Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18,106, for Benjamin Tabor, Rhode Island
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     Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the 3d Section of the Act of Congress of the 4th July 1836 -

United States of America
State of Connecticut    SS. Griswold March 9th, 1840

On this ninth day of March Anno Domini 1840 personally appeared before me Samuel C. Morgan, Notary Public, duly commissioned and sworn, residing in said Griswold, Marsey Tabor a resident of said Griswold in the county of New London and State of Connecticut now aged eighty four 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 4th 1836, That she is the widow of Benjamin Tabor who was a private soldier in the War of the Revolution, and was a pensioner, and as such received Eighty dollars per annum commencing on the 4th March 1834 and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year, as will fully appear by his certificate hereto attached.  She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Tabor on the fifth day of March 1780.  That her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Tabor died on the eighteenth day of September 1839 - and that she has remained a widow ever since as will more fully appear by the following affidavits hereto attached.
   Marsey (her x mark) Tabaor
In present of
Saml C. Morgan
Constant Tabor

Sworn & subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid and in Testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix my notarial seal of office -
[seal affixed] Samuel C. Morgan
Notary Public
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United States of America
State of Connecticut   )  SS.
I Samuel C. Morgan of Griswold in New London County in the State aforesaid Notary Public duly commissioned and sworn do hereby certify the foregoing declaration, with the following affidavits of Constant Tabor & Bishop Tyler together with the pension certificate of Benjamin Tabor late of sd Griswold decd. and the marriage certificate hereto attached are the proceedings had before me in the matter of the application of Marsey Tabor for a pension and I do further certify that the said Marsey from her age and infirmity cannot without inconvenience appear in Court -
[seal affixed]
In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix my official seal this 9th day of March 1840.
Samuel C. Morgan, Notary Public.
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I Constant Tabor of Griswold in New London County and State of Connecticut do depose and say, That I am a son of Benjamin Tabor and Marsey Tabor and am now aged thirty five years and know from what I have heard both my father and mother say that they were married during the Revolutionary War near its close.  My father resided with me at the time of his decease which was on the eighteenth day of September 1839.  My mother survives him and resides with me, and has remained a widow ever since.
   Constant Tabor

Sworn and subscribed before me this 9th day of March 1840.  In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix my Notarial Seal this 9th day of March 1840
[seal affixed]
Samuel C. Morgan
Notary Public
Page 9

United States of America
State of Connecticut    )  SS.  Griswold March 9th 1840 -

This is to certify and make known, that the within declarant the wid. Marsey Tabor the widow and relic of Benjamin Tabor, a pensioner, is according to my knowledge and belief a credible witness, also that the within Deponants Constant Tabor and Bishop Tyler persons well known to me, are credible witnesses and that the marriage certificate and pension certificate were handed me & are attached hereto and forward herewith corroboratory of the facts stated in sd. declaration -.
[seal affixed]
In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix my official seal the day and date above mentioned
   Samuel C. Morgan Notary Public
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  Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832

State of Connecticut
  County of New London SS. Norwich

   On this eighteenth day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for the District of Norwich present John Hyde Esq Judge, holding sd court now sitting Benjamin Tabor a resident of Griswold, (late a part of the Town of Preston) in the county and State aforesaid aged Seventy three years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.

