Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7303, for John Peterson, North Carolina
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
N.C.
Peterson, John
NUMBER
S. 7303
Born in N. C. 
Carded
CONTENTS
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16.506
North Carolina

John Peterson 
of Sampson in the State of N. Car.
who was a pri. in the commanded 
by Captain  of the Reg't commanded by Col: Caswell in the No. Ca.
line for 6 mos. 4 days

Inscribed on the Roll of No. Carolina
at the rate of 20 Dollars 44 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Aug't. 33 and sent  Patrick Murphy Taylors Bridge No. Ca.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833  40.88
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. - 10.22 =
$51.10
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk,
Book E Vol. 6 Page 51

order to pay July 21. 1837
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State of North Carolina}
Sampson  County} SS.
On this the 20 day of April A. D. 1833 before me David Underwood an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Sampson aforesaid in the State aforesaid personally appeared John Peterson a resident of Sampson County in the State of North Carolina aged eighty three years the 3rd day of May 1833, 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.
1. In a company of Duplin militia under the command of Colonel Thomas Rutledge; Captain John Treadwell, Jesse Haddock Ensign, he forgets his other officers, in the fall of the year and he thinks in the year 1775 and served six weeks, in an expedition to Wilmington, to prevent the enemy who were on board a man of War in the River below Wilmington, from coming up and taking possession thereof; that when he entered the service he resided in Duplin, now Sampson County N. C; that he was a volunteer and a private soldier, that he was in no battle nor skirmish
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1. In a company of Duplin militia under the command of Colonel Thomas Rutledge; Captain John Treadwell, Jesse Haddock Ensign, he forgets his other officers, in the fall of the year and he thinks in the year 1775 and served six weeks, in an expedition to Wilmington, to prevent the enemy who were on board a man of War in the River below Wilmington, from coming up and taking possession thereof; that when he entered the service he resided in Duplin, now Sampson County N. C; that he was a volunteer and a private soldier, that he was in no battle nor skirmish, that he embodied at Duplin Old Court House and marched from thence to Wilmington, where he remained sometime guarding that place, expecting the enemy to march up from below and make an attack upon it; that from thence, he crossed over Cape Fear and marched to a place called Old Brunswich in Brunswick County; that their encampment was near Old Brunswick; that several detachments or scouting parties of two or three men each were sent out to apprehend the enemy who were destroying the cattle of the inhabitants in that section, that this applicant and Ensign Haddock went together and took three of the enemy prisoners and brought them into Camp; that at their encampment near Old Brunswick, they were relieved by forces from Bladen County and this applicant was discharged and came home; that he served with no continental regiments or companies; that he knew no regular officers but Hardy Holmes, Curtis Ivey and Daniel Williams that he has no documentary evidence, and knows of no persons now alive by whom he can prove this service.
 2. In a company of Duplin militia under the command of Captain John Treadwell called out by order of Colonel Caswell in the first of the year 1776 and served ten days; that he was a volunteer and a private soldier, that he was in no battle or skirmish himself but the battle at Moore's Creek bridge happened when he was out in this service; that he colleted or emboldied at Col. Taton's on Cohara, where he joined Col.
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Caswell's army and was sent in a small detachment by order of Col. Caswell under Captain John Treadwell to guard Rockfish Bridge just above where South  Washington now is that he was verbally discharged by his Captain at Rockfish bridge and came home, that he has no documentary evidence and knows of no person by whom he can prove this service.
3. In a company of Duplin militia also, under the command of Colonel James Moore, Captain Soothy Fisher, his other officers he forgets, but he thinks Solmon Sessoms was Lieutenant, about the last of October 1776 and served six weeks at least and thinks he served two months that he was a volunteer and a private soldier; that he was in no battle; that he embodied at Duplin old Court House, where he remained about ten days or a fortnight and marched from thence to Blackmore's where South Washington now is and staid there about a week, guarding that place and trying to take Blackmore, who was a tory, prisoner, that from thence he marched to Wilmington, where he guarded in his turn some prisoners confined in a church, who had been the prisoners of the enemy and paroled by them, that from Wilmington he marched back to Duplin Old Court House and guarded prisoners who had been tories and awaiting their trial, and remained there about a week or ten days and perhaps more and was there discharged and came home, that he has no documentary evidence but thinks he can prove this service by Lot Richy of this county.
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and marched from thence to Blackmore's where South Washington now is and staid there about a week, guarding that place and trying to take Blackmore, who was a Tory, prisoner, that from thence he marched to Wilmington, where he guarded in his turn some prisoner confined in a church, who had been the prisoner of the enemy and paroled by them, that from Wilmington he marched back to Duplin Old Court House and guarded prisoners who had been Tories and awaiting their trial, and remained there about a week or ten days and perhaps more, and was thence discharged and came home, that he has no documentary evidence but thinks he can prove this service by Lot Riche of this county.  4. In a company of Duplin militia under Gen. Lillington, Col Brown, Stephen Anders Major, Jonathan Taylor Captain, he forgets the names of his other officers about December 1780 and left this service the 10th of March 1781 as his discharge hereunto appended will show, and served three months and a half, that he was a volunteer and a private soldier, that he was in a skirmish with the enemy under Captain Gorden at the Big Bridge across the North East River, in New Hanover County where the Americans under Col Brown on the East side of the River were defeated and Col Brown's arm broke, four of our men he thinks killed and some wounded, that the Americans took to flight and were pursued by the enemy's light horse, that there was a considerable army of the Americans stationed on the west side of the River opposite them on the East side, that the bridge was partly taken up, that he embodied at Cross Creek now Fayetteville and marched from thence to Staleys Ferry on Big Pedee where he remained sometime, guarding that ferry, thence up to a ferry a little above and guarded awhile, thence back to Staleys ferry, thence to about within a mile of Gen Green's camp near Guilford Court House, thence to within sight of the Blue ridge, thence to Cross Creek, now Fayetteville, thence across Cape Fear at Cross Creek down to against Elizabeth Town in Bladen County where he remained to rest for about three days, thence across Beatty's Bridge on to the Big Bridge in New Hanover County and
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crossed over the Big Bridge, that from thence he went in a detachment on towards the sound and near Wilmington to apprehend the enemy who were hitting & destroying the cattle of the inhabitants in that quarter, that he came upon a place where the enemy had just killed a beef near Wilmington that further returned to the Big Bridge and the next day was the skirmish there and the next day or in a day or two after he was discharged by Gen. Lillington as appears from his discharge he thinks he can probably prove that he served this tour by Lot Riche of this county.

