Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9501, John Van Alstine, New York
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(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE
New York   
Van Alstine, John   

NUMBER
S9501

Carded

CONTENTS
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24.223
New York
John Van Alstine
of Montgomery in the State of New York
who was a Private in the Comp'y commanded
by Captain Every of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Cox. in the New York
line for 1 year

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Nov.
1833 --------- and sent to J. Cumming. Canajoharie
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33              $100
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 M. '34      20
====
$120                                                           
====

{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by: [signed] Go. C. Stiles Clerk 
Book E Vol. 4 Page 85.
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State of New York Montgomery County ss }
John Van Alstine the applicant for a pension in the annexed declaration mentioned being duly sworn before John Cumming Esquire one of the Justices of the peace of said County maketh oath & saith (in addition to what he has already stated in said declaration,) that in performing the services mentioned in said declaration he acted under the immediate call of his Captain Rianea Van Every and has always understood that Said Captain received his orders from a Committee which generally was in the neighborhood of this deponent called the Committee of Safety. Deponent further States that the things aluded to in said declaration as being a part in the service by Deponent at fort Plain could not be less than in the aggregate than one month and that he now recollects -- that at the time he was dispatched to Johnstown as mention in said declaration he was also marched to Ballstown in Saratoga County & could not have taken less than a fortnight -- Deponent further states that whilst performing all the services mentioned in said declaration except guarding Fort Ehle he was not engaged in any civil employment and that altho he was during his service at Fort Ehle assisting in the management of a farm lying at a distance his agricultural pursuits were frequently interrupted by his detention at the fort  for one & sometimes several whole days at a time and that his nights were still more disturbed by his duties in guarding said fort -- These services were performed under the direction of the aforesaid Captain Van Every and must have occupied the time of this deponent exclusively of any civil employment in the opinion of this deponent at least one year or the length of time mentioned in said declaration - This deponent further states that he is not aware that any record has been kept of his age. Deponent further states that he does not recollect of ever receiving any written discharge and is altogether sure that if any has at any time been given him the same have been long since lost & forgotten - Deponent further states that he is well known to [illegible] Nathan Soule Late Member of Congress to Colonel John Roof, David F. Saria, Nicholas N. Van Alstine, Charles McVian, member of Congress,  Clerk Henry Leiber, & Herman J. Ehle all except the said Nathan Soule residing in the neighborhood of this deponent. And all of whom will as deponent believes willingly testify favorably of deponents veracity & their belief of services as a soldier of the revolution - Deponent
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further saith that his recollection does not enable him to be more precise in the statement of his services & further saith not
[right] his
[right] [signed] John Van   X   Alstine
[right] mark [X being his mark in lieu of signature]

I certify that John Van Alstine mention in the above affidavit appeared before me the above mentioned [?] & not being able to write made his mark & swore to the truth of the said affidavit this 22nd day of August 1833. And I further certify that William Ets who signed & swore to one of the affidavits hereunto annexed -- before me is entitled to full credit
[signed] M Cumming J Peace

State of New York Montgomery County Clerks office. ss:
I George D. Ferguson, Clerk of Montgomery County do hereby certify that John Cumming, Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit of John Van Alstine purports to have been sworn, was on the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in & for said County. And I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice & verily believe that the name of the said Justice subscribed to the said affidavit & the above Certificate is his proper hand writing. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this 29th August, 1833
[signed] Geo: D. Ferguson
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State of New York Montgomery County ss: 
Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the peace of the County of Montgomery. [?] John Van Alstine, the signer & maker of the annexed declaration who being duly sworn deposeth & 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 grade: For two years I served as a private soldier in the militia of the State of Newyork & for such service I claim a pension
[right] his
[right] [signed] John    X   Van Alstine 
[right] mark [X being his mark in lieu of signature]

