Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 17861, for William Simmons, Maryland
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Md. Simmons, William Sarah R 17861 B.L.Reg. 304022-55

CONTENTS

[two blank columns below]
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11.948
Maryland
William Simmons
Ann Arundel in the State of Maryland
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Tillard of the regt commanded
by Col Bell in the Md [illegible]
line for 6 mo.

Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland
at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of July
1833 and sent to
T. S. Alexander Annapolis

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $40.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept - 10.00
$50.00

{ Revolutionary Claim, }
{ Act June 7, 1832. }

Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk,
Book E Vol. 5 Page 118
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State of Maryland Ann Arundel County and
on this 27 day of November 1832 personally
appeared in open Court before the Orphans
Court of said County William Simmons
a resident near mt river in said County
aged seventy years and upwards who
being first duly sworn according to law
doth on his oath make the following
declaration in order to claim the benefit
of the act of Congress passed 7 June 1832 -
That he entered into the service of the
United States under the following named
officers and served as herein stated
He enlisted in Saint James Parrish in Ann
Arundel County in the year 1776 & he
believes the month of that year he
entered in Captain Edward Lillards company
in Bells Regiment of the Maryland line.
Col Thomas Ewing was next in command
under Bell Samuel then was Lieutenant
under Captain Lillard and John Kilby was
the next officer in rank and he left the
service on the first day of December 1776-
He marched after his enlistment to the City
of Annapolis and he then marched to
Baltimore and then to the [illegible] of Elk
and then to Wilmington on Delaware and
then to Philadelphia and then to Trenton in
New Jersey and to Elizabethtown and to
Page 4

Brunswick [crossed out: when he was discharged as
before stated having] and then to New York
Island and then to [illegible] height
and then to the white plains and then
to Fishkill and then to Fort Lee and
then returned to Brunswick where he was
discharged at the time before stated. He
was in an engagement at white plains
He was at Fort Lee when it was taken by
the British at the time he enlisted he
lived [crossed out: near the place] in Saint James Parish
where he was born and he has always
lived there or not far off. He has no
record of his age. He entered for six months
which has expired when he was discharged
He never received a discharge the Captain
gave discharges on one piece of a paper
for a whole mass and the discharge in which
his name was written was given to
one Sergeant Crosby - He hereby relinquishes
every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity
except the present and that his name is not
on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year
aforesaid
William X ^his mark^ Simmons
Page 5

And at the same time Richard Simmons
of said County appeared also in open 
Court and being duly sworn states he
knows William Simmons before named
who is his brother and he knows his
brother enlisted in Captain Edward
Lillards Company in the Maryland
line and that he marched off with
the company and that he did [illegible]
some time in that company - but he
cannot say how long nor when he entered
nor when he returned -
Sworn to & subscribed [illegible]
Richard X ^his mark^ Simmons

And at the same time appeared William
O Hara of said County and Thomas
Franklin of the City of Annapolis
and declared to the [illegible] Court that they
are well acquainted with the said
William Simmons who has [illegible]
and sworn to the foregoing declaration
and they believe him to be upwards of
seventy years of age and that he [illegible]
and believed in the neighborhood where he
resides to have been a soldier of the
revolution. Sworn to & subscribed by
William OHara
Thomas Franklin
Page 6

And the said Court do hereby certify and
declare their opinion after the investigation
of the matter and putting the
Interrogatories prescribed by the War
department that the above applicant
was a revolutionary soldier and served
as he states and the court further
certify that it appears to them that
Richard Summers and William
O Hara of Anne Arundel County and
Thomas Franklin of the City of Annapolis
are credible persons and their statements
are entitled to credit
Gideon White
Thos H. Dorsey

I Samuel Brown Junior Register of Wills
of Anne Arundel County and [illegible] Clerk
of the Orphans Court of said County do hereby 
certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of said Court in the matter of
the application of William Simmons for
a pension 
In testimony whereof I have 
hereunto set my hand and the
seal of said Court this 27
November 1832
Saml Brown [illegible] Reg Wills A.A. County
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304,022
Acts of 1855-6
DECLARATION FOR WIDOW
Who has never received Bounty Land.
CLAIM OF Mrs
Sarah Simmons
Widow of
William Simmons Decd

Revolutionary War

Placed in my charge
by W.F.R. Saffell Esqr
398 Lombard St
Baltim. Md.

FILED BY
JOHN JOHNSON,
Attorney
Page 8

DECLARATION FOR WIDOW WHO HAS NEVER RECEIVED BOUNTY LAND.

