Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21619, Noah Ballou, R.I.
Page 1

(98-1776)

SERVICE
R. I.

Ballou, Noah

NUMBER
S.21619
[double line]
CONTENTS
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[Form with handwritten entries in braces { } ]
{15710}
{Rhode Island}
[double line]
{Noah Ballou}
{of Providence Co} in the State of {R.I.}
who was a {Pr Sgt & Ensign} in the {Company} commanded by Captain {Williams} of the {Rgt} commanded by {Col Cook} in the {Rhode Island} line for
{6 mos 8 days Private  20.89}
{2 "[mos] 15 " [days] Sergeant  12.50}
{2 months Ensign  20.00}
[line]
53.39
[double line]
Inscribed on the Roll of {Rhode Island} at the rate of {53} Dollars {39} Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
[double line]
Certificate of Pension issued the {18^th} day of {July 1833} and {sent Benjm [Benjamin]
Cowell Providence R.I.}
[double line]
Arrears to the 4th of {March 1833 $106.78}
Semi-anl. allowance ending {4 Sept. 26.69}
[double line]
{$133.47}
[double line]

[in braces]
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by {D. D. Addison} Clerk,
Book {E} Vol. {2 [illegible]} Page {103}
Page 3

Noah Ballou
[illegible]
[in pencil] 18845
Page 4

[Form with handwritten entries in braces { } ]

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
[line]
Rhode-Island District, sc. {August Term 1832}
County of {Providence}
On this {Ninth} day of {August} A.D. {1832} personally appeared in open Court, being a [special crossed through] District Court of the United States within and for said District now in session - {Noah Ballou} a resident of {Cumberland} in the County of {Providence} and State of {Rhode Island} aged {73} 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, viz. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
[following handwritten text appears to have been pasted to the bottom of the above form]

{He was born July 29^th 1759 in Cumberland which is there recorded in the Town records lived in Cumberland when he entered the service & have always resided there - and this applicant further states that he served as a substitute from the middle of October 1775 to the first of January 1776 about two & a half months at Prospect ^hill^ as a private in Cap James Williams company ^ Col Hitchcocks regiment of Rhode Island Troops - and this applicant further States that about the first of December 1776 he enlisted as a private & served three months at Newport in Cap Williams company & Col Cooks regiment of ^R.I.^ Militia - and this applicant further States that in March 1777 he was drafted & served as Sargeant of the guard one month at Providence in Cap Amos Whipples company - Absalom Ballou Ensign & Col Browns regiment of ^R.I.^ Militia - and this applicant further States that in October 1777 he was drafted & served one month as sargeant in Cap Amos Whipples company & Col Browns regiment of ^R.I.^ Militia this was in Spencers expedition and this applicant further States that in May 1778 he was drafted & served as Sargeant - half a month at Providence in Cap Amos Whipples company & Col Simon Whipples regiment of ^+Militia - ^+ Rhode Island and this applicant further States that in August 1778 he was drafted & served as a private twenty three days in Cap Reuben Ballous company & Col Mathewsons regiment of Rhode Island Militia - this was in Sullivans expedition and this applicant further states that in July 1780 he
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at Providence in Cap Amos Whipples company - Absalom Ballou Ensign & Col Browns regiment of ^R.I.^ Militia - and this applicant further States that in October 1777 he was drafted & served one month as Sargeant in Cap Amos Whipples company & Col Browns regiment of ^R.I.^ Militia this was in Spencers expedition and this applicant further states that in May 1778 he was drafted & served as sargeant half a month at Providence in Cap Amos Whipples company & Col Simon Whipples regiment of ^+Militia - ^+ Rhode Island and this applicant further states that in the year 1778 he was drafted & served as a private twenty three days in Cap Reuben Ballous company & Col Mathewsons regiment of Rhode Island Militia - this was in Sullivans expedition and this applicant further States that in July 1780  he was appointed an Ensign by the Governor of Rhode Island in Cap Amos Whipples company & Col Mathewsons regiment & served one month at Newport - his commission is hereto annexed - and also served one month under the same commission at Newport in June 1781 in Cap Lewis' company Col Kimball regiment of Rhode Island Militia  - in all of the foregoing he served in the Rhode Island Militia except the first and was honorably discharged but never had a written discharge - 

