Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6575, Abraham D Banta, New Jersey
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(8-1776)

SERVICE | NUMBER
New Jersey | Banta Abraham D. | S.6575

carded
CONTENTS
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14,259

New York
Abraham D. Banta of the City, in the State of New York, who was a private in the comp(an)y commanded by Captain Sagg. of the reg(iment) commanded by Col. Dey in the N. York line for 2 years.

Abraham D. Banta
* N.Y. Line, 2 years, June 7, 1904
Date was corrected.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 80 Dollars (blank) Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of May 1833 and sent to Abraham Astin, Clerk N.Y. City Court

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833............$160.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep. 1833........40.00
                                            =======
                                            $200.00

{Revolutionary claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by George Taylor, Clerk
Book E; Vol. 4; Page 44

(Banta)
1889 Jan. 21 T.M. Banta history prior.
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16428

In the matter of the application of Abraham D. Banta for a pension under the Act of 1832.

The Honorable, the Secretary of War, is hereby informed that the amendatory affidavit of the applicant on the 31st Oct. would have been taken in Open Court, but that the Court had just adjourned and would not sit again for three weeks. Judge Irving also thinking that this the subject of the affidavit was not important, the deposition before him at the Chamber would be sufficient.
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State of New York
City and County of New York//

On this twenty seventh day of October One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty two, personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Common Pleas in and for the City and County of New York now sitting, Abraham D. Banta, a resident of the City, in the County and State of New York, aged 74 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.

That he was born one mile above Hackensack, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, January 23, 1762. That this record of his age in his family bible, now in his possession. That he lived there when called into service and continued to reside there till the year 1819, when he removed to New York, where he has resided ever since.

That he first entered the service in the month of May or June 1776, before the arrival of the British fleet at New York, when he was between 14 and 15 years of age. That he was a substitute for his brother, John D. Banta, now dead, under Captain Board in the Flying Camp, which was stationed immediately below Bergen Town, on the east side of Newark bay and that he does not recollect the length of this service.

That his next service was in the same summer of the same year, 1776, under Captain Stagg of Hackensack, at which time the enemy were moving up New York Island towards Fort Washington, of which the Americans then had possession. That he was then also a substitute for his brother, John. That he with his company built Fort Lee, immediately opposite to Fort Washington, which was done, as he believes under the order of the Continental Officers; some of whom
were there at the time, of whom he recollects only Captain...
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...Green from Maryland, and that he does not recollect how long he remained in that service.

That in the year 1778, he served under Captain Atwater in the brigade commanded by General Wright, stationed at Aquackananonk, where his object was to
watch and counteract the enemy, who were about New Bridge and Shraalenburgh [now: Bergenfield & Dumont] in foraging excursing. That his immediate object was to attack the fort on Brower's Hill near New Bridge. That he marched his men about three or four hundred yards from the point when the British, going in, fired cannon upon them. That General Wayne, on account of his due quality of force, retired to Aquackananonk where the brigade remained three or four weeks. That he frequently went out on scouting parties around Hackensack. That General Wayne dismissed him and the others and went away. But where he went he does not recollect. That he believes he had no Continental Troops with him.

That in the year 1779, his father was so much annoyed and injured by the British and the Tories, that he made an agreement with one Cornelius Foster, a Tory, that if the said Tories would exchange his farm at Paramus he, his father, would exchange his farm at Hackensack and also provide a substitute during the whole war for the two sons of the said loser court, John and David. That the agreement was struck and his father moved with his family to Paramus, where he lived three years. During which time, he served as a substitute for the said two sons and for his own duty, under Captains Demarest at New Bridge, Edward at Shraalenburgh [now: Bergenfield & Dumont], Romaine at the Liberty Pole English neighborhood, Huyler at Cloister and Blanch at Harington.

