Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14093, for Eli Paine, Connecticut
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(3-1776)
SERVICE   NUMBER
Conn   Paine, Eli   S. 14093
Carded.
CONTENTS
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27732
New York 
Eli Paine
of Greenbo in the State of New York
who was a private in the com commanded
by Captain Todd of the regt commanded
by ----- in the Connecticut
line for 11 months

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to 
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Oct 
1834 and Reuben
Hosford Lexington Heights NY

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 12831
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 18.33
$146.64
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk
Book 62 Vol. 4 Page 54
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Eli Paine
application
31.042
service objected to
in letter of 14 and 34
abandoned

allowed
11 mo. pri
$36.66
Page 4

Declaration in order to [illegible] benefits of the act of Congress 
passed June 7 1832
State of New York
Green  County ss On the Twenty third day of January in the year
one Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty four personally appeared
Before me Munson Buel one of the Judges of the Court of Common
pleas in and for the County of Green and State of New York Eli Paine resident
of the Town of Cairo In the County of Green State of New York aged Seventy
years old 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 7 1832 that he entered the service of the
United States in the revolutionary war for the Term of Six Months
was drafted at Woodbridge in the County of New Haven State of 
Connecticut on the first of May 1777 for the sum of Six months in the ┃
Company commanded by Captain Gideon Todd went from Woodbridge
to the City of New Haven and there continued to serve untill the
first day of October In the same year when he was discharged
at New Haven - That he again entered the service at the Town of
Woodbridge was drafted for three months in the fourth day of
July 1779 the British landed at New Haven in the Company
commanded by Captain Gideon Todd went to New Haven and
from thence to Branford in said County to guard the Coast
there continued to serve untill the fourth or fifth of September
In the same year and was then and there discharged as at Branford 
as aforesaid. That he again entered the service at Woodbridge 
aforesaid Enlisted for the [illegible] of Eight months in the Company
commanded by Captain Bryant went to the City of New Haven
from thence to the Town of New London there they fortified some
and kept guard enlisted on the first of April 1780 there they 
continued to serve untill the first of December in the same year
and was then and there discharged at New London does not know
who the colonel was does not know that there was any colonel the
for certain if there was he does not remember him or his name 
That he again entered the service for the time of three month
enlisted on the first of August 1781 at Woodbridge in the Company
Commanded by Captain Elihu Sanford for the term of three months
went to New Haven and West Haven to guard the coast
there continued untill the first of the In the same year
and then was discharged at New Haven - That he again and
the service for the Term of three months at Woodbridge was draftred
in Hartford the first of April 1782 In the Company commanded by
Captain Osborne went to the City of New March and below that
to keep guard and was then and then discharge in same of the
first day of July in the same year at New Haven that he served
twenty six months in the service of the United States during
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revolutionary war and this deponent further says that he
never received any written discharge but was always discharged
Verbally by his Captains when his time expired and further
says that he has no documentary evidence and that knows of
of no person whose testimony he can produce who can testify of any
he can promise who can testify to his services except the one that
accompanies these proceedings and the reason than he has not
sooner sent in his proceedings is that he has been trying to obtain
more Testimony but cannot. they appear to be all dead or absent 
from his knowledge or information, And he further says
that he relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity
except the present and do further declare that his name
is not on any pension Roll of the agency of any state and this
deponent further swear that he is an old man now seventy
years old and that he has stated the time of his enlistment
and discharges to a day he says he may be mistaken as to some
of the particular days and times that his memory is not as used
to be but he has stated them according to his but remembrance
and recollection and verily believes he has stated them to
day as correct but will not be certain
Eli Paine
Sworn and subscribed this 23 day of
May 1834 Before me Munson Buel one
the Judges of the Court of Common pleas
and for the County of Green and
State of New York

Clergymans Certificate
We Henry B. Stetson Clergyman resident of the Town of Windham
In the County of Green and State of New York and Merrit Osborne Esquire 
one of the Justices of the peace in and for the said Town and County
aforesaid that we are well acquainted with the above named 
Eli Paine who has above subscribed his name and sworn to the
above declaration and that we believe him to be seventy years
and that it is generally reputed and believed in neighborhood
where he lives to have been a soldier of the revolution
and that we concur in that pension and that he is esteemed
as a man of truth and veracity
Sworn and Subscribed this 23d day of January 1834 Before me Munson Buel
of the Court of Common
Merrit Osborne 
Henry B Stinson
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Interrogatories of the Judge

Question 1 Where and in what year were you born and Have you any record
of your age if so where is it.

