Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,833, Martin B Van Buren, New York.
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SERVICE
New York

Van Buren Martin B

NUMBER
R. 10.833
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28269
Martin Van B. Buren a
Soldier of the Revolution
-
S. Crippen

Schuyler Crippen
Worcester
Otsego Co
NY
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State of New York
Otsego County    ⎬ Ss
Personally appeared before me the undersigned being one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the said County, Martin B. Van Buren known to me to be the same person described in and who subscribed and made the declaration hereunto annexed, who being duly sworn doth depose and say, that it is now about thirty five years since he removed from Schodack the place where he resided, at the time he was in the service during the War of the Revolution as set forth in said original declaration hereunto annexed and that he has ever since resided at a distance of about Seventy miles from the said Town of Schodack
And he further states that he has made diligent enquiry to ascertain whether any of the officers under whom he served, are now living, and he has been wholly unable to learn that any one of said officers are now alive but on the contrary thereof he verily believes them all to be dead. And he also saith that he is unable to find any person who was in the service with him, with whom he was acquainted at that time and to whom he was known, and it is therefore wholly impossible for him to make proof by any person now living to his knowledge of his services as a soldier during the Revolution; that his application has been defered by him in the hope and belief that he might be able to ascertain some person who served with him, but he has wholly failed so to do, and further saith not.
Martin B. Van Buren
Sworn & Subscribed
this 29th day of November
1833 before me
Seth Chase a Judge
of Otsego County
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State of New York
Otsego County SS: I Horace Lathrop, Clerk of said County, do certify, that Seth Chase before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn, was, at the date of the same, one of the Judges of Otsego County Court, duly commissioned & qualified; And that I am acquainted with his hand writing, & verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing & signature. Witness my
hand and seal of Office the 2nd day of December
1833.
Horace Lathrop, Clerk
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State of New York
Otsego County Ss
On this Eigth day of October 1833
Personally appeared in open Court before the
judges of the Court of in and for the said
County now sitting, Martin B. Van Buren of the town of Maryland in the County of Otsego and State of New York aged 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 act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and
served as herein stated. That on the first of Mar 1777 he entered into a company of Militia, at the Town of Schodack in the County of Rensselaer, New York Commanded by Capt Nicholas Staats of Schodack and Leutenent Philip Staats, in a Regiment commanded by Col Jacob Schermerhorn.
That he marched in said Company and Regiment from Schodack on the first of May 1777 to Stillwater in the State of New York, where he remained with said Troops about one  week, and from Stillwater marched to Fishkill and was there stationed, and continued in
actual service until after the Surrender of General Burgoyne and the British army under his command.
At the time of the Battle at Saratoga, a part of
Col Schermerhorn's Regiment were engaged in the battle but Capt Staats company were placed on guard and were not in the engagement. After the surrender of Burgoyne, marched in said Company, down to Albany 
and at the expiration of one week from the time of said Battle, was dismissed from the service, and he the said declarant returned home to his father in the Town of Schodack aforesaid. The Regiment commanded by Col. Schermerhorn was under the command of Genl Henry Van Rensselaer of the County of Rensselaer. Genl Van Rensselaer was wounded in the Battle at the taking of Burgoyne, had his thigh broke. And he well recollects while in the service at this time of seeing Gen Gates, and Gen Schuyler. That he was in actual service at this time for five months and a half.
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And he the said Martin B. Van Buren further declares that as early as the Middle of May in the year 1778 he again volunteered in to a company of Militia commanded by the same officers above named, and marched from Schodack to Halfmoon Point on the Hudson River, where the Troops remained for a short time - from thence marched to Schenectady, and remained there not less than three weeks, and was then dismissed at Schenectady from the service, and he then returned home to Schodack the place of his residence and
that he was in actual service at this time one month - Col Jacob Schermerhorn had command of the Regiment to which he belonged at this time and he the said declarant well recollects that about three hundred militia marched from Schodack under command of
Col Shermerhorn to Half Moon & from thence to Schenectady at this time and that Capt Anthony Brice had command of one company of the Militia under the command of and that served under Col Shermerhorn during the
month service above stated. Also recollects that Cornelius Van Buren was a Major in the same service at this time
