Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 29,777, Joseph Efner, New York
Page 1

(3—1776)

SERVICE
New York

Efner, Joseph
or
Efnor

NUMBER
S 29.777.

Botw in N.Y. City
CONTENTS
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Michigan 6472
New York
Joseph Efnoi
of Middlebur in the State of N. York
who was a Private in the [illegible]
by Captain Lausing — in the N. York 
line for 12 [illegible] 92.5 dg

Se the to How J. le blart V Cen to few 
Agt. DG. Lleon 1848
To the lie gas frome 4th March 1842
11. Jauy 1843. Motigli catiou to How 
J. le. Clark. House of Rep.

Inscribed on the Roll of N. York 
at the rate of 42 Dollars 12 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of Nar 
1833 - c. and [illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of Lp. 1832 $64'12
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4. [illegible] 21"36
$85.50

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Leol Stiles Clerk
Book 4 Vol. 3 , Page 84
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State of New York
Schoharie County, on this fifth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred thirty three personally appear in open court before the Honorable William Beekman William Mann + Thomas P Danforth
The court of common pleas of the County of Schoharie & State of New York , now setting Joseph Efnor a resident of the town of Middleburgh, in the said County of Schoharie & State of New York aged seventy three years, who being first duly affirmed according to law doth 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 & served as herein stated Captain Jacob Lansing Lieutenant Sevirus Winnce that he does not know whether he was under the Command of any Field Officers. That he entered the service of the United States as a private the fore part of the month of September in the year 1776, the day of the month he does not recollect and entered (crossed out) left the service in the month of October in the year 1776 at least one month & a half from the day he entered it. That he resided at the time he entered the service in that part of the City of Albany called the Colonee in the State of New York that he together with the whole Militia Company to which he belonged were ordered into the service by their Commanding Officers that he was not drafted and did not volunteer or go as a substitute to his knowledge That he entered the service in obedience to his Commanding Officers, in the Militia. That his company rendezvoused at Albany at the time he entered the Service that he immediately marched with them to Fort Edwards. General Abraham Tenbrook had the command of the Militia at Fort Edwards. Lieutenant Weime was wounded on his way to Fort Edwards by the kick of a horse & returned to Albany. That he remained at Fort Edwards with his Company about a fortnight then marched with them to Fort George on Lake George. Colonel Peter Yates had the Command of the Fort. staid there about
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three weeks & returned to Albany & was dismissed. That he was engaged on duty in the Service of the United States as a private during this this period at least one month & a half. That he was in no battle & does not know that he saw any Continental regiment during this period. And the said Efnor further saith, that he again entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated Abraham Fonda & Philip Schuyler, the one as Colonel & the other as Lieutenant Colonel, that he does not know which was the Colonel. Major Abraham Fonda & Captain Jacob Lansing. that he does not recollect the names of the other officers. That he entered the Service as a private in the month of August in the year 1777, the day of the month he does not recollect. and left the Service in the month of November in the year 1777 just three months from the time he entered it. That he resided at the time he entered the Service in that part of the city of Albany called the Colonee in the State of New York. That he entered the service as a volunteer & enlisted for three months. The he joined his Regiment immediately on his enlistment at Albany and marched with them to Van Schaicks island opposite to Lansingburgh, his regiment was placed under the command of General Glover at this place. That the Riflemen under the command of Colonel Morgan lay there at that time. That he lay at Van Schaicks Island with his Regiment, about ten days, then marched with them to Beemises heights in Stillwater. lay there with them about three weeks, until the retreat of the British Army to Saratoga. That during the time he lay at Beemises heighths, two battles were fought between the American Army under General Gates and the British Army under General Burgoyne. That the first battle took place a short time after he arrived at, & the last about the time he left Beemises heighths. That he was engaged in the first battle but not in the second. That the British Army was defeated in the second battle & retreated to Saratoga. that he then marched with the American Army to Saratoga & staid there untill
