Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4,929, Reuben Cobleigh, N.H.
Page 1

(3-1776)
[column headings: SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER|]
N.H.|Cobleigh, Reuben|W.4,929|
[blank]|Lucy|[blank]|
[end of columns]
CONTENTS
Page 2

[verso]
14,495
New York.
Reuben Cobleigh of Erie in the State of N. York who was a private in the Comp'y commanded by Captain Davis of the Reg't commanded by Col Reed in the N. Hampshire 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 28th day of May 1833 and sent to V. K. Hall Buffalo - N York
______
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 73..32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Sep 1833 78..33
$91.65
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 4 Page 50.

[recto]
Dead.
see letter to P. Ag't May 24 1847
Letter to Wm. F. Allen, Dist. atty, dated June 7, 1847. 
To Same June 11, 1847
 "  G. W. Clinton, June 15, 1848.
Page 3

[verso]
1039
Ohio - Pitts
Lucy Cobleigh widow of Reuben Cobleigh NH who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of July, 1848 and sent to Benjamin B. Gaylord 
Jefferson, Ohio.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 336 Vol. 4

[recto]
Reported
Simonds & Cadwell Apl. 27 1854
Page 4

[Declaration of a Revolutionary Soldier who served in the MILITIA, to obtain a Pension under the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.]
State of New York,
Erie County, ss.} On this 5th day of December 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting at Buffalo, in said County, Reuben Cobleigh a resident of Hamburgh in the County of Erie and State of New York, aforesaid, aged 72 years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832, That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated
He was born in the Town of New Braintree in the county of Worcester in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1760 the 22d day of September. He has no record of his age and knows of none unless his brother has one  which was in his father's family Bible which fell to his brother who now lives in Canada, but what part he does not know. 
He was living in New Hampshire when he entered the service in the County of Cheshire in the Town of Chesterfield and continued to make it his home there during the war, and about Ten years after he moved into the Town of Newfain (New Fane) in the County of Windham in the State of Vermont, and from then into the Town of Salem in the County of Washington in the State of New York and from then to Hamburgh aforesaid where he now resides. And this deponent further says that about the first of September (the precise day he does not remember) in the year 1776. he volunteered at Chesterfield aforesaid into the Militia of the State of Newhampshire and served the Term of Three months under the following officers - in Colonel Reed's Regiment, in Captain Isaac Davis Company (he thinks the Colonel's name was William) the Lieutenant that acted as such was Josiah Hastings and John Harris an Ensign. William White, Charles Pierce
Page 5

said into the Militia of the State of Newhampshire and served the Term of Three months under the following officers - in Colonel Reed's Regiment, in Captain Isaac Davis Company (he thinks the Colonel's name was William) the Lieutenant that acted as such was Josiah Hastings and John Harris an Ensign. William White, Charles Pierce, and Charles Whitcomb acted as Sergeants but which was first sergeant he cannot tell, the Corporals if there was any he does not remember, neither can he remember which was his general, Schuyler or Putnam but it is his impression that  it was General Schuyler. Immediately after he volunteered as aforesaid at Chesterfield he went to Charleston in Newhampshire where they rendezvoused to the number of about one hundred when they started for ['mount independence' crossed out] Ticonderoga and went as far as mount independence when he stopped and staid the time out. General Schuyler and General Putnam was at Ticonderoga nearly opposite mount independence during the time. He volunteered as aforesaid during an alarm which was raised, stating that Burgoyne was then marching for Ticonderoga, He was employed apart of the time at the Fort in building a breast work and was part of the time under arms, and a part of the time on scouting parties. during the Three months aforesaid He was not in any battles during the time. & was ['classified verbally' crossed out] discharged by Col. Reed at the Fort. 
He rec'd a written discharge from Colonel Reed which he lost about 40 years since - There were some Continental Regiments at Ticonderoga at the time but he cannot remember what they were called - He was discharged about the first day of December as near he can remember after the officers ascertained that Burgoyne was not coming -
Page 6

