Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2080, Abraham Blauvelt, New Jersey
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New Jersey
Blauvelt, Abraham
S. 2080
carded
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20488 New Jersey

Abbraham Blauvelt
of Bergen Co. in the State of N.J.
who was a private in the Comp. commanded
by Captain Demarest of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Dey in the N. Jersey line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey 
at the rate of 80 Dollars ---- cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of Sep. 
1833 and South L. Condict
Morristown

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33                  $200
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Ma. '34        40
                                                                 ______
                                                                 $240
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Jo. C. Stiles, Clerk
Book E, Vol. 4, Page 103
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New Jersey
Bergen County

Abraham Blauvelt's )
application for        )       Millitia Survivor
a Pension                )

[in the righthand margin]
Abr. Westervelt, Clerk
Page 4

Declaration

State of New Jersey   )
Bergen County          )     ss:

On this thirty-first day of October 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before he Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Bergen now sitting, Abraham Blauvelt, a resident of Franklin in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey, aged sixty-eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.  That he was born at Clarkstown in the County of Rockland and state of New York on the 27th day of November 1763, being a twin brother of James I. Blauvelt, as appears by the family record of his father Isaac Blauvelt, deceased, all of which is entered in the Church Record of Clarkstown.  That he resided at Tappan at the commencement of the Revolutionary War at which place he entered the service of the United States as a Volunteer in the spring of 1779 and performed two months service under Capt. Romney during which he was in one engagement with the British near the English Neighborhood in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey.  That he performed two months service under Capt. Demarest stationed at New Bridge in the county of Bergen, as a guard.  That he served one month under Capt. Board and was stationed at Hackensack, New Jersey.  He also performed three months service under Capt. Outwater at Hackensack.  That he performed two months service under Capt. John Huyler stationed at Closter in New Jersey.  That in the spring of the year (thinks it as 1781) he enlisted in the nine months service under Capt. Thomas Blanch, Major Goetchis commanding the Battalion, and served out the period of his enlistment during which service they were stationed at Schralenburg, Closter, and on the Hudson River.  That he performed two months service under Capt. Peter Ward stationed at Hackensack, New Jersey.  That he performed three months service under Capt. Blanch (thinks it was in the year 1781).  That he performed three months service under Capt. Abm. Haring.  That he performed three months service under Capt. John Huyler.  That he also performed two months service under
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Capt. Huyler in the year 1782 -- that he was in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War at various times and places in all not less than four years, but in consequence of his memory being so much impaired by age and its infirmities, is unwilling to attempt to particularize further than as above stated -- that during his said service he was in several battles viz the Battle at Fort Lee on the Hudson River, Col. Tunis Dey commanding the detachment to which he belonged -- also in the battle at the Block House ear Bull's Ferry on the Hudson River at which time Major Goetchius commanded the detachment to which he belonged -- that he was also at another engagement at the same place under Capt. Blanch at which time he was one of the party who took a sentinel from one of the enemy's picket guards -- that he was in a engagement with the Refugees in Closter at which time he assisted in re-taking about sixty sheep and about fifty herd of horned cattle and killed one of their party -- that he was also engaged with the Refugees in the English Neighborhood at which time he was one of a party which succeeded in taking a continental team driver and four horses from the enemy and surrendered them to the commissary of the American army -- that he was also engaged with the Refugees at Schralenburg at which time they retook five horses and killed two Refugees -- that he was also one of the party that succeeded in making prisoner of John Berry, a regular refugee, who had been advertised as an outlaw for the several murders and depredations he had committed -- that he was also engaged with the Refugee horse thieves near the New Bridge in the county of Bergen at which time he received a wound from a musket ball passing through the fleshy part of his hip which confined him  for three months -- that he was also in a battle with the Refugees at a  place then called the Liberty [illegible] at which time they succeeded in retaking about 150 herd of horned cattle.  His brother James I. Blauvelt was wounded at the same time -- at the close of the Revolutionary War he returned to Tappan where he continued to reside until the year 1796 at which time he removed into the county of Bergen in the State of New Jersey and continued to reside there to the present time -- the principal officers of the Continental Army which he recollected to have seen during his service are Gen'l Washington, Lafayette and Wayne -- that he has no documentary
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evidence and knows of no other persons except his brother James I. Blauvelt and Daniel Van Horn who can testify to his service and whose affidavits are hereunto annexed.