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the surrender of the British Army under General Burgoyne. That he then marched with his Regiment through Albany to [illegible] in the County of Ulster in the State of New York, arrived there a day or two after it was burnt by the British. staid there a day or two, then marched with his Regiment down the Hudson River to Newburgh in the State of New York, & lay there with them untill the expiration of his term of enlistment where he was dismissed & returned home. And the said Efnor further saith that he again entered the service of the United States under the following named officer & served as herein stated. Major Ezekiel Taylor, Commandant. Captain Joseph Cooks that he does not recollect the names of the other Company officers. That he entered the service of the United States as a private the fore-part of the month of May in the year 1778 the day of the month he does not recollect. and left the service in the month of June in the year 1778 at least one month from the time he entered. That he resided at a place called  Half-moon, now the town of Half-moon in the County of Saratoga in the State of New York at the time he entered the service. That he entered the service as a volunteer. That his Company rendezvoused at Halfmoon. that he immediately joined his Company & marched with them by the way of Albany to near the Middle Fort in that part of the State of New York, now the town of Middleburgh in the County of Schoharie & lay there with them about a month when he was dismissed and returned home. That he was in no battle & saw no Continental Regiment or Company or Regular Officer during this period to his knowledge. That he was engaged in the service of the United States, as a private during his period, at least one month. And the said Efnor further saith that he again entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, & served as herein stated. Captain Jacob Lansing. that he does not recollect the names of the other officers. That he entered the Service as a private in the Month of May 1779. the day of the month he does not recollect. and left the service in the month of June in the year 1779 at least one month from the time he entered it. That he
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resided at the City of Albany in the State of New York at the time he entered the Service. That he entered the Service as a Volunteer. That his company rendezvoused at Albany at the time he entered the Service. That he joined them immediately & marched with them to Fort Hunter at the junction of the Schoharie Creek with the Mowhawk River. That he staid with them about three weeks, when he returned home with them, and was dismissed. That he saw no Continental Regiment, or Company, or Regular Officer & that he was in no battle during this period. That he was engaged on duty in the Service of the United States as a private during this period at least one month.
And the said Efnor further saith, that he again entered the service of the United States umder the following named officers & served as herein stated. Major Abraham Fonda Commandant & Captain Jacob Lansing. that he does not recollect the names of the other Officers. That he entered the Service in the fore part of the month of August in the year 1779. the day of the month he does not recollect. and left the Service in the month of September, at least one month & a half from the time he entered it. That he resided in the City of Albany in the State of New York when he entered the Service. That he was neither drafted, a volunteer or substitue to his knowledge. That he belonged to a Company of the New York Militia. That the whole Militia Company to which he belonged were ordered into the Service by their Commanding Officers. that he entered the service in obedience to such orders that his Company rendezvoused at Albany at the time he entered the Service. that he joined them immediately at the place and marched with them to Fort Plain on the Mohawk River in the now town of Canajoharrie in the County of Montgomery. that they arrived there the same day the Tories & Indians left the place, after having failed in an attack upon the Fort & staid there about a fortnight. that he then marched with his Company to Bowmans kill seven or eight miles South of Fort Plain, and staid there about a fortneight as a guard to the  farmers while sewing
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their crops of wheat. that they then returned to Fort Plain and staid there about a week, when he marched with his Company back to Albany and was dismissed. That he was in no battle and saw no Continental Regiment or Company or Regular officer during this period to his knowledge.
