Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32148, John Buskirk, Va.
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(3-1776) 
SERVICE | NUMBER
Va. | Buskirk, John | S. 32148
_______________________________
CONTENTS
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Indiana 26,927
John Buskirk
of Green Co. in the State of Ind
who was a Pr. in the Company commanded by Captain Clark of the Regt. commanded by Col Netherton in the - Va line for Militia
7 Mo Pr $23.33
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana
at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of July and sent to
'34 T. A. Howard, Bloomington, Ind
Arrears to the 4th of Mch '34 70.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. " 11.00
$81.60
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J T Sprague Clerk
Book C Vol. 7, Page 114

let to J B Lowe Nov. 28 1834
letter to J. A. Auditor of Pen. Agent 10 Nov. 1838.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. April 1838 from 4. March 1837. to 4 Sept 1837.
Agt Notified 10 Novm 1838.
Letter to J. C. Lea & 3d Audr 4th Decr 1840
Paid as above from 4 Sep 1839 to 4 March 1840. Agt Notified 26. Decr 1840
Letter to Hon J. W. Davis. 12 [illegible] 1844
Paid as above from 4 Sep 1840 to 10 Decr 1840. Agt Notified 24th April 1845
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State of Indiana
Monroe County SS

On this 10th day of October AD. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the honorable Amory Kinny president judge , and Abram Buskirk and Stephen P. Seals, associate judges, of the Circuit Court of Monroe county, aforesaid, the same being a court of Record, now sitting, John Buskirk aged Seventy five years of age; 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 AD. 1832.-

That he entered the service of the United States under the following officers and served as herein stated.

His first service was against Dunmore [John Murray Lord Dunmore], in Virginia, as this applicant believes in 1775. at all events, it was when said Dunmore [John Murray, Lord Dunmore] robbed the magazine at Williams burge [Powder Magazine Incident, Williamsburg, Virginia April 21, 1775] he was out only about one week, under Captain Jonathan Clark, a brother of him who was afterwards Genl. [Jonathan] Clark- he was discharged after the said short service by his captain without any writing.

In 1777 he entered the service, as a substitute, in place of a man whose name he does not remember- he recollects that he was quite a youth, and his father prevailed on this applicant to take his place. He believes the name was Kopenhower; he was a german: It was in Shenandoah county county, formerly called Dunmore county as this declarant believes, but changed owing to the conduct of said Dunmore [John Murray, Lord Dunmore]. The tour was for three months.

His Colonel's name was [John] Netherton, but he does not remember the name of hi Captain with whom he set out owing to the fact that he is old and his memory frail, and also to the fact that when the regiment to which he belonged had marched to Monsckosy creek [Monocacy River, Maryland], 7 miles from Fredsrick's town , almost the whole regiment mutinied, and when Col. [John] Netherton found he could not restore order, he marched the whole body back to Frederickstown ;
and when it was found the great mass, both officers & soldiers would return home.

A certain brave fellow, by the name of Abram Byrd [Abraham Byrd], a lieutenant in the regiment "beat up" for volunteers to go on with him to join the army - He was joined by this applicant and seven others, to wit; Josiah Allen, an orderly sergeant, David Golliday [Gallaway], James Marny, - the names of the others not recollected.

Lieutenant [Abraham] Byrd was the bearer of a letter respecting his little corps to Genl. Washington [General George Washington] from a Col. Bettis -

They arrived at the main army near White
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[page 2 of original declaration]
Marsh ; and by an order, (as this applicant supposes from the commander in chief,) Byrd's corps of 8 men besides himself including the applicant, were placed on the right of the 8th regiment of the Virginia line, called, sometimes the German regiment, formerly commanded by Col. (afterwards General) Muhlenberg, then commanded by Col. Bomon 

The said Byrd and his eight men, continued to march on the right of the said regiment until they were discharged. The tour commenced the latter part of August, and closed in three months, the time  for which they were called out. This applicant received a discharge, signed by brigadier general Scotts, as did also his comrades. The discharge, he wore out carrying in his pocket, and he has not seen it for forty years. The discharge shewed that he had honorably performed his duty. He was engaged in some scouting parties when he was in the this service, but was in no general engagement. The army was lying at Whitemarsh  when he left it, to return home.