[printed text with {handwritten entries} attached to the bottom of the above document]
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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. Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. [signature]{Noah Ballou}
{attest [law clk?] }
We, [blank space] a Clergyman, residing in the [blank space] and [blank space] residing in [blank space] hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank space] who has subscribed and sworn the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank space] 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 with that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
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 {Ariel Ballou William Ballou} [text crossed through: who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the] {Levi Weatherhead Nathaniel [South?] } {Oliver [text crossed through: and that]  {Hanes & Levi Jenks who have} [text crossed through: who also signed the same is a resident in the] {testified as afors^d are residents as they stated & are} [text crossed through: and is a] credible person{s} and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Benjamin Cowell, Clerk of said District Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of {Noah Ballou} for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this {14} day of {November 1832}
[signature] Benjamin Cowell Clk
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No. 18845 - 
Noah Ballou Providence
County Rhode Island
Private 6 mos [months] 8 days
Sergt 2 " [months] 15 days
Ensgn 2" [months] 
[line]
10 [months] 23 [days]

B Cowell Providence
Rhode Island
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[Form with Table included. Handwritten entries in braces { } ]
BRIEF in the case of {Noah Ballou} of {Providence} in the State of {Rhode Island}
(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 injury? [blank]
3. How old is he? {73 years}
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[Table]
[Headings] / Period. / Durations of Service. / Rank. / Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. /
/ {Sub -} In 17{75 to ^1st January^ 1776 / [blotted out] [years] 2 [months] - 15 [days] / [As a] private / [Gen.] Cap Jas Williams, Col Hitchcock} /
/ {Enlisted - 1776 1^st Dec^r / _ _ [Years] 3 [ Months] - - [Days] / Private / Cap Williams, Col Cook} / 
/ {Drafted - 1777 March / - - [Years] 1 [Months] - - [Days] / Serg^t of guard / Cap Whipple, Col Brown} /
/ {Drafted - 1777 October / - - [Years] 1 [Months] - - [Days] / as Sergt / Cap Whipple Col Brown} ]
/ {Drafted - 1778 May / -- {Years] - - [Months] 15 [Days] / as Sergt / Cap A Whipple Col Simon Whipple} /
/ {Drafted - 1778 Augt / - - [Years] - -  [Months] 23 [Days] / Private / Cap R Ballou, Col Matthewson} /
/ {Was appointed 1780 July / - - [Years] 1 [Months] - - [Days] / Ensign / Cap A Whipple, Col Matthewson} /
/ {1781 June / - - [Years] 1 [Months] - - [Days] / Ensign / Cap Lewis Col Kimball} /
[End of Table]
5. In what battles was he engaged? {None stated}
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? {Cumberland Rhode Island}
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? {Traditionary Documentary & living witnesses certified credible}
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.
[Signature] Rich^d [Keghratts?] Examining Clerk
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[Form with very faint handwritten entries in { } ]

[first line cut off at the top, words illegible]
[pen?]sion on file in this Bureau. {Noah Ballou Ser File [illegible]
[Table]
[Headings] / Date of Enlistment or Appointment / Length of Service / Rank / Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered: Captain Colonel / State /
/ {Oct 1775 / 2 1/2 mos / Pvt / [Captain] James Williams / [Colonel] Hitchcock / R. I.}/
/ {Dec 1, 1776 / 3 mos. / " [Private] / [Captain]  Williams / [Colonel] Cook} / [R. I.]
/ {[March?] 1777 / 1 mo. / Sgt / [Captain] Amos Whipple / [Colonel] Brown} / [R.I. ] /
/ {Oct 1777 / 1 mo / Sgt / [Captain] Amos Whipple / [Colonel] Chad Brown} / [R. I. ]
/ {May 1778 / 1/2 mo / Sgt / [Captain] Amos Whipple / [Colonel] Simon Whipple} / [R.I.]
/ {August 1778 / 23 days / Pvt / [Captain] Reuben Ballou / [Colonel] Matthewson} / [R. I.]
/ {July 1780 / 1 mo / Ensign / [Captain] Amos Whipple / [Colonel] Mattson or Matthewson} / [R.I.]
/ {June 1781 / 1 mo / " [Ensign] / [Captain] Peter Lewis / [Colonel] Kimball} / [R.I.]
[End of Table]
Battles engaged in, { [illegible] Spencer and Sullivans Expeditions}
Residence of soldier at enlistment, {Cumberland R. I.}
Date of application for pension, {Aug. 9, 1832. [illegible] }
Residence at date of application, {Cumberland Providence Co, R. I.}
Age at date of application, {born July 29, 1759 in Cumberland R. I.}
Remarks: [none]
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[Form with faint handwritten entries in braces { } ]

