Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15691, for Zebulon Mack, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Mack, Zebulon
           Mary

NUMBER
W.15691

CONTENTS
[blank lines]
Page 2

20.762
New York
Zebulon Mack
of Ontario Co in the State of N. York who was a private in the Comp commanded by Captain Pettibone of the Regt. commanded by Col. Ward in the ["N. York" crossed out] line for 12 mos.

Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 40 Dollars ----- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of Aug. 1833 and sent to T. Beals Canandaigua

Arrears to the 4th Sep. 33     $100
Semi-anl. allowance ending - 4th '24  20
               $120

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by [illegible initials] Stiles Clerk
Book E  Vol. 4,   Page 611
Page 3

Albany 3025

Mary Mack
widow of Zebulon Mack
who was a pensioner under the Act of June 1832 and who died on the 21 March 1836 of Ontario Co. in the State of N. York, who was a Private in the Conn. company commanded by Captain Pettibone of the Regt. commanded by Col. Ward in the ["N. York" crossed out] Conn. line for 1 year

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 40 Dollars ----- Cents per annum, to commence on the [text crossed out and "21st" written above] day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of May 1836 and sent to Jonathan Mason, Canandaigua, N. Y.

Arrears to the 4th of
Semi-annual allowance ending 

Act July 7, 1838.
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, 
Book A  Vol. 2  Page 87
Page 4

Zebulon Mack
19816

Thomas Beals
agent
Canandaigua

admd
12 mo.  pri
Page 5

Passed

State of New York Ontario County ss }  In the matter of Zebulon Mack's application for a pension - 

Personally appeared before the subscriber a Notary Public in and for said county, Zebulon Mack, and made oath in due form of law, and says that when he made his declaration before the county court for a pension on the 20th day of November 1832, he supposed he had complied with the law in all respects -  He is now required to give proof -  He now says that Daniel Ensign, who is a Revolutionary pensioner, and who subscribed his declaration as a witness, is the only person now living whom he knows, that was in the service with him.  He therefore returns his declaration and prays that his case may receive the favorable consideration of the department.  He further saith that when he was discharged at Whippany as set forth in his declaration he received a written discharge from Lieutenant Colonel Johnson, which he has lost, and has not seen it for more than forty years.  He further saith that the reason he had no clergyman to support his application as aforesaid, was that there is no settled minister in the Society where he lives, and he could not conveniently procure a clergyman to attend the court. - He served as a private soldier no less than one year, for which he claims a pension - 
Zebulon Mack  his X mark

Sworn to and subscribed before me
Thomas Beale  Not. Pub

State of New York  Ontario County SS. }  I Charles Crane, Clerk of said county do hereby certify that Thomas Beale whose name is above subscribed to the certificate of the affidavit of Zebulon Mack, was, at the date thereof, a Notary Pubic in and for said county; and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe said signature to be his proper act and deed.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this sixth day of June A. D. 1833.
Charles Crane.
[seal stamped]
Page 6

State of New York  Ontario County SS: }
On this Twentieth day of November 1832 - personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the county court now sitting, Zebulon Mack, a resident of the Town of Canandaigua, County and State aforesaid, aged Seventy 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 1st 1832

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated -

1st  At Hartland, State of Connecticut on the 14th day of May 1776 he enlisted in Captain Ozias Pettibone's company, in Colonel Wards Regiment, for the term of one year, and served out the full term, and was discharged at Whippany near Morristown in the State of New Jersey on the 14th May 1777 and then went home - 

