Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12103, Elisha Baker, R. I.
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R.I.   Baker, Elisha   S.12103
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Left side:
old case   NP   17,476
Elisha Baker
Saratoga County, N.Y.
Copy
original declaration
22d July, 1819k

Various Services
Enlisted in 1779, for 3 years, or during the war, in a Rhode Island Cols name not specified

Rejected 30 March 1822
not com:est:
Hon JW Pitcher, HR
worth $5.00

H.W. Palmer, agent
Ballston New-York

Right side:
It is required of the applicant to state the Colonel's name of the R.I. regim't under which he served 3 years. - and the testimony, on oath, of two or me disinterested and credible persons, certified as such by the judge, proving the applicant's service, o 9 months, in continuances thereof, designating the Col's name, and line is also required.
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State of New York
County of SARATOGA ]ss
ON this 25th day of August 1820 personally appeared in open Court, in the Court of Common Pleas of the said County, the same being a Court of Record for the said County, proceeding according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Elisha Baker
ages 64 years, resident in the said County, in the State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows: for the term of one year in Capt. Traffen company and for the term of three years in the Capt. Lewis company both with the Rhode Island line in the manner particularly set forth in his original declaration hereto annexed.

That his original declaration was made on or about the 22 day of July 1819. 
And I solemnly Swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property or part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of the act of Congress titled " An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me: nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
His X mark
Elisha Baker

sworn to and declared on the twenty fifth day of August 1820 before me in open Court.  Thomas Palmer Clerk

I. Thomas Palmer, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in aforesaid schedule is five dollars and - cents.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court on this twenty fifth day of August 1820.
Thomas Palmer
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga
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A schedule of the property of Elisha Baker in the affidavit and declaration hereto annexed named his necessary cloathing and bedding Excepted

1 Bible 2/  1 testament 2/ 3 chairs 6/   $1.25
1 pail 2/ 4 knives & forks 4/ 1 axe 8/     1.75
1 adz 8/  1 drawing knife 6                     1.75
 1 hoe 2/ ea                                               .25                                                                                                          
                                                               --------
                                                               $5.00

The said Elisha Baker is by occupation a labourer. he is totaly diabled from pursuing it and has for some time past rec. his support from the Town Moreau in said county and from the charity of Herrington N Baker his son who is also very poor and with whom the said Elisha his wife and daughter reside. his wife is 58 years of age named Sarah decrepid with the rheumatism and wholly unable to support herself.  His daughter named Elizabeth Baker ages 16 years works out for her living and is generally able to support herself.
his X mark
Elisha Baker

Sworn in open court
Thomas Palmer Clerk
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New York 14652
Elisha Baker
of Saratoga Co. in the State of N.Y. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Dyer of the Rgt commanded by Col. Dyer on the R.I. line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of June 1833 and sent to Aaron Nash, Baleston Spa, Saratoga

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833         160.00
Semi-an. allowance ending 4 Sept "        40.00
                                                                _________
                                                                 $200.00

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by F. F. Franciosi Clerk,
Book E, Vol. 4- Page 45
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State of New York
Saratoga County ss

