Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3,646, for John Peasley, North Carolina
Page 1

N.C.

Peasley, John   S3646
or Pastley

carded
Page 2

19046
Jonesbore Tennessee
John Pastley
Hawkins in the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the com commanded
by Captain Cannan of the regt commanded
by Col Little in the N. Carolina for 14 months and 3 day
Died 7 November 1836
Inscribed on the Roll of Jonesboro age
the rate of 47 Dollars-- Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of April
1834 and Given to Hon John Blair Present
.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 $141.00
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept$23.50
$164.50
● 
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk,
Book E
Vol 76
Page 131
see note within
Dead

be let to W.O. Weston, August 28, 1837
order to pay (illegible)
Order to paid 25 Nov 1837 and
letter to Newton. (struck through)
Page 3

El Stokes


1-6-70
Pages 1 thru 4 of this soldiers
declaration are
not in file. Unable
locate,
A.D
Page 4

10.043

Pension Declaration
John Pastley
Page 5

(5)

took the command in the place of Maj John
Nelson and his former Lutenant Thomas Clark
was also continued, he was then marched in various durations and the command of (illegible) Officers untill the army was (illegible)  at a small creek called Edisto, near Stono, then the American army to which he belonged under the command of General Lincoln attacked the British in them intrenchants
at Stono which Battle lasted near two hours a
close engagement, he states that he was then
a sargent Capt Gooman which affored him
an opertunity of ascertaining the number of
killed and wounded. he states that in (illegible) ingagement the Americans lost 64, killed & 96, wounded.  The American army retreated in order to order the British out of the entrenchment, but they (illegible) (illegible)
the American Army did not make a second attack the British then left the entrenchment the next day after the Battle and the American buried the dead, he does not recollect whether the British were commanded by General Haw or Clinton from which place he was marched to
Page 6

Ashley River near Charleston S. Carolina whre
he remained same time, then they were marched to Charlotte N. Carolina where a part of the men were discharged from them a part of the men were marched to Salisbury N Carolina and discharged, and others were marched from Salsibury to Hillsborong, and discharged so as to sute the convenian of the soldiers. he states that he was discharged at Hillsborough, by Colonel Archabald Letter After having served the full nine months subsequent to the (illegible) above
named, and he states that previous to his (illegible) (illegible) he served three weeks under (illegible) (illegible) at the time spoken of when he was marched to the north and (illegible) under which in (illegible)
he served nine months & three weeks - he states that he made his home after he left the
(illegible) served at Coland John Pastleys in Gilford County N Carolina when he had a discharge and also his state oath certificate (illegible) (illegible) house was burned with the (illegible) discharge and certificate, he states that his discharge bore date the last of August the year not recollected
Page 7

he states that in the March followed for James
lett (struck through) of Gilford County N. Carolina for three months under Capt George Stuart Luitenant George Miles
1st Luitenant & George Denney 2nd Luintenant and and was marched near (Illegible) to what was called the Taft Swamps  against a body of Tories which were infesting that section of County he remained at that place same time untill they were marched in persute of Colonel Fanon a Tory Commander whose company we dispersed and returned home, after having served a tour of three months, he states. he was (illegible) (illegible
that Law- shortly after his return him to Gilford County N. Carolina under Capt Forbes & General Green to go against Lord
Carnwallis whose army at that time was in
Guilford County N. Carolina he was
then marched to Gilford Courthouse, whom (illegible) American army fought a battle with
British. the americans were commanded
General Green in which we were defeated
we again rendezvoused at Buffinton Iron work
an Troublesome Creek the fork of Haw River
Page 8

(8)
where he was dismissed after have served a Tour of six weeks he states that his (illegible) Capt Forbes was wounded in sd Battle who afterward died of his wound but previous to his death he received his (illegible) from him he states that he was in (illegible) (illegible)
the Revolutionary war, seventeen month and
and a week exclusive  of the time he was on furlough which was six months, which in all would make twenty three months and one week he states that he has no documentary (illegible) and that he knows of no person whose testamony he can procure, who can testify to his (illegible) he also states that there  is one recent minister of the Gospel in his neighbourhood, whose statement he can prove he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or anuity accept the present and declares that his name is
not on the Pension roll of the agency of any
State. Sworn to & subscribed the day and
year aforesaid

John Pastley (x his mark)