In July 1780 he was called out, and entered the service of the 
United States, under Col. George R. Clarke,  for about three months - He entered the service as an ensign, in that portion of the western county, now composing Kentucky, while he lived at the mouth of Floyds fork  - a branch of Salt river, a tributary of the Ohio, running in below Louis ville (say 20 miles)

He was soon elected a Lieutenant and held that command during the campaign, his captain was Parmenas Briscoe; his major was called Bulger, or Bulzer; he thinks the former - Sandford Edwards, his adjutant. they were marched to the falls of Ohio, and continued up the river; to the mouth of Licking and aided in constructing the first huts that were built at the place now called Cincinnati. 

They had one little skirmish with the Indians, near the mouth of Kentucky river, where they lost four men, killed: also another skirmish at Mad river, which it was thought proper to dignify by the name of a battle [Battle of Piqua, Ohio August 8, 1780] Here they lost 8 men, (amongst whom was a brother of the present senator in Congress, the Honorable Felix Grundy,) and 27 wounded. 

He does not know the number of 
Indians that fell. Here the main body of the troops halted- a little 
Scout went to Wills Town. The troops were dismissed at the mouth of Licking [Licking River, Kentucky], by Col. Clarke, [George Rogers Clark], without written discharges, with orders to march home in small detachments. 

this applicant does not know the precise time that he was out on this tour, but he thinks he was out, lacking a few days, of the time for which he was called out, but it was considered by one officers that our service was equivalent
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[page 3 of original declaration]

to  our tour of three months.-

In  1781 he served as much as three weeks in actual service, against the Indians, under Captain Virgin & Pigmon- He states that he was forted in the summer of 1780, but not under any general call, and he is advised that he cannot claim for this service. He states that he thinks he is safe to in saying that he was in actual service 6 months- under his last mentioned service.

He states that he was born in Frederick county in the state of Maryland in the year 1757.  He has no record of his age, except one made by himself. He was living in Dunmore County; Virginia - when he was first called into service, (now Shenandoah)

He has lived in Hampshire county Va. 
In Fayette County Pennsylvania,  in Kentucky and since the year 1822 in Indiana. 

How he was called into service will appear in the preceding declaration. He states that he lives in Green county [Indiana], and came to the court of that county last week to consult counsel about applying for his pension (there being no resident attorney in that county)  and his witness not being there, but living in the County of Monroe [Indiana] , which adjoins Green County, and the court held by the same president judge. 

He states that he has long been a resident of this state, and has been always acknowledged as one of the the revolutionary Soldiers. He hereby relinquishes all claims whatever, to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the roll of the agency of any state in the Union. 

Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
John Buskirk

We Jonathan Legg and George Johnston of Monroe county Indiana are well acquainted with John Buskirk  who has signed the foregoing declaration & sworn to the same; that we believe him to be 75 years of age; that it is reputed and believed in this county, where said [John]  Buskirk is well known, that he was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and we concur in that opinion. 
signed and sworn to the date aforesaid.
Jonathan Legg 
GH Johnston
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Also, comes before the court Isaac Van-Buskirk, and states that he is brother to John Buskirk - that the original name was Van-Buskirk but that his brothers have dropped the "Van" and write their names "Buskirk". He states that he knew of the performance of the first three months, true in the said declaration set forth, by by his brother - as therein stated - He says he did not live with his brother during the remainder of his services as he has set them forth, but he believes his brothers' statement in relation thereto. 
Isaac Van Buskirk

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 applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. and the said associate Abram Buskirk aged 49 years states that he is the son of John Buskirk the applicant, and that he has, from his youth up, heard his father give the same or a similar account of his revolutionary services. - And the court further certify that it appears to them that all the foregoing witnesses are resident in Monroe County; and that their statements are entitled to full faith & credit. A Kinney
Abram Buskirk
signed S. P. Sealls

I Jacob B. Lowe clerk of the said circuit court, of Monroe County do certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Buskirk for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the office of said Court this 11 October 1832.
J. B. Lowe Clerk

John Buskirk
17252
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Affidavit of John Buskirk amendatory of his Declaration to obtain a Pension under the Act of June 7th 1832.