And the deponent further states that about the last of June (the precise day he cannot remember) in the year 1777, he volunteered again at Chesterfield aforesaid into the Militia of Newhampshire and served the Term of Seven months under the following named officers - Immediately after he volunteered he joined ['General Starks' crossed out] Capt. Kimball Calcon's Company in Colonel Warner's Regiment in General Stark's Brigade at Bennington in Vermont. Josiah Hastings was Lieutenant, William White was orderly Sergeant, John Harris above mentioned was Ensign the first part of the term but was taken sick on a march from Bennington to Saratoga and another was substitute in his place whose name he does not remember the Sergeants and Corporals he does not remember. And a man by the name of Whitcomb was Major (his first name he does not remember.) Immediately after he volunteered as aforesaid he went with others who volunteered also to Bennington in the State of Vermont where he entered the service under the officers last above mentioned. He was at Bennington during the Battle but owing to a sprained ancle which he had at the time was not in it but within sight, and when the Brittish retreated to Saratoga he was able to follow them with a good deal of difficulty which he did under Captain Calcon aforesaid, he reached Saratoga with a good deal of difficulty and joined the main Army under General Gates when he got leave of his Captain, on account of his lameness and was placed as a guard to guard some stores at Saratoga where he remained until October when he marched after Burgoine (Burgoyne) in his retreat and was present when he surrendered when he went with the army to Albany when he was taken sick with a fever remained until his time expired the last of January 1778. when he has so far recovered as to be able to Walk when he was dismissed verbally by the Man who had the case of the sick and returned home. 
He understood that the man that dismissed him had orders to dismiss those that were sick as soon as they should
Page 7

 a good deal of difficulty which he did under Captain Calcon aforesaid, he reached Saratoga with a good deal of difficulty and joined the main Army under General Gates when he got leave of his Captain, on account of his lameness and was placed as a guard to guard some stores at Saratoga where he remained until October when he marched after Burgoine (Burgoyne) in his retreat and was present when he surrendered when he went with the army to Albany when he was taken sick with a fever remained until his time expired the last of January 1778. when he has so far recovered as to be able to Walk when he was dismissed verbally by the Man who had the case of the sick and returned home.
He understood that the man that dismissed him had orders to dismiss those that were sick as soon as they should be well enough. He has no written discharge. 
And he further states that he has no other as documentary evidence except what is hereto annexed and knows of no person who can testify positively to his services. And he says that there is no clergyman in his neighborhood with whom he is acquainted.
And this deponent further states that the services above stated were  remembered by him in the capacity of a private soldier
And he further states that Abraham Long Esq. & Clark Dart. with others in his neighborhood can testify as to his character for truth and veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
He hereby relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a Pension, or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State,
/s/Reuben Cobleigh
Sworn and subscribed this 5 day of December 1832}
/s/Noah P. Sprague Clerk of Court Common Pleas
Page 8

Declaration of a Revolutionary Soldier who served in the MILITIA, to obtain a Pension under the Act of Congress.
We, Abraham Long Esquire residing in the town of Hamburgh and County of Erie and Clark Dart residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Reuben Cobleigh who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be 72 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. 
/s/Abraham Long
/s/Clark Dart
Subscribed and Sworn, this 5th day of December 1832}
/s/Noah P. Sprague Clerk of Court Common Pleas
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, the Abraham Long Esquire who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident in the town of Hamburgh and county of Erie and that Clark Dart who has signed the same, is a resident of the town of Hamburgh and county of Erie and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, Noah P. Sprague, Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Reuben Cobleigh for a pension. 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 5th day of December 1832. 
/s/Noah P. Sprague Clerk of Court Common Pleas
Page 9

49 - No. 597
No 13692
Lucy Colby wid of Reuben 
Act 7 July 1838
married 1783
Rejected husband died 15 Feby 1847 
adm'd act 17 June 44
2 Feby 48
11 mo mil
$36.00 pr ann from 15 Feby '47
Benj.n B. Gaylord
Jefferson O.
Page 10

State of Ohio
Ashtabula County ss} On this twenty sixth day of February 1848 personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County aforesaid, being a Court of Record, Lucy Cobleigh a resident of Jefferson in the County of Ashtabula & State aforesaid aged eighty eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"; That she is the widow of Reuben Cobleigh who was a private in the War of the Revolution; and who received a pension under the act of June 7th 1832 of thirty six dollars and sixty six cents as appears from a certificate granted to him the said Reuben Cobleigh (& now in her possession) by the War Department of the U.S. Numbered 14498, dated the 28th day of May, & signed "Lew Cass Secretary of War"; That for the evidence on the files of the Department upon which her said husband obtained said Certificate of pension - She further declares that she was married to the said Reuben Cobleigh on the sixteenth day of January one thousand seven hundred and eighty three in the town of Chesterfield, County of Cheshire, New Hampshire by the Rev. A. Wood; that her husband the aforesaid Reuben Cobleigh died in Hamburgh, in the County of Erie, & State of New York on the 15th day of February 1847; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz: at the time above stated.
She further swears that she is now a widow, and that she has never
Page 11

before made any application for a pension.
/s/X her mark Lucy Cobleigh
/s/Benj'n Gaylord
/s/Lynds Jones } Witnesses to the signature of Lucy Cobleigh
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written}
Before me.} /s/Lynds Jones Associate Judge
State of Ohio, Ashtabula County ss: 
I Lynds Jones Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the County & State aforesaid do certify that the above named Lucy Cobleigh was at the time of making the above declaration unable to appear in open Court, by reason of bodily infirmity.
/s/Lynds Jones Associate Judge 
Asht. Co - Com. Pleas
The State of Ohio
Ashtabula County, ss} I, A. C. Hubbard Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in the County & State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Lynds Jones is an Associate Judge of the Court aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified agreeably to the laws of the State of Ohio; and that the signatures above written purporting to be his, are genuine. 
[court seal affixed] Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at Jefferson this twenty sixth day of February AD 1848. 
/s/A. C. Hubbard Clerk
Page 12

