Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8213, William Clarke, Md.
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Md.
Clarke, William
S8213
Carded
Page 2

Maryland 25.834
William Clarke
of Berkley Co in the State of Maryland
who was a Lt & Sgt in the Company command
by Captain Williams of the Reg commanded
by Col Smith in the Maryland
line for
1 yr Sgt $50.00
1 yr Leiut $150.00
$220.00

Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland
at the rate of 220 Dollars 00 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of Jan
and sent to
1834 Hery A Byrne in Berkely Springs
Maryland Co. (illegible)

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 550.00
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mch 34. 110.00
$360.00

Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by John Sprague Clk
Book 6 Vol. 5 Page 102

Date of death not (illegible)

Hon. Z. Kidwell 24th January 1854
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State of Virginia County of Berkeley Sctr
On this 15th day of September 1832 personally appeared before Levi
Henshaw a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, William
Clarke a resident of the said County and State aged Seventy four 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 entered the army of the United States
in the year 1775 as a Volunteer and marched from Hagerstown Washington
County State of Maryland about the 1st January 1776 in a Company
Commanded by Capt Bazel Williams, through the State of Pennsylvania
to Philadelphia and from thence to Cansels ferry and from Cansels ferry to
Flemings Town, and from thence to Baskin ridge near Morristown in
East Jersey that he acted all the time as an officer and part of the time as
first Lieutenant, When he joined the army under the command of Lord Sterling
his Superior Officers, were Colonel Joseph Smith and May.  Orendorff(?)
he served two years, and that he never was engaged in any battle with the
my has no documentary evidence to show that he was regularly discharged.

He was born in Saint Marys County State of Maryland in the year of our
Lord 1758. When he entered the service he was eighteen or Nineteen year
of age; after he was discharged he returned to Washington County State of 
Maryland and lived there a considerable time and from thence removed
to Alleghany County same State and there resided three or four years and from
thence removed to Berkeley County State of Virginia where he now resides
and has resided ever since. He relinquishes 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. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year
aforesaid.
William Clarke

The within William Clark whose name is signed to the within declaration
made oath before me that it was just and true as stated the date
within Stated.
Levi Henshaw

I do certify that William Clarke above named is not able to attend Court.
Given under my hand this 15th day of September 1832
Levi Henshaw
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I Matthew J Clarke residing in the county of Berkeley do hereby certify that I have frequently heard William Clarke speak of his revolutionary services for 20 years past. Given under my hand this 18th day of September 1832. I also heard the said William say he acted part of the time as First Lieutenant.

Matthew J Clarke

Sworn to before me Silas Harlan

We Wiliam Good and Richard McSherry residing in the county of Berkeley do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Clarke who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy-four years of age, that we have known him for many years and he always has sustained the character of being a man of truth. Given under our hands this 18th day of September 1832.

Wm Good
Richard McSherry

I do certify that I have been acquainted with the above-named William Clarke for forty years and that I never heard anything disrespectful of him.

Wm Good
Sept 18 1832

I Philip Nadenboush of Berkeley County and state of Virginia do hereby certify that I have known William Clarks (the aforesaid applicant) upward of fifty years and have often heard him mention of his being in the revolutionary service of the United States that he went out as a volunteer that he acted in the capacity both as orderly Sergeant and as First Lieutenant in the service. Given under my hand this 17th day of Sept 1832.
P. Nadenboush

Sworn to before me Silas Harlan

Declaration of Jacob Anderon concerning William Clarke services in the revolution War.

I Jacob Anderson recollect seeing said Williams Clarke at North River Lord Sterling's quarters acting as First Lieutenant and called Lieutenant Clarke commanding a detachment of men on Baggage Wagon. I myself being one of them as a private soldier. I am certain he served two years in the revolutionary war. Witness my hand this 14th day of August 1832.

Jacob Anderson
His X Mark

Berkeley County State of Virginia
This day appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the county and state aforesaid Jacob Anderson and made oath that the facts above stated is correct to the best of his knowledge and belief.

Given under my hand the 14th day of August 1832.