STATE OF Maryland
COUNTY OF Baltimore } ss

On this 10th day of November 1859, personally appeared before me, the subscriber,
a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid, (duly authorized by law to administer
oaths,) Sarah Simmons, aged 87 years, a resident of
Baltimore County in the County and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to
law, declares that she is the widow of William Simmons, deceased,
who was a private, in the company commanded by Capt. [blank],
in the Regiment of [blank]
commanded by Col. [blank] in the war of the revolution
of the Maryland Line and refers to
her husbands pension papers per act June
7, 1832 for proof of service.
That her said husband entered the service of the United States at [blank]
on or about the [blank] day of [blank] 18[blank], for the term of [blank]
and continued in actual service in said war for the term of at least fourteen
days, and was honorably discharged from said service, as will appear by the Muster Rolls of said company,
not having any knowledge of the manner of her said husband's discharge. She further states that she was
married to the said William Simmons in the County of Baltimore
State of Md, on or about the 9th day of August 1796, by Rev.
Allison a Presbyterian Minister and that her name
before her said marriage was Sarah Darton, that her said husband died
at Baltimore on the 20th day of September 1833,
and that she is now a widow. and that she has no record
whatever of her said marriage nor of the
death of her husband, but offers the
best evidence she can possibly procure
of each fact and the true dates thereof.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled
under the Act approved March 3, 1855, and May 14, 1856, never having received Bounty Land under this
or any other act, nor made any other application for Bounty Land except the present.
JNO. JOHNSON, OF WASHINGTON, D. C. with power of substitution
is hereby authorized to prosecute this my claim, and to receive any warrant that may be issued hereon.
Sarah X ^her mark^ Simmons [SEAL.]
Witness
Theodore Boring

*If no public or private record of the marriage exists, or can be procured, state the fact in the declaration, after the work widow;
and in such case, such other evidence, such as the testimony of persons who knew the parties in the lifetime of the husband, and knew
them to live together as husband and wife, and to be so reputed, giving their reasons, will be admissible. Death of husband must
be proved direct.
If a public or private record exist, an authenticated copy thereof must be furnished; if it be a private record, the authenticated
copy thereof must be accompanied with the affidavit of some disinterested person, proving the genuineness of the original, and that
the copy certified is a true correct copy of it.
A certificate from the clergyman or magistrate who solemnized the marriage is not competent evidence, unless the genuineness
of the certificate be proved, and the person who gave it be shown to have been authorized to solemnize marriages.
Page 9

AFFIDAVIT OF TWO WITNESSES.

We Ann Maria Vanhorn and Ann M. Boring residents
of the County and State aforesaid, upon our oaths declare that the forgoing declaration was signed and
acknowledged by the above Sarah Simmons in our presence; ant that
we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents
herself to be.

And we further declare that we were well acquainted with the said William Simmons
and Sarah Simmons his wife (now the widow) during the life time of
the former, and knew them to live together as husband and wife, and to have been so generally reputed.
That her said husband, the said William Simmons died at Baltimore
County on the 20 day of September 1833, and that she is
now a widow; and we further declare that we know the said William
Simmons did die as aforesaid for we
were present at his death and funeral
and that we have no interest in the claim.
Ann Maria Vanhorn [SEAL.]
Ann Maria X ^her mark^ Boring [SEAL.]
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MAGISTRATE'S CERTIFICATE.

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year
above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that I believe the Claimant is
the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Charles Peregoy J.P.

COUNTY CLERK'S CERTIFICATE.

STATE OF Maryland
COUNTY OF Baltimore } ss. I hereby certify that Charles Peregoy
Esq., before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavits were made, is and was, at the time of taking the
same, an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and
qualified, and that his signature above is genuine. 

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed
the seal of office, this twelfth day of 
November 1859
George H Carman Clerk.
Circuit Court for Baltimore County
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Claim for Pension
Sarah Simmons
widow of
William Simmons
A Revolutionary [illegible]

William Simmons - [illegible]
at. 1852
Wid application

Act of July 29th 1848
Placed in my hands
by W.T.R. Saffell Esqr
598 Lombard St.
Balto Md

Jno. Johnson
Washington D.C. atty
Page 12

State of Maryland
County of Baltimore } ss.
On this 10th, day of November
in the year 1859, personally appeared
Sarah Simmons before me the subscriber
a Justice of the Peace in and for said
County and made oath in due form of
law that she is the widow of William
Simmons, deceased, who was a revolutionary
Soldier, and pensioner per act June 7. 1832.

