Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23455, for John Tift, Connecticut
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(8 - 1776)
SERVICE   NUMBER   
Conn.   Tift, John   S.23455
CONTENTS
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New York  26.139
John Tift
of Herkimer or in the State of New York
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Whitney of the Regt. commanded by Col. Smith in the Conn. ma line for 20 months.

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

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of March 1836 and sent to George H. Futer
Little Falls, Herkimer w. N. Y.

Arrears to the 4th March '34, $133.32
Semi-anl, allowance 4 sept 34  $83.33
[Total] $166.65


{Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Ele Brown, Clerk,
Book E, Vol. 4  Page 82

Let to John Tift Oct. 7, 1813
Letter to H. Holdridge 16 March 18
Paid at the Treasury
under the Act April 1838
from 4 Sept 1836 to 9 Feb 1837. Agt notified 28 Oct 1844
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John Tift declaration For a pension

Admitted
Private 20 months

write to

George H. Futer
Little Falls
Kerkimer county
N.Y.
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I Simeon Jones of Preston in the County of New London & State of Connecticut, seventy one years of age testify and say that in the year A.D. 1778 I was an inlisted [sic] soldier in a Company Commanded by Capt. William Whitney of Preston for the term of twelve months, this Company commenced said term of twelve months at New London, from there Ps. [said] Company was marched through Plainfield & other places to Rhode Island in what is commonly called Sullivan's expedition then from Rhode Island back to New London where we served out the term of twelve months & were honorably discharged, & further I testify and say that John Tift was a member of the same Company during said term of twelve months & did his duty faithfully as a good soldier -- this corps was called State Troops -- at this time Oliver Smith was Colonel of the Regiment to which his Company as attached & Nathan Gallup Lieut Col. 
John Tift was an inhabitant of his town of Stonington in said New London County at this time of doing his service aforesaid & further say not.
[signed] Simeon Jones
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New London County. ss State Connecticut Preston - December 21st A.D. 1833 -
Personally appeared Mr. W. Simeon Jones Signed to the within written deposition and made oath that every word therein contained is true.
I hereby further certify that Simeon Jones is & may be considered a Person entitled to full credit as to truth & veracity.
Sworn before me
Stephen Meech Justice of the Peace for New London County
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I Jacob Meech of Preston in the County of New London and State of Connecticut Seventy four years of age testify & say that in the year A.D. 1778 I was an inlisted [sic] soldier in a company commanded by Capt William Whitney for the term of twelve months (this Corps was known & called by the name State Troops) this term of twelve months service was commenced at New London aforesaid and from there said Company was marched from New London through Plainfield and other places to Rhode Island where we were engaged in what is called Sullivan's Expedition, from there said Company marched back to said New London where we served out & closed the term of twelve months. I further testify and say that John Tift was an inlisted [sic] soldier in the same Company and did duty faithfully during said term of twelve months when we were honorably discharged.
This Company belonged to a Regiment Commanded by  Col Oliver Smith Lieut Col. was Nathan Gallup. This John Tift was an inhabitant of the town of Stonington in said New London County at the time of doing his service.
& further say not. [signed] Jacob Meech
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New London County St. Cont. Preston December 21st A.D. 1833
Personally appeared Capt. Jacob Meech subscribed to the within written deposition & made oath t the truth of what is therein declared.
& further I certify that said Jacob Meech is of good character & intitled [sic] to full credit as to truth & veracity.
Sworn before me,
Stephen Meech Justice of the Peace for New London County.

