Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21085, Nathaniel Farrington, Mass
Page 1

Service               
Mass

Farrington, Nathaniel
Elizabeth

Number
W. 21085

Contents
Page 2

Reported
Payble to Leonard
Farrington, Edward
Farrington, only
living children

4979 Mont.
Vermont
Elizabeth Farrington,
widow of Nathl Farrington
who served in the Revolutionary 
War, as a Private
__________________________
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
23 dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848 and ending
20th August, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
29th day of July, 1849,
and sent to S. D. Kimball,
Barton, Vt
___________________________
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 53 Vol. 3
Page 3

Vermont- No. 28.135
________________________
Nathaniel Farrington
of Walden in the State of Vermont
who was a private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Guile of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Grayson in the Mass Troop
line for 7 months
_________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 23 Dollars and 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
__________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Mar
1834- and
Hn. B. F. Deming H. of Reps
__________________________
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1834-               69.99
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept "       11.66
________________________________________
                                                                     81.65
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by R. Burdin Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3 Page 65
Page 4

State of Vermont}
District County
of Caldonia Ss     

 On this 21st day of June A.D. 1833
  Before the Hon. Benjamin F. Deming
Judge of the Court of Probate for the District aforesaid now sitting personally appeared Nathaniel Farrington a resident of Walden in the County and District aforesaid
aged seventy two and nearly seventy three 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 provisions 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.
That in the spring of the year 1776 at Dedham in the State of Massachusetts his then place of residence he enlisted for one year in the Company of Capt. Guile and he thinks
in the Regt. of Col. Grayson with a view to march to the South or West. On account of his youth his relatives were very much opposed to his going and an arrangement was made by which one Fisher who was then
in the service at Dorchester height near Boston should take the place of this declarant in the year service and this declarant take the place of said Fisher (Whose Christian name he does not recollect) at said Dorchester and in pursuance of said contract this
declarant entered the service as a substitute for said Fisher about the month of May 1776 in the Compy commanded by Lieut. Hix, the Captain being absent in the Regt. of Col. Frances, in the Massachusetts troop.
This declarant was stationed at said Dorchester
Heights about four months during which time he employed at a place called the Castle a little below Boston Harbor was employed there in removing the rubbish and
clearing the brick with a vie to rebuild the works, which the British had destroyed. Afterwards was stationed on Governor's Island and on another Island below the Castle- where he was employed on
Page 5

guard. Was dismissed and returned home about the month of December. Having served according to the best of his recollection not less that seven months in the Company and Regt. aforesaid. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and declares that
that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.
Was born at Dedham Massachusetts July 1. 1760 Has no record of his age
Was living at said Dedham when called into the service removed from said Dedham to Francistown New Hampshire about the year 1788 where he resided about eleven years when he removed to Walden Vermont his present residence where he has resided
for the last thirty four years.
The 4th and 5th interrogatories he has answered in the foregoing declaration.
He recollects that Col. Dykes Regt. was stationed at Dorchester at the same time.
He did not have a written discharge
There is no Clergyman residing in his vicinity and he refers to Deacon Merrill Foster and Daniel Wooster Esq. as persons who will testify to his character and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
That he knows of no person who can testify to his services from actual knowledge.
that the reason why he has not made an earlier application is partly on account of his feeble state of health and the difficulty of getting to Court- and partly because he had been informed that he could not draw a
pension on account of having served as a substitute.
Nathaniel Farrington {Signature}

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before Benjn F. Deming Judge of Probate
Page 6

I Jason Fuller of Walden in the County of Caledonia
aforesaid depose and say that I am seventy five years
of age- That during the revolutionary war I resided
at Dedham in the State of Massachusetts. That I was
at that time well acquainted with Nathaniel Farrington,
then of said Dedham now of said Walden who has
made the foregoing declaration. I have been acquainted 
with him ever since. I have a recollection that he was
 in the service at Dorchester near Boston in the year
1776 as I then understood. I cannot state the length of 
his service as I was for the most part of the time absent
at Ticonderoga.  I have no doubt however but that
he served as he has stated in the foregoing declaration
I know the said Farrington to be of the age he
represents.
Jason Fuller {Signature}
Sworn to and subscribed the 21st day of June A.D. 1833
Before Benjn F. Deming
Judge of Probate
We Merrill Foster and Daniel Wooster both of 
Walden aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with Nathaniel Farrington who has made
the foregoing declaration and have know him for
more than fifteen years last past-that we believe
him to be seventy two 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.  We further certify that
said Nathaniel Farmington sustains a good character
for truth and veracity.
Merrill Foster {Signature}
Daniel Wooster {Signature}
Sworn and subscribed this 21st day of June A.D. 1833
Before Benjn F. Deming
Judge of Probate
Page 7