    That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and Served as herein Stated.  That in the month of October in the year 1776 he enlisted for three months in a company of the Rhode Island militia commanded by Capt Reuben Whitman of Warwick Rhode Island, & Regiment commanded by Col. Cook whose first name applicant thinks was John, but is not certain - that John Handy of Newport Rhode Island was Major:  that when he enlisted he lived in East Greenwich Rhode Island & marched
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as soon as he enlisted from there to Newport & there remained with said company until either eight or ten days of the expiration of the term of three months and was then marched with the Regiment to Tiverton near Newport & there continued till the end of said three months and was then discharged with the Regiment:  that he received no discharge in writing.
  That the occasion of being marched to Newport was an expectation of a landing by the British from the fleet - That the British did land with a Superior force & took possession of Newport:
  That about the month of June 1777 as near as he can recollect he again enlisted in a company of Rhode Island Militia commanded by Captain Benjamin West of Exeter in said State - Joseph Springer Lieutenant - Joseph Stanton Colonel - and Gen Cornell Brigadier General - for nine months - that he enlisted at East Greenwich aforesaid and from there marched to Warwich, Rhode Island, where they remained till the Fall of the Year and then marched to Tiverton Rhode Island & joined the Regiment at Tiverton.  that he remained at Tiverton in the Service of the United States under said enlistment till March 1788 & was then discharged together with the other troops there - that it was during this enlistment that Colonel Barton took General Prescott, which went
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he well recolllects-  That shortly after he was discharged as aforesaid, and in the month of March 1778 he enlisted again under Captain Joseph Springer at Tiverton aforesaid in the Rhode Island Militia in the service of the United States for one year - that John Toppan was Colonel of the Regiment, John Landy Major and Charles Handy adjutant - all under General Cornell aforesaid - That he remained at Tiverton till Sullivans expedition to attack the British at Newport when he joined that expedition & went to Newport with the American Army under General Sullivan - that when General Sullivan retreated from Newport he returned with his regiment to their former quarters at Tiverton & there remained till the end of the year for which he enlisted.  Where they were also discharged & he returned home to East Greenwich aforesaid-  That before the first enlistment above spoken of he was drafted into the Rhode Island Militia & served in the Service of the United States for one month, & at another time he enlisted for three months & served on Prudence Island in the State of Rhode Island, of which service however he does not know of any proof & having served for two years besides as before stated he therefore does not state it with more par
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ticularity -  That all the service before stated was under the United States.  That he had no written discharge - that he has no documentary evidence of his service except that stated in the affidavit of William Wilkinson Esquire of Providence Rhode Island, annexed
  That he was seventy three years of age the 27th of February last - but has no record of it.  That until four years since he has resided at East Greenwich, West Greenwich, Exeter, Rhode Island & Sterling Connecticut, at which time he removed to Griswold aforesaid where he now resides -  That he knows of no witnesses to his services except Caleb Whitman & Silas James Esquire of West Greenwich aforesaid who served with him in Col. Toppans Regiment - and Samuel Britton of Hopkinton Rhode Island who served with him in Colonel Stantons Regiment, whose affidavits are annexed - & that he has since stating the above Court that said Whitman lives in Coventry Rhode Island - that he refers to Elder Levi Kneeland and George Lawton of Griswold aforesaid as persons who can certify to his character & his reputation of having been a revolutionary Soldier - And he hereby relinquishes every claim what ever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
   Benjamin Taber

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Before me
  John Hyde
Judge of the Court of Probate
District of Norwich
State of Connecticut
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We Levi Kneeland a clergyman of the Baptist denomination residing in Griswold in the County of New London and State of Connecticut and Job Lawton residing in the same town and both near neighbours of Benjamin Taber of said Griswold an applicant for a Pension hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said Benjamin Taber - that we believe him to be Seventy three years of age - that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion -
Levi Kneeland
Job Lawton

Subscribed and sworn to
this 20th day of August
A.D. 1832 before me
  Nathan Stanton Justice of Peace
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State of Connecticut
New London County SS

I John DeWitt Clerk of the County Court for said New London County do hereby Certify that Nathan Stanton esq before whom the within despositions of Levi Kneeland and Job Lawton were taken is a Justice of the peace in & for said New London County, & that his Signature thereto annexed I believe to be in his own proper hand writing - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County 30th day of August AD 1832.
   John DeWitt Clerk
[seal affixed]
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   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 above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.   And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Levi Kneeland who has signed the annexed certificate is a clergyman residing in said Griswold and that Job Lawton who has also signed the same, is a resident of said Griswold and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
[seal affixed]
I Burrel Lathrop Clerk of the court of Probate for the District of Norwich in the state of Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Benjamin Tabor for a pension
   In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of office this 18th day of August Anno Domini 1832.
Burrel Lathrop
Clerk
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State of Rhode Island SS. Providence

William Wilkinson of Providence in the State of Rhode Island being duly sworn deposes and says that he served in the Revolutionary War in the Rhode Island Brigade so called in a Regiment commanded by Capt. Archibald Crary, that he does not personally know Benjamin Taber now applying to him for testimony but that he has examined a list of the names of those who served in that Brigade to which belonged the Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Stanton in 1777 and Col. John Topham in 1778 and 1779 made by order of the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island in 1785 to ascertain the amount of the depreciation of their wages and embrasing a period from Decm. 16, 1776 to March 16th 1780  no other copy of which list is now known to exist - Though he thinks it probable the Original may be found in possession of the Department of War at Washington containing sundry claims for services in the Revolutionary War &c. sent to that Department many Years since by the General Assembly of R.I. - and that he finds therein the name of Benjamin Taber then of East Greenwich Rhode Island and from the amount due being the sum of $33.39 Lawful Money he must have served at least one year.
   William Wilkinson