And the said Efnor further saith that he again entered the service of the United States under the following [illegible] officers, and served as herein stated. Colonel Philip Schuyler, Captain Jacob Lansing and Lieutenant Sevirus Wiemse that he does not recollect the names of the other officers. That he entered the service as a private in the month of October in the year 1780, the day of the month he does not recollect and left the service in the month of November in the year 1780, at least one month & a half from the time he entered it. That he resided at the City of Albany, in the State of New York when he entered the Service. That he was neither drafted or a volunteer, or a substitue to his knowledge. That he belonged to a Company of New York Militia That the whole Militia Company to which he belonged were ordered into the Service by their Commanding Officers. That he entered the service in obedience to such order. That his Regiment rendezvoused at Albany, at the time he entered the Service. That General Robert Van Rensselaer then took the Command. that he then marched with the troops under General Van Rensselaer, by the way of Fort Plain to Palatine in the now County of Montgomery, that they then overtook a party of British Tories & Indians under the Command of Sir John Johnson. That he was in a skirmish, at place between the two Armies. That he then marched with the Army in the pursuit of the enemy into the woods a little North of West of German Flatts in the now County of Herkemer, about twenty miles. That Governor George Clinton joined them at the place. That they then gave up the pursuit & returned to Albany, with the troops & was dismissed.
And the said Efnor further saith, that he again entered the service of the United States, under the following named
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officers & served as herein stated. Captain Jacob Lansing & Lieutenant [illegible] [illegible], that he does not recollect the names of the other officers. That he entered the Service as a private in the latter part of the month of November in the year 1780, the day of the month he does not recollect & left the service in the month of December in the year 1780, at least one month from the time he entered it. that he resided at the City of Albany in the State of New York when he entered the Service. That he was not drafted, a volunteer or substitute to his knowledge. That he belonged to a Company of New York Militia, the Militia company to which he belonged were ordered into the Service by their Commanding Officer. That he entered the Service in obedience to such order. That his company redezvoused at Albany at the time he entered the Service. That he immediately marched with them to the [illegible] Fort in the now town of Schoharie in the County of Schoharie in the State of New York. That he lay there a little more than three weeks, when he marched with his Company back to Albany & was dismissed. That he was in no battle & saw no Continental Regiment or company, or any Regular officer during this period.
And the said Efnor further saith that he again entered the Service of the United States, under the following named officer & served as herein stated. Casparus Houston Commandant, who had acted as Adjutant in the American Army previous to that time. That he does not know the names of the other officers. That he entered the service as a private in the month of August in the year 1781. the day of the month he does not recollect. and left the service at least ten days from the time he entered it. That he resided at the City of Albany in the State of New York at the time he entered the Service. That he entered the Service as a volunteer. That he joined his Company immediately on entering the Service and marched with them to Fort Hunter and staid there about a week, when he marched with the Company back to Albany as a guard to prisoners that had just been taken by
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Colonel Willet. That he was in no battle & saw no Continental Rewgiment, Company or Regular Officer during this period.
And the said Efnor further saith, that he again entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers & served as herein stated. Captain Jacob Lansing and Lieutenant Levinus Winnee. that he does not recollect the names of the other officers. That he entered the Service as a private in the fore part of the month of November in the year 1781. the day of the month he does not recollect And left the service in the month of December in the year 1781 at least one month from the time he entered it. That he resided at the City of Albany in the State of New York at the time he entered the Service. That he entered the service as a volunteer. That his Company Rendezvoused at Albany. That he immediately march with them to Saratoga near the residence of General Schuyler. General Clinton & General Schuyler were at the residence of General Schuyler at this time. That he lay there with his company about three weeks & then marched with them back to Albany & was dismissed. That he was in no battle & saw no Continental Regiment or Company during this period to his knowledge.
And the said Efnor further saith that he again entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. Captain Martines Zielie, that he does not recollect the names of the other officers. That he entered the service as a private, the fore part of the month of November in the year 1782. the day of the month he does not recollect. and left the Service in the month of December at least one month from the time he entered it. That he resided at the City of Albany in the State of New York at the time he entered the service. That he entered the Service as a Volunteer & immediately on entering the Service he proceeded with a party without any Commanding officer to the Middle Fort, in that part of the State of New York, now the Town of Middleburgh in the County of Schoharie, where he joined his Company, under the Command of Captain Martines Zielie. That he lay at the Fort a