                        On this twenty seventh day of December in the year one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga in said State now sitting in open court Elisha Baker a resident of the town of Moreau in the county of Saratoga and State of New York Aged seventy six years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on this oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 .  That he was born in the State of Rhode Island in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty six as he has been informed and believed.  That he removed from the State of Rhode Island about forty years ago and came to reside in Washington County in the State of New York where he resided about twenty years and then removed to the town of Moreau Saratoga county in which town he now resides.  That when this deponent removed from Rhode Island he took a memorandum of his age from what he understood to be an accurate Record thereof and had it entered in his  bible which he brought with him to the State - that about twelve years ago this deponents house was burned and the said bible with the record of his age therein was consumer- that this is the only Record the Deponent had thereof- but from his recollection thereof and from the information derived from his family he believes his age to be as above stated.
      That this deponent entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein Stated that this deponent resided at Exeter in Rhode Island at the commencement of the Revolutionary war and at the time he entered the Service - that previous to the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven this Deponent had been several times drafted for short times and was out at one time about six months- that in the Spring about the 1st of March, of one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven he this Deponent enlisted in the Rhode Island State troops under Captain Dyer for nine months - he was called Capt. Kit Dyer in the Regiment of Colonel Ayer whose Christian name he believes was Charles- that the troops with which this Deponent served that season were principally Employed along the Coast, upon the mainland to guard against the incursions of the British then in possession of Rhode Island and the ships often in the Channel- that this Deponent was acquainted with Lieutenant Colonel Barton who belonged to the same troops and this Deponent was one of the party who under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Barton surprised and took General Prescott in his quarters on the Island
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This was some time in July of the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven. That this Deponent with Colonel Barton and one other the guide entered the bed-room of General Prescott by the window and took him out naked and hurried him to the boats and brought him sage past the British ships tying in the channel.
      That at the expiration of his nine months the Deponent was discharged at South Kingston joining Exeter sometime in the fall.  November or December of that year he received back a discharge signed by Charles Dyer. Said discharge destroyed by Fire about 13 years ago. That in March one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight this Deponent again enlisted in Exeter aforesaid under Captain Benjamin West in the Rhode Island State Troops for the term of one year and was afterwards transfered [sic] into Captain John Troffins Company ( believes his name was John) in Colonel John Topham's Regiment Lieutenant Colonel John Handy.  That this Deponent and the troops to which he was attached amid General Sullivan's Army in his expedition against Rhode Island- that this Deponent was with General Sullivan's Army at the seige [sic] of Newport in the Summer of one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight and after the Departure of the French fleet for Boston General Sullivan raised the Sign of Newport- this Deponent and the troops to which he belonged [ illegible]  under General Sullivan to the north post of the Island that this Deponent was in the battle which took place between the British troops under General Pigot and the Americans under General Sullivan near Quaker hill- that General Quin commanded the right wing of the American Army - that this Deponent was slightly wounded in that engagement that General Sullivan evacuated the Island soon after the battle and crossed over to Tiverton where this Deponent and the Rhode Island troops to which he belonged remained through the winter until the expiration of his enlistment in March 16 one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine where this Deponent was discharged- he had a written discharge he thinks from Colonel Topham.  his said discharge has been destroyed.  He has no documentary evidence of his service last stated. That this Deponent on his return home the next day being the seventeenth of March one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine after his discharge at Tiverton in company with fifty nine others making sixty in the who unit with Captain Lewis about five miles from Providence who was then recruiting for the continental Service and all enlisted for the three years or during the war and marched to Norwich or Greenwich- is not certain which- where they were mustered and were attached to Captain John Oldins company and afterwards joined the Regiment at East
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Greenwich under the command of Colonel Olney ( does not recollect his Christian name )- That this Deponent served in the company and regiment till the close of the war- that the first person this Deponent served under Colonel Olney after said enlistment was along the north River and about the Highlands - That this Deponent with the said Regiment afterwards marched to Fort Oswego on Lake Ontario where he remained stationed with said Regiment for a considerable time- Passed the winter which he believed was the winter preceding the close of the war- that Colonel Olney's regiment remained at Oswego until the close of the war- that those of the troops at that post who were enlisted for three years were discharged in the fall of one thousand seven hundred and eighty two as he believe in the month of October- that this Deponent was then discharged by Colonel Olney- that the Colonel proposed to provide those of his men who belonged to Rhode Island with rations on their way home if they would [ illegible ] with him - that this Deponent returned accordingly with Colonel Olney to Providence when he received a written discharge from the Colonel- that during the term of this Deponent's service under Colonel Olney he was engaged in a good many skirmishes and encountered of  small detachments along the North river near the Highlands and at Storisy Point during the first year of said service but not in general battles and while upon the frontier at Oswego the Service [ illegible ] to defend the country from the hostile incursions of the Indians - that he cannot recollect the name of any of the officers in command in this service except those under whose immediate command this Deponent was-
   And this Deponent saith that he had the need for time to have his house burned as above stated while living in M\oreau aforesaid and the above mentioned discharges with his other valuable papers were consumed and he hath now no documentary evidence in his possession by which he can prove his said service- That his daughter Sally Case hath frequently seen and heard said discharges before their loss- And that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except those whose Depositions are hereto annexed.
     And this Deponent further saith that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Role of the Agency of any State. [ this whole paragraph is Xed out ]
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In 1777, he served under Colonel Charles Dyer & Capt. Kit Dyer for 9 mo.