That she the said deponent
is now Eighty seven years of age,
and makes this declaration for the
purpose of obtaining the benefits of the
act of July 29, 1848.

She further declares that she was married
to the said William Simmons in
the City of Baltimore on the 9th day of
August in the year Seventeen hundred
and ninety six by Rev. Mr. Allison
and that she came from her residence,
near St. James' Church in Anne Arundell County,
to Baltimore where her marriage license
was obtained. That her said husband
the said William Simmons died on or 
about the 20th day of September 
in the year Eighteen hundred and
thirty three. That she was not married
to him prior to leaving the service, but
the marriage took place prior to the
first day of January Eighteen hundred
viz - at the time above stated. She 
further swears that she is not a widow
Page 13

that she has so remained ever since,
and that she has never heretofore
applied for a pension, because no one
in her neighborhood or elsewhere ever
told her that she was entitled to pension, 
but that what her husband drew, was
all due. For proof of her husband's 
services, she respectfully refers the Hon.
Commissioner of Pensions to the records of
his office, and her husbands pension papers,
on file there. That she has no Bible
record of her marriage, but produces
herewith appended a certified [illegible]

[certificate is included here; ornate border of scrollwork around the following text]

THE STATE OF MARYLAND,
Baltimore City, Sct.
I hereby Certify to all whom it doth or may Concern, That on the
ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and ninety six
a License issued from the office of the Clerk of Baltimore County Court, directed to
the Reverend Mr. Allison or any other person qualified
by Law, to celebrate the rites of Marriage between a certain William
Simmons and Sara Darton of
Baltimore County, according to Law; there appearing to him no lawful cause, or
just impediment, by reason of any consanguinity or affinity to hinder the same, as by
the records of said Court appear, which records are now in my keeping.
In Testimony whereof, I hereto subscribe my
name and affix the Seal of the Superior Court
of Baltimore City, this Twenty First
day of October 1859
Geo E. Sangston.
Clerk of the Superior Court of Baltimore City.
Page 14

that she has so remained ever since,
and that she has never heretofore
applied for a pension, because no one
in her neighborhood or elsewhere ever
told her that she was entitled to pension,
but that what her husband drew, was
all due. For proof of her husband's
services, she respectfully refers the Hon.
Commissioner of Pensions to the records of
his office, and her husbands pension papers,
on file there. That she has no Bible
record of her marriage, but produces
herewith appended a certified copy from
the license records of Baltimore County
which authorizes the celebration of the
rites of marriage between William Simmons
and Sarah Darton, whom she knows to be
her identical husband and herself.

That she has none of her said
husbands military papers, that from changing
her residence from place to place so
often and not knowing the value of
old papers, thew all have been lost or destroyed 
among which was his pension certificate.
Sarah X ^her mark^ Simmons [hand drawn cloud with the word Seal written inside]
Witness
Theodore Boring
Rachel R Jenkins
Page 15

At the same time and place and before
me the undersigned Justice of the Peace, as
aforesaid, personally appeared Ann Maria
Vanhorn and Ann Maria Boring to me well
known and whom I certify to be witnesses
of the highest credibility and truthfulness &
residents of Baltimore County and declared
on their oaths that they are respectively of
the ages of 56 and 36 years, that they
knew the said William Simmons and
Sarah his wife in the lifetime of the former,
and knew them to live together as
husband and wife and to have been so 
generally reputed, and that they never heard
the fact or legality of their said marriage
called in question or doubted by any person
whatever. That her said husband
the said William Simmons died in the
County of Baltimore, State of Maryland
on or about the 20th day of September
in the year Eighteen hundred and
thirty three, and that his wife the said 
Sarah Simmons is now a widow and
has so remained ever since the death 
of her said husband, and we are satisfied
that the said William Simmons did
die as aforesaid, for we were present at
his death and funeral.
Ann Maria Vanhorn [hand drawn cloud with the word Seal inside]
Ann Marie X ^her mark^ Boring [hand drawn cloud with the word Seal inside]
Page 16

The foregoing declarations or affidavits were
sworn to and subscribed before me the day
and year herein before written, and I certify
that the affiants are highly credible persons
and entitled to full faith and credit. that
the affidavits were fully explained to Mrs.
Simmons and her witnesses by me before the
oaths were administered. And I further
certify that the great age and bodily
infirmity of the said Sarah Simmons
whom I well know, is of such a nature
as to renter it entirely impossible for her to attend
court at our county seat to make her
declaration as the distance is twelve
miles and that I have no interest whatever
in any claim that the said Mrs
Simmons may have, nor am I concerned
in its prosecution
Charles Peregoy J.P.

