Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 46654, for Jonathan Pettit, New York
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Service / New York
Pettit, Jonathan
Service Number S.46654
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[left side of page]

[some words are missing due to the page being torn on upper left side]

New York No. 24,922

The Heirs of Jonathan Pettit dece. late [page torn] Madison Co in the State of N. York [page torn] was an Ensign in the ___ command [page torn] Captain ______ of the Regt. command by Col. Willett in the N. York Troops line for 6 months

[Page torn] corded [probably Recorded] on the Roll of New York [page torn] rate of 60 Dollars ---Cents per annum [page torn] commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of March 1834 and Sent to Hon W. Taylor
H.R.

[illegible] to the ["4th of" crossed out] his death  $119.34
Semi-anl. allowance ending

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

[page torn] ed by D. Brown Clerk
[page torn] E.  Vol. 4  Page 114

[right side of page]

[illegible] May 13 1834 Sec [page torn]
Ho W. Taylor H R
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No. 12.716

Jonathan Pettit

Oby. 5. 16

P. 319

Suspended

Admitted
Ensign 6 months

[written diagonally across bottom of page:]
April 2 [two digits illegible]

Hon W. Taylor
[illegible - looks like "Home", "House"]  [illegible - looks like "Refs" or "Reps"]

[the following was written and crossed out:]
Peter Marcy [illegible]
Cazenovia
New York
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No. 12.716

BRIEF in the case of [handwritten] Jonathan Pettit of Cazenovia - County of Madison in the State of New York [end handwritten]
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
[handwritten] Before a Judge.

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
[handwritten] Yes.

3.  How old is he?
[handwritten] 80, years.

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[The following are column headings written horizontally across the page with vertical lines to form columns :]

Period.
Duration of Service.[under this heading is written:] Years, Months, Days.
Rank. [under this heading is written:] As a
Names of General and Field Officers under whom served. [under this heading is written:] Gen.

[handwritten under the above column headings is the following:]
Oct. 20. in 1775. 6 Months As an Ensign Under Capt. Henry O'Hara.
1776.  1 [illegible written under "Years"] As a Captain Under Col. M. Willett

5. I n what battles was he engaged?
[handwritten line]

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?
[handwritten] Fish Creek, County of Albany, N.Y.

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
[handwritten] By Documentary proof, & One living witness

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
[handwritten line]

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[signed] James Ord  Examining Clerk.
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Jonathan Pettit
Applicant for a 
Pension
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
State of New York
Madison County}ss.
On this 21st day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared before me one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Madison Jonathan Pettit of the town of Cazenovia County of Madison and State aforesaid 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 7th 1832.