In 1778, her served under Captain Benjamin West transfered [sic] Charles Handy to Capt. Kaffin Colonel Toppins Regiment
                  General Sullivan
Adjutant Joh Handy Lieut. Colonel 1 year
1779 [ crossed out] General Sullivan [crossed out] Captain Lewis. Capt. Olden Colonel Olney

HE further States & declares that about 12 or 13 years ago he made application to the War Office for a Pension & that ^he resided at the Town of Moreau in the County of Saratoga & State of New York at the time he made they application.
He resided in the Town of Exerter [sic] in the County of Kingston of Washington County ( then Kent) when he enlisted into the Company commanded by Captain Lewis a recruiting officer.  he was attached to the company commanded by Captain Olden in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Olney of the continental line of the State of Rhode Island [crossed out] and was discharged] and served to the close of the War as a private as more fully appear by declaration and affidavit of his [illegible] witness on file in the Department of War. [ This whole paragraph has an X written over it]
that about in the summer of 1830 [crossed out] twelve or thirteen years ago [ crossed out] he made application for a Pension to the War Office when he resided at the Town of Moreau in the County of Saratoga and State of New York- he says that he resided at the Town of Exeter in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island when he enlisted and entered into the Service of the Revolutionary War on the 17th March 1779 for [ crossed out ] three yr [ crossed out] three year on during the War under Captain Lewis a recruiting officer.  he was mustered and attached to Captain John Oldens [crossed out} Olney's [ crossed out ] Company in Colonel Olney's Regiment of the Continental line of the State of [ crossed out ] Connecticut [ crossed out] Rhode island at East Greenwich in [crossed out ] state [ crossed out ] said state & served as a private to the close of the War, as will more fully appear by his Declaration and affidavit of his witness on File in the Department of War.
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1st   To the question, where, when and in what year were you born? He answers and says, In Exeter in the county of Kent in the state of Rhode Island August 17, 1756.  
2 To the question Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?  He answers and says that he has no record of his age to his knowledge.  
3 To the question, where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war & where do you now live?
   He answers and says He lived at the Town of Exeter in the County of Kent in the State of Rhode Island [crossed out] where he lived [ crossed out] until he was about forty years of age ( except the time he was in the Service of the United States).  When about the year 1806 he removed into the town of Moreau ( then North Umberland  [sic]) in the County of Saratoga & State of New York where he has continued to live ever since and when he now lives.
4.  To the question How were you called into service; were you Drafted, did you Volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom? He answers and says, He has answered it already in the body of his declaration.
5.  To the question State the names of some  of Re gular officers officers who were with the troops where you served;  such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your Service.  He answers and says, this question is fully answered in his declaration above.
6.  To the question Did you ever receive a discharge from  the service; and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it?  He answers He did from Colonel Charles Dyer or Capt. Kit Dyer  In Nov. or Dec 1777
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and also he received a Discharge for one year service given by Colonel John Topping at [ illegible ] Town March 16th 1779 - and also he received a Discharge from Colonel Olney at Providence in the State of Rhode Island in November 1783 - his discharges were all consumed by Fire when his House was burned as stated herein.
7.  To the question 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 service as a Revolutionary Soldier. He states the names of Nicholas W. Angle, or Orimal King, Josiah Griswold.

[ crossed out ] State of New York [ crossed out ]
[ crossed out ] Saratoga County ss [ crossed out ]
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No 21877
Elisha Baker
Saratoga, N,Y.


admitted
24 mo. Private.