And the said Martin B. Van Buren further declares that the last of June or first of July in the year 1778 he again volunteered and went into actual service in Capt Staats company of Militia in Col Jacob Schermerhorn's Regiment. And marched in said Company and Regiment from Schodack to Schenectady, where the troops made a halt of two or three days - and then marched up the Mohawk River to Fort Herkimer at a place called the German Flatts.  Was stationed and remained at Fort Herkimer ten or twelve days and then marched back to
Schenectady, and was there stationed and remained
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in service for the period of six weeks, and was then dismissed from the service and returned home to Schodack. That he was in actual service at this [?] for the full period of two months. Well recollects that Col Van Rensselaer 
of Claverack with a Regiment of Militia Marched up the Mohawk in company with Col. Schermerhorn Also recollects Capt Schermerhorn who commanded company of Militia in Col. Schermerhorn's Regiment 
and was in the service at this time.
And he the said Martin B. Van Buren further declares that he again volunteered into a company of Militia commanded by Capt Staats and entered into actual service in said Company the first of October 1778, and marched in said company from the Schodack to Schoharie and was stationed at the Middle fort on the Schoharie Creek at this time Capt Staats company was commanded or belonged to a regiment under the command of Col Schuyler. That while stationed at the Fort at this time he was several times sent on scouts through Cobleskill and Sharon in the County of Schoharie, Recollects Capt Cornelius Schermerhorn was in the service and commanded a company which was stationed the middle Fort at this time. That the the said declarant was in actual service at this time for the period of two months, stationed at the said Middle fort on the Schoharie Creek, and was then dismissed at the expiration of said two months service and again returned home to his father in the Town of Schodack aforesaid.
And the said Martin B. Van Buren declares in manner aforesaid, that as early as the middle of May in the year 1779 he again volunteered into a company of Militia commanded by Capt 
Staats and Marched from Schodack to Half Moon
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from thence into the state of Vermont, did not remain in Vermont but immediately returned to Saratoga and to Stillwater and from there to Schenectady - remained at Saratoga before marching to Schenectady for about three weeks - after arriving at Schenectady was there stationed and remained until dismissed at the expiration of two months and a half service - Major Cornelius Van Buren marched with the troops at this time and had command of the same - Recollects that Capt Brice had command of a company which marched with Capt Staats company and remained with them during the whole two and a half months - was dismissed at Schenectady as above stated and returned home to Schodack
   And the said Martin B. Van Buren further declares in manner aforesaid that in the month of October 1779 and as early as the middle of the month he volunteered into a company of Light Infantry commanded by Capt James McKown and Lieut Lansing and Ensign Ostrander that he marched from Schodack in said company to Schoharie and was stationed at the middle Fort on the Schoharie Creek. That he continued in actual service at this time for one month and a half and was then dismissed at said Fort and returned home to Schodack. That he does not now recollect the name of the Cmdr who had command of the fort at this time.
   And he further declares in manner aforesaid that he has no documentary evidence and that he he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services
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And the said Martin B. Van Buren further declares in answer to the interrogatories put to him by the said Court in conformity to the instructions from the War Department, in manner following that is to say - 
1st That I was Born in the Town of Schodack in the County of Rensselaer in the State of New York in the year 1759
2nd That I have no record of my age in my possession
3rd That I resided at Schodack in the County of Rensselaer at each and every time I was called into the service, during the Revelation. That since the Revolution has resided in the Town of Jefferson in the County of Schoharie. And in the Town of Maryland in the County of Otsego New York where he now resides
5 I have set forth the names of the officers who were with the Troops, in my declaration above stated as fully as I can recollect the same and also the general circumstances of my servicea are above set forth as fully as I can state the same
4 I volunteered at each and every time I was called into the service and I did not serve as a substitute for any other person and that I was not engaged in any civil employment whatever while in the service above stated
6 I never received any written discharge from
the service-
7 And I further state that I am known to the Rece[?] Silas Miller Greene Blivin[?], Stephen R. Oliver[?]. of my present neighborhood and who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.
And I further declare that I relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not
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on the Pension Roll of the agency of any
State.
Martin B. Van Buren

