Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2836, for James Mitchell, Virginia
Page 1

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[3-1776]

SERVICE
Va. [Virginia]

Mitchell, James

NUMBER 
S.2836


CONTENTS carded
Page 2

James Mitchell 
Robinson Co Tennessee 
No 7183
from 1777 private 
3 yrs $80.
return 
16. – S-249 
Russell 
Bedford
Va

on Roll 
15 Feb 1833 
Hon Cave Johnson 
Clarksville 
31 Jany 1833
Page 3

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

BRIEF in the case of James Mitchell, of Robinson County in the State of [blank]
(Act 7th JUNE, 1832.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge: Justice of the Peace
2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? Yes
3.  How old is he? 78 years
4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[column headings: Period. Duration of Service Years, Months, Days. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.]
Volunteered in 1776 / “2 or 3 months” / As a Private / Gen. Green & Lincoln Col Christion Col Russle Capt Irvin Russle Company

Jany 1777 Enlisted / “three years” / Private / Col Beuford; Capt. Lambert afterward Capt Moore He afterward 10 Regiment Virginia Line

Served about 2 months as Ensign after the battle of Guilford

5.  In what battles was he engaged? Monmouth & Guilford

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bedford County Va

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Examining Clerk.
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State of Tennessee} 
Robertson County} On this ninth day of August 1832 personally appeared before me Milton Bourne a justice of the peace in the County and state aforesaid James Mitchell a resident in the County of Robertson and State of Tennessee, and after being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following statement. 

That in the fall of 1776 he lived at the house of John Rodgers in the County of Bedford and State of Virginia that he volenteered [volunteered] in a rifle company under Capt. Christopher Irvine and searved [served] a tour of two or three months against the Cherokee Indians, Col. [Colonel William] Christian was first, and I think Col. Russel [Colonel William Russell] was second in command. 

The s’d [said] Mitchell doth further state on his oath, that on the first day of January in the year 1777 he enlisted in the army of the United States in the Continental line under Capt. George Lambert in the County of Bedford State of Virginia, for the term of three years. I searved [served] under Col. Abram Beufort [sic: Abraham Buford] also a Col. — Davis [Colonel William Davies] and a Col. Ball [Colonel Burgess Ball]; I have a distinct recollection of an officer much beloved by the men whose name was Samuel Jordan Cavel [sic: Samuel Jordan Cabell], whose title run thus. – Maj. of the tenth Virginia regiment, Maj. of Brigade, Brigade inspecter [inspector], Subinspecter [sub-inspector], and Agetant [Adjutant] General. My Captain George Lambert was broke of his commission for stealing a hat. I think that Archibald Moore succeeded Capt [Captain] Lambert who I believe was my first Lieutenant, Andrew Rodgers was my second Lieutenant, he (Rodgers) resigned his commission after serving 12 or 15 months; Rodgers is dead, his name may be found on the pension roll, embraced under the Act of 1818. When first I joined the service I belonged to the fourteenth Virginia Regiment, but was afterwards reduced to the tenth.
Page 5

When I joined the regular army we were marched to Dumfriese [sic: Dumfries] Va. and was inoculated with the smallpox, from Dumfriese [Dumfries] we marched to Alexandria Va. (now in the District of Columbia) at which place we remained some weeks, untill [until] we got well of the smallpox or vaccine, from thence we marched through Georgetown and other places not now recollected, and early in the month of June 77 we joined the main army under the command of Gen’l. [General] Washington in the state of N. Jersey [New Jersey], about which time I think that LaFayette [Lafayette] received from Gen’l. [General] Washington the command of a Maj. General [from Congress at Philadelphia, 31 July 1777]. The first winter we lay at Valley forge [Valley Forge] in the State of Pennsylvania. I was in the battle of Monmouth under Gen’l. [General Charles] Lee on the 28th of June 1778. the [The] following winter we lay at Middle Brook [Middlebrook] in the State of New Jersey, not far from New Brun [Brunswick] During the year of 79 we were marched to many places, but I cannot state with any precision the names of them. 