I Jonathan Pettit of the town County and State aforesaid do hereby declare that I was born in the Town of Sharon Litchfield County and State of Connecticut on the 25th day of July 1752 as the family record has ever shown. That I am now (July 25th 1832) 80 years old. I left the town of Sharon after having served seven years at the Trade of a Tanner & Currier as apprentice to Mr. James Pardy of that town, and located myself in business at Fish Creek [Saratoga] then in the County of Albany, in the year 1773 being then 21 years old.
     On the twentieth day of October 1775 received the accompanying Commission as Ensign in the third company of Militia of foot (of which company Henry O'Hara was Captain and my brother James Pettit was Lieutenant) from the Provincial Congress of New York. My Brother and Myself were notified to meet at Col. Van Vechten's in Saratoga to receive our Commissions, which we did and they were then delivered to us by Abraham Ten Eyck Paymaster of the Army) And Col. Roseboom from Albany who had in charge most of the commissions for that segment
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At the time they were delivered to us it appeared that the Commissions were properly filed, but on examination, it was found that the Commission filed with my name had in the body of it the name of my brother as Ensign and the one filed with the name of my brother had in it my name as Lieutenant.
     The mistake on being discovered was communicated to the above mentioned agents at the same time & place and by their direction the commission of my Brother was corrected and from that of mine.
     [the following sentence was written and crossed out: "[illegible] readily [illegible - looks like possibly "believes"] we saw the Secretary Robert Benson and by his direction"] the name of My Brother James was erased and my name (Jonathan) was inserted as it appears in the commission now accompanying this declaration, which is the same commission I received from the Provincial Congress of New York signed by Nathaniel Woodhull President thereof and Robert Benson Secretary.
     The territory comprising the third company of militia included all that part of the State North of Fish Creek and most of the Hudson River to Saratoga Lake, and was at that time the strong hold of Tories.
     As an instance of what I had to encounter among the Tories I state the following. One Jonathan Jones who was a man of wealth, and carrying a large business at Fish Creek where I resided and had in his employ a large number of men; had frequently solicited myself and others whom he supposed under his influence to flee with him to Canada. He was particularly solicitous with us after the Lexington and Concord battles.
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Sometime after the affair at Lexington & before I received my commission Jones sent a message to me requesting me to call on him that evening. I called accordingly, and found about twenty persons collected among whom were two by the name of Jessup of Albany (of Jessup Patent memory), three brothers of Jones and others of my acquaintance. The object of the meeting was to induce me to join the Royalists in Canada to effect this every argument and entreaty was used and Jones said he was authorized to offer and engage me a Commission as soon as I should arrive at the station of the Royalist troops on the northern frontier. I told them my mind was made up to stand or fall with my country and I should reject the offer. I left them about one o'clock in the morning and started for Stillwater (the place of meeting of the nearest committee of Safety) about ten miles on the road towards Albany determined with their aid to secure the collection of Tories. The committee were composed of Esqr. Palmer and Mr. Mead of Stillwater, Capt Norton of Saratoga Springs, Col. Mc Rea [McCrea] (Brother of Jenny Mc Rea soon after murdered) and others whose names I do not recollect. As I was acquainted with Col. Mc Rea I immediately informed him of the whole circumstance and requested a military guard to arrest Jones & his associates forthwith. Mc Rae evaded my request but promised to communicate directly with the committee and have the proper
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measures taken. The guard was not sent. Mc Rae it was generally believed gave notice to the persons implicated. So that they all escaped, as he was thought not to be a friend to his Country. These very tories were afterwards the pilots of Burgoyne's Army.
     Immediately after I received My Commission I was order by Gen. Philip Schuyler to march with a detachment under my command to Johnstown in Montgomery County to disarm a number of Scotch families who were Royalists and a great annoyance to that frontier. On another occasion and I believe in the Spring of 1776 I was ordered by the Committee of Safety of Albany with a small detachment of men to take possession of Fort George and keep it until relieved. The Fort was held by an officer & about 30 men and according to orders I took possession and command of it until relieved by a Maj. Stephens from Connecticut. The same I believe who afterwards at the battle of Cedars subsequent to the reduction of Montreal was taken as a hostage by the British.
     From the time I received my Commission such was my location, on the then frontiers and surrounded by Tories who seized every opportunity of doing injury they could; I was almost constantly engaged in actual service or in attendance on the committee of Safety, and from my best recollection and belief I was engaged in actual service as Ensign under my commission the full space of six months. The Captain
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(O'Hara) had removed to the south and the Lieut (my brother) had died soon after his being commissioned; which left me in the command of the company and was one reason of my constant employment. I removed to Albany in the month of July or August 1776; soon after I went there a company of volunteers called exempts was organized as he believed according to an act of Congress; of which company I was chosen Captain, but received no commission; the company consisted of one hundred men, mostly such as had held some civil or military commission, and by the terms of enlistment we were to stand as minute men through the war. Not long after the organization of our company we were ordered by Col. Marinus Willett late of New York to march to Canajoharie to protect the then western frontier, where service was rendered by myself and company under the command of Col Willet, this I believe was in August 1776. In January 1777 I was ordered by col Lansing of Albany again to call out my company and march to Saratoga where we rendezvoused with other militia and encamped on the south side of Fish creek for a number of weeks. When Gen. Burgoyne came down from the north and about the time of the battle of Saratoga I was ordered to call out my company by Gen Ten Brock [Ten Broeck] and march to Saratoga, accordingly we started and when part way there recd. counter-orders to return to Albany, and take charge of the prisoners; which was done.
     After the company of volunteer exempts was formed and placed under my command it was the general military guard of the city of Albany, and this was particularly the case after the attack by the Tories and Indians on the house of Gen. Schuyler, on which alarm my company were all called out and after that event it was my duty to see that a military guard was kept in the city [illegible] when shot on often [?] duty until the close of the war. And on account of the manner in which I performed the duty devolving upon me in this respect I received from the Corporation of Albany the freedom of the city in token of their approbation and esteem, the instrument conferring which is herewith transmitted.
     Beside the service specified I was called out at numerous other times all of which I cannot now
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particularize and which made the amount of my actual service after my removal to Albany more than one year.
     But during all the time after the reception of my commission both while living at Fish creek and after my removal to Albany I was bound to act at any moment under my commission, and in fact almost my whole time and labor were in one way or another devoted to the service from the time I was appointed ensign until the fall of 1778. At that time my family had suffered so many privations by my absence that I took advantage of a regulation of Congress I believe which authorized classing to furnish a substitute and one John Shepard of Albany and myself furnished a substitute whose name I do not now recollect but who was paid by us a bounty of thirty dollars and he regularly joined the army.
     My sacrifices of property were very great and amongst others the following my Tannery refered to above at Fish creek was on the very ground occupied by the two Armies at the time of Burgoyne's surrender by tannery, shops, vats &c were all destroyed to my injury at least of one thousand dollars. After my removal to Albany I had at one time on hand a large quantity (5000 boards) of lumber piled in the city, in my absence at Canajoharie with my company under Col Willet they were seized by an officer of the U.S. Army and sent down the river to Poughkeepsie I believe to build barracks, they were worth at the time they were taken not less than eight hundred dollars. For all these losses I have never received a cent in remuneration, nor ever asked
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any thing of my Country. I have never before applied for a pension and never in any manner been on a list or roll of any State and I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present.
     Since the revolutionary war I have constantly resided in this State and since the year 1821 I have lived with my Son and am now supported by him. For the last ten years I have been entirely unable to labor and for the last year totally helpless from a paralytic attack.
     My associates are mostly dead and proof (except what is found in my commission and the affidavit of one witness accompanying this, I am unable to procure.
     Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid.      

