Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 43132, for William Shearer, New York
Page 1

8-1776

Service Number

[handwritten]
New York
Shearer, William
S. 43/32

[Typed]
Contents
Page 2

[handwritten]
17.995
New York
William Shearer


of Greenfield in the State of New York
who was a private in the Regiment commanded by
Colonel Clinton of the New York line, for the term of 1 year.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 27 of April, 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29 of Dec 1820 and sent to Hon J.W. Taylor
Speaker Ho of Reps
 
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1820 28 8/30 mo. $226.13
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 11 Mar 1821 $48.
$274.13

{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.
1 May 1820}
Page 3

[left side]
(N. P) 17,396
William Shearer 
Private
Col Clintons Regiment 
New York Line 
1776 - 1 year  
Copy affidavits &c 
Rejected Not the continental [illegible]
H.W. Palmer  agt.
Ballston Spa, N Yk.
recd 15 Sep. 1820. 

[right side]
17,396.
 William Shearer, Saratoga County. N.Y. 
22d August, 1820. 
Col. James Clinton's regiment, N.Y. line 
1776 - one year. 
Original declaration, 27. April, 1818. 
Hon J. W. Taylor, H.R. 
[this part is crossed out]
His claim for pension had been examined and returned as inadmissible, on acct. of the applicant not having served on Continental Estabt There is no additional evidence adduced, to change the decision 

H.W. Palmer, agent Ballston Spa N.Y.
15 Sept 1820.
Page 4

State of New York, 
County of SARATOGA, } ss. 
On this 22nd day of August 1820 personally appeared in open Court, in the Court of Common Pleas of the said County, the same being a Court of Record for the said County, proceeding according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings and having the power of fine and imprisonment, William Shearer of the Town of Greenfield aged Sixty eight years, resident in the said County, in the State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows: 
In the regiment commanded by Colonel James Clinton  Captain James Rosegrantz’ Company 1776 :
That his original declaration was made on or about the twenty second day of April 1818 
AND I solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war,” passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. 
Schedule
Pots and Kettles $2.50. Loom and tackle $8.  Cow 12.  $22.50  Table 75 cts  Kitchen Furnature $10 10.75 [totals] $33.25 
has a wife aged sixty two years by trade a weaver but health not sufficient to follow the business his wife good health for a person of her age 
[signed] William Sharer 
Sworn to and declared on the twenty second day of August before me in open Court 
[signed] Thomas Palmer Clerk

I, Thomas Palmer Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly coped from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is thirty three dollars and twenty five cents. 
IN testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this Twenty second day of August 1920 
[signed] Thomas Palmer 
Clerk of the Court of Common Place of the County of Saratoga.
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William Shearer
Copy
Page 6

State of New York 
Saratoga County } ss
On this 22 day of August 1820 personally appeared in open Court in the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid Henry Straight who being first duly Sworn according to law, deposeth and saith that he inlisted in Captain James Rosegrantz’ Company in Colonel James Clintons Regiment of the New York line, about the 12th of March 1776, and served in said Company and Regiment untill the first of January 1777 when he inlisted into Colonel Dubois’ Regiment wherein he served three years, for which service he has received a certificate of being placed on the pension roll of the United States   And further this deponent saith, that he is well acquainted with William Shearer named in the subjoined Declaration and perfectly well recollects that the said William Shearer joined Capt. Rosegrantz’ Company about the last of March or first of April 1776 (and this deponent understood and believed at that time that the said William Shearer had inlisted sometime in the winter previous to his joining the Company) and continued to serve in Capt. James Rosegrantz’ Company (part of the time as a Sergeant) from the time that he joined untill the first of January 1777. when he was discharged at fort Montgomery. 
[signed] Henry Straight
Sworn to & subscribed to in open Court before me 
[signed] Thomas Palmer Clerk
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STATE OF NEW YORK, 
SARATOGA COUNTY. } ss.
On this twenty seventh day of April 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Saratoga and State of New York, personally appears William Shearer aged sixty seven years, resident in the town of Stillwater in the County of Saratoga in the said state, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war:" That the said William Shearer in the January 1776 enlisted in the County of Duchess in the State of New York in the company commanded by Captain James Rosekrans in Colonel James Clintons Regiment of the New York line that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States until the 4 of January 1777 when he was discharged from service in Fort Montgomery in the State of New York and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services That for during the Revolutionary war he was at different times in the Service for about two years
[signed] William Shearer 
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid 
[signed] Elisha Powell one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in & for the County of Saratoga 
I Elisha Powell Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said William Shearer did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the War Department, pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid act of Congress April 27 1818 
[signed] Elisha Elwell one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in & for the County of Saratoga 

