Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11675, Nathaniel Wait, Mass. Vt.
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(3-1776)

SERVICE     Mass.
                     Vt.

Wait, Nathaniel

NUMBER     S. 11675
carded

CONTENTS
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Vermont
Nathaniel Wail
Essex Co. in the State of Vt
who was a Pr in the Company commanded
by Captain Henry
of the high commanded
by Col Whitney in the Vermont
line for
$80.00
Mass and Vt Records completed [illegible]
Inscribed on the Roll of [illegible]
at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22nd day of April
and sent to
1831 [illegible] Brunswick, Essex Co. Vt
Arrears to the 4th of Mch 240.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sep 40.00
$280.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. J Sprague Clerk,
Book 6 Vol. [?] page 99

to Hon H Heibbur
Aug 7, 1850
David Hyde  July 14 1853
.
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Brunswick, Vt.
April 13-1853
Mr.[?] David Hyde
P.M.

Revolutionary Pension Office
Washington, D. C.
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Brunswick, Vt.  April 13-1853

Dear Sir
A letter came to this Post Office directed Tamson Wait mailed at Washington, D. C. Revolutionary Pensions or her heirs Brunswick Vt.
Tamson Wait was the Widow of Nathaniel Wait of this town but was not married to Nathaniel Wait untill [until] about 1820 and never applied for pension, knowing herself not entitled by law to any. She has been dead many years and never took any measures to obtain a pension as her son Elias Taylor Esq told me yesterday
I wish you would inform me whether her name is on the Pension list -- the date -- now much has been paid -- the witnesses and magistrates names attached to the application
The inference is that some of our Officials have been forging all the papers necessary in such case and we wish to know who they are
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This letter must have been written by some one  familiar with the Pension office or her name and residence would not have been known and her not being entitled to a pension would enable our Officials to forge her papers and draw the money without fear of detection and the good of the community requires that they should be exposed.
Very Respectfully
David Hyde P.M.
Pension Office
[deleted] Hon Secretary of Pensions [/deleted]
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of
Congress passed June 7th 1832.
State of Vermont On this 13th day of August A.D. 1832
County of Essex ss Personally appeared in open Court before
the Hon. William Gates Judge of the Probate Court
within and for the District of Essex in the County of Essex and
State of Vermont now sitting Nathaniel Wait a resident of
Brunswick in the County of Essex and State of Vermont aged
Seventy four 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 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following
named officers and served as herein stated-
That he was drafted into the Militia at Royalston in the County
of Worcester and State of Massachusetts in May A.D. 1776 and that
in said month of May A.D. 1776 he entered the Militia of Massachusetts in a company commanded by Capt. Henery and Lieut
David McLean and Ensign Smith in the Regiment commanded
by Col. Whitney and marched to Rhode Island where he served the
whole term of two months in said Company, being stationed a
part of said term at Providence and for the remainder of said
term at Narrigansett in the State of Rhode Island. That the duty
of the company in which he served was to guard the Ports of Providence
august A.D. 1777 he was drafted into the Militia at
Royalston in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts
for the Term of two months and that in said month of August
A.D. 1777 he entered the militia of Massachusetts in a company
commanded by Capt. Peter Woodbury and Lieut Ephraim Stearns
and John Rogers in the Regiment commanded by Col Cushion:
that he marched in said Company to Bennington in the State of
Vermont where he arrived about a week before the
battle of Bennington, that from Bennington, he marched
to Half Moon in the State of New York and that he returned
to Bennington, where he arrived on Sunday the day after
the battle. That he served the remainder of said Term of Two
months at said Bennington Vermont. That his duty for the
most of the time while stationed at Bennington was to guard
prisoners-
That in June AD 1778 he was drafted into the militia at
Royalston in Massachusetts for the Term of eight months
and that in said month of June A.D. 1778 he entered the
militia of Massachusetts in a company commanded by Capt.
Ephraim Stearns in Col Woods Regiment that he marched
in said company to the State of New Jersey, where he served
about a months that he marched from New Jersey
to Peekskill New York when he was quartered during the
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winter. That he served from the said month of June
1778 for the whole term of eight months and was dismissed
from the service at Peekskill New York the first of March
That in July A.D. 1780 he enlisted in the army of the United States
into the company commanded by Capt Spurr and Lieut
Crane in Col. Thomas Nixons Regiment and Gen. John Nixon's
Brigade for the Term of six months. That he enlisted at
Royalston in the State of Massachusetts and was marched with said
company to the State of New Jersey and afterwards to West Point
where he arrived soon after Major Andre was executed and
where he served about three months. That under said last
mentioned enlistment he served the full term of six
months.
That in the month of March A.D. 1781 he entered the
militia as a volunteer at Brunswick in the County
of Essex and State of Vermont and served in a company
commanded by Lieut Ward Bailey. That the head quarter
of said company were at Guildhall of
Essex and State of Vermont and that the duty performed
by said Company consisted principally in guarding
the frontiers against the Indians. That he served in
said company commanded by the said Lieut Bailey
from the said month of March 1781 for the full term
of Eight months that
he was born at Glocester in the State of Massachusetts
in January 1758, that he removed to Royalton in the
County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts about the
yer 1780 where he was first called into service, that
he removed to Brunswick in the County of Essex and
State of Vermont where he has resided
in February 1781 where he has ever since resided
That he never recieved any written discharge from
the service. That he has no documentary evidence
and that he knows of no person whose testimony he
can procure who can testify to his service except
John Hugh of Averill in said Essex County
We hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension
or annuity except the present and declares that his
name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any
State
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
[signature] Nathaniel Wait
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We Seth Cushman Esq. residing in the town of Guildhall
in the County of Essex and State of Vermont and Timothy
Fairchild of said Guildhall hereby certify that we are
well acquainted with Nathaniel Wait who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him
to be seventy four 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
[signature] Seth Cushman
Timothy Fairchild by
affirmation