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 Jason Fuller who has subscribed and made oath to the foregoing affidavit is a resident of Walden aforesaid, is a credible witness whose
statement is entitled to credit, and that Merrill
Foster and Daniel Wooster who have signed the proceeding certificate are also residents of said Walden  and are known to the Court to be respectable gentlemen whose statements is fully entitled to credit.
 I Amos Paul Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Caledonia aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Farrington for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I hereunto , set
my hand and the Seal of said Court
at Danville this 24th day of June A.D. 1833
Amos Paul   Register {Signature}
Page 8

9698
Elizabeth Farrington
Vt
Act 7th July 58
[Iont?]] Resolutions of 23 July 45 &
1st July 1848
Married     1788
husband died 24 Feby 1840
widow died 20 August 1848

Admd
Page 9

State of Vermont}
Caledonia County Ss}

At Probate Court holden at Danville in said District on this ninth day of August 1843 Personally appeared Elizabeth Farrington a resident of Walden in the State of Vermont aforesaid aged Seventy Five 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 of the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 & other subsequent acts which may apply to her case That she is the widow of Nathaniel Farrington who served in the war of the Revolution was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of twenty three dollars & thirty three cents per annum that he he the dec'd Nathaniel Farrington died at Walden aforesaid on the twenty fourth day of February 1840; that for proof of his the said Nathaniel Farrington service she refers to his declaration now in the War Department by which he obtained his pension, that she was married to the said Nathaniel Farrington at Dedham in the State of Mass in the fall of the year 1788 as she think, by the Rev. Jason Haven Minister of the Parish that prior to her Marriage her name was Elizabeth Whiting that she was not married previous to his leaving the service but the marriage took place prior to the first day of January 1794

[signed "Elizabeth Farrington"]

Sworn to and Subscribed on the day & year first above written. -
Before me Sam. B. Mattock
Judge of S Court

I certify that the said Elizabeth Farrington is a credible witness - [signed "S B Mattock, Judge"]
Page 10

State of Vermont}
Caledonia District} Ss  I Henry W. Palmer
Register of the Probate Court in and for said district do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Elizabeth Farrington for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my seal of office
this 9th day of August 1843.
Henry W. Palmer {Signature}
Register
Page 11

"Married by Revd. Jason Haven"
"Mr. Nathaniel Farrington Jun. & Miss Elizabeth Whitney
both of Dedham"
October Second, One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty
Seven

I Richard Ellis of Dedham in the County of
Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, hereby certify, that the above Extract shewing the Marriage of Nathaniel Jr and Elizabeth
Whitney is a true copy of the Record thereof, on the Book of Records in my possession, with the Exception of the date, which is pressed on the Record in fair legible letters and figures as
follows viz "October 2 1787."
Attest Richard Ellis  Clerk of said Dedham

I Richard Ellis depose and say that I now hold the Office of Clerk in the Town County and State aforesaid, and that the above is
a true extract from the Records of the Town of Dedham with the exception above named as certified by me
Richard Ellis {Signature}

State of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk} SS - September 12th 1843- then personally appeared the above named
Richard Ellis, Clerk of the town of Dedham a credible witness, who subscribed to and made oath that the matter by him certified and set forth in the foregoing statements by him subscribed is just and true.__________________________Before me Wm. Ellis  Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretarys Office Sept. 14 1843}
I hereby certify that at the date of the
above attestation William Ellis was a 
Justice of the Peace for the County of
Norfolk.
Witness to Seal of the 
State
Jno A Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 12

State of Vermont}         
County of Caledonia}   I G. A. Burbank Register of the Court of Probate holden at Danville in and for the District of Caledonia do hereby certify that satisfactory
evidence has been exhibited to said Court that Elizabeth Farrington late of Walden in Said District deceased, (widow of Nathaniel
Farrington deceased, who was a pensioner at the rate of $23.33 per annum) died, in Said, Walden in the State of Vermont
in the year 1848 on the 20th day of August that she left three surviving children only whose names are Leonard
Farrington, Nathaniel Farrington, and Edward Farrington.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed my Seal of Office
at Danville this 30th day of March in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine.
G.A. Burbank {Signature}
Register

State of Vermont}      
Caledonia County Ss}   I G. A. Burbank, Clerk of the County Court of the County of Caledonia in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that
John Gould of Walden is an acting Justice of 
the Peace, in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified: that his commission was dated on the 30th day of Nov. 1848 and will expire on the 30th day of Nov next, and that his two signatures, written on the opposite page of this sheet are genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court this 31st day of March AD 1849
G. A. Burbank Clerk  {Signature}
Page 13