Subscribed & sworn to this 10th day of April 1833 before me
[signed] Jno Cumming
one of the Justices of the Peace in & for the County of Montgomery
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State of New York Montgomery County Clerk’s office. ss:  
I, George D. Ferguson, clerk of rhe Court of Common pleas of County of Montgomery, do hereby certify that John Cumming, before whom the within supplemental declaration purports to have been sworn, was on the date thereof a Justice of the peace of the said County; and I further Certify that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Justice of the peace & verily believe that the name of said Justice subscribed to the within Supplemental declaration is Genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this 4th May 1833 
[signed] Geo. D. Ferguson
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State of New York  Montgomery County ss:  
On this nineteenth day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Montgomery aforesaid John Van Alstine a resident of the County of Montgomery aforesaid aged seventy three 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 7th 1832 to wit: 
that he was seventy three years old some time this summer and was born in the town of Canajoharie in the County of Montgomery aforesaid and has resided in the same place ever since. -- That at the Commencement of the Revolutionary war he was a private in the company of Malitia in said town Commanded by Captain Reanea Van Every & his two brothers & Continued a member of said Company during the whole of said war -- That early in said war applicant was detached with half dozen more of his Company to accompany General Herkimer & Colonel Cox on to the Unadilla for the purpose of effecting a treaty with Colonel Brant & his Indians. In this expedition he thinks he was out about two weeks -- that he was twise [twice] detached to Guard Fort Eaton at the German Flats about 30 miles & was there the Last time two days does not recollect how Long he was then the first time but thinks it was much Longer -- Applicant was sent at Least a dozen times to guard fort Plank & thinks the term of said service at such time averaged at Least six or eight days either Colonel Campbell or Colonel Clyde usually commanded this Fort Applicant was two days on a scouting party though Springfield & cherry valey -- Applicant was employed for the most of three

[left margin]
days 14 [?]
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successive seasons in guarding a Picket fort at Canajoharie called fort Ehle and thinks he spent at least a year in that service - This Fort was a part of the time occupied continually by militia and some part of the time was partially guarded by regular troops -- Applicant was a number of times stationed for several days at Fort plain and was forced to go with a team once to Lake Champlain & once to Fort Stanwix These two Last expeditions must have taken at Least ten or twelve days -- Applicant was harnessed with numerous services of the above description during the war which it is now impossible distinctly to recollect and verily believes that more than two years were there faithfully spent by him in the service of his Country -- Applicant was engaged in the Battle at Johnstown in which Colonel Willett commanded the American & Colonel Ross the Brittish forces -- Applicant was sent to Saratoga for the purpose of assisting in the construction of boats for the service where he was employed three months; does not know whether it was upon contract or not but is confident he never received any pay for his services -- said applicant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any state –
[right] his
[right] [signed] John   X    Van Alstine 
[right] mark [X being his mark in lieu of signature]
Sworn to subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open Court.
[signed] Geo: D. Ferguson, Clerk.

[left margin has a series of number tallying the number of days of service]
365, 30, 12, 14, 90, 601
601 divided by 30 gives 20 months
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State of New York Montgomery County ss:
John Roof Anthony Ehle Adam Brown & Hermanus Ehle of the town of Canajoharie in said County being duly sworn before John Cumming Esquire one of the Justices of the peace of said County being duly sworn depose and say that they were during the revolutionary war well acquainted with John Van Alstine who made & signed the aforegoing declaration of his services and have been well acquainted with him ever since - That they know personally of his performing many of the services set forth in his said declaration & verily believe from their knowledge of his character & of the numerous calls that were made for the services of able bodied men in & near the place of his residence at that time that the whole of said statement and estimate of whole amount of services set forth & contained in said declaration is substantially Correct - That their opinion of the age of said Van Alstine corresponds with that stated in said declaration & further they say not –

[signed] Anthony Ehle 
[signed] John Roof  
[signed] Hermanus Ehle  
his
Adam   X   Brown [X being his mark in lieu of signature]
mark 

Subscribed & sworn to in open Court. the day & year aforesaid 
[signed] Geo: D. Ferguson Clerk.