State of Indiana
Monroe County On this seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County in said state John Buskirk a resident of Greene County in said State of Indiana (said County of Greene adjoining this) aged seventy seven years the 26th day of September next who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is the identical John Buskirk who made the foregoing Declaration and to which this is attached as Amendatory in the Monroe Circuit Court of said state. That the reason why he did not then and therewith procure the certificate of a Clergyman and as the War Department prescribed there was not at that time any clergyman convenient who was well acquainted with him. That by reason of Old age and the consequent loss of memory he can not swear positively to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection,
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he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades.  (to wit)
For One week I served as a Volunteer private Soldier in the Militia of the State of Virginia in the Company commanded by Captain Jonathan Clark in a Regiment the Colonel commanding which was Colonel Mulenburgh.  He was not perhaps at & during their march regularly comissioned, but by common consent had charge & command.  Subsequently he raised the German Regiment no. 8.  I can not from my old age and loss of memory state further as to the circumstances of this tour.
2d.  For three months I served as a private Soldier in the Militia of the State of Virginia  As before stated in my Declaration I entered the service as a substitute for (as my best recollection is) a man by the name of Kofenhour  But not long after the commencement of my tour a mutiny taking place, and the principal part of the men & officers about to return home, I volunteered with a few others and marched to and joined Genl. Washington & was placed in & upon the right of the 8th Va. Regiment then commanded by Colo. Boumas, having formerly been by Col. Mulenburgh, afterwards General.
3d. Tour  For two months and one week I served as a Volunteer in the Militia of the State of Virginia in that portion of the Western Country now Kentucky.
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I entered the service as an Ensign and shortly after was elected Lieutenant.  My Captains name was Parminas Briscoe; under Col George Rogers Clark.  Not being able to prove by a commission or otherwise without a great deal of trouble that I am such Officer, and probably none could be found alive who served with me, & being in good circumstances as to property.  I only claim for this tour pay as a private.  In my said Declaration I stated that I served "about three months, in this tour.  My officers agreed to discharge me and give me credit for a three months tour of duty, and my impression still is, that I lacked only a few days, but to be perfectly safe I have thrown off three weeks, making this tour two months and one week.  I no doubt served longer. 
4th Tour  For three weeks I served as a private and Volunteer Soldier in the Militia of the State of Virginia (the territory where I then lived disputed) part of the time under Captain Virgin and part under Captain Pigman; Being detached in a detachment of a Captains command only.  Which of said Captains took command first and how long each served I have forgotten.
5th Tour  For one week I served as a private and volunteer Soldier in the Militia of Pennsylvania the territory being then disputed where I lived under a Captain whose name he has forgotten.
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At the time of his entering the service of these two last named tours the place where he lived was claimed by Pensylvania [Pennsylvania] and Virginia both and disputed between them.  In this tour in the Militia of Pensylvania [Pennsylvania] I was in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Hays.  I mentioned this tour to the writer of my said foregoing Declaration, but he forgot I presume to insert it & I forgot to remind him of it, as being much hurried to get our business done at that time.
6th Tour  For two weeks I served as a volunteer in the Militia of Virginia as a private soldier in small detachments of orgetganized troops in short excursions under Officers whose names I forgotten which did not occur to my mind ^at the time of making and Declaration
For all which being altoher seven months for such service I claim a pension.
In all said tours and services I was in a regularly embodied corps, and actively serving.  I was drafted for twelve months at another time but my brother Isaac Buskirk took my place therefor I ask nothing for this time of his service he being now allowed a pension for this and other tours of service
The reason why he did not make his Declaration in Greene County where he lives is in part stated in said Declaration.  There is no resident
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Attorney in Greene County.  He could only see Attorneys or pen any capable of drawing his Declaration at term time ^none residing in his county.  That his witnesses reside in Pomal County where having a number of relatives and spending much of his time he is as well known as in Greene.  He has no family of his own.  His land lies in Greene and he spends his time principally with his son in that County though as before stated he is well known here, especially to those who have testified in his behalf.
The following interrogation being put to me the following ^are my answers faithfully made.
Intro 1st  When and in what year ware you born?  Answer.  I was born in Frederik County in the State of Maryland in the year 1757. 
2d  Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?  Answer.  I have it as I copied it from my fathers old Dutch Bible and have no doubt of its correctness now in my possession. 
3d  Where were you living when called into into [sic] service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where to you now live?  Answer.  I think the County where I lived when called into service in My first
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tour was Dunmore.  It afterwards became Shenandoah in the State of Virginia.  I lived in said County of Shenandoah at the time of entering the service in said second tour of 3 months.  At the time of entering for said 2 months & one week in Kentucky County Virginia.  At the time of entering the service in said tours numbered 4th & 5th, one being for 3 weeks & the other for one week I lived in Fayette County then claimed by both Pensylvania and Virginia.
The two weeks services last mentioned were rendered whilst I lived in Kentucky then organized into Jefferson County as I think.  Since the Revolutionary War he has lived in Virginia or Pensylvania or said territory claimed by both, then in Kentucky about thirty four years, & then in Indiana about 12 years, where he now lives.
Answer to 4th Interrogatory.  I was called into service in my first said tour against Dunmore as a volunteer, in my next tour under Colonel Netherton as a substitute and afterwards as before stated upon the meeting taking place became a volunteer, and was a volunteer in all said succeeding tours
Answer to 5th Interrogatory.  I can not re
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The foregoin was subscribed and sworn to by the said John Buskirk before me this the day and year aforesaid   I also certify that I know him to be the identical John Buskirk who made the foregoing Declaration as well by my own knowledge being well acquainte4d as by the Affidavits of Jacob B Lowe the Clerk and the Hon. Abram Buskirk one of the Judges of our said Court when the same was done.  I also declare my opinion long before entertained as well as after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the said John Buskirk was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.  I also certify that said John Buskirk is the identical person refered to in the foregoing certificate of the Reverend Eli P. Farmer.
Given under my hand and seal this day year aforesaid.
G.H. Johnston [handwritten seal]
Justice of the peace

