Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 2464, John Conklin, New Jersey
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
New Jersey

Conklin, John

NUMBER
S2464

CONTENTS

Carded
Page 2

Died Oct. 20 - 1843
(From AN.3 mm?)

17.620-
New Jersey

John Conklin
Borough in the State of NJ
- was a Pri in the war commanded
Captain ---------- of the Regt commanded
by Col Potter in the N J Militia 
-bine for 12 mo 4 days -

Inscribed on the Roll of N.J.-
at the rate of 41 Dollars 12 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of Augt 1830 and sent L. Condict
M. D. Morristown N Y -

Arrears to the 4th of March 30           $82.24
Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 11    20.56
                                                           =====
                                                          $102.80
                                                           =====
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by E D Bullock Clerk,
Book E  Vol.  3  Page 105
Page 3

7213
Page 4

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

State of New Jersey
Borough of Elizabeth}

On this Fourth day of September AD 1832
Personally appeared in open court before 
the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas 
of the Borough of Elizabeth in the County of Essex 
and State of New Jersey, now sitting.  John
Conklin a resident of said Borough, 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.

In the month of September 1776
1  while he resided in the Borough aforesaid he was called 
out to serve in the New Jersey Militia in the infantry in the
regiment of which Edward Thomas was Col. Lieut. Abraham
Marsh Commanded the company in the absence
of the Captn who was sick, he was called out on a monthly
tour; the company marched through Newark to Bergen
Point-  The British rebels lay at this time 
in the Narrows between Long Island & Staten Island.
- at the expiration of a month was dismissed & returned
home.  Jonathan Miller was Sergeant to the Company
& called upon him to perform this service --  Jeddiah
Williams is the only person whom he recollects from his
neighbourhood who served with him at this time - he has
been dead some years - 

2  The next service which he recollects
Page 5

was performed by him in the summer of 1777 - he does
not recollect the exact month, but thinks it must
have been in June or July, from the skirmish he
had with the enemy to prevent them from mowing the 
grass & carrying it into Amboy, at this time was on monthly duty, - was in the Company of Captn. John
Scudder, in the Regiment of Col. Samuel Potter, 
was stationed at Rahway in Essex County, quartered in the house of one Abraham Terrell & Served a month out, - The British troops were some of them at Amboy
a few miles distant -  

3  The next service he recollects,
was in July 1778 in the Company of Captn Cornelius
Williams in the Regiment of Col. Samuel Potter and
served a month at Rahway - during this service a baggage waggon with contents & driver belonging to a British officer
were taken, between Rahway and Amboy.  In the fall

4  of 1778 he again served under Col. Potter, Captn Benja
Williams, Lieut Abraham Marsh, was stationed at
Milton near Rahway one month - quartered in the house
of one Freeman, - had a skirmish with the enemy close
to the quarters, enemy retreated to Amboy.  John Maker
who was since killed by a fall from his horse, and Daniel Conklin 
from his neighbourhood were both in the
same company - both of them ordered - Soon after that,
was again on another monthly tour, at Rahway while
the enemy was at Amboy, thinks it was in Sept - 
was under Col. Potter, Captn: Thomas Mulford - served a month-

5  Served a month at Elizabeth Town, but does recollect the exact time, under Col. Potter, Captn Thomas Mulford. - kept guard at the shore between New Jersey and Staten Island - the
enemy were at Staten Island under Commander
as he understood at the time of General Skinner
Page 6

6   Served a month at Newark in the County of Essex - 
under Major Ezekiel Woodruff, Capn. Thomas
Mulford, it was in September 1780 or October in the time for
making cider, does not recollect the year, the British
were on Staten Island -

7   Served a month at Acquaanouk? 
in Essex County under Command of Col:
Potter & Captn. Thomas Mulford - was stationed at
the Bridge, does not recollect the year, it was in
cold weather, - the enemy were at Hackensack N.J.
Jonathan Williams, Abiel Hanines, Caleb Jeffers, 
were in the same service - he believes they are all dead.
He performed the above services by being notified to turn out