Wm Campbell
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State of Maryland
Allegany County } Ss

On this 20th day of
November 1833 personally appeared before me Walter
Bevans a justice of the peace of said county of
Allegany & state of Maryland William [illegible]
-dent of said county aged near seventy five years, [illegible] his
first duly sworn in due form of 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 by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory
he cannot swear positively to the length of time
he served in the war of the revolution but according
to the best of his memory he served not less
than the pension below stated, and in the following
grades; he here refers to his declaration made 15th September
1832 before Levi Henshaw a justice of the
peace of Berkeley county State of Virginia
In addition to which statement he now upon
reflection can recollect that he entered the said volunteer 
company of Bazel Williams as first sergeant
and acted as such for one half or nearly one half
of the time he remained in the service, and that
for the remainder of the time of his service he acted
as 1st Lieutenant of said company. He is sure he
served at least two years in the army of the revolution,
the time may have been much longer; and that
at least half of the time he was lieutenant as aforesaid.

Questions by the justice
where and in what year were you born?
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6
Answer - I was born in Saint Mary's county in
the State of Maryland on the 18th december 1758 -

Question Have you a record of your age, and if so
where is it?
Answer - I have no such record; my parents always told
[illegible] was born at home stated; I think my age was
[illegible] in some family book, but where it is or
what has become of it I cannot tell -

3 Question. Where were you living when
called into service - where have you lived since
the revolutionary war and where do you noe live.
Answer - This question is partly answered in my former statement. I now reside in Allegany
county state of Maryland with my son -
I have lived here since last spring.

4. Question. How were you called into service?
were you drafted; did you volunteer or were you a
substitute? If substitute for whom?
Answer I first volunteered and afterwards
acted as lieutenant under the commission which
[illegible] be referred to hereafter. I was never
drafted, nor a substitute

5 Question. 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 service
Answer - Besides the particulars in my [illegible]
statement I remember the names of Generals
Sullivan & Putman; Col Moses Rawlings I 
suppose that I need not state the Washington was
our chief commander I can now [illegible]
says that I saw near Baskin ridge in Jersey the
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house where Genl Lee was said to have been taken
shortly before nex arrival there I say the bullet
holes through the door of the cellar or lower story of
said house said to be shot at Lee.
While at Baskenridge we were sent up to quarters
expecting our engagement but none took
place. After having some as state in and about
the Jersey state I returned to Washington county
Maryland and for some time acted with
service to [illegible] down the Torries and negroes.
I was in the service in [illegible] human states &
taken were hanged i nFrederick Md as Tories
and the two Grows and Henry Schell Nicholas Andrais
were hanspoke - I cannot now say what year this
took place in - report says about 1780 or 1781, but I cannot
remember the date. But from the fall of 1775 to the
time these tories were hanged I was mostly in the
service - I was amongst the best scholars of that
time and while acting as sergeant and Lieutenant
I had to do the writing business of Captain, and
I was often requested to draft the post of Captain.
Captain Bazel Williams above named was the
uncle of Genl Otho Williams the clerk of Washington
county Md.

6th Question. Did you ever receive a discharge from the
service? If so by whom was it given, and what has
become of it?
Answer - I think I never got a discharge. I do
not think one of any account as I have volunteered
and was serving gratis

7th Question. Did you ever receive a commission if
so by whom was it signed and what has become of it

Answer - I was appointed a lieutenant by Thomas Sprigg
of Washington County Md. He was [illegible] the county
Lieutenant; I think he derived his authority from a county
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committee. When I entered the service I suppose
that the Governor was the [illegible], and of course
he would not give us commissions. Thomas Sprigg
was considered as having all power; I saw him during
the war sentence a man in Hagerstown to
be hanged as a tory - The man was no hanged
as a heavy rain storm came up at the time.
I cannot say whether I ever had a written
commission. But I had the same appointment that
the other officers of that time had

Sworn to and subscribed the day above written by
William Clarke

I Walter Bevans a justice of the peace of the county
of Allegany & state of Maryland do certify that the
foregoing statement of William Clark was duly
sworn to & subscribed before me this 20th of November
1833 and I further certify that in mu opinion the said
applicant is too infirm to attend court. I further certify
that I have known the applicant for 18 or more
years. I think him a man of truth and believe his
statement of his military services to be correct
Walter Bevans

Maryland Allegany County To wit

I Aza Beall Clerk of Allegany County Court do hereby
certify that Walter Bevans before whom the within affidavit
was made and who has thereunto subscribed his name
was at the time of so dong one of the Justices of the peace
in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn.
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my name
& affixed my seal this 22d day of November 1833
Aza Beall Clk
Page 9

Hon Z Kidwell
Jany 24/32
Page 10

Pension Office
24th Jany 1854.