Sworn & Subscribed in
Open Court the 9th
day of 1833 October 1833
Horace Lathrop Clerk

We Silas Miller a Clergyman residing in the Town of Davenport in the County of Delaware New York and Greene Blivin residing in 
the Town of Maryland Otsego County New York, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Martin B. Van Buren who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we
believe him to be seventy three 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 and we do further state that we are well acquainted with the said Martin B. Van
Buren, and that he sustains a good character
for truth and veracity, and his statements are entitled to full credit and belief
Silas Miller
Greene Blivin
Sworn & subscribed in open
Court, October 8th 1833
Horace Lathrop, Clerk
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, & 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 Silas Miller who has signed the preceding
Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Davenport in the County of Delaware, New York; and that Greene Blivin who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Maryland, Otsego County as York, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. O. Moses
Seth Chase
Elisha Foote
Justices
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State of New York
Otsego County Ss I Horace Lathrop Clerk of
the Court of Common Pleas of the County
of Ohio: do hereby certify, that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings
in the matter of the application of Martin
Van Buren for a Pension. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office the 19th day of October 1833
Horace Lathrop Clerk
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Fergusonville Delaware Co. N.Y. Dec 12th 1849
Messrs
About 15 years ago a circular was sent from your department to Mrs Hornberger (formerly the maiden name was Betsy Van Buren now it is Mrs Wilson) stating that her father was entitled to a pension as a United States, Soldier. In consequence of poverty negligence &c there was nothing done by her about it for some years, she then (some years after receiving the blank circular) had it suitably filled up & placed it in the hands of a negligent or incompetent attorney & by him alledged to be lost or mislaid or denies that she ever delivered the necessary papers to him. She now wishes to obtain the pension and wishes another blank sent to her, also wants to know whether her age (R Everett)  ever collected her fathers pension. her fathers name was Martin B Van Buren I think he held some office in the army for instance Corporal or sergeant. The pecuniary means are small. An early answer will very much oblige
Yours Respectfully
S.C. Lockwood
P. S. I may be mistaken in reference to Martin B. Van Buren holding an office in the army but I think it is true
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17
Martin Vanburen
Act 1832-NY

A Hellackland
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State of New York
County of Otsego

Be it Known that on this Sixth day of November A. D. 1882 before me, the under signed, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Stephen S. Olmsted 
of Davenport Delaware County resident of Davenport in said County, and made oath according to law that he is the grand Son of Martin Van Buren who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for  the benefit of the Pension Act of ...
That his directly interested as a claimant in said pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments
as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given hereby constitute and appoint O. W. BENNETT, of Washington City, my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of Martin Van buren for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D. C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present.
Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
Stephen S Olmsted
Sworn to, subscribed, and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said
Stephen Olmsted to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party
A Wilcox Justice of the Peace
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STATE OF NEW-YORK.
OTSEGO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE
I, SAMUEL NORTH, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify, that A. Wilcox Esquire, was, on the 6th day of November 1852 Justice of the Peace in and for the said County
of Otsego, duly authorised to act as such, and that I am well acquainted with the hand
writing of the said Justice, and that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal of the said
County, at Cooperstown, this 12 day of Nov.
1852
Samuel North CLERK
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Martin B. Van Buren
proof req'd
S. Crippen
Worcester
NY
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
Nov 18. 1833
Sir
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes you will readily perceive that objections exist which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, You will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will by compling with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
---
Statement, shewing the Service of Martin B. Van Buren
====
Period when the service was rendered
Duration of the claimant's service
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 (73, Schodack, NY)
Proof by which the declaration is supported (traditionary)
----
May '77 
1/2 mo
pri
Capt Staats / Col. Schermerhorn
---
15 May 78
1 mo 21d
pri
same officers
---
1 Jul 78
2mo 42d
pri
same officers
--
10 Oct 78
2mo
pro
Col Schuyler
---
May 79
2mo 15d
pri
Capt Staats / Major Van Buren
--
Oct 79
1/2mo
pri
Capt McKown / no Col named

'from May 77 till after the 
surrender of Burgoyne ' 17th Oct '77,
namely 5mo.