Mch 4/48
Lucy Cobleigh wid of Reuben
Page 13

January sixteenth, seventeen hundred and eighty three I joined in Wedlock Reuben Cobleigh to Lucy Pierce
/s/Test A. Wood - C.K.
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the Record with the exception of the date; which is expressed in the record in fair legible figures as follows: "Jany 16, 1783. I joined in Wedlock Reuben Cobleigh to Lucy Pierce
A true copy 
attest /s/Harvey Carpenter Town Clerk of Chesterfield 
I Harvey Carpenter of Chesterfield, County of Cheshire, and State of Newhampshire, of Lawful age depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk in the town of Chesterfield, County & state aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me
/s/Harvey Carpenter, Town Clerk
State of Newhampshire
Cheshire ss: } on this twenty forth day of Jany A.D. 1848 the above named Harvey Carpenter personally appeared and made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed is true
Before me /s/Reuben Porter Justice of the Peace
Page 14

State of New Hampshire
Cheshire ss. 
I Leonard Bisco Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature of said State, for said county of Cheshire do hereby certify that Reuben Porter - whose name is subscribed to the within certificate was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace within and for said county of Cheshire and duly sworn as such, and that the signature to said certificate in my belief is in the proper hand writing of said justice 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court the twenty sixth day of January A.D. 1848
/s/Leonard Bisco Clerk
Page 15

20401
Reuben Cobleigh 
Erie county 
New York 
V. K. Hall, 
Buffalo, N.Y.
Page 16

WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, 
[blank] 183[blank]

Sir: 
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is 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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, shewing the Service of Reuben Cobleigh, Erie county, N.Y.
[column headings: Period when the service was rendered|Duration of the claimant's service.(Years.|Months.|Days.)|Rank of the claimant.|Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.|Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers|Battles in which the applicant was engaged.|Country through which he marched.|Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.|Evidence by which the declaration is supported.|]
Volunteered 1776|([blank]|3|[blank])|private|Captain Davis|Colonel Reed|[blank]|Ticonderoga|72|[blank]|
Do. 1777|([blank]|8|[blank])|[blank]|Captain Calcon|Colonel Warner|Saratoga|Mount Independence Barrington Saratoga|Cheshire Co. N. Hamp.|tradition|
[end of columns]
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, 
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 17

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 et 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, or District of} County of} ss. 
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers : 
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service ; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers ;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. ⇒This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank] 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [blank] A. B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &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 [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a RevoIutionary 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 [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank] of office, this [blank] day of [blank]&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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 18

3
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 the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are  requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the 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 rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he most assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making au affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith. that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below. and in the following grades:- For ____ year ____months, and ____days, I served as a ____ . For ____ months and ____days, I served as a ____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held; as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of 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 militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers, the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f]The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion or the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if he has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no 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 pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
⇒The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 19

[addressed envelope]
[margin note: Lucy Cobleigh O - to 2 Feb 48]
Pension Department
Washington D.C.
Page 20

Pensioners 
George Brokaw d. 1843 Harrison Co. O. son John.
same d. 1850 near Athens
son John b. 1792
Jasper
Page 21

Revy WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 4929
Lucy Cobleigh Wid. Reuben Cobleigh
Pvt. Rev: War
Act: Feby. 2d/48
Index: - Vol. A, Page 143
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 22

[verso]
519
Ohio Pittsburgh
Lucy Cobleigh widow of Reuben Cobleigh who was a Private in the Revolution 
Husband died 15th Feb. '47
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 15th day of ['March, 1844.' crossed out] Feby. 1847.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of July '48 and sent to Benjamin B. Gaylord 
Jefferson Ohio.
[Act of JUNE 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 202. 