Answer I believe I was born in the year 1762 in the Town of Woodbridge
In the County of New Haven State of Connecticut I Have no record of my age.

Questions 2 & 3 Where were were you living when called into the service where have 
you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you live

Answer I lived sometime after the revolutionary war in the Town the
Woodbridge in New Haven County State of Connecticut from thence
I moved to Durham near the town of Windham where I lived for many
years . I then moved a [illegible] below into the Town of Cairo all in Green 
County where I now Live

Question 4 How were you called into service were you drafted did you Volunteer
or were you a substitute and if you were a substitute for whom

Answer I enlisted twin and Every other Tower I went I was drafted.-

Question 5 State some of the regular officers who were with the troops when
you served such continental and Militia Regiments as you
remember and the general circumstances of your Service

Answer my services was all company services except the time I 
went to New London  and there were some other troops there but 
I do not now there there was any regimental officers there 
I will knew my Captain and company officers and do not 
remember any others

Question 6 did you we are any written discharge from the service 
and if so by whom was given 

Answer I never received any written discharge from the service when
my several times of service expired I received verbal discharges 
from my Captains

Question 7 State the names of persons to whom you are acquainted
and known in your present neighborhood who can testify
to your character for  veracity and the belief of your
services as a soldier of the revolution-
Page 7

Answer I formerly untill some time [illegible] years lived in Durham near the
line of Windham and now live but a little further out I am well
acquainted with great number In Windham Durham and Cairo I
am well acquainted with Mr Solomon Wolcott and have been
ever since the war and In the war was with him a New London
I am well acquainted with the record Henry B Stinson I am
well acquainted with Merritt Osborne Esquire, and have been
for many years past and the reason that I came to Windham
to have my proceedings taken was because Mr Woolcott was
unwell and a blind man and It was much the most
Convenient

Certificate of the Judge
The said Judge as aforesaid do declare that my 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
states and I do further certify that it appears to me that the
reverend Henry Stinson now a Clergyman and that Merritt 
Osborne Esquire is one of the Justices of the peace in and for the
said Windham and for the said County and that they are
persons of respectability truth and veracity and entitled to full 
credit as witnesses and I do further state that from Court's
information the said Eli Paine In considered as a man of 
respectability truth and veracity and I do further certify that it
is my opinion that the said applicant by reason of Bodily
[illegible] attend Court And I do further certify that It Is my
and that of his neighbors when she applicant resides that
served in the revolutionary War as he states and I do 
further certify that when I put the above Interrogatories to the
applicant he was under oath administered by mee
Munson Buel
Judge as aforesaid

State of new York
Green  County   ⎬ ss I Solomon Wolcott of the Town of Windham in the
County of Green and State of New York on his oath deposeth and saith 
that he well knew El Paine In the revolutionary war and has
always known him from that time to the present well knows that 
he was a soldier in Captain Bryants Company [illegible] Company
at New London in the year 1780 for the time of Eight months that
Page 8

he faithfully served out in said time of Eight months and was 
discharged at New London that he this deponent was with him 
and served with him during the whole of the said Eight months 
and was discharged with him at New London and this deponent 
further says that he well knew the said Eli Paine was a soldier
with him for six months in the year 1777 in Captain Gideon Todd
Company that he served out the time of six months at New Haven
that he well knows that Mr Eli Paine has always been considered as
a very reputable man a man of truth and veracity
and subscribed this 23d day of January
Soloman Woolcott
Wrote at the request of Mr. Wolcott being blind in the presence of the Judge Munson Buel
Sworn and subscribed before me Munson Buel one of the 
Judges of the Court of Common pleas
aforesaid

State of New York
Green County  Merritt Osborne of the Town of Windham aforesaid on his oath
deposeth and saith that he has for many years past been well acquainted with
Mr Eli Paine have for many years past heard him say that he havd
Served a number of tours In the revolutionary war and believes the same
to be true that he is a very reputable man a man of truth and 
veracity
Merritt Osborn 
Sworn and subscribed this 23 day of January
1834 Before me Munson Buel one of the
Judges as aforesaid