8   He was drafted in October on November 1777 in the Company
of Captn Stephen Chandler, under Genl: Winds, Col. Potter, for a monthly tour, was stationed part of the tour at New Windsor
in the State of New York, this service was performed at the
time Esopus was burnt - about the same time Genl: Burgoine
was taken prisoner at the North - His company
marched through Mathane & Springfield to Morristown the
first night, the next day marched on Schooleys Mountain
& through the dutch valley-  the next day into Sussex County
to the residence of Col:  Soward  next day thinks he
marched through Goshen in the State of New York &
the day after, arrived at New Windsor - about a week
after, Col. Soward arrived with a regiment of
militia from Sussex County N.J. - after serving a
month, returned to Bottle Hill N.J. and was dismissed.
- while at New Windsor the enemy anchored off N. W.
2 or 3 days waiting for fair wind to New York City -

9   In 1780 in January he volunteered & next with the continental
troops under command of Lord Sterling, to
Staten Island, but does not recollect how long he continued 
his service at this time-  In May 1780 was stationed

10   1 mo. at Morses Mills, Middlesex County & kept guard at
the shore between N.J. & Staten Island, under command
Page 7

11   of Sergeant William Oliver can not say whether he was drafted or volunteered.  In August 1781 was
stationed at Elizabeth Town, served a month, in Captn 
Thomas Mulford's company, quartered in the house of
John Herriman, kept guard at Elizabeth Town point
and along the shore on the sound while the British
12   were at Staten Island, can not say whether he was drafted or volunteered, was stationed a month
at Tremley Point on the shore at the sound, does
not recollect the month or the year - thinks it was
a Sergeant guard, quartered in the house of two
brothers who were bachelors, by the name of Broadbery -
was out with the militia at the time of the Battle at
13   Springfield between the Continental troops and the enemy
also at the time of the Battle at Connecticut Farms a few
days memories - thinks these Battles took place in
14   June 1780 - remembers Moses Ogden an officer of the
Continental army was killed at the Battle at Connecticut
Farms, - the church was burnt & Mrs Calwell the wife of the Clergyman
was killed the same day - went to these battles as a volunteer - and was put under command of
Captn Thomas Mulford, - Col Spencer & Col Crane
of the Continental Army were present at these battles-

He continued from the time of his first service in 1776 to
??? on monthly duty in the infantry or ??? army service the whole war and always
performed his service when required as a drafted soldier and was frequently out
as a volunteer in times of alarm and continued in the
service of the militia from September 1776 until the
close of the war in 1783.  After his terms of services
and has no documentary evidence of service or dismissal.
In the time of the Revolutionary War, was acquainted 
with Genls Sterling, Washington, Maxwell, Cols Barber, Spencer, Ogden, Dayton, Captns Seth Johnson, Capt Aaron Ogden, Thomas Monell, Capt Rucastle beside
others whose names he cannot now recollect, all of the New Jersey Continental, 
he knows of no person by whom he can prove his services-
Page 8

5
He was born May 5th 1759 in the township of Elizabeth aforesaid
since the Revolutionary war & has resided there till the present
time The record of his age he has in his family Bible in his possession.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or
annuity except the present, and declares that his name
is not on the pension of the agency of any State
Sworn to and Subscribed the
day and year aforesaid
s/ John Conklin

We John McDonell a clergyman residing in the
Borough of Elizabeth in the County of Essex and State
of New Jersey and David Williams residing in the 
township of Union in the County of Essex and State aforesaid 
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John
Conklin who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration, that we believe him to be 73 years of age
that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood
where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, 
and that we concur in that opinion, and the
said David Williams doth further certify that he saw
John Conklin out on duty in the Militia of New Jersey
a number of times during the war of the Revolution, 
in the township of Elizabeth and elswhere,
but cannot state the precise times or places of service -
Sworn and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid
s/ John McDowell
s/ David Williams

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 unto them that John McDowell who has signed
the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the
thorough aforesaid and that David Williams who has
Page 9

also signed the same is a resident in the township of
Union aforesaid and is a credible person and that
their statement is entitled to credit

I Francis B. Chetwood Clerk of the Court of Common 
Pleas of the Borough of Elizabeth in the County of
Essex and State of New Jersey the same being a
Court of record do hereby certify that the foregoing 
contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application of John Conklin for a pension

In testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand and seal of
office the said Court this fourth day
of September Eighteen Hundred and
Thirty two
F. B. Chetwood Clk
Page 10