In the fall or beginning of winter 79 we had built our winter huts in the vicinity of Trenton N. [New] Jersey; but received orders for those whose time of service would expire on the first of January following to be marched to Philadelphia, at which place many of the soldiers were discharged; myself and others were retained for the purpose of guarding some prisoners to Fredericktown in the State of Maryland; at which place I receaved [received] an honourable [honorable] discharge for three year’s service; I receaved received] my discharge from Col. (probable Maj.) Hill, his christian [Christian] name not recollected [probably Thomas Hill]. 

I disposed of my discharge for a trifle, shortly after an Act of Congress making provision for the Officers and Soldiers of the Revolution who had receaved [received] their wages in a depreciated currency. 

In the Spring of 1781 I volenteered [volunteered] in Bedford County Virginia in a rifle company; Jacob Moone [Jacob Moon pension number W4691] was my Captain, Benjamin Rice was first Lieutenant, and myself first - Sergent, we were under the command of Col. Charles Linch [Colonel Charles Lynch] untill [until] we joined Gen’l. [General Nathanael] Greene, we marched to Guilford Courthouse in the State of N. [North] Carolina I was in the heat of that battle on the 15th of March, my Capt. (Moone) was killed, Benj. Rice succeeded him, and I was promoted to Ensighn [Ensign]
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At this battle the British kept the field, but soon left it; we persued [pursued] them nearly to their shipping but could not get another fight out of them; the Virginia volenteers [volunteers] left Gen’l. Greene with the regulars, and returned home; I think I served about 2 months this tour. during the Summer of 81 I served another tour of a few weeks, and the same fall I moved from Bedford County Va. to what is now Mercer County Kentucky, where I had many little skirmishes with the Indians. 

In 1807 I moved from Mercer County Ky. to Robertson County Tennessee my present residence; should I live untill [until] the 17th day of November next I shall be 78 years of age; Springfield my county town, is a distance of fifteen miles from me; a greater distance than I have traveled for several years, I think I could travel that far, but it would be attended with much inconvenience, such being the case, I have made my declaration before a Justice of the peace, who constitutes one of the judges of our County Courts, and submit it to the department with such other evidence as I have been able to procure, as I am in possession of no papers that would go to establish my claim 

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, embraced in an Act of Congress, passed on the 7 June 1832, and do further declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State. 
[signed] James Mitchell 

Sworn & Subscribed} 
to before me date above} 
written, Milton Bourne JP}

I do hereby certify that I believe the foregoing Statements in the declaration made by James Mitchell to be true – date above written.
Milton Bourne JP
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State of Tennessee}
Robertson County} This day personally appeared Nathaniel Terry before me Milton Bourne an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County and made oath that he lives at this time a neighbour [neighbor] to James Mitchell the present applicant for a pension that he recollects having known James Mitchell while in the service of the U.S. in the war of the Revolution that he knows he was in the service but cannot say how long, but fully believes from the general character of said Mitchell and his general reputation of his being a Revolutionary Soldier that his declaration is true- 

[signed] Nath.l [Nathaniel] Terry
Sworn & Subscribed} 
to before me date above}
written, Milton Bourne JP} 

I hereby certify that Col Nathaniel Terry whose Signature appears above is a man of credibility, and a man of respectibility [respectability] 
Given under my hand this 23rd day of March 1833 
M Bourne JP.
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State of Tennessee} 
Robertson County.} This day Personally appeared Henry Ayres before me Milton Bourne an acting Justice of the peace for said County and made oath in due form of law that he was raised a neighbour [neighbor] to James Mitchell the within applicant in Bedford County State of Virginia but does not recollect of seeing s.d [said] Mitchell in the army of the Revolution as I belonged to fifth Regiment. But that it was generally believed that he did serve a tour of three years in the Continental line I have seen the s.d [said] Mitchell and been at his house since he moved to this State and County and find him to be the same man - and have no doubt but that he is of the age that he states in his declaration and that he did perform the services in the war of the Revolution that he has herein stated- 

[signed] Henry Ayres
Sworn & Subscribed} 
to before me Aug 13th 1832} 
M Bourne JP}
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State of Tennessee} 
Robertson County} I William Seal Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that said Court is a Court record, that Milton Bourne Esqr [Esquire] whose name stands attested to the foregoing affadavits [affidavits] is a Justice of the peace in & for said County duly commissioned and qualified as such & that he is a member of the Court aforesaid, that full faith and credit is and ought to be due to his official acts as such & that his signature is genuine.