The company was mustered at Simsbury, immediately after his enlistment, was marched to Middletown and went on board a sloop and sailed to New York - The Regiment was formed in New York, and in about three days was marched  up the river ten miles, and crossed over in Boats to Fort Lee, and there did duty for a short time, and was then ordered back to York side, and there marched to Kingsbridge - Then to Valentines Hill, and there encamped, and did duty and was on guard there and at Morristown for some time, until ordered to White Plains, and while there was attacked by a party of the British - Saw General Washington often - General Sullivan and General Putnam were at White Plains and he knew them well - was next ordered to Peekskill, and on the 4th December crossed the Hudson, and was marched to Morristown in New Jersey, and from thence to the Delaware, and crossed to Easton, and then to Bethlehem, then to Trenton, and was there the night of 23d December and was in the battle with the Hessians, which resulted in their capture - General Sullivan was in command there - Then crossed the Delaware, then went back to Trenton and was there when the British came there, and was in the Battle there, and retreated, in the night to Princeton, and then went to Morristown, to winter quarters, and remained on this station, until he was discharged at Whippany as aforesaid, and was in actual service for the full term of one year - Had the small Pox while at Whippany, by order of General Washington - Has no documentary evidence - He knows Daniel Ensign of Canandaigua, and was in the same company with him - He also knows Thomas Beals and Ira Wilder of Canandaigua
Page 7

of Canandaigua -  He was born in Lyme, State of Connecticut on the 1st day of March 1754, moved to Hartland when eleven years old, and lived there when he entered the service, and there resided until 1793 when he removed to Canandaigua, where he now resided - Has no records of his age - 

He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and year first aforesaid.
Zebulon Mack  his X mark

We Daniel Ensign residing in the town of Canandaigua county and State aforesaid and Thomas Beals and Ira Wilder all of Canandaigua hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Zebulon Mack, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy eight 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 - and the said Daniel Ensign doth further certify that he was in the same company and knows that the said Zebulon Mack did serve as he states and they were discharged together, and returned home to Hartland in company having served one year - Daniel Ensign
Thomas Beals
Ira Wilder

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid - - in open 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 Daniel Ensign, Thomas Beals and Ira Wilder who have signed the preceding certificate, are all residents of the town of Canandaigua, are all credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, Charles Crane, Clerk of the court aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Zebulon Mack for a Pension

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty-first day of November A. D. 1832.
Charles Crane.
[seal stamped]
Page 8

Zebulon Mack

Payments to be made at New York by Pres. U. S. [illegible] Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of New York

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E. Vol. 4 Page 67 by Go[illegible] Stiles  Clerk.
Page 9

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Zebulon Mack of the State of New York who was a private in the Revolutionary army is entitled to receive Forty dollars and ----- cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi=annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.

Given at the War Office of the United States, this 2 day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty=three
John Robb
Acting Secretary of War.

Examined and Countersigned.}
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 10

I, Fanny Church of Simsbury, Hartford County & State of Connecticut of lawful age depose & say that I am the daughter of Aaron Church deceased, who was the settled Presbyterian clergyman in the East parish in the town of Haittom in said county, & that he kept while the minister over that parish a record of marriages where he performed the ceremony, which book of records is now in my possession, & on said book of records the following entry appears in my fathers hand writing in "August 4th 1779 married Zebulon Mack to Mary Bill both of Haittom"  This entry is amongst the regular entries of marriages on said book of records, & a true copy of the same in words & figures.  
Fanny Church

Hartford County ss Simsbury November 7 A D 1838  Personally appeared Fanny Church subscribed to the foregoing deposition & made solem [solemn] oath to the truth of the same before me, & I further certify that the said Fanny Church is well known to me as a credible witness
Asaph Fuller Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut  County of Hartford ss }
I James H. Holcomb Clerk of the County Court for said County hereby certify that Asaph Fuller is a Justice of the Peace for said County & that full faith & credit are due to his official acts, & that this signature annexed is his genuine signature

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 8th day of November A. D. 1858
James H. Holcomb, Clerk.
Page 11

State of New York  Ontario County}  SS:
On this fourteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Eight personally appeared before Edward Bradley one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas in & for the county of Ontario being a court of record Mary Mack a resident of the town of Bristol in the county of Ontario aged seventy nine years, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838. entitled "An act granting half pay and pension to certain widows" - that she is the widow of Zebulon Mack who was a private soldier in the Revolutionary Army, and who received a pension from the United States of forty dollars per annum as appears by the Pension certificate hereto annexed, under the act of Congress passed 7th June 1832.  She further declares that she was married to the said Zebulon Mack on the fourth day of August in the year Seventeen Hundred & seventy nine, by the Revd Aaron Church a Presbyterian Minister settled in the East Parish in the town of Hartland in the county of Hartford state of Connecticut - that her husband the aforesaid Zebulon Mack died on the twenty first day of March in the year Eighteen Hundred and thirty six - that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen Hundred & ninety four (viz) at the time above stated.

Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written before Edward Bradley a Judge of the county courts of Ontario County
Mary Mack

I hereby certify that Mary Mack who has subscribed the above declaration by reason of her age & bodily infirmities is not able to attend before a court of Record - 
Edward Bradley Judge &c
Page 12

State of New York  Ontario County } ss
On this fourteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and thirty Eight personally appeared before me Edward Bradley - one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, in & for the county of Ontario, being a court of record, Ephraim Gooding of the town of ["South" crossed out] Bristol in said county, who being duly sworn according to law, says that he resided in the town of Bristol in the county aforesaid, that he is forty five years of age - that he is well acquainted with Mary Mack whose declaration is hereto annexed - that he was well acquainted with Zebulon Mack her husband in his life time - that he died on the twenty first day of March in the year Eighteen Hundred & thirty six - that he resided at the time of his death in the town of Canandaigua in the county aforesaid - that immediately after his death, the said Mary Mack, his widow, moved to the town of Bristol in the county aforesaid, where she has continued to reside since the death of the said Zebulon Mack her husband - that the said Mary Mack is now a widow, and has remained a widow ever since the death of the said Zebulon Mack her husband - this deponent further says, that he has been acquainted with Mary Mack for twenty years, that she always resided with Zebulon Mack her husband and was always reputed to be the wife of Zebulon Mack, and is now known in the town where she resides as the widow of Zebulon Mack deceased - and this deponent further says that the said Mary Mack has always sustained a good character, and is esteemed to be a person of credibility, and that her statements are entitled to credit.  Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written before - Edward Bradley a Judge of Ontario county courts
Ephraim Gooding

I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Ephraim Gooding who has subscribed the above affidavit & know him to be a credible person & whose statement is Entitled to credit
Edward Bradley  Judge &c
Page 13

State of New York  Ontario County ss }  On this fourteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Eight personally appeared before me Edward Bradley, one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas in & for the county of Ontario, being a court of Record, Ira Austin of the town of Bristol in said county, who being first duly sworn according to law says, that he resides in the town of Bristol in the county aforesaid - that he is Thirty two years of age - that he was well acquainted with Zebulon Mack in his life time, and also with Mary Mack his widow - that Zebulon Mack in his life time resided in the town of Canandaigua in the county aforesaid - that he died on the the twenty first day of March 1836.  That after his death the said Mary Mack his widow moved into the town of Bristol in said county, where she has continued to reside since the death of the said Zebulon Mack her husband.  That the said Mary Mack is now a widow and has remained a widow ever since the death of the said Zebulon Mack her husband.  That the said Mary Mack was always reputed to be the wife of Zebulon Mack and is now known as the widow of Zebulon Mack in the town where she resides & is a person of good character - and that her statements are entitled to credit - 
Ira Austin

Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written before me
Edward Bradley a Judge of Ontario County Courts

I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Ira Austin who has subscribed to the above affidavit, and know him to be a credible person & that his statement is entitled to credit.  
Edward Bradley a Judge of Ontario County Courts
Page 14

State of New York
Ontario County

I hereby certify that Edward Bradley whose name is subscribed to the within affidavits was a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County the same being a court of record on the day of the date of the same - duly commissioned and qualified residing in said County - And that his several signatures within written are genuine

Given under my hand and seal of said County this 15th December 1838 at Canandaigua
Thomas Hall.  Clerk
Page 15

State of New york  Ontario county ss.