STATE OF NEW-YORK. 
SARATOGA COUNTY, } ss: In testimony that the above named Elisha Powell is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Saratoga and state of New-York, and that the above is his signature, I subscribe my name and affix the county seal, this twenty seventh day of April in the year 1818 
[signed] W M Stilwell Clerk of the County of Saratoga.
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 
3-525 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
Washington, D. C., ---, 19---
In reply to your request of ---, received --- for a statement of the military history of William Shearer, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [(or his widow's), crossed out] application for pension on file in this Bureau  S.F. 43132.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. Jan 1776 
LENGTH OF SERVICE. Jan 1777 
RANK. Pvt. 
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. 
CAPTAIN.  James Rosekranz.
COLONEL. James Clinton
STATE. NY 
Battles engaged in, None stated.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enl. Dutchess Co. N.Y.
Date of application for pension, Apr. 27 1818. His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Stillwater, Saratoga Co. N.Y.; Greenfield said Co. m 1820
Age at date of application, 67 yrs.
Remarks: in 1820 soldier referred to his wife ae 62 yrs, name not stated  There is no further family data on file 
The Rev War records of this Burean fail to afford information in regard to any other William Shearer N Y Troops under any spelling of the name 
Respectfully, 
Commissioner.
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[initials] M.B.H. 

[middle page]
43 132 Revy INVALID. 
File No. 43,132 
William Shearer 
Pri Rev War
Act: 18 March 18 
Index: -- Vol. 3  Page 408 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 

]right page]
1905. Oct. 3, military history to Geo. H. Shearer 
1906. Feb. 14, data to Geo. H. Shearer and 
1916 Apr 8: history to Mrs Lilian Skillman 
[initials] MBR
1920 Aug. 13. Mrs L. Skillman, advised, record only furnished one to each person, no bounty land on file, & how by apply to Auditor [initials] AW
1921 Oct. 22 Hist to E. L. Moffett data to apply to Gen’l accounting office.
1928- Geo. H. Shearer advised as to registrar of ctf. etc. [initials illegible]
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76 
Hon. J. W. Taylor 
Recd 25 Novr 1820 
admitted under law May 1. 1820
decide under [illegible] March 1818
Admd & contd

Hon J. W. Taylor, Speaker H. of R.
Page 11

34 Gardner St 
Allston, Mass 
Oct. 17, 1921 
Pension Office 
Rev. Recds
Washington, D.C.   [stamped Oct 19 1921]

May I ask you to send me as promptly as possible, the date of the last payment of pension for revolutionary services, paid to
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William Shearer of New York State, whose pension paper is S43132, also his place of residence at that last date of payment, and wife's name, if given, & other family data.
Yours truly 
[signed] (Miss) Eva L. Moffatt

[stamped Record Division Oct 21 1921]

[stamped U.S. Pension Office Oct 19 1921]
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[stamped U.S. Pension Office Jul 26 1920]
INVINCIBLE 
418 North Ave 
Grand Rapids, Mich. 
July 24 1920 
Commissioner of pensions 
Washington D.C. 
Dear Sir: We have the family our Shearer family lived in Greenwich, N?Y but that your office gave the place the William Shearer resided when he applied for pension at Saratoga Co. Greenfield, and I fear the mad a mistake as that is in Kings Co will you be so kind as to give me all the date you have on your records concerning the pension records of 
William Shearer of N.Y. State who served in the Revolutionary war under Capt James Rosekrans and Col. James Clinton 
Where should I send to find the date of death of last Pension payment as it was not stated in the record sent?
Where do I find the records of Grants of land given to Rev. Soldiers for services? 
Please reply as soon as possible 
Lilliand Skillman
Page 14