State of Connecticut }
New London County } ss. Griswold December 23rd A.D. 1833.
I Samuel C. Morgan os said Griswold, Notary Public do hereby certify and make known that Stephen Meech Esq. whose signature is affixed to the foregoing affidavits of Simeon Jones and Jacob Meech is a Justice of the Peace in and for said New London County and that said signatures to said certificates are in his own proper hand writing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office the day and year above written.
[signed] Samuel C. Morgan Notary Public
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Personally appeared before, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace of the town of Winfield in the County of Herkimer John Tift who, being duly sworn, deposeth & saith that by reason of old age, & 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 period mentioned below and in the following grades. That deponent served his first campaign as in his former declaration state under the officers,  & in the manner, for a term not less that six months & for which time he clams a pension. Deponent further saith that, the first of May he enlisted in a company commanded by William Whitney Captain, Nehemiah Smith was Lieutenant, & George Gallup Ensign, that deponent went to New London as in his former declaration stated & served one year, being the term for which he enlisted, and for this said service he also claims a pension. And deponent further states that his next service was at Groton Fort under Capt. John Williams, Col. McLary commandant, when he served one month as in his former declaration states & for which time this deponent claims a pension. Deponent further states that his next service was at Groton Fort  as a substitute for Ichabod Eggleston under Capt. Christoper Brown, as in his former declaration states. And deponent further saith that his next & last service was also at Groton Fort as a substitute for his father Jospeh Tift under Capt. John Baldwin. And deponent further saith that during the time of performing the above mentioned service he was not employed in any civil pursuit and for all which time therein he claims a pension. And further saith not
[signed] John Tift
Subscribed & sworn before me this 27th day of July 1833 before me Simeon Bucklin Justice of the Peace
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State of New York}
Herkimer County}
Town of Winfield} ss. Jotham Chapin of the town of Winfield in said county  being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he now is and for more than twenty years past has been well acquainted with John Tift & with his character in the neighborhood where he resides & that his character for truth & veracity & in other aspects is good & that he is then generally believed to have been a Soldier of the Revolution.
[signed] Jothan Chapin
Subscribed & sworn this 27th day of July 1833 before me Simeon Bucklin Justice of the Peace