Sir
The claim of William Clarke
of Maryland, has been examined.
William in his application as
-scribed two years services. The first
as Sergeant and the second as Lieutenant
He claimed no other on
greater service. He was pensioned
at the rate of $220. per annum 
which was all he was 
entitled to.  His children have no
claim for increase. I return you
Mr Clark's letter.

Hon. Z Kidwell
House of Representation
Page 11

September 26, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

William Clarke
S. 8213
BA-J/MLB

Mrs. Carl Vandenbark
422 South 6th Street
Clarksburg, West Virginia

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary 
War records of two soldiers named William Clark of Maryland,
one of whom was from Kent County and the other from "Queens County",
and for which you enclosed a check for $2.00 to cover cost of search of
the records.

You are furnished herein the record of the only William Clark or
Clarke found in the Revolutionary War records of this office who served
in the Maryland troops.

William Clarke was born December 18, 1758, in Saint Marys County,
Maryland. The names of his parents were not given.

While residing in Washington County, Maryland, William Clarke volunteered
in the fall of 1775, marched from Hagerstown and served about two
years in the Maryland troops, a part of the time as sergeant and the
remainder of the time as Lieutenant under Captain Bazel Williams
and Colonel Joseph Smith.

After the war the soldier returned to Washington County, Maryland,
where he remained some time, then moved to Allegany County, same state,
lived there three or four years, thence to Berkeley County, Virginia.

William Clarke was allowed pension on his application executed
September 15, 1832, while a resident of Berkeley County, Virginia. In
the spring of 1833 he moved to Allegany County, Maryland.

In 1854, reference was made to William Clarke's children, whose
names were not designated, nor was the name of his wife given.
Page 12

In 1832, one Matthew J. Clarke was residing in Berkeley County,
Virginia, his age, or his relationship to William Clarke, the soldier
not shown.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name
and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of
William Clarke, you should write to the Comptroller General, General
Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following
data: William Clarke, certificate #25834, issued January 9, 1834,
rate $220 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832,
Maryland Agency.

No charge is made for search of the records and the report in
regard to William Clarke. Two dollars, the amount of your remittance,
will be refunded in due time.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 13

[Reverse of page, ink legible]

[Circular stamp] 
RECEIVED 
OCT 10 1938
ACCOUNTING DIV.
ADM. ACCOUNTS
SUBDIV.
Page 14

Standard Form No. 1048
Form approved by Controller General U.S.
September 20, 1927

MEMORANDUM
PUBLIC VOUCHER
FOR REFUNDS

Serial No. [blank line]
D. O. Voucher No. 98 3230

US (Department or Establishment, Bureau or Office) VETERANS ADMINISTRATION Symbol 891-804
Location: Washington, D.C.
Appropriation or Fund: Special Deposit Account 

PAID BY [faded stamp] G.S. [illegible] CHIEF DISBURSEMENT OFFICER DIVISION OF DISBURSEMENT TREASURE DEP'T SYMBOL 891-804 (FOR USE OF PAYING OFFICE)

To Address
Mrs. Carl Vandenbork,
422 S. 6th Street,
Clarksburg, West Virginia.

[Illegible handwriting underneath address]

Deposit received from the above-named depositor on September 10, 1938 for Copying Fee -- WILLIAM CLARK [crossed out]E, S. 8215, Rev. War has been applied as herein stated and the balance indicated is returned herewith:
Amount of deposit $2.00
Applied as explained in "Remarks" below
Balance[crossed out] Amount authorized to be refunded $2.00

[circule stamp]
RECEIVED
OCT 26, 1938
GENERAL RECORDS 
SUB DIV.
FILE UNIT 2

Remarks: 
The amount of this voucher is proper for refund to Mrs. Carl Vandenbork since no charge is made for the service rendered.
Official Receipt SD 2823

[Handwritten note in margin] 
[Illegible] 
10-25-38
[illegible]