State of Maryland, --- Baltimore County, sct:
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That Charles Pergoy Esquire,
before whom the annexed declarations and affidavits
were made and who has thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice
of the Peace of the State of Maryland, in and for Baltimore County, duly commissioned and sworn.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereto set my hand and affix the Seal of the
Circuit Court for Baltimore County, this twelfth
day of November A.D., 1839
George H Carman
CLERK CIRCUIT COURT BALTIMORE COUNTY.
Page 17

William Simmons
Md
21621_

Adm@
6 mos
$20

T.S. Alexander Esqr
Annapolis
Md
Page 18

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under that act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }) You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, sent this printed letter with them; and
you will, by com[lying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your 
claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of William Simmons

[table column headers: | Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant's service. | [sub-headers here: | Years. | Months. | Days. |] | Rank of the claimant. | Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. | 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 Enlist left the service in Decr. 1776. | [blank] | [blank] | [blank] | Pri. | Capt. E. Tillard | Cols. Bell & Ewing | White Plains | From Annapolis to Balto. to Phila. thence to Trenton and Elizabethtown N.J. then to N. Yk Island then to Fort Lee | 70 years St. James' Parish Ann Arundel Co. Md. | Traditionary |

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 19

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 [blank] } ss.

On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank]
A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District
of [blank] aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on this 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 [blank] and
served in the (e) regiment of the [blank] 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, ->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 [blank]
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 [blank] of the Court of [blank]
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of [blank] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
[blank]
day of [blank] &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 i 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 [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank]
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 [blank]
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank]
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

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

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &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 20

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroberating 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 al 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 ti?
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 b
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 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.
[braces { } from [e] all the way down to [f]]
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so
definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his
recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: - For - year - months, and -
days, I served as a - . For - months and - days, I served as a -: and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months,
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an emboied 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 not 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 an 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.
[braces { } from [l] to [m]]
[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 21

[two panel page; left panel below]

304.022 Act Mar 3/55
Nov 16/59

Sarah Simmons
wid of
William Simmons decd
Private

Revolutionary War

Md. Ins July 29-1849

John Johnson Esq
Present

[right panel below]
Dec 21/59 Agt,
Page 22

No. 1510
Sarah Simmons
Wid of
Wm. Md

Mr Johnson Nov: 18/59
Chas Peregoy. Jany: 16/66

Act 29 July. '48
Page 23

[diagonally left top corner: [illegible] F 47.929]

17861 Revy

P.O. _____
Sarah Simmons
Service: widow of William 

Enlisted: _____ , 18 __ .
Discharged: _____ , 18 __ .
[stamp diagonally across previous 2 lines: REJECTED]

1-0
Application filed: _____ , 18 __ .

Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted _____

Attorney: _____
P. O. _____

_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____ . 18 __ .
Page 24

Land Office, Annapolis, Novr 28th, 1832,

I hereby Certify that it appears by a roll or list, remaining
in this office; headed "Men enlisted by Captn Edward
Tillard, in Anne Arundel County for the Flying Camp; -
and mustered and passed by Capt Richard Harwood; this
16th day of July 1776;" - That the name of William Simmons
appears upon said list; as having belonged to the Company -
commanded by Captn Tillard; - the time he was in service
does not appear upon said roll
George G. Brewer
Regr Ld Off. M.S. Md.
Page 25

[illegible] Balto [illegible]
January 10th 1860

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir

A few weeks since
a Gentleman representing himself as W.J.R. Saffell
of Baltimore, was furnished with the necessary
papers, to obtain, for Mrs Sarah Simmons of
this place, a Pension, and Bounty Land Warrant
for services rendered in the Revolutionary War
by her Husband, William Simmons.
Recent events have induced Mrs Simmons
to believe that Saffell is not acting in good
faith.
My object in writing to ascertain
whether application has been made for said
Pension & Land Warrant, and if so, what
action has been taken.
By giving the information
Page 26

requested, you will greatly oblige Mrs
Simmons, (who is very aged and also very
poor.) by relieving her mind of the doubts
she entertains of receiving what is justly due her

Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Charles Peregoy
Page 27

[round black stamp; top left, as follows: ANNAPOLIS MD NOV 28]

FREE
for the
War Department
Pension Office
at Washington

[vertically on the page; left side, follows]

Md
November
3d 1832
21621
Page 28

J.L. Edwards, Esq I enclose you the
application of William Simmons a
revolutionary soldier If additional evidence
are necessary be pleased to inform me
Wm reply
Thomas S. Alexander