Town of Winfield, Herkimer County ss:  Personally appeared before me Simeon Bucklin a Justice of the Peace in & for said County on this 27 the day of July A.D. 1833 the above named John Tift, Joseph Mores & Jotham Chapin whose names are subscribed to this affidavit sufficiently known to attached & made oath to the truth of the matter therein respectively, contained. & I do certify that I am well acquainted with each of them & that they are each persons of respectability & veracity, & that their statement is entitled to full credit & belief.
[signed] Simeon Bucklin
Justice of the Peace
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State of New York
Herkimer County ss. - Joseph Mores of the town Winfield in said county, being duly sworn before the Court of Common Pleas of the said County doth depose & say, that he now is, and for more that twenty years pas has been well acquainted with John Tift & saith his character in the neighborhood where he resides & that his character for truth & veracity, and in other aspects is good there, and that he is generally believed to have been a soldier of the revolution.
Subscribed & sworn this 24th day of July 1833, before me
Simeon Bucklin Justice of the Peace } [signed] Joseph Moore
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State of New York
Herkimer County ss. }
Simeon Bucklin of Winfield in the county & state aforesaid being duly sworn before the Court of Common Please of the county aforesaid in open court doth depose and say that he is acquainted with John Tift of the town of Winfield aforesaid, & whose declaration for a pension is hereunto attached, and that he has been acquainted with him for about twenty years past, and that the said John Tift contains a good character for truth & veracity, and a good moral character in other aspects, in the neighborhood where he resides, and is believed to have been a soldier of the revolution.
Sworn to in open court Oct 13th 1832  Julius C. Nelson
[signed] Simeon Bucklin
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State of New York }
Herkimer County ss. }
On this 13th day of October in the year eighteen hundred  thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the judges of the Court of Common Please of the County of Herkimer now sitting, John Tift, a resident of the town of Winfield in said County age seventy 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 to wit:
That he was born in the town of Stonington in the state of Connecticut & is now according to the best of his knowledge & believed to be seventy years old, although he has no record or other evidence of the fact, except his own recollection. That when he was sixteen years old, he enlisted at Stonington aforesaid as a Minute man for the term of one year under Captain William Whitney & was called out, about one week after his enlistment & marched to New London where he remained two months & a half during which time he did duty every day. Oliver Smith was Colonel & Amos Gallery Lieutenant Colonels of the Regiment in which he served. From New London he marched with half of his regiment to Old Providence where the Corps to which he belonged form a squad with the Continental troops & went north on to the island with them where they remained about four weeks at which time they were driven from the island in the night time & landed at Tiverton where they remained one day & one night. From Tiverton he marched with the army to Warwick & kept guard there about two weeks, from thence he marched back to New London & after doing duty there about three months was discharged & went home to Stonington
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having done duty at this time over three months & believes between five and six months.
And he further declares that after he was dismissed & had returned home as before stated, he remained there about three days when he was ordered back to New London. That after doing duty at Groton Fort about six weeks he marched with the corps to which he belonged along the coast to Horseneck from which place he returned to Groton Fort having been absent on this expedition from three to four weeks. That he remained at the fort three months doing duty, was then dismissed & went home to Stonington, having served at this time about six months. That Captain Whitney commanded the company to which he belonged at this time & he believes he was discharged in the month of March.
And he further declares that after he had remained at home at Stoningtron aforesaid until (or he believes) about the first of May he was again ordered to New London where he remained doing duty until some time the month of June in the year following, when he was discharged & went home. And he further declares that at the time of his discharge last above mentioned, he had been in actual service for the term of twelve months which was the period for which he enlisted.
And he further declares that after he had remained at Stonington aforesaid about one month from the date of his discharge above mentioned, he was drafted & went to Groton Fort under Captain John Williams, Col McLeary Commandant where he staid one month was there discharged & went home to Stonington aforesaid.
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And he further declares that shortly afterward (but for how long he cannot say with certainty) he served at Groton Fort one month as a substitute for Ichabod Eggleston under Captain Christopher Brown.
And he further declares declares [sic] that immediately after the last mentioned term of service had expired he served one month at Groton Fort as a substitute for his father Joseph Tift under Captain John Baldwin.
And he further declares that he never received a commission or a written discharge at any time during any of his said several services above mentioned, that he does not know any person now living who has personal knowledge of his services & that he has no documentary evidence of the same & that he does not recollect the names of any of the officers under who he served except those mentioned above, that he is very illiterate never have been able either to read or write & he cannot therefore state with any more certainty than he has done the dates of his said terms of service.
And he further declares that he always resided in the town of Stonington aforesaid until about twenty three years since when he removed into the town of Plainfield Windham County where he resided until about three years ago when he removed to the place of his present residence in the town of Winfield County of Herkimer & State of New York where he has resided ever since.
And he further declares that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except for the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
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[This is an image of of a second document placed over the done in the previous image. The first few lines transcribed are from the previous image.]
cannot  therefore state with any more certainty than he has done the dates of his said terms of service.
And he further declares that he always resided in the town of Stonington aforesaid util about twenty three years since when he removed into the town of Plainfield Windham County where he resided until about three years ago when he removed to the place of his present residence in the town of Winfield County of Herkimer & State of New York where he has resided ever since.
And he further declares that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except to the present & declares that his name is not on the pension role of the agency of any State.
[Text from the page laid over.]
That he was born in Herringtown, in the State of Connecticut & in in the year 1762 if he has been rightly informed as to his age. That he has not any record of his age except his memory. That he resided in the place of his birth when he entered the service, and he resided there after the war until about 23 years ago when he removed to Plainfield in Otays County [need to check] & there [illegible] till about three years ago when he removed to the place of his present residence in Winfield in Herkimer County, he cannot state the dates of the year of his removal to that place where he now resides. That he was called into the service as a militia man by enlistment & afterward drafted & then as a substitute, as in the previous part of his statement mentioned. When a substitute it was once for his father, Joseph Tift, and one time for Ichabod Eggleston.
That the names of some of the regular officers when he served are General Tyler, Major Peters, Colonel Oliver Smith, Colonel McLeary, that he met at Providence Gen Sullivan's army of Continental troops.
That he never received any written discharge from
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[This is an image of one page placed over another one. The following is from the document on top.]

