Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29490, for Thomas Swartout, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE | NUMBER
New York | Swartout, Thomas | S. 29490
or Swartwout
CONTENTS
Page 2

[left facing page]
Michigan 20,185
[lined out "New York"]
Thomas Swartwout
of Ulster in the State of N. York
who was a private in the Comp. commanded
by Captain Clark of the Reg. commanded
by Col Brickerhoff in the N. York
line for 1 yr
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York
the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of Augt
1833 and sent to Hon. H. Broadstreet Maclain
Arrears to the 4th of {ilelgible] $80
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep ' [ilelgible] 20
$100
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
ecorded by Co. C. Stiles, Clerk
ook 6 Vol. 3 Page 19


[right facing page]
Cir to Pen Agt 7. Nov 1837.
Tran New York City to
Michigan fr. 4 Sept 1836.
13 Nov. 1837. Notification
sent to Henry Daly. Detroit
Page 3

14,414
Thomas Swartwout
admd-
14.16
P293
Ma 11 '[illegible]
[lined out "Thomas Swartwout"]
Hon
P. Broadland N.Y.
Page 4


BRIEF in the case of Thomas Swartout of Olive
County of Ulster
in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [blank]
3. How old is he? 76
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. | Duration of Service. | Rank. | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
 | Years. Months, Days | As a | Gen.
voluntered1 Apl 1777 | - 6 - | private | Capt Mr. Clark,  N York Rangers
ditto. {illegible] paid In 1777 | - 3 - 15 | " | " Henry Wycoff, " State [illegible]
called out October 1777 | - - 28 | " | Col Brinckerhoff } on alarm
ditto [illegible] 1778 | - - 21 | " | Capt John Schutt}
ditto " 1779 | - - 28 | " | - ditto - do-
 | - 12 [lined out "92"] | [blank] | Gen Brinckerhoff - do-
5. In what battles was he engaged? not any
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Fishkill New York
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence,  by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witness, & traditionary evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached

 I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[signature] Chas G Wilcox Examining Clerk
6 March 1833
Page 5

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
County of Jackson SS}
On this Thirteenth day of October 1837, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, for said of county of Jackson personally appeared Thomas Swartout who, on oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Thomas Storm in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Lovel in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the Pension Roll of the State of New York from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State of Michigan, where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable in future. The following are his reasons for removing from the State of New York to the State of Michigan, viz:
To live with his son
[signature} Thomas  his T mark Swartout

I certify that the above named Thomas Swartwout is a man of veracity
[signature] John H Dubois J.-P.

Sworn and subscribed to, before me the day and year aforesaid.]
[signature] John H Dubois J.-P.

---
OATH OF WITNESS.
STATE OF MICHIGAN, }
County of Jackson} SS. On the Thirteenth day of October 1837, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for said county, personally appeared Uriah Every who, on his oath declares, that Thomas Swartout is the identical person named in an original Certificate of Pension in his possession from the War Department, and is also the same person who has sworn to, and subscribed the above affidavit.
[signature] Uriah Every

Sworn to and subscribed before me, the day and year aforesaid.}
[signature] John H Dubois J.P.

I certify that the above witness is a man of veracity
[signature] John H Dubois J.P.

INSTRUCTIONS.
->The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.- The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
->The oath must be supported by testimony of some respectable person as to the Pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify, that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.
Page 6

MAGISTRATE'S CERTIFICATE OF WITNESS.
STATE OF MICHIGAN,}
County of Jackson } SS.
I do hereby certify that the witness aforesaid is a person of truth and veracity.
[signature] John H Dubois

I, William Thompson Clerk of the Court of Jackson County, certify that, John H Dubois Esq. is a magistrate as above, and that the forgoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my Seal of Office, and subscribed my name, this Ninteenth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and Thirty Seven
[signature] William D. Thompson County Clerk
Page 7

Detroit October1837
Sir
Annexed is Mr. Swarthout application for a Transfer from the State of New York to the Michigan agency the result of which you will please make known to the Agent at this place and also to the pensioner at the Brooklyn P.O. Jackson Co Town of Napoleon Michigan. And much oblige yours
Verry Respectfully
[signature]Henry Doty