     Jonathan   his  X mark Pettit

[signed] Barak Beckwith, Judge of Madison Co. Com. Pleas
[illegible] Lewis Leonard a Clergyman residing in the town of Cazenovia County of Madison and State of New York and Elisha Litchfield of the town of Pompey (adjoining the said town of Cazenovia) County of Onondaga & state aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Pettit who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Eighty years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution.  
[signed] Lewis Leonard
[signed] Elisha Litchfield
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
[signed] Barak Beckwith Judge of Mad Co. Com Pleas

[The following is written sideways along the left margin of the page:]
I further state that Elisha Litchfield, John Smitzen, Isaac Ingres & Samuel Morey are persons living near me and can testify to my character for veracity and belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.
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And I Barak Beckwith one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Madison do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations proscribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states.  And I do further certify that Jonathan Pettit the said applicant is, as it appears satisfactorily to me, almost helpless from an attack of Palsy and therefore unable from bodily infirmity to attend Court which is held a number of miles (about eleven) from the place of his residence.
And I hereby further certify, that it appears to me that Lewis Leonard who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Cazenovia and that Elisha Litchfield who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Pompey County of Onondaga & state aforesaid and is a credible person and that the statement is entitled to credit.  And I further certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings had before me in the matter of the application of Jonathan Pettit [illegible] named for a pension.
[signed] Barak Beckwith a Judge of the court of common pleas in and for the county of Madison
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State of New York
Madison County} SS
I Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the said County do Certify that Barak Beckwith before whom the two foregoing affidavits purport to have been sworn and also whose name appears to the above certificate, was at the date of the same a Judge of the County Courts in and for the said County, and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name Subscribed to the said affidavits and certificate to be his proper hand writing and Signature.  Witness my hand and Seal of office this 6th day of September 1832.  [signed] A.S. Sloan Clk
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I James Pettit of the Town of Cazenovia County & Madison & State
New York the eldest son Jonathan Pettit the within applicant
(as the family records declare) ^hereby depose & declare^ that my Father the sd Jonathan has resided in my family the last 12 years of his life, that previously during my own life (now 55 years old) I have lived with & near him, so that
our intercourse with little exception has been constant daily or weekly. That during this intercourse the subject of his revolutionary
services was a theme of frequent conversation, also the great sacrifices of property & personal service for his Country, & tho indigent & poor has 'always despaired of his countrys aid, until the late law pasd making provision for cases of the character of his ["his" underlined], therefore had not made application till now, that he often said when conversing on the subject of service, that the greater part of seven years was engrossed in his revolutionary service.
That he was the last 2 years of his life suffering under A paralytic affection which rendered him unable to move, & which impaired his memory.  That he appeared conscientiously scrupulous & careful of setting forth in his affidavit more than he could distinctly recollect as to the time & place of his service. From his statements then made in my hearing during 40 years last past & in conversation with Peter W. Gates [illegible] (now dead) who which A member of the Co my Father commanded was at that time A resident in Albany, as well as others, that 20 years ago when in active life & sound memory he could have procured living evidence of much more than he has now set forth. That he intended to set forth distinctly in his declaration of August
last that he performed six months actual service under his commission as Ensign in the year 1776. Also one years actual service after he removed to Albany as Capt of a volunteer Co of exempts, all which is distinctly set  forth in the within declaration of my Father. I enquired of him while deliberating at the time of making the within declaration, what was the amount of service after the [illegible] of the year 1778, to which he replyd six months at least tho he believed it was much more; yet he thot it would be proper for him to state generally [underlined] as to that portion of time, because he was not as constantly in the service as during the six months & the year [six months & the year underlined], to which he certify,d distinctly & as specific as his memory would enable him. The within applicant Jonathan Pettit Died on the 2d day of March last. His widow is still living & in very indigent circumstances.  All which facts & circumstances are true & correct, according to my recollection & belief having been more or less conversant with my Father the sd applicant during  the time the within application was made James Pettit
Cazenovia April 13th 1833-
Subscribed & Sworn the
13th day of April 1833
Before me
-
Elisha Farnham Justice of the Peace
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I certify that I have been well acquainted with the within named James Pettit, for several years last, that he sustains a highly respectable character and believe that the facts stated in his within named affidavit are truly stated & entitled to full credit. April 13th 1833
[signed] Justin Dwinell