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month when he was discharged & returned home. That he was in no battle, & saw no Continental Regiment or Company or Regular officer during this period to his knowledge.
And the said Efnor further saith that there is a Record of one of the Lutheran Churches in the City of New York which one he does not know as he has been informed I believe. That he has a Record of his age in his family Bible in his possession. That he has no documentary evidence of his Service. That he never recieved a written discharge from the Service. That he knows of no person who can testify to his services except Wilhelmus Efnor. That he was born in the City of New York. That he removed from the City of Albany on the close of the Revolutionary War to the now town of Half-Moon in the County of Saratoga where he resided untill the year 1791. when he removed to the now County of Schoharie, where he has resided ever since.
He hereby reliquishes every claim 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. 
Joseph Efnor
Subscribed & affirmed to the 
day and year aforesaid
in open court John Gebhard Jr. Clk
We John Garretson, a Clergyman residing in the town of Middleburgh in the County of Schoharie & State of New York and Freeman Stanton residing in the said town of Middleburgh, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Efnor who has subscribed and affirmed to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn to & subscribed the day 
& year aforesaid in open court
John Gebhard jr. Clk
John Garretson
Freeman Stanton
And the said Court do hereby declare, their opinion after the
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Investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revoltionary Soldier and served of the states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that John Garretson who has signed the preceeding Certificate is a Clergyman residing in the town of Middleburgh in the County of Schoharie; And that Freeman Stanton who has also signed the same is a resident in the said town of Middleburgh in the County of Schoharie in the State of New York and that they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. And that Wilhelmus Efnor who has subscribed & sworn to the annexed affidavit is a resident in the said town of Middleburgh and is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Willam Beekman
Wm. Mann
Tho. Dunforth
State of New York
Schoharie County on this fifth day of February in the year of Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three personally appeared in open court before the Honorable William Beekman William Mann + Thomas P Dunforth
the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Schoharie & State of New York [illegible] Wilhelmus Efnor a resident of the town of Middleburgh in the County of Schoharie and State of New York who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration. That he resided at Vanderheydens Ferry, now City of Troy, State of New York from the commencement of the Revolutionary War untill late in the year 1780, exept the time that he was the in the Service of the United States. That he then removed from there to Half-moon, now town of Half-Moon, County of Saratoga in the State of New York & resided there untill the close of the war. except when in the Service. That he was generally at home as often as once in a month or two, except at one time in the year 1775 when he was absent eight months from home. that he was Beemises heights
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at Stillwater in Saratoga County, on duty as a Soldier in the month of October in the year 1777. That he is a brother of Joseph Efnor. That he saw said Joseph Efnor there as a soldier in the army of the United States. that he does not know who were said Joseph's commanding officers. That the said Joseph lived most of the time during the Revolutionary War in the City of Albany except when in the Service. That he las no recollection of seeing the said Joseph in the Service at any other time that the one above stated. That he frequently heard that the said Joseph was in the Service of the United States during the Revolutionary War; and has always since the war understood from the said Joseph and others that he the said Joseph was in the Service of the United States some length of time.
Wilhelmus Efnor
his mark x
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in the court of John Gebhard jr. Clk.
I, John Gebhard Junior Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of the County of Schoharie in the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the [illegible] of the application of Joseph Efnor for a pension.
In testimony wherof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fifth day of February in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred & thirty three
John Gebhard Jr. Clerk
of Schoharie County
Court
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Joseph Efnor

