Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13770, for Oliver Loomis, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)

Service
Conn.

Loomis, Oliver

Number
S. 13770

Contents

Carded
Page 2

Jan 4, 1837
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Vermont No. 26.003

Oliver Loomis of Rutland Co. in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Barber of the Regt. commanded by Col. Hoyt in the Conn Troops line for 7 months & 23 days  

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 25 Dollars 86 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Novr. 1833 and  sent to Almon Warner, E. Poultney

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833   64.65
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 34  12.93

[Total] $77.58

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by D. Brown  Clerk
Book E. Vol. 3  Page 75
Page 3

Oliver Loomis
No. 4,554
Thirty Two.
S. H. Merrill
Page 4

State of Vermont
County of Rutland
District of Fair haven

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed Jan 7. 1832.

On this fourteenth day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court for the District of Fair haven Oliver Loomis a resident of Pawlet in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont  - Aged Sixty Eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. 

That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named Officers, and Served as hereinafter stated  

About the 1st July 1779 - the father of the applicant named also Oliver Loomis was drafted at East Windsor, Hartford County Connecticut to serve in the Connecticut Militia for 2 months - and that said applicant went as his Substitute to New London and joined Capt. Barber's company and assisted in building Fort Trumbull and as the expiration of the 2 months was dismissed without discharge he knows of no surviving witness who can testify to this Service.

That he enlisted in the Army of the United States at East Windsor aforesaid, for 9 months under Lieut Strong (as he thinks), sometime in the Spring of 1780. (He does not know the precise time) went to Hartford where he bought a Pocket book and Commenced a Diary which is now in his possession the first date is Hartford July 31st. 1780 - marched then to Danbury - then to Kings Ferry in the State of New York, then to [unreadable] where he joined Capt Bates Company and Col. Hoyts Regiment which was commanded most of the time by Major Walbridge - a brother of Captain Bates was his Sergeant - On the 6th. August marched to Orangetown, on the 9th August to Hackinsack on the 4. September to Hackinsack - On the 29th. September marched to Dobb's Ferry - where he saw Gen. Washington - then to Tappan - October 5 moved to Paramus - Nov. 29. crossed the Hudson River - on the 30. November lay at the Highlands - worked some time on the huts
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and was discharged on the 13. December 1780.  During his Enlistment he was at Lotowa and from there marched to the Notch of the mountain - back to Lotowa and from there to Paramus where he crossed the River as aforesaid He saw Major André [unreadable] according to his Diary on the 2. October 1780 - and was received by Baron Steuben at Lotowa - his discharge is lost and he has no documentary Evidence of his Service. Nor does he know by whom his discharge was given. He was born at East Windsor Connecticut in the year 1768 the 24th September and moved to Pawlet Vermont in the year 1786 where he has since resided - knows John Griswold and Phineas Strong who can testify to his veracity. He hereby relinquishes Every claim whatsoever 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. has a record of his age age in an old Diary in his possession. 
Oliver Loomis 
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
The word "Militia" written in an erasure - and the words "was discharged" erased before execution.
Page 6

We John Griswold a Clergyman - residing in the Town of Pawlet in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, and Phineas Strong -residing in Pawlet aforesaid in the county and State aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Oliver Loomis the before named applicant; that we believe him to be Sixty Eight years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

John Griswold
P. Strong

Sworn to and subscribed this fourteenth day of August 1832.

And the Said Court hereby declares that in the opinion of Said Court the above named applicant Oliver Loomis was a Revolutionary Soldier, and Served as he states in his foregoing Declaration; that having propounded to Said applicant the Several interrogatories required by the instruction of the Department of War, his answers thereto, which are embodied in his Declaration, are entirely satisfactory to the Said Court, and all the Statements of said applicant are true in the opinion of Said Court.

And the Said Court further certifies that John Griswold who has Sworn to and Subscribed the above certificate is a clergyman - and that Phineas Strong
Page 7

who has Sworn to and Subscribed the Same is a man of good character and reputable Standing in Society. And that the testimony of the above named witnesses as to the reputation of said applicant as having been a Revolutionary Soldier, is that - the belief is general, and that no doubts have ever Existed on the subject, to their knowledge.

Given under my hand
this 14th. day of August 1832.