In Testimony whereof I have 
hereunto set my hand and seal 
of said Court in the town of 
Springfield this 14th day of August 
1832 

W. Seal
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State of Tennessee} 
Robertson County} James Mitchell personally appeared in open Court this 14th day of May 1833 aged 79 years & being duly sworn in open court doth upon his oath make the following declaration in addition to the annexed one heretofore made in order obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th of June 1832 he declares that the preceding declaration made by him is in all respects true 
[signed] James Mitchell
Sworn to & subscribed 
In the County this 
14th of May 1833 
Test W. Seal Clk [Clerk]

We Thomas Greene a clergyman resident in said County and Henry Gardner a citizen resident of said County do herby certify that we have long known James Mitchell who signed the preceding application for a pension - That we believe him to be the age of seventy nine years old as stated in his declaration - and that he has the reputation in the neighbourhood [neighborhood] where he resides to have been a revolutionary soldier and we concur in that opinion 
[signed] Tho. Greene M.G.
[signed] Henry Gardner

Sworn to in open Court 
Test W. Seal Clk [Clerk]
Page 11

4

and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states. the court further certifies that it appears to them that Thomas Greene who signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Robertson & is a credible person & that Henry Gardner is also a resident of s.d [said] County & a credible person that their statement is entitled to credit 
John Forbes 
Wm Armstrong
Jos Johnson 

I William Seal Clerk of the County Court of Robertson certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Mitchel for a pension 

In testimony whereof I have hereto set 
my hand and affixed the public seal 
of my office at Springfield this 
14th of May 1833 
W. Seal
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It is the request of James Mitchell the within applicant, that the Department report the result of the investigation to him, or to Robt B Mitchell Post Master, directed to 
[Illegible] Post office
Robertson Coy Te [County, Tennessee]
R. B. Mitchell
May 16. 1833
Page 13

Jas Mitchell

[written sideways] for a pension
Page 14

The Declaration 
of James Mitchell 
for a pension
Page 15

* See on fourth page that Milton Bourne Esqr [Esquire] has certified to the credibility of Col. N Terry one of the subscribing witnesses, this has been [ink smear] since the papers were returned by the Department 
May 14. 1833 
James Mitchell 
by 
Robt B Mitchell


7183

[written sideways] Jas Mitchell [circular stamp]

[written upside down bottom of page] The Declaration of James Mitchell for a pension
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

March 18, 1938.

BA-J/ILL 
James Mitchell 
S. 2836 
Own

J. W. Milam 
1807 Pere Marquette Building 
New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Dear Sir: 

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of James Mitchell, who was born November 17, 1754, in Bedford County, Virginia, and died May 17, 1835, in Robertson County, Tennessee. 

The data which follow are found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 2836, based upon service of James Mitchell in the Revolutionary War. 

James Mitchell was born November 17, 1754; the place of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown. He resided in Bedford County, Virginia, at the time of the Revolutionary War. 

James Mitchell enlisted in the fall of 1776, and served a tour of two or three months as private in Captain Christopher Irvine's company, Colonel Christian's and Russell's Virginia regiment, engaged against the Indians. He enlisted January 1, 1777, served as private in Captains George Lambert's and Archibald Moon (possibly meant for Archelaus Moon's) company, Colonel Abraham Buford's and Davies' Virginia regiment, and in Colonel Ball's Virginia regiment, marched from Virginia to New Jersey, wintered at Valley Forge, was in the battle of Monmouth, wintered next at Middlebrook, New Jersey, and was discharged at Philadelphia, length of service three years. He enlisted in Bedford County, Virginia, in the spring of 1781, served [ink smear] in Captain Jacob Moon's company [delete company], Colonel Charles [ink smear] Virginia regiment, was in the battle of Guilford Court House, in which his Lieutenant was killed, and he (James Mitchell) was promoted to ensign, length of this tour two months. He served another tour of two months in the Virginia troops in the summer of 1781, names of officers not stated. 