State of Vermont
Caladonia [sic] Court s.s. | On this 15th day of March, A.D. 1849. Personally appeared Leonard Farrington, Nathaniel Farrington & Edward Farrington, sons and heirs of Elizabeth Farrington, deceased. Widow & Relic of Nathaniel Farrington, deceased, who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution and drew a pension for his family at the rate of
four or two or three dollars per annum. For proof you are respectfully referred to this pension [illegible], signed [illegible] in his hand writing to the War Office.
That on the day any of the above [illegible], before the [illegible] a Justice of the Peace [illegible] the Court of Caladonia [sic] of [illegible] duly authorizes by Law to administer oaths. No [illegible] Leonard, Nathaniel & Edward Farrington, residents of Walden, [illegible] Caledonia Court personally affirming every made oath that they are the only surviving [illegible] of the aforementioned Elizabeth Farrington, deceased. That the [illegible] Elizabeth Farrington was a resident of Walden, [illegible] at the residence of a son of Leonard Farrington [illegible] Walden on the 20th of August 1848, aged 79 years, that she was the identifying person who [illegible] application for a Pension under the formal acts of Congress. She refers, forming her meaning, that together with her declaration be forwarded to the Pension office by the late John Kimball of Barton. [Illegible] for his death [illegible]
Page 14

Pension from the 4th of March 1848 to the day of her decease also under the former [rate?] Acts of Congress under which she has claimed previous to March 4th 1848, for proof you are respectfully referred to the Joint resolution. Congress afforesaid "July 1st 1848" "Relative to widows  applications for pensions."
They further declare that she was the Widow of aforesaid Nathaniel Farrington, from the day of his death until the day of his death which took place on the 20th of August 1843  [ass..t..]
That she was married to the aforesaid Nathaniel Farrington [private?] 1st day of January 1794 by As the time states in the Certificate of Marriage which was was favorable to the Pension office by the aforesaid John Kimball, and that her Maiden name was Elizabeth Whiting
  Leonard Farrington
  Nathaniel Farrington
  Edward Farrington
Page 15

WIDOW, &c.
________
File No. 21085
Elizabeth Farrington
Widow of
Nathl. Farrington
Pri  Rev  War
_________
Act:  Feb 2nd 48
Index:-Vol.  A   Page. 225
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 16

Reported
Payable to Leonard
Farrington, Nathl Far
rington, and Edward
Farrington only living
Children

[N? Revo g?] 23 Jany 1845
1st July, 1848.
10,699
Vermont
__________________
Elizabeth Farrington decd
Widow of Nathaniel Farrington
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 24th Feb. 1840
of Caledonia in the State of Vt
who was a Priv. in the Compy
commanded by Captain Guile of the 
Regt commanded by Col Grayson in
the [line - crossed out] for 7 Month
___________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Montpelier
at the rate of 23 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1836.
___________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of 
July, 1848, and sent to S.D.Kimball
Barton Vt
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Ths Lumpkin Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page 127
Page 17

Nathaniel Farrington Vt. Act of June 1832  $23.33
To what time was he last paid?
GCA [Initial]
Pension Office}          Died 24th Feb. 1840
July 26 1849}             Pd to his death 
                                      BLB [initials]
Page 18

Reported
Let. to Leonard Farrington
Nathl. Farrington
and Edward Farrington

8605 Mont.
Vermont
________________
Elizabeth Farrington decd.
widow of Nathl. Farrington
who was a Private
in the Revolution
Husband died 24 Feb. 1840
_________________
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 23 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843.
__________________
Certificate of Pension issued
the 28th day of July 1849
and sent to 
S. D. Kimball
Barton, Vt
__________________
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June
17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 and Page 62
Page 19

[on side]
Department of the Interior
Pension Office
 Sir

Act '43
No 9198  9677
Elizabeth Farrington
wid of Nathaniel
 Vt.
act 7 July 1838 & Joint
resolutions of 23 January
1845, and 31 July 1848
Admd,
23.33 pr annum
4 March 1836 to 4 March 1841
Also under the acts of 3 March
43. 17 June 44 & 2 July 1848
from 4 March 1843 to 20 August
1848 the day of her death
payable to Leonard Farrington, Nathaniel Farrington, Edward Farrington only living children of Elizabeth Farrington decd
  S.D. Kimball
 Barton  Vt.
Page 20

Certificate for
Nathl. Farrington
Page 21

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Jany. 29th 1834

I hereby certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears
that the rolls of Lt. Hix's Company, in
Col. Frances' Regt. under which Nathaniel
Farrington claims for services in 1776 are not
found in this Office.
Edward D. Bangs  Secy
Page 22