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 of the United States.

X (his mark)
Abraham Blauvelt

Sworn to and subscribed in 
open court the day and year first
aforesaid.

Abr. Westervelt, Clerk

We, Wilhelmus Eltinge, a Clergyman, residing in the Township of Saddle River, County of Bergen, and State of New Jersey, and John Ackerman, residing in the Township of [left blank on document] County of Bergen and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham Blauvelt who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, -- that we believe him to be sixty-eight years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Wilhelmus Eltinge, V.F.M.
John G. Ackerman

Sworn and subscribed the day 
and year first aforesaid,

Abr. Westervelt, Clerk

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 Wilhelmus Eltinge, who has singed preceding Certificate, is a clergyman resident in the Township of Saddle River County of Bergen and State aforesaid, and that John Ackerman, who has also signed the same, is a resident of the Township of Franklin in the County of Bergen and State aforesaid, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

A. Westervelt, Clerk

I, Abraham Westervelt, Clerk of the Inferior Court  of Common Pleas in and for the county of Bergen, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Abraham Blauvelt for a Pension.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal of Office, this thirty-first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.

Abr. Westervelt, Clerk
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I, Daniel Van Horn, a resident of Paterson, aged seventy-three years, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Abraham Blauvelt who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing Declaration -- That my acquaintance was first formed with the said Abraham Blauvelt during the Revolutionary War and I also further certify that I was a fellow soldier and doing duty in the same companies with the said Abraham Blauvelt under the command of Captains Elias Romeyn, Captain Samuel Demarest, John Outwater, John Huyler, Thomas Blanch and Peter Ward.  And I do further certify that I was in the service of the United States upwards of four years during the Revolutionary War and that I know the said Abraham Blauvelt was doing duty in the companies to which I was attached more than two years during that period.

Daniel Van Horn

Sworn and subscribed this [left blank on document] day of October, 1832.

Peregrine Sandford
Justice of the Peace

I, James I Blauvelt, aged sixty-eight years. do hereby certify that I am the twin brother of Abraham Blauvelt who has sworn and subscribed to the foregoing declaration and that I know that the said Abraham Blauvelt performed the several tours of service therein set forth.  And I do further certify that I was a fellow soldier and doing duty in the service of the United States in the same companies with the said Abraham Blauvelt during the same time excepting one tour under Captain Elias Romeyn.  Otherwise, we were members of the same companies and were in the service (in all) upwards of four years.

James I. Blauvelt

Sworn and subscribed in open court
Abr. Westervelt, Clerk
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State of New Jersey
County of Bergen       ss:

I, Abraham Westervelt, Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said county of Bergen and Clerk of said county, do hereby certify that Peregrine Sandford before whom the foregoing affidavit of Daniel Van Horn was made and taken at the time of taking the same was and still is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and sworn and residing therein.  That I am acquainted with the handwriting of said Justice and that the signature "Peregrine Sandford, Justice of the Peace" subscribed to the jurat of the within affidavit is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this thirty-first day of October int he year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.

Abr. Westervelt

[Sideways at the fold]

New Jersey
Bergen County

Abraham Blauvelt
Application for a Pension
Militia Survivor
Page 9

State of New Jersey
Bergen County          )