Sworn to this 3d day of August
A.D. 1832   Before me
  John Pitman
  District Judge N.S.
   for Rhode Island Dist.
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State of Rhodeisland
Kent County  SS  West Greenwich on this 9th day of August A.D. 1832 before me
the Subscriber Justice of the Peace for Said County personally appeared Silas James of West Greenwich And Caleb Whitman of Coventry who being duly and severally Sworn do on oath declare that they personally know Benjamin Taber formerly of East Greenwich in Said State an applicant for a Pension under A Law of the United States that they know that he Served As a private Soldier for one year in the Rhodeisland Brigade of State troops Col. John Toppans Regiment to wit from March 1778 to March 1779 at Tiverton State of Rhodeisland that they Served in another company in the Same Regiment for the Same time that Said Taber has a part of the time Since lived in West Greenwich they know him to be the Same Man & have no doubt of his being Seventy three years of age as he states
   Silas James
   Caleb Witman
Sworn to & Subscribed
before me
Christopher Carpenter Justice of the peace
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I Samuel Butler of Washington in the County of Washington in the State of Rhode Island Aged 73 years Soldier in the Revolutionary War Do Testify and Say that I did Enlist in the War of the Revolution in the year 1777 that I did enlist under Capt. Benjamin West and in Col. Joseph Stantons Regiment for Nine Months and was stationed at Tiverton RI and I well recolect that Benjamin Taber was in the same Company that I was in during the whole time
   Samuel Butler

Washington Ss at Hopkinton RI on the 13th Day of August Dr 1832  Personaly appeared Samuel Butler Signer of the above affidavit has given his testimony as a witness is entitled to Credit made upon oath to the truth of the facts above contained
   Before me Joseph Spicer Jr Just Peace
[seal affixed]
   State of Rhode Island & Providence
     Plantations

Washington Sct. Clerks Office Court Common Pleas.
I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that Joseph Spicer Junr. Esqr. is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Hopkinton in the County of Washington Legally chosen and Qualified as the Law requires that full faith and Credit ought to be given to his Certificate throughout the United States of America
I further certify that the Seal here impressed is the true Seal of the Court aforesaid in Witness whereof I have hereto set my Name at South Kingstown the fourteenth day of August in the Year of Our Lord, 1832.
   Sam Helme Clk of the
    Court Aforesaid
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State of Rhodeisland
Kent County SS West Greenwich -
I Christopher Carpenter Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid do hereby Certify that I am personally acquainted with Silas James of West Greenwich & Caleb Whitman of Coventry in Said County who have Subscribed & Sworn to the foregoing Affidavit and that they are of veracity And entitled to Credit
West Greenwich August the (?) 1832
   Christopher Carpenter Justice of the Peace

State of Rhodeisland
Kent County SS East Greenwich  I
  Clerk of the (blank space)
do hereby Certify that 
(blank space) Subscriber of the foregoing articles is a Justice of the Peace of Kent County Aforesaid duly Commissioned & Said Signature Is his genuine Signature witness my hand & the Seal of Said Court this (blank space) day of (blank space)
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Kent Co. The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantation
Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas

I certify that the within subscriber Christopher Carpenter is a Justice of the peace for the Town of West Greenwich in our said County, that his signature is in his own hand writing & that full faith & credit is and ought to be given to all his official Acts as a witness - I also further certify that one of the within Deponants Silas James Esqr was formerly one of the Judges of the Court & is a Man of Truth - In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my name & Seal of said Court at East Greenwich the Tenth day of August AD 1832
   John Brown Clk
[seal affixed]

(side note:  7449)
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Declaration in order to obtain the provisions of the act of Congress passed July 7h D 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" and of the Acts in addition thereto.
State of Connecticut )
Windham County      )  Ss Probate District of Voluntown

On this 26th day of June AD 1843, Personally appeared before the Probate court of the district of Voluntown Mercy Tabor of Plainfield in the county of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 86 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 provisions, made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 Entitled, "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" and of the acts in addition thereto.
   That she is the widow of Benjamin Taber who was a private in the war of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States under the act of 7th June 1832 - And for a full statement of services she refers to his declaration now on file in the pension office.
   She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Taber as stated in his declaration now on file in the pension office, which application, she made for a pension and was at the time rejected.
   And for proof of her husbands Death, and her marriage to the said Benjamin Taber she would refer to the proof annexed to her former declaration made in New London County where she then resided.
   She further declares that she has not since her said husbands, Benjamin Tabers death, intermarried but still continues the Identical widow of
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the identical Benjamin Tabor, aforesaid, Deceased.
   Mercy (her x mark) Tabor
Witness to the mark       )   
of Mercy Tabor which     )
she made in Presence of )
  Constant Taber
  Wm C Stanton and
  others -