Barton, V.T. April 3d 1849
Dear Sir
  Enclosed, I Send you the declaration of the Children of the late Elizabeth Farrington who died on the 20th of August last. She had made an application for a Pension Several years since but failed, her papers were forwarded by the late John Kimball
If I am rightly informed her case failed for want  of Record proof of the  deceased has [?] has
[ob ated?] to the act of the Congress passed July 1st 1848, Relative to evaluation  in applications for Pensions
Will you be so kind as to send me [immediately?]   a copy of the  Pensions Laws, both [??] &c.
I do most Respectfully, & earnestly request you to send me Abigail Garlands? pension Certificate. Hon Mr. [Refehan?] of the U.S.S. informs me that     both houses of Congress, and one year I since, I see written you several times  it but have never see an reply, nor the Certificate -
Yours Truly - S. Dana Kimball
Hon J.L. Edwards
Page 23

9698
Elizabeth Farrington
Vt
Suspended
Let. to John Kimball, April
5th 1844
Let. to S. D. Kimball
June 23  49
Act July 7th 38
Page 24

April 9/49
Decd. children of
Elizabeth Farrington decd.
[postal mark] BARTON Vt APR 4
Free [stamped]
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of 
Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 25

I Joseph Underwood of Hardwick, in the County of Caladonia Vermont of Lawful age depose & Say. That I am Preacher of the Gospel, that on the 22d day of August A.D. 1848 at Walden in the County of Caladonia aforesaid I preached the funeral Sermon of the late Elizabeth Farrington who was as I  was informed at the time the mother of Leonard, Nathaniel, & Edward Farrington from my records of the Sermon I find the following, "Walden, funeral of Mrs. Farrington, August 22d 1848"
  Joseph Underwood

State of Vermont
Caladonia County Ss} At Hardwick on this 15th day of March 1849 Personally appeared the above named Jos. Underwood [?] & made oath to the above affiant I further testify that he is Preacher of the Gospel [?] & credible witness
  Enoch Smith  Justice of the Peace
Page 26

State of Vermont  
Caledonia County Ss.}    I G. A. Burbank, Clerk of the County Court of the County of Caledonia in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that
Enoch Smith of Hardwick in said County is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified; that his Commission was dated on the 30th day of
November AD 1848, and will expire the
30th day of Nov, next and that his signature, within written is genuine.
{Seal}
Given under my hand & the seal of said County Court this 23 day
of March A.D. 1849.
G. A. Burbank Clerk
Page 27

27956
Nathl Farrington's
Declaration

7 mo pri
23.33

Hon B F Deming
 H R
Page 28

Nathl Farrington
Amos Paul Esq
Danville Vt
Page 29


WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office,
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 compiling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of
Period when the service was rendered. 
Duration of the
claimant's service.
Years. Months. Days. 
Rank of
the
claimant.
Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served.
Age at present,
and place of abode
when he entered
the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

in Col Francis Regt in 1776 may be
on rolls in office of [?] of state at Boston.
Page 30

2

[brackets around the text]
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 occassionally 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, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmittng the following 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.

[written in italics "State, Territory, or District of     County of     } ss."]

     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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June7th, 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; in 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 county through which he marched. [small hand pointing to the right] 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 of the State of

Sworn to an subscribed the day and year aforesaid.       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    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 not (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 days 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 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      day of      &c.

[brackets on the outside of the text] 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 [page is ripped] tion of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his"
Page 31

3

[paragraph has brackets around it "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 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 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. {[written in italics "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?
{[written in italics "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, form 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 inquiry 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 line drawn in center of page, to separate the above text from these end notes.]

[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 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 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 the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:

"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:-- For ----- year ----- months, and ----- days, I served as a ------; 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 [written in italics "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 places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corpse called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and fore 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 it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of the Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

[written in italics "Mode of authenticating papers."]

[a bracket is on the left of this paragraph] 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 officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

[written in italics "Proof of Service."]
[bracket is to the left of this paragraph] [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 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.

[a small pointing hand] The notes form [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in not [j] applies to continental troops only."
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declaration must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

[written by hand "Service of Claimant in Col Francis Regt in 17[underlined "76"] maybe them by Roth in often of Leercluen of state at Barton"]
Page 32

[written vertically] 9698 K
Sep 25 1843. Eliz K Farrington
Act 1838.
No"

Barton Vt
20 Sep

Free

Col. James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department Washington
Page 33

Barton Orleans County Vermont Sept. 18th 1843

James L. Edwards Esqr

Sir- Enclosed is the papers of Elisabeth Farrington for a pension I expect in due time to have a return 

Respectfully Yours

John Kimball