State of New York  Montgomery County ss. 
We Abraham Van horne a clergyman residing in the town of Johnstown in the County of Montgomery and John Roof residing in the town of Canajoharie in said County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Van Alstine who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 73 years old, 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. 
[signed] Abrm Van Horne [illegible]  
[signed] John Roof
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
[signed] Geo. D. Ferguson, Clerk.
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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 was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Abraham Van Horne who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Johnstown in said County of Montgomery and that, John Roof, a resident of Canajoharie the signer of the aforegoing affidavit and who also signed the aforegoing certificate are residents as therein stated and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit 

I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of Montgomery County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Van Alstine for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 19th day of September 1832. 
[signed] Geo: D. Ferguson.
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State of New York Montgomery County ss:  
William Etz of the town of Tully in the County of Onondaga in the state of New York being duly sworn before John Cumming one of the Justices of the peace of the County of Montgomery deposeth & saith that he the said deponent was sixty nine years old last March. That he was born & lived from his infancy until he was about thirty years of age within the distance of one mile of the residence of John Van Alstine in the said town of Canajoharie in said County of Montgomery in the state of New York. That up to that time and since said deponent has been intimately acquainted with the said John Van Alstine, that said deponent has understood & believes that said John is about six or seven years older than said deponent and this deponent further saith that from the from the [illegible] of seventeen hundred and Seventy nine until the close of the revolutionary war this deponent & said John belonged to Company of Malitia commanded by Captain Rianea Van Every Lieutenant John Van Every & Ensign Cornelius Van Every in said town of Canajoharie. That this deponent was knowing to said John having belonged to said company from the commencement of said war. Said deponent has repeatedly both before & after he joined said company known said John Van Alstine to be called into actual service in guarding the forts in guarding the transportation of provisions & munitions of war & forming scouting parties against the Indians in & near the vally of the Mohawk and does verily believe that said Van Alstine must have been in actual service as aforesaid in the aggregate for the time of more than two years during said war of the Revolution as a private
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soldier. And further this deponent saith not 
[signed] William Etz
Sworn this 13th day of August 1832 before me 
[signed] Jno. Cumming Justice of the peace of the County of Montgomery

Montgomery County ss: State of Newyork .
Anthony Ehle of the town of Canajoharie in said County being duly sworn before John Cumming Esquire one of the Justices of the peace of said County maketh oath & saith that he was sixty nine years of age Last November that he was born & has ever since lived in the neighborhood of the birth place of William Etz. The signer of the aforegoing affidavit & of John Van Alstine therein mentioned that said deponent joined the company of Rianear Van Every in said affidavit mentioned in the year 1779 and continued therein during the remainder of said War and knows said John Van Alstine to have belonged to said company from the commencement of said war and knows that said Van Alstine was often called into actual service during said war and agreeing with said William Etz in opinion in relation to the amount of such services and in relation to his age & further deponent saith not 
[signed] Anthony Ehle
Sworn this 13th day of August 1832 before me 
[signed] Jno Cumming Justice of the Peace of the County of Montgomery
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John Van Alstine

[upside down at the bottom]
Sworn
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State of Newyork Montgomery County ss: 
Cornelius Van Kamp & Peter Young of the town of Minden in the County of Montgomery aforesaid being duly sworn before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Montgomery in open Court held at the Court house in the town of Johnstown in said County of the nineteenth day of September in the year 1832 Say that they were well acquainted with John Van Alstine, who signed the annexed Declaration of services, during the Revolutionary war that they have severally seen the said John during said war engaged in the service as a soldier to wit: the said Peter at Fort Plank fort Plain & other places and the said Cornelius at Cherry Vally & Bowmans Creek and further they say not 
[signed] Peter Young  
[signed] Conl. Van Camp 
Subscribed & Sworn in open Court this 19th September 1832 
[signed] Geo: D. Ferguson, Clerk, 