State of New Jersey
Borough of Elizabeth
SS. Personally appeared before me Francis
B Chetwood Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas of the Borough of Elizabeth in the County of Essex and State
aforesaid John Conklin of the township of Elizabeth in the Borough
aforesaid, whom I certify is the same John Conklin who subscribed
and was from to the annexed declaration, who being duly sworn
on his oath says that the months service secondly mentioned in
his said declaration, to have been rendered in the summer of 1777, was
rendered in the month of June or July in the year 1777 or part in
the said month of June and part in July, but can not say with
certainty which, by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory
and the service above mentioned was rendered at the station and
under the officers in his declaration in that particular mentioned
That the one months service (fourthly mentioned in his declaration, in
the fall of the year 1778, was performed by him at that season in the
said year, but from his old age and loss of memory he can swear
with certainty to the particular month in which that service was
rendered, and that he performed the duty in his declaration at the
time mentioned under the officers at the station, and under all
the circumstances set forth and mentioned in his declaration in
relation to that particular service. That the one months since
(fifthly mentioned in his declaration at Elizabeth Town, under Col
Potter, in the company of Captain Thomas Mulford, the time of
performing which this deponent did not with certainty recollect at
the time he subscribed & swore to his declaration, but which since
that time he is able to see with certainty, was performed
the month of August in the year 1781 in the company of Capt
Thomas Mulford and in the Regiment of Col. Samuel Potter,
at the station mentioned in the declaration setting forth said
service. That the one months service (sixthly mentioned in his said
declaration) to have been performed at Newark in the County of Essex
under Major Ezekiel Woodruff & Capt Thomas Mulford, has per
formal at that place under those officers, and was in the mouth
of September, being Court time) in the year 1780. That he can not
yet say with sufficient certainty to be qualified to the exact time 
when he performed the one months service (seventhly mentioned in his
declaration, but that he performed one months duty at the place &
Page 11

under the officers in the declaration in that particular
mentioned
That he was drafted in the month of September 1777 and not
in October or November as is set forth in his said declaration
and that he served a month at that time under the officers
and at the places in his declaration in that particular mentioned,
That in January 1780 he served five days as a volunteer in
the manner, at the places and under the officer in his
declaration in that particular mentioned
That the one months service (twelvthly mentioned in his declaration
which he could not recollect the precise time & at the time he [illegible] to it was performed
in the month of April in the year 1780 and was stationed at [illegible]point in the County of Essex, and belonged to the Company
of Capt Elisha Dunham, but was nearly all the time under the
command of the Sergeant whose name he can not yet recollect
That he served at the time of the Battles of Connecticut farms
and Springfield as set forth in his declaration, as a volunteer
the term of six days in all, which service was in the month
of June 1780
That the time and manner, and places of Service in his
said declaration mentioned and not by this affidavit
altered, or supplied, were performed as in the said 
declaration mentioned and described respectively - and further
saith not-
ubscribed and sworn before
me this eighth day of January
Eighteen Hundred and Thirty three
s/ John Conklin

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name affixed the seal
of the said Court at the Borough aforesaid
the day and year last above written
F. B. Chetwood, Clk
Page 12

State of New Jersey
Borough of Elizabeth
Personally appeared before me the
undersigned Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas of the Borough of Elizabeth in the County of Essex and State
aforesaid, John Conklin of the township of Elisabeth in the 
Borough aforesaid, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that
by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he can
not 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
Twelve months and Eleven days I served as a private Soldier 
in the New Jersey Militia in the Revolutionary War all on
my own account and no part of said service as a substitute
and for such service I claim a pension.
Subscribed and sworn before me 
this 8th January AD 1833
s/ John Conklin

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed
my name and affixed the Seal of the said
Court at the Borough aforesaid on the day and
year above written
F. B. Chetwood Clk
Page 13

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section

February 19, 1924

W. J. Conkling
Union Building
Newark, New Jersey

Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim S. 2464 it appears
that John Conklin was born May 5, 1759 in Elizabeth
Township, Essex County, New Jersey.
While living in the Borough of Elizabeth, Essex
County, New Jersey he enlisted in September 1776 and
served as a private at various times to the end of the
war, twelve months and eleven days in all, under Captains John Scudder, Cornelius Williams, Benjamin Williams,
Thomas Mulford, Elisha Dunham and Stephen Chandler,
and Colonels Edward Thomas and Samuel Potter; was
in the battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
September 4, 1832 while living in the Borough of
Elizabeth, Essex County, New Jersey.  He died October 20, 1843.
There is no data of file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 14