25 Tremont St. 
Concord N.H. 
Dec 30, 1927 
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions 
Washington, D. C. 
Gentlemen:
I enclose herein a copy of the pension paper of my great-great-grandfather, William Shearer, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, he having served under Capt. James Rosecrans and Col. James Clinton, for the year 1776, State of N.Y. 
The pension paper is signed by J.C. Calhoun, Secy of War. You will note, however, on the other side, that I have put on interrogation after the name of the party by whom the document was registered. [note in another hand: This copy of ctf returned] 
Will you kindly advise
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me the correct name the party by whom the pension paper was registered and very greatly oblige? I guessed the name to be “Geo Wood” but could not be sure.
Yours respectfully 
[signed] Geo. H. Shearer
Page 16

196 Court St.
Brooklyn, New York,
February 6, 1906
Mr. J. L. Davenport, Acting Commissioner,
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Referring to your report to me, under date of October 3, 1905,
of the military record of William Shearer, a soldier of the Revolution,
as per copy herewith: I note that your records say that this William
Shearer (who, beyond question, is the one from whom I show descent,)
served under Captain James Rosecrans and Colonel James Clinton, whereas
General Ainsworth, Military Secretary, in his reply, mentions that his
records show that William Shearer served as a member of Yates' Regiment,
New York Militia," his (William Shearer's name appearing on the receipt
roll showing payment in full for services in Captain Cornelius Wellse's
Companies in the last war."
Could you assist me, by furnishing other data or making suggestions
as to research in straightening out this apparent discrepancy?
I should like to know if it would have been possible for William Shearer
to have served, at different periods, under both Col. Yates and Col.
Clinton, and under both Capt. Wells, and Capt. Rosecrans? If you cannot
enlighten me on this point, I would respectfully ask if there are any
Revolutionary War records that would be open to my inspection were I to
come to Washington, or, if not, can you furnish me the name of a history
that goes sufficiently into the details of the Revolutionary War as to
name these captains and colonels and explain their commands?
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J. L. Davenport,  -2-
February 6, 1906.

Was the "New York Militia a different organization from the regular revolutionary army, and would it have been possible for William Shearer to have joined the "New York Militia and served in it, and then
to have joined the regular army and served under Rosecrans and Clinton?
Also, can you inform me if the names of other shearers appear in your records of the Revolutionary War? William Shearer had brothers
whom we are unable to trace definitely since that period, and we would very much like to trace their descendants, in order to complete the
genealogy.
Thanking you in advance for the courtesy and trouble, and
apologizing for trespassing so much upon your time, I beg to remain,
Respectfully yours,
George Harrison Shearer.