I Selah H. Merrill Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Fair haven, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original Proceedings of Said Case - in the matter of the application of Oliver Loomis for a Pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal of Office this fourteenth day of August in the year One Thousand Eight-Hundred and Thirty two.

S. H. Merrill

[Circular seal placed over ribbons at lower left]

Oliver Loomis
No 4,554
Page 8

Jerusha Loomis
Affidavit

Hon Almon Warner
Poultney
Vermont
Page 9

I Jerusha Loomis of Lawful age do testify and Say that Some time in the year AD1779 then living with my father in East Windsor Connecticut my Brother Oliver Loomis was a Soldier in the Service in the Militia of Connecticut two Months. when he had been gone from home one month my brother went to New London and carried him some close [clothes], where my Brother Oliver was then Stationed. I likewise remember that my Brother Oliver went into the Continental Service the following year, and furthermore the Deponent Saith not.

Jerusha Loomis

State of Vermont Rutland County ss
Pawlet June 25th 1833. Here Jerusha Loomis of Pawlet in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont personally appearing, and after being carefully examined and duly cautioned, made Solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by her Subscribed contains the whole truth, and nothing but the truth

Before   Elisha Allen Justice Peace

I hereby certify that I have for a number of years been acquainted with the above named Jerusha Loomis and consider her a woman of truth & Veracity

Attest  Elisha Allen  Justice Peace

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss

I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland Certify that Elisha Allen is a Justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned and that I believe his signature above [Illegible].

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said Court of Rutland this 28th day of June AD 1883

R Pierpoint
Page 10

February 24, 1934
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/MCS
Oliver Loomis, S.13770
Oliver Loomis, S. 13781

Mrs. S. M. Cowles
Kensington
Connecticut

Dear Madam:

          Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War records of Oliver Loomis, S. 13770.  Oliver Loomis, S. 13781, and Lot Hart.

           Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon the military service of soldiers in that war.  A search of the records fails to show such claim on file on account of the service of any soldier name Lot Hart.

             The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 13770, based upon the military service of Oliver Loomis who was born September 24, 1763, at East Windsor, Connecticut, and was the son of Oliver.

              While a resident of East Windsor, Connecticut, this soldier enlisted July 1, 1779, and served two months as private in Captain Barber's Connecticut company, which service was as substitute for his father, Oliver Loomis. He again enlisted in April, 1780, and served until December 13, 1780, as private in Captain Eates' company in Colonel Hait's Connecticut regiment.

                He was allowed pension on his application executed August 14, 1832, at which time he was living at Pawlet, Rutland County, Vermont, having moved there in 1786.

                  In 1833 his sister Jerusha Loomis, was living in Pawlet,  Vermont.  The papers in this claim contain no further data  relative to the soldier's family.

                   Oliver Loomis died January 4, 1837.
Page 11

          The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S 13781, based upon the military service of Oliver Loomis or Lumis who was born in 1760 in Harwinton, Litchfield County, Connecticut.  The names of his parents were not given.

             While living in Harwinton, Connecticut, this soldier enlisted and served as private with the Connecticut troops as follows: from April 5, 1777, until June 5, 1777, in Captain Aaron Foot's company in Colonels Noadiah Hooker's  and Sheldon's regiments; from July 10, 1779, until September 10, 1779, in Captain Josiah Phelps' company in Colonel Woolcott's regiment; from April 1, 1780, until January 5, 1781, in Captain Peter Curtis' company in Colonel Beebe's regiment.

              Sometime after the Revolution he moved from Harwinton to Bethlehem, Litchfield County, Connecticut, and lived there about six year when he moved to Windham, Greene County, New York.  In 1832 he stated that he and his family, names not given, had lived in Windham about thirty years.  The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to the soldier's family.

                This soldier was allowed pension on his application executed September 8, 1832, while a resident of Windham, New York.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator

Date of death
not on Agency Book
Page 12

[Illegible] SECTION    3-525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C. , __________, 19 ___


In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Oliver Loomis. a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) [Words 'or his widow's' are lined through] application for pension on file in this Bureau.  S.13,770.

[Chart column headings:] DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | STATE.

July 1, 1779
2 mos.
Pvt
CAPTAIN Barber
COLONEL  -
Conn.