State of New York
Madison County Clerk's Office} SS:  I, Andrew S. Sloan, Clerk of the said County, do certify that Justin Dwinell, whose name appears to the above certificate, was, at the date of the same, a Supreme Court Commissioner in and for the said county.  And also that Elisha Farnham, before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, was, at the date of the same, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said county - And that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Elisha Farnham, and also with the hand writing of the said Justin Dwinell, and verily believe the name of Elisha Farnham Subscribed to the within affidavit, and also the name of Justin Dwinell Subscribed to the above Certificate, to be their proper hand writing and signatures.  Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 24th day of April 1833 - [signed] A. S. Sloan Clk
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State of New York
Madison County Ss} David Riddell a resident of Hamilton in said County being sworn in [illegible] of Law on his oath depose and say that he is sixty seven years ag that at the commencement of the Revolutionary War he resided near the battle ground where the battle was fought between the American Troops, and the [illegible - looks like "fources"] under General Burgoyne. That he was there acquainted with Jonathan Petit who now resides in Cazenovia in said county, and who then lived near this deponent, That the [illegible] part of the War preceded to the 'illegible" of Burgoyne, the said Jonathan received an Ensigns commission in a Company of Militia of which Henry Ohara was Captain and  the brother of the said Jonathan, James Petit was Lieutenant  That this deponent does not recollect of seeing the commission of the said Jonathan, but, does recollect that at a particular time it was reported that the commissioning for the said Company had come, and that James Petit was appointed Lieutenant and the said Jonathan there after acted as Ensign of said Company and did military duty as such & that  it was commonly spoken of and [illegible] respected that the said Jonathan had received an Ensign commission in said Company.
That shortly before the capture of Burgouyne the said Jonathan moved to Albany.  that soon after the capture of Burgouyne this deponent went to live with the said Jonathan in Albany as an Apprentis. That after this deponent went to live with the said Jonathan there was ^raised^ in Albany a Company that was called the volunteer Company of Exempts as minute men.  That the said Jonathan was then called Captain and this deponent supposes that he the said Jonathan acted as Captain.  That he was frequently on duty, an travers to the north
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and am in particular this deponent recollects of his going out on a tour, and it was said he went up the Mohawk river, that he was also on duty in keeping guard about the Citty.
That the said Jonathan always sustained a fair and unimpeachable character for veracity and has ever been a man in respectable standing. And further this deponent sayeth not
[signed] David Riddell Subscribed and sworn to before me this 1st day September 1832}
and I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with David Riddell who has sworn to the above affidavit that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
James B Eldridge first
Judge of Madison Co
[In a different handwriting below]
State of New-York
Madison County Clerk's Office}ss:
I, Andrew S. Sloan, Clerk of the said County, do Certify that James B. Eldridge, before whom the preceding affidavit, purports to have been sworn, was, at the date of the same, the first Judge of the County Court in and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name Subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature
Witness my hand and seal of Office this 1st day of September
1832-
A.S. Sloan Clk.
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Certificate of the Clerk of
the Court of Com. Pleas &
Gen. Sessions of the Peace
in the Matter of Jonathan
Pettit a deceased Applicant
for a Pension, under the Law
of June 7th 1832
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State of Newyork. Onondaga Com Pleas.  In the matter of Jonathan Pettit deceased, an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832. I Reuben L. Hess Clerk of the said Court do hereby certify that on the 24th day of February 1854
proof was adduced in open Court, then sitting at the Courthouse in
the Village of Syracuse, in the Town of Salina in said County, as Court of Common pleas & General Sessions of the peace, being Courts of record, satisfactory to the Judges of
the said courts of the following facts, to wit) That in his life time, and at the time of his decease, the said Jonathan Pettit was an applicant for a Pension under the Act of Congress of the 7th June 1832 - that he died on the 2nd day of March 1833 in the Village & Town of Cazenovia, County of Madison in said State. leaving a widow by the name of Agness Pettit
who also died on the 30th day of April 1833, in the Town of Fabius County of Onondaga in said State that James
Pettit, residing in the said Village & Town of Cazenovia - George Pettit & Agness Sinnott of the said Town of Fabius, David Pettit of Bloomfield, County of Knox & John R Pettit of Jackson County of Allen, State of Ohio, are the children, and all the surviving children of the said Jonathan Pettit & that they are reputed to be his legitimate heirs and they are all over the age of twenty one years and that Patrick S. Sinnett is the husband of the said Agness Sinnett & resides in the said Town of Fabius, & that the said Jonathan left no other Children
Witness my hand & seal of office
R. L. Hess Clerk
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Invalid
File No. 46654
Jonathan Pettit
Ensign N. G. Troops