{21619}
[written on a slant] {Revolution}
INVALID
[line]
File No. {21619}
{Noah Ballou}
{Ensign Rev War}
[line]
Act: {June 7^th 32} [1832]
Index: [blank] - Vol. {2}, Page {21}
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 10

[Form with tears at margins and missing pieces. Handwritten entries in braces { } ]

[Faint handwriting at upper left illegible]
[At upper right] {Noah Ballou 21619}
[H]is Excellency {William Greene} Esquire, Governor, Captain - General, and Commander in Chief, of [a]nd over the State of [italics] Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, [end italics] {[Noa]h Ballou} [illegible]ntleman, Greeting,
[illegible] being {by the Council of War of said State [illegible]} [Place?] and Office of {Ensign} of the {Second} Company [torn] Town of {Cumberland} in the County of {Providence} are hereby, in the Name of the Governor and [C]ompany of the said State, autho[torn]missioned, to exercise the Office of {Ensign} of and over the [torn] command, guide and conduct the same, or any [p]art thereof: And in Case of an [torn] an Enemy [illegible section part of a paper fold] alarm and gather together [torn]mand, or such Part thereof as you shall deem [illegible]icient, and therewith, to the ut-[torn]y, you are to resist, expel, kill and destroy the same, in order to preserve the Interest [torn] Parts. You are also to follow such Instructions, Directions and Orders, as shall [torn] given forth, either by the General Assembly, the Governor and General Coun-[torn]fficers. And for your so doing, this Commission shall be your sufficient Warrant
[torn]nder my [illegible] and Seal of the said State, the {Twenty [torn] July} in the Year of our Lord One Thousand [torn]ndred and {Eighty and fifth year of Independence}
[torn] Command,
[torn]D Secry
[signature to the right] W. Greene
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[upper left: faint circular stamp image
[[upper right] Noah Ba[llou]
Ensign of the [illegible]
Company of Militia
Town of Cumberland
[lower left] Noah Ballou
R.I.
S21619
[Stamped to left; six sided arranged vertically] The National Archives of the United States
Page 12

[piece of paper attached upper left] B Cowell
I Levi Weatherhead of the Town of Cumberland in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island do on solemn oath depose and say, that I was with Mr Noah Ballou of said Cumberland in the Revolution during the term of one Month, on Rhode Island, in the company commanded by Captain Reuben Ballou, he served as Waiter to the Captain the term commenced about the first of August 1778 I do not recollect the name of the Commanders ^der^ of the Regiment, we were drafted, it was what is commonly called Sullivan's expedition. we both then belonged to [illegible: said?] Town, and have ever since resided there.
[signature] Levi Weatherhead
Providence Sc. in Cumberland August 8^th AD 1832
Now appeared the aforenamed Levi Weatherhead, and subscribed and made solemn oath to the truth of the aforegoing deposition, which was by me in his presence reduced to writing
Before me
[signature] Alex Ballou Justice of the Peace

[Form attached at bottom with handwritten entries in braces { } ]
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Providence sc.
I, William R. Watson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Providence, in said State, do certify that {Alexander Ballou} is a Justice of the Peace for the town of {Cumberland} in said county and State: - and he is by the laws of said State, authorized to administer oaths and take depositions: and that the signature - to the annexed document, purporting to be his, {is} in the proper hand writing of said {Ballou} - 
[in italics] In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court, at Providence, this {14^th day of {November} in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- [end italics] {two-}
[signature] W^m R Watson
Page 13