A Burley Ford & Samuel Vaught
of the County aforesaid do hereby certify
are well acquainted with John Pastly subscribed and sworn to the above alteration
Page 9


year aforesaid
his 
W.B. Mitchell Clk John & Pastley  x mark

A Burley Ford & Samuel Vaughn
of the County aforesaid do hereby certify
are well acquainted with John Pastly subscribed and sworn to the above decleration
that we believe him to be 75 years of age that
he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood whom he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we came in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
James Vaughn (x his mark)

W B Mitchell Clk
Samuel Vaughn (x his mark)

And the sd Court do hereby declare the 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 sd Court further certifies, that it appears to them that there is no (illegible) Minister of the Gospel in the immediate neighbourhood of this (illegible), but that Beverly Ford & Samuel Vaughn who have Signed the preceding certificate are residents of Hawkes County and are credible persons and that their
Statements are entitled to credit
Page 10

No. 043
Pension Declaration
John Pastley


State of Tennessee
Stockley D Mitchell Clerk of the Court
of pleas and quarter Sessions of Hawkins County in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains original proceedings in the case of the application
of John Pastley for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 31st day of
August 1832
Mitchell Clk

By Mitchell D. Clk
Page 11

10.043
John Pastley
Hawkins Co. Ten
Jonesborough Agency
from 1778 private
14 Mo. 3 days
$47

3 months as a (illegible) not 
allowed for
John Pastley
P Parsons
Rogervill
Page 12


BRIEF in the case of John Pastley
County of Hawkins in the State of Tennesee
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 75 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
In 1878
Duration of Service.
Years,
Months,
3
9
3
1
---
Days.
blank
21
blank
12

Rank.
As a
Teamster
Private

Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen.
Col Putly
Capt Cowan Col Martin
Genl Ash
Col. Little
Cop Forber

the Claimal states that he was i n actual (illegible) (illegible) months and 1 week

5. In what battles was he engaged? None


6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? (Ilegible) N Carolina
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
Traditionary

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Paper not attached as reqd
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
Richard Cutts
Examining Clerk.
Page 13


April 11, 1939
BA-J/AWF
John Peasley
S. 3646

Mrs. Harry Baumberger
316 N. Fourth Street
Greenville, Illinois


Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which
you request the Revolutionary War record of John Paisley and William Paisley, both of Guilford County, North Carolina.

The Revolutionary War records of this
office have been searched and no claim for pension found based upon service of William Paisley, under any spelling of the name.

The record which follows was obtained from
papers on file in claim for pension, S. 3646, based upon service of John Peasley in the Revolutionary War. This is the record of the only John Peasley, similar spellings of the surname were searched found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office. The name is shown, also, Pastley.

John Peasley was born in Philadelphia County,
Pennsylvania, on the Schuylkill, one mile from
Indian Creek. The date of his birth is not given,
nor were the names of his parents stated. His
parents died in Pennsylvania, and he moved when about seven years of age, with his uncle, William Peasley (Pastley), to Orange County, North Carolina.

While residing in Guilford County, North Carolina, John Peasley volunteered in the year 1778, served three months under Colonel John Pastley (Peasley) and drove a baggage wagon. He enlisted and served
Page 14

nine months and three weeks as corporal and sergeant under Captains David Cowan, William Goodman, Colonels Alexander Martin, James Martin, Archibald Lytle, and Malmedy, was in a skirmish near Augusta, Georgia, and in the battle of Stono. He served three months
in Captain George Stewart's company, Colonel Henry Dixon's North Carolina regiment, and was in an engagement with the Tories at Raft Swamp. He served six weeks in Colonel James Martin's North Carolina regiment. He served three weeks in Captain Arthur Forbes' North Carolina company, and was in the battle of
Guilford Court House. There are no definite dates of service given.

John Peasley stated that he made his home,
during a part of the Revolution, with Colonel John Pastley (Peasley) in Guilford County, North Carolina.

After the Revolution, John Peasley lived in
Burke and Wilkes Counties, North Carolina, then moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee.