State of New York Montgomery County, ss: 
I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of the County of Montgomery, do hereby certify, that John Cumming, before whom the annexed affidavits of William Etz, & Anthony Ehle purport to have been sworn, was on the day of the date of the said affidavits a Justice of the peace of the said County and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe that the signature of the said Justice subscribed to the said affidavit is Genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this 25th September 1832. [signed] Geo D. Ferguson.
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Hon L. Cass
Secretary at War
Washington Co. District

Sept 9th
N.Y. retd

[date stamp mostly illegible]
[?]
AUG 31
N. Y.
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Dr Sir
That the applicant whose papers are enclosed has done service as stated in his declaration I have no doubt whether he is so fortunate as to retain a sufficiently distinct recollection of there is now left to the decision of the proper department 
Yours respectfully 
[signed] Jno Cumming 

To the Hon L. Cass Secretary at War 

Canajoharie August 30th 1833
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No.
John Van Alstine Montgomery County New York 
Adm 1. year $40- 

John Cumming Canajoharie N York
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
July 30 1833

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 tabular form.  On comparing these papers with the following rules, and subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. 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 compling [complying] with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
[original has a six column form which would be difficult to read if replicated here]
Statement, showing the Service of John Van Alstine Montgomery County New York

Period when the service was rendered. Service
Duration of the claimant's service. 14 Days.
Rank of the claimant. Prvt.
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Genl. Herkimer, Cap VanEvery, Col Cox, Col Campbell
Age at present, and place of abode when he enered the service. 73 years County of Montgomery New York
Proof by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary evidence and four writings, certified credible papers correctly attached

Period when the service was rendered. Service
Duration of the laimant's service. 2 years
Rank of Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Genl. Herkimer, Col Clyde, Col Willett
Age at present, and place of abode when he enered the service. 73 years County of Montgomery New York
Proof by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary evidence and four writings, certified credible papers correctly attached

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, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of  County of _______________ } ss.
On this _______ day of ________ personally appeared (a) before ___________
________ A B. a resident (b) of _______ in the county of ______________ and State, Territory or District
of ______ aged (c) ____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the 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. 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. [square bracket on each end]
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
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3
alleged 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 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?
6. To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
one 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 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.
[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 her 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 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 fix 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 pubseal 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 containsthe 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.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
👉The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule innote [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 21

[right] AWF.

Rev. and 1812 War Section. 
September 30, 1924.
Mrs. Philip H. Stowitts, 
Canajoharie, N. Y. 
Madam; 
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 9501, it appears that John Van Alstine was born in the summer of 1759 in Canajoharie, Montgomery County, New York. 
While residing in said Canajoharie, he served from the beginning of the War until its close, as a private at various times, amounting in all to two years, under Captain Ryner Van Everen, Colonels Cox and Clyde, in the New York Troops, and was in the battle of Johnstown. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 19, 1832, while a resident of Canajoharie, New York. 
There is no data on file as to his family. 
The above noted soldier, is the only John Van Alstine, found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau, and there is no John G. Van Alstine found on said records. 
Respectfully, 
Acting Commissioner.
Page 22

Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington, D.C. 
Are there any records in your Department of John G. Vanalsten (Van Alstine) Canajoharie, Tryon Co., New York. He served in the Revolutionary War, in Capt. Revir V. Every’s Company, Lieut. Col. Samuel Clyde’s Regiment, New York Malitia.
Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Mrs Philip H. Stowitts
Canajoharie 
Montgomery Co. New York

Sept 8. 1924.

[postmarked U.S. Pension Office H Sep 10 1924]
Page 23

Rev War
9501 
✔ INVALID. 
---
File No. 9501 
John Van Alstine 
Priv Rev. War 
Act: June 7th /32 
Index: -- Vol. 1, Page 388 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 

[right page]
1924. Sept. 30. Mrs. Philip H. Stowitts. [initials] AWF.