On this fourteenth day of December Eighteen hundred and thirty eight appeared before me Alonzo Beebe a Justice of the peace of said county  Daniel Ensign of the town of Canandaigua in said county who being first duly sworn according to law says, that he resides in the town of Canandaigua in the county aforesaid, that he is seventy eight years of age - that he was well acquainted with Zebulon Mack in his life time, and also with Mary Mack his wife, that he died on or about the twenty first day of March 1836, that after his death the said Mary Mack his widow moved into the town of Bristol in said county where she has continued to reside since the death of the said Zebulon Mack her husband - that the said Mary Mack is now a widow and has remained a widow ever since the death of the said Zebulon Mack her husband - this deponent further says that he has been acquainted with Mary Mack for more than sixty years that she always resided with Zebulon Mack her husband and was always reputed to be the wife of Zebulon Mack and is now known as his widow - that he well recollects of hearing of her marriage to Zebulon Mack about the time it took place, and this deponent further says that the said Mary Mack has always sustained a good character and is esteemed a person of credibility and that her statements are entitled to belief
Daniel Ensign
Sworn to and and subscribed before me on the day and year above written
Alonzo Beebe   Justice of the Peace
Page 16

I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Daniel Ensign who has subscribed the within affadavit [affidavit] and know him to be a credible person whose statements are entitled to credit
Alonzo Beebe, Justice of the Peace
Canandaigua December 15th 1838.

4049

3025
Mary Mack
Md 4 Aug 1779
Hd 21 M[illegible] 1831

Admitted 
Private 12 months

Jonathan Mason Esqr
Canandaigua N. Y. 

State of New York Ontario County ss. }
I hereby certify that Alonzo Beebe Esqr whose name is subscribed to the within affidavit was on the day of the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County duly elected and qualified, and that his signature within written is genuine 

Given under my hand and Seal of said County this 15th Dec. 1838 at Canandaigua --
Thomas Hall Clerk
Page 17

State of New York  Ontario County } ss.
I hereby certify that Alonzo Beebe Esq. whose name is subscribed to the within affidavit was on the day of the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected and qualified, and that his signature within written is genuine

Given under my hand and seal of said County this 15th Dec. 1838 at Canandaigua 

Thomas Hall.  Clerk
Page 18

No 19816
Zebulon Mack
Ontario Co. N. Y.

admd.

Proof required

refer to the testimony of David Ensign in the original declaration
Agent - 

see also his amended declaration on same [illegible]
Agent 

Thos Beale Agt
Canandaigua
Page 19

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 request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the service of Zebulon Mack Ontario Co N.Y.
Period when the service was rendered.  Entered 1776

Duration of the claimant's service
Years. 1    Months.             Days.

Rank of the claimant.  Private

Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.  Cap Pettibone 

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.   Col Ward    Gen Washington 
Gen Sullivan   Gen Pulman

Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Trenton  

Country through which he marched.  Whippany  N. Jersey  Mi[illegible] Town N. York   Fort [illegible]  White [illegible] Peekskill Trenton  Princeton  Morristown

Place of abode when he entered the service and age at the present period.  aged 78  Hartford Con.

Evidence by which the declaration is supported.  Traditionary

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

Proof of service required - every applicant is expected to furnish the best he can obtain.
Page 20

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 provion [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 enered [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.

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 applicacation [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
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 and 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 he [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 in 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 they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or 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.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] 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.
Page 22

Albany N. Y.

Zebulon Mack on roll act [text crossed out] June 7th 1832 at the rate of $40 per annum to what time paid?
VL

John Hany Esq      pd to 4 March 1836
                                      JH
[illegible] 26 March 1836
Page 23

Conn.
Rev WIDOW, &c.

File No. 15691
Mary Mack
Wid" of 
Zebulon Mack
Priv Rev War

Act July 7th /38
Index: Vol. M, Page 8

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 24

FREE

James L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

4049
N Y   Dec 22
7 July 1838

CANANDAIGUA NY
DEC 12
Page 25

Canandaigua Ontario County
December 15, 1838

J. L. Edwards Esqr

D Sir

I herewith enclose the papers of Mary Mack, the widow of Zebulon Mack decd, to enable her to obtain a pension under the act of Congress of 7th July 1838, under which act she applies.  The proof herewith Enclosed is prepared in conformity to the regulations of the Secretary of War, in relation applicants  under the act -

I Remain Respectfully
Yours &c
 Jonathan Mason