Service. That Simeon Bucklin and Joseph Mores are persons residing in his present neighborhood, to whom he is well known & who can testify to his character for veracity and to their belief of his service as a soldier of the revolution.
John Tift
Sworn in open Court
Oct 12th 1832
Justice Julius C. Nelson Clerk

Mr. Joseph Mores & Simeon Bucklin of the town of Winfield & County of Herkimer

[The following text is from the underlying document.]

Mr. Simeon Bucklin and Joseph Mores residing in the town of Winfield in the county of Herkimer & State of New York hereby certify that
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duly sworn do say that
we are well acquainted with John Tift who has subscribed & sworn to the [illegible] declaration, that we believe him to be seventy years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
Simeon Buckler
Joseph Moors [sic]
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open court.
Julius C. Nelson Clerk
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 & served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Simeon Bucklin who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident of the town of Winfield in Herkimer County and that Joseph Mores who has signed the same is also a resident in the county of Herkimer & Winfield aforesaid and are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit.
John Tift

I Julius C. Nelson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Herkimer do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Tift for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & seal of office the 13th day of October 1832.
Julius C. Nelson Clerk
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State of New York}
Herkimer County} ss.
Clerk's Office }
[A seal is affixed]
I Francis E. Spinner Deputy of Julius C. Nelson Clerk of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Simeon Bucklin Esquire before whom the foregoing declaration of John Tift was made & sworn to and also before whom the affidavits of Jonathan Chapin & Joseph Moors purport to have been sworn & also who signed the 2 certificates of character following each affidavit and also before whom a second declaration has been made by John Tift was at the date of Each a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid duly qualified to act as such and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice & verily believe the several signatures to be genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal this 12th August 1833.
F.E. Spinner
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New London County ss. State of Connecticut
Proctor, December 21st A.D. 1833.
Personally appeared Mr. Simeon Jones signed to the within written deposition and made oath that every word therein contained is true.
I hereby further certify that Simeon Jones is & may be considered a person entitled to full credit as to truth & veracity.
Sworn before me
Stephen Meech Justice of the Peace for New London County
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you will find the [illegible]
due John Tift

Herkimer, NY
Sept 24 the 1843

October 2, 1843

John Tift
Herkimer, NY
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Herkimer County ss
John Tift of the town of Winfield in said county being duly sworn and says that he is the son of John Tift and Gann Tift his mother and that his father was a soldier in revolutionary war and since has been a pensioner annuing sixty six dollars per year and that his father died 9th day of January 1837 and that his mother died 19th day of December 1834 and that he is the oldest of his father's family. That he had two brothers thinks that they are both died & he has not heard from them for a number of years and he had seven sisters that he thinks Minerva is only one of them now living as he has been informed.  About the one [illegible] alive and [illegible] with names of the brothers Stephen Tift & Joseph Tift & the sisters Ligin Tift, Sennier Tift & Abigail Tift, Mary Tift & Lanning Tift & Alming Tift & Minerva Tift and the names of such [illegible] and that he has lost the use of his hand writing.
[signed with the note "his mark"] John Tift
Subscribed & sworn before me [illegible] Sept 12th 1843
Henry Holdridge  Fredrick Starling Justice of Peace
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State of New York, }
Herkimer County,ss. }
I, ERWIN A. MUNSON, Clerk of the County of Herkimer, do certify that Frederich Starling Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument in writing and endorsed thereon, was at the time of taking such proof of acknowledgement a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, dwelling in the said county, and duly authorized to take the same; and that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said certificate to be his genuine signature.
In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said county.
Sept 28, 1842   E. A, Munson Clerk
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No. 16122
John Tift
Herkimer Co.
NewYork