On this 22nd day of July, 1833, personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey, Abraham Blauvelt of Franklin in said county aged 69 years and personally well known in said county and to the subscriber as a man of truth and good standing and being duly sworn saith that he is the same Abraham Blauvelt who,  on the 31st of October, 1832, made a declaration under oath of his Revolutionary services in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of June 7th, 1832, which was done in open court then sitting in and for the county aforesaid when his original declaration was made out the presence of business before the court was such as to prevent him from detailing minutely each tour of duty he performed and specifying as accurately as he has since learned is [illegible], the officers who commanded on each occasion and the time and nature of the duty he has endeavored to refresh his  memory by bestowing more thought and reflection on the subject and desires that the Secretary of War and Commissioner of Pensions will receive this as his amended declaration in which he will endeavor to set forth more specifically and in as much detail as his memory will allow the Revolutionary services he performed.  He was living at Tappan, Bergen County, State of New Jersey, when his first tour of militia services was entered at the Liberty Pole in County of Bergen and State of New Jersey, and served two months in the Spring of 1779 as a volunteer under Capt. Elias Romine, Lieut. Cornelius Huyler, Gutchis Major and Col.  Tunis Dey commanding -- was stationed at English Neighborhood, Closter, and other places in said County, doing guard duty and other services -- in this town he was engaged with a party of the Refugees and served the time and was discharged at place of enrollment.  He served two months in the year 1779 in months of August, Sept. and October, as a volunteer under Capt. Sam'l Demarest
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Col. Dey commanding, was stationed at New Bridge, Hackensack, English Neighborhood, and other places in said county doing duty as guard and other services, such as watching the enemy from committing depredations on the inhabitants, served the time and was discharged -- in October --.

He in the same month October yehar 1779 entered as a volunteer and served two months under Capt. John Huyler, Lieut. John [illegible],  Gutches Major, Col. T. Dey, commanding.  Was stationed at Closter, New Dock and English Neighborhood doing duty as guard and as mentioned heretofore served the time and was discharged.

He served, as he believes 1780 in the month January, one month as a volunteer under Capt. Joseph Board, Col. Dey commanding, was stationed at Hackensack doing duty as guard and as emergency required, served the time and was discharged.

He enlisted in the nine months service, at Tappan, Bergen County, State of N. Jersey. beginning in the month of March, 1780, under Capt. Thomas Blanch, Lieut. John Brown, Major Gutches and Col. Tunis Dey commanding Regt. was stationed at Tappan, Closter, and Schralenburgh doing duty as guard being marched from place to place as required.   recollect escorting Genl. Washington from Tappan to Fort Lee and back in this tour -- served the time of enlistment and was discharged at Closter in said county.

He then served three months being drafted in the year 1781 commenced in the month of April under Capt. John Outwater, Lieut. Saml. Verbryate, Major Gutches and Col. Tunis Dey commanding regt. -- was stationed in Hackensack Polifly and English Neighborhood in County of Bergen doing duty as in other tours -- served time and was discharged in month of July.

He served three months in the year 1781 immediately
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after the above tour expired, being in the month of July as a volunteer under Capt. Thomas Blanch, Lieut. John Nevins, Major Gutches, and Col. Tunis Dey commanding.  Was stationed at Closter and Hudson River in Bergen County doing duty as required and heretofore mentioned in other tours.  Served the time and was discharged.  Was in a skirmish this tour and took nine prisoners of the enemy's Piquet Guard and then Scouting party.

He served three months in the 1781 in the month of Oct. as a volunteer under Capt. John Huyler, Major Gutches, Col. Dey commanding.  Was stationed at Closter English Neighborhood and Hackensack marching from place to place as emergency required doing guard duty and other service.  Served the time and was discharged in Jan. 1782.

He then served three months in year 1782 commencing in month of April as a volunteer under Capt. Abrham Hening, Lieut. John Hening, John Duryee Ensign,  Major Gutches, and Col. Dey commanding.   Was stationed at Tappan, Closter, English Neighborhood and Bergen Point in Bergen County, State of N.J. In this tour he was one of a party who retook a large quantity of cattle from the refugees and delivered them to his Captain.  Was in the attach of Fort Lee but did not succeed in their attempt.  Served the time and was discharged in the month of July.

He then served two months in the year 1782, month of Oct. being drafted, under Capt. John Huyler, Lieut. John Hogencamp, Col. J. Dey.  Was stationed at Closter Bergen Point and other places doing duty as guard in County of Bergen.  

He served two months, year nor month not recollected, under Capt. Peter Ward stationed at Hackensack and places doing guard duty, this tour with the other [illegible].
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from the great length of time which has elapsed since the before [illegible] services were rendered many particulars must have escaped his memory.  He has related all which he can remember so connected with his services and which are calculated to explain them in the order of time and in the names perhaps of some of his superior officers.  He may in some instances perhaps have fallen into mistakes.   He and a reasonable allowance for the frailty of human memory whilst he has endeavored to adhere cautiously to the truth in all the events and occurrences of which he has spoken.  And he only believes that he faithfully served his country in the War of the Revolution in different monthly tours for the full period of twenty-eight months as a private for which term of months he claims a pension from the United States under the law of Congress of June 7 1832.