State of Indiana
Monro County
I Jacob B Lowe Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County and state aforesaid certify that the foregoing contains the true proceedings in the matter of the affidavit of the Revd Eli P Farmer and the Amendatory affidavit of John Buskirk to his foregoing Declaration and application for a Pension before George H. Johnston Esquire  that he is a magistrate as above and foregoing and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this ninth day of June AD 1834.  
JB Lowe Clerk of the Court of Monroe County Indiana
[SEAL]
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collect the names of any other officers
6th Interrogatory  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given & what has become of it?
Answer  I received only one discharge that was from General Scott aforesaid which I have long ago worn out and lost.
Answer to 7th Interrogatory.  I am well known to David Dum & Henry Jackson Esqr. Thomas Harvey, John Johnston Esqr  Luke Vaughn & others in my own neighbourhood and who could testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.
I am also known to Johnathan Legg, George H Johnston Esqr. my brother Isaac V Buskirk & others in Momac County who can testify to the same.
One reason why there may have been omissions in my foregoing declaration.  I had then & have now partly lost my hearing, and did not perhaps communicate and hear as well as I might otherwise have done.  I recollect that it was with difficulty I understood him when he read my declaration.  I am a good reader & have carefully now read over the foregoing Declaration and this Affidavit.
John Buskirk
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17,252.
John Buskirk
Indiana.
for 1775 pr 
5 mar  $23.33/100
Tilghman A. Howard,
Agent:  Bloomington, Indiana
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BRIEF in the case of John Buskirk of Green County, in the state of Indiana.
(Act 7th June 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a court of a Judge? A Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 75 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Headings: Period. | Duration of Service. years, months, days. | Rank. | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. |
- Entered the Serv. In 1775. | blank, blank, 7. | Pr. [private] | Capt. Jonathan Clark
-Substitute in 1777 for one Hoferkorn | blank, 3, blank | " | Col. Netherton, Brig Gen Scott |
- Ent [entered] Serv [Service] 1780 | blank, 3, blank| Ensign. | Col. Boman, |
-" 1781. | As much as 3 weeks. 21/28 | Pv [private] | Col. Geo R. Clarke, Capt. Briscoe, Major Bulger. |
5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Dunmore Cy. [county] Va.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witness and traditionary.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
W.R. Turner, Examining Clerk.
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Rev. and 1812
War Section.
om [initials]