The soldier moved from Bedford County, Virginia, in the fall
Page 17

[typed form]

of 1781, to Mercer County, Kentucky, where he had many skirmishes with the Indians, dates not given. James Mitchell moved in 1807, to Robertson County, Tennessee.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 9, 1832, at which time he resided in Robertson County, Tennessee. The soldier made no reference whatever to wife or children. 

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following:

James Mitchell 
Certificate #19206 
Issued August 14, 1833 
Rate $80 per annum 
Commenced March 4, 1831 
Act of June 7, 1832 
Tennessee Agency. 

Very truly yours, 

A. D. HILLER, 
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator. 

2.
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[left side] 1915 Feb 2: History to Mrs. Anna Gleaves Rich M.B.H.
1916 Aug 8. History to Miss Rosalie A. Cocke M.B.H.
1920, Aug. 5 Hist. [History] to Overton C. Luxford EW
1938 – Mar. 18 – Hist. [History] to J.W. Milam – ILL

[right side] [written sideways] Revy War 
2836
INVALID

File No. 2836
James Mitchell
Privt [Private] Rev War

Act: June 7th, 1832
Index: - Vol. A, Page 256

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 19

Pension Bureau 

Would you please send me copy Pension Application of James Mitchell born Nov 17, 1754 - Bedford Co. Va. died May 18, 1835 in Robertson Co. Tenn.

Served as soldier 5 years wife was Elizabeth Burnfield 
Daughter Martha Mitchell born 1780 Married Green [Cott?]

Thank you! 

Mrs. Ann Gleaves Rich 
Berwind, McDowell Co; W. Va [West Virginia]
Page 20

See other address at end
Charles Town, Jefferson Co. W. Va. July 25 1916. 
two one cent stamps rec’d [received] K.J.G.

The Pensions Bureau, Rev. Sec. 
Washington D.C. 

2 -1 ct [cent] stamps retd [returned] EW

Gentlemen,- 

A friend wishes me to join the D.A.R.’s [Daughters of the American Revolution] I told her my ancestors were nearly all preachers, she says this does not signify they did not serve their country at this period and she urges me to write you for information about certain ones.
(1) Maj John Irvin of Campbell
Page 21

Co. Va. at least his father Mr. John Irvin settled at Hat Creek, Campbell Co. Va. during the administration of Gov. Gooche 

(2) Rev. Wm Irvin another son of John Irvin. I am descended from both Maj. John Irvin and Rev. Wm Irvin

(3) Col Holt of Bedford Co. Va. I am twice descended from the Holts and I think both were daughters of Col. Holt 

(4) Rev. David Rice of Bedford Co. during Rev. War but
Page 22

was born in Hanover Co. Va. Foote in his sketches of Va. says “he (Rev. David Rice) was active in the mea[too light] to carry on the work of the Revolution.

(5) I believe Mr. James Mitchell of Bedford Co. Va served only two months but he was licensed to preach the day Corn Wallis [Cornwallis] surrendered -  I wish I knew how, when, and where these men served. I do not know under whom or in what companies or regiments they served or of some served as chaplains. Any information
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you can give me will be thankfully received. 
I feel that I am presumptuous in writing you this 

Yours very truly
(Miss) Rosalie A. Cocke after Aug. 15 Address me at Montrose, Bedford Co. Va.S
See other address at beginning

[circular stamp sideways] JUL 26 1916 U. S. OFFICE]

Care Mrs. W. W Risch
Charlestown, W. Va on [Illegible]
Page 24

[typed form, with handwritten responses] 

Rev 2d [Illegible too light]