Aaron Nash
Ballston Spa
Saratoga Co
NY
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pensions Office
183

Sir:
      The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined and the papers herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following 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 show what is necessary to be done.  These 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 apers 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 Elisha Baker Saratoga NY
Period when the service was rendered:
drafted 1776
Spring 77
In 78
until 16 March 79
disch'd Fall 82

Duration of the claimant's service:
6 months
9 months
having enlisted from 79 to the close of the war

Rank of claimant:
Private

Names and rank of the Field officer under who he served:
Capt. Dyer
Col. Dyer
Cap. West
Col. Toppins
Capt. Oldin
Col. Oley

Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service:
76 years
Exeter, R. Island

Proof by which the declaration is supported:
Traditional evidence stated credible by the court witness certified credibly by the Judge

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions
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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, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engagedin 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:
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 a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every 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.
Sate of
County of
On this
day of
A. B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
of
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
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)
served in the
(e) regiment of the
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; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country 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 (f) 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
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
And then will follow the certificate 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.
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
Sec.
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 the 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
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same)
who hassubscribed 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 days 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 has 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 in detail 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
Page 15

3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 exexpected [ sic] 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.
To a Soldier or To an Officer
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, what one 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 the 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.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge 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 act 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 seal 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 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 
[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
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-
---
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 place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[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 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 in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time me 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 rule in note [j] 
[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.
John N Ashton
Page 16

Written up the left side:
Rev War

12.103
INVALID
File No. 12,103
Elisha Baker
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. a Page 23

[arrangement of 1870]
Page 17

Revolutionary
Power of attorney
from heir of 
Elisha Baker
N. York A. O. Mitter


Filed March 1834

F. E. Hassler
Washington

Col. Anderson
Mar 1/54
Page 18

State of New York
County of Saratoga } ss
          Know all Men by these presents that I Thomas Baker of the town of Northumberland, County of Saratoga and State of New York, do hereby Constitute & appoint irrevocably F. E. Heassler of Washington, D.C. my true & lawful Attorney to prosecute & demand from the U.S. Government any Pension or Money or land that I may have right to as heir at law to Elisha Baker deceased, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner, hereby confirming my said Attorney lawful act in the premises.  Thomas Baker
Subscribed, Acknowledged, and Sworn to and before me, this fourteenth day of January 1854, And I further certify I am not interested in this Claim.
George Washburn, Justice of the Peace
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Elisha Baker of the Town of Moreau in the County of Saratoga in the State of New York being duly Sworn Sayth Before Mr. William Robards first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Warren that he is Sixty three years of age. That he is in Indigent Circumstances and wishes the assistance of the Government for his Support agreeable to the Act of Congress entitled an act to provide for Certain person engaged in the Land and Navel Service in the United States in the revolutionary War for the following Reasons - That he enlisted in the company of Capt. Benjamin West in the Town of Exeter in the County of Washington State of Rhode Island on the 16th day of April 1775 as he believes for one year and Served his time and took his discharge from Capt John Traffen at Tivertown in Cat John Taffins Regiment that about three Months after he enlisted for three years or during the War under Capt ----Lewis and Served until discharged in the Rhode Island Line that was engaged in a battle under General Sullivan in while he served.  A Sever Wound in his left thumb which mostly destroys the use of it that he has been in may other Skirmishes.
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That about three years ago his house took fire and his papers was then thrown out of Doors and he has no doubt but his discharges were then lost together with many other papers that his Service was in the Continental establishment and further this deponent Sayth not.
Sworn and Subscribed this 22nd day of July 1819 before me. W. Robards first Judge of Warren County Common Pleas

his X mark Elisha Baker

Thomas Case being duly Worn Says that he saw the above named Elisha Baker in the Congenital Service in the Town of Greenwich in the County of Kent in the State of Rhode Island. that he verily believes he Served over nine months.
Sworn this 22nd day of July 1819 before me,
W. Robards first Judge of Warren County Common Pleas

his X mark
Thomas Case