedding I saw her & Clark who came together to meeting the next sabbath after their marriage was at their house frequently at the time they lived together they had three or four children during the time I know that Mrs Murray is now a widow and has been for the last ten years her marriage with Clark was performed by the Revd Samuel J Mills who performed most of the marriages in the Parish at time his house was burnt during his absence in the year 1823 together with his books and papers his records of the marriages being burnt with them --
Mary Lewis
Litchfield County Torrington the 15th June 1834 State of Conn Personally appeared Mary Lewis signer of the above deposition well known to me as a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the same before me.
William Batchelder Just Peace

I Seth Coe of Torrington Litchfield county & state of Connecticut aged seventy nine years Testify and say that I was well acquainted with Abel Clark & his wife at the time they were married and before that time I did not see them married was once a party employed to steal the bride as was often the case at that time this marriage took place in the year 1774 I was frequently at Clark's House at the time he and his wife lived together and know that they had children at the time I was a soldier in the army of the revolution in the year 1776 with Abel Clark at New York and in that vicinity ten weeks in a militia company and knew that he Clark was a married man at the time he died in the year 1788 - Since then his widow married Daniel Murray of this town who has been dead nine or ten years & his wife who was formerly the wife of Abel Clark is now a widow & has been since the death of Murray this marriage of Mrs Murray to Abel Clark was performed by the Rev Saml Mills the minister of the Parish his house was burnt in the year 1823 together with all his papers and records - Seth Coe
Torrington Litchfield county of state of Connecticut Personally appeared Seth Coe the 15 th June 1839 - Signer of the above deposition well known to me a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the same before me - William Bateall Just of the peace

Sept 13 1891
Adolph Hart Hannah Hart widow of Abel not acted in 23 89
W. H. ...
Heirs James S. Lockwood Compt. of Pensions Washington D. C.

Torrington 30 th August 1837
James S Edwards Esq r
Sir
Enclos d you have the deposition of Andrew D Austin of Portage county Ohio formerly of this town to prove the marriage of Hannah Murray to Abel Clark I hope you will make deposition of Mrs Murray claim soon and forward the papers to me
I am Sir Respectfully
Yours
William B Atteell

Torrington 31 st July 1837 —
James L Edwards Esq
Dr Sir
Enclos d you have the declaration of Hannah Murray made by the Judge of Probate for the district of Litchfield & the deposition of Levi Watson.
We can't yet find a person who was present at the marriage of Mrs Murray to Abel Clark tho' there seems to be no doubt of the fact we find no record of the marriage in the Town clerks office no family record to prove the fact. Mr Mills the former clergyman of this place who no doubt married them is dead his house was burnt in the year 1823 during his absence his records and all his papers was burnt if we had those papers we should be able to prove the marriage from Mr Mills records —
Your early attention to this case would be a great relief to Mrs Murray she is poor and very feeble — you will make the communication directly to me —
I am in Respectfully your Humble Servt William Battell

As B we are not able to get any further proof of Mr Stokes service tho I have no doubt he perform much more than is proved by the depositions of Mr Coo & Whiting whose depositions you have Mrs Murrays is old & feeble her memory impaired she cant now recollect for us to inform all the different tours of service perform by her husband
WB —
Leonard James S Edwards Committee of Pension Washington D C

I Levi Watson of New Hartford Litchfield County State of Connecticut aged seventy six years I testify and say I was well acquainted with Abel Clark and his wife who is now the widow of Daniel Murray was frequently at the house during the time they lived together in Torrington I supposed them to be husband & wife at that time I know they had children & knew they lived together a short time before or early in the commencement of the Revolutionary war I have now before me a record of the birth of their children which I presume is a family record it reads Hannah born April 24 th 1778 Anna born August 19 th 1780 " Eliza born July August 9 th 1782 Esther born June 25 th 1854 these children I know & that they were Abel Clark and his wife Hannah now the widow of Daniel Murray Mrs Murray says she had two children previous to the birth of Hannah who died in infancy I was born and have always lived in the town of New Hartford within two miles of where Clark resided when he resided in Torrington I have never known a white man & woman living together and having children without being legally married the minister of this parish was the Rev Samuel J Niles who performed most of the marriages during the ministry his house was burnt in the year 1823 together with all his books & papers -
Levi Watson

State of Connecticut Litchfield County ss Torrington The 29 th day of July 1837 Personally appeared Levi Watson well known to me as a credible witness and made oath to the truth of within deposition by him subscribed before me — William Battell J. of Peace

Sorringford Suffolk County State of Connecticut June 15 1837
Dr Sir
Enclosed you have the statements and depositions relative to the case of Hannah Murray of this place to obtain a pension for services performed by her joint husband in the army of the revolution any communication you may wish to make you will please to direct to me by mail
I am Sir
Respectfully
yours -
William Batchelder
J. S. Edwards Esq. Committee of Pensions Washington D.C. -

North Lexington St Nov 24th Annual Meeting
free
Honorable James L Edwards Chairman of Pensions
Washington D C -