Sworn to and Subscsribed on the day and year aforesaid mentioned
   Before Harvey Campbell Judge
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We Constant Tabor of Griswold in New London County and Abigail Young of Plainfield in the County of Windham the former aged 40 years and the latter aged 47 years, being duly cautioned and sworn according to law doth on one oath depose and say,
  That we are children of Mercy Tabor now of Plainfield aforesaid.  That our father Benjamin Tabor was in his life time a pensioner of the United States, that our said mother Mercy Tabor aforesaid is the Identical widow of Benj Tabor aforesaid and never has, since the death of our said father Benj Tabor aforesaid, been married but still remains the widow of Benjamin Tabor aforesaid -
   Constant Taber
   Abigail (her x mark) Young
Witnesses to mark of  )
Abiail Tabaer made     )
In presence of 
Constant Tabr
Wm C Stanton

State of Connecticut
Windham County   )  Ss  Plainfield June 21st, 1843
There personally appeared before me Constant Taber and Abigail Young who have subscribed to the above Deposition and who, from reputation, are witnesses, entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Before me
  Wm C. Stanton
  Notary Public
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State of Connecticut )
Windham County Ss )
   I Uriel Fuller, Clerk of the County Court for said County in the State aforesaid, do certify that William C Stanton Esq. is a Notary Public in & for said State, that his Commission bears date the 6th day of June 1842

State of Connecticut )
Windham County Ss )
   I Uriel Fuller, Clerk of the County Court for said County in the State aforesaid, do certify that William C. Stanton Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn, is a Notary Public in & for said State, duly commissioned & sworn that his Commission bears date the 6th day of June 1842, & will expire on the 6th day of June 1844 - that by the laws of this State, he is empowered to take depositions, administor oaths & that full faith & credit should be given to his acts as such -
   I further certify that I verily believe the signature purporting to be his is genuine -
   In testimony where I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of sd Court this 26th day of June 1843 -
   Uriel Fuller Clerk
[seal affixed]
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State of Connecticut )
Windham County      ) Ss Probate District of Voluntown

I Wm C Stanton Clerk of the Court of Probate within and for District of Voluntown do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the case in the matter of the application of Mercy Taber widow of Benj. Taber Decd. for a pension.
[seal affixed]
In Testimony where I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this 26th day of June 1843

Wm C. Stanton
Clerk of Court of
Probate District of Voluntown
Page 30

(bold) WAR DEPARTMENT.

Revolutionary Claim. (end bold)

   I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Benjamin Tabor of the State of Connecticut who was a Private during the Revolutionary War is entitled to receive Eighty dollars and - cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
[seal affixed]
   Given at the War Office of the United States, this First day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty Three

Lew Gass 
Secretary of War.

Esamined and   }
Countersigned. }

     J L Edwards
     Commissioner of Pensions.
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     Declaration

In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3d of March 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7h 1838
State of Connecticut }
Windham County      } Ss  Probate District of Voluntown

On this 11th day of April A D. 1844, Personally appeared before the Probate Court of the District of Voluntown, Mercy Tabor a resident of Plainfield in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 87 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 on the 3d of March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of Pensions who served during the Revolutionary war.
   That she is the widow of Benjamin Tabor decd. who was a private in the war of the Revolution and served as such in 1776, some in 1777 & during year 1778 in the Rhode Island Troops under Capt. Whitman, Capt West, and Capt Springer, for more particular description of service refference to her said husbands Declaration now in pension office and that she has received a pension under the Act of 7h July 1838 and the acts in addition thereto, granting and allowing her the sum of Eighty Dollars per annum commencing on the 4h of March 1836 & ending 4h March 1841.

She further Declares that she is still a widow.
   Mercy (her x mark) Tabor
In presence of 
Wm. C. Stanton
Constant Tabor

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before
   Harvey Campbell Judge.
Page 32

State of Connecticut )
Windham County      ) Ss  Probate District of Voluntown

I Harvey Campbell Judge of the Court of Probate for the Probate District of Voluntown, County of Windham and State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that Mercy Tabor, the Declarant named in the foregonig Declaration & who has subscribed to the same is - known to the subscriber and that she is a person of undoubted veracity & is a Pensioner of the United States under Act of July 7h 1838 & the acts in addition thereto and by her certificate from under the hand of the Secretary of war & countersigned by Commissioner of Pensions - she is entitled to receive Eighty Dollars per annum commencing on the 4th March 1836 and ending 4th March 1841, and she is still a widow -
   Harvey Campbell Judge.
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State of Connecticut
Windham County -  )  Ss Probate District of Voluntown

I William C Stanton Clerk of Court of Probate for District of Voluntown in the County of Windham & State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Mrs Mercy Tabor for a pension under act of March 3d 1833.