[Letterhead] [left side] President Mr. ALBERT D. SPANGLER Vice-Presidents Mr. HENRY L. BRYAN Rear Admiral FRANK F. FLETCHER Mr. LISLE S. LIPSCOMB Secretary Mr. WILLIAM ALEXANDER MILLER Treasurer Mr. ALFRED B. DENT Registrar Capt. O. C. LUXFORD Assistant Registrar Mr. HENRY P. HOLDEN Historian Mr. SELDEN M. ELY Librarian Mr. WILLIAM L. BOYDEN Chaplain Rev. JAMES M. NOURSE 
[emblem and Centered] District of Columbia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Washington, D. C. 
[right side] Board of Management Consisting of the Officers Ex-Officio and the following compatriots: Mr. FRANCIS H. PARSONS Mr. MERRITT L. DAWKINS Dr. MARK F. FINLEY Mr. JOHN S. BARKER Dr. THOS. J. W. BROWN Admiral GEORGE W. BAIRD Col. FREDERICK C. BRYAN Mr. PHILIP F. LARNER Dr. GEORGE TULLY VAUGHAN Mr. JOHN B. TORBERT Mr. CLARENCE A. KENYON Dr. EDWIN A. HILL. Mr. FREDERICK D OWEN Mr. EUGENE E. STEVENS Mr. GEORGE RIDE 

July 12, 1920

Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C.

Sir: 

It will be appreciated if you will furnish me with a transcript of your records concerning the following named Revolutionary soldier who I am informed was granted a pension on March 4, 1831 2 James Mitchell, born in Bedford Co. Va. Nov. 17, 1754, died March 4, 1831. 
James Mitchell, born in Bedford Co., Va., Nov. 17, 1754, died May 18, 1835.
Thanking you in advance, I am, 
Very truly yours 
Overton Luxford 
Registrar D.C.D.A.R 
501 Quincy St. N.W.

[circular stamp] PENSION / D / JUL / 12 / 1920 / U. S. / OFFICE
Page 25

[typed form, with handwritten responses] 

[Letterhead] [left side] [circular symbol] OFFICE OF DISTRICT SUPERVISOR DISTRICT No. 10 STATES OF LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, AND TEXAS IN REPLY REFER TO 
[right side] TREASURY DEPARTMENT INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE NEW ORLEANS, LA. 

March 4, 1938. 

Veterans Administration, 
Washington, D. C. 

Gentlemen:

Would you be kind enough to furnish such information as your files may disclose relative to the military record and the names and last known addresses of the relatives and descendants of JAMES MITCHELL, a soldier of the Revolutionary War? According to the information I have, he was born on November 17, 1754, in Bedford County, Virginia, and died on May 17, 1835 in Robertson County, Tennessee. I am advised that he was awarded bounty land in Robertson County, Tennessee. 

Thanking you for any information you may be able to furnish, I am
Yours very truly, 
[signed] J. W. Milam
J. W. Milam. 

1807 Pere Marquette Building, 
New Orleans, Louisiana.

[circular stamp] RECEIVED / MAR 7 1938 / [Illegible]
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS 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 James Mitchell a solider of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [crossed out - (or his widow’s)] application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S.2836
[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.; LENGTH OF SERVICE.; RANK.; OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain, Colonel.; STATE.
1.  Fall 1776; 2 or 3 mos.; Captain Christopher Irvine; Christian & Russel / Va
2.  Jan. 1, 1777; 3 yrs. / Captain {George Lambert {Archibald Moon or Moore; Colonel Abram Buford, Davies and Ball
3.  Spring 1781; 2 mos.; 1.2 Ensign; Captain {Benjamin Rice
4.  Summer 1781; Two weeks; No officers given

Battles engaged in, Monmouth; Guilford
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bedford Co., Va.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 9, 1832. His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Robertson, Co., Tenn.
Age at date of application, b. [born] Nov. 17, 1754

Remarks: there is no family data on file

Respectfully,

Commissioner 

6-2856
Page 27

[Illegible] Johnson
Page 28

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of James Mitchell which require further proof or explanation.

1.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes

V.  *Has he mentioned 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? Yes

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion? Yes

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes

X.  Is the Clerk’s seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
Page 29

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? 

XII.  If the clergyman’s affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII.  If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes

XIV.  +If the applicant’s name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?  
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant’s service?

XVI.  Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not answered? [check mark]

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V.  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.
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3

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 objectional.  

+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line in 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.

+QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.