Apr. 1780
Dec. 13, 1780  9 mos.
-
CAPTAIN Bates
COLONEL Hait
"

Battles engaged in, None stated.

Residence of soldier at enlistment, East Windsor, Hartford Co, Conn.

Date of application for pension, Aug. 14, 1832: His claim was allowed

Residence at date of application, Pawlet, Rutland Co. Vt. where moved 1786

Age at date of application, born at East Windsor Conn Sept. 24. 1763, son of Oliver.
as sub for father

Remarks: died Jan 4. 1837.

Respectfully,
Commissioner

6-2856
Page 13

13.770
Rev War
INVALID
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File No. 13.770
Oliver Loomis
Priv. Rev. War
----------------
Act:  June 7th 1832
Index: -- Vol.    1,    Page 225
[Arrangement of 1870]

1914 Apr. 13.  History to Mrs. 
Sybil Blossom Ward    Peter
M S F.  14.775 Ichabod Ward
M. B. H
----------------------------------
1934 Feb. 24 hist to Mrs
S. W. Cowles.
Page 14

THE UPSON FAMILY ASSOCIATION
of AMERICA

Kensington, Conn.,
January 29, 1934.

Pension Department -

Will you kindly send to me copy of your records of two Oliver Loomises listed in Draper's Connecticut Revolutionary Pensioners, Nos. S13770 and S13781.

I am particularly interested in the one who married Sarah Upson. The Loomis Family Genealogy says that he removed to Windham, N.Y. and drew pension for Revolutionary services. They had eleven children. His wife died July 29, 1831, aged seventy-nine years. I would like to find her parents' names.

Also I would like whatever you have of Lot Hart, whose wife was Experience Cole. He died near Hudson, N.Y. Feb. 1st, 1826, aged seventy years. He is mentioned in Conn. Men in the Revolution.

Thanking you in advance, I am
Yours very truly,
(Mrs. S. M. ) Alice Upson Cowles
Member of Committee on History and Genealogy
of the above Association.
Page 15

Daniel Eaton :  Affidavit
Page 16

I Daniel Eaton of Castleton in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont of lawful age depose, testify, and say that I am well acquainted with Oliver Loomis of Pawlet in the County of Rutland aforesaid, that in the year 1780 I lived in Windsor in Hartford County State of Connecticut, that the said Oliver Loomis lived in the same town of Windsor, that some time in the month of April in the year 1780 we the said Loomis and the said Deponant both enlisted as pr in Continental Service, for nine months, in Col. Haits Regiment, Majr Walbridge attached to said regiment Capt Bates Company, and served six months.-

Further the deponant says not.

Daniel Eaton
Castleton 29. Jun 1833

Sworn and subscribed day and date last above mentiond.

Before me L. M. Mason  Justice Peace

I hereby certify that the above named Daniel Eaton is a credible man

L. M. Mason  Justice Peace

Oliver Loomis
capt from Jany 26 to 13 Feby 1780

10
13
[Total] 23
Page 17

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss

I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland certify that Lorenso M Mason is a Justice of the Peace for said county duly commissioned & that his signature to the within Certificate is Genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County of Rutland this 1 day of August A.D. 1833

R Pierpoint
Page 18

4554
Oliver Loomis 

Pawlet 
VT

See Conn Rolls -- 

Claimant
7 mo. 23 days  Pri

Almon Warner Esq
East Poultney  Vt
Page 19

WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Pension Office, 
May 1, 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. 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 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. 

Statement, shewing the Service of 

[Column headers:]
Period when the service was rendered | Duration of the claimant's service Years. Months. Days. | 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. | 

[No information is completed in this table]

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

Mr Oliver Loomis
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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 ______ ss 

On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before _____ A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [Symbol of hand pointing right] 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. 
I ______ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c. 

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to 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 day and year aforesaid. 

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 

Claimant will as well to forward the diary [Continued on bottom of next page]
Page 21

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 attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? 
To an Officer. Did you every 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 his 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. 

[Footnotes:] 
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. 
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. 
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: - For _____ year _____ months, and ______ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension." 
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place of 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. 
[Image of a hand pointing to the right] 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 j[Illegible] note [j] applies to continental troops only. 
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration. 


[Continued from bottom of previous page] refered to unless other proof can be procured