To J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 8

14414
Thomas Swartwout
Pension Papers
admd
12 mo. pri
40$
Page 9

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of
the act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832.
State of New York} Ulster County} Ss. On the Eleventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for Ulster County being a Court of Record for said County proceeding according to the course of Common Law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount and keeping a Record of these proceedings having a Clerk and a seal of their own, Thomas Swartwout a resident of the town of Olive in the County of Ulster aged Seventy Six 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 7th June 1832-

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein Stated. To Wit, That on or about the first of April in the year 1776. Volunteered as a private soldier in the Militia Service of the State of New York in the Revolutionary war, in the Company of Rangers under the command of Capt William Clark for the term Six Months rendezvoused at Fishkill Dutchess County remained there a few days, then marched from there by the way of White Plains to the City of New York, from whence he and the said Company returned to White Plains carrying intelligence and watching the movements of the Enemies and Tories between there and the City of New York, where he and the said Company Continued for four or five months, when he and [lined out "the"] ^a part of^ the said Company under the Command of a Lieutenant, Returned to and were stationed at Fish Kill as a guard to the Continental Congress, where he and the said Lieutenants guard continued untill about the first of October then next following, and were there discharged --
Page 10

And this applicant further declares that in or about the first of April in the year 1777 he again volunteered in the said service of the [left margin note "3 1/2 mos"] State of New York as a private Soldier, in the Company under the command of Capt Henry Wychoff, Lieutenants Schutt and Lentz for the term [left margin note "Lt Schutt No.2] of three Months but continued in Said Service and Company for three and a half months before being discharged, and was stationed together with the Company of Captain Robert Hill, at Fort Constitution, that he and the said Company Continued there untill about the 15th day of July then next following and were discharged,

And this applicant further declares that in the month of October in the year 1777 he was ordered out on an alarm, as a private Soldier in the Company of Capt John Schutt Lieutenant James Schutt, in Col Brinckerhoff's Regiment, that he with the said Regiment at [left margin note "4 weeks"] Peekskill, marched up and along the Banks of the Hudson River to the Village Rhinebeck in Dutchess County arrived there a few days after [left margin note "same"] Kingston was burned by the British Army, that he and the said Company and Regiment remained there untill the British Shipping returned down the Hudson River, when they followed them down and Continued to watch the Enemy untill he and the said Regiment arrived at Fish Hill, Where after a service of Four Weeks or more he with the said Company were discharged

And this applicant further declares that in the summer of the year 1778. he was again ordered out on an alarm as a private soldier in the [left margin note "3 weeks"] said service of the State of New York, against the Tories in the Neighbourhood, in the Company of Capt John Schutt, Lieutenant James Schutt, and was stationed at Peekskill Called Barracks [left margin note "Same"] No 4. where he and the said Company remained in said service as a gaurd (sic) for three weeks or more, and were there discharged
Page 11

And this applicant further declares that on or about the first of May in the year 1778, he again volunteered as a private Soldier in the Said Service of the State of New York, in the Company of Capt [left margin note " 3 1/2 months"] Thomas Storm, for the term of three and a half months Rendezvoused at Fishkill Dutchess County, Marched from there [left margin note "no witness"] to Fort Constitution, from then crossed the River to West Point When he and the said Company were ordered on a fatigue duty [left margin note "above"] Viz in building the upper Fort afterwards Called Fort Peet where he and the said Company continued to labour in building said Fort untill about the middle of August the next following. When he and the said Company were there discharged (for which service he knows of no witness alive)

And this applicant further declares that in the Summer of 1779 he was again ordered out on an claim (generally called the great alarm) against the Tories in the neighbourhood as [left margin note "4 weeks"]  a private Soldier in said service of the State of New York in  the Company of Capt George Brinkerhoff was stationed [left margin note "Uriah Hill No 1"] as a gaurd (sic) near the Fishkill mountains to protect the inhabitants and that Vicinity, where he and the said Company Continued as Such gaurd (sic)  for four weeks or more when he and the said Company were discharged