John Peasley was allowed pension on his appli
cation executed August 29, 1832, at which time he was seventy-five years old, and a resident of Hawkins County, Tennessee. He died November 7, 1836, leaving a widow, Milly; there are no further data in the claim relative to her, and no reference to children.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 15

4
State of Tennessee
Hawkins County ⎬
Be it Known that on this 28th day of February 1834 personally appeared before me Lewis Click a Justice of the peace in and for said County and State John Peasley and made oath in due form of law, that sometime in the month of August 1832 he appeared in Rayville
in said County & State. & had his declaration, for a pension, under the act of 7th June 1832, made out by Wm K Blair & Peter Parsons Esquires & sworn in (illegible) Court by which he claimed as he now been a pension
for 18 months. That afterwards he was informed by General Peter Parsons, that the pension certificate had (illegible) but a mistake had been made in his name, by calling him
Presly or some such name instead of Peasley
and that said Parton also informed him that
to had (illegible) back the certificate to have the mistake corrected, and he the (illegble) both been informed by the pension Agent William Blair Esq of Jonesborough Tennessee
that his pension certificate has been (illegible)
corrected and he has also understood
and beleives that Genl. Parks also
stated the same thing but who is now
in the State of Alabama This deponent
further deposeth & saith that although said certificate hath issued to him by which be entitled to draw sixty dollars per year from the 4th  of March 1831 - yet he has never yet received his said certificate, and he believes that ┃
Page 16

it has been lost, miscarried or destroyed in
its transmission by the mail from the
war department and the deponant is now
suffering for the want of his pension money
which is now due to him at the (illegible)
at (illegible) (Illegible) as the (illegible)
Wm Blair has sent him and that
he will pay him the amount due to him
when he presents his certificate to

He therefore prays the commissioner
of Pension honor James L. Edwards Esq. to issue him duplicate certificate in place of the
one to lost or destroyed-- Sworn to
and subscribed before me the day year
above written and that he is the identical person named in the said certificate said as aforesaid

Lewis Click J.P

John Peasley (x his mark)
to
-
State of Tennessee

Hawkins County 

informably to the regulations of the
war department I Lewis Click a magistrate of the County of Hawkins above named do hereby certify that I have the most satisfactory Evidence that from my own personal knowledge that John Peasley who this day appeared before me to take the oath of identity is the identical (illegible) he declares himself to be in the annexed affidavit, and I am satisfied that the statement
Page 17

made by him in relation to the pension
certificate is true.
Given under my hand at my house in Hawkins County this 28th day of February 1834.

Lewis Click J.P.
Hawkes County

State of Tennessee
Hawkins County

I Stockley D Mitchell Clerk of the Court of Pleas & quarter Sections for Hawkins County do certify that Lewis Click whose name appears to the foregoing certificate and affidavit is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing certificate purporting to be his is genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 8th day of March in the year 1834
D Mitchell Clk
By W B. Mitchell Clk
Page 18

Rev War
193 Apr 11 (illegible) to Mrs. Harry Baumberger
 '04


3646
INVALID.
File No. 366
John Pastley
Pvt. N.C. Line
Act: June 1832
Index: -- Vol.
, Page 286 ┃
[Arrangement of 1870.}
John Peasley Records corrected
Apr. 6 '04
Page 19

Greenville, Ill., Feb. 22, 1939.


Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C.,


Will you please furnish me the military record of Col. John Paisley and William Paisley both entered service in Guilford County North Carolina. William was in the battle of Guilford Court House. possibly John participated in same battle.
This record is wanted for establishing D.A.R. records, and will be greatly appreciated by
Sincerely,
Mrs. Harry Baumberger
316 N. Fourth St
Greenville
Illinois


(received stamp)
Feb 25 1939
Page 20

19046
Jonesborough Tennessee
-
John Pastley of Hawkin Co o in the State of Tennesseewho was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Carman of the regiment commanded by Col Little in the N Carolina line for 17 months and 3 days

John Peasley Records at
Inscribed on the Roll of Jonesboro
the rate of 47 Dollars _cents oer a commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
---

Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of July
and (illegible) 
Parsons Rogerville
Arrears to the 4th of March
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sep
94.
23.50
$117.50

⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832. ⎬
Danl Boyd
Clerk,
Book E
Vol. Page 131
Certificate sent back
for correction and new
one issued to John Pastley instead
of John Putley and
delivered to Hon J Blair Present
Page 21