I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers, all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians 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 } ss
County of
On this __  of __personally appeared (a) before __ A.B. a resident (b) of ___ in the county of ___ and State, Territory or District of ___ aged (c) ___ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the 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) __, with ___ and served in the ___ (e) regiment of the  __ line, under the following named officers:
(Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he 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 ___.
Sworn to and 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 note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia. except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the __ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ___ , who has 
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ___ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the 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 that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ___ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I ___ Clerk of the Court of ___ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of ___ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this ___ day of ___ & c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his 

Still a resident of the state where the service is alleged to have been performed it cannot but be susceptible of proof.
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
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 or 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 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] 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 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 his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; and the particular place of places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an established 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 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 he has no devise or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the a 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.

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 noted from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers, and State Troops. The proof required by role is note [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.
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[contents blacked out]
Page 22

10.833.
Martin Van Benton
Service: Martin B. Van Buren
REJECTED
Enlisted: a09
Discharged: Aug. 24, 1906
Application filed:-
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized.
Contract
Cert. of Dis. 
Searched for
Page 23

To the Pension Office
Washington 
Martin B Van Buren of the Town of Maryland, County of Otsego, state of NY, a Revolutionary Soldier, died in 1836. Previous to that time, proceedings had been instituted to obtain a pension, but owing to some oversights in preparing the papers he died before receiving any. His heirs ( the writer of this being one) is anxious to know what there is about it. He believes that a pension is in readiness
for the heirs of his father. He is besieged 
by hungry Agents, but declines their services
believing that news directly from [head?]
granters entitled to more credit.

Please inform me in what
there is about it & oblige
I am resp
July 29. 1854
John B. Van Buren
Charlotte Ville
Schoharie Co
NY
Page 24

Washington City
June 7th 1853
Hon. S.P. Waldo
Com'r of Pensions
Sir.
I have the honor to endorse herewith a power of attorney executed by the heir of Martin Vanburen, decd of the state of New York, whose claim under the Act of July 7th 1832 has been superseded. I hope to be enabled to file additional evidence in the case sufficient to establish the claim before it comes up for examination.
Very Respectfully 
Your Obedt. Servt.
C.W. Bennett
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J.L. Edwards Esq.
Page 26

Worcester Dec. 6 th 1833
James L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
I herewith return to your office the papers in support of the application of Martin B. Van Buren for a pension. He has made an additional affidavit which is intended to show the reasons why he is not able to procure the testimony of living witnesses to prove the service which he rendered during the Revolution. Mr. Van Buren applied to me about one year since to aid him in obtaining a pension. I then advised him to defer his application in order to ascertain, if possible, where some one or more persons might be found, to prove his services. Under my advice he did postpone the making of his application until October 1833. In the meantime as well, Mr. Van Buren, as myself took measures to find witnesses to support his claim to a pension, but unfortunately no person living could be found. Such persons as he could recollect that were in the service with him were either dead or had left the country many years since, and to trace them out at this late period, could be attended with much trouble and expense.
Not withstanding Mr. Van Buren’s inability to obtain witnesses to prove his services yet I am entirely satisfied that he served his Country as he has set forth in his application. 
I have known Mr. Van Buren for several years past and he has ever sustained the reputation of an honest upright man and sustains the character of a devoted Christian in the Church of which he has many years been a member. I hope his case may be considered as sufficiently sustained to allow him a pension, which he really needs for his comfortable maintenance in his old age.
Yours Respectfully 
Schuyler Crippen