State of New York
Green County ss Ebenezer Paine of the Town of Cairo in the County of Green on his oath
deposeth and saith that he is the son of Mr Eli Paine the within named applicant
says that from his infancy he heard his father say that he had served in the 
Revolutionary war as he has above stated and that he was also considered 
by his neighbors, for many years past and I have always heard my
father spoken of as a man of truth and veracity
Ebenezer Paine
sworn and subscribed this 23 day of January
1834 before me Munson Buel one of the
Judges as aforesaid

And I the said Judge do certify that all those persons to have made
there affidavits to these proceedings are men of truth and veracity
Munson Burr
Judge as aforesaid
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State of New York
Greene County
I William T. B. Harman Clerk of the
County of Greene do certify that Munson Buel Esquire whose name
is subscribed to the foregoing certificate and before whom the foregoing
declaration and affidavits was sworn - was at the date of the same
judge of the County Courts for the County of Green
and that his signature thereto is
is genuine - In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County 
the 4th day of February 1834
William T. B. Harmon Clerk
Page 10

14, 093
Rev War INVALID
File No. 14093
Eli Paine
Priv Rev War
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 290
Arrangement of 1870.
Page 11

[illegible due contrast]
Page 12

Solomon Wolcott
Eli Payne

Windham 
Sep 23   FREE

Honorable James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington D.C.
Page 13

Lexington Heights G.C.S, N. York September 22 1834
Hon. James L Edwards Esqr
Sir
your Letter Communication of the 4th
September has come to my hand Informing me that you had not
varied your opinion from that In your former letter to me respecting 
the concern of Solomon Wolcott and Eli Paine, your Letter of the
11th August Last Informs me that you cannot grant them pensions 
for their service at New London In the year 1781 though they
are particular to specify the length of time they served there 
since I last wrote you they have been Correctly Examined they
say that they cannot be any more particular in specifying
the length of time that they served there, These two old Honest
respectable Gentleman thinks it hard that your honour -
Indulges a thought that they have ben wicked enough to
swear on their oath that they did this service at New London
when they did not when supported by Ten Witnesses
besides them selves; I informed them that your Honor
by your Letter did not dispute but that you want to [illegible]
done and served there but in particular In writing to know
the Exact time you did serve there they say that they enlisted
Early In the spring and served through the summer untill
late in the fall being Eight months as they cannot be any
more particular than they have been Your honour will be
pleased to send them their pensions for what you have
mentioned their due in a former letter, and if they
cannot be any more particular that they have been and
as your Honor does not dispute their service at New London
only as to the Grant in this with the case with the oaths
and other Testimony for you to say how much time you think
they are entitled to for the New London term arrears that
to what you have before stated their due, or otherwise if
your tHonur Can be persuaded that they did in the
service at New London and their pensions for what you have
said was there due.  send it to me as soon as may be
as to Wales but a few days to continue here
as for Wolcott, but a few days to continue him
Very respectfully yours
Reuben Hosford
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State of Connecticut
County of New Haven
I Jno Beach Clerk of the County
Court in & for said New Haven County hereby
Certify that Archibald A. Perkins is and 
was on the 12 instant. Justice of the peace in
& for said New Haven County,
duly qualified to administer Oaths & that the signatures,
of A.A. Perkins, by him made to the annexed affidavit
are his genuine official signatures
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of said
Court this 14 day of July AD 1834
Jno Beach Clerk
Page 15

State of Connecticut
New Haven County ss
Philemon Paine of the Town of Prospect in the
County of New Haven and State of Connecticut being duly sworn on his
oath deposeth and saith that he well knows Eli Paine formerly
of the Town of Woodbridge in the County of New Haven and State of
Connecticut but now of the Town of Cairo in the County of Green and
State of New York well knew him in the time of the revolutionary War
well knows, that he was a soldier in the service of the United States
In the revolutionary a number of Tours well knows that he was
soldier in Captain Bryants Company In a Tour of he thinks
of nine months perhaps Eight months at New London In the
said State for the year as he believes of One thousand seven hundred
and and Eighty or Eighty one well knows that he enlisted in
the said Company for the time of Eight or nine months that 
he went to the Town of New London Enlisted sometime about 
the first of April in the said year and the continued to do 
duty as he was informed and that he returned home from
the service sometime about the last of December or first of
January In the year after that he well knows that the said
Eli Paine was out in three or four other toursr at New Haven
west Haven and Branford in the said County under Capt
Gideon Todd and others for six month and three
months tours, all this he knows to be true having seen him
In the service
Philemon Payne