Admitted 
Private 20 mons

George H. Futer
Little Falls
Herkimer
N.Y
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 16 1833
1 Nov

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, ad the subjcined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and regulations will shew [sic] what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
___________
A STATEMENT, shewing [sic] the Service of John Tift Herkimer Co. New York

[Column 1] Period when the service was rendered [Column 2] Duration of the claimant's service
[Entry 1] Enlisted period no stated on form.  Indefinite
[Entry 2] May until June  12 [months]
[Entry 3] Drafted  1 [month]
[Entry 4] Sub. 1 [month]
[Entry 5] Sub. 1 [month]
[Column 3] Rank of the claimant.  Private
[Column 4] Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.  Capt Smith  General Tylor Capt. Whitney  Capt Williams
[Column 5] Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. 70 years  Stonington Connecticut
[Column 6] Proof by which the declaration is supported. Traditional Evidence

I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2 
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contractors, 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. Indians Spies.
As tolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary Ward exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucucians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of }
County of                                 } ss.
On this    day of    personally appeared (a) before    A.B. a resident (b) of    in the county of   and State, Territory or District of    aged (c)   years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the 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 an 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. [Pointing finger printer's mark] 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 herby relinquishes every claim (f0 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 an 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 records, the names of applicants, making such declarations, 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 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 material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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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 exexpected [sic]. All applicants wi appear before some Court of Records 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, of Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier.{ Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To and 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 who 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 Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case if 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 reasons 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.
[The rules (c), (d), and (e) are flagged as why the application has been objected to.]
(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. [The following portion is highlighted for clarification.] 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 sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: __ For___ year __ months, and __ days, I served as a ___. For __ months and ___ days, I served as a ___; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three of 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; 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.
(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 o device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public sea 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.
[This section is highlighted as needing additional clarification in the application.]
In every instance where 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  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 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.
[Pointing finger printer's mark] The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule 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.

[Signed] John N. Ashton
Page 27

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Comm. of Pensions
Washington
Page 28

Little Falls  January 4th A.1822
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Sir, The papers of John Tift are herewith returned with the additional testimony of Simon Jones & Jacob Much, who swear positivity to one years service of applicant.  These affidavits are the only positive evidence that Mr. Tift is able to obtain of his services; and it is hoped that the Department will allow Mr. Tift for one year service, if not for the whole time stated in his declaration.
Respectfully
Your obedient servant
G. H. Futer
Per J. A. Lake
Page 29

[upper left corner] GIDEON, PRINTER.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE
June 13th, 1844.

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasure of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time with in which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The child of John Tift, deceased [sic], a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N. York Agency, at the rate of Sixty Six Dollars and 66 cents per annum, under the law of the June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1836, to the 9th February [sic] 1837.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K Parris
Comptroller.

[at the bottom left of page]  To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.
Page 30

[written sideways on left side of page] Feb 28 1824
Mr Evans
John Tift
Go W Crump Esq
Pension Office
Wasington
Page 31

Herkimer
Sir
Feby 33th 1844
if Self your letter you
donte understand the statement
respecting the pension of
John Tift you will find
due said Tift on Book
same thing about 833 Dollars
and same land as deceased
ponent he drew his pay hoise
year Sir of wish you to
examin the Books rail Sel
what their is due him as
deceased pensioner
his Son apointed me, his atterny
to say to the part which is
due his father you will
see in this statment that he
is the only children that
is initiled to receive it

I wish you to examine
the statement is according to

law and a certificate from
County Clerk of Herkimer Canty
his son is not able set up
and could not you to before
the Court
you will oblige me Bess
during this
Holdridge
Her Rinzer
Page 32

[Left corner sideways] Revolution
23455
INVALID.
File No. 23,455
John Tift
Pre Rev War
Act: June 7th [82]
Index: Vol. 2, Page 419
[Arrangement of 1870]