I Oliver Harris of Cumberland in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island &c. of lawful age and engaged according to law do testify and say; that in the month of October in the year 1777 I was a soldier in the Revolutionary army of this Country; I belonged to a Company commanded by Amos Whipple, we marched from Cumberland to Warwick, thence to Greenwich thence we crossed over to Warren, thence to Howlands Ferry in Tivertown {Tiverton] and remained in that vicinity during one month from the time we commenced our march. Noah Ballou was a Soldier in the same Company, and was in the company during the whole time I have stated above; as near as I can recollect the Regiment was commanded by Col. Chad Brown; and this was in Spencer's expedition, and further this deponent saith not
[signature] Oliver Harris
Providence sc. In North Providence August 6^th A.D. 1832 Then personally appeared Oliver Harris Subscriber to the above deposition and made solemn oath that the above & aforegoing deposition was his in all its parts
Before me Joseph A. Scott Justice of the Peace
[Form attached to bottom of document with handwritten entries in braces { } ]
State of Rhode=Island and Providence Plantations.
Providence sc.
I, William Watson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Providence, in said State, do certify that {Joseph A, Scott} is a Justice of the Peace for the town of {North Providence} in said county and State: - that he is by the laws of said State, authorised to administer oaths and take depositions: and that the signature to the annexed document, pu[r]porting to be his, {is} in the proper hand writing of said {Joseph A. Scott -}
[in italics] In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court, at providence, this {14^th} day of {November} in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty {two-} [end italics]
[signature] W^m R Watson
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[written words partially covered by paper]
{De]position of
{Willia]m Ballou
Page 15

I William Ballou of the Town of Cumberland in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island sc. On Solemn oath do declare and Say, that I was with Mr. Noah Ballou of Said Cumberland in the Revolutionary ^service^ the term of one month on Rhode Island in the month of July and August in the year 1780 we both went on what was called alarm in the Company of Capt. Amos Whipple in Col Mattheson's Regiment - he served in the above Company as Ensign during that time according to the best of my memory
[signature] William Ballou
Providence sc in Cumberland August 9^th AD 1832 then appeared the aforenamed William Ballou and Subscribed and made Solemn Oath to the truth of the aforegoing deposition which was by me in ^his^ presents reduced to writing
Before me
[signature] Arnold W Jenks Justice of the Peace
{Form attached to bottom of page. Handwritten entries in braces { } ]
State of Rhode=Island and Providence Plantations.
Providence sc.
I, William R. Watson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Providence, in said State, do hereby certify that {Arnold W Jenks -} is a Justice of the peace for the town of {Cumberland} in said county and State:- that he is by the laws of  said State, authorised to administer oaths and take depositions: and that the signature to the annexed document, pu[r]porting to be his, {is} in the proper hand writing of said {Arnold W Jenks}
[in italics] In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court, at Providence, this {14^th} day of {November} in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty {two-} [end italics]
[signature] W^m R Watson
[diamond shaped paper seal affixed to the left but unreadable]
Page 16

I Ariel Ballou of Cumberland in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island being of lawful age and engaged according to law do testify and say that Noah Ballou of Cumberland County and State afore said he listed under Captain Williams of Scituate in the Revolutionary Service and Served the term of three months on the Island of Rhode Island in Col. Cooks Regiment in the year 1776 I think if my memory [illegible: erasure] serves me.
[signature] Ariel Ballou
The above declaration was taken before me - Arnold W Jenks Justice Peace
[Document pasted to the bottom of the above. Handwritten entries are in braces{ } ]
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Providence sc.
I William R. Watson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Providence, in said State, do hereby certify that { Arnold W Jenks - } is a Justice of the Peace for the town of {Cumberland} in said count and State: -that he is by the laws of said State, authorised to administer oaths and take depositions: and that the signature to the annexed document, purporting to be his, {is} in the proper hand writing of said {Arnold W Jenks}
In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court, at Providence, this {14^th} day of {November} in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- {two - }
[signature] W^m R Watson
[faded diamond-shaped seal to the left of the signature block]
Page 17

I Nathaniel Scott of the Town of Cumberland in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island sc - on Solemn oath declare and say, that I was with Mr Ballou of Said Cumberland in the Revolutionary Service the term of one month on Rhode Island in the month of June in the year1781 in the Company Commanded by Capt Lewis in Col Kimbells Regiment we were both drafted and belong to the Town of Cumberland and have ever since resided there
[signature] Nathaniel Scott
Providence sc in Cumberland August 9^th AD 1832
Then appeared the aforenamed Nathaniel Scott and subscribed and made Solemn oath to the truth of the aforegoing deposition which was by me in his presence reduced to writing
Before me
[Signature] Arnold W Jenks Just of the Peace