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
Seth Cushman Esqr and Timothy Fairchild who have signed the preceeding certificate are both resident in the Town of
Guildhall in the County of Essex and State of Vermont and that
they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to
credit
[signature] M Gates Judge

I William Heywood Jr Register of the Court of Probate
within and for the District of Essex in
the County of Essex
and State of Vermont do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter
of the application Nathaniel Wait for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
seal of office this 13th day of August in the year of our
Lord One Thousand eight hundred and Thirty two -
Wm Heywood Jr Register
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State of Vermont    }
Essex County ss     }
I William Gates Clerk of the County court within and for the County of Essex aforesaid do herby certify that William Gates Esq before whom the within Declaration of Nathaniel Wait was taken and sworn to is the Judge of the Probate court within and for the District of Essex in said County of Essex and that his name thereunto Subscribed is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Lunenburg in said county this 20th day of August A.D. 1832.
Wm. Gates Clerk.
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State of Vermont
District & County of Essex Sr
On this nineteenth day of
June A.D. 1833 personally
appeared in open Court before the Hon. William
Gates Judge of the Court of Probate for the District
aforesaid now sitting Nathaniel Wait named in the
foregoing Declaration and on oath make the following
additional and explanatory declaration to wit; That in
the month of May A.D. 1776 he was drafted for
the term of two months into the militia at
Royalston in the County of Worcester and State of
Massachusetts and that in said month of May A.D.
1776 he entered the militia of said State of Massachusetts in a company commanded by Capt. Henry
Lieut David McLean and Ensign Smith in the
Regiment commanded by Col. Whitney. That he
joined said company at Leicester in the State of
Massachusetts where he passed muster and from
thence was marched to Providence in Rhode Island
where he served about six weeks and from thence
was marched to Narragansett in Rhode Island
where
he served about two weeks. That he served
at said Providence and Naniganeth from the
time that he entered said company in said month
of May A.D. 1776 for the full term of two
months & that during said term he was not
employed in any civil pursuit that he was
employed during said term in guarding the parts
of Providence and Nrrigansett. That during
said term there was no Regiment except
that of Col. Whitney stationed at said Providence
& Narrigansett
That in the month of August A.D. 1777 he was
drafted for the term of two months into the militia
at Royalston in the County of Worcester & State of Massachusetts and that in said month of August 1777
he entered the militia of said State of Massachusetts
in a company commanded by Capt Peter Wood
her and Lieut Ephraim Stearns and John Rogers
in the Regiment commanded by Col Bushion
That the fore part of said month of August 1777
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he was marched in said Company to Bennington
in the State of Vermont and from thence
to Half Moon in the State of New York and that
immediately upon his arrival at Half Moon
the troops had orders to return to said Benniington
to which place he was immediately
marched & that he arrived at said Bennington on the sunday next after the battle of
Bennington. That he was then employed
in guarding prisoners at said Bennington till
the expiration of said term of two months when
he was discharged but received no
written
discharge. That he served from the said first
of August A.D. 1777 for the full term of two
months in the Massachusetts militia and in the
company and Regt above named and that
he served the whole of said term at said
Bennington except during the time when
he was marched from said Royalston
Bennington & from thence to Half Moon &
again to Bennington as I have stated. That
after the battle he saw Gen. Stark at Bennington but thinks that he was not under his
command. That during said term of two
months he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
that in the month of June A.D. 1778 he was
drafted for the term of eight months at Royalston in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts and that in said month of June 1778 he
entered the militia of said State in a company commanded by Capt. Ephraim Stearns in Col
Wood's Regiment & that he was marched in said
company to Peekskill in the State of New York
and from thence to White Plains and from thence
to Woodbury and Danbury in Connecticut
and from thence to said Peekskill where he
was stationed during most of said eight
months. That he served from
the time
he entered said company in June A.D. 1778
for the full term of eight months and was
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discharged at said Peekskill the last of
February or first of March 1779 having
enlisted at said Peekskill. That Gen
Nixon's Brigade wintered about two miles from
where said Col. Woods Regiment was
quartered during said winter. That he received
no written discharge. That during said eight
months he was not employed in any civil persuit
. That he now thinks that he was mistaken
when he made his former declaration in regard
to having served in New Jersey during part of
this period
That in July A.D. 1780 he enlisted into the
Army of the United States for the term of
six months & served as stated in his former
declaration
that in March A.D. 1781 he voluntered
into the militia at Brunswick in the County
of Essex and State of Vermont for the term of
eight months & that he served for the
full term of eight months as stated in
his former declaration
That during said
term he was not employed in any civil pursuit
That he served as a private during each of
the foregoing periods of service
but
that he has no record of his age but knows of
one in the possession of William Wait of Brunswick
aforesaid by which it appears that he
was born on the 17th day of January 1758
that he lived at Royalston in the State of Massachusetts
when he was called into the service at
every time except the last when he lived at
Brunswick in the County of Essex and State of
Vermont
that there is no clergyman residing in said
Brunswick and that he is not acquainted with
any clergyman residing within this state and
whose certificate he can procure that
during each of the above terms
he served
with an embodied corps called into service by comp
tent without-
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That by reason of old age and consequent loss of
memory he cannot state more particularly
as to the officers with whom he served & the
particulars of his service than he has done in
this and his former declaration
[signature] Nathaniel Wait
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year
aforesaid Before me WM Gates Judge of Probate

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-
I William Heywood Jr Register of the Court of
Probate within and for the District of Essex in the
County of Essex and State of Vermont do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the
application of Nathaniel Wait for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and seal of Office at Lunenburg
in said District this 19th day of June A.D.
1833
[signature] Wm Heyward Jr Register of Probate