Act: Rev. June 7  1832
Index:--Vol. A., Page 125
A.
Page 125

Arrangement of 1870.
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Know all Men by these Presents,
THAT I JOHN JACOB BEEKMAN, Esquire, MAYOR of the CITY of ALBANY, HAVE admitted and received, and do hereby admit and receive Jonathan Pettit, to be a
Freeman of the said City, to have hold, partake and enjoy all the Rights, 
Liberties, Priviledges, Franchises and Advantages belonging to a Freeman and Citizen of the said City.
IN WITNESS whereof, I have set my Hand, and caused the Seal of the said City, to be hereto affixed, the Twenty ninth Day of November -- in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Four
Jn. Jac. Beekman Mayor
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In PROVINCIAL CONGRESS for the Colony of New-York, the Twentieth Day of October 1775.
To Jonathan Pettit Gentleman Greeting: By virtue of the Authority reposed in us We do hereby nominate, authorize, constitute and appoint you the said Jonathan Pettit Ensign of the third company of Militia of Fort in the County of Albany whereof Henry O'Hara Esq is Captain, 
hereby requiring you, before you enter into the Exercise of your said Office, to make in writing, and subscribe in Presence of the Chairman of the Committee of the City, Town, District, or Precinct wherein you reside, the Declaration appointed and directed by the Eleventh section of the Seventh Resolve contained in the Rules and Orders for regulating the Militia of the Colony of New-York, recommended by this Congress on the 22d day of August 1775, and authorizing you fully to execute all the Powers belonging to your said Office, by Virtue of the said Rules and Orders, and the said Declaration: And we do hereby
require all persons under your Command, to pay due Obedience to you, according to the said Rules and Orders, and such further Rules and Orders as shall be made and recommended for the Militia of this Colony, by the present, or any future Continental Congress, or Provincial Congress of this Colony.
Attest,
[signed] [Rob Benson Sect
By Order, signed] Natha. Woodhull [illegible]
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Jonathan Pettit [illegible] of an ensign of the [illegible] company of Medina of  [illegible] at Saratoga in the County of Albany

[Upside down in a different hand] Jonathan Pettit New York 846654
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No. 12.716
Jonathan Pettit
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No. 12.716
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of - Jonthan Pettit - which require further proof of 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?

No.

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. (The judge has)

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.
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2

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

------

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

------

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

------

XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Yes. 
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? Yes.

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."
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It is important in all quests to determine with precision the period for which the 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.

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 signed by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying offier who authenticated 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 end 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.