[July] 2[7], 1928

Mrs. Lloyd Thurston
[stricken], Osceola
Iowa.

My dear Mrs. Thurston:
You are herewith furnished the history of the Revolutionary War pensioner, John Buskirk, S. 32148, as requested by Miss Bertha F. Wolfe, of the Department of the Interior.

From the papers in the pension claim S. 32148, it appears that John Buskirk (originally Van Buskirk) was born September 26, 1757, in Frederick County, Maryland.

While residing in Dunmore County (which was later Shenandoah County), Virginia, he served one week in 1775 under Captain Jonathan Clark and Colonel Muhlenberg in the Virginia Militia, marched against Lord Dunmore, when he robbed the magazine at Williamsburg; and in 1777, three months under Lieutenant Abram Byrd and Colonel Netherton in the Virginia Militia.

After which he moved to Kentucky and in July 1780 volunteered and served three months as ensign and Lieutenant under Captain Parmenas Briscoe in Colonel George Rogers
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Clark's Expedition to the Falls of the Ohio, marched up the river to where Cincinnati now is, and had two skirmishes with the Indians.

He then moved to Fayette County, which was claimed by both Virginia and Pennsylvania, and served about six weeks under Captains Virgin and Pigmon and Colonel Hays.

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 10, 1832, at which time he was living in Greene County, Indiana.

A son, Abram, was forty-nine years old in 1832.  The name of soldier's wife is not shown, and there are no other names of children given.

The soldier died December 1, 1840.

Very truly yours,
Winfield Scott
Commissioner.
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32148
Revy  Invalid.

File No. 32,148
John Buskirk
Pri Rev War

Act:  June 7th 32
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 98

Arrangement of 1870

1907 July 13 Hist. to Miss Ida Ludlow  V.L.M.
1928-July 27-Hist to Mrs Lloyd Thurston-personal request from Miss Bertha Wolfe & given to her to mailing  AWY
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State of Indiana
Monro County
I Eli Farmer a Clergyman, hereby certify, that I have been personally and intimately acquainted with John Buskirk who is an applicant for a pension for thirty years, having resided in his neighbourhood a great portion of the time, and now residing in Monroe County an adjoining County and being and residing in the neighbourhood of the relatives of said Buskirk at Bloomington & vicinity where he spends a part of his time  & now is, and having previously resided in Green County where the said Buskirk resided permanently;  that I believe him to be about seventy seven years of age;  that the said John Buskirk is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides as well as this to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion
Eli P Farmer

State of Indiana
Monroe County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Eli P. Farmer, and was sworn to , and at the time subscribed the above Affidavit or certificate  And I certify that it appears to me that the said Eli P. Farmer who has so signed
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the said Affidavit or certificate is a Clergyman now well acquainted with the within named John Buskirk and that he has heretofore and untill recently resided in the same neighbourhood that he now resides here at Bloomington and that he is a credible person and his statement entitled to credit.
Said Certificate subscribed & Sworn to this 16th day of February (1834) eighteen hundred and thirty four.  Given under my hand and seal said date
GH Johnston [handwritten seal]
Justice of the Peace