[Crossed out] Return to Employment [illegible] File in Jacket 10-11-38 [illegible]

Date September 30, 1938 
[illegible]

(Memorandum--Do not sign) [blank line]
Title Supervisor, Miscellaneous Unit Accounting Division

Refund by 
{ Check No. 120521, dated Oct 7, 1938 for $2.00 { on Treasurer of the U.S. in favor of payee named above.
{Cash, $ [blank line] on [blank line] (Signature of payee)  [blank line] (Memorandum-- Do not sign)
{ Other method, $ [blank line]
Page 15

[Circular stamp]
RECEIVED
SEP 12 1938
ACCOUNTING DIV
ADM ACCTS. SUBDIV.

[Circle stamp]
RECEIVED SEP 10, 1938
[illegible] SUBDIV.
VETERANS
ADM

[Circle stamp]
RECEIVED
SEP 10, 1938
MAIL SUB-DIV. 
VETS. ADM. 36
READER /
Page 16

Rev & 1812
Sept 8th 1938
Clarksburg
West Va.

Veterans Bureau of Pensions
Revolutionary Dept. 11. D. A. R.
Washington D.C. 2823

Will you please send military record of [Pencil checkmark] William Clark[pencil underlined] of Kent Co. Maryland, where from, his residence during the Revolution, when & where he died. [illegible handwriting]
[Pencil checkmark] Also[pencil underlined] the record of William Clark of Queen Co. [short for Queen Anne's County] Maryland. 
Find check enclosed to the amount of (2.00)[underlined] two dollars.
Yours truly
Mrs Carl Vandenbork 
422 S. 6th St.
Clarksburg West Va.

[illegible handwriting] copying fee[handwritten]
Page 17

Left Side Page

1938 Sep 26 - Hist to Mrs. Carol Vandenbork & acctg Dev notified $2.00 to be refunded to remitter

Right Side Page

8213
INVALID
Rev War

File No 8213
William Clarke
Sgt Rev War

Act: June 7th 1832

Index Vol [illegible] Page 69
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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3

I William Kean of Berkely County State of Virginia do certify that I have been acquainted with William Clarke of Berkeley County state of Virginia who is now applying for a pension to the war department for his services in the revolution war. I have been acquainted with said Clarke at least ten years and I have been in conversation with him during that time and have often heard him speaking of his services in the revolutionary war and it is my opinion he done the services he stated as I believe him to be a man of honesty and integrity. Given from under my hand this 20 day of September 1832.

Wm Kean

Berkeley County
This day appeared before the subscribe a Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid the above-named William Kean and solemnly affirmed that the facts as above stated is correct. Given under my hand this 20th day of September 1832.

Wm Campbell

At a court continued and held for Berkeley County at the courthouse on Tuesday the 13th day of November 1832.

The declaration of William Clarke (with the testimony accompanying the same taken before Levi Henshaw, Silas Harlan and William Campbell magistrates of said county) for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the provisions of the act of congress passed 7th June 1832 in relation to the officers and soldiers of the revolution was produced in court sworn to by the applicant according to law and is ordered to be certified (together with said testimony) to the war department.

I Harrison Waite clerk of the county court of Berkeley County in the state of Virginia do certify that the above is a true abstract from the records of proceedings of the said court. In test-
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mony whereof I have subscribed my name and affixed my official seal at Martinsburg in the said county the 16th day of September 1833 and 58th year of the commonwealth.

Harrison Waite - CBC

Virginia, Berkeley County

I George Porterfield presiding Justice of the county court of Berkeley County do certify that Harrison Waite under whose signature & official seal the above certificate is made is the clerk of the said court and that his said certificate is in due form. Given under my hand this 16th day of September 1833.

George Porterfield

27132
William Clarke
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Berkeley County
State of Virginia

I Wm Campbell a Justice of the Peace of said county the same who qualified Jacob Anderson & Wm Kean as witnesses for William Clarke (an application for a pension) viz Jacob Anderson that on the 14th August 1832 and William Kean on the 20th of September 1832 certify that I believe the aforesaid affiant Wm Kean to be a man of credibility and that his statement on oath is entitled to full credit. Given under my hand this 30th day of November 1832.