[Offical date stamp]
Page 18

Rev Sec
418 North Ave., Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Mar. 29, 1916 
Commissioner of Pensions 
War dept. Wash D.C. 
Dear Sir 
I am trying to find the parents of a Lewis Shearer whose family say they came from a place they call Pompey Hills N.Y. but I can find no such post office and the letters I have sent there are not returned or answered. I do find a pompey N.Y in your county and I hope you can help me to trace this line starting with 
I Lewis Shearer (spelled Srerer and Scherer, Sheir? Shears) Lived at Pompey Hill N.Y. 
B. April 15, 1805 
d. April 21, 1853 - 3 
M. Miss Bates, at Pompey, N. Y. 
lived in [illegible] Canada whose people were from England 
II. Margaret A. Shearer B. July 27, 1841 
D Dec. 16, 1897 Denver Col. 
M. Jul 5, 1866 Pittsford N.Y. 
III Mrs Jennie Shearer B. Oct “% 1867 lives at Grand Rapids, Mich 
All I can see to do is to try to locate a will or deed of land that may have been given by the Father of this Lewis sherer that would tell the name of his father his brithers and sisters were 
Azoe Shearer B. Nov 2, 1805 
Hiram Shearer B. June 8, 1806 
Lewis Shearer B. April 16 1807 
William Shearer b. Jan 18 1808 
Peris Shearer B. June 5, 1810 
Alonzo Shearer
Louis 
They have the family story that the father of this Lewos Shearer was with Washington in the Revolution and ate frozen potatoes and went with his feet done up in rags for want of shoes 
I have found a Fred V. Shearer in Courtland N. Y and he tells me he knows there is the name of William Shearer on the Monument in their town erected by the D.A.R. but he does not know as it connects up to this line I hoped you could give me some data about that man and it might bring up, to Lewis 
I saw in the Smithsonian reports that a clerk at Pompey Had found a trink full of old records and had preserved them but I cannot get any answer to my letters and have tried several times 
If you could give me the Pension record of the Willliam Shearer Albany Co. Militia 14 regt and Joseph Shearer a British prisoner it might help, Also P &3 N.Y on Rev gives Robert Shearer Col Wissemfels Co Maj. Thomas De Witt might give some information 
any thing you could do would be greatly appreciated But I know you do not give reports unless we can give the officers under which they serve but will you not try to see if you cannot help me to trace this man by the Pensioners you may have as you can tell where they were from by the application
Yours sincerely 
Mrs William Skillman
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Copy.. 3 – 525 O. W. and N. Division.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C., October 3, 1905.
M. R. H. 
Inv. F. 43, 132. 
William Shearer, Rev. War. 
[stamped O.W. & N. Div. Files Feb 8 1906]
Sir: 
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of WILLIAM SHEARER, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
Dates of enlistment or appointment. Jan. 1776.
Length of service 1 year. 
Rank
Officers under whom service was rendered 
Captain. James Rosecrans. 
Colonel. James Clinton. 
State N. Y. 
Battles engaged in, 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, 
Date of application for pension, April 27, 1818. 
Residence at date of application, Stillwater, Saratoga Co., N. Y. 
Age at date of application, 67 years. 
Remarks: His claim was allowed. The records of this bureau fail to show that any other William Shearer ever applied for pension for Revolutionary War service.  [Note: these remarks are crossed out with “wrong” hand-written underneath]
Very respectfully, 
(Signed,) J. L. Davenport, 
Acting Commissioner.

Mr. George Harrison Shearer,
196 Court St., 
Brooklyn, N. Y.
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[Official Stamp SEP 12 1805]
196 Court St., Brooklyn, New York,
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
September 8, 1905.
Dear Sir:
In seeking a Military Record of my ancestor, William Shearer, a soldier of the American Revolution, I was referred by Col. Asa Bird Gardiner, of the Society of the Cincinnati, to Major General
Fred Ainsworth, Military Secretary, who has kindly given me
such information as his department can furnish. This, however, is
every meager, and inasmuch as General Ainsworth states that in cases
of such soldiers who themselves or their representatives, were
pensioners, it is possible that information relative to their
personal and family history can be obtained from the Commissioner
of Pensions, I take the liberty to address you, in the hope that
you may be able to add something to the data now compiled. For your
information, I beg to give below my descent from this William
Shearer above mentioned, namely:
( 1 ) William Shearer, born March 1, 1752:
9
Died March 5, 1847, at Crown Point, N. Y.
( 2 ) Thomas Shearer, son of William Shearer (1),
born September 17, 1786, at Stillwater, N.Y
died May 23, 1866, at Crown Point, N.Y.
( 3 ) Benoni Aldrich Shearer, son of Thomas Shearer (2),
born March 30, 1815, at Luzerne, N. Y.,
died July 28, 1899, at Mineville, N. Y.
( 4 ) Ezra Warren Shearer, son of Benoni A. Shearer (3),
born September 7, 1841, at Crown Pt., N. Y.
now living at Mineville, N. Y.
( 3 ) George Harrison Shearer, son of Ezra W. Shearer (4),
born August 19, 1868, at Crown Pt., N.Y.
That William Shearer was a pensioner is an established fact,
as you will note by the copy of his pension paper herewith inclosed,
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Commissioner of Pensions,  -2-  September 8, 1905. 
which was signed by J. C. Calhoun December 29, 1820. This document is in the hands of one of the elder members of the family, a direct descendant of William Shearer. There is one thing about it, however, which we do not understand, and that is wherein it states "late a private.” While it is possible that William Shearer joined the American army as a private, we are of the opinion that he was advanced to rank, the family tradition being that he led a company of men in action. At all events, he left side arms, a sword, which the family had until some years ago. 
I shall be very much gratified if you can assist me in getting a more complete military record of William Shearer, as also giving any family history, such as place of birth, ancestry, etc., that your department may furnish. General Ainsworth states in his communication that their records show that one William Shearer served as a member of Yates' Regiment, New York Militia, his name being found on receipt roll showing payment in full for “services in Captain Cornelius Wellse's Companies in the last war.”
Thanking you in advance for kindly cooperation, I beg to remain, 
Very respectfully yours, 
George Harrison Shearer (5). 
[signed] George Harrison Shearer.
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WAR DEPARTMENT. 
VOLUTIONARY CLAIM. 
I certify that, in conformity with the laws of the UNITED STATES, of the 18th March, 1818, and 1st of May, 1820, WILLIAM SHEARER, late a private in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the New York Agency, at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on the twenty seventh day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen. 
SRAL. 
Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty-ninth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and Twenty 
(signed,) J. C. CALHOUN. 
Secretary of War.
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Payable on the 4th March and 4th September of each year, by the Pres B Bank U. S. in the City of New York. No Pension is payable until the arrival of one or the other of the above dates, after the issue of a Certificate.