He further declares that he was born in the Town of Fishkill Dutchess County in the year 1756.
That he has a record of his age in his Uncle Bible
That he lived at Fishkill aforesaid when called into service and that he has lived in the Town of Olive Ulster County since the revolutionary war, and lives there now
That he [lined out "recollects"] had no written discharge
That he volunteered - That he recollects no officers but those mentioned in the Declaration
Page 12

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State
[signature] Thomas his X mark Swartwout

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid}
A G Hardenburgh}
John Jansen} Judges
Abm A Deyo} 

[vertical script at left margin]
Tho's Swartwout
Page 13

are well acquainted with Thomas Swertwout who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy six 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.
[signature] Egbert Roosa (sp?)
[signature] [illegible} Chubb

Sworn and Subscribed, the day and year aforesaid,}
[signature] A G Hardenburgh}
[signature[John Jansen} Judges
[signature] Abm A Deyo}

CERTIFICATE OF THE COURT.
The Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Ulster in the State of New York, sitting this Eleventh day of September in the year 1832- at the court-house in the Town of Kingston said County, do hereby declare their opinion, after 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 Egbert Rousa [lined out "clergyman"] who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Olive
in the County aforesaid, and that William Schuld who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town and a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
[signature] A G Hardenburgh}
[signature[John Jansen} Judges
[signature] Abm A Deyo}

I, Jacob Snyder Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Ulster and State of New-York, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Thomas Swartwout for a Pension.
IN TESTMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this eleventh day of September 1832 --
[signature] Jacob Snyder
Page 14

State of New York]
UlsterCounty] ss. Uriah Hill of the town of Olive in the County of Ulster aged 74 years, a Soldier in the Revolutionary war, being duly sworn deposes and says that he is well acquainted with Thomas Swartwout also a Soldier in the Revolutionary war, and now an applicant for a pension, that this deponent was in the Militia Service of the State of New York in the Revolutionary War, was in the Company [lined out "Commanded by"] of Rangers Commanded by Capt William Clark, and this deponent well knew that the said Thomas Swartwout belonged to and served in the Same Company, that this deponent saw the said Thomas [left margin note "6 mos"] Swartwout in said service for Six Months in the year 1776, and knows that the said Thomas Swartwout Continued to [left margin note "No. 1"] serve in said corps in the capacity of a private Soldier, untill this Company or the said gaurds (sic) were discharged, and that the said Company rendezvoused in the Town of Fishkill Dutchess County remained there a few days, marched from thence by the way of the White Plains to the City of New York from thence this deponent and the said Company returned to White Plains, Carring (sic) intelligence and watching the Movements of the enemies and Tories between the City of New York and the White Plains and its vicinity, and this deponent and the said Company continued in that service for about four or five months, when this deponent and the said Thomas Swartwout together with some part of said Company under the command of Lieutenant returned and were stationed at Fishkill as a gaurd (sic) to the Continental Congress and continued to serve in said gaurd (sic) with the said Thomas Swartwout untill the full term of Six months, and where they were discharged the first of October in the year 1776. aforesaid (Rendesvouxed the first April 1776, making the full term of Six Months)

And this deponent further Saith, that he was
Page 15


ordered out in the Summer of 1779 {lined out "this deponent says"] on an alarm (generally called the great alarm) [lined out "with"] ^and that the said Swartwout was in the^ Company commanded by Capt George Brinckerhoff in the said Militia of the State of New York and that this deponent served in said corps in the capacity of Quarter Master and well knew that the said Thomas Swartwout belonged to and served in the said Company, that this deponent saw the said Thomas Swartwout in the said [left margin note "4 Weeks"] service for four weeks or more in the year 1779, and that the said Thomas Swartwout continued to serve in said corps in the capacity of a private Soldier, untill this deponent and the said Company were discharged and that the said Company was stationed at or near the Fish Kill mountains as a gaurd (sic) to protect the inhabitants that vicinity from the Tories,
[signature} Uriah Hill