State of Vermont
Essex County
I William Gates Clerk of the County
Court within and for the County
of Essex aforesaid do hereby certify
that William Gates Esq before whom
the foregoing declaration of Nathan
Wait was taken and sworn to
is Judge of the Court of Probate
within and for the District of Essex
in the County of Essex aforesaid
and his name thereunto subscribed
is his genuine signature-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed
the seal of said Court and subscribed my
name at Lunenburg in said County this
19th day of June A.D. 1833. W M Gales Clerk
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11645
Revham
INVALID.
File No. 19.695
Nathaniel Wait
Bw. Rev. War
---
Act: June 7 1832
Index:--Vol. A, Page 394
(Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 15

April 18 1853
Rel: to case of
Samson Wail
widow of Nathl
David Hyde P.M
Brunswick
Essex Co
Vt
Pension Office, OFFICIAL BUSINESs
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
Page 16

I John Hugh of Averill in the County of Essex and
State of Vermont depose and say that in the month
of March AD 1781 I enlisted in a company of Militia
of State troops commanded by Lieut Ward Bailey State
at these (Guildhall) now Maidstone in the County of
Essex aforesaid for the defence of the frontiers and served
his company for the term of Eight months and I
will see that Nathl M. Wait then & now of [illegible]
with served in sd Bailies Company during said
term of Eight months I have been acquainted with
sd Wait since AD 1780 + believe he is as much
as seventy four years of age
[signature] John Hugh
State of Vermont
Essex County ss
At Guildhall this 13th day of August
A.D. 1832 Personally appeared before
me John Hugh whose name is subscribed
to the above affidavit and solemn oath that the facts therein
contained are true.
Before me
[singature] Wm Gates Just Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named
John Hugh and that he is a man of truth and veracity
of Gates Just Peace
Page 17

State of Vermont   }
Esses County ss    }
I William Gates Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Essex aforesaid do hereby certify that Wm. Gates Esq before whom the within affidavit was taken and sworn to is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Essex aforesaid and that his name thereunto subscribed is his genuine Signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Lunenburg this 20th day of August A.D. 1832
Wm. Gates Clerk
Page 18

Lot Woodbury of Concord in the County of Essex and State of
Vermont depose and say that in the year 1777 I lived in Royalton
in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts and I then
lived a near neighbor to Nathaniel Wait then of said Royalston
and now residing in Brunswick in the County of Essex aforesaid
and I was then well acquainted with said Wait and I well recollect
in the month of August 1777 he was drafted for the term of
two months into the Militia at Royalston in the County of Worcester
and State of Massachusetts and that in said month of August 1777
he entered the Militia of said State of Massachusetts in a company
commanded by Capt Peter Woodbury and Lieuts Ephraim Stearns
and John Rogers in the Regiment commanded by Col Cushion
for the term of two month and I then understood and now believe that
said Wait served for said term of two months in said company at Bennington
and in that vicinity. I further recollect that in the month and
1778 he was drafted for the term of Eight months at Royalston and County aforesaid but I do not recollect the names of the officers
or whom he served I then understood and now believe that he
served for the term of Eight month. I ever let that in
July 1780 he enlisted into the army of the United States for the
term of six months and I then understood and now believe that he
performed that service. I have been acquainted with said Wait for more than
sixty years and he has always sustain the reputation of being
a man of truth and verily
[signature] Lot Woodbury

State of Vermont  
Essex County At Concord this 2d day of November A.D. 1833
personally appeared before me Lot Woodbury whose
name is subscribed to the above affidavit and made solemn oath
that the facts therein contained are true
[signature] Isaac Richardson Justice of the peace
For certificate that Lot Woodbury is a credible person in the face of the
Page 19