State of New Jersey
Borough of Elizabeth } ss
Personally appeared before me Edward
Price an Alderman of the Borough of Elizabeth 
and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and
for the said Borough John Conklin of the said Borough, who 
is known to me to be a man of strict veracity and his
statements entitled to credit, who being duly sworn on
his oath says that the declaration of service in the annexed
declaration set forth contains a true statement of his
services during the Revolutionary War, as particularly
as he could state them at the time he subscribed his
said Declaration, that he does not know an individual
being at this time who served with him at
any time during the whole of the Revolution, that
she has procured the best evidence of his services which
he can procure and as no person is living (to his
knowledge), who served with him at any time the
only evidence he can procure is the reputation set
fort in his declaration - And the deponent
further says that he can not recollect any further
or other services than those hereto annexed in his 
declaration & affidavit-
s/ John Conklin

Subscribed & sworn this 18th day 
of April AD. 1833-
s/ Edward Price alderman

State of New Jersey
Borough of Elizabeth ⎬ SS. I, Francis B. Chetwood Clerk of the
Borough of Elizabeth, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
in and for the said Borough, hereby certify that Edward
Page 15

Price before whom the forgoing affidavit of John Conklin was subscribed at the time of taking the said affidavit was and still is an [ ] of the Borough of Elizabeth in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said Borough, duly commissioned and from, residing therein, and as such Alderman & Judge is authorised to take affidavits and I further certify that I am acquainted with the said Alderman and that the signature "Edward Price Alderman" to the said affidavit prescribed is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto prescribed my [ ] and affixed the Seal of the said Court at the Borough aforesaid this eighteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. F.B. Chetwood
Page 16

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank]
for a statement of the military history of John Conklin
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau. S. F. 2464.

[Table Headings]
| DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. |
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. | 
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. COLONEL. | STATE. |

[Table Rowss]
| Sept 1776 | Seved at various times to end of war amounting to 12 mo. | Pri | John Sucdder, Cornelius Williams, Bnjamin Williams, Thomas Mulford, Stephen Chandler | Edwd. Thomas, Samuel Potter, Samuel Potter, Potter, Potter, Potter, | N.J. |

Battles engaged in, Connecticut Farms, Springfield
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Essex Co. N.J.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 4,1832 His cl. was allowed. Cert issued Aug 28, 1833
Residence at date of application, Borough of Elizabeth, Essex Co. N.J.
Age at date of application, B. May 5, 1759 in Elizabeth Township, Essex Co. N.J.
Remarks: There is no date relative to family
Respectfully,
[Blank]
Commissioner.

6-2856
Page 17

Rev. 1 [illegible]
THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
CHESTER NEVILLE JONES
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT
REV LYMAN WHITNEY ALLEN, D. D.
SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT
CARL MONTAIGNE VAIL
SECRETARY
JOHN RANDEL WEEKS
TREASURER
EDWIN ALLEN SMITH
REGISTRAR
GEORGE HERBERT RICHARDS
HISTORIAN
WILLIAM CLINTON ARMSTRONG
CHAPLAIN
RT. REV. EDWIN STEVENS LINES, D. D.

HEADQUARTERS:
736 BROAD STREET, NEWARK, N. J.
(ENTRANCE 1 CLINTON STREET)
TELEPHONE 3085 MARKET

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
OF MANAGERS
S. ALBERT CLARK
WILLIAM JOHNSON CONKLING
AUGUSTUS STOUT CRANE
HERBERT ROYAL CRANE
S. CARL DOWNS
WILLIAM SIMONSON EDDY
SAMUEL CHUDLEIGH HICKS
FREDERICK MARTIN HAVILAND
GEORGE VAIL MUCHMORE
ROBERT OWEN VON STEUBEN
PAST PRESIDENTS
JOHN FRANKLIN FORT
JOHN LENORD MERRILL
WASHINGTON IRVING LINCOLN ADAMS

Newark, N. J. August 4, 1917,
Hon. G. M. Sulzgaber,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly furnish a certificate
giving the military history of John Conklin whose name
appears in the pension list under act of Congress passed
June 7, 1832, reading as follows:
Essex County, N. J.
John Conklin, Private, N. J. Militia
placed on pension roll Aug. 28, 1833
commencement of pension March 4, 1831.
At time of making application was 75 years of age.
The data is desired in the interests of
this Society and will be greatly appreciated.
Very truly yours,
Chester Mores
President.
Page 18

LEIGH VALLEY COAL SALES COMPANY
W. J. CONKLING
SALES AGENT

UNION BUILDING
NEWARK, N. J.