X (his mark) Abraham Blauvelt

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 22nd day of July 1883.

James Van Houten
Justice of the Peace
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No. 17108
Abraham Blauvelt
New Jersey

Return [illegible]

Admitted
Private 2 years

Lewis Condict, Morristown, N.J.
Court M. Persy
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Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form.  On comparing these papers with the rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done.  Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace (thus: } ).  You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A statement shewing the service of Abraham Blauvelt, Bergen Co., N.J.

Period when the service was rendered
________________________________________
Vol. 1779 Spring

Duration of the claimant's service
___________________________________
2 months

Rank of the claimant
______________________
Private

Name and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served
__________________________________________________
Capt. Romeyn

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers
__________________________________________________


Battles in which the applicant was engaged
__________________________________________________
Skirmish

Country through which he marched
__________________________________________________
New Jersey

Place of abode when he entered the service
and age at the present period
__________________________________________________
Tappan, Aged 68

Evidence by which the declaration is supported
__________________________________________________
Traditionary

Period when the service was rendered
________________________________________
Vol. 1779 Spring

Duration of the claimant's service
___________________________________
2 months

Rank of the claimant
______________________
Private

Name and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served
__________________________________________________
Capt. Demarest

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers
__________________________________________________


Battles in which the applicant was engaged
__________________________________________________


Country through which he marched
__________________________________________________
New Jersey

Place of abode when he entered the service
and age at the present period
__________________________________________________


Evidence by which the declaration is supported
__________________________________________________
[illegible]

Period when the service was rendered
________________________________________
Vol. 1779 Spring

Duration of the claimant's service
___________________________________
1 month

Rank of the claimant
______________________
Private

Name and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served
__________________________________________________
Capt. Board

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers
__________________________________________________


Battles in which the applicant was engaged
__________________________________________________
Fort Lee

Country through which he marched
__________________________________________________
New Jersey

Place of abode when he entered the service
and age at the present period
__________________________________________________

Evidence by which the declaration is supported
__________________________________________________

Period when the service was rendered
________________________________________
Vol. 1779 Spring

Duration of the claimant's service
___________________________________
3 months

Rank of the claimant
______________________
Private

Name and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served
__________________________________________________
Capt. Outwater

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers
__________________________________________________


Battles in which the applicant was engaged
__________________________________________________


Country through which he marched
__________________________________________________
New Jersey

Place of abode when he entered the service
and age at the present period
__________________________________________________


Evidence by which the declaration is supported
__________________________________________________


Period when the service was rendered
________________________________________
Vol. 1779 Spring

Duration of the claimant's service
___________________________________
2 months

Rank of the claimant
______________________
Private

Name and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served
__________________________________________________Capt. Huyler

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers
__________________________________________________
Col. Dey

Battles in which the applicant was engaged
__________________________________________________
Blockhouse

Country through which he marched
__________________________________________________
New Jersey

Place of abode when he entered the service
and age at the present period
__________________________________________________


Evidence by which the declaration is supported
__________________________________________________

Period when the service was rendered
________________________________________
1781 Spring Enlisted

Duration of the claimant's service
___________________________________
9 months

Rank of the claimant
______________________
Private

Name and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served
__________________________________________________
Capt. Romeyn

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers
__________________________________________________
Major Getchus

Battles in which the applicant was engaged
__________________________________________________
Closter

Country through which he marched
__________________________________________________
New Jersey

Place of abode when he entered the service
and age at the present period
__________________________________________________

Evidence by which the declaration is supported
__________________________________________________

Period when the service was rendered
________________________________________
Vol. 1779 Spring

Duration of the claimant's service
___________________________________
2 months

Rank of the claimant
______________________
Private

Name and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served
__________________________________________________
Capt. Ward

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers
__________________________________________________


Battles in which the applicant was engaged
__________________________________________________