aomd [?]

12
40
27

25
11
275

Hon. J. Bouck
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Brief in the case of Joseph Efnor
of Middleburgh in the State of N. York
(Act 7th, 1832)
1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 73 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[chart column headings]
Period.       Duration of Service.    Rank.     Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Years,  Months,  Days.    As a     Gen.

early in September in 1776  1 15 Private Capt. Jacob Lansing - N.Y.
Aug 1777 3 " Capt. Lansing, Col. Wemple
May 1778 1 " Capt. Joseph Cook
May 1779 1 " Capt. J. Lansing
Augst 1779 1 15 " " . . do + Major Fonda
Oct 1780 1 15 " " do + Col. Schuyler
Novem 1780 1 " " do

Service brought down

5. In what battles was he engaged? Beemis Heights.
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Albany - N. York
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence, and one living witness. Who testified to the Three Months in 1777. above
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so in what respect? they are profusely authenticated.

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

brought down...10 mos ... 15 days
Aug 1781...10... Casparus Houston
Nov " ...1...Capt. Lansing
Nov 1782...1...Capt. M Tielia
Total...12 mo., 25 days

Wm. Gordon Examining Clerk
Page 15

Rev. & 1812
Wars Section
AWF/eel

[handwriting illegible]

January 3, 1929

Albert C. Bouck
44 Tenth Avenue West
Eugene, Oregon

Sir:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S.29777 [underlined], it appears that Joseph Efner [underlined] or Efnor, was born in New York City, date not stated.
He served as a private with the New York Troops as follows:
From September, 1776, one and one-half months in Captain Jacob Lansing's Company; from August, 1777, three months in Captain Jacob Lansing's Company, Colonels Abraham Wemple's and Philip Schuyler's Regiment and was in the battle of Bemus Heights; from May, 1778, one month in Captain Joseph Cook's Company under Major Ezekiel Taylor; from May, 1779, one month in Captain Jacob Lansing's Company; from August, 1779, 0ne and one-half months in Captain Jacob Lansing's Company under Major Abraham Fonda;. from October, 1780, one and one-half months in Captain Jacob Lansing's Company, Colonel Phjilip Schuyler's Regiment was in a skirmish with the Indians and Tories under
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Sir John Johnson; from November, 1780, one month in Captain Jacob Lansing's Company; in August, 1781, ten days umder Commandant Casparus Housten; from November, 1781, one month in Captain Jacob Lansing's Company, and from November, 1782, one month in Captain Martines Ziele's Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed February 5, 1833, at which time he was living in Middleburgh, Schoharie County, New York, aged seventy-three years.
On October 25, 1842, he stated that he moved to Leoni, Jackson County, Michigan, to live with his children, names of children not given.

The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to James Whiteaker (as described) [handwritten note], under any spelling of the name, or to Harvey Efner.

In order to identiify the record of a particular soldier of the Revoltion named Smales, in addition to the first name of the soldier, as much as possible of the following data is essential: approximate dates of birth and death, place of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.
Due to the very large number of inquiries similar to yours and the lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, the bureau is unable to make a series of investi-

-2-
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gations and reports pertaining to soldiers of the Revolution for one person.

Two histories are furnished each inquirer.

Respectfully,

Winfield Scott
Commissioner.

-3-
Page 18

November 25, 1913.

Hon. Edwin S. Underhill.
House of Representatives.

My dear Mr. Underhill:

In response to your letter addressed to the Adjutant General U.S.A. War Department, dated the fifteenth and received in this Bureau on the twenty-fourth instant, I have the honor to advise you that the pension and bounty land records of the Revolution and war of 1812. fail to afford any information in regard to Joseph Effner who was killed by the Indians at Middleburg. New York. but that one Joseph Efner (or Efnor) Sur. 29.777. Rev. War. was allowed pension on account of his service in the New York troops in 1833. while seventy-three years of age and a resident of Middleburg, New York. In 1842. he resided at Leoni. Jackson County, Michigan. whence he had moved from Buffalo, New York. to live with his children whose names are not stated.

There is no provision of law under which the descendants of a Revolutionary War soldier are entitled to pension.

Very truly yours.

G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
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Oregon
"The State Magazine"
A Magazine Illustrating Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural and Scenic Oregon

Editorial Offices
Albert Rebel, Managing Editor
A.C. Bouck, Assistant Editor

44 Tenth Avenue West
Eugene, Oregon

March 16th, 1923.

Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Gentleman:
Have you among your lists of Revolutionary soldiers the name of James Whiteaker [underlined], or any other Whiteaker, or "Whittaker", of Washington County, Pennsylvania? The name of Smales [underlined] of Ellicott's Mills, Maryland? The Name of Joseph Efner [underlined] or Harvey Efner of Schoharie, New York?