January 17, 1924.

Hon. Washington Gardner,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Bureau of Pensions,
Department of the Interior,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:-

Will you kindly furnish for genealogical work a certificate
showing the military history during the Revolutionary War of
JOHN CONKLIN, Private, Essex County, N.J. Militia.
He was placed on Pension Roll August 28, 1833.

Very truly yours,
W. J. Conkling

[STAMP]
OFFICE OF 
THE COMMISSIONER
JAN 18 1924
U.S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Page 19

1917, Aug. 11. History to
Chester Jones.    F.W.

1924 Feb. 19. Hist. to W. J. Conkling

Rev War
2464
INVALID.
File No. 2464
John Conklin
Privt Rev War
Act: June 7 1832
Index: --Vol. A. Page 73.

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 20

Elizabeth [illegible] April 18 1833
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Sir.
I have rec'd the papers of John Conlin and others in relation to their applications for pensions - and having seen Mr Conklin only, since I received the papers, I have amended his application in conformity with your instructions. I did not administer the affidavit in consequence of the doubt suggested by you, of the propriety in doing so out of court. Shortly after I received the first declarations returned for amendment in December last, I wrote your department to be instructed as to the proper officer before whom to have the supplementary or amendatory affidavits taken & subscribed and in reply received your letter a copy of which is transcribed "War Department" Pension Office 27 December 1832
Sir
In reply to your letter of the 23 [illegible] I have to inform you that the proper course to be [illegible] by every applicant is to make an additional affidavit to his first declaration, which can be taken before the Clerk of the Court who certified the original proceedings.
Page 21

[dings] who is also the proper officer to certify to the
Amended statement"
very respectfully
your Obt Sert
s/ J. L. Edwards

In consequence of the letter above referred to I did not
suppose it was necessary to take the affidavit in
Court in as much as the affidavits & amended
statements were to be made before the Clerk of the
Court who certified the original proceedings and
who was also the proper officer to certify to the
Amended statements
I am very respectfully
your obedient Servant
s/ Francis R. Chetwood
Page 22

John Conklin - $41.12
Payments to be made at Trenton by [illegible] Bank [illegible] Agent of paying Pensioners, in the Agency of New Jersey #2464
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book 8 Vol. 3 Page 105 by E.D. Bullock, Clerk.
Page 23

War Department.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, John Conklin of the State of New Jersey who was a Private during the Revolutionary War is entitled to receive Forty one dollars and Twelve cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semiannually on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 28 day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Lew Cass, Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.
Geo. Wm. Crump, Acting Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 24

Sept 12. 1833 Paid to 4 Sept 1833
Chas 8, 1834 Paid to 4 Mar 1834
Sept. 1834 Paid to 4 Sept 1834
Mar 9 1835 Paid to 4 Mar 1835
Oct 3. 1835 Paid to 4 Sept 1835
A D 1836 Paid to 4 Mar 1836
Sep 10 1836 paid to Sept 4 1836
May 17 Paid to 4 Mar 187
Paid to up 1837. Paid to 4 Mar 1838
Paid the 1840 Paid to 4 Sep 1838
Paid to 4 Sep 1840 Paid to 4 Mar 1839
Paid to 4 Mar 1845 Paid to 4 Sep 1839
Paid to 4 Mar 1841
Paid to 4 [illegible] 1841
Paid to 4 Mar 1842
Paid to 4 Mar 1843
Paid to 4 [illegible] 1843
No-17620
Page 25

Return this

12w 11 days
$41. 12

s/ L Condict
Page 26

Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Conklin which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the application resides? [/blank]
III. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? [/blank]
II. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [/blank]
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? No.
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension his is entitled? No see Quere 5
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? [/blank]
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? [/blank]
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? [/blank]
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? [/blank]
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? [/blank]
Page 27

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? [/blank]
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [/blank]
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? [/blank]
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? [/blank]
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? [/blank]
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No, see Quere 16.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? [/blank]
Explanatory Notes.
*Quere V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For ___ year ___ months and ___days, I served as a ___. For ___months and ____ days, I served as a ___; and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 28

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he
must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits
the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which be 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.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.