Wm Campbell

Berkeley County to wit

I Silas Harlan a Justice of the Peace of said county the same who qualified Matthew J Clarke and Philip Padenbousch as witnesses for William Clarke an applicant for a pension viz the said Matthew J Clarke on the 18th of September 1832 and the said Philip Padenbousch on the 17th day of September 1832 do hereby certify that the said Mathew J Clarke and Philip Padenboush are persons of credibility and that their said statements on oath are entitled to full credit.

Given under my hand this 2nd of December 1832.

Silas Harlan
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State of Virginia
Berkeley County

We William Good & Richard McSherry of said county and state do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Clarke late of this county and said now to reside in Allegany County, Maryland, who is an applicant for a pension that we think him to be about 75 years old. We think him a conscious man and a man of credibility and we believe that his statement of his services as a soldier in the war of the revolution may be relied on as true.

Dec 2nd 1833

Wm Good
Rich'd McSherry

Berkeley Set

I Edward A Gibbs a Justice of the Peace of said county do certify that William Good & Richard McSherry residents of said county who have signed the above certificate were this day duly qualified to the truth of the same, that they reside in said county, that they are persons of credibility and that their statement is entitled to full credit. Given under my hand this 2nd day of December 1833.

Edward A Gibbs
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Virginia, Berkeley County Set

I Harrison Waite Clerk of the county court of said county do certify that William Campbell, Silas Harlan and Edward A Gibbs under whose signatures the foregoing affidavits are certified are severally acting justices of the peace in and for said county and that full faith and credit are due to all their official acts as such.

In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name and affixed my official seal at Martinsburg in the county aforesaid this 2nd day of December 1833 and 58th year of our consideration - Harrison Waite

Virginia Berkeley County Set

I George Porterfield presiding justice of the county court of said county do certify that Harrison Waite under whose signature and official seal the above certificate is made is the clerk of the said court and that his said certificate is in due form. Given under my hand this 2nd day of December 1833.

George Porterfield
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27135
William Clarke
Maryland

Adm 1 yr Serg $60.00
Adm 1 yr Lieut $160.00
$220.00

220
x2
440
110
550

220
x3
660

Henry A Byrne
Berkely Springs
Morgan Co
Va
Page 24

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,

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 show what is necefsary[typo of necessary] to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (this: } ). You will, when you return your papers tot his Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compiling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 

[table]
A Statement, showing the Service of

Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days. 
Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS, Commissionner of Pensions.
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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 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, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application 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.

DELCARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of County of } ss.
On this [space] day of [space] personally appeared (a) before [space] A. B. a resident (b) of [space] in the county of [space] and State, Territory, or District of [space] aged (c) [space] 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) [space], with [space] and served in the [space] (e) regiment of the [space] line, under the following named officers: [space]

[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. [Hand pointing right icon] 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 [space]
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 [space] of the Court of [space] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [space] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [space] day of [space] &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 [space] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [space], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [space] 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 [space] and that C. D. who has also signed the same is a resident in the [space] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [space] Clerk of the Court of [space] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this [space] day of [space] &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 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
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allied service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 if 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 the 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 to 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 his reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they can 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 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 printed 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 int he 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 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 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 tours, the names of the officers, and the other particulars respecting their service. This form of 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 serviced with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of 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 witness, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[Hand pointing right icon] 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 the 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 27

Virginia ret
16 Dec 1833

Berkeley Springs
December 7th

Revolutionary Claim

The Hon'ble Lewis Cass - Secretary of War
J L Edwards - Comm of Pensions
Washington D.C.

William Clarke 
Maryland
Mr Evans
Page 28

Berkeley Spring Morgan County Va
5th Dec. 1833
Sir, Enclosed you will receive returned the amended application of William Clarke for a pension.  Since he first applied he has removed to Allegheny County Maryland.  Such steps have been taken to put his papers in such shape as it is hoped will be sufficiently satisfactory, and as his situation enabled him to effects if from an examination of his papers as now presented, a pension can be allowed him.  He bid me say that his certificate may be enclosed to me, [illegible] as he now resides in Maryland he would be glad if the pension were made [illegible] Maryland.  It would be more convenient for him.  As his first application [illegible] and other great delays have occurred in his case, he would beg the early attention of the Department to his present application.  With great respect, your obedient servant, Henry A. Byrne