Answers of John Peterson the aforesaid applicant to the questions prescribed by the  War Department, propounded to him by David Underwood the Justice of the Peace aforesaid.

To the 1st. I don't know exactly where I was born but I believe I was born on Goshen in Duplin County, the 3rd of May 1750

To the 2nd I have no record of my age, it may probably be recorded in a book at my Brother Nathan Peterson's in this county.

3rd*

To the 4th I always volunteered.

To the 5th I don't recollect that they were any regular officers with the troops where I served, I was near Gen. Green's camp. I don't recollect ever to have seen any continental regiments; The militia regiments I remember were Col. Rutledge's, Col. Brown's and Col. James Moore's. The general circumstances of my service are stated above
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don't know exactly where I was born but I believe I was born  on Goshen in Duplin County, the 3rd of May 1750

To the 2nd I have no record of my age, it may probably be recorded in a book at my Brother Nathan Peterson's in this county.

3rd*

To the 4th I always volunteered.

To the 5th I don't recollect that they were any regular officers with the troops where I served, I was near Gen. Green's camp. I don't recollect ever to have seen any continental regiments; The militia regiments I remember were Col. Rutledge's, Col. Brown's and Col. James Moore's. The general circumstances of my service are stated above 

*3rd When called into service I was living in Duplin now Sampson County N. C. where I have ever since lived and now live.

6th I never received but one discharge in writing and that was given me by Gen. Lillington as it will show.
 
7th John Wright Sen. Lot Riche, David Smith, Raiford Carroll, Laban Tatom, Nicholas Parker, Doctor John Owen &c.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
[Signature]
John Peterson X his mark
Sworn to & subscribed before me the Justice of the Peace aforesaid this day & date above written.
[Signature]
Attest. David Underwood J. P.