Country through which he marched
__________________________________________________
New Jersey

Place of abode when he entered the service
and age at the present period
__________________________________________________


Evidence by which the declaration is supported
__________________________________________________

Period when the service was rendered
________________________________________
1781

Duration of the claimant's service
___________________________________
3 months

Rank of the claimant
______________________
Private

Name and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served
__________________________________________________
Capt. Blanch

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers
__________________________________________________


Battles in which the applicant was engaged
__________________________________________________
Skirmishes

Country through which he marched
__________________________________________________
New Jersey

Place of abode when he entered the service
and age at the present period
__________________________________________________


Evidence by which the declaration is supported
__________________________________________________

Period when the service was rendered
________________________________________
1781

Duration of the claimant's service
___________________________________
3 months

Rank of the claimant
______________________
Private

Name and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served
__________________________________________________
Capt. Haring

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers
__________________________________________________


Battles in which the applicant was engaged
__________________________________________________
Skirmishes

Country through which he marched
__________________________________________________
New Jersey

Place of abode when he entered the service
and age at the present period
__________________________________________________


Evidence by which the declaration is supported
__________________________________________________

Period when the service was rendered
________________________________________
1781

Duration of the claimant's service
___________________________________
3 months

Rank of the claimant
______________________
Private

Name and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served
__________________________________________________
Capt. Huyler

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers
__________________________________________________


Battles in which the applicant was engaged
__________________________________________________
With refugees

Country through which he marched
__________________________________________________
New Jersey

Place of abode when he entered the service
and age at the present period
__________________________________________________


Evidence by which the declaration is supported
__________________________________________________


Period when the service was rendered
________________________________________
1782

Duration of the claimant's service
___________________________________
2 months

Rank of the claimant
______________________
Private

Name and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served
__________________________________________________
Capt. Huyler

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers
__________________________________________________


Battles in which the applicant was engaged
__________________________________________________


Country through which he marched
__________________________________________________
New Jersey

Place of abode when he entered the service
and age at the present period
__________________________________________________


Evidence by which the declaration is supported
__________________________________________________

That he was in service during the Revolutionary War at various times and places not less than 4 years.

I am, respectfully, 
your obedient servant,

J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 15

2

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832

The following regulations have been adopted:

This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, & Teamsters, Boatmen, & Persons who served onboard of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:

1.  The Regular Troops
2.  The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers
3.  Persons employed in the Naval service
4.  Indian Spies.

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before court of Record of the County where such applicant resides.  And e very Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

______________ State, Territory, or District of 
______________ County of _____________ } ss.

On this ______ day of ________ personally appeared (a) before ______________ A.B., a resident (b) of ____________ in the county of ___________ and State, Territory or District of ___________ aged (c) _______ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _______, with ____________ and served in the __________ (e) regiment of the __________ line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers); the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; he battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the county through which  he marched.  This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, & c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim(s) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _________.

A.B.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
{And then will follow the certification of the Court]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above-named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.

I, _________________ of the Court of ________________ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _________________ for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _______ day of ____________ & c.

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:

(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the ____________ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _________________, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _________ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]

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 A. B., who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the ___________ and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ________________ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, _____________, Clerk of the Court of ___________, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of ______________ for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this ______ day of _________ & c.  

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power.  This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person
Page 16

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.  All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the county, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.

1.  Where and in what year were you born?
2.  Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3.  Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4.  How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
5.  State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
    {To an Officer} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 

The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will  further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -- one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.  If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party.  And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.

Applicant unable to appear in the Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Jude or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein  requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.

Whenever any official acct is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the Certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his deal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person,  who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in the case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure,,  taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the court upon the whole matter.
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[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.

[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides.  If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.

[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.

[d]  The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.

[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise, a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.  Every claimant must state, 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.  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."

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 that 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 shown 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.

[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.

[g] The opinion of the Court is always re quired.

[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.

[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.

MODE OF AUTHENTICATING PAPERS

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must be pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

PROOF OF SERVICE

[j] 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 their affidavits the time of the claimant's 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.

The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops.  The proof required by rules in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.

[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.

[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Dyer Custor, Exam Clerk