I Jesse Woodbury of Concord in the County of Essex and State of
Vermont depose and say that in the year AD 1777 I lived in
Royalton in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts
and I then lived a near neighbor to Nathaniel Wait then of said
Royalston and now residing in Brunswick in the County of Essex
and State of Vermont that either in the month of July or August
1777 was drafted or volunteered in the Town of Royalston afore said
and joined a company commanded by Capt Bradbury
and Lieut Ephraim Stearns and John Rogers and Marched
from said Royalston to Bennington in the State of Vermont
and from thence to half moon in the State of New York
and was soon marched back to said Bennington where I remained for the term of six weeks or two months and I well remember
that Nathaniel Wait above mentioned went with me
and in the same company and that he remained here
in the service and did duty for the above mentioned term
of time. I likewise recollect that said Wait was out
in the service at several different times but how long
I cannot positively tell. I have been acquainted with said
wait for more than sixty years and he has always sustained
the reputation of being a man of truth and veracity
[illegible] Jesse Woodbury

State of Vermont
Essex County ss
At Concord this 2nd
day of November A.D. 1833

Personally appeared before me Jesse Woodbury whose
name is subscribed to the above affidavit and made solemn oath that the facts therein contained are true
[illegible] Isaac Richardson Just of the Peace

I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named
Jesse Woodbury and that he is a man of truth and veracity
Richardson Justice of the Peace
Page 20

I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named
Lot Woodbury and that he is a man of truth and veracity
[signature] Isaac Richardson Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Essex County SS
I William Gates Clerk of
the County Court within
and for the County of Essex
aforesaid do hereby certify
that Isaac Richardson Esq
before whom the foregoing
affidavits of Lot Woodbury
and Jesse Woodbury were
taken and sworn to is a
Justice of the Peace within
and for the County of Erie aforesaid and that
I believe his name thereunto subscribed is
his genuine signature. In testimony where
of I have hereunto affixed the seal of
said Court and subscribed my name at
uniting in said County this 19th day
of November A.D. 1833-
WM Gates Clerk
Page 21

House of Re. Aug 7. 1850

Dear Sir
enclosed is an act from a letter I have received from Hon. C. G.
Atherton of N.H. respecting a claim
supposed to be held by Isaac Richardson
his wife Lucy as heir of Nathl Waite
of Brunswick Co. Vermont desiring
me to make inquing respecting the same

I would like a reply as early
as may be convenient,
of this matter does not 
pertain to your office please give
in the proper direction

Oblige
Yours respy
[signature] Harry Hillband


J. L. Edwards Esq
Com Pensions
Page 22

3709
Nathaniel Wait
Brunswick
Essex Co
Vt

2Y B $200

Indue
Claimant
Page 23


WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
23 April 1833
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 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 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.
in A
Statement, shewing the Service of
Duration of the
claimant's service
Rank of
the
claimant.
Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served.
Age at present,
┃ and place of abode
when he entered
the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.

I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions

Nathaniel Wait
Page 24

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 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.
The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
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, mucicians 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.
State, Territor
County of
On this
day of
A. B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
of
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; 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
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 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
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 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.
1,
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
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

the service in Col Nixon's regt the
corps in this office where the
be proved a more definitely
-
Page 25

3
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 at
tempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be exexpected
. 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
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, and what
office, has become of it?
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 certficate 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
The declarant must appear in open Court will prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity, at the
low the rule laid down for his guidance.
the declarant must not be declaration in the county where he was thus to enter
conforming to the rule.
same roof when he served
Ever someone
to tie the Department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled in case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
, state prevention he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affini the floor
appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that year
of age, and the contents of men then went to the rest of the
events therein mentioned below, and the following
and
determine with me on the period he ceased, and the procure the
other than the right of the
in a case where the
without specifying the tears the names of the other, and that neither his form of a dear
in a day or two were
were severe than the one
---
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
That is as it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished or any other seal, or if he has no pubof
the rite of a Member of Congress, proving the offical 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 can
the amidavit, or other papers authenticated, the estate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
the seal of office of the certifying other was to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the curate
Proof of Service.
in a case where the name of the policat is not found on the records of the Hermit me to her were
are required to set forth in their affiavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his head
company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who administer the matter of
and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certined by the proper other under his seal of one
heroically able to the cases of name, to the
note applies to continental troops only.
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the
Massachusetts line is then by the roll of that
claimants name is found
the other terms ment
failed in order that they
be traced