[recto]
Reported
Page 23

free
J. L. Edwards, Esqr.
(Comm'r of Pensions)
Washington D.C. 
March 4/48
Benj. B. Gaylord
Page 24

[handwritten letter]
Jefferson O. Feby. 26, 1848
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Dr Sir
I send you herewith Lucy Cobleigh's application for a pension. If you find the papers correct & the proof sufficient, you will please make her pension payable at the Pittsburgh Agency, & send the certificate to me. 
The Widow is unable from her age and infirmities to give the particulars of her husband's services, but I presume the evidence of his services is on file, as he drew a pension at his death, under the act of 1832.
Respectfully Yours
/s/Benj'n B. Gaylord 

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Washington D.C.
Page 25

[handwritten letter]
Jefferson O. July 21, 1848

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Dr Sir 
I sent Lucy Cobleigh's Application for a pension, to your Office some three or four months since, & have not heard from it; & am apprehension from the great delay that my letter might have miscarried. If the application did not reach the Dep. please inform me. 
Will you also favor me with copies of any new laws or regulations relative to pensions (if any have been passed or adopted) since the 4th of Sept. 1847.
[margin note: Cole sent]
Respectfully Yours
/s/Benj'n B. Gaylord

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Washington D.C.
Page 26

[handwritten letter]
Jefferson Ashtabula County, Ohio

Sir, 
Lucy Cobleigh widow of Reuben Cobleigh a Revolutionary Pensioner deceased was induced to suppose that there were arrears of pension due to her and the heirs of the said Reuben from the Department - and placed their papers together with a full power of Attorney in the hands of one Daniel D. T. Benedict who claimed to be a pension Agent residing at Gallipolis Ohio - 
Their last communication from him was received about one year ago - Since that time they have been unable to get any answer from him and they wish to obtain information from the Department whether he succeeded in obtaining any money on their account - They fear that they have been unfairly dealt by - 
Very Respectfully &c 
/s/Simonds & Cadwell Attys
Page 27

W Cole - If the vouchers mentioned a Dr. Crump's note are in the Office,
You can send them to the 3d Aud'r but make a particular memo of the case - File the note with the
Page 28

papers, whether the vouchers are with them or not
JLE 
12 Sept. '50
Page 29

[handwritten letter]
Office U.S. Atty
Otsego June 4 1847

Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of June 1. with Statement of fraud committed in the cases of Reuben Cobleigh & Jonathan Herrington - 
It would seem that Burt had been a bold as well as successful operator - I will immediately dispatch a competent officer to git the witnesses necessary to procure indictments and present the cases to the Grand Jury ['which' crossed out] at the Circuit Court which will be held on 21 Inst - If I had the original papers I could at once assist the magistrate & Burt & hold them to bail 
Will you at once send me the original papers on file in your office 
They will be indispensable before the Grand Jury. 
Very Resp'y Your Obt Sv't
/s/W. F. Allen US Atty

J. L. Edwards 
Comm'r of Pensions
Page 30

James L. Edwards Esquire
Commiss'r of Pensions 
War Dept.
Washington City.
[postmark: ALBANY N.Y. MAY 18]
Page 31

[handwritten letter]
Albany Pension Agency
May 18, 1847

James L. Edwards Esquire
Commiss'r of Pensions, 

Sir, 
It appears by a newspaper section from the West, that Reuben Cobleigh, late a Pensioner under the act of 7 June 1832, residing at Hamburgh, Erie Co, died on the 15th of February last. His pension to the 4th of March last, was paid on the 17th of that month, upon the usual Voucher, purporting to have been accounted before Robert W. Kelis, J.P. on the 4th of March 1847. These Vouchers were presented by a Clerk in the State Bank in this City, and we are satisfied they came from David Burt of Buffalo - 
I submit these facts for your consideration, & request the favor of your instructions on the subject. I herewith send the newspaper referred to, "Springville Express" - 
I am, sir, with great respect Your obed't Serv't
/s/Thomas W. Olcott
Pen Agent
Page 32

[addressed envelope]
[illegible postmark]
[margin notes: May 31 '47
Reuben Cobleigh & Jon'a Herrington on roll]
James L. Edwards Esquire
Commiss'r of Pensions 
War Dept
Washington City
Page 33

[handwritten letter]
Albany Pension Agency
May 27th 1847. 

James L. Edwards Esquire,
Commiss'r of Pensions, 

Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 24th & 25th inst, respecting the cases of Reuben Cobleigh & Jonathan Herrington, I have to state that I have made inquiry of Mr. Chestney, the Attorney, & he informs me that he has no other knowledge on the subject, than that the Vouchers on which we paid him their pensions, were received from the Patchin Bank at Buffalo, for collection. 
As stated in my former letter respecting these cases, the Vouchers themselves show that they were executed before Mr. Kelis, and that Burt is one of the subscribing Witnesses to the Power of Attorney in Herrington's case - The decease of Reuben Cobleigh in February last, can, no doubt be proved by his son Joel, residing at Springville, or his son Oliver, residing at Hamburgh, Erie County - 
I am, Sir, very respect'y Your ob't Serv't
/s/Thos. W. Olcott Pens'n agt. 
per L. Jenkins