That the British commanded, as he thinks, by Colonel Boskerck, a refugee, came up in the night from New York or Hoboken to Hopperstown, about two miles from his residence. That the same night they burnt it, when all the militia with himself, came out to attack them. That they were not organized under any captain but that they followed the British, who were...
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...returning the next morning to Fort Lee and killed some of them. That he himself did not follow them all the way to Fort Lee as [crossed out: not far], on their pursuit, the militia from New Bridge and Cloister came also upon the British and his assistance was not so necessary. That the British were called greet coats and that he cannot recollect the year when the above mentioned occurrence look place. That one Captain Bowman, a Continental Officer, with his company of Light Infantry came down from Tappan to the English Neighborhood, where he was stationed under Captain Romaine. That he was sent as a pilot to conduct the said captain through the English Neighborhood to the lower part of the County. That Colonel Boskerck had his [crossed out: troops] station or headquarters at that time at Hoboken and had brought his troop [crossed out: his troops] the night before up near to the English Neighborhood. That Captain Bowman had not proceeded far, when both parties being ignorant of each others approach, he fell upon the enemy. That he immediately attacked them and drove them to Hoboken. That he returned to Tappan, as many of his men were wounded.

That he served a second time as a pilot to the same captain in the same year and at the same place. That he went down with him as far as Bergen Town, when Captain Bowmen, not meeting with any of the enemy, went to Bull's Ferry where he stayed one night and the next day returned to the Liberty Pole. But that he himself cannot recollect [crossed out: when] the precise year when the two last mentioned occurrences took place.

That he was under Captain Blanch when the British Refugees came up from New York and burnt Closter and took all the cattle. And that he with his company pursued them and retook the cattle, but he does not recollect the year.

That he does not recollect when he served as a substitute and when as a volunteer, except as above...
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...mentioned. That he was in many skirmishes under the other captains above mentioned, but he recollects nothing important and that having been engaged [crossed out: from] in the war from its commencement to its termination. He can safely swear and does swear to a service of [crossed out: four years of the gr(eater)] about three years and a half.

That the militia of Bergen County were under the command of Colonel Dey, as the Colonel of the Regiment. That he recollects no other Continental Officers, except as above mentioned, and that he has no documentary evidence.

That all his captains, to the best of his knowledge and belief, are now dead. But that his fellow soldiers Samuel Helm, Sylvester Marnis and Garret Brinkerhoff can testify to his services.

That he hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
s/ Abraham D. Banta

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
s/ Abm. Asten, Clerk Com. Pleas City & County of New York

We, Cornelius T. Demarest, a Clergyman and John C. Zabriskie, a citizen, both residing in the City of New York, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham D. Banta, the above named deponent. That we believe him to be Seventy 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.
s/ Cor's T. Demarest
s/ John C. Zabriskie

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
s/ Abm. Asten, Clerk Com. Pleas City & County of New York
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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, Abraham D. Banta, was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Cornelius T. Demarest is a Clergyman and John C. Zabriskie a citizen, who have signed the preceding certificate, are residents of the City of New York and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
s/ Jno. T. Irvine, 1st Judge of the Court of Com(mon) Pleas for the City & Cty. of New York

I, Abraham Asten, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the City and County of New York, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abraham D. Banta for a pension.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal of the said Court this 27th [crossed out: October] day of October One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty two.
s/ Abm. Asten, Clerk 

City and County of New York// 

Abraham D. Banta, the above mentioned applicant being duly sworn, deposes and says that he was mistaken in declaring in the above certificate that all his captains, but that on further recollection he declares that they are all dead to the best of his belief, with the exception as he has been told, of Captain Demarest, who resides at Buffalo in the State of New York, or thereabouts as he is informed.
s/ Abraham D. Banta

Sworn this 30th day of October 1831 before me.
s/ Jno. T. Irvine, First Judge of the Court of Com(mon) Pleas for the City & County of N. York
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State of New Jersey
Bergen County//

This is to Certify that on the 15th day of October in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty two, personally appeared before me, John A. Westervelt, one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, Wiert D. Banta, who being duly sworn saith that in year 1780 or 1781 he saw Abraham D. Banta in the battle near a place called Hopper Town in the County of Bergen. S(ai)d town was consumed by fire by the enemy, and further saith not.
s/ Wiert D. Banta

Sworn before me the above date.
s/ John A. Westervelt

County of Bergen//

I, Abraham Westervelt, Clerk of the County of Bergen, certify that the above mentioned John A. Westervelt is a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for the...
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...said County and that the signature attached to the above affidavit in his genuine signature. 