Sworn and subscribed this twelfth day of 
July 1834 before me A A Perkins
Justice of the Peace in and for the County of
New Haven and State of Connecticut

I the said A A Perkins Justice as aforesaid as certify that I am well
acquainted with the said Philemon Paine who has above signed his
name and sworn the above affidavit was reputed to be considered
as a man of truth and veracity and entitled to full credit as a witness
A Perkins Just of Peace
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State of Connecticut
New Haven County
Ezra Sperry of the Town of Bethany in the County of New
Haven and State of Connecticut being duly sworn on his oath deposeth
and saith that he will remembers Eli Paine formerly of the Town of Woodbridge 
in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut but now
of the Town of Cairo in the County of Green and State of New York well
knew him In the time of the revolutionary war that he well knows
that the said Eli Paine was a soldier for the time of eight or nine
months in the revolutionary war at New London in the year 1780
as he believes for the company commanded by Captain Bryant
that he enlisted In the said Company under the said Captain
Bryant for the said Eight or nine months and a did due
service untill the said Eight or nine month expired and that
he will well knows that the said Eli Paine was out in the
aforesaid service a number of other Tours for three four and
six months at New Haven West Haven and Brantford all
this he man to be true
Ezra Sperry
Sworn and subscribed this twelfth
July 1834 Before me A Perkins
a justice of the peace in and for the County
of New Haven State of Connecticut

And I the said A H Perkins - Justice as aforesaid do here
certify that I am well acquainted with the said Ezra Sperry
who has above subscribed his name and swore to the above
affidavit will know him to be considered as a man of truth
and veracity and well entitled to full credit as a Witness
A. A Perkins Justice as aforesaid
Page 17

State of Connecticut
New Haven County I Nathan Beers of the Town of Bethany
County of New Haven and State of Connecticut being duly sworn on 
his oath deposeth and saith that he well knows Eli Paine formerly
of the Town of Woodbridge for the County of New Haven and State
Connecticut but now of the Town of Cairo In the County of Green and
State of New York well knew him in the revolutionary war well knew 
that the said Eli Paine was out a number of times in the
service of the United States during the Revolutionary War that
this deponent says that he was a soldier with the said Eli
Paine In two or three company with him at New Haven 
West Haven and else where and further says that he well
knows that he the said Eli Paine did serve as he believes
for the time of Eight or nine month at New London in the year 
1780 in Captain Bryant Company as he was always informed
was not with him that time but knows he was absent during
that time but was always informed by those that served
with him that he served the said time as aforesaid at
New London under the said Captain
Nathan Beers 
Sworn and subscribed the twelfth
day of July 1834 Before me at Perkins
Justice of the peace for the County
of New Haven State of Connecticut

I the said A Perkins Justice as aforesaid do
hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said
Nathan Beers who has above subscribed his name and
Sworn to the above affidavit well know that he is considered 
as a man of truth and veracityy
A A Perkins Justice as aforesaid
Page 18

31.042
Eli Paine

Reuben Hosford Esq.
Lexington Heights
New York
Page 19

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 26. 1834
Sir, 
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will 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 with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim
.
A Statement, showing the service of Eli Paine
Period when the Duration of the Rank of   Names and rank of the Field officers  Age at present, Proof by which the declaration is supported.
service was          claimants service the  under whom he served. and place of abode
rendered              Years Months Days   claimant.   when he entered  the service.


I am respectfully

your obedient servant
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 20

2 REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian Spies. As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance , make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION. In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory District of County of 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 pension 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 enered 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. [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 day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. ------ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the 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 --- 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 

The claimant is informed for evidence of his services to Elisha
Phelps Esq.  Comptroller of the State of Connecticut
Page 21

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? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that he 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 enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. {a] the declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rules laid down for his guidance [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county were 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 clamant 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 worn, deposes 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 persons mentioned below, and in the following grades: For --- years ---- months, and -----days, I served as a . For months and days, I served as a ----- for ----- months ----days, I served as a ----- and for such service I claim a pension." it is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite , and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the miliia, &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 was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit, [f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. [g] The opinion of the Court is always required. [h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. [i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which in can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. Mode of authenticating papers. in every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying once, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. Proof of Service. [j] in a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the 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 credibly 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 [a] to [i] are equally applicable to the cases of militia men, volunteers, and state troops The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. [k] This traditionary evidence is indispensible 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