State of Indiana
Monroe County
I Jacob B Lowe Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County aforesaid certify that George H. Johnston Esqr is a Magistrate as above, and that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 18th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four
JB Lowe  clerk of the Court of Monroe County Indiana.
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Bloomington Ind.
November

Secretary of War
Washington City

Pension business

Free

Nov 19
Aaron Buskirk
Inda. roll
get papers
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Bloomington Ind November 6th 1834

Sir,
Some time in May John Buskirk amended his Declaration.  I forwarded his papers to the War Office.  A Pension Certificate was received by the mail here dated in June last (forwarded by Col. Kinnard) in favour of Aron Buskirk for 80$ per annum.  From the date and other circumstances, it must have been intended for John Buskirk aforesaid, and "Aron inserted in the place of John through mistake.  which may have happened in consequence of the business having been done in part before the Hon Abram Buskirk whose name recurred frequently in the papers and may mistook for Aron.  The said Certificate was returned to the War Office, and a correct certificate has even since been expected by the applicant, but none has come.
This is for the purpose of reminding those in the War Office who are to attend to it, that they are driven to correct and forward the pension certificate due John Buskirk for whom the Certificate returned was intended.
Respectfully
JB Lowe

War Office.

NB.  Please send me the forms for power of attorney:  proof of Identity & called I think the "perfect Voucher" if any then be in the office.
J.B.L.
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Buskirk, which require further proof or explantion.
I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  No.
III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V.  *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout [amount] of pension he is entitled?  No.
VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII.  Has he made relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?
IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed?  And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
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2
XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  No.  Two citizens.
XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  No.
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be hand?
XIV.  †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI.  ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not so answered.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:  "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades;  For _____ year _____ months, and ____ days, I served as a _______________  For ____ months and __________ days, I served as a _________; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the offiicers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must in every case be clearly shewn 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 enbodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Should prove his service as an Engign
To the Comr of Pensions. 
This is the only paper which has come to my hands calculated to facilitate the further examination of the case of John Buskirk.
Respectfully.
J B Lowe.
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
February 20TH, 1845.

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The Adm or of John Buskirk, died, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Indiana Agency, at the rate of Twenty three Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the [] June 1832, has been paid at tis Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1840, to the 1st Dec, 1840.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the COMMISSIONER OF PRENSION,
Present.
Page 28

House of Reps
Decr. 11th 1844

Sir
I enclose herewith an application for a ballance of a pension due to John Buskirk Decead.  If the papers are insufficient to attain the object of the Applicant, you will have the goodness to return the papers to me
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Jno. W. Davis

JL Edwards Sr
Comr. of Pensions
Page 29

Treasury Department, 
Second Comptroller's Office,
Nov. 7. 1838.

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States."
John Buskirk a Pensioner on the Roll of the Indiana Agency, at the rate of Twenty-three Dolars and thirty three Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1827 to the 4th Sept 1837

Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 30

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Controllers Office,
December 15th, 1840

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled " an act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners and authorizing the payment of the same of the United States," John Buskirk, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Madison, Ind. Agency, at the rate of Twenty three Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1839 to the 4th March 1840

Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 31

a copy of John Buskirks pension papers   S-32148
for
Mrs. Lloyd Thurston
Osceola, Iowa
I will call for them & mail to her
Bertha Frances Wolfe

Personal request
July 24-1928
Page 32

[STAMP]
O.W.&N. Div
Files
Jul 6 1907

26927

The University of Chicago

Muncie Ind. July 1st 1907

Pension Bureau:
Will you kindly sent me copy of the record of John Buskirk soldier of the Revolution his name appears in a list of pensioners living in Indiana in 1840.  Greene Co.
A descendant wishes to become a member of the D.A.R.
Address
Miss Ida Ludlow
501 S. Jff. St
Muncie.
Ind.

[STAMP]
U.S. Pension Office
O
July 5 1905