Corning June 11 th November 1837
Honble James S Edwards
Sir
I forwarded you some time since the deposition of John Gillett & S th C. C. taken for the application of Hannah Murray to the pension office to obtain a pension for the service of first husband Abt Clark. At some time since these papers were forwarded having been disappointed in not having a letter from you I make the this communication I hope you will write me by the return mail
I am Sir very Respectfully your Obedient
Yours William Butts

I Seth Coe of Torrington Litchfield County & State of Connecticut aged seventy nine years Testify and say that I was well acquainted with Abel Clark late of Torrington and his wife now the widow of Daniel Murray that I lived in the same militia company with him Ten weeks the company was commanded by John Strong Benjamin Miller Sicut & Elijah Gaylord Bangs all of Torrington we left home in the month of July 1776 and returned the September following after the British took possession of New York we were stationed after we joined the regiment at New York Island and in that vicinity Clark returned home with me Clark died in the year 1788 and his widow married Daniel Murray who has been dead a number of years - I was not present in the house at the time Mrs Murray was married to Abel Clark but one of a party implied to that the bride as was often the custom at that time the marriage took place before the revolutionary war and was performed by the Revd Samuel G. Mills who was the minister of the Parish at the time and performed most of the marriages he is now dead & previous to his death his funeral was in the year 1823 with all his books and papers I was frequently at the house of Clark at the time when he lived with his wife & know that they had children who I then & now know — Seth Coe
State of Connecticut — Litchfield County ss Torrington the 28 th September 1837 Personally appeared Seth Coe well known to me as a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me William Bateell Just of the peace

Woodford Sishfield County State of Vermont September 30 th 1837
Garrison S Edwards Esq -
Sir - enclosed you have the deposition of Seth Lee & John Gillette the Town clerk and register of deeds in this town in a former deposition given by Seth Lee it was first stated the names of the officers under whose command they were at the time Stark was with him in the year 1776 - this has the names of the company officers - under which they served -
We have proved by the deposition of Harvey Whiting that Stark served with him in the same company in the year 1776 with the names of the company officers and the commands of the Regiment with the place named where the service was performed
Seth Lee says in his deposition that he was with Stark in the Militia service for which names the company officers tells where he was stationed during the time -
By the deposition of A D. Austin we prove the marriage of Mrs Murray to Stark the time it took place by the deposition of Seth Lee Mary Loomis Levi Watson & others they say they knew Stark & his wife knew they lived together as husband & wife had children the birth of these children is proved by the family records -
A number of the witnesses have testified that this marriage was performed by the Revd Sam l Miles minister of the gospel at that time they also say his house was burnt in the year 1823 with all his books and papers & we cannot have the benefit of his records to prove the marriage -

you mention in your letter of the 16 th September the applicant must name the officers under whose command they were at the time the forage was performed the place where they marched &c - I presume there is not one woman in twenty that can state those facts & we in this case have better testimony than of those who was with him in the forage
We have proved that Stark was married in the year 1794 that he lived with his wife at the time the forage was performed or was her husband that Mrs Murray is now widow and was in the year 1836 I think she is clearly entitled to pension for the forage that we have proved Stark undoubtedly performed a number months more forage in the army than we have proved -
I am Sir
with great Respect
your obedient Servt William B. Batchelder
Hon ble James L. Edwards Comm te of Pensions Washington D.C. -

Reg WIDOW, &c.
File No. _____
21,770
Hannah Murray formerly Widow of Abel Clark Prin. Rev. Wash
Act: _____
July 4 th 1836
Index:—Vol. _____
Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Hannah Murray Connecticut
Suspended
See letter 16 Sept. 1837 W. Battell.

Sa let. to Wm. Battell July 18, 1837.

2389 V2389
Hannah Murray Connecticut
✓

State of Connecticut Simsbury County ss To Torrington the 27 th day of July 1837
on this 27 th day of July 1837 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for Litchfield District Hannah Murray a resident of the Town of Torrington in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut aged Eighty three years who being 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 4 th 1836 and the act explanatory of said act passed March 3 rd 1837 that she was married to Abel Clark in the spring of the year 1774 that he performed a number of Tours of Service in the revolutionary army during the war of the revolution he was absent at one time for months the place where he served the officers under whose he was command I can't recollect whether he served in the regular army or in militia I have forgot - she further declares that she was married to Abel Clark in the spring of the year 1774 that her husband the aforesaid Abel Clark died on the 11 th day of September 1785 that she afterwards married to Daniel Murray who died the 23 rd of December 1827 and that she was a widow on the 4 th day of July 1836 and still remains a widow as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. I sworn and subscribed on the day & year above written. Hannah Murray

Sworn & subscribed before me, the day & year above written Elisha S. Abenethy Judge of the Court of Probate for Litchfield District
And the said Court doth hereby declare its opinion that the above named facts stated by the above named applicant are true, as above set forth
Elisha S. Abenethy Judge
I George C. Woodruff Clerk of the Court of Probate within & for the District of Litchfield Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the mat- ter of the application of Hannah Murray for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 28 th day of July A.D. 1837 Geo. C. Woodruff Clerk