Sworn & Subscribed before me this 11th day of September 1832
[signature} Wm Schutt Jus Peace

I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Uriah Hill and that he is a credible person and that he is Entitled to full credit and belief
[signature} Wm Schutt J Peace

[vertical script at lower right, partially cut off]
Uriah Hill
for Thos Swartwout
Page 16

State of New York}
Ulster Co} Ss James Schutt of the town of Olive in the County of Ulster age 78 years, a Soldier in the Revolutionary War being duly sworn deposes and says, that he is well acquainted Thomas Swartwout also a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and now an applicant for a pension, that this deponent was in the Militia Service of the State of New York, in the Revolutionary war, and was Lieutenant in the Company commanded by Capt Henry Wyckoff and well know that the said Thomas Swartwout belonged to and served in the same Company, that this deponent saw the [left margin note "3 Mos"] said Thomas Swartwout in said service for three  and a half months in the year 1777, and knows that the said Thomas Swartwout Continued to serve in said Corps in the capacity of a private Soldier untill this deponent and the said Company were discharged, and that the said Service commenced the first of April 1777 and was stationed at Fort Constitution together with the Company under the command of Capt Andrew Hill, where they continued to serve the full term of three and a half months in the year 1777 aforesaid and were discharged by Capt Henry Wyckoff the 15 day of July in the year  1777, aforesaid

And this deponent further saith that in the Summer of 1778 he was ordered out on an alarm in the said Militia of the State of New York as Lieutenant in the Company Commanded by Capt John Schutt, and thus well knew that the said Thomas Swartwout belonged to and served in the same Company and that this deponent saw the said Thomas Swartwout in [left margin note "3 Weeks"] the said service for three weeks or more in the year 1778, and know that the said Thomas Swartwout Continued to serve in said corps in the capacity of a private soldier untill this deponent and the said Company ever discharged, and that the said Company or gaurd (sic) was stationed at Peekskill Calle Barrack Number 4, where this deponent and the
Page 17

said Company remained the full term of three weeks aforesaid, and were there discharged

And this deponent further Saith that in the month of October 1777 was ordered out on another alarm in the Company under the command of John Schutt (Captain) as Leutenant in said Company) in Col Brinkerhoff's Regiment, and that this deponent well knew that the said Thomas Swartout belonged to and served in the same Company, and that this deponent saw the said [left margin note "4 weeks"] Thomas Swartwout in said service for four weeks or more in the year 1777, and knows that the said Thomas Swartwout continued to serve in said Corps in the capacity of a private Soldier untill this deponent and the said Company were discharged. And that the above Company ^and Regiment^ rendezvoused near Peekskill, marched from there up and along the bank of the Hudson River to the Village of Rhinebeck in the County of Dutchess where we arrived a few days after Kingston was burned by the British Army, that this deponent and the ^so^ Company & Regiment remained at Rhinebeck untill the British shipping returned down the River, & that this deponent and the said Company & Regiment followed & watched the movements of the Enemy until they arrived at Fish Kill in said County of Dutchess, where this deponent and the said Company & Regiment were discharged,
[signature] James Schutt

Sworn & Subscribed before me this 11th day of September 1832
[signature] Wm Schutt J Peace

I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with James Schutt and that he is a credible person & Entitled to full credit & belief
[signature] Wm Schutt J Peace

[vertical script in left lower margin, partially cut off]
No 2
...hutt}
..twout} 3 1/4 Mos
Page 18

STATE OF NEW-YORK,} ss.
Uister County Clerk's Office,} I Judd Snyder, Clerk of the County of Ulster, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Ulster County, do hereby Certify, That William Schutt Esquire, was on the day of the date of the Certificate to the annexed affidavit, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Ulster, duly authorized to take affidavits, &c; and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe the signature "Wm Schutt" subscribed to the
Certificate of the said annexed Affidavit to be genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and agreed the Seal of the said Court and County, this twentieth day of September 1832
[signature] Jacob Snyder
Page 19