[seal affixed]
In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & affixed
the seal of sd. Court this Eleventh
day of April AD 1844
  Wm C Stanton Clerk
Page 35

State of Connecticut  Ss
County of New London

   On this 4th day of September 1848 before Charles E Leonard a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of New London; Personally appeared Mercy Taber a resident of the town of Griswold in said New London County, and State of Connecticut; who being first sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 2nd February 1848; granting provisions to Widows of Persons who served during the Revolutionary War - That she is the Widow of Benjamin Taber who was a private in the Revolutionary army  That he received a pension under the act of June 17 1844 at the rate of Eighty dollars and - cents per annum  She further declares that she is still a Widow
   Mercy (her x mark) Taber
Signed in presence of
Chas E Leonard
Constant Taber

Sworn and Subscribed on the
day and year above written
   Before me
   Chas E Leonard
   Justice of the Peace
Page 36

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the within declarant, and know that she is the same identical person who claims a pension as stated in the written declaration.
   Chas E  Leonard
   Justice of the Peace
Page 37

Voluntown June 26th 1843

Sir, 

  I have the honor to forward to the Pension office or war Department, the declaration of Mercy Tabor widow of Benjamin Taber, deceased.
   I do not send these papers as her Agent but at the request of her son who is agent in the case.
Very Respectfully, sir,
Your Obt Servant
Wm C Stanton

To 
Hon J. L. Edwards
Comm of Pension
Washington
D.C.
Page 39

   State of Rhode Island

I Benjamin Cowell of the City & County of Providence in said State do hereby certify that I have in my possession a Roll or list of all those officers & soldiers who belonged to a regiment of Rhode Island State troops during the war of the Revolution & entitled to depreciation of pay agreeably to a Report of a Legistatie Committee made to the Legislature of Rhode Island in October 1785 Said Regiment was at different times commanded by Col. Joseph Stanton & Col. John Topham between the month of December 1776 & March 1780  And I further certify that on said Roll is borne the name of "Benjamin Tabor" as a private & the sum of (pounds) 33.3.9 found due him according to said Report-  I also certify that the names of Joseph Springer & Benjamin (?) are borne on said Roll as Captains
   Benja Cowell

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,
Providence  Sc  )   In Providence, on this Thirteenth day of February, A.D. 1844, personally appeared Benjamin Cowell, subscriber to the aforegoing and made oath of the Truth of the same, and I do certify that said Cowell is a credible witness.  Before me,
Gamaliel L Dwight
Justice of the Peace
Page 40

St. - of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Pr (blank-Providence)  Ss  Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas Providence Feb 17h 1844

I Samual W Vring Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Providence do hereby certify that Gamuliel Lyman Dwight is now a Justice of the Peace in said County of Providence duly appointed by the Legislature and Commissioned by the Governor of the State.  And that his Official acts are entitled to full credit.  And that his Official signature written is genuine, in witness of which I hereout affixed the seal of said Court & subscribed my name
  Sam W Vring
  Clk of C. of Com Pleas
Page 42

House of Representatives
April 18th 1844

Hon J.L. Edwards
Commr. Pensions

Sir,
   I have the honor of enclosing herewith the application &c of Mercy Tabor, Widow of Benj. Tabor Decd. for the benefits of the provisions of the Pension Act of 3d March 1843.  Her application for the 5 years Pension was recently granted, and in this no difficulty is anticipated.
  I have the honor to be
  Your Obent. Servt.
  Jno S. Catlin
Page 45

Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in  red ink, will apply to the claim of Benjamin Tabor which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
Yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
Yes

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?
Yes

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?
Yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
Yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
Yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
Yes

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
Page 46

2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergymen and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
Yes

XII. If the clergymen'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 a 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?
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?

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
Yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And if not, which of them is not so answered?
Yes

Explanatory Notes

QUERE V. In 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[Blank] year [Blank] months, and [Blank] days, I served as a [Blank] For [Blank] year [Blank] months, and [Blank] days, I served as a [Blank] For [Blank] months and [Blank] days, I served as a [Blank]; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 47

3

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 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 place 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 claimant 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 he 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.