Witness my Hand and Seal of Office this [illegible] day of October One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty two.
s/ Abm. Westervelt, Clerk
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In the matter of the application of Abraham D. Banta for a Pension.
City and County of New York//

Samuel Helm of the City of New York, being duly sworn depose and says that he was a schoolfellow of Abraham D. Banta, the above named applicant. That he knew him at the time the war commenced and throughout the war. That the said Banta was engaged during the whole war in the service of the country, but the particular times and the particular captains he cannot recollect, but he has particular recollection of his service in Captain Samuel Demarest's Company for a period, to the best of his recollection and belief, of two years. And further deponent says not.
s/ Samuel Helm

Sworn and subscribed this second day of October 1832.
s/ O.M. Lounds, Justice of the Peace

City and County of New York//

Sylvester Marnis of the City of New York, being duly sworn deposes and says that he was a neighbor, before and during the war, of the above mentioned Abraham D. Banta. That he served under Captains Romaine, Blanch and Haring about the years 1777 and 1778 in the County of Bergen with the said Banta, for a service, to the best of his belief, of six months. But that he has no particular recollection of the said Banta, except during the times above mentioned.
s/ S. Marnis 

Sworn and subscribed this Sixth day of October 1832 before me.
s/ James Hopson, Justice
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City and County of New York//

Garret Brinkerhoff of the town of Teaneck, Bergen County, State of New Jersey, being duly sworn deposes and says that he is well acquainted with Abraham D. Banta, the above named applicant and has certain knowledge of his services he was in the Revolutionary War. That he was a fellow soldier with the said Banta under Captain Atwater in the brigade commanded by General Wayne at Aquackananonk when it was intended to attack the Fort on Brower's Hill near New Bridge. And further deponent says not.
s/ Garret Brinkerhoff

Sworn this Twentieth day of October 1832 before me.
s/ James Hopson, Justice

Know all men by these presents, that I, Abraham D. Banta, of the City of New York, have made and appointed and do make and appoint Robert J. Dillon of the same City my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name. And to my use, to ask and receive from the Secretary at War or such other officer as is appointed for that purpose, such sum or sums of money as may be due and owing unto me, for my pension at the day of the date of the first payment to be made under the Pension Act passed June 7th 1832.
s/ Abraham D. Banta

Signed and sealed in the presence of.
Witness:
s/ Thomas M. Collins

City of New York//

Personally came before me, James Hopson, Abraham D. Banta, an applicant for a pension above named and acknowledged the above Letter of Attorney to be his voluntary act and deed...
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...In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this Thirty first day of October One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty two.
s/ James Hopson, Justice of the Peace

I, Abraham Asten, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the City and County of New York, do hereby certify that Oliver M. Lounds, before whom the above affidavit of Samuel Helm was taken & that James Hopson, before whom the above affidavits of S. Marnis and Garret Brinkerhoff and the above acknowledgement were taken, are Justices of the Peace of the City and County of New York and that John T. Irving, before whom the affidavit of the above named applicant of 31st in last was taken by First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the City and County of New York, and that the signatures attached thereto were their true signatures as I verily believe.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal of Office this Thirty first day of October One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty two.
s/ Abm. Asten, Clerk
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Acts 4, '38

Abraham D. Banta
City & County of N. York

Abm. Aston, Clk.
New York City & County
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
(blank) 183(blank)

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, shewing the service of Abr'm D. Banta, New York Co., N. York

Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant's service. (Years/Months/Days) | Rank of the claimant. | Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. | Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | Country through which he marched. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. | Evidence by which the declaration is supported.