Registered, by Geo. Wood (?), Clerk, in book B, volume 5, Page 191.
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Rev. War Section. 
August 13, 1920. 
Lilliand Skillman, 
413 North Avenue, 
Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Madam: 
In reply to your letter of the 24 ultimo, you are advised that you were furnished on April 8, 1916 the history of the Revolutionary War pensioner Survivor File No. 43132, William Shearer, New York Troops, and owing to the lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, it is not the practice of this Bureau to send the same record twice to any person. 
Said William Shearer stated under oath that he was a resident of Greenfield, Saratoga County, New York in 1820. 
For the date of the last payment of his pension, name of person paid and date of his death, you should apply to the Auditor of the Interior Department, Washington, D.C. citing all of the following data: 
William Shearer, Certificate issued December 29, 1820, eight dollars per month commencing April 27, 1818, Act March 18, 1818, New York Agency. 
A careful search of the records fails to show a claim for bounty land on file on account of the services of said soldier. 
Very respectfully, 
[signed] F D Byington 
Acting Commissioner.
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Rev. File 43132,
William Shearer, 
Rev. War. 
L. W. H. February 14, 1906.

Mr. George Harrison Shearer
196 Court Street, 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Sir:  
In response to your letter dated February 6, 1906 and received February 8, 1906, you are advised that on Oct. 3, 1905, when you were furnished with a history of the above noted soldier you were also informed that the records of this Bureau failed to show that a claim for pension was filed on account of the service of any other William Shearer in the Revolutionary war. [hand-written note:  wrong]
In order to identify a claim for Revolutionary War pension the soldier's full name is essential.
This Bureau has no Revolutionary war data except that found in individual pension claims, and said claims may be examined by any competent person who calls at this Bureau. 
For information in regard to the organization of the New York troops in said war, you are referred to the volume entitled "New York in the Revolution" compiled by Jas. A. Roberts.
Very respectfully,
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Rev.&1812 Wars Section 
January 11, 1928
George H. Shearer 
25 Tremont St. 
Concord, N. H. 
Sir: 
I have to advise you relative to the Revolutionary War pension certificate which issued December 29, 1820 to William Shearer of the New York Troops, that said certificate was issued in the War Office in which, in 1819, one George Wood was employed as a clerk, and it is fair to assume that he registered the same. Book B. Vol 5 referred to by you is not a part of the present records of this Bureau. 
Respectfully, 
WINFIELD SCOTT 
Commissioner.
Page 27

Rev. War Section 
Record Division 
October 22, 1921. 
Miss Eva L. Moffatt, 
34 Gardner Street, 
Allston, Mass. 
Madam; 
You are herewith furnished the history of William Shearer S. File No. 43138 Revolutionary War, and are advised that in order to obtain the date of last payment of pension name of person paid and date of soldier's death you should apply to the Pension Section, Interior Department Division, General Accounting Office, Walker-Johnson Building, Navy Annex, 18" St. and New York Avenue N. W., Washington, D.C., citing all of the following data: 
“William Shearer, certificate No. 17,995, issued December 29, 1820, $8 per month, from April 27, 1818, Act March 18, 1818, New York Agency." 
Very respectfully, 
[signed] Washington Gardner 
Commissioner.