Thanking you for any light that you may be able to throw upon these people, I remain

Very truly yours,
Alber C. Bouck.
Page 20

[handwritten in top right]
1913 November. 25. Hon. Edwin S. Underhill
H. of R. mix outlive.
1929. Jun. 3. Hiss [?] to Albert C. Bouck [illegible]

29777

INVALID.

Revy

File No. 29777

Joseph Efnor
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7th 32'
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 121

(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 21

State of Michigan
County of Jackson
}ss

On this twenty fifth day of October A.D. 1842 before me the subscriber is Juistice of the Peace for said county of Jackson personally appeared Joseph Efnor who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain by Jacob Lansing in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Philip Schuyler in the service of the United States that his name was placed on the Pension roll of the State of New York from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State of Michigan where he intends to remain and wishes his pension to be thus payable in future. the following are his resons for removing from  State of New York to the State of Michigan. His children living in the town of Leoni County of Jackson and State of Michigan, and wishing to live with he removed to the said state of Michigan

Sworn and Subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid }

Joseph Efnor [signature]

Fidus Livermore Justice of the Peace of Jackson County}


State of Michigan
County of Jackson} ss

Catherine Young being duly sworn doth depose and say that she is well acquainted with the above named Joseph Efnor. That the person who subscribed the above affidavit in the persons described therein, and who has since the year 1832 drawn a pension. That the said Joseph Efnor formerly resided in the city of Buffalo State of New York from which he removed to this state. That the said Joseph Efnor who is described in the affidavit above and the person who signed the said affidavit are one
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and the same person 
Sworn + Subscribed this 25th day of October A.D. 1842}

Before me
Fidus Livermore Justice of the Peace for said County}

Katherine Young

State of Michigan 
County of Jackson} ss

I Fidus Livermore the above named Justice of the Peace before whom the above affidavits were taken do duly certify that the said Catherine Young is a person of veracity. and that the statements made in said affidavit are to be believed and that I am well acquainted with the said Catherine Young

Fidus Livermore [signature]


State of Michigan
County of Jackson} ss 

I Fairchild Farrand Clark of said County do hereby certify that Fidus Livermore Esq before whom the annexed affidavits were taken and who signs the annexed certificate was at the time the said certificant and affidavits bear date and now is a justice of the peace in and for said county duly qualified and sworn and authorized to take such affidavits and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the Said Fidus Livermore and verily believe his signature thereto to be genuine

On Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this thirteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fourty two

Fairchild Farrand [signature]
Page 23

9 August 43
[illegible]

James L Edwards Esq.
[illegible] of pensions
War Dept.
Washington City.
Page 24

Mechanics' & Farmers' Bank,
Albany Pension Agency,
January [illegible] 1843

James L. Edwards, Esquire,
Commissioner of Pensions.

Sir, 
In reply to your letter of the 29th. [illegible] I have to state, that Joseph Efnor [underlined] a pensioner under the Act of 7 June 1832 at 42.75 Dollars per annum was last paid to the 4 day of March 1842

I am, Sir,
Very Respectfully, 
Your ob't serv't;
Thos W. Olcott

PRES'T AND PENSION AGENT.
L Jenkins

In your letter above refered to, inquiry is under [illegible] Jacob Efner the payee this is a mistake, + that Joseph Efnor is the payee [illegible] - LJ
Page 25

[?] Dec 24, 1840

Sir

Will you oblige by transfering the pensioner mentioned in the enc. paper to the proper Michigan agency

[?]

J C Clark


To the commissioner of pensions
Page 26

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink; will apply to the claim of Joseph Efnor which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes

V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? The court has
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

*QUERE V.   In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. whom 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----month, and ----days, I served as a ----For----months and ----days, I served as a ----; and for such service I claim a pension.
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respectng their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;  the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his sevice 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 the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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In the matter of the application of Joseph Efnor for a pension

[illegible]
12 mo. 25 [illegible] [illegible]

Hon W. Bouck