1776: Sub(stitute) for Jno. D Banta | (blank) | (blank) | (blank) | Private | Capt. Stagg, Capt. Green, Capt. Atwater, Capt. Demarest, Capt. Bowman, Capt. Romaine, Capt. Blanch | (blank) | (blank) | Aquackananonk, Brower's Hill near New Bridge, Blachet, Harrington, Fort Lee, Hoboken Pt. to Tappan, Bergen Town, Bull's Ferry, Liberty Pole | 70, Bergen Co., New Jersey | Traditionary.

1778; & then sub(stitute) for Jno. D Banta | (blank) | (blank) | 21 or 28 days | Private | (blank) | Gen. Wayne Brig. | (blank) | (blank) 
| (blank) | (blank) | Sam'l Helm as to the whole war.

1779: Sub(stitute) for Jno. D Banta & often | 3 years | (blank) | (blank) | Private | (blank) | Col. Brittan, Col. Dey | (blank) | (blank) | (blank) | Sylvester Manis 6 months., Garrett Brinkerhoff for the time stated by applicant.

I am, respectfully your obedient servant,
J.L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

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

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. (illegible) 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 days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the __________, and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the __________ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, __________, Clerk of the Court of __________ , do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of __________ for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ & c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person...
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3

...will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.

1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. //
To a soldier. // Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer. // Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry 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 appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:

"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and in 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 that the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: __ For ______ year ________ months, and ________ days, I served as a ________; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important , in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase, "about three or four months," is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration 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 was the 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.

(Illegible) 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 (illegible) note [j] applies to continental troops only. 

[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration:
Page 18

6575

INVALID.
Rev(olutionary) War

File No. 6,575
Abraham D. Banta
Pri(vate) Rev(olutionary) War

Act: June 7, '32

Index: -; Vol. A; Page 19

{Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 19

NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
346 & 348 BROADWAY

Theodore M. Banta, Cashier

New York, Jan. 14 1889

Hon. John C. Black
Commissioner of Pensions,

Dear Sir,

In reply to within letter, I beg to say that the soldiers probably were probably from the States named.

Revolutionary War: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania (& went state of Kentucky).
War of 1812: New York, New Jersey.
War of 1845: New York, New Jersey.
Mexican War: New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, Ohio.
Page 20

Theodore M. Banta, Cashier

New York, Dec. 31 1888

Gen'l Black
Commissioner of Pensions,

Dear Sir,

Is there an alphabetical list of those who have received pensions for services in the Rev. War?

I am gathering materials for the genealogy of the Banta family of whom there were soldiers in all of these wars, and want to know who, if any, are mentioned in the pension lists. If the expense of searching is not too great, I should like to have an examination made and a transcript made of the record of all who  appear of the various spellings...
Page 21

...would be very [illegible]

May I trouble you to inform me or to the proper method of accomplishing my purpose and my much oblige.

Your Respectfully,
s/ Theodore M. Banta
Page 22

Old war Div:
J.N.S. Ex'r.
No. (blank)
Co. (blank) | Reg't (blank)
Return this letter with your reply.

Department of the Interior.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D.C., January 11th, 1889

Sir,

Yours of the 21st ult. is received requesting information of soldier bearing the family name of Banta or Bonta, Bonta or Bonter, who served in the War of the Revolution, 1812, and Mexican, for a family record.

Some of these names are borne on the roll of pensioners who belonged to the troops of New York, as well as those of other States, and it is desired, so far as you can to designate, the State residence, during the period of the war, of those whose history is desired.

Very respectfully,
s/ John C. Black, Commissioner

Mr. Theodore M. Banta
N.Y. Life Ins. Co.
No. 346 & 348 Broadway
New York City