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history
of Swo. File 29490, Thomas Swartout a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.
Apr 1. 1776 | Oct-1. 1776 | Pri | William Clarks Co of Rangers | [blank] | NY (EW)
Apr 1 1777 | 3 ½ mos | " | Henry Wyckoff | [blank} | [blank]
Oct. 1777 | 4 weeks | " | John Shults | Brinckerhoff | [blank]
(2) Summer 1778 | 3 weeks | " | John Shults | [blank] | [blank]
(1) May 1778 | 3 1/2 mos | " | Thomas Storm | Lovell | [blank]
Summer 1779 |4 weeks | " | George Brinkerhoff | [blank] | [blank]
Battles engaged in, 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Fishkill, Dutchess Co. N.Y.
Date of application for pension, Sept 11 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Olive, Ulster Co., N Y. there since the war.
Age at date of application, born in 1756 at Fishkill, Dutchess Co. NY x
Remarks: In 1835 soldier resided in Jackson Co. Mich where he lived with a son, name not given ( xd. Sept - 1848  and no [illegible] from date EW)
Page 20

[left facing page]
29490
INVALID.
File No. 29,490
Thomas Swartwout
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 409
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right facing page]
1906. Dec 28th History to Geo. D. Kirkpatrick
Mrs. B.H.
Page 21

Rev
Bond Building,
Washington, D. C.,
The Honorable
The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
For purposes of ascertaining eligibility for Membership in the Sons of the American Revolution, I will thank you to furnish me the data shown by your records in the pension claim of Thomas Swartwout, Old War # 29490.
Yours truly,
Geo D Kirkpatrick

[circular stamp]
U.S. Pension Office
Dec 22 1906
Page 22

Rev Soc
MRS. WILLIAM H. CORTRIGHT
310 EAST MAIN STREET
HOMER, MICHIGAN
Nov. 6. 1922
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
Will you please give me the War record of Thomas Swartout who was born March 2, 1753, and died Sept 12, 1848. March 4th 1831 he was granted a pension of $40 per annum for service in the War of the American Revolution.
Any other date which may be on file in your records will be greatful for.
very truly and I thank you
Mrs. W. H. Cortright.

[oval stamp at top right]
RECORDS DIVISION
NOV 8 1922

[circular stamp at top right]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
O
NOV 8 1922
Page 23

[envelope]
Nov 11
Mr. Evans

[circular stamp]
NEW YORK
NOV 9

James L Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 24

Mechanics Bank
New York 9th November 1837
Sir:
Thomas Swartwout, a Private at $40 per annum under the act of 7th June 1832, mentioned in your Letter of the 7th Inst was last paid to the 4th of September 1836. on the 17th of the same month,
I am Very Respectfully
Your Obt Sert
J L Willan Px

James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 25


Hon. Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington
pension papers return Cases H Wynkoop agent
Page 26

State of New York Ulster County
Kingston May 16th 1833
Hon. Lewis Cass
Secretary at War
Sir
Enclosed I return the pension application of Thomas Swartwout amended agreeable to the requisitions contained in the brief herewith returned
I am respectfully
Yours
Henry Wynkoop
Page 27

Tho's Swartwout
Wm Schutt
Page 28

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

I. 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 amout (sic) 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
VII. 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

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? Yes
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?
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? No = [illegible]
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
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? Yes
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 so answered?

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------; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 30

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 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.
+ 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 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.
++ 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.
--> In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
Page 31

STATE OF NEW-YORK,} SS.
Ulster County Clerk's Office,} I, Jacob Snyder, Clerk of the County of Ulster, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Ulster County, do hereby certify, That William Schutt. Esquire, was on the day of the date of the Certificate to the annexed affidavit, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Ulster, duly authorized to take affidavits, &c. and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe the signature "Wm Schutt" subscribed to the Certificate of the said annexed Affidavit to be genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the Seal of the said Court and County, this twentieth day of September 1832
[signature] Jacob Snyder