An additional statement of John Pastley -
Made before me John Shough
A. Justice of peace for Hawkins County in the
State of Tennessee in order to obtain the
provisions of the act of Congress passed the
7th day of June 1832 Said Pastley being duly
Sworn according to law doth on his
Oath make the following statement
He states that he was born in Philadelphia
County Pensylvania on Schuylkill about
one mile from Indian Creek as he is
informed and believes and at about
the age of Seven years he was moved to
Orange County North Carolina
by his uncle William Pastly (the father
of this applicant having died in
Pennsylvania, and he lived in Carolina
til he entered the service in the War
of the Revolution and he has lived in
Burk and Wilks Counties in North Carolina
and in Hawkins County since the Revolution to this time
He states that he served first three months
A Volunteer under Colo John Pastley
he volunteered for nine months
under Colonel Alexander and James
Martin and Marched to the North
and after three weeks was furloughed
and remained on furlough there six
months and then entered the service
Page 22

again and served out the nine months
Then he substituted in the room of James
Lett and served three months under
Colo Henry Dickson

He again substituted for John McDaniel
for six weeks and or Colo James Martin
and served out the time.

Then he volunteered whilst the
British were in Gilford County
North Carolina under Captain
Arthur Forbes in General Greene's army
and was then in the battle of Gilford in which action his captain was wounded and died of his wound.

He served at that time three weeks and which makes in all seventeen months and one weeks
service exclusive of the time he was
on furlough.  In all his service he
was a private except during the nine
months service he acted as corporal
part of the time
his
John Pastley (x his mark)

Sworn to and subscribed before
me this 27th day of May
1833
John Shough J.P.
Page 23

State of Tennesee
Hankins County ⎬ 

I Stockly D Mitchell Clerk of
the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for said County Do certify that John Shough before whom the foregoing supplemental declaration of John Pastiley was sworn to was at the time of so doing an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Hawkins & that his signature appear to be in his own proper hand writing.

In testamony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & seal of Office at office the 27th day
of May 1832 -
Mitchell Clk
W B Mitchell Clk
Page 24

Nov 28
Mr. Evans


Honr J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
C. Columbia
Page 25


Rogersville 18th November 1837

Sir:


Enclosed I send again to the Department the pension papers of John Pastley Decd corrected as directed by you the papers heretofore made out by Milly Pastley (and also herein enclosed) were made out to draw from the 4th day of March 1835, wherea in fact the amount due was from the 4 of September 1835 this severance of 6 months back was done in obediance to a request made by Mr Blair the pension agent at Jonesborough in order to cover the six months from the 4th of March 1835 to the 4th of Sept 1835 which he says he had no credit for, although he had said the pension on account of some defect in the (illegible) on which that draw was made.
The corrected papers are made out for the time alone for which the pension is due
to Milly Pastley, that is for the 4th of
September 1835 to the 7th of November 1836
the time of his death. This case has been
very troublesome & the widow is in great
need of the amount due her, I wish you would therefore give Mr. Blair special instructions
to pay this claim on the corrected papers. He would I suppose, refuse to pay on the corrected papers, because they do not
cover the time above mentioned for which
he has no credit. I am respectfully yours

W. O. Winston
Page 26

James L. Edwards. Esq.
Pension Commission
Washington City, D.C.
Page 27

Rogersville 27th May
1883

Dr Sir

Herewith I return the papers with an additional
statement in case of John Pastley the papers it seems to me comply with the note herewith returned and any defect it would seem is now
obviated

I am to Sir your Obvt servant
P. Parsons
Page 28

W.O. Winston
Page 29


War Department
Pension Office
6th Nov 1837

Sir

The Pension Agent at Jonesboro
has this day been instructed to pay the amount
due John Pastley decd to Milly Pastley Widow of said John.  The voucher are herewith enclosed,

I am &c
W. O. Winston Esq.
Rogersville, Tenn
Page 30

John Pastley (Jonesboro' Tenn)
Act of June 1832

To what time last paid
Paid to the 4 Sep 1835

J.H.
Page 31

Triplicate certificate issued 17th April 1834 and sent to Hon John Blair
Page 32

Revolutionary War
S File 3646

Correct the record and jackets to show true name: John Peasley was pensioned as John Pastley 

A.H.M.
Apr 4/04
Page 33

Widows

Widows of
Co.,-  Reg't
Enlisted
Discharged
No prior or subservice (
Origin and continuance
Died.
Death first husband
Death first wife
Marriage.
born
No divorce
Property and incom
Assessments.
Remarriage
Children living
Credibility
(illegible) prior claim