[Form attached to the bottom of the above document. Handwritten entries are in braces { } ]
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Providence sc.
I, William R. Watson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Providence, in said State, do hereby certify that {Arnold W Jenks -} is a Justice of the Peace for the town of {Cumberland} in said county and State:-that he is by laws of said State, authorised to administer oaths and take depositions: and that the signature to the annexed document, purporting to be his, {is} in the proper hand writing of said {Arnold W Jenks}
In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court, at Providence, this {14^th} day of {November} in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- {two-}
[signature] W^m R Watson
[faint diamond shaped seal to the left of signature]
Page 18

The deposition of
Levi Jenkes
Page 19

I Levi Jenks of the Town of Lawrence in the county of Otsego & State of New York on Solemn oath depose and say that I am a native of the Town of Cumberland in the county of Providence & State of Rhode Island In the months of May and June in the year1781 I served with Mr Noah Ballou now of said Cumberland ^in the Revolution^ during the term of one month. He and myself were drafted from said Town of Cumberland to serve for one month we served during said time and were then discharged, The Company was commanded by Capt Lewis whose christian name I think was Peter. Our company was attached to Kimballs Regiment. It is now forty seven years since I removed from said Cumberland to Otsego. Mr Ballou is now present before me and I am positive as to his identity.
[signature] Levi Jenks
Providence sc. In Providence July [12 or 19] 1832 there appeared the abovenamed Levi Jenks and subscribed and made solemn oath to the truth of the aforegoing deposition which was by me in his presence reduced to writing
Before me [signature] W Aplin Jus. C. C. Pleas
Page 20

[Form with handwritten entries in braces { } ]
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Providence, sc.
I WILLIAM R. WATSON, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the county of Providence in the State of Rhode Island, do hereby certify, that {William Aplin - } is a Judge of the court of Common Pleas aforesaid, which court is a Court of Record; that the signature to the {annexed} document purporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of the said {William Aplin}; and that full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of the said {Aplin -}
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, at Providence this {14^th} day of {November} in the year of our Lord 183{2} -
[signature] W^M R Watson
[no seal visible]
Page 21

[Form with handwritten entries in braces { } ]
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of {Noah Ballou} 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 regulation? {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}
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[page] 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? {No clergyman certificate Witness, Documentary O C}
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? {No}
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? {Witness & Documentary}
XIV. [footnote indication] 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? {yes}
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? {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?
[line]
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In the 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.
Page 23

[page] 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 the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italics] about three or four months [end italics] 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.
[footnote symbol] Quere XIV. [italics] Proof of Service. [end italics] 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 the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[footnote symbol] QUERE XVI. [italics] Mode of authenticating papers. [end of italics] 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.
[Image of a hand with finger pointing to the beginning of this text] 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.
Page 24

[Official stationery of the Sons of the American Revolution]
[Centered on the page: the seal of the society - In the center of four sided Maltese cross a portrait in a circle with the surrounding words "Libertas et Patria" with a laurel wreath behind the cross, an American eagle at the top and a banner below with the words "Sons of the American Revolution"]
[Names and Offices listed to the left of the official seal]
President,
Charles Warren Lippitt,
Providence, R. I.
Vice President,
William Chace Greene,
Peace Dale, R. I.
Secretary,
Christopher Rhodes, 290 Benefit Street.
Treasurer,
Arthur Preston Sumner,
29 Weybosset Street.
[Names and Offices listed to the right of the official seal]
Registrar,
Francis Eliot Bates,
Oak Lawn, R. I.
Historian
Edwin Aylesworth Burlingame
359 Brook Street.
Chaplain,
Rev. Samuel Heber Webb, 
21 Adelaide Avenue.
Poet,
John Prescott Farnsworth,
42 Tobey Street.
Providence, R. I. Nov 23, 1908.
[handwritten] To the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Dear Sir,
Please to send me a certificate of the Military Service of Noah Ballou [name underlined] a Soldier of the Revolution whose name was placed on Pension Roll July 18, 1833. Commencement of Pension Mar 4, 1831. (from Cumberland, R. I.)
Yours Respectfully
Chris^tr Rhodes
Secretary
[partial stamp below signature: In the center the date Nov 24 1908, to the right S., below the word OFFICE, rest obscured]