State of North Carolina}
Sampson County} SS.
On this the 21st day of May A. D. 1833 before me David Underwood a Justice of the Peace in and for said county personally appeared Lot Riche a resident of Sampson County N. C. aged seventy four years last August who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose and say that he was acquainted with John Peterson the above named applicant for a pension, a resident of Sampson County N. C. aged eighty
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three years before the Revolutionary war and entered service with the said John Peterson in a company of Duplin militia under the command of Col. James Moore, Captain Southy Fisher, Solomon Sessoms, this deponenet thinks was Lieutenant or Ensign the other officers he forgets, that he is unlearned and cannot say what year it was in, but was in cold weather, and served with said applicant six weeks, that it was a three months tour and a volunteer company that Captain Fisher commanded that said applicant and this deponent did not continue together the three months out, but on their march to Wilmington said applicant left this deponent at Clayton's on the North East below South Washington and as said applicant was on his return march from Wilmington this deponent joined said company in which the aforesaid applicant was at Clayton's and marched with them to Duplim old Court House and there guarded some prisoners that they embodied at or near Duplin old Court House and was there  also discharged. This deponent further swears that said applicant and this deponent entered service together at another time under Gen. Lillington, Col. Brown, Stephen Anders, Major; Jonathan Taylor Captain, the other officers he forgets, that it was in the winter season and from the date of the discharge hereunto affixd is confident it was about the 1st of December 1780 that they entered service and volunteered for three months that said applicant and this deponent
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there guarded some prisoners that they embodied at or near Duplin old Court House and was there also discharged. This deponent further swears that said applicant and this deponent entered service together at another time under Gen. Lillington, Col. Brown, Stephen Anders, Major; Jonathan Taylor Captain, the other officers he forgets, that it was in the winter season and from the date of the discharge hereunto affixd is confident it was about the 1st of December 1780 that they entered service and volunteered for three months that said applicant and this deponent was not in the skirmish at the Big Bridge in New Hanover County, but understood that it occurred during this term, but that he was in one at Coles Bridge on Drowning Creek during this tour; that they embodied at Cross Creek, & from thence out of the company and detached to Cross Creek & from thence guarded a public store, some provisions and some beef cattle to Cole's Bridge on Drowning Creek. Interlined before sworn to or subscribed with the words & this deponent
[Signature]
Lot Riche [lazy 3 with a line down from top] his mark
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year above written
Test [Signature]
David Underwood J. P.

We, John Owen a clergyman residing in the County of Sampson and Stephen Herring residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Peterson who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding declaration that we believe him to be eighty three years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Revolutionary soldier and that we concur in that opinion.
[Signatures]
John Owens
Stephen Herring
Sworn to & subscribed this 21st May  A. D. 1833
Test
[Signature]
David Underwood J. P.

I, David Underwood the Justice of the Peace aforesaid hereby declare it my opinion after the investigation of the
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John Peterson's
declaration
25566
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the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary and served as he states. I also certify that the said applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend court and that Lot Riche who has sworn to & subscribed the proceeding affidavit is from my own knowledge a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit. And I do further certify that it appers to me & in fact is know to me that John Owen who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding certificate is a clergyan resident in the county of Sampson and that  Stephen Herring who has also signed the same is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. Given under my hand the 21st day of May A. D. 1833.
[Signature]
David Underwood J. P. 

I Thomas J. Farson, Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Thompson County hereby certify that David Underwood before whom the foregoing declaration deposition and certificate were sworn to & subscribed is and was at the time they respectively bear date, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly authorized to administer oaths & that the above signatures thereto, purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this the 22nd day of May A. D. 1833 and in the 57th year of American Independence.
[Signature]
Thomas J. Farson Clerk
[Seal]
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No. 25566
John Peterson Sampson County
North Carolina


Admit as a private
6 ms and 4 days
$20.44


Patrick Murphy Taylor's Bridge
Sampson County N. Carolina
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183

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 requt, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
_________________________________________________
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Peterson Sampson County North  Carolina
_________________________________________________
[Headings]

Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant's service. | Names and rank of the Field officer under who he served. | Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. | Proof by which the declaration is supported.

Entered 1775 | 1 mos. 12 days | Private | Col. Rutledge, Captain Treadwell | 83 years | Traditionary evidence & one Witness - papers correctly attached

Called out 1776 | 10 days | Private | Capt. Treadwell, Col. Caswell | Duplin Cty. | [blank]

Served Oct. 1776 | 1 mos. 17 days | Private | Col Moore, Cap. Fisher | N. Carolina |[blank]

Vol. 1 Dec. 1780 | 3 mos. | Gen'l Lillinton, Col. Brown, Major Andrews, Capt. Taylor | [blank] | [blank]

Total 6 mos 4 days

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 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 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, Territory, or District of County of On this ____ day of ____ personally appeared (a) before ____ A. B. a resident (b) ____ 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; 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 ____ 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. 
I, ____ Clerk of the Court of ____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter 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
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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 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 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 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 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 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 ____ 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 in 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 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 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. 
[k] The notes from [a] and [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops [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.
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Rev War. 7303
INVALID. ow
______________
File No. 7303
John Peterson
Pri. Rev. War
____________
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:-Vol. 1st, Page 292

[Arrangment of 1870.]
Page 18

This may Certify that John Peterson Volunteer has Serv'd his tower of duty as a faithful Soldier and is hereby Discharged March 10th 1779
[Signature]
Alex Lillington B. G.