(this document was not filled out)
Page 34

Tennesee
17. March 1834
Special attention
(illegible) 

Lost certificate

James L Edwards 
Commission of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 35

Rogersville Tennessee
Church 10th 1834
James L Edwards Esq

Dear Sir/Enclosed 

I send to you the affidavit of John
Peasley with regard to the loss of his pension
certificate which (illegible) from
your office under the act of Congress of
June 1832.  He wishes you to (illegible)
duplicate and enclose the same to
was only as possible
have the honor
to remain with (illegible)
Your obt Servant
D. Alexander
Page 36

J.L. Edwards
Commisioner of Pensions
Washington City 
D. Columbia


Postal stamp
Rogersville Te
Aug 21

Aug 28
Page 37


Rogersville 19th August 1837
Enclosed I send to the Department the papers
of John Pastley to be inspected the result of which I wish you to advise me as early as possible
I am sir respectfully 
your obt
Servan
W. Winston
Page 38

D. Alexander
Peasley pension

John Peasleys certificate


(the rest of writing is upside down, and difficult to make out, - maybe a date14 April)
Page 39

Rogersville T.
4 April

The Honorable
J.M. Blair
(illegible illegible)
Washington City
Dis. (Illegible)
Page 40

Rogersville 
April 3rd 1834



Dear Sir

I have ask your polite favor accompanying the papers & pamphlet on (illegible)

I should have told you when I wrote to you to subscribe for certain papers that we had only five dollars on hand but I have no doubt but that funds can be (illegible) to meet the $12- you were so kind to advance.  The Society will
fall under great obligation to you Sir for the
trouble you have been in complying with
their request.

(Illegible illegible) say that Peasleys certificate
was handed back to you by Genl Parsons, and after correcting the name, you enclosed it at Parsons request to William Blair in January last
was at Jonesborough about the middle or
latter part of February last and asked your
brother William if he had the certificate as
Peasley had requested me to get it from
him. Your Brother informed me that
and it (illegible) and upon my return
Peasley made the affidavit which I forwarded to Mr. Edwards in (illegible) to its (illegible) or (illegible).  He needs the money every March
as he is now quite helpless with as to pecuniary means and bodily strength
Lewis Click Esq whose land the (illegible) has (illegible) informed me that he
lives
Page 41

is absolutely dependant on him for support. And wishes his certificate unto him as soon as
possible.  Mr. Click is now in (illegible) attending our (illegible) (illegible).

What has caused the Maryland Bank to
stop payment. The news reached this
(illegible) on Tuesday and caused considerable
(illegible) among the people attending court. and all those having any cash on hand
were asked (illegible) (illegible) to see if they had any unim notes payable at that Bank.

I am fearful we shall see hard times as to money matters.  The confidence of the people in the Bank (illegible) seems to be diminishing daily and a fearful looking for (illegible) times.  
(Illegible) said that the Bank at (illegible) in which deposits have been made (illegible) (illegible) in which deposits have been made (illegible) (illegible) is in (illegible) a shocking condition.  And should the union Banks (illegible) another blow - it will go down five hundred thousand dollars it seems was (illegible) in the Maryland Banks which is supported in cash.

(illegible) your (illegible) (illegible) Mr. Edwards to (illegible) a (illegible) to Peasley and enclose it to me.

I am much (illegible 

Your friend
D. Alexander
Page 42

Payments to be made
at Jonesborough
by Wm T Blair
Agent for paying Pension
ers, in the Agency of Jones
borough Tennessee
Hon. J. Blin
Ten
Recorded in the Pension Office
, in Book E Vol.
Page 131 by Dan Boyd
Clerk.
Page 43


War Department
Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832John Putley of Tennessee who was a private of Infantry in
the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Forty Seven 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.

Given at the War Office of the United States, this Second day of Augt one thousand
eight hundred and thirty-three

Acting Secretary of War.  Jo\hn Robb

Examined and
Countersigned. }

J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 44

John Pastley
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
John Pastly Nowlens Co. Tennessee
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?
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? No

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 amout of pension he is entitled? No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? no
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?
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

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
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes
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? 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?
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? 1,2